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By H. O. Hofman

WHEN dry chlorine gas is made to act in the cold upon finely¬divided gold,' it converts the latter with evolution of heat into auro-auric chloride, Au2CI4, a hard, dark-red, hygroscopic salt. Moisture splits this salt into aurous and aerie chloride, Au2C14 = AuCI + AuCI3; treatment with water converts it into auric chloride and gold, 3 Au2CI4 = 4 AuC13 + Au,. Aurous chloride, when stirred with water, undergoes a similar decomposition, 3 AuCI = AuCI3 + Au,. These decompositions of auro-auric chloride and of aurous chloride furnish the explanation for the practice of moistening an ore before it is treated by the Plattner chlorination-process; practical experience having shown that gaseous chlorine gave an unsatisfactory extraction with dry ore. According to Rose,' fine gold is acted upon more slowly by chlorine than gold containing some base metal, e.g., copper. He also states that small quantities of silver increase the rate of solution, but adds that the coating of silver chloride formed checks, and finally stops, further action, if the percentage of silver be increased beyond a certain undetermined amount. Bromine' acts upon finely-divided gold in a manner similar to chlorine; the auro-auric bromide, Au2Br4, however, is not hygroscopic. Upon treatment with water it is decomposed as is the corresponding chlorine salt. It is generally believed that bromine does not act as energetically upon gold as does chlorine. This seems to be borne out by the results in the leach-

Mar 1, 1905

By W. M. Baldwin, C. R. Johns

Cobalt is reported1,2 to scale in accordance with the Pilling and Bed-worth3 parabolic law: where w = weight increase per unit surface area K = constant l = time The reported values of the parabolic oxidation constant, K, in the temperature range 600 to 1100°C follow an Arrhenius type of equation as inspection of Fig 1 shows. According to Valensi's theory5 on the scaling of metals where multiple-layered scales (for example, MeX, MeX2, and others) are possible, this fact could be construed as indicating that a single oxide only is formed on cobalt in this temperature range. Since the single straight line extends above 920°C where only CoO is stable in air (see Fig 2) it might be inferred that this is the only oxide formed on scaling. Arkharov and Voroshilova10 have studied the scales formed when cobalt is heated in air in the temperature range 385 to 800°C and report that CoO is indeed found in the scale but that CoO4 is also found as an overlay and in increasing amounts in the lower temperature ranges. No quantitative data regarding the relative proportions of the two oxides were reported. Again in the light of Valensi's theory this would indicate that the straight line in Fig 1 would be expected to undergo an inflection at some point in the temperature range 385 to 800°C. Chauvenet2 has studied the oxidation rates of CoO to Co3O4 and has found this reaction to proceed parabolically with time but reports parabolic scaling rates which are considerably (about ten times) larger than the scaling rates of cobalt metal itself. This is difficult to explain in terms of Valensi's theory although a full discussion of the possible discrepancy cannot be made in view of the lack of sufficient data. These points made an investigation of the scaling behavior of cobalt in air an attractive study. Discussion of Results Relatively large (approximately 95 sq cm of surface area) samples of 0.020 in. thick electrolytic cobalt strip,* sanded with 2/0 paper, were heated in air in a cyclone type furnace. The samples were weighed before and after the scaling treatment. The weight increases so observed obeyed the Pilling and Bedworth parabolic law at all temperatures studied. The parabolic scaling constants when plotted on a logarithmic scale as a function of absolute temperature are reproduced

Jan 1, 1950

By C. Ernest Birchenall, Robert F. Mehl

APPLICATION of diffusion laws in the customary form to experimental studies in binary metallic solid solutions has shown the diffusion coefficient to vary with concentration for all systems investigated. The factors determining this variation have not been ascertained. However, the question of whether the diffusion coefficient would become a constant, independent of concentration throughout a single phase if the concentration gradient in the diffusion equation were replaced by an activity gradient has been an attractive subject for speculation. Wagner1 derived an expression for the force acting on a diffusing particle in terms of the chemical potential. This was also the approach chosen by Jost2 in his monograph. From a somewhat different point of view, Eyring3 and his co-workers have used activity gradients when dealing with diffusion in concentrated nonideal solutions. The only actual test with experimental data is that given by Darken,4 though this is more qualitative than quantitative. Many others opposed the application in any way of thermodynamic concepts to kinetic phenomena, including diffusion processes. A rigorous examination of this principle requires good data expressing the relationship between activity and concentration for solid solutions for which reliable diffusion work has been done. The literature provides such information only for the interstitial solution of carbon in gamma iron (austenite) and for the substitutional copper-zinc solutions (alpha brass). Activity data for carbon in austenite at 800°C and 1000°C are available from the recent work of Smiths on the equilibrium of hydrogen-methane and carbon monoxide-carbon dioxide mixtures with gamma iron. Combining these with the diffusion studies of Wells and Mehl6 makes possible a quantitative test for this interstitial solid solution. The vapor-pressure determinations for zinc over brass by Hargreaves7 allowed the calculation of activities in this system over a wide range of temperatures and concentrations. Extensive investigation of diffusion in this substitutional solid solution has been carried out by Rhines and Mehl.8 ACTIVITIES IN BRASS9 If the vapor phase of zinc is assumed to behave as an ideal gas, any solid or liquid solutions that are in equilibrium with the same partial pressure of zinc at the same temperature have the same thermodynamic activity of zinc. In order to assign a numerical value to the activity azn, it is necessary to choose some standard reference state to which an activity value of unity is arbitrarily assigned. It is customary to choose the liquid or solid state of the pure material. Then azn is defined numerically by azn = Pza/Pzn° [I]

Jan 1, 1947

By P. R. Smith, R. A. Walters

Borates have been mined in the desert areas of California and Nevada for more than 100 years. To about 1890, playa surface mining provided the chief sources of boron minerals. Underground mining of colemanite and later of borax and kernite was predominate until about twenty years ago. Open pit mining of the large deposits of borax and kernite near Boron, California has been most significant for the past twenty years. Mining of colemanite in the Ryan, California area, near Death Valley, began in 1907. Following the discovery of the large deposits in the Boron area (about 1957), mining in the Death Valley area became nearly nonexistent. Only small tonnages were mined for special uses. Little mining was done in the Boraxo area near Ryan. The first claim was made in about 1915. In 1960 the area became the property of the Kern County Land Company, which was acquired by Tenneco Oil Company in 1967. In 1976 the various boiate properties and claims in this region were acquired by American Borate Corporation. The open pit mine is now approximately 122 m (400 ft) deep, 910 m (3000 ft) long and 305 m (1000 ft wide). The borates in the Boraxo pit consist primarily of three minerals. These are about 50% colemanite (CB6011 5H20), about 40% probertite (NaCaB50g 5H20), and 10% ulexite (NaCaBgOg 5H20). The colemanite, along with boric acid and high-grade colemanite ore from Turkey provide the only sodium-free borates for production of textile grade fiberglas. When heated to its decomposition temperature, colemanite decrepitates to a fine powder, which is the basis for the concentration process. The gangue minerals in this deposit are primarily calcite and clays, including bentonite. The ore body has a very low arsenic content, which is a desirable feature. Test work had been done with samples prior to the results discussed herein. This paper will discuss results of test work which were the basis for erection of a plant, and the subsequent plant operations. Laboratory Calcination and Air Tabling Tests Laboratory calcination tests showed that substantial upgrading of the borate could be accomplished by calcining followed by screening of the calcined material. Removal of the + 28 mesh calcine resulted in borate losses of less than 10% with a rejection of 40 weight % or more of the calcine. The minus 65 mesh calcine generally met the requirement of containing 48%, or more, B203. The minus 28 plus 65 mesh material contained an intermediate quantity of borate and would require additional treatment. Testing demonstrated that ore would not have to be reduced to a size finer than 19 mm (3/4 in.) prior to calcination. A temperature range from 400 to 455OC (750 to 850°F) was apparently satisfactory. Calcination at a temperature of 48Z°C (900°F), or higher, was unsatisfactory due to fusion. All laboratory calcination tests were static tests conducted by placing small covered charges in a laboratory furnace for 40 min. In all tests vapor issues from the furnace for 5 to 7 min. Following this period the ore could be heard "popping," due to decrepitation of the colemanite. The reaction generally continued for approximately one-half hour. Various size fractions of the calcination products from laboratory tests were subjected to laboratory air tabling tests, usually after removing the plus 28 mesh material. Laboratory air tabling tests were conducted employing a Whippet V-80 model air table manufactured by Sutton, Steele and Steele Co. now known as Tripple S Dynamics. Variables include both end and side-tilt, speed of vibration, and quantity of air rising through the deck. In addition to the variables in the machine itself, the feed rate is also a rather critical variable. Testing demonstrated that all - 28 mesh size fractions of the calcine could be successfully concentrated to 48% F2O3 or greater. For the finer material recoveries into the concentrate were between 85 and 90% of the borate. With the coarser material a substantial amount of middling was produced which required cleaner tabling. Laboratory calcination and air tabling tests indicated a process whereby the borate could be concentrated to about 50% B203 with borate recoveries approaching 90%. Moreover, the iron content of the concentrate was well below the required specification of 0.3% Fe2O3. Pilot Plant Calcination Following the laboratory test work described above, pilot plant testing was conducted to prove the process, provide data for engineering studies, and provide product for a prospective purchaser. The kiln used was 0.9 m-diam (3 ft) by 9.0 m (30 ft) long and had a belly section 1.2 m-diam (4 ft) by 2.74 m (9 ft) long near the discharge end. The kiln was operated at a speed of 0.7 rpm. Gas was fired into the kiln at an average rate of 27.1 m3/hr (958.4 cu ft per hr). The air to gas ratio used was 10:1. The ore was fed to the kiln countercurrent to the flame and discharged through a hopper into a screw conveyor which discharged to a 1.2 m (48 in.) Sweco separator. The separator had 28, 65, and 150 mesh screen cloths, with the plus 28 mesh fraction being discarded. The minus 28 mesh fractions were later subjected to air tabling. The exit gases, containing some calcine dust, were swept through two cyclones to recover the dust. The gases then were scrubbed in a Ducon scrubber; very little dust reported past the first cyclone. The dust from the first cyclone was also saved in drums. In addition to the gas rate, the flue gas velocity, after

Jan 1, 1981

By H. D. Kessler, R. J. Van Thyne

Phase diagrams of the titanium-rich portion of the ternary systems from 0 to 10 wt pct Al and 0 to 1 wt pct 0, N, and C were determined. Micrographic analysis of annealed high purity arc melted alloys was the principal method of investigation and was supplemented by X-ray diffraction. TITANIUM-ALUMINUM alloys exhibit excellent properties, particularly for elevated temperature use. For this reason, the Materials Laboratory, Wright Air Development Center, sponsored an investigation of the effect of the interstitially soluble contaminants, oxygen! nitrogen, and carbon, on the Ti-A1 system. Using high purity arc melted alloys and micrographic analysis of annealed samples as the chief method of investigation, titanium-rich partial phase diagrams were determined for the ternary systems. Experimental Procedure Materials: The titanium used in the preparation of the alloys was iodide crystal bar (99.9+ pct pure) produced by the New Jersey Zinc Co. and Foote Mineral Co. The aluminum was obtained from the Aluminum Co. of America in the form of sheet. The given analysis was: Si, 0.0006 pct; Fe, 0.0005; Cu, 0.0022; Mg, 0.0003; Ca, <0.0006; Na, <0.0005; and Al, 99.99. High purity titanium dioxide purchased from the National Lead Co. was used in the preparation of the oxygen-bearing alloys. The spectrographic analysis of this material was as follows: SiO,, 0.07 pct; Fe,O,,, 0.002; A1,0,, <0.001; Sb,O,, <0.002; SnO,,, <0.001; Mg, <::0.001; Cb, <0.01; Cu, 0.0004; Pb, 0.002; Mn, <0.00005; W, <0.01; V, <0.002; Cr, <0.002; Ni, <0.001; and Mo, <0.002. Special spectroscopic graphite rod purchased from the National Carbon Co. was used in the preparation of the Ti-A1-C alloys. Alloy Preparation: Alloy ingots weighing 10 grams were melted in a nonconsumable tungsten electrode arc melting furnace using water-cooled copper hearths and a helium atmosphere. The arc was struck on a tungsten stud in the copper block to minimize contamination from the electrode. Details of the techniques have been reported.&apos;, &apos; Each ingot was inverted and remelted a minimum of four times to insure homogeneity, without opening the furnace. Remelting small control ingots of iodide titanium under similar conditions resulted in no measurable hardness increase, indicating contamination-free melting conditions were used. The alloy charges and resultant ingots were weighed to the nearest milligram. Only small weight losses were obtained upon melting, indicating that the actual compositions were very close to the nominal compositions. Check analyses substantiated this. Oxygen and nitrogen were added during ingot preparation as master alloys. An oxygen master alloy containing 25 wt pct 0 was prepared by melting iodide titanium and pressed titanium dioxide (40 pct 0) powder. The Ti-25 pct 0 alloy is more easily handled during weighing and charging than the pressed TiO, powder. Chemical analysis indicated that titanium-nitride received from an outside source contained large amounts of impurities (2.7 pct Ca). Therefore, a master alloy containing approximately 12 pct N was prepared by melting nitrided sponge titanium. As the sponge melted with difficulty, the alloy was diluted by addition of titanium to lower the melting point. The chemical analysis of the final alloy was 6.69 pct N. Both master alloys are friable and were used as —8 +16 mesh lumps resulting from crushing the ingots. NIelting the Ti-A1-0 and Ti-A1-N compositions five times produced homogeneous ingots. The preparation of homogeneous carbon-bearing alloys caused considerable difficulty. Alloys containing less than 1 pct C were prepared using spectrographic graphite rod, 1/8 in. diameter by 1/8 in. long. However, the graphite did not dissolve even with long melting times and many remelts. The ?/s in. pieces of graphite were used rather than powder because the low density powder is troublesome in arc melting.

Jan 1, 1955

By W. J. McKenna

The International Smelting Co. concentrator at Tooele, Utah, first operated on a custom basis for the treatment of lead-zinc-iron ores on Nov. 1, 1924, with a capacity of 500 tons per day. On May 1, 1925, the capacity was increased to 1000 tons per day by the addition of another 500-ton section. The concentrator has since operated on the two-section basis, each treating 500 tons per day entirely by flotation. Laboratory and Test Mill In connection with the concentrator, a well-equipped laboratory and small continuous testing plant are maintained. The flotation equipment in the test plant is of both the Callow and Mineral Separations Sub-"A" types, so that actual concentrator conditions may be duplicated as closely as possible. Purchasing of Ore A new shipper usually sends to the plant a 25 to 50-lb. samplc, representative of the ore to be shipped. Batch flotation tests are made on this sample to determine its amenability to the concentrator treatment flowsheet and reagent combinations. The results of these tests, which are accurately correlated with those obtained at the concentrator, both as to grades of products and recoveries, determine the actual value of the ore as submitted in the ore purchasing department&apos;s treatment schedule. Hearty cooperation has existed at all times between the ore purchasing and operating departments in the selection of ores as conccntrator feed. Ores Treated The basic tonnages for mixtures on the two sections come from the Park City and Bingham mining districts. The Park City tonnages arc received by rail and consist of crude ores and gravity mill products. Those from the Bingham district arc received by rail and aerial tramway,

Jan 1, 1928

By C. Ernest Birchenall, Robert F. Mehl

Application of diffusion laws in the customary form to experimental studies in binary metallic solid solutions has shown the diffusion cocfficient to vary with concentration for all systems investigated. The factors determining this variation have not been ascertained. However, the question of whether the diffusion coefficient would become a constant, independent of concentration throughout a single phase if the concentration gradient in the diffusion equation were replaced by an activity gradient has been an attractive subject for speculation. Wagner¹ derived an expression for the force acting on a diffusing particle in terms of the chemical potential. This was also the approach chosen by Jost2 in his monograph. From a somewhat different point of view, Eyring3 and his co-workers have used activity gradients when dealing with diffusion in concentrated nonideal solutions. The only actual test with experimental data is that given by Darken,4 though this is more qualitative than quantitative. Many others opposed the application in any way of thermodynamic concepts to kinetic phenomena, including diffusion processes. A rigorous examination of this principle requires good data expressing the relationship between activity and concentration for solid solutions for which reliable diffusion work has been done. The literature provides such information only for the interstitial solution of carbon in gamma iron (austenite) and for the substitutional copper-zinc solutions (alpha brass). Activity data for carbon in austenite at 800°C and 1000°C are available from the recent work of Smith5 on the equilibrium of hydrogen-methane and carbon monoxide-carbon dioxide mixtures with gamma iron. Combining these with the diffusion studies of Wells and Mehl6 makes possible a quantitative test for this interstitial solid solution. The vapor-pressure determinations for zinc over brass by Hargreaves7 allowed the calculation of activities in this system over a wide range of temperatures and concentrations. Extensive investigation of diffusion in this substitutional solid solution has been carried out by Rhines and Mehl.8 Activities in Brass9 If the vapor phase of zinc is assumed to behave as an ideal gas, any solid or liquid solutions that are in equilibrium with the same partial pressure of zinc at the same temperature have the same thermodynamic activity of zinc. In order to assign a numerical value to the activity azn, it is necessary to choose some standard reference state to which an activity value of unity is arbitrarily assigned. It is customary to choose the liquid or solid state of the pure material. Then azn is defined numerically by

Jan 1, 1947

By C. Ernest Birchenall, Robert F. Mehl

Application of diffusion laws in the customary form to experimental studies in binary metallic solid solutions has shown the diffusion cocfficient to vary with concentration for all systems investigated. The factors determining this variation have not been ascertained. However, the question of whether the diffusion coefficient would become a constant, independent of concentration throughout a single phase if the concentration gradient in the diffusion equation were replaced by an activity gradient has been an attractive subject for speculation. Wagner¹ derived an expression for the force acting on a diffusing particle in terms of the chemical potential. This was also the approach chosen by Jost2 in his monograph. From a somewhat different point of view, Eyring3 and his co-workers have used activity gradients when dealing with diffusion in concentrated nonideal solutions. The only actual test with experimental data is that given by Darken,4 though this is more qualitative than quantitative. Many others opposed the application in any way of thermodynamic concepts to kinetic phenomena, including diffusion processes. A rigorous examination of this principle requires good data expressing the relationship between activity and concentration for solid solutions for which reliable diffusion work has been done. The literature provides such information only for the interstitial solution of carbon in gamma iron (austenite) and for the substitutional copper-zinc solutions (alpha brass). Activity data for carbon in austenite at 800°C and 1000°C are available from the recent work of Smith5 on the equilibrium of hydrogen-methane and carbon monoxide-carbon dioxide mixtures with gamma iron. Combining these with the diffusion studies of Wells and Mehl6 makes possible a quantitative test for this interstitial solid solution. The vapor-pressure determinations for zinc over brass by Hargreaves7 allowed the calculation of activities in this system over a wide range of temperatures and concentrations. Extensive investigation of diffusion in this substitutional solid solution has been carried out by Rhines and Mehl.8 Activities in Brass9 If the vapor phase of zinc is assumed to behave as an ideal gas, any solid or liquid solutions that are in equilibrium with the same partial pressure of zinc at the same temperature have the same thermodynamic activity of zinc. In order to assign a numerical value to the activity azn, it is necessary to choose some standard reference state to which an activity value of unity is arbitrarily assigned. It is customary to choose the liquid or solid state of the pure material. Then azn is defined numerically by

Jan 1, 1947

By A. J. Lanza

THE prevention of illness among the employees of the mining industry is especially important in view of the importance of the industry, the unsettled conditions of labor, which emphasize the economic necessity for conservation of labor, and for humanitarian reasons. The burden of chronic illness is altogether unwarranted and unnecessary. If the industry is to maintain its labor supply in an efficient manner and keep the standard high, it is essential that it make every effort to keep its labor in good physical condition. The basic principles underlying health conservation are the same for any industry, but they are here applied especially to the mining industry, and more particularly, perhaps, to metal mining, as it is with this phase of the industry that the writer is most familiar, and as it is conceded that metal mining presents more health hazards than coal mining. The first step in the prevention of illness lies in securing employees who are in sound health and free from organic disease. I do not mean that all men who go underground should be physically perfect, but they should be free from organic defects of the heart, lungs, and other organs, or from anatomical defects that would- markedly increase their liability to accident. The number of men working underground in mines in this country whose physical, condition totally unfits them for such work presents-a situation that should not be allowed to continue, and which I believe is &apos;not equalled in any other, industry in the country. There is but one way to secure men who come up to the required standard, . and that is by a thorough physical examination before employment. I am fully aware of the objections felt toward such a procedure by many employers and employees. There is much to he said on both sides, but to any one who is at all familiar with the mining industry as it is today in this country, and who approaches the matter with an unbiased mind, there can be absolutely no doubt as to the necessity for physical examination. As a purely logical proposition this is self-evident, but there remains the further necessity of placing physical examinations on such a

Jan 2, 1919

By G. A. Merkt

THE Isley furnace control, here presented as a novelty in furnace construction, is, in principle, one of the oldest methods of maintaining furnace heat for industrial purposes. Records unearthed in Egyptian tombs and the primitive methods of melting metal practiced by African tribes today indicate that fanning the fire and forcing the furnace by bellows have been an effective means of regulating heat for man&apos;s work during thousands of years. Even today, these cruder forms of mechanical draft production are still nn use within the borders of this most highly developed industrial land. Stacks, as we know them, are of com- paratively recent historical age but their attractive simplicity and seeming effectiveness have made them exceedingly popular. And so we find one of the most important types of furnace the world has even known, the open-hearth furnace, duly and more or less properly equipped with a chimney. The regenerative, or reversing, type of furnace, how-ever, required another mechanism between its hearth and the stack to provide a means for alternately con-necting one side and the other of its system of regen-erative chambers and flues to the stack and to a source of fuel and air supply respectively. Various types of reversing valves were developed, some of which are re-markably well designed for maximum efficiency and ease of installation as well as operation. However, this combination has a number of inherent faults which are so difficult to correct as to make efforts in the direction of improving over-all efficiency almost futile. These inherent difficulties are as follows: (1) The necessarily high temperature at which the gases must be delivered to the stack in order to make it operative. (2) The great temperature difference incidental to the reversal of flue gas and air and consequently the large variation in preheated air and fuel delivered to the furnace dur-ing the cycle. (3) The leakages and resistances created by the reversing apparatus and the complicated flues necessary. (4) The inadequate range of control af-forded by the natural draft system, especially under adverse atmospheric conditions.

Jan 12, 1927

By Edward B. Walker, Michel Grosmangin

The geological and economic conditions peculiar to the Greater Oficina area are presented to demonstrate the necessity of a low-cost, well-site method of distinguishing gas-bearing formations. The method of gas detection with the neutron log is briefly discussed and its limitations are explained. A new method is described which consists in running a second neutron log with a larger source-to-detector spacing. Field data indicate that under favorable conditions the larger spacing response is proportionately more influenced by the virgin gas zone than is the shorter spacing response. One important condition is that the gas sands be invaded, with a diameter of invasion equal to about two to three times the hole diameter. The calibration of the longer spacing log is made so that the two logs read the same deflection in shale and in a known water or oil sand. Under such conditions, gas is indicated by a positive separation, i.e., the curve for the longer device is displaced to the right of the curve for the shorter device. Because of the non-linearity of the long spacing response, low porosity formations also show positive separations. In sands with large porosity variations, the gas sands can no longer he located visually. They can be detected on a plot of shorter spacing vs longer spac-ing deflections. INTRODUCTION In the Greater Oficina area of Eastern Venezuela, the rapid and accurate detection of gas from well logs is of primary importance because of a combination of economic, geologic, and operational conditions. Briefly, these conditions are: economic—there is no market for gas at the present time; geologic—a single well may contain as many as 30 or more oil or gas sands for which intervals -to be tested must be selected; opera-tional—first, once opened to the casing through perforations, gas sands are extremely difficult and expensive to squeeze off, and second, gas detection must be rapid because the geologist must decide immediately, at the well, which sand to perforate. During the early period of exploitation in Greater Ofi-cina, when clay base muds were used, sidewall samples, together with electric logs, gave fairly good distinction between oil and gas sands. When exploitation became concentrated on deep fields of poorer sidewall sample recovery, and after the advent of oil emulsion muds, now the standard drilling fluid in Greater Oficina, the regular neutron log became the most reliable indicator of gas. In 1953, R. Norelius devised the dual-spacing neutron technique for gas detection. The dual-spacing neutron log has proved to be highly successful in detecting gas and has been adopted as a regular survey by all of the oil companies of the area. Several hundred dual-spacing neutron logs have been run in Eastern Venezuela and several tests per well are available for positive evaluation of the logs. The findings outlined below are based upon this extensive field experience. GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE GREATER OFICINA AREA The Greater Oficina area lies on the south flank of the Eastern Venezuela Basin (Fig. 1). Nearly all accumulations of oil and gas in the area are trapped, in whole or in part, against normal faults. All known oil and gas reservoirs in Greater Oficina occur in the Ofi-cina formation (Miocene-Oligocene) or in the "U" sands. The U sands are the lithologic equivalent of the Merecure group (Otigocene-Eocene), which contains oil in many fields north of Greater Oficina. Most of the petroleum produced in Eastern Venezuela is from the Oficina formation.

Jan 1, 1958

By B. C. Wonsiewicz, W. W. Wilkening

Following a procedure proposed by Wheeler and Ireland, Plane stress yield loci were constructed from Knoob hardness numbers. Basically, six differently oriented hardness measurements were made on three orthogml surfaces through pure poly crystalline magnesium sheet, a magnesium single crystal, and sheet of the magnesium alloys: Mg + 0.5 pct Th, Mg + 4 pct Li, AZ31B, and EKOO. Hardness loci were found to be in poor agreement at small strains (E < 0.05) with loci established by a more rigorous technique. At larger strains (E - 0.10) the agreement is fair, but at this stage in deformation the conventional locus has lost much of the asymmetry that characterizes these anisotropic materials. Two effects which will lead to distortions in the Khn locus are discussed with reference to the geometry of plastic flow during a hardness test. DETERMINING a material&apos;s resistance to multiaxial loading is of interest not only from a structural design viewpoint but also from that of deformation processing. Unfortunately, the determination of the yield locus, although simple in principle, involves tedious procedures if the results are to be at all rigorous.&apos; The idea, first proposed by Wheeler and 1reland2 of determining the yield locus by means of six Knoop hardness impressions along the principal directions in a material has obvious appeal. It is simple, quick, and should be applicable to very thin sheets. If such a technique could be demonstrated to produce consistently reliable results, it would be of interest to both researcher and designer. Lee, Jabara, and ackofen have compared the yield locus determined by Knoop hardness measurements (the Khn locus) to a locus determined by more rigorous techniques. They found good agreement for two titanium alloys at a plastic strain of about 1 pct. The purpose of this paper is to investigate if the Khn locus construction is a reasonable approximation to the locus of a highly anisotropic material. Examples of such materials are magnesium and magnesium alloys which have severely distorted yield loci which in turn reflect markedly dfferent yield strength in different directions.&apos; In pure magnesium, for example, the yield stress in tension along the transverse direction may be four times the yield stress in compression in the same direction and twice the tensile yield stress in the rolling direction. Predicting such large differences ought to serve as a severe test of the Khn locus construction. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES Samples of rolled sheet, 0.250 in. (6.35 mm) thick, of pure magnesium and four magnesium alloys (Mg experimental materials. The pure magnesium together with the lithium and thorium alloys were those used in the study of Kelley and Hosford. The grain size was ASTM number 4 for the pure magnesium and number 6 for the alloys. HARDNESS TESTING The materials were sectioned along the rolling and transverse planes, mounted in a quick setting resin, and mechanically polished. Most of the hardness tests were performed on a surface prepared by electro-polishing (30 pct nitric acid in methanol at 0°C and 20 v) with the exception of the AZ31B and EK00 alloys which were made directly on a metallographically polished surface. However, subsequent hardness tests on the same sample after heavily electropolishing, revealed essentially the same hardness as before. At least twenty Knoop hardness impressions under a 100-g load were made in each of the six orientations shown in Fig. 1. The average hardness number and standard deviation were then calculated for each orientation. CONVENTIONAL LOCUS CONSTRUCTION Yield loci were constructed using a technique described in detail by Lee and ackofen,&apos; in which the flow stress (stress at a given plastic strain) fixes the coordinates of a point on the locus and measurements of the strain ratio serve to establish the slope of the locus at that point. The loading paths which correspond to uniaxial tension or compression tests establish the four intercepts of the locus with the coordinate axes plus one point on the balanced biaxial tension line Tensile testing was performed along the rolling and transverse (r, t) directions. Samples had a uniform rectangular gage length 1 by 4 by 4 in. (25.4 by 6.35 by 6.35 mm) and were deformed at a strain rate of 3.33 x 104 sec-&apos;. The tests were interrupted periodically to unload the sample and measure the plastic strains by means of X-Y post yield strain gages. Compression tests in the rolling, transverse, and through-thickness (r, f, z) directions were performed on 1/4 in. (6.35 mm) cubes at an initial strain rate of 8.33 x sec-&apos;. Lubrication was provided by 0.002 in. (51 pm) Teflon sheet which was renewed after unloading for micrometer measurements used to calculate the strains.

Jan 1, 1970

By Newell Alford

THE data in this paper were collected to show both the volume and speed with which bituminous mines have indefinitely suspended operation while economic advantage in the industry has so gravely declined. The study was limited to the bituminous coal-mining states east of the Mississippi River, wherein conditions affecting production and demand are more common respectively to all of the mining districts included and represent about 95 per cent of the nation&apos;s coal mining. Data for the compilation of these statistics and for the construction of these graphs have been obtained in all cases from state mine depart-ment reports, except from those of Ohio and Virginia. In Virginia essential individual mine data were secured from an authentic source, but no individual Ohio mine information is obtainable, because all Ohio fact-gathering agencies are prohibited by law from revealing such data. In other states the facts were tabulated and later checked with the cooperation of Chief Mine Inspectors. In all, excluding Ohio, over 17,000 individual annual mine returns were examined. Special infor-mation was secured from each state mine department about suspensions in 1932. Accurate information was not available from all states about mine abandonment due to exhaustion of coal reserves, and while these were completed for several states, it has not been shown because it was not perfected for all states. However, the total observed sample was comprehensive enough to show that exhaustion accounts for a very limited part of the suspended production. Wherever mention is made of "suspended production" the largest annual output of the mine in the five years prior to suspension has been taken as the measure of its probable production had it continued to operate. A mine is not regarded in this category, as having suspended, when it merely ceases to produce. The word "suspension" is used only where there is a complete abandonment of activity for an indefinite period, as evidenced by the fact that both ventilation and pumping are discontinued.

Jan 1, 1933

By Jorge Munoz Reyes, Guillermo

The new entity, Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales Bolivianos, created in 1936 for the development and exploitation of all petroliferous zones of Bolivia, including those formerly belonging to the Standard Oil Co., is doing its utmost to bring about rapid development and by this means to create a new source of revenue for the State. With this in view, Y.P.F.B. has opened a new field in the Samaipata region, on the main road between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. Installation of machinery has begun for the drilling of several wells on the five anticlines that occur in this region. Work has also begun in the Saipuru field, on the Santa Cruz-Charagua highway, which was discovered by the Standard Oil and temporarily abandoned. In this new field, a topping plant will be installed, to supply gasoline and kerosene to Santa Cruz. Explorations are also being made on the neighboring structures of Saipuru. At the end of 1937, the committee that is to study the region of the Chapare in the northeastern part of Cochabamba, was organized. The structures were studied 10 years ago by Kirtley Mather and other geologists. It is hoped that by March 1938 this camp will begin work, as this zone gives promise of being valuable. Development The capacity of the refinery at Camiri has been enlarged in order that it may supply all the needs of that region. In order that the supply of crude may be adequate, several wells that had been almost abandoned by the Standard Oil are being cleaned out. New wells have been located at this camp following the principal anticlinal structure, and during the first half of the year 1938 several wells will be drilled. The same program is being followed in Sanandita but on a greater scale, as the nearness of this district to the Argentine border, which is the best market for the Bolivian petroleum of the south, allows immediate sale of the petroleum. Possibly a new refinery will be installed at this camp, as the one now in existence is only a rudimentary distillery. At the Bermejo camp, which is farther south, intensive work is being done to bring the wells into production. The Standard Oil produced limited quantities several years ago, but since 1927 the wells of this dis-

Jan 1, 1938

By W. B. Daly, A. S. Richardson

The application of artificial refrigeration, or air-conditioning, to the ventilation of deep, hot mines has long been a subject of interest to the operators of such properties. Artificial cooling of the air in theaters, railroad coaches, and various industrial plants has been so successful within recent years that it has been natural to assume that the adoption of similar methods would afford a ready solution to the difficult problem of mine ventilation. It should however, be obvious, that although there may be nothing technically impossible in the application of this process to mine ventilation there is a great economic distinction between the maintenance of a high standard of comfort for a large number of people in a relatively small space such as a theater and the cooling of air to improve working conditions for miners scattered throughout the extensive workings of a large mine. Many methods of air-conditioning have been considered by the management of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. at various times, but until the development of the process to be described in this paper none has seemed economically practicable. The Ventilating Problem at Butte The main obstacle to satisfactory ventilation in the Butte mines is the normally high temperature of the granite country rock. In the present operating zone, rock temperatures as high as 120&apos; F. have been noted, and in some parts of the district the rate of increase of temperature with depth has ranged as high as 3.5" F. per 100 ft. Other factors, such as the decay of mine timber and the oxidation of sulfide minerals in the ore bodies, contribute to raise the temperature of the air in the working places but, particularly in the development of the mines to greater depth, the naturally high temperature of the rock is of predominant importance. In few other places, probably, are the ordinary ventilating measures more hindered than at Butte. At an operating depth now exceeding 3000 ft., all of the air required for ventilation must pass through timbered shafts which, because of heavy ground, are of small size and offer great resistance to the flow of air. Shaft compartments are rarely more than 4.5 X 5 ft., and the shaft area open to the flow of air usually does not exceed 65 sq. ft.; in only two shafts is the area as great as 85 sq. feet.

Jan 1, 1934

By John R. Spencer

A capillary tube variable volume cell is described, which has operated satisfactorily over a range of 100°F and 3,500 psi to 550°F and 1,500 psi. The cell contents are entirely visible over the length of the capillary with the exception of a space at the top amounting to three per cent of the total volume. Observations on the critical behavior of simple systems have been greatly facilitated by the apparatus, it being possible to establish the critical conditions for a particular mixture in the course of a day&apos;s run. INTRODUCTION Many types of apparatus have been designed for obtaining data on the phase relationships of hydrocarbon systems. Such apparatus can in general be subdivided into two classifications; (l), indirect measurement of phase volume, and (2), direct visual observation of phase volume, each of which has outstanding advantages and disadvantages. Indirect measurement of phase volume requires the use of rather elaborate apparatus including internal probes in which are located the device for determining the locus of the interface between phases. Such equipment is by its very nature costly, and is complex from the standpoint of operating technique. Probing techniques can be used, however, over wide ranges of temperature and pressure with a high degree of reproducibility. Apparatus for visual observation of phase behavior obviously has the advantage of enabling the experimenter to see exactly what takes place, but because the material to be tested is contained in a cell constructed of both metal and glass, is limited severely as to the temperature range of operation. Furthermore. the maximum pressure usually is limited by the choice of material used for sealing the glass to the metal, and by the strength of the glass itself. In the interest of increased efficiency of observation, as much of the cell as possible should be visible to the eye. Glass capillary tubes have been used successfully but have always given difficulty at the metal-to-glass seal. An apparatus has been devised to overcome the problems of sealing and resistance to temperature effects that have heretofore been the limiting factor with glass apparatus in the observation of phase volumes at elevated temperature and pressure. APPARATUS The objective which dictated the general arrangement of the apparatus (Figs. 1 and 2) was simplicity of operation. The air bath, A, was constructed of an iron framework to which was attached approximately one inch of glass wool bats which were covered on the outside with "Masonite." A roughly octagonal center piece was installed to provide forced circulation of the air by the fan, B, past the heaters, D, cell, F, and thermoregulator, C, respectively. The entire top of the box is removable to facilitate charging of the cell and to permit easy maintenance. Two windows are provided before and behind the cell to allow the operator to observe the contents against the background fluorescent light, E. The heaters,

Jan 1, 1951

By John R. Spencer

A capillary tube variable volume cell is described, which has operated satisfactorily over a range of 100°F and 3,500 psi to 550°F and 1,500 psi. The cell contents are entirely visible over the length of the capillary with the exception of a space at the top amounting to three per cent of the total volume. Observations on the critical behavior of simple systems have been greatly facilitated by the apparatus, it being possible to establish the critical conditions for a particular mixture in the course of a day&apos;s run. INTRODUCTION Many types of apparatus have been designed for obtaining data on the phase relationships of hydrocarbon systems. Such apparatus can in general be subdivided into two classifications; (l), indirect measurement of phase volume, and (2), direct visual observation of phase volume, each of which has outstanding advantages and disadvantages. Indirect measurement of phase volume requires the use of rather elaborate apparatus including internal probes in which are located the device for determining the locus of the interface between phases. Such equipment is by its very nature costly, and is complex from the standpoint of operating technique. Probing techniques can be used, however, over wide ranges of temperature and pressure with a high degree of reproducibility. Apparatus for visual observation of phase behavior obviously has the advantage of enabling the experimenter to see exactly what takes place, but because the material to be tested is contained in a cell constructed of both metal and glass, is limited severely as to the temperature range of operation. Furthermore. the maximum pressure usually is limited by the choice of material used for sealing the glass to the metal, and by the strength of the glass itself. In the interest of increased efficiency of observation, as much of the cell as possible should be visible to the eye. Glass capillary tubes have been used successfully but have always given difficulty at the metal-to-glass seal. An apparatus has been devised to overcome the problems of sealing and resistance to temperature effects that have heretofore been the limiting factor with glass apparatus in the observation of phase volumes at elevated temperature and pressure. APPARATUS The objective which dictated the general arrangement of the apparatus (Figs. 1 and 2) was simplicity of operation. The air bath, A, was constructed of an iron framework to which was attached approximately one inch of glass wool bats which were covered on the outside with "Masonite." A roughly octagonal center piece was installed to provide forced circulation of the air by the fan, B, past the heaters, D, cell, F, and thermoregulator, C, respectively. The entire top of the box is removable to facilitate charging of the cell and to permit easy maintenance. Two windows are provided before and behind the cell to allow the operator to observe the contents against the background fluorescent light, E. The heaters,

Jan 1, 1951

By Clemens Jones

THE analytical history of phosphorus in its relation to the metallurgy of iron is an interesting study, the progress of which runs parallel with the development of the greatest industry in the world. Without the means of finding out how much phosphorus crude pigiron contained, the Bessemer steel process would have been impossible. To do this was originally tedious and slow work. On the other hand, the " direct" process of to-day, as well as the various special processes for steel or iron, have demanded the utmost rapidity in the operations of analytical chemistry. In general, any rapid process for the conversion of unrefined metal into a product of standard composition depends upon the rapidity of some accurate means employed to control it. Moreover, in our modern practice, it is not improbable that the differences in physical properties among the various makes of iron or steel are affected, if not produced, by the use of different methods of analysis. Recourse is always had for correction to the ((standard methods," but I incline to think that these methods are susceptible to error. It is very certain that the system of duplicates would not be resorted to, if the fact were otherwise. Even when duplicated, under the most careful and skilful manipulation, these standard methods produce disagreements. In proof of statements like these, which may sound. heretical, I hope, further on, to cite some evidence worthy of attention. I do not now mean to lay claim to the distinction of discovering the ultimate corrective. That result will come, no doubt, in. time, as the product of the experience of many workers. In the case of phosphorus, as of the other ingredients of iron or steel, a great deal has been done to accommodate the methods of analysis in rogue to the growing necessity for more rapid procedures: Much of this work has concerned what might be called the incidents of method. There is no better example of the accumulation of these incidental improvements than the work done on phosphorus; and I

Jan 1, 1890

By B. H. Bergstrom, C. L. Stevenson

In any process wherein materials must be pelletized, a crucial period exists during the interval between the manufacture of the green pellets and their subsequent heat treatment. The pellets must possess sufficient strength and plasticity to withstand conveying and sizing. Also, they must be neither excessively brittle nor excessively plastic when placed in a bed on a traveling grate for heat treatment. An acceptable pellet, in the event sufficient forces are applied to cause its fracture, will merely split into two or three large fragments which would not drastically alter the permeability of the pellet bed. However, when brittle pellets are broken, they shatter so that the resultant fine particles either decrease the perimeability of the bed or become entrained in the gas stream and thereby cause dust problems. On the other hand, excessively plastic pellets may not break at all but may merely flatten. This would seriously hamper bed permeability. In the past, pellet evaluation has usually been left to the creative and artistic talents of the balling operators. A multitude of techniques have evolved, of which the most common is the simple compression test. For this test a hand-operated device loads single pellets to fracture, but reliability is strictly operator- dependent. Probably the next most common test is the drop test, which is conducted according to several different procedures. This is an important quantitative test for estimating the amount of handling a pellet will withstand. There are many other tests, such as pinching a pellet between the thumb and index finger, but none are capable of producing reproducible results.

Jan 4, 1962

By F. W. Bryan, D. H. Lynch

Introduction This paper is a general description of current central Florida phosphate mining, beneficiation, and product transportation. It is directed and believed to be of interest to engineers not familiar with this industry. Deposit: The phosphate deposits of central Florida are generally located in a five county area which includes Polk, Hillsborough, Hardee, Manatee, and DeSota counties. Geologically, the deposit is of marine origin and is identified as the Bone Valley formation. This formation is Pliocene to Recent in geological age and overlies a Miocene limestone formation known as the Hawthorn. The Bone Valley formation sediments are regionally characterized by equal proportions of apatite, quartz, and clay. The clay is predominantly of the mont-morillonite family. On a local scale, however, the proportions of these three major constituents vary considerably. The phosphate occurs as the apatite mineral (Ca 10F2(PO4)(6) and with the clay and sand, the minable ore is commonly referred to as matrix. This matrix is overlain by unconsolidated overburden of sand and sandy clays, ranging in depth from 10 to 45 ft. The matrix usually occurs in fairly horizontal continuous beds from 3 to 25 ft in thickness. The bedded limestone formation lies directly below the matrix and is generally well defined. The phosphate particles range from 3/4 in. to 200 mesh (Tyler) in size. The phosphate particles coarser than 14 mesh are called pebble phosphate and those less than 14 mesh are termed flotation feed which, when beneficiated, subsequently become concentrates. Through mining and beneficiation, phosphate quality is measured in BPL percent which stands for bone phosphate of lime units. In subsequent chemical manufacturing, the quality is indicated by P205 content. The deposit is economically characterized by various ratios such as tons of product per acre and cubic yards handled per ton of product. Magnesium, iron, and aluminum content are also considered in evaluating ore reserves. These elements are often critical to the chemical fertilizer processes. Presently, an ore body is considered economically minable if it meets the criteria shown in [Table 1]. These, of course, are general guidelines and specific costs and returns on investment must be considered in each case for acquiring reserves. On a new grass-root venture, a 20-30 year life is generally expected with a mineral recovery of 80%. History and Uses Phosphate mining in central Florida began around the turn of the century. However, in the early days, only pebble phosphate was produced until about 1930 when technology was available to beneficiate the -14 + 150 mesh particles. The -150 or -200 mesh material was discarded as it is today. The basic processes for beneficiation are washing, scrubbing, desliming, sizing, and flotation. These basic unit processes are essentially the same today although many improvements have been developed since the early days. Phosphate is used primarily in the production of high analysis fertilizer chemicals, typical of which are triple superphosphate, monoammonium phosphate (MAP), and diammonium phosphate (DAP). Phosphate is also used in the production of food preservatives, dyes for cloths, vitamin and mineral capsules, steel hardeners, gasoline and oil additives, toothpaste, shaving creams and soaps, bone china dishes, plastics, optical glass, photographic films, light filaments, water softeners, insecticides, soft drinks, road fill, and livestock feed supplements. Florida produces over 80% of the nation&apos;s marketable phosphate rock and one-third of the world production, according to the US Bureau of Mines. This amounted to approximately 35 million tons in 1975. Exports of Florida phosphate rock were to such countries as Canada, Japan, West Germany, Italy, and India, with Canada and Japan being the major users. Almost 95 o of all outbound cargo shipped through the port of Tampa is phosphate rock or related products. Beneficiation Following is a description of Agrico&apos;s new Fort Green beneficiation plant which is typical of the newer large capacity plants being built in the field. Agrico&apos;s Fort Green mine was completed in 1975 and is located in the southwest corner of Polk County and is directly adjacent to Manatee, Hillsborough, and Hardee Counties. With some minor differences, Fort Green is typical of a modern central Florida plant. The rated capacity is 3,000,000 plus tons of product per year and this varies according to the richness of the ore being handled. A simplified flowsheet is presented in [Figs.1 and 2]. This plant is served by three draglines of the 40-cu-yd class. The phosphate beneficiation is usually divided into three major functional steps: (1) washing and screening to produce a pebble product and flotation feed, (2) feed preparation and (3) flotation to produce concentrates. The typical plant is similarly divided into these three functional areas. Washer: Briefly, the slurried matrix is pumped from two draglines simultaneously at a combined rate of about 20,000 gpm at 2000 tph (solids) to rotary trommel screens sized to make a 7/8-in. separation. ([See Fig. 1]-) The trommel oversize is sent to hammermills where it is crushed and returned to the trommel screens, or pumped to tailings if minor impurities (Fe203, A1203, MgO) are too high. The trommel undersize is pumped to 14 mesh stationary (static) flat screens. The flat screen over¬size is subjected to three stages of 14 mesh vibrating screening and two stages of log washing in order to produce a final pebble product. The pebble product (+ 14 mesh material) is conveyed by belt conveyor to a large on-ground storage pile. Pebble product is reclaimed through a tunnel and loading system below

Jan 1, 1980