CHEM-TEXTS
Vol. 5 No. 4 | Page 3
New Research Laboratory Studies Pollution Causes
Dr. Jim Brown, left, discusses results of Microbiology Sensitivity Test with, from left, Dr. Dave Liu, Irwin Prager, Suren Semonian, and Dr. Charles McCleary, Director of Research and Development. The test assigns the sensitivity levels of the microrganisms used in the biological secondary treatment process.
by Dr. Jim Brown
If chemistry causes pollution, chemistry should be able to solve the problems of pollution.
This is the philosophy behind the new Pollution Abatement Laboratory recently opened by the Research & Development department near the Tire Gate entrance.
The $70,000 structure, which
Oliveira, The Music Man
As a hobby, Joe Oliveira, one of the plant’s carpenters, makes violins and is also an accomplished violinist. Joe uses special treated maple and spruce wood in his violins, which are worth $500 to $600 each.
Two of the six violins he has made over the years are used by his two sons. One plays first violin in the Houston, Texas Symphony and the other is a concert violinist in New York.
It takes Joe about 70 hours to make a violin.
On many an evening during dinner, Joe and his wife listen to the recordings of their sons’ violin music, knowing that the beautiful sounds come from an instrument he created.
will cost approximately $100,000 a year to operate, is equipped with all the necessary equipment for performing water and waste stream analyses in support of our more consolidated work in all aspects of pollution abatement for the Chemical division plants. The laboratory will be the center of all divisional activities in water and air pollution control, ranging from pilot scale biological treatment systems and toxicological evaluations of the effects of various materials on aquatic life to developing specialized chemical engineering unit operation techniques for pretreating difficult-to-handle liquid wastes.
65 Chemicals Surveyed
One of the group’s most re-
Group Tops 750,000 lbs. No Rejects
by Bill Broden
On January 1, Strong Scott operators, Henriques Marques, Tony Rebelo, and Harry Searl started a production run of BIK and BIK-OT which resulted in over 750,000 lbs. of the chemicals without a reject for quality. The long run ended on June 10 when the first batch in 5 1/2 months was off-spec.
Both chemicals have presented serious quality problems over the years because of their reaction to humidity changes which affected the Grinding operation.
Previously, it was not rare for a batch to be off-spec and the materials had to be reprocessed which greatly increased the cost of the products and reduced or eliminated their profit.
According to Jim Cravo, Foreman of 73 Bldg., “It burned us up to work so hard and see our efforts wasted. One day we put our heads together and with technical assistance from the Process Engineer on the job we tried some new approaches to the problem and achieved this turnaround in quality improvement. Our real challenge now is to top the 1,000,000 lbs. mark.”
Jim Gatling performs an analysis test for mixed liquor suspended solids and mixed liquor volatile suspended solids to determine the total solid content and the determination of the number of organisms in the activated sludge.
cent accomplishments was a comprehensive survey of 65 chemical processes to establish present waste loadings and flows, and to pinpoint major, individual sources of pollution within the plant. Further, the survey served to locate and define areas for reduction in waste, recycling possibilities, and product recovery. Much of this information is required for the safe and efficient operation of the new biological secondary treatment plant which is now being constructed by the Boro of Nau-
Cafeteria Remodeled
Remodeling of the Synthetic Cafeteria was recently completed. Attractively redecorated with new floral design drapery, bright ceiling lights, and colorful chair coverings, the dining room matches eating places in the area.
The cafeteria is in Bldg. 1.
Profits (cont’d. from page 1)
compared with the previous record of $817,538,000, last year.
Net income for the six months period was $26,104,000, equivalent to 88 cents a common share, and represented a gain of 15% compared with the $22,709,000, or 78 cents a share, reported last year.
Division Sales Off
Sales and earnings for the Chemical division were down for the first six months of the year, still running considerably below last year’s figures.
Sales in chemicals were below budget and face severe price competition from domestic and foreign products.
Recently we lost one of our major Naugapol customers which hurt sales of this product.
Generally the profits of Reclaim, Colloids and Naugapol are not in a good position.
Jack Paul examines the activated sludge under the microscope to identify the organisms present in the material.
gatuck. The Chemical plant is contributing $1,500,000 to the construction of this facility. The Chemical plant is also building a $3,000,000 liquid waste pretreatment (primary) plant in the south reclaim yard, which is scheduled for completion in De-
Curt Rice performs a Chemical Oxygen Demand analysis test to measure organic content of waste water.
cember 1972.
Tour Scheduled
A tour of the lab was conducted for plant personnel in September to see the facilities and how the work of the group is helping the plant achieve its environmental control program.
Quiet Summer For Residents
New silencer controls noise of compressor in power plant. The loud vibration from the compressor caused noise pollution for employees and neighbors. Checking operation of silencer are from left, Bill Maguire, George Arndt, and Joe Mambrino.
by George Arndt
Last summer the noise pollution caused by cycle pulsations in the intake piping on one of the 1000 CFM air compressors of the power plant brought numerous complaints from the East Side residents of Naugatuck.
The noise problem was recently stopped by the installation of a new high-efficiency silencer normally used in critical
“noise problem locations” such as hospital areas.
A complete revision of the present facility, changes in the intake and discharge piping, and improvements in the compressor foundation as recommended by Habekost Engineering, Inc., Compressor Consultants, eliminated the noise problem.
Since the installation, no complaints have been received from the Naugatuck residents on the East Side of the town.