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Procurement of uranium is vital to the future of the Nation. Its utilization for atomic energy can destroy mankind or raise an unsurpassable civilization-the problem of the statesmen. Uranium poses a challenge to the mining profession. Evanescent in occurrence, its discovery and mining can mean substantial profits, plus safeguarding the future of the Nation.

Jan 9, 1951

By Kenneth W. Kolthammer

Fundamentals of drying and the equipment used are reviewed. Dryers employed in the mineral industry include rotary dryers, fluid bed dryers, spray dryers, hearth dryers and rotary tray dryers. Concentrate characteristics, corresponding problems and handling methods are likewise discussed. Important factors include weighing and sampling, moisture content, market timetables, transportation availability and climatic conditions.

Jan 1, 1978

By Reed W. Hyde

Some information has been published on the sulphur dioxide concentration of gases from D wight-Lloyd machines sintering lead ores but most of this relates to the customary practice in which the charge is relatively high in lead and is sintered in two passes Over the machine. It is thought, therefore, that the following observations on sintering in one pass a low-lead, low-sulphur charge may be of interest. The data were obtained in sintering lead sulphide notation concentrates mixed with minus 20.mesh oxide ore, the mixture carrying 16,8 per cent Pb and 5.3 per cent S. No returns were used because of the limited amount of sulphur available as fuel, but the mixture pelletized readily. to make a satisfactorily permeable bed on the sintering machine. As there was a possibility that the SO z might be utilized, a series of runs was made to determine the concentration ofSO2 in the gases at different points along the wind box, and the effect on this concentration of changes in the wind-box vacuum. Several runs each were made with vacuums (as measured in inches of water at the wind box) of (1 2 to 1 in., ('1 4 to 3% in. and (3) 6 to 5% in. The averages of the determinations from each series are platted On the graph (Fig, 1). The vertical scale shows the percentage by volume of SOz (as determined by the Reich method), and the horizontal scale shows the time e~pressed as percentage of the total sintering time. Sintering was considered to be complete when no SOz could be detected in the gases. In all cases the depth of bed was 4 1/2 in. and the weight of dry charge per square foot of hearth area was 45.2 lb. Other data are given in the table. The volume of gases corresponding to the several points along the wind box at which SO2 determinations were made could not be measured, but has been calculated from the SO2 Content and sulphur elimination on the assumption that the volume is uniform throughout the sintering period. This is not strictly true, as with a given vacuum the volume usually will drop slightly toward the middle of the period and increase toward the end. However, this made is a reasonable approximation. several interesting features are brought out by these data. In general, the published data on SO 2 concentration in sintering under ordinary conditions show a high SO2 concentration in the early stages followed by a rapid decrease in concentration and with relatively little SOz in the gases from the last half or third of the operation. In other words, the greater part of the sulphur elimination is obtained in the first third or half of the period. In these runs, the 6-in. vacuum, which approximates the usual operating condition, gives a curve that follows this customary pattern. Maximum SO2 concentration is obtained 234 min. after

Jan 1, 1944

By W. J. Kroll

W. J. Kroll (Belgium)—Those who are acquainted with the metallurgy of our forefathers may have occasionally a good time when glancing at recent publications in which aged discoveries are unconsciously reported as novelties. We know very well, that oxygen blowing of iron has been described by old Bessemer. The author of the present article is, however, not aware of the fact that the process he describes, the fused salts scrubbing, was already used in the middle of the last century by St. Claire Deville in his attempts at making higher-purity aluminum from raw AlCl3 by sodium reduction. The same fact escaped the three investigators to whom the author refers. The technical grade AlC13 produced by St. Claire Deville from impure oxide, chlorine, and carbon (Oersted process) was contaminated with Sic4 and FeC13, which he removed on an industrial scale by various methods.' He sublimed, for instance, his chloride in contact with iron nails, or aluminum chips, or in hydrogen, which reduced the FeC13 to the less volatile FeCl2. He used also alkali-alkaline earth chlorides as a solvent for A1C13 and FeC13 in presence of iron as a reducing agent, and sublimed his purified AlC13 from solvent salts. The successors of Deville used also zinc or lead as a reducing agent. These methods were later used currently for the purification of BeCl2 and for collecting this compound in a salt bath, suitable for fusion electrolysis. More recently, the same Deville process has been described as applied to the purification of ZrCL4, as part of a method of extraction of ZrCL4 from silico zirconium, which later was reacted with FeC12 in a separate part of the equipment. According to the patent referred to3 the ZrCL4 is dissolved as a gas in a carrier salt such as alkali-alkaline earth chloride, from which it can be reclaimed in a purified form by distillation. A bath of NaCl/KCl is recommended in the specifications. The FeC12-FeC13 go in the salt solution in which raw ZrCl4 is introduced by bubbling, while Sic4 and Tic4 pass through the bath and escape in the atmosphere. purification by this salt-solvent method is thus well described. It may be worth while insisting on some minor details about which the author did not bother too much. One of these concerns the material of construction for the container. If iron is used, and if no other reducing agent is added, then it is the iron of the pot that acts as a reagent in the breakdown of FeC13 to FeCl2, and corrosion can be expected. This shows the importance of using extraneous large surface-reducing agents, of which there is a choice. Zir-

Jan 1, 1963

By L. Stone, H. Margolin

The Ti-C-N and Ti-C-O systems were investigated in the temperature range from 500° to 1400°C and in the composition range up to 2 pct C and 5 pct N or 0. Characteristic isothermal sections at 800°, 900°, 1000°, and 1300°C are presented. The Ti-N-0 system was studied in the temperature range from 900' to 1400°C with alloys containing up to 6 pct total alloying content. Characteristic isothermal sections at 1000° and 140O°C are presented. Melting-point data for all three systems are also included. THIS paper reports on one of a series of investi-gations which have been conducted on the phase diagrams resulting from interstitial alloying with iodide titanium. The other investigations involved delineation of the binary systems with carbon,' nitrogen and boron,h and oxygen. The Ti-0 binary system has also been investigated by Bumps et al.' In varying degrees, each of these interstitial elements has been shown to stabilize the low temperature a modification of titanium1-5 and each forms a face-centered cubic TiX compound (henceforth designated 6). In addition, the Ti-N and Ti-0 systems reveal a low temperature tetragonal phase (6) formed by a peritectoid reaction between a and TiX Experimental Procedure The development of experimental techniques for the study of titanium alloy systems has, to a large extent, become standardized. In this investigation, the equipment and procedures described in detail by Cadoff and Nielsenl have been used. Arc Melting: In general, binary alloys with carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, prepared in the composition range of interest in this investigation, show negligible composition changes during arc melting. However, the possibility of the formation of some gaseous combination of alloying elements such as CO, CN, or NO during the preparation of these ternary alloys was considered. Calculations showed that the evolution of only 0.05 gram of such a gas would be detectable as a pressure change in the closed system used during preparation of these alloys. Such pressure changes were not observed. Consequently, nominal compositions have been used in plotting the data. The compositions of the materials used in the preparation of the alloys are shown in Table I. After melting for 3 to 5 min at 275 to 350 amp, the alloys were checked for homogeneity by microstruc-tural examination. Alloys containing up to 1 pct C were homogeneous in the presence of less than 3 pct N or 0. At higher alloying contents, some inhomo-geneities in the carbon distribution became evident. Alteration of the melting procedure toward longer times and higher currents did not improve the homogeneity of these alloys. Ti-N-0 alloys were homogeneous in the range to about 3 or 4 pct total alloying addition. Beyond this, almost all of the specimens showed as-cast microstructures consisting only of the phase. Consequently, inhomogene-ities could not be detected by examination of micro-structures. Ten alloys from each of the systems were analyzed for two of the elements present (oxygen being omitted in all cases and titanium being omitted in the Ti-C-N alloys). In all cases the analyses were found not to be sufficiently precise to serve as criteria for the total composition of these alloys. On the basis of phase distribution in heat-treated alloys, however, it appears that carbon is distributed throughout the alloys most uniformly, with oxygen and nitrogen following in that order. Heat Treatment: Specimens for heat treatment were wrapped in titanium sheet before sealing in the argon-filled quartz capsules. Heat-treatment times varied from 100 hr at 800°C to 0.5 hr at 1400 °C. After heat treatment the specimens were quenched by breaking the capsule in water. With the exception of alloys in the low composition region, heat treatment did not have an appreciable effect on the as-cast microstructures. Metallography: Following heat treatment, the specimens were prepared for metallographic examination by grinding on emery paper and electrolytic polishing. For the majority of the specimens a 10-sec etch with Remington "A" agent (25 pct HNO3, 25 pct Hf, and 50 pct glycerin) adequately

Jan 1, 1954

By I. Hawke, K. Barron

I. Hawkes (Postgraduate School in Mining, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, England) — The photoelastic stressmeter is proving to be a very practical tool for 'in-situ' measurements in the fields of civil and mining engineering and Barron's article has therefore come at a very opportune time, supplementing as it does, the considerable amount of laboratory and field data which is being accumulated.1,2,3 There are however several points relating the application of Barron's conclusions to the practical use of the meter which require further elucidation. EASE OF READING If the photoelastic stressmeter is to have a wide application, the fringe orders must be easily measured. The system adopted by the writer and his colleagues at Sheffield for the uniaxial stress case is to read the fringe order at the 45 point, 0.20 in. from the center (11/4 in. diam meter). This procedure has been recommended because the fringes not at this point form a very distinct 'eye' which is obvious even to those who have had little experience with photoelastic fringe patterns. Barron points out that this point can also be used up to a stress ratio of 0.33 and in practice this is normally done. In biaxial fields above a ratio of 0.33 the 'eye' is no longer apparent and the fringe order must be ascertained at some other point. The writer and his colleagues experimented at various points and finally chose a point at a distance 0.175 in. (11/4 in. diam meter) on the minor stress axis and fixed this point on the meter by inserting a collar of this diameter. This procedure enables the 'eye' technique to be used for uniaxial stresses as the 'eye' falls outside the collar; any other technique for biaxial patterns would require lines to be engraved on the meter itself and reading difficulties would be experienced by all but the most highly trained. It is interesting to point out that in a great many field applications ranging from underground pillars to building foundation piles the stresses measured have been uniaxial. In such cases, reading the fringe order has been simple even for unskilled persons. SENSITIVITY The photoelastic stressmeter acts as an inclusion, and as such its theoretical behavior is as described by Barron's mathematical analysis. When considering its practical application, however, it must be remembered that rocks and concrete are not mathematically ideal substances. The theory relates the fringe order in the meter to the stresses and the E (Young's Modulus) and the µ (Poisson's Ratio) values of the surrounding material. There is of course no unique E or µ value for rocks or concrete. These values change both with stress level and time load application sometimes to the order of 300%. We at Sheffield have very accurately calibrated the photoelastic stressmeter in a wide range of materials and have also measured the average E values for these materials. The results prove that the meter sensitivity

Jan 1, 1965

By M. K. Yen

The distortion of crystal structures referred to as "biege gleitung",1 "local curvature"2-4 and "deformation bands"5,6 is believed to be an unavoidable characteristic of deformed single crystals. The presence of asterism on Laue photograms of Al single crystals either deformed by pure shear7 or extended in a condition relatively free from the grip effect2 indicates strong evidence substantiating this point of view. The type of localized bending described in connection with the bending test of Al single crystals by Yen and Hibbard8 could conceivably exist either microscopically or submicroscopically in all types of deformation. The purpose of this note is to extend this idea to the postulate of a hypothetical "microbending site," as applied to the mechanism of slip in a general sense. The mosiac structure, as postulated by Darwin,9 is that crystals were actually composed of small blocks which have a linear dimension 10—4to 10-6 cm on the edge and deviate from each other by an angle of about one-tenth of a degree. The following discussion is based on the assumption that when slip is propagated from one mosaic block to the adjacent one, bending of the lattice at the region of their boundary is produced in order to maintain the continuity of the gliding process along a certain slip plane. Consider a two-dimensional diagram of two ideal mosiac blocks on the cross-section perpendicular to the slip plane and containing the active direction of slip. When an external force is applied, the localized bending or "microbending site," would be generated at the region as illustrated in Fig 1A at point B. A schematic diagram of a "microbending site," generated at a mosaic boundary, is illustrated in Fig IB. It may be seen that once the curvature of the bending site reaches sufficient magnitude, the interaction force encountered by pairs of atoms symmetrical with respect to the center of the bending is equal but opposite in sign. Consequently, the overall energy required to displace the atoms near the center is approximately zero.10"12 Based upon the finding that the misalignment between two mosaics is 0.1 degree,9 the assumption is made that "microbending sites" may possibly exist in the region where one plane will have one more row of atoms than an adjacent plane. It is probable that the origin of the bending site will be where the distance between two mosaic boundaries is "2d" as shown in Fig 1A at point B, where " d" is the interatomic distance. Thus, the distance between two "microbending sites" is in the range of about 600 interplanar spacings. In the case of aluminum, the spacing between two octahedral planes is about 2.33 A. The distance between two bending sites will be approximately 2.5 X 10"5 cm. It is interesting to note that according to Woods13 these values approach closely the size of the domains of a cold-worked metal whose minimum

Jan 1, 1950

The Palabora ore consists of two types, a carbonatite containing a low titanium magnetite, and a foskorite containing high titanium magnetite. The latter type also contains substantial quantities of phosphate. These two ore types are separately crushed and are kept separate through copper flotation and magnetic separation, for recovery of magnetite, with the low Ti magnetite being shipped as iron ore. High phosphate tailings are pumped to Foskor, a government-owned phosphate plant nearby. The Palabora plant was originally designed in 1966 for 33, 000 tpd using two 54 in. by 74 in. Allis -Chalmers gyratories; two 7 ft (2. 13 m) standards; four 7 ft shortheads; and six grinding lines, each using one 1,200 hp rod mill and two 1,200 hp ball mills. A fifth short- head and one more grinding line were added later; and with flowsheet improvements, the capacity of the plant was increased to 59, 500 stpd. A further plant expansion involving a third 54 in. primary and two 32 ft by 15 ft (9.75 by 4.6 m) 9,000 hp autogenous mills and another flotation section will bring its capacity to 87,500 stpd in 1977. These two fully autogenous mills are constructed entirely out of doors near the primary crusher, and the ground ore will be pumped a mile to the concentrator by a five-stage pumping system. The Palabora ore is mined with 6, 10, and 12 7d (4.6, 7.6, and 9. 2 cu m) shovels and hauled to the crushers in 110 and 165 st trucks. Sixty-five ton trucks were originally used, but the crusher dump pockets were designed for larger units. Dump pockets, crushers, feeders, and take- away belts are offset in order to keep the two ore types separate. Centerlines of the crushers are only 43 ft (13. 1 m) apart; but, because of their being offset, maintenance room is ample. Initially, more carbonatite ore than foskorite was mined; but as the pit has deepened, this ratio has been reversed. The Palabora ore breaks in the pit with a large amount of oversize boulders; and, with the use of larger trucks, a splitter has been installed on one side of each dump pocket to protect the crusher spider. Smaller trucks dump on the opposite side. To accomodate the splitter, the pocket edge has been raised one meter and moved back one meter. Dust is collected through a special vent shaft between the crushers and the mantle relining area; but even so, two high-pressure water spray headers with nozzles are installed under the edge of the pocket at each dumping position. While only one truck dumps at a time, sprays from all four headers are used to suppress dust. Any leakage of water through the seal around the upper bowl of the crusher is caught by a circular trough under the seal and directed to a sump pump. At this point, there

Jan 1, 1978

By R. S. Knappen, D. V. Carter

In the states east of the Mississippi River, oil field operations were generally restricted during 1927. Active drilling was chiefly confined to the flood district of Bradford, and to the new areas in western Kentucky, Michigan, and southwestern Indiana. In spite of the general depression, production increased in every state, except Illinois. This unexpected increase is. due to several factors. First, in 1926 there was little flush production outside of Illinois, and the decline 'curves in all states are exceedingly flat. Second, the floods in Bradford, Pennsylvania, and Allegany County, New York, proceeded normally and increased production in those states for the fourth consecutive year. Third, new pools in Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan gave important flush production. Fourth, the general unsatisfactory market forced the operators to scrutinize carefully all their operations and improve efficiency and production in all possible ways. Increases amounted to approximately 2,000,000 bbl. Illinois lost, 900,000 bbl., leaving a net gain for the states east of the Mississippi River amounting to 1,100,000 bbl., or a total 40,268,000 barrels. Pennsylvania and New York In northern Pennsylvania and southern New York, the principal activity centered in the districts where flooding is being used to increase the recovery from the old districts. Once started, the flood cannot be shut off. The producer must drill wells and take his oil on schedule, or irrevocably lose it. Accordingly, in face of an adverse market Bradford and Bolivar operations increased 24 per cent. This area furnished more than 40 per cent. of the oil wells completed east of the Mississippi River last year, although the average initial production was less than 2.5 bbl. Unlike all normal fields, this production increases for several months until water appears in the well. For this reason, these wells will produce much more oil than would appear probable from the statement of initial production. During the year, air or gas pressure was applied to several new properties. Surplus gas is rarely available and air has been more commonly used. Two explosions occurred as a result of recycling air-gas

Jan 1, 1928

By J. B. Rather

The use of sulfuric acid in refining illuminating oils antedates the beginning of the petroleum industry in America by many years. It was used as early as 1792 by Tower in refining "coal oil" in the British Isles, and by 1860 there were 53 refineries in the United States manufacturing "coal oil," most of them using sulfuric acid as a refining agent. Following the completion of the Drake well in 1859, many of the "coal oil" refiners began to use petroleum for manufacturing illuminating oil, and their methods and equipment were adapted so far as possible to this new raw material. The value of sulfuric acid in refining L'coal oil" having been established, this reagent was immediately tried and found to be satisfactory in refining petroleum. Notwithstanding the tremendous advances in petroleum technology since that time, sulfuric acid remains today the most valuable and most widely used means for refining petroleum products. Early Methods of Disposal of Acid Sludge With the almost immediate expansion of the petrolrum industry came the problem of disposing of the acid sludge produced in the refining operations. While in 1859, the year of the discovery of the Drake well, a patent was granted for sludge separation and separated acid concrntration, most of the earlier refiners, and rnany of their successors, felt that separation and recovery of spent acid was uneconomical. Accordingly, many of then) disposed of the sludge in any way that seemed expedient nt the time. It was huricd in the refinery grounds, harged and tlurnped at sea, run into neighboring streams, or dumped into sewers. Some optimists carted it to open pits in the hope that it would eithcr sink into the ground or evaporate. Not so many years ago, the superintendent of nn eastern refinery, who was using the open-pit method of disposal, lost, a sludge cart, with horse attached, in such a pit. The horse was recovred almost immediately, but its availability for further use was reduced to zero by the loss of its hair.

Jan 1, 1928

By M. E. Herrera

The use and effectiveness of sealants in under-ground mines is a recognized and well accepted practice by many people in the mining industry. Their use however in many cases is to correct, or attempt to correct, problems that might have been avoided with sealant use in the early stages of development, and continued thereafter.

Jan 1, 1982

By CHARLES F. DEISS

The total pipe-line runs of petroleum in Indiana during 1945 were 4,114,000 bbl., a decline of nearly 17 per cent below the estimated 4,950,000 bbl. produced in 1944. Drilling activity during the year was centered in Posey and Gibson Counties, where seven new pools were discovered in the state. Four of the pools are in Posey County-Crunk, Farmersville, Jeffries and St. Wendells East-and the other three are in Gibson County-Johnson West, Lysle and Mt. Carmel East.

Jan 1, 1946

US 4,185,872-In the solution mining of uranium values from a subterranean uranium ore deposit, a lixiviant comprising sodium sulfate or other alkali metal sulfate and optionally minor proportions of an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate and an alkali metal hypochlorite is introduced into the ore to solubilize uranium therein. The pregnant lixiviant is recovered for processing. E.T. Habib, Jr., assigned to Mobil Oil Corp. Jan. 29, 1980. 5 pp (299-4). Filed- 8-18-78 (934,933).

Jan 1, 1982

By J. V. Gluck

In the present paper," as in earlier publications, V1'2"1 the authors present experimentally obtained relations for the free energy of solution of oxygen in various metals as a function of temperature. The relations are linear and given in slope-intercept form. The authors give values for the "probable error" of the slope and intercept, citing Birge's method17 for obtaining these quantities. Birge discussed these methods as early as the period 1929-32.25726 In Ref. 25 the probable error is defined as "the numerical value which the true error is as likely to exceed as not", i.e., 50 pct probability. Ref. 26 is even more detailed and includes a lengthy discussion of the applicability of the Gaussian distribution to experimental data. However, the use of the "probable error" has come under some question. For example, Ezekiel'~ states that "the use of the probable error tends to make the results appear rather more accurate than the standard error". Moroney28 stated (in 1951) that "the term 'probable error' was used in former times to denote 0.67450 (50 pct confidence using the normal distribution)....the term, a poor one, is now very much obsolescent. It has been said that 'it is neither an error nor probable' ". Bennett and Franklin in 1954" in discussing statistical confidence levels mentioned that "the customary use of the 5 and 1 pct levels is not completely a matter of chance; these levels probably represent a balance between the desire to be correct and the desire to be specific. Also in most people's minds the borderline between something that could possibly happen and something that is not likely to happen is somewhere in this region. Certainly 5 or 1 pct confidence limits are to be preferred to limits such as the 'probable error' which has only a 50/50 chance of including the correct value." It may readily be seen that the 95 pct confidence level, which is given by 1.960 (assuming large sample size), thus corresponds to approximately three times the "probable error". Indeed, limits of one standard deviation correspond only to about 68 pct probability. Even if we triple the tolerances given by the authors in the equations of their Table 111, the deviations do not become excessive and would not detract from their excellent results. It could then be said with a high degree of confidence (95%) that the precision of the slope and intercept values is about *3-5 percent of their absolute levels rather than the 1-2 percent implied in Table 111. This is then compatible with an earlier suggestion of Gokcen~' of a probable accuracy of 5 pct in dissolved oxygen measurements by the technique employed. Alternatively, the authors could have

Jan 1, 1967

By W. David Menzie

An inventory of the mineral resources of a region is a most desirable basis for planning their systematic development. In the absence of appropriate samples upon which to base a reliable estimate of this inventory, investigators have resorted to a number of indirect approaches; the unit regional value concept forms the basis for one such approach. The produced resources of a region are a function of the inventory multiplied by the degree of intensity (some fraction between zero and one) of development of the resources. A convenient means of expressing this amount is to accumulate the weight and value of resource and to prorate the totals over the area represented by the unit sampled; i.e., weight and value per unit area or tonnes/km.2 and U.S. 1967 $/km.2. When this approach is used for the U.S.A., South Africa and Rhodesia the average value of (log.) U.S. 67$/km.2 for the states of the U.S.A. and South Africa are similar ($55,176 U.S.$67/km.2 and $52,538/km.2 respectively); whereas, Rhodesia is relatively underdeveloped (10,301 U.S.67$/km.2). On the other hand if the individual commodities are used as a basis for comparison, the U.S.A. shows the greatest diversity (67 commodities out of a possible total of 75) with South Africa next (50 commodities) and Rhodesia last with only 26 commodities. Since it is known that area and value are not simply related perhaps diversity is directly related to area. Again the kinds of commodities which have contributed the greatest value to the totals differs, with fuels (petroleum, coal and natural gas) predominating in the U.S.A. totals; whereas, South Africa and Rhodesia obtain their greatest contributions from gold, diamonds (S. Africa) coal and asbestos. In each case the greatest value of resources is produced from sedimentary rocks. As a somewhat different kind of example, consider a single resource (petroleum, the most valuable in the U.S.A.) over a large area (number of sampling units) the U.S.A. by state. Furthermore, assume that the model frequency distribution of the amount of petroleum (tonnes/km.2) is log normal. Then the present production fails to match the model first because 17 states (34% out of 50) have not produced petroleum. Of the remaining 33 states, Louisiana has produced the most (15,177 tonnes/km.2) and the frequency histogram is still skew. A spatial analysis of the distribution of the amount of petroleum by state shows that the samples (i.e., states) are not random; the non-producers and producers tend to cluster. It remains to be seen if this is indeed a true representation of the incidence of petroleum or is a function of the exploration philosophy currently in vogue.

Jan 1, 1977

By S. G. Gibbs

A new method for predicting the behavior of sucker-rod pumping systems is presented. The pumping system is described by a flexible mathematical model which is solved by means of partial diflerence equations with the aid of computers. Polished rod and intermediate-depth dynamometer cards can be calculated for various bottom-hole pump conditions. The technique permits simulation of a wide variety of operating conditions, both normal and abnormal. The data generated with the new technique are useful in refining the criteria for design and operation of sucker-rod systms. INTRODUCTION Sucker-rod pumping systems are used in approximately 90 per cent of artificially lifted wells. In view of this wide application, it behooves the industry to have a fundamental understanding of the sucker-rod pumping process. Oddly enough, our understanding has been rather superficial. This is evidenced by the semi-empirical formulas which have been used as the basis for design and operation of sucker-rod installations. Thoueh- we have realized the limitations of our methods for many years, it has not been computationally feasible to use more refined techniques. With the advent and widespread use of digital computers, it is now possible to handle the mathematical problems associated with sucker-rod pumping. This paper summarizes a computer-oriented method which can provide greater insight into the sucker-rod pumping process. It is hoped that this technique, and techniques which may evolve from it, will prove to be the tool needed by industry to obtain the most efficient use of rod pumping equipment. THE MATHEMATICAL MODEL Prediction of sucker-rod system behavior involves the solution of a boundary value problem. Such a problem includes a differential equation and a set of boundary conditions. For the sucker-rod problem, the wave equation is used, together with boundary conditions which describe the initial stress and velocity of the sucker rods, the motion of the polished rod and the operation of the down-hole pump. Of these items, the wave equation, the polished rod motion condition and the down-hole pump conditions are of primary importance. Discussion of the mathematical model centers about these factors. ROD STRING SIMULATION WITH THE WAVE EQUATION The one-dimensional wave equation with viscous damp- is used in the sucker-rod boundary value problem to simulate the behavior of the rod string. This equation describes the longitudinal vibrations in a long slender rod and, hence, is ideal for the sucker-rod application. Its use incorporates into the mathematical model the phenomenon of force wave reflection, which is an important characteristic of real systems. The viscous damping effect postulated in Eq. 1 yields good solutions, even though nonviscous effects such as coulcomb friction and hysteresis loss in the rod material are present. Fortunately, the nonviscous effects are relatively small, so the viscous damping approximation used in the wave equation is adequate. The coefficient v is a dimensionless damping factor which is found in field measurements to vary over fairly narrow limits. For mathematical convenience the gravity term is omitted in Eq. 1. The effect of gravity on rod load and stretch can be treated separately, as will be noted later. Since Eq. 1 is linear, the legitimacy of this procedure is easy to demonstrate. POLlSHED ROD MOTION SIMULATION The motion of the polished rod is determined by the geometry of the surface pumping unit and the torque-speed characteristics of its prime mover. By determining the motion of the polished rod, we formulate an important boundary condition. From trigonometrical considerations it can be shown that the position of the polished rod vs crank angle 0 is given by (see Fig. 1) These equations are obtained from the general solution of the "four-bar" linkage problem and can be used to describe the kinematics of any modern beam pumping unit.' If prime mover speed variations are disregarded, the angular velocity of the crank is constant, and Eq. 2 can be used to predict the position of the polished rod vs time. However, the constant-speed condition leading to constant crank angular velocity is only approached in practice: hence, it is better to make provisions for prime mover speed variations in the mathematical model. The speed at which the prime mover runs is determined by its torque-speed characteristics and the torque imposed upon it. The torque that the prime mover "feels" is the net torque arising from the polished rod load and the opposing torque from the counterbalance effect. The

By Om P. Garg

During the period between 1970 and 1974 the Iron Ore Company of Canada had embarked on a detailed program to evaluate all aspects of mine design work for its open pit mines around Schefferville, located both in Quebec and Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada. One of the main conclusions was that the majority of the slope angles for the ultimate pit walls could be steeped. During the period 1975 and 1976,five (5) open pit iron ore mines were redesigned using the steeper slope angles up to 55 degrees. Initially these pits were designed at slope angles varying between 37 degrees and 45 degrees due to the generally fractured and leached nature of rocks in the area. During the active mining phase between 1976 and 1979, the stability of the steeper ultimate pit walls was monitored. The mining of ore was successfully completed in 1978 and 1979 in three pits. This of course, resulted in a significant savings due to a reduction in the quantity of waste that had to be removed. The successful pit slope redesign project was a co-operative effort between the Federal Government, Universities and the Iron Ore Company of Canada.

Jan 1, 1983

By Robert M. Dreyer

During the past two decades, synthetic abrasives have taken over successively greater percentages of the high-grade abrasive market, so that now, with the exception of natural diamonds (discussed in section 3.15.4C of this chapter), the importance of natural high-grade abrasives is negligible. The predominance of synthetic abrasives is indicated in Table 15.4A.1. This shows that the 1968 value of domestically produced synthetic abrasives (excluding synthetic diamonds) was over $80 million, whereas the value of garnet, the largest domestically produced, natural high-grade abrasive, was less -than $2 million. The major synthetic abrasives (other than synthetic diamonds) are: alumina, silicon carbide, boron carbide, tungsten carbide, and metallic oxides, including various iron oxides. A major advantage of synthetic abrasives is that the size and shape of grain can be closely controlled during manufacture. Although Table 15.4A.1 gives the average price of synthetic abrasives, such averages are of somewhat limited value. This is because the actual price varies within wide limits, depending on composition, hardness, size, and shape of grain. In 1968 the approximate total consumption of abrasives in the United States was valued at about $200 million, of which about two-fifths was in the form of synthetic abrasives (other than diamonds), one-third in synthetic diamonds, and the remainder in natural diamonds. Natural abrasive products, such as silica sand, tripoli, and pumice, are important in the low-cost abrasive field. Of the low-cost abrasives, silica sand continues to be the most important, with domestic production of about 300,000 tons at a value of $1.8 million (see Table 15.4A.1). In general, the lower the sales price of the abrasive product, the more limited is the market which can be served from a given production center. Each abrasive has applications for which it is especially useful, but there is a continual struggle among abrasive suppliers to induce substitution of one product for another. Such substitution can be stimulated by changes in method of preparation affecting hardness, shape, and size of grain.

Jan 1, 1976

By Booker Morey, Ashok Gupta

Amid controversy, the resource recovery industry is rapidly approaching its first commercial operations. Some of the problems are reviewed along with some of the important systems that are being developed for resource recovery. Market specifications for the inorganic fraction recovered from municipal solid waste are reviewed along with the details of the unit operations that have been tested.

Jan 1, 1976

By E. P. Pfleider, C. A. Dufresne

The problem of mooing open-pit ores over large vertical distances is increasing in importance because of the immense deposits being mined. Gravity fall of ore through transfer raises to central haulage points underground has advantages for certain open-pit operations, and this method is being seriously considered for the Carol Project now underway in Canada.

Jan 6, 1961