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THE following employment items are made available to AIME members on a nonprofit basis by the Engineering Societies Personnel Service, Inc., operating in cooperation with the Four Founder Societies. Local offices of the Personnel Service are at 8 W. 40th St., New York 18; 100 Farnsworth Ave., Detroit; 57 Post St., San Francisco; 84 E. Randolph St., Chicago 1. Applicants should address all mail to the proper key numbers in care of the New York office and include 6c in stamps for forwarding and returning application. The applicant agrees, if placed in a position by means of the Service, to pay the placement fee listed by the Service. AIME members may secure a weekly bulletin of positions available for $3.50 a quarter, $12 a year. MEN AVAILABLE Project Manager or Construction Engineer, 48, married. Twenty-five years' experience on mine, mill and smelter construction work, design and operation, U. S. and Mexico. Speak Spanish. Now employed; available 30 days notice. Prefer U. S. or Mexico. M-698-489-E-1-San Francisco. Mining Geologist, 53, single. Eleven years' intensive field experience giving a completely practical competence for the smallest or largest of areas; plus the highest possible grade of academic background and independent research qualifying for top rating. Available in thirty days or less. Any location acceptable. M-699-3611-E-7-San Francisco.

Jan 1, 1952

By Keith Sutherland

AEROFLOAT 25 is a complex mixture of free cresylic acid with aryl substituted dithiophosphoric acids, sulphides, disulphides, etc. Its complete composition has not been published by the makers or patentees. It is prepared1 by the reaction between phosphorus pentasulphide and carefully selected cresylic acid. We have been informed that this acid contains no phenol and very little cresol, and that it is rich in the higher alkyl phenols, particularly the xylenols. The reaction between a phenol ROH and phosphorus pentasulphide may produce compounds of the following type:2 (i) RO S P Diaryldithiophosphoric acids RO SH (ii) R-SH Thiophenolic compounds (iii) R-S-R Diaryl sulphides (iv) R-S-S-R Diaryl disulphides (v) Substituted thianthren compounds Except for the simplest type, the thiophenols (ii), the boiling points of these compounds lie above 300° C. The amounts of the thianthren compounds formed from the five xylenols (if all these are present) will vary according to the position of the substituents. In an attempt to ascertain something of the nature of the reagent, fractional distillation under atmospheric pressure was undertaken. At the outset, hydrogen sulphide was freely evolved, and-particularly below 200° C.-the fractions had the strong odor characteristic of the

Jan 1, 1939

By Eugene McAuliffe

The mining press, as well as certain federal and state bulletins, refer from time to time to the relative hazards that attach to loading bituminous coal by hand when compared with the so-called "mechanical loading" process. Much of the coal coming under the head of hand-loaded coal is won in part by the use of machinery; the coal-cutting machine is in general use, the electric power drill employed to a lesser extent. Therefore it may be said that the principal difference in the process employed, mechanical loading versus hand loading, lies in the fact that some type of loading machine is employed in the mechanical loading process to lift the coal from the face of the room, place or entry, after it is mined, placing it in the pit cars for transport to the tipple. It is a common practice to compute accident records on the basis of tons mined per fatal and per nonfatal accident, disregarding the fact that it is possible to produce by the aid of coal-loading machines the same daily, monthly and annual tonnage with a much smaller force than is required where the coal is all shoveled by hand. Inasmuch as the men who are released by the substitution of machinery for hand labor must find employment elsewhere, suffering some measure of hazard in their new occupation, we are of the opinion that the true relative hazard that attaches to the processes of mechanical loading and hand loading can be determined only by using as the basis of comparison "man shifts worked" or "hours of exposure" experienced per accident. The Union Pacific Coal-Co., beginning with the year 1929, undertook to maintain a true record of man shifts worked per compensable accident, giving equal weight to fatal and nonfatal accidents. Accidents lacking sufficient severity to come under the compensable terms of the Workmen's Compensation Act were not included in the compilation, the Act providing that "no compensation, except the expense of medical attention, shall be allowed for the first seven (7) days of disability, unless the incapacity runs beyond the period of twenty-one (21) days, in which case the compensation shall run from the time of the injury." With the further thought that all accidents suffered by employees engaged in any service, in or about the place where the loading process

Jan 1, 1931

By C. C. CONCANNON

POTASH is an essential. It is necessary as an ingredient in fertilizers or as a plant food, and certainly one of the great problems, and one of increasing gravity, is the maintenance of agricultural fertility that we may have adequate food supplies. When one thinks of potash one thinks of Germany. The first and most important deposits of soluble potash salts were found in Germany, and it was through Ger- man research and the application of a highly developed knowledge of chemistry that the value of these deposits was recognized and appreciated in the field of agricultural fertilization. The Germans knew that they had something of great value in their potash resources, not only because of the advantage derived from the extensive use of it in their own intensive farming operations at home, but also because of the pressing need for it on the part of other countries. Appreciating the economic value of this in international trade, they fostered the industry to the fullest extent and devoted much attention to well organized propaganda designed to bring out the essential need for potash of German origin throughout the world. Thus every one came to believe that potash was an essential commodity of only German origin and as such it held an extraordinary position in world trade prior to 1914.

Jan 1, 1926

SEC. 1. The membership of the Institute shall comprise seven classes, namely: 1. Members; 2. Honorary Members; 3. Senior Members; 4. Associates; 5. Junior Members; 6. Rocky Mountain Members; 7. Junior Foreign Affiliates. All shall be equally entitled to the privileges of membership, excepting that no member of any class whose residence shall be outside of the United States of America, except those residing in Mexico and Canada, shall be entitled to vote. SEC. 2. Members: A person to be eligible for election or transfer into the class of Member must be at least 27 years of age and must have had at least six years' employment in the practice of engineering, mining, geology, metallurgy, or chemistry, during at least three years of which he must have held positions of responsibility in one or more of these fields. This shall not apply to Rocky Mountain Members.

Jan 1, 1946

SEC. 1. The membership of the Institute shall comprise seven classes, namely: 1. Members; 2. Honorary Members; 3. Senior Members; 4. Associates; 5. Junior Members; 6. Rocky Mountain Members; 7. Junior Foreign Affiliates. All shall be equally entitled to the privileges of membership, excepting that no member of any class whose residence shall be outside of the United States of America, except those residing in Mexico and Canada, shall be entitled to vote. SEC. 2. Members: A person to be eligible for election or transfer into the class of Member must be at least 27 years of age and must have had at least six years' employment in the practice of engineering, mining, geology, metallurgy, or chemistry, during at least three years of which he must have held positions of responsibility in one or more of these fields. This shall not apply to Rocky Mountain Members.

Jan 1, 1946

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 J. D. Defilippi, E. M. Gilbert, K. G. Brickner

FCC chromium-manganese-nitrogen (Cr-Mn-N) steels differ from most other fcc materials in that these steels undergo a ductile-to-brittle transition. Transformation to martensite is considered to be responsible for this behavior in some metastable Cr-Mn-N steels. However, very stable Cr-Mn-N steels also exhibit a ductile-to-brittle transition. The results of this study indicate that deformation faulting is the probable cause of the brittle behavior of stable Cr-Mn-N steels. Deformation faulting accounts for the ductile behavior of these steels in a tension test at -320°F and brittle behavior in an impact test at -320°F. Deformation faulting also accounts for the toPological features observed on the fracture surfaces of impact specimens of these steels. FACE- centered- cubic chromium-manganese-nitrogen (Cr-Mn-N) steels differ from most other fcc materials in that these steels undergo a ductile-to-brittle transition. Many Cr-Mn-N steels transform to martensite during deformation,l-5 and several investigatorsl-3 have suggested that the brittle behavior of these steels is caused by martensite formation. However, very stable Cr-Mn-N steels also exhibit brittle behavior. Schaller and Zackeyl reported that a very stable Cr-Mn-N steel (less than 3 pct martensite formed at -320°F) exhibited a transition temperature higher than that for steels in which large volume fractions of martensite formed during testing. The explanation given by Schaller and Zackey for this observation was that in the very stable steel the martensite, because of its higher interstitial content, was more brittle than that formed in their other steels. This explanation was questioned by Tisinai and samans4 and Baldwin.6 Moreover, because the toughness of stainless martensite at cryogenic temperatures is generally very low, this explanation does not account for Thompson's7 observation that small additions of nickel (1 to 3 pct) greatly improve the toughness of high nitrogen (0.35 pct) Cr-Mn-N steels. The present paper summarizes the results of an investigation of the low-temperature brittleness in very stable Cr-Mn-N steels. The importance of the mode of deformation on the toughness of these steels is discussed. Table I. Compositions of the Steels Invertigated, Pet Steel C Mn P S Si Ni Cr N - A 0.09 14.70 0.018 0.011 0.47 0.22 18.40 0.54 B 0.12 14.90 0.001 0.008 0.48 0.14 17.80 0.38 C 0.12 14.95 0.004 0.005 0.62 3.95 18.43 0.38 MATERIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL WORK The compositions of the steels investigated are shown in Table I. Steels A and B had compositions within the limits of a proprietary Cr-Mn-N stainless steel,* whereas Steel C was similar in composition to the proprietary steel except for its 3.95 pct Ni content. All steels were hot-rolled to 1/2-in. thick plate. The plates were subsequently annealed for 1 hr at 2000°F and water-quenched. Standard longitudinal and transverse Charpy V-notch impact specimens were machined from the annealed plates. Duplicate longitudinal and transverse impact specimens were tested at 212", 80°, 32", 0°, -100°,-160°,-200°,-256", and -320°F. Longitudinal tension-test specimens were also machined from the plates and tested at a crosshead speed of 0.05 in. per min at the aforementioned temperatures. The fractured impact and tension-test specimens of all three steels were examined to determine whether martensite had formed during testing. Magnetic, X-ray, electron-diffraction, and electron-microscopy techniques were used to detect the presence of martensite in the highly deformed areas of these specimens. Metallographic examination of highly deformed areas of impact and tension-test specimens revealed the presence of dark-etching bands, such as those shown in Fig. 1. These bands were observed only in deformed samples and were thought to be associated with the low-temperature brittleness of the Cr-Mn-N steels. Accordingly, a sample 1 in. wide by 3 in. long was cut from the 1/2-in.-thick plate of Steel C. This sample was surface-ground to a in. and then cold-rolled 60 pct at -320°F. Thin foils were prepared from the cold-rolled sample and examined in a JEM electron microscope. Brightfield, dark-field, and selected-area diffraction techniques were used to determine the cause of the dark-etching bands. Fractographic experiments were also performed. Impact specimens Of Steels A, B, and C were broken at -320oF, and the fracture surfaces of these specimens were immediately shadowed with carbon. The carbon replicas were examined in a Siemens electron microscope, and attempts were made to correlate the topological features of the fracture surfaces with the deformation mechanisms that could be occurring during an impact test of these steels.

Jan 1, 1970

By Marston G. Fleming

E. C. Peterson (Anaconda Copper Mining CO., Darwin, Calif.)—A study of this quite comprehensible and interesting paper by Dr. Fleming brings to mind several observations in the practical application of alkalinity and related factors to the actual practice of lead mineral flotation. Soda ash has long been a widely used and a very helpful alkaline conditioning agent in the flotation of galena from the usual run of lead-zinc ores. Soda ash is one of the common "standard" conditioning agents tried in any laboratory investigation of lead-zinc ores because it has so often proved helpful to galena flotation. However, the use of soda ash in the actual flotation of oxidized lead ores is certainly not widespread. In the flotation of certain lead-zinc ores from the Park City district of Utah, it was found in the usual cyanide-zinc sulphate-xanthate circuit that soda ash had an effect of producing a very condensed and flat froth regardless of the many frothers tried and that substitution of lime for soda ash to produce the same pH (8.0 to 8.4) improved the froth condition. However, the flotation of coarse particles of galena became so critical that some would pass through into the tailing, but caustic soda as a substitute for either soda ash or lime produced a very desirable froth condition in the same pH range and greatly improved the metallurgical outcome. Milling was carried out in typically "hard water" from watersheds of limestone and other calcareous rocks and the ore also apparently contributed magnesium and calcium salts to the pulp. Certain lead-zinc ores of Mexico have shown their greatest flotation response in circuits conditioned with sodium bicarbonate, and such actual mill use was also believed to be related to the water necessarily used in milling. On other lead-zinc ores the optimum has been obtained in actual milling treatment by use of caustic soda in both circuits of the operation. In flotation of oxidized lead ores in which sulphidi-zation is employed by addition of sodium sulphide, very high pH's exist in the flotation circuit. With the usual oxide lead ores, demanding 5 to 15 lb of sodium sulphide per ton of ore, pH's in the circuit (closed and open water-circuits) may range from 9.5 to 12, and for ores that contain much anglesite or a high percentage of iron oxide minerals, sodium sulphide consumption may reach as much as 30 lb per ton of ore and the resultant pH will be correspondingly higher. Yet in such flotation treatment employing either xanthate or oil (high-sulphur crude oil or diesel oils) as the collector, satisfactory to excellent grades of concentrate and lead recovery are obtained. Although there have been great studies and accomplishments in the investigations of flotation fundamentals and flotation theory, and although an investigation to determine the effect of all factors entering into the actual plant flotation of sulphide and oxide ores must become very complicated, as Mr. Fleming has mentioned in his caution regarding the drawing of general conclusions for other ores, it seems that it would be of greater interest if the techniques and investigations could, with time, approach the conditions of actual practice and lead the way to improved and more efficient flotation plant performance. Marston G. Fleming (author's reply)—The gulf between fundamental flotation research and plant operation is, perhaps, less wide than Mr. Peterson suggests. For example, the work described in my paper developed from an extensive investigation of a complex lead-vanadium ore from southwest Africa. This investigation started as a standard ore-testing problem but, at almost every stage, results were obtained which could not be interpreted in terms of previous experience. A program of fundamental research was therefore undertaken and was closely interlocked with the ore testing. This coordinated investigation resulted in a flotation process which has now been proved by two years of successful plant operation, and although the grade and mineralogical constitution of ore as well as smelter requirements have altered more than could have been anticipated, our knowledge of the fundamental character of the problem has made it possible to meet each change in conditions with much more confidence than would have been the case had we neglected this aspect of the investigation.

Jan 1, 1954

By A. F. Henderson, C. F. Cornell, A. F. Dunyon, D. A. Dahlstrom

Ossi E. Palasvirta (Development Engineer, Oliver Iron Mining Diu., U. S. Steel Gorp.)—The authors are to be congratulated for their interesting article, which thoroughly illustrates the variables inherent in filtration of taconite concentrate. The work and the conclusions based thereon largely parallel the test work done by the writer at the Pilotac plant" and the experience gained with a commercial size agitating disk filter in the same plant. At Pilotac, however, a thorough study was also made of the effect of depolarizing (demagnetizing) the filter feed, and it is the purpose of this discussion to comment on the merits of depolarization of the magnetite concentrate prior to filtering. The work at Pilotac was done in three phases: 1) preliminary laboratory testing with a circular filter leaf of 0.047 sq ft, followed by 2) plant testing using a 4-ft diam, single-disk agitating filter that was purchased on the basis of the pilot tests on the 4-ft model. In the laboratory tests depolarization was achieved by slowly withdrawing' batches of thickened concentrate from a coil producing an alternating field of about 300 oersteds. In plant tests the standard Pilotac procedure' was employed, wherein the pulp falls freely through the depolarizing coil. The preliminary tests in the laboratory at first seemed to indicate that although depolarization of the filter feed decreases the cake moisture, it also tends to decrease the thickness of the cake, thus decreasing filtering rate. The tests with the 4-ft disk filter soon showed, however, that the compactness of the cake, attained during the form period because of depolarization, permitted a considerable decrease in drying time without any sacrifice in final moisture content. Thus, the filter could be operated at a much higher speed, and the overall capacity was higher than with magnetized feed. Because of the great compactness of the cake there was little shrinkage during the drying period, which prevented cracking and subsequent loss in vacuum. This in turn permitted operation with as thick a feed pulp as the diaphragm pumps could handle, eliminating the necessity of pulp density control. On the basis of these findings, the 6-ft agitating disk filter has been operated at 2 rpm, using feed pulps varying from 65 to 73 pct solids. Initially Saran 601 was used as medium, but it was later replaced with a relatively open, tight-twist nylon cloth. Filtering rates up to 750 lb per ft- er hr can be attained with feeds averaging about 70 pct- 270 mesh, and there is no trouble because of cracking. The cake moistures vary between 8.5 and 9.5 pct. To recapitulate, the merits of depolarizing the filter feed may be summed up as follows: 1) The well dispersed pulp shows less tendency to settle in the filter tank. 2) The homogeneous filter pool results in more even cake formation. 3) Because of absence of flocs, great compactness of cake is attained during the form period. 4) The cake does not tend to crack during the drying period. 5) A drier cake is produced. 6) A shorter drying period is necessary, permitting higher operating speed, which in turn results in increased capacity. 7) Density of the feed pulp can be kept as high as the equipment can handle. This increases capacity, since it is directly proportional to the percentage of solids in the pool. A few tests were also made to study the effect of chemical flocculants on filtration efficiency. Results showed that the effects of chemical and magnetic floc-culation were quite similar. Thus the use of a floccu-lant would impair rather than improve the filtering of magnetite concentrate. A. F. Henderson, C. F. Cornell, A. F. Dunyon and D. A. Dahlstrom (authors' reply)—We want to thank O. E. Palasvirta for his comments, particularly in view of the encouraging results obtained with demagnetized taconite concentrate. In our studies an attempt was made to evaluate the effects of depolarizing the feed to the plant filters by passing the slurry through a coil, similar to the method described by Palasvirta. Unfortunately, in our experiments there were no startling improvements in performance level, neither cake rate increase nor cake moisture reduction. However, when slow filter cycle speeds were employed, the filter cake tended to crack and the vacuum level dropped, resulting in an increase in cake moisture content. When demagnetized feed was used during slow speeds, no cake cracking was evidenced and the vacuum level remained constant. Thus the depolarizing coil was found necessary only in cases of cracking. It should be noted that most of our test work concerned a feed of 85 to 90 pct —335 mesh and about 60 pct by weight solids concentration. This contrasts with 70 pct —270 mesh and 65 to 73 pct by weight solids as noted by Palasvirta. Reviewing both sets of results, it might be concluded that depolarizing may be successfully employed to alleviate cake cracking tendencies and may markedly improve cake rates and moistures on the coarser taconite concentrates. Further investigations may disclose the exact relationship of grind and pulp density to the depolarizing action.

Jan 1, 1959

By G. Nabi, W-K. Lu

Cylindrical specimens of natural dense hematite were reduced to magnetite at atmospheric pressure in H2-H2O mixtures of known composition over the temperature range 1084° to 1284°K. The rate of reduction was measured by the rate of movement of the interface between hematite and magnetite. The diffusion of gases through the gaseous boundary layer, the magnetite layer, and the interfacial chemical reaction were all considered in the interpretation of experimental data. The mass transfer coefficient through the boundary layer was calculated using accepted correlations. Values of the chemical reaction rate constant and the diffusivity of hydrogen in the magnetite phase were determined. THE present investigation is concerned with the reduction kinetics of natural hematite to magnetite by H2-H2O mixtures in the temperature range 1084" to 1284°K at atmospheric pressure. This reaction is the first step in the series of topochemical reactions in the process of reducing hematite to iron. Kinetic information of the simple steps such as hematite-magnetite transformation is necessary in order to have a better understanding of the complex processes of hematite reduction in iron-making. It also has direct industrial significance because magnetic roasting is one of the most important methods in benefication of lean ore.&apos; Although many technical papers have been published on the process of magnetic roasting and iron oxide reduction, very little information is available in the literature concerning the fundamental nature of hematite reduction to magnetite by reducing gases. Hansen et al.2 reduced the dense synthetic pellets of high-purity oxide in CO-CO2 mixtures and determined the reaction rate by weight-loss method. They were able to interpret most of their results by applying the interfacial area control theory developed by Mckewan.3 In contrast, Wilhelm and St. Pierre,4 who studied reduction of hematite to magnetite in H2-H2O mixtures by weight-loss method, stressed that the resistance of the porous magnetite layer to the diffusion of gases cannot be neglected in consideration of the overall reaction rate. In the present study the contributions of interfacial chemical reaction, diffusion of gases through the magnetite phase, and the gaseous boundary layer to the overall reaction rate will be considered. APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE Hematite Specimens Preparation. Natural hematite ore from Vermillon range of Northern Minnesota was selected for the present investigation because of its high purity and thermal stability. Chemical analysis of five samples gave the following average values: 67.52 pct total iron (96.62 pct Fe2O3, 0.28 pct FeO, 0.03 pct metallic iron), 2.53 pct SiO2, <0.07 pct MgO, 0.03 pct CaO, 0.05 pct combined mixture, 0.07 pct loss on ignition, and 0.34 pct other. Cylindrical specimens of 0.93 cm in diam and 2.7 cm in length were drilled from slabs of ore with a water-cooled diamond core drill. These specimens were heated to 1000°C and furnace-cooled. Specimens with silica pockets developed large cracks. The uncracked specimens were heated a second time, and their surfaces were carefully examined with a microscope. Those with hairline cracks or surface inhomoaenitv-- were rejected. Preparation of H2-H2O Mixtures. H2-H2O mixtures were prepared by the combustion of H2-O2, mixtures in a pyrex glass chamber in the presence of a catalyst. Alumina pellets coated with palladium, supplied by Englehard Industries, were used as the catalyst. Purified grades of hydrogen and oxygen were used which were repurified by usual techniques. Hydrogen before entering the combustion chamber was passed through an activated alumina H2O absorption bulb, with copper turning at the top. The cover of this bulb was not made pressure-tight so that any pressure development in the hydrogen line would cause the cover to blow off and also the copper turnings would act as a flame arrester in the case of a flashback from the combustion flame. Oxygen flow rates were measured with a bubble flow meter after purification with 1 pct accuracy. Hydrogen flow rates were measured by "precision wet test meter" and the amount of unburnt hydrogen was accurately measured by a bubble flow meter, after condensing water vapor in the gaseous stream. The Pyrex glass bulb contained concentric Vycor glass tubes as shown in Fig. 1. Oxygen was prevented from diffusing into the hydrogen line by threading platinum wire through pores at the combustion end of gas inlet tube. The glass bulb was heated with a Kanthal heating wire pasted in asbestos paper. The surface temperature of the bulb was measured with a thermocouple and adjusted to remain at approximately 350°C. The gaseous reaction chamber also served as a preheater for gases to avoid thermal segregation. The following sequence of operation was adopted. 1) Nitrogen was passed through the outer concentric tube to purge the catalyst bulb of oxygen. 2) Hydrogen was introduced through the inner tube until a steady flow was obtained. 3) Oxygen was then introduced into the nitrogen stream passing through the outer tube. 4) When combustion had commenced and a flame was visible over the platinum wire, the N2 was turned off.

Jan 1, 1969

By D. M. Waldorf

Steam permeability measurements have been made in the laboratory on several samples of natural reservoir materials. The steam temperatures and pressures were selected to simulate conditions which might exist in a reservoir during the injection of steam. For each sample tested, the experimental permeability to superheated steam was comparable to that measured with air and no evidence of plugging was detected. Some samples were exposed to water at various temperatures and plugging was found to occur in materials which contained significant quantities of monmorillonite clay. Temperature had little effect on the degree of plug-ning between 75 and 325 F. The measured pemeabilities tended to increase slightly with temperature, but the changes were small compared with the initial loss of per~neability on wetting. Sequential pemzeability measurements were made on two samples using air, water, steam, water and air, in that order. Both samples were water-sensitive and plugged extensively after the initial injection of water. Upon exposure to superheated steatm the samples dehydrated and their permenbilities to superheated steam were comparable to those initially measured with air. The remaining measuretnetzts with water and air confirmed that the water plugging was reversible and that the samples were not seriorrsly damaged during the tests. INTRODUCTION The swelling of water-sensitive clays during water floods has long been recognized as a potential source of reservoir damage. The recent extensive application of steam injection and stimulation has compounded this problem since both hot water and steam (as well as fresh water at reservoir temperatures) are, at sume time, in contact with the producing zone adjacent to the bore of a steam injection well. The purpose of this paper is to present data which compare the sensitivity of some natural sedimentary rock samples to water at various temperatures, and to super-heated steam. Some properties of montmorillonite clay are briefly reviewed, and comparisons are drawn between empirical data and the predicted behavior of the montmorillonite known to be present in the samples. PROPERTIES OF MONTMORILLONIT E CLAY Water initially adsorbs on dry N a -montmorillonite clay in discrete layers in the interlaminar space between clal platelets. The platelet spacing, which is 9.6 A (angstroms) for a dehydrated clay, has been observed to expand in discrete steps to 12.4, 15.5, 18.4 and 21.4 A spacings, indicating the formation of four discrete layers of regularly oriented water molecules.&apos; The first two layers are easily formed by hydrating a dry sample to equilibrium in an atmosphere with carefully controlled humidity. The formation of the higher layers is more difficult. The usual X-ray diffraction patterns of the more highly hydrated samples indicate a gradual increase in the average spacing betwcen 15.5 and 19.2 A, followed by a discontinuous expansion to 31 A when the weight ratio of water to dry clay is between 0.5 and 1.2.&apos; Platelet expansion above 31 A proceeds monotonically as the moisture is increased and no regular arrangement of the platelets ib observed. Water-sensitivity in sedimentary rocks is usually associated with Na-montmorillonite clay when it is in the noncrystal-line state. Mering3 found that the average lattice spacing of sodium montmorillonite hydrated at 68 F and 70 per cent relative humidity was 15.5 A, and that the spacing, at 92 per cent humidity was 16.5 A. The water adsorbed at the higher humidity has the same free energy as liquid water at 65.6 F. Kolaian and Low&apos; used a tensiometer to measure the thermodynamic properties of water in diffuse suspensions of montmorillonite clays relative to pure water. They observed that water in suspensions as dilute as 6 per cent clay became partially oriented when left undisturbed. The bonding associated with this orientation was not extensive because the free energy difference between the water in suspension and pure water was only a few millicalories per mole. They also found that the measured free energy difference decreased rapidly with temperature and became negligible above 100 F. This evidence indicates that montmorillonites contained in sedimentary rocks would dehydrate to a crystalline structure when exposed to superheated steam, and that the rock permeability measured with steam would be equivalent to that measured with air. The effect of elevated temperatures on the swelline of montmorillonite clays in aqueous suspensions has not been investigated. The Gouy-Chapman diffuse-ion-layer theory has been used to predict the swelling pressure of clay suspensions in dilute salt solutions at room temperature with reasonable success. theory also correctly predicts the direction of the thermal response of Na-mont-morillonite swelling pressures in dilute salt suspensions, 9 Over the temperature range of 33 to 68 F, an increase in

Jan 1, 1966

By K. A. Natarajan, I. Iwasaki

Platinum electrodes are not inert as often thought to be. The reactivity of platinum electrodes can explain their erratic behavior in many electrochemical measurements of metallurgical interest, e.g, in flotation systems, streaming potential measurements, contact-angle measurements, and in leaching systems. The anomalous behavior of platinum electrodes in redox potential measurements in aqueous systems was studied through Eh and pH measure ments in water-oxygen, iron-water-oxygen, and manganese-water-oxygen systems. Stability relations between Fe++ and Fe (OH), and between Fe (OH), and Fe (OH), were studied to judge the correspondence between experimental and theoretical equilibrium lines. The practicality of redox potential measurements in estimating ferric-ferrous ratios in aqueous systems was investigated along with their suitability as indicators in leaching operations, e.g., the removal of iron by aeration from manganese leach solutions. Platinum electrodes have often been used in the measurement of dissolved oxygen concentrations and of redox potentials (Eh) in a variety of fields, e.g., analytical chemistry,&apos; corrosion," geology and mineralogy,,&apos;&apos; biology,"&apos; sewage treatment,&apos; * hydrometallurgy,"I" and flotation."la The effectiveness of Eh-pH diagrams, first reported by Pourbaix&apos; in 1949, has contributed much towards the theoretical understanding of numerous problems encountered in the metallurgical industry. Not many references are available in the literature, however, wherein attempts have been made to confirm Eh-pH diagrams from experimental measurements. One reason might be that, in spite of the apparent simplicity of the electrochemical technique, the direct measurement of Eh involves complex practical problems.&apos; Factors such as the purity of the solution, the type of electrodes used, the history of the indicator electrode, and the type of atmosphere (namely, oxidizing, reducing, or inert) do have effects on the measured Eh values. The influence of mixed potentials cannot be underestimated. The poisoning of platinum electrodes by organic and inorganic impurities present in the solution may lead to erratic results. Platinum, commonly thought to be an inert electrode material, is not really so, as attested by a number of previous investigators who advised caution concerning the anomalous behavior of platinum electrodes in various electrochemical measurements.&apos;" In the present article, a few pertinent experiments related to Eh-pH measurements in systems of interest in the metallurgical and water pollution fields are described in an attempt to correlate such information with what is already known, especially in the electrochemical literature. Iron-water and manganese-water systems were selected with a view of studying the correspondence between experimentally observed and theoretically established equilibrium lines. The work included an investigation of the behavior of platinum electrodes with respect to pretreatment and adsorption characteristics, the measurement of dissolved oxygen concentrations and their relation to Eh, the determination of the electrode potential of the ferric-ferrous couple at different pH, and the measurement of oxidation potentials in iron-manganese leaching systems. Experimental Procedure A rotating platinum electrode was used in many of the measurements to study the effect of rotation on measured Eh values. The electrode made by the Pine Instrument Co. consisted of a stainless steel rod with a platinum disk soldered to the end. It was covered with a Teflon insulation along the sides, so that only the circular tip of the electrode was exposed to the solution. Prior to its use, the platinum surface was brightened on a metallurgical polishing wheel with alumina as an abrasive, unless specified otherwise. The electrode was rotated with a Sargent cone-drive motor at 350 rpm. The contact of the electrode with the external circuit was made by filling a notch at the top of the stainless steel shaft with mercury and by dipping a copper wire into the mercury pool. The performance of the rotating platinum electrode was compared with the performances of a Beckman platinum button electrode and a platinum wire electrode. All the potentials were measured with respect to a saturated calomel electrode. A saturated KC1-agar bridge was used to minimize the liquid junction potential. A Beckman Zeromatic pH meter together with a Beck-man electrode switch was used to measure both the Eh and pH. A double-walled, all-Pyrex jar with a capacity of about 1 liter and themostated by circulating water of constant temperature was used for a reaction cell. Four equally spaced ports in the cover provided access for a glass electrode, a salt bridge connecting the saturated calomel electrode, a dispersion tube for bubbling gases into the cell solution, inlet and outlet tubes for passing the desired gases over the solution, and a graduated burette for introducing reagents from outside. The rotating platinum electrode was inserted through an opening in the top-center of the cover, and a positive gas pressure was maintained inside the cell to prevent air from entering into the cell compartment. A magnetic stirrer was used to mix the solution inside. For the determination of dissolved oxygen in the test solutions, the polarographic techniquex was used.

Jan 1, 1971

By Milton Fies

ALTHOUGH pig iron from iron ore and red cedar charcoal preceded the mining of coal by many years, for tradition says that Alabama iron was used to shoe the horses of Andrew Jackson&apos;s soldiers, coal was not produced until 1830. In that year, coal was mined in Tuscaloosa County, in the vicinity of what is now the University of Alabama, and shipped on flat boats (obviously during the wet season, for there were many shoals) down the Warrior River to Mobile. About that time, the first railroad, the Decatur & Tecumseh, was being constructed in northern Alabama to overcome the obstructions to freight traffic caused by the now well-known Muscle Shoals in the Tennessee River. This railroad was patterned after a railroad at Mauch Chunk, Pa., which was used for hauling anthracite from the Panther Creek valley. The Alabama railroad, which required about four years to complete, was 46 miles long and was used solely for the transportation of cotton. Although it was a failure, it demonstrated the practicability of the undertaking, and the succeeding railroads, which were begun in 1834, 1848, 1852, and 1853, added immeasurably to the development of the coal resources of the state. Between the years 1830 and 1860, practically all the coal mined in the state was dug from the outcrop near the river or from the river beds, and shipped by boat to Mobile. Transporting coal down the Warrior River was one of great risk, required much skill, and frequently had heavy losses. It is recorded that this coal was sold to the gas company in Mobile in 1844; it was most likely mined from the Black Creek Seam. In 1914, on the completion of Lock 17, the Warrior River became a navigable stream from 9 miles above Cordova, Ala., to Mobile and offers a great opportunity for the future development of the coal resources of the state.

Jan 9, 1924

By C. R. King

Most of the acid volcanic glasses such as obsidian, perlite, pitchstone, pumice, and pumicite (volcanic ash) are susceptible to some expansion if suddenly subjected to a suitably high temperature in a properly designed furnace, and subsequently suddenly cooled. Expansion results from the action of chemically combined or dissolved water expanding as a vapor within the softened heated rock particles. This expansion forms countless minute bubbles within the pasty mass of the natural glass particles. If the particles are cooled before these bubbles can escape, the resulting products are cellular, more or less spherulitized glass froths or hollow glass spheres of many types. Chemically, they are essentially aluminum silicates containing about 70 to 75 pct silica, 10 to 16 pct alumina, and 2 to 7 pct sodium plus potassium oxides. They are relatively resistant to attack by acids or alkalies, are resistant to heat up to over 1000°F, and are completely inert to insect or fungus attack.

Jan 1, 1949

Spencer Gulf takes off from the Great Australian Bight cutting a 200 mile deep wedge of water into the South Australia coastline. A pale winter sun shines yellowly on the choppy surface of this body of water which is progressively more salty as it approaches Port Augusta at the head of the Gulf. Once Port Augusta thrived as a grain port and the speedy clipper ships began or ended their legendary races there. On the eastern shores of Spencer Gulf, farm land spreads away from the water&apos;s edge. The western side of the gulf meets marginal grazing land of acacia tree and salt bush. Part way down the gulf, there are two industrial towns facing each other from opposite shores; Port Pirie on the east and Whyalla on the west. These towns are like half brothers, the common parent being the founders of Broken Hill Pty. Ltd., (BHP) who began lead smelting at Port Pirie and discovered iron ore near Whyalla needed for the lead smelting process. The iron deposits later became the inspiration for BHP&apos;s iron and steel business.

Jan 10, 1964

THE object of all classification is to group together things which are alike, and separate those which are unlike. This object is essentially a practical one, enabling us to apply past experience to new conditions: Many costly large-scale experiments lose half their importance for want of proper description of the coal used, and the consequent impossibility of predicting other coals will behave in the same way. I do not, therefore, make a fundamental distinction between "scientific" and "use" classifications, except in so far as use depends on conditions, such as size or impurities which are not related to the nature of the coal substance itself. The characters chosen to define the classes of coal must be such as are accompanied by as many other properties as possible. It is not to be expected that any system of classification will enable us to predict every property of coal, since all specimens have an individuality of their own. But specimens can be grouped by a number of resemblances into species. Further, species which resemble each other can be grouped into genera.

Jan 1, 1928

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 J. F. K. Brown

ANTHRACITE?S satisfactory showing in 1942 was accomplished in the face of adverse conditions, such as the loss of man power to the active services and to other industries, and the difficulty and delay in obtaining the necessary materials and equipment required in mining operations. Although the in- creased output was stimulated by the war, and thus does not impress one as contributing to continuing improvement in the industry, nevertheless the year witnessed several efforts ant1 consideration of others that have the appearance of permanent progress.

Jan 1, 1943