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By A. Kenneth Schellinger

DURING the comminution of a brittle material in the presence of dry air, no known phase change or chemical reaction takes place. The energy changes associated with the comminution are those of the transformation of kinetic energy into heat energy and the energy absorption represented by the actual rupture of molecular and/or ionic bonds. The random nature of the actual grinding process in a tumbling-mill often precludes the effective application of a rupture force on each individual particle of brittle mineral present. The result must be a great deal of useless vibration on an atomic scale in both the brittle mineral and the grinding medium below the elastic limit, which vibration is eventually manifested as heat energy in the mill. The actual rupture of molecular, or ionic, bonds creates new surface on the brittle minerals; each square centimeter of this new surface then must possess a number of potential bonds, each of which could reform theoretically with the release of energy. The sum total of this potential energy of bonding per unit of new surface, minus bond satiation effects of the enclosing gas or liquid, must be the surface energy of the mineral. If the comminution of the brittle mineral were carried out within the chamber of a calorimeter, the energy released as heat could be determined rather accurately. Moreover, the total kinetic energy input to the comminuting mass (mineral and medium) conceivably could be derived by a suitable torquemeter and revolution counter if the whole calorimeter were revolved. The difference between these two energy figures should then represent the net energy (gross energy input—heat enerb output) used in creating new surface, gliding or slip on atomic planes, twinning, and possibly other lattice rearrangements within the mineral. If it be postulated further that with a hard, brittle crystalline material, such as quartz, the energy used to produce gliding, twinning, and other permanent lattice movements is a very small fraction of the total net energy absorbed, then this energy absorption within the grinding calorimeter can be ascribed to the creation of new surface energy alone. Such energy is, from the thermody-namic standpoint, the true effective work of the grinding device, in this case a tumbling-medium mill. The ratio of this effective work (in calories) to the total energy input (in calories) should express the thermodynamic efficiency of the comminution taking place under the conditions used in the grinding calorimeter. This approach to the measurement of the energetics of tumbling-mill grinding was suggested by some previous work by Fahrenwald and coworkers' with a laboratory ball mill and a thermometer. They measured the efficiency of grinding based on the formula: Pct Grinding Efficiency = Energy (calories) — Thermal Energy x 100 1npZ Output (calories) Energy input (calories) Efficiencies thus measured, while grinding quartz sand, ranged from 19.7 pct to 7.4 pct. Cook in 1915,' used this approach to the problem of grinding efficiencies in stamp batteries and obtained the energy input by stamp weights times drop distances and the energy output by means of thermometers and pulp flow rates. He calculated that 80 pct of the input energy to the stamp shoes was wasted as sensible heat in the ore pulp. No other studies of comminution by this method of energy differences came to the author's attention. Reasonable agreement as to the order-of-mag-nitude of comminution efficiencies in tumbling-media mills is lacking in the literature. There is a widespread impression among technical workers that the grinding efficiency of the industrial ball mill may be on the order of 1 pct, or even a fraction

Jan 1, 1952

By L. A. Rapport, J. R. McCord, W. P. Drews, K. H. Coats

Water movement about an oil or gas reservoir can be predicted provided an aquifer influence function is known. This function is generally determined from an electric analyzer study or by fitting an idealized mathematical model to field data. A prohlem arises in determining that influence function which best reproduces field data and satisfies certain smoothness requirements, without making any idealizations concerning aquifer geometry and heterogeneity. This study shows the problem to be solvable through the linear programming technique and presents applications to one oil reservoir and two gas storage reservoirs. In addition, a theorem is stated and proven which confirms influence junction smoothness requirements heretofore accepted on physical intuition and establishes additiotzal smoothness constraints formerly not recognized. INTRODUCTION The pressure decline accompanying production results in water encroachment into oil and gas reservoirs situated adjacent to aquifers. The importance of this water movement derives from the significant dependence of production rate upon reservoir pressure and of pressure, in turn, upon water encroachment. Pressure and rate of water movement are uniquely related through an "influence" function which may be in the form of reservoir pressure response to a unit water encroachment rate or of water movement caused by a unit reservoir pressure drop. This influence function reflects the heterogeneity and geometry of the aquifer and is therefore particular to each reservoir. If the influence function is known, then reservoir pressure may be predicted from a production rate schedule, or vice-versa, with the aid of the material balance equation which relates water influx to reservoir production and pressure. The problem of determining this influence function for a given reservoir has been approached in three different ways. Van Everdingen and Hurst calculated and tabulated certain influence functions pertinent to idealized mathematical models which satisfy simplifying assumptions such as aquifer homogeneity and elementary reservoir-aquifer geometries.' Other studies developed additional tables for a variety of elementary reservoir-aquifer geometrical con- figurations and demonstrated their validity and utility.:' Hicks, et al. described the use of an electrical network to determine an influence function giving "best" match of field history and allowing prediction of future performance.' Finally, Hutchinson and Sikora5 and Katz, Tek and Jones attempted to develop a calculation method for deriving the influence function directly from field data with no idealizing assumptions concerning aquifer geometry and homogeneity. They encountered difficulties with inaccuracies in field data and with satisfaction of well-known smoothness requirements of the influence function. This study is concerned with the determination of influence functions from field data and, more specifically, treats the following problem: given field pressure-production data of arbitrary accuracy, how does one determine the influence function which, subject to satisfaction of known smoothness requirements, gives best agreement with field history? A rigorous solution to this problem is ohtained through linear programming as described below. Example applications to one oil and two gas storage reservoirs are presented. In addition, a theorem is proved which confirms influence function smoothness requirements heretofore accepted on physical intuition and establishes additional smoothness requirements formerly not recognized.

Jan 1, 1965

Adams . Bernard . Student. South Dakota School of Mines .Rapid City . S . D . Ahlskog . Harold A. Student. Washington State College Pullman. Wash . Aldridge. John. Student. New Mexico School of Mines Socorro. N . M . Almstrom . Adne A .. Student. Met . Engrs.. Washington State College ..... .Pullman. Wash . Ancell . Virgil F.. Student. Missouri School of Mines Rolla. Mo . AnkudinoE. N., Mill Draftsman. Arthur G . McKee & Ch., 2422 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. Ohio . Avablaea . Salvador C.. Student. Univ. of California Los Angeles. Cal. Armstrong. Robert E .. Student. Lafayette College .Easton. P a Armstrong . Thomas E.. Student. Univ . of California Los Angela. Cal Aud. Robert A .. Student. Lafayette College Easton. Pa .

Jan 1, 1929

By Paul M. Tyler

Higher freight rates and better methods of beneficiation now may make it more economical to open inferior deposits closer to a glass factory than to work higher-grade deposits farther away. Nature of impurities and special treatments as well as common practice of sulphuric acid leaching are described.

Jan 11, 1950

REPORT OF PRESIDENT C. F. RAND FOR THE YEAR 1917 The noteworthy occurrences during 1917 were the creation of Engineering Council; the completion of the addition to the Engineering Societies Building. and the occupation by the American Society of Civil engineers of the space thus provided for it; the addition of 67,000 vol-

Jan 3, 1918

The problem of applying instrument control of variables associated with lead-zinc ore treatment has been under investigation for several years at The Zinc Corp. facilities in Broken Hill, Australia. In 1959 it was decided that there was sufficient knowledge of the problem to enable specifications to be drawn up for a system to automatically control at set conditions the roll crushing, ball milling, lead flotation and zinc flotation sections. In choosing between electrical and pneumatic control systems the broad principle was adopted that if the sensing system was pneumatic the transmission and control would also be pneumatic, whereas if electrical sensing was employed, electrical transmission and control would apply. In general. pneumatic systems were preferred owing to lack of experience with, and standardization of, the electrical systems offered at the time the specification was prepared.

Jan 12, 1964

By Walter McDermott

This machine is an improvement on the well-known endless travelling belt used for dressing slimes in many mills; the chief point of difference, and constituting the essential advantage of the present over the old form, is the application to the machine of a secondary agitating or shaking motion, in addition to the ordinary progressive motion of- the belt. In the machine as heretofore made, the inclined belt or apron moved slowly up against a thin stream of water and ore, depositing the concentrations carried over in a tank placed below, through which the belt travelled, of course, in a reversed position. By reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that in this main principle the new modification does not differ materially; but the means by which it is carried out are essentially different. The machine consists of a substantial frame of mood, F, Figs. 41, 42, and 43, within which hang the shaking frame and rollers, B B, A, Endless apron ; B, Apron frame and rollers ; C, Driving drum ; D, pulleys; B, Shaft and connecting rods; F, Wooden frame; G, Shaft of regulating Pulley; H, Yokes. supporting the upper half of the travelling apron, A, which passes below around the driving drum, C, in the water-tank, J. On leaving the water-tank, the belt passes over the guiding and tightener pulley, G. The ends of the shaking-frame, B, are provided with iron yokes, H H, bored to admit the shafts of the end rollers, and carrying a lug, by which attachment is made to the connecting rods,

By R. A. Matuszak

Abstract-Throughout the history of power excavating machines, engineers have continuously tried to shape the main drive speed-torque characteristics to provide an optimum performance from each main motion. Selection of prime mover for the various motions has been the subject of many engineering studies and most forms of energy conversion have been tried. A new form of electrical power conversion looms on the horizon as the most optimum yet. Controlled frequency operation of a squirrel cage induction motor increases the reliability of the most reliable form of energy conversion (electrical) found thus far, and improves the performance characteristics.

Jan 2, 1978

Faulty rock dusting of the New Orient Mine at West Frankfort, Ill. was declared to have been the primary cause of the extent of the blast that killed 119 men on December 21. Walter Eadie, state director of mines and minerals, ascribed the explosion to the ignition of methane in a working place about a mile northwest of the shaft of the mine. The initiation of the combustion was either by a spark from electrical machinery or from men smoking in the mine. It was surmised that a train of empty cars stalled in a ventilation door, had caused sufficient disturbance in the ventilation system to permit accumulation of gases. The Federal Bureau of Mines said that the Illinois explosion was caused by an electrical spark that touched off the clouds of gas present because of the faulty ventilation equipment. The bureau report listed three conditions as primarily responsible: An inadequate ventilating system, operation of faulty electrical equipment and the presence of large accumulations of fine coal dust capable of exploding. "This coal dust, principally along roadways, was not removed from the mine or rendered inert by the application of sufficient rock dust," the report stated. Investigations showed that an even more disastrous blast was averted because the explosion eventually reached areas where it could expand into open workings and where enough rock dust had been applied to retard it.

Jan 1, 1952

By Sylvain Pirson

THE number of seismograph field crews employed in the active survey of potential oil territories is still on the increase, owing to the ever pending threat of a shortage in the supply of crude oil. It is to be expected that for years to come the seismograph will be responsible for discovering many new oil fields, both in wildcat territories and in deeper formations, and that the seismographic campaign will go on unabated. Yet improvements in instrumental design, in the field and interpreta-tive techniques, are brought about year after year, and lead to the reshooting of areas many times surveyed previously. Notwithstanding the experience gained by the past eight years of active work in reflection seismographic surveys, the results given by this method of mapping deep formations have in many instances been at variance with the information subsequently obtained by the drill. To overcome this shortcoming, geophysicists have used closer spacing of the shot points and closer control of the depth points. The method dis-cussed here is being used actively in the Mid-Continent region and endeav-ors to reduce the interpretation work to a mere mechanical technique, leaving as little as possible to the opinion of the interpreter.

Jan 1, 1937

By P. A. Boeck

The thermal insulation of high-temperature equipment for industrial purposes is a subject that has not received from engineers and designers the attention its importance deserves. This may be attributed to a number of causes: In the first place, heat flow is a rather difficult factor to measure under the working conditions of an industrial furnace, and until the comparatively recent introduction into certain operations of the heat balance sheet, with a systematic attempt to account for the discrepancies in the totals, the various causes of heat losses and the reasons for their existence were not brought to light. Moreover, such rapid advancement and radical changes in the design of equipment, especially in metallurgical lines, have occurred that practice has apparently outdistanced the theory of design. In the modern tendency toward greatly increased size of units, effort has seemingly been made to utilize the heat of fuel gases without proper attention having been paid to conserving heat energy and confining it strictly to the points of maximum activity. The systematic study of the thermal properties of structural materials, which is being carried out by various government bureaus and also by a number of technical societies, is forming the basis for more intelligent and consistent work in the economically important subject of prevention of fuel waste. Advantages of Insulation It is not necessary in this practical and utilitarian age to enlarge upon the need of prevention of heat losses, but attention may advantageously be called to the other benefits derived simultaneously with the saving in fuel and the increase in thermal capacity of furnaces when properly insulated. In most industrial furnaces—which are here spoken of in the broadest sense, indicating general high-temperature equipment for any purpose and heated in any manner—the operations are generally carried on through a temperature range which has been found by practice to give the most ef-

Jan 1, 1916

By M. Gensamer

IN applied mechanics and in metallurgy the transition from elastic to inelastic action is a matter of considerable interest and importance. Often the first inelastic deformation is apparently quite homogeneous; that is, uniformly distributed throughout the specimen. Sometimes this deformation is heterogeneous; that is, localized; inelastic deformation proceeds to some definite amount in restricted regions before adjacent regions of the specimen are inelastically deformed. In such cases the deformation does not become homogeneous until the whole specimen has been deformed the amount corresponding to that for each localized deformation. If the test is stopped before uniform extension sets in, the heterogeneous character of the deformation is apparent on the surface of the specimen through characteristic markings, which have been called "Lüders"' lines, "Hartmann's" lines, the "Piobert effect," or simply "flow figures." These markings are the source of considerable trouble in fabricating operations, particularly in the deep drawing of steel sheet. In many cases where the transition is of this nature, the stress developed at the upper limit of the elastic range is greater than the stress during the period of heterogeneous deformation, giving rise to the familiar "drop of the beam" effect in testing. The amount of the yield-point elongation, as well as the value of the stress at the lower yield point (the value to which the stress drops when yielding begins), are functions of the temperature and the testing speed. Lower temperatures and faster rates of testing increase both the yield-point elongation and the yield-point stress. These matters have been ably discussed in a recent paper by Winlock and Leiter1 though, as brought out by the discussion of that paper, the phenomena are but little understood. The purpose of the present paper is to clarify the problem through the application of a simple principle, and to show that, through the application of this principle, a number of phenomena in the plastic deformation of metals become more readily understood. The principle is this: During homogeneous flow, the rate of work-hardening is greater than the rate of change of stress resulting from change

Jan 1, 1938

By F. C. von der Weid

The mining district of Sao Fidelis, in the northern part of the State of Rio de Janeiro, is situated on the Paraiba River, where it crosses the Serra do Mar (Mountain of the Sea), in the center of a mountainous country having numerous graphitic outcrops. For a long time, these outcrops were irregularly explored by local people, who had little means and no technical advice. A few years ago, the Cia. Brasileira de Mineracao de Grafite took over the control of some of the more important outcrops and entrusted to me the task of studying the ores and establishing a flowsheet for a pilot plant to be situated in Sao Fidelis—the ore to be concentrated being mostly of a very high grade. Mineralization and Ores The rocks of the district are mostly gneiss and crystalline schists, with occasional interstratification of dolomitic limestone belonging to the Archean Brazilian Fundamental Complex. The general direction of the beds is roughly between 60' and 80°E., with variable dip, generally nearly vertical. Mostly, direction and dip of the graphitic outcrops is concordant with the embanking gneisses or schists. These outcrops seem to be aligned in two or three parallel zones (Padua, Sao Fidelis, Mac- abu), the Sao Fidelis zone being the best known and the most important to date. Two outcrops of the Silo Fidelis zone, Saudade and Sao Benedito, are now being exploited. Mining has beer] carried out, so far, on a small scale. The mineralization consists of a vein of nearly massive graphite in a very compact, partially granitized gneiss, with vertical dip. The vein is most irregular, nith nests and lenses irregularly distributed along the fracture plane. The ore consists chiefly (particularly in Sao Benedito) of massive graphite appearing and disappearing along the main direction of the vein, forming a succession of irregular lenses in a sort of rosary design. The average width is more or less one foot, with variations from zero to 6 feet. The lode minerals are quartz, a little feldspar and garnet (the latter having its origin perhaps in the embedding gneisses), with rare ferruginous clays on the outcrops. In Saudade a little pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite is found occasionally, as well as a carbonaceous mineral, very light, black and shiny, with conchoidal fracture, looking like a sort of jet. The composition of this mineral has not yet been established, but it seems to be very complex. The mineralization seems to be hydro-thermal at a rather low temperature, perhaps mesothermal. The paragenesis, according to samples from Saudade, seems to be as follows, the earlier minerals being listed first: pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, with quartz concomitant to the three and graphite formed later. Age of the mineralization is still uncertain, owing to the very in-

Jan 1, 1947

By F. C. von der Weid

The mining district of Sao Fidelis, in the northern part of the State of Rio de Janeiro, is situated on the Paraiba River, where it crosses the Serra do Mar (Mountain of the Sea), in the center of a mountainous country having numerous graphitic outcrops. For a long time, these outcrops were irregularly explored by local people, who had little means and no technical advice. A few years ago, the Cia. Brasileira de Mineracao de Grafite took over the control of some of the more important outcrops and entrusted to me the task of studying the ores and establishing a flowsheet for a pilot plant to be situated in Sao Fidelis—the ore to be concentrated being mostly of a very high grade. Mineralization and Ores The rocks of the district are mostly gneiss and crystalline schists, with occasional interstratification of dolomitic limestone belonging to the Archean Brazilian Fundamental Complex. The general direction of the beds is roughly between 60' and 80°E., with variable dip, generally nearly vertical. Mostly, direction and dip of the graphitic outcrops is concordant with the embanking gneisses or schists. These outcrops seem to be aligned in two or three parallel zones (Padua, Sao Fidelis, Mac- abu), the Sao Fidelis zone being the best known and the most important to date. Two outcrops of the Silo Fidelis zone, Saudade and Sao Benedito, are now being exploited. Mining has beer] carried out, so far, on a small scale. The mineralization consists of a vein of nearly massive graphite in a very compact, partially granitized gneiss, with vertical dip. The vein is most irregular, nith nests and lenses irregularly distributed along the fracture plane. The ore consists chiefly (particularly in Sao Benedito) of massive graphite appearing and disappearing along the main direction of the vein, forming a succession of irregular lenses in a sort of rosary design. The average width is more or less one foot, with variations from zero to 6 feet. The lode minerals are quartz, a little feldspar and garnet (the latter having its origin perhaps in the embedding gneisses), with rare ferruginous clays on the outcrops. In Saudade a little pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite is found occasionally, as well as a carbonaceous mineral, very light, black and shiny, with conchoidal fracture, looking like a sort of jet. The composition of this mineral has not yet been established, but it seems to be very complex. The mineralization seems to be hydro-thermal at a rather low temperature, perhaps mesothermal. The paragenesis, according to samples from Saudade, seems to be as follows, the earlier minerals being listed first: pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, with quartz concomitant to the three and graphite formed later. Age of the mineralization is still uncertain, owing to the very in-

Jan 1, 1947

By W. H. Patnode

The effect of suspended solids on the resistivity of slurries is discussed and the relationship between drilling mud resistivity and mud filtrate investigated. It is concluded that it is erroneous to substitute mud resistivity for mud filtrate resistivity in electric log calculations. A recommendation is made that both the bud resistivity and the mud filtrate resistivity be determined when electric logs are run. INTRODUCTION The electric log is influenced not only by the resistvity of the drilling mud in the borehole at the time of logging but also by the resistivity of the drilling mud filtrate. Sherborne and Newtoni investigated the relationship of mud resistivity to mud filtrate resistivity and concluded that, "The resistivity of the mud in most cases closely approximates that of its filtrate," and "In fact, with the exception of Aquagel and its filtrate, the figures for any particular mud and filtrate are almost identical." Present practice is to determine only the drilling mud resistivity and apply this same value to calculations involving the mud filtrate. The purpose of this study is to reexamine the factors governing the relationship between mud resistivity and mud filtrate resistivity. EFFECT OF BOREHO1.E FLUID ON THE ELECTRIC LOG Resistivity Log The resistivity log may be modified by the resistivity of the borehole fluid in two different ways: (1) The apparent resistivity of a for-formation may be different from the true resistivity of the formation because of the flow of some current through the drilling mud in the borehole. Therefore the resistivity of the mud is an important factor. (2) The apparent resistivity may differ from the true resistivity, if a formation is invaded by mud filtrate, because of displacement by the mud filtrate of some of the interstitial fluid in the formation. In this case the resistivity of the mud filtrate rather than the resistivity of the mud is the important factor. Self Potential Log The self potential arises, in part, from electrochemical effects resulting from the interaction of connate waters in porous formations and the fluid in the borehole. Expressed in simple form, E = Klog-p where E is the electrochemical self potential, K is a derived constant, pl is the resistivity of the borehole fluid, and p2 the resistivity of the water in the formation. A theory of the electrochemical component of the self potential in boreholes has been recently set forth by Wyllie.3 In the above equation resistivities have been substituted for activities of the ions in the fluids.' It is therefore apparent that the resistivity of the mud filtrate is more nearly representative of the activities of the ions than is the resistivity of the mud. However, it is possible that in some instances the ionic activities of cations from certain clays may contribute to the total cationic activity of the drilling fluid to such an extent that the mud resistivity is more nearly representative of the activities than the filtrate resistivity. This is particularly the case when the resistivity of the mud is less than the resistivity of the mud filtrate. In addition the apparent self potential may be influenced by the resistivity of the drilling mud because of current flow through the borehole. RESISTIVITY OF SLURRIES Aqueous drilling muds are slurries containing fine-grained solid particles. The solid constituents consist mainly of added clays and weighting materials in addition to solids contributed by the drilled formations. The filtrate is primarily water in which quantities of salts or other chemicals are dissolved. The resistivity of the fiiltrate is a function of the type and quantity of dissolved material whereas the resistivity of the mud is a function of the combined resistivities of the filtrate and the resistivities of the suspended solids. Experiments have been carried out to determine the relationship between the resistivity of solutions and the quantity and type of solid matter insus-pension. Solid materials of high resistivity, as well as solid materials of relatively low resistivity, have been used. The data obtained make possible the evaluation of the probable effect of suspended solids on the resistivity of drilling mud. Procedure Resistivities were determined by means of a conventional conductivity cell with platinized-platinum electrodes. Total resistance between the electrodes was measured by Kohlrausch's alternating current bridge method using a General Radio Company Type 650-A impedance bridge with telephone. The cell was standardized with potassium chloride solutions of known normalities in order to calibrate the cell so that measured resistances of slurries could be converted to resistivities. Resistivities were determined for mixtures of potassium chloride solution and solid materials by placing a measured quantity of solution in the cell and adding weighed quantities of solid materials in small increments to the solution. The net change in resistance on addition of solid materials was measured. Even distribution of the solid particles was maintained within the cell by a motor-driven glass propeller before measurements were made. Slurries Containing High-Resistivity Solids Powdered silica sand having a maximum diameter of about 60 microns and precipitated chalk of commercial grade were used to make the slurries whose resistivities were measured. Both of these substances have high resistivities, are virtually insoluble, and effectively do not carry current in a slurry. The resistivities of slurries composed of potassium chloride solution and these two solid materials are given in Table 1. The ratio of the resistivity of the solution to the resistivity of the slurries was computed and was found to follow the relationship established by Archie

Jan 1, 1949

By W. H. Patnode

The effect of suspended solids on the resistivity of slurries is discussed and the relationship between drilling mud resistivity and mud filtrate investigated. It is concluded that it is erroneous to substitute mud resistivity for mud filtrate resistivity in electric log calculations. A recommendation is made that both the bud resistivity and the mud filtrate resistivity be determined when electric logs are run. INTRODUCTION The electric log is influenced not only by the resistvity of the drilling mud in the borehole at the time of logging but also by the resistivity of the drilling mud filtrate. Sherborne and Newtoni investigated the relationship of mud resistivity to mud filtrate resistivity and concluded that, "The resistivity of the mud in most cases closely approximates that of its filtrate," and "In fact, with the exception of Aquagel and its filtrate, the figures for any particular mud and filtrate are almost identical." Present practice is to determine only the drilling mud resistivity and apply this same value to calculations involving the mud filtrate. The purpose of this study is to reexamine the factors governing the relationship between mud resistivity and mud filtrate resistivity. EFFECT OF BOREHO1.E FLUID ON THE ELECTRIC LOG Resistivity Log The resistivity log may be modified by the resistivity of the borehole fluid in two different ways: (1) The apparent resistivity of a for-formation may be different from the true resistivity of the formation because of the flow of some current through the drilling mud in the borehole. Therefore the resistivity of the mud is an important factor. (2) The apparent resistivity may differ from the true resistivity, if a formation is invaded by mud filtrate, because of displacement by the mud filtrate of some of the interstitial fluid in the formation. In this case the resistivity of the mud filtrate rather than the resistivity of the mud is the important factor. Self Potential Log The self potential arises, in part, from electrochemical effects resulting from the interaction of connate waters in porous formations and the fluid in the borehole. Expressed in simple form, E = Klog-p where E is the electrochemical self potential, K is a derived constant, pl is the resistivity of the borehole fluid, and p2 the resistivity of the water in the formation. A theory of the electrochemical component of the self potential in boreholes has been recently set forth by Wyllie.3 In the above equation resistivities have been substituted for activities of the ions in the fluids.' It is therefore apparent that the resistivity of the mud filtrate is more nearly representative of the activities of the ions than is the resistivity of the mud. However, it is possible that in some instances the ionic activities of cations from certain clays may contribute to the total cationic activity of the drilling fluid to such an extent that the mud resistivity is more nearly representative of the activities than the filtrate resistivity. This is particularly the case when the resistivity of the mud is less than the resistivity of the mud filtrate. In addition the apparent self potential may be influenced by the resistivity of the drilling mud because of current flow through the borehole. RESISTIVITY OF SLURRIES Aqueous drilling muds are slurries containing fine-grained solid particles. The solid constituents consist mainly of added clays and weighting materials in addition to solids contributed by the drilled formations. The filtrate is primarily water in which quantities of salts or other chemicals are dissolved. The resistivity of the fiiltrate is a function of the type and quantity of dissolved material whereas the resistivity of the mud is a function of the combined resistivities of the filtrate and the resistivities of the suspended solids. Experiments have been carried out to determine the relationship between the resistivity of solutions and the quantity and type of solid matter insus-pension. Solid materials of high resistivity, as well as solid materials of relatively low resistivity, have been used. The data obtained make possible the evaluation of the probable effect of suspended solids on the resistivity of drilling mud. Procedure Resistivities were determined by means of a conventional conductivity cell with platinized-platinum electrodes. Total resistance between the electrodes was measured by Kohlrausch's alternating current bridge method using a General Radio Company Type 650-A impedance bridge with telephone. The cell was standardized with potassium chloride solutions of known normalities in order to calibrate the cell so that measured resistances of slurries could be converted to resistivities. Resistivities were determined for mixtures of potassium chloride solution and solid materials by placing a measured quantity of solution in the cell and adding weighed quantities of solid materials in small increments to the solution. The net change in resistance on addition of solid materials was measured. Even distribution of the solid particles was maintained within the cell by a motor-driven glass propeller before measurements were made. Slurries Containing High-Resistivity Solids Powdered silica sand having a maximum diameter of about 60 microns and precipitated chalk of commercial grade were used to make the slurries whose resistivities were measured. Both of these substances have high resistivities, are virtually insoluble, and effectively do not carry current in a slurry. The resistivities of slurries composed of potassium chloride solution and these two solid materials are given in Table 1. The ratio of the resistivity of the solution to the resistivity of the slurries was computed and was found to follow the relationship established by Archie

Jan 1, 1949

By Arthur Redfield

THE year 1923 was marked by slight progress in exploring and developing the petroleum resources assumed to exist in Central America. Actual drilling for oil took place only in Costa Rica and Panama. The Sinclair Consolidated Oil Corpn., through its subsidiary the Costa Rica Oil Corpn., drilled in southeastern Costa Rica.. Its, Panaman subsidiary is reported to have abandoned drilling in Bocas del Toro. The Texas Co. drilled in Chiriqui, and the Panama Gulf Co. in Garachiné, Province of Darién. No oil was obtained in any of these wells;' shows of gas were met in Costa Rica. Concession hunting continued during the year. A number of concessions, several of which appear to be purely speculative, were submitted for ratification. Some confusion has been caused by overlapping concessions and claims to oil lands, caused partly by the imperfection of existing maps. A conflict between the Sinclair, and Gulf companies in Panama has been compromised. The Amory concession in central Costa Rica, held by the British Controlled Oilfields, Ltd., was voided by decision of the arbitrator, Chief -Justice Taft. Geologic exploration took-place in Guatemala and in Panama. The chief contribution of the year to Central American geology was a description by Katherine Van Winkle Palmer of Lower Miocene foraminifera and mollusks from southeastern Costa Rica. A new petroleum law was promulgated in Panama.

Jan 3, 1924

By Ashbel Welch

Ashbel Welch, Lambertville, N. J.: Dr. Dudley has given the wear of steel rails under four different conditions. He arrives at the conclusion that the softer rails, or those that from their composition ought to be softer, wear better than the harder. But there is another condition which has an important bearing on the subject, and should not be overlooked,—the weight on a wheel. With the lighter weights of the past, the softer rails may have worn best; with the heavier weights of the future, the harder may wear best. Weights will probably be increased up to the capacity of steel to bear; then doubtless the harder steel will wear best. A leaden rail with ten pounds on a wheel might carry millions of tons, but with one hundred pounds on a wheel, it would be destfoyed by a few thousand tons. So in the days of iron rails, my experience was that the softer rails under light machinery stood better than some of the harder; but under heavy machinery the softer were much the most rapidly destroyed. It is doubtless the same with steel. The pounding motion of the wheels loosens or spreads the particles of a thin film of steel; the pull lengthwise on the rail de-

Jan 1, 1881

By L. G. Laureau

This paper is presented to call the attention of steel-manufacturers to the need of further reform in the manner of casting and handling ingots. The problem of making the work usually performed in and around the casting-pit less dangerous to the men and less costly to the management is one which has occupied the minds

Jan 1, 1885