decrease on the addition of alcohol and acetone, but were | accomplishment in England, where the value of land was not sensibly affected by the addition of the heavier vapours of methyl iodide and ethyl bromide. iv. Experiments were performed with regard to the ionic mobilities in mixtures of a gas and a vapour, the ions being formed from the latter constituent only. As a result of the experiments, it was shown that there must be, at all events initially, a transference of the charge (both positive and negative) from the vapour to the gas molecule. v. Experiments were performed with regard to the stability of the vapour ions in the presence of hydrogen; it was shown that the vapour molecules can accompany the charge to an appreciable extent, even in the presence of a considerable quantity of hydrogen. vi. The mechanism by which the transference of charge from one molecule to another is effected has been discussed; there is reason to believe that the transference takes place by the medium of a detachable unit of positive electricity. vii. From the experimental results a theory of the mechanism underlying the passage of electricity through gases at ordinary temperatures and pressures has been deduced. "A Study of the Use of Photographic Plates for the Recording of Position." By Dr. C. E. K. MEES. "The Coefficients of Capacity and the Mutual Attractions or Repulsions of Two Electrified Spherical Conductors when close together." BY ALEXANDER RUSSELL, M.A., D.Sc., M.I.E.E. MR. E. R. TAYLOR, Chairman of the Conservation Committee of the American Electro-chemical Society, delivered an Address, which was profusely illustrated with lanternslides, on "The National and International Conservation of Water for Power." The author began by pointing out that the water-power capacity of the United States with proper conservation is not less than 150 million H.P., without considering the storage capacity of brooks. The annual stream-flow in the same country is 70 million million cubic feet, of which less than 1 per cent is restrained and utilised for municipal supply and such purposes, less than 2 per cent is used for irrigation, 5 per cent for navigation, and less than 5 per cent for the production of power. From 85 to 95 per cent is wasted in floods. This illustrates the kind of waste that is going on all over the world, and typical examples of such wasted resources were described and illustrated by the author, who strongly advocates the impounding of flood-waters in the uplands with its accompanying afforestation of the hills, and the simultaneous conservation of sources of power, which are vast in the aggregate, and which at present are almost entirely uncontrolled and untapped. Many instances were given of the advantages that had accrued from the proper utilisation of this waste water, both on small farms from the impounding of a mere brook, to the damming of great rivers and the consequent enrichment of vast tracks of country. The electro-chemical industries in particular would benefit by the creation of cheap and abundant sources of power, on which their very existence depends. The lecturer strongly urged the necessity for this problem being considered internationally by all the civilised peoples of the world. A beginning will be made in 1910, when an international conference will be held at the Hague. Mr. WALTER REID pointed out that the conservation of water-power over large areas might be very difficult of so high, and where there was a large number of cities very close together. Moreover, the question of scenery, which was a national possession, had frequently to be taken into consideration. The Government had, however, recently promised, through the President of the Local Government Board, to take action with regard to the conservation of all British rivers, each of which was to be placed under the control of one central authority. Mr. W. MURRAY MORRISON showed how nothing but good had followed the development of the power schemes at Foyers and Loch Leven, now the centres of a flourishing industry and population. There were many such possible centres of power, especially in Scotland. Water-power was one of the most formidable weapons with which a nation had to fight the modern war of industry. Dr. H. BORNS emphasised the importance of bringing home to the nation the value of the small water-power. The CHAIRMAN remarked on the way in which the land was entirely utilised in Germany, where 20 per cent of the land was forest, and no part, as far as he knew, was given over to waste. Mr. W. FIELDING contributed a paper entitled "The Formation of Silicon Sulphide in the Desulphurisation of Iron." ferrosilicon. In the refining of steel in the electric furnace a very complete desulphurisation of the metal can be effected, and this action is facilitated by the addition of a charge of Several explanations have been put forward to account for this influence on the removal of sulphur. The object of the author was to investigate the conditions under which ferrosilicon can react with ferrous sulphide, and liberate a sulphide of silicon, and the reaction of the two compounds was investigated by heating intimate mixtures of them in a vacuum at known temperatures. The heating was effected in a crucible in the form of a hollow graphite rod, heated electrically. When the commercial variety of iron sulphide was used the mass fused at a temperature of about 930° C., and a vigorous reaction set in with rise of temperature. Using observed up to about 1300° C., hence the reaction noted in pure iron sulphide (free from oxide) no reaction was the first case was probably due to reduction of oxide of iron present by the ferrosilicon. This explains the sudden rise of temperature noted. In all the experiments a yellow sublimate began to appear on the walls of the tube at a temperature of 1500° C. pared, and found to consist of approximately 50 per cent A larger quantity of this product was subsequently presilicon sulphide (assuming the formula to be SiS2), the remainder being iron sulphide which had volatilised, silica (obtained from the action of moisture in the air on the silicon sulphide), and a small amount of ferric oxide in a finely divided state. variable composition were obtained, and it has not been In different experiments products of possible to fix the identity of the sulphide of silicon present in the product. Prof. A. K. HUNTINGTON (communicated) thought it more probable that what was sublimed was a silico-sulphide of iron. He believed that oxysulphides of metals were formed more often than is generally supposed. author's assumption that the sulphur exists in combination Mr. F. E. POLLARD (communicated) controverted the with the iron. He considered that sulphur exists almost entirely in combination with the manganese. The CHAIRMAN said that silicon sulphide was not the indefinite substance the author imagined; three compounds-SiS2 (white), SiS (yellow), and SiOs-had been isolated. "A Contribution to the Study of Electric Furnaces as Applied to the Manufacture of Iron and Steel" was communicated by CHARLes A. Keller. The author prefaces his paper with the opinion that the electrical production of steel in electrode furnaces necessitates their being fitted with hearths of a conducting CHEMICAL NEWS, Electric Furnaces for Manufacture of Iron and Steel. material that will not carbonise the metal produced. Conducting hearths at present in use are mostly made of a layer of agglomerate carbon or of a bundle of electrodes. The upper electrode, being kept in the slag, will not operate as a carbonising agent. The author proceeds to describe the various classes of conducting hearths, classifying them as follows: (a) Those made entirely of metal, water-cooled. These have no industrial value. (b) Those consisting of one or more metallic poles (or graphite protected by metal) embedded in a non-carbonising masonry. The original furnace of Siemens and furnaces by Borchers and Girod are of this type. Various forms of the latter are described. (c) Those consisting of a hearth of refractory material, such as magnesia or silica, rendered conducting by a carboniferous substance. The Firminy furnace, of which at present only a small example has been constructed, is of this type. (d) Furnaces with a hearth made up of a mixed conducting material; this is the type devised by the author. The hearth consists of "reinforced clay," made up of iron bars 25 to 30 mm. in diameter, placed vertically 25 to 30 mm. apart, and packed solid with magnesia, by preference. When cold, of course only the bars are conducting, but when in operation the hearth is conductive over its whole section, and the electrical resistance is very small. The mechanical resistance of such a hearth to the subsidence of the metallic bath is very considerable, and the author states that the bottom of the furnace is absolutely indeformable. The hearth of a 1500 kg. furnace, examined after many months' service, was in exactly the same condition as when it started. The author has made a comparative study of the more usual type of furnace, with vertical electrodes in series, serving as entrance and exit for the current, and the furnace with conducting hearth, and he concludes that the latter has metallurgical advantages over the former for furnaces of moderate size, since the current traverses the whole mass of metal, and thus renders it more homogeneous. Moreover, the furnace is very simple mechanically. On the other hand, the series electrode furnace is of simpler construction, and only half the current density is necessary for the same output, thus economising electrical connections. The furnace with conducting hearth will need careful design to minimise the self-induction and increase the power factor, and a low frequency, say, about 20, should be employed. With this frequency, a power-factor of o'g should be attained with a 1000 kw. furnace. The remainder of the paper describes in detail the construction and performance of the various furnaces the author has erected. These furnaces are furnished with vertical electrodes both for the entry and exit of the current, and they are characterised by the separate regulation of the two fires created by each electrode. The most important example is the 8 to 10 ton furnace in operation at the Holtzer Steel Works at Unieux. This is in reality two superimposed electric furnaces, of which the upper is used for melting and oxidising the billets of iron and steel, and the second for purifying the molten steel. The Holtzer furnace has four movable electrodes, each pole consisting of two electrodes, which can be regulated so as to alter the voltage or current by displacing either or both pairs. This method of central distribution of current results in very small self-induction; the powerfactor is o'97 when 12,000 ampères are passing. A detailed account is given of the performances of this furnace, which can purify the steel until the phosphorus and sulphur together only total o'or per cent. This is claimed to be a new metallurgy, not as regards the materials obtained, but as regards the methods employed. A brief consideration of a three-phase furnace, with electrodes connected either in mesh or star, concludes the paper. The author is of opinion that a 20-ton three-phase furnace, of about 1800 kw., could now be constructed. Such a furnace could purify 250 to 300 tons of steel per day, obtained from a Thomas converter, at an operating cost of 15 to 20 francs per ton, with electricity at o'15d. a unit, such as would be obtainable by utilising blast-furnace gas. Mr. J. HARDEN considered a water-cooled electrode beneath a furnace hearth far too dangerous an arrangement to be generally adopted. He thought electrode furnaces would be of limited application on account of the difficulty of procuring electrodes. The variations of power, 30 to 35 per cent, in these furnaces were very great. Mr. E. RISTORI, Mr. COBB, and Mr. W. MURRAY MORRISON all agreed with the last speaker in his criticism of the water-cooled bottom electrode. The latter, however, did not consider there was any difficulty with regard to procuring electrodes, the consumption of which was comparatively very small. M. GUSTAVE GIN communicated a paper entitled "Automatically Circulating Furnaces of the Gin Type for the Electrical Production of Steel." The paper describes induction furnaces in which the molten material is in continual circulation, thus causing a better distribution of heat and of the purifying reactions than in the ordinary induction furnace. The furnaces are composed of two crucibles communicating by inclined channels, the whole arrangement forming a closed circuit in which the heat generated causes a general circulation. Every portion of the molten mass comes rapidly into contact with the oxidising slag, and the very high temperature attained does not introduce the "pinch" effect in the heating channels. It is claimed that with this type of furnace the ohmic resistance of the circuit can be increased with correspondingly altering its self-induction, thus allowing furnaces with a high-power factor to be constructed, and generators and transformers of normal freis illustrated, designed to take current at 4800 volts at a quency and size to be employed. A 5-ton 420 kw. furnace frequency of 5. The author also describes an electrode furnace in which the same system of automatic circulation is applied, by cross-connecting the separate crucibles into which the electrodes dip by means of inclined channels, sloping in opposite directions. Finally, the author describes a combined induction and electrode furnace similarly arranged for automatic circulation of the fluid steel. In this internal heating in the channels, generated inductively, and superficial heating in the two connected crucibles, obtained at the electrodes, are simultaneously made use of. To the paper is added an appendix which gives the calculations necessary for the design of these types of furnaces. NOTICES OF BOOKS. The Journal of the Association of Teachers in Technical IN extending the size of this journal the editor has hoped In addition the The Interpretation of Radium. By FREDERICK SODDY, THE author's knowledge of his subject, no less than his theory, that inorganic bases combine with water, giving as cations (metal-water)+ and (OH)-, while the organic bases give as cations (base-hydrogen)+, and the anion is again (OH)-. From this theory the different properties of aqueous solutions of organic bases (solubility, viscosity, density, thermic effects, &c.) can be foretold. point him out as well fitted to produce that kind of book | This appears to confirm Werner's modification of Arrhenius' the production of which offers opportunity for the display of ingenuity and resource-the treatise on a scientific subject for the general reader, in which only non-technical phraseology shall be employed. Nobody who opens this book can fail to feel its fascination, and many students of science will by reading it be enlightened as to the farreaching importance of the science of radio-activity, which the author believes to be a subject soon to be included in every school curriculum. With the enthusiasm and insight of a master, many of whose prophecies have been verified, he regards the phenomena of radio-activity as providing a key for some of the many riddles which so far science has had to leave unanswered; for instance, to take a simple example, it points out a way of reconciling the age of the earth according to the geologist with the period given by the physicist. Every word of the author's carries weight, and the book worthily expounds a subject enjoying the unique position of the science which may be regarded as the most important outcome of the researches of the 20th century. Physikalische Chemie der Metalle. ("Physical Chemistry Practical Organic Chemistry. By J. J. SUDBOROUGH, A COMPLETE Course of practical work in organic chemistry apparatus. References are frequently given to original papers and photographs and diagrams of apparatus, which show the details very plainly, are included. CHEMICAL NOTICES FROM FOREIGN SOURCES. Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l'Académie des Sciences. Vol. cxlviii., No. 20, May 17, 1909. Study of the System Water-Liquid Ammonia.— E. Baud and L. Gay.-The authors have measured the quantities of heat disengaged and the contractions which occur when water and anhydrous liquid ammonia are mixed. From the results of their experiments they conclude that in aqueous solutions of ammonia the hydrate NH3.H2O exists in equilibrium with water and free am monia. Colouring Power of Lead Chromate.-Léo Vignon. Precipitated lead chromate dyes silk, wool, and cotton equally well, differing from the soluble dyes orange II., Picric acid, and rocelline as regards the conditions of fixation. To obtain a given shade much more lead chromate than soluble dye is necessary. Lead chromate is not fixed chemically by textiles, but its fixation is evidently due to molecular attraction. Magnesium Derivative of Bipropargyl Octadienedioic Acid.-MM. Lespieau and Vavon.-Bipropargyl yields a hexaiodide, CI2=CI-CH2-CH2-CI=Cİ2. A magnesium compound can also readily be prepared, and from it the new acid CO2H-C=C-CH2-CH2-C=C-CO2H. This is totally transformed into suberic acid on hydrogenation. MISCELLANEOUS. not Electrolytic Disinfection.-Our attention has been drawn to a system of disinfection and bleaching which has decided advantages over older methods. By the electrolysis of sodium chloride in an improved apparatus brought out by E. Grether and Co., Manchester, a solution of sodium hypochlorite is produced, containing from 3 to 20 grms. of available chlorine per litre. For laundry work the liquor as run from the electrolyser is diluted considerably with water. It has no caustic or corrosive action on fibres or metals, can be discharged freely into rivers, while if imperfectly washed after bleaching the fabrics are tendered, rotted, or yellowed. In the electrolyser no chlorine is evolved into the air, and instead of costly platinum electrodes, carbons are used which have a life of from twelve to eighteen months and cost very little. As a germicide the sodium hypochlorite is most efficacious, and at Poplar Dr. Alexander, the Medical Officer of Health, has used the apparatus for more than a year, and speaks very favourably of the power of the electrolytic liquor in destroying disease germs. In fact the Health Department now is doing more efficiently for £33 what formerly cost about ten times that sum to do. FAT & SUGAR CHEMIST, artificial Cocoanut Fat manufacturing, Highest ability; character reliable. Address, "T. 353," care of HAASENSTEIN and VOGLER, Ltd., COOKING GREASE. Viscosity of Solutions of Bases.-D. E. Tsakalotos. Method guarantees PURE PRODUCTS; -The determination of the viscosity of solutions of triethylamine, pyridine, piperidine, and nicotine shows that these bases form molecular compounds with water, i.e., they exist in aqueous solution in the form of aquo bases. offered by Expert and Chemist for PERSONAL INTRODUCTION. Applications to "S. 352," care of Haasenstein and VOGLER, A.G. Hanover. Advertisements. JENA LABORATORY CLASSWARE. COMPOUND TUBING (D.R.P.) Resisting in a high degree sudden changes of temperature and the COMBUSTION TUBING FOR ELEMENTARY ANALYSIS. 111 Price-list sent free on application SCHOTT & GEN. Glassworks, Jena (GERMANY). The Jena Glasses are, amongst others in the U.K., on sale with the following firms: Cloth, Gilt-lettered Covers for Binding the Half-yearly CHEMICAL NEWS may now be obtained. Price 1/6 each (post free 1/8). Volumes Bound in Cloth Cases, Lettered and Numbered at 2s. 6d. per volume 16, NEWCASTLE ST., FARRINGDON ST., E.C. MICA. Telephone Cheques and Post-Office Orders in payment for Subscription should be made to the MANAGER, 16, Newcastle Street, Farringdon Street, E.C., and crossed "London P. WIGGINS & SONS, 102/3, Minories, London, E. and County Bank," payable to the order of Sir WILLIAM CROOKES. MICA MERCHANTS. Manufacturers of Mica Goods for Electricaland ALL purposes. OLD PLATINUM IN ANY FORM PURCHASED FOR CASH. Highest prices allowed by ROBERT PRINGLE & SONS, Gold and Silver finers, &c., 40 and 42, Clerkenwell Rd. E.C. Photographic Residues Reduced and Purchased. SILICATES OF SODA AND POTASH. IN THE STATE OF SOLUBLE GLASS OR IN CONCENTRATED SOLUTION. OLDEST and MOST RELIABLE MAKE. WILLIAM GOSSAGE & SONS, Ltd., Soap Works, Widnes. July 2, 1909 THE AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER and PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. Edited by F. J. MORTIMER, F.R.P.S. Price TWOPENCE – Every TUESDAY. The Leading Paper for everyone interested in Special Articles on PICTORIAL and MODERN SCIENTIFIC PHOTOGRAPHY. The best and brightest Photographic Weekly for the Beginner or Advanced Worker. PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED Office: 51, LONG ACRE, LONDON, W.C. FOR EASY WRITING. ESTERBROOK'S RELIEF NIBS and FOUNTAIN PENS. To be had of all Stationers. London: Printed and Published for the Proprietor by EDWIN JOHN DAVEY, at the Office, 16, Newcastle Street, Farringdon Street, E.C. July 2, 1909 |