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By M. A. Goudie

The deposits occur in a large salt basin of Middle Devonian age. The potash, the final deposit in the salt basin, results from several interrupted cycles of evaporation and dessication. The deposits are extensive, and, at first glance, relatively undisturbed. With more and more wells being drilled, it has now become evident that salt solution has played a large part in changing the original deposits, resulting in some cases in partial to complete removal of the potash and the underlying halite. The most dominant factor in the removal of salt by solution appears to have been tectonic movement and consequent faulting, probably of relatively minor dimensions but of major importance. Evidence which indicates the tilting of the evaporite basin to the north and northwest is shown by the changing pattern of the basin during succeeding eras of potash deposition. The potash minerals of most importance economically are sylvite and carnallite. Reserve calculations indicate that 6.4 billion tons of recoverable high grade potash in K2O equivalent exist in the basin. The Devonian salt basin, which contains the Saskatchewan potash deposits, extends from just east of the foothills in Alberta, north as far as the Peace River area, across Saskatchewan and into Manitoba as far east as Range 10 west of the First Meridian and south into Montana and North Dakota (Fig. 1). The basin is closed everywhere except to the northwest. The known potash deposits are confined almost entirely to the Province of Saskatchewan, with the exception of a small area in western Manitoba bordering the Saskatchewan boundary. The following discussion will concern only the Saskatchewan part of the basin. The evaporite series in the basin is defined as the Prairie Evaporite Formation of the Elk Point Group, of Middle Devonian age. Recent work done by potassium-argon dating methods has indicated an Upper Middle Devonian (Givetian) age of from 285 to 347 million years for the potash. The Elk Point Group consists in ascending order of the Ashern, Winnipegosis, and Prairie Evaporite Formations. The Ashern formation, with an average thickness of 30 ft, sometimes called the Third Red Bed, consists of dolomitic shales and shaly dolomites. The Winnipegosis, is a reef-type dolomite, usually with good porosity, and in many cases oil-staining, although to date no production has been obtained. The thickness varies from 50 to 250 ft. The Prairie Evaporite formation, varying from 0 to 600 ft in thickness, consists of halite with interbedded anhydrite and shale, with considerable amounts of potassium salts in the upper part of the formation. The potassium salts are chiefly chlorides, although very minor occurrences of sulfates have been re- ported. The anhydrite beds do not appear to be continuous, although generally one or two bands of anhydrite underlie the lowest potash zone and are used as marker horizons. The shale occurs as seams interbedded with the salts, as large irregular inclusions in the salts and as very fine particles in intimate mixture with the salts. The Prairie Evaporite Formation is overlain by the Second Red Bed member, the Dawson Bay Formation and the First Red Bed Member of the Manitoba Group, listed in ascending order. The Red Beds are shales which vary in color from red to green, maroon, grey, grey-black, and reddish purples. They serve as marker horizons for coring the potash. The Second Red Bed averages 14 ft in thickness, the First Red Bed 35 ft. The Dawson Bay Formation, which everywhere overlies the First Red Bed and the Prairie Evaporite Formation in the area under discussion, is a reef type of carbonate, in some places limestone, in others limestone and dolomite, with vugular to pinpoint porosity averaging 130 ft in thickness. In some parts of the area, it has a salt section near the top of the formation, usually with interbedded shales and limestones. In other parts of the area, it is waterbearing and the salt is absent. Detailed mapping has indicated that the areas in which the Dawson Bay is water-bearing are areas which have been disturbed by faulting. Where the Dawson Bay is salt-bearing, the porosity has been plugged by salt. The total thickness of the salt varies from between 600 to 700 ft in the center of the basin to zero at the northern edge of the basin (Fig. 2).* The salt-free area in the center of the Province is believed to have resulted from removal of salt by solution. Evidence from several wells suggests that salt removal has been a continuing process from the time of deposition to the present day. One well drilled between the Quill Lakes for potash information encountered

Jan 1, 1961

By H. D. Hodges, J. K. Godbey

In order to better understand the fracturing process, bottom-hole pressures were measured during a number of typical fracturing operations. A recently developed system was used that allows simultaneous surface recording of both the bottom-hole and wellhead pressures on the same chart. The results from six fracruring treatments are summarized on the basis of the pressure data obtained. Al-though no complete analysis is attempted, the value of accurate pressure measurements is emphasized. Important characteristics of the bottom-hole pressure record do not appear at the wellhead because of the damping effect of the fluid-filled column. In four of the six treatments described, the formations apparently fractured during the initial surge of pressure with only crude oil in the well. The properties of the fluids used during the treatments are given and the fluid friction losses are obtained directly from the pressure records. This technique is also shown to be adequate for determining when various fluids, used during the process, enter the formation. INTRODUCTION Hydraulic fracturing for the purpose of increasing well productivity is now accepted in many areas as a regular completion and workover practice. Numerous articles have appeared in the literature discussing the various techniques and theories of hydraulic fracturing'. In general, three basic types of formation fractures are recognized today. These are the horizontal fracture, the vertical fracture, and fractures along natural planes of weakness in the formation'. Any one or all three of these fracture types may be present in a fracturing operation. However, with only the wellhead pressure record as a guide, it is difficult at best to determine if the formation actually fractured, and is almost impossible to determine the type of fracture induced. These difficulties arise in part because the wellhead pressure record, especially when fracturing through tubing, does not accurately reflect the pressure variations occurring at the formation. Several factors contribute to this effect and preclude the possibility of using the wellhead pressure as a basis for accurately calculating the bottom-hole pressure. These factors are: 1. The compressibilities of the fluids which damp the pressure variations. 2. The changes in the densities of the fluids or apparent densities of the sand-laden fluids. 3. The flowing friction of the various fluids and mixtures, which is dependent on the flow rates and the condition of the tubing, casing, or wellbore. 4. The non-Newtonian characteristics of a sand-oil mixture and its dependence upon the fluid properties, the concentration of sand, and the mesh size used. 5. The unknown and variable temperatures throughout the fluid column. Because of these reasons it was determined that in order to obtain a more accurate knowledge of the nature of fracturing, the bottom-hole pressure must be measured along with the pressure at the surface during a fracturing treatment. Even with accurate pressure data, a reliable estimate of the nature of fracturing is still dependent upon knowledge of the tectonic conditions. However, the hydraulic pressure on the formation is basic to any approach to a complete analysis. In order to accomplish this objective a system was developed to record the wellhead and bottom-hole pressures simultaneously at the surface. By recording both pressures on a dual pen strip-chart recorder, it was possible to greatly expand the time scale so that rapid pressure variations would be faithfully recorded. By such simultaneous recording, time discrepancies inherent in separate records are eliminated, thus overcoming one of the most difficult problems associated with bottom-hole recording systems. This paper illustrates the results obtained by using this system during six typical fracturing operations. All of these tests were taken in wells that were treated through tubing. By a direct comparison of the wellhead and bottom-hole pressures, the importance of obtaining complete pressure information during a fracturing treatment is emphasized. THE INSTRUMENTATION AND PROCEDURES The bottom-hole pressure measuring instrument consisted of a pressure-sensing element, a telemetering section, and a lead-filled weight or sinker bar. The pressure-sensing element used was an isoelastic Amerada pressure-gauge element. By using an isoelastic element, no temperature compensation was necessary in the tests described, since the temperature was believed to be well below the maximum temperature limit of 270°F. The rotary output shaft of this helical Bourdon tube element was coupled to a precision miniature potentiometer. The rotation of the pressure-gauge shaft thus changed the resistance presented by the potentiometer

By Edmund M. Warner

Any city dweller who has walked alone along a remote mine passageway has to be impressed by the eerie silence-the total absence of noise except for one's own breathing and scuffing of boots on the bottom. An underpound mine can have tremendous contrasts, from complete silence to the ear piercing clatter of percussion drills working in the mine roof. Noise in underground mining machines is both useful and detrimental. Without characteristic noises that are recognizable to miners, operators would have a more difficult job operating their machines. Noise serves as a warning of approaching machinery, and changes in noise give indication that breakdowns may occur. But excessive noise is a health hazard. In recognition of this fact, our congress included noise exposure as a part of the "Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969." As [Fig. 1] indicates, allowable noise exposure is established by specifying a time duration permitted at different noise levels. This is the well known "Walsh-Healey" criteria which govern noise exposure in many industries. In most industries noise exposure is not a constant value. Noise emitted from coal mining machinery varies widely, and therefore interpretation of compliance is not a simple matter. Time, environment, instrumentation and machine productivity, as well as the designed machine characteristics affect the results. It is the purpose of this paper to present the underground coal face machinery noise problem from a manufacturer's point of view. Manufacturers are very much aware of their responsibility to alleviate the noise problem. Not infrequently, orders are received from coal operators that a given new machine must comply with "The Coal Mine Health & Safety Act" noise regulations. Such a request is indicative of the misunderstanding which exists with machine users, while indicating their desire to comply with the law. Obviously, if all machinery could be designed and used at some arbitrary low noise level, it would be possible to simplify the regulations. However, there still remains the pervasive problem of existing machines. Extensive investigation to create practical retrofit kits for existing machines, to substantially reduce noise have been only marginally successful. Certain machine mechanisms are inherent noise makers. The only really good solution is to substitute a quieter mechanism. Such overall new designs have been undertaken, and several examples are mentioned later in this paper. Before describing machine noise problems, it is necessary to define noise values. Noise levels are measured in decibels. The designation "DBA" is decibels measured on the "A" scale, or one in which the frequency sensitivity of the instrumentation is about the same as the human ear. The numbers are often misinterpreted because it is a logarithmic, rather than an arithmetic scale. In comprehending the numbers, it should be remembered that any increase of 3 dB doubles the sound power. In practical terms this means that two noises of equal power at the same distance away increases a dB reading by three. Consider [Fig. 2] showing a simplified case of a worker on a machine subject to

Jan 1, 1980

By T. S. Fuller

The work of D. J. McAdam, Jr.1,2 at the U. S. Naval Engineering Experiment Station, Annapolis, Md., on what has been called by him "corrosion-fatigue" has focussed the attention of the engineering profession in general, and of those interested especially in the study of corrosion in particular, on the importance of making tests which will indicate as nearly as possible what can be expected from a given material in service. Pitting is unquestionably the chief agent operating so tremendously to reduce fatigue limits, but in the light of previous work3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 it is fair to assume that absorbed hydrogen resulting from the action of the corroding medium upon steel may, under certain conditions, have a perceptible influence. The experiments described in this paper deal more precisely with stressless corrosion, or "prior-corrosion fatigue,"9 and have been carried out to test such an assumption, to segregate, if possible, the effect of pitting from that of absorbed hydrogen, and although very preliminary in nature they indicate results which are striking.

Jan 1, 1929

By Herbert D. Drechsler

Mining Finance is the interrelated aspects of "determining the total amount of funds to employ in a mining firm; allocating these funds efficiently to various assets; and, obtaining the best mix of financing in relation to the overall valuation of the firm." The first section is an overview of the financing problem through examination and discussion of the Balance Sheet and Income Statement. The next section is a discussion of the nature of the criteria developed in feasibility study. The third section describes type of capital funds, and the final section describes case studies of mining finance

Jan 1, 1985

By Parke A. Dickey

POTENTIAL differences between strata of shale and sandstone have been recognized for about 15 years, and they form the basis of the electrical logging of oil wells. Hitherto these potentials have been ascribed solely to electrochemical reactions caused by the disturbing effects of the water in the drill hole through which they are generally measured. Observations by the author in wells empty of water and in a mine shaft suggest that potential differences between sandstones and shales are natural and specific properties of the rocks, although they are modified to measurement by the disturbing effects of the water in the drill hole. The cause of these potentials probably is to be sought in the relative polar adsorptive capacities of quartz and clay particles.

Jan 1, 1944

By T. S. Fuller

The work of D. J. McAdam, Jr.1,2 at the U. S. Naval Engineering Experiment Station, Annapolis, Md., on what has been called by him "corrosion-fatigue" has focussed the attention of the engineering profession in general, and of those interested especially in the study of corrosion in particular, on the importance of making tests which will indicate as nearly as possible what can be expected from a given material in service. Pitting is unquestionably the chief agent operating so tremendously to reduce fatigue limits, but in the light of previous work3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 it is fair to assume that absorbed hydrogen resulting from the action of the corroding medium upon steel may, under certain conditions, have a perceptible influence. The experiments described in this paper deal more precisely with stressless corrosion, or "prior-corrosion fatigue,"9 and have been carried out to test such an assumption, to segregate, if possible, the effect of pitting from that of absorbed hydrogen, and although very preliminary in nature they indicate results which are striking.

Jan 1, 1929

By E. Brunner, G. L. Hassler, T. J. Deahl

The capillary effects in reservoir rock are discussed in terms of the pressures they cause in sandstones and dolomites. Data for the two-phase case (oil-gas or water-gas) and for the three-phase case (oil, water and gas in rock) are used to demonstrate that in one sense the wetting preference of a rock depends on its saturation. The nature of capillary hysteresis is described for partially stable conditions, and the concept is enlarged. Reproducibly measurable pressures include the "capillary pressure," which is the pressure difference between any two phases that are each interconnected; the "threshold pressure," necessary to force a nonwetting phase through partially saturated rock; the "displacement pressure," which is that special case of the threshold pressure in which both phases fully saturate separate portions of the rock. Displacement pressure is equal to the minimum value of the "capillary pressure." The theory of flow including capillary forces is developed at the producing surface of a well to reveal the presence there of a pressure discontinuity in the gas (or other nonwetting) phase that can be controlled to the end that more oil may be poduced from an oil field. Experiments with packed sand-flow tubes having artificial producing surfaces support the theory. Introduction The basic surface quantities acting in an oil field are two: namely, surface tensions and contact angles. These are the quantities, variously expressed, and particularized as spreading forces, adhesion tensions, heats of wetting, etc., which are measured in the laboratory by techniques mostly confined to flat or circularly cylindrical surfaces. Such measurements have not had the extensive engineering application they seem to deserve because in most practical cases they are unavoidably compounded with the complex and unapproached subject of the internal shape of the interstices of rock. In this paper it is intended that the pressure differences developed in rock by capillarity be examined, defined, and given some engineering use in terms of some new measurements that have been made. Such pressure differences—namely, the capillary pressure, the displacement pressure and the threshold pressure—seem to provide a proper contact between the basic molecular quantities and the oil field. While certain modifications of usage will be undertaken, the present effort rests upon the background of work by the U. S. Geological Survey,l by Versluys, and especially by W. 0. Smith, 3,4,5 which has been reviewed recently in papers by Leverett.=s7 The most important concept of pressure difference is the capillary pressure, a function of saturation that expresses the pressure difference between the interconnected phases in a rock. It is often measured when water and air are the fluids present, but it can be measured with other fluids. A number of curves of capillary pressure have recently been measured by a method which it is intended shall be published in a later paper. Since heretofore capillary-pressure measurements upon rock have not been

Jan 1, 1944

By G. L. Hassler, E. Brunner, T. J. Deahl

The capillary effects in reservoir rock are discussed in terms of the pressures they cause in sandstones and dolomites. Data for the two-phase case (oil-gas or water-gas) and for the three-phase case (oil, water and gas in rock) are used to demonstrate that in one sense the wetting preference of a rock depends on its saturation. The nature of capillary hysteresis is described for partially stable conditions, and the concept is enlarged. Reproducibly measurable pressures include the "capillary pressure," which is the pressure difference between any two phases that are each interconnected; the "threshold pressure," necessary to force a nonwetting phase through partially saturated rock; the "displacement pressure," which is that special case of the threshold pressure in which both phases fully saturate separate portions of the rock. Displacement pressure is equal to the minimum value of the "capillary pressure." The theory of flow including capillary forces is developed at the producing surface of a well to reveal the presence there of a pressure discontinuity in the gas (or other nonwetting) phase that can be controlled to the end that more oil may be poduced from an oil field. Experiments with packed sand-flow tubes having artificial producing surfaces support the theory. Introduction The basic surface quantities acting in an oil field are two: namely, surface tensions and contact angles. These are the quantities, variously expressed, and particularized as spreading forces, adhesion tensions, heats of wetting, etc., which are measured in the laboratory by techniques mostly confined to flat or circularly cylindrical surfaces. Such measurements have not had the extensive engineering application they seem to deserve because in most practical cases they are unavoidably compounded with the complex and unapproached subject of the internal shape of the interstices of rock. In this paper it is intended that the pressure differences developed in rock by capillarity be examined, defined, and given some engineering use in terms of some new measurements that have been made. Such pressure differences—namely, the capillary pressure, the displacement pressure and the threshold pressure—seem to provide a proper contact between the basic molecular quantities and the oil field. While certain modifications of usage will be undertaken, the present effort rests upon the background of work by the U. S. Geological Survey,l by Versluys, and especially by W. 0. Smith, 3,4,5 which has been reviewed recently in papers by Leverett.=s7 The most important concept of pressure difference is the capillary pressure, a function of saturation that expresses the pressure difference between the interconnected phases in a rock. It is often measured when water and air are the fluids present, but it can be measured with other fluids. A number of curves of capillary pressure have recently been measured by a method which it is intended shall be published in a later paper. Since heretofore capillary-pressure measurements upon rock have not been

Jan 1, 1944

By P. M. Blair

This paper presents numerical solutions of the equations describing the imbibition of water and the countercurrent flow of oil in porous rocks. The imbibition process is of practical importance in recovering oil from heterogeneous formations and has been studied principally by experimental means. Calculations were made for imbibition of water into both linear and radial systems. Imbibition in the linear systems was allowed to take place through one open, or permeable, face of the porous medium studied. ln the radial system, water was imbibed inward from the outer radius. The effects on rate of imbibition of varying the capillary pressure and relative permeability curves, oil viscosity and the initial water saturation were computed. For each case studied, the rate of water imbibition and the saturation and pressure profiles were calculated as functions of time. The results of these calculations indicate that, for the porous medium studied, the time required to imbibe a fixed volume of water of a certain viscosity is approximately proportional to the square root of the viscosity of the reservoir oil whenever the oil viscosity is greater than the water viscosity. Results are also presented illustrating the effects on rate of imbibition of the other variables studied. INTRODUCTION The process of imbibition, or spontaneous flow of fluids in porous media under the influence of capillary pressure gradients, occurs wherever there exist in permeable rock capillary pressure gradients which are not exactly balanced by opposing pressure gradients (such as those resulting from the influence of gravity). The importance of such capillary movement in the displacement of oil by water or gas was recognized in early investigations and described by Leverett, Lewis and True in 1942.1 Methods advanced by these authors for studying the process using dynamically scaled models were rendered more general and flexible by the research of later workers.2"4 The influence of capillary forces in laboratory water floods has also been discussed by several authors.6 While imbibition plays a very important role in the recovery of oil from normal reservoirs, Brownscombe and Dyes7 pointed out that imbibition might be the dominant displacement process in water flooding reservoirs characterized by drastic variations in permeability, such as in fractured-matrix reservoirs. In water-wet, fractured-matrix reservoirs, water will be imbibed from fractures into the matrix with a countercurrent expulsion of oil into the fractures. If the imbibition occurs at a sufficiently rapid rate, a very successful water flood can result; if the imbibition proceeds slowly the project might not be economically attractive. Scaled-model studies have demonstrated the vital importance of imbibition in secondary recovery in fractured reservoirs. It is therefore important in the evaluation of waterflooding prospects to develop a thorough understanding of the quantitative relationships of the factors which control the rapidity of capillary imbibition. The imbibition process serves reservoir engineers in still another important way by providing a technique for studying the wettability of reservoir core samples. Such experiments are usually conducted by observing the rate of expulsion of oil or water from core samples submerged in the appropriate fluid. Several papers have been 'published on the experimental techniques involved?? Although Handy has recently published a method for calculating capillary pressures from experiments with gas-saturated cores, it has not yet been possible to deduce quantitative information regarding water-oil relative permeability and capillary pressure characteristics of the rock from the experimental results. Thus a technique is needed for studying the quantitative dependence of imbibition rate on oil and water viscosity, initial water saturation, relative permeability-saturation, and capillary pressure-saturation relations. The development of such information, including saturation and pressure profiles by laboratory experiments, would be very difficult. However, recent advances in the applica-

Jan 1, 1965

By David W. Mitchell

WHILE pure magnesium does not corrode rapidly the presence of even very small quantities of certain other metals accelerates corrosion remarkably. Because magnesium is such an electropositive metal (E° = +2.34 volts)' the presence of substances that permit galvanic activity is extremely undesirable. It is stated that as little as 0.017 pct of iron in magnesium causes a marked increase in the corrosion rate.2 Magnesium and its alloys are commonly melted in iron or steel pots; consequently the commercial metal has the opportunity to pick up iron if it has that tendency. Quantitative data on the solubility of iron in magnesium are of practical as well as of academic interest. Some magnesium alloy castings tend to have large grain size unless suitable treatment is given to the liquid metal just prior to casting. One method of grain refinement consists of "superheating" the metal just prior to casting. "Superheating" is heating to a temperature 100 to 200°C above the casting temperature and holding for a short period of time. Superheated metal has a much finer grain than unsuperheated metal. A satisfactory explanation of this phenomenon has not been forthcoming. One hypothesis attributes the grain refinement in the superheated metal to precipitation of some phase that is miscible at the temperature of superheat but not miscible just below the casting temperature and which is thought to provide nucleating centers for crystallization. This phase, if the foregoing hypothesis is correct, would probably be a metal or an intermetallic compound. Of the metals likely to be found in magnesium alloys, iron is one of the most likely candidates for the role of grain refiner for iron occurs in small quantities in all commercial magnesium and magnesium alloys. A. Beck' states that magnesium, in either the liquid or the solid state, cannot dissolve iron and that iron exists as a finely divided suspension which does not settle out because of its extreme fineness. Beck also presents a micrograph showing a large iron dendrite in magnesium but does not comment on the crystallization of iron from a solution supposed to contain none. It is doubtful that dendrite formation from suspended iron would be possible. This suspension theory is the basis of patents4 covering the removal of iron from magnesium by allowing the iron particles to act as nuclei for the formation of primary magnesium crystals which can be separated by segregation. Also covered by patents is the removal of iron by the addition of another metal to form an intermetallic compound with the iron which, because of its increased particle size, is able to settle out of the molten metal. Here, too, quantitative information on the extent of iron solubility in liquid magnesium is of more than theoretical interest. M. Hansen,5 in his critical collection of the data on binary alloys, states that iron is not soluble in liquid magnesium. W. R. D. Jones6 who studied the physical properties of low iron magnesium alloys observed a

Jan 1, 1948

By Nelson Severinghaus

Mineral fillers have been defined as inert materials that are included in a composition for some useful purpose. Because this definition and the scope of this review are not specific-indeed, exceptions abound-accurate total statistics are unavailable. One source estimates the total production in the United States in 1979 at 11.3 Mt (12.5 million st) valued at $534 million, averaging $49.19 per ton. Included are a broad group of minerals-asbestos, barite, bentonite, ground limestone and dolomite, clays, diatomite, feldspar, micas, silica, talc. Additional references will be made to synthetic mineral-derived fillers such as aluminum hydrate, precipitated calcium carbonate, and pyrogenic and precipitated silicas and silicates. A section on related uses at the end of this chapter covers absorbents and filters. Mineral fillers can be included in compounds to accomplish a variety of final results. Hardness, brittleness, impact strength, compressive strength, softening point, fire resistance, surface texture, electrical conductivity, and a host of other physical characteristics may be modified by the inclusion of fillers. These effects are the result of properties of the fillers, including chemical activity, hardness, particle size, shape and distribution, surface structure, color, density, and refractive index. To facilitate an overview of the mineral filler industry, this chapter will review the general usage of fillers, the inherent characteristics that intensify their utilization, and similarly their manufactured characteristics. Major using industries will then be examined in detail. Specific information on deposits and processing for industrial minerals will be found in the appropriate commodity chapter. All of these same minerals have additional significant uses based on their chemical composition or other characteristics. References will be found in other use chapters and summarized in commodity chapters. The chart in Table 1, updated from the 4th edition of Industrial Minerals and Rocks, illustrates the major mineral fillers (both natural and manufactured) and their more important end uses. Use of Mineral Fillers Archaeologists have found that more than 5000 years ago, bitumen used for mortar and waterproofing contained mineral contaminants that acted as fillers. Since that time man has added mineral products to compounds to improve certain characteristics. Perhaps the most common objective of filler usage is reduction of cost of the end product. Certainly the inclusion of a filler that costs 2¢ per 0.45 kg (lb) will reduce the cost of a plastic product whose resin costs 50¢ per 0.45 kg (lb). But the decision to use a specific filler is not that simple. It may "soak up" binder, making a compound more viscous and perhaps preventing its flow into a mold as an injection molding compound, but similarly will give good anti-sag characteristics to putty, caulking compound, or undercoating. Fillers may be incorporated to modify: 1) Cost 2) Physical characteristics 3) Flow characteristics 4) Fire resistance 5) Density 6) Heat conductivity 7) Color or brightness and opacity 8) Hardness, brittleness, impact strength 9) Deformity, viscosity, softening point 10) Processing problems 11) Electrical conductivity 12) Surface texture 13) Thermal expansion characteristics 14) Abrasion resistance

Jan 1, 1983

By A. M. Gaudin, C. S. Chang

IN general, fatty acids or their alkali salts do not cause clean quartz to float. However, the presence of multivalent ions, such as the alkaline-earth metal ions and heavy-metal ions, can activate quartz and thus make it respond to soap flotation. The mechanism of activation and soap flotation of quartz has been studied.1-4 The problem was attacked by making flotation tests rather than by careful adsorption measurements on suspensions of ground quartz in solutions containing the activator and the collector. Attempts have been made to determine the adsorption of barium ion and calcium ion on quartz. The results have only qualitative value as the analytical methods were not adequately precise. Artificial radioactivity and progress in radioactivity detection have introduced a new analytical tool, which can have a sensitivity several orders of magnitude greater than that of other methods.5-6 In the experimental work described in this paper the radioactive tracers, barium 140 and carbon 14, were employed. Lauric acid was synthesized, having a radioactive carbon atom and was used with Ba140 to study the adsorption of barium and laurate ions from aqueous solution on ground quartz. Flotation tests, using the vacuum flotation technique,4 were run in conjunction with the adsorption experiments. The object of this investigation was to understand better the reaction mechanism of barium activation and soap flotation of quartz. Methods and Materials Quartz Sample Preparation: Lumps of hand picked quartz, washed free of stains, were reduced in size to -20 mesh in laboratory crushers. The product was boiled in concentrated hydrochloric acid to remove the abraded iron. The cleaned product then was ground dry in a laboratory porcelain mill, using siliceous pebbles, to pass through a 200 mesh screen. The ground product was deslimed by sedimentation at 37 microns. This -200 mesh +400 mesh material was subjected again to boiling with concentrated hydrochloric acid, followed by washing with distilled water and further desliming. The cycle was repeated until no trace of iron could be detected in the wash liquor. During the final washing, the pH of the wash water was checked to insure the complete removal of the acid from the mineral. The quartz then' was rinsed with conductivity water. The resulting product was dried in a drying oven and stored in mason jars. The impurities (spectrographic) were as follows: Al, 0.01 to 0.001 pct; Li, Mg, Mn,, Na, each less than 0.001 pct; Fe and Cu not detected. The specific surface of the quartz sample was determined by the krypton gas adsorption method.7 The average of two measurements was 881 sq cm per g. The calculated specific surface for 37/74 micron quartz particles, using a surface factor of 1.96,8 is 900 sq cm per g. This is in good agreement with the measured value of 881 sq cm per g. Beta-Counting Method: The radioactive isotope of barium used in the experimental work was barium 140. It has a sufficiently long half-life, 12.8 days, emits high-energy beta particles (up to 1.0

Jan 1, 1952

By Richard P. Schoemaker

Introduction In underground mining operations the effects of economic and mechanical factors on costs and profits can readily be appreciated and can perhaps be expressed in exact figures and percentages. Less apparent, but frequently more important, is the influence of physical stress. Stress causes failure of supports, collapse of openings, rockbursts, and other damage which directly affects the costs of maintenance, and also to a certain extent the accident rate. Stress can, however, if properly directed, be an aid to mining operations. The caving methods in metal mining and the long-wall method in coal mining are well-known examples. In large-scale mining operations it is almost impossible to neglect stress-control. A better understanding of the mechanism of rock pressure and the application of its principles to practical mining will inevitably lead to a reduction in operating costs. Many theories have been advanced to give the mining engineer a practical outline for stress-control but, although today most experts agree upon the principles of stress distribution around underground openings, there is still no generally accepted theory that explains all phenomena. The main reasons for this incomplete understanding of the problem are the lack of accurate knowledge of the physical properties of rocks under field conditions, and the great complexity of these conditions due to in-homogeneity of the rock, stratification, tectonic disturbances, and many other unknown factors. The research on the rock pressure problems has, however, yielded some valuable facts which, expressed in practical terms, and adapted to local conditions, may become a valuable aid for mining operations. The purpose of this paper is to give a review of the most important accomplishments of this research with respect to the stress phenomena around small underground openings, such as tunnels and shafts, so as to arrive at an outline of the problem as it stands today. Special emphasis is placed on a new theory by the German mining engineer, Rudolf Fenner, which has never before been published or discussed in English. The Pressure Dome Theory The formation of a dome-shaped space around underground openings is well known from field observations. When openings are made in rock under stress, the rock in the top of the openings will often fail, and caving will continue until the openings have assumed a dome-shaped form, after which equilibrium apparently is re-established. The oldest theory which attempted to explain the phenomenon is the "beam" theory, which postulates that the hanging wall consists of stratified measures that behave as independent beams with fixed ends and a uniformly distributed load. When failure of the beam occurs, inward shearing at the ends will cause the formation of a dome-shaped space. The pressure dome theory, which more or less evolved from the beam theory, merely

Jan 1, 1949

By T. M. Morris

THE rate of flotation of solid particles determines the percentage recovery of these particles which can be obtained during a given time interval. It is an established fact that the recovery is greatest in the fine sand size range and falls off on either side of this size range. It is also a fact that the history of the development of concentrating devices has been marked by a desire to recover the small particles: tables were developed to treat material too fine to recover in jigs; flotation recovers material too fine to be recovered on tables. As our ores become more complex and require finer grinding, a greater proportion is in the slow-floating size range. It is therefore of economic importance that the effect of size of particle upon rate of flotation be studied. Many studies have been made along this line. The present investigation attempts to quantify the rate of flotation by means of a rate equation, and then compares the effect of size upon the rate of flotation. It was found that the flotation rate constant increases with increase in diameter of particle in the size range smaller than the optimum size particle. The flotation rate constant decreases with an increase in diameter of particle in the size range coarser than the optimum size particle. This suggested two different actions taking place, and these are discussed. Suggestions for further work in order to improve the flotation rate of both fine and coarse particles are made. The usual method of expressing rate is to plot cumulative percent recovery vs time. If we knew the equation of this kind of curve we could replot it as a straight line, and the slope of the line would be an index of the magnitude of the flotation rate. It is easier to compare straight lines than curves. The basis used for obtaining the equation of the recovery vs time curve is the law of mass action. This law states that the "rate of a chemical reaction is proportional to the `active masses' of the reacting substances present at any given time." This, of course, implies a constant temperature. We can modify this for our use by using the term flotation reaction instead of chemical reaction and the term floatable particle instead of active masses. [ ] where C denotes concentration of particles, t denotes time, k denotes a proportionality constant. If the exponent of C is 1, then we have a first order rate reaction. If the exponent of C is 2, then we have a second order rate reaction. For a first order rate reaction, we obtain, after integration, [ ] where k is again a proportionality constant and has the dimension of the reciprocal of time. C, is the original concentration or weight or percentage of floatable particles. C, is the concentration or weight or percentage of floatable particles remaining in the flotation cell after time t. If all particles of the mineral to be floated were capable of floating we could take C, as 100 and C, would be 100 - R, where R is the cumulative percentage recovery of mineral at time t. But it is not usual for all of the particles to be capable of floating, because of surface oxidation, etc. Therefore, we must introduce a factor x which is the percentage of unfloatable mineral. Hence the first order equation is [ ] It has been proposed by various workers1-3 that this equation describes the flotation rate. More recently N. Arbiter4 states that a second order rate equation fits the recovery vs time curve more closely than does a first order rate equation. Morris' has discussed the evidence presented for this statement. It has been concluded that the first

Jan 1, 1952

By M. F. Smith

BELOW the nose of the bainitic C curves in isothermal transformation diagrams, the rate of the austenite-to-bainite transformation usually decreases with decreasing temperature. However, in some steels and iron-carbon alloys, there is a noticeable acceleration in the initial reaction rate at temperatures just above Ms. Such speeding-up of the bainitic transformation would be understandable at temperatures just below Ms because of the catalytic effect of the martensite formed,' but the reversal in isothermal kinetics just above Ms seems quite anomalous. This behavior was observed by Howard and Cohen' in a 1.35 pct C steel and, on the basis of metallo-graphic examination, it was attributed to the formation of a thin plate-like product not belonging in the bainitic sequence. More recently, schaaber2 found two-stage reactions occurring in the vicinity of Ms in a number of steels, and suggested that the first stage might be the isothermal formation of marten-site, preceding the isothermal formation of bainite in the second stage. A decrease in the bainitic incu-

Jan 1, 1960

By Hassell E. Hunter

The Wyoming Minerals - Conoco Crownpoint Joint Venture represents the first time that big hole drilling has been exclusively used to develop a privately financed mine. Three shafts, one ten feet in diameter and two six feet in diameter, have been successfully drilled to depths of 2243', 2188' and 2188' respectively and lined with hydrostatic designed steel casing. The largest shaft is to be used to as a development shaft to handle muck and water from enlargement and station excavation of the other two shafts. A reverse fluid air assist circulation system with potassium base mud was used during drilling. The mud was cleaned by settling in steel lined tanks with assistance from cyclone type sand separators. Deviation was monitored with wireline gyroscopic surveying instruments at 30 foot intervals. Horizontal departure did not exceed 16 inches off perpendicular. Casing was designed to withstand full hydrostatic pressures with a 1.5 safety factor for the large shaft and 1.25 safety factor for the two smaller shafts. All casing welds were x-rayed prior to lowering the casing into the hole. Cementing the annular space completed the operation. The total time to mobilize, drill and move off the three shafts was 363 days. The drilling operation was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

Jan 1, 1982

By Robert T. Pring

In addition to the humanitarian aspects of a dust-control program, certain economic benefits are becoming more fully recognized and now furnish a greater incentive to the mill operator to eliminate the dust from his plant. It is well known that a favorable working environment promotes increased efficiency and improves the morale of employees, with a consequent decrease in labor turnover rates. One progressive mining company' estimates its direct and indirect labor turnover costs at from $40 to $50 per man; for skilled labor, such as machine operators, the cost may approach $100 per man. While these figures may not be typical of every plant, they do indicate a potential savings in operating costs. Dust signifies waste; its elimination decreases maintenance costs of mechanical and electrical equipment; its recovery is often justified from the standpoint of values contained in the collected material, although in large-scale milling operations handling low-grade ore this may not be an important factor, Perhaps the most significant trend in industrial sanitation is that dust-control equipment and procedures are becoming recognized as integral parts of the mill flowsheet. Exhaust ventilating systems are now afforded equal care in design and maintenance to that given other machinery more closely related to the Process. Methods of Dust Control "Dust control" is a general term descriptive of a number of methods used singly or together to prevent particulate atmospheric contamination. These methods are: in order .of their desirability, as follows: 1. Change of process. 2. Isolation of process. 3. Wet methods. 4. Ventilation. a. Local exhaust ventilation. b. General ventilation. 5. Personal respiratory protection. In ore-concentration plants it is seldom prac tical to change a process to eliminate the dust it creates It is possible in some cases to isolate a particular dust-producing operation from the rest of the plant, provided that constant attention on the part of the operators is not required. Frequently water is used in fine crushing and fine grinding, primarily to facilitate the processing of the ore and incidentally to allay the dust produced. Wet methods, however, are not feasible in coarse and secondary crushing operations, because of the relatively great volume of water required in instantly wetting each freshly fractured rock surface. Such quantities of water would entail conveying and storage difficulties. Local exhaust ventilation is the most effective and most commonly applied control measure, wherein directional air currents through the zone of dust production draw the contaminants into a duct system. Unfortunately, only a limited amount of reliable information on exhaust ventilation is available.2-5 of necessity these publications are rather general, being primarily concerned with engineering fundamentals. While many organizations have successfully

Jan 1, 1943

By Edward Martinez

The reactions occurring in the copper segregation process were studied by heating mixtures of chryso-colla, salt, and a reducing agent. The techniques used in this investigation were differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The initial chloridizing of the oxide copper occurs below 500°C and cupric chloride may be the compound formed. Volatilization and reduction of the copper chloride take place above 550°C, although these reactions do occur to some extent below 550°C. A difference in the distribution of the metallic copper in the reducing agent was found when sodium chloride was used compared to magnesium or calcium chloride. Segregation was obtained with mixtures of cupric oxide, salt, and charcoal with no quartz or silicate present. Preliminary tests indicate that segregation may occur even in the absence of water vapor. The DTA and TGA techniques were found to be of great value in studying these reactions. The copper segregation process is a method for treating oxide copper ores. The ore is heated, most commonly in a kiln, with a reducing agent and a halide salt, generally sodium chloride, to approximately 700°-750°C and held for 30 to 60 min. The addition of the salt results in the migration and reduction of the oxide copper to metallic copper on the surface of the reducing agent rather than in the original mineral structure. The metallic copper can then be recovered by a subsequent leaching or flotation step.1-4 Experimental work in 1923 on oxide copper ores from the Sagasca mines in Chile led to the discovery of the reduction process. It was found that during the reduction of the copper mineral with coal, at about 700°C, the copper migrated to the surface of the coal instead of remaining disseminated in the ore. The unusual behavior of the copper, which caused it to migrate from the ore particles to the coal, was traced to the presence of a small quantity of sodium chloride occurring in the ore. Further experiments with oxide copper ores proved that the presence of a halide, either occurring naturally or admixed with the ore, caused the copper to migrate from the ore particles and to segregate in the charge. The ratio of salt to reducing agent may vary somewhat, but in general 0.5% to 1.5% sodium chloride and 0.5% to 1.0% coal or coke have been mixed with the ore. Less than stoichiometric amounts of salt are required to convert all the oxide copper to a chloride, so that a cycle of reactions appears to be occurring. Several investigations reported in the literature have proposed reactions to explain the mechanism of the process.5-10 There appears to be general agreement that water is necessary for the reactions to occur; that once the sodium chloride reacts with silica or silicates in the ore, the hydrochloric acid formed will convert the cupric oxide in the mineral structure to cuprous chloride. However, there appears to be a conflict of opinion on the reactions involved in the reduction of the cuprous chloride to metallic copper on the surface of the carbon. Rey has indicated that salt, water vapor, and

Jan 1, 1968

By A. M. Kivari

OPERATIONS at the cement plant of the Permanente Corporation, in the hills about 45 miles south of San Francisco and 12 miles west of San Jose, are interesting to the members because of the adoption of modern hydrometallurgical methods for handling and beneficiating raw materials. Closed-circuit grinding, classification, hydro-separation, flotation, agitation, and thickening are familiar terms at this cement plant. These methods make it possible to process refractory limestone into suitable materials for the manufacture of modern cements. Construction of the plant, having originally a design capacity of 7000 bbl. of cement per day, was started in June 1939, and the first clinker was ground on the following Christmas Day. At present the capacity is about 12,000 bbl. of finished cement per 24 hr., most of the production being low-heat cement.† About 3130 tons of limestone, 620 tons 0f clay and 100 tons of gypsum are required daily for this output. Occasionally iron oxide is added to the clay to obtain the desired composition. This, together with the gypsum, is purchased from outside sources. Up to the present time, the corporation has produced low-heat, normal, moderate heat, moderate-sulphate-resisting, high-early-strength, oil-well, modified-oil-well, and plastic cements. Most of the present production is for Shasta Dam, near Redding, Calif., the total demand being 5,800,000 bbl, of cement. Following are some of the cement requirements of the Shasta Dam specifications: [PERCENT Chemical composition: Loss in ignition2.25 Insoluble residue0.75 SO32.25 MgO5.00 Uncombined lime in clinker (CaO)1 .25 Percentage of iron oxide to alumina ratio1.5 Compound composition: Tricalcium silicate (3CaO.Si02)Not more than 3,5 Dicalcium silicate (2CaO.Si02)Not less than 40 and not more than 65 Tricalcium aluminate (3CaO.Al2O7)Not more than 7 Tetracalcium aluminoferrite (4CaO.A12O3.Fe203) Not more than 0 Fineness:] The average specific surface in the bin sampled shall be not less than 1800 sq. cm. per gram and no individual sample less than 1600 sq. centimeters. Compressive strength: The average compressive strength-in pounds per square inch of three mortar cubes composed of one part cement and 2.75 parts fine testing sand, by weight, shall be equal to or greater than the following:

Jan 1, 1941