Ashbury College - Ashburian Yearbook (Ottawa, Ontario Canada)

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THE ASHHURI.-iN I7 ,h -4 --f.. ,M ,I 5 ,...., e f 1 nf' 2 f 6'32 f .Ai 'Qu H mv. 'WM . ,f Inli At Shell Oil Refinery On Thursday, our first visit was to the Shell Oil Refinery at Montreal East where we went by bus, courtesy of Shell. Heref this Company refines about 55,000 barrels of oil per day. Their crude oil supply comes in by pipe line from Portland, Maine. XYe were first given an explanation of all the processes involved. We were then given helmets, and set out to tour the plant. An outstanding feature of the rehnery was the fact that all the processes were remotely controlled from central control rooms, bristling with gauges, recorders, and switches. We visited the Topping Plant where the easy first fractions of the crude oil are removed. Then we went to the Vacuum Flashing unit where pitch is a product, and from there to the giant Cat Cracker , kept at 900OF, which breaks up the heavy oil molecules into smaller ones. We then saw the rest of the Refinery bv bus, and also caught a glimpse of the destruction caused by the fire Cand consequent explosionl of a few months ago. We then had an excellent lunch. and after thanking our host, Mr. Pangman, went by bus to our next plant, the Sherwin Williams Company. In this modern factory it was amazing to hear that varnishes are still made in an age old fashion by experts. XYe also found out that there is a synthetic way to make varnish from Phthalic .-Xnhydride. VVe saw through the complete Varnish Plant, noting that all fumes are removed before wastes go off into the air. We were then shown through the Paint factory with the manv laboratories for control and research. All of these paints are emulsions using latex, resins and oil as their base. In the control laboratories fascinating tests are carried on, e.g., in the fadometer and brine baths. All colours of paints are QJ

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I '7 1 I 2 5 5 1 1 2 r i 2 16 THE ASHBURIAN VVe had a ride up the long experimental ship canal, to examine tests on ships. By then it was time to adjourn for lunch at Sussex Street. After lunch we visited Plant Physiology, Organic Spectrochemistry, Cosmic Rays and General Spectroscopy. All of these sections proved interesting, particularly the thought that Cosmic Rays are constantly arriving at the earth and being computed. The work on Spectroscopy was par- ticularly interesting because it applied to our Physics Course of study. For our final trip of the year We were very fortunate in being given permission to tour Canada's Atomic Energy Research In- stallation at Deep River. This Highlight to the Science year was brightened by good Weather, and we made the trip on the last day of the Easter Break on April 10th. VVe arrived at the Project at 11.00 a.m. and were greeted by Mr. C. Kennedy. Security cards and radiation exposure samples were given to us and we passed through the Guard House. VVe were taken to the Public Relations and Library Building where we Were introduced to the Reactor via an intricate model as well as a very fascinating Lecture by Dr. D. A. Keys, one of the pioneers of Canada's Atomic development, and a former University teacher of Mr. Sibley. After this lecture and fine luncheon, we went over to the N.R.X. Reactor. This is the basic tool of research at this time. VV e walked on the top of this giant reactor realising that inside was Uranium and Heavy Water, with a controlled fission Reaction going on. The equipment placed around the Reactor was quite fantastic, all to gain knowledge for peaceful uses. We also saw the port holes where the Cobalt was made radioactive for the Cobalt Bomb. We were taken through the Control Room with its many measuring devices. Our next place of call was The Cave where We looked through a window one and one half feet thick to see radioactive materials. Finally we went over to see the Van der Graaf Generator which generates many millions of volts. Coming out of this area we were checked for radiation, nearly losing Hiney in the process, and then We took our leave of Dr. Keys and Mr. Kennedy. In conclusion, we owe a deep debt of appreciation to Mr. XVard and the Staff of the Research Council, and to all others, including Mr. Sibley who made the trips possible. SENIOR SCIENCE TRIP T0 MCDNTREAL mc yearly climax to the various trips, the Senior Science Trip, h this year took us to Montreal. Having left the school at a quarter to six on XVcdncsday, the 27th of February, after a quick dinner, we arrived in Montreal at about ten thirty. After checking in at the Y.M.C.A., we went out for a late supper, and thence to bed.

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13' THE ASI-IBURIAN made here, even to special specihcations. At the conclusion of the tour we had refreshments and a question period when we asked various questions of the many people who accompanied us. We had dinner back at the Y.Xl.C.A. that night, and then set out for the St. Ann's .Xlill of Dominion Textile Company. In small groups, each led by one of our hosts, we followed the gradual transformation of Raw Cotton to the end product, cotton thread. The endless rows of ingenious machines, with their lightning fast attendants, were fascinating and interesting to watch. The Cotton bales for this Plant arrive from the Southern United States. We concluded the visit in the oflice, where we discussed the various operations of the Plant. And that concluded our first busy day. He returned to the HY for a much needed sleep. Friday, we were up early and after breakfast we were off to the Dominion Oilcloth and Linoleum Company, where we were met at the door by Mr. H. N. Blakeney, an Old Boy. This enormous factory will always be remembered by all who were on this tour, not only for its interesting machines, but also for its many stairs. XVe watched machines mixing the ingredients, oils and resins, from the United States, with Batu gum from Sumatra, the rolling presses, machines making coloured patterns in the linoleum, and also the showrooms where all the products were on display. One of the most interesting features here was the designing room where all new patterns are designed, and also the section where the new forms are made in wood and then put on rollers. We were offered lunch here and then took our leave from Mr. Blakeney and proceeded to the Bell Telephone Company of Canada. At the Bell we were introduced to a variety of communication systems, such as telephones, telegraph, telexes, T.V., and Radio. The telephone centres were awe inspiring with their thousands of clicking, winking electronic gadgets, which will soon make possible the system of intercity dialling. As we gradually worked our way up we saw the control installations where defects can be located anywhere along the communication lines, the telexes, typing away all by themselves, the Television relaying and selection apparatus. Then we paused in the huge Cafeteria for question period and refreshments, and then we were of to the Xluseum, where we could trace the history of the Telephone system. A working model of a microwave transmitter was demon- strated to ns, as was an experimental T.V. Camera with telephone so that it is possible to see the person who called on the telephone. Another interesting gadget was a pocket size transmitter, which was an experimental radio station. lts tinv size was due to the extensive use of transistors in its construction. Deeply impressed with the com- plexity and ingenuity of the Telephone system, we returned to the Y.Xl.C..-X. for late supper and a free evening..