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By Carl F. Floe, John Chipman

A year ago the authors published a paper on the solubility of sulphur dioxide in molten copper.l The data in that paper agreed closely with that obtained by previous investigators, which, however, did not agree with the theoretical predictions for solubility of triatomic gases of this type. It has generally been assumed that the reaction of solution is: 6Cu(l) + SO2(g) = Cu2S (in Cu) + 2 Cu2O (in Cu) [I] _ (CU2S)(CU2O)2 K = (Cu)6(Pso2) [2] Neglecting the slight change in copper concentration and considering that the concentrations of sulphur and oxygen are both proportional to the volume of gas absorbed, it follows that this volume should be proportional to the cube root of the pressure. It was found that a plot of the volume absorbed versus the cube root of the pressure gave a straight line, but that this line did not pass through the origin. Calculations of the equilibrium constant for the reaction showed that it was fairly constant for pressures above 100 mm. but that actually it approached zero at lower pressures. The conclusion was made therefore that the solubility as determined could not be expressed by Eq. I or by any other simple equation, particularly at low pressures. Other investigators have concluded that the solubility of sulphur dioxide in copper as well as in several copper alloys is more nearly proportional to the square root of the pressure.* Such a conclusion, however, does not satisfactorily account for the results, even when rather complicated mechanisms for the solution are assumed. The highly improbable speculations of Lepp2 and of Schneider and Esch3 based upon hypothetical dissociation pressures of Cu2O and CU2S dissolved in copper illustrate the type of reasoning that has been used to account for the discrepancy. In the discussion of the previous paper, the authors pointed out that the discrepancy might possibly be due to impurities in the copper, although the purest form available was used. Further consideration of the problem suggested that the impurities likely to have the greatest effect on the solubility of so2 in copper were oxygen, sulphur and carbon. Accordingly, further experiments have been made to show the effects of these elements. Experimental Methods The apparatus used for measuring solubility was essentially the same as that shown in the previous paper. However, since it was desired to make measurements at low pressures, a McLeod gauge was added and 6-mm. glass tubing was substituted for the capillary. This increased the "hot volume" considerably but was necessary in order to obtain good vacuums in a reasonable length of time. A mercury diffusion pump was also installed.

Jan 1, 1942

By Erwin Zodrow

An elaborate model for the magnetite distribution and genesis in the Smallwood mine, Labrador, based on factor analysis with orthogonal and oblique rotation of the factors, was proposed in an earlier paper. However, it is implicit in that model that variances of one variable shared with all others (communality) are estimated. To avoid the problem of communality estimation in the present investigation, a different type of factor analysis is used which (1) emphasizes the shared variances, and (2) attempts to eliminate, as much as possible, errors associated with the estimation of communality and sampling (unique variance). The samples for the present analysis are not the commonly employed oxide percentage variables, but counts of mineral species in specified areas of thin sections from drill core in the Smallwood mine: quartz, magnetite, calcite, and specular-hematite minerals. The counting procedure for mineral species is similar to modal analysis differing from it principally in the aspect of texture recognition. The constant area in which mineral species are counted is dependent primarily on

Jan 1, 1975

By H. Rush Spedden

When Robert H. Richards wrote Ore Dressing, the famous four-volume work published in the first decade of this century, the ore dresser was still largely concerned, with the mechanical treatment of ores. Since then, however, economics have transformed him into a mineral processing engineer who must increasingly deal with closely integrated facilities designed to produce a commodity for manufacturing. Moreover, this change will grow marked as the complex low- grade ores of the future make it ever more necessary for him not only to use the best combination of pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical and physical separation processes, but also to integrate these processes at the mine site. Nor are economic pressures the only ones propelling the processing engineer into a new era. The ecology drive has thrown him into a new situation in which his economic base is radically altered, and it could well precipitate as drastic a revolution in his technology as that which took place when flotation was developed.

Jan 1, 1971

By N. G. W. Cook

At present, tunnels can be driven in rock by either of two essentially different techniques, in one of which rock-breaking is accomplished by drilling and blasting and in the other by mechanical loading. The methods based on these techniques are comparable in terms of the rates at which tunnels may be advanced, although they differ widely in their range of applicability to different types of rock and lengths of tunnel. The method based on drilling and blasting has reached a high degree of development. It is applicable to even the hardest rocks and rates of advance in excess of 50 ft per day (fpd) are attainable. The main disadvantages of this method are that it involves a sequence of operations punctuated by blasting and that it is relatively uncontrolled, resulting in overbreaking the tunnel profile and damage to the surrounding rock. However, its flexibility, mobility, and low capital cost constitute real advantages in many situations, such as those involving short lengths of tunnel or low rates of advance. Tunneling machines based on mechanical breaking of the rock are a more recent development. They offer a continuous and controlled means of tunneling capable of rates of advance in excess of 100 fpd under favorable conditions. However, these machines weigh many tens of tons and consume several hundred horsepower, so that they are costly and lack mobility. At present, their applicability is limited to long tunnels in relatively soft rock where the high rates of advance and tunnel quality can offset their onerous capital cost. Many situations exist in which the superior quality of a machined tunnel and freedom from blasting would be real advantages, but where the rock is either too hard for existing machines or the length of the tunnel does not justify their capital cost: What are the possibilities of developing cheaper, more flexible, and mobile tunneling machines? Most existing tunneling machines fragment all the rock at the tunnel face to facilitate its disposal. If a machine were used to cut only the profile of a tunnel as one of a sequence of operations, it would be required to break

Jan 1, 1970

By W. R. Ingalls

THE present administration has made sincere and effective efforts to reduce the expense of the Federal Government, but it has reached a point beyond which it seems impossible, or anyway extraordi-narily difficult, to go. This is ascribable to the large part of the budget that is represented as war expense. There is no doubt that this spells high taxation for many years to come. Nevertheless, although a large part of the taxation will be attributable to the war, the paying out of the proceeds of that taxation by the government will not be war expense, except in minor part, as will be hereinafter made clear. It will be useful to explain the economic meaning of this situation, for it has bear-ings upon several open questions, such as a bonus to the ex-soldiers, the foreign debt accounts, etc. The expense of the war on the part of the American people was in the main paid concurrently with its prose-cution. This was necessary. Warfare is not conducted with money, but with materials and labor. Except for such previous production as was represented by stocks of goods, the requirements had to be supplied by coincident production. With the end of 1918 our war expense ceased, save for such production, e.g., of ships, that was allowed to run on unchecked, and the indemnities that had to be paid for cancelled contracts. When those matters have been settled we shall be done, barring one important thing. Of course, our war expense began to contract right after the armistice and shrunk rapidly with the demobilization of the troops in 1919. If we had not been able to obtain all needful material from our own sources and had been constrained to borrow it from foreign countries, incurring a foreign debt, we should have been in the quite different posi-tion of having to repay that material, or its equivalent, during subsequent years. The European countries had to come to us for such supplies. This outlines the fundamental difference between their present situations and ours. We were therefore compelled not only to furnish materials and man-power for our own warfare but also much for the Allies.

Jan 3, 1923

By F. W. Jessen, N. Mungan

The plastic flow characteristics of clay water suspensions were first recognized by Binghaml in 1916 and further studied by Ambrose and Loomis' in 1931-1932. Many physical and chemical properties of clay suspensions are deeply influenced by particle size distribution as well as by the exchange cation. Separation of a number of fractions is particularly helpful in making a detailed study of a suspension. A limited amount of work has been conducted on the effects of particle size on specific properties of mud drilling fluids. A knowledge of particle size distribution is essential for a better understanding of fundamental properties of clay suspensions, particularly viscosity and gel strength. The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of particle size on the viscosity and gel properties of clay suspensions and to determine any changes in mineral composition accompanying variation in size. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Numerous methods may be used to fractionate a poly-dispersed clay suspension into nearly mono-dispersed systems. Particles larger than 44 micron (325-mesh) may be obtained by wet screening. For sizes from 44 to 1 micron, the fractionation may be accomplished by sedimentation, elutriation plus microscopy,' or turbidimetry.6 When dealing with systems which contain a major portion of particles below l-mi-cron size, slit ultramicroscopy,7 centrifuge methods of Svedberg,5 eams,9 and McBain,l0 and X-ray methods" may be employed. The Sharples super centrifuge has been proved suitable for the economical separation of suspended particles of submicron range.12,13,14 Three-hundred and forty-five gal of 1 per cent by weight Aquagel suspension was mixed in a high-speed 5-gallon mud mixer and the suspension was allowed to stand in 5-gal glass bottles for 30 days to assure full hydration. All particles larger than 44 microns were removed by wet screening. Five fractions in the range of 44 to 1 micron were obtained by sedimentation. The Sharples super centrifuge method described by Hauser and Reed.13 Norton and Speil,14 Ha user and Lynn,15 and Hauser and Schachman,10 as employed to yield five fractions of submicron size. A super centrifuge operation chart prepared by Fancher, Oliphant, and Houssierre12 was used to determine operating conditions for the desired particle ranges. The clay suspension, after removal of all material above 1-micron size, was centrifuged. During rotation of the bowl, the particles were deposited on a thin plastic liner which fit closely inside the bowl. After passing 5 gal of suspension through the centrifuge, the liner was removed and the particles on the liner were scraped off, remixed and recentrifuged. This was repeated five times. Thus, Fractions H, I, K, and L were obtained. The finest fraction, M, remained in an approximately 0.4 per cent suspension. Water was evaporated under reduced pressure from this suspension to yield the finest particles. Results of the fractionation are included in Table 1. In order to achieve proper orientation and humidity conditions for X-ray diffraction analysis, the following procedure was employed. The dilute suspensions were placed on glass slides and allowed to dry at room temperature. This was repeated several times. Previous to measurement each sample first was placed in a water desiccator for half an hour and then allowed to stand for 15 minutes at room temperature. thus yielding an equilibrium condition of about 52 per cent relative humidity. The relative humidity of the room in which the X-ray diffraction was carried out was maintained at approximately 50 per cent so that there was no change in the spacings during the X-ray examination. Samples

Jan 1, 1904

By R. D. Springer, R. L. Wilcox, P. A. PALMARTAN, R. K. Waring, E. A. Anderson

A knowledge of the mutual liquid solubility of zinc and lead is of importance in various phases of zinc metallurgy. The determination of this solubility has been the subject of numerous investigations, but unfortunately the results vary widely, particularly at higher temperatures, and it has been impossible to decide what data are most reliable. It was decided to investigate the matter and in view of the disagreement in the published results, it was felt necessary to take rather unusual precautions to insure the reliability of the data. For this reason determinations were made by four different methods, and the procedures of several of the previous investigators were duplicated. The previously used methods can be divided into two classes: methods involving freezing the entire melt and taking samples of the lead-rich and zine-rich phases in the solid state,l,2 and methods in which the samples are taken while the bath is liquid and at the desired temperature.3,4 Data obtained by methods involving freezing the entire melt show much lower solubility of lead in zinc than methods in which the liquid is sampled at temperature. The latter method was used by Spring and Romanoff5 and by Hass and Jellinek.6 The results of these two investigations are in agreement at temperatures near the melting point but at higher temperatures Hass and Jellinek find a higher mutual solubility. The low-temperature section of the zinc-lead equilibrium diagram is given by Peirce and Anderson.7 The diagram is based on the data of Hodge and Heyer,8 Arnemann,9 and Peirce.10

Jan 1, 1934

By G. E. Pellissier, C. W. Mason

Tin has long been cited as offering a classic example of polymorphism, second in repute only to the allotropy of sulphul.. The notorious "tin disease," which Cohenl has studied so exhaustively in terms of the enantiotropic transformation of tetragonal white P tin to cubic gray a tin, has apparently encouraged the expectation that one or more additional polymorphic modifications might exist. The search for confirnmntion of this idea has, as might be anticipated, led to the accumulation of a body of miscellaneous evidence, much of which would probably never have been sought, or taken seriously even by its discoverers, but fur previous assumptions. The ball apparently was started rolling iii 1880 by Trechmann,2 who reported a new modification of tin (7 tin), which was brittle and found in "hard head," a highly arsenical, slaggy material produced in a certain stage of tin smelting. A mixture of two kinds of crystals was obtained from a Cornish tin furnace, and those thought to be 7 tin were studied crystallographically. The results indicated that these crystals were rhombic and of different density from the tetragonal tin prepared electrolytically by Miller. Their analysis was given as 98.7 per cent Sn, 1.3 per cent Fe, and traces of As, Sb, Bi and S. In 1881 von Foullon4 obtained similar crystals from a Bohemian tin furnace. Headden5 examined crystals similar to those of Trechmann and von Foullon and reported them to be monoclinic, but of analysis corresponding to stannous sulphide. Later, Stevanovic,~ by goniometric measurements, proved that these crystals of SnS were really rhombic. Groth7 pictures and describes both "rhombic tin" (Fig. 9, vol. 1) ant1 stannous sulphide (Fig. 84, vol. 1); their faces and angles correspond within the accuracy of measurement. Spencers in 1921 examined the above evidence critically; lie lound similar crystals from Cornish tin furnaces, proved them to be SnS, and even was able to analyze some of Trechmann's original specimens, finding high sulphur content. (Apparently Trechmann's analysis had been based on :L second lot of crystals, not described crystallographically.)

Jan 1, 1939

By R. E. Delavault, H. V. Warren

In normal soils there are usually 10 to 50 parts of copper in every million parts of .soil. Only 0.2 to .5 pct of this copper can be found by any simple cold chemical attack. Now, with rubeanic mid reagent paper, a prospector or field geologist can detect as little us 4 ppm of readily available copper ill soil. This degree, of sensiticity is enough to determine the presence. of copper anamalous an as and, ecentually, to discouer copper mineralization. Circumstances determine whether it is better to make analyses in the field or in a permanent laboratory. The rubeanic acid test described in this article has been designed primarily for field use: it is simple and virtually foolproof, and it requires a minimum of field kit." It is sensitive, easily de- • Ed. Note: Persons Interested in purchasing kits suitable for rubeanic acid prospecting can obtain information by writing Eldrico Geophysical Sales Ltd., 633 Hornby Street. Vancouver 1, B.C. The University of British Columbia does not produce these kits for sale and has no financial interest in their production tecting 4 ppm of readily extractable copper in a soil. This is by no means a quantitative test, but it is accurate enough to provide a valuable indicator of copper anomalous areas for both prospectors and field geologists. The easiest method for detecting metal deposits that do not produce visible float or stains is to make a simple chemical test for the metal in overlying soil, or in the silt of a stream that may have picked up metal farther upstream. In Brief: Testing for copper may be done easily by shaking a soil sample with strong acetic solution in a small test tube and pouring the mud into a small filter, the tip of which rests upon a strip of reagent paper impregnated with rubeanic acid (di-thio-oxamide). When copper is present—and only when it is—a blue spot develops. The more copper, the darker the spot. If the copper content is merely the small amount present everywhere, there is a pale blue or hardly visible spot; if it is abnormally high, the spot will be dark. There are, of course, intermediate cases where the experienced geochemist cannot tell offhand whether a medium-strength spot represents rich agricultural soil, weak copper mineralization, or distant rich copper mineralization. Reagents and material are inexpensive; the test may be readily done on the spot with a simple kit easy to pack and handle. Anyone interested in general problems of soil sampling as applied to prospecting may refer to an article recently presented to the AIME. In exploration work it is the contrast between the metal content of anomalous and background areas that is important; absolute values become of greater interest when an anomalous area is being investigated in detail. With specific reference to copper, it has been the authors' experience that the amounts of metal extracted from anomalous and normal soils with buffer solutions of decreasing pH show better contrast if an acid reagent is used. This contrast tends to increase with increasing acidity until 3 to 4 pH is reached. Using a short cold attack on unheated soil, it has been found that further increases in acidity do not produce better results, and only increase the hazards involved in carrying strong acids. An acidity of about pH 4 is satisfactory for direct determination of copper by dithizone. But dithizone itself introduces some problems: it must be made up fresh at frequent intervals, and with some soils, notably those with much ferric iron, oxidation mag take place before all the copper has reacted with the dithizone. Rubeanic acid keeps its strength unimpaired for long periods, is unaffected by oxidation, and is practically specific for copper at pH 4. Consequently it seems an ideal reagent to use in prospecting for copper. History and Background: Rubeanic acid (systematic name: dithio-oxamide (SC-NH2) has long been known as a spot test reagent for some heavy metals with which it gives a number of compounds. Only copper and some metals of the platinum family are believed capable of providing any ru-beanate compounds under conditions of moderate

Jan 1, 1959

By F. L. Ransome

The dike here described is exposed in the workings of the Wedge and Bachelor mines, on the southern side of Red Canon, north of the town of Ouray, Colorado. Its course is north 80° east, or nearly east and west, and it hades to the north about 10°. It rarely outcrops, and was nowhere seen at the surface near the mines. A specimen collected by Dr. A. C. Spencer about two miles to the westward, near the mouth of Red Creek, indicates, however, a probable exposure of the dike near this point. The Wedge and Bachelor mines lie in a nearly horizontal series of fine-grained, light-grey sandstones, alternating with beds of very fine-grained shale of the same color. The shale as encountered underground is unusually compact and massive, but weathers readily on exposure, and splits much after the manner of ordinary shale. When fresh it closely resembles some finely arenaceous limestones, but it does not effervesce with acids, and is eseentially a fine, indurated, siliceous silt. Near the surface, and near the top of the sedimentary series as

Jan 1, 1901

By C. J. Fleisch, C. P. Clingerman

THE recent installation of a combination dust catcher, gas washer and precipitator at Carrie blast furnaces of the Homestead Steel Works has given very satisfactory results. The following description of the gas-cleaning installation is based on actual operating experience. When Carrie blast furnace No. 3 was rebuilt the decision was made to fine-clean all the gas produced by the furnace, because the management wanted fine-cleaned gas for fuel in the stoves and boilers. In order to keep the installation cost as low as possible, the gas-cleaning system was streamlined. All by-pass lines and goggle valves for bypass lines were eliminated from the system. A radical departure from the use of 8-in. tubes in the Cottrell-type precipitators was made by using 12-in. diameter tubes in a single compartment, the single compartment being divided into two units by a single partition wall in the top header. THE FURNACE PROPER A few of the characteristic points and dimensions of the furnace proper are: [Hearth diameter 26 ft. o in. Bosh diameter 29 ft. 1 3/4 in. Stock-line diameter 20 ft. o in. Large-bell diameter 114 ft. 8 in. Small-bell diameter 6 ft. 6 in. Height of furnace from center of iron notch to bottom of large bell, closed 94 ft. 4 in. Height of furnace from center of iron notch to main platform 105 ft. o in.] The furnace top is equipped with a McKee revolving distributor, the operation of which is electrically interlocked with the skips, bell hoists, and coke-weighing and charging apparatus through a Freyn automatic charging control. The gas leaves the furnace first through four offtakes, 5 ft. g in. in diameter, then through uptakes that are approximately 85 ft. high, which feed into a single down-comer that is 9 ft. in diameter. DUST CATCHER The primary dust catcher installed (Fig. I) may be described as a single-cone type. The inlet pipe at the top of the dust catcher is g ft. in diameter; it is flared to a conical shape as it extends down inside the dust-catcher shell, which is 35 ft. in diameter, 37 ft. high on the straight side, and has a conical top and bottom. The slope of the bottom is 50° with the horizontal. The cone-shaped pipe inside the dust-catcher shell is 42 ft. high and is 19 ft. 7 in. in diameter at its bottom lip where it releases the gas in-

Jan 1, 1943

By R. N. Stevens

GRAIN boundary sliding plays a part in the high-temperature deformation of polycrystalline solids, and many investigations1-11 have been carried out to determine the deformation contributed by this mechanism. The principal method employed has been to measure one of the components of the grain boundary displacement, see Fig. 1, at a large number of boundaries, and from the mean value so obtained to calculate the elongation contributed by sliding. A formula connecting these mean values and the elongation contributed is evidently required, and many have been derived. They are usually of the form where Egh is the tensile elongation contributed by sliding, is the mean value of the component, x, N is the mean number of grain boundaries intersecting a line of unit length, and K is a dimensionless parameter known as the averaging factor. Table I summarizes the equations used by various investigators. Examination of these shows that their derivations usually involve doubtful assumptions, and are often in serious error. The purpose of this note is to point out that rigorous solutions to the problem of calculating Egb from x have been available in the literature for some years.' Since this is so little known, and also the original derivations do not make some important points clear, it is proposed to rederive the basic equations. These will be extended further, and the conditions in which the extended equations may be applied will be indicated. The mean values of the components of the sliding vector (I, d, and I:, Fig. 1) will depend on the method by which boundaries are sampled in order to make measurements.3,11 Boundaries are usually sampled by marker lines parallel to the stress axis, or lines perpendicular to the stress axis, the measurement being made at the point where the marker line intercepts the boundary. We will denote the mean values determined by these various sampling methods as follows. lT, dT and vT are mean values obtained by making measurements at pointswhere a transverse line intercepts the boundary while lL, dL, and vl, are the mean values from a longitudinal line. The number of boundaries per unit length also may depend on the direction of measurement, and so we define NT and Nl to be the number of boundaries per unit length, after creep, in the transverse and longitudinal directions, respectively.

Jan 1, 1967

By H. S. Munroe

The accompanying figures illustrate the dumping-device used at the new dressing works of the St. Joseph Lead Co., at Bonne Terre, Mo. It is a dumping-cradle, of a type much used abroad, in which the car is turned upside down to discharge its load. The main

Jan 1, 1889

By Rush Sill

THE processes of superficial alteration depend on physical conditions, environment, geologic history and chemical and mineralogical composition. Superficial alteration is confined particularly to the zone of shallow circulation, as this is the zone of solution; its rocks are open and the circulation within it is compara-tively rapid. The enrichment of ore deposits in this zone, therefore, is of special interest. The depth of the vadose, or zone of shallow circula-tion, is variable, because its lower limit depends on the variable level of ground water. In moist, hilly countries its depth varies from a few feet to several hundred feet. In arid regions where the rainfall is low and evaporation great, this zone may extend to much greater depths. Permeability of the deposits . is essential to the downward migration of metals. In rocks, that have been fractured since the primary ore was deposited, there is generally more extensive and deeper enrichment than in ore deposits that have been but slightly fractured. A warm climate increases chemical action and abundant rain fall is favorable to enrichment. Low relief and slow erosion give long periods of weathering and thorough leaching.

Jan 9, 1922

By Subhas G. Malghan

The response of feldspar flotation to tallow diamine dioleate collector in the presence of sulfuric acid is studied using batch flotation experiments. Application of this nonhydrofluoric acid (non-HF) reagent system in the flotation of mineralogically and chemically different feldspar ores is compared with that of the conventional hydrofluoric acid system. The dependence of flotation recovery and concentrate grade on feed particle size distribution, conditioning time, pulp density, and pH, combined variation of collector and acid addition rates, sodium hydroxide concentration in the collector solution, and initial pulp pH Prior to conditioning is studied. The results have been discussed in relation to applicability of the non-HF system to plant trials, and the nature of the collector adsorption in the selective flotation of feldspar.

Jan 1, 1982

By John W. Bader

Probing a mineralized area with a core drill to find out what's there is fundamentally a simple task, but a costly one. Quite commonly it costs $10, and sometimes more, to extract and assay each foot of drill core obtained. Yet, it is not unusual today to drill hundreds of holes on one mineral property. The initial objective of such probing is almost always simply to determine the potential worth of the ore- body, if any exists, and the question naturally arises: How little sampling is enough for this determination? The mathematics of statistics infer accuracy of estimates largely from the sheer number of samples taken. Mineral exploration usually involves accumulation of large numbers of samples, and thus it is usually not difficult to place narrow confidence limits on either side of the estimated average grade of a sampled orebody. The determination may, or may not, be as accurate as the derivations imply. If it is not, the fault is probably one of misapplication and not with the statistical processes themselves. Un- fortunately, indications are strong that the ordinary statistics of sampling usually cannot be applied to orebody exploration samples with actual attainment of the accuracy of estimate that they express mathematically. For this reason, a more deductive, less mathematical analysis of the sampling may well be worthwhile.

Jan 1, 1970

By George W. Crawford, W. P. Aycock, E. W. Hough

Forty oilfield brines have been examined so far by a polarographic technique new in petroleum engineering called the "tensatnmetric method" by the team of biochemists who perfected its use in their field. Samples of brine were obtained from various oil fields in which the wells were known to be producing fluid from oil productive zones in well-known geologic formations. Most of the reservoirs from which the samples were obtained are believed to have an active water drive under the prevailing conditions of operation. The 40 samples represent brines produced front 16 different formations of various geologic ages. Graphs have been prepared of the data obtained in the testing of each sample, and the distinctive waife-like curves so obtained are characterized by reproducible profiles, called "response curves." Careful comparison of the response curves of salt water coming from different fields producing from the same geologic formation reveals that the curves are similar. The response curves of salt water coming from productive zones of different geologic formations are characteristically different. Preliminary work offers the further hope that response curves of an oilfield brine indigenous to a particular oil-bearing formation and hence representative of a particular geologic environment, such as deposit-ional and all subsequent morphological conditions, may be of value in reservoir engineering in the interpretation of surface and interfacial phenomena. For example, the wettability of the rock matrix and more specifically, the classification of productive oil-bearing strata as hydrophyllic or hydrophobic may be determinable. However, many more brines must be examined and the resulting response curves analyzed in comparison to known causal phenornena before this objective is achieved. INTRODUCTION One of the perennial moot questions in the literature of petroleum engineering is whether the reservoir rock is oil- or water-wet. Possibly an answer to this question could come from a careful examination of oilfield brines. None of the conventional methods of examining brines (chemical analysis, pH and electrical conductivity measurements, and the like) answer the question. Careful analysis of reservoir behavior observed in the exploitation of oil fields, particularly in the application of fluid injection, has been fruitful to the extent that a few reservoirs are believed to be properly classified. Physical chemistry suggests the behavior of reservoir brine and rock may be due to something in the brine in small amount. The ever increasing development and modification of theory in the general field of surface and interfacial chemistry has, and is, contributing to a better understanding of the problem, particularly as theory is verified by data. The work herein reported was begun in 1953 by Hough and Roebuck 1,2 who employed a new form of alternating current polarography, i.e., tensammetry, developed by Breyer, et a13,4 and who studied eight oilfield brines in adapting tensammetry to petroleum engineering needs. THEORY AND DEFINITIONS Tensammetry is a new technique of inquiry into surface phenomena. Specifically, a weak alternating current voltage is superimposed upon the direct current voltage applied to a dropping mercury electrode in contact with an electrolyte containing a small amount of a surfactant. The resultant alternating current can be measured and provides the experimental data for this new area of research. Under the influence of the direct current voltage, polar molecules arrange themselves in a double layer at the electrode. This double layer may be compared to a variable condenser, the capacitance of which is a function of the imposed direct current voltage. The direct current voltage determines the degree of adsorption of the surface active molecule on the electrode. Whenever the molecules are strongly adsorbed on the electrode, the capacitance of the double layer is low and the alternating current through the cell is low. Desorption occurs at some values of the direct current voltage, and at these voltages the capacitance of the double layer is high, resulting in an increase in the alternating current through the cell. The direct current

Jan 1, 1958

(Under this heading will be published notes sent to the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons introduced by members.) Mining Engineer. Graduate of Colorado School of Mines, 1912, experienced in coal, lead manganese and limestone mining, wishes execu¬tive position. A-2146. Graduate Mining Engineer.-Discharged, reserve officer, age 32, single, 7 years' experience holding responsible executive positions, in iron, copper, and talc mining. Well recommended. A-4913. Mine Manager, Superintendent or Engineer. Age 41, graduate of Michigan College of Mines; 20 years' experience in responsible positions in connection with large operations; in iron, copper, pyrites, lead and zinc mines; successful in finding and developing orebodies, increasing production, and reducing costs. Desires a position with a future. A-4081. Mining Engineer.-Graduate from Polytechnicum, Stockholm; 14 years' practical experience in Sweden, United States, Belgium, and Spain, in iron-ore development, mining, and milling; thorough knowledge of English, French and Spanish; desires position as superintendent or assistant manager. Good references; member; now in Sweden. A-4914. Research Engineer. Now in Chile on the erection of a 50-ton mill with modern machinery for the treatment of Chilean nitrate. Desires connection from the first of next year; with firm operating in South or Central America. A-4915. Metallurgical Engineer. Junior member, age 26, single, graduate Columbia School of Mines; recently discharged as lieutenant in the heavy artillery. A-4916. General Superintendent. Technical graduate, age 35, desires position over a group of four or five mines or as assistant general superintendent for a large. company. Has had experience in superintending mines, construction work, opening new and abandoned mines, safety and effi-ciency engineering and handling organized labor. At present employed by a coal company in the middle West. A-4917.

Jan 11, 1919

THE members arrived at Ticonderoga, N. Y., at noon, Tuesday, October 15th, and were received by Mr. Cyrus Butler, Chairman of the Local Committee of Arrangements. During the afternoon the works of the American Graphite Company and the Horicon Iron Company were visited under the guidance of Mr. Butler, President of both companies, and of Mr. William Hooper, Superintendent. An excursion was then made, in carriages, to old Fort Ticonderoga, on Lake Champlain, after which the party were driven to the Rogers Rock Hotel, on Lake George. The first session of the Institute was held in the parlor of time hotel on Tuesday evening. Mr. Eckley B. Coxe, President of the Institute, opened the proceedings with the following address: I shall ask your attention, this evening, to a few reflections upon the subject of mining engineering as a profession in the United States, its past, its present, and its future, and its duties and oppor¬tunities with reference to the proper development of our great min¬eral resources. Thirty years ago, there were scarcely any mining engineers in this country, and but few in England, and there were no institutions where young men could be educated for the profession in the Eng¬lish language. France and Germany have been able for about a century to boast of mining schools of a high character, that number among their graduates such men as Humboldt, Weisbach, Rittinger, Combes, and Gruner. Of the few we then had worthy of the name of "mining engi¬neer," some had studied in the continental academies, and others were graduates in the school of practical experience, and had learned their profession in mines and smelting-works. Their work con¬sisted principally in making surveys and maps of mines and mining properties, geological reports, and analyses of ores ; but the mining engineer whom we often meet with now, who has studied chemistry, physics, mineralogy, geology, mechanics, and drawing; who is more or less familiar with machinery and its construction, and with the practical management of mines or smelting-works, and who is an expert in some one branch of his profession, would have been very difficult if not impossible to find in the United States. The induce¬ments held out to ambitious and talented young men to enter the

Jan 1, 1879