Ashbury College - Ashburian Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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THE :lSHBL'Rl:1.X' s 51 SENIOR SCIFNCF TRIP Bin-lc ro-12: L. H. Sibley, l-fsq., Clark l. Carne. Abbott. jackson. Barr, llarr, Hore. From row: lfnwin. Xueman. Xlclnnes. Hogben, .Xlattht-ws. TY. Eakin. Un this occasion we also welcomed Nlr. Robert Spiers. Nl..-X., the Headmaster of Selwyn House as a guest. The next morning, we went to see the Shell Oil Refinery at Klon- treal East. The Company very kindly sent station wagons to pick us up at our headquarters, the lYindsor Hotel. On arrival at the Refinery. over steaming coffee, we were given an explanation of a How sheet depicting the large, involved plant. Then we were off on our tour. Our first stop was at the Topping Plant where the lighter hydrocarbons are separated. These consisted of fractionating columns. where the lighter gasoline molecules are taken off. leaving behind a heavy black residue - topped crude . This residue was taken and heated in a Vacuum Flasher, which broke down this residue into pitch and more fuel. These fuels were further broken down in the Catalytic Cracking and the Thermal Cracking Process. The Catalytic process used a clay catalyst at 10003 F.. and here the heavier molecules were broken down into lighter ones. The Thermal Cracking process changed the fuel molecules still further into high octane material. These processes were followed by the Polymerizer and Solutizer Plants. The Polyinerizer built the smaller molecules into larger molecules of gasoline. The Solutizer literally scrubbed every drop of gasoline to remove sulphur compounds. The last stage was the Blending Plant. where all the varieties of gasoline were blended to form the commercial products - propane, aviation gasoline, napthas, kerosene. jet fuel. diesel oil. fuel oils, and bunker fuel. After our tour, lunch was provided by the company in their cafeteria. After lunch we were driven to the huge Canadair Plant at St. Laurent.

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zz THE ASHBURIAN THE SENIOR SCIENCE TRIP TO MONTREAL HE Science Group this year left for Nlontreal shortly after the Hfinter Half Term tests. IVe were excused the last class period on Vlednesday, February 4th, HIC supper in Symington Hall, and then were picked up by bus at the front door. The bus service was parti- cularly notable, as the bus company went out of its way to be of service to us, with Mr. Sibley's assistance. Vlfe arrived in Montreal, and went our separate ways, all of us being billeted at parents and friends. Vlfe met together early next morning and set off to visit the Fry-Cadbury Plant. This was a wonderful beginning for our excursion, for there were many sights, smells and tastes which were richly satisfying. VVe watched the whole process of chocolate-bar making: the arrival and crushing of the cocoa beans, nuts and special Havouring, the slow steady beating and moulding into all the multitudinous shapes and set- tings. It was quite fascinating to realize the variety of recipes which are followed, and to see new ones being developed. One question which was on the tongues of many was how are the fillings put in bars like 'Cara- milk'? Our guides, however, told us that this was a top secret operation, and could only tell us that it required split second timing. One interest- ing little process was the making of chocolate chips. These are origin- ally little drops of liquid chocolate which are dropped into a long sliding tray which passes through various coolers. At the end of the route, they are slid off and automatically wrapped in air tight containers. No human hand touches them from the start to the finish of this wonder- ful little process. VVe also saw the complete manufacture of cocoa and hot chocolate. For permission to see this plant, we are indebted to Mr. Philip IYoollcombe, of Fry-Cadbury. After a private lunch, we set off for the Dominion Rubber Com- pany where we took in some smells and sights which were in sharp contrast to those of the morning tour. XVe saw many different kinds of rubber merchandise being made - fire hose, belting, foam rubber cushions, stoppers, trays, mats, drain boards, and containers. There was one fascinating weaving process where string was woven at a terrific rate into rubber tubing to make reinforced hosing. We also saw their plastics department which was in its initial stages of development. Tough transparent hose of vinyl was one feature of this section. On Thursday evening, the Headmaster came to Montreal to an Old Boys' Dinner very kindly given in our honour by a group of Klon- treal Old Boys. This sumptuous meal was held in the University Club, and was enjoyed by all present. The Old Boys present were introduced very wittily by Mr. Bill lfakins. The Headmaster spoke briefly, and Nlr. Sibley extended a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs. B. Robinson, P. XYoollcombe, R. Craig, H. Ronalds, P. Gault, XY. Chipman and

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24 THE ASHBURIAN This plant is tremendous in size, and so we had to move quickly, and consequently, it was difficult to absorb all that was going on. All the plant was in the assembly line state, and we saw jets in the making from the drawingboard state to the finished product, and were allowed to inspect the T-33 in the completed form. Un the way out we stopped to see a jet warming up for the take off. Eric, our reliable source of aeronautical information, told us that we could roast a steak at 120 feet from its exhaust. The vibrations were terrific even 100 yards away. XV e are grateful to Mr. Hore for arranging this peep into Canada's latest workshop of air dominance. That evening we enjoyed a splendid dinner at the Reform Club. The Hon. D. C. Abbott was our host, in absentia, consequently his son Lewis presided. The beef was excellent, and we are deeply grate- ful for Mr. Abbott's kindness. On Saturday morning, we watched our first Hockey Team meet defeat at L.C.C.'s hands. Then after lunch we met at the McGill gates for an inspection of the University's new Physical Science Centre. This trip was very interesting, but I think the highlight was the new Auditorium - a marvel of accoustical achievement. Dr. VV. H. Hatcher, who took us around, well equipped with his excellent wit, gave us many vivid little examples of the benefits of this hall. XVe also saw some of the more ancient labs in the old chemistry building, and noted in passing that much excellent work had been accomplished there despite their ancient appearance. The new laboratories were of the latest design and first rate places to work in. After the tour, coffee and cake was served to us in the Student Common Room. For this excellent completion of a thoroughly worth while tour, we are indebted to McGill University, and particularly to Dr. Hatcher. The Science Club is indeed grateful to all those who made the trip possible, and of course to Mr. Sibley, for whom, when arranging is considered, the trip lasts at least a month. Making the trip this year were Mr. Sibley, jackson, Abbott, Clark I, Hart, Hogben, Hore, Barr, Matthews, Mclnnes, Nueman, Unwin, with Short and V erhaegen joining us the latter part, and your reporter, Carne.