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By Richard Moldenke

The paper describes the making of pig iron from the Mayari iron ores of Cuba. The outstanding feature f this pig iron is a considerable content f nickel and chromium. As a marked improvement in the quality of castings has been noted when this iron is used in the foundry mixtures, a series f melting tests f mixtures of great variety of composition was conducted with the idea f getting comparative strengths from which the effect of nickel¬chromium could be seen. These tests, on account of their number, and degree of accuracy desired, were made by the crucible melting method. The paper gives the tables of results, a series f curves showing the inter-relation of the elements involved, and a summary of the conclusions derived. THE presence of nickel-chromium in pig iron made from Cuban ores is so well known that the word "Mayan" is unconsciously associated with it. Since 1904, when exploration of the Mayari deposits of iron ore in northeastern Cuba was undertaken, there has been increasing interest in these ores. The TRANSACTIONS contain numerous references to them. This iron ore, which is shipped to the. United States in the nodulized state, has been thoroughly tested and found very valuable; the deposit covers over 25,000 acres and there is in sight over 500,000,000 tons of ore that, by systematic mining, runs practically constant in composition. With nickel and chromium present, also titanium in sufficient quantities to attract attention, as well as extremely low phosphorus and sulfur contents, the iron founder is naturally interested in the utilization of Mayari ore for pig iron for the better grades of finished iron products. The present point of consumption of Mayari ore is at Sparrow's Point, where Mayari pig iron of any desired composition is made. The com-

Jan 9, 1922

By Erwin H. Leeman, Raymond R. Rice, Gerald L. Hassler

In the past few years a great deal of preeise information has been obtained about the relation of natural gas to oil production1. The improvement of our understanding has been of great value, both in prolonging the life of wells and in providing a much needed technical background for the legal problem of proration. But there are two principal aspects of the problem of production. It is necessary to consider not only the energy available, in the form of compressed and dissolved gas and in the pressure of driving water, but also the tenacity with which the sandstone holds the oil. The amount of oil that each sand condition will produce under given conditions of gas content should be determined. Hitherto the effect of the sand has been judged by a study of the flow of each well coupled with a procedure for extrapolating the production curve; hut, as is well known to evaluation engineers, such production curves are subject to changes that are not well understood, and often are affected by outside disturbances. On the whole, the concept of "potential production" is vague principally because the influence of the sand in production is not known beyond the simple ideas of porosity and permeability. The permeability is a quantity that has only inference value where mixtures of gas and oil or of gas, oil and water are present. Excellent studies of the production of oil from reservoirs packed with unconsolidatcd sand are available2, but these studies treat largely of small-scale analogzes to a producing field, and the conclusions to be derived from them arc necessarily of a qualitative character because it is not known in what way these miniature oil fields resemble large ones.

Jan 1, 1936

By J. J. Taber, W. K. Meyer

Experiments on consolidated sandstones have shown that a variety of conditions are responsible for the wide range of behavior observed when oil and water are displaced simultaneously by a solvent which is miscible with both. The type of displacement is influenced most strongly by the relation between the plait point of the ternary phase diagram and the composition path followed by the system as it achieves mis-cibility. Neglecting viscosity, the displacement becomes less efficient as the distance between the composition path and plait point is increased in either direction so that a very wide spectrum of displacements is possible with different alcohol, oil and brine systems. It is possible by choosing various composition paths as miscibility is achieved to exercise some control over the actual displacement mechanism. Control over the composition path is exercised by adding oil or water in specific amounts to the alcohol prior to its injection into the porous medium. This technique apparently makes it possible to obtain piston-like displacements with systems which are usually characterized by the efficient displacement of only one of the two phases i.e., either oil or water, while the other phase lags behind. However, the simultaneous displacement of oil and water is not as efficient as other miscible displacements at a similar mobility ratio. The evidence indicates that both oil and water "leak" into the alcohol "piston" in compensating amounts. With oils of low viscosities the displacement is inefficient because the low oil saturation in the stabilized bank causes oil to be trapped by water before miscibility is attained. INTRODUCTION The simultaneous displacement of oil and water by solvents such as alcohol has been investigated in the laboratory and in the field. The laboratorv workers investigating all-liquid miscible systems have recognized the great importance that the nature of the traingular phase diagram exerts on the efficiency of the miscible displacement. Gatlin and Slobod pointed out that displacement efficiency will be improved if miscibility can be retained for long periods and that this behavior tends to be followed if the applicable phase diagrams have very low binodal curves. In their unconsolidated sand tests the alcohol was considered an ideal miscible piston displacing both oil and water phases. Later workers have pointed out that an important feature of the phase diagram as far as oil recovery is concerned is the location of the plait point. This is particularly true in the case of consolidated Sandstone.3 Since the original discussion of this effect, the importance of plait-point location has been confirmed and discussed by other author The early workers394 recognized that the position of the plait point could be altered by changing the oil or the alcohol used in an experiment. In addition, recent work has demonstrated that the plait point can be shifted by altering the nature and concentration of dissolved salts in the aqueous phase. However, the entire scope of the relationship between displacement and plait point has not been discussed previously and a technique for changing the composition path as miscibility is achieved in a particular ternary system, i.e., oil, water and solvent, has not been demonstrated. * The importance of oil viscosity on the efficiency of oil displacement by alcohol has not previously been observed, probably because the range of viscosities used in earlier experiments was too restricted. It is the object of this paper to describe the relationships between the ternary phase diagram, fluid properties and the displacement achieved. A technique for controlling the nature of the displacement is also presented. THEORY AND DEFINITIONS PISTON-LIKE THEORY The theory of alcohol flooding has been discussed in some detail.2-4 The concept was advanced that

Jan 1, 1965

By Albert L. Toenges

Alaska requires an adequate fuel supply for its development, and has large potential coal reserves ranging from lignite to subbituminous and anthracite. Coal production in the Territory now is less than the requirements. In L947, production was 361,000 tons, divided about equally between bituminous coal from the Matanuska field and subbituminous coal from the Nenana field. There is need for development of modern mechanized mines, which should produce the required output with a minimum of workers. These mines should not be thought of in the light of large potential capacity, as in the States. However, these new mines should be developed by modern methods, which should result in lower costs than at Present. Because of the diverse physical conditions in the coal fields, intensive investigation by diamond drilling is necessary to properly plan the development and equipment of mine sites at minimum cost. The Bureau of Mines is doing this now in the Wishbone Hill area of the Matanuska field. All coal land in Alaska is government-owned and subject to the Coal Leasing Act. Coal mining in Alaska has been handicapped by an inadequate supply of dependable workers. Wage scales have been very high in recent years, and "floaters" have been attracted to the coal mines. This type of labor is not conducive to efficient operation. Modernization of mines will require skilled and dependable workers and to induce such men to become interested in coal mining in Alaska, modern facilities, such as modern houses, schools, churches, and recreation halls, must be provided near the mines. Alaska is still a frontier and improvements in living standards must accompany development of mines in order that a stable community may be established. Coal is known to have been mined in Alaska at Port Graham, on Cook Inlet, by the Russians in 1854. During the Klondike gold rush in 1898, coal was mined in scattered areas for use on steamers plying the Yukon River and its navigable tributaries. After the Alaska Railroad was built, two important fields were developed—the Nenana and the Matanuska (Fig 1). The Bering River field was explored by the Guggenheim interests at one time, and a railroad to the area was constructed. However, the field was abandoned because of litigation and reported unsatisfactory physical condition of the beds. There are areas that today are unimportant but which may be developed in the future. Possibly the most important of these is the deposits of subbituminous coal adjacent to Cook Inlet, near Homer, on the Kenai Peninsula (see Fig 1). It is expected that the demand for coal in the Kenai Peninsula will increase because the population in that area has increased as a result of agricultural development. Numerous outcrops of coal are exposed on the peninsula and development of a mine there would obviate dependence on supplies of coal from the Matanuska field. Coal from this field must be shipped approximately 160 miles by rail to Seward and transported thence by boat about 180 miles to Homer. There has been no regular boat service from Anchorage to Homer. There are deposits of coal in the Arctic region but a description of them will not be given in this paper, which will describe the more important deposits in the Alaska Railroad belt. The results of a reconnaissance in the Arctic have been described.' Description of Fields MATANUSKA FIELD The Matanuska field lies in the valleys of the Matanuska River and its tributaries and their separating ridges. This field has been interpreted by geologists as a sunken fault block that separated the Talkeetna Range of mountains from the Chugach Range. The Matanuska River flows west along the south side of the field and the Glenn highway, which extends from Anchorage via Palmer to the Richardson highway near Glen Allan, follows the Matanuska Valley. This road to the coal field can be traveled the year around. Although the snow-

Jan 1, 1950

By J. Chipman, N. J. Grant, E. C. Roberts

An equilibrium study was made of the distribution of chromium and oxygen between liquid iron, containing less than 1 pct Cr, and simple slags of the CaO(MgO)-Si02-FeO-Cr& type in the temperature range 1526' to 1734OC. The effects of slag oxidation, temperature, and basicity were observed. IN spite of the fact that chromium is one of the most important alloying elements in steel, and exists in almost all steels as a significant residual element, little research has been done to determine its behavior in basic steelmaking processes. Considerably more work has been done under silica-saturated acid slag conditions. Korber and Oelsen,' Herasymenko,' and others have generally agreed that in acid steelmaking practice the chromium in the slag behaved as if it were present as the chrom-ous ion (CrO). Work by Hilty- ir, high chromium slags also indicated that chromium may exist as CrO. In basic slag systems no equilibrium data exist. Based on individual studies of basic open hearth and electric furnace practice, Bardenheuer," Rock-rohr,% nd HauckQ oncluded that: 1—chromium recovery increased with decreasing basicity, and 2— chromium recovery increased with increasing temperature, although the effect was small. In similar studies Yavioskii and Dzemyen' concluded that: 1— slag FeO is the most important variable, 2—the basicity of the slag has no effect on chromium recovery, and 3—slag viscosity is not high even when 20 pct Cr,O, is present. Lapitskii\ oncluded that chromium recovery improved as the basicity of the slag decreased and increased with increasing manganese in the metal. Regarding the effectiveness of CrZ08 as a base or acid in basic slags, both Kristofferseno and Trojer" reported that Cr,08 was an acidic component requiring neutralization as 2CaO-Cr,O,. Experimental Procedure The experimental apparatus and procedure used for the present research were similar in most details to those used by Winkler and Chipman" and were described in detail by them. A magnesia crucible was used, holding 60 to 80 lb of Armco iron which was decarburized with hydrogen to about 0.010 pct C. Since all the metal samples solidified without gas evolution, this carbon level was assumed not to be significant. Synthetic slags made by mixing pure oxides were used throughout the study. Temperatures were measured by means of calibrated W-Mo thermocouples and were checked by Pt-Pt-Rh thermocouples. The range of temperatures covered in this study was from 1526" to 1734°C. The chromium content of the iron was in the range 0.032 to 0.82 pct, although the bulk of the tests showed 0.04 to 0.2 pct. The slags were of the CaO(MgO)-SiO,-FeO-Cr,O, type in which the Cr,O, content was from about 2 to 20 pct, although most of the slags showed from about 2 to 10 pct. The FeO range was from about 10 to 65 pct. CaO and SiO, were in the range of about 5 to 45 pct each, yielding a rather wide range of basicity values. The first 12 heats were made without a sulphur addition, and with only 30 min allowed for slag-metal equilibrium to be reached. In previous research it had been shown that less than 30 min was adequate to achieve equilibrium in slags free of Cr2O8.11,14.15 A study of the present data indicated that some of the tests may not have reached equilibrium in this time; accordingly four additional heats were made in which at least 1 hr was permitted for equilibrium to be reached. For reaching

Jan 1, 1955

By Scott Tzcrner

WITHIN recent years people have begun to realize the importance and significance of the mining and allied industries. The leading part the engineer plays in civilization is becoming recognized. However accurate quantitative knowledge of the industrial importance of mining is still seldom possessed except by those close to this business. It is true that there are a few who go to the extreme and represent the whole progress of civilization as a reflection of man's gradual mastery of mineral utilization, but on the whole, the magnitude of the-industry is underestimated. In this paper I shall call attention briefly to the importance of mining in the United States, in Canada, and in the world. Ordinarily, the annual primary mineral production of the United States is about $5,500,000,000. The average for the last 5 years has been a little over that, but last year, sadly enough, it was less than 31/4 billion. Just now, we are on the decline, and have been for the last two years. In Canada, the 5-year average was about $268,000,000, and last year it was 227 million. Due in part to gold mines (in 1930, for the first time, Canada's gold production exceeded that of the United States), the Canadian average is holding up better than ours. Average world mineral production over the last -5 years has been estimated at about $12,000,000;000 whereas in 1931 it was less than than 8 billion.

Jan 1, 1932

By Eckley B. Coxe

IN making surveys in the anthracite coal regions of Pennsylvania, the ordinary engineer's chain (50 or 100 feet long) is generally used, both above and below ground. Sometimes, where it is difficult to chain, as, for instance, across a chasm, a wire is stretched from one station to the other, the distance is marked on the wire and its length is then measured with the ordinary chain. Having had occasion lately to make some surveys where it was necessary to determine with great accuracy the position of the land or property line, not

Jan 1, 1874

By Eckley B. Coxe

In making surveys in the anthracite coal regions of Pennsylvania, the ordinary engineer's chain (50 or 100 feet long) is generally used, both above and below ground. Sometimes, where it is difficult to chain, as, for instance, across a chasm, a wire is stretched from one station to the other, the distance is marked on the wire and its length is then measured with the ordinary chain. Having had occasion lately to make some surveys where it was necessary to determine with great accuracy the position of the land or property line, not

By R. W. Gurry

IN the course of a series of measurements of the rate of diffusion of carbon in austenite at about 960°C. (1760°F.) and 1110°C. (2030°F.), it became necessary to determine carbon concentration when austenite is saturated with graphite, because of indications that the hitherto accepted value of the solubility of graphite in this temperature range is too low. Specimens of carbonyl iron were saturated at temperature in a hydrogen-toluene atmosphere which was in equilibrium with graphite. The carbon content of the steel was measured either by combustion or by the loss of weight after substantially complete decarburization in an atmosphere of hydrogen saturated at room temperature with water vapor. The absence of carbide or graphite as a phase at temperature was demonstrated by microscopic examination of saturated specimens that had been drastically quenched. The mean result of concordant measurements is that gamma iron saturated with respect to graphite contains 1.39 per cent carbon at 957°C. (1755°F.) and 1.89 per cent at 1110°C. (2030°F.). These two values, plotted along with what appears from the literature to be the best value (0.69 per cent) at the iron-graphite eutectoid temperature (738°C. or 1360°F.), yield a curve that is almost linear, and which, continued upward through a short interval, leads to a limiting solubility of 1.98 per cent at the iron-graphite eutectic temperature 1135°C. (2075°F.) instead of the commonly accepted value of about 1.7 per cent. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The samples of carbonyl iron, with the exception of those for microscopic examination, were cylinders 3.8 cm. long, 0.475 cm. in diameter. They were placed in a graphite holder and suspended in a vertical furnace, the temperature of which was controlled precisely by means of the resistance of the platinum winding.1 In the empty furnace the range of temperature over a distance of 4 cm. at the heat center was 9°C. (16°F.) but at a given location the temperature remained within ±0.5°C. (0.9°F.); it was measured by inserting a platinum-rhodium couple calibrated at the melting point of palladium, 1555°C. Since the presence of the sample probably improved the uniformity of temperature, it was decided to consider the average temperature of the sample to be 3°C. lower than the maximum measured in the empty furnace with the same setting of the controller. Data were obtained in the vicinity of two temperatures, 960°C. (1760°F.) and 1110°C. (2030°F.). The samples for microscopic examination, 2.2 cm. long, 0.475 cm. in diameter, were suspended individually on pure iron wire; for these no temperature correction was applied. The carburizing gas passed into the furnace was dry, oxygen-free hydrogen saturated at room temperature with

Jan 1, 1942

By B. H. Kear, B. J. Piearcey

The orientation and temperature dependence of the tensile and creep propevties oj Mav-M200 crystals halle been determined. Crystals oriented for single slip exhibit ,maximum ductility, minimum work hardening, and least creep resistance, whereas crystals in multiple slip orientations show nzinimu~n ductility, strongest work hardening, and greatest creep resistance. At 1400" and 1600°F there is a marked improzlenzent in creep strength for orientations approaching [001] and [111], indicating that interactions between dislocations gliding in intersecting octahedral slip systems play an important role in creep resistance. At 1800°F the creep strength is much less dependent on orientation, which is rationalized in terms of slip in cube planes as well as octahedral A frequent mode of failure in high-strength cast nickel-base superalloys is by intergranular fracture, particularly along those grain boundaries oriented transverse to the major stress axis. VerSnyder and ~uard' demonstrated that this problem could be overcome by eliminating transverse grain boundaries through unidirectional solidification. Piearcey and versnyder2 made use of this principle in the development of unidirectionally solidified gas turbine blades and vanes, where the growth direction of the columnar grain structure coincides with the axis of principal stress under operating conditions. The present investigation was undertaken to determine if further improvement in properties may be obtained by eliminating grain boundaries altogether, so as to take advantage of the well-known dependence of mechanical properties of single crystals upon the orientation. 1) EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Single crystals of Mar-M200* were grown from the melt under vacuum by a modified Bridgman method. The melt was poured into a preheated alumina mold, and crystal growth was promoted from one end by appropriate gradient cooling. Tensile and creep specimens (2 in. diam by $ in. gage length) were prepared by a series of operations involving electrical discharge machining, precision grinding, and electropolishing. The orientations of the specimens were determined by the Laue X-ray back-reflection method. Tensile tests were carried out in aWiedemann machine with furnace attachment, using a strain rate planes. In all orientations imzpvouement in the strength charactevistics of the material can be induced by heat treatment. Creep ad stress rupture data for (001) oriented crystals are compared with similar data obtailted previously joy random polycvystalline material, and also columnar grained material having a prejevved (001) orientation. The single-crystal )material exhibits both longer rupture life and lower minimum creep rate at all temperatuves, and the rupture elongation is comparable with that in the columnar grained material. From these results it is concluded that single crystals should and useful application in gas-turbine blades and tanes. The optimum orientation for a blade is considered to be with its axis of principal stvess parallel to (001) ou (111). of 0.0001 sec-'. Load and extension were recorded directly on an X-Y recorder. The strain measuring device consisted of extension arms attached to the grips at one end and leading out of the furnace to an LVDT (linear variable differential transformer) at the other. Creep tests were performed using a standard constant load creep frame. 2) DISCUSSION OF RESULTS 2.1) Structure of Alloy. The structure and segregation in as-cast and heat-treated Mar-M200 has been described in detail else where.~ The main features are as follows: the as-cast material is heavily cored, due to pronounced dendritic segregation during solidification; the dendrites are rich in tungsten and cobalt whereas the interdendritic regions are rich in chromium, titanium, nickel, and carbon. The structure consists of -60 vol pct coherent precipitate of y', basically Ni3(A1,Ti), in a matrix of y (nickel-base solid solution), interspersed in the interdendritic regions with minor MC carbides and -y' eutectic. The y' particles, and y-y' eutectic, contain more titanium, aluminum, and nickel, and less tungsten, cobalt, and chromium than the y matrix. Heat treatment partially removes segregation, eliminates the eutectic, refines the y' dispersion in y, and gives additional partially coherent M23Cs carbide. An as-cast crystal, therefore, is composed primarily of two oriented phases (y + y'), whereas the normally heat-treated crystal consists of three oriented phases (y + y' + MZ3Cs). Typical electron transmission micrographs of the y + y' structure are shown in Fig. 1. Crystals grown in the (100) orientation develop a simple unidirectional dendritic structure, Fig. 2, since (100) happens to be the preferred direction of growth for dendrites in this material. Crystals grown in the {110) and (111) orientations, however, tend to promote equal growth, generally in separate colonies, in the two and three geometrically favored (100) growth directions, respectively. In other orientations of growth, a single (100) dendrite direction generally pre-

Jan 1, 1968

By N. H. van Lingen

A laboratory stud], has been made to determine what factors affect the penetration rate of roller bits, diamond bits and drag bits in rock drilling with clay /water muds. The rather simple relations that exist when pressures in and around the borehole are equal become more conzplicated when under down-hole conditions the penetration rate is hampered by the existence of a pressure differential between the mud at the hole bottom and the pore liquid at cutting depth. Expressions that have been derived for both the penetration rate and the magnitude of the pressure differential in permeable rock together fully account for operating, rock, mud and bit variables. In impermeable rock a similar pressure differential is caused by the bit action itself. In all cases, the pressure difierential and the reduction in penetration rate increase with the effectiveness of the plastering at the bottom of the hole by mud particles. Where bits are employed whose action is largely that of crushing, however, the plastering may become even more effective owing to the addition of rock particles rubbed into the pores of the rock. With roller bits, a plastically hehaving layer may be formed, which causes a further reduction in penetration. In the case of bits whose action is chiefly scraping, moreover, penetration may be arrested by the bit's becoming balled-up. The various adverse effects are reduced by thorough scavenging of the hole bottom. This paper shows how with jet bits the efficiency of such scavenging may he improved by suitable choice of the position of the nozzles. INTRODUCTION The reduction in a bit's penetration rate with increasing depth of hole has been the subject of many investigations. Various investigators ',' have independently reached the conclusion that this reduction occurs not so much because the rock-breaking process becomes more difficult as it does because the lifting of the rock fragments is impaired by a fluid pressure differential holding the fragments down. When such a pressure differential can be avoided, as in air drilling and to a smaller extent in water drilling, penetration rates remain high. Although the range of applicability of these techniques is being extended, most oil wells still have to be drilled with mud. In this paper we present the results of laboratory experiments carried out to determine what factors govern the hold down effect encountered in mud drilling. In the course of this investigation, the well known importance of bottom scavenging came more and more into prominence. Not only may it reduce the magnitude of the hold-down forces, but also it appeared to be a means of preventing the accumulation of a plastic mass of cuttings and mud on the hole bottom and bit which may cause penetration to cease almost completely. So that the effects of fluid pressures may be more readily understood, the factors that govern penetration rate in the absence of these pressures will first be discussed. The effect of down-hole pressures will then be assessed for the case of permeable rock where fluid pressures are well defined, and it will be demonstrated how rock strengthening due to confining can be accounted for. Subsequently, fluid pressures in less-permeable rock will be examined; we will show that in impermeable rock it is the bit action that governs fluid-pressure distribution and hold-down. In the case of poor scavenging and/or high bit load. cutting cake manifests itself. The effect, like various others. appears to depend on the type of bit used. From the very beginning, therefore, we shall base our discussion on the three main types of bits used in rotary oil-well drilling— roller bits, diamond bits and drag bits. Since space is limited, it will be impossible to make more than a passing reference to many aspects of the problem. Moreover. certain relations that are not of primary irnportance to our argument will unavoidably have to be stated in a somewhat dogmatic fashion, and the experimental data on which these are based necessarily must be omitted. EQUIPMENT The drilling experiments were performed on three machines, of which one has been designed for the realistic simulation of down-hole pressure conditions. HIGH-PRESSURES MACHINE In this machine (diagramed in Fig. 1) the mud, pore and confining pressures can all be adjusted independently. The foil-covered rock sample contained in the inner pressure vessel is confined by oil that is pressurized by means of a hand pump. The pore space of the watersaturated sample is connected to an arrangement which keeps the pressure in the pore space constant regardless of the rate of filtrate flow through the sample.

By Dennis A. Clark, Brent Larsson

Tunnelling today is a lot more than drilling and blasting. The developments in drilling and blasting technique have made it pos¬sible to save costs both by increasing the advance per round and optimizing the demands on the final contour. Increasing the hole depth by using longer feeds and bigger dril¬ling rigs make the drilling time shorter compared to the set up time. It is important that the deeper holes are followed up by using a suitable cut. The most common cut in Sweden today is a parallel hole cut with one or more large holes; with a diameter corresponding to the hole depth and wanted advance per round. It is often specified that smooth blasting is to be carried out with a specific drill hole spacing. It is extremely rare, however, for specifications to be issued concerning the alignment of the raw of holes closest to the contour holes. It is very easy to ruin the effect of smooth blasting altogether by firing the rest of the round carelessly with an excessively high charge distribution. The drilling and blasting of the contour holes and the line of holes closest to the contour holes is therefore an extremely important part of any underground work. Accuracy and care in connection with the drilling of contour holes is also extremely important since it is possible to reduce the amount of overbreak, the result being more rapid mucking out, smoother and more durable surfaces and also less consumption of concrete for lining purposes.

Jan 1, 1983

By JOHN S. HEARDING

ON the Minnesota Ranges, 600 million tons of material have been moved in the past three years to produce 172 million tons of direct-shipping iron ore. Increasing wage rates and cost of equipment and supplies, coupled with the larger amount of waste material to be moved in comparison with the quantity of ore make it imperative that tile industry adopt all practices and methods which will enable it to move earth at progressively lower costs. Drilling. Prior to and during the war practically all blastholes drilled were 6-in. in diameter and put down by drills using strings of tools weighing from 2000 to 3000 lb. Present trends indicate that heavier drilling equipment making 9-in. holes wit11 3000 to 6000 lb tools will be more economical. Holes up to 12 in. diameter will be made with this equipment. Forging and hardening practices for bits to increase footage is receiving attention. One manufacturer expects to market 9-in. bits having sintered carbide inserts in the reaming and cutting edges. Oxygen and oil to burn holes in the rock are being tested for making blastholes at a considerably greater speed than can be obtained with a blasthole drill on the same size hole. To dale, however, the cost has been prohibitive.

Jan 1, 1949

By M. L. Requa

IN the fall of 1910, the Nevada Petroleum Co., operating in the Coalinga field in California, determined to drill a number of wells with rotary tools, in order to prove conclusively the relative value of the rotary as compared with the standard rig. At that time, the rotary was but little known in California and its proposed introduction met with considerable criticism on the part of the operators and quiet opposition among the standard drilling crews. There were few men available who were competent to handle a rotary outfit, and these few had had but little experience in California fields. Machines as then built were much inferior to those now used, being lighter in construction and of a poorer quality of material. The shells encountered at depths between 1,700 and 2,000 ft. seemed to be too hard to permit of successful drilling, and at these depths the rig was changed over to standard tools and by them completed. Because of the heavy depreciation, the time lost in converting from rotary to standard, and the comparatively small profit, it was concluded that unless in the future there was some material improvement in rotary rigs, nothing would be gained by drilling with rotary tools upon this property. Little or no drilling has been done upon the property since that time, but in the meantime a large number of men have been trained in the use of the rotary; in fact, many standard-tool men have abandoned standard drilling and, starting in as roustabouts, have become thoroughly competent rotary operators. The improvements in the machinery have been such as to remove many of the objections and the rotary drilling of to-day is in every way superior to that of 1910. In contrast, a well drilled recently by the Kern Trading & Oil Co., in the east side Coalinga field may be cited. The first 2,500 ft. was drilled in 24 days and it is confidently expected that the water string will be set with a rotary at 3,400 ft.-a record obviously far beyond that made in 1910 by the Nevada Petroleum Co.

Jan 2, 1915

By Abner Dixon

INTRODUCTION. IN India the production of mica, which in other countries is of very minor importance, is one of the staple, long established industries, and ranks high in the statistics of mineral products. Nearly two-thirds of the mica of commerce comes from India. The Indians have used mica for glazing and decorative purposes through many centuries. About 14,000 men are employed in and about the mines, and the indigenous and primitive mode of mining is still followed; but, by reason of the exhaustion of the surface supply hitherto won without intelligence or capital, it will not be many years before the present interesting and casual methods will be replaced by a less archaic and more profitable system. India on the whole has little mineral wealth, but the unique resources of its mica fields, cheap labor, and favorable natural conditions render it unlikely that any other country can ever more than temporarily contest her leadership in the production of this one minor but essential mineral. Mica plays a small but indispensable role in a variety of fields of dissimilar application. Its use and value depend upon characteristics which different kinds of mica have in varying degrees, each kind being adapted to 'its own special purpose. Its well-known characteristics of transparency, flexibility, elasticity, toughness, high dialectric, strength, perfect flatness; ease of splitting into thin films, ability to stand high heat and sudden changes in temperature, give it value in many industries. No other substance, natural or artificial, has this combination of qualities. The oldest use of mica is in glazing. By reason of the improvements in annealing glass, this is not now of great importance, but mica is still employed for the covers of ikon images in Russian churches, the windows of anthracite stoves, compass

Jan 5, 1913

By J. W. Freeman, R. F. Decker

A microstructural investigation was pursued to establish the mechanism of the pronounced benefits of traces of boron and zirconium on creep properties of a 55 Ni-20 Cr-15 (20-4 MO-3 Ti-3 A1 alloy at 1600°F. The mechanism of improvement of creep properties was found to be a pronounced stabilizing effect of traces of boron and zirconium on the grain boundaries of the alloy. The alloy with low boron and zirconium was subject to rapzd agglomeration of M23 C6 and in the grain boundaries, followed by depletion of y ' and intergranular microcracking at the grain boundaries transverse to applied stress. Brittle fracture then occurred by linking of microcracks. However, additions of zirconium, boron, and boron plus zirconium decreased this tendency in that order, allowing longer creep exposure and higher creep defor.mations before fracture occurred. VERY little information has been published describing the mechanism by which trace amounts of boron or zirconium improve the creep properties of complex nickel-base heat-resistant alloys, although the effect is now well recognized.1-4 Because the phenomenon is so important to properties and the effects are so striking, a study was made of the mechanism in a 55 Ni-20 Cr-15 Co-4 Mo-3 Ti-3 A1 alloy. It was believed that such a mechanistic approach would increase knowledge in theory of alloying and give a more basic understanding of alloy design to resist creep. The basic premise of the study was that boron or zirconium would alter the microstructural characteristics controlling creep and fracture to the extent that the effects could be identified by light and electron microscopy and by electron diffraction techniques. Characteristic of the microstructure of the Ti + Al-bearing nickel-base alloys is the dispersed precipitation of the intermetallic compound Ni,(Al, Ti), the ? ' phase, which is generally con- sidered to be the major source of high creep resistance.5-7 In addition, carbide phases have been identified8-10 and these can alter creep properties markedly.11 Since both the ?' and carbide transformations have been found to control properties, careful attention was paid to the effect of boron and zirconium on these transformations.

Jan 1, 1961

By Albert L. Toenges

Alaska requires an adequate fuel supply for its development, and has large potential coal reserves ranging from lignite to subbituminous and anthracite. Coal production in the Territory now is less than the requirements. In 1947, production was 361,000 tons, divided about equally between bituminous coal from the Matanuska field and subbituminous coal from the Nenana field. There is need for development of modern mechanized mines, which should produce the required output with a minimum of workers. These mines should not be thought of in the light of large potential capacity, as in the States. However, these new mines should be developed by modern methods, which should result in lower costs than at present. Because of the diverse physical conditions in the coal fields, intensive investigation by diamond drilling is necessary to properly plan the development and equipment of mine sites at minimum cost. The Bureau of Mines is doing this now in the Wishbone Hill area of the Matanuska field. All coal land in Alaska is government-owned and subject to the Coal Leasing Act.

Jan 1, 1949

By J. R. Dawson, J. A. Glunt

VESTA No. 4 and 5 mines supply most of the high volatile coal required for Jones & Laughlin's byproduct coke plants. Until 1944 all coal produced in these mines was loaded by hand. Pressure to mechanize at Vesta was brought on by the manpower shortage in World War 11, and in 1943 a decision was made to change to mechanical loading. It was the opinion of those concerned that by use of selective mining the coal would be clean enough to be processed by the existing preparation plants. At that time coal cleaning at Jones & Laughlin consisted of hand picking the larger sizes at the mine tipples and wet washing at plants located at the Pittsburgh and Aliquippa Works. A typical section of the Pittsburgh seam as it occurs at Vesta is shown in Fig. 1. The 14 to 16 in. of drawslate immediately over the coal is too soft to be used for roof and must be taken down, leaving the rooster coal just above for roof. In selective mining an attempt is made to mine the coal under the drawslate first and then load out the drawslate separately as refuse. In full seam mining slate and coal are shot down at the same time and loaded out. Mechanical loading at Vesta created new problems. It was found that selective mining, even when carefully applied, increased the refuse in the raw coal to such an extent that the washers at the mills were unable to handle it. Large tonnages of refuse were being transported, a reject disposal problem was created, and good metallurgical coal was being loaded out and lost. In addition, the selective method handicapped operation of the loading machines. Fig. 2 shows how the ash content of the raw coal increased as mechanization proceeded at No. 5 mine. New Preparation Plant: After an exhaustive study of this situation by J & L management, is was decided that a preparation plant should be constructed at the mines, capable of handling full seam mined coal and large enough to process full production of both No. 4 and No. 5 mines. It was decided that from the standpoint of inside operation and haulage the new plant should be located as near as possible to the old No. 5 tipple on the Monongahela River near Vestaburg. Full seam mining at Vesta could be expected to produce a tremendous volume of refuse along with the coal, since 14 to 16 in. of slate would be mined with an average 78 in. of coal. Disposal of this refuse required serious consideration in selecting a plant site. The only area near Vestaburg large enough for disposal of the plant refuse was across the Monongahela River at LaBelle. Ample space was available here, and construction at this location would not interfere with operation at the No. 5 tipple. It had been noted over the years that the sulfur content of the coal produced at Vesta was gradually increasing, and there was every indication that this increase could be expected to continue as the mines developed further from the river. It was decided to construct a three-part separation plant with complete blending facilities to produce both metallurgical and steam coal. In this system an attempt is made to reduce the sulfur in the metallurgical coal in a secondary cleaning process. Construction of the new preparation plant got under way early in 1947 and continued until the spring of 1950. The plant was designed to handle 2400 tph of raw coal containing 30 to 35 pct refuse. Cost of outside buildings and equipment was about $14 million. Total cost of the plant, together with improvements and changes made at this time, was approximately $21 million.

Jan 1, 1957

By K. D. Jacob, W. L. Hill

Fluorine recovery in the United States has been restricted chiefly to manufacture of ordinary superphosphate and wet-process phosphoric acid. However, there is an expanding use of fluorine by industry in the form of hydrofluoric acid. Improved methods for recovering fluorine from phosphate rock would yield an adequate supply of fluosilicates and a substantial contribution to the hydrofluoric acid requirement. THE bulk of natural phosphates is comprised of calcium phosphates, which are usually apatites;' calcium aluminum phosphates such as pseudowavel-1ite; and aluminum phosphates, which occur in extensive deposits, notably on Grand Connetable Island." Nearly all deposits of current commercial value are apatite, often with admixed material of other classes. In the trade coarsely crystalline material, mainly fluorapatite of igneous origin, moves as apatite, whereas the fine-grained material of sedimentary origin is marketed as phosphate rock. The latter classification includes the phosphate shales in western North America. Although several genetic varieties of phosphate rock are recognized, most known reserves are of marine origin. Calcium phosphate is concentrated from Florida land pebble and Florida hard rock deposits and from Tennessee brown rock deposits. Phosphate Rock as a Fluorine Carrier: More than two decades ago Reynolds and Jacob surveyed the fluorine content of commercial phosphate rock from various parts of the world. Later these samples were re-analyzed by a new and more reliable method of determining flourine. The revised results with interim additions of new samples, published a few years ago in a brief summary," are shown in Figs. 1-3. Through the points representing the respective varieties of rock medial straight lines are drawn. In some instances the lines are well defined by the points; in others, where scattering renders the position of the best line uncertain, the greater weight is given points near the end of the covered range. Wherever distinct varieties are not recognized among regional deposits the custom is to identify the sample with the geographical location of the deposit. Although all rock varieties cannot be classified with certainty, the plotted results exhibit three distinct types of rock in which the F to P2O5 ratio diminishes, remains sensibly constant, and increases, respectively, as the grade of rock increases. Existence of two types of Florida land pebble, Fig. 1, is supported by additional results recently supplied by a producer." Generally speaking, phosphate rock from continental deposits carries considerably more fluorine, and apatite and insular phosphates less, in proportion to the phosphorus content than is required by the formula for fluorapatite. Exceptions to this are apatite from Canada and certain samples of Florida waste-pond phosphate. The manner in which excess fluorine is held and the nature of the carbonate in carbonate apatite are discussed in recent articles. High-grade calcium phosphates with F to P2O5 ratios less than 0.05 have been found in Curacao, Christmas Island," Mexic,13 and elsewhere. The calcium aluminum phosphates and aluminum phosphates aften carry notable amounts of fluorine. The F to P2O, ratio for one sample of pseudowavel-lite concentrate was 0.05." Aluminum phosphate from Grand Connetable Island is very low in fluorine, whereas some aluminum phosphate minerals" carry as much fluorine as highly fluorinated phosphate rock. Fluorine in Domestic Phosphate: The curves shown in the figures permit interpolation of the F to P2O5 ratio corresponding to the midpoint of selected ranges in grade of any one of the several varieties of phosphate. Multiplication of the interpolated ratio by the mid-range grade (P2O5) yields a figure for the percentage of fluorine in this grade. Then, with the use of the mid-range grade, the amount of fluorine held in phosphate reserves can be estimated, see Table I. Accordingly, on Jan. 1, 1950, the fluorine complement of known domestic reserves exceeded 420,000,000 long tons of the element. A previous figure," deduced in 1940 by a simpler procedure

Jan 1, 1955

By FRANK RIEBERS

IN DISCUSSING the selection of a geophysical method, much of what the writer will say is applicable to any of the various methods and to their use in prospecting, whether for oil or for other minerals. Specifically, the writer's subject is the problem, particularly pressing on the Pacific Coast, of checking the rising cost of the discovery of new fields by the proper employment of geophysical methods. Table I was prepared from statistics published by the California State Milling Bureau. The writer selected five of the largest a:ld most active companies operating in California, segregated the number of wild-

Jan 1, 1930