The Chemical Age, November 3rd, 1945 W ITH M E T A L L U R G IC A L S E C T IO N
VOL. L I J I
N o . 1375 S A T U R D A Y , N O V E M B E R 3 , 1945
R EG ISTER ED ¿8 i NEW SPAPER
6d . f e e co p y P O ST F E E * 8D .
R.TH - V IC K E R S
A G R E A T
The outstanding corrosion-resisting properties of Firth-Vickers
“ Staybrite” steel render It peculiarly suitable for use In mixers associated with complicated and highly involved processes.
In such industries as Brewing, Dyeing, Food and Chemical Manufacture, the perfect product depends on perfect of constituents, many of which are of a highly corrosive There is really no substitute for “ Staybrite” steel.
FIRTH-VICKERS STAINLESS STEELS LTD SHEFFIELD
T H E C H E M I C A L A G E No v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 4 5
I nvisible
armour
STEEL DRUMS
B
y d ip p in g his h a n d s in bin io d id c— a fo rm of iodine— th e snrgeon is able to o p e ra te w ith o u t ru b b e r gloves u n d e r em ergency c o n d itio n s. T he invisible film of b a c te ria -p ro o f arm o u r p ro v id e d by the iodine is sufficiently s tro n g to allow h im to do th is w ith co m p lete sa fety .F ew a n tise p tic s could m ak e su c h a claim as this.
A nd c e rta in ly no a n tise p tic serves m a n k in d in such a v a rie ty o f w ays as iodine. I t is a specific in the tr e a tm e n t o f g oitre i t is used in th e tr e a tm e n t of 200 h u m a n diseases an d 150 an im al diseases. In in d u s try its uses are legion. Io d in e can be used in th e m a n u fa c tu re of h e a t-se n s itiv e p a in t, films, p o laro id , coloured m a rb le , b ra ss w ire, ste el, silver- p la te , d y es, te le g ra p h ic receiving p ap ers and c a tg u t.
A l l th a t is k n o w n to date about iodine has been recorded a n d collated b y the Io d in e E d u c a tio n a l B u r e a u . T h is org a n isa tio n g ives in fo rm a tio n a n d advice oil the uses o f io d in e in M e d ic in e , In d u s tr y a n d ylg ricu ltu re. T h e B u re a u is rea d y to a ssist a n y in stitu tio n or com m ercial enterp rise. There is no charge J o r th is
Iodine Educational Bureau
8 7 S T O N E H O U S E , B I S H O P S O A T E , E . C . 2
T hese d ru m s a re w eldod th r o u g h o u t and a re m a n u factu red in larg e q u an titie s . They can be s u p p lied p a in ted , gal
vanised o r tin n ed . Also m an u factu re d in stain less s te e l. C apaci
ties ran g in g fro m 20 to 150 gallons.
Everything for Safety Everywhere
á G AS M A S K S
Self-Contained
“ F l r e o x , ” e t c
Short-Dlstance Breathing m ■
Apparatus B I
41 A n t i b o y s , '’ a n d o t h e r ty p o * —h r - . " " f o i f f O X Y G E N am ^
a n d o t h e r ty p e s DUST.' MASKS.”and GOG G LES o f all p a t te r n , ASBESTOS FIREPROOF C L O T H IN G , A C ID PR O O F
GARM ENTS, e tc .
V a lo r
Steel Cupboard
fo r
Office and Works
R e f. 0 1 0
I r *
W ith o n e a d j u s t a b l e s t e e l s h e lf . E x t r a s h e l v e s c a n b e f i tt e d 6 L e v e r e d L o c k a n d 2 K e y s
T H E VALOR Co. Ltd.
E R D I N G T O N , B I R M I N G H A M . B R O M F O R D ,
N o v e m b e r 3, 1 945 THE C H E M I C A L A G E
B A R B I T O N E S
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
FINEST QUALITY.
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 --- = •
P IE R S O N , M O R R E L L & CO., LTD.
(T H E O R IG IN A L B R IT ISH A S P IR IN M A K E R S )
Q U E E N ’S ROAD - BARNET - HERTS
Phone : Barnet 0723 G ram s : Pierson Morrell, Barnet
IZ^Tn1 Q rr ,IV T 7 '"R ’ Q Chemical Engineers
JLVJ-JD A
11 JJjXX D
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 . l . We w ill gladly send you our new catalogues Nos. 257on application.
For over fifty years we have specialised in fans for the chemical industry, built to resist the corrosive action of acid gas.
E x a m p le s : For handling chlorine gas we make Kestner fans of Keebush ;
for sulphuric acid gas, lead o r lead alloy ;
for nitric acid gas, stainless steel, etc.
etc.
A
i l THE C H E M I C A L A G E No v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 3 3
r
, Steam o r Power Driven Pumps. ^ D ry Vacuum Pumps. W e t Vacuum ’ Pumps. A ir Compressors. Steam Jet A ir Ejectors and Surface Condensersfor. Operating with Vacuum Pans.,
1 Heat Exchangers.
W O R T H I N G T O N - S I M P S O N L T D . . N E W A R K - O N - T R E N T .
FLUOR SPAR
HIG H G RAD E
. 9 7 - 9 8 %
Ca F2 C O N T E N T
is now available
- f rom ---
G L E B E M I N E S L I M I T E D
E Y A M • D E R B Y S H I R E
Telephone : Eyam 241
W O R T H I N G T O N — S I M P S O N
CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
v V i t » ' * 1- 5 u s e d T o
^ L I Q U O R S
h a n d l e d
Q . 4 -
A n Installation of twelve electrically-driven H o ri
zontal Split Casing Centrifugal Pumps atjan im- portanp Chemical W o r k s In the Midlands. These units handle a variety of Chemical Solutions used in varlousjmanufacturing processes.
U nlike m ost o th er form s of packages, tin s rarely break, tea r, leak, crac k or split.
T h e public like th e m because th ey are easy to carry, store, open an d dispose of, w h ilst giving th e ir co n ten ts lasting pro tectio n . D rum s, p a rtic u la rly of the full a p e rtu re ty p e, a n d K egs have sim ilar adv an tag es for larg er packs. T h a t is why m o re th a n 2 ,550 products in daily com m on use are packed in m e ta l co n tain ers.
No o th er form of p ackaging offers so m an y im p o rta n t a d v an tag es. You a re invited to, subm it sam ples of y o u r pro d u ct an d details of y o u r p ackaging problem e n tirely w ith o u t obligation to READS of LIVERPOOL, who have been m ak in g m o st kinds of plain Tins o r decorated D rum s an d Kegs for m ore th an seventy-five years.
No v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 4 5
T O
T H E C H E M I C A L A G E
- W A R P R O S P E R I T Y
READS LIM ITED , 2 1 B R ID G EW A T ER STR EET, LIV ERPO O L 1. ROYAL 3 2 2 3. A n d a t LO N DO N , G LA SG O W , BELFAST, LEICESTER AND CORK
R 2 0 2 - C I
i v THE C H E M I C A L A G E No v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 4 5
NEW ZEALAND IMPORTING COMPANIES S E E K A G E N C IE S
The T o d d G r o u p of Companies, established over SO years— combined paid-up capital
£825,000— invites correspondence from leading manufacturers and exporters (of all classes of goods that offer scope for substantial turnover) desirous of exporting— o r increasing their exports— to N e w Zealand.
The G rou p is experienced in the im porting and merchandising of diversified lines including engineering and technical equipment and supplies. W e are also very interested in basic materials and chemicals. Specialists are employed in the various spheres. Representatives throughout N e w Zealand. Payments cash. References : The National Bank of N e w Zealand, Ltd., 8, Moorgate, London, E.C.3.
We invite confidential correspondence giving fu ll particulars o f your lines and bank references.
TODD GROUP
T O D D G R O U P L O N D O N MANAGER, TERMINUS CHAMBERS, 6. H O L B O R N VIADUCT,
L O N D O N , E .C .I.
Replies in the first instance to Todd Group London Manager, address above CH AIRM A N, T O D D G R O U P .
T O D D BUILDING, W E L L IN G T O N , N EW ZEALAN D .
Cables : “ T o d d B ros., W e llin g to n .”
London Office: 62 Kino William Street, E.C.4 Telephone: Mansion House 1285-6
What is an
Invisible A s s e t?
Wherever Solvents are used in any quantity, the wastage caused by evaporation is really an invisible asset. Fortunately it. is an asset th at can readily be translated ihto terms of pounds, shillings and pence, with the aid of a Solvent recovery plant. If you would like to know if solvent recovery would be a worth while proposi
tion in your case, our advisory department is always willing to supply the necessary information.
S U T C L I F F E S P E A K M A N
AND C O M P A N Y LTD., LEIG H , LA N C S
No v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 4 5 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E
H I L L S
H U T T E R V E N T I L A T I O N
f o r i n s t a n t c l e a r a n c e o f
F U M E S A N D S M O K E
from Foundries, Retort Houses, Furnace Buildings, etc., etc.
T h e S hutters provide w h at is in effect a m oveable r o o f to the building which, by m eans o f steel louvres in them selves form ing extraction vanes, create extraction drau g h t. T h e louvres are form ed on both sides o f a centrally op erated dual gear u n it; each side can be o p erated independently in o rd e r
to facilitate extraction in stro n g winds.
In very w et w eather, driving snow and a t night they can be closed an d form com plete w e ath e r-tig h tn ess
Adequate natural light to the workshops below is available when the shutters are open.
BRITISH PATENT NOS. S36127, 536942 A N D 536943
H IL L S P A T E N T G L A Z IN G C O M P A N Y L IM IT E D
A L B IO N R O A D , W E S T B R O M W IC H . ’P H O N E : W E S T B R O M W IC H 1025 (6 lines) L o n d o n O f f i c e : 125 H I G H H O L B O R N , W . C . l . ■ P h o n e : H O L b o r n 8005 6
M.W.54 O P E N
W h e n fully o p e n e d , th e sp ecially d esig n e d lo u v re s p ro v id e a n a l
m o s t in s ta n ta n e o u s c le a ra n c e o f fu rn e s, sm o k e e tc ., a n d , w h a t is eq u a lly im p o r ta n t, give a d e q u a te n a tu r a l lig h tin g to th e w o r k s h o p s below .
H A L F O P E N
I t is o fte n d a n g e ro u s f o r . ra in to fall th r o u g h th e o p e n r o o f o f a w o rk sh o p . In v ery lig h t ra in H ills S h u tte rs c a n be p a rtly c lo se d a n d still p e r m it a very h ig h p e rc e n ta g e o f e x tra c tio n .
C L O S E D
I n d riv in g r a in , slee t, etc ., th e S h u tte rs c a n be c lo se d d o w n c o m p le te ly a n d th e y a r e th e n w ea th e r-tig h t.
F i n e C h e m i c a l s F o r E v e r y P u r p o s e
The Research Chemist
The interest aroused in the public mind by the achievements of the Research Chemist is based primarily on the practical value of his discoveries, but the lay mind has little understanding of the difficul
ties and the problems encountered before laboratory synthesis can be translated into factory production.
After the dramatic discovery comes the generally far more difficult task of meeting the demand occasioned by it, and such problems have been accentuated during the last few years by the worry o f wartime scarcities. Patience, resource and unremitting effort are just as necessary in research and develop
ment work as the occasional flash of inspiration, and these qualities have helped the chemist to deal successfully with the many trouble
some situations which the war has brought.
The research workers of May &
Baker have had their share o f war
time difficulties to overcome.
W ithout their efforts many o f our customers would have been less satisfied with the service wc have been able to give them. Perhaps the problems which face you fall within the scope of their experience?
If so, we should be pleased to attempt to solve them. Telephone:
Ilford 3060. Extensions 71 or 72.
M a y & B a k e r L t d
D A G E N H A M
LONDON ENGLAND
wftj
T HE C H E M I C A L A G E No v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 4 5
B A K E L A Q U E
Synthetic Resin Laminated Boards, Tubes, Rods, and
Mouldings
BAKELAQUE
Resins, Varnishes and M oulding Powders
M IC A and M IC A N IT E
in all form s
Vulcanised Fibre and Leatheroid
Varnished C lo th , T ape and Tubing
Presspahn, Fullerboard Ebonite and all Insulating M a te ria l fo r
Electrical Engineers
ATTWATER t SONS L™
P R E S T O N ESTABLISHED 1868
M & B Industrial Chsmicals Sériât (N o . 2m),
No v e m b e r 3, 1945 THE C H E M I C A L A G E
T. DAVIES LTD. Steel D ru m and Keg M anufacturers Widnes Iron W orks, W ID N E S
’ Gram s : *' D A V E E ” ’Phone : V/idnes 2463
v i i i T HE C H E M I C A L A G E No v e m b e r, 3 1 9 4 5
A . J . RILEY & SON, Ltd
BATLEY, Y O R K S
R I C H A R D S I M O N & S O N S , LTD.
P H ΠN IX W O R K S , B A S F O R D ,
N O T T IN G H A M
Telegrams: " BO ILERS, B A T L E Y ." Telephone: 657 B A T LEY (3 lines) E S T A B L IS H E D I88 B M akers of
M IL D ST E E L R IV E T E D A N D W E L D E D V E S SE LS J A C K E T E D P A N S C O M P L E T E
W IT H A G IT A T O R S
T A R , B E N Z O L E & O IL ST ILLS C O N D E N S E R S , E V A P O R A T O R S
A N D D IS T IL L IN G P L A N T S M IL D ST E E L PIPES
A L L P R E SSU R E S L A N C A S H IR E , C O R N IS H E C O N O M IC & W .T . B O IL E R S
W e have test plants on a commercial scale always available S H E E T L E A D O R H O M O G E N E O U S
L IN E D V ESSELS
M A N Y S T A N D A R D S IZ E S includ
ing L A B O R A T O R Y M O D E L S .
M U L T I T U B U L A R D R I E R S
R O L L E R F I L M D R I E R S
= F L A K E R S A N D C O O L E R S
W e offer accumulated experience of 50 years’ specialization.
O U R W O R K S , the largest in the United K ingdom devoted especi
ally to D R Y IN G M A C H IN E R Y , are laid out and equipped with the latest plant for this particular purpose.
No v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 4 3 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E
X T H E C H E M I C A L A G E No v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 4 5
do w so n £>:
CAS PLANT DOWSON Cf
M S PLANT m a n c h e
IMW5ÓŃ V MAS'JS CAS PLANT CO IT.'!
MANCHESTER
M A N C H E S T E R 19
^ V - / T T . J W ^ C J Y \ / - V J V V ^ T e l. N o . : H e a to n M oor 2261 GAS P L A N T C O . LTD.
CHLORAMINĘ
( C h l o r a m i n e - T )
★
B.P. and COMMERCIAL
Enquiries should be made to the
W holesale and E xport D epartm ent
B O O T S P U R E D R U G CO. L T D N O T T IN G H A M
B 968-80S
T A N K S . C Y L IN D R IC A L A N D R EC TA N G U LA R
PUMPS A N D F L O W METERS, ETC.
No v e m b e r 3, 1 943 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E xi
It did not happen
THIS TIME
In these intervening years a strong British fine chem ical industry -t n - i n developed, determined that it m ust not happen again. Thus I i l 1 iJ in 1933, M onsanto started m ak in g British Phenacetin, safe-
1939
gu a rd in g home requirements with a product o f assured quality.
M on santo P H E N A C E T I N custom ers have been able to rely on regular supplies at stable prices th ro u g h -
1939-45
out the war. It was their su p p o rt in pre-w ar days w hich helped to ensure British Phenacetin output in the w ar years.M O N S A N T O C H E M IC A L S LIMITED
V I C T O R I A S T A T I O N H O U S E
VICTORIA ST., LO N D O N , S.W .I M 1805
1914-18
ln 19 16 the m arket price for the little Phenacetin available (foreign made of course) rose to 110/- per lb
xii T H E C H E M I C A L A G E No v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 4 5
■ B B O B S B B B H S B M B m B B H a S S S n E B I R E - S U R V E Y O F S O L V E N T S
isopropyl alcohol
In a score o f industries, where reformu
lation of products for post-war business is afoot, this highly versatile solvent deserves special attention.
Isopropyl alcohol is widely employed already for lacquers and thinners, having a high latent solvent power for nitro
cellulose and cellulose esters. It has a high evaporation rate and low absorp
tion o f moisture from the air.
In the formulation of cosmetic and toilet preparations particularly, it will be found valuable, while its bactericidal properties are welcomed in pharmaceutical and surgical applications.
T P isopropyl alcohol is marketed in the anhydrous form and its specification is closely adhered to, ensuring consistency of quality between one delivery and the next.
Our Technical Service will be glad to supply detailed specifications and data relative to T P isopropyl alcohol, and we are always ready to collaborate in new methods of application.
T E C H N IC 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
S T O N E W A R E I N D U S T R Y
by R. W ard , M.Sc., F.R.I.C.,
and A. C. H . Pryce.
We have pleasure in announcing the publication o f this 16-page booklet containing reprints o f articles which originally appeared in the Industrial Chemist, June and Ju ly, 1945— and for which we believe the demand and interest will prove just as great as for our previous booklet (Cements used in Chemical Plant Construc
tion) published in 1944 and since then twice reprinted.
Copies will be sent, on receipt o f id . stamp (to comply with the Control o f Paper Order) to any Chemical Engineer, Industrial Chemist or Works Manager interested in the use and applications o f this acid- resisting plant material.
Among the numerous aspects o f the subject dealt with in Stoneware in Industry are :—
T en sile S tr e n g th ; C ru sh in g S tre n g th ; C ro ss-b en d in g S tre n g th ; P o ro sity ; R esistance to T h erm al Shock an d S palling ; T h e rm a l C o n d u ctiv ity ; Size, S hape a n d S ection T h ick n ess ; H a rd n ess ; D im e n sional A ccuracy ; A ppearance ; R e sistance to A cids, etc. ; C o llab o ra
tio n betw een M ak er, D esig n er and U se r ; S ta n d ard isa tio n ; S u p p o rt
ing T a n k s , V essels, etc. ; D is trib u tio n o f load.
DOULTON 5 Co., Ltd.
DOULTON HOUSE, LAMBETH, S.E.1.
M a n u fac tu rers o f A cid P ro o f C hem ical S to n ew are ; L ab o ra to ry P o rcelain ; L ab o ra to ry Sinks ; C hannels and S im ilar F ittin g s ; P orous C eram ic F ilte rs ; C ells an d D ia p h rag m s, etc.
ROBEY & CO . LTD
G L O B E W O R K S L IN C O L N r r ?
L o n d o n O f f i c e s : C o m m o n w e a lt h B a n k C h a m b e r s , 10 O ld J e w ry , E . C
N o v e m b e r 3 , 1945 1 T HE C H E M I C A L A G E x i i i
R o tary o r R e cip ro catin g
ß u l s o m e t e t i D u m p s
A L L D U T IE S For Food and C hem ical Industries
and Processes
LIST N o . 3086
P u ls o m e te r e n g in e e rin g C l?«
tV m e € lm s Iro n w o rk s. R e a d i n g .
T H E C H E M I C A L A G E N o v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 4 3
B A M A G
A C I D P R O D U C T I O N
C O N C E N T R A T I O N
a n dR E C O V E R Y P L A N T S
For quality and capacity unequalled by other units o f com parable size
B A M A G
B A M A G L IM IT E D , U N IV E R S A L H O U S E 60, B U C K IN G H A M P A L A C E R O A D , L O N D O N , S .W .I
O N W A R O F F IC E A N D A D M IR A L T Y LISTS - T e le p h o n e : S L O A N E 9282 (8 lin es)
The Chemical Age
A Weekly Journal Devoted to Industrial and E ngineering C hem istry
B O U V E R I E H O U S E , 154 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 LLA N G A S F L E E T LO N D O N T e le p h o n e : C E N T R A L 3 2 12 (10 lines) G LA SG O W : 1 16 H ope S tree t (C entral 3970) B IR M IN G H A M : D aim ler H ouse, P a rad ise S tre e t (M idland 07845 ) T H E C H E M IC A L A G E offices are closed on S a tu rd a y s in ac co rd an ce w ith th e ad o p tio n ot th e fiv e-d ay w eek by
B enn B ro th e rs L im ited
V O L . L I I I
N o. 13 7 5 -
November 3, 1945
* A nnual S u b sc rip tio n 2 1 s.O verseas 26s.
Progress ! T
H E R E call b e fe w w h o h a v e n o tso m e a c q u a in ta n c e w ith th e p o e m s o f T e n n y s o n . A m o n g th e m , sc ie n tific m e n g e n e r a ll y a r c a tt r a c t e d to th e tw o p o e m s 011 L o c k s le y H a l l — p p e m s th a t e x p r e s s v iv id ly th e im p a tie n c e a n d im p e tu o s ity o f h o t-b lo o d e d y o u th , w ith w h ic h is c o n tr a s te d in th e l a t e r p o e m th e s e r e n it) a n d m a tu r e d ju d g m e n t o f a g e , s ix ty y e a r s la te r . T h e v o ice of y o u th :
" Not, in v ain th e d istan c e beckons. F o r
w ard, F o rw a rd le t us ra n g e,
L e t th e g re a t w orld sp in fo r ev er dow n th e rin g in g grooves of c h an g e .”
is in s h a r p c o n tr a s t to th e d is i ll u s i o n m e n t o f a g e :
Nay y o u r p a rd o n , cry y o u r ‘ fo rw a rd ,’
y o u rs a re hope a n d y o u th , b u t I — E ighty w in te rs leave th e dog too lam e to follow w ith th e c ry .”
W e w e re le d to r e - r e a d L o c k s le y H a l l b y c o m in g u n e x p e c te d ly u p o n . tw o p a s s a g e s fro m T h e T i m e s w r i t te n 100 y e a r s a p a r t . E a c h o f th e m w a s a s u m m a r y o f p r o g r e s s , b u t w h a t a d iffe re n c e th e r e w a s b e tw e e n p r o g r e s s w h e n T e n n y s o n w a s in h is t h ir t i e s a n d to -d a y , 50 y e a r s a f te r h is d e a t h ! I n 18 4 5, w e r e a d : “ W e n e e d s c a r c e ly a ll u d e to th e c h a n g e o f th e c u r r e n c y , th e r e p e a l of t h e T e s t a n d C o r
p o r a tio n A c ts , R o m a n
On Other P ages
N o tes and C om m ents
S t r e p to m y c in ...
S o u th W ales a n d th e F u tu r e of th e Chemical I n d u s tr y , I I A lu m in i u m in F ra nc e — L i g h t A llo y Pla nts Boron in S teel
B r ita in ’s S te e l Pro ducti on A la s k a n W o lfr a m ite ...
Me t a l l u r g i c a l Se c t i o n
T e c h n iq u e o f Macro yr aphy, I I I Cast Iron in the Process In d u s tr ie s 413 Elect roly ti c T i n Pluting ... 416 I m p eria l College Cente nary ... 417 Personal N o tes ... ... ... 419 Parlia m entary To pic s ... 426 C e n er a l N e w s from W e e k to W e e k 421 C omm er cial I n tellig en ce ... 423 S to c k s and S hare s ... 423 British Chemica l Prices ... 424
C a th o lic E m a n c i p a ti o n , th e R e fo rm A c t, th e N e w P o o r L a w , th e A b o litio n o f S la v e r y , th e E c c le s ia s tic a l C o m m is s io n , th e In c o m e - ta x , o r th e M a y n o o th G r a n t.
T h e s e w ill o c c u r a t o n c e to e v e r y o n e . ( O th e r c h a n g e s ’ c ite d a r e p r o h ib itio n of w o m e n ’s la b o u r in m in e s a n d th e g e n e r a l a b o litio n o f c a p i t a l p u n is h m e n t a n d of im p r is o n m e n t fo r d e b t.) B u t th e s e a r e s c a rc e ly m o re th a n a r e c o r d o f w h a t th e n a tio n h a s . a lr e a d y d o n e f o r its e lf . F r o m lu c i f e r m a tc h e s , w h ic h 2 0 y e a rs a g o w e re s o ld a t 3s. 6d . a box a s p h i lo s o p h ic a l to y s , a n d h a v e n o w d r iv e n a w a y th e t in d e r b o x e v e n f ro m th e b a c k w o o d s o f N o r t h A m e r ic a , to th e e le c tr ic t e l e g r a p h , w h ic h h a s a l l b u t l it e r a l ly a n n ih i l a t e d tim e a n d s p a c e — in a ll o u r d o in g s , in e v e r y 1 c ir c u m s ta n c e a ffe c tin g u s , w e c a n tr a c e th e f in g e r o f c h a n g e ; a n d a s r e g a r d s o u r m a te r ia l c o n d itio n , it is im p o s s ib le to d e n y t h a t o n th e w h o le th e p r o g r e s s i= o n e o f im p r o v e m e n t. A d o z e n y e a r s a g o D r.
D io n y s iu s L a r d n e r p r o v e d u p o n o a th , by m a th e m a tic a l c a l c u l a tio n s , t h a t it w a s im p o s s ib le t h a t a s te a m e r c o u ld e v e r c ro s s th e A t l a n t i c ; th e im p o s s ib ility is n o w a m a t t e r o f w e e k ly o c c u r r e n c e . T e n y e a r s a g o w e p a id e ig h te e n p e n c e fo r th e p o s ta g e o f a l e t t e r in an e n v e lo p e 403
401 405 409 409 .410
410 410 411
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c a r r ie d So m ile s ; it is n o w c a r r i e d 400 m ile s fo r one* p e n n y . F if te e n y e a r s a g o r a il w a y lo c o m o tiv e s a c c o m p lis h e d 20 m ile s a n h o u r ; th e y c a n n o w do 7 5. W e c a n n o w g o to C h in a a n d b a c k in le s s tim e th a n , 20 y e a r s s in c e , it o c c u p ie d to g e t to C a lc u tta : W h o is now d a r i n g e n o u g h to a s s e r t t h a t w e a r e m o re th a n o n th e v e r g e o f o u r c h a n g e s ?”
B u t le t u s g o f o r w a r d a c e n tu r y to th e w o r ld in w h ic h w e liv e , th is “ v io le n t a n d s a v a g e a g e ” a s M r. C h u r c h ill h a s s ty le d it. T h is is w h a t w e r e a d in th e r e p o r t o f th e C o m m a n d in g G e n e r a l of th e U .S . A rm y A ir F o rc e s . G e n e ra l A r n o ld s a y s t h a t a t th e b e g in n in g o f th e w a r th e U n ite d S ta te s p o s se ss ed b o m b e rs w ith a sp e e d o f 200 m ile s a n h o u r , a f ig h tin g r a n g e o f 900 m ile s , a “ c e ilin g ” o f 24,000 f t ., a n d a b o m b lo a d o f 6000 lb. T o - d a y , th e r e a re a v a i l a b l e b o m b e rs c a p a b le o f c a r r y i n g 20,0001 lb . o f b o m b s to t a r g e ts lfxto m ile s d i s t a n t a t s p e e d s o f 3 3 0 m ile s a n h o u r a n d a lt i tu d e s o f o v e r 3 5 ,0 0 0 ft. B u t w ith in a fe w y e a r s th e r e w ill b e je t- p r o p e lle d b o m b e rs fly in g a t a sp e e d of a n v t h i n g u p to 600 m ile s a n h o u r to t a r g e ts 15 0 0 m ile s a w a y a t a lt i tu d e s of o v e r 40,000 ft. ; a n d e v e n g r e a t e r b o m b e rs , fly in g “ a t s tr a to s p h e r e a l t i tu d e s a n d s p e e d s f a s t e r t h a n s o u n d ’’
w ith b o m b lo a d s o f 100 ,0 00 lb ., a r e a m o n g th e c e r ta in tie s .
“ T h e n f ig h te r s , w h ic h in 19 4 1 w e re lim ite d to s p e e d s o f 300 m ile s a n h o u r , a r a n g e o f 200- to 300Î m ile s , a n d c e ilin g s o f 20,000 ft. T o - d a y , c o n v e n tio n a l fig h te r s h a v e s p e e d s o f 500 m ile s an h o u r , c o m b a t-r a n g e s o f 13 0 0 m ile s , a n d c e i l in g s o f 3 5 ,0 0 0 ft. W it h i n five y e a r s j e t - p r o p e lle d f ig h te r s w ill b e p r o d u c e d w ith th e s p e e d o f s o u n d a n d a b le to r e a c h t a r g e t s 2000 m ile s aw tiy a t a l t i tu d e s o f 50,000 ft. A g a in , a t th e b e g i n n in g o f th e w a r th e r e w e re n o ro c k e ts . N ow - A m e r ic a n r o c k e ts c o u ld b e d ir e c te d to t a r g e ts b y e le c tr o n ic d e v ic e s a n d n e w in s t r u m e n t s w h ic h g u id e th e m a c c u r a te ly to s o u rc e s o f h e a t , l ig h t , a n d m a g n e tis m . D r a w n b y t h e i r o w n fu s e s , su c h ro c k e ts w ill s t r e a k u n e r r i n g l y to th e h e a r t o f b ig f a c to r ie s , a tt r a c t e d b y th e h e a t o f th e f u r n a c e s . ” G e n e r a l A r n o ld a d d s t h a t th e s e ta r g e t- s e e k i n g d e v ic e s a r e “ so s e n s itiv e t h a t in th e s p a c e ' o f a l a r g e ro o m th e y a im th e m s e lv e s to w a r d s a m a n w h o e n te r s , in r e a c tio n to th e h e a t o f h is b o d y .” A s
4 0 2
r e g a r d s b o m b s , th e U n ite d S ta te s s t a r te d w ith th e 2000- p o u n d e r, p r a c t ic a ll y s p e a k ing* a s th e m a x im u m . T h e n e w b o m b s d e v e lo p e d d u r i n g th e w a r r a n g e fro m 4 lb. m a n - k i l li n g b o m b to th e g ig a n tic 22,0 00 lb. d e e p - p e n e tr a tio n b o m b . A n d a t th e p r e s e n t m o m e n t th e r e a r e in m a n u f a c tu r e b o m b s w e ig h in g 45,00 0 lb.
T o th is w e m a y a d d p o is o n g a s a n d th e a to m ic b o m b !
I t w o u ld b e u n f a ir to ju d g e o u r g e n e r a tio n by its w a r l ik e p r o p e n s itie s : T h e a g e d a n d th e d is illu s io n e d m a y be ju s tifie d i n t a k i n g a p o o r v ie w o f a c iv ilis a tio n t h a t c a n p r o d u c e th e B e ls e n s o f G e rm a n y , th e p r is o n c a m p s o f J a p a n th a t re e k o f th e w o rs t f e a tu r e s o f th e M id d le A g e s , th e a to m ic b o m b s t h a t c a n w ip e o u t w h o le c itie s in th e m a n n e r of D o o m s d a y a s c o n c e iv e d b y th e a n c ie n ts o f 2000 y e a r s a g o . B u t th e r e is f a r m o re to o u r c r e d i t th a n to o u r d is c r e d it. I t is t r u e t h a t in th is y e a r o f g r a c e w e c h r o n ic le th e a c h ie v e m e n ts o f s c ie n c e in its a p p li c a t io n to w a r f a r e . B u t s c ie n c e h a s a c h ie v e d w ith in th is l a s t to o y e a r s f a r m o re fo r th e a ll e v ia ti o n o f h u m a n s u f f e r in g th a n f o r th e d e s tr u c tio n of h u m a n life . T h e d is c o v e r y o f a n a e s th e tic s , m a d e in 18 4 6, o p e n e d th e d o o r to th e v a s t s u r g ic a l a d v a n c e s o f th e c e n tu r y . T h e w o rk o f P a s t e u r a n d m a n y a n o th e r in t h a t field h a s p r o v e d of I n c a lc u la b le b e n e fit. T h e a p p lic a tio n o f sc ie n c e h a s e n r ic h e d lif e b e y o n d a ll r e c o g n itio n . T h e s p r e a d o f e d u c a tio n h a s e n a b le d m a n k in d to u se th e le is u r e t h a t th e m a c h in e h a s g iv e n him .-
I f w e a r e n o t y e t a r r iv e d a t th e m ille n iu m , w e a r e .a t le a s t t r a v e l l i n g r a p id l y a n d h o p e f u lly . S c ie n c e m o v e s in l i t t l e s te p s , p r o v id in g u s fro m tim e to tim e w ith l i t t l e q u a n ta o f d is c o v e rv , b u t f r o m th e w h o le th e r e c o m e s a s te a d v a n d e v e r - q u ic k e n in g flow o f a d v a n c e m e n t. W e a r e n o t y e t 80 y e a r s o f a g e , a n d so w e a r e n o t y e t d is illu s io n e d ! P e r h a p s in d u e c o u rs e d is illu s io n m e n t w ill c o m e : m u c h d e p e n d s u p o n th e u se t h a t m a n k in d m a k e s o f th e p o w e rs t h a t d is c o v e r y is g i v in g to it. T h e w a y is n l a i n , h o w e v e r : sc ie n c e c a n n o t re s t.
W e g o b a c k e v e n f a r t h e r in o u r ro u g h is la n d h is to r y a n d re -e c h o th e w o rd ? s p o k e n b y B u r k e in 17 8 0 : “ A p p la u d ' u s w h e n w e r u n ; c o n s o le u s w h e n w e f a l l : c h e e r u s w h e n w e r e c o v e r : b u t l e t u s p a s s o n — f o r G o d ’s s a k e , l e t u s p a s s o n !”
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X P E R I E N C E g a in e d d u r i n g th e w a r , a n d th e p o s s ib ilitie s o f l e a r n in g th e r e b y , w e re th e c a r d i n a l p o in ts o f M r. W . N e v ille W a r w i c k ’s p r e s id e n tia l a d d r e s s to th e C oke.. O v e n M a n a g e r s ’ A s s o c ia tio n in L o n d o n l a s t w e e k . In th is firs t f u ll- d r e s s s u r v e y o f th e in d u s tr y d u r i n g th e w a r , th e p r e s id e n t la id s tr e s s o n th e r e p la c e m e n t o f th e p r e -w a r d e m a n d f o r a fe w b y - p r o d u c ts b y th e w a r - tim e n e c e s s ity fo r th e p r o d u c tio n of p u r e s , a d e v e lo p m e n t w h ic h m ig h t le a d , h e s a id , to th e s tu d y o f c lo s e r f r a c t io n a tio n , a n d u l ti m a t e ly to th e e r e c tio n of a n c i l la r y p l a n t fo r th e p r o d u c tio n o f o r g a n ic c h e m ic a ls v ita l to th e s y n th e tic c h e m ic a l in d u s tr y . T h e p a s s i n g o f th e r e la ti v e ly in e ffic ie n t b a tc h s t i ll se e m s a s s u r e d , a n d th e i n s t a l l a t i o n o f e x te n s iv e c o n tin u o u s .f r a c ti o n a t i o n p l a n t is th e r e b y w a r r a n te d . T h e i n d u s tr y , a t a n y r a te , m u s t s e e t h a t n e w p l a n t e r e c te d is n o t a llo w e d to la p s e in to r e d u n d a n c y , a s it d id a f te r th e l a s t w a r. R e n e w e d a tt e n ti o n is b e in g fo c u s s e d o n c h e m ic a l u tilis a tio n a n d p r o d u c tio n o f o r g a n ic c o m p o u n d s f ro m c o k e -o v e n g a s , a n d it w ill be* f o r th e c o k e -o v e n in d u s t r y to d e c id e ( f o r e x a m p le ) w h e th e r to s to p a t e th y l e n e , r e c o v e r y , o r g o a s ta g e f u r t h e r to th e p a r t i a l s e p a r a tio n o f m e th a n e . T h e p r e s id e n t h a d a fe w w ise w o rd s to s a y o n th e p r o d u c tio n o f o il fro m c o a l, w ith a n ey e o n th e v a lu a b l e s u b s id ia r y i n d u s tr ie s b a s e d o n th e F is c h e r - T r o p s c h a n d s i m il a r p ro c e s s e s . A t a ll e v e n ts , a s h e s a id , th e e x p e n d i t u r e in v o lv e d in th e la r g e - s c a le p r o d u c tio n o f o il fro m c o a l m a k e s it lik e ly t h a t th e c o k in g p l a n t w o u ld m ore* p r o b a b ly b e th e a d j u n c t to th e o il p l a n t t h a n v i c e v e r s a .P rob lem s Ahead
I F F I C U L T I E S th e r e h a d b e e n a n d w o u ld b e. D u r i n g th e w a r th e s e h a d b e e n v e r y l a r g e l y o v e rc o m e b y th e l o y a l t y o f c e r ta in c a te g o r ie s o f th e i r w o r k e r s , b u t th e s tu d y o f th e p r o b le m s o f d w i n d l in g m a ri-p o w e r in h e a v y i n d u s t r y w a s a n e c e s s ity . P r o d u c tio n s p e c ia lis ts in th e U . S ., h e n o te d , h a d p a id in s u ffic ie n t a tt e n ti o n to th e p r o te c tio n o f th e o p e r a to r , t h o u g h a R u s s ia n r e s e a r c h i n s t it u t e h a d b e e n d e v o tin g m u c h tim e to th e p r o b le m s o f u n c o n -
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g e n ia l e m p lo y m e n t o n c o k e o v e n s. W e a g r e e t h a t th e r e is sc o p e f o r in g e n u ity in d e s ig n w ith im p r o v e d w o r k in g c o n d itio n s in v ie w ; a ls o t h a t s u c h s tu d y w o u ld in c re a s e p l a n t effic ien cy . T h e e s c a p e o f g r e e n g a s d u r i n g c h a r g i n g is a n o th e r p r o b le m to w h ic h h e r e f e r r e d ; a n d h e n o te d t h a t th e to n n a g e f ro m th e b e tte r c o k in g c o a l s e a m s w a s d im in is h i n g a n d th e q u a li t y d e te r io r a t in g . T h e r e is n o d o u b t t h a t p ro b le m s o f g e n e r a l d e s ig n m u s t 'lo o m l a r g e ly in th e f u t u r e , i f th e in d u s t r y is to k e e p u p its s t a n d a r d o f p e r fo r m a n c e . I t is g r a t i f y i n g to r e a d th e p r e s i d e n t ’s w o rd s o n th e w a r e ffo rt o f tn e te c h n ic a l P r e s s in s u p p o r t o f i n d u s tr y , a n d h is a p p r e c ia tio n o f th e d iffic u ltie s u n d e r w h ic h th e P r e s s k e p t g o in g d u r i n g h o s t i l i t i e s ; a n d h is fin a l r e m a r k s o n th e fu n c tio n o f p r o f e s s io n a l i n s t it u t io n s se e m to u s th e h e ig h t o f g o o d s e n se . M r. W a r w i c k ’s a d d r e s s m a y h a v e b e en c o n tr o v e r s ia l, a s h e h im s e lf s u g g e s ts , b u t it w a s c e r t a i n l y c o n s tr u c tiv e .
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N a c u r s o r y r e a d i n g , th e P r im e M in is te r ’s s t a te m e n t a b o u t th e r e g r o u p i n g o f th e s u p p ly a n d p r o d u c tio n m in i s t r i e s m ig h t h a v e se e m e d no m o re th a n a s h u fflin g o f d e p a r t m e n t a l r e s p o n s i b i li t ie s ; b u t h is s u p e r l a t i v e l y n o n - c o m m itta l r e s p o n s e to S ir J o h n A n d e r s o n ’s r e q u e s t fo r a d e b a te on th e .s ta te m e n t, a n d th e r a t h e r o d d a r r a n g e m e n ts a b o u t a to m ic e n e r g y r e s e a r c h ( r e p o r te d e ls e w h e r e in o u r c o lu m n s ) a tt r a c t e d s p e c ia l a tte n tio n to th e m e a n i n g b e h in d th e c h a n g e . T h e u ltim a te d is a p p e a r a n c e o f th e M in is tr ie s o f P r o d u c tio n a n d o f A ir c r a f t P r o d u c tio n is a g o o d m o v e : b u t j u s t w h a t is b e h in d th e s e p a ra tio n o f t h e v a r io u s m e ta ls c o n t r o ls f ro m th e r a w m a t e r i a ls c o n tr o ls r e m a in s to b e se e n . I t is to b e h o p e d t h a t so m e l i g h t on th is m a y e m e r g e in d e b a te , if d e b a te th e r e is to be. A t a ll e v e n ts , e n g in e e r in g a n d it< m a t e r i a ls a r e to b e th e r e s p o n s ib ility o f th e M in is tr y o f S u p p ly , w h ile r a w m a t e r i a ls , i n c l u d in g c h e m ic a ls , a r e to c o m e u n d e r th e segis o f th e B o a r d o f T r a d e . T h e r e s p o n s ib ility f o r r e s e a r c h in to a to m ic e n e r g y is to- b e r e m o v e d f ro m th e D .S . I .R ., a n d is to b e p la c e d in c h a r g e4°4 THE C H E M I C A L A G E No v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 4 5 o f th e M .Q .S ., t h o u g h officers o f th e
D .S . I .R . a r e to b e c o n s u lte d fro m tim e to tim e . I t c e r t a i n l y ’ d o e s n o t a p p e a r t h a t th e r e is g o in g to b e a n y h u r r y a b o u t th e r e la x a t i o n o f c o n tr o ls , a n d th e s e g r e g a tio n o f th e th r e e m e ta ls c o n tr o ls u n d e r a v a s tly m o re p o w e r f u l M in is tr y o f S u p p ly g iv e s th e im p r e s s io n t h a t th e G o v e r n m e n t i n te n d s to k e e p a t ig h t h a n d o n th e m a t e r i a ls c o n c e r n e d . F i n a l l y , th e c o - o rd in a tio n o f m il i ta r y s u p p ly p r o b le m s , f o r m e r ly th e ta s k o f th e M in is tr y o f P r o d u c tio n , w ill bo th e s u b j e c t o f “ o th e r a r r a n g e m e n t s . ” T h e p u b lic h a s a r i g h t to k n o w w h a t th e s e v a g u e “ o th e r a r r a n g e m e n t s ” a r e to be.
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Im p erial College Visited
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L T H O U G H L o n d o n , u n l ik e s e v e ra l C o n tin e n ta l c a p i t a l s , d o e s n o t y e t b o a s t a s p e c ia l U n iv e r s ity q u a r t e r , th e I m p e r i a l C o lle g e o f S c ie n c e a n d T e c h n o lo g y — th e c e n te n a r y o f w h ic h w a s c e le b r a te d la s t w e e k — h a s c o n tr iv e d to t u r n a p a r t o f S o u th K e n s in g to n in to a v e ry f a ir s u b s titu te fo r o n e . T h e v is ito r w h o w a lk e d th r o u g h th e C o lle g e ’s d e p a r tm e n ts , la b o r a to r ie s , a n d w o rk - shop> la s t w e e k -e n d w e n t a w a y c o n v in c e d o f th e c o m p a c t c o n tr ib u tio n t h a t is c o n s ta n tly b e in g m a d e th e r e to a w id e r a n g e o f s u b je c ts . S o m e m a y h a v e r e g r e tt e d th e s u b s titu tio n o f th e u n n a t u r a lly p e a c e f u l a tm o s p h e r e o f a s p e c ia l o c c a s io n fo r th e w o r k a d a y a tm o s p h e r e w h ic h n o r m a lly p e r v a d e s th e C o lle g e ’s p r e c in c ts . H o w e v e r , c o n d u c te d by g u id e s a n d e n li g h t e n e d b y d e m o n s tr a to r s r e c r u ite d f r o m a m o n g th e s t u d e n ts , a g o o d m a n y v is ito r s w ill h a v e r e c a lle d th e w e lc o m e r e lie f w h ic h s u c h o c c a s io n s in th e p a s t w e re c a p a b le o f b r i n g in g to h a r a s s e d s t u d e n ts a n d d e m o n s tr a to r s — a n d e v e n to m o r e a u g u s t m e m b e rs o f th e in s t it u t io n . A t a ll e v e n ts th e g r a t e fu l v is ito r , w h o s e i n v a d i n g s te p s n o lo n g e r d is tu r b th e c e n t e n a r i a n r o u tin e , r e c o r d s h is h o p e s f o r m o re f r e q u e n t c o n ta c ts in f u tu r e , a n d a s in c e r e w is h f o r f r u i tf u l a c t i v it y in th e y e a r s a h e a d . M a n y , w e k n o w w ill jo in w ith u s in w e lc o m in g th e a d d itio n o f th e b u s t o f o u r o ld f r ie n d P r o f e s s o r A r m s tr o n g to th e C o l le g e 's g a l l e r y o f p o r t r a i t s o f its p a s t g r e a t m e n .Streptom ycin
M e t h o d o f P r e p a r a t i o n
S
O M E d e ta ils co n cern in g the p ro d u c tio n of the a n tib io tic stre p to m y c in , a re given by M r. C. it. A ddinall (a ssista n t d ire c to r, research an d d ev elo p m en t, M erck & Co.) ¡11 a spec ia l chem ical su p p lem en t of th e Jo u rn a l o f Co mm er ce und Co mm ercial (New Y ork, S ep tem b e r 10, 1945). S ince th e isolation of the soil actin o m y cete, S tr e p to m y c e s griseus, by W aksm an et al. in 1944, an d th e g ro w th th ere fro m of the a n ti-b a c te ria l stre p to m y c in , re sea rc h has been p ro ceed in g vigorously to w a rd s p e rfe c tin g th is m a te ria l.A su itab le grow th m edium h a s now been a d o p te d , c o n sistin g of 1 p e r c en t, glucose, 0.5 p e r cen t, p ep to n e, 0.3 p e r c en t, m eat e x tr a c t o r 1.2 per c en t, co rn ste ep , and 0.5 p e r c en t. N aC l, and g ro w th h as b een , found to be m uch m ore ra p id in a g ita te d c u ltu re s th a n in sta tio n a ry . A fte r 5-10 days, s tr e p to m ycin is isolated from th e c u ltu re filtra te by a d so rp tio n on a c tiv a ted ch arc o al. T h e c ru d e a n tib io tic is rem oved from th e c h a r
coal by elu tio n w ith acidified alcohol, and th e e lu a te n e u tra lis ed w ith N aO H . T h e a d d itio n of 10 vols. of e th e r gives a h ighly co n c e n tra te d aqueous solution of strep to m y cin , which is f u r th e r c o n c e n tra te d by e v ap o ra tio n a t re d u ced p re ssu re .
T h e o rig in al u n it of stre p to m y c in w as d e fined as “ th a t a m o u n t o f m a te ria l which will in h ib it th e g ro w th of a p a rtic u la r stra in o f E. coli in 1 c.c. of n u trie n t b r o th .” T h e m ore re c e n t a v ailab ility of p u re c ry stallin e p re p a ra tio n s , h ow ever, has prov id ed a w eight u n it fo r s ta n d a r d is a tio n ; an d to-day th e official u n it is 1 pg. of p u re strep to m y cin base— a p p ro x im ate ly e q u iv a len t to 1 u n it as d e te rm in e d by b a cterio lo g ic a l assay.
T o x ic ity of th e d ru g is sta te d to be
“ r a th e r low ” ; th e le th a l dose fo r 50 p e r c en t, of m ice tre a te d w ith th e p u re m ate ria!
has been show n to be about 750 m g ./k g . body-w eight when a d m in iste re d su b cu tsn e - ously, an d 3 g ./k g . w hen given o rally .
T h e p ro b a b le u tility of strep to m y cin lies in th e b ro a d en in g of th e ra n g e of chem o
th e ra p e u tic a tta c k on d iseases caused by b a c te ria , p a rtic u la rly in th e d ire c tio n of d ise ases cau sed by th e gram -n eg ativ e g ro u p , in cluding Salm one lla in fectio n s, tu la re m ia , gram -n eg ativ e w ound in fec tio n s, ty p h o id fev er from s tra in s of Ei ty p h i, m en in g itis due to H. in flu e n z a 1, a n d also c e rta in gram , positive u rin a ry tr a c t infectio n s.
M etallu rg ists will welcome th e appearanci of Tt. T . R o lfe ’s Dicti onary o f M e ta llo g ra p h y (C h a p m an & H a ll; 15s.) w hich has ju s t been p u b lish ed . M r. R olfe, a s chiel m e ta llu rg is t to AY. IT. A llen, S o n s & Co., L td ., B e d fo rd , is a recognised a u th o rity on th e sub j e c t ; a full review of th e w ork will be p u b lish ed in a la te r issue.
No v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 3 5 T HE C H E M I C A L A G E 4 0 5
South W ales and the Future of the Chemical Industry—II
b y D . D . H O W A T , B . S c ., P h .D ., F . R . I . C . , A . M .I .C h e m .E . {Continued f r o m Th e Ch e m i c a l Ag e, October 2 7 , 1 9 4 5 , p . 3 8 4 ) ■ R A N T E D th a t the fram ew ork of a
diversity of in d u stry is now actu ally in being in South W ales, fu rth er elTorts are urgently required to m ake th is scheme a vital facto r in the economic life of B ritain . T he necessary m easures include the thorough reorganisation of the coal in d u stry —a task which m u st he u n d ertak en as rapidly as pos
sib le. Also high up 011 the list of u rg e n t requirem ents is th e provision of am ple sup
plies of cheap electric power. B oth factors a re closely associated, as w ith the alm ost com plete reliance on steam sta tio n s for power generation in B rita in , coal and power costs have become involved in a vicious circle of risin g prices and shortened supplies which th rea te n s th e whole fabric of our fu tu re in d u strial developm ent. T h e salvation of in d u stry iu th is country depends on th e speed an d com pleteness w ith which the coal in d u stry may be reorganised and productivity per w orker raised to the levels o b taining in sim ila r conditions in th e coal fields of H o llan d , the R u h r, and Poland.
H y d r o - e l e c t r i c P o w e r
At th e sam e tim e all o th e r possibilities oT power generation m ust be exploited to the utm ost. In the field of hydro-electric pow er generation South W ales is m ost con
veniently situ ate d . T he findings of a series o f expert comm issions have conclusively d em o n strated th a t a Severn B arrag e Scheme for electric power generation is a. practicable proposition of real prom ise for th e future.
According to the la te st report a to ta l of 800,000 kW in stalled g en eratin g rapidity will send out 2107 m illion u n its annually.
C apital cost of the schem e, estim ated at X47 m illion, will involve an average charge o f 0.275d. per kW h a t th e reception points.
In passing, an appeal m ay be m ade for th e g ra n tin g ,o f low -interest loans by the S ta te to finance the rapid developm ent of large c ap ital schem es of th is type. Civil engineering w orks involved in th e construe tion of the dam s and break w aters h av e a very long life, w hile the efficiency of th e w a ter-tu rb in e s is about 94/95 per c en t., w ith only negligible m aintenance and replacem ent costs. In view of these facts and of the co n trib u tio n to the capital assets of the co u n try a very stro n g case m ay be m ade for the g ra n tin g of such loans. H eav y burdens are imposed on such schemes if loans have tc he raised on the prevailing in terest ra te s,
■operating charges in th is late st report beiug based 011« a 3 per cent, ra te of interest. A reduction of in terest ra te to 2 .1 per cent.:
would perm it of a reduction in pow er costs to 0.225d. per k W h. Such savings in power costs, although ap p aren tly very m inute, exert a trem endous influence on the produc
tion co sts of a lu m in iu m , m agnesium , calcium carbide and ferro-alloys, th e figure saved am ounting to alm ost £5 per to n in th e case of alum inium and 14s. per ton in the case of calcium carbide. A m ounts of this m agnitude arc extrem ely critical in determ ining th e possibilities of trad e in th e e x p o rt m ark e t. {See Th e Ch e m i c a l Ag e, 1945, 52, 018).
I n t e r - r e l a t e d I n d u s t r i e s
One fact is a b u n d an tly clear, th e fate of the electro-chem ical and electro-m etallurgical in d ustries now in being in S outh W ales depends upon th e exploitation of th e h y d ro electric pow er from the Severn. W ith o u t th is , any long-term plan for the developm ent of these in d u stries in th is area is im possible, in T able 1 an a tte m p t has been m ade to indicate th e inter-related in d u stries w hich m ight be developed in South W ales provided ilia t cheap electric power w as m ade a v ail
able.
T ak in g the scientific u tilisatio n of coal as a s ta rtin g p oint, trea tm e n t of th e coal in the coke ovens yields coke, lig h t oils and tars, and gases. As indicated in th e diagram , th e coke finds em ploym ent in th e alum inium , m agnesium , calcium carbide, and ferro-alloy industries in th e m an u factu re of electrodes for electric furnaces, p a rticu la rly heavy consum ption of carbon occurring in light m etal reduction. Coke also form s a con
stitu e n t of th e charge in th e production of th e ferro-alloys and enters into the form a
tion of th e calcium carbide. C onsidering the production of carbide as an exam ple, the to tal q u a n tity of coal consum ed in the production of one ton of th e com pound is probably about 4 to n s, th e q u a n tity being m ade up as follow s: coke in th e charge 0.9 tons, coke for electrodes a b o u t 4 cw t., coal for th e calcination of the lim estone 2 c w t., coal for th e production of pow er in steam sta tio n s 2} tons. Obviously, th is to ta l will be c u t by more th an h alf if hydro-electric power is available.
Coke is th e basic raw m aterial for th e svn- . th ctic plant for the production of m ethanol and am m onia. G asification of coke in a w ater-gas producer yields th e m ix tu re of carbon monoxide and hydrogen from which th e tw o com pounds are bu ilt up cataly ti- cally. At th is stag e m ention m ay be m ade of th e first of th e projected new develop-
4o6 T HE C H E M I C A L A G E N o v e m b e r 3, 1 945 m ents—underground gasification of th in u n
economic coal seam s. B y th is process there is obtained a gaseous m ix tu re a pproxim ating fairly closely in com position to w ater-gas, this m ix tu re being capable of providing the raw m ate ria ls req u ired for m ethanol and am m onia sy n th esis and also em inently suited for em ploym ent in the Fischer- T ropsch sy n thesis— an o th e r innovation u rg en tly required in th e area.
Also dovetailing into th e sy n thesis scheme is th e possibility of using coke-oven gas as a source of raw m aterials. F rac tio n al lique
faction of these gases yields a hyd ro g en / nitrogen fractio n , a liquid m ethanol frac
tion, and a liquid olefinc fractio n , each be
ing capable of u tilisatio n for sy nthetic processes.
O xidation of the m ethanol to form alde
hyde yields one of th e key raw m aterials fo r plastics production, while th e am m onia m ay be absorbed p a rtly in fe rtiliser m an u factu re and p a rtly in p lastics. By providing ad eq u ate cap acity for p lastic m an u factu re th ese raw m aterials will find an im m ediate o u tlet, to g eth er w ith th e benzene and phenol from th e coke-oven by-product recovery p lan ts. Closely associated w ith plastics m an u factu re is th e production of th e sy n th etic fibre, nylon. A p lan t for th e m a n u factu re of nylon, to be absorbed m ainly in th e w eaving of hosiery, is planned for e sta b lishm ent a t P ontypool, ir o n ., th is p lan t em ploying 1700 people w hen a t full production.
Such a p lan t will provide an im m ediate m ar
ket for benzene and phenol.
O il R e f in in g
T he case for th e in tro d u ctio n of a large- scale general oil-refining in d u stry into B rita in h as been argued frequently and ably, an obvious site fo r one of th e refining p lan ts being in South W ales. Considerable refining of th e “ prim ary product ” from the Fischer-T ropsch sy n th etic process is required, an d if th is process were established in South W ales in association w ith th e oil-refining p lan t very v aluable work could be done.
In addition th e d efin es produced from th e F ischer-T ropsch sy n th esis and from th e oil- refining p lan t would be absorbed fo r p las
tic s production, th e recent h isto ry of these processes in th e U .S.A . proving how valuable such in ter-rclated in d u stries m ay bo.
C arbide production should, undoubtedly, co ntinue supplying acetylene for th e plastics in d u stry and for w elding and c u ttin g in the lig h t engineering and chem ical industries.
A t th e p re sen t tim e th e fu tu re of acetylene production cannot be assessed correctly u n til th e re su lts of d a ta accum ulated d u r
ing the w ar are divulged in full. Pyrolysis of n a tu ra l gas (85 per cent, m ethane) to acetylene by c ataly tic action has ap p aren tly been carried out on an extensive scale in the U .S.A . d u rin g th e w ar. W hile th is develop
m en t is of far-reaching and perhaps crucial im portance, it is n o t possible a t present to
assess how th e price of the acetylene so pro
duced com pares w ith th a t o b tain ed from car
bide. T h e only safe assum ption as a guide for fu tu re policy is th a t both sources will co n trib u te to th e provision of acetylene sup
plies and th a t plans should be m ade for the continuance of th e carbide in d u stry in South W ales.
E x tra c tio n of alum ina from clays and shales to replace th e present requirem ents of im ported b au x ite ores is an o th e r develop
m ent urg en tly aw aited. H ere, again, pro gress in th e U .S.A . h as been m uch faster th an in th is co untry, one process h aving reached comm ercial operation. Tw o m ethods have been proposed, one involving sin terin g w ith additions of lim e and soda and th e o th er a sulphuric-acid ex tractio n process.
E ith e r could be employed in S outh W ales, b ut probably th e sin terin g process would bo favoured in view of the supplies of coke- fines for the sin terin g operation.
L ig h t M e ta ls
M eantim e the progress of the »light m etal in d u stry in th is d istrict should be assured by vigorous action. So fa r as alum inium production is concerned, im ports of bau x ite ores w ill, no d o u b t, have to be continued for the p resen t, th e m aterials being purified in the B ayer p lan t. T hese supplies should he supplem ented by th e developm ent of a process for the extraction of alum ina from clays. Insufficient d a ta ex ist in th is country to enable an accurate 'a n a ly sis to be made of th e relativ e costs of th e B a y er process and th a t of one of the new clay extraction processes. F u n d a m en ta lly , th e B ay er pro
cess is costly and re latively difficult to op erate, involving th e consum ption of 1J to 2 tons of coal for each ton of purified alum ina. Added to th is is th e expenditure of foreign currency in purchasing the ore, as well as th e freig h t charges. O bviously, a stro n g case m ay be m ade for the im m edi
a te in v estigation 011 a pilot-plant scale of the new processes reported from th e U .S.A . for th e use of n aturally-occurring clays and shales as sources of alum ina.
As i t is an’ im p o rtan t raw m aterial in p h arm acy , in th e refractory in d u stries, and a s a source of m agnesium m etal, th e re covery of m agnesia from sea w a ter should be stim u lated . W hile the adverse findings of th e Select Com m ittee on N a tio n a l E x pen d itu re have h ad repercussions on the process of m agnesia recovery as established in S outh W ales, experience elsew here h as proved that- th e process is fundam entally sou n d and should be encouraged h ere. In the im m ediate fu tu re it is essential th a t im po rts of raw m aterials should be controlled and only those im perative for_ our economic w ell-being perm itted . I f m agnesia m ay be recovered from th e sea w a ter around our coasts th en n o case exists for th e im porting of supplies from abroad. A lthough th ere are difficulties and dangers in th e carbo-
No v e m b e r 3 , 1 9 4 5 T H E C H E M I C A L A G E 4 0 7
II
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