Search Documents

By C. P. Lawhon, J. P. Simpson, W. M. Evans

Recent efforts to design drilling fluids for increased drifting rates have confirmed some laboratory results of other investigators, but have also produced additional data that should be considered. These data were obtained under controlled test conditions using a microbit drilling machine. Clays and some polymers have previously been reported to cause reduction in drilling rate. Recent data have shown that under laboratory conditions, suspensions of a single day or polymer have sometimes given faster drilling rates than when water was used. Measurements have been made of clay suspensions and polymer suspensions comparing filtration (I) under API conditions, (2) while drilling with temperature of 150F and differential pressure of 1,000 psi and (3) under dynamic conditions after drilling. Some correlation between instanraneous filtration (white drilling) and drilling rate has been observed. INTRODUCTION Several papers have been presented that related drilling fluids to penetration rate. Generally, it was found that a decrease in the solids concentration resulted in significant increases in the drilling rate. Of course, this change also resulted in a decrease in the viscosity of the drilling fluid.' Conclusions from investigations by this laboratory are in agreement. Data have shown that of the simple mud measurements commonly made at the drilling rig (density, plastic viscosity. yield point, API filtrate and total solids), only the density and total solids have a significant relationship to the drilling rate in Berea sandstone when attempting to correlate a single mud property individually.' More recent drilling rate experiments have been designed to study (1) effects of individual clays and polymers on drilling rates in Berea sandstone and Lueders limestone, (2) the relationship between drilling rate and dynamic filtration as measured after drilling and (3) the relationship between drilling rate and dynamic filtration as measured during drilling. Data show that drilling rates are dependent upon type and concentration of particles, type of formation and filtration of the individual fluids while drilling. Mud pressure: pressure of drilling fluid as measured after leaving the drilling chamber (Fig. 1). This is taken to be approximately the mud pressure just past the bit and at the face of the formation. Terrastatic pressure: pressure representing weight of overburden. Formation pressure: pressure of formation fluid as measured at outlet of drilling chamber (Fig. 1). This is taken to be approximately the pressure of fluid in the interstices of the formation. Differential pressure: difference between the mud pressure and formation pressure. LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND TESTING PROCEDURE The drilling equipment was described in two previous publications."' Main components are a drilling chamber, filter-heater, rotary drive and variable-speed circulating pump. Auxiliary pumps supply pressure boosts for the mud, terrastatic and formation pressures. All equipment is designed for 15,000 psi and 500F. Capacity of the circulating system is approximately 7 gal. The mechanical design was facilitated by moving the rock down onto the bit. Data collected with this design should not differ from that obtained by a normal design where the bit moves into the rock. Drilling fluid is pumped through 50 ft of ID pipe coiled in an oil bath, enters the rotary shaft at a right angle and is pumped through the jets on the bit (Fig. 1). Most of the drilled solids are extracted by a screen mounted in the circulating system on the suction side of the pump. Data reported in this paper were obtained by controlling these parameters: mud pressure, 5,000 psi; formation pressure, 4,000 psi; terrastatic pressure, 5,000 psi; force on bit, 1,000 Ib; formation, Berea sandstone and Lueders limestone; flow rate, 7 gal/rnin; bit, 11/4-in. diameter with two 0.078-in jets; mud temperature. 150F; and rotary speed, 60 rpm. Mud pressure was controlled at 5,000 psi, thus giving a differential pressure of 1,000 psi even though the fluid densities varied. Cores of 3%;-in. diameter and 8 in. long were selected from quarry blocks to provide some control of grain size distribution, permeability and porosity. A 2-in. section was cut off each core and a I -in. diameter plug was taken from this section. Permeability to 5 percent by weight sodium chloride solution was determined and the large cores were

By W. D. Kruger

Methods for analyzing flooding or cycling projects by means of two-dimensional flow calculations are presented in the literature. The use of these methods allows the determination of optimum operating conditions for such projects and provides information on pattern efficiencies, relative flow rates, pressure distributions and floodout histories. The accuracy of such analyses depends on the basic reservoir data employed, especially the absolute permeability distribution in the reservoir; however, absolute permeability data normally are determined from well flow tests and/or core measurements and are so limited in quantity and quality that they do not adequately describe the reservoir flow properties. A calculation procedure is presented for determining the areal permeability distribution in the reservoir. Use of the procedure allows verification of the basic reservoir data through the matching of past reservoir conditions, thereby providing proper data for reliable predictions of future operations. The calculation procedure is a numerical technique based on a mathematical model of the reservoir and is designed for solution by means of an electronic digital computer. Results from field application of this procedure are presented. Permeability distributions from measured data are compared to those calculated to indicate the need for the analysis. Comparisons of field-measured and calculated pressure distributions are given to establish the validity of the calculation procedure. The conclusions of this paper are (I) use of the calculation provides data that allow a match of past reservoir conditions and thus reliable prediction of future operations; and (2) the procedure should, where applicable, be used to provide adequate reservoir data for use in two-dimensional flow calculations and related reservoir analyses. INTRODUCTION One means of providing more precise engineering control over reservoir operations during all stages of depletion is to develop some type of model to simulate the reservoir, using information developed from the behavior of the prototype to predict the performance of the actual reservoir. The use of mathematical rather than physical models for this purpose has been gaining in importance recently because of the application and availability of electronic computers. Mathematical models avoid instrumentation difficulties and allow easier handling of large-scale problems. At present, analyses employing two-dimensional models are common, and thought is being given to the use of models in three dimensions. The use of multi-dimensional models is necessary to show not only what is occurring in the reservoir, but also where in the reservoir the phenomena of interest are taking place. Methods for analyzing flooding or cycling projects by means of two-dimensional numerical models are presented in the literature. The use of these methods allows the determination of optimum operating conditions for such projects and provides information on pattern efficiencies, relative flow rates, pressure distributions and floodout histories. The applicability of numerical models and the results of using such analyses have been presented through field examples. The references indicated here discuss fully the data necessary to build the mathematical reservoir model and the way the model is used to study or predict the future performance of the reservoir. The accuracy of the analysis of such projects depends on the basic reservoir data employed in the construction of. the model. In order to be sure the model represents the reservoir, it must be used to match some known set of reservoir conditions, i.e., to match past reservoir performance. The accuracy of the model is directly dependent upon the absolute permeability distribution in the reservoir; however, absolute permeability data are normally determined from well flow tests and/or core measurements, and are so limited in quantity and quality that they do not adequately describe the reservoir flow properties. There is always the need for better data and for verification of existing data. The purpose of this paper is to show the use of the mathematical model to match past performance in flooding or cycling projects, the use of numerical techniques to adjust the basic absolute permeability data if necessary so that a match is obtained, and in this way to generate the effective areal permeability distribution of the reservoir. A review of the basic concepts of the numerical model will be given, followed by a discussion of the data-adjusting technique for matching past performance. TWO field examples will be cited to show

By Chester A. Rowland

INTRODUCTION Comminution is generally a feed preparation step for subsequent processing stages; exceptions being when a final product such as aggregates, specification sand, Portland Cement, and similar products is produced. Grinding, the fine product phase of comminution, requires a large capital investment and frequently is the area of maximum usage of power and wear resistant materials. Grinding is most frequently done in rotating drums utilizing loose grinding media, lifted by the rotation of the drum, to break the ores in various combinations of impact, attrition and abrasion to produce the specified product. Grinding media can be the ore itself (autogenous grinding -- primary and secondary), natural or manufactured non-metallic media (pebble milling) or manufactured metallic media -- steel rods, steel or iron balls. This chapter will discuss general mill design and the specific design and application of the following types of tumbling grinding mills. [Overflow Rod Mills Figure 1 Peripheral Discharge Rod Mills Figures 2 and 3 Compartment Mills Rod and Ball Figure 6 Ball Figure 6a Pebble Mill Figure 6b Overflow Ball Mills Figure 8 Diaphragm (Grate Discharge) Ball Mills Figure 9] I. GENERAL MILL DESIGN A. Liners The interior surface of grinding mills exposed to grinding media and/or the material being ground are protected from wear and corrosion by rubber, metallic, a combination of rubber and metallic, or non-metallic wear resistant materials. B. Drives Economics at the time of plant design and mill purchase determine the drive to be used. The simplest drive is the low speed synchronous motor with speeds in the range of 150 to 250 RPM connected to the mill pinion-shaft by either an air clutch or flexible coupling.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. C. Knopf, I. M. LeBaron

In the Carlsbad area potash is dry-mined and wet-concentrated. Wet concentration involves recircu-lation of saturated brines, with resultant difficulties of brine disposal and inherent losses in recovery through solution of the KCl. A dry beneficiation process for potash minerals would offer many advantages over present methods. International Minerals & Chemical Corp. has been working on development of a dry process for some time. This article is a progress report. Potash ores available in this country are largely mixtures of halite and sylvite contaminated with slimes and often with many sulfate and magnesium minerals. Electrostatic concentration of KCl when the contaminating minerals are in low percentage has been accomplished. Continuous production of better than 60 pct K2O concentrate from high potassium sulfate ores has not been demonstrated at the present time. Laboratory Procedure: Laboratory work on electrostatic beneficiation of potash minerals has been carried out using both pure crystals and mined ore. Electrostatic separation of the two main components of potash ore, sylvite (KCl) and halite (NaCl), is accomplished by first heat-treating the ore to allow for electric charging of the particles. Preferential exchange of' electrical charges between different mineral particles through surface contact is the principal mechanism involved. After proper conditioning of the particle surfaces, the oppositely charged minerals are dropped vertically into a horizontal electric field having a field gradient from about 5000 to 15,000 v per in. The particles are free-falling in the field. A suitable power supply is used to produce the proper total voltage for the electric field. Total required voltage is, of course, a function of electrode spacing. A typical electrode arrangement with power supply is shown in Fig. 1. In general, the total voltage on any system is 75,000 to 90,000 v. Power consumption is negligible, as leakage at insulators and corona discharge are the main losses in the system. Optimum preheat temperatures for pure material components generally are not the same as for mined minerals. Fig. 2 shows clearly that maximum recovery on a 50 pct pure KCl, 50 pct pure NaCl mixture occurs at a preheat temperature of about 600°F. In this test the preheat mixture was allowed to cool to about 225°F before dropping through the electric field. The optimum temperature for sep- aration is practically never the optimum temperature of preheat. Optimum separation for mined Carlsbad potash ores occurs when a preheat temperature closer to 900°F is used, as shown by Fig. 3, which plots percent sylvite (KCl) in the concentrate and tails as a function of preheat temperatures. Here again the ore was allowed to cool to about 225°F before separation. It should be noted that efficiency of separation increases continuously with increasing preheat temperatures until incipient fusion of the ore takes place at about 950°F. The increase in optimum preheat temperature for Carlsbad ores over the pure minerals can be traced to the effect of the clay slimes intimately associated with the mined potash. If the slimes associated with the ore are removed by washing with alcohol or other non-aqueous material, the necessity of preheating to the high temperature is removed. This temperature range has been proved critical within these limits during continuous pilot plant operation. Concentrate and tailings grade and optimum recovery also are functions of the temperature of the potash mineral particles during separation in the electric field. Fig. 4 presents data indicating that feed to the rougher pass should range between 150°F and 275°F for best results. It has been found by subsequent pilot plant work that these temperatures can be maintained in actual operation.

Jan 1, 1959

By L. L. Oriard

In order to predict the influence of blasting on slopes, one must first understand the action of explosives, the manner in which rock is broken or displaced, and how seismic waves are transmitted, and the nature of these seismic waves. In this paper, the author describes the action of high explosives on rock masses, beginning at the source of the explosion, extending through the zone of rupture to a distance where only elastic waves of low energy persist. The paper describes the relationships between explosives charge quantities and distances, including the character and intensity of the seismic waves in various types of terrain. In looking at the analysis of slopes subjected to seismic waves, it has been common practice to assume a simplified model in which the anticipated acceleration is applied horizontally to the slope as an equivalent static force, or a model in which there is a rigid base subjected to mechanical shaking. Such models do not accurately portray blasting activity taking place within or near the slope in question. In dealing with blasting effects, it is important to under- stand seismic wave types, wave lengths, attenuation and transmission paths, as well as vibration intensity. In most cases, those slopes that are the least stable under static loading will also be the least stable under dynamic loading, although there may be rare exceptions. Thus, the more that is known about a slope statically, the better will be the assessment of it dynamically.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. L. Taylor, P. Duwez

The phase boundaries in the ternary system Ti-Cr-Al have been established at 1800° and 1400°F for alloys containing more than 60 pct Ti. The martensite transformation temperature has been measured for the titanium-rich alloys. THE studies of binary alloys of titanium with the transition elements which have been published so far1-0 ndicate clearly that the solubility of these elements is always much greater in the high temperature body-centered cubic form of titanium (ß phase) than in the low temperature hexagonal form. In this category of alloying elements are iron, nickel, chromium, manganese, vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten, columbium, and tantalum. Although studies of the nontransition elements have been rather limited, early work on titanium binary alloys'" has shown that most of them were not very soluble in the a form, with the exception of aluminum, for which the solubility in a is about 25 pct.13, 12 In addition to this large solubility in a, aluminum is also soluble in ß titanium to the extent of about 35 pct and the transformation temperature from ß to a is raised with aluminum content. This effect is also typical of aluminum, in contrast with that found for the transition elements which lower the ß to a transformation temperature. Therefore, it may be anticipated that tprnarv titanium alloys with aluminum and any one of the transition elements will constitute a class of ternary alloys having characteristic features absent in alloys involving two transition elements. Chromium was chosen as a typical transition element for the present study because ternary alloys of Ti-Al-Cr commercially produced have been found to possess very interesting physical properties (MST-3 pct A1-5 pct Cr of Mallory-Sharon).'" Binary Systems The binary systems Ti-A1 and Ti-Cr have been established recently by several investigators. The data used in this investigation were taken from the complete diagram of Bumps, Kessler, and Hansen." This diagram agrees quite well with earlier investigations." For the Ti-Cr system, the phase boundaries at 1800" and 1400°F were taken from refs. 6 and 7. The binary system Cr-A1 has been studied recently by Bradley." This system is rather complex and contains not less than seven intermediate phases. The present study was limited to the titanium corner of the ternary system (less than a total of 40 pct Cr plus Al) and none of the phases present in the Cr-A1 binary alloys were found in the ternary alloys investigated. Experimental Technique Microscopic observation and X-ray diffraction measurements were used to identify phases and de-

Jan 1, 1954

APPROXIMATELY 90 per cent of the steel that is melted and refined in the United States and poured into ingots is made in basic open-hearth furnaces, as shown in Table 1-1. The annual ingot capacity of the steel industry reported January 1, 1950, by the American Iron and Steel Institute3* was 99,040,160 tons, of which the basic open-hearth process accounted for 85,896,580 tons, 86.7 per cent of the .total. The capacity of the individual furnaces varies over a wide range, a large majority falling within limits of 50 to 200 tons (Fig 1-1). Most of the units constructed [ ] since 1942 are in the larger size groups, between 175 and 225 tons capacity.

Jan 1, 1964

By F. R. Zachar

IT has always been understood, in northern West Virginia where both the Pittsburgh and Sewickley seams are mined, that pillaring or splitting in the lower Pittsburgh seam could break the interval strata and make mining in the overlying Sewickley difficult or impossible. In some instances, however, mining methods practiced in the overlying Sewickley have reversed the problem, resulting in a shifting of the intermediate layer and destroying valuable acreages of the Pittsburgh seam below. The Pittsburgh seam in this area is, on the average, 102 in. thick. About 18 in. of low-quality head coal are left for roof protection as it is mined. Immediately over the coal are two draw slates, two rider 'seams, and a good hard black shale, locally called black rock, which serves as a permanent roof where draw slates and riders are taken down on certain main haulroads. In most areas mined in this seam in the past the bottom has been satisfactory but soft. However, in areas now being mined by the Christopher Coal Co. in Monongalia County the bottom is very hard and unyielding. The Sewickley seam, lying 85 ft above the Pittsburgh, will average nearly 70 in. in thickness and is overlain by massive shales and sandstones. Much of the seam is mined only down to the "sheep skin," a hard band about 4 in. above the bottom, which is composed of relatively hard shale. Fig. 1 shows a typical cross-section through the Pittsburgh and Sewickley seams in the area being discussed. The thin Redstone seam is not deep-mined but is stripped in some locations where it outcrops. Most of the Sewickley seam in the Morgantown areas has been mined out from 10 to 30 years. There are at present only two large mines and five or six others of small production operating in that seam. Mining systems in the past were generally of the room and pillar type with some full pillar extraction. This seam in the Scott's Run area was operated by as many as thirty or forty different companies at one time, during an era beset with strikes, market failures, and depressions. Most of the barrier pillars along the many main haulroads were abandoned, and blocks of Sewickley coal that would be fully recovered with today's machinery were left unmined when conditions became anything less than favorable. Consequently the mined-out Sewickley is spotted throughout with solid blocks varying in size from 100x100 ft to 200x400 ft and larger. It is these unmined Sewickley blocks surrounded by worked-out portions that have caused transmissions of roof stresses to underlying Pittsburgh mining areas, see Fig. 2, resulting in untold difficulty. As the Christopher Coal Co. operates both the Pittsburgh and Sewickley seams, accurate maps of workings in both seams are readily available and are regularly consulted. The first Pittsburgh squeeze attributed to overlying Sewickley blocks occurred in the Arkwright mine, where a shuttle car crew was developing a section consisting of seven panel headings. These entries were being driven in solid coal 3400 ft from the nearest worked-out Pittsburgh area. As mining advanced it was noticed that certain ribs began to slough and certain areas to show signs

Jan 1, 1952

By H. T. Hildage

Although Greater New York does not bear any resemblance to a great mining district, the mining operations that are being conducted in and about the city are both extensive and interesting in character. With regard to the extent, it may be mentioned that, at present, there is more dynamite used in New York than in any mining district in the United States; that there are under construction about 38 miles of tunnel, and that 66 miles more are projected, most of which must be constructed .in the near future; that since 1903 at least 2,000,000 tons of earth has been removed in underground work, in addition to about 3,500,000 tons that has been removed in open-cut in connection with tunnel-work, and many times this quantity that has been removed in excavating foundations for buildings not connected with tunnel-work; and that there are to-day probably more than 5,000 men engaged in mining-work in and about New lrork City. These undertakings include almost every operation connected with underground work, from exploration by means of trench and boring, to the sinking of large shafts and the driving of large tunnels through every kind of ground from hard rock to soft, semi-fluid silt and quicksand. It is proposed in this paper to give a general description of some of the methods and appliances used in the opening-up of a " mine " in a large city, and a brief description of some of the &'mines" now being developed in New York, connecting as far as possible the methods described with the particular work for which they were designed, in order to give a general idea of the

Jan 1, 1908

By W. H. Emmons

This paper is the second of a series treating the relations of ores of the metals to igneous rocks. In the first paper1 the general problem was outlined and the normal downward changes in metalliferous lodes were briefly stated, with references to earlier papers treating the relations of ores to depths of their formation. The present paper by a number of examples illustrates the relations treated in the first paper. These examples are chosen chiefly from the larger mining districts because their underground developments are more extensive, but the same relations are shown in maps of scores of undeveloped areas in which the main geological conditions are nearly similar. Ecology of Metalliferous Deposits Ore deposits are divided into three groups: 1, Those formed by sedimentary processes; 2, those deposited by meteoric waters; and, 3, those formed in connection with igneous processes. The last group is the most important. It includes the magmatic segregations, which are igneous rocks in the strict sense, and the veins and related deposits, which were formed by precipitation in channels from solutions originating in cooling intrusives. These deposits may be divided into two groups: 1. Those related to intrusives as basic as diorite; and, 2, those related to intrusives more acid than diorite. The second group probably includes more than 95 per cent. of all lode ores. Nearly all of the ores of this group are associated with granitic batholiths or are in positions where it is reasonable to suppose that such a batholith, not yet exposed by erosion, underlies the area containing the deposits. The batholiths are great masses of deep-seated igneous rocks. When they are intruded most of them are probably as basic as diorite and some

Jan 1, 1927

By Richard H. Rein, John Chipman

Liquid slags of the system SiO2-Ca0-MgO-A1~03 were equilibrated with liquid Fe-Si-C alloys in graphite or Sic crucibles at 1600°C in pure CO gas at atmospheric pressure, and the silicon content of both phases determined. Ternary slugs of the systern SiO2-CaO-A12O3 were also studied at 1550°C. The silicon content of the metal phase saturated with both graphite and SIC is 22.0pct at 1550°C and In the iron blast furnace, as in nearly all carbon-reduction processes, some silicon is transferred from slag to metal. The importance of this reaction is enhanced by its indirect effect on the transfer of sulfur from metal to slag, and this has stimulated a comprehensive research program on the equilibrium distribution of silicon between slag and metal. Earlier studies'-3 of this same problem provided data for calculation of the thermodynamic activities4 of the components in SiO,-CaO-A1,O3 slags. 22.4 pct at 1600°C. The temperature at which the phases cristobalite, gvaphite, $ SiC, liquid slag, Fe-Si-C alloy, and CO gas at 1 atm pressure can coexist in equilibrium was found to be 1533°C. The results agree well with earlier studies. They are shown graphically as lines of constant silicon cmtent in the metal which also are lines of constant SiO, activity in the slag.

Jan 1, 1963

By Harrison Everett Ashley

Slimes are usually defined as all material passing a certain sized sieve, which is invariably the finest sieve employed by each metallurgist in his tests; 100-mesh and 200-mesh have been taken as the limits by different writers in recent volumes of the Transactions; 150-mesh is common practice. The reader of the first two volumes of Richards' is impressed by the inflexibility with which all grinding-arrangements are praised or condemned according as they make little or much slime. Until recently, one of the principal aims of the mill-man was to keep down the slimes. He was obliged to have separate apparatus for sand- and slime-treatment. The latter was sometimes puzzling and erratic. Often it was found most economical to omit treatment of the slimes entirely, or to store them in immense basins or heaps, waiting for possible future improvements in methods of treatment. Recently, improved processes of agitation and filtration have made possible the successful extraction of values from many slimes. The tendency, when the metal is exceedingly finely disseminated, is to cut out all sand-treatment and to slime everything. These processes have been almost entirely mechanical in their conception, and it is the object of the present paper to show that certain chemical considerations may greatly hinder or assist their successful operation. It has long been a source of dissatisfaction to chemists that their analyses fail to be of much help to the clay-worker; that it is a matter of common occurrence for clays of closely identical ultimate chemjcal constitution to show the widest possible divergence in physical properties.

Jan 1, 1911

By E. M. Wise, T. E. Kihlgren, N. B. Pilling

SYSTEMATIC data are presented on the relation of composition of nickel silvers to color, tarnish resistance, hardness and liquidus temperatures, for alloys containing up to 30 per cent nickel and 50 per cent zinc, further modified at certain nickel and zinc contents by 0 to 8 per cent of tin and 0 to 10 per cent of lead. Attention has also been directed, using a still more limited range of alloys, toward a study of tensile properties and such casting properties and characteristics as fluidity, shrinkage and pressure tightness. In some of these, rather broad ranges of composition are dealt with; in others, it has been expedient to focus attention on the Federal Specification 20 per cent nickel silver casting alloy, WWP-541.

Jan 1, 1935

By Nathaniel Arbiter

There is a history in all men's lives, Figuring the nature of the times deceas'd, The which observ'd, a man may prophesy, With a near aim, of the main chance of things. W. Shakespeare, Henry IV; Part 2 Introduction This nation's first century embraced two stages of the Industrial Revolution. During one, what had been a colonial agricultural economy began to industrialize; water power, then steam after 1794, were the energy sources; coal and iron were the essential ingredients. The second stage started after 1850; aided by rich and diverse mineral resources, the country began its transition from the Iron Age to the Age of Metals. Early civilizations had been built on stone, and fairly high levels were sustained on iron. But the spectacular advances in the past century in communication, in construction, in transportation by sea, rail, land and air, and in much that characterizes modern civilization have depended increasingly on the use of the complete metallic and nonmetallic resources of the earth's crust. Thus it was appropriate to define the Industrial Revolution as “the period during which man's relationship to natural resources became utterly changed”, 1 with minerals playing a major and indispensable role. But we are now becoming aware that the relationship of man to natural resources must change again. On every hand the dangers inherent in the contamination of land, sea and air by the wastes of civilization are becoming apparent. And from the growing realization that mineral wealth is finite must eventually come other far reaching changes in mineral use and distribution. For on the scale of centuries we cannot continue to exploit mineral resources even at present rates, let alone at expanded rates, without eventual depletion of the more abundant resources, and early exhaustion of the less abundant. In the past our problems were relatively easily met by the development of new and improved machinery and processes. But the future will

Jan 1, 1971

By J. Steininger

The Hallimond tube flotation of sphalerite and pyrite with sulfhydryl collectors has been found to be inhibited near neutral pH in the presence of copper salts. Alkalimetric titration studies of the reactions between collector and activator indicate that this effect is apparently related to the formation of basic copper collector complexes. The conditions of formation of these compounds and their stability are in good agreement with the depression observed in flotation experiments. The general procedure employed in the flotation of zinc sulfide minerals requires activation of the mineral surface by heavy metal ions, usually copper, which react more easily than zinc with the common short-chain ionic sulfhydryl collectors.' Commercially, zinc flotation is carried out under alkaline conditions (pH 7 to 10.5), but small-scale experiments indicate that zinc sulfide minerals can also be activated and collected under acid conditions. Selectivity, however, becomes poor at low pH and undesirable materials such as pyrite, silicates and carbonates tend to report in the float. Several years ago, Wark and Sutherland~, measured the contact angles of air bubbles on copper-activated sphalerite immersed in various sulfhydryl collector solutions. When represented, as in Fig. 1, on pH-sodium cyanide diagrams, the results are characterized by 'islands' of non-contact near neutral pH and

Jan 1, 1969

By John R. Low

A number of cases of low-temperature, intergranu2ar brittle fracture of metals containing small amounts of certain impurities, have now been identified. Some degree of understanding of this phenomenon exists for the simpler binary systems of a metal and a single impurity, but the profound effects of other impurities and alloying elements in modifying this type of behavior remain unexplained. Current research in this area is reviewed and some of the newer techniques of investigation which should make possible a more quantitative study of the structure and composition of grain boundaries in impure metals are described. To indicate the subject matter of this lecture, we may begin by reviewing the experimental observations concerning low-temperature intergranular brittleness in impure metals, particularly those examples in which the embrittlement appears to result from what has been called "equilibrium grain boundary segregation."' These are the systems in which it has been impossible, at least up to now, to detect the presence of any second phase film at the brittle interfaces. When second phase films are present they are usually readily detectable by fractographic methods, often appearing as epitaxial films in geometric or dendritic patterns. An example is shown in Fig. 1 for the case grain boundary carbides in a sensitized stainless steel which failed by intergranular brittle fracture at 78?k2 In contrast to this type of embrittlement there are numerous examples of low-temperature intergranular embrittlement in which the fractographs are essentially featureless, for example, that of an oxygen-embrittled iron shown in Fig. 2. The only second phase particles visible are the small, widely separated, round oxide particles typical of the bulk material. The fracture surface is extremely smooth and the fracture path appears to follow the intergranular interface without deviation. This type of fractograph also implies that crack propagation has occurred without plastic deformation at the crack tip, since localized slip or twinning ahead of the crack would be expected to distort the interface and be readily visible in the fractograph. Such indications are occasionally seen in these fractographs, but are not characteristic. A second example of this type of fractograph is shown in Fig. 3, which is from a temper-embrittled, carbon-free, Fe-Cr-Ni alloy containing Sb, broken at 1OO?C.3 The similarity to the oxygen embrittled iron case will be apparent. In the case of the temper embrittled Cr-Ni ferrite containing antimony, it is possible to remove the embrittlement by suitable thermal treatment. The grain boundaries may then be examined by thin film transmission in the electron microscope for the material in both the nonembrittled condition and in the embrittled condition. Two boundaries are shown in dark-field transmission in Fig. 4, one in the nonembrittled

Jan 1, 1970

By Morgan Walker

Intermittent injection of gas in gas-lift pumping is a variation of the common practice in that the gas is delivered to the well for a short period, called the "on time," followed by a period during which none is admitted, called the "off time," instead of being admitted continuously at a constant rate or by intermittent flowing in which it is occasionally delivered to the well in just sufficient quantity to flow off the accumulated head of fluid. The term "gas" is used throughout this discussion but it should be remembered that in so far as the operation is concerned either air or natural gas may be used. The equipment at the well is the same as commonly used in gas-lift installations and gas may be admitted to either the tubing or the casing. It seldom occurs that all the wells on a lease can be pumped economically by intermittent injection from one header. Wells that have flow characteristics which permit their being handled together have their intake lines grouped at a central compressor station. Well groups may consist of two or more wells. The total volume of gas delivered by each group of compressors goes to one well at a time through a quick opening valve, each well connected to the header receiving its charge of gas in turn. Special cases may require a deviation from this arrangement. The distribution of the gas to the different wells is effected by an automatic timing device which operates quick-opening valves on the intake lines. The timing mechanism may be actuated by electricity, liquid or gas pressure, The essential factor in the operation of the timing mechanism is that as one intake valve is closed another must be opened. Water-operated Timing Device Timing devices operate the intake valves either directly, or indirectly by pilot valves. Of the former type one that is operated by water and has given satisfactory service is shown in Fig. 1 and can be made on the lease. The horizontal cylinder is a piece of 10-in. casing about 7 ft. long, closed at each end and free to oscillate about a fulcrum at the center.

Jan 1, 1929

By J. H. L. Vogt

TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE Introduction,...........125 I. The Original Source of the Heavy Metals of Ore-DepoBits,. 126 Distribution of Elementary Substances in the Earth's Crust,. . 128 11. The Relation between Eruptive Processes and the Formation of Ore-Deposits, Especially Buch AS have been Produced by Eruptive After-Actions,........ Ore-Deposits Formed by Magmatic Segregation,..... Ore-Deposits Formed by Eruptive After-Actions,..... Cassiterite-Veins and Apatite-Veins,...... Ore-Deposits of Contact-Metamorphic Origin,.... Pyritic Deposits,.......... Veins of Gold, Silver and Lead-Ore,......142 Conclusions,........... 111. The Nature of the Ore-Solutions in Vein-Fissures, and the Metasomatic Alterations along the Ore-Veins,. .. 147 The Association of Vein-Minerals,.......147 Deposition of the Vein-Minemls,........148 Alteration of the Country-Rock,........ Classification of Metasomatic Alterations,...... 149 Additional Observations,......... Kaolinization,..........150 Comparison between Cassiterite-Veins and Lead-Sulphide Veins,. 154 Comparison between Formation of Greisen, etc., and Propylitiza tion, etc.,........... Conclusions,........... IV. Differences of Depth in the Original Positions of EPIGENETIC Deposits ; and the Secondary Alterations of Deposits,. . 158 Original Differences of Depth,. .. .. .. . Gecondary Altemtions of Ore-Deposits,......, Introduction. In the latter part of November, 1900,I received through the Secretary of the Institute the papers of Messrs. Van Hise, Emmons, Lindgren and Weed, presented at the Washington meeting of February in that year, with the request (urged also by Mr. Emmons) that I would furnish for the Richmond meet-

Jan 1, 1902

By Kenneth R. Hancock

Iron oxides are unique in that they are the only significant colored mineral found in a natural state suitable for use as a pigment after being pulverized to pigmentary size. The current world production of iron oxide pigments is estimated by the author to be between 499 and 590 kt (550,000 and 650,000 st) based on 1979 data. The fact that highly colored natural deposits of iron ore are found throughout the world accounts for its use in prehistoric man's artistic cave paintings. These early artists did not realize that they had established man's first paint test fence which now has some 20,000 years of exposure. In addition to abundance, constituting about 7 % of the earth's crust, iron oxides have the advantages of low cost, permanency, and are not toxic. Through the centuries, succeeding civilizations have utilized iron oxides as a major source for decoration and protection when coloring was desired. In the last century the chemical industry has improved on nature by developing a complete range of synthetic iron oxide pigments which surpass the pigments produced from natural iron ores in uniformity, color quality, and chemical purity. In the United States alone, the combined production of natural and synthetic iron oxides produced sales of over $28,000,000 in 1970 (Stipp, 1970) and increasing to $97 million by 1980 (Spinrad, 1980). Nomenclature With the increasing importance of the synthetic iron oxides it is necessary to make a distinction between the natural or mineral pigments and the synthetic pigments. Natural pigments are those products which are derived from selected ores and should not be confused with iron ores mined for steel production. Iron ores that are mined for steel must be capable of being mined and reduced to iron on a commercial basis. These ores are selected on the basis of iron content and processing economics. It is therefore unusual when iron ores for steel production are suitable for use as mineral pigments. Natural pigment ore sources are selected for their special physical-chemical properties and can command a premium price. Synthetic pigments, and in this instance iron oxides, are those pigments produced from basic chemicals. Through chemical synthesis pigmentary sized particles are produced as opposed to comminution, the major procedure common to all natural iron oxide pigments. Classification An important characteristic of a pigment is its color and, therefore, a logical separation can be made on this basis. A. Yellow Iron Oxide Pigments 1. Natural mineral origin a) Goethite b) Lepidocrocite c) Ochres d) Siennas e) Limonite 2. Synthetic pigments a) Goethite B. Red Iron Oxide Pigments 1. Natural mineral origin a) Hematite b) Siderite (calcined) c) Pyrites (calcined) 2. Synthetic pigments a) Hematite C. Brown Iron Oxide Pigments 1. Natural mineral origin a) Umbers b) Limonite (calcined) c) Siderite (calcined) d) Goethite (bog ore or sulfur mud) 2. Synthetic pigments a) Blends of hematite, goethite, and magnetite

Jan 1, 1983

By I. L. Dillamore

I. L. Dillamore (University of Birmingham)—The different textures developed in various fcc metals have long awaited satisfactory explanation and it has now become clear that these differences are related to parallel differences in the deformation characteristics of the metals. Liu is correct, therefore, in seeking to account for the observed textures in terms of the flow mechanisms but I believe, for the reasons outlined below, that the particular interpretation of flow mechanisms proposed by Liu is open to substantial objections. By considering the forty-eight possible designations of the twelve octahedral slip systems found in fcc metals as distinct and separate deformation modes, Liu has fallen into the error of assuming that only positive glide dislocations associated with each system are present. In fact both positive and negative dislocations will be present and the only difference between for instance the systems B4 and B4' (in Liu's notation) is that under a stress of given sign the direction of motion of a dislocation is reversed on changing from B4 to B4'. For both orientations positive and negative dislocations will be present. In considering possible dislocation interactions it is, therefore, inadmissible to differentiate between R4 and R4' as Liu does. Liu considers those dislocation interactions which give the biggest reduction in energy to be the most favorable and neglects, on the grounds that they will form strong barriers to slip, interactions between dislocations with perpendicular Burgers vectors. Setting aside interactions between positive and negative dislocations of the same slip system, which must occur regardless of the combination of slip systems chosen, the biggest reduction in energy occurs for the Lomer-Cottrell interaction and it is Lomer-Cottrell barriers which are thought to provide the stronger dislocation obstacles. On the other hand the intersection of dislocations with perpendicular Burgers vectors is thought to be a low-energy process which contributes only a fairly small temperature-dependent part of the total work hardening. On this basis it seems doubtful whether the reduction in energy through possible dislocation interactions provides a reasonable criterion for choosing the operative slip systems. From the point of view of texture development it is unsatisfactory to ignore the slip rotations leading to an end position and to neglect to consider the stability of the chosen end point. It is also unsatisfactory to treat the two stress axes as interchangeable since, if the stress system is idealized as biaxial, one stress is compressive and the other is tensile. For the same reason the rotations of the two stress axes are not made compatible simply by assuming that the same slip directions are responsible for the rotations of the two stress axes. It is, in short, essential to treat the two stress axes as acting together on the same slip systems. Turning to the question of the difference between the copper-type and the brass-type texture, there now remains little doubt that the difference is attributable to differences in stacking-fault energy (y), as noted by Liu, but it is doubtful whether the temperature dependence of the texture in copper and in silver is due to increasing stacking-fault energy with increasing temperature. The results of Swann and Nutting42 cited by Liu were obtained in Cu-A1 alloys and the apparent increase in stacking-fault energy on raising the temperature may be influenced by short-range ordering. In pure metals such effects are absent and the only data available on the variation of y with temperature are those of Buhler et a1.43 for silver. They report a minimum at 200°C which does not fit the hypothesis put forward by Liu. It is much more likely that thermal activation of cross slip is important in determining which texture develops, as proposed by Dillamore and tors. These workers have proposed an explanation for the differences in observed texture among the fcc metals and the pole figures predicted consist of an orientation spread which is in better agreement with observation than the limited number of discrete orientations suggested by Liu. The theory of Dillamore and Roberts is also able to account for the differences between aluminum and copper which Liu still leaves unexplained. Y. C. Liu (author's veply)—The writer appreciates the interest of Dr. Dillamore, but must discuss some of his comments in order to avoid cross purposes. The phrase, "forty-eight slip systems," which appeared twice in the text—in the caption of Fig. 1 and the first paragraph in the Discussion—might unfortunately have led Dr. Dillamore to disagree

Jan 1, 1965