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By Franklyn W. Oatman

In order that the conditions which obtain in an oil well may be readily understood, a brief description of a typical California well and a number of the phenomena accompanying same will be given. That the necessity for the exclusion of water be realized, the effects of water intrusion, a description of methods of prevention, .and a discussion of causes of failure will be presented, followed by a summary and recommendations. Fig. 1 shows a section of a typical well which illustrates the relation of oil sands to overlying strata. It indicates a deep water sand separated from the oil sand by shale, and the proper place for the final shutting off of water. In this well a comparatively thick stratum of compact shale protected the oil from overlying water so that the operation of landing the water string was a simple matter. In some wells the protecting stratum may be only from 3 to 5 ft. thick and very careful operation is necessary in order to land the water string of casing properly and not puncture through to the oil sand. The cases just cited are common, but occasionally, after excluding overlying water, productive oil sands are drilled through in the expectation of finding more productive underlying sand, and a water-bearing stratum is tapped. In this case the problem is the reverse of the normal; water must be prevented from ascending rather than descending. A discussion of well-drilling methods is not within the scope of this paper, except such operations as pertain to shutting off of water. A brief outline of the several conditions which may accompany drilling follows. Some or all may be present in any particular case. The direct relation of these to prevention of intrusion will be discussed in detail further on. In drilling, the hole becomes more or less irregular in shape, and rough, and as the casing follows the bit into the well it does not fit snugly against the walls. As a result, water may descend between the casing and walls of the well. If a circulation pump is not used during drilling, the hole is simply punched through and the pulverized material removed from the well by means of a bailer. If circulation is maintained there is a continual flow of water down inside the casing and up around the outside between the pipe and the walls of hole. This keeps an open space around the pipe.

Jan 1, 1915

By G. P. de Forest, G. O. Hiers

The object of the experiments reported in this paper is to determine the eutectic composition of copper and tin and to determine the location of the part of the liquidus line immediately above the eutectic composition in copper. Three methods were used in the investigation: (1) the method of dissolving copper in a bath of molten tin at constant temperature, with the idea that when the bath was saturated with copper its copper content, by analysis, together with the temperature at which the saturation took place would locate a point on the liquidus line; (2) the method of the differential cooling curves, and (3) the method of microscopic examination. This paper is principally concerned with the results of the last two methods mentioned. The results of the first method, that of dissolving copper in molten tin, did not agree with the results of Miller,' by the same method, nor with the results of other investigators by other methods, nor yet with the results of the cooling-curve experiments and microscopic examination reported here. Solution of Copper in Molten Tin To determine the amount of copper that would be dissolved by molten tin at a given constant temperature the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 was used. It consists of a cast-iron pot a, 6 in. deep and 8 in. dia., well cleaned inside and dressed with graphite. This pot, which holds 15 lb. of tin, g, rests on a hot plate b with resistance winding c. The thermocouple d leads to a Wilson-Maeulen temperature regulator for maintaining the temperahre at the heating coils at a fixed temperature to within ±5°C. There is a shallow bath of solder e on the top of the hot plate to improve the thermal contact between the plate and the pot. An insulating jacket f of asbestos prevents the irregular radiation of heat from the apparatus. The copper stirrer h slowly rotates in, and is dissolved by the bath of molten tin g. This bath is protected from excessive oxidation by a layer of charcoal j. The stirrer h is fixed to the lower end of the iron tube k, which is so mounted that it can be driven by a motor with reducing gear. The temperature of the bath is indicated

Jan 1, 1930

By C. H. Mathewson, Robert Maddin, W. R. Hibbard

A SATISFACTORY mathematical relationship between shear, elongation and change of orientation in the axial straining of a single crystalline rod or wire may be based on a simple model in which blocks, representing glide lamellae, glide over one another and rotate so as to maintain the original fixed position of the axis as the wire elongates.1 Obviously such a model gives no information concerning strain-hardening or the atomic adjustments at the sliding surfaces and their influence on the internal structure of the blocks. Moreover such an operation could be conducted with rigid blocks only by using self-aligning grips or a flexible attachment which would permit the adjacent blocks to freely assume their changing orientations. There are many unsolved problems (see Andrade2) concerning the manner in which nature departs from the simple model in permitting the essentials of slip, rotation and elongation to occur along with strain-hardening and the appearance of glide lamellae of various dimensions and special characteristics, not fully appreciated at the present time. This paper describes part of an extensive investigation on the development and characteristics of glide ellipses in single crystalline alpha brass rods and is especially concerned with the observation of cross-slip in crystals oriented wholly within the range of slip on a single system according to the generalizations first presented by Taylor and Elam in 1923.3 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Half inch rods of alpha brass (nominally 70 pct Cu, 30 pct Zn) * were converted into single crystals by melting and gradual solidification in a graphite mold according to the Bridgman method.' In order to remove any coring, the crystals were homogenized at 800°C for 16 hr and tested by etching with a 50 pct nitric acid solution. The back-reflection Laue technique as described by Greninger5 was used for determining the orientations of the crystals. Standard stereographic operations were employed to locate the specimen axis in a triangle of the Taylor and Elam3 projection so that the slip plane and direction could be predicted. The lineage structure reported by Buerger6 was present in the crystals used in this investigation. However, only crystals were used in which the internal differences in orientation did not exceed two degrees. Very little is known concerning the effect of the presence of a lineage structure on the detailed mechanism of plastic deformation.

Jan 1, 1948

By S. M. Parmley

Experience has shown that there are some factors connected with the drying of fine washed coal that are not present in drying of slack coal as normally practiced at cement kilns or pulverized coal plants. It is the purpose of this paper to show some of these variations as they have been encountered under actual operation. The Champion No. 1 cleaning plant of the Pittsburgh Coal Co. uses the wet system of cleaning coal. The plant is equipped to produce commercial sizes or mixtures, the primary sizes being plus 6 in. and 4 by 6 in., which are hand-picked. Minus 4-in. sizes are all cleaned by the wet process. To produce a commercial product as free of moisture as possible, the washed coal is first passed over sizing and dewatering screens, then each size except the — ?-in. coal is conveyed to loading booms by slow-moving draining conveyors. As the +?-in. sizes are not heat-dried, no data will be given, as it is the purpose of this paper to describe the heat drying of — ?-in. coal as practiced at the Champion No. 1 plant of the Pittsburgh Coal Company. To fully appreciate the conditions, it must be remembered that the — ?-in. product is now shipped at a lower moisture content than when received from the mine. The incoming coal in the — ?-in. size will average 5 per cent. moisture and the shipped product 3 per cent. moisture. This is a case where a wet process gives a reduction of both ash and moisture in the fine sizes. The shipped product, therefore, is more uniform in all characteristics, and uniformity of product is the most important single factor in coal preparation. The 0 by ?-in. coal is first dewatered on slow-moving continuous bucket dewatering elevators, running at the rate of 40 ft. per minute, with 48-in. perforated buckets with ¼ by 1½-in. slots, spaced ? by 2?-in. centers staggered. The moisture in the coal discharged from the elevators runs 20 to 28 per cent., depending on the fineness of the product. The discharge from the dewatering elevator is further drained on a drag-type conveyor equipped with ½-mm. wedge wire screen. The conveyor discharges coal with an 18 to 25 per cent. moisture to three centrifugal dryers of the Carpenter type. The Carpenter dryers

Jan 1, 1931

By David White

In these days, when detailed investigations of stratigraphy, structure, and sand conditions so frequently result in the discovery of new oil fields, and applause from oil companies and the public, geologists do well to walk humbly, and punctiliously to admit that the geologic principles controlling the distribution of oil and gas have as yet been discovered only in part, and that what remains yet to be learned is probably vastly more than what is already known. The few experiments already attempted have been fragmentary, and somewhat desultory, and however positive each of us may be with respect to certain theoretical conclusions, many of the fundamental questions as to the origin and mode of occurrence of petroleum are subject to radical disagreement. Of the chemical changes attending the generation of petroleum from organic matter, little is actually known. Most of the postulated formulas are liable to be misleading, through ignorance of essential factors. Open-minded-ness is therefore a prime essential at the present stage of our science. Nevertheless, adopting the hypothesis that oil originates in some manner fundamentally connected with the organic theory, and in possible departure from such open-mindedness, the writer will pay no attention to the so-called inorganic theory, since every attempt to apply this theory to the study of old oil fields, or to the discovery of new ones, affords cumulative evidence of its inadequacy. In this paper, some of the factors affecting the occurrence of petroleum that the writer believes worthy of consideration by the prospector for oil in any new region will be discussed. Some of these, which arc less generaLly understood, will be considercd somewhat in detail. Other points, the significance of which cannot now be determined, require more field study, and for that reason are here brought to the attention of the field geologist. On the other hand, certain theoretical points which do not bear especially on the oil possibilities of a new region will be given little or no attention. The main topics that will be discussed are: (1) sufficiency of carbonaceous detritus and residues in the oil-forming rocks; (2) stage of carbonization of the organic matter in the oil-bearing formations; (3) folding of the strata; (4) thickness of sedimentary formations; (5) conditions of deposition.

Jan 1, 1921

By C. H. Aldrich

For many years the City of Prescot, about 8 miles northeast of Liverpool, has been the home of British Insulated Cables, Ltd., one of the largest wire mills and manufacturers of electrical equipment in England. Since this location is close to the industrial center of the country and the seaboard, with good railroad transportation facilities, it was a logical site for the new refinery. Early in April, 1932, the writer was called upon to prepare a preliminary layout and estimate of cost of the proposed plant, and shortly afterward, following a discussion of these figures with officials of British Insulated Cables, in England, the decision was reached to proceed immediately with construction of the plant. The refinery was built by British Insulated Cables, Ltd. Designing of the plant was started early in May, 1932, orders for equipment being placed as rapidly as possible. On July 18 the first steel was erected and the first charge was cast on Jan. 5, 1933. No difficulties of any consequence were experienced in starting the plant and the grade of copper produced was quite satisfactory after the first charge. The initial capacity desired was 2500 tons of refined copper per month. Since only one furnace was to be built, it was necessary that it should have sufficient reserve capacity to catch up after unavoidable shutdowns. It was also necessary to lay out the plant so that it would operate efficiently at this tonnage and at the same time permit expansion in the future, if necessary, to several times its original capacity. In order to meet these conditions and also to take full advantage of the space available, the layout shown in Fig. 1 was adopted. The principal plant structures are a blister storage aisle, casting building, wire-bar storage building and a coal-pulverizing building. Additional smaller structures include a brick and charcoal shed, pumphouse, drill room, water-cooling tower, clay-preparation shed, substation and plant office. Incoming blister is received in either broad-gage railway cars or steam motor lorries in the blister storage aisle, unloaded by overhead electric crane to narrow-gage cars, weighed and sampled, then either sent directly to the furnace or placed in storage. After refining, the copper is cast on the wheel, passes through the cooling bosh and is

Jan 1, 1934

IN A broad sense, the subject of slag control includes not only the adjustment of the composition of the slag but also of its relative weight in terms of percentage of the metal-bath weight. The slag is made up essentially of (1) oxides formed by oxidation of silicon, manganese, phosphorus, and iron in the charge, (2) SiO2, MnO, and other oxides charged as such, and (3) lime charged or fed to the heat to neutralize the “acidic”: oxides present (Si02 and P2O5). Obviously, if practically perfect control were possible over the composition of the charge as well as over the oxidation process during the melting period, both slag weight and composition would be very nearly predetermined, and the control problem would be solved. Unfortunately, we have only a somewhat. imperfect control over these factors, so that beginning at about the lime-boil period in the heat, and later in the early refining period, it becomes necessary for the first helper, as the heat progresses, to make quick estimates of the composition and physical state of development of the slag (as well as of the amounts of phosphorus, sulphur, and carbon in the metal) from which he can judge how much extra lime, roll scale, fluorspar, and other additions will be needed not only to give the desired final slag composition, but also to hasten the complete fusion or shaping to a desired viscosity in the liquid state. The discussion in this chapter is limited essentially to those more or less practical rapid methods of slag estimation that have been used, or at least tried, for these purposes under actual open-hearth shop conditions. Another aspect of importance here is the extent to which the freedom of choice to the operator is limited by available charge materials, product specifications, and the oxidation and other chemical- reaction effects which inevitably occur under the conditions of this furnace process. For a better understanding of these control limitations and of the chemical and physical background of the subject, the reader is urged to read at least part of the discussion in Chapters XVII and XIX. Charge materials are discussed in Chapter IV, and many of the details of charging, melting, and refining practice closely related to slag control are given in Chapters VI and VII.

Jan 1, 1944

By L. E. Young

The purpose of this paper is to start a discussion on: (I) methods of supporting the immediate roof, particularly of local areas of poor roof, during the mechanical loading of coal; (2) methods of increasing the rapidity of the movement of the mining faces so that, without the use of cribs, jacks, park walls, and filling, there will be no danger to men, equipment, and working places from the subsidence of the overlying strata. In the Pittsburgh district the application of mechanical loading devices in mines working in the Pittsburgh seam has been retarded by the difficulties of holding and handling the draw slate. Normally the thickness of this slate averages about 8 in. but the hardness varies, and a cut of coal cannot always be loaded without placing posts or crossbars to support the slate. Locally, the slate may be thicker and special methods of support may be required. If crossbars are placed to hold the slate when the coal averages 5 ft. in thickness, the standard methods of transporting the coal cannot be followed, and the use of conveyors may be desirable. Very little information is available on the effect of increasing the rate of movement of advancing or retreating break lines or longwall faces. A few British publications have presented some data but all such data relate to longwall faces that have moved not more than 6 ft. a day. The most rapid rate of movemerit of longwall faces in Germany is 6 ft. per day. In the ordinary hand-loading mine in western Pennsylvania break lines on full retreat will move about 2 ft. per day. If loading machines are used under similar conditions the rate of retreat may reach 4 ft. per day. In a mine where coal is loaded by hand on conveyors three shifts per day, the rate of retreat has ranged from 11 to 16 ft. per day, with an average of 13 ft. If mobile loading machines could be used to load on conveyors on break lines, the rate of retreat should be increased substantially During 1935 and 1936, the United States Bureau of Mines, under a cooperative agreement with the Pittsburgh Coal Co., carried on studies of roof movement at Montour To. 10 mine. The work war done urider the direction of Mr. H. P. Greenwald, Supervising En neer, Experi-

Jan 1, 1938

By J. W. Pamplin

Some 40 miles east of Tampa is the center of the Florida pebble phosphate deposits. These are of Pliocene age and consist of several members of the Bone Valley formation.1 Physically the phosphate-bearing formation, locally called the "matrix," varies in thickness from nothing to about 25 ft., usually averages 10 ft., and consists mainly of clay, quartz and phosphate pebble, the latter particles varying in size from colloidal to one inch diameter. The pebbles range in color from dark gray, through white, to cream, and in hardness from that which must be broken with a hammer to that which can be scratched with the fingernail. They assay from 66 to 80 per cent bone phosphate of lime (called "B.P.L." in the trade) or tricalcium phosphate (Ca³P2O8) and are secondary apatites. They form from 15 to 50 per cent by weight of the matrix. Over the matrix lies a varying thickness (5 to 40 ft.) of overburden composed of quartz and clay. Briefly, mining consists of two operations2 in open pits about 200 ft. wide by 1/2 mile or more in length. In the first step overburden is removed by large electric draglines at the rate of about 700 cu. yd. per hour. This is followed closely by hydraulic mining of the matrix at the rate of about 300 cu. yd. per hour. This matrix yardage is moved from an improvised sump in the floor of the pit to an ore-dressing plant, sometimes a mile distant, by one, two or three "pit-cars" (pumping units) working on a 12-in. pipe line called the "rock line" to distinguish it from the high-pressure water line feeding the hydraulic giants, which is known as the "hydraulic line." This 700 yd. of overburden and 300 yd. of matrix—1000 yd. in all-amounts to about 1500 tons of material moved each hour. The overburden is dumped into the mined-out pit alongside the pit being mined. The matrix moves to the ore-dressing plant at the rate of about 7% long tons in 4000 gal. of water per minute—a ratio of approximately one to two by weight, or one to six by volume. This constitutes the "mill heads," but in the pebble district it is called the "matrix."

Jan 1, 1938

By L. E. Young

The purpose of this paper is to start a discussion on: (I) methods of supporting the immediate roof, particularly of local areas of poor roof, during the mechanical loading of coal; (2) methods of increasing the rapidity of the movement of the mining faces so that, without the use of cribs, jacks, park walls, and filling, there will be no danger to men, equipment, and working places from the subsidence of the overlying strata. In the Pittsburgh district the application of mechanical loading devices in mines working in the Pittsburgh seam has been retarded by the difficulties of holding and handling the draw slate. Normally the thickness of this slate averages about 8 in. but the hardness varies, and a cut of coal cannot always be loaded without placing posts or crossbars to support the slate. Locally, the slate may be thicker and special methods of support may be required. If crossbars are placed to hold the slate when the coal averages 5 ft. in thickness, the standard methods of transporting the coal cannot be followed, and the use of conveyors may be desirable. Very little information is available on the effect of increasing the rate of movement of advancing or retreating break lines or longwall faces. A few British publications have presented some data but all such data relate to longwall faces that have moved not more than 6 ft. a day. The most rapid rate of movemerit of longwall faces in Germany is 6 ft. per day. In the ordinary hand-loading mine in western Pennsylvania break lines on full retreat will move about 2 ft. per day. If loading machines are used under similar conditions the rate of retreat may reach 4 ft. per day. In a mine where coal is loaded by hand on conveyors three shifts per day, the rate of retreat has ranged from 11 to 16 ft. per day, with an average of 13 ft. If mobile loading machines could be used to load on conveyors on break lines, the rate of retreat should be increased substantially During 1935 and 1936, the United States Bureau of Mines, under a cooperative agreement with the Pittsburgh Coal Co., carried on studies of roof movement at Montour To. 10 mine. The work war done urider the direction of Mr. H. P. Greenwald, Supervising En neer, Experi-

Jan 1, 1938

By J. W. Pamplin

Some 40 miles east of Tampa is the center of the Florida pebble phosphate deposits. These are of Pliocene age and consist of several members of the Bone Valley formation.1 Physically the phosphate-bearing formation, locally called the "matrix," varies in thickness from nothing to about 25 ft., usually averages 10 ft., and consists mainly of clay, quartz and phosphate pebble, the latter particles varying in size from colloidal to one inch diameter. The pebbles range in color from dark gray, through white, to cream, and in hardness from that which must be broken with a hammer to that which can be scratched with the fingernail. They assay from 66 to 80 per cent bone phosphate of lime (called "B.P.L." in the trade) or tricalcium phosphate (Ca³P2O8) and are secondary apatites. They form from 15 to 50 per cent by weight of the matrix. Over the matrix lies a varying thickness (5 to 40 ft.) of overburden composed of quartz and clay. Briefly, mining consists of two operations2 in open pits about 200 ft. wide by 1/2 mile or more in length. In the first step overburden is removed by large electric draglines at the rate of about 700 cu. yd. per hour. This is followed closely by hydraulic mining of the matrix at the rate of about 300 cu. yd. per hour. This matrix yardage is moved from an improvised sump in the floor of the pit to an ore-dressing plant, sometimes a mile distant, by one, two or three "pit-cars" (pumping units) working on a 12-in. pipe line called the "rock line" to distinguish it from the high-pressure water line feeding the hydraulic giants, which is known as the "hydraulic line." This 700 yd. of overburden and 300 yd. of matrix—1000 yd. in all-amounts to about 1500 tons of material moved each hour. The overburden is dumped into the mined-out pit alongside the pit being mined. The matrix moves to the ore-dressing plant at the rate of about 7% long tons in 4000 gal. of water per minute—a ratio of approximately one to two by weight, or one to six by volume. This constitutes the "mill heads," but in the pebble district it is called the "matrix."

Jan 1, 1938

By L. E. Young

The progress of mineral industry education will be limited to the period prior to World War II and will be considered as primarily a division of engineering education. Its relation to progress in the mineral industry and to the activities of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers will be emphasized. The history of mineral industry education has been recorded most completely and authoritatively by Dr. T. T. Read in his recent volume in the Seeley W. Mudd Series of American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers publications, entitled, The Development of Mineral Industry Education in the United States. Therefore, most of the historical details will be omitted from the discussion and an effort will be made to point out significant developments and to analyze trends. Introductory Statement and Significant Points in Progress Among the significant points in the development of mineral industry education in the United States since 1871, the following deserve particular mention: 1. The number of institutions offering undergraduate instruction has increased, particularly during the years 1890 to 1925; the number of students enrolled in undergraduate study has increased greatly, largely on account of the development of courses in petroleum engineering and increasing interest in metallurgy. 2. The selection of students to be admitted to undergraduate courses has been improved through the advisement, counseling, and guidance programs sponsored by the Engineers' Council for Professional Development. 3. Improved instruction methods all the training of the teaching staff have been promoted by the educational institutions themselves, but with the most effective stimulus and guidance of the American Society for Engineering Education and the Engineers' Council for Professional Development. 4. The accrediting of undergraduate curricula through the Engineers' Council for Professional Development, consitlering both qualitative and quantitative criteria, has done much to improve standards of instruction in engineering education for thc mineral industry. 5. Undergraduate curricula and courses are revised currently to meet the needs of the American mineral industry. New curricula are developed currently to permit specialization in technical fields, particularly in the fourth year of undergraduate work. 6. There has been a strengthening of the fundamental courses in mathematics, physics, mechanics, and chemistry, and at the same time these courses are being adapted to the most recent developments in the industry, including metallurgy, geophysics. petroleum engineering, petroleum technology, ceramics and SO forth. 7' There has been continuing improvement in plant and laboratory facilities of the educational institutions.

Jan 1, 1949

By R. F. Mehl, J. K. Stanley

THE recrystallization of cold-worked metals is studied ordinarily by determining the temperatures required for complete recrystallization to occur within a given arbitrary time period, usually within 15 min. to 2 hr. The results obtained are conventionally assembled in a three-dimensional diagram relating this temperature to the amount of cold-work (percentage deformation) and the resultant grain size, though sometimes other modes of representation are employed.1 Such three-dimensional diagrams are not complete, for the number of variables exceeds the number represented. The process of recrystallization is characterized by a time-rate, a fact that is not portrayed upon ordinary recrystallization diagrams. It is known that recrystallization consists in the formation of new nuclei and the growth of these nuclei, a process that continues until the matrix is completely consumed and the original set of grains entirely replaced by the new. This knowledge is old.2 Truly heterogeneous reactions invariably proceed by nucleation and growth; the decomposition of eutectoid solid solutions provides an example about which much is known,3 and freezing, originally studied by Tammann, provides the classic example. Although recrystallization is not a heterogeneous reaction .within the orthodox meaning of the term, the mechanism of the process is the same. As in eutectoid inversion and freezing, it should be possible to study the rate of isothermal recrystallization as a function of time, and it should also be possible to analyze the isothermal reaction curve into the component rates of nucleation and growth that determine them.* Other methods, not employing the rates of nucleation and growth, have been used to represent the rates of such reactions, but these in general have been artificial and have not led to progress.4,5? The theory of recrystallization is not in advanced state; if recrystallization data were obtained, in terms of the rate of isothermal recrystallization, and in terms of the rate of nucleation and the rate of growth of recrystallized grains, and in particular if the temperature coefficients of these rates were measured accurately, an adequate theory should be more readily developed.27 Such an effort requires proper experimental technique, but especially requires suitable methods of mathematical analysis to convert measurements made upon a surface of polish into values for the rate of nucleation and the rate of growth and to combine these into a rate of isothermal recrystallization. These methods are now

Jan 1, 1942

By Ralph Hultgren, Louis A. Carapella

When F. Heuslerl found in 1898 that certain alloys containing only copper, manganese, and tin were ferromagnetic, the discovery excited a great deal of interest and led to numerous investigations. It was early found that tin could be replaced by aluminum, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, or boron without destroying the ferromagnetic nature of the alloys.2 Copper may also be replaced by silver.% All these alloys have come to be known as "Heusler alloys." The aluminum alloys apparently were the most magnetic and have been most extensively investigated. However, no agreement has yet been reached as to the source of the ferromagnetism arising from these nonferromagnetic elements. Absence of reliable quantitative data makes speculation hazardous. The value of much of the earlier work was vitiated by lack of necessary precautions against contamination, and by lack of close control of heat-treatment. It was only recently established that in aluminum Heusler alloys4 the ferromagnetism arose from a single phase, an ordered body-centered-cubic structure. With modern methods of preparation, heat-treatment, and X-ray examination, it is possible to prepare these alloys without contamination, to heat-treat them intellgently, and to determine what phase or phases are present in the finished sample. In the present investigation, a series of pure alloys in the comparatively neglected copper-manganese-tin system have been prepared, which consist of a single, body-centered-cubic structure (the beta phase) and whose compositions vary within wide limits. The magnetic saturation values of these single-phase alloys have been quantitatively determined, so that considerable data on the effect of composition on the ferromagnetism have been made available. In the course of the investigation some information on the extent of the stability of the beta phase and the nature of phases in adjacent regions of the ternary diagram has been accumulated. Anomalies in earlier data. have been explained, and alloys have been prepared that are much more strongly magnetic than any previous Heusler alloys. Previous Work In the original work of F. Heuslerl and coworkers,2 a maximum magnetic saturation value of I = 107 was found at the composition Cu6Mn3Sn, while a value for CusMnAl of I = 443 was early measured. Ross and Gray5 found a second maximum at the composition Cu2MnSn, which was much more magnetic than Heusler's original alloy. F. Heusler6 hen reinvesti-gated the system, confirmed their results,

Jan 1, 1942

By Louis A. Carapella, Ralph Hultgren

When F. Heuslerl found in 1898 that certain alloys containing only copper, manganese, and tin were ferromagnetic, the discovery excited a great deal of interest and led to numerous investigations. It was early found that tin could be replaced by aluminum, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, or boron without destroying the ferromagnetic nature of the alloys.2 Copper may also be replaced by silver.% All these alloys have come to be known as "Heusler alloys." The aluminum alloys apparently were the most magnetic and have been most extensively investigated. However, no agreement has yet been reached as to the source of the ferromagnetism arising from these nonferromagnetic elements. Absence of reliable quantitative data makes speculation hazardous. The value of much of the earlier work was vitiated by lack of necessary precautions against contamination, and by lack of close control of heat-treatment. It was only recently established that in aluminum Heusler alloys4 the ferromagnetism arose from a single phase, an ordered body-centered-cubic structure. With modern methods of preparation, heat-treatment, and X-ray examination, it is possible to prepare these alloys without contamination, to heat-treat them intellgently, and to determine what phase or phases are present in the finished sample. In the present investigation, a series of pure alloys in the comparatively neglected copper-manganese-tin system have been prepared, which consist of a single, body-centered-cubic structure (the beta phase) and whose compositions vary within wide limits. The magnetic saturation values of these single-phase alloys have been quantitatively determined, so that considerable data on the effect of composition on the ferromagnetism have been made available. In the course of the investigation some information on the extent of the stability of the beta phase and the nature of phases in adjacent regions of the ternary diagram has been accumulated. Anomalies in earlier data. have been explained, and alloys have been prepared that are much more strongly magnetic than any previous Heusler alloys. Previous Work In the original work of F. Heuslerl and coworkers,2 a maximum magnetic saturation value of I = 107 was found at the composition Cu6Mn3Sn, while a value for CusMnAl of I = 443 was early measured. Ross and Gray5 found a second maximum at the composition Cu2MnSn, which was much more magnetic than Heusler's original alloy. F. Heusler6 hen reinvesti-gated the system, confirmed their results,

Jan 1, 1942

By Noel Cunningham

MANY excellent descriptions of the mills of the, Porcupine district have been written, but no discussion exclusively devoted to the metallurgical technology has been given. These notes are intended to cover this feature briefly. They are based upon 2 ½ years' mill operation in the district-i.e., practically since the beginning of metallurgical operations. Character of the Porcupine Ore.-There is no oxidized ore in the district, the surface having been deeply planed by glacial action in recent geologic time. The precious-metal content is about in the proportion of 85 of gold to 15? of silver by weight; hence, the silver is practically negligible. There are two classes of Porcupine ore, having very different characteristics; these will be referred to throughout this paper as Class A and Class B. Class A ore is a pure quartz with inclusions of schist. Generally it is heavily fractured .and breaks down readily to sharp, hard grains, about minus 10 plus 20 mesh, requiring further comminution to release the gold. It carries very little pyrite; the gold is entirely free and apt to be coarse, but often spongy, going into solution readily on that account. This gold is 60 per cent. to 85 per cent. free milling, depending on the grade of ore. Class B ore is an iron silicate schist, strongly laminated, carrying 4 to 5 per cent. pyrite; its specific gravity is 2.8 to 3.0, depending upon the amount of mineralization. In breaking the ore in the mine, generally over 25 per cent. of material through a ½ -in. ring is made; the ore readily breaks down in milling and makes a comparatively large amount of non-crystalline slime; owing to its high specific gravity, however, it is quick settling.' In my opinion, the gold in this ore is free, but so finely divided that it will neither pan nor amalgamate; it appears to be disseminated through the rock and not chiefly associated with the pyrite. Veins of Class A ore occur with or without side walls of Class B, and veins of Class B occur unassociated with Class A; more often the veins are closely banded, Class A and Class B alternating, generally with Class B in excess. Both classes of ore are more-or less blocky at times, and with ref¬erence to Class B this is indicative or low gold content.

Jan 3, 1915

By Nicholas J. Grant, Noboru Komatsu

Metallographic and X-ray studies were made of oxide dispersion strengthened Cu-12 vol pet SiO2 and Cu-3.5 vol pet Al2O3 alloys following time exposures at temperatures approaching the melting. point of the matrix metal. Changes in hardness, oxide particle size and crystal structure were studied to determine the time-temperature stability of these alloys. An interpretation of the mechanism of oxide agglomeration is proposed. One of the most striking features of dispersion strengthened metal-metal oxide alloys is their stability at elevated temperatures, both with respect to recrystallization and maintenance of mechanical properties after exposure at high temperatures. A small amount of work has been done on the re-crystallization phenomenon in dispersion hardened metal-metal oxide alloys'l and several theoretical treatments have been advanced regarding the stability of these alloys by Lenel and Ansell,8 and by Grant and his co-workers.9, 10 This paper reports on metallographic and X-ray studies following various heat treatments of Cu-AI2D3 and Cu-SiO2 alloys at elevated temperatures and the effect of subsequent cold work on the recrystallizalion temperature. An interpretation of the recrystallization behavior of this type of alloy, based on the decomposition and agglomeration of oxides, is proposed. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Cast ingot bars of copper-1.59 pet Si and Cu-0.77 pet Al, 7/8 in in diam, were annealed in argon for 80 hr at 1000CC for homogenization. The homogenized rods were machined into fine chips and ball milled. Milled particles in the range minus 20 to plus 60 mesh were separated for internal oxidation. The internal oxidation was accomplished by the same method used by Preston and Grant,9 except that the oxidalion temperature for the Cu-Si alloy was 750°C, and for the Cu-A1 alloy was 800°C. These powders were then hydrogen-reduced at 450°C, compacted in a copper container, evacuated at room temperature to 0.04 µ, and sealed for extrusion. They were extruded at 1400°F (760°C) with a ram speed of 55 in. per min for an extrusion ratio of 15.6 to 1 to give a rod 0.38 in. diam by about 3 ft long.

Jan 1, 1962

By J. B. Mudd

Introduction It is difficult to think of any activity on which mankind has been more dependent than mining, and certainly there is much evidence in almost every part of the world of old workings that clearly demonstrate that man from earliest times has dug and toiled to take from the earth precious stones, metals and materials that from time to time have been essential or of value to him. In step with social development and industrial and technological advances the tempo of mining activity, regulated only by the laws of supply and demand, has quickened and in this century has accelerated rapidly in keeping with its dramatic development. Indeed, the rate of change of events has been such that if it were to continue to accelerate as fast as it has over the past decade there is reason to wonder how the insatiable demands for metals and minerals are to be met in the years that lie ahead. Shallow mines containing high-grade ore deposits either have been or are being rapidly mined out and their place can only be taken in general by ore lying at greater depth, or by ore of low grade, situated for the most part in remote and in underdeveloped areas. The cost of exploration and development is rising at an alarming rate, with the result that the expenditure now required to bring a mine to production far exceeds anything previously contemplated. It is estimated that the total capital required to maintain existing operations and develop new ones during the next 5 years will be of the order of $50,000 million and of this, new capital to bring new mines to production will be of the order of $3,000 million. Today no single mining finance company can, from its own resources, find all the money for a major mining development, and as a consequence there has been a strong trend toward joint ventures and to the formation of multinational consortiums. International lending institutions already play an important part in financing many new mining projects and their participation provides the financial umbrella under which other lenders can invest with greater security. There is little doubt that to finance the costly ventures in the future, governments and international lending agencies, banks and finance

Jan 1, 1971

By N. A. Gjostein

The self-diffusion coefficient D, for a surface near the (100) plane in copper was determined by means of the Mullins theory of thermal grooving, and was found to obey the Arrhenius relationship, and Do = 6.5 x 10' sq cm per sec. Suppression of surface diffusion by chemisorbed impurities encounters difliculties as a satisfactory explanation for the large Q, and Do. Instead, a model is presented which indicates that Q,, as determined by a mass-transport technique, may involve both the energy needed to form an adsorbed atom from a ledge in the surface as well as that for the movement of the adsorbed atom.; LITERATURE reviews1-3 indicate that the mechanism of self-diffusion on metal surfaces is not clearly understood. The lack of experimental data on the temperature variation of the surface self-diffusion coefficient DJ has contributed greatly to this situation. Radioactive tracer techniques4-rn have been used to measure Ds, but for many years only Nicker-son and Parker8 had determined (for polycrystalline silver) an activation energy B, and a frequency factor Do for the surface self-diffusion process. Even in this case, a mechanism could not be clearly inferred because it was suspeted7 that a contribution from volume diffusion was not taken into account by the investigators. Some later work by Li and parkere on polycrystalline gold, in which they obtained essentially the same results as for silver and in which volume diffusion could be accounted for, seems to invalidate this criticism. In 1957, Mullins10'11 developed the theory for the thermal grooving process. This advance has opened a new and promising technique for measuring the surface self-diffusion coefficient Ds. Recognizing that a thermal groove may form by several different mass transport processes, Mullins first consideredlo the cases where a) the groove forms by evaporation and condensation or b) by diffusion along the groove surface, in either case, in a system where a metal surface is in contact with only its dilute vapor phase. In a later paper," he extended the treatment to cases where the groove forms by volume diffusion into c) the solid phase or d) by mass transport through a passive gaseous phase at 1 atm pressure. The time dependence of the groove dimensions and the shape of the groove profiles predicted by Mullins' treat-

Jan 1, 1962

By G. A. Hellstrand

IN 1915, H. A. Guess, Vice President of American Smelting & Refining Co., in charge of its Mining Department, learned that the Anglo-New-foundland Development Co., Ltd., a pulpwood and paper-mill enterprise, had found upon its large concession in Newfoundland, and had opened up by shaft to the third level and some drifting, a lenticular orebody indicat-ing about 100,000 tons, as an extremely fine-grained sulfide ore, averaging about 0.05 oz. Au, 4 oz. Ag, 1.5 per cent Cu, 10 per cent Pb, 18 per cent Zn; and that having sent parcels of this ore to Minerals Separation, Ltd., and various other metallurgical testing concerns without obtaining any success in commercial separations thereon, had discontinued work thereon and let the workings fill. Mr. Guess wrote to the general manager of that company and obtained a few hundred pounds of the typical ore, which he sent to his company's metallurgical testing laboratory at Flat River, Mo., outlining various flotation tests desired thereon, in an endeavor to obtain separation into a commercial lead concentrate and a zinc concentrate. But the art of flotation had not then progressed far enough to treat such ore, the galena and zinc blende being so fine grained that grinding to about 300 mesh was required to release the mineral particles in their gangue. Mr. Guess had flotation and other tests continued upon this ore from time to time with whatever new reagents and flotation devices were evolved as time went on, and finally, in 1925, he succeeded in effecting in his company's testing plant, then at Wallace, Idaho, separations into lead concentrates and zinc concentrates of satisfactory commercial grade. Mr. Guess then proceeded to unwater, examine and sample the property and made with the owners a partnership operating agreement upon the mine itself and a considerable area surrounding it, and in the early summer of 1926 began to prospect for additional orebodies, utilizing for such prospecting geophysical methods, under the direction of Hans Lundberg, methods which up to that time had been little used in mining in the western hemisphere.. This geophysical work found two large flat-lying orebodies of a type precisely similar to the smaller body of the original discovery. The larger orebody, some 3500 ft. west of the original

Jan 1, 1934