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In accordance with the usual custom, manuscripts to be presented at the next meeting of the Institute must be in the hands of the, Secretary before July 1, 1917. Manuscripts to be properly distributed in advance of the meeting must be in the hands of the Secretary before June 1, 1917. At the last meeting of the Institute 45 papers were presented, and 42 of them were actively discussed. This experience makes us believe that advance distribution is the best possible means of getting a good discussion of papers and of securing for them the interest of the members of the profession. It will be impossible, however, to give the papers proper distribution if they bare not received before June 1, 1917.

Jan 4, 1917

By Robert W. Hunt

No matter how perfectly sectioned or skilfully manufactured the rails used may have been, or with what care the road-bed may he maintained, legitimate results from these important factors cannot be secured unless proper attention is bestowed upon the joint-fastenings. In this country, splice-bars of various patterns furnish the practically universal joint. Other forms have been used, and are now being experimentally tested, but the typical American rail-joint consists of angle-plates or splice-bars. At the same time, it is true that scarcely a railroad engineer is satisfied with his joint. He may consider it the best of which he has knowledge, but at the same time he is well aware of many of its weak points.

Jan 1, 1890

By WOOLSEY MCA JOHNSON

INDEPENDENTLY of the recognized chemical reactions involved in the production of metallic zinc, the process is affected by physical conditions in efficiency, and by commercial as well as technical economy. To offer some observations concerning these conditions is the purpose of the present paper. Among the important elements of this problem is the physical nature of the particles constituting the mass of zinc oxide to be reduced. This may be the result, either of the manner of the original deposition of the mineral, or of the treatment to which it has been subjected in the roasting-furnace. The physical character of the reducing-agent is another important factor, since the carbon of some coals is much more active in reduction than that of others. The degree of fineness, whether of ore or coal, or both, likewise plays a significant part. These factors, together with the physical admixture of foreign substances with the ore, may give rise also to chemical "side-reactions," sometimes hindering or retarding, and sometimes accelerating, the reduction. Finally, thermal conditions, including the relative conductivity of the materials, deserve to be taken into account. In firing a furnace with retorts charged with a mixture of roasted ore and coal, the first reaction is naturally the boiling-off of the contained water ; the next is the distillation of the light hydrocarbons from the coal; the next is the reduction of the iron oxide to protoxide and sub-oxide successively, and then to metallic sponge; and the final reaction is the reduction of the zinc oxide in the ore by the carbon to metallic zinc. This reaction commences at 1,022° to 1,060° C., according to the physical nature and condition of the coal and ore. Since the retort and the charge are far from being good con-

Sep 1, 1907

By R. C. Allen

About four years ago the writer proposed a revision of the correlation of the Huronian formations in Michigan, and noted the bearing of the question on the correlations of the Huronian rocks in Wisconsin and Minnesota.1 Dr. C. K. Leith opposed this revision and argued for the retention of the correlations of the United States Geological Survey, published in 1911,2 for which he and Dr. Van Hise were mainly responsible. As late as June, 1917, Harder and Johnson, following Leith, thought it "premature to change radically a correlation based on years of careful field work."3 The work of Wolff on the Mesabi and Cuyuna Ranges, of Hotchkiss on the Gogebic Range (unpublished), and of the writer and assistants on the Michigan ranges, together with data developed by exploratory and mining operations, has introduced so many new facts not recognized in the scheme of the U. S. Geological Survey that the correlations of 1911 must be considered, in some important respects, obsolete. Indeed, new data are accumulating so rapidly that any classification, which for the moment may seem best to explain the facts, is almost immediately modified or refined by further observations. The problem of Huronian correlations is difficult, but interesting and important. With the aid of fossils, stratigraphers of the post-Algonkian formations have been able to show that slight disconformities mag separate strata of vastly different ages, and that within physically conformable strata may be concealed a hiatus of great magnitude. In the non-fossiliferous Huronian group, minor physical breaks in the strata are only beginning to attract attention, and it is too early to discuss what bearing these will have in correlating the formations of one area with those of another, but it is safe to say that the "lost intervals" which are not disclosed by physical relationships will remain forever lost; therefore we may not hope to discover the ultimate truth concerning the

Jan 1, 1920

By S. F. Shaw

The theory that maintaining a high back-pressure on the oil sand lowers the viscosity of the oil has been generally accepted. The theory has also been advanced that lower viscosity permits the oil to be moved through the sand to the well at an expenditure of less gas per barrel of oil than would otherwise be required. It seems reasonable to assume that production of oil at the minimum gas-oil ratio will result in a greater ultimate recovery of oil. During the past five years the writer has acquired data on thousands of tests made on wells to determine the best rate at which to produce them. In the majority of cases reduction in back-pressure did not definitely increase the gas-oil ratio. The information obtained from these tests has raised doubt in the mind of the writer as to the correctness of the theory that lowered viscosity results in lower gas-oil ratios and in higher ultimate recovery of oil. The reasons that explain the results obtained in these tests cannot yet be definitely stated, but the hypothesis is being tentatively assumed that there are other factors which outweigh the influence of viscosity. Energy in Gas Moves Oil to Well The general opinion is that in most cases it is the energy in the gas that moves the oil to the well. In wells flowing naturally it is also the energy in the gas that lifts the oil to the surface. In a flowing well, there are two very distinct operations: 1. Moving the oil through the sand to the well. 2. Lifting the oil to the surface. The more important function of the gas is that of moving the oil to the well. Means for lifting the oil can always be found once it has been delivered to the well. Principles Involved in Lifting Oil A well that flows naturally is the same as a gas-lift well except that all of the gas is supplied by the oil reservoir. This natural flow is subject

Jan 1, 1931

By I. N. Knapp

I Herewith present some notes on the use of Portland cement to cement in the casing, and for plugging, to exclude water from oil and gas wells, and the methods employed. I have used my best efforts to. make each step of the operation of cementing wells perfectly clear. The information is the result of actual experience and observation. The illustrations are from original drawings made especially for this paper. Portland Cement It is not necessary to discuss here the manufacture of cement. Any established brand of the slower setting Portland cements may be purchased with the confidence that it will harden, if properly used, and exclude water from and plug wells efficiently. Setting.—By the setting of cement is meant its initial change from a soft or plastic mortar to a friable solid. After the cement has become thoroughly set it is still very weak and can be readily pulverized in the fingers. Setting is thought to be effected by the crystallizing out of the silicate and the aluminate of lime, which are soluble in water in their anhydrous form. After dissolving in the water they pass to the hydrated state, in which they are insoluble, and hence are precipitated in a crystalline form. Ordinarily neat Portland cement mortar remains perfectly plastic for from 1 to 1 1/2 hr. after mixing with water at about 70" F. A higher temperature accelerates and a lower retards setting.. Hardening.—This is due to a continual crystallization of salts from solution, and to further chemical and physical changes which develop slowly, but which continue for long periods of time. Testing.—It is no more necessary for an operator to go into the scientific testing of cement to be used in a well than to so test the pipe used. He must depend for the quality of each on the tests and reliability of the manufacturer. Cement or pipe may be damaged in shipment so

Jan 1, 1915

C. H. MATHEWSON, New Haven, Conn. (written discussion *).-In a recent discussion of Dr. Jeffries' paper on tungsten,1 J. C. W. Humfrey,2 after taking exception to certain of the author's ideas relative to the cohesion of A and C metal, expresses the opinion that future research is likely to develop a method of preparing tungsten possessing "mechanical properties in line with those of other metals." The present paper by Dr. Jeffries begins with a determination of comparative properties of tungsten, copper, and iron, in which much dissimilarity is apparent, and ends with a coherent explanation as to why much of this dissimilarity is natural and inevitable, thereby supplying theoretical means for visualizing the changing properties of metals in general, once certain fundamental facts are known. The author's reasoning is primarily from the standpoint of the amorphous theory and his principal achievement is the development of an idea f differential cohesion according to conditions of temperature, etc., between A and C metal (which was first plainly suggested by Rosehain and Ewen, in their papers on Intercrystalline Cohesion of Metals) along with associated ideas, so as to give us a really useful working theory. I have come rather reluctantly to believe in the amorphous theory, or some theory admitting a modification of the ordinary crystalline phase so as to permit differential properties within the conglomerate, mainly because in no other way does it seem possible to account for observed changes of properties with temperature, etc. The very best illustration f the competency f the amorphous theory in this respect is seen in this and other recent papers by the author. All fractures through normal or healthy metal that have been preceded by deformation are supposed, by Dr. Jeffries, to take place either through the amorphous phase or at certain boundaries between amorphous and crystalline material; his reference to fractures, both members of which are similar in appearance and do not reveal a preexisting coarse-grained structure because of a coating of amorphous metal, indicates his preference for the former interpretation.

Jan 5, 1919

By A. M. Rahm

PROBABLY the majority of red brass sand castings are judged merely on the basis of outside appearance and the quality of machined surfaces. Many castings, however, must individually withstand a hydraulic or air-pressure test before being accepted as parts of more complicated machin-ery. Finally, there remains a comparatively small group of castings intended for uses of considerable responsibility where only the highest possible characteristics of the metal are acceptable, and for these specially cast test bars are required. The shape of the cast piece from which the test bar must be detached varies greatly from one country to another. The test bar as specified in the American Society for Testing Materials Specification B62-36 is widely used by the American foundry industry. The actual test piece is at the bottom of the cast block and has a riser about six times its mass. It is obvious that this test bar has an advantage over the actual casting. The latter rarely possesses a riser of as much as 30 per cent of its own weight and that riser cannot generally be located in so convenient a manner. Therefore, the characteristics of the test bar cannot possibly correspond to those of the casting itself. It must be taken into consideration that red brass if melted and cast in the best possible manner may show a tensile strength of 40,000 lb. per sq. in. with 35 per cent elongation in 2 in. Such a test bar would indicate that the metal was nearly perfect from the viewpoint of its gas and inclusion content. Barring some accidental defect, a casting cor-responding to such a test bar could be accepted as being quite sound. However, actual specifications do not demand such high characteristics; indeed, few specifications require over 30,000 lb. per sq. in. and 20 per cent elongation, while one Federal specification demands merely 27,000 lb. per sq. in. strength and 15 per cent elongation. It is obvious that

Jan 1, 1939

By C. W. Washburne

Recently, Messrs, Mills and Wells1 published a thorough chemical study of the waters associated with oil in parts of the Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia region. Many of their conclusions are of general application and the writer wishes to discuss some of these. Messrs. Mills and Wells show that the composition of the deep brines oi the Appalachian fields is such as would be produced by the evaporation of sea water and the precipitation of sodium chloride, combined with reactions with hydrocarbons and other substances. The brines are altered, also, by considerable mixing with meteoric water. They give good reasons for believing that the concentration of the brines was produced by evaporation in the rock pores induced by migrating gas, much of which probably escaped to the surface of the ground. This hypothesis was considered by the writer in a former paperJ2 in which main stress was laid on a second hypothesis, that the excess of chlorine in the deep brines may have been due to the entrance of solutions rich in magnesium and calcium chloride which ascended from a deep, possibly intratellurie, source. Messrs. Mills and Wells present good arguments for the first hypothesis. Underground evaporation by ascending gases probably will be accepted as the best available explanation of the concentration and composition of deep well waters. They have not considered the possibility that salt waters in deep sands may be concentrated by the diffusion of water vapor through gas into shale. The writer has given reasons3 for believing that capillary forces concentrate gas and oil in the larger openings of rock, such as the pores of sandstones embedded in shale. The gas underground must be nearly saturated with water vapor at all times, because it always is in contact with the interstitial water of enclosing shales and of the sandstone. Experimental studies of soil moisture have shown that approxi-

Jan 1, 1921

By Russell Franks, W. O. Binder

In recent years a considerable tonnage of the 18 per cent chromium and 8 per cent nickel steels has been used in lightweight high-strength structures that must be resistant to deterioration under atmospheric conditions. These steels are austenitic in character and their strength can best be increased by cold-working. Although a marked increase in tensile strength is obtained, claims have been made that the cold-worked steels do not possess fully satisfactory elastic propertics. Under certain conditions, however, this has caused no great concern, because, as explained by Ragsdale,1,2 he cold-rolled steels have been widely applied for construction of lightweight, high-strength trains using spot welding for joining purposes. Ffield3 agrees that the ease with which thin sections of the cold-rolled 18-8 steels can be joined by spot welding is greatly in their favor, but that they would be more satisfactory if higher elastic properties and a higher modulus of elasticity could be obtained. He states that, as far as the mechanical properties are concerned, the straight chromium stainless steel is superior to the cold-worked 18-8 steel, and in order to illustrate, he prcsented the data of Fig. 1, which also give a stress-strain curve for a low-carbon 13 per cent Cr steel. Ffield† proposed that columbium-bearing or titanium-bearing cold-rolled 18-8 steels be given a heat-treatment (preferably for 1 hr.) in the range 400" to 600°C. to precipitate carbides in order to obtain better mechanical properties. Discussions by Sutton,4,5 de Ganahl,6,7,8 Krivobok and Lincoln,' Knerr,l0 and Thaden11 have given further information on the properties of the cold-rolled 18-8 steels compared with other materials used in lightweight, high-strength structures. These investigators and others point out that the ultimate tensile strength of the cold-rolled 18-8 steel can be increased to 200,000 lb. per sq. in. or higher; Krivobok et al. indicate that

Jan 1, 1940

By Russell Franks, W. O. Binder

In recent years a considerable tonnage of the 18 per cent chromium and 8 per cent nickel steels has been used in lightweight high-strength structures that must be resistant to deterioration under atmospheric conditions. These steels are austenitic in character and their strength can best be increased by cold-working. Although a marked increase in tensile strength is obtained, claims have been made that the cold-worked steels do not possess fully satisfactory elastic propertics. Under certain conditions, however, this has caused no great concern, because, as explained by Ragsdale,1,2 he cold-rolled steels have been widely applied for construction of lightweight, high-strength trains using spot welding for joining purposes. Ffield3 agrees that the ease with which thin sections of the cold-rolled 18-8 steels can be joined by spot welding is greatly in their favor, but that they would be more satisfactory if higher elastic properties and a higher modulus of elasticity could be obtained. He states that, as far as the mechanical properties are concerned, the straight chromium stainless steel is superior to the cold-worked 18-8 steel, and in order to illustrate, he prcsented the data of Fig. 1, which also give a stress-strain curve for a low-carbon 13 per cent Cr steel. Ffield† proposed that columbium-bearing or titanium-bearing cold-rolled 18-8 steels be given a heat-treatment (preferably for 1 hr.) in the range 400" to 600°C. to precipitate carbides in order to obtain better mechanical properties. Discussions by Sutton,4,5 de Ganahl,6,7,8 Krivobok and Lincoln,' Knerr,l0 and Thaden11 have given further information on the properties of the cold-rolled 18-8 steels compared with other materials used in lightweight, high-strength structures. These investigators and others point out that the ultimate tensile strength of the cold-rolled 18-8 steel can be increased to 200,000 lb. per sq. in. or higher; Krivobok et al. indicate that

Jan 1, 1940

By T. A. Wilson, S. L. Hoyt

The plastic deformation of slender single crystals of zinc has been described in some detail in the paper by Mark, Polanyi and Schmid,' which has become a classic, and also by one of the present authors in a somewhat shorter account. 2 The study of single-crystal zinc is termed classical because zinc single crystals offer, perhaps, the best material yet available for the study of atomic behavior during deformation and the effect known as "strengthening" in metals. A considerable amount of additional work has also been done on single-crystal zinc, but as it is not closely related to the present paper it will not be considered. Throughout all the former work, the mechanism of plastic deformation first described by Mark, Polanyi and Schmid has been assumed to hold. This may be said to offer the strongest confirmation of its correctness. Even so, the picture of the process has never been as completely portrayed as is desirable. The first object of the present paper is to describe work that has been done in this field, and which is even yet being carried on, in the hope that a more complete picture may be obtained. Mathewson and Phillips3 have recently described a new mechanism of the deformation of zinc based on their study of large rectangular crystals. One of their conclusions was that deformation produced twinning with a rotation of some of the basal planes into positions 94" removed from their original position; a position almost the same as that of the prismatic planes before twinning. A second conclusion was that fracture occurred along these basal planes in their new position, and, therefore that fractures previously regarded as prismatic were in reality basal. Such findings are of great significance and they raise a question as to the generality of such behavior. Professor Mathewson's opinion is that even the slender cylindrical single crystals behave in the same manner as his large rectangular crystals when strained by simple tension.

By Philip M. Mc Kenna

When a new material becomes available to industry, it is useful to describe its properties as a guide to its most effective application; and when the new material may be produced in compositions having a series of graded properties, tests to select the combination of properties best adapted for various uses are helpful. The class of materials to be considered in this paper are hard tool materials produced by processes of powder metallurgy from hard carbide constituents and various matrices of iron, nickel or cobalt, or alloys of them with tungsten, or tungsten and carbon. The customary use of carbide hard alloys is for metal-cutting tools; although wire-drawing dies, lathe centers, follow rests, grinding rests, burnishers, rolls, extrusion dies, measuring gauges and micrometers, and a number of other tools are also made with these hard alloys as the essential wear-resisting parts. The properties and tests to be considered are those affecting these uses. In the development of tool materials since the industrial revolution we have had carbon tool steels, Mushet steel, high-speed steels, stellites, and now cemented carbide compositions. For an understanding of the latter category of materials their properties and uses relative to the older and more familiar tool materials will be considered. Hardness has been the property of greatest practical interest in tool materials. The word "hardness" is a generalized term lacking definite-ness unless the specific test used is described. However, efforts to explain physical properties as a consequence of chemical bond, and distance between atoms in chemical compounds have been illuminating. This seems the most generalized attack on the problem, and is based upon the idea that atoms in a lattice are held together as the square of the valence and inversely as the square of the distance between the atoms. The compounds compared must all be of the same crystalline arrangement. 100 W2 It is interesting to note the values of the figure 7 A 3 /3for a number of

Jan 1, 1938

By David B. Scott

When mining operations were first instituted in the mines of the Miami Copper Co., at Miami, Ariz., the relatively hard character of the ground in the western section of the property made it seem advisable to use a wide shrinkage stope and pillar system. The system as finally evolved was applied to the mining of 2,300,000 tons of ore by the use of stopes and pillars each 50 ft. in width. Development, mining and extraction of this reserve has been continuously in progress since 1910, and the final stages of extraction are now reached. A complete survey of all phases of this system can therefore be made. Modification in working methods was obviously necessary, and the system to be described is believed to be typical of the best features. Development The preliminary work had three main objectives: The opening of a haulage level, the construction of a drawing-off level, and the driving of sublevels for use in stoping. In addition to these, some extra sublevel drifting was necessary to determine exactly the boundaries of the orebody, the general outline having been determined by churn drilling. This development was based on the requirements of stopes 50 ft. wide, with pillars 50 ft. wide between each stope. The length of these units varied from 200 to 500 ft.. Haulage Level The tramming level was 50 ft. below the floor of the stopes, and the tramming lines were run parallel with the long axis of the stopes. These lines were also beneath the middle of the stopes and pillars. Each line therefore served one stope or one pillar, this arrangement making it possible to load along an entire stope without switching or uncoupling. This advantage is apparent principally during the process of stoping when rapid drawing of excess broken ore is desirable. Furthermore, the arrangement of the drawing-off level chutes at 25-ft. intervals, as shown

Jan 1, 1917

By Philip M. Mc Kenna

When a new material becomes available to industry, it is useful to describe its properties as a guide to its most effective application; and when the new material may be produced in compositions having a series of graded properties, tests to select the combination of properties best adapted for various uses are helpful. The class of materials to be considered in this paper are hard tool materials produced by processes of powder metallurgy from hard carbide constituents and various matrices of iron, nickel or cobalt, or alloys of them with tungsten, or tungsten and carbon. The customary use of carbide hard alloys is for metal-cutting tools; although wire-drawing dies, lathe centers, follow rests, grinding rests, burnishers, rolls, extrusion dies, measuring gauges and micrometers, and a number of other tools are also made with these hard alloys as the essential wear-resisting parts. The properties and tests to be considered are those affecting these uses. In the development of tool materials since the industrial revolution we have had carbon tool steels, Mushet steel, high-speed steels, stellites, and now cemented carbide compositions. For an understanding of the latter category of materials their properties and uses relative to the older and more familiar tool materials will be considered. Hardness has been the property of greatest practical interest in tool materials. The word "hardness" is a generalized term lacking definite-ness unless the specific test used is described. However, efforts to explain physical properties as a consequence of chemical bond, and distance between atoms in chemical compounds have been illuminating. This seems the most generalized attack on the problem, and is based upon the idea that atoms in a lattice are held together as the square of the valence and inversely as the square of the distance between the atoms. The compounds compared must all be of the same crystalline arrangement. 100 W2 It is interesting to note the values of the figure 7 A 3 /3for a number of

Jan 1, 1938

By W. W. Eckles

This paper is presented as a suniniary report of the use of well gas composition correlations obtained from mass spectrometer recordings as a means of identification and determination of reservoir continuity. Conventional methods for detecting composition differences are en-pensive, elaborate, and difficult to obtain. This excludes the use of extensive composition data for most applications. During recent years the mass spec-trometer has come into general use as an analytical tool in petroleum refineries. The use of mass spectrometer composition patterns ir~ characterizing or "finger-printing" the produced gas from a reservoir, presents a novel method for correlatitlg gas samples from well to well. The mass spectrometer provides a trace similar to an electric log. having peaks which represent the abuntlnnce of certaitz hydrocarbons in the well gas sample. Without going further into the detailed analysis the idea has been advanced that these traces or patterns could be used as a means of identifying a particular natural gas. This theory has proven to be essentially correct. The mass spectrometer pattern method is simple and cheap as COi?7pared to other standard methods. It greatly facilitates the solution of reservoir and geological problems in which correlation of well gas Com-positions is a factor. Specific field applications have been made. This paper concerns the results obtained in 465 individual gas analyses from 35 fields and 77 res- ervoirs. In a number of cases it has been found that such data have been extremely valuable in the determination of reservoir continuity. In at least one case, the method was a valuable contribution in tracing a reservoir from sand to sand in a coinplex fnulted field involving n11rnerous gas reservoirs. Field applications are presented to illustrate the possibilities of the method at the present stage of developnient and to stimulate the ernployrnent of this new approach by geologists and petroleum engineers in the industry. INTRODUCTION Identification of producing horizons and the determination of reservoir continuity are often a problem in those areas where dome structures and highly faulted sands are encountered. To complicate the picture further, there may be numerous sands, one on top of the other which dip and diverge in different directions. Even though it may be possible to develop some solutions to the preceding problems on the basis of the geological and reservoir data on hand. it is readily recognized that substantiating data based on independent methods would he extremely valuable. It has been found through field studies that correiation of well gas composition can be used to advantage in the geological and engineering study of a complex reservoir identification problem. METHOD FOR COMPARISON AND CORRELATION OF WELL GAS SAMPLES Since a large number of well gas samples are required in a gas identification or reservoir con- tinuity problem, it is necessary that a method of analysis be employed which can detect differences in composition readily and inexpensively. Although detection would be possible by means of low temperature fractional distillation (POD) analpsis, the method requires a relatively large sample and is comparatively slow and expensive to run. The mass spectrometer affords an inexpensive and precise analysis of small well gas samples taken at the surface which are about 1/300 as large as a POD sample. These samples can be obtained by regular field personnei and shipped to the spectrometer for analysis. It is, therefore, a practical approach to the problem. A typical record from the mass spectrometer is illustrated in Fig. I. The peaks on the record represent the abundance of ions produced from the different hydrocarbon molecules making up the gas sam-ple. In well gas comparisons only five peaks are employed, since the other peaks are formed from the same gas molecules and furnish no additional information. The five peaks used represent the abundance of methane, propane, ethane, butane and heavier, and oxygen. They are referred to respectively as the 16, 29, 30, 43, and 32 peaks. The oxygen peak is used to correct for air content in

Jan 1, 1958

By J. Ruzicka

In creep testing, material is subjected to a constant load, preferably at a constant temperature, and its rate of deformation is measured. The method of loading can be of various types but in this paper only creep testing under tensile load will be considered. The ordinary tensile test is essentially a comparison test in conditions that frequently hear little or no relation to those under which the test material is to be used in service. The purpose of creep tests is to measure the strength of the test material at slow rates of deformation that more nearly approach the rates realized in service. One purpose of this paper is to illustrate that the creep test, in addition to its value as a service test, is superior to the ordinary tensile test as a sensitive tool for the comparison of certain metals in investigative testing. The other purpose is to describe equipment having distinctive features of design that make it especially suitable for such tests. Representative data obtained with this equipment on a group of rolled zinc-base materials are given. These data are compared with those from practical comparison tests of the creep type on weatherstrip fabricated from the same group of materials. The comparison illustrates the value of the fast creep test and of the equipment. The Equipment The creep equipment consists essentially of a tank containing a constant-temperature oil bath in which the creep of 14 specimens, loaded by means of levers, is measured by means of one movable extensometer. Figs. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate its general construction and appearance. Constant-temperalure Oil Balh.—A common constant-temperature bath requiring only one temperature-controlling equipment for a number of specimens was chosen as the best means of fulfilling the requirements of low cost and compactness. In addition, this allows the testing of a group of specimens under identical temperature conditions.

Jan 1, 1937

By H. P. Greenwald

THIs paper brings forward a discussion that was prepared for the meeting of the Coal Division in Chicago in 1938.1 War in Europe less than a year after that meeting, followed by our defense preparations and entry into the conflict, caused general cessation of large-scale experimentation on the subject, and it is best to confine this paper to events in the United States during the five-year period since the preceding paper was written. The views of members of the Coal Division's Committee2 on Rock-dust-ing for 1943 were obtained before this paper was written and the manuscript was reviewed by them. Extent of Rock-dusting Statistics on the use of rock dust in the United States during the years 1930-1933, appearing on page 97 of Volume 139 of the Transactions are extended in Table I herein through the year 1941. The results through 1933 did not appear encouraging, but there has been improve-ment since that date. It has always been true that the larger operations were the ones that used rock dust. In 1941 only 10 per cent of the mines in the country used rock dust, but they produced 57 per cent of the coal, employed just under 50 per cent of the miners, and accounted for 52 per cent of the man-hours. Unfortunately, collection and compilation of these statistics are slow procedures, and figures dealing with the tremendous war expansion of the industry are not likely to be available for a year or more. In 1941 the five leading states in regard to percentage of man-hours worked in mines using rock dust were: Utah, 92.1; Wyoming, 79.3; Alabama, 77.4; New Mexico, 72.5; West Virginia, 65.3. The first four states were the same as in 1933, but West Virginia displaced Washington in fifth place. On the basis of pounds of rock dust used per ton of coal, the five leading states in

Jan 1, 1944

By H. P. Greenwald

THIs paper brings forward a discussion that was prepared for the meeting of the Coal Division in Chicago in 1938.1 War in Europe less than a year after that meeting, followed by our defense preparations and entry into the conflict, caused general cessation of large-scale experimentation on the subject, and it is best to confine this paper to events in the United States during the five-year period since the preceding paper was written. The views of members of the Coal Division's Committee2 on Rock-dust-ing for 1943 were obtained before this paper was written and the manuscript was reviewed by them. Extent of Rock-dusting Statistics on the use of rock dust in the United States during the years 1930-1933, appearing on page 97 of Volume 139 of the Transactions are extended in Table I herein through the year 1941. The results through 1933 did not appear encouraging, but there has been improve-ment since that date. It has always been true that the larger operations were the ones that used rock dust. In 1941 only 10 per cent of the mines in the country used rock dust, but they produced 57 per cent of the coal, employed just under 50 per cent of the miners, and accounted for 52 per cent of the man-hours. Unfortunately, collection and compilation of these statistics are slow procedures, and figures dealing with the tremendous war expansion of the industry are not likely to be available for a year or more. In 1941 the five leading states in regard to percentage of man-hours worked in mines using rock dust were: Utah, 92.1; Wyoming, 79.3; Alabama, 77.4; New Mexico, 72.5; West Virginia, 65.3. The first four states were the same as in 1933, but West Virginia displaced Washington in fifth place. On the basis of pounds of rock dust used per ton of coal, the five leading states in

Jan 1, 1944

THE Johnson award for 1926 was given to T. L. Joseph for his experimental work on blast-furnace operation. When the Bureau of Mines undertook its experimental blast-furnace investigation in 1919, a number of operators and metallurgists were doubtful as to the practicability of small-scale tests. Several pre-vious attempts, outside the Bureau, to operate small furnaces had been unsuccessful. However, pig iron was produced in three and four-ton furnaces during the first half of the nineteenth century. The operation of a small furnace did not therefore seem an impossible task. This point of view, together with a realization of the importance of problems connected with the pro-duction of pig iron, prompted the Bureau to undertake this work. Such problems as the feasibility of using charcoal briquets as a fuel, the application of oxygen enriched blast, and the use of new ores and raw ma-terials, in general, can be investigated only at consider-able cost on full sized furnaces, while with an experimental furnace they can be conducted at a com-paratively ;small, cost. The results of small-scale tests are sufficient to determine whether the problem. War-rants the expenditure required for a trial on a com-mercial scale. The accompanying photographs and chart show the various stages of the experimental furnace development. Some idea of the size and shape of furnaces which were tested can be had from the development chart. In oper-ating furnaces A to F, a series of changes were made to increase hearth temperature. Perhaps the most im-portant change was the position of the tuyeres with respect to the bottom of the hearth. The height of the tuyeres above the hearth was gradually increased and the hearth diameter decreased. It was shown by this series of furnaces that metal and slag are the chief source of heat supply to the crucible. For this reason there is a minimum rate at which these materials can be brought into the hearth of a small furnace if it is to function properly. The rate of slag "and metal fall are determined by the burden on the furnace and the rate of blowing. Due to lack of funds necessary to provide ample blowing equipment, hot blast stoves, essential mechani-cal features, and to meet operating expenses, it. was necessary to work with much smaller furnaces, such as G to K shown in the chart. The particular object of these tests was to study the extent to which reactions could be speeded up by decreasing the size of the stock. One decided change, noticed at the beginning of this series of tests, was the effect which coke size had on the production of a strongly reducing gas. Furnace G, 22 in. high, operating on coke crushed to pass 10 mesh, made a gas richer in carbon monoxide than did fur-naces A to F, operating on run-of-the-oven coke.

Jan 3, 1927