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By T. L. MacKay

Oxidation rates of single-crystal and poly crystalline zirconium in oxygen at temperatures from 307° to 815°C obey the parabolic rate law for short ex-posure time, 4 to 6 hr. The activation energy for the oxidation of single-crystal zirconium between 420° and 790°C is 42.6 ± 0.7 kcal per mole, and in the temperature range 307" to 600°C the activation energy for oxidation of poly crystalline zirconium is approximately the same. The high-activation energy is indicative that diffusion through the bulk oxide film is the primary mode of mass transport for both types of metal. The higher oxidation rates for poly -crystalline zirconium in this temperature range were attributed to differences in the orientation of the grains in the metal with respect to the oxidizing surfaces. Above 600°C, vain growth was observed in polycrystalline zirconium, and the oxidation rates approached those of single-crystal zirconium. ThE kinetic data of previous oxidation studies1-' of zirconium in oxygen have been interpreted by both parabolic and cubic rate laws. There is some evidence that there is a transition from the parabolic to the cubic rate law at prolonged exposures, but the question is still controversial. For the parabolic rate law activation energies are reported in the range 18.6 to 35 kcal per mole, and for the cubic rate law in the range 38 to 47 kcal per mole. So far as the mechanism of zirconium oxidation is concerned, inert marker studies10,11 have indicated that the oxidation proceeds by oxygen (anion) diffusion through the oxide film toward the metal-metal oxide interface. Pemslerl2 observed that the orientation of the grains in the zirconium metal substrate affected the rate of formation of the oxide film on the surfaces of the grains and that the orientation dependence of the corrosion rate persisted beyond the initial stages of reaction. The rate of oxidation was a minimum when the c axis of the grain was parallel to the surface of the sample, and rose to a maximum when the c axis was inclined at about 20 deg to the plane of sample surface, and decreased again at higher inclinations. cox13 observed that in 300°C steam a thin oxide film was formed initially on zirconium and that this oxide film, which exhibited interference colors, became dark first along the grain boundaries and then over the whole surface in an inhomogeneous manner as the film thickened. Cox proposed a mechanism in which oxygen diffused along preferred paths created by grain boundaries in the metal and formed a much thicker film at or near the grain boundary than on the central zone of the grain. In the present study, the oxidation rates of single crystals of zirconium were measured in oxygen and compared with the oxidation rates of polycrystalline zirconium of the same bar stock. It was felt that such a comparison would elucidate the role of grain boundaries in the metal substrate. SAMPLE PREPARATION Single crystals of zirconium were prepared by following the procedure of I3apperport,14 starting with 1/4-in. rod purchased as crystal-bar zirconium. Zirconium rods 2 in. long were wrapped in tungsten foil and sealed in quartz tubes at pressures of less than 10-6 mm of mercury. Large single crystals were grown by thermal cycling above and below the a-/3 transformation temperature, 862°C. Several specimens were simultaneously subjected to the same cycling procedure, heating to 1200°C, holding for 4 hr, then cooling in the furnace and holding at a temperature of 840°C for 5 to 10 days. This cycle was repeated five or six times for each set of specimens. The grain size of the crystal-bar zirconium before thermal cycling was between 10 and 30 p. Fig. 1 shows the microstructure of an end section of as-received crystal-bar zirconium. A longitudinal section of each zirconium rod after thermal cycling was polished and examined under polarized light, see Fig. 2, and the largest single crystals were selected for this study. Zirconium rods 1/8 in. in diameter and 1/2 in. long with spherical ends were machined from the single crystals and from the as-received bar stock. An X-ray examination showed that the c axis of the single crystals made either a 34-deg or an 89-deg angle with the rod axis. The specimens were chemically etched for 2 min in solution consisting of 15 parts hydrofluoric acid (48 pct), 80 parts nitric acid, and 80 parts water. The chemical polish removed 1 to 2 mils from the surface. EXPERIMENTAL The Sartorius vacuum microbalance used in this study has a sensitivity of 0.5 pg and a capacity of

Jan 1, 1963

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 Chester S. Conrad

SEVERAL years ago Pittsburgh Consolidation Coal Co. intensified efforts to combat the hazard of mine fires. The program consisted of three parts in the order of likely accomplishment: 1) Purchase and installation of newer and more practical fire fighting equipment. 2) Establishment of trained fire fighting teams at every mine plant. 3) A drive to remove the causes of mine fires. Experimentation with alternating current on section equipment is a major development in this part of the program. Use of alternating current to power mining equipment had been recognized as being most practical from the standpoint of safety. A means to re- place the d-c traction motor is all that has delayed complete section mechanization with a-c power.

Jan 1, 1958

By Samuel B. Christy

Jan 1, 1889

By C. E. MACQUICC

WITHIN a period considerably less than two decades, the engineering view of alloy steels has greatly changed-both as to their composition, and applications. Inasmuch as the elements used in manufacturing alloy steels are substantially the same as those which have been used for the past two or three generations, a statement like the foregoing may reasonably call for some explanation. The first commercial use of alloy steels in this country dates back to the sixties of the last century, when one of the earliest alloy steel patents, covering the use of chromium, was taken out by Bauer. About ten years later, German and French toolmakers began to introduce tungsten into tool steels. Developments along this line were more or less static for 25 years or more, the tool steel, compositions progressing along lines worked out by Mushet and one or two others in Europe. The next step in advance, made by Taylor and White inn the late nineties, consisted of heat-treating the alloy steels to enable much higher cutting speeds, thus introducing what soon became known as "rapid" or "high-speed" steels. All these developments being aimed toward the improvement of cutting tools, the compositions made were essentially of a hard, brittle nature. Following a different line of development started in the seventies, naval ordnance material began to embrace the nickel steels. These were rapidly popularized, became, and still are, with the addition of one or more elements, as chromium, molybdenum, vanadium, standard for heat-treated armor plate. During that period, however, no notable uses were made of alloy steels for engine parts or other high-stress parts where they are now considered indispensable; moreover, the present-day use of metals in the chemical industries was probably not even imagined. After the turn of the century, the necessity for making heavy-duty. machine parts, and especially the develop¬ment of the automobile, caused alloy steels to rapidly supplant plain carbon steels for engineering purposes.

Jan 1, 1930

By Edward W. Parker

I. INTRODUCTION. AT the Seventy-sixth meeting of the Institute, held in New York, N. Y., February, 1899, I presented a, paper on this subject entitled, Coal-Cutting Machinery,' which has become somewhat out of date, in view of the decade's development in this feature of the coal-minim industry. It should be explained that the present paper is limited to the use of mining-machines in bituminous mines. Practically all of the anthracite mined is ?shot from the solid," no undercutting being done. Anthracite-mining is therefore not considered in the statistics or other references. The statistical record as compiled by the United States Geological Survey shows that in 1898, the year preceding the presentation of my former paper, there were 32,413,144 short tons of coal undercut by the use of machines. In 1907 the machine-mined coal-product amounted to 138,547,823 short tons. In sympathy with the general decrease in coal-production during 1908, the output of machine-mined coal decreased to 123,183,334 short tons, but the proportion of machine-mined coal to the total output, nevertheless, showed an increase, from 35.1 per cent in 1907 to 37 per cent in 1908. In 1898 only 19.5 per cent. of the total product was undercut by the use of machines. The number of undercutting-machines in use in the bituminous mines of the United States has increased from 2,622 in 1898 to 11,144 in 1907, and to 11,569 in 1908. The total production of bituminous coal in the United States in 1908 was almost exactly double that of 1898, while the machine- * Published by permission of the Director of the U. S. Geological Survey. 1 Trans.. xxix.. 400 to 4,59 (1899).

Sep 1, 1910

By H. Ries

Introduction BODIES of pyritic ore in schistose rocks have long been known in different parts of the world. The several occurrences resemble each other in being usually of more or less lenticular shape, inclosed in walls of schist or gneiss, and carrying pyrite, chalcopyrite, and pyrrhotite in varying proportions, as the chief ore minerals. The deposits differ, however, in that sometimes one, sometimes another, of the three sulphides mentioned may predominate. The orebodies in general are more or less closely conformable with the schistosity of the wall rocks, although in cases this may not hold true. The boundaries may or may not be sharp, but in general are fairly distinct. The lenses vary in size, may occur singly, or in groups; in the latter case they may be in line, overlapping, or occasionally parallel. Pinching and swelling of individual lenses is not uncommon. The genesis of these pyritic bodies has provoked much discussion, and they have been variously classed as sedimentary, igneous intrusions, hydrothermal replacements or impregnations, etc. Indeed, in some cases different geologists have most positively assigned widely diverse origins to the same deposit, as in the case of Rio Tinto 1 and Rammelsberg.2 It is true that in the light of modern criteria, we have been able in a few cases to decipher clearly the process of origin and so there seems no doubt now regarding the genesis of the deposits at Rio Tinto, Spain;3 Rammelsberg, Germany ;4 Ducktown, Tenn.;5 southwestern Virginia;6

Jan 8, 1917

By C. W. Spencer, F. G. Hochgraf, R. F. Cheney

Columnar grained specimens of nickel, containing 0.25 pct Si and 0.22 pct Mn, have been exposed to liquid bismuth in the temperature range 670° to 1050°C. Under isothermal conditions the liquid penetration rate is constant. The activation energy for the process is 22,000 cal per g-atom. Small amounts of plastic deformation, introduced into specimens prior to exposure, increase the penetration rate. The slou. step in liquid film penetration is associated with a reaction which occurs at or near the leading edge of the film. Either transfer of nickel across the liquid-solid inteqace or diffusion in the grain boundary ahead of the liquid film is suggested. Aliquid metal, if brought into contact with the surface of an unstrained solid metal, will usually penetrate to some extent into the grain boundaries of the solid. Under isothermal conditions the extent of penetration after any particular time of exposure is related to the relative magnitudes of the interfacial tensions concerned.1,2 If the liquid-solid interfacial tension is less than one-half the grain boundary tension the liquid may penetrate at a relatively rapid rate for an indefinite distance into the grain boundary surfaces. If the liquid-solid interfacial tension is greater than one-half the grain boundary energy, liquid penetration occurs at a continually decreasing rate so that after the liquid has penetrated to a relatively short distance below the surface the process essentially ceases.3 Many observations of a qualitative nature concerning inter crystalline attack by liquid metals have been reported, for example, liquid bismuth upon copper,' liquid mercury upon brass,4 and liquid mercury upon nickel.' Scheil and Schessl determined the rate of penetration of liquid bismuth into the grain boundaries of hot rolled copper rod? At constant temperature, penetration rate was found to be independent of the depth penetrated, the rate in- creasing with increasing temperature corresponding to an activation energy of 20,000 cal per g-atom for the process. It was suggested that at lower temperatures the liquid travelled mainly along lines of three grain intersections while at temperatures greater than 1000°C essentially all grain boundary surfaces were covered. Recently, in a study of copper bicrystals having a common [loo] axis it was found that at 649°C bismuth penetrated 22, 25, and 63 deg boundaries while it did not penetrate 2, 12, 15, and 72 deg boundaries.' Elbaum reported that liquid gallium penetrates aluminum grain boundaries to a depth of 0.6 cm after 11 hr at 27°c.8 Assuming that the rate controlling step in the process was diffusion down the liquid film to the specimen surface, a diffusion coefficient of 10-5 cm2 per sec was calculated. This paper reports a study of the penetration of bismuth-nickel liquids into the grain boundaries of a nickel alloy, containing 0.25 pct Si and 0.22 pct Mn as principal alloying elements. The phase diagram

Jan 1, 1962

By D. A. Thomas, M. F. Comerford

Poly crystalline wires of Fe-3.2 wt pct Si were cold-drawn to 31, 66, and 87 pct reductions of area. Mechanical properties and tnicrostructures were studied after recovery and re crystallization. An initial increase in strength during recovery was ascribed to strain aging, and subsequent softening was largely due to polygonization rather than re-crystallization. No unique actioation energies could be determined for the recovery process. Rather, activation energies ranged from 60,600 cal per mole at 10 pct recovery to 83,200 cal per mole when recovery was 50 pct complete. Sites for the nucleation of recrystallization were found to depend on time and temperature. In the early stages of re-crystallization, nucleation occurred in deformation hands. Later, or at high temperatures, recrystal-lized grains were nucleated primarily al grain boundaries. Polygonized structures did not seem to be preferred sites for nucleation. MUCH of the research on deformation, recovery, and recrystallization processes in bcc materials has been performed on single crystals or lightly worked polycrystals. Little study has been devoted to the relation of mechanical properties to micro-structure in polycrystals after severe deformation and subsequent annealing. This paper presents the results of a study of the tensile properties and microstructures of Fe-Si wires drawn varying amounts and annealed at a series of temperatures. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The experiments were carried out on an alloy of the following composition: 3.2 wt pct Si, 0.08 Mn, 0.016 C, 0.005 0, 0.0002 N, 0.0001 H, 0.008 P, 0.034 S. The material was received as l-in.-sq bars cut longitudinally from a hot-rolled slab provided by the Armco Steel Corp. The bars were forged to 3/8-in. rounds, centerless-ground to 0.250 in., and swaged to '0.108 in. All subsequent reductions were performed by room-temperature wire drawing at the rate of 2 in. per min. Each preliminary draft gave approximately 30 pct reduction of area and was followed by a l-hr anneal at 1010°C in dry hydrogen. Three lots of wire were made with ultimate cold reductions of 31, 66, and 87 pct reduc-

Jan 1, 1965

By H. R. Spedden, A. M. Gaudin, M. P. Corriveau

A preliminary study of silver ion adsorption by sphalerite in ion exchange column with influent electrolyte marked with radiosilver is described. Rapid ion exchange occurs at first followed by slow reaction controlled perhaps by solid state diffusion. One experiment with radiocopper instead of radiosilver is reported briefly. IT has been known for many years that sphalerite is floated after it has been activated by a metallic cation, particularly copper.' The activation of sphalerite by copper is known to be an exchange of an atom of copper for an atom of zinc at the surface of the sphalerite.2,3 It has been estimated from various guesses of the available mineral surface that the depth of the copper-bearing coating is of the order of thickness of one atom. However, the exact mechanism of the activation process is unknown. A number of metals other than copper act in the same general manner."' " In particular, it has been known that silver replaces zinc at the surface of sphalerite. As copper is usually divalent, whereas silver is monovalent, it may well be assumed that there are differences, perhaps major differences, in the detailed scheme of activation by these two cations. Furthermore, since silver has unusual photoelectric properties and may be a contributor to the fluorescence of sphalerite, a study of its activating mechanism might open up some interesting avenues for exploring these other phenomena. The choice of silver as an activator of sphalerite was suggested also by the fact that its radioactive tracer, silver 110, is particularly convenient in that it has a long half-life and is energetic enough to permit counting through a counter window. The experimental technique selected, therefore, included the preparation of solutions of silver nitrate con- taining a proportion of active silver nitrate sufficient to give convenient counting data. In further considering the method to be used, a desirable choice seemed the use of batch experimentation in which a given solution was allowed to act on a certain lot of mineral for a given length of time at a given temperature, this period of mutual reaction being followed by analyses of the separated solid and solution. But an alternative method seemed more attractive. This is the method now so familiar to the users of ion-exchange resins, which was first made famous by the Russian chromatographer, Tswett.6-8 It consists in forming the mineral into a porous column through which the solution is allowed to flow at a constant rate. The usual method of allowing a batch of solid to react with solution is the equivalent of a single plate distillation operation while the chromatographic or ion-exchange column is a multiple-plate method—the multiplicity of the plates being represented by the reciprocal of the rate of flow of solution through the column. It seemed to us that the chromatographic method had such

Jan 1, 1952

Jan 1, 1898

THE education of adolescents to perform the duties and assume the responsibilities of maturity has been a characteristic of human society since the dawn of history. In the beginning the members of the immediate family performed this function, and in modern life they still have an important part in it. Possibly religion was the first field in which education began to be functional; young people were sent for instruction to a teacher who had a broader and deeper knowledge of the subject than was possessed by the family. It does not seem necessary for our purpose to attempt to determine how, when, or where instruction in the practical arts first began to become functional, and the brief outline which follows must suffice. The discovery and utilization of mineral substances to improve and maintain the conditions of human living is a practical art, which must have had an almost accidental origin and have been developed by empirical experiments. We do not know, nor would it be useful to try to fancy, how men first learned that they could make use of mineral substances to their benefit, but however that knowledge was initially gained it was certainly trans- mitted through instruction in the family. At fist such activities must have been merely a minor part of the making of a living, bit in time those who excelled found it better to devote them-

Jan 1, 1941

By John T. Galey

In southwestern Pennsylvania 151 wells1 were completed during 1938, a total of 61 less than the preceding year. Of this number 81 were gas wells and 28 oil wells, which shows a considerable decline from 1937, when 108 gas wells and 64 oil wells were completed. However, 42 dry holes were drilled during 1938, which is two more than the previous year. Shallow Development—Gas No new extensions to old pools, or new wells that would indicate any substantial reserves, mere found during the year. However, a number of commercial wells and many dry holes were drilled to the Big Injun sand in Menallen township, Fayette County. One well had an initial open flow of 6 million cu. ft. In Rich Hill township, Greene County, one well producing, from the Big Injun sand, 2 million cu. ft. was brought in. Several other gas wells were completed in Shaler township, Alleghany County and Center township, Greene County, both of which had initial open flows of 1 million cu. ft. from the 30-ft. sand. Another well, in Aleppo township, Greene County, had an equal volume from the Gordon Stray sand. Oil Development has proceeded at a retarded rate because of the low price of Pennsylvania-grade crude. A total initial of only 205 bbl., an average of 7.3 bbl. per well, was developed. This is 1785 bbl. less than during 1937 and no new repressuring operations have been contemplated to prevent the declining production. The average price received for oil was $1.56 per barrel, with a high of $1.88 and a low of $1.34. This oil costs $1.94 per barrel2 to produce. The average price paid for Bradford

Jan 1, 1939

By John T. Galey

In southwestern Pennsylvania 151 wells1 were completed during 1938, a total of 61 less than the preceding year. Of this number 81 were gas wells and 28 oil wells, which shows a considerable decline from 1937, when 108 gas wells and 64 oil wells were completed. However, 42 dry holes were drilled during 1938, which is two more than the previous year. Shallow Development—Gas No new extensions to old pools, or new wells that would indicate any substantial reserves, mere found during the year. However, a number of commercial wells and many dry holes were drilled to the Big Injun sand in Menallen township, Fayette County. One well had an initial open flow of 6 million cu. ft. In Rich Hill township, Greene County, one well producing, from the Big Injun sand, 2 million cu. ft. was brought in. Several other gas wells were completed in Shaler township, Alleghany County and Center township, Greene County, both of which had initial open flows of 1 million cu. ft. from the 30-ft. sand. Another well, in Aleppo township, Greene County, had an equal volume from the Gordon Stray sand. Oil Development has proceeded at a retarded rate because of the low price of Pennsylvania-grade crude. A total initial of only 205 bbl., an average of 7.3 bbl. per well, was developed. This is 1785 bbl. less than during 1937 and no new repressuring operations have been contemplated to prevent the declining production. The average price received for oil was $1.56 per barrel, with a high of $1.88 and a low of $1.34. This oil costs $1.94 per barrel2 to produce. The average price paid for Bradford

Jan 1, 1939

By Nicholas J. Grant, A. W. Mullendore

Measurements of grain boundary sliding were made on polycrystal and bicrystal tensile creep specimens of Al-2 pct Mg at 500oand 700oF. Grain and pain boundary orientation factors were studied with respect to their effect on the magnitude and direction of grain boundary sliding. It was concluded that a large part of the observed sliding may be caused by the operation of slip crossing the grain boundaries. Supporting evidence for this model from other investigations is also given. GRAIN boundary sliding in metals during elevated temperature deformation has frequently been thought of as an independent mechanism with its own characteristic stress, temperature, and structure dependence. Further, it is common to regard the grain boundary as the weak link during creep deformation since: 1) the strength of apolycrystallinemetal, as meas-sured by creep rate or rupture life, decreases at\a more rapid rate when sliding comes into action, and 2) grain boundary sliding, as revealed by "boundary darkening" and fold formation is often the first visible deformation. On the other hand, more quantitative observations, in both polycrystals and bicrystals, have shown boundary deformation to be closely related to the over-all deformation of the specimen. The curve of grain boundary contribution to elongation vs time takes a shape similar to that of the total creep curve,',' and the apparent activation energy for sliding appears in most cases to have the same value as that for total creep.3 In order to reconcile these observations, one is left with these possibilities: 1) The grain boundary and grain deformation rates are both controlled by the same rate limiting processes. 2) The rate of sliding is limited by accommodation deformation in the grains. 3) Sliding is the consequence of grain deformation. 4) Grain deformation is dependent on prior grain boundary deformation. Alternatives 2) and 3) would view grain boundary sliding as occurring in series with another deformation process which could be rate controlling. McLean prefers item 3) as the sliding basis,4 where subgrain rotation results from dislocation accumulation in the substructure at the grain boundary. Crussard and Friedel's5 treatment of grain boundary migration considers that dislocations are forced into the grain boundary and are dissociated into dislocations with Burgers' vectors nearly parallel to the grain boundary. The movement of these partial grain boundary dislocations then produces the sliding. The results of this investigation have indicated alternative 3) to be the most appropriate and it is this aspect of grain boundary sliding which will be analyzed. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Three types of tensile creep tests were employed in this study: (I) A constant load test of one very coarsegrained polycrystalline specimen at 500° F, 3600 psi, 1 pct per/hr strain rate to examine the grain and grain boundary orientation factors in grain boundary sliding. (II) Constant strain rate tests of polycrystalline specimens at 510o and 715o F, 2 pct per/hr strain rate to determine the grain boundary contribution to elongation at very low total strains. (m) Constant strain rate tests of bicrystals of various grain and grain boundary orientations at 500°F, 2 pct per/hr strain rate to obtain further information on the orientation effects in grain boundary sliding. The material used in the tests was a high-purity Al-1'.92 mg alloy, kindly furnished by Alcoa. Its composition is given in Table I. The alloy is a solid solution at the test temperatures. The coarse grained polycrystalline specimen for test (I) was prepared by recrystallizingthe machined specimen, straining it about 1pct intension at room temperature and annealing at 900°F for 8hr. The constant strain rate specimens (11), with an 178 in. sq. by 1/2 in. long gage section, were cut from 1/8 in. thick sheet of cold rolled and annealed (8 hr at 1000oF) material. The latter specimens were supported in a special jig during the milling operations to avoid any bending, and the gage section was subsequently heavily electropolished to remove the cold-worked surface layer. The bicrystals (ID) were machined in the same

Jan 1, 1963

By Myrick N. Bolles

The concentration of gold and silver in mattes low in copper, and the subsequent separation and recovery of either or both of these metals, is a question the satisfactory solution of which has long vexed metallurgists. It covers a broad and important department of metallurgical science and brings in its train a series of attendant problems continuing from the initial operations of concentration to the final recovery of " values."

Jan 1, 1905

By F. G. Clapp

Introduction.......................................................... 915 Scope of Discussion................................................... 915 Literature and Acknowledgments....................................... 915 Geographic Distribution of Petroleum in South America................. 916 Geographical Comparison with North America.......................... 917 Geological Inferences Regarding South America......................... 918 Quality of South American Oil........................................ 918 South America's Position in the World's Production.................... 919 Political Conditions in South America................................. 920 Peru.................................................................. 920 Distribution of Peruvian Fields................................ :...... 920 Surface Indications.................................................. 923 Geological Conditions................................................ 925 Quality................................................,............ 927 Production......................................................... 929 Argentina............................................................. 932 Distribution of Argentina Fields...................................... 932 Surface Indications.................................................. 933 Geological Conditions............:................................... 935 Quality .......................................................... 936 Production.......................................................:938 Venezuela................................................. 939 Distribution of Venezuela Fields...................................... 939 Surface Indications................................................. 939 Geology of Venezuela Fields.......................................... 941 Quality........................................................... 942 Production.......................................................... 943 Colombia.............................................................. 944 Distribution of Colombia Fields....................................... 944 Surface Indications.................................................. 945 Geological Conditions............................................... 948 Quality............................................................ 950 Production......................................................... 950

Jan 1, 1918

By Howard Eavenson

SOME time ago, in a conference considering the mechanizing of a group of mines, I was asked if I knew of any data showing the relative frequency of accidents due to the use of 275 or 550-volt current inside mines and having a recollection of seeing some in print, the answer was made that I would find what was available. Subsequent search failed to find any pub-lished records of any kind giving such figures and none of the compensation agencies of whom inquiry was made were able to supply any, excepting the Pennsyl-vania Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau, which had some data covering a few months for some companies in that State. The inquiry was confined to the three largest producing States, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Illinois. The inspection departments of neither of the first two had any such records, and in Illinois, only 275 volts has been allowed inside the mines for many years. A laborious inquiry has resulted in the data, shown in Table 1, which on this account was confined to the years 1921 and 1925, the latter being the latest figures available. In each State, to find the mines using 275 and 550-volt current respectively, it was necessary to list the mines from the Coal Catalog, and then to complete the list by inquiries from the companies directly, from Operators' Associations and from Inspection Depart-ments. As the mines not electrified, and those using

Jan 5, 1928

By H. L. Riley, B. W. Gandrud

As far as the present writers know, this system of flotation has not been used elsewhere in this country, but in the last couple of years it has been introduced, with minor variations, at one plant in England and one in Wales. The system has been described and discussed in a number of publications. The following is quoted from an abstract of the latest of these," a paper presented at an International Conference on Industrial Combustion in 1952. On the basis of experience to date with the commercial plants, it is believed that the kerosene-flotation process incorporates all the necessary elements to make it greatly superior to anything else now available for treating of fines in wet processes of coal preparation. Additional study and investigation are still needed, however, to determine if certain phases of the process can be improved to such an extent as to make it generally satisfactory and acceptable to the industry. Further improvements will be needed with respect to the capacities of the flotation cells and the reagent consumption.

Nov 1, 1955

By E. H. Phillips, A. F. Keenan

6.2-1. Historical Development. Hammering on hand-held drill steel was the earliest type of percussion drilling. It was not until 1838 that Singer developed a steam-operated drilling machine that lifted a drilling bar and let it drop by gravity. J. J. Couch of Philadelphia patented the first percussion drill in 1849. His machine was a steam drill which literally hurled the drill bar at the rock and retracted it by means of a ratcheted wheel. Later J. W. Fowle added automatic rotation of the steel. In 1871, Simon Ingersoll patented a rock drill mounted on a tripod which permitted drilling holes at any angle, vertical to horizontal. Up to the turn of the century, percussion drills in use were piston-type drills. The drill steel was solid and attached to an extension of the drill piston. Hole cleaning was accomplished by the pumping action of the steel in the hole. Down-holes were drilled wet and cleaned with a blow pipe while up-holes were drilled dry, allowing the cuttings to drop out by gravity. The forerunner of our present hammer drill was the free-piston drill which was first patented in 1884, by Sargent. Because solid drill steel was used, it did not successfully clean down holes. J. G. Leyner solved the problem of applying the hammer drill principle to down-hole and horizontal-hole work in 1897. The key was to pass com- pressed air and water through hollow drill steel to clean the hole. Leyner's work on valves and rotation mechanisms increased the blows per minute of hammer drills from 300 or 400 up to 1800 and more blows per minute and made possible the first lightweight drilling machines. The development of automatic feeds followed. 6.2-2. Percussion Drills. TYPES OF DRILLS. There are two types of percussion drills in use today; the piston drill and the hammer drill. In the

Jan 1, 1968