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By W. A. Mudge, Paul D. Merica

One of the most prominent features of our present-day industrial development is the ever-increasing demand put upon materials of construction. Engineering ingenuity, within the past 25 years, has been unusually active, and in some fields at least engineers frankly say that engineering design has progressed as far as the limitations imposed by the properties of the present materials of construction will permit. Consequently, they are today demanding improvement in their working materials and seeking new ones, through the aid of which the present limitations of design may be overcome. The activity of this search is evident in all fields, but it is particularly so in that of structural materials required to be resistant to corrosion. The corrosion resistance of metals and alloys is never absolute and all-inclusive; a particular alloy will withstand some corrosive conditions well and fail utterly under others. Furthermore, other properties, physical and mechanical, required in conjunction with corrosion resistance vary considerably for different commercial applications. One wants a soft, ductile sheet metal resistant to atmospheric corrosion; another, a high-strength alloy resistant to sulfuric acid. The last decade has witnessed active and definite progress in the development of high-strength, corrosion-resisting alloys. In June, 1924, a symposium by the American Society for Testing Materials, on Corrosion-resistant, Heat-resistant and Electrical-resistance Alloys, disclosed no less than 60 commercial alloys the properties of which were described as being suitable for industrial service where corrosion resistance was a feature. Today the number of these alloys has been doubled, at least. In addition, economy in design and construction through decreased weight has given considerable impetus to the improvement of alloys of which the mechanical propprties may be improved by heat-treatment.

Jan 1, 1935

By James F. Kemp

In submitting an additional contribution to the discussion on ore-deposits in the recent volumes of the Transactions, it is my desire to adhere closely to matters of material importance as affecting the actual processes. Judging from the discussion by Professor Van Hise, and from one or two reviews or other articles by associates of his in geological work, the impression seems to prevail that, in so far as my paper* referred to his masterly essay, I was guilty of misconceptions regarding both the part attributed by him in it to the igneous rocks and the ubiquitous presence of the ground-water. I should regret extremely to be wanting in these particulars or to have misunderstood one for whose great services in this and other branches of geology no one has a higher esteem than myself. I have, however, in the most careful way, and with these points in mind, read his essay again, and, taking it as a whole, I cannot gain any different impression of relative magnitudes than the one first received. The importance of the igneous phenomena and the restrictive influence of the processes described by " cementation " in their effect upon the ground-water, as set forth in Professor Van Hise's "Discussion" (Trans., xxxi., 292), impress me as being in very marked contrast with the same things in his first essay. If the point seems to anyone of sufficient importance, it can easily be decided by reading the originals. My paper was the result of some years of observation, reading and reflection, and was meant to be an independent contribution, controversial only in some subordinate particulars. In depicting the drama of the deposition of ores, I cannot but feel that Professor Van Hise assigned to the chorus and the scene-shifters some characters which, it seems to me, should

Jan 1, 1903

R. 8. MACPHERRAN, Milwaukee, Wis. (communication to the Secretary): The importance of carbon in pig-iron, as well as the desirability of buying, for some purposes, irons which are high in carbon, has always been recognized. Mr. Summers, I think, has given undue weight to the carbon-determinations. The combined carbon often decreases materially as the center of the pig is approached, with a corresponding increase in the graphite. Even the determination of total carbon, to be of service, must he supplemented by that of other elements. By it alone, the softness of a foundry-iron cannot be determined. Car-wheels and No. 5 iron, for instance, frequently contain 3.75 per cent. of carbon. This is the percentage specified by Mr. Summers for his No. 1 iron, " with the silicon about anywhere the furnace-man wants it." It is true that, other things being equal, the higher the carbon the softer the iron for foundry-use. But to introduce any given percentages of graphitic and total carbon into a pig-iron specification would but make the specification more complicated, without increasing its value in a commensurate degree. Mr. Summers does not believe in the governing of mixtures by the silicon, and, in support of his views, gives several tables. It seems to me that both his conclusions and his tables are somewhat unsatisfactory. He comments on the irregularity in carbon, but fails to note the significance of the irregularity in silicon..The variation of 0.7 per cent. in silicon, for example, is too great to be accounted for by difference in blast. It might better be attributed to bad grading at the furnace, unsystematic sampling, or irregular charging. Deductions drawn under such conditions are of little value. In ordinary work the castings from the same mixture should

Jan 1, 1899

The opening session* was held in the hall of the Franklin Institute, on Tuesday evening, June 20th, President Holley in the chair. The President introduced Mr. Franklin B. Gowen, who addressed the Institute as follows: Mr. President and Gentlemen : It has been made my pleasant duty to welcome you to the city of Philadelphia, but in so doing I shrink, with some natural reluctance, from appearing before an audience so much better fitted than I am to cope with the subjects which are usually presented to your association, and I can assure you that no trembling neophyte, first venturing within the groves of the Academy, or walking, with sacred reverence, in the gardens of Plato, felt more natural dread at the consequence of his own temerity than I do in appearing before an audience composed of geutlenlen belonging to a scientific society of which I am but too sensible that until now I have been a member only in name. In olden times, upon entering a temple sacred to the worship of any deity, it was customary to lay some offering upon the altar, and, in following this custom, it will be my duty, before entering upon the more pleasant part of the task which is assigned me, to call your attention to a subject with which I have been somewhat familiar, and which is entirely within the scope of your investigations, in the belief that I may throw out some hints or some suggestions of a process that may be fully developed by some of you, and eventually lead to the introduction of that which may be of service to the human race. The satirist who described the philosopher whom he met, as engaged in the process of extracting sunbeams from cucumbers,

By Paul D. Merica, W. A. Mudge

One of the most prominent features of our present-day industrial development is the ever-increasing demand put upon materials of construction. Engineering ingenuity, within the past 25 years, has been unusually active, and in some fields at least engineers frankly say that engineering design has progressed as far as the limitations imposed by the properties of the present materials of construction will permit. Consequently, they are today demanding improvement in their working materials and seeking new ones, through the aid of which the present limitations of design may be overcome. The activity of this search is evident in all fields, but it is particularly so in that of structural materials required to be resistant to corrosion. The corrosion resistance of metals and alloys is never absolute and all-inclusive; a particular alloy will withstand some corrosive conditions well and fail utterly under others. Furthermore, other properties, physical and mechanical, required in conjunction with corrosion resistance vary considerably for different commercial applications. One wants a soft, ductile sheet metal resistant to atmospheric corrosion; another, a high-strength alloy resistant to sulfuric acid. The last decade has witnessed active and definite progress in the development of high-strength, corrosion-resisting alloys. In June, 1924, a symposium by the American Society for Testing Materials, on Corrosion-resistant, Heat-resistant and Electrical-resistance Alloys, disclosed no less than 60 commercial alloys the properties of which were described as being suitable for industrial service where corrosion resistance was a feature. Today the number of these alloys has been doubled, at least. In addition, economy in design and construction through decreased weight has given considerable impetus to the improvement of alloys of which the mechanical propprties may be improved by heat-treatment.

Jan 1, 1935

By J. M. Gaines, C. H. Herty

IRon oxide (FeO) plays an extremely important part in the manufacture of steel. In the open-hearth furnace and the Bessemer converter it is the chemically predominant compound and controls to a large extent both the operation of the furnaces and the composition and quality of their products. Almost all of the refining action is carried out through the medium of FeO, which oxidizes carbon, manganese, silicon and phosphorus. At the end of any open-hearth or Bessemer heat the steel contains dissolved iron oxide, which must be wholly or partly eliminated. The type of deoxidation product depends on the amount of dissolved iron oxide and on the deoxidizer used. After the heat has been deoxidized and while it is being teemed, iron oxide diffuses from the ladle slag into the metal, causing losses of deoxidizer and increase in iron oxide content of the steel. It is generally believed that non-metallic inclusions are responsible for a great many failures of steel in service and for decreased yield of steel during rolling. The basis of most non-metallic inclusions is dissolved iron oxide. This investigation was undertaken in order to determine the amount of iron oxide that will dissolve in iron under various conditions. Steel-making slags are complex and it has been thought best to determine solubility under simple slags as a first step. The study is being continued under slags whose compositions approach those of operating slags Previous Investigations The solubility of oxygen in iron has been determined by a number of investigators (see Table 1) but their effort's have been directed toward the

By James Douglas

American metallurgical inventions have not always been absolute metallurgical improvements, if accurate work be the standard of comparison; but when we review the new methods and machinery which have been generally accepted, we find that some have become essential to the metallurgist the world over, while all are so admirably adapted to the peculiar requirements of our local conditions that they have entirely supplanted foreign processes and appliances. The necessity of diminishing to the utmost the employment of labor (owing to its great cost), and the inexorable requirements of our modern joint-stock corporate system, which demands that large quantities be worked up in order to secure large returns, regardless betimes of waste, have been the impelling motives to invention, and indicate the special directions in which originality has been exercised. As might be anticipated, the West has been the most fertile field of inventions by miners and metallurgists, by reason of its great and varied mineral wealth, locked up in ores sometimes lean and often of intricate composition, which must be profitably handled, at a great distance from fuel and from building-materials, by workmen who are paid wages very much higher than those received by their fellow-workmen of like craft in Europe, and in some localities twice as high as those paid for like services even in the eastern States. Moreover, paradoxical as it may seem, the technical inexperience of many of those engaged in mining and metallurgy has helped rather than hindered the progress of invention; fop while there may have been ignorance, there has been radical freedom from

Jan 1, 1894

During the year this Committee has had the benefit of the services of 75 Committee members, resident in the various States of the Union and in foreign countries, 10 of them representing us abroad. A number of plans for awakening the interest of possible new members have been carried out and the results have been very gratifying. The comparative results for 1913 and 1914 are as shown in the following table: 1913 1914 Applied for membership 630 946 Elected 450 1,006 Accepted election 433 921 When it is remembered that the depression following the outbreak of war in Europe has had more serious effect on the mining industry than almost any other, these results cannot be regarded as anything other than very encouraging. Because of the unsatisfactory conditions still prevailing it will doubtless be difficult to make even as good a showing next year. It is considered, however, that the function of this Committee is not merely to secure new members, having no regard for other than numbers; its true function is to exercise a proper supervision over the growth of the Institute, building it up in those fields in which it is weak, and directing its growth in such a way as to make it most effective in fulfilling its proper function as the national organization representative of the mining profession. The plan of inviting the alumni of the leading mining schools to apply for membership, which was initiated last year, was completed this year, with the exception of one or two schools, notably the University of California, from which we have not been able to obtain a list of alumni. With these exceptions we have now extended to the graduates of all the important mining schools of this country, and several of those abroad, an invitation to apply for membership in the Institute. It. is not thought desirable to repeat this invitation too frequently, and it is therefore suggested that this field be left alone for a year or two, when, if the mining industry experiences a marked revival of interest, it will be well to send out a second letter to the same men.

Jan 4, 1915

When the suggestion was made by Major General Leonard Wood that the Institute assist in the formation of a National Reserve Corps of - Engineers, Dr. Drinker's name occurred first to the Board of Directors as the man who would be most capable of carrying out the proposed plan. Dr. Drinker has long been associated with work in connection with military training and is at present the Chairman of the Governing Committee on Military Training Camps Association which is having such important results at Plattsburg and other places in this country. As Chairman of the Institute's Committee on National Reserve Corps of Engineers, Dr. Drinker was a member of the Joint Conference Committee of the National Engineering Societies .on. this subject., He was an earnest worker in the movement, which, has finally resulted in definite legislation by Congress; whereby a Reserve Corps of Engineers is authorized in the new Army Bill which became effective July 1, 1916. Notice of the results of the work was sent to all the members of the National Engineering Societies early in July, and the and the Department of the United States has recently issued a circular which has been sent to all the members of the National Engineering: Societies, as well, as to many other engineers, outlining, the line, whereby engineers may enroll themselves in the Officers Reserve Corps. Dr. Drinker has, therefore, fulfilled the mission which he undertook when assuming the Chairmanship of the Institute's Committee. He now asks the permission of the Board of Directors to withdraw as Chairman and has requested that he be replaced in this position by Mr. Arthur S. Dwight, in; the belief that the Chairmanship of the Institute's Committee and, membership on the Joint Committee should be vested in a man ,located in New York City, for the better carrying put of the important work now before the Joint Committee. We are happy to say that Dr. Drinker has consented to remain a member of the Institute's Committee; but the completion of the first phase of his work; as,Chairman, should not be allowed, to pass without an expression of appreciation on behalf of the Institute for his services.

Jan 9, 1916

Air-sand Process of Cleaning Coal Discussion of paper by THOMAS FRASER and H. F. YANCEY, presented at the New York Meeting, 1926, and issued, as Pamphlet No. 1561-F, with MINING AND METALLURGY, February, 1926. T. DEVENNY, Edgarton, W. Va.-How near the size of the sand can the coal to be treated be brought? Do you use an 8-mesh coal on that cleaner? J. J. RUTLEDGE, Baltimore, Md.-From the little I have seen of the apparatus in operation, I should say 8-mesh. In my experience in metalmine concentration work, trying to separate different minerals on one jig, sometimes I have succeeded and sometimes not. This apparatus has appealed to me; something of this kind should be useful with the silicates and carbonates of zinc. I think this apparatus has possibilities in metal mining. Recently in our coal field a screen has been introduced for cleaning coal; it is giving excellent service. When I asked the inventor why he did not take it to the metal mines, he said there was a good and sufficient reason, in a patent way. There may be reasons why it would not be applicable for metal mining; but the simplicity of it appeals to me and I cannot see why it could not be so used. T. FRASER (written discussion).-We feel that 8-mesh would be about -the minimum size of coal practicable to treat by the air-sand process. This would depend partly upon the friability of the coal. The more nearly the lower size limits of the coal- approaches the size of the sand, the more .time will be required in screening the sand out of the cleaned coal, which would mean a little more chance of breakage. In regard to the treatment of ores; this would necessitate the use of some heavier mediums than ordinary silica sand, or some other means of making the separation at a higher specific gravity than is required for coal. We are now working on a method of obtaining this effect for the preparation of anthracite coal without resorting to the use of heavier and more expensive material than common sand.

Jan 1, 1927

By C. J. Delisio

The basic concept of tunnel boring has not changed since the late 1800's. R. Stanley of Great Britain obtained a Canadian patent as early as December 1891. Mr. Stanley's machine was a device that consisted of a rotating wheel equipped with drag-type teeth; it had a means of thrusting the cutterhead against the face or heading; it had a means of clamping or gripping the machine in its bore; it had a means of collecting and depositing the cuttings into a screw-type conveyor located near the invert of the tunnel. It even had a means of varying the speed of the forward motion of the machine to suit different hardnesses of rock encountered. This description essentially fits the latest tunnel-boring machines being built today. In short, there has been no significant advance in the basic concept in 70 to 80 years. It may well be that no significant change can be expected for some time into the future. Today's machines, while still basic in concept, offer many advances aimed at faster tunneling. Among these are 1 ) improved cutters, 2) guidance and steering devices, 3) dust-control devices, and 4) mechanisms to aid in installing tunnel supports. CUTTERS The most important part of a hard-rock tunnel borer is the cutter. If the cutter can cut the rock, it is a boring machine. If the cutter cannot cut the rock, no other part of the machine can. When Jarva, Inc. decided to build a machine, the first problem was to find a good cutter. In our search, we looked at most of the cutters on the market. We selected Reed Drilling Tools' cutter because the design of their cutter was aimed at hard-rock tunneling. We feel that they build the best cutter available and provide the best possible service to their customers. As tunnel-boring machine design advanced, the transition from drag bits to roller bits was natural because harder formations required a roller bit, and it is the goal of all mole users to bore harder formations. Roller bits

Jan 1, 1970

By Dewitt T. Ring

Lack of reliable detailed production figures for earlier years, together with the loose nomenclature in reference to producing horizons and the application of the term "field" without any definite meaning or restriction, has made it impossible to gather statistical data suitable for the Institute's form. In common with all other producing areas in the United States, Ohio has felt severely the economic ills of the entire industry during the past year. With overproduction, not only of crude but also of refined products, going on throughout the country, the price structure as a direct consequence has weakened on Ohio oils. Valuable crude is being sold at a big loss today because producers arc willing to, and do, sell more than the market can absorb. The axe hangs heavy over the heads of Ohio producers, and will until something constructive is done to keep supply in proportion to demand. This not only applies to Ohio but to the entire industry. Production of Pennsylvania grade in Ohio was under 50 per cent proration, which has been in effect since Oct. 1, 1937. Three price cuts since February have lowered the posted price from $1.70 to $1.18, a 30 per cent reduction; other grades were less drastically reduced. Pipeline storage facilities were limited; many producers were faced with the problem of providing their own storage or the risk of ruining their wells. If they wanted to pull and abandon wells, there was no market for junk equipment. Many employees have been cut to half time and in a number of instances their services entirely dispensed with. Summary of Production and Drilling Both oil and gas production in the state during 1938 showed a definite decline over the previous year. (A table showing production by years from 1876 through 1937 was published in Vol. 127 of the Transactions.) The total production of crude oil in the state for 1938 was 3,357,914 bbl., as compared with 3,654,000 bbl. in 1937, a decrease of 7.1 per cent. At

Jan 1, 1939

By D. J. Jr. McAdam

This paper presents stress-cycle graphs for five samples of monel metal and three high-strength aluminum alloys. These graphs are evidently curves with horizontal asymptote. The position of the horizontal asymptote can be determined with sufficient accuracy by extending the experiments to not more than 50,000,000 cycles. For some of the graphs, there is a slight downward slope between 50,000,000 and 100,000,000 cycles. The slope is so slight, however, that, extrapolation from 50,000,000 to 100,000,000 cycles gives the endurance limit with sufficient accuracy. Monel metal and duralumin are not exceptional among non-ferrous metals in endurance properties. IN Part I of this paper' a comparison was given of the results obtained in investigation of the endurance properties of non-ferrous metals in .three laboratories: the Engineering Experiment Station of the University of Illinois, the U. S. Air Service at McCook Field, Dayton, Ohio, and the U. S. Naval Engineering Experiment Station, Annapolis, Md. Part I was devoted to a discussion of the forms of the stress-cycle graphs obtained at the three laboratories. For comparison, typical graphs obtained at the three laboratories were plotted on the same semi-logarithmic scale. The typical rotating-cantilever graph for ferrous and non-ferrous metals obtained at the Naval Experiment Station was described as a curve descending with gradually decreasing slope to a horizontal line. In the reply to the discussion of Part I, however, this graph was described as a curve with horizontal asymptote. It. was also said that the ordinate of the asymptote (the endurance limit) could be determined by endurance tests of not more than 50,000,000 cycles. This description was intended to apply only within the range of ordinates used in plotting an ordinary endurance graph. It was recognized that if .extended upward beyond the usual field, the curvature of the graph would decrease until -the graph would either approach a straight a line or possibly reverse its curvature.

Jan 2, 1926

By Dewitt T. Ring

Lack of reliable detailed production figures for earlier years, together with the loose nomenclature in reference to producing horizons and the application of the term "field" without any definite meaning or restriction, has made it impossible to gather statistical data suitable for the Institute's form. In common with all other producing areas in the United States, Ohio has felt severely the economic ills of the entire industry during the past year. With overproduction, not only of crude but also of refined products, going on throughout the country, the price structure as a direct consequence has weakened on Ohio oils. Valuable crude is being sold at a big loss today because producers arc willing to, and do, sell more than the market can absorb. The axe hangs heavy over the heads of Ohio producers, and will until something constructive is done to keep supply in proportion to demand. This not only applies to Ohio but to the entire industry. Production of Pennsylvania grade in Ohio was under 50 per cent proration, which has been in effect since Oct. 1, 1937. Three price cuts since February have lowered the posted price from $1.70 to $1.18, a 30 per cent reduction; other grades were less drastically reduced. Pipeline storage facilities were limited; many producers were faced with the problem of providing their own storage or the risk of ruining their wells. If they wanted to pull and abandon wells, there was no market for junk equipment. Many employees have been cut to half time and in a number of instances their services entirely dispensed with. Summary of Production and Drilling Both oil and gas production in the state during 1938 showed a definite decline over the previous year. (A table showing production by years from 1876 through 1937 was published in Vol. 127 of the Transactions.) The total production of crude oil in the state for 1938 was 3,357,914 bbl., as compared with 3,654,000 bbl. in 1937, a decrease of 7.1 per cent. At

Jan 1, 1939

By Alfred H. Brooks

PetRoleUm seepages are known in Alaska at four localities, all on Pacific seaboard. These, named from east to west, are Yakataga, Katalla on Controller Bay, Iniskin Bay on Cook Inlet, and Cold Bay on the Alaska Peninsula. Besides these, a petroleum residue has been found near Smith Bay on the north Arctic coast of the Territory. At Katalla, Cold Bay, and Iniskin Bay there has been some drilling for oil, and in the first field several productive wells have been opened up. Alaskan petroleum, so far as its composition is known, is a refining oil, with paraffin base and low sulphur content. Most of what is known of the geology of Alaska oil fields is based on the investigations of Dr. George C. Martin, of the United States Geological Survey. A, G. Maddren, of the same service, has recently made a reconnaissance of the Yakataga oil field. The data to be here presented are chiefly taken from the following publications: G. C. Martin: The Petroleum Fields of the Pacific Coast of Alaska, with an account of the Bering River coal deposits, Bulletin No. 250, U. S. Geological Survey, pp. 9 to 27 (1905). G. C. Martin: Geology and Mineral Resources of the Controller Bay Region, Alaska, Bulletin No. 335, U. S. Geological Survey, pp. 112 to 130 (1908). G. C. Martin and F. J. Katz: A Geologic Reconnaissance of the Iliamna Region, Alaska, Bulletin No. 485, U. S. Geological Survey, pp. 126 to 130 (1912). A. G. Maddren: Mineral Deposits of the Yakataga District, Bulletin No. 592, U. S. Geological Survey, pp. 143 to 147 (1914). Katalla Field The Katalla field is marked by a series of seepages and gas springs occupying an east and west belt, about 25 miles in length and from 4 to 8 miles wide. (See Fig. 1.) This zone skirts the north shore of Con-

Jan 1, 1915

By L. de Florez

The successful control of any operation, whether industrial, military, or purely physical, is fundamentally dependent upon the same elements: (I) The securing of accurate and pertinent information concerning the factors involved in the operation; (2) Correct interpretation of their relationship as affecting future results; (3) Efficient means for effecting changes in the factors governing the operation to shape the result. The analogy which exists in the control of operations in these widely differing fields of action is of utmost interest, and in considering the physical control of a process, the realization of its existence permits a clearer conception of the steps required to achieve results and aids in formulating the problems to be met. Let us imagine, for instance, the requirements for successfully conducting a business. It is evident that the first requisite lies in obtaining continuous and reliable information concerning the functioning of its various branches and in detecting, with the least possible delay, any tendency of change in their functions; next, in correctly analyzing this information by comparison with past records, showing the relation of the particular business to general conditions in the trade; and finally, in employing means for counteracting any unfavorable change in general conditions, or compensating for its effects by an appropriate action. Likewise, in military operations, the success in carrying out a plan lies primarily in the maintenance of proper intelligence and communication service, which furnishes information as to the disposition of forces; in correct analysis of the ascertained position, guided by fundamental knowledge of tactics; and finally, on the efficient carrying out of orders and effecting corrective movements. In the physical operation of a process, such as for example in cracking, our information is obtained by pressure and temperature instruments, etc., which permit us to visualize existing conditions under which the operation is being carried out. The information at hand is then analyzed and certain conclusions arrived at as to the results which will be obtained under the observed conditions. If this analysis should indicate, in the

Jan 1, 1928

By H. Beecher Charmbury

Water is a most remarkable substance. It is essential for life of all kinds. Not only can no one live without water, but man has always needed water for farming, raising animals, manufacturing, transportation, and recreation. When our country was young and inhabited by few people, the streams, rivers, and lakes were able to provide all the clean water needed by man and take away all the wastes created by man. However, with our growing population and our ever-increasing demand for goods and services, the public, industry, and government at all levels have become aware of the need to more efficiently manage the water resources of this nation. Coal has helped this nation to become the greatest industrial nation in the world. Coal has generated our electricity, run our railroads, and helped arm our nation during wartime. The result has been the highest standard of living in the world, a time of widespread prosperity, and a national defense potential that has delivered the hardware during four wars in this century. The use of water in coal mining is somewhat different than in most industries. With the exception of the small amount of water used in cleaning plants and for fire protection, most of the water encountered in coal mining operations is unwanted since it serves no useful purpose. In other words, it must be removed, otherwise it will interfere with mining operations by flooding. In the past, removing water from working areas of most mines was usually a fairly simple matter. Pumps with piping were installed at sumps or low spots in the mine and the water was pumped to the surface. Ditches were often used to drain the water by gravity to the outside or to main sumps for pump discharge. In either case, the water was allowed to flow into the nearest stream or river. The concept of "water is water" was generally accepted without too much concern over what

Jan 1, 1973

By William G. Krantz

The increased service demands on some of the products of the National Mallcable Castings Co. prompted it about eight years ago to investigate the electric furnace, both in America and in Europe. The process had already been sufficiently developed in Europe to lead us to believe that the electric furnace would most nearly meet our requirements. After further investigation and consultation with the highest authorities on the subject, we decided upon the Heroult type as the simplest and most practicable. In 1910, we built a furnace of this type, of 300 Ib. capacity, for experimental purposes, and although it was crudely constructed the quality of the material we were able to make justified the installation of a 6-ton Heroult furnace in 1912. This furnace has three electrodes, 17 in. in diameter, uses three-phase, 60-cycle current, and is equipped with Thury regulators, which give US good regulation and a uniform load on the line even when cold melting. The power factor of the furnace is 04 per cent. Since July, 1912, the furnace has been in continuous operation, producing up to the present time over 20,000 tons of both carbon and alloy steels of varying analyses and of exceptional quality. Both cold-and hot-metal charges have been used, with a power consumption of about 150 kw-hr. per ton in the case of hot-metal charges and from 500 to 600 kw-hr. per ton in the case of cold charges. The electric energy consumed varies according to the final analysis of the steel and the amount of refining required. Too much cannot be said about the refining possibilities of the electric furnace, for no other method of steel manufacture can compete with the electric in this respect. In proper operation lies the whole secret of success. That steel has been made electrically means nothing, for when the furnace is operated under oxidizing conditions the quality is no better than that of open-hearth material; but when properly made, electric steel is as good as

Jan 1, 1916

By Benjamin C. Greene, H. Beecher Charmbury

Water is a most remarkable substance, essential for life of all kinds. As well as needing water to survive, man has always used it for agriculture, transportation, recreation, and many other things. When our country was young and inhabited by few people, the streams, rivers, and lakes were able to provide all the clean water needed by man and take away all the wastes created. However, with our growing population and an ever-increasing demand for goods and services, the public, industry, and government at all levels have become acutely aware of the need to manage the nation's water resources more efficiently. Abundant energy from many sources has helped this nation to become the greatest industrial nation in the world. Coal has contributed a major portion of this energy, generating electricity, running railroads, and maintaining national security during wartime. The result has been the highest standard of living in the world and a time of widespread economic prosperity. The use of water in coal mining is somewhat different from its use in most industries. With the exception of water used in cleaning plants, for underground dust control, and for fire protection, most of the water en- countered in coal mining operations serves no useful purpose. In other words, it is an undesirable element and must be removed, otherwise it will interfere with operations, cause potential water quality problems, and may even stop operations by flooding. In the past, removing water from working areas of most mines was usually a fairly simple matter. Pumps with piping were installed at sumps or low spots in the mine and the water was pumped to the surface or to drainage control facilities constructed for the operation. Ditches were often used to collect and drain the water by gravity to the outside or to main sumps for pump discharge. In either case, the water was allowed to flow into the nearest stream or river. The concept of "water is water" was generally accepted without too much concern for what was in

Jan 1, 1981

By A. E. Harnsberger

IT is obvious that details such as the physical and chemical properties and methods of heat-treating of the materials mentioned must be omitted in a paper on the subject of materials used in oil-refinery pumps1. Only sufficient identification is given to enable the reader to find additional information from already published data. Also, the subject covers many operating conditions, but only the most important services can be discussed here. To the oil refiner, the pumping equipment is of vital interest. Practically every refinery operation, from the charging of crude oil to a distillation unit to the shipping of refined products, involves some form of pumping machinery. Intermediate refining stages involve a great variety of pumping machinery to carry out successfully the aims of the refinery technologist. Temperatures at which oils are handled vary from -50° F. to 900° F. Pressure may vary from subatmospheric to 2000 lb. per sq. inch. The selection of the proper materials involves a careful consideration of the conditions under which the particular pump must operate. The four, most important considerations are temperature, pressure, corrosion, and abrasion or wear. Consideration of temperature may be divided into three parts: (1) extremely low temperatures of the order of -50° F.; (2) temperatures at atmospheric or slightly above; .(3) temperatures from 200° to 900° F. Pressures fall into two groups: (1) pressures reached by ordinary trade pumps of the order of. 200 lb. per sq. in., (2) extreme pressure conditions involving pressures as high as 2000 lb. Noncorrosive and corrosive oils can be treated differently. Under the latter falls corrosion in the presence of water, which will occur up to 250° F. The second type of corrosion occurs in high-temperature pumping equipment, with temperatures from 450° to 900° F., largely caused by sulfur compounds. There are also other corrosive conditions met with

Jan 1, 1935