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By F. A. Champion

The work described in this paper was carried out in the Research Laboratories of the British Aluminium Company Ltd., under the general direction of A. G. C. Gwyer, Scientific Manager of the Company. In considering the effect of stress?corrosion conditions on metals, or the failure of metal through stress corrosion, it is evidently advisable to adopt a clear definition of the meaning of those phrases. There appears to be general agreement that stress-corrosion conditions may be defined as the continuous application of static stress to a metal while it is exposed to corrosive conditions, but recognition of the occurrence of true stress-corrosion in a metal is often a difficult matter giving rise to some confusion. For the purpose of this paper stress corrosion in a metal is defined as the acceleration of corrosion by the application of static stress. On this view it is necessary to test a metal not merely under stress-corrosion conditions, but also under the same corrosion conditions without the simultaneous application of stress, if the liability of the metal to stress corrosion is to be assessed. Failure of a metal under stress-corrosion conditions is sometimes quoted as evidence of stress corrosion (for example, by Althof(1)2), but this evidence is totally inadequate if the above definition is

Jan 1, 1945

By C. B. Smith, A. G. Guy

The power and convenience of tensor analysis are employed in deriving the equations that describe three-dimensional diffusion in an n-component system plus vacancies. A "Kirkendall coordinate system, '' defined in principle by Kirkendall markers, is used in defining the intrinsic diffusion coefficients that are of primary interest. The defining equations are then transformed to local cartesian coordinates and to fixed cartesian coordinates, the latter being convenient for experimental measurements. Finally, it is shown how the intrinsic diffusion coefficients can be calculated from the experimentally determined quantities. It is generally recognized that any treatment of the essential diffusion phenomena in metallic systems—the jumping of atoms from one lattice position to another—must be based on movement of the atoms past Kirkendall interfaces.' A logical extension of this idea is the proposal that, fundamentally, diffusion must be described mathematically in terms of "Kirkendall coordinates." The basic equations thus obtained may then be transformed into other coordinate systems, when such transformation leads to simplification of either the experimental or mathematical treatment of diffusion data. Tensor analysis is clearly the appropriate mathematical tool for this purpose, since it provides methods both for determining general equations that are valid for all coordinate systems and for conveniently transforming the equations from one coordinate system to another system related to the first in some known fashion. For the present purpose three coordinate systems are used, and it is convenient to begin with a description of the relations among these three systems. FICK LAW FOR KIRKENDALL COORDINATES The reference coordinate system, and the one that is useful for most experimental measurements, is a cartesian coordinate system, xi (i = 1, 2, 3), fixed with respect to some point in the specimen, such as an end of the alloy bar undergoing diffusion. A second set of coordinates, the Kirkendall coordinate system, is one that in principle can be described by the location of inert markers (Kirkendall interfaces). A convenient mathematical relation between Kirkendall coordinates, x'i, and the reference cartesian coordinates, ii, is obtained by specifying that the Kirkendall coordinate system coincide with the cartesian system at time, t = 0. After diffusion has occurred for some time, t = t, the Kirkendall coordinate system will differ from the reference system in the manner shown schematically for the one-dimensional case in Fig. 1. The third coordinate system is Darken's1 local cartesian-coordinate system, xi, which is identical with ii in orientation and units, but which moves with the point under consideration in the Kirkendall coordinate system. Even though most diffusion problems are essentially one-dimensional, there is an advantage in first carrying out the analysis of the three-dimensional problem to gain a clearer insight into the assumptions that are made in the usual one-dimen-

Jan 1, 1962

By Robert E. Thurmond, E. D. Spaulding, Walter E. Heinrichs

DISCOVERY of a commercial ore deposit has resulted from a program emphasizing geophysical techniques and concentrating upon exploration of alluvial-covered areas. United Geophysical Co. selected these areas as offering the best possibility of success, for here the surface evidence of ore deposits has been hidden from the eyes of prospector and geologist alike. Pima mining district, Pima County, Arizona, was selected for initial exploration. The project was successful in that a commercial ore deposit was discovered and proved through drilling and extensive underground development.

Jan 2, 1954

By Keith T. Griffiths

INTRODUCTION The Empress Nickel Mine is situated forty-eight kilometres west of Kadoma in the Zhombe Communal Land of Zimbabwe. The mine came into operation in late 1968 based on a proved and probable ore reserve of twenty million tonnes. The initial production rate was 55 000 tonnes per month from underground. This was boosted to 85 000 tonnes per month in mid 1970 when the opencast operation came into production. The mining method at Empress is sub-level open stoping with main haulages mined at ninety metre intervals and sub-levels at eighteen metres. The extremely wide ore body of up to one hundred metres in width has necessitated leaving extremely large rib pillars and sill pillars in position to maintain mine stability and to act as regional support of the hanging wall. In early 1976 the opencast operation had reached its final economic depth and it was then necessary to increase underground production to 85 000 tonnes per month. Since a large portion of the ore reserve remained in both rib and sill pillars, it was necessary to embark on a positive pillar recovery programme. For this reason it was decided to introduce a sandfilling programme for the mined-out stopes and a modified system of sub-level open stoping with post filling of the lower stopes. ORE BODY GEOLOGY AND GEOMETRY The Empress orebody outcrop has a strike length of nine hundred and fifty metres on a north west - south east axis. It is a steeply dipping (65' - 75') tabular orebody of gabbroic rock which has been extensively altered. The north west - south east strike length of nine hundred and fifty metres on surface reduces to some two hundred

Jan 1, 1983

By C. F. Jr. Nagel

THIS paper is written primarily for those who are familiar with the processes mentioned but who desire a further insight into some of the fundamental principles. It does not give a complete description of the various practices employed in the working of aluminum and its alloys, but presents a few illustrations of the essential respects in which aluminum differs from other common metals, and emphasizes the controlling factors of the processes under consideration. HEAT TREATING Certain aluminum alloys are capable of having their mechanical properties greatly altered by a heat-treatment process. The degree of this improvement may be illustrated by the typical properties of duralumin (Table 1). It is essential that the material be in the wrought condition in order to obtain maximum heat-treatment effects.

Jan 1, 1927

By O. W. Bilharz

Acid mine-water drainage is a serious problem with many mines in the Tri-State zinc and lead mining district. Particularly is this true when large volumes must be considercd in unwatering old mines that have refilled with water which has dissolved the products of oxidation and has become chalybeate in character. The experiences discussed in this paper have to do specifically with the unwatering of a comparatively small area west of the town of Baxter Springs, Kans., where the pumping job was complicated by water of this type and where the extremely high sulphate content particularly effected that phase of mine drainage having to do with stream pollution. Location, Geology and History The Baxter Springs area of the Tri-State mining field is situated just west of the town of Baxter Springs and is a northeasterly extension of the main mineralized zones of the Oklahoma part of the district (Fig I). The mining area is traversed with well defined shear zones which provide easy circulation of ground waters and the ore bodies are found along these shear zones as localized enrichments wherever the structural conditions are favorable (Fig 2). The ore-bearing strata is Mississippian with an overlain capping of shale of Penn- sylvanian age. This shale strata carries much pyrite and marcasite at its base and undoubtedly was a contributing factor to the subsequent high iron content of the water. The area originally contained a sulphide water which discharged as an artesian flow in springs within the town and gave Baxter Springs its name. These springs were famed for many years for their mineral water. This original sulphide water was first removed about 1917 and active mining was carried on west of the town during subsequent high metal price periods. Many small mines were opened, with each localized enrichment becoming a separate mine. During the depression mining ceased and all mines in the west Baxter area were allowed to flood. No serious effort was made to again unwater until higher prices caused from the demand for metal for World War II once more focused attention 011 this part of the field. Original Mining Results in Oxidation As plans for unwatering progressed, it soon developed that the mine-water pools had become strongly acid in character and carried large amounts of sulphates in solution. This occurred in the following way. When the original sulphide water was removed, shafts sunk, and mining carried on over a number of years, ferrous sulphate was formed by the spontaneous oxidation of the pyrite beds in contact with air admitted through churn-drill holes and mine openillgs. These products of oxidation can be seen today in the old mines of the district as crusts of crystalline sulphates

Jan 1, 1949

By T. Egleston

THE manufacture of charcoal in kilns was declared many years ago, after a series of experiments made in poorly constructed furnaces, to be unprofitable, and the subject is dismissed by most writers with the remark that in order to use the method economically the products of distillation, both liquid and gaseous, must be collected. It is asserted with truth that the number of kilns required for a large production of iron would be so great that it is doubtful whether any works would be justified in making the necessary outlay for their construction, but it can also be asserted with equal truth that for any such production in a given locality the use of charcoal as fuel would be equally unjustifiable. It appears to have been forgotten that there were other manufactures besides iron in which large amounts of charcoal were used, but these consumers seem to have been guided entirely by the results of the experiments of the iron men, who necessarily made the largest quantity of it. Some authors speak in a doubtful way of the quality of the charcoal produced, and a few concede that with great care good charcoal can be made in kilns, but that most of the workmen do not like kiln charcoal. This is the real secret of the opposition to this method of manufacture. Most of these objections were written when charcoal was the most important fuel used by the iron manufacturer, and when what was a large production of iron for several furnaces was less than that produced by a single modern one, in localities where other fuels can be had. Almost all that has been written on the subject related to the use of the fuel for the manufacture of iron in the blast furnace, where very peculiar properties are required, and where the quantity produced is limited by the height of the furnace, and this in turn by the crushing resistance of the charcoal. A large production was, therefore, only possible when the best and hardest woods were used. Of all these objections there is not a single one which is not equally applicable to any method of charcoal manufacture, whether it be meilers, pits, or furnaces. Until recently, therefore, the manufacturers of charcoal iron * Read at the Pittsburgh meeting, May, 1879.

Jan 1, 1880

By J. B. Austin, R. L. Rickett

MEASUREMENTS Of the rate of decomposition of austenite at constant temperature are commonly represented by plotting the percentage transformed on linear coordinates against time on either a linear or a logarithmic scale, a method that yields a curve that in shape resembles an integral sign (Fig. 1). A graph of this kind is not always convenient because extrapolation to the beginning or end of the transformation, or even interpolation, may be uncertain unless there are a large number of observations, which seldom happens; furthermore, the degree of consistency of a set of measurements is difficult to judge from such a curve. It is desirable therefore to find some mode of plotting, or even better to find a standard variety of graph paper, that gives a straight line instead of the integral shape. The straight line has many advantages; the number of readings required to fix the position of the curve is greatly reduced, interpolation is easy and rapid, extrapolation can be carried out with greater confidence and, finally, the consistency of the measurements is readily estimated from the scatter of the points. The last advantage is particularly valuable when the data are obtained by direct microscopic examination alone, because they are influenced by the skill of the observer in estimating the relative size of areas, possibly also by undetected inhomogeneity of the specimen. A search for ways of representing the observations as a straight line yielded two methods which are described in this paper. The paper also includes an account of some interesting relations brought to light in applying these methods to the available experimental data. Usually the best way to derive such a method of plotting is to base it on established principles of chemistry and physics, as has been done, for example, for the temperature variation of the equilibrium constant of a chemical reaction. But so little is known of the mechanism of the decomposition of austenite, and so little is available in the way of well established background for changes of this kind, that it is simpler to rely upon purely empirical means. The general plan therefore is to study existing data with a view to finding some function of the direct observations that will

Jan 1, 1938

By William L. Fink

Nickel is used as an alloying element in several complex commercial aluminum alloys, among which are found some very interesting properties, such as relatively high strength at elevated temperatures, relatively low coefficient of expansion, the absence of permanent growth, ability to take a good polish, and a bright, pleasing as-cast surface. For that reason the aluminum-nickel system was included in the list of binary aluminum systems that are being studied as a preparation for the investigation of more complex commercial alloys. This paper is the fifteenth of a series from the Research Laboratories of the Aluminum Company of America reporting the results of investigations of equilibrium relations in aluminum-base alloys of high purity. The aluminum-nickel equilibrium diagram from 0 to 18 per cent nickel was determined, using the purest material available. Previous Investigations The entire aluminum-nickel system was studied thermally and microscopically by Gwyer.1 At the aluminum end of the system he found the intermetallic compound NiA13. He found a eutectic at 6 per cent nickel with a melting point of 630" C. A slight thermal arrest, which he could not explain, was also noted in alloys from 2.5 per cent to 41.9 per cent nickel at 550" C. Bingham and Haughton,2 in a later investigation of alloys of aluminum with copper and nickel found the eutectic concentration of the binary aluminum-nickel system at about 5.3 per cent nickel. The melting point of the eutectic was about 633" C., or slightly higher than that found by Gwyer. Although the solid solubility of nickel in aluminum could not

Jan 1, 1934

By William L. Fink, Kent R. Van Horn

Aluminum forms not only binary compounds with most of the metallic elements but also forms many ternary or more complex constituents. Several of those occurring in the more important alloy systems have been identified under the microscope and the action of various etching reagents has been carefully studied.' The determination of the structure and composition of these complex constituents is a matter of some difficulty and little information is available. X-ray crystal analysis offers a promising method for the study of such constituents. First, and of considerable importance, is the possibility of recognizing the presence of a given constituent by means more positive than microscopic observation. Evidence can also be obtained concerning the nature and composition of the constituent in question and ultimately it should be possible, at least in some cases, to describe the structure including the relative locations of the various atoms. In this paper some results of an uncompleted study of the constituents of the aluminum-iron-silicon system are given and the methods employed are described. Inasmuch as iron and silicon are the chief impurities in aluminum, the constitutional relations of this system are of fundamental importance in the metallurgy of pure aluminum and its alloys; the system has been studied by several investigators and the more important contributions have been reviewed recently.² Fig. 1 shows the structure of the aluminum-rich alloys after prolonged annealing at 560" C., in accord with one of the most recent investigations.3 The ternary alloys examined in the course of the present investigation were all annealed at 550" or 560' C.; in fact, some of the specimens were the identical ones used by nix and Heath, who kindly supplied them for this work. Since the results

Jan 1, 1931

By L. O. Bieber, L. H. Martin

DIFFERENT MELTS OF THE same type of nickel and high-nickel alloys, while having almost identical mechanical properties at room temperature, may have widely varying hot malleability. Either the upper limit or burning temperature may vary or a variation in malleability may occur within the temperature limits normally encountered during hot working. Melts which have reduced hot malleability of the latter type, are said to have a "hot short" range. Examination of melting records and chemical analysis of these heats fails in most cases to show the reasons for these variations. In May, 1930, an investigation was started to determine if a quick and accurate method of hot-malleability testing could be developed which would predict the ability of the metal to withstand hot forging and hot rolling by standard mill practices. The results obtained were so satisfactory that from that time on, all melts of nickel and high-nickel alloys produced in the International Nickel Company's Huntington, W. Va. Works have been tested when hot malleabilty was an important factor. To date, over 63,000 commercial melts of Monelt † nickel, Inconel† and other high-nickel alloys have been tested and the test data compared with processing results. As the result of experience gained in over sixteen years, two standard methods of hot malleability testing have been adopted.

Jan 1, 1948

By Herbert Hoover

THE desire of the engineers over the last few years, growing out of their contact with public affairs, that this Institute should take a wider vision than the narrower field of technology and should apply its skill to the development of civic problems which must lay in their foundation on engineering, has led to this discussion today. Some of us in San Francisco, in discussing this question of the relation of the engineers to civic problems, raised the question as to whether or not in this national emergency it was not the duty of the Mining Engineers to bring, forward their combined skill and knowledge and experience to bear upon the problems of the coal industry. This industry, considered as a whole, is one of the worst functioning industries in the United States. It is equipped with capital, with machinery, plants and labor to a peak load at least 20 per cent. above the average necessity. This peak load, therefore, involves the use of probably 100,000 men diverted from other productive industries; it involves an intermittency of employment through its whole personnel that results not only in a long train of human woe, but results also in a higher cost of coal -to the general public. The problem of whether the industry can, by any device, be cured or even partially cured of its intermittency, is solely an engineering problem. It is therefore an apropos problem for this Institute. Your President and myself and others thought that we could best develop this discussion by calling upon men of large experience in the particular branches of the soft coal industry, to bring the facts in front of this general committee, with a view to an exhaustive discussion and perhaps subsequently the appointment of a committee to formulate those facts and such remedies as may be developed into a report that would be of constructive value.

Jan 3, 1920

By K. H. Coats

In tnany oil and gas fields, significant investments are required in piping networks for collection, injection and disposal of various fluids. This paper treats the problem of optimally locating the trunkline(s) for a given systet to nlinimize both the total length of piping connecting the individual wells or lease batteries to the trunkline and the length of the latter. Single and multiple trunklines, varying line sizes, and grouping of wells are considered. Some attention is paid to the case of a curved trunkline. A field case is treated and conclusions are that the problem of locating a single trunkline is relatively straightforward while the location of multiple trunklines requires further research. INTRODUCTION la many oil and gas fields, significant investments are required in piping networks for collection, injection and disposal of various fluids. A single field may concurrently require piping systems for gathering of oil, gathering of gas, injection of water or gas and disposal of salt water. Two problems arise in the consideration of any one of these networks. The first involves the sizing of the various segments of the network to minimize piping and compression costs. The second problem, treated herein, is that of optimally locating the trunkline(s) for a given piping system to minimize the total length of pipe connecting the individual wells or lease batteries to the trunkline. This minimization problem may arise in field automation if it involves replacement of individual lease batteries by a central field battery which will require trunklines and connecting pipelines to individual wells. The problem also arises in connecting a gas pipeline through a subsidiary trunkline to wells in a gas storage field. The first analysis given below treats the case of a single trunkline and of separate connecting lines for all field units.* The analysis is then extended to consider multiple trunklines and common connecting lines for groups of field units. Varying sizes, and therefore costs, of the connecting lines are taken into account. A simplified development is given to illustrate the manner in which line sizing calculations may be integrated with the line placement problem. This study is primarily directed toward the placement of straight trunklines, although for certain field shapes or well distributions curved trunk-lines might be preferable. Some mathematical consideration is therefore given to the placement of a curved trunk-line in a field. The determination of optimal locations for two or more trunklines involves some difficulties which are discussed below. The need for further research in this area is emphasized. The problem of a single trunkline is solved in relation to an actual oil field. The problem of optimally locating two trunklines in the same field is also treated and the results are compared to the single-trunkline case. All calculations reported were performed on an IBM 7072 digital compker. The importance of right-of-way, roads and terrain in locating trunklines and connecting lines is realized. The present analysis is advanced on the premise that in planning piping networks one should start with the optimal conditions whenever possible and proceed therefrom.

By Leon T. Eleiel

Ten years ago a broad knowledge of aerial mapping, coupled with a smattering of geology, qualified one to speak on the subject of the application of aerial mapping to geology. Today, with aerial maps a common tool in the hands of expert geologists on every continent throughout the world, it would be nothing short of presumptuous for the author of this paper, who is not a geologist, to give any geological statements on his own authority. Relatively, today we are only purveyors of general geological gossip, with a definite case here and there by way of illustration. But we can present a story of the really marvellous strides that have been made in the evolution of aerial mapping, built around a skeleton of geological tidbits, from which some useful conclusions may be drawn. The average geologist goes about reading his aerial maps much as one would approach the problem of deciphering a cryptogram. To begin with, typical key expressions appear in recurring sequences and under certain conditions. If once the meaning of these isolated bits of information can be ascertained, the message begins to take meaning. In a similar fashion, the geologist works out his key from aerial maps of territory with which he has some familiarity. He learns that a certain type of thin, white line may mean a vein of quartz. He sees that a certain change in the photographic tone of vegetation on the ground reflects two kinds of soils on opposite sides of a contact. He sees that a certain type of alignment of topographical features often means a fault. He learns that by the erosion pattern he can frequently distinguish soft formations from harder ones. And so, bit by bit, he ties together the information of the picture with his experience on the ground until he develops a reasonably creditable capacity of interpretation. Through the complete gamut of surface conditions, ranging all the way from flat, arid, exposed desert terrain to dense jungle, or rugged mountains, the evidence from which the geologist must make his interpretation varies with bewildering profusion. The quality of photographs which are obtainable may range from perfect pictures in the desert to almost useless smudges in the steaming jungles. One thing he has learned with certainty—the airplane carrying its mapping camera is a superb reconnaissance tool, only awaiting his ingenuity in correlating the pictures with the ground to simplify most exploratory problems.

Jan 1, 1937

By J. S. Kasper, R. M. Waterstrat, B. F. Decker

THE existence of v phase in the Mn-Mo system was discovered in this laboratory several years ago,' but neither the conditions of its formation nor its composition were known, and preliminary attempts to reproduce the phase were unsuccessful. We wish now to specify the information appropriate to phase formation on the basis of experiments performed since that time. The starting materials were in every case electrolytic manganese and high purity molybdenum. Two methods of preparation were employed: l—arc-melting varying combinations of the elements in an inert atmosphere and subsequent heat treating, and 2—sintering compressed mixtures of finely divided powders of the elements. In the latter method, the powders were first passed through 200 mesh screen and then compressed into cylinders of % in. diameter and % in. length, which were sintered at elevated temperatures in an atmosphere of dry hydrogen. For some samples, the sintering temperature was 1200°C (for 1 hr), and these were then heat- treated at lower temperatures for times up to 24 hr. Eventually it was found, for the proper composition, that essentially pure a phase could be produced by sintering at 1125°C for 3 hr. Quenching to room temperature was effected by means of a stream of cold, dry hydrogen in a water-cooled chamber. The arc-melting procedure was found to be unsatisfactory after an investigation of many samples at different compositions and temperatures. Large quantities of manganese were vaporized during melting and none of the products were homogeneous or contained extended regions of pure phase. Nonetheless, these experiments established that no formation occurs in the Mn-Mo system below 1115oC, and indicated, at least roughly, the composition range of interest for further exploration. The more definite results obtained from samples produced by the second method are given in Table I. A portion of sample 2 heated for 16 hr at 1000°C in a Vycor tube transformed to molybdenum plus unidentified phases of complex X-ray pattern. From these few results it appears that the region of phase is quite narrow in composition. It is of interest that the composition is such as to make for difficulties in correlating this structure on an electron atom basis with other a structures of iron, cobalt, and nickel. In that respect Mn-Mo shows the same anomaly as Mn-Cr and Mn-V systems.' A second feature is that in common with the two other known molybdenum (Fe-Mo and Co-Mo), Mn-Mo v exists only at elevated temperatures. The X-ray powder pattern of the pure a phase of Mn-Mo is given in Table 11. It agrees well with the patterns established for other structures, especially with that for Fe-Mo as given by Goldschmidt.An attempt is being made to establish whether an ordering of the respective atoms occurs and such information will be reported in a future publication. Acknowledgment The authors acknowledge gratefully the assistance of Mrs. J. R. Belanger in some portions of this work. References 'J. S. Kasper, B. F. Decker, and J. R. Belanger: Journal of Applied Physics (1951) 22, p. 361. 2 A. H. Sully: Journal Inst. Metals (1951) 80, p. 173. H. J. Goldschmidt: Research (1949) 2, p. 343.

Jan 1, 1954

By H. R. Hanley

IT is a well-known fact that the solubility of zinc compounds decreases when these compounds are roasted in contact with iron compounds, but descriptions of tests to quantitatively express the fact have not appeared in the literature. Possibly such an expression cannot be uniformly and exactly duplicated by different operators because of the variation in the personal equation. In a general way, however, the reactions between zinc compounds and iron compounds under roasting conditions will show a certain trend with changing conditions and the approximate quantitative expression of this trend appears reasonably well established by experimental work conducted for this purpose. Ferrites and Marmatites The name "ferrite" has been given to the compound of zinc and iron which has the formula Zn0.Fe203. Among the questions pertinent to this subject are those involving inherent or natural ferrite, and also the synthetic or artificial variety. The inherent or natural product is formed when the mineral containing iron and zinc sulfides isomorphously crystallized is subjected to oxidation at roasting temperature. These isomorphously crystallized minerals are known, mineralogically, as marmatites, and contain ZnS and FeS in ratios of 2 to 1 up to 5 to 1 respectively. The zinc and iron sulfides form a definite mineral. They are firmly attached to each other and form common contact planes through which diffusion of the entities occurs during the roasting process. This diffusion of the molecularly intimate entities produces, during roasting, the compound referred to as ferrite, in proportion to the amount of iron originally present in the marmatite. For example, a marmatite from British Columbia containing 9.739 per cent. Fe and 56.87 per cent. Zn corresponds with the mineral having the formula 5ZnS.FeS. The ferrite produced in roasting, which has the formula ZnO.Fe203, contains 27.07 per cent. Zn and 46.40

Jan 1, 1929

By D. C. Hilty, W. Crafts

Determination of the solubility of oxygen in iron containing silicon, or manganese, or both, has confirmed the earlier work on silicon, shown that manganese is more effective than expected, and has demonstrated that the combination of silicon and manganese is a much stronger deoxidizer than might have been inferred from their individual effects. SILICON and manganese are of primary impor-tance in the deoxidation of steel, and a study has been made at the Union Carbide and Carbon Research Laboratories, Inc. of the solubility of oxygen in iron in the presence of silicon and manganese, singly and in combination, as a basis for more effective control of inclusion formation. The investigation was carried out with the same equipment and experimental procedure that were used in the determination of the oxygen solubility of iron containing aluminum'. The heats were melted in a rotating crucible furnace under an argon atmosphere. Bath temperatures were controlled by platinum/platinum +10 pct rhodium thermocouples to attain equilibrium at 1550°, 1600°, and 1650°C, so that oxygen solubility isotherms were determined directly without requiring calculation from a temperature coefficient. A detailed description of the furnace and procedure is given in the paper on aluminum deoxidation1. Oxygen solubility in the presence of more than 0.10 pct silicon was found to approximate earlier determinations closely, but some deviation was observed at lower silicon contents. Manganese appeared to be more effective than had been anticipated. The combination of silicon and manganese lowered the solubility for oxygen markedy as compared with either silicon or manganese alone. Although the solubility for oxygen in the presence of both silicon and manganese represents only a part of the information needed to control inclusion formation, it suggests a partial explanation of the benefits of this combination that have been observed in practice. Manganese and Oxygen in Liquid Iron: The study of oxygen in iron in the presence of manganese was carried out in magnesia crucibles of the type furnished commercially for laboratory induction furnaces. Alumina crucibles were unsatisfactory, because the work on the aluminum-oxygen equilibria in iron' had shown that merely melting iron in an alumina crucible limited the solubility of oxygen to a level considerably below that anticipated for moderate concentrations of manganese. Silica crucibles appeared unsuitable because of the dangers of excessive fluxing by the melt. Moreover, as will be shown later, melting iron in a silica crucible also limits the oxygen content below that in equilibrium with

Jan 1, 1951

By E. E. Donath

THE coal hydrogenation process is well known as a means for the production of liquid fuels -from coal. In this paper the possibilities of the coal hydrogenation process as a source of chemical raw materials will be discussed. The recovery of chemicals from coal hydrogenation products necessitates some modifications and additions to the equipment used for the production of fuels. The conversion of coal into liquid fuels such as gasoline requires two steps: liquid phase and vapor phase hydrogenation. Intermediate oils obtained in the liquid phase contain oxygen and nitrogen compounds, especially aromatic compounds, since the coal itself is composed mainly of cyclic compounds. These oils are the raw material for the separation of high molecular weight aromatics and of tar acids and tar bases. The relative amounts of heavy and middle oil-boiling above and below, e.g., 325°C-can be influenced by temperature, residence time, and catalyst of the liquid phase hydrogenation. In the vapor phase hydrogenation a solid bed catalyst is used to convert the intermediate oil from the liquid phase operation into hydrocarbons of the gasoline boiling range. Essentially pure hydrocarbons with a low content of sulphur, oxygen, nitrogen, and olefines are obtained. Depending mainly on the catalyst, the high ring compound content of the liquid phase oil can be preserved and gasoline rich in aromatics obtained. However, with other catalysts, these ring compounds can be split into gasoline with a high content of isoparaffins.1 Again, depending on the operating conditions, products of varying boiling range can be obtained. Selection of catalyst and operating conditions therefore makes possible the production of different grades of motor fuel and also variations in the relative amounts of benzene, toluene, and xylene when aromatic hydrocarbons are produced. The schematic flowsheet, Fig. 1, shows the main steps of the coal hydrogenation process, and the product streams used for the recovery of chemicals are indicated. In the liquid phase hydrogenation stage, coal is made into a paste with recycle heavy oil. The coal paste is mixed with hydrogen and preheated at a pressure of 300 to 700 atm in heat exchangers and preheaters. The coal paste and hydro¬gen enter high pressure converters where the liquefaction of coal, conversion of the high boiling liquid materials initially obtained, into intermediate oils is performed at a temperature around 470°C. The reaction products enter the hot catchpot in which lower boiling oil vapors are separated from the residue containing unreacted coal, ash, and heavy oil. This residue, usually called H.O.L.D. (heavy oil let down), is processed to separate solid and liquid material. By thermal treatment of the residue, e.g., a coking process, distillate oil is obtained, which can be recycled as part of the pasting oil. This stream is rich in polynuclear aromatics and can be, and has been, used for the recovery of such material. The oil vapors and hydrogen from the hot catch-pot are cooled in heat exchangers and a cooler, and the condensed oil is separated from the recycle hy-

Jan 1, 1952

By George Scott

MANY requests for information as to the possibility of washing coals to some predetermined percentage of ash or sulfur have suggested that the producers aim to satisfy some degree of purity set by the user of the fuel, rather than to attain the greatest economic benefit to all concerned. This paper is written to show that the highest economic purity of washed coal can be determined from washability studies of the raw coal, costs of mining and washing coal, and data on the effect of ash and sulphur on the value of the coal for the particular use for which it is intended. COKE FOR BLAST-FURNACE USE For purposes of illustration, we take the case of coal washed for coke to be used in the iron blast furnace. The method outlined can be made general in its application by substituting for the figures used here the actual operating figures for the particular case under consideration. In general, it costs the blast-furnace operation from 8 to 25 c. per ton of pig iron to slag out each 1 per cent. of ash introduced into the blast furnace by the coke. This figure depends on which one per cent. of ash is removed, and decreases with decrease in ash: When blast furnaces and coal mines are considered as a whole, the figure decreases to zero and then becomes negative, on account of low recovery of washed coal. Various figures1 have been given by different investigators: These figures necessarily differ, not only on account of the differences in operating costs but on account of the difference in the respective fuels as well. For the purpose of this paper, which, as explained, is to point out a method of attacking a certain problem, the figures used in the exposition of the method are of secondary importance. It is apparent that no universally applicable figures can be used, because there are none. Each plant has its own coal,2 its own operating cost, and its own conditions.

Jan 1, 1929

By W. A. Koehler, W. L. Eaton, Reynold Q. Shotts, M. E. Hinkle, M. R. Geer, Ralph M. Hunter, H. F. Yancey, Andrew B. Crichton, E. Zimmerman, S. H. Ash

R. Maize and H. P. Greenwald presiding) E. T. POWELL*-I would like to ask either Mr. Ash or Mr. Eaton if they know of any place where the Mine Inspectors' for¬mula has been used that water has flowed from one colliery to the other. W. L. EATON (authors' reply)-We have made considerable study but we have not gotten around to very many of the barrier pillars. I would not say that any or all of them have been designed to the strict figures of this formula. Most of those ex¬amined will not hold back the water that they are supposed to hold back. E. T. POWELL-If the pillar remains ac¬cording to the Mine Inspectors' formula? W. L. EATON-We have not found very many where the provisions were followed. E. T. POWELL-Where the Mine Inspec¬tors' formula has been fully complied with, have there been failures or not? W. L. EATON-I cannot say. Most of these barrier pillars probably were designed in accordance with this formula, but most of them, if they were so designed, are not in that shape now because a large number of them will not hold back the water; they have been reinforced, and they are punc¬tured in various places. Holes have been driven through them to relieve the hydro¬static pressure to avoid a failure. They do not dare to have a failure. In many instances, the barrier is punc¬tured to avoid a failure. In order to mine their coal safely, many companies must pump water from mines that were aban¬doned many years ago. R. MAIZE-That is true, Mr. Eaton, but do you know of any case where a barrier pillar actually failed and flooded an ad¬joining mine when the pillar had been left in accordance with the Mine Inspectors formula?

Jan 1, 1948