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By C. A. Stetefeldt

In my paper on "The Consumption of Fuel in the Taylor Gas-Producer Plants at the Aspen and Marsac Mills" (Trans., xxiii., 134), I mentioned that in the plant which I had designed for the Ontario mill, the gas-tubes were to be covered with thin, corrugated sheet-iron, over which a coating of asbestos-magnesia would be spread in order to effect a good insulation and keep the gas as hot as possible. At the Ontario mill, two Stetefeldt furnaces and two revolving driers are fired with gas. One furnace is connected with a Taylor producer of 5 feet diameter, and the other furnace and the two driers are heated by the gas from a Taylor producer of 7 feet diameter. In the latter case the gas-tubes are necessarily somewhat long, and the cleaning of them takes time. In order to prevent overheating of the tubes during that operation, it has been found advantageous not to provide them with an insulating covering. If a tube becomes red-hot at any place by the burning of soot, this is at once observed, and the tube is closed until it cools down. The tubes con-

Jan 1, 1895

By J. R. Campbell

IN order to discuss the subject intelligently, it will be necessary to touch briefly on the forms in which sulphur is supposed to exist in coking coal to be carbonized in beehive or byproduct ovens. Sulphur is known to exist in coal as sulphides and sulphates, as can be determined experimentally. Then there is the so-called organic sulphur, i.e., sulphur in combination with the carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen of the coal, about which much has been written, but nothing definitely proven in an experimental way. In fact, so far as we know, there never has been developed a satisfactory and conclusive method in the laboratory for the direct determination of organic sulphur. For most coking coals, it can be safely assumed that the preponderance of sulphur is in the form of pyrite (FeS2). When exposed to comparatively low temperatures during the coking process, it loses its sulphur according to the following chemical reaction: 7FeS2 = Fe7S8 + 6S. It will be seen, therefore, that six out of the 14 atoms of sulphur (or 42.8 per cent.) are expelled, or volatilized. Fe7S8 remains in the coke as pyrrhotite, or magnetic sulphide of iron; this accounts for the highly magnetic properties of the powdered coke. A more commonly accepted reaction is FeS2 = FeS + S, in which the straight sulphide of iron is produced with 50 per cent. volatilization of sulphur. In the beehive methods of coke making, air is introduced in sufficient amounts to carry on the distilling and the coking processes, and the sulphur is oxidized along with the other volatile products: First, into sulphur dioxide (SO2), known by the pungent and suffocating odoremitted from the trunnel head; second, into sulphuric anhydride (SO3); and, finally, into sulphuric acid, as it comes into contact with the air and moisture. In a properly regulated draft on a beehive oven, there is never complete combustion of the gases. In other words, the coking process should be carried on in a reducing atmosphere, and a low-grade producer gas kept issuing from the trunnel head. For coals of about 30 per cent. volatile matter, the ratio of air to gas is 3 ½ to 1. In complete combustion, the ratio is 6 to 1, producing an extremely high temperature

Jan 1, 1916

By V. H. Wilhelm

During the first half of the year 1935, the oil industry in California was on a fairly profitable basis, owing mainly to the operation of the Petroleum Marketing Agency. Coincident with the discontinuance of enforced curtailment, California production surged upward from an average of about 500,000 bbl. per day (over the first five-month period) to approximately 625,000 bbl. per day (over the last seven-month period). On Dec. 9 the state production had reached a peak of over 700,000 bbl., a figure that had not been approximated since the early days of voluntary curtailment (Fig. 1). A price cut was instituted during the last half of August, but had no deterring effect on operators that were determined to take advantage of the breakdown of curtailment and produce to capacity. New reserve figures, compiled from actual potentials, available after cessation of curtailment, revealed the startling fact that California reserves were rapidly declining. This situation, coupled with the desire among operators to obtain a more equitable price for their dwindling reserves, caused a restoration in November of a portion of the August price slash. A further rise in price was effected in early December, and crude quotations at the end of the year closely approximated those in effect during the first right months. At the close of the year, the industry felt confident that the production situation was under control. In all fields where competition is keen because of close spacing, production is gradually declining. In the Los Angeles Basin especially there is no likelihood of a large amount of overproduction, unless a new pool is discovered or deeper drilling reveals a prolific source of crude. As long as the fields that are operated by a few companies, such as Kettleman Hills, North Belridge, Ventura Avenue, West Coyote, Dominguez, and some others, can be controlled, it is believed that the overproduction problem in California will be solved.

Jan 1, 1936

By V. H. Wilhelm

During the first half of the year 1935, the oil industry in California was on a fairly profitable basis, owing mainly to the operation of the Petroleum Marketing Agency. Coincident with the discontinuance of enforced curtailment, California production surged upward from an average of about 500,000 bbl. per day (over the first five-month period) to approximately 625,000 bbl. per day (over the last seven-month period). On Dec. 9 the state production had reached a peak of over 700,000 bbl., a figure that had not been approximated since the early days of voluntary curtailment (Fig. 1). A price cut was instituted during the last half of August, but had no deterring effect on operators that were determined to take advantage of the breakdown of curtailment and produce to capacity. New reserve figures, compiled from actual potentials, available after cessation of curtailment, revealed the startling fact that California reserves were rapidly declining. This situation, coupled with the desire among operators to obtain a more equitable price for their dwindling reserves, caused a restoration in November of a portion of the August price slash. A further rise in price was effected in early December, and crude quotations at the end of the year closely approximated those in effect during the first right months. At the close of the year, the industry felt confident that the production situation was under control. In all fields where competition is keen because of close spacing, production is gradually declining. In the Los Angeles Basin especially there is no likelihood of a large amount of overproduction, unless a new pool is discovered or deeper drilling reveals a prolific source of crude. As long as the fields that are operated by a few companies, such as Kettleman Hills, North Belridge, Ventura Avenue, West Coyote, Dominguez, and some others, can be controlled, it is believed that the overproduction problem in California will be solved.

Jan 1, 1936

By Waldemar Lindgren

During the last 15 years much attention has been given to the " contact-metamorphic" ore deposits which mainly occur in limestone close to intrusive contacts. In general, these deposits are characterized by the association of magnetite and simple sulphides with the so-called L'contact-metamorphic" silicates. These silicates comprise garnet, epidote, vesuvianite, tremolite, wollastonite, diopside, hedenbergite, ilvaite, and many other rarer forms. The contact-metamorphic zones contain also in places minerals with boron, fluorine, and chlorine, like axinite, tourmaline, danburite, fluorite, and scapolite. There is also more or less quartz and coarsely recrystallized calcite. The simple sulphides embrace pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, galena, zincblende, more rarely arsenopyrite. On the whole, sulphantimonides and sulph-arsenides are rare. Deposits of magnetite or chalcopyrite or of both are most common. The deposits have an irregular or rudely tabular form, following main contacts, dike contacts, or stratification planes; they rarely extend for more than 1,500 or 2,000 ft. from the contact; far more commonly they only reach a distance of a few hundred feet from that surface. The deposits are usually formed by replacement of limestone, or allied calcareous rock. Apparently they are found both in relatively pure and in impure carbonate rock. The deposits are geoiogical bodies of a chemical and mineralogical character differing greatly from the adjoining intrusive rock and from the unaltered limestone. They are rich in silica and iron, with more or less of lime, magnesia, alumina, sulphur, and rarer metals like copper. The so-called contact-metamorphic silicates which form the gangue usually are coextensive with the metallic minerals, though of course not necessarily with the merchantable ore. All opinions agree in holding the deposits of epigenetic origin, later than the inclosing limestone. Regarding the origin of the metals and the genesis of the ores there are several opinions. 1. There are those who see in these deposits the result of concentration of material contained in the intrusive rocks by means of hot circulating

Jan 1, 1915

By David H. Browne

(Pittsburg Meeting, March, 1910.) NICKEL has always been a fruitful mother of problems. Previous to the year 1906 nickel was regarded as an element replacing iron in copper-mattes, and it was believed that the same laws which governed the elimination of iron could be applied-to nickel. This conception has lately undergone a complete change, and nickel in all its stages is now regarded as an element replacing copper; in other words, copper-nickel is considered now as two elements, but as one metal. When we commenced our investigations on Monel metal we made a great many experiments on the conversion of mattes, both high copper and high nickel. We studied closely the composition of the mattes and the changes produced by the blow. We found in all cases certain agreements which we believe are due to some law. Briefly stated, our conclusions are as follows 1. Nickel is not an element replacing iron in matte. 2. Nickel-copper alloys act in the matte-blow like one metal. 3. Nickel-copper alloys follow, during the matte-blow, exactly the same laws as govern. the behavior of copper alone. This brings up the question : What are the laws governing the production of metallic copper, and what are the relations copper to sulphur and iron during the Bessemer blow ?

Apr 1, 1910

By Richard W. Lodge

In the crucible-method of assaying ores for silver a certain amount of litharge is essential to supply sufficient lead to collect the precious metals. The object of this paper is to point out that the use of a large excess of' litharge in the assay of some ores will give results for silver that are uneven as well as low. So far as I know, however, an excess of litharge does not affect the results obtained in the crucible-assay of ores for gold. The main reasons for using, in the crucible-assay, much more litharge than is required to givc the necessary lead button are: 1, its action as a flux; 2, its action as a desulphur-izer; and 3, its action as an oxidizer, especially on metals like copper and nickel, whereby they are forced into the slag as oxides and thus prevented from passing into the lead button. Hence, by the use of much litharge in the crucible-assay more ore call often be taken than in the scorification-process, and a lead button obtained which call possibly be cupelled at once or after a single scorification. The method is specially advantageous with an ore carrying much copper or similar impurity and poor in silver, when the assayer does not wish to resort to a wet-analysis for the determination of the silver. It is well known that some ores give better results when assayed by the scorification-method, while others give better results by the crucible-method. For several years I have noticed that, when much litharge was used with certain sulphide and arsenical ores, the results were considerably lower than when the scarification-method was used. This fact was more forcibly brought out in connection with certain work carried on this year by Messrs. H. A. Frame and

Jan 1, 1908

By John B. Hastings

CHIEF among the varied problems facing the mine-manager is that of vein-structure and origin, which is highly important as a guide to successful discovery and development. If metalliferous deposits can be traced to the intrusion of waters along definite lines, then is there something tangible for him to study. But when he is told by a geologist that metalliferous deposits are due to some other cause, like magmatic differentiation, while not perhaps discouraged, he is impressed with a vague sense of new worlds to be conquered. In 1897, while manager of the War Eagle mine at Rossland, B. C., where, previously, the ore-bodies had not been supposed to occur as veins, I suggested to visiting members of the Canadian Geological Survey that, perhaps, the structure of the pyrrhotite-bodies of that mine, which had been proved to occur along well-defined fractures, might throw some light on the similar deposits of Sudbury, then held to be basic aggregations from the original magma. Later investigation has at least provoked discussion of this last deduction, questioning its correctness and suggesting that, perhaps, the deposits are actual veins. The following extract from a paper by J. E. Spurr 1 is quoted, because it sets forth Mr. Spurr's theory of the quartz-occurrences of the Silver Peak mines, which will be discussed in this article. It also graphically describes the attendant geological features. '' The Drinkwater group of mines, which is the most important part of the Blair gold properties, and which has produced practically all of the million dollars' worth of ore, as above stated, may be taken as typical of the gold-veins which, though widespread and numerous, show a wonderful similarity of character. On the surface two adjacent veins outcrop, the Crowning Glory and the Drink-

Jan 1, 1913

By William P. Shinn

MR. GAYLEY'S admirable paper on the " Development of American Blast-Furnaces" has set forth very fully the history of the development of the Edgar Thomson furnaces since the construction of Furnaces A and B ; but it throws no light on the genesis of these furnaces. That earlier history it is the purpose of the present paper to record. Mr. Gayley truly says: "A new era in the manufacture of pigiron began in 1880 with the putting in blast of the Edgar Thomson furnaces." That era had its beginning with the construction of

Jan 1, 1891

By Robert E. Ogilvie, Zvonimir Ban

Oxidation experiments were conducted above 600°C to investigate the oxidation products formed on the surface of MoSi2. Results are presented which indicate that minor iron impurities play a key role in the oxidation behavior of MoSi2 above 600 °C. Based on considerations of the crystal chemistry of the oxidation products, MoSi2 with rhenium and iron additions was found to be resistant to oxidation in the pesting temperature range. AS early as 1914, Honigschmidtl observed that some silicides of molybdenum exhibited high resistance to oxidation at elevated temperatures. This fact did not arouse much interest until 1950, when Kieffer and cerwenka2 examined this property in more detail. They found that Mo-Si alloys with approximately 70 pct Mo (by weight) could be heated to 1600°C in an oxidizing atmosphere without any significant damage. The surface was found to be protected by the formation of an extremely thin silica glass layer which had no tendency to spa11 during subsequent thermal cycling. In 1955, Fitzer3 discovered that even solid bodies made of MoSi2 completely oxidized within a relatively short time when exposed to the air in the temperature range from 300° to 600°C. To describe this phenomenon he proposed the name "molybdenum disilicide 'pest' ", clearly analogous to the previously observed "tin plague" ("tin pest") which, however, arises as the result of a phase transformation. Studies performed by Fitzer and, in particular, one published recently by Berkowitz, Blackburn, and Fel-ten,' comprise the most extensive research to date on the pest phenomenon in MoSi2, as far as the fundamen- tal mechanism of the process is concerned. The first of these studies revealed the existence of a crystalline phase which appeared at the surface at 750°C and dissolved in the glassy silica layer at 1150°C. The logical assumption was that this phase was some reaction product of MOO3 and SiO2. The formation of a reaction product of this type seemed probable since it had been mentioned by Glemser and Lutz6 in a paper describing their studies of molybdenum oxides; however, this assumption was later disproved.8 It is our belief that information concerning the exact nature of this crystalline phase may be important for a better understanding of both pesting and the protection mechanism. Therefore, since the only available general description of the pest phenomenon was that of Fitzer, it was decided to reproduce his experiments. These experiments established that, in addition to the "pest" and "nonpest" temperature range, an intermediate region exists between 600" and approximately 650°C. This region is characterized by the appearance of a variable amount of yellow to orange colored crystals. The electron-beam microanalyzer was used to qualitatively determine their composition. Iron and molybdenum were found to be major constituents. This result can be explained based on the following facts: 1) iron, according to literature data,* is the most common impurity in molybdenum powder, and its content can be as high as 0.25 pct; 2) technical silicon powder usually contains iron; 3) steel ball mills are often used for the crushing and grinding of MoSi2. In order to clarify the exact role of iron, it was deliberately added to a stoichiometric mixture of molybdenum and silicon. The observed results corroborated the previous experiment, proving that iron (probably as some silicide phase) concentrates along the grain boundaries. I) EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE A) Oxidation of MoSi2 with Iron Additions. 1) Specimen Preparation. Specimens were prepared by both

Jan 1, 1967

By V. G. Cawagdan, E. M. Sacris

The performance of the grinding circuit, from the initial stages of operation to the present, is discussed. The mill efficiency as measured by the Bond (Bond and Maxson, 1943) grindability data and the operating work index is presented. The objective was to produce a sand cyclone overflow containing not more than 6% 210 µm (+ 65 mesh). This has never been attained, even at low milling rates. Significant improvements in throughput were achieved by instituting equipment changes and process modifications within the grinding circuit. Grind improvements were achieved with enlargement of cyclone spigots, grinding at reduced densities, and decreasing the opening of the ball mill discharge. Additional grinding capacity was realized by converting the concentrate regrinding mill into a secondary ball mill. The previous 20% 210 µm (+ 65 mesh) grind improved to under 15% 210 µm (+ 65 mesh). The latest approach to solving the coarse grind problem is also discussed.

Jan 1, 1985

By Clair Upthegrove, Elbert S. Rowland

THE widespread interest in the alloys of beryllium with copper is due principally to the fact that certain compositions show very favorable precipitation-hardening characteristics and are, in fact, the strongest nonferrous alloys known at the present time. Investigations have been conducted by Masing and Dahl and others on the physical characteristics of ternary beryllium alloys, in an attempt to produce precipitation-hardening effects with a smaller amount of beryllium than that required in the binary copper-beryllium alloys (2.0 to 2.5 per cent Be). The results of these investigations show that ternary alloys of beryllium with Cu-Sn, Cu-Al and Cu-Zn, among others, exhibit promising improvements in physical properties after precipitation-hardening treatment and, while the increases in properties obtained are not as high as those realized from the binary copper-beryllium alloys, excellent properties are: obtained with beryllium contents averaging about one-half the amount required in the binary alloys. This paper presents the results of an investigation of the equilibrium relations of certain alloys containing copper, tin and beryllium. The alpha-phase boundary of the ternary system is given for alloys containing from. 0 to 1 per cent beryllium. The equilibrium conditions beyond the alpha-phase boundary are presented for alloys containing up to 32 per cent tin and 1 per cent beryllium. The data were collected by means of

Jan 1, 1935

By Fred C. Bond

DISCUSSION Milton C. Shaw and Donald R. Walker (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)—For many years the two empirical rules of comminution bearing the names of Rittinger and Kick have been applied to grinding processes to account for the energy required to crush brittle materials. The basis for Rittinger's rule was the thought that the energy to grind a substance went largely into supplying the additional energy associated with the new free surface, while Kick's law was prompted by the concept of dimensional similarity and is a special statement of the concept of constancy of strain energy to cause rupture. According to Rittinger the energy to grind a given volume varies as the change in the square of the mean particle size, v - A (D2), while according to Kick this energy varies

Jan 1, 1953

By Fred C. Bond

DISCUSSION Milton C. Shaw and Donald R. Walker (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)—For many years the two empirical rules of comminution bearing the names of Rittinger and Kick have been applied to grinding processes to account for the energy required to crush brittle materials. The basis for Rittinger's rule was the thought that the energy to grind a substance went largely into supplying the additional energy associated with the new free surface, while Kick's law was prompted by the concept of dimensional similarity and is a special statement of the concept of constancy of strain energy to cause rupture. According to Rittinger the energy to grind a given volume varies as the change in the square of the mean particle size, v - A (D2), while according to Kick this energy varies

Jan 1, 1953

By Charles J. Deegan

The purpose of this paper is to point out some features of the position of fuel oil and it's relationship to the economic balance and price structure of the petroleum industry. The term "fuel oil" as used in this paper includes crude used as fuel as well as refined gas oil and fuel oil. The period covered, from 1922 to date, may be characterized as the new normal era after the post-war inflation and deflation. In order to establish a proper perspective, the figures on consumption of the principal products of petroleum are shown in Table 1. This table shows that fuel oil and gasoline made up the bulk of the total demand in 1928 just as they did in 1922. There has been so much comment about the enormous increase in gasoline consumption that it may come as a surprise to some people to find that fuel oil is still at the head of the consumption list, in point of volume at least, and seems likely to hold that place for at least another year. Having established the fact that gasoline and fuel oil are by far the most important products, the remainder of this paper will deal almost entirely with these two items.

Jan 1, 1929

By F. Valton

In the number of the Engineering and Mining Journal for April 7th, 1877, Mr. W. P. Ward, of Cartersville, Georgia, explains in a very interesting manner, the results he obtained in the manufacture of ferromanganese in the blast furnace. These results may be summed up as follows : Production in the blast furnace of an alloy containing 67.2 per cent. manganese and 3 per cent. of carbon at most, with a utilization of the manganese amounting to 58 per cent. With the exception of the indicated proportion of' carbon, which should be almost doubled to express the true state of facts, we would have had no observations to make on Mr. Ward's paper had he taken into account the results obtained in the same line in other centres of production. Before 1870, spiegel with 8 or 10 per cent. manganese only was known among blast-furnace products. In a journey to Sweden, in 1871,I ascertained that the Schysshyttan works manufactured regolarly a spiegel with 18 per cent. manganese. Later, at the Vienna Exhibition, in 1873, the Sava and Jauerburg works, in Carniola, presented to the jury a ferromanganese, obtained in the blast fur-

Jan 1, 1879

By W. R. Crane

THE effect of mining in the red-ore mines of the Birmingham district has been observed for some time, but, except in a few localities, little difficulty has been experienced from disturbance of cover. Cave-ins near the outcrop and fracturing of the surface at greater distances are the most pronounced manifestations of disturbance, while limited areas at points distant from the outcrop and under greater depth of cover have actually subsided. There is no doubt but that in time, because of failure of pillars, extensive fracturing and widespread settlement of the surface will result, particularly along the slope of Red Mountain, where mining has been under way for many years. Were it not that the orebed is overlain by one or more water-bearing formations, the fracturing or settlement of the surface would not be serious; but because of these formations, fracturing of the top rock may in itself be of sufficient importance to warrant the adoption of protective measures. Until development openings and surface plants are transferred to Shades Valley, protection of the surface will probably not be considered imperative, as the area involved is not of particular value for agricultural or building purposes. Further, the collapse of pillars over a wide area may develop squeezes that, if not controlled, may jeopardize the integrity of the mines and necessitate a change in development, from slopes to vertical shafts, at a much earlier period than is now contemplated. The occurrence of heavy beds of strong tough materials at varying distances above the orebed make it doubtful whether any serious disturbance of the surface will be experienced at any considerable distance from the outcrop, although some settlement will probably take place. It is certain, however, that no great volume of water will enter the mines from fracturing of the Fort Payne chert bed, as this is known to be a compact and practically impervious formation beyond the leached zone. Not so much can be said, however, regarding other possible sources of water, as pervious beds and through faults that may be encountered in future mining operations.

Jan 8, 1925

By H. E. Cline

Mechanical properties of the eutectic between CoAl and cobalt were measured over a range of- temnperatures and strain rates for a variety of microstructures produced by directional solidification and by thermo-mechanical processing. Directional solidification led to rodlike, lamellar, and irregular microstructures. The unusually high volume fraction of the cobalt-rich rods and the lurge spacing of the rods were explained by the phase diagram. The hot-worked structure consisted of fibers of COAL in a cobalt-rich matrix. The roonl- tevlperature strength of the uvrought material increased with decreasing grain size but the 1000°C strength decreased with decreasing pain size. At high temperatures the directionally solidified tnaterial was stronger and less strain-rate-sensitice than the hot-rolled material. The fine-grained hot-worked ma-terial became superplastic at high temperatures, with tensile elongations greater than 850 pct, while at root temperature this material was ductile and impact-resistant because of the ductile matrix. Fracture occurred in the directionally solidified material at elevated temperatures by inter phase separation and at roorn temperature by cracks in the intermetallic phase. Growth of these cracks was impeded by the ductile cobalt-rich phase. It was found that the CoAl intermetallic remains ordered at elevated temperatures. DIRECTIONAL solidification of eutectic alloys has been used to produce structures consisting of parallel rods or lamellae. Although the spacing of the phases depends on the growth rate, it has been observed to be of the order of 1 µ in many eutectics. A strong intermetallic phase has been used to reinforce a ductile matrix in the rod eutectic A1-Al3Ni and the lamellar eutectic Al-Al2cu.1 The microstructure of the eutectics A1-A13Ni and A1-A12Cu remained aligned after samples of these alloys were exposed to temperatures just below their melting points for long times. Stability of the microstructure at elevated temperatures makes directionally solidified eutectics a candidate for high-temperature applications. Recently Thompson4 has developed the Ni-NiMo eutectic containing 40 pct NiMo lamellae, giving a tensile strength superior to nickel-base superalloys. Unfortunately, this eutectic oxidizes rapidly at elevated temperatures. By mechanically processing a two-phase structure, one may reach strengths as high as 700,000 psi, as demonstrated by drawn pearlite.5 In this case the strengthening mechanism was thought to be related to the fine substructure formed during deformation.5 However, a heavily worked structure may recrystallize and coarsen at elevated temperatures. Some worked eutectics such as Al-Al2Cu,6 Pb-Sn,7 and Sn-Bi7 have shown unusually large elongations in tension when tested at elevated temperatures. This phenomenon of large extension, called "superplasticity", was related to the fine grain size of wrought two-phase alloys at elevated temperatures. A mode of deformation of "superplastic" material has been shown to be grain boundary sliding,' which has also been observed during creep of polycrystalline materials.9 The Co-A1 system was chosen for this investigation after examining the phase diagrams of binary eutectics." The high melting point of 1400°C, the aluminum content which was expected to give oxidation resistance, and the properties of the intermetallic CoAl were the chief factors influencing this choice. This eutectic consists of a mixture of the intermetallic CoAl and a cobalt-rich solid solution. The intermetallic CoAl has a large range of solubility and a CsCl structure." From the similarity between CoAl and NiAl one would expect CoAl to be ordered at elevated temperatures; however, specific heat measurements" show a transition at 800°C. West-brookL2 has measured the hot hardness of CoAl and found a rapid decrease in hardness above 600°C. The tensile properties and stress rupture properties of as-cast CoAl-Co eutectic were measured by Ashbrook and wallace13 who report a room-temperature tensile elongation of less than 1 pct. I) EXPERIMENTAL A) Sample Preparation. Experimental materials were prepared by directional solidification, by hot working, and by powder processing. The starting materials were electrolytic 99.9 pct pure cobalt and 99.99 pct pure aluminum. 1) Directional Solidification. A vertical Bridgman apparatus heated by induction was used to directionally solidify cylindrical ingots $ in. in diam and 5 in. long. The apparatus was first evacuated and then an argon atmosphere was introduced to retard evaporation. The ingots were contained in an alumina crucible inside a graphite susceptor that rested on a movable water-cooled base. The base was lowered out of the induction coil at a constant rate. Eight of the ingots were solidified using a drive rate of 2.5 cm per hr, two of the ingots at 1.2 cm per hr, and one ingot at 10 cm per hr. The eutectic composition Co 10 wt pct A1 was used in all but one ingot which had the composition of the stoichiometric CoAl intermetallic, Co 32 wt pct Al. 2) Mechanical Processing. At 1000°C the eutectic Co 10 wt pct A1 is a mixture of an intermetallic phase, Co 21 wt pct Al, and a cobalt-rich phase, Co 5 wt pct Al.10 These phases differ from the stoichiometric CO 32 wt pct A1 and pure cobalt because of the large solubility of this eutectic at elevated temperatures." Four rectangular slab ingots, 4 by 1 by 12 in. high, of Co 10 wt pct Al, Co 5 wt pct Al, Co 21 wt pct Al, and Co 32 wt pct A1 were cast for hot rolling. The cobalt was first vacuum-melted, H2-treated for 20 min,

Jan 1, 1968

Louis D. MILLS, San Francisco, Cal. (written discussion *).-The principle involved in the Crowe vacuum precipitation process is so elementary and the apparatus required is so simple, that the whole subject affords scant material for a technical discussion. As. one prominent Colorado metallurgist recently remarked when asked to contribute to this paper: "The Crowe process is the biggest step forward since the early clays of the cyanide process, but there is nothing to write about; just put it in your mill and try it." The writer confesses to a similar feeling, but having been closely identified with the process since its inception in 1916, he is perhaps in a position to at least comment on the theory involved and to record some of the results that have been achieved in actual practise. In practising the Crowe process, the solutions to be precipitated are first vacuumized in a suitable dispersion tower; that is, thin films of the liquid are subject to the action of a vacuum within a receiver. Sub-

Jan 1, 1919

By H. W. Miller, V. H. Wilhem

Although the year 1933 was a period of uncertainty, considerable new development was initiated, with a high percentage of favorable results, for owing to financial conditions only projects of merit were proposed and developed. Unfavorable marketing conditions caused severe financial losses to refinery and sales departments of nearly all companies during the first half of the year. In anticipation of stabilized Government control, earnings were generally favorable during the third quarter but failure of the Government to take legal action against violators of the proration orders, and lack of agreement on a definite plan of curtailment, resulted in considerable overproduction and demoralization of the market structure during most of the final quarter. However, toward the close of the year Government action against violators of the Oil Code had a tendency to decrease overproduction materially and give the market a firmer tone. As a whole, the price structure of crude oil was maintained at a high level during the year; in fact, at a much higher level than the price of refinery products warranted. At no time during the year was production within 10,000 bbl. daily of the state allotment, overproduction of crude reaching a peak of 70,000 bbl. on Sept. 7, average daily average for the year being about 27,000 barrels. Numerous plans for equitable curtailment were prepared and tested during the year, none of which fully solved the many and intricate problems faced by operators who were in most cases willing to curtail if they could feel that cooperation was being practiced by their neighbors. Outstanding events in California oildom during the period under discussion may be classified under the following headings: 1. New discoveries. (a) New development in proven areas. (b) Deeper zones in settled pools. 2. Unproductive wildcat operations. 3. Whipstocking practice and procedure. 4. Progress of unit and orderly plans of development.

Jan 1, 1934