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By M. Felsenthal

Engineers are frequently faced with the problem of having to predict oil recovery from a solution gas drive reservoir in the early life of a field. This is often the time when actual laboratory or field-derived gas-oil permeability (kg/k0) data are not yet available. Although excellent collections of k0/k0 data for various types of rocks may be found in the literature,1,2,3 a need exists for a more detailed correlation of k0/k0 data with core properties such as porosity, permeability, clay content or pore-size distribution. It is the purpose of this article to present this type of correlation for sandstone material. The correlation is based on laboratory tests performed on over 300 core samples from 19 reservoirs in the United States and Canada. EXPERIMENTAL Cores were analyzed by routine procedures, using samples of conventional size (7/8-in. diameter, 7/8-in long) cut parallel to the bedding planes. Air permeability was measured at 1.67 atm mean pressure in a Hassler-type apparatus. Porosity was determined with the aid of a Ruska bulk volume meter and a Boyle's Law rock volume meter, An evaporation method' was used to evaluate irreducible water saturations. Core samples were saturated with 25,000 ppm NaCl brine. The brine was reduced to the irreducible saturation, and the remainder of the pore space was filled with kerosene. This was followed by multiphase flow tests using the so-called "dispersed feed" technique.5 n this technique, gas and oil (kerosene and kerosene-saturated air) were dispersed with the aid of a porous Alun-durn feed head, the face of which contained a waffle-shaped system of Lucite-lined grooves. Oil entered the back side of the feed head and emerged at the raised areas of the front face. Gas was introduced directly into the system of grooves at the front face. The gas-oil mixture then entered the test core which was kept in capillary contact with the feed head. Permeabilities were determined from rate and pressure measurements and saturations from weights. All determinations were performed at equilibrium or steady-state conditions. Pore-size distributions were determined on selected samples by a mercury injection technique.6 GENERAL CORRELATIVE TRENDS When examining data from a given reservoir, it was noted that k0/k0 vs saturation curves became generally less steep as specific air permeability increased, a development that has a favorable effect on oil displacement efficiency by solution gas drive. This trend has also been reported by others in the literature.' An effect of porosity on k0/k0 data was also noted. This effect was not generally discernible in a study of relative permeability data for a given reservoir but became apparent when data for sandstone reservoirs of similar lithology but differing average porosity were compared. For instance, in a comparison of argillaceous and/or calcareous sandstones from 11 reservoirs ranging in average porosities from 14 to 28 per cent, a definite trend was noted, indicating that for a given permeability k0/k0 curves became less favorable (i.e., steeper) as porosity increased. A similar trend was observed for a group of comparatively clean sandstones from five reservoirs ranging in average porosities from 15 to 21 per cent. For a given permeability and porosity, comparatively clean sandstones gave more favorable k0/k0 curves than argillaceous and/or calcareous sandstone or chert reservoirs. The laboratory studies also showed that least favorable k0/k0 curves were exhibited by shaly sandstone, conglomerate, and sandstone containing carbon inclusions. Table 1 lists the various source reservoirs classified by lithology types. To facilitate a correlation of k0/k0 data with core characteristcis, it was found expedient to work with

By K. C. Mills, E. T. Turkdogan

A number of investigators1 6 have noted the presence of a liquid miscibility gap in the Fe-Sn binary system. However, the first attempt to measure the

Jan 1, 1964

By Robert S. Dewey

AS a result of drilling operations during 1943, West Texas again added sufficient new oil reserves to replace the oil produced during the year, but failed to maintain its position in currently available reserves because the deeper discoveries will require years for development. Drilling failed to provide the additional oil necessary to meet the increase in current and anticipated market demand. Although 13.3 per cent of the total footage drilled was in wildcat exploration, the ratio of oil discoveries to total wildcats was less in 1943 than in 1942, but comparable to that in 1941. Of the 732 field wells completed, 270 were at Slaughter, 55 at Wasson, 45 at Mascho and 31 at North Cowden. As of Dec. 31, 1943, there were 361 drilling wells including 71 wildcat and 290 field wells; 19.7 per cent were wildcats. It is anticipated that the percentage of wildcats of the total wells will be higher during 1944 than in either 1942 or 1943. Tables 3 and 4 present a three-year comparison of drilling activity and illustrate the downward trend of development that has been in effect during that time. Because of development lag in the deeper Ordovician fields, several years elapse before 2 sufficient number of wells is completed to give a substantial producing rate. As these new oil reserves cost more to find, and will cost more to produce on a barrel basis than the oil marketed during the year, their reserve replacement value to the industry is less in money. Costs While complete costs for deeper drilling are not yet available for analysis, it is evi- dent from the data on drilling rates to comparable depths, contract prices, and general increases in costs, that the cost of drilling has risen approximately 20 per cent during the year. One representative drilling contractor estimates that the average drilling time on a 5000-ft. field well has increased nearly one third and that out-of-pocket costs have increased a dollar per foot. Three major factors contribute to this increased cost: (I) less experienced labor, (2) deterioration in mechanical equipment and expendable material, and (3) increased contract prices. In the past, when there were more drilling rigs than wells to be drilled, some contractors would cut their drilling profit to keep their personnel and rigs working. As this practice is no longer necessary, the contract prices are adjusted upward to assure a profit. On deep and difficult drilling, contracts are let on a cost plus basis. A number of mechanical difficulties have become evident. Inferior quality of steel used in drill pipe and rock bits has added appreciably to drilling time and cost. Contractors are experiencing delay in obtaining repair work and repair parts for prime movers. As the length of drilling time required an shallow-field wells has not increased in proportion to that on deeper wells, it seems that the medium-sized drilling rig is better adapted mechanically than the heavy one to the work imposed. One of the main deficiencies in the heavy rig equipment is inadequate pump capacity. Drilling Mud The increasing amount of deep drilling has emphasized the importance and relationship of good mud to efficient and suc-

Jan 1, 1944

By Robert S. Dewey

AS a result of drilling operations during 1943, West Texas again added sufficient new oil reserves to replace the oil produced during the year, but failed to maintain its position in currently available reserves because the deeper discoveries will require years for development. Drilling failed to provide the additional oil necessary to meet the increase in current and anticipated market demand. Although 13.3 per cent of the total footage drilled was in wildcat exploration, the ratio of oil discoveries to total wildcats was less in 1943 than in 1942, but comparable to that in 1941. Of the 732 field wells completed, 270 were at Slaughter, 55 at Wasson, 45 at Mascho and 31 at North Cowden. As of Dec. 31, 1943, there were 361 drilling wells including 71 wildcat and 290 field wells; 19.7 per cent were wildcats. It is anticipated that the percentage of wildcats of the total wells will be higher during 1944 than in either 1942 or 1943. Tables 3 and 4 present a three-year comparison of drilling activity and illustrate the downward trend of development that has been in effect during that time. Because of development lag in the deeper Ordovician fields, several years elapse before 2 sufficient number of wells is completed to give a substantial producing rate. As these new oil reserves cost more to find, and will cost more to produce on a barrel basis than the oil marketed during the year, their reserve replacement value to the industry is less in money. Costs While complete costs for deeper drilling are not yet available for analysis, it is evi- dent from the data on drilling rates to comparable depths, contract prices, and general increases in costs, that the cost of drilling has risen approximately 20 per cent during the year. One representative drilling contractor estimates that the average drilling time on a 5000-ft. field well has increased nearly one third and that out-of-pocket costs have increased a dollar per foot. Three major factors contribute to this increased cost: (I) less experienced labor, (2) deterioration in mechanical equipment and expendable material, and (3) increased contract prices. In the past, when there were more drilling rigs than wells to be drilled, some contractors would cut their drilling profit to keep their personnel and rigs working. As this practice is no longer necessary, the contract prices are adjusted upward to assure a profit. On deep and difficult drilling, contracts are let on a cost plus basis. A number of mechanical difficulties have become evident. Inferior quality of steel used in drill pipe and rock bits has added appreciably to drilling time and cost. Contractors are experiencing delay in obtaining repair work and repair parts for prime movers. As the length of drilling time required an shallow-field wells has not increased in proportion to that on deeper wells, it seems that the medium-sized drilling rig is better adapted mechanically than the heavy one to the work imposed. One of the main deficiencies in the heavy rig equipment is inadequate pump capacity. Drilling Mud The increasing amount of deep drilling has emphasized the importance and relationship of good mud to efficient and suc-

Jan 1, 1944

By L. Moyd, P. Moyd

The first commercially available portable gamma ray-neutron beryllium detector, the Rerylometer, was developed by the same group that developed the first practical portable scintillation counter, the Scintillo-meter. This group includes Professor George Brownell, of the Geology Department of the University of Manitoba in winnipeg, and his associates, K. I. Roulston, R. w. Pringle, and R. L. Funt, of the Physics and Engineering Departments of the University of Manitoba. A prototype model was tested in the field by Dr. Brownell during the summer of 1958. Commercial production was undertaken shortly thereafter by Nuclear Enterprises Ltd., of Winnipeg, and a license for manufacture and distribution in the U.S. was granted to Isotopes Specialties Co., of Burbank, California, a division of Nuclear Corporation of America. Early in 1959, we were retained by the 'Mining Division of Minerva Oil Co. to Legin a search throughout North America for minable deposits of beryllium, and to train members of their permanent staff to continue the program. The project included literature sur-veys, interviews with members of various federal, state, and provincial agencies, scanning of our own collection of suites of specimens from various mineral occurrences, and the examination of deposits in the field. The value of a beryllium detector to this program was obvious and arrangements were made to procure one as soon as possible, which resulted in our obtaining and using the first instrument that was produced commercially in the U. S. In addition to the commercially available Berylometer, Mr. William Vaughan and his associates, of the U. S. Geological Survey Geophysics Division, in Denver, have developed and tested several experimental instruments based on the same principles. DETECTOR Principles The detection of beryllium is based on the fact that "hard" gamma rays (1.6 MEV and geater), such as those produced by Antimony convert ordinary beryllium (Be9) to Be8 , with the release of a neutron. The neutrons are counted by a scintillator designed to favor neutron responses while suppressing those of gamma rays. 'The instrument is completely selective for beryllium. No other element can interfere. Instrunlentation The Rerylometer itself, which is cylindrical, is about 8 inches in diameter, 13 inches high, and weighs about 11 pounds. (Figs. 1, 2). The principal components include: 1. A disc of wax to moderate (or "thermalize") neutrons. 2. A boron-enriched polyester-zinc-sulphide fluorescent screen. This material produces strong flashes when struck by thermalized neutrons but only weak flashes from gamma rays. 3. A photomultiplier tube. 4. An electronic circuit, complete with one srnall 71/2-volt dry battery. The photomultiplier tube and electronic circuit convert neutron flashes to electrical impulses, but gamma ray effects are almost

Jan 1, 1961

By H. J. Modi, D. W. Fuerstenau

pH effectively regulates the flotation of corundum through its control of the surface charge. Since collector ions function as counter ions in the double layer, the collector must be anionic when corundum is positively charged and cationic when it is negatively charged. Even a long-chained xanthate will float positively charged corundum. Association of the hydrocarbon chains of the adsorbed collector ions gives rise to increased adsorption and increased rate of flotation. Because of this phenomenon, neutral organic molecules aid flotation although the unionized collector cannot promote flotation independently. Na2SO4 was found to depress the flotation of corundum with animic collectors through ionic competition whereas the same salt activates corundum for flotation with cationic collectors. A close connection between ion association, electrokinetic behavior, and floatability is suggested. As part of the increasing interest in the physical chemistry of flotation, strong experimental evidence has been obtained which indicates that organic ions are adsorbed as counter ions by non-metallic oxide minerals mainly because of the electrical forces which exist at interfaces(1-3). Thus flotation of such minerals without activation should then be appreciable only when the mineral and the collector are oppositely charged. Since only limited work has been reported on the effect of surface charge upon flotation behavior(3) this general hypothesis on the flotation of insoluble oxide minerals has not been tested thoroughly. Investigating the flotation of a mineral for which extensive electrokinetic data exist yields a way to test this hypothesis more extensively. The electrokinetic behavior of corundum in solutions containing both organic and inorganic electrolytes has been studied quite thoroughly' Electro-kinetic measurements have shown that in the case of corundum, simply by controlling pH the solid surface can be charged either positively or negatively. For this reason corundum was chosen for study. The object of this paper is to present a study of the flotation of corundum and to explain the results in the light of our knowledge of adsorption mechanisms gained from streaming potential investigations. This paper is concerned mainly with the effect of surface charge on flotation with anionic and cationic collectors, but in addition such flotation phenomena as collector hydrolysis, Van der Waals attraction between hydrocarbon chains, ionic competition, and activation are discussed. While the present paper is confined to a reporting of the data obtained and some of the more immediate conclusions, it will be seen that the results, in combination with those on other systems, do promise a

Jan 1, 1961

By M. F. Trice

PYROPHYLLITE is a hydrous aluminum silicate (A12Si4010(OH)2)1 that occurs in both the foliated and the massive forms. The foliated variety resembles talc in that it has a greasy feel, a pearly luster, perfect basal cleavage, and usually is white, although in some deposits apple green, gray, brown, russet, and nearly black specimens may be found. The massive deposits of pyrophyllite yield pearl gray to light tan aggregates, some of which are so friable that they may be crushed with the hands into a fine gritty powder. Frequently specimens of the massive variety are studded with crystals of radial structure. The mineral has a specific gravity of about 2.7 and a hardness of 1 on Mobs' scale.1 The chemical composition of commercial pyrophyllite reflects the mineralogy of the deposits, which, according to Stuckey,2 contain pyro-phyllite and quartz, together with chloritoid, sericite, and a few other minerals of negligible importance. The latter, he says, "are noticed in but small quantities to the extent they might occur as accessory constitu-ents of an igneous rock or as products of regional metamorphism or weathering. . . . Quartz is abundant everywhere except in the very best grades of pyrophyllite." Analyses of specimens from several deposits are listed in Table 1, showing that the silica content varies from 57 to 73 percent and the alumina from 22 to 33 percent. Oxides of iron and the alkaline metals are collectively present, with one exception, to an extent of about 1 to 1.5 per cent.

Jan 1, 1940

By E. S. Wheeler

The rapid increase in the use of monel metal and malleable nickel in the form of sheet, rod and tube has resulted in a similar increase in the demand for these metals in the form of castings. These castings range in size from small valves and pipe fittings weighing a few ounces to large centrifugal pumps, gate valves and marine propellers, some of the last weighing as much as 24,000 lb. A group of such castings is shown in Fig. 1. A large nickel agitator is shown in Fig. 2. Monel metal castings are widely used in accessories for steam power plants and in a variety of chemical plant equipment where the corrosion resistance, high strength and toughness characteristic of this metal render it particularly valuable. Nickel castings find extensive use in the construction of corrosion-resistant apparatus, and are often used in conjunction with wrought nickel sheet and tube in the fabrication of equipment for handling a variety of chemical and food products, particularly dairy products. In response to this demand for castings, numerous foundries have undertaken the production of castings of these metals and have met with varying degrees of success. The successful production of castings of monel metal and nickel requires careful attention to molding practice, proper melting equipment

Jan 1, 1930

[AARONSON, E.: Discussion on Recent Developments in Fractionation as Applied to Tube Still Distillation, G26, 418 Abbe. See Microscope. Abbe apertometer, 95, 16 ABBOTT, W. L.: A.S.M.E. president, M26,113 biography, M26,113 ABORN, R. H.: Discussions: on Effects of Columbium in Chromium-nickel Steels 113, 159 on Pure Iron and Allotropic Transformations 84, 342 on Prevention of Intergranular Corrosion, 100,329 ABORN, R. H. AND BAIN, E. C.: Discussion on Widmanstätten Structure in Ironcarbon Alloys 105, 252]

Jan 1, 1936

Eight members of the Board, the Secretary of the Institute, and eleven guests were present. Vice-president Henry S. Drinker presided. The President was authorized to appoint delegates to a meeting, on May 16, of the League to Enforce Peace. The Joint Conference Committee reported that the American Institute of Metals had accepted the invitation to form the Institute of Metals Division of this Institute. The Committee on Publications of the Institute of Metals was added to the Committee on Publications of the A. I. M. E. Exchange of one volume of Transactions of the A. I. M. E. at reduced price to members of the British Institute of Metals was authorized, in return for the reduced price given to our Institute of Metals Division on the annual proceedings of the British Institute.

Jan 6, 1918

By R. G. Turner, M. G. Hubbard, A. E. Dukler

Gas phase hydrocarbons produced from underground reservoirs will, in many instances, have liquid phase material associated with them, the presence of which can affect the flowing characteristics of the well. Liquids can come from condensation of hydrocarbon gas (condensate) or from interstitial water in the reservoir matrix. In either case, the higher density liquid phase, being essentially discontinuous, must be transported to the surface by the gas. In the event the gas phase does not provide sufficient transport energy to lift the liquids out of the well, the liquids will accumulate in the wellbore. The accumulation of the liquid will impose an additional back pressure on the formation that can significantly affect the production capacity of the well. In low pressure wells the liquid may completely kill the well; and in the higher pressure wells there can occur a variable degree of slugging or churning of the liquids, which can affect calculations used in routine well tests. Specifically, the calculated bottom-hole pressures used in multirate backpressure tests will be erroneous if the well is not removing liquids on a continuous basis, and gas:liquid ratios observed during such a test may not be correct. Several authors1,3,8,14 have suggested methods to determine if the flow rate of a well is sufficient to remove liquid phase material. Vitter14 and Duggan' proposed that wellhead velocities observed in the field would be adequate for keeping wells unloaded. Jones8 and Dukler3 presented analytical treatments resulting in equations for calculating, from physical properties, the minimum necessary flow rate. An analysis of these studies indicates the existence of two proposed physical models for the removal of gas well liquids: (1) liquid film movement along the walls of the pipe and (2) liquid droplets entrained in the high velocity gas core. Although there probably is a continuous exchange of liquid between the gas core and the film, they will be treated separately for the purposes of this study. The development and comparison of these separate models with experimental data will permit the determination of which, if either, is the controlling mechanism for the removal of liquids from gas wells. The Continuous Film Model Liquid phase accumulation on the walls of a conduit during two-phase gas/liquid flow is inevitable due to the impingement of entrained liquid drops and the condensation of vapors. The movement of the liquid on the wall is therefore of interest in the analysis of liquid removal from gas wells. If the annular liquid film must be moved upward along the walls in order to keep a gas well from loading up, then the minimum gas flow rate necessary to accomplish this is of primary interest. The analysis technique used follows Dukler2 and Hewitt5 and involves describing the profile of the velocity of a liquid film moving upward on the inside of a tube. The minimum rate of gas flow required to move the film upward is then calculated.

Jan 1, 1970

A New Ingersoll-Rand Turbo Blower The Ingersoll-Rand Co. has added to its Turbo Compressors and Blowers a low-pressure machine t o handle volumes from 3,000 to 35,000 cu. ft. per minute at from 1-2 ½ lb. These are particularly adapted to such service as foundry cupola blowing, atomizing oil for oil burners, supplying blast to heating and annealing furnaces of various kinds, blowing air for water-gas generators, pneumatic conveying and ventilating. They are of the single stage, double flow type and are furnished either electric motor, steam turbine or water wheel driven.

Jan 6, 1916

By Daniel T. Brian, O&apos

Exploration targets and results in the mining industry are commonly summarized in terms of tonnage and grade. Business appraisals require, as additional information, the expected profit or loss implied by the physical summay. The early incorporation of knowledge gained through financial analysis computations can provide a means for economically resolving many common exploration and development problems. Examples of such applications from the activities of exploration planning, reconnaissance, land acquisition, and development planning are presented. While prospecting for mineral deposits, geologists are frequently asked what they hope to find or have found. The response is usually descriptive, such as "50 million tons of 1% copper," and the economic implications are deferred until a capital investment decision is required. At that time, a financial analysis integrating the four analysis components is completed. These components are: 1) Tonnage and Average grade above cutoff grade 2) Capital and operating costs 3) Product value 4) Appropriate profit or loss accounting Close examination of these components reveals that there is no intrinsic reason for avoiding financial analyses at earlier stages in exploration, as long as the uncertainty of the estimate is realized. Tonnage and average grades are commonly estimated at early stages in exploration. For this component, the appropriate cutoff is the major uncertainty. Capital and operating costs are difficult to estimate before detailed quantitative information is available, but estimates useful for the types of applications pertinent to earlier exploration stages are possible. Product value estimates may or may not be difficult, depending on the pricing structure of the particular commodity. A simplified accounting procedure usually may be adopted without introducing any significant loss of validity. This paper describe some of the financial analysis applications which are pertinent during mineral exploration and deposit development. These applications lend additional insight during exploration planning, land acquisition, physical exploration, and development. The examples are oriented toward a hypothetical management investment policy which is based on a single criterion, a minimum 15% discounted cash flow rate of return. In reality, managements use multiple criteria. This simplification is convenient for purposes of presentation and does not invalidate the examples. Computers are useful, but not a requirement, for the applications described. The use of computers provides the results on a more timely basis at costs lower than equivalent manual computations. UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES AND ANALYSIS METHODS Data estimates are subject to uncertainty. The analyst may choose to assess this uncertainty by using one of two principles. Each principle has some advantages. The principle most commonly employed is "assumed certainty." Each financial analysis is based on one set of selected data, which may represent the average estimates, minimum expected conditions, etc. The critical data is identified by making successive calculations, varying the values used. Such studies, called sensitivity analyses, isolate the economic effect of various uncertainties, and guide the allocation of future efforts toward improving the overall accuracy of the analysis. A second principle, "assumed risk," examines the interactive effect of the current uncertainties by qualitatively assigning probability distributions to each data element. These probability distributions indicate the currently appraised chance that a given numerical value will prove to be true. The corresponding procedure, risk analysis, consists of processing many individual financial analyses, each analysis being based on randomly selected numerical values from the probabilistic distributions. The result is a numerical presentation of the uncertainty, but care must be exercised in the interpretation of results. The advantage of this procedure is the direct measurement of economic uncertainty caused by the interaction of uncertain estimates. Kennecott Copper Corp. has developed computer systems for accomplishing sensitivity and risk analyses.

Jan 1, 1970

By Ingvar Janelid

DURING the last ten years, in the effort to save manpower and costs, methods of drilling and blasting in Sweden have changed and developed in a revolutionary manner. These developments have been accompanied by extensive alterations in methods of tunneling and in mining technique. Since the end of the 1940's there has been a 100 pct change-over in Sweden to the use of tungsten carbide tipped drill steel. Both investigations and practical results have shown clearly that a tungsten carbide chisel bit fastened directly on the drill steel is the most economical for Swedish conditions. This applies to drill steel up to the longest size it is practical to handle. In terms of drilling footage, durability of the drill steel and the tungsten carbide bit is generally the same. In this respect, therefore, a detachable bit offers no advantage over integral steel. Transportation of integral steel to the grinding plant, instead of detachable bits only, involves heavier work, but this is counteracted by placing grinding plants closer together or by grinding at the working place itself. The drilling rate with integral steel is higher, the trouble of changing bits is avoided, and the difficulties which always arise with joints are eliminated. At present steel dimensions are usually 7/8 in. with a shank 41/4 in. long, whereas the international standard shank was formerly 31/4 in. The longer shank renders possible a better guide control of the steel and consequently longer life for the rotation chuck and the water-flushing pipe. After extensive experiments and investigations, agreement has been reached in Sweden on certain series of standards, shown in Table I. Other steel dimensions are, of course, available for special purposes. The standard drill-steel set begins with a 34-mm diam and has a length interval of 2 2/3 ft. On the other hand, for ordinary drifting it has been proved more economical to use greater length intervals on the steel, so only one steel change is required for a 61/2-ft round. Moreover, owing to the relatively close hole spacing necessary in a drift round, it has been possible to reduce the diameters of the tungsten carbide bits. This results in faster and cheaper drilling. As shown by the table, the lengths of drill steels for normal drifting are 33/4 ft and 71/2 ft, with 29 and 28-mm diam bits. During the last few years operators have begun to use 3/4-in. drill steel in place of the 7/8-in. drill steel chiefly employed earlier. This is a valuable development in drilling technique, particularly in view of

Jan 1, 1955

By J. B. Clark

In 1933, R. paris1 published a phase diagram for the entire Mg-Ca-Zn system. He reported the existence of a ternary intermetallic phase, Mg5Zn5Ca2, which formed a quasi-binary with the magnesium solid solution. Since then, no extensive work has been reported on the system. Recently however, indications of the existence of a second ternary in-termetallic phase in equilibrium with the magnesium solid solution led to a reinvestigation of the solid phase equilibria involving the magnesium solid solution. The 335°C (635°F) isothermal section was chosen for study. Metallography and powder X-ray diffraction were selected as the best mutually corroborating methods for determining the solid phase constitution. Seventy-six alloys were prepared from singly sublimed (99.95 pct) magnesium, electrolytic (99.95 pct) zinc and USP calcium. The analyses of some of the alloys are shown in Fig. 1. The alloys were melted in a graphite crucible under a chloride flu and chill cast in a split graphite mold. Dif-fusion couples (see Fig. 2) were prepared by casting molten Mg-20 wt pct Zn alloy around a cylinder of Mg-30 wt pct Ca alloy. The alloy samples and the diffusion couples were sealed under argon in Pyrex vials and annealed in a furnace capable of controlling within 1/2°C of 335°C. At the conclusion of the anneal, the alloy samples were quenched in ice water and the diffusion couples were air cooled. Procedures standard for magnesium alloys were used for metallographic examination. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns were taken on a G. E. camera with a 14.32 cm dim using nickel-filtered copper radiation. The redetermined 335°C (635°) section of the Mg-Ca-Zn phase diagram is shown in Fig. 1. TWO ternary intermetallic phases, designated w and

Jan 1, 1962

By H. A. MEGRAW

THE meeting of the A. I. M. E. at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Sept. 12 to 15, inclusive, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Institute. It was at Wilkes-Barre, in 1871, that the foundation was laid for the great institution that now includes in its roster the greatest names. in mining engineering in every civilized country of the world. The founders of the Institute, with rare prescience, established a common ground upon which all mining engineers, whatever particular branch they might consider most pertinent, could stand securely, assured of a deep-seated interest from their brethren similarly minded in other localities. So wise and clear was the vision of the founders that every engineer connected with mining has found it beneficial, not to say indispensable, to maintain his connection with the Institute and to increase his technical enthusiasm through the medium of the valuable technical publications. The little coterie of 1871 has grown to a strong body of more than 10,000 members in 1921, reflecting the glory of the founders in the record of the accomplishments written on the pages of the fifty years of the

Jan 1, 1921

By J. F. Breedis

The stabilization of austenite in Fe-Ni alloys against martensitic transformation after reversion has been attributed' to the lattice imperfections remaining from previous transformation. More recently, however, such stabilization has been associatedzy3 with compositional changes which occur in martensite during slow heating. Dislocation arrangements in deformed austenitic stainless steels strongly influence transformation to martensite on quenching.4 Therefore, it is of interest to observe the transformation behavior of stainless steel after reversion, especially since previous studies have been confined to Fe-Ni alloys. The transformation-product morphology also differs in the two iron-alloy systems;6 plate martensite forms in the latter while stainless steel transforms to lath-type martensite. Samples of Fe-16 wt pct Cr-12 wt pct Ni (maximum C + N = 0.005 wt pct, 0 = 0.02 wt pct), prepared by vacuum melting and casting from high-purity components, were annealed at 900°C for 24 hr, after cold rolling to produce a 40-p grain diameter. The M, temperature of this alloy is -80°C and samples are fully austenitic after annealing. The amount of martensite present after quenching, annealing, and requenching was determined magnetically, to within 0.01 wt pct, using a vibrating specimen magnetometer. Nearly 14 pct of martensite forms during the initial quench in 1 min at -196°C. Two-min and 2-hr anneals were done in air and in evacuated quartz capsules, respectively. All specimens were electro-polished before making the magnetic measurements.

Jan 1, 1967

By R. Salter, C. K. Chase

Although Asarco's Silver Bell Unit, 40 miles west of Tucson, Ariz., is known primarily for copper production, molybdenite is also produced as a byproduct in the 8000 tpd flotation mill. The Silver Bell ore comes from two pits approximately two miles apart. Copper mineralization is essentially chalcocite resulting from two to three-fold secondary enrichment in a highly altered zone. A typical porphyry copper deposit, Silver Bell ore is of medium hardness. The ore consists of about one part molybdenum to 65 parts of copper. In the copper concentrate which is the starting point for separate molybdenum recovery, the ratio is also one part molybdenum to 65 of copper. Molybdenum mineralization is primary. Enrichment is not evident but it is notable that the molybdenite is more common in the more siliceous, harder rocks. The actual molybdenite occurs as diversely oriented flakes of fairly constant grain size, mostly in fractures associated with quartz veins. Most of the mineral appears unoxidized; secondary coatings on the molybdenite flakes are fortunately rare. In May 1962 a modified, improved version of the molybdenite circuit was put into operation.

Jan 7, 1964

By AIME AIME

STRIP coal mining in the United States has-become noted for its massive equipment, especially its power shovels. Notable among the latest examples of this trend is the Bobolink mine of the Binkley Mining Co., at Seeleyville, Ind.,. eight miles from Terre Haute. This is only one of the Binkley company's operating properties; in all, the company owns or controls 26 mines, in fourteen seams. The Bobolink, however, is the largest strip mine in America and probably also in the world. It has an estimated life of fifteen years. The shovel used to strip the over¬burden is electrically operated, of Bucyrus-Erie make, and was. shipped to the property for assembling, a job

Jan 1, 1936

By S. F. Shaw

Tars paper is a review of the principal details of cyanide practice in several of the modern plants in America, mainly during the year 1908. Two of the mills, the Goldfield Consolidated and the Vets, Colorado, are not yet prepared to give data, the former having started about Jan. 1, 1909, and the latter not yet being completed. These two mills embody most of the latest methods and are therefore described as far as possible. I. CRUSHING. The principal methods of crushing ores for treatment by the cyanide process are with gyratory and jaw-crushers, stamps, Bryan and Huntington mills, and tube-mills. The first stage is usually done by gyratory or jaw-crushers, in a few cases sup-\

Jul 1, 1909