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By Giovanni Barla

In engineering analyses, rock is frequently treated as a homogeneous, isotropic, and linearly elastic medium. However, rock material exhibits, in most cases, physical nonlinearity, time-dependency, and anisotropy. In some instances, anelasticity due to nonmechanical effects, such as density and temperature changes, must also be taken into account. The influence of these different anomalies in the physical behavior of a rock material is often neglected. An estimate of the discrepancies which are introduced when classical theory of elasticity is used is consequently required. The easiest theoretical path by which these discrepancies can be analyzed is to vary the constitutive equations of the rock material. The constitutive equations, representing various physical experiences with different types of media, define a class of ideal substances. Assuming different constitutive equations for the description of the rock physical behavior, one can establish a sensitivity analysis to determine how much information is contained in elastic theory for reliable design purposes. The method may be applied also using numerical techniques (e.g., finite element or finite differences) which, because of the nature of the formulation, require one to assume in each case the rock constitutive equations. Theoretical and experimental work is needed to be able to perform such analyses with confidence. Adequate and practical procedures for the determination of the material functions which enter the various constitutive equations must be established. This paper presents such an attempt with respect to the simulation of some behavior patterns of rock material. It is felt worthwhile to stimulate activity in this field and it is hoped to contribute to this objective.

Jan 1, 1970

By M. J. Swan, W. C. Foshee, R. R. Klimpel

The large volume of water used in coal preparation plants makes water recycling a necessity. Economical cleaning of dirty water usually requires flocculation with an efficient organic polyelectrolyte. This paper discusses identification of optimum flocculant systems. Supporting laboratory data with on-site tests and full-scale field trails supplies information necessary for matching the polymer to the plant.

Jan 1, 1983

By Julian Szekely

Through the simultaneous statement of Maxwell's equations. the turbulent Navier-Stokes equations and the differential thermal energy balance equation, a mathematical representation has been developed for heat transfer and fluid flow in electric arc furnaces. In broad outline the theoretical predictions appear to be consistent with experimental measurements. A discussion is presented of the general arc furnace control and optimization problem, together with the potential for the incorporation of the mathematical model given in the paper, into future control and optimization schemes. ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE STEELMAKING accounts for about 24% of the total steel produced in the U.S., consuming about 550kw-hr/ton of steel which amounts to about 1.4x1010 kw-hr annually. The percentage of steel produced by the electric arc furnace route has doubled since 1960 and is expected to increase further in the foreseeable future, particularly with the more extensive use of direct reduction technology. Table I shows, in terms of percentages, the principal items that contribute to the cost of running an electric arc furnace. It is seen that in addition to the fixed costs (labor, depreciation, taxes etc.) electrode costs and power consumption are the dominant inputs, and it follows that process changes that would ultimately reduce any of these cost components would have a significant impact on the efficiency of the operation. There are three main areas where progress in arc furnace design and operation must be directed in the next decade (Committee on Technology, 1981). 1. Increased furnace productivity 2. Reduction in processing cost 3. Improvement in the thermal efficiency of the furnace An estimate of the current operating efficiency of the electric arc furnaces may be obtained by comparing the theoretical minimum energy consumption per ton of steel with those achieved in operational practice. Theoretically 330-360 kw-hrs of electricity are required to melt one ton of cold scrap. For superheating, 8-12 kWh per 100°F are required. The actual energy requirements are given in Table II. It is seen that furnaces currently operate at 70-80% efficiency, with the major heat loss from the furnace resulting from the waste gases (Committee on Technology, 1981). While it is apparent that operational experience has produced a technology that is reasonably energy efficient this has been achieved in the almost complete absence of any detailed knowledge concerning the fundamental heat transfer mechanisms occuring in the furnace. The purpose of the present paper is to present a case for the usefulness of mathematical models in increasing the thermal efficiency of furnaces by investigating these heat transfer mechanisms and then combining this knowledge with existing electrode regulator mechanisms to produce truly efficient power cycles for melting and refining. In particular, existing mathematical models describing convection, radiation, and electro-magnetism in the furnace should be employed, and the development of optimization models which balance the cost of electrodes and energy against the thermal efficience of the furnace should be undertaken. Recent work in this laboratory (Szekely, McKelliget, 1981, 1982, 1983; Szekely, McKelliget, Choudhary, 1983) has made a useful start towards solving the problem of heat transfer within the electric arc furnace but the work still needs to be directly related to existing furnace power cycles and tested against plant scale measurements.

Jan 1, 1984

By Edwin S. Smith

Current research in the phenomenon of liquefaction has indicated some of the in situ material properties which should be considered in the planning of waste deposits. Practical experience in tailings disposal, however, must be combined with the results of theoretical and laboratory studies to develop the most economical and safe techniques against liquefaction failure. One of the many responsibilities of mining engineers and mill superintendents is providing for the safe and economic disposal of wastes (or tailings) that remain after a mineral has been extracted from an ore. The cost of disposal of these tailings exerts a considerable influence on the minimum grade of ore extracted from the mine. It varies to a great extent with each project and is dependent on many diverse factors, such as the local topographical, meteorological and seismological conditions together with the applicable water pollution laws of the area. The process used to extract a mineral from an ore determines the physical characteristics of the tailings and, thus, is one of the more important factors to be considered in the planning of disposal facilities. Today's trends in ore-processing operations complicate the problems of waste disposal: recently developed extraction methods result in the production of finer tailings, the use of lower grade ores produces greater volumes of wastes, and the enhanced land values in the vicinity of industrial plants preclude the former practice of spreading wastes laterally and force the expansion of waste deposits upwards to greater heights. The frequent occurrence of stability problems in waste deposits indicates that many mining organizations may not be employing current soil mechanics concepts and practices. One of the most spectacular, and often most disastrous, types of tailings dike failure is that resulting from liquefaction of the fine particles combined with a breach of the main retaining dike. TAILINGS DISPOSAL Since the many variations in site conditions, ore bodies and extraction processes dictate the general disposal procedures and mill superintendents incorporate special facilities to provide the most economical disposal method consistent with accepted safety standards, it is only natural that there are almost as many different disposal techniques as there are disposal areas. Methods used in the construction of retaining dikes include: (1) transporting granular material from an adjacent borrow pit and (2) mechanically segregating the total effluent and allowing the coarse fraction to form a retaining dike by hydraulic deposition. The location of a plant and the surrounding topography exert the greatest influence on the layout of tailings disposal facilities. Most of the above-ground waste deposits can be classified as side-hill, (Fig. 1,) cross-valley, (Fig. 2,) or stockpile deposits. Side-hill disposal areas are probably the most common type of layout because of the natural advantage of gravity flow, without the disadvantage of river diversion usually needed for tailings ponds formed behind cross-valley dikes. Stockpiles, which are placed on relatively level ground, require four retaining dikes and the effluent generally has to be pumped up into the disposal area. Changing production techniques or developments adjacent to disposal areas have produced variations or partial combinations of these three categories. In a series of articles, Lenhart describes many of the problems encountered in the disposal of tailings and certain innovations used to overcome them. He discusses weaknesses in design and layout and shows that disposal techniques are often learned the

Jan 1, 1970

IN the western mines, the boss, engineer, geologist, or nipper in making rounds have a password which usually guarantees safe entrance to a working place from below the working miner. Most men won't climb a raise or enter a stope from below where a miner is working until they have shouted "nothin' down" and heard those words shouted back by the miners above. "Nothin' down" is a safety pledge as necessary and as binding as the truce flag to the soldier. It implies mutual confidence that work will be suspended until the person below has come abreast of the workers; and also confidence that the miner who replies "nothin' down" is reasonably sure the place is safe to enter. Like truce flags which are not infallible, so is this password subject to human errors or unexpected falls of rock, tools, or timber. Everyone knows these unavoidable hazards, but what is important to the exposed man is that in that precise moment of time when he has heard the reassurance of "nothin' down," he knows that safety is uppermost in the minds of the men above him. With such assurance we would go anywhere and so would most mining men. If that period of safety consciousness, procured by the utterance of two words, could be multiplied to equal the hours in the working day, there would not be any accidents but those by "the act of God." It is the aim of every safety program to make safety as natural as breathing. That is the reason for the posters, the conferences, instruction periods, safety engineers, and the inspections. But none of these are as effective as one accident, which keeps men on their toes for weeks to come. This is not the price we want to pay for safety consciousness. This Annual Review number of Mining Engineering is full of talk about production. Production for defense, production for profit. In this tremendous surge of industrial might . to make this nation and our very families safe S from the predatory forces abroad in the world today; let us not lose sight of the fact that the . safety of our manpower is more precious than any commodity. Production without safety is detrimental to the national interest, to that of the company, and to the individual. If the words "nothin' down" can give us the best human guarantee of safety, for however brief a time, let us adopt them at least in principle as our slogan in 1952. Production for preservation in '52 - but NOTHIN' DOWN!

Jan 1, 1952

By William Marsh Baldwin

[Two of the most useful and important equations available to the metallurgist for the study of plastic deformation of metals are the Huber-von Mises-Hencky1-3 and the St. Venant7-10 equations. HUBER-VON MISES-HENCKY EQUATION The Huber-von Mises-Hencky equation answers the question: When does plastic flow occur in metal that is subjected to a multi-axial stress? It occurs, according to this equation, when the three principal stresses,? al, a2, and a3 satisfy the equation: (s1 - s2)2 + (s 2 - s 3)2 + (s 1 ? s3)2 = 2K2 [I] Here K is the yield strength of the material as determined in an ordinary tensile test. If the quantities a1, a2, and a3 are assigned to the coordinates of a Cartesian three-dimensional system, this expression describes a cylinder whose axis of symmetry is inclined at equal angles to the three coordinate axes4,5 (Fig. I). The radius of this cylinder is v2/3K. For the purpose of simplicity, it is sometimes advantageous to ascribe the values s 1/K = si, s 2/K = s2, s 2/K = s3 to the three coordinate axes instead of the principal stress alone. In this case, Eq. I becomes (s1 - S2)2 + (S2 - S3)2 + (Sl - S3)2 = 2 [2] and the radius of the cylinder becomes 2/3v. In the latter method of representation, a point lying inside the cylinder indicates that the metal will react elastically, whereas a point lying on the cylindrical surface indicates that the metal will behave plastically. Some of the geometric features of this cylinder are worthy of study. Let us inquire first as to what interpretation may be placed upon what we will choose to call the "circles of latitude" of the cylinder (L in Fig. I) and the "meridians" of the cylinder (M in Fig. I). Circles of Latitude Circles of latitude are formed by allowing a plane, passing perpendicular to the cylinder axis, to intersect with the cylinder. Any point, P, on this circle is presumed to have the coordinates s1, s2, and s3. The coordinates of the point resulting from the intersection of the plane and the cylinder axis will be a, a, and a (since the cylinder axis is equally inclined to the three coordi¬nate axes). Let us now pass a line through the point on the circle and the point on the axis.]

Jan 1, 1946

By A. H. Geisler, F. Keller

Although the subject of precipitation from solid solution appears to be one of the more profitable fields in metallurgy for study with the electron Microscope, few comprehensive studies have yet been made. Occasionally electron micrographs have been published that illustrated alleged precipitation in various alloys, but frequently the apparent size, shape and distribution of the particles do not fully agree with those expected from theory or from observations of the Precipitate when the particles have grown to a size resolvable with the light microscope. The presence of a Widmanstatten pattern for submicroscopic precipitate particles has been demonstrated for only a few aged a1loys.l The initial problem has been the development of suitable techniques for applying the transmission-type instrument to a field that has been inherently associated with reflection-type microscopes. The various techniques have been the subjects of numerous publications, and instead of describing them individually here it will sufficc to say that the oxide film method has proved to be the most satisfactory method yet found for studying the microstructure of aluminum alloys with the electron microscope. This method has the definite characteristic advantage that the actual surface layer of the specimen is examined and not a plastic or silica replica. Doubtless suitable methods for forming and removing the oxide film could be developed for alloys of other metals. The purpose of this report is to point out the characteristics of the oxide film method that have been observed during the studies of numerous aged aluminum alloys and to present the results of these studies. Preparation OF Specimens The oxide film method for preparing specimens of aluminum alloys for examination in the electron microscope has been described in detail previously,¹,² Briefly, the procedure consists of preparing the metallographic specimen, forming the film by anodic oxidation and removing the film from the prepared surface of the oxidized specimen, The specimen is polished accordillg to the usual procedure for microscopic examination.³ he specimen may then be etched to remove flowed metal but etching to attack the alloy constituents or to leave them in relief as in the replica processes is not necessary. Electrolytic polishing is not generally recommended, Deep-etched specimens are used frequently, however, since they provide information that is not revealed by polished specimens and frequently present the same information more clearly than do the polished specimens, The surface preparation of specimens to be deep-etched is not important, since specimens that have been subjected to the first wet PoliShing operation are generally used, but frequently the as-rolled surface is Suitable. These specimens are then etched using a suitable macroetching reagent.

Jan 1, 1947

By F. Keller, A. H. Geisler

Although the subject of precipitation from solid solution appears to be one of the more profitable fields in metallurgy for study with the electron Microscope, few comprehensive studies have yet been made. Occasionally electron micrographs have been published that illustrated alleged precipitation in various alloys, but frequently the apparent size, shape and distribution of the particles do not fully agree with those expected from theory or from observations of the Precipitate when the particles have grown to a size resolvable with the light microscope. The presence of a Widmanstatten pattern for submicroscopic precipitate particles has been demonstrated for only a few aged a1loys.l The initial problem has been the development of suitable techniques for applying the transmission-type instrument to a field that has been inherently associated with reflection-type microscopes. The various techniques have been the subjects of numerous publications, and instead of describing them individually here it will sufficc to say that the oxide film method has proved to be the most satisfactory method yet found for studying the microstructure of aluminum alloys with the electron microscope. This method has the definite characteristic advantage that the actual surface layer of the specimen is examined and not a plastic or silica replica. Doubtless suitable methods for forming and removing the oxide film could be developed for alloys of other metals. The purpose of this report is to point out the characteristics of the oxide film method that have been observed during the studies of numerous aged aluminum alloys and to present the results of these studies. Preparation OF Specimens The oxide film method for preparing specimens of aluminum alloys for examination in the electron microscope has been described in detail previously,¹,² Briefly, the procedure consists of preparing the metallographic specimen, forming the film by anodic oxidation and removing the film from the prepared surface of the oxidized specimen, The specimen is polished accordillg to the usual procedure for microscopic examination.³ he specimen may then be etched to remove flowed metal but etching to attack the alloy constituents or to leave them in relief as in the replica processes is not necessary. Electrolytic polishing is not generally recommended, Deep-etched specimens are used frequently, however, since they provide information that is not revealed by polished specimens and frequently present the same information more clearly than do the polished specimens, The surface preparation of specimens to be deep-etched is not important, since specimens that have been subjected to the first wet PoliShing operation are generally used, but frequently the as-rolled surface is Suitable. These specimens are then etched using a suitable macroetching reagent.

Jan 1, 1947

By Virgil W. Carmichael

In the Fort Union formation of western North Dakota, eastern Montana and northeastern Wyoming there are immense tonnages of lignite and subbituminous coal that have not yet been evaluated in terms of present economic conditions. The general lack of detailed geologic and topographic maps of this region, coupled with a considerable interest in some of its deposits, has spurred the North American Coal Corp. to develop a rapid, economical method of producing its own maps on which to base a quantitative evaluation of the coal reserves involved. The techniques the company employs in this mapping and evaluation program are simple photogeologic and photogrammetric procedures that can also be applied to other exploration and mining work. The air photos, in addition to being used for photogeologic interpretation, have been successfully applied to locating drainage cuts, haul roads, and road metal deposits as well as for various property studies and general mine and reclamation planning. The present discussion will deal primarily with North American's photogeological reconnaissance method of mapping and evaluating relatively flat- lying to shallow-dipping coal beds with limited topographic control and a minimum of core drilling. The field tools employed under this method include aerial photographs and pocket stereoscopes, engineering levels, aneroid barometers, portable transceiver radios and core drills. Field information developed on the photos is transferred to maps for measurement of reserves and overburden. To date this method has been used to map and analyze nearly 6 billion tons of Fort Union lignite and subbituminous coal.

Jan 8, 1969

By P. Somasundaran

INTRODUCTION Large amounts of mineral values are discarded today as fines and ultrafines, because of inadequate technology to process them economically. Most conventional mineral processing techniques fail in the sub-sieve range. Fines respond poorly to processes such as flotation either due to change in mineralogy and surface composition or even simply due to the direct effect of their smallness in size on collision and adhesion rates between them and air bubbles. Indeed if the poor flotation is due to the smallness in size, a solution must rest in aggregating the fines. Inorganic electrolytes as well as polymers have been successfully used as flocculants in the past for obtaining increased flotation of colloidal material from waste water effluents. In mineral beneficiation, this technique can be profitably used if the process of flocculation can be made to take place selectively. The power of the selective flocculation technique has already been proven, with the successful application of it in the case of beneficiation of low grade iron ore by the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Ore Company and potash ore by Cominco. The process holds tremendous potential when it is followed by flotation, elutriation, etc. Today its application is, however, limited to the above two cases and it has become clear that a full understanding of the process will prove helpful for developing solutions to various problems that exist both at the basic and applied levels. In this paper, principles that are known to govern selective aggregation processes such as selective flocculation, carrier flotation and spherical agglomeration will be examined and areas of uncertainties will be identified.

Jan 1, 1979

By Samuel Lasky

THE writer has been interested in determining the mineralogic dis-tribution of silver in the base-metal ore of the Ground Hog mine of the Asarco Mining Co. in the Central mining district of New Mexico.1 This ore consists of a varitextured mixture of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena and pyrite in a quartz gangue. The average ore contains 14 per, cent of zinc, 9.5 per cent of lead, 5 per cent of copper, and 10 oz. of silver per ton. Generally it is accepted that the silver in ores of this type, in which no definite silver minerals can be recognized, is contained in the base-metal minerals. Published assays of pure mineral specimens from many dis-tricts show that each of the base-metal minerals contributes in some degree to the total silver content of the ores, and to determine the pro-portionate amount contributed by each mineral in any specific ore it has been the practice to assay selected specimens of each mineral, the purity of which has been determined microscopically. There being no such assays available for the Ground Hog ore, and it being impract cable to have enough of them made to give average results, the writer resorted to a mathematical attack upon composite assays of large quantities of ore and concentrates. Surprising results were obtained, and it is the threefold purpose of this paper to present these results, to describe the mathe-matical method used, and to point out the value of using this method even when assays of pure specimens are available.

Jan 1, 1934

By H. M. Howe

It is a grave objection to the present system (or rather lack of system) of mineralogical nomenclature that, in the very great majority of cases, the name of a mineral gives no hint of its chemical composition, one might almost say no suggestion, however faint, of anything connected with it or characteristic of it, chemical, physical, historical, geographical, geological, or lithological. In becoming acquainted with a mineral, in addition to learning its composition and important characteristics, one must also learn a name wholly unconnected with any of them. It has occurred to me that a system might be devised in which the name of each mineral should express at least an approximation to its ultimate composition. It is far easier to learn the names of most minerals than their compositions. Most of us are familiar with the names and appearance of many minerals, especially among the silicates, of whose compositions we have but a rough notion. It would be the aim of such a system to enable us, in making the one slight effort of learning the name of a mineral, by that same effort and involuntarily to learn its composition, which now requires an additional and a much greater effort. I have worked out a system designed to meet this requirement, and its description occupies the remainder of this article. Doubtless there are many devices on which could be based other systems fulfilling the requirement above set forth better than that about to be described does, and at the same time furnishing names

Jan 1, 1884

By J. I. Paige, T. T. Campbell, A. W. Henderson, H. M. Harris

The chlorination of ilmenite concentrates and slags to produce Tic14 suitable for pigment or metal production was investigated by the Bureau of Mines along with the dechlorination of byproduct iron chloride to produce chlorine for recycle and iron oxide., Ilmenite concentrates or slag powders were fed into the bottom of a fluidized coke bed at 1,050º C using chlorine flow rates up to 20 l/min in a 10.2-cm-dim reactor. Tests showed that >95 percent of the various ilmenite concentrates reacted at optimum conditions, and recovery of TiC14 ranged from 95 to 100 percent of stoichiometric. Impurity dusts were removed from the vapors by cyclones and a fiberglass cloth filter. Iron chloride was condensed as a powder with less than 0.4 percent insoluble material. The TiC14 was collected in refrigerated condensers. Iron chloride was dechlorinated at 500º to 550º C by reaction with oxygen in a 16.5-cm-dim reactor using a fluidized bed of Fe2O3. Optimum processing was attained with a FeC13 feed containing 25 wt-pct Fe203 granules treated with 2 wt-pct NaCl catalyst; Under the above conditions, off gas chlorine concentrations of 62 to 90 wt-pct were obtained. During 2- and 3-day tests with technical-grade FeC13, conversion of FeC13 was 94 to 97 percent, chlorine concentrations were 76 to 90 wt-pct, and up to 92 pct of the stoichio- metric Fe203 was removed in the primary reactor discharge. Chlorine

Jan 1, 1976

By James S. Browning, B. H. Clemmans

BERYLLIUM, obtained mainly from the beryllium-aluminum silicate, beryl, is one of our most strategic and critical metals. Strategic because suitable substitutes for many of its alloys have never been developed. Strategic because of certain uses and potential uses of a classified nature in our nuclear energy program. In this field, substitutes have been developed, but only at the expense of a reduction in efficiency.

Jan 8, 1953

A fast, easy, and inexpensive method of determining the consolidation of overburden in surface mining operations through seismic analysis has been developed. The method involves use of a refraction seismograph which measures overall consolidation of subsurface materials, including such factors as rock hardness, stratification or lamination, fracturing or jointing, and the degree of weathering or decomposition. It also is possible to determine the thickness of various layers of subsurface materials to depths exceeding 100 ft.

Jan 8, 1959

By R. W. Smith

An amine used as a collector in a commercial flotation process is usually a rather impure substance. The differences in ionization constants and solubilities of various amines undoubtedly affect their collecting power or strength. This investigation explores some of the differences among several amines of similar (although not precisely the same) chain lengths. An attempt is made to relate the differences to both observed contact angle and Hallimond tube flotation behavior in quartz systems.

Jan 1, 1974

By Wayne D. Gould

Cities Service Co.'s Pinto Valley concentrator was designed to eliminate excess capital costs without loss of efficiency. The result is a workable plant with some important innovations. These innovations, the equipment used, and plant processes are outlined. Particular attention is paid to the work efficiency and wear of the six ball mills, the largest wet ball mills made. For experiment purposes, four designs of liners were installed. The effectiveness of each design is discussed.

Jan 1, 1977

By S. F. Shaw

Fox some time it has been more or less recognized within the industry that a scientific control of flowing wells would result in increased production and a greater ultimate recovery of oil. About two years ago it was proposed by the writer that this control should follow principles worked out by him while handling large air-life operations. In the case of wells that had ceased to flow where a large quantity of liquid was present, the use of these principles would result in a large increase of production by using compressed air or gas to flow the well; in the case of a well flowing naturally it would take the form of controlling the gas associated with the oil, resulting either in immediate increase of production or in a reduction of the gas consumed per barrel of oil, and in both cases would result in a greater ultimate recovery from the sand. The Roxana Petroleum Corp., appreciating the advantages to be obtained by a scientific application of the principles of the air lift to oil wells, recently engaged, for a limited time, the services of the writer to work out some of the problems involved. The work was carried out at Braman, Garber and Tonkawa in Oklahoma, and at Oxford in Kansas. Following some suggestions of the writer a well was also equipped by the Roxana company at Smackover by A. S. Field.

Jan 11, 1926

By J. K. Abraham

In recent years there has been interest displayed in the precipitation phenomena occurring in austenitic alloys based on the binary Fe-Ni system.1'2 Previous communications have been extended covering the kinetics of clustering in the Fe-Ni-Ti system and the effect of cluster size on subsequent mechanical properties.3'4 To a great extent the question of coherency, which has a dominant role in determining the mechanical properties, is dictated by the degree of misfit between the precipitate and matrix. Thus, the change in lattice parameter of the matrix with composition is an important variable that should be examined. The lattice parameter, ao, of austenite was determined for Fe-29.75 Ni-1 to 6 Ti and Fe-27 Ni-1 to 10 Ti alloys in this study. The alloys used in this investigation were melted in a vacuum induction furnace from a starting stock of plast iron (99.95), electrolytic nickel (99.9), and ti- tanium sheet (99.5) in a MgO crucible. The alloy compositions in atomic percent are given in Table I and their relative position in the Fe-Ni-Ti ternary is indicated in Fig. 1. The chemical analyses were taken from the homogenized bulk materials treated in a manner related earlier.3 A diamond file was used to obtain powder from the bulk. To remove the stresses induced by filing, the powders were austenitized at 1875°F for

Jan 1, 1969

By John Suman

DURING the past few years the taking of cores in drilling with rotary equipment has been perfected to a remarkable degree in the Gulf Coast fields of Texas and Louisiana. Taking of cores is becoming quite a common thing, especially in the newer fields, and drillers are becoming expert in this work. The writer has seen cores 5 to 8 ft. long taken with great ease in wells as deep as 4500 ft. Coring is doing much to remove the prejudice which so many petroleum engineers seem to have against .the use of rotary drilling equipment for exploratory work. Some operators .are now claiming that when used with a reasonable amount of coring the rotary system is even more satis-factory than cable tools for exploring in certain territory. A case has recently been pointed out in the South Electra field of North Texas, where producing oil sands, passed over by cable-tool drillers, are being brought in with rotary equipment. It seems that in this particular territory the sands are rather thin. Cable-tool drilling was carried on for the most part in a wet hole and the red mud encountered in drilling caved into the hole very badly, so that the cuttings showed mostly red mud and the driller, thinking that the sand did not amount to anything, carried his water string through the sand. The later .operators, drilling into the sand with rotary equipment and coring it, found that it was well worth testing.

Jan 10, 1922