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By P. E. Baker

An experimental study of heat flow in steam flooding was carried out with steam displacing water in a plane-radial fluid-flow model. Temperature distributions in the model reservoir, overburden, and substratum were measured at frequent intervals during flooding by means of a fixed array of thermocouples. Heat losses to overburden and substratum and the division of heat between the steam and hot-water zones in the reservoir were calculated from the temperature data by performing numerical integrations over the appropriate volumes. Temperature profiles and heat distribution results are presented. Some results were (1) the fraction of injected heat that is lost to overburden and substratum, when expressed as a function of time, did not depend on injection rate; (2) a significant portion of the injected heat was contained in the hot-water zone ahead of and underlying the steam front in the reservoir. The division of heat between the steam and hot-water zones did depend on injection rate; and (3) considerable gravity override was observed. The experimental results are compared with those of several published theoretical studies of heat transfer in hot-fluid injection; approximate agreement on heat losses is found with some of the most idealized theories. A valid comparison cannot be made in regard to steam us hot-water zone; basic interpretation of the hot-water zone, in terms of a vertical steam front, is clouded by gravity override in the experiments. INTRODUCTION The experimental study reported here primarily concerns two problems of heat transfer in steam flooding that have economic and engineering importance. These are (1) the fraction of injected heat lost to the overburden and substratum, and (2) the division of the remaining heat between a zone containing steam and a zone of hot water at lower-than-boiling temperature. The volume of the steamed region, which has a direct effect on oil recovery, can be calculated readily from these results. Several valuable theoretical studies have been published on this problem, but no experimental tests of the theories have previously appeared. Tests were needed because the effects of the necessary simplifications in the theories could not be determined otherwise. The basic, untested theoretical problem is the effect of "decoupling" heat and mass transfer, and the resulting inability to include the effects of heat transfer and condensation on fluid flow. The theoretical problem solved so far has been a heat transfer problem in which fluid is present as a heat carrier and flows in a stipulated manner, either linear or plane-radial. The simplifications that have sometimes been made in regard to thermal conductivity by, for example, Marx and Langenheim,l Lauwerier2 and Thomas3 apparently do not have an important effect on heat loss calculations, although the results of the different methods disagree to a certain extent, as shown by Spillette4 and by Ramey.5 A recent paper by the author6 compared the results of experiments in hot-water flooding with several theoretical results and showed a rather poor agreement. It will be seen that the experimental heat loss results for steam flooding, however, show acceptable agreement. These comparisons are discussed in a later section. EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE The system studied was one in which a sand pack, initially water saturated and at a uniform temperature, was flooded with steam at a constant rate and temperature. The temperature distribution in the "reservoir" and adjacent "strata" was measured with an array of thermocouples, and heat losses were determined from these measurements. The sand pack contained no oil because the only concern of the experiments was heat flow, and it was important to have the flow pattern as simple

Jan 1, 1970

By A. M. Gaudin, A. F. Taggart

Flotation of ores is a practical utilization of the energy that resides in the surfaces of solids and liquids. The best known manifestation of this energy is called surface tension; an equally important, though less apparent, phenomenon is adsorption. This paper reviews some of the recent investigations of these phenomena, and gives the results of certain experiments performed by the authors. Surface tension is a manifestation of energy having its seat at the bounding surface between the adjacent phases of a multiphase system. Thus, at the interface between a liquid and a gas, or between two immiscible liquids, or between a solid and a gas or a liquid, there are forces capable of doing work, their magnitude depending on the nature of the adjacent phases and the extent of the bounding area. These surface forces are inappreciable when the ratio of surface to volume of the adjacent phases is small, but they become powerful when this ratio becomes large, as it does when one of the phases is highly dispersed. Froth flotation, which consists in buoying solids heavier than water to the surface of water by means of gas bubbles, utilizes the force of surface tension to attach the solid particles to the gas bubbles and again to maintain the floating mass of bubbles as a more or less persistent froth at the surface of a pulp for a sufficiently long time to allow its removal. It follows from the second law of thermodynamics that the potential energy of a system in equilibrium is a minimum. Therefore a multiphase system, tending toward equilibrium, will arrange itself in such a way that the total energy of the interfaces will be the least possible. This end can be accomplished in two ways: by a change in shape that will reduce the interfacial area; by a change in the nature of the surface layer in

Jan 1, 1923

By A. F. Taggart, A. M. Gaudin

Flotation of ores is a practical utilization of the energy that resides in the surfaces of solids and liquids. The best known manifestation of this energy is called surface tension; an equally important, though less apparent, phenomenon is adsorption. This paper reviews some of the recent investigations of these phenomena, and gives the results of certain experiments performed by the authors. Surface tension is a manifestation of energy having its seat at the bounding surface between the adjacent phases of a multiphase system. Thus, at the interface between a liquid and a gas, or between two immiscible liquids, or between a solid and a gas or a liquid, there are forces capable of doing work, their magnitude depending on the nature of the adjacent phases and the extent of the bounding area. These surface forces are inappreciable when the ratio of surface to volume of the adjacent phases is small, but they become powerful when this ratio becomes large, as it does when one of the phases is highly dispersed. Froth flotation, which consists in buoying solids heavier than water to the surface of water by means of gas bubbles, utilizes the force of surface tension to attach the solid particles to the gas bubbles and again to maintain the floating mass of bubbles as a more or less persistent froth at the surface of a pulp for a sufficiently long time to allow its removal. It follows from the second law of thermodynamics that the potential energy of a system in equilibrium is a minimum. Therefore a multiphase system, tending toward equilibrium, will arrange itself in such a way that the total energy of the interfaces will be the least possible. This end can be accomplished in two ways: by a change in shape that will reduce the interfacial area; by a change in the nature of the surface layer in

Jan 1, 1923

By Paul M. Tyler

MUCH information concerning pegmatites which was thought to be true a few years ago has been proved false, and what is now actually known about some pegmatites is not true of many others. The erratic and seemingly unpredictable structure and variable composition of this class of mineral deposits has been widely emphasized. Even parts of the same pegmatite body exhibit marked differences in texture, mineral composition, width, and attitude. Constructive geological thinking in respect to pegmatites now aims to establish general laws rather than to stress the confusing diversity of features having no special economic significance.

Jan 9, 1953

By W. J. Putnam, H. F. Moore

THIS paper gives a preliminary summary of results of tests on the resistance to fatigue under reversed stresses of steel subjected to cold-working and of tests to determine the effect of rest on the endurance of steel under reversed stresses. The tests of cold-worked steel were undertaken as part of an investigation by the National Research Council Committee on Fatigue Phenomena of Metals and were made by Mr. Moore; the tests to determine the effect of rest are part of an investigation now being made by Mr. Putnam. Both series of tests were made in the Materials Testing Laboratory of the University of Illinois. The preliminary results of these tests are reported now because it is believed that test data on fatigue strength should be available at the earliest possible moment; however, it should be clearly kept in mind that this paper gives preliminary results and is intended to encourage discussion rather than to give final conclusions. Before giving the data of the tests, the writers will explain the term "fatigue strength" as used in this paper and will discuss briefly the method used in interpreting the test data of repeated-stress tests. " The term fatigue strength, as applied to a material, may be defined as that maximum fiber stress that will cause fracture of the material after the repetition of any given number of cycles of stress, each cycle involving the variation of stress from a minimum to the above maximum. The fatigue strength, then, varies with the number, of repetitions occurr,ing in the lifetime of a structural or machine member and with the range of stress for each cycle of stress. The fatigue strength will be lower for a member in which the stress is completely reversed than for one in which the stress varies from zero to a maximum. In interpreting test data from fatigue tests under reversed stress, the stresses and corresponding numbers of repetitions required for failure are plotted on logarithmic cross-section paper. In 1910, Professor

Jan 1, 1920

By R. S. Cartwright

Two types of automatic drilling controls, the Halliburton and the Hild, are now available and are coming into more or less general use in deep drilling. The primary function of both is to maintain a safe limit of torque on the drill pipe, this being accomplished by automatically controlling the weight or pressure on the cutting tool. Neither type will necessarily increase drilling speed, but by permitting advantage to be taken of "breaks" in the hole higher average cutting speed may be maintained. The control is essentially a safety device, and should be considered as such. It is not the purpose of this paper to discuss the merits of drilling controls, although the advantages over manual feed at the brake drum are obvious, but rather to point out some of the limitations. The Halliburton Control The Halliburton control is designed to operate during drilling through the agency of the draw works. Automatic and constant control. of the torque on the bit is governed by clutches on the control itself, and the line shaft to drum shaft drives on the draw works. In operations other than drilling the control is simply a jackshaft between prime mover and draw works. It is, of course, adaptable to any type of power. Because control of the torque on the bit is dependent upon the various ratios or clutch combinations available on the Halliburton control and the draw works, it follows that there are certain limitations in points of control. Table 1 shows the possible ratios which can be obtained with the control and a popular type of three-speed draw works, it being assumed that the highest possible gear combination-the combination which when engaged will suspend the least amount of weight-has a value of 1.00.

Jan 1, 1928

Secondary minerals are the result of a process of concentration and enrichment and are commonly richer than the primary minerals of the same deposit. Secondary ores that contain abundant sulphides are commonly distinguishable in the field from primary ores; this distinction is more difficult with ores that carry a small quantity only of sulphide minerals, and microscopical examination of the ore in thin section is advisable in all doubtful cases. It is frequently difficult, and in some cases impossible, to determine the primary or secondary character of quartzose gold ores. The safest guide is the presence or absence of gaseous or fluid inclusions in association with the ore minerals; such primary association coupled with a lack of traces of oxidation is indicative of primary origin. Any ore that carries traces of oxidation, such as iron stains, endritic oxides of manganese, kaolin and so forth must be considered to have been acted upon by surface agencies, and secondary enrichment must be suspected. Further examination, however, may indicate that the contained value is primary, and, therefore, persistent in its vertical distribution. The manner of occurrence of secondary minerals is frequently characteristic; secondary minerals, being due to the action of surface waters, are commonly found in cracks through earlier minerals, or as crusts lining vugs or surrounding nucleal masses, or in general, in some distribution later than and not conforming to the arrangement of the primary minerals. Secondary sulphides are often found as soft black pulverulent masses or coatings, although they frequently occur well crystallized or as

Jan 1, 1932

By W. H. Brandt

THERE has been much progress in the last two decades in understanding the hardenability of steel. Roughly, the progress has been along two lines, which may be designated as empirical and fundamental. This empirical work has progressed to the point where steels may be manufactured to the desired characteristics quite closely and heat-treatment and application problems can be approached with considerable confidence. Particularly noteworthy among the empirical work is that of Grossmann,12 who has given formulas for calculating hardenability as a function of composition, and the establishment of the isothermal transformation curve by Davenport and Bain.13 The latter does not fall entirely in the class of an empirical study, for while it provides a means of presenting a tremendous amount of empirical data in the form of a single curve, it also outlines clearly the problems that face the fundamental investigator. The isothermal transformation curve shows clearly that the phenomena occurring in the neighborhood of the knee of the curve are those that limit the hardenability of steel. Above the knee of the curve, the product of decomposition of austenite is lamellar pearlite and fundamental progress has consisted chiefly of a detailed study of structure and formation of pearlite, largely at the hands of Mehl and his collaborators.1-5 They have shown that formation of pearlite proceeds by a process of nucleation and growth and they measured both the nucleation and growth rate. However, there is still a wide gap between our empirical knowledge and fundamental knowledge, owing largely to the fact that there is no satisfactory theory of nucleation rate or of growth rate. This paper is being written in an attempt to fill in a small part of the gap. A method was presented recently14 for calculating the velocity of edgewise growth of pearlite using an expression for the carbon concentration that satisfies the diffusion equation. The edgewise velocity of pearlite growth in a plain carbon eutectoid steel was calculated, using linear extrapolations of the ferrite and cementite solubilities. While the results are in fairly good agreement with the experimental facts, the calculated velocity of edgewise growth is smaller at 600°C. than G, the radial growth velocity of pearlite nodules, whereas one would expect it to be larger. In this paper the calculation will be repeated using a new extrapolation for the ferrite solubility, which gives better agreement between G and V, the calculated velocity of edgewise growth. A calculation will also be made of the effect of carbon content on velocity of edgewise growth, and the problems of calculating the effects of other alloying elements on growth rates will be discussed. It will be assumed that the mechanism of pearlite growth, established by Mehl and

Jan 1, 1945

By T. D. Tiemann

The chemical and mineralogical composition of Caribbean bauxite ores are described. Extraction of alumina by several processes from both Haiti and Jamaica bauxites is discussed and data presented. IMMENSE deposits of bauxite occur in the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola and Jamaica in the high plateau lands and have been excellently described by 0. C. Schmedeman.' The bauxite occurs as deposits in catchments or etched depressions in Tertiary limestone believed to have been deposited in the Eocene and Oligocene periods.' In appearance both the Haiti and Jamaica bauxites resemble a relatively high iron clay and have indeed been mistaken for such.' They are very soft and friable and disperse readily on vigorous agitation in water. The color range in general is light brown to red. Chemically, the outstanding characteristic of the bauxites is the low silica and high ferric oxide content. The extremely low silica makes them particularly valuable for the production of alumina in the Bayer plant since silica is responsible for the loss of both alumina and soda chemically combined as XNa,OYSiO2,ZAl2O2. The ferric oxide, only traces of ferrous iron are present, offers no interference in the production of high grade alumina. Typical oxide analyses of three types of ore are given in Table I2 and a list of the elements occurring in spectrographic quantities in Table 11." The size of the individual particles in the ore makes successful petrographic examination extremely difficult. The ores contain some relatively coarse grains of heavy minerals such as ilmenite, magnetite, and rutile, but other than occasional crystals of a few microns, the greater portion of the minerals are submicroscopic in size and approach colloidal dimensions. The mineralogic composition of the ores has been investigated by X-ray and differential thermal analysis.' These investigations indicate that the predominant mineral phases present are gibbsite (A1203.3H2O), boehmite (Al2O3.H2O), hematite (Fe2O3), and goethite (Fe2O3-H2O). There is no evidence of the occurrence of diaspore (Al2O3.H2O) in either the Haiti or Jamaica ores, but some type of "amorphous" alumina may be present in some of the bauxites of Jamaica." The temperature stability regions in the alumina-water system have been investigated and are given in recent literature. In the temperature range where the hydrated forms are stable, as determined by hydrothermal bomb methods," ibbsite is the stable phase to 155°C (311°F), boehmite from 155°C (311°F) to 280°C (536oF), and diaspore from 280°C (536°F) to 450°C (842°F). Although quite similar in many characteristics, the Haiti and Jamaica ore show a divergence in mineralogic composition that is reflected in the extractability of the alumina described in later paragraphs. Two principal differences occur in mineralogic composition. The iron-bearing mineral in the Haiti ores is predominantly hematite, while in the Jamaica ores goethite is predominant.4 Directly related to the extraction of alumina are the two minerals, gibbsite and boehmite. Boehmite is relatively high in the Haiti ores and in some of the less soluble Jamaica ores, while gibbsite predominates in the ores in Jamaica amenable to the American Bayer process of extraction. Pedersen and Related Processes In general, all processes for the extraction of alumina involving sintering or fusion of bauxite ores with limestone, soda ash, or a combination of limestone and soda ash followed by leaching, are based on the formation of alumina compounds that. yield alumina soluble in the subsequent leach. The principal idealized reactions in respect to alumina and silica for the three types of processes are as follows: Soda Ash Sinter: A12O3 + Na2CO3 = Na2O-Al2O, + CO2 SiO2 + Na2CO3 = Na2O . SiO2 + CO2 A12O2 + SiO2 + Na2CO3 = Na2O.Al2O8. SiO2 + CO2 Leach (with excess water): H2O + Na2O-A12O3 = 2 NaOH + A12O3 (insolution) H2O + Na2O-SiO2 = 2 NaOH + SiO2 (in solution) Soda Ash— Limestone Sinter: Na2CO2 + A12O3 = Na2O.A1203 + CO2 2CaCO3 + SiO2 = 2CaO . SiO2 + 2CO2 Leach (with excess water): Na2O' A1208 + H2O = 2NaOH + A13O3 (in solution) These latter reactions are the basis of the sinter process currently used for the recovery of soda and

Jan 1, 1952

By Walter H. Bucher

This symposium is designed to lay the basis for a general discussion of the place of geophysics in the training of geologists. As there is danger that in the ensuing debate individual interests may be given emphasis out of proportion to their place, we shall do well to view the whole field of geological inquiry in order to see the problem in true perspective. The Nature of Geological Inquiry "Basic" and "Complex" Sciences It is convenient to divide all science into two major divisions, the basic and the complex sciences. The basic sciences separate out from reality such entities as "substances" and "movements," describe their behavior in terms of arbitrary units of measurement and derive from them by progressive abstractions concepts and patterns of behavior that exist between them, so-called general "laws" and "properties" of nature. The complex sciences, on the other hand, deal, with little or no abstraction, with those objects of reality that are accessible to man in the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere and the biosphere. Their work comprises two types of inquiry. One is concerned with abstractions to the extent of dealing with types rather than individuals—that is, with such things as plants, animals, protoplasm; clouds, streams, gla- ciers; volcanoes and mountain ranges. It comprises the search for general properties and patterns of behavior or "laws" that characterize the objects and their reactions to each other. These properties and laws apply always, everywhere. They are independent of the stream of time. We may call the results of this sort of inquiry timeless knowledge. The other type of inquiry is concerned with the objects themselves—that is, with this animal and that plant; this river system and that mountain chain; this glacier and that valley. Like all concrete objects in nature, they are subject to change with the passage of time, especially when it is measured in years, centuries, eons. The characteristics by which we recognize them —indeed, their very existence—are dependent on their position at this point in the stream of time. This we may call time-bound kntowledge. The so-called descriptive sciences are all bound to the past of which the objects of their study are the product and through which alone their present properties call be understood. They are historical sciences. This obvious fact is easily overlooked, which leads to serious misunderstanding, as we shall see later. Dynamic Geology With this broad picture in mind, let us now examine the nature of geological inquiry, defining, for the purposes of this discussion, geology as the science of rocks. Air is not a rock; water is. Meteorology and climatology are, correspondingly, gen-

Jan 1, 1946

By Walter H. Bucher

This symposium is designed to lay the basis for a general discussion of the place of geophysics in the training of geologists. As there is danger that in the ensuing debate individual interests may be given emphasis out of proportion to their place, we shall do well to view the whole field of geological inquiry in order to see the problem in true perspective. The Nature of Geological Inquiry "Basic" and "Complex" Sciences It is convenient to divide all science into two major divisions, the basic and the complex sciences. The basic sciences separate out from reality such entities as "substances" and "movements," describe their behavior in terms of arbitrary units of measurement and derive from them by progressive abstractions concepts and patterns of behavior that exist between them, so-called general "laws" and "properties" of nature. The complex sciences, on the other hand, deal, with little or no abstraction, with those objects of reality that are accessible to man in the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the lithosphere and the biosphere. Their work comprises two types of inquiry. One is concerned with abstractions to the extent of dealing with types rather than individuals—that is, with such things as plants, animals, protoplasm; clouds, streams, gla- ciers; volcanoes and mountain ranges. It comprises the search for general properties and patterns of behavior or "laws" that characterize the objects and their reactions to each other. These properties and laws apply always, everywhere. They are independent of the stream of time. We may call the results of this sort of inquiry timeless knowledge. The other type of inquiry is concerned with the objects themselves—that is, with this animal and that plant; this river system and that mountain chain; this glacier and that valley. Like all concrete objects in nature, they are subject to change with the passage of time, especially when it is measured in years, centuries, eons. The characteristics by which we recognize them —indeed, their very existence—are dependent on their position at this point in the stream of time. This we may call time-bound kntowledge. The so-called descriptive sciences are all bound to the past of which the objects of their study are the product and through which alone their present properties call be understood. They are historical sciences. This obvious fact is easily overlooked, which leads to serious misunderstanding, as we shall see later. Dynamic Geology With this broad picture in mind, let us now examine the nature of geological inquiry, defining, for the purposes of this discussion, geology as the science of rocks. Air is not a rock; water is. Meteorology and climatology are, correspondingly, gen-

Jan 1, 1946

By George H. Found

During recent years considerable interest has been focused on the energy-absorption characteristics of metal when it is cyclically stressed in vibration. The most familiar manifestation of this phenomenon, which is called the "damping capacity" or "internal friction" 06 a material, is involved in the dissipation of mechanical energy of vibration, which otherwise would build up to stress levels where the problems of noise and fatigue are involved. In addition to its engineering importance in structures, the damping behavior of metals, particularly at low stress amplitudes, has also been used as a unique metallurgical research tool with which to provide sensitive means for indicating certain structural changes within metals. Important contributions toward understanding the energy-dissipating -mecha-nisms that are responsible for internal friction in metals have been made in the last few years. The information is not yet sufficiently extensive, however, to provide a useful metallurgical concept describing exactly how the structure affects the internal friction, or to encourage more general use of this technique among metallurgists. Three fundamental mechanisms have been proposed, as a result of recent experi- mental investigations, to account for the internal friction in nonferrous metals in low-stress amplitude tests. These include damping due to internal thermal currents that are created and flow in metal because of differential vibratory stress effects,' damping due to localized inelastic stress relaxation at inhomogeneities within the meta1,2,3 and damping related to plastic flow of a localized type for which an explanation has been sought in terms of the dislocation theory.' How each of these mechanisms functions as a result of structural changes in the metal is, in general, not well understood because of insufficient experimental data for which the controlling variables ham been segregated and because of uncertainties in regard to the nature of the structural changes themselves. In several investigations the effects of cold-working on the internal friction of polycrystalline brass and aluminum have been described. As reported by Köster and Rosenthal,5 and by Förster and Breitfield,6 there is an initial large increase in the damping when the metal is worked. The initial high value is not stable, but declines rapidly, at first, in a hyperbolic manner. About Ioo hr. after straining, a stable value is reached of magnitude proportional to the amount of strain.' In Fig. I is shown the relationship found by Zener and his collaborators between the internal friction due to cold-working of alpha brass and the amount of cold-working.8 Several investigators have made internal-friction measurements on worked poly-

Jan 1, 1945

By Ralph A. Sherman, J. M. Pilcher

BY surface treatment of coal is meant the application of a material, either solid or liquid, to the surface of pieces of coal. The purposes of surface treatment are varied. They may be to identify or "trade-mark" the coal, to modify the burning characteristics, the coking tendencies, or the behavior of the ash, to prevent the freezing of wet coal, or to control the dust. The control of dust is the usual purpose of surface treatment. TRADE-MARKING COAL The application of color to the surface of coal for the purpose of identification and registration of the trade-mark has been practiced to some extent. In 1928, the Glen Alden Coal Co. began to color its coal and adopted the trade-mark, "Blue Coal." The Old Ben Coal Co. later followed a similar practice with "Green Coal." A commoner means of identification of coal has been the stenciling of designs or pasting labels on large lumps or in the distribution of small cardboard tags through the smaller sizes. The details of the method used to color coal have not been revealed. Usually all of the coal is not treated, because of the expense. Only enough pieces are colored to show clearly when distributed through the coal.

Jan 1, 1943

By Francis Freeland

An examination of accessible English literature shows that but small space has been allotted to the determination of faults ; most suggestions being confined to Schmidt's rule of the downthrow on the hanging-wall of the fault, or the coal-miner's rule of the obtuse angle. Von Carnall's modification of Schmidt's rule is sometimes given without the important exception, and Zimmermann's rule is

Jan 1, 1893

By H. A. Lesser, H. L. Stone, G. H. Bruce

ESSO PRODUCTION RESEARCH CO., HOUSTON, TEX. A mathematical model that represents the conduction heating of a rock formation of limited permeability is formulated. Heat is introduced by the injection of a hot condensing gas into horizontal fractures through the formation. The fractures are assumed to be equally spaced; the flow of fluid is linear. The model consists of three coupled partial differential equations and two functional relationships. Temperature histories for both fractures and formation are obtained by numerical procedures. Application of the model in predicting in situ heating of oil shale is illustrated with four sample cases. Influences of shale thermal diffusivity, fluid pressure in the fracture and fracture spacing upon heating rate are demonstrated. In all cases considered, several years were required to heat all the formation to 700F with 1,000F steam. Less than 32 per cent of the injected heat was utilized for heating the shale. To facilitate extensive calculations of this type, a set of seven dimension-less quantities are derived. With this dimensionless system, the effect of controllable parameters on economics can be explored. INTRODUCTION Vast deposits of hydrocarbons are contained in oil shale formations in the western United States and in other countries. These hydrocarbons, known as kerogen, are difficult to recover because they are immobile solids and because the rock formations in which they are found have very limited permeability. The kerogen can be converted through pyrolysis to recoverable liquids and gases if the formation temperature is elevated to the range 600 to 800F. To accomplish this heating, the formation might be artificially fractured and a hot fluid injected into the fractures. If the injection and production wells are vertical and the fractures horizontal, interwell communication will be established and the hot fluid will flow from an injection well to a production well. In this process, some of the heat in the fluid will be given up and conducted into the formation. Products of pyrolysis will flow from the heated rock matrix into the fractures and be produced, commingled with the injected fluid. The practicality of such a process is strongly influenced by the rate at which heat can be transferred from the hot fluids to the formation. An analysis of this heat conduction problem is the subject of this paper. Linear flow of a condensing gas through a set of horizontal, equally spaced fractures is considered. Temperature histories for both fractures and formation are obtained from numerical procedures. The analysis also applies to formations containing streaks of natural permeability instead of fractures. Heat flow problems similar to the one treated here have been studied by other workers. Thomas1 has solved a radial problem in which he considers the injection of a noncondensing gas into a single, horizontal fracture and approximates the temperature profile in the fracture by a step function. The solutions to other problems, which are less similar to the present problem than the one treated by Thomas, have been reviewed by Spillette.2 In addition to these mathematical studies, a field test of an in situ shale oil recovery process using hot natural gas as the injected fluid has been reported.3 The first part of this paper is concerned with the mathematical development of the problem. The differential equations, boundary conditions and functional relationships which describe the physical model are formulated and the equations are cast into finite difference form. The method of solution of the difference equations is discussed (Appendix B). The second part of this paper presents results computed for a typical oil shale formation for which steam at 1,000F is the injected fluid. Fracture spacing, horizontal and vertical thermal diffusivities

Jan 1, 1967

By P. R. Kalischer

IN the production of alloys by powder metallurgical processes it is often necessary or desirable to include one or more components that tend to form very stable oxides Included in this group of metals are aluminum, manganese, magnesium, silicon, and a few others In many cases it is not necessary for the sintered compact to have full density and the other physical characteristics of a cast alloy and in that event no undue precautions need be taken If, however, it s required that the sintered part be entirely homogeneous, and have maximum density and physical properties, some method must be found to reduce the surface films of oxide, which are always present on the metals, and for the metals mentioned above this is always extremely difficult, if not impossible Since the production of high-density alloys is of particular interest to powder metallurgists, some experiments were undertaken to devise methods of reducing the refractory oxides For this work, alloys of iron, nickel, and aluminum were chosen because aluminum oxide is one of the most stable oxides and because these alloys in the right compositions form excellent permanent magnets All of the pertinent properties of the magnets could be accurately and delicately measured by density measurements and magnetic tests of sufficient scope to give a complete demagnetization curve From such a curve the maximum coercive force, residual magnetism, and energy products could be obtained and compared with the same properties for a cast material Any lack of homogeneity, density, or solid diffusion would be immediately apparent as a decrease in the magnetic properties NATURE AND REMOVAL OF SURFACE BARRIERS The early work of the present investigation was based upon published processes In the published information it was claimed that by intimately mixing iron, nickel, and iron-aluminum alloy (50 per cent Fe, 50 per cent Al) powders, compressing such a mixture into the desired shape and size, and then sintering (heating to a temperature below the melting point of the component metals) in hydrogen at 1200ºC or higher, a sound, homogeneous article could be made having the desired physical size, shape, and strength, and good magnetic characteristics However, this early work showed clearly that something in the powder compress was inhibiting diffusion and the process was almost entirely unworkable In the initial phase of the investigation samples of iron powder, nickel powder, and iron-aluminum alloy powder were pressed into separate bars and sintered in hydrogen Both the iron and nickel powders sintered

Jan 1, 1941

By Leendert de Witte, Fred J. Radd

In many areas caring failures can be directly related to electrical currents observed in the casings. It is the thesis of this paper that the observed casing currents are mainly due to electrochemical potentials of the type in evidence on spontaneous potential curves of electrical logs. The general nature of these potentials are discussed and an equivalent circuit is given for current and potential distributions around open holes. The casing forms a short circuit to these potentials and tends to average the effects of local cells. The case of casing corrosion opposite the Dakota water sands in the salt-mud area of Kansas is discussed anil used us a qualitative, illustration of the relation between SP's and casing currents. A method of quantitative derivation of casing current distribution frorn electric log SP curves, using linear transform theory, is described and results are compared with a measured current profile. The effects of hydrogen over-potentials at the cathodic portions of the pipe are considered and some laboratory data are given in support of conclusions regarding the over-1.01tuge.s. INTRODUCTION To date an appreciable amount of work has been done on the measurement of oil well casing currents and on the correlation of the anodic portions of the current profiles with corrosive casing failures. Speculations on the origin of the casing currents have, however, remained rather vague; and although almost every plausible cause has been mentioned, there is to the writers' knowledge no clear-cut expose' on the details of the causes of the corrosive currents in the literature. A study of current surveys and casing failures in the N.W. Burnett field, Ellis County. Kan.. indicated the probability that concentration cell emf's between the Wellington salt section and the relatively fresh waters in the Dakota sands were a major cause of the corrosion currents. A more general concept evolved upon analysis of the severe corrosive conditions in the Pleistocene sands in the Ventura Avenue and San Miguelito fields in California. In this area no major variations in the salt content of the formation waters occur and yet large casing currents are observed. An explanation is found in the fact that the local spontaneous potentials which are set up due to concentration contrast between the drilling fluid and the connate water are short circuited when casing is set. The very conductive path through the casing increases the magnitude of the currents and has the tendency to average local sources over fairly large intervals. Current will flow between the sections that are predominently shaly and the sections that are mostly sandy. At the places where the current leaves the pipe, corrosive attack will occur. This same phenomenon will be present wherever unprotected pipe is set through sections that show large SP kicks on the electric logs over reasonably thick interval~. GENERAL- NATURE OF THE SPONTANEOUS POTENTIALS When a sequence of sedimentary rocks is penetrated by a drill hole filled with a mud which has a different salt concentration from that in the formation waters, various types of electrochemical potentials are established between the formations and different parts of the mud column. Opposite clean sand sections. a simple liquid-liquid junction potential will be observed; while opposite argillaccous formations, a membrane potential, often referred to as shale potential, will be established. The first quantitative analysis of these emf's in terms of liquid junction and membrane potentials is due to Wyllie.1

Jan 1, 1956

By A. L. Holley

The application of scientific methods to the investigation of natural laws and to the conduct of the useful arts which are founded upon them, is year by year mitigating the asperity and enlarging the outcome of human endeavor. More notably, perhaps, are these the facts in that system of productive and constructive arts of which engineering is the general name. In metallurgical engineering especially, within the period of our own recollection, how rapid has been the rate and how wide the scope of progress: the scientific discovery and mining of metalliferous veins; the economical separation and reduction of ores of every grade; the production and regulation of high temperatures; the varied improvements in the manufacture of iron, in saved heat and work, in uniformity and range of products; and, most important of all, the creation and the utilization, to be counted by the million tons a year, of the cheap constructive steels. Wonderful as this range and degree of development may appear to the public eye, the close and thoughtful observer must, nevertheless, conclude that neither the profession nor the craft of engineering may congratulate themselves too complaisantly, but that they should rather acknowledge to each other the embarrassing incompleteness of the union between engineering science and art. There is a small school of philosophers whom we may designate as original investigators, men who come close to nature, who search into first principles, and who follow that scientific and therefore fruitful method by which the relations of matter and force are discovered, classified, and brought within the reach of practice. These wonderful men do not indeed create the laws of nature, as they sometimes almost seem to, but they go up into the trembling mountain and the thick darkness and bring down the tables upon which they are written.

By G. F. Loughlin, C. H. Behre

THE DEVELOPMENT OF CLASSIFICATION WHAT is the use of a classification of mineral deposits? From the days of Agricola, the founder of the science of ore deposits, successive authors on the subject have attempted classifications, none of which have attained unanimous indorsement of miners, engineers, or geologists. The miner and engineer naturally have little regard for a classification that does not help them to find ore. Mining geologists may share this feeling, and deplore the overemphasis that may be placed on classification by their academic brothers. Apparent effects of such overemphasis may be reflected by students or new graduates who have grown to think that each deposit must fit perfectly into some pigeonhole of the more or less arbitrary scheme that has been drilled into them. Diversity in mineral deposits as in other natural phenomena, however, is too great to be fully expressed in the usual tabular classification, and experience is essential for the appreciation of the value or usefulness of a classification. The succession of classifications has closely followed the growth of the science of mineral deposits and reflects that growth, as well perhaps as the limited or comprehensive viewpoint of each proponent. The earliest classifications were based on metal content, and were superseded by those based mainly on form of deposit. Source of materials also became a basis, and was followed by physical and chemical conditions and processes. In spite of this development it is interesting to note that in many of the latest reports on mining regions the authors adopt special classifications suited for their particular districts. Some of these, like the earliest classifications, are based primarily on metal content, and others are most conveniently based on form, and it may be convenient to modify these by reference to source of material or temperature of deposition. Some, including the writers, after noting these different usages, have refused to worry much over classification as an ultimate objective, but,

Jan 1, 1933

By Paul Billingsley

Introduction. THE Georgetown mining district is located in Deerlodge county, Mont., about 20 miles west of Anaconda. It lies along the divide between the headwaters of Warm Springs creek, draining eastward, and Flint creek, flowing west and north through the Philipsburg valley. The actual divide is formed by Cable mountain, a narrow ridge running north and south, terminating to the south in low hills overlooking Georgetown lake, and to the north in a high, rugged plateau that falls off to the west to the wide valley of Flint creek. Oil the eastern, or Warm Springs, slope of Cable mountain is the Cable mine, with the Hidden Lake mine a few miles north. On the western slope is the Southern Cross group, with smaller mines, the Twilight, Cincinnati, Red Lion, and Big Bill, at intervals to the northward. The Georgetown mines lie in the hills south of Cable mountain; the Philipsburg mines, of which the Granite Mountain, Bimetallic, Hope, and Trout are the chief, form a separate group to the north, overlooking Flint Creek valley and Philipsburg. (See Fig. 1.1) The region ranges in elevation from 5,000 to 9,000 ft. It is, with the exception of the lower valleys, well timbered with small fir and pine, although Cable mountain and the higher summits to the northward rise slightly above timber line. The main valleys have the smooth contours of glaciation, and their mouths are frequently choked with morainal deposits.

Jan 9, 1913