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By R. W. Raymond

ChaRles William HenRy Kirchhoff was born March 28, 1853, at San Francisco, Cal., where his father, Charles Kirchhoff, was at that time consul for his native country, Germany. A few years later, the family moved' to Hoboken, K. J., in which city the son received his preliminary education at the Hoboken Academy, proceeding later to Germany, where he was graduated in 1874 as mining engineer and metallurgist at the Prussian Royal Mining Academy of Clausthal, in the Harz. Upon his return to the United States, he became chemist of the Delaware Lead Refinery at Philadelphia, and retained that position for three years. But in 1877 he began what was to be an almost uninterrupted life-long association with David Williams, the publisher of The Iron Age, of New York, who established in that year, and continued for a brief period, a journal entitled the Metallurgical Review, on the editorial staff of which Mr. Kirchhoff received a place. The enterprise was doubtless an attempt to cover a wide metallurgical field outside of that which properly belonged to The Iron Age. But it was soon abandoned, and Mr. Williams wisely concentrated his energies upon the older journal, which, under his vigorous and skillful management, and the labors of the able editors and correspondents whom he selected, became one of the greatest institutions of its class in the world. From 1878 to 1881, Mr. Kirchhoff was assistant editor of The Iron Age. From 1881 to 1884, he was managing editor of the Engineering and Mining Journal; in 1884 he returned to The Iron Age, to become for five years its associate editor, and in 1889, on the retirement of James C. Bayles, editor-in-chief. This list of dates and employments, without further comment, sufficiently indicates, at least to the eye of an expert, that Mr. Kirchhoff had found his congenial career in trade journalism. His qualifications for this profession were somewhat exceptional. He possessed the scientific training, the knowledge of foreign languages and literatures, and the power of making and keeping friends, which enabled him to get early notice of technical novelties; he had the taste for statistics which made him both industrious and intelligent in their collection and use; and to these traits he added a mastery of the meaning of such accumulated data, and a sane, critical judgment of the situations which they represented, as well as of the sources and the figures themselves, which made his opinion weighty

Jan 1, 1917

Edmund Gybbon SpilsbURy, mining and metallurgical engineer of international reputation, died suddenly of heart failure on May 28, 1920, in the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, following an operation for cataract, which had been successfully performed a few days before. Mr. Spilsbury was one of the early members of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, which he joined in 1873. During all this time he contributed freely of his time and ability. He was manager of the Institute from 1885 to 1887, vice-president, 1893 and 1894, and president in 1896. He was also a member of the Engineers Club, of which he was president in 1916 and 1917, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Mining and Metallurgical Society of America, American Electrochemical Society and the Rocky Mountain Club of New York. He was a trustee of the United Engineering Society from 1916 to his death; a member of United Engineering Society Library Board from its organization in 1913 until his death, being its chairman from 1918 to January, 1920; a trustee of Engineering Foundation Board from 1916 until his death; and member of the John Fritz Medal Board of Award. He was also a member of the Division of Engineering of the National Research Council. Born in London, England, in 1845, Mr. Spilsbury went to Liege, Belgium, at an early age, where he received his preliminary education. For his technical education he attended the University of Louvain, Belgium, graduating in 1862, and later he took a practical course at Clausthal, Germany. In 1864 he became assistant engineer for the Eschweiler Zinc Co., of Stolberg, one of the largest miners and smelters of lead and zinc in the world at that time, and the next year he took charge of that company's mines and works on the Island of Sardinia. From Sardinia he went to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. In 1867 he entered the service of McClean & Stilman, of London, and had charge of the construction of the iron gates for the Surrey Commercial Docks. In 1868 he was designing engineer with J. Casper Harkort, and had charge of most of the detail work of the Keulenberg Bridge in Holland, the Danube Bridge in Vienna, and the Rhine Bridge at Düsseldorf. In 1870 Mr. Spilsbury came to the United States to investigate the lead and zinc resources for the Austro-Belgian Metallurgical Co. After spending two years in this work, he resigned in order to practice in the United States, and he was the first to introduce the Harz system of ore

Jan 1, 1922

Geostatistics originated as an application of a classical statistical concept, multivariate linear regression, to the solution of a practical problem, estimation of reserves in the South African gold mines. In this respect, geostatistics should only be considered as one statistical method among many that can be used to evaluate mineral deposits. R.F. Shurtz has studied possible applications of power spectrum analysis to the same problem, and these studies may result in future improvements over the presently accepted geostatistical methodology. The intention of R.F. Shurtz's paper, as stated by the author, is to "relate geostatistical doctrine to classical statistical and mathematical concepts." However, in this comparison the "geostatistical doctrine" appears to include only the simplest among the geostatistical concepts advocated by G. Matheron, while "classical statistical and mathematical concepts" are limited nearly exclusively to power spectrum analysis. The author attempts to compare the two methods, and to prove the theoretical superiority of power spectrum analysis. Unfortunately, a number of errors and incorrect statements are made concerning both the theory and application of geostatistics, which invalidate the comparison and the conclusions drawn from it. The errors made in this comparison are understandable since few scientists can claim to have expertise in two theories as diverse as those compared here. In many respects, this paper is reminiscent of polemics which occurred 15 to 20 years ago when geostatistics and trend surface analysis were compared. Each method has its own merit and limitations, and none can claim absolute superiority. The most misleading statements found in R.F. Shurtz's paper are: The definition of the semivariogram given on page 1923 is incorrect. If the maximum difference between two assays is 1, the maximum value of the semivariogram is not 1, as stated, but 0.5. The comparison of geostatistics and linear regression made in the section entitled "Insufficiency of Classical Statistics?" is not valid. The semivariogram of the sample values given in Table 1 (page 1919) has a parabolic shape indicative of a linear drift. When such a semivariogram is observed, the simplest method of geostatistical estimation (linear kriging with unknown mean) is not applicable. Universal kriging must be used that takes trends into account. On page 1921 it is stated that the use of trends "is officially disparaged in geostatistics." Again on page 1924 mention is made to "Matheron's commitment to random process (intrinsic) models and his present categorical rejection of deterministic (trend) models for mineral deposit evaluation." Indeed, from articles published by geostatisticians in the 1960s one could infer that geostatistical methods are not compatible with the presence of trends. However, even the simplest

Jan 1, 1984

By Clarence Zener

THE internal friction of nonferrous metals vibrating at low stress amplitudes has so far always been successfully interpreted in terms of inhomogeneities of one sort or another. Examples are the fluctuation of stress across a specimen vibrating transversely,1,2,3 the stress inhomogeneities due to the elastic anisotropy and partial random orientation of the individual crystallites,4,5 localized weak regions introduced by cold-working,6,7 grain boundaries and possibly twinning planes.8,9 Perfect single crystals are, by definition, homogeneous. Actual single crystals usually, perhaps always, contains some imperfections. The present investigation. was undertaken to determine whether the internal friction of single crystals may likewise be attributed to inhomogeneities. This study was made possible through the gift of a large single crystal of 70-30 alpha brass by H. L. Burghoff, of the Chase Brass and Copper Co. The specimen, ½ in. in diameter and 10 in. long, was similar to samples previously described by Mr. Burghoff.10 EXPERIMENTAL METHOD The experimental method used has previously been described in Institute papers.5,6,9 The measure of internal friction adopted here, 1/Q, is (1/p) X the logarithmic decrement, a measure used by some writers, and is also (1/2p) X the specific damping capacity, a measure used by other writers. In all measurements the stress level was kept so low that the measurements were independent of stress level. In all measurements in which the temperature was varied, observations were made as the specimen slowly cooled from its highest temperature. The specimen was vibrated transversely. Observations were made at the funda¬mental frequency and at the first overtone, of about 620 and 1710 cycles per second, respectively. No attempt was made to avoid acoustical losses. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS The specimen was annealed for several hours at 450°C. The temperature dependence of the internal friction was then determined from room temperature to 400°C. As shown in Fig. 1, the internal friction increased by only a factor of 2 from room temperature to 300°C., then by a factor of l00 during the next 100° interval. These measurements are consistent with the view that the observed internal friction is the superposition of two distinct parts. One, dominant at room temperature, is nearly independent of temperature. This part may be accounted for by acoustical losses and by transverse thermal currents. It was not further investigated. The second part, when plotted in the manner of Fig. I, lies upon a straight line. Therefore it has a heat of activation H; i.e., it varies with temperature as Internal friction e~H/RT [I]

Jan 1, 1942

By D. A. Woodford

A number of observations have now been reported where the steady-state creep rate is apparently linearly dependent on the applied stress at high temperature and low stresses. This results in a creep rate greater than that predicted by extrapolation of high-stress data and has obvious practical implications. However, some of these observations are open to question. For example, the analysis by Harris and Partridge17 of the data of Greenfield et a1.18 was dependent on strain rates which, according to the original authors, were too low to be measured. Dr. Bernstein appears to have demonstrated a linear stress dependence at low stresses in two zirconium alloys. There are, however, a number of discrepancies in his treatment of the data and the subsequent theoretical analysis which require clarification. 1) It is incorrectly stated that steady-state conditions are revealed by a slope of unity on a plot of log i vs log (time). This objection is trivial if the author meant to say a slope of zero, although it is unclear how subsequent extrapolation was made to determine the steady-state creep rates at low stresses for the zircaloy-2. If the plot used was actually log c vs log (time), it is unlikely that a slope of unity would represent a constant creep rate. A plot of log (c - co) vs log (time), where c0 is the extrapolated intercept sf the steady-state creep rate on the strain axis, would have a slope of unity during steady-state creep. However, eo cannot be determined unless is is already known. 2) The author chooses to interpret his results based on the equation: where A, and B, are structure-sensitive parameters, Ql and Q, are the activation energies for the particular creep process, and n describes the sensitivity of the creep rate on stress. The first term represents a slip creep process and the second a diffusion creep process. However, it is stated later that "two distinct processes acting in parallel are involved". Eq. [I] surely represents two processes in series since each reacts to the total applied stress and t, is the sum of the individual creep rates. If the processes are acting in parallel, then the effective stress in each would be less than the applied stress. The component stresses would be given by sl + s2 = a but it is not clear how the magnitude of either, or the corresponding stress exponent, could be determined.

Jan 1, 1969

By Clarence Zener

THE internal friction of nonferrous metals vibrating at low stress amplitudes has so far always been successfully interpreted in terms of inhomogeneities of one sort or another. Examples are the fluctuation of stress across a specimen vibrating transversely,1,2,3 the stress inhomogeneities due to the elastic anisotropy and partial random orientation of the individual crystallites,4,5 localized weak regions introduced by cold-working,6,7 grain boundaries and possibly twinning planes.8.9 Perfect single crystals are, by definition, homogeneous. Actual single crystals usually, perhaps always, contains some imperfections. The present investigation was undertaken to determine whether the internal friction of single crystals may likewise be attributed to inhomogeneities. This study was made possible through the gift of a large single crystal of 70-30 alpha brass by H. L. Burghoff, of the Chase Brass and Copper Co. The specimen, 3-s in. in diameter and 10 in. long, was similar to samples previously described by Mr. Burghoff.10 EXPERIMENTAL METHOD The experimental method used has previously been described in Institute papers.5,6.9 The measure of internal friction adopted here, I/Q, is (p) X the logarithmic decrement, a measure used by some writers, and is also (I/2p) X the specific damping capacity, a measure used by other writers. In all measurements the stress level was kept so low that the measurements were independent of stress level. In all measurements in which the temperature was varied, observations were made as the specimen slowly cooled from its highest temperature. The specimen was vibrated transversely. Observations were made at the fundamental frequency and at the first overtone, of about 620 and 1710 cycles per second, respectively. No attempt was made to avoid acoustical losses. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS The specimen was annealed for several hours at 450°C. The temperature dependence of the internal friction was then determined from room temperature to 400°°C. As shown in Fig. i, the internal friction increased by only a factor of 2 from room temperature to 300°°C., then by a factor of 100 during the next :too' interval. These measurements are consistent with the view that the observed internal friction is the superposition of two distinct parts. One, dominant at room temperature, is nearly independent of temperature. This part may be accounted for by acoustical losses and by transverse thermal currents. It was not further investigated. The second part, when plotted in the manner of Fig. I, lies upon a straight line. Therefore it has a heat of activation H; i.e., it varies with temperature as Internal friction ~ e-HI/RT [I]

Jan 1, 1942

Edmund Gybbon SpilsbURy, mining and metallurgical engineer of international reputation, died suddenly of heart failure on May 28, 1920, in the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, following an operation for cataract, which had been successfully performed a few days before. Mr. Spilsbury was one of the early members of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, which he joined in 1873. During all this time he contributed freely of his time and ability. He was manager of the Institute from 1885 to 1887, vice-president, 1893 and 1894, and president in 1896. He was also a member of the Engineers Club, of which he was president in 1916 and 1917, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, Mining and Metallurgical Society of America, American Electrochemical Society and the Rocky Mountain Club of New York. He was a trustee of the United Engineering Society from 1916 to his death; a member of United Engineering Society Library Board from its organization in 1913 until his death, being its chairman from 1918 to January, 1920; a trustee of Engineering Foundation Board from 1916 until his death; and member of the John Fritz Medal Board of Award. He was also a member of the Division of Engineering of the National Research Council. Born in London, England, in 1845, Mr. Spilsbury went to Liege, Belgium, at an early age, where he received his preliminary education. For his technical education he attended the University of Louvain, Belgium, graduating in 1862, and later he took a practical course at Clausthal, Germany. In 1864 he became assistant engineer for the Eschweiler Zinc Co., of Stolberg, one of the largest miners and smelters of lead and zinc in the world at that time, and the next year he took charge of that company's mines and works on the Island of Sardinia. From Sardinia he went to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. In 1867 he entered the service of McClean & Stilman, of London, and had charge of the construction of the iron gates for the Surrey Commercial Docks. In 1868 he was designing engineer with J. Casper Harkort, and had charge of most of the detail work of the Keulenberg Bridge in Holland, the Danube Bridge in Vienna, and the Rhine Bridge at Düsseldorf. In 1870 Mr. Spilsbury came to the United States to investigate the lead and zinc resources for the Austro-Belgian Metallurgical Co. After spending two years in this work, he resigned in order to practice in the United States, and he was the first to introduce the Harz system of ore

Jan 1, 1922

By Michael B. Bever, Carl F. Floe

The solubility of hydrogen in molten copper-tin alloys is of both practical and theoretical interest. From a practical standpoint, data on the equilibrium solubility as a function of temperature, pressure and alloy composition are valuable for a better understanding of porosity problems in bronze castings. From the theoretical point of view the determination of the hydrogen-copper-tin equilibrium is of interest since it extends the laws governing the solution of gases in metals. This paper presents the results of an investigation of the solubility of hydrogen in representative compositions of the copper-tin system at temperatures ranging from above the liquidus to I300°C. and at pressures from less than 50 mm. of mercury to about atmospheric. Review of Previous Work The solubility of hydrogen in copper was determined by Sieverts and Krumbhaarl in 1910 and by Roentgen and Moeller2 in 1934. Their values are in fair agreement. In 1926 Iwasé3 reported results that were very much higher. The published data on the solubility of hydrogen in tin do not agree. Smithells4 states that no reliable data are available According to Sieverts and Krumbhaar,5 hydrogen is insoluble in tin. Bircumshaw,6 on the other hand, found a definite solubility at 800°C. The latter's experimental procedure did not provide for stirring of the metal and in his opinion he failed to reach equilibrium. Iwasé3 again reported large solubility values. For copper alloys, Sieverts and Krumbhaar5 distinguished between alloying elements that do not markedly affect the solubility of hydrogen, elements that increase the solubility, and elements that reduce it. They named gold, tin, and aluminum as examples of this last group and reported hydrogen solubility data at 1225°C. for the copper-rich side of these alloy systems at atmospheric pressure. Without giving experimental results, they stated that the amount of hydrogen dissolved by liquid copper alloys is proportional to the square root of the pressure as in pure metals. These authors suggested that in a limited way the effect of an alloying element on the solubility of a gas is related to the constitution diagram for the alloy system. Sieverts7 also called attention to the fact that the curve of hydrogen solubility versus composition of copper-tin alloys shows a sharp change of direction at the composition of Cu3Sn and suggested that this compound persists at least to some extent in the molten state. Iwasé3 reported large hydrogen solubility values for several compositions of copper-tin alloys, which appear to be in error.

Jan 1, 1944

By W. M. Rust, W. D, D. W. Mounce

The almost universal acceptance of electrical logging by the petroleum industry calls for a critical examination of the physical bases of the common methods. This is particularly needed for the natural potential log. The conventional explanations are based on the phenomena of electrofiltration and electro-osmosis. However, experimental data show that they fail to give a basis that is quantitatively sound. Moreover, they lead to interpretations of details of electrical logs that are erroneous. It was found experimentally that when a plug of shale is placed in a chain of dissimilar electrolytes, a current flow results. Experiments on oil-well cores and fluids similar to those existing in wells show that potentials are set up which are in reasonable agreement with those encountered in electrical logging. Doubtless other sources of potential are important but this explanation not only accounts for much of the potential but also clarifies some fairly familiar examples of misinterpretations. Introduction The extraordinary value of electrical well logging as a tool for petroleum engineers and geologists is now so uni- versally recognized that it is not necessary to point out the ways in which it can be useful. It is sufficient to mention only the saving that has resulted from the elimination of much coring that would have been necessary under former practices and the considerable additions to reserves resulting from the discovery of sands missed in coring. Paradoxically, the very remarkable success that has resulted from the application of electrical logging to correlation and completion problems has cost some of its most consistent users dearly.' The fact that some operators have placed unwarranted faith in erroneous interpretations of electrical logs does not reduce the value of the logs. It should, however, make one pause long enough to ask why experienced users should be misled. The answer to this question is not hard to find. In nearly every case, the fault has been oversimplification. This is illustrated very aptly by the familiar interpretation and theory of the natural potential log. Recording and Interpreting Logs The natural potential log is extremely simple to record precisely enough for all present-day uses. One needs only an electrode, a cable to lower the electrode through the drilling mud, a recording meter and a surface ground connection. The electrode can be elaborate but need not be. A simple brass rod 2 in, in diameter and 2 or 3 in. long is quite satisfactory. The cable need not be particularly well insulated, nor need it have a very low resistance. The recorder can be a vacuum-tube 1 References are at the end of the paper.

Jan 1, 1944

By F. M. Lewis, J. F. Meyers

This second progress report of grinding presents comments regarding ball consumption and data pertaining to the hydroscillator, which is closed circuited with the tricone mill. A study and postulate of how balls function is presented. The paper summarizes cost reduction obtained by the method of "grinding for the tail race" rather than for "mesh tons." AT the Regional meeting in Columbus, Ohio, in September 1949, the authors presented a progress report of the first year's operation with a Hardinge tricone mill in closed circuit with a Dorr hydroscillator. The present report covers our findings on this grinding circuit to January, 1950. In order to clarify our position, the authors wish to state that no invention or discovery is claimed. The Tennessee grinding circuit is simply an engineered arrangement of known equipment arranged to incorporate all of the recognized efficiency factors of comminution as they are known today. As we concluded our first report, it was not clear how effective the Tennessee mode of operation would be on harder ores. The only information we had at that time was that the Bond grindability test at 48-mesh gave 6.04 g of undersize per revolution. A later test on the same sample at 100-mesh reduced this to 2.04 g, which is definitely in the harder ore class, and which makes the reported 8.80 kw-hr per ton of —200-mesh produced a very creditable figure. Hydroscillator Operation The machine as now developed has proved dependable and easy to operate. It starts easily under full load and responds quickly to operating adjustments. The hydraulic holes in the oscillating plate do not plug when shut down under full load. Absolutely clean hydraulic water is essential. An Elliott water screen or similar device should be an essential part of the machine to keep all scale and trash of all kinds from the hydraulic compartment. The shift operators have expressed approval of the machine. In table I we show a typical screen analysis of the hydroscillator rake sand as compared to conventional classifier rake sand on our ore. We have previously reported that of the 28.7 pct reduction in power, the hydroscillator contributed 6 pct, on a —200-mesh basis. This is a conservative figure. Some of our test runs indicated that the saving was as high as 10 pct. Laboratory studies by the Dorr Co. engineers indicate that still greater efficiency is possible. Nevertheless, the 10-ft plate is overflowing 2100 tons per day at 3 to 4 pct + 65-mesh, which is a very creditable performance by

Jan 1, 1951

By John Chipman, Eric R. Jette, O. B. Ellis

IN the study of the chemical reactions occurring in the open-hearth furnace, it is frequently assumed that a condition of equilibrium between slag and metal is attained. In order to test this assumption it is necessary to have dependable operating data as well as an exact knowledge of the equilibrium state. Considerable progress has already been made in the study of slag-metal equilibria, notably in the earlier work of Herty1 and of Oberhoffer and Schenck2 and in the more recent researches of Krings and Schackmann3 and of Koerber and Oelsen.4 None of these investigators, however, have employed basic slags comparable to those encountered in basic open-hearth practice, so that up to the present time our only information regarding the equilibria of these slags is based upon observations drawn from steelmaking practice in which there is little assurance that actual equilibrium was attained. The original plan of this investigation was to secure simultaneous slag and metal samples at intervals during the making of an open-hearth heat, recording the heat history in detail and obtaining complete analyses of slag and metal, then to bring these slag samples into equilibrium with liquid iron in the laboratory induction furnace and thus to determine directly whether or not the observed relationships in the open hearth represent conditions approaching equilibrium. This plan was only partly successful. While slags were obtained from the open hearth under satisfactorily recorded conditions and these were remelted in the laboratory under equilibrium conditions, changes in slag composition, which accompanied the remelting operation, were so great that the final slag from the induction furnace bore little resemblance to its open-hearth parent and the direct comparison was therefore abandoned. The results, however, lie within a range of slag composition that is of interest in the making of low-carbon steel. As far as we are aware, they represent the first published laboratory study of equilibria involving slags that contain all the constituents of basic open-hearth slag. EXPERIMENTAL HEATS The first set of measurements on slagmetal equilibrium was made in the Research Laboratories of the American Rolling Mill Co. at Middletown, Ohio. This will be known as series A. The second set was made in the Metallurgical Research Laboratories at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and will be referred to as series B. Series A.-The induction furnace used has been described.5 Approximately I kg. of a special ingot iron containing less than

Jan 1, 1941

By Carl F. Floe, Michael B. Bever

The solubility of hydrogen in molten copper-tin alloys is of both practical and theoretical interest. From a practical standpoint, data on the equilibrium solubility as a function of temperature, pressure and alloy composition are valuable for a better understanding of porosity problems in bronze castings. From the theoretical point of view the determination of the hydrogen-copper-tin equilibrium is of interest since it extends the laws governing the solution of gases in metals. This paper presents the results of an investigation of the solubility of hydrogen in representative compositions of the copper-tin system at temperatures ranging from above the liquidus to I300°C. and at pressures from less than 50 mm. of mercury to about atmospheric. Review of Previous Work The solubility of hydrogen in copper was determined by Sieverts and Krumbhaarl in 1910 and by Roentgen and Moeller2 in 1934. Their values are in fair agreement. In 1926 Iwasé3 reported results that were very much higher. The published data on the solubility of hydrogen in tin do not agree. Smithells4 states that no reliable data are available According to Sieverts and Krumbhaar,5 hydrogen is insoluble in tin. Bircumshaw,6 on the other hand, found a definite solubility at 800°C. The latter's experimental procedure did not provide for stirring of the metal and in his opinion he failed to reach equilibrium. Iwasé3 again reported large solubility values. For copper alloys, Sieverts and Krumbhaar5 distinguished between alloying elements that do not markedly affect the solubility of hydrogen, elements that increase the solubility, and elements that reduce it. They named gold, tin, and aluminum as examples of this last group and reported hydrogen solubility data at 1225°C. for the copper-rich side of these alloy systems at atmospheric pressure. Without giving experimental results, they stated that the amount of hydrogen dissolved by liquid copper alloys is proportional to the square root of the pressure as in pure metals. These authors suggested that in a limited way the effect of an alloying element on the solubility of a gas is related to the constitution diagram for the alloy system. Sieverts7 also called attention to the fact that the curve of hydrogen solubility versus composition of copper-tin alloys shows a sharp change of direction at the composition of Cu3Sn and suggested that this compound persists at least to some extent in the molten state. Iwasé3 reported large hydrogen solubility values for several compositions of copper-tin alloys, which appear to be in error.

Jan 1, 1944

By E. H. Rose

THE present symposium on flotation machines provides a unique opportunity for group reappraisal of standard or habitual viewpoints. A symposium is by definition a trading post for observations that might prove complementary when put together, thus leading to useful thoughts that might not have been evident from the original observations individually. The present paper, pertaining to power consumption in flotation, is deliberately an experiment of that kind. Data were solicited from the operating superintendents of several of the major flotation plants on this continent. The information received, covering a total of 14 separate operations in seven plants, has been collated in terms of power intensity; that is, the total power input per cubic foot of cell volume. This departs somewhat from the conventional expression of power per ton of ore treated, though the latter figure is also given for the plants concerned. Because of wartime restrictions, particularly in Canada, identifying names of plants and machines are withheld. Not as a firm conclusion, but as a tender for symposium discussion, the following points are made: I. That flotation is a power operation in much the same sense as ball milling. 2. That contact time is the complement of power intensity and may be decreased as the latter is increased. 3. That a decrease in flotation power per ton of ore can result from an increase in power intensity. ANALOGY WITH GRINDING In grinding, it has become axiomatic that the more the power put into a given operation, the greater the work performance. The analogous view is now proposed that the effectiveness of any flotation operation will be related to the mechanical energy usefully applied to that operation. Under this view, each increment of properly directed input energy should give either an increase in unit tonnage or an improvement in the metallurgical separation (concentrate grade or tailing grade), until either the theoretical limit imposed by mineral constitution or surface condition is reached, or until further increments of power become uneconomic under the law of diminishing returns. Thus, as in grinding, there are two forms of output that greater power input or improved utilization of power can produce. As for the law of diminishing returns, lower unit cost of power through improved generating efficiency in the past decade has pushed the limit back. Over and above this, however, there is strong indication in the operationg data herein presented that higher power intensity results in an actual economy of over-all power consumption. Like crushing and grinding, flotation accomplishes a rupture of the forces of molecular attraction, by taking particles from the common environment and placing them in the two separate environments of

Jan 1, 1944

By F. M. Lewis, J. F. Meyers

This second progress report of grinding presents comments regarding ball consumption and data pertaining to the hydroscillator, which is closed circuited with the tricone mill. A study and postulate of how balls function is presented. The paper summarizes cost reduction obtained by the method of "grinding for the tail race" rather than for "mesh tons." AT the Regional meeting in Columbus, Ohio, in September 1949, the authors presented a progress report of the first year's operation with a Hardinge tricone mill in closed circuit with a Dorr hydroscillator. The present report covers our findings on this grinding circuit to January, 1950. In order to clarify our position, the authors wish to state that no invention or discovery is claimed. The Tennessee grinding circuit is simply an engineered arrangement of known equipment arranged to incorporate all of the recognized efficiency factors of comminution as they are known today. As we concluded our first report, it was not clear how effective the Tennessee mode of operation would be on harder ores. The only information we had at that time was that the Bond grindability test at 48-mesh gave 6.04 g of undersize per revolution. A later test on the same sample at 100-mesh reduced this to 2.04 g, which is definitely in the harder ore class, and which makes the reported 8.80 kw-hr per ton of —200-mesh produced a very creditable figure. Hydroscillator Operation The machine as now developed has proved dependable and easy to operate. It starts easily under full load and responds quickly to operating adjustments. The hydraulic holes in the oscillating plate do not plug when shut down under full load. Absolutely clean hydraulic water is essential. An Elliott water screen or similar device should be an essential part of the machine to keep all scale and trash of all kinds from the hydraulic compartment. The shift operators have expressed approval of the machine. In table I we show a typical screen analysis of the hydroscillator rake sand as compared to conventional classifier rake sand on our ore. We have previously reported that of the 28.7 pct reduction in power, the hydroscillator contributed 6 pct, on a —200-mesh basis. This is a conservative figure. Some of our test runs indicated that the saving was as high as 10 pct. Laboratory studies by the Dorr Co. engineers indicate that still greater efficiency is possible. Nevertheless, the 10-ft plate is overflowing 2100 tons per day at 3 to 4 pct + 65-mesh, which is a very creditable performance by

Jan 1, 1951

By W. D, D. W. Mounce, W. M. Rust

The almost universal acceptance of electrical logging by the petroleum industry calls for a critical examination of the physical bases of the common methods. This is particularly needed for the natural potential log. The conventional explanations are based on the phenomena of electrofiltration and electro-osmosis. However, experimental data show that they fail to give a basis that is quantitatively sound. Moreover, they lead to interpretations of details of electrical logs that are erroneous. It was found experimentally that when a plug of shale is placed in a chain of dissimilar electrolytes, a current flow results. Experiments on oil-well cores and fluids similar to those existing in wells show that potentials are set up which are in reasonable agreement with those encountered in electrical logging. Doubtless other sources of potential are important but this explanation not only accounts for much of the potential but also clarifies some fairly familiar examples of misinterpretations. Introduction The extraordinary value of electrical well logging as a tool for petroleum engineers and geologists is now so uni- versally recognized that it is not necessary to point out the ways in which it can be useful. It is sufficient to mention only the saving that has resulted from the elimination of much coring that would have been necessary under former practices and the considerable additions to reserves resulting from the discovery of sands missed in coring. Paradoxically, the very remarkable success that has resulted from the application of electrical logging to correlation and completion problems has cost some of its most consistent users dearly.' The fact that some operators have placed unwarranted faith in erroneous interpretations of electrical logs does not reduce the value of the logs. It should, however, make one pause long enough to ask why experienced users should be misled. The answer to this question is not hard to find. In nearly every case, the fault has been oversimplification. This is illustrated very aptly by the familiar interpretation and theory of the natural potential log. Recording and Interpreting Logs The natural potential log is extremely simple to record precisely enough for all present-day uses. One needs only an electrode, a cable to lower the electrode through the drilling mud, a recording meter and a surface ground connection. The electrode can be elaborate but need not be. A simple brass rod 2 in, in diameter and 2 or 3 in. long is quite satisfactory. The cable need not be particularly well insulated, nor need it have a very low resistance. The recorder can be a vacuum-tube 1 References are at the end of the paper.

Jan 1, 1944

By M. E. Hassan, J. C. Calhoun, R. F. Nielson

An apparatus was constructed for the measurement of inter-facial tensions over a range of temperatures and pressures. This apparatus utilized the pendent drop method, and resembles in construction similar apparatus recently described in the literature and in use in some petroleum research laboratories. The interfacial tensions of benzene, propane, n-pentane, n-hexane. n-octane. and iso-octane against water were measured at temperatures ranging from 26" to 82" C and at pressures ranging from 1 to 204 atm. Values of interfacial tensions for the henzene-water system and their variations with temperature and pressure are generally in good agreement with value? of previous investigations. The data in all cases showed a slight decrease of interfacial tension with pressure at constant temperature in the range studied. The effect of pressure became less as the pressure was increased, with an indication of a reversal of the effect at higher pressures. There was a decrease of interfacial tension with temperature at constant pressure in all cases, as would normally be expected. This rate of decrease became greater the higher the temperature. A general equation is presented for the interfacial tensions as a function of presPurp and temperature over the range studied, and the constants calculated for each system. A definite trend was found in the effect of molecular weight on the interfacial tension at a given temperature and pressure, for the homologous series from propane to n-octane. Data for n-decane from the literature fitted well into this trend. INTRODUCTION It has been recognized for many years that surface forces play an active part in the production history of an oil reservoir as well as in determining the amount of unrecoverable oil. The magnitudes of these forces are governed by the values of the interfacial tensions. These vary greatly with composition, pressure, and temperature. The effect of composition is greater than that of pressure and temperature over the ranges normally encountered. In fact, because of the variety of compounds present in a crude, no attempt has yet been made to correlate crude composition with its surface tension or with its interfacial tension against water. The amount of dissolved methane greatly affects the surface properties of an oil, and there are "surface-active" compounds in crudes which have a much greater effect on boundary tensions than do equal amounts of hydrocarbons. The purpose of the present work was partly to contribute data that would eventually be used in correlations applicable

Jan 1, 1953

By O. B. Ellis, Eric R. Jette, John Chipman

In the study of the chemical reactions orcurring in the open-hearth furnace, it is frequently assumed that a condition of equilibrium between slag and metal is attained. In order to test this assumption it is necessary to have dependable operating data as well as an exact knowledge of the equilibrium state. Considerable progress has already been made in the study of slag-metal equilibria, notably in the earlier work of Hertyl and of Oberhoffer and Schenck2 and in the more recent researches of Krings and Schack-mann3 and of Koerber and Oelsen.4 None of these investigators, however, have employed basic slags comparable to those encountered in basic open-hearth practice, so that up to the present time our only information regarding the equilibria of these slags is based upon observations drawn from steelmaking practice in which there is little assurance that actual equilibrium was attained. The original plan of this investigation was to secure simultaneous slag and metal samples at intervals during the making of an open-hearth heat, recording the heat history in detail and obtaining complete allalyses of slag and metal, then to bring these slag samples into equilibrium with liquid iron in the laboratory induction furnace and thus to determine directly whether or not the observed relationships in the open hearth represent conditions approaching equilibrium. This plan was only partly successful. While slags were obtained from the open hearth under satisfactorily recorded conditions and these were re-melted in the laboratory under equilibrium conditions, changes in slag composition, which accompanied the remelting operation, were so great that the final slag from the induction furnace bore little resemblance to its open-hearth parent and the direct comparison was therefore abnndoned. The results, however, lie within a range of slag composition that is of interest in the making of low-carbon steel. As far as we are aware, they represent the first published laboratory study of equilibria involving slags that contain all the con stituents of basic open-hearth slag. Experimental Heats The first set of measurements on slag-metal equilibrium was made in the Research Laboratories of the American Rolling Mill Co, at Middletown, Ohio. This will be known as series A. The second set was made in the Metallurgical Rescarch Laboratories at Massachusetts Institute of Techology, and will be referred to as series B. Series A.—The induction furnace used has been described. Approximately I kg. of a special ingot iron containing less than

Jan 1, 1941

By E. H. Rose

The present symposium on flotation machines provides a unique opportunity for group reappraisal of standard or habitual viewpoints. A symposium is by definition a trading post- for observations that might prove complementary when put together, thus leading to useful thoughts that might not have been evident from the original observations individually. The present paper, pertaining to power consumption in flotation, is deliberately an experiment of that kind. Data were solicited from the operating superintendents of several of the major flotation plants on this continent. The information received, covering a total of 14 separate operations in seven plants, has been collated in terms of power intensity; that is, the total power input per cubic foot of cell volume. This departs somewhat from the conventional expression of power per ton of ore treated, though the latter figure is also given for the plants concerned. Because of wartime restrictions, particularly in Canada, identifying names of plants and machines are withheld. Not as a firm conclusion, but as a tender for symposium discussion, the following points are made: 1. That flotation is a power operation in much the same sense as ball milling. 2. That contact time is the complement of power intensity and may be decreased as the latter is increased. 3. That a decrease in flotation power per ton of ore can result from an increase in power intensity. Analogy with Grinding In grinding, it has become axiomatic that the more the power put into a given operation, the greater the work performance. The analogous view is now proposed that the effectiveness of any flotation operation will be related to the mechanical energy usefully applied to that operation. Under this view, each increment of properly directed input energy should give either an increase in unit tonnage or an improvement in the metallurgical separation (concentrate grade or tailing grade), until either the theoretical limit imposed by mineral constitution or surface condition is reached, or until further increments of power become uneconomic under the law of diminishing returns. Thus, as in grinding, there are two forms of output that greater power input or improved utilization of power can produce. As for the law of diminishing returns, lower unit cost of power through improved generating efficiency in the past decade has pushed the limit back. Over and above this, however, there is strong indication in the operationg data herein presented that higher power intensity results in an actual economy of over-all power consumption. Like crushing and grinding, flotation accomplishes a rupture of the forces of molecular attraction, by taking particles from the common environment and placing them in the two separate environments of

Jan 1, 1947

AT the meeting of the Board of Directors held on June 25, 1926, and in response to numerous in-dividual suggestions for changes, a committee on Re-vision of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Insti-tute was appointed, consisting of C. F. Rand, Archi-bald Douglas and H. Foster Bain. Various confer-ences were held, much correspondence conducted and a preliminary draft was prepared. It proved imprac-ticable to complete the work in time to submit the matter to the membership for approval or disapproval at the annual meeting in 1927, and the Committee was continued with instructions to prepare a report as a basis of action in 1928. After Mr. Rand's death George Otis Smith was appointed in his place and the tentative draft herewith submitted has been pre-pared in its present form by Messrs. Smith, Douglas and Bain, though not differing in any material mat-ter from an earlier draft approved by Mr. Rand. In preparing this the Committee has kept in mind primarily the desirability of simplification and of making the By-Laws conform to the actual practice of the Institute as worked out through experience. The Constitution and By-Laws adopted in 1912, and which with minor amendments only still govern the Insti-tute, are full of specific provisions regarding pro-cedure; such as that laid down for guidance of the Papers and Publications Committee. Many of these have proved unworkable and in practice have not been always strictly followed. It now seems wise to write into the Constitution and By-Laws only the general fun-damental principles to he followed and to provide for such easy change in methods of following them out as will permit efficient conduct of the business. It is this thought that has guided the Committee in rewrit-ing many of the sections. With this in view also the Constitution, as such, has been shortened to the brief-est feasible statement of fundamentals. All matters relating to means of making these principles effec-tive have been put into the By-Laws or in the hands of committees whose work is subject to control and whose rules are subject to approval or disapproval by the Board of Directors. Many suggestions for changes have come to the Committee that have not been incorporated in this draft. Some of these are in themselves excellent but have not been incorporated here because the Commit-tee discovered no sentiment for them such as would be likely to secure their approval, or found them out of harmony with the general plan followed herein.

Jan 9, 1927

By John Chipman, Eric R. Jette, O. B. Ellis

In the study of the chemical reactions orcurring in the open-hearth furnace, it is frequently assumed that a condition of equilibrium between slag and metal is attained. In order to test this assumption it is necessary to have dependable operating data as well as an exact knowledge of the equilibrium state. Considerable progress has already been made in the study of slag-metal equilibria, notably in the earlier work of Hertyl and of Oberhoffer and Schenck2 and in the more recent researches of Krings and Schack-mann3 and of Koerber and Oelsen.4 None of these investigators, however, have employed basic slags comparable to those encountered in basic open-hearth practice, so that up to the present time our only information regarding the equilibria of these slags is based upon observations drawn from steelmaking practice in which there is little assurance that actual equilibrium was attained. The original plan of this investigation was to secure simultaneous slag and metal samples at intervals during the making of an open-hearth heat, recording the heat history in detail and obtaining complete allalyses of slag and metal, then to bring these slag samples into equilibrium with liquid iron in the laboratory induction furnace and thus to determine directly whether or not the observed relationships in the open hearth represent conditions approaching equilibrium. This plan was only partly successful. While slags were obtained from the open hearth under satisfactorily recorded conditions and these were re-melted in the laboratory under equilibrium conditions, changes in slag composition, which accompanied the remelting operation, were so great that the final slag from the induction furnace bore little resemblance to its open-hearth parent and the direct comparison was therefore abnndoned. The results, however, lie within a range of slag composition that is of interest in the making of low-carbon steel. As far as we are aware, they represent the first published laboratory study of equilibria involving slags that contain all the con stituents of basic open-hearth slag. Experimental Heats The first set of measurements on slag-metal equilibrium was made in the Research Laboratories of the American Rolling Mill Co, at Middletown, Ohio. This will be known as series A. The second set was made in the Metallurgical Rescarch Laboratories at Massachusetts Institute of Techology, and will be referred to as series B. Series A.—The induction furnace used has been described. Approximately I kg. of a special ingot iron containing less than

Jan 1, 1941