- Email: [email protected]
Bromides from the sea
Nov., I933.]
CURRENT TOPICS.
667
Influence of Sulphur Compounds on Growth.--DOROTH¥ WALL HAMMETT AND FREDERICK S. HAMMETT (Protoplasma, I933, X1X, I6I-I69) have demonstrated that growth by increase in cell number is regulated by the naturally occurring chemical equilibrium composed of the sulphydryl group and its partially oxidized derivatives. For instance, when the chela or claw of the hermit crab is removed, it regenerates by growth by increase in cell number. This growth is accelerated by organic compounds containing sulphydryl, e.g., by para thio cresol, and is retarded by partially oxidized organic compounds of sulphur, e.g., by diphenyl sulphoxide. J. s. H. Bromides from the Sea.--( Ind. & Eng. Chem., News Edition, Vol. 1I, p. 244.) A real effort will be made to recover bromine from sea water. The process involves many problems in efficient chemical engineering. The concentration of bromine in the sea is one pound per 2,000 gallons of water, a condition which up to now has discouraged commercial attempts upon its recovery. However, plenty of bromine is to be had, for in I cubic mile of sea water will be found 600 million pounds of bromine and there is no scarcity of cubic miles of sea water. The recovery plant, installed by well-known American chemical manufacturing firms, is intended to produce at least 500,000 pounds of bromine a month. To do this, 26,000 gallons of sea water per minute must flow through the plant for 24 hours a day. It requires less than sixty seconds for the water to be processed during which time it undergoes chemical treatment, loses its small trace of bromine and is on its way back to the sea in a thoroughly debrominated condition. The process consists of treating the sea water with enough chlorine to decompose the bromides in the water. The bromine thus liberated is blown out of the sea water by a current of air. The air containing the bromine is then brought into contact with soda solution which absorbs the element, forming a concentrated solution of sodium bromide and bromate. This bromine recovery plant is to be located at Kure Beach about 20 miles south of Wilmington, N . C . The location is characterized by an abundance of sea water, relatively clean, not diluted with surface water, containing relatively little organic matter and a convenience in disposal of the waste water so it does not mix with the intake. C. Vitamin (3.--This vitamin is water-soluble, promotes growth, and, according to some authorities, prevents pellagra. LELA E.
CURRENT TOPICS.
667
Influence of Sulphur Compounds on Growth.--DOROTH¥ WALL HAMMETT AND FREDERICK S. HAMMETT (Protoplasma, I933, X1X, I6I-I69) have demonstrated that growth by increase in cell number is regulated by the naturally occurring chemical equilibrium composed of the sulphydryl group and its partially oxidized derivatives. For instance, when the chela or claw of the hermit crab is removed, it regenerates by growth by increase in cell number. This growth is accelerated by organic compounds containing sulphydryl, e.g., by para thio cresol, and is retarded by partially oxidized organic compounds of sulphur, e.g., by diphenyl sulphoxide. J. s. H. Bromides from the Sea.--( Ind. & Eng. Chem., News Edition, Vol. 1I, p. 244.) A real effort will be made to recover bromine from sea water. The process involves many problems in efficient chemical engineering. The concentration of bromine in the sea is one pound per 2,000 gallons of water, a condition which up to now has discouraged commercial attempts upon its recovery. However, plenty of bromine is to be had, for in I cubic mile of sea water will be found 600 million pounds of bromine and there is no scarcity of cubic miles of sea water. The recovery plant, installed by well-known American chemical manufacturing firms, is intended to produce at least 500,000 pounds of bromine a month. To do this, 26,000 gallons of sea water per minute must flow through the plant for 24 hours a day. It requires less than sixty seconds for the water to be processed during which time it undergoes chemical treatment, loses its small trace of bromine and is on its way back to the sea in a thoroughly debrominated condition. The process consists of treating the sea water with enough chlorine to decompose the bromides in the water. The bromine thus liberated is blown out of the sea water by a current of air. The air containing the bromine is then brought into contact with soda solution which absorbs the element, forming a concentrated solution of sodium bromide and bromate. This bromine recovery plant is to be located at Kure Beach about 20 miles south of Wilmington, N . C . The location is characterized by an abundance of sea water, relatively clean, not diluted with surface water, containing relatively little organic matter and a convenience in disposal of the waste water so it does not mix with the intake. C. Vitamin (3.--This vitamin is water-soluble, promotes growth, and, according to some authorities, prevents pellagra. LELA E.