Document 3J1g3bdK4xeNpJNyYOmpZp053

MEMORANDUM ON CONFERENCE JANUARY l6, 19kl At a moating in Mr, Stecher's office, at which Stecher, Schaefer, Wasserman, Machle and Kehoe were present, the question of improved facilities for blending at Deepwater was discussed* The following facts were considered in relation to the possible requirements in such facilities in the future. Drum filling operations, which at one time seemed destined to show considerable reduction in magnitude because of tank car shipments, appear to be likely to diminish but little in view of present conditions* A considerable number of small mixing plants cannot be converted to bulk mixing plants, for a variety of reasons. These, together with an increased number of small plants operated by small units of the petroleum industry, whether licensed during the past year or in the future, are likely to maintain drum shipments at a level approximating that of the present. The discontinuance of tank-truck shipments would also result in some increased use of drums. The necessities of drum packaging for foreign shipment of Fluid are somewhat unpredictable in the near future. On the whole, therefore, there is justification for planning for an undiminished or at most only a slightly diminished output of drums, and the Deepwater blending plant should be designed to carry on this work with a minimum of hazard. The data on drum shipments in 1939 as compared with those for 19^0# as given below. Is revealing in relation to future expectations, since it was anticipated that drum shipments In 19l;0 2 would be greatly decreased. Actual Shipments of Drums of Fluid Domestic Expor t Total Year 1959 55 6*1* 10 gal. Total 9667 16283 1531 86 3if 11198 2haxi^ 25,950 10,165 36,115 Year 19k0 Total 55 gal. 15,660 16,935 11,927 32,595 25,976 10 gal l6ll 5008 6619 The hazards of the present blending plant are admittedly greater than they need be in view of present knowledge of sources of exposure. In fact, the blender ranks third among the areas of the manufacturing plants specifically designated for study, with respect to the severity of the existing lead exposure* Only the furnace building and the: third floor level of the lead plant give evidence of greater exposure, and the differences are not great among these three* Efforts are under way to improve the furnace area, and it is believed that the third floor can be improved but some considerable effort by methods of trial and error may be required* In contrast with the uncertainty of these efforts, it is not difficult to determine what should be done to remedy the unsatisfactory conditions in the blender, and it is believed that this problem, which so lends itself to solution, should be disposed of entirely during this period of freedom from financial stringency. It is agreed by all present that it is advisable to clear up the problem of safe blending by designing and building K 0'0u 77*u -3 a new blending plant along lines indicated by present experience and knowledge, rather than to attempt modifications of the present plant which will be in the nature of makeshifts. The present plant, while not having outlived its usefulness, is not amenable to further changes of a salutary nature* It is estimated that the changes contemplated to make it workable would cost about &ud it is recognized that these changes would not achieve the desired purpose* Accordingly it is agreed that Mr* Stecher Is to work up a project for the construction of a new blending plant, giving location, details of construction and estimates of cost* In view of the time required to complete the job of planning and building, certain inexpensive improvements in the old plant are recommended* Mr** Stecher Is to go over the subject carefully and submit recommendations for such improve ments* One thing definitely needed is the elimination of the present deep pits beneath drumming booths. These can be made shallow with proper arrangement for flow of water through them. A further subject discussed briefly was that of small cans of Fluid, of which some are prepared annually for all purposes, commercial and experimental. It was suggested that the use of these might be further decreased by concerted effort* Special mention was made of the use of cans in the San Bernardino Laboratory and at the Dayton Power and Light Company, It was suggested that such cans might be eliminated -h- by the adaptation of mixing procedures involving ten-gallon drums. This is to be investigated. In any case, it was recognised that can-filling equipment must be included in the plana for a new blending plant. Robert A, Kehoe, M.B. H 0007742 I