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By H. H. Dievendorff, F. W. Hertel

The method of drilling deep wells into the earth for the recovery of oil and gas is beset with many hazards. This is especially true in the Ventura Avenue field, which has the distinction of being the hardest field in California in which to complete a deep well. The hard, shifting and squeezing formations must be penetrated to great depths in the face of tremendous gas pressures. This field presents problems that keep the operators abreast with all of the latest developments in oil-field tools and machinery and in oil-well drilling practices. Equipment must be strong, and adapted to deep-well drilling and the handling of long heavy strings of casing. High-pressure sands require the utrnost care and attention of the operators and no chances can be taken, since a serious blowout may cause the loss of a well that has cost months of labor and expense. Equipment must meet these requirements or be discarded. Although the deepest wells in the world are not in this field, nor hav:. the longest strings of casing been set, nevertheless, the consistency with which deep wells are drilled and long strings of casing are set places the Ventura Avenue field foremost, in this respect, among the oil fields of the world. The V'entura Avenue field dors claim the deepest commercial oil-producing well in the world, in the Shell Co. of California's "Edison" No. 18. This well was drilled 7015 ft. and came in flowing 3280 bhl. of oil per day. This field also claims the deepest average depth of producing wells in that its Ill producing wells average 5676 ft. in depth. Of these 111 producing wells, 50 arc 6000 ft. or deeper, and 16 are 6500 ft. or deeper. Also, of the 111 producing wells 100 arc flowing, and 11 arc pumping wells. This paper is intended to set forth the methods used in the drilling of deep wells with rotary tools and the handling of long heavy strings of casing in the Ventura Avenue field.

Jan 1, 1928

[†AARONSON, ALFRED E., Vice-Pres., Mid-Co. Petroleum Co., Mid-Co. Bldg. Tulsa, Okla. '18 ABADIE, EMILE R., Min. Engr Address wanted. '76 ¦ABADILLA, QUIRICO A. Geol. Dept. Cia. Mexicans de Petroleo "El Aguila," S. A., Edifico "El Aguila," Esq., Calles Aurora y Comercio,] [ ]

Jan 1, 1925

By C. S. Matthews, P. Hazebroek, F. Brons

A method has been developed for calculating the average pressure in a bounded reservoir. The reservoir is first divided into the individual drainage volumes of each well, by using the criterion that at steady state each individual drainage volume is proportional to a well's production rate. The average pressure in each drainage volume is then calculated by a method developed in the report. By volumetrically averaging these individual drainage volume pressures, the average pressure in the entire reservoir is obtained. To calculate the average pressure in each drainage volume, a correction is applied to the ordinary extrapolated pressure, i.e., the pressure obtained by extrapolating to infinite time the linear portion of the graph of closed-in pressure versus log[?t/(t + ?t)], where At is the closed-in time and t the production time. The correction, which is a function of the production time, is presented in graphical form for different shapes of the drainage area (horizontal cross section of the drainage volume). INTRODUCTION It is important to be able to find the volumetric average pressure in a reservoir so that the size of the reservoir may be determined from material balance calculations. It is also desirable to be able to find the approximate distribution of pressure within a reservoir for detection of fluid movement. 'The purpose of this paper is to present a method for calculating both the average reservoir pressure and the approximate distribution of pressure within a bounded reservoir — that is, a reservoir with no water drive. In reservoirs where the pressure builds up rapidly after wells are shut in, the determination of average pressure generally poses little problem, for one often need only average the final buildup pressures. It is when pressure buildup is slow that difficulties arise. For practical and economical reasons, the time allowable for closing in wells is limited. If at the maximum allowable closed-in time the pressure has not reached a con- stant value (and this is more often the case than is generally realized), calculation of average pressure presents difficulties. One method which has been used in the past for obtaining an "average" pressure involves the extrapolation to infinite closed-in time of curves of pressure as a function of closed-in time. Contour maps of these extrapolated pressures are used in arriving at an average pressure. In some cases wells are shut in for arbitrary Lengths of time, and contours of these arbitrary shut-in pressures are used for calculation. All these methods are somewhat arbitrary and suffer from lack of fundamental theoretical basis. For example, no precise meaning can be given either to the extrapolated or to the arbitrary shut-in pressure. Furthermore, there seems to be no reason why either set of pressures should be contourable. It was because of the vagueness of these old methods and their lack of a sound theoretical basis that, the present method for determining average reservoir pressure was developed. SYMBOLS A = drainage area of a well, cm' A, = drainage area of well j, cm2 A , = total drainage area of all wells in a reservoir, cm2 c = coefficient of compressibility of fluid at reservoir temperature, atm-1 f = hydrocarbin-filled porosity, fraction h = net thickness of formation, cm k = permeability of formation, darcy p = pressure at a well, atm p0 = initial reservoir pressure, atm p* = pressure obtained by straight-line extrapolation of linear portion of plot of p versus log [At/(t+ At)] p = volumetric average pressure inside drainage volume of a well q = volume flow rate at a well, cc/sec a: prevailing reservoir conditions q, = total volumetric flow rate from a reservoir, cc/sec at prevailing reservoir conditions rw = radius of well bore, cm T = kt/fµcA t = corrected time of production of a well, seconds, defined by

Jan 1, 1955

SME Membership Directory Listings of record March 31, 1072 SOCIETY OF MINING ENGINEERS OF AIME

Jan 7, 1972

By AIME AIME

THE section delegates assembled Monday morning with the incoming president, W. H. Bassett, in the chair and F. W. Bradley as vice-chairman. The secretary called the roll and urged the delegates to become familiar with the activities of the Institute. He explained the allotment of funds to local sections and the uses to which these funds may be put. He also announced plans for travel by Mr. Bassett and asked the delegates to confer with him as to meetings en route. An invitation was extended for all section delegates to attend the Directors' dinner Wednesday evening. He suggested that local sections hold a meeting once a year under the auspices of each division of the Institute. He further explained the system of choice of publications by members. The question of licensing of engineers was brought up, and the consensus of opinion among the membership was asked for. Because the matter is controversial, no official action has been taken and it was suggested that the' local and State sections act separately in this regard. A. B. Parsons, the assistant secretary, next spoke. In his remarks he indicated surprise that many prominent mining men still did not belong to the Institute, and urged that section delegates make up a list of such prospective members and send it in to the office for study by the New York staff. He also asked that re- ports of all meetings be turned in for publication in MINING AND METALLURGY, and said that the reports

Jan 1, 1930

By Philip B. Bucky

[ ] FOREWORD THIS symposium brings together points of view, experiences and ideas on rock bursts from a goodly portion of the globe. Some conceptions, particularly those regarding the necessity of depth, have been fairly well shattered, as we find that they are present in the water tunnels of New York, on the surface at marble quarries in Vermont, and in the coal mines of the United States, as well as in the deep mines of the South African and Kolar gold fields, and in the nickel, copper and gold mines of Canada. Their occurrence under such a variety of conditions is, therefore, a challenge,

Jan 1, 1942

By W. R. Phibbs

The blast furnace of the Columbia Steel Corpn., at Ironton, Utah, was put in blast April 30, 1024, and its operation has presented some interesting problems. The coke for the furnace is furnished by 33 Koppers Becker type ovens of 15 tons capacity each. The coal is shipped from the company's mine at Columbia, Utah, which is approximately 123 miles from Ironton, and is probably the highest volatile coal that is being coked for blast furnace use in this country. The analysis of the coal is: PeR Cent. Moisture................................................. 3.90 Volatile.................................................. 39.00 Fixed carbon............................................ 51.10 Ash............................................... 6.00 Sulfur................................................. 1.07 The analysis of the coke is: PeR Cent. Volatile.................................................. 0.55 Fixed carbon............................................. 89.70 Ash...................................................... 9.75 Sulfur................................................... 1.05 The coke is light and of a fingery construction, but is very fast burning. A screen test of the coke as loaded into the skip tubs at the furnace shows the following: Per Cent. On 2 in.................................................. 17.90 On 11/2 in................................................ 41.78 On 1 in.................................................. 27.80 Through 1 in............................................. 12.52 The by-product yields are as follows: Gas................................. 11,000 cu. ft. per ton of coal Sulfate............................... 30 Ib. per ton of coal Tar.................................. 12.65 gal. per ton of coal Motor fuel........................... 3.00 gal. per ton of coal Average B. t. u. in gas................. 567

By E. C. Smith

THE CHAIRMAN.-Mr. Earle Smith- has kindly offered to make some remarks in connection with segregation in the product, Mr. Smith: E. C. SMITH,* Cleveland, Ohio-I will start this off by a story of the code days of the American Iron and Steel Institute. In those days, Republic did not have a big strip mill, and the question came up of the check analysis of rimmed steel. I suggested that they let me be the chairman of the Committee on Accumulating the Information on the Variation of the Composition of the Ingots of Rimmed Steel. Somebody wanted to know why I wanted to be the chairman. I said, "We don't make any of the big ingots of rimmed steel, and no matter who makes them they are so bad that you don't dare publish the information. So if I collect it and hide it you can't charge me with having done anything that really disrupted the commercial situation. So, everybody furnished me with a rather complete story as to the horrible variations in big rimmed ingots. I took it out to my house and put it away, and it is still there. Now, segregation in the big ingot is no longer an "-academic-matter-as far as II am concerned. ¬I am in a situation like that of the German who was told in 1936 about the coming war. He said: "Until it is your throat that is going to be cut, you don't pay any attention to what is happening to the other man." That is the way with the problem that we have in front of us. Recently I have been told that the comptroller was questioning the payment for certain articles of stamped steel that had been made from rimmed steel, because upon check analysis of the rimmed steel it had been determined that these stamped articles were not within the compositions that were included in the specification, and therefore he as the comptroller had no alternative. It was not meeting the specification; therefore, no payment. So I would say to all of you: You can very seriously consider this matter of segregation now and on into the future on the basis of the fact that it is actually going to cost your companies, which are making these products, money unless there is some new idea about the infallibility of quantitative chemists who analyze some of these products or lawyers who read specifications. I don't know which man is going to be the major factor in the future. If the National Bureau of Standards could in some way show the specification writers the variation between good chemists analyzing for what they expect to be umpire results, the writers would certainly realize that some of the specifications to which we have calmly signed our names as being O.K. are well, as one man said to me, they might be filled by the devil, and they, certainly could be filled by the Lord, but they could not be filled by mankind. I would like to inject two or three things into a segregation study which I want you to think about, because I would be a little surprised if there is very much discussion of them. In the first place, we generally make steel in the United States in the basic open hearth, and I do not think there has been nearly enough consideration given to segregation within the bath before it moves into the ladle. I am sure that any of the people who handled the 9400 series of the NE series when it contained the 0.60 per cent silicon have more respect than they had previously for the segregation that is within the ladle; that is, before the metal reaches the ingot mold, the frozen ingots and the segregation in them. Another point to which I think we ought to give serious consideration is the segregation of iron oxide in the ingot-iron type of material, where the distinction between that and the steel segregation is that it is actually segregating iron oxide. Normally we are segregating some form of carbon or sulphur, or something like. that, with the stamping steel industry now coming down into the ranges of chemistry, where the segregation of iron oxide will be just

Jan 1, 1944

By Earle C. Smith

The Chairman.—Mr. Earle Smith has kindly offered to make some remarks in connection with segregation in the product, Mr. Smith: E. C. Smith,* Cleveland, Ohio—I will start this Off by a story oF the code days of the American Iron and Steel Institute. In those days, Republic did not have a big strip mill, and the question came up of the check analysis of rimmed steel. I suggested that they let me be the chairman of the Committee on Accumulating the Information on the Variation of the Composition of the Ingots of Rimmed Steel. Somebody wanted to know why I wanted to be the chairman. I said, "we don't make any of the big ingots of rimmed steel, and no matter who makes them they are so bad that you don't dare publish the information. So if 1 collect it and hide it you can't charge me with having done anything that really disrupted the commercial situation." So, everybody furnished me with a rather complete story as to the horrible variations in big rimmed ingots. I took it out to my house and put it away, and it is still there. Now, segregation in the big ingot is no longer an "academic " matter as far as I am concerned. I am in a situation like that of the German who was told in 1956 about the coming war. He said: "until it is your throat that is going to be cut, you don't pay any attention to what is happening to the otherman." 'That is the way with the problem that we have in front of us. Recently I have been told that the 'Omptroller was questioning the payment for certain articles of stamped steel that had been made from rimmed steel, because upon check analysis of the rimmed steel it had been determined that these stamped articles were nut within the compositions that were included in the specification, and therefore he as the camptroller had no alternative. It was not meeting the specification; therefore, no payment. So I I say to all of you: You can very seriously consider this matter of segregation now and on into the future on the basis of the fact that it is actually going to cost your companies, which are making these products, money unless there is some new idea about the infallibility of quantitative , chemists who analyze some of these products or lawyers who read specifications, I don't know which man is going to be the major factor in the future. if the National Bureau of Standards could in some way show the specification writers the variation between good chemists analyzing for That they expect to be umpire eel. the writers would certainly realize that some of the to to which we have calmly signed our names as being O.K. are— well, as one man said to me, they might be filled by the devil, and they certainly could be filled by the Lord, but they could not he me by mankind. I would like to inject two or three things into a segregation study which I Want you to think about, because 1 would be a little surprised if there is very much discussion of them, In the first place, we generslly make steel in the United States in the basic open hearth, and I do not think there has bee,, nearly enough consideration given to segregation German the bath before it moves into the ladle. I am sure that any of the people who handled the 9400 series of the NE series when it contained the 0,60 per cent silicon have more respect than they had previously for the segregation that is within, the ladle; that is, before the metal reaches the ingot mold, the frozen ingots and the segregation in them. Another pint to which I think We ought to sis serious consideration is the segregation of iron oxide in the ingot-iron type of material, where the distinction between that and the steel segregation is that it is actually segregat. ing iron oxide, Normally we are segregating some form of carbon or sulphur, or something like that, with the stamping steel industry now coming down into the ranges of chemistry, where the segregation of iron oxide will be just

Jan 1, 1945

By J. P. Witherow

The plant of Messrs. Oliver Brothers and Phillips, the only one in operation until January, 1886, has not been available for any further experiments since those of Mr. R. W. Hunt, described in his paper on the subject, at the Chattanooga meeting. Continuous working has, however, led to important improvements in plant, and furnished valuable results in practice. The difference between the converter and plant of 1884, as illustrated in our Transactions, vol. xiii., p. 759 and following pages, and those of 1885, may be observed in Plates 1. and 11. accompanying this paper. Plate I. gives the elevation and plan, in half-section, of one of our latest 3-ton converters. Plate 11. gives a plan of the general arrangement of a plant adapted to turn out slabs, blooms, and billets for the general market. The letters on Plate I. refer to the following parts :

Jan 1, 1886

By F. X. Tartaron

This article is a continuation of a previous paper by the writer in which Kick's Law was stated to be a part of comminution theory. ln the present paper, a broadening of ideas is attempted in order to state a general theory. The word "general" is employed because the new theory includes all previous laws and generalizations which are considered to be essentially correct. These ideas are combined into a coherent whole and the general theory can be expressed by the equation In the author's previous paper on comminution, ' the equations developed were based on Charles' equation of exponents a-n +1 = 0. 2 This paper is divided into two parts, designated as First Approach and Second Approach. In the First Approach, the equations of the previous paper are utilized, with Charles' equation of exponents being necessary. In the Second Approach, a separate and independent method is used to derive the same conclusions as in the First Approach, but without the use of Charles' equation of exponents. Holmes accepts the theoretical foundation of Kick's Law as sound but denies that the law as such operates in comminution. His idea is that Kick's Law requires homogenous matter whereas the presence of cracks, flaws and cleavage planes, which predominate in the coarser particles, makes matter unhomogene-ous. This explains why there is no experimental evidence to support Kick's Law. However, since the basis of the law is theoretically sound, all experimental evidence must be viewed as emanating from it. This requires modification of current comminution equations to fit this concept. Holmes makes the modification by changing the constant exponent n in the general energy equation used by Charles (E = - JCdx/xn) to a variable exponent r. The writer asserts that Kick's Law operates in comminution without modification but it does not

Jan 1, 1963

By L. D. Mullins, W. R. Bartlett, R. H. Barham, W. L. Wahl

This paper describes an electrical model and its applicution to the analysis of four reservoirs in Saudi Arabia. The model has 2,501 mesh points and represents 35,000 sq miles of the Arab-D member. Details of modeling such as mesh size, control problems and standards of performance in matching reservoir history are discussed. The particular performance match achieved for the Arab-D rnember is presented. Details such as permeability barriers, aquifer depletion and iwerference between oil fields are given. The performance match realized in the Abqaiq pool is presented in detail. INTRODUCTION The resistor-capacitor network and associated control equipment described in this paper comprise an electrical analog of a reservoir system. Similar equipment has been used to study the transient response of reservoirs for many years. The unique feature of the model and application to be described is the extremely large size of the model and reservoir system, and the detail observed in simulating the reservoir with the model. The Arabian American Oil Co. first became interested in analog computers for simulation of oil reservoirs in 1949. Since that time, several models have been developed, each more elaborate and refined so that the reservoir system might be more closely simulated. The current model is the latest in a series designed, built and operated by the Field Research Laboratory of Socony Mobil Oil Co. in collaboration with Aramco. It has been and continues to be used to study the regional performance of the Arab-D member limestone reservoir. The Arab-D member is one of the Middle East's most prolific producing horizons.. THE MODEL The theory of simulating a reservoir system with an electrical system has been presented in the literature.1-5 Therefore, this paper will not discuss the theoretical aspect of the problem except to point out the correspondence between the fluid system and electrical system, as shown in Table 1. In general, the complete model is made up of input devices, output devices, central control and a resistance-capacitance (RC) network. At times, the RC network alone is referred to as the "model". However, it should be evident from the text which meaning is attached to the word "model". A discussion of the equipment follows. THE RESISTANCE-CAPACITANCE NETWORK The RC network consists of 2,501 capacitance decades interconnected through 4,900 resistance decades. The components are arranged to form a rectangular network of 2,501 mesh points in a 41- X 61-mesh array. Imposing the mesh grid system on the continuous reservoir system divides the reservoir into discrete areal segments. These discrete segments may be of various sizes. More precisely, the mesh size need not be uniform throughout the model. The RC network is fabricated in two sections which are connected at the top. An inside view of the "tunnel" formed by the two sections is shown in Fig. 1. The height and width of the tunnel are shown in the figure. Numerals appear along the bottom and along the back opening of the tunnel. These numbers denote the x and y co-ordinate positions of mesh points. Fig. 2 presents a rear view of one-half the model. The length dimensions of the model, as well as a rear view of the capacitor decades, are shown in this figure. The control dials used in adjusting the resistance and capacitance values on the model can be seen in the enlarged portion of the model shown in Fig. 3. The electrical capacity at any mesh point can range from 0 to 1.0 microfarads set to the nearest tenth of a microfarad. The electric resistance connecting any two mesh points can range from 0 to 9,990,000 ohms set to the nearest 1,000 ohms. External capacitors may be added to any or all mesh points if the need arises. The values of electrical resistance and capacitance are adjusted manually by manipulating the two types of decade units. INPUT EQUIPMENT A considerable quantity of equipment is used to control the input to the RC network. These input devices are

By John V. Beall

There is an underlying surge to mining in the Philippines." So said A. R. "Ham" Reed, general manager Itogon-Suyoc Mines, Inc., to this reporter last November. Itogon-Suyoc is a small company with a struggling gold mine, a mixed sulfide mine and some prospects. In the Republic of Philippines (ROP), politics, which have an effect on mining, create some uncertainties. By July 1974, no mining company may have more than 40% foreign ownership. The ownership provision is a matter of concern to such important companies as Atlas and Benguet Consolidated and is generally considered a deterrent to new foreign investment. Under these circumstances, Reed's comments are of interest. On foreign prospectors: Don't come in cold; find a Philippine partner or buy into a company already here. Physical conditions of exploration are tough-terrain, communications -but the mineral potential is excellent.

Jan 4, 1969

By J. Holms Pollok

The determination of specific gravity dates from such antiquity, and the various published methods of determining it are so numerous, that one may well be skeptical as to the value of a new means of obtaining so well-known a quantity. I make no claim to any great novelty for the little device here described, the principles, though not the convenient details, of which are more or less embodied in the publications of Mr.

Jan 1, 1900

By Howard N. Eavenson

DURING the past year, as in the preceding ones, prices continued to fall, production to decrease, and more mines were closed. Much attention is being given by the industry to suggested plans for betterment of its position, and if the scheme recently brought out for consolidation of sales agencies into district agencies is loyally carried out, it cannot but help to improve conditions. The progress in the anthracite industry is shown in the report of its chairman, E. H. Suender; changes in coal preparation are outlined in the report of J. B. Morrow, chairman of Committee on Coal Preparation, while increased mechanization of the western mines is described by Eugene McAuliffe, chairman of the Committee on Machine and Strip Mining. In spite of the depression, interest in the Coal Division has been increasing, its meetings have been well attended, and its committees are active and have been doing excellent work.

Jan 1, 1932

By L. A. Panek

Using an approach based on the theory of similitude, the author develops a general equation and related concepts that provide new insights to an old problem. The load-bearing capacity (strength) of a square, rectangular, or cylindrical prism of a brittle material such as rock, coal, or concrete is expressed as the mathematical product of a size effect, a shape effect, and a function of the mechanical properties (deformability, cleat/joint spacing, and friction) of the pillar, roof, and floor materials. Through an application of multivariate statistical analysis, the results of assorted tests (laboratory and in situ) and observations of failed pillars can be combined into a fundamental scaling equation, which provides a unified, consistent approach to the estimation of mine pillar strength. The form of the equation is sufficiently general to be able to incorporate refinements in the characterization of the structural parameters, as they become available through future analysis and experimentation. Analysis of the published test data suggests that pillar compressive strength (per unit of area) is proportional to the cube root of the pillar width, and that the height effect can be described as the superimposing of a variable size effect (characteristic of the material) on the constant width effect.

Jan 1, 1981

By W. J. O'CONNOR

THE production of lead in the United States for the period from 1720 to 1912 was 10,432,668 tons valued at $924,600,000. The average price during this period was 4.4c. a pound, although lead sold at times below 3 cents. We know that in the early days of lead smelting in Montana lead was deliberately lost in the slag and only enough reduced as bullion to collect the silver. This bullion was freighted by ox team to Corinne, Utah, the terminus of the railroad at that time, and shipped to Swansea or Omaha, Neb., for refining. The slag from some of the above mentioned operations contained as much as 15 per cent lead and has since been resmelted. Since 1921 the production of lead has increased each year and the price and tonnage have been as follows :

Jan 1, 1926

Aalde, Kaare. ('40) Gen'I Del., Bisbee. Ariz. Aase, Glenn D., ('40) Univ. of North Dakota. Grand Forks. N. D. Abadesco, Enrique A., ('39) College of Engrg.. Univ. of the Philippines. Manila, P. I. Abbott. John L., ('40) Colorado School of Mines. Golden. Colo. Abdul-Ahad, A., ('39) Montana School of Mines. Residence Hall, Butte. Mont. Abreu, Ovidio M., ('38) Univ. of Nevada, Reno, Nev. Acomb, Allen. ('41) Louisiana State Univ., Box 1970, University. La. Acosta S., Gonzalo. ('40) Univ. of Texas, Univ. Sta., Box 1785. Austin, Tex. Adam, Howard W., ('41) Montana School of Mines. Butte, Mont. Adams, Albert, ('381 New Mexico School of Mines, Socorro. N. M. Adams. Charles W., ('39) Michigan College of Min. & Tech., Houghton, Mich. Adams. H. Travis, ('39) 316 South -5th St., Bur¬bank. Calif. Adams, Jack L., ('39) Univ. of Oklahoma, Nor¬man. Okla. Adams. John W., ('41) Colorado School of Mines, Golden. Colo. Adams. Lewis J.. ('39) 402 Del Mar Blvd., Corpus Christi, Tex. Adams, Rob L., ('40) Agricultural & Mech. Col¬ lege of Texas. Box 600, College Sta., Tex. Adamson. Charles R., ('41) Univ. of Utah, Salt Lake City. Utah.

Jan 1, 1941

By J. R. Dunn

Planning quarry operations and control of the quality of rock materials at Hudson Cement Co. at East Kingston, N. Y., are special problems because of multiple uses for the stone and the great structural complexity of the rocks. Problems have been largely solved by detailed geologic work. These geologic studies have paid dividends in long and short range planning, in assessment of reserves, in vastly reduced cost of chemical analyses, and in reduced drilling costs. Limestones of the Hudson Valley outcrop along the Hudson River from Albany to Kingston. Old established cement companies are located just south of Catskill and just east and southeast of Hudson, N. Y. The new Atlantic Cement plant is being constructed at Ravena. Hudson Cement located at East Kingston, is a newcomer and is closest to the New York metropolitan area (Plate I).

Jan 11, 1961

By A. C. Fieldner

THE older coal chemist had a much simpler conception of coal than we have today. To him coal was a mineral composed essentially of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, ash, and water, in various proportions. His studies on the constitution of coal were directed along the conventional lines of proximate and ultimate chemical analyses and making deductions from these data without any real appreciation of the fact that coal is a conglomerate of various chemical compounds, including many of the most complex structures known to organic chemistry. The view of the modern coal chemist is well expressed by Franz Fischer, I who says that while proximate and ultimate analyses are important both from the scientific and technical point of view, they tell the chemist no more concerning the number and kinds of chemical compounds that constitute coal than the reader would learn of the contents of a book if told that the printed contents consisted of 15 per cent. of the letter "e," 5 per cent. of the letter "n," 1 per cent. of the letter "g," 4 per cent. of the letter "b," etc. As the reader must have the grouping of letters into words and words into sentences, so the chemist must have the grouping of atoms into molecules and the proportion of each molecular compound in the coal aggregate before he acquires an adequate knowledge of the constitution of coal. Modern investigators2 are laying the foundation of a new chemistry of coal based on the biochemistry of plants and the chemical changes involved in processes of fermentation and decay. As

Jan 5, 1925