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By A. G. Buyers, J. Chilton, W. E. McKee

STUDIES in the high-temperature separations chemistry of thorium-uranium fuels are complicated by the corrosive nature of these molten metal systems at 1700°C. Separations research pointed toward the removal of fission products from irradiated alloys has included a frozen salt-bed technique which minimizes container reaction with molten metal. The procedure consists of high-frequency induction melting of the metal sample which is supported by a vertical column of unmelted salt. The molten alloy melts its immediate salt environment and as it slowly falls down through the column, many of the fission-product poisons are transferred into the fused salt environment. The molten salt-metal zone is encompassed at all times by unmelted salt, preventing container contact. EXPERIMENTAL Experimental methods were separated into three parts: salt-bed preparation, melting, and analytical evaluation. A) Bed Preparation—The procedure for casting calcium-fluoride briquettes was to compress the powdered salt at 5,000 to 10,000 psi and place this compact in a graphite crucible. This assembly was inserted into a vacuum system and surrounded by an alumina crucible as well as molybdenum, tantalum, or stainless-steel foil thermal-radiation shields. The pressure was reduced and the crucible heated under vacuum to about 800°C with the fore pump operating. Argon was then admitted to about 0.8 atm and heating continued until the CaF2 had melted 5 min at the melting point seemed satisfactory). Apparatus used included a 1-in. graphite crucible with 1/8-in. walls, 1-in. ID in a 2-in. induction coil, and a 6-kw Ajax high-frequency converter. B) Melting—Calcium-fluoride briquettes, 1 in. in diam and 1/2 to 1 in. thick, were prepared and vertically stacked to obtain the desired column length. An irradiated alloy sample (nut = 10") was placed on top of the salt column and the assembly was connected to the vacuum system. After evacuation of 5 to 10 , purified argon was admitted and the system flushed twice. The final argon pressure was about 0.8 atm. The sample was heated by induction at a power of about 6.5 kw. It then melted its way down through the salt and freely dropped into a small alumina crucible. The molten metal is followed during its downward course by the induction coil which is mounted upon a power-driven machine-threaded shaft. Experimental conditions used in the foregoing work

Jan 1, 1960

By George W. Maynard

In the death of Sir William Siemens, the Institute loses its most distinguished honorary member, one who, without exaggeration, may be ranked among the greatest Men of the century. In justification of this claim, I quote in part the words of two other men eminent in the walks of science. Professor Huxley, addressing the Royal Society, spoke of Siemens as "a marked example of vast energy, large scientific acquirements, and intellectual power of a high order," and as one " who had no superior in fertility and ingenuity of invention, while hardly any living man so thoroughly combined an extensive knowledge of scientific principles with the power of applying then] in a commercially successful manner. The value of his numerous inventions must be measured, not merely by the extent to which they have increased the wealth and convenience of mankind, but by the favorable reaction on the progress of pure science which they, like all such inventions, have exerted, and will continually exert." Dr. Wedding, in his address before the Verein zur Befarderung des Gewerbefleisses in Preussm, speaks of Siemens as being "so fortunate as to combine German erudition with British activity in such a manner that both nations, Gertnan as well as English, were equally proud of him; and, now that his rich life is ended, regret is expressed on both shores of the North Sea, first by the Germans that his entire life had not been spent in Germany, and his powers dedicated to Germany, and by the English that he was not born a Briton." Germany may well be proud of being the birth-place, not only of such a man, but of such a family; for where in history shall we find in a single family such a wide range of knowledge so successfully applied to the arts? The least distinguished name in the following list has added to the world's knowledge enough to satisfy the desire for fame of any ordinary man. This constellation is made up of:

Jan 1, 1884

By L. V. Gregor, C. F. Aliotta, P. Balk

The structure of silicon surfaces, thermally oxi&zed in dry oxygen and in steam, was studied using the electron microscope. It was found that the structure on the original (etched) surface is retained at the outer surface of the oxide, whereas the oxide-silicon interface is smoothed out considerably. This supports the idea that, both in oxygen and in steam, the oxidation reaction occurs at the oxide-silicon interface. Mechanical damage of the original silicon surface affects the rate of oxidation. It also changes the chemical properties of the oxide, as shown by the enhanced rate of etching in buffered HF at the locations of damage. However, the oxide at the originally damaged surfaces still exhibits a high electrical breakdown strength. Exposure of thermal oxides to P205 or BzOs vapor, which will yieldphospho- or borosilicate layers, results in complete annihilation of all fine structure on the surface. Reaction of silicon with C02 gives a surface film which probably does not consist of pure SiO,. THERMAL oxidation of silicon yields uniform and strongly adhering oxide films which are normally amorphous and continuous. Contamination and surface imperfections have been reported to cause local crystallization and the formation of pinholes."' The parabolic-rate law of film growth observed by several workers for the oxidation both in steam and in dry oxygen at higher temperatures suggests that diffusion of one or more reactants through the oxide is the rate-deter mining step. One of the dif-fusants is an oxygen species and oxide is continuously formed at the oxide-silicon interface. This was concluded for high-pressure steam oxidation by Ligenza and spitzer5 from an infrared-absorption study of the isotopic exchange of oxygen. Jorgensen arrived at the same conclusion for the oxidation in dry oxygen by measuring during oxidation the resistance change between silicon and a porous platinum marker electrode in the oxide. Recently, Pliskin and Gnall' reported similar conclusions concerning the growth mechanism from controlled etch studies using a phosphosilicate marker. The work communicated in the present paper was aimed at studying oxide growth on locally damaged silicon substrates and relating it to the chemical behavior and electrical breakdown properties of the films. Since etched and oxidized silicon surfaces normally appear to be very smooth when examined by optical microscopy except for some occasional pits, it was decided to use the electron microscope as a tool. In this way, the detection of surface roughness and damage on a scale comparable to or smaller than the thickness of the film is possible. Also, the microstructure of the original substrate surface constitutes a built-in marker which represents a minimum of perturbation to the growing oxide layer, and no foreign material is introduced. Thus information on surface reactions and additional evidence on the location of oxide formation in steam and in oxygen could be obtained. EXPERIMENTAL Electron micrographs7 were obtained using a Philips EM100 electron microscope. Collodion surface replication was used since this is a nondestructive technique and thus permits replicating the same surface at different stages of processing. In order to establish the effect of different treatments it was found essential to make successive observations of the same area by using a reference point. Reference points were conveniently provided by scribing a small v mark on the original surface with a silicon carbide tip. This procedure yields damaged and damage-free areas near the reference point. Upon replication, the samples were thoroughly cleaned before subjecting them to the next process step. Mechanically lapped silicon wafers (Dow-Corning, 100 ohm-cm p-type, cut perpendicular to the (111) direction) were chemically polished in a rotating beaker with a mixture of 1 part HF (48 pct), 2 parts glacial acetic acid, and 3 parts HNO3 (70 pct) by volume. This procedure yields a smooth surface with a faint "orange peel'' structure due to a "ripple" less than 20002i deep. Oxidation in steam or oxygen was carried out in an Electroglas tube furnace. Steam oxidations were always preceded and followed by a brief exposure to oxygen at the same temperattre. The thicknesses of the oxide films under 3000A were determined with a Rudolph Model 436-2003 ellipsometer,' whereas those over 3000A were measured using the VAMFO technique. In the present study, a solution of 300 g of N&F in 25 ml HF (48 pct) and 450 ml water was used to detect areas of increased chemical reactivity in the

Jan 1, 1965

By Robert F. Winkle

A detailed breakdown of mining costs, available to management on monthly and year-to-date bases, is mandatory for a controlled and efficient mining operation. A simple lump sum reporting of costs may indicate a profit or loss differential, but it does not allow an effective search for areas of possible cost reduction. Moreover, functional reporting is necessary on a timely basis so as to note trends of increasing costs In specific areas, which in turn allow possible preventive action by management. Definitive cost information helps to eliminate the tendency to overlook areas where cost Improvements can be made. A good cost control system points out salient operational weaknesses by: ( 1 ) allowing comparison of functional costs with similar costs of other mines and (2) pinpointing sudden increases over unit empirical costs within the organization. In general, the cost accounting structure is relatively uniform within large open pit mines, but surprisingly some systems will overlook the need for detailed breakout in comparatively high cost areas. In some other systems, unrelated costs will be lumped together, preventing careful analysis of cost accrual.

Jan 1, 1979

By W. R. Purcell

An apparatus is described whereby capillary pressure curves for porous media may be determined by a technique that involves forcing mercury under pressure into the evacuated pores of solids. The data so obtained are compared with capillary pressure curves determined by the porous diaphragm method, and the advantages of the mercury injection method are stated. Based upon a simplified working hypothesis, an equation is derived to show the relationship of the permeability of a porous medium to its porosity and capillary pressure curve, and experimental data are presented to support its validity. A procedure is outlined whereby an estimate of the permeability of drill cuttings may be made with sufficient acuracy to meet most engineering requirements. INTRODUCTION The nature of capillary pressures and the role they play in reservoir behavior have been lucidly discussed by Lev-rett', Hassler, Brunner, and Deah12, and others. As a result of these publications the value of determining capillary pressure curves for cores has come to be generally recognized within the oil industry. While considerable attention has been directed toward the subject in an effort to provide a reliable method of estimating percentages of connate water, it has been recognized that capillary pressure data may prove of value in other equally important applications. This paper describes a method and procedure for determining capillary pressure curves for porous media wherein mercury is forced under pressure into the evacuated pores of the solids. The pressure-volume relationships ob- tained are reasonably similar to capillary pressure curves determined by the generally accepted porous diaphragm method. The advantages of the method lie in the rapidity with which the experimental data can be obtained and in the fact that small, irregularly shaped samples, e.g., drill cuttings, can be handled in the same manner as larger pieces of regular shape such as cores or permeability plugs. Based upon a simplified working hypothesis, a theoretical equation will be derived which relates the capillary pressure curve to the porosity and permeability of a porous solid, and experimental data will be presented to support its validity. This relationship aplied to capillary pressure data obtained for drill cuttings by the procedure described provides a means for predicting the permeability of drill cuttings. METHODS FOR DETERMINING CAPILLARY PRESSURES Several techniques have so far been employed in determining capillary pressure curves and these fall into two principal categories: (1) Liquid is removed from, or imbibed by, the core through the medium of a high displacement pressure porous diaphragm (2) Liquid is removed from the core which is subjected to high centrifugal forces in a centrifuge4,'. There are? however, certain limitations inherent in both methods. The greatest capillary pressure which can be observed by method (I), above, is determined by the maximum displacement pressure procurable in a permeable diaphragm which at the present time appears to be less than 100 psi. An even more serious limitation of the diaphragm method is imposed hy the fact that several days may be required to reach saturation equilibrium at a given pressure; hence, the time re- quired to obtain a well-defined curve may be measured in terms of weeks. Furthermore, to date, no suitable technique for handling relatively small, irregularly shaped pieces of rock, such as drill cuttings, has been reported and, therefore, measurements must be made, in general, on cores, or portions thereof. The centrifuge method offers the distinct advantage over the porous diaphragm method of arriving at saturation equilibrium in a relatively short time by virtue of the elimination of the transfer medium for the liquid. The calculation of capillary pressures from centrifuge speeds is somewhat tediousa, however, and the equipment required is fairly elaborate. While there exists the possibility that this method might be adaptable to the determination of the capillary pressures of cuttings, this particular ramification has not been investigated, as far as is known. In view of the limitations of the two principal methods for determining capillary pressures, the apparatus described in the following sections has been devised in order that difficulties previously encountered might be circumvented. MERCURY INJECTION METHOD FOR DETERMINING CAPILLARY PRESSURES Theory The methods described above for determining capillary pressures are characterized by the fact that one of the fluids present within the pore spaces of the solid is a liquid which "wets" the solid, i.e., the contact angle which the liquid forms against the solid is less than 90" as measured through that phase. For these "wetting" liquids the action of surface forces is such that the fluid spontaneously fills the voids within the solid. These forces likewise oppose the withdrawal of the fluid from the pores of the solid.

Jan 1, 1949

By W. R. Purcell

An apparatus is described whereby capillary pressure curves for porous media may be determined by a technique that involves forcing mercury under pressure into the evacuated pores of solids. The data so obtained are compared with capillary pressure curves determined by the porous diaphragm method, and the advantages of the mercury injection method are stated. Based upon a simplified working hypothesis, an equation is derived to show the relationship of the permeability of a porous medium to its porosity and capillary pressure curve, and experimental data are presented to support its validity. A procedure is outlined whereby an estimate of the permeability of drill cuttings may be made with sufficient acuracy to meet most engineering requirements. INTRODUCTION The nature of capillary pressures and the role they play in reservoir behavior have been lucidly discussed by Lev-rett', Hassler, Brunner, and Deah12, and others. As a result of these publications the value of determining capillary pressure curves for cores has come to be generally recognized within the oil industry. While considerable attention has been directed toward the subject in an effort to provide a reliable method of estimating percentages of connate water, it has been recognized that capillary pressure data may prove of value in other equally important applications. This paper describes a method and procedure for determining capillary pressure curves for porous media wherein mercury is forced under pressure into the evacuated pores of the solids. The pressure-volume relationships ob- tained are reasonably similar to capillary pressure curves determined by the generally accepted porous diaphragm method. The advantages of the method lie in the rapidity with which the experimental data can be obtained and in the fact that small, irregularly shaped samples, e.g., drill cuttings, can be handled in the same manner as larger pieces of regular shape such as cores or permeability plugs. Based upon a simplified working hypothesis, a theoretical equation will be derived which relates the capillary pressure curve to the porosity and permeability of a porous solid, and experimental data will be presented to support its validity. This relationship aplied to capillary pressure data obtained for drill cuttings by the procedure described provides a means for predicting the permeability of drill cuttings. METHODS FOR DETERMINING CAPILLARY PRESSURES Several techniques have so far been employed in determining capillary pressure curves and these fall into two principal categories: (1) Liquid is removed from, or imbibed by, the core through the medium of a high displacement pressure porous diaphragm (2) Liquid is removed from the core which is subjected to high centrifugal forces in a centrifuge4,'. There are? however, certain limitations inherent in both methods. The greatest capillary pressure which can be observed by method (I), above, is determined by the maximum displacement pressure procurable in a permeable diaphragm which at the present time appears to be less than 100 psi. An even more serious limitation of the diaphragm method is imposed hy the fact that several days may be required to reach saturation equilibrium at a given pressure; hence, the time re- quired to obtain a well-defined curve may be measured in terms of weeks. Furthermore, to date, no suitable technique for handling relatively small, irregularly shaped pieces of rock, such as drill cuttings, has been reported and, therefore, measurements must be made, in general, on cores, or portions thereof. The centrifuge method offers the distinct advantage over the porous diaphragm method of arriving at saturation equilibrium in a relatively short time by virtue of the elimination of the transfer medium for the liquid. The calculation of capillary pressures from centrifuge speeds is somewhat tediousa, however, and the equipment required is fairly elaborate. While there exists the possibility that this method might be adaptable to the determination of the capillary pressures of cuttings, this particular ramification has not been investigated, as far as is known. In view of the limitations of the two principal methods for determining capillary pressures, the apparatus described in the following sections has been devised in order that difficulties previously encountered might be circumvented. MERCURY INJECTION METHOD FOR DETERMINING CAPILLARY PRESSURES Theory The methods described above for determining capillary pressures are characterized by the fact that one of the fluids present within the pore spaces of the solid is a liquid which "wets" the solid, i.e., the contact angle which the liquid forms against the solid is less than 90" as measured through that phase. For these "wetting" liquids the action of surface forces is such that the fluid spontaneously fills the voids within the solid. These forces likewise oppose the withdrawal of the fluid from the pores of the solid.

Jan 1, 1949

By Frank H. Probert

The mining laws relating to winding-ropes in some of the German provinces are very strict, and severe tests have to be periodically made to see that the ropes in use come up to the prescribed standard. A few notes on the method of testing the ropes and the results obtained may be of interest to the members of the Institute. Permission must be given by the Inspector of Mines to put up a winding-plant; and previous to installation a full report made by the manager, clearly setting forth all details of the shaft, the pit-head, engines and appliances appertaining thereto has to be sent to the mining officials. Accompanying each subsequent report, further details, such as the name of the firm supplying the rope, construction, quality of steel, date of installment, weight per meter, length, particulars of the safetycatches, cages, etc., must be given. At least one spare rope must be kept at ever? shaft ready for use in case of emergency. The rope must hang in the shaft, with cage attached, not less than twenty-four hours before it is used for winding; and it must have undergone a severe test in the manner hereafter described. The laws prescribe that when a rope is continually in use it must be tested every three months; but if the rope is only used every few days it must be tested at least every six months, in the presence of the superior officer; and notification of the date of testing has to be sent to the Bergrath two days before the test is made, in order that he can personally superintend the operation if he chooses. Should winding have been stopped for a long time, it is not necessary to test every six months; but before the rope can be used again it must be tested.

Jan 1, 1901

By E. P. Chartkoff, W. P. Sykes

In 1926 one of the authors published researches on the determination and description of the iron-tungsten and iron-molybdenum systems,' including the equilibrium diagrams. In 1929, further work was carried on, including the examination by X-rays, which is recorded here. Meas-urements were made of changes in lattice parameters in the solid solutions. Precipitation from the solid solution and the accompanying changes in hardness were studied as well as the formation of the intermetallic com-pound phases upon sintering a mixture of metal powders. Materials All the specimens were prepared from the same quality of metals and by the same methods as were described in the determination of the constitutional diagrams. The metal powders as mixed and pressed were sintered or fused in a hydrogen atmosphere and subsequently treated as indicated in the titles of the figures. The formation of the iron-rich solutlon in the solid was accomplished by sintering in hydrogen for a period of 20 to 30 hr. at a temperature 25' to 50' C. below the melting point of the eutectic. The tungsten-rich and molybdenum-rich solid solutions of iron were prepared by adding the iron as a solution of iron ammonium oxalate to the oxide of tungsten or molybdenum, followed by a hydrogen reduction. This method results in a homogeneous alloy after sintering the pressed metal powder for 20 to 30 hr. at a temperature slightly below that of the peritectic reaction in the system involved. For X-ray examination the specimens were variously prepared, depending on the nature of the sample and what it was desired to show. For example, the iron containing tungsten or molybdenum in solid solution was cut with a file, the chips were put through bolting cloth, and this powder of filings formed the specimens for comparative study. The

Jan 1, 1930

By George Gardner

THE application of wet cleaning processes for the beneficiation of bituminous coal has created in some localities a problem in the recovery and disposal of fine solids in the washery water. The maximum allowable concentration of these solids in the washery circuit that is consistent with satisfactory operation of the cleaning units remains a controversial point. It has, however, been generally recognized for a number of years that some degree of control should be exerted over the concentration of such material. Early methods of control involved intermittent or continuous dis-charge of a portion of the plant slurry into near-by streams or settling ponds, and this persisted even after the adoption of settling tanks or cones. The practice is not always economical, for two reasons: first, because of the waste of coal, and, second, because it is sometimes difficult and expensive to obtain an adequate supply of water. The latter condi-tion often is aggravated by chemical treatment of the make-up water that is necessary to prevent excessive corrosion of plant equipment. The modern approach to this problem has been the adoption of continuous thickening devices. However, because such equipment occupies consid-erable plant space and is somewhat expensive to construct, the practice of loading these thickeners beyond their rated capacity is widespread, there-fore often the performance of such units is not altogether satisfactory. In recent years, European washeries have increased the rate of settling of the fine coal from the slurry by the addition of specially pre-pared starch solutions. These reagents cause flocculation of the solid particles and thereby increase the rate of sedimentation.

Jan 1, 1939

By R. W. H. Acherson

Blast-furnace flue dust is one of the most troublesome operating factors in the iron and steel industry. It is usually involved in all the unpleasant phases of blast-furnace operations. It adds to our aggravations until we are willing to spend large sums of money to keep it out of our stoves and boilers and more money to handle it again and again on one scheme or another to induce the furnaces to retain it without bad after effects. Several successful operators claim that it is useless to recharge raw flue dust because the furnace would never have blown it out if it had been suitable material for blast-furnace consumption. Most of us who have made persistent efforts to return raw flue dust to the furnaces have decided that it is very often false economy to do so. Yet some remarkable results have been attained at the Ohio Works of the Carnegie Steel Co. through recharging raw dust. The plant comprises six modern blast furnaces. Up to 1909, about 300,000 tons of flue dust had accumulated in stock piles. During the last 10 years, there have been recharged into these furnaces all of the flue dust recovered from the furnace operations, the entire stock pile of Rue dust, and nearly 80,000 tons of dust shipped from other furnaces of the Carnegie Steel Co. The results obtained arc. shown in Table 1.

Jan 1, 1922

By R. W. H. Acherson

Blast-furnace flue dust is one of the most troublesome operating factors in the iron and steel industry. It is usually involved in all the unpleasant phases of blast-furnace operations. It adds to our aggravations until we are willing to spend large sums of money to keep it out of our stoves and boilers and more money to handle it again and again on one scheme or another to induce the furnaces to retain it without bad after effects. Several successful operators claim that it is useless to recharge raw flue dust because the furnace would never have blown it out if it had been suitable material for blast-furnace consumption. Most of us who have made persistent efforts to return raw flue dust to the furnaces have decided that it is very often false economy to do so. Yet some remarkable results have been attained at the Ohio Works of the Carnegie Steel Co. through recharging raw dust. The plant comprises six modern blast furnaces. Up to 1909, about 300,000 tons of flue dust had accumulated in stock piles. During the last 10 years, there have been recharged into these furnaces all of the flue dust recovered from the furnace operations, the entire stock pile of Rue dust, and nearly 80,000 tons of dust shipped from other furnaces of the Carnegie Steel Co. The results obtained arc. shown in Table 1.

Jan 1, 1922

By Fred Bond

THE process of comminution by grinding is properly classified as an art, rather than as a science. Like most other operations concerned in ore dressing, or in the treat-ment of nonmetallic minerals, the mathe-matical relationships of rock breaking are still obscure, and much disputed. If some basic formula exists, comparable for in-stance to E = RI in electricity, it has not yet been placed in common use. The absence of such a comprehensive mathe-matical background undoubtedly is the cause of many inefficient designs and installations, as well as of much poorly oriented experimental work. On the other hand, the mathematical immaturity of the process constitutes an opportunity for a real contribution on the part of those who enjoy mental pioneering. Some of the statements made in any such exploratory work may be little more than opinions, and it is to be expected that some will later be proved untrue; but such an evolutionary development is necessary if we are ever to arrive at the fundamental laws, the discovery of which can change the empirical art into a mathematically exact science. The most significant principle of com-minution that we possess is probably Rittinger's law, which states that the work done in crushing or grinding is proportional to the area of the new surface produced. There is an alternative theory, known as Kick's law, which formerly was preferred to Rittinger's but which now is rather dis-credited. According to Kick, the work done in comminution is proportional to the volume, or weight, of the pieces broken, or to the cube of their diameters, while accord-ing to Rittinger it is proportional to the square of the diameters.

Jan 1, 1940

By H. C. Hardison

The Yates pool, Pccos County, Texas, has greater potential capacities than any other field in the United States. This field is notable for the large return it yields on capital invested, for low production costs and for the orderly and conservative manner in which it was developed and continues to be operated. The proven area is 20,000 acres and there are 392 producing wells, or approximately 1 well to 50 acres. The theoretical daily potential is 5,250,000 bbl. as determined by l-hr. open-flow gages. Individual well gages vary from a few barrels to 8500 bbl. per hour, and well depths range from 1000 to 1800 ft. The greater part of the production is from a very porous limestone, and by agreement no productive well has penetrated the lime more than 225 ft. The forces driving the oil from the formation to the surface are hydrostatic head, expanding gas or a combination of the two. The degree of effectiveness of either depends upon the structural position of, and porosity encountered in, the individual wells. Approximately 95 per cent. of the wells in the field flow naturally. The pipe line outlet of the field at the present time is 100,000 bbl. per day, which is less than 2 per cent. of the daily potential. Difficulties and Principles of Probation It became evident during the first year of the development of this field that operators would have to devise a scheme to allocate pipe line runs equitably among their different properties. When the idea of proration was first inaugerated, the matter of spacing wells was given consideration. This was given up through fear of legal difficulties. Storage was also a question that was given considerable thought, and a plan was finally developed which went into effect Oct. 1, 1927. It was decided that the oil runs should be prorated according to the total potential capacity of all the wells which the several operators had in the field. The potential capacity of the wells was measured by a l-hr. open-flow gage. All runs to storage by an operator were deducted from his daily allowance.

Jan 1, 1931

By R. Stanford

In any discussion of steel pouring too often refractories quality assumes a high level of importance. Unfortunately when one considers the many and varied conditions to which pouring refractories are exposed, it is difficult to isolate the true role of refractories quality alone. Some of the more important, yet often overlooked, variable conditions bearing on pouring performance are heat size, tap time and temperature, steel chemistry, ladle additions, ladle height and preheat, mechanical conditions of the pouring mechanism, hot top or non hot topped ingots and, ingot size, which determine total number of shutoffs, direct or tundish pouring, ingot filling rates, metallurgical demands, etc, etc. These considerations apply for either conventional or slide gate pouring of ingots and, to a large extent, even strand casting. In any event probably the most significant factor on pouring performance in any individual shop is what is considered an "OK" pour. We find considerable variance in this qualification, not only between Republic Steel meltshops, but throughout the industry. Therefore, it is a worthless exercise to draw comparisons attributable to refractories quality alone, except for similar conditions in a single shop.

Jan 1, 1972

By W. C. Schroeder, A. A. Berk

Practical experience has shown that at elevated temperatures solutions containing sodium hydroxide may attack stressed steel in a manner that cannot be explained in terms of ordinary corrosion. Because the ductility of the metal has been greatly reduced during the reaction, the entire phenomenon is usually called "embrittlement." Thus, after several years of operation caustic evaporators have been so badly embrittled that rivets could be cracked off with the blow of a hammer. Since fine intergranular cracks are almost always present in the zone of fracture, it has often been assumed that a process of selective corrosion in grain boundaries was responsible for the failure, although this has not been clearly proved experimentally. Concentrations of sodium hydroxide below those necessary for the uniform, rapid attack of the steel surface are reported to be most effective in producing embrittlement2, 3. In the operation of steam boilers a similar type of failure has been found, mainly in riveted seams or other capillary spaces where the solution may concentrate and where high stresses may also exist. It is believed that in such localized areas the dissolved solids may reach a value many times the few hundred parts per million prevalent in the body of the boiler. While this type of boiler failure has been the subject of investigation for a period of 20 years1, an understanding of its mechanism and a rational basis for complete protection have not yet been secured. To procure this information the present investigation was

Jan 1, 1936

By A. A. Berk, W. C. Schroeder

Practical experience has shown that at elevated temperatures solutions containing sodium hydroxide may attack stressed steel in a manner that cannot be explained in terms of ordinary corrosion. Because the ductility of the metal has been greatly reduced during the reaction, the entire phenomenon is usually called "embrittlement." Thus, after several years of operation caustic evaporators have been so badly embrittled that rivets could be cracked off with the blow of a hammer. Since fine intergranular cracks are almost always present in the zone of fracture, it has often been assumed that a process of selective corrosion in grain boundaries was responsible for the failure, although this has not been clearly proved experimentally. Concentrations of sodium hydroxide below those necessary for the uniform, rapid attack of the steel surface are reported to be most effective in producing embrittlement2, 3. In the operation of steam boilers a similar type of failure has been found, mainly in riveted seams or other capillary spaces where the solution may concentrate and where high stresses may also exist. It is believed that in such localized areas the dissolved solids may reach a value many times the few hundred parts per million prevalent in the body of the boiler. While this type of boiler failure has been the subject of investigation for a period of 20 years1, an understanding of its mechanism and a rational basis for complete protection have not yet been secured. To procure this information the present investigation was

Jan 1, 1936

Jan 1, 1902

For many years the occurrence of gold in the Coeur d'A1ène region had been rumored among the pioneers of the Northwest. It is stated that as early as 1853 gold was discovered in this district by Donelson, of the Stevens expedition, but the hostility of the Indians prevented prospecting. In 1858, when Lieutenant John Mullan surveyed the military road across the Bitter hot mountains, the members of his expedition, most of whom had mined in California, noticed sundry outcrops of good-looking quartz, and some of them actually found gold, as is recorded in a letter that Mullan wrote, from Washington, in 1884. The first successful prospector in the Coeur d' Alène was Tom Irwin, who worked a quartz vein on the Mullan road in the spring of 1879. Two years later he met A. J. Prichard, who was engaged in the lumber business; he told him what he thought of the chances of placer mining in the upper reaches of the Coeur d7AlBne river. This was in 1881. Prichard became keenly interested, and himself found gold on several creeks, one of which is now known by his name, at a place close to the site of the town of Murray.* In 1883 Prichard located a number of claims, and shortly afterward he wrote a letter to the members of a Liberal League to which he belonged, inviting them to "secure the lion's share" of the mineral wealth he had uncovered. His letters caused a stampede from Montana and Colorado, and from South Dakota also, to the Coeur d'Alène gold belt in the summer of 1883. A town, named Eagle City, was surveyed; in 1884 lots sold at prices ranging from $200 to $2000. The buildings were made of logs and shingles. Shoveling of the snow in' front left s

Jan 1, 1932

By AIME AIME

[The American Institute of -Mining Engineers does not assume responsibility for any statement of fact or opinion advanced in its papers or discussions.] A detailed list of the' papers contained in this section is given in the Table of Contents, pages i. and ii. Comments or criticisms upon all papers given in this section whether private corrections of typographical or other errors or communications for publication as "Discussions," or independent papers on the same or a related subject, are earnestly invited. ERRATA. The following corrections and. additions to papers contained in Bi-Monthly Bulletin No. 7, January, 1906,-were received too late for incorporation in the text of said papers ; but will be introduced in their: proper places: in the volume of the Transactions: These corrections are here published in order to bring them -promptly to the notice of the Institute. Page Line Cover, title-page and at the top of pages in the preliminary section "No. 1 " should be "No. 7 ". 1. Bottom For :" Dr. P. H. Shimer" read "Dr. P. W. Shinier " 69. Fig. 3. "N" of compass-record should be ?S". A new block for this illustration has been made as shown on p. xxxviii of this Bulletin. 78. 3 from bottom. For " slope " read " stope." 89. Fig. 2, small diagram in upper left-hand corner. Omit use 50 ft. to 1" scale ". For "Thro' 250 " read " Thro' 200 ". Add dotted line extend¬ing from upper right-hand corner of the square

Mar 1, 1906

By F. L. Sizer

SOME old-time views which have recently come into my possession have inspired me to record that part of the early history of Leadville, Color- ado, with which I am familiar, the years 1878 to 1882, in the hope that others will add to what is here mentioned. My first appearance in Leadville was in June, 1878, immediately after graduation from the University of Michigan, and I found a congenial and lively crowd of young men, already there. The old log hotel, at the corner of Pine and State streets, housed some distinguished guests in the summer and fall of 1878. It was my good fortune there to make the acquaintance of James B. Grant, afterwards Governor of Colorado, in July of that year, when we were both glad of the accommodation afforded by cots in the second floor loft of the hostelry presided over by Herman Hibschle. Grant was then building his smelter and our associates were Eddy and James, August R. Meyer, and Berdell and Witherell. The Grand Hotel-Harris and Walsh, pro- prietors-was the first-class hotel of the place; but in a very few months there were many competitors.

Jan 1, 1924