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By William R. Webster

At the Florida meeting of the Institute, in March, 1895, I presented a Note on a Proposed Scheme for the Study of the Physics of Cast-Iron,1 giving an outline which, for convenience of reference, I here repeat. Suggested Lines for DiScuSsion and IvestiGation. I.—Correspondence between chemical composition and melting-point, fluidity, shrinkage, fracture, chill, micro-structure, and other physical properties. II.—Influence of: 1. Cupola-mixture, use of steel and other scrap, oxidized or clean material, 2. Manner of melting, flux, etc., 3. Casting-temperature, A. Fracture. 4. Manner of handling melted metal and B. Micro-structure. method of casting, C. Physical properties. 5. Size and form of casting, D. Shrinkage. 6 Kind of mold, green sand (under dif- on E. Chill. ferent conditions of ramming, amount F. Residual strew of moisture, and skin-dried), dry sand, G. Condition and quan- loam, and chills, tity of carbon and 7. Rate and mode of cooling castings, other elements. 8. Manner and temperature of heating for annealing, 9. Additions of nickel or aluminum, III. —-Segregation as affected by : 1. Composition ; 2. Casting-temperature; 3. Rate of cooling ; 4. Size and shape of casting. IV. —Blow-holes, their volume and position as affected by: 1. Composition; 2. Casting-temperature; 3. Casting-pressure ; 4. Rate of cooling; 5. Size and ehape of casting ; 6. Special additions. It was hoped that a discussion might thus be elicited, similar in interest and value to the discussion of the physics of steel, which had been so widely and gratefully welcomed by students and practitioners in that department. That this hope was not

Jan 1, 1905

By J. A. Cahill, A. D. Kirshenbaum

Using an alumina or zirconia crucible with an alumina sinker or a molybdenum sinker coated with zirconium dioxide, the density of liquid iron was determined by the immersed-sinker method over the temperature range of 1800" to 2500°K. The density, with respect to temperature, is ex-Dressed by the equation Dg/cm = 8.523 - 8.358 X 10 T'K The molar Volumes and thermal coefficients of expansion were calculated. Iron, upon me1ting, was found to expand 3.5 pct. A basic knowledge of the physical properties of materials at high temperatures is becoming increasingly important. A check of the literature shows, that in spite of the importance of iron, very few measurements have been made of its physical properties in the liquid state. Density measurements have been made by Benedicks and his collaborators1g using the method of balanced columns, by Desch and smith4 using the immersed sinker method with an alumina sinker, by Lucas using the maximum bubble method5 and by Stott and endall' who used an alumina pyknometer. In the method of balanced columns, the difference in level of molten iron in two arms of a U-tube, together with the corresponding difference of pressure had to be measured. The formation of gas bubbles in one or both arms was a great source of error. These values are very erratic. They vary from 6.83 to 7.45 g per cm3 at the melting point (1805"~) and from 6.45 to 7.15 g per cm3 at 1890°K. Stott and Rendall determined the density at 1837"K, with a reproducibility of *0.2 pct. They used an alumina pyknometer fired to 1973°K. The vessel was filled in a vacuum furnace by immersion in the liquid metal. When thermal equilibrium was attained, the pyknometer was withdrawn, cooled, the ingot removed and then weighed. The chief disadvantage of the method was the difficulty of inserting the pyknometer without cracking it. The authors have been able to determine the density of liquid iron from its melting point up to 2500°K, by using the immersed-sinker method, with A1203 or ZrOz crucibles and A1203 or molybdenum sinkers coated with Zr02, Fig. 1. EXPERIMENTAL Apparatus. In these studies the source of heat was the carbon tube resistance furnace with an argon atmosphere described previously.7 Experimental runs were made using either Ala3 or ZrOz crucibles. The sinkers used were 1) pure A1a3 and 2) molybdenum coated with ZrOz. The crucible, 2 1/8 in. in diam and 3 in. high, was centered in the furnace on an Ala3 of Zr02 pedestal. The sinker, 1/2 in. in diam and 1 1/2 in. long, together with a counter weight, was suspended from an analytical balance into the melt by a molybdenum wire. Procedure. The procedure, as described previously,' consisted in measuring the weight loss of the sinker in the liquid iron while determining simultaneously the liquid iron temperature by means

Jan 1, 1962

By H. F. A. Hergt, K. L. Sutherland, J. Rogers

In 1938 Ralston4 reviewed the many attempts to find a satisfactory collector for the separation of cassiterite from its ores and in 1944 Dean and Ambrose2 summarized some further attempts. Generally, soaps and amines are effective but nonselective collectors. We have discovered that reagents containing either the polar group — SO4- or — SO3- are excellent collectors for cassiterite and promise to be selective. The response to these reagents of cassiterite and of minerals commonly associated with it was studied, using the captive-bubble technique. Using these fundamental data, the practicability of separation and concentration of tin was investigated by flotation tests in a 2000-gram Denver cell. Experimental Methods Reagents All inorganic reagents were of Analar grade. The preparation and purification of sodium cetyl sulphate, cetyl trimethyl-ammonium bromide, laurylamine and cetylamine have been previously described.5 The other collectors were commercial surface-active agents, which were used without purification. Tests Captive-bubble Tests and Cylinder Flotation Tests have been previously de- scribed.5,10 The full lines shown in the figures relating solution composition to contact (flotation) distinguish solutions in which contact (flotation) is possible from those in which it is not. The curve is derived by successive approximation and the accuracy is ±0.2 pH units and ± 5 mg. per liter of collector or depressant. Solution compositions for which it was shown experimentally that contact or flotation is possible are marked by a circle, those for which it is not possible, by a cross, and those for which it is doubtful by a cross within a circle. It is assumed that at all other solution compositions within (without) the curve, contact or flotation is possible (not possible). After testing in the collector solution, the mineral was removed, washed, and tested by the captive-bubble method in water, or floated in a cylinder with frother only. In this way the composition of solutions in which a mineral was conditioned but in which properties of the collector solution prevented contact or flotation can be defined. The composition of solutions in which conditioning was possible lie between the full and broken curve, and the experimental results are indicated by a square. The curves show the limits of composition of solutions in which flotation in a cell would be possible but many factors other than those considered in these the determine recovery and grade of a given mineral in practice. Flotation Tests in 500 and 2000-gram Denver SUbmachines,—Melboume tap water, containing 12 parts calcium, 6 parts

Jan 1, 1947

By J. Rogers, H. F. A. Hergt, K. L. Sutherland

In 1938 Ralston4 reviewed the many attempts to find a satisfactory collector for the separation of cassiterite from its ores and in 1944 Dean and Ambrose2 summarized some further attempts. Generally, soaps and amines are effective but nonselective collectors. We have discovered that reagents containing either the polar group — SO4- or — SO3- are excellent collectors for cassiterite and promise to be selective. The response to these reagents of cassiterite and of minerals commonly associated with it was studied, using the captive-bubble technique. Using these fundamental data, the practicability of separation and concentration of tin was investigated by flotation tests in a 2000-gram Denver cell. Experimental Methods Reagents All inorganic reagents were of Analar grade. The preparation and purification of sodium cetyl sulphate, cetyl trimethyl-ammonium bromide, laurylamine and cetylamine have been previously described.5 The other collectors were commercial surface-active agents, which were used without purification. Tests Captive-bubble Tests and Cylinder Flotation Tests have been previously de- scribed.5,10 The full lines shown in the figures relating solution composition to contact (flotation) distinguish solutions in which contact (flotation) is possible from those in which it is not. The curve is derived by successive approximation and the accuracy is ±0.2 pH units and ± 5 mg. per liter of collector or depressant. Solution compositions for which it was shown experimentally that contact or flotation is possible are marked by a circle, those for which it is not possible, by a cross, and those for which it is doubtful by a cross within a circle. It is assumed that at all other solution compositions within (without) the curve, contact or flotation is possible (not possible). After testing in the collector solution, the mineral was removed, washed, and tested by the captive-bubble method in water, or floated in a cylinder with frother only. In this way the composition of solutions in which a mineral was conditioned but in which properties of the collector solution prevented contact or flotation can be defined. The composition of solutions in which conditioning was possible lie between the full and broken curve, and the experimental results are indicated by a square. The curves show the limits of composition of solutions in which flotation in a cell would be possible but many factors other than those considered in these the determine recovery and grade of a given mineral in practice. Flotation Tests in 500 and 2000-gram Denver SUbmachines,—Melboume tap water, containing 12 parts calcium, 6 parts

Jan 1, 1947

By C. M. Smith

HOWARD N. EAVENSON, acting for the last time as president of the Institute, presided at the annual business meeting on Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock. He spoke briefly of his visits with Local Sections last fall, and read a scholarly address on "Mineral Fuels and Civilization," scheduled for early publication in these columns. Karl Eilers presented the Treasurer's report, showing last year's income to be $134,967.44, compared with expenses of $133.266.51. Comparable figures for 1933 were $121,689.90 and $115,462.60. The Institute's peak income was in 1923 about $208,000. Newell G. Alford read the report of the Membership Committee showing 750 new members elected and placed on the rolls in 1934, compared with 328 in 1933. Losses by resignation last year were 81, compared with 262 in 1933; and 691 were suspended for non-payment of dues, compared with 747 the year before. Total membership, including 579 Student Associates, was 7742 at the end of 1934. Applications for membership have been coming in freely the last few months.

Jan 1, 1935

By F. C. Stanford

The work of an engineer is to direct natural forces so that the: bring about the results that he wishes to secure. Heretofore he ha concerned himself chiefly with physical forces and inanimate objects until he has secured a truly marvelous degree of control over them The great problem of the present age is to secure a like degree of know1 edge and control of the human factor. Progress has already been made along this line, but it is only a beginning. Wilhelm Ostwald says tha scientific knowledge enables a man to be a true prophet; but it must be remembered that a good many people do not seem to be able to main tain a high average in prophecy. In short, 'the average of knowledge is not equal to the average needs of the present time, but continually fails to keep pace with it. It has been aptly said that the really essentia need of the period is for more brains; if we only had sufficient knowledg and sagacity we could not only solve all difficulties, but prevent then from arising. This generalization holds good for an industrial organization. Th most vital need of the management is for more brains. The logica course for an engineer in charge of an industrial organization is, therefore to direct whatever forces may be at his command toward the development training, and guiding of all the brains in his organization. This is easie said than done, for it involves the carrying on toward two objective: the maximum of productive work, and the development of the individual who perform it. This is essentially like the rebuilding and enlarging of plant, keeping it in full operation the while. On the other hand, if th aim is merely for maximum production from an organization, withou offering opportunity for development, the final outcome will necessari be like that of a plant that is driven at full capacity without stoppin for repairs or improvements; it eventually becomes so run down th either a complete rebuilding is necessary or else it has to be abandone

Jan 1, 1918

By H. H. Pentz

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

Jan 1, 1940

By H. H. Pentz

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

Jan 1, 1940

By C. H. Mathewson

CHARACTER OF THE WORK IN HAND IN planning the present experiments, we have made a particular effort to secure that adjustment of working conditions which would render the forthcoming tests most serviceable by way of indicating the comparative properties of the three different commercial grades of copper used. More specifically, we have endeavored to obtain certain definite information with respect to the relative behavior under test of ordinary electrolytic copper and furnace-refined lake copper containing (a) a moderate percentage of arsenic and (b) a rather large percentage of arsenic, in addition to the usual content of silver and other impurities. These comparisons were made systematic and comprehensive by testing throughout a series of (eight) reductions running from 0 to 70 per cent. in the case of cold-rolled metal, and throughout a series of (15) temperatures running from 100° C. to 1,000° C. in the case of annealed metal. In other words, a survey of properties similar to that made by Grard,1 in the case of electrolytic copper, was here repeated (with modifications) and extended to two other commercial varieties of copper.

Jan 7, 1916

By John D. Price

R. W. Campbell (Jones and Laughlin Steel Carp., Pittsburgh)—As usual John Price has presented an excellent paper. I know of no one who has devoted more time and conscientious thought to this subject than he has, and his efforts have produced scientific data and conclusions of real value. Results of similar studies made by the Jones and Laughlin Steel Corp. on the blending of Pennsylvania coals may be of interest. During 1935 the late F. W. Wagner and the present writer developed an empirical physical fuel value formula for evaluating the combined physical tests of metallurgical coke, see Table IV. In the development of the formula, the tumbler test, shatter test, screen test, and porosity of coke have been taken into consideration. Each of these tests brings out some physical property not expressed by the others, and in estimation of the importance of these tests as a medium for evaluating coke for the blast furnace, their worth has been graded as follows: It was thought that some additional penalty should be applied to cokes that do not show a uniform screen size, assuming that coke larger than 4 in. was not desirable and that this size was an indication of irregular size. Therefore the screen test factor is further corrected by applying a penalty of 1 pct for each 1 pct material greater than 4-in. size as shown by the screen test. The physical fitness of coke for blast furnace use depends upon four fundamental characteristics: l—gen-era1 strength, as indicated by the shatter test; 2— abradability, or the resistance of cell walls to reduction in size by attrition, as indicated by the tumbler test; 3—porosity; and 4—size and uniformity. Each of these characteristics is not of equal importance, but surely, in an attempt to determine an accurate physical value, the individual value of each should be taken into consideration. The formula is used as a yardstick, so to speak, in determining variations in the normal production of metallurgical coke and in making comparisons between normal coke and experimental blends with other coals. Table IV gives results of coking tests on raw and washed high volatile coals and these same coals with blends of coke breeze, anthracite coal, char and low volatile coals, all from Pennsylvania. The table also gives the source of the coals and coke breeze, as well as their proximate analyses. It will be noted that the washing of the raw high volatile coal increased the physical fuel value from 26.17 to 39.16, showing the effect of removing shale and slate which produces a detrimental fracturing and weakening of the coke. It is a well known fact that many Pennsylvania high volatile coals contain an excess of resinous material or binder which has a tendency to weaken the coke, owing to its high evolution of gases during carbonization. Tests were therefore made with coke breeze, an inert material, in an attempt to alleviate this condition. Blends of washed coal with 5 pct and 7.5 pct coke breeze collected from the coke plant quenching sump (82.9 pct through 1/8-in. screen) resulted in cokes with a physical fuel value of 20.75 and 16.73 respectively, lower than results obtained from 100 pct raw high volatile coal. It will be noted that the percentage of + 4-in. coke increased but that the tumbler test was very low. Undoubtedly better results could have been obtained if the coke breeze could have been crushed extremely fine. During World War II the government asked the coking industry to consider the use of anthracite coal as a substitute for high quality low volatile coal, which was extremely scarce at the time. The next series of tests was made with blends of raw and washed high volatile coals and 5, 10, and 15 pct Pennsylvania No. 5 buckwheat anthracite (100 pct through l/8-in. screen). It was necessary to use some raw high volatile coal in these blends because of insufficient washer capacity at the time. It will be noted that the physical fuel values

Jan 1, 1954

By A. E. Brugger

SOME 2,000 years ago Pliny is supposed to have said, "Out of Africa always something new." It may perhaps even now be news to a great many that the Belgian Congo has in recent years been producing approximately a quarter of a ton of diamonds annually. For that is what the 1 1/4 million carats, the recovery from 40-odd operating mines, and about 20 or 25 per cent of the world's normal consumption, amounts to. In 1915, first exploitation operations produced less than 50,000 carats from two mines. The rapid expansion of operations following the Euro¬pean war meant a most rapid development of a virgin land. The interior is now reached by air in one day from the mouth of the Congo River, where steamers unload mail and passengers from Antwerp. This trip formerly consumed 4 to 6 weeks by a narrow-gage, wood-burning, railroad around the rapids of the lower Congo and Livingston Falls; by river boat to the heads of navigation, Djoko Punda on the Kasai or Luebo on the Lulua; and thence by caravan of native porters over narrow-trails to head¬quarters on the Tshikapa. Hundreds of miles of automobile roads have been constructed over veldt and through forest, bridging streams and ferrying rivers. The railway from Capetown to the Katanga copper district to the East, once two months away by trail is now reached in 2 or 3 days over fair automobile highway. Native "boys" who a few short years ago wore little more than a smile and a string of beads and to whom a wheelbarrow was a complicated piece of machinery, are today driving Fords, tending boilers and engines and operating electrical equipment, or are capable mine workmen, machinists and artisans, and dressed in all manner of cast-off white man's clothing. Even as late as 1920, due to difficulties of securing and transporting machinery during and just after the war, the crudest hand operations were the rule for the excavation, sizing, and concentration of the diamondiferous gravel. All washing and concentration is now mechanized, using steam or electric power, and where operations are sufficiently large to permit competition with native labor costs, excavation and transportation are also accomplished by machinery.

Jan 1, 1932

By C. S. Barrett, O. R. Trautz

PREVIOUS investigations have shown that lithium is body-centered cubic from near its melting point to the temperature of liquid air1,2,3 Nevertheless there was an incentive to search again for a transformation at low temperatures: C. Zener4,5 has remarked that the low value of the elastic modulus (11 - C12)/2 of body-centered cubic metals and alloys implies a rapid increase in free energy with decreasing temperature, which would favor the occurrence of a transformation; also the shear movement to which this modulus applies is one that can transform a body-centered cubic structure into a slightly distorted face-centered cubic structure. It was confirmed that lithium does not transform spontaneously at liquid nitrogen temperature, but it was found that a transformation can be induced at this temperature by cold working the metal,6 and at slightly lower temperatures a different transformation occurs spontaneously. Transformations were also found in solid solutions of magnesium in lithium. THE NATURE OF THE TRANSFORMATIONS Before presenting a detailed treatment of the technique used and the specific data obtained, it would be well to give a brief survey of the general characteristics of the transformations. A new crystal structure begins to form spontaneously in a specimen when it is cooled below a critical temperature. In lithium the structure appears to be close-packed hexagonal; in the Li-Mg alloys most of the diffraction lines (but not all) are near those for hexagonal lithium. The transformation proceeds as the temperature is lowered and soon stops if the temperature is held constant or raised. The course of the transformation on cooling is indicated by the curve at the lower left of Fig I. This curve is drawn in stepped fashion because the transformation goes by discrete steps with audible clicks. Because of the similarity to the decomposition of austenite into martensite in steels, it seems appropriate to designate the beginning of the spontaneous transformation on cooling as the Ms point. On heating to room temperature after the low temperature treatment only the usual BCC structure is found. On heating, the low temperature modification begins to disappear at a temperature which will be designated as Ac. The transformation on heating is halted when the rise in temperature is halted. The temperature must be raised 40 to 50°C above Ac before the reversion is complete-an interval which is sensitive to the rate of heating and to the time of holding at temperatures above Ac. This behavior on heating thus has similarities also to the formation of martensite in the cooling of steels.

Jan 1, 1948

By S. Leber, R. F. Hehemann

Diffusion coefficients for the Cb-W system were measured using couples prepared from poly crystalline, commercially pure metals. The diffusion coefficients, measured in the temperature range between 1700° and 2300°C, decreased exponentially as the tungsten concentration was increased from 0 to 50 at. pct, then decreased abruptly at higher concentrations. A decrease of two orders of magnitude was observed over the entin? compositional range. The diffusion coefficients were in the range defined by the self-difiusion coefficients of the individual elements, indicating their general validity. An activation energy of 60,500 cal per mole was measured for the 20 pct W composition. Such low values, when compared with energies over 100,000 cal per mole for the pure constituent elements, indicated that transport mechanisnzs more rapid than volume diffusion were contributing substantially to inter dijfusion. Difference should, therefore, be expected between these data and the intrinsic diffusion coefficients. These differences should be significant in the kinetics of 'transport phenomena in practical systems. CONSIDERABLE attention has been devoted in recent years to the mechanical behavior and other properties of the refractory metals and their alloys. The Cb-W system has been of special interest as a base for the development of more complex compositions of commercial interest. In spite of the importance of mass transport to all aspects of elevated-temperature behavior, and especially to the production of alloys by powder-metallurgy techniques, little attention has been paid to diffusion in the Cb-W system. Results from a previous study of this system1 appeared to be anomalously high. The present investigation is, therefore, an attempt to obtain more accurate diffusion coefficients in this system. Intrinsic diffusion coefficients, of primary importance from the theoretical viewpoint, can only be obtained accurately from studies utilizing compositional gradients approaching zero. However, many practical problems involve diffusion under significant concentration gradients. The diffusion coefficients determined in this investigation were, therefore, obtained from couples prepared from elemental metals. The data obtained should be of value in the analysis of problems such as homogenization during powder-metallurgy alloying or reactions between base and clad in coated structures. In this vein, the investigation was conducted on poly crystalline materials of commercial purity. PROCEDURE Diffusion couples were prepared by sandwiching a columbium sheet between two sheets of tungsten. The composite was welded around all edges, the tungsten forming a protective can for the columbium. The composite was soaked for 4 min at 1600°C in a hydrogen-atmosphere furnace, quickly forged to 40 pct reduction in thickness, and then rapidly cooled to room tempera-

Jan 1, 1967

By Henry Mulryan

Diatoms are microscopic aquatic plants of the order Bacillariaceae. They are unicellular plants with skelctons made up of amorphous opaline silica. The skeletons show highly ornate, complicated geometrical designs. Diatoms live in water virtually everywhere. They are found in clean sea water, brackish water, and fresh-water lakes and ponds. When conditions are right, diatoms propagate by subdivision in huge numbers. Alkalinity, temperature, and the presence of high concentrations of silica in the water largely control diatom life. When the diatoms die the skeletons drop to the bottom of their habitat to form oozes of varying thicknesses. Diatomites Diatomite, or diatomaceous earth, is composed essentially of the siliceous remains of the diatoms, although other organic skeletons are also present, especially in sea-water deposits where radiolaria, sponges and silico-flagellates are common. Impurities are generally carbonaceous material, fine-grained silt, volcanic ash and dust, and occasional coarse grains of sand. Diatomites are marine, brackish, or fresh-water, depending upon types of diatoms and their method of deposition. Diatoms More than 8000 species of diatoms have been named and classified. Some are definitely classified as to their habitat; some are so well recognized as to their living conditions that they can be stated to be diagnostic types, and when encountered in a deposit determine the origin of the deposit. Some of the commoner types of diatoms found in the freshwater diatomites on the Pacific Coast are: Cymbella lanceolata Agardh Fragilaria virescens Ralfs Encyonema prostratum Ralfs Diatoma vulgare Dory Surirella biseriata Brebison Eunotia major Ehrenberg Amphipleura pellucida Kützing Stictodiscus niagarac Ehrenberg Gomphonema geminatum Lynberg Melosira granulata Ehrenberg Epithemia turgida Kützing

Jan 1, 1942

By Henry Mulryan

Diatoms are microscopic aquatic plants of the order Bacillariaceae. They are unicellular plants with skelctons made up of amorphous opaline silica. The skeletons show highly ornate, complicated geometrical designs. Diatoms live in water virtually everywhere. They are found in clean sea water, brackish water, and fresh-water lakes and ponds. When conditions are right, diatoms propagate by subdivision in huge numbers. Alkalinity, temperature, and the presence of high concentrations of silica in the water largely control diatom life. When the diatoms die the skeletons drop to the bottom of their habitat to form oozes of varying thicknesses. Diatomites Diatomite, or diatomaceous earth, is composed essentially of the siliceous remains of the diatoms, although other organic skeletons are also present, especially in sea-water deposits where radiolaria, sponges and silico-flagellates are common. Impurities are generally carbonaceous material, fine-grained silt, volcanic ash and dust, and occasional coarse grains of sand. Diatomites are marine, brackish, or fresh-water, depending upon types of diatoms and their method of deposition. Diatoms More than 8000 species of diatoms have been named and classified. Some are definitely classified as to their habitat; some are so well recognized as to their living conditions that they can be stated to be diagnostic types, and when encountered in a deposit determine the origin of the deposit. Some of the commoner types of diatoms found in the freshwater diatomites on the Pacific Coast are: Cymbella lanceolata Agardh Fragilaria virescens Ralfs Encyonema prostratum Ralfs Diatoma vulgare Dory Surirella biseriata Brebison Eunotia major Ehrenberg Amphipleura pellucida Kützing Stictodiscus niagarac Ehrenberg Gomphonema geminatum Lynberg Melosira granulata Ehrenberg Epithemia turgida Kützing

Jan 1, 1942

By J. L. Gillson

The big mass of anorthosite in the Lake Sanford district and the bodies of titaniferous magnetite that occur in a small area near the south margin of the mass have been described repeatedly, and the puzzling problems of the genesis of the rocks and ores have stimulated the deductive reasoning of geologists for a hundred years. Some of these men have taken a leading part in describing the anorthosite rock and forming hypotheses concerning its origin; some have contributed most to the study of the ore deposits; and some have made classical Studies introducing a basic approach to the problems of the anorthosite rock and genesis of the titaniferous magnetites. Much of the writing on the problems of rock and ore genesis has been based on physical-chemical reasoning rather than on field and microscope observations of the rocks and ores. Most of these geologists conclude that the anorthosite was formed by true magmatic crystallization, involving previous settling or squeezing out of ferromagnesian minerals from the parent magma. The associated gabbro is a separate segregation or later intrusion, and the lighter colored and finer grained facies of the anorthosite is either a chilled border zone of the anorthosite or the result of granulation by crushing of the coarse, dark blue rock of the main mass. This blue rock, called the Marcy type, is named after the highest peak in the range. The finer grained and lighter colored rock is called the Whiteface, after another mountain appropriately named for a cliff colored by this facies of the anorthosite.

Mar 1, 1956

By H. A. Hancock, L. M. Pidgeon

Equilibrium carbon monoxide pressures were measured over the reaction between chromium oxide and a number of solid ferrochromium alloys in the composition range 0.4 to 4.8 pct C and 0 to 49 pct Fe. Measurements were also made for the carbides Cr23C6 and Cr7C3 which agreed well with previous investigations. Between 1050°and 1400°C the pvessures varied from 0.1 to 56 mm and increased markedly with the iron and carbon contents of the alloys. The data were used to estimate the activity of carbon in the alloys and to calculate the equilibrium conditions for the decarburization of a useful range of ferrochromium alloys. WHEN ferrochromium is produced by the reduction of chromite with carbon in an electric arc furnace it invariably contains up to 10 wt pct C. For many purposes such as the production of stainless steel, it is necessary that the carbon content be as low as from 0.02 to 0.05 pct. Thus an important part of the ferrochromium industry consists of the production of low carbon ferrochromium. The classical Bessemer steelmaking technique cannot be used to oxidize low carbon contents in chromium and ferrochromium alloys without also oxidizing the chromium. Recently a new commercial process2-4 has been introduced for oxidizing carbon from high chromium content alloys which consists of heating the solid alloy with such oxidizing agents as Cr2O3, Fe2O3, or SiO2 in a retort at reduced pressures. By maintaining the carbon monoxide pressure below the equilibrium value for the system, the carbon can be removed as carbon monoxide without oxidizing the chromium. The equilibrium conditions for the decarburization of solid chromium carbon alloys have been determined by Boericke5 who measured the carbon monoxide pressure over the reaction between the various chromium carbides and chromium oxide. A typical reaction is shown below. Cr23C6 + 2Cr2O3 =u 27Cr + 6CO [1] These values are not applicable to the decarburization of commercial ferrochromium alloys which invariably contain major amounts of iron. The present investigation was therefore undertaken to measure the change in the equilibrium carbon monoxide pressure brought about by additions of iron to the Cr-C-0 system, thus extending the work of Boericke into the region of the production of low carbon ferrochromium. MATERIALS AND METHOD Materials. Measurements were made on two carbides of chromium, Cr233C6 and Cr7C3, and fifteen Fe-Cr-C alloys. The chromium carbides were made

Jan 1, 1963

By R. A. Fitch, J. D. Griffith

A performance calculation method was used in conjunction with experimental studies to develop means of predicting and interpreting miscible floods and to explore possible methods. of improving their efficiency. The calculation method is based upon the division of reservoirs into multiple independent zones or strata. Comparison was made with some experimental floods and with a field project to obtain some measure of the applicability of the method. Two aspects of miscible flooding were considered: (I) the displacement of a miscible front through a reservoir, and (2) the distribution and utilization of the solvent volume injected to maintain miscibility. Calculations and experihental observations indicate that alternate gas-water injection behind a miscible front significantly improves miscible flood performance, both within a single stratum and in a multistrata reservoir. Calculations were made on the extent to which miscibiliry is maintained by a given solvent volume in a stratified reservoir. Two alternate criteria for determining the optimum volume of solvent for injection are discussed. The preinjection of a small volume of water ahead of the solvent is suggested as a method of obtaining more efficient utilization of solvent. Calculations and experiments were made to investigate the effects of water preinjection. INTRODUCTION Miscible fluid displacement as a possible means of recovering oil has been the subject of extensive research and numerous field tests over the past several years. This work has brought out both favorable and unfavorable features of the miscible recovery methods. Many tests have shown that a miscible fluid can displace all of the oil contacted, leaving no high residual oil saturation, as is characteristic of immiscible displacements. The miscible methods have proven dificult to control, however, as evidenced by early breakthrough of the displacing fluid and poor sweep efficiency in several field projects. It became apparent early in the investigation of miscible displacement that the development of improved techniques and better methods of control would be required to extend the range of applicability to any significant portion of our petroleum reservoirs. The purpose of this study was to consider the problem of designing miscible floods to obtain better performance. A performance calculation was used in conjunction with experimental studies to develop means of predicting and interpreting miscible floods and to explore possible methods of improving their efficiency. Two aspects of miscible floods were considered separately in this study and the results are presented in two parts. The first part concerns the manner in which the miscible front is displaced through the reservoir. In these calculations the condition of miscibility between the reservoir oil and the displacing fluid is assumed. In the second portion the distribution and utilization of the preinjected solvent in maintaining rniscibility is considered. This portion dealing with solvent utilization applies only to the enriched gas or LPG slug processes. CALCULATION METHOD AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES COMPUTATIONAL MODEL The calculations for expected reservoir performance are based upon the multi-strata concept of reservoir properties. The method assumes multiple, independent strata (no crossflow between strata) and explicitly includes variations in patterns, injectivity, areal sweep and displacement efficiency. Lateral variation in permeability within the strata (for example, directional permeability) may be considered in the calculations, provided the variations are similar in all strata. The calculations based on this model furnish the rates of injection and rates of production of both oil and the displacing fluid for the composite system of strata. To carry out calculations on the mathematical model described, information is required on the performance of the displacement process under consideration in a single stratum element of the pattern to be used. In particular, for a given pattern and displacement process, data are required relating injectivity and composition of the produced stream to the volume of fluid injected. Data on the variations in areal sweep must also be available if it is desired to track the areal sweeps in the multi-strata model. These data may be obtained from experimental work such as model studies or other suitable methods. This representation of reservoir properties is, of course, an approximation and may be inappropriate in some cases. But the representation is not an arbitrary one since most oil reservoirs are essentially successive layers of sediment with the net producing pay zone often comprising but a fraction of the gross formation thickness. The fact that permeabilities measured in the vertical direction are frequently but a fraction of the horizontal permeability adds some evidence to the validity of this model. This type cal-

Jan 1, 1965

By William M. Bowron

THIRTY years ago, when I stood on the cliff of red fossil iron-ore, on Red mountain, Jefferson county, Ala., I asked what were the geological relations of this remarkable deposit. In reply I was told that it was a limestone colored and saturated by some unknown but wholly external influences, and that at a reasonable distance from the surface the color would disappear. I could find no satisfactory explanation either of the nature of this wonderful external permeating influence, or of the cause of such a ferrous impregnation selecting this one particular bed of limestone, to the exclusion of the higher and lower beds of the same material which are not even stained. I. THE PRESENT THEORY. Referring to this subject, Dana says:' "The clays, clayey sandstones and limestones of the Clinton epoch, through New York and the Appalachians, show that the mud-flats and sand-banks, and hence the shallow seas of the coast region, still continued. . . The beds of argillaceous iron-ore, which spread so widely through New York and some of the other States, south and west, could not have formed in an open sea, for clayey iron-deposits do not form under such circumstances. They are proof of extensive marshes, and, therefore, of land near the sea-level. The fragments of crinoids and shells found in these beds are evidence that they were, in part at least, salt-water marshes, and that the tides sometimes reached them." At first, this explanation seemed satisfactory, but the more I studied the ore the less satisfying the explanation became. 1. In the ore itself I found associated with the small particles of rounded matter (now consisting of iron oxide in which organic structure, if ever present, has become lost, though the

Nov 1, 1905

By Robert D. Thomson

LISTED among strategic and critical minerals for stockpiling, mica is an important raw material in electronic and electrical equipment industries. Each year large quantities are consumed in the manufacture of television and radio tubes, radar sets, generators, transformers, electric toasters, and irons. Crude mica, which comes from the mine in crystals or in rough books of various shapes and sizes, is known as run-of-mine or book mica. Structural imperfections, impurities, rough edges, and defective laminae are removed by cobbing, rifting, and trimming to produce a marketable block mica or film mica.' After the rough books have been hand-cobbed to remove adhering rock, dirt, and crushed or defective mica they are rifted, or split. In the U.S. a straight-bladed knife is generally used for rifting. Products of this operation are classed broadly as untrimmed sheet mica and scrap. Sheet mica is any relatively flat piece sufficiently free from physical defects to be cut or stamped into specified shapes for industrial use. Sheet mica is classed as block, film, and splittings. Block mica is not less than 0.007 in. thick with a minimum usable area of 1 sq in. Film mica is split from the better qualities of block mica to groups of specified thickness ranging from 0.0012 to 0.004 in. Splittings are sheets with maximum thickness of 0.0012 in. and minimum usable area of 3/4 sq in. As virtually no mica splittings are produced in the U.S., they will not be discussed in this report. Small, low quality block is subdivided as punch and washer. Punch mica is thumb-trimmed material large enough to yield a circular disk of at least 11/2 in. diam for stained quality mica and 1 1/4 to 2 in. for clear quality. Poorer lots, often referred to as washer mica, are also included in the general term punch mica. Trimming, the next step in processing sheet mica, removes broken and ragged edges, loose scales, and other major imperfections. Trimming may be done with a knife, sickle, shears, or fingers. In the U.S. it is usually done with a 3-in. linoleum knife to obtain a bevel-edged cut. If ragged edges are broken off with the thumb and fingers, the mica is called thumb-trimmed. Full-trimmed is rifted mica trimmed on all sides with all cracks, reeves, and

Jan 1, 1957