Search Documents

GENTLEMEN : Herewith are submitted reports for the calendar year 1933 of your Treasurer and the Chairmen of the following standing committees: Finance, Admissions, Membership, Papers and Publications, Library, and MINING AND METALLURGY. TO these reports you are referred for additional details of the year's activity. Finances.-Income for 1933 from all sources totaled $121,690 com- pared with $138,331 in 1932. Incidentally, this exceeded the income as estimated in the budget by $7,190; the largest item being a "surplus" of $3,316 over the budget expectancy as to member dues. As compared with 1932 the most important items of shrinkage in income were $9,000 from dues and initiation fees; $5,500 from the magazine, MINING AND METALLURGY; and $2,500 from sales of publications other than the magazine.

Jan 1, 1934

By Arthur B. Cummins

POWDERED nonmetallic minerals and rocks of many different types are used extensively in industry for incorporation in compositions and manufactured products The term "mineral filler" is commonly employed to designate a material that is used for a specific purpose but not as an essential or reactive component Such a definition is not without objections, and it is indeed difficult to define fillers in any fully satisfactory manner, since the term has come to have so many different meanings and to cover such a wide range of uses. A filler is defined, for the purposes of this chapter, as a substantially inert material not specifically employed as a reactive or essential component, the primary function of which is to modify the properties or processing of a composition of matter or fabricated article Emery1 has emphasized that fillers change the properties of the product but are themselves unchanged in compounding or use The term "filler" appears to be rather general when referring to usages m bituminous compositions, rubber, composition floorings, fertilizers, plastics, textile finishes, and some others. In paper manufacture, in the paint industry and with insecticides, other terms are frequently employed, as is indicated, herinafter By placing emphasis on the function of the material used in modifying the properties of the composition or article, it is believed that a more useful classification of filler products and their applications may be derived. FUNCTIONS OF MINERAL FILLERS All of the manifold functions of mineral fillers cannot be listed in a summary review. A survey of the uses for these materials, however, shows that in nearly all cases the powders are employed to modify the properties of a composition of matter or those of a fabricated article, or to perform some useful function In the manufacture of either. A generalized list of these useful functions may be given is follows 1 To Modify Optical Properties Color Surface texture Opacity Brightness and gloss (as in paper and plastics) Flatness (as in lacquers and paints)

Jan 1, 1949

Discussion of the paper of M. E. Lormbardi,. presented at the New York meeting, February, 1915, and printed in Bulletin No. 9S, February, 1915, pp. 209 to 215. I. N. KNAPP, Ardmore, Pa.-Some years ago I made a swinging spider to carry a string of casing in a way somewhat similar to that described in this paper. The ground I tried it in was too soft for its successful operation. The spider had a central one-flange bushing to carry the slips. Under this flange and on top of the spider was a properly protected ball runway, or ball bearing, which permitted rotating the casing when it was in place and supported by the slips.

Jan 5, 1915

By Oliver Hopkins

As prefatory to the body of this paper, a few general statements will be made (1) in regard to the history and importance of the asbestos industry, (2) as to the principal sources of the raw material, and (3) as to the types and modes of occurrence of asbestos. While the modern asbestos industry is comparatively new and its growth during the last decade or two has been marvelous, asbestos has been known and used in a small way for probably 2,000 years-at least since the time of the Roman Empire. Pliny refers to it as "the funeral dress of kings" and Plutarch records its use as lamp wicks. In the middle of the 18th century the deposits of the Ural mountains were opened up and the first factory for the manufacture of asbestos goods was established. But, owing to the limited demand for the goods, the industry disappeared and interest lapsed until about 50 years ago. Since 1860, the asbestos industry has made wonderful strides, and each year sees new uses to which the material can be put, and hence an increased demand and an increased output. Of the three great producers of asbestos, Canada, Russia, and the United States, Canada stands pre-eminent, producing from one-half to three-fourths of the world's supply; Russia comes second, producing ,in 1911 about two and one-half times ,is much as the United States. In 1912 the Canadian production,1 including both asbestos and asbestic, was 131,260 short tons, valued at $2,979,384; while during the same year the production of the United States2 was 4,403 tons, valued at $57,959. Canada holds the first place in the production of raw asbestos, while the United States holds the first place in its manufacture.

Jan 9, 1914

By A. W. Bethune, L. M. Pidgeon

The equilibrium vapor pressure of zinc has been determined over the systems: ZnS(s) + Fe(s) = FeS(s) + Zn (vapor) and ZnS(s) + 2Cu(s) = Cu2S(s) + Zn (vapor) by reacting the components in an evacuated tube containing a thin copper fiber, and allowing equilibrium to be established with respect to the brass formed and the zinc in the vapor phase. The composition of the brass formed was determined and equilibrium vapor pressure values obtained from existing data. Between 850' and 1000°C, values for the first reaction ranged from 8 to 58 mm Hg; for the second reaction from 1.8 to 22 mm Hg. THE direct reduction of metallic sulphides may be indicated by an equation of the form MS + X = XS + M [1] where X is some suitable reducing agent. In the case where M is a metal of relatively high volatility, the use of vacuum will displace the equilibrium to the right at comparatively low temperatures in the face of the usually unfavorable thermochemistry. For this technique to be feasible, MS, X, and XS, must of course be nonvolatile compared to M. In this regard, zinc becomes an obvious metal both from the point of view of its volatility and the fact that most commercial ore deposits of this metal occur as the sulphide, and its direct reduction would avoid the expensive roasting process necessary prior to present day reduction methods. Two reducing agents are of interest, namely copper and iron, with the former having the added attraction of being relatively easily regenerated by oxidation in the copper converter. The possibility of these reactions has been considered before. Imbert1 patented a process whereby zinc sulphide was reduced by either copper or iron. The process as described took place at atmospheric pressure and, at the high temperatures required, the system was molten, resulting in the formation of a matte with the consequent reduction in the activities of the reactants. Peterson2 did further experimental work on these reactions and, although promising results were obtained on a small scale, attempts to increase the size of the furnace led to excessive "blue powder" formation. The early workers failed to realize the large reduction in temperature afforded by the use of vacuum and its desirable results. More recently, the direct reduction of zinc sulphide by iron has been the subject of a thermody-namic investigation by Kelley,3 and Gross and War-rington' have studied the kinetics of the reaction in the temperature range 900" to 1000°C, their experiments being conducted using vacuum and indicating that the reaction would proceed practically to completion in 1 to 3 hr, depending on the temperature. A qualitative examination of the system ZnS-Cu carried out at this University indicated that 98 pct of the theoretical zinc in the charge could be recovered in 1 hr at 1000°C when operating under reduced pressure. The purpose of this research program was to study the equilibrium of the two reactions. During the investigation, reference to the experimental work of Schenk5 was found but, due to lack of detail in the report, it was felt that it would be desirable to continue the equilibrium measurements. Selection of Method The measurement of vapor pressure of metals presents obvious problems resulting from the high temperatures which must be employed. In the present case, the production of the "reaction pressure" introduces a further difficulty since a chemical reaction must proceed before any metal vapor pressure is produced, resulting in depletion of the re-

Jan 1, 1954

By Robert I. Kingman

SUFFICIENT testing has been performed with the Dutch State Mines Cyclone for thickening and desliming flotation feed at the concentrator of the National Lead Co., Tahawus, N. Y., to prove its application for this work. It is the purpose of this article to present some of the test results, operational details and advantages of cyclone thickening and classification. The metallurgy of the mill operation was described by Frank R. Milliken, assistant manager of the titanium division.l The present flowsheet for the recovery of ilmenite consists in grinding the crushing plant product in four open-end rod mills in closed circuit with mechanically vibrating screens to approximately -20 mesh. The screen undersize is treated in Crockett magnetic separators which produce three products: magnetic concentrate, nonmagnetic tailing containing ilmenite and gangue, and a Crockett slime overflow. The non- magnetic tailing is classified into eight sizer spigots products and a classifier overflow. The spigot sand products are tabled separately to produce a rough ilmenite concentrate, a middling product and a tailing. The table middlings are returned to Crockett feed. The table concentrate is dewatered and dried and further concentrated on Wetherill magnetic separators to produce the finished ilmenite concentrate.

Jan 8, 1950

By N. I. Fisher, J. Shepherd

Abstract-Statistical studies have been carried out on structural geological data collected across a large zone of roof failure 600 m (1968 ft) wide and at least 800 m (2642 ft) long in the Greta coal seam at Aberdare East Colliery. Two swarms of hundreds 2 of minor, normal faults with throws commonly between 3 and 300 mm in the room and pillar workings are broadly coincident with roof failure. The faults have been classified into dip slip and oblique and strike slip types. Roof conditions have been classified into good; troublesome with subclasses scaly, heavy, gutter falls and wide, flat-roofed falls; and severely failed with subclasses very heavy roof, gutter falls and dome falls. Troublesome conditions are defined as those in which the height of the fall is less than or equal to 0.3 m, and severely failed conditions as those in which the fall height is greater than 0.3 m. Comparison of faults, roof conditions and mining rate on a shift basis indicates that faults and roof failure are much more important than machine breakdowns in reducing mining rate. The effect of faults on roof conditions has been quantified using a concept called the "zone of influence, " a rectangular area around a fault in which the fault has potentially deleterious effects. The spatial comparison of fault "zones of influence" with areas of roof failure using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient shows that, while normal dip slip faults do not appear to be associated with roof failure, oblique slip and strike slip faults appear to be associated with roof classed as severely failed. The "zone of influence" of an oblique slip fault may extend up to 3 m on each side of it in the headings and up to 1.14 m in the cut-throughs. The fault "zone of influence" has geomechanical implications for the design of mine openings and possibly represents the maximum length of a cantilevered roof beam likely to fail during mining, owing to a fault. Roof conditions could possibly be predicted in blocks of virgin coal if the type of fault could be identified in oriented drill cores.

Jan 9, 1978

Joseph HartshoRnE, Pottstown, Pa.: I have read Professor Akerman's valuable paper with great interest. Few of the present generation of American steel metallurgists are aware of the very important part taken by Swedish engineers in the successful development of the Bessemer proeess, and I am afraid some of the older ones have forgotten it. Certainly, I think, most of us would have said that Terre Noire was the first to introduce the use of metal direct from the blast-furnace. It is very well, therefore, that honor should be given to whom honor is due. I can speak from personal experience upon one part only of Prof. Akerman's paper; namely, the effect of the temperature at which the molten metal is cast upon the quality of the finished steel. In a general way I have, of course, known for a long time that the

Jan 1, 1894

By David White

IN these days, when detailed investigations of stratigraphy, structure, and sand conditions so frequently result in the discovery of new oil fields, and applause from oil companies and the public, geologists do well to walk humbly, and punctiliously to admit that the geologic principles controlling the distribution of oil and gas have as yet been discovered only in part, and that what remains yet to be learned is probably vastly more than what is already known. The few experiments already at-tempted have been fragmentary, and somewhat desultory, and however positive each of us may be with respect to certain theoretical conclusions, many of the fundamental questions as to the origin and mode of occurrence of petroleum are subject to radical disagreement. Of the chemical changes attending the generation of petroleum from organic matter, little is actually known. Most of the postulated formulas are liable to be misleading, through ignorance of essential factors. Open-mindedness is therefore a prime essential at the present stage of our science. Nevertheless, adopting the hypothesis that oil originates in some manner fundamentally connected with the organic theory, and in possible departure from such open-mindedness, the writer will pay no attention to the so-called inorganic theory, since every attempt to apply this theory to the study of old oil fields, or to the discovery of new ones, affords cumulative evidence of its inadequacy. In this paper, some of the factors affecting the occurrence of petroleum that the writer believes worthy of consideration by the prospector for oil in any new region will be discussed. Some of these, which are less generally understood, will be considered somewhat in detail. Other points, the significance of which cannot now be determined, require more field study, and for that reason are here brought to the attention of the field geologist. On the other hand, certain theoretical points which do not bear especially on the oil possibilities of a new region will be given little

Jan 2, 1920

By O. D. Gaither

This paper is an analytical study of the flow of fluids through small vertical conduits. Small conduits are defined as 11/4-in. nominal diameter tubing size and smaller, and approximately twice this area for annular conduits (i.e., 1- X 21/2-in. annulus and smaller). Experimental data are presented for the 1-X2-in. and 11/4- X 2%-in. annuli, and the I-in. and 11/4-in. tubing, since these represent the small conduit sizes and configurations generally encountered in oilfield applications. Data have been gathered for these conduits for single-phase water, single-phase gas and two-phase water-gas mixtures, with particular emphasis on high gas-liquid ratios. Water rates in excess of 2,000 BID and gas rates in excess of 2.5 MMcf/D, and two-phase flow ratios in between these two, represent the scope of the data gathered. Existing equations have been applied to predict flowing pressures and compared with experimental data. New correlations have been developed. INTRODUCTION The increased economic pressure on the domestic oil industry in the United States has constantly required the use of new techniques and equipment designed to reduce the cost of finding and producing oil and gas. Since tangible items are most readily apparent in economic analysis, the advent of lower-cost well completions was inevitable. One of the methods used to reduce costs which has received widespread attention is the slim-hole completion technique where tubing is used as the well casing and in which small conduits are used for tubing if necessary. Small conduits, defined by Kirkpatrick1 as "11/4-in. diameter nominal tubing and smaller for tubing flow and less than twice the 11/4-in. diameter nominal tubing internal flow area for annulus flow", have also found widespread usage as siphon strings for de-watering gas wells and as "kill" strings in deep high-pressure oil and gas wells. The growing use of small-diameter tubing has resulted in an increased need for development of improved methods to measure or predict flowing bottom-hole pressures since the physical dimensions generally preclude the use of subsurface-recording pressure gauges. Even in the cases where small bombs are available, the relatively high velocities encountered at nominal flow rates make it necessary to use excessive weight bars or special hold-down devices. Attempts to use recognized correlations to accurately predict flowing or gas-lift performance in wells equipped with small conduits have been generally unsuccessful. Insufficient field data were available to allow the development of a correlation on this basis, and an experimental approach was applied in an attempt to obtain a workable relation. The experimental approach used to obtain the data presented in this paper was actually a compromise between a field installation and a laboratory study. A test well 1,000 ft in length was used to obtain flow data on single-phase liquid, single-phase gas and two-phase water-gas flowing mixtures. Liquid rates up to 2,200 B/D and gas rates up to 3 MMcf/D were used in the single-phase flow studies. Two-phase flow rates from 100 to 600 B/D with gas-liquid ratios from 500 to 8,000 cu ft/bbl were recorded. Experimental data were obtained for single- and two-phase flow through 1-in and 11/4-in. nominal tubing, and through the annuli between 1- and 2-in. and 11/4- and 2%-in. nominal tubing strings. Experimental results for the two-phase flow are compared to the Poettmann-Carpenter correlation2 which is widely used as a comparative standard for development of multiphase flow predictions in flowing and gas-lift wells. Correlations developed by Tek,3 Baxendell and Thomas" were also investigated. The experimental data recorded herein fell in between the two flow regimes as defined by Ros," and this correlation also failed to yield satisfactory results. The fact that existing correlations failed to confirm the experimental data led to the need for development of a new correlation. Although a two-phase flow study was the primary objective of this investigation, data were also recorded for single-phase flow of water and gas, and constants were developed relating to pipe roughness and equivalent diameters for annular flow. These single-phase studies assisted materially in the development of certain of the two-phase flow results. Considerable previous work has been published which presented relationship of surface measurements to bottom-hole condition. The works of Buthod and Whiteley,6 Jones,' Poettmannb and the Texas Railroad Commission" are classic examples of the successful use of mathematical relationships which allow acceptable predictions of subsurface pressures, when gas is the flowing fluid. Darcy and others have derived relationships which may be used with minor modifications to predict subsurface flowing conditions in injection and water-supply wells. As previously stated, the application of the single-phase flow relationships

By George Boulter

Draglines 8.2-1 Introduction. The nature and characteristics of rock and rock derivatives forming the crust of the earth vary so greatly from place to place that it is impossible to use the same numerical factors to show the, productive ability of excavating equipment on different jobs or projects. Factors for each project must be developed individually and applied as the conditions and requirements dictate. TYPES' OF DRAGLINES. Types of draglines are differentiated by the propelling method used and are generally divided into four classes, as follows: 1. Wagon mounted 3. Crawler mounted 2. Truck mounted 4. Walking Figure 8.2-1 shows a truck-mounted dragline. This type is considered to be the most mobile unit. In order to increase stability over the side, outriggers are installed as part of the truck chassis. This feature is not shown in .this figure. Figure 8.2-2 shows a crawler-mounted dragline. The long, wide crawlers are used to increase the stability and reduce the bearing pressure of this unit. These features allow for use of these units on surfaces too soft for the wagon- or truck-mounted types. Figure 8.2-3 shows a walking-type dragline. The large diameter tub and the well-supported boom through the gantry gives high stability for rugged works over a long life. BASIC PARTS OF A DRAGLINE. The basic parts of a dragline are illustrated in Fig. 8.2-4. A deck layout is shown in Fig. 8.2-5 with the main components named. OPERATION OF A DRAGLINE. Following is a description of the steps and controls present in a typical cycle of operation of a large dragline having independent hoist and drag motors. Starting the cycle with positioning the bucket on the ground under the point of the boom, the next step is

Jan 1, 1968

By E. G. Leonardon, C. Schlumberger, M. Schlumberger

The object of this paper is to describe the adaptation of electrical resistivity measurements to the particular case of exploration in which the surface is an expanse of water (river, lake, sea). Water in itself does not constitute an obstacle to electrical exploration. It is merely an overburden, which is fluid instead of being solid, and as a consequence the routine of the measurements has to be modified. Also, in many instances, the liquid under consideration is highly conductive (salt water). This introduces an additional difficulty into exploration work, and has to be overcome by the geophysicist. We do not propose to discuss here the basic principles of electrical resistivity measurements, which have been dealt with in various previous papers,' but will simply recall the two fundamental techniques which govern its field application: 1. Horizontal exploration, or method of the resistivity map, in which a series of electrical measurements are carried out at various stations, keeping the same electrode spacing. Thus, a horizontal layer of the subsoil, of a practically constant thickness, is explored. 2. Vertical exploration, or "vertical sounding"2 method, in which a seriesr of measurements is made with increasing electrode spacings at one or several stations. In this way, the apparent resistivity is determined at a given station for various increasing thicknesses of the ground.

Jan 1, 1934

By M. M. Austin

PURE metallic tantalum, from a practical standpoint, is one of the newer developments in the metal field. Although it was used as filament in incandescent lamps in 1906, only within the last five years has the metal been available in sufficient quantity and suitable form for more general application. In addition to corrosion-resisting properties and high melting point, the metal has an ability to withstand unusual amounts of cold working. It affords some striking demonstrations of block movement during plastic flow.

Jan 1, 1930

By A. Blake Caldwell

Northwest frontier is here defined as Alaska, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and northern British Columbia. The mineral potential of this area is great and will unfold in the decade ahead but now the largest single producer is the Pine Point lead-zinc mine in the NWT about 1200 km north of Edmonton, Alta., close to the south shore of Great Slave Lake. The mill, initially designed for 4540 mtpd, was expanded to 7250 mtpd in 1969. This operation is described in detail in Mining and Concentrating of Lead and Zinc, Vol.1, Chapt. 17, SME/AIME in the article by W. H. R. Gibney.

Jan 1, 1971

By Charles S. 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 determined 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 accuracy required is greater than a few tenths of a degree. Any directional property in a crystal or polycrystalline material can be shown on a stereographic projection; for example, the modulus of elasticity, yield point, etc. It has been repeatedly called to our attention that there is need of an elementary explanation of the principles and methods of stereographic projection, covering all the common applications in the field of metallography 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 Edward Keller

In order to conduct intelligently the sampling of copper of various forms and grades, solid or in molten furnace-charges, a knowledge of this subject is essential. Yet figures and tests have been persistently withheld from publication, and the books at our command give us little or no information in this regard. This gap in our copper-literature has led to a series of experiments, the results of which are given below. Nearly all gold- and silver-bearing copper, destined for shipment, is cast into the form of bars or pigs. For the sampler, the question arises, Does copper, so cast, remain homogeneous ? If it does, sampling should present no difficulties; but, from experience, we know that this is not the case, and we are thus led to study the behavior of the precious metals arid impurities in copper when the latter changes from the molten to the solid state. For the purpose of the experiments here described, all available grades of copper were selected, and all of them mere subjected to the same conditions, an important requisite for proper comparison. The molten copper obtained directly from reverberatory- and blast-furnaces was cast in a cast-iron mould, the sides and bottom of which were 1 inch thick, and would, therefore, give the copper a fair length of time to chill. The inside dimensions of the mould, and, consequently, of the block of copper obtained, were: length, 10 inches; width, 9 inches; and depth, 5 inches. Fig. 1 illustrates the method employed to obtain samples from these blocks. A was cut away, and the face so produced BALTIMORE COPPER WORKS,

Jan 1, 1898

By Charles T. Holland

IN connection with the problems of bumps in coal mines, much has been written concerning the manner in which roof action and methods of mining enter [ ] into the pressure effects observed but little has been written upon the relationship between the physical properties of coal and associated rocks and the cause of bumps. The question of the strength of bituminous coal, of its elasticity, and the energy it can absorb and store has been neglected to a considerable extent in connection with this problem. STRENGTH OF COAL It is generally agreed that one of the necessary conditions for bumps is a strong [ ] coal.1 Therefore, since the strength of coal is an important factor, a study of this property should be made. Several investigators have conducted laboratory experiments upon the strength of coal, using small cubical or rectangular test pieces. An attempt will not be made to go into all of these investigations, but they are briefly summarized in Table I. Experiments of the U. S. Bureau of Mines8 and of Lawall and Holland (pp. 27 and 34 of ref. 9), however, indicate that regardless of whether the coal is a soft and weak semibituminous (Pocahontas No. 3) or a hard and strong bituminous (Stockton) coal, the maximum ultimate unit stress developed in laboratory tests is higher in small cubes than in larger cubes of the same coal.

Jan 1, 1942

By J. Richard Kyle

Lead-zinc ore bodies in the upper part of the Pine Point carbonate barrier complex are localized in paled-solution structures that developed as the result of post-middle Givetian subaerial exposure. Detritus-filled dolines host prismatic ore bodies, and macropores and stratabound permeable zones contain tabular ore bodies. Sulfides are concentrated in these transgressive paleosolution structures that acted as natural bypasses between aquifers and loci for mixing of fluids of different character. Complex ore textures indicate rapid early sulfide precipitation followed by slower sulfide growth. Evidence for both sulfide-carbonate equilibrium and disequilibrium conditions suggest fluctuations in ore fluid composition, perhaps related to periodic supply of reduced sulfur. District and ore body metal distribution pattern may reflect the nature and movement of mineralizing fluids.

Jan 1, 1981

By Walter Miller

Petroleum refining, like other industries in the United States in 1940, focused much attention on its duties and opportunities in the field of national defense. In crdiiter-distinction to the situation during the World War, the industry is well constituted as to existing equipment, processes, and capacity, together with planned additions, to handle any demands that may be made upon it by the defense program needs. Evident throughout was the growing sense of ability to manipulate oil molecules for the production of materials not hitherto considered as being available commercially from petroleum. The development and application of catalytically induced reactions on a broad front is one of the distinguishing characteristics of refining progress during the year. In the hands of the refiner, catalysis has developed into a most important means to secure higher antiknock motor fuels and 100-octane fighting grade aviation gasoline in greatly increased quantity. One illustration of the importance being assigned to catalytic refining is the construction by the Houdry group of an experimental laboratory at a cost of $7'307'30'3, to be staffed with over 100 research men7 solely for the purpose of studying catalytic reactions. In the aviation gasoline picture a modification of specifications by the Government widened the field from which acceptable fuel can be secured, and the continued expansion of the alkylation process in itself promises to go far in filling the demands expected from 50,000 fighting planes. It is conservatively estimated that eyen now the industry can turn out 1,300,000 gal. of 100-octane aviation gasoline daily. The upper limits of octane numbers for regular grades of motor gasoline reached in 1939 were not exceeded, but the average octane number approached the upper level more closely. A survey made of the 1940-model cars showed no rise in average octane requirement of the engines. The trend throughout the year was for greater reliance on the A.S.T.M. method for octane determination. The "1939 Research Method" is less widely used, although still considerably in evidence; the older L-3 method seems to have lost considerable ground and to be on the way out. Re-forming Capacities Increased Interest continued to grow apace in re-forming low-octane naphthas into high-octane gasolines. Some additions, although not great, were announced in thermal re-forming capacity. Interest in catalytic re-forming was greatly stimulated by the technical success of the operation of the converted hydrogenation unit at the Bay-way, N. J., rehery of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, mentioned in last year's review, and also by the knowledge that recoverable proportions of toluene are present in the hydroformed (catalytically

Jan 1, 1941

By Walter Miller

Petroleum refining, like other industries in the United States in 1940, focused much attention on its duties and opportunities in the field of national defense. In crdiiter-distinction to the situation during the World War, the industry is well constituted as to existing equipment, processes, and capacity, together with planned additions, to handle any demands that may be made upon it by the defense program needs. Evident throughout was the growing sense of ability to manipulate oil molecules for the production of materials not hitherto considered as being available commercially from petroleum. The development and application of catalytically induced reactions on a broad front is one of the distinguishing characteristics of refining progress during the year. In the hands of the refiner, catalysis has developed into a most important means to secure higher antiknock motor fuels and 100-octane fighting grade aviation gasoline in greatly increased quantity. One illustration of the importance being assigned to catalytic refining is the construction by the Houdry group of an experimental laboratory at a cost of $7'307'30'3, to be staffed with over 100 research men7 solely for the purpose of studying catalytic reactions. In the aviation gasoline picture a modification of specifications by the Government widened the field from which acceptable fuel can be secured, and the continued expansion of the alkylation process in itself promises to go far in filling the demands expected from 50,000 fighting planes. It is conservatively estimated that eyen now the industry can turn out 1,300,000 gal. of 100-octane aviation gasoline daily. The upper limits of octane numbers for regular grades of motor gasoline reached in 1939 were not exceeded, but the average octane number approached the upper level more closely. A survey made of the 1940-model cars showed no rise in average octane requirement of the engines. The trend throughout the year was for greater reliance on the A.S.T.M. method for octane determination. The "1939 Research Method" is less widely used, although still considerably in evidence; the older L-3 method seems to have lost considerable ground and to be on the way out. Re-forming Capacities Increased Interest continued to grow apace in re-forming low-octane naphthas into high-octane gasolines. Some additions, although not great, were announced in thermal re-forming capacity. Interest in catalytic re-forming was greatly stimulated by the technical success of the operation of the converted hydrogenation unit at the Bay-way, N. J., rehery of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, mentioned in last year's review, and also by the knowledge that recoverable proportions of toluene are present in the hydroformed (catalytically

Jan 1, 1941