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By E. R. Haymaker, C. W. Binckley, F. R. Burgess

A method of establishing stabilized back-pressure curves for gas wells producing from formations of extremely low permeability is presented. Actual well performance under many different operating conditions is shown by the stabilized back-pressure curve. By use of the method. it is possible to conduct back-pressure tests with a critical-flow prover on wells that stabilize slowly, and save approximately 88% of the gas ordinarily vented to obtain satisfactory test data, with a great reduction in time required for testing. INTRODUCTION The reasons for establishing dependable back-pressure curves on gas wells have been pointed out by previous publications. The publication most referred to. of course, is the United States Bureau of Mines Monograph 7, titled "Back-Pressure Data on Natural Gas Wells and Their Application to Production Practices". The technique generally established therein has been accepted and used by many engineers; and, when proper tests are conducted, the results can be used for the analysis and solution of several practical problems concerning field operation and development. Even where formations of low specific permeability are encountered, the determination of a well's actual performance by the back-pressure test method permits the engineer to analyze many problems in individual well operation and also to predict necessary future field development. Such problems as the determination of the ability of a well to produce into a pipe line at a predetermined line pressure, the design of gas gathering systems and meter settings, and the determination of the time and the number of wells required to be drilled to meet future market obligations, can be solved, in part., by the use of a reliable back-~ressure curve. In addition, the computed well delivery rates determined by data from backpressure tests ordered by state regtilatory bodies, when compared with the true back-Pressure curve, permit the operator to ascertain whether such data represent unstable or relatively stabilized delivery rates for given pressure conditions of the well. The technique of back-pressure testing, as described in this report, was developed by Phillips Petroleum Company engineers from data obtained during a testing program that started in 1944 and has been continued to date. Three hundred and eleven back-pressure tests were conducted on 299 wells located in the southern part of the Hugoton Field. The gas-bearing zone is composed of several dolomitic formations of the Permian Age; the important ones are the Herington, Upper Krider, Lower Krider, and Winfield. The average bottom-hole temperature is approximately 91 °F.. and the initial wellhead shut-in pressures range from 400 to 440 psig. The spacing pattern is 640 acres per well with each well located near the center of the section. The range of back-pressure potentials on wells tested was from 500 to 23,000 Mcfd. All gas wells were acidized, and the quantity of acid used, expressed in 1574 hydrocloric acid, varied from 12,000 to 22,000 gallons per well. The quantity and concentration of each treatment depended on the stage, the formation being treated, and experience gained from previously completed wells. The gas in the Hugoton Feld is a "dry" gas. It has a gasoline content of approximately 0.25 gallons per thousand cubic feet, as determined by charcoal test, and its specific gravity averages about 0.71 as compared to air (air = 1.00 at 60°F.). Of the wells tested, 71 were completed with 7" casing, 3 with 9 5/8" casing, and 1 with 6%" casing set on top of the upper producing formation with the well bore through the gas bearing formations being open hole. Two hundred and twenty-four were completed with 5 1/2'' O.D. casing set through the gas bearing formations and perforated. For the purpose of establishing reliable back-pressure curves in the area, Phillips Petroleum Company personnel has computed data on the basis of 24-hour flows per point. Early in the program, many tests were actually permitted to flow 24 hours to obtain data for each plotting point, at great expense in man power and time. Presently, however, such tests have been replaced by tests of short duration flows which can be made to effect results that correspond to the tests obtained by flows of much longer duration. METHOD When a gas well producing from a reservoir of low permeability is opened for production through a constant size orifice, both the rate of flow and working pressure decline. first at a high rate and later at a lower rate until after several hours the decline becomes difficult to ascertain. In this paper the rae of flow and working pressure are considered to be stabilized when it becomes difficult to observe changes in working pressure during a period of three hours by the use of a deadweight pressure gage. Stalibization of pressure in the literal sense is never obtained in a producing gas well. In formations of low permeability. such as those in the Hugo-ton Field, most wellhead working pressures approach stabilization closely enough to be used satisfactorily in the determination of a back-Pressure potential curve after flow periods of 24 hours. We shall therefore describe the backpressure curve calculated from ohserved rates of flow and working pressure at the end of 24-hour flow periods.

Jan 1, 1949

By O. W. Ellis

BEFORE entering upon a general discussion of the fascinating, but at present rather controversial, subject of gases in copper, the author feels that some attention should be directed to the work which has been carried out on the solubility of gases in metals. The outstanding contributions to our knowledge of this subject have been made by Sieverts and his collaborators(1) t and by Iwasé.(2) Both the German and the Japanese investigators employed apparatus of the same general design in their investigations. Full reference need only be made, therefore, to the German scheme, which is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1. This, to use the words of Sieverts, which he employed in describing his Burette arrangement of apparatus at the 1928 meeting of der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Metallkunde(1g): shows a diagram of the usual mode of procedure. A quartz flask contains the metal (for high temperatures a highly refractory porcelain FIG. 1.-SIEVERTS' APPARATUS FOR INVESTIGATING SOLUBILITY OF tube is used) and is connected with the rest of GASES IN METALS. the apparatus by means of a stopcock. The other parts consist of a burette divided into 1/10 c.c., a leveling tube, and art adjus-table mercury reservoir. The burette is connected on one side with the gas inlet and on the other side with the absorption flask; the connection can be interrupted by means of suitable taps. Another tap permits the connection of the flask and the Töpler pump. In an experiment the quartz flask is first exhausted and then a meas-ured quantity of gas is let in from the burette. In the first place the volume of the flask when empty is found by calibration with an inert gas. The pressure is read off on the level tube of the burette, and the temperature measured by means of a thermo-couple whose welded junction lies close to the outside of the quartz flask, which is heated in an electric furnace. In several experiments the quantity of absorbed gas was transferred to a burette by means of a pump and measured.

Jan 1, 1932

AUGUST began with a reminder that warfare was still in progress in the world, in that the Greeks, still at war with Turkey, threatened Constantinople in spite of the small British and French forces of occupation and opened a vista of international dangers. There was in this, moreover, a recollection that religious questions in India had prevented the British from permitting a real settlement of the Turkish question, wherein the absence of Russia as a great power is missed. Civil warfare also continued in Ireland and China. Even in the military way the world is far from being at peace. Bloody fighting between the Fascisti (anti-communists) and the com-munists in Italy led to several provinces being put under martial law, but after a while these disturbances were quelled. In the latter part of the month the assassination of Michael Collins in Ireland produced a great shock. From China, however, there came rather favorable news, indicating the early reintegration of that country, which sooner or later ought to play an important part in world affairs. Economically, instead of there being any improve-ment, there grew a clearer perception of how bad things really are. Italian politics were in chaos through inability to find anyone to accept the premiership and assume the all but hopeless task of averting national bankruptcy. The French, too, began to see their own position in true colors, and especially to see how in reconstruction they had incurred debts on the strength of what they hoped to collect from Germany, with at last the understanding that the Germans could not pay and that France herself was thereby put in a desper-ate economic position. As for the Germans, them-selves their Reichsbank defaulted on ordinary bills early in August. As the month wore on the value of marks fell more and more and at the end it appeared that Germany was on the verge of economic collapse. On Aug. 7, another international conference (with America again absent) was assembled in London, this being the thirteenth since the war, and there was a general feeling that it would be the last. The prime question was what is to be done about the German reparations, but underlying was the whole subject of the entente. The conference opened like a meeting of importunate creditors, doubtful whether the debtor had any tangible assets. On Aug. 14 this conference broke up without coming to any useful conclusion. Indeed, the acrimony among the premiers was so sharp that even the entente between Great Britain and France was endangered. The international situation was saved only by the Reparations Commission excusing the Germans from the payment of 50,000,000 gold marks that come due on Aug. 15 But although the entente was nominally preserved there is no longer any illusion about the interests of Great Britain and France being different and that henceforth they will play their own hands. The London conference was really an effort to maintain the partnership, and it failed.

Jan 9, 1922

By Alexander R. Troiano, Taylor Lyman

Studies of the transformation of aus-tenite at constant subcritical temperatures have been numerous since the work of Davenport and Rain.' Considerable information has been obtained on low-alloy steels and on high-carbon alloys containing undissolved carbide or graphite at the austenitizing temperature. Little is known of the isothermal transformation of aus-tenite containing in solution large amounts of both carbon and a single alloying element. In this investigation four steels containing one per cent carbon and with chromium in the range 3 to 9 per cent have been examined with the view to establishing the fundamental character of the isothermal reactions when all carbon and chromium are initially in solution in austenite. Experimental Procedure Alloys The chemical compositions of the steels investigated are given in Table I. The 4 per cent Cr alloy is a commercial steel. The other steels were made by the Carpenter Steel Co. as 50-lb., induction-furnace heats and rolled to 5/8 -in. round bars. Bars were softened at 650' to 700°C. before the specimens were cut. Most of the lines on the transformation diagrams presented here have been placed on the basis of the microscopic examinatioll of partially reacted specimens, Thees specimens were approximately 1/2 by 1/4 by 1/8 in. ill size, specimens of the 9 per cent cr steel were held 10 to 12 hr, at 1200°to 1225°C. before quenching to the various subcritical temperatures. The other steels were held for 2 to 2 1/2 hr. at 12ooOC. before quenching. These treatments, carried out in an atmosphere of purified nitrogen, produced an austenite grain size larger than A.S.T.M. So. I, some grains being 1 to 2 mm. in diameter. There were a few undissolved carbide particles in some specimens of the 9 per cent Cr steel. It is believed, however, that any errors in the results due to incomplete solution of carbon and chromium in austenite are negligible; that is, austenite compositions may be considered as being those listed ill Table I. X-ray Methods Constituents were identified and mar-tensite axial ratios determined from Debye

Jan 1, 1945

By WOOLSEY MCA JOHNSON

INDEPENDENTLY of the recognized chemical reactions involved in the production of metallic zinc, the process is affected by physical conditions in efficiency, and by commercial as well as technical economy. To offer some observations concerning these conditions is the purpose of the present paper. Among the important elements of this problem is the physical nature of the particles constituting the mass of zinc oxide to be reduced. This may be the result, either of the manner of the original deposition of the mineral, or of the treatment to which it has been subjected in the roasting-furnace. The physical character of the reducing-agent is another important factor, since the carbon of some coals is much more active in reduction than that of others. The degree of fineness, whether of ore or coal, or both, likewise plays a significant part. These factors, together with the physical admixture of foreign substances with the ore, may give rise also to chemical "side-reactions," sometimes hindering or retarding, and sometimes accelerating, the reduction. Finally, thermal conditions, including the relative conductivity of the materials, deserve to be taken into account. In firing a furnace with retorts charged with a mixture of roasted ore and coal, the first reaction is naturally the boiling-off of the contained water ; the next is the distillation of the light hydrocarbons from the coal; the next is the reduction of the iron oxide to protoxide and sub-oxide successively, and then to metallic sponge; and the final reaction is the reduction of the zinc oxide in the ore by the carbon to metallic zinc. This reaction commences at 1,022° to 1,060° C., according to the physical nature and condition of the coal and ore. Since the retort and the charge are far from being good con-

Sep 1, 1907

By J. Chipman, N. J. Grant, H. L. Bishop

Lime and dicalcium-silicate crucibles were equilibrated with molten iron and liquid slags containing iron oxide and small amounts of sulfur. The oxygen content of metal, iron oxide activities, and desulfurization values of the slags were determined in the temperature range 1530 to 1700°C. The influence of magnesia in the slag and the temperature dependence of the solubility of lime in liquid iron oxide and the ferric oxide content were established. The temperature contour of the liquidus surface of iron-silicate slags saturated with lime and dicalcium silicate was also established at 1600°C. THE importance of the role that slag composition plays in the refining of steel has been known for many years. Numerous studies have been made using actual plant data in order to establish the relationship between the composition of the slag and metal during the refining of a heat of liquid steel. These results rarely represent equilibrium conditions since completion of the various chemical reactions involved in steelmaking is seldom realized. In order to establish quantitatively the equilibrium conditions existing between the slag and metal, several laboratory studies have been conducted in the past 20 years to determine the reactions important in slag control. These investigations have included studies of simple liquid basic and acid slags as well as more complex slag systems which approach those commonly found during the refining of a heat of steel. Since most of the previous studies of simple basic iron-oxide slags equilibriated with molten iron were made in magnesia crucibles, it was not possible to establish the distribution of sulfur and oxygen between molten iron and slags consisting only of the three essential components, lime, silica, and iron oxide. This investigation was undertaken to establish the equilibrium conditions for simple lime-iron oxide and lime-silica-iron oxide slags. Accordingly, it was expedient to prepare crucibles both of lime and dicalcium silicate to establish the equilibrium conditions between molten iron and iron-oxide slags saturated with the refractory materials and free from other components. The only other studies of the equilibrium between molten iron and lime-saturated slags are those of Fischer and vom Ende, 1, 2 in which the solubility of oxygen was determined in an air atmosphere. The

Jan 1, 1959

By John J. Croston

In the closing months of 1936 the copper industry gave every evidence that it was at last on the threshold of an improved era. At the beginning of the year prices stood at 91/4c, which in itself was a great improvement over prices prevailing for the three previous years. Industry generally was showing signs of moving forward in this country, and business was definitely good in certain foreign quarters. The threat of war and preparations for rearmament in Europe and Asia acted as a further stimulus to purchasing. By midsummer the situation had so improved and stocks had been so reduced that the cartel of foreign producers (including American producers with foreign mines) decided to increase the production quota to 75 per cent on Aug. 1. Large-scale buying gave continued strength to the price and by Oct. 1 the quota was increased to 80 per cent, and again on Oct. 15, to 85 per cent. Notwithstanding this the price of copper continued its advance and on Nov. 1, with stocks declining continuously, the cartel increased operations to 95 per cent, then to 105 per cent on Nov. 5. In the meantime the domestic producers, because of the great increase in home consumption, had increased their production by nearly one-half. At the close of the year copper sold at 126 per pound, and since the turn of the present year has reached 17c. This rapid increase has not been wholly justified. Much of the increase was due to the legitimate demands of recovering industry, but rearmament orders plus accumulation of reserve stocks in case of war, purchases in anticipation of labor strikes and purely speculative activities on the London Metal Exchange accounted for the balance. Certainly in view of the state of industry and the general world price level, it appears unnecessarily high. Talk of a copper shortage is sheer nonsense, the recent condition in the market being created by overbuying, leaving but a small volume for speculative supplies. It takes some months for an increase in mine output to reach the market, but production is again overtaking apparent consumption, stocks have begun to increase, and this, together with the reopening of many small

Jan 1, 1937

By B. M. Larsen

NEVER having actually tried to engage in the systematic education of anyone, and having little direct knowledge of the practical problems and limitations in the field of education, I can pose only as a "nonexpert" in this field, one whose ideas are to be regarded as personal opinions. The necessity for compromise between educational ideals and the practical limitations of time, money, and mental capacities of both student and teacher is evident in the preparation of an end product that we may regard with a reasonable degree of conviction as a professional engineer. We need to do so many things. The engineering student must have a clear understanding of the basic sciences; he should develop manual skills and co-ordination; he should speak and write the language with simple clarity and directness; he should gather knowledge of a special field; and, he should be educated for living in a broad ..

Jan 1, 1948

By Walter Morley

This paper is a record of the first of a series of tests on sulfide minerals to be made by the metallurgical department f the University of California. The purpose of the tests here recorded is to determine the action of standard oils, oil mixtures, and addition agents on the flotation of pyrites. The question of the commercial value of pyrite was not considered. Of the many factors affecting flotation, only two-the oil and the other agent used-were made variable. The flotation agents used are given in the accompanying table. PENSACOLA TAR AND TURPENTINE CO. (PENTARCO) NON-POL., SP. Dis. REF. PER No. KIND GR. POINTS INDEX ?VISC. CENT. 200 Refined wood creosote oil 0.965 105-275 1.5096 1.7 7-8 350 Crude pine wood oil 1.019 70-345 1.525 2.9 4 75 Crude wood turpentine 0.887 65-217 1.456 0.9 10-12 80 Crude pine oil 0.911 70-232 1.4894 1.1 8 750 Heavy pine tar oil 1.063 165-350 1.557 41.0 400 Wood creosote oil 1.025 190-360 1.4977 2.9

Jan 7, 1921

By Morris A. Dodd

The nodulizing process described converts finely divided zinc calcine into a dense purified nodule. These zinc nodules are suitable for direct use in zinc reduction furnaces, especially the horizontal retort type, for the production of metal or American process zinc oxide furnaces for producing lead free zinc oxide. The basic reactions are carried out in a rotary kiln fired with fuel oil or natural gas. The combustion gases travel countercurrent to the flow of the zinc bearing material. Volatile impurities are carried out of the kiln with the combustion gases and a small portion of the finely divided feed material. The gases are cooled and the larger solid particles are separated from the stream before the resultant fume is collected in a conventional cloth filter baghouse. The fume collected can be further processed by conventional wet processes for the recovery of metallic values such as lead and cadmium. In order to nodulize the calcine properly it is elevated to a point of incipient fusion. The agglomerated material falling from the kiln is cooled and then sized by passing through a screening and crushing system consisting of a jaw crusher and a roll crusher in closed circuit with a vibrating screen.

Jan 1, 1970

By Paul C. Ragland, P. Geoffrey Feiss

The Piedmont province of the southern Appalachians is the focus of interest for many exploration geologists. In the past, only those deposits with significant surface exposure were exploited. Thus, few deposits have been found and relatively little exploration has been conducted in recent years. Modern geochemical and geophysical techniques can alleviate this problem of concentrating on exposed ore bodies by allowing us to "look through" the soil and saprolite to detect the presence of significant mineralization at depth. This paper will attempt to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of several geochemical exploration techniques in the Piedmont province of Cabarrus and Stanly counties, N.C. The area chosen for study is shown in [Fig. 1], lying almost wholly within the Mt. Pleasant quadrangle, N.C. The area is on the eastern boundary between the Charlotte belt, a zone of plutonic and intermediate grade metamorphic rocks, and the Carolina Slate belt, a series of complexly interbedded volcanic and sedimentary rocks of predominantly low metamorphic grade. The area is considered to be an early Paleozoic active, continental margin. l As is typical of most of the piedmont, outcrop is sparse. [Figure 2] is a sketch map of the general geology of the area under study, showing the Charlotte belt rocks in the northwestern quadrant and slate belt rocks to the east. Within the area are a number of old mines and prospects, the most famous of which are the Furniss and Phoenix mines in Cabarrus County. All are reported to have contained Au and Cu. Ag and Pb were reported from some. A summary of the deposits is given in [Table 1]. Data used in this study are from three Master's theses completed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hi11. 3, 5, 6 In separate studies, well waters, 5 B-zone soils,3 and vein and float from the area were sampled and analyzed. Each study concluded separately that geochemical anomalies in the vicinity of the ores justify use of that specific sampling technique in a geochemical exploration program. However, no comparative study of the methods has been made. It is our intention

Jan 1, 1980

By Felix A. Vogel

I (New York Meeting, February, 1912.) FLUE-DUST, to most blast-furnace operators, means a troublesome by-product, the formation of which should be curtailed, if not prevented entirely. However, with the increasing use of fine ores, larger furnaces, and high-pressure blast, the production of flue-dust is constantly increasing, and amounts annually in the United States to from 3,000,000 to 3,500,000 tons, An exceedingly high tonnage, of which a large part has been discarded as valueless. As a result of greater economy in the iron industry, the attention of our furnace-men has been directed towards the utilization of this enormous amount of waste material, a problem which had also been given due consideration by metallurgists abroad. Flue-dust is generally a fine material containing considerable coke and iron-ore, with a small admixture of lime and silica, depending upon the burden. The iron-ore is partly reduced, which shows that the dust originates largely in the reducing-zone of the blast-furnace. In the United States this dust usually contains 20 per cent. of coke and more than 40 per cent. of iron. Estimating coke to be worth $3.25 per ton, and iron-ore 7 cents per unit, a ton of flue-dust, unless made available, represents a loss to the furnace-man of $3.50. This accounts for the first efforts to recharge the flue-dust into the furnace, either by moistening it clown with an excess of water, or mixing it with clay to form balls of pulp, or treating it with lime-water. These methods, however, have been practically discarded, as they failed to produce the desired economies. To recover, in the blast-furnace, all the values represented by the material contained in the flue-dust, the following con¬ditions should be complied with

May 1, 1912

By Louis A. Panek

THE purpose of this paper is to present a method of designing safe and economical arch structures that are to be constructed of concrete or directly of original earth materials. The experimental data used to illustrate the design method are taken from Bucky and Fentress,1,2 and the application of the ideas presented by them is extended by obtaining an additional set of curves from which arch structures may be designed. This design method is based upon the following principles of similitude: A scalar model made of the same material as that of the full sized structure will behave similarly to its prototype if the density of the model is increased in the same proportion as its linear scale is decreased. Let R represent the scale or model ratio, namely, the ratio of a prototype linear dimension to the corresponding model linear dimension. The effect of increased density may be obtained by rotating the model in a centrifuge at a speed such that the centrifugal field exerts on the model an accelerative force R times the accelerative force of gravity. Under these conditions; (I) model unit stresses are equal to corresponding prototype unit stresses, (2) the ratio of the prototype deformation at a given point to the model deformation at a similar point is equal to the scale ratio, R, and (3) the model and the prototype will behave similarly within and beyond the elastic limits of strain. According to the above relations, such models can be used to solve the following problems: I. The dimensions of the most economical safe arch structure for a given load. 2. The maximum safe roof span underground for given geologic conditions. The procedure is described briefly as follows. Tests are made by rotating in a centrifuge a number of models that repIesent a variety of prototype loads and dimensions. From the experimental data, curves are plotted to show the relations between these loads and dimensions. The curves are used to solve directly the problems stated above. Structural design is based upon the working (safe) stress of the material of construction, which is established by applying a factor of safety to the experimentally determined ultimate strength of the material. In conformity with this principle, each model is gradually loaded until failure occurs. A safety factor is then applied to the results. If a safety factor of 4 is used, a given model at failure represents a safe prototype, the linear dimensions of which are equal to one-fourth the model ratio at failure times the corresponding model dimensions. The safe model ratio is computed from the following formula: [Safe R = (rl 47r2n2r _ 7r2n2r~r~ \4/ gg in which: n = centrifuge revolutions per second at model failure; r = radius of rotation of the model in feet; g = 32.2 ft/sect.]

Jan 1, 1947

THE problem of picking the best students for an engineering college can no longer, be considered as simply one of determining the amount of general ability, but rather of finding special aptitudes for scientific work, according to Carl C. Brigham~ a Princeton University professor, who has been conducting researches on methods of selecting engineering undergraduates at Cooper Union, an evening school in New York City. When we first began this investigation seven years ago," says Dr. Brigham, "we thought the whole job would be done a soon as we had found a good method of measuring general intelligence. Today we feel that we are still about five years away from a solution, but on somewhat firmer footing than when we were looking for general ability.

Jan 1, 1928

By AIME AIME

ADDRESSING the Ohio Section at a recent meeting in Columbus, Ohio, R. C. Allen, executive vice-president for Oglebay, Norton & Co., Cleveland, spoke on "The Iron-Ore Industry of the Lake Superior Region in Prosperity and Depression." The speaker considered this region in connection with the problem of national security. This is the age of minerals; progress depends on them; and next to agriculture, the mineral industry is of prime importance. The United States has no shortage of minerals rather an over-supply; but many mines have been and are being exhausted. The shifting of the sources of supplies of minerals so important as copper, petroleum, and iron to other countries would create internal strains and affect international relations. There will be no early decline of ore mining in the Lake Superior region unless it is forced by unwise public policies. Iron ore is industrial strength and self-sufficiency. A study of economic geography is important for statesmen and mining men, because the minerals essential for peace and war are haphazardly or irregularly distributed throughout the world. Of these minerals, 75 per cent are owned by 10 per cent of the population, mainly peoples of Anglo-Saxon origin.

Jan 1, 1934

By C. Jackson, J. J. Harrington

The pH control system at Kennecott Copper Corporation's Nevada Mines Division concentrator consists of two independent systems, lime dilution and lime addition. Lime dilution is accomplished in a mixing tank where slaked lime and water are introduced proportionately. The desired dilution of the milk of lime is determined by the electrical inputs provided by eight pH probes, one per grinding section. The inputs are averaged and applied to a time base generator. The summation output of the time base generator determines the proportion of lime and water that are to be mixed and applies this input to a voltage sensitive switching device. The switching device provides a signal to one of two relays which will add either slaked lime or water, dependent upon the summation output. The entire cycle is based on a 2-min repetition rate to allow for sufficient mix time. Responsivity is controlled by maintaing a limited maximum solution level in the mix tank. Lime addition is controlled independently within each grinding section. The electrical input from the pH probe in a given section controls the solenoid valves which provide lime to each of the ball mills. The valves remain open within a time range capable of maintaining the pH of flotation feed at a given set point.

Jan 1, 1978

By WILLIAM WATERS

L HISTORY. THE Pierrefitte mines, situated in the South of France, in the district of the Hautes-Pyrenees, owe their name to the fact that the first mining operations of any extent, and of comparatively recent date, were carried out in the neighborhood of the vil¬lage of Pierrefitte, which is a branch terminus of the Midi railway. The Pierrefitte mines, however, embrace a wide extent of country and several different concessions, on most of which comparatively little exploration-work has been done. The portion of the property presently to be described is a zone running roughly E-W., over a distance of about 5 miles from the valley of Cauterets to the valley of Estaing, the ridge dividing these valleys being a spur of the main chain of the Pyrenees, and running more or less at right angles to it. According to local tradition, which various indications tend to confirm, these mines are of ancient date, the first workings being attributed to the Romans, who are supposed to have sought not only the lead but also the silver which is contained in the ore. Old slags have been found in the neighborhood which might well have been produced from the cupellation of lead-ores. These old workings, while of considerable extent at times, do not seem to have extended beyond a depth of 100 ft., even this depth being somewhat exceptional. The old notarial records of the district show that mines were known to exist, and that they were even worked, in the sixteenth century, but since the mines were abandoned (by the Romans or others) considerably prior to this period, very little

Nov 1, 1908

By Nicholas J. Grant, Rolf Nordheim, Bill C. Gissen

The system Cb-Re was examined in detail utilizing pure metals, careful melting techniques, and heat treatments. Metallographic and X-my methods were utilized for phase identification. In addition to soli-dus determinations, the composition limits and mode of formation of the intermetallic compounds 0 and X were determined. The binary constitution diagram Cb-Re has been the subject of a number of investigations.'-7 Two intermetallic phases have been described and tentative diagrams have been proposed. It was the aim of this investigation to obtain a complete and more accurate diagram through the use of purer alloys and improved techniques. The diagram worked out by Knapton7 was published after our experiments were concluded. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS The starting materials were Re powder of 99.95 pct purity, supplied by the Chase Brass and Copper Co., and Cb rondelles of 99.6 pct purity, supplied by the Electro Metallurgical Co. Typical analyses are given in Table I. The alloys were prepared from compacted Re powder and Cb rondelles; for critical compositions master alloys were used. The melts varied from 5 to 50 g and were melted nonconsumably in an Heraeus arc furnace, under ti-tanium-gettered laboratory grade argon. It was necessary to invert the buttons and remelt, followed by crushing and further remeltings, the number of which depended on the nature of the fracture of the alloy. The weight of each alloy was carefully checked after each melting operation. It was found that significant weight losses occurred only when loose Re powder was used. These losses amounted to a maximum of 3 wt pct in such instances, but did not occur after the charge was once molten, regardless of the composition. Typical loss of weight after 4 remelts, including crushing, amounted to 0.2 wt pct. Oxygen pickup during successive melting cycles did not appear to be significant, since the weight gain values never exceeded 0.01 wt pct. Control of the composition of the alloys was not too difficult; however, the problem of homogenization was a far greater one. Optimum alloying conditions were finally achieved by a combination of master alloy production and repeated crushing and remelting cycles. The compositions of the alloys utilized to determine the constitution diagram are listed in Table 11. The weight balance method was used ultimately as the sole analytical method, since repeated checks indicated that it was accurate to 0.2 pct, if the weight losses were small. The results were double-checked by a metallographic study of the homogeneity of the samples, since this was presumed to be the more serious factor. Heat treatments at 1200°C or lower were accomplished by sealing the specimens in Vycor tubes, heating in a Globar furnace, followed by air cooling. This was considered to be an adequate quench because of the very low temperatures involved. For temperatures of 1200" to 1900°, alloys were homogenized and heat treated in a tungsten-filament resistance vacuum furnace. From 1900" to 2750" a tantalum-tube resistance furnace was utilized, operating under a vacuum of 105 mm Hg. The temperature measurements up to 1200" were made by means of platinum-platinum 10 pct Rh thermocouples, with an accuracy of 5°C. For temperature measurements greater than 1200°C, optical pyrometers were used. They were calibrated against a standardized instru-

Jan 1, 1962

By F. C. Blake

THE test of the English cupellation furnace should be so supported that the cupeller can change readily the elevation of the test, and at the same time watch the litharge channel. It is also important to raise or lower either side, independently of the other, in me of uneven wear of the side walls or of the breast. If the refined silver is poured from the test, it is much better to control the lowering of the test from the front than to raise the back by screws or a lever. In order to enable the cupeller to manipulate the test with one hand, when the litharge is running, and to pour the refined silver from the test without aid, I have altered the common support to the test, as shown in the accompanying drawing. The common method of supporting the test is by four screws, working in cross-bar nuts beneath the test. The points of the screws set, into the test plate upon which the test rests. These screws are usually worked by pounding or pulling upon the heads, which may be either small pulleys or straight bars, as shown on the back screws in the drawing. The screws are also worked by turning a crank, which is

Jan 1, 1882

By F. C. Blake

THE test of the English Cupellation furnace should be so supported that the cupeller can change readily the elevation of the test, and at the same time watch the litharge channel. It is also important to raise or lower either side, independently of the other, in case of uneven wear of the side walls or of the breast. If the refined silver is poured from the test, it is much better to control the lowering of the test from the front than to raise the back by screws or a lever. In order to. enable the cupeller to manipulate the test with one hand, when the litharge is running, and to pour the refined silver from the test without aid, I have altered the common support to the .test, as shown in the accompanying drawing. The common method of supporting the test is by four screws, working in cross-bar nuts beneath the test. The points of the screws set into the test plate upon which the test rests. These screws are usually worked by pounding or pulling upon the heads, which may be either small pulleys or straight bars, as shown on the back screws in the drawing. The screws are also worked by turning a crank, which is

Jan 1, 1882