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By William Marsh Baldwin

THE ROLLING OPERATION proper is applied to metals and alloys not only in the production of flat products but also in the production of shapes, rods, wire and even in specialized forms in the production of tubes. The present discussion of rolling copper and copper alloys will be [ ] limited to a consideration of rolling flat products such as strip, sheet, foil, plate, and others. In this case (as in the others listed above), the rolling operation itself is only part of an integrated sequence of operations. In Fig I such a sequence going to make up a brass strip mill is sketched out. It is seen that the rolling opera-

Jan 1, 1948

By J. C. Febles

HISTORY. THE use of iron for the precipitation of copper was known at least as early as the fifteenth century. Both Paracelsus and Basil Valentine refer to it in their writings, as early as 1500 A. D. It was used in Peru, for this purpose prior to 1637, and at Rio Tinto, Spain, as early as the sixteenth century. The statement has been made repeatedly that in the early history of the mining industry at Butte, the practicability of this method of recovering copper from solution was overlooked, and that enormous quantities of copper-bearing water were allowed to go to waste, the copper in which might easily have been recovered at small cost; and that this oversight on the part of the mine operators was due to ignorance of this method of recovering copper. As a matter of fact, very little copper-bearing mineral was encountered in the mines of Butte until a depth of 400 or 500 ft. bad been reached, and in many cases much greater depths were necessary to reach the copper-bearing zone. The water encountered in the upper levels (although in most cases quite highly mineralized) contained little or no copper, and it was only after considerable areas of copper-bearing ore had been uncovered and developed that copper sulphate began to. appear in the mine water in any considerable quantity. In fact, the first water that was observed to contain copper carried it in such small amounts as to be of little or no importance. It was only after years of underground work had opened extensive areas of stopes, drifts, and other underground workings, these being subsequently filled with waste, nearly all of which contained small copper values, which became oxidized by exposure to the air and were acted upon by the slowly percolating mineral water, that the recovery of copper from mine water became commercially important.

Jan 7, 1913

By A. T. Tye

REGARDING the results of preferential flotation at Cananea, Weinig has stated that "The concentrating mill of the Cananea Consolidated Copper Company at Cananea, Mexico, furnishes an excellent example of modern flotation practice. The complete figures are given because they present so forcibly the advantages of modern selective flotation."' L. 0. Howard notes that "Perhaps the outstanding example so far published of improvements in results through the use of selective flotation is that at Cananea, Mexico."2 The following notes indicate the conditions under which the results were obtained at Cananea; also the effect of preferential flotation at the concentrator and at the smelter. In the majority of cases the full benefit of selective flotation is not fully realized, as the concentrates are shipped from the mill to smelters owned by other companies. The saving made at a certain concentrator by this method of flotation may be well understood but the saving resulting at the smelter from the results of preferential flotation at the mill is not so apparent, as the data are contained in the smelting records of some other company. Even at the smelter the great gains following preferential flotation may not be noted, as a variety of ores and concentrates from various sources are received and the difference from the changed concentrator operations of a certain mill may be obscured. As noted by Professor Weinig and Professor Howard, the results obtained at Cananea brought about a veritable metallurgical revolution at the smelter.

Jan 1, 1927

By A. N. Winchell

Petrographic studies of over 1400 rock and mineral samples, and studies of their field relations, show that there is a complete gradation between sandstone and limestone; the lime-silicate rocks were produced by recrystallization of limestone; mineralization and silicification occurred after silication and at considerably lower temperature; carbonation occurred at still lower temperatures. IN CONNECTION with law suits between mining companies at Bingham, Utah, a few years ago, the writer made petrographic studies of more than 1400 rock and mineral samples in thin sections, and also careful studies of their field relations. In petrographic studies, even when an area is studied intensively, attention is commonly centered very largely on the unusual features of special interest, so that the relative abundance of rock types (or minerals or textures) can only be determined by a study of map areas outlined largely by field methods, and cannot be based directly on microscopic work. It is very uncommon, and usually impossible, to take samples at regular short intervals along and across formations. It is precisely because such methods were used at Bingham that the work presents a rare opportunity for determining, on a microscopic basis, the relative abundance of rock types and the continuity of gradations between rock types. At the same time, a study was made of the alteration of sediments under the influence of igneous intrusions, with results that are believed to be of interest and importance.

Jan 3, 1924

By Charles S. Barrett

This paper is a progress report covering metallographic applications of the electron microscope that have been made during the past year at Carnegie Institute of Technology. An account is presented of the techniques that have been most satisfactory, the difficulties encountered, the resolution obtained, and the peculiarities that have been noted in the microstruc-tures. About 1200 exposures have been made during the year on the instrument, which is an RCA type B2 transmission microscope,' and a number of these have been selected to illustrate the results obtained. prints are also included showing the common types of falsities—to borrow a term from the biological field, the "artifacts." ln brief, the paper is a record of our attempt to determine the value of the electron microscope in the study of the structure of metals and alloys. In addition to comments on techniques and the quality of photomicrographs obtainable with them, the paper discusses the nature of the etch attack on a few metals, and the possible relation between the fine structure revealed by etching and the mosaic block structure of the grains, since numerous papers and reviews are available on the subject of imperfection in crystals, the comments here may be very brief; in fact, are restricted almost entirely to points having to do with recent theories relating the strength of metals to imperfections and to spacings of slip lines. Specimen Preparation and Photographs Mechanical polishing by hand was used throughout this work. Precautions that must be taken in microscopy at high magnification, which have been well explained by Vilella in his book on Metallographic Technique for Steel, are likewise important with the electron microscope. This applies particularly to the need for these polishing and etching (each successive polish becoming less severe and each etch lighter), since the fina1 etch should in general be no heavier than is used for oil-immersion optical microscopy and in many instances should be much lighter (compare Figs. 6a and 7a, 6d and 7b). An extremely light etch, of course, is incapable of cutting through a flowed layer of appreciable thickness. Unquestionably it would be very advantageous in each instance to compare the structures obtained by electrolytic polishing with those obtained by mechanical polishing, but difficulties with the electrolytic method have prevented this in the following collection of prints. The choice of etchant is important, of course; for example, picral proved superior to nital for tempered martensite. With the exception of Figs. Ib and 16, the replicas used were of silica, deposited upon polystyrene and floated from the polystyrene in ethyl bromide according to the method of Heidenreich and Peck.2 The samples were mounted in Bakelite, polished and etched, then the polished Bakelite

Jan 1, 1944

By Charles S. Barrett

This paper is a progress report covering metallographic applications of the electron microscope that have been made during the past year at Carnegie Institute of Technology. An account is presented of the techniques that have been most satisfactory, the difficulties encountered, the resolution obtained, and the peculiarities that have been noted in the microstruc-tures. About 1200 exposures have been made during the year on the instrument, which is an RCA type B2 transmission microscope,' and a number of these have been selected to illustrate the results obtained. prints are also included showing the common types of falsities—to borrow a term from the biological field, the "artifacts." ln brief, the paper is a record of our attempt to determine the value of the electron microscope in the study of the structure of metals and alloys. In addition to comments on techniques and the quality of photomicrographs obtainable with them, the paper discusses the nature of the etch attack on a few metals, and the possible relation between the fine structure revealed by etching and the mosaic block structure of the grains, since numerous papers and reviews are available on the subject of imperfection in crystals, the comments here may be very brief; in fact, are restricted almost entirely to points having to do with recent theories relating the strength of metals to imperfections and to spacings of slip lines. Specimen Preparation and Photographs Mechanical polishing by hand was used throughout this work. Precautions that must be taken in microscopy at high magnification, which have been well explained by Vilella in his book on Metallographic Technique for Steel, are likewise important with the electron microscope. This applies particularly to the need for these polishing and etching (each successive polish becoming less severe and each etch lighter), since the fina1 etch should in general be no heavier than is used for oil-immersion optical microscopy and in many instances should be much lighter (compare Figs. 6a and 7a, 6d and 7b). An extremely light etch, of course, is incapable of cutting through a flowed layer of appreciable thickness. Unquestionably it would be very advantageous in each instance to compare the structures obtained by electrolytic polishing with those obtained by mechanical polishing, but difficulties with the electrolytic method have prevented this in the following collection of prints. The choice of etchant is important, of course; for example, picral proved superior to nital for tempered martensite. With the exception of Figs. Ib and 16, the replicas used were of silica, deposited upon polystyrene and floated from the polystyrene in ethyl bromide according to the method of Heidenreich and Peck.2 The samples were mounted in Bakelite, polished and etched, then the polished Bakelite

Jan 1, 1944

By J. Elmer Thomas

The evolution of the oil business is one of the great industrial romances of modern times. First used as a medicine, then as a lubricant, then as an illuminant, and finally as a motor fuel, each change in its principal usage caused large increases in consumption. Producing Successes The producing branch of the industry responded ably to the demands made upon it. Never was there a famine, rarely any threat of scarcity, and stored inventories were gradually accumulated to form comfortable working stocks. Originally an erratic and hazardous undertaking, the discovery and development of oil fields has made such strides as to classify now as a science. When storage stocks were low, production in close balance with consumption, and demand trending sharply upward, considerable concern was expressed over future needs. Price was very responsive to fluctuations in supply under those conditions, and quotations for crude and refined oils exhibited wide swings. A very different situation exists today. Consideration of the statistics only since the war will show how recent has been this change. In the 10-year period from 1918 to 1927 inclusive, we produced in the United States 6,100,000,000 bbl. of crude and imported 900,000,000 bbl., our total supply being 7,000,000,000 bbl. The consumption was 6,600,000,000 bbl., thus adding to stocks 400,000,000 bbl., an accumulation of somewhat less than 6 per cent. of the total supply. During that period virtually every field was promptly developed as soon as discovered and nearly every well in the country was producing at full capacity. With the maximum production of the wells required to take care of the rapid increases in consumption, with storage stocks moderate and proven reserves very slight, the producing division of the industry acquired a tempo not needed now. Potential Surplus Today the situation is vastly different. The economic consumption is about 2,700,000 bbl., with current production slightly in excess of that.

Jan 1, 1930

By N. S. Stoloff, M. Gensamer

The effects of temperature, grain size, and magnesium content on the strength and ductility of cadmium were studied in the range -269° to 23 °C. A sharp drop in ductility between -140° and -190°C marked a transition in fracture mode from ductile shear to inter gvanular fracture. The addition of up to 15.35 wt pct Mg in solid solution raised the transition temperature, and for two compositions produced basal cleavages. The relatively high ductility of unalloyed cadmium at cryogenic temperatures is attributed to temperature independence of the yield stress and the absence of dislocation locking. ALTHOUGH numerous studies have been made of the mechanical properties of cadmium single crystals,1-5 no comprehensive investigation of deformation and fracture in polycrystalline cadmium has been carried out. This investigation was initiated to determine the mechanisms of deformation and fracture in polycrystalline cadmium, and to attempt to correlate these mechanisms with the behavior of other metals of hexagonal close-packed structure. A second objective of this work was to determine whether the slip systems and mode of fracture of polycrystalline cadmium could be altered by reduction of the axial ratio, which is 1.886, through alloying. Dorn and co-workers' have been able to induce prismatic slip in magnesium through alloying to reduce the axial ratio. Single crystals of cadmium are so highly ductile that glide strains of 400 pct are observed at room temperature, and 80 pct at -269°c.l Failure in every reported case is by necking down and shearing off of the crystal. Cleavage in cadmium single crystals has never been observed. Magnusson and aldwin reported a ductile to brittle transition for polycrystalline cadmium at about —160 C for specimens tested at a strain rate of 0.05 in. per in. per min in tension. However, even at -196° substantial ductility was retained. The transition temperature was strain rate dependent, impact loading at 19,000 in. per in. per min raising the transition temperature to about -85°C while leaving the low temperature ductility unchanged. No information was given on microstructures or fracture mode, nor were stress-strain characteristics reported. In the present investigation, tensile tests were carried out on polycrystalline cadmium and solid solution Cd-Mg alloys to determine flow stresses, work-hardening behavior, fracture strength, and fracture ductility. Variables employed included temperature, alloy content (and c/a ratio), and grain size.Some compression data also have been obtained for comparison purposes. I) EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES A) Polycrystalline Cadmium. Two purities of cadmium were employed in this investigation. Cadmium of 99.95 pct purity was supplied by Belmont Smelting and Refining Co. Cadmium of 99.99+ pct purity was supplied by American Smelting and Refining Co. Threaded cylindrical tensile specimens were machined to give approximately a 1/2 in. long straight gage section with a reduced diameter of about 0.110 in. Specimens were heat treated in evacuated pyrex capsules in the range 140" to 290°C to produce desired grain sizes. All specimens were polished in a solution containing 320 g Cr03 and 20 g NaS04 in 1000 cc of H20. Occasionally this solution caused staining of the specimen, in which case a further polish with a solution of one part HN03 and two parts H202 in two parts ethyl alcohol was employed.' Tensile testing was carried out on a screw-driven Instron machine, at a constant rate of crosshead movement, which for most tests was 0.01 in. per in. per min. Load vs time, and therefore load vs total strain, were recorded. Temperatures from -196" to -40°C were obtained by passing nitrogen gas through a copper coil immersed in liquid nitrogen, and then feeding the gas into a jacket around the specimen. Tests at -269°C were carried out in a helium cryostat, at a crosshead rate of 0.1 in. per in. per min, with specimens of 1 in. gage length. Compression specimens were tested in a jig similar to one designed by ilman. The jig was mounted on the under side of the Instron crosshead. Load was transmitted by means of a rod connected to a movable part of the jig at one end, and the load cell at the other end. A downward movement of the crosshead applied a compressive load to the specimen.

Jan 1, 1963

Jan 1, 1924

By H. H. Stoek

The fundamental reasons underlying the choicc of a method of mining a coal seam are safety of operation, cheapness of producing the coal and the character of the product as a saleable article. From the standpoint of safety, open or strip coal mining is always preferable, as many of the dangers inherent to underground work are absent, such as explosions of gas and dust, falls of roof and coal, and also to a great extent those due to haulage and the use of explosives, thus eliminating three of the chief causes of accident from which about 75 per cent. of the underground accidents in coal mines occur. The conditions under which coal is stripped also make the work much safer than ordinary quarry work, as the depth of the pit is usually comparatively small. Prom the standpoint of low mining cost, there is much misapprehension and many of the costs given are misleading in that they do not take into account such items as the destruction of the surface for future use, the full cost of the removal of the overburden, depreciation, amortization, coal depletion, loss of time through floods and from bad weather in winter, etc. Coal is no doubt often put on the cars at less cost by stripping than by underground mining, but by no means always so, as is too generally assumed. In some cases coal must be obtained by stripping or not at all, because the small amount of overburden renders underground mining impossible.

Jan 1, 1918

By W. P. Sykes

SEVEN years ago, Dr. S. L. Hoyt1 presented a masterful discussion of the hard metal carbides and cemented tungsten carbide. His lecture summarized most of the data then available in the field; many of the details relating to the production, properties and structure of cemented tungsten carbide had never been previously published, for, in fact, this information was only then being acquired. During the intervening years, the cemented carbides have assumed a place of real importance in the commercial field, with an ever widening variety of applications due to constant improvement in the control of production technique and the unremitting search for new compositions that might better the performance of the alloys in one or another type of service. The most recent summary of production methods, properties and guides for the successful application of the cemented carbides appears in the 1936 edition of the Metals Handbook. Of necessity, much detailed information relating to structures and physical properties is not included in such a summary, and it is with such details that the present discussion is concerned.

Jan 1, 1938

By Joseph S. Malesky

The discovery and development of explosives mark one of the most important findings in the history of civilization. Without explosives our vast economic enterprise concerning the mining of coal, copper, iron, aluminum, and various other ores could not function. Explosives are used in all kinds of construction works, in the razing of old buildings, blasting of trenches, driving of tunnels, and in many other instances common to our everyday life. For these reasons explosives are rightfully referred to as the forerunner of progress. An explosive may be defined as a substance (usually a mixture) that, when flame or shock is applied, yields readily to rapid combustion or oxidation, accompanied by the formation of such relatively large quantities of gases as to produce much violence and pressure which, in turn, react against their surroundings and cause what is termed an explosion. By their very nature the action of explosives is destructive and disruptive of adjacent materials. Decomposition of explosives can occur through deflagration, which is rapid burning or combustion, as in the case of black powder, or through detonation, which is an almost instantaneous disruption, as in the case of dynamites and blasting agents. HISTORY OF BLASTING WITH EXPLOSIVES At one time workmen obtained stone blocks for building by grooving the rock with crude picks, driving wooden wedges into niches in the rock, and pouring water on the wedges; the swelling of the wood forced out the blocks. As late as the 17th century, fires were placed against the face of rock to crack it, and water was sometimes dashed on the heated rock to shatter it by sudden cooling. The progress of our country is synonymous with advancement of the improved manufacture and extended use of explosives. Coal had been

Jan 1, 1981

[NORTH AMERICA UNITED STATES ALABAMA AUBURN Sturm & O'Brien, Consult. Engrs. °Sturm, Rolland G. BESSEMER Granger, W. C. BIRMINGHAM Air Reduction Sales Crockett, John M. Amer. Cast Iron Pipe Co. Carter, Sam F., Jr. Donoho, C. K. Anderson Elec. Corp. Davis, Moss V. J. B. Clow & Sons Neptune, Maurice D. Connors Steel Div. °Sandelin, Robert W. Hayes Aircraft Corp. Ricketts, W. E., Jr. Willhelm, A. Clyde, Jr. McWaine Cast Iron King, O. H. Worthington, B. W. Shook & Fletcher Sup. Co. Gearhart, Thomas A. Southern Res. Inst. Dismukes, Edward B., Wheelahan, Edmund J. Thomas Foys Miller, Ralph M. Union Carbide Metals, Co. Brandler, Edgar A. U. S. Pipe & Fdry. Co. Clay, Donald H. Unaffiliated Berg, H. A. Caldwell, H. A. Gilmer, H. U. Harris, Thomas H. Templeton, J. B.]

Jan 1, 1961

By E. H. Roberts, L. G. Swenson, F. C. Nix, R. A. Morgen

THE binary system lead-antimony has been the subject of comprehensive investigations in these laboratories by Dean' and his associates. The effect of a third constituent on this system, particularly on the lead-rich alloys in which dispersion hardening was found, has a commercial value as well as an academic interest. This paper covers the effect of the addition of copper, bismuth and tin, all of which are likely to be found in commercial lead-antimony alloys, and is divided into three parts, as follows: I. The System Lead-Antimony-Copper II. The System Lead-Antimony-Bismuth III. The Lead Corner of the System Lead-Antimony-Tin These three systems are of three different types, and hence may be considered as covering three general kinds of additions. Bismuth forms no compounds with either lead or antimony and forms solid solutions with both. Copper forms several compounds with antimony as well as solid solutions but with lead it forms a two liquid layer system and no appreciable solid solution. Tin is soluble in both lead and antimony in the solid state and also forms a compound with antimony. The effect of small amounts of bismuth on the lead-antimony alloys is small, having no appreciable effect on the solubility of antimony. The temperature of the solidus floor is lowered appreciably by the presence of bismuth, cutting down the range of heat treatment. Copper, on the other hand, due to compound formation, increases the apparent solubility of antimony. The excess antimony is tied up with the copper finally and so is not available for dispersion hardening. The net result of addition of small amounts of copper is to shift the dispersion hardening peak of the

Jan 1, 1928

By Frank F. Aplan

In looking into the crystal-ball scene of minerals beneficiation for 1970 and beyond, an impartial observer becomes con- fused as to what has been done and what is possible in the way of improvements. The mining official must balance the burden which is being shouldered by the mineral industry for maintaining our environment in its pristine state on one hand, with the solid advancements made in technology and cost savings on the other hand. Then the official wonders if this is really the criterion for judging overall performance today. As a prospective engineer, Dave Bolles sees it this way: "Specialization has caused many engineers to subordinate everything to doing their job the cheapest and fastest way. In the future this won't be enough. The engineer in the mineral industry will be responsible not only for mining, concentrating and smelting, but also for the resultant wastes- the mine dumps, the tailing dams and the slag piles." (See Drift on page 63).

Jan 1, 1971

By D. Havlena, A. S. Odeh

The material balance equation used by reservoir engineers is arranged algebraically, resulting in an equation of a straight line. The straight line method of analysis imposes an additional necessary condition that a successful solution of the material balance equatiott should meet. In addition, this algebraic arrangement attaches a dynamic ineuning to the otherwise static material balance equation. The straight line method requires the plotting of one variable group vs mother variable group. The sequence of the plotted points as well as the general shape of the resulting plot is of utmost importance. Therefore, one cannot progrm the method entirely on a digital computer ar is usually done in the routine solution of the material balance equation. If this method is applied, then plotting and anaIysis are asential. Only the appropriate equations and the method of analysis and interpremtion with comments and discussion are presented in this paper. Illustrative field examples for the various cases treated are deferred to a subsequent writing. INTRODUCTION One of the fundamental principles utilized in engineering work is the law of conservation of matter. The application of this principle to hydrocarbon reservoirs for the purpose of quantitative deductions and prediction is termed "the material balance method of reservoir analysis". While the construction of the material balance equation (MBE) and the computations that go with its application are not difficult tasks, the criteria that a successful solution of the MBE should fulfill have always been a problem facing the reservoir engineer. True and complete criteria should embody necessary and dcient conditions. The criteria which the reservoir engineer uses possess a few necessary but no sufficient conditions. Because of this, the answers obtained from the MBB are always open to question. However, the degree of their acceptability should increase with the increase in the number of the necessary conditions that they should satisfy. Generally, the necessary conditions commonly used are (1) an unspecified consistency of the results and (2) the agreement between the MBE results and those determined volumetrically. This second criterion is usually overemphasized. Actually, the volumetrically determined results are based on geological and petrophysical data of unknown accuracy. In addition, the oil-in-place obtained by the MBE is that oil which contributes to the pressure-production history,' while the volumetrically calculated oil-in-place refers to the total oil, part of which may not contribute to said history. Because of this difference, the disagreement between the two answers might be of paramount importance, and the concordance between them should not be overemphasized as the measure of correctness of either one. In this paper, a third necessary condition of mathematical as well as physical significance is discussed. It is not subject to any geological or petrophysical interpretation, and as such, it is probably the most important necessary condition. It consists essentially of rearranging the MBE to result in an equation of a straight line. This straight line method of the MBE solution has invalidated a few long time accepted concepts. For instance, it has always been advocated that if a water drive exists, but one neglects to take it into account in the MBE, the calculated oil-in-place should increase with time. The straight line method shows that in some cases, depending on the size of the neglected aquifer, the calculated oil-in-place might decrease with time. The straight line method requires the plotting of a variable group vs another variable group, with the variable group selection depending on the mechanism of production under which the reservoir is producing. The most important aspect of this method of solution is that it attaches a significance to the sequence of the plotted points, the direction in which they plot, and to the shape of the resulting plot. Thus, a dynamic meaning has been introduced into the picture in arriving at the final answer. Since the emphasis of this method is placed on the interpretation of the sequence of the points and the shape of the plot, one cannot completely automate the whole sequence to obtain "the best value" as normally done in the routine application of the MBE. If one uses the straight line method, then plotting and analysis are musts. The straight line method was first recognized by van Everdingen, et al,2 but for some reason it was never fully exploited. The advantages and the elegance of this method can be more appreciated after a few cases are carefully treated and worked out by it. SOLUTION OF THE MATERIAL BALANCE EQUATION SATURATED RESERVOIRS The MBE for saturated reservoirs written in AIME symbols is

By A. E. J. Engel

INDUSTRIAL talcs and ground soapstones both include earth materials of different chemical and mineral compositions. In general, the industrial talcs are composed of silicates that contain appreciable amounts of magnesia. Generally talc, the mineral, is a predominant or at least common constituent. Talc, the mineral, is a hydrous magnesium silicate, with a suggested theoretical formula H2Mg3 (SiO3)4 or H2O.3MgO.4SiO2, which postulates 63.5 pct SiO2, 31.7 pct MgO, and 4.8 pct H20.11 Actually different single grains or leaves of pure talc have variations in water content ranging from 3.5 pct to more than 7 pct, as well as slight differences in the proportions of MgO and Si02.16 Only a very small percentage of the ground industrial talcs produced in the United States approaches the composition given above (see Table 1). The purer talcs invariably occur as alteration products of magnesium carbonate rocks. Some of these relatively pure talcs include compact, massive types largely mined in California, which are designated as steatite.38,58 In general, steatites cannot contain in excess of 1.5 pct CaO, 1.5 pct combined FeO and Fe203, and 4 pct A1203. The less pure varieties of massive talc and mixtures of magnesian silicates are commonly called soapstones, or merely talc. Many industrial earth products classified as talc or as soapstone contain a variety of minerals, especially serpentine (H4Mg,Si2O9), chlorites (hydrous magnesium, iron, aluminum silicates), tremolite (Ca2Mg5H2[SiO3]8), anthophyllite ([MgCa]SiO3), diopside (CaMg[SiO3]2), and quartz (SiO2). The carbonates calcite (CaC03), dolomite (CaMg[CO3]2), and magnesite (MgCO3) are also present in some industrial talcs and soapstones. Some of these minerals, as well as sulphides, sulphates, and iron and manganese oxides, if present at all or in excess of minute amounts, may alter the composition of the industrial talc sufficiently to restrict materially its use or to lower or destroy its value. These factors are discussed in a subsequent section of this chapter.

Jan 1, 1949

By Charles D. Hoyt

T IME studies and cost accounting were combined to increase the efficiency of the overall mining method and thereby reduce costs at the Titania mine of the National Lead Co. in southern Norway about 70 miles southeast of Stavanger. From these studies a more effective drilling system was developed, standards were adopted for setting base pay rates, shrinkage stoping was abandoned for open stoping, a new mechanical loading chute was adopted, and the loading and haulage system was changed. Ore minerals at the Titania mine are ilmenite and magnetite; gangue minerals are plagioclase and hyperstene with accessory minerals of biotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and spinel. The average content of the ore is 17 pct TiO2 and from 20 to 25 pct iron. The ilmenite crystals contain microscopic lamels of hematite, making it impossible to obtain a high TiO2 content in the concentrate. An ilmenite concentrate with 44 pct TiO2 and 36 pct Fe, and a magnetite concen-

Jan 9, 1950

By G. H. Gronhovd, W. H. Oppelt

Complete gasification to produce synthesis gas for manufacture of synthetic chemicals and fuels offers possibilities for utilization of the vast lignite fuel deposits in the U.S. The design of a slugging, fixed-bed, pressure gasification pilot Plant is described. Results are presented for initial operation of the plant at moderate pressure and using low-temperature char as fuel. Gasification of solid fuels is becoming increasingly important in the future overall energy picture, both in this country and abroad. Snythesis gas from gasification of coal consists chiefly of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and after suitable purification and modification this gas can be used in the production of synthetic ammonia, methanol, higher alcohols, and synthetic liquid fuels, or as a reducing gas in the metallurgical field.' Most synthesis gas used in this country is made from natural gas, petroleum oils, and refining tail-gases, but the direct gasification of coal will become more attractive as costs of petroleum oils and natural gas increase.' A gasification process designed for use with brown coal and lignite was developed by the German Lurgi Co. prior to World War 11. In this process a fixed bed of lump-sized fuel is gasified with steam and oxygen at pressures ranging from 370 to 440 psi. Effective heat exchange between the ascending high-temperature gases and the descending solid fuel results in low gas outlet temperatures, high thermal efficiency, and favorable oxygen consumption. Lurgi gasifiers are used commercially for the production of synthesis gas or as a substitute for coal gas in many countries, including Germany, Czechslovakia, Great Britain, South Africa, Australia and Pakistan.3-6 The chief disadvantage of the conventional Lurgi gasifier which operates under nonclinkering conditions is that large quantities of excess steam must be supplied with the oxygen-steam mixture to reduce the temperature in the fuel bed below fusion temperature of the ash. Most of the steam leaves the gasifier undecomposed with the product gas and, after cooling, produces large amounts of dilute liquor. Evaluation of fixed-bed gasification experiments using dry-ash removal indicated that by increasing the oxygen concentration in the oxygen-steam blast the temperature in the combustion zone could be raised high enough to operate under slagging conditions. 7-8 Operation of a fixed-bed pressure gasifier under slagging conditions would reduce the steam requirements and the volume of waste liquor and would increase the steam decomposition, the overall thermal efficiency of the process, and the rate of gas production per unit cross sectional area of the gasifier. Because the Lurgi gasification process, modified for slagging operation, offered possibilities for efficient gasification of American lignite, the Bureau of Mines decided to investigate the process on a pilot-plant scale at the Grand Forks, N. D., Lignite Research Laboratory. DESIGN Description of Pilot Plant: A flowsheet of the Grand Forks slagging gasification pilot plant is presented in Fig. 1. The gasifier unit consits of the coal lock, the gas generator, and the slag lock. The fuel, which is periodically charged to the coal lock, moves by gravity flow into the generator and is continuously gasified by an oxygen-steam mixture introduced at the bottom of the gasifier. Molten slag is formed at the hearth and flows through a central taphole into a water quench bath. The slag-water slurry is periodically discharged from the slag lock. Process steam is generated and superheated in separately-fired, oil-burning units. Oxygen is supplied to the gasifier from a gas storage bank located some distance from the pilot plant. The capacity of the oxygen storage bank is about 130,000 standard cu ft at 2200 psig. Liquid oxygen is delivered by truck and is converted to gas during the filling operation. The superheated steam and oxygen are metered separately, then mixed and fed to the gasifier tuyeres. The gas generator is surrounded by a water jacket. The steam formed is separated in the steam drum and then discharged to the gas offtake, thus equaliz-

Jan 1, 1961

By C. W. Gennet

Announcement was made in the spring of 1926 that the Boston & Maine R. R. Co. had contracted with the well-known German steelmakers, Messrs. Fried Krupp, for the manufacture of 15,000 tons of basic open-hearth steel rails at the Rheinhausen Works, for delivery to Boston, Mass. The manufacture of rails in the United States has for many years been almost a national pride, and as this feeling is chiefly the result of a long-time liberal and consistent patronage of American rails by American railroads, it is not strange that this somewhat unusual announcement should arouse more than ordinary interest. Since the end of the World War, the importation of foreign rail has been fairly large, principally because the newly created economic conditions have rendered some American competition more difficult, but the tonnage imported, for the most part, has been made up of small orders for miscellaneous use; and the contract referred to constitutes the largest single importation of foreign rail in over ten years. In 1915, the Algoma Steel Co. of Sault Ste. Marie, Canada, supplied the Illinois Central R. R. with 30,000 tons of rails,' and various other American roads with smaller amounts. In 1902, 1903 and 1904, large tonnages of rail from abroad were purchased, the Louisville & Nashville R. R. alone obtaining 30,000 tons from German mills. It is the object of this paper to present, in what is believed to be a new and concise form, figures showing the production and consumption of rails in the United States, and to record some of the testing and inspection results of the recent Krupp rails; also, to direct attention to two quite unique departures from American practice that were regular features of the Krupp process and which are worthy, it is thought, of careful study. Production and Consumption of Rails in the United States Table 1 shows the tonnage of rail produced in the United States and the amount imported, exported, and consumed by years since 1849. That, evidently, was the first year of record, for the statistics of the American Iron and Steel Institute and its predecessor, the American Iron and