Document 0NQBaN3QZ9meX6r17mo0Y49J

CELANESE CHEMICAL COMPANY Chemcel Plant Bishop, Texas To: C. W. Harrison From: W. H. Meyer WHM-98-77 October 13, 1977 Laboratory Department Summary Septembe r, 19 7 7 DISTRIBUTION Chemical P. E. Hime G. D. Boyd J. Chervenka W. J. Derocher T. N. Dowdy H. A. Ducote K. G. Gallimore R. S. Hahn M. D. Harvey J. M. Hodges M. A. John B. C. Kerr C. W. Lee Dr. C. E. Loeffler Dr. R. P. Lowery W. W. Massey A. G. McGehee J. T. McMahon R. A. Mickelson J. M. Sawyer G. R. Scholz W. L. Sharp R. W. Swanbeck H. H. Thigpen O. Towery J. L. Trumbley P. J. Volpe J. D. Walker J. N. Gann J. W. Dunn J. M. Ramey Dr. J. C. Trebellas J. E. Sanborn W. H. Tuke F. B. McAndrews Dr. F. Zitomer - Bay City - Clear Lake - New York - New York - Bayport Te rminal - Pampa - Summit - Summit Pla sties J. L. Merian A. C. Abshier C. A. Amond W. C. Beyer R. L. Bunkley E. Munoz K. A, Rose C. S. Schmaltz CC C TC W. E. Heinz Dr. C. C. Hobbs W. J. Humphrey W. T. McNair Dr. D. R. Napier Dr. L. Starr W. E. Taylor jGentral Files (2)~ File: 716.0 003111 CELANESE CHEMICAL COMPANY Chemcel Plant Bishop, Texas To: C. W. Harrison From: W. H. Meyer WHM-98-77 October 13, 1977 Laboratory Department Summary September, 1 9 77 The Bishop Plant Laboratory activities during September are attached. Section I contains a summary of the Analytical Group activities with a table of analytical statistics. Section II contains a Quality Assurance Summary and a table listing shipments, quality waivers, quality complaints and sample shipping statistics. Section HI describes the status of Special Problems Group projects by Unit Chemist assignment. A table listing the priorities, justifications and estimated completion dates of current Special Problems projects is also included in Section HI. WHM/jm Attached Report W. H. M^%r 003112 WHM-98-77 2 October 13. 1977 I. ANALYTICAL GROUP Competitive Evaluation A sample o Japanese pentaerythritol was received from SpencerKellogg Co. The material was similar to our technical grade PE with the exception of a high Formcel content of 10. 8% (Chemcel spec is 2. 0% max.), and an ash content of 0. 024 (Chemcel spec is 0. 01 max.). Polyol 1.3-BG - Samples of the jet condensate and T-224 residue system were checked for ppm nickel content by atomic absorption methods. This was in search for the source of a high nickel excursion in the BOD unit test pond basins. The BG unit systems were free of nickel. Oxo, BuH, BuOH The Analytical Group has assumed the rhodium analysis require ments on samples of the Oxo unit reactor and T-210 residue. Utilities and BOD Letters were issued this month outlining the specific responsibil ities of the Laboratory and Utilities Departments concerned with the EPA and TWQB outfall permit reporting requirements. (See JMS994, WHM-90-77 and JHH-11-77) The revised outfall monitoring and report worksheet will be put into service October 1, 1977. See attached Analytical statistics 003113 WHM-98-77 -3- October 13, 1977 Analytical Statistics Sample Count Chemical Section Samples Instrument Section Samples Total Sept. 5,232 2,898 8, 130 Sept. Y-T-D 44,773 21.356 Previous Y-T-D 35,859 18.908 66,129 54,767 Technician Overtime: Chemical Instrument Total 74 60 134 633 604 1,237 568 447 1,015 003114 WHM-98-77 -4 October 13, 1977 II. QUALITY ASSURANCE PE Pure - A customer complaint was received from DuPont (Wil mington, Delaware) concerning three shipments of PE Pure to their Louviers, Colorado, location. The customer reported their Mono PE values to be low (in the range of 93-95%). This was their first attempt at G.C. analysis of PE. After rechecking shipment retains and analyzing the three samples returned to us from DuPont, our values originally reported were confirmed at 99.0% Mono PE. G.C. technology and operating parameters were given to inidviduals at DuPont for their use to check the PE Pure product. DuPont has now verified the analysis as reported to them, and withdrew their com plaint. A full report is in preparation. PE Dust Sample for Tenneco Chemical Co. - A special sample re quest for five pounds of PE Pure (dust collection fines) for Tenneco Chemical Co. has been planned (HHT-18-77). The material to be shipped will be from our hopper number 4 (isolated from the area dust collector). The type of dust originally requested in J.C. Scott's teletype number 1451, dated July 12, 1977, will not be available for shipment as formerly planned. PE Tech Shipment to Emery Industries - On September 15, 1977, Dr. J. C. Trebellas reported a customer complaint from Emery Indus tries regarding PE Tech high ash content at 115-118ppm on Lot 77-217 IT. The customer also reported a high Mono PE content at 90.0%. Analysis of the Lot retain confirmed that the customer values for ash are valid. Results obtained were 120-140ppm, com pared to the original value reported at lOppm. The Mono PE content was rechecked and found to be 87.6%. Obviously, the original analy sis for ash was in error, however, the Mono PE value was not as high as reported by Emery. Emery kept the material, but will not accept anymore at the high level of ash (greater than lOOppm). A detailed report has been issued (HAD-29-77). n-Butyl Acetate - At the request of Houston Sales and New York Quality Assurance, an evaluation was made on our n-butyl acetate for Texas Instruments special specification for "residue after evaporation", 20ppm maximum. Since we now take a residue product instead of a distillate in the purification step, the need for this evaluation is apparent. The values found were less than lOppm, and we should have no problem meeting this requirement. The data was reported in HAD-26-77. WHM-98-77 -5- October 13, 1977 Formaldehyde Product - Tank car CELX 13232 was shipped to Reilly Labs, Indianapolis, Indiana, with 52% formaldehyde (HCHO) on August 15, 1977. Reilly Labs reported that they off-loaded all ex cept a heel of about 1,500 gallons. The car return was authorized by New York to be sent back to Bishop with the heel. The car arrived at Chemcel on October 3, 1977. The Shipping Service Department reported that the car contained approximately 9, 000 pounds of a semi-solid Paraform mixture which they are trying to put into a water solution. The material has large lumps present. Attempts to ana lyze the retain were unsuccessful, as the material could not be put into solution. A report will be issued when recovery attempts are complete. Borden Methyl Formcel - On August 25, 1977, a sample of Methyl Formcel was received from Rohm and Haas and was identified as Borden Methaform 55B. This identification immediately suggested that Borden must make a 55A. Requests were sent to New York through Dr. J. C. Trebellas for information on specifications for the two types, and for acquisition of a sample of the 55A, if possible. Mr. D. J. Foley has sent out a letter to Field Sales requesting the samples and/or specifications for these products. We are holding the report on the Borden 55B (typical of our caustic treated Methyl Form cel for American Cyanamid) until we receive the second sample. Methyl Formcel - Uniroyal - Effective Monday, October 3, 1977, we will report to Uniroyal the quality of the 55% Methyl Formcel before the addition of acetic acid, and the calculated amount of acetic acid added as a per cent of the shipment. The blend will not be pre blended to the shipping date (reference: WHM-85-77). n-Butyl Formcel - Cook Paint and Varnish received car number CELX4235 with a slight cloud. The retain sample of this shipment was evaluated and found to contain a slight cloud which could not be entirely cleared by heating. The customer rejected the material, and the shipment will be replaced. CELX4235 will be brought to Argo for filtering and storage. This haze is not typical of our n-Butyl Formcel. Lehn and Fink Products Co. - The status of this customer's com plaint is unclear. On August 1, 1977, Mr. Burns of Lehn and Fink complained about two lots of Paraform flake on which they report an assay of 80. 8wt. %. We pulled the retains of the two lots (189 and 194-77), and found the material to assay at 93.0%. This problem appears to be an analytical discrepancy. We agreed to do an exchange 003116 WHM-98-77 -6- October 13, 1977 of samples with the customer, and as per JCS-121-77, sent samples of our retains of Lots 194-77 and 189-77. To date, we have not received any samples from Lehn and Fink Products Co. to complete our part of the program. Paraform Powder to Tennessee Eastman - On August 11, 1977, we received a complaint from Tennessee Eastman at Kingsport, Tenn essee, that 200 bags shipped to them on June 7, 1977, out of Lot 2442 were causing a balling-up in their process. They stated the product was lumpy. They said they could not use the material and wanted a replacement (which they received). Evaluation of the Lot retain and a sample returned to us found the material to be speci fication product. During the past week, the New York Quality Assurance office reported that Tennessee Eastman has withdrawn their complaint. Sample Shipping and Quality A ssurance Statistics follow: 003117 WHM-98-77 -7- October 13, 1977 Sample Shipping and Quality Assurance Statistics Sample Shipping Domestic Export Pla sties Other Total Sept. 39 2 4 7 52 Sept. Y-T-D Previous Y-T-D 824 79 63 709 872 140 106 206 1,675 1,324 Shipments (Number of Orders) Delayed Due to Quality Quality Waivers. Quality Complaints Quality Complaints Accepted 986 2 5 5 2 7, 748 24 38 47 14 6,821 29 12 18 9 Note: See attached copies of Quality Complaints and Delayed Shipments due to quality or quality waiver. 003118 C u s to m e r C o m p la in ts D ue to Q u a lity WHM-98- 77 - * 1 2 boa -"52. - 0 Ms u 3-1 a 21" -z0 u0-2f- >s - 0d 2da* o *- E ilu fit 0 0** ">* -2 O g S 5SaJ|oSi..g"_fdi 5 a0 d -8- . >.3 "3 3 = I -2. 52 -- .?=g ";O J B * i5o 7^ *oog w> 3j 3r jm* 8r.-2 ~"" Xa AS i5 6 iaic S d M;8 h 1* S js.* e|A* 4i94 >' a -ae J 3: ua 2 2 a '-ac2 ~3 4*o* M gU o C C -I 8. s i "S' - m0 2^ 3T* October 13. 1977 oOo M (^M* H4d i 3A * -4.5 *3 T44J 2 *0 < A S J J 4m* ae33S 9a5J3r O< jo * * d 4 1* 5o U* 3asbeu d 3 a1 22 ? 3 Ii] : *i Be ? 2 fZa 2C5C *u sijg o > be 1 b O* 0 30 o S.- 3 e o9ltj b fea 0 ** " 2 ? A S s e2 2a 44 t3! o" o. -8o s 52 8 -e xaM X-S4S4 4o4 0M A &Wfa ss < e X3*fjr* *0 mo* "d a fl - jg OB o ' *3 O S.9.3 g 3 a- 43 b fa u*0 X5d H*,22 x rw0**o* c 0 4 fa 9 cu o 4 &(*i> a--i *r> 9* eo d* fr* rr*404 404 44 xjj a3. [fa fa 0 4fa u* o 4d a* d o 9 4 J0 o Q 22 .U 2 I.' u O o J u 2* l a" t 1- *033 *4 J 4 3.8 2S-4dS 2o 0* *3 u J4BS4O 4* va jS 3o tJS --o uE <M A| -5 <A f* n f* A* ^ ^ 00 ff** 3s sse 41 4Q u 4* 0 Xo H fa X44 eu 4dec4 XT2oe53k 4 sofa [ 4U sofa (fa 3 flQ a* 3 1o d xc d J? >X *3 *5 *5 23 >..2 ft Jj d 2 u 5 S! d a d 0 Q U rr- rp-* O <n rNa <M 30 003119 \ Product order fille d 9 /2 8 /7 7 . WHM-98-77 -9 October 13. 1977 ox** ill ^ tm *3 25 -x . zi*X till JO jm |ee ^ Q CL - ^j 12| BO^ Z 5 S 2 " .a = s x (u j: a Xo^ * 06* A0^St 5goII Z is 8 2 " a.;"5- **C oOfM 0*? Xo< aSe Z. 1s ?* fa0* o> A fa a s as ?* -oZ * * is X * -o x55 : *: a < foo C aA"43HV***I X230f1*a AUA aJ ** 4 >* & 6 CO m 3& U ?u L fa o- 2 O 4g JJ O Q fa *>* 4 * fa eo>d 5 e0fO>ad 4efo>a* >> >* 4 Q NO **+>. <?. ^r- O' ^ O' 003120 WHM-98-77 -10- October 13, 1977 in. SPECIA L PROBLEMS Methanol Oxidation, Formaldehyde Blending A. J. Branecky, J. D. Presley MO Efficiency Increase with Trace Amounts of Halogenated Hydrocarbons - The data from the methylene bromide and methylene chloride plant tests has been or ganized and a report written. Issuance should be in October or November. Plant testing this project has been discontinued until additional lab work can improve analytical detection. Work continues. MO Catalyst Reuse - During this month's MO-IV turnaround, eight catalyst beds were set aside for in-place catalyst washing. One of the eight was too severely contaminated by carbon to be of any value. Of the remaining beds, three were washed in place with a high pres sure water stream; two were washed with water and then 6 N hydro chloric acid, and again with water; and two were washed with water and then with 2 N hydrochloric acid, and again with water. In the case of the latter four beds, enough water was used in the final wash to remove all of the acid. Due to unfortunate mechanical difficulties during startup, five of the beds had to be taken off line. Only a water washed bed and a 6 N HC1 washed bed were left. Results, few as they were, showed that the washed beds demonstrated new catalyst efficiency at startup. Since new catalyst requires a certain aging time, (2-4 weeks), before dem onstrating peak efficiencies, catalyst washing has demonstrated a distinct advantage. In this particular plant trial, the reactors were physically removed from the MO unit (due to cleaning necessities during turnaround). This practice is not particularly favored in the catalyst washing procedure due to possible bed cracking and excessive contamination. Work con tinue s. MS-II Crude to MO - Piping modifications for the plant trial have been completed. However, due to low formaldehyde inventory (approximately 10MM gallons), the plant trial has been postponed until November. Water Injection to MO - No progress due to priorities. This project will no longer be carried as a seperate item in the Lab monthly report. Since MS-II crude to MO is in effect, future discussion of water injec tion will be under that heading. 003121 WHM-98-77 -11- October 13, 1977 Pampa Pipeline Grade Methanol to MO - A letter was received from Pampa stating that the possibility of relieving them of excess MeOH is off until next summer, If the need to take Pampa MeOH ever be comes apparent, a plant test should be conducted as outlined in JDP03-77. Lab work has been terminated. MO New Catalyst Screening - Engelhard Lot 36 silver catalyst contain ing 14ppm tin (JDP-01-77) was placed in twelve MO-IV reactors after the recent unit turnaround. To date, these reactors are functioning normally as compared to standard new catalyst. These reactors will be monitored for the life of the catalyst. During the last turnaround in MO-H,' several of the reactors were charged with Engelhard Lot 189 catalyst for startup. From the begin ning, the reactors charged with Lot 189 demonstrated poor efficiency and high acid make. Some of the beds were changed out with fresh Lot 189, but they too showed rpaidly deteriorating efficiency. Samples of the catalyst were analyzed by atomic absorption, and very dose agreement was found with the Engelhard Certificate of Analysis. The only difference noted in the catalyst was the structure of the individual crystals (silver needles). They appeared coarser than is usually ob served. Also, even though the lab sinter test was good, the catalyst failed to sinter properly in the unit. Further attempts will be made to determine the cause of the poor performance of this catalyst. Work* continues. Reduce Methylal Formation in The MO Distillation Columns - No progress due to priorities. Nepera Blend - Variations of water composition and of techniques of blending have been studied. The optimum blend ratio to date is: Weight % 45.9 23.5 8.4 22.2 Component Acetaldehyde F ormaldehyde Methanol Water This, quite fortunately, equates to starting with 50% formaldehyde. The technique most suitable for blending is in two steps: (1) Premix the proper amounts of 50% formaldehyde and methanol and allow this mixture to cool to 85-90F. The methanol concentra tion in the mix is sufficient to stabilize the formaldehyde at this tem perature range. (2) The "cooled" number (1) is then mixed in line in the proper pro portion with the acetaldehyde. Heat of mixing of the blend results in WHM-98-77 -12- October 13, 1977 about an 8F rise. The final blend is pumped to a storage vessel or tank car. The vessel will have to be filled under pressure with provision made for venting at about 50 psig. The vent will be rich in acetaldehyde due to its high volatility (somewhat lowered by water). Thus, provision for vent recovery will be necessary. It appears that analytical accountability of the blend will be extremely difficult. A report is being prepared. Nepera Blend - Analytical - F. R. Dow - G. C. analysis has shown poor reproducibility for the AcH, Me OH, HCHO and HjO. This may be caused by the instability of the blend and some AcH loss due to handling. Currently, the repeatability spread for the blend components is approximately 2wt. % for AcH and lwt. % for each of the remaining components (MeOH, HCHO and HjO). Impurity buildup has been severe with some one week old blends show ing more than 2%. The impurities are tentatively identified (by G.C. column elution time) as 1,4-dioxane, p-aldehyde and m-aldehyde. Utilities, Raw Materials, BOO S. G. Smith Purchase Specification Update - No progress due to priorities. BOD Unit Analytical Methods Manual - A revision in the method for measuring oxygen uptake rates in the aeration basins is being studied. Anaerobic Pilot Testing of Chemical Waste - A project meeting for bio logical waste water treatment was held at CCCTC with representatives of other Celanese plants for a review of anaerobic technology progress at all locations. Work on anaerobic piloting at Bishop is still in abeyance until the decision is made as to which technology will be used for the pro posed Bishop BOD expansion. DAA Color Stability - A laboratory simulation of T-285, the DA A heavy ends column, is being operated at different pressures, as part of a study to find optimum operating conditions. Further work is planned to de termine if heavy ends (color precursors) are being passed over to the finishing column T-294, causing color instability of the finished product. Elimination of Lamella Underflow - No progress due to priorities. 003123 WHM-98-77 -13- October 13, 1977 ;'f~N BOD Unit Support - A method for the laboratory instrument COD analysis is being written to insure a more accurate measurement of the equalization basin COD since loading to the aeration basins depends on this value. An incorrect COD value could cause exces sive loading to the aeration basins. Problems with the measurement of oxygen uptake rates in the unit lab were solved by the replacement of the oxygen probe and TELA solution. OSHA Monitoring J. M. Jackson All job descriptions in the Chemical and Plastics Companies have been evaluated for formaldehyde exposure. A report was issued out lining proposed sampling requirements. A meeting was held with the Plastics Company to discuss asbestos sampling. Results were: 1) coordinated effort with Production (Plastics) to obtain relevant asbestos samples, and 2) recommenda tion on possible methods for obtaining necessary data for an EPA permit. Additional formaldehyde samples were taken with Mr. Birkner Corporate Industrial Hygienist. These samples were sent to Glidden Durkee for analysis by dimedone. The duplicates were eval uated by chromatropic acid at Bishop. No comparison of results have been made to date. A report will be issued. Equipment for the OSHA monitoring program is being received. As time permits, the instruments will be put into service. Currently CCCTC is awaiting delivery of a continuous formaldehyde monitoring instrument (CELA 555) for validation work. Esters, Methylal, Paraform, Formcels R. G. Hilbrich Paraform, Formcels, and Ester Unit Analytical Manual - No progress due to priorities. Paraform Material Balance - Delayed, pending full-time Process Engineering coverage on the Paraform Unit. Alternate n-BuAc Process - No progress due to priorities. 003124 WHM-98-77 -14- October 13, 1977 New Paraform Market - Stein-Hall has found that specially treated Paraform powder is useful as a water soluble fluid loss agent in the hydraulic fracturing of oil formations. Samples of specially treated Paraform were received at the Laboratory for comparison with our typical powder. The specially treated material was found to be similar to fourteen month old Paraform fine powder. Paraform fine powder of various ages (three to fourteen months) was sent to SteinHall for evaluation as a water soluble fluid loss agent. A report is in progress. Paraform. Formcela Unit Support - A study is underway to deter mine if Formcel reactor blending can be controlled by continuously monitoring the specific gravity of the blend. Work continues. Acetate Unit Support - The monitoring of acid in the organic layer versus conductivity of the water layer in the overhead receiver of the acetate reactor column continues as workload allows. A method for determining cupric and cuprous content in the acetate reactor was evaluated. The method as written was not suitable. It has been recommended that cupric phosphate be added to the reactor as corrosion inhibitor and a method is necessary for determing when addition of cupric phosphate is necessary. Other potential analytical methods will be tried as time permits. The possibility of using a corrosion probe to determine when additional cypric phosphate is neces sary should be considered. 1,3-Butylene Glycol, DAA ______A. E. Hancock 1,3-BG Unit Support - The BG unit attempted a rate run last month. The unit ran at full capacity (40 MM lbs. /yr.) for several days. The acetaldehyde recovery column (T-135) was a major problem. The column has been in an upset condition since the beginning of the run. Diethylene glycol dilaurate antifoam was replaced with GE 60 antifoam to try to stabilize T-135. Work continues to determine whether T-135 will operate at the rated capacity of the unit. 1,3-BG Cost Reduction - Data is being reviewed which may indicate the feasibility of replacing the vapor sidestream from the BG finishing column (T-227) with a liquid sidestream or residue stream. 003125 WHM-98-77 -15- October 13, 1977 DAA Unit Support - No lab support was needed. DAA Laboratory Reactor Study - A report is in progress on the effects of water in the acetone feed to the DAA reactors. Pentaerythritol R. G. Briell PE Efficiency - No progress due to priorities. PE Color - Color removal by the carbon bed charged on June 25, remains satisfactory. An economical bed life has been demonstrated. Through September 30, about 950 pounds PE per pound carbon has been produced using the current carbon charge. Economics were based on about 630 pounds PE per pound of carbon. Throughout most of the month, "B" filtrate color was consistently in the 17-19 PtCo units range, which should correspond to a 3^-4 PtCo units range in Pure PE product (5% solution). However, at the end of the month "B" filtrate color began creeping higher to about 22 PtCo units. There fore, we expect to see color rising steadily in October, and a complete depletion of the carbon bed by mid-October. A detailed report will then be issued. Sulfate in PE "A" Mother Liquor - Monitoring for sodium sulfate in the AML stream being shipped to Virginia Chemical Co. continued. The acid digester temperature is currently held at about 245F. There was a problem of high sulfate for several days due to a problem with the "A" filter. Correction of this problem reduced the sulfate in AML to about 0.2% (contained salt basis) during tech and 0. 5-1.0% during pure. We will continue to monitor this stream and continue efforts to meet Virginia Chemical's request for a maximum of 0. 5% sodium sulfate in the AML sodium formate (contained salt basis). A report will be issued in late October or early November. Trimethylolpropane L. Mayerle TMP Unit Support - No lab work. Alternate TMP Purification System - Distribution coefficients for com pounds in T-204 residue were determined in laboratory shake-out experi ments and verified the feasibility of the alternate purification system. Further work is pending the availability of equipment for a laboratory unit to simulate recycle streams w ith an extraction system. QQ3126 WHM-98-77 -16- October 13, 1977 Methanol Synthesis F. R. Dow Fuel Gas Quality - The carbon in V-1366 (one of the Selas reformer carbon beds) was changed because the sulfur analysis had shown H2S break-through (from 0 ppb to >300 ppb H2S) in less than 48 hours of use. Samples from the upper and lower sections of the carbon bed were extracted for oil content to determine regeneration effectiveness and bed condition. The upper carbon bed sample contained approximately 3wt. % extractable oil, while the lower sample contained <0. 5wt. %. The two samples have been sent to CCCTC for sulfur analysis by x-ray. MS-II Analytical Support - Two sets of samples from the DPG, Selas and combined reformer gases were analyzed in the Lab for comparison with the process analyzer. The difference in C02 analysis reported last month continues to be present. Last month the Lab was showing about 1 vol. % higher C02 values than the process analyzer. The two sets of samples for September each showed the Lab COz value to be about 0. 5 vol. % higher than the process analyzers. Other priorities have delayed additional work on this project. Oxo, Butanol, Propanol _______A. J. Bacon Oxo Reactor Accountability/Stability - A secrecy agreement was ob tained with Witco, and a 5. 5 lb. sample of run number 3 catalyst was sent to their Houston Lab to be tested for foam causes. Rhodium Accounting - Work-up of catalyst samples taken during the run number 3 dump was completed, and a rhodium accounting report was issued with Production. Recovery was poor. Out of 136.18 lbs. rhodium added to the reactor or on hand elsewhere, 95. 4 lbs. was returned to Engelhard for recovery. The Lab and Production Departments have set up a rhodium accounting program to try to detect losses as they occur during a run. This will include sufficient analysis of reactor catalyst and T-210 residue to allow a weekly rhodium accountability calculation. (An AVO for a contin uous sampler for T-210 residue has been written. ) 003127 WHM-98-77 -17- October 13, 1977 A similar program was carried out for run number 3, but needed data was not obtained for the last part of the run due to priorities. Training of four technicians in the necessary analytical procedures is nearly complete, so that these gaps can be avoided. Oxo, Propanol. Butanol Support - Engelhard's analytical results for their assay of shipment number 9 rhodium nitrate were much lower than those of Ledoux. Our own analyses agree closely with Engelhard's. We suspect a systematic error in analytical procedures or a real de crease in assay with time. We have begun close work with Ledoux, and hope to resolve the problem next month. Preliminary work has begun on ash samples from run number 3. Process Technology B. C. Kerr Technical Report Abstracting - Preparation of technical report abstracts is current. Preparation of abstract cards will be carried out when enough abstracts are collected to best utilize typist's time. Production Initiated Process Technology - No progress can be reported this month. New alternatives are being sought. { Customer Support - Technical assistance was provided to Commercial Products concerning depolymerization characteristics of Paraformaldehyde. A letter was issued (BCK-23-77, September 6, 1977) giving details of the problem. BOD Unit Data Evaluation - Assistance was provided in the evaluation of BOD unit data. See the section on Utilities for a discussion of the BOD unit problem. Mis ce 11 a neous Leanne Mayerle, Ronnie Hilbrich and Bill Meyer toured the Bay City and Clear Lake Plants and the Bayport Terminal facilities as part of the Technical Depart ment's training program for Chemists and Engineers. Susan Smith attended the University of Texas course on Biological Treatment of Wastes. 003128 C u rre n t S p e c ia l P ro b le m s P ro je c ts A lternate S and C a ta ly s t Qu< lew Sales E stim ated om pletion Dat Undete rm in e d C ontinuing WHM-98-77 4> U CO u >p4a-H>4 ^^ 40p4H fo0c>ta0 93* 3M C<O4 cd o pcHd *H 44 oa 444) at X 2 .2 5 22 cd <5 a 05 W o H 4>4 u 0 pN *H Q-, <NJ 0r0Ho* * Ittx a<d34t htx O d V % HH H 4) > pH CO o3 43) Ot (M 44 Sx 0) H4CO) VM X 0t U X T3 >> 44 5 Cc" (30 SO ^0 09 44 > h c O 22 O V *--t 0 it ^.d pa o <u4 *2 co y U Oh !k e 2 O 'O c Osx Sffi J.vaMh < V Ws 0H cHcbo 4) V CoO 4a4 H-<Sw4 at U 2 O 2 4) a 3 V 05 4040 >s -aUt at U 0 2 P lant Testing C om plete by scem ber 1, 19 18 tr*- . 00 M 00 s44 H s, H^ a*t *aCit 43t3* V Q Ot a a 00 a a>t CO ie0-i0 > C3O H3H H*V3> 1 a 4c44d) CO u <4 2 o U * cd 05 C om pleted Lab W ork C om ple ivem ber tle, by 19 October 13, 1977 rr- r*C* ^H m h 4) 1 V 4U) <0 2Q *-a oa (4 m m 3H 3 ffl 0w CO .2 at ue 2 g, Ot x oW 2Q CO CO 3 03 0*< 8 2S o03 od ccd V d i <q g tl ** 2 4HVd-> cd 41_j3 (4 22 H 4p>->t o *V" s (it Eh Eh s pH pH p>H H <M IN (N \ X44 r CO \ pH dH 0d od ad <4 X4- O M 2 404 2g 3o oU 2 3 33 b_ d0 2o o2 *H u 2 tH--144 CO T>* <a-tt X~ SQ 0 .2H St s JS2 8 o cd -33 5X Q* sV 05 <d Oh -3 a *VH ffl c3dt a V 2 cd cd 2 09 03 X at 2 H(4 -oH Jx O 09 *0d<0 6at <n 4-1 ib Eh -Ou CO -Vau .w <4 Ot ^ 2 at Xu 4V4 (a34 D 4d0H4 cd yH IS u V CaO p"<4H d `3 u S3 at <; Q 0 03 gX iu o 3*4 Ot y VhM V Tdl D cd a cd j O 4vOH4 cd pH ppaHH W 003129 anuary 1, 197 M a y 1, 1978 M a y 1, 1978 WHM-98-77 19 October 13, 1977 C u rre n t S p e c ia l P ro b le m s P ro je c ts 003130 WHM-98-77 id ns Q a id gQ sA a) a Wg o U 0r0- O' JIhK (0 3 fi (0 "3 t*- O' 00 e H 3 Vi V fl H eA c o 4) U > o Z a MUD e o * er* aa Vi tao <0 <0 iVIw4l mMtr"d)f <0 *c4..) 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A id 44 3 O y u <, u o 44 u id v a 0 nx 003131 - 003132 P ro je c t R h o d iu m A cco u n tin g C u rre n t S p e c ia l P ro b le m a P ro je c ts C h e m is t P rio rity J u s tific a tio n Bacon M a in te n a n ce o f B u sin e ss C a ta ly s t S avings E stim a te d C o m p le tio n D ate C o n tin u in g - October 13, 1977 -21- WHM-98-77