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By John A. Putnam, A. D. K. Laird

This paper describes the application of x-ray theory to design procedures in connection with fluid saturation determinations during fluid flow experiments with porous media. A reliable and rapid method for calibrating the x-ray apparatuy is described. Extension of the method to fluid saturation determinations in three-fluid systems is described. INTRODUCTION In rerearch on oil production problems a method is required which will give quickly the quantity of each component of a fluid flow system present at any cross-section of a porous medium. The sample of porous medium under investigation is usually referred to as a core. The ratio of the volume of one component to the total fluid volume is defined as the saturation of the porous medium by that component. This ratio is generally given as per cent saturation. Some means of measuring saturation which have received consideration include: electrical conductivity of the fluids;1,2 emissions from radioactive tracers dissolved in the fluids; the radioactivity of silver caused by reflection of neutrons from hydrogen atoms in the fluids;' the attenuation of a microwave beam. the diminution and phase shift of ultrasonic wave trains.4,5 and the reduction in intensity of x-ray beams in passing through the fluids. X-rays have already been used with some success. Since every material has a different power to absorb x-rays, the reduction in intensity of an x-ray beam as it passes through a core depends on the fluids present. The strength of the emergent beam can be found by converting its energy into a measurable form such as heat or ionic current. or by its effect on a photographic plate or fluorescent screen. The beam strengths could be interpreted as quantities of known fluids in the core if, previously, these beam strengths had been identified with a known combination of the same fluids. With some fluid cornbinations it might be desirable to dissolve powerful x-ray absorbing materials in one or more of the fluids, to increase the differences in the beam strengths for various fluid saturations. Boyer, Morgan and Muskat6 have described a method of measuring two component fluid saturation. One component was air or water; the other. minerat seal oil in which was dissolved 25 per cent by weight of iodobenzene to increase its absorbing power. The x-ray source was a tungsten target tube operated at 43 kv potential. The beam emerging from the core was measured as ionic current flowing across an air-filled ionization chamber by means of an amplifying circuit and galvanometer. Another portion of the beam from the x-ray tube was passed through a metal plate and measured in another ionization chamber. This portion, called the monitor beam, was used as an indication of the performance of the x-ray tube. The galvanometer readings were calibrated against air-oil core saturations, gravimetrically determined. The method was apparently established by experimental means. In the present investigation the available theory of x-radia-tion was surveyed with a view to extending the usefulness of the method and to developing design procedures for its application to measurement of fluid saturation in porous media. Application of the theory permits prediction of relative meter readings to be expected for any combination of porous matrix, various saturating fluids and auxiliary filtering media. It is thus possible to calibrate the equipment in terms of fluid saturation by an indirect but rapid technique. The results of calculations based on x-ray theory indicate. and results of the saturation calibration technique confirm. that a valid measurement of the saturation of the core can be made for any two components and in some cases for three components. THEORY The strength of an x-ray beam, after it has passed through a distance. 1, of matter of density, p, and mass absorption coefficient, µ at a given wavelength, A, may be expressed by the absorption formula I = I0 e ...........(1) where I, represents the intensity of the incident x-ray beam and I is the intensity of the emergent beam. The expression e is called the transmission factor of the material. The variation of I,, with wavelength depends upon the materials through which the x-ray beam has previously passed and upon the spectral distribution of energy at the source of the x-radiation. A group of curves. called spectra. which show the variation of intensity with wavelength and x-ray tube voltage are given in Fig. 1. These curves represent the general radiation from a tungsten target tube. When the tube voltage is greater than 69.3 kv, the characteristic radiation of the tungsten is emitted and is superposed on the general radiation. At a given voltage the minimum wavelength A,,,,, at which energy can be emitted by an x-ray tube is given by the formula 12,340 xml. = ——..........(2) volts where A,.,,.. is in Angstrom units. The wavelength at which the spectra have maximum intensity a1so decreases with increasing x-ray tube voltaue. The area under each curve represents to an arbitrarv scale the total energy emerging from the x-ray tube for that voltage. The variation of µ with wavelength has been determined for many substances and may be found in such references as those by Compton and Allison7 and by Hodgman.8 The phenomenon of absorption is composed chiefly of the capture of photons by the atoms of the absorbing material with associated displacement of electrons, and of the scattering, or the deflection, of the photons by the atoms. Curves of these mass absorption coefficients show jump discontinuities. or absorption edges. at wavelengths which are short enough for the photons,

Jan 1, 1951

By Shiou-Chuan Sun, R. F. Wesner, J. D. Morgan

0. C. Ralston and F. Fraas—Dr. Sun and associates have presented an interesting paper not all of which is comprehended by us. The data assembled measure the deflections of particles in an electrostatic field as a function of a number of independent variables and some dependent variables that are not sharply differentiated. These data are all based on a Johnson type machine of definite, well-described geometry, something not often done in electrostatic separation literature. One new fact brought out by this technique is the effect of coal dust on admixed pyrite and quartz. The effects are opposite in character, as should be expected and we do not agree with the authors that these effects are negligible. Fraas' also used a multiple cell "distribution analyzer" and gives in fig. 5 of his paper a straight line plot with no humps or curves. This is not necessarily at variance with Sun's results because Fraas used a larger gap between electrodes and had no evidence of particles adhering to or dropping off the charged electrode. The section of Sun's paper on effect of surface conductivity contains a speculation that the dielectric constant "represents more or less the electrical conductance of the bulk body instead of the surface of the mineral particles." A simple picture of the meaning of the dielectric constant is that it is the specific inductive capacity of a dielectric when used as the dielectric between the plates of a condenser. It is at once evident that the above speculation confuses capacity with conductance—two definitely independent variables. We ask the authors to state in what group or subdivision their garnet belongs; what method and units were used in calculating the data of col. A, table I and their meaning; what was the temperature of the carrier roll and, finally, has any effort been made to investigate the effects of particle shape on distribution in the electrostatic field? S. B. Hudson—I have read this article with great interest. We have been engaged in research work on the principles of electrostatic separation in this laboratory for some time now, and our findings agree with those of the authors in many respects. The article shows evidence of careful and valuable research in the field of electrostatic separation. A "distribution analyser," very similar to that described in an earlier article by one of the authors," was incorporated in an inclined plate-type electrostatic separator designed and built in the Melbourne University laboratory in 1948 for investigation purposes.22 The actual splitting edges were machined from y! in. per-spex, and the paper hoppers were supported on linen thread immediately below the perspex dividers. These dividers fitted into machined slots in a framework to give accurate Yz-in. spacings. The hoppers (staggered) fed directly into a rack of test tubes, which is supported on a vertical pantograph arrangement. The rack was positioned with guides on the horizontal pantograph stand, and this ensured positive alignment when replacing the rack after making weighings. In later work, when much heavier feed rates were used, of the order of 30 to 40 Ib per in. per hr a rack fitted with rectangular metal containers and similarly aligned was used. Some work was done here on comparing the distributions of minerals when passed separately and when passed as a mixture, and it was found that there was quite an appreciable difference in the two results.= However, in our separator the particles do not pass down the plate in a single layer, and this difference is probably caused by collisions of one mineral particles with the other mineral particles. In most of the investigational work here, the change of the center point of the distribution is measured to establish the effect of a variable, such as voltage. Two minerals (zircon and rutile) have been studied rather exhaustively, and it was found that their distributions are very nearly normal. Owing to the sharpness of the distribution curves, the usual method of obtaining the mean or median was inaccurate, and was not used; instead the mean (also the median), calculated on the assumption of a normal distribution, was used to locate the center point of each distribution and proved satisfactory. The effect of polarity becomes very apparent in the plate-type separator where frictional charges play a very important part when using highly resistive minerals such as zircon. With rutile, a comparatively conductive mineral, polarity of the electrode has little effect. On the other hand, the magnitude of the voltage has a far greater effect on conductive than on resistive minerals. Shiou-Chuan Sun (authors' reply)—Thanks are extended to Drs. Ralston and Fraas for their keen interest in this paper. Their questions concerning coal dust,

Jan 1, 1951

By Shiou-Chuan Sun, R. F. Wesner, J. D. Morgan

0. C. Ralston and F. Fraas—Dr. Sun and associates have presented an interesting paper not all of which is comprehended by us. The data assembled measure the deflections of particles in an electrostatic field as a function of a number of independent variables and some dependent variables that are not sharply differentiated. These data are all based on a Johnson type machine of definite, well-described geometry, something not often done in electrostatic separation literature. One new fact brought out by this technique is the effect of coal dust on admixed pyrite and quartz. The effects are opposite in character, as should be expected and we do not agree with the authors that these effects are negligible. Fraas' also used a multiple cell "distribution analyzer" and gives in fig. 5 of his paper a straight line plot with no humps or curves. This is not necessarily at variance with Sun's results because Fraas used a larger gap between electrodes and had no evidence of particles adhering to or dropping off the charged electrode. The section of Sun's paper on effect of surface conductivity contains a speculation that the dielectric constant "represents more or less the electrical conductance of the bulk body instead of the surface of the mineral particles." A simple picture of the meaning of the dielectric constant is that it is the specific inductive capacity of a dielectric when used as the dielectric between the plates of a condenser. It is at once evident that the above speculation confuses capacity with conductance—two definitely independent variables. We ask the authors to state in what group or subdivision their garnet belongs; what method and units were used in calculating the data of col. A, table I and their meaning; what was the temperature of the carrier roll and, finally, has any effort been made to investigate the effects of particle shape on distribution in the electrostatic field? S. B. Hudson—I have read this article with great interest. We have been engaged in research work on the principles of electrostatic separation in this laboratory for some time now, and our findings agree with those of the authors in many respects. The article shows evidence of careful and valuable research in the field of electrostatic separation. A "distribution analyser," very similar to that described in an earlier article by one of the authors," was incorporated in an inclined plate-type electrostatic separator designed and built in the Melbourne University laboratory in 1948 for investigation purposes.22 The actual splitting edges were machined from y! in. per-spex, and the paper hoppers were supported on linen thread immediately below the perspex dividers. These dividers fitted into machined slots in a framework to give accurate Yz-in. spacings. The hoppers (staggered) fed directly into a rack of test tubes, which is supported on a vertical pantograph arrangement. The rack was positioned with guides on the horizontal pantograph stand, and this ensured positive alignment when replacing the rack after making weighings. In later work, when much heavier feed rates were used, of the order of 30 to 40 Ib per in. per hr a rack fitted with rectangular metal containers and similarly aligned was used. Some work was done here on comparing the distributions of minerals when passed separately and when passed as a mixture, and it was found that there was quite an appreciable difference in the two results.= However, in our separator the particles do not pass down the plate in a single layer, and this difference is probably caused by collisions of one mineral particles with the other mineral particles. In most of the investigational work here, the change of the center point of the distribution is measured to establish the effect of a variable, such as voltage. Two minerals (zircon and rutile) have been studied rather exhaustively, and it was found that their distributions are very nearly normal. Owing to the sharpness of the distribution curves, the usual method of obtaining the mean or median was inaccurate, and was not used; instead the mean (also the median), calculated on the assumption of a normal distribution, was used to locate the center point of each distribution and proved satisfactory. The effect of polarity becomes very apparent in the plate-type separator where frictional charges play a very important part when using highly resistive minerals such as zircon. With rutile, a comparatively conductive mineral, polarity of the electrode has little effect. On the other hand, the magnitude of the voltage has a far greater effect on conductive than on resistive minerals. Shiou-Chuan Sun (authors' reply)—Thanks are extended to Drs. Ralston and Fraas for their keen interest in this paper. Their questions concerning coal dust,

Jan 1, 1951

By Max Mason

IN 1923 a Western mining company was experimenting with the device of an inventor designed to locate buried ores by radio. Because the progress was slow and the results were confusing, the company began to doubt the usefulness of the method and invited me to review the whole question of the application of physics to ore detection. I was fortunate in securing the cooperation of several physicists who had worked with me during the war on the problem of submarine detection. This group has been increased and has been studying the problem of physical exploration for ores since that time. It was evident that the problem is a big one, with many angles of approach. Its general features may be set down, in rough outline, as follows: The soils, rocks and ores hidden beneath the surface differ, one from another in many respects. These differences may be made to furnish a clew for the physicists working from the surface. To bring these differences into action the physicist creates some kind of an effect, which penetrates into the ground and is distorted and, reflected when it meets boundaries between different sorts of underground structure. In other words, he sends a message down, and the rocks and ore send back signals in, reply. In picturing this process, we should not regard the ground as dense and impenetrable. The kind of messages used pass through the earth about as readily as a sound wave travels the air. If, then, the fundamental procedure is to shout down questions in the hope that an orebody will hear and answer back to us, it is clear that a large part of the expert's study must relate to the kind of questions best suited to the temperament and intelligence of orebodies. It will be easier for the ore to, reply to some of our questions than to others, and it is for us to find the right questions. In certain cases, we are-spared the necessity of using a messenger, because nature has already provided one. For example, we already have a terrestrial magnetic field which auto-matically and continually conveys messages from underneath. We also have available the earth's gravitational field which furnishes us

Jan 1, 1927

By H. A. Wilhelm, P. Chiotti, G. A. Tracy

A summary of analytical, X-ray, thermal, and metallographic data obtained in the study of the Mg-U system is presented. No intermetallic compounds are formed by these two elements, and their mutual solubility is limited at temperatures up to 1255°C. The compositions of the liquids which coexist at 1135°C under a pressure of 3 atm are 0.14*0.05 wt pet U in magnesium, and 0.004 wt pet Mg in uranium. The solubility of uranium in magnesium decreases to 0.0510.03 wt pet at 675OC, and to about 0.0005 wt pet at 650°C. Due to the reactivity of both uranium and magnesium toward crucible materials, the choice of a suitable crucible presented a problem. Crucibles made from high purity magnesia to which 10 wt pet MgF2 was added to reduce porosity proved to be satisfactory. Some observations made with the use of other crucibles are given. THIS investigation was made to establish the phase diagram for the Mg-U system. Ahmann,' formerly of the Ames Laboratory, did some work on the system. He used several methods in an attempt to prepare Mg-U alloys. One of the methods involved the reduction of UF, with a large excess of magnesium. In these experiments, the magnesium wet the surface of the uranium, but there was no evidence for compound formation. The maximum solubility of magnesium in uranium was indicated to be 0.01 wt pet. In another set of experiments, uranium chips as well as uranium powder were heated in contact with molten magnesium in a graphite crucible for periods of time up to 48 hr. A reaction layer was found at the Mg-U interface in several instances. X-ray analysis of the layer material showed the presence of UC and some additional unidentified lines which were interpreted as indicating the possibility of an intermetallic compound of uranium and magnesium. These studies indicated the maximum content of magnesium in uranium to be 0.043 wt pet. One sample of magnesium which had been heated at 1025°C in contact with excess uranium was found by chemical analysis to contain 0.275 wt pet U. Rules, based on empirical or semi theoretical considerations, which attempt to predict the alloying behavior of metals have been presented in the literature. Although these rules are not infallible, they nevertheless serve as useful guides. Using them, several generalizations can be made concerning the Mg-U system. According to Hume-Rothery's' atomic

Jan 1, 1957

By Hugh S. Spence

In the winter of 1941-42, muscovite mica was discovered by a young prospector, Justin Purdy, in the township of Mat-tawan, Nipissing District, Ontario, a few miles north of the small settlement of Eau Claire, which lies on the main Transcontinental Highway (No. 17) between Mattawa and North Bay. Muscovite had been known for many years to occur in the general Mattawa region, and various small efforts at production had previously been made by individuals working scattered deposits in the area. These minor activities, however, had never led to production of any consequence or the discovery of any important mica bodies. The Purdy finds were made in a heavily timbered, mountainous area lying about three miles north of the low-lying settled land along the highway, and in a section not hitherto prospected. The mica taken by Purdy and two partners from surface outcrops proved so remarkable in point of size of trimmed sheets that the find attracted considerable attention, and the area surrounding the three claims taken up by the prospectors was quickly blanket-staked by various interests. Though a number of other mica-bearing pegmatite dikes were found later on these stakings, none proved as rich as those on the original Purdy ground; very little commercial mica was obtained from them and attempts to develop them were short-lived. Purdy and his partners sold their initial production to dealers in Ottawa and Hull, where the Canadian mica industry long has centered. Young Purdy, unfortunately was killed in a motor accident in the early summer of 1942. His father continued mining operations for a few months and produced and sold a considerable amount of mica. In October 1942 the Purdy holdings were acquired by lnspiration Mining and Development Co. of Amos, Quebec, which had been active in staking in the area. This company formed a subsidiary, Purdy Mica Mines, Limited, to develop the property. Under the energetic management of Joseph R. Norrie, rapid progress was made, and production soon attained important proportions. Realizing from the outset the unusual character and potential value in the war effort of the Purdy discovery, the Metals Controller, Department of Munitions and Supply, at once arranged with the Department of Mines and Resources for an official geological report on the area, and also drew the attention of the War Production Board in Washington to what seemed likely to prove a highly important source of strategic-quality mica. Officials of WPB were sent up in the Summer of 1942 to inspect the property, and so impressed were they with the possibility that it might become of high

Jan 1, 1948

By Hugh S. Spence

In the winter of 1941-42, muscovite mica was discovered by a young prospector, Justin Purdy, in the township of Mat-tawan, Nipissing District, Ontario, a few miles north of the small settlement of Eau Claire, which lies on the main Transcontinental Highway (No. 17) between Mattawa and North Bay. Muscovite had been known for many years to occur in the general Mattawa region, and various small efforts at production had previously been made by individuals working scattered deposits in the area. These minor activities, however, had never led to production of any consequence or the discovery of any important mica bodies. The Purdy finds were made in a heavily timbered, mountainous area lying about three miles north of the low-lying settled land along the highway, and in a section not hitherto prospected. The mica taken by Purdy and two partners from surface outcrops proved so remarkable in point of size of trimmed sheets that the find attracted considerable attention, and the area surrounding the three claims taken up by the prospectors was quickly blanket-staked by various interests. Though a number of other mica-bearing pegmatite dikes were found later on these stakings, none proved as rich as those on the original Purdy ground; very little commercial mica was obtained from them and attempts to develop them were short-lived. Purdy and his partners sold their initial production to dealers in Ottawa and Hull, where the Canadian mica industry long has centered. Young Purdy, unfortunately was killed in a motor accident in the early summer of 1942. His father continued mining operations for a few months and produced and sold a considerable amount of mica. In October 1942 the Purdy holdings were acquired by lnspiration Mining and Development Co. of Amos, Quebec, which had been active in staking in the area. This company formed a subsidiary, Purdy Mica Mines, Limited, to develop the property. Under the energetic management of Joseph R. Norrie, rapid progress was made, and production soon attained important proportions. Realizing from the outset the unusual character and potential value in the war effort of the Purdy discovery, the Metals Controller, Department of Munitions and Supply, at once arranged with the Department of Mines and Resources for an official geological report on the area, and also drew the attention of the War Production Board in Washington to what seemed likely to prove a highly important source of strategic-quality mica. Officials of WPB were sent up in the Summer of 1942 to inspect the property, and so impressed were they with the possibility that it might become of high

Jan 1, 1948

By George Sachs, S. M. Clark, George Espey

he tendency of a commercially drawn cartridge case to crack in the mercury test and the relation of cracking tendency to residual stress retained after drawing were studied. The fourth drawpiece (next to the final) of caliber 0.30 cartridge cases produced by Frankford Arsenal were selected as test pieces. These exhibited an exceptionally high cracking tendency, making a detailed study possible. To obtain fast cracking in the mercury test, about 0.0015 to 0.003 in. must be removed from the wall thickness of the drawpiece by pickling, and it must be subjected to the mercury test immediately after washing. Removal of the adhering mercury by annealing and subsequent squeezing of the case in a vise was used to reveal definitely the presence or absence of cracks. Various lots of apparently identically fabricated cases were shown to possess a different cracking tendency. Machining off or boring a hole in the base gradually reduced and eventually eliminated the cracking tendency. On the contrary, shortening of the wall (body) reduced the cracking tendency only if the wall became so short that the cracking zone was directly affected. By boring out the base and pickling from the outside and then splitting the resulting rings, it was possible to determine the approximate stress distribution in the base and in the adjacent part of the wall. Small compression stresses were present in the core and the major part of the base, while the surface of the base and the adjacent wall contained high circumferential tensile stresses. On the contrary, the wall when parted from the base contained only insignificant residual stress. The conception is advanced, that the stress distribution in a drawn cartridge case corresponds fundamentally to that of a tube (wall) shrunk on a disk (base). Such a stress distribution results from the tendency of the base to recover elastically by an increase in diameter from the biaxial compression during drawing while the wall exhibits little tendency to change its diameter after progressing through the die. This is confirmed by measurements which show the base diameter to be slightly larger than the wall diameter.

Jan 1, 1945

By G. M. Ritcey, M. J. Slater, B. H. Lucas

The recovery of uranium from acid leach slurries by continuous ion exchange, or solvent extraction using sieve-plate pulse columns, is compared. Differences in processing costs are of prime concern and can be related to differences in the unit operations of the two methods, as well as the chemical and physical properties of the slurry. Parameters are defined for the operation of the solvent-in-pulp process and the design of the continuous ion exchange column. Pilot plant operating experience with both recovery systems is described, and an overall assessment of the relative costs is presented.

Jan 1, 1973

THE. extraordinary volume of work done in this period, and the multiplicity of subject matter, make a year-by-year historical account undesirable, if the account is not to be an assembly of unrelated fragments. We shall, instead, undertake to narrate the development in this period of each of the branches of the subject separately, hoping that their interrelations will be self-evident. There is a certain arbitrariness in the selection of subject matter in the following sections. The development of important engineering alloys-for example, high-speed steel-is disregarded, for it is the primary purpose of this account to relate the advances in ideas, the growth of the science of metals; other historical accounts relate these parallel advances. Nor are advances in techniques stressed, though occasionally the most important are noted; nor is the progress described in allied fields such as welding, cutting, etc.; for though these developments have very frequently made possible the advances herein related, they are far too numerous to recount in anything short of a ponderous volume. There is a more serious arbitrariness, however; it is not an easy matter to draw the boundaries of physical metallurgy, and some contiguous subjects have been omitted that perhaps should have been included, such as, for example, corrosion, gases in metals, the magnetic behavior of metals and alloys, and certain other fields in the physics of metals. REACTIONS IN ALLOYS--DIFFUSION Many of the reactions occurring in alloys proceed by the operation of the process of diffusion in the solid state: the annealing of mixed powders to form alloys, the homogenization of castings or forgings, the freezing of alloys, the treatment of clad metals, the loss

Jan 1, 1948

By H. D. Williams, R. A. Scriven

The distribution of elevation angle of finite plane facets distributed symmetrically about a given axis is derived in terms of the angular distribution of lines which these facets produce in a plane section parallel to the axis. It is assumed that the facets are not markedly elongated in preferential directions. The theory is intended for application to the angular distribution in polycrystalline metals of slip planes and of particular grain boundaries on which certain phenomena such as cavitation can occuv. Illustrative examples are given in closed form and simple numerical techniques are de-ueloped for practical application. The results are applied to the distribution of cavitated boundaries in a copper specimen after fatigue at 400°C and it is found that voids form on the boundaries that exper~enced maximum shear stress. When investigating the distribution of elevation angle between a given axis and planes symmetrically distributed about this axis the angular distribution observed in a plane section parallel to the axis is not necessarily the same as the required distribution. Consequently a technique for processing the results obtained by sectioning methods is required. An example where such a technique would find application is in the problem of intercrystalline void formation during uniaxial tensile creep. Two theories have been proposed to explain this cavitation in terms of the normal and the shear components of stress, respectively. Hull and Rimmer (1959) postulate that the growth of intercrystalline voids is controlled by the rate of supply of vacancies from the grain boundary, the local vacancy concentration being proportional to the normal stress on the boundary. Gifkins (1956) considers that slip arising within a grain causes a ledge to be formed at the grain boundary which is subsequently opened up into a cavity by grain boundary sliding. It might be possible to differentiate between these mechanisms by determining the angular distribution of grain boundaries containing cavities since the former theory predicts a predominance of cavitated facets normal to the stress direction whereas the latter should favor an angle of 45 deg to this direction. In a similar manner an indication may be obtained of the type of mechanism responsible for intercrystalline cavitation during high-temperature fatigue. Davies and Wilshire (1962) have analyzed the slip-plane distribution in a nickel specimen but the problem was not treated in any detail nor was any account taken of the finite extent of the planes being sectioned. Hilliard (1962) has given a very general account of how anisotropy in the microstruciure can be related to measurements taken in one or more plane sections by expressing both the measured and the true angular distributions as expansions in spherical harmonics.* The present analysis is con-

Jan 1, 1965

By H. A. Wriedt

Zinc-vapor pressures in equilibrium with bcc solutions of zinc and iron at 703.5", 757", 793", and 900°C were measured by an isopiestic method. Thermody-na?nic properties of zinc in these solutions were derived directly and those of iron with a Gibbs-Duhem integration. Zirzc and iron exhibit large, positive, and moderately temperature-sensitive deviations from ideality. Excess enthalpies and Gibbs energies are positive in the ranges studied. It has been establzshed in relating published phase equilibria to the Gibbs energies of forming solid solutions that positive departures from ideality also exist in the fcc solutions. Tlze stability, as defined by Darken, of the bcc solutions is small but positive at 703.5"C. Its decrease with decreasing temperature indicates that a miscibility gap may exist in the stable or metastable bcc solutions at lower temperatures. The changes of thertnodynanlic properties relatable to changes in magnetic state are minor compared to other changes due to alloying. The accuracy with which the relation between lattice parameter and composition of the bcc solutions is known has been improved. Zinc increases the lattice parameter of a iron by O.ZOZA per unit atom action zinc to at least NZn = 0.25. TO our knowledge, only Ciganl has previously investigated thermodynamic properties of the bcc solutions of the Fe-Zn system. He measured zinc-vapor pressures in the temperature range from about 320" to 360°C by an effusion technique. We have measured the vapor pressures of zinc in equilibrium with bcc solutions of zinc and iron at 703.5", 757", 793", and 900°C by an isopiestic technique. This investigation and the pursuant thermodynamic computations are part of a program for studying several properties of these solid solutions. In the appendix we report a remeasurement of the relation at room temperature between the lattice parameter and zinc content. Related work not reported herein embraces measuring the diffusivity2 of zinc in ferrite at 700" to 900°C and the Curie point temperature3 as functions of composition. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD AND APPARATUS Purified iron at a series of constant temperatures was saturated with zinc at a series of constant zinc-vapor pressures, the range of conditions being so limited that the equilibrated solid solutions were ferri-tic. The equilibration was conducted in long capsules, Fig. 1, that had been evacuated, gettered with titanium, and sealed. The purified iron, part of a vacuum-melted ingot of electrolytic-iron stock (Glidden Co. 1044-grade), had the impurity contents listed in Table I. It was used in the form of millings about 0.001 in. thick. A zinc of 99.999 pct purity (United Mineral and Chemical Corp.) and later one of 99.9999 pct purity (Cominco Products, Inc.) were used, with no observed difference in results. Sufficient zinc was placed in the capsule (separate from the iron and kept at a different temperature) to supply the vapor phase and the iron alloy, while leaving a pool of pure liquid zinc throughout the run. The imposed temperature of the residual zinc pool fixed the vapor pressure of zinc throughout the capsule; condensation was avoided at other locations by making this the lowest temperature in the capsule. Two common complications of nonisothermal systems were, we believe, effectively absent from ours: first, molecular species other than monatomic have no appreciable concentration in zinc vapor at 700" to 900~~: second, the development of zinc-pressure differentials in the capsules was suppressed by use of relatively large-diameter tubing and the absence of diluents in the zinc vapor other than desorbed impurities. The specimens and zinc pool were located at two isothermal zones (each ranging within 1°C over several inches) of a wire-wound, 37-in.-long vertical-tube furnace. The required temperature distribution was achieved by external adjustment of the currents in three electrically isolated windings. The temperatures of the isothermal zones were controlled independently by ther-

Jan 1, 1968

CHARGING of an open-hearth heat is begun as soon as possible after the previous heat has been tapped. Ordinarily, about 40 min is required to drain and dress the furnace hearth, make up the taphole, and perform routine repairs of the banks. Repairs to the upper back wall and to the front wall and jambs can ordinarily be done while the first scrap charge is being heated and are therefore allowed to wait in order to save furnace time. Any major repairs required on the hearth or other parts of the furnace necessitate longer delays because such repairs must be made while the furnace is empty. Although charging practice varies considerably in detail with the type and proportions of scrap and iron used, many factors are common to all varieties of charge. Such general considerations are dealt with first. CHARGING EQUIPMENT AND STOCK HANDLING The physical equipment available for loading and weighing the stock, transporting it to the furnace, and charging it, may have a major effect on charging practice. Limestone, scrap, and all other solid melting stock are charged mechanically by means of equipment illustrated in Fig 2-1. The charging of hot metal is shown in- the background of this figure. Mechanical equipment and plant layout for stock handling are described in Chapter 1. It is generally desirable to charge the scrap about as fast as the physical volume can be put into the furnace. Charging scrap that is too heavy or adding the charge too rapidly (less than 45 min) may be detrimental to melting rate because of excessive chilling of the entire furnace system and also because of poor conduction of heat to the lower layers in the furnace; but the more common problem is the reverse one of charging light scrap fast enough to maintain a normal heat time. A limiting factor may be the height to which the scrap may he piled in the fur-

Jan 1, 1964

By Charles Barrett

METALLURGISTS are making use of the stereographic projection to a steadily increasing extent. In the last five years no less than 20 papers in American metallurgical journals alone have employed the stereographic projection; recent books on physical metallurgy, plastic deformation, X-rays and their applications, and crystal structure use it. Mineralogists have used the stereographic projection for many years in the description of symmetry classes and crystal planes, for it presents an accurate, easily understood plot of any angular relations in crystals with all unessential features eliminated (such as the accidentally deter-mined size and shape of crystal faces). In metallography and physical metallurgy the projection is much used for the analysis of markings appearing on polished grains: slip lines, twins, cracks, structures formed by precipitation, magnetic-powder patterns, etch pits, etc. Data from certain types of X-ray photograms are most conveniently analyzed by its use, particularly those for determining the orientation of single crystals or the preferred orientation of grains in an aggregate. Calculations of how to tilt or cut a crystal parallel to a certain crystallographic plane or to reflect X-rays from a certain plane are rapidly carried out. It has been adopted almost universally to the exclusion of other methods by those studying the deformation of metallic crystals, save where the accu-racy required is greater than a few tenths of a degree. Any directional property in a crystal or polycrystalline material can be shown on a stereo-graphic projection; for example, the modulus of elasticity, yield point, etc. It has been repeatedly called to our attention that there is need of all elementary explanation of the principles and methods of stereographic projection, covering all the, common applications in the field of metal-lography and physical metallurgy. The following contribution is an attempt to fill this need. The description of each method is supplemented with references to publications in which the method has been used. For convenience to the reader, these illustrative references are chiefly in American journals, particularly the publications of the American Institute of Mining and

Jan 1, 1937

By Robert Goodrich

THERE is a small area about Murray where bedded gold quartz veins occur in Prichard slate. The ore taken from the upper levels, during the early days, was free milling and was treated by stamp milling and amalgamation. There was likewise a considerable placer working. The report is current that tungsten (scheelite) was encountered, which interfered with the amalgamation in the stamp mills and which, in placering, collected in the riffles in the sluice boxes and. clogged them. Consequently, in the quartz mines, the scheelite, when encountered, was rejected, being thrown into the waste, sometimes inside the mine and at other times outside on the clump. The free surface ores became worked out and as the ore in depth became pyritic and rebellious to amalgamation the mines closed down. Last spring tungsten ore brought a high price, near $80 per unit, 60 per cent. W03 and up. This so stimulated the output of tungsten ore that old clumps were explored and waste stored in the mines was gone over. Tungsten was likewise mined from virgin ground. So the district produced quite heavily for a time. The condition now is different. The price is not so high, about $20 per unit W03, which makes profits questionable when mining in new ground. The accumulations from early clay mining have been exhausted and the output has greatly declined. The Golden Chest mine was the heaviest producer of tungsten. The months of June and July were spent at this mine studying the problem. Since the mine had produced both gold and tungsten, we looked forward to the problem of recovering both from what might be called a gold-tungsten ore. A study of the Golden Chest vein showed this not to be so there. While gold ore and tungsten ore come from the same vein, the tungsten ore is confined to a more or less disturbed or distorted portion

Jan 8, 1917

By Arthur C. Spencer

The object of the following paper is a description of the Treadwell gold-deposits in their geological aspects. quite apart from any consideration of the economical methods of mining and milling which have been developed and successfully applied

Jan 1, 1905

By L. W. Saperstein, Y. J. Wang

The development of computer programs to solve complex ventilation networks has reached a point of refinement where these programs become a necessary tool of the ventilating engineer. Such a program is presented. This program has an increased efficiency over its predecessors; it also includes the important facility of fixed quantity branches. This is in addition to the earlier capabilities of free-splitting, internal or external fans, and natural ventilation pressures. The program is written in Fortran IV with double-precision arithmetic and is listed here. Sample problems with input and output are also given. The recent, and presumably continuing, official interest in mine safety is bound to result in more stringent control requirements for ventilation. Anticipating this requirement, the Dept. of Mining, The Pennsylvania State University, has developed a computer program for the solution of complex mine ventilation networks. It is the opinion of this department that the program has sufficient merit to warrant its use in normal industrial operating conditions. Although the undergraduate mining engineering students of this department are routinely trained to use the program, it was felt that this training did not present a fast enough means of dissemination; consequently, this paper was written. The conception of the program is not new;1; however, the present version incorporates features that changes it from a scientific endeavor to a useful operating tool. These features include those of earlier programs, such as free-splitting, external or internal fans, and natural ventilation processes plus the important ability of handling fixed quantity branches, and of increased efficiency giving reduced cost. The facility for fixed quantities will be discussed in more detail. The solution of any network depends upon satisfying Kirchchoff's laws. These state that the sum of flow at any junction is zero, and that the sum of the pressure drop in branches totals the pressure drop in the mesh constituted by those branches, that is that the pressure drop around any mesh is zero. The terminology is derived from Synge," and is, in fact, that used by Topologists. A branch is any airway of uniform characteristics; a junction is where two or more airways meet (the minimum number of two airways is useful for describing the point where a low resistance airway changes into a high resistance one due to some physical constriction); a mesh is a path, along some branches, that returns on to itself, but does not need to traverse the same branch twice in order to do so; and a tree describes all those branches in a network which, while connected through all the junctions, do not form any meshes. Obviously the branches-in-tree are open-ended and can be shown to be one less than the number of junction (J-1). The branches-out-of-tree, also called basic branches, are equal to the number of basic meshes and are M = N — J + 1, where M is the number of meshes and N is the number of branches. The major difference between this network and an electrical one is that the law attributed to Atkinson for pressure drop is utilized rather than Ohm's law. Atkinson stated that the pressure drop (potential) is equal to a resistance factor multiplied by the quantity squared. This is written H = RlQlQ where H is the head loss. Q? is written in this factored fashion so that H will always have the same sign as Q. A negative sign is used to indicate that flow in a branch is opposite to that of its containing mesh. A mesh takes the direction of its basic branch. Utilizing Atkinson's law in Kirchchoff's second law and bearing in mind that the first law must remain satisfied, the program will determine all quantities, or head losses as they are related, for the branches of the network. The program uses a Geuss-Seidel form of in-teration, starting from an arbitrary Q and using a correction factor of the type first suggested by Professor Hardy Cross' that will handle the nonlinear equation of Atkinson's law. A fuller description of the interative process is included in Wang and Hartman.' Iteration continues until the correction factor is less than or equal to a preset error (E) or until a maximum number of iterations (MAXIT) have been reached. Utilizing an E of 50 cfm, sample problems have had rapid solutions. Rapidity of solution is also ensured by the method of selecting meshes and basic branches. This is done by the computer, which chooses the highest resistance branches, fixed quantity branches, and those containing fans, as basic branches. Natural ventilation pressures are handled as fans of constant pressure and may be assigned to any branch. The computer will generate a fan characteristic by polynominal fitting if a few operating points from the desired fan are input. A fan may be placed in any branch of the network, except those with fixed quantities. The strength of the present program over its earlier versions is its ability to handle fixed quantity branches. This means that certain branches can have their quantity determined, or preset, by the ventilating engineer. Operating under this constraint, the program will analyze the network and output the pressure change necessary to achieve this desired quantity. A call for positive head loss would require an auxiliary fan; negative head loss would require a regulator. This represents a powerful tool for the ventilating engineer who must insure that certain quantities of air pass across the operating faces or through working stopes. McPherson6 suggested that a ventilation program would be useful for determining in advance which branches were receiving inadequate air, and that subsequent calculations would then indicate the necessary corrections. The present program makes these corrections. Thus the mine manager can know immediately the consequences of changes to his system;

Jan 1, 1971

By F. F. Aplan, P. H. de Bruyn

The adsorption density of hexyl mercaptan was measured at the gold-solution and the gold-vapor interfaces. This collector is strongly adsorbed at low concentrations, a monomolecular layer being formed at the gold-solution interface at concentrations as low as 2 x 10'6 moles per liter. A maximum contact angle of 83 ± 3° is observed. From a thermodynamic analysis of the experimental data the changes in surface tension at the gold-gas and gold-solution interface are calculated. The data also suggest that the adsorption density of mercaptan at the gold-gas interface exceeds that at the gold-solution interface. In the equilibrium state, a simple flotation system consists of three phases, the solid to be floated, air, and an aqueous solution in stable contact along a line. During the process leading to this final state, a solid-gas interface is created at the expense of a portion of the liquid-gas and solid-liquid interfaces. This change of state is achieved by addition of a collector and, if necessary, suitable modifying agents to the system. By a combined application of the Gibbs Adsorption and the Young Equations, de Bruyn, Overbeek and Schuhmannl were able to show theoretically that the equilibrium distribution of the collector at all three interfaces determines the magnitude of the contact angle. Their analysis led them to conclude that the equilibrium adsorption density of the collector at the solid-gas interface exceeds its density at the solid- liquid interface. This paper succeeded in focussing attention on the neglected role of the solid-gas interface in flotation. In recent years the application of radiotracer, infrared, electrochemical and electro-kinetic techniques to studies of the solid-liquid interface2-5 enhanced our understanding of adsorption processes at this interface. Except for the measurement of contact angles, the solid-gas interface received no attention in fundamental flotation studies. In an attempt to apply the analysis of de Bruyn, Overbeek and Schuhmann to a simple flotation system, an investigation of the adsorption of hexyl mercaptan onto gold was undertaken. Gold was chosen as the solid phase in order to keep the number of dissolved chemical species in the solution phase to a minimum. Hexyl mercaptan (1 - hexanethiol) was selected as collector because its relatively high vapor pressure at room temperature makes it possible to obtain adsorption measurements at the solid-gas interface. This flotation system consists, therefore, of a pure solid phase (gold), an aqueous solution of a weakly dissociated collector (1 -hexanethiol), and a gaseous phase, nitrogen saturated with respect to both water vapor and mercaptan vapor. EXPERIMENTAL MATERIALS AND METHODS Materials: Liquid 1-hexanethiol (C6H13SH) was obtained from Distillation Products Industries and was further purified by double distillation. The purity of the final product was established by boiling point and refractive index measurements. For the adsorption studies from aqueous solution, the radiotracer element, sulfur-35, (half life 87.1 days, 0.169 Mev beta ray) was synthesized into the mercaptan by Tracerlab Inc., Boston, Mass. A close boiling fraction of the synthesized compound was used in the adsorption studies. The specific activity of the radioactive compound was 10 millicuries per gram.

Jan 1, 1963

By William G., Pariseau

There are important phenomena in rock and soil mechanics that cannot be explained in terms of theories of homogeneous, isotropic materials. Subsidence of strata about mine openings is an example. In-situ stress measurements in nonisotropic sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks is another. Patterns of joints, faults, fractures, and similar geologic features impart directional mechanical properties to rock masses that are locally isotropic or anisotropic. On the geologic scale, the non-homogeneity of composite rock masses may, in certain instances, be dealt with as homogeneous anisotropy. The mechanics of large rock masses can, therefore, be expected to involve considerations of anisotropy. The source of the anisotropy is not relevant. Once the scale of observation is selected and the material is defined accordingly, the analysis of stress and deformation proceeds without regard to the numerical values of the material constants. There are also important phenomena in rock and soil mechanics that cannot be explained in terms of linear elasticity, theory. For the mechanical description of anisotropic geologic materials capable of de- forming beyond the limit of purely elastic strains, a plasticity theory is required.

Jan 1, 1972

By Harry H. Angst, Reuel A. Cochrane

THE successful exploitation by opencut methods of the low-grade porphyry copper deposits is due to the economical handling of large tonnages. Large tonnages are possible only if the rock material is broken so that the large power shovels can operate with minimum delays. This is particularly true at the New Cornelia mine, where the dense, hard, tough rock material creates problems not encountered in most of the porphyry copper mines. The introduction of churn drills at the New Cornelia for primary drilling, in 1936, necessitated a complete change in the methods of breaking ground as formerly air drills had been used. The blasting operations are of particular interest because of the handling of great quantities of high explosives in safely and efficiently fragmenting the hard rock material. ROCK FORMATIONS At the New Cornelia mine the rocks are quartz monzonite with a diorite border facies intruding a rhyolitic series. Overlying these formations is a fanglomerate formation composed of boulders of monzonite, diorite, rhyolite, and other types of rock of unknown derivation. (The word "fanglomerate" is used in this paper in referring to the local conglomerate type of rock formations.) The ore body is approximately 4800 ft. long and 2800 ft. wide, and is of the disseminated type. Mineralization occurs principally the quartz monzonite and to some extent in the adjacent diorite and rhyolite. The principal ore minerals are chalcopyrite, bornite, and a small amount of chalcocite. Over a considerable area the quartz monzonite is extremely hard and siliceous in character, owing to pegmatitic zones of alteration. The hardness of the ground depends on the intensity of the silicification. In a small area in-the pit, the monzonite contains an abundance of pyrite accompanied by sericitization and is soft and easily fragmented. This is true also in the remaining oxidized portion of the ore body. The diorite and rhyolite formations, like the monzonite, vary from extremely hard to very soft material, but on the whole are easier to fragment than the monzonite. jointing is prevalent in all the rock formations and plays an important role in the blasting efficiencies. In the fanglomerate formation, numerous well-defined joints, widely spaced, tend to make the ground blocky when blasted. This is a deterrent to good fragmentation. In the other rocks the joints are more numerous and are closely spaced, except in localized areas where the formations are extremely hard. These descriptions indicate that the lowest blasting efficiency will be obtained in the harder formations, from which the major portion of the mine production is obtained; namely, the monzonite and rhyolite. All rock formations mined at the New Cornelia pit are so hard that excavation

Jan 1, 1941