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By F. R. Zachar

IT has always been understood, in northern West Virginia where both the Pittsburgh and Sewickley seams are mined, that pillaring or splitting in the lower Pittsburgh seam could break the interval strata and make mining in the overlying Sewickley difficult or impossible. In some instances, however, mining methods practiced in the overlying Sewickley have reversed the problem, resulting in a shifting of the intermediate layer and destroying valuable acreages of the Pittsburgh seam below. The Pittsburgh seam in this area is, on the average, 102 in. thick. About 18 in. of low-quality head coal are left for roof protection as it is mined. Immediately over the coal are two draw slates, two rider 'seams, and a good hard black shale, locally called black rock, which serves as a permanent roof where draw slates and riders are taken down on certain main haulroads. In most areas mined in this seam in the past the bottom has been satisfactory but soft. However, in areas now being mined by the Christopher Coal Co. in Monongalia County the bottom is very hard and unyielding. The Sewickley seam, lying 85 ft above the Pittsburgh, will average nearly 70 in. in thickness and is overlain by massive shales and sandstones. Much of the seam is mined only down to the "sheep skin," a hard band about 4 in. above the bottom, which is composed of relatively hard shale. Fig. 1 shows a typical cross-section through the Pittsburgh and Sewickley seams in the area being discussed. The thin Redstone seam is not deep-mined but is stripped in some locations where it outcrops. Most of the Sewickley seam in the Morgantown areas has been mined out from 10 to 30 years. There are at present only two large mines and five or six others of small production operating in that seam. Mining systems in the past were generally of the room and pillar type with some full pillar extraction. This seam in the Scott's Run area was operated by as many as thirty or forty different companies at one time, during an era beset with strikes, market failures, and depressions. Most of the barrier pillars along the many main haulroads were abandoned, and blocks of Sewickley coal that would be fully recovered with today's machinery were left unmined when conditions became anything less than favorable. Consequently the mined-out Sewickley is spotted throughout with solid blocks varying in size from 100x100 ft to 200x400 ft and larger. It is these unmined Sewickley blocks surrounded by worked-out portions that have caused transmissions of roof stresses to underlying Pittsburgh mining areas, see Fig. 2, resulting in untold difficulty. As the Christopher Coal Co. operates both the Pittsburgh and Sewickley seams, accurate maps of workings in both seams are readily available and are regularly consulted. The first Pittsburgh squeeze attributed to overlying Sewickley blocks occurred in the Arkwright mine, where a shuttle car crew was developing a section consisting of seven panel headings. These entries were being driven in solid coal 3400 ft from the nearest worked-out Pittsburgh area. As mining advanced it was noticed that certain ribs began to slough and certain areas to show signs

Jan 1, 1952

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 G. L. Neumann

Owing to the need for additional sources of supply of both zinc and lead following World War II, the Bureau of Mines investigated many abandoned lead-zinc mines in the eastern United States. A series of shallow veins in south-western St. Lawrence County has long been a subject of speculation. These veins, which average about 4 feet in width and cut across the bedding of the country rock at right angles, are filled with calcite-carrying galena and sphalerite. The deposits have been worked sporadically during the last 115 years. From 1837 to 1852 the Coal Hill, the North, and the Victoria mines near the village of Rossie were at their peak of activity. Other calcite veins were prospected and a small production was realized. The Bureau of Mines began diamond drilling May 1, 1950, under the general supervision of McHenry Mosier, chief, Mining Branch, Bureau of Mines, Region VIII, and under the immediate supervision of the author) who was project engineer, following the preliminary examination by Robert S. Sanford. A total of 3,870.2 feet was drilled in 18 holes on four of the numerous deposits scattered over Macomb and Rossie townships. Drilling was completed September 21, 1950.

Jan 1, 1952

By S. H. Ash

THE information obtained by examining and analyzing the core drillings from 15 diamond-drill holes shows that with the proper equipment little difficulty should be experienced while sinking the shafts at the 15 selected sites. Although a number of holes penetrated formations containing a high percentage of silica,, the health hazard from dust can be removed by using proper dust-control equipment. Methane was detected in small amounts in only one (hole 5) of the boreholes. The methane hazard should present no difficulty if adequate ventilation is employed while sinking the shafts.

Jan 1, 1952

By T. M. Geffen, R. E. Gladfelter

Lipson1 has recently presented a technical note wherein theoretical considerations were used to demonstrate. that the adsorption us saturation relation for a linear absorption method is not necessarily a single valued function of saturation.1 It was concluded that the absorption us saturation relationship is subject to the same hysteretic effect as is the flow behavior between the drainage and imbibition systems. It is the purpose of this note to show, by experimental results, that for the manner in which fluids are distributed in porous materials during fluid flow, the relative X-ray absorption us saturation relationship is single-valued regardless of the saturation history. The design of the apparatus used to measure relative X-ray absorption of cores undergoing fluid flow tests is similar to that described by Morgan, McDowell and Doty. A few modifications have been incorporated in the design to increase sensitivity and simplicity of measurement. The sensitivity is such that for usual types of cores a recording pen movement of approximately 12 linear in. is occasioned between the recording of the core dry and when it is completely full of an absorbing liquid, a solution of approximately five per cent by volume of iodo-benzene in a close-cut hydrocarbon fraction, or a solution of 50,000 ppm sodium iodide in water. Two types of experiments were conducted, one in which the liquid was inside the core, and the other with the liquid outside the core. Tests with the liquid inside the core were run to cover the saturation range encountered in both the drainage (gas drive) and imbibition (liquid flood) flow systems. It is pointed out that the same core was used, but the tests were conducted at different times with the recording mechanism balanced at a different position. Therefore, the absolute values of relative X-ray intensity at any saturation are not the same in each test. In the second type of test the same core was used, but this time its pore space cmtained only gas, and various thicknesses of oil contained in plastic cells were placed in front of the dry core. As before. the relative X-ray ah- sorption was measured and compared to the quantity of oil in front of the core. The arrangement of the fluids with respect to the path of X-rays in these two types of tests represent fluid distributions of a wider difference than can be expected between that established in a core just due to imbibition and drainage saturation flow histories. Thus any deviation from a straight line relationship of the log of the relative X-ray intensity us saturation calibration should be readily apparent. Results of the laboratory tests are given in Fig. 1. A schematic diagram showing the position of the fluids with respect to the path of the X-ray beam is given for the two cases investigated. In the case where the oil existed outside the core (Case B), the log of the X-ray intensity (log, I/I,) is related directly to the cell thickness (amount of oil in X-ray beam path). This correlation is in full agreement with X-ray theory. In the case where the oil or water existed inside the core (Case A) which covers both drainage and imbibition types of flow processes, again the relationship between absorption and saturation (amount of oil in X-ray beam path

Jan 1, 1952

By H. W. Wainwright

.1. The purification pilot plant and the equipment, solution, and gas cycle used for removing hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are described. 2. As sulfur recovery is necessary in any large Fischer-Tropsch plant, pilot-plant runs were made at 300 p.s.i.g. to study the efficiency of tri-ethanolamine solutions in removing selectively hydrogen sulfide from gases containing varying amounts of carbon dioxide. 3. Aqueous solutions of TEA of 20, 30; 35, and 50 percent were investi¬gated. Data indicate that 30 to 35 percent is the optimum concentration if both selectivity and economy are considered. Slightly better selectivity is obtained with the.20 percent solution, but steam consumption is greater owing to the higher solution rates. Results from our pilot plant runs indicate that a 50 percent solution not only produces an acid gas of lower hydrogen sulfide content but also requires high solution rates to effect hydrogen sulfide purification. 4. Data from 37 runs using TEA are presented in tabular form. In addition, the data are correlated and presented in three sets of curves. By using these curves, it is possible to calculate the compositions of the purified and acid gases for various raw gas mixtures. 5. In cooperation with the Southern Natural Gas Co., investigations were carried out at 300 p.s.i.g. on the simultaneous removal of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, from gases using various concentrations of diethanolamine. 6. Data from 17 runs employing 20, 30, and 40 percent DEA are reported in both tabular and graphic form. 7. A comparison of the data from one DEA run made at 200 p.s.i.g. with those from the runs operating at 30O p.s.i.g. shows float the absorption capacity of the solution, and, hence, the steam requirements per gallon are about the sage for both pressures. .The only real advantage of the higher pressure is the additional volume of gas that can be treated. 8. The quantity of steam needed to reactivate fouled TEA and DEA solutions increased as the reactivator pressure was increased about 1,0 to 1.1 pounds of steam was required for each gallon of circulating solution when the reactivator was operated at 5 p.s.i.g. 9. A curve is included that shows the effect of the hydrogen sulfide con-centration in a lean 35 percent TEA solution on the hydrogen sulfide content of the purified gas and on steam consumption for reactivation. 10. Both TEA and DEA reduced the organic sulfur content of the raw synthesis gas considerably. Analyses of the lean amine solutions showed a gradual build up of sulfur compounds, indicating that the compounds formed by the amines and organic sulfur do not break down under the ordinary operating conditions of the reactivator. 11. Considerable operating difficulty was encountered in the pilot plant owing to foaming of the amine solutions. Laboratory experiments in which the effectiveness of certain antifoam agents was studied showed Alkaterge C to be most promising for the particular conditions studied.

Jan 1, 1952

By H. L. Gilbert

Improvements in production of high-purity chromium metal by magnesium reduction of anhydrous chlorides and by hydrogen treatment of electrolytic chromium are reported. Hydrogen-treated chromium has been arc-melted, and the arc-melted material has been successfully forged, rolled, and swaged. The material also has been forged at liquid-air temperatures. X-ray and metallographic studies indicate the recrystallization temperature of rolled chromium sheet to be about 750° C. Preliminary investigation of hot-bending characteristics of rolled chromium sheet shows the minimum bending temperature to be about 325° C. The heat resistance of chromium has been investigated.

Jan 1, 1952

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

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

Jan 1, 1952

By A. L. Engel

This report is a compilation of results of preliminary tests on scheelite (tungsten) ores and tailings. These investigations were made to assist in establishing satisfactory treatment methods for small-scale concentrator operations, or to indicate a. method for conserving previously lost mineral values in old tailings, if possible. A discussion of test procedures is included, as it was felt that this would add to understanding the results reported under the several projects. The treatment of scheelite ores has become more or less standardized. Important differences occur in textures of ores from various mining districts. However, and this must be considered when planning ore-dressing operations. In most of the present investigations, only a limited amount of work was done, usually just enough to answer a specific question in regard to a particular ore or concerning local conditions. Two methods of treatment included gravity concentration, magnetic separation, and flotation.

Jan 1, 1952

[ ] John M. Davis has left Western Machinery Co. to take a job as project engineer with Baroid Sales Div., National Lead Co., and is now located at Houston, Texas. C. W. Allen, general manager of the mining dept. of the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Co., visited the firm's iron mines on the Mesabi iron range of Minnesota recently. Thomas P. Anderson, mining engineer and geologist, has resigned from the Raw Materials Div. of the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission where he was assistant chief of the Denver Exploration Branch. He will enter private practice in Golden, Colo. James E. Atkinson, consulting mining engineer and geologist, left New York for Colombia, S. A., as general manager for Cia Minera Choco-Pacifico, S. A., operating five dredges in gold and platinum on the Pacific coast of Colombia. Russell H. Bennett has been elected a director of Placer Development, Ltd. with head office in Vancouver, B. C., and is also a director of its subsidiary, Canadian Exploration, Ltd., which mines and mills lead, zinc, and tungsten ores at a property near Salmo, B. C.

Jan 1, 1952

By M. A. Cook

Crude titanium metal, produced by the reduction of titanium tetrachloride with magnesium, is contaminated with some excess magnesium end adhering magnesium chloride when it is removed from the reaction pot. The method of vacuum 'purification is described in which the crude mixture is heated in a vacuum at a temperature of about 1,700° F. and the magnesium metal and chloride are volatilized away from the titanium, leaving it practically magnesium-free in a sponge-metal form. The pilot-plant equipment is described in detail, together with the technique of operation and methods of sponge recovery. Operating data is given, which compares ten 24- to 30-hour heats with ton 48-hour heats, and finally, power and labor requirements are discussed. Vacuum purification of raw titanium produced by the Kroll process has boon employed for treating of several tons of raw titanium with results for superior to those achieved by the method of leaching and grinding. The operations described, while on but little more than pilot-plant scale, indicate commercial feasibility of the process, even though it is a batch-typo operation. All equipment is either of standard manufacture or can be readily fabricated from standard materials, and operation of the units can be satisfactorily maintained by semiskilled labor.

Jan 1, 1952

By G. W. Jones

From evidence made available during the investigation, it was concluded that the first of a series of explosions occurred at 1:15 to 1:20 p.m. September 21, 1951, in an underground vault that housed pressure regulators on the gas-distribution lines that served Brighten. This explosion damaged the pressure regulators and permitted high-pressure gas to enter the distributing mains and individual-service lines. As a part of the gas-distribution system was not provided with means for protection against such excessive pressures, gas gained access to the interiors of many residences in this area and caused a series of disastrous explosions and fires, which took place during a period of approximately 2 hours after the initial explosion in the pressure-regulator vault. Two persons were killed in the first explosion in a residence, and a third person died of a heart attack attributed to the excitement that prevailed during the explosions and fires, Twenty-three persons were listed as injured. Forty-one residences were either destroyed or damaged - 11 by explosion and the remainder by fires, which developed as a result of gas leakage into residences. Fifteen residences were listed as "completely down" or "gutted." Unofficial estimates of property damage ranged from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000. In view of observations made and information obtained during the investigation, recommendations are presented in this report relative to the natural-gas distribution system in Brighton, which may be helpful in the prevention of similar accidents in this and other communities.

Jan 1, 1952

By H. C. Fuller

This paper discusses 105 production runs at Boulder City, Nev., in which titanium metal was made in 200-pound batches. It describes the equipment and techniques used in preparing raw material, the reduction process, and the removal of the reaction mass from the reaction vessel. Also, some data on man-hour requirements are presented. The main emphasis was on producing ductile-grade titanium and developing a standard procedure for obtaining a consistently pure product. Some departures from techniques used before were found to be desirable. The most important of these was the use of a sealed room with a controlled dry atmosphere in which the reaction vessel was opened and the reaction mass removed. This minimized the moisture taken up by the magnesium chloride in the reaction mass, and it could be purified successfully by vacuum distillation. Using the dry room also made it possible to leave al-inch shell of the reaction material on the walls of the vessel, which lowered the iron contamination and eliminated the labor and time-consuming job of cleaning the vessel after each reduction. Another change was lowering of the temperature during reduction to 750° C. instead of 850° C. This was found to give good results more consistently. The first poke to break the crust during reduction was eliminated, as it was found to be unnecessary and only added more work and was another possible way of introducing air. A rotating feed arm was installed in the reaction vessel to distribute the titanium tetrachloride over a larger area and, thus, prevent local overheating. The process, conducted in a batchwise manner as described and followed by good purification and fusion, produces a metal adequate in quality for nearly all purposes.

Jan 1, 1952

By Robert Glass Cleland

[Incorporated under the laws of the State of New York OFFICE, 41) WALL STREET, NEW YORK 5, N. Y. Authorized4,000,000 shares $150,000,000.00 Outstanding-5,071,260 shares 126,781,500.00]

Jan 1, 1952

By E. P. Pfleider

DIAMOND drill research work was initiated at the School of Mines, University of Minnesota, in late 1949. The Drilling Symposium held in Duluth that spring highlighted the problem of high cost and core recovery and the need for controlled testing. An advisory committee made up of informed representatives of both mining companies and drilling companies was formed to suggest and advise on a program of drill research. A Hy-Mac hydraulic drill unit, see Fig. 1, especially designed for experimental testing, was obtained for this work by the School of Mines through the courtesy of the Carboloy Co. It is an extremely flexible unit, capable of exerting a forward thrust of about 1750 lb and turning at speeds from 650 to 2200 rpm. The feed arrangement is so designed that the advance can be set either at a constant rate or permitted to vary at a fixed pressure, see Fig. 2. The

Jan 1, 1952

By G. R. Hodgson, M. P. Lebourg

The introduction in the field of a new type well completion called for the setting of tubing open-ended in the well before perforating the casing. This paper describes a new perforating tool of the shaped charge expendable type, small enough to pass through tubing and powerful enough to perforate the casing. The perforations are produced at an angle and are large enough for optimum production. Performance of this tool in targets and under various well conditions is described. Very often no lifting equipment will be available at the well. In some cases, pressure will exist in the well at the time of the perforating operation (workover wells or multiple trip perforation) ; therefore, new equipment and new technique for the perforating operation were devised. This paper describes this equipment and technique, particularly casing collar recording, sheave support, and cable pull-down device. this last item being necessary for wells under pressure. Results obtained with this tool in the field are given. INTRODUCTION One of the key requirements for the introduction in the field of a new method of permanent well completion was the development of a new perforating method involving the use of a perforating gun small enough to go through tubing and with enough penetrating power to perforate the casing satisfactorily. The equipment described in this paper was basically designed to go through open-ended two-in. tubing and to perforate 5 1/2 in. casing. The equipment is illustrated in accompanying figures. NEW COMPLETION METHOD With the new permanent type well completion, the production string of casing is run and cemented through the potential producing zone. Open-ended tubing is -then run into the well and used to replace the drilling fluid with oil or water. The amount of the oil or water "cushion" can be varied according to the expected bottom hole pressure. Thus, if desired, the hydrostatic head can be greater, equal to, or less than the expected pressure within the zone to be perforated. Mud having been displaced, the tubing is -then positioned so that the end is above the zone to be perforated. The Christmas tree and flow lines are installed and tested. The drilling rig can now be removed from the well since it is not necessary for the perforating operation, thus resulting in a saving in rig tme. The perforating equipment is then moved to the well and the gun lowered through the tubing. After the gun passes out of the open end of the tubing, the depth measurements are correlated with casing collars and the gun placed opposite the zone to be perforated. Upon firing, the gun body is shattered and falls to the bottom of the well. Since the lubricator has been closed before firing, it is possible to withdraw the casing collar locator and head and then open the well immediately to the tanks. DESCRIPTION OF GUN An investigation of two basic types of Perforators, namely a bullet perforator and a shaped charge gun, was undertaken towards the development of a gun to meet the aforementioned requirements. Preliminary tests on various bullet perforator designs within the diameter limitations did not give results encouraging enough to warrant further study. Somewhat better results were obtained by using conventional shaped charges; but, as in the case of the bullet types, the necessarily small overall diameter proved to be a severe limitation and resulted in insufficient penetration. A shaped charge employing a new design was developed which gave excellent penetration. These shaped charges were designed to produce a large hole directed upward at a 45" angle. In order to obtain the maximum space possible for these charges, it was decided to use an expendable carrier made of drillable material, usually aluminum, which would shatter at the time of firing, leaving only harmless fragments at the bottom of the hole. The fixed spacing is five shots per ft. wit11

Jan 1, 1952

By J. W. Snavely

WITH all the advantages of handling bulk materials by means of belt conveyor also go some problems, one of the most persistent being that of cleaning. When sticky materials are being carried; the build-up of material on the return idler rolls results in difficulty of belt training. Much attention has been given to the problem of cleaning conveyor belts, and a great variety of cleaning devices have been developed. Even the best involve troublesome maintenance, and none can completely remove the fine particles imbedded in the belt cover, which cause rapid wear of the return idler rolls, and at the same time, of the belt cover as well. One of the major rubber companies has been promoting a two-way belt system, in which the conveyor belt is given two successive 90" twists at each end to enable it to carry material in both directions simultaneously. For many years the flat belt transmission industry has installed quarter-turn and half-turn twists in countless numbers of instances. While quarter-turn and half-turn twists in transmission belts is a familiar application, the 180" twist apparently has never been previously attempted with a conveyor belt. About a year ago, two officials of the National Iron Co. of Duluth, Lester and Lewis Erickson, proposed twisting the return run of a conveyor belt on an installation that they were designing for one of the major iron ore producers. Since then the soundness of the idea has been demonstrated, both in theory and by practical test, with the result that the installation of two conveyor belts involving the twisting of the return run is now under way. These two installations are designed to have the return run of the conveyor belt twisted 180" as it leaves the snub pulley at the head drive. The clean underside of the belt is thus placed against the idlers on the return run as well as on the carrying run. Just before it enters the tail pulley, the belt will be twisted an additional 180°, restoring it to its normal position. Because this twisting of the return run of a conveyor belt is a radical departure from accepted practice, an elaborate and extensive test was conducted early in 1950 to demonstrate that this twisting of the return run could be done successfully, also to establish application data for accomplishing this twisting, and to determine if any special equipment would be required. In studying this concept of twisting the return run of a conveyor belt, a number of problems need to be solved, primarily the ones brought about by deliberately introducing an unequal distribution of stress across the conveyor belt and controlling that maldistribution of stress, while confining it to the return run portion. The tension conditions existing in the return run of a conveyor belt are clear to all designers. First, the return run carries the initial or slack side tension of the conveyor belt, the tension that must be supplied to the return run to provide proper frictional contact between the belt and the driving pulley so that the necessary power can be transmitted from the driving pulley to the belt without slippage. This slack side tension is supplied to the belt by means of takeups, either of the gravity type, which can be vertical or horizontal, or by means of the screw type. With inclined or declined belt conveyors the slope tension also must be considered, which is the tension imposed by the weight of the belt hanging from the top pulley. This slope tension frequently can furnish part or even all of the initial tension required. The maximum value of the slope tension will be at the top pulley, and it decreases in direct proportion to the length. In addition to the foregoing, it frequently is desirable to impose arbitrarily additional slack side tension to provide sufficient tension at the loading point at the tail, so that the belt will adequately support its load between the carrying idlers. Design Conditions for Twisting A number of design conditions exist, which must be satisfied successfully to accomplish the twisting of the return run without exceeding normal working limits in any portion of the conveyor belt. It is obvious that the belt edge, in its relation to the center of the belt, must stretch in making a twist, because as the twist is accomplished, the belt edge travels through a longer path than does the center of the belt. It is further obvious that if the edge of the belt is stretched, a redistribution of stress in the belt is required to allow this edge stretching. Moreover, this stress will be unequal across the width of the belt, having a maximum value at the edges, with a minimum value at the- center of the belt. With correct initial tension in the return run of a conveyor belt, the existing slack side tension will be unequally distributed when a twist is introduced. A condition then exists in which the edge stresses,

Jan 1, 1952

By C. E. McManus

MANY mechanical advances have been made on mining equipment during the year 1951. There have been a number of trends established and many modifications made on open-pit equipment to increase the efficiency and availability of all the machines necessary in the moving of overburden and iron ore. Some years ago, the trend toward larger shovels for the loading of off-highway trucks began, but in the last year, it has become general practice to use the 5 to 7 ¼ -yd quarry-type shovels in the loading of haulage units. For years these larger shovels were used in the locomotive haulage pits. As the truck capacities increased from 15 to 20 to 30 tons, the need for larger loading units became apparent. Today in most mines, large shovels are in evidence and a few 8-yd shovels will be delivered this year for loading off-highway trucks. Torque Converter-Shovel The Diesel-driven shovel with its friction bands has been modernized with the torque converter. There have been about ten shovels remodeled to take a torque converter in the drive system. The large high-torque, low-speed Diesel engine was removed and replaced by a high-horsepower, high-speed, automotive-type engine. This engine was connected directly to the torque converter. The torque converter was connected to the shovel through the standard original sprocket and chain. Dual governors controlled engine performance. One governor controlled the high idle of the engine; the other governor, which is connected through a flexible shaft to the output shaft of the converter, controlled the loading of the engine. With this dual governor hook-up, the engine anticipates load conditions and is operating at high idle and full throttle before the shovel load is transmitted back through the converter to the flywheel. It has been found that with this automotive-type engine and converter, the shovel capacity has been increased about 20 pct. Also, the wear on the friction bands, breakage of hoist cables, and other mechanical breakages has been reduced materially. Alloy-Steel in Shovels The shovel equipment manufacturers have been experimenting with low-temperature-strength, high-alloy steels to combat the excessive breakage that occurs in extremely cold weather. High-nickel alloy steel has been used in critical areas that are affected by low temperatures, the most notable being dipper sticks. Most shovels ordered today are equipped with some of this special, alloy steel. More and more manganese alloy is being used for replacement parts such as shovel pads, idlers, drive sprockets, etc. Although the initial cost of these parts is considerably higher than the standard replacement items, the life of these manganese parts is considerably longer and well worth the added expenditure. Dipper-teeth repair is still a problem. Most companies use the small replaceable inserted tooth. It has become common practice among some of the companies to "job out" their dipper-tooth repairs to outside welding companies. This necessitates an additional inventory of teeth, but it does guarantee an adequate supply of replacement teeth at all times. These contractors have set up their shops on a production basis and can do an acceptable job at a high rate of speed. Thermite welding has been used in retipping teeth. To date, the process cannot be called successful but with improvements the time required to repoint the dipper teeth will be decreased considerably. The submerged arc process has been tried in the replacement of these dipper points, but like thermite welding has not proven successful. Here again, if a method can be developed to use submerged arc, the job of teeth repair will be made much easier. New model shovels in 6 ½ and 8 cu yd sizes fea-

Jan 1, 1952

1938 ABERNATHY, G E Feb 6, 1948 Min & Met Apr 1948 1937 ADAMS, ARMY Aug 20, 1949 Min Eng Dec 1949 1946 ADDY, GEORGE E Sept 24, 1950 Min Eng July 1951 1920 ALDERSON, WILTON P Feb 1951 Min Eng Sept 1952 1896 ALDRICH, T H , JR May 24, 1950 Min Eng Aug 1950 1942 ALDRIDGE, LEONARD June 8, 1952Jrn Met Sept 1952 1919 ALLEN, ROLLAND C July 18, 1948 Min &Met Sept 1948 1950 ANDERSON, C P Unknown Min Eng Feb 1951 1937 ANDERSON, JOHN H May 10, 1950 Min Eng Aug 1950 1914 ANDERSON, L DOUGLASS Unknown Min Eng Nov 1951 1948 ANDRAU, E W K Oct 20, 1951 1936 ANDREWS, CHARLES B Apr 19, 1950 Min Eng June 1950 1918 ARMITAGE, PAUL June 28, 1949 Min Eng Oct 1949 1924 ARMSTRONG, PERCY A E Jan 23, 1949 Min Eng May 1949 1906 ARNOLD, CHARLES LE NEVE Aug 7, 1949 Min Eng Oct 1949 1945 ARNOLD, HAROLD S Aug 7, 1950 Min Eng Oct 1950 1936 ASH, JAMES E Dec 17. 1949 Min Eng Apr 1950

Jan 1, 1952

By W. A. Calhoun

A method for treating high-iron Arkansas bauxites for recovering both abrasive and metal-grade bauxite has been developed by the Bureau of Mines. Present practice usually produces a reject containing appreciable quantities of metal-grade bauxite; however, the processing renders the alumina in the reject unsuitable for the Bayer extraction treatment. Thus the Arkansas abrasive bauxite industry has, in the past, produced little or no metal-grade bauxite. The present investigation was made to determine the possibilities of batter utilization of those particular bauxites through recovery of the wasted metal-grade portion. The large expansion of aluminum-production facilities planned for 1951-53 makes recovery of metal-grade bauxite from presently treated abrasive and marginal abrasive ores en especially timely objective and a welcome addition to our aluminum potential. The quality of the Arkansas bauxites and the inherently associated titania content have made this material particularly attractive to the abrasives industry. however, the gradual depletion of natural abrasive-grade bauxite reserves in this area, the comparative scarcity of high-grade ore, and the difficulty of maintaining adequate reserves have necessitated blending different grades of bauxite calculated to meet specifications. Production of abrasive-grade bauxite from tile, high-iron reserves 13 becoming, increasingly necessary. In one commercial operation, producing abrasive-grade from ores averaging slightly less than 10 percent Fe2O3, approximately 2.7 tons of ore are required to produce 1 ton of abrasive-grade bauxite. The reserves of ore of this grade, however, have been considered inadequate for a long-range production, and ultimately ores averaging 12 to 15 percent Fe2O3 will have to be treated to moot the continued demands of the abrasive industry.

Jan 1, 1952