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By H. H. Dreissen, F. J. Fontein

The operating principle of the classifying cyclone has been described often but some special aspects of the cyclone receive further clarification here. In addition, several uses of the classifiers are summarized and made clear by means of practical examples. In coal and ore washeries, the washing cyclone is widely used for the separation by specific gravity of sizes up to about 12 mm. This application has lately been extended to the separation by specific gravity of particles up to about 50 mm. This use makes special demands on the construction and wear resistance of the cyclone. The sieve bend, a development of the Dutch State Mines which is less well known than the hydrocy-clone, is dealt with at some length. The sieve bend is an apparatus designed for wet screening. Attention is given to the variables influencing the performance of the sieve bend. Hydrocyclones are now so widely applied that it would be difficult to find an industry not, directly or indirectly, using them or knowing how to use them since publications on this subject abound.1-3,5,9-11,13-15 However, because of the large number of variables influencing the operation of classifying cyclones, it is not entirely possible to calculate the results of this type of cyclone. Therefore, a number of lesser known variables will be discussed here along with some special applications of the classifying cyclone. FACTORS INFLUENCING CYCLONE CLASSIFICATION Shape of Particles: The shape of particles may cause a much coarser classification than the one expected, considering the sieve analysis and the cyclone dimensions chosen. This was clearly shown by feeding a mixture of spheres and disks in water into a cyclone. The spheres were 0.36 mm diam and the disks, 3 mm diam and 0.03 mm thick. These dimensions were chosen in order that the disks and spheres might have the same rates of fall under gravity. Both spheres and disks had a specific gravity of 1.05. The results obtained with these particles in a cyclone are summarized in Table I. Test No. 2 shows that the catch of spheres was

Jan 1, 1963

By HOWARND N. EAVENSON

THE year 1930 resembled the preceding one in the coal industry in continuing the era of falling prices and 'of the abandonment of unprofitable mines. Practically all coal prices fell, and in the steam sizes during the last half of the year this was particularly true, due to the small industrial demand. No new mines of any size were opened in the bituminous coal industry, but there was a steady increase in the number of cleaning plants of all kinds built in all fields. It is estimated that at least nine million tons per year were added to the previous total of washed coal. The largest washing plant started during the year was that of the Buckeye Coal Co., at Nemacolin, Pa., with a capacity of 650 tons per hour. Fig. 1 shows - the mixing-bin, conveyor galleries, washing-plant and skip hoist, and Fig. 2 the 120-ft. Dorr thickener for collecting the 48-mesh material from the wash water. Dryers are used for drying the steam coal product. The following statement by J. R. Campbell shows the effect of cleaning on Pittsburgh coal in Greene County: "With the advent of the 650-t.p.h. efficient washing plant in Greene County at the Nemacolin mine of the Buckeye Coal Co., it has undoubtedly been demonstrated that the potential coking-metallurgical coals of the county can be brought within the pale of the highest grade high-volatile coals for steel manufacture. A few months' operation indicates that 9% per cent ash in the raw coal can be easily reduced to under 7 per cent ash in the washed coal and the sulfur from 1.60 per cent in the run of mine to 1.20 per cent sulfur in the washed coal.

Jan 1, 1931

B. S. and E. M. from the School of Mines at Socorro, New Mexico, in May, 1912. Immediately after graduating, he began as a practical miner in the U. S. mines at Bingham, Utah, but in November, 1912, he entered the operating department of the Chino Copper Co.'s concentrator at Hurley, New Mexico, where he stayed until July, 1913. During the latter half of 1913, he was employed as chemist in the laboratory of the El Paso smelter, at El Paso, Texas. In December, 1913, he became engineer and geologist with the Empire Zinc Co., at Socorro, New Mexico, which position he held at the time of his admission to the Institute in 1914, and until he entered the army in June, 1918. Before beginning the study of mining, Mr. Ringlund had completed a course in pharmacy, which accounts for his enlisting in the Medical Corps. Lieutenant George Roper, Jr. George Roper, Jr., a Junior Member of the Institute, was killed in an aeroplane accident near Shotwich, England, on Play 25, 1918. He was born at Steubenville, Ohio, in 1893, and at the time of his admi~sion to the Institute in 1916 was a student in mining and metallurgy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Mass., from which he received the degree of S. B. in June, 1917. In August, 1917, he enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps, and after preliminary training on this side of the water, was sent to England. He was making the final cross-country flight of his course of training when the accident occurred.

Jan 1, 1920

By D. J. Mack, R. E. Reiswig

Six examples of the peritectoid transformation were selected from the literature and studied by the method of isothermal transformation. The kinetics and mechanisms of five of the examples are presented as TTT diagrams and photomicrographs. The exist-enc- of a peritectoid in the sixth case is doubtful. ALTHOUGH the peritectoid transformation per se has been known for many years, no precise published data exist concerning the kinetics or mechanisms involved in transformations of this type, except for the brief treatment by Rhines, et al. 1,10 Bearing in mind the fact that investigations of recent years are uncovering more and more peritectoids and suspected peritectoids, a thorough study of the well-established peritectoids appeared to be in order. It was for this reason that a study of the kinetics and morphological mechanisms of six binary peritectoids was undertaken. The six peritectoids selected from the literature for study were those reported at 7.02 wt pct Al-Ag, 26.0 wt pct Sb-Cu, 30.5 wt pct Sb-Cu, 32.3 wt pct Sn-Cu, 8.35 wt pct Si-Cu, and 21.2 wt pct Al-Cu. These selections were based on availability and purity of components, ease of preparation and heat-treatment, and estimated reliability of the available equilibrium diagrams in the regions of interest. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The alloys used in this investigation were induction melted in electrode-grade graphite and chill-cast in cast-iron split molds. In all cases, the alloys were so brittle that they could easily be broken into samples weighing 1 or 2 g. Chemical analyses showed that the alloys used were close to the respective peritectoid compositions reported in the literature and that the impurity levels were low in all cases. Metallographic examination showed uniform distributions of phases in all samples, indicating uniformity of composition in the samples studied. Isothermal transformation studies were carried out in fused-salt media, using the familiar inter-rupted-quench method. Uniformity of temperature in the salt baths was maintained by continuous stirring with a stainless-steel agitator. On the basis of actual observations of the temperature fluctuations, the estimated temperature control was + 10C for the Ag-Al and Cu-Sb alloys and ±30C for the Cu-Sn, Cu-Si, and Cu-Al alloys. The accuracy of all temperature measurements was estimated to be ±1°C. It was found necessary to mount metallographic specimens of the Ag-Al alloy in cold-curing methyl methacrylate, since the temperatures encountered in mounting in bakelite or lucite caused an appreciable degree of transformation to the ß phase. For the other alloys, wood-flour-filled bakelite mounts were used to avoid extraneous X-ray diffraction lines during the later examination of the metallographic specimens on a Norelco Geiger-counter d if f r ac tomete r. In the X-ray diffraction procedure, agreement between the published diffraction patterns and those obtained in this study was good. This was particularly important for phase identification, since the literature contained little in the way of micrograph description in some cases. Etching of the silver-aluminum alloy for metallographic examination was done by swabbing with either of the following reagents: 1) 10 g CrO3, 1 g (NH4), SO2, 0.5 g NH4NO3, 100 ml H2O, or 2) 10 ml NH4OH, 1 ml 20 pct KOH, 4 ml 3 pct H2O2, 5 ml H2O. The other alloys were etched with the usual bichromate etchant: 2 g K2Cr2O7, 1.5 g NaC1, 8 ml conc. H2SO4, 100 ml H20 (swabbed vigorously). EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS A) The Ag-Al peritectoid at 7.02 wt pct Al— The phase equilibrium involved in this peritectoid is shown in Fig. I.2 The phase boundaries in the vicinity of the peritectoid were most comprehensively established by Hume-Rothery, et al,3 who placed the equilibrium temperature at 448 °C and the equilibrium compositions of the a ß' and y phases at 6.11, 7.02, and 7.24 wt pct Al, respective The alloy used in this study analyzed4 6.95 wt pct A making it slightly hypoperitectoid according to the accepted equilibrium diagram. The rate of the transformation a+ y — ß' varies rapidly with degree of undercooling below the equilibrium temperature, passing through a maximum in the vicinity of 350°C. Thus the TTT dia-

Jan 1, 1960

By Albert Zima

ACCORDING to recently published statistics, it is predicted that as much oil must be produced during the next 16 years as has been produced during the past 75, in order to satisfy the high rate of consumption of petroleum products. During 1934, over 17,000 oil wells were completed in the United States, and it is expected that over 20,000 additional wells will be drilled during the current year. Were it not for the remarkable progress made during recent years in the improvement of drilling technique and in the development of equipment used in the production phase of the oil industry, it is doubtful whether sufficient oil could be produced to meet present requirements. A few years ago, wells seldom were deeper than 3500 to 4000 ft., owing to the limitations of the drilling methods and equipment employed. Today, however, through the application of scientific drilling methods and the adaptation of modern equipment and improved materials, many wells range from 6000 to 8000 ft. in depth, and a few recent completions exceed 10,000 feet.

Jan 1, 1935

By G. A. Beiswenger

The application of the law of supply and demand to the sale of crude oil is generally conceded, but the motives underlying the buyer's (refiner's) demands are not always obvious to the seller (producer). In some cases this obscurity has led to the conclusion that the refiner may be unnecessarily particular when he selects one crude and rejects another. This preference, however, is very largely the reflection of the refiner's product demands and the quality of the stocks obtainable from the selected crude. The purpose of this paper is to point out critical characteristies of the major classes of refined products and to show how crudes vary in their suitability for such products. With relatively few exceptions, available processing methods and addition agents make it theoretically possible to produce any type of refined product from any crude source, although it may not be economically sound to do so. The widespread application of thermal cracking for converting higher boiling stocks into gasoline is well known. More recently cracking and refining in the presence of catalysts9 have been developed, as well as various processes for polymerizing lighter hydrocarbons into gasolines having desirable characteristics.6 For several years, selective solvents have been applied commercially to refining inferior quality kerosene, Diesel fuel and lubricating oil distillates.3 Improved methods for refining lubricating oils from crude residual4 formerly suitable only for fuel, are now in use and a number of special solvent processes are available for dewaxing lubricating oils to low pour point.5 These improved refining methods have been developed not only to meet the demand for improved product quality but also to enable the refiner to obtain quality products from crude sources that would not yield such products by the older refining methods. In many cases, the utilization of these modern refining tools necessitates an appreciable expenditure for equipment as well as added manufacturing costs, and their application therefore must be justified economically. Despite the availability of such tools, the added processing costs involved and yields obtainable may render their application entirely impractical. To illustrate this point, inspections of typical cuts from various crudes

Jan 1, 1940

By AIME AIME

ALL technical men who are planning to visit the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago this summer-and all reports indicate that it will be worth visiting-should try to be there during Engineers' Week, beginning June 26. At that time most of the national engineering societies of the country will hold important meetings in that city. Engineers will thus have an opportunity not only to see the Fair at a time when special programs have been arranged for their benefit, but will have the opportunity to meet their professional brothers and to attend technical sessions of direct interest to them. The A.I.M.E. headquarters will be at the Stevens Hotel, and it will be to the interest of every Institute member who expects to attend the Fair at that time to secure his accommodations as promptly as possible. A request to the Chairman of the Chicago Section, A.I.M.E., or to the Secretary's office in New York, will bring a copy of the program as soon as it is available, together with any in- formation desired about hotel accommodations or other matters. The Chairman of the Chicago Section is J. R. Van Pelt, and his address is Museum of Science and Industry, 1525 East 53rd St., Chicago.

Jan 1, 1933

By W. J., Kroll

MOST people believe that rare metals are always, scarce in nature, expensive to make, and therefore useless despite some miraculous properties which might make them a cure-all. There are' some metals, which are quite frequent in nature, such as zirconium, which are called rare only because our present methods for making them are elaborate, thus forcing the manufacturer to sell them at a high price. There are also truly rare metals, such as gallium, which do not occur frequently in ores, but are easily reducible from their oxides. In these cases the price of the concentration operation is the decisive factor. The distribution of the elements in the earth's crust is no indication as to the availability of a metal; the concentration operation is the critical factor. Concentration is frequently obtained in the course of metallurgical operations for the extraction of other metals, and the rare metal may be enriched in by-products, flue dusts, mother liquors or precipitates from electrolyte purification as are indium, thallium, selenium, and tellurium. A periodic table of the rare elements may serve as a basis for discussion of their properties and to establish a program. (Table 1.)

Jan 1, 1946

By E. J. KENNEDY

METHODICAL AND EFFECTIVE: thus may be characterized the fall meeting of the Iron and Steel and Institute of Metals Divisions at the Hotel Statler, Buffalo, N. Y., on Oct. 4 and 5. Approximately 200 registered. Interest centered 1111 the technical papers which were keenly followed, with substantial discussion: During the entire week of the National Metal Congress (Oct. 3 to 'i), there were also other sessions of interest' to metallurgists, directed by the America11 Society for Steel Treating, American Welding Society, Production Division of the Society of Automotive Engineers, the Iron arid Steel and Machine Shop Practice Divisions of the American Society of Mechanical En,' the Wire Association and the American Drop Forging Institute. The National Metals Exposition at the 174th Regiment Armory was well attended.

Jan 1, 1932

By Rogers Wade

THE Pilares mine of the Moctezuma Copper Co. is situated at Los Pilares de Nacozari, Sonora, Mexico, about 75 mi. (120.7 km.) South of the international boundary and about 7 mi. (11.26 kin.) east of the town of Nacozari de Garcia. It is situated at an elevation of 5000 ft. (1524 m.) in one of the northward trending ridges that form part of the mountain mass that culminates in the Sierra Madre de Mexico. To the east, south, and west, the topography is rugged and diversified; to the north less diversity exists, ranges of mountains rise sharply out of almost level ground and give the basin range structure characteristic of the southwest. The climate is dry, the average rainfall of 15 in. (38 cm.) being confined almost entirely to the months of June, July, and August. The

Jan 8, 1919

By Ernest E. Thurlow

The western coal industry, long overshadowed by the petroleum and metallic minerals industries, has been revitalized by several new coal mining operations, with the promise that this is only the beginning of a tremendous surge in production of coal that will carry into the next century. The content of this paper is confined to the coal fields and recent developments in eastern Montana, northeastern Wyoming and western North Dakota. The area is commonly referred to as the Powder River-Fort Union region although the Powder River Basin and the Fort Union formation are separate entities and are not coextensive. Coincidentally or otherwise, the extent of the subbituminous part of the coal region coincides approximately with the Powder River Basin. Environmental considerations together with the low sulfur content of much of the western coal have triggered demand since this coal could not compete at present with eastern and midwestern coal solely on a delivered-cost-per-million-btu basis. However, increasing costs of underground mining and the comparatively thin seams of the eastern and midwestern deposits may soon bring a balance to these costs regardless of the sulfur content. Another factor which has made western coal competitive at this time is the use of the unit-trains to significantly reduce the cost of transportation. Fast loading and unloading facilities and trains of 100 cars or more in turn-around service are the keys to success in this effort.

Jan 5, 1974

By B. A. Wilcox, A. H. Clauer

DURING the course of an investigation on the high-temperature creep behavior of TD Nickel* (Ni + 2) vol pct ThO2), it was observed that the creep fractures were similar in appearance to low-temperature ductile fibrous fractures and creep ruptures by cavitation. Microfractographs of fibrous ruptures are typically characterized by a dimpled appearance, with second-phase particles frequently found near the bottom of the dimples.'-4 These somewhat resemble creep ruptures by cavitation, in that fracture occurs by void formation, with the subsequent growth and final merging of the voids to form a complete fracture.' It is the purpose of this communication to describe the creep fracture of TD nickel and suggest a mechanism for the rupturing process. The discussion is relevant to material crept to fracture in vacuo at a constant stress of 18,000 psi, over the temperature range 900" to ll00°C. The material used in this investigation was 1/2-in.-diam bar stock supplied by Du Pont, contain- ing 2.3 vol pct Tho2. The final fabrication treatment consisted of -95 pct reduction by swaging followed by a 1-hr anneal at 1000°C. Transmission and replica electron microscopy revealed that the material had a fibered structure with a transverse grain size of -1 µ and a longitudinal grain size of 10 to 15 µ. Selected-area diffraction indicated that the fiber axis was parallel to (00l), in agreement with the results of Inman et a1.6 The thoria particle size varied from 80 to 1000Å, with an average size of 400Å, and the mean particle spacing was about 1200Å. The remarkable structural stability7 was confirmed by annealing for 6 hr at 1300°C (about ' 0.9 the absolute melting point). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the only structural change was a slight decrease in dislocation density. Furthermore, recrystallization or grain growth during creep has not been observed. All specimens were annealed in vacuo at 1300°C for 3 hr prior to creep testing. The following times to rupture were obtained for vacuum creep tests at a constant stress of 18,000 psi: 900°C, 854 hr; 930°C,

Jan 1, 1965

"Quiet, please!" is the newest directive being thrust at industry by guardians of the environment-with good reason. In countless cases, industrial noise is literally deafening its listeners, and sooner or later the volume must be turned down. Noise control is already mandatory for many companies under a Federal regulation that went on the books when the Walsh-Healey Act was revised last May 20. The new rules impose specific noise limits on any plants supplying the Government with goods under a contract valued at more than $10,000.

Jan 1, 1970

What is experience worth? Representatives from the Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Societies discussed the question as part of the 1970 Annual AIME Meeting held in Denver, Colo. the week of February 15. Petroleum engineer-consultant, Michel T. Halbouty of Houston, Tex. offered his own clarification of present-day employer-employee relationships in engineering as a whole. "Longevity does not equal experience on the job. Further, when employees are considering salary increases and promotions, job performance is considered all the time; experience two- thirds of the time and length of employment one- half the time." He added, "worth is really what the employee can get for it and experience is essential to survival." Halbouty also noted that salary and responsibility is a function of man's value to his company and is about "as discrediting as grey hair." As far as the engineer is concerned, he reported, the company's ability to pay is, in large measure, not considered. From the company's viewpoint, however, the employee is expected to learn his first year on the job. His second year, he is expected to make his presence felt, Should he require three years to orient himself he might soon be looking for another job. The petroleum engineer pointed out that when the employee wants to know why the salary scale tends to plateau off in later years, most employers react by recognizing that employees "flatten themselves rather than the company flattening them."

Jan 1, 1970

By M. J. Saarivirta

A high-purity copper-zirconium alloy system was imesti-gated. The zirconium content of the alloys studied varied from 0.003 to 0.23 pet. The solid solubility of zirconium in copper and some physical and mechanical properties of the alloys have been determined. By proper heat treatment, Cu-Zr alloy can develop a high electrical conductivity and resistance to softening at temperatures up to 500°C (930°F). This combination of desirable properties makes this alloy superior, to other com-merzcrrl copper base alloys for- use in the electrical conductor field. DEMAND for high conductivity copper alloys that retain their mechanical properties at elevated temperatures is growing rapidly. At present, copper-base alloys such as copper-silver and copper-chromium are used where these characteristics are required. As an example, commutators in electric motors are often made of these alloys. However, the life at elevated temperature of commutators made of copper-silver alloys is much shorter than the life of the same part made of copper-chromium and copper-zirconium alloys. Copper-silver alloys are subject to creep and subsequent failure when the service temperature exceeds several hundred degrees centigrade. Use of copper-chromium alloys has been known for the past several years, but little information is available in the literature concerning the properties of alloys in the copper-zirconium alloy system. Some work had been directed toward determining the solubility of zirconium in copper as well as determining properties of the Cu-Zr alloys. These investigations have revealed the superior high-temperature and electrical conductivity properties of copper-zirconium alloys over copper-chromium alloys. The United States Metals Refining Co., Carteret, N. J. has recently produced OFHC R copper-zirconium alloys for experimentation and evaluation. Because OFHC R copper contains no appreciable oxygen, no harmful oxides are formed and the full benefit of Zr as an alloying addition is obtained. This paper describes the results of this work. It contains room-temperature and some high-temperature data which have been obtained after various processing techniaues. Actual elevated temperature properties are being determined and will be reported in a separate paper. Preliminary results obtained at elevated temperatures suggest that the Cu-Zr alloy is superior to other high conductivity copper-base alloys. WORK PROCEDURE The high-purity oxygen free (OFHC R) copper-zirconium alloys with zirconium content ranging from 0.003 to 0.23 pct were cast into 4-by 4-in. wirebars by both continuous casting and conventional casting methods. Zr was added in the form of a master alloy containing 30 pct Zr and 70 pct Cu. Castings were analyzed for zirconium and nine bars containing various amounts of zirconium were selected for this study. The results of analyses and the sample numbers are given in Table I. Typical analyses of OFHC R copper are also shown. The following properties were studied: A) Solid solubility of zirconium in copper. B) Effect of zirconium on properties of copper. C) Effect of combined working and heat treating on properties of Cu-Zr alloys. The solid solubility of zirconium in copper was determined by metallographic techniques. Specimens for this phase of the investigation were hot rolled at 900oC (1650oF) to 0.250-in. rod. The rolled rods were cut into 2/3-in. long specimens and solution annealed at 950 °C (1740°F), 980°C (1795 °F). and 1020 °C (1870 °F) for 6 hr and quenched in water. In order to find the solid solubility limits at lower temperatures, the homogenized specimens were reheated at various temperatures for 1 hr and quenched. The physical and mechanical properties were determined on 0.250 in. rod, 0.132- and 0.081-in. wires. The wires were cold drawn from the 0.250-in. rods after they were solution annealed at 980 °C (1795°F) and quenched in cold water. Mechanical and electrical properties were determined on cold drawn and

Jan 1, 1961

BECAUSE of the impetus given to placer mining since the price of gold was advanced to $35, several types of small dredges have made their appearance, especially in the Lincoln and Oroville areas of California. Some of these are known as "doodle bugs," and have been given considerable publicity, though many believe their performance has been overrated and that complete costs of construction and operation, if known would not put them in so favorable a light. Fig. 1 is a doodle bug owned by E. M. Clark and operated near Lincoln, Calif. It is understood that it was abandoned because of inability to handle deep ground. A similar machine that has been operated-profitably by Comstock Placers is shown in Fig. 2.

Jan 1, 1938

By J. J. Luchessa

HAULAGE was one of the many problems to be solved in the successful handling of the Miami Copper Company's low-grade orebody. The ore extracted had to be increased from 1000 to 18,000 tons per 24 hours over the existing track-age and haulage way. This called for increased speed, longer trains, in¬creased car capacity, and a block signal system so as to maintain a fixed schedule and headway. The motive power in service at the time of this transition consisted of Baldwin-Westinghouse 6-ton trolley locomotives. (See Fig. 3.) These locomotives were purchased to handle twenty inverted-V-bottom side-dump cars of 60 cu. ft. capacity. Dimensions were limited as to height on account of ore chutes, width on account of short radius curves, and length of 12 ft. from bumper to bumper- so that the locomotives could be handled on the man and material hoist which has a cage length of 121/ ft. The limited length made it possible to bring the locomotives to the surface for periodic overhauling and major repairs such as changing wheel tires, gears, and

Jan 1, 1934

By Francis Cameron

Mining is both exciting and rewarding-although at times somewhat frustrating-and we all can have real pride in our industry, in its people, and in its accomplishments. It is, however, with concern that I have noted a deterioration in this Country in what might be called mining's stature and in the growth of a belief in many quarters that our mineral reserves are rapidly approaching exhaustion. In other words, there is a popular image that we are fast becoming a "have not" nation in many respects and that the domestic mining industry can no longer be considered, in the vernacular of Wall Street, to offer much in the way of "growth potential." I do not subscribe to this hypothesis, nor do I believe that the record of the mining industry bears this out. However, let me add that we can, in time, talk ourselves into this frame of mind and we can hasten the day when this very well might come about by unnecessary and unwise legislation or regulation. My remarks today are basically designed to give my reasons for refuting this negative philosophy and to review our record. With your help, I know we can improve our image, and the public's recognition of our industry's peculiar problems.

Jan 4, 1968

By Jack C. Haptonstall

Abstract-Minas de San Luis, S.A. operates the old Tayoltita mine located in the Sierra Madre Occidental in Durango, Mexico. Yearly production is 55 000 kg (1.7 million troy ox) of silver and 1000 kg (31,000 troy ox) of gold from milling 165 000 t/y (181,900 stpy) obtained from fissure veins. A 4.4 km (2.75 miles) adit, to intersect the veins below existing workings, was completed in 1974. The adit and ancillary projects facilitated extensive mechanization of the mine, ramp development of it, integration of duplicate facilities and elimination of obsolete facilities. It provided a deep-level access for exploration and development of the veins, and resulted in a 25% increase in production with the same labor force. The cost of the in-house financed project was $3.4 million.

Jan 2, 1978

By G. A. Beiswenger

The application of the law of supply and demand to the sale of crude oil is generally conceded, but the motives underlying the buyer's (refiner's) demands are not always obvious to the seller (producer). In some cases this obscurity has led to the conclusion that the refiner may be unnecessarily particular when he selects one crude and rejects another. This preference, however, is very largely the reflection of the refiner's product demands and the quality of the stocks obtainable from the selected crude. The purpose of this paper is to point out critical characteristics of the major classes of refined products and to show how crudes vary in their suitability for such products. With relatively few exceptions, available processing methods and addition agents make it theoretically possible to produce any type of refined product from any crude source, although it may not be economi-cally sound to do so. The widespread application of thermal cracking for converting higher boiling stocks into gasoline is well known. More recently cracking and refining in the presence of catalysts9 have been developed, as well as various processes for polymerizing lighter hydro-carbons into gasolines having desirable characteristics.6 For several years, selective solvents have been applied commercially to refining inferior quality kerosene, Diesel fuel and lubricating oil distillates .3 Improved methods for refining lubricating oils from crude residua,4 formerly suitable only for fuel, are now in use and a number of special solvent processes are available for dewaxing lubricating oils to low pour point.5 These improved refining methods have been developed not only to meet the demand for improved product quality but also to enable the refiner to obtain quality products from crude sources that would not yield such products by the older refining methods. In many cases, the utilization of these modern refining tools necessi-tates an appreciable expenditure for equipment as well as added manufac-turing costs, and their application therefore must be justified economically. Despite the availability of such tools, the added processing costs involved and yields obtainable may render their application entirely impractical. To illustrate this point, inspections of typical cuts from various crudes

Jan 1, 1940