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By C. J. Rodgers

The present day success of gravel packs to prevent or retard the migration of unconsolidated sands into the well bore is due to: (I) the use of a saline or non-aqueous, nonsolids drill fluid, (2) proper preparation of the well bore prior to gravel packing, and (3) pressure placement of the gravel. The experience gained from the "pressure pack" method of gravel packing indicates that sand-free fluid production can be maintained for a length of time sufficient to make the operation economically attractive. Data pertaining to the first 15 wells so completed by Gulf indicate that for each dollar spent to effect the completion, there will be a return of more than $2.92. The pressure pack technique of gravel packing is essentially the placing of gravel in and adjacent to the producing formations. This is done with fluid pressure and by the use of a drill fluid that will permit partial or complete loss of returns to the formation during placement. This technique was first intentionally used by Gulf in May, 1950, and since that time has been applied in more than 90 wells. Other advantages claimed for this type of completion are that the pressure placement of the gravel has a scouring effect on the casing perforations, that additional drainage channels to the well bore are created, and that the possibility of shifting of the formations adjacent to the casing is minimized and possibly prevented. During the past few years, the use of gravel to prevent or retard the migration of unconsolidated sands into the well bore has met with a favorable degree of success. Numerous methods and techniques of "gravel packing" have been used, each having its own relative merits, and with varying results. M. L. Cashion1 in 1939 ably reviewed the history of gravel packing to that time. As stated in his paper, ". .. the idea of gravel packing wells is not new." During the period 1939 to 1949, very little if any progress or change in technique in this type of completion was made. However, it was noted in some cases that during the placement of gravel, if there was a loss of drill fluid to the formation, there was a corresponding loss of gravel to the formation. Also, it was noted that in those gravel-packed completions (opposite casing perforations) that "sanded up," there was found to be an absence of gravel in the annular space between the liner and casing, although gravel had previously been placed in this space and no gravel had been removed from the well at the surface. These findings resulted in the placement of gravel with fluid pressure and by the use of a drill fluid that would permit partial or complete loss of returns to the formation during placement. Pressure placement of gravel became an accepted practice in late 1949 and early 1950. Another fact brought to light that has contributed to the current success of gravel pack completions is that drilling fluids containing solids will to some extent cause plugging of the screening medium or blocking of the producing section. The removal of these solids by chemical action, mechanical action, or a combination of the

Jan 1, 1955

By AIME AIME

TEXAS not only produces millions of barrels of petroleum daily, but supplies the oil industry with an asset infinitely more valuable than liquld gold. That asset is leadership. The oil industry was built from its humble beginning a few decades ago into a potent force in world economy by human hands and human brains. One of these great leaders in the busy world of oil is Wallace Pratt, of the Humble company, who has been called to a position as director and member of the executive committee of the Standard Oil of New Jersey. So reads the Houston Post of June 3, 1937.

Jan 1, 1944

By AIME AIME

IN times of stress nations pick strong men to lead them. Similarly the Coal Division selected forceful Larry A. Shipman, fuel engineer for the Southern Coal and Coke Co., Knoxville, Tenn.. to lead it through the year 1945. He was born in Indianapolis May 13, 1891. Following graduation from a technical high school in that city Larry began his fuel career approximately 35 years ago attached to one end of a scoop shovel, firing locomotives for the Pennsylvania Railroad. At the end of two years he transferred to the New York Central Lines and held these jobs successively: locomotive fireman, engineer, fireman instructor, supervisor of instructors, and fuel engineer.

Jan 1, 1945

By AIME

WILLIAM WALLACE MEIN, known to his intimates as "Will" or "Billy", is a mining engineer who has taken the fundamentals of successful mining--operating, engineering, and financial-and applied them to the founding of new industries. Born in Nevada City, Calif., in 1873, Will Mein grew up in an atmosphere of mining, and began to develop his sound judgment in a practical way before starting his formal technical education. As a young man he supplemented his early observations by helping his father, Captain "Tom" Mein, on mining work in California and Alaska. He then went with his father to the Rand, and after a period of milling experience as operator and shift boss he became, in 1894, manager of the chlorination of gold ores at the Robinson mine.

Jan 1, 1947

By P. Duwez, C. B. Jordan

A. J. SHALER*—I should like to congratulate the authors for having carried out such a precise set of experiments. It has been found useful, in sintering experimental compacts in vacuo, to make certain that the residual gas is not one which reacts with the metal. Since traces of oxygen can be kept away only with great difficulty, the technique is often adopted of using a "getter " of powder in the vicinity of the compacts, and, in addition, of permitting a small hydrogen leak to flow into the vacuum chamber. Did the authors use similar devices? This paper brings up a question concerning the definition of the word ' sintering.' The authors restrict its use to the adhesion between particles. Kuczynski, in a paper presented at this meeting, applies the word to the growth of areas of contact between particles. I have used it to mean both these phenomena and also the dimensional changes which continue to take place after the first two have run their course. May I suggest that we should come to an agreement on the use of these words ? Fig 1 and 2 show an interesting feature: extrapolation of the curves to zero time does not give a densification parameter of zero. The higher the temperature, the higher is the intercept on that axis. These observations agree with the concept of a practically instantaneous densification taking place while the compact is being brought to heat. Such a change may be brought about by plastic deformation and primary creep. The stress pattern causing this first rapid flow is, to my mind, due to the force of attraction between the surfaces of opposite particles in the regions immediately flanking their common areas of contact. The stress is not temperature-sensitive, but at room temperature plastic deformation only proceeds until the metal in the area of contact can support it elastically. As the metal is heated, the elastic limit falls, and further plastic flow occurs. At the higher temperatures, this is followed by primary creep, and finally by the steady-state rate-reaction which the authors are seeking. If they were to recalculate their densification-parameter values, using, not the initial density of the cold compact, but the density after the compacts have been brought to temperature, the systematic deviations from linearity in Fig 3 and 4 might be eliminated. Such initial densities might be obtained by extrapolating the curves of Fig 1 and 2 to zero time. I am naturally pleased to see that such a very well done series of experiments leads to a heat of activation (for the densification process in hydrogen) that is much higher than that for self-diffusion, in confirmation of the less elaborate results reported by Wulff and myself (Ind. and Eng. Chem., (1948) 40, 838). J. T. KEMP*—I would like to comment on Dr. Shaler's remarks. There are apparently different interpretations of the word "sintering." It seems to me that an accurate definition of our word is essential in all metallurgy. May I point out, in this connection, that in practical metallurgy the word "sintering" has been applied to a bonding process in the preparation of ores and flue dust for fur-nacing. It would be unfortunate if in the area of powdered metallurgy we should establish a definition that is essentially different in meaning. F. N. RHINES*—I think that I can answer the question by saying that I see no essential difference between the use of the term "sintering" in extractive metallurgy and in powder metallurgy; physically the same things are going on. I admit sintering is used for different end purposes in the two cases. When we resort to the sintering of lead ore mixture we are doing so to obtain a chemically reactive, loose texture of some rigidity. This is only a difference in use. After all, in powder metallurgy we sometimes deliberately produce a very porous material which has just a little strength, just as in the case of sinter cake. P. DUWEZ (authors' reply)—We agree that it would be helpful to have well-established definitions of such terms as "sintering." Since the question has now been raised, the time might be appropriate for its consideration by some suitable committee of one or more of the metallurgical societies. In answer to Dr. Shaler's first question, no getter nor hydrogen leak was used in our vacuum experiments, except insofar as the guard disks (used to reduce friction between specimens and trays) may have acted as getters. Dr. Shaler's statement that extrapolation of the curves of Fig 1 and 2 does not lead to zero densification at zero time apparently overlooks the logarithmic

Jan 1, 1950

By C. W. Sherman, N. J. Grant

The correlation of the high temperature chemical properties of slag-metal systems with some easily measured property of either slag or metal at room temperature has been the goal of both process metallurgists and melting operators for many years. There are several rapid methods for estimating various constituents in steel in addition to the conventional chemical methods which are quite fast, but these do not reveal the nature of the slag as a refining agent, which is of primary interest to the steelmaker. Furthermore, there are several methods for examining slag, the three principal ones being slag pancake, petrographic examination, and the previously mentioned chemical analysis. The main objection to the last two is the lime required to make a satisfactory estimate of the mineralogical or chemical components. The objection to the first is the inadequacy of the information obtained. A new technique has been developed by Philbrook, Jolly and Henry1 whereby the properties of slags are evaluated from an aqueous solution leached from a finely divided sample of slag. It is known that the pH or hydrogen ion concentration (of saturated solutions that have dissolved certain basic oxides, notably calcium oxide) will indicate a pronounced basicity. Philbrook, Jolly and Henry devised the pH measurement technique in order to supply open hearth operators with a fast, reasonably accurate method of estimating slag basicity. They offered the method as an empirical observation and made no claims as to its theoretical justification. The results were presented as an experi-metally observed relationship which applied over an important range of basic open hearth slags. They found that, in plotting the measured pH against the basicity, the best relationship existed between the pH and the log of the simple V ratio, CaO/SiO2. Extensive investigation also showed that there were several variables in the experimental technique that influenced the results and necessitated following a standard procedure to obtain reproducible pH readings. These variables were: 1. Particle size of the slag powder used. 2. Weight of sample used per given volume of water. 3. Time of shaking and standing allowed before the pH was measured. 4. Exclusion of free access of atmospheric carbon dioxide to the suspension. 5. Temperature of the extract at the time the pH was measured. In subsequent investigations of the pH method by Tenenbaum and Brown2 and by Smith, Monaghan and Hay3 the general conclusions of Philbrook's work were reaffirmed. It was the object of the present investigation to extend the technique to a point where it could be used to evaluate slags of all types. Experimental Results PARTICLE SIZK OF SLAG POWDER A large sample of commercial blast furnace slag of intermediate basicity (V-ratio 1.15) was selected for the study. The slag had been put through a jaw crusher until all of it passed through a 20 mesh screen. Five fractions of this crushed material were separated, -20 to +40, -40 to +60, -60 to +100, -100 to +200, and -200 mesh. A representative sample of 0.5 g was removed from each fraction and the pH determined using the method of Philbrook. Check pH analyses on the sample fractions varied due to the different amounts of shaking. To eliminate this variable, a mechanical shaker was employed. In order to know the exact time of contact between the slag and water, it was found necessary to filter the extract at the end of the shaking period. Using the mechanical shaker and a filtering apparatus, similar runs were made on the five fractions for contact times of 5, 10, 20, and 40 min. Random checks gave reproducible results within 0.02 pH. The data are plotted in Fig 1. It can be seen from the plot that each slag fraction is hydrolyzed to an extent that is roughly proportional to the surface area exposed to the water. The (—100 to +200) mesh material changed very little in pH after 10 min. shaking time. The curves are symmetrical and lie in proper relation to one another. The —200 mesh curve appears to be somewhat flatter than the others, but this can be attributed to the portion of very fine material that is not present in the other fractions. The closeness of the (-100 to +200) mesh curve to the —200 mesh curve and the fact that a —100 mesh sample would contain amounts of slag down to 1 or 2 microns in diam were considered sufficient reasons for selecting a —100 mesh sample as representative of the whole sample of slag for the purposes of this investigation.

Jan 1, 1950

By M. D. Arnold, H. J. Gonzalez, P. B. Crawford

A method is presented for estimating the effective directional permeability ratio and the direction of maximum and minimum permeabilities in anisotropic oil reservoirs. The method is based on the principle that production from a well in an anisotropic reservoir results in elliptical isopo-tentials about the well, rather than circular. Bottom-hole pressure data from three observation wells surrounding a producing well are required to apply the method. The method involves fitting field pressure data to a set of general charts of isopotentials and making a few simple calculations until a solution is found. The method is based on a steady-state equation for homogeneorrs fluid pow. In addition to the method, a brief discussion of the theory underlying it is presented. INTRODUCTION The existence of a different permeability in one direction than another in oil reservoirs has been mentioned in several papers. Hutchinson' reported laboratory tests on 10 limestone cores and pointed out that one-half of them showed significant, preferential, directional permeability ratios, the average being about 16:1. Johnson and Hughesz reported a permeability trend in the Bradford field in the northeast-southwest direction with flow being 25 to 30 per cent greater in that direction. Barfield, Jordan and Moore -eported an effective permeability ratio of 144:1 in the Spraberry. Crawford and Landrum4 showed that sweep efficiencies could often vary by a factor of two to four, and sometimes considerably more, due to variations in flooding direction and patterns in anisotropic media. These findings indicate that the poss'bility of anisotropy may be worthy of consideration in the development of an oil field. In considering this, it should first be determined if anisotropy exists. If it does, the direction of the maximum and minimum permeabilities and the ratio of their magnitudes are quantities which can be of value in planning the most efficient well-spacing patterns. Past methods of determining these quantities have included analysis of oriented cores and analysis of flooding performance of pilot injection patterns. In recent work, Elkins and Skov5 resented an analysis of the pressure behavior in the Spraberry which accounted for anisotropic permeability. This work was based on the transient pres- sure distribution in a porous and permeable medium, with the solution expressed as an exponential integral function involving rock and fluid properties. The purpose of this study is to provide a method, based on steady-state equations, of estimating the direction and relative magnitude of permeabilities in an oil reservoir from field pressure data and well locations only. The method presented is based on work by Muskat6 which shows that Laplace's equation represents the steady-state pressure distribution for homogeneous fluid flow in homogeneous, anisotropic media if the co-ordinates of the system are shrunk or expanded by replacing x with it is desirable that data be obtained early in the history of a field because knowledge of an anisotropic condition would allow new wells to be spaced in such a manner that reservoir development and subsequent secondary recovery programs could be planned more efficiently. THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS A brief discussion of the theoretical basis on which the graphical solution was developed is presented in this section. Muskat's two-dimensional6 olution for the pressure distribution in an homogeneous, anisotropic medium with an homogeneous fluid flowing can be algebraically manipulated to show that the isobaric lines are perfect ellipses. The ratio of the major axis to the minor axis, a/b, is related to the permeability ratio, k,/k,, as follows. alb = dk,/k,--...........(1) It can also be shown that the pressure varies linearly with the logarithm of the radial distance from the producing well. However, the gradient along any ray is a function of the orientation of that ray, and a ..xiable is present when anisotropy exists which cancels out for a radial (isotropic) system. For a system such as that described, a dimensionless pressure-drop ratio was developed which is completely independent of the actual magnitude of the pressures. This was done by arranging Muskat's solution in such a way that aIl variables cancelled out except k,/k, and well positions. However, this solution depends on having a co-ordinate system with axes coinciding with the major and minor axes of the elliptical isobars. Thus, it was necessary to introduce a co-ordinate system rotation factor. The two unknown variables are then k,/k. and 0, and the two measured dimensionless pressure-drop ratios are related to the unknown variables as follows.

By T. F. Witherbee

Success in this operation is much promoted by adhering to a definite plan. Random work is of little account. In general, anything done that will enable the blast to pass through the obstruction, providing the melted products can be got away from the tuyeres, is all that is necessary. Hence the utility of high explosives in breaking up the chilled mass in the hearth. (This, by the way, should be done with the wind on, so as to prevent the filling of the tuyeres with the usual rush of cinder following the explosion.) If from any cause it is not expedient to use explosives, the simple but very effective instrument known as the kerosene or hydro-carbon blow-pipe can be depended upon to perforate the contents of a blastfurnace hearth to any extent required. It consists, as used in the Champlain district (first by Mr. Charles H. Foote), of several pieces of gas-pipe, liberally supplied with elbows (five in number) so as to be flexible; one end being connected to a tuyere-stock and the other brought to bear upon the place to be melted out. A 1/4-inch pipe leads from the last length, or blow-pipe proper, to a reservoir of kerosene or crude oil, set high enough to overcome the blast-pressure, This 1/4-inch pipe should have a valve conveniently located to regulate the flow of oil, and also another next to the reservoir. With a good hot blast and a surprisingly small quantity of oil, this apparatus will melt, burn or mechanically dislodge anything around a blast-furnace hearth excepting firebrick and water-cooled castings or plates. It may be helped by vigorous prodding with a suitable steel bar, to detach the fused but sometimes sticky material. A very good way to operate on a chilled hearth with it, is to open up a hole from a cinder- or iron-notch to the nose of the most convenient tuyere and then make a blow-pipe of the tuyere by turning

Jan 1, 1885

By G. S. Farnham, D. A. Scott

Partition of certain elements, particularly nickel, was determined for slowly cooled steels, the greater number containing from 0.30 to 0.35 pct C. Approximately 3 pct of the nickel, 18 pct of the manganese, 33 pct of the molybdenum, and 35 pct of the chromium occur in the carbide phase. Partition of one element is not much affected by the presence of another. THE object of this investigation was: 1—to determine the partition of nickel between cemen-tite and ferrite in a medium and high carbon series of annealed steels; 2—to evaluate the effect of chromium and/or molybdenum or both on the partition of nickel in medium carbon annealed steels; 3— to determine the partition of chromium between ferrite and carbide in a series of medium carbon annealed steels; and 4—to study the chemistry of the carbides formed in an AISI 2330 steel during both isothermal transformation, and quench and draw experiments at 1150°F (620°C). The partition of alloying elements between ce-mentite and ferrite in annealed steels has been the subject of many investigations, a summary of which has been given by Austin1. However, there is no satisfactory data available concerning the partition of nickel. It has generally been assumed that virtu- ally all of the nickel concentrates in the ferrite phase in annealed steels. Two investigators"." have reported the finding of nickel in extracted carbide residues. Recently, it has been shown4 that nickel substitutes up to 40 pct for iron in the lattice of cementite produced by the low temperature carburization of iron-nickel powders. In addition to the lack of data on nickel partition, the literature also fails to make reference to the effect of other elements on the nickel content of the carbide in nickel-bearing steels. The partition of molybdenum between ferrite and carbide has been reported"-' for hypoeutectoid steels, isothermally transformed at 1300°F (705°C) and

Jan 1, 1954

By A. F. Banks

INTRODUCTION Selective flocculation-flotation as a method of desliming potash flotation feed has been practiced in the Cominco Ltd. potash plant since November. 1974 when it was installed to replace a less efficient mechanical desliming process. The plant was designed for a consistent feed containing 4.5% insolubles. In practice the quantity and quality of the insoluble material is quite variable. This variability led to serious problems in the deslime circuit and consequently had an adverse effect on sylvite flotation performance. A costly mechanical solution to the problem was being seriously considered when it was drawn to our attention that a selective flocculation-flotation process had been developed. The process was tried first in the laboratory on the Cominco Ltd. ore, then on a pilot basis on 25% of the mill feed and finally full scale. The time from being informed of the process to full scale operation was 18 months. It has since been incorporated into a tailings regrind circuit. The original mine design called for the mining of an 11 foot height up to the top of the three clay seams. These had to be taken as they were a zone of structural weakness. It also assumed that the beds would be uniform with only a few disturbances. Very soon after the initial start up it was found that permanent openings had to take in the layers right up to the upper clay seams and because of the mining process that this material would have to be milled when encountered. The number of disturbed areas in the mine is greater than the design anticipated. In operation the insoluble content of the mill feed varies from 4.5% to 8% plus with the peaks being very short- term to relatively long, from hours to day. In terms of quality, the insolubles in the mining horizon are relatively soft and easily liberated, whereas those above are hard and liberate slowly.

Jan 1, 1979

By H. R. MacMichael

THE rate, at which zinc ore can be sintered varies widely, depending on the characteristics- of the ore. A coarse table concentrate already roasted to a very, low sulfur content may sinter at the rate of-8.6 tons per hour per 100 sq.ft., of wind-box area. At the other extreme is a finely ground flotation, concentrate, with considerable sulfur remaining in the ore as delivered to the sinter plant, for which corresponding rate may be only 3.8 tons per hour, or 44 per cent of the first rate. A usual, size-of sinter machine in zinc plants is one with wind-box 3.5 by 33 ft., making 115.5 sq. ft. of area, and using a 100-hp. fan. Such a machine with the coarse concentrate described would produce 10 tons of sinter per hour; and with the fine, flotation concentrate would produce only 4.4 tons per hour. Ore of the latter class is -sintered at the plant of the Mexican Zinc Co. (subsidiary of the American Smelting & Refining Co.) at Rosita, Mexico. ; Consequently, an unusually large sintering capacity per ton of ore to be treated is required, and provision was made for treatment of 9000 tons concentrates per month, preroasted to. 5 to 9 per. cent sulfur. For this duty three of the usual 33-ft., 100-hp. sintering machines would have been needed.. Considering the auxiliary equipment. necessary for proportioning, handling, and mixing charge, as well as means for disposition of the sinter, a three-unit plant becomes-very complicated, especially if the capacity should be doubled later. After much study it was decided to build a single sintering unit of ample capacity for the work, the plant thus being much simpler and cheaper in construction as well as in operation (Figs. 1 and 2). The sintering machine was built with a wind-box 5.25 by 60 ft. (315 sq. ft.) and provided with a 300-hp. fan.

Jan 1, 1932

Gach-Saran.—The most important development of 1937 has been the successful completion of initial exploratory wells in the Gach Saran (formerly known as Gach-i-Qaraghuli) field, about 125 miles southeast of Haft Kel. Two of these wells are rated at 33,000 bbl. per day at flowing pressures exceeding 800 lb. Drilling is proceeding with the object of delimiting the structure. Exploratory drilling is also being undertaken in several areas within the company's concession. In the producing fields the policy of controlled production has been maintained as in the past, and drilling has been limited to that required for maintenance of production and general control of the fields. Acid treatment to increase production when desired has continued to be successful in most cases. Table 1.—Crude Production in Iran Masjid-i-Sulaimana Haft Kel Total Year barrelsb Ton Barrelsb To Barrelab 1936 3,641,247 27,820,000 4,473,849 34,200,000 8,115,096 62,020,000 193P 4,375,112 33,110,000 5,693,849 43,480,000 10,068,961 76,590,000 * Net production; i.e., excluding surplus products re-injected to reservoir. 6 To nearest 10,000. " Correct to November, with an added estimated figure for December. Masjid-i-Su1aiman.—There have been no new developments in this field. The policy of returning, as and when necessary, surplus products to the reservoir has been maintained. Haft Ke1.—Drilling to explore deeper formations has been undertaken, but has not progressed far enough for conclusive results to be drawn. Gasoline retention in the crude by means of multistage pressure stabilization has been continued as in past years. Separation pressures are as follows: well-head separators, 500 lb.; central battery, 190, 85, 40, 20 and 10 lb. per sq. in., respectively. The stabilized crude is delivered to pipe line at atmospheric pressure, or ex the 10-lb. stage, in accordance with refinery requirements.

Jan 1, 1938

By Gerhard Derge, Harold Markus

The introductory paper1 of this series described the potential behavior of tin in sodium carbonate and bicarbonate solutions whose pH ranged from 8.4 to 11.2 and demonstrated that significant and reproducible results could be obtained by proper attention to experimental technique. In examining the corrosion of tin under such conditions, it is desirable to know the effects of anions, aside from carbonate, that are likely to be present in commercial materials packaged in tin. Therefore, in this paper the potential behavior of tin in carbonate solutions to which sodium fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulphate, nitrate, monobasic phos-phate, dichromate, perborate and acetate have been added will be dcscribed. For most of the additions, solutions containing 0.001 and 0.01 moles of the added material were studied. The experimental procedure was exactly the same as that described in the first paper; the pH of the electrolyte was controlled by adjusting the ratio of carbonate to bicar-l,ol~ate as follows: pH 0.1 M NaHC0............................................ 8.4 2 parts 0.1 M XaHCOr, 1 pa.rt 0.1 M NaZCO?................. 9.5 1 part 0.1 M NaHCOs, 2 parts 0.1 M iVa.,C03. ................ 10.0 0.1 M Na2C0............................................. 11.2 The reagents used were all of C.P. grade. The anions studied may be divided into three groups: (1) anions that had little or no effect upon the potential curves—sulphnte, nitrate, and acetate; (2) those that helped to prevent corrosion at low pH only -fuoridc, chloride, bromide, and iodide; (3) those that helped to prevent corrosion at high pH also—phosphate, pcrborate, and chromate. Potential Measurements f The time-potential curves represntative of group 1 are shown in Fig. 1. These are the curves for 0.005 M sulphate ion and their similarity

Jan 1, 1939

By Harold Markus, Gerhard Derge

The introductory paper1 of this series described the potential behavior of tin in sodium carbonate and bicarbonate solutions whose pH ranged from 8.4 to 11.2 and demonstrated that significant and reproducible results could be obtained by proper attention to experimental technique. In examining the corrosion of tin under such conditions, it is desirable to know the effects of anions, aside from carbonate, that are likely to be present in commercial materials packaged in tin. Therefore, in this paper the potential behavior of tin in carbonate solutions to which sodium fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulphate, nitrate, monobasic phos-phate, dichromate, perborate and acetate have been added will be dcscribed. For most of the additions, solutions containing 0.001 and 0.01 moles of the added material were studied. The experimental procedure was exactly the same as that described in the first paper; the pH of the electrolyte was controlled by adjusting the ratio of carbonate to bicar-l,ol~ate as follows: pH 0.1 M NaHC0............................................ 8.4 2 parts 0.1 M XaHCOr, 1 pa.rt 0.1 M NaZCO?................. 9.5 1 part 0.1 M NaHCOs, 2 parts 0.1 M iVa.,C03. ................ 10.0 0.1 M Na2C0............................................. 11.2 The reagents used were all of C.P. grade. The anions studied may be divided into three groups: (1) anions that had little or no effect upon the potential curves—sulphnte, nitrate, and acetate; (2) those that helped to prevent corrosion at low pH only -fuoridc, chloride, bromide, and iodide; (3) those that helped to prevent corrosion at high pH also—phosphate, pcrborate, and chromate. Potential Measurements f The time-potential curves represntative of group 1 are shown in Fig. 1. These are the curves for 0.005 M sulphate ion and their similarity

Jan 1, 1939

By Charles Becker

THE practice of drying phosphate in Florida is as old as the industry, which began a little more than half a century ago. The methods, however, have changed considerably. At first, the natural process of exposure to the sun and air was used, later supplemented by wood fires beneath open-air stationary dry kilns and drying towers of various designs. It was not until the early nineties that rotary driers came into use, and at first they were of very small design and fired with wood. As the industry grew and tonnage increased, so likewise grew the number and size of rotary driers, until today the largest installations are 6 ft. up to 7 ft. 6 in. in diameter, and 55 to 60 ft. long, fired with crude oil. The reasons for drying phosphate rock are: (1) to eliminate freight on water in the shipment and (2) to facilitate the good grinding qualities required by the buyers in their acidulation. Phosphate pebbles vary materially in natural characteristics and each property has a direct bearing on the processing. In making comparisons of cost and operating conditions, the following are usually taken into consideration: 1. The hard dense pebbles, which contain very little interior moisture and 6 to 8 per cent total moisture, usually produced from the low-grade deposits. 2. The lighter, porous pebbles, which contain 4 to 5 per cent interior moisture and a total moisture ranging from 9 to 15 per cent. 3. The product of recovery operations using oily reagents, containing from 15 to 25 per cent moisture. 4. The size of the pebbles. Usually the plus 5-mesh material is considered as "coarse rock"; the minus 5-mesh plus 24-mesh is "fine rock," and the minute particles below 24 mesh are called "concentrate." 5. The amount of moisture allowed in the dried product. The practice is generally to dry down to 1.5 to 2 per cent moisture. There is, however, an actual range in guarantee of from 1 per cent maximum to 3 per cent maximum.

Jan 1, 1936

By E. P. Mathewson

A Discussion of the Paper of E. P. Mathewson, presented at the New York Meeting, April, 1907, and printed in Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 13, January, 1907, pp. 7 to 14. PROF. HENRY M. HOWE, New York, N. Y. (communication to the Secretary *) :-The results presented in Mr. Mathewson's paper are of very great interest. Perhaps the most interesting is that shown in Table I. and Fig. 1, in which the arsenic decreases in 10 min, from 0.22 to 0.07 per cent. This is such a large decrease that it is to be hoped that Mr. Mathewson will verify it by repeating his tests with a matte of similar composition. This is particularly to be desired, because the simultaneous removal of sulphur appears to be very small. All three blows further agree in showing that the removal of arsenic is in the very early part of the blow. The fact that the removal of arsenic then ceases abruptly cannot be explained completely by the fact that the arsenic has fallen so low as by its lowness to resist further removal, because in the first blow the arsenic becomes stationary at 0.06 per cent., whereas in the third blow it does not become stationary until it has fallen to 0.034 per cent. The abrupt ending of the re¬moval of arsenic is more likely to find its explanation in the composition of the slag, and it is to be hoped that. Mr. Mathewson will supplement these extremely valuable data with others in which the composition of the slag at the same time shall be given. The sudden rise of arsenic toward the end of the third blow I suppose must be referred to an error in sampling or analysis. Mr. Mathewson speaks on page 14 of the "percentages of iron . . . volatilized during the first period." Is it his meaning that all this iron is really volatilized, or does he mean that the iron is scorified and the sulphur volatilized ?

Jul 1, 1907

By Harold W. Scott

Geological Engineering is now a recognized curriculum in most of the mining schools in United States. Graduates of these schools are scattered over the face of the earth, participating in exploration and mining enterprises of diverse character. They are engaged in the mapping of new mineral deposits, in the extension of old deposits, the estimation of reserves, microscopic analysis, and in the direction of exploitation and conservation of man's natural resources. The training of men qualified to carry out these technical phases of modern industry has fallen essentially to the mining schools. For the most part they have met the demand for technically trained men in the mineral industries. Schools Offering Geological Engineering Degree The mining schools have passed through the early stages of their development and at the present offer varied curricula covering the fields of geological engineering, mining engineering, and metallurgical engineering. Usually a B.S. degree is offered in any of these three fields. However, .there has been some tendency of recent date on the part of the Engineers Council for Professional Development to question the validity of a B.S. degree in Geological Engineering. The of this paper is to examine the curricula as offered in the mining schools, to evaluate their engineering content, and to propose minimum requirements for the degree of Geological Engineering in the mining industry. The curricula of eight institutions that offer the degree of B.S. in Geological Engineering or Mining Geology have been studied (Table 1). All except one of these schools are in or near mining districts and occur west of the Mississippi River. They are all state-supported institutions that have come into existence because of the state's need for technically trained men. A graduate from .a mining school is called upon to perform many duties of a technical nature. His initial task may be to make a geological map of a mine or the surface above, but before the map is finished he may be asked to take over the responsibility of getting the ore "on top." And finally, he might find it essential to know how to mill the ore. Certainly this requires technically trained men and the mining schools are essentially the organizations to do the job. The departments of geology in these schools are training geological engineers. Field Of Geology If we were to accept the opinions of some writers, we would be forced to conclude that all geology departments offer only a "dilettante" variety of subjects.

Jan 1, 1944

By Richard A. Walker, John P. Hager

The thermodynamic properties of the Pb-Au system have been determined between 750" and 1075°C by means of the cell Mo, Pb(1) |(PbO-SiO2){l) , SiO2(s) |Pb-Au(1), Mo The activities of lead and gold exhibit negative deviations from ideal behavior; the values of ? pb and ? the raoultain activity coefficients at infinite dilution, being 0.24 and 0.25, respectively, at 1200°K. The liquidus curve for the gold-rich region of the Pb-Au phase diagram has been determined from measure-ments on seven alloy compositions in the two phase region (liquid + Au(s)). The standard free energies of formation of Au2O(l) and Ag2O (1) have been estimated from cell measurements obtained by replacing the alloy electrode with pure liquid gold and silver. A new integral molar heat of mixing curve for the liquid Pb-Au system is presented and the results of previous studies discussed. The contribution of HM to FE was found to be small relative to TSE. THE use of galvanic cells of the type A(l) |A+Za|A - B(l) [I] provides an accurate means for the thermodynamic study of liquid alloy systems. In Part 1&apos; it was shown that cells of type [I] may be extended to higher temperatures and to a wider range of alloy systems if the ion A+Za is incorporated in an appropriate molten oxide phase, rather than in the classical fused salt electrolyte. In the following investigation the experimental method is extended to an investigation of the thermo-dynamic properties of the Pb-Au system by use of the cell: Mo, Pb(l) | (PbO-SiO2)(l), SiO2(S) |Pb-Au(l), Mo [] Previous measurements on liquid Pb-Au alloys were obtained by Kleppa2 by electromotive force measurements on a galvanic cell involving a molten chloride electrolyte. These measurements were confined to temperatures less than 830°C and compositions with X Pb > 0.2 because of the instability of the cell at higher temperatures. Later measurements by Kleppa3 on the heats of formation in the composition range 0.67 < Xpb < 0.98 were not consistent with the results by electromotive force measurement. The purpose of the present study is to extend the temperature and composition range of the thermodynamic properties and to obtain an independent measure of the integral molar heat of mixing over the entire composition range.

Jan 1, 1970

By W. R. Ingalls

THE propaganda in favor of the adoption of the metric system of weights and measures in the United States is founded upon the idea of compulsory adoption. There can be no argument about this, for the metric system has been legal, by Act of Congress, in the United States since 1866. Nobody ought to oppose an educational movement, and if pro-metric activities were confined to that there might be no reason to gainsay them. I do not propose to enter into any discussion of &apos;the relative merits of the metric and the English systems of weights and measures. The simple case is that the metric system not having made much headway in the United States after more than 50 years of legality, &apos;it is now aimed to force it upon the people by legislative compulsion. The main arguments in favor of such compulsory adoption are that it would- simplify the education of our children and would promote our foreign trade, for the reason that more countries of the world, with which we do business, use the metric system than the English system. I am going to disregard,&apos; in this contribution, the first of these arguments, for it is largely conjectural." Not so with the other, which is specific, and being so its speciousness can be, proved. It is true that the metric system is used by more countries of the world than the, English system. It is commonly stated that of the Indo-European nations only the United States, Great Britain, and her colonies, and Russia have failed to adopt it. However, if with "colonies" we equate Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania and South Africa, we have a longer list of non-metric countries, and it comprises not only the most populous, but also the most industrial nations of the world.

Jan 1, 1921

By Walter O. Roberts

A TOTAL eclipse of the sun is a brief, exciting spectacle witnessed by most men but once or twice during a lifetime. But to an astronomer an eclipse of the sun is an event of utmost scientific importance. For then, certain phenomena of the sun normally obscured by the brilliant glare of sunlight become spectacularly visible. For over seventy years prior to 1930 astronomers vainly attempted to discover a means of observing all of these eclipse features of the sun without a natural eclipse. But in 1930, through the genius of the French scientist, Bernard Lyot, astronomers met final success. Dr. Lyot invented a new kind of telescope known as a coronagraph, which made possible photography of all of the eclipse features of the sun. In 1940 Harvard University completed final testing of its Lyot-type coronagraph. the only one in the Western Hemisphere, and shipped it to Climax, where Donald H. Menzel, of Harvard College Observatory, supervised its establishment on the southeastern edge of the mining community of the Climax Molybdenum Co., with whose help and advice the modern residence and telescope dome of the observatory were constructed. Ever since that summer the station has been operated by me, first as a graduate student, and now as a staff member of Harvard College Observatory.

Jan 1, 1946