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By Joseph Chalmers, E. L. Rawlins, D. B. Taliaferro

PRoblems dealing with the movement or migration of fluids through porous beds have been the subject of much research. The subject is not peculiar to the production of oil and gas, as many investigators have studied the nature of this movement and its relationship to the problems of other industries. Darcyl conducted a series of experiments relating to the percolation of water through filter beds. King2 carried on an extensive series of laboratory experiments with the object of formulating some conception of the rate of movement of water through soils and sand strata in the drainage of surface water into underground channels and subsequent recovery of this water through wells drilled into the source beds for irrigation purposes. Slichter3 undertook a study of the same problem from a mathematical standpoint, and more recently Furnas4 has investigated the flow of gases through beds of broken solids with particular reference to blast-furnace operation. With specific reference to gas production, Muskat and Botset5 of the Gulf Research Laboratory undertook an experimental study to establish quantitatively the characteristics of and laws governing the flow of gases through consolidated and unconsolidated porous materials of fine texture with a view of predicting the performance of gas in an underground reservoir. There seems to be a general agreement that many of the relationships between the numerousfactors influencing the flow of fluids through porous materials are far too complicated to be attacked by analytical methods based upon a knowledge of hydrodynamics. For gases, the laws of

Jan 1, 1932

By Linda P. Bono

Some mining engineers are pursuing their destinies in places far removed from what they might have envisioned back in the classroom. The path they follow to work each day may wind down Wall St., Park Avenue, LaSalle, or Market; their offices are in modern skyscrapers which offer all the amenities-air conditioning, thick carpets, attractive decor, and executive lunchrooms, to name just a few. The papers on their desks are a combination of financial figures and feasibility studies. But even in these surroundings there are indications of what these men do and where their professional interests lie-minerals are everywhere, from vast collections to one symbolic paperweight. . . there are sometimes specks of dirt under fingernails from a recent on-site inspection, belying the traditional banker's garb. . . and there are the wistful comments about finding it necessary to get out in the field.

Jan 9, 1978

By Chris Mills

The role of gravity separation in the mineral industry is briefly considered in perspective. The mineralogical and laboratory approaches to gravity process design are examined with emphasis on process technology selection. The equipment available for small scale and pilot test-work is discussed, particularly in regard to scale-up and the acquisition of reliable, accurate data. Transposition of performance data from pilot scale to plant scale is explained. The available types of full scale gravity separation equipment are discussed with emphasis on large high-capacity units. Plant layout and selection of ancillary equipment are considered.

Jan 1, 1978

By R. C. Rastogi, F. F. Aplan

The goal of this study is to evaluate the coal flotation process and the interaction of the chemical (reagent) and hydrodynamic (machine, operational) variables as they affect yield, flotation of various sized particles, and sulfur and ash rejection. Coal flotation is found to follow a first order process with the coal floating much faster than either pyrite or ash. This circumstance may be used to achieve gangue rejection during flotation. When floated with MZBC, cresol, or pine oil frothers, coal floats in the size sequence: 108 pm ( - 65 mesh), 589 x 808 pm (88 x 65 mesh), and 1.17 mm x: 589 pm (14 x 18 mesh). However with a substantial amount of fuel oil collector, all particles tend to float roughly in proportion to their content in the feed. An increasing aeration rate was found to be the most important variable in increasing the coal flotation rate. This increase in flotation rate, unfortunately, is also accompanied by an increase in the flotation rate of the pyrite. The rejection of pyrite during coal flotation is best accomplished at low aeration rates, low frother concentrations, and low impeller speeds.

Jan 1, 1986

By H. S. Coe, G. H. Clevenger

Engineers have long recognized the desirability of correlating the data obtained from small-scale slime-scttling tests with commercial work as carried on in large tanks. This need, though most apparent in designing new installations, frequently arises also in existent plants, since a large range of experimental work can be performed without interfering with regular operation. General Settling Phenomena In order to develop rational methods of laboratory testing, it becomes necessary to study the general phenomena of settling. Since it was desired to give the public the benefit of these methods at as early a date as possible, together with the knowledge of the general principles of slime settling necessary for a clear understanding of the laboratory tests, we have ventured to discuss the subject in so far as brought out by the work which we now have under way. We realize that certain of our preliminary conclusions may be subject to modification, but it seems probable that, with but few exceptions, the general laws enunciated will cover the settling behavior of all pulps encountered in metallurgical plants. However, it must be recognized that there is still a vast amount of work to be done upon certain phases of the subject; therefore, at this time we will attempt only a discussion of the behavior of ore pulps during the process of settling or dewatering, under certain given conditions. The laws and principles controlling these conditions are not fully established, so that a complete discussion of them will not be attempted in this paper. In metallurgical practice, slime pulp consists of water, finely divided sand

Jan 1, 1917

By D. D. Dunkin

SANDSTONE has been prepared for glassmaking purposes, and marketed from the White River Valley in-Arkansas at Guion, Izard County, since about 1910-soon after the completion of the White River Branch of the Missouri Pacific R. R. Co. Until 1921, operations were somewhat spasmodic and ended in many failures. In that year a plant was built by the Silica Products Co., Inc., and since that time the operation has been continuous and steady. The land is held under leases, covering about 30 sq. mi. of the best sandstone adjacent to the railroad. Most of the product is shipped to glassmakers. GEOLOGY The St. Peter sandstone is rather widely distributed in north central Arkansas and- is exposed most prominently in outcrops along the slopes of the White River Valley and its tributaries that form the division between the Boston Mountains to the south and the Salem Plateau of the Ozarks to the north. It is of Ordovician age and is generally underlain by Cotter dolomite and capped by Plattin limestone, except in the vicinity of Bellefonte and Everton. At those places, it is a massive cross-bedded, laminated, saccharoidal sandstone; underlying it is the Everton limestone and overlying it, the Joachim magnesium limestone. The sandstone at Everton contains numerous phosphatic pebbles and inclusions of sandy limestone. The irregularity of cross-section, the evidence of sorting action and the phosphatic pebbles appear to be indications of secondary deposition.

Jan 1, 1928

By Howard A. Meyerhoff

Nonmetallic rock and mineral products are so diversified that any generalizations regarding the industries based upon them are of doubtful value and can be misleading. They are geared to every phase of the national economy and respond sensitively and immediately to any economic change, but the responses vary with the individual products. They are also affected by political and competitive factors to a degree that is disconcerting and, at times, ruinous to operators, owners, and stockholders of mineral properties. It is not unusual to find these special factors functioning in reverse of general trends insofar as individual products are concerned. As this summary is being written in the final weeks of 1949 production statistics for the year are not complete, but it is obvious that few, if any, new production records will be set, and that 1949 level, will, in general, be lower than those of 1948. The decline in output is not alarming and reflects in large part the tendency of users, who have been finding sources of supply more dependable to rely on prompt deliveries rather than on inventories to meet immediate needs. Except for the government's program of stock piling which, insofar as it has worked at all, is of more direct interest and benefit to foreign than to domestic producers, industrial inventories have been further reduced, and the neater balance between production and consumption has freed capital for the manufacturer and has cut down the serious hazard of substantial inventory losses. There are no quantity products and only a few special products that cannot be supplied in quick response to current demands. Normal development of a few nonmetallic industries has been retarded by the government's unpredictable application and irrational interpretation of antitrust laws, and by extension of preferential tariffs to new countries and new products. Synthesis is likewise a potent threat. in certain fields, but otherwise it is difficult to make a review of 1949 read much differently from a review of 1948. Changes have been qualitative rather than quantitative, except for a few operations that have been pinched out by the relentless competition that characterizes many of the industrial mineral industries.

Jan 1, 1950

By P. H. Griffin

The manufacture of iron in the Province of Quebec forms one of the most interesting subjects in the development of this great industry in America. It began soon after the first steps taken in the New England colonies, where iron was first practically made in America. In both cases the ores smelted were bog-ores. In Qaebec the first work was done in and about, the town of Three Rivers, and many interesting facts in connection with the development of this industry may be found in the paper read at the Halifax meeting, September, 1885, by Mr. James Herbert Bartlett, of Montreal,* which traces the industry from its inception, about 1730, down to 1883, at which time the St. Maurice forge is declared to be the oldest active furnace on the American continent. A few years later the Canada Iron Furnace Company, Ltd., became interested in the enterprise, the extent of which has been greatly enlarged beyond all former limits. In fact, the manufacture of this particular class of iron has never been attempted on the scale now practiced by this company. This work has been carried on for the purpose of supplying a grade of iron hitherto procurable only at heavy cost for Canadian consumption from the United States, and for English consumption from Sweden. The manufacture of iron in the Province of Quebec was based entirely on bog-ores during the period referred to; and as the supply of iron made elsewhere from cheaper ores became more abundant, the local manufacture, handicapped by want of shipping facilities, lack of capital, and other natural causes, was gradually discontinued. It was always admitted that for certain purposes the iron made in the Province possessed special value; but the demand for articles requiring such special virtue was limited, and cheaper grades were gradually substituted for general uses. Some years ago we were led to test, in our car-wheel shops at

Jan 1, 1893

By Frank D. Hoyt

BY far the most conspicuous of the Pennsylvania slate districts is that extending from the New Jersey line at the Delaware Water Gap westward almost to the Schuylkill River. This covers parts of three counties in east-central Pennsylvania: Northampton, Lehigh, and Berks. The most important development, both in geographic size and product importance, is in Lehigh and Northampton counties. The greater part of the region is underlain by only one formation-the Martinsburg, consisting of slates, clay slates, and sandy shales, all of the Ordovician period. The slate-bearing Martinsburg formation is underlain by Cambro-Ordovician limestones. Immediately overlying the Martinsburg formation is the Tuscarora quartzite of the Silurian period. The Martinsburg formation itself is divided into three distinct divisions, termed simply: the upper, the middle, and the lower members. Commercial slate has been extracted from all of these members, but the formation of greatest importance is the upper member, representing 2600 ft of the total formation thickness of nearly 11,000 ft. The upper member is commonly referred to as the "soft slate" and consists of three facies: 1) beds of blue-gray, very sandy, almost quartzitic slate, in many places, approximately a medium-coarse sand- stone with calcareous cement; 2) blue-gray sericitic slat-the dominant rock type of this member-with occasional chloritic beds; and 3) dark gray or virtually black, highly carbonaceous beds, referred to locally as "ribbons."

Jan 8, 1958

By James F. Kemp

In submitting an additional contribution to the discussion on ore-deposits in the recent volumes of the Transactions, it is my desire to adhere closely to matters of material importance as affecting the actual processes. Judging from the discussion by Professor Van Hise, and from one or two reviews or other articles by associates of his in geological work, the impression seems to prevail that, in so far as my paper* referred to his masterly essay, I was guilty of misconceptions regarding both the part attributed by him in it to the igneous rocks and the ubiquitous presence of the ground-water. I should regret extremely to be wanting in these particulars or to have misunderstood one for whose great services in this and other branches of geology no one has a higher esteem than myself. I have, however, in the most careful way, and with these points in mind, read his essay again, and, taking it as a whole, I cannot gain any different impression of relative magnitudes than the one first received. The importance of the igneous phenomena and the restrictive influence of the processes described by " cementation " in their effect upon the ground-water, as set forth in Professor Van Hise's "Discussion" (Trans., xxxi., 292), impress me as being in very marked contrast with the same things in his first essay. If the point seems to anyone of sufficient importance, it can easily be decided by reading the originals. My paper was the result of some years of observation, reading and reflection, and was meant to be an independent contribution, controversial only in some subordinate particulars. In depicting the drama of the deposition of ores, I cannot but feel that Professor Van Hise assigned to the chorus and the scene-shifters some characters which, it seems to me, should

Jan 1, 1903

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Jan 12, 1959

By R. M. Brick

A PREVIOUS publication 1§ has described the effect of quenching stresses on the lattice parameter values of high-purity aluminum-copper alloys particularly with reference to the solution and precipitation of CuAl2. A similar study has been made of the aluminum-rich aluminum-mag-nesium alloys. Attention has been directed in the present investigation to the magnitude of the quenching stresses as affected by the specimen size and shape, the number of solute atoms and the quenching rate. The effect of cooling stresses in causing plastic deformation or cracking has been considered in relation to the physical properties of the alloy. On reheating alloys in the two-phase field, the time required for pre-cipitation to occur has been observed in connection with the degree of supersaturation, the rate of diffusion of the solute atoms as a function of the comparative atomic radii, degree of strain, temperature of reheating and grain size. A few qualitative comparisons on the relative effect of these factors have been drawn between the aluminum-copper alloys and the aluminum-magnesium alloys.

Jan 1, 1935

By John S. Marshall

The purpose of this paper is to present to the profession data and experience obtained over a period of 5 years in the operation of 87 shaker-conveyor units, and the production of 2,169,638 tons of run-of-mine anthracite coal. The data are not generally available and should be of interest to those concerned with the operation of anthracite and bituminous mines. To simplify comparison, a ton of 2000 lb. of raw run-of-mine coal has been used as the production unit throughout this paper. Mining Methods and Equipment The mine is in the vicinity of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in the Buried Valley area of the Susquehanna River. Seven veins were mined, varying in thickness from 18 in. to 8 ft. The cover overlying the veins varied from 200 to 800 ft. Three-fourths of the 1200 acres of property was covered with from 100 to 200 ft. of water-bearing gravels and clays, which prevented first mining under rock cover less than 50 ft. and pillar removal under rock cover less than 100 ft. The property was opened by two shafts sunk on the mountainside to avoid the sand and gravel present in the river valley. The veins dipped an average of 5" from the shafts. In certain areas the veins were practically flat and in some places a reverse pitch as high as 5" was encountered for short distances. A daily output of 3800 tons was hoisted on a two-shifi; hoisting operation. The mining consisted of 75 per cent pillar removal, and of the total production in the later years of operation 80 per cent was loaded by shaker conveyors, chain conveyors and scraper loaders. Shaker conveyors accounted for 70 per cent of the total output; chain conveyors and scraper loaders for 10 per cent. All conveyor work was double-shifted and 25 per cent was triple-shifted. A total of 87 shaker-conveyor units were on the property, of which 75 were kept in operation at all times.

Jan 1, 1940

By John S. Marshall

The purpose of this paper is to present to the profession data and experience obtained over a period of 5 years in the operation of 87 shaker-conveyor units, and the production of 2,169,638 tons of run-of-mine anthracite coal. The data are not generally available and should be of interest to those concerned with the operation of anthracite and bituminous mines. To simplify comparison, a ton of 2000 lb. of raw run-of-mine coal has been used as the production unit throughout this paper. Mining Methods and Equipment The mine is in the vicinity of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in the Buried Valley area of the Susquehanna River. Seven veins were mined, varying in thickness from 18 in. to 8 ft. The cover overlying the veins varied from 200 to 800 ft. Three-fourths of the 1200 acres of property was covered with from 100 to 200 ft. of water-bearing gravels and clays, which prevented first mining under rock cover less than 50 ft. and pillar removal under rock cover less than 100 ft. The property was opened by two shafts sunk on the mountainside to avoid the sand and gravel present in the river valley. The veins dipped an average of 5" from the shafts. In certain areas the veins were practically flat and in some places a reverse pitch as high as 5" was encountered for short distances. A daily output of 3800 tons was hoisted on a two-shifi; hoisting operation. The mining consisted of 75 per cent pillar removal, and of the total production in the later years of operation 80 per cent was loaded by shaker conveyors, chain conveyors and scraper loaders. Shaker conveyors accounted for 70 per cent of the total output; chain conveyors and scraper loaders for 10 per cent. All conveyor work was double-shifted and 25 per cent was triple-shifted. A total of 87 shaker-conveyor units were on the property, of which 75 were kept in operation at all times.

Jan 1, 1940

By William E. Galloway, Gary E. Smith, Christopher D. Henry

INTRODUCTION Studies relating to the Oakville aquifer as presented in this report and by Henry et al. (this volume), are part of a larger , comprehensive examination of regional and local stratigraphic, hydro- geologic, and geochemical parameters within the Oakville Formation recently completed by the Bureau of Economic Geology. The Oakville serves both as a major Gulf Coast aquifer and an important uranium host (Fig. 1). Regional and local controls on hydrodynamics and hydrochemistry have important implications for hydrochemical exploration, the establishment of premining baseline parameters, and the design of post mining restoration procedures. Investigations of the Oakville Formation were de- signed for the purpose of determining the response of the aquifer to uranium extraction and were funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under grant numbers R-805357-01 and R-805357-02. Physical Stratigraphy Physical stratigraphic analysis shows that the Oakville Sandstone, a lithostratigraphic unit deposited by a major coastal-plain f luvial system, consists of five mappable, component depositional elements (Figs. 2 and 3). Each major component element is the product of one or more rivers traversing the Miocene coastal plain. In turn, each river possessed a unique sediment load, discharge characteristics, and source terrane. Consequently, each element exhibits distinguishing geometric and compositional parameters that potentially influence the flux and hydrochemical evolution of contained ground waters (Galloway, Henry, and Smith, in preparation). The Oakvil le Sandstone, as mapped and interpreted as a lithostratigraphic unit in the study area, corresponds closely to the Jasper aquifer system, an equally well-defined Gulf Coastal Plain hydrogeologic unit (Baker, 1978). Principal surrounding hydrogeologic units include the underlying Catahoula confining system, the Jasper aquifer system itself, and the overlying Burkeville confining system (lower Fleming mudstones). The Evangeline aquifer system includes much of the Fleming Formation. The Jasper aquifer system is bounded above and below by relatively less transmissive, finer grained confining systems, although absolute transmissivity varies greatly within both the Jasper and confining units. Lithostratigraphic and hydrogeologic boundaries coincide almost exactly within the Hebbronville flu- vial axis (Fig. 3). Correspondence of geologic and hydrostratigraphic boundaries is good within the George West axis; farther to the northeast the correlation of the Jasper aquifer with units mapped as Oakville Formation diverges to varying degrees. A complete analysis of these trends and a study of the depositional facies comprising the Oakvillle are included in Galloway, Henry, and Smith (in preparation). REGIONAL HYDROGEOLOGY The stratigraphic, compositional, and structural framework of the Oakville Formation and the mosaic of interrelated depositional facies that are combined in this framework play a key role in defining the hydrogeology of the Oakville. Furthermore, a combination of climate and hydrogeology, as well as past and present socioeconomic conditions, has determined water and land use patterns within the region of Oakville outcrop. Utilization of Oakville Ground Water Stratigraphic control for determining which wells produce ground water from the Oakville aquifer was established by preparing structural and isopach maps of the Oakville Formation using regional electric log cross sections. Surface elevation and screened interval data (or total well depth, if open-hole completion techniques were used) from each water well, combined with the stratigraphic data, allowed accurate assessment of the producing aquifer for individual wells. Information on well and screen depths, water levels, and usage of water from

Jan 1, 1980

By R. R. Klimpel Discussion by C. C. Harris, L. G. Austin

C. C. Harris (Columbia University) — The authors ' have presented relationships for the random division of a magnitude into r + l parts taking account of the order of selection. Interpreting their model in comminution terms, their Eqs. 7, 9 and 11 refer to the one-dimensional case; that is, to the subdivision of a long thin rod at random. It is assumed that the fragments may be indefinitely small. Real materials, however, are limited in the degree of subdivision which can be attained through the intervention of practical restrictions. One in fine grinding is the depletion of microflaws as material becomes finer. Another is the

Jan 1, 1969

By W. J. McGee

Most nations and states have conducted geological surveys, generally with the view of discovering and developing natural resources, sometimes with the aim of promoting science. In some cases, as in the first survey of Pennsylvania, the official geologist so far preceded the prospector and miner as to guide the discovery and exploitation of the commoner ores, mineral fuels and structural materials; but in most instances statesmen have only been awakened to the need of such a survey by the successful extraction of minerals;

Jan 1, 1893

By F. Morgan, M. Muskat, R. G. Russell

Core experiments with radioactive tracers are reported in which an artificial radioactive material, radiovanadium, was used in aqueous solution in a study of the mobility of connate water. Sandstone cores saturated with active water were first oil-flooded to simulate virgin sand conditions in which the pores are filled with oil and connate water. They were then subjected to flooding with inactive water. Measurements were made of the activity of various portions of the effluent as well as the activity of the core after the flooding process was completed. In additional experiments the distribution of activity along the core was measured during the flooding process. In still other experiments direct flooding tests were made on cores fully saturated with active water. In all cases it was found that after injecting into the core a volume of inactive water equal to a pore volume, the effluent contained more than 80 per cent of the active content originally in the core. It is felt that these results imply a high degree of mobility of the connate water when subjected to flooding, although at least a partial contribution of the effect of tracer transfer within the core cannot be definitely excluded. The implications of this result with respect to water-flooding, core analysis and electric logging are discussed. A better approach to determining the connate water saturation of oil-producing rocks, by measuring the fluid content of core samples at the surface, is by the use of crude oil or oil-base muds as the coring fluid. Although water flooding is of considerable importance in the recovery of ail, comparatively little is known with certainty about the role played by the connate water during the operations. Two possibilities exist. Either the connate water is retained in the formation while the flood water sweeps past, or it is pushed along to a greater or lesser degree by the flood. Thus far no explicit recognition in terms of quantitative studies appears to have been given to the displacement of connate waters by the intruding extraneous waters, although such a possibility might be important in determining the efficiency of the oil -displacement process in water-flooding operations, especially in argillaceous rocks. On the other hand, it is a common observation that the first water produced with the oil as a result of water-flooding is definitely saline.*.' Similar questions regarding the mobility of the interstitial water arise in the quantitative description of the advance of edge-water drives. In the interpretation of the water saturations determined from core analyses, when coring with water-base muds, it is generally assumed that the drilling fluid merely adds to the connate water without displacing the

Jan 1, 1947

By M. Muskat, F. Morgan, R. G. Russell

Core experiments with radioactive tracers are reported in which an artificial radioactive material, radiovanadium, was used in aqueous solution in a study of the mobility of connate water. Sandstone cores saturated with active water were first oil-flooded to simulate virgin sand conditions in which the pores are filled with oil and connate water. They were then subjected to flooding with inactive water. Measurements were made of the activity of various portions of the effluent as well as the activity of the core after the flooding process was completed. In additional experiments the distribution of activity along the core was measured during the flooding process. In still other experiments direct flooding tests were made on cores fully saturated with active water. In all cases it was found that after injecting into the core a volume of inactive water equal to a pore volume, the effluent contained more than 80 per cent of the active content originally in the core. It is felt that these results imply a high degree of mobility of the connate water when subjected to flooding, although at least a partial contribution of the effect of tracer transfer within the core cannot be definitely excluded. The implications of this result with respect to water-flooding, core analysis and electric logging are discussed. A better approach to determining the connate water saturation of oil-producing rocks, by measuring the fluid content of core samples at the surface, is by the use of crude oil or oil-base muds as the coring fluid. Although water flooding is of considerable importance in the recovery of ail, comparatively little is known with certainty about the role played by the connate water during the operations. Two possibilities exist. Either the connate water is retained in the formation while the flood water sweeps past, or it is pushed along to a greater or lesser degree by the flood. Thus far no explicit recognition in terms of quantitative studies appears to have been given to the displacement of connate waters by the intruding extraneous waters, although such a possibility might be important in determining the efficiency of the oil -displacement process in water-flooding operations, especially in argillaceous rocks. On the other hand, it is a common observation that the first water produced with the oil as a result of water-flooding is definitely saline.*.' Similar questions regarding the mobility of the interstitial water arise in the quantitative description of the advance of edge-water drives. In the interpretation of the water saturations determined from core analyses, when coring with water-base muds, it is generally assumed that the drilling fluid merely adds to the connate water without displacing the

Jan 1, 1947

By D. S. Nilsson

Small-scale mines are today expected to provide much of the increased production of metals and coal this county demands. But in fact the category of larger mines tends to grow in number and size faster than the category of smaller mines. Larger mines show the highest productivity, the lowest injury frequency, and the lowest costs. Lower cutoff grades can be wed in larger mines. The paper describes how the production level affects the choice between different types of loading, haulage, and hoisting equipment; how the increased production level in a mine results in lower production costs per ton; and how this affects the profitability of mining deposits with various ore grades. The future trend is expected to favor larger and larger operations.

Jan 1, 1983