Semen Volfkovich

Semen Volfkovich

Soviet chemist, academician of the USSR Academy of Sciences
Date of Birth: 23.10.1896

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Academic Career
  3. Contributions to Chemical Technology
  4. Recognition and Honors
  5. - Gold Medal named after D.I. Mendeleev (1967)

Early Life and Education

Semen Isaakovich Volkhovich was born on July 3, 1896, in Ananyev, Ukraine. His father was a pharmacist, while his mother tended to the home. Despite excelling in his studies at the Mikhailovsky Real School in Moscow, Volkhovich initially faced challenges in pursuing higher education due to his Jewish heritage.

After two years at A.L. Shanyavsky People's University, Volkhovich was admitted to the Moscow Institute of National Economy (MINKh) in 1915. Concurrently, he served in the military and studied mineral substances at the Moscow Higher Technical School.

To supplement his income, Volkhovich worked as a draftsman and apprentice turner at various companies. He also served in the transport and automobile department of ZIGS (1916-1917) and as a draftsman and workshop supervisor at the Museum of Labor Protection (1918-1921).

Academic Career

Volkhovich's academic career began in 1920 when he defended his dissertation on "Production of Enriched Superphosphate." He received an engineer-technologist degree and remained at the institute as a lecturer. From 1920 to 1922, he worked as an engineer at the Tsaritsyn Experimental Plant.

In 1921, Volkhovich joined the Institute for Fertilizers as an engineer. He held various positions, including laboratory head, head of the technological department, chief engineer, and deputy director for scientific work.

As an associate professor at Plekhanov Institute, Volkhovich lectured on mineral substance technology and fertilizer industry and technology. In 1929, he became a professor of mineral substance technology. In 1930, he became a professor at MVTU and two years later, head of the general technology department.

Volkhovich also conducted organizational work at the NIU, establishing laboratories, pilot plants, and training personnel. In 1939, he was elected a corresponding member of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

Contributions to Chemical Technology

Volkhovich's scientific work focused on the chemical technology of mineral fertilizers. He developed an industrial scheme for extracting potassium salts from sylvite and participated in the construction of the Khibiny apatite and Solikamsk potassium plants.

He conducted experiments on phosphorus sublimation and contributed to the development of the technology for ammonium phosphate. Volkhovich also studied the processing of mirabilite into soda and ammonium sulfate, and the technology for producing boric acid.

Volkhovich's research directions included developing new methods for concentrated fertilizer production and the comprehensive utilization of raw materials and waste. He held over 40 patents and author's certificates in these areas.

Recognition and Honors

Volkhovich received numerous awards for his contributions, including:
- Stalin Prize, 2nd degree (1941)
- Five Orders of Lenin
- Order of the Red Banner of Labor (1944)
- Gold Medal of the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition (1954, 1968)

- Large Gold Medal of the All-Union Agricultural Exhibition (1960, 1964)

- Gold Medal named after D.I. Mendeleev (1967)

- Prize of the All-Union Society "Znanie" (1970)
- "Honored Chemist" badge (1974)
- Large Gold Medal named after M.V. Lomonosov (1976)
Later Years and Legacy

Volkhovich continued to work actively until his death in Moscow on November 12, 1980. He made significant contributions to the development of chemical technology in the Soviet Union and helped to establish the country as a leader in the production of mineral fertilizers.

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