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By George W. Healy, Ko Yamaguchi

In typical calorimetry the energy given off by a material under study is transferred to a water bath, whose temperature is sensed by a thermometer; for correct measurement the water bath must attain a uniform temperature to which the thermometer must respond. This introduces two sources of error, non-uniformity of the heat sink and a time lag until its temperature is registered. These errors may become important where a rapid process such as solidification of metals and alloys is being studied by means of Oelsen'sl quantitative thermal analysis. To overcome this difficulty, a calorimeter sink was conceived in which the water bath is replaced by a copper coil, which serves simultaneously as heat

Jan 1, 1967

By Walter Lee Brown

One of the characteristic steps in the march of modern scientific progress is the substitution of improved time-saving and labor-saving appliances for the antiquated and, in most cases, inconvenient forms of chemical and physical apparatus used by the earlier experimenters. This fact is strongly impressed upon us when we consider the question of the employment of illuminating-gas as a source of light, heat and power. Concerning its value as a light-producer, let the record of the past three-quarters of a century speak for itself. As a factor for power, we have evidence of its efficiency in the shape of the gas-engine. But its adaptability as a medium of heat, is the feature to which I wish to call attention, and in a special direction, viz., the assaying of ores. Gas assay-furnaces have been known and used for some years, but not to any very great extent, in this country at least. Therefore no apology on my part is required for the description I now give of a complete gas assaying-plant. The illustration accompanying this paper is a faithful representation of the group, as it was designed by, and arranged for myself, and appears in actual running order in my laboratory to-day. Its duty is to do roasting, crucible-fusion, scorification and cupellation. The furnace at the left is for roasting sulphurets or other ores for experimentation or actual work. It is what is known as a Fletcher No. 163, and consists of a fire-clay body strapped with sheet-iron bands, and a burner (No. 16, Fletcher). The opening at the top

Jan 1, 1885

By N. K. Chen, R. Maddin, R. B. Pond

A METHOD has been described by Andrade' for obtaining very rapid grain growth so that single crystals of high melting point metals could be made with comparative ease. The furnace construction was essentially a very thin wire through which was passed an electrical current so that "a high uniform temperature" was maintained. The wire was surrounded by a fused quartz tube from which the air had been evacuated. Andrade applied this method to the growth of single-crystal wires of alpha iron, and Tsien and Chow2 prepared single crystals of molybdenum 0.25 mm diam in this way. In the present report a method is described in which the basic idea of the Andrade furnace is utilized. However, modifications are employed so that large single crystals of molybdenum or of any refractory metals can be grown. Furnace The modified Andrade furnace is shown in Fig. 1, and the detailed drawing of its construction can be seen in Fig. 2. The furnace proper consists of a 2'/2-in. diam fused silica tube, 20 in. long, which is evacuated continuously at the bottom. Two water-cooled copper electrodes hold the specimen by means of collets held in place in the electrodes by set screws. These electrodes serve also to transmit power to the specimen. The lower electrodes can be clamped to the stand, while the upper electrode is fastened in place to the bellows which in turn is further connected to one side of the lever arm, flexibly supported at the top. After the specimen is mo;nted- and the vacuum is secured, the lever arm is adjusted by means of the counter weight so

Jan 1, 1952

By Terkel Rosenqvist

Few subjects in iron metallurgy and steelmaking have caused so much discussion and have resulted in so many divergent and partly contradictory statements as the theory of the distribution of sulphur between molten iron and slag. An interesting survey of the different points of view is given by Grant and Chipman.1 Grant and Chipman themselves conclude in their paper that, at least in the open hearth and electric steel furnaces, the governing reaction is a simple distribution like: FeS steel ? FeS alas [Ia] and MnS steel ? MnS alas [Ib] They conclude that no significant reaction takes place according to the more classical scheme: FeS steel + CaO slag ? FeOslag + CaS slag [2a] This is the reaction which is regarded by most investigators as the primary sulphur reaction in the blast furnaces, where it is accompanied by the reaction with carbon: FeO slag + C ? Fe + CO [2b] The writer suggests an alternative to the reactions mentioned above. It is the opinion of the writer that the a priori assumption of defined molecular compounds being present in molten steel as well as in molten slag, has retarded rather than promoted a solution of the sulphur problem. As for the constituents of molten steel, it is taking too much for granted to mention the presence of FeS and MnS. If this infers that the melt contains diatomic molecules, the statement must be made that at least such molecules do not exist in the solid state at room temperature. Solid FeS crystallizes in the nickel-arsenide structure, and MnS (high temperature form) in the sodium-chloride structure. In these structures the sulphur is surrounded by six metal neighbors, and no molecular groups can be isolated. When sulphur is dissolved in molten steel, it is expected to maintain the same coordination number as in the solid state. We know that sulphur in steel has a certain chemical potential and a chemical activity which can be expressed by the reaction: S steel + H2 ? H2S where the activity A. is proportional to the ratio PH2S/Ph2. We know also that this activity is influenced by the presence of other constituents. For instance, there is reason to assume that carbon and silicon increase the sulphur activity and manganese decreases it. However, the exact relationship here is scarcely known, and further investigations are needed. Concerning the molten slags, if anything should be assumed a priori it would be that they are composed of ionic rather than molecular parts. There are indications of this in that solid silicates form ionic structures, and molten slags show high electric conductivity and can be electrolyzed.2 It has been claimed by Taylor and Chipman3 that their activity investigations

Jan 1, 1949

By Terkel Rosenqvist

Few subjects in iron metallurgy and steelmaking have caused so much discussion and have resulted in so many divergent and partly contradictory statements as the theory of the distribution of sulphur between molten iron and slag. An interesting survey of the different points of view is given by Grant and Chipman.1 Grant and Chipman themselves conclude in their paper that, at least in the open hearth and electric steel furnaces, the governing reaction is a simple distribution like: FeS steel ? FeS alas [Ia] and MnS steel ? MnS alas [Ib] They conclude that no significant reaction takes place according to the more classical scheme: FeS steel + CaO slag ? FeOslag + CaS slag [2a] This is the reaction which is regarded by most investigators as the primary sulphur reaction in the blast furnaces, where it is accompanied by the reaction with carbon: FeO slag + C ? Fe + CO [2b] The writer suggests an alternative to the reactions mentioned above. It is the opinion of the writer that the a priori assumption of defined molecular compounds being present in molten steel as well as in molten slag, has retarded rather than promoted a solution of the sulphur problem. As for the constituents of molten steel, it is taking too much for granted to mention the presence of FeS and MnS. If this infers that the melt contains diatomic molecules, the statement must be made that at least such molecules do not exist in the solid state at room temperature. Solid FeS crystallizes in the nickel-arsenide structure, and MnS (high temperature form) in the sodium-chloride structure. In these structures the sulphur is surrounded by six metal neighbors, and no molecular groups can be isolated. When sulphur is dissolved in molten steel, it is expected to maintain the same coordination number as in the solid state. We know that sulphur in steel has a certain chemical potential and a chemical activity which can be expressed by the reaction: S steel + H2 ? H2S where the activity A. is proportional to the ratio PH2S/Ph2. We know also that this activity is influenced by the presence of other constituents. For instance, there is reason to assume that carbon and silicon increase the sulphur activity and manganese decreases it. However, the exact relationship here is scarcely known, and further investigations are needed. Concerning the molten slags, if anything should be assumed a priori it would be that they are composed of ionic rather than molecular parts. There are indications of this in that solid silicates form ionic structures, and molten slags show high electric conductivity and can be electrolyzed.2 It has been claimed by Taylor and Chipman3 that their activity investigations

Jan 1, 1949

By E. H. Crabtree

The heavy-media separation plant at the Central mill of the Eagle-Picher Mining and Smelting Co., near Picher, Okla., was started in February 1939. Since that time twenty-four million tons of lead-zinc ore has been treated in the mill, of which approximately 70 pct has been treated by heavy-media separation. Until January 1945, galena concentrate from the flotation plant was used as the sink-float medium. At that time minus 100-mesh ferrosilicon was substituted for the galena, and its use has been continued. The purpose of this paper is to compare the operating results and the costs of operation of the two media. For the purpose of this comparison the period Jan. I, 1943, to Jan. 29, 1945, has been taken to represent the operation using galena medium; the period Jan. 29, 1945, to Sept. I, 1946, to represent the ferrosilicon medium. During the first of these periods about seven and one-half million tons was milled; during the latter, or ferrosilicon period, more than five million tons was milled. It is believed that these tonnages are large enough to give representative data. Flowsheet The Central mill has a capacity of 15,000 tons per day. Briefly, the treatment used consists of crushing the ore through I½- in. and wet-screening out the minus 3/16-in. portion. The minus 136 plus 3/16-in. washed product is treated by the heavy medium; the minus 3/16-in. product is deslimed and jigged. The heavy-media cone tailing is discarded and the cone concentrate is recrushed and jigged for the production of a coarse lead concentrate. The cone concentrate, impoverished of lead, is then ground in ball mills and treated by differential flotation. The minus 3/16-in. jig product is similarly treated. Heavy-media Plant The heavy-media cone plant treating the minus I½ plus 3/16-in. product consists of one open-top cone 20 ft in diameter by 20 ft deep, equipped with a central airlift. Concentrate is discharged from the top of the airlift to a 3 by 14-ft low-head Allis-Chalmers drainage screen. Medium drains back into the cone, from the first half of this screen. The last half of the screen is provided with washing sprays for further removal of medium. Cone tailing is similarly drained and washed. Undersize from the washing screen is thickened and then cleaned in the medium-cleaning plant. When galena was used as a medium, cleaning was done in Fagergren and Denver flotation machines. The ferrosilicon is cleaned in three 36-in. and one 24-in. Crockett magnetic separators. A flowsheet of the cone plant is shown in Fig I.

Jan 1, 1949

By John H. Melvin

The Omaha District, Corps of Engineers, has been doing subsurface exploration work for a number of years, both by contract and with its own forces. Certain practices and procedures concerning the recovery of large diameter cores have been developed which will be described in this paper. Geology Most of the drilling to date has been in connection with structures on the main stem of the Missouri River above Sioux City, Iowa. A wide variety of subsurface conditions has been encountered. The bedrock formations appear in regular order from the oldest to the youngest, traveling upstream; or in other words, the general regional dip is to the northwest. The oldest formation is the Carlile shale, a compaction or noncemented waxy shale of Cretaceous age. Because of its unce-mented, soft nature this shale has a tendency to grind or wash away when drilled. It also has a tendency to rebound or expand when the overlying pressures are removed. A 25-ft bed of sharp, friable sandstone called the Codell member is present near the top of the Carlile shale. This member is a cemented sediment, but in drilling, many of the sand grains are broken loose and exert extensive abrasive action on the core barrel and bit. Above the Carlile shale is the Niobrara chalk, a soft calcareous deposit with shaly horizons and some thin beds of bentonitic clay. The average thickness of this deposit is about 145 ft. It is soft enough to be sawed or bored with ordinary woodworking tools, yet is compact enough to be used as building block. The Pierre shale, the formation above the Niobrara chalk, is over 800 ft in thickness and is the most widespread material in the area. It is a dark colored, compaction shale containing numerous thin bentonitic clay seams and at certain horizons, hard manganese concretions. The shale has numerous faults and in addition, along the valley walls, has undergone considerable slumping. Joints, fault planes and slickensided surfaces are common features encountered in drilling and add to the difficulties of high core recovery. East of the Missouri River the bedrock is generally covered with from 100 to 200 ft of glacial till, composed of clays, silts, sands, gravels and boulders. The valley itself is filled with alluvial deposits, mostly of the sand and gravel sizes, and contains a buried preglacial or interglacial channel over 100 ft in depth. The overburden deposits require sampling in connection with engineering studies and must also be cased before the underlying bedrock can be cored. The diameter of the required overburden samples can thus have an indirect effect on the size of core recovered from the bedrock. West of the river, which in most cases is the western boundary of glaciation,

Jan 1, 1949

By James R. Evans

Forecasting demand is an art as well as a science, and much personal judgment is required. National forecasts made for sand and gravel, crushed stone, and/or aggregate may be misleading or unhelpful locally. This is because of significant variation in demand within different geographic and/or political areas in the US, and/or the use of an inadequate data base and forecasting methodology. The best forecasts may be made for local or regional market areas, irrespective of geographic or political boundaries, provided a proper data base is available.1 The Bureau of Mines compiles detailed statistics on commodities sold or used in the construction industries and, therefore, is in an advantageous position to make national aggregate demand forecasts.

Jan 1, 1979

By C. R. Garr, A. R. Troiano

FLAKING or hair-line crack formation has been a major problem confronting the producer of large alloy steel forgings.' Today it is generally conceded that hydrogen in one or more forms in alloy steel sections is a requisite for flaking. Hence an obvious remedy is a thermal cycle that reduces the hydrogen content to some low level. In practice, this generally means holding the material at some subcritical temperature for a period of time depending on the size of the ingot or forging. Another method that will suffice in some cases is to cool large forgings slowly, i.e., bury in ashes. In practice, this hydrogen bake is sometimes accemplished inadvertently by a series

Jan 1, 1958

By AIME AIME

METALLIC corrosion, which results from the chemical affinity of different metals for non- metallic elements, should be considered from both the kinetic and static viewpoints. From the stand- point of statics the metals may be arranged in the order of their affinity for oxygen, chlorine or any other acid- forming element. They may also be arranged in the order of the magnitude of the heat of combination of their corresponding compounds. It is misleading to talk about some metals as "noble," because these relations are all relative; and the order varies for oxygen, chlorine or whatever the element may be. A third way to arrange the metals is by their solution pressures. These three methods indicate that one metal is better under one set of conditions, but not so good under other conditions. Considering the problem from the standpoint of kinetics, the thing which saves most metals is what may be called the sluggishness of reactions. Using organic substances as an example, we know they will all oxidize, but fortunately they do so rather slowly. An increase in temperature always means an increase in the reaction rate, and preventing corrosion at high temperatures is a greater problem than at low temperatures. A second consideration is to avoid all sub- stances which might provoke catalytic action, and as it is generally impossible to foresee what substances might do this, the thing is to avoid all substances other than the main constituents of the alloys. A third consideration is to avoid local electrolytic action, which again indicates the advisability of avoiding the contact of differing substances.

Jan 1, 1926

By William P. Blake

Eureka has for several years past been known as one of the most important centres of production of argentiferous lead in the country. The average daily yield is now one hundred tons of lead bars, in which the silver and gold of the ore is concentrated. The value of this lead, called " bullion," is about $300 per ton. To produce this quantity of metal, about four times the weight of ore, or say four hundred tons, is required. Most of this ore is supplied by the two leading mines of the district, the " Eureka" and the " Richmond," adjoining claims on Ruby Hill, about two miles from Eureka. There are, however, many other mines from which considerable quan-

Jan 1, 1879

By Lewis Smith

CHROMIUM is one of the new metals, but considerable research has been required to determine an approximate record of its production from 1827 until the present. Its use in the form of pure metal is not extensive; of the chromite mined, about one-half is required for making ferrochromium, about two-fifths goes directly into refractories and the remainder is absorbed chiefly by the chemical trades. The industries that demand chromite for such uses are mainly in countries that produce little chromite, while the important chromite-producing countries are not generally consumers. The international flow of chromite is therefore of interest, as yell as the political and commercial control of resources of the metal.

Jan 1, 1931

By H. D. Hoskold

This instrument, shown in Fig. 1, is not generally known, though it has been used in England, and found very practical, handy and useful in work not requiring a transit or theodolite. It is not only a good miner's dial, but a circumferentor as well; that is, it can measure horizontal angles like a theodolite. The magnetic bearings are conveniently read on the inward-beveled upper divided circle; while another circle, graduated on the base-plate, is used for reading the horizontal angles with a vernier. Two leveling spirit-bubbles are sunk in the same base-plate. The vertical divided semicircle is attached to the compact-box by two short axes, which permit the semicircle, with its plain sights, to be turned down to a horizontal position, and rest upon a pin, which relieves the axes from strain. This adjustment gives a clear view of the needle and vernier, and protects the instrument from injury, when carried through low mine-workings. A groove in the semicircle receives a sliding-bridge which carries the plain sights, and a vernier for reading vertical angles. A ball-and-socket-headed tripod is used; but sometimes the instrument is mounted on parallel-plates and level-ing-screws; and sometimes a telescope is attached, instead of the plain sights. The instrument is admirable for all such Mexican surveys as Mr. E. A. H. Tays describes ;l and saves so much time and labor as to be vastly superior to the less accurate hanging-compass called by him a " bully " instrument. If the hanging-compass was ever used in England, it has long since given way to more modern and superior instruments.

Jan 1, 1905

By Duane H. Haley

Dr. F. Well, the first thing that you have to realize is what is the Bureau of Mines? The Bureau of Mines basically has two functions. First it does the research and development relating to mining, processing, conversion, refining, recycling and substitution for minerals and materials. We work hand in hand with the U. S. Geological Survey on the geological end, although the exploration part of the game is theirs, and there is a very good relationship between the Survey and the Bureau of Mines. There are some overlaps with the Office of Coal Research, and we expect to be able to straighten out the areas of overlap, because it's important than OCR and the Bureau work together. Both the Office of Coal Research and the Bureau of Mines will have increased budgets next year, assuming that they are appropriated by the Congress. The other general area is in the whole area of mineral policy. The Bureau of Mines again is the key agency for developing data and analyses and making recommendations on all types of mineral policy in the Federal Government. It's a focal point for all types of minerals activities. It's the only real centralized focal point, along with the USGS, in the whole Federal Government. The problem areas, to answer your question specifically, are first of all the Bureau of Mines budget this year is $105 million and the budget for next year is $215 million, so it's more than double. Now, assuming that this budget is appropriated by the Congress, most of that money will be used for research and development in the energy area.

Jan 4, 1974

Discussion of the paper of L. W. BAHNEY, presented at, the New York meeting, February, 1915, and printed in Bulletin No. 9S, February, 1915, pp. 339. to 344. E. J. HALL,* New York, N. Y. (communication to the Secretary+).- The Chiddy method for determining gold and silver in cyanide solutions has been subjected to so many proposed modifications, of which L. W. Bahney's is one, it is natural to suppose the method is defective. There is no denying that this method is capable of giving inaccurate results, but so is any other method of quantitative determination. However, proof has not come to my notice that the troubles are inherent and not in the detail application, and I am inclined to think from our experience that in many cases it is the latter. Errors in this method may be occasioned by: (1) The retention of zinc in the sponge, which tends to desilverize the molten lead in cupellation, similar to the action in the Parkes process, removing gold and silver in a crust of zinc oxide. Failure to remove zinc may result from lack of concentration of hydrochloric acid, clue to neutralization by salts present, volume of liquid too great for the specified amount of acid, or the use of weak acid. (HCl rapidly loses its strength unless kept in perfectly tight containers. The HCl gas escapes even from the ordinary glass-stoppered acid bottles after the plaster seal has been broken.) Undissolved zinc, is likely to be held in the upper part of the lead sponge, which floats above the liquid, and unless the solution is boiled it will escape action. Mr. Bahney's modification makes this

Jan 5, 1915

An extended investigation by the chief engineer of the Bureau of Mines shows that North Dakota has immense beds of lignite. War conditions have stimulated the use of North Dakota lignite until it is now being used at the rate of 1,000,000 tons annually. This North Dakota lignite is coming into extensive local use and considerable of it is being shipped to various parts of the state. The great problem at the present time is to find a market for the gas, which is the principal-by-product of lignite preparation. Bureau of Mines specialists will complete their reports of the studies of lignite in this country and will then make a recommendation as to the lignite field which is best suited for the establishment of the proposed Government's experimental plant. "Broken eggs cannot be mended."-(Lincoln.) Neither can "cashed in" War Saving Stamps grow to their maturity value.

Jan 8, 1919

By J. W. Graham

For many years the author has been cognizant of the difficulty encountered by some in treating with the water influx formulas for unsteady-state fluid flow as pertain to the material balance equation. This has particularly applied in establishing reservoir performance and identifying reservoir pressure, which to the practicing engineer has entailed a trial-and-error procedure, and for others has necessitated resorting to computing devices and reiteration processes. In retrospect this difficulty stems from the fact that reservoir pressure in the material balance formulas, as well as associated with the water influx equations, is an inexplicit term, and the work reported in the past is irrefutable. However, what will be presented in this paper is another approach to the problem, whereby the entire material balance equation will be treated by the Laplace transformation, and reservoir pressure which hereto has been inexplicit, can now be isolated by mathematical procedure to relate that parameter with all the factors contributing to its change. This is the simplification entailed, that treats first with an undersaturated oil reservoir as an integrated effect from the inception of production. The second phase pertains to saturated oil reservoirs that encompass a survey traverse. Although both methods of approach are necessarily different in aspect, the most interesting fact is that the mathematics so deduced are identical. Both the linear and radial water-drive systems are incorporated. for which an illustrated factual example is offered for the latter, treating with a saturated oil reservoir. INTRODUCTIO N What is performed in this work is the simplification of an involved computation by advanced analysis. Although such may be construed as a contradiction when one treats with higher mathematics; nevertheless, when direction is given to such an undertaking the results car. be most revealing. Likewise, it is to be mentioned that the bases for these mathematics have been developed on the expediency of the occasion. This is not to be inferred as a qualification of this work, but rather the demands frequently placed upon the author in his private prac- tice in meeting a time limit. A situation, instead of being fraught with hazards, often has given emphasis to creative thought. What will be entailed in this work is the simplification of the material balance formulas by the Laplace Transformation., Although this reveals entirely new horizons that will be given expression in a forthcoming tract, it suffices in the present instance to limit our attention to this phase of the development that treats both with an undersaturated and saturated oil reservoir. To orient the reader's thoughts as to what is involved in this simplification is the recognition that reservoir pressure, as such, is an inexplicit term in the material balance equation. This is the independent parameter that defines the total history of performance in the author's' unsteady-state water influx formulas, as well as the basis for the physical dependency of fluid behavior within the formation as prescribed in the Schil-thuis' material balance equation. Therefore, to isolate reservoir pressure, which is the most essential factor in any reservoir study, is rather a cumbersome procedure entailing either a trial-and-error calculation for the engineer; or as some prefer, a reiteration process performed on a computing device. However, once such an equation can be transcribed as a Laplace transformation, this inexplicitness so expressed can be alleviated to identify reservoir pressure as an explicit function of all the factors contributing to its change. This is the simplification encompassed, that will treat first with an undersaturated oil reservoir as an integrated effect from the inception of production, and secondly, with a saturated oil reservoir as a survey traverse. Although the two approaches are necessarily different because of the uhvsics involved. it is an interesting commentary that the mathematics are identical, showing the interdependency of the two methods. In order to acquaint the reader with this development, the simplest case will be treated first; namely, an under-saturated oil reservoir subject to a linear water drive. However, what may be construed for this example as an idealistic case is actually a most practical application in certain parts of the world, where the size of the fields are so large that radial water-drive approaches the configuration of a linear drive. Further, to avoid the repetition of much symbolism, frequent references will be made to the work of the author and an associate on Laplace Transformations3,

By A. R. Rosenfield, G. T. Hahn

The effects of adding 0.025 volume fraction of uniformly dispersed Tho2, particles (particle size -380A) to iron have been examined. The two-phase alloy is shown to have a lower transition temperature and higher cleavage stress than either the base metal or a solid-solution alloy (Fe-3Si). Enhanced cleavage resistance is thought to be a consequence of particles limiting the effective slip distance of dislocations and thus the ability of Pile-ups to act as stress concentrations. Further calculations predict that the highest cleavage strengths are attained with uniform dispersions, where the particle size is kept small (-250A) and the volume fraction is relatively large (-2 to 3 pct). ALTHOUGH a fine dispersion of second-phase particles is known to impart strength to an alloy, the possibility that it might also impart ductility has only recently been explored. Outstanding progress has been made in the production of ductile tungsten alloys containing Tho21,2or (Hf, Zr)C,= but the contribution of the dispersion to ductility has neither been optimized nor fully analyzed. The basis for such an analysis has now been developed1,5 and is discussed briefly below. Experiments on iron are also described that attempt to isolate one of the possible ductilizing mechanisms and test its effectiveness. In analyzing these experiments, it is important to remember that cleavage obeys a stress criterion, and that either a lower ductile-to-brittle transition temperature or a higher cleavage stress is evidence of enhanced resistance to cleavage. DUCTILIZING MECHANISMS Slip Blockage. Cleavage fracture of polycrystals may be initiated at the intersection of a slip band (or twin) and a neighboring grain or a large (-1 to 5 µ) particle. The slip band generates a stress concentration at its head, and either the grain boundary fractures, the particle fractures, or cleavage is initiated in a neighboring grain. Experimental evidence for this viewpoint is found in metallographic studies8-8 and from the observation that cleavage is usually preceded by yielding.8-11 The potency of a slip band as a stress concentrator

Jan 1, 1968

By E. C. Hopkinson, A. H. Youmans, R. A. Bergan, H. I. Oshry

A new log has been developed for quantitative formation evaluation which is based on a measurement of the length of time slow neutrons survive before they are captured in the rocks and fluids. The logging instrument employs a cyclically pulsed neutron generator and a gated scintillation counter which is synchronized with the source. The source emits short, intense bursts of 14 mev neutrons once every 1,000 microsec and is quiescent between bursts. During the period the source is quiescent, the detector is electronically actuated for two independent preselected intervals. A comparison of the counting rates during these two intervals gives a measure of the rate of decay of the slow neutrons and of the associated gamma radiation. The average neutron lifetime in most earth formations is in the range from 50 to 500 microsec. It can be measured during a continuous logging operation at conventional logging speeds. The design of the logging instrument is described and the results of tests are compared with theoretical predictiom. Formulas are developed which give the relationship between log response and formation properties. It is shown that the method is particularly sensitive to formation fluid salinity, and that salt water saturation can be measured accurately in either cased or open hole. The measurement can be made independent of borehole size, fluid type, casing and tool position in the hole by properly selecting the intervals during which the measurements are made. The results of tests with a prototype logging tool are given. INTRODUCTION A new nuclear logging system has been developed which employs the Accelatron,* an accelerator-type neutron source, and accurately measures formation brine saturation in an entirely new way. It has produced a type of formation log with better sensitivity, greater sampling depth and simpler quantitative interpretation than any other nuclear log thus far suggested. The new Neutron Lifetime Log* employs a pulsed electromechanical neutron source and a synchronously gated radiation detector. A prototype instrument has been field tested during recent months to demonstrate the operability of the apparatus and the feasibility of the method. Tests in wells and simulated boreholes have confirmed theoretical predictions and have shown that formation param ters can be measured independent of casing and other borehole parameters. Preliminary results of field tests have indicated that the log may have important and widespread applications. BASIC PRINCIPLE OF NEUTRON LIFETIME LOG The Neutron Lifetime Log is based on the fact that neutrons emitted by a source in a well are rapidly but not instantly captured by the material around the source. Their capture is a matter of statistical probability; the greater the number of capturing nuclei and the greater the "capture cross section", the greater is the probability that a neutron will be captured quickly. The average life of a thermal neutron in vacuum is about 13 minutes, but in common earth materials, the average neutron life ranges between extremes of about 5 rnicrosec for rock salt and perhaps 900 microsec for quartzite. The Neutron Lifetime Log responds to variations in this average neutron life. The theoretical basis for a log of this general type has been well understood by nuclear logging experts in many laboratories both in America and in Russia, and develop mental work along these lines has been in progress for many years. The Russian literature has reported both theoretical and experimental work1,2 but in this country there have been no published reports of progress toward a practical logging instrument. The logging instrument is designed to measure radiation produced by slow neutrons during selected intervals when no neutrons are being emitted by the source. The source is arranged to emit neutrons in bursts or pulses. During the quiescent interval between the pulses, it is possible to observe the exponential "decay" of the neutrons and the neutron-induced radiation as the individual neutrons progressively disappear due to capture by atoms in the formation or the borehole. When a short pulse of 14 mev neutrons is emitted by a source in a borehole, the individual neutrons are slowed to thermal energy within a few microsec. Thus, a cloud of "slow" neutrons is formed around the source within 10 to 50 microsec after the pulse. This cloud is most dense within a few inches of the source, and is progressively less dense out to a radius of about 3 ft, where radiation from the source is practically undetectable.

Jan 1, 1965

By W. R. Purcell, C. S. Brooks

The internal surfaces of rocks which are in contact with interstitial fluids are known to influence in some degree the recovery of hydrocarbons from pay zones. Despite the admitted importance of the influence of solid surfaces on hydrocarbon recovery, little information is available concerning the extent of surface of reservoir rocks. In this paper a description is given of the apparatus and procedure employed in the determination of the surface areas of sedimentary rocks, and values are reported for a variety of sandstone and limestone cores. In addition, consideration is given to the Kozeny equation, which relates surface area to porosity and permeability. A colliparison is made between the surface areas as calculated from this equation and the geometrical areas of a series of packs of spherical glass beads. Also, for a group of sandstone cores. Kozeny areas are compared with surface areas as determined by the gas adsorption method employed in this investigation. INTRODUCTION It has long been recognized that many processes which are of importance to hydrocarbon production are controlled in some degree by the extent of the surface of the reservoir rock through which the hydrocarbons move. For example, the recovery efficiency that is obtained in a given reservoir is certainly determined in part by the action of interfacial forces between the reservoir fluids and rock, and this action is influenced in turn by the extent of solid surface. Despite the admitted importance of surface effects to problems of petroleum recovery, little information is available concerning the extent of surface of reservoir rocks." It is the purpose of this paper to describe an apparatus which has been employed for the measurement of the surface areas of rock samples and to present the values which have been obtained for a variety of sandstone and limestone cores. In addition, the relationship of surface area to permeability and porosity, as given by the Kozeny equation, will be discussed. METHOD OF MEASURING SURFACE AREA The method of determining surface areas as employed in this work has previously found wide use in studies of porous solids such as catalysts. The method involves the measurement of the amount of physical adsorption of an inert gas, such as nitrogen or argon, on the bare surface of the solid at reduced pressure and constant temperature near the normal liquefaction temperature of the gas. With the aid of the theory of isothermal adsorption as developed by Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller,' it is possible to ascertain the amount of gas (and hence the number of molecules) which is required to cover the solid surface with a single layer of molecules. From a knowledge of the covering area per molecule the total surface ares of the solid can be computed. Since the Brunauer. Emmett, Teller (BET) theory has been adequately discussed elsewhere: it will suffice here merely to present their final equation as ordinarily employed for surface-area calculations. This equation relates the volume of gas, V, which is adsorbed at pressure, P, to the liquefaction pressure, Po, of the gas, and to the volume of gas, V.,, that is required to form a monomolecular layer: In this equation C is a quantity which is related to the heats of adsorption and liquefaction of the gas; for a particular solid-gas system at Constant temperature, C is considered to have a constant value. The basic adsorption data can be presented in the form of Equation (1) by plotting the quantity P/V(Po- P) as a func-

Jan 1, 1952