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By Paul W. Jeran, Vladimir Adamek

Characteristics of surface deformations i.e., sub¬sidence, inclination, curvature and horizontal strains, are evaluated, based on information obtained by direct field measurements over three longwall panels in the Northern Appalachian Coalfield. Surface deformations have been precomputed using Bals' and Knothe's theories. The results have been compared with Bureau of Mines field data to evaluate the applicability of the two theories to the U.S. min¬ing conditions. Measured horizontal movements and the resulting horizontal strains differ as much as 300 percent from precomputed values. Topography has no detectable effect on vertical movements but appears to have substantial effect on the development of horizontal strains. The horizontal deformations computed from our field measurements generally exceed the limits used in other countries to protect surface structures.

Jan 1, 1982

By C. Hirayama

THIS investigation was undertaken to determine some of the factors contributing to the embrittle-ment of glass-coated silver wire on heat treatment. The materials used in this investigation were 22 and 23 AWG silver wires obtained from Handy and Harman as "fine quality, soft temper." A wet analysis of one sample showed 99.8 pct Ag. The 23-gage wire was covered with a double layer (2.5 mils thick) of electrical grade fiber glass (aluminum borosilicate glass containing a relatively high concentration of calcium, and a very small amount of

Jan 1, 1960

By Alan K. Burton

Along with tires and transmission systems, engines have been a limiting factor in the growth of large off- highway trucks. The problem, primarily, has been the development of reliable, high-performance engines that are not prohibitively heavy or expensive. For many years, horsepower to overall truck weight ratios have been in the vicinity of 300 lb per hp for rear dump units up to 50 tons capacity. This ratio is obviously very poor when compared to the much lighter and smaller highway trucks, which frequently have a performance ratio of 100 lb per hp. Unfortunately, the larger mining trucks have not been able to match even the 50-ton trucks, and in some cases, ratios have dropped as low as 450 lb per hp. This results in a performance of only 67% of that achieved by the older smaller trucks. Thus, the message is clear: what is needed is more horsepower and less weight.

Jan 10, 1975

The regular activities of the Institute are financed mainly by income derived from members' dues, from advertising in MINING AND METALLURGY, and from the sale of publications to the public. In addition, collateral activities and special projects are financed each year by means of income from endowed funds controlled and administered by the Institute. In the aggregate, the amount of these endowments totals more than $637,000. An active effort is being made to increase the endowment funds of the Institute through a standing committee, of which Henry Krumb is Chairman, and of which the other members are: George D. Barron, Cleveland E. Dodge, John V. N. Dorr, Howard N. Eavenson, D. C. tackling, Harvey S. Mudd, Wallace E. Pratt, Milnor Roberts, and Wilfred Sykes. This committee believes that there exists a tremendous opportunity for the Institute to be of evergrowing service to the public, to the mineral industries, and to the 'profession. It welcomes suggestions as to names of men of means who are vitally interested in the mineral industries, and to whom the opportunity to make a contribution or bequest might appeal favorably if presented in the proper light.

Jan 1, 1946

By F. W. Jessen, R. W. Durie

The development in the laboratory of mall salt cavities illustrated that the rate at which salt dissolved was affected by the rate at which fresh water was injected into the cavity. Experiments carried out with small salt cores indicated, however, that the rate of salt removal with forced convection was not significantly different from that with natural convection, provided the flow was in the laminar range. The rate of salt removal was apparently controlled by the water salinity, which was indirectly determined by the rate at which fresh water was injected. With turbulent flow at the salt surface, the rate of salt removal could be increased several-fold with the same salinity in the cavity. A quantitative evaluation of the rate of salt removal under natural convection was attempted by using techniques developed for the analogous heat convection system. The values of the rate of salt removal obtained experimentally were considerably greater than the calculated values due to surface irregularities. To determine the effect of these irregularities, the rate of salt removal was found for a smooth surface by experimentally determining the rate of salt removal as an irregular surface developed and then extrapolating this trend back to initial time. Excellent agreement between the experimental and calculated values then were obtained. INTRODUCTION Underground cavities leached from massive salt formations have been used extensively for many years for storing LPG products. The development techniques for storing methane gases in the liquid state at a low temperature leads to speculation that underground salt cavities of controlled geometry may be quite important in this field. In any case, the increasing number of salt cavities used for storage indicates an impending need for a better knowledge of the washing process to efficiently develop maximum storage volumes within specified regions. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss some aspects of -the mechanism of the dissolution of salt in the formation of cavities of controlled geometry. Although no attempt is made to resolve the problems that may be associated with the storage of methane in the liquid state in salt formations, the fact that salt cavities can be formed at reasonable cost would appear to justify investigation in this direction. Further, underground cavities have the advantage of allowing storage at higher pressures (and hence higher temperatures) than surface installations. Although the thermal conductivity of salt is somewhat higher than frozen earths, 0.017 cal/(sec) (cm)(c) for salt at 32F vs 0.005 cal/(sec) (cm) () for ice at this temperature, this disadvantage is offset by the higher storage temperature in underground cavities. For example, at atmospheric pressure, the temperature of liquid methane would be —258F. In a storage cavity at 2,000 ft, the pressure would be approximately 1,000 psia, which would allow a storage temperature of -9OF. The formation temperature would be roughly 110F at this depth, hence the total temperature differential would be 200F. Under surface storage conditions the corresponding temperature difference would be some 333 F (75 F + 258 F). The results of this difference can be compared more readily by substituting the appropriate values of thermal conductivity, temperature difference, heat capacity and density into the solution of the diffusion equation for the unsteady linear conduction of heat. For the underground salt storage, the heat flux is 15cal/(sec) (sq cm), where t is the time in seconds from the initiation of the cooling. For the surface system, and using the thermal properties of ice at the average temperature, the corresponding figure is 21cal/(sec) (sq cm). Hence, the heat losses through ice under surface conditions would be some 30 per cent higher than the underground salt storage. This ratio would vary, considerablv. Of course, for other conditions, but it indicates that an advantage over surface facilities may be obtained by storage in underground salt cavities.

Jan 1, 1965

By F. J. Fayers, J. W. Sheldon

A theoretical discussion is presented of the behavior of the interface between two fluids of different physical properties when displacement is occurring along a thin tilted bed. An approximate equation of motion is deduced for the motion of the interface, suitable boundary conditions are derived and the conditions necessary for the approximation to be valid are determined. Steady-state behavior and the circumstances under which a steady-state interface can develop are discussed. Finite-difference solutions of the equation of motion for two characteristic water-drive problems are presenled. The theory of displacement in a thin bed may be regarded as being the porous-medium-equivalent of the classical "shallow-water wave" theory of hydrodynamics. INTRODUCTION The solution of moving interface problems are important in predicting the behavior of oil reservoirs under various conditions of production. Kidder4,5 has obtained analytic solutions for the fingering problem and for another particular case of the motion of the interface between two immiscible fluids of unequal density in a porous medium. In the present analysis, we analyze the problem of the motion of an interface along a slightly dipping bed whose length is long compared with its thickness. The requirement of a thin bed is necessary in order to give a simple differential equation for the motion. The two fluids are of unequal density and mobility. In the derivation of the equation of motion, it is assumed that the lighter fluid is being injected at constant rate at the high end of the porous layer, while heavy fluid is produced at the low end of the layer. The analysis applies equally well, however, to the reverse procedure in which the heavier fluid is injected at the low end of the tilted layer. It will be shown that the behavior of the system is critically dependent on which fluid has the higher mobility and that the interface can in certain circumstances achieve a simple progressive steady-state shape. The fluids may be considered to be immiscible or miscible. It is assumed, however, that the thickness of the interface region is negligible in comparison with other dimensions of the system, and that the strength of the saturation or concentration discontinuity remains constant during the motion. In conjunction with Buckley-Leverett theory and areal sweep-out calculations, the tilted interface problem is one of the fundamental problems of reservoir engineering; it defines the very important underpassing and overpassing phenomena associated with water-drives, gas-drives and secondary recovery operations. The tilted interface problem has been dealt with previously by Dietz.2 In the present paper, we endeavor to derive the pertinent mathematical results more rigorously, and in doing so we obtain modifications in both the differential equation and boundary conditions for those given by Dietz. We also attempt to show the connection between these results and some of the recent work on the stability of interfaces. Finally, we attempt to demonstrate the practical importance of the thin bed theory by showing the difference in behavior of two characteristic waterflood problems. In the favorable mobility case recovery is improved by increasing production rate, while in the unfavorable case undercutting or overcutting is minimized by reducing the displacement rate. PROPERTIES OF THE EQUATION OF MOTION Fig. 1 illustrates a porous layer of constant thickness H and tilt 8 with Fluid 1 of mobility ?l and density pl below Fluid 2 of mobility ?2 and density p2. The fluids are incompressible and flowing with volumetric flux q along the layer. Both the slope a of the interface with respect to the bed and the curvature of the interface are assumed to be small. What is meant by "small" is indicated in the derivation given in Appendix A of an approximate equation of motion for the interface. Other symbols are defined in the "Nomen-

By S. T. Yuster

An analysis has been made of the factors responsible for tilted fluid contacts in petroleum reservoirs. The factors are static and dynamic with the former being controlled by those variables responsible for the capillary rise of fluids, and the latter include rate of formation tilt and hydraulic circulation. The explanation that rate of formation tilt may be responsible for tilted contacts appears untenable. The role of some of these factors in the migration, fractionation. accumulation and possibly the prospecting for oil is indicated. INTRODUCTION While it is generally considered that the segregation of gas, oil, and water in a petroleum reservoir results in approximately horizontal planes separating these phases. there are factor; which modify this simplified picture to a very great extent. Some of these factors are static. and the departure of the fluid interfaces from horizontal may represent a static equlibriun. Some of these factors may be dynamic and the interface positions may be non-equilibrium and represent a steady .state condition. Of course combinations of these two situations may also exist. The reasons most commonly given for this behavior are hydraulic circulation of fluids, change in character of the formation, and a rate of tilt of the formations more rapid than the rate at which the fluids may re-establish an equilibrium. Russell's Principles of Petroleum Geology' contains an extensive discussion of tilted fluid interfaces and their importance in the migration and accumulation of petroleum. Russell cites examples of tilted water tables at Lance Creek, Wyo.; Rock River, Wyo.: Cut Bank. Mont.; Cushing, Okla.: and Graham; Okla. Also given was the Wasson Field of West Texas which has saucer shaped oil-water and gas-oil interfaces with the saucer being deeper in the case of the oil-water contact. The Bradford Field in Pennsylvania has a tilted water table. San Ardo. Coalinga None and some other California field.; have tilled contacts. A recent paper by King Hubbert discuses the effect of hydraulic circulation of the water underlying the oil in a given stratun and it- implications in the accumulation of and drilling for the oil. The foregoing would indicate that tilted fluid interfaces are not uncommon and that it would be of importance to underbtand the forces which are responsible. Further. it would be of interest to examine certain idealized models of situations which may cause tilting with the thought in mind of deriving relatinnships between the important variables. These relationships may only hold exactly for the model* assumed but the results may apply semi-quantitatively to actual formations and at least indicate trends. The discussion will be divided into the effect of static factors and the effect of dynamic factors. STATIC FACTORS It has already been mentioned that one reason given for tilted contacts is a variation in formation properties. Specifically this is a change in the pore size of the formation capilaries. If the internal surface of the reservoir is preferetially wet by water, capillarity will cause the water 10 rise to a greater extent above the free water table in a small capillary than in a large one. Consequently the water-oil contact will be higher in the lower permeability sands than in the higher permeability sand.;. The free water table may be defined as the position the oil-water interface would take if capillarity were absent. Since the phenomenon is the capillary rise of water in an oil environment, a derivation of this shold give a relationship between the variables. Fig. 1 is an idealized model of the situation with a uniform bore circular capillary ubstitttting for the tortuous non.circular formation pore. The upward force.; on the column of water will be equated to the forces downward to give the equilibrium situation. forces upward = force downward where r is the radius of the capillary in ceritimetera. a is the interfacial ten4on oil-water in dynes per centimeter, 0 is the

Jan 1, 1953

By G. A. Parks, C. Kovacs

The xanthate flotation of chrysocolla can be improved by preheating the ore to 500° to 600°C. Addition of water vapor reduces the preheating temperature required. The temperature range of flotation improvement correlates well with the range over which dehydroxylation occurs. This observation is consistent with changes in the structure and properties of the mineral as detected by measurement of solubility, D.T.A., T.G.A., X-ray diffraction, and infrared absorption and with recently proposed explanations of chrysocolla flotation. A brief experiment by one of the authors several years ago showed that exposure of chrysocolla to high temperature water vapor resulted in increased recovery by subsequent xanthate flotation. Recently renewed interest in flotation and thermal properties of chrysocolla1-5 prompted further study of this effect and more detailed reporting.6 This paper explores the response of pure chrysocolla recovery in Hallimond tube flotation tests to the time and temperature of exposure and to changes in the water vapor pressure. Brief attention is paid to the effects of such treatment on accessory minerals. A single experiment with flotation of chrysocolla from an ore is reported. MATERIALS Chysocolla from Inspiration, Gila County, Ariz. was crushed in a porcelain mortar, cleaned of visible and magnetic impurities, and screened to obtain -48 +65 mesh (Tyler) material for flotation test work. The clean material contained 28.5% Cu and was identified as chrysocolla by comparison of X-ray diffraction, D.T.A., and infrared absorption data with that reported for similar materials by others.4,5,7 Samples of malachite and chalcopyrite, prepared in a similar way, were also identified by X-ray diffraction. The sources of these materials are unknown. A sample of chysocolla-bearing oxidized copper ore from Pima, Ariz. was crushed and dry ground for thermal activation and subsequent flotation. PROCEDURES Activation: The apparatus used for exposure of materials to high temperature water vapor is illustrated in Fig. 1. The furnace temperature was controlled to ±5°C Water vapor pressure was controlled by pre-saturating a nitrogen carrier stream with water in an adjustable thermostatted saturator (multiple bubbler). A water manometer and capillary orifice flow meter were used to measure nitrogen flow rates for activation and for subsequent Hallimond tube tests. Gas flow rate and temperature were adjusted prior to introduction of samples. Exposure time was measured from the moment of introduction of the sample to the furnace, hence includes an initial drop below the control temperature. After heating, the samples were removed from the furnace and stored at room temperature in air. Representative samples of activated materials were examined by X-ray diffraction and infrared absorption.

Jan 1, 1967

By E. W. Greig

This paper is an account of exploration for bauxite in the Amazon Basin, Brazil, and particularly of the discovery, exploration and development of the Trombetas deposits by Alcan. A general report of the Trombetas Project has already been published in E/MJ(Anon. 1975) to which the reader is referred for details on ownership, infrastructure and construction as well as the proposal for mining and treating the bauxite. A regional account of bauxite in and around the Guyana Shield and the northern part of the Brazilian Shield is included to help explain the geology of the Trombetas deposits and their relation to other bauxites in northern South America. It is suggested that all these deposits formed during Tertiary time under similar geologic conditions.

Jan 1, 1979

By James F. Lewis

THE hematite iron ore mines east of the Hudson River are confined to a strip of country ten to fifteen miles wide, commencing on the south, near Fishkill, running northeast through Dutchess County, and striking the southeast corner of Columbia County, extending into Litchfield County, Conn., known there as the Salisbury mines, cropping out again at and near West Stockbridge, Lanesboro, and Cheshire, Mass., also in Bennington County, Vermont. The ores are found in beds or deposits and in veins, with a limestone ledge on one side and slate on the other, from six to thirty feet from the surface. Portions of it are quite solid, called rock ore, but

Jan 1, 1877

Low metal prices prevailing at the beginning of 1950 stimulated the search for improved mining methods. More experience was gained during the year with such new developments as the jackleg drill, millisecond delays as applied underground, trackless mining, and Diesel powered equipment. One of the outstanding innovations in mining practice was the starting of the Round Mountain "dry land gold dredging operation." The Government is now inviting the mining industry to open up every available source of new metal supply and this circumstance will undoubtedly speed the development of new machines. New methods will also result but it is doubtful if economic efficiency will be at its peak.

Jan 2, 1951

By Arthur B. Yates

Diamond drilling has advanced and expanded during the past few yean. Along with this increase there has been a marked trend to rely more and more upon drilling for the outlining of ore for reserve purposes. This is especially true underground, where men have not been available for opening up ore by crosscuts, drifts and raises. During the recent heavy call upon known ore reserves, more drilling has been done for exploration and it has become expedient to drill longer lateral holes from underground and deeper holes both from surface and from exploration headings in the mines. Furthermore, these deeper holes have to be drilled closely enough to warrant calculation of "probable" if not "proven" ore, from the results obtained therefrom. Interpretation of diamond-drill results has become more precise and reliable with the growing knowledge and understanding of the geologic structures that control the geometry of ore distribution, and this has broadened the field of usefulness of the drill. All of this has created a necessity and a demand for more accurate control of the hole as to direction, a more precise and reliable method of surveying for position, and a need for better and more complete core recovery, as well as larger cores, to provide an adequate sample. At depth the control becomes more difficult and, at the same time, more important. Control A close study of drilling in various parts of the world for a period of more than 20 years has brought to light one definite rule, practically invariable; namely, that diamond-drill holes tend to deviate into a position normal to any structure existing in the rocks, such as bedding, schistosity, gneissosity, or even parting or jointing— even if the hole is started at almost any angle other than parallel with the structure. It also appears that the better developed the structure is, the more quickly will the hole get into a position perpendicular to it. It has often been said that there is a tendency for holes to "drift" in the direction of rotation. This is obviously untrue, for in a vertical hole the measure of deviation would depend upon the azimuth chosen as zero, and there is an infinite number of choices. It has been proved. however, that in homogeneous rocks there is a tendency for the hole to corkscrew, and that the direction of the spiral is the same as the direction of rotation. This may account for the belief that holes drift in that direction. Some tests have been made using right-hand and left-hand rods, and these show that no matter what the direction of rotation the hole will swing into a position perpendicular to the structure. Methods of Control The foregoing empirical rule may be used as an indirect method of control. If the prevailing structure is known, it may be advantageous to start the hole as nearly normal to it as possible, for the

Jan 1, 1946

By D. L. Garthwaite, F. M. Stewart, F. K. Krebill

Pressure has been maintained in the Elk Basin Ten-deep reservoir since the initiation of inert gas injection in Sept., 1949. Oil is being produced under conditions favorable for gravity drainage, including high angle of dip, appreciable structural closure, and fairly good per~neability. Results being obtained are high per cent recovery of oil-in-place, sustained field productivity, reduced operating problems, and recovery of plant products. The high recovery has been calculated by alpplication of the gravity drainage theory described in an earlier AIME paper.' It is also confirmed from field performance by comparing nil recovery to date with gas cap spuce voided. GENERAL INFORMATION The Elk Basin field lies in Park County, Wyo., and Carbon County, Mont., approximately 50 miles east of Yellowstone Park. Located at the northern end of the Big Horn Basin. the field is situated on an elongated asymmetrical anticline (Fig. 1). The pressure maintenance project covered by this paper involves the Embar-Tensleep reservoir in this multi-pay field. Discovered in Nov., 1942, it has a proved productive area of over 6,300 acres. It consists of the 210-ft thick Tensleep sandstone of Pennsylvanian Age overlain by 40 ft of Embar dolomite of Permian Age. The two formations apparently are in communication with each other and are produced as a common source of supply. As 98 per cent of the reserves are contained in the Tensleep sandFtone, in this paper the Embar-Tensleep reservoir will he called simply the Tensleep. The reservoir is found at an average depth of 4,900 it, is approximately 7 miles long and 2 miles wide, and has a maximum oil productive closure of 2,330 ft. The strata dip an average of 21" on the west flank and 45" on the east. There are presently 132 Tensleep wells in the field drilled on 40-acre spacing; of these, 17 are shut in because of high gas-oil ratio (GOR) and eight are gas injection wells. Rock characteristics and related information for the pay section follow: Porosity, avg 10.7 per cent Permeability (air) from cores, avg 118 mds Permeability from PI'S 91 mds Connate water, avg 8 per cent Initial pressure (-400 ft) 2,234 psia Pressure April 1954 (-400 ft) 1.327 psia At high structural positions much of the better sandstone has connate water content of only 2 to 5 per cent as indicated by the coring of wells with oil in nearby Tensleep fields. In special imbibition tests, samples readily imbibed oil but repelled water. In tests on crushed samples, the sand grains rapidly settled in oil and carbon tetrachloride but formed a stable unsinking floc in water. This information indicates that the Tensleep sand is preferentially oil wet. The oil produced averages 29' API gravity and has a high sulfur content. Extensive sampling and testing have established the fact that characteristics of reservoir oil in this field vary greatly with structure, see Fig. 2. Additional detail on the variation of oil characteristics with structure at Elk Basin may be found in Reference 2. At original reservoir pressure the oil was undersatu-rated with gas, the bubble point being 1,250 psi at the crest but only 500 psi at the lowest elevation sampled. As noted on Fig. 2, other fluid properties—reservoir volume factor. solution ratio, gravity, viscosity, and hydrogen sulfide content—likewise vary greatly. These variations complicate mathematical analysis, for it is necessary to average these characteristics in order to enter them into reservoir engineering expressions. To further complicate analysis, sand-face pressure also varies greatly because of the increase in fluid head down structure. As an approximation, average properties under initial conditions may be read from Fig. 2 at the -450-ft elevation.

Jan 1, 1956

By C. H. Jr. Herty

THE elimination of metalloids in the open-hearth process depends on oxidation of the metal by diffusion of FeO from the slag (or absorption of FeO by the metal), with subsequent reaction between dissolved iron oxide and the metalloids carbon, manganese, phosphorus, and silicon. During an investigation on deoxidation with silicon, data on rate of oxidation of the metal were obtained, and these combined with certain other information, are presented here in an attempt to show the fundamental principles governing the diffusion of FeO from slag to metal. Inasmuch as the aim of the investigation was not a study of diffusion, certain data are lacking and it has been necessary to make assumptions on metal viscosity and effect of temperature on diffusion. These factors are known to exert a considerable effect on diffusional processes. Overoxidation, or supersaturation of the metal with iron oxide, is not taken up in this paper. Overoxidation has little effect on diffusion except under a few special conditions, and the discussion has therefore been limited to diffusional processes. Though the results given in this paper should be regarded as preliminary, certain of the conclusions drawn are definitely applicable to any steelmaking process.

Jan 1, 1929

By Morris Muskat, James M. McDowell

A report is given of electrical analog experiments on the effect of casing perforation completions on well productivity for ideal uniform reservoirs under steady state homogeneous fluid flow conditions. Graphical results are presented for the effect of perforations of different densities and various degrees of penetration into the formation surrounding the casing or cement sheath. The latter range from perforations which terminate flush with the casing to those which extend into the formation a distance equal to the casing diameter. For the special case where the perforations terminate immediately beyond the casing with semi-spherical protrusions the electrical analog results correct and supersede previously reported theoretical calculations. It is found that the penetration of the perforations into the surrounding productive section may so increase the resultant productivity as to approach or even exceed that for open hole completions. INTRODUCTION A theoretical analysis of the effect of casing perforation on well completion, without additional penetration of the formation, was reported several years ago.' In this treatment the perforations were represented by mathematical sinks and no explicit account was taken of the imperviousness to flow of the casing in which the perforations were made. This procedure was justified by consideration of the mutual interference between the sinks, which seemed to indicate that the analytical method automatically eliminated flow across the casing radius between the perforations. However, both further theoretical investigation and the electrical analog measurements described below showed that this assumption in the previously developed theory was not valid and that the calculated well capacities would considerably exceed the correct values. § Even if this simplifying assumption were retained the generalization of the theory to situations where the perforations extend into the producing formation would be extremely difficult. On the other hand, the electrolytic model analog of this type of steady-state homogenous fluid system is, in principle, so simple that it has not been worthwhile to attempt to develop the exact analysis even for the more limited case of strict casing perforation. The whole problem has therefore been studied anew by electrical models to cover the range from holes in the casing which terminate flush with the casing surface to such as extend into the surrounding rock to a depth equal to the casing diameter. It is to be expected that the productivity of a well completed with casing radius* rw, perforated with holes of radius Tp, and extending to depths d into the surrounding rock, would depend primarily on the dimensionless geometrical parameters Te Tw TP d of the system, such as —, —, — , and —, where re is the Tw, a a rw external boundary radius and a is the mean vertical separation between the perforations. It will also depend, of course, on the number of perforation lines or total perforation density. While such parameters automatically control analytical treatments, it would require a very extensive series of model experiments to fully disclose their functional effect on the well productivity. For practical purposes, however, a rather limited range of the variables suffices to give the effects of interest. Accordingly, in the experimental study reported here the casing diameter has been kept fixed? at six in., the perforation diameter has been taken as either one-fourth in. or one-half in., their density has been varied from one to eight per ft, and their penetration into the formation has ranged from zero to six in., with a primary scaling factor of one to six. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD AND RESEARCH Although electrolytic model experiments have been made for years, there still seems to be some question as to what set of conditions will give the best results. For this reason a number of electrode materials and electrolytes were tried. Those chosen for the final experiments were copper electrodes and a weak copper sulphate solution as the electrolyte. This 'Assuming that the casing has been cemented with a uniform and impermeable cement sheath, the effective casing radius is to be interpreted as the external radius of the cement annulus. It is also assumed here that the casing is set through the complete producing section that it is perforated throughout with a uniform density and that tie formation has a a and isotropic permeability. As noted later, however, a uniform scale change permits reinterpreting the primary measurements to correspond to a casing diameter of 12 in.

Jan 1, 1950

By W. E. Newell

The basic principles and assumptions involved in D. L. White's solution5 for ultrasonic wave amplification in piezoelectric semiconductors are summarized. If the gain per unit length is maximized at each frequency without regard to the drift-field power density, the gain increases linearly with frequency. Therefore it would seem that very high gain is possible for frequencies in the hundreds of megacycles. However, with present materials the resulting drift-field power density is so large that cooling would be a major problem. For this reason it is more realistic to judge the capabilities of an ultrasonic amplifier in terms of the gain that is possible with a specified power density. In this case the gain at high frequencies does not increase but decreases more rapidly than l/f. The calculation of the gain us frequency at a fixed power level involves the repeated solution of a cubic equation and is therefore tedious. For the purpose of comparing different materials, sufficient accuracy can be obtained from an approximate solution which may easily be plotted as three straight lines on logarithmic graph paper. This method is used to compare the Performances of CdS, CdSe, ZnO, and GaAs. At a power density of 10 watts per cu cm, the first three give maximum gains of 60 to 80 db per cm in the vicinity of 60 megacycles. At the same power density, GaAs has a maximum gain of about 7 db per cm near 150 megacycles. Although an increase in mobility usually increases the gain for a specified power density, it is shown that there is an optimum mobility above which the gain decreases. An approximate expression for the optimum mobility is established. It is well-known that the interaction between charged particles and an electromagnetic wave can be used to amplify the electromagnetic wave. In the conventional traveling-wave tube, electrons in a vacuum are caused to move at a velocity slightly greater than the wave velocity, thereby coupling energy into the wave.' In principle, the same effect would be evident in a solid except that repeated collisions prevent the electrons from attaining a velocity greater than that of an electromagnetic wave. However, the drift velocity of electrons can be made to exceed the velocity of an acoustic wave in a solid. In 1956, weinreich2 noted that the deformation potential provided one means of coupling energy from drifting electrons into an acoustic wave, but the effect was too small to be of any practical importance. It was not until 1961 that White and Hutson demonstrated that the piezoelectric effect provided a strong enough coupling to give appreciable amplification of an ultrasonic wave and awakened wide interest in electron-phonon interactions. Qualitatively the effect may be described as follows. An acoustic wave propagating through a piezoelectric material is accompanied by an electric-field wave. If the vibrations are properly oriented with respect to the crystal axes of a piezoelectric semiconductor, the local electric fields are axially directed and cause bunching of the charged carriers. If the drift velocity of these carriers is less than the velocity of sound, they tend to be dragged along by the acoustic wave. This electroacoustic effect results in a net potential appearing across the material and in attenuation of the acoustic wave. On the other hand, if the drift velocity exceeds the velocity of sound, energy is coupled from the carriers to the acoustic wave and amplification results. Related effects which are being investigated include ultrasonic amplification in semimetals6-' and semi-conductor, and current saturation in piezoelectric semiconductors.'4-17 There are various problems which hinder the immediate application of ultrasonic amplification in a practical device. First, there are the traditional problems encountered in the design of acoustic delay lines: attenuation in the electromechanical transducers, reflected waves (which can lead to self-oscillation in an amplifying device), mechanical tolerances necessary to maintain phase coherence, and so forth. Second, there is the problem of selecting the best material from among the various piezoelectric semiconductors as they become available in single-crystal form with a wide choice of characteristics. This paper deals with the second problem and shows that the most realistic way of comparing materials is in terms of the gain which can be obtained without exceeding a

Jan 1, 1964

By J. N. Chew, C. A. Connally

A correlation is presented for predicting the viscosity of gas-saturated crude oils under reservoir conditions. It is based on the dead oil viscosity and the solution GOR. The correlation was developed from a study which showed that at a fixed solution GOR, the relation between the gas-saturated oil viscosities and the correrponding dead oil viscosities is a straight line on logarithmic coordinates. Data from 457 crude oil samples from the major producing areas of the U. S., Canada and South America were used. The best straight lines through the data were fitted by the method of least squares with a digital computer. The correlation is presented in the form of an equation and also in a convenient gra-phical form. INTRODUCTION The viscosity of gas-saturated crude oils under reservoir conditions is an important physical property used in reservoir engineering calculations. Many difficulties are inherent in the sampling of gas-saturated oils and in the laboratory measurement of their viscosities. Therefore, it is frequently neither possible nor convenient to obtain measured values, so the viscosity must be estimated from other, more readily available data. This paper presents a correlation for predicting the viscosity of gas-saturated crude oils. The correlation is based on the amount of gas in solution and the viscosity of the dead oil at the temperature of interest. A previous correlation of these variables was presented by Beal. In comparison, the correlation presented here extends to a higher GOR and to a lower dead oil viscosity. Over the range of variables covered by both, this correlation is based on approximately 11 times as many oil samples. DEVELOPMENT OF CORRELATION A study was made of the variables or parameters which could be used to relate the viscosity of a gas-saturated oil to its dead oil viscosity. Preference was given to those variables which are easily and commonly measured in the field or in the laboratory. It was found that either the differential liquid formation volume factor or the solution GOR of the gas-saturated oil could be used as a correlating parameter. The solution GOR was se- lected for the correlation because of its simplicity and availability. In an attempt to refine the correlation by introducing a second parameter, the following additional variables were tested: differential liquid formation volume factor at the reservoir bubble point, the formation volume factor at the saturation pressure for the GOR of interest, reservoir temperature, viscosity of C+ fraction at 100°F and atmospheric pressure, weighted average gravity of gas in solution, oil gravity, reservoir bubble point pressure, saturation pressure at the selected GOR and reservoir temperature, and gas mol fraction. None of these improved the correlation to any significant extent. It was found that at any fixed solution GOR, the relation between the gas-saturated oil viscosities and the corresponding dead oil viscosities is a straight line on logarithmic coordinates, for the range of variables investigated. This straight-line relationship was used for the correlation. Viscosity data on a total of 457 crude oil samples were used. The data were obtained with rolling ball-type viscometers. The samples came from all of the important producing areas of the U. S., as well as from Canada and South America. Their geographical distribution is shown in Table 1. The ranges of properties represented by these samples are as follows: For each crude oil sample the viscosity of the liquid phase from each step of a differential liberation was plotted against its solution GOR on semi-logarithmic paper. A smooth curve was drawn through the points and values of viscosity in centipoises were read from

By AIME AIME

ALL 32 of the Local Sections of the Institute in the continental United States and practically all of the Divisions as well, had representatives present at the Conferences of Local Section and Division Delegates at the Annual Meeting. Three sessions were held, two on Monday and one on Thursday, both the incoming and outgoing Presidents of the Institute being on hand to con- duct the meetings. H. J. Brown was called to the chair during a portion of the last session, President Fulton having to leave early. Complete minutes of the meetings have ,been sent to all delegates. In general, the Local Sections appeared, from their reports, to have risen to the wartime demands made upon them with their usual resourcefulness. Apparently more difficulty has arisen in the last year in arranging attractive programs and securing acceptable speakers, this being perhaps attributable to the fact that most technical men have been extremely busy. Careful planning ahead .has usually brought good results, however. Another wartime difficulty has been the matter of transportation to meetings, gasoline rationing and congestion on the railroads and buses being a handicap to attendance. Sharing cars has proved practical as a method of meeting this issue, this again requiring planning. Suitable meeting places and a supply of food have been another difficulty for some local groups.

Jan 1, 1944

By David R. Mitchell, R. B. Hewes

MANY processes for cleaning coal that are in use depend primarily on physical properties of coal and refuse other than specific gravity and surface conditions relating to froth flotation. These properties are' shape, coefficient of sliding friction, resilience, friability, magnetic susceptibility, and electrical conductivity. In many of these processes specific gravity does have some effect and many separators are designed to utilize more than one of the physical properties cited. Although the processes described herein do not have a widespread application, yet for specific coals and specific conditions, they are economically important. A problem confronting many coal-mining districts is the marketing of the slacks or screenings and dust passing the final sizing screens. Proc¬esses in commercial use installed primarily to increase the form value, and hence the market value, of these slacks and dusts include briquetting, packaging, and low-temperature carborization. MECHANICAL PICKERS Machines utilizing shape, frictional resistance, and differences in resilience of coal and impurities are usually called mechanical pickers. They require a closely sized feed, therefore their use is confined to the pea, nut, and egg sizes. Various types of these devices are described by Berrisford, 1. 2 Taggart, and Yeele.

Jan 1, 1943

By D. W. Fuerstenau

In recent years, various advances have taken place in the flotation recovery of fine mineral particles. A number of new approaches to recovery of fine particles have been proposed. In this paper, the background and performance of some of these tech- niques for fine particles processing are reviewed. A brief sum mary of the problems associated with fine particles in flotation and related processes is presented.

Jan 1, 1980