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By W. B. Gogarty, W. C. Tosch

A new recovery process for producing oil under both secondary and tertiary conditions utilizes the unique properties of micellar solutions (also known as microemulsions, swollen micelles, and soluble oils). These solutions, which displace 100 percent of the oil in the reservoir contacted, can be driven through the reservoir with water and are stable in the presence of reservoir water and rock. Basic components of micellar solutions are surfactant, hydrocarbon and water. They may also contain small amounts of electrolytes and co surfactants such as a1cohol.r. The specific reservoir application dictates the type and concentration of each component. A salient feature of [he process is the capability for mobility control. Micellar solution slug mobility, by way of viscosity control, is made equal to or less than the combined oil and water mobility. Mobility control continues with a mobility buffer that prevents drive water from contacting the micellar solution. Laboratory and field flooding have proven that the process is technically feasible and that surfactant losses by adsorption on porous media are small. Introduction projects are under way to recover the maximum amount of oil under the most favorable economic conditions.' : New techniques are being developed to increase oil recovery,3" Polymer solutions are becoming an important means of controlling mobility in a waterflood. Thermal methods such as in-situ combustion and steam injection are being used in reservoirs containing highly viscous crudes. Surfactant flooding is receiving attention as a method of reducing interfacial tension to increase recovery.*'" Exotic recovery processes have been considered primarily for ' perations. Economics are unfavorable in most cases for tertiary recovery. studies at the Denver Research Center of the Marathon oil CO. have led to a new oil recovery method.* Micellar solutions (sometimes called microemulsions, swollen micelles, and soluble oils) are used to recover oil by miscible-type waterflooding. Basically, these solutions contain surfactant, hydrocarbon, and water. The method can be used in either secondary or tertiary operations. First, thc concept of thc process is considered in terms of the requirements for an effective miscible waterflood ing operation. Next, micellar solution properties are described including structure, composition, and phase behavior with reservoir fluids. Fluid characteristics are then considered as related to mobility control, and, finally, laboratory and field results are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the process. Concept of the Process Unit displacement efficiency and conformance determine the effectiveness of any oil recovery mechanism. In theory, a miscible waterflood should be capable of a 100-percent unit displacement efficiency with a correspondingly high conformance. Requirements for the slug of a miscible waterflood include (1) 100-percent displacement of oil in the reservoir contacted, (2) controllable mobility, (3) the capability of being driven through the reservoir with water, (4) a low unit cost to enhance economics, and (5) the ability to remain stable in the presence of reservoir water and rock. Micellar solutions satisfy requirements for the slug of a miscible waterflood process. Our discovery that these solutions acted as though they were miscible by displacing all fluids in the reservoir and by being displaced by water solved the miscibility problem. Adequate mobility control is possible by variations in solution viscosity through compositional changes. Economic requirements are met since micellar solution costs below $6/bbl appear possible, Mi cellar solutions stabilize surfactant in the presence of reservoir rock and water, thus reducing the importance of the problem of surfactant loss by adsorption. Fig. 1 illustrates schematically how these solutions are used. Operations start with injection of a micellar solution slug that serves as the oil displacing agent. Next, a mobility buffer of either a water-external emulsion or water solution containing polymer (thickened water) is injected to protect the slug from water invasion. Finally, drive water (water used in a regular waterflood) is injected to propel the slug and mobility buffer through the reservoir. Reservoir oil and water are displaced ahead of the slug, and a stabilized oil and water bank develops as shown in Fig. 1. Stabilized bank saturations are independent of original oil and water saturations. This means that, for a particular type of reservoir, the displacement mechanism is the same under secondary and tertiary recovery conditions. Oil is produced first in a secondary operation. For tertiary conditions, water is produced first. Movement of the slug through the reservoir is stabilized by the mobility buffer. An unfavorable mobility ratio usually exists at the interface between the buffer and drive

Jan 1, 1969

By E. C. Patton

Jan 1, 1947

By E. C. Patton

Jan 1, 1947

By S. J. Schatzel, J. Cervik, A. A. Campoli

The cross-measure borehole technique is being studied by the Bureau of Mines as an alternative to the use of surface gob boreholes as a means of controlling methane in gobs during longwall mining. Small-diameter holes are drilled from underground locations into strata overlying the mined coalbed. When the roof strata are fractured by the mining opera- tion, a partial vacuum applied to the boreholes draws the methane out of the fractured strata and prevents it from entering the mine ventilation system. Tests in the Upper Kittanning Coalbed showed that 50 pct of the methane produced by the longwall mining operation was captured by the cross-measure boreholes. Borehole inclination and penetration into the gob are two important borehole parameters that affect the performance of the cross-measure borehole system.

Jan 1, 1983

By Mark Dangerfield

[Power-Point Presentation]

Jan 1, 2005

By Thomas M. Barczak, Christopher Mark

Roof supports can only be understood in conjunction with the rock structure that they support. The strength of the rock depends on geology, and the loads are applied primarily by the in situ and mining-induced stresses. Other factors, such as wider spans and retreat or multiple-seam mining, can also reduce the stability of mine openings. Roof supports are used to help stabilize these openings, but their performance characteristics must be properly matched to the loading environment and ground behavior if they are to succeed. Roof supports include both intrinsic supports, such as roof bolts, and standing supports. The key characteristics of any support include its maximum load-carrying capacity, stiffness, and residual strength. Other important factors are the timing of installation, the stability of the support as it is loaded, and the capability of the support system to provide skin control. This paper explains in practical terms how supports work and the important factors in ensuring that a good support design and application strategy are developed.

Jan 10, 2000

By James F. Kemp

(San Francisco Meeting, September, 1915) THE iron ores of southeastern Cuba present a subject of exceptional geological interest. Their relations to the inclosing rocks are varied and in some cases unusual. The problem of their geological origin is not a simple one and for this reason has occasioned some divergence of views among previous observers. Profiting, however, by. these earlier studies and by more detailed field and laboratory observations as well as by the experience of added years of mining, much more satisfactory descriptions and interpretations can now be prepared. PREVIOUS WORK In 1884, interest in the southeastern coast of Cuba became active among the consumers of iron ore along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. Active development was undertaken by the Juragua Iron Co., Ltd., a corporation affiliated with the Bethlehem Steel Co., and the Pennsylvania Steel Co. The property of the Juragua company, which is situated about 15 miles east of Santiago, was studied in June and July, 1884, by Dr. James P. Kimball, at the tine Professor of Economic Geology in Lehigh University and one of the best known of American mining geologists. Dr. Kimball published on his return two papers, the first important descriptions which we have of the local geology.1 It is

Jan 9, 1915

By John H. Fowler

"Barytes is one of the major components of drilling fluids used in oil and gas well-drilling. This mineral's close association with the petroleum industry bestows it with a commodity status not enjoyed by many other industrial minerals. Approximately 85% of world barytes production is used as a weighting agent in oil and gas well drilling while the remaining 15% is consumed mainly in the manufacture of barium chemicals, glass and as a pigment, filler or extender.Barytes mining began in Nova Scotia around 1865 and has continued until the present. Currently there are three barytes producers in the province one exporting pharmaceutical-grade barium sulphate and the other two supplying drilling mud-grade barytes to the offshore. Several barytes exploration and development programs are underway with excellent possibilities that Nova Scotia deposits will supply a significantly larger share of the drilling mud-grade barytes used in east coast drilling programs.Currently there is renewed interest in barytes activities in Nova Scotia because of its use as a weighting agent in drilling flu ids used in offshore oil and gas drilling programs.This paper reviews the use of barytes by the well drilling industry; outlines the history of barytes mining in the province, progressing to present-day exploration, development and production activities underway in Nova Scotia; and concludes with the market potential for Nova Scotia barytes."

Jan 1, 1986

By C. S. Samis, J. C. Mitchell

Sodion activity data have been obtained for the Na-A1 system for sodium concentrations in aluminum between NN, = 25 . 10-and 300 x 10'. This concentration intert-a2 encompasses those sodium concentrations nor1)zally encountered in aluminum reduction cell operation. The sodium activity data were measured by a two-phase equilibration of sodium between a lead and an aluminam rich phase. The Na-Pb system was emplojed as a reference for the determination of the actiz7itj 0.f sodium. The activity of sodiin in aluminuwz exhibits large positi2.e deviations frorn ideality and a strong dependence, on concentration below NN, = 100 x 1K6. The inteated data indicate that the activity of aluminium is equal to its mole fraction over the range of miscibility of the Na-A1 sgstem. The data on the Na-A1 binary have been combined with experimental data on the cryolite-A1 system at 1025°C to obtain the activities of Na F and AlF, in liquid cryolite oz2er the cornposition 1-ange encountered in aluminum cell operation. The results are in agreement with activities calculated from the NaF-AlF, phase diagram. ALUMINUM is produced commercially by the electrolytic reduction of aluminum oxide dissolved in molten cryolite. There is considerable controversy over the actual mechanism of the discharge processes, but sodium potentials in the systems appear to play an important role in the reduction mechanism. The metal-salt reaction involving NaF and aluminum to produce A1F3 and sodium is responsible for the presence of sodium in the aluminum metal phase. Additional sodium may be produced from the simultaneous deposition of sodium and aluminum at the cathode as a result of a cathodic overvoltage. runert' has suggested that sodium gas at atmospheric pressure would be the result of reaction between cryolite and aluminum at 1000°C. Subsequent investigations have shown that production of sodium at atmospheric pressure does not occur. These later investigations can be conveniently separated into two categories. The first involves sodium, aluminum, and cryolite, in which the sodium activity was measured. The second includes a lead phase for sodium activity measurement. Jander and errmann,' studied the reaction: at 1090°C in alumina crucibles under an atmosphere of dry, oxygen-free nitrogen. The equilibrium constant for the reaction was expressed in terms of concentration. Their results in Fig. 1 show an increase in sodium content of the aluminum with increasing NaF/A1F3 weight ratio. Pearson and waddington3 performed similar experiments at 1000°C. Their results are included in Fig. 1. Dewing and ollinshead have measured the sodium content of aluminum as a function of the NF/AF, ratio at 1025"C, Fig. 1, and ewin' measured the sodium content of the aluminum in a system involving the solid reactants NaF, cryolite, and liquid aluminum. This reaction is different from those discussed above. Two solid phases, NaF and Na3A1F6, and a liquid aluminum phase were present. The sodium concentration in the aluminum was determined by the temperature. Dewing's measurements covered the temperature range 679" to 896°C. Omo, Matsushima, and 1t02" investigated the equilibrium 6NaF ential thermal analysis. Stokes and Frank6 determined sodium activities by

Jan 1, 1970

By Ratnakar Singh, Raj Kishore, Kisor Kumar Sahu, Ranjeet Kumar Singh, Ganesh Chalavadi

The Falcon concentrator is capable of separating minerals in fine size classes based on their differential density. Separation of mineral particles depends upon the fluid flow characteristics and relative movement of particles in a fluid. In the present study, a fluid flow characteristic inside the Falcon concentrator was established through experimentation and modeling. The Falcon concentrator has two fluid entry points: (a) Fluid entering through gravity assisted feeding system and (b) Fluid entering through the fluidized hole on the concentrator wall. In order to identify the role of fluid entering the concentrator, a tracer was injected into the system. As per the tracer based experimentation, it was established that fluid entering through the gravity based feeding system is responsible for thin flowing film formation in the stratification zone where particles are stratified based on their relative density. The momentum balance and continuity equations were simplified for a high centrifugal force field, and the fluid velocity profile was estimated inside the thin flowing film. Estimated fluid flow profiles will help to simulate the particle trajectories inside the Falcon concentrator. The influence of rotational speed, fluid flow rate, and cone angle on the fluid velocity profile were investigated. Fluid thickness over the concentrator wall is also estimated, and it is typically of the order of ~150–200 μm.

By Morrison R. D, Kojovic T

Industry-sponsored research at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre has produced models of high tension roll and electrostatic plate separators operating in mineral sands dry plants. The behaviour of mineral species has been characterised under a wide variety of operating conditions by extensive plant machine sampling and laboratory measurements. The effect of operating conditions on separator performance has been quantified by monitoring changes in the weight distribution of mineral species along the product splitter axis. The response of each mineral species has been modelled on a size-by-size basis using an average surface charge decay time and a variation in its surface properties. The models incorporate changes in machine, mineral and ambient conditions on the separation and predict all product flows, assays and size distributions. This paper outlines the structure of the models. These models are being implemented in JKSimSand, an user-friendly simulation software Package.

Jan 1, 1991

By Thomas M. Barczak

The U.s. Bureau of Mines is conducting research to optimize the utilization and design of mine roof support systems. This report describes methods to evaluate resultant loading on longwall shields, defined as external resultant vertical and horizontal force acting on the canopy and base. Four models are considered: two rigid-body models, an elastic model, and a numerical model. The rigid-body models equate measured internal shield forces to unknown external resultant shield forces (loads) through rigid-body analysis of static equilibrium requirements. The elastic model develops a solution to shield mechanics by evaluation of the load-displacement relationship and stiffness characteristics of the support structure. The numerical model is a two-dimensional finite-element representation of a shield structure. Model determination of resultant shield loading is compared to controlled loading of a shield in the Bureau's mine roof simulator. Parameters investigated are shield height, canopy contact configuration, canopy and base horizontal constrainment, and boundary conditions imposed by vertical and horizontal shield displacements. It is concluded that rigid-body models are most applicable to in situ measurement of shield loading. Applications requirements and potential error sources are discussed.

Jan 1, 1990

By H. H. Johnson, Eric W. Johnson

A newly developed ac technique was used to measure the electrical-resistivity changes associated with both cyclic stressing and subsequent annealing of high-purity and OFHC copper. The early stage of push-pull fatigue was explored at 293° and 4.2°K, with stresses chosen for an expected fatigue life of 2 to 8 X 105 cycles. For high-purity copper, fatigue at 293°K was accompanied by an initial increase in resistivity. After about 5000 stress cycles, no further increase was observed. Annealing studies showed that the resisticity increment could be accounted for solely in terms of an increased dislocation density, to about 2 x 1010 disl pev sq cm. Fov 42°K fatigue, however, the resistivity increased continually, with no evidence of saturation, as approximately (No. of stress cycles)1/4. This is intevpreted to result from both dislocation multiplication and vacancy production; estimated vacancy concentrations are 10-4 to 10-9. The continuous resistivity increase was inhibited by interspersed annealing treatments at 293°K, which also raised the level of the stress-strain curve. These effects are attributed to annealing of vacancies into dislocation loops. In contrast, OFHC copper fatigued at 4.2°K showed saturation of electrical vesistivity after only a few hundred cycles, and it appeared that vacancies annealed out completely between 77° and 293°K. MaNY observations suggest that both dislocation multiplication and point-defect production are important aspects of fatigue deformation. An increase in dislocation density with number of stress cycles has been demonstrated or implied by several experimental techniques, including optical metallography with lithium fluoride,' electron microscopy with copper,2 thermal conductivity of Cu-Zn alloys,3 and peak-stress measurements during cycling at constant plastic strain amplitude.4,5 At low amplitudes and/or stresses saturation of fatigue hardening and dislocation density occurs early in the expected fatigue life,4-6 frequently by a few hundred cycles. The evidence for point-defect production is somewhat less extensive, but it is nonetheless persuasive. Rosenberg7 reported briefly that, for equal stresses, copper fatigued at liquid-hydrogen temperature displays an increase in electrical resistance some ten times that which accompanies unidirectional stressing. Further, the extra resistance saturates after a few hundred stress cycles, and does not anneal significantly until a temperature of about 170°K is attained.' Point-defect production during fatigue is also suggested by 1) the softening during cyclic stressing of initially strain-hardened polycrystal-line copper9, 2) the strong temperature dependence of the yield strength of fatigue-hardened mono- and polycrystalline copper,579"0 and 3) the influence of intermediate annealing upon slip-band formation in copper fatigued at 90°K.8 It is evident that characterization of the fatigued state requires a knowledge of both point-defect and dislocation densities. For this purpose electrical-resistivity measurements are useful, but they are difficult to perform because of geometric limitations. Push-pull fatigue is necessary to obtain a macroscopic ally uniform deformation over the specimen cross section; however, the specimen must then have a low slenderness ratio to avoid plastic buckling, while the standard dc resistivity technique requires a very slender specimen for

Jan 1, 1965

By Carl A Zapffe, George A. Moore

In a previous publication from this laboratory1 the conclusion was drawn that the embrittling effect of occluded hydrogen on iron and steel must result from the precipitation of the gas within small openings through the crystal structure. A review of the literature then published indicated the real existence of crystal substructures of the mosaic type and gave presumptive evidence that the "rift openings" associated with hydrogen occlusion are the same as the L'disjunctions" of the mosaic theory. Inasmuch as no clear conception of the actual nature of the crystal fragments and openings inherent in these theories has been established, it was considered desirable to obtain direct micrographic evidence of their true configuration. In this direction the standard methods of metallographic attack have proved useless. Recourse was had, therefore, to the direct examination of the surfaces upon which failure by cleavage had resulted from the presence of hydrogen. It was expected that such a surface, unaffected by chemical attack and undis-torted by polishing, would reveal the fine openings penetrated by the gas and thus indicate the real nature of the substructures. Materials Studied In commercial steels, defects caused by hydrogen take various external forms according to such factors as structure and purity, and to the extent to which hydrogen either occludes or produces chemical changes. The present work relates only to the well-known transcrystalline hydrogen embrittlement—-"pickling brittleness "—in which elemental hydrogen occluded within the grain develops cleavage characteristics. For example, hydrogen embrittlement resulting from hydrogen reaction products is excluded from detailed study. It was also desirable, as far as possible, to have the study uncomplicated by other elements which themselves cause brittleness. Three types of iron were used. These included ingot iron, decarburized free-machining steel, and a specially prepared, aluminum-killed, electrolytic iron. This choice allowed a comprehensive selection of unavoidable minor impurities and inclusions, which could subsequently be shown to have no specific effects on the structures within the grains. Carbon, and any other impurities free to react with hydrogen, were first removed by a preliminary annealing treatment in hydrogen. Subsequent treatment in vacuo extracted much of this hydrogen and its gaseous reaction products. The resultant ductile iron was then embrittled either by a second anneal in hydrogen, followed by rapid cooling, or by cathodic electrolysis. Group 1: Prepared from Armco Ingot Iron As shown in Table 1, the principal impurity in this iron was oxygen, which survived the purifying treatment to a large extent. Two series were prepared. The first (Nos. SIO-24) was purified only one day in hydrogen and dehydrogenized one day in nitrogen. Containing both hydrogen and its

Jan 1, 1943

By Carl A. Zapffe, George A. Moore

In a previous publication from this laboratory1 the conclusion was drawn that the embrittling effect of occluded hydrogen on iron and steel must result from the precipitation of the gas within small openings through the crystal structure. A review of the literature then published indicated the real existence of crystal substructures of the mosaic type and gave presumptive evidence that the "rift openings" associated with hydrogen occlusion are the same as the L'disjunctions" of the mosaic theory. Inasmuch as no clear conception of the actual nature of the crystal fragments and openings inherent in these theories has been established, it was considered desirable to obtain direct micrographic evidence of their true configuration. In this direction the standard methods of metallographic attack have proved useless. Recourse was had, therefore, to the direct examination of the surfaces upon which failure by cleavage had resulted from the presence of hydrogen. It was expected that such a surface, unaffected by chemical attack and undis-torted by polishing, would reveal the fine openings penetrated by the gas and thus indicate the real nature of the substructures. Materials Studied In commercial steels, defects caused by hydrogen take various external forms according to such factors as structure and purity, and to the extent to which hydrogen either occludes or produces chemical changes. The present work relates only to the well-known transcrystalline hydrogen embrittlement—-"pickling brittleness "—in which elemental hydrogen occluded within the grain develops cleavage characteristics. For example, hydrogen embrittlement resulting from hydrogen reaction products is excluded from detailed study. It was also desirable, as far as possible, to have the study uncomplicated by other elements which themselves cause brittleness. Three types of iron were used. These included ingot iron, decarburized free-machining steel, and a specially prepared, aluminum-killed, electrolytic iron. This choice allowed a comprehensive selection of unavoidable minor impurities and inclusions, which could subsequently be shown to have no specific effects on the structures within the grains. Carbon, and any other impurities free to react with hydrogen, were first removed by a preliminary annealing treatment in hydrogen. Subsequent treatment in vacuo extracted much of this hydrogen and its gaseous reaction products. The resultant ductile iron was then embrittled either by a second anneal in hydrogen, followed by rapid cooling, or by cathodic electrolysis. Group 1: Prepared from Armco Ingot Iron As shown in Table 1, the principal impurity in this iron was oxygen, which survived the purifying treatment to a large extent. Two series were prepared. The first (Nos. SIO-24) was purified only one day in hydrogen and dehydrogenized one day in nitrogen. Containing both hydrogen and its

Jan 1, 1943

By N. V. Hansell

The preparation of low-grade iron-ores by concentration, whether or not followed by an agglomeration of the concentrate, has in the United States only recently been recognized as a metallurgical process of vast economical importance for its iron indust.ry. This importance of the process lies not only in the fact that it makes possible the use of ores heretofore discarded on account of their low iron-content or their too high percentage of elements deleterious in the iron industry, but also in its produetion of a raw material for the blast-furnace that is more uniform in its physical character and chemically purer, with a higher iron-content, than the general run of natural ores. When mixed in the burden of the furnace, it lowers the amount of coke and fluxing-stone required per ton of pig-iron produced. The furnace-operations become more regular and more easily controlled. The pig-iron is of higher quality and more uniform in character. In brief, it is becoming recognized that the beneficiating of the natural iron-ore, even if it makes the furnace-ore higher in cost per unit of iron entering into the burden, may mean a lowering of the production-cost of the pig-iron and an improved product. At the present time, the Lake Superior district furnishes about 80 per cent. of all the iron-ore yearly produced in the United States. If the Southern States arc exempted the percentage runs as high as 93 per cent. These ores are showing a steady decrease in grade from year to year. For the past 10 or 15 years this falling off in the average grade has been about 0.5 per cent. a year. The lowered grade of ore means an in-

Jan 1, 1913

By E. C. Mahan

THE text of my talk was suggested by the invita-tion of your secretary, who said that the excess productive capacity of the bituminous industry was a matter of common concern to engineers and coal operators. Cognizant of the depressed condition of the industry, he tactfully added that in common council we might find wisdom. Certainly it would seem that the application of the best engineering knowledge available would be helpful in solving mining problems. There is no doubt that clear thinking, characteristic of the engineering type of mind, is essential to untangle the shapeless pattern which increased complication, so often mistaken for progress, has developed. There is much thinking today which neither looks forward to a logical combination of ideas nor backward to simple fundamentals. The result of that sort of thinking is hopeless confusion. Lately we have heard much about excess capacity and overproduction, along with their attendant evils. Respecting the bituminous coal industry, these terms have been frequently misused. How many of us have seen them applied to the coal industry but how few of us have understood them. I am reminded of a state-ment which William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor and a former miner from the Ohio field, gave to the Associated Press last month, in which he was quoted as saying: "The coal men must realize that conditions have altered since the World War. To-day they are producing a billion tons a year, with a market for only half that tonnage." I cite this instance as a glaring example of the flood of. loose statements about the bituminous industry with which the public is being deluged. If the general public, or some of the newspapers, had any passion for the facts, this sort of misleading statement would not get very far. Unfor-tunately, in these days, opinions are more sought after than facts, and statements by such a person as Mr. Green and are promptly accepted by a credulous public.

Jan 4, 1928

By Sidney Powers

CONTENTS PAGE Distribution of fields 4 History of development 6 Origin of oil 7 Structure, accumulation and migration 8 Reservoir rocks 9 Methods of drilling and exploration 10 Oil-field statistics : 12 Description by regions: United States: Appalachian region ; 12 East-central states 17 Kansas 18 Oklahoma : 19 Texas : 24 Arkansas : 32 Louisiana 33 Mississippi ....... 34 Rocky Mountain region : 34 California 37 Canada 41 Mexico 43 Cuba 46 Bibliography 46 THE purpose of this brief account- of the occurrence of petroleum in North America is to make available to those who have a knowledge of geology, but who are not engaged in the petroleum industry, a few salient facts about the location of oil and gas fields, their productivity, the important structural types of accumulation and the age of the rocks containing petroleum. A few useful data and statistics are furnished, yet not complete statistics that are available elsewhere. Geology has been treated in simple terms because the reader is presumed to have little interest in the names of formations and of oil sands. Mineral deposits are more or less analogous. Whether oil or metals, minerals are found in rocks, largely in sedimentary rocks which carry water or have at one time carried it. A genetic or accumula-

Jan 1, 1931

By M. J. McPherson

Having worked on the thermodynamics of air/liquid-water mixtures passing through the surface fans of deep mines, I find this paper of great interest and congratulate the authors on producing it. There are two matters, however, deserving discussion. First, the authors have described the classical theory of fog formation with fogging occurring at "supersaturation." In fact, the process of fog formation begins well below 100% humidity. The more strongly hygroscopic nuclei in the atmosphere will attract water molecules and begin to grow at a relative humidity perhaps as low as 70%. The process is a dynamic one with both condensation and evaporation taking place throughout the mixture on microscopic liquid surfaces. As saturation is approached, the rate of condensation accelerates rapidly producing the familiar reduction in visibility. Hygroscopic nuclei are present in all natural atmospheres and under the appropriate conditions of pressure and temperature, will produce clean fogs. However, if the air is polluted by particulates from combustion or other processes then the resultant coagulation with growing liquid particles may produce dense (and sometimes photochemical) smogs. It is this process that is likely to occur in underground mines when moist air is cooled below dew point. Second, the authors have summarized very well the individual measures that might alleviate the problem. In particular, I agree that neither heating nor refrigerating the air, by themselves, provides a satisfactory solution. However, there is a combination of these that provides a neat and effective control of fog formation. This involves a small, self-contained refrigeration unit within a duct but without the usual external heat rejection facility. The air is cooled below dew point and, hence, dehumidified on passing over the cold evaporator coils. The heat from the condenser is rejected back into the air down-stream from the water eliminator, as shown in [Fig. 1]. The duct configuration can be designed to create good mixing at the outlet.

Jan 1, 1984

By Foster Bain

THOUGHTFUL people have raised questions as to how long nature's bank could continue to accept our drafts. These questions came to the fore so persistently, and there were so many evidences -such as the failure of natural gas in Indiana, the increasing scarcity of lumber in the Lake Superior region, the progressive sterility of Southern farm lands, the choking of the Sacramento River by tailing-point-ing to possible danger from overdraft or to misuse of resources and opportunity, that President Roosevelt called a conference which assembled at the White House on May 13, 1908, to consider these and related questions. This, the first great Conservation Congress, had a wide and beneficial influence on the thought of the world. It profoundly influenced the course of succeed-ing events and, while even yet there are sharp dis-agreements as, to the wisdom of much that has been done in the name of conservation, I believe that thoughtful men, and engineers especially, agree that the time had come when sharp attention was properly called to the waste that accompanied development of our resources. RESOURCES LARGE BUT NOT INEXHAUSTIBLE In 1908 there was a surprisingly large number of men, who should have known better, prepared to argue that our resources are "inexhaustible." No competent mining engineer, of course, believes that, as regards minerals at least. They may be, and, in most cases, fortunately are, large; as to many of them our knowledge is too general to permit measuring the reserves; but we know now, and I think the public appreciates, that there is a limit to our supply of gas, oil, coal, iron, and metals. Indeed, with the inten-sive study made necessary to meet the demands of the war, and the more careful accounting required by the newer systems of taxation, depletion has become a common word, and that mines are wasting assets has become a platitude.

Jan 8, 1922