Book Review

The liquid in the pit, which included about 100 gallons of petroleum spirit, was removed with a vaccuum pump after detergent had been added. The pit was finally pronounced clear after it had been washed out ventilated and dried with an air line. The valve manhole chamber has now been repaired.

Tank problems

Two French engineers were invited by Total Oil G.B. Ltd to witness the installation of a new petrol tank at a Greenwich filling station. They were favourably impressed with the method of installation which is different from that used in France.

There was an exchange of views and it emerged that local authority control in France does not exist to the same extent as here. Modern French tanks are of double skin construction, each skin being 6 mm thick and the 4 mm gap between each skin is filled with an anti-freeze solution fed from a fixed reservoir. The reservoir is checked daily and is connected to an audible leak detector alarm. The tanks are tested at 1.0b and are not surrounded by concrete. Sometimes cathodic protection is provided. A spiritual union with Solomon And it came to pass that on the sixth day a man who was called Shop Steward and was a toiler at a money printers said unto his master that his servants were sore afraid lest the host of empty vessels in the place named petroleum store should fall upon their heads. Verily they would not henceforth enter into that place of darkness.

Now the master was greatly troubled and in sore distress and he cried out in a loud voice saying Help me! Help me! For I know not what to do.

And 10 there came unto him from afar a wise man called Petroleum Inspector who straightway spoke unto the master, the Father of the Chapel and divers conveners when they were all assembled together to hear his teaching. And he commandeth that the vRssels be brim-filled with water from the well and placed without the store walls, and that the law of the land be not breached.

Astonished at his wisdom they spoke one with another saying Verily it was a judgemen t of Solomon, and they went their way rejoicing and giving thanks for their del i verance .

BY BOOKWORM

Book Review

Continuing a consideration of past publications-which may have been missed the first time round.

Hazardous Materials

This manual of United States origin was published here in 1976 by Von Nostrand Reinholt Company at £8.10. It attempts to combine the viewpoints of chemistry, fire fighting, manufacture, storage and distribution of hazardous materials. In many respects it succeeds. Not surprisingly, the authors, Leroy Schieler and Denis Pauze are a chemist and a firefighter respectively The very clear layout in 37 self contained units each ending with self assessment questions is very much in the American College tradition. This may be annoying to some, as may be the spelling, but I must admit to enjoying its novelty. Basic science and combustion behaviour is covered empirically, before going on to deal with each class of hazardous material. The final unit covers the official regulations for transport. It is interesting to note that the U.S regulations control the carriage of flammable solids, flammable and nonflammable gases, poisons and irritants in addition to the substances covered by U.K. legislation.