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By Evan Bennett

ALMADEN is Arabic for "the mine." The definite article is properly used, for no mercury mine in the world compares with it for richness and volume of ore, produced and potential. After more than twenty centuries of exploitation, intensive throughout the last lour, ore from Almaden is about five times as rich as that of its closest competitor. We drove to the mine one April afternoon, across Don Quixote's plains of the Mancha, up the bleak, arid valley of the Rio Valdeazogue where we passed tenth century Moorish workings and their ruined castles. At dusk, we came to the Hacienda de Castilseras, a large farm where Almaden miners work their land on off days. Then we drove through the whitewashed, well-ordered town to the Castillo de la Direccion where we were challenged at the iron gate by two picturesquely costumed Guardias Jurados.

Jan 1, 1948

By J. W. Lacey, F. H. Brinkman, J. E. Faris

This paper presents an analysis of the high-pressure, gas-driven LPG-slug process, based on fluid flow tests in areal models. Two types of tests were made. One series was made in low-pressure models which permitted observation of fluid movement. Three completely misci-ble analog fluids were used. A second series of tests was made in high-pressure models using methane, propane and a light refined oil saturated with methane at room temperature and 1,550 psig. Under the test conditions of room temperature and a pressure level of 1,550 psig, the phase diagram for the fluids used is similar to those for many of the field systems where the process is considered for use. A method for using these laboratory data to calculate field performance of the process is outlined. As a result of this work, it is concluded that small banks of LPG (5 per cent HV or less) are not effective in increasing oil recovery in horizontal reservoirs. Znstead, where small banks are used, the driving gas quickly penetrates the LPG bank because of fingering and channeling; and from this point on, the process behaves essentially as an immiscible gas-injection project. The validity of this conclusion was substantiated by: (1) laboratory studies of the effect of rate, model size and mobility ratio on miscible displacement in areal models; and (2) calculation of field recovery, which compared closely with actual field recovery. INTRODUCTION Field applications and pilot tests of the gas-driven, LPG-bank, oil-recovery process are on the increase. Most of these tests are employing small banks (2% to 5 per cent hydrocarbon volume) of LPG, which is miscible with both the driving gas and the oil in place, in an effort to attain an effective yet economical miscible displacement of oil by gas. The expectation of miscible displacement with small banks is based on the concepts that: (1) lengths of solvent-oil mixed zones, measured during miscible displacements in long slim cores, are representative of those that will occur in the field; and (2) areal sweep efficiencies5 measured in electrolytic model studies are applicable to miscible displacement in reservoirs. Our experimental evidence indicates that the mixed-zone lengths and sweep efficiencies mentioned are not applicable to miscible displacement in reservoirs. In this paper we present an evaluation of the gas-driven, LPG-bank oil-recovery process based on fluid flow experiments in areal models. These results are used to predict the performance of a field pilot test of this process, and the results are compared with the actual test results. THE EFFECTIVENESS OF LPG BANKS The effectiveness of LPG banks of various sizes in accomplishing miscible displacement of oil by gas was determined by displacement tests in a model representing one-quarter of a confined five-spot pattern. The model, 12 X 12 X 1/4 in. in size, was packed uniformly with glass beads. It was operated at a pressure of 1,550 psig and at room temperature; the fluids used were methane, propane and refined oil saturated with methane at 1,550 psig. The saturated oil had a viscosity of 1.2 cp at room temperature. The results of these tests are shown in Fig. 1, where recovery is plotted as a function of the volume of fluid injected for: (1) an immiscible-gas drive with an oil-to-gas viscosity ratio of 85; (2) three sizes of LPG banks; and (3) two completely miscible displacements with mobility ratios of 85:1 and 10:1. (The miscible displacement data plotted are the averages of several tests.) The results show that a 2½ per cent bank of LPG does not increase oil recovery over that obtained by immiscible-gas drive. The 7 and 17 per cent banks are, respectively, about 30 and 50 per cent effective (with reference to the M = 85 miscible-displacement curve) in increasing oil recovery at the point where 2½ hydrocarbon volumes (HV) of fluid have been injected. The percentage effectiveness of the banks at a given volume of fluid injected is defined as Recovery by Bank — Recovery by Gas Drive Recovery by Miscible Recovery by Flooding Gas Drive We conclude from these results that banks of LPG smaller than about 5 per cent HV in an individual stratum will cause from little to no increase in oil recovery. This finding was substantiated by work in low-pressure models, which permitted visual observation of fluid movements. In these tests, three completely miscible fluids having the same viscosity ratios as those used in

By A. J. Williams

THE province of Saskatchewan, situated in the center of the Great Plains region of Canada, has, like most prairie areas, an essentially agricultural economy. Most of its population of about 860,000 is located in the southern half of the province in the farming and ranching areas. To the north of the prairie is a broad forested belt supporting a considerable timbering industry, and the northern one third of the province is glaciated pre-Cambrian rock formation. This latter area is, relatively barren of vegetation, but the presence within it of a considerable variety of radioactive, noble and base metals, and industrial minerals has been shown by prospecting in recent years.1 Glacial Geology The Keewatin ice sheet, considered to have accumulated in the country to the west of Hudson Bay in Pleistocene time, covered at its maximum advancement almost all of Saskatchewan and extended south of the international boundary. Only in the Cypress Hills in the southwest and around Wood Mountain in the south central portion of the province did the preglacial formations escape the action for this glacial period. The bedrock of the plains and forest areas therefore is overlain by moraines and modified glacial drift, which vary in thickness from a few feet to 400 or 500 ft.2 Glacial action in the pre-Cambrian area of the province was largely erosional, most of the more recent formations and some of the pre-Cambrian rock being transported out of the area to the south and west. It has been estimated that about 13 pct of this area is composed of lakes and rivers not too adaptable to rail or water transportation, so that until the use of aviation for exploration purposes became general; development of the area was slow. To the south, the heavy. mantle of glacial drift has to some extent deterred the discovery of industrial minerals in the bedrock underlying the forest and prairie regions.3 At the same time, this drift contains numerous deposits of those most elementary and necessary industrial minerals, sand and gravel. Sedimentary Basin The major feature of the sedimentary deposits underlying the plains regions is the basinal structure known as the Moose Jaw syncline, which runs from the southeast corner of the province in a northwesterly direction. To the west. of this syncline the formations curve upward, then have been faulted and further upthrust to appear at the surface in the foothills of-the Rockies in Alberta; to the east and north they curve upward into Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan, but the surface contacts are covered mostly with glacial drift.2,3 The axis of the syncline dips to thee southeast, so that there is also an upward trend of the formations along the axis to the northwest. In illustration of the regional structure underlying the province, the pre-Cambrian basement has been logged in drillholes at the following depths in several locations: Ogema (south central), 9390 ft; Gronlid (northeast), 2599 ft; Vera (northwest), 4422 ft; Big River (north northwest), 2348 ft. Fig. 1 indicates the general surface geology of the province, ignoring such glacial overburden as may overlie many of the bedrock formations. Also indicated is the approximate location of the axis of the Moose Jaw syncline.4 Industrial Minerals Clays: The province is fortunate in possessing a widespread distribution of clays of ceramic value, ranging from those used for heavy structural products to the high grade pottery and china clays. Shales suitable for brick and tile production are found in the Upper Cretaceous and Tertiary formations across the south of the province where the glacial drift is thin or nonexistent. Many deposits of glacial lake clays suitable for such wares are found scattered over the rest of the province south of the pre-Cambrian area. The Whitemud formation of the Upper Cretaceous is a narrow sedimentary, band of secondary clays found intermittently, at points, across the, south of the province where glacial action did not disturb or remove them.8 In the southwest corner of the province, around Eastend in the Frenchman River valley, the refractory clays of this formation are contaminated somewhat with iron compounds or other alteration products of basaltic rocks. This eliminates the use of those clays in true whitewares, as they fire to creamy buff shades at the lower temperatures and to a blue-specked grey at cone 8 to 12, (2280°F to. 2390°F), the range commonly used in firing whiteware. However, for use in the production of colored artware, caneware, stoneware or crockery, and sewerpipe, this type of clay makes an excellent body that requires little or no addition of flint, feldspar, or other fluxing materials such as are required in the higher class of ware.9 It is not a grade of clay that can be shipped great distances to the manufacturing centers, but a market for considerable tonnages has developed at nearby Medicine Hat, where cheap natural gas is available for the firing of the ware. Farther east in the south central portion of the province, the clays of the Whitemud formation are generally more refractory and white burning. The formation is divided into three zones, consisting of white clays, brown shale, and white sandy clays.

Jan 1, 1952

By C. B. Alcock, M. G. Hocking

The kinetics of the growth of sulfate layers on blocks of Cu20 has been studied between 688" and 800°C. At 788c the over-all weight increases followed the parabolic rate law, with k = 216 30 sq mg per cm4 min, using a 1:1 entering gas mixture of SO2:02. At 757 after an initial linear period the parabolic rate law was followed, with k = 57.8 10 sq mg per cm4 min. The gas mixture required a platinum catalyst to produce the maximum SOs pressure. The sulfation rate at 757' and 788c was high until all the CUZO had changed into a core of CuO, when it became very much lower. At 757°C marker experiments showed that the sulfates (CuO. CuS04 and CuSO4) grow outwards from the oxide surface, but CuO. CuS04 mixed with CuO was found beneath the markers. At 688 markers were found at the CuO. CuS04/CuS04 interface. Visual observations at 757 showed a liquid eutectic moving beneath the sulfate surface. causing very rapid sulfation and extruding to solidify as thick 'needles" up to 8 mm long. Marker experiments have shown conclusi.cely that CuO grows on Cu20 in air by the outward migration of copper. ThermODYNAMIC measurements on the sulfate and basic sulfate of copper, reported recently,' are followed here by measurements of the rates of formation of these sulfates on cuprous oxide, in order to provide a background for the understanding of roasting processes. peretti2 and McCabe and Morgan3 have shown that the phase Cu20 lies next to Cu2S when the sulfide is roasted under conditions where sulfates will be formed. Since this would present too complex a system for kinetic study, the present work4 has been based on the kinetics of sulfation of the oxide phase. The results of a study of the kinetics and mechanism of the sulfation of cobaltous oxide have recently been reported.4,5 Results on the sulfation of cuprous oxide have also appeared,6 but are at variance with those to be reported here. This seems to be because the previous workers6 did not obtain constant SO3 pressures from the SO2/O2 sulfating gas mixtures used, as will be discussed later. Wadsworth, Leiter, Porter, and Lewis found that the sulfates produced when SO2/O2 mixtures are passed over Cu20 at red heats are CuS04 and the basic sulfate CuO.CuSO4. When the decomposition of CuS04 was followed' by differential thermal analysis, a stage corresponding to CuO .CuS04 was reached before decomposition into the oxide occurred. APPARATUS The vertical furnace used for quantitative studies was a conventional resistance-heated and propor- tionately controlled furnace with an even zone (1 deg) which was 4 cm long. The gas mixtures of SO2 and 02 were made by mixing measured flows from capillary flowmeters and drying over phosphorous pentoxide before passing them into the Pyrex top-piece of the furnace assembly. A mullite tube of bore 2% cm was used as reaction vessel and at the bottom of this tube was a trap for SO3, which condensed as a colorless liquid. The residual gas was led into a fume cupboard for ventilation to the atmosphere. The furnace used for visual observations of needle growth and other phenomena consisted of a transparent silica reaction tube of bore 3 cm, having an optically flat silica window sealed into its wall. The reaction tube was clamped vertically, inside a mullite tube of bore 4 cm and length 42 cm which was heated by Kanthal windings. The window in the silica reaction tube was arranged opposite a hole 3 cm wide and 2 cm tall which had been cut in the wall of the mullite winding tube 19 cm from its top end. A binocular microscope was used to look through the window, illumination being provided by a focusing microscope-lamp offset sideways and downwards. The oxide block to be sulfated was suspended from the removable Pyrex top-piece to the reaction tube, by means of which it was inserted at the start of the experiment, and through which entered the S02/02 gas mixture. The variation of the temperature inside the reaction tube with horizontal and vertical displacement from the window was investigated, and, while it can be said that the temperature was constant 1 deg, its value at a given position was known only to 12 deg. In both furnaces, the oxide block to be sulfated was suspended from a small silica hook immediately downstream from a platinum thimble used as catalyst, which was held on a long silica rod from a Pyrex spring attached to the removable Pyrex top-piece of the furnace. The spring was only included in the quantitative sulfating furnace; its sensitivity was 1.4 cm per g and it was found to be free from creep in a 16-hr test when carrying the working load. The extensions were followed by a cathetometer which could be read to 0.001 cm, corresponding to i0.7 mg. Extensions of the spring were measured on adding weights between 5 and 500 mg to the working load (thimble + oxide block), and Hooke's law was closely obeyed. SAMPLES Cuprous oxide blocks were prepared by oxidizing Johnson Matthey "Specpure" copper sheet of 1 mm thickness (impurities: iron at 3 ppm, silver at 2 ppm, lead, nickel, sodium, and silicon each at 1 ppm, calcium, chromium, magnesium, and manganese each at less than 1 ppm) for 6 days in air at 1000°C in a re-crystallized alumina boat. It has been reported7 that when Cu20 is prepared by heating copper sheet for 1 day the central plane of the blocks produced consists

Jan 1, 1967

By J. W. Spretnak, R. Speiser

IT has been suggested that boron in steel may form a film entirely around the austenite grain and that this film is responsible for the boron hardenability effect. In this connection, it is of interest to examine some of the ramifications of the concentration range of boron usually employed in hardenable steels, namely 0.0005 to 0.003 pct in a grain size range of ASTM grain size No. 1 through No. 10. The ratio of the iron to boron atoms and the number of unit cells of y iron per boron atom are listed in Table I. Even at the highest concentration considered, there are 1600 unit cells of y iron per boron atom, assuming a uniform distribution of boron. To investigate the possibility of the boron film formation, the number of boron atoms required to cover the grain surface completely must be calculated. With some transition elements, boron crystallizes in sheets composed of equilateral hexagons very much like graphite.' The selected value for the length of a side is 1.80Å. A simple calculation shows that two boron atoms cover an area of 8.4x l0 -16 sq cm. Table II lists the number of atoms of boron required for the formation of the monatomic film and Table III lists the number of boron atoms per grain. The hypothetical cases of 100 pct and 10 pct adsorption are calculated (all boron atoms in a grain and 10 pct of all boron atoms in a grain are located at the grain surface respectively). In Table 111, all combinations of grain size and composition below and to the left of the solid line (100 pct adsorption) and the dashed line (10 pct adsorption) are excluded as to the possibility of covering the grain surface with a continuous boron film. Thus, even for 100 pct adsorption, the smaller grains can form the film only at the higher concentrations. For the best case, grain size No. 1 and 0.0030 pct B, the required degree of adsorption is 3.9 pct. The above calculations deal only with the number of boron atoms required to form a monatomic film and do not take into account the mechanism of concentration of boron at the grain surface and the possible limitations to the extent of this concentration at a constant temperature, as for example in the austenitizing process. The question next arises as to how this surface concentration can occur during an isothermal treatment. Such surface enrichment of boron must occur through the phenomenon of surface adsorption, i.e., the concentration of solute atoms in solid solution in the vicinity of the surface without precipitation. A solute atom will tend to concentrate at the grain boundary if it reduces the interfacial tension. The possibility of adsorption effects involving both boron and carbon in iron has been discussed.' In general, the tendency for a sol-

Jan 1, 1954

By T. L. Joseph

IT is a distinct privilege to participate in this meeting convened to honor the memory of Henry Marion Howe, a distinguished scientist and metallurgist. Many have added to our rapidly growing fund of metallurgical knowledge but few have made the unique contribution of formulating basic concepts essential to an over-all comprehensive view of the subject of metallography. Of those previously selected to deliver this lecture, several have added a personal touch to their discourse because they were able to refer to their associations with Dr. Howe. It was not my good fortune to know him or to enjoy his inspiring influence. Like most of you, my contact has been with his published works, which are outstanding in that they provide lucid, detailed expositions of the nature and behavior of metals and alloys. His deep understanding and clarity of expression have greatly accelerated our progress in metallography and in the use of metals. The degree to which a man's thinking, experimentation and writing contribute toward an understanding of basic laws and phenomena determines whether his life's work is of transitory or permanent value. This occasion appropriately recognizes the fundamental importance of Dr. Howe's pioneer work in the field of metallurgy. On two former occasions, gray iron was selected as a subject for discussion. The fact that the production of pig iron has not been discussed before does not reflect any lack of interest on the part of Dr. Howe or former lecturers in the process that under- lies the production of steel. Although Dr. Howe's work in his later years centered around metallography, his earlier publications show a considerable interest in the production of iron and steel. He recognized that in the ascending spiral of metallurgical advancement we are not winding a single thread but are weaving a complex fabric. Specific evidence of his interest in the production of pig iron may be found in his book1 on The Metallography of Cast Iron and Steel. In explaining why blast furnaces have been in constant use for about 600 years, he says: "The process is economical because it utilizes with extraordinary completeness the calorific power of the coke due to the thorough transfer of heat from the gaseous products of combustion to the charge." This emphasis on heat transfer, overlooked in many more extended and more recent discussions of the blast-furnace process, illustrates Professor Howe's ability to see the essentials. Other distinct advantages of the blast furnace, such as the removal of much of the sulphur and practically all of the oxygen, were mentioned. It was also stated that although the blast- furnace process is complex in nature, its outward form is comparatively simple, thus permitting large-scale production at small labor costs. All who contemplate the production of metallic iron from its ores by any other process might well consider the

Jan 1, 1946

By H. H. Taft

IT has long been known that the volcanic area south of Belmont, Nye county, Nevada, had mining possibilities. Some of the old-time prospectors knew that gold existed there. Its remoteness from any source of supplies, its long distances from water, the absence of game, and more, perhaps, the lack of grass for animals to subsist upon, has made this an unattractive region in which to search for mines. The decline of the Comstock mines, the exhaustion of sun-dry large and rich ore-bodies, the high cost of mining, marketing, and particularly the ruinously high freight-charges upon refractory ore that had to be shipped to distant smelters, have kept investors out of Nevada for the last few years; and mining people have hardly yet awakened to the importance of Tonopah, Goldfield and perhaps the newer and less developed districts. The discovery of Tonopah by J. L. Butler, who located the Mizpah Claim in May, 1900, and the fortunes soon realized there, attracted many people. As the boom declined, many went away, some scattering out into the surrounding country, and the population is now about 7,000. In the fall of 1902 a discovery of gold was made 23 miles south, in what is now known as the Sandstorm group, 4 miles NW. of Goldfield. In the winter of 1903-4 the Combination, January and Florence mines were discovered, and shipments of high-grade ore soon followed. In January, 1905, there were 10,000 people in Goldfield. In June, 1904, rich gold-ore was found 85 miles SE., at the foot of the south end of the Kawich mountains, but this discovery was kept quiet until a re-location could be made. On August 10, 1904, the Bullfrog claims, and a month later the Ladd mountain and neighboring claims, were located. The Shoshone group was located September 24. This district is

Nov 1, 1905

By Richard L. Ash

7.3-1. Introduction. All phases of mining competent materials are affected directly by the results achieved from primary blasts. It is imperative that their design suit each particular set of mining conditions. In general, the round design must provide an adequate tonnage of material, properly placed with suitable fragmentation, to ensure that loading, haulage, and subsequent disposal or processing are accomplished at the lowest possible cost. Blasting rounds are designed by the proper application of cratering relationships developed for the single, concentric, confined explosive charge. Blasting for surface mining and most open-cut heavy construction, however, is characterized by the use of rounds, composed of a number of explosive charges with relatively long lengths, which are placed in benches with specific finite dimensions. Therefore, modifications must be made to the classical, single point-charge cratering concepts. It is the purpose of this discussion to outline the basic principles, significant variables, and procedures for their integration in the design of rounds that are applicable to conditions characteristic of surface mining. Because relatively insensitive blasting agents will be used in most instances, particular attention must be given to priming, control of confinement, and selection of charge diameters that ensure complete explosive-reaction execution. 7.3-2. General Considerations. The primary requisites for any blasting round are that it ensure optimum results for existing operating conditions, possess adequate flexibility, and be relatively simple to employ. It is important that the relative arrangement of blastholes within a round be properly balanced to take advantage of the energy released by the explosives and the specific properties of the materials being blasted. There are also environ- mental and operational factors peculiar to each mine that will limit the choice of blasting patterns.

Jan 1, 1968

By W. A. Backofen, G. Y. Chin, W. F. Hosford

The ductile fracturing process was studied in single-crystal and poly cvystalline aluminum deformed in tension over a temperature range from 295° to 4.2°K. At temperatures as low as 77°K, the fracture of "inclusion-free" material, including zone-refined aluminum, was by rupture (-100 pct RA). At 4.2 OK, fracture was brought on by adia-batic shear. Metallographic examination did not disclose any voids or slip-band microcracks, thus negating for inherently ductile metals any mechanism of void nucleation by vacancy condensation or of cracking due to dislocation pile-ups. In Izigh-purity aluminum not treated to be inclusion-free, fracture at temperatures as low as 45°K was of the double-cup type and a result of void formation. The reduction-of-area decreased as temperature was lowered, corresponding to the earlier appearance of voids. Such behavior was rationalized in terms of a larger increase, with decreasing temperature, in the .flow stress relative to the strength of the inclusion-matrix interface. Evidence for low-temperature adiabatic shear was found in discontinuous flow at 4.2"K, in the transition to a localized shear fracture at low temperatures, and in the suppression of shear fracture with an elastically hard pulling device. A simple analysis for the initiation of adiabatic shew permitted a general correlation of the various contributing factors. It has been pointed out that the duration of shear depends upon effective mass and elastic stiffness of the deformation system. IT has long been recognized that fracture* may Throughout this paper, the term "fracture" is taken to mean any process that results in the separation of a material into two (or more) parts. Thus rupture as it may be encountered in a tension test leading to 100 pct reduction-of-area is included in this category. occur in a ductile mode, and that the process can be of great practical as well as general interest. Much information about ductile fracture has also been accumulated over this period, but only recently has an understanding of mechanism begun to appear. Ludwik,' in 1926, first reported fracture in a tensile specimen starting with a central crack in the necked section. Since then, other studies have disclosed that such cracks may form by the coalescence of voids nucleated in this region where hydrostatic tension is highest.2-4 Rogers and Crussard et al.' have emphasized void formation and reori-entation along localized shear bands as a mode of crack propagation. pines6 has considered the tensile rod as a bundle of fibers joined by weak interfaces, which subsequently separate to allow individual fiber contraction. The notion of cavity growth and coalescence by purely plastic processes was discussed by Cottrell: who added that the tensile reduction-of-area ought not to be sensitive to temperature. On the other hand, it has been observed that the reduction-of-area is greatly increased if tests are carried out at high temperaturesa or under high hydrostatic pressure.' Fracturing anisotropy in wrought products lends support to the idea of void formation from preexisting flaws strongly aligned by earlier processing.''-l2 There is evidence that many voids result from the fracturing of inclusions or separation at the inclusion-matrix interface Another possibility is that voids grow out of pore volume produced in the initial solidification and never fully removed in later working. In general, a structure 3f particles, pores, and weak interfaces can be expected, at least in materials of engineering interest. Vacancy condensation has been suggested as an alternative mechanism of void formation for materials considered to be inclusion-free.13 Yet experience has shown that tensile reduction-of-area increases with purity, to the extreme of rupture as so often observed in single crystals. Adiabatic shear has an important bearing on ductile fracture. It occurs when the decrease of flow stress, as a result of local temperature rise from heat generated during straining, becomes larger than the increase due to strain and strain-rate hardening. As demonstrated by experiments on punching of plates,14 a large temperature rise may be brought about by rapid straining. Adiabatic flow as a result of the high strain rate reached in an ordinary tensile specimen just prior to separation may account for the cone formation in cup-and-cone fracture;14 evidence of such local heating has been presented.15 For geometrical reasons, however, pure sliding along the conical surfaces is unlikely, and separation under tensile forces is probably an important accompanying feature of the shear.7 In deformation processing operations, a high shear-strain rate may exist at boundaries between plas-

Jan 1, 1964

By G. D. TRANT

HOT metal is commonly transported from the blast furnace to the open hearth by one or the other of two general methods: (1) by hot-metal ladles, usually in conjunction with a stationary mixer, or; (2) by means of mixer-type ladle cars, taking the place of both the hot-metal ladles and the stationary mixer. In both cases, the use of transfer ladles for charging the metal into the open-hearth furnaces is necessary. The American Rolling Mill Co. at its Middletown division, adopted hot metal practice on. June 2, 1928. The pig iron is produced' in a .blast furnace about 11 miles from the open-hearth furnaces, and is trans- ported in Pugh-type mixer cars having a capacity of 150 gross tons each. Three cars are in service and handle the delivery of hot metal to the pig machine and the open-hearth furnaces. The capacity of the blast furnace is 550 tons and casts are made every four hours.

Jan 1, 1929

By R. Floyd Farris

A method is presented for determining minimum waiting-on-cement time, which takes into account the differences that exist between types and brands of cements and such individual well conditions as depth, temperature, and pressure. The basis for the method was determined by laboratory tests. Being a laboratory development, several steps were required to prove its merit. The first step consisted of laboratory tests designed to determine the minimum cement strength required in wells. Basis was found for setting a minimum value of 8 Ib. per sq. in. tensile strength. Next, it was shown by laboratory tests that the time to 8 Ib. per sq. in. tensile strength may be expressed as a function of consistometer stirring time to loo "poises," the approximate relation being "the time to 8 Ib. per sq. in. tensile strength equals the time to I00 'poises' times three." Next, it was shown that the time of maximum temperature development in cement slurries, due to heat of hydration, is also related to consistometer stirring time to loo poises, but only by a factor of approximately two. It was shown also that the shut-in casing pressure will build up after cement is placed and register a maximum pressure at approximately the same time the slurry down the hole attains maximum temperature. From this and the relationships listed above, the general rule was established that minimum waiting-on-cement time (time to 8 Ib. per sq. in.) after casing cement jobs in any well is equal to the time when the shut-in casing pressure reaches a maximum, as measured from the initial mixing of cement, times a factor of 1.5. Cement plugs drilled in the field at the time prescribed by this formula were found to drill "firm to hard," thus confirming the laboratory tests. These tests prove that many of the present regulations for waiting on cement require a longer time than is absolutely necessary. Use of the method herein proposed offers the possibility of a saving of $1200 per well. Introduction The length of time allowed for cement to set after casing is determined either by state-wide rules, field rules, or self-imposed rules written into drilling contracts. In general, the time is dictated by experience and common practice. However, owing to differences in opinion and in experience of the various groups involved, waiting-on-cement time often varies from one area to the next. For example, an operator in an area where no rules exist may drill out of surface pipe at 24 to 36 hr., while another operator in another area may wait 48 hr. or more to comply with state or field rules, although the depth of the well, hole size, type of cement, and other data are identical. An even greater difference in practices will be found by making similar comparisons with respect to oil-string cement jobs. Differences in waiting-on-cement times of 36 to 48 hr. are common. Further complicating the picture is the rather common practice of allowing more waiting time for cement to set at the greater depths than is allowed at the shallow depths. This practice has existed for years in spite of the common knowl-edge1,2,3 that the temperature of the earth at the usual setting depths of surface

Jan 1, 1946

By R. Floyd Farris

A method is presented for determining minimum waiting-on-cement time, which takes into account the differences that exist between types and brands of cements and such individual well conditions as depth, temperature, and pressure. The basis for the method was determined by laboratory tests. Being a laboratory development, several steps were required to prove its merit. The first step consisted of laboratory tests designed to determine the minimum cement strength required in wells. Basis was found for setting a minimum value of 8 Ib. per sq. in. tensile strength. Next, it was shown by laboratory tests that the time to 8 Ib. per sq. in. tensile strength may be expressed as a function of consistometer stirring time to loo "poises," the approximate relation being "the time to 8 Ib. per sq. in. tensile strength equals the time to I00 'poises' times three." Next, it was shown that the time of maximum temperature development in cement slurries, due to heat of hydration, is also related to consistometer stirring time to loo poises, but only by a factor of approximately two. It was shown also that the shut-in casing pressure will build up after cement is placed and register a maximum pressure at approximately the same time the slurry down the hole attains maximum temperature. From this and the relationships listed above, the general rule was established that minimum waiting-on-cement time (time to 8 Ib. per sq. in.) after casing cement jobs in any well is equal to the time when the shut-in casing pressure reaches a maximum, as measured from the initial mixing of cement, times a factor of 1.5. Cement plugs drilled in the field at the time prescribed by this formula were found to drill "firm to hard," thus confirming the laboratory tests. These tests prove that many of the present regulations for waiting on cement require a longer time than is absolutely necessary. Use of the method herein proposed offers the possibility of a saving of $1200 per well. Introduction The length of time allowed for cement to set after casing is determined either by state-wide rules, field rules, or self-imposed rules written into drilling contracts. In general, the time is dictated by experience and common practice. However, owing to differences in opinion and in experience of the various groups involved, waiting-on-cement time often varies from one area to the next. For example, an operator in an area where no rules exist may drill out of surface pipe at 24 to 36 hr., while another operator in another area may wait 48 hr. or more to comply with state or field rules, although the depth of the well, hole size, type of cement, and other data are identical. An even greater difference in practices will be found by making similar comparisons with respect to oil-string cement jobs. Differences in waiting-on-cement times of 36 to 48 hr. are common. Further complicating the picture is the rather common practice of allowing more waiting time for cement to set at the greater depths than is allowed at the shallow depths. This practice has existed for years in spite of the common knowl-edge1,2,3 that the temperature of the earth at the usual setting depths of surface

Jan 1, 1946

By Thomas F. Donnelly

The Province of San Cristobal is situated on the south side of the island of Santo Domingo about 25 miles west of Santo Domingo city, the capital of the republic. The copper mineraliza,tion is found about 8 miles north of the town of San Cristobal,. in the section known as Bucaro Hill; in San Francisco Hill; on the Nigua River; and on the Jaina River. The district is reached by automobile from Santo Domingo city over an excellent road for 25 miles to San Cristobal, and then, by horseback 6 or 8 miles up the Nigua River to what is locally known as "Camp

Jan 1, 1916

By James M. Stapleton

It has long been recognized by blastfurnace men that correct top distribution of materials is very important in efficient and economical furnace operation. Thousands of experiments on top design, filling, sizing, and other operations have been carried out to improving furnace performance by securing uniform distribution. Many of these experiments have worked out satisfactorily and have been passed along to the industry. Many of them have been discarded and forgotten. It has been the custom to judge the results of such experimentation by the results shown in improved or lowered furnace efficiency. While the effect on furnace practice will have to continue to be the final criterion of experimental changes, it has always been a desire of blast-furnace men to ascertain the reason for failure or success. Efficiency in the blast furnace approaching the maximum can be measured in several ways: (1) by actual operating results as revealed in the coke rate and tonnage figures, and (2), in the degree to which the top gas approaches the limiting ratio of CO/CO2 for the reduction of iron oxide by CO gas. This ratio is shown in the equilibrium curve in Fig. I for the system Fe-O-C and CO2-CO-C. The closer the top gases approach this limiting ratio (set at 1.08 by Martin1 because of the effect of limestone calcination) the more efficiently we may expect a furnace to operate. The fact that low CO/CO2 ratios parallel eficient operating performance caused us to investigate the cause of good or poor distribution and the effect of filling and other changes on furnace operation. Heretofore it has been possible to take a sample of furnace gas (usually from the dust catcher) and from it determine how closely the reducing gases were to the ideal or limiting value as set by the equilibrium diagram. However, to find just where in the top area the distribution was distorted and the top-gas CO/CO2 ratios were distant from equilibrium values has been a difficult and expensive investigational procedure. In an effort to overcome this difficulty, apparatus was designed to take gas samples and temperatures across the top radius of the furnace. It was hoped that with the aid of this apparatus traverse sampling of the ascending gases could be simplified, and the cost of sampling substantially lowered. Routine experimenting could then be maintained and results checked with furnace operation. It must be emphasized that a traverse sampling is necessary for a true picture, as single samples at any one point are unreliable. This statement can be verified by an examination of Tables 3 to 6, showing results obtained at our furnaces in a large number of tests. Apparatus The design of the equipment for taking the samples was governed by the need for providing a simple, routine test that could be performed fairly quickly without adversely affecting normal furnace operation.

Jan 1, 1943

By James M. Stapleton

It has long been recognized by blastfurnace men that correct top distribution of materials is very important in efficient and economical furnace operation. Thousands of experiments on top design, filling, sizing, and other operations have been carried out to improving furnace performance by securing uniform distribution. Many of these experiments have worked out satisfactorily and have been passed along to the industry. Many of them have been discarded and forgotten. It has been the custom to judge the results of such experimentation by the results shown in improved or lowered furnace efficiency. While the effect on furnace practice will have to continue to be the final criterion of experimental changes, it has always been a desire of blast-furnace men to ascertain the reason for failure or success. Efficiency in the blast furnace approaching the maximum can be measured in several ways: (1) by actual operating results as revealed in the coke rate and tonnage figures, and (2), in the degree to which the top gas approaches the limiting ratio of CO/CO2 for the reduction of iron oxide by CO gas. This ratio is shown in the equilibrium curve in Fig. I for the system Fe-O-C and CO2-CO-C. The closer the top gases approach this limiting ratio (set at 1.08 by Martin1 because of the effect of limestone calcination) the more efficiently we may expect a furnace to operate. The fact that low CO/CO2 ratios parallel eficient operating performance caused us to investigate the cause of good or poor distribution and the effect of filling and other changes on furnace operation. Heretofore it has been possible to take a sample of furnace gas (usually from the dust catcher) and from it determine how closely the reducing gases were to the ideal or limiting value as set by the equilibrium diagram. However, to find just where in the top area the distribution was distorted and the top-gas CO/CO2 ratios were distant from equilibrium values has been a difficult and expensive investigational procedure. In an effort to overcome this difficulty, apparatus was designed to take gas samples and temperatures across the top radius of the furnace. It was hoped that with the aid of this apparatus traverse sampling of the ascending gases could be simplified, and the cost of sampling substantially lowered. Routine experimenting could then be maintained and results checked with furnace operation. It must be emphasized that a traverse sampling is necessary for a true picture, as single samples at any one point are unreliable. This statement can be verified by an examination of Tables 3 to 6, showing results obtained at our furnaces in a large number of tests. Apparatus The design of the equipment for taking the samples was governed by the need for providing a simple, routine test that could be performed fairly quickly without adversely affecting normal furnace operation.

Jan 1, 1943

By W. Rostoker, D. W. Levinson, A. Yamamoto

The influence of carbon on tensile strength, tensile ductility, transformation kinetics, and grain growth characteristics of selected Ti-Mo base alloys was studied. No systematic influence of carbon in tensile strength or significant deleterious effect on tensile ductility was observed. There was a marked increase in transformation rate due to carbon. Dispersed carbides exert a marked inhibiting effect on grain boundary migration, and thus effectively prevent grain coarsening during solution treatment in the ß phase field. AS part of a research program directed toward the illumination of factors governing modes of transformation, transformation kinetics, and mechanical properties obtainable through these transformations by heat treatment, Ti-Mo base alloys were selected for study. The binary system is a characteristic phase diagram type which has been studied in some detail', ' in relation to transformation kinetics and mechanical properties. Although carbon bearing alloys have acquired a bad reputation, the possibilities of melting titanium under conditions which occasion some carbon pickup are very attractive. It is therefore of considerable importance to know whether carbon, present as a dispersed carbide phase, is actually deleterious when all other detrimental factors are minimized. Basic alloy compositions containing nominally 3, 5, 7, and 11 pet Mo were prepared with systematic carbon addition up to 1 pet by weight. Various of these alloys were subjected to a series of critical and definitive experiments to delineate the effect of carbon on the transformation behavior and associated mechanical properties. Experimental Procedure Alloys were prepared from 115 Bhn magnesium-reduced sponge titanium. This sponge analyzed ap- proximately 0.05 pet C. Ti-Mo and Ti-C master alloys were made by arc-melting the sponge with high purity (99.9 + pet) molybdenum and spectro-scopic grade graphite, respectively. Alloys were then prepared from the master alloys and sponge by double are-melting. One kg ingots were prepared by melting in a nonconsumable electrode furnace. These ingots were forged at 1000°C to '/z in. rods, and cleaned and processed into electrodes for the second melting operation. The final ingots were ground to remove surface defects, then forged again to 1/2 in. or 3/8 in. diam rods for processing to test samples. It is significant that all of the alloys at all carbon levels forged satisfactorily. For convenience, the alloys will be referred to throughout the text by their nominal analyses. Samples for the study of transformation rates were prepared from 1/2 in. diam round stock. They were then solution treated in a helium filled tube furnace at 1000°C for 30 min prior to the isothermal transformation treatments in lead bath furnaces. Temperature control in both cases was within ±3oC. Following the isothermal transformation treatments the samples were water quenched. These experiments were carried out before the general adoption of the resistometric procedure for kinetic studies. The data were therefore obtained entirely by metal-lographic analysis. M, temperature was also determined by the metallographic method. Shoulder-type tensile test pieces were machined from heat treated, 1/2 in. diam slugs to provide a 0.252 in. test diam and a 1 in. gage length. The isothermal-type heat treatments were chosen from previous data' to provide three levels of strength and ductility.

Jan 1, 1957

By F. H. Kihlstedt

The Larap iron deposits, 125 miles east of Manila, are the biggest high-grade iron deposits in the Philippines, and have in seven years produced nearly 4 million tons of 60 per cent ore. Magnetic surveying followed by churn and diamond drilling cheaply developed a score of million tons. The ore zone is a wedge of metamorphic rocks in fresh, Miocene sediments overlain by agglomerates, which seem to have filled a river valley eroded in the sediments. A mild overthrust of the competent agglomerates crumbled the shale in front. Solutions gradually turned it into more competent hornfels and deposited pyrite, then magnetite and pyrite in the pores. As the temperature rose large bodies of magnetite with some pyrite were deposited by replacement and in open cavities in tensional areas of overthrust shears. At still higher temperature magnetite and calcium-magnesium silicates formed other bodies in similar cavities, and finally the thrust zone was invaded by syenite porphyry, causing high-temperature alteration products. Possibly, as temperature abated, more high-grade ore was deposited. The complicated faulting indicates dynamic, chronological and spatial changes of mineralization rather than zoning in a static system. Noncommercial copper, molybdenum and some gold accompanied the iron mineralization. In the thirties the Philippines gained a justified reputation as a country of considerable mineral wealth. Traces of Chinese workings show that these earliest travelers and traders had in a small way exploited the latent gold resources in the Islands. The Spaniards continued this for centuries, but did not succeed in establishing any steady mining industry. Modern technology was required to get it started. The rapid development in the last decade before the war got its impetus from several financial factors, the return to sugar growers of previously collected taxes, the influx of Spanish capital during the civil war in Spain, the influx of Chinese capital when the Japanese started their "China incident," and others. Directly or indirectly much of this capital reached the mining industry; in particular, gold mining. Out of the turmoil of an exceptional mining boom emerged a sufficient number of good and well managed gold properties to send the production to a level above that of any single state in the United States at the time. Other ore deposits besides those of gold also received their share, and for a country without any heavy industries at

Jan 1, 1949

By F. H. Kihlstedt

The Larap iron deposits, 125 miles east of Manila, are the biggest high-grade iron deposits in the Philippines, and have in seven years produced nearly 4 million tons of 60 per cent ore. Magnetic surveying followed by churn and diamond drilling cheaply developed a score of million tons. The ore zone is a wedge of metamorphic rocks in fresh, Miocene sediments overlain by agglomerates, which seem to have filled a river valley eroded in the sediments. A mild overthrust of the competent agglomerates crumbled the shale in front. Solutions gradually turned it into more competent hornfels and deposited pyrite, then magnetite and pyrite in the pores. As the temperature rose large bodies of magnetite with some pyrite were deposited by replacement and in open cavities in tensional areas of overthrust shears. At still higher temperature magnetite and calcium-magnesium silicates formed other bodies in similar cavities, and finally the thrust zone was invaded by syenite porphyry, causing high-temperature alteration products. Possibly, as temperature abated, more high-grade ore was deposited. The complicated faulting indicates dynamic, chronological and spatial changes of mineralization rather than zoning in a static system. Noncommercial copper, molybdenum and some gold accompanied the iron mineralization. In the thirties the Philippines gained a justified reputation as a country of considerable mineral wealth. Traces of Chinese workings show that these earliest travelers and traders had in a small way exploited the latent gold resources in the Islands. The Spaniards continued this for centuries, but did not succeed in establishing any steady mining industry. Modern technology was required to get it started. The rapid development in the last decade before the war got its impetus from several financial factors, the return to sugar growers of previously collected taxes, the influx of Spanish capital during the civil war in Spain, the influx of Chinese capital when the Japanese started their "China incident," and others. Directly or indirectly much of this capital reached the mining industry; in particular, gold mining. Out of the turmoil of an exceptional mining boom emerged a sufficient number of good and well managed gold properties to send the production to a level above that of any single state in the United States at the time. Other ore deposits besides those of gold also received their share, and for a country without any heavy industries at

Jan 1, 1949

By W. M. Small

Austria.—Austria produced some 430 cisterns of 10,000 kg. each of crude oil of a 0.9428 sp. gr. during 1934. Gosting II well near Zis-tersdorf was placed on the pump in August and at the end of the year was still producing about three cisterns daily. This well is owned by the Erdöl-Produktionsgesellschaft while Gösting I is owned by Raky-Danubia. Only five wells were completed in the republic during the year. These accounted for 1783.5 meters of the 2225 meters drilled. The only producer completed was Gosting 11. At the close of the year, four rigs were in operation and one rigging up. At least 8 or 10 new wells are planned in Lower Austria for 1935. The European Gas & Electric Co. put its 6-km. gas line into operation in May and has sold 12,301,550 cu. m. of gas to the Vienna City Electric Works. A 2-km. pipe line was built from Gösting II to the railway loading rack near Zistersdorf. Hungary.—No oil or gas was produced except a small amount of gas trapped from flowing artesian wells. The Government completed and abandoned a 1500-m. hole at Tisztaberek in northeastern Hungary and is drilling at 967 m. near Bogáes, 120 km. northeast of Budapest. It is unofficially reported it plans to drill two new wells in 1935. The European Gas & Electric Co. has a rig up for a test at Mihalyi in Transdanubia. Czechoslovakia.—In Gbely (Egbell) there were produced 1283 cisterns of 10,000 kg. of 0.935 sp. gr. oil and a small amount of gas used for fuel. This field is operated by the Government; 17 shallow producing wells and three dry holes were drilled, with a total of 3351 m. of hole completed. In Hodonin (Goding) there were produced approximately 1300 cisterns of 10,000 kg. each of 0.91 sp. gr. oil and a small amount of gas used for fuel. The field is operated by the Apollo, which drilled four producing wells averaging 460 m. in depth, one small gas well of 550 m., one small gas well 260, and one dry hole 230 m. Two wells were deepened a total of 80 meters. The Government is drilling below 800 m. in a wildcat test in eastern Czechoslovakia near the Rumanian frontier.

Jan 1, 1935

By Frank J. Windolph

Grinding Practice-These tests were run in the 9 ft diam by 8 ft long grate discharge ball mills at Climax. Each mill functions in closed circuit with a 78 in. Akins duplex high-weir classifier, and a circulating load of 300 pct is maintained. The size of the mill feed is 6 pct on 3/8ths, which is ground to pass 28 mesh. Testing Methods-Each grinding section is equipped with a conveyor scale on the ball mill feeder belt, a watt-hour meter on the ball mill motor, and an automatic sampler for the ground product. These instruments are exceptionally valuable to the mill testing program.

Aug 1, 1956