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By P. B. Liebermann

1. Haulage Tests on Coal-mine Cars THE haulage of coal from the face to the tipple is an important enough link in the production of coal to deserve its full share of study and care. In order to obtain a better understanding of mine haulage conditions, a series of tests and investigations has been made which promises to hasten the improvement of present conditions. For hauling coal through the mine and on the surface, locomotives are required, the size and power consumption of which depend on the resistance to motion offered by the mine cars. This resistance is principally caused by gravity and hearing friction. The effect of gravity can be reduced to a minimum by a suitable layout of the haulageways; that is, by arranging the grades in favor of the loaded trips, and by fixing the percentage of grade to that value which gives the lowest power consumption for loaded and empty trains. The bearing friction, which is considerably greater than is generally realized, can be easily reduced to a negligible quantity by the installation of a suitable anti-friction bearing that will stand the rough use and abuse of coal-mine service. The present investigation will deal with flexible roller bearings in comparison with ordinary plain bearings.

Jan 7, 1917

COMPARED with the equipment used in most industrial processes, the open-hearth furnace has a relatively short life. The most important quality of an open-hearth refractory, therefore, is its rate of failure. This discussion of the physics and chemistry of the individual refractory materials will keep uppermost the question "Why, how, and where does it fail?" CAUSES OF FAILURE The principal causes of failure of open-hearth refractories are, in their order of importance : 1. Reaction with iron oxides. 2. Reaction with slag. 3. Flow and failure under load. 4. Melting. 5. Spalling. 6. Mechanical breakage. Reaction with Iron Oxides and Slag. Reaction with iron oxides and slag is by far the most important cause of failure. Liquid iron oxide comes near to being the "universal solvent" sought for by the alchemists. Among the materials commonly used in the open-hearth furnace, magnesia has the greatest resistance to this liquid and fireclay the least. The relations of iron and oxygen at high temperatures are illustrated in Fig 14-18. The liquid iron oxide that forms wherever iron is in contact with air or combustion gases cannot be given a definite formula. The percentage of oxygen at steelmaking temperatures may range from 21 to 28 (iron 79 to 72), depending upon the temperature and the oxygen pressure and also upon whether or not the liquid is in equilibrium with metallic iron. Oxide mixtures exist not only in the solid and liquid phases but also in the vapor phase, for metallic iron and its oxides have

Jan 1, 1964

By G. D. Van Arsdale

This paper describes a series of experiments leading to the development of a method for leaching the mixed ores of the Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co., containing chalcocite and silicates of copper, by the use of solutions acidified with sulfuric acid and carrying ferric sulfate. Iron is added to the solutions and ferric iron is regenerated electrolytically to a percentage high enough to act as an effcient solvent. The decreased yield is partly compensated for by a higher current density. An important problem in modern copper metallurgy, particularly in the Southwest, has been to obtain good recoveries from what are commonly known as mixed ores; that is ores in which the copper occurs partly as oxide and partly as sulfide compounds. The dividing line between mixed ores and ores commonly accepted as concentrating is not definite. In other words, much ore now being concentrated carries considerable copper in non-sulfide form, on which recoveries are not so good as on ores carrying less of these constituents. While treatment by concentration may be commercially profitable on ores carrying oxide copper within certain limits, there are large deposits for which the application of concentration could not be considered, and yet which have not been considered amenable to leaching because they carried too much sulfide. The Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co. has large amounts of such mixed ores, and this paper is an account of the experimental work by which a method was developed for their treatment, and for which a large plant is now being erected by the Inspiration Co. It is not claimed that the method is a general solution of the problem of mixed-ore treatment but it is apparently well adapted for leaching the ores of the Inspiration Co., for which it was designed. The work done has covered preliminary laboratory and test-plant investigation, and a pilot-plant run, extending from March to the middle of December, 1923. Thoroughly consistent and satisfactory results were obtained continuously for more than six months in the pilot plant; and it is believed that the results and probable costs that can be had on a large scale have been definitely proved. The method, however, was designed for local conditions; and while the basic principles are general, there are ores on which it will not work and other ores for which considerable modification may be required.

Jan 1, 1926

By R. P. E. Hermsdorf

THE electrolytic refining of metals for the removal of undesirable impurities has become a recognized necessity in the nonferrous field. Copper, lead, zinc, nickel, silver and gold have been produced in this manner for years. The United States Metals Refining Co., realizing that considerable quantities of lead and tin could be made available to the trade if a satisfactory method of purification of these metals could be established, decided to investigate the possibilities of electrolytic solder. In cooperation with Dr. Edward F. Kern, of the School of Mines at Columbia University, the company developed a process of electrolytic refining of lead-tin alloys using a tin-lead fluosilicate electrolyte. A pilot plant was installed in November, 1927, and the commercial unit was put in October, 1929. Since that time thousands of tons of electrolytic solder have been produced in this plant and consumed by all branches of industry that use solder.

Jan 1, 1936

By Donald W. Gentry

The recently established SME-AIME Education Board has completed its first full year of operation, and its six constituent committees-Accreditation, Career Guidance, Continuing Education, Educational Statistics, and Scholarship-have been extremely active in identifying and initiating programs to serve the educational needs of the Society of Mining Engineers and its members. The Continuing Education Committee-primarily concerned with the needs and problems associated with providing a continuing education program for SME members-is responsible for: (1) determining the need for short course offerings; (2) developing needed courses, along with new means and opportunities of presentation; and (3) scheduling and evaluating course presentation. In response to this charge, the committee has sponsored two short courses at the SME-AIME Fall Meeting in St. Louis and three short courses at the AIME Annual Meeting in Denver. Its major effort, however, has been directed toward the 1978 SME-AIME Fall Meeting to be held in Orlando, Fla., where 18 days of short-course instruction have been scheduled. A portion of these courses will be presented prior to the meeting, with the remainder to be presented in Nassau, Bahamas, immediately following the meeting.

Jan 7, 1978

By Charles R. Wraith

The property of the Roan Antelope Copper Mines, Ltd., is situated at Luanshya, north central part of Northern Rhodesia, and is connected with the main line of the Rhodesia Railways, Ltd., by a 24-mile branch line from N'dola. Most of the material and supplies that are not available in Africa are shipped into the country via Beira, on the East Coast of Africa, a distance of 1473 miles from Luanshya and the nearest ocean port. The output of copper is shipped by rail to Beira and thence by boat to the market. Passenger travel is mostly via Cape Town, a distance of 2162 miles from Luanshya. Excellent passenger trains operate on regular schedules between Cape Town and Northern Rhodesia. Luanshya is 13" south of the equator at an elevation of 4000 ft. above sea level, and has a mild healthful climate. During the rainy season, from October to March, the rainfall averages 53 in. The area is profusely covered with vegetation. An ample supply of water for industrial and domestic purposes is available throughout the year. The more important supplies for smelting purposcs, such as wood, coal, limestone, silica, quartzite, and clay for "dolly" mud, are conveniently available. Excellent grades of coal, coke and firebrick are obtained from the Wankie Colliery Co., Ltd., Southern Rhodesia. The Wankie colliery has just completed the erection of equipment for the manufacture of silica brick. An ample supply of quartzite of good grade is available for this purpose. Silica brick is also obtained from the Belgian Congo and from India. Limestone is quarried from a large deposit a few miles from Bwana Mkubwa, which is 30 miles by rail from the smelter. An abundant supply of clay for " dolly " mud and for lining launders is available within a short distance of the smelter. Metallurgy Copper is contained in the ore as chalcocite, chalcopyrite and bornite. Chalcocite predominates in the eastern end of the orebody almost to the exclusion of other copper minerals. The amount of chalcocite decreases with a corresponding increase of chalcopyrite and bornite toward the western extension, where the latter predominate.

Jan 1, 1934

By Charles White Merrill

Mankind's progress is measured in minerals. Man's emergence from prehistory is marked by passage through a Stone Age and a Bronze Age and into the present era, sometimes called the Iron Age or the Age of Metals. With the evolution of civilization and the development of a modem industrial economy, minerals become more and more important. Structures, roads, and machines are built largely of minerals; the energy to heat the structures and to drive the machines is mostly mineral; agricultural fertility is maintained by mineral fertilizers and water; and military strength is provided by fortresses, armaments, and munitions, largely of mineral origin. Thus in the material world, in the productivity of the economy, access to minerals has paramount importance. Every evidence indicates increasing dependence on minerals in the modem economy, particularly on the mineral fuels as energy sources to provide the power base for advancing industrialization. Both the total and the per capita consumption of almost every mineral is increasing in the industrialized nations. Moreover, nations with predominantly agrarian economies call themselves underdeveloped and universally strive to industrialize. Most mineral consumption trends in the more advanced economies have been greatly exceeding population growth-which itself has been advancing at an accelerating rate--and sometimes have surpassed the growth in real income. Some minerals have only recently been adopted or grown to importance in use. Titanium as a metal appeared as a commercial product only in 1948, and even coal seriously displaced wood as a source of heat less than two centuries ago. On the other hand, minerals have always played an important role in construction. The prehistoric megaliths that form the dolmens of Salisbury Plain are stone; the pyramids are andesite faced with limestone; and many other ancient structures are built of mineral materials. In modem times the whole course of architecture has been redirected by new building materials, mostly mineral. Most conspicuous is the sky-

Jan 1, 1959

By Blake M. Loring, Robert A. Colton

MeltiXg procedures for most metals and alloys usually include some provision for the control of oxygen, since this element frequently has some undesirable effect on the properties of the metal or alloy concerned. In the melting of the various bronzes, this is especially true, since oxygen can be introduced into the melt in a number of ways, most of which are difficult to control. In making bronzes from virgin materials, oxygen is usually present in the commercial grades of copper used; electrolytic fire-refined copper ingots usually contain from 0.02 to 0.05 per cent oxygen. When ingot metal or scrap bronze is used in the charge, oxides are almost always present to some degree. Under certain melting conditions and in certain types of melting equipment the atmosphere over the metal may be highly oxidizing. This, of course, may be desirable in the melting practice used, but is certain to introduce appreciable amounts of oxygen into the melt, and that may not be entirely desirable. From the foundry viewpoint oxygen may have several harmful effects on bronzes. The formation of excessive amounts of oxides may produce drossy metal, which, in turn, means dirty castings and a potentially high rejection rate. It is claimed, too, that oxides in the metal may combine with hydrogen to form steam and thereby produce porosity in certain of the bronzes. The presence of certain refractory oxides, such as SnOz, may be undesirable from the viewpoint of making machining difficult, or as possible stress-raisers in the metal matrix. It is often said that excessive oxide present in the liquid metal makes the metal run sluggishly. Since it appears impractical to try to control the amount of oxygen introduced into the metal beyond taking the economical limit of precaution about charging dirty scrap, it would seem' that control of the oxygen content of the liquid metal offers the most promising approach to this problem. This might be done by using slags, or covers, or by the use of some element or compound added to the melt to remove oxygen preferentially. Most aspects of this problem have been considered and considerable work has been done along these lines. A reconsideration of the problem is indicated, however, by the controversial nature of the evidence at hand, especially on the possibility of using a chemical deoxidizer to control the oxygen content of bronzes. Choice of Deoxidizer The choice of the chemical agent selected as a deoxidizer would naturally depend first on the alloy in which it is to ~he used: in this particular case the alloy is Navy gun metal. In Table. I are listed a group of elements that might be considered as deoxidizers for bronze, with some of their properties that should be considered in

Jan 1, 1946

By Blake M. Loring, Robert A. Colton

MeltiXg procedures for most metals and alloys usually include some provision for the control of oxygen, since this element frequently has some undesirable effect on the properties of the metal or alloy concerned. In the melting of the various bronzes, this is especially true, since oxygen can be introduced into the melt in a number of ways, most of which are difficult to control. In making bronzes from virgin materials, oxygen is usually present in the commercial grades of copper used; electrolytic fire-refined copper ingots usually contain from 0.02 to 0.05 per cent oxygen. When ingot metal or scrap bronze is used in the charge, oxides are almost always present to some degree. Under certain melting conditions and in certain types of melting equipment the atmosphere over the metal may be highly oxidizing. This, of course, may be desirable in the melting practice used, but is certain to introduce appreciable amounts of oxygen into the melt, and that may not be entirely desirable. From the foundry viewpoint oxygen may have several harmful effects on bronzes. The formation of excessive amounts of oxides may produce drossy metal, which, in turn, means dirty castings and a potentially high rejection rate. It is claimed, too, that oxides in the metal may combine with hydrogen to form steam and thereby produce porosity in certain of the bronzes. The presence of certain refractory oxides, such as SnOz, may be undesirable from the viewpoint of making machining difficult, or as possible stress-raisers in the metal matrix. It is often said that excessive oxide present in the liquid metal makes the metal run sluggishly. Since it appears impractical to try to control the amount of oxygen introduced into the metal beyond taking the economical limit of precaution about charging dirty scrap, it would seem' that control of the oxygen content of the liquid metal offers the most promising approach to this problem. This might be done by using slags, or covers, or by the use of some element or compound added to the melt to remove oxygen preferentially. Most aspects of this problem have been considered and considerable work has been done along these lines. A reconsideration of the problem is indicated, however, by the controversial nature of the evidence at hand, especially on the possibility of using a chemical deoxidizer to control the oxygen content of bronzes. Choice of Deoxidizer The choice of the chemical agent selected as a deoxidizer would naturally depend first on the alloy in which it is to ~he used: in this particular case the alloy is Navy gun metal. In Table. I are listed a group of elements that might be considered as deoxidizers for bronze, with some of their properties that should be considered in

Jan 1, 1946

By H. S. Chiang, S. S. Peng

INTRODUCTION Underground coal mining disturbs the original in-situ conditions which induces a series of strata activities and results in creating "mine pressures," the source of all ground control problems. Adoption of self advancing powered supports in modern longwall mining adds a new dimension to ground control problems and thus research. Roof stability, in general, refers to the integrity and stability of the immediate roof which is measured by the maximum exposed area and time duration without support. There are many factors that con- tribute to roof stability problems. In addition to mining height, rock property and stratum components and caving angle of the immediate roof, characteristics of joints and fissures and their degrees of development, faults and underground water, the operational techniques also play a very important role. This paper summarizes these operational techniques and methods of controlling stable and unstable roof. CLASSIFICATION OF THE IMMEDIATE ROOF There are many ways of classifying the roof (1). For practical purpose, the immediate roof in this paper is divided into three groups, i.e. unstable. medium stable and stable. Unstable Immediate Roof It has the following features (1) It consists of weak or soft carbonaceous shale, black shale, clay shale and well-jointed or fractures sandy shale

Jan 1, 1983

Jan 1, 1898

TWO recent developments in open hearth steelmaking have had a substantial impact on metallurgical practices and operating procedures. These are: (1) the use of oxygen roof lances for accelerating the refining reactions, and (2) the use of a spring-arch, basic roof for prolonging the life of the furnace. Although these practices can be used separately, they are generally used to complement each other in an effort to obtain minimum heat time consistent with an acceptable rate of wear of the refractory roof, walls and port ends. DECARBONIZATION BY OXYGEN INJECTION The use of oxygen to speed carbon elimination was perceived by Sir Henry Bessmer but its practical use in steelmaking could not be realized until processes were developed for the manufacture of low cost, tonnage oxygen. However, as early as 1922 Bigge1 obtained a patent covering the use of gaseous oxygen to speed decarbonization of a molten steel bath. At that time, oxygen was available only in bottles and at a cost of $240 per net ton. At the end of World War II the price of oxygen had dropped to $80 per net ton, and as a result, metallurgical oxygen (99.5 per cent began to come into widespread experimental use for decarbonization in open hearth and electric furnace shops.2-8 Even this price prevented oxygen's routine use for other than decarbonizing the bath in shops producing substantial quantities of steels containing less than 0.40 per cent carbon. Today, tonnage metallurgical oxygen can be manufactured for less than $15 per net ton, and commercial purity oxygen (95 per cent is reported to cost less than $5 per ton. Thus, it is not at all surprising to find many open hearth shops effectively using large quantities of oxygen to accelerate decarbonization. Equipment for Oxygen Injection. The oxygen may be injected by a lance pipe inserted through the wicket hole and pushed several inches into the steel bath, or by a water-cooled jet inserted through the back- wall, endwall, or roof, and immersed in the slag or set just a few inches above the slag. Oxygen at approximately 100 psi is piped directly to control stations adjacent to each furnace. The installations should include adequate safety devices such as fire checks and emergency valves,

Jan 1, 1964

By P. C. Upadhyay, J. G. Singh

Reissner's thick plate bending theory has been recast for rocks which exhibit the property of double elasticity: different Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio in compression and tension. The governing differential equation and other relevent expressions have been presented in a form compatible to the applied mechanics results so that they can readily be used. Effect of the ratio of Young's modulii in compression and tension, (Ec/Et), on the maximum plate deflection and the maximum bending moments has been evaluated over a wide range. It has been found that the inclusion of bi-modulus property through a parameter (ß = Ec/Et), changes the sheer deformation of the plate to such an extent that the bi-modular effect of rock cannot be overlooked in the thick plate analysis, especially when ß is expected to be greater than 2.

Jan 1, 1982

By Charles Burrows

THE burden a man can endure depends on its magnitude and the number of tunes it is applied, as well as on many other factors. The resisting power of steel likewise is dependent on many factors. The maximum load it can support indefinitely is much less than its possible momentary burden. A light load straining the metal far within its elastic limit, if repeated indefinitely, ruptures the metal. The magnitude f the stresses that may be alternately applied and removed without rupturing the material depends on the number of repetitions of the cycle; the intervening periods of rest; the thermal, electric, and magnetic conditions, as well as the presence of secondary stresses. While we are unable to formulate the law between the magnitude f repeated stresses necessary to produce rupture and the length of time during which these alternating stress may be applied before rupture, my experience is that the time increases as the magnitude of the force decreases, according to a law which, to a first approximation, is exponential. In other words, F = Ce-t where F = magnitude f alternating stresses; = time for which stresses are continued; C = constant, which' depends on the conditions under which the operations are carried out. It is quite probable that the same type of law holds for the magnitude of a continuous force and its duration. When a rod of steel is subjected to the blows of a drilling hammer several things happen. First, one end is struck by the hammer and the other end is driven into the rock, thus causing a bodily displacement of the entire material of the steel drill. The greatest stresses involved in this bodily displacement are located at the two ends of the steel and manifest themselves by the distortion of these parts. Second, after the blow has been delivered the steel drill, due partly to its own resiliency and partly to the resiliency of the rock, experiences a vibratory motion as a whole, this motion is quite similar to the bouncing of a rubber ball thrown violently upon a smooth pavement. Third, the free vibration of the drill is determined only by its own natural period of vibration. This motion involves all the characteristics f any vibrating body emitting sound. Certain elements of the rod will experience alternations of condensation and rarefaction and, in these regions, the individual steel

Jan 6, 1921

By A. J. Lynch, E. V. Manlapig, J. S. Hall, G. C. Thorne

Modelling of industrial sulphide flotation based on data collected in several flotation plants is discussed. A mechanistic approach is used in which it is recognised that flotation is a two stage pro- cess with concentration occurring both in the pulp and in the froth. The important features of the model, which is a kinetic model, are – 1. for each particle species there is a range of flotation rates which corresponds to the range of particle sizes, 2. the flotation rates of the liberated gangue particles which have no hydrophobic properties are dependent on the flotation rate of water and are controlled by variables such as the air and frother addition rates, and the pulp level, 3. as an approximation the valuable sulphide particles may be regarded as being present in two groups with high and low flotation rate constants, 4. increase in the addition rate of collector tends to increase the proportion of sulphide particles which are in the high flotation rate constant group. The actual flotation rate of each group of particles is a combination of an "inherent" flotation rate and a flotation rate which is dependent on the flotation rate of water, 5. at particular air and frother addition rates and pulp levels there is a physical limit to the rate at which particles can be transported into the concentrate and this is recognised in the model. The model has been used to study the steady state and dynamic properties of flotation circuits in operating plants. The assessment of the behaviour of composite particles is difficult because of the problem of quantitatively describing the surfaces of mineral particles. A method which is being developed to measure unpolished particles is described briefly.

Jan 1, 1976

By M. S. Miller, R. H. Mullennex

The growing need for development of thinner, more erratic, or less easily-mined coals in the Appalachian region requires more detailed analysis of conditions and factors controlling or influencing deposition of these seams. The value of depositional modeling in evaluation of such coals has been demonstrated in many recent studies and publications. Such modeling may be applied to allow prediction of factors varying from regional coal occurrence trends to very local areas of seam discontinuities but requires thorough we of all available types of data. Mapping of general depositional energies, as derived from basic geophysical and driller's logs, can be applied to specific prediction of coal occurrence, and projection of particular facies as representative of unique depositional features or conditions may prove more applicable to coal character delineation than mapping of the coal itself. Depositional modeling and trend projection may also serve as a guideline in reserve classification and confidence levels in reserve estimations.

Jan 1, 1983

By T. P. Harrington, P. G. Doctor, K. A. Prisbrey

Crushing and grinding ore consumes so much energy that it represents a major component of total processing costs. While it has been estimated that only about 0.6% of the total energy expended in grinding is actually used to create new surfaces, accurate measurement of this quantity is difficult. If energy expended in crushing and grinding could be more directly measured, alternatives for increasing efficiency of the processes could be evaluated more effectively. Since the energy intensity associated with rock fracture is related to fracture sonority, it should be possible to use this sound (acoustic emission) to measure the actual energy expended. However, it is difficult to apply this approach because the mill environment is so noisy. To make the approach practical, a method for differentiating acoustic emissions caused by rock fracture from those caused by extraneous noises must be found. Pattern recognition analysis may provide such a method. This paper presents the results of pattern recognition analysis to make two types of differentiations: acoustic emissions caused by crushing two types of minerals (quartz and chrysocolla) and those caused by two extraneous noise sources, and acoustic emissions produced by each mineral.

Jan 1, 1982

By R. Dawson Hall

WHAT are the opportunities for the services of engineers in the coal mines? The best answer perhaps can be made by detailing the present lines of development in the bituminous coal mining regions. They are just at the beginning of a period that can be conservatively termed revolutionary. A few glimpses of new possibilities in economic mining that will reduce the cost of bituminous coal at the mines by at least one half have convinced almost everyone that a change must shortly come about. The cost of housing has become such a burden, especially in mountainous regions, that development which demands the hiring of more men and constructing more houses would not be profitable. The introduction of mechanical aids to mining, transportation and dumping suggests a way of obtaining a large tonnage with the same or a smaller number of men with no further house construction. At the same time the restriction of immigration has made it increasingly difficult to obtain men inured to hard labor. Modern civilization is not productive of muscular energy and at the same time it provides men who are not indisposed to the use of the mental effort required to direct the physical forces now available for the replacement of such energy.

Jan 1, 1924

By Norris Johnston, Carrol M. Beeson

The gravimetric-vacuum distillation method was developed to permit rapid and accurate determinations of the oil-water ratios of small samples or sands containing little oil. In addition, the samples usually are so well cleaned and so little altered by the distillation at reduced pressure that rapid estimations of other physical properties may be made with the evacuated cores. Requiring only elementary glass-blowing technique, the distilling tubes and traps used in determining oil-water ratios were easily fashioned from the usual glassware. A sketch and description are given of the necessary apparatus, including the cylindrical electrical heaters. The procedure, requiring about 40 min., consists in raising the temperature and maintaining it between 675' and 725°F. for at least 10 min. while the pressure is held between I and 2 mm. Hg. The fluids condensed in the trap (cooled by a mixture of kerosine and solid carbon dioxide) are separated in a centrifuge and the volume of water is recorded. Determination of changes in weight with an analytical balance of all parts of the apparatus permits computation of weight of oil distilled and total weight of oil recovered. Introduction In determining the oil-water ratios of core samples, distillation at atmospheric pressurel-5 has proved to be sufficiently reliable for samples containing moderate quantities of oil. Since small samples and sands with little oil are encountered, how- ever, it appeared advisable to develop a method that would be applicable under these circumstances. Thegravimetric-extraction procedure1,6-9 undoubtedly is very reliable and could be used in all tests, but the time consumed in the determination would often delay field operations. This would be especially true when dealing with tight sands or viscous oils, both of which retard the extraction process. Accordingly, the gravimetric-vacuum distillation method was developed in order to combine the good features of both of the older methods; that is, accuracy and speed. By reducing the pressure, it was found possible to perform the distillation at a temperature that permits the use of glass apparatus, all parts of which can be weighed on an analytical balance. Thus, the fluids may be removed quickly from the core, the water is readily trapped and measured, and the loss in weight of the core is easily determined. In addition, the total weight of material condensed in the distilling tube and in the trap provides a method of determining the oil-water ratio that is practically independent of the one involving the loss in weight of the sample. The use of vacuum not only permits as much accuracy as does the gravimetric-extraction process, but it actually allows an increase in speed over the atmospheric-distillation method, because of the time required to cool the metal pots from about 1200°F. between runs. More important yet, the innovation makes possible the almost immediate reporting of permeability, and saturation, which is impossible

Jan 1, 1946

By Norris Johnston, Carrol M. Beeson

The gravimetric-vacuum distillation method was developed to permit rapid and accurate determinations of the oil-water ratios of small samples or sands containing little oil. In addition, the samples usually are so well cleaned and so little altered by the distillation at reduced pressure that rapid estimations of other physical properties may be made with the evacuated cores. Requiring only elementary glass-blowing technique, the distilling tubes and traps used in determining oil-water ratios were easily fashioned from the usual glassware. A sketch and description are given of the necessary apparatus, including the cylindrical electrical heaters. The procedure, requiring about 40 min., consists in raising the temperature and maintaining it between 675' and 725°F. for at least 10 min. while the pressure is held between I and 2 mm. Hg. The fluids condensed in the trap (cooled by a mixture of kerosine and solid carbon dioxide) are separated in a centrifuge and the volume of water is recorded. Determination of changes in weight with an analytical balance of all parts of the apparatus permits computation of weight of oil distilled and total weight of oil recovered. Introduction In determining the oil-water ratios of core samples, distillation at atmospheric pressurel-5 has proved to be sufficiently reliable for samples containing moderate quantities of oil. Since small samples and sands with little oil are encountered, how- ever, it appeared advisable to develop a method that would be applicable under these circumstances. Thegravimetric-extraction procedure1,6-9 undoubtedly is very reliable and could be used in all tests, but the time consumed in the determination would often delay field operations. This would be especially true when dealing with tight sands or viscous oils, both of which retard the extraction process. Accordingly, the gravimetric-vacuum distillation method was developed in order to combine the good features of both of the older methods; that is, accuracy and speed. By reducing the pressure, it was found possible to perform the distillation at a temperature that permits the use of glass apparatus, all parts of which can be weighed on an analytical balance. Thus, the fluids may be removed quickly from the core, the water is readily trapped and measured, and the loss in weight of the core is easily determined. In addition, the total weight of material condensed in the distilling tube and in the trap provides a method of determining the oil-water ratio that is practically independent of the one involving the loss in weight of the sample. The use of vacuum not only permits as much accuracy as does the gravimetric-extraction process, but it actually allows an increase in speed over the atmospheric-distillation method, because of the time required to cool the metal pots from about 1200°F. between runs. More important yet, the innovation makes possible the almost immediate reporting of permeability, and saturation, which is impossible

Jan 1, 1946