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In the following the methods and materials of construction used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid are described, from the handling and storage of raw materials right through to the acid concentration stage. There is a wealth of information contained in the article, all based on the authors' own experience with the sulphuric acid manufacturing division of Fisons Ltd. at Immingham, near Grimsby.

During the last year the use of rubber and its derivatives as anti‐corrosive lining agents has been brought into what might be called ‘daily newspaper prominence’ by the completion of two projects using vast quantities of these materials. These projects—the lining of the various parts of the Associated Ethyl Co.'s bromine plant at Amlwch, Isle of Anglesey, and the preparation of the ‘world's largest rubber bag’ for the Mill Hill reservoir at Easington, Co. Durham—are striking examples of the development of this branch of chemical engineering. However, although it is only recently that such large amounts of rubber have been used in single undertakings, this does not minimise the important position which this extremely adaptable material has held for very many years in anti‐corrosive work.

PLASTICS. BRITAIN'S plastics industry has more than doubled its production during the last five years and now has an annual output of about 320,000 tons. An important stimulant to this growth has been the rapid post‐war expansion of the chemical industry and its concurrent demand for corrosion‐resistant equipment. The plastics industry has not yet produced the ideal plastic which is easy to apply and use and yet has all the durable qualities such as resistance to acids, alkalis, solvents, oxidising agents, etc. It has, however, produced a range of products, each of which has particular qualities which make it attractive to use for particular applications.

2. Elastomers A wide variety of elastomers, generally synthetic, are used in modern valves of the butterfly and diaphragm types with the dual function of lining/protecting internal metal surfaces in contact with the duty and providing the necessary interference for sealing. Without resorting to exotic and expensive metals of construction, even most aggressive services can be successfully handled by variation of elastomer type, while the particular compound is designed to still retain the physical characteristics necessary for optimum sealing. The number of permutations is thus large and indeed one manufacturer offers as many as 18 different resilient liner options. The main elastomer types are summarised:

Summary This paper examines the function, protection and applications of complex components such as valves in off‐shore environments. Materials of Construction and the coating/lining techniques and procedures available to ensure acceptable function and protection are discussed, while the limitations of existing painting specifications from the point of view of the component manufacturer are emphasised. Off‐shore services utilising valves are summarised and the types of valves to be found in service on production platforms are indicated.