The Catalyst

Tour:

Morgantown, West Virginia

Dinner: The Glasshouse Grille

                 709 Beechurst Avenue

                 Morgantown, West Virginia 26505

When: Wednesday, October 13^th, 1999

Time: Tour begins at 5:00 P.M.

                Dinner following the Tour

Menu: Entrée Selections

Braised Beef Tips in red wine sauce with button mushrooms on a bed of rice pilaf with fresh vegetables

Broiled Flounder Filet with Herb and White Wine Cream Sauce, Rice Pilaf and Fresh Vegetables

Chicken Pomezia ~ Charbroiled Breast topped with Tomato and Herb Marinara, draped with melted Fontina Cheese on a bed of herbed orzo pasta

Salad, dessert and beverage (coffee, tea, or soda) will be served with the entrée.

Cost: $25.00

Requirements:

(FETC)

The Federal Energy Technology Center (FETC) is federally owned and operated. Our mission is solving national energy and environmental problems. We perform, procure, and partner is technical research, development, and demonstration to advance technology into the commercial marketplace, thereby benefiting the environment, contributing to U.S. employment, and advancing the position of U.S. industries in the global market.

The Federal Energy Technology Center, located at sites in Morgantown, West Virginia, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an international leader is solving energy and environmental problems. The Center was created in December 1996 through the consolidation of the former Morgantown Energy Technology Center and the former Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center. These predecessor organizations have been involved in fossil energy research for the past 50 years. A total of 550 Federal employees and 550 site support contractor employees work at FETC, roughly half at each site. The two sites are 65 miles apart and are managed as a single entity.

FETC, a Fossil Energy field organization, implements a broad range of energy and environmental programs for the U.S. Department of Energy. The nearly 700 research, development, and demonstration projects at FETC are conducted in partnership with industry, universities, not-for-profit organizations, and national laboratories, as well as other government agencies. These projects are located in 49 states and in several foreign countries. Hands-n research is conducted at both sites in state-of-the-art research laboratories that include bench- and pilot-scale facilities.

Mr. Ed Moretti, Vice Chair

emoretti@mbakercorp.com

Baker Environmental

TEL 412-269-6055

FAX 412-269-6097

Guest Speaker

John Ruether is a Senior Management and Technical Advisor at the Federal Energy Technology Center, U.S. Department of Energy. He serves on the committee overseeing "Vision 21," the USDOE program aimed at developing advanced plants for providing electricity and fuels from fossil resources. He also does modeling and simulation studies for cost effective, fossil-fuel based approaches providing electrical generation capacity to regions of the U.S. with reduced emission of air-borne pollutants and carbon dioxide. He believes that researchers in the fossil fuel industry must be "full service providers" in developing improved processes for use of fossil energy for power generation, which has now come to include providing for collection and disposal of the primary greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide. He is working on modeling such processes.

Earlier work at the FETC included process development work on direct and indirect methods for coal liquefaction. John has bachelors and Ph.D. degrees in engineering from Cornell University. He has over thirty-five publications and holds four patents.

Car Pool Option

Those interested in car pooling to FETC, Morgantown, MUST provide a contact number with their reservation. We will meet at ChemTech (4^th floor) at 3:30 P.M.

Directions to ChemTech for Car Pool

From the City of Pittsburgh (Approximately 8 miles)

Parkway West to (I-279) through Fort Pitt Tunnels. Take I-79 South entrance from parkway towards Washington, PA. Take Kirwan Heights (Exit 12) to Route 50 (Washington Pike). Turn left at traffic light onto Route 50. ChemTech is ¼ mile on the right, there are two entrances. 1370 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA

From Pitt Airport (Approximately 13 miles)

Southern Expressway towards Pittsburgh. Expressway merges with Route 60. Take I-79 South (towards Washington, PA). Take Kirwan Heights (Exit 12) to Route 50 (Washington Pike). Turn left at traffic light onto Route 50. ChemTech is ¼ mile on the right, there are two entrances. 1370 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA.

Directions to FETC

Take I-79 South to Morgantown, Star City exit. Exit I-79 at the Star City exit. Turn left onto Chaplin Hill Road. Follow Chaplin Hill Road to the intersection with US-19. Turn right onto US-19. Follow US-19 across the bridge to the stop light, turn left onto Boyers Avenue. At next intersection turn right onto University Avenue. Follow University Avenue to Collins Ferry Road. Make a sharp left turn onto Collins Ferry Road. Follow Collins Ferry Road to FETC, which is on the right side of the road.

Note from the Editor

I would like to Thank Pressure Chemical Co. for hosting our September meeting. An apology is also in order for the misprint of their company name in our September Catalyst.

Keep an eye out for a new addition to the Catalyst titled What’s New in Our Chapter. If anyone has a special announcement that he or she would like published send it to me (preferably via e-mail). This includes promotions, awards, births, or marriages. I am also accepting interesting articles that are beneficial to our members.

Special thanks go out to Richard Dupree for taking on the role of "Web Master". Dick is doing a tremendous job of keeping our local section AIChE Web Page up-to-date. Be sure to checkout and bookmark our site at http://www.lm.com/~aiche/. You will find archives of past newsletters and links to various interesting sites.

We are always looking for new and interesting articles to place in the Catalyst. If you are aware of any please submit them to me at the address below (preferably via e-mail).

I look forward to meeting you all at future AIChE meetings!

AIChE Newsletter Editor
ChemTech Consultants, Inc.
1370 Washington Pike, 4^th Floor
Bridgeville, PA 15017
TEL: 412-220-4612
FAX: 412-221-5685
Email: pegpana@hotmail.com

What's New in Our Chapter

Congratulations to our fellow AIChE members Dr. Alan H. Singleton, President of Energy International (EI); Dr. Rachid Oukaci, Manager of Fischer Tropsch R&D for Energy International (EI); and Dr. James Goodwin, William Keppler Whiteford Professor of Chemical Engineering at Pittsburgh University, for their recent award of U.S. Patent 5,939,350, entitled " Processes and Catalysts for Conducting Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis in a Slurry Bubble Column Reactor.

Singleton tells us that the current patent is the first in a long string of U.S. patents that are either pending or planned, and which are expected to be followed by a family of foreign counterparts in countries that are strategic to this business

Energy International is a spin-off of Gulf Oil Corporation founded by several ex-Gulf engineers in 1985 at the time of the Chevron purchase of Gulf. EI has continued in specific elements of the alternate energy business at the former Gulf R&D facilities at Harmarville now operated by the University of Pittsburgh under the PARC flag. EI was the first tenant of the PARC facility, preceding the University by almost one year. EI has been active in F-T catalyst and process development since its founding, and has intensified its activities in this regard since being acquired by The Williams Companies, Inc in 1994.

Williams has used EI as its technical focal point for developing a world leadership position in Gas-to-Liquids technology through F-T, which it intends to commercialize in the increasingly attractive application of monetizing natural gas reserves that are located beyond the capability of pipelines and domestic markets.

AIChE Code of Ethics

The Council of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers adopted this Code of Ethics to which it expects that the professional conduct of its members shall conform, and to which every applicant attests by signing his or her membership application.

Members of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers shall uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and dignity of the engineering profession by: being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity their employers, their clients, and the public; striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession; and using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare. To achieve these goals, members shall:

• Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public in performance of their professional duties.

• Formally advise their employers or clients (and consider further disclosure, if warranted) if they perceive that a consequence of their duties will adversely affect the present or future health or safety of their colleagues or the public.

• Accept responsibility for their actions and recognize the contributions of others; seek critical review of their work and offer objective criticism of the work of others.

• Issue statements or present information only in an objective and truthful manner.

• Act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees, and avoid conflicts of interest.

• Treat fairly all colleagues and co-workers, recognizing their unique contributions and capabilities.

• Perform professional services only in areas of their competence.

• Build their professional reputations on the merits of their services.

• Continue their professional development throughout their careers, and provide opportunities for the professional development of those under their supervision.

 News

Eveready Battery Turns 40

http://www.aiche.org/newsroom/briefs.asp?CatID=2&BriefID=2

The Smithsonian Institution recognized the 40^th Anniversary of the alkaline battery in accepting the first prototypes for the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

The first batteries were made in 1959 by Eveready Battery, a division of Union Carbide. The battery was renamed the "Energizer" battery in 1980, and the division was sold to St. Louis-based Ralston Purina in 1986.

Batteries have existed since the turn of the century. However, they were not powerful enough to play a large role in the technological revolutions of the 20^th Century until the alkaline battery was introduced to the equation. Previous batteries hardly had enough energy to keep a dimly lit flashlight running.

The alkaline battery paved the way for today's innovations, including laptop computers, cell phones, and the CD "Discman".

The alkaline battery was invented by Lew Urry. He had been assigned the task of coming up with a longer-lasting battery in 1955. At the time, the carbon-zinc battery was the state of the art. Urry found an alkaline battery that worked in 1959.

Today's alkaline batteries are forty times stronger than their 1959 counterparts.

Fight Against Lung Cancer

Diatide Announces Patent Covering New Product for the Detection of Lung Cancer.

Diatide announced on August 30^th that it has been awarded an important patent for its cancer diagnosis and therapy technology platform.

This patent, U.S. Patent No. 5,932,189, "Cyclic Hexapeptide Somatostatin Analogs," covers the composition and methods of somatostatin analog use to target therapeutic and diagnostic agents to tumors. The analogs are highly specific for the somatostatin receptors found on a wide range of tumors, including lung and breast carcinomas and malignant lymphomas.

The new patent covers Diatide's FDA-approved Kit for Preparation of Technetium Tc 99m Depreotide Injection.

Executive Director and Member, AIChE

The response deadline for this article has passed however the content of the message is very informative.

AIChE is sending this e-mail message to all members soliciting your support of an important legislative action in Congress. The issue impacts the cost and scope of health care insurance provided by associations. As your Executive Director, I recognize the convenience of electronic communication for reaching our members. As a member and a recipient of blast e-mails, I am also sensitive to your privacy. Considering the potential impact on our members, I urge you to respond to the Legislative Action Alert from our Government Relations office.

AIChE ACTION ALERT on Reform of Regulations for Association Provided Health Care

Action Requested

Please e-mail your Congressman by September 15^th asking for support of H.R. 2047, which will allow AIChE and other membership associations to offer more affordable health care options to all of its members. H.R. 2047 is a bipartisan bill that would simplify regulation of health plans offered by associations. It will be considered by the House of Representatives in September when it addresses health care reform.

You can use AIChE's web-based service for writing and sending your message to your Congressman. To use our Legislative Action Center, go to http://congress.nw.dc.us/aiche/. Then simply click on "Legislative Alert" and follow the instructions to compose and send your message. You can also learn about other AIChE legislative priority issues at http://www.aiche.org/docs/government/priorities.htm If you would like to routinely help AIChE communicate chemical engineering perspectives to Congress, sign up for our Catalyst grassroots advocacy program. To learn more about the program, and to sign up, go to http://congress.nw.dc.us/aiche/.

Please send any comments on this service to

dc@aiche.org.

AIChE Government Relations Office
1300 I Street NW, Suite 1090 East
Washington, DC 20005-3314 U.S.A.
202-962-8690 (Phone)
202-962-8699 (FAX)

www.aiche.org

 ACS Coal Technology Meeting

Tuesday, October 19^th, 1999

Morgantow, West Virginia

ABSTRACT

Dick Bajura will comment on some of the activities undertaken by the Coal Utilization Research Council in defining strategies for keeping coal a part of our national power generation mix. Topics will include targets for increased efficiency and minimization of emissions. He also will review some of the activities of the National Research Center for Coal and Energy at West Virginia University.

Where: Moré Restaurant, Oakland, Pittsburgh

Time: Networking 11:30 A.M.

Lunch 12:00 P.M.

Presentation 1:00 P.M.

Cost: $11.00 Coal Tech Group Members,  $12.00 Non-members

Menu: Veal Marsala or Chicken Breasts a la Louie

Contact Bob Statnick at 412-854-6758 or email: bobstatnick@consolenergy.com by Thursday, October 14^th, for reservations.

Please respond by this date, since seating may be limited.

Announcement

Considering the P.E. Exam?

The Pittsburgh Section of AIChE is planning to offer a P.E. refresher course for persons interested in taking the Professional Engineer’s Examination in Chemical Engineering. The course will begin in January, and consist of six or seven review sessions. The refresher course will be held in Monroeville. Price will be $250-$300 plus textbook. We are looking for interested persons. Please call Carl W. Schwartz at 412-374-3678 for information. There is a minimum five persons requirement to hold the refresher course.

AIChE's 50^th Career Fair

AIChE's 50^th Career Fair to Aid Members and Employers Institute members and employers attending the Annual Meeting at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel in Dallas November 1^st and 2^nd can benefit greatly from the fair planned by AIChE's Career Services Department.

Members attending the fair are encouraged to submit their resume into our new on-line Career Fair Resume Database accessible to participating employers only. Early resume submission will allow employers to review member credentials prior to the fair. On-site interviews will be conducted with qualified candidates. Those unable to attend the fair may submit their resume for distribution to all participating employers. For details visit our Web site www.aiche.org/employment. For information, call 212-591-7670; e-mail herbs@aiche.org

Also, employers with openings for chemical engineers can contact Herb Scheftel at 212-591-7670 or e-mail herbs@aiche.org to learn more about this cost-effective and efficient method for identifying qualified AIChE members seeking employment opportunities.

Engineer's Week & National Chemistry Week

Nancy Hirko

Yes, I am planning early this year for Engineer’s Weekend (February 25-26, 2000) at the Carnegie Science Center. I would like to make some changes to our activity if possible. I am seeking ideas to replace the rubber balls that we have been making for the past three years. Although this is a very popular activity, it turns out that the balls turn to stone after a week in the open air. I was quite disappointed with the final product after making one for myself this past year.

I have been ordering these as individual kits from an importer in central Pennsylvania. The kits are made in China. If any member works for a chemical company that makes food grade rubber or a better rubber product, please let me know! We can then continue making rubber balls, as I have the molds from the past three years. If we cannot obtain better raw materials, I suggest that we perform another activity. Please contact me if you have any good "hands-on" type experiments that depict chemistry or chemical engineering. The tentative theme this year is "What we do is all around us."

On a related note, the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society has extended an invitation to our section to participate in the 12^th anniversary of National Chemistry Week at the Carnegie Science Center. The event will be held on Friday and Saturday, November 12-13, 1999 from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. each day. They are looking for organizations/professional societies to staff event tables with chemistry-related hands-on science experiments. Again, the incentives are a free parking pass, T-shirt, refreshments and most of all, a chance to interact with youth and potential chemical engineers!

I would be willing to order gumdrops to make chemical models for the two-day event. Anyone interested in staffing the table, please contact me as soon as possible. Again, any other experiment ideas are always welcome. My e-mail address is nmhirko@uss.com or contact me at 412-433-5914.

Engineering Humor

An engineer dies and dutifully shows up at the Pearly Gates for admission to Heaven. St. Peter denies him entrance, on the basis that heaven is not accepting any engineers. So, the engineer reports to the gates of hell and is let in.

Pretty soon the engineer gets dissatisfied with the level of comfort in hell, and he starts designing and building improvements. After a while, they've got air conditioning and flush toilets and escalators, and the engineer is a pretty popular guy.

One day, God calls up Satan on the telephone and says, "So, how's it going down there in hell?"

Satan replies, "Hey, things are going great. We've got air conditioning and flush toilets and escalators, and there's no telling what this engineer is going to come up with next."

"What?!" God shouts. "You've got an engineer? That's a mistake -- he should never have gotten down there. Send him up here."

Satan says, "No way. I like having an engineer on the staff, and I'm keeping him."

God says, "Send him back up here or I'll sue."

Satan laughs uproariously and answers, "Yeah, right. And just where are YOU going to get a lawyer?"

Interested in placing an ad in future newsletters?

Help sponsor the AIChE by placing an ad.

Full page $300.00

1/2 page $175.00

1/4 page $95.00

1/8 page $45.00

1/12 page $30.00

Place multiple ads and receive a discount!

Three (3) consecutive ads - 10% off

Eight (8) consecutive ads or more - 30% off

To place an ad, please contact:

Peggy Panagopoulos

ChemTech Consultants, Inc.

1370 Washington Pike

4^th Floor

Bridgeville, PA 15017

TEL: 412-220-4612

FAX: 412-221-5685

Email: pegpana@chemtech88.com

Nancy Hirko

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the value that the local section provides and to encourage you to pay your dues on time. All membership updates should be sent to National with a copy to me, Nancy Hirko. If you are not currently a local section member, please consider joining using the coupon below. A portion of your dues is deposited into our scholarship fund. Please help our local section and scholarship fund continue to grow!

LOCAL SECTION MEMBERSHIP COUPON

Please sign me up for the local Pittsburgh Section of AIChE

Name         ____________________________________________

Company      ____________________________________________

Address         ____________________________________________

City                 ___________________   State  _______  Zip  ________

TEL: Business _________________  Residence   ______________

Email         ____________________________________________

Annual Dues are $14.00. Make check payable to "AIChE Pittsburgh Section" and send to our treasurer, John Hauser:

PROSAF, Inc., 103 Yorktown Road, McMurray, PA 15317

 Newsletter Deadline

The deadline for the November newsletter is Friday, 15-Oct-99.   Please contact:

Peggy Panagopoulos
ChemTech Consultants, Inc.
1370 Washington Pike, 4^th Floor
Bridgeville, PA 15017

TEL: 412-220-4612
FAX: 412-221-5685

Email: pegpana@chemtech88.com or pepana@hotmail.com

1999-2000 Section Officers

Ted Andersen
ChemTech Consultants
TSAndersen@AOL.com
412-220-4555

Ed Moretti
Baker Environmental
emoretti@mbakercorp.com
412-269-6055

Bill Hargest
PPG Industries, Inc.
hargest@ppg.com
TEL: 724-274-3364
FAX: 724-274-3420

John Hauser
PROSAF, Inc.
prosaf@sgi.net
724-942-3717

Mike Friedrich
Kvaerner Metals
Mike.Friedrich@Kvaerner.com
412-918-3109

 

Del Button
Button Engineering
dbutton@compuserve.com
412-366-8324

Louisa Nara
Bayer Corporation
louisa.nara.b@bayer.com
412-777-7603

Additional Officers and Chairs

Nancy Hirko
U.S. Steel
nmhirko@uss.com
412-433-5914

Peggy Panagopoulos
ChemTech Consultants
pegpana@hotmail.com
412-220-4612

Mike Flaherty
Calgon Corporation
mflaherty@ecc.com
412-494-8374

Gerald LaRosa
Kvaerner Metals
Gerald.LaRose@Kvaerner.com
412-918-3654

Committee Chairs

Safety & Environmental

Shiaw Tseng

Scholarship

Sam Vance

Student Night

Michael Flaherty

Richard R. Dupree
Dupree & Associates
rrd@telerama.com
724-775-5122

  End of The Catalyst Newsletter - October 1999