The Chemical Age, Vol. 54, No. 1409

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A , ;JL O tM il f f ? j* t l i i l l # i r t ' i ^ i - ‘ r L i t i l i i L ' t i S l S i ^ ^ F L i i S

V O L . L IV S A T U R D A Y , J U N E 2 9, 19 4 6 g d . P e r C o p y

N O . I4 O9 / - ^ REGISTERED AS A NEWSPAPER POST FREE 8 D .

PRACTICAL RECOVERY

SOLVENTS

b y

“ACTICARBONE”

methods

Hcetone Ulcohol- Ether

Hiibhter solvents Tri-chlor E sters

C o m p lete P lan ts for V en tilation , R e c o v e r y and D istilla tio n d e sig n e d and in sta lle d .

Our la rg e W a r-tim e e x p e r ie n c e is a v a ila b le n o w , for stu d y o f P e a c e -tim e p r o jec ts.

PRICE STUTFIELD & CO. LTD.

110, FENCHURCH STREET, E .C .3 .

T e l . H O Y A L Ï0 1 1 ’G r a m s : E x c o n s e c , F e n , L o n d o n

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W it h W e lls ’ W aste- O ll F ilte r you can use yo u r oil several times o v er and change it

thoroughly reliable supply of oil [Is assured w ith the use o f W ells*

Special F ilte r Pads w hich w o rk In conjunction w ith W e lls * Patent Syphon Feed.

A.C. W ELLS

& GO. LTD

P R O V I D E N C E M I L L S * H Y D E ' C H E S H I R E

W rite for fuller particulars of these oil filters.

Telephone : Hvdt 953 Telegrams :U n - breakable Hyde*

T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ju n e 29, 1 946

RESINS BAKE LAQUE

PHENOLIC

h

for acid-pjoof coatings

■ for abrasive w heels

■ for electrical insulation

ATTWÄTER & SONS, L td.

E s t 1868

HOPWOOD STREET M I L L , PRESTON, ENG .

I f y o u r p ro d u c ts re q u ire c arefu l h a n d lin g a t th e p u m p in g stage to av o id c o n ta m in a tio n a n d d isc o lo u ra tio n , th e n y o u sh o u ld have d e ta ils o f th e M O N O P U M P .

F re e d o m fro m p u lsa tio n , ém ulsification, aera tio n , tu rb u le n c e , a n d c o n ta m in a tio n is a ch ara c te ristic re su ltin g fro m th e u n iq u e p rin c ip le o f th e M o n o P u m p a n d is th e reaso n fo r its in creasin g p o p u la rity .w ith m a n u fa c tu rin g ch em ists.

S e lf p rim in g , p o s i t i v e a c tio n , s im p le and ro b u s t c o n s t r u c t i o n , reaso nab le in itia l co st and lo w m a in te n a n ce a r e a d d i t i o n a l ch a ra cte ris tics .

F u ll d e tails sent on req uest.

M O N O P U M P S L T D .

M O N O H O U S E , C L E R K E N W E L L R O A D , L O N D O N , E .C .I.

T elephone and Telegram s : H olborn 3712 (6 lines).

Cables:

M O N O PUM PS.-London. C ode: A .B.C . Seventh Edition

h a n d l e w i t h c a v e .

dm 1483

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Ju n e 2 9 , 19 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E

ALLANTOIN

For medicinal and synthetic uses.

A

1

I f l

Y

N T I N F ° r organic syntheses and as a raw material r i l _ n j

7

V r \ l i 1 1 1 1 for ^ manufacture o f riboflavin.

HYDRAZINE SULPHATE K S T "

Used in rare-metal refining, and as an anti

oxidant in light-metal fluxing and soldering.

P H i r i t t n f U r i P I N n T An essential developer and end- l i L U i I U v J L L I l j l l 1 Ui_i component in dye-line printing.

R l I R i n i F T / V l Q

5

I T C For the manufacture of thermionic n L I D I U l U i V l O / i- L

1

O and photo-sensitive valves.

G E N A T O S A N L T D ., L O U G H B O R O U G H , L E I C E S T E R S H I R E T elephone: Loughborough 2292

T ^owers E ^lectric O ^vens

Double W a ll type with thermostatic control for temperatures up to 120° C. Asbestos cement outer case, copper interior, enclosed heating elements, vacuum relay preventing sparking, glass or asbestos door.

M46I 12 x 10 x 10 in. inside £18] 0 0 M462 14 x 12 x 12 in. inside £20 10 0 M463 16 x 14 x 14 in. inside £23 0 0 M464 18 x 15 x 15 in. inside £25 0 0

all above prices are subject to 10% advance

Full details on application

J. W . T O W E R S & CO., LTD.

Head Office & W o r k s : W I D N E S

M A N C H E S T E R : 44, Chapel St., Salford 3.

L IV E R P O O L : 134, Brow nlow Hill.

A

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T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ju n e 29 , 19 4 6

CAST I RON A N D M U D STEEL TANKS:

I RON CAS TI NGS

HEAT RECOVERY PLANT

:■ ■ ■ ■ • ■ ; : ■ ■ a ■ ’ .■

WELDED P L A N T A N D VESSELS

BLAST F UR N A C E A N D STEEL WORKS PLANT C H E M I C A L A N D B Y

P R O D U C T PLANT GAS WORKS PLANT

- • -

■P.. STEEL BRIDGES

vS:- ...

• • -

W m

NEWTON CHAMBERS

NEWTON CHAMBERS & Co.Ltd .THORNCLIFFE. Nr SHEFFIELD

L O N D O N O F F I C E : A R T I L L E R Y H O U S E . A R T I L L E R Y R O W . L O N D O N S. W. 1.

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Ju n e 2 9 , 194Ó T H E C H E M I C A L A G E ⁱⁱⁱ

T . C . 5 0 C 5

A matter for consultation

No intelligent business man attempts to solve his legal problems without a lawyer—nor his chemical problems without the aid of a chemist. The May & Baker organisation has been engaged in the manufacture of fine chemicals for technical and pharma

ceutical purposes for well over a hundred years, and has naturally

accumulated a wealth of information arising out of practical experience.

This information and the resources of their analytical and research labora

tories enable their Technical Service Department to assist manufacturers in the solution of chemical problems and your enquiries will be welcomed.

MAY & BAKER LTD.

D A G E N H A M

M a n u f a c t u r e r s o f ! I \ F i n e C h e m i c a l s S i n c e Q 1 8 3 4

Telephone: ILFord 3060 Sales Department: Ext. 72 Technical Service Dept.: Ext. 71

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W hen blo sd infusions were given to w ounded

found that the injection o f blood plasma mixed with distilled w ater caused the p atien t’s tem perature to rise for a short tim e. T h e trouble arose from the presence o f Pyrogens in the w ater — im purities tliat could not he rem oved even by distillation. The P yrogens were trapped, how ever, when the distilled w ater was filtered through active carbon and th e patients no longer suffered increased tem peratures.

A ny m anufacturer who feels feverish about filtration difficulties,' can get his tem perature down to norm al by rem em bering the industrial uses o f active carbon in rem oving unw anted discoloration, smells or im purities.

S U T C L I F F E S P E A K M A N & C O M P A N Y L T D . , L E I G H , L A N C A S H I R E L O N D O N O F F IC E : 82 K IN G W IL L IA M S T R E E T , E.C .4. T E L E P H O N E : M A N SIO N H O U S E 1285-6 M anufacturers o f a ll grades o f A ctive Carbon fo r Adsorption purposes, D ecolourising, W ater Purifica

tio n a n d D echlorination. M ed icin a l purposes a n d Depyrogenising.

S U T C L I F F E S P E A K M A N

THE C H E M I C A L A G E ^J^{u n e} 2 9 , 19 4 6

HOW TO CATCH

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Ju n e 2 9 , 19 4 6 T HE C H E M I C A L A G E

Made by Chance Brothers Ltd.

Head Office and Works:

Smethwick, Birmingham.

London Office:

28, St. James’s Square, London, S .W .I.

S T O C K S H E L D B Y A L L R E C O G N I S E D L A B O R A T O R Y F U R N I S H E R S

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T H E C H E M I C A L A G E ^J^{u n e} 2 9 , 1 9 4 6 .

T R A N S P O R T T A N K S , road or rail

— are lined completely w ith anti

corrosion rubber. Aprons of the same material prevent damage in filling or discharging.

D U N L O P A N T I - C O R R O S IO N HOSES A N D P IP IN G enable corrosive liquors to be conveyed with perfect safety. ____________

S T O R A G E T A N K S of all shapes and sizts are processed by Dunlop to ensure complete protection.

For processes where corrosive chemicals are used Dunlop have inimitable experience in lining V A TS and T A N K S of all des

criptions.

DUNLOP

P R O T E C T IV E C L O T H IN G for chemical w orkers is a Dunlop speciality, whether boots, aprons, gloves or gauntlets.

For manufacturing processes where corrosion exists D U N L O P technicians are in a position to give efficient service in the supply of means to combat it. T heir experience and facilities are at your service.

Dunlop Rubber Co. Ltd. (General Rubber Goods Division), Cambridge St., Manchester, I

1 »

" N E R F L E X ** U T EN SILS are essential for handling corrosive contents in small quantities, and stand up to the hardest treatment.

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Apply for full particulars and prices

A. G A LLE N K A M P & CO. LTD.

17-29 S U N S T R E E T , L O N D O N , E .C .2

Ju n e 2 9 , 1 946 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E

SU IT A BLE FO R SPEC IFIC A TIO N S

I.P. 71/45 (T) and B.S. 188-1937.

Temperatures up to 210° F., accuracy

± 0.025° F.

L I QUI D B A T H f o r K I N E M A T I C V I S C O S I T Y D E T E R M I N A T I O N S

T H ER M O STA T IC A LLY C O N TR O LLED

Temperatures up to 100° F., accuracy

± 0.01° F.

N o . 20244/6 Registered Trade Mark

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viii T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ju n e 2 9 , 19 4 6

S. K. KÄBBUR, LIMITED

3, BASTION ROAD, FORT,

--- BO M BA Y — =

with over 40 distributing centres all over India, are interested in the following groups

of Dyestuffs : B A S IC VA TS

A C ID N A P H T H O L S D IR E C T BASES

D IA Z O FAST SA LT S

S U L P H U R R A P ID FA ST C O L O U R S C O L O U R S S O L U B L E IN O IL

Samples and quotations should be sent to their correspondents —

MESSRS. K A B B U R & C O ., LTD.

“ R A D H A H O U S E ,”

H IG H E R A R D W IC K , M A N C H E S T E R , 12.

In the event of business payment is made on delivery to their warehouse at Manchester

Bank References are—

The Eastern Bank, Ltd.

..—The National Bank of India, Ltd.

The Imperial Bank of India

The National C ity Bank of N e w Y ork

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Ju n e 2 9 , 19 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E

i n t i m a t e l y l i n k e d . . .

Long, long before assembly lines in great motor industries were moving to schedule, many problems in production and design were overcome by specialists in the “ backrooms.”

But the story of motor engineering goes even deeper, for metals and fabrics, tyres and finishes would not be perfected without patient research by men of the Chemical W orld.

And that means C H EM IC A L P L A N T . . . designed with understanding skill . . . intimately linked with specific needs of the industry. Chemical Engineering is our business . . . we are consultants, designers and fabricators of complete plants in Stainless Steel, Copper Aluminium or other metals.

W e cater for the specialised needs of many industries, and technical staff are available to assist Y O U with any plant problems.

W R IT E FO R LIST PV. I I .

THE LONDON ALUMINIUM CO LTD

HEAD O F F I C E E W O R K S . W E S T W O O D R O A D . W I T T O N . B I R M I N G H A M . 6.

Telephone: EAST 1156 (5lines)I -- Telegrams: ALUMINIUM BIRMINGHAM

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X T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ju n k 2 9 , 1 9 4 6

C A N N O N I R O N F O U N D R I E S L T D . D E E P F I E L D S • N R- B I L S T O N • ST A FFS.

London Office ¡Chemical Plant Dept., 57 Victoria St.

London S.W.1, Telephone: A8Bey 2708 (2 lines)

C H E M I S T R Y A I D S I N D U S T R Y

A remarkable multi-functional

base

/}U a w

M I X T U R E A S ' B E F O R E

S in c e w e i n tr o d u c e d t e e p o l x , h a r d ly a m o n th h a s p a s s e d w ith o u t o u r fin d in g , o r u s e r s s u g g e s tin g to u s , n e w a p p li c a tio n s f o r th is in te r e s tin g s y n th e tic . Its r a n g e o f a p p lic a tio n c o v e rs so m a n y in d u s tr ie s , so m a n y p ro c e s s e s , t h a t it is d iffic u lt to g iv e in f o r m a tio n w h ic h w ill n o t b e e ith e r to o g e n e ra l o r to o lim ite d . B u t w e c a n say t h a t w h e r e v e r c h e m is ts a re c o n c e r n e d w ith p r o b le m s o f r e d u c in g s u rfa c e o r in te r f a c ia l te n s io n s , o f w e ttin g o r p e n e t r a t i o n o r d is p e r s io n , TEEPOL X is m o re t h a n lik e ly to p r o v e v a lu a b le . P h y s ic a lly , it is a c le a r p a le - a m b e r liq u id ra p id ly s o lu b le in w a te r o f a n y h a r d n e s s a t a n y t e m p e r a t u r e . C h e m ic a lly , i t is n e u tr a l, h ig h ly s ta b le , n o n - h y d r o ly s in g , a n d r e ta in s its p r o p e r tie s i n a p p lic a tio n s c o v e rin g a w id e p H ra n g e .

I f th e s e c h a r a c te ris tic s , c o u p le d w ith m o d e r a te c o s t a n d r e a d y a v a ila b ility in b u lk w it h o u t r e s tr ic tio n s s u g g e s t a s o l u tio n o f a n y p a r ti c u l a r p r o b le m w e sh all b e g la d to le t y o u h a v e f u lle s t d e ta ils e ith e r b y p o s t o r i n a p e r s o n a l in te r v ie w .

t e e p o l x is a B r itis h p r o d u c t.

TEEPOL X

T E C H N I C A L P R O D U C T S L T D s t . H e l e n ’s c o u r t , g r e a t s t . H e l e n ’s ,

L O N D O N , e . c.3

T E L E P H O N E : A V E N U E 4321

Once the process of trial and error

is resolved and the formula fixed, the problem of production arises:

tanks replace flasks, fluid ounces become gallons.

With Cannon Glass-lined Plant and Vessels the precision of the re

search laboratory is maintained and the job of making and erecting th e large scale equipment can safely be left in our hands.

Askfor literature a p p lica b le co y o u r problem

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Ju n e 29, 194O T H E C H E M I C A L A G E ^{x i}

n e t m v e i th e tw a in s h a

O ver 25 years ago, John Thompson’s of Dudley developed THEIR OWN PROCESS of bonding high-purity lead with parent metals in such a way that no forcible .methods c^n separate the two.

The John Thompson Process of Lead Lining and Coat

ing is HOMOGENEOUS in the ^

strictest sense of the w ord in N r

its application to s' ba

PARENT METAL ,

MILD STEEL BRASS COPPER CAST STEEL

A typical example of John Thompson’s construction.

12-ft.

high vessel

—6

ft.

6

in. dia.

with all-welded M ild Steel jacket and homogeneous lead lining

&

in. thick. Tested to

100

sq. in.

hydraulic and 26-in. vacuum in vessel.

Send us your enquiries

,

Chemical Engineering Department DUDLEY

< w o rc s .)

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xii T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ju n e 2 9 , 1 9 4 6

**40 years* experience enables us to supply**

B E L T I N G

and

ENDLESS VEE ROPES

- ... -of ...

S u p e r l a t i v e Q u a l i t y

L A R G E S T O C K S . . . P R O M P T D I S P A T C H

FRANCIS W .

HARRIS & Co. L td.

BURSLEM-Stoke-on-Trent

Phone: Stoke-on-Trent 7181-2 W ir e s : Belting, Burslem

B A R B I T O N E

B A R B I T O N E S O L U B L E A L L O B A R B I T O N E

C Y C L O B A R B I T O N E

F IN EST Q UALIT Y

.

A C T U A L L Y M A N U F A C T U R E D A T B A R N E T

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

by

...— ... - - ■=■

PIERSON, MORRELL & CO., LTD.

. (T H E O R IG IN A L BRITISH A SPIRIN M AKERS)

Q U E E N ’S RO AD - B A R N E T - H ERTS

Phone : Barnet 0723 Grams : Pierson Morrell, Barnet

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)W h e ruPV°d e eP

‘« V Æ » . 0'

SCALE PREPARATIONS

ETHER Ah/e s t h e t ic h.p.

JIM ) METHYUTEO

MERCURIALS

Ju n e 2 9 , 1 9 4 6 , T HE C H E M I C A L A G E x i i i

nntaio a

?

aCtWe 10 Vsalt ate

° Ö eÄ

« i d *

< “ £ .

. Smo,c 8Cc U

UsCS>aSute ° { pÄ < * ° rthe * ? ' does not

I c o g 1 ^ ■“ S ' S Ä r f s ä

■ I

, s ä Ä ^ ^ - - '»-1‘ s^

■ ^; ^{* * * -}

(16)

K E S T N E R ’ S

A. J. RILEY & SON, ^Ltd.

BATLEY, YORKS

Telegrams: B O ILERS. BATLEY." Telephone: 657 B A T L E Y (3 lines) E S T A B L IS H E D IB B 8

Makers of

M ILD STEEL RIVET ED A N D W E L D E D VESSELS JA C K E T E D PA N S C O M PLETE

W IT H A G IT A T O R S SH E E T LEA D O R H O M O G E N E O U S

LIN ED VESSELS TAR, B E N Z O L E & O IL STILLS C O N D E N S E R S, EV A PO R A T O R S

A N D D ISTILLIN G PLANTS M ILD STEEL PIPES

A LL PRESSURES LA N C A SH IR E, C O R N ISH E C O N O M IC & W .T . BO ILERS

T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ju n e 2 9 , 1 046

W R I T E F O R L E A F L E T 245.

Chemical Engineers - 5, G R O S V E N O R G A R D E N S , L O N D O N , S . W . I .

• Plants supplied from I to 3,500 c.f.m. and larger, If required.

Continuous operation achieved by—

Dual Absorber unit with fully automatic r e g e n e r a t i o n and change-over valves.

Dryness down to dew point—of minus 60°C.

Illustration left: Drying Unit.

Illustration b e lo w : Close-up o f the A utom atic Regenerator and Change~

over Valves.

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Ju n e 2 9 , 19 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E XV

ATHOLE G. ALLEN (Stockton) LTD.

ST O C K T O N -O N -T EES

Telephones

:

ST O C K T O N 6375 (3 lines)

C O . D U R H A M

N O N M EM B ER S O F TRA D E A S S O C IA T IO N S

A R E PRODUCERS OF

BA R IU M COMPOUNDS

BARIUM CHLORIDE

Fully Sold fo r Export

BARYTES

Lim ited Supplies O nly

IRON COMPOUNDS

FERRIC CHLORIDE] (PERCHLORIDE OF IRON)

Prom pt D e livery H om e and Export

FERROUS CHLORIDE

Prom pt D e livery Hom e an d 'Ex p o rt

TOLUENE N ITRATIO N PRODUCTS

MONO NITRO TOLUENE DI-NITRO TOLUENE PARA NITRO TOLUENE

Enquiries Invited for Hom e and Export

ORTHO NITRO TOLUENE'

(18)

x v i T HE C H E M I C A L A G E ^{. J}^{u n e} 2 9 , 19 4 6

l o n g e r r u n s n r e g e n e r a t i o n

Sole Manufacturers .

PETER SPENCE & SONS LTD.

NAHONAl sOllOINCS ■ ST. MARY'S PARSONAGE

M A N C H E S T E R , 3

LONDON OFFICE: 778/780 SALISBURY HOUSE E.C2

BURGESS ZEOLITE COMPANY LIMITED 68*72.H0RSEFERRY ROAD .WESTMINSTER.S.W.l. T el: A B B ey 1868

F i n e l y g r o u n d

CALCIUM CARBONATE

F in e ly g ro u n d C alciu m C arb o n ate o f h ig h chem ical p u rity is a speciality o f D e rb y sh ire S to n e L td .

Sam ples and f u l l inform ation g ladly provided. Problems investigated w ith  o ut obligation.

DERBYSHIRE STONE LTD

B a n k H o u s e , M a tlo c k , D e rb y s h ir e

’P h o n e : M a tlo c k 396 J

HYDROFLUORIC ACID

AMMONIUM BIFLUORIDE ACCUMULATOR ACID

SODIUM FLUORIDE FLUORIDES

A lso S p ecia lly P u re H yd ro  chloric, N itr ic an d Sulph uric A C I D S F O R A N A L Y S I S

JAMES WILKINSON & SON, Ltd.

TINSLEY PARK ROAD, SHEFFIELD

Telegram *: "C hem ical*, Sheffield'* Pho ne: 41208-9

MUMINOFERRIC

R E G O . T R A D E M A R K

T H E C H EA PEST FORM OF SULPHATE OF A L U M IN A

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Ju n e 2 9 , 19 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E x v i i

VITREOSIL

and

OTHER REFRACTORY

W A R E

o '

V IT R EO SIL , pure fused silica, Laboratory W a r e .and Chemical Plant are familiar to many, but others may like to know of their unique heat and acid resistance. The form er is extensively quoted in standard specifications for example, and the latter is particularly applicable to acid and pure chemical manufacture because of its inertness.

Refractory materials for furnace w o rk include V IT R E O S IL tubes and Alumina formers to carry electric heating windings and Alumina cements to insulate and protect these. O th e r refractory shapes can be made in Fused Alumina, Fused Magnesia or Zircon. Reagent Fused Alumina having declared carbon content is used in steel combustion work.

T H E

T H E R M A L SYN D IC A TE

LIM ITED Wallsend, Northumberland 12/14 Old Pye St.,

Westm inster, London, S.W .I

h

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x v iii T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ju n e 2 9 , 19 4 0

LODGE CO TTRELL

\ f ELECTROFILTERS

T O T C L E A N G A S

H IG H E F F IC IE N C Y R E C O V E R Y O F D U ST S A N D FU M ES FRO M I N D U S T R I A L G A S E S T H E O N L Y M A N U F A C T U R E R S IN T H IS C O U N T R Y P R O D U C IN G E X C L U S I V E L Y E L E C T R I C A L

PR E C IP IT A T O R S _______ sj

Head Office and Works: B I R M I N G H A M

London Office : D R A Y T O N H O U S E - G O R D O N S T R E E T - W - C - I

D e sc rip tiv e Literature a n d A d vice free on request

**PETER BROTHERHOOD LTD. * PETERBOROUGH**

BROTHERHOOD

A IR A N D GAS C O M PR E SSO R S

Also — - -

R E F R I G E R A T I N G A N D W A T E R C O O L I N G P L A N T ;

H O M O G E N I S E R S ; S T E A M E N G I N E S A N D

5 ‘ S T A G 4ooc a^ r e s s o r T U R B I N E S

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The Chemical Age

A W eekly Journal D evoted to In d u strial and E ngin eering C h em istry

B O U V E R I E H O U S E , 1 5 4 F L E E T S T R E E T , L O N D O N , E .C .4 T e leg ram s : A L L A N G A S F L E E T L O N D O N

G LA SG O W : 1 1 6 H o p ç S tre e t (C en tral 3970)

T e lep h o n e : C E N T R A L 3 2 12 ( 1 2 lines) B IR M IN G H A M : D aim le r H o u se, P a ra d ise S tr e e t (M id la n d 0 7 8 4 -5 ) T H E C H E M IC A L A G E oflices a r e closed o n S a tu rd a y s in a c co rd an c e w ith th e a d o p tio n of th e fiv e-d av w eek b y

B o n n B ro th e rs L im ite d

V O L . L IV

N o . 14 0 9 .

June 29, 1946

A n n u a l S u b sc rip tio n 2 1 s .

O v erseas 26s.

B ritish In d u stria l R e se a rc h L

O R D W O O L T O N , o u t of h is w id e in

d u s tr ia l a n d p o litic a l e x p e rie n c e , h as p u t h is fin g e r u p o n th e b ra k e t h a t is r e tard in g * in d u s tr y . H e h a s c a lle d up o n th e G o v e rn m e n t to fre e tr a d e a n d in d u s tr y fro m th e g rip of b u r e a u c r a tic c o n tro l :

" B re a k th e f e tte r s , fre e B r i t a i n ’s s p ir it, e n c o u ra g e h e r in s t in c t for e n te r p r is e a n d s h e w ill lead E u r o p e in p e a c e a s s h e sav ed h e r in w a r . ” N a tio n a lis a tio n a n d G o v e rn m e n t c o n tro l a r e d e s tr u c tiv e of th e s p ir it o f a d v e n tu r e a n d se lf-re lia n c e u p o n w h ic h B r i t a i n ’s g r e a tn e s s h a s b e e n fo u n d e d . T h e re c a n b e n o efficiency w h e re in d iv id u a l re s p o n s ib ility a n d d e c isio n s a re a b s e n t.

W h ile w e d e s p a ir of se e in g o u r b o n d s b ro k e n b y th e p r e s e n t G o v e rn m e n t, it is good t h a t L o rd W o o lto n ’s tr u m p e t call to b e tte r c o n d itio n s sh o u ld h a v e b een m a d e .

T h e r e h a s la te ly co m e in to o u r p o ssessio n a book w r i t te n b y S ir

I I . F r a n k H e a th a n d M r. A . L . lle th e f u ig - to n , e n title d “ I n d u s t r ia l R e s e a rc h a n d D e v e lo p m e n t.” ( F a b e r a n d F u b e r , 375 p p ., 25s. n e t) , w h ic h illu s t r a t e s L o rd W o o lto n ’s c o m m e n ts a n d p o in ts a m o ra l to h is ta le . T h is hook is n o t fo r th e e x p e r t. I t is n o t in te n d e d to b e. I t is , fra n k ly , n e ith e r w r itte n by e x p e r ts n o r in te n d e d to b e re a d b y e x p e r ts . I t is in te n d e d fo r th e in t e llig e n t la y m a n w h o h a s n o t g ra s p e d t h e la rg e p a r t— th r o u g h

721 723 720 720 727 729

On O ther P ages

.Votes a nd C o m m en ts ...

U tilisa tio n o f K ir i D isposal o f M ica S to c k s A to m ic S c ie n tis ts

N a tu r a l P ro d u c ts o f th e E m p ire C hem ical W o r k e r s ’ U nion ...

T he W o rld S h o rta g e o f F ertilisers 730 R e p o r t o f S n ia 1 'iscosa ... 731

I C h e m ist’s B o o k s h e lf ... 732 D isin fe c ta n t P o w d ers ... 733 C hem ical E x p o r ts ... 7?3

P ersonal N o tes 734

M ore B ir th d a y H o n o u rs ... 734 R e fin e d O il P rices ... 734 P a rlia m en ta ry T o p ics ... 735 G en era l N ew s fro m W e e k to W e e k 735 C o m p a n y N e w s ... 737 S to c k s a n d S h a re s ... 738 B r itis h C hem ical P rice s ... 739 In v e n tio n s in th e C hem ical

In d u s tr y 743

p riv a te e n te r p r is e , b e i t n o te d — w h ic h th is c o u n tr y h a s p la y e d in t h e e s ta b lis h m e n t of w h a t a re n o w k n o w n as m o d e m c o n d itio n s of life. I t is in te n d e d to show to th o s e in o n e in d u s tr ia l field , w h ic h t h e y p ro b a b ly know in s id e o u t, w h a t is d o n e in o th e r field s, of w h ic h th e y p ro b a b ly k n o w v e ry little . I t g iv es a re v ie w of w h a t is k n o w n a s th e “ p ro d u c tiv e i n d u s t r i e s , ” a te r m w h ic h in c lu d e s all in d u s tr ie s m a k in g c o n s u m e r o r c a p ita l goods. I t te lls s o m e th in g of th e m e th o d s u se d in th o s e in d u s tr ie s a n d it sh o w s how s c ie n tific r e s e a rc h a n d d e v e lo p m e n t h a v e c o n tr ib u te d a n d a r e c o n tr ib u tin g to t h e ir e ffe c tiv e n es s b o th p r e s e n t a n d f u tu r e , i t sh o w s h o w re s e a rc h is b e in g c o n d u c te d i n m a n y in d u s tr ie s am i i t g iv es a n a c c o u n t of so m e of t h e r e s e a rc h e s ta b lis h m e n ts of t h e D . S . l . R . T h e u n i v e rs itie s . th e te c h n ic a l co lle g es, a n d th e le a rn e d b o d ies a re b riefly d e s c rib e d . A few p a g e s a r e d e v o te d to g e n e ra l fa c to rs -affectin g in d u s tr ia l p ro g re s s , s u c h a s t a x a tio n , in d u s tr ia l d e sig n , s ta n d a r d is a tio n a n d s c ie n tific p e rs o n n e l. T h e p u rp o s e , in s h o r t, is to g iv e t h e o rd in a ry r e a d e r in s im p le la n g u a g e so m e a c c o u n t of th e v a s t ra m ific a tio n s of s c ie n c e in i n d u s tr y , a n d to show t h a t b o th in d is c o v e ry a n d a p p lic a tio n B r ita in h a s p la y e d a v e ry im p o r ta n t p a r t, a, p a r t t h a t is a t le a s t 7 1 9

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7 2 0 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E Ju n e 2 9 , 19 4 6 e q u al to t h a t of a n y otlici' n a tio n . W e do

n o t in te n d to f o llo w .th e a u th o r s th ro u g h th e p a g es o f t h e ir book. T h e re a re m a n y f a c ts w h ic h w ill in te r e s t e v e ry o n e a n d so fa r as w e a re in a p o s itio n to ju d g e , th e fa c ts a re s o u n d e v e n if th e y a rc n o t v e ry d e ta ile d . W e a re in te r e s te d p r im a r ily in th e a u th o r s ’ a p p ro a c h to th e ir s u b je c t. T h e c h an g e in th e c o n d itio n s u n d e r w h ic h w e liv e h a s b e e n p ro fo u n d o v e r th e la s t 200 y e a r s . I t h a s b e en v e ry g r e a t o v e r t h e la s t 100 y e a rs . T h e a u th o r s p o in t o u t t h a t it h a s a ris e n in t h e f irs t in s ta n c e th ro u g h t h e in itia tiv e a n d r e s e a rc h of m a n u f a c tu r in g in d u s tr ie s w ith th e h e lp 'o f m e n of in v e n tiv e g e n iu s o r of sc ie n tific t r a i n i n g a n d im a g in a tio n . I I . A. L . F is h e r p o in te d in h is “ H is to r y of E u r o p e ” (Ch.

8 0 , p . 1012) to “ th e d e s ire of th e B r itis h in d u s t r ia l is t to b e fre e of G o v e rn m e n t m e d d lin g a n d to b e allo w ed to g e t ric h in h is o w n w a y .” T h a t h a s b e en t h e m e th o d h ith e r to b y w h ic h w e h a v e d o n e so m u c h . T h e a s s is ta n c e of th e in v e n to r a n d m a n of sc ie n c e h a s e n a b le d m a n y B r itis h i n d u s tr ie s to m a in ta in t h e lea d in th e m a r k e ts of th e w o rld w h ic h th e in tr o d u c tio n of s te a m p o w e r h a d f irs t w o n fo r th e m . T o d a y m a n y o f th e p rin c ip le s u p o n w h ic h o u r c o u n tr y w a x ed g r e a t a r e in d is r e p u te . I n c e r ta in q u a r te r s i t is re g a rd e d as a lm o s t c r im in a l to m a k e p ro fits . T o q u o te th e a u th o r s of t h is book : “ T h e s e e k e r a f te r s c ie n tific t r u t h e n jo y s th e * s a m e th r ills a n d su ffe rs t h e s a m e d is a p p o in tm e n ts a s th e e x p lo re r, b u t u n lik e C o lu m b u s , lie is n o t in m o d e rn tim e s c o n sig n e d as a r e s u lt of h is la b o u rs to c h a n g e a n o b lo q u y b y a B o b a- d illa a p p o in te d b y a G o v e r n m e n t.”

T h e e ffo rts of th e s c ie n tis t a n d tec h n o lo - g is t to im p ro v e th e r a te of p ro d u c tio n h a v e b e e n fro w n e d u p o n b y th e s h o r t

s ig h te d of a ll ag es. M a n y a m e d ie v a l p h ilo s o p h e r w e n t in fe a r of h is life a n d lib e r ty , a n d so m e in d e e d lo s t b o th , for m a k in g s c ie n tific d is c o v e rie s in a d v a n c e of th e i r tim e . M a n k in d d id n o t lik e to h av e its p re co n c eiv e d , b e lie fs d is tu r b e d . T h u s i t w a s t h a t t h e e ffo rts to in tr o d u c e m a c h in e ry in t h e e a rly 1 9 th C e n tu r y w el'e m e t b y r io tin g o n th e p art, of t h e e m p lo y e e s, a n d , c o m in g to c u r o w n tim e s , w e c a n n o t fo rg e t h o w , d u r in g t h e in d u s tr ia l d e p re s s io n of th e e a rly 1 9 3 0 's , i t w a s c o n te n d e d t h a t th e e v ils of u n e m p lo y m e n t w e re la rg e ly d u e to th e zeal of s c ie n tis ts w h o , b y d e s ig n in g im p ro v e d m e th o d s of p ro d u c tio n , d im in is h e d (h e d e m a n d fo r la b o u r ; t h e a u th o r s re m in d u s o f th e q u ite s e rio u s s u g g e s tio n t h a t

sc ie n tific r e s e a rc h sh o u ld t a k e a h o lid a y for a d e c a d e . T h e f irs t a d v e n t of a sc ie n tific d isc o v e ry a n d i ts d e v e lo p m e n t o fte n r e s u lts in a r e a d ju s tm e n t of la b o u r a n d in a r e a d ju s tm e n t o f t h e p o lic y of t h e in d u s tr y c o n c e rn e d or of its c o m p e tito rs . T h e u lti

m a te r e s u lt, h o w e v e r, is a h ig h e r s ta n d a r d of liv in g , b e tte r m e n t of so cial c o n d itio n s a n d f u lle r e m p lo y m e n t.

T h e sc ie n tific a n d te c h n ic a l m e n w h o w ill re a d th e s e w o rd s w ill n o t r e q u ir e to b e c o n v in c e d of th e s o u n d n e s s of th e s e v ie w s, b u t it is good t h a t th e y sh o u ld b e p u t b e fore th e g e n e ra l m a s s of p eo p le. T h e re is to o m u c h m is u n d e r s ta n d in g o f s c ie n tific r e s e a rc h an d te c h n ic a l d e v e lo p m e n t on th e p a r t of t h e g e n e ra l p u b lic a n d s o m e tim e s , it m u s t b e c o n fe ss e d , on t h e p a r t of m a n u f a c tu r e r s . W e b e lie v e t h a t in d u s tr ia lis ts a r e n o w fa irly fu lly a liv e to t h e n e e d for c a r r y in g o u t d e v e lo p m e n t w o rk in t h is c o u n tr y , th o u g h th e r e a re a g r e a t m a n y e x c e p tio n s. A p a ssa g e fro m th e book to w h ic h w e h a v e re fe rre d is w o rth q u o tin g in t h is c o n n e c tio n : “ T h e i n d u s tr ia lis t . . . h a s o fte n b e e n c o n te n t to p u r c h a s e a lic e n c e to u se th e l a t e s t in v e n tio n s a n d d is c o v e rie s fro m th e fo reig n p a te n te e b e c a u s e th is se e m s to b e th e q u ic k e s t w ay a n d th e re fo re t h e c h e a p e s t m e a n s of u sin g sc ie n c e fo r h is p u rp o s e s . B u t a p a r t fro m (lie d is c o u ra g e m e n t th is c a u s e d to th e n a tiv e in v e n to r a n d re s e a rc h w o rk e r, th e e ffe c t of t h is a c tio n is <to in c re a s e th e b a la n c e o f p a y m e n t d u e fro m t h is c o u n try fo r im p o rts . M o re o v e r, th e te n d e n c y is e n c o u ra g e d to in c re a s e t h e e x p o rt o f raw m a te ria ls s u c h a s coal— a d im in is h in g a s s e t— o r s e m i-m a n u fa c tu re d a r tic le s , in o rd e r to b a la n c e o u r tr a d e . O u r in d u s tr ia l w o rk e rs to t h a t e x te n t a r e tr a n s f e r r e d fro m th e m o re h ig h ly sk ille d o c c u p a tio n s to th o s e in v o lv in g le s s tr a in in g a n d lo w e r in te lle c tu a l c a p a c ity . I n a w o rd , th e neglect, of s c ie n tific r e s e a rc h te n d s to m a k e o u r p e o p le h e w e rs of w ood a n d d ra w e rs of w a te r fo r n a tio n s t h a t p u t m o re b ra in w o rk in to t h e i r p r o d u c ts . ” T h is is t h e s o u n d e s t o f c o m m o n se n se . I t is s o m e th in g t h a t sh o u ld be g o t o v e r t o e v e ry o n e in th is c o u n tr y . T h e d iffic u lty is t h a t a book of th is c h a r a c te r c o s tin g 25s. is h a rd ly lik e ly to b e p u rc h a s e d by t h e g e n e ra l p u b lic . P ro b a b ly th e m o s t t h a t c a n be h o p e d is t h a t i t is p u rc h a s e d by th o se w h o w ish to th in k fo r th e m s e lv e s a n d to u n d e r s ta n d s o m e th in g of t h e r a m i fic a tio n s of in d u s tr y , a n d t h a t th e y w ill p a ss on th e ir k n o w le d g e to th e o th e rs .

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Ju n e 2 9 , 19 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E 7 2 1;

N O T E S A N D C O M M E N T S

P ractical R esearch

T

H E w o rd re s e a rc h is so fre q u e n tly u sed n o w a d a y s w ith o u t a c le a r c o n c e p tio n of i ts p re c is e m e a n in g o n t h e p a r t of th e u s e r, a n d i t is so o fte n g lib ly p u t fo rw a rd a s th e p a n a c e a fo r all tr o u b le s , t h a t it w a s r e fr e s h in g to be afforded a n o p p o r tu n ity , su c h a s c a m e o u r w ay la s t w e e k , of v is itin g th e N a tio n a l P h y s ic a l L a b o r a to r y , a t T e d d in g to n , w h e re re s e a rc h is sh o w n as a r e a lity . T h e v is it w a s one of a s e rie s a rra n g e d fo r re p re s e n ta tiv e s of th e P r e s s ; d e le g a te s to t h e E m p ir e S c ie n tific C o n fe re n c e ; u n iv e r s ity s ta f f s ; a n d r e p r e s e n ta tiv e s of S e rv ic e a n d in d u s tria l o rg a n is a tio n s , on su c c ess iv e d a y s , a n d th e o cca sio n w a s t h e first on w h ic h “ o u t

s id e rs ” h a v e b e e n p e r m ile d to e n te r th e la b o ra to ry s in c e p re -w a r d a y s. T h o se w h o se firs t v is it i t w a s w ere a g re e a b ly s u r p ris e d b y t h e e x te n s iv e n a tu r e of th e e s ta b lis h m e n t. O rig in a lly b e g u n in B u s h y H o u s e , a n old R o y a l r e s id e n c e g r a n te d by t h e C row n fo r th e p u rp o s e , th e la b o ra to ry notv c o n s is ts of s ix te e n la rg e b u ild in g s an d a n u m b e r of s m a lle r o n e s, o n a s ite of a b o u t 50 a c re s . F u r t h e r s tr u c tu r a l d e v e lo p m e n ts a re c o n te m p la te d .

E n th u siastic W orkers

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E M B E R S of th e la b o ra to ry s ta ff a c te d a s g u id e s fo r th e p a r tie s of v is ito rs a n d b o th th e y a n d th e e m p lo y e e s w ho g av e d e m o n s tr a tio n s of th e w o rk n o w b e in g c a r rie d o u t w ere m o s t c o u rte o u s a n d h e lp fu l, e sp e c ia lly in a n s w e rin g q u e s tio n s . V is ito rs m u s t h a v e b e e n p a r tic u la r ly s tru c k b y th e o b v io u s e n th u s ia s m w h ic h th e w o rk e rs h a v e fo r t h e i r ow n p a r tic u la r jo b s a n d t h e fe e lin g w a s c r e a te d t h a t th is c o u n t r y n e e d h a v e n o q u a lm s a b o u t t h e a b ilitie s of i ts ris in g g e n e ra tio n of re s e a rc h w o rk e rs.

So -far a s th e N a tio n a l P h y s ic a l L a b o ra to ry is c o n c e rn e d , th e y h a v e p le n ty of sc o p e, th e r e s e a rc h w o rk th e r e in c lu d in g m o st b ra n c h e s of p h y s ic s , lig h t, e le c tr ic ity an d m a g n e tis m , ra d io c o m m u n ic a tio n , e n g i

n e e r in g , m a th e m a tic s , m e ta llu r g y , a e ro n a u tic s , a n d s h ip d e s ig n in r e la tio n to fo rm a n d p ro p u ls io n . W ith v e ry fe w e x c e p tio n s , te s ts of a ll c la ss e s of m e a s u rin g in s tr u m e n ts a re u n d e r ta k e n . T h e sp e c ia l in v e s tig a tio n s m a d e fo r firm s a n d o th e r b o d ies a re of a v a rie d c h a r a c te r ; th e la b o ra to ry is a lw a y s re a d y to g iv e c a re fu l c o n s id e ra tio n to a n y p ro b le m s o r d iffic u ltie s w h ic h m a y b e s u b m itte d to i t , a n d to u n d e r ta k e e x p e r im e n ts , w h e n i t is th o u g h t t h a t w ith

th e fa c ilitie s a t its d isp o sa l a s o lu tio n m a y b e fo u n d . I t w a s p h y s ic a lly im p o s s ib le , in th e c o u rs e of o n e c o m p a ra tiv e ly s h o r t v is it, to se e all t h a t w e w o td d h a v e w 'ish ed , b u t w e fe lt t h a t t h e tim e w a s v e ry w ell s p e n t a n d t h a t if s im ila r o p p o r tu n itie s co u ld be afforded th e g e n e ra l p u b lic th e re w'ould he a b e tt e r u n d e r s ta n d in g of ju s t w h a t re s e a rc h is a n d c a n m e a n .

Oil and Fat P rob lem

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H E p u b lic g e n e ra lly d o es n o t re a lis e t h a t th e fa ilu re o f th e I n d ia n c e re a l c ro p s is h eld to b la m e fo r th e o u t of one- s e v e n th t h a t w as im p o s e d in t h e d o m e s tic so a p r a tio n la s t w e ek -e n d . T h e e x p o rta b le s u rp lu s o f th e g ro u n d - n u t c ro p fro m I n d ia w a s e x p e c te d to be 600,000 to n s , e q u iv a le n t to a b o u t 260,000 to n s of oil. a n d B r i t a i n ’s s h a r e o f th is a m o u n t, w h ic h w as a llo c a te d to re c e iv in g c o u n tr ie s by th e C o m b in e d F o o d B o a rd , w a s a b o u t 550,000 to n s . A t t h e b e g in n in g of th e y e a r , h o w e v e r, th e e s tim a te w a s re d u c e d , t h e I n d i a n G o v e rn m e n t p u t ti n g i t a t n o t m o re th a n 300,000 to n s , a n d in A p ril a c o m p le te e m b arg o w as p lac ed o n e x p o rts of . I n d ia n g r o u n d - n u ts a n d ra p e -se e d . C o n s e q u e n tly , th e r e is a d e fic ie n c y of a b o u t 130,000 to n s of o il, a n d so f a r it h a s n o t b e en fo u n d p o ssib le to m a k e u p th is d e fic ie n c y fro m o th e r p ro d u c in g a re a s . T h e a n n o u n c e m e n t t h a t t h e S e c r e ta r y fo r th e C o lo n ies h as a rra n g e d fo r a n im m e d ia te in v e s tig a tio n in to th e p r a c tic a b ility of th e larg e -

>eale p ro d u c tio n of g r o u n d - n u ts in E a s t A fric a , p a r tic u la r ly ¡11 T a n g a n y ik a , is w e l

c o m e , a n d it is to b e h o p e d t h a t th e a u th o r i

tie s w ill n o t overlook th e f a c t t h a t , a s a n n o u n c e d in o u r n o w s co lu m n d , it is e x p e c te d t h a t e x p e r im e n ts in o il-see d p r o d u c tio n on B r itis h f a rm s w ill le a d to larg e- sc a le d e v e lo p m e n ts . F u r t h e r re fe re n c e to t h is q u e s tio n is also m a d e in t h e re v ie w w e p u b lis h th is w e ek of S u n flo w e r : fo r F ood, F o d d er a n d F e r t i l i t y , b y E . F . H u r t , a n d in P a r lia m e n ta r y T o p ic s.

T he M ovem ent of S cien tists

O

N E ty p e o f tr a v e l t h a t b ecam e, e a s ie r th a n u s u a l, o d d ly e n o u g h , d u r in g th e w a r, w a s th e m o v e m e n t of s c ie n tis ts w ith in t h e B r itis h E m p ir e a n d , t o s o m e e x te n t, o u ts id e it. T h is h a p p y s t a te o f a ffa irs w a s a tta in e d th ro u g h th e e ffo rts o f t h e B r itis h S c ie n tific L ia is o n Offices w h ic h w e re e s ta b lis h e d in v a rio u s p la c e s ; a n d th e -con

t in u a tio n a n d e x te n s io n of th e s e offices in

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722 T HE C H E M I C A L A G E Ju n e 2 9 , 19 4 6 th e s e rv ic e of t h e p e a c e -tim e , sc ie n tific

c o m m u n ity was' one: S u g g e stio n t h a t w as m a d e a t a re c e n t se ssio n of th e K oval S o c ie ty ’s E m p ir e S c ie n tific C o n fe re n c e . T h e g e n e ra l s u b je c t u n d e r d is c u s s io n w a s th e in te rc h a n g e of' s c ie n tis ts th r o u g h o u t th e E m p ir e , a n d i t s e e m e d u n iv e rs a lly a g ree d t h a t so m e s o r t of c e n tr a l f u n d w a s n e e d e d to e n a b le b o th s e n io r s c ie n tis ts a n d m o re ju n io r g r a d u a te s to o b ta in e x p e rie n c e in u n iv e r s itie s a n d s c ie n tific i n s titu tio n s o v e r

se a s . F o r te a c h in g sta ffs a n d G o v e rn m e n t re s e a rc h w o rk e rs a s y s te m of lea v e for s tu d y a n d re s e a rc h w as a g re e d to b e d e s ir ab le— a s y s te m , b e it s a id , w h ic h h a s lo n g b e en in fo rc e in th e U n ite d S ta te s in th e fo rm o f th e “ s a b b a tic a l y e a r . ” M a n y s p e a k e rs fro m o v e rsea s e x p re ss e d th e o p in io n t h a t th e y w o u ld v a lu e s h o r t v is its fro m le a d in g m e n in v a rio u s b r a n c h e s of sc ie n c e , e s p e c ia lly a s w o r k e r s in c e r ta in C o lo n ies h a v e fe lt th e m s e lv e s c o m p le te ly iso la te d fro m d is c u s s io n s w ith co lle ag u e s.

Of p a r a m o u n t im p o r ta n c e , it w o u ld a p p e a r, is t h e p ro v is io n of re s e a rc h g r a n ts fo r th e p u rp o s e of fin an c in g ' th e s e a n d s im ila r m o v e m e n ts , a n d ¡11 th e m e a n tim e i t is p r o p o se d t h a t a C o m m o n w e a lth c e n tr e sh o u ld b e e s ta b lis h e d fo r p ro v id in g in fo rm a tio n a b o u t e x is tin g fa c ilitie s a n d re q u ir e m e n ts of p e rs o n n e l. I t is u n d e rs to o d t h a t w e a re to h e a r m o re a b o u t t h i s b e fo re t h e c o n fe r

en ce e n d s ; w e sh a ll w e lco m e th e fu lle s t d is c u s s io n , a s th is w ill u n d o u b te d ly b e a s te p to w a rd s p re s e rv in g th e p re -e m in e n c e o f B r itis h sc ie n c e .

A n glo -A m erica n F riend ship

I

N its M a y is s u e , a co p y of w h ic h re ac h ed us th e o th e r d a y , one of o u r A m e ric an c o n te m p o ra r ie s , C h e m ica l a n d M e ta llu rg ica l E n g in e e r in g , o ffers so m e c o m m e n ts o n A n g lo -A m e ric an frie n d s h ip w h ic h m a k e v e ry p le a s a n t r e a d in g , so m u c h so t h a t w e fe e l th e y a re w ell w o rth r e p ro d u c in g , a t le a s t in p a r t. “ A y e a r a g o ,” i t p o in ts o u t, “ s e v e ra l h u n d re d A m e ric a n c h e m is ts , e n g in e e rs a n d te c h n o lo g is ts fo u n d th e m - se lv e s in L o n d o n , w o rk in g clo sely w ith th e ir , B r i ti s h c o u n te r p a r ts in s c ie n c e a n d in d u s tr y . W e h a d a c o m m o n o b je c tiv e in h e lp in g to w in th e w a r, a n d , w e h o p e d , t h e p e ac e t h a t , i s y e t to c o m e . A s w e w o rk ed to g e th e r w e h a d o u r l it t le d iffere n ce s a n d d is p u te s , b u t th e r e w a s a lw a y s a s y m p a th e tic u n d e r s ta n d in g a n d a n a r d e n t d e s ire to c a r r y o v e r th o s e A n g lo -A m e ric a n f r ie n d s h ip s in to t h e p o s t-w a r w o rld . L a te ly th e r e h a v e b e e n o p p o r tu n itie s fo r m a n y of n s to re n e w so m e of th o se a c q u a in ta n c e s

a n d to s tr e n g th e n a lre a d y frie n d ly r e la tio n s w ith b u r c h e m ic a l b ro th e rs fro m o v e rse a s.

S ir l a n M . I le ilb r o n , th e d is tin g u is h e d p ro fe s so r fro m th e I m p e r ia l C ollege of S c ie n c e a n d T e c h n o lo g y , c a m e fro m L o n d o n to re c e iv e th e 1946 a w a rd of th e P r ie s tle y M ed al of th e A m e ric a n C h e m ic a l S o c iety . T h e in te r n a tio n a l p r e s id e n t of th e S o c ie ty o f C h e m ic a l I n d u s t r y , D r . E r ic K . R id e a l, h a s b e e n th e h o n o u re d g u e st of b o th th e A m e ric a n a n d C a n a d ia n s e c tio n s of t h e S .C .I . D r. D . W . K e n t- J o n e s , th e e m in e n t E n g lis h a u th o r ity on flo u r m illin g , is h e re to ta lk to th e c e re a l c h e m is ts a t N ia g a r a F a lls , O n t., on t h e n e w e x tra c tio n p ro c e d u re s in t h a t in d u s tr y . I n J u l y w e a re s e n d in g p a s t- p r e s id c n t W a lla c e P . C ohoe to re c e iv e th e M essel M e d a l of th e S . C . I . , w h ile t h e A m e ric a n S e c tio n ’s h o n o ra ry s e c re ta r y , C y ril S . K im b a ll, is to b e co m e a v ic e -p re s id e n t of th e p a r e n t so c ie ty . B o th of o u r n a tio n s , w e h o p e , s ta n d to b e n e fit by th is in te r n a tio n a l e x c h a n g e of sc ien c e a n d s c i e n t i s t s .”

Real C om m un ity of In terests

< < T F w e a re to c o n tin u e to c o n tr ib u te -I- o u r s h a r e to w a rd s h a p in g a re a l c o m m u n ity of in te r e s ts in th is tro u b le d w o r ld ,”

th e a r tic le c o n tin u e s , " th e r e is a b ig a d v a n ta g e in s t a r ti n g w ith th e B r itis h . A s P r e s id e n t K id e a l re m in d e d u s in N e w Y o rk la s t m o n th , ‘ th e tie s of a c o m m o n l a n g u a g e , a c o m m o n la w a n d a co m m o n p h ilo so p h y a re g re a tly s tr e n g th e n e d w h e n in a d d itio n w e h a v e t ie s of c o m m o n i n te r e s t in a co m m o n s c ie n c e .’ C e rta in ly , th e E n g lis h -s p e a k in g p eo p les of th e w o rld now h a v e t h e ir g r e a t o p p o r tu n ity to w o rk t o g e th e r — a s a p ro g re s s iv e fo rce for i n t e r n a tio n a l c o -o p e ra tio n . W e h a v e m u c h to le a r n fro m e a c h o th e r. W e lik e t o th in k , fo r e x a m p le , of A m e ric a n e n te r p r is e a n d r is k -ta k in g in te c h n o lo g y a n d in d u s tr y , a n d to c o n tr a s t i t w ith th e c a u tio n a n d •con

s e r v a tis m of th e a v e ra g e B r itis h b u s in e s s m a n . Y e t so o fte n , a t le a s t in o u r e x p e ri

e n c e , w e find th e E n g lis h m a n w ith th o s o u n d e r c o n c e p t of e co n o m ics a n d th e b e tt e r k n o w le d g e of w o rld a ffa irs. A b a c k g ro u n d of c e n tu r ie s o f w o rld th in k in g p r o m o te s th e lo n g -te rm v ie w p o in t of t h e i n v e s to r w h ic h c o m p a re s n o n e to o fa v o u ra b ly w ith th e o p p o r tu n is tic , s h o r t- te r m a p p ro a c h of th e g a m b le r. A w a g fr ie n d of o u rs — a n E n g lis h m a n , too— r e m a r k e d d u r in g h is v i s i t h e re t h a t ‘ A m e ric a p ro s p e rs fro m a n e co n o m y of w a s te , w h ile B r ita in s u ffe rs fro m a w a s te of e c o n o m y .’

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Ju x e 2 9 , 19 4 6 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E 723

U tilisa tio n of K iri

An A lternative Source of Lac Resin

b y B . S . G I D V A N I , D .I .C ., P h .D ., F .R .I .C ., A .M .I .C h e m .E ., a n d N . R . K A M A T H , B .S c . ( T e c h ) .

I

N th e m a n u fa ctu re of shellac in In d ia by th e indigcous b u t ingenious process of lio t-flltratio n th ro u g h cloth bags, a n a p p re ciable- p ortion of th e lac resin m ixed w ith im p u ritie s is le ft in th e bags. T h e re s id u e so le ft is tech n ically know n a s k iri. A l

though a sm all q u a n tity of k iri is u tilised in th e p rep aratio n of cem ents an d adhesives, by fa r th e g re a te r p ortion of it is trea te d as a w aste product.

I n th e y ears before th e la s t w ar, G erm any w as alm o st th e sole p u rch aser of k i r i ; th ere are reasons to believe th a t th e G erm ans were e x tra c tin g th e resin from it by m eans of alcohol and m ark e tin g th e recovered lac as g a rn e t sh ellac. O ccasio n ally th e alco

holic solution itself w as supplied as a high g ra d e sh ellac v a rn is h . T h e cessatio n of ex

ports to G erm any since late 1939 has re sulted in accum ulation of larg e q u a n titie s of k iri in In d ia , av ailab le a t a fa irly low price. On th e basis of p re sen t shellac prices. th e w orking-up of kiri offers an a t trac tiv e proposition a n d m ethods suggested below are likely to prove profitable.

C h a r a c t e r is t ic s o f K ir i

K iri is u su ally m ark ete d in th e form of h ard , som ew hat to ugh b u t b rittle chunks, 6-8 in . sq u a re and a b o u t an inch thick.

K iri m ay or m ay n o t co n tain rosin, orpi- m en t, and o th er m aterials th a t a re som e

tim es added in th e m an u fa c tu re of shellac, h u t a m aterial free from th ese a d u lte ra n ts is to be p referred . T h e resin co n ten t of k iri, as determ ined by ex tra ctio n w ith cold in d u strial alcohol, v aries from 30 to 65 per c e n t., 50 p er cen t, being th e av erag e. T h e resin iso lated from alcohol solution h a s an acid v alu e of 60 to 65 and a colour index of 45 to 50 on th e iodine scale. I t lias a poly

m erisation tim e of 15 to 17 m in u tes at 150° C. an d no flow a t 105° C . ; th e resin only softens an d sets to a melt..

T h e ether-soluble co n ten t of th is resin is only a b o u t 5 to 10 per c en t, as com pared w ith 30 p e r cent-, in n orm al shellac. T his m ay account for th e low acid value and p ro b ab ly to som e ex ten t for th e poor th e r m al p ro p erties of th e resin. T h e absence of fluidity and th e reduced polym erisation tim e, how ever, are believed to be due m ainly to th e h e a t-tre a tm e n t w hich kiri receives d u r

ing th e m a n u fa c tu re of sh ellac. P o ly m erisatio n a n d possibly some ag g reg atio n , w ith consequent increase in th e m olecular com plexity of th e lac resin , w ould occur in such circum stances. T h e possibiliy of re sto rin g th e fluidity by su itab le chem ical

or physical m ethods has therefore been in v e stig ated .

M ethods suggested previously for depoiy- m erising sh e lla c are based on tre a tm e n ts w ith eith e r a lk a lis1,' steam u n d e r p ressu re2, o r fo rm ic o r g lacial a c e tic a c id s.3

T re a tm e n t w ith eq u iv alen t q u a n titie s of alk alis, such a s sodium c arb o n a te and sodium hydroxide, w hich hag proved success

ful in reconditioning old an d b litzed lacs, does n ot give an y im p ro v em en t in fluidity or polym erisation tim e in th e case of k iri.

Use of la rg e r q u a n titie s of th ese alkalis leads to saponification, a n d th e resu ltin g resin, th o u g h h ay in g im proved flu id ity , has an acid v alu e of th e o rd er of 90-100.

E ffe c t o f A u t o c la v in g . A utoclaving of k iri a t p ressures u p to 10 atm o . does n o t cause an y m e a su ra b le im provem ent in th e fluidity,, an d th e p res

ence of alk alin e or w eak acid ic c ataly sts , such as sodium carb o n ate o r sodium h y d ro gen su lp h a te , does n o t a p p ear to affect th e re s u lts . A t h ig h e r p re ssu re s o f 20 to 25 a tm o ., some in crease in th e flu id ity is o b ta in e d , b u t th e re s in also show s a h ig h acid value (90 to 110, depending upon th e p re s

sure an d tim e) in d ic atin g t h a t som e h y d ro : lysis lias tak en place.

G lacial acetic acid dissolves lac read ily , even in th e cold. W h en k iri is dissolved in acetic acid, and th e resin isolated from th e acid solution by p recip itatio n w ith w a te r, it show s a p p re c ia b le flu id ity . B u t th e p ro d u ct, th o u g h h av in g a low acid v alu e of ab o u t 60, h as a high saponification value (‘295 to 300) an d w hen th e saponified p ro du ct is steam -d istilled in th e presence of excess of p o tassium hydrogen su lp h a te , acetic acid is o b tain ed in th e d istillate . T h e increased fluidity is therefore n o t due to de

polym erisation b u t to a eety latio n .

T h u s none of the th ree m ethods cited above is successful in depolym erising the re s in in k iri—se c o n d ary re a c tio n s, hyd ro ly sis o r e ste rific a tio n , ta k in g p re ced en ce o v er th e depolym erisation. T h is is u n d e rstan d a b le , since lac resin is m ain ly a n ester-condensa- tio n d eriv a tiv e of hydroxy acids, th e w eaker e ster links being broken down in preference to th e com paratively stro n g e r e th e r lin k s de

veloped d uring th e heat-p o ly m erisatio n pro

cess. M oreover, th e acetic a cid , though ex cellent in p ep tisin g an ag g reg ated lac. h as really no such effect- on th e resin in k iri, w hich is a polym erised (chem ical condensa

tion) p ro d u ct.

I t m ay be added t h a t th e p a rtia lly hydro-