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By J. L. Wyatt

THE smelting of ilmenite to produce a slag rich in titanium, with pig-iron as a byproduct, introduces new concepts in electric smelting metallurgy. Titanium slags are characterized by low electrical resistance, thereby requiring a different type of electric furnace operation, and power supply sources substantially different from those encountered in normal steel melting and siliceous ore smelting furnaces. This paper describes special apparatus for determining specific electrical resistivity of titanium slags, and reports the values obtained on slags encountered in the process of smelting ilmenite ores. In an induction furnace under conditions approximating normal furnacing operation, 25 general heats and 6 special standardization and comparison heats were run. Results indicate relatively low resistivity. Resistivity depends primarily on slag composition, and, to a lesser degree, on temperature. During the summer of 1947 a cooperative project between the National Lead Co. and the Bureau of Mines was conducted at Boulder City, Nevada, in the Electrometallurgical Laboratories of the Bureau. The project involved smelting of ilmenite ores in electric furnaces, and has been reported in detail.' The author participated as a member of the staff of the National Lead Co. during the entire campaign. One outstanding characteristic of the titaniferous slags, their apparently excellent and variable electrical conductivity, was considered sufficiently important to warrant further study. Although little electric smelting of iron ores has been done in the United States, a certain amount of information is available for comparative purposes. Personal experience in smelting siliceous iron ores in electric furnaces furnished further information for comparison. In general, silicate slags are relatively poor conductors of electricity. Current flow during smelting operations may be maintained through a floating layer of coke on top of the slag bath, or through a bath of molten iron, beneath the slag. Silicate slags are not sufficiently conductive to furnish a path for current passage when normal furnace voltages are used. Experimental smelting of a silicate iron ore was undertaken for comparative purposes. A fluid melt was not obtained until the FeO content was reduced to 15 pct. The resistivity increased as the FeO content decreased, FeO compounds being the most conductive of the various oxides in such a normal slag system. The converse appears to be true in slags containing large percentages of TiO2. It has been found that titanium slags become molten with FeO percentages in excess of 30 pct, and that the conductivity becomes generally better as the FeO con-tent of the slag diminishes. This phenomenon was demonstrated in the furnacing operations at Boulder City. During the initial smelting period furnace electrodes could be held immersed several inches in the slag, with tap selectors set for a no-load voltage of 70 v. As the FeO content decreased, the furnace electrodes would "walk up," until at one point in the process the tips would break the surface and arc on top of the slag. This was undesirable since direct arcing caused losses of important flux additions. The slag compositions under study at that time were such that losses due to surface arcing sometimes caused viscous slags to be formed. Forcing the electrodes into the slag bath by manual control to prevent surface arcing resulted in excessive power input and lack of control. Suitable low voltages were not available. Measurement of the electrical resistivity of titanium slags at various operating temperatures and slag compositions was undertaken. It was believed that this information would be of use in the design of electric furnaces suitable for smelting ilmenite, with voltages, electrode sizes, and electrode spacing adapted specifically to titanium slags.

Jan 1, 1951

By N. V. Hansell

The preparation of low-grade iron-ores by concentration, whether or not followed by an agglomeration of the concentrate, has in the United States only recently been recognized as a metallurgical process of vast economical importance for its iron indust.ry. This importance of the process lies not only in the fact that it makes possible the use of ores heretofore discarded on account of their low iron-content or their too high percentage of elements deleterious in the iron industry, but also in its produetion of a raw material for the blast-furnace that is more uniform in its physical character and chemically purer, with a higher iron-content, than the general run of natural ores. When mixed in the burden of the furnace, it lowers the amount of coke and fluxing-stone required per ton of pig-iron produced. The furnace-operations become more regular and more easily controlled. The pig-iron is of higher quality and more uniform in character. In brief, it is becoming recognized that the beneficiating of the natural iron-ore, even if it makes the furnace-ore higher in cost per unit of iron entering into the burden, may mean a lowering of the production-cost of the pig-iron and an improved product. At the present time, the Lake Superior district furnishes about 80 per cent. of all the iron-ore yearly produced in the United States. If the Southern States arc exempted the percentage runs as high as 93 per cent. These ores are showing a steady decrease in grade from year to year. For the past 10 or 15 years this falling off in the average grade has been about 0.5 per cent. a year. The lowered grade of ore means an in-

Jan 1, 1913

By W. Rostoker, D. W. Levinson, A. Yamamoto

The influence of carbon on tensile strength, tensile ductility, transformation kinetics, and grain growth characteristics of selected Ti-Mo base alloys was studied. No systematic influence of carbon in tensile strength or significant deleterious effect on tensile ductility was observed. There was a marked increase in transformation rate due to carbon. Dispersed carbides exert a marked inhibiting effect on grain boundary migration, and thus effectively prevent grain coarsening during solution treatment in the ß phase field. AS part of a research program directed toward the illumination of factors governing modes of transformation, transformation kinetics, and mechanical properties obtainable through these transformations by heat treatment, Ti-Mo base alloys were selected for study. The binary system is a characteristic phase diagram type which has been studied in some detail', ' in relation to transformation kinetics and mechanical properties. Although carbon bearing alloys have acquired a bad reputation, the possibilities of melting titanium under conditions which occasion some carbon pickup are very attractive. It is therefore of considerable importance to know whether carbon, present as a dispersed carbide phase, is actually deleterious when all other detrimental factors are minimized. Basic alloy compositions containing nominally 3, 5, 7, and 11 pet Mo were prepared with systematic carbon addition up to 1 pet by weight. Various of these alloys were subjected to a series of critical and definitive experiments to delineate the effect of carbon on the transformation behavior and associated mechanical properties. Experimental Procedure Alloys were prepared from 115 Bhn magnesium-reduced sponge titanium. This sponge analyzed ap- proximately 0.05 pet C. Ti-Mo and Ti-C master alloys were made by arc-melting the sponge with high purity (99.9 + pet) molybdenum and spectro-scopic grade graphite, respectively. Alloys were then prepared from the master alloys and sponge by double are-melting. One kg ingots were prepared by melting in a nonconsumable electrode furnace. These ingots were forged at 1000°C to '/z in. rods, and cleaned and processed into electrodes for the second melting operation. The final ingots were ground to remove surface defects, then forged again to 1/2 in. or 3/8 in. diam rods for processing to test samples. It is significant that all of the alloys at all carbon levels forged satisfactorily. For convenience, the alloys will be referred to throughout the text by their nominal analyses. Samples for the study of transformation rates were prepared from 1/2 in. diam round stock. They were then solution treated in a helium filled tube furnace at 1000°C for 30 min prior to the isothermal transformation treatments in lead bath furnaces. Temperature control in both cases was within ±3oC. Following the isothermal transformation treatments the samples were water quenched. These experiments were carried out before the general adoption of the resistometric procedure for kinetic studies. The data were therefore obtained entirely by metal-lographic analysis. M, temperature was also determined by the metallographic method. Shoulder-type tensile test pieces were machined from heat treated, 1/2 in. diam slugs to provide a 0.252 in. test diam and a 1 in. gage length. The isothermal-type heat treatments were chosen from previous data' to provide three levels of strength and ductility.

Jan 1, 1957

By D. B. Rushmore, K. A. Pauly

Of primary importance in mine-installations is the hoist, which has a very direct bearing on the successful operation of a mine. Conditions vary greatly with different mines, and especially in different localities. Such factors as depth, incline, the number of levels, permissible or desirable speeds, conditions of ore, etc., are always more or less special in each case. Veins of ore are never exactly duplicated, and the nature of the ground through which shafts are sunk may considerably modify permissible values. As mining-laws are made by the different States, they necessarily vary somewhat, and, even when not fully observed, they introduce factors which qualify the conditions of hoisting men and ore. The amount of timbering required is often of importance as relating to hoisting-conditions. Methods of loading ore affect the time required, as also does the question of the use of cars or skips. Safety-precautions must be very carefully considered, and the number of men in each mine, the number of compartments, and often the method of removing water from the mine, must have careful consideration. While a general discussion of the subject of hoisting is possible, most cases are entirely special, and can be considered only in connection with the peculiar conditions pertaining to that particular installation. The cost of installation of the hoisting-plant may be an appreciable amount, while the cost of raising the ore may be but a small part of the total operating-charge. In many cases, however, the output of the mine is limited by the capacity or the hoist, and the latter thus becomes of the first importance.

Jan 1, 1911

By Frank J. Markewicz, William Lodding

Greensand, greensand marl, and green earth are names given to sediments rich in the bluish green to greenish black mineral known as glauconite by the mineralogist. The word glauconite is from the Greek word glaukos, meaning bluish green. The term "greensand" as a rock name for a glauconite-bearing sediment is more appropriate than "greensand marl," a term that has been doggedly perpetuated in the literature. Because of its potash and phosphate content, greensand was dug and marketed as a fertilizer and soil conditioner for more than 100 years. The advent of prepared fertilizers with adjustable nutrient ratios led to the decline of green- sand for agricultural application. The material has since been recognized for use in water treatment. Unfortunately, in spite of large reserves and worldwide distribution, the mineral has not been utilized to any significant commercial extent because no major application has been found for a substance with its chemical composition and properties. This lack is probably due to a paucity of research on its potential commercial application. Extraction of potash received considerable attention during and just after World War I. Because of relatively high extraction costs and generally low potash content (up to 8%), glauconite lost its appeal as a source of this commodity. Historical Background Greensand was used as a fertilizer in New Jersey in the latter part of the 1700s. During the early 1800s its use became more common; applications of up to 100 tons per acre were sometimes made, although recommendations for agricultural use suggested 20 to 50 tons per acre (Tedrow, 1957). Many crops, especially the forage type, were said to improve with greensand application; however, because of slow release of potash, large quantities were required. Certain greensands that contain sulfur and sulfide minerals are harmful to plant growth, and these were classified as "poison," "burning," or "black marls." The availability of higher-grade potash salts from other mineral sources, and the manufacture of prepared fertilizers, displaced the agricultural use of green- sand during the later 1800s. During the mid-1800s the domestic greensand industry, centered in a small section of the eastern United States, grossed more than $500,000 per year. Toward the end of the century, annual production had dwindled to less than $100,000. By 1910 there were only six or eight greensand producers, grossing less than $5000 (Tyler, 1934). There was a small revival in the industry during World War I because of the curtailment of foreign potash, especially from Germany. During the later 1940s and early 1950s greensand was again recommended as a food nutrient for plants and farm crops. Agronomic studies discussed its potential as a soil additive that gradually releases potash and many trace- element nutrients essential for plant growth (Tedrow, 1957). Greensand was sold with the idea that it would condition soil and absorb and hold water while its base-exchange properties would release trace elements. For a short time glauconite was utilized in certain parts of New Jersey as a binding additive in the brick industry, and in the 1800s for making green glass (Cook, 1868). In the early 1900s the base-exchange property of glauconite was recognized for water treatment, and the mineral gained acceptance as a water softener. Mansfield ( 1922) does not mention base-exchange; however, the base ex-

Jan 1, 1975

By J. L. Tokich, A. R. Troiano

Since 1921, when Hull1 discovered that cobalt can exist in the face-centered cubic and hexagonal close-packed modifications, the transitions that occur in cobalt have been extensively studied. It is generally agreed that on heating the hexagonal lattice changes to the cubic structure at ternperatures ranging from 400° to 500°C although considerable doubt exists as to the exact temperature. Data concerning the temperature of the transformation on cooling are much less concordant and their interpretation has not been satisfactory. The study is further complicated by the fact that many investigators have reported the existence of a high temperature allo-tropic change in the range 850 to 1020°C, at which the cubic lattice reverts to the hexagonal modification. The transition on cooling, which has been reported as Occurring at various temperatures from approximately 400 to 100°C, is of particular interest. Troiano and Greninger2 have recently suggested and considered the possibility Of allotropic transformations occurring in pure metals by a shear-type, diffusionless (martensite) transformation. The case of cobalt was specifically discussed and certain observations of previous investigators evaluated in terms Of this type of Of Table 1 briefly outlines the methods and results Of previous investigators Of the transformation temperatures of cobalt. Materials and Methods The major portion of this investigatioll was performed with cobalt sheet containing a total of 0.2 pet impurities with carbon present to the extent of o,I pct. After melting in an induction furnace under an atmosphere of hydrogen, the carbon con. tent analyzed 0.03 pct. Some observations were repeated with hydrogen reduced cobalt compresses analyzing 99.9 pet pure. No significant variations in results were observed employing the as-received sheet, the remelted stock, or the cobalt compresses. Filings for X ray diffraction analysis were sealed in evacuated glass ampoules. Pyrex glass tubing was used for temperatures below (600°C and for higher temperatures clear fused quartz was satisfactory. After appropriate heat treatment at various ternperatures, the specimen ampoules were furnace cooled, air cooled or quenched by crushing under distilled water. This allowed a range of cooling velocities from less than one degree C per set to greater than 1,0oo°C per sec. X ray diffraction patterns were taken with a Debye camera and filtered characteristic cobalt K-alpha radiation. The of of the existing phases was roughly approximated by visual examina-

Jan 1, 1949

By Robert B. Kistler, Ward C. Smith

The borate industry is one of the few sectors of the mining and mineral-processing industry which the United States still dominates. Since about 1927, the United States has supplied over half of the world's total boron and borate raw materials, and many of the chemical derivatives as well. Chiefly responsible for this record are companies producing sodium borates from two large deposits in southern California, at Boron (Kramer) and Searles Lake. The sodium borates, or products derived from borax and borax-containing brines, are the preferred borates for industry because they are soluble in water and combine readily with most other chemicals. Calcium borates are required for certain end uses, and these are produced from smaller colemanite-ulexite-probertite bodies. Sodium-free borate compounds also are produced from boric acid, which can be manufactured from either sodium or nonsodium borate minerals. During the past hundred years, the use of boron compounds throughout the world has risen from a few tons per year to the equivalent of over a million tons of B2O3. Leadership in supplying borates shifted from country to country and from region to region during this period, generally as the result of the development of newly discovered deposits that were better in quality, more accessible, or more economically exploitable than previous sources (Table 1). Primary Products and End Uses The principal borate products offered by primary producers in the United States are listed in Table 2. In general, these products are utilized worldwide by almost all consumers, regardless of the original source of the primary borates, In the United States, the primary borates all originate in southern California. Colemanite is produced as crude or processed crude ore from the Death Valley area and is utilized by the fiber glass and ceramic industries without further treatment. Production from Searles Lake, CA is from brines that are processed in chemical plants where borax and other compounds are recovered and the principal borate products are produced. At Boron, CA, the world's leading producer is mining a deposit of mineral borax and operating a chemical refinery. The mineral borax is mined together with included clay, and refined borax or "10-mol" is one of the refinery products. The mineral and the chemical compound are identical, Na2B4O7 • 10H2O. In addition to ship¬ping all major refined borate products from [ ]

Jan 1, 1983

By Gregoire Gutzeit

THE development reported in this paper was begun by the author a number of years ago, while he was a lecturer on complex chemistry and metallurgy at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and in charge of that institution's research laboratory. Completion of the development and reduction to practice did not occur until last year at the Westport mill, laboratories and testing plant of the Dorr Company, where this method is now in general use for identifying and localizing the mineral constituents of both metallic and nonmetallic ores. It has proved to be a practical tool of the metallurgical staff at the Westport mill, devising unusual milling flowsheets for complex and refractory ore bodies. In a number of instances the findings have been successfully used as fundamental factors in the design and specification of complete metallurgical plants. Seven examples of the use of this method in solving practical milling problems are included in this paper. GENERAL OUTLINE The microscopic study of an ore, at first only of scientific interest, has proved extremely useful both in practical geology and in ore dressing. The binocular magnifying lenses for rough observation of the products of an ore-dressing plant have been in use for a long time; but only within the last few years has a systematic microscopical examination of ore samples become a normal tool of any research laboratory dealing with ore-dressing problems. Such an investigation avoids considerable loss of time as well as empirical trials and useless experimentation. It will generally indicate the correct grinding and often will suggest the proper method of treatment. The petrographic determination of transparent minerals in thin sections, or even in grains, has been perfected, and very accurate methods have been devised to meet any requirement, such as Feodorof's rotating stage on the petrographic microscope. Almost all transparent minerals can be positively identified by their optical properties; i.e., isotropism, anisotropism, color, pleochroism, refractory index, cleavage, crystal form, birefringence, and others. The identification of opaque minerals is a much more difficult problem and can be done only by using polished specimens. Unfortunately, most of the valuable metallic ores, and even some of the nonmetallic ones, are not transparent; therefore it has been necessary to develop a special technique for the determination of these minerals. Some optical properties-for instance, isotropism, anisotropism, color, cleavage, reflecting power-are often adequate in roughly classifying the mineral. Only "reflecting power" is a measurable value, provided special photometric equipment (ocular photometer or Orcel's photoelectric cell) is available. The other optical properties mentioned are more or less relative,

Jan 1, 1942

By John Fritz

THE John Fritz Medal was presented to Ambrose Swasey of Cleveland, Ohio, in the Auditorium of the Engineering Societies Building, in New York, on April 23. Charles F. Rand, Chairman of the Board of Award, presided and, after speaking very briefly of Mr. Swasey, whose friend he has been for a great many years, ,introduced Gen. William Crozier, formerly Chief of Ordnance, U. S. Army, who spoke most entertainingly of, Mr. Swasey's accomplishments in designing and manufacturing instruments of precision, particularly for the use of artillery in range finding: Dr. William Wallace Campbell, Director of the Lick Observatory, and President of the University of California, described Mr. Swasey's, contribution to astronomical advancement by his notable development of the largest telescopes in this country.

Jan 1, 1924

By P. Barnes

(Read at the Wilkes-Barre Meeting, May, 1877.) THE tabular statement accompanying this note shows the money cost in each of the three departments of manufacture, of 17 leading items, and also the proportion (expressed in a decimal fraction) which each of these items bears to the total cost. The statement can hardly be taken for more than an average illustration of the clear showing of ratios and of results which may be made by such an arrangement, for not only will these items vary from month to month in any given works, but the methods themselves of manufacture differ widely in different works. It is obvious that such a statement, however useful it may be, must be submitted with but exceedingly little explanation or discussion, or with none at all, for the reason that to enter at any satisfac-

Jan 1, 1878

By HARRISON W. CRAVER

THE principal purposes of library-catalogs are to enable a reader to find a book of which the author, the title, or the subject is known; to show what the library has. by a given author, or on a given subject; and to assist in the choice of a book, as to its edition, or as to its character. The author, in a narrow sense, is the person who writes a book; in a wider sense it is applied to him who is the cause of the book's existence, e.g., editor, translator, compiler, etc. Bodies of men, societies, and countries are, from a cataloging point of view, con¬sidered the authors of their official publications, memoirs, transactions, etc. All names selected as author names are arranged in strict alphabetical order. A subject catalog fulfills its purpose by entering or registering each book under the name of that subject or topic of which the book chiefly treats. It may or may not be alphabetical in arrangement. If the arrangement is not alphabetical, the catalog is commonly called a classed subject catalog, although this name might with equal propriety be applied to some alphabetical arrangements.

Jan 1, 1920

By James M. Stapleton

It has long been recognized by blastfurnace men that correct top distribution of materials is very important in efficient and economical furnace operation. Thousands of experiments on top design, filling, sizing, and other operations have been carried out to improving furnace performance by securing uniform distribution. Many of these experiments have worked out satisfactorily and have been passed along to the industry. Many of them have been discarded and forgotten. It has been the custom to judge the results of such experimentation by the results shown in improved or lowered furnace efficiency. While the effect on furnace practice will have to continue to be the final criterion of experimental changes, it has always been a desire of blast-furnace men to ascertain the reason for failure or success. Efficiency in the blast furnace approaching the maximum can be measured in several ways: (1) by actual operating results as revealed in the coke rate and tonnage figures, and (2), in the degree to which the top gas approaches the limiting ratio of CO/CO2 for the reduction of iron oxide by CO gas. This ratio is shown in the equilibrium curve in Fig. I for the system Fe-O-C and CO2-CO-C. The closer the top gases approach this limiting ratio (set at 1.08 by Martin1 because of the effect of limestone calcination) the more efficiently we may expect a furnace to operate. The fact that low CO/CO2 ratios parallel eficient operating performance caused us to investigate the cause of good or poor distribution and the effect of filling and other changes on furnace operation. Heretofore it has been possible to take a sample of furnace gas (usually from the dust catcher) and from it determine how closely the reducing gases were to the ideal or limiting value as set by the equilibrium diagram. However, to find just where in the top area the distribution was distorted and the top-gas CO/CO2 ratios were distant from equilibrium values has been a difficult and expensive investigational procedure. In an effort to overcome this difficulty, apparatus was designed to take gas samples and temperatures across the top radius of the furnace. It was hoped that with the aid of this apparatus traverse sampling of the ascending gases could be simplified, and the cost of sampling substantially lowered. Routine experimenting could then be maintained and results checked with furnace operation. It must be emphasized that a traverse sampling is necessary for a true picture, as single samples at any one point are unreliable. This statement can be verified by an examination of Tables 3 to 6, showing results obtained at our furnaces in a large number of tests. Apparatus The design of the equipment for taking the samples was governed by the need for providing a simple, routine test that could be performed fairly quickly without adversely affecting normal furnace operation.

Jan 1, 1943

By W. L. Prehn, Adele Chambers, R. L. Slobod

The centrifuge has been found to be an extremely useful tool for determining capillary pressure curves and for establishing connate water and residual oil in small core plugs. The use of the centrifuge for determining the properties of small core plugs has been discussed in the literature,',' but practically no experimental evidence has been presented justifying the use of this method in preference to other methods (mainly disc method) now in use. Data have been accumulated and are now presented demonstrating the advantages of the centrifugal method, some of which are: (1) rapid establishment of equilibrium, (2) excellent precision yielding very reproducible results, (3) availability of high pressure differences between phases, (4) simple operational procedure, and (5) ability to establish connate water, residual oil, or to obtain complete capillary pressure curve in one day or less. A commercially available centrifuge capable of speeds up to 3,800 rpm, and a high speed attachment providing a maximum rate of rotation of 18,000 rpm were used in this work in conjunction with core holding tubes designed specifically for this application. In view of the outstanding advantages associated with the use of the centrifuge the conclusion has been drawn that this method should be used in place of the more tedious, slower, and less reliable disc method for determining capillary pressure curves and for establishing connate water and residual oil in small core plugs. INTRODUCTION The need for accurate values of connate water, residual oil, and capillary pressure curves in reservoir engineering has been recognized for many years, and the extent of the effort devoted toward solving these problems is reflected in the large number of papers3-" which have appeared in the literature during the past decade. Most of the methods discussed in the recent literature employ a porous disc as a semi-permeable membrane to separate two immiscible phases and make pos-ible the application of an explicit difference in pressure between two phases in the core. Thus, in the determination of the capillary pressure curve the wetting phase (water) is displaced by the non-wetting phase (air or oil). Several investigators1,2 have used centrifugal forces to develop pressure differences between phases. As a result of the first work' in this field the conclusion was reached that "the more rapid centrifugal method for measuring irreducible saturation may have equal value, (compared to use of discs) but more work is required to establish this point." This work was followed in 1945 by a more detailed study2 in which the concepts of this experimental work were more clearly enunciated. A method for calculating saturation for any given speed of rotation based on the observed volume of water displaced was developed and a wider application of the method was suggested. The absence of any subsequent pertinent literature on this subject is interpreted as indicating that no additional work has been completed to substantiate or deny the earlier claims and suggestions of promise contained in the original papers on this subject. One purpose of this report is to provide evidence designed to establish the practical value of centrifugal methods in determining core properties such as connate water and capillary pressure curves. It is also our purpose to suggest a broadening of the scope of this tool to include determinations of residual oil by gas or water drives. THEORY AND PRACTICE IN USE OF CENTRIFUGE Hassler and Brunner2 have clearly presented the basic concepts involved in the use of the centrifuge by relating the performance of a small core in a field of high acceleration to the

Jan 1, 1951

By R. A. Morse, P. M. Bridges, L. E. Wilsey, Howard N. Hall, P. L. Terwilliger

Theoretical and experimental investigations of a constant pressure gravity drainage system are reported. Experimental data are presented to show that recovery to gas breakthrough by gravity drainage is inversely proportional to rate. The gravity drainage reference rate, which is numerically equal to the so-called "maximum theoretical rate of gravity drainage" is shown to have no particular significance from a recovery standpoint. Before this rate can be used as a basis of comparison for recoveries, it is necessary that the relative permeability and capillary pressure characteristics and displacing fluid viscosities be identical for the systems compared. A method is presented by which accurate prediction of the performance of a gravity drainage system can be made. Close agreement between experimental and calculated drainage performance shows that steady state relative permeability and static capillary pressure data can be used to describe fluid displacement behavior. The very wide range of liquid recoveries before gas breakthrough which result from production rate variation alone demonstrates the importance of this factor in planning depletion of a gravity drainage reservoir. Calculated results are presented which show that little additional recovery can be expected from a high pressure gravity drainage system between the times of gas breakthrough and attainment of such high gas/liquid ratios as to make further pressure maintenance impractical. INTRODUCTION It bas been recognized for some time that gravity forces play an important part in the recovery of oil from some types of reservoirs. Field experience has shown that under certain conditions, gravity drainage can result in very high oil recov- eries. Qualitative reasoning has led most engineers to the general conclusions that: (1) Where gravity drainage is important, the reservoir pressure should be maintained by gas injection at the crest of the structure to prevent shrinkage of the oil in place and to keep a low viscosity so the oil can drain at the fastest possible rate. (2) Recovery by gravity drainage is rate sensitive. A survey of the literature indicates that while considerable work has been done on the effects of gravity in oil production problems, no satisfactory method of calculating the performance of gravity drainage reservoirs has been reported.1,2,3,4,5 In the absence of any proven method of calculating reservoir performance, the level at which pressure should be maintained and the rate of production for most efficient operation has been open to debate. The limits and general character of the recovery us rate relationships are apparent from the following: As rates of production approach zero, oil will drain by virtue of its own weight fast enough that the saturation distribution is always approximately the same as the original static capillary distribution. That is, at the gas-oil contact the liquid saturation goes from 100 per cent to a value of perhaps 10 to 30 per cent in a very short distance, so that as production continues. a relatively sharp gas-oil contact moves down-structure, leaving a very low residual oil saturation in the originally oil saturated zone. At very high rates of production, the oil that drains by virtue of its own weight is negligible and recovery will approach that of a horizontal gas drive, leaving a much higher residual oil saturation. At intermediate rates of production. recovery should be between these extreme*. Despite the lack of quantitative methods, tentative agreement had been reached on the question of optimum producing rate. It has been generally concluded that rather sharp decrease in recovery would occur at rates of production above the "maximum rate of gravity drainage" and hence this rate should not be exceeded. The "maximum rate of gravity drainage" is defined as the rate of production from a 100 per cent

Jan 1, 1951

By W. A. Bruce

Studies of reservoir behavior of 12 Smackover limestone oil and condensate pools are presented. Buckner, Midway, McKamie, Magnolia, Mt. Holly, Schuler (Reynolds) and Village are treated in considerable detail and subjected to analysis with an electrical device for analyzing reservoir behavior. Results and comparisons of these analyses are presented. In addition to these reservoir-behavior studies, an attempt is made to assemble trans-missibility and storage data on the Smackover limestone formation from cores and logs taken in dry holes and producers. This together with the behavior of individual reservoirs leads to a better understanding of the formation as a porous aquifer. The ultimate purpose of this type of study is to improve predictions concerning the future behavior of these pools in such a system. Predictions are presented for several pools. Introduction In 1937 the Phillips Petroleum Co. drilled its J. D. Reynolds No. I to the Smackover limestone formation at Snow Hill, Arkansas. This well found oil in the porous, permeable, upper part of the Smackover, thereafter referred to as the Reynolds lime. Since then, six oil pools and six condensate pools have been discovered in the Reynolds lime, and more than 75 dry holes have explored parts of this formation. By the first of 1943, 44 million barrels of oil and 83 billion cubic feet of gas had been withdrawn from the various reservoirs. The original reserves estimated by the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission were 342 million barrels of oil and rzoo billion cubic feet of gas. So far all of the production has been from anticlinal structures, most of which are asymmetric and have their axes roughly perpendicular to the dip of the formation top. This is indicated in Fig. I, which shows the pools, dry holes drilled, and contours on top of the Smackover.' These pools are of particular interest for reservoir-behavior studies because the production and drilling has been controlled, and in most cases the records of reservoir data are complete. In addition to the excellent production and pressure information available, more than one half of the wells drilled were cored and all of them were electrically logged. All of the pools show evidence of water drive. While this paper is in a sense a collection of reservoir-behavior studies for several different pools, there has been an attempt to go one step further and to show the importance of the iormation as a porous continuum or a single aquifer in which the withdrawals of fluids from any pool has an important effect on the behavior of all of the pools. An effort will be made to show that the water drives of these pools are dependent upon a much larger area of the Smackover limestone than that occupied by the petroleum accumulations.

Jan 1, 1944

By R. Woodward Moore

A graphical method of analyzing the data obtained from shallow earth-resistivity depth tests is presented. The method is based upon empirical results and has no theoretical basis. The usual apparent resistivity-electrode spacing curve is used together with a cumulative resistivity-electrode spacing curve plotted on the same sheet. The greatly reduced scale required for plotting the cumulative values of resistivity together with the effect of the summation of the individual resistivity values serves to minimize the effect of purely local surface anomalies and inadvertent errors of measurement. The point of intersection of tangents or straight lines drawn to intersect at zones of maximum curvature in the cumulative curve indicates the depth to the underlying material. Numerous figures are presented in which data from published reports and from recent field studies are analyzed and the results compared with actual depths established by borings or with depth values obtained by the use of theoretical methods of analysis. Smoothly rounded curves of apparent resistivity such as are often obtained in the field, and which have been a serious drawback to attempts to analyze the data empirically heretofore, appear to be susceptible to rather accurate analysis by the method described. The method is best suited to analyses involving shallow two-layer formations. It has been applied successfully, however, in analyzing the data obtained from tests made over shallow three-layer formations. As with most empirical methods, its chief advantage is its simplicity and ease of application. There have been published many papers that discuss the interpretation of data obtained from earth-resistivity tests when using the four-terminal method of electrode spacing developed by Wenner.' The majority of these have dealt with theoretical analyses for two-layer and three-layer formations. Some sets of "master curves" have been presented for use in analyzing field data to determine the depth to the first and possibly the second horizon below the earth's surface. Although practically all of these theoretical methods of analysis have appeared to have particular merit and some have been used successfully in practice, they have been found to be of little value where the local conditions surrounding the test failed to conform to those assumed in the theory. In certain fields, particularly in civil engineering, relatively shallow explorations are often involved and geophysical methods of test must compete with the direct methods of exploration ordinarily used. Only when it can be demonstrated that geophysical methods of test can materially reduce the time and cost of a given exploration project will the civil engineer abandon direct methods in favor of the interpretations of geophysical exploration data. Empirical methods of analyzing earth-resistivity data have been used in many instances in the past. Such methods have been employed for a number of years by the Public Roads Administration in research work relative to the application of

Jan 1, 1946

By L. L. Melton, W. T. Malone

Fluid mechanics research conducted with non-Newtonian fluid systems now permits prediction of the behavior of these fluid systems in both laminar and turbulent modes of flow through circular pipes. Present work concerns non-Newtonian fluid systems currently used in the hydraulic fracturing process. During fracturing treatments, an unsteady-state condition may frequently be encountered arising from. the reaction rate of a chemical additive. This condition must be evaluated in order to predict the actual behavior of a particular fluid during field application. Design and operation of the apparatus used to determine fluid-flow behavior permit obtaining data under such non-equilibrium conditions. This paper shows methods used to obtain rheology measurements, develop hydraulic relationships and evaluate chemical reactions producing unsteady-state conditions. Engineering application of this research is illustrated by employing measured rheological values and developed hydraulic retationships to produce frictional pressure loss (psi/100 ft) us flow rate (bbl/min) charts of common tubing and casing sizes for an example fracturing fluid. How these charts and chemical reaction rate information are then combined to predict actual turbulent hydraulic behavior during unsteady-state field conditions is also discussed INTRODUCTION Many fluids used in hydraulic fracturing contain chemical additives which impart non-Newtonian fluid properties that may drastically alter their hydraulic behavior. Equally drastic alteration in wellhead pressure, injection rate and hydraulic horsepower requirement may result from these fluid properties. Prior research conducted to relate non-Newtonian fluid properties with hydraulic behavior has not as yet produced a universal relationship, particularly for the turbulent flow region. which of the many Possible non-Newtonian fluid properties is responsible has not been conclusively established. A systematic description, suggested by Metzner, of the many possible non-Newtonian fluid properties exhibited by real-fluid behavior, and a current discussion of theoretical and applied aspects of non-Newtonian fluid technoloy can be found in Handbook of Fluid Dynamics. f Little or no research has previously been attempted with fluids exhibiting time - dependent properties. Addition of chemicals during a fracturing treatment is often accomplished by continuously mixing and displacing the fluid. This produces a time-dependent effect or unsteady-state condition while the fluid is progressing through surface and wellbore conductors. This condition is due to solution or chemical reaction of the additive. Considerable departure from conventional methods of obtaining and interpreting data was found necessary to consider these conditions. Therefore methods were developed to obtain hydraulic behavior information under these complex, unsteady-state conditions. Relationships presented in this paper to predict hydraulic behavior of non-Newtonian fluids in circular pipes were obtained by constructing and operating a small pipeline apparatus in the manner of a pilot-plant study. These relationships are suggested as scaleup equations and are not proposed as fundamental rheological parameters. While perhaps deficient from a fundamental research viewpoint, a pilot-plant study does permit the determination and convenient evaluation of variables pertinent to a process. A pilot-plant study can result in a valid engineering application procedure even when fundamental relationships are still undefined. An excellent series of articles by Bowen has appeared in the chemical engineering literature.2-8 These give a thorough review of proposed hydraulic relationships and their limitations for non-Newtonian fluid behavior in circular pipes. A graphical method is presented to scale up data for a fluid exhibiting an anomalous hydrau1ic behavior in the turbulent flow region. Considerable assistance has been obtained from these articles to interpret the anomalous behavior noted during this investigation. These articles also provided assurance that a pilot plant is a practical approach to evaluate the hydraulic behavior of non-Newtonian fracturing fluids. _____________

Jan 1, 1965

By John F. Elliott

STAFF: Editor, Gerhard Derge Acting Editor, Poul G. Shewmon Carnegie lnstitute of Technology Schenley Pork Pittsburgh 13, PO. Editorial Assistant, M. A. Redmerski Production Editor, Otto T. Johnson THE METALLURGICAL SOCIETY: Rich-ard C. Cole, President; Karl L. Fetters, Past-President; J. H. Scoff, Vice President; R. L. Henneboch, Treasurer, R. W. Shearman, Secretary. PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE METALLURGICAL SOCIETY: R. E. Lund, Chairmon; T. E. Dancy, P. R. Gouwens, W. A. Krivsky, F. C. Longenberg, E. R. Morgan, R.R. Nosh, Poul Queneou, W.O. Philbrook, J. H. Scoff, L. L. Seigle, and M. E. Wadsworth. Review and selection of manuscripts is under the supervision of the following Publications Committees: Extractive Metallurgy Division: M. E. Wadsworth, Chairmon; R. E. Grace, Vice Chairman; D. H. Baker, Jr., G. M. Bell, D. H. Bridges, J. M. Cigon, G. W. Healy, R. A. Lewis, C. E. O'Neill, A. W. Schlechten, R. E. Shinkoskey, and W. W. Stephens. Iron and Steel Division: T. E. Dancy, Chairman; A. Muan, D.W. Murphy, R. D. Pehlke, J. M. Uys, J. 5. Wagstoff, and R. G. Word. lnstitute of Metals Division: R. R. Nash, Chairman, H. H. Johnson, Jr., Vice Chairman; M. R. Achter, P. A. Beck, J. J. Becker, G. F. Bolling, J. 0. Brittain, J. 8. Clark, R. 5. Davis, A. E. Dwight, R. W. Fountain, L. A. Girifalco, E. L. Harmon, J. J. Heger, A. A. Hendrickson, L. Himmel, J. P. Hirth, R. H. Richmao, H.C.Rogers, W. Rostoker, 0. D. Sherby. E. A. Steigawald, R. Steinitz, H. C. Stumpf, R. A. Swalin, W. A. Tiller, W. R. Upthegrove, D. Walton, H.W. Weart, and D. Wilsdorf. Published bimonthly by the American lnstitute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc 345 East 47th Street, New York 17. N. Y. Telephone PLaza 2-6800. Subscription $30 per year for non-AIME members in United States and North, South, and Central America; $32, foreign;$30per $7 50 for AlME members. Single copies, $6.00, single copies foreign, $6.50. The AlME is not responsible for any statement made or opinion expressed in its publications ... Copyright 1963 by the American lnstitute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, Inc....Registered cable address, AlME New York . .. Indexed in Engineering Index, Industrial Arts Index, and Chemical Abstracts . . Second class postage paid ot New York, N. Y., and Ann Arbor, Mich. Volume 227, Number 4.

Jan 1, 1963

By E. T. Turkdogan, L. S. Darken, R. J. Fruehan

Further consideration is given to the application of the quadratic formalism to evaluate the thermodynamics of binary metallic solutions from experimental data. The use of the thermodynamic relation, in(r1/r2) dN2= 0, in the evaluation of activity data is discussed. The empirical correlations derived previously for enthalpies and entropies of solutions in Part II are shown to be predicted theoretically for a special case. The applicability of the quadratic formalism to the activity coefficients for binary organic solutions is demonstrated. DARKEN&apos; introduced a quadratic formalism describing the composition dependence of the activity coefficient in the terminal regions of binary metallic solutions. In a subsequent paper (Part II) Turkdogan and Darkeen2 extended this formalism to the enthalpy and excess entropy of binary metallic solutions, and showed that the available data for the activity coefficients and heats of mixing of many solid and liquid binary metallic solutions confirm reasonable applicability of the quadratic formalism. Much variation was noted, however, in the extent of the terminal regions from one system to another, commonly from about 10 to 70 at. pct. For the present purpose, equations derived previously need be given only for one of the terminal regions, e.g. region (I), 0 < N2 < N&apos;2: where subscripts 1 and 2 indicate quantities for components 1 and 2 and superscript ° the values at infinite dilution; other terms are: N = atom fraction, y = activity coefficient, = partial molar enthalpy of solution, ?HM = molar heat of solution, ?Sx = excess partial molar entropy, ?Sx = excess molar entropy. The heat and entropy like terms (constants) el, and S12 are defined in the following expression for the temperature dependence of a12, thus a12 £12 — s12 rnl 2.303RT 2.303 R l J Using this formalism, the thermodynamics of binary systems in the terminal regions may be described over a temperature range of experisental interest in terms of eight quantities: Lº1—Lº2, ?Sx1,?Sxº2 , £12 ,£21,fiai, S12, and S21. In the previous paper, these quantities were evaluated for many solid and liquid binary solutions, and two significant correlations were observed between these thermodynamic quantities pertaining to the terminal regions, thus [10] and [11] Combining Eqs. [9], [l0], and [ll] and rearranging gives a12 -a21 = 1.382R log rº2- 0.08(?S2xº- ?S1xº) [12] Since the second term involving entropies is small and Eqs. 1101 and [ll] are empirical relations, the above equation may be simplified to a12 = 2.74 log rº2 [13] Using the values of a&apos;s and y°&apos;s compiled in Parts I and 11, a12 - a21 is plotted against log(rº2/rº1) in Fig. 1; the line drawn has a slope of 2.74. For Hg-K at 300°C, log(yº2 /yº1)= —5.10, not shown in Fig. 1, and from correlation [13], a12 - a21 = -13.97; this is to be compared with -10.76 derived from the activity data (Part II).

Jan 1, 1970

By M. G. Corson

INFORMATION regarding the use of manganese alloys has hitherto been incomplete and available only from widely scattered sources. This paper attempts a systematic description of properties and uses of alloys other than manganese bronze, manganin and duralumin, which are probably the only non-ferrous alloys associated with manganese in the minds of most metallurgists.1 PROPERTIES OF MANGANESE Manganese can react either acid or basic; it is hard to obtain in the pure state; it has two different crystalline lattice structures, both of the cubic system, one stable above 850° C. and the other below 650° C., both coexisting in the intermediate range. Although the commercial product is hard and brittle, the pure metal seems to be ductile. In fact Zhemchuzhny, in Russia, was able to obtain ductile manganese and draw it to fine wires by the simple expedient of adding about 3 per cent. copper to the alumino-thermic product. Copper most probably brings the sili-cides, aluminides, nitrides and carbides present in the commercial product into a much less harmful form of distribution. One industrial use that can be foreseen for wrought manganese articles is as anodes for electrolytic processes in sulfate and nitrate solutions, particularly with high voltages. A practically insoluble skin of manganese peroxide is likely to form in such cases and an insoluble and strong anode material will be available.

Jan 5, 1927