Search Documents

By R. G. Hudson, H. W. Paxton

The activities of iron and chromium in their binary system have been measured by the Knudsen orifice technique. The system is close to ideal at 1200- 1250 C with slight positive deviations. The effect of this on the liquidus and solidus is discussed and these are calculated for two limiting assumptions. The vapor pressure of pure iron, pure chromium, and one alloy is compared with that obtained by the Langmuir free-evaporation technique. The results agree, indicating a vaporization coefficient close to 1. HERE are no reported data on the thermody-A namic activity of iron and chromium in the solid portions of the phase diagram. It is generally assumed'.' that the liquid solutions of iron and chromium obey Raoult's law. Chen and Chipman" have inferred that the liquid solution obeys Raoult's law. The minimum' in the solidus-liquidus curves for the iron-chromium system shows that there are deviations from ideality in either the solid or liquid or both. Because of the importance of developing reliable techniques for obtaining activity data in alloy systems at high temperatures and of the data so obtained, an investigation of the activity of iron and chromium in the binary at 1200-1250 C was undertaken using the Knudsen cell. Experimental The apparatus and experimental procedures used in this investigation were described in a previous paper." The various materials used for the construction of the Knudsen cell are listed in Table I. The metal used for the determination of the vapor pressure of chromium was 99.9 pet pure, obtained from A. D. Mackay, Inc. The iron was obtained as electrolytic grade from Fisher Scientific Company. The Fe-Cr alloys used are shown in Table 11. The largest error and controlling factor in the accuracy in the experiments reported here are introduced because of temperature uncertainty, which is estimated to be ±3 deg C. This introduces an uncertainty of 26 pet in the measured pressure. Experimental Results and Calculations The vapor pressures of pure iron and pure chromium were calculated from the measurements by the Knudsen equation3 on the assumption that only Cr or Fe atoms were present in the gas phase. For metal vapors, at the high temperatures and low pressures involved in these measurements this should be a reasonable assumption. Whitman" corrections for the cells were made. The data and results of pressure calculations are presented in Table I, and are plotted in Fig. 1. In addition the heat of vaporization at the absolute zero, ?E°°, has been calculated for chromium. These calculations are summarized in Table 111. The data used in these calculations are as follows kelley13 (F° - E°°/T ) Speiser, et al H (F° - E°°/T ) 010 where F" — standard free energy at temperature T It was necessary to calculate the total pressure above the alloys from the total weight loss W of the cell during a run, because of the fact that all attempts to collect and analyze the chromium and iron vapor effusing from the cell in the apparatus available failed. The failure resulted from the re-

Jan 1, 1959

By George C. Bateman

I HAVE been introduced in the dual capacity of president of the Canadian Institute and Metals Controller for Canada. There are three particular points of similarity between these two positions. They are both temporary ; they both have to do with the mining industry ; and by a peculiar coincidence they both pay me exactly the same salary. It is difficult to appreciate the background of our present situation without knowing the really tremendous changes that have taken place since the last war. I sometimes think that even among ourselves we are likely to forget the extent to which our great mining industry has been expanded. In 1914 Canada's gold production amounted to only $16,000,000 and the suggestion was seriously ad¬vanced in Ottawa that the gold mines should be allowed to close down so that their men might be used in more important work. Today with a production at the rate of over $200,000,000 a year no one in Canada would venture such a suggestion because the output of our gold mines is the greatest single factor in producing dollar exchange, badly needed for the purchase of munitions and to maintain Canada's unbroken record of always meeting its obligations. Even with the severe restrictions now in effect against the importation of nonessentials, our imports for war purposes from the United States are resulting in the biggest adverse trade balance in our history. With us, gold mining ranks as an essential industry.

Jan 1, 1941

By H. M. Otte

Certain choices for the shear elements of the inhomogeneous distortion in the phenomenological theory of martensite formation are examined for their agreement with crystallographic and X-ray data of iron alloys. The assumption that the shear elements must represent slip or twinning systems characteristic of bcc metals is found to covey all observations, even when a small uniform dilatation is taken into consideration. In bct martensite, (011) becomes a possible twinning or faulting plane, in addition to {112), and qualitatively similar X-ray line broadening is to be expected from both. The basic concept inherent in the current theoriesl-4 of the formation of martensite is that the interface between the parent (austenitic) and product (martensitic) phase is an invariant strain plane (i.e., one that is undistorted and unrotated). Experimental evidence that the interface is of such a nature is available in certain transformations2'5'6 but for the transformation in iron alloys direct observation has not proved enlightening. Internal strains resulting from the formation of the small martensite platelets within the parent austenite matrix7 make it difficult to produce the desired evidence. Indirect evidence, however, such as the continuity of scratches in passing from untrans-formed to a transformed region, strongly indicates that the habit plane in iron alloys is an invariant strain interface. The scatter in habit planes in a given specimen8 would suggest that internal stresses have a slight but definite influence. On the other hand, composition changes which affect the lattice parameter can alter the habit plane appreciably, and by an amount greater than the scatter.' The success of the theories depends on the choice made for the "inhomogeneous distortion" or "complementary shear'' in the analysis and also on the choice for the parameter 6 representing a small uniform dilatation. In the approach developed by Wechsler, Lieberman, and Read'," it is implicitly assumed that 6 is unity. In the case of iron alloys, all observations cannot be explained without varying either the inhomogeneous distortion or 6 . Bowles and Mackenzie3 considered only the effect of varying d. They found it difficult to reconcile the wide scatter of habit planes with the theory and were forced to the conclusion that it may also be necessary to consider variations or different choices of the inhomogeneous distortion. Wechsler and Read" considered a limited number of possible choices for the inhomogeneous distortion, but no variation in 6, though this could easily have been introduced if so desired. It is the purpose of the

Jan 1, 1961

By J. A. Botin, K. H. Singh

INTRODUCTION The Alfredo underground mine is one of the three mining operations of Rio Tinto Minera, S.A., all near the community of Rio Tinto in Huelva province of southwest Spain. The other two operations are Corta Atalaya open pit (Pyrite ore) and Cerro Colorado open pit (Copper ore 1. Underground mining of Alfredo Mine for pyrites started in the nineteenth century and continued without interruption until 1979 when it was discontinued due to economical reasons. In 1972, a new project was started for the mining of copper bearing ores on the footwall of the pyrite deposit. This copper ore is locally named “Cloritas” and it forms a nearly vertical and tabular shaped orebody which forms an envelope at the footwall of the San Dionisio pyrite orebody. Mining of the Cloritas commenced in 1975 using cut and fill stoping. In 1977, the original project was completely revised which led to the introduction of a bulk mining system to achieve a planned production of 3,000 tonnes of ore per day. This paper covers the economic and planning aspects of the mine and discusses the evolution of the mining method for the Cloritas orebody. A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CLORITAS OREBODY The “Masa San Dionisio” (figure 1 ) is a massive sulphide orebody located in the town of Rio Tinto, about 90 kilometres west of Sevilla, Spain. Extensive vein-type sulphide mineralization exists in the volcanic host rocks of the Masa San Dionisio. Within this area of stockwork veins, there is a higher concentration of copper in the form of chalcopyrite in a zone adjacent to and paralleling the contact with the massive sulphides. This copper envelope is locally referred to as the "Cloritas Orebody” and the ore within it is called "Cloritas”. The main zone of the Cloritas orebody, (figure 11, is tabular and nearly vertical having a length of 375-400 m east-west, a thickness of 20-50 m north-south, and a vertical extension of 500 m from the surface. In addition to this area, there is a second less important low grade area called zone 2A located to the north of the main zone below 26 Level which, in some sections, is not fully separated from the main zone. MINING METHODS Mining in Rio Tinto area can be traced back to the Phoenecians and the Romans. Modern day mining started with the demand for sulphuric acid during the last half of the nineteenth century. By 1971, more than 33 million tonnes of pyrite had been mined out of Alfredo Mine, (San Dionisio Orebody), using labor intensive drift and fill methods and also by open pit method. During the last decade, underground mining of the pyrite had become uneconomic due to lower prices and a slackening demand for pyrite, and the underground mining operations for pyrite were finally stopped in 1979. In 1971, a major change in the long range mining plans for Masa San Dionisio was established. Between 1971 and 1975, underground mining of pyrites was progressively reduced while open pit extraction was increased in

Jan 1, 1981

Jan 1, 1910

By R. W. Raymond

(Pittsburg Meeting, March, 1910.) IN the long list of our illustrious and lamented dead, there are names which recall personality as well as career and achievement; social as well as scientific merit; devotion to the Institute itself as well as to some one of the professions which it represents. These men we remember because they did not forget us; besides our pride in their wider work and fame, we are proud of what they did with and through us; especially do we rejoice if our early recognition of them opened the way to a recognition by the world; and in their departure we claim to sorrow, not merely as members of an appreciative public, but also as. bereaved personal friends. In common with thousands, we regret our loss, but we do not regret only-we mourn and miss. To this group of those whose death has brought to us the double sense. of public and private grief belonged our strong, bright, dear brother, in whose memory this inadequate tribute is offered. Charles Benjamin Dudley was born July 14, 1842, at Oxford, Chenango county, N. Y. He came on both sides of New England blood, his father being from New Hampshire and his mother from Connecticut. Emigrating from the rocky hills of their native States, they. settled upon the more fertile soil of what was then regarded as the West, and, with thousands of other pilgrim sons, imitating the pilgrim fathers, contributed to the foundation of new commonwealths. The Empire State owes much to this element of its population. Dudley's early education was obtained, like that of the sons of the pioneers generally, by attending the village school and academy in the autumn and winter, while he worked upon the farm during the rest of the year. But his ambition looked forward to a college-course; and this was almost within his reach when a passion still stronger took possession of him. The out-

Jun 1, 1910

By Hans Lundberg, Basil T. Wilson, H. Steuart Scott

FOR the benefit of those readers who may not be in close touch with present practices in the geophysical prospecting for ore, brief reference will fiat be made to the advantages and shortcomings of the methods to be discussed. Magnetic and electric methods are generally accepted as the most useful for ore prospecting. By magnetic methods, magnetic intensities that are not normal may be recorded and outlined. From these can he located concentrations of such highly magnetic minerals as magnetite or pyrrhotite, which sometimes occur in such large masses that they are of economic value in themselves. More often. however, these magnetic min¬erals are associated with others, such as copper, zinc, lead, gold, and silver, which, if existing in sufficient concentration and quantity, may constitute valuable ore bodies. It is therefore only when pyrrhotite and magnetite are present in these bodies that the magnetic method can be used to indicate their presence.

Jan 1, 1945

By A. G. Spillette, R. L. Nielsen

The purpose of this paper is to further the understanding of reservoir response to hot-water injection by desuribing a two-dimensional, mathematical model of the process. Key assumptions are that no gas phase is present, and that the injected fluid reaches thermal equilibrium instantaneously with the reservoir fluids and sand. The resulting system of three partial differential equations is solved simultaneously through the use of a "leap-frog" application of standard alternating direction implicit methods for the solution of the mass-balance equations and the method of characteristics for solution of the energy-balance equation. The utility of the mathematical model is demonstrated by comparing numerical and analytic temperature distributions for hot-water bank injection and by comparing calculated with observed field behavior. Additional calculations show that hot waterfioding can recover significantly more oil than cold waterflooding, and that a hot-water bank recovers, with less energy input, nearly as much oil us continuous injection. Introduction Consistent field success with hot fluid injection processes requires good reservoir description and a thorough understanding of recovery mechanisms. The latter is fostered by a combination of well designed experimental studies and physically sound mathematical modeling. The purpose of this paper is to further the understanding of reservoir response to hot-water injection by describing a two-dimensional mathematical technique, indicating its validity, and demonstrating its utility for studying the effects of reservoir and operating parameters. Published experimental studies of hot fluid injection processes are few." Even if extensive data were available, two considerations discourage exclusive reliance on laboratory or field work. First, because of the severity of scaling requirements," laboratory results must be interpreted with care. Second, because of the one-shot nature of field experiments — injectivity/productivity tests and pilot floods—results seldom are available over the desired range of operating conditions. These factors emphasize the need for devoting attention to mathematical modeling to complement laboratory and field work. Through the use of mathematical models, scaling uncertainties can be bridged and response can be predicted for unique combinations of reservoir and operating conditions. Numerous mathematical models developed during recent years enable us to calculate temperature distributions, thermal efficiency (or conversely, fraction of heat lost), and oil recovery behavior for hot fluid injection. Ramey" and Spillette' recently have provided reviews of these methods. Most models have concentrated on predicting temperature distributions and thermal efficiency; few have been directed at predicting oil recovery.'."1° Although these techniques are useful for estimating effects of reservoir parameters and operating conditions on process performance, results are limited by the assumptions made and by the methods of coupling independently solved fluid-flow and energy-balance equations. A computer-based method is presented for predicting total reservoir response to hot-water injection that obviates most simplifying assumptions. The model simulates fluid flow and heat transfer in two dimensions within a vertical cross-section spanning the oil sand and adjacent unproductive strata. Known numerical procedures are used to solve the governing partial differential equations. The mathematical model handles the effects of reservoir heterogeneity, gravity, capillarity, relative permeability and temperature-dependent fluid properties. In addition, a wide range of operating conditions can be modeled, including hot-water followed by cold-water injection. Mathematical Description of Hot-Water Injection Key assumptions in the mathematical model for hot-water injection are that (1) no gas phase is present and (2) the injected fluid reaches thermal equilibrium instantaneously with the reservoir fluids and sand. Relative permeability and capillary pressure are assumed independent of temperature. Darcy's law for multiphase fluid flow relates the velocities of the oil and water phases to the phase pressure gradients by the following relations:

Jan 1, 1969

By Robert S. Dewey

Drilling in West Texas during 1942 was substantially less than in the previous year. In all. 1267 Wells were drilled, as compared with 2325 wells in 1941. Of these 1267 wells, 1052 oil wells, 10 gas wells and 69 dry holes were drilled in proven fields and 36 oil wells, one gas well and 99 dry holes were wildcat operations. Of the 36 wildcat wells completed as oil producers, 16 led to new field discoveries, three found new productive horizons in old fields, and 17 extended the productive limits of established fields. Where semiwildcat drilling took place along established productive trends, there was often no sharp demarcation between wildcat wells that extend field limits and normal development to fulfil lease obligations, other than the arbitrary classification of a well as a wildcat if it was drilled at a distance of 2 miles from a producing oil well. The dry hole drilled on the edge of a field may have proved a more hazardous operation than a semiwildcat drilled several miles from production but favorably located on structure. The percentage of successful wildcatting ranges from 26.5 down to 14 per cent, dependent upon the degree of inclusion of the semiwildcat operations. Irrespective of which figure was used, the West Texas area maintained its better than average exploratory position. No doubt a number of factors may have influenced the extent of the 1942 development. Among those arising from the economic dislocation attendant on the war effort, the following are worthy of note. Owing to inductions into the armed forces and shipyard competition for mechanically trained men, experienced drilling personnel was sharply reduced, thereby increasing drilling costs and well-completion hazards. Replacement labor has not met the same standard of responsibility or workmanship to which the oil industry has grown accustomed. Increased military consumption of aviation gasoline and other crude products, coupled with decreased domestic consumption of lower-octane gasoline, has stimulated the market demand for the types of sweet crude most readily processed with available refinery equipment to meet war requirements, and has depressed the market demand for the sour West Texas crudes. As a majority of the purchasers of West Texas crude normally ship a substantial portion of sour crude to the refineries on the Atlantic seaboard, the loss and diversion of tanker service between Gulf Coast and north Atlantic ports have further curtailed the market demand for this type of crude oil. As some purchasers of crude oil were able to move by pipe line their West Texas trunk-line capacity to Midwestern refining centers, they were not impelled to curtail purchases of West Texas crude. The varying ability of the purchasers of crude oil to market West Texas crude was reflected back to various fields to which they were connected, causing an unequal distribution of production as among fields and operators. The pipe-line runs from the West Texas-New Mexico area decreased from approximately 354,000 bbl. Per day in January to about 265,000 bbl. in December 1942. .Approximately 2,991,000 bbl. of West

Jan 1, 1943

By Robert S. Dewey

Drilling in West Texas during 1942 was substantially less than in the previous year. In all. 1267 Wells were drilled, as compared with 2325 wells in 1941. Of these 1267 wells, 1052 oil wells, 10 gas wells and 69 dry holes were drilled in proven fields and 36 oil wells, one gas well and 99 dry holes were wildcat operations. Of the 36 wildcat wells completed as oil producers, 16 led to new field discoveries, three found new productive horizons in old fields, and 17 extended the productive limits of established fields. Where semiwildcat drilling took place along established productive trends, there was often no sharp demarcation between wildcat wells that extend field limits and normal development to fulfil lease obligations, other than the arbitrary classification of a well as a wildcat if it was drilled at a distance of 2 miles from a producing oil well. The dry hole drilled on the edge of a field may have proved a more hazardous operation than a semiwildcat drilled several miles from production but favorably located on structure. The percentage of successful wildcatting ranges from 26.5 down to 14 per cent, dependent upon the degree of inclusion of the semiwildcat operations. Irrespective of which figure was used, the West Texas area maintained its better than average exploratory position. No doubt a number of factors may have influenced the extent of the 1942 development. Among those arising from the economic dislocation attendant on the war effort, the following are worthy of note. Owing to inductions into the armed forces and shipyard competition for mechanically trained men, experienced drilling personnel was sharply reduced, thereby increasing drilling costs and well-completion hazards. Replacement labor has not met the same standard of responsibility or workmanship to which the oil industry has grown accustomed. Increased military consumption of aviation gasoline and other crude products, coupled with decreased domestic consumption of lower-octane gasoline, has stimulated the market demand for the types of sweet crude most readily processed with available refinery equipment to meet war requirements, and has depressed the market demand for the sour West Texas crudes. As a majority of the purchasers of West Texas crude normally ship a substantial portion of sour crude to the refineries on the Atlantic seaboard, the loss and diversion of tanker service between Gulf Coast and north Atlantic ports have further curtailed the market demand for this type of crude oil. As some purchasers of crude oil were able to move by pipe line their West Texas trunk-line capacity to Midwestern refining centers, they were not impelled to curtail purchases of West Texas crude. The varying ability of the purchasers of crude oil to market West Texas crude was reflected back to various fields to which they were connected, causing an unequal distribution of production as among fields and operators. The pipe-line runs from the West Texas-New Mexico area decreased from approximately 354,000 bbl. Per day in January to about 265,000 bbl. in December 1942. .Approximately 2,991,000 bbl. of West

Jan 1, 1943

By A. Weiss, W. A. Coster

The search for ore is characterized by a great variety of uncertainties, each of which can be resolved by obtaining information at a cost. Three exploration stages may be distinguished in which information can be obtained, based on inherently different cost structure: 1) the reconnaissance or scanning stage, 2) the examination or screening stage and 3) the project stage. This exploration sequence would roughly coincide with replies to questions as to: where, how, why and how much. As complete information in each stage is too costly to acquire, we must assess the probability that adequate information will be furnished by a limited amount of effort and attempt to maximize the expected value of ore to be found for a given exploration expenditure. Several problems are discussed relative to the mathematical formulation and possible computer procedures for determining the optimum allocation of a total exploration effort. Based on the available literature possible solutions to this problem are indicated. When scanning through published literature on mineral exploration, it seems at first that there is little room for substantial and systematic improvements in the efficiency with which the problem of discovery of new ore deposits is presently being handled by large organizations active in exploration. It appears equally difficult to offer something relevantly new which could generate a break-through in exploration thinking and cause a marked improvement in the ratio of successful undertakings to the total exploration projects started. On the other hand, a number of experts in recent years have urged that the problems in prospecting be analyzed in a more skillful and sophisticated manner than in the past. Their thesis is based mainly on the premise that the cost of finding mineral deposits will increase with increasing technical difficulties. In present large-scale exploration ventures, especially in those regions where outcrops and immediately visible geologic evidence are scarce, older methods of prospecting are increasingly being replaced by more indirect and systematic geophysical and geochemical methods with more emphasis on correct statistical design of exploration patterns. It is perhaps the oil industry which has made the greatest strides in developing statistically, well justified patterns in its search for oil; possibly because oil seepages, as indicators of the presence of oil, left off at an earlier point in time than did outcrops as indicators of base metals. Among the pioneers in the field of statistics and operations research, as applied to mineral exploration, the excellent works of Allais, Slichter, Koop-man, Mickey, de Guhnin, Krumbein, Griffith, Sichel, Krige, de Wijs, and Matheron may be mentioned. It should, however, be pointed out that three subjects of basic importance to the allocation of exploration efforts have so far received only scant attention in published literature, even by the aforementioned authors. In the first place, a more precise definition of the object of the search, i.e., a minimum-size orebody, seems to be outstanding. Secondly, a decision model is not a widely-discussed subject. Thirdly, no concentrated attempt so far seems to have been made to establish probabilities of the occurrence of economic deposits on a regional scale and to arrive at a slightly more accurate knowledge of the probability laws governing the deposition of ore. It is not the purpose of this paper to create new order in the complexity of uncertainties in which our decision processes in exploration necessarily have to be conducted. Rather, we intend to highlight some of the outstanding, hitherto unmapped territory, where diligent compilation and a utilization of present and historic data may statistically improve our chances of success. We hope that the contribution of this paper will lie in bringing allocation problems into better focus and in increasing the mineral industry's realization of the magnitude of the factors involved. THE MINIMUM-SIZE OREBODY The concept of target specifications for what constitute a minimum-size orebody in exploration is a rather variable one and depends to some extent on

Jan 1, 1963

By A. C. Fieldner

THE total annual energy production from coal, petroleum, natural gas and water power has been increasing at a fairly constant rate during the thirty years ending in 1930. But since 1913 the demand for the competitors of coal has increased at a rate faster than that for coal. During the last twenty years, the curve of coal production has had a generally horizontal trend; in fact, the 1930 production of coal was six per cent less than that of 1913. Economists attribute this loss of demand to greater efficiency in coal utilization and to displacement of coal by oil and natural gas. These two factors are about equally responsible, and it is evident that research has been intimately concerned with both. About sixty per cent of the bituminous coal mined in the United States in 1929 was used for generating steam, either in stationary or locomotive boilers. A decade ago seventy per cent or more was used for this purpose. This change is due largely to tremendous advances in fuel economy.

Jan 1, 1933

GENERAL GEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION The uranium mineral appraisal herein described was made for an ore deposit in New Mexico. The uranium mineralization occurs as roughly tabular to lens-shaped deposits of varying thickness within the sandstone of the Jackpile formation of Jurassic age. The mineralization occurs at several horizons within the Jackpile formation, but is not always confined to specific beds. It often transgresses across stratigraphic layers, as demonstrated when attempting correlation of uranium gamma anomalies between adjacent drill holes. Preferred mineral trends have been established in some parts of the deposit, but are not always predictable when attempting to extrapolate beyond the zones defined by drill hole sampling. MANAGEMENT OF DRILL HOLE SAMPLE DATA All of the drill hole sample data used in the appraisal were obtained from interpretation of gamma-ray logs. A brief description of gamma-ray log sampling is given in Chapter 2. Two preliminary steps are involved in preparing gamma-ray logs into sample data normally acceptable for computer manipulation. 1) The gamma analog trace produced by the downhole probe must be digitized, i.e., counts-per-second (CPS) are recorded for each 0.15 m (1/2-ft) interval across the gamma-ray anomaly. The work is usually done on a "digitizer" while following the analog trace with an electronic stylus on a special tablet or table. The other alternative is to do the work manually. Some of the newest downhole logging equipment produces a magnetic tape output which can be read by a computer. 2) The gamma-ray CPS values must then be converted to equivalent U308 assay values, taking into consideration all appropriate correction factors. The US Atomic Energy Commission, now part of the Department of Energy, developed the theory and algorithm for this conversion in the 1960's, and though the work can be done manually, it is best done with the GAMRED (gamma-reduction) computer program. Fig. 14-1 illustrates a typical analog trace produced by the probe instrumentation, including gamma-ray trace (left), self-potential electric log (center), and resistivity log (right). Fig. 14-2 shows a form of the computer output after the analog data has been digitized to 0.15-m (1h-ft) intervals and converted to percentage U308 values for the same hole. The U308 grade bar graph on the right permits rapid visual inspection of anomalous values by depth and elevation. The converted U308 sample data were next processed by the SURVEY program that assigned to each assay interval [0. 15-m (1h-ft)] an X Y Z coordinate, taking into account all deviations indicated from downhole survey information. The output file of the SURVEY program was listed on the line printer for examination by project geologists, and also became the main input file for the URAN/ COMP compositing program, which is designed to group individual 0.15-m (/-ft) U308 sample values into larger intervals representing discrete anomalous zones according to a series of specified parameters entered into the program by the user. Composite U308 intervals were computed by the URAN/COMP computer program, the logic of which may be briefly described as follows: Step 1 The program searches for the highest U308 value in the hole and builds a composite by adding the highest grade interval on either side so long as the added value is greater than a minimum acceptable grade, and the total composite, after addition, meets minimum GT (grade times thickness) constraints. Step 2 The program loops back to find the next highest assay value in the hole not already included into a composite, until all anomalies above minimum cutoff grade are composited. Step 3 Individual composites are combined if they are closer than a specified minimum waste thickness, and the resultant composite grade still meets GT minimums.

Jan 1, 1980

By AIME AIME

THOUGH the Annual Meeting of the Institute-officially numbered 158 on the records was delayed a bit at the start by low steam pressure on the locomotives bringing members to New York, the crowd that finally arrived more than lived up to expectations, and the technical program had few difficulties because of absent authors or lack of competent discussers. The transportation difficulties were occasioned by the fact that Monday, Feb. 15, was the third coldest day in the 72 year history of the New York Weather Bureau, the official temperature being 8 below zero. The New York Central's premier train, the 20th Century, due at 9:30 a.m., arrived about 6:30 p.m., and the Commodore, another crack train from Chicago, was about equally late.

Jan 1, 1943

By W. N. Tanner

The wire-rope hoisting conditions at the mines of the Anaconda Coppcr Mining Co. in Butte, Mont, are very severe because of the conditions under which it is necessary to operate. A study was made, in the fall of 1919, for the purpose of changing these conditions in order to obtain longer rope and sheave life. There are at present in Butte hoisting engines equipped with wire rope as follows: 9 main hoists using flat ropes. 7 main hoists using 1 1/2-in. rope. 5 main hoists using 11/4-in. rope. 6 shafts using 11/8-in. rope. 2 chippy hoists using 11/4-in. rope. 9 chippy hoists using 11/8-in. rope. 15 shafts using 1-in. rope. 7 shafts using 7/8-in. rope. 1 shaft using 3/4-in. rope. In addition, there are a number of sinking engines wing 5/8-in, 3/4-in., 7/8-in., and 1-in. (15.9, 10, 22, and 25 mm) rope. THe flat ropes run from 1/2 by 71/2 in. (12.7 by 1905 mm.) to-3/8 by 4 1/2-in (9.5 by 114 mm.) and are used on the older hoisting engines, which arc set comparatively close to the shaft. Because of swelling and moving ground at some of the shafts, these ropes present certain difficulties ill operation that are more pronounced than with round ropes; they are, therefore, being superseded by round ropes as newer engines are being installed. They are, however, much more easily inspected and repaired than round ropes. In general, the practice in Butte is to use hoisting engines equipped with 12-ft. (3 7 m.) cast-iron drums, smooth faced, for 11/2-in. rope and 6-ft. cast-iron drums, smooth faced, lagged with 3/8-in. steel plate for 11/4 l1/8 and 1-in. (31.7, 28.6, 25 mm.) rope in main and chippy shafts. Cast-iron head sheaves, 12, 10, and 6 ft. in diameter, with grooves

Jan 1, 1923

By W. N. Tanner

The wire-rope hoisting conditions at the mines of the Anaconda Coppcr Mining Co. in Butte, Mont, are very severe because of the conditions under which it is necessary to operate. A study was made, in the fall of 1919, for the purpose of changing these conditions in order to obtain longer rope and sheave life. There are at present in Butte hoisting engines equipped with wire rope as follows: 9 main hoists using flat ropes. 7 main hoists using 1 1/2-in. rope. 5 main hoists using 11/4-in. rope. 6 shafts using 11/8-in. rope. 2 chippy hoists using 11/4-in. rope. 9 chippy hoists using 11/8-in. rope. 15 shafts using 1-in. rope. 7 shafts using 7/8-in. rope. 1 shaft using 3/4-in. rope. In addition, there are a number of sinking engines wing 5/8-in, 3/4-in., 7/8-in., and 1-in. (15.9, 10, 22, and 25 mm) rope. THe flat ropes run from 1/2 by 71/2 in. (12.7 by 1905 mm.) to-3/8 by 4 1/2-in (9.5 by 114 mm.) and are used on the older hoisting engines, which arc set comparatively close to the shaft. Because of swelling and moving ground at some of the shafts, these ropes present certain difficulties ill operation that are more pronounced than with round ropes; they are, therefore, being superseded by round ropes as newer engines are being installed. They are, however, much more easily inspected and repaired than round ropes. In general, the practice in Butte is to use hoisting engines equipped with 12-ft. (3 7 m.) cast-iron drums, smooth faced, for 11/2-in. rope and 6-ft. cast-iron drums, smooth faced, lagged with 3/8-in. steel plate for 11/4 l1/8 and 1-in. (31.7, 28.6, 25 mm.) rope in main and chippy shafts. Cast-iron head sheaves, 12, 10, and 6 ft. in diameter, with grooves

Jan 1, 1923

By R. V. Higgins

This paper presents a computer method to obtain the shape factors and equal cell volumes of the channels for any well spacing pattern from a potentiometric model. By using this program the authors have processed the data for the seven-spot, direct line-drive and the staggered line-drive patterns. The data for the five-spot pattern had been previously processed by a noncomputer method and are included for completeness. The shape factors and volumes for the channels are presented in tables for those who want to use them to process data using their own permeability relationships and viscosities of their reservoir oils. The authors have used the data and sets of representative permeability curves to process sample calculationr of waterflood performances. The comparison of the calculated results shows that the influence of well spacing is small. The permeabilities of the reservoir rock to oil and water had a greater influence on oil recovery for a given pore-volume throughput of water than the well spacing pattern. The more water-wet the reservoir rock, the better the possibility of permeabilities which are conducive to good recovery. The viscosity of the reservoir oil also influences the recovery more than the well spacing pattern. The reduction in the percentage recovery of oil with increase in viscosity of the reservoir oils is small when oil viscosities are in the range of 0.1 to 3. Above this range the reductions in recoveries are extensive. Sample comparisons of the time required for different patterns to recover the oil are presented. Results of an example calculation are given to show the effect of the permeability profile on recovery. INTRODUCTION The effect of well spacing pattern on the recovery of oil when flooding with either gas or water has been studied by many investigators. Muskat et al.1 presented an analysis using conductivity, sweep efficiency and unit mobility to the time of breakthrough. Dyes et al.2 used experimental techniques (X-ray shadowgraphs) and different mobility ratios. They presented quantitatively the relationship between mobility and sweep efficiency at and after breakthrough. Hauber3 presented a method to predict waterflood performance for arbitrary well spacing patterns and mobility ratios. Craig et al.,4 using techniques similar to Dyes et al. to determine sweep efficiency for a five-spot pattern, added the use of relative permeability curves at breakthrough and thereafter. Douglas et al.5 sed rela- tive permeabilities and continuously changing saturations throughout the entire five-spot flood pattern. In obtaining their solutions they used finite-difierence equations. Hig-gins and Leighton6,7 also used relative permeabilities and continuously changing saturations throughout the pattern before and after breakthrough. They employed techniques that process a flood-pattern calculation on the computer in about one minute. The methods of Douglas et al. and Higgins and Leighton both checked closely the laboratory results for a wide range of mobility ratios. This paper presents some sample performances calculated by the Higgins and Leighton method that show the effect on recovery of different permeabilities and viscosities using the seven-spot, the line-drive and the staggered line-drive, as well as the fivespot flood pattern. No previous paper has presented these data using different permeability curves and continuously changing saturations throughout the flood patterns. The paper also presents (1) the results and analyses of the flood-pattern prediction, (2) the computer techniques for determining the shape factors and volumes from the potentiometric models for the foregoing flood patterns, and (3) the shape factors and volumes of the channels of the flood pattern in the event reservoir engineers may like to process waterflood calculations using their own permeability curves and reservoir oils. DESCRIPTION OF METHOD VOLUMES AND SHAPE FACTORS The use of channels taken from a potentiometric model (see Fig. 1) to aid in calculating the performances of water floods of nonlinear patterns has been thoroughly explained in the literature.0,7 Therefore, very little theory, discussion, or proof regarding this phase will be repeated in this paper. The computer method presented in this paper to calculate the volumes and the shape factors of the channels of potentiometric models employs the trapezoidal rule for the volumes and the Pythagorean theorem (the hypotenuse equals the square root of the sum of the squares of the two sides of a right triangle) for the shape factors. In calculating the volume of a channel, the area of each cell in the channel is determined and then multiplied by the thickness to obtain the volume. In determining the areas of the cells, trapezoids are constructed whose vertical sides are spaced Ax apart, as shown in Fig. 2. The length of the sides is the difference between an ordinate cut off by the top and bottom of the cell — usually equipo-tentials. The coordinates of the points along an equipo-tential or streamline are obtained by Lagrange's8 equation of interpolation for which the constants are coordinate points at the intersections. Three intersections for con-

Jan 1, 1965

By J. M. W. Mackenzie, M. H. Buckenam

Flotation experiments using stearic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and ricinoleic acids and naturally occuring products rich in these acids as collectors for calcite are described. The results confirm the validity of the rule of Hukki and Vartiainen relating the collecting power and unsaturation of the C18 acids. Reasons for this relationship are discussed and a close relationship between mineral depression and critical micelle concentration is reported. It has long been recognized that the unsaturated fatty acids are in general superior flotation collectors to their saturated homologues. Whereas earlier workers concentrated on saturated and monoethe-noid acids, recent investigations have centered on oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and the substituted mono-ethenoid acid: ricinoleic. From studies of the collecting properties of palmitic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids on ilmenite, rutile, hematite, and magnetite, Hukki and Vartiai-nenl concluded that the collecting power of fatty acids increased with unsaturation of the hydrocarbon chain. Sun, Snow, and Purcel12 investigated the collecting properties of unsaturated fatty acids as collectors for phosphate ores and concluded that the collecting power increased with increasing unsaturation of the hydrocarbon chain up to two double bonds and that further unsaturation decreased the collecting power. More recently Sun3 studied the collecting power of the C18 fatty acids stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic on 37 minerals. The results of these experiments with a few exceptions showed that the collecting power of the acids increased in the order stearic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic. The relative collecting powers of linoleic and linolenic acids were in many cases altered by the cleanliness of the mineral surface prior to flotation. Sun concluded that linolenic acid may become oxidized by atmospheric oxygen during flotation, a reaction which would reduce its effectiveness as a collector. This deduction is supported by Gaudin and Cole4 who concluded that oleic and linoleic acids do not undergo appreciable oxidation of the double bonds during flotation but that the linolenic acid double bonds are measurably affected. The most complete investigation on the influence of hydrocarbon chain unsaturation on the collecting properties of fatty acids is that of Kivalo and Lehm~svaara.~ These workers using linolenic acid of a higher purity than Hukki and Vartiainen showed that this acid was superior to oleic and linoleic acids as a collector for magnetite. They also found that ricinoleic acid was a more effective collector for this mineral than the other acids investigated, an observation particularly apparent at high collector concentrations. Seeking to explain the superiority of the unsaturated acids these authors considered the effects of critical micelle concentration, surface activity, hydrolysis, and cross sectional area of the hydrocarbon chain in relation to unsaturation. Using what, according to the results of Caviere are erroneous surface tensions of the soap solutions of these acids, they concluded that the surface activity decreases and the critical micelle concentration increases with increasing unsaturation. In view of the data of Cavier, whose results show that surface activity of these soaps increases with unsaturation, the deductions of Kivalo and Lehmusvaara are open to criticism. The degree of hydrolysis of the soap solutions as measured by Kivalo and Lehmusvaara decreases as the unsaturation of the fatty acid increases, a result which helps to explain the superiority of unsaturated acids as collectors. In view of the superiority of unsaturated acids as collectors for many minerals, attention has been directed towards the utilization of fatty acid raw materials such as tall oils and linseed oils which contain considerable quantities of these acids. This paper describes test work to determine the effect of unsaturation of the hydrocarbon chain on the collecting properties of fatty acids on calcite, and includes comparable test work using natural products rich in unsaturated acids. TEST WORK Reagents: The pure fatty acids used were oleic, linoleic, and linolenic. Of these, oleic was supplied by British Drug Houses Ltd. and the others were produced by the Hormel Inst. When not in use these

Jan 1, 1961

ALEXANDER, JOHN S, M,'74-6,'81-3 ASHBURNER, C A, M, '85-7 ASMUS, GEORGE, Dl, '78-80 BACON, D H , M, '00-2 BAYLES, JAMES C , M,'80-2,'91-3 P, '84-5, V,'88-9 BIRKINBINE, JOHN, M, '83-5, V, 'S7-J, P, '91-2 BLAIR, THOMAS S , M, '74-43 BLAKE, WILLIAM P , V,'71-4,'76-7,'05-6 BLANDY, JOHN F, V,'71-3,'78-9 BLOW, A A, C, '05-7 BOWIE, A J , JR, V,'93-4 BRAMWELL, J H , A1, '89-91 BROOKS, THOS B , M, '72 BRUNTON, D W , V, 97-8 BUCK, STUART M , M, '83-5 BURDEN, JAMES A, V,'80-1 BURNHAM, WILLIAM, M, '82-4. CAMPBELL, H H, M, '93-5 CHAMBERLAIN, H S , V, '96-7 CHANNING, J PARKE, V,'08 CHRISTY, S B , V. '91-2, '07-8 CHURCH, JOHN A, M, '79-8l,'94-6, V, '07-8 COGSWELL, W B, V, '74-5,'86-7

Jan 1, 1910

ALEXANDER, JOHN S, M,'74-6,'81-3 *ASHBURNER, C A, M, '85-7 ASMUS, GEORGE, Dl, '78-80 BACON, D H , M, '00-2 BAYLES, JAMES C , M,'80-2,'91-3 P, '84-5, V,'88-9 BIRKINBINE, JOHN, M, '83-5, V, 'S7-J, P, '91-2 BLAIR, THOMAS S , M, '74-43 BLAKE, WILLIAM P , V,'71-4,'76-7,'05-6 *BLANDY, JOHN F, V,'71-3,'78-9 BLOW, A A, C, '05-7 BOWIE, A J , JR, V,'93-4 *BRAMWELL, J H , A1, '89-91 BROOKS, THOS B , M, '72 BRUNTON, D W , V, 97-8 BUCK, STUART M , M, '83-5 *BURDEN, JAMES A, V,'80-1 BURNHAM, WILLIAM, M, '82-4. CAMPBELL, H H, M, '93-5 CHAMBERLAIN, H S , V, '96-7 CHANNING, J PARKE, V,'08 CHRISTY, S B , V. '91-2, '07-8 CHURCH, JOHN A, M, '79-8l,'94-6, V, '07-8 COGSWELL, W B, V, '74-5,'86-7

Jan 1, 1910