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By R. A. Deju, R. B. Bhappu

The basic structural unit of all silicate minerals is a tetrahedron with a silicon atom at the center and four oxygen atoms at the corners. The oxygen-silicon distance is about 1.6 & and the oxygen-oxygen distance about 2.6 &. The different types of oxygen-silicon frameworks in the various silicates are based entirely on the combinations of the tetra-hedral oxygen-silicon groups through sharing of oxygen atoms. In recent years, infrared spectroscopy has permitted estimation of the ratio of the ionic character of the oxygen-silicon bond to be a few times that of the oxygen-carbon bond and the ratio of electro-negativity of the two bonds has also substantiated this finding. On this basis, it is generally accepted that the oxygen-silicon bond is the strongest one occurring in silicate minerals. As the oxygen-silicon ratio increases from quartz to the olivines, a greater percentage of the oxygen bonding power is available for bonding to cations other than silicon. Hence, with an increasing oxygen-silicon ratio, there is increasing oxygen-to-metal bonding. Upon the fracturing of a silicate mineral crystal, the oxygen-metal bond, which is almost entirely ionic in character, should break more easily than the stronger oxygen-silicon bond, resulting in a greater number of unsatisfied negative forces on the surface. If, then the mineral is immersed in a liquid containing hydrogen ions, these negative forces should tend to be neutralized by hydrogen ions from solution, resulting in a change of the pH of the solution. An increase in the degree of adsorption of hydrogen ions is to be expected as the oxygen-silicon ratio in the crystal structure increases. This study attempted to correlate the oxygen-silicon ratio for various representative silicate minerals to the adsorption of hydrogen ions. Experiments to determine the effect of surface area on this adsorption and to investigate the effect of surface iron were also conducted. It is believed that such studies of the surface properties of silicate minerals will supply pertinent information about their behavior in froth flotation systems. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Ion Exchange: Carefully selected, hand-picked samples of the minerals investigated were dry-crushed in a ceramic ball mill and sieved to obtain a minus 100 plus 200-mesh sample. The sized samples were then run through the electro-magnetic separator to remove any iron-bearing particles. A 10-g sample of each mineral was placed in 100 ml of freshly deionized water previously adjusted to a pH of 3.50 with HCl. The beaker containing the sample and the water was placed under a bell jar from which the air was displaced at once by nitrogen gas from a tank. All experiments were carried out in a nitrogen atmosphere. The sample and solution were stirred gently but continuously during the entire experiment, the stirring speed being kept about the same for all runs. Changes in pH were followed with a Beckman Zeromatic pH meter and recorded on a

Jan 1, 1967

By M. R. Tek, K. H. Coats, D. L. Katz

A large number of boundary value problems encountcred in unsteady-state heat transfer, fluid flow through porous media, neutron diffusion and mass transfer involve the solution of a linear, parabolic partial differential equation commonly refcrred to as the diffusivity equation, where U is the dependent potential variable. K is the diffusivity (hydraulic, thermal, neutron, etc.) and 1 is the time variablc. Solutions to Eq. I are available in the literature for a wide variety of initial and houndary conditions. The great majority of these solutions are ohtained for geometric boundaries corresponding to linear. cylindrical or spherical flow models. A typical engineering application where the solution to Eq. 1 is required is the calculation of underground water encroachment across the boundaries of oil or natural gas reservoirs, In this particular area of application, the reservoir boundary is invariably approximated by circular geometry. However. the areal shape of many reservoirs can be better approximated by elliptic rather than circular boundaries. Thus the need for a general method of solving the diffusivity equation in elliptic coordinates arises in this problem as well as in other engineering applications involving elliptic boundaries. The solution to the diffusivity equation usually in volves the Error Function for the linear flow model, Bessel functions for the radial flow model and trigonometric or Legendre functions for the spherical flow model. It is well known that the general solution to the diffusivity equation in elliptic coordinates involves Mathieu functions. The significance of Mathieu functions in the analytical treatment of the diffusivity equation in elliptic coordinates is discussed in the literature However, these references do not providc analytical solutions useful in practical engineering problems. The objectives of this papcr are the development of the equations describing the unsteady-state liquid flow through a porous medium with an elliptic inner boun- dary, the development of a numerical method of solving these equations and, finally, a comparison of the water encroachment quantities calculated from the elliptic flow equation with those calculated from the radial flow equation. While the specific problem treated in this paper relates to unsteady-state liquid flow through a porous medium, the basic equations and computational techniques devcloped will apply equally well to problems occurring in the other areas of engincering interest mentioned previously. The solution given here is limited to a single case in which thc outer boundary encloses an area 100 times that of the inner boundary. DESCRIPTION OF THE FLOW MODEL Fig. 1 shows the flow model upon which the calcu lations presented in this paper are based. The inncr and outer houndaries of the flow model are represented by two confocal ellipses with major and minor axes, respectively, equal to 2a1, 2b1, and 2a, and 26,. The height of the elliptic cylinder flow model is denoted by 17. The following assumptions are employed in the development 01 the equations governing the unsteady-state liquid flow through the described flow model. 1. Uniform porosity and permeability throughout the flow model

By Robert A. Lothrop, Richard B. Porter, Robert P. Porter

Changes became necessary in dredging methods employed in Idaho through passage of the Dredge Mining Protective Act (1954). Among other provisions, the law requires dredge operators to construct settling ponds of sufficient capacity and character to reasonably clarify the water used in the mining process before such water is discharged into the stream. Porter Bros. Corp., a placer mining company with many years operating experience in Oregon and Montana, became interested in strategic mineral placers in Idaho in 1950 when it was learned that prospectors had discovered a radioactive mineral deposit in Bear Valley Creek, 95 miles northeast of Boise. The company acquired mining leases and proceeded with exploration and development work on the property. After extensive research had resulted in the determination of successful separation processes, contracts were negotiated with the federal government and deliveries of columbium-tantalum and uranium concentrates commenced in 1956.

Jan 5, 1960

U.S. Signs Pact With Miami Copper Miami Copper Co., of Arizona has agreed to mine lowgrade copper ores in an extension of its Globe-Miami mining district operations at a guaranteed price of 27.35[] per lb, under a contract signed with defense Materials Procurement Agency. Terms of the contract call for delivery of 230 million lb of refined copper between 1955 and 1962. DMPA said highgrade ore in the de posit will soon be exhausted and it is considered advisable to have Miami continue the operation. The Government has an option to buy 120 million lb of refined copper from present production at market prices. Miami will develop the new ore- body at its own expense-estimated at $3 million. If losses under the new contract reach a specified point, Miami may cancel the agreement. The company plans to use the block caving method in the underground operation.

Jan 4, 1953

By Rudolf Gahl

SOME time ago the Detroit Copper Mining Co. had to decide the question whether it would pay to re-treat slime-tailings, and several machines were tested in order to ascertain the type of construction which would give the greatest saving. In previous tests on the ore of this company, several tables proved far inferior to the Frue vanner, and for this reason they did not receive any serious consideration. In the late tests, however, one table was found to surpass the vanner in the percentage of saving made. The Frue vanner used in these tests had been adjusted approximately to the slope which the slime-vanuers in the concentrator of the Detroit Copper Co. had at that time, about 2 in. between the inside of the wooden posts, or 0.272 in. per ft. It had not been determined, however, if this slope was the most economical one for treating the slime-feed in the mill, or for re-treating the tailings from the slime-vanners, and I was instructed to ascertain by test-runs, under different conditions, the best adjustments for the work to. be done. In order to determine if a change in the adjustments of the machines would improve the results, it seemed sufficient to continue running the tests between the vanner and the table before mentioned, keeping the feed and all other conditions the same, but. varying the adjustments of the vanner .from run to run. I employed a vanner-man of long experience to operate these machines, who expressed the opinion that a slope between 2 3/8 and 2.5 in. between the posts (0.323 and 0.340 in. per ft.) would give the best results. Some runs made this way gave a considerable improvement. While for a slope of 2 in. (0.272 in. per ft.) the saving had been only 40.5 per cent. of that of the table, it .was 49.2 per cent. for 2.5 in. (0.340 in. per ft.) slope. A decrease of

Sep 1, 1909

By Lee Hillard Meltzer, Ralph E. Davis

INTRODUCTION During the past few years emphasis has been placed upon methods of estimating the future expectancy of gas production from natural gas fields. Before technical methods were applied, the production expectancy over future years was based upon the knowledge of gas well behavior, learned through long experience and embedded in the "know-how" of men long in the gas producing business. It is doubtful that a technical study of future expectancy of a gas field or a group of fields was ever prepared for the preliminary planning of a natural gas pipe line system built prior to about five years ago. The decline in well production capacity was naturally recognized by all familiar with the business since its earliest beginnings more than 75 years ago. In 1953, the Bureau of Mines published Monograph Number 7, "Back-Pressure Data on Natural Gas Wells and Their Application to Production Practices," which gave to the industry the first technical analysis of the decline in production of individual gas wells. This method affords a means of estimating the future production in relation to decline in reservoir pressure. The demand for technical determination of expectancy of future gas productivity from fields or a group of fields led technical men to the application of the knowledge of well behavior to the problems. The decline in a well's ability to produce as pressures declined could be estimated by the use of the curve known as the "back-pressure potential curve" as developed by the Bureau of Mines. A field containing few, or even numerous, wells could be analyzed on the basis of the sum of potentials of all wells. In most studies of this nature, the problem is to estimate the rate of production that can be expected, not only from present wells but also, from wells that will in the future have to be drilled into the reservoir being studied. The "back-pressure potential" method requires that the following data be known or estimated: (1) Proved gas reserves. (2) Current shut-in pressures and rate at which shut-in pressures change with production. (3) Back pressure potential data on wells in the source of supply. (4) Ultimate number of wells which will supply gas, and their potential. (5) Limitations on productivity such as line pressures against which the wells will produce, friction drop in the producing string, and so forth. It is evident that the resulting estimate of gas available in each year for a future of say, 20 years, contains many uncertainties. While the method may have considerable merit for a field that is fully developed, it cannot be completely dependable in fields that are only partially developed. In such cases, some of the data upon which it is based can only be estimated or assumed. In the study of this problem during the past few years, a method has been developed which we believe has great merit, especially when applied to fields subject to substantial future drilling, and when applied to the study of fields which, on the average, appear to have characteristics similar, in general, to the average of the fields used in the development of the "yardstick" outlined herein. From an analysis of the production history of 49 reservoirs which are depleted, or nearly depleted, a curve has been constructed which shows the average performance of the reservoirs during the declining stages of production. When properly applied, this "average performance curve" can be used to determine the stage of depletion at which a reservoir or group of reservoirs will no longer be able to yield a given percentage of the original reserves. "AVAILABILITY" AND "AVAILABILITY STUDIES" The rate at which. a reservoir will yield its gas depends basically upon physical factors, such as the thickness and permeability of the sand, the effect of water drive, if any, and other conditions, and upon economic factors, such as the number of wells drilled. Within the ranges set by the physical conditions, a rate of delivery tends finally to become established. The rate (or range of rates) represents a balance between the interests of the operator, who desires the maximum return from his property and of the pipe line owner, who desires to maintain a firm supply for his market. This balance, which is influenced by the terms of the contract, determines the capacity which will be developed by the operator, and the time and rate at which the decline in production is permitted to occur. Thus the "availability" of gas

Jan 1, 1953

By W. A. Nagel, R. P. Alger, H. Sherman, J. Tittmann

A sidewall epithermal neutron tool has been developed to substantially reduce environmental effects that have previously complicated neutron log interpretation. Designed for operation in uncased wells, the device provides increased accuracy in both liquid-filled and empty holes. A brief discussion of neutron moderation, diffusion and capture shows that logs using epithermal neutron detection depend on a smaller number of formation-characterizing parameters than those using thermal neutron or capture gamma ray detection. Thus, they come closer to providing an unambiguorls determination of hydrogen content. In this new device a directionally sensitive epithertnal neutron detection system has been incorporated in a side-wall source-detector skid to minimize borehole effects. The effects of variations in borehole size and shape, mud type, temperature and salinity are greatly reduced. Small residual borehole effects are then computationally accounted for in the surface control panel to provide a borehole-corrected neutron log. The log presents a direct recording of neutron-derived porosity on a linear scale. With corrections for borehole effects already applied, this direct recording of porosity simplifies log interpretation. Furthermore, comparison with a linear porosity presentation of a formation density log permits sandstones, limestones and dolomites to be readily identified. Thus, in complex or variable lithology, porosity is determined with greater accuracy and reliability than heretofore. Laboratory data and field results demonstrate the improvements in neutron logging afforded by this new side-wall epithermal neutron logging device. INTRODUCTION The new Sidewall Neutron Porosity (SNP) logging system, designed for use in uncased wells, provides reliability and accuracy never before achieved with neutron logs. The effects of variations in borehole diameter and shape, fluid salinity, mud weight and temperature—parameters that have long complicated neutron log interpretation— are suppressed or corrected for by this sidewall epithermal neutron detection system. Furthermore, to simplify interpretation the SNP log presents a direct recording of computed porosity on a linear scale. The performance improvements achieved by this new system arise primarily from the combination of two im- portant design features. First. though not unique to this new tool, an epithermal neutron detection system is used,',' Epithermal neutron detection substantially reduces the perturbing influences of the thermal neutron absorption properties of rock matrices and water salinity. Second, the neutron detection system is mounted in a directionally sensitive sidewall skid to greatly minimize borehole effects. The purpose of this paper is to explain briefy the advantages offered by the detection of epithermal neutrons, to describe the SNP equipment and the log, to present calibration and correction data and to give examples of interpretation methods made especially convenient by this new system. ADVANTAGES OF EPITHERMAL NEUTRON DETECTION Epithermal neutron detection, of all the neutron methods in current commercial use, provides the simplest determination of formation hydrogen content. Advantages of epithermal neutron detectors, as compared with thermal neutron and gamma ray detectors, are probably best explained by a brief review of the life of a source-emitted neutron. A fast neutron from the source will eventually be cap-tured by the nucleus of an atom. However. before capture is likely to occur, the fast neutron (energy of 100,000 electron volts (ev) or more) will be slowed down until it is in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings. The neutron is then considered to be a "thermal" neutron (average energy of 0.025 ev at 25C). The overwhelming majority of the slowing down thus occurs in reaching epithermal energies (energies just above thermal—0.5 to several ev). After reaching thermal energy. the neutron will "diffuse" through the formation with, on the average, no further energy change until capture. Upon the capture of the thermal neutron, relatively high energy gamma rays arc usually emitted. Hydrogen plays a very important role in the process of slowing down fast neutrons. On the other hand, the absorption effects of water salinity and low concentrations of other strong thermal neutron absorbers—relatively unimportant in the moderation process-—are very important in thermal diffusion, capture and the production of gamma rays. Thus, by detecting only epithermal neutrons with the SNP, spurious effects due to these thermal neutron absorbers are greatly minimized as compared to the effects on tools using thermal neutron or gamma ray detectors. The epithermal neutron detection system affords another important advantage. Log response in various litho-

Jan 1, 1967

By Leon Borgman, Michael P. Lipkewich

Orebodies at or near the surface are generally amenable to open pit mining. The development of a mining program involves designing an ultimate pit and a production schedule. This pit maximizes total profit while the production schedule maximize6 the present value of the property. Optimum pit limits can be approximated by two-and three-dimensional numerical techniques. These techniques presuppose that the mineralized area has been sufficiently sampled to allow a reasonably accurate prediction of grade at any spatial location.

Jan 1, 1969

By Thomas M. Turner

Open pit mining, always a demanding task, faces two relatively new problems today: (1) availability of equipment and (2) environmental restrictions. The modern dredge offers relief in both problem areas. Delivery on a major dredge might run 18 to 24 months rather than 60 months; and lowering of the water table is precluded, thus minimizing environmental objections. In addition, a lower first cost and potentially increased efficiency may offer real advantages to the miner who is forced away from his traditional mining methods. What are the objections to the use of a dredge in open pit mining? Perhaps first and foremost is the natural reluctance to change from a successful operation. Who can blame the miner who has developed expertise in the use of the dragline if he is reluctant to change to a new mining technique that requires new and different skills? A part of the same problem is the miners' desire to control the excavation visually in order to delineate sharply between overburden and matrix. This problem can be alleviated significantly by utilizing good boring data and a positive acquisition cutter. In the final analysis, however, if the miner is prohibited from dewatering the area, either he mines the deposit by dredge or not at all. There is little doubt that when the decision is made to remove overburden and/or matrix by dredge, the problems of delineating between overburden and matrix, creation of slimes, and development of mining plans to minimize double handling etc., will be addressed and solved. There are two broad categories of dredges: mechanical and hydraulic.

Jan 1, 1976

By C. K. Eilerts

Finite difference equations were programmed and used to integrate the second-order, second-degree, partial differential equation with variable coefficients that represents the transient linear flow of gas-condensate fluids. Effect was given to the change with pressure of the compressibility factor, the viscosity, and the effective permeability and to change of the absolute permeability with distance. Integrations used as illustrations include recovery of fluid from a reservoir at a constant production rate followed by recovery at a declining rate calculated to maintain a constant pressure at the producing boundary. The time required to attain such a limiting pressure and the fraction of the reserve recovered in that time vary markedly with properties of the fluid represented by the coefficients. Fluid also is returned to the reservoir at a constant rate, until initial formation pressure is attained at the input boundary, and then at a calculated rate that will maintain but not exceed the limiting pressure. The computing programs were used to calculate the results that would be obtained in a series of back-pressure tests made at selected intervals of reservoir depletion. If effect is given to the variations in properties of the fluid that actually occur, then a series of back- pressure curves — one for each stage of reserve depletion — is required to indicate open-flow capacity and related flow characteristics dependably. The isochronal performnce method for determining flow characteristics of a well was simulated by computation. INTRODUCTION The back-pressure test procedurel is based on a derivation of the equation for steady-state radial flow of a gas, the properties of which are of necessity assumed to remain unchanged in applying the test results. The properties of most natural gases being recovered from reservoirs change as the reserve is depleted and pressures decline, and the results of an early back-pressure test may not be dependable for estimating the future delivery capacity of a well. The compressibility factor of a fluid under an initial pressure of 10,000 psia can change 45 per cent and the viscosity can change 70 per cent during the productive life of the reservoir. There are indications that the effective permeability to the flowing fluid can become 50 per cent of the original absolute permeability before enough liquid collects in the structure about a well as pressure declines to permit flow of liquid into the well. The advent of programmed electronic computing made practicable the integration of nonlinear, second-order, partial differentia1 equations2.3 pertaining to flow in reservoirs. Aronofsky and Porter4 represented the compressibility factor and the viscosity by a linear relationship, and integrated the equation for radial flow of gas for pressures up to 1,200 psi. Bruce, Peaceman, Rachford and Rice5 integrated the partial differential equations for both linear and radial unsteady-state flow of ideal gas in porous media. Their published results were a substantial guide in this study of integration of the partial differential equation of linear flow with coefficients of the equation variable. The computing program was developed to treat effective permeability as being both distance-dependent and pressure-dependent. In this study all examples of effective permeability are assumptions designed primarily to aid in developing programs for giving effect to this and other variable coefficients. The accumulation of data for expressing the pressure dependency of the effective permeability is the objective of a concurrent investigation. FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION OF FLOW Linear transient fluid flow is represented by the partial differential equation,

Jan 1, 1965

By R. D. MacDonald

The search for metalliferrous deposits in the Labrador-Ungava Trough of Canada dates from 1929 when non-ferrous minerals were the main quest of prospectors in this area. Many gossans, resulting from the oxidation of sulfides, were located and examined but none of these led to any orebodies of commercial value. However, such investigations did much to arouse interest in this area and fostered further mapping and prospecting. Since this early period in the history of prospecting in the Trough, the presence of iron ore deposits and potential iron producing sites has commanded the center of attention of exploration personnel. The iron-bearing rocks of southwestern Labrador have in recent years come into prominence as possible sources of iron ore of the beneficiation type. Exploration and development work has been carried on in concession areas granted by the Newfoundland Government to the Labrador Mining and Exploration Co. Ltd. and to the Newfoundland and Labrador Corp. In the course of evaluating its holdings in the Wabush Lake area (Fig. l), Labrador Mining and Exploration Co. has conducted geological, geophysical and diamond drilling programs.

Jan 10, 1960

SEC. 1. This Institute is incorporated under the Membership Corporations law of the State of New York; its corporate name in American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, Incorporated; and its abbreviated title A. I. M. E. SEC. 2. The objects of this Institute, as set forth in its certificate of incorporation, are: "To promote the arts and sciences connected with the economic production of the useful minerals and metals, and the welfare of those employed in these industries by all lawful means; to hold meetings for social intercourse and the reading and discussion of professional papers, and to circulate by means of publications among its members the information thus obtained, and to establish and maintain a place for meeting of its members, and a hall for the reading of papers and delivery of addresses and a Library of books relating to subjects cognate to the sciences and arts of mining and metallurgy."

Jan 1, 1937

By H. A. Wahl

This paper presents methods of designing hydraulic fracture treatments in formations saturated with slightly compressible liquids. Howard and Fast describe the fluid-loss control resulting from the viscosity and compressibility effects of the reservoir fluid in terms of a fracturing fluid coefficient. However, for horizontal fractures, this coefficient is applicable to infinitely thick reservoirs. These methods of evaluating fluid loss from horizontal fractures during treatment differ from previous methods in that: (I) formation thickness is incorporated in the velocity function describing the rate of fluid loss to the formation; and (2) for a given thickness the relative position of the fracture to the horizontal boundaries of the reservoir or any interrnediate permeability barrier is incorporated in the design procedure. This theory is applied to several actual and hypothetical field cases. The results of these calculations demonstrate that the eflect of formation thickness on fluid loss from horizontal fractures may result in fractures several times larger than predicted by other methods. INTRODUCTION Hydraulic fracturing has been the dominating well-stimulation technique during the last decade. From the time it was commercially available, fracturing has had a very favorable success ratio compared to other stimulation methods. However, numerous wells that were successfully stimulated remained economic failures. Only in the last few years has the oil industry recognized the importance of designing treatments for each well which will yield the maximum profit. This implies that for a given set of treatment conditions the size and general physical characteristics of the fracture can be determined. One of the outstanding contributions in the field of fracture design was presented by Howard and Fast.' In their paper, three flow mechanisms that control fluid loss from the fracture to the formation are defined: (1) viscosity effects of the fracturing fluid, (2) viscosity and compressibility effects of the reservoir fluid, and (3) wall-building effects of a treated fracturing fluid. The rate of fluid loss to the formation adjacent to a fracture is shown to be a function of time. For each flow mechanism the velocity function v(t) is expressed as a constant or fracturing fluid coefficient divided by the square root of time. This form of v(t) can be used in the Carter equation, as developed in the Howard and Fasc paper, to estimate the areal extent of fractures. This equation may be written as In the following sections the effect of formation thickness on fluid loss from horizontal fractures is evaluated when the controlling flow mechanism is the viscosity and compressibility of the reservoir fluids. The major assumptions inherent in the Carter equation are brought out in subsequent mathematical developments. THE EFFECT OF RESERVOIR FLUIDS ON FRACTURE EXTENSION When a fracture treatment is performed using a fracturing fluid identical to the reservoir fluid, the only flow mechanism controlling fluid loss is the viscosity and compressibility effects of the reservoir fluids. In developing a fracturing fluid coefficient for this mechanism, Howard and Fast considered a segment of the formation bounded by a unit area on the fracture face and extending to infinity in the direction of leak-off as shown in Fig. 1(a). The direction of leak-off z is normal to the fracture face. The equation governing the linear isothermal flow of fluid into this segment is where a = Eq. 2 is a form of the diffusivity equation. It is derived from the equation of continuity, Darcy's law and Eq. 3

By J. B. DILWORTA

Ix estimating the investment-value of a mining-property or plant, the value of which decreases with operation, it is often necessary to know the sum which must be set aside periodically from earnings either to renew the plant at the end off its life, or to return the capital involved when the earning-power of the investment has ceased. In such cases it is manifestly incorrect simply to divide the total amount to be retired by the number of periods (usually years) during which the investment shall be active, as the sums periodically withdrawn have a certain interest-earning power varying with the length of time they are held and with the opportunities afforded for their investment. But though the interest may be considered to accumulate regularly year by year, yet the rules and tables for compound interest do not apply, owing to the addition of a fixed amount of new money to the total at the beginning of each period. Briefly stated, the problem of sinking-funds is, to find the amount of money which must be periodically set aside at a certain rate of interest, regularly compounded, to yield a certain sum in a given, length of time. In most practical cases the interest is compounded and the fresh amount added at the same time-usually once a year-and on this basis the problem may be solved as follows

Nov 1, 1909

By G. S. Hume

Production of petroleum and natural .gas increased in Canada in 1940 over the previous year. Alberta produced more than 97 per cent of the total Canadian production of 8,718,053 bbl. of oil, an increase for this province of nearly 12 per cent, whereas in Ontario and New Brunswick, where the production is relatively small, there was a slight decline. In Alberta the main producing field is Turner Valley, on the eastern edge of the foothills southwest of Calgary, and development continued in this field in 1940 with the completion of 36 wells, all of which obtained production. In the Red Coulce field, close to the International Boundary, near Coutts, no new wells were drilled and the seven producing wells showed a decline of 900 bbl. below the previous year. Also, in the Wainwright field of east central Alberta, four wells, yielding heavy crude oil, produced 4000 bbl. less oil than in 1939, owing possibly rather to discontinuous operation than to actual decline in potential yield. This decline was more than offset by production from a new field 40 miles northeast of Wainwright, at Borradaile, producing oil of 14" to I 5° A.P.1. There was a small increase in production during 1940 from the Del Bonita field, in southern Alberta, where the production is from two wells. The outstanding development of the year was the completion of Standard Oil Princess No. 2 well in the Steveville area, on the Plains 100 miles east of Calgary. This well was completed late in December with an initial flow1 of 520 bbl. of 26.3" A.P,I. oil, and 12,750 M cu. ft. of gas from the upper part of the Mississippian limestone. It has opened up a new field and given a further proof of the potentialities of the Southern Plains. The production of petroleum in Canada is shown in Table I. Since most of the yield comes from Alberta, the production is shown from the various fields in Table 2. The sale value of the petroleum produced in Canada in 1940 exceeded 11.1 million dollars, which is still somewhat less than the value of the natural gas production, shown in Table 3. Table i.—Production of Petroleum in Canada" Barrels Province 1939 1940 New Brunswick........ 20,101 21,161 Ontario............... 206,196 186,471 Alberta............... 7,595,000 8,493,237 Northwest Territories. . 17,013 8,493,23717.184 Total............... 7,838,310 8,718,053 Value............... $10,353,351 $11.113,000 0 Bureau of Statistics, Ottawa. Turner Valley, Alberta Turner Valley continues to be by far the largest producing field in Canada (details are given in Table 4), The limits of the Pr in- field are now Known. On the east the oil area is bounded by the gas cap, which in turn is cut off on its east side by a major overthrust fault; on the west, ii is defined by edge water at a level of 4roc

Jan 1, 1941

By Leo H. Glanville

UNTIL 1934, natural ventilation was depended upon in the mine of the Climax Molybdenum Co. at Climax, Colorado. In that year a 7-ft. axial-flow, low-pressure fan was installed as an exhausting unit. In 1936, three more fans of the same kind were installed, all as exhausting units, with a total capacity of 115,000 cu. ft. per min., and since then fans and sprays have been added as required. ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS Adverse atmospheric conditions at this elevation of 11,500 ft. account in part for difficulty in maintaining adequate ventilation throughout the mine. Barometric pressures range from 18.99 to 20.01 in. of mercury; the normal average being 19.70 in. Air weight is 0.051 lb. per cu. ft., and humidity is low-about a 30 per cent yearly average. This makes the use of mechanical humidity aids mandatory the year around to prevent excessive dryness of the mine workings and the resultant dust hazard. The yearly temperature range is from minus 24° to 95°F.; typically, in February 1942 the mean low was minus 3.25°F. and the mean high, 21.3°F. In August the mean low was 34.8°F.; the mean high, 64.26°F. Even during the summer month air filtration through the openings of the cave area is 32°F., owing to accumulation of snow in the glory hole and in part to glacial ice, which, combined with a rock temperature of 39°F. on the upper levels (elevation 11,945 ft.) and 42°F. on the main haulage level (elevation 11,490 ft.), makes it difficult to maintain a comfortable working temperature. The one advantage in ventilation of mine workings at the altitude of the Climax mine is that the power required to circulate a given air volume is 32 per cent less than would be required at sea level. PROBLEMS Since 1936 the mine management has studied intensively plans for providing adequate ventilation for the entire mine for its expected life. As the ore breaks into large pieces, much secondary blasting is necessary, therefore there is a considerable amount of smoke, gas and dust, which requires circulation of a large amount of air to remove the contamination. It is undesirable to use haulage drifts and manways as air passages because some would be passageways for contaminated air also, and there would be undesirable high velocities in some drifts. High velocities and large volumes of subfreezing air dry out the passageways through which they pass, and thus increase the amount of dust. Regulating doors in haulage drifts are difficult of upkeep and interfere with production. It was decided as a general principle to distribute fresh air to each working place at low velocities and low pressures and to remove contaminated air as soon as possible with a minimum of travel through working places.

Jan 1, 1943

By G. S. Hume

Production of petroleum and natural .gas increased in Canada in 1940 over the previous year. Alberta produced more than 97 per cent of the total Canadian production of 8,718,053 bbl. of oil, an increase for this province of nearly 12 per cent, whereas in Ontario and New Brunswick, where the production is relatively small, there was a slight decline. In Alberta the main producing field is Turner Valley, on the eastern edge of the foothills southwest of Calgary, and development continued in this field in 1940 with the completion of 36 wells, all of which obtained production. In the Red Coulce field, close to the International Boundary, near Coutts, no new wells were drilled and the seven producing wells showed a decline of 900 bbl. below the previous year. Also, in the Wainwright field of east central Alberta, four wells, yielding heavy crude oil, produced 4000 bbl. less oil than in 1939, owing possibly rather to discontinuous operation than to actual decline in potential yield. This decline was more than offset by production from a new field 40 miles northeast of Wainwright, at Borradaile, producing oil of 14" to I 5° A.P.1. There was a small increase in production during 1940 from the Del Bonita field, in southern Alberta, where the production is from two wells. The outstanding development of the year was the completion of Standard Oil Princess No. 2 well in the Steveville area, on the Plains 100 miles east of Calgary. This well was completed late in December with an initial flow1 of 520 bbl. of 26.3" A.P,I. oil, and 12,750 M cu. ft. of gas from the upper part of the Mississippian limestone. It has opened up a new field and given a further proof of the potentialities of the Southern Plains. The production of petroleum in Canada is shown in Table I. Since most of the yield comes from Alberta, the production is shown from the various fields in Table 2. The sale value of the petroleum produced in Canada in 1940 exceeded 11.1 million dollars, which is still somewhat less than the value of the natural gas production, shown in Table 3. Table i.—Production of Petroleum in Canada" Barrels Province 1939 1940 New Brunswick........ 20,101 21,161 Ontario............... 206,196 186,471 Alberta............... 7,595,000 8,493,237 Northwest Territories. . 17,013 8,493,23717.184 Total............... 7,838,310 8,718,053 Value............... $10,353,351 $11.113,000 0 Bureau of Statistics, Ottawa. Turner Valley, Alberta Turner Valley continues to be by far the largest producing field in Canada (details are given in Table 4), The limits of the Pr in- field are now Known. On the east the oil area is bounded by the gas cap, which in turn is cut off on its east side by a major overthrust fault; on the west, ii is defined by edge water at a level of 4roc

Jan 1, 1941

By F. S. White, E. L. Kinsella

THE solids fluidization process brought out by the Standard Oil Development Co. in the early forties for catalytic cracking of petroleum enabled rapid transfer of large quantities of heat from gases to solids under closely controlled temperature conditions. As the technique developed, it was natural that applications for the process outside the petroleum industry would be sought. The calcination of limestone to ' quicklime requires the transfer of a large quantity of heat at high and closely controlled temperatures. For these reasons, this possible application was one of the first to be investigated. Laboratory work conducted by the Dorr Co. indicated that lime produced by solids fluidization would be of exceptional quality. Calculation of theoretical heat balances showed that savings in fuel could be expected. Accordingly, a pilot plant of 10 tons per day capacity was erected by the New England Lime Co. at Adams, Mass., to substantiate the process. Operation of the pilot plant, previously described,1 showed that excellent lime could be produced with a saving in fuel. The work also indicated the necessity of preparing feed to remove the finer fractions if dust losses were to be held to a tolerable level. A single-stage fluidized solids drier-stripper was developed to accomplish this sizing.2 Subsequently a commercial lime reactor was erected at Adams, beginning operation in June 1949, followed by air sizer facilities completed in November 1951. This paper will describe these two applications of solids fluidization. The raw material for preparation of lime by the fluidizing process is a high calcium crystalline lime stone having the approximate chemical composition shown in Table I. The stone is first prepared by crushing and grinding in conventional equipment to pass a 6-mesh sieve. After crushing, the material is sent to the FluoDry unit for drying and dedusting. Fluidized Drying and Sizing As shown in Fig. 1, the FluoDry unit consists of a 1/4-in. cylindrical steel shell, 9-ft ID by 22-ft 6-in. overall height. Attached horizontally at the bottom is a 6-ft diam combustion chamber, approximately 7 ft 6 in. long. A refractory constriction dome, consisting of first-quality fire brick shapes, partitions the inside into two sections. The lower section is called the windbox and the upper the bed compartment. The vertical wall of the shell is lined with 6-in. first-quality rotary kiln blocks. In the bottom of the windbox a hoppered section is formed with castable refractory to permit the windbox to be readily cleaned via a 6-in. screw conveyor. The combustion chamber is similarly lined with refractory shapes. On the 6-in. diam section, 4 1/2 in. of insulating brick, HW-26, are used. The inner combustion chamber is lined with 4 1/2-in. Korundal brick to withstand the high flame temperatures encountered. An 8-in. steel feed pipe, entering vertically through the top and fitted with an air-operated cone valve,

Jan 1, 1952

By Leo H. Glanville

Until 1934, natural ventilation was depended upon in the mine of the Climax Molybdenum Co. at Climax, Colorado. In that year a 7-ft. axial-flow, low-pressure fan was installed as an exhausting unit. In 1936, three more fans of the same kind were installed, all as exhausting units, with a total capacity of 115 000 cu, ft. per min., and since then fans and sprays have been added as required. Atmospheric Conditions Adverse atmospheric conditions at this elevation of 11,500 ft. account in part for difficulty in maintaining adequate ventilation throughout the mine. Barometric pressures range from 18.99 to 20.01 in. of mercury; the norma1 average being 19.70 in. Air weight is 0.051 lb. per cu. ft., and humidity is low—about a 30 per cent yearly average. This makes the use of mechanical humidity aids mandatory the Year around to prevent excessive dryness of the mine workings and the resultant dust hazard. The yearly temperature range is from minus 24" to 75°F.; typically, in February 1942 the mean low was minus 3.25°F. and the mean high, 21.3°F. In August the mean low was 34.8°F.; the mean high, 64.26°F. Even during the summer month air filtration through the openings of the cave area is 32°F., owing to accumulation of snow in the glory hole and in Part to glacial ice, which, combined with a rock temperature of 39°F. on the upper levels (elevation 11,945 ft.) and 42°F. on the main haulage level (elevation 11,470 ft.], makes it difficult to maintain a comfortable working temperature. The one advantage in ventilation of mine workings at the altitude of the Climax mine is that the power required to circulate a given air volume is 32 per cent less than would be required at sea level. Problems since 1936 the mine management has studied intensively plans for providing adequate ventilation for the entire mine for its expected life. As the ore breaks into large pieces, much secondary blasting is necessary, therefore there is a considerable amount of smoke, gas and dust, which requires circulation of a large amount of air to remove the contamination, It is undesirable to use haulage drifts and manways as air passages because some would be passageways for contaminated air also, and there would be undesirable high velocities in some drifts. High velocities and large volumes of subfreezing air dry out the passageways through which they pass, and thus increase the amount of dust. Regulating doors in haulage drifts are difficult of upkeep and interfere with production. It was decided as a general principle to distribute fresh air to each working place at low velocities and low pressures and to remove contaminated air as soon as possible with a minimum of travel through working places.

Jan 1, 1943

By Leo H. Glanville

Until 1934, natural ventilation was depended upon in the mine of the Climax Molybdenum Co. at Climax, Colorado. In that year a 7-ft. axial-flow, low-pressure fan was installed as an exhausting unit. In 1936, three more fans of the same kind were installed, all as exhausting units, with a total capacity of 115 000 cu, ft. per min., and since then fans and sprays have been added as required. Atmospheric Conditions Adverse atmospheric conditions at this elevation of 11,500 ft. account in part for difficulty in maintaining adequate ventilation throughout the mine. Barometric pressures range from 18.99 to 20.01 in. of mercury; the norma1 average being 19.70 in. Air weight is 0.051 lb. per cu. ft., and humidity is low—about a 30 per cent yearly average. This makes the use of mechanical humidity aids mandatory the Year around to prevent excessive dryness of the mine workings and the resultant dust hazard. The yearly temperature range is from minus 24" to 75°F.; typically, in February 1942 the mean low was minus 3.25°F. and the mean high, 21.3°F. In August the mean low was 34.8°F.; the mean high, 64.26°F. Even during the summer month air filtration through the openings of the cave area is 32°F., owing to accumulation of snow in the glory hole and in Part to glacial ice, which, combined with a rock temperature of 39°F. on the upper levels (elevation 11,945 ft.) and 42°F. on the main haulage level (elevation 11,470 ft.], makes it difficult to maintain a comfortable working temperature. The one advantage in ventilation of mine workings at the altitude of the Climax mine is that the power required to circulate a given air volume is 32 per cent less than would be required at sea level. Problems since 1936 the mine management has studied intensively plans for providing adequate ventilation for the entire mine for its expected life. As the ore breaks into large pieces, much secondary blasting is necessary, therefore there is a considerable amount of smoke, gas and dust, which requires circulation of a large amount of air to remove the contamination, It is undesirable to use haulage drifts and manways as air passages because some would be passageways for contaminated air also, and there would be undesirable high velocities in some drifts. High velocities and large volumes of subfreezing air dry out the passageways through which they pass, and thus increase the amount of dust. Regulating doors in haulage drifts are difficult of upkeep and interfere with production. It was decided as a general principle to distribute fresh air to each working place at low velocities and low pressures and to remove contaminated air as soon as possible with a minimum of travel through working places.

Jan 1, 1943