Search Documents

By Charles R. Fettke

The Bradford and Richburg oil fields are the only pools where artificially conducted water drives on an extensive scale have been economically successful. Field practice has progressed from the original accidental or intentional circle flood, through the line flood development plan, to the intensive complete development plan, which is the most-recent and generally considered to be the most successful. Of the intensive development plan the five-spot arrangement of wells is the one that has been used most extensively. A further development associated with the latter method is the application of additional hydraulic pressure to that of the hydrostatic head of the column of water in the intake well. In conjunction with this method is the practice of delayed drilling of the oil wells until the water from the intake wells has entered even the less permeable portions of the sand and developed a "bank" of oil at which time all oil wells are drilled as nearly simultaneously as possible. The five-spot pressurc flood with delayed drilling gives more rapid return on investment than any other method. The seven-spot and nine-spot patterns are rarely used. No chemicals, such as sodium carbonate and other so-called flooding agents, are being added to the water at present since the field tests carried on in 1926 gave no positive results. All air and gas drives have been discontinued.

Jan 1, 1930

By Hamilton Bell, E. W. Webb

RepressuRIng, or gas drive, was first tried in the Seal Beach oil field during the fall of 1927, and was carried on until the spring of 1928. This experiment in the Upper or Bixby zone was highly successful in proving the feasibility of compressing gas to high pressures and also showed great increases in production. The project was discontinued because there were not enough wells to protect the property lines. In the development of the second or Selover zone, many more wells were drilled and after 2½ years of production the gas was depleted so that all producing wells in the zone were either pumping or on gas-lift. Edge-wat'er encroachment and the deepening of wells on neighboring properties to a third zone practically isolated the lease, so that during the spring of 1929 it was considered feasible to repressure the Selover zone on the Bixby lease of the Continental Oil Co. (Marland). As shown on Fig. 1, the main Seal Beach structure is an elongated dome with a northwest-southeast trend, and the north flank is cut by a fault nearly parallel to the axis of the structure. Bixby well No. 24 was chosen for the injection well on account of its location, as it is backed up by the fault and is surrounded by wells that protect the property lines. The results of the test made in the Bixby zone indicated that an injection well on the flanks of the structure would drive oil quickly to up-structure wells but would have a tendency to cause by-passing, while the drive to down-structure wells would be slower but more evenly distributed. Preferably the injection well would have been located on top of the dome but property divisions made this inadvisable. Well 24 had been completed in November, 1928, but on account of gas depletion the well failed to flow naturally. On gas-lift the well had an initial production of 1000 bbl. of oil with 30 per cent. emulsion. This well is 4825 ft, deep, penetrating 200 ft. of oil-bearing formation. At the time the well was prepared

Jan 1, 1930

By C. M. Nickerson

It is apparent that repressuring of the oil measures is becoming increasingly important to the oil industry, and is a matter that warrants the best efforts of the petroleum engineer charged with applying this method of operation to a producing property. Considerable attention has been directed to repressuring in various California oil fields, such as Dominguez and Seal Beach, which have served to sell the more progressive operator on this idea and also to keep him sold. The projects that have received most attention are in comparatively young fields where the fluid levels are high, the wells, perhaps, still flowing, where the wet gas production is of considerable volume, and where there is vital need of immediate conservation of gas, which otherwise would be blown to the air. The new State of California Gas Law, which prohibits the waste of gas, has served to interest the oil industry in means of conserving the gas that is now being blown to the air because of lack of markets. This vitally affects the operator in the older, well-depleted oil fields of the state, because in many cases he has a limited market for gas, on account of the flush production from the more active oil fields. While the waste of gas is relatively small in these older fields, such as the Midway-Sunset area, it now attains considerable importance, since under the new State Gas Law it must be put to some bcneficial use. Repressuring in the older fields of California has not received the attention of the petroleum engineers that is warranted by the present situation. This paper was prepared with the view of presenting the salient features connected with repressuring in the well-depleted oil measures of the older fields, and to show what results have already been obtained in these fields by injecting the unmarketable gas into the sands, particularly in the Midway-Sunset field in the San Joaquin Valley of California. Other projects in the older fields of the state offer some supporting data in this connection, such as the Shields Canyon and the Brea Canyon fields. Gas Storage and RepressuRing On account of the lack of market for a large portion of the dry gas produced in certain of the older, well-depleted oil fields of California, the

Jan 1, 1930

By C. F. Smart

Since their comparatively recent development, the alloys of cadmium with silver and copper or nickel, and of cadmium with nickel alone, have been used somewhat extensively as liners for connecting rod bearings and main bearings of internal-combustion engines. In applications where, owing to high bearing loads and elevated operating temperatures, the life of bearings made from tin-base or lead-base alloys has been undesirably short, cadmium alloys have demonstrated considerable advantage. In applications where, because of deflection of the crankshaft or bearing supports, copper-lead bearing metals have resulted in scored shafts, cadmium alloys have been operated successfully. The somewhat serious drawback to these alloys in bearing service has been that they, in common with copper-lead and certain lead alloys, are susceptible to corrosion in the presence of lubricants containing organic acids. These acids may be fatty acids (such as oleic acid) derived from animal or vegetable oils that sometimes have been compounded with engine lubricants, or they may be compounds of an acid nature developed by the oxidation of some petroleum oils under operating conditions. The result of such acid attack on bearings is illustrated by the photograph, Fig. 1. The petroleum oils that are most readily oxidized to a corrosive condition, and the operating conditions under which such oxidation most readily occurs, are now rather well known among the technical organizations of both the petroleum and automotive industries. While means have been developed for inhibiting petroleum oils against such acid formation, the knowledge that this condition may be encountered has been a factor in restricting the wider use of cadmium alloys as engine bearings. It has appeared, therefore, that their value and use would be enhanced if they could be made corrosion-resistant to a degree compatible with the most severe operating requirements. Investigation, undertaken with this in view, indicated that the addition of fractional percentages of the metal indium to the cadmium bearing

Jan 1, 1938

By C. F. Smart

Since their comparatively recent development, the alloys of cadmium with silver and copper or nickel, and of cadmium with nickel alone, have been used somewhat extensively as liners for connecting rod bearings and main bearings of internal-combustion engines. In applications where, owing to high bearing loads and elevated operating temperatures, the life of bearings made from tin-base or lead-base alloys has been undesirably short, cadmium alloys have demonstrated considerable advantage. In applications where, because of deflection of the crankshaft or bearing supports, copper-lead bearing metals have resulted in scored shafts, cadmium alloys have been operated successfully. The somewhat serious drawback to these alloys in bearing service has been that they, in common with copper-lead and certain lead alloys, are susceptible to corrosion in the presence of lubricants containing organic acids. These acids may be fatty acids (such as oleic acid) derived from animal or vegetable oils that sometimes have been compounded with engine lubricants, or they may be compounds of an acid nature developed by the oxidation of some petroleum oils under operating conditions. The result of such acid attack on bearings is illustrated by the photograph, Fig. 1. The petroleum oils that are most readily oxidized to a corrosive condition, and the operating conditions under which such oxidation most readily occurs, are now rather well known among the technical organizations of both the petroleum and automotive industries. While means have been developed for inhibiting petroleum oils against such acid formation, the knowledge that this condition may be encountered has been a factor in restricting the wider use of cadmium alloys as engine bearings. It has appeared, therefore, that their value and use would be enhanced if they could be made corrosion-resistant to a degree compatible with the most severe operating requirements. Investigation, undertaken with this in view, indicated that the addition of fractional percentages of the metal indium to the cadmium bearing

Jan 1, 1938

By W. F. Holbrook, C. E. Wood, E. P. Barrett

The high-frequency laboratory induction furnace with a rotating liquid crucible enables research workers to conduct certain investigations heretofore very difficult or impossible to realize because vessels are not obtainable that are capable of resisting the physical conditions or the chemical actions to which they are subjected. Applications for patents covering commercial uses of centrifugal liquid crucibles were filed in the United States in 1919,' in France in 1925, in the United States and Germany in 1926,2 and in France in 1927.3 In 1928, Schuette and Maier,4 of the Bureau of Mines, reported the construction of a whirling table beneath a high-frequency induction furnace. Shape and Size of Centrifugal Liquid Crucibles When a vessel containing a liquid is rotated, the inner surface of the liquid takes the shape of a paraboloid under the simultaneous action of centrifugal force and gravity. The internal dimensions of the paraboloid rotating liquid crucible are governed by the diameter of the container and its speed of rotation. Melted Wood's metal was poured into cylinders 2 1/2 in. in diameter, which were rotated at 180, 300, and 468 r.p.m. When the metal was solid, a slurry of plaster of Paris was added, and rotation continued until the plaster had set. Fig. 1, a photograph of sections of the cylinders, shows the effect of speed of rotation of the containers upon the shape of the inner surface of the rotating liquid crucibles. Types of Furnaces Three types of high-frequency induction laboratory furnaces using liquid-metal crucibles were designed and constructed by the Blast

Jan 1, 1939

By W. F. Holbrook, C. E. Wood, E. P. Barrett

The high-frequency laboratory induction furnace with a rotating liquid crucible enables research workers to conduct certain investigations heretofore very difficult or impossible to realize because vessels are not obtainable that are capable of resisting the physical conditions or the chemical actions to which they are subjected. Applications for patents covering commercial uses of centrifugal liquid crucibles were filed in the United States in 1919,' in France in 1925, in the United States and Germany in 1926,2 and in France in 1927.3 In 1928, Schuette and Maier,4 of the Bureau of Mines, reported the construction of a whirling table beneath a high-frequency induction furnace. Shape and Size of Centrifugal Liquid Crucibles When a vessel containing a liquid is rotated, the inner surface of the liquid takes the shape of a paraboloid under the simultaneous action of centrifugal force and gravity. The internal dimensions of the paraboloid rotating liquid crucible are governed by the diameter of the container and its speed of rotation. Melted Wood's metal was poured into cylinders 2 1/2 in. in diameter, which were rotated at 180, 300, and 468 r.p.m. When the metal was solid, a slurry of plaster of Paris was added, and rotation continued until the plaster had set. Fig. 1, a photograph of sections of the cylinders, shows the effect of speed of rotation of the containers upon the shape of the inner surface of the rotating liquid crucibles. Types of Furnaces Three types of high-frequency induction laboratory furnaces using liquid-metal crucibles were designed and constructed by the Blast

Jan 1, 1939

By Richard F. Miller

The investigations of large-grained specimens carried out by Polanyi and Schmid,l Sykes,2 Goucher,3 Yamaguchi,4 Gough, Cox, and Sopwith,5 Carpenter and Elam,6 Aston,7 and others have shown qualitatively that grain boundaries restrain the deformation of adjacent crystals. But whether or not the influence of the grain boundary is confined to the glide planes intersected by the boundary has not been demonstrated in any of these investigations, nor has there been carried out any quantitative analysis of the influence of a boundary on the deformation of a crystal. Indeed, the specimens employed in the previous work contained so many complicating factors that it would have been difficult to observe any variation of the extent of the influence of the grain boundaries in relation to their sizc. The specimens were small, the grain boundaries irregular and at no particular angle to the specimen axis or the

Jan 1, 1934

By Alfred Boyles

The experiments described below are a continuation of work on the graphitization of cast iron conducted as part of the program of fundamental research at Battelle Memorial Institute. In previous work it was found that melting in hydrogen increased the amount of eutectic carbide appearing in certain alloys and in others produced marked changes in the size of the graphite flakes. These effects seemed to be closely related to the amount of sulphur and manganese present in the material studied. Iron-carbon-silicon alloys did not respond to hydrogen in the same manner as cast iron and there was no evidence to show that hydrogen was able to stabilize the carbide in such alloys unless additions of sulphur were made. The two alloys examined contained about 2 per cent of silicon. The present paper is concerned with alloys of lower silicon content and describes the structural changes produced by melting in various atmospheres at pressurcs ranging from a partial vacuum up to 300 lb. per sq. inch. Experimental Method The experimental technique was similar to that previously employed, so that direct comparison might be made with earlier work. Alloys were

Jan 1, 1939

By Alfred Boyles

The experiments described below are a continuation of work on the graphitization of cast iron conducted as part of the program of fundamental research at Battelle Memorial Institute. In previous work it was found that melting in hydrogen increased the amount of eutectic carbide appearing in certain alloys and in others produced marked changes in the size of the graphite flakes. These effects seemed to be closely related to the amount of sulphur and manganese present in the material studied. Iron-carbon-silicon alloys did not respond to hydrogen in the same manner as cast iron and there was no evidence to show that hydrogen was able to stabilize the carbide in such alloys unless additions of sulphur were made. The two alloys examined contained about 2 per cent of silicon. The present paper is concerned with alloys of lower silicon content and describes the structural changes produced by melting in various atmospheres at pressurcs ranging from a partial vacuum up to 300 lb. per sq. inch. Experimental Method The experimental technique was similar to that previously employed, so that direct comparison might be made with earlier work. Alloys were

Jan 1, 1939

By E. S. Davenport, R. J. Hafsten, R. A. Grange

The influence of austenite grain size upon the hardenability of steel is now fairly well understood; for a given austenite, increasing the grain size increases the depth of hardening, and, since the latter is related to the fundamental transformation behavior of austenite, it follows that austenite decomposition must, in general, be retarded by increasing grain size. To date, very little quantitative information bearing directly on the effect of austenite grain size upon the progress and result of isothermal transformation has been published. Davenport and Bain,' and Zimmerman, Aborn and Bain2 have shown that the transformation is definitely relarded in hypereutectoid plain carbon steels at temperatures near and above the upper region of rapid transformation (Ar') when the austenite grains are increased in size. More recently, Griffiths. Pfeil and Allen3 investigated the effect of a series of different heating (austenitizing) temperatures upon the progress of isothermal transformation at 1245°F. (675°C.) and 745ºF. (395°C.) in a medium carbon, low-alloy steel; while they reported no measurements of the austenite grain size, their results suggest that increase in grain size retards austenite transformation at 1245ºF. (675°C), but has no appreciable effect at 745°F (395°C.). The present paper deals with the results of a study of the isothermal transformation of austenite in a single commercial alloy steel in which a fine-grained or a coarsegrained state was induced by appropriate selection of austenitizing temperature. The data are presented in the form of isothermal transformation diagrams, which clearly show that coarsening the grains lessens the rate of transformation of austenite to proeutectoid ferrite and pearlite—that is, at temperature levels above about 1000°F. (540°C.)—but is without significant effect at lower temperatures where the transformation product is bainite or martensite. It is to he presumed that the foregoing statement would be valid, at least in principle, for many other grades of steel; it confirms again that the mechanism of transformation to a pearlitic structure is fundamentally different from that to an acicular structure. A number of related observations were made, which seem to throw some light on the transformation process as it takes place in alloy steels, particularly at temperature levels in the vicinity of 1000ºF. (540°C.), where the transition from lamellar to acicular structures occurs. These data are discussed briefly in the belief that they may lead to a clearer understanding of this aspect of the subject. Material and Experimental Procedure The material investigated was a cornmercial grade of S.A.E. 4140 steel, the composition of which was as follows: 0.37 per cent C, 0.77 per cent Mn, 0.98 per cent Cr and 0.21 per cent Mo. It was hot-rolled to a 1 1/8-in. round bar and normalized by air-cooling from 1800°F. (980°C.).

Jan 1, 1941

By R. J. Hafsten, E. S. Davenport, R. A. Grange

The influence of austenite grain size upon the hardenability of steel is now fairly well understood; for a given austenite, increasing the grain size increases the depth of hardening, and, since the latter is related to the fundamental transformation behavior of austenite, it follows that austenite decomposition must, in general, be retarded by increasing grain size. To date, very little quantitative information bearing directly on the effect of austenite grain size upon the progress and result of isothermal transformation has been published. Davenport and Bain,' and Zimmerman, Aborn and Bain2 have shown that the transformation is definitely relarded in hypereutectoid plain carbon steels at temperatures near and above the upper region of rapid transformation (Ar') when the austenite grains are increased in size. More recently, Griffiths. Pfeil and Allen3 investigated the effect of a series of different heating (austenitizing) temperatures upon the progress of isothermal transformation at 1245°F. (675°C.) and 745ºF. (395°C.) in a medium carbon, low-alloy steel; while they reported no measurements of the austenite grain size, their results suggest that increase in grain size retards austenite transformation at 1245ºF. (675°C), but has no appreciable effect at 745°F (395°C.). The present paper deals with the results of a study of the isothermal transformation of austenite in a single commercial alloy steel in which a fine-grained or a coarsegrained state was induced by appropriate selection of austenitizing temperature. The data are presented in the form of isothermal transformation diagrams, which clearly show that coarsening the grains lessens the rate of transformation of austenite to proeutectoid ferrite and pearlite—that is, at temperature levels above about 1000°F. (540°C.)—but is without significant effect at lower temperatures where the transformation product is bainite or martensite. It is to he presumed that the foregoing statement would be valid, at least in principle, for many other grades of steel; it confirms again that the mechanism of transformation to a pearlitic structure is fundamentally different from that to an acicular structure. A number of related observations were made, which seem to throw some light on the transformation process as it takes place in alloy steels, particularly at temperature levels in the vicinity of 1000ºF. (540°C.), where the transition from lamellar to acicular structures occurs. These data are discussed briefly in the belief that they may lead to a clearer understanding of this aspect of the subject. Material and Experimental Procedure The material investigated was a cornmercial grade of S.A.E. 4140 steel, the composition of which was as follows: 0.37 per cent C, 0.77 per cent Mn, 0.98 per cent Cr and 0.21 per cent Mo. It was hot-rolled to a 1 1/8-in. round bar and normalized by air-cooling from 1800°F. (980°C.).

Jan 1, 1941

By Gilbert Soler

Producers of alloy steels recognize the importance of chemical composition in relation to the hot-working properties and the typical surface defects found in their product. Each analysis of steel has its own peculiar characteristics. Under conditions of standard mill practice each analysis is susceptible to certain types of defects. Mill practice must be varied to obtain the best combination of surface and internal quality in the product. Chemical composition influences the cast structure and crystallization characteristics of the ingot. It also determines the rate of heating and cooling, the plastic hot-working range, and the phase structure of the steel at various temperatures. as well as the tendency toward scale formation and decarburization. This paper endeavors to emphasize the manner in which chemical composition affects the various properties of steel, and to indicate the relative importance of these factors in relation to the hot-working properties and surface characteristics of killed steel. The influence of chemical composition may be outlined as follows: I. Effect on the cast structure of steel, including: A. State of deoxidation, and type of inclusions. B. Gas content of steel. C. Freezing point and melting point of steel. D. Crystallization characteristics and segregation. 11. Effect on the hot-working properties and surface characteristics of steel, including: A. Plastic hot-working range. B. Phase structures at hot-working temperatures. C. Rate of heating. D. Cooling characteristics. E. Scale formation. F. Surface decarburization. EFferect of Chemical Composition on Cast Structure of Steel State of Deoxidation and Type of Inclu-sions.—The state of deoxidation is limited by the final chemical analysis desired in the finished product, and is controlled primarily by carbon, manganese, silicon, and aluminum, and to a lesser degree by chromium, titanium, vanadium, or other deoxidizing elements. The degree of deoxidation affects the density of the cast structure and broadly classifies the steel as killed, semikilled, or rimming. This in turn manifests itself in surface characteristics. The manner and extent of deoxidation also controls the amount, type, and distribution of nonmetallic inclusions formed. The equilibrium of manganese, silicon and aluminum with the slags and pouring refractories with which the metal comes in contact is important, especially in regard to inclusions of fire-clay origin. Some surface Seams and hot-working difficulties can be traced to nonmetallic inclusions.

Jan 1, 1941

By Gilbert Soler

Producers of alloy steels recognize the importance of chemical composition in relation to the hot-working properties and the typical surface defects found in their product. Each analysis of steel has its own peculiar characteristics. Under conditions of standard mill practice each analysis is susceptible to certain types of defects. Mill practice must be varied to obtain the best combination of surface and internal quality in the product. Chemical composition influences the cast structure and crystallization characteristics of the ingot. It also determines the rate of heating and cooling, the plastic hot-working range, and the phase structure of the steel at various temperatures. as well as the tendency toward scale formation and decarburization. This paper endeavors to emphasize the manner in which chemical composition affects the various properties of steel, and to indicate the relative importance of these factors in relation to the hot-working properties and surface characteristics of killed steel. The influence of chemical composition may be outlined as follows: I. Effect on the cast structure of steel, including: A. State of deoxidation, and type of inclusions. B. Gas content of steel. C. Freezing point and melting point of steel. D. Crystallization characteristics and segregation. 11. Effect on the hot-working properties and surface characteristics of steel, including: A. Plastic hot-working range. B. Phase structures at hot-working temperatures. C. Rate of heating. D. Cooling characteristics. E. Scale formation. F. Surface decarburization. EFferect of Chemical Composition on Cast Structure of Steel State of Deoxidation and Type of Inclu-sions.—The state of deoxidation is limited by the final chemical analysis desired in the finished product, and is controlled primarily by carbon, manganese, silicon, and aluminum, and to a lesser degree by chromium, titanium, vanadium, or other deoxidizing elements. The degree of deoxidation affects the density of the cast structure and broadly classifies the steel as killed, semikilled, or rimming. This in turn manifests itself in surface characteristics. The manner and extent of deoxidation also controls the amount, type, and distribution of nonmetallic inclusions formed. The equilibrium of manganese, silicon and aluminum with the slags and pouring refractories with which the metal comes in contact is important, especially in regard to inclusions of fire-clay origin. Some surface Seams and hot-working difficulties can be traced to nonmetallic inclusions.

Jan 1, 1941

By Chu-Phay Yap

This is the second of a series of theoretical papers on the iron-carbon system. The solidus lines obtained as a result of the different methods of investigation fall naturally into three classes; namely, (1) a straight solidus originally suggested by Roozeboom and supported in the main by the work of Carpenter and Keeling, Andrew and Binnie, et al., using the thermal analysis method; (2) a slightly curved solidus obtained by Honda and his associates, using the magnetic and resistance methods: and (3) Gutowsky's solidus obtained by the Heycock and Neville method of quenching at successively higher temperatures. Although the thermodynamic method as shown in the first paper indicates that the straight solidus line is correct, no explanation has ever been advanced to account adequately for the disagreement in the shape and position of the solidus lines obtained. The nature of the solute in austenit.e is theoretically discussed. On the basis of such discussions, the data obtained by Honda and Endo on the change of magnetic susceptibility of steels with respect to temperature were critically subjected to a graphical analysis, which is shown to yield a rational explanation of the curved solidus lines.

Jan 1, 1931

By John T. Norton, V.G. Mooradian

The diffusion of metal atoms into the crystal lattice of another metal and the assumption of regular positions to form a homogeneous alloy are some of the most fundamental phenomena of structural metallurgy. The mechanism of this process has been the subject of a great deal of study from many viewpoints, but the picture is still far from complete. It is generally believed that if one metal is to diffuse into another, the first must have some solubility in the second1. This means that the solvent must be able to accommodate the stranger atoms, either on points of its own lattice or in the interstices between, without losing its own crystal-lographic identity. It is also a general observation that cold-working is a distinct aid in the diffusion process, causing it to take place with greater rapidity at the same temperature or with the same speed at a lower temperature. There is considerable doubt, however, as to the real significance of the deformation in its effect on the diffusion mechanism. Several factors associated with the cold-working may be responsible for the increased diffusion rate. The plastic deformation causes a distortion of the solvent lattice, which may be an aid in the assimulation of atoms of another kind. There are many references2 in the literature that suggest that some distortion or "loosening" of the lattice is necessary for atomic migration and that diffusion cannot take place in the undis-torted lattice. On the other hand, it may be that the cold-working causes an increase in surface of contact between the two metals through fragmentation or provides a more intimate contact that is necessary for diffusion. If it is true that lattice distortion is an important factor in diffusion, it seems as if there should be some particular relation between

Jan 1, 1935

By V. G. Mooradian, John T. Norton

The diffusion of metal atoms into the crystal lattice of another metal and the assumption of regular positions to form a homogeneous alloy are some of the most fundamental phenomena of structural metallurgy. The mechanism of this process has been the subject of a great deal of study from many viewpoints, but the picture is still far from complete. It is generally believed that if one metal is to diffuse into another, the first must have some solubility in the second1. This means that the solvent must be able to accommodate the stranger atoms, either on points of its own lattice or in the interstices between, without losing its own crystal-lographic identity. It is also a general observation that cold-working is a distinct aid in the diffusion process, causing it to take place with greater rapidity at the same temperature or with the same speed at a lower temperature. There is considerable doubt, however, as to the real significance of the deformation in its effect on the diffusion mechanism. Several factors associated with the cold-working may be responsible for the increased diffusion rate. The plastic deformation causes a distortion of the solvent lattice, which may be an aid in the assimulation of atoms of another kind. There are many references2 in the literature that suggest that some distortion or "loosening" of the lattice is necessary for atomic migration and that diffusion cannot take place in the undis-torted lattice. On the other hand, it may be that the cold-working causes an increase in surface of contact between the two metals through fragmentation or provides a more intimate contact that is necessary for diffusion. If it is true that lattice distortion is an important factor in diffusion, it seems as if there should be some particular relation between

Jan 1, 1935

By Paul Weir

During the past decade, methods of producing bituminous coal in the state of Illinois, which ranks third in production among the states in which bituminous coal is mined, have undergone great changes. From less than one million tons in 1923, the strip-mine production has gradually increased to a high of 11,725,870 tons in 1937. From a negligible amount prior to 1927, the amount of coal mechanically loaded underground had increased to a high of 28,374,362 tons in 1937. The amount manually loaded in 1937 reached a low of 12,332,023 tons. In this same year, this state ranked first in strip-mine production, also in mechanically loaded production. For this reason a study of the influence of mechanization on location of production in Illinois may be helpful in anticipating what may happen in other producing states. The reason for the changes in methods lies in the differences in costs of production. The Bureau of Research and Statistics of the National Bituminous Coal Commission has made public the following costs of production by various methods in the state of Illinois (district 10) for the last nine months of 1937: all mines, $1.7602 per ton; strip mines, $1.4319; mechanical loading mines, $1.7457; hand loading mines, $2.1793; all underground mines, $1.8703. These are weighted averages for the entire district. Inasmuch as production in 1937 was reported from 58 counties scattered over two-thirds of the area of the state and from five different seams varying in thickness from less than 3 ft. to as much as 12 ft., it is apparent that the location of production must be influenced by the extent of mechanization possible in the various producing counties. SHIFT in Production The term "mechanization" is commonly used to designate the coal-loading operation. However, in a broader sense it embraces the use of any and all mechanical and electrical equipment on the surface and underground. Strip mining is an intensive form of mechanization. The mechanical cleaning of coal is a form of mechanization. Cutting machines and motor haulage likewise are forms of mechanization, hence

Jan 1, 1940

By Paul Weir

During the past decade, methods of producing bituminous coal in the state of Illinois, which ranks third in production among the states in which bituminous coal is mined, have undergone great changes. From less than one million tons in 1923, the strip-mine production has gradually increased to a high of 11,725,870 tons in 1937. From a negligible amount prior to 1927, the amount of coal mechanically loaded underground had increased to a high of 28,374,362 tons in 1937. The amount manually loaded in 1937 reached a low of 12,332,023 tons. In this same year, this state ranked first in strip-mine production, also in mechanically loaded production. For this reason a study of the influence of mechanization on location of production in Illinois may be helpful in anticipating what may happen in other producing states. The reason for the changes in methods lies in the differences in costs of production. The Bureau of Research and Statistics of the National Bituminous Coal Commission has made public the following costs of production by various methods in the state of Illinois (district 10) for the last nine months of 1937: all mines, $1.7602 per ton; strip mines, $1.4319; mechanical loading mines, $1.7457; hand loading mines, $2.1793; all underground mines, $1.8703. These are weighted averages for the entire district. Inasmuch as production in 1937 was reported from 58 counties scattered over two-thirds of the area of the state and from five different seams varying in thickness from less than 3 ft. to as much as 12 ft., it is apparent that the location of production must be influenced by the extent of mechanization possible in the various producing counties. SHIFT in Production The term "mechanization" is commonly used to designate the coal-loading operation. However, in a broader sense it embraces the use of any and all mechanical and electrical equipment on the surface and underground. Strip mining is an intensive form of mechanization. The mechanical cleaning of coal is a form of mechanization. Cutting machines and motor haulage likewise are forms of mechanization, hence

Jan 1, 1940

By Shun-ichi Satoh

Studies by many authorities have proved that nitrogen exerts an injurious influence upon iron and steel, but in the casehardening of steel by carbon, nitrogen has the advantage of accelerating the process of cementation. Its influence upon special steels is quite remarkable; it can produce the hardest layer ever known in metallurgical products—a fact hit upon by A. Fry and studied and ascertained by L. Guillet. As there have been very few investigations on the influence of nitrogen on special steels, the writer has listed important articles dealing with this problem and has conducted experiments on nitrification. He also has tested the influence of nickel upon the penetration of nitrogen in electric-arc welding. Nitrogen Process for Surface Hardening In 1919, Siegmonl conducted an experiment known as "Versticken" by treating steel with ammonia gas and found that the steel thus treated has the properties of resisting corrosion. In 1922, L. E. Benson3 nitro-genized iron and steel by sodium nitrate. Fry3-"studied the nitrogen process for surface hardening and published the results of his studies in 1923, 1924 and 1926. Guillet tested special steels containing various elements with the current of ammonia at 500' to 510' C.10, 11, 12, and determined the hardness of some of them at various temperatures.13 He also conducted corrosion tests14 in 1927. Fry15 stated that tinplat-ing could prevent nitrogen from penetrating into steel in the course of nitrification. In 1927, Guillet 65 described the historical notes of the nitrification; and many applications of nitrification were published in the Kruppsche Monatshefte.51, 59, 62, 63, 64-74~75 H. K. Herschman66 conducted the wear test of the nitrified steel. Gunnar Hägg investigated

Jan 1, 1930