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By C. E. Cottrell, G. W. Preckshot, N. D. Delisle, D. L. Katz

Most crude oils contain asphaltic substances that may be naturally or artificially precipitated. In the Greeley field, California, this asphaltic bitumen is precipitated during the flow of the oil from the reservoir to the stock tank The mechanism of such precipitation is not well understood. This paper presents the progress that has been made by using the electron microscope as a new tool and by observing the effects of the streaming potential on the formation of bitumen particles. Crude oils at atmospheric pressure viewed in the electron microscope in very thin films under a vacuum showed no asphaltic particles. A technique of preparing slides of thin films by dilution of the oil with benzene and washing in petroleum ether was used at first, and these observations showed that the solvents caused the formation of the particles, varying from 0.01 to 0.2 micron in diameter. The electrical effects of fluids flowing through porous solid were studied, with emphasis on the formation of colloidal particles by the streaming potential. The streaming potential of crude oil flowing through sand was measured and was shown to be responsible for the formation of bitumen particles. These results bring out a new phenomenon, which may occur when crude oil flows through the porous oil reservoir. mechanisms. Asphalt has been the subject of widespread investigation but, owing to the complexity of the substances being considered, progress has been slow. Investigators working primarily with the asphaltic substances have treated the subject from the colloidal standpoint and have developed theories that picture the asphaltic particles as surrounded by adsorbed materia1s.14,15,17,24 The deasphaltization of lubricating oil by the use of solvents treats the subject primarily from the standpoint of liquid-liquid equilibria.'' A complete understanding of asphaltic substances would make possible the following of the material from its initial state in the crude oil through precipitation processes to the final plastic stage, the most common form of which is used in asphaltic pavements. Since these asphaltic particles are very small, it appears 'hat the electron microscope4 might be a useful tool in studying the precipitation processes. Specimens are examined by the electron microscope in a vacuum and as very thin films, requiring special techniques in preparation of samples. A brief description of the electron microscope and its operation will bring out the difficulties and advantages of its use for this problem. The first work was done with crude oils that had been diluted with solvents for the preparation of the film to be examined. Later a technique was developed by which the undiluted oil film could be made thin enough for direct examination. These two techniques show vastly different results Asphaltic particles have been precipitated from crude oils by a variety of

Jan 1, 1943

By G. W. Preckshot, C. E. Cottrell, D. L. Katz, N. D. Delisle

Most crude oils contain asphaltic substances that may be naturally or artificially precipitated. In the Greeley field, California, this asphaltic bitumen is precipitated during the flow of the oil from the reservoir to the stock tank The mechanism of such precipitation is not well understood. This paper presents the progress that has been made by using the electron microscope as a new tool and by observing the effects of the streaming potential on the formation of bitumen particles. Crude oils at atmospheric pressure viewed in the electron microscope in very thin films under a vacuum showed no asphaltic particles. A technique of preparing slides of thin films by dilution of the oil with benzene and washing in petroleum ether was used at first, and these observations showed that the solvents caused the formation of the particles, varying from 0.01 to 0.2 micron in diameter. The electrical effects of fluids flowing through porous solid were studied, with emphasis on the formation of colloidal particles by the streaming potential. The streaming potential of crude oil flowing through sand was measured and was shown to be responsible for the formation of bitumen particles. These results bring out a new phenomenon, which may occur when crude oil flows through the porous oil reservoir. mechanisms. Asphalt has been the subject of widespread investigation but, owing to the complexity of the substances being considered, progress has been slow. Investigators working primarily with the asphaltic substances have treated the subject from the colloidal standpoint and have developed theories that picture the asphaltic particles as surrounded by adsorbed materia1s.14,15,17,24 The deasphaltization of lubricating oil by the use of solvents treats the subject primarily from the standpoint of liquid-liquid equilibria.'' A complete understanding of asphaltic substances would make possible the following of the material from its initial state in the crude oil through precipitation processes to the final plastic stage, the most common form of which is used in asphaltic pavements. Since these asphaltic particles are very small, it appears 'hat the electron microscope4 might be a useful tool in studying the precipitation processes. Specimens are examined by the electron microscope in a vacuum and as very thin films, requiring special techniques in preparation of samples. A brief description of the electron microscope and its operation will bring out the difficulties and advantages of its use for this problem. The first work was done with crude oils that had been diluted with solvents for the preparation of the film to be examined. Later a technique was developed by which the undiluted oil film could be made thin enough for direct examination. These two techniques show vastly different results Asphaltic particles have been precipitated from crude oils by a variety of

Jan 1, 1943

Allan Gibb, Queensland, Australia (communication to the Secretary*):—It is gratifying that Mr. Edward Keller,' who has clone so much work elucidating the principles of copper-metnllurgy, should have subjected only that portion of our investigation relating to magnetic iron oxide to anything like adverse criticism. Situated as we were on a rnining-camp, it was impossible to undertake work that would cover all the intricate possibilities connected with the materials commonly classed as matte. We therefore began the investigation on matte produced from ores that contained no other components than the sulphides of copper and iron that would be likely to enter into the composition of matte. We were, accordingly, free from ally possibility of magnetic iron oxide entering the matte, unless it were formed in the operation itself. The work done on this subject was incomplete, and the results thereof recorded as giving only negative evidence as to the absence of magnetic iron oxide. It would have been better to have left the matter open, as " not proven." The trend of the investigation was to account for the insufficiency of sulphur in matte to satisfy the requirements of ferrous and cuprous sulphides. So far as our deductions are correct, it was unnecessary to consider the (in our samples) somewhat doubtful constituent, magnetic iron oxide. The mattes that mere investigated were among those mentioned by Mr. Keller, " which scarcely show ally magnetic property." The samples showed no such property. There was no unaccountable variation in the specific gravity, which only varied, as would be expected, with the proportion of ferrous sulphide. I have had experience in smelting ores of which the gangue was a siliceous magnetite, both in blast- and rever-beratory furuace. The mattes so produced contained magnetic

Jan 1, 1908

Adolph Thies, Haile Gold-Mine, S. C.: I have little to add to what my friends Messrs. Nitze and Wilkens have said on this subject. What I have done in mining during the last fortyone years, partly in this country and partly in South Africa (though not, as to Africa, in the diamond- or the gold-fields,

Jan 1, 1896

By Herbert Clark Hoover, Lou Henry Hoover

THE third book has explained the various and manifold varieties of veins and stringers. This fourth book will deal with mining areas and the method of delimiting them, and will then pass on to the officials who are connected with mining affairs'. Now the miner, if the vein he has uncovered is to his liking, first of all goes to the Bergmeister to request to be granted a right to mine, this official's special function and office being to adjudicate in respect of the mines. And so to the first man who has discovered the vein the Bergmeister awards the head meer, and to others the remaining meers, in the order in which each makes his application. The size of a meer is measured by fathoms, which for miners are reckoned at six feet each. The length, in fact, is that of a man's extended arms and hands measured across his chest ; but different peoples assign to it different lengths,

Jan 1, 1950

By Waldemar Lindgren

No one would maintain that all ore deposits or all deposits of useful minerals have been formed by the same processes. Generally they have originated by special processes of concentration but these may be of many different kinds. Some deposits have their origin in chemical or biochemical processes of concentration in rivers, lakes or seas, others, developed on land by, means of chemical reactions of surface waters on various forms of rocks. Certain insoluble substances remained behind; others were dissolved and precipitated in favorable places. This action -proceeded in the realm of the oxidizing surface waters or in the deeper zones to which the waters from the surface could find their way. Examples of the latter kind may be found in the extensive copper and vanadium deposits of some sedimentary beds or in the lead and zinc deposits of certain broad limestone strata. In these instances the evidence for any other mode of origin would seem to be very weak indeed.1 Nor does it seem possible to deny that circulating waters may form deposits of the more common metals along fissures after having dissolved many constituents from paths traversed. Another very large class has been formed by magnetic processes of concentration. The last 40 years have been a period of intense activity in. the investigation and description of a vast number of deposits; all modern methods have been employed and the result is an accumulation of data, difficult or impossible to master. It has been a period similar to that in petrography. The generalizations, the able deductions have lagged behind. Evidently several geologists have become weary of this "infinite detail" and a mistrust of the microscope seems to have. arisen. Although this feeling of being swamped in microscopic detail is a painful experience, nevertheless only through the detail in combination with

Jan 6, 1926

Falconbridge Nickel, the one-time subsidiary that grew up to swallow its own parent, Ventures Limited, in 1962, is not about to be left behind by rising nickel consumption. At a cost of several hundred million dollars, this Canadian firm has undertaken a series of new projects that will not only ensure its present share of the market, but also lead it into new areas of the nickel business. Although Falconbridge Nickel Mines Ltd. was not formed until 1928, it actually had its start in 1917- 18 with the discovery of a large, good grade nickel- copper deposit in Falconbridge, near Sudbury, Ontario. However, due to several factors, financing could not be obtained and the orebody lay fallow. It was not until 1928, when the Thayer Lindsley interests bought the property from the original owner, that it was developed.

Jan 10, 1968

By A. T. Beckwith

This paper concerns measurements of low-velocity air currents and investigations on mine ventilation by means of chemical smoke. The chemical smoke used is produced without flame and at ordinary mine temperatures, and therefore presents no ignition hazard in gaseous mines. Mining men who have worked in open-light mines are familiar with the use of tobacco smoke in determining the direction of air travel and approximately measuring low-velocity air currents. The use of chemical smoke is merely a refinement on the use of tobacco smoke and the flameless low-temperature source of chemical smoke has the additional advantage that it can be used in gaseous mines. Ventilation smoke apparatus, Fig I, is a simple device for producing dense white smoke. The apparatus as shown consists of a rubber aspirator bulb which is used to force air through a glass "smoke tube" containing a chemical substance that produces a dense white smoke on contact with air. The apparatus was developed by engineers of the U. S. Bureau of Mines.' It is inexpensive, weighs less than 3 oz, is easily carried in a pocket, and requires no skill to operate. Smoke apparatus is invaluable in practical mine ventilation work for: (I) measuring low-velocity air currents, (2) detecting air leakage, (3) observing airflow characteristics. This paper is written to show the merits of the apparatus, and is based upon findings through its extensive use, during the past six years, in mines operated by the Lehigh Navigation Coal Co. Inc. The Apparatus Certain chemicals, such as stannic chloride (SnCl4) and pyrosulphuric acid (H2S2O7) produce "white smoke" when exposed to air. Stannic chloride gives off vapors which on contact with moist air cause the formation of solid hydrates, of which SnCl4.5H20 is the most important. Pyrosulphuric acid decomposes when exposed to air with the evolution of sulphur trioxide (SO3) fumes, which become white upon contacting moisture in the air. A chemical, such as one of the above, is the active substance in a smoke tube. The glass tubes are hermetically sealed during manufacture, and are made ready for use by merely breaking off the tips at the conveniently located file cuts. When the smoke tube is connected to the aspirator, depressing the aspirator bulb forces air into contact with the chemical, and smoke discharges from the open end of the tube. A white solid (a hydrate if stannic chloride is used, or sulphur trioxide if pyrosulphuric acid is used) may occasionally form a cake in the outlet opening of a smoke tube. A small wire such as an ordinary paper clip can be conveniently employed to dislodge the cake should it seal the tube. When the assembled apparatus is not

Jan 1, 1949

By Rollin E. Hook, Attwell M. Adair

The response of CrzO3 and C~304 to various heat treatments was studied in are-melted iodide chromizim over the temperature range 1000" to 1750°C. These oxides, which are present as impurity phases in this material, were identified by X-ray diffraction teclzniques which were supplemented by optical metallop-aphy. As a function of increasing temperature, Crs04 is first observable in samples annealed at 1300°C and coexists with Cr2O3 (the low-temperature oxide) over a temperature range exceeding 200°C. As the temperature decreases, Cr3O4 dissolves with the concomitant precipttation of Cr2Y2. Both oxides precipitate predominantly at pain boundaries. The reactions which occur are involved with at least ternary equilibria, possibly due to iron which is present as an impurity in arc-melted iodide chromium. HILTY, Forgeng, and Folkman' reported in their investigation of the Fe-Cr-0 system that Cr3O4 (with about 8 pct Fe substituted for chromium) is a primary phase found in alloys with 9 or more pct Cr. They reported that this phase is stable only at high temperatures and that below the liquidus Cr3O4 is disproportionated into Cr2O3 and chromium-rich metal for both Fe-Cr-O alloys and in oxygen saturated pure chromium. Further, they proposed that CrsO4 forms by a peritectic reaction between Cr2O3 and the liquid. On the other hand, Hook, Garrett, and Adair2 found in their investigation of impurity phases formed in "pure" chromium (material consolidated from iodide chromium crystals) that Cr3O4 forms intergranularly and is stable as low as 1500°C which is 375OC below the melting point of chromium. The purpose of the research described herein is to determine the temperature range of stability of Cr3O4, and to show the nature of its decomposition. This further investigation indicates that Cr3O4 undoubtedly occurs in this material as low as 1300°C. The chromium studied was consolidated and fabricated from iodide chromium crystals (ICr-5) and contained Fe r 135 ppm, Si = 20 to 100 ppm, and 0 = 35 to 137 ppm. A complete chemical analysis is given elsewhere.' Annealing was conducted in 1 atm of purified helium and all samples were rapidly cooled (-200°C per sec) by withdrawing them from the furnace hot zone under a high flow rate of helium. The details of the electrolytic-etching technique and electrolytic-digestion techniques for preparation of insoluble residues for X-ray examination are given elsewhere also.' EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS The Starting Material. The as-swaged rod (final swaging done at 900°C) had a wrought grain structure and contained a dispersion of CrzO3 inclusions of maximum particle size of about 2 or 3 p, Fig. 1. The microstructure also contained a dispersed

Jan 1, 1964

By L. L. Wyman

SINCE the presentation, by the writer, of the initial paper on the embrittlement of copper,1 the subject has been investigated further along two separate lines. The first series of investigations involves the "double-deoxidized" copper, while the second series is devoted to single deoxidizers other than those used in the investigations reported upon last year. The object of these experiments is to develop a type of copper that will show the minimum of detrimental effects after having been exposed to alternate oxidation and reduction. The fabrication of this material necessitates the use of alternate oxidizing and reducing atmospheres, at temperatures ranging up to 900° C. Following this treatment it is essential that the soundness and strength of the copper be unimpaired, even in sections of only a few thousandths of an inch in thickness.

Jan 1, 1932

OUR 78th Annual Meeting was, technically and attendance-wise, one of the greatest to date. No one who came to New York's Hotel Statler had time to hear all 266 papers, or to attend all 70 sessions and 27 committee meetings, or to shake the hands of the more than 3000 engineers, educators, students and executives who attended-but no one was lost in the crowd. For crowds always dwindle down to groups of two and three and four, and those are the little sessions which make our meetings well worth attending. Herewith four pages of photographic highlights and sidelights on the February gathering.

Jan 3, 1950

By William Glenn

The taking of proper samples of crude ores seems to he less thoroughly understood, or less carefully practiced, than its impor tance requires. We all know how often we encounter the reports of very accurate assays and analyses, the weight of which as evidence wholly depends on the method of obtaining the sample, and is very probably nil, because there has been no proper sampling. Pissages might be cited from technical books, and from current technical literature (all the work of writers whom we delight to honor) to show that even among high scientific authorities there is too little acquaintance with the practical art of the sampler. There is no metallurgical or chemical establishment which does not frequently receive samples truly representing nothing. They consist usually of bits of ore, or what not, selected because they are worse or better than the average of what they are meant to represent. And they are worthless, no matter who made the selection. Where conscious choice is permitted to enter into the operation, a fair sample will not result, unless by a miracle. The work of sampling is often looked upon as within the realm of boys and of pensioners only. At least, though the manual labor be left to subordinates, the principles on which it is conducted and the safeguards with which it is surrounded are not unworthy of the study of experts; and experts should he ready to teach these principles and enforce them in practice. For exact sampling is the indispensable first step towards learning the value of any boxful, carload or shipload of ore. I propose to give a simple account of the method of sampling by hand, such as I have always pursued. There is nothing new about it. So far as I know, it is the immemorial old method, as old at least as Cornish copper-mining. Perhaps my fellow-members in the Institute may suggest improvements in it. If not, it will constitute a record in our Transactions to which laymen and beginners may be referred.

Jan 1, 1892

By E. C. Patton

Jan 1, 1947

By E. C. Patton

Jan 1, 1947

By W. T. Turrall, M. J. Cook

A discussion of modern developments in beneficiation of fine sizes of anthracite, this paper includes a description of the plant flowsheet, an analysis of operating results, and a summary of fundamentals of mineral separation relative to plant operation.

Jan 9, 1953

By A. G. H. Andersen

A FEW years ago, while the writers worked on the constitution of ternary and quaternary alloys consisting mainly of iron, chromium and silicon1,2 some information on microstructures and hardness, not incor-porated in the published work, was obtained. It has not been possible to do any further work on the properties of the alloys. The information possessed is hereby presented for the interest it. may have in connection with the constitution of the alloys.

Jan 1, 1937

By W. H. Bassett

A 10-year, sea-water, corrosion test of tubes of several copper alloys has shown that many alloys withstood attack by solution, pitting, and dezinkification; a 1-year, salt-spray test of sheet-metal specimens of the same composition showed the same results. THE late J. P. Sparrow, chief operating engineer of the New York Edison Co., carried out a series of practical tests on condenser tubes of several copper alloys and reported on the results to the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies at its meeting in' September, 1913. In the preparation of these tubes the senior author had the pleasure of cooperating. Copper-zinc alloys in the proportions of 60-40, 70-30, 80-20, 90-10, and Admiralty metal, which is in effect 70-30 with 1 per cent. of tin, were tried. Monel metal and several copper-nickel alloys, and 8, 5, and 3 per cent. aluminum bronze were also tried. At the time of this report, the aluminum bronze had been in service for 4 1/2 years and seemed to be giving especially good results but later it began to fail and showed no substantial improvement over Admiralty metal. Monel metal was unsatisfactory and the nickel alloys apparently did not give better service than the Admiralty alloy. Previous to the publication of the report, and after considerable discussion, it was agreed that a test where tubes of different kinds could be under laboratory observation would be advisable, so the apparatus described here was set up in The American Brass Co.'s Waterbury Laboratory. This was fitted with tubes of copper, brass, bronze, nickel silver, cupro-nickel and other alloys, and the test started Oct. 11, 1912. Salt water from East River, New York harbor, was barrelled and transported to the laboratory for the test. A fresh supply, completely replacing the water in service, was obtained at the end of each six months period.

Jan 1, 1925

Jan 1, 1922

By R. E. Reed, C. J. McHargue

Single crystals of aluminurn were reduced 90 pct in diameter by extrusion at 296" and 77°K. The resultant double fiber texture had a strong (111) component with a weak (001) component. The relative anzounts of these components varied with starting orientation. Decreasing the Lemperatuve of defovtnation increased the amount of (001) texture component in crystals with inilia1 orientations near (111). The starting orientation and temperature of deformation strongly affected the morphology of the (001) component. The effects of orientation and Lemperatuve upon the distribution of the (001 ) texture component in extruded aluminum single crystals were rationalized on the basis of deformation band formation and interaction. MANY papers since the early 1920s have discussed the occurrence of the double fiber texture (111) + (001) in wires and rods of deformed fcc metals. Aside from the reporting of experimental results for the various metals under a variety of fabrication conditions, emphasis has been placed on two related problems. One problem deals with the prediction of ideal end orientations based on the glide systems and flow directions. The other problem seeks the reason why different amounts of each component may be produced by the same fabrication schedule for metals apparently having the same deformation systems. Some of the difficulties in developing a satisfactory explanation have their origin in the experiments themselves. One mistake has often been the assumption of an initially randomly oriented specimen or complete ignorance of effects of starting orientation. Recent studies by Grewen and Wassermann,1 Cullity and co-workers,2' and McHargue4 have shown that the initial orientation may be the most important factor in determining the final orientation. Hence only limited comparisons of data from different studies can be made unless all conditions of the initial material are specified. Another question has been the nature of the (001) component. Hibbards suggested that any (001) present was the result of re crystallization during fabrication. Although Fleischer6 found no (001) texture in aluminum swaged at room temperature, and Dayal 7 found that component to disappear at very high reductions, a double fiber texture has usually been reported for aluminum. Vandermeer and McHargue showed that, while some (001) in aluminum may be the result of recrystallization, much of this component has its origin in the deformation process. Ahlborn and Wassermanng found the (001) component in silver deformed at low temperature not to be the product of recrystallization.

Jan 1, 1968

By Herbert Haas

1. INTRODUCTION COPPER matte is now converted into blister copper at a cost of only $5 per ton of copper, or, based on a 40 per cent. matte, $2 per ton of matte, which is the record of at least one large smelting Works; and it seems hardly likely that a further reduction, large enough to warrant, a change in existing practice, could be made in bessemerizing costs. But the new type of converter here described and the new practice proposed are intended, not so much for the treatment of mattes, as for the extension of, the process to the direct reduction in the copper-converter of pyrite ores

Jan 6, 1914