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By V. O. Struebing, K. A. Johnson, F. H. Ellinger, C. C. Land

The system Pu-Ce-(Pu,Ce)Co2 has been investigated by thermal, micrographic, and X-ray diffraction methods. The principal characteristics of this system were found to be: 1) a "eutectic" valley extending across the phase diagram from the 6 Pu/Pu3 Co eutectic at 408°C to the 7 Ce/Ce24Co11 eutectic at 42Z°C, the maximum temperature in the valley being 443°C; 2) three ternary inter mediate phases, each having an appreciable mutual solid solubility for plutonium and cerium; 3) eleven four-phase equilibria comprising one eutectic, four peritectics, and six Class II reactions; 4) a pseudobinary section between the ternary phase A and the y Ce solid solution, and another such section between the 6 Pu solid solution and the 77 phase (Pu3 CO) containing cerium in solid solution. ALLOYS of plutonium that are completely molten at temperatures in the vicinity of 500°C are of interest for use in the liquid state as fast reactor fuels. Since exploratory work1,2 on Pu-Ce-Co alloys had indicated that a "eutectic" valley extended across the ternary system between the Pu-co[6 Pu/n (Pu3co)] and the Ce-CO[? Ce/? (ce24co11)] binary eutectics, thus allowing alloys of any plutonium concentration to be selected within the temperature limitation, the present investigation was begun for the purpose of accurately defining the "eutectic" valley. However, when the existence of three ternary intermediate phases and the consequent complexity of the liquid-solid equilibria were discovered, the investigation was expanded to cover the complete system, except for the corner between the isomorphous series PuCo2-CeCo2 and pure cobalt. 1) EXPERIMENTAL The purities of the alloy components are given in Table I. Alloy buttons, each weighing about 5 g, were prepared by arc melting the accurately weighed components (±0.1 mg) under a purified He-Ar atmosphere. Weight loss as a result of melting was usually less than 1 part in 1000; therefore, the buttons were not chemically analyzed. One half of each button was re-melted by induction heating in vacuo in a magnesia crucible and furnace-cooled, so as to produce a somewhat coarser microstructure than that of the rapidly cooled arc-melted button. About 20 g of each alloy to be examined by thermal analysis were remelted in vacuo in a tantalum crucible of the inverted thermocouple well type. The thermal, X-ray diffraction, heat treating, and micrographic methods used in this investigation were essentially the same as have been described in earlier reports.3,4 Two etchants for these alloys were found to be satisfactory: A) 8 (parts by volume) orthophosphoric acid, 5 ethanol, and 5 glycol; B) 7 tetraphosphoric acid, 36 water, and 57 2-ethoxyethanol. Etchant A was used at 5 to 6 v for 15 to 20 sec, and etchant B was used at 10 v for 10 sec. 2) THE LIMITING BINARY SYSTEMS 2.1) Plutonium-Cerium. The phase relationships of this system have been investigated by Ellinger, Land, and Cramer,5 and by Selle and Etter.6 The over-all agreement of their phase diagrams is good, but there are some discrepancies in the positions of some phase

Jan 1, 1967

By W. R. Wilcox

The camphor-anthracene system was chosen as a transparent low-melting analog of the zirconium carbide -graphite system. Camphor and zirconium car -bide both grow nonfaceted, while casting of mixtures yields platelets of both anthracene and graphite. Zone melting of thin layers of organic was observed under the microscope. Irregular lamellar structures were produced at high values of the ratio of the temperature gradient G to the zoning rate V. The anthracene invariably led the camphor, indicating lower kinetic undercooling for the anthracene. The lamellar spacing was an order of magnitude greater than typical spacings for metal eutectic systems. Exact behavior depended on orientation of the anthracene. Oriented dendritic structures were produced at low values of G/V. Transient and oscillatory behavior were also observed—much of it unexpected. A.RC-CAST refractory carbide-graphite mixtures are promising thermal-shock resistant materials. Oriented structures of these materials would be superior to arc-cast materials for many applications. Mollard and Flemings1 and Cline2 have shown that aligned structures can be obtained for a wide range of Pb-Sn alloys. However, these metals both solidify in a nonfaceted manner while graphite yields platelets or flakes. In addition only small diameter samples of Pb-Sn alloys were produced because it was necessary to avoid free convection and to have high temperature gradients. The purpose of the present work was twofold: 1) To observe the solidification of a transparent low-melting analog of carbide-graphite systems and 2) to see if larger diameter samples can be produced. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE When zirconium carbide-graphite mixtures are cast, the resulting structure naturally depends on composition. Carbide-rich mixtures yield metal-like nonfaceted carbide dendrites in a eutectic matrix. Graphite-rich alloys have graphite platelets in a eutectic matrix. Empirically it was found that camphor-anthracene mixtures produce similar structures with camphor being nonfaceted and anthracene forming plates. The organic eutectic melted at 116°C and was composed of 78 wt pet camphor.3 The camphor used was U.S.P. grade from Fisher Scientific Company; the anthracene was 98+ pet fro Aldrich Chemical Co. The impurity content is judged to be on the order of 1 pet. Mixtures ranging from 50 to 88 wt pet camphor were employed for the experiments. All but one of the experiments were performed on the microscope-stage zone melting apparatus described in detail elsewhere.4 The organic mixtures were contained in horizontal cells made of microscope slides or cover glasses. In most of the cells the organic was present as a very thin layer, thus giving almost two-dimensional growth behavior. The cells were moved slowly under a heated wire, which caused a molten zone to move through the solid at rates ranging from 0.01 to 5.4 cm per hr. The temperature gradient was estimated before moving the zone by measuring the distance between the line where all solid was melted (freezing point) and that where solid first began to melt (eutectic temperature). The temperature gradient was found to be 465°C per cm in the thinnest cells used, which were made by pressing together two microscope cover slips in the organic melt and then rapidly withdrawing them. RESULTS The experimental results are described in four parts: simultaneous growth, dendritic growth, irregular growth, and transients and erratic phenomena. Steady state data are summarized in Fig. 1. Except where noted all comments are for the cells containing a thin layer of organic. A) Simultaneous Growth. Simultaneous and roughly parallel growth of anthracene and camphor was obtained over the full range of compositions investi-

Jan 1, 1970

By E. H. Burdick

The difficulties inherent in table concentration operations as applied to gold, silver, lead and zinc ores, are accentuated in the scheelite mill, which has a flowsheet that is similar in general principles. The narrow "spread" in the specific gravity between scheelite and the usual gangue in which it occurs often makes its clean separation extremely difficult and in some cases impracticable. The problem is further complicated by the extreme friability of the mineral and its inordinate tendency to "slime," particularly where fine grinding is necessary and wet grinding methods are employed. The physical aspect of the occurrence of scheelite in the ores, the kind and character of the rock in which the mineral is present, its hardness, friability and the specific gravity of its constituents, as well as like characteristics of the associated minerals— pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and others, all have a bearing on the successful milling of crude ores and the production of a concentrate that is marketable with minimum price penalty or none at all. Most tungsten deposits are considered low grade when the limiting factor of low percentage recovery by gravity methods is borne in mind. The great majority of deposits developed or in process of development carry from 0.4 to 1.0 per cent tungstic oxide. Ore carrying I per cent is considered good grade; 0.7 to 0.8 per cent, fair, and below that figure, low grade. Steady mill feed averaging upward of I .o per cent WO3 is exceptional. Inasmuch as buying specifications demand a 60 per cent W03 content, the mineral content of the ores as mined must be concentrated to at least that degree. A few companies have constructed chemical plants for the treatment of their complex concentrates and low-grade flotation product, but the smaller operator must rely on table concentration, borrowing the tools and to a large extent the methods of his predecessors in the gold, silver, lead and zinc mills. Whether these are the best tools and methods that can be devised is an open question. Except in rare instances, table concentration, however carefully conducted, does not yield a satisfactory final recovery of the mineral content in headings as indicated by chemical determinations of tungstic oxide content. A saving of 60 to 65 per cent is considered fair, and an average 80 per cent recovery, exceptional. Each scheelite ore body is a separate problem. Details of handling that give best results in one case may not be successfully operative at a property on the same contact zone and but a short distance removed. Supplementary treatment of tailings by flotation may be successful in producing a low-grade concentrate of around 15 per cent W03, which is adapted to further treatment chemically at a given property and entirely unsuccessful at another. This problem constitutes another of the unanswered questions. The following paragraphs relate solely to the beneficiation of scheelite ores by table concentration and supplementary methods.

Jan 1, 1943

By E. H. Burdick

The difficulties inherent in table concentration operations as applied to gold, silver, lead and zinc ores, are accentuated in the scheelite mill, which has a flowsheet that is similar in general principles. The narrow "spread" in the specific gravity between scheelite and the usual gangue in which it occurs often makes its clean separation extremely difficult and in some cases impracticable. The problem is further complicated by the extreme friability of the mineral and its inordinate tendency to "slime," particularly where fine grinding is necessary and wet grinding methods are employed. The physical aspect of the occurrence of scheelite in the ores, the kind and character of the rock in which the mineral is present, its hardness, friability and the specific gravity of its constituents, as well as like characteristics of the associated minerals— pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and others, all have a bearing on the successful milling of crude ores and the production of a concentrate that is marketable with minimum price penalty or none at all. Most tungsten deposits are considered low grade when the limiting factor of low percentage recovery by gravity methods is borne in mind. The great majority of deposits developed or in process of development carry from 0.4 to 1.0 per cent tungstic oxide. Ore carrying I per cent is considered good grade; 0.7 to 0.8 per cent, fair, and below that figure, low grade. Steady mill feed averaging upward of I .o per cent WO3 is exceptional. Inasmuch as buying specifications demand a 60 per cent W03 content, the mineral content of the ores as mined must be concentrated to at least that degree. A few companies have constructed chemical plants for the treatment of their complex concentrates and low-grade flotation product, but the smaller operator must rely on table concentration, borrowing the tools and to a large extent the methods of his predecessors in the gold, silver, lead and zinc mills. Whether these are the best tools and methods that can be devised is an open question. Except in rare instances, table concentration, however carefully conducted, does not yield a satisfactory final recovery of the mineral content in headings as indicated by chemical determinations of tungstic oxide content. A saving of 60 to 65 per cent is considered fair, and an average 80 per cent recovery, exceptional. Each scheelite ore body is a separate problem. Details of handling that give best results in one case may not be successfully operative at a property on the same contact zone and but a short distance removed. Supplementary treatment of tailings by flotation may be successful in producing a low-grade concentrate of around 15 per cent W03, which is adapted to further treatment chemically at a given property and entirely unsuccessful at another. This problem constitutes another of the unanswered questions. The following paragraphs relate solely to the beneficiation of scheelite ores by table concentration and supplementary methods.

Jan 1, 1943

By Adam L. Wesner, A. C. Richardson

DURING World War II the demand for electrode carbon was greater than could be met by the supply of petroleum coke available for this use. It was believed that coke made from an extremely low-ash coal might be a suitable substitute for petroleum coke. Requirements for electrode carbon to be used for the production of aluminum are that the silicon plus iron content shall be not more than 0.14 pct of the coke. However, during the period when petroleum coke was in short supply, it appeared that relaxations of the specifications might be allowed to permit 0.4 pet iron plus silicon in the coke. For this work, the specifications were that the coal should contain less than 1 pet of ash, and the combined iron and silicon content of the coal should not exceed 0.28 pct. Heavy-liquid separations made on a number of coals showed that if certain size fractions of some coals were separated at low specific gravities the resulting float products would meet the required specifications. The objective of this work was to develop a continuous, commercially feasible process for producing low-ash coal. After consideration of various processes, the method chosen was a float-and-sink separation using a solution of calcium chloride as the separating medium. Eagle Seam coal was used for the experiments. The -10 +35 mesh fraction was found to be the most promising feed for producing the low-ash [ ] content coal. A batch of 30 tons of -3/8-in. coal was screened at 10 and 35 mesh; the yield of -10 +35 mesh was 20 pct of the feed. This fraction comprised the feed for the separation tests. In spite of the fact that this portion was screened a second time at 35 mesh, the coal still contained 16 pct that was finer than 35 mesh. Three-fourths of the undersize was in the -35 +48 mesh range. A representative portion of the -10 +35 mesh fraction was subjected to batch float-and-sink separations to determine the best gravity to be used in the continuous tests to obtain a high recovery of low-ash content coal. The heavy liquid used was a mixture of carbon tetrachloride and benzene which assured complete wetting of all of the particles. As usual in batch separations, adequate time was allowed for each separation so that even the near gravity particles had ample time to separate. The separations were made at increments of 0.01 sp gr from 1.25 to 1.28 and also at 1.32 and 1.59. Each specific-gravity increment was assayed for ash content. From these data it was concluded that 1.27 sp gr was best for the continuous separation of the coal. The products from the batch separation were composited into float 1.27 and sink 1.27 sp-gr fractions; these were assayed for ash, iron, and silicon. Table I shows the results of the batch separations. The composite float 1.27 fraction contained 66.04 pct of the total weight, and had an analysis of 0.79 pet ash, 0.073 pct iron, and 0.112 pct silicon, or 0.185 pct iron and silicon combined. These data are indicative of the results possible if a perfect separation is made at 1.27 sp gr under static conditions. Inasmuch as the method under investigation is a dynamic system these results could not be obtained. It remained to be determined, however, just how close to the theoretical results the actual continuous separation would be.

Jan 1, 1952

By L. C. Kern

This paper presents information on the use of a new propping agent (malleable aluminum particles) which has been used successfully for producing high-conductivity fractures. The conductivity of a packed fracture depends on the width of the fracture as well as the permeability of the propping material. It is significant that the flow capacity of a propped crack is often increased many fold by propping the crack with a sparse distribution of particles. However, the flow capacity of a sparsely propped crack can be limited by two phenomena: (I) crushing of the propping particles, and (2) embedment of the propping particles in the formation walls. Malleable aluminum particles exhibit interesting properties which tend to overcome these limitations. As high loads are applied to the particles they will deform slightly, rather than shattering. The deformation results in a greater bearing area against the formation wall. This reduces the stress on the particle and reduces particle penetration into the formation. The behavior of aluminum particles under load and the bearing capacities of serveral formation rocks have been measured in the laboratory. By properly using these data, as explained in this paper, the flow capacities of aluminum-propped cracks can be calculated for a variety of conditions. Aluminum particles have been used successfully in the field to prop fractures. Where high-conductivity fractures were needed, the aluminum-propped fractures have given greater well stimulation than could have been expected for conventional fracturing processes. INTRODUCTION The purpose of a hydraulic fracture treatment is to create a conductive channel from the wellbore out into the oil or gas formation. The word conductive is emphasized because we believe that the fracture conductivity (flow capacity) is one of the most important factors influencing fracturing results. Previous papers have pointed out the additional well stimulation that can sometimes be achieved by increasing fracture conductivity. Several years ago, we investigated in some detail the effect of fracture conductivity on productivity increases to be expeced from vertical fractures. Both electrical analog and theoretical studies of unsteady-state flow behavior were made. A discussion of the electrical analog equipment and some of the results of the study were given in a previous paper' by Dyes, Kemp and Caudle. Further details were given recently by McGuire and Sikora.5 Fig. 1 shows the remarkable influence of relative fracture flow capacity and length on well stimulation. Briefly, the study indicates the following. 1. High-permeability formations require high-conductivity cracks for best results. 2. The longer the crack, the higher the fracture conductivity required for best results. 3. If the conductivity of the crack is very large compared to the formation (i.e., flow is not being limited by crack conductivity), then the longer the fracture, the better will be the results. Judging from recently published articles,1,314 there is current interest in methods for obtaining high fracture conductivities. Hence, we would like to present in this paper a discussion of a new fracture propping process (use of aluminum particle) which we have used successfully to obtain highly conductive fractures. There are several factors which influence the conductivity of a propped crack. Conventional fracturing techniques frequently result in a crack completely packed with fracturing sand. For such conditions, the crack conductivity is the product of the width of the packed fracture and the permeability of the propping material. It is significant that a large increase in conductivity sometimes can be obtained by propping with particles which are distributed sparsely (less than a

By H. Foster Bain

FROM time to time geologists and mining engineers, impressed by the heavy demands made on our mineral reserves' by modern industry, and particularly by the steadily mounting rate of production necessary to meet that demand, have issued warnings as to the danger of exhaustion. There can be no dispute as to the fact that mineral deposits are exhaustible. New mineral, is not created to replace that taken from the earth and when a crop of mineral is once harvested another cannot be grown in the same area. The evidence of exhaustion 'of particular oreshoots, deposits, or even of whole districts is familiar to all who have mined. If one were to judge solely from the abandoned mills and prospect holes he would rightly conclude that mining is but a short-lived industry. If one were, furthermore, to assemble the data as to known reserves of almost any of the commonly used minerals, and divide them by the annual tonnage mined, he would come to the same conclusion. If, again, one were to consider the most carefully made estimates of competent men seeking to measure the earth's reserves of minerals and plot against them a projection of the curve of past consumption, he would be justified in viewing the situation with alarm.

Jan 1, 1930

By T. L. Joseph

S. T. Killian (Johnstown, Pa.)—This is one of the finest papers I have read. Tying in stoichiometric calculations with furnace performance and practice is a step which had to be taken sooner or later. The noteworthy difference between Dr. Joseph's type of calculations and regular blast furnace calculations is that the Ib mol system is used as a basis. With the Ib mol system, weights, volumes, and chemical reactions can all be expressed in the same equation. In the paper, wind, ore, flux, and fuel are all expressed as lb or lb mols. Probably Dr. Joseph does not realize it, but the vague word coke appears only twice in the entire paper. Lb of C and Ib mols of C are followed through reactions but the word coke appears only as 1560 lb coke per ton of pig and 1700 lb of coke per ton of iron. Obviously in order to understand furnace reactions, the coke should be expressed as lb or lb mols of C. Furnaces can also be compared more easily. In some respects the paper is too thorough and too complete. The effects of the metalloids reduced into the iron upon the top gases represents a difference of less than 3 pct of the CO formed in the bosh. Due to the completeness of the calculations in relation to the CO/CO2 ratio, this was included and was necessary. However, the exclusion might have enabled more furnace men to follow the lb mol system of calculations through the blast furnace to a better degree. By considering only irons of similar analysis, this part of the calculations might have been omitted. However, if this had been done, total rewriting of the paper later would have been necessary in order to make the work complete as it is now. It also would not have been nearly as authoritative. In the paper, there appears the reaction: H2O + CO ? CO2 + H2 [I] Dr. Joseph states that he did not take this reaction into consideration in any calculations pertaining directly to the paper. The piobable reason- for this is that although it contains all the main reacting top gases except N2, it is rather inflexible since it is monomolecular in relation to each of the reacting gases and does not tie in with the gasification of C. Actually the reactions: H2O + C ? CO + H2 [2] 2H2O + C ? CO2 + H2 [31 and the solution loss reaction: CO2 + c ? 2c0 [41 tend to assume an equilibrium through the reaction: H2O + CO ? CO2 + H2 [I] which should be considered a balancing or equilibrium reaction. Reactions 2, 3 and 4 permit furnace conditions to balance with the CO/CO2 ratio and H2 formation. They tie in with the solution loss. Reaction 1 unites them chemically. Probably the best calculation to make at this time would be to try to find the relative importance of the CO2 from the flux and the H2 in the dilution on an actual furnace gas analysis. For this purpose the Dob-scha-Carnegie-Illinois paper—"Effect of Sized and Sintered Mesabi Iron Ores On Blast Furnace Performance" is chosen. This paper was presented before the blast furnace section of the AIME in 1948. This represents the best large scale furnace operation available to me. Unfortunately the changes were brought about by beneficiation of the burden and not by changes on one burden. In choosing the basis for the calculation in relation to the furnace, 100 mols of dry top sgas is chosen. This leaves something to be desired inasmuch as the nitrogen basis is changing but I believe it will be better understood than any other type and it is the easiest to use.

Jan 1, 1952

By C. A. Hansen

INTRODUCTION It has been the experience of the writer, during some. five years' work with electrolytic zinc, that the zinc cell is perhaps more- sensitive to impurities in the electrolyte than the analytical methods as yet developed for the chemical identification and determination of these impurities; but that, when proper purification methods have been applied to a given solution, the behavior of the cell is quite independent of the original sources from which the zinc sulphate has been derived. It has also appeared that the behavior of the zinc cell is the best and surest check on the correctness and thoroughness of the purification methods used, because it indicates the presence of both current impurities. and cumulative impurities derived from the leaching of the ore; it also in

Jan 3, 1918

By Charles Holland

MINERS have observed for many years that as pillars are removed in mining operations the pillar adjacent to those mined out frequently shoes evidence of being compressed. Although this has been known for a long time, little or no information is available concerning how far from the mining area the pillars are affected in this manner, or how great is the magnitude of the compression, or concerning the manner or char-acteristic way in which the compression acts, as the mined-out area approaches the pillar under consideration. The writer made a study of pillar action in the Mona mine of the Arkwright Coal Co., partly to get some quantitative data on the deformation of coal-mine pillars. The study was not completed but it seems best to present the information that was obtained.

Jan 1, 1937

By T. B. Counselman

AN iron blast furnace of 1000 tons daily capacity will produce about 100,000 cu; ft. per minute of blast-furnace gas. This contains about 25 per cent of carbon monoxide, and has a B.t.u. value of about 95. This gas-is used primarily for heating the stoves of the blast furnace, and secondarily, under boilers, for steam production. Occasionally it is also used in gas engines. The raw gas coming out of the furnace carries about 10 grains of flue dust per cubic foot of gas, under best operating conditions. With the furnace "rolling" or slipping, this quantity may temporarily be greatly increased. This dust would, of course, deposit on the checkers of the stoves, or plug the burners under the boilers; therefore the gas must be cleaned.

Jan 1, 1936

By Lawrence Addicks

One of the properties of copper, which has done much to give it its present prominent place among the useful metals, is its electrical conductivity,—a property which has now become the chief criterion of the value of the commerical product. In pursuance of that distinctively American principle that, " the best is none too good," metal of the highest conductivity is usually called for even when such extreme purity is of no advantage ; for instance, in the making of brass and other alloys. The average brass-founder feels nervous unless his copper is so very pure that it shows a conductivity of 99 or 100 per cent., while the character of the zinc used is usually overlooked in hi s anxiety. Electrolytic refining has made it possible to produce copper

Jan 1, 1906

By M. L. White, J. L. Shafer, C. L. Caenepeel

Often an in situ leach is the only practical economic method for copper recovery from small low grade oxide deposits. The decision to develop a copper property by an in situ blast and leach is strongly dependent on ore grade, tonnage, hydrology, and the copper extraction and acid consumption rates. The inherent leachability of the ore will in part determine the desired amount of fracturing of the ore deposit by the blast in order to obtain a copper extraction rate that is economical. For the last several years Occidental Research Corp. (ORC), has undertaken a modest effort to address the question of how to best identify and determine the information necessary to predict and control the operation of an in situ leach for the economic recovery of copper.

Jan 2, 1979

By James R. Evans

Forecasting demand is an art as well as a science, and much personal judgment is required. National forecasts made for sand and gravel, crushed stone, and/or aggregate may be misleading or unhelpful locally. This is because of significant variation in demand within different geographic and/or political areas in the US, and/or the use of an inadequate data base and forecasting methodology. The best forecasts may be made for local or regional market areas, irrespective of geographic or political boundaries, provided a proper data base is available.1 The Bureau of Mines compiles detailed statistics on commodities sold or used in the construction industries and, therefore, is in an advantageous position to make national aggregate demand forecasts. Definitions of some terms used in this presentation are necessary before proceeding.

Jan 1, 1980

By William Kent

In the paper by Mr. Fernom, on Red Charcoal, read at the first session of this meeting, it was suggested that this fuel might be used in the blast furnace with greater economy than ordinary or black charcoal. In the discussion which followed the paper, it was stated that the charcoal furnaces of the Lake Superior District have used imperfectly burned charcoal with success, and that these furnaces have given the best results in fuel economy on record. On consulting some of our well-known metallurgical authorities the writer finds that the question of the use of red charcoal, or other imperfectly burned charcoal, or charred wood, is not at all new. In Percy's late work on Fuel, pages 409-414, are given a few facts, which are here condensed, as follows:

Jan 1, 1879

By Nicholas M. Short

Many a geologist or driller has wished he could somehow climb into a borehole to see for himself what fractures looked like. Or why recovery was poor. Or how the bit was actually lost. Now it is possible to do the next best thing to climbing into the hole. TV cameras are being used for a close-up look at borehole conditions. Ever since television was invented, geologists and others interested in subsurface conditions have wanted a TV camera that could be used in the narrow confines of a borehole. But development of such a camera was slow, mainly because of the need for compact size. Not until the late 1950's did the technology of electronic miniaturization develop to a point where a camera satisfactory for the purpose could be put together.

Jan 1, 1963

By W. C. Maurer

A drilling-rate formula for roller-cone bits is derived from rock crater-ing mechanisms. This formula holds for "perfect cleaning", which is defined as the condition where all of the rock debris is removed between tooth impacts. Under these conditions, the drilling rate is directly proportional to the rotary speed and to the bit weight squared, and inversely proportional to the bit diameter squared and to the rock strength squared. Under imperfect cleaning conditions, such m those usually present in field drilling, re-grinding of the cuttings occurs under the bit, and the drilling rates fall below those for perfect cleaning. INTRODUCTION Drilling with a roller-cone bit consists of two fundamental operations: the formation of craters under the bit teeth, and the removal of the broken rock from the craters. To delineate the mechanisms of drilling, it is first necessary to understand the mechanisms involved in the formation of individual craters and then to relate these mechanisms to the over-all drilling operation. CRATER FORMATION When a bit tooth impacts a rock, the rock is elastically deformed until the crushing strength of the rock is exceeded, at which time a wedge of crushed rock is formed below the tooth1, 2 as shown in Fig. 1. As additional force is applied to the tooth, the crushed material is compressed and exerts high lateral forces on the solid material surrounding the crushed wedge.- en these forces become sufficiently high, fractures are initiated below the tooth and propagate to the free surface of the rock. The trajectories of these fractures intersect the principal stresses at a constant angle,'s4, as predicted by both Mohr's and Griffith's theories of failure. It has been experimentally 3,1 .6 that the volume of an impact crater, V,, varies as where Ec is the total energy imparted to the rock during the formation of the crater, and E is the threshold energy required before cratering is initiated (Fig. 2). Indexing experiments' have shown that, when there is a second free face to which the crater can fracture, a larger volume of material is removed and that above a transition zone there is a linear relationship between V, and Eo., which has a slope equal to the relationship for the single crater. The beneficial effect of indexing tends to offset the threshold energy requirement to a large extent, as shown in Fig. 2, and the relationship is closely represented by Rate-of-loading effects have been used to explain the nonproportional relationships usually obtained between drilling rate and rotary speed. The data4, in Fig. 3 show that the Ec/Vc parameter remained constant for craters produced with impact velocities ranging from 10 to 8,000 ft/sec. Since no rate-of-loading effects were detected over this wide range of loading rates, it seems improbable that there would be detectable rate-of-loading effects present in the small changes in impact velocities produced by varying the rotary speed. The writer has shown (Fig. 4) that, for craters produced in rock by impacting spheres, where X is the depth of penetration. Simon2 has shown that this relationship also holds for craters produced in rock by penetrating wedge-shaped chisels. The energy used in crater formation is

By C. Kremer Bain

UNDER present economic conditions the necessity of mechanizing the mines of our country has become a very important problem. More and more mines are looking toward increased or complete mechanization of their operations, so in the writer's opinion it is quite pertinent that some of the associated problems that accompany such a program be pointed out. The following generalization on attempting a comparatively slight change in mining methods at the Southeast Missouri properties of the St. Joseph Lead Co. is an attempt to point out to anyone faced with a mechanization program that much time and C. KREMER BAIN, Member AIME, is Assistant to General Manager, St. Joseph Lead Co., Bonne Terre, Mo. AIME Sun Francisco Meeting, February 1949. TP 2743 A. Discussion (2 copies) may be sent to Transactions AIME before March 31, 1950. Manuscript received Dec. 27, 1948; revision received Oct. 13, 1949. effort can be saved, and many headaches avoided, if company policy can be established whereby everyone in the organization from the top down is desirous of improvement and is working towards the common objective. Any changes in mining methods, machinery, and so on, must entah coordination of all the other phases of mining as they all have to mesh as accurately as a smooth running chain of gears if satisfactory results are to be obtained. The purpose of this paper is to point out some of the problems which :have to be surmounted when any mechanization program is attempted, rather than to go into the mechanical details and actual operating data of the equipment employed. After all, machines have to be adapted to best suit the local conditions, so no general formula can be given that would apply to other properties. Although St. Josepll Lead Co. has been mechani-cally-minded for a number of years, as shown by the fact that over 110 million tons have been loaded mechanically since 1922, any further mechanization or changes always present a problem. When our ore bodies were of great height and area the breaking and loading were developed to a high degree of efficiency according to known standards. But in recent years, when our ore bodies became smaller and more scattered, the amount of tonnage we were able to break was not sufficient to supply our shovels with enough rock to keep them working to capacity. Our first step in attempting to rectify this situation was to develop a technique of moving the shovels to the broken ore in various stopes, which sometimes entailed a move each shift. A shovel is not producing when being moved, so within the last two years we have been endeavoring to devise some means of getting more rock broken in these smaller stopes and it was then that we became interested in jumbo drilling. To illustrate the fact that mechanization is a process of a chain of developments rather than a stroke of genius can best be shown by a general summary of conditions and obstacles which were encountered in our present attempt to establish template drilling of a standardized round. Our first jumbo was more or less the conventional type with two machines mounted on a crossbar. This arrangement proved to be impractical to duplicate satisfactorily the regular routine of slabbing in a more or less radial pattern as carried out by column drilling. One machine was either too close to or too far from the face and there was another disadvantage in that one drillman was frequently delayed while waiting for his partner to bottom a hole. Our next step was to eliminate the crossbar so the machines could operate independently of each other, but we still encountered the same objections mentioned above except that one drillman was free to drill three holes instead of one in a vertical plane independently of his partner. Time studies while trying to adapt the jumbo to the regular slabbing practice as accomplished by column drilling, revealed that twice as much time was spent in maneuvering the jumbo into position and aligning the holes as was consumed in drilling.

Jan 1, 1951

By Robert Gillham, Victoria Yablonsky, Grover R. Castle

INTRODUCTION The commercial paper market, unique to the United States, is a direct exchange of funds between high-grade borrowers and large lenders; because it eliminates both the bank's role as middleman and also some significant transaction costs, commercial paper is the lowest cost short term instrument in the world. For this reason, virtually all borrowers would like to enter the market, but only issuers with the highest rating from Moody's and Standard & Poor can attract purchasers at the best rates. COMMERCIAL PAPER The commercial paper market, in existence for over 100 years, has traditionally been used for short-term financings, with most paper maturing within 30-45 days. Under the U. S. Securities Act of 1933, (section 3(a)3) industrial paper can avoid registration only if it matures within 270 days and is used for current transactions. It was first used to finance the short-term seasonal working capital needs of manufacturing companies. Since World War II, commercial paper use has grown steadily, serving in the 1950's as the market in which finance companies financed the explosion in consumer credit purchases of heavy consumer durables. LETTER OF CREDIT BACKING As far as is known, the use of letters of credit to support energy-related commercial paper began about 13 years ago with an arrangement to finance the nuclear fuel for Con Edison's Indian Point 3 Plant. Goldman, Sachs was the architect of this financing and Chemical Bank provided the letter of credit support. After an early burst of interest, this type of financing wobbled severely in the difficult credit markets of the mid-seventies before regaining serious momentum in 1976 and 1977. A mining project would not normally qualify as a borrower in the commercial paper market because of its credit standing and because its large capital needs require long term financing. However, lately, commercial paper has begun to take the place of a bank term loan in limited recourse project financings. L/C backed commercial paper took this new and startling turn in 1982 when it was used as part of the $700 million financing for the development of the Newlands-Collinsville coal mines of Mount Isa Mines Ltd. in Australia. This was the first use of L/C backed commercial paper in a long-term limited recourse project financing. First Boston acted as financial advisor and, again, Chemical Bank provided sole letter of credit support of $155 million. The $785 million BHP financing for the acquisition of the Queensland (Australia) coal assets of Utah International from General Electric Company followed the next year; there we acted with two other Front Banks to provide $270 million of L/C support. These two important transactions indicate that not only has commercial paper become an integral part of a long-term financing package, but also that it is no longer the exclusive domain of the best known U. S. companies. Lesser-rated companies and a multitude of foreign borrowers have gained access to this "exclusive club." How has this become possible? OPERATION OF AN L/C An instrument of the commercial banks, the "direct pay" letter of credit, has enabled lesser-rated companies to issue commercial paper in their own names. The letter of credit allows the issuer to substitute the credit rating of the supporting bank for its own. The L/C in effect allows a lesser-rated company to rent the bank's credit rating. This upgrading is possible because the bank is unconditionally obliged to pay the note-holders at maturity and then turn to the Issuer for reimbursement. The Issuer commonly "rolls over" a new short-term issue and reimburses the supporting bank from the sale of the new issue until cash flows from the project allow the borrower to reduce the level of paper outstanding. The commitment for an L/C facility, up to 12 years in the case of the Broken Hill transaction, governs the life of the commercial paper tranche of the financing. The term of the L/C commitment thus has the power to extend the ordinary 30-45

Jan 1, 1985

By C. Kremer Bain

UNDER present economic conditions the necessity of mechanizing the mines of our country has become a very important problem. More and more mines are looking toward increased or complete mechanization of their operations, so in the writer's opinion it is quite pertinent that some of the associated problems that accompany such a program be pointed out. The following generalization on attempting a comparatively slight change in mining methods at the Southeast Missouri properties of the St. Joseph Lead Co. is an attempt to point out to anyone faced with a mechanization program that much time and C. KREMER BAIN, Member AIME, is Assistant to General Manager, St. Joseph Lead Co., Bonne Terre, Mo. AIME Sun Francisco Meeting, February 1949. TP 2743 A. Discussion (2 copies) may be sent to Transactions AIME before March 31, 1950. Manuscript received Dec. 27, 1948; revision received Oct. 13, 1949. effort can be saved, and many headaches avoided, if company policy can be established whereby everyone in the organization from the top down is desirous of improvement and is working towards the common objective. Any changes in mining methods, machinery, and so on, must entah coordination of all the other phases of mining as they all have to mesh as accurately as a smooth running chain of gears if satisfactory results are to be obtained. The purpose of this paper is to point out some of the problems which :have to be surmounted when any mechanization program is attempted, rather than to go into the mechanical details and actual operating data of the equipment employed. After all, machines have to be adapted to best suit the local conditions, so no general formula can be given that would apply to other properties. Although St. Josepll Lead Co. has been mechani-cally-minded for a number of years, as shown by the fact that over 110 million tons have been loaded mechanically since 1922, any further mechanization or changes always present a problem. When our ore bodies were of great height and area the breaking and loading were developed to a high degree of efficiency according to known standards. But in recent years, when our ore bodies became smaller and more scattered, the amount of tonnage we were able to break was not sufficient to supply our shovels with enough rock to keep them working to capacity. Our first step in attempting to rectify this situation was to develop a technique of moving the shovels to the broken ore in various stopes, which sometimes entailed a move each shift. A shovel is not producing when being moved, so within the last two years we have been endeavoring to devise some means of getting more rock broken in these smaller stopes and it was then that we became interested in jumbo drilling. To illustrate the fact that mechanization is a process of a chain of developments rather than a stroke of genius can best be shown by a general summary of conditions and obstacles which were encountered in our present attempt to establish template drilling of a standardized round. Our first jumbo was more or less the conventional type with two machines mounted on a crossbar. This arrangement proved to be impractical to duplicate satisfactorily the regular routine of slabbing in a more or less radial pattern as carried out by column drilling. One machine was either too close to or too far from the face and there was another disadvantage in that one drillman was frequently delayed while waiting for his partner to bottom a hole. Our next step was to eliminate the crossbar so the machines could operate independently of each other, but we still encountered the same objections mentioned above except that one drillman was free to drill three holes instead of one in a vertical plane independently of his partner. Time studies while trying to adapt the jumbo to the regular slabbing practice as accomplished by column drilling, revealed that twice as much time was spent in maneuvering the jumbo into position and aligning the holes as was consumed in drilling.

Jan 1, 1951