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By James W. Dally, William L. Fourney, Anders Ladegaard Peterson

For the past 3 years, the authors have been conducting research sponsored by the National Science Foundation (RANN) to improve the process of excavation by drilling and blasting. The approach followed has been experimental where the development of stress waves and fractures initiated at the bore hole have been investigated in order to obtain a complete understanding of the dynamic fracture process. The second step in the approach has been to introduce modifications in the drill and blast procedure which will permit closer control of the fracture process. The laboratory investigations involve high speed photography where the dynamic fracture process is recorded with a Cranz-Schardin 1, 2 multiple-spark camera. The camera is equipped with 16 spark gaps which are pulsed at 25 K volts to produce an intense but very short (0.5 sec) flash of light. The camera is capable of recording 16 photographs of a dynamic event at framing rates which can be varied from 30,000 to 1,500,000 frames per second. The exposure time is sufficiently short to stop motion associated with detonating explosive charges and to make visible the details of the fracture process at a bore hose. The bore hole in a massive intact rock formation is modelled with a two dimensional plate containing a circular hole to represent the bore hole. The model material employed is a transparent polyester known commercially as Homalite 100.* This polymeric material is extremely brittle as evidenced by its extremely low fracture toughness of [ ]. The fracture toughness is a measure of the ability of a material to resist the propagation of flaws or small cracks. In comparison, Schmidt3 has recently measured the fracture toughness of Salem limestone and determined [ ]. Thus, the Homalite 100 should closely model the brittle nature of rock where fractures occur at small flaws and propagate without any apparent plastic deformation. Homalite 100 is also birefringent, which indicates that it becomes optically anisotropic when subjected to either static or dynamic loads. Circularly polarized light is transmitted through the loaded Homalite 100 model in a polariscope4 and the birefringence produces an optical interference pattern which is called a fringe pattern. For dynamic photoelasticity, the multiple-spark camera is equipped with polaroid filters to produce the circularly polarized light required to generate the photoelastic fringe patterns. An example of a singlespark frame showing a fringe pattern from a typical experiment is presented in [Fig. 1]. The photograph was taken 0.000072 sec (72 sec) after the detonation of the explosive charge. The circular fringes are due to the outgoing dilatational or P type stress wave and travel with a velocity of 85,000 in. per sec (2260 m/sec) in the Homalite 100. The P wave is followed by a second lower velocity stress wave known as the shear or S type wave which propagates at a velocity of 49,000 in. per sec (1245 m/sec). In the local neighborhood of the bore hole, several radial cracks are visible. These cracks propagate at essentially a constant velocity of 15,000 in. per sec (380 m/sec) prior to arrest. The fringes about the crack tips and in the local region of the bore hole are primarily due to the residual gases contained in the bore hole after the explosive charge was detonated. Sixteen frames similar to this one are recorded during the experiment to give full field visualization of the dynamic event at 16 discrete times over its duration. The fringe order number N is related to the difference in the principal stresses of and 02 according to a stress optic law4: [ ] where f0 = material fringe value, and h = model thickness. The wholefield dynamic-fringe patterns provide a basis for simultaneously observing the interaction between propagating cracks and the stresses which drive these cracks. Fracture Control Experiments Improvements in the efficiency of the drill and blast procedures must involve close control of the fracture process following the detonation of an explosive charge in a bore hole. By control it is implied that the number of cracks initiated and the location of each crack on the wall of the bore hole can be specified. Control also, involves orienting each crack and maintaining the crack path and velocity until the specified crack length is achieved. If the entire fracture process can be controlled, then rounds can be designed to optimize volume removed. fragment size and minimize costs. One area of blasting where fracture control is vitally important is in underground excavation where the strength and stability of the rock walls must be maintained and smoothness and precision of the walls must be achieved. The smooth blasting method is one of the most commonly employed procedures for achieving some degree of fracture control. In smooth blasting, the central region of material is first removed, and then the final row of closely spaced undercharged or cushioned holes are fired to remove the final volume and produce a smooth wall. In some instances, unloaded or dummy holes between the loaded holes are recommended to guide the fracture plane. This investigation pertained to an evaluation of 3 features of the smooth blasting process. These included (a) the effect of stress reinforcement on fracture by simultaneously firing 2 charges; (b) the influence of a dummy hole on control of the fracture planes between 2 simultaneously fired charge holes; and (c) the influence of dummy hole spacing on fracture plane control.

Jan 1, 1979

By F. C. Muttitt

The physical arrangement of the continuous casting facilities at Algoma have been described a number of times in previous papers. For the purposes of this discussion, it is sufficient to state that the casting plant is located at a considerable distance from the basic oxygen shop which supplies it, involving a relatively lengthy ladle transfer movement. (Fig. I) The handling of the ladle by two separate cranes, first to the argon station, and thence to the casting machines, results in an average interval, from start tap to start cast, of 45 minutes. The effects of such extended retention time on temperature control and on refractory performance are well known. Tapping temperatures well above normal are necessary to insure that the ensuing heat losses do not result in an undue incidence of premature tundish freeze-offs. The heat lost, as well as being a function of the retention time, becomes more critical with smaller ladle size; winter temperatures add to the problem with their effect in chilling ladles and increasing radiant losses.

Jan 1, 1972

By AIME AIME

SCANDINAVIAN countries seem somehow to furnish an amount of talent and leadership far be- yond their population and among them Sweden is possibly at the top. The United States has many eminent citizens born in the latter, country or who are of Swedish descent and the engineers may claim their full share. In fact, the number is so large that a flourishing Swedish-American Engineering Society has been formed, including a number of A. I. M. E. members. Dr. Waldemar Lindgren is more scientist than engineer, though his work in economic geology has contributed directly to the development of many mines, and he is the valued- adviser of a number of our larger companies. Probably he, himself, values most highly the contributions he has been able to make to scientific theories of the occurrence and genesis of ore deposits. His fellow scientists have placed upon these the high mark of approval by electing him to the National Academy of Sciences, and Princeton University in 1916 recognized his position by conferring on him the degree of Doctor of Science.

Jan 1, 1931

By Robert W. Bergmann

Twenty years ago, the standard voltage for stripping machines was 4160 v and few people even thought of using a higher voltage. It was adequate for the machines of the day, which seldom exceeded 2500 hp, and higher voltages were considered to be too expensive and even dangerous. Then, in 1956, a 4500-hp machine was placed in operation and it was determined, with some reluctance, that it should operate on 7200 v. The next step, to 14,400 v, was taken in 1964 and the latest, but perhaps not final, step was made in 1967, when voltage was increased to 25,000 v. Today, 4160 v is considered almost obsolete and 7200 v is generally considered standard. However, a few mines are using 14,400 v and some eight machines soon will be operating on 25 KV, indicating that the technical and safety problems have been solved and that there must be some merit to the higher voltages. Thus, it is logical to question, "How do I determine the best voltage for my operation?"

Jan 12, 1972

William H. Blauvelt, Syracuse, N. Y.:—Is the coal itself from which the briquettes are made of good quality for steam-ing-purposes? Mr. Parker :—It is an anthracite coal mined near Bank-head arid used on the Canadian Pacific railroad. It contains about 83 of carbon, 8 of ash, and 8 per cent. of volatile material. With regard to briquetting of a mixture of fine coal and coke-dust, I understand that a plant has been installed near Detroit in which coke is mixed with anthracite; also the plant of the United Gas Improvement Co. near Philadelphia is briquetting a mixture of anthracite coal, the resultant briquettes being used in the gas-retorts. Mr. Blauvelt:—The purpose of the Detroit briquette-plant of the Solvay Process Co. has been partly to use up the coke-breeze from the by-product ovens and partly to utilize the pitch. There is no necessity for mixing anthracite with the coke-breeze, but the supply of breeze is limited, and anthracite

Jan 1, 1909

By J. A. Herbst, J. L. Sepulveda, J. D. Miller

Effective bismuth removal from flue dust residues has been accomplished for flue dusts from both zinc and copper smelters. Selective dissolution of bismuth, with respect to silver and lead, can be achieved by the proper manipulation of temperature, sulfuric acid addition and sodium chloride addition. Optimum levels of these variables were determined using a response surface technique to maximize the objective function: Y = %Bi/(1 + %Ag). In the case of the flue dust residue from a zinc smelter, which contains bismuth as an impurity (0.05%), 86% bismuth removal can be realized with less than 1% combined silver and lead dissolution. Similarly, in the case of flue dust from a copper smelter, which contains bismuth as a primary constituent (3.3%), 93% bismuth removal was obtained with little dissolution of silver and lead values.

Jan 1, 1977

By Thomas T. Read

ONE of the major purposes of the Institute is to "maintain ... a library of books relating to subjects cognate to the sciences and arts of mining and metallurgy." In conformance with this purpose the Institute maintained its own library for a number of years until 1912 when it was merged with the libraries of the other Founder Societies. At that time the A.I.M.E.'s share of operating expenses was wholly covered by the income from a $100,000 gift from James Douglas. But interest on the Douglas Library Fund has declined from 51/2 per cent to 31/4 per cent; the library has grown from some 50,000 volumes in 1913 to more than 170,000 in 1945, with consequently increased costs; and its costs nave otherwise risen. The Institute today contributes to the library annually about 65c per member, of which about 25c is income from the Douglas Fund, or a net charge, from regular income, of 40c per member. The annual library budget runs about

Jan 1, 1946

By H. O. Jahns

This paper describes the application of regression analysis for obtaining a two-dimensional areal description of heterogeneous reservoirs from short-term pressure-time data such as that obtained in interference tests. The method replaces the time-consuming trial-and-error procedure commonly used to match field data on an electric analyzer or digital computer with a systematic search which is programmed for a computer. The computer program adjusts the properties of a reservoir model automatically until a least-squares fit is obtained between observed and calculated pressure data. The reservoir is simulated by a single-phase, compressible, two-dimensional model. It is divided into a number of homogeneous blocks whose transmissibility (kh/F) and storage (Fch) values are varied to obtain the least-squares fit. The reliability of these values is determined from their standard deviations and correlation coefficients. Although the method is rigorously applicable to single-phase flow only, multiphase flow can be handled provided saturation changes are small during the test. Possibly the method can also be used to obtain a reservoir description from pressure-production history, but this application is outside the scope of this work. The paper includes, in addition to a description of the numerical procedure, a discussion of some of the problems associated with the method. Rules are given to help in selecting the number of homogeneous blocks and deciding upon their arrangement. The uniqueness of a reservoir description is considered. Finally, the use of the method is illustrated by the interpretation of field data from two interference tests. INTRODUCTION Pressure data from short-term transient tests, such as single-well and interference tests, are widely used to obtain reservoir properties. These tests are usually analyzed by assuming a simple reservoir model; very often, a homogeneous one is used. As a result, analysis of the transient data from each well frequently gives different values for reservoir properties. The problem then arises to combine all these differing results into a more detailed picture of the reservoir. One technique is to simulate the reservoir with a digital computer or with an electrical analyzer and to adjust the reservoir parameters by trial and error until the simulated pressure data are in reasonable agreement with the observed pressure data for all wells. Although this method has been used for both transient tests and pressure-history data, it is time-consuming and subjective. A second technique uses regression analysis to replace the trial-and-error procedure with a systematic search that can be programmed for a digital computer. Use of regression analysis in reservoir description was proposed recently by Jacquard and Jain.1 They divided the reservoir into a number of homogeneous blocks whose properties are varied until a least-squares fit is obtained between observed and calculated pressures. However, they did not consider their technique to be operational, mainly because of ".. .(I) the lack of experience in using the method .. . notably for the improvement of convergence; and (2) limitations imposed by the insufficiency of available computers". 1 While the analysis presented in this paper applies the same general principle used by Jacquard and Jain, the specific method is significantly different. Some differences are (1) the regression problem is solved in a different way which requires less computer time in most cases; (2) a stepwise solution, in which the detail in the reservoir description is increased from step to step, is used to improve convergence; and (3) the reliability of the estimated reservoir .properties.. as measured by their standard deviation and correlation coefficient, is estimated'

Jan 1, 1967

By AIME AIME

THE steel industry has always been noted for producing men of forceful and versatile personality, many of whom combine the practicality that results from wide experience with an excellent theoretical background that comes from a college training plus years of wide and constant study of metallurgical literature. One of the best known examples of this type is Earle C. Smith, present Chairman of the Iron and Steel Division. After graduating from Ohio State and from Columbia, where he studied under Campbell, Earle started his career at that grand old prewar training school for steel men the Illinois Steel Co., where in the days of the twelve-hour shift he worked on the open-hearth floor. Following World War I, when he was in charge of government inspection at the Central Steel Co., Massillon, Earle held successively jobs of increasing responsibility with Central Alloy Steel, and when this company was taken over by Republic in 1930 he was made assistant district manager and a few years later was appointed chief metallurgist of the whole corporation.

Jan 1, 1942

By D. C. McLean, S. A. McKay

The purpose of this paper is threefold: 1) to describe actual ground control installations made at the various mines of the International Nickel Co. (Canada) Ltd mines in Sudbury, Ont. during a planned test program. 2) to suggest new ground control techniques which are now possible by the use of fully grouted bolts 3) to indicate the possible economic advantages to be gained by the use of resins and resin grouted bolts to control difficult ground conditions. Were a theme selected for this paper it would be: "Preserve the original roof in best condition possible by the use of smooth blasting techniques and fully grouted roof bolts — since the original rock is the best and cheapest material available for ground support." TYPES OF BONDED BOLTS As has been shown previously, there are several ways in which a bolt may be bonded. These are illustrated in Fig. 1 and 2. There are three general types of grouted bolts: 1) pretensioned, 2) post-tensioned, and 3) untensioned. The type which will be of most benefit to the user will depend upon the particular ground support problem involved. Despite the many arguments propounded for the necessity for using a tensioned bolt, ample evidence exists from actual experience that untensioned bolts can be effective in many instances. The outstanding characteristic of a grouted bolt is that it provides the user with a variety of rock consolidation techniques heretofore unavailable with conventional rock bolts. Many of the unusual characteristics of grouted reinforcing bar have been evaluated by researchers in the concrete structure field.' Underground application has largely been pioneered in the construction field, with especially good work being reported from the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Authority in Australia. Techniques developed there using cement grouted bolts are now being adapted in many large government construction projects in this country with excellent results. The ap- plications described in this paper are those in which Cyanamid's Roc Loc Mining Kits were used exclusively. SLUSHER DRIFTS AND FINGER RAISES (BOX HOLE BROWS, DASHES) A common mining problem especially where block caving methods are applied is that of maintaining the roof in slusher trenches particularly at the intersections of the trench with the feed raises (box holes) through which the large fragments of broken ore tumble. Typical sections are shown in Fig. 3 and 4. In Fig. 3, the drift is normally driven 7 ft wide by 8 ft high initially. The rock involved is a hard norite (diabase) which is usually competent but has "block cleavage". This roof has a tendency to fall out in large blocks when subjected to operating stresses. Depending upon the initial condition of the roof, the drift is either lined with 2 to 3 ft of concrete immedi-

Jan 1, 1964

By J. M. Lohr

A COMMERCIAL development requiring a suitable alloy or alloys for sealing into various grades of glass made it desirable to have a more exact knowledge of the expansion characteristics of the nickel-iron alloys than appeared in the published literature. The expansion of the more common. FIG. I.-EXPANSION CURVES OF SEVERAL FIG. 2.-EXPANSION CURVES OF TWO TYPES OF GLASS. (Courtesy of R. C. A.) TYPES OF GLASS. (Courtesy of R. C. A.) types of glass under consideration varies from 2.7 to 10.4 X 10-6 per degree Centigrade, over the range 20° to 400° C. For reference, the thermal expansion curves f several types of glass used for sealing by the lamp and tube industries are given (Figs. 1 and 2). This paper covers a detailed investigation of the thermal expansion of a series of nickel-iron alloys in which the nickel content varies from 30 to 70 per cent. Particular stress is laid on the alloys that contain between 40 and 55 per cent Ni.

Jan 1, 1938

G. D. Kneip, Jr., and J. 0. Betterton, Jr. (Union Carbide & Carbon Corp., Oak Ridge, Tenn.)—The authors have contributed to the theory of zone melting by considering the effects of the solidification of the final zone on the distribution curves for the finite length bar. However, they do not consider in sufficient detail the restrictions imposed by the particular metals involved. Eq. 4 has the analytical solution which is equivalent to Pfann's' equation for normal solidification of the final zone. For distribution coefficients less than one, it is apparent from this form of the equation that, as the solidification approaches completion, the concentration attains extremely large values which are inconsistent with the density of physical materials. The necessary restrictions then are that the solute concentration cannot exceed the density of the alloy, or more frequently, the solubility limit in the solid phase. Secondly, the distribution coefficient cannot be constant from 0 to 100 pet solute unless the liquidus and solidus coincide over this whole region. It would thus be more correct to impose limits on the solubility such as would be indicated by a typical eutectic diagram. Furthermore, in this case the assumption that the distribution coefficient remains constant is more likely to be realized. Eq. 4 should then be replaced by the following C,,(x) =k/L-x [ ?11 3 C11 (x)Ddx - ?11 4 Cn(x)dx= k[Cn (L-l)/k] [ L-x/l]x-1 L-l = x = L-l [kCenterlie/Cn (L-l)]1/k-1 The typical shape for the distribution curve in the final zone is indicated schematically in Fig. 12 for the simple eutectic case. The solidification proceeds according to Pfann's' expression until the concentration reaches the maximum solubility in the solid phasc. At this point, the concentration changes abruptly to the eutectic composition and remains at this value for the duration of the solidification. The width of the flat region, and the back reflection of this effect into the concentration curve on subsequent passes, depends upon the ratio of the eutectic concentration to the original concentration, upon the distribution coefficient, and upon the number of passes. Similar effects on the concentration curves in the first zone length would be expected in many systems for which the distribution coefficient is greater than one, and where the maximum solubility is not too much larger than the original concentration. The discussers agree with the authors that the assumption that the liquid is uniform in concentration should be considered with caution. Kneip and Better-ton' have shown, however, that in floating zone refining of zirconium, using induction heating, the distribution of iron agrees with theory which assumes a uniform liquid composition. Hence, in this case, the experimentally realized distribution coefficient agrees with the present phase diagram within the experimental uncertainty. L. Burris, Jr., C. H. Stockman, and I. G. Dillon (authors' reply)—The authors are happy to have received the comments of G. D. Kneip, Jr., and J. 0. Betterton, Jr., which provide additional insight into the zone refining process. It is true that the equations developed are inapplicable if the solute solubility in the solid phase is exceeded. However, this restriction on the use of the equations was clearly stated in the paper. A closer approach to

Jan 1, 1957

By G. W. Binkley, R. E. Collins, G. K. Dumbauld

A mathematical analysis has shown that the primary factors affecting the deposition of cement in unfractured perforations during squeeze-cementing operations are: the properties of the cement slurry, the geometry of the perforations, and the filtration time. The validity of the analysis has been substantiated by laboratory investigations. The information presented in this paper makes possible the prediction of the rate of deposition of cement in and about unfractured perforations under given squeeze-cementing conditions, the proper filtration time to control the amount of deposition to any desired value, and the deposition properties needed in cement slurries to restrict to any desired degree the formation of nodes of cement .Solids inside the casing. INTRODUCTION The deposition of solids against a permeable medium by the process of filtration is an important property of a cement slurry. General recognition of the role of filtration in the use of cement in wells is evident in view of the fact that several patents on low-water-loss cements have been issued during the past few years. In the conventional, high-pressure squeeze-cementing technique, a large volume of cement slurry is usually displaced into the area surrounding the perforated interval after the formation has been fractured hydraulically.&apos; Near the end of the job, the pumping rate is slowed or stopped intermittently in an effort to obtain a high pressure in the wellbore. The way in which a high pressure is obtained is not understood thoroughly. but it is be- lieved to be caused by the deposition of a rigid mass of compacted cement particles either in the fractures of the formations or inside the casing opposite the perforated interval. In a method of squeeze-cementing introduced several years ago, a small amount of cement slurry is squeezed into the perforations at a low pressure to avoid fracturing the formation. The filling of the unfractured perforations with cement particles by the process of filtration is important to the success of this technique. Early in the development of this low-pressure squeeze-cementing technique, laboratory and field-size experiments showed that conventional, neat cement slurries were unsatisfactory if the tubing was extended into or through the perforated section of the casing. The extremely high filtration rate of neat cement slurries caused the deposition of a compacted mass of cement inside the casing and made it impossible to remove excess cement by reverse circulation and difficult to withdraw the tubing. Because the need for cements with a reduced filtration rate was obvioils and urgent, modified cements containing 12 per cent bentonite were used until research was completed on modified cements containing 25 per cent bentonite.< These modified cements were useful in the solution of the immediate problem, but the following questions remained unanswered: (I) what is the optimum filtration rate of cement slurries for this application, (2) how long should the squeeze pressure be applied. and (3) how great are the effects of squeeze pressure and well temperature on the rate of deposition? Furthermore, the relationship of the filtration properties of cement slurries to the dimensions of the perforations and the wellbore was unknown. In order to obtain information relative to these basic considerations, a systematic evaluation of all the factors involved in the deposition of Cement during low-pressure squeeze-cementing operations was initiated. Although the work was directed toward an evaluation of the factors influencing the deposition of Cement in the low-pressure squeeze-

By Nelson Taylor

WITH the extensive deposits of potash minerals which have been dis-covered in the southwestern states, and their rapid development, a permanent. American supply of potassium compounds is now assured. The 325-year history of the potash industry in this country has been told by H. I. Smith1, of the U.S. Geological Survey, and the more recent activities of the Survey and of American potash companies were described last year by the same author2. In fact, it may be stated that so great is the productive capacity that two mines in New Mexico and one in California are able to supply more than half a million tons of crude and refined salts over and above that produced for agricultural purposes. The era of scarcity has given way to an era of superabundance. This situation makes it desirable for the potash producer to look for other applications for his product, and it is with this in mind that the writer presents some information pertaining to present and possible future uses for potassium compounds in the ceramic industry.

Jan 1, 1936

By L. A. Wilson, N. H. Harrison, R. R. Clay, R. L. Reed. D. W. Reed

Experiments have been performed in a linear near-adiabatic system for the purpose of extending data on reverse and forward combustion from atmospheric pressure to 1,000 psig. Results obtained from reverse combustion appear to conform qualitatively with the existing description of the process when reaction kinetics are suitably modified to account for the increase in pressure, i.e., increasing tbe pressure decreases the peak temperature and increases the combustion zone velocity. Forward combustion appears to be a fuel dominated process wherein peak temperature and combustion zone velocity are not very sensitive to changes in pressure. The moderate effects of pressure that do exist at low flux virtually disappear at high flux providing all oxygen is consumed. With this provision. increasing the pressure decreases the frontal velocity and increases the peak temperature. Results me shown graphicaIIy which demonstrate the effects of presswe on peak temperature, rate of advance, oil recovery, air/oil ratio, carbon oxides produced and temperature distributions. INTRODUCTION Numerous field tests of oil recovery using the technique of underground combustion are now in progress. Operating pressures used are always substantially in excess of atmospheric pressure. Nevertheless, the literature contains no laboratory data pertaining to the effects of pressure except for those of Martin, Alexander and Dew.1 Unfortunately, these data appear to reflect heat losses which may have obscured some of the effects of increased pressure. The underground combustion processes are exceedingly complex, and general concepts relating to them have necessarily been described in relatively simple terms. Particularly with regard to forward combustion, the interaction between multiphase fluid flow, heat transport and various rate mechanisms is so involved that to date a rigorous treatment is not available. In this paper a linear near-adiabatic system is described which was found capable of operating at pressures up to 1,000 psig and temperatures of at least 1,100 F. Using this equipment, experiments on both forward and reverse combustion were accomplished at elevated pressures and the data presented as a function of air flux or temperature. It will be assumed that the reader is familiar with the papers of Wilson, Wygal, Reed, Gergins and Henderson on forward combustion and that of Reed, Reed and Tracht3 on reverse combustion, so that it is not necessary to repeat the details of the two processes. EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURE It was decided to study the effects of pressure over the interval 0-1,000 psig using a near-adiabatic system. Since satisfactory operation of such a system requires very thin tubing walls, it proved necessary to insert the entire combustion tube and heater assembly into a high pressure jacket in such a way that the internal tube pressure could be counterbalanced by pressurizing the annulus. This meant that the numerous heater and thermocouple wires had to pass through gas-tight seals that required considerable effort to maintain effective. An unexpected difficulty arose in connection with the nature of the annulus pressuring gas. It turned out that the composition of this gas critically affected the functioning of the adiabatic control system. Operation of the equipment at elevated pressures was not particularly difficult. The problems that did arise were a direct consequence of the large numbers of connections and seals involved. EQUIPMENT The equipment consisted of the combustion tube which fitted within the pressure jacket. This jacket was in turn mounted on a wheeled carriage which facilitated movement and provided for rotation of the

air-lift and equipped with tapered tubing of proper design, we would have a gas input consumption of about 2500 cu. ft. per bbl., which at 3 to 4c. per 1000 cu. ft. would be 7 1/2 to l0c, per bbl., and there would be very infrequent loss of production due to stoppages. It has been demonstrated that with efficient design of air-gas lift, the production of wells can be increased much beyond that obtained with the former type of air-lift employed; also that small wells can be operated by air-lift with tapered tubing at a cost that places this method in competition with beam pumps in many fields. The next step in conservation that the writer expects to have an opportunity to demonstrate is that of restoring the pressure in a pool and producing by air-gas lift all of the oil possible to lift economically. This combined operation is probably the method toward which we shall eventually be working in recovering the maximum quantity of oil from pools where the oil is recovered through bore holes. General Discussion on the Air-gas Lift H. P. Porter, Tulsa, 0kla.—The papers presented at this meeting contain a great amount of valuable information. Wonderful progress has been shown in the development of air and gas-lifts. There has been nearly everything brought out that touches upon the subject. The real point that is lacking is exact knowledge of the velocity with in the flow column which will produce the best effect—that is the thing we must know more about. Velocity in Gas-lift Flow In other lines of industry the matter of velocity of fluids in pipe lines has been well analyzed and there are known laws by which to calculate velocity of flow; for instance, in irrigation work large pumps are designed with intake pipos to employ an intake velocity of 4 ft. per scc. By reduced cross-sect&apos;ion the velocity is increased rapidly as it enters the pump and the discharge rate is at 12 ft. per src., which in turn is reduced in the discharge column to 4 ft. per sec. Crushed coal, grain and granular material is found to be best conveyed by air when a pneumatic conveyor is employed at 100 ft. per sec. As in the design of a pumping plant or a pneumatic conveyor, the velocity at the lower end of the column in the flowing well must be controlled within certain limits for best results. Mr. Griswold, I believe, stated that they had velocity as low as 15 it. per scc. and from that up to 78 ft. per sec. Mr. Pierce and Mr. Lewis showed an ideal flow column showing how the velocity increased as the fluid was carried up the column, hut did not give any figures as to the velocity. It would be well to take that sort of a diagram to establish an ideal velocity at the lower or intake end, and then calculate the velocity from expansion of the gas as it goes up. It may be that the, ideal intake velocity would vary, depending on the depth of the well, the quantity of liquid to be handled or the pressure which it may be desired to hold. The subject is one that might be worth much research.

Jan 1, 1928

By L. A. Panek

Research on roof bolting has developed significant information with respect to the functions that can be performed by properly installed bolts and the methods that can be used to ensure that effective installation has been achieved. The present paper brings together results that are pertinent to the design of a bolting system for reinforcing horizontally stratified mine roof with vertical bolts. The design approach is based on the use of bolts to decrease the maximum bending stress within an arbitrary sequence of roof strata (see Fig. 2) in which the only loads are the weights of the individual beds. The use of rock bolts to achieve other objectives, such as to stabilize a fractured rock mass on the periphery of a mine opening,3 is excluded from consideration herein. Reinforcing effect of bolts consists of a friction effect and a suspension effect in combination. "Friction effect" refers to reduction of bending in a stratified roof due to clamping action of tensioned bolts, which compress the strata, thereby creating frictional resistance to displacement along planes of stratification. (The flexure of a sequence of strata is necessarily accompanied by horizontal displacement of each bed with respect to its neighbor, along mutual surfaces of contact.) Although the sliding of the beds tends to exert a shearing effect on the bolts, tests show that this has negligible influence on the bending stresses, probably because the bolts are so far apart. "Suspension effect" refers to the transfer of part of the weight of the weaker or thinner strata to one or more thick strata, which occurs when strata with differing tendencies to deflect are constrained to have equal deflection. The term "suspension" is used irrespective of whether the thin strata are above or below the thick strata, because tests show that the supporting effect of the flexurally more rigid roof strata is for practical purposes independent of their position in a bolted sequence of strata. An earlier paper4 dealt with a bolted unit in which all strata had equal flexural rigidity; bolting could develop a friction effect but no suspension effect. The present paper deals primarily with a bolted unit in which all strata do not have equal flexural rigidity, so that bolting can develop both a friction effect and a suspension effect. The reinforcing effect of the bolts was determined by a combination of experimental and theoretical stress analysis.4&apos;6&apos;7 The experimental method consisted of loading a model by rotating it in a centrifuge to simulate the gravity forces exerted about an underground excavation. Models were made from two different limestones, although the results are independent of the material because the elastic constants were taken into account in the data analysis. Electric resistance strain gages were bonded to the highest and lowest members of the bolted unit to determine the outer-fiber bending strains at the center and at the supports. The quantitative results presented herein are based on tests of 56 different models, which included a range of values for the structural parameters. Each model was tested several times, with different combinations of spacing and tension of the bolts. DESIGN EQUATIONS The effects of friction and suspension on the flexure of a bolted stratified roof can be expressed by the following equations, which give the maximum bending stress, the deflection, the friction effect, the suspension effect and the transferred load for any (the i-th) member of the bolted unit in terms of the structural parameters:

Jan 1, 1964

By Tell Ertl

The term oil shale is defined. Foreign oil-shale developments are outlined briefly. The richest and most extensive oil-shale deposits in the United States lie in western Colorado. The Bureau of Mines is opening two adjacent areas for underground mining. in western Colorado. From the first area the oil shale is mined selectively as required by the retorting plant. The second area is being developed as a unit of a full scale oil-shale mine to ascertain the most practical methods of mining oil shale and to determine costs. In both of these mining areas, research will be carried on to develop new and improved practices for mining oil shale. Introduction Oil shale is a sedimentary rock containing a solid mineraloid of indefinite composition known as kerogen. On heating oil shale, the kerogen undergoes thermal decomposition and some of the vapor products of the decomposition can be condensed as shale oil. Oil from shale can be a major source of liquid fuels since extensive deposits of oil shale are known to exist throughout the world. The United States considers the establishment of an oil-shale industry only when doubt exists of the adequacy of the domestic supply of crude petroleum. On the other hand, oil shale is not strange to foreign oil men. The industry is an old one in other parts of the world. The French industry has been in existence since 1838, the Scottish since 1859, the Australian since 1860, the Estonian and Swedish The since World War 1, and the Manchurian industry since 1929. The most highly exploited oil-shale deposits are the Carboniferous shales of Scotland. About 20 seams ranging from 4 to I2 ft in thickness are worked. The yield during recent years in scotland has been 18 to 25 gal of shale oil per ton, from 3&"30&apos;000 tons per year&apos; The French and Swedish oil-shale deposits are of lower grade than the Scottish. The Estonian oil-shale deposits are 7 ft thick, and the oil yield averages 50 gal per ton. Over 1,000,-ooo tons are mined each year, half of which is used directly as fuel to substitute for coal and the other half is used for the production of oil. Immense deposits of oil shale that will yield 10 to 15 gal per ton exist in Germany. Because of the impending loss of the Rumanian and Polish oil fields and the bombing of synthetic liquid fuel plants, the Nazis in 1943 started a large-scale oil-shale program in Germany. By V-E Day, it is said, oil-shale production had reached the rate of 2500 tons per day and rapid expansion of the industry was imminent. Australian oil shale, known as torbanite, occurs in beds 2 to 6 ft thick. It is of a very high grade and on retorting yields 80 to 160 gal per ton. The oil-shale industry of Manchuria was the largest in the world during the past decade. The well-known Fushun coal deposit in Manchuria has an overburden of 500 million tons of oil shale about 450 ft thick that will yield 10 to 15 gal of shale oil per ton. The oil shale is

Jan 1, 1949

By D. L. Everhart

The search for new deposits raises two important questions: Where did the metallic ions that formed the orebodies come from? What processes and geologic factors were involved in ore replacement? A review of the wide geological variety of recent uranium discoveries tells how these questions are being answered. SOONER or later intelligent exploration for uranium leads to these questions: Where did the metallic ions that formed the orebodies come from? What processes and geologic factors were involved in ore replacement? These matters, of course, make a big difference in how best to look for orebodies. Before these questions are discussed it might be well to point out other factors bearing on the subject. The whole business of uranium exploration is only a little over ten years old, participation by the public is only about six years old, and real interest and activity by more than a few large mining companies has arisen only in the past two or three years. Throughout this short period, uranium exploration has been affected by the unique influences of necessary security measures and by division of the overall job into individual projects by a large number of specialists in diverse fields. This has meant that a normal interchange of information on the nature of uranium deposits has really only just begun. Compared to the vast amount of published studies on iron, copper, lead, zinc, and gold deposits over the past 50 to 75 years, current knowledge of uranium deposits is in its infancy and much of the pertinent information is still scattered about in a number of unpublished sources. The volume of reports on all phases of uranium exploration is now beginning to mount at a remarkable rate, and geologists with widely varying specialized backgrounds in uranium geology are engaging in spirited debates over the origin of uranium and the relative importance of geologic controls of various deposits. One of the most interesting features of known uranium deposits of the world is the wide variation, see Table I, in character and geologic environment. It should be noted that many types became prominent during 1953. The davidite-bearing veins of Radium Hill, South Australia, are almost unique, although the same mineral occurs in a different kind of deposit in Mozambique. Recent studies indicate that brannerite disseminated in the granite near Cracker&apos;s Well, South Australia, may soon constitute uranium ore. Basalt has been added to the list of favorable host rocks in the Northern Territory of Australia. Basalt is also the host of the pitchblende veins of the Martin Lake deposit, Beaverlodge district, Saskatchewan. The truly remarkable rich and extensive Steen deposit near Moab, Utah, is of the uraninite-vanadium oxide type. Secondary hydrous uranium arsenates and phosphates constitute the uranium minerals in the disseminated deposits of the Wind River Basin, Wyo., a new district discovered in the summer of 1953. Uranium minerals in shales adjacent to fractures were newly reported in New Mexico and several other parts of the world during the year. The well-known important uraninite dissemination in the Rand conglomerates of South Africa has a counterpart, as discovered in the summer of 1953, in the Mississagi quartzite and conglomerate of the Blind River district, Ontario. Gunnar deposit of the Lake Athabaska district, Saskatchewan, consists of uraninite in both granite and sedimentary gneiss beneath a granite cap, and large new orebody of the Eldorado Co. in the same general area follows a preferred stratigraphic horizon in schists. Uranium is, generally speaking, a very soluble and ubiquitous element. It occurs in at least two valency states and for this reason is not easily tied down in natural solutions. As Gruner&apos; has pointed out, it is probable that uranium starts in the hexava-lent state in nearly all solutions instrumental in its transfer. It is believed that under oxidizing conditions the uranium moves in solution as the uranyl ion, UO. In solutions ranging in pH from 1 to 5, the uranyl ion is most commonly in association with

Jan 1, 1955

By S. A. Spachner

An analysis of the powder patterns of the omega transition phase in three binary titanium alloys containing 8 pct Cr, 13 pet Mo, and 15 pet V, respectively, showed that all could be indexed on an orthorhombic unit cell. The unit-cell dimensions were all quite similar. There is evidence for the occurrence of more than one transition phase in Ti-Cr and Ti-V alloys. FOLLOWING the discovery of a new brittle phase in certain titanium-chromium alloys by Frost, Parris, Hirsch, Doig, and Schwartz,&apos; named ? by these investigators, much interest has developed concerning the identification of alloy systems in which this phase exists, kinetics of the transformation in such systems, and the crystal structure of the ? phases appearing. Omega has been found in alloys of titanium-manganese, titanium-molybdenum, titanium-iron,&apos; and titanium-vanadium.&apos; In the present work, a study was made of the powder patterns of the ? phase occurring in alloys of Ti-8Cr, Ti-13Mo and Ti-15V in an effort to obtain a basis of comparison for ? phases appearing in these different alloys. Comparison of Alloys for ?-Phases Two hundred mesh powders of Ti-8Cr, Ti-13Mo and Ti-15V were prepared. A portion of powder sufficient for three x-ray powder specimens was placed in a Vycor tube, evacuated to less than 0.1 µ pressure, filled with argon, and sealed. The tubes were then heated to 900°C, held at this temperature for 30 min, and water-quenched. Following this transformation to the ß phase, the specimens were quenched in lead or solder pots, held at the desired temperature for varying lengths of time and water-quenched. The heat-treatments used and the phases identified are listed in Table I. The intermediate water quench was used in lieu of direct downquenching from 900°C to the bath temperature desired to circumvent the possibility of transformation of the powder specimen from ß to (ß + a) while it was being moved from the homog-enization furnace to the lead bath. To check the possibility that upquenching to the bath temperature might bring into play a different mechanism than downquenching to this temperature, resistivity measurements were compared on Ti-8Cr rod specimens which were transformed isothermally at 400°C by downquenching from the solution-treatment temperature and those which were transformed at 400" C by upquenching ß specimens from room temperature. The results are shown in Fig. 1. No difference in transformation mechanism was noted. It soon became apparent that sufficiently detailed Debye-Scherrer photograms of the ? phase in the alloys which were to be used could not be obtained by the use of copper radiation. Although satisfactory photograms of ß and ß + a phases were obtained with this radiation, the ? phase appeared to exhibit mild fluorescence, making interplanar spacing computation virtually impossible. Molybdenum radiation appeared to offer promise in cutting down this fluorescent effect, the mass absorption of titanium for molybdenum radiation being 23.7 in contrast to 204 for copper radiation. The reduction in the accuracy in determining the location of the photo-gram lines caused by the shorter wave length of molybdenum characteristic radiation did not appear to be a significant factor. Utilizing a camera of 57.3 mm radius, best results were obtained for exposure times ranging between 30 and 40 hr. Tube potential

Jan 1, 1959