Search Documents

The discovery of nickel at the Wallace Mine in 1846, recorded in the Report of Progress of the Geological Survey of Canada, 1.848-49, was not the first find in the Sudbury mining district. As long ago as 1770 a company had been formed to work the rich deposits of, copper whose existence was then known. .But it was during the first mentioned year that, incited thereto by fresh finds and a favorable report by Mr. W. E. Logan, then Provincial Geologist, two [ ] groups of Canadians organized "The Montreal Mining Company and "The Upper Canada Mining Company." By the former company the Bruce Mines Location' was purchased and work was immediately commenced upon it. The Wallace Mine acquired by the Upper Canada Mining Company, was abandoned after a shaft had been sunk and a few test pits opened.

Jan 1, 1907

By J. J. Arps

This paper is a study of the effect of temperature on the electrical resistivity of sodium chloride solutions based on the published resistivity and density data in the International Critical Tables. This temperature effect is of considerable importance in quantitative interpretation of electric logs, where it is frequently necessary to correct mud resistivities measured under surface conditions to temperatures existing at the bottom of the bore hole. An empirical approximation formula was developed for this conversion which has proved to be very useful and seems to provide results well within the range of accuracy of the data involved. This approximation formula states: sistivities of sodium chloride solutions at temperatures of t and t degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. INTRODUCTION Research by various investigators during the past 20 years has clarified the physical principles of the phenomena which cause the natural or spontaneous electric potential in rotary drilled bore holes. The basic relationship which is most commonly used reads: in which the SP deflection, as measured from the shale base line, is expressed in millivolts. K is a constant, which appears to vary between 50 and 110; the low value applying to shaly sands, whereas the higher values are more common in carbonate rocks. A good average value for K = 70. for which value there is considerable theoretical justification." In order to calculate the resistivity of the connate water R and to estimate its "equivalent salinity" (as NaCl) from an electric log by means of this SP relationship from a knowledge of the static self potential and of the resistiv- ity of the mud filtrate R it is necessary to first correct the resistivity of the mud filtrate measured under surface conditions to the resistivity of this same mud filtrate in the well bore at a different temperature. In order to make this temperature conversion for the mud filtrate the variation of the electrical resistivity of sodium chloride solutions with temperature is commonly used. Since some discrepancies were found in the charts ordinarily used for this purpose, it was felt desirable to make a new study of this relationship based on the published measurement data. Because of the fundamental nature of these relationships and as an aid to other workers in this field, an attempt has been made in this study to show every step in the calculations. CONDUCTIVITY VS MOL CONCENTRATION The most complete published reference on the temperature relationship of sodium chloride solutions of different concentrations is provided in the International Critical Tables.' The basic measurement data on the electrical conductivity of aqueous sodium chloride solutions, at different temperatures, as given in these tables, are reproduced in Table 1. The electrical conductivity values in this Table 1 are expressed as 10' times the specific conductivity k in ohm-'cm'l per unit of concentration in milligram mols per liter of solution C, or: RESISTIVITY VS MOL CONCENTRATION These conductivity values from Table 1 were first converted to the corresponding electrical resistivity values (R) , expressed in ohm-meters, as is conven-

Jan 1, 1953

By Roy Lindgren

Since the year 1643, when the first blast furnace in America for treating iron ore was built at Saugus, Mass., out of mica schist quarried in the neighboring district, the procurement of a suitable refractory for furnace lining has been a problem of concern to the operators of furnaces. The stacks built of mica schist continued to smelt iron ore until about 1836, when, according to F. H. Norton, the first firebrick were produced1, at Queens Run, Pa. Other writers speak of brick having been molded and burned in Massachusetts about the year 1834. In 1841, Andrew Russell began to produce medium refractory plastic clay brick near East Liverpool, Ohio, that were used for lining blast furnaces1. The well-known Kentucky clay-producing district was not opened up until the year 1871, but since then it has produced a large percentage of the linings for iron blast furnaces. While some strides have been made by the refractories industry during the 100 years that have passed since the first firebrick were produced, it has been only during the last two decades that any real progress has been made towards bettering the product, even though the method of production had improved. Perhaps the fault lies with the user of the brick rather than with the producer, for not sooner demanding a supe¬rior product. During the past 15 years the tonnage produced per lining has increased from 500,000 gross tons to 1,000,000 gross tons, and now some furnaces are producing 1,600,000 gross tons and better on a single lining. It is true that enlarged capacity of furnaces and improved practice have accounted for some of this increase in tonnage, nevertheless better quality in firebrick must be given credit for its share. However, we are not yet ready to say that we have reached a maximum life of furnace lining. We believe that a better product can be produced and that the refractories industries of America will, through their extensive research depart-

Jan 1, 1936

By L. W. Casteel

This is a story of progress through research, invention and innovation-progress that made a small mine in Missouri into a large and prosperous corporation. The St. Joseph Lead Co. was founded in Borne Terre, Missouri, in 1864. At that time, the mine consisted of a narrow trench eight feet deep; the mill was a hand-operated jig; and the smelter, a charcoal oven with a sloping hearth. During the first year, production was suspended for two months because of an invasion by the Confederate army. There have been few interruptions since that time.

Jan 7, 1964

By J. T. Norton, N. J. Grant, I. S., Servi

Coarse grained high purity aluminum was tested in creep at temperatures of 400° to 1200°F to develop subgrain structures. Measurements of subgrain size, distribution, and rotation were made from X-ray diffraction patterns. Subgrain size and distribution were checked metallographically and the size was compared with average slip band spacing. The slip family was determined for several specimens. THE interest and research recently evident abroad in the role of subgrain formation and polygon-ization as a contribution to the creep of metals at elevated temperatures is deserving of greater attention in this country. Such metallic subgrains can be defined as macroblocks existing within the grains. The general observation has been that the macro-blocks which belong to the same grain have a maximum difference in orientation of a few degrees. In spite of the considerable amount of work that has been done since Jenkins and Mellorl observed the "division of existing crystals into smaller units when deformation occurs at an annealing temperature," the subject of subgrain formation is only now receiving truly active discussion and investigation. The existence of subgrains has been revealed by metallographic methods, as in the work of Jenkins and Mellor,1 and by X-ray methods, first applied to this problem by Homes.' Hirst3 and Calnan and Burns4 applied the back-reflection Laue technique to the study of coarse grained specimens. Wood et al.5 and Greenough and Smith' examined the ring obtained with a back-reflection camera for the study of fine grained specimens. In addition to the above, the transmission technique was used by Wood.6 A special technique was developed by Guinier and Tennevin8 in order to improve the resolution. Metallographically, the subgrains have been observed directly on the surface of deformed specimens by Wood et al.,3 or have been made evident on repolished surfaces by applying a suitable etching reagent. The latter technique, first suggested by Lacombe and Beaujard,9 was then improved by Wyon and Crussard.10 Subgrains can be formed in single crystals after small amounts of bending followed by heating after this cold work, or during deformation at elevated temperatures. The first phenomenon was analyzed by Cahn11 for the simple case of pure bending followed by annealing. Cahn suggested a mechanism of subgrain formation based on the dislocation theory and called this phenomenon "polygonization." He extended this mechanism to the more complex case of local bending, such as the bending which may occur when a polycrystalline specimen is deformed in tension. Cahn's suggestion was later found quite consistent with the results obtained by Dunn and Daniels." An explanation has been presented recently regarding the formation of subgrains during deformation at elevated temperatures by Chang and Grant.'" In general, there are two schools of thought on the subject. One, according to Wood et al.,5 is that subgrain formation is a mechanism of deformation which is operative under certain conditions in the same way that the slip process is the mechanism of deformation which is operative under other conditions. The boundaries between the subgrains undergo a viscous flow which contributes substantially to the deformation of the material. The second, according to Cahn,13 Wyon and Crussard,10 and Chang and Grant,18 is that subgrain formation is the effect of simultaneous deformation and annealing and is,

Jan 1, 1953

By R. B. Walker, R. Palmer, L. C. Bryner

The purpose of this investigation was to further study some of the factors affecting the air oxidation of sulfide minerals. Data obtained from laboratory studies on the effect of temperature, concentration of iron salts, pH, and other catalysts on the biological and nonbiological oxidation of sulfide minerals are presented. The oxidation of copper sulfide minerals and subsequent leaching of the soluble copper has long been a profitable operation. The chief oxidizing agent is oxygen from the air. This reaction is influenced by a number of different factors such as temperature, light, hydrogen ion concentration, oxidizing agents, and various catalysts. Sullivan1 found that copper sulfide minerals are slowly oxidized by the air and that dilute sulfuric acid and iron (111) increased their solubility. At that time it was not known that bacteria were involved in the oxidation of the sulfide minerals. It has been shown that pyrite, molybdenite, free sulfur, and the copper sulfide minerals found in the waste rock dumps in Bingham Canyon, Utah, are largely oxidized by chemosynthetic autotrophic microorganisms found in the leaching streams.2-6 Similar organisms have been isolated in other mining areas7,8 and from the effluents from coal rnines.9 The following are some of the questions that have arisen regarding the mechanisms of the reactions involved in the leaching process. How dependent is the leaching operation upon the biological reactions? How does the temperature effect the biological and non-biological reactions? How does the concentration of iron (II) and (111) effect the rate of oxidation of copper (II) sulfide? Does the iron act as a catalyst? Does activated carbon act as a catalyst on the oxidation of sulfide minerals? What effect does the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) have on the above reactions? The purpose of this paper is to report the results of laboratory studies on these problems. EXPERIMENTAL The apparatus used in this investigation was an air lift percolator described in our earlier work.' The percolator consisted essentially of an air lift which enabled the leaching solution and microorganisms to pass freely through a suspension of mineral (substrate) in Ottawa sand. The air lift served the additional purpose of maintaining an ample concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the nutrient (leaching) solution. (See Fig. 1.) The percolators were so constructed that they could be immersed in liquid constant temperature baths for temperature studies. The thermostats were controlled to +0.5°C. The reactions were all run in the dark. The percolators were charged with one to three g of mineral, dispersed in 100 g of Ottawa sand and 100 ml of nutrient or leaching solution. The sand was purified to remove traces of iron by digesting with concentrated hydrochloric acid and washng with distilled water until free from chloride. After drying, the sand was ready for use. The compressed air supply was regulated to 5 psi and bubbled through an aerator containing distilled water, which was maintained at the same temperature as the bath used. The air was filtered through cotton plugs to maintain sterile conditions. The tops of the

Jan 1, 1968

By Alec M. Crowell, J. W. Sanders

While the production of crude oil and condensate in South Arkansas increased only 1.7 per cent over the 1940 figure, complete utilization of gas produced with the oil and condensate, and heretofore wasted, was beginning to be evidenced. There were 26,229,264 bbl. of oil and condensate produced in South Arkansas during 1941, as against 25,790,380 bbl. for the year 1940. (Fig. I.) Since 1936, deep producing sands have been discovered in 18 fields and during that period only 40 per cent of the total state production has come from Upper Cretaceous formations while 60 per cent came from the Lower Cretaceous and Jurassic formations. The gas produced with crude oil and condensate from the latter formation contains large quantities of hydrogen sulphide, the maximum being 6900 grains per 100 cu. ft. in the Patton pool of Lafayette County. Gas Utilization During the latter part of 1940 and the early part of 1941, pilot plants were placed in operation to determine whether the hydrogen sulphide and deleterious material in South Arkansas gases could be removed economically. The Federal Government desired to build a large aluminum plant in the Ouachita Valley and was seeking cheap fuel for the generation of electricity. The fact that the gases were produced with appreciable quantities of crude oil and condensate made it available at a very low price, since the state's conservation law prohibits the flaring of any gas. As a result of these experiments the first large-scale unit for the processing of gases containing hydrogen sulphide was placed in operation on Sept. I, 1941. The plant is in the Magnolia oil field, Columbia County. It processes residue gas from the Shell Oil Company's gasoline plant in that field and also raw gas from the Village field, 6 miles east of the Magnolia field. The gas entering the desulphuri-zation unit is laden with approximately 1400 grains of hydrogen sulphide per 100 cu. ft. and is stripped to a content of 4 grains per 100 cu. ft. The capacity of the plant is 15 million cu. ft. of gas treated daily under a pressure of 160 lb. per sq. in. The cost of treatment, exclusive of depreciation, is appreciably less than I per 1000 cubic feet. Two other plants of much greater capacity have been announced and priorities have been granted, which should bring the total amount of gas treated to 150 million cu. ft. daily. The gas to be treated will have a maximum hydrogen sulphide content of 4500 grains per 100 cu. ft. and will be processed under a pressure of 600 lb. per sq. in. These developments are something entirely new in field practice for the industry. The fact that this heretofore wasted gas is available at very low cost has led to the location of some eight war industries within the state, in addition to the alu-minum plant. Recovery OF Sulphur The Susearch Corporation and the Southern Acid and Sulphur Co. placed in operation during 1941 pilot plants to de-

Jan 1, 1942

By Alec M. Crowell, J. W. Sanders

While the production of crude oil and condensate in South Arkansas increased only 1.7 per cent over the 1940 figure, complete utilization of gas produced with the oil and condensate, and heretofore wasted, was beginning to be evidenced. There were 26,229,264 bbl. of oil and condensate produced in South Arkansas during 1941, as against 25,790,380 bbl. for the year 1940. (Fig. I.) Since 1936, deep producing sands have been discovered in 18 fields and during that period only 40 per cent of the total state production has come from Upper Cretaceous formations while 60 per cent came from the Lower Cretaceous and Jurassic formations. The gas produced with crude oil and condensate from the latter formation contains large quantities of hydrogen sulphide, the maximum being 6900 grains per 100 cu. ft. in the Patton pool of Lafayette County. Gas Utilization During the latter part of 1940 and the early part of 1941, pilot plants were placed in operation to determine whether the hydrogen sulphide and deleterious material in South Arkansas gases could be removed economically. The Federal Government desired to build a large aluminum plant in the Ouachita Valley and was seeking cheap fuel for the generation of electricity. The fact that the gases were produced with appreciable quantities of crude oil and condensate made it available at a very low price, since the state's conservation law prohibits the flaring of any gas. As a result of these experiments the first large-scale unit for the processing of gases containing hydrogen sulphide was placed in operation on Sept. I, 1941. The plant is in the Magnolia oil field, Columbia County. It processes residue gas from the Shell Oil Company's gasoline plant in that field and also raw gas from the Village field, 6 miles east of the Magnolia field. The gas entering the desulphuri-zation unit is laden with approximately 1400 grains of hydrogen sulphide per 100 cu. ft. and is stripped to a content of 4 grains per 100 cu. ft. The capacity of the plant is 15 million cu. ft. of gas treated daily under a pressure of 160 lb. per sq. in. The cost of treatment, exclusive of depreciation, is appreciably less than I per 1000 cubic feet. Two other plants of much greater capacity have been announced and priorities have been granted, which should bring the total amount of gas treated to 150 million cu. ft. daily. The gas to be treated will have a maximum hydrogen sulphide content of 4500 grains per 100 cu. ft. and will be processed under a pressure of 600 lb. per sq. in. These developments are something entirely new in field practice for the industry. The fact that this heretofore wasted gas is available at very low cost has led to the location of some eight war industries within the state, in addition to the alu-minum plant. Recovery OF Sulphur The Susearch Corporation and the Southern Acid and Sulphur Co. placed in operation during 1941 pilot plants to de-

Jan 1, 1942

By E. L. Kinsella, F. S. White

Solids fluidization utilized in two ways for the commercial production of lime is described. Crushed —6 mesh limestone is dried and dedusted in a single bed reactor, then calcined in a 5-stage reactor. Construction, operation, and results obtained with both processes are given. THE solids fluidization process brought out by the Standard Oil Development Co. in the early forties for catalytic cracking of petroleum enabled rapid transfer of large quantities of heat from gases to solids under closely controlled temperature conditions. As the technique developed, it was natural that applications for the process outside the petroleum industry would be sought. The calcination of limestone to quicklime requires the transfer of a large quantity of heat at high and closely controlled temperatures. For these reasons, this possible application was one of the first to be investigated. Laboratory work conducted by the Dorr Co. indicated that lime produced by solids fluidization would be of exceptional quality. Calculation of theoretical heat balances showed that savings in fuel could be expected. Accordingly, a pilot plant of 10 tons per day capacity was erected by the New England Lime Co. at Adams, Mass., to substantiate the process. Operation of the pilot plant, previously described,' showed that excellent lime could be produced with a saving in fuel. The work also indicated the necessity of preparing feed to remove the finer fractions if dust losses were to be held to a tolerable level. A single-stage fluidized solids drier-stripper was developed to accomplish this sizing.' Subsequently a commercial lime reactor was erected at Adams, beginning operation in June 1949, followed by air sizer facilities completed in November 1951. This paper will describe these two applications of solids fluidization. The raw material for preparation of lime by the fluidizing process is a high calcium crystalline lime- stone having the approximate chemical composition shown in Table I. The stone is first prepared by crushing and grinding in conventional equipment to pass a 6-mesh sieve. After crushing, the material is sent to the FluoDry unit for drying and dedusting. Fluidized Drying and Sizing As shown in Fig. 1, the FluoDry unit consists of a -in. cylindrical steel shell, 9-ft ID by 22-ft 6-in. overall height. Attached horizontallv at the bottom is a 6-ft diam combustion chamber, approximately 7 ft 6 in. long. A refractory constriction dome, consisting of first-quality fire brick shapes, partitions the inside into two sections. The lower section is called the windbox and the upper the bed compartment. The vertical wall of the shell is lined with 6-in. first-quality rotary kiln blocks. In the bottom of the windbox a hoppered section is formed with castable refractory to permit the windbox to be readily cleaned via a 6-in. screw conveyor. The combustion chamber is similarly lined with refractory shapes. On the 6-in. diam section, 4 in. of insulating brick, HW-26, are used. The inner combustion chamber is lined with 4-in. Korundal brick to withstand the high flame temperatures encountered. An 8-in. steel feed pipe, entering vertically through the top and fitted with an air-operated cone valve,

Jan 1, 1953

By F. S. White, E. L. Kinsella

Solids fluidization utilized in two ways for the commercial production of lime is described. Crushed —6 mesh limestone is dried and dedusted in a single bed reactor, then calcined in a 5-stage reactor. Construction, operation, and results obtained with both processes are given. THE solids fluidization process brought out by the Standard Oil Development Co. in the early forties for catalytic cracking of petroleum enabled rapid transfer of large quantities of heat from gases to solids under closely controlled temperature conditions. As the technique developed, it was natural that applications for the process outside the petroleum industry would be sought. The calcination of limestone to quicklime requires the transfer of a large quantity of heat at high and closely controlled temperatures. For these reasons, this possible application was one of the first to be investigated. Laboratory work conducted by the Dorr Co. indicated that lime produced by solids fluidization would be of exceptional quality. Calculation of theoretical heat balances showed that savings in fuel could be expected. Accordingly, a pilot plant of 10 tons per day capacity was erected by the New England Lime Co. at Adams, Mass., to substantiate the process. Operation of the pilot plant, previously described,' showed that excellent lime could be produced with a saving in fuel. The work also indicated the necessity of preparing feed to remove the finer fractions if dust losses were to be held to a tolerable level. A single-stage fluidized solids drier-stripper was developed to accomplish this sizing.' Subsequently a commercial lime reactor was erected at Adams, beginning operation in June 1949, followed by air sizer facilities completed in November 1951. This paper will describe these two applications of solids fluidization. The raw material for preparation of lime by the fluidizing process is a high calcium crystalline lime- stone having the approximate chemical composition shown in Table I. The stone is first prepared by crushing and grinding in conventional equipment to pass a 6-mesh sieve. After crushing, the material is sent to the FluoDry unit for drying and dedusting. Fluidized Drying and Sizing As shown in Fig. 1, the FluoDry unit consists of a -in. cylindrical steel shell, 9-ft ID by 22-ft 6-in. overall height. Attached horizontallv at the bottom is a 6-ft diam combustion chamber, approximately 7 ft 6 in. long. A refractory constriction dome, consisting of first-quality fire brick shapes, partitions the inside into two sections. The lower section is called the windbox and the upper the bed compartment. The vertical wall of the shell is lined with 6-in. first-quality rotary kiln blocks. In the bottom of the windbox a hoppered section is formed with castable refractory to permit the windbox to be readily cleaned via a 6-in. screw conveyor. The combustion chamber is similarly lined with refractory shapes. On the 6-in. diam section, 4 in. of insulating brick, HW-26, are used. The inner combustion chamber is lined with 4-in. Korundal brick to withstand the high flame temperatures encountered. An 8-in. steel feed pipe, entering vertically through the top and fitted with an air-operated cone valve,

Jan 1, 1953

By A. G. Starliper, H. Kenworthy, A. Ollar

Vapor pressure determinations were made on synthesized germanium sulfides. Germanium and cadmium were removed from sphalerite concentrates by fuming. The fume was retreated to separate some of the cadmium from the germanium and, at the same time, upgrade the germanium to more than 5 pet content. MANY sphalerite concentrates contain certain impurities which have economic value as byproducts. These may include the volatile sulfides of germanium, cadmium, and lead. The objectives of the research reported in this paper were to study the fundamental volatility characteristics of germanium sulfides, to increase the recoveries of ger-

Jan 1, 1957

By John M. Kelly

New Mexico produced 39,475,388 bbl. of oil in 1944, the greatest amount in one year in the oil history of the state. This production was 593,046 bbl. or 1.25 per cent more than in 1943. New Mexico retained its position as the seventh largest oil-producing state. The maximum per well allowable on Jan. I, 1944 was 48 bbl. daily and at the end of the year it was 45 bbl. daily. Allocations as set by the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission closely followed the recommendations made by the' Petroleum Administrator for War. The average daily pipe-line runs were within 4 per cent of the allocation. Production by counties was as fol1ows;Lea County, 33,509,548 bbl.; Eddy County, 5,504,498; Northwestern New Mexico 461, 342. Drilling activity for New Mexico in 1944 was well above that of 1943, with 362 completions. Of these, 283 were oil wells, 12 gas wells and 67 dry holes. The ratio of dry holes to producers, about I to 4, was an improvement over 1943. Wildcat drilling during 1944 was responsible for the discovery of six new fields and the extension of two present producing areas. Drilling records were established in New Mexico during 1944 with the deepest producer ever completed, the Humble Leonard Oil Company's No. I at 11,969 ft., in the Ellenburger section of Ordovician age near Jal, Lea County. The discoveries in Lea County during 1944 were as follows: West Lovington field, where Fred Turner, Jr. drilled his No. I State B .in C SE SW sec. 4-17-36 and completed it for 122 bbl. of oil in 8 1/2 hr., in the San Andreas section of Permian age. The Tonto field, where the T-exas Company completed its No. I Baskin at a total depth of 3586 ft. in Seven Rivers lime of Permian age, with an initial production of 254 bbl. of oil in 21 hours. The Drinkard area, where the Gulf Oil Corporation's Drinkard No. I flowed 782 bbl. of oil in 14 hr. from the Yeso section of lower Permian age, thus opening the first lower Permian production in the state. The total depth of this discovery was 6508 ft. and oil was 38.8" A.P.I. gravity. The Dublin area, where the Humble Oil and Refining Co. established a drilling depth record of 11,969 ft. drilling and completing its No. I Leonard Oil Co. well in the Ellenburger lime of Ordovician age. This well flowed 221 bbl. of oil per day, of 48.9º A.P.I. gravity oil. It is in sec. 12-26-37. The new pay horizon discovery of the Continental Oil Co. in the Skaggs area, where the company completed its Skaggs B-23 No. 2 in sec. 23-20-37 for 236 bbl. of oil in 21 hr. from the Wolfcamp section of lower Permian age, at a total depth of 7725 ft. This well was drilled to granite at 10,465 ft. and plugged back to the Wolf-camp for a new pay zone completion.

Jan 1, 1945

By K. H. Hiller

A rotational viscometer has been designed which perrnits the measurement of the rheological properties of drilling muds and other non-Newtonian fluids under conditions equivalent to those in a deep borehole (350F, 10,000 psi). The important mechanical features of this instrument are described, and its design criteria are discussed. The flow equations for the novel configuration of the viscometer are derived and the calibration procedures are described. The data and their interpretation, resulting from measurement of the flow properties and static gel strengths of homoionic montmorillonite suspensiom at high temperatures and pressures, are presented. Data are also presented for the flow behavier of typical drilling fluids at high temperatures and pressures. The pressure losses in the drill pipe and the annulus depend critically upon the flow parameters of the drilling fluid. This work demonstrates the need to measure these parameters under bottom-hole conditions in order to obtain a reliable estimate of the pressure losses in the mud system. INTRODUCTION The rheological properties of drilling fluids are affected by temperature and pressure, but the extent of these effects on the dynamic flow properties is not well known. Measurements of changes of the flow properties of clay-water drilling muds with temperature have been reported by Srini-Vasan and Gatlin.1 The temperatures reported did not exceed 200F, a limitation imposed by the apparatus used by these authors. The rheological properties of clay suspensions were measured at temperatures up to 100C by Gurdzhinian.' Neither the nature of the exchange ions in the clay suspensions nor the degree of purity were defined in his work, nor were the measurements extended to currently used drilling fluids. The lack of systematic measurements of dynamic flow properties at high temperatures and pressures seems the more surprising since during the last decade the importance of the control of the hydraulic properties of drilling fluids has come to be widely recognized. Very good mathematical treatments of the friction losses in drill pipe and annulus have been developed.3 4 These treatments are based on the assumption that drilling fluids behave as Bingham plastic fluids. Quite often this assumption is justified, while in other cases a power law equation pro- duces better fit than the Bingham model does. For convenience in applying viscometer data to pressure-drop calculations, the Bingham plastic flow equation is preferable and, therefore, has been applied to the data reported in this paper, although other equations may fit these data more accurately. In a Bingham plastic fluid the relationship between the shearing stress 7 and the rate of shear D is given by the following equation: where is the plastic viscosity and 4 the yield point. If 4 = 0, the equation for simple Newtonian flow, 7 = pD, is obtained. Two empirical constants are required for the description of laminar flow of a Bingham plastic fluid, and calculations of the flow behavior at high temperatures and pressures cannot be better than is permitted by the accuracy with which these constants are known. For this reason a high-pressure, high-temperature rhe-ometer has been designed to measure the plastic viscosity the yield point +, and the static gel strength S, at pressures up to 10,000 psi and temperatures up to 350F. The important features of its design will be described. The results of measurements on homoionic clay slurries will be discussed insofar as they are relevant to an understanding of the general flow behavior of clay-water drilling fluids. The results of measurements on some typical drilling fluids will be presented also, and their practical implications will be briefly discussed. DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT MECHANICAL FEATURES A viscometer designed to measure the plastic viscosity, yield point and gel strength of non-Newtonian fluids must permit the measurement of the shearing stress t at any given rate of shear D. This is possible only if t and D are approximately uniform throughout the entire sheared sample. A Couette apparatus is the most convenient method of realizing this condition, as has been pointed out by Grodde." The "high-pressure, high-temperature rheometer" described in this paper is basically a rotational Couette viscometer that is immersed in a cell in which pressure and temperature can be controlled over the range of interest. Fig. 1 shows schematically the important features of the pressure cell and associated equipment. The heart of the instrument is the rotating cup. It is shown more clearly in Fie. 2. which revresents the lower one-third of the pressure cell (below the input drive shaft shown in Fig. 1), and it is shown in detail in Fig. 3. For measurements of dynamic flow properties, the rotating cup is driven by a 1/2-hp electric motor, which operates through a Vickers

By M. Cross

INTRODUCTION The development of refining processes involving gas injection into liquid metals has seen the evolution of a variety of designs [I]. During the last few years or so the top, bottom and side blown processes have, essentially, been combined to produce a series of mixed gas blowing schemes (eg. the LBE [2,3] and LD-OB processes [4,5]). Although, a variety of mixed gas blowing processes have been carefully engineered and recorded operational experience now attests to their effectiveness, optimising their design and operational performance is another matter. Detailed process analysis of such operations is impeded by the complex nature of the physical and chemical processes involved: . fluid flow behaviour of the liquid metal and injected gases, . chemical reactions in the vessel, . mass and heat transfer within the fluid phases in the vessel, . influence of the geometry (eg. location of the tuyeres, etc.), . monitoring the operational performance. By and large, design and operating parameters evolve from a combination of laboratory scale experiments, pilot plant work and, of course, practical engineering experience. Conventionally, the gas-liquid system used to model the industrial process is air-water, for a number of valid reasons including – . visual demonstration plus geometric and (to some extent) dynamic similarity, . the fact that the system demonstrates, at least, qualitatively many of the complex features of gas injection - interaction between the gas and the liquid - the nature of the gas flow behaviour - qualitative indications of mass transfer rates Important experimental contributions to the understanding of gas liquid systems include the work of Brimacombe [6], Wraith [7], T.Robertson [8], D.Robertson [9], Guthrie [10] and Szekely [11] (these references provide starting points to identify the major published work in this area). Although air-water systems have been instrumental in providing a great deal of qualitative insight into the fluid flow behaviour of the processes, reliable quantitative predictions are more problematic. A number of workers (notably Brimacombe and colleagues [6, 12])have demonstrated that different gas-liquid systems can lead to wide variations in behaviour. Other limitations of physical modelling include the assumptions of isothermal flow, scale- up of turbulent flow behaviour and the inability to directly include the effects of chemical reactions. The above limitations in physical modelling, therefore, yield a natural role for mathematical modelling provided that it can be made comprehensive enough whilst remaining cost-effective. The major physical processes involved in gas injection systems may be summarised as . behaviour of the gas envelope structure in moving through the liquid metal . the global movement of the liquid metal . momentum interaction between the liquid metal and the injected gas . heat transfer and mass exchange via the chemical react ions. The behaviour of gas envelopes forming at a tuyere and then moving through the liquid has been investigated thoroughly by a large number of workers. Such models are generally based upon simple physic- al concepts derived from visual observation. An early model by Davidson and Schuler (DS), based upon a force balance between the liquid inertia and a combination of the bouyancy and momentum forces on the envelope, has proved to be a useful tool in predicting bubble volumes at detachment [13]. The DS model has been successfully modified in a number of ways [14-17] to cope with heat transfer and reactive transfer rates, etc. Furthermore, the basic ideas summarised above have also been confirmed on industrial converters by both Guthrie [I8] and Brimacombe [19]. Models have also been developed to predict the behaviour of the "chemical" component of some gas-liquid systems. However, one thing is clear; all gas-liquid reactive systems are governed by the degree to which effective mixing occurs. As such, the processes are dominated by the behaviour of the heat and mass exchange of the two phase fluid flow system. It is the pattern of movement of the turbulent liquid metal plus its interaction with the injected gas which must be predicted reliably, if sufficiently comprehensive comp-

Jan 1, 1984

By M. B. Ramachandra Rao

THIS paper records the results of the earth resistivity surveys made in the Godavari river in connection with the Ramapadasagar project. After describing the topographical and geological features of the area, the results of the investigation at the several sites have been mentioned. Further, a detailed account has been given of the resistivity methods adopted, the apparatus used and the interpretation of the curves. The resistivity measurements carried out over the water course have been specially outlined, and a review of the verification of the electrical indications by drilling in a number of cases, has also been presented.

Jan 1, 1947

By R. J. Wysor

SINCE the outbreak of the European war, few problems of raw-material supply have commanded more nation-wide attention than potash. It is well known that before the war the domestic production of potash was an insignificant percentage of the imports. The average annual importation of raw potash salts for several years prior to 1914 was slightly over 300,000 net tons, and f other potash manure salts about 700,0000 tons. The sudden and almost total cessation f these imports created a unique and stringent situation. Methods of recovering potash from feldspar and other native mineral sources, and reclamation from hitherto waste products, have received a marked impetus. Soaring prices have been a keen-incentive to research and industrial development. Although several brief articles concerning the possibilities of potash recovery have appeared in recent trade journals, it still may be a matter of some surprise to the average technical mind that potash might be reclaimed as a profitable byproduct in the manufacture of pig iron. At the present time it may be of special interest to present some data, largely of a technical nature, on this subject. A fairly thorough search of the literature reveals a number of articles concerning salts of the alkali metals in the blast furnace. Many of them deal with the-theoretical role f alkali cyanides in the furnace. Several discuss the, probable effect of the alkalies on the furnace brickwork. Two or three ambitious patents have been granted for reclaiming potash or other products from blast-furnace gas. However, we have heard nothing further as to the practical application of these patents. Little literature of importance has appeared during the last 10 years concerning alkalies in blast-furnace practice, and I have discovered no record whatsoever as to the actual sale or commercial disposal f flue dust for its , potash content until this was inaugurated in our plant at Bethlehem. A bibliography of the most important articles discovered is appended.

Jan 1, 1917

By D. B. Hobbs, L. W. Kempf, R. S. Archer

Silicon is one of the most important elements in the metallurgy of aluminum. It is always present in small amounts in the ordinary grades of "pure" aluminum, and hence in all alloys made therefrom. Within the last few years binary alloys containing up to 13 per cent. of silicon have come into extensive use for castings. Silicon is also added, beyond the amount present as an impurity, in alloys containing one or more other elements such as copper, manganese, magnesium and nickel. The binary aluminum-silicon alloys are not yet heat treated to any extent in commercial practice, although, as will be shown, their properties are affected to a very considerable degree by heat treatment. There are other aluminum alloys that develop higher strength, but the special characteristics of the silicon alloys may well lead to the application of heat-treating processes on a commercial scale. The role of silicon in the heat treatment of aluminum alloys is more important than would be indicated by consideration of the binary alloys alone, because many of the alloys that are heat treated in regular commercial practice contain some silicon in addition to that derived from the aluminum ingot as an impurity. Among these may be mentioned the heat-treated 195 alloy castings, and the wrought alloys 25S, Special 17s and 51s of the Aluminum Co. of America, and the German wrought alloy, Lautal. It is the purpose of this paper to present the results of experimental work and the conclusions derived therefrom regarding the heat treatment of the binary aluminum-silicon alloys. The products heat treated included forgings, chill castings and both 'normal" and "modified" sand castings. Review of Literature The literature on the heat treatment of aluminum-silicon alloys is not very extensive. The following review gives the principal references of which the authors are aware, in which appreciable information may be found.

By Chung Yu Wang, Guy C. Riddle

There are found in nature upward of II2 minerals containing antimony, but only a few of them, listed in Table I, can be considered as antimony ore-forming minerals. Stibnite (Sb2S3), antimony sulphide or glance, is the principal ore of antimony. The oxide ores—cervantite, kermesite, valentinite, sernarmontite—occur sparingly in nature. Dry methods are generally adopted for the extraction of the metal. Electrometal-lurgical methods have had much attention in America and Germany and have not yet found, on economic grounds, practical or extended application, except in a few places. During recent years, treatment of the poor grades of the ore, especially sulphide, by ore-dressing methods, has commanded some attention and been adopted at a few plants. The impure sulphide of antimony, resulting from the liquation process, is called lLneedle," "liquated" or "crude" anti- mony, and the refined metal itself is called antimony "regulus." The different processes for the treatment of antimony ores are shown in the diagram of Fig. I. Liquation of Crude Antimony The first step in the smelting of antimony is a simple one, the process of LLliquation," which produces crude or needle antimony. Ores containing $ 50 per cent Sb are used in the liquation process for the production of crude. The temperature required for liquation is between 550' and 600°C. Ores to be liquated are broken to about walnut size. If the pieces are larger than this, the low heat used will not penetrate' effectively, and if they are smaller the ore tends to pack too closely for adequate penetration. A packed charge also prevents the free escape of the fused sulphide. Intermittent Liquation in Crucibles The unique type of furnace that is in use in China for smelting is not highly efficient but is simple in construction and operation. The furnace is generally built

Jan 1, 1944

By H. C. Howard

Reaction of oxygen and bituminous coal starts as soon as the coal bed is exposed to air and, with some coals, proceeds with significant velocity even at normal temperatures and at normal oxygen partial pressures of one-fifth of an atmosphere. At higher temperatures, the reaction is greatly accelerated and ultimately a condition is reached where the process is very rapid and we then speak of combustion. It is the purpose of the present paper to discuss the reactions of oxygen and coal at temperatures below those of active combustion. It is these low temperature oxidation reactions which are responsible for heating in storage and for marked changes in agglutinating proper-ties. These reactions may also be employed for the preparation of organic acids, which are of direct interest to the chemical industry. For convenience in discussion, the low temperature reactions of oxygen and bituminous coal can be roughly divided into three stages though there is, of course, overlapping. Stage I is a surface oxidation stage, characterized by the addition of oxygen, with the formation of oxygen containing groups some of which have acidic properties. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and water may be formed con-comitantly and are always liberated at higher temperatures, and in cases where the oxidation is prolonged. Superficially, the coal is little affected by this primary stage of oxidation and usually only minor changes in ultimate composition result. There may be definite changes in coking and coking properties, and heat of combustion susceptibility to further oxidation. The presence of acidic groups can be demonstrated by specific reactions. These groups may show cation exchange properties like the mineral zeolites. The formation of oxalic acid has been reported. If the oxidation is continued, a large fraction of the organic material of the coal is converted ultimately into alkali soluble, acid insoluble products, which have been given the name "regenerated humic acids" and which are the characteristic products of Stage 2. These humic acids, in the solid stage, do not differ greatly in appearance from the original coal, but show large differences in chemical composition and chemical and physical properties. Along with the humic acids, carbon dioxide and some of the water soluble types of Stage 3, are also formed. If the oxidation is carried still further, the humic acids may be degraded completely to the simpler, lower molecular weight acids of Stage 3 which are characterized by solubility in acid as well as in alkaline media, and by their orange, yellow or white colors. Additional carbon dioxide is formed in the transformation from Stage 2 to Stage 3 and, for a number of American coals, a maximum yield of the water soluble types of acids is reached when about 50 pct of the carbon of the coal is converted to carbon dioxide. Primary Oxidation The initial step in the reaction of gaseous oxygen on coal, like that on carbon,

Jan 1, 1949

The problem of surface support in coal mining is naturally divided into three branches: 1. Surface covered with improvements of such value as compared with the value of the underlying coal, or with such elements of danger to mining, that absolute support is essential. 2. Surface with improvements of less value than the underlying coal such that moderate settlement may be permitted, but destructive settlement must be avoided, either by reason of danger to human life or unwarranted property damage. 3. Surface of relatively small value as compared with the underlying coal where destructive settlement may be permitted. First Problem In the first case it is evident that the original support must be maintained either (a) by leaving ample pillars and confining the coal recovery to a very conservative first mining, (b) by so supporting less conservative first mining by filling or flushing that the gradual deterioration of the pillars may be prevented and subsidence avoided, or (c) by incompressible support as masonry either as an adjunct to insufficient pillars or in place of the original coal support. a. From tests made by the Scranton Engineers Club, it appears safe to figure on 2000 Ib. per sq, in. as the safe squeezing strength of coal pillars in place, provided that these are, as usual, not higher than their least horizontal dimension; and from this figure the percentage of pillar to be left for various depths may be easily calculated. For safety in this

Jan 1, 1930