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By David T. Day

In 1897 I published a proposed explanation for the variation in color and specific gravity of Pennsylvania oils. A resume of this subject mas also presented at the First International Petroleum Congress, in Paris, in 1900. Since that time

Jan 1, 1911

The Library of the above-named Societies is open from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. on all week-clays, except holidays, from September 1 to June 30, and from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. during July and August. The Library contains about 55,000 volumes, including sets of technical periodicals and the publications of scientific and technical societies. Members of the Institute, with few exceptions, are forced to spend a portion of their time in localities isolated from sources of information. To these the Library can render valuable service through correspondence; letters requesting information will receive special attention. The Library is prepared to furnish references' and copies of articles on-mining and metallurgical subjects; to determine the existence of mining-maps, and to furnish general information as to the geology and mineral resources of all countries. All communications should be made as definite as possible so that the information received may be what is desired and not include collateral matter which may not be of interest. The time spent in searching for such collateral matter will be saved, and the information will be sent more promptly and in more usable shape. The members of the Institute can be of service to the Library by forwarding copies of mining-reports, maps privately issued, and similar material, which will be classified, indexed, and made available to other members. Suggestions for additions to the Library, either by purchase or personal solicitation as gifts, will be welcomed. It is hoped that members while in the city will use the Library freely, and assurance is given that most careful service will be rendered to them.

Jan 7, 1913

By R. G. Ward

The temperature gradient in the subhearth metal or "salamandern of the iron bhst furnace results in the establishment of gradients in the concentrations of silicon, manganese, carbon, and sulfur. The temperature and compositional variations observed in three blast furnaces are analyzed according to irreversible thermodynamics and the systems appear to be close to the steady state condition. Apparent heats of transport, Q, for silicon, manganese, carbon, and sulfur are found to be respectively -17.5, -5, -2.1, and+22k cal per g mol. In conclusion the significance of thermal diffusion in extraction metallurgy is briefly discussed. INCREASING interest has been shown in recent years in the application of irreversible thermodynamics to metallurgical problems. In particular studies have been made of the transport of matter in thermal gradients1-' and under chemical gradients imposed by a binary solvent However, no detailed example in extraction metallurgy has been reported although gradients are the essence of many extractive processes. The case of the distribution of elements in molten blast furnace iron under a thermal gradient is discussed here. DATA In blast furnace operation the hearth bottom is often extensively destroyed by molten metal, and the metal may penetrate perhaps 10 ft into the furnace foundations forming a "bear" or "salamander". Several hundred tons of molten metal may thus exist beneath the level of the conventional tap hole and remain relatively undisturbed for several years under a thermal gradient. This system is subject to little convective stirring because the temperature decreases from top to bottom, and mechanical stirring due to movements in the stack and to tapping operations is unlikely to penetrate far into the metal. The system may thus be regarded as static

Jan 1, 1963

By Petter Östberg

Having brought with me to this meeting a couple of "Mitis'' wrought-iron castings, I have found that they attracted a great deal of attention from steel manufacturers, and especially from those experienced in making castings, among whom some have said that they felt inclined to "unhesitatingly dcclare their manufacture an impossibility," if they had not seen the samples. The consequent demand for explanation of the method of manufacture has been SO great that I accept with pleasure the request by the President to address the meeting on the subject. My object in this address shall be only to explain the main features of the manufacture, referring those who take more interest in the matter to Mr. Th. Nordenfelt's paper, read before the British Iron and Steel Institute, reprinted in many American papers, and containing both a historical sketch of the inventions and many interesting details. As the manufacture of castings from steel by others is, at least to some extent, a success, I shall, in my explanations hereafter, refer to wronght-iron, although our mode of manufacture is equally applicable, with corresponding advantage, to steel of any temper. The successful manufacture of castings depends upon several very important matters, besides the necessary skill of the workman. You must have a suitable metal as raw material; you must have an eacient and suitable furnace for smelting, so as not to injure the metal; you must be able to handle the metal in a suitable way, from the time it is ready in the furnace until it is poured into the moulds; you must have a suitable moulding material. I claim that in every one of these different branches we have made great

Jan 1, 1886

By John Boardman

THE Anaconda company has never indulged in any employee activities at Butte which might be termed paternalistic, but it has exerted a vast amount of effort in care of its employees during working hours. The reason for this policy is not lack of interest or that the company does not feel the effect of employees' activities while they are "off the job"; it is that the company and the city of Butte have grown up together and, each has been adequate in its own sphere, the company in providing employment at the highest possible wage and the city in providing housing, sanitation, commercial services, medical services, schools, churches, amusements and entertainments. The one exception to this independence between the company and the community is the Butte Water Co., which is a wholly owned sub-sidiary of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. Mention of this relationship is made here because the water supply of such a city as Butte is one of the principal factors in determining the health of the people. Very early in the development of the Anaconda company an adequate and dependable water supply for the operations became necessary, therefore the company took over this important community function. So well has this activity worked out that during the whole period of time covered, in which the company has expanded to become practically the sole mine operator and the community has grown from a small mining camp to the status of a modern city, there has been no shortage of water or any outbreak of water-borne, epidemic disease.

Jan 1, 1938

By Frederick N. Rhines

Because of the nature of the environments in which metals are handled, it is natural that gases should be suspected of intruding into metallurgical operations, there to produce effects both beneficial and detrimental. The problem of tracing and controlling such effects is often made difficult by the complexity of the conditions surrounding their occurrellce, even though the fundamental mechanisms invalved may be simple and of familiar type. Many gas-metal reactions are known to be implemented by Processes of diffusion. These form a homogeneous group of phenomena which become more readily understandable when viewed together, in that the knowledge gained from one serves to interpiet the next. It is the purpose of the present Paper to present, by means of examples drawn from practice, a brief survey of the ways in which gas-metal diffusion serves and obstructs the Purposes of the metal-fabricating industries. The selection of the cases described was made by consulting more than thirty-six practicing experts whose combined experience provided an extensive coverage of the field and who were in a position to supply examples of occurrences of present day interest. The response was generous and it is regrettable that space permits the description of only a limited number of typical examples with ' but brief mention of parallel cases. The Nature of Gas-metal Diffusion The term ugas-metal diffusion," although commonly used, is ambiguous in so far as it implies that a definite group of " substances may be identified as gases and may be expected to behave in a manner distinct from other substances in association with metals. "Gases" such as oxygen and hydrogen when diffusing through a liquid or solid metal are properly components of the liquid or solid solution; they behave as alloying elements and are not to be distinguished in their diffusion characteristics from other elements, except that each has an individual rate of diffusion. On the other hand, a number of metals in certain.temperature ranges are volatile to the extent that they may appear in the form of vapor in metallurgical operations. For the sake of greater definiteness, therefore, it will be convenient to regard as "gas-metal diffusion" any process in which the result depends upon one or more of the diffusing elements appearing, at some stage, in the gaseous state, or as a compound gas. NO element, gaseous or otherwise, can diffuse through a liquid or solid metal unless it is at least slightly soluble in that metal. The elements of low atomic number

Jan 1, 1944

By Frederick N. Rhines

Because of the nature of the environments in which metals are handled, it is natural that gases should be suspected of intruding into metallurgical operations, there to produce effects both beneficial and detrimental. The problem of tracing and controlling such effects is often made difficult by the complexity of the conditions surrounding their occurrellce, even though the fundamental mechanisms invalved may be simple and of familiar type. Many gas-metal reactions are known to be implemented by Processes of diffusion. These form a homogeneous group of phenomena which become more readily understandable when viewed together, in that the knowledge gained from one serves to interpiet the next. It is the purpose of the present Paper to present, by means of examples drawn from practice, a brief survey of the ways in which gas-metal diffusion serves and obstructs the Purposes of the metal-fabricating industries. The selection of the cases described was made by consulting more than thirty-six practicing experts whose combined experience provided an extensive coverage of the field and who were in a position to supply examples of occurrences of present day interest. The response was generous and it is regrettable that space permits the description of only a limited number of typical examples with ' but brief mention of parallel cases. The Nature of Gas-metal Diffusion The term ugas-metal diffusion," although commonly used, is ambiguous in so far as it implies that a definite group of " substances may be identified as gases and may be expected to behave in a manner distinct from other substances in association with metals. "Gases" such as oxygen and hydrogen when diffusing through a liquid or solid metal are properly components of the liquid or solid solution; they behave as alloying elements and are not to be distinguished in their diffusion characteristics from other elements, except that each has an individual rate of diffusion. On the other hand, a number of metals in certain.temperature ranges are volatile to the extent that they may appear in the form of vapor in metallurgical operations. For the sake of greater definiteness, therefore, it will be convenient to regard as "gas-metal diffusion" any process in which the result depends upon one or more of the diffusing elements appearing, at some stage, in the gaseous state, or as a compound gas. NO element, gaseous or otherwise, can diffuse through a liquid or solid metal unless it is at least slightly soluble in that metal. The elements of low atomic number

Jan 1, 1944

By Donald W. Scott, Adam Wesner

This paper describes the study of 23 nonmagnetic iron-formation samples from the Mesabi Range and shows the significance of their chemical, mineral, and physical properties in terms of their concentration. Data presented here resulted from a research project carried out from 1942 to 1952 by 10 major producers of iron ore, working in conjunction with Battelle Memorial Institute. THE inevitable depletion of Mesabi direct-shipping iron ores, hastened by recent wars, has increased the importance of developing methods to concentrate iron-formation materials. Many mining companies, independent research organizations, chemical companies, and equipment manufacturers are devoting attention to this important work. It is only natural that magnetic iron-formation materials have received major emphasis, since magnetic recovery methods apply and reserves of Mesabi magnetic taconites are large. However, the nonmagnetic* iron-formation materials are likewise believed to represent a large reserve and their study has not been neglected. tions over the years have shown that in addition to the unenriched taconite, which is dense and hard, and the direct-shipping ore, there are transition taconites grading into the friable wash, or intermediate ores. The transition taconites are less massive than the unaltered taconites and usually coarser-grained. This variation, coupled with the fact that there were no extensive drillings in the unaltered taconite, posed a most difficult problem of obtaining samples that would be representative of large tonnages of the fresh rock. The problem was increased by the tremendous extension of the nonmagnetic formation materials on the Mesabi and by the question of their accessibility to mining. A drilling program was evolved that would surmount these difficulties. Selection of samples was made by a committee representing producers in the area. The samples were procured from 1—taconite walls near bodies of stripping burden or wash ore and 2—from shafts in the process of being sunk through taconite for drainage or mining operations. Most of the samples were obtained from the cherty horizons because it became obvious early in the program that the slaty horizons represented an exceedingly difficult concentration problem, owing to the character of the gangue minerals and the fine grind required for liberation of the valuable minerals. More samples were procured from the lower cherty horizon than from the upper cherty because it was more accessible to mining. It is not known how well the samples selected represent the nonmagnetic iron-formation material. However, they were chosen by people Well acquainted with the geology of the Mesabi range and the mining problems involved. It is believed that they represent a fair cross-section of the types of materials that will be encountered. Table I gives data on the origin of the 23 samples and the horizon footages from which they were obtained. Samples 1 through 10, and 15 and 16

Jan 1, 1955

By David Browne

THE use of coal-dust fired reverberatory furnaces, or indeed of reverberatory furnaces of any description, was for the Canadian Copper Co. a matter of necessity, and not of choice. For 20 years smelting had been done in blast furnaces alone, and with the Herreshoff furnaces used prior to 1904 there was no trouble in treating fine ores. But little flue dust was produced, and this, following the time-honored custom, was wetted down and put back with the charge. Whether the flue dust really smelted, or whether it was worn out by being chased around in a circle, was a problem that troubled no one. With the installation of modern blast furnaces and high-pressure blowing engines, in 1904, flue dust commenced to assert itself. Evidently more dust was made than could be smelted, but so many vital problems engaged our attention at that time that this minor question was pushed to one side. In 1906, the details of blast-furnace smelting and the conversion of matte had been worked out to a satisfactory conclusion, and the ever-increasing piles of flue dust and fine ore on the stock yard demanded serious consideration. Numerous experiments in sintering, briquetting, mixing with converter slag, forming blocks of flue dust with green-ore fines and cement, and so on, were undertaken. None of these showed much promise. Our problem, was still further complicated by the question of treating converter slag. The ore was basic, the slag was not needed as a furnace flux, and it was felt that under these conditions the old method of pouring slag in molds and resmelting in the blast furnace was an unnecessary expense. If the converter slag could be settled in basic-lined reverberatory furnaces, in which at the same time flue dust and green-ore fines could be smelted, two problems might thus be solved.

Jan 1, 1915

By Caner Zanbak

Deformational behavior of a rock mass can be modeled with a constitutive law based on theories of elasticity, and plastic and viscous deformation. For most rock types, such constitutive models may be used with confidence because there is no geochemical interaction between the rock-forming minerals and water. However, if volume changes in the rock due to geochemical phase transitions are predicted, then these volume changes must be converted into mechanical parameters and must be included into the constitutive laws. In this paper, geochemical phase transitions between anhydrite (CaS04) and gypsum (CaS04-2H20) will be brought to the attention of researchers in rock mechanics. Hydration of anhydrite to gypsum may yield volume increases up to 62.6 percent and dehydration of gypsum to anhydrite may cause volume decreases up to 38.5 percent. If one were to convert the volume increases in hydrating anhydrite into strains and calculates the required stresses to restrict the expansions, the magnitude of stresses will be found at GPa levels. Such stresses on swelling anhydrite layers cannot be provided by geologic media. Therefore, the host rocks will deform under these high stresses. On the other hand, under increasing stresses, geochemical transition of anhydrite to gypsum may stop after some hydration of anhydrite, and anhydrite and gypsum systems may become stable. Changes in temperature and solution compositions in the anhydritel gypsum system also control the stability of the geochemical system, and therefore, the extent of volume changes. A similar conceptual model can be drawn for volume decreases due to dehydration of gypsum to anhydrite. In this case, stress reduction on the gypsum layer may cause extensive fracturing and changes in the state of stress in the host rock mass.

Jan 1, 1984

By R. W. Woodward, G. K. Burgess

minum bronze. Nearly all copper-base alloys are improved by rolling processes, but the copper-aluminum alloys seem to possess equally good properties when cast or rolled; this is a remarkable metallurgical fact. Another important property of these copper-aluminum alloys is their resistance to alternating stress. Many tests indicate that their resistance is greater in this respect than that of some steels, and I have seen instances when cast aluminum-bronze bolts have outlived five steel bolts in foundation work subject to severe shocks. I mention these various instances to indicate that work originally started as research for substitution of one material for another frequently develops 212 article which has properties not possessed by the original metal or alloy. I have dwelt particularly on the aluminum bronzes because recently I have done more special work on them than on other alloys, but I believe that the use of aluminum itself, in many combinations of metals, is a very important subject for investigation. Undoubtedly, after the war, the cost of aluminum will be reduced from its present price, and considering its low specific gravity it offers a very interesting and important field for research in the non-ferrous business. Naturally, if combinations containing aluminum can be developed in view of a probably increasing supply of metal, the cost will be reduced. This will benefit the industry generally and will immediately conserve tin. Bronzes, Bearing Metals, and Solders G. K. Burgess* and R. W. Woodward,† Washington, D. C.— From a metallurgical standpoint, there are several ways in which a reduction of the tin consumed in commercial non-ferrous and white-metal alloys can be effected. First, a reduction of the tin content of the alloy; second, substitution of part or all of the tin content by some other metal; third, a substitution of a different type of alloy, which in some cases also involves a change in mechanical design. The Bureau of Standards has been studying these methods of conservation for tin alloys, particularly in regard to babbitts and bearing metals, bronzes, and solders. Much of the information sewed by the Bureau was obtained from answers to questionnaires sent to manufacturers and users of these materials, so that, in general, any of the following suggestions or recommendations can be considered as being practical and as having already been thoroughly tried. Bearing Metals There is no question that the tin content of nearly all bearing metals can be reduced to some extent, and in some cases actually eliminated

Jan 1, 1919

By Arthur Notman

(San Francisco Meeting, September, 1915) SACRAMENTO HILL is a mass of granite porphyry intruded along a fault between Paleozoic sediments and pre-Cambrian schists in the Bisbee district, Cochise County, Arizona. The intrusion invaded both walls of the fault to a large extent, and the accompanying extensive mineralization of the Paleozoic limestones is the locus of the great high-grade copper orebodies of the Bisbee mines. Prior to 1909, although the presence of ore in the mass of the hill itself had long been suspected, systematic exploration had not been attempted. A few shallow pits on the surface here and there had disclosed some chalcocite with associated carbonates as stringers in a mass of strongly brecciated, silicified, and iron-stained porphyry. The workings in the surrounding limestones had penetrated the porphyry in a dozen or so places for some distance from the contact but had disclosed no ore. However, the rock had been largely altered to quartz and sericite and very thoroughly impregnated with pyrite and traces of the copper sulphides. A close geological study of the conditions, both surface and underground, strengthened these suspicions, and plans for prospecting the hill were made in 1909. Reference to the accompanying illustrations, Figs. 1 and 2, will give an idea of the general appearance of the surface. The mineralization is more intense in two main zones, one at the west end and the other at the east end of the hill. The outcrop of the hill is elliptical and approximately 3,000 ft. long by 1,400 ft. wide. The Sacramento shaft, which is the main hoisting shaft of the mine and situated at the east end of the hill, as shown by the accompanying map (Fig. 3), offered a convenient base for prospecting that end of the hill, while the workings from the Holbrook shaft offered a similar opportunity at the west end. The choice of level for the first work was determined by analogy with the most favorable depth for enrichment below surface observed in the other disseminated deposits of the Southwest.

Jan 8, 1915

By O. W. Bilharz

INTRODUCTION 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 considered 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 Pennsylvanian 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 on 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 openings. These products of oxidation can be seen today in the old mines of the district as crusts of crystalline sulphates

Jan 1, 1947

By F. C. Holman

It is desired in these notes to record a vein-phenomenon certainly unique in the writer's limited experience, and, as it seems to him, sufficiently rare to be worthy of mention. In the little mining camp of Forbestown, situated in the Sierra Nevada of California, it was announced one day, when the miners of the Cold Banks mine came off shift, that "washed gravel" had been struck on the 265-foot level. To those acquainted with that section and the character of the mine (a gold-bearing quartz-vein) this was a somewhat startling announcement; for, prolific as the State is, we are not in the habit of mixing up promiscuously our vein- and placer-deposits. However, the statement proved to have some foundation. The mine is located at an altitude of about 2700 feet, on the brink of one of the great canyons of erosion characteristic of the drainage of this range. A lateral ravine cuts the vein at right angles, thus making its general strike approximately parallel to the canyon at this point, and with a variable dip of from 20 to 40 degrees towards the canyon. The strong, well-defined vein, often 20 feet wide and more, presents nothing to distinguish it particularly from scores of others in the State, unless if be considered peculiar in the highly crystalline character of its quartz and the nature of the enclosing country-rock, which is metamorphic in the extreme, very hard, devoid of lamination, and in bedding so obscure that it might easily pass—at least on superficial examination—for one of the basic eruptives. Near by in the district can be found a series of slates common to the gold-belt of this range, and within the limit of the company's property is an intrusion of an acid eruptive. On an adjoining claim a granite shows itself. The mine is opened through an inclined shaft sunk on the vein. The ore carries both free gold and sulphurets, the greater part of its value

Jan 1, 1896

By B. H. Sage, W. N. Lacey

Variations in the composition of the liquid phase of natural reservoirs which are continuous through significant ranges in elevation have been noted by petroleum technologists. In general, there is a greater gas-oil ratio and the gravity of the oil is higher in production from the upper parts of the formation. In the present paper the possible changes in composition with elevation which would result from the attainment of thermodynamic equilibrium in a uniform gravitational field have been evaluated for a naturally occurring hydrocarbon liquid, a binary hydrocarbon liquid phase and a binary hydrocarbon gas. The results indicate a progressive decrease in the mole fraction of the components from methane through the butanes with increasing depth, accompanied by a corresponding increase in the amount of the heavier components making up the system. The magnitude of these variations is perhaps insufficient to explain completely the variations in the properties of the liquid phase that are encountered at various elevations within a particular producing horizon. However, the changes are significant and the treatment presents an example of the application of thermodynamic data to the evaluation of the properties of hydrocarbon fluids under the conditions approaching those encountered in natural reservoirs. Theoretical Considerations Muskat1 has discussed the work of earlier authors relating to the equilibrium relationships of multicomponent systems in a gravitational field. He also presented explicit solutions for several cases and discussed the physical significance of gravitational concentration gradients. In engineering work it is customary to consider the pressure, the temperature and the composition of a phase to be the independent variables sufficient to establish its state. This procedure neglects the effect of gravitational or other types of fields upon the energy associated with the system and assumes, among other things, that the pressure is uniform in

Jan 1, 1939

By W. N. Lacey, B. H. Sage

Variations in the composition of the liquid phase of natural reservoirs which are continuous through significant ranges in elevation have been noted by petroleum technologists. In general, there is a greater gas-oil ratio and the gravity of the oil is higher in production from the upper parts of the formation. In the present paper the possible changes in composition with elevation which would result from the attainment of thermodynamic equilibrium in a uniform gravitational field have been evaluated for a naturally occurring hydrocarbon liquid, a binary hydrocarbon liquid phase and a binary hydrocarbon gas. The results indicate a progressive decrease in the mole fraction of the components from methane through the butanes with increasing depth, accompanied by a corresponding increase in the amount of the heavier components making up the system. The magnitude of these variations is perhaps insufficient to explain completely the variations in the properties of the liquid phase that are encountered at various elevations within a particular producing horizon. However, the changes are significant and the treatment presents an example of the application of thermodynamic data to the evaluation of the properties of hydrocarbon fluids under the conditions approaching those encountered in natural reservoirs. Theoretical Considerations Muskat1 has discussed the work of earlier authors relating to the equilibrium relationships of multicomponent systems in a gravitational field. He also presented explicit solutions for several cases and discussed the physical significance of gravitational concentration gradients. In engineering work it is customary to consider the pressure, the temperature and the composition of a phase to be the independent variables sufficient to establish its state. This procedure neglects the effect of gravitational or other types of fields upon the energy associated with the system and assumes, among other things, that the pressure is uniform in

Jan 1, 1939

By C. P. Watson

Economics has been defined as the useful application of wealth or material resources. The search of alchemists in the Middle Ages for s formula by which base metals might be transmuted into gold was no more intensive than has been the search by all branches of the oil industry for methods whereby the rnatcrial resources of West Texas in the nature of sulfur-bearing oil might be usefully applied. The purpose of this paper is to present in brief space developments that are conceded to possess economic significance. History The first discovery of oil in commercial quantities in the Permian Basin of West Texas was the Westbrook field in Mitchell County in 1920. Three years later the discovery well in the Big Lake field was cornpleted as a small pumper (70 bbl.) at a depth of 3028 ft. In 1925, discovery of the Powell or World pool in Crockett County stimulated activities in the Permian Basin, further establishing the importance of the Permian limestones as sources of production. The years 1925 and 1926 were marked by a period of extensive leasing and drilling activities. At the close of 1926 more than 7,000,000 acres had been leased and discovery wells completed in the Hurdle, Hendricksand Yates fields, definitely establishing the importance of the Permian Basin as a source of production from free-flowing wells. Review of Fields The producing fields in the Permian Basin are grouped on three distinct lines of folding. These may be separately identified as the Big Lake-Powell fold; the Yates, Hurdle, and Church-McElroy area and the Winkler County development. Production is derived from a porous limestone stratigraphically uniform, encountered at depths varying from 900 to 3100 ft. Lenticular sand bodies above the lime in Howard County have resulted in the

Jan 1, 1928

By M. D. Hassialis, A. F. Taggart

ark' observed some years ago that collector-coating reactions with xanthates and with fatty acids clearly follow paths parallel to those prescribed by the familiar mass-action law for reactions in dilute solutions. He proposed, therefore, the logical hypothesis that they are governed by the solubility-product principle. However, he went astray in the application of his proposal to collector coating by overlooking the fact that coating involves a heterogeneous reaction. A mistaken concept of the meaning of the word adsorption also entered. Wark thought that the concentration of metallic ion that must be used in setting up the solubility-product equation for the coating reaction was that which could be obtained by solution of the mineral. Since this is very low for sulphide ores, and since the amount of the collector ion necessary for coating produces an extremely low concentration, the resulting ion-concentration product, under conditions when coating occurs, is much lower than that which would indicate a saturated solution of the collector-coating compound. Hence he was forced to the position that the solubility product governing the coating is much smaller than the standard solubility product. To justify this position it was necessary to postulate a coating mechanism that did not obey the ordinary laws of chemical reaction. This Wark did by adopting the concept that adsorption is a property of matter, rather than merely a more or less ephemeral local concentration thereof. Thus he says (p. 142 of ref. I): "Adsorption is not a purely physical property of the solid surface, for the specific nature of the adsorbed molecule or ion is important." The result was that he destroyed the great potential utility of his postulate by tying it to this erroneous concept in the words (pp. 142, 143): "It will be obvious that the adsorption solubility product is less than the normal solubility product." The writers have found quantitatively in the case of galena and potassium ethyl xanthate, and semiquantitatively in the case of covellite and the same collector, that the coating reaction does follow the mass-action law to the extent that coating occurs when the ordinary solubility product of the coating compound is exceeded, and that coating does not take place under the reverse conditions. In the course of the investigation leading to the establishment of this fact it was necessary to work with xanthate concentrations so low (down to 0.0004 mg. per liter), that very long conditioning times, and bubble-contact times of as much as 16 hr. were necessary sometimes to follow the reactions. The results have led to some illuminating conclusions as to necessary collector concentrations in normal flotation operations, and the action of the frothing agent in connection therewith' The experimental work comprised accurate determination of the standard solubility product of lead ethyl xanthate, development of a much less laborious

Jan 1, 1947

By M. D. Hassialis, A. F. Taggart

ark' observed some years ago that collector-coating reactions with xanthates and with fatty acids clearly follow paths parallel to those prescribed by the familiar mass-action law for reactions in dilute solutions. He proposed, therefore, the logical hypothesis that they are governed by the solubility-product principle. However, he went astray in the application of his proposal to collector coating by overlooking the fact that coating involves a heterogeneous reaction. A mistaken concept of the meaning of the word adsorption also entered. Wark thought that the concentration of metallic ion that must be used in setting up the solubility-product equation for the coating reaction was that which could be obtained by solution of the mineral. Since this is very low for sulphide ores, and since the amount of the collector ion necessary for coating produces an extremely low concentration, the resulting ion-concentration product, under conditions when coating occurs, is much lower than that which would indicate a saturated solution of the collector-coating compound. Hence he was forced to the position that the solubility product governing the coating is much smaller than the standard solubility product. To justify this position it was necessary to postulate a coating mechanism that did not obey the ordinary laws of chemical reaction. This Wark did by adopting the concept that adsorption is a property of matter, rather than merely a more or less ephemeral local concentration thereof. Thus he says (p. 142 of ref. I): "Adsorption is not a purely physical property of the solid surface, for the specific nature of the adsorbed molecule or ion is important." The result was that he destroyed the great potential utility of his postulate by tying it to this erroneous concept in the words (pp. 142, 143): "It will be obvious that the adsorption solubility product is less than the normal solubility product." The writers have found quantitatively in the case of galena and potassium ethyl xanthate, and semiquantitatively in the case of covellite and the same collector, that the coating reaction does follow the mass-action law to the extent that coating occurs when the ordinary solubility product of the coating compound is exceeded, and that coating does not take place under the reverse conditions. In the course of the investigation leading to the establishment of this fact it was necessary to work with xanthate concentrations so low (down to 0.0004 mg. per liter), that very long conditioning times, and bubble-contact times of as much as 16 hr. were necessary sometimes to follow the reactions. The results have led to some illuminating conclusions as to necessary collector concentrations in normal flotation operations, and the action of the frothing agent in connection therewith' The experimental work comprised accurate determination of the standard solubility product of lead ethyl xanthate, development of a much less laborious

Jan 1, 1947

By O&apos, R. G. Meara, G. D. Coe

PRIor to the World War most of the barite used in the United States for manufacturing lithopone and barium chemicals was imported. Germany, by virtue of an abundance of high-grade ore and low labor costs, was in a position to dominate the world market. With the cessation of imports and with the war demand for barium chemicals, the barium chemical industry and the mining of barite became well established in the United States. This industry has continued to expand because of the increasing use of lithopone. In 1914 the sales of domestic crude barite was 52,919 tons and in 1934 it was 209,850 tons. Barite deposits of economic importance occur in at least 20 states, but the principal producers in 1934 were Missouri, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, California and Arizona. The main mining centers are located near the crude barite markets of the three principal marketing districts—the Pacific Coast, the Midwestern area, and the Eastern area. The Pacific Coast is supplied entirely by California, Nevada, and Arizona. The Midwestern area uses most of the Missouri crude and a small amount from the southern states. The eastern market is the chief competitive area. Practically all of the imported crude is marketed there; also the bulk of the southern crude and ground barite. In addition, this area absorbs a small part of the Missouri crude and 80 per cent of the ground barite. Besides the advantage of low delivered costs and purity of product, the imported barite has commanded a price differential because it is soft rather than hard, like many of the domestic ores. The inherent physical properties of the southern ores remain, but the purity can be controlled to a great extent by beneficiation. Simple washing or gravity concentration has sufficed in the past, but in many cases a more efficient process now becomes imperative to remove impurities not amenable to these methods. Certain deposits now being opened are of lower grade and require more precise milling conditions. In some ores, the kind of impurities has changed as the mining advanced.

Jan 1, 1938