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By Leon Merker

FLAME fusion growth of strontium titanate crystals was undertaken to obtain large transparent crystals on which physical data could be gathered. The fact that strontium titanate is a cubic crystal and probably has a high index of refraction indicated that it might be useful in optics. No large boules* of strontium titanate had been synthesized previously, and none have been found as natural occurrences. The flame fusion process, invented by Verneuil in 1904,1 was first applied to grow large crystals of ruby and has since been used extensively to grow crystals of corundum and spinel on a commercial scale. Only during the past nine years has this technique been applied to the growth of large single crystals of other high melting compounds such as rutile,2 mullite,3 and ferrites4 One of several significant advantages of the flame fusion technique over more conventional methods of growing crystals from a melt is that the crystals are grown without the use of melt containers. This fact alone excludes other methods of growing crystals from a melt whenever there are compounds with a melting point near 2000°C or above. Growth of the crystal, similar to that of a stalagmite, takes place inside a circular refractory furnace that does not contact the crystal, Fig. 1. This eliminates a serious source of impurities as well as the likelihood of multi-crystalline solidification along the container walls. The flame fusion technique is particularly advantageous for research because it produces large crystals quickly and at lower cost. A corundum crystal 25 mm long and 12 mm in diam can be grown in 2 to 3 hr. Operating conditions permit observation of the growing crystal during any stage of the process. The various flame patterns and a wide range of oxidation-reduction conditions can be investigated in a relatively short time. It should be pointed out that formation of the foot of the boule is the most critical step in growing an unfractured boule. When the tip of the sintered cone is fused to initiate crystal growth, the original area of fusion should be kept as small as possible so that one crystallite can assume dominance over all the others and propagate as a single crystal. If the boule start happens to consist of several crystals, usually the entire boule also contains several crystals. In many cases these tightly cohering crystals exhibit different crystallographic orientations. Although the basic technique of the original Verneuil process has been retained, refinements in method and burner design have been developed in recent years. For example, boule growth may be initiated on a seed crystal rather than by fusion of a sintered cone. The danger of multicrystalline or twinned boule starts is thus eliminated, and this procedure may also be used to grow boules of predetermined crystallographic orientation. Prior Art: Of the many attempts to produce artificial gem crystals, most early efforts% ere directed toward synthesis of .rubies and sapphires and diamonds. None of these efforts resulted in a process that was commercially practical. Without exception only tiny crystals of corundum were obtained, and those at excessive cost. Verneuil announced his process in 1904; Ravier6 in 1934 presented a detailed description of a commercial boule production plant. Descriptions of the German synthetic stone industry, the process details, and the equipment used have been published by Barnes7 and by Merker.'

Jan 1, 1956

By R. Dugdale, F. Habashi

Studies on hand-picked samples of chrysocolla from Arizona showed that heating in an inert atmosphere enhances greatly copper extraction by ammoniacal-ammonium carbonate solutions. Heating in hydrogen improves the extraction of copper even further and maximum extraction by ammoniacal-ammonium carbonate and by sodium cyanide solutions is achieved for samples heated at 350°C. Heating in SO2 atmosphere results in the simultaneous formation of CuSO4 and Cu2O; maximum reaction rate is also achieved at 350°C. At temperatures higher than 350°C, CuCO4 starts to decompose. Chrysocolla heated above 600°C either in argon, H2, or SO2, is rendered less amenable to leaching, supposedly due to the formation of insoluble copper silicates.

Jan 1, 1974

By Warren B. Weeks

The development of the relatively deeper fields discovered during 1937 helped build the 1938 production to 18,456,760 bbl., an increase of 6,295,910 bbl., or 51.6 per cent over 1937, and the largest production for south Arkansas since 1930. Schuler and Rodessa accounted for the increased production as well as for over half of the wells drilled in the state. There were 243 holes drilled during 1938, of which 200 were completed as oil or gas wells. Of the 29 wildcat wells completed, 25 were dry, 3 found oil in the Smack-over limestone, while 1 made a small oil well in the Nacatoch sand. This was less than half the number of wildcats drilled the previous year, but nearly twice as many field wells were drilled. The old depth record of 7973 ft. was exceeded twice during the year, with the present record of 8332 feet. Trend of Prospecting The porous "Reynolds" oolite of the Smackover limestone1 has been the object of most of the wildcat prospecting during the past two years. Seismograph work, which brought 22 crews into this area during 1938, was largely pointed toward a study of the structure of this limestone formation. Thirteen dry wildcats have been drilled to this formation and five pools have been opened in it since it was first found to be productive at Snow Hill in the spring of 1936. With the failure of "updip" prospects to produce, activity moved southward and basinward. Success in five instances in Columbia and south Union Counties has spurred activity in this area. Much of the acreage is under lease and half a dozen deep limestone tests are assured for the current year. Fig. 1 shows the location of the principal oil fields in south Arkansas, as well as one or two minor producing areas. The fields are numbered in the order of their discovery. It is shown that most of the recent discoveries are from the deeper formations. Dry wildcats that penetrated

Jan 1, 1939

By Warren B. Weeks

The development of the relatively deeper fields discovered during 1937 helped build the 1938 production to 18,456,760 bbl., an increase of 6,295,910 bbl., or 51.6 per cent over 1937, and the largest production for south Arkansas since 1930. Schuler and Rodessa accounted for the increased production as well as for over half of the wells drilled in the state. There were 243 holes drilled during 1938, of which 200 were completed as oil or gas wells. Of the 29 wildcat wells completed, 25 were dry, 3 found oil in the Smack-over limestone, while 1 made a small oil well in the Nacatoch sand. This was less than half the number of wildcats drilled the previous year, but nearly twice as many field wells were drilled. The old depth record of 7973 ft. was exceeded twice during the year, with the present record of 8332 feet. Trend of Prospecting The porous "Reynolds" oolite of the Smackover limestone1 has been the object of most of the wildcat prospecting during the past two years. Seismograph work, which brought 22 crews into this area during 1938, was largely pointed toward a study of the structure of this limestone formation. Thirteen dry wildcats have been drilled to this formation and five pools have been opened in it since it was first found to be productive at Snow Hill in the spring of 1936. With the failure of "updip" prospects to produce, activity moved southward and basinward. Success in five instances in Columbia and south Union Counties has spurred activity in this area. Much of the acreage is under lease and half a dozen deep limestone tests are assured for the current year. Fig. 1 shows the location of the principal oil fields in south Arkansas, as well as one or two minor producing areas. The fields are numbered in the order of their discovery. It is shown that most of the recent discoveries are from the deeper formations. Dry wildcats that penetrated

Jan 1, 1939

By Glen R. Neighbors, Sylvan Cromer

HIGH subsurface temperatures and pressures are making cementing operations more difficult as deeper producing horizons are being sought. Recorded bottom-hole temperatures above 200°F. and pressures in excess of 12,000 Ib. per sq. in., obtained by combining hydrostatic and pump pressures, are not uncommon. Insufficient time is available for proper placement of standard Portland cement, because of the shortened setting time produced by these excessive temperatures and pressures, therefore special types of cements have been developed to overcome these difficulties. From the standpoint of placement, the ideal slurry would be one that would remain fluid long enough to be placed, then harden rapidly, so that there would be a limited amount of contamination and the well could be placed on production in a minimum of time. It is highly desirable, therefore, that some method be devised to measure accurately the time that any slurry will remain in a fluid state while being pumped into the well. To study the effect of elevated temperature and pressure on fluidity, the authors have developed the pressure-type consistometer (Figs. I and 2) described below, and are presenting data obtained with it, using slurries of both quick-setting and slow-setting cements. Studies were made over a temperature range from 110° to 270°F., and a pressure range from atmospheric to 3000 lb. per sq. inch. APPARATUS The fluidity of cement slurries at atmospheric pressure is usually determined with the Halliburton consistometer1 or the Thickening Time Tester.2 These instruments are similar, in many respects, to an ordinary ice-cream freezer. The slurry to be tested is placed in a container that is rotated at a constant speed with an electric motor. Constant temperature is maintained by surrounding the container with a thermostatically controlled bath. The torque on the paddles, which is proportional to the force needed to shear the slurry, is indicated on a scale. The Halliburton instrument is calibrated from 0 to 100 poises against fluids of known viscosity. To permit direct correlation of observed elevated pressure data with those published at atmospheric pressure, the authors' designs of the slurry container, paddle, and torque indicator closely resemble those used on the Halliburton instrument. Duplicate results may be obtained at atmospheric pressure in either instrument. Instead of the atmospheric constant-temperature bath, one was built from a high-pressure steel bull plug. A Uni-Bolt union equipped with a blanking plug serves as the top, permiting the instrument to be opened or closed in less than one minute. The slurry container is built from Shelby steel tubing. A wrench socket welded to the bottom of the container engages a hexagonal nut on the top of the steel shaft that rotates it. This acts as a universal

Jan 1, 1941

By L. G. Truby

This paper presents the results obtained after calculating matches of the observed pressure performance of five fields completed in a common aquifer. A general dejcription of the Central Basin Platform area in West Texas in which the five fields, Andector, Embear, Martin, TXL, and wheeler, are lo. cated is contained in the paper. The method of utilizing the electric analyzer to calculate simultaneously matches of the observed pressure performance of the five fields is outlined. The determination of boundaries of pressure communication is discussed and the extent of pressure interference between fields consistent with the configuration of the area aquifer is shown graphically. INTRODUCTION Anomalies in the pressure performance of the Andeector Ellenhurger Field resulted in an investigation of pressure interference between several Ellenburger fields located on the Central Basin Platform in West Texas. Four fields, Embar, Martin, TXL, and Wheeler, were found to contribute significantly to the pressure drawdown at Andector. An initial investigation of the pressure performance of the Andector Ellenburger Field revealed that the reservoir pressure could not be matched by the calculation technique usually applied to water drive reservoirs. In the past, many have advanced the opinion that fracturing in the Ellenburger was a local condition restricted to the immediate uplifted area around the field, in which case each field would in all probability be surrounded by its own relatively small aquifer. Following several unsuccessful attempts to account for the pressure performance at Andector, a system assuming a common aquifer involving several fields in the immediate vicinity of Andector was placed on the electric analyzer and the effect of lo. interference was noted. A refinement of the initial analyzer calculations involved the determination of the approximate boundaries of the aquifer, the calculation of detailed matches of the pressure performance of the interfering fields, and an evaluation of the degree of communication between fields. DISCUSSION Geology and Development The fields considered in this work are located in the Central Basin Platform, a north-south trending structural feature in West Texas lying between the Delaware Basin to the west and the Midland Basin to the east. The locations of various individual Ellenburger fields in this general are shown in Fig. 1 with the five major fields which appear to be definitely intercommunicating colored in black and located in the circled portion of the figure. Production from the five fields was first obtained from the Embar Field discovered in July 1942, followed by the Wheeler Field in 1943, the TXL Field in 1945, and the Martin and Andector Fields in 1946. The total reservoir fluid production from these fields is indicated in Fig. 2. As illllstrated in this figure, very little production was taken from these fields prior

Jan 1, 1952

By John F. Allan

This paper does not pretend to advance any facts or improvements not known to many members of the Institute, but is intended merely to give a few practical hints on preliminary tests, and to call attention to a possible enlarged field for the cyanide process in the treatment of some silver-ores, which merits investigation. Broadly considered, the choice of a process for the treatment of silver-ores in Mexico is confined to the following alternatives: (1) Concentration for treatment by smelting; (2) milling and pan-amalgamation; (3) the patio and Ortega process; [4) chloridizing roast and lixiviation; (5) chloridizing roast and cyaniding; and (6) cyaniding of the crude ore. These methods of treatment may also be combined, and cyaniding or concentration, or both, may be introduced, at what-ever stage it is found to be most advantageous. The characteristics of the ore (especially its gold-content) and local conditions, such as distance from railway, cost of fuel, amount of water available, vary so much that it is impossible to make general comparisons between the different processes, either as to extraction or cost. Concentration and subsequent smelting may be made very expensive by long-distance transportation of concentrates; pan-amalgamation is undoubtedly expensive; and the patio process is barred when the ore contains appreciable amounts of gold, by reason of its poor extraction of that metal; yet there are many ores for which each of these processes is especially adapted, and the expense of treatment is compensated by the results obtained.

Jan 1, 1905

By H. Evans, L. A. Hunt

The raw materials used in the blast furnaces at the Geneva Works of U.S. Steel Corp. have a high degree of variability in size-consist and chemical content. To overcome the problems caused by the use of highly variable raw materials in the blast-furnace operation, large blending piles are used. An investigation of the blending system showed that variability was significantly reduced by the use of these blending piles. This paper describes the blending system, the method used to evaluate the effect of the blending system, and the results of the investigation. The remarkable improvement in blast-furnace performance since World War II has been in large measure due to the use of beneficiated burdens to reduce the variation of both chemical analysis and size consist. This practice allows the operator better control of his blast furnace, enabling him to operate more economically and to produce chemically uniform hot metal. Planning for uniformity usually begins during mining by extracting ore from several locations within a pit to produce a final product with a specified analysis. Another approach is to stockpile ores having widely varying analyses in individual piles and then drawing the required amounts from each stockpile to provide a blend with a predetermined analysis. A further improvement in blending procedures is to take ores from several sources, bedding them horizontally in layers and reclaiming by vertical slicing from the blended pile. The last procedure, when properly executed, is one of the best methods for achieving maximum uniformity with highly variable ores. U.S. Steel Corp.'s Geneva Works initially obtained iron ore for their blast furnaces from the Cedar City area of southern Utah. These ores were formed primarily by the replacement of limestone and siltstone formations with solutions containing iron and several other elements. The original iron content of the ores in the ground varied from a high of 70% to practically zero with a minimum acceptable iron content for shipping of 37%. Substantial amounts of silica, calcium, magnesium and alumina were found in the ores along with minor amounts of copper, lead, zinc, nickel, titanium, manganese, phosphorus and sulfur which were sometimes present in detrimental amounts. Iron-to-silica ratios varied considerably throughout

Jan 1, 1968

Alfred C. Young† (communication to the Secretary): Before the appearance of Mr. Scott's paper in these Transactions we were not specially interested in the investigation which he has started; but at his request we have endeavored to collect from musty records and the recollection of our old friends a brief chronicle of the progress made by this house. As 3000 instruments were manufactured by us before any descriptive record was kept, and 2000 more before the record contained more than a statement whether the instrument was a transit or a level, and sometimes its size, we approach the task with timidity, trusting that the reader will bear the difficulties in mind, particularly as the writer's predecessors, from whom, no doubt, the information desired could have been obtained, have passed away. Instruments for surveying were manufactured by David Rittenhouse, of Philadelphia, as early as 1760; but it was not until late in the first quarter of this century that there was any American market for an instrument outside of the ordinary surveyor's compass. With the advent of canals and railroads, and the more extensive development of the Pennsylvania coalfields, arose a demand for surveying-instruments to meet problems in engineering beyond the limited field of the compass. On May 1, 1820, in which year the practical mining of anthracite coal in Pennsylvania began, William J. Young, who had served his apprenticeship with one Thomas Whitney,

Jan 1, 1901

By M. Van Siclen

THE outstanding fact in connection with dust disease in the United States at present is the growing recognition of its seriousness by state officials and by the more progressive operators of mining, metallurgical and allied industrial plants. The same may perhaps be said of labor in some of its better organized centers, but the average independent non-union workman continues, as of yore, to suffer the toll of disability and even of death from dust inhalation without realization of the source of his ill-being. Progress in the betterment of the handling of sufferers from dust disease and of the conditions creating dust hazards in mining and allied industries is pursuing a course similar to that of the now widespread campaign against accidents, in which the risk is more obvious, more severe, and was naturally recognized sooner. The coming on of dust disease is generally relatively slow and its immediate effects not infre-quently masked by or attributed to other diseases. Marked exceptions to this general rule have occurred in districts where the dust is particularly pernicious, such as the Rand and Joplin; yet such exceptions, unhappy in themselves, opened the eyes of medical men, and of those in other localities charged with the responsibility for the welfare of industry, to the much more widespread if less spectacular hazard existing from the inhalation of dust in all rock-excavating operations and all industrial operations creating inorganic dust, whether it be crushing and grinding, sand-blast-ing, granite-cutting, or what not. Advancement to date in the United States in prevention and treat-ment has been slow, yet the record shows that quantitative methods for determining the degree of hazard and means for decreasing it were being developed as far back as 25 years ago; and that more rapid progress may be looked for from now on. In 1908, in this country, F. L Hoffman?(1) discussed the mortality from consumption in dusty trades, especially brass foundries; and in 1913 E. R. Hayhurst(2) described the effects of inhalation

Jan 1, 1933

By Kenneth Robertson

THEREi9 probably less known of this subject than of any other connected with the metallurgy of iron. In all the books that treat of this mattes, there are given analyses of slags, their chemical formulae, the loss of iron, etc. ; but few, if any, give the character of the iron made at the time ; none give analyses and physical characteristics of the ores and limestones used, and they present merely isolated examples from various furnaces, and consequently one is more frequently puzzled than enlightened after reading them. During two years I have had occasion to analyze the slags and many of the pig-irons from two furnaces, and for this article I have made analyses of all the different grades of pig made by them. A

By L. Guttman

THE equilibrium diagram of the indium-thallium system was of interest to us in connection with a study of the superconducting properties of metallic solid solutions in progress at this Institute. For this purpose, a series of alloys was prepared covering the range from pure indium to 75 atomic pet TI, and X-ray diffraction patterns were obtained. Roughly speaking, the results indicated a region of continuous decrease in the axial ratio of the face-centered tetragonal structure from the value ca. 1.08 in pure indium to unity at about 23 atomic pct TI. From this concentration to the solubility limit, the structure was face-centered cubic, a form not reported by Hansen.1 At this point we became aware of the work of Valentiner,2 who had found the same structures at room temperature but had not investigated further the relationship between them. To study the transformation f.c.c.??f.c.t., and to clarify the phase diagram, we undertook the work reported in this paper and that which follows." Preparation of Alloys Pure indium and thallium* (both about 99.9 pct, as estimated from spectroscopic analyses) were weighed out in quantities sufficient to prepare 10 to 25 g of alloy of the desired concentration. (Occasionally indium was mixed with a previously pre- pared solution.) The metals were melted over a flame, in an open graphite crucible, stirred with a graphite rod, and poured into a graphite trough. The rough slug was hammered and swaged into a rod of 2 to 3 mm diam, and annealed in a drying oven at about 125°C for 1 to 2 days. Samples were taken from the rod for analysis, as well as for diffraction and other measurements. The thallium was determined by electrometric titration, using a modification of the method of Beale and co-workers.' The precision of analysis was generally about 2 0.2 pct of the thallium content. The rods were sometimes found to vary in thallium content as much as 1.5 pct from end to end, but since analyses were also made close to the segments used in the various studies, the composition was usually known as accurately as the analyses could be made. Where one less significant figure is given, the error is estimated to be ±0.4 pct of the thallium content. X-Ray Diffraction Measurements Three different cameras were used: (1) A 7 cm Debye camera, with oscillating specimen (manufactured by the Picker X-ray Corp., Cleveland, Ohio); (2) a 9 cm diam Debye camera of the type designed by Bradley;" (3) a 10 cm diam symmetrical focusing back-reflection camera (manufactured by Geo. C. Wyland, Ramsay, N. J.). Samples were prepared from the homogenized rods, either by filing under liquid nitrogen, or more often, in the form of wires or foils made by working at room temperature or liquid nitrogen temperature. Sharp patterns were obtained from specimens annealed at room temperature, although higher annealing temperatures were also used (cf. below). Generally, copper radiation was used; a few patterns were obtained with

Jan 1, 1951

By Clarence Linville

FULTON1 says: "Speiss is an artificial arsenide of iron containing smaller amounts of other metals. In constitution it is similar to a matte except that arsenic replaces sulfur." For the purposes of this paper it will be necessary to broaden the definition, and I propose the following: Speiss is an artificial mixture of arsenides, of which arsenide of iron may be taken as a type, but iron may be replaced in part or wholly by other metals (such as copper, nickel, cobalt, lead and zinc) and the arsenic may be replaced in part or wholly by antimony. In addition to antimony and arsenic, speisses often contain sulfur. Speisses usually also contain both silver and gold. Table 1 illustrates the variations that may be encountered. TABLE 1.-Speiss Analyses

Jan 5, 1925

By W. A. West

One who attempts to collect and classify equilibrium data from various iron-alloy systems is soon struck with the absence of any quantitative theory that can serve as a general background against which to compare and contrast results from different systems, at different temperatures, and with different concentrations. It is not necessary to wait for a perfect theory; investigation of divergences of theory from observation may prove of great value in acquiring understanding of the subject. For example, one has only to think of Raoult's law as applied to aqueous solutions. The equations developed by Zener1 represent an effort to provide such a quantitative theoretical background, and it is therefore desirable to subject this theory to such tests as can be applied. The present article is intended to be an application of available tests, and may thus be considered as a supplement to Zener's paper. It is assumed that this paper is available to the reader. The equations make it possible to calculate the effect on the equilibrium concentration of one alloying element due to the presence of one or more other elements. In particular. they are intended to give, for alloy steels, the carbon concentrations in alpha and gamma phases in equilibrium with each other, and in gamma in equilibrium with cementite. They may, however, be modified for use for carbon-free alloys. A summary is given later of the equations used in analyzing the data in this paper, and the symbols are there defined. About 125 papers have been examined for experimental data suitable for this investigation. An effort was made to look up all available reports of ternary systems including iron and carbon, as well as similar systems of higher order. Supplementary material was also obtained from a number of binary systems. A few noncarbon ternary systems were also found to which these methods could be applied. A comparatively small proportion oi the papers read provided usable material. In many systems the number of quantitative observations made in the iron-rich region is extremely small, and the smoothed curves to be found in most published phase diagrams are entirely useless for quantitative treatment. This opinion is confirmed by the authors of the series on Alloys of Iron Research, whose remarks show clearly that they have no illusions as to the accuracy of many diagrams that they present. A further difficulty arises from the fact that these equations apply only to rather low percentages of alloying elements. The result is that at the lowest concentrations, where the best agreement might be hoped for, the errors of observation become relatively very large. The experimental difficulties in measurements of this kind of equilibrium are, of course, an old story.

Jan 1, 1947

By W. A. West

One who attempts to collect and classify equilibrium data from various iron-alloy systems is soon struck with the absence of any quantitative theory that can serve as a general background against which to compare and contrast results from different systems, at different temperatures, and with different concentrations. It is not necessary to wait for a perfect theory; investigation of divergences of theory from observation may prove of great value in acquiring understanding of the subject. For example, one has only to think of Raoult's law as applied to aqueous solutions. The equations developed by Zener1 represent an effort to provide such a quantitative theoretical background, and it is therefore desirable to subject this theory to such tests as can be applied. The present article is intended to be an application of available tests, and may thus be considered as a supplement to Zener's paper. It is assumed that this paper is available to the reader. The equations make it possible to calculate the effect on the equilibrium concentration of one alloying element due to the presence of one or more other elements. In particular. they are intended to give, for alloy steels, the carbon concentrations in alpha and gamma phases in equilibrium with each other, and in gamma in equilibrium with cementite. They may, however, be modified for use for carbon-free alloys. A summary is given later of the equations used in analyzing the data in this paper, and the symbols are there defined. About 125 papers have been examined for experimental data suitable for this investigation. An effort was made to look up all available reports of ternary systems including iron and carbon, as well as similar systems of higher order. Supplementary material was also obtained from a number of binary systems. A few noncarbon ternary systems were also found to which these methods could be applied. A comparatively small proportion oi the papers read provided usable material. In many systems the number of quantitative observations made in the iron-rich region is extremely small, and the smoothed curves to be found in most published phase diagrams are entirely useless for quantitative treatment. This opinion is confirmed by the authors of the series on Alloys of Iron Research, whose remarks show clearly that they have no illusions as to the accuracy of many diagrams that they present. A further difficulty arises from the fact that these equations apply only to rather low percentages of alloying elements. The result is that at the lowest concentrations, where the best agreement might be hoped for, the errors of observation become relatively very large. The experimental difficulties in measurements of this kind of equilibrium are, of course, an old story.

Jan 1, 1947

By W. Rostoker

INTRODUCTION THE process of diffusion alloying of mixed powders offers attractive possibilities both commercially and experimentally. It avoids the fabrication difficulties arising from high alloy contents. Indeed, the process is facilitated by larger alloy additions. The direct formation of the part or test piece and the opportunity to perform machining operations under more favorable conditions are of no small importance. However, it is necessary to make only brief mention of the interesting features. As yet there have been few attempts to study this process in detail and to carry it to completion, if such is possible. It was intended not only to measure the intermediate and optimum magnetic properties of sintered alloys but to use magnetic testing itself as a means of following the progress of alloying under various conditions. Having established that alloys could be successfully synthesized by this technique, the opportunity was taken to study the magnetic properties of several alloys of iron and silicon which had hitherto been too difficult to prepare in suitable test piece form, While avoiding some of the difficulties inherent in the fabrication of alloys by orthodox methods, the diffusion alloying process introduces a few of its own. The first of these is the evaluation of the approach to homogenization. In recent years some notable contributions have been made to this question, but considerable uncertainty remains in its definition and evaluation. This work has concerned itself with further study of this problem and it is hoped that more light has been shed on it, The second of these difficulties arises from the presence of porosity. It is inevitable that in the consolidation of a loose bulk of powder, there should remain some voids unless extremely high pressures are repeatedly applied. It was therefore of importance to investigate their effect on magnetic properties. Recently this effect has been studied and certain predictions made of its behavior. It is believed that the experimental results presented here provide a sound substantiation of the theoretical treatment. The attempt has been made to synthesize five alloys of the iron-silicon system and three each of the iron-nickel and iron-cobalt systems. A series of experiments was also conducted on some of these alloys to test their susceptibility to heat treatment. Some unfortunate experiences have provided opportunity to report data on the deleterious effects of nitrogen on magnetic properties when present as a contaminant in protective atmospheres. MATERIALS, PREPARATION OF SAMPLES AND TESTING The purest materials available were employed for this work. A specially purified,

Jan 1, 1948

By F. F. Sharpless

IT IS to be. read in Western newspapers that Hon. S. S. Arentz who introduced H. R. 7736, 'has repudiated it, that certain mining men in Utah and Nevada say that they will fight it "until hell freezes over." It is to be read in more temperate expressions that "the eminent engineers who drafted the bill exhibited a woeful misunderstanding of Western sentiment and opinion." Furthermore, it is averred that there is no need for revising the mining laws, that we have got along pretty well under the existing laws, etc. Such statements are so surprising in view of, the facts of record that it is hard to believe that the oppon-ents of the bill, who make them, are well informed, or that they represent general opinion. It will be useful therefore to review the record of the case. Our GOOD OLD MINING LAWS We have indeed got on well in our mining industry, but that has not been by virtue; of our good old mining laws. Rather has it been in spite of them. Ever since the Richmond-Eureka case in the '70s there has been litigation arising from them. Early in the '80s the apex law was discarded by common consent in Leadville, and it has been ignored in every district of flat-lying ore deposits ever since. The great mines of the present time are the porphyry copper deposits. At Bingham, Ely, Ray, Chino, Miami, Clifton and Ajo the apex law is simply inapplicable. A law that is inapplicable to the modern conditions of mining may be an old law, but it can not properly be characterized as a "good" law. For such reasons, and many others of weight, there has been a demand for revision of the mining laws; dat-ing ,back at least three decades. President Roosevelt appointed a commission to advise respecting the question, said commission comprising. Dr. James Douglas (chairman), John Hays Hammond, D: M. Barringer, Walter B: Devereux, and William B. Mather. This committee was unanimous on the following points:

Jan 1, 1922

By W. Mckewan, W. M. Fassell

The oxidation rates of copper have been determined at temperatures from 600" to 900°C in oxygen from 14.7 to 400 psi total oxygen pressure. The oxidation rate of copper is unchanged by oxygen pressures within the range studied. The observed data extend Feit-knecht's conclusion concerning the pressure independence of copper from atmospheric pressure to 400 psi. All samples studied in the above-mentioned temperature and pressure range have both Cu2O and CuO present in the oxide film. NUMEROUS papers have been published on the oxidation of copper, some of which have noted the effect of oxygen pressure on the oxidation rate of copper. It must be noted, however, that no data on the oxidation rates of copper at pressure in excess of 1 atm have been reported in the literature. (Le Chatelier¹ reported that a black oxide of silver was formed at 300°C and 15 atm pressure.) This is likewise true for the other metals. This investigation was initiated to obtain experimental oxidation rate constants for pure metals at elevated temperatures and high oxygen pressure. Copper was selected as the first metal since probably more reliable data are available on its oxidation rates and related physical and chemical properties than for any other metal or alloy. As a general summary, the following conclusions appear well established for the oxidation of copper: 1—The oxide coating consists of Cu2O with a superficial coating of CuO providing the ambient oxygen pressure exceeds the equilibrium pressure for the coexistence of Cu2O and CuO.² The following sequence of phases is then Cu/Cu2O/CuO/O2 (gas). The Cu2O consists of large crystals that have no relation to the orientation of the metal crystals, except for a very thin layer adjacent to the metal." The CuO consists of very fine crystals randomly oriented. If the oxygen pressure is below the equilibrium pressure for the coexistence of Cu2O and CuO, the coating consists of Cu,O only. 2—The rate-determining factor in the parabolic oxidation of copper is the diffusion of Cu+ ions through the Cu,O layer.4,6,7 The Cu+ ions are accompanied by electrons to maintain electrical neutrality. The mechanism of the reaction at the Cu2O/CuO interface and the method of growth of the CuO is in some doubt. 3—On copper, there are three reported pressure effects: (a) At pressures below 0.3 mm Hg oxygen pressure, the oxidation rate increases directly with pressure.', ' .Vxygen starvation at the surface may account for this effect. (b) At oxygen pressures from 0.3 to 63 mm, the oxidation rate increases as the 7th root of the oxygen pressure providing the temperature is such that only Cu2O is present in the film. (c) At pressures from above the equilibrium pressure for the coexistence of Cu2O and CuO (varies with temperature) to atmospheric pressure, the oxidation rate is independent of the oxygen pressure.' Equipment In order to determine the oxidation rates of metals in an oxidizing atmosphere at pressures up to 400 psi, the equipment is somewhat different than for low pressure work as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A Leeds and Northrup Micromax recording controller (A) is used to control the temperature of the Ni-chrome furnace winding in conjunction with a Micromax electric drive unit. The drive unit adjusts a 20 amp Variac (variable transformer) to control the power input into the Nichrome furnace winding. Due to the "self heating" of the sample by oxidation, frequently encountered in oxidation rate studies, it is essential that the sample temperature be measured independently. This is done by means of a series of six chromel-alumel calibrated thermocouples located spirally around the oxidizing metal sample. Each thermocouple is partially shielded from the direct radiation of the furnace wall by

Jan 1, 1954

By Fred McConnell

FROM beginning to end, the processes of coal stripping are of great interest. From the time the prospector enters upon the property to examine it and to prove it, until the coal is loaded into railroad cars, every step must be taken with careful thought and planning. In proving the merits of a prospective property, an examination and computation of the overburden is of almost equal importance to the determination of the extent and quality of the coal bed itself. Is the overburden hard, and will it require drilling and shooting? How many yards of it will have to be handled to produce a ton of coal? Will it remain in place when .put in the spoil bank, or will it spread and run back into the pit? Are the drainage problems serious, and what will it cost to handle the water? Does the coal have bad dips, and what will be the grades and curvatures for haulage? These are a few of the physical problems that confront the prospector, and they can be ascertained only by adequate and careful drilling and engineering of the property to be considered. The engineer is an ever-present necessity, not only in the prospecting but in the daily operation of the property after it has' been approved and developed. The first step in operation after the location of the tipple is the contouring of the surface to be stripped and the laying out of the pits for operation, having in view again adequate room for spoil, drainage, haulage and other problems. If the overburden is hard, as much of it is in the larger stripping areas, it must be drilled for shooting with churn or well drills, the holes continuing from the surface down to or near the coal bed. The location of these holes should be made, and marked with stakes, by the engineer, acting in conjunction with the shooting foreman. The usual practice is to drill holes 6 in. in diameter, although the present tendency is to increase the diameter of these holes so that they will hold, without springing, a larger charge of explosive. With the use of the old method of shooting, the holes were sprung or chambered several times with charges of dynamite, and in the cavity thus made, the explosive was placed, largely at the bottom of the hole; but with the use of liquid oxygen as an explosive, and with the later

Jan 1, 1931

By F. H. Allen, R. P. Roe

The performance history of a volumetric gas condensate reservoir is presented. Curves depict the pressure-production relation and illustrate the phace behavior of the reservoir fluid. This performance is compared to calculated performance. This Bacon Lime Reservoir was discovered in 1941 and has been produced to field separators and gas sales. Reservoir performance has been observed by periodic bottom hole pressure sur. veys and companion sample analysis of well effluents, in addition to gas and condensate production data. , The pressure-production history demonstrates that the reservoir has produced under volumetric control. The "retrograde" behavior of the reservoir fluid is illustrated by decreasing butanes-plus content of the well effluent, followed by revaporization as the reservoir pressure approaches abandonment. Calculated performance predictions are compared to actual performance and some discussion offered on apparent discrepancies. INTRODUCTION Since the late 1930's, many gas condensate reservoirs have been developed, the retrograde theory of phase behavior has been generally accepted, and a number of cycling programs have been initiated. Numerous technical papers have since appeared in the literature dealing with the theory and application of cycling the gas condensate reservoirs. Some cycling operations have now advanced to a stage where it is possible to determine performance characteristics to a fair degree of accuracy. Field performance data for gas condensate reservoirs operated by pressure depletion have not been so extensively reported in the literature, although their probable behavior has been discussed in explanation of the retrograde theory. It is the purpose of this paper to compare calculated theoretical reservoir performance with field observations and well stream analyze; which have been obtained throughout the practical producing life of a small volumetric gas condensate reservoir. The reservoir under study is the Bacon Lime Zone of a field located in East Texas. The Bacon Lime occurs in the Lower Glen Rose Formation of Cretaceous Age. This Bacon Lime Reservoir is encountered at an average depth of 7600 ft (7203 ft subsea elevation) and comprises approximately 3100 acres located on a structural high with 80 ft of productive closure. The producing formation consists of approximately 50 ft of dense crystalline fossiliferous dolomite of generally low permeability with typical wide variation in both permeability and porosity, the more permeable stringers measuring 30 to 40 millidarcys. The average porosity is extimated to be 10 per cent with a connate water saturation of approximately 30 per cent of the pore space. The reservoir temperature was found to be 220°F and the original pressure was 3691 psia at -7200 ft elevation. The re ervoir was discovered in November, 1.941, and is now essentially depleted, Throughout most of its productive life, from the standpoint of cumulative withdrawals, the reservoir has been produced by five wells. During its latter stages of depletion, 16 wells were completed in the Bacon Lime.

Jan 1, 1950