Search Documents

By John D. Sullivan

MAJOR technical advances seldom occur in a single year, and this is especially true with aluminum and magnesium where marked improvements in metallurgical processes and products took place during the war years. Nevertheless, the light metals and alloys, particularly aluminum, are advancing in commercial importance and are finding their niche in industry. New applications during the year have resulted from a better over-all knowledge of properties, handling, etc., rather than from revolutionary new developments.

Jan 1, 1948

By A. J. Stosick, J. R. Hoffman, E. Rudy, St. Windisch

The binary alloy system Mo-C zoas investigated by means of X-ray, metallog/aphic, thermoanalytical, and melting-point techniques on chemically analyzed specimens. The system, Fig. 39, is characterized by three congruently melting, intermediate phases, Mo2C, n MoCi-x, and aMoC1-,, of which only Mo,C is stable at temperatures below 1650°C. Substoichio-metrzc (~32.5 at. pct C) dimolybdenum carbide undergoes a homogeneous sublattice order-disorder transformation at temperatures of approximately 1400°C, whereas hyperstoichiorrletric compositions undergo a discontinuous Phase change. The order-disorder transitions in the Me, C phases are discussed in terms of the structural changes involved in the transformation processes and the absence of long-range sublattice coherency in stoichiometric or hyperstoiclziomet-ric compositions attributed to the impossibility of obtaining long-range order in a linear chain of alternating carbon atoms and vacancies. From the experimental phase relutionships and the known thermody-namic data for Mo2 C, limits for the free energies of formation for the high-temperature phases r) MoC1-, and aMoC1-, are deriued and found to be in good agreement with data previously obtained from phase equilibria in ternary metal-carbon systems. IN the course of studies of the high-temperature phase relationships in ternary systems of refractory transition metals with carbon,' a number of inconsistencies found in previous work necessitated a reex-amination of some of the related metal-carbon binaries. A reassessment of the binary system data also seemed

Jan 1, 1968

By Earle Schumacher

THE solidus line above the solid solution field in the lead-antimony system was originally determined by Dean and his associates1 from heating curves. They did not regard this line as having been accurately fixed and in their more recent publications2 the curves drawn do not follow closely the original data. The precise location of the solidus line is of importance in the extrusion of lead-antimony cable sheath, as the temperature of the metal in this process must be less than the lowest temperature at which any part of the alloy in the lead-press charge becomes liquid. It is very desirable, however, to operate at as high a temperature as possible, as the rate of extrusion for a given pressure is approximately doubled for an increase of 10° C. in temperature. The precise location of this line is also important, in the investigation of ternary systems of lead, antimony and a third metal. For these reasons, and because of the differences reported in the literature, data were secured on the lead-antimony solidus line by the classical quenching-test procedure.

Jan 1, 1927

Aamot, Olav Crone, Chem. Engr., Norsk Elektrokemisk, Kongensgt. 18, Olso. Norway. '29 Abadilla.-Quirico A., Dir., Bureau of Mines Manila, P. I. '38 Abbott, Clarence E., V.P., Charge of Raw Materials, Tennessee Coal, Iron & R.R. Co., 1212 Brown-Marx Bldg., Birmingham, Ala. '04 Abel, Raymond L., Prof., Dept. of Pet. Refin., Univ. of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pa. '29 Abel. Walter D., Cons. Engr 1839 Holmby Ave., W. Los Angeles. Calif. '32 Abele, Louis T R. F. D. 5. Susquehanna Trail, N., York. Pa. '31 Abell, Leo M., Ore Dressing Investigator, School of Mines Adelaide, S. Australia. '31 Abenius. Hakan V., Mine Supt., Bolidens Gruvaktiebolag Boliden, Sweden. '37 Aborn, Robert H., Asst Met., Research Lab., U. S. Steel Corp. Lincoln Highway, Kearny, N. J. '19 Abraham, W. E. V., East India United Service-Club, 16 St. James' Sq., London, S. W. 1, England. '28 Abrams. Charles Jackson 1624 17th St., Denver, Colo. '36 Abstein, Henry T., Engr. & Mgr., Profile-Tamarack Mines Co Yellow Pine, Idaho. '27

Jan 1, 1938

By B. S. Butler

PART I SUMMARY CERTAIN relations between the formation of ore deposits and other geological processes are pretty generally accepted, namely: that many ore deposits are closely associated with igneous activity; that ore deposits accompany certain types of intrusive bodies, notably batholiths and stocks, and that they are concentrated near the tops of such bodies; that igneous activity occurs in belts of strong folding and faulting; that folding and faulting are greatest in basins of extensive sedimentation and least in areas of erosion or slight sedimentation; that areas of erosion or slight sedimentation and of heavy sedimentation persist over long periods and exert a major control over structure, igneous activity, and ore deposition; that cycles of erosion, deposition, folding and faulting, igneous activity, and ore deposition, have been repeated through geologic time resulting in rather definite periods in which metal deposits have formed. In short, ore deposition is but one phase of a series of closely related geological events. It is attempted in this chapter to point out the relations of these interreacting geologic processes to the distribution of ore deposits in the western United States. Three great periods of mineralization are recognized; pre-Cambrian, post-Jurassic, and late Cretaceous-Tertiary. In distribution the deposits of the three periods, with certain exceptions, show a concentration about two large positive areas, the Colorado plateau and the Columbia plateau, which suggests a causal relation. The most general age divisions of the rocks of the Cordilleran region of the United States are (1) pre-Cambrian, and (2) Cambrian and later rocks. The pre-Cambrian rocks are exposed mainly through the Rocky Mountain belt from the Canadian boundary southward to Arizona and westward through Arizona to southern California. They have commonly

Jan 1, 1933

By Michael Tenenbaum

The importance of semikilled steel as a high tonnage grade has long been recognized. The increasing severity of the applications for which semikilled steel is used makes it desirable to obtain further information regarding the features of open hearth practice and ingot structure that can affect steel performance in subsequent rolling and fabricating operations. Accordingly, an investigation is being carried out studying the structure of various types of semikilled steel ingots. This paper reviews some of the observations made and information gathered in this investigation. By definition, semikilled steel may be considered to include all nonrimming steels in which the natural shrinkage occurring during ingot solidification is offset to an appreciable degree by gas formation. Accordingly, this type of steel includes the entire range intermediate between rimmed and fully killed steel. The resultant ingot structures range from those of steels that have been capped to suppress a weak rimming action to those steels that have been killed in the furnace or ladle to the extent that no mold deoxidizer is required. A survey reported to the 1946 -AIME Open Hearth Conference' reviewed the practices being used at 28 major plants for the deoxidation of semikilled steel. It was found that most plants divide the deoxidizing additions between the ladle and the mold—many of the plants adding only minor amounts of deoxidizer to the bath or none at all. Silicon, aluminum and titanium were the only elements used for ladle and mold deoxidation. Mold deoxidizers were added as capping additions or as uniformly fed additions. Several practices were reported in which the steel was deoxidized in the ladle to the extent that little or no mold deoxidation was needed. No reference was made to grades capped by using special mold designs or special closures over the top of molds. .Accordingly, specific examples of this type of practice will not be considered in this paper. It appeared from this survey of deoxidation practice that semikilled steel can be divided into three types, namely, capped semikilled, in which aluminum is added near the end of pour or after shut-off, intermediate semikilled steels, in which aluminum is fed uniformly throughout the pour, and semikilled steels requiring no mold deoxidation. In an attempt to cover the ingot structures obtained by the range of practices reported in the preceding survey, three series of experimental heats were made using increasing amounts of aluminum, silicon and titanium for ladle deoxidizers. The ladle deoxidizers were added as stick aluminum, 50 pct ferrosilicon and 20 pct ferrotitanium (4 pct carbon), respectively. Two methods of studying ingot structures were used. Ingots were removed from production, burned longitudinally and machined to allow observation of the central pipe and coarse blowholes. During the machining operation much of the finely porous subsurface structure was obliterated. Accordingly, observations were also made

Jan 1, 1949

By Michael Tenenbaum

The importance of semikilled steel as a high tonnage grade has long been recognized. The increasing severity of the applications for which semikilled steel is used makes it desirable to obtain further information regarding the features of open hearth practice and ingot structure that can affect steel performance in subsequent rolling and fabricating operations. Accordingly, an investigation is being carried out studying the structure of various types of semikilled steel ingots. This paper reviews some of the observations made and information gathered in this investigation. By definition, semikilled steel may be considered to include all nonrimming steels in which the natural shrinkage occurring during ingot solidification is offset to an appreciable degree by gas formation. Accordingly, this type of steel includes the entire range intermediate between rimmed and fully killed steel. The resultant ingot structures range from those of steels that have been capped to suppress a weak rimming action to those steels that have been killed in the furnace or ladle to the extent that no mold deoxidizer is required. A survey reported to the 1946 -AIME Open Hearth Conference' reviewed the practices being used at 28 major plants for the deoxidation of semikilled steel. It was found that most plants divide the deoxidizing additions between the ladle and the mold—many of the plants adding only minor amounts of deoxidizer to the bath or none at all. Silicon, aluminum and titanium were the only elements used for ladle and mold deoxidation. Mold deoxidizers were added as capping additions or as uniformly fed additions. Several practices were reported in which the steel was deoxidized in the ladle to the extent that little or no mold deoxidation was needed. No reference was made to grades capped by using special mold designs or special closures over the top of molds. .Accordingly, specific examples of this type of practice will not be considered in this paper. It appeared from this survey of deoxidation practice that semikilled steel can be divided into three types, namely, capped semikilled, in which aluminum is added near the end of pour or after shut-off, intermediate semikilled steels, in which aluminum is fed uniformly throughout the pour, and semikilled steels requiring no mold deoxidation. In an attempt to cover the ingot structures obtained by the range of practices reported in the preceding survey, three series of experimental heats were made using increasing amounts of aluminum, silicon and titanium for ladle deoxidizers. The ladle deoxidizers were added as stick aluminum, 50 pct ferrosilicon and 20 pct ferrotitanium (4 pct carbon), respectively. Two methods of studying ingot structures were used. Ingots were removed from production, burned longitudinally and machined to allow observation of the central pipe and coarse blowholes. During the machining operation much of the finely porous subsurface structure was obliterated. Accordingly, observations were also made

Jan 1, 1949

By B. D. Thomas

When the origin and early plans, of Battelle Memorial Institute were described in this journal in October 1929 by R. W. Gillett the first director, the doors of the laboratory had just been opened and the hope of the founder that the institution serve the world by research for industry still existed only as an ideal in the minds of the thirty or so employees who then constituted the staff. Since that time the country has experienced troublous times. A devastating depression plunged the entire world into an unprecedented period of financial and industrial inactivity; and the slow recovery of the late thirties was soon to be overtaken and overwhelmed in the violence of war. Through this time of stress Battelle has continued to grow. The staff has increased to almost 600; buildings and equipment have been added, until now it stands in a place of pre-eminence in the metallurgical and engineering world.

Jan 1, 1944

By AIME AIME

EITHER the 2300 people who came to the Annual Meeting were in a better frame of mind or they were resigned to their fate, or it was a better meeting than usual. Whatever the reason, at the 1nstitute?s 148th meeting the attendance was better than ever before, things went more smoothly than in some previous years, and complaints appear to have been almost entirely absent. Patience was sometimes reauired but. almost without exception, it was forthcorning the well-known recession seems to have given many members enough leisure time to come to the meeting without depriving them of the tangible wherewithal to come.

Jan 1, 1938

[Aamot, Olav Crone, (M'29) Chem. Engr., Elektrokemisk, Raadhusgt. 23, Oslo, Norway. Abadilla, Quirico A., (M'38) Min. Engr., Dir. Bureau of Mines, Manila, P. 1. Abbott, Agatin, (J'40) Asst. Geol., Trench Mine, Patagonia, Ariz. Abbott, Clarence E., (M'04) Civil Engr., V.P., Tennessee Coal Iron & R.R. Co., 1642 Brown Marx Bldg., Birmingham, Ala. Abel, Raymond L., (M'28) Prof., Chem. Engrg., Univ. of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. Abel. Walter D., (M'32) Min. Engr., Div. of Corporations, State of Calif., 403 California State Bldg., Los Angeles, Calif. Abele, Louis T., (M'31) 4800 Patterson Ave.. Richmond, Va. Abell, Leo M., (M'31) Research Met., Mount Morgan Ltd., Mount Morgan, Queens., Australia. Abenius, Hakan V., (M'37) c/o Falu Gruva, Falun, Sweden.]

Jan 1, 1940

By E. J. Eisenach, Edward Matsen

AT the present time the Climax Molybdenum Co. is the largest molybdenum producer in the world and the operator of the largest underground mine in North America. It has grown steadily and rapidly since its beginning in 1917. Only 250,000 lb of MoS2 were produced during the first year from 1917 to 1918 when the company was formed. Operations were suspended shortly thereafter because of the lack of a market and knowledge of the uses of molybdenum. During World War I it was used as a substitute for some rare metals and for minor chemical purposes. After 5 years of intensive research and sales promotion, Climax metallurgists succeeded in finding proper applications for the newly discovered metal and the mine was reopened in 1924. Demand for molybdenum increased gradually and in 1930, 3.5 million lb of MoS2 were produced. In the meantime, research work for additional uses of molybdenum continued until it had established itself as one of the most important alloying elements in producing high quality steels. After the start of World War 11, from January 1942 to October 1953, 43 million tons of molybdenum ore were mined and 484 million lb of MoS2 were produced. Climax mine is located in Colorado, 100 miles southwest of Denver and 12 miles northeast of Leadville on the Continental Divide of the Rocky Mountains. The principal mine workings range from 11,170 to 12,000 ft in elevation. Topographically, it lies in the base of a large cirque that is surrounded by Mt. Bartlett to the north, Clinton Peak and McNamee Peak to the east and Ceresco Ridge to the south. This cirque opens to the west and to the Ten Mile Valley.

Jan 3, 1954

By MAURICE ALTMAYER

M Y DUTIES, as a member of the Department of Franco-American War Cooperation of the French High Commission were to study the copper and brass industries of America from the mining of the various non-ferrous metals to the semi-finished, or finished materials. In the pursuit of these studies, it was my privilege to visit a number of industries and organizations in different parts of the country. I first visited most of the Eastern copper refineries that were supplying the Allies with vast amounts of metal. These works are producing their material by the multiple or the series process, although the first method predominates. But, regardless of the process employed all the plants attain an exceptionally high standard of quality in their production. One of the points that particularly attracted attention was the manner in which improvements could be traced from the older worlds to the more recent ones. The impression was that, thanks to a spirit of broad-minded cooperation between the principals of the companies and frequent exchanges of views between members of the staffs, all persons interested benefitted by the experience thus gained, to the advantage of the community at large.

Jan 1, 1920

By Frederick Laist

This paper is a review of Montana reverberatory smelting practice covering a period of approximately fifty years, during which time the small furnaces that had been in use elsewhere for a century or more, without much change in size or method of operation, were revolutionized and were developed into the huge, continuously operating furnaces of today. A study of Montana practice is particularly instructive, since reverberatory furnace smelting for the production of copper matte received more attention there than in other smelting centers and many of the improvements that finally resulted in establishing the preeminence of this type of furnace over the blast furnace originated in Butte and Anaconda. The material in this paper was gathered from original sources, wherever possible, and all of the illustrations were made from original drawings, some of which have been simplified and worked over so as to be better adapted for reproduction. The aim has been to trace the modifications in design and operation which took place during the period in question—the reasons for the changes and the results achieved through them. For developments during the first twenty years, the technical literature of the period was freely drawn upon, but I am particularly indebted to W. M. Kelly, general foreman at the Anaconda Works, whose recollections and personal experience extend back to the early days. I wish to acknowledge the use made of publications of E. P. Mathewson, William Wraith and L. V. Bender, as well as information obtained here and there from friends and associates. The resume of Great Falls practice was compiled from correspondence, notes and drawings found in the files of the old Boston & Montana Co. and the tabulations showing the performance of furnaces at Butte and Anaconda are adapted from plant records and correspondence in the files of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company. The paper deals with some interesting comparisons that were made between furnaces operated under various conditions in connection with the Carson Case, and results obtained when using natural gas as fuel. This part of the paper may be considered original to the extent that these results have not previously been published.

Jan 1, 1934

By Dean, R. S.

THE numerous theories of hardening which have been advanced in recent years are all satisfactory in accounting for some of the phenomena observed in hardening metals, but none so far presented account for all of the facts observed. Some years ago one of the authors, R. S. Dean,' presented a theory to account for some of the properties accompanying work hardening. The present paper develops this theory further in the light of recent experimental work and extends it to other forms of hardening. Many of the ideas included have come from the writings and personally communicated thoughts of others. We have attempted to give proper credit in every case, but it is possible that we have not always done so. As an historical basis it is desirable here to review very briefly the hardening theories which have been current. The first comprehensive theory of work-hardening phenomena was due to Sir George Beilby.2 He contributed the idea that with cold work part of the structure of the metal was rendered amorphous and that-it was to this amorphous material that the cold-worked metal owed its difference in properties. According to Beilby's theory this amorphous material was a supercooled liquid and, therefore, had the characteristics of a vitreous material. That such a theory is not capable of explaining the property changes in metals has been repeatedly pointed out. This theory also allowed a slip to take place only once on a given plane, which, as has been pointed out by Jeffries and Archer13 is not consistent with the observed length of an, individual slip and the amount of elongation which can be obtained by wire drawing. The modifications, which have been proposed to this hypothesis to make it coincide with the experimental facts, have to a considerable extent robbed the theory of its clean-cut characteristics. The commonest of these modifications replaces the amorphous phase with an

Jan 1, 1927

By G. L. Fisher, R. Maddin

The rate of self-diffusion in silver single crystals during torsional strain was measured over a wide range of tenperatures and strain rates. The torsional strain was applied in a cyclic manner by reversing the divection of twist aftev a certain fraction of the total strain was reached. Surface roughening was substantially reduced in cyclically strained specimens compared with those strained entirely in one direction. Diffusion coefficients were determined using a special sectioning technique whereby slices could be removed parallel to the surface of a strained torsion specimen. The accuracy of the technique was first determined using roughened specinzens statically diffused to various penetration depths. Simultaneous strain-diffusion experiments were then performed over the temperature range 550' to 800 using strain rates of lo-' to 2.2 x 10' sec-'. The increase in silver self-diffusivity during torsional plastic strain was small. In only one case was the enhancement greater than twice the static value of the diffusion coefficzent. The enhancements increased slightly with decreasing tenzperature and increased with increasing strain rate. A dislocation pipe mechanism of enhancement was found to explain the present results satisfactorily. The magnitude of the enhancements and the tenzperatures at which they were observed suggests that a steady-state dislocation density of 10' to 109 dislocations cm-2 existed during the high-tempevature deformation. The diffusion coefficient in an fcc metal can be increased by 1) an excess concentration of point defects and 2) the rapid movement of diffusing atoms along grain boundaries and dislocations. Plastic deformation may be responsible for enhancements by both of these mechanisms. The results of simultaneous strain-diffusion experiments have caused a controversy over the magnitude of the effect of strain upon diffusion. Experiments reporting large enhancements have been criticized for the manner in which the diffusion coefficient was measured. Several of these experiments have been contradicted by other results obtained in a similar manner. No enhancement was reported by two investigators''' who performed their experiments at high temperatures where strain is expected to have little effect upon diffusion. A recent theoretical analysis3 indicates that strain enhancement by a vacancy mechanism will be small and exist only at low temperatures and rapid strain rates. It is doubtful whether any experiment has yet proven that strain enhancements can occur by an excess vacancy mechanism. In the present research, experiments were performed at extremes of temperature and strain rate in an attempt to measure enhancement of diffusion by strain. Self-diffusion of silver during torsional deformation was chosen since two separate investigations4j5 indicate that at least a small enhancement exists under these conditions. An accurate method of determining the diffusion coefficient, mechanical sectioning, was employed after a technique was devised to apply it to the roughened surface of a strained torsion specimen. First, the accuracy of the technique was determined for different penetrations (2fi). Then diffusion experiments were performed at temperatures between 550" and 800°C at strain rates of 10"" to 10"" per sec. I) EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Preparation of Specimens. The experimental procedure detailing the growth of crystals, their treatment, and the annealing techniques during straining are contained in earlier publications.496 The dimensions and orientations of the torsion specimens are shown in Figs. 1 and 2. licatiin of Torsional Strain. The torsion procedure was changed from that used previously. The specimens were strained in cycles to reduce the gross distortion and surface roughening inherent in twisting to high strains in one direction. For all strains above 0.30, the total surface strain was obtained as follows: the specimen was twisted to 0.10 strain in a clockwise direction; the direction was reversed; the backlash in the torsion apparatus was taken up; and the specimen was twisted in a counterclockwise direction through the initial starting point to 0.20 surface shear strain in the opposite direction. The strain reversal took no more than 1 min to accomplish. The total accumulated surface shear strain was arbitrarily taken as the sum of the 0.10 strain in the clockwise direction plus 0.20 in the counterclockwise direction. Although cyclic torsional strain was beneficial, surface roughening and specimen distortion were not entirely eliminated. The variation in the diameter at various points on the specimen was often much greater than the depth of the diffusion zone. Since serious errors might result if specimens were sectioned in the usual manner, a technique of lathe sectioning was devised to allow sections to be taken parallel to planes of equal concentration.

Jan 1, 1967

By W. F. Wheeler

IN the study of the coals of Illinois now being carried on by the State Geological Survey, an attempt is being made to determine the most satisfactory basis of comparison between different coals. The following discussion is based upon work done for the survey in the laboratories of the State University and under the general direction of Prof. S. W. Parr. " Pure coal " has been defined by Mr. A. Bement1 as ash- and moisture-free coal, and the use of this " pure coal " as a basis for comparing different bituminous coals has lately been much discussed among engineers in the middle West. By some the B.t.u. of the pure coal is being used to check calorimetric results, and to calculate the calorific value of different coal-samples from the same seam, for which purposes it is necessary to assume-first, that the composition and calorific value of pure coal from different parts of the same coal-seam are uniform, and, second, that these values remain constant after the coal is mined, both of which assumptions there are reasons to believe are inconsistent with the facts. Certain variables are included in pure coal, as ordinarily defined, and disregard of them may lead to serious error. In any event, where delicate shades of difference are involved, no sure interpretation of results can be made, unless these variables be eliminated. As a basis of comparison between coals, ash- and moisture-free coal is much to be preferred to " dry coal," and still more is it to be preferred to " moist coal," as ordinarily reported in analyses. There are, however, two constituents other than ash and moisture which are similar in effect to them, and which

Jan 1, 1908

By Dr. O’Neil Thomas J., Donald W. Gentry

"If you can hold a board of cross directors In happiness against their gauzy schemes; If you can dodge the wrath of the electors Till dividends will flow as in their dreams; If you can make a mine pay from the grass roots No matter what the time or place or year; Then on my soul until the final blast shoots We'll add the title "MINING" when we call you "ENGINEER. " -From Wayne Darlington, "The Mining Engineer, " The Engineering and Mining Journal, Vol. 98, Sept. 26, 1914, p. 587. REASONS FOR THIS CHAPTER Up to this point in the book the material presented has addressed the fundamental parameters associated with the evaluation of mining ventures and other investment alternatives. The procedures and techniques illustrated represent the basic approach to project evaluation, particularly when considering the normal engineering economic analysis of investment proposals. The evaluation procedure is complicated, however, when dealing specifically with mining-related investment proposals. These complicating factors are invariably directly related to the many special characteristics of the mining industry. Many of these special features such as tax policies, revenue and cost estimation, and ore reserves have been addressed in previous chapters. In addition to the many special features of mining which directly impact, in a quantitative manner, the various line items in the pro forma income statements of a cash flow analysis, other features of mining affect evaluation procedures in a more general manner. The main purpose of this chapter, then, is to provide an exposition of some of these more qualitative factors. We hope this will enable the reader to recognize these factors in mine evaluation practice and to make suitable adjustments in his or her analysis.

Jan 1, 1984

By D. J. Jr. McAdam

PART I.-OUTLINE OF INVESTIGATION, DESCRIPTION OF METHODS AND MATERIAL Previous Investigation of the Influence of Stress on Corrosion IN 1917 Haigh1 presented evidence that under simultaneous corrosion and cyclic stress metals may fail at lower stresses than if the corrosion is prior to the cyclic stress. In 1926 the author, while investigating the cooling effect of water on the fatigue resistance of metals, found that under these conditions steel specimens fail at stresses far below the endurance limit.2 (By "endurance limit" is here meant the fatigue limit obtained with specimens as free as possible from stress concentration and corrosive influences.) This led to an investigation (at the Naval Engineering Experiment Station, Annapolis, Md.) of the influence of cyclic stress on corrosion. This investigation maybe divided into three parts. The first part was a general survey of the conditions necessary to cause complete failure under corrosion and cyclic stress of relatively high frequency. The entire process by which metals fail under these conditions was-called "corrosion-fatigue." "Corrosion-fatigue limits" for a large number of metals were determined and the relationships of these limits to chemical composition, heat treatment and physical properties were established. The conclusion was reached that corrosion-fatigue is due to the accelerating influence of cyclic stress on corrosion. Results of this part of the investigation were presented in five papers.2-6 The second part of the investigation was a preliminary study of the influence of cyclic stress on corrosion. Each experiment was conducted in two stages. The first was a corrosion stage in which the specimen was corroded under cyclic stress; the second was a fatigue stage, in which the previously corroded specimen was tested (without further corrosion) to determine its fatigue limit. The difference between this fatigue limit and the endurance limit was used as a criterion of the "damage" due to

Jan 1, 1931

By B. Habermann

Artificially consolidated sand models, representing one-quarter of a five-spot, have been developed and used to study factors aflecting misciblt. displacrmenr. Sweep efficiency at breakthrough, size of the mixing zone between two miscible liquids and per cent area contacted by drive after breakthrough were determined tor the high mobility ratios encountered in actual resvrvoirs. Quantitative relationships between the degree of viscous fingering and mobility ratio were obtained by measuring the length of the fluid interface. Scaled miscible-slug experiments, supported by field evidence reported in the literature, have shown that when the slug is followed by dry gas the process is less efficient than expected. In addition to low areal sweep efficiencies encountered for high mobility ratio displacements, the effectiveness of a miscible slug is greatly reduced. This is caused by an accelerated growth of the mixing zone between the driving and the displacing fluids. INTRODUCTION Considerable interest in miscible displacement as a secondary recovery process has been shown by the oil industry in recent years. In addition to extensive laboratory investigations, numerous field operations have been initiated so that 39 miscible displacement projects had been reported' in the United States by early 1959. By far the most popular approach in these projects is the use of an LPG slug followed by dry gas. Laboratory tests have indicated that with a small miscible slug, amounting to several per cent of the hydrocarbon pore volume, practically 100 per cent recovery of the oil in place can be achieved and that all of the slug material can be recovered by a subsequellt gas drive. However, these experiments were conducted on small-diameter long cores that can be considered as essentially uni-dimensional reservoirs that do not represent actual field conditions. It soon became apparent that the inherently adverse mobility ratios existing in the reservoir cannot be ignored in any miscible displacement field project. When a less viscous fiuid such as an LPG slug drives a more viscous reservoir oil, fingers develop that reduce the areal sweep efficiency. The slze of the miscible slug to be used is a subject of some controversy. It has been proposed that the size of siug needed be calculated by setting lengths of the mixing zone proportional to the square root of the distance traveled. This proposal is based on experimental evidence' and theoretical considerations"' in which fingering was not a factor. A prerequisite for successful application of the miscible displacement process to field operations is a better understanding of the following factors. L What is the effect of mobility ratio on the rate of deterioration of a miscible slug? 2. How large a slug should be used for given reservoir conditions? 3. What is the sweep efficiency? The purpose of this investigation was to provide some additional laboratory data that should help to answer these questions. More specifically, it was intended to study more quantitatively the effect of viscous fiinger-ing, mobility ratio and slug size on the efficiency of this relatively new secondary recovery process by means of experiments on thin, horizontal, porous medium models.

By B. H. Caudle, M. D. Witte

In predicting the performance of a pattern injection operation, the engineer needs to know both the amount of oil to be recovered and the rate at which the recovcry will take place. This paper- describes fluid flow model studies on the effect of mobility ratio on the rate of oil recovery in a five-spot. The results show the change in fluid conductivity (total flow rate/pressure drop) as the sweep-ont pattern increases for mobility ratios between 0.1 (and 10. There data, when cornbitted with a knowledge of reservoir permeabilities and sweep-orit pattern efficiencies, cata he used to predict the cLrmulntivr oil production as a function of time for homogeneous five-spot injection systems. INTRODUCTION The flow potential in a pattern flood element is a function of the mobility ratio and how far the injected flood front has gone.1,2 For a waterflood project having a mobility ratio of one, the conductance—which is the flow rate per unit pressure drop (q/Ap)—-will remain the same throughout the life of the flood. If the mobility ratio is favorable ( < I), the conductance of the project will drop continuously throughout the operation. If, on the other hand, the mobility ratio is unfavorahlc. the conductance ratio will increase continuously. Therefore, if the reservoir engineer wishes to predict either the rate at a specified pressure or the pressure at some rate for a secondary recovery project, he must know how the conductance will vary during the flood. Other investigators have studied this problem using potentiometric models&apos; or analytical solution&apos;. The