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By Alwyn Birchmore Cox, Ian William Wark

In defending the chemical theory of flotation, Taggart, del Giudice and Ziehl have criticized1 the views of those who prefer to attribute the effects of certain flotation agents to adsorption. Perhaps with some justification, they describe the latter term as the "haven of refuge of writers lost in a morass of shaky experiment and muddy thinking." We prefer to regard it, however, as a haven of refuge for writers who seek a conventional term to describe the formation of films of flotation reagents on solid surfaces, because in many cases it is not yet possible to specify the forces that hold them there. Originally, as Taggart and his associates state, adsorption connoted a concentration difference and nothing more. In recent years, workers in the field of surface chemistry have tacitly added other meanings, and they now speak of orientated adsorption of unimolecular films on a solid sub-strate, of chemi-adsorption, and of exchange adsorption. Thus the term adsorption may connote simply the Gibbs layer of excess concentration at the surface of a solution, or a unimolecular film at the surface of a solid. Perhaps this has led to the misunderstanding of Taggart, del Giudice and Ziehl concerning the relationship between surface tension and adsorption at solid surfaces. The change in "surface tension" accompanying adsorption at a liquid surface can be used as a measure of the adsorption, and the Gibbs equation as quoted by these authors correlates these two conceptions. But, to correlate two conceptions docs not necessarily imply an attempt to explain either, although sometimes such an "explanation" is carelessly inferred. Use of "surface energy per unit area" instead of the numerically equal but more difficult and less definite conception of "surface tension per unit length " would lessen many of the present difficulties. (Compare with Adam.2) At interfaces involving a solid phase, neither '" surface tension " nor " interfacial tension "can have any meaning, but the conception "interfacial energy per unit area" call be understood by anyone who is familiar with the concept of free energy. While it is true that surface energy cannot be directly measured at a solid surface,

Jan 1, 1939

By Ian William Wark, Alwyn Birchmore Cox

In defending the chemical theory of flotation, Taggart, del Giudice and Ziehl have criticized1 the views of those who prefer to attribute the effects of certain flotation agents to adsorption. Perhaps with some justification, they describe the latter term as the "haven of refuge of writers lost in a morass of shaky experiment and muddy thinking." We prefer to regard it, however, as a haven of refuge for writers who seek a conventional term to describe the formation of films of flotation reagents on solid surfaces, because in many cases it is not yet possible to specify the forces that hold them there. Originally, as Taggart and his associates state, adsorption connoted a concentration difference and nothing more. In recent years, workers in the field of surface chemistry have tacitly added other meanings, and they now speak of orientated adsorption of unimolecular films on a solid sub-strate, of chemi-adsorption, and of exchange adsorption. Thus the term adsorption may connote simply the Gibbs layer of excess concentration at the surface of a solution, or a unimolecular film at the surface of a solid. Perhaps this has led to the misunderstanding of Taggart, del Giudice and Ziehl concerning the relationship between surface tension and adsorption at solid surfaces. The change in "surface tension" accompanying adsorption at a liquid surface can be used as a measure of the adsorption, and the Gibbs equation as quoted by these authors correlates these two conceptions. But, to correlate two conceptions docs not necessarily imply an attempt to explain either, although sometimes such an "explanation" is carelessly inferred. Use of "surface energy per unit area" instead of the numerically equal but more difficult and less definite conception of "surface tension per unit length " would lessen many of the present difficulties. (Compare with Adam.2) At interfaces involving a solid phase, neither '" surface tension " nor " interfacial tension "can have any meaning, but the conception "interfacial energy per unit area" call be understood by anyone who is familiar with the concept of free energy. While it is true that surface energy cannot be directly measured at a solid surface,

Jan 1, 1939

By G. E. Anderson

The Asientos-Tepezala district is in the north of the State of Aguasca-lientes, about 30 miles north of the city of Aguascalientes, the capital. The district is reached by a standard-gage railway on the west side through the junction, Rincon de Romos, which is on the main line of the National Railways of Mexico from El Paso to Aguscalientes. The terminal is Tepezala. On the east side a narrow gage connects Asientos with the junction, San Gil, on the main line, Asientos to San Luis Potosi. Tepezala on the west side of the Asientos hills is about 2 miles from Asientos on the east side. The area between the two mining centers is separated by a low subdued divide which forms the central part of the hills. The district is in a group of isolated hills surrounded by characteristic bolsón plains. The hills rise above the surrounding plains about 6500 to 10,000 ft.; the highest peak is Alta Mira. The two mining districts lie somewhat upon the flanks of the hills at about the same elevation, 7200 ft. The district is an old one and has been known since early in the 17th Century when the mines were worked by the Franciscan Monks. Their mining operations, which were limited to the oxidized ore above the water level, consisted chiefly in extracting silver from the Santa Francisca vein. To judge from the old workings and the remains of surface plant, the operations were on a large scale. By modern mining operations since about 1900, the various mines of the district have been one of the principal sourees of ore for the smelter located at Aguascalientes. Topography The topographic features of the Asientos hills are largely controlled by the character of the underlying rocks. During the Tertiary period, the entire group of hills was probably covered by extrusive volcanic material in the form of cones and lava flows. The central part of these have since been carried away by erosion, so that remnants have been left along the borders of the hills. These remnants form rather conspicuous peaks,

Jan 1, 1927

By George W. Maynard

IN the course of an examination of some of the California hydraulie mines in November last, I visited the property of the Gold Run Ditch and Mining Company, near Dutch Flat, Placer County. This is one of the most important and extensively worked mines in the district. The gold occurs in the characteristic blue gravel, which averages 175 feet in thickness, the lower 40-60 feet being made tip of cement gravel, which resists the action of water, and can only be loosened by blasting. The specimen which I have the pleasure of laying before the members was presented to me by Mr. I. L. Gould, the intelligent superintendent of the mines, who informs me that he found it in the old river channel, about twelve feet above the bedrock. The flattened water-worn nugget of gold, about the size of a kidney-bean, is imbedded in blue cement gravel, around which quartz has crystallized. When found the projecting portion of the nugget was enveloped in quartz, the core of gravel and gold having only been discovered after breaking the lump of quartz. On the quartz there is a shell of cement. The specimen is a remarkable confirmation of the theory of the deposition of quartz from solution. DISCUSSION. DR. T. STERRY HUNT, in commenting upon this occurrence, remarked that it is in accordance with what we already know of the recency of some of the quartz of this region, and cited the microscopic

Jan 1, 1880

By Charles E. Wait

HAVING had some experience in the use of gasoline-gas in a laboratory, I have been induced by frequent inquiry to present a few hints concerning it, which I hope may be of some value to those who are out of the reach of coal-gas, and who contemplate using this gas. While I will not delay to describe the method by which this gas is made, it may not be out of place to note that, unless frequent charges are put into the carburetter, the gas is variable in richness. This may be partially avoided, it is said, by repeatedly pumping from one cell in the carburetter to another. If a machine is in constant use for many months without re charging, the gas becomes rather poor for illuminating purposes ; but in this condition it may be burned in a Bunsen burner with advan tage. Could the gas be used always in this condition, no difficulty would be experienced, and it would be quite satisfactory for general laboratory purposes. Considerable annoyance, however, is experi enced whenever the machine is filled with gasoline. The Bunsen and other burners then produce a flame too smoky to be used with com fort, and, in fact, with most of them, a full supply of air; turned on at the base of the burner, will not suffice to completely burn off all the carbon. Finding it necessary to adopt some method by which I could get a flame free from unconsumed carbon, I adopted a plan which has in every way proved satisfactory. In addition to the pipe conveying the gas to the table, and ar ranged with a stopcock, there is brought to the table, within a fern inches of the gas-pipe, another pipe, conveying air direct from the pump. This pipe is also arranged with a stop-cock. The air- and gas-pipes are now connected with one pipe by a T joint; and to this last pipe is attached, by rubber tubing, the Bunsen or other burner. I have successfully used this simple system in connection with both small and large Bunsen burners, a burner with three tubes, arid a Fletcher burner; and recently I have added a new still to our equipment, and have been tising with it a Fletcher special high power burner No. 6, to which this system has been applied. With

Jan 1, 1886

By W. E. Keck

THE flotative properties of the principal minerals in Michigan's potential iron ores have been investigated to develop methods of bene-ficiation for the ores. One of these minerals, magnetite, is of considerable importance as a source of iron. Study of its flotation was similar to that of hematite1, another iron mineral in these potential ores. The present research consisted essentially of: (1) a survey of the literature on mag-netite flotation, (2) the preparation of pure magnetite, (3) the develop-ment of laboratory procedure and (4) flotation experimentation. Literature an Magnetite Flotation.-For the purpose of this discussion, the results of previous work on the flotation of magnetite can be sum-marized as follows. The mineral has been floated with pine oil2, and it has also been separated from synthetic mixtures with silicates by the use of the same reagent2. Magnetite and apatite in iron-ore slimes have been separated by flotation of apatite with sodium palmitate3. These data were utilized in the present investigation. Preparation of Magnetite.-The pure mineral was prepared from the magnetic-separator concentrate of an iron ore (obtained from the Wither-bee Sherman Corporation, Port Henry, N. Y.). This concentrate was slowly comminuted with laboratory rolls and pulverizer to pass 65 mesh and was then tabled several times. Tabling yielded a relatively coarse magnetite concentrate, tailing and slimes. The two latter materials were rejected insofar as the present work is concerned, and treatment of the magnetite (table concentrate) was continued by separating it into -65 + 200 and -200-mesh sizes. Separation of the sizes was made by first dry screening and then wet screening. The -200-mesh material was rejected to eliminate possible introduction of error into flotation

Jan 1, 1937

By Eduardo J. Chibas

Location.—The principal manganese-deposits of the Department of Panama, Republic of Colombia, are located almost clue south of Viento Frio, a native village bordering on the Caribbean Sea, and about 45 miles northeast of Colon (Aspinwall). The mining-claims are the Viento Frio, the Carrano, the Nispero, and the Soledad. Each property is to the south of the preceding one in the order mentioned. The first one is about one mile from the coast, and the most southerly boundary of the Soledad is about five miles in a straight line from the same coast-line. I shall confine my remarks to the four properties mentioned and to La Guaca, west of the Carrano, because these are the only ones where mining has so far been done to more or less extent. Manganese has also been found, however, in the neighborhood of these deposits, and a large area adjoining them has been divided into sections and " denounced " as mining-claims. The relative position of the manganese-deposits and Nombre de Dios, the present terminal of the railroad and shipping-port, as well as Viento Frio and the adjacent coast, can

Jan 1, 1898

By A. J. Shaler, J. Prieto Isaza, John Wulff

TANTALUM metal has a number of unique properties which give it widespread application in modern technology and in research. In electronic apparatus involving high temperatures in vacuo some of the refractory metals become brittle. Tantalum retains its ductility at elevated temperatures, and this property, together with its low vapor pressure and its ability to absorb gases, make it important in this field. Its chemical inertness in the presence of acids, halogens, and other corrosive media, makes it useful in chemical apparatus and in neuro and orthopedic surgical applications. As an addition to tungsten carbide in steel-cutting grades of cemented-carbide tools, the carbides of tantalum and of its sister element columbium have found considerable use. The present-day method1 of manufacturing tantalum is to sinter a powder compact of the metal in vacuo. Because tantalum- columbium alloys are difficult to work and since tantalum ores almost always contain columbium, the two metals must be separated chemically, the products of the separation being generally in the form of potassium tantalum fluoride and potassium columbium oxyfluoride. These salts are used in fused-salt electrolytic baths from which coarse metallic powder is deposited as a sponge at the cathode. Finer powder can be made from the coarse product or from tantalum scrap by first submitting it to an embrittling heat treatment in hydrogen and then crushing it. The fine hydrogen- containing powder may subsequently be degassed in vacuo at a high temperature. Prompted by the success of others2,3 in the magnesium reduction of titanium and zirconium halides, one of the authors under- took4 an investigation of the thermo- chemistry of the reaction between solid magnesium and gaseous tantalum penta-chloride, a subject which had not previously been studied. He found that the heat of formation of tantalum pentachloride is approximately 364,250 cal per mol at temperatures lower than the melting point of magnesium. A value of 83 units was found for the standard entropy at these temperatures. With these values, it was shown that magnesium and tantalum pentachloride are capable of reacting exothermically at temperatures less than the melting point of magnesium, and that no great violence is to be expected when these substances are heated together. The exothermic nature of the reaction indicated that the process should be efficient and should not require much externally applied energy. Tantalum pentachloride is not commonlv made commercially, and any process using it therefore involves the subsidiary problem of producing and handling this substance. A series of experiments was carried out in which dried chlorine saturated with carbon tetrachloride was passed over heated tantalum, either in the metallic state or combined

Jan 1, 1947

By W. M. Robertson

The formation of grain boundary grooves on surfaces of poly crystalline samples of cobalt and iron immersed in liquid lead has been studied. The grooves form by volume diffusion of the solutes cobalt and iron in the liquid. The diffusion coefficients of the solutes in liquid lead are derived from the measured rate of grooving. The diffusion coefficients are described by the relation D = Do exp (-Q/RT), with, for cobalt, Do = 4.6 x 10-4 sq cm per sec and Q = 5300 ± 800 cal per mole, and for iron, DO = 4.9 x 10-3 sq cm per sec and Q = 10,500 ± 1500 cal per mole. LIQUID metal-solid metal interactions occur at solid-liquid interfaces. Interfacial energy provides a driving force to change the morphology of the interface. Mullins1,2 has derived expressions for the kinetics of interface morphology changes driven by capillarity. These expressions can be applied to an isothermal system of a solid in equilibrium with a liquid saturated with the solid. Surface profile changes can occur by volume diffusion of the solute in the liquid, by volume self-diffusion in the solid, and by interfacial diffusion at the liquid-solid interface. A groove will form at the intersection of a grain boundary with a solid-liquid interface, reducing the total interfacial free energy of the system. The solid-liquid interfacial energy ? must be greater than half the grain boundary energy of the solid ?6 for Mullins' calculations to apply. If ? is less than ?b/2, then the liquid penetrates the boundaries, separating the grains rather than forming grooves. Boundary penetration did not occur in the work described here. where CO is the equilibrium volume concentration of the solid in the liquid, Dv the volume diffusion coefficient of the solid in the liquid, ? the interfacial free energy of the solid-liquid interface, O the atomic volume of the solid crystal, k Boltzmann's constant and T the absolute temperature. Eqs. [1] and [2 ] also apply to grooving by volume self-diffusion in the solid,1 with CoODv = D Self, where DSelf is the volume self-diffusion coefficient of the solid. For a grooving mechanism of interfacial diffusion at the solid-liquid interface, the groove width is given by2 where CS is the interfacial concentration of the diffusing species, and DS is the interfacial diffusion coefficient. Eqs. [1] and [3] can be used to determine the mechanism of groove growth. A t1/3 dependence of the growth indicates volume diffusion and t1/4 indicates interfacial diffusion. In some cases, volume diffusion and interfacial diffusion both can contribute substantially to the grooving process, causing the time dependence to be intermediate between t 1/3 and t1/4.3 For these cases, the relative contributions of the two processes can be separated.4 However, in many cases, one process will be dominant, and the data can be analyzed on the basis of Eq. [1] or Eq. [3] alone. The time dependences for volume diffusion in a liquid and volume self-diffusion in a solid are the same. However, the self-diffusion contribution of the solid is usually negligible compared to volume diffusion in the liquid. After the grooving mechanism has been determined, Eq. [1] or Eq. [3 ] yields the kinetic parameter A or B. The kinetic parameter can be used to calculate values for the unknown quantities in the product CD?. Usually C is known or can be estimated. If ? is known, then D can be calculated. In a measurement of grain boundary grooving of copper in liquid lead,' the time dependence indicated volume diffusion in the liquid. The quantities Co, Dv, and ? were obtained from the literature, giving excellent agreement between the observed values of A and the values calculated from Eq. [2 ].5 In a study of the grooving of several refractory metals in liquid tin and liquid silver, A1len6 educed that grooves formed by volume diffusion in the liquid. In a study of nickel in a nickel sulfide melt, Steidel, Li, and spencer7 found volume diffusion grooving kinetics. Both Dv and ? were unknown, so they could not obtain either one separately, though they did obtain a reasonable value for the temperature dependence of the product Dv ?. Several methods have been used to obtain surface profiles. It can be done by sectioning through the interface7 or by chemically removing the liquid from the solid surface after solidification of the liquid.6 However, if the liquid dewets the solid on removing the solid from the melt, then the interface can be observed directly. This method was used previously' and was utilized also in the present study. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Lead of 99.999 pct purity was obtained from American Smelting and Refining Co. Cobalt sheet was obtained from Sherritt-Gordon Mines, Ltd., with a nominal purity of 99.9 pct, the principal impurities being nickel, iron, copper, carbon, and sulfur. The sheet was

Jan 1, 1969

JAMES GAYLEY (President), R W RAYMOND (Secretary), FRANK LYMAN Treasurer) T A RICKARD NEW YORK, N Y CHARLES H SNOW NEW YORK, N Y R W RAYMOND NEW YORK, N Y (Terms expire February, 1906 ) JAMES GAYLEY NEW YORK, N Y FRANK KLEPETKO NEW YORK, N Y FRANK LYMAN NEW YORK, N Y (Terms expire February, 1907 ) JAMES DOUGLAS NEW YORK, N Y JAMES F KEMP NEW YORK, N Y ALBERT R LEDOUX NEW YORK, N Y (Terms expire February, 1908 ) Council PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL JAMES GAYLEY VICE-PRESIDENTS OF THE COUNCIL GEORGE W MAYNARD NEW YORK, N Y JULIAN KENNEDY PITTSBURG, PA CHARLES D WALCOTT WASHINGTON, D C (Terms expire February, 1906 ) WILLIAM P BLAKE TUCSON, ARIZ THOMAS F COLE ,DULUIH, MIFF IRVING A STEARNS WILKES-BARRE, PA (terms expire February, 1907 )

Jan 1, 1910

By Roscoe C. Clark

In a previous technical note' by Walter Rose, evidence is offered in support of the contention that "the possibility of describing oil recovery features in terms of capillary pressure phenomena has not been established entirely." It is not the purpose of this note to present further discussion of this possibility but rather to point out that the argument presented there does not appear to be generally valid. In the cited note' reference is made to the experiments of Welge2 wherein it was shown that when water was displaced by oil from a core the pressure in the water phase was less than in the oil phase but that when this oil was then produced by water drive the pressure in the water phase was greater than in the oil phase. Rose has concluded from these observations that conditions of static equilibrium did not obtain since the fluid saturations were such that phase discontinuities seemed unlikely. The argument from which this conclusion was drawn is based on the contention that "the pressure is always greatest in the non-wetting phase at each static interstitial interface of contact with the wetting phase." This premise appears to have been reached from a consideration of capillary phenomena in cylindrical tubes, although it may a1so hold for other types of pore geometry, hut as will be shown below it does not hold for all pore shapes and hence is not generally applicable. Since the pore structure of porous media such as reservoir rocks i- in general so complex as to defy exact description. it is undoubtedly of great value to establish a model in terms of pore shapes of known geometry, provided of course that the limitations of the model are recognized. That the limitations of the capillary. or cylindrical, tube model have not always been fully recognized will be evident from the following discussion of a pore of different shape hut one which may a. logically he considered a.; the capillary tube. The pore space to be considered is that shown in Fig. 1, which may be thought of as the "hole in a doughnut."* Consider the interface, A-B-A', between two immiscible fluids, P, and P2, which interface meets the solid alone a line, A-C.A'-C'. The interface A-B-A' is the surface of a spherical segmen† while the line of mutual contact be-

Jan 1, 1950

By C. M. Weld

In the course of my professional work in China during the fall of 1907, I had an opportunity to visit the iron-ore mines at Ta-yeh in Hu-pei province (long. 114O 50t E., lat. 30' 20t N.). It occurs to me that a rescript and discussion of my notes taken at that time should be of interest, particularly as supplementing the exceedingly interesting recent paper of Thomas T. Read on The Mineral Production and Resources of China.' Ta-yeh is situated near the right bank of the Yangtze river. The mines are at an average distance of about 16 miles from the river-port Shi-hui-yao, which in turn is some 70 miles SE. of Hankom. The ores are shipped to the works of the Han-Yeh-P'ing Iron & Coal Co. at Hanyang, as also very largely to the Japanese government iron- and steel-works at Wakamatsu, Japan. Smaller qnantities have been exported to the Pacific coast of the United States. These ore-deposits have been briefly noticed in a number of publications, but, so far as I know, Mr. Read's description, in his chapter or1 the iron-ores of the Chinese Empire,2 contains the first attempt to define their geological character. In his more recent paper Mr. Read follows very closely the text of his earlier description. To quote briefly from the recent paper, he says : " The iron-ores at Ta-yeh .... lie along the contact between a marble and an intrusive body of a dark-gray syenitic rock." He refers to a figure which exhibits in plan, but not in section, the relative positions of the syenite, ore-bodies, and limestone. The contact is seen to trend approximately E-W., with the syenite on the north and the limestone on the south. " The syenite lies to the north of the marble, and a few miles farther north the marble again appears, iron-ore again being present along the contact." No litho-

Jan 1, 1913

By John V. Beall

With some difficulty we framed the picture of the village on the mountain getting in the railroad bridge and tunnel at the base. It was a charming scene of red-tile roofs on a green mountain in the golden autumn sunshine with the black hole of the railroad tunnel looking like something out of the movie, "The Train." We clicked the shutter, advanced the film and started back to our rented Audi. At which point there was a hail from the other side of the railroad bridge. A man in uniform was brandishing an object in the air which looked suspiciously like a rifle. We peered around. We were the only other persons in view. He must be yelling at us. He was now closing the distance at a brisk, determined gait but was still 100 yards away. The car was handy but the road was straight, paralleling the railroad tracks for some distance. We dismissed the idea of running for it. Who knows, he might shoot. When he came up we didn't have much of a conversation because it had taken us a week to learn three words of Yugoslavian-zhiveli, long life, huhvalla, thank you, and schlivavitza, the national drink (plum brandy). None of these seemed appropriate. We got the Idea that photographs of railroad tunnels and bridges were prohibited. The guard, for such he seemed to be, took the Audi plate number, administered a last scowling reprimand and stalked off. This incident was the only one in a 15-day visit to Yugoslavia which we would have associated with "Iron Curtain restrictions."

Jan 1, 1970

By T. S. Hutchinson, C. E. Kemp

The bottom water drive analysis presented by Muskat has been extended to include fields with wider well spacings. Curves are presented from which volumetric sweepout, water-oil ratio, and rate relations may be calculated. The effects of non-unity ratios on sweepout eficiency and productivity decline have been studied by an approximate method. Also, the effect of gravity on volumetric sweepout has been approximated for a particurlar geometry. INTRODUCTION The purpose of this paper is to report work done in applying the analysis of bottom water drive reservoirs given by Muskat1 to a larger class of reservoirs, to extend this analysis to include the effects of gravity and non-unity mobility ratios in an approximate manner, and to investigate the rate of decline of productive capacity. The bottom water drive type reservoir is one where the oil is underlain by a water zone of sufficient thickness that water movement is essentially vertical. This system is defined in more detail in the appendix and a one well element is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1. Muskat obtained solutions to the equations describing the volumetric displacement efficiency of idealized bottom water drive systems by assuming that gravity effects due to differences in density betwecn oil and water were negligible and that the mobilities of oil and water were the same. If either of these assumptions is not made, the complexity of the system makes an analytical solution well nigh impossible at the present stage of mathematical development. Coles and Stade' developed an approximation to consider these factors. The authors have refined approximations, starting with the same basic assumption, which should give a somewhat quantitative picture of bottom water drive performance when mobilities are not equal and the effects of gravity are not negligible. The results of these approximate calculations can then be used to obtain the decline in well productivity as the field is depleted.

Jan 1, 1957

WHILE papers on cleaning coal and mining coal were presented at the iron and steel and mining methods sessions, respectively, the first general session on coal was held on Wednesday afternoon. Howard Eavenson of Pittsburgh, Pa., as chairman of the session,* reported progress by the Committee on the Valuation of Coal for Blast-Furnace Coke. A paper on blasting coal effectively and safely in Southern Illinois, by J. E. Tiffany and S. S. Lubelsky, was abstracted and commented on by Dan Harrington, of the U. S. Bureau of Mines. W. J. German commented on some conditions mentioned in the paper as unsafe or bad practices, and added to these some further ex-amples; he made a strong plea for holes to be: drilled parallel to the bedding as the easiest way to determine the proper length or depth to agree, with the depth of kerf cut. Mr. Barron called attention to proper cutting and-drilling and rate of detonation of the explosive used, as effective aids in blasting coal. Another speaker mentioned an odd case where compressed black powder or "pellet powder," had decreased accidents at a non-gaseous mine where permissible explosives had been formerly used; the permissible cracked or shattered the roof, with a resulting high accident rate from falls of roof, and pellet black powder overcame this trouble. Eugene McAuliffe of the Union Pacific Coal Co. told of difficulties in changing from black powder to permissible in Wyoming mines. J. B. Dilworth read a paper on valuation of coal prop-erties, expressing a preference for the method of capi-talizing the earning power of a property. Eli T. Con-ner of Scranton, Pa., with much experience in valuation work, stated that the method was undoubtedly good, but many times failed because of inability to forecast accurately future earnings, and further contended that total valuation -and royalty rates could generally be fixed fairly when based on similar neighboring proper-ties' rates when these had recently been established by a free bargaining. S. A. Taylor of Pittsburgh, Pa., stated that a leasehold value could be fairly established by figuring based on 10 to 20 per cent of the profit resulting from operation. The chairman read a written discussion from Henry Louis of England, called atten-tion to differences in valuation resulting from whether gross or net profit or earnings were used as a basis for capitalizing. John A. Garcia of Allen & Garcia gave a most inter-esting account of coal mining and general conditions in Russia as noted in his recent extensive visit there, which appears elsewhere in this issue. Although agree-ing with most thinking Americans that government operation is incompatible with progress, he showed that mining conditions were far from impossible in present-day Russia. Charles E. Stuart gave motion pictures of parts of the trip, with, his own comments supple-menting those of Mr. Garcia.

Jan 3, 1928

By Henry Fernald

THE accounting system or bookkeeping methods of any company are principally the concern of that company and of those who are in control of its affairs. Its published financial report is, however, primarily intended for those who are not already fully informed regarding its operations and finances. Whatever may be the advantages of standardization of accounting and bookkeeping methods, it must be admitted that a company has a certain right to handle its accounts and keep its books and records in whatever manner may seem to it best adapted to its affairs, even though such methods may differ materially from those generally adopted by others. In its financial reports it should not, however, either ask or expect that the statements it makes or the terms which it uses will be given in its case a meaning and interpretation different from that which they are ordinarily considered to have inn similar reports and statements of other companies. The particular form and arrangement of such reports is a matter concerning which there may be much difference of opinion. It is of little importance whether current assets come first or last in the Balance Sheet, but it is important that there should not be included under this designation any items which are not properly current assets within the generally accepted meaning of that term. The extent to which stockholders or others interested are to be made acquainted with the full details of a company's business is a question which the proper authorities must in each case decide. It should, however, be recognized that there are certain facts regarding a mining company which must be set forth in a financial statement if it is fully to cover the conditions and affairs of the company. For example, a financial statement which does not include or is not accompanied by a statement of the ore reserves of the company does not fully set forth its financial condition. This is true whether the absence of such a statement of ore reserves is because it is not desired to make public the figures or whether it is because the ore reserves themselves are not definitely known or accurately measured.

Jan 1, 1928

By F. T. Selleck, H. H. Reamer, B. H. Sage

An experimental investigation was made of the effect of temperature upon the three-phase pressure associated with the propane-water and propene-water systems when hydrates were present. In addition, the characteristics of the propane-propene-water system were established over a limited range of ternperatureo under conditions such that hydrate was formed. The hydrate phase for this system may he a solid solution and the distribution of propane and propene in it is similar to that found in the coexisting hvdrocarhon liquid phase. INTRODUCTION A knowledge of the characteristics of hydrates of the hydrocarborrs encountered in industrial practice is of importance in connection with the design of process equipment. Villardl.1,2 carried out early studies of hydrates, and de Forcrand1 con-sidered the more probable compositions of the hydrates of hydrocarbons. Hammerschnid1 presented information about the propane-water and the isobutane-water systems. Scheffer5 studied the hydrate of hydrogen sulfide in detail, and de For-crand reported on the hydrates of krypton, argon, and xenon.1 Roberts and co-workers1,2 determined the nature of the hydrates formed in the methane-water and ethane-water systems. Carson and Katz10 studied the methane-propane-water, methane-pentane-water, and the methane-hexane-water systems in the four-phase region. The results of this rather extensive investigation indicated that the paraffinic hydrates formed solid solutions. The experimental evidence now available does not Support the existence of hydrates of the pentanes-antl-heavier hydrocarhons but it cannot be stated with certainty that such hydrates are not formed. Stackelherg. 11,12,13 made extensive studies of the crystal structure of paraffinic hydrate; by means of x-ray techniques and found that hydrates poses; a definite structure and composition. The existence of such a Structure does not preclude the firmation of Solid solutions of hydrates in aqueous systems containing two or more hydro-carbon~. Wilcox, Carson and Katz" reviewrd the information on the hydrates of importance in the processing of natural gas and presented data concerning their formation from natural gas. Kobayashi and Katz1' made studies at high pressure of the Hydrate of methane. and Unruh and Katz"' investigated hy-drates in mixtures of carbon rlioxide and methane. Frost and Deaton contributed to the knowledge of the composition of the paraffinic hydrates The irregularities in the experimental results were several times the expected uncertainties. This experience confirms the behavior encountered by other investigators indicating that hydrates tend to occlude water during their formation, thus rendering difficult the direct measoremeut of their composition. Miller and Strong2 investigated a number. of paraffinic hydrates from the standpoint of their possible application to (, the industrial storage of gas. Powel1 studied the effect of solutes upon the decomposition temperature of paraffin hydrates. Marked lowering of the decomposition temperature at a given pressure may he obtained by the use of such additive agents as ethylene glycol, urea. and sodium chloride. APPARATUS AND METHODS Two method* were here employed to study the behavior of hydrates. The first involved a glass capillary within which the hydrocarbons and water were confined over mercury. The second made use of a double-ended weighing bomb technique." The glass capillary equipment has been described elsewhere.'" A schematic drawing of it is presented in Fig. 1, where the arrangement of the agitator and mercury reservoir is shown in some detail. The lower part of the glass capillary, D, was enlarged to afford space within which the fluids used in the investigation could he stored at low pressures after their introduction through the valve. G. The temperature of the capillary was controlled by the circulation of a hydrocarbon oil of low viscosity from the agitated bath, B, through the vacuum jacketed column. C. The pump, A, was employed for the circulation of this oil. A relatively clear view of the capillary tube, D, was obtained through the vacuum jacket. Mercury was introduced into the lower part of the vessel, E, from

Jan 1, 1952

By C. H. Mathewson, E. M. Thalheimer

In planning the present experiments, we have made a particular effort to secure that adjustment of working conditions which would render the forthcoming tests most serviceable by way of indicating the comparative properties of the three different commercial grades of copper used. More specifically, we have endeavored to obtain certain definite information with respect to the relative behavior under test of ordinary electrolytic copper and furnace-refined lake copper containing (a) a moderate percentage of arsenic and (b) a rather large percentage of arsenic, in addition to the usual content of silver and other impurities. These comparisons were made systematic and comprehensive by testing throughout a series of (eight) reductions running from 0 to 70 per cent. in the case of cold-rolled metal, and throughout a series of (15) temperatures running from 100' C. to 1,000" C. in the case of annealed metal. In other words, a survey of properties similar to that made by Grard,' in the case of electrolytic copper, was here repeated (with modifications) and extended to two other commercial varieties of copper. The great importance of copper both as a material of construction and as the base of our most important alloys (aside from steel) has led to innumerable investigations of its properties, particularly in commercial forms. Naturally, the merits of furnace-refined lake coppers us. those of the very pure electrolytic product have furnished the subject of much experimental work and animated discussion, wherein the effect of arsenic has by no means been overlooked. In the literature of the past 10 years,

Jan 1, 1917

By D. S. Kingery, D. W. Mitchell

The authors attended the 11th International Conference of Directors of Safety in Mines Research held in France, July 1963. In addition to Conference discussions pertaining to control of coal dust they had the added assignment to study present European practices for neutralizing the coal-dust explosion hazard. Information was obtained through discussions with the Research Directors, by visits to testing stations and observations of operating mines in various countries. This paper tells what the current practice in this field is in Europe, and how effectively coal dust explosions are controlled. The method is rock dust barriers. CONTROL OF COAL DUST DISSEMINATION Experience in Europe indicates that the control of dust production and dissemination by water or foam systems is not successful except during undercutting. Cybulski, Dawes, and DeBraaf - respectively Director, Mines Research Establishment "Barbara", Katowice, Poland; Principal Scientific Officer, Safety in Mines Research Establishment, Sheffield, England; and Chief, Central Mines Research Establishment, Hoensbroek, Treebeek, The Netherlands - believe that wetted dust becomes readily dispersible and abatement measures should be considered only as a temporary means for reducing the health hazard. In an effort to reduce the health hazard, calcium chloride is used on the floor of main haulageways in Dutch mines and water infusion is practiced in Germany in mines where the coal is relatively porous. With respect to wet coal dust, the Belgians, British, Dutch, French, and Russians reportedly have accepted the results of research from the Polish and American experimental mines on the effectiveness of water as an inert in arresting explosion propagation. The Polish use the two test methods proposed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines1 for evaluation of the adequacy of wetness of mine dust; they require that water be added to the wet dust to maintain a minimum of 50% moisture by weight if dependence is placed on water alone. GENERALIZED ROCK DUSTING The general attitude with regard to protection against coal dust explosions throughout Europe is that generalized rock dusting is a vital primary step to inhibit initial ignitions but definite emphasis is also placed upon the efficiency of rock dust barriers. Those exceptions to generalized rock dusting are Germany and Austria where some rock dusting is done but principal reliance is placed upon rock dust barriers. The rock dust used in Belgium, Holland, Russia, and Poland is coarser than that used in the U. S.; 50% of the dust is through a No. 200 sieve (75 microns). Recent research by the Polish indicates that the portion finer than 20 microns is ineffective in arresting explosion propagation, and that the rock

Jan 1, 1964

New York Meets first Wednesday after first Tuesday of each month. J. E. JOHNSON, Jr., Chairman EDGAR RICKARD, Vice-Chairman D. M. LIDDELL, Secretary, 7 Wall St., New York, N. Y. C. A. BOHN, Treasurer JOHN V. N. DORR. LEWIS W. FRANCIS Boston Meets first Monday of each winter month. R. L. AGASSIZ, Chairman JAMES G. CARLETON, Vice-Chairman E. E. BUGBEE Secretary-Treasurer, Mass. Inst. of Technology, Cambridge,Mass. W. E. C. EUSTIS G. A. PACKARD Columbia Holds four sessions during year. Annual meeting in September or October. W. H. LINNEY. Chairman OSCAR LACHMUND, Vice-Chairman LYNDON K. ARMSTRONG, Secretary-Treasurer, P. 0. Drawer 2154, Spokane, Wash. STANLY A. EASTON S. SHEDD Puget Sound Meets second Saturday of each month SIMON H. ASH, Chairman I. F. LAUCKS, Vice-Chairman CHARLES SIMENSTAD, Secretary-Treasurer, 425 Lyon Bldg., Seattle, Wash. GLENVILLE A. COLLINS JOHN N. POTT

Jan 10, 1917