Search

Developing high-performance separation membrane with good durability is a highly desired while challenging issue. Herein, we reported the successful fabrication of chemically and mechanically durable superhydrophobic membrane that was prepared by embedding UiO-66 as size-sieving sites within the supramolecular fiber structure of collagen fiber membrane (CFM), followed by the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating. The as-prepared CFM/UiO-66(12)/PDMS membrane featured capillary effect-enhanced separation flux and homogeneous porous channels guaranteed high separation efficiency. When utilized as double-layer separation membranes, this new type of composite membranes separated various surfactant stabilized water-in-oil microemulsions and nanoemulsions, with the separation efficiency high up to 99.993 % and the flux as high as 973.3 L m− 2 h− 1. Compared with commercial polytetrafluoro ethylene (PTFE) membrane, the advantage of the double-layer CFM/UiO-66(12)/PDMS membranes in separation flux was evident, which exhibited one order of magnitude higher than that of commercial PTFE membrane. The CFM/UiO-66(12)/PDMS membrane was acid-alkali tolerant, UV-aging resistant and reusable for emulsion separation. Notably, the CFM/UiO-66(12)/PDMS membrane was mechanically durable against strong mechanical abrasion, which was still capable of separating diverse water-in-oil emulsions after the abrasion with sandpaper and assembled as double-layer separation membranes. We anticipate that the combination of CFM and metal organic frameworks (MOFs) is an effective strategy for fabricating high-performance separation membrane with high mechanical and chemical durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our current economic model is experiencing increasing demand and increasing pressure on resource utilisation, as valuable materials are lost as waste. Moving towards a circular economy and supporting efficient resource utilisation is essential for protecting the environment. The chlor-alkali industry is one of the largest consumers of salt, and efforts have been made to reduce its electricity use. Furthermore, KCl mining wastes have received increasing attention because they can be transformed into value-added resources. This work studies the influence of using different salt sources on the environmental sustainability of the chlor-alkali industry to identify further improvement opportunities. Rock salt, solar salt, KCl waste salt, vacuum salt and solution-mined salt were studied. Membrane cells in both bipolar and monopolar configurations were studied and compared to the emergent oxygen-depolarised cathode (ODC) technology. Life cycle assessment was applied to estimate the cradle-to-gate environmental impacts. The natural resource (NR) requirements and the environmental burdens (EBs) to the air and water environments were assessed. The total NR and EB requirements were reduced by 20% when vacuum salt was replaced with KCl. Moreover, the environmental impacts estimated for the monopolar membrane using KCl were comparable to those generated for the bipolar membrane using VS. The difference between the monopolar and bipolar scenarios (17%) was slightly higher than that between the bipolar and ODC technologies (12%). This work demonstrates the importance of studying every life cycle stage in a chemical process and the environmental benefit of applying a circular economy, even in energy intensive industries such as the chlor-alkali industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disposal of industrial brine sludge waste (IBSW) in chlor-alkali plants can be avoided by utilization of IBSW as a sorbent in wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD). The shrinking core model was used to determine the dissolution kinetics of IBSW, which is a vital step in wet FGD. The effects of solid-to-liquid ratio (m/v), temperature, pH, particle size, and stirring speed on the conversion and dissolution rate constant are determined. The conversion and dissolution rate constant decreases as the pH, particle size, and solid-to-liquid ratio are increased and increases as the temperature, concentration of acid, and stirring speed are increased. The sorbents before and after dissolution were characterized using x-ray fluorescence (XRF), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). An activation energy of 7.195 kJ/mol was obtained and the product layer diffusion model was found to be the rate-controlling step. Implications: The use of industrial brine sludge waste as an alternative sorbent in wet flue gas desulfurization can reduce the amounts of industrial wastes disposed of in landfills. This study has proved that the sorbent can contain up to 91% calcium carbonate and trace amounts of sulfate, magnesium, and so on. This can be used as new sorbent to reduce the amount of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere and the by-product gypsum can be used in construction, as a plaster ingredient, as a fertilizer, and for soil conditioning. Therefore, the sorbent has both economic and environmental benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Hemp fiber has very high flexural strength and strong moisture absorption, which is usually used in the textile and paper industry. However, because of the short fiber in the hemp fiber, it is not suitable for direct use, and it should be used in the processing of textile producing by the alkali treatment. Even so, hemp fiber is not widely used in clothing, especially underwear, mainly while the fiber is hard, what may cause the thorn feeling for wearing hemp cloths. This study focuses on the influence of the alkali treatment on the composition and structure of hemp fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zeolite A and 13X were prepared by a hydrothermal treatment using fly ash after alkali fusion. The alkali-fusion condition was optimized to a 1:1.2 fly ash/ NaOH weight ratio at 500 °C for 1 h, and highly crystalline zeolite A and 13X were obtained at 100 °C for 4 h and 90 °C for 12 h, respectively. Both products exhibited high Ca2+ ion-exchange capacity (184 and 134 mg/g) and stable CO2 capture cyclic performance (145 and 220 mg/g). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the effects of inherent and external alkali and alkaline earth metallic species (AAEMs, i.e., K, Ca and Mg) on the behavior of N-containing species release during rice straw (RS) pyrolysis, different pretreatments were applied in numerous experiments. Results indicate that ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) are the major N-containing species and that the yields of isocyanic acid (HNCO) and nitric oxide (NO) are relatively low. The removal of inhert AAEMs shifts N-containing species release to a high-temperature zone according to volatile release behavior because of the increase in activation energy. The formation selectivity of NH3, HNCO, and NO increases by demineralized pretreatment, whereas HCN selectivity decreases. The formation of HNCO is mainly affected by alkaline earth metal. N-containing species release occurs in low temperatures with the addition of external AAEMs. The activation energy of samples impregnated with CaCl2 and MgCl2 sharply decreases compared to the original RS. The total yields of N-containing species are reduced significantly in the presence of KCl, CaCl2, and MgCl2 as additives. The inhibition ability of AAEMs follows the sequence MgCl2 > CaCl2 > KCl. The inhibition effect of MgCl2 can be improved by solution immersion compared with solid powder mixing. The clean biomass pyrolysis and gasification technology with low N-containing species content may be developed according to the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Mineral Resources Management / Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi is the property of Mineral & Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Composite materials based on Alfa fibers and unsaturated polyester resins were manufactured by the hand layup technique. Mechanical properties of composites prepared form Alfa fibers collected from the region of Boussaada (Algeria), treated by various concentrations of NaOH solutions (1, 3, 6, 9, and 12%) during 24 h were found to be better than those of the untreated ones. The 6% NaOH-treated fibers composite showed maximum improvement in tensile strengths about 63% and the 9% NaOH treated fibers composite showed maximum improvement in flexural strength about 52%, respectively. The tensile modulus improved by 50.48%. The flexural modulus was also improved by 44.06% compared to the untreated Alfa fiber composite. FTIR characterization of Alfa fibers showed that the number of hydroxyl groups (OH) decreased and the crystallinity index increase by 16.60% after alkaline treatment. SEM observations on fibers' surfaces showed that the alkaline treatment improved the interface adhesion of fiber–matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Dissolved organic carbon ( DOC) is an important component of the global carbon ( C) cycle and has profound impacts on water chemistry and metabolism in lakes and rivers. Reported increases of DOC concentration in surface waters across Europe and Northern America have been attributed to several drivers, including changing climate, changing land-use to eutrophication and declining acid deposition. The latter of these suggests that acidic deposition suppressed the solubility of DOC, and that this historic suppression is now being reversed by reducing emissions of acidifying pollutants. We studied a set of four parallel acidification and alkalization experiments in organic matter-rich soils, which, after three years of manipulation, have shown distinct soil solution DOC responses to acidity change. We tested whether these DOC concentration changes were related to changes in the acid/base properties of DOC. Based on laboratory determination of DOC site density ( S.D. = amount of carboxylic groups per milligram DOC) and charge density ( C.D. = organic acid anion concentration per milligram DOC) we found that the change in DOC soil-solution partitioning was tightly related to the change in degree of dissociation (α = C.D.:S.D. ratio) of organic acids ( R2 = 0.74, P < 0.01). Carbon turnover in soil organic matter ( SOM), determined by soil respiration and β-D-glucosidase enzyme activity measurements, also appears to have some impact on DOC leaching, via constraints on the actual supply of available DOC from SOM; when the turnover rate of C in SOM is small, the effect of α on DOC leaching is reduced. Thus, differences in the magnitude of DOC changes seen across different environments might be explained by interactions between physicochemical restrictions of DOC soil-solution partitioning and SOM carbon turnover effects on DOC supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The particulars of thermally activated foaming of zeolite-alkali batch are examined. It is found that carbonation of free NaOH with formation of hydrated sodium-carbonate — Na 3[CO 3][HCO 3] ⋅ 2H 2O — occurs in dry granular batch kept in air. The same process also occurs with NaOH occluded by in-crystalline pores and zeolite channels. Sodium carbonate contained in in-crystalline pores and zeolite channels comprises an additional source of foaming agent — CO 2. This makes it possible to obtain foam glass with density 100 – 150 kg/m 3 from zeolite-containing rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, stretching and slenderizing of human hair were carried out by stretchingsetting equipment made by one-self. The effects of concentration, treating time, pH value of setting reagent A, dosage of setting reagent B, mass concentration of MA and using together on alkali solubility, setting degree, tensile properties were investigated. It was found that surface changes of human hair could be analysed by SEM and Allworden reaction. The research showed that the optimum setting process which dosage 5%, treating time 10 min, pH value 6 of setting reagent A, dosage 8%, pH value 3 - 4 of setting reagent B and mass concentration of MA 75 g/L. Setting result was better when using optimum treating parameters of setting reagent A and B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the study results of performance and efficiency of fresh off set printed Croatian daily newspaper, deinked by means of novel chemistry, named Eco-alkali. Eco-alkali is naturally gained alkali prepared from domestic by-product wood fly ash collected after hardwood ignition. Brightness, opacity and effective residual ink concentration (ERIC) as optical properties were evaluated for the deinked pulp before and after flotation. Lingering ink particles and their total surface area were measured by means of image analysis method. Experimental results are compared to the pulp deinked with worldwide accepted method INGEDE Method 11, using identical steps through the whole deinking process. The insights obtained from present work, especially removing particle efficiency results before flotation, indicated that eco-alkali have potential to be used in flotation deinking of newspapers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Thirumanimuttar sub-basin forms an important groundwater province in south India, facing serious deficiency in both quality and quantity of groundwater due to increased demand associated with rapid population explosion, agricultural growth and industrial activities. A total of 194 groundwater samples were collected and 15 water quality parameters were analyzed using standard procedures. Na, Cl, Ca, HCO $_{3}^{-}$, Mg and SO $_{4}^{2-}$ concentration ions are more dominant in both seasons. The total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity was observed good correlation with Na, Cl, HCO $_{3}^{-}$, Ca, Mg, Cl, PO $_{4}^{3-}$ and NO $_{3}^{- }$ ions indicating dominance of plagioclase feldspar weathering, anthropogenic input and over drafting of groundwater irrespective of seasons. The Hill-Piper diagram indicates alkaline earths exceed the alkalis, an increase of weak acids was noted during both the seasons. For assessing the groundwater for irrigation suitability parameters like total hardness, sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate (RSC), permeability index, and sodium percentage are also calculated. Permanent hardness was noted in higher during both the seasons due to discharge of untreated effluents and ion exchange process. The RSC indicates 56% of the samples are not suitable for irrigation purposes in both seasons, if continuously used will affect the crop yield. From the results, nearly 72% of the samples are not suitable for irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explanations for cross-national divergence in attitudes towards precautionary regulation have largely neglected the potential influence of legal traditions, notably the tension between precautionary tools and the common law’s reactive approach. This is partially due to the apparent clash between this thesis and the early emergence in Britain of precautionary regulation under the 1863 Alkali Act. Historical accounts of this development have focused entirely on domestic factors, entrenching in the process an understanding of the Alkali Act—and Britain more generally—as the origin of centralised precautionary environmental regulation. In contrast, this article argues that the Act was directly inspired by French and other continental regulatory models, and that the regime it spawned constituted a continental-common law hybrid. If the Alkali Act regime was partially transplanted from the Continent, it becomes easier to reconcile the civil law character of precautionary regulation with the evident presence of that instrument in Victorian Britain. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Femtosecond and subfemtosecond time scales typically rule elec- tron dynamics at metal surfaces. Recent advance in experimental techniques permits now remarkable precision in the description of these processes. In particular, shorter time scales, smaller system sizes, and spin-dependent effects are current targets of interest. In this article, we use state-of-the-art theoretical methods to analyze these refined features of electron dynamics. We show that the screening of localized charges at metal surfaces is created locally in the attoseconci time scale, while collective excitations transfer the perturbation to larger distances in longer time scales. We pre- dict that the elastic width of the resonance in excited alkali adsor- bates on ferromagnetic surfaces can d~pend on spin orientation in a counterintuitive way. Finally, we quantitatively evaluate the elec- tron-electron and electron-phonon contributions to the electronic excited states widths in ultrathin metal layers. We conclude that confinement and spin effects are key factors in the behavior of electron dynamics at metal surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three series of styryl aryl ketones (E-2-propen-1-ones) are synthesized by solvent free method carried out by grinding the benzaldehydes and the aryl methyl ketones in the presence of solid sodium hydroxide. They are characterized by physical constants and spectral data. From infrared spectral data, the deformation modes of C-H in-plane/outof- plane, -CH=CH- and >C=C< out-of-plane of the vinyl parts are assigned. With the help of regression analysis, the deformation modes have been correlated with Hammett substituent constants. From the results of statistical analysis the effects of substituent on the above deformation modes have been explained. The anti-plasmoidal potential is evaluated for the synthesized chalcones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The average monthly alkali balances for a 3200-m3 blast furnace are used to evaluate the effect of the furnace’s intake of alkalis on its performance indices. A method is proposed for evaluating the amount of alkalis removed from a furnace with the sludge and water from the gas-cleaning system. The effect of the main parameters of the smelting operation on the rate of removal of alkalis from the furnace is examined, and it is shown that all of the alkalis which enter the furnace can be removed if it is operated with a well-developed central gas flow and low-basicity slags. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reduction of some substituted quinoline-4-carboxylic acids was studied. The reduction of 2-alkylquinoline-4-carboxylic acids with Raney nickel in aqueous alkali was stereoselective, and the resulting 2-alkyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline-4-carboxylic acids were individual cis isomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims at assessing the extent of total mercury (Hg) contamination in urban and agricultural soils under long-term influence of a chlor-alkali plant, located at about 1 km away from a town centre. Moreover, it aims at identifying the main factors controlling Hg contents’ distribution and associated potential hazards to environment and human health. The median value of total Hg for soil surface layer (0–10 cm) was 0.20 mg/kg (data ranging from 0.050 to 4.5 mg/kg) and for subsurface layer (10–20 cm) 0.18 mg/kg (data ranging from 0.046 to 3.0 mg/kg). The agricultural area showed higher Hg concentrations (ranging from 0.86 to 4.5 mg/kg) than urban area (ranging from 0.05 to 0.61 mg/kg), with some results exceeding target values set by the Dutch guidelines. Mercury concentrations observed in the studied area are more likely to be associated with the influence of the chlor-alkali plant and with the use of historically contaminated sludges and water from a nearby lagoon in agriculture, than to the impacts of urban development. The statistical correlations between Hg concentrations and soil properties suggest that anthropogenic metal sources should influence the spatial distribution more than the geological properties. Although the Hg emissions were drastically reduced 10 years ago, the area under influence of the chlor-alkali plant is still facing potential health and environmental threats arising from soil contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the elementary physical principles that lead to the formulation of a visco-elasto-plastic ortothropic damage model that includes the chemical pressure made by alkali aggregate reaction (AAR). It states that the constitutive modeling proposed is created into the framework of an anisotropic damage theory to realistically model the strong cracking anisotropy and swelling noticed on affected reinforced beams. It discusses that modeling the behavior of AAR-damaged concrete is made complex by the large number of physical phenomena to be taken into account.

Concentrations of mercury (Hg) were measured in six dated cores from four lakes in western Whatcom County, Washington, USA, that were at various bearings from a chlor-alkali plant, two municipal waste incinerators and a municipal sewage sludge incinerator. The importance of atmospheric emissions of Hg from these local municipal and industrial sources was evaluating by comparing the temporal trends in sedimentation of the lake cores with the emission history of each Hg species and by examining the geographical distribution of Hg sedimentation in relation to the region’s primary wind pattern. Local municipal and industrial sources of atmospheric Hg were not responsible for the majority of the Hg in the upper layer of sediments of Whatcom County lakes because of (1) the significant enrichment of Hg in lake sediments prior to emissions of local industrial and municipal sources in 1964, (2) smaller increases in Hg concentrations occurred after 1964, (3) the similarity of maximum enrichments found in Whatcom County lakes to those in rural lakes around the world, (4) the inconsistency of the temporal trends in Hg sedimentation with the local emission history, and (5) the inconsistency of the geographic trends in Hg sedimentation with estimated deposition. Maximum enrichment ratios of Hg in lake sediments between 2 and 3 that are similar to rural areas in Alaska, Minnesota, and New England suggest that global sources of Hg were primarily responsible for increases of Hg in Whatcom County lakes beginning about 1900. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the actions of the kelp industry in relation to the challenge brought by the changes to the salt and barilla duties in the highlands and islands of Scotland from 1817 to 1823 and from the end of 1827 to 1831. The effectiveness of the actions is assessed. The arguments kelp proprietors used are also explored.

In order to analyse potential influences of soda industry effluents on the ecological integrity of Traunsee (TS) we investigated the fish community of the lake in comparison with a reference lake (Hallstättersee HS) and used a reconstruction from the (older) literature concerning the original species composition of Traunsee. Published `Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI)' metrics were considered to be of limited value due to the relatively low species number in the oligotrophic, Alpine lake. Therefore we included, in addition to species composition, studies on egg distribution, larval fish densities, life-history parameters (i.e. growth, maturity, fecundity, age and size composition), stress levels and heavy metal content of the dominant whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus), as well as overall fish density and biomass (using hydroacoustics) to assess the ecological status of the fish community. Two of the original 18 species have disappeared from the lake, presumably in connection with the introduction of non-native eel (Anguilla anguilla) and the construction of a power plant in the outflow. Silt from grinded limestone together with highly alkaline pore waters is emitted via industrial wastewater from Sodaworks and covers part of the lake bottom. We observed that eggs of whitefish were spawned mainly in the main inflowing river and close to the shore, thus avoiding the silty areas and making the anticipated damage to the reproductive potential of whitefish neglectable. This was corroborated by larval surveys done weekly on both lakes from January to May, which showed halve the density of whitefish larvae in TS compared to HS. Estimates of potentially spawning fish from hydroacoustic surveys resulted in a ratio of 1(TS) : 3 (HS). Analysis of whitefish revealed that they are growing faster in TS and have higher fecundity leading to some compensation of lower abundance. High levels of fishing in TS might have led to this pattern and to depressed yields as indicated by the age composition. Level of oxidative stress and heavy metal content were not discernible from the reference lake. Therefore we concluded that negative impacts on the ecological status of the fish community resulted from fisheries mismanagement and a power plant situated in the outflow of the lake, considered to have damaged spawning places for some species, but not from soda industry effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the important of exposure assessment in the epidemiological research of the health conditions of chloralkali industry workers affected by exposure to mercury. Consistency with the underlying kinetics of mercury in the body; Examination of effects on studies relating to long-term exposure to continuous health outcome.

Focuses on the development of the synthetic alkali industry in Great Britain. Emphasis of the scientific chemical production on a commercial scale; Pattern of soda production; Effect of the regional market structures.

Discusses the organizational changes involved in the British alkali industry in 1850-1920. Origins of the recruitment of chemists into the alkali industry; Process of functional specialization; Shifts in the structure of control and authority; Gap between academe and technical employment; Financial and business relations; Stratification in recruitment; More.

The attempts of Angus Smith and his colleagues to control alkali pollution after 1863 are usually seen as being a success. This study of St. Helens, Lancashire, once an important centre of soda production, shows that although the alkali inspectors were eventually able to limit the release of hydrochloric acid gas, they found great difficulty in curbing the generation of other noxious fumes, particularly hydrogen sulphide. Despite the intervention of the town council, prohibitive legislation and many critical reports, the manufacturers were reluctant to adopt a technique of sulphur recovery or to change the way they dumped their waste acid. Local economic importance proved to be sufficiently powerful to deflect regulation from any source. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Selected properties of untreated and alkali treated cotton, polyester and polyester/cotton blend fabrics were examined to establish the effect of fiber component and alkali treatment on these properties. Under the treatment conditions of 25% sodium hydroxide at 60C for 15 minutes, cotton was hot mercerized and polyester was hydrolyzed to weight losses up to 45% with a corresponding reduction in polyester fiber diameter. The presence of the polyester component in the blend fabrics minimized fabric shrinkage caused by slack mercerization of the cotton. Cotton in the polyester/cotton blend fabrics acted as a reservoir for aqueous sodium hydroxide and caused more extensive hydrolysis of polyester than found on 100% polyester fabric. The alkali treated fabrics were lighter in weight and exhibited improved softness and drapability. The air permeability of the blend fabric showing the least shrinkage increased, while the air permeability of the other two blend fabrics decreased. Shrinkage in these two fabrics apparently negated any Improvement In air permeability caused by reduction In the diameter of polyester fibers. Water vapor transport through the fabrics under isothermal conditions was unaffected by base treatment. With a temperature differential on each side of the fabrics, water vapor transport increased for the two blend fabrics showing the greatest fabric shrinkage, while water vapor transport decreased for the fabric showing the least shrinkage and the highest air permeability. Alkali treatment had no effect on the vertical wicking characteristics of polyester blend fabrics, but 100% polyester fabric showed a much lower wicking rate on alkali treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article recalls the occurrence of a conflict between the interests of English alkali manufacturers and its neighboring landowners from 1828 to 1864. It traces attempts by landowners and others to win some redress for their grievances, which began at the end of the 1820s and culminated in 1863 with the passage of the Alkali Act. This remarkable measure placed the property of manufacturers under the supervision of the state in order to protect the property of landowners, and most conspicuously the property of large, wealthy landowners. It was enacted by a parliament whose members were predominantly individualist and contractualist in outlook and amongst whom the apostles of laisses-faire were both numerous and influential. This restrictive and sectional legislation became law in an economy, which was industrializing rapidly and where manufacturing was increasingly regarded as the cornerstone of national wealth. Contemporaries were themselves surprised by the powers included in this anti-pollution measure; the only remote precedents they could recall were the Factory Acts, but these imposed supervision for the protection of persons rather than property.

The article focuses on characteristics of the potash industry to trace the development of tendencies expected of an oligopoly in the U.S. Potash is a highly standardized commodity, purchased by a thoroughly sophisticated group of consumers. Since the bulk of potash is used in fixed proportions in fertilizer, itself the subject of a relatively inelastic demand, the short-run demand for potash is extremely inelastic. Furthermore, since potash producers operate under conditions of large fixed costs, the short-run supply curve also is inelastic, at least with respect to price reductions. Finally, potash sellers believe that their individual demand curves are inelastic below current prices, because they expect any price reduction to be met, and either completely elastic or completely inelastic above present prices, depending upon whether the seller is the price follower or the price leader. Consequently, while price changes have been relatively infrequent, there has usually been more pressure for increases than for reductions. Prices have tended to rise to, and remain at, highly profitable levels, and investment and capacity in the industry have therefore expanded.

The article discusses a report on the U.S. industrial chemicals market conducted by Frost & Sullivan Inc. which predicted $20 billion increase in annual sales of basic chemicals by the end of 1970s. The study concentrated on the seven product groups that represent 85% of the value of total chemical industry shipments which includes industrial organics, plastics materials, and alkalies and chlorines. A combined annual growth rate of 7.3% through 1980 was projected while sales for industrial organics was predicted to be $21 billion and that of plastic materials and alkalies and chlorines were forecasted to reach $9 billion and $900 million respectively. According to an analyst at the Frost, the international market holds the key to the continuing strength of the industry in the U.S.