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By James G. Crawford

Correlation Of water with its reservoir zone or formation has been one of the applications of oil-field water analysis of greatest direct value to the petroleum engineer. The water in each producing zone tends to have diagnostic characteristics by which it can be distinguished from every other water above or below that zone in that immediate vicinity. Representative analyses of oil-field waters from producing oil and gas fields in the Rocky Mountain region are included, and the diagnostic characteristics are discussed briefly. It is concluded that the generally dilute nature of Rocky Mountain oilfield waters is a result of dilution by meteoric waters, and that there is no relationship between presence or absence of commercial oil and the character of water in a structure. Introduction The study of waters associated With oil and gas began more than 50 years ago and has been well recognized by operators, engineers, and geologists for about 30 years. It appears unnecessary at this time to recite the history of oil-field water analysis; suffice to say that it has proved its worth many times to the production engineer suddenly confronted with water problems in producing oil and gas wells. Chemists and geologists have studied the possible origin of these waters and as Yet the subject is unsolved in many important phases. There are both local and regional problems connected with the explanation of concentrations and character- istics peculiar to each field, each subsurface zone and each province. Criteria useful in postulating the Occurrence of oil Or gas in One province completely fail when applied to another, and data carefully prepared and analyzed from one field may be actually misleading when applied to another. Correlation of water with its reservoir zone or formation has been one of the applications of oil-field water analysis of greatest direct value to the engineer. The concentrations and characteristics of the waters are essential to the engineers and geologists making interpretations of electric logs in this region. The behavior of water under conditions of reservoir temperature and pressure is dependent to a great degree upon its concentration and characteristics, and thus important to the reservoir engineer. With the advent of secondary recovery methods in the Rocky Mountain region the characteristics and treatment of water will become increasingly important. Premises upon which Correlation Is Based A brief review of the geochemical history of oil-field waters will suffice to present the premises upon which correlations of the waters are based. Sedimentary rocks which are now stratified were first sediments in seas, lakes and streams. These sediments were filled interstitially with connate water. With burial the sediments were compressed arid consolidated, integrated and indurated into bed rock and much of the connate water was dispelled. Following the formation of bed rock the strata were sub-

Jan 1, 1949

By Wayne Loel

THE application of aerial photographs to all phases of geologic mapping is set forth, indicating the advantages to be gained in different types of country and under varying climatic conditions, Methods of field and office procedure are given from a geological point of view, as well as suggestions regarding the best methods of aerial mapping for different uses and under varying field conditions, including the study of submarine geology. Aerial photographs with accompanying geologic maps are shown to illus-trate the appearance from the air of different geologic features under varying climatic and topographic conditions.

Jan 1, 1938

By F. J. Fayers, R. L. Perrine

For many years the problem of increasing ultimate recovery of oil from a reservoir has been a subject of interest to the oil industry. At present, a standard secondary recovery technique is to flood the reservoir with water once natural forces of the system are depleted. The permeability characteristics of the rock, together with interfacial forces which exist between the two fluids and the porous material. allow only part of the oil in the rock formation to be recovered by the water-flooding process. Laboratory experiments have shown that when detergents are added to the flooding water, the flow properties of oil in a porous rock arc improved. This improvement results in greater oil recovery. Even though higher recoveries are obtained using detergents, the extra cost associated with the method may make it economically unsatisfactory. To establish economic feasibility requires experimental laboratory measurement of fluid and rock properties together with a calculational procedure to predict field results. Pilot tests in the field may also be required. This paper presents a mathematical procedure for predicting detergent flood behavior. A number of reasonable simplifying assumptions are made to obtain a tractable system of equations. The resulting method may be regarded as a generalization of Buckley-Lev-crett' theory to solve simultaneously for water saturation and detergent concentration profiles. Consequently this type of calculation can be used in much the same manner as Buckley-Leverett theory is used to evaluate a water flood. The mathematical method employed is the so-called method of characteristics for solving hyperbolic partial differential equations. This application of the method is instructive because several other problems in reservoir analysis may be analyzed in a similar manner. FLUID FLOW EQUATIONS The flow behavior of oil and water without detergent through porous reservoir rock is usually expressed by Darcy's law and a continuity equation for each phase. If gravitational forces are neglected, vrg = kr (s)µr v p rg.........(1) vrg = kr (s)µr v p rg.........(1) ? pa va = F ?/?t (sd) where v is the volumetric flux, k represents permeability, S is saturation, and P the pressure. Fluid viscosity is denoted by 11, p is the density, 4 is porosity, and I the time. The subscripts w and o refer to water and oil. The capillary forces in the system lead to a difference in pressure between phases. This may be expressed by the relation: Pm -P0 =Pc(S).........(5) The capillary pressure? P,, is determined experimentally as a function of saturation. DETERGENT BALANCE EQUATION Addition of detergent to the water phase affects the flow properties of the system. Capillary pressure and relative permeability become functions of detergent concentration, c, as well as fluid saturation. That is: P--P (S,c) and k,,,.- - -- k,,,. At low oil saturation values, the presence of detergent reduces capillary pressure and reduces the relative permeability ratio. Detergents are surface-active and adsorb on rock surfaces. The quantity adsorbed, a, will depend on the concentration c of detergent solution and may also depend on the saturation; thus, a = a(S,c). In this analysis we have assumed that the detergents used are water soluble but not oil soluble, and their movement is therefore restricted to the water phase. The dispersion of detergent in water is neglected by comparison with transfer by flow within the system. Detergent movement is determined by the water flux and adsorption: ? cv m = -F ?/?t (cs + a) We will assume that the quantity of detergent in solution is too small to significantly change water density or viscosity. When the permeability and capillary pres-

By Albert Brokaw

THE so-called ?paraffin dirt" of the Gulf Coast oil fields has been con¬sidered an indication of the possible presence of oil and gas, and not a few wells have been brought in solely on the basis of such evidence. In a sense, it may be empirically justified as evidence of the presence of oil or gas, though it cannot be said to be infallible. If the writer is correctly informed, its association with oil and gas was pointed out by Lee Hager some years ago, and while it is commonly mentioned by geologists and operators in conversation, no discussion seems to have found its way into print. The present interpretation is based on laboratory study rather than on field investigation, and is put forth with the hope of stimulating discussion which shall lead to more complete understanding. The term "paraffin dirt" has been applied to soils with a peculiar texture, which has been described' as "curdy" or "rubbery." When moist, the material breaks much after the fashion of "green" cheese. It is rubbery under compression, but does not resemble rubber in tenacity or cohesion. When dry, the material ranges from hard clods to a horny mass of high tensile strength. The shrinkage in drying is very great, especially in the hornlike matter. The moist material ranges in color from dark brown in the specimens rich in organic matter to grayish in specimens containing more inorganic matter. All of the specimens studied were readily attacked by molds, which in some cases grew in great profusion on the samples. Samples exhibited a rather characteristic "swampy" or "mucky" odor when wet, and a characteristic odor of humic soils when moist.

Jan 4, 1918

Extractive Metallurgy Division Institute of Metals Division Iron and Steel Division Council R R McNaughton, Chairman (EMD), Ernest O Kirkendall, Secretary, J H Scaff, (IMD), Morris Cohen, (IMD), T J McLoughlin, (ISD), J S Marsh, (ISD), P T Stroup, (EMD), R D Parks, (MED), D S Eppelsheimer, (MIED) Journal of Metals Editorial Advisory Committee J S Smart, Jr, Chairman, W A Dean, T D Jones, Evan Just, J C Kinnear, Jr, J S Marsh, M Tenenbaum Pacific Northwest Regional Meeting F X Cappa, General Chairman, W W Wiltschko, Chairman (Metals Branch), Program Chairmen H E Lee (EMD), S E Maddigan (IMD), G R Heffernan (ISD), L C Richards (Ind Min Div), James Bell (Finance Committee), Ed Vestica (Registration), Donald Johnson (Special Events)

Jan 1, 1954

By David R. Maneval, H. B. Charmbury

At the turn of the century, iron and coal were the keys to industrial prosperity. At that time, Pennsylvania was the leading mineral producer in the Country, producing 200,000,000 tons of coal in a typical post-World War I year. Close to 90% of the Nation's energy was generated by coal. Today, coal accounts for but 22% of the energy generated, leading to a drastic reduction in Pennsylvania coal output. In contrast with the post-World War I days, 1964 figures showed a drop in production to 93,846,480 net tons. This huge decrease has created a serious economic problem in a state so much dependent on the coal industry. Along with the reduction in coal production, employment has dropped considerably through these years (the number of miners alone has gone from 280,011 to 43,149), thus causing a heavy burden of supporting the unemployed on the taxpayers. As far back as 1939, coal operators and economists saw the problems on the horizon and the need for improvement. Realizing that research was a way to improve and stabilize the industry they demanded legislative action. The Legislature reciprocated with a small grant to The Pennsylvania State University with the provision that each State research dollar be backed with one from the industry. This initial grant laid the foundation for the further growth in coal research.

Jan 3, 1966

By Hsun Hu, R. S. Cline

The effect of rate of deformation on texture formatiotz has been studied with cube-oriented single crystals of 3 pct Si-Fe, compressed 80 pct at two widely different rates. Compression at a low rate (crosshead speed, 0.1 ipm) produces large orienta-tional changes and coarse deformation bands, whereas little change in orientation is observed, particularly at the surface of the crystal, when compressed at a high rate (impact velocity, -500 ips). Thin plates of mechanical twins are produced at the high rate, but their contribution to the deformation texture is practically negligible. The crystal deformed at a high rate has a lower hardness and a more uniform dislocation structure and is morc resistant to recrystallization. There is also a dilference in the recrystallization texture between the slowly and rapidly compressed crystals. These results indicate that plastic flow is less "turbulent" at high strain rates than at low strain ratcs. THE behavior of metals under high-speed deformation has been the subject of wide study in the past decade. Most of these works were concerned with mechanical properties during testing at high rates of loading, the resulting structures, and the theoretical aspects of the observed phenomena. The present status of knowledge and research activities in this field has been documented in recent publications.17' There is, however, very little information available in the literature concerning the effect of high-speed deformation on the texture formation in metals. The possibility of an effect of rate of deformation on texture is suggested by the microstructural differences observed between normally and very rapidly deformed samples. Aside from the strong tendency for twinning (and phase transformation in certain metals) in high-speed deformation, the slip-line patterns and the dislocation configurations show marked differences as a result of large differences in the strain rates. For instance, in mild steel in static and dynamic compression, Campbell and co-worker3,4 observed that coarse slip occurred on several systems in specimens deformed at normal strain rates, whereas specimens deformed rapidly showed only fine slip on fewer systems, the slip-line pattern being very similar to that in specimens deformed at low temperatures and at normal strain rates. The absence of multiple slip was also noticed by Dieter5 in shock-loaded nickel. The dislocation configuration in an iron shock loaded at 70 kbar pressure was shown by Leslie et al.6 to be similar to that produced by light rolling at low temperature—the dislocation lines were mostly straight and uniformly distributed. These observations suggest that the mode of deformation at high strain rates is notably different from that at low strain rates. Consequently, the nature and the extent of lattice reori-entation during deformation should also be different. This investigation was undertaken to test this idea. MATERIAL AND METHOD The remaining part of a single-crystal ingot of a 3 pct Si-Fe alloy,* prepared for an earlier investi- gation,1 was used in the present studies. Specimens 9/16 in. square and 0.365 in. thick were cut from this ingot with (001) planes parallel to the square surfaces, and the [loo] and 1010] directions parallel to the edges of the specimen, within ±1 deg. These machined crystals were etched to remove distorted metal, and annealed at 1300°C for 24 hr in a purified helium atmosphere. The annealed crystals had a hardness of 161 Dph. The crystal orientation was rechecked with X-ray back-reflection techniques. In high-strain rate experiments the crystal was compressed in a Dynapak machine to approximately 80 pct reduction in thickness (from 0.360 to 0.070 in. with an impact velocity of -500 ips). Thus, the duration of loading was approximately 6x 10-4 sec, and the average strain rate was about 103 sec-1. As a result of this rapid, severe deformation, the specimen became a roughly circular thin disc. The original shape of the crystal, however, could still be recognized by a diffusely outlined square area in the center of the disc. For compression at a low speed, the crystal was deformed in a universal testing machine at a rate of crosshead movement of 0.1 ipm. Compared with

Jan 1, 1965

By D. W. Fuerstenau

THE object of this article is to point out the experimental relationship which exists among contact angle, adsorption density, zeta potential, and flotation rate data. In each of the experiments discussed in this article, the surface properties of quartz, as a function of pH, were measured in solutions to which constant quantities of dodecylammonium acetate were added. Morrow1 and deBruyn2 worked with solutions containing 4.08x10-5 moles per liter, whereas Fuerstenau3 and Seele worked with solutions containing exactly 4x10 moles per liter, but this difference is not significant. The pH of the solutions was regulated with HCI or NaOH in all cases. In each case, the addition of collector was constant, but the concentration of dodecylammonium ions decreased because of the formation of dodecylamine at higher pH values2 Contact Angles: Gaudin and Morrow1 presented data for the contact angle of quartz in solutions containing 4.08x10-5 moles of dodecylammonium acetate per liter between pH 2 and pH 10.15. Using the same captive bubble techniques, the writer measured contact angles on quartz in solutions containing 4x10-5 moles of dodecylammonium acetate per liter at pH values ranging from 9.9 to 13.2. Both sets of data are presented in Fig. 1, in which the contact angle in degrees is plotted as a function of the pH of the solution. From pH 2 to about 8, the contact angle increases slightly with increased pH, but further increase in pH causes a sharp rise in the contact angle to a maximum of about 80º. At pH values above 11.6, the contact angle drops sharply, reaching zero by pH 12.6.

Jan 12, 1957

By Charles Wurms, Robert Steinitz

DURING an investigation to determine the compatibility of several metals with tungsten, the degree of reaction between tungsten and lead was determined. A literature survey showed considerable disagreement between the results of various earlier investigators. Information presented by M. Hansen1 states that, according to S. Inouye,2 tungsten has very poor resistance against attack by molten lead, even at the low temperature near the melting point of lead. A phase diagram in the same reference indicates a solubility of 30 wt pct W in molten lead at 1300°C. Contrary evidence was shown by Parkman and shepard3 in their investigation of materials for use in heat transfer systems containing liquid lead alloys; they performed experiments at 980°C for times up to 50 hr without noticing any appreciable attack on the tungsten. Tungsten sheet was immersed in molten lead contained in Vycor tubes evacuated to at least 10-4 mm Hg. R. Bernard4 and R. I. Jaffee5 also indicate that no reaction occurs between molten lead and tungsten. However, no experimental data were included in these reports. In order to settle the question of the solubility of tungsten in molten lead, tungsten powder with an average Fisher subsieve particle size of 6µ was pressed in a double-acting die at 6 tsi to small compacts. They were then sintered in an atmosphere of hydrogen for 2 hr at 1700°C, resulting in a sintered density of 64 pct of theoretical with final dimensions of 0.260 in. in height and 0.245 in. in diameter. For all tests, the tungsten pellets were immersed in molten lead. Table I is a summary of the experimental procedures showing atmospheres, temperatures, and times. The first experiments were performed at 650°C; at this temperature, the liquid lead should wet the porous tungsten better than at its melting point, and penetrate into the pores. The lead was heated in a graphite crucible with a graphite cover. No protective atmosphere was used, as it was expected that the formation of CO would be sufficient to prevent oxidation. This, however, proved to be wrong, and all tungsten samples showed a slight oxide film after treatment. The tungsten samples were immersed in the molten lead for times of 5 min, 10 min, 1/2 hr, 1 hr, and 2 hr. After this time, the melt was poured into a form and the

Jan 1, 1962

By VERITAS

THE most concentrated industry of major character in the United States is that of the Ford Motor CO., which is to say Henry Ford. Its sole function is to supply the public with a cheap motor car which it does to the extent of two million or so per annum. In doing this, a relatively small profit per unit is multi- plied to an enormous aggregate per annum and has resulted in the creation of one of the greatest industrial fortunes of the world. The industrial and sociological consequences of .this are bound to be immense. On the physical side the production of two million automobiles means the consumption of two or three million tons of materials, chiefly metals, in the 'direct form of the finished product', and a huge additional tonnage of coal and other things that ,are consumed en route, and also the labor of many thousands of men. In the development of a business on this scale it was but natural that the Ford Motor ,Co. should seek to supply itself with the raw 'materials it needs, and they being so largely coal and metals the company is brought into close contact with the mining and metallurgical industries. It is a huge consumer of - steel. It is the fourth largest consumer of copper. It is a large consumer of lead, tin, aluminum and zinc. The mining and metallurgical industries have, therefore, good reason to learn to know Henry Ford, his personality, his thoughts and his policies.

Jan 1, 1924

By Evan Evans

WITH the expiration on April 30, 1941, of the agreement between the anthracite operators and the United Mine Workers of America, a new agreement was entered into, providing for a general wage increase of 7 1/2 per cent effective May 1, to be brought to a total of 10 per cent on Oct. 1. Contract rates were increased from the rates established under the agreement of September 1923, and hourly rates were raised above the agreement of May 1936 as modified from the eight-to seven-hour day in May 1937. The new rates are to be in force for the duration of the agreement, ending April 30, 1943.

Jan 1, 1942

By P. L. Russell

The use of nuclear explosives for excavation has been demonstrated to be feasible and practical. Application of nuclear explosives for overburden removal from large ore deposits appears to offer economic advantages over present methods, but under the present pricing schedule, high-yield devices must be used to obtain an economic advantage. The use of nuclear explosives presents problems not inherent in the use of conventional explosives, and thus they can be used only in areas where large explosions and associated phenomena can be tolerated. Stripping of coal with nuclear explosives does not appear practical at this time, but stripping overburden from copper or iron ore deposits may be a potential use. Even here, however, the use of nuclear explosives would require isolation, favorable topography, favorable ground-water conditions, and a low population density. If these basic requirements can be met, the use of nuclear explosives for overburden removal would offer both economic and time advantages. The possibility of using nuclear explosives for peaceful purposes was a subject for speculation as early as 1945. The PLOWSHARE Program was formally established by the AEC in June 1957 for the purpose of developing and demonstrating peaceful applications for nuclear explosives. The technical direction of the program is the responsibility of the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory, Livermore, Calif. Mining and excavation were two fields that received early consideration as areas in which nuclear explosives might be used. Knowledge gained from underground weapons testing increased this possibility, and the development of the thermonuclear device which has a small fission-to-fission ratio, reduced the hazard of radiation, and spurred interest. Nuclear explosives appear to have the greatest potential in the following mining operations: 1.— Surface Mining a) Stripping of waste for open-pit excavation b) Breaking of ore in open-pit mining c) Quarrying d) Blasting for production of aggregate, riprap, etc. 2. — Underground Mining a) Block caving application b) Crushing of ore for in-situ leaching, etc. c) Preparation of underground waste disposal areas Of the potential applications, excavation is perhaps the most obvious and the best understood, and probably the most practical for use in the near future. Large quantities of rock and earth can be moved by proper emplacement of nuclear explosives, but economic and practical relationship must be determined between the known capabilities of nuclear explosives and the required excavating to remove overburden. REMOVING OVERBURDEN IN OPEN-PIT MINING Removing the overburden is one of the largest jobs in open-pit mining. In 1960 open-pit mines produced approximately 130 million tons of coal, 108 million tons of copper ore, and 135 million tons of iron ore. To obtain this much production, an estimated 3-billion tons of overburden were removed from the coal, 216 million tons from the copper ore, and 135 million tons from the iron ore. These figures do not include the initial stripping required before ore production. For example, the ASARCO Mission mine started stripping operations in August 1959 and by mid-November 1961 had removed 46.3 million tons of material including 1.2 million tons of ore.* Initial excavation of this type offers the most favorable conditions for utilizing the earth-moving ability of nuclear explosives. EXPLOSIVE CASTING FOR REMOVING OVERBURDEN The use of explosives to remove overburden is not a new idea. Conventional explosives have been used for this purpose for many years with varying degrees of success. Several small coal strip operators have used this idea to increase production. At these mines about one-third or more of the overburden is thrown by explosives across the pit and onto spoil piles. The additional costs of drilling more blast holes and more explosives are more than compensated for by a reduction in the time required to uncover the coal, and by an increase in coal production.

Jan 1, 1964

By G. W. Tracy, R. D. Carter

Numerical calculations were made to determine the behavior of reservoirs with high-pressure drawdown and wide well spacing where the initial productivity is low and the wells are completed by hydraulic fracturing. The two-phase flow equations were solved for the flow into a single well. This well was assumed to be producing from a reservoir with hydraulically created horizontal fractures (four different systems with fractures were studied). For comparison purposes, additional two-phase flow calculations were made assuming a reservoir with uniform rock properties. The two-phase flow results were also compared with the conventional calculation methods, which do not include the effect of saturation gradients resulting from a simultaneous flow of oil and gas which are normal to this type reservoir. It was found that the conventional methods predict (1) a high and too optimistic value of ultimate recovery, (2) a high producing rate and a high reservoir pressure at a given oil recovery and (3) a low trend of gas-oil ratio with oil recovery. Included in the two-phase flow calculations were provisions to control the oil production rate by an allowable rate and, also, by a gas-oil ratio penalty rule. For the systems with hydraulic fractures, the producing rate was controlled by the gas-oil ratio penalty rule for most of the life. This is in contrast to the system with uniform rock properties which went "on decline" almost immediately. An unexpected characteristic of the systems which included fractures was the early rise in producing gas-oil ratio from 730 cu ft/bbl to approximately 1,200 cu ft/bbl, followed by a "leveling off" before the normally expected gas-oil ratio rise began. Additional features which are a result of hydraulic fracturing are (I) greater ultimate recovery, (2) higher average producing rates and (3) a lower average reservoir pressure at a given oil recovery. INTRODUCTION Some oil fields discovered during the past few years are producing from certain volumetric ally controlled reservoirs (often referred to as solution or internal gas- drive reservoirs) which are characterized by high-pressure drawdown at the wells. Since the available pressure drawdown at a well is limited by the static reservoir pressure and the producing rate is controlled by the available drawdown, wells completed in this type of reservoir usually produce at a rate less than the allowable from the time of completion. Because of this, this type of reservoir is referred to as a low productivity reservoir. Economic considerations require the use of wide well spacing and well stimulation by hydraulic fracturing to make commercial wells in this type of reservoir. Performance predictions for volumetrically controlled reservoirs have been made using a combination of two standard equations. 1. The "Schilthuis" or "Muskat" type material balance equation is used to relate the average reservoir pressure and the cumulative oil recovery. 2. The results from the material balance equation and the productivity factor as described by Pirson' are used to relate the cumulative recovery with producing rate and time. The material balance equation assumed uniform pressure and liquid saturation conditions throughout a reservoir. The steady-state radial flow formula allows for a pressure gradient toward a well but assumes uniform liquid saturation. These calculation methods are adequate for application to reservoirs wherein the drawdown at the well to realize satisfactory producing rates is small compared to the total pressure. In low productivity, volumetrically controlled reservoirs, the pressure drawdown at the well is large cornpared to the total pressure. Although a precise number cannot be given for the magnitude of a large pressure drawdown, values in excess of 1,000 psi would definitely be included. For practical considerations, this usually occurs when the formation flow capacity is less than about 100 md-ft. However, this limit of formation flow capacity will vary with the well producing rate. The low pressure in the neighborhood of the well which results from a high drawdown causes evolution of large volumes of gas. This causes the gas saturation to be higher near the well than at a greater distance—-hence, a non-uniform gas saturation. Also, the relationship between the relative permeability to oil (K/K) and gas saturation is nonlinear but decreases approximately in an exponential way with increases in gas saturation. Because of this, the following chain reaction is established.

BRANCH COUNCILS Mining Branch E R Price, Chairman (Coal) Howard A Meyerhoff (Industrial Minerals) J V Beall, Secretary Richard M Foose (Industrial Minerals) Carroll F Hardy (Coal) Frank A Hardlaw (Mining, Geology, and Geophysics) S J Swainson (Minerals Beneficiation) Philip J Shenon (Mining, Geology, and Geophysics) Grover J Holt (Minerals Beneficiation) A C Callen (Mineral Industry Education) C H. Behre, Jr. (Mineral Economics)

Jan 1, 1952

By T. W. Martin, T. J. Crocker, J. M. Goris

The current technology of large rock conveyors is reviewed. Based on this investigation two large rock conveyor concepts have been developed and a test facility investigation designed and fabricated. The USBM will test these concepts along with loading and transfer points for handling mine run rock material up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in size. An evaluation of open pit mining systems using large rock conveyors documents substantial cost savings when compared to truck haulage.

Jan 1, 1983

THE opening session was held on Tuesday evening, February 17th, in the house of the American Society of Civil Engineers. The President of the Institute, Mr. E. B. Coxe, after a few introductory remarks, congratulating the members on the general prosperity in all the branches of the professions and manufactures represented by the Institute, called on Mr. E. F. Loiseau, of Philadelphia, for the first paper, On the Successful Manufacture of Compressed Fuel at Port Richmond, Philadelphia. Professor Prime called attention to the fact that the work of the United States Testing Board had been left unfinished at a point when valuable results had just been reached, and offered the following resolutions: WHEREAS, The American Institute of Mining Engineers has seen with regret that the work of the United States Testing Board has been suspended through the lack of an appropriation by Congress, which appropriation dues not seem likely to be renewed, and WHEREAS, It seems most important to the vital interests of our iron and steel manufactures that the experiments commenced by the United States Testing Board should be carried to successful completion ; Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed, to act with a like, committee to he appointed by the American Society of Civil Engineers, to carry out to completion the work commenced by the United States Testing Board. Resolved, That the American Society of Civil Engineers be requested to cooperate with this society by the appointment of a like committee. Resolved, That the committee have authority to request, in the name of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, contributions to a fund to be devoted to the completion of the experiments aforesaid. Resolved, That the Council of this Institute be authorized, whenever requested by the committee so appointed, to petition Congress for the free use of the testing machine at the United States Arsenal at Watertown. Resolved, That a committee be appointed by the President, to select the afore-said committee of experts. Resolved, That the President of the Institute have authority to fill any vacancies which may occur in the committee. The resolutions were unanimously adopted, and President Coxe appointed the following committee in accordance with the resolutions : Messrs. A. L. Holley, James Park, Jr., and J. F. Holloway. The President also appointed Messrs. Heinrich, Mickley, and Spils-

Jan 1, 1880

By Scott Turner

PRESIDENT SCOTT TURNER officiated as chairman of the opening session on mining methods, Monday morning, Feb. 15. The first paper was that of Max H. Barber on open-pit mining in the Lake Superior district, read by C. F. Jackson. W. L. Taylor stated that liquid-oxygen explosive had been tried but that the operators are satisfied with the explosives used; lb. of dynamite breaks one ton of rock. Although black powder is considered the most effective explosive, the factor of safety has decided in favor of high explosives. Lucien Eaton told of the Michigan Lime and Chemical Co.'s large L. 0. X. plant at Rogers City, Mich. Mr. Turner referred to this plant, also said that the Bureau of Mines is shortly to issue Bulletin 349 completely covering the use of L. 0. X. from its inception. W. D. B. Motter, Jr., gave some items concerning Chuquicamata, Chile. Twelve years ago the blasts moved 850,000 to 1,000,000 tons, but average shots now move 250,000 to 300,000 tons. One pound of L. 0. X. breaks 3.7 tons, against 3.1 tons by dynamite. Another speaker told of some large dynamite blasts in open pits, one of 360,000 Ib. in March, 1931, and another of 430,000 lb. to be shot in 1932. Tests have been made to determine the effect of large shots on the surrounding country. Mr. Taylor said that 4- and 5-yd. shovels were preferable to those of 8 yd.; their performance is better and cost is lower.

Jan 1, 1932

By KENNETH CITTISGHAM

During the year 1945, the total number of wells drilled in Ohio, including the. non¬productive wells, was 1034. For the 10-year period ending with 1945, the average completions per year were 1125, the least number being 910 in 1938, and the maximum 1561 in 1941. The proportion of dry holes in 1945 was 37 per cent?about the same as for the year 1944 but exceeding the 10-year average, which was 34 per cent. The number of oil wells completed exceeded the number drilled in 1944 by about 30 per cent, the average initial per well being the same in both years. Gas-well completions were approximately 10 per Cent less than in 1944, with the average initial per well about 5 per cent greater. The difference in number of oil and gas wells in the two years was in Berea and Clinton completions, as the number of oil wells increased about 30 per cent, owing to greater activity in the two sands named, while the number of gas wells decreased because of fewer completions therein.

Jan 1, 1946

By AIME AIME

THE Chairman of the Iron and Steel Division for 1945 is one of the most versatile and best-known men in this industry, with wide experience in research and operations and in handling both the men and the materials that are used in enormous quantities. Erle G. (Doe) Hill was born in Santa Ana, (alit, April 21, 1890 and graduated (Bachelor of Science) in mining and metallurgy from the University of California in 1913. For the next five years lie held a variety of jobs as miner, foreman, and null superintendent in gold, silver, copper, and quicksilver mines in the West and in Mexico. As Doe was an individual endowed with an exceptional amount of horse sense, he left the West in 1918, to become instructor of mining engineering and ore dressing at Carnegie Institute of Technology, and while in that post did considerable consulting work as a geologist and mining engineer. In 1920, still possessing the same common sense. he got out of mining engineering and geology and became associate professor of metallurgy at the University of Pittsburgh, a position he retained for nearly ten years.

Jan 1, 1945

By C. A. Eligwe, F. W. DeVries, A. E. Torma

This study is an investigation on using hydrogen peroxide for tank-leaching of uranium with sulfuric acid. The optimum sulfuric acid concentration was found to be 0.03 mole 11 -'for a 25% pulp density suspension. The order of reaction with respect to sulfuric acid concentration was found to be ns0.75. The best results vith hydrogen peroxide were obtained at a 4.64 molar ratio of 6202 to U in the ore. The order of reaction was found to be zero with respect to hydrogen peroxide concentration. The theoretical maximum rate effect of Hz02 on uranium extraction was derived as Vm = 8.15 x mole &-'min-'. The highest rate experimentally attained was 8.09 x mole kL'min-'. It was found that the uranium extrac- tion was not affected by the pulp density up to the 50% used in this study. However, the final yieldswere significantly higher (over 90%) for leaches carried out in the presence of Hz02 than (less than 90%) for leaches carried out in the absence of H202. The reaction was found to follow a first order course with respect to substrate concentration (pulp density) regardless of the presence of H202. The effect of temperature was more explicit at moderate tempetatures (30 to 55 C) than at lower (10 C) or at higher (70 C) temperatures. At this latter temperature an almost complete extraction was realized even without H202. The apparent activation energies were found to be AEa = 2.68 kJ mole-' in the absence of H202, 0.5 kJ mole-'with Hz02 at 40 C to 70 C. and 4.72 kJ mole-' with Hz02 at 10 C to 40 C. All these activation energy values suggested that the uranium extraction process is diffusion controlled regardless of the presence of H202. Further, the change in activation energy in the presence of Hz02 indicates the possibility of change in the reaction mechanisms at lower and higher temperatures.

Jan 1, 1980