Industrial and Engineering Chemistry : industrial edition, Vol. 38, No. 8

A U G U S T 1 9 4 6

L o o k f o r u s i n B o o t h 1 N ational C h em ical Exposition C h ic a g o , S e p t . 10-14, 1946

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::: ;

P F A U D L E R

C O . ,

R O C H E S T E R 4 , ... N E W Y O R

N G I N E E R S A N D F A B R I C A T O R S O F C O R R O S I O N R E S I S T A N T P R O C E S S E Q U I P M E N T

s u r f a c e s p e e d s u p t e m p e r a t u r e in d ic a tio n 6 0 % to 9 0 % . . . continued im p ro v e m e n t in the d e s ig n o f stan ­ d a rd P fa u d le r re a c to rs m a k e s them m o re u se fu l to yo u !

C R I T I C A L T E M P E R A T U R E S

LIQUID OR VAPOR P ILL E D BULB .

PRODUCT F IL M .

ARE IMPORTANT TO YIELDS

At some point in every chem ical reaction, temperature is critical. It has a direct bearing on yield. Recognizing this, Pfaudler announces a new "restricted tip" glass-lined steel ther­

mometer well for its standard line of glass-lined steel reactors. Temperature indication has been speeded up 60% to 90% , depending entirely on such variables as batch fluid, agitation of the product, the type of indicating instrument used.

This remarkable improvement in temperature control is indicative of the constant redesign to w hich Pfaudlfer equipment is subjected. The acid resistance of Pfaudler glass in combination with better agitation, higher pressures, and faster heat transfer make Pfaudler kettles more adaptable to your needs than ever before.

Standard Pfaudler reactors are available in capacities from 5 to 2 0 0 0 gallons with or without steam jackets, top-heads, agitators, thermometer wells, etc. Just off the press is a new paper describing the Pfaudler "restricted tip" ther­

mometer well and how it enhances heat control.

It’ s yours for the asking.

N e w Pfaudler g la sJ covered

"restricted tip”

thermometer well

Pfaudler g la s s covered baffle with

"restricted tip”

thermometer well

METAL W A LL . GLASS LIN IN G .

LIQUID FILLED FREE SPACE.

METAL W ALL

OF BULB.

I N D U S T R I A L

E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y •

E D IT O R : W A L T E R

i.

A ssociate Editors *

W ashington: ROBERT F. G O U LD A t lE G G IN C hicago: RICHARD L. K EN Y O N H ouston: W ILL H . SH EA RO N , JR.

N e w York: H ARRY STENERSON Ri c h a r d L. De m m e r l e San Francisco: FREDERICK G . SAWYER Assistant Editors

M a ke -u p: BERTHA REYNOLDS

M a nu script Editing: HELEN K. N E W T O N M anuscript Review ing: STELLA A N D ER SO N Editorial Assistant: C O R A GLASNER

Contributing Editors CHARLES O W EN BROWN

RALPH H. M U N C H HAROLD R. MURDOCK WALTER V O N P EC H M A N N

A d viso ry Board W . L. B A D G E R

H . E. B A R N A R D E L M E R K. B O L T O N W . H . D O W G A S T O N D U B O I S G U S T A V U S J. E S S E L E N PER K. F R O L IC H C . F. K E T T E R IN G O . E. M A Y

J O H N M .

C . S. M I N E R H . R. M U R D O C K C . F. P R U T T O N A . S. R I C H A R D S O N W . A . S C H M I D T R. N . S H R E V E L. V . S T E C K E. C . S U L L I V A N E. R. W E ID L E I N W E IS S

The Am erican Chemical Society assumes no responsibility for the statements and o p in io n s advanced by contributors to its publications. V ie w s expressed in the editorials and reports are those of the editors and d o not neces­

sarily represent the official position of the Am erican C hem ical Society.

C o p y rig h t 1 9 4 6 b y Am erican Chem ical Society 3 7 , 3 0 0 cop ies of this issue printed

W e acknow ledge with thanks the action of J. T. Baker Chemical C o m p a n y in releasing the front cover of this issue

for editorial purposes.

The’ cover view shows a cellulose acetate purification tub at the H ercules Pow der C o m p a n y ’s plant, Parlin, N . J.

Photograph, courtesy of H ercules Pow der Com pany.

Departments

E d it o r ia ls ...7 67 H ead lines... ^67 I. & E. C. R e p o r t s ... 3 A s W e See I t ... * 65 Equipment and Design. Charles O w e n B ro w n ... 7 "l Instrumentation. Ralph H . M u n c h ... 7 7 Waste Utilization. H a ro ld R. M u r d o c k ... .. *8 3 Plant Management. W a lter vo n Pechmann ... * 8 9 From the Editor's D e s k ... ^34

* Indicates page num ber in the advertising section.

Technical Articles

Napalm. Louis F. Fieser, G e o rg e C . H arris, E. B. H ersh berg, M o r le y M o r - Sana, Frederick C . N o v e llo , and Stearns T. Putnam ...7 6 8 Preventing the Fungus Fouling of O p tica l Instruments. Richard E. V ic k lu n d . . 7 7 4 W ood for Storage Battery Separators. . . . . . . . • • ■ • - • ■

L. V . Peakes, Jr., R. A . Lloyd, V . S. Barnes, J. H . Berry, and G e o r g e J. Ritter 7 8 0 Temperature Dependence of Water V a p o r Perm eability - - • ■

Paul M . Doty, W . H . A ik e n , and H . M a r k 7 8 8 M o ld as an A d ju n ct to M alt in Grain Fermentation . . . . . . . . ■ • - ' N . M . Erb and F. M . H ild e b ran d t 7 9 2 Mechanism of Catalyzed A lkylatio n of Isobutane with O lefins.

M . H . G o rin , C . S. Kuhn, Jr., and C . B. M ile s 7 9 5 A G eneralized van der W aals Equation of State for Real Gases . . - ■ • •

G o u q -J e n Su and C h ie n -H o u C h a n g 8 0 0 Generalized Equation of State for Real G ases . . . . . . . . • • • •

G o u q -J e n Su and C h ie n -H o u C h a n g 8 0 2 M odified Law of Corresponding Slates for Real G ases. G o u q -J e n Su . . . 803 A ctio n of Antifouling Paints. John D. Ferry and Bostw ick H . Ketchum . . 806 Rayon Structure. E d w in L. Lovell and O . G oldschm id ... 811 The System A c e to n e -W a tcr-1 ,1 ,2-Trichloroethane. . . . . .

Robert E. Treybal, Law rence D. W e b e r, and Josep h F. Daley 817 Isomerization of n-Butane Catalyzed b y Alum inum Bromide . . . .

A . G . O b la d and M . H . G o rin 8 2 2 Styrene Production by Catalytic Dehydrogenation . . . . .

Julian M . M a vity, Earl E. Zetterholm, and G e o r g e L. H ervert 8 2 9 Removal of Carbon from H o t Caustic Solution . . . . . • , ■ • ■

A . J. Luettgen, K. S. W hisler, and H . D. Bauman 8 3 2 A c e t ic A c id - E th y l Ether-W ater System

Colem an J. M a jo r and O s c a r J. S w e n so n 8 3 4 Copolymers of Dimethylstyrene V in y l Fatty Esters with Butadiene . . .

Paul O . Pow ers 8 3 7 Some Physical Properties of A ctivated Bauxite. . . . . . • ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

H e in z H einem ann, K. A . Krieger, and W . S. W . M c C a rte r 8 3 9 Chain Length Measurements on Nitrated Cellulosic Constituents of W ood . .

R. L. M itch e ll 843 V isco sity of Linseed Stand O i l at High Shearing Stresses . . . . . -

D. Tollenaar and H . Boltnor 851 Nutritive V a lu e of Dehydrated V eg etab les and Fruits . . . . ...

Paul L. Pavcek and Committee on Food C om position 853 A ccelerated Breaking of Unstable Emulsions. H . P. M e issn e r and B. C h e rto w 856 Nutritive V a lu e of Canned Foods. Frank C . Lam b... 8 6 0 M ixed A l l y I Ethers of Starch. R. M . Hamilton and E. Y an ovsky ...864

Published b y the Am erican Chem ical Socie ty at Easton, Pa. Editorial H e a d ­ quarters- 1 1 5 5 16th Street, N . W ., W ashington 6, D. C . i telephone, Repub lic 5 3 0 1 , cable, Jlechem (W ashington). N e w Y o rk Editorial Branch, 6 0 East 4 2 n d Street, N e w Y o rk 17, N . Y .; telephone, M u rra y H ill 2 -4 6 6 2 . C h ic a g o Editorial Branch, 2 5 E. Jackson Blvd., C h ic a g o 4, III.; telephone, W a b a sh 7 3 7 6 . Business O ffic e : Am erican Chem ical Society, 1 1 5 5 16th Street, N . W ., W a sh in gto n 6, D. C . A d v e rtisin g O ffice : 3 3 2 W e st 4 2 n d Street, N e w Y o rk 18, N . Y.; telephone, Bryant 9 -4 4 3 0 .

Entered as second-class matter at the Post O ffic e at Easton, Pa., under the A c t of M a rc h 3, 1 8 7 9 , as 2 4 times a year— Industrial Edition monthly o n the 1st, Analytical Edition monthly on the 15th. Acc e p tan ce for mailing at special rate of postage p ro ­ vid e d for in Section 1 1 0 3 , A c t of O c t o b e r 3, 1 9 1 7 , authorized Ju ly 1 3, 1 91 8 .

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C h a n g e s of address for the Industrial Edition must be received o n or before the 18th of the p reced ing month and for the A n alytical Edition not later than the 30th of the preced ing month. Claim s for missing numbers w ill not be a llo w e d ( 1 ) if received more than 6 0 days from date of issue ( o w in g to delive ry hazards, no claims can be h onored from subscribers in Continental Europe, A sia , o r the Pacific Islands other than H a w a ii), ( 2 ) if loss w as d u e to failure of notice of change of address to be received before the dates specified in the pre ce d in g sentence, o r ( 3 ) if the reason

for claim is “ missing from files". i i .

A n n u a l subscriptions— Industrial Edition and A nalytical Edition sold o n ly as a unit, members $ 3 .0 0 , nonmembers $4 .00 . Postage to countries not in the P a n -A m e ri­

can U n io n $2.2 5 . C an ad ian postage $ 0.75 . S in g le co p ie s— current issues, In­

dustrial Edition $0.75 , Analytical Edition $ 0 .5 0 , back numbers. Industrial Edition

$ 0 .8 0 . A n alytical Edition prices on request; spetial rates to members.

The Am erican Chem ical Society also publishes C h e m ica l a n d E n g in e e rin g News, C h e m ica l Abstracts, Jo u rn a l of the A m e rica n C h e m ica l Society. Rates on request.

Johns-Manville

in g traps out suspended im purities and allow s on ly clear liqu id to em erge.

' Johns-M anville prod u ces 9 Celite Filter A ids o f varying degrees o f fineness to p rovide every desired com b in a tion o f clarity and flow in the filtering o f sugars, syrups, fruit juices, fats and oils, vitamins, drugs, lubricants, and many other liquids.

W rite Johns-M anville, 22 East 40th Street, N e w Y o r k 16, N . Y ., fo r further

in form ation . rroo-ircj»

P ARTICLES o f diatom aceous silica are so tiny that it takes m ore than 3 5 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 to make a cu b ic inch. T h e largest k n o w n deposit o f this material is the source o f the Johns- M anville Celite* Filter A ids that have made on e o f the m ost im portant con tribu tion s to m odern filtration.

In a Celite filter cake these particles, great­

ly varied in shape and size, overlap and inter­

lace to form a fine filter coatin g, w ith open in gs smaller than the tightest filter cloth. T h is coat-

♦R«a:. U. S. Put. Off

I N D U S T R I A L ^{a n d} E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y

Z d U ic a tio ^ t

G. I. College of I & E. Knowledge. The advent of the atom bomb age has laid to eternal rest whatever hopes we may have had of mobilizing industry again while either we or our friends are fighting a delaying action. In Army opinion, mobilization will have to “ start faster, accelerate quicker, and finish stronger” if there is to be any hope for our survival in a future war.

This realization is the hoop through which the Army In­

dustrial College, founded in 1924 and hitherto relatively obscure from a publicity stand­

point, has recently hurtled to reappear as a new and stream­

lined organization titled “The Industrial College' of the Armed Forces” . In the transformation, the other members of the armed services, together with various civilian agencies of the Govern­

ment, have been recognized as equal participants in this re­

doubled crusade for more com­

plete understanding, by military,

industrial, and other civilian establishments, of the stark interrelation of their respective problems.

Industry, with education and government, finds itself in a top place in the program of the Industrial College, in its role as a member of the Board of Advisors, whose constituents are selected by the Commandant, Brigadier General Edward B.

McKinley. General McKinley assumed his post on July 1, 1946, upon the retirement of Brigadier General Donald Armstrong, well known in industrial circles.

With seminar style the keynote, about ninety officer students, proportionately distributed among the services, mil -start on September 3 an intensive ten-month course in the college’s Department of Instruction. Seminars will comple­

ment lectures and individual assignments for the students.

They will also be held for the staff alone, and the informa­

tion gained in these sessions will be passed on to the students.

The instrument for these seminar contacts has been pro­

vided in the formation of Industry Advisory Committees of ten to fifteen members each, representative of about twenty selected fields of industry. Membership in these committees is suggested to the college by the various professional societies and associations. These committees are asked to take part in the seminar studies at least once a year or more frequently if the need arises in a specific field. B y this means the in­

dustrialist will be able to point out errors and deficiencies in mobilization and' to give up-to- the-minute advice on natural resource reserves and tech­

nological progress. Nor is this in any sense expected to be a one-sided affair, since the student officers will represent the pick of military minds. From them it is hoped that the industrialist, in turn, wall take back a better understanding of military policies and potentialities as they affect his particular problems.

In contrast to the military-staffed faculty is the Depart­

ment of Research, an organization established during the recent war and staffed by top-notch civilian analysts. To this department falls the responsibility of gathering available data and interpreting it for use by the faculty staff. M an­

power studies, foreign economic resources, materials, trans­

portation, power and communications, and industrial opera­

tions are among the fields of study for which data are being supplied by government agencies and, to a lesser extent, by industry. Emphasis is placed on information about resources and probable war potential of other countries, gained from friendly interchange, from the State and Commerce Depart­

ments, and from other sources. Also of primary interest will be the Nation’s stock pile program, since the college will supply to a large extent information and suggestions to the Army and N avy Munitions Board, which is the policy making and planning agency in this field. (Continued on page 8)

¿ I n in te A p A e la t ia e m o n t h l y c i i y c l t ¡¡^{o a} c h e m i i l i , c h e m i c a l e n y i n e e a l , a n d e x o c u t i o a l ¿ n t h e c h e m i c a l p A o d u c i n y a n d c h e m i c a l c o n iu m in c f. in x U u & iie i

5

and you’ll cut maintenance costs!

The Chapman Valve Manufacturing Com pany

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

Slamming jars pipelines, starts surging and

opens up joints, thus necessitating high

maintenance costs. T he Chapman Tilting Disc Check Valve employs a balanced hinge-pinned disc which rides evenly in the flow when the valve is open and cushions quietly to a drop-tight seat when the flow slows dow n.

Experience has proved that Chapman Tilting Disc Check Valves

Send fo r free engineer-

invariably save from 65 % to 8 0 % in head losses over ing data and reports

, , , , of tests,

conventional type check valves.

Chapman Tilting Disc Check Valves are made in iron and steel.

L/JV K (m B £LT SCM £W CONV£SfOR

COLLARS • COUPLINGS - HANGERS * TROUGHS ' BOX ENDS * FLANGES * THRUSTS • DRIVES

August, 1946 I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y

NO — a l l s c r e w c o n v e y o r s a r e N O T a l i k e . . .

a n d h e r e ' s w h y :

A bove: Inclined Link-Belt screw conveyor deliver­

ing copra and sesame cake to crusher. Trough cover plate removed for photographing.

T h e r e are m a n y typ es of screw con veyors in the L in k -B e lt line, because ju st a n y screw con veyor cannot do an efficient job . In specifying the con veyor, a L in k -B e lt M a teria ls H a n d lin g E n gineer considers the kind o f m aterial to be carried; the v o lu m e required;

the capacity, speed, angle and installation o f the con veyor; whether the con veyor is used to transport m aterials, or as a m ixer, or as a feeder to su p p ly a predeterm ined a m o u n t

L in k -B e lt, as M a teria ls H an d lin g H eadquarters, offers the m ost progressive engineering service, and is alw ays abreast o f the latest dev elop m en ts and im p rovem en ts in con veying m ethods.

Details on the many types o f Link-Belt screw conveyor and other Link-Belt conveying and power transmission machinery are given in this 180-page book. Ask for Book No. 850.

L I N K - B E L T C O M P A N Y

Chicago 8, Indianapolis 6, Philadelphia 40, Atlanta, Dallas 1, Minneapolis 5, San Francisco 24, Los Angeles 33, Seattle 4, Toronto 8. Offices, Factory Branch

Stores and Distributors in Principal Cities.

H E L IC O ID

One piece continuous rolled flight, secured to shaft by welding and formed steel reinforcing lugs.

Large pipe gives greater torque;

no laps or rivets to catch dirt or to wear out. Tapered cross sec­

tion for greater strength.

S E C T I O N A L F L IG H T

Individual flights are riveted to­

gether, and secured to pipe or shaft with forged steel lugs.

Easy to repair when necessary, by renewing sections; special sizes, types and materials cost less to make in this type.

C A S T F L IG H T

Shaft and flights are cast in one piece for each length, assuring a true spiral and smooth flight surface. Available in cast iron, or in cast steel which can be heat treated for resistance to abrasion.

M I X I N G P A D D L E S

M any types o f paddles are avail­

able for use as continuous or batch mixers for light or heavy, dry, damp, or wet materials.

Degree o f mixing can be con­

trolled by paddle design and setting.

R IB B O N

For sticky materials, such as molasses, sugar, hot tar, asphalt, etc. Clear space between ribbon flights and shaft prevents build­

up where flights join shaft. Mul­

tiple ribbons are supplied for mixing.

S T A I N E S S STEEL, ETC.

For corrosion and heat resistance in food and chemical industries, Link-Belt offers various stainless steels, aluminum, copper, bronze, M onel'm etal, etc., in various de­

signs and types.

D O U B L E F L IG H T

For smoother flow o f certain materials, double or triple flight conveyors may be sup­

plied, in standard or even in short pitch screws. Used for certain materials, and particu­

larly as feeders requiring even flow.

H E L IC O ID R O T O R LIFT S p ecia l flighting, w ith sh aft hung from a top thrust bearing, in a dust- tight steel housing.

Different types of screw conveyors are required for dif­

ferent jobs. That’s why Link-Belt offers various kinds shown below, and others designed for special installations.

| W e’re Shoutingi I About Another I

Palmer First f

§-•>50

S E N S A T I O N A L N E W T H E R M O M E T E R W I T H

Extruded Brass Case

(Patented)

Dust-Proof, Fume-Resistant Palmer— originators of famous "Red-Read- ing-M ercury" is first again with a sensa­

tional new Thermometer. This new Ther­

mometer features an Extruded Brass Case with V-shape design, patented by PAL­

MER. The case is fume-resistant, dust- proof, and much more attractive— with pleasing contours and a durable nickel finish.

Equally important, the V-shape design offers a much la r g e r s c a l e for easier read­

ing plus greater protection to the tube.

Other important features of this new Thermometer are: double-strength, non­

rattling glass shield; "snap-on" cap for easy removal of shield; and "Red-Reading- Mercury” for quick, accurate reading.

. . . in 4 ', T , 9 ', and 1 2 ' Models with

PALM ER T H E R M O M E T E R S , I N C.

R ep o rts on the

Chem ical W orld ^ , . Today J e ^ k n a i a ^

Industry’s manifestation of interest in an interneship pro­

gram will be of material value in bringing to a realization this eventual hope of the college. Now giving industrial instruc­

tion at the same level as the military grand strategy taught at the Army War College, the Industrial College is aiming to­

ward a plan which will offer the more basic portions of the curriculum to the officer earlier and then enable him to ac­

quaint himself with specific methods by actually working in industry for several months; subsequently he will enter the college as a postgraduate school. The value in wartime of a group of officers having first-hand experience in specific industries is incontestable.

In an over-all sense this program is intended to promote “ a continuously frank and friendly interchange of information”

between the leaders of American industry and the military, and to contribute an increasing reservoir of officers and key civilians who are well balanced in their understanding of peace­

time and wartime industrial-military problems. W .H .S . Hydrogen by the Pound. Buying cylinder ammonia to obtain hydrogen and nitrogen gases would appear to be an odd way of doing business, but it is a practice which is definitely increasing. The economics are too simple and convincing to ignore, and the manufacture and sale of dis­

sociating equipment for this purpose have become quite important in recent years.

If you want 1000 feet of hydrogen for annealing metals, for hydrogenation, or for processing stainless steel and other alloys, you can have that amount of the gas in just 22.2 pounds of anhydrous ammonia. The hydrogen user, of course, will buy his ammonia under pressure in steel cylinders or bottles, in which form the cost will be around

$4.00 per 1000 cubic feet. If his requirements run to tank cars, the cost drops down to $1.25.

Chemical breakdown in the dissociation step is quite complete, with only slight traces of ammonia impurity in the resulting 3 to 1 mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen.

An ammonia manufacturer reports a large increase in sales of ammonia for gas dissociation to stainless steel proces­

sors. For certain furnace atmospheres mixed gases are employed; in other processes only hydrogen is utilized, as

in the Hayes hydrogen furnace. H .S .

Colorful News. Full-color professional 35-m m . mo­

tion pictures were being produced in Germany during the war by the Agfa negative-positive method. Although this process was known in. the United States before the war through publications of the Agfa laboratories and the pat­

ent literature, its application in newsreels and feature- length pictures on a comparatively large scale was a Ger­

man war development. A report (P B -15476) describing the Agfacolor process is available upon request from the Office of Technical Services, U . S. Department of Commerce.

The negative-positive process developed by the Agfa subsidiary of I. G . Farbenindustrie in Wolfen has the ad­

vantage of being the normal photographic sequence; it allows multiple reproductions of equal quality for ready enlargement and for tone (Continued on page 10) This Thermometer is ruggedly built and very adaptable, with

a wide range of fittings. Send for detailed Bulletins #46-2 and #46-3.

PALMER SUPERIOR RECORDING and DIAL THERMOMETERS

RECORDING THERMOMETERS.

Extremely accurate and sensi­

tive, constructed for long service.

Mercury Actuated. 12 in. d ie - ca s t a lu m in u m c a s e . Flex­

ible armoured tubing and bulb of stainless-steel. AU ranges up to 1000F or 550C.

2SI2 Norwood A ve. Cincinnati 12, Ohio

Canadian P lan t: K in g an d George Sts., T oronto 2

M fr s . I n d u s t r ia l, L a b o r a t o r y , R e c o r d i n g a n d D ia l T h e r m o m e t e r s DIAL THERMOMETERS. Mer­

cury Actuated. 8 in.case. Very sensitive. Permanent accuracy.

Guaranteed. Built for long life.

Flexible armoured tubing and bulb of stainless-steel. All ranges up to 1000F. or 550C.

8

E A C H d o t on the m ap shows where one or m ore G i r d l e r gas processing plants are located.

Serving industry wherever in­

dustry exists throughout the na­

tion, G

plants are p r o o f o f a technically able and financially sound organization.

D eal w ith G

when y ou need a new gas processing plant

or im provem ents in present facil­

ities, and be certain o f dependable work and a fair deal.

GiRDLER’srecord o f accom plish­

m ent in gas processes covers the field— including designing, engi­

neering and building plants for gas m a n u fa c tu r e , p u r ific a t io n , se p a ra tio n , an d d e h y d r a t io n — processes in volvin g h ydrogen sul­

phide, carbon m onoxide, carbon dioxide, inert and controlled at­

mospheres, natural gas, refinery gases, liquid hydrocarbons, h y ­ drogen, nitrogen-

• • •

For specific data indicating what this wealth o f experience means to you, write today giving an outline of your particular g a s processing problem.

t h e - GIRDLER C O R P O R A T IO N

G a s P r o c e s s e s D i v i s i o n , Louisville 1, Kentucky District Offices: 150 Broadway, New York 7, N . Y.

2612 Russ Bide., San Francisco 4, Calif.

21 E. Second St., Tulsa 3, Okla.

August, 1946 I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y

W h e re industry processes g a s

y o u find G irdler g a s p rocessin g p lan ts

W E D O N ’T G U E S S A B O U T G A S :

When We Put Our Heads Together YOUR STAINLESS STEEL EQUIPMENT

W ORKS MORE EFFICIEN TLY

Your engineers have intimate knowl­

edge of the requirements for new equip­

ment in your plant—out engineers know how to translate those requirements into stainless steel vessels which will work best in your processing operations. Let’s pool this double engineering skill.

W e have specialized in the fabrication of stainless steel processing equipment since the alloy became a factor in the process industries. O ur experience with this alloy is most useful to you when backed by your knowledge o f the job to be done by the finished vessel. In that w ay you get proc­

essing equipment which lasts longer and works at lower operating cost. M a y we tell you more about our facilities and experience?

S. BLICKMAN, INC. • 1208 GREGORY AVE., WEEHAWKEN, N. J.

S E N D F O R T H J S V A L U A B L E B O O K

i

m l IÜ

R ep o rts on the Chem ical W orld

Today

correction on positive printing. Also, instead of requiring 8 feet of film for each foot of final positive print (Techni­

color process), only 2 feet are necessary, according to E.

Y . W ebb, Jr., of the Office of Scientific Services, Depart­

ment of Commerce.

Too rigorous an interpretation of the entire color proc­

ess in terms of original and complementary colors is neither necessary nor practical. The main idea is to get color emphasis in three parts of the visual spectrum which can be appropriately recorded. B y modulating the inten­

sities of the three colored layers, a combination is produced that gives the proper resultant color. The spectral sensi­

tivities of the three emulsion layers overlap quite gener­

ously, so that any visual frequency will produce a re­

sponse in more than one emulsion.

The following is a cross-section sketch of the negative (and positive) film layer arrangement:

E. Blue-sensitive emulsion layer D. Colloidal silver yellow filter C. Green-sensitive emulsion layer B. Red-sensitive emulsion layer

Base 150 microns

1 micron__________ A. Antihalation layer

One of the greatest problems in color photography is' the spreading of color from the dye, which materially reduces the sharpness of the image. The present process overcomes this difficulty by hitching to the dye molecule a long hydro­

carbon chain radical, such as the stearyl group, which has no other function than to restrain the infiltration of the entire molecule, either laterally across the film or vertically between successive color layers.

Fundamentally the Agfaeolor method is based on the use of appropriate color components in the emulsion layers of a monopack film. When developed by special color- forming developer, these components yield methylenimine and quinonimine dye images in situ with silver images, the silver images being removed later in the process by bleach­

ing. The general type of dye images formed and the ar­

rangement and sensitivity of the layers are similar to those used in the Ansco Color, Kodachrome, and Kodacolor processes. The idea of forming a color negative by direct color development (without reversal), from which a posi­

tive can be printed and color developed directly, has been used in the United States in the Kodacolor negative and paper print processes and in the Ansco Color paper process.

However, the method of preventing diffusion of the color components by tampering with the dye molecule is a special feature. Components with such molecular structures also include solubilizing groups so that the color components are easily incorporated into the emulsions. F .G .S.

('Continued on page IS)

* 6 microns Yellow C —— — —i--- N 2 microns Magenta —> 6 microns Cyan —» 6 microns

a n d

10

August, 1946 I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y 11

Time, Temperature, S h a v in g Cream

O p e r a t in g o n a c o n t in u o u s b a sis, a V o t a t o r u n it o n ly 4 feet w ide an d 4 feet 10 inches lon g thus turns o u t 2100 pou n d s o f sh avin g cream per h o u r—

w hich speed is com p le m en ted b y im p o r­

tant oth er ad va n tages o f continu ou s, closed operation . P rob lem s o f co n ta m i­

nation and m oisture con den sa tion are elim inated. C om p le te m ech an ica l c o n ­ trol o v er aeration , plasticizin g, and various fa ctors h elps assure th e u n i­

form , pearly textu re h ig h ly desirable in sh avin g cream .

L ard , p h otog ra p h ic em ulsions, m ar­

garine, v egetable shortening, prin tin g ink, textile prin tin g gum s, polishes, and paraffin w ax are som e o f th e m a n y vis­

Continuous, C losed Votator E quipm ent

D o e s It A gain!

T o the grow in g list o f p ro d u cts being p r o c e s s e d m o r e p r o f i t a b l y w it h th e V o t a t o r , ad d sh avin g cream . A c c o r d ­ ing to a ctu a l p la n t experien ce w ith on e form ula, the V o t a t o r co o ls th e h o t m ix ­ ture o f g lycerin e, fats, an d alkalies from 140°F to 85°F in a h eat transfer c y cle o f 66 secon d s w ith 63°F w ater fo r c o o l­

ing m e d iu m — a ch ievin g ov era ll coeffi­

cient U c = 2 5 0 B T U /( H R ) ( F T 2) (F °).

c ou s p ro d u cts a d va n ta g eou sly h an dled b y th e V o t a t o r . I f y o u r processin g p rob le m falls in to th is ca teg ory , w rite to T h e G irdler C orp ora tio n , V ota tor D ivision , D e p t. IE -8 , L ou isv ille 1, K e n tu ck y . D is t r ic t offices: 150 B r o a d ­ w ay , N e w Y ork 7, N . Y .; 617 Joh n ston B ld g ., C h arlotte 2, N . C .; 2612 R u ss B ld g ., San F ran cisco 4, Cal.

SYNTHETIC

OLEFINS

These products are co-polymers of the bu- tenes and isobutene. “Purity,” shown below, represents content of the named group of co-polymers.

T o tal O le fin Content

%

B o ilin g R a n g e °F.

% In it ia l 1 0 % 5 0 % 9 0 % E.P.

IS O O C T E N E

C o m m e rc ia l G r a d e 86 98 176 2 18 2 29 2 38 270

R e se arc h G ra d e 98 99 2 10 2 1 6 2 3 0 231 2 5 2

D O D E C E N E

C o m m e rc ia l G ra d e 87 95 3 1 8 341 360 3 74 4 0 6

R e se arc h G ra d e 98 99 346 350 3 5 2 3 5 4 3 7 8

A v a i l a b i l i t y — C om m e rcial G r a d e s — b a rre ls o r tankcars. Re- search G r a d e s — 1 lb. containers.

U s e s — A s ra w m ate rials fo r la b o ra t o ry a n d com m ercial syn- thesis, these m ate rials offer countless a n d w id e ly diversified possibilities.

M o t e — These p ro d uc ts a re som ew h at u n sta b le in the presence o f light o r o x y g e n . A s sh ip p e d , the C om m e rcial G r a d e s there­

f o re co ntain du Pont N o . 5 a n d the Re­

search G r a d e s U . O .P . N o . 5 g a s o lin e S E N D F O R a n tio xid a n ts. For som e p u rp o se s rem oval B U L L E T I N 1 0 o f a n tio x id a n t be fo re use m ay be d e ­

sirab le.

STANDARD OIL COMPANY (INDIANA)

Chemical Products Department

9 1 0 S O U T H M I C H I G A N A V E N U E C H I C A G O 80, I U I N O I S

R ep o rts on the C h em ical W orld

Today

False Fats. The age-old task of the fatty acid industry has been to liberate the acids from the glyceryl esters, their natural habitat, by the familiar splitting reaction. In some cases the soap— the sodium salt of the acid— is then made by the direct action of sodium hydroxide on the free acid. During the re­

cent war, however, when the Germans were faced with an acute shortage of edible fats, they decided to reverse the entire procedure. They were successful in producing glyceryl esters which were sold as food after vitamins were added.

A recent report published by the United States Department of Commerce (OPB 225) describes a plant at W itten, in the Ruhr, devoted to the production of these synthetic fats, and presents flow sheets of its operations. Essentially the process consisted of oxidation of the wax, or so-called gatsch from various Fischer-Tropsch plants, to the various fatty acids, which were then separated and purified by saponification and reacidification. The middle portion of a subsequent fraction­

ation (Cs-C20 acids) was esterified with glycerol to form the desired triglycerides, which were in turn washed, bleached, filtered, and steamed before final milling. The plant was de­

signed' for an output of 40,000 tons yearly but operated at only 5 0 % capacity in the last year of the war because of raw material shortages.

The oxidation made use of potassium permanganate and air, and was carried out in a battery of twelve vessels of 20-ton capacity, and twenty-four vessels of 10-ton capacity. With the exception of eight of the latter group which were made entirely of chrome-nickel steel, the vessels were constructed of aluminum and provided with alloy steel heads. Aluminum was preferable in the lower part of the kettle because of its catalytic assistance in the oxidation reaction. Alloy steel heads' were necessary, however, to resist the corrosion of volatile fatty acids of low molecular weight. Each vessel was equipped with an air distributor, a bottom coil for steam heating, and a middle coil for cooling; the latter was needed because of the exothermic nature of the reaction. Oxidation continued until 3 0 % of the gatsch had been oxidized; further oxidation would have resulted in the formation of undesirable ketones. After the low-molecular-weight or volatile acids had been condensed and absorbed in water, they were sepa­

rated into two layers; the lower contained the formic, acetic, and propionic acids in aqueous solution, and the uppei con­

tained the C3-Cio acids.

The nonvolatile main portion of the oxidation product was washed, neutralized, saponified, and autoclaved to remove successive portions of unreacted gatsch. After this, the free acids, obtained by the addition of sulfuric acid at 9 0 -9 5 ° C. to the “ soap” solution, were fractionated in a four-stage vacuum distillation as follows:

Fraction Light Main Heavy Residue

Temperature, ° C.

T o 120 120-270 270-315

Product Acids C«-Cio Cio-Crt Cji-Cm

% of Feed 15-20 55-60 7-12 7-13

The main fraction was then esterified with glycerol at 200° C. under a slight positive pressure and with the aid of a metallic tin catalyst. (Continued on page 14) 12

C H A N G E - C A N A N D P O N Y M IX E R S fo r m e­

chanical d ispersion o f l i q u i d s , p a s t e s , o r

p ow de rs.

August, 1946 I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y

‘ H C T L Y Ö ES IG H ED AND RU G G ED LY S B jL I 10 M E E T . TH E R EQ U IR EM EN TS

I H

; . - O F T H E JO B F

/ t 7/tcxen ¿on Sveny /ifrfitc a z tio K

T O P - E N T E R I N G M I X E R S — p o rta b le a n d flange-m ou nted

types.

precision-built m ix e r fo r liqu ids o f lo w viscosity.

D O U B L E - C O N E B L E N D E R S f o r r a p i d m i x i n g o f d r y p o w d e rs, c ry s ­

tals, etc. TH E G E N E R A L a liqu id m ixer d e ­

sig n e d fo r g e n e ra l m ixing operations.

P O R T E R E D U C E R a s u b ­ stantially-built unit fo r h e a v y - d u t y s e r v ic e . S p e e d s a s low a s Vi r.p.m. in a com plete size ra n g e from Vi

h.p. up.

D O U B lE - R IB B O N M IX - E R S h e a v y -d u t y m a ­ chines fo r s p e e d y m ix­

in g o f h e a v y m aterials.

•

P A IN T A N D P A ST E M IX E R S substan tially constructed for h e a v y duty m ixing o f viscous

liquids.

K. PORTER COMPANY, Inc.

I X P A N E C S f S ' !

J C H W T S

i^ ^ § d M e m S 'i T T ;

/ o t r e l i a b l e

" p e r f o r m a n c e

m M - - -:

(f - i i > l H H i -i ' i heU

¡ ]! i a n d ' lines- i > I 1 i - *jjp >

d a ta o il A D S O D 1 ^ ™ ™ jo i s ii s . A vail a b le in;.

: >. -v -tJo'wij’ie ''" i o m i - S - I; ipTn .nsjsssiis/e.-snei..

Msrii ■WHHBerai.iiteSv— M&w tT a.art:toe™ile^

Tht; AUTCO- Piaion-'Riug ExjimiTtiit - . t(.< ' - - ."rtiliir > I '

a liifl- M ,T m - M C

R ep o rts on the C hem ical W orld

Today

By-products found varied uses. Formic acid was em­

ployed in the storage of foods in silos, and acetic acid was utilized in the manufacture of cellulose acetate. Other b

3

products were used in plasticizers, perfumes, soaps, etc.

A subsequent report issued by the Government recounted some German studies on the nutritional values of synthetic fats and fatty acids produced in this way. Stability tests showed, as would be expected, that the synthetic glycerides were superior to the natural compounds and were poor media for mold growth, because of their saturation. Physiological and toxicological work in vitro and in animal organisms indi­

cated that straight-chain fatty acids, whether odd or even, were equally assimilated by the body, at least in limited amounts. Branched-chain, hydroxy, keto, and dicarboxylic acids, however, all present in the synthetic acids, were not easily assimilated if at all, and seemed to cause retarded growth and abnormal excretion products in the urine. I t was reported, however, that the oxygenated and dicarboxylic acids could be separated from the straight-chain compounds as insoluble salts, and the branched-chain acids could be re­

moved by distillation. Further purification apparently was not carried out by the Germans because of the expense.

The German achievement deserves a considerable amount of respect as an ingenious solution to a shortage problem under difficult conditions. Their product, however, at its present stage, can hardly be considered anything but a sub­

stitute for use in extreme emergency. It does not appear that the age has yet arrived when we can enjoy the dubious advantage of being able to produce guns and butter

simultaneously. R .L .D .

Foul Repulsive Research. Barnacle bills for scrap­

ing sessions long ago inspired shipowners to combat marine fouling, and research on toxic paints has been enormous.

The fact that seaweed and jellyfish do not become fouled suggested a fresh angle of approach to a German investi­

gator called Seelich, a few years ago. M ost substances, such as metals, various organic materials, and glass, are negatively charged in sea water. Seelich speculated that larval forms of the fouling organisms were positively charged and that their original migration to the surface was accomplished largely through attraction of the oppo­

site electrical charges. Certain insoluble alginates were found to have a positive charge in sea water, and it was reasoned that the similarly constituted seaweed and jelly­

fish were immune because they had the same property.

Tests were made with plates of W olfa tit (Permutit made by I. G . Farbenindustrie at W o lf on), which is positively charged in sea water. Promising results were obtained.

The slight fouling that occurred was limited to algae, and could be washed off easily with a hose. However, plastics that are also sea water-positive were unsatisfactory.

The war halted research before conclusive tests could be made. However, the results have already demonstrated anew the ever-present possibility that our customary ways of doing certain things may be made obsolete overnight by a bold approach from an unexpected direction. D .O .M .

( Continued on page 16)

A m e r ic a n D i s t r i c t S t e a m C o '

No r t h To n a w a n d a.N .Y

M A K E R S O F U P -TO -D ATE S T E A M U N E E Q U IP M E N T F O R O V E R 4 5 Y E A R S

14

.

r V v : ï V ; •;.:>■ - >;•■-•■•'. .:L r ■;./,•■• •' •■■. 1 , - . v - . . \ h ' ’ v ; , v v ; > . - y « -,

C A U S T I C SODA

» P O T A S S I U M P R O D U C T S

A M M O N I U M P R O D U C T S

S P E C I A L T Y C L E A N S E R S C A L C I UM

CHLORIDE

S o l v a y ,

i

TRinr

.

. it (

nrr V LIQUID

CHLORINE

PARA-DICHLORO BENZENE

t h e

f i n s T M m i n e s

a n d r e la t e d p ro d u c ts

When your new product development or new process calls for the use o f alkalies, SOLVAY, the largest makers o f alkalies in America, is a source you can trust. . . . The quality o f SOLVAY products—backed by intensive research and extensive experience—has resulted in sixty-five years o f continuous leadership in our field.

This extensive knowledge o f alkalies worked out by the SO LV A Y Technical Staff is at your service to help you in new product development. We will welcome the oppor­

tunity to work on your chemical probfems, in strict confidence, or co-operate with your own research staff.

W h y not call or w rite tod ay? T h ere is n o o b lig a tio n .

S

]

R ep o rts on the C hem ical W orld

Today

Chain-Mail Soaps. Just as the knights of old were pro­

tected by flexible chain-mail armor, m odem lead pigments slowly form a network of organic lead compounds in the paint film that gives mechanical and chemical protection to the underlying surface. This mechanism was sug­

gested by representatives of National Lead Com pany’s laboratories at a recent symposium on corrosion-resisting paints at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.

The c o m p o u n d s

particles" results ' in R ed L ead S oa p (X 400) the formation of a

"bram ble” type of lattice which gives a definite reinforcement to the paint film but, at the same time, allows for considerable flexi­

bility. The reactive type of pigment actually functions in a way similar to that of the pH buffer, since it reacts with the acid products formed upon weathering and aging.

The degree or rate of this

“ soap” formation is all im-

portant and dictates, to a . *

large extent, the final use to \

which the paint will be put. . « . y Lead sulfates, for instance, t

form a soap slowly, and ¿ ¡P a v

therefore are employed in paints that are designed pri-

marily for protection of *

B a sic L ead C h r o m a te

t o Y o u r S p e c i f i c a t i o n s

For the past fifteen years Western Pipe & Steel C om ­ pany has utilized its highly efficient v/elding tech­

niques in the application o f alloy linings to steel.

Today, Western alloy-lined tanks and vessels are be­

ing used in the petroleum refining, chemical, food processing and distilling industries throughout the W est. They are also being used in many special opera­

tions, including the handling and transporting o f milk, and wherever the control o f corrosion and high temperatures is called for.

Western’s extensive fabricating facilities and ex­

perienced staff enable it to handle a wide range o f steel products and permit prompt consideration o f in­

quiries. Western ■also contracts for installation and erection when specifications permit installation by the fabricator.

Interior of alloy-lined vessel sho wing the use of specialized welding techniques.

For almost forty years Western Pipe & Steel has taken the lead in pioneering methods for improving the quality o f steel fabricated products. For information concerning alloy- lining, or any o f the Company's many products and services, write or call your nearest Western office.

, .. - wooden surfaces where reac- tions take place'on both sides

> of the paint film for a consid-

‘ erable time. For some appli- ' cations, however, such as metal priming paints, a fast

* rate of soap formation is de-

B a sic Lead C a rb on a te sira ble> an d {or th is resu lt the (X 150) more reactive lead carbonate

and litharge are used.

This concept of the stabilizing and protective role played by lead compounds in paint may prove quite helpful to the paint technologist in designing better fitting armor for the knight he seeks to pro tect. R .L . D

W E S T E R N P I P E & S TEEL C O M P A N Y o f C A L I F O R N I A

m W F a b r i c a t o r s • E r e c t o r s

\ \ / / ^ OX T e rm in a l A n n e x 5 7 1 7 S a n t a F e A ve ., Los A n g e le s 5 4 2 0 0 Bush Street, S a n Francisco 6

* F I V E P L A N T S S E R V I N G T H E W E S T ★ 16

COMPANY

IN N E S O T A

& C

A I S O M A K E R S O F " 3 M ” B R A N D C H E M I C A L S & C O I O R P I G M E N T S - A B R A S I V E P A P E R Ä C L O T H - A D H E S I V E S • 'S A F E T Y - W A L K "

R O O F I N G G R A N U L E S . " S C O T C H ” B R A N O T A P E S • " S C O T C H I I T E ” • " S P H E R E K O T E ” T Y M P A N P A P E R

A s a water repellent for paper, cloth, mineral particles and ceramics. (“ S y lo n ” I is non-acidic, and does not cause deterioration of cellulose fibres.)

S U G G E ST E D USES a

A s a chemical and physical modifier of oils and resins for the paint and

\ petroleum industries.

O U R R E S E A R C H C H E M IS T S will be glad to answer specific technical questions about "S y lo n , ” or to visit your plant for on-the-spot consultations.

for descriptive folder giving complete information about “ S y lo n ," its proper­

ties and potentialities. A d d re ss Dept. I, 3 M Com pany, 9 0 0 Fauquier A v e ., St. Paul 6, M in n e sota.

I . -ssg ss.

For SEPARATION • CLARIFICATION • CONCENTRATION

F A ST E R , more complete separation by continuously applied centrifugal force is the order of the day where plants wish to simplify their processes. De Laval Separators and Purifiers are available in such a great number of types and sizes that they can meet an unusu­

ally great variety of applications for centrifugal force.

The list at the right is by no means complete, but it may suggest opportunities for your plant.

In addition to speeding up operations by converting a process to a continuous basis, De Laval centrifugals have tw o additional advantages worth n otin g. (1) ey effect material savings and (2> Generally, if not invari­

ably, they improve the product.

In writing, kindly mention whether you are especially interested in separation, clarification or concentration.

T H E D E L A V A L S E P A R A T O R C O M P A N Y 165 Broadway, N ew York 6 427 Randolph S t,C h ica g o 6 D E L A V A L P A C IF IC C O ., 61 Beale St., San Francisco 19

T H E D E L A V A L C O M P A N Y , Limited

MONTREAL PETERBOROUGH WINNIPEG VANCOUVER

C H I C L E ™ C IT R U S JU ICES C O O K IN G F A T

F O R M A L D E H Y D E g l u e l i q u o r

g l u t e n IR IS H M O SS

H A C Q U E R l a t e x l i v e r o i l O L I V E O IL P A IN T & V A R N IS H

P E N IC IL L IN P H A R M A C E U T IC A L S

p r i n t i n g i n k P R O T E IN S

s e r u m S T A R C H S T R E P T O M Y C IN

t o m a t o j u i c e v e g e t a b l e o i l

W A X w o o l g r e a s e

y e a s t