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By G. S. Coe, G. F. Bolling

The columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET) has often been studied as a function of concentration, C, temperature gradient in the melt, G, and rate of solidification, R. Although it may not be immediately obvious it is sure that the CET, expressed as some ratio G/R necessary to suppress equiaxed nucleation for a given C,' cannot be a single-valued function of C. This restriction which is ignored in theoretical presentations is most trivially illustrated by the following simple reasoning. An ordinary casting is an unconstrained system where the thermal conditions change continuously with progressive solidification, and thus where the ratio G/R decreases from the outset. A CET occurring early in a casting (much equiaxed material) must then mean a higher value of G/R at transition, in comparison with the late CET which implies a more columnar ingot. Therefore, when we choose to experiment under constant superheat for all alloys across the simplest binary, and we find an inversion in the amount of equiaxed material, we shall find two values of C satisfying the G/R condition. However, in addition to this simple instance, the early experiments of ~orthcott' seem to show that the amount of equiaxed material in cast ingots may be a multivalued function of composition in a given binary system. In the present investigation, the CET has been examined in Pb-Sb, Pb-Ag, Pb-Sn, and Sn-Pb under several types of casting conditions. First, we have used the "bidirectional" ingot section Simulation;~ and we have used .'i~z situ" ingot solidification where a hot mold already filled with liquid is chilled so that there is no disturbance provoked by pouring. Differences in method are trivial to our purpose except for the fact that certain variations are more simply observed by one technique than by the other. Second, we have varied the mode of superheating from the simple extreme of casting all alloys from the same temperature regardless of composition to the careful casting at a standard superheat, calculated with respect to the alloy liquidus. Third, we have made provisions for decanting and interface observation, so that some "castings" were not completed. The results obtained with Pb-Sb are exemplary; some of these are shown in Fig. 1 along with explanatory captions. At 9 to 10 at. pct Sb, and thus above the solid-solubility limit Cs = 5.8 at. pct Sb and yet below the eutectic concentration Ceu = 17.5 at. pct Sb, there is a persistent anomaly in all the variations. Measurement was easy enough and standard enough so that we may forgo discussion of either method or possible error, in view of the forceful self-consistency shown by experiment. Solute distributions were measured along the bidirectional ingots in order to determine if a solute buildup had occurred at the CET. No anomalous changes in concentration were observed along the bars at either side of the solute anomaly of 10 at. pct Sb. The microstructures of the ingots were also examined across the range of composition investigated. At concentrations less than 9 at. pct Sb the micro- and macrostructures were typical of the cellular-dendritic growth usually reported for the columnar zone. Above the anomaly, both the columnar grain size and the amount of primary phase decreased. This microstruc-tural observation can be correlated with observations made of decanted interfaces. Below 9 at. pct Sb, the interface reveals the "normal" columnar dendritic structure; however above the anomalous concentration range, preferential growth of certain dendrites appears to form a "super dendrite" pattern. In Fig. 2 a microstructural view of the etched '(super dendrites'' shows their constitution both in terms of relative phase proportion and in terms of the ordinary smaller dendrites.

Jan 1, 1969

By James A. Crookston, William D. Fitzpatrick

Committee C-8 of the American Society for Testing and Materials defines refractories as "material, usually nonmetallic, used to withstand high temperature," and it defines the term refractoriness thus, "in refractories, the capability of maintaining the desired degree of chemical and physical identity at high temperatures and in the environment and conditions of use.” The ability to withstand high temperatures is critical to classifying a material as a refractory. However, as the foregoing definition of "refractoriness" implies, the refractory material may be subjected to and is expected to resist not only high temperatures but a variety of other destructive forces incidental to its use. These include abrasion, impact, thermal shock, chemical attack, and high level loads at high temperatures. The various industrial applications of refractories represent an infinite variety of combinations and degrees of severity of these destructive forces, including high temperatures. Naturally, such a variety of application conditions leads to a need for a wide variety of refractory products to satisfy those conditions. The number of refractory products available is great enough that some form of classification is necessary to a discussion of refractories. Refractories may be classified in several ways, but the most suitable one is based on their general compositions and to lesser degrees on their physical condition and distinctive properties. The primary types of brick include aluminosilicate brick (fire clay and alumina), basic brick (magnesia and chrome ore, alone and in various combinations), silica brick, insulating brick, and special refractories (carbon, SiC, ZrO2, zircon, borides, and nitrides). Brick is, of course, preformed and usually is heat treated at high temperatures before use, but in some instances is unburned and/or chemically bonded, including the relatively new class of tar-bonded magnesia and/or dolomite brick. In addition to preformed refractories, another broad category includes the so-called specialty refractories, which are usually made in the same types as itemized for brick-bonding mortars and high temperature cements, hydraulic setting castables or refractory concrete, plastic firebrick, and ramming mixes. Refractory grains, such as fire clay and high alumina calcines, dead-burned magnesite and periclase, and dead-burned dolomite are also considered refractory products. Bricks are also classified on the basis of physical dimensions, as standard sizes and special shapes. The standard sizes are those which are of definite shape and design and are designated as 228.6 x 114.3 x 63.5 mm (9 x 4 ½ x 2 ½ in.) and 228.6 x 114.3 x 76.2 mm (9 x 4 ½ x 3 in.) straights and series. Bricks of nonstandard sizes are referred to as special shapes. These come about as a result of a particular need for a given furnace or for a particular application. Types and Classes of Refractories Fire Clay Refractories Classification: Fire clay refractories, as the name implies, are composed essentially of fire clay and/or calcined fire clay in varying proportions. The ASTM Standard Classification of Fireclay and High Alumina Refractory Brick, C27-70 (reapproved 1976), gives five classes of fire clay brick designated as super-

Jan 1, 1983

By Walter H. Munk

Generation of Waves by storms, and the transformation of waves in shallow water by local bottom topography are briefly reviewed. A detailed description of water motion in waves explains the nature and distribution of wave forces. A numerical example dealing with forces and moments against vertical piles summarizes the principles involved. Introduction The oil industry is moving into the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The design and construction of offshore drilling rigs present a number of difficult problems, among them problems involving the action of waves on fixed and floating structures. This paper deals with our present knowledge of ocean waves as it pertains to these problems, and the principles involved in computing wave forces against fixed structures. It is hoped that the more difficult case pertaining to floating structures can be discussed at a later time. None of the engincering aspects of the problem are entered upon in this paper, yet an understanding of the principles presented here should be helpful in the solution of practical problems. Waves are capable of exerting almost unbelievable forces. During a gale, waves at the harbor entrance of Amsterdam Canal in Holland lifted a 20-ton concrete block, which was resting on the bottom in 12ft of water, and deposited it on top of a pier which was 5 ft above the high water mark. At Wick Breakwater in Scotland, a mass of large stones in cement and bound together with iron rods, weighing 1350 tons, was broken loose and moved bodily! But one need not go to Holland or Scotland to find evidence of damage that waves are capable of inflicting (Fig I and 2). What is the mechanism by which waves are capable of exerting such enormous forces? To answer this, we must consider briefly the nature of wave motion. When a wind blows over a wheat field, waves appear to travel across the field, whereas the wheat itself remains rooted, slowly swinging back and forth. Similarly, in the case of water waves, the waveform travels swiftly over the water surface, whereas the water particles oscillate back and forth, but scarcely advance. The speed of the wave form is called wave velocity, the speed of the water particles is called orbital velocity. This fundamental difference between wave velocity and orbital velocity was already recognized by Leonardo da Vinci. Orbital velocity is generally much slower than wave velocity except for a breaking wave, a case which is of particular importance in the application to engineering problems. Forces exerted by the waves on obstacles

Jan 1, 1949

By Michel T. Halbouty

South Texas, one of the world's important oil and gas-producing areas, continued to hold interest during 1939 as another scries of new fields and new producing levels was developed within its boundaries at a fairly continuous rate throughout the year. There were 1801 wells drilled in this area in 1939, compared to 1678 in 1938; of these, 1515 were drilled in established fields, or as extensions to proven areas (semi-wildcat), and 286 were drilled as rank wildcats, in search of new production. Among these rank wildcats, 22 produced oil, 7 produced distillate and gas and 257 were abandoned as dry holes (see Table 5). Of the 1515 field and cxtension wells, 1213 produced oil, or distillate and gas, 50 produced only gas and 252 were dry; 38 found new productive sand levels in proven ficlds. Jim Wells County led this district in discoveries, having had 9 new fields arid 9 new productive sands found within its border during 1939. Most activc of the 1939 discoveries were Reynold?; and Ben Bolt fields in Jim Wells County and Minnie Bock field in Nueccs County; among producing fields the most activc were: East White Point and Aransas Pass (McCampbell). Production from South Texas in 1939 totaled 55,105,506 bbl. against a total of 56,152,122 bbl. produced in 1938. South Texas should continue its present rate of developrnent and exploration and this should result in the discovery of many fields in its numerous oil-bearing zones, and should also lead to more knowledge of the possibilities of its deeper horizons, such as the Mt. Selman and Wilcox formations; with the latter holding particular interest at the present time. Tide Water Associated Oil Company's A. M. Bruni No. I, Cole-Bruni field, Webb County, the deepest well drilled along the Mirando trend, was carried to 8959 ft., where it started to blow out from a Wilcox sand topped at 8954 ft., making gas, distillate and mud under heavy pressure. After the well was killed, drill stem beeame stuck and was cemented in place in order to test a Queen City (Mt. Selman) sand logged from 5620 to 5675 ft. This and other shows found in other wells along this trend, but out of this district, have served to increase the importance of this but little explored Sparta-Wilcox trend of South Texas during the year, and more activity along it is to be expected in the near future.

Jan 1, 1940

By Michel T. Halbouty

South Texas, one of the world's important oil and gas-producing areas, continued to hold interest during 1939 as another scries of new fields and new producing levels was developed within its boundaries at a fairly continuous rate throughout the year. There were 1801 wells drilled in this area in 1939, compared to 1678 in 1938; of these, 1515 were drilled in established fields, or as extensions to proven areas (semi-wildcat), and 286 were drilled as rank wildcats, in search of new production. Among these rank wildcats, 22 produced oil, 7 produced distillate and gas and 257 were abandoned as dry holes (see Table 5). Of the 1515 field and cxtension wells, 1213 produced oil, or distillate and gas, 50 produced only gas and 252 were dry; 38 found new productive sand levels in proven ficlds. Jim Wells County led this district in discoveries, having had 9 new fields arid 9 new productive sands found within its border during 1939. Most activc of the 1939 discoveries were Reynold?; and Ben Bolt fields in Jim Wells County and Minnie Bock field in Nueccs County; among producing fields the most activc were: East White Point and Aransas Pass (McCampbell). Production from South Texas in 1939 totaled 55,105,506 bbl. against a total of 56,152,122 bbl. produced in 1938. South Texas should continue its present rate of developrnent and exploration and this should result in the discovery of many fields in its numerous oil-bearing zones, and should also lead to more knowledge of the possibilities of its deeper horizons, such as the Mt. Selman and Wilcox formations; with the latter holding particular interest at the present time. Tide Water Associated Oil Company's A. M. Bruni No. I, Cole-Bruni field, Webb County, the deepest well drilled along the Mirando trend, was carried to 8959 ft., where it started to blow out from a Wilcox sand topped at 8954 ft., making gas, distillate and mud under heavy pressure. After the well was killed, drill stem beeame stuck and was cemented in place in order to test a Queen City (Mt. Selman) sand logged from 5620 to 5675 ft. This and other shows found in other wells along this trend, but out of this district, have served to increase the importance of this but little explored Sparta-Wilcox trend of South Texas during the year, and more activity along it is to be expected in the near future.

Jan 1, 1940

By A. C. Losekamp, J. B. Conway

Thermal-expansion data for, tungsten, rhenium, tantalum, .molybdenum, niobium, W-25 pct Re, Ta-10 pct W, ant1 Mo-50 pct Re are presented covering the range from room tempature to 2500°C. In these measureMents, made in a resistively heated tungsten tube furnace operating in a helium atmosphere, data for rod and sheet specimens were found to be identical; in addition, arc-cast and sintered tungsten were found to yield essentially identical results. Optical rneasurenlents of thermal expansion .made in any atmosphere other- than vacuum are subject to a refraction error which can be quite substantial. Specimens tested in helium appear shorter than when tested in racuum and hence a special correction factor must be applied to the helium data in order to obtain accurate results. WHILE it is true that linear thermal-expansion data for many of the refractory metals have been measured to very high temperatures, it is also true that except in a few instances the data from various investigators are not in good agreement. This is particularly evident in the case of tantalum and niobium although some tungsten data have been reported which differ by as much as 40 pct from the data of other investigators. Due to the sensitivity of both tantalum and niobium with respect to impurity absorption during exposure to high temperatures, it is probable that this single factor accounts for the majority of the discrepancies in the thermal-expansion data for these metals. However, this same factor can probably not be employed to explain the existing differences in the tungsten data. In all probability, these are due to errors in the measurement technique, to material composition variations, or to changes which take place in the material during the heating process (e.g., additional densifica-tion resulting from heating a sintered specimen above the original sintering temperature). In view of the discrepancies which exist in the linear expansion data reported for many of the refractory metals, the current study was initiated in an attempt to resolve such differences. Also, no high-temperature linear thermal-expansion data were found to be available for several refractory metals. Providing such data was another objective of the current investigation. MATERIALS In this study test specimens were employed in either rod or sheet form and in several instances both arc-cast and sintered material were employed. Material compositions are presented in Table I. Helium gas was fed to the furnace at a rate of about 0.5 SCFH and no special purification procedures were employed. However, the helium contained less than 50

Jan 1, 1967

By T. I. Harkins, J. Brian Eby

This paper outlines the geophysical investigation of the area covering the D arrow salt dome, Louisiana. Surveys with the refraction seismograph and torsion balance failed to disclose the dome, but reflection dip shooting was successful and was confirmed by later drilling. Introduction The D arrow salt dome and oil field lies in western Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on the outside of a sharp bend and on the east bank of the Mississippi River. The dome occurs about 30 miles south of Baton Rouge and 80 miles northwest of New Orleans. Its geology, shape and structure have been ably described in detail by Carroll E. Cook' and, except for the general features, will not be repeated here. The purpose of this paper is to record some of the interesting and pertinent geophysical data contributing to the discovery of the dome and eventually the oil field. The salt dome is circular in outliie and comes to within about 4625 it. of the surface. At this depth the diameter of the salt plug is approximately 4800 it. The dome has only a thin cap rock of less than 75 ft. Some oil has been found and is being produced in Miocene sands above the cap rock, but most of the field's production comes from a narrow ring of wells around the east and south flanks of the dome. Producing horizons on the flank are found at 5670 to 5840 ft. in the Miocene and 6890 to 6985 ft., 7028 to 7060 ft. and 8260 to 8270 ft. in the Oligocene. The deepest well that has been drilled is the Humble Oil and Refining Company's Community B-5, on the south flank of the structure, which reached a depth of 10,013 feet. The size and shape of the field and the area of production are indicated on Fig. I. The lie showing the area of production encloses all wells now producing and all abandoned producers, both on the top and flank of the dome. This line of production is shown on all subsequent geophysical maps as a direct means of comparing the early geophysics to later drilling development. Darrow dome occurs on the low, flat flood plain of the Mississippi River; it is protected from flood overflow by high artificial levees. The rich loamy soil supports a high degree of cultivation, principally sugar cane. Drainage is secured by many small canals and the water table of the area is at or near the surface. These particular conditions of topography, drainage and top soil greatly influenced the early geophysical picture, and the influence was always unfavorable.

Jan 1, 1946

By J. Brian Eby, T. I. Harkins

This paper outlines the geophysical investigation of the area covering the D arrow salt dome, Louisiana. Surveys with the refraction seismograph and torsion balance failed to disclose the dome, but reflection dip shooting was successful and was confirmed by later drilling. Introduction The D arrow salt dome and oil field lies in western Ascension Parish, Louisiana, on the outside of a sharp bend and on the east bank of the Mississippi River. The dome occurs about 30 miles south of Baton Rouge and 80 miles northwest of New Orleans. Its geology, shape and structure have been ably described in detail by Carroll E. Cook' and, except for the general features, will not be repeated here. The purpose of this paper is to record some of the interesting and pertinent geophysical data contributing to the discovery of the dome and eventually the oil field. The salt dome is circular in outliie and comes to within about 4625 it. of the surface. At this depth the diameter of the salt plug is approximately 4800 it. The dome has only a thin cap rock of less than 75 ft. Some oil has been found and is being produced in Miocene sands above the cap rock, but most of the field's production comes from a narrow ring of wells around the east and south flanks of the dome. Producing horizons on the flank are found at 5670 to 5840 ft. in the Miocene and 6890 to 6985 ft., 7028 to 7060 ft. and 8260 to 8270 ft. in the Oligocene. The deepest well that has been drilled is the Humble Oil and Refining Company's Community B-5, on the south flank of the structure, which reached a depth of 10,013 feet. The size and shape of the field and the area of production are indicated on Fig. I. The lie showing the area of production encloses all wells now producing and all abandoned producers, both on the top and flank of the dome. This line of production is shown on all subsequent geophysical maps as a direct means of comparing the early geophysics to later drilling development. Darrow dome occurs on the low, flat flood plain of the Mississippi River; it is protected from flood overflow by high artificial levees. The rich loamy soil supports a high degree of cultivation, principally sugar cane. Drainage is secured by many small canals and the water table of the area is at or near the surface. These particular conditions of topography, drainage and top soil greatly influenced the early geophysical picture, and the influence was always unfavorable.

Jan 1, 1946

By L. A. Willey

Although the interierometric method for the determination of length changes was devised by Fizeau more than three quarters of a century ago, it has not achieved the widespread use in the metallurgical field that its precision and simplicity would seem to warrant. The interferometer and the basic principle are both very simple. When optically plane surfaces held at a very slight angle to each other are illuminated by monochromatic light, rectilinear, equally spaced interference fringes arc formed. Each fringe corresponds to a defiuitc thikness of the wedge formed by the optical flat.;. The difference in wedge thickness between two consecutive fringes is cqual to one half the wave length of the illuminating light. Instruments for vicwing the intertero~ncter have passed through a number of modifications. Outstanding among the improvements were those Abbe. in 1884. His improved instrument permitted micrometric mcasurements to the order of one-hundredth of the width of an interference fringe (i.e., lengths were measured to the order of one two-hulldredth of the mave length of light ). It also permitted the consecutive use of light of several wave lengths. which made possible the determination of the order number of any fringe and therefore the absolute thickness of the wedge at any point. The Abbe dilatometer and methods of measuretment, including corrections to he applied for the change of index of refraction with change in tempcrature and barometric pressure in an air wedge, have been thoroughly described by Pulfrich.' Pulfrich2 made further improvements in the interference measuring apparatus. His instrument embodied all the features of the Abbe dilatometer but was made more versatile by its complete mechanical separation from the interferorneter. The introduction of an Amici prism in the piece permitted the simultaneous observ tion of the whole set of fringe systems developed in the interferometer from the visible light of a geisler tulle. .Also, the introduction of a direct-vision, reflecting prism made it possible to set the fringes parallel to the two vertical fiducial line. of the instrument without the necessity of rotating the interierometcr. Interferometric methods employed ill this country have been developed and dcscribed by Priest, Pelers and Cragoe," Austin,5 Merritt,= Saunders,? and Nix and MaNair. Since none of these authors used the type of instrument that was employed in the present investigation, they Will not be discussed here. This paper will be limited to the description of the interfernmetric apparatus and method used at the Aluminum Research Laboratories and to the presentation of data so obtained. Apparatus and Procedure A general view of the dilatometer, not including equipment for controlling and

Jan 1, 1945

By J. Spotts McDowell

Ackowledgments........................... 5 Introduction............................. 5 The Silica Minerals. Stability Relations......................... 6 Optical Properties........................ 9 Density.............................. 10 Melting Points....;..................... 10 Thermal Expansion..................,..... 10 Solubilities............................ 12 Identification of Cristobalite and Tridymite.............. 12. The Silica Refractories. Raw Materia1........................... 13 American Deposits....................... 13 Properties Determining Usability................ 15 Expansion on Heating..................... 16 Texture........................... 17 Silica Brick............................ 17 Manufacture........................... 18 Properties of Silica Brick .................... 19 Analysis ......................... 19 Density......................... 19 Porosity......................... 20 Strength....................... 21 Melting Point....................... 22 Specific Heat....................... 22 Thermal Conductivity................... 23 Expansion........................ 24 Effect of Rapid Temperature Change.........:... 26 Constitution......................... 26

Jan 1, 1918

OF the many categories into which scientific knowledge has been arbitrarily 'divided, the one that has proved most. applicable in our attempts to gain an insight into the details of steelmaking processes is physical chemistry. To the young metallurgist who has only recently survived a college course in this subject, the application of its principles to reactions in liquid steel should not be difficult. The many excellent textbooks of physical chemistry provide ample material on the principles of this subject for the student of steelmaking processes. It is the purpose of this chapter to provide a concise review of the principles of physical chemistry that have proved useful in studies of steelmaking and at the same time to present some of the data that are essential to the application of physical chemistry to reactions at high temperatures. Certain parts of physical chemistry require rather formidable mathematics for their complete development, but in the main those applications in which we are here interested can be expressed in fairly simple terms. Many of the equations are logarithmic, and we shall use the symbols In X and log X to represent, respectively the natural and the common logarithm of X. The two are related-by In X = 2.303 log X. Logarithms may, be read from a good slide rule with sufficient accuracy for our purposes. In a few spots a knowledge of the calculus will be helpful. MATTER Innumerable forms of matter may, be recognized, and these may be converted by chemical processes into others, as ore, coke, and air are converted into iron, slag, and gas.. Whenever such a change occurs there is a corresponding change in the amount of energy associated with the matter. The process may require an input of energy, as in the electrolytic production of aluminum, or it may result in an output of energy, as in the combustion of fuel. The basic laws of the conservation of matter and of energy tell us that we cannot change the total amount of matter or the total amour t of energy.. When the fuel pile is used up, we realize that it has simply been converted into other forms of matter; .i.e., ash

Jan 1, 1964

By W. A. Alexander, L. M. Pidgeon

Metallic magnesium and similar meta!s near the top of the electromotive series have been commercially produced by the electrolysis of a suitable molten salt. Despite the success of electrolysis, sufficient inherent objections exist to justify the search for a direct reduction method. Such a method would widen the choice of raw materials, relax the rigid electrolytic requirements of raw-material purity, and, by obviating direct current, over simplicity of plant equipment. This paper describes the pilot-plant development of one such method, which has subsequently formed the basis of operation of six commercial plants-—one in Canada and five in the United States. Unlike aluminum, magnesium is volatile at relatively low temperatures. This physical property, which produces its greater inflammability, also offers possibilities of direct reduction that are not available with aluminum. In the basic reaction MgO + X = XO + Mg if X is nonvolatile, the reaction may be forced to the right at high temperatures by the evolution of magnesium vapor, despite the large negative value of the heat of reaction which is almost bound to follow the use of any available commercial reducing agent. The cheapest X, of course, is carbon, but this notable advantage is modified by the production of a volatile oxide CO, so that both Mg and CO are evolved simultaneously. Elaborate devices are required to shock-cool the equilibrium mixture in order to prevent back reaction. At best, a pyrophoric powder is produced, requiring redistillation to provide marketable metal. The practical development of this process, is due to F. Hansgirg, and his methods have recently been given a trial on a grand scale in the plant at Permanente, California, and smaller plants were previously built in Austria, England and Japan. A second class of reducing agents is available, those which produce nonvolatile oxides. When XO and X are relatively nonvolatile, magnesium is the only volatile member of the system. It may be evolved in a simple distillation step and condensed without the formation of powder. Two basic requirements must bc fulfilled in order that such a reaction may proceed: I. The reducing agent when heated to a reasonable temperature in presence of MgO must cause the production of an appreciable equilibrium vapor pressure of magnesium. This magnesium must be removed continuously. z. A supply of heat must be maintained. In order to fulfill the first requirement, operations must be conducted in vacuo or in a stream of Hz. Owing to its greater efficacy and relative safety, vacuum has been employed in the work to be described. The choice of a suitable reducing agent formed the subject of an extensive series

Jan 1, 1944

By Milton H. Fies

THE writer wishes to acknowledge at the outset his great sense of obligation to those who contributed so broadly and expertly to the preparation of this paper: Dr. Albert DeSmaele, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Socogaz, Belgium; Dr. Julien Venter, Director of the National Institute of Coal Mining, and Coal Utilization Industry, Belgium; Dr. Roger Loison, Chief Engineer, French National Coal Research Board, France; and Dr. Erich Sarapuu of the Sinclair Coal Co., Kansas City, Missouri. Liberal use has been made in this paper of a recent publication on Russian, Italian, Belgian, and French experiments prepared jointly by the Centre d'Etudes et Recherches des Charbonnages de France (Cerchar) and the Institut National de I'Industrie Charbonnière of Belgium (Inichar) .l The writer is particularly indebted to Dr. E. T. Wilkins, of the Fuel Research Station, London, and to Mr. James L. Elder, of the Alabama Under- ground Gasification Experiment at Gorgas, Alabama, for their unfailing patience and effective support. Not only did these experienced and capable men edit and revise this discussion, but much of its content is a direct contribution quoted in full from their memoranda. Without the assistance of all these colleagues, this presentation would not have been possible. It has been a privilege to serve and work with them and to acknowledge repeatedly their loyal cooperation. The recovery of the energy inherent in coal beds throughout the world has been done through the years by methods that today may be justly regarded as primitive. While the techniques of coal mining through the application of machines and the enhancement of information and skills have advanced to an extraordinary extent, particularly during the past 20 years, the underlying means is essentially the same as when man first began to mine coal. Despite this progress in the manner of coal mining, it continues today as a hazardous, toilsome, grimy task. Coal mining per se has advanced at a greater and more rapid stride in the past 25 years than the mining of any other mineral, but the basic method is fundamentally the same as it was the first day a miner took a pick into his hands many centuries ago. This situation presents a challenge to mining engineers everywhere, from

Jan 1, 1953

By AIME AIME

BEFORE proceeding with the papers scheduled for the ore and foundry session*, the teller's report on the election of officers for the ensuing year was presented, a; follows: Chairman. G.C. F. MacKenzie; vice-chairmen, C.S. Robinson, J. T. MacKenzzie, C. E. Meissner; executive committee, A. L. Field, R. F. Harrington, E. F. Kenney lit. Waterhouse announced that the fall meeting will be devoted to alloy steel. This meeting will be held in Chicago the week of Sept. 22 in connection with the National Metal Congress. He also announced that oxygen in steel will be the central idea of the meeting which will be held in New York next February. The first paper, entitled "Sintering Limonitic Iron Ore at Ironton, Minn.," was presented by Perry G. Harrison (T. P. 284), the author. Sintering was first un¬dertaken in 1024 to treat Cuyuna range iron and manganiferous ores low in silica and high in moisture and containing objectionable qualities of fine... A Dwight-Lloyd machine was first installed. This machine was replaced by a larger one having a width of 72 in. The power cost was decreased from about $11.22 per ton of sinter on a 42-in. machine to about X0.14 for the 72-in. machine. The tons of sinter per man-shift was increased from 11.86 to 16.77. Improvements embodied in the larger plant reduced the cost of sintering to $0.41. The analyses of iron ore and manganiferous ore and the sinter produced from these materials was used to show the increase in value at the mine resulting from sintering. Crude iron ore actually unsalable was increased in value f.o.b. mine from a theoretical figure

Jan 1, 1930

By E. C. Truesdale, Gerald Edmunds

A few years ago H. M. Cyr, working in the Research Laboratories of The New Jersey Zinc Co., produced a few pounds of zinc1 of such purity that no other elements were detected in it by spectrographic analysis, using the facilities then available. This zinc contained less than one ten-thousandth of one per cent of metallic impurities.&apos; During the decade that followed upon the laboratory production of this "spectro-graphically pure" zinc, commercial developments brought about the production of large tonnages of zinc of purity exceeding 99.99 per cent, and today zinc of 99.999 per cent purity is produced and marketed as "chemically pure" zinc. Typical analyses of present supplies of high-purity zinc are given in Table 1. Table 1.—Typical Analyses Percentnge by Weight Sum of Zinc Fe, Ib1 Fe Cd 1A1 cd Special High Grade*.......... 0.007b 0.005b 0.005b none O.OIOb C.P. (chemically pure)......... < 0.0002 0.0005c 0.000052 S.P. (spectrographically pure).. <0.0002d <0.00005d a A.S.T.M. Standard Specification for Special High Grade Slab Zinc (A.S.T.M. Designation: B 637). b Maximum. &apos; Fe chemically determined. Pb and Cd are spectrographically determined. d Differences between composition of C.P. and S.P. zinc are discussed later in this paper. The availability of commercial tonnages of special high-grade zinc has been the basis for the development of the zinc-base die-casting alloy industry which, in the year 1936, consumed one-eighth of the zinc used in the United States for all purposes. This and the C.P. and S.P. grades have given impetus to scientific investigations into the properties of pure

Jan 1, 1939

By E. C. Truesdale, Gerald Edmunds

A few years ago H. M. Cyr, working in the Research Laboratories of The New Jersey Zinc Co., produced a few pounds of zinc1 of such purity that no other elements were detected in it by spectrographic analysis, using the facilities then available. This zinc contained less than one ten-thousandth of one per cent of metallic impurities.&apos; During the decade that followed upon the laboratory production of this "spectro-graphically pure" zinc, commercial developments brought about the production of large tonnages of zinc of purity exceeding 99.99 per cent, and today zinc of 99.999 per cent purity is produced and marketed as "chemically pure" zinc. Typical analyses of present supplies of high-purity zinc are given in Table 1. Table 1.—Typical Analyses Percentnge by Weight Sum of Zinc Fe, Ib1 Fe Cd 1A1 cd Special High Grade*.......... 0.007b 0.005b 0.005b none O.OIOb C.P. (chemically pure)......... < 0.0002 0.0005c 0.000052 S.P. (spectrographically pure).. <0.0002d <0.00005d a A.S.T.M. Standard Specification for Special High Grade Slab Zinc (A.S.T.M. Designation: B 637). b Maximum. &apos; Fe chemically determined. Pb and Cd are spectrographically determined. d Differences between composition of C.P. and S.P. zinc are discussed later in this paper. The availability of commercial tonnages of special high-grade zinc has been the basis for the development of the zinc-base die-casting alloy industry which, in the year 1936, consumed one-eighth of the zinc used in the United States for all purposes. This and the C.P. and S.P. grades have given impetus to scientific investigations into the properties of pure

Jan 1, 1939

By Edwin M. Chance

During the last decade many conditions have been encountered that have materially increased the cost of the production of coal. As in most cases it has not been practicable to increase the selling price of such coal sufficiently to insure the necessary margin of profit, the mine management has been forced to avail itself of what might be termed unusual means that costs might be held at as low a figure as possible. The so-called efficiency engineer has been called upon, costly power plants have been built and machinery has been installed to replace manual labor wherever possible. Another aid used recently to secure economies through the more intelligent production of coal, is the chemist. As the coal industry, barring the production of byproduct coke, does not at once give evidence of its need of the services of the chemist, the writer will endeavor to point out a few of the services that this branch of the staff has been able to render. The preparation of coal in the past has been carried on entirely upon an empirical basis, that is, the criterion adopted has been an ocular inspection. Unfortunately, the appearance of a coal and especially of an anthracite, has but little relation to its fuel value, and as long as coal is purchased for the heat that can be obtained from it by its combustion, the quantity of such heat that is purchased must be one of the principal desiderata in selecting or preparing a coal. Were coals purchased for use as bric-a-brac or for exhibition in museums it might be both wise and just to purchase them upon their appearance. After 4 or 5 years of investigation the fact has been established that coals of very inferior appearance, and I now have special reference to anthracite, might and often did possess heating and burning properties superior to those possessed by bright coals which in the past had commanded considerable and uniform premiums in the market. This being the case the question arose as to whether the trade could be convinced of this fact. While at first some difficulty was experienced in establishing the quality of such dull coals, still it was found that the real obstacle to the sale of these materials in the past had been the fact that the coal producers&apos; own sales departments felt convinced of the inferiority of this type of fuel and when complaints were registered they were given ready credence. Upon convincing the sales department of the quality of this type of fuel, but

Jan 1, 1917

By A. C. Fieldner, Lester L. Hirst, Henry H. Storch

Experimental work on liquefaction of coal was taken up by the Bureau of Mines in 1936 when it became evident that a prudent policy from the national point of view should include preparation for the time when gradual exhaustion of petroleum resources would require supplementing the growing demand for motor fuel with gasoline and diesel oil from coal. At that time (1936) certain foreign nations that had no home sources of petroleum, especially Germany, England, and Japan, were conducting active research and at least two of them were producing liquid fuel from coal on a commercial scale. Germany was reported to have an annual producing capacity of 800,000 metric tons of gasoline per year, and England had just put into operation the Billingham plant of Imperial Chemical Industries for the hydrogehation of bituminous coal and tar by the Bergius-I.G. process. The annual capacity of this plant was about 150,000 long tons of gasoline per annum (3500 bbl. per day). With these developments taking place in foreign countries, it seemed important to undertake a long-range program of fundamental research in this country to establish a sound groundwork for the evaluation of foreign work on synthetic liquid fuels and at the same time to obtain data on the oil yields and operating difficulties using various kinds of American coals and lignite to the hydrogenation process. The results of such research would be useful in determining the yields and quality of liquid products obtainable from various coals so that American industry would be in position to select the most suitable coals and make rapid progress in establishing this new industry when the commercial need should arise. It was hoped, also, that progress in a better understanding of the chemistry of coal hydrogenation would reduce the cost of the process materially. To carry out this program, a small continuous unit capable of hydrogenating 100 Ib. of coal in 24 hr. was installed at the Central Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines at Pittsburgh, Pa. Small steel autoclaves or bombs of 0.3 gal. (1.2 liters) capacity also were used for batch-hydro-genation experiments in the study of the chemical fundamentals of the process. Much valuable assistance was obtained in planning the experimental program and designing the equipment from the Fuel Research Station of Great Britain and the Fuel Laboratories of the Mines Department of Canada, where such investigations had been in progress for several years. Equipment and General Procedure of Research The industrial liquefaction of coal by the Bergius-I.G. hydrogenation process as practiced at Billingham, England, from

Jan 1, 1944

By Lester L. Hirst, Henry H. Storch, A. C. Fieldner

Experimental work on liquefaction of coal was taken up by the Bureau of Mines in 1936 when it became evident that a prudent policy from the national point of view should include preparation for the time when gradual exhaustion of petroleum resources would require supplementing the growing demand for motor fuel with gasoline and diesel oil from coal. At that time (1936) certain foreign nations that had no home sources of petroleum, especially Germany, England, and Japan, were conducting active research and at least two of them were producing liquid fuel from coal on a commercial scale. Germany was reported to have an annual producing capacity of 800,000 metric tons of gasoline per year, and England had just put into operation the Billingham plant of Imperial Chemical Industries for the hydrogehation of bituminous coal and tar by the Bergius-I.G. process. The annual capacity of this plant was about 150,000 long tons of gasoline per annum (3500 bbl. per day). With these developments taking place in foreign countries, it seemed important to undertake a long-range program of fundamental research in this country to establish a sound groundwork for the evaluation of foreign work on synthetic liquid fuels and at the same time to obtain data on the oil yields and operating difficulties using various kinds of American coals and lignite to the hydrogenation process. The results of such research would be useful in determining the yields and quality of liquid products obtainable from various coals so that American industry would be in position to select the most suitable coals and make rapid progress in establishing this new industry when the commercial need should arise. It was hoped, also, that progress in a better understanding of the chemistry of coal hydrogenation would reduce the cost of the process materially. To carry out this program, a small continuous unit capable of hydrogenating 100 Ib. of coal in 24 hr. was installed at the Central Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines at Pittsburgh, Pa. Small steel autoclaves or bombs of 0.3 gal. (1.2 liters) capacity also were used for batch-hydro-genation experiments in the study of the chemical fundamentals of the process. Much valuable assistance was obtained in planning the experimental program and designing the equipment from the Fuel Research Station of Great Britain and the Fuel Laboratories of the Mines Department of Canada, where such investigations had been in progress for several years. Equipment and General Procedure of Research The industrial liquefaction of coal by the Bergius-I.G. hydrogenation process as practiced at Billingham, England, from

Jan 1, 1944

By S. G. Valentine

BLAST-FURNACE blowing engines are broadly of two main types: either steam- or gas-driven reciprocating engines, or turbine-driven rotary engines. Some results of experience with a furnace blown by an engine of the latter type may be of sufficient general interest to relate. The first engine of this type was installed at Oxford Furnace, New Jersey, before the writer&apos;s connection with this plant, in March, 1910. This furnace uses chiefly New Jersey magnetites and had been in blast seven months on its old engines when the turbo blower was started. It was 80 ft. high by 17 ft. 6 in. bosh and 11 ft. hearth diameter. It is of interest to see from the records what happened when the turbo engine was put to work. But of course, as the old blowing equipment was rather antiquated, consisting of two I. P. Morris engines with air cylinders 72 by 72 in., in good running order, however, it is evident that the comparison between their work and that of the turbo blower cannot be interpreted as being between machines that were respectively of equal excellence as representatives of their types. Still the results were gratifying and -interesting. The records show that, with the old engines blowing 13,630 cu. ft: of air per minute, measured by piston displacement, the furnace was working up about 480 tons of stock per 24 hr. and producing an average of 132 tons per day and a maximum of 166 tons. The rotary blowing engine installed was a General Electric Co. machine, the driving end being a Curtis steam turbine and the air end a six-stage rotary compressor, all running at about 1,500 to 1,600 rev. per minute, and having a capacity of 25,000 cu. ft. of air per minute up to 25 lb. pressure, and equipped with an automatic constant-volume variable-speed governor. After running this blower, for a period equal to that covered above by the old engines, at an average rate of 15,000 cu. ft. of air per minute, the furnace worked up an average of about 592 tons of material and produced an average of 170 tons per day. Thus, on an apparent increase of 10 per cent. in the air volume there was an increase of about 23.5 per cent. in the materials worked up and of about 28.8 per cent. in the product. For the first calendar month&apos;s operation of the turbo blower, on an average of 15,040 cu. ft of air per minute, there is

Jan 2, 1914