Document 5954x9VpOyrd7zpZeLKqx37D

/ \ -- 1/ July 16, 1928 . 's~ Mr. A. E. Mittnacht, Ethyl Uasollne Corp*, 25 Broadway, Hew York City. My dear Mr. Mittnachts During the past two weeks Mr. Slebenthaler has visited a number of places* ;in the United States which I asked him to inspect, and there are one or two matters to which I Y/lsh to direct your attention. FT. WORTH, TEXAS At this point there is a splendid installation with tills ex ception, that the eductor is not being used and is situated off the platform. It can be put into service and can be put on the platform by a slightly different arrangement of -the . piping system, and I feel that this should bo done. It would be advisable, I believe, to call the matter to Mr. Harding1s attention and to ask him to make this change. The difficulty v/Ith this type of installation, which applies also to one or two others which Mr, Harding has put In, is that when the drums of fluid are emptied directly through the pump by back ing it up concentrations of fluid which occur in the pump are usually very high since the drum is emptied in from five to ten minutes. The mechanics of the thing Is very good and for that there Is no criticism, but it -is bad to have a concentra tion of fluid passing through one of these pumps. For this reason the eductor should be used and I think it worth while to point out to Mr* Handing that he should make use of the eductor principally in all of his installations. co BAYTOWN, HOUSTON, TEXAS - Practically the same thing applies to Baytoim since the eductor O o Q> is not in use at this point. Furthermore the mixing plant is not fenced as It should be and it will be a matter of only a little expense and trouble to take care of this. At this point there is one of our old pumps. The management would like very much to have a notation from the New York office as to what disposition to make of this pump. I per sonally think It Is well to dispose of these pumps whenever the opportunity affords itself. #2 - A.E*M. - 7-16-28 / SUGAR CREEK, MO. and WOOD RIVER, ILL The same objections apply to these two mixing plants of the Standard Oil Company of Indiana that have been made of certain other of their Installations. The area of the platform on which the mixing Is done is not properly protected against . leakage since they are using only a small pan immediately under the drum, the platform itself being entirely.of wood. At one of these points the eductor Is situated under rather than, on the platform so that any leakage at the eductor will go on the ground rather than in the sewer, A slightly dif ferent arrangement of the piping would serve to put the eductor where it should be. You will understand, I am sure, that both of these equipments were put in without the advifie or suggestions of one of your own technical staff, consequently some of the mistakes that we have previously pointed out In connection with the Indiana installations were repeated. In connection with these last two installations it will probably be impossible to do anything immediately by direct communication with the Indiana people, but If and when they undertake to modify their other installations to bring them up to the proper state this can be taken up with them and corrected at the same time. I would suggest that this be brought to Mr. Webb*s attention since he has had to do with the communications with the Indiana People as to the quality of their installations. My suggestion would be that this matter be referred to Mr. Siebenthaler. for correction, If It turns out to he satisfactory to the Indiana people to have him look after the other points. Since these two equip ments are very much better than others of theirs which have not been corrected, it .will be obviously Inadvisable to do anything about them at once* There Is one other matter which X think it worth while to call to your attention; it is not especially trouble some but I' believe it could be avoided. That is the practise, which Is carried oht at a number of points, of making mixes by putting a drum of fluid upon a scale and taking out a portion of the drum by weight. This practise should be discouraged wherever possible, not only because using fractions of drums make for more frequent mining but also because the opportunity for errors In making Ethyl Gasoline as well as spillage of fluid are greater. I can see no reason for using a portion of a drum to make a mix at any point where the tankage Is sufficient to take care of one or more entire drums, and I think we should make it a point to discourage this practise* We have now completed the inspection of the various points in the country about which I have had any question. If we can clean up the Indiana territory and take care of those other matters which I have brought to your attention, our mixing KB 000071 #3 - A.E.M. * 7-16-28 equipments in all parts of the country will he in excellent condi tion and the whole situation will be indeed very satisfactory* I trust, therefore that it will be possible to bring this to pass in the very near future# . Very truly yours, RASjEJ 4 K Z 0000? 5