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Title: GIANTS FROM THE PAST: RALPH H. POTTS (1900-1981)

Author
item List, Gary

Submitted to: Inform
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2003
Publication Date: 2/1/2004
Citation: List, G.R. 2004. Giants from the past: Ralph H. Potts (1900-1981). Inform. 15:168-169.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This paper reviews the career and accomplishments of Ralph H. Potts who was the father of the oleochemical industry. Mr. Potts developed numerous processes to recover high quality fatty acids from animal fats by fractional distillation. In addition, he developed processes to convert fatty acids into fatty nitrates and amines. Without Mr. Potts' numerous contributions, it is unlikely the oleochemical industry would have developed into a multi-billion dollar per year industry.