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By P. Somasundaran, D. R. Nagaraj

Based on our finding that commercial copper chelating solvent extractants such as LIX65NR and LIX63R are excellent collectors for copper minerals, a detailed study was made using several water-soluble chelating agents belonging to the class of aromatic hydroxyoximes and having a gradual structural variation. A basic study of the system salicylaldoximetenorite was also carried out. Microflotation tests as a function of concentration of oxime, pH, addition of copper, etc., using oxidic copper minerals such as chrysocolla and tenorite, and batch laboratory flotation tests using synthetic mixtures of quartz and oxidic copper minerals were carried out. The results have demonstrated that the hydroxyoximes studied have comparable collector property, and in all cases the oxime was found to be partitioned between the mineral surface and the copper in the bulk aqueous phase in the form of a bulk copper chelate. The occurrence of the latter could be accounted for by formation in the bulk phase of a chelate between oxime and copper released from the mineral and/or by the detachment of the surface chelate. The role of surface and bulk chelates in flotation is discussed based on the results of partitioning of chelating agent into bulk and surface chelates in the salicylaldoxime-tenorite system. The effect of structural aspects such as isomerism and substitution in the molecule on the collector property of the oximes is also discussed. Substitution on oximic carbon by alkyl groups is found to promote collector activity. Only the anti-isomer has the ability to collect.

Jan 1, 1982

The early history of a country is linked with its topographic features. Mountains are barriers, rivers are avenues, the sea is a highway. The first Europeans to reach the northwestern corner of the American continent, now known as Alaska, came from Asia, for the Pacific Ocean provided an approach by means of the islands that like stepping-stones stretch far westward from the inhospitable shore of the mainland. The Russians crossed Siberia and explored the Arctic coast of Asia. In 1728 a band of Cossacks was driven by a storm eastward from Kamchatka, and landed in Norton Sound.* Others followed them, and settled on the islands and peninsulas of southeastern Alaska. The mountains guarding the coast discouraged any advance into the interior. Another range, the northern extension of the Rocky Mountains, barred the westward progress of the French voyageurs and the English fur-traders of the Hudson's Bay Company. After the Russians had obtained a foothold among the Indians, the viceroys of Mexico sent successive expeditions up the coast, such as that of Pérez in 1774 and of Heceta in 1775. If the English fur-traders had not interfered, the Spanish and Russian spheres of influence would have conflicted, and the contest for control might have ended in establishing a line of demarkation somewhere near the mouth of the Columbia river. The British navigator Captain James Cook landed near Sitka in 1778 while seeking a way by water to Hudson Bay. Fifteen years later his midshipman, George Vancouver, in command of another British expedition, surveyed the coast

Jan 1, 1932

By P. A. Albert

THE to a transformation has been investigated by Newkirk1 in sponge titanium alloys which had been relatively slow-cooled so that several grains formed in a former grain. For a nucleated from , Newkirk assumed the following relationships and found them consistent with his experimental results: (00.1)a (110)Pll.01. II [111] Liu and Margolin,' in their investigation, found that the habit planes of martensitic in titanium consisted of planes of the families (3341, and (3441,. Using Newkirk's orientation relationship, the (3341 habit plane is found to correspond to the (1450) plane of a.

Jan 1, 1954

By P. G. Shewmon

If interfacial equilibrium is maintained at the interface between a growing precipitate and the supersaturated matrix, so that solute diffusion alone determines the growth rate, the precipitate shape should evolve toward that characteristic of the dendrites found in solidification. However, this shape is rarely observed in precipitation reactions proceeding at high temperatures where interfacial equilibrium is usually felt to prevail. Thus some other stabilizing factor must enter, to keep the interface smooth. It is shown that a slow interfacial reaction (low interfacial mobility) will stabilize the interface, while transformation stresses have a IN studying the kinetics of phase transformations such as solidification or proeutectoid precipitation at high temperatures, it is customary to assume that equilibrium exists across the interface and that the rate of the reaction is determined by the rate at which heat and solute diffuse to and from the interface. In the case of precipitation, such an assumption predicts an almost infinite rate of initial growth. It is generally stated that the rate cannot be infinite and that during some initial period the rate must be determined not by solute diffusion but by an interfacial reaction, i.e., transferring atoms across the interface. The duration of this much weaker stabilizing eFfect and impurities tend to enhance instability. It is also concluded that a sets an upper limit on the wavelength of the perturbation that can give instability. Thus initially all flat or smoothly curved particle interfaces will be stable even if their growth is diffusion-controlled. Proeutectoid precipitation in the Fe-C system is considered in some detail and it is shown that the experimental results can only be rationalized if the growth rate of ferrite in steel transformations is determined by a slow interfacial reaction for all hut a few orientations between the two phases. initial period has never been clearly established, but it is generally assumed to be too short to affect any measurable results.' Several authors have pointed out that in the case of interfacial equilibrium any bump in the surface will grow out ahead of the planar interface due to the higher gradient in front of it.2j3 Thus the interface will be unstable with respect to an irregular interface with points (plates) propagating rapidly out ahead of the interface into the supersaturated phase. Recently, Mullins and Sekerka have given equations for the stabilizing effect of surface tenion.~ They found that for particles with a radius of curvature of 1 p or greater the stabilizing effect of surface tension will be completely overcome by a supercooling, or supersaturation, of as little as

Jan 1, 1965

By Ben B. Cox

Oil produced in Iraq for export during 1938 was 31,354,090 bbl., or a daily average of 85,901 bbl; This is an increase of 182,614 bbl., or 0.5 per cent over 1937. All oil exported was produced from the Kirkuk field. The Khanaqin Oil Company, Ltd., a subsidiary of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Ltd., continued to supply local market requirements from its Naft Khaneh field in the Transferred Territories. Slightly more than 32,000,000 bbl. was produced in Iraq, a small part of which was used in field operations. During the year 12 wells were completed and 9 wells were drilling at the end of the year. Of the completions, 5 were producers and 1 was an oil-water level observation well in proved fields, and 6 were listed as failures. Basrah Concession The outstanding event of the year was the granting, by the Kingdom of Iraq, of a 75-year concession embracing approximately 89,000 sq. miles to the Basrah Petroleum Company, Ltd., a British company with French and American participation. The concession covers all parts of the Kingdom, its territorial waters, islands, submerged lands, and its interest in the Neutral Zone separating Iraq and Saudi Arabia that

Jan 1, 1939

By Ben B. Cox

Oil produced in Iraq for export during 1938 was 31,354,090 bbl., or a daily average of 85,901 bbl; This is an increase of 182,614 bbl., or 0.5 per cent over 1937. All oil exported was produced from the Kirkuk field. The Khanaqin Oil Company, Ltd., a subsidiary of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, Ltd., continued to supply local market requirements from its Naft Khaneh field in the Transferred Territories. Slightly more than 32,000,000 bbl. was produced in Iraq, a small part of which was used in field operations. During the year 12 wells were completed and 9 wells were drilling at the end of the year. Of the completions, 5 were producers and 1 was an oil-water level observation well in proved fields, and 6 were listed as failures. Basrah Concession The outstanding event of the year was the granting, by the Kingdom of Iraq, of a 75-year concession embracing approximately 89,000 sq. miles to the Basrah Petroleum Company, Ltd., a British company with French and American participation. The concession covers all parts of the Kingdom, its territorial waters, islands, submerged lands, and its interest in the Neutral Zone separating Iraq and Saudi Arabia that

Jan 1, 1939

By John W. Cabot

The following series of analyses, which may, be of interest to Bessemer-steel makers, is submitted as a contribution to the muchvexed discussion of manganese in Bessemer steel. They were made by the writer in the spring of 1881, at the works of the Pittsburgh Bessemer Steel Company Limited, during a' period of about eight days, part of. which time the rail-steel showed great variation in rolling qualities. During the first part of tile time in question, it rolled well; later on it began to roll wome until, finally, it cracked very badly, reaching its worst stage. After this it rapidly improved until it again rolled smoothly. During this time of transition from good rolling to bad, and hack to good again, the course of the manganese was followed quite closely. It is the striking correspondence between these varying manganese contents and the differences in rolling which is here presented as worthy of notice. The other ordinary elements were determined occasionally, but showed no. unusual variation: The steel, in question, was ordinary rail-steel of about the following compusition : C=35. P - .08. Mn - .98. Si = .08. 8 = .06. The samples for manganese determinations were taken at first from an average of two days' work, and later on, when the steel

Jan 1, 1882

By R. E. Rowlands, I. M. Daniel

An experimental study is discussed of the state of strain, deformation and fracture around lined and unlined cylindrical cavities in rock under biaxial compressive static loading. The specimens were limestone plates 36 in. high, 24 in. wide and 3 in. thick with a 4 in. diameter hole unlined or lined with hydrostone and aluminum liners. The ratio of horizontal to vertical applied stress was one-third. Experimental techniques used were strain gages, differential transformers and photoelastic coatings. Strain distributions were plotted along the horizontal axis of symmetry for various levels of applied stress. The agreement with theory was good at low stress levels but appreciable deviations occurred at higher levels and near the hole. The experimental strain concentration factor was nearly the same, slightly higher and appreciably higher than the theoretical value for the hydrostone-lined, unlined and aluminum-lined specimens, respectively. Failure modes were splitting along a vertical plane for the unlined and hydrostone-fined specimens, compressive (shear) failure for one unlined specimen and splitting with radial cracking for the aluminum-lined specimen. In the latter, a maximum tensile stress of more than three times the uniaxial tensile strength existed at the interface with the liner at the time of fracture,

Jan 1, 1971

By AIME AIME

AN IMPORTANT innovation in Alabama in the semi-longwall type of coal mining as applied to low-dipping thin seams has been introduced by the Galloway Coal Co., mining the Mary Lee high-ash seam which averages only 26 in. thick. The property is their Mill Creek mine, near Carbon Hill, Ala., in the Warrior coal field. The results, although not final, indicate that roof conditions can be successfully handled by this method without loss of walls, with a rate of recovery much above that possible with the room-and-pillar method, and at the low production cost necessary for this grade of coal. Double cross-headings are turned off a main haulageway on 60-ft. centers and driven 40 ft. wide with thin chain pillars between. These double entries are turned at 525-ft. intervals, leaving a solid block of coal 440 ft. across; that is, from the outside of one pair of headings to the inside of the next pair is 440 ft. The bottom, which consists of hard fireclay, is taken in these entries 8 ft. wide and 4 ft. deep for head room.

Jan 1, 1934

By Vassiliki G. Stavropoulou

Although plane-strain is the preferred method of analysing many rock mecahnics problems, little is known about the behaviour of rock under this loading condition. A simple and inexpensive apparatus has been built for laboratory testing of rocks in plane-strain conditions. A thorough .investigation of the specimen geometry and the friction end effects showed that the results can be considered as reliable. The behaviour of a brittle sandstone in the simplest plane-strain condition [(03 = 0)] is significantly different than that of the uniaxial compression [(02 = U3 = 0)]. The plane-strain values of the Young's Modulus and the Poisson's Ratio are decreased in comparison to the corresponding uniaxial values. Dilatancy is also reduced in plane-strain, whereas the pre-failure brittleness of the rock increases. The most dramatic effect of the plane-strain condition is that on the strength of the sandstone, which increases by 49 per cent in comparison to its uniaxial compression value.

Jan 1, 1982

By R. J. Lipp, I. Iwasaki, R. H. Heerema

The presence of calcium ion in iron ore pulps that are upgraded by selective desliming can result in indiscriminate flocculation of both iron oxide and siliceous gangue slimes. In order to overcome this adverse effect, deflocculation by three complexing agents, namely ethylenediaminetetzaacetate (EDTA), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), and sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), was investigated. The precipitates and complexes of these agents with calcium ion were characterized by potentiometric and conductometric titrations, and the surface properties of quartz and goethite were studied in the presence of calcium ion and of the complexing agents by means of streaming potential measurements and flotation tests. The results were then correlated with selective flocculation tests on an artificial mixture of quartz and goethite. EDTA markedly improved the selectivity of flocculation when added in near stoichiometric amounts, whereas STPP was less effective and SHMP was totally ineffective due to strong, indiscriminate dispersion. Remanent calcium polyphosphates on the goethite surface interfered with the adsorption of starch flocculant.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. L. Lamon, W. Crafts

Study with the electron microscope of the carbides in vanadium-chromium-molybdenum steels after tempering up to 1000 hr at 600 teelsto 1400°F confirmed that alloy carbides are formed at the secondary hardening temperature by decomposition of the plate-like iron carbides. It was also demonstrated that vanadium carbide persists as much smaller particles than do chromium- or molybdenum-bearing carbides. Conditions conducive to the formation of fine vanadium carbides are indicated to be favorable for high temperature strength. IN order to determine the effects of long exposure at high temperatures on vanadium-bearing steels, a survey has been made of their hardness and carbide structure. The behavior of carbides in the tempering of martensite was studied by X ray diffraction and electron microscope examination of electrolytically extracted residues in greater detail than in an earlier investigation.' A group of steels with about 0.25 pct carbon and containing chromium up to 5 pct, molybdenum up to 1 pct, and vanadium up to 1 pct was either quenched or annealed and then tempered for peri- ods of up to 1000 hr at 600° to 1400°F. Their hardness after tempering agreed with the Hollomon and Jaffe2 relation of equivalency of time and temperature, and with the degree of secondary hardening predicted from composition. Further, the appearance of the carbides indicated that the time and temperature equivalency relation was also applicable to the degree of carbide development. The mechanism of the tempering of martensite was demonstrated more clearly than in the earlier study. It was confirmed that carbides develop from martensite as poorly defined plates of the Fe2C type carbide followed by thickening of the plates with a transition to Fe,C. Finally the plate structure deteriorates into a lacy mass from which alloy carbides emerge as chunky particles that grow slowly with further increase of tempering temperature. Vanadium carbide derived from tempered martensite was found in characteristically small particles that tended to grow very slowly. The addition of chromium or molybdenum to a steel with predominant vanadium carbide tended to introduce carbides of a chromium- or molybdenum-bearing type having a somewhat larger particle size. The Cr,C, type carbide particles were larger than those of the V,C, type and somewhat smaller than the carbides in steel containing both Cr,C and M,C. Similar observations were made of the carbides in the pear lite of annealed steels. It appeared that high temperature properties would be benefited by the retention of the fine carbide particles that result from a balance of composition and heat-treatment designed to produce a maximum amount of vanadium carbide. Procedure: The steels used in the investigation were made with a base of Armco iron in a high-frequency furnace at the Union Carbide and Carbon Research Labs., Inc. The steels were deoxidized

Jan 1, 1951

By Parke A. Hodges

CHROMIUM, one of the most vital of the strategic metals, has constantly increasing importance as research expands potential uses in alloy steel metallurgy. All signs point to a steadily growing use for chrome ore, and the general subject has received a great deal of attention recently.1 A relatively little known country, Southern Rhodesia produced a total of 5.949 million tons, or 18.6 pct of the total world chrome output, between 1906 and 1950, according to figures from the U. S. Dept. of Commerce. According to U. S. Bureau of Mines figures, Southern Rhodesia produced 291,525 tons in 1950 and 300,267 tons in 1951, or approximately 13 and 11 pct, respectively, of world production for the two years. In 1953 the Rhodesian Vanadium Corp. produced about 85,000 tons of which probably 7,000 tons were concentrate. Production by other companies was high. Large in themselves, the figures assume even greater significance because most of this output is of metallurgical grade.

Jan 8, 1954

By David P. Hale, Guy W. Jordan

HIGH-IRON cements have a number of advantages over cements carrying little or no iron. The presence of iron in Portland cement aids in the manufacture of the cement and also imparts certain advantageous physical properties to the finished product. In manufacture, the presence of iron lowers the fuel consumption, increases the ease of proper burning, and lessens the destructive action of the charge on the kiln refractories. In the finished cement the presence of iron reduces the expansion and contraction, adds strength, adds increased resistance to freezing and thawing, and increases the resistance of the cement to sea or sulphate waters. During the past few years the construction of numerous dams throughout the Southeast by the Tennessee Valley Authority has stimulated the production of high-iron cements. At present a great number of specifications call for an iron cement, and the industry is supplying this demand with a Portland cement carrying approximately 5 per cent iron oxide. Several manufacturers are now making practically all of their cement of this type and a number of others manufacture it as a special cement over short periods to meet demands from the Tennessee Valley Authority and other buyers. The recent increase in the use of iron in Portland cement has created a market for iron products that previously was nonexistent. The chief sources of supply for the cement manufacturers at present are iron sand, iron sinter and slag, and ocher. The Copperhill mining district, Tennessee, supplies both iron sinter and slag for use in cement. The Cartersville district supplies iron sand, ocher, and some iron resulting from the magnetic separation of iron from barite. The advantages of these products vary according to the chemical properties of the raw materials and the methods of handling used by the different manufacturers. Where the iron is to be handled by conveying belts and in hopper cars, the iron

Jan 1, 1939

By W. H. Andrews

THE constantly increasing consumption of Portland cement in the State makes the above subject of partlcular interest at this time. The increasing demand is due to the rapid settling of the country and the fact that new uses are being found frequently for the above named commercial article. The industry is one that is bound to grow as the population increases, and this being the case, it may be well ,it this time to consider briefly- the matter of the chemical and physical com-position of proper raw materials. A cement mixture is one that contains approximately 75 per cent. carbonate of lime, 15 per cent. Silica, and 5 to 7 per cent. alumina, and iron oxides; the other elements being magnesium carbonate and small quantities of the rarer elements general associated with limestone deposits. It call be readily seen from the above composition that it is possible to build up this mixture from a number of different materials. First.-A rock high in carbonate of lime can be mixed with clay or shale in such proportions as to bring about the desired composition ; the chief difficulty in the building up of such a mixture is that it is hard to find a clay or shale in which the silica-alumina, ratio lies .between 4 to 1 and 3 to 1 and at the same time shows physical characteristics which will make certain its adaptability to the practical manufacture of Portland cement. Very often clays or shales are found which are right chemically but contain large quantities of grit or free silica. Such clays or shale must be ground to extreme fineness in the mixture in order to make the silica and alumina combine with the lime when the mixture is burned. On the other hand, clays or shales are often found that have the proper physical characteristics but in which the amount of alumina, is too great.

Jan 9, 1913

By H. W. Miller, V. H. Wilhelm

During 1932 the oil industry persistently endeavored to maintain a rate of production that would permit a profitable price structure. Much effort was concentrated on curtailment of both production and drilling. The tendency in curtailment was to shut in reserves where closely held and not subjected to drainage, and to allow town-lot fields such as Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs, Playa Del Rey and Huntington Beach a greater percentage of allotment. Marginal wells were given special consideration; only a small percentage of curtailment wag required, making their operations profitable. Naturally the decline in production of town-lot fields, under slight curtailment, is very rapid, hence production that is restricted in fields controlled by major interests at the present time will profit considerably in the future, as California reserves do not appear adequate to sustain heavy withdrawals over a long period of time. California production during 1932 was much greater than additions to reserves during the year. The state produced 10,701,238 bbl. of crude oil less in 1932 than in 1931, while total stocks (all petroleum commodities) decreased 1,589,524 bbl. Had all operators kept strictly within their allotted 'production, the total crude production decline would have been approximately 20,000,000 bbl. and total stock decrease 3,000,000 barrels. Estimated proven oil reserves for California were 3,965,000,000 bbl. on Jan. 1, 1932, as compared with 3,784,120,000 bbl. as of Jan. 1, 1933, a decrease of 180,880,000 barrels. Approximately 85 per cent of the 178,127,794 bbl. of oil produced during 1932 was withdrawn from old reserves in settled fields and the remaining 15 per cent from new sources such as Kettleman Hills North Dome, Belridge, San Miguelito and Dominguez deep zone. The oil reserves of Kettleman Hills North Dome are estimated to be approximately 50 per cent of the total oil reserves, of California and they may be drawn upon at a much greater rate than the remainder of the state's oil fields.

Jan 1, 1933

By Sidney Powers, Alfred C. Lane

This paper aims to present the results of an investigation concerning gravitative differentiation in lava flows, based on a quantitative microscopic and chemical study of a Triassic basalt from Nova Scotia, and confirmed by data secured from a study of certain Keweenawan ophites. At Cape d'Or, Nova Scotia, near the head of the Bay of Bundy, marine erosion has exposed a series of Triassic basalt flows in which copper has been sought for a number of years. Studies of the thickest flow of the series with regard to volumetric composition, specific gravity, and grain have been made by the junior author, and measurements by students at Tufts College, together with confirmatory observations of the same nature on this and other flows by the senior writer, and chemical analyses made by the Division of Chemistry, Mines Branch, Ottawa,' all show differentiation in lava flows comparable to that in intrusive bodies. The work was made possible by the availability of the drill-cores, the property of Tufts College, and emphasizes the desirability of the study of drill-cores from other localities. Measurements of the specific gravities of certain Keweenawan lava flows of Michigan by the senior author, from material collected in 1915, will be given as a comparison to those of the Cape d'Or flow. It has been found that the specific gravity of drill-cores, or volume per cubic foot, can be readily obtained by measuring their dimensions. This can be done to an accuracy of within 1 per cent. in pieces of core over 100 mm. in length by using a micrometer gage for the diameter, and taking the average of six measurements of the diameter; and the average of four measurements of the length made with a finely graduated ruler. Then, after weighing them, the weight in grams per cubic centimeter, or what is practically the same thing, ounces per cubic foot, is obtained. System-

Jan 1, 1916

By A. Eilers

COMPOSITION OF CHARGES AND CONSUMPTION OF FUEL AT VARIOUS WORKS. A MARKED peculiarity of most of the smelting-works of the Far West is the looseness with which accounts of the operations are kept. Indeed, probably over half of the works do not keep any detailed accounts at all, the yearly gross statement of profit or loss being considered sufficient for all purposes. The reasons for this must apparently be sought in the as yet unsettled state of all business relations, and in the deplorable fact that only in isolated cases educated metallurgists are in charge of the smelting-works. Continual and regular assays of the ores, by-products, and slags, are almost unknown, so that it is impracticable to ascertain, even approximately, the losses in the smelting processes. Of cases where regular accounts are kept of the quantities of ore smelted, of the composition of charges, and of the fuel consumed, I know only two or three. Under these circumstances it is extremely difficult to collect figures which cover the operations for a considerable length of time, and which are so valuable for the metallurgist, who wishes to get an insight into the economy of smelting operations, as shown by practice. Figures obtained by personal observation, which can of course cover only the brief space of the visit of the travelling metallurgist, must, therefore, be made to replace the more valuable data. The writer has had occasion, during the last and the preceding summer, to visit the larger number of the Western lead-smelting works, and offers, in the following pages, such data relating to the economy of lead-smelting in the blast furnace at various works, as he has been able to obtain. The only object in doing so is to place these figures on record, so that they may be from time to time supplemented with other data, which are now wanting. I. EUREKA CONSOLIDATED COMPANY'S SMELTING-WORKS. These works smelt the ores from the mines of the same company on Ruby Hill, Eureka, Nevada. The supply is almost unlimited,

Jan 1, 1873

By H. H. Podgurski

Above 200°C the observed increase in the apparent solubility of hydrogen in low alloy steels caused by cold work is attributed to the formation of methane in microvoids. This methane can be isolated quantitatively, and furthermore, the amount of methane is in accord with the equilibrium 2H2 + Fe3C = CH4 + 3Fe. The micro-void volume, calculated from the methane content via the equation of state for methane, corresponds approximately to that calculated from the measured density decrement produced by cold work. THIS investigation was undertaken with the intent of employing the hydrogen atom as a probe in detecting specific crystallographic defects in cold worked steel. It was expected that different degrees of chemical interaction of hydrogen with the various types of defects could be utilized. The original aim was to assign concentration values to defect sites. The success of this approach requires that experimental conditions can be attained under which lattice-dissolved hydrogen equilibrates primarily with only one type of defect. A set of experiments which appeared potentially to embody these requirements was described several years ago by Keeler and Davis.1 They noted in the case of a mild steel (low carbon) that the solubility of hydrogen between 200° and 400°C near atmospheric pressure was notably increased by cold working the steel. The observed solubility was an order of magnitude greater than the normal lattice solubility. * Although the Keeler and Davis studies suggested that the density decrement effected by their cold-working operation might be related to the anomalous solubility of hydrogen, they offered no explanation of the relationship between the two effects. Prior to this work, Darken and smith3 had noted a similar effect of cold work upon enhanced sorption of hydrogen by steel when charged by acid pickling. In the light of present-day concepts, interaction between lattice-dissolved hydrogen and dislocations was strongly suggested. More recently, Hill and Johnson,4 working with a

Jan 1, 1962

By W. T. Cardwell

Physically absurd, triple-valued saturations appear in the straight-forward solution of the Buckley-Leverell equations for the displacement of oil by water or gas. From an engineering viewpoint, the triple value causen no difficulty. It is well known how it may be compensnted in order to obtain physically meaningful, numerical results. From a scientific viewpoint, the question still arises: What did the triple value mean? This paper explains how and why the triple value arose in non-capillary Buckley-Leverett theory. The discussion should serve as a background for the understanding and use of the modern method of characteristics in di.~pkzc(>ment theory. INTRODUCTION Displacement theory was introduced to petroleum technologists in 1 941 by Buckley and Leverett.' Their first equation, which they wrote down without derivation, was equivalent to the following: ?s/?t= - qr/F ?f/?r (1) where S = saturation of displacing fluid (a fraction) r = time q,. = total volumetric velocity of both the displacing phase and the phase being displaced (usually, but not necessarily, assumed to be a constant) F = porosity (a fraction) f - fraction of the total volumetric velocity that is the volumetric velocity of the displacing phase (assumed to he a function of S only x = distance. Buckley and Leverett called Eq. I "a material balance equation". Actually it is derived from both a continuity equation, or material balance equation, and Darcy's law. Buckley and Leverett jumped from their Eq. 1 immediately to their Eq. 2, which was the equivalent of the following: (?x/?t)x = qr/F df/ds = qr/F f'(s) (2) The jump from Eq. 1 to Eq. 2 involves apparently simple mathematics, but in that apparently simple mathematics lies a subtle point that is part of the key to the meaning of the triple value to be discussed here. Eq. 2 may be readily interpreted as saying that a point of constant saturation (on a saturation-vs-dis-tance curve) moves with a constant velocity that is proportional to the total volumetric rate, inversely proportional to the porosity, and is otherwise a function of the saturation itself. So that if one knows the derivativc with respect to saturation of the fractional flow function, f(S), for each saturation, one knows the velocity of each point of the moving saturation-vs-distance curve. The function f(S) can he determined experimentally and its derivative f'(S) can be calculated. It turns out that the experimentally derived f'(S) is not a monotonic function of S, but instead it has a definite maximum and declines away at both high and low saturations. This in turn means, in accordance with Eq. 2, that on a moving saturation-vs-distance curve, ccrtain intermediate saturations will travel faster than the saturations either higher or lower. The result is indicated in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, the abscissas represent distances along a column of porous medium, which column is assumed to be uniform in cross-section perpendicular to the ab-scissal direction. The ordinates represent fractions of pore space occupied by the displacing phase, which may be either water or gas. It is assumed that the saturation is uniform over all planes perpendicular to the abscissal direction. The saturation is a function only of time and one space variable. Time variation of the saturation is represented by change in shape of a curve such as curve AGJ, which represents the initial saturation-vs-