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By Benjamin L. Miller

The essential differences expressed by the different speakers participating in this symposium concern merely the relative emphasis placed on the subjects that are commonly included under the term "geophysics" and the branches of science that form the basis for investigations in this field. In order to appreciate the present situation it may be profitable to briefly refer to a few historical matters. One can find almost countless descriptions of geological phenomena long antedating the introduction of the title of "geology," which has been credited to Richard de Bury in the fourteenth century. Interpretations, when they were offered, were generally pure speculation. Only toward the close of the eighteenth century do we find theories developed as the result of observations and tested by additional observations. It is difficult to select and give proper credit to the individual who was particularly responsible for turning geology into a distinctly observational science. william Smith, who has been called the "Father of English Geology," certainly represents the period when observation was the only method used. As he traveled through the British Isles, "sometimes 10,000 miles in a year," he was continually making notes of his observations. Geikie says: "His plain, solid, matter of fact intellect never branched into theory or speculation, but occupied itself wholly in the observation of facts." William Smith, with others of his time, definitely laid firmly the foundations on which modern geology has been built. Field and laboratory observations can no longer be said to constitute the sole basis for geologic contributions but we have not laid aside the methods of Smith and his followers. It is folly to underestimate the fundamental value of the observational part of geology in the present. The objection to purely observational geology is that it is mainly qualitative and not quantitative, general and not specific. No one can deny this charge and probably there are few who do not welcome every method or process whereby we can put aside generalities for definite established values. Physics is the science that has particularly come to the aid of the geologist in this respect. Contributions of PhYsics It is not the intent of the writer to enumerate or to evaluate all of the contributions to geologic advance in the field of. physics. A few only are used for the purpose of illustration, When Clarence King, Director of the United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel, invited Ferdinand Zirkel to study 2500 thin sections of rocks collected from the western United States, the use of the microscope came into general use. Zirkel's report was published in 1876. He was not the first to use transmitted light for microscopic rock determination, some work having been done by Henry Clifton Sorby and others some years earlier, but he was the first to put into general use this method. We may well daim that this

Jan 1, 1946

Discussion of the paper of GEORGE K. BURGESS and SIR ROBERT A. HADFIELD, presented at the New York meeting, February, 1915, and printed in Bulletin No. 98, February, 1915, pp. 455 to 468. ALBERT SAUVEUR, Cambridge, Mass.-There is a definiteness and finality in the investigations that have been conducted by the Bureau of Standards and in the method of presenting the results that is most satisfactory and refreshing.. A year ago Dr. Burgess and his co-workers investigated the question of critical points in carbonless iron, and they settled the question once for all. No one can now claim that the thermal point A2 in carbonless iron does not exist. At the past meeting of this Institute in Pittsburgh, Dr. Burgess showed the worthlessness of the shrinkage clause. To my mind after his demonstration no one can again claim that the shrinkage clause renders any service. He also showed us that it was a practicable proposition to use pyrometers in steel work in order to ascertain the finishing temperatures of rails. No one can again come before this body and make the claim that it is not a practical proposition. And now Dr. Burgess shows us that steel ingots can be made in a commercial way, practically free from pipe, from segregation, aid from blow holes. It places again before us in a very clear manner the question of piped ingots and of segregation, a question which has been debated for 20 years or more. I know very well the attitude of the standpatters in the matter. They claim that most of the pipe is removed in the discard, and that if a little is left it is so thoroughly welded that it does no harm. I for one am not convinced of the soundness of the argument. I do not believe there is any one present who would claim that, given an ingot free from pipe, free from segregation, and free from blow holes, better rails will not be made out of that ingot than out of the ordinary piped or segregated metal which is used by almost all of our steel mills. In my opinion, if we give our sanction to the casting of steel in the shape of piped or segregated steel ingots, we are guilty. If we give our sanction to the rolling of rails from such metal, we are guilty. It is our duty as experts, as steel makers, and as steel consumers to make and to use the best steel obtainable on a commercial basis, for the manufacture of rails. Now, we have been shown that sound ingots can be produced from which superior rails can be made. If we do not insist upon these sound ingots, then we fail in our duty. I think that the art of casting steel ingots has advanced to such a point that the casting of steel ingots piped and segregated ought no longer to be tolerated.

Jan 5, 1915

By Stewart. J. W.

THE aim of this paper is to point out the various ways in which design is taught in standard four-year mining engineering curricula in American colleges and universities; to discuss the reasons apparently justifying the great diversity of procedure that exists along this line; and to indicate possible solutions to the difficulties now attending the teaching of design. A study was made of typical four-year mining engineering curricula in 15 colleges and universities of the United States (Table I). Great diversity in content of the various design courses, if taught as described, became apparent immediately. It appeared that it might be both interesting and instructive if the cause for this colorful variety could be found. Was the cause local mining conditions, departmental individuality, or actual necessity? Study of the school catalogues revealed that the various design courses could be classified into two fairly distinct types; namely, (I) those dealing with mine equipment or structures, and (2) those dealing with underground layout of mine workings. It seemed reasonable to label the first type of course "mining design" and the second type "mine design." Some such distinction must have been in the minds of mining educators, for we find both names (i.e., mine design and mining design) used to designate the design courses included in the various mining curricula. Unhappily, the name and the apparent content of such courses do not, in all instances, conform to the classification made here, although in most instances such conformation does obtain (Table I). It is possible that in the exceptional case the method of teaching a design course, and consequently the content of it, may have been changed at some time without change in the name of the course. Apparently only. 3 of the 15 schools made an effort to cover both types of design in their curricula (Table I). Two other schools did not list or describe any course of study that could with certainty be taken as a design course. Of the remaining 10 schools, q gave a mining-design type of course and one gave a strictly mine-design type. Obviously, the preponderance of design courses afforded are of the mining-design type. Why? To answer this question, it is necessary to make a study of the prerequisites for the two types of design courses taught. In all schools the design courses were taught in the senior year; in eight, design was taught throughout both semesters; in two, it was taught during the first semester only; and in three it was taught during the second semester only. Consequently, excepting the last three cases noted, it is obvious that all prerequisites for a design course should be completed by the end of the junior year. PREREQUISITES What are the probable prerequisites for the different kinds of design courses as they appear to be taught? Let us take first the case of the mine-design type of course, having to do with layout of underground workings. Here it would seem that logical

Jan 1, 1941

By J. W. Stewart

THE aim of this paper is to point out the various ways in which design is taught in standard four-year mining engineering curricula in American colleges and universities; to discuss the reasons apparently justifying the great diversity of procedure that exists along this line; and to indicate possible solutions to the difficulties now attending the teaching of design. A study was made of typical four-year mining engineering curricula in 15 colleges and universities of the United States (Table I). Great diversity in content of the various design courses, if taught as described, became apparent immediately. It appeared that it might be both interesting and instructive if the cause for this colorful variety could be found. Was the cause local mining conditions, departmental individuality, or actual necessity? Study of the school catalogues revealed that the various design courses could be classified into two fairly distinct types; namely, (I) those dealing with mine equipment or structures, and (2) those dealing with underground layout of mine workings. It seemed reasonable to label the first type of course "mining design" and the second type "mine design." Some such distinction must have been in the minds of mining educators, for we find both names (i.e., mine design and mining design) used to designate the design courses included in the various mining curricula. Unhappily, the name and the apparent content of such courses do not, in all instances, conform to the classification made here, although in most instances such conformation does obtain (Table I). It is possible that in the exceptional case the method of teaching a design course, and consequently the content of it, may have been changed at some time without change in the name of the course. Apparently only 3 of the 15 schools made an effort to cover both types of design in their curricula (Table I). Two other schools did not list or describe any course of study that could with certainty be taken as a design course. Of the remain¬ing to schools, 9 gave a mining-design type of course and one gave a strictly mine-design type. Obviously, the preponderance of design courses afforded are of the mining-design type. Why? To answer this question, it is necessary to make a study of the prerequisites for the two types of design courses taught. In all schools the design courses were taught in the senior year; in eight, design was taught throughout both semesters; in two, it was taught during the first semester only; and in three it was taught during the second semester only. Consequently, excepting the last three cases noted, it is obvious that all prerequisites for a design course should be completed by the end of the junior year. PREREQUISITES What are the probable prerequisites for the different kinds of design courses as they appear to be taught? Let us take first the case of the mine-design type of course, having to do with layout of underground workings. Here it would seem that logical

Jan 1, 1941

By J. W. Stewart

The aim of this paper is to point out the various ways in which design is taught in standard four-year mining engineering curricula in American colleges and universities; to discuss the reasons apparently justifying the great diversity of procedure that exists along this line; and to indicate possible solutions to the difficulties now attending the teaching of design. A study was made of typical four-year mining engineering curricula in 15 colleges and universities of the United States (Table I). Great diversity in content of the various design courses, if taught as described, became apparent immediately. It appeared that it might be both interesting and instructive if the cause for this colorful variety could be found. Was the cause local mining conditions, departmental individuality, or actual necessity? Study of the school catalogues revealed that the various design courses could be classified into two fairly distinct types; namely, (I) those dealing with mine equipment or structures, and (2) those dealing with underground layout of mine workings. It seemed reasonable to label the first type of course "mining design" and the second type "mine design." Some such distinction must have been in the minds of mining educators, for we find both names (i.e., mine design and mining design) used to designate the design courses included in the various mining curricula Unhappily, the name and the apparent content of such courses do not, in all instances, conform to the classification made here, although in most instances such conformation does obtain (Table I). It is possible that in the exceptional case the method of teaching a design course, and consequently the content of it, may have been changed at some time without change in the name of the course. Apparently only 3 of the 15 schools made an effort to cover both types of design in their curricula (Table I). Two other schools did not list or describe any course of study that could with certainty be taken as a design course. Of the remaining 10 schools, 9 gave a mining-design type of course and one gave a strictly mine-design type. Obviously, the preponderance of design courses afforded are of the mining-design type. Why? To answer this question, it is necessary to make a study of the prerequisites for the two types of design courses taught. In all schools the design courses were taught in the senior year; in eight, design was taught throughout both semesters; in two, it was taught during the first semester only; and in three it was taught during the second semester only. Consequently, excepting the last three cases noted, it is obvious that all prerequisites for a design course should be completed by the end of the junior year PREREQUISITES What are the probable prerequisites for the different kinds of design courses as they appear to be taught? Let us take first the case of the mine-design type of course, having to do with layout of underground workings. Here it would seem that logical

Jan 1, 1943

By Benjamin L. Miller

THE essential differences expressed by the different speakers participating in this symposium concern merely the relative emphasis placed on the subjects that are commonly included under the term "geophysics" and the branches of science that form the basis for investigations in this field. In order to appreciate the present situation it may be profitable to briefly refer to a few historical matters. One can find almost countless descriptions of geological phenomena long antedating the introduction of the title of "geology," which has been credited to Richard de Bury in the fourteenth century. Interpretations, when they were offered, were generally pure speculation. Only toward the close of the eighteenth century do we find theories developed as the result of observations and tested by additional observations. It is difficult to select and give proper credit to the individual who was particularly responsible for turning geology into a distinctly observational science. William Smith, who has been called the "Father of English Geology," certainly represents the period when observation was the only method used. As he traveled through the British Isles, "sometimes 10,000 miles in a year," he was continually making notes of his observations. Geikie says: "His plain, solid, matter of fact intellect never branched into theory or speculation, but occupied itself wholly in the observation of facts." William Smith, with others of his time, definitely laid firmly the foundations on which modern geology has been built. Field and laboratory observations can no longer be said to constitute the sole basis for geologic contributions but we have not laid aside the methods of Smith and his followers. It is folly to underestimate the fundamental value of the observational part of geology in the present. The objection to purely observational geology is that it is mainly qualitative and not quantitative, general and not specific. No one can deny this charge and probably there are few who do not welcome every method or process whereby we can put aside generalities for definite established values. Physics is the science that has particularly come to the aid of the geologist in this respect. CONTRIBUTIONS OF PHYSICS It is not the intent of the writer to enumerate or to evaluate all of the contributions to geologic advance in the field of physics. A few only are used for the purpose of illustration. When Clarence King, Director of the United States Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel, invited Ferdinand Zirkel to study 2500 thin sections of rocks collected from the western United States, the use of the microscope came into general use. Zirkel's report was published in 1876. He was not the first to use transmitted light for microscopic rock determination, some work having been done by Henry Clifton Sorby and others some years earlier, but he was the first to put into general use this method. We may well claim that this

Jan 1, 1941

By G. T. Higgins

PREVIOUS workers1,2 have found evidence of exaggerated grain growth or secondary recrystallization on annealing sponge zirconium at temperatures high in the a, phase field, but no details of the orientation relationship between the secondary grains and "as-recrystallized" matrix were reported. In other hexagonal metals, namely dilute Mg-A13 and Cd-zn4 alloys, secondary recrystallization has been observed in which the secondary grains are related to the primary recrystallized structure by rotations about the c axis. These rotations are thus comparable with the rotations about the (111) axis observed in the secondary recrystallization of fcc metals. In the current work secondary recrystallization has been observed on annealing iodide zirconium at 800°C and the associated changes in crystallographic texture have been examined. The material employed was arc-melted iodide zirconium of the following composition: Impurity O H Fe Hf Pb I Ni C1 A1 ppm by wt 130 5 230 98 23 28 200 39 30 This was received as 0.25-in. plate, and, prior to the annealing studies, was cold-rolled to 0.040 in. Specimens 1 in. sq were chemically polished and annealed for various times at 800°C in a vacuum better than 5x 10-6 Torr. For metallographic examination specimens were first chemically polished and then anodized8 to enhance contrast between the grains when examined under polarized light. Changes in crystallographic orientation associated with the development of secondary grains were followed by (1011) and (0002) pole-figure determinations using a conventional Schulz goniometer in reflection. Filtered Cr Ka radiation was employed and great care was taken to avoid spurious re- sults due to the close proximity of the Bragg angles for the (1011) and (0002) reflections. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate the change in grain structure on annealing at 800°C. After 24 hr the structure has ceased to be equiaxed due to the development of certain grains in preference to others. It is notable that the secondary grains do not grow to the extent observed in sponge zirconium.1,2 This appears to be due in part to the fact that normal grain growth is inhibited in the less pure sponge zirconium, with the result that the driving force for secondary recrystallization remains high, while at the same time the number of grains able to develop in the presence of the impurities is also smaller. As a consequence, in sponge zirconium those grains that do develop preferentially are able to grow into the fine -grained matrix without impingement, while in iodide zirconium the preferential growth of many grains leads to early impingement. The pole figures determined for specimens annealed for 5 min and 24 hr at 800°C are illustrated respectively in Figs. 3 and 4. These indicate that the dominant feature of the initial recrystallized texture consists of basal planes at an angle of 321/2 deg to the sheet surface, with a (1120) axis lying parallel to the

Jan 1, 1967

By J. Offeringa, C. van der Poel

The report describes scaled model experiments on the recovery of oil from porous sands by the injection of miscible liquids [solvents] and the subsequent recovery of the solvents by water flooding. Special attention has been paid to the scaling problem. Scaling rules are deduced and their correctness is checked by carrying out experiments in tubes of various sizes. Data are submitted on the effect of the viscosity ratio oil-solvent on the efficiency of the displacement process, the viscosity ratio varying from 1.5 to 5,000. Breakthrough recoveries obtained when flooding with kerosene as a solvent, are equal to those obtained in water flooding at the same viscosity ratio, indicating that he phenomenon of viscous fingering is decisive. After breakthrough, however, flooding with a miscible liquid becomes much more efficient than a water flood and this is more pronounced as the viscosity ratio oil-solvent is higher. Although high oil recoveries are obtained and most of the solvent in the sand can be recovered by a subsequent waterdrive, a straight flood with miscible liquids does not appear economically attractive because of the large quantities of solvent required. Therefore, a circulation process is introduced, the features of which are described in this paper. Though by means of this circulation process the amount of solvent required can be drastically reduced, the process is not yet economic. SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION The recovery efficiency by water flood of oils of viscosities exceeding 50 cp is low. As interest in production of these highly viscous oils is growing at the moment, it was considered worthwhile to gain basic information on the feasibility of first flooding such oils with a low viscous miscible liquid [solvent] and subsequently producing the latter in a conventional way, e.g. by water flooding. The method has the obvious drawbacks that return on the investment is delayed until water flooding has begun and that it requires the investment of a more valuable product to produce a less valuable one. On the other hand, it may be expected that the displacement of one liquid by another is more efficient when the two liquids are miscible than when they are immiscible. As laboratory data on this point are scanty, the present investigation seemed justified. Another argument for carrying out these experiments is that they present a valuable contribution to our concepts of the scaling problem in reservoir engineering studies. Some major difficulties which are encountered in the scaling of the waterflooding process such as the scaling of the capillary forces and the difficulty of obtaining the same permeability characteristics in the model do not present themselves in this case. As the fluids are miscible capillary forces do not play a role and as there is only one fluid phase, Darcy's law is valid in its original form. Consequently it is felt that the scaling rules can be deduced with a greater amount of certainty. An essential feature of the experiments is that they are scaled model ones, which are, however, somewhat

Jan 1, 1955

By J. S. McNeil, J. U. Messenger

In the drilling of oil wells the control and prevention of lost circulation of the drilling- fluid is a oroblem which is frequently encountered; in many cases existing materials and methods for alleviating this condition have not been adequate. For severe cases of lost circulation in which the simpler methods, such as application of various bridging materials to the mud system, have proven unsatisfactory. a new material and method for applying to the loss zones have been developed which appear to he superior to existing techniques in many respects. The material, called a clay cement, is capable of being handled as a drilling fluid after initial mixing of the solitl ingredients with water and may be pumped down the drill pipe and squeezed into loss zones. After a short period, the material develops a very high gel strength which seals off the zone against further losses of the drilling fluid. In field tests, the process has been demonstrated to be a very effective method for combatting lost circulation. INTRODUCTION Methods of treating lost circulation in rotary-drilled wells by the addition of special materials to drilling fluids have long been in the process of development and are continuing to improve.' However, the annual drilling costs which can be traced directly to lost circulation difficulties still run into the millions of dollars. The loss of mud materials into highly permeable zones may range up to $50,000 per well in some areas. In addition to mud costs, excessive requirements of casing, cement; rig time, and the attendant blowout hazards further emphasize the importance of the need for improved methods of combatting lost circulation. The shortcomings of presently-used materials and methods have led to the development of a new lost returns material in the form of a time-setting clay cement. In field tests this material has proven very successful in plugging off loss zones. which other more conventional materials had failed to do. REVIEW OF PRESENT CORRECTIVE MEASURES The proper control of such operating factors as pump pressure, clearance between pipe and hole, and speed of running pipe in a holez is of primary importance in preventing and minimizing lost circulation problems. These factors, however, concern matters of drilling technique and do not directly involve lost circulation materials. Aside from setting casing past loss zones, three principal methods are generally employed for the purpose of avoiding or combatting lost circulation: (1) adjustment in properties (principally density) of the drilling fluid, (2) addition of fibrous, flaky, granular or other types of bridging materials to the mud system, and (3) the application of cements to the loss zones. The latter method is usually employed only after the first two have proven unsuccessful. In Table I are listed some advantages and disadvantages of the common corrective measures. Frequently, a combination of bridging material and cementing material is used." This combination is based on the premise that a bridge will

Jan 1, 1952

By Marie L. V. Gayler

Without diffusion taking place in liquid metals and alloys, no castings could be made; it is therefore the most important factor affecting the structure of metals. Diffusion involves the interchange of atoms, a process which takes place during the life history of an ingot. In the liquid, atoms are in a state of high thermal agitation, but this thermal vibration is reduced in amplitude with falling temperature. When solidification sets in, the atoms arrange themselves on an ordered space lattice and the changes in structure which take place in the solid are due to the interchange of atoms on this space lattice. The rate of atomic interchange—e.g., of diffusion—is most rapid at temperatures close to the melting point and decelerates as the temperature is lowered. At room temperature, the rate of diffusion is practically negligible in most alloys, and any change in structure can only be brought about by using methods which will accelerate the rate of diffusion. The rate of diffusion depends on three factors (I) temperature; (2) concentration gradient and (3) activation energy. The growth of grains and particles in the solid alloy also depend on these factors and are therefore intimately associated with diffusion. The rate of homogenization in a cast alloy depends on several factors, such as: (I) rate of solidification, which involves grain and particle size which, in their turn, depend on diffusion: (2) the nature of the constituents; (3) the temperature interval between the melting point of the metal or alloy and the temperature at which it is being heat-treated. It is well known that coarse, cast structures are extremely difficult—if possible— to homogenize, and the finer the grain size and particle size, the more readily solid solution will take place. The rate of diffusion depends, also, largely on the nature of the constituents; for instance, copper and magnesium form solid solutions with aluminum quite readily but nickel and iron do not; neither do certain intermetallic compounds, such as alpha and beta FeSi. Furthermore, the actual formation of intermetallic compounds may be a very slow process, particularly when they are formed in the solid state as equilibrium products. For example, BFeSi is formed in the solid as the result of the reaction aFeSi + A1 —+ PFeSi. The particles of aFeSi become surrounded with a reaction ring of PFeSi. This layer is formed as the result of diffusion of atoms taking place between the aluminum matrix and aFeSi. As the amount of aFeSi surrounding the core of aFeSi increases the concentration gradient becomes low and so the rate of diffusion of atoms also decreases until it practically ceases. This occurs after a comparatively thin layer of ßFeSi has been formed. It follows that when intermetallic compounds of this type are formed in the solid, as the result of diffusion, it is generally impossible ever to attain equilibrium, since the forma-

Jan 1, 1944

By Marie L. V. Gayler

WITHOUT diffusion taking place in liquid metals and alloys, no castings could be made; it is therefore the most important factor affecting the structure of metals. Diffusion involves the interchange of atoms, a process which takes place during the life history of an ingot. In the liquid, atoms are in a state of high thermal agitation, but this thermal vibration is reduced in amplitude with falling temperature. When solidification sets in, the atoms arrange themselves on an ordered space lattice and the changes in structure which take place in the solid are due to the interchange of atoms on this space lattice. The rate of atomic interchange-e.g., of diffusion-is most rapid at temperatures close to the melting point and decelerates as the temperature is lowered. At room temperature, the rate of diffusion is practically negligible in most alloys, and any change in structure can only be brought about by using methods which will accelerate the rate of diffusion. The rate of diffusion depends on three factors (I) temperature; (2) concentration gradient and (3) activation energy. The growth of grains and particles in the solid alloy also depend on these factors and are therefore intimately associated with diffusion. The rate of homogenization in a cast alloy depends on several factors, such as: (I) rate of solidification, which involves grain and particle size which, in their turn, depend on diffusion: (2) the nature of the constituents; (3) the temperature interval between the melting point of the metal or alloy and the temperature at which it is being heat-treated. It is well known that coarse, cast structures are extremely difficult-if possible to homogenize, and the finer the grain size and particle size, the more readily solid solution will take place. The rate of diffusion depends, also, largely on the nature of the constituents; for instance, copper and magnesium form solid solutions with aluminum quite readily but nickel and iron do not; neither do certain intermetallic compounds, such as alpha and beta FeSi. Furthermore, the actual formation of intermetallic compounds may be a very slow process, particularly when they are formed in the solid state as equilibrium products. For example, ßFeSi is formed in the solid as the result of the reaction aFeSi + Al?ß FeSi. The particles of aFeSi become sur¬rounded with a reaction ring of ßßFeSi. This layer is formed as the result of diffusion of atoms taking place between the aluminum matrix and aFeSi. As the amount of ßFeSi surrounding the core of aFeSi increases the concentration gradient becomes low and so the rate of diffusion of atoms also decreases until it practically ceases. This occurs after a comparatively thin layer of ßFeSi has been formed. It follows that when intermetallic compounds of this type are formed in the solid, as the result of diffusion, it is generally impossible ever to attain equilibrium, since the forma-

Jan 1, 1944

By Marie L. V. Gayler

Without diffusion taking place in liquid metals and alloys, no castings could be made; it is therefore the most important factor affecting the structure of metals. Diffusion involves the interchange of atoms, a process which takes place during the life history of an ingot. In the liquid, atoms are in a state of high thermal agitation, but this thermal vibration is reduced in amplitude with falling temperature. When solidification sets in, the atoms arrange themselves on an ordered space lattice and the changes in structure which take place in the solid are due to the interchange of atoms on this space lattice. The rate of atomic interchange—e.g., of diffusion—is most rapid at temperatures close to the melting point and decelerates as the temperature is lowered. At room temperature, the rate of diffusion is practically negligible in most alloys, and any change in structure can only be brought about by using methods which will accelerate the rate of diffusion. The rate of diffusion depends on three factors (I) temperature; (2) concentration gradient and (3) activation energy. The growth of grains and particles in the solid alloy also depend on these factors and are therefore intimately associated with diffusion. The rate of homogenization in a cast alloy depends on several factors, such as: (I) rate of solidification, which involves grain and particle size which, in their turn, depend on diffusion: (2) the nature of the constituents; (3) the temperature interval between the melting point of the metal or alloy and the temperature at which it is being heat-treated. It is well known that coarse, cast structures are extremely difficult—if possible— to homogenize, and the finer the grain size and particle size, the more readily solid solution will take place. The rate of diffusion depends, also, largely on the nature of the constituents; for instance, copper and magnesium form solid solutions with aluminum quite readily but nickel and iron do not; neither do certain intermetallic compounds, such as alpha and beta FeSi. Furthermore, the actual formation of intermetallic compounds may be a very slow process, particularly when they are formed in the solid state as equilibrium products. For example, BFeSi is formed in the solid as the result of the reaction aFeSi + A1 —+ PFeSi. The particles of aFeSi become surrounded with a reaction ring of PFeSi. This layer is formed as the result of diffusion of atoms taking place between the aluminum matrix and aFeSi. As the amount of aFeSi surrounding the core of aFeSi increases the concentration gradient becomes low and so the rate of diffusion of atoms also decreases until it practically ceases. This occurs after a comparatively thin layer of ßFeSi has been formed. It follows that when intermetallic compounds of this type are formed in the solid, as the result of diffusion, it is generally impossible ever to attain equilibrium, since the forma-

Jan 1, 1944

By T. G. Lovering

Nonparametric statistical tests have practical application to many geological problems because, unlike the standard statistical tests, they do not require assumptions regarding the form of the population frequency distribution. Many of them do not even require that the variable be susceptible to numerical measurement. These tests are useful either 1) for geological data representing population distributions of unknown form, or otherwise not meeting the requirements for standard parametric tests; or 2) for sample attributes that cannot be measured but only ranked in order of relative magnitude. The application of two such tests will be illustrated. The Kolmogorov-Smimov test will be used to test for significant differences in copper distribution in samples of two rock types; the Spearman rank-correlation method will be used to determine whether there is a significant association between intensity of rock alteration and copper content of the rock. Nonparametric tests are, in general, quicker and easier to perform than the corresponding parametric tests, and they may be applied to a greater variety of data. They are not as powerful as the standard tests if used on data to which the latter are applicable, and computer programs utilizing them are not generally available. The use of standard or parametric statistical procedures for the interpretation of measured geological data is familiar to most mining engineers and explora- tion geologists. The computation of product moment correlation coefficients on sample assays for more-than one component is already standard procedure in some company operations, as is the use of Student's F test and Snedecor's F test for the comparison of means and variances of sample groups. The application of these three tests is limited by the prerequisites that the samples must be random, independent representatives of normally distributed populations and that the variables involved must be measurable. If such tests are applied to data which fall short of fulfilling these prerequisites, then the probability level attributed to the computed statistic is invalid and the conclusions based thereon may be erroneous. A number of nonparametric, or distribution free, statistical tests have been developed for use with data which are not amenable to standard parametric procedures. These tests have been widely used in the behavioral sciences such as psychology and sociology for some time, but their application to geologic problems is relatively new. Nonparametric tests may be grouped into two main categories: those which test for significant differences in a single variable by comparing either sample values with a standard value or representative values between two or more groups of samples; and those which test for significant association between pairs of variables in a single group of samples. The versatile chi square test, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov one and two sample tests, the Wilcox matched pairs signed ranks test, the median test, the Mann-Whitney U test and the Cochran Q test are examples of nonparametric tests with demonstrated or potential geological applications that belong in the first category. The contingency coefficient, Spearman rank correlation coefficient, Kendall rank correlation coefficient and the

Jan 1, 1963

By Harry M. Bendler, W. A. Wood

Electron metallography has been applied to the study of the torsional fatigue of polycrystalline OFHC* copper. The development of slip bands, fis- sures, and microcracks has been followed as a function of strain amplitude and number of cycles. Those factors that have been found to be relevant to a geometrical theory of the fatigue process are described. From the point of view of this theory it is important to distinguish between the effects of cycling at large amplitudes and at small amplitudes (true fatigue deformation). EARLY investigations showed metal fatigue cracking is caused by continued reversal of a small plastic strain. Fundamental study of fatigue, therefore, has been largely concerned with the cumulative effects of these plastic reversals on the metal structure. In particular, recent work has shown that the plastic reversals produce slip movements that are finer than the slip movements produced by unidirectional increments of plastic strain; individual slip movements in fatigue, for instance, are too fine to see by optical microscopy.2 It has also been shown that the fine slip movements of fatigue tend to concentrate in bands and that in this way they can build up, after enough cycles, a progressive surface disturbance. It is this disturbance which, in effect, makes the slip movement visible. It is also in this disturbance that the first cracks appear to form. From this point of view, therefore, the problem of fatigue becomes one of finding why the fine slip movements should concentrate in bands and why the. bands should finally open into cracks. Thus far, study of the slip bands has been limited to the changes they produce at the surface only. These studies have given interesting results. Ewing and Humfrey3 many years ago showed that the bands in iron could extrude debris. Forsyth found that bands in aluminum alloys could extrude thin tongues of material. Thompson showed that, after lightly dissolving away the surface of copper specimens, some bands persisted as superficial cracks might, and that the life of a specimen under fatigue deformation might be prolonged by dissolving away the surface at intervals. Thus these and related results have suggested that the metal structure in fatigue bands may disintegrate and that this may happen long before obvious cracking. These surface studies, however, have not shown definitely how cracking may begin, for they do not show sufficiently what is happening in depth. However, some advance in this direction has been made recently by a new approach, summarized later, which reveals slip bands and their surface disturbances in section. In the work done thus far, the sections have been studied by optical microscopy only. In the present work they have also been studied by electron microscopy with extended results. This paper also describes some observations on the surface disturbances prior to sectioning. These observations are relevant to a suggested theory of fatigue cracking. REVERSED SLIP MOVEMENTS Slip movements in fatigue deformation must reverse direction in each cycle. The question arises: DO the "backward" and "forward" movements take

Jan 1, 1962

By N. Van Wingen

EFFective sand permeabilities can be ascertained from core analysis if the laboratory data are compensated to allow for the presence of connate or residual water. Such adjustments can be made by applying empirically derived correction factors. Effective sand permeabilities can be estimated also from analytical studies of field depth-pressure measurements. In one method the time rate of pressure build-up after a well is shut in from steady-state flow is required, and in the other the direct measurement of a steady-state rate of flow and the corresponding equilibrium pressure. The results of the investigation discussed in this paper demonstrate that these methods for determining mean effective sand permeabilities can be correlated. Introduction In recent years many investigators have demonstrated the practical value of an accurate knowledge of the physical and dynamical characteristics of reservoir sands containing oil and gas. Of these factors, which serve to completely define a porous medium as a container or carrier of fluids, the dynamical characteristics are of particular interest to the production engineer because they afford a direct measure of the rate at which the oil or gas content of a reservoir will become available. The constant that defines dynamically the porous medium as the carrier of a homogeneous fluid in viscous motion is the "permeability." Coke-analysis Method The generally accepted practice in com-piling permeability data has been to analyze in the laboratory core samples taken in the course of drilling through the productive horizon, and to obtain the mean measure of the productive ability or permeability for the interval open to production by graphical integration of the permeability profile. An average permeability ascertained in this manner, however, is useful to the production engineer only for comparisons of wells drilled in the same horizon, as permeabilities determined in the laboratory are measures of only the ability of a porous medium to transmit a single fluid. As a result of many investigations, it has been shown, however, that under actual reservoir conditions water is coexistent with the petroleum and that its presence greatly reduces the permeability of the sand to oil. Empirical relationships showing the effect of the presence of any immiscible fluid A (such as water) in a porous medium on the permeability of the medium to a fluid B (such as oil) have been established separately by Hassler,1 Dunlap,2 and the writer (Fig. I),3 so that the average specific or dry-core permeability as determined in the laboratory can be corrected to give the true measure of the ability of the horizon penetrated to transmit oil, provided the percentage of pore space occupied by connate water is known accurately.

Jan 1, 1942

By N. Van Wingen

EFFective sand permeabilities can be ascertained from core analysis if the laboratory data are compensated to allow for the presence of connate or residual water. Such adjustments can be made by applying empirically derived correction factors. Effective sand permeabilities can be estimated also from analytical studies of field depth-pressure measurements. In one method the time rate of pressure build-up after a well is shut in from steady-state flow is required, and in the other the direct measurement of a steady-state rate of flow and the corresponding equilibrium pressure. The results of the investigation discussed in this paper demonstrate that these methods for determining mean effective sand permeabilities can be correlated. Introduction In recent years many investigators have demonstrated the practical value of an accurate knowledge of the physical and dynamical characteristics of reservoir sands containing oil and gas. Of these factors, which serve to completely define a porous medium as a container or carrier of fluids, the dynamical characteristics are of particular interest to the production engineer because they afford a direct measure of the rate at which the oil or gas content of a reservoir will become available. The constant that defines dynamically the porous medium as the carrier of a homogeneous fluid in viscous motion is the "permeability." Coke-analysis Method The generally accepted practice in com-piling permeability data has been to analyze in the laboratory core samples taken in the course of drilling through the productive horizon, and to obtain the mean measure of the productive ability or permeability for the interval open to production by graphical integration of the permeability profile. An average permeability ascertained in this manner, however, is useful to the production engineer only for comparisons of wells drilled in the same horizon, as permeabilities determined in the laboratory are measures of only the ability of a porous medium to transmit a single fluid. As a result of many investigations, it has been shown, however, that under actual reservoir conditions water is coexistent with the petroleum and that its presence greatly reduces the permeability of the sand to oil. Empirical relationships showing the effect of the presence of any immiscible fluid A (such as water) in a porous medium on the permeability of the medium to a fluid B (such as oil) have been established separately by Hassler,1 Dunlap,2 and the writer (Fig. I),3 so that the average specific or dry-core permeability as determined in the laboratory can be corrected to give the true measure of the ability of the horizon penetrated to transmit oil, provided the percentage of pore space occupied by connate water is known accurately.

Jan 1, 1942

By W. A. Koehler, M. E. Hinkle

INTRODUCTION THE oxidation of pyrites and marcasite in coal-mine strata to produce discolored acid mine drainage has long been explained by chemical reactions occurring in three stages: I. The iron sulphide minerals are oxidized by air in the presence of water to produce a nearly colorless solution of fer¬rous (iron) sulphate and some sulphuric acid. 2. The ferrous sulphate and part of the sulphuric acid combine with additional oxygen to form ferric (iron) sulphate. 3. The ferric sulphate hydrolyzes to form a reddish-brown precipitate and additional sulphuric acid. Nevertheless, chemical data alone are not sufficient to explain all observed facts. The first stage seems to proceed more slowly in the chemical laboratory than in nature. The second and third stages nor¬mally occur to a marked extent within a few days with raw mine water. However, the visible discoloration that characterizes these latter stages will not develop for months if the mine water is sterilized. By means of bacteriological techniques, two organisms have been isolated from acid coal-mine drainage. These are believed to have a part in promoting the chemical reactions summarized above. One organism is considered to be Thio¬bacillus thiooxidans, which is known to be able to convert elementary sulphur or sodium thiosulphate to sulphuric acid. Its relation to the formation of acid mine drainage has not yet been established. Apparently it does not promote the oxida¬tion of ferrous iron compounds in mine, drainage to the ferric state. The second organism has not been identi¬fied by name but is described as "Gram negative, non-spore-forming rods approxi¬mately 0.4 micron wide by o.8 to 1.0 micron long." A pure culture of this when added to sterile mine water will cause the latter to become amber and develop the typical rusty precipitate. However, it has not been found to convert sulphur com¬pounds to sulphuric acid. Further research is planned to determine whether or not these microorganisms play a significant part in the first stage of oxidation whereby pyrites and marcasite minerals go into solution. Some of the conditions found in abandoned sections of coal mines, such as a reduced percentage of oxygen and increased percentage of carbon dioxide in the air, as well as the existing temperature and acidity ranges, will be tolerated by and may even be favorable to these organisms. ACID COAL MINE DRAINAGE Acid coal mine drainage has been the concern of coal mine operators, industrial¬ists, sportsmen and public officials for many years. The amount of acid flowing into our streams in the coal-producing areas varies considerably from mine to mine and from

Jan 1, 1948

By Rich Akerman

as 1866, I wish to assure both these gentlemen that I had not seen the section when I designed mine, :md even if I had, I should not have then dared to put it forth as a standard for English rail makers; tind the soundness of my opinion has a simple but conclusive proof in the statement made concerning the extra price which was at that time required for their production. I need not say that I highly approve of the original Welch section, for it is in principle similar to the design which I made ufteen yeam subsequently; and from a professional point of view I would fully concecle to Mr. Welch the credit of first designing the modern steel-rail section. From com- mercial, matter of tict, and practical point of view, he was, however, before his time by many years; or to put it in another way, rail making was ten years behind its time when the new metal steel was first introduced for rails. If his design has been incorrectly identified with my name (as the sections are similar in principle, though they differ in thickness of flange and web), I beg to say (1st) that I much regret the misun- Understanding which has arisen through no fault of niine, aud (2d) that no confusion has been intentionally created by me. It is a pity that the section designed so long ago has not been made public at an earlier date, as it would make a really goal stand- and pattern, anil even now be quite equal to present requirements. In conclusion, I wish to say that I have never desired to claim any invention or novelty by the publication of my sections; they Were put forth as being such as English railmakers could and would produce at the ordinary market. price, and as being the best and most suitable to be so obtained. Had Mr. Welch or Mr. Holley put forward theirs ten or fifteen years ago, I should have been the first to recommend theru. In fact I should have been glad to see their narnes associated with rail patterns in their own country, in the same way as mine has been. PROFESSOR RICH. AKERMAN, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN: i AGREE with your (Mr. Sandberg's) views that it is too early yet to stipulate only one definite chemical composition in the rails. Such a stipulation, I think, might he justified, if it were not for the manganese; but this metal changes the properties of the iron aud steel in tho same direc- tion ae carbon, silicon. and phosphorus, by increasing its tensile strength, stiffness, hardness, and brittleaess. If the iron and steel does not only contain carbon and manganese but also phosphorus,

Jan 1, 1881

By W. Spencer Reid

ALTHOUGH there have been some developments during the last five years which have had far- reaching and important bearing on lead smelting, it cannot be said that any basic principles of pyrometal-lurgy have been discovered. Eighteen or twenty years ago the Dwight & Lloyd sintering machine was intro-duced and literally turned the roasting end of lead smelting upside down. There has been nothing com-parable to the advent of the sintering machine during recent years. Actual blast-furnace practice today is slightly, if any, better than it was five years ago ; although immeas-urably better than it was twenty to thirty years ago. Some tell us that as far as cleanness of slags is con-cerned, it is no better today than in the days of the old Romans. The metallurgist of a generation ago did very good work, considering the equipment he had available. It is true he was working with the cream of the ores, the clean oxides and carbonates and the low-zinc sul-fides. He was troubled very little with high zinc and selected his type of slag according to preference of -some authority such as Eilers, Iles, Raht, Hahn, etc. As these free-smelting ores were depleted the complex ores were encountered, and the metallurgist gradually discovered that he had to forget the old type slags and run a slag according to the percentage of zinc on the charge. I believe it is now universally agreed that SiO2 and CaO must be lowered and FeO raised in a slag as the ZnO increases. The ratio of these variations is practically uniform and can be relied upon over wide fluctuations of the determining element, zinc. These "bastard" slags, as they are sometimes inappropriately designated, are actually in daily use, and the metallurgist of today has been forced to adopt certain standards, as a guide to successful operation. These slags practically refute the old Eilers' theory that all good slags are chemical combinations of SiO2 with FeO and MnO, and CaO and MgO. Eilers' and the other type-slag theories were based upon the assumption that a good slag must con-form to a definite formula, such as 3 (FeO)2 SiO2 + 2 (CaO)2 SiO2 or 2 (FeO)2 SiO2 + 2 (CaO)2 SiO2 which respectively figure 31.3 and 36 per cent SiO2. The SiO2 was supposed to remain constant even with the entrance of impurities such as Zn and A1,0? into the slag. The increasing amount of impurities, espe-cially Zn, soon discredited the theory, for in actual practice the slag failed to run freely.

Jan 1, 1927

By Robert M. Dreyer

AGGREGATE With an annual domestic production of over 1.6 billion tons at a value of over $2 billion (see Table 15.1.1), the production of aggregate (crushed rock, sand, and gravel) is a basic industry of utmost economic importance. Because of the role of aggregate materials as essential ingredients of concrete, asphalt surfacing, and plaster, their delivered prices are major factors in determining the cost of construction. The annual domestic production comes from nearly 10,000 plants. About 15% of these plants account for over one-half the production. In a rapidly inflating economy, the average mine sales price of aggregate has remained relatively stable. The actual mine sales prices, however, vary greatly depending on quarrying costs in various parts of the country. Of much more importance in construction costs, however, is the delivered price of aggregate. This varies for each job, depending on the distance from the quarry and resulting transportation costs, as well as the initial cost at the mine. Because of a proliferation of regulations limiting new quarries in the vicinity of the encroaching urban sprawl, the average distance which aggregate must be transported has been increasing rapidly. Although it is impossible to derive an average delivered cost for aggregate, it should be noted that even an increase of only $1 per ton in average delivered cost over the last decade (probably a minimal assumption) would mean an annual cost $1.5 billion higher than ten years ago. In recent years, structural engineering considerations, as well as an increasing use of lightweight concrete blocks, have resulted in a rapidly increasing demand for lightweight concrete and plaster, the essential ingredient of which is lightweight aggregate. Principal lightweight aggregates are: pumice, slag, perlite (thermally expanded hydrous volcanic glass), vermiculite, and expanded shale, formed by the thermal expansion of shale and slate. The United States now has the capacity to expand, annually, over 13 million tons of shale and slate and to expand over 600,000 tons of perlite. In locating a site for aggregate production. the following factors must be considered: (1) tonnage available; (2) quality of aggregate (including local variations); (3) distance from major use areas; (4) transportation costs, including those resulting from present and possible future haulage restrictions; (5) zoning regulations; (6) operating costs, including the cost effects of compliance with local regulations governing blasting, air pollution, water pollution and drainage, noise levels, and operating periods. At one time, locating a suitable site for the production of crushed rock, sand, or gravel, in most areas, was regarded as an extremely simple task. In the past few years, however, finding a site for profitable production of aggregate has assumed ever-increasing com-

Jan 1, 1976