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By F. C. Sturges

FOR some time mining engineers have been interested in the possibility of using small diameter shafts, sunk by core drilling, as aids to ventilation and as emergency escapeways. The possibilities are interesting to contemplate, but new methods involve unknowns, and interest tends to remain passive until these unknowns are solved. Recently we have completed two 36-in. diam. core drilled shafts, and wish to make the data on these available to the industry. Both shafts were drilled for the McLain Fire Brick Co., one at its Buckeye mine and the other at its Colonial mine. Both mines are in the fireclay underlying the Lower Kittanning coal. Both mines have been in operation for a number of years [ ] and have required expensive maintenance work on return airways. It was decided that considerable savings could be effected by short-circuiting the air to the surface through small shafts. It was also realized that these holes, located near the present workings, would be of added value as emergency escapeways. Originally, 48-in. diam. shafts were considered, but actual computations showed 36-in. diam. shafts were more than ample at both mines. The shaft at the Buckeye mine is 240 ft deep, and that at the Colonial mine 258 ft deep. Both holes were started in the lower part of the Conemaugh formation and penetrated Conemaugh and Allegheny strata. The holes were started through the unconsolidated materials overlying bedrock by constructing a concrete collar with a wall thickness of 8 in. Then the shafts were drilled by the shot-core drill method. An annular groove was cut in the rock by the abrading action of chilled steel shot run under the shoe of the core barrel. The drilling was done in stages, the core barrel drilling the groove for a certain distance depending on conditions encountered, and then the cores broken off and taken out in sections. The core barrel had a 36-in. o.d. and the finished diameter of the shaft measured almost 37 in. The major questions that could not be answered until the completion of the first shaft were, (I) how much ground water would be encountered, how would it hinder the drilling, and how difficult would it be to seal off, and, (2) how would the walls of the hole stand up. The holes of course could be cased or lined, but that is considerable added expense in any shaft.

Jan 1, 1947

By A. McLean, D. W. Gomersall, R. G. Ward

An experimental study has been made of the solubility of nitrogen in liquid iron and liquid Fe-C alloys using levitation melting and a rapid quenching device. Iron alloy droplets were equilibrated with nitrogen gas at 1 atm pressure, quenched, and analyzed. Previous techniques for studying the Fe-C-N system have produced data which me in marked disagreement. This disagreement is due largely to errors caused by reaction between the molten alloy and the crucible material. With the levitation procedure, errors from this source have been eliminated and precise solubility data obtained for temperatures between 1450° and 1750°C. C-N interactions in molten iron have been expressed in terms of first- and second-order free energy, enthalpy, and entropy parameters. ALTHOUGH the solubility of nitrogen in iron base alloys is in general small, the effects of nitrogen on the properties of steel may be quite profound. For most purposes nitrogen in finished steels is undesirable, particularly in the low-carbon grades, since on cooling to room temperature the solubility limit of nitrogen in the steel may be exceeded and this can lead to embrittlement and loss of ductility on aging. On the other hand, nitrogen can improve the work-hardening properties and machinability of steels while in certain stainless grades nitrogen is important in order to stabilize the austenite phase. It is, therefore, desirable that one should be able to predict the solubility of nitrogen in liquid iron alloys. To do this, information is required concerning the interactions between nitrogen and the various alloying elements which may be present in liquid iron. There have been several investigations of these effects in recent years1"7 and the interactions between nitrogen and many elements dissolved in liquid iron are now known to a high degree of precision at steel-making temperatures. Unfortunately, a number of iron alloy systems which are of interest in steelmaking have been difficult to deal with by the experimental techniques generally used for this type of investigation. Among the most important of these are the Fe-C alloys. In the past, two methods have been widely used for determining nitrogen solubilities: the Sieverts' technique, in which the amount of nitrogen required to saturate a given mass of liquid metal at a particular temperature and pressure is measured volumetrically, and the sampled-bath technique in which liquid metal held in a crucible is equilibrated with a gas phase containing a known partial pressure of nitrogen, and samples drawn from the melt are quenched and analyzed. These two methods have been discussed in detail elsewhere.5,8 With the Sieverts' technique, errors may be introduced from the following sources: i) Gas adsorption on metal films which have condensed on the cooler parts of the reaction chamber. ii) Uncertainty in the determination of "hot volume" calibrations. iii) Crucible-melt interaction, particularly if a gaseous reaction product is formed or if the melt becomes contaminated with material from the crucible walls. The sampled-bath method may also suffer from errors due to reaction between the melt and the crucible material. In addition, there is the possibility that gas may be lost from the sample during solidification and cooling. In the present investigation, the solubility of nitrogen in liquid iron alloys has been studied by means of a new technique based on the use of levitation melting equipment and a rapid quenching device. In addition to the fact that problems of the type outlined above are avoided, this particular approach has the following advantages: i) The high-frequency current induces vigorous stirring within the levitated droplet so that gas-metal equilibration is rapidly attained. ii) The gas phase surrounding the melt can be changed very quickly and is easily controlled. For example, a droplet may be levitated in helium, deoxidized in hydrogen, equilibrated with nitrogen, and quenched, within a period of 15 min. ii) Melts can be readily under cooled or superheated, thus extending the effective temperature range of an investigation and allowing temperature-dependent data to be determined with a high degree of precision. Excellent reviews of levitation melting techniques and their application to physical-chemistry studies at high temperature have been published recently by Jenkins et al.,9 Peifer,10 and Rostron.11 In the present investigation a levitation melting technique has been used to obtain data for the solubility of nitrogen in pure liquid iron and liquid Fe-C alloys at temperatures between 1450° and 1750°C. The solution of nitrogen in liquid iron can be described by the reaction:

Jan 1, 1969

By W. E. Bergman, P. G. Carpenter, H. B. Fisher

The conditions under which barium carbonate can be used to remove sulfates from drilling muds are limited The amount of sulfate remaining in solution in the system after treatment with barium carbonate is shown to be a function of the concentration of the carbonate and barium ions and the concentration of other electrolytes. Barium hydroxide may advantageously replace barium carbonate when the contamination is not entirely due to anhydrite (calcium in the system is then stoichiometrically less than sulfate) or when the carbonate concentration is high. The effect of substances such as quebracho, phosphates, and chromates, which form complexes or precipitates with barium, is discussed. INTRODUCTION As the complexity of the operations in drilling for oil has increased, more attention has of necessity been directed to the problems pertaining to the maintenance of good drilling mud properties. As a result, chemical treatment of muds has become an important factor in recent years. Some of these treatments have been designed to eliminate the deleterious effects of contaminants in aqueous mud systems by precipitation or other means. The most common of substances encountered during drilling include sodium chloride, cement, and calcium sulfate while various other contaminants: usually in small amounts, may be introduced from the water, clays, and other materials used in preparation of the mud. In certain cases, for example where continued salt-water flow is encountered or massive anhydrite is drilled, special muds may be used so that the physical properties of the mud will remain satisfactory for drilling. In other cases, it is desirable to remove the contaminants so that soluble electrolytes in the system are maintained at low values. For sulfate contamination, the conlmon practice in the field is to add barium carbonate to precipitate the sulfate as barium sulfate Ordinarily such a procedure gives satisfactory results. There have been important instances, however, where addition of barium carbonate was not effective in removal of soluble sulfates from drilling muds. and it is to these cases that the present paper is directed. While it is generally known that barium carbonate is not always effective in removing soluble sulfates from drilling muds, certain inconsistencies appear in the literature as to the limitations of its use, and little explanation for the limitations are given. Varnell and Kimbrel state that "the treatment (with barium carbonate for removal of sulfate) is simple and consists in maintaining a pH of 9 with caustic soda and quebracho." They caution that concentrations of quebracho greater than 1 lb./bbl. may inhibit the reaction. In another publication', a pH of 10.5 is considered "the maximum desirable," and the indication is that as much as 2.5 lb. quebracho per barrel may be present in the particular mud under discussion. Lancaster and Mitchell5 state that appreciable amounts of phosphates in the mud will inhibit the reaction with barium carbonate and that the phosphate treatment should be discontinued at least 24 hours before addition of the carbonate. Experimental work was initiated to ascertain the factors involved in using barium carbonate for the removal of sulfate contamination in drilling muds. While the experimental data herein reported are limited, they focus attention on the pertinent factors which must be considered for successful treatment. These factors are discussed from a practical and a theoretical view, the latter being supported by equilibrium data found in the literature. Further, it will be appreciated that the factors involved in this specific study will be closely analogous to those in certain of the other chemical treatments which involve a precipitation of the soluble contaminant. A thorough comprehension of these factors should result in a more fruitful application of this type of chemical reaction to the treatment of drilling muds. EXPERIMENTAL A. Reagents Two muds were used during this investigation. For one series of tests, bentonite suspensions were prepared by dilution of a stock suspension containing 8 per cent by weight of bentonite (Aquagel). For another series, a 6.4 per cent ben-tonitic mud weighted to 9.7 lb./gal. with barium sulfate (Mag-cobar) was used. Distilled water was used in all preparations. The quebracho (72% tannin extract) was obtained from the Thompson-Hayward Co. of Tulsa and contained 11.4 per cent moisture (105 C.). All other materials were reagent grade, and concentrations were corrected for water of crystallization, if any. All concentrations are expressed in pounds per barrel (42 gallons). B. Technique The systems — either mud or water — were contaminated with either sodium or calcium sulfate after treatment with the desired amounts of sodium hydroxide and quebracbo. For treatments with barium carbonate an approximately 3-fold excess (5 lb./bbl.) was used over that computed to be required to precipitate all the sulfate as barium sulfate. Barium hydroxide was used in concentrations of 2 lb./bbl. — about

Jan 1, 1949

By P. G. Carpenter, H. B. Fisher, W. E. Bergman

The conditions under which barium carbonate can be used to remove sulfates from drilling muds are limited The amount of sulfate remaining in solution in the system after treatment with barium carbonate is shown to be a function of the concentration of the carbonate and barium ions and the concentration of other electrolytes. Barium hydroxide may advantageously replace barium carbonate when the contamination is not entirely due to anhydrite (calcium in the system is then stoichiometrically less than sulfate) or when the carbonate concentration is high. The effect of substances such as quebracho, phosphates, and chromates, which form complexes or precipitates with barium, is discussed. INTRODUCTION As the complexity of the operations in drilling for oil has increased, more attention has of necessity been directed to the problems pertaining to the maintenance of good drilling mud properties. As a result, chemical treatment of muds has become an important factor in recent years. Some of these treatments have been designed to eliminate the deleterious effects of contaminants in aqueous mud systems by precipitation or other means. The most common of substances encountered during drilling include sodium chloride, cement, and calcium sulfate while various other contaminants: usually in small amounts, may be introduced from the water, clays, and other materials used in preparation of the mud. In certain cases, for example where continued salt-water flow is encountered or massive anhydrite is drilled, special muds may be used so that the physical properties of the mud will remain satisfactory for drilling. In other cases, it is desirable to remove the contaminants so that soluble electrolytes in the system are maintained at low values. For sulfate contamination, the conlmon practice in the field is to add barium carbonate to precipitate the sulfate as barium sulfate Ordinarily such a procedure gives satisfactory results. There have been important instances, however, where addition of barium carbonate was not effective in removal of soluble sulfates from drilling muds. and it is to these cases that the present paper is directed. While it is generally known that barium carbonate is not always effective in removing soluble sulfates from drilling muds, certain inconsistencies appear in the literature as to the limitations of its use, and little explanation for the limitations are given. Varnell and Kimbrel state that "the treatment (with barium carbonate for removal of sulfate) is simple and consists in maintaining a pH of 9 with caustic soda and quebracho." They caution that concentrations of quebracho greater than 1 lb./bbl. may inhibit the reaction. In another publication', a pH of 10.5 is considered "the maximum desirable," and the indication is that as much as 2.5 lb. quebracho per barrel may be present in the particular mud under discussion. Lancaster and Mitchell5 state that appreciable amounts of phosphates in the mud will inhibit the reaction with barium carbonate and that the phosphate treatment should be discontinued at least 24 hours before addition of the carbonate. Experimental work was initiated to ascertain the factors involved in using barium carbonate for the removal of sulfate contamination in drilling muds. While the experimental data herein reported are limited, they focus attention on the pertinent factors which must be considered for successful treatment. These factors are discussed from a practical and a theoretical view, the latter being supported by equilibrium data found in the literature. Further, it will be appreciated that the factors involved in this specific study will be closely analogous to those in certain of the other chemical treatments which involve a precipitation of the soluble contaminant. A thorough comprehension of these factors should result in a more fruitful application of this type of chemical reaction to the treatment of drilling muds. EXPERIMENTAL A. Reagents Two muds were used during this investigation. For one series of tests, bentonite suspensions were prepared by dilution of a stock suspension containing 8 per cent by weight of bentonite (Aquagel). For another series, a 6.4 per cent ben-tonitic mud weighted to 9.7 lb./gal. with barium sulfate (Mag-cobar) was used. Distilled water was used in all preparations. The quebracho (72% tannin extract) was obtained from the Thompson-Hayward Co. of Tulsa and contained 11.4 per cent moisture (105 C.). All other materials were reagent grade, and concentrations were corrected for water of crystallization, if any. All concentrations are expressed in pounds per barrel (42 gallons). B. Technique The systems — either mud or water — were contaminated with either sodium or calcium sulfate after treatment with the desired amounts of sodium hydroxide and quebracbo. For treatments with barium carbonate an approximately 3-fold excess (5 lb./bbl.) was used over that computed to be required to precipitate all the sulfate as barium sulfate. Barium hydroxide was used in concentrations of 2 lb./bbl. — about

Jan 1, 1949

By E. S. Bardwell

DURING the period extending from May, 1922, to September, 1923, the copper-refining furnaces of the Great Falls Reduction Department of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. at Great Falls, Mont., were operated exclusively with pulverized coal as fuel. The installation was made first as an experiment. It proved successful from the start and was abandoned solely because fuel oil from the Sunburst field became available at a price sufficiently low to make its use desirable from an economic standpoint. The equipment required for pulverized coal has, however, been kept intact and is available for immediate use should the oil supply fail. Inasmuch as pulverized coal had been used on two large reverberatory smelting furnaces and was, at the time we were considering its application to the copper-refining furnaces, being used on the Wedge furnaces roasting zinc concentrate for the electrolytic zinc plant, we were equipped with a coal-pulverizing plant of ample capacity to supply pulverized coal for the furnace refinery. The only problem was to devise suitable means for transporting pulverized coal from the pulverizer plant, located in the smelter building, to the refinery about 1000 ft. distant and about 150 ft. above the level of the pulverizer plant. When studying this installation, it should be borne in mind that the layout represents an adaptation suited to the existing conditions at this particular plant. The installation was entirely satisfactory and uniformly dependable but might be modified to advantage from an operating point of view if an entirely new installation were being planned.

Jan 9, 1925

By G. P. Tiwari

Recrystallization and grain growth in thoria dispersed nickel and nichrome were recently studied by Webster as a function of temperature and deformation. The unexpected part of these results was that specimens which had received heavier deformation developed greater resistance to recrystallization. Retardation of recrystallization was accompanied by the formation of voids around thoria dispersion. To explain these results, Webster suggested that the formation of void around the particles increased the effective size of thoria particles. This resulted in greater impediment to the grain-boundary migration and as a consequence the recrystallization of the matrix is retarded. In the present note an alternative and more probable explanation for the effect of voids on recrystallization is presented. The exact mechanism of void formation in thoria dispersed nickel or nichrome is not known. However, it is reasonably certain that it must be preceded by the stress concentration in the matrix around thoria dispersion during the deformation.'' The resulting stress concentration must be sufficient enough to supply the surface energy for the new surfaces created. Further, the decrease in the strain energy of the matrix surrounding the potential void nucleus must be larger than the surface energy of the newly created surface. The release of strain energy due to formation of crack results in a strain free cylinder of the material around the voids.13 If the void formation is not localized, at few points only (as is the case here), this process may lead to considerable amount of release of strain energy of the matrix. The pattern of recrystallization behavior of single phase homogeneous matrix as well as the matrix having a second phase dispersion is same except for the fact recovery and recrystallization are more clearly delineated.14 In general, the recrystallization temperature is lowered (i.e., recrystallization is easier) with increase in the amount of cold work. This is due to the increase in stored energy in the matrix with increasing amount of deformation. If somehow there is a relaxation of strain energy in the matrix, the recrystallization should become difficult because of the decrease in the amount of stored energy available for recrystallization. Since the formation of voids leads to a decrease in the strain energy of matrix, the recrystallization of the matrix would be inhibited due to the formation of voids during deformation prior to recrystallization. It has been observed by earlier workers15'16 that the presence of preexisting voids in a matrix retards the recrystallization. The essential issue here is how do the voids act to produce this effect. If the voids influence recrystallization only by blocking the grain boundary migration, then the effect should be maximum when they are present almost exclusively along grain boundary. These conditions are obtained during high temperature deformation. However, the voids produced due to creep along grain boundary are not able to prevent recrystallization17 suggesting that they are not effective in blocking grain boundary movement. Recently it was shown by Davies and Williams that the voids can act as sinks for vacancies." As a result the processes dependent on vacancy diffusion like recovery, recrystallization, dislocation climb, and so forth, will be hindered. This fact may be responsible for inhibition of recrystallization during subsequent deformation and annealing cycles. It is to be noted here that there is a large difference between the density of voids in creep experiments and the other experiments where retarding effect of voids on recrystallization is seen. The voids in former may number up to l04 to l05 per sq cm whereas in latter cases the voids density is typically around 1010 to 1013 per sq cm. It appears that the decrease in supply of vacancies in creep is insufficient to adversely affect the recrystallization due to low void population. The author is grateful to P. Das Gupta and S. P. Ray for helpful discussions. Author's Reply D. Webster Tiwari appears to have misunderstood the nature of grain boundary-particle interactions. Tiwari (quoting Cahn) states that second phase particles become more effective as they become smaller, therefore as the voids in TDNiC make the thoria particles effectively bigger their ability to resist grain boundary movement is impaired. This particle size argument was originally proposed in the form of an equation by Zener 20 years agol9 and is not necessarily valid as is discussed below. However, assuming it is valid, it predicts a greater boundary restraining effect by smaller particles simply because their combined cross sectional area is greater at a constant volume. If the number of particles remains the same and their effective size increases, as in the present case, Zener's equation predicts a greatly reduced grain size. This is because the effect

Jan 1, 1970

By Charles Berry

Conventional and nonconventional insurance is examined from the point of view of a financier of a major mining and minerals project. The paper reviews the elements of a conventional insurance program; explains why such a program is not fully responsive to the project financier's needs; examines some of the new insurance coverages that can supplement a traditional program; and emphasises that these insurance markets are still in the early stages of their development with consequent effects on capacity (insured amount) and to some extent price (insurance premium).

Jan 1, 1985

By H. H. Pentz

This paper gives the derivation of a practical formula for the calculation of slopes in seismic reflection prospecting. The derived formula is an approximation and can be used where the slope of the reflecting horizon is less than 250 ft. per 1000 and the depth to the reflecting horizon is greater than 2500 ft. The slope of sediments in oil regions is generally considerably less than 250 ft. per 1000. This is particularly true of the Gulf Coast, with the exception of the salt domes, which usually have the sediments at a greater slope than 260 ft. per 1000. Derivation In Fig. 1, o represents the image of the shot point a. Then the length of the path acb is equal to ob and ae'd is equal to od. In the triangle aob, p is equal to ob, x is equal to , and c is equal to ao. The angle u is the apparent dip of the reflecting horizon. Angle oab is equal to (90" - u). The quantity m is the slope of a line tangent to the curve, defined by equation 1, at the point (p, x). The quantity m' is the slope of the line tangent to the curve at the point (p', 2').

Jan 1, 1940

By H. H. Pentz

This paper gives the derivation of a practical formula for the calculation of slopes in seismic reflection prospecting. The derived formula is an approximation and can be used where the slope of the reflecting horizon is less than 250 ft. per 1000 and the depth to the reflecting horizon is greater than 2500 ft. The slope of sediments in oil regions is generally considerably less than 250 ft. per 1000. This is particularly true of the Gulf Coast, with the exception of the salt domes, which usually have the sediments at a greater slope than 260 ft. per 1000. Derivation In Fig. 1, o represents the image of the shot point a. Then the length of the path acb is equal to ob and ae'd is equal to od. In the triangle aob, p is equal to ob, x is equal to , and c is equal to ao. The angle u is the apparent dip of the reflecting horizon. Angle oab is equal to (90" - u). The quantity m is the slope of a line tangent to the curve, defined by equation 1, at the point (p, x). The quantity m' is the slope of the line tangent to the curve at the point (p', 2').

Jan 1, 1940

By Foster Fraas

INTRODUCTION THAT variations in the humidity of the air and in the moisture content of a mixture of broken solids being separated electrostatically cause trouble is not new.1 Much of the reputation for unreliability commonly ascribed to the electrostatic separation processes is probably due to this one factor alone. Some operators dry thoroughly before separating; and while this is good in many instances, there are others in which it is not the remedy for trouble. Some mixtures behave best in very dry air and with the mixtures fed to the separator while hot to reduce the adsorbed water content. On the other hand, an overdried mixture on coming to equilibrium with more humid air, has been known to take up moisture selectively on one family of particles, as of coal in the presence of slate and clay, and give sharper electrostatic separation. From these observations it is concluded that there is a permissible moisture content for a particle and also for the atmosphere surrounding it, if in equilibrium, at which the particle will have a conductivity or contact potential2-4 that is ideal for electrostatic separation. This permissible moisture content varies between a wide range of limits for the different materials that are separated and with the kind of electrostatic separating process used. Water can be present as a result of adsorption and condensation from the atmosphere, as an accumulation before or during mining, or as a residue from a previous process step. The water may exist as a liquid film or as an adsorbed layer of vapor. If the water exceeds permissible limits it must be removed. Its state determines the method. Drying by evaporation is necessary for adsorbed water, for part of the liquid-film water (that is, up to several percent of the dry weight), and for free water in the internal structure. Large water contents may be removed by drainage or filtration. At just what point mechanical removal should cease and drying by evaporation begin depends upon the method of mechanical removal and its cost. Particles can also be separated according to their differences in dielectric constant when suspended in a liquid of intermediate dielectric constant. Recovery of this liquid presents a similar problem. PERMISSIBLE MOISTURE The adsorbed moisture on the outer surface of minerals can be quickly removed or replaced. Accordingly, in speaking of adsorbed moisture contents, either that of the solid or that of the surrounding air may be considered, the two values being connected by a distribution coefficient which varies with the temperature. However, such a condition does not necessarily exist in processes where an initially dry material is suddenly introduced into an atmosphere having a partial pressure of water vapor or where a moist material is suddenly introduced into a dry atmosphere. Here the resultant differences in the

Jan 1, 1947

By Joseph P. Kittredge

At the time this matter first came up in 1912, the National Malleable and Steel Castings Co. had seven basic-bottom open-hearth furnaces in its plant at Sharon, Fa., using fuel oil, then costing about 2½¢ per gallon. The fuel was satisfactory but its cost fluctuated widely, therefore the use of pulverized coal, which had been successful in the cement industry and in some metallurgical furnaces, was suggested. After a thorough investigation, and an actual trial on one of the open-hearth furnaces, to be certain that the siliceous ash in the coal would not seriously affect the basic slags, the management of this company approved its adoption and a complete installation was started. The conclusion had been reached that the success of the operation depended on pulverizing the coal to greater fineness than had thus far been accomplished, and all equipment was chosen with this in mind. A coal drier was deemed essential, and one of ample capacity and efficiency was selected, which has done all that was expected of it, working without failure and with very small maintenance cost, and is still in operation. Pulverizers The company demanded a pulverization of at least 90 per cent through a 240-mesh screen, with consistent results, and a machine was chosen that was grinding other materials than coal to the fineness desired. The control of fineness was obtained through a vacuum separator, and was governed by the size of the separator and the number and construction of the valves necessary to expand and direct the air current. These valves can be set to obtain any degree of fineness desired, and the result is consistent. Two machines were installed, each capable of producing 2½ tons per hour, 95 per cent through 240 mesh. These machines have done everything expected of them, have run continuously, and are still in operation. An examination of some of our pulverized coal by elutriation and microscopic measurement disclosed that a 1-lb. lump of bituminous coal,

Jan 1, 1940

By Joseph P. Kittredge

At the time this matter first came up in 1912, the National Malleable and Steel Castings Co. had seven basic-bottom open-hearth furnaces in its plant at Sharon, Fa., using fuel oil, then costing about 2½¢ per gallon. The fuel was satisfactory but its cost fluctuated widely, therefore the use of pulverized coal, which had been successful in the cement industry and in some metallurgical furnaces, was suggested. After a thorough investigation, and an actual trial on one of the open-hearth furnaces, to be certain that the siliceous ash in the coal would not seriously affect the basic slags, the management of this company approved its adoption and a complete installation was started. The conclusion had been reached that the success of the operation depended on pulverizing the coal to greater fineness than had thus far been accomplished, and all equipment was chosen with this in mind. A coal drier was deemed essential, and one of ample capacity and efficiency was selected, which has done all that was expected of it, working without failure and with very small maintenance cost, and is still in operation. Pulverizers The company demanded a pulverization of at least 90 per cent through a 240-mesh screen, with consistent results, and a machine was chosen that was grinding other materials than coal to the fineness desired. The control of fineness was obtained through a vacuum separator, and was governed by the size of the separator and the number and construction of the valves necessary to expand and direct the air current. These valves can be set to obtain any degree of fineness desired, and the result is consistent. Two machines were installed, each capable of producing 2½ tons per hour, 95 per cent through 240 mesh. These machines have done everything expected of them, have run continuously, and are still in operation. An examination of some of our pulverized coal by elutriation and microscopic measurement disclosed that a 1-lb. lump of bituminous coal,

Jan 1, 1940

By Walter Miller

BY the beginning of 1945 the output of petroleum products for war had reached a volume and a rate of growth which practically assured all requirements so long as war continued. The programs for making gasoline, lubricating oils of required quality, toluene for T.N.T., and chemicals for manufacture of synthetic rubber, as well as numerous other lesser petroleum products, were all well in hand, and unless catastrophic developments occurred there was no doubt of the ability of the industry to meet all demands. The end of the fighting found the refining industry working at top capacity on war commodities, but also in position to convert quickly into peacetime civilian production. 100-octane Aviation Gasoline Production of the vital 100-octane aviation gasoline, starting with approximately 44,000- bbl. daily capacity at our entry into the war, reached a top of 525,000 bbl. a day in the United States by the end of hostilities. With 75,- bbl. from other Allied sources, the grand total was 600,000 bbl., or 25,000,000 gal. each 24 hr. available to the armed forces had fighting continued. At times it was a close race between requirements and production, but never were any important military operations involving the use of high-octane aviation gasoline held up or delayed for lack of sufficient output of such material. The undivided effort of the entire refining industry in full cooperation with the Government made this record possible. Little diminution in output followed the German surrender on May 7. Plans called for a correspondingly greater activity for the Japanese war and possibly for well into 1946. But when the Japanese sued for peace on Aug. 10 most contracts were quickly canceled. Substantial stocks, reputed to be somewhere between 20,000,000 to 30,000,000 bbl., built up largely between V-E and V-J day pending organization of the larger Japanese war program envisaged after Germany gave up, were in the Government's hands in this country, in addition to working stocks in the war areas. Toluene and Lubricating Oil Requirements for toluene for T.N.T. increased rapidly as bombing speeded UP with increasing control of the air by the Allies in Europe and Asia. Production in excess of T.N.T. requirements which had been going into 1000-Octane aviation fuel blending during 1943 and 1944 was again drawn into explosive manufacture early in 1945. In anticipation of the war continuing into 1946, two new plants were ordered constructed, the decision being announced in April, plans calling for one of them to get into production about the end of 1945, the other in the first quarter of 1946. Both of these projects were later canceled as victory made it evident that the additional supplies would not be needed. Production was

Jan 1, 1946

By Walter Miller

BY the beginning of 1945 the output of petroleum products for war had reached a volume and a rate of growth which practically assured all requirements so long as war continued. The programs for making gasoline, lubricating oils of required quality, toluene for T.N.T., and chemicals for manufacture of synthetic rubber, as well as numerous other lesser petroleum products, were all well in hand, and unless catastrophic developments occurred there was no doubt of the ability of the industry to meet all demands. The end of the fighting found the refining industry working at top capacity on war commodities, but also in position to convert quickly into peacetime civilian production. 100-octane Aviation Gasoline Production of the vital 100-octane aviation gasoline, starting with approximately 44,000- bbl. daily capacity at our entry into the war, reached a top of 525,000 bbl. a day in the United States by the end of hostilities. With 75,- bbl. from other Allied sources, the grand total was 600,000 bbl., or 25,000,000 gal. each 24 hr. available to the armed forces had fighting continued. At times it was a close race between requirements and production, but never were any important military operations involving the use of high-octane aviation gasoline held up or delayed for lack of sufficient output of such material. The undivided effort of the entire refining industry in full cooperation with the Government made this record possible. Little diminution in output followed the German surrender on May 7. Plans called for a correspondingly greater activity for the Japanese war and possibly for well into 1946. But when the Japanese sued for peace on Aug. 10 most contracts were quickly canceled. Substantial stocks, reputed to be somewhere between 20,000,000 to 30,000,000 bbl., built up largely between V-E and V-J day pending organization of the larger Japanese war program envisaged after Germany gave up, were in the Government's hands in this country, in addition to working stocks in the war areas. Toluene and Lubricating Oil Requirements for toluene for T.N.T. increased rapidly as bombing speeded UP with increasing control of the air by the Allies in Europe and Asia. Production in excess of T.N.T. requirements which had been going into 1000-Octane aviation fuel blending during 1943 and 1944 was again drawn into explosive manufacture early in 1945. In anticipation of the war continuing into 1946, two new plants were ordered constructed, the decision being announced in April, plans calling for one of them to get into production about the end of 1945, the other in the first quarter of 1946. Both of these projects were later canceled as victory made it evident that the additional supplies would not be needed. Production was

Jan 1, 1946

By D. M. Buck

greatly restricted and every effort is being made to do away with it where possible, and to substitute a lead-base babbitt or a babbitt with 50 per cent,. tin. The amount of solder having the composition 50 lead, 50 tin, used by the Pennsylvania Lines East, during 1917, was approximately 100,000 lb., but there is reason to believe that a large portion of this can be replaced by a 60-lead, 40-tin solder with satisfactory results, and instructions have been issued to this effect. Inregard to the quantity of new tin used, it is not possible to give the amount, except approximately and from calculations based on the 1917 consumption of bearing metals by the Pennsylvania Lines East only, it is estimated that about 770,000 Ib. of new tin were required in a total of about 21,380,000 lb. of all kinds of bearing metals turned out by the foundry or purchased in the market. No change has been made in the specifications for bearing metals for some years, as the metals used have been satisfactory. A large proportion of the bearing metals are made up from old material re-melted and brought to standard composition by some addition of new metal, and every effort is being made to utilize old material to the best advantage and reduce the amount of new metal of all kinds purchased. For a number of years no tin has been used in the lining metal of either passenger or freight car journal-bearings, except such small amounts as come in from re-melting old linings. No change has been made in phosphor bronze used for rod bushings, as we should expect some trouble from bushings pounding out of shape if a phosphor bronze were used which contained less tin or more lead than the present specifications call for. In this, as well as in the case of all other bearing metals, we expect to use our utmost endeavors to economize and to substitute for tin wherever possible. The Tin-plate Industry D. M. Buck,* Pittsburg, Pa.—During the first 5 months of 1918, approximately 11,000,000 Ib. per month of pig tin were consumed in the United States. Solder, bearing metals, bronzes, etc, used about 5,500,000 lb.; collapsible tubes a little more than 250,000 lb.; tin-foil about 500,000 lb.; and the tin- and terne-plate industry somewhat less than 5,000,000 Ib. In an effort to reduce this consumption and thus conserve our tin supplies, several methods of procedure suggest themselves: 1. Salvage. The most careful and systematic collection and re-use of tin and tin-bearing materials is economically important, in that we thus

Jan 1, 1919

University of Alabama-University, Alabama, Mining and Metallurgical Society, William L Mason University of Alaska-College, Alaska, Mining Society of the University of Alaska, E H Beistline University of Arizona-Tucson, Arizona, Miners Society, S L Smith Birmingham-Southern College-Birmingham, Alabama, Pick and Hammer Club, Daniel D Arden University of California-Berkeley, California, Mineral Technology Association, Jack Washburn Carnegie Institute of Technology-Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, The Metals Club, Gerhard Derge Case Institute of Technology-Cleveland, Ohio, Case Metallurgical Engineering Society, Robert F Hehemann City College of New York-New York, New York, CCNY Student Chapter AIME, Daniel T O'Connell

Jan 1, 1957

By R. S. Rickard

Chemical processing of ores has gained new im¬petus in recent years. The reasons are many. They range from the need to process ores that are difficult to beneficiate to the avoidance of pollution. Although many think of chemical processing as a hydrometallurgical operation there are other techniques. An example is chlorination. Chlorination, although examined and discarded by many investigators, is again being considered as a means of extracting uranium1, treatment of silver-lead ores2, and the recovery of base metals from pyrite cinder and ores3. Segregation roasting of copper and nickel ores, a process similar to chlorination, is another chemical treatment being revived.

Jan 1, 1970

(Members are, urged to send in for this column any notes of interest concerning themselves or their fellow-members.) Members and guests who registered at Institute headquarters during the period April 10 to May 10; I. N. Knapp, Ardmore, Pa. E. P. Mathewson, Anaconda, Mont. Herbert B. Cox, New York, N. Y. H. B. Barling, New York, N. Y. A. McLintock, Brooklyn, N. Y. M. M. Thompson, Morsemere, N. J. Heinrich Ries, Ithaca, N. Y. Howland Bancroft, Denver, Colo. R. M. Catlin, Franklin Furnace, N. J. John H. Adams, Birmingham, Ala. Percy E. Barbour, Candor, N. C. Henry D. Boddington, London, England. A. D. R. Galloway, Qruro, Bolivia. William J. Cox, Denver, Colo. M. K. Rodgers, Westgate, Cal. W. J. Morrison, Toronto, Canada. W. J. Richards has been elected President of the Reading. Coal & Iron Co., succeeding the late George F. Baer.

Jan 6, 1914

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