Search Documents

By Walter Miller

BY the beginning of 1945 the output of petroleum products for war had reached a volume and a rate of growth which practically assured all requirements so long as war continued. The programs for making gasoline, lubricating oils of required quality, toluene for T.N.T., and chemicals for manufacture of synthetic rubber, as well as numerous other lesser petroleum products, were all well in hand, and unless catastrophic developments occurred there was no doubt of the ability of the industry to meet all demands. The end of the fighting found the refining industry working at top capacity on war commodities, but also in position to convert quickly into peacetime civilian production. 100-octane Aviation Gasoline Production of the vital 100-octane aviation gasoline, starting with approximately 44,000- bbl. daily capacity at our entry into the war, reached a top of 525,000 bbl. a day in the United States by the end of hostilities. With 75,- bbl. from other Allied sources, the grand total was 600,000 bbl., or 25,000,000 gal. each 24 hr. available to the armed forces had fighting continued. At times it was a close race between requirements and production, but never were any important military operations involving the use of high-octane aviation gasoline held up or delayed for lack of sufficient output of such material. The undivided effort of the entire refining industry in full cooperation with the Government made this record possible. Little diminution in output followed the German surrender on May 7. Plans called for a correspondingly greater activity for the Japanese war and possibly for well into 1946. But when the Japanese sued for peace on Aug. 10 most contracts were quickly canceled. Substantial stocks, reputed to be somewhere between 20,000,000 to 30,000,000 bbl., built up largely between V-E and V-J day pending organization of the larger Japanese war program envisaged after Germany gave up, were in the Government's hands in this country, in addition to working stocks in the war areas. Toluene and Lubricating Oil Requirements for toluene for T.N.T. increased rapidly as bombing speeded UP with increasing control of the air by the Allies in Europe and Asia. Production in excess of T.N.T. requirements which had been going into 1000-Octane aviation fuel blending during 1943 and 1944 was again drawn into explosive manufacture early in 1945. In anticipation of the war continuing into 1946, two new plants were ordered constructed, the decision being announced in April, plans calling for one of them to get into production about the end of 1945, the other in the first quarter of 1946. Both of these projects were later canceled as victory made it evident that the additional supplies would not be needed. Production was

Jan 1, 1946

By I. R. M. Chaston

Radial layout’s guiding principle is the grouping under one roof of the operating processes which require continuous supervision. Separate treatment sections are isolated by outside stockpiles fed with radiating conveyors. Hence the name ‘radial’ layout. Many plants are designed with ‘linear’ layout where successive operating stages are dotted like beads along a string of conveyors. [Figures 1 through 5] show the development of the radial concept in the layout of heavy-media diamond recovery plants over

Jan 1, 1979

Discussion of the papers of DAVID H. BROWNE, Louis V. BENDER, and R. E. H. POMEROY, presented at the New York meeting, February, 1915, and printed in Bulletin No. 97, January; 1915, pp. 49 to 60, 73 to 81, and No. 98, February, 1915, pp. 445 to 453, respectively. E. P. MATHEWSON, Anaconda, Mont.-After hearing about the success of D. H. Browne with his furnaces, we in Anaconda decided we might venture into the field of pulverized coal for reverberatory smelting. We sent a delegation of investigators to see Mr. Browne and his work, and they returned, filled with enthusiasm, and said they would recommend it strongly. We thereupon asked for an appropriation, and after some delay obtained the same and fitted up one furnace to use pulverized coal. We copied Mr. Browne's practice and his selection of machinery for drying and pulverizing coal; and we also copied the burner he used, which was a standard article on the market. We got an expert coal-dust machinery man to design our plant, and were very glad we did so as we avoided some of the unpleasantness that had been experienced at other plants through fires and minor explosions.

Jan 5, 1915

By Paul L. Cloke, S. R. Titley

Paul L. Cloke (Assistant Professor, Dept. of Geology and Mineralogy, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.) - On examination of the paper by S. R. Titley it appears that several errors have been made, many of them of a fundamental nature. It is the intent of this discussion to point out these mistakes, and, insofar as possible with the data at hand, to correct them. EXPERIMENTAL WORK Ferrimolybdite-Limonite-Water: The results of the experiments described are very difficult to interpret; nevertheless, a correct interpretation is essential as is pointed out subsequently. The difficulties become apparent when reasons are sought for the continuing change of pH after conversion of ferrimolybdite to ferric hydroxide and for the change of pH when -stirring is stopped after a steady value has been reached. In seeking an explanation of this experiment it seemed to this writer that the (temporarily) steady pH values might be due to kinetic rather than equilibrium effects. In this view the steady pH on stirring might be explained as a balance of several reactions proceeding simultaneously. The first of these would be the slow solution of ferrimolybdite,

Jan 1, 1964

CHARLES SCHUCHERT,* New Haven, Conn. (written discussion?).- I embrace ace the opportunity to take part in a discussion of Mr. Woodruff's paper because a successful discerning of what actually constitutes pet-roliferous areas from the geologists' standpoint is worthy of our endeavors, not only from the intellectual side, but also because it may lead, as Mr. Woodruff hopes, to the more certain establishment of principles that can be applied to other continents in exploiting them for petroleum. This discussion will also embrace the results of two other recent papers, one by Alexander W. McCoy and one by Maurice G. Mehl.1 Sources of Petroleum.-Mr. Woodruff is agreed that petroleum comes from plants and animals, or possibly from both, and that it has ac-cumulated by migration into reservoir rocks. These reservoir rocks must of course be porous to become catch basins for the oil and gas, and then, too, their present structures are variable, as they occur in anticlines, domes, terraces, etc. , The structures, he states, are more widespread than are the oil pools, and the same is true for the reservoir rocks. Accordingly, there must be many good sands and structures

Jan 11, 1919

PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR HOWARD N. EAVENSON PITTSBURGH, PA PAST PRESIDENTS AND DIRECTORS SCOTT TURNER WASHINGTON, D. C. FREDERICK M BECKET NEW YORK, N. Y. VICE-PRESIDENT, TREASURER AND DIRECTOR KARL EILERS NEW YORK, N. Y

Jan 1, 1935

By Karl Sundberg

INTERESTING results were recently obtained in geophysical prospecting at the Questa mine of the Molybdenum Corpn. of America in New Mexico. This paper describes that survey, which was carried out during October and November, 1927, by the Swedish American Prospecting Corpn. It is hoped that the paper will make it possible for the mining man to form an opinion of the applicability of geophysical prospecting under difficult conditions, showing, as it does, the results when prospecting for small small orebodies with comparatively poor conductivity, in a region of rough topography. Some principles underlying electromagnetic prospecting not known to be published previously will also be given in an elementary way, with special attention to the general structure of the electromagnetic field. GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS AT QUESTA The property is situated in the Taos range of the Rocky Mountains in northern New Mexico. About this region, L. C. Graton says:1 The main range is made up of pre-Cambrian granites, gneisses and schists but in the vicinity of Red River igneous rocks of later age are present almost to the exclusion of the older series. These younger rocks are divisible into two groups. The older of the two, probably pre-Tertiary age, is represented by large intrusive masses of monzonite porphyry, usually containing considerable quartz. The more recent group comprises intrusive' and probably effusive dark-colored andesites and coarse andesitic breccias, some of which contain fragments of the monzonite; there are also flows of rhyolite and beds of rhyolite breccia. The evidence regarding the relative age of the andesite and the rhyolite is not wholly satisfactory, but there is little doubt that the andesite is the older. The ore deposits, although occurring more commonly in the monzonite porphyry than in the rhyolite, nevertheless are believed to be genetically related to the rhyolite. They certainly cut the rhyolite or andesite in places, and hence fall in the late Tertiary.

Jan 1, 1928

Masjid-i-Su1aiman.—There have been no new developments in the Masjid-i-Sulaiman field during the year. Drilling, deepcning and acidizing operations for maintenance of production havc continued normally. Reservoir conditions have been unchanged, the rate of fall of dome prcssure remaining very low—at about 0.4 lb. per sq. in. per million tons net production. Drilling on the Lali structure northwest of Masjid-i-Sulaiman has continued but oil has not been encountered in commercial quantities. Haft Kel.—The progressive drilling program extending the production capacity of the Haft Kel field was completed carly in the year and the field is now on a routine maintenance basis. Drilling has continued on the white-oil springs structurc northwest of Haft Kel. Naft-i-Shah.—No developments of interest have occurred in Naft-i-Shah field. Offtake is for local markets only. A further large produeer was completed during the year. Gach Saran.—By the end of 1939, work on plant and pipe lines to put, the field on a production basis was approaching completion. Two substantial producers were also drilled in the initial production area. Pazanun and Agha Jari.—No further drilling was carried out on the Pazanun structure during the year, gas only having been obtained to depths exceeding 8000 ft. On the adjacent Agha Jari structure, however, a second satisfactory oil producer was completed.

Jan 1, 1940

Masjid-i-Su1aiman.—There have been no new developments in the Masjid-i-Sulaiman field during the year. Drilling, deepcning and acidizing operations for maintenance of production havc continued normally. Reservoir conditions have been unchanged, the rate of fall of dome prcssure remaining very low—at about 0.4 lb. per sq. in. per million tons net production. Drilling on the Lali structure northwest of Masjid-i-Sulaiman has continued but oil has not been encountered in commercial quantities. Haft Kel.—The progressive drilling program extending the production capacity of the Haft Kel field was completed carly in the year and the field is now on a routine maintenance basis. Drilling has continued on the white-oil springs structurc northwest of Haft Kel. Naft-i-Shah.—No developments of interest have occurred in Naft-i-Shah field. Offtake is for local markets only. A further large produeer was completed during the year. Gach Saran.—By the end of 1939, work on plant and pipe lines to put, the field on a production basis was approaching completion. Two substantial producers were also drilled in the initial production area. Pazanun and Agha Jari.—No further drilling was carried out on the Pazanun structure during the year, gas only having been obtained to depths exceeding 8000 ft. On the adjacent Agha Jari structure, however, a second satisfactory oil producer was completed.

Jan 1, 1940

By Tell Ertl

THE Piceance Creek Basin in northwestern Colorado is believed to contain the richest large deposit of oil shale in North America. The major portion, about 1650 sq miles, is bounded by the White River on the north, the Grand Hogback, which runs from Meeker to Rifle, on the east, the Colorado River to the south, and the drainage basin of Salt and Douglas Creeks on the west. The Basin is a plateau 7000 to 9000 ft high, composed of 3000 ft of the Green River series of Eocene age and surrounded by a steep escarpment of 1000 to 3000 ft. From the escarpment the beds dip gently toward the center. Although oil shale is found in all members of the Green River series, the rich thick beds are found chiefly in the Parachute Creek member. This is normally capped by 100 to 200 ft of the Evacuation Creek, the youngest member of the Green River series. Actually the Piceance Creek Basin oil shale is not a shale, nor does it contain oil. It is magnesium marlstone holding solid organic matter capable of being broken down by heat into gases, some of which can be condensed into oil. The marlstone is resilient nonporous rock, difficult to sample by pick or hammer and moil. Many companies and individuals prospected the Colorado oil shale shortly after the first World War,1 see Fig. 1, but because of the discovery of large quantities of petroleum in the late 1920's in California, Oklahoma, and East Texas, interest in oil shale development waned and did not revive until World War II. In 1944 the writer, employed by the Bureau of Mines, prospected the high grade oil shale in numerous places along the southern outcrop of the Piceance Creek Basin. Several channel samples about 100 ft in length were cut, see Fig. 2. An eightman crew needed a week to cut a satisfactory channel 80 ft long in the cliff face. The Phillips Petroleum Co., the Union Oil Co. of California and others also prospected the oil shale outcrop. In 1945 the Bureau of Mines initiated a core drilling program for the purpose of obtaining accurate samples from the Piceance Creek Basin. The U. S. Geological Survey set up a program for the geological study of the Basin that is still going on.2 Until the end of 1951 a total of 31 holes was drilled for core with diamond drills, and, in addition, cuttings through the oil shale have been obtained from 4 gas wells drilled by standard rotary oil well rigs. The Bureau of Mines drilled 12 of the holes, the Union Oil Company of California 8, the Standard Oil Company of California 6, the Sun Oil Company 3,

Jan 1, 1952

By William E. Ford, Edward Salisbury Dana

I. Sul~harsenites, Sulphantimonites, etc. In these sulpho-salts, as further explained on p. 320, sulphur takes the place of the oxygen in the commoner and better understood oxygen acids (as carbonic acid, H2COs, sulphuric acid, H4S04, phosphoric acid, H3P04, etc.). The species included are salts of the sulpho-acids of trivalent arsenic, antimony and bismuth. The most important acids are the ortho-acids,

Jan 1, 1922

By H. J. Maguire

Those familiar with mill-practice understand the work required of an average bucket-elevator, but I wish to call special attention to the wear on the buckets. I have been studying in what manner the life and service of the bucket might be improved, and I feel that an adjustable lip, attachable to each bucket without the aid of rivets, will be of material advantage. For illustration, consider the feed-elevator of a typical mill in the Cæur d'Alene district. The ore is carried by water in a launder from the feed-rolls and dumped in the " boot" of the elevator, directly in front of the ascending bucket. Middlings from the return-rolls are similarly handled. Under this condition the bucket not only carries the ore, but also picks it up, and this latter requirement determines the life and service of the bucket. It might be said that it would be better practice to convey the feed to the elevator and dump it directly into the bucket, but at one mill at which this plan mas tried the results were disappointing and the rubber belt was badly worn. The wear of the bucket is confined to the lip and the corners which have to pick up the material. When the lip on a corner of a '7- by 12-in. malleable cast-iron bucket is worn down about 3 in., the bucket is of no further value as a carrier and has to be replaced. The worn bucket, containing about three-quarters by weight of the metal of the original bucket, has a scrap value of about 10 per cent. of that of a new bucket. To the cost of the bucket, however, should be added the time-

Jan 1, 1913

By H. W. Hitzrot, R. A. Limons, L. V. Fegan

The authors have developed and tested a new method for measuring pellet-bed temperatures in the traveling-grate or the shaft furnace. This method-using silver-palladium alloy wires as indicators-is less costly and less time-consuming than existing methods. Silver palladium wires, having specific melting points in the 2000° to 2500°F range, are enclosed in ceramic capsules. Each capsule is placed in a nichrome wire basket filled with a sample of green pellets, the baskets being the means for recovering the capsule after firing. After the encapsulated wires have been exposed to the firing cycle, the alloy wires are examined to determine the maximum temperatures attained by the pellet sample. This gives accurate, rapid determinations of maximum temperatures attained during pellet induration in either the traveling-grate or shaft furnace.

Jan 6, 1965

By Walter Miller

Construction of new large refineries was small in 1937, but extensive modernization and expansion of existing plants were made, bearing out the observation of the Bureau of Mines that the trend is strongly toward fewer and larger refineries. Building the first large combination skimming and cracking unit of 20,000-bbl. capacity was a startling achievement four or five years ago, but it has been exceeded many times since, and at least four units with a capacity of 30,000 bbl. or more were contracted for during 1937, as well as many other units of smaller but still substantial capacity. Installation of polymerization plants for producing high-antiknock blending naphthas from refinery gases progressed at an accelerated rate in refineries affording sufficient raw gas to make the use of the process profitable. The total productive capacity of polymerization units built and contracted for in the United States is now about 25,000 bbl., equivalent to the gasoline production from approximately 55,000 bbl. of crude oil a day. Octane Fuels Also utilizing refinery gases—the butylene fractions in particular—the plants for manufacture of iso-octane increased in number to such an extent that the combined capacities will enable the air forces of the United States shortly to go entirely to the use of 100-octane fuel, indications being that the Army will reach that position in 1938, with the Navy not far behind. Commercial air-lines are expected to take advantage of the greater power of high-antiknock fuels to gain the increased power and increased pay loads possible with their use. Work done on producing fuels with octanes beyond the 100 point has recently been reported, and their production can be expected, although at high cost, when the economics of the situation justifies and engines capable of utilizing them efficiently are available. In the field of motor fuels, important work was reported to the A.P.I. at its annual meeting, on the effect of altitude on antiknock requirements

Jan 1, 1938

South Carolina Geological Survey, University of South Carolina, Columbia, S. C. Stephen Taber, State Geologist Two bulletins have been issued by the South Carolina State Geological Survey: Bulletin 1, A preliminary report on the clays of South Carolina (1908), and 2, Catalogue of the mineral localities of South Carolina. Members of the staff of the Department of Geology of the University have published many papers which have appeared in print from various sources

Jan 1, 1933

By William D. Carter

When the first Earth Resources Technology satellite (ERTS-A) is orbited by NASA next year, mineral exploration is expected to take a giant leap forward. There are many inherent advantages in going to space to study large regions of the earth, as existing space data have shown. A preview of what can be expected has already been provided by Gemini and Apollo color photographs taken over many parts of the world in the equatorial belt to 30ºN and S latitude. These comprehensive views cover some 100 sq mi, depicting prominent geologic features in a regional context. Placed side by side with mosaics of aerial photographs covering identical areas, the space pictures point up many inadequacies in the present airborne methods of data acquisition. To obtain a regional picture from aircraft, one must piece together many bits of data, and the final result suffers from variations in lighting and photographic reproduction that may obscure features important to the mineral explorer. By contrast, space photographs provide unsegmented synoptic views of large areas as they appear in a single instant under uniform lighting conditions.

Jan 1, 1971

By D. J. Bourne, G. E. Atwood

The new potash refinery of Duval Sulphur & Potash Co. produced its first tonnage of muriate of potash in November 1951. Full capacity was attained in early 1952. Excellent extraction efficiency is being obtained by the process, which is basically froth flotation. System temperature control is practiced and has proved to be of great metallurgical value through high potassium recovery and. low reagent cost. WHEN Duval Sulphur and Potash Co. recently entered the established potash industry, the vast amount of pioneer work essential in an entirely new endeavor was unnecessary. Thus it was possible to screen and assemble proved techniques into a highly efficient process based on the combined knowledge of the industry. It is hoped that the refinements Duval has added to these cumulative achievements will contribute to the rapid advance of the potash industry and related enterprises. The process selected utilizes as raw material syl-vinite ore typical of the Permian Basin. This ore is principally comprised of interlocked crystals of potassium chloride, about 40 pct, and sodium chloride. Also there is as much as 1 1/2 pct of dispersed clay slime which, because of its nature, highly complicates beneficiation of these ores. The refining method is basically flotation in which the mineral sylvite is floated away from the halite-clay gangue to produce a 60 pct K,O muriate of potash product for the plant-food trade. It departs from established practice in the use of an improved reagent scheme, developed by the company's technical staff, and in

Jan 1, 1954

By Paul I. Eimon, Byron R. Berger

INTRODUCTION Epithermal silver-gold deposits form at low to moderate temperatures in near-surface environments. These deposits are found in all rock types, but historically, the most important deposits occur as veins in volcanic rocks (e.g., Creede, Colorado; Pachuca, Mexico) and as replacements in sedimentary sequences (e.g., Mercur, Utah; Carlin, Nevada). Increases in the open-market prices for silver and gold in the last few years have resulted in renewed interest in precious metals and the economic viability of large-tonnage low-grade deposits. These bulk-mineable deposits form as replacements in permeable horizons or as stockworks in the up- per parts of otherwise bonanza-type hydrothermal systems and newly recognized systems that erupted onto the surface as hot springs, fumaroles, or geysers. Large tonnage low-grade de- posits were an unconventional resource prior to price increases; however, now they constitute one of the main sources of precious metals in the United States and the importance is growing worldwide. This paper presents conceptual geologic- geochemical models of epithermal precious-metal deposits derived from studies of productive deposits throughout the world. Much of the data presented is not new. However, the interpretation of the data in terms of current concepts of hydrothermal processes is new. This paper deals with idealized and general ore-forming mechanisms, and no attempt is made either to explain the origin of the different chemistries of ore- forming fluids or to examine all of the variations in specific deposits due to local structural controls and host-rock compositions.

Jan 1, 1983

By R. H. Swallow, George Hess

The purpose of presenting this paper is to show: 1. The applications of aerial photography to the map requirements of strip mining. 2. The methods and procedures for producing accurate aerial contour maps. 3. The advantages of aerial contour mapping over stadia or plane table methods. Introduction Aerial photography was once a crude, uncertain tool. 'Today it is a precision mapping instrument which saves important time and money for strip mining and other industry. Aerial photography began in the boxkite days of aviation. The Army first used it for rough reconnaissance photographs. Then, in the early Twenties, industry began to use aerial photographs of their plants and facilities for advertising or annual reports. The quality of these pictures was not very good by today's standards, but this work began the development of better cameras, better lenses, better photographic techniques. Then, some farsighted engineers and aerial photographers found that if the camera's axis were vertical to the earth's surface, these pictures could be the source of valuable mapping information. By viewing these pictures in stereoscopic pairs, accurate measurements could be made and contour maps produced from this aerial photographic base. So the aerial mapping business developed, using the plane and aerial camera to collect the data, working with skilled ground parties who established a network of ground control for this map information photographed from the air. Over the following years, a whole new science developed, known as photogrammetry. Precision cameras and lenses were perfected, and the narrow view of the surveyor's transit was broadened to the vast perspective of the mapping plane. Stereoscopic Coverage Obtained Today in making aerial topographic maps, aerial photographs are exposed so that full stereoscopic coverage for the survey area is secured. To obtain true elevations these photographs are processed through a series of precision measuring and contouring instruments which employ a principle similar to the military range finder. Here is how aerial mapping is being used by your industry. Topographic maps are but one of three products from aerial photographic surveys. First, there are the individual photographs. These are taken in flight strips, exposed with an overlap, just as shingle on a roof overlap. Exposures are overlapped from 55 to 60 pct along the line of flight so that a large part of the area in one picture also appears on the adjacent photograph. Successive strips are flown with a side-lap of between 20 and 25 pct. Each point on the ground thus will be somewhere near the center of at least one photograph in the series. They may be studied under a stereoscope and relief seen in a third dimensional effect. Geologic features that may go unobserved in ground exploration are often detected under stereoscopic inspection. Moreover, though field checking is not obviated with these aerial photographs, it is directed toward critical areas and toward worthwhile anomalies. Aerial Photographic Mosaics The second product of an aerial survey is the photographic mosaic. This is an assembly of carefully matched aerial photographs in mosaic form. Although not as accurate as the topographic map, it does reveal a wealth of cultural detail in true relative scale. Since the mapping plane is flown over the area at a fixed altitude, the peaks and valleys are pictured at different scales. During compilation these scale differences are compensated by adjusting one vertical picture to another according to plotted ground control positions. Only extreme variations in ground elevation cannot be

Jan 1, 1950

By R. Bakish, W. D. Robertson

IN the course of a study of stress corrosion cracking of AuCu,, it was necessary to develop new electropolishing and metallographic etching methods. The techniques are generally useful for Cu-Au alloys, including the AuCu composition in which transformation markings are well delineated. For electropolishing, the only satisfactory electrolyte and procedure that has been found1 has the composition given in Table I. The solution must be vigorously stirred while polishing and the temperature maintained in the range of 55" to 62°C. The electrolyte is very unstable and can be used only for 10 to 15 min after which its color changes and a dark-brown precipitate forms. The polishing time is between 1 and 4 min depending on the initial surface preparation. The use of a hood is recommended to avoid the danger of cyanide gas which may form at one of the electrodes even though the solution is alkaline. The optimum current and voltage conditions for vertical anode and platinum cathode are on the plateau shown in Fig. 1, in which voltage is measured across the cell terminals. At voltages below the plateau, etching of grain boundaries occurs and under some conditions, which have not been clearly defined, octahedral etch figures are observed. For general purpose grain-size determination in polycrystalline alloys, a 3 pct solution of iodine in methyl alcohol is used with excellent results. However, when it is necessary to reveal small orientation differences or concentration gradients in an alloy, the iodine etch is not satisfactory. For this purpose, a highly satisfactory etching procedure was developed during this investigation. It involves the use of the vapor given off by freshly prepared aqua regia. The solution employed is 3HC1 to lHNO, which decomposes in accordance with the reaction HNO, + 3HC1 = NOCl + 2H,O + Cl,. The polished specimen surface is held about 1 to 2 cm above an aqua regia solution for 2 to 10 sec depending on the intensity of the contrast required and the surface is not subsequently washed. The results obtained with a coarse grained cast structure are shown in Fig. 2. Subgrain boundaries in a single crystal and concentration gradients within the boundaries are developed by the same treatment with the results shown in Fig. 3. Obviously, any conclusions regarding structure-dependent properties will be modified by the pronounced heterogeneity, which is not clearly evident when more conventional methods are used. Interesting structural details are also revealed by treatment for 4 hr at 850°C in unpurified tank argon. Fig. 4 shows a pattern characteristic of orientation-dependent oxidation.

Jan 1, 1956