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By Edwin B. Wilson, Joseph W. Leonard, Richard W. Borio

preparation of specification coals for the utility industry is approached from the standpoint of a cooperative effort with the power company to assure that the shipped product will be a noncorrosive coal. Selective mining, coal preparation, the use of additives, and coal blending are mine-site techniques proposed as means for upgrading corrosion-retarding constituents of utility coals (CaO and MgO) while, at the same time, reducing the concentration of those constituents of coal (Na20 and K,O) which cause corrosion. Data obtained from large-scale boiler testing in combination with bench-scale physical and chemical tests are used as a basis for the formulation of mine-site procedures to improve coal combustion utilization. Electric power generation remains the greatest market for coal in the United States. A major reason for this strong market has been the ability of the coal industry to supply a superior product for combustion while maintaining competitive prices. Now that the coal industry is engaged in intensive competition with nuclear power for future energy demand, it becomes ever more imperative that superior coal products are produced. One important problem when burning some coals is a liquid phase corrosive attack on boiler tube metal in the superheater and reheater areas of the furnace where steam temperatures may exceed 1050°F. In addition to causing power outages and high maintenance costs, corrosion is a continuing barrier to the future development of more efficient steam cycles which permit lower generation costs when using coal. Research methods of the past which have been directed at finding solutions which could be applied at the power plant site have been only partially successful and are generally costly. This paper contains a suggested --method of corrosion control through investigation of the problem at the source of the trouble—the coal supplier facility. It is proposed that mine-site pre-ventative procedures be considered as an effective means of cooperative corrosion control between the power company and the coal supplier. Economic justification must be applied to the individual situation. This paper is based on recent work by Combustion Engineering, Inc. and the Coal Research Bureau of West Virginia University under a contract from the Department of the Interior Office of Coal Research.',' Results which are of importance to this discussion may be summarized as follows: 1) The alkali minerals of coal (Na2O and K2O), as measured by an acid leaching process, can be related to corrosion rate in utility boilers. As these constituents increase in a coal product, its corrosiveness can be expected to worsen. 2) The alkaline-earth minerals contained in coal, reported as total CaO and MgO reduce corrosiveness 2s their concentration increases. 3) Naturally occuring, alkaline-earth-bearing materials, such as limestone and dolomite, may be added to a coal to reduce its corrosiveness. 4) Coals with very low iron contents tend to be less corrosive. These results provide the groundwork for examination of the system of operations which occur at the supplier facility from the seam face where mining is begun to the point of loading for shipment. The Mining System Fig. 1 is a cross section of one of the typical coal seams (designated coal A) that was boiler tested during this research program. This seam is overlain by material which consists primarily of a gray-black shale. In the lower third of this seam, there exists a thin rock parting of less than 4 in. in thickness which is consistent throughout the seam. The floor material is fireclay. In order to examine mineral distribution throughout this particular seam, the Coal Research Bureau collected a

Jan 1, 1971

By Frank G. Breyer

C ONDITIONS have not been favorable for new developments in any line. It has been a period, how- ever in which recent developments have been subjected to the severest tests. Those which have been able to hold their own in the severe competition of 1932 must be considered fully proved commercial processes. The continuous vertical-muffle retort plant at Palmer- ton is reported to have been in operation at practically full capacity throughout the year. The high quality of metal produced and the low operating costs are factors which have kept this plant running when many of the older furnaces were shut down. The plant at Meadow- brook, W. Va., is also reported to have been in steady operation throughout the year. Average retort life is said to be better than two years with about three-quarters of the original retorts still in operation after 2 ½ years.

Jan 1, 1933

By AIME AIME

LEADING off the Thursday morning session on Non-metallics was C. E. Heinrichs' paper, "Phosphate Flotation, Its Place in the Technology and Economics of the Phosphate Industry." Mr. Heinrichs also presented a closely related paper, "Milling Methods and Costs at the No. 2 Concentrator of the Phosphate Recovery Corporation," by H. S. Martin. The first of the papers points out the great significance of flotation to the phosphate industry, inasmuch as flotation practically doubles the potential recovery, thereby decreasing production costs and increasing reserves materially. The second paper describes three such plants, two of which are in Florida, the third being at Wales, Tenn. Operating characteristics and costs are reviewed. Answering inquiries from the floor, Mr. Heinrichs said that the adoption of a new parallel-shell dryer, from 60 to 80 ft. long, instead of the old single-shell countercurrent dryer, had increased the unit drying capacity over 300 per cent and had reduced the drying cost to less than 25c. per long ton of dried product. The initial moisture is from 15 to 18 per cent and the final about 2 per cent.

Jan 1, 1933

By Alec M. Crowell, J. W. Sanders

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

Jan 1, 1942

By Alec M. Crowell, J. W. Sanders

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

Jan 1, 1942

By John T. Galey

Production of crude oil for 1940 in southwestern Pennsylvania was off nearly 70,000 bbl., largely as a result of the great number oi abandonments, together with the lack of extension of the Washington and Green County pools. Oil wells completed numbered 51, which is 26 more than last year, but the total initial production of 259 bbl. is only 18 bbl. greater than in 1939. There was an increase of 72 over last year for a total of 209f gas wells. However, 68 7 dry holes were drilled, which is 40 more than a year ago. Thus, 328f wells were drilled during the year, and rigs are erected or drilling is progressing on 59 t more. Shallow Development Oil.—Butler County led in number of oil wells completed, with a total of 27 for an initial production of only 69 bbl. Washington County, with 12 new oil wells, one of which made 40 bbl. from the Fifth sand in S. Franklin township, has 95 bbl., while in Allegheny County 9 wells gave an initial of 86 bbl. for the highest Per well average in the area. This initial was given a considerable boost by one 35-bbl and another 2;-bbl. well in West Deer township, where the Fourth sand produced at 1840 feet. Greene County had only one oil well completed during 1940, and Washington County had 12. The subnormal totals for these counties may be explained by the higher cost of completions and the declining price of crude. The first price change in crude during the year occurred on May 22, when a 25 cut was made. A second 25 cut was made July 12, and was followed by a 156 cut on .Aug. 28. This price held until Nov. 12, when there was a restoration of 156. On Dec. 17 a second 156 increase was put into effect, bringing the price to $I.So per barrel. Gas The large increase in the number of gas wells completed may be attributed to three factors; namely, the recently discovered production possibilities of moderately deep, hitherto little tested horizons, together with increased demand and price. The latter has been made possible by a recent decision of the court, which ruled restraining the public service Commision's prohibition of a raise in the minimum monthly charge to small consumers by one of the major gas companies. A portion of the revenue derived in this manner is being passed along to the producer in the form of higher prices in the field. This higher field rate will remain in effect until a new ruling is made, when it will be reduced in proportion to the reduction of the monthly minimum charge. In an effort to extend the chambers Dam Fifth sand oil pool southwest from Amwell township, Washington County, several wells have been drilled. One of these, in Morris township, washington County, had an initial of 3.2 million cu. ft. open flow from the Big Injun sand. This indicates an entirely new productive area for the latter horizon. Allegheny County had one spectacular well in South Fayette township-—at a depth of about 2500 ft. a 4-million-CU. ft.

Jan 1, 1941

By John T. Galey

Production of crude oil for 1940 in southwestern Pennsylvania was off nearly 70,000 bbl., largely as a result of the great number oi abandonments, together with the lack of extension of the Washington and Green County pools. Oil wells completed numbered 51, which is 26 more than last year, but the total initial production of 259 bbl. is only 18 bbl. greater than in 1939. There was an increase of 72 over last year for a total of 209f gas wells. However, 68 7 dry holes were drilled, which is 40 more than a year ago. Thus, 328f wells were drilled during the year, and rigs are erected or drilling is progressing on 59 t more. Shallow Development Oil.—Butler County led in number of oil wells completed, with a total of 27 for an initial production of only 69 bbl. Washington County, with 12 new oil wells, one of which made 40 bbl. from the Fifth sand in S. Franklin township, has 95 bbl., while in Allegheny County 9 wells gave an initial of 86 bbl. for the highest Per well average in the area. This initial was given a considerable boost by one 35-bbl and another 2;-bbl. well in West Deer township, where the Fourth sand produced at 1840 feet. Greene County had only one oil well completed during 1940, and Washington County had 12. The subnormal totals for these counties may be explained by the higher cost of completions and the declining price of crude. The first price change in crude during the year occurred on May 22, when a 25 cut was made. A second 25 cut was made July 12, and was followed by a 156 cut on .Aug. 28. This price held until Nov. 12, when there was a restoration of 156. On Dec. 17 a second 156 increase was put into effect, bringing the price to $I.So per barrel. Gas The large increase in the number of gas wells completed may be attributed to three factors; namely, the recently discovered production possibilities of moderately deep, hitherto little tested horizons, together with increased demand and price. The latter has been made possible by a recent decision of the court, which ruled restraining the public service Commision's prohibition of a raise in the minimum monthly charge to small consumers by one of the major gas companies. A portion of the revenue derived in this manner is being passed along to the producer in the form of higher prices in the field. This higher field rate will remain in effect until a new ruling is made, when it will be reduced in proportion to the reduction of the monthly minimum charge. In an effort to extend the chambers Dam Fifth sand oil pool southwest from Amwell township, Washington County, several wells have been drilled. One of these, in Morris township, washington County, had an initial of 3.2 million cu. ft. open flow from the Big Injun sand. This indicates an entirely new productive area for the latter horizon. Allegheny County had one spectacular well in South Fayette township-—at a depth of about 2500 ft. a 4-million-CU. ft.

Jan 1, 1941

By E. C. Harder

BAUXITE is known mainly as the ore from which aluminum is smelted but it has large use also in the manufacture of artificial abrasives and as a basis for certain chemical industries. A small amount is used for refractories and for other purposes. COMPOSITION Dana and others give the mineral formula of bauxite as A1203.2H20 and the composition as A12037 73.9 pct; H2O, 26.1 pct. It has been definitely shown, however, that bauxite does not exist as a specific mineral but rather as a rock. The term is now used synonymously with aluminum ore and it embraces gibbsite (hydrargillite or alpha trihydrate), A1203.3H20 (A12037 65.4 pct; H2O, 34.6 pct); boehmite (alpha mono¬hydrate), A1203.H20(Al203) 85 pct; H2O, 15 pct); diaspore (beta monohydrate), A1203.H2O(A12037 85 pct; H2O, 15 pct), and mixtures in various proportions of any two of them. Bauxite of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic in Europe is predominantly a mixture of gibbsite and boehmite, subordinately a mixture of boehmite and diaspore, or gibbsite and diaspore. The bauxite of North and South America, tropical Africa, Asia, and Australasia consists largely of gibbsite. Corundum (A1203) is not included under bauxite, although gradations from bauxite to emery or corundum exist. All bauxite, irrespective of the aluminum minerals composing it, contains certain impurities, including silica, in the form of clay minerals (kaolinite, halloysite, and others) or quartz, iron oxide (as hematite or goethite), titania (as leucoxene or rutile), iron sulphide (as pyrite or marcasite), iron carbonate (siderite), and calcium carbonate (as calcite); the last three mentioned in minor amount and of local occurrence only. Bauxite belongs to a group of partly consolidated materials called laterites, formed by surface weathering. This group includes also impure siliceous and ferruginous bauxite and siliceous and

Jan 1, 1949

By G. G. Biggar

A MATERIAL contribution to the success of our Armies in the field has been the portable pipe-line system. These are the words of Brigadier General R. F. Fowler, chief of the supply division of the War Department. The portable pipe line is one of the "secret weapons" the American forces employed in their swift advances through Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy. Constructed of a light steel so flexible it can be snaked around trees, it can be laid at a rate of ten to thirty miles daily right up to the fighting fronts. It has played a major role in supplying combat troops with products varying from petroleum to water.

Jan 1, 1943

By Steven Mitchell

BACKGROUND Homestake Mining Company began milling operations at the Bulldog Mountain Mine near Creede, Colorado in 1969. The Bulldog Mill, rated at 350 tpd, produces a bulk flotation condentrate assaying about 180 oz/T Ag and 20% Pb, from heads of about 16 oz/T Ag and 2% Pb. The circuit is straightforward with two-stage grinding to 1-5% plus 65 mesh, followed by rougher and cleaner flotation. Reagents used are Z-6, Z-11, Aerofloat 242 and Aero Promoter 404, with an Aerofroth 65-MIBC mixture for a frother. Additional information on the geology, mine and mill are available in references (1) and (2). A flow sheet for the mill and CIP plant together is attached as Figure 1. Final flotation tailings normally vary from 1.5 - 2.0 oz/T Ag. These tailings are cycloned to produce sand for underground backfill. After cycloning, the sands are repulped and given a final scavenger float. This sand scavenger recovers a small additional amount of silver which recycles back to the main flotation circuit. The tailings are recycloned and pumped to the mine or, if the mine cannot accept sand, to tailings. The majority of the silver in the flotation tailings exists in the fine fractions; cycloning upgrades the slimes and lowers the assay of the sand. The sand, after scavenging, typically assays 0.5 oz/T Ag, and the slimes assay about 3.0-3.5 oz/T Ag. From 1969 to 1976 all of the slime tailings and the sand tailings not used underground were impounded in a tailings pond located about

Jan 1, 1983

By Joseph A. Holmes

The public is already familiar with the general fact that the scope and the financial resources of the approaching St. Louis World's Fair are much larger than those of any of the preceding great expositions; and both the visitor and the exhibitor, when he comes to St. Louis in 1904, will find it to be a real World's Pair, with exhibits and visitors from every known country. Passing over the subject, as to the general Exposition, with this brief statement, I ask Sour attention to the consideration of a few important facts connected with the proposed mining exhibits at this Exposition. First of all, I may say that. reading- and writing-rooms and library facilities will be furnished in the Mines Building for miners and mining engineers, and it is expected that when they visit the Exposition they will make these rooms their headquarters, and give the Chief of the Department and his assistants an opportunity to extend to them such courtesies as may be possible. One of the exhibits in the Mines Department will consist of models and maps arranged to show the nature and extent of the mining operations in the United States at the time of the purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803, the event which

Jan 1, 1903

By J. M. Steininger

The mechanism of flotation of sphalerite with sulthydryl compounds of different acidities has been interpreted in terms of chemisorption of unionized collector molecules on hydroxylated zinc surface sites. At a constant collector concentration of 1.5 x 10 -4 M, the upper pH limit of flotation has been found to be directly and closely related to the negative logarithm of the collector acidity constant, pKa The experimental results indicate that flotation is prevented when about 95% of the collector is ionized. At low pH, collector adsorption decreases because of the reduction in number of hydroxylated zinc surface sites. These two effects explain why sphalerite does not float with the more acidic sulfhydryl compounds. Typical anionic collectors for sulfide minerals are short chain xanthates or dithiophosphates which are nearly completely ionized in the generally alka- line flotation circuits.1,2 Flotation mechanisms have therefore been usually interpreted in terms of ionic collector adsorption and competition with ionic depressants of the same sign as the collector. A few attempts have been made, however, to consider adsorption of neutral collector molecules. Contact angle measurements obtained by Wark and cox3 have been interpreted by Cook and Nixon4 as representing adsorption of the free acid molecules on sulfide minerals such as pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite. Cook and Nixon tried to show that the free acid concentration of the collector was substantially constant along the curves relating collector addition and minimum pH for bubble adherence. However, in a review of the subject,5 Sutherland presented new data on the flotation of pyrite with mercaptobenzothiazole which did not support the hypothesis of constant concentration of either collector ions or collector free molecules. He further showed that, with the assumption of constant occupation of surface sites, both theories lead to relations between pH and collector addition having similar mathematical expressions. In fact, with the more likely assumption of variable occupation of surface sites which results in more complex relationships, it appears impossible to

Jan 1, 1968

The Institute is one of the five national societies that joined in organizing the Congress, the others being the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. Each society has pledged from its general funds or some special fund a certain sum to guarantee the success of the Congress. To this the engineers resident on the Pacific Coast added $13,000, the total guarantee fund amounting to $37,000. It is hoped that this money, iii part or in whole, can be repaid to the guarantors of the Congress. The sums necessary to conduct the latter and to publish the proceedings, are to be derived from membership fees paid equally by all participating. A member of the Institute as such is not a member of the Congress and will not receive any of the publications of the latter. He is eligible to become a member of the Congress and it is hoped that he will do so. The membership fee is $5, and this entitles one to receive the introductory volume of the Congress containing the proceedings; a digest of the other volumes and a general index. It also entitles the member to one other volume of the transactions, to be chosen as he will. For moderate sums he can buy additional volumes, the whole set costing delivered, $30 or less. On Jan. 12 the total membership was 2,350, of which only 290 were recorded as mining engineers. Full details regarding the Congress have been sent to every member of the Institute, and the failure of the members to take a more active interest in the matter is believed to be due to some misunderstanding of the situation.

Jan 4, 1915

By Zay Jeffries

Rearmament superimposed on buying sprees by the public, caused a general shortage of metals in 1911. and the rare metals were no exception; they also shared with the more common metals the uncertainty of future demand. In general, the apparent undersupply of metals is a favorable condition for the realization of sleeping possibilities of the rare metals, especially if the supply can he made sufficient to take care of the possible new demand. Many changes in metal usage in 1941 were forced because of shortages. When such changes are in the direction of the economic trend there is a speeding up in the tempo of the inevitable change, but when the forced changes are against the economic trend they are likely to be shortlived. In any event, the latter is not a solid foundation on which to build a future business.

Jan 1, 1942

By Wheeler O. North

The United Eastern Mining Co.'s property is in the Oatman, Gold Roads mining district of Mohave County, Ariz. The mine and mill are 26 mi. (41.8 km.) southwest of Kingman, the nearest railway connection. The ore consists of a mixture of calcite and quartz with some andesite. The values, which are mainly gold, alloyed with approximately 34 per cent., by weight, of silver, are extremely fine so that fine grinding is a most important factor in extraction. The milling process, briefly, consists of single-stage, coarse-crushing, two-stage ball milling in cyanide solution, followed by combined mechanical and air agitation, and by straight counter-current decantation. The Merrill zinc-dust precipitation method is used to recover the values, and is preceded by the Crowe vacuum treatment of the solution. The most notable features of the plant are the absence of filters, and the use of short peb mills loaded with steel balls, for fine grinding. As originally designed, the capacity of the mill was to be 200 tons per day, although the grinding end was to be capable of handling double that amount. By adding extra agitators and thickeners and by some alterations to the grinding end, the daily capacity has been raised to 285 tons. This, it is hoped, may be increased to 300 tons during the warm months of the present year. Tonnage Milled per Day 1917 average....... 234; maximum month.... 272; minimum month..... 146 1918 average....... 253; maximum month,... 276; minimum month..... 217 As this article primarily deals with plant operations, those interested in the mechanical description are referred to the article by Mr. Otto Wartenweiler,1 the designing engineer, which gives the details and costs of design and construction. The following changes have been made since that article was published: Two special simplex Dorr classifiers have been substituted for the two duplex Callow screens and bucket elevator, which classified the Marcy discharge and returned the oversize for regrinding. Three Dorr

Jan 1, 1920

By Alfred H. Bell, George V. Cohee

Illinois produced 146,788,000 bbl. of oil in 1940, or nearly 11.0 per cent of the total for the United States, and ranked fourth among the oil-producing states. Its production was only slightly less than that of Oklahoma, which produced 11.5 per cent of the national total. Illinois' production in 1940 represents an increase of 55 per cent over the previous year, when it amounted to 94,912,000 barrels. The development of the Devonian limestone in the Salem and Centralia fields is largely responsible for the increase in production during 1940 Production from the Devonian limestone in these two fields was estimated to be 36,698,000 bbl., or 25 per cent of the state's total production (Table I). The increase in production during June, when the state's daily average production attained a peak of 518,200 bbl. for the week ending June 29, was due to the Devonian production at Centralia (Fig. I). The initial production of the best Devonian wells in the Centralia field was as high as 12,000 bbl. in 24 hr. Daily average production in IIIinois for 1940 was 400,000 bbl. of oil, but actually daily production fluctuated widely during the year. At the beginning of 1940 daily production was approximately 330,000 bbl. During the first hali of the year it in-creased irregularly to the peak in June mentioned above and as the prolific Devonian producing areas were drilled up, the state's daily production declined rapidly during July and continued to decline, although more slowly, until the end of the year, when the daily production was approximately 325,000 bbl. The daily average production per well in the new fields at the end of the year was approximately 40 bbl. (Fig. I). Oil from the Devonian was also produced in the Bartelso field, Clinton County, the Sandoval field, Marion County, and the Irvington field, Washington County, bringing the estimated total production from the Devonian limestone to about 26 per cent of the state's total production, The remainder was obtained largely from the Mississippian system. About 2 per cent of the total was from Pennsylvanian and Ordovician strata. The decline in the Devonian limestone production has been so rapid that the 1941 output from this system will probably be only a small fraction of that of 1940 unless large new reserves are discovered. The "Trenton" (Ordovician) limestone has been tested in two wells in the Centralia field and both were small oil producers at a depth of about 4000 it. The "Trenton" also was found productive in the Salem field at a depth of 4500 ft. (Table 5). The initial production of the discovery well, which was completed shortly after the end of the year, was 130 bbl. on pump. Other wells drilled early in 1941 had initial productions averaging 172 barrels. The outlook for 1941 is for a continuation of drilling activity in Illinois, but at a declining rate (Fig. I, upper curve). The most active area at the end of 1940 was in the deep basin area in Wabash, Edwards, White, and Hamilton Counties.

Jan 1, 1941

By Alfred H. Bell, George V. Cohee

Illinois produced 146,788,000 bbl. of oil in 1940, or nearly 11.0 per cent of the total for the United States, and ranked fourth among the oil-producing states. Its production was only slightly less than that of Oklahoma, which produced 11.5 per cent of the national total. Illinois' production in 1940 represents an increase of 55 per cent over the previous year, when it amounted to 94,912,000 barrels. The development of the Devonian limestone in the Salem and Centralia fields is largely responsible for the increase in production during 1940 Production from the Devonian limestone in these two fields was estimated to be 36,698,000 bbl., or 25 per cent of the state's total production (Table I). The increase in production during June, when the state's daily average production attained a peak of 518,200 bbl. for the week ending June 29, was due to the Devonian production at Centralia (Fig. I). The initial production of the best Devonian wells in the Centralia field was as high as 12,000 bbl. in 24 hr. Daily average production in IIIinois for 1940 was 400,000 bbl. of oil, but actually daily production fluctuated widely during the year. At the beginning of 1940 daily production was approximately 330,000 bbl. During the first hali of the year it in-creased irregularly to the peak in June mentioned above and as the prolific Devonian producing areas were drilled up, the state's daily production declined rapidly during July and continued to decline, although more slowly, until the end of the year, when the daily production was approximately 325,000 bbl. The daily average production per well in the new fields at the end of the year was approximately 40 bbl. (Fig. I). Oil from the Devonian was also produced in the Bartelso field, Clinton County, the Sandoval field, Marion County, and the Irvington field, Washington County, bringing the estimated total production from the Devonian limestone to about 26 per cent of the state's total production, The remainder was obtained largely from the Mississippian system. About 2 per cent of the total was from Pennsylvanian and Ordovician strata. The decline in the Devonian limestone production has been so rapid that the 1941 output from this system will probably be only a small fraction of that of 1940 unless large new reserves are discovered. The "Trenton" (Ordovician) limestone has been tested in two wells in the Centralia field and both were small oil producers at a depth of about 4000 it. The "Trenton" also was found productive in the Salem field at a depth of 4500 ft. (Table 5). The initial production of the discovery well, which was completed shortly after the end of the year, was 130 bbl. on pump. Other wells drilled early in 1941 had initial productions averaging 172 barrels. The outlook for 1941 is for a continuation of drilling activity in Illinois, but at a declining rate (Fig. I, upper curve). The most active area at the end of 1940 was in the deep basin area in Wabash, Edwards, White, and Hamilton Counties.

Jan 1, 1941

By Victor De Ysassi

THE iron mines of Spain are located on the mountain ridge forming the boundary between the, Teruel and Guadalajara provinces, called Sierra Menera. They form a property of 25 mines extending over an area of 1,677 hectares (4,140 acres) situated at a height varying from 1,200 m. (3,940 ft.) to 1,500 m. (4,920 ft.) above sea level. The deposit follows the direction north to south; huge masses of ore are being found both on the slopes and at the summit of the Sierra. The ore occurs among quartzites and magnesite limestone, in some places overlaid by quartzite 15 in. (50 ft.) thick; in some others (and this is more general) the ore is overlaid by earth and boulders of quartzite origin,; this layer is about 8 m. (26 ft.) thick. The ore beds occupy the geological horizon of the Superior Trias or Muschelkask, which are here in direct contact with the Silurian quartzites. The lime-stones have been more or less transformed. There is ample evidence to show that these mines were worked in very ancient times-objects and tools employed in mining by the ancient Romans and Arabs are to be found plentifully in old workings which extend down into the deposits. It has been estimated that more than 10,000,000 tons of ore were mined in the old days in this district and carried to the primitive forges in the vicinity where iron of much renown in Spain was extracted. Remains of more than 20 of these forges are found in the neighborhood of Sierra Menera and are usually situated near waterfalls and forests. Much investigation has been carried on for the purpose of determining the quantity of ore to be found in these mines, but no exact calculations can be made at present. When the investigation is completed it will surely be found that the deposit contains a much larger quantity than the 100,000,000 tons indicated by the present workings.

Jan 2, 1916

By W. M. Small

From the one producing well in Austria, 7000 bbl. of heavy oil was produced and sold in 1933. This well, owned by the Raky-Danubia, was completed late in 1932 in the formation called Flysch (Upper Cretaceous or lower Eocene) near Zistersdorf north of Vienna. Two wildcats drilling in the vicinity have not yet reached the producing beds. Near Vienna, the European Gas and Electric Co. drilled five shallow wells for gas, three of which were failures. One gas well was completed for 8 million cu. ft. capacity at 260 meters depth and with a pressure of 570 lb. Another is being tested following blowouts. One gas well and one dry hole were completed in the pool in 1932. In Upper Austria, the same company abandoned one wildcat at 679 m. and is drilling at 280 m. on a second. No gas was sold during the year, but a line is being completed to supply fuel to boilers of the Vienna Electric Works. Hungary No deep drilling was done in 1933. Oil and gas concession was granted by Parliament to the European Gas and Electric Co. on Trans-danubia. Active geological and geophysical investigation is in progress. Czechoslovakia In the Gbely and Hodonin shallow fields, some 26 wells were drilled of which three were reported as failures. The total production of the fields was 111,736 bbl. of oil and 40 million cu. ft. of gas used as fuel in the field. At Vacenovice, where there were already two small gas wells, a third producer was completed at 420 m. This pool markets a small amount of gas, which is compressed and used to light railway carriages. Wildcat wells were reported drilling at about 300 m. depth at both Jasina and Telnice. One 700-ni. wildcat near the Hodonin field was abandoned. Another failure was reported completed and abandoned at 820 m. near Holic.

Jan 1, 1934

By W. N. Tanner

THE wire-rope hoisting conditions at the mines of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. in Butte, Mont., are very severe because of the conditions under which it is necessary to operate. A study was made, in the fall of 1919, for the purpose of changing these conditions in order to obtain longer rope and sheave life. There are at present in Butte, hoisting engines equipped with wire rope as follows: 9 main hoists using flat ropes. 7 main hoists using 1 ½ in. rope. 5 main hoists using 1 ¼ in. rope. 6 shafts using 1 1/8 in. rope. 2 chippy hoists using 1 ¼ in. rope. 9 chippy hoists using 1 1/8 in. rope. 15 shafts using 1 in. rope. 7 shafts using 7/8 in. rope. 1 shaft using ¾ in. rope. In addition, there are a number of sinking engines using 5/8 in., ¾ in., 7/8 in., and 1 in. (15.9, 19, 22, and 25 mm. rope.) The flat ropes run from ½ by 7 ½ in. (12.7 by 190.5 mm.) to ½ by 4 ½ in. (9.5 by 114 mm.) and are used on the older hoisting-engines, which are set comparatively close to the shaft. Because of swelling and moving ground at some of the shafts, these ropes present certain difficulties in operation that are more pronounced than with round ropes; they are, therefore, being superseded by round ropes as newer engines are being installed. They are, however, much more easily inspected and repaired than round ropes.

Jan 2, 1922