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By E. S. Mardock, E. Brunner

A method of measuring oil saturations in cores or sand packs by neutron scattering is described. This method permits local SatUrations to be measured in a core enclosed in a steel pressure vessel without interrupting the flow. calibration data and a saturation distribution measurement obtained with the apparatus are included by way of illustration. Introduction In laboratory flow experiments designed to study the mechanism of oil production it is frequently necessary to measure the oil saturation in a core or sand pack containing Oil, gas, and perhaps brine. It is sometimes desirable that the saturation measurement refer to a relatively small portion of the core, so as to eliminate end effects; that it be made without interrupting the flow, and that it be applicable to a core enclosed in a steel Pressure vessel capable Of withstanding the Pressures encountered in petroleum reservoirs. None of the usual methods of measuring saturation meets all Of these requirements. To measure the gas saturation by observing the apparent compressibility of the gaseous Phase1 would require the interruption of the flow and would give an average saturation for the whole core. An electrical conductivity method is available for measuring brine saturations,2,3 but it is not applicable to oil. A radioactive tracer might be used if a suitable substance could be found that would dissolve in the oil, emit gamma radiation, and not be adsorbed on the sand, the steel core holder, or in an aqueous- phase. The large gamma-ray background from the mass of radioactive oil in other parts of the apparatus might, however, be undesirable. There remain for the saturation measurement methods involving the absorption or scattering of some penetrating radiation produced outside the apparatus. It might be possible to use X-rays or gamma rays; but these radiations would be so much less strongly absorbed and scattered by the oil than by the steel walls of the core holder and by the sand that it seems doubtful that much precision could be attained. In a beam of neutrons, however, there is a radiation that is very penetrating and, moreover, its scattering by substances containing hydrogen, such as oil, is qualitatively different from that occasioned by other materials. It would seem possible, and has proved to be quite practicable, to measure oil saturations accurately under the required conditions by means of neutron scattering. The first, to our knowledge, to suggest neutron scattering as a means of measuring oil saturation were F. Brans and ,. A. Bottema,4 of the Amsterdam laboratories of the Bataafache Petroleum Maatschappij, who made a few preliminary experiments to test the method while they were engaged in exploring the possibilities of neutrons for well-logging purposes. A comprehensive account of neutrons and their behavior will be found, together

Jan 1, 1946

By I. Lowthian Bell

THERE has been probably no improvement introduced into the manufacture of iron which created more surprise in the minds of practical smelters and of scientific men than Neilson's discovery of the hot blast. In 1829, Messrs. Dunlop & Co. consumed at the Clyde Works, near Glasgow, nearly 7 3/4 tons of coal to make a ton of pig iron, of which about 20 cwts. was employed under the boilers of the blowing engines, leaving nearly 7 tons for the consumption of the furnace itself. In the year 1833, by heating the air to 612° F. (322° C.), they reduced the 7 3/4 tons to 3 tons by the mere burning of 8 cwts. of coal in the apparatus for raising the blast to this temperature. The statement just given is strictly true in a commercial sense, but when we come to consider the question as one of physical science, it is necessary to eliminate some of the conditions which conduced to so extraordinary a result. Anterior to Neilson's time the fuel employed in smelting iron was coke, and it was supposed at that period, erroneously, however, that coal in its raw state, when burned with cold air, was totally unfit for the purpose in question. This mineral, as it was obtained from the Lanarkshire coal-field, contained about 35 per cent. of volatile matter, but the process of charring it was performed in so unskilful a manner that instead of receiving 88 cwts. of coke from 135 cwts. of coal, 60 cwts. only was the product of the operation. Again, the reduced consumption of carbon in the furnace itself was accompanied by a corresponding diminution of blast, and this was followed by an economy of half a ton in engine coal. After making a proper allowance, however, for all these collateral circumstances, we are within the mark when we admit that in actual coke, which is really the form the fuel has to assume before it is burnt in the blast-furnace, not less than 30 cwts. was saved by heating the blast to 615° F. (322° C.). This unexpected economy, be it remembered, was obtained by the combustion of the 8 cwts. of coal, somewhat wastefully applied in the hot-air apparatus. Numerous have been the opinions advanced by different authorities in the scientific world to account for the apparent anomaly, but none,

Jan 1, 1877

By David B. Reger

The substantial expansion of previously discovered gas pools was the principal feature of petroleum activity in West Virginia during 1940. At least one new gas pool was discovered and various other successful wildcat completions may prove to be gas-pool openers. Some slight extensions of oil pools were also made. The new productive territory, principally gas, added by these extensions was approximately 33,800 acres. ' In general, oil activity was slight because of unfavorable crude prices. Gas activity, on the contrary, increased considerably, although the price of gas did not materially change. The account of operations, as gathered from trade journals and other reporting services, shows that 709 new wells were drilled, resulting in 102 new oil wells with I055 bbl. of daily new produc-tion; 468 new gas wells with 633>g47,000 cu. it. of daily open flow; and 139 dry holes. Also, 91 old wells were drilled to deeper sands, with 143 bbl. and 44,833,000 cu. ft. of added production. On the new wells the oil average was 10.34 bbl, per well per day; and the gas average was 1,354,000 cu. ft. per well per day. On new wells the ratio of dry holes to completions was 19.61 per cent. On deeper drilling to other sands the ratio of failures was 12.I per cent. From an exploratory standpoint, one strictly new gas pool (Lorentz) was opened in Upshur County. Little forecast of its extent or reserve can now be made. The new extensions of various other previously discovered pools, however, give assurance of a new gas reserve that will equal approximately a year of gas demand. In addition to these definite supplies two widely separated Oriskany sand (L. Dev.) wildcats in Jackson County, one of which was completed late in 1940 and the other early in 194.1, may indicate two separate pools or may greatly extend known pools. In south-ern Kanawha County, also, an old Oris-kany-sand well deepened to the White Clinton sand (Sil.) showed a volume of 733,000 cu. ft. and rock pressure of 1800 Ib., giving rather clear assurance that this deep sand, in which only slight quantities of gas had previously been found, should eventually supply much new gas. On the other hand, various deep tests to the Oriskany sand in Harrison, Putnam, Randolph and Wood Counties were totally dry or gave only small volumes of gas, The principal oil wells completed, by counties, were: Calhoun, 15; Clay, Ir; Pleasants, 14; Ritchie, 15; and Roane, 7. Production for the year was estimated by the U. S. Bureau of Mines as 3,444,000 bbl., as compared to 3,684,000 bbl. in 1939. The leading counties in gas-well completions were: Boone, 36; Braxton, 17; Cabell, 25; Calhoun, 16; Clay, 22; Gilm.er, 47; Jackson, 38; Kanatvha, 77; Lincoln, 18; Putnam, 32; IGtchie, 40; and Wayne, 31, Production for the year is estimated by me as I70,000,000,000 cu. ft. as compared to I59,226,000,000 cu. ft.* in 1939. No long pipe lines were built but various gas-line extensions and cross connections,

Jan 1, 1941

By David B. Reger

The substantial expansion of previously discovered gas pools was the principal feature of petroleum activity in West Virginia during 1940. At least one new gas pool was discovered and various other successful wildcat completions may prove to be gas-pool openers. Some slight extensions of oil pools were also made. The new productive territory, principally gas, added by these extensions was approximately 33,800 acres. ' In general, oil activity was slight because of unfavorable crude prices. Gas activity, on the contrary, increased considerably, although the price of gas did not materially change. The account of operations, as gathered from trade journals and other reporting services, shows that 709 new wells were drilled, resulting in 102 new oil wells with I055 bbl. of daily new produc-tion; 468 new gas wells with 633>g47,000 cu. it. of daily open flow; and 139 dry holes. Also, 91 old wells were drilled to deeper sands, with 143 bbl. and 44,833,000 cu. ft. of added production. On the new wells the oil average was 10.34 bbl, per well per day; and the gas average was 1,354,000 cu. ft. per well per day. On new wells the ratio of dry holes to completions was 19.61 per cent. On deeper drilling to other sands the ratio of failures was 12.I per cent. From an exploratory standpoint, one strictly new gas pool (Lorentz) was opened in Upshur County. Little forecast of its extent or reserve can now be made. The new extensions of various other previously discovered pools, however, give assurance of a new gas reserve that will equal approximately a year of gas demand. In addition to these definite supplies two widely separated Oriskany sand (L. Dev.) wildcats in Jackson County, one of which was completed late in 1940 and the other early in 194.1, may indicate two separate pools or may greatly extend known pools. In south-ern Kanawha County, also, an old Oris-kany-sand well deepened to the White Clinton sand (Sil.) showed a volume of 733,000 cu. ft. and rock pressure of 1800 Ib., giving rather clear assurance that this deep sand, in which only slight quantities of gas had previously been found, should eventually supply much new gas. On the other hand, various deep tests to the Oriskany sand in Harrison, Putnam, Randolph and Wood Counties were totally dry or gave only small volumes of gas, The principal oil wells completed, by counties, were: Calhoun, 15; Clay, Ir; Pleasants, 14; Ritchie, 15; and Roane, 7. Production for the year was estimated by the U. S. Bureau of Mines as 3,444,000 bbl., as compared to 3,684,000 bbl. in 1939. The leading counties in gas-well completions were: Boone, 36; Braxton, 17; Cabell, 25; Calhoun, 16; Clay, 22; Gilm.er, 47; Jackson, 38; Kanatvha, 77; Lincoln, 18; Putnam, 32; IGtchie, 40; and Wayne, 31, Production for the year is estimated by me as I70,000,000,000 cu. ft. as compared to I59,226,000,000 cu. ft.* in 1939. No long pipe lines were built but various gas-line extensions and cross connections,

Jan 1, 1941

By Stanley L. Lopata, Eric B. Kula

The problem of preferred orientation has been considered in quantitative phase analysis by X-ray diffraction techniques. The average intensity of a diffraction peak can be obtained by integration over the whole pole figure, or by random rotation of the specimen in the X-ray beam, or by a combination of both. For rod or wire, where the pole figure shows rotational symmetry, the intensity is measured along a radius of the pole figure. Where no symmetry is present, rotational symmetry is imparted by rapid rotation of the sheet around its surface normal during measurement. These methods are applied to the determination of aus-tenite in an Fe-31 pct Ni rod and Fe-28 pct Ni sheet. X-RAY diffraction techniques are frequently used for quantitatively determining the relative amounts of two or more phases present in a structure.1,2 Briefly, the method requires a measurement of the intensity of a Bragg reflection for each phase. The method is based on the principle that the intensity of a Bragg reflection, IA, is directly proportional to the volume fraction of the given phase present, CA: T KRACA/2µ [1] where K is a constant independent of the diffracting phase, RA can be calculated and depends on the Bragg angle ? and the particular reflection measured, and µ is the linear absorption coefficient of the mixture.' For a mixture of two phases A and B, IA = RAcA [2] IA/IB=RAcA/Rbcb and CA+ CB = 1 [3] This allows the volume fraction of a phase to be calculated directly from the measured integrated intensities of the two phases present. This method is frequently used for quantitatively determining retained austenite in steels, but can be used for the quantitative determination of in titanium alloys, as well as phases in other alloy systems. The intensities are generally measured by diffracting only from planes whose normals are perpendicular to the specimen surface, with the implicit assumption being made that this intensity is typical of reflections from planes whose normals lie at other angles to the surface. If the specimen contains a texture or preferred orientation of the crys- tallographic planes by virtue of previous mechanical working, however, this measured intensity is correct only if the intensity level fortuitously is one times random. Examination of pole figures for actual rolled sheet shows that the intensity level at the center of the figure is seldom at the random level, and can very easily differ by a factor of five or more, leading to a commensurate error in the calculated amount of the phases. Textures have been commonly found in materials which are cold-rolled or recrystallized after cold rolling. This problem is becoming of greater importance since structural materials in use today, such as the high-strength stainless steels, frequently are further strengthened by cold rolling, and hence contain textures. Although high-strength carbon-containing alloy steels generally do not contain textures, some of the newer thermomechani-cal treatments will impart a texture even in these cases. In the case of hexagonal metals, such as titanium, probably every wrought sample will show some anisotropy. Since the standard X-ray techniques are inapplicable in all these cases, there is a clear need for some method of taking this anisotropy into account. The specific problem is to obtain the integrated intensity of a Bragg reflection for each phase, averaged over all orientations of the sample with respect to the X-ray beam. This can be done either by purely mechanical means or by a mathematical averaging. Mechanically, a small spherical speci-

Jan 1, 1965

By Howard A. Meyerhoff

IN western Argentina, in the Province of Mendoza and the Territory of Neuquén, there is a series of solid bitumen deposits which are claimed to be the most extensive in the world. In a linear belt 500 km (311 miles) long, roughly paralleling the axis of the Andes but occupying a variety of positions with respect to the orogenic structures, more than 100 outcrops have been reported. Approximately 70 of these have been prospected, and some mining has been planned or attempted for about half this number. Limited tonnage, high sulphur content, inaccessibility, labor shortages, and disastrous fires have taken a heavy toll among these operations, and in 1947, only 4 deposits were being actively mined, but 8 more were being explored and developed with a view to placing them in production. Inasmuch as these deposits are currently yielding a substantial fraction of Argentina's limited domestic supply of solid fuels, a brief account of the deposits and of the small industry based upon them will provide a commentary on Argentina's fuel problem. CHARACTER OF SOLID BITUMENS The solid bitumens of Mendoza and Neuquén are petroleum derivatives, as is indicated by the following ultimate analysis: [CONSTITUENTS PER CENT Hydrogen6.8 Carbon82.4 Nit.rogenI.6 Oxygen2.7 Sulphur2.2 Ash4.3 100.0] In physical appearance they bear a close resemblance to coal and are commonly called carbón. Their specific gravity has an extreme range of 1.10 to 1.777 in 36 samples weighed, but the average is between 1.14 and 1.24. The material is black, lustrous to dull, with blocky to sub-conchoidal fracture. Though brittle, the purest material is softer than anthracite and exhibits slightly more cohesion. This bituminous material is generally known as asfaltita or asphaltite, but definitive chemical studies indicate that the term asphaltite or grahamite can be applied correctly only to the exceptionally pure material of the Auca Mahuida district in Neuquén. Some other name should be used for the chemically variable bitumens found in all other districts, and the designation "asphaltitic pyrobitumen" has been proposed by Carlos A. S. Piscione.1 At the present time these bitumens, are finding favor as solid fuel and as a gas-producing medium. They yield heat values of 8650 to 9750 cal,2 or 14,500 to 16,750 Btu per pound, and in consequence of their excellent heating qualities and the scarcity of imported coal, they are marketed as far away as Buenos Aires at a price of go to 95 pesos, or approximately $22 to 23, per metric ton. In burning, the material swells and decomposes into solid, fluid, and gaseous fractions which burn violently though nonexplosively. Its combustibility has been responsible for disasters and virtually complete destruction at Mina La Esperanza and Mina Santa Marta, and for minor mishaps elsewhere, as at Mina Escondida in August 1947.

Jan 1, 1947

By C. C. Templeton, S. S. Rushing

Methods previously developed for the study of air-liquid displacements in microscopic capillaries (inner diameters of 3 to 40 microns) have been used to investigate oil-water displacements in capillaries initially filled with water. Displacement calculations assuming perfect displacement and no capillary pressure hysteresis yielded oil effective viscosities smaller than the macroscopic viscosities. For a given liquid pair, the oil effective viscosity decreased both with decreasing capillary size and with increasing oil-water viscosity ratio. This behavior can be explained by the existence of an annular water film (20 A to 260 A thick) on the capillary wall. When the capillary was first filled with oil, the ratio of the oil effective viscosity to the normal oil vircosity was highest for the first water displacement and decreased with subsequent displacements. Sometimes the oil effective viscosity ratio during the initial water displacement was greater than unity. INTRODUCTION In a previous paper1 a technique was described for studying air-liquid and liquid-liquid displacements in very small capillaries of uniform diameter, in the hope that such microscopic data would further the understanding of the nature of multiphase fluid flow through porous media. That paper contained comprehensive data for air-liquid displacements in Pyrex capillaries, with a few data for oil-water displacements in capillaries initially filled with water. The purpose of this paper is to present more complete results for oil-water displacements in capillaries initially filled with water, and to describe for the first time such observations in capillaries initially filled with oil. In this way the effect of the wetting history of the system upon the displacement process may be studied. METHODS The basic techniques employed were described in the previous paper.1 The measuring procedure and the working equations will be briefly summarized here and a few modilications will be pointed out. For the present study, temperature control within 0.l °C was obtained by placing the microscope and its immediate accessories in a thermostated air bath made of a steel frame covered with plexiglas. The water and oils used in this work were the same as in the previous paper,1 with the addition of "Medium Mineral Oil, U.S.P. supplied by the Harshaw Scientific Co. When the first liquid was introduced into the horizontal capillary, the air-liquid static capillary pressure Poc was measured along the observable length of the capillary. From the relation Poc = 4y cos 0/d, the capillary diameter d could be calculated from Poc if the "microscopic" air-liquid boundary tension, To = y cos On, was taken as equal to its known "macroscopic" value. This calculation involves assuming that cos 6 = 1 and that capillary size or the resulting high interfa-cial curvature has no effect on surface tension, or y cos 6, as was verified by our work, and also by that of Cohan and Meyers on air-liquid-solid systems. For several capillaries these calculated diameter values were compared with values measured visually with a filar micrometer eyepiece. For a given capillary the average values for the two methods agreed within 1 or 2 per cent, but the visual values were less reproducible than the calculated values. Further the calculated values were much less subject to personal bias and took into account any slight ellipticity that might be present. Hence diameters calculated from air-liquid Poc data were used throughout this paper. The second liquid was introduced in such a way that a single spherical interface separated the two liquids. Displacements were always made with a constant pressure, Pt, between the ends of the capillary. The times (t) at which the interface passed certain

Jan 1, 1957

By W. T. Lankford, Edward Saibel

During the course of an investigation of the plastic flow of aluminum aircraft sheet under combined loads, several problems arose in which analyses of the conditions leading to unstable plastic flow were needed. In order to provide these analyses, and in the hope of attaining a better understanding of the general problem of unstable plastic flow, the present study was undertaken. It is well known that unstable plastic flow is associated with a form of mechanical instabi!ity frequently observed during the plastic deformation of ductile metals. This instability is characterized by the fact that, at its onset, plastic straining mill proceed at a constant magnitude of the externally applied forces. It is further typical that the resulting unstable flow is generally accompanied by the formation of a neck, a local bulging, or some other form of heterogcneous deformation. Perhaps the most familiar example of unstable plastic flow to the metallurgist is the formation of the neck in the ordinary tension test. It is well known that in this test most metals exhibit a maximum in the externally applied load, followed by the process commonly referred to as "necking down." Instability in the simple tension test has been frequently discussed and numerous investigators1'2'3'12 have derived the criterion for instability in terms of a critical rate of strain hardening. It is the purpose of the present study to extend the criterion for unstable flow to the more general case where the body undergoing flow is subjected to combined loads. It is hoped that the problems considered will provide a more consistent picture of the general features of this important form of mechanical instability. The most practical implications of instability in plastic flow arise in connection with sheet metal forming operations. In the formation of a great many sheet metal parts, the deformations are produced primarily by stretching. If the conditions which lead to unstable flow are fulfilled in such a formation, and if the resultant instability leads to a pronounced localization of flow, then the useful limit of ductility of the material will have been reached. It i; also essential that the effects of instability be taken into consideration in any study of the plastic flow and rupture of metals under combined stresses. In general, when unstable plastic flow is initiated, straining becomes localized, the geometry of the test splecimen changes, and the state of stress in that portion of the specimen undergoing plastic flow is no longer under external control. In many past studies of the effects of combinetl Metals On flow and rupture) account has not been taken of the fact that, although a given test may be started under constant

Jan 1, 1947

By Edward Saibel, W. T. Lankford

During the course of an investigation of the plastic flow of aluminum aircraft sheet under combined loads, several problems arose in which analyses of the conditions leading to unstable plastic flow were needed. In order to provide these analyses, and in the hope of attaining a better understanding of the general problem of unstable plastic flow, the present study was undertaken. It is well known that unstable plastic flow is associated with a form of mechanical instabi!ity frequently observed during the plastic deformation of ductile metals. This instability is characterized by the fact that, at its onset, plastic straining mill proceed at a constant magnitude of the externally applied forces. It is further typical that the resulting unstable flow is generally accompanied by the formation of a neck, a local bulging, or some other form of heterogcneous deformation. Perhaps the most familiar example of unstable plastic flow to the metallurgist is the formation of the neck in the ordinary tension test. It is well known that in this test most metals exhibit a maximum in the externally applied load, followed by the process commonly referred to as "necking down." Instability in the simple tension test has been frequently discussed and numerous investigators1'2'3'12 have derived the criterion for instability in terms of a critical rate of strain hardening. It is the purpose of the present study to extend the criterion for unstable flow to the more general case where the body undergoing flow is subjected to combined loads. It is hoped that the problems considered will provide a more consistent picture of the general features of this important form of mechanical instability. The most practical implications of instability in plastic flow arise in connection with sheet metal forming operations. In the formation of a great many sheet metal parts, the deformations are produced primarily by stretching. If the conditions which lead to unstable flow are fulfilled in such a formation, and if the resultant instability leads to a pronounced localization of flow, then the useful limit of ductility of the material will have been reached. It i; also essential that the effects of instability be taken into consideration in any study of the plastic flow and rupture of metals under combined stresses. In general, when unstable plastic flow is initiated, straining becomes localized, the geometry of the test splecimen changes, and the state of stress in that portion of the specimen undergoing plastic flow is no longer under external control. In many past studies of the effects of combinetl Metals On flow and rupture) account has not been taken of the fact that, although a given test may be started under constant

Jan 1, 1947

By H. H. Dreissen, F. J. Fontein

The operating principle of the classifying cyclone has been described often but some special aspects of the cyclone receive further clarification here. In addition, several uses of the classifiers are summarized and made clear by means of practical examples. In coal and ore washeries, the washing cyclone is widely used for the separation by specific gravity of sizes up to about 12 mm. This application has lately been extended to the separation by specific gravity of particles up to about 50 mm. This use makes special demands on the construction and wear resistance of the cyclone. The sieve bend, a development of the Dutch State Mines which is less well known than the hydrocy-clone, is dealt with at some length. The sieve bend is an apparatus designed for wet screening. Attention is given to the variables influencing the performance of the sieve bend. Hydrocyclones are now so widely applied that it would be difficult to find an industry not, directly or indirectly, using them or knowing how to use them since publications on this subject abound.1-3,5,9-11,13-15 However, because of the large number of variables influencing the operation of classifying cyclones, it is not entirely possible to calculate the results of this type of cyclone. Therefore, a number of lesser known variables will be discussed here along with some special applications of the classifying cyclone. FACTORS INFLUENCING CYCLONE CLASSIFICATION Shape of Particles: The shape of particles may cause a much coarser classification than the one expected, considering the sieve analysis and the cyclone dimensions chosen. This was clearly shown by feeding a mixture of spheres and disks in water into a cyclone. The spheres were 0.36 mm diam and the disks, 3 mm diam and 0.03 mm thick. These dimensions were chosen in order that the disks and spheres might have the same rates of fall under gravity. Both spheres and disks had a specific gravity of 1.05. The results obtained with these particles in a cyclone are summarized in Table I. Test No. 2 shows that the catch of spheres was

Jan 1, 1963

By Morris Muskat

A general theory has been developed for the effect of permeability stratification on the efficiency of the gas-injection phase of cycling operations. It has been applied to three special types of permeability variation; namely, exponential, probability, and linear. In the case of the exponential permeability distribution the effect of areal pattern sweep efficiency was also taken into account. The exponential permeability distribution can be characterized by the ratio of the maximum to minimum permeability, which has been termed the stratification constant. Curves were calculated for the variation in total wet gas recovery and total gas throughflow, to give that recovery to various abandonment limits of the wet gas content in the produced gas, as a function of the stratification constant. The cumulative wet gas recovery decreases monotonically as the stratification constant increases and is generally higher at the lower values of the wet gas content abandonment limits. The total gas throughflow first rises to a maximum as the stratification increases, and then ultimately declines. The effect of the areal sweep pattern efficiency is relatively minor as compared to that of the stratification constant, except in the region of low values of the latter where the formation is substantially uniform. The probability distribution can be characterized by a "variation" parameter varying from o to I as the formation changes from strict uniformity to extreme variability. The curves of total wet gas recovery and total gas throughflow to different abandonment limits of wet gas content versus the variation parameter have the same general characteristics as for the exponential permeability distribution. In the linear permeability distribution the ratio of maximum to minimum permeability also serves as a stratification constant index defining the distribution. The curves of total wet gas recovery and gas throughflow to fixed abandonment limits versus the stratification constant are similar to those for the exponential permeability distribution. However, for the higher values of the stratification constant the recoveries and throughflows do not asymptotically fall to o as in the latter, but approach constant values determined by the abandonment limit of wet gas content in the produced gas. Introduction It is becoming generally recognized that one of the most important factors determining the economic feasibility of cycling operations is the areal continuity and permeability distribution of the producing formation. While the effects of areal variations in permeability, porosity, thickness, and well pattern on the sweep efficiency can be evaluated by electrical model studies,' those due to permeability stratification require separate treatment. Several studies have been reported2,3 on the' influence of permeability variations on the wet gas recovery by cycling. In these, however, discontinuous permeability variations either have been assumed explicitly, or the analysis has been carried through as if they were discontinuous. While, in fact, the actual permeability profiles will undoubtedly be discontinuous, recent develop-

Jan 1, 1949

By H. L. Brunjes, G. B. Gould

The softening temperature of coal ash, as determined in the laboratory, has been used for years as an indication of the tendency of coal to form clinker and slag. It has not, however, provided an index of unfailing and complete reliability for forecasting the relative performance of different coals, even in the same plant and under the same conditions of operation. A large amount of investigation has been done in attempts to account for this, but practically all of this has been in the direction of studying the chemical constitution of coal ash. Much has been learned, but without much progress toward a better practical application of knowledge to the selection of coal. There has always seemed to be an important factor that eluded discovery. It has long been recognized that the ash-softening temperature as determined in the laboratory had one weakness, in that it represented the temperature at which a thorough mixture of the whole ash of the coal would melt, the mixing having taken place before the heal was applied. This does not, of course, simulate what takes place in practice. With certain exceptions, which will be noted later, almost all of the investigations that have been made, especially the chemical studies of coal ash, have likewise dealt with a mixture of the whole ash in the coal. The present investigation differs from these fundamentally in its approach to the problem. It started from the observation that some clinkering and slagging obviously takes place in a boiler furnace at temperatures below the laboratory-determined ash-softening temperature of the coal. Knowing that coal as it is shipped to market is a heterogeneous mixture of diverse mineral substances, each of which may act independently of the others in the initial stages of clinker and slag formation, it seemed logical to investigate separately the softening temperature of the ash in physically separable portions of the coal, and to determine the relative quantities of ash contributed by each portion. While the data are far from complete, covering as they do only a few coals, and while the conclusions to be reached from the data at this stage arc, in some measure, speculative, they are presented at this time because

Jan 1, 1940

By G. B. Gould, H. L. Brunjes

The softening temperature of coal ash, as determined in the laboratory, has been used for years as an indication of the tendency of coal to form clinker and slag. It has not, however, provided an index of unfailing and complete reliability for forecasting the relative performance of different coals, even in the same plant and under the same conditions of operation. A large amount of investigation has been done in attempts to account for this, but practically all of this has been in the direction of studying the chemical constitution of coal ash. Much has been learned, but without much progress toward a better practical application of knowledge to the selection of coal. There has always seemed to be an important factor that eluded discovery. It has long been recognized that the ash-softening temperature as determined in the laboratory had one weakness, in that it represented the temperature at which a thorough mixture of the whole ash of the coal would melt, the mixing having taken place before the heal was applied. This does not, of course, simulate what takes place in practice. With certain exceptions, which will be noted later, almost all of the investigations that have been made, especially the chemical studies of coal ash, have likewise dealt with a mixture of the whole ash in the coal. The present investigation differs from these fundamentally in its approach to the problem. It started from the observation that some clinkering and slagging obviously takes place in a boiler furnace at temperatures below the laboratory-determined ash-softening temperature of the coal. Knowing that coal as it is shipped to market is a heterogeneous mixture of diverse mineral substances, each of which may act independently of the others in the initial stages of clinker and slag formation, it seemed logical to investigate separately the softening temperature of the ash in physically separable portions of the coal, and to determine the relative quantities of ash contributed by each portion. While the data are far from complete, covering as they do only a few coals, and while the conclusions to be reached from the data at this stage arc, in some measure, speculative, they are presented at this time because

Jan 1, 1940

By D. W. Philips

THE problem of strata control has of necessity been prominent in mining, and accounts of individual experience and research abound in the literature of most mining countries. Organized research began in Britain by the formation of a committee, upon the recommendation of the Safety in Mines Research Board in 1923, to investigate methods of reducing accidents from falls of roof in coal mines. This committee examined current practice in supporting underground workings in the principal coal fields, and its findings have been published in the Board's publications. Toward the end of these investigations it was suggested by the Chief Inspector of Mines that committees of the several mining institutes be formed to examine the problem in their respective districts. The formation of these committees marked a new phase in research on strata control. The work, though being done in the separate coal fields, followed a scheme outlined by the Chief Mining Engineer of the Research Board, and was coordi¬nated by his office. FACTORS INVOLVED The subject is being considered in Britain from two aspects: I. To provide, by supports, means to prevent falls of fractured ground. 2. To develop methods whereby the strata can be maintained in the least broken condition and thus make falls less likely. The first aspect is the one that will most likely lead to immediate results from the accident standpoint. It depends largely upon the assimilation of already acquired knowledge regarding the proper¬ties of supports and their correct applica¬tion. The second aspect is perhaps more fundamental, and involves also the proper¬ties of the strata and their behavior under the influence of the forces induced by mining. The problem involves many natural factors that cannot be controlled, such as depth, inclination and thickness of seam and nature of the rocks. Other factors, which may be considered to a certain extent controllable, cannot be varied readily and with sufficient fre¬quency to facilitate easy investigation; some of these are: rate of advance of the working face, length of face, direction of the face with regard to cleat and inclination, system and arrangements of rock packing behind longwall faces. In any given case the very many factors present have a mutual influence upon the effects produced in the mine. For example, a study of the effects of rate of advance cannot be done without considering the effects of other factors such as nature of strata, direction of face and quality and arrangement of supports. Conversely, the length and direction of a working face

Jan 1, 1946

By C. P. Watson

It is perhaps significant that a few years ago the sessions held here were chiefly occupied with production. In the last two years these sessions have been concerned with production curtailment, unitization and conservation, notwithstanding that production in the United States in 1929 reached a total in excess of 1,000,000,000 barrels. A study of the leading producing units in the United States shows that Oklahoma, Texas and California in 1929 yielded 84 per cent. of the total production from 33.5 per cent. of the total number of producing wells. Production in the United States in 1929 showed an increase of 107,000,000 bbl. over the 1928 figures. This increase in itself perhaps is not enough to have caused the serious situation that is now confronting the industry. However, taking into account the gradual encroachment on the consumption of fuel oil through the greater utilization of natural gas, probably we have reached the point in the United States where prices will determine to a large extent,' in 1930, the amount that will be produced. In the states of Texas, Oklahoma and California, the most significant developmcnt of 1929 has been the desire of operators to reach some agreement to bring production more or less in control with the estimated demand. In November, production in California, particularly in the Santa Fe Springs field, was drastically cut to meet a certain requirement. Similarly, in Texas, the Yates field has been developed and has been producing under an agreement on the part of the operators; and more recently in Oklahoma City, serious efforts have been made to keep produetion in line with consumption. For the year 1930 we can see nothing in sight except drastic curtailment. This is a matter that I am sure is occupying the attention of all the leaders of the industry.

Jan 1, 1930

By Frank H. Reed, P. W. Henline, Harold W. Jackman

A SUMMARY of the consumption of coal in 1945 shows that the coke industry accounted for 17 pct of the total coal used. No substitute for coke and the blast furnace in the reduction of iron ore has gained sufficient prominence so far to be given serious consideration. However, while the same slot-type ovens are being built and used now as were in use a few years ago, the problem of obtaining suitable coking coals, both high- and low-volatile, has forced many operators to revamp coal-blending facilities. Until the beginning of World War II, high-temperature coke plants were able to secure the required high-volatile and low-volatile coals from two or three seams and from three or four mines. Thus, many of our coke oven plants were able to operate with storage bins for two coals only. The variance in raw materials was not great, and uniformity of blend was a relatively simple problem. Since the beginning of World War II, many and important changes have taken place. Demand for all coals increased greatly. Production, though kept as near maximum capacity as possible, could not meet the demands for coal generally, and particularly for the various kinds of coal which have proved to be satisfactory for specialized uses; coals were allocated as nearly as possible in the order of greatest need; storage piling was reduced to the minimum necessary to keep plants in operation; uniformity of quality could not be maintained, and with this last, uniformity of composition of blends for coking could not be maintained. Whereas before the war producers of metallurgical coke could fill their needs from three or four mines, by the end of the war it was not unusual to find shipments to a single coke oven plant coming from as many as 30 different mines, in a single month. Since many of the mines producing both high- and low-volatile coal for high-grade metallurgical coke are rapidly nearing depletion, the problem of seeking new sources and of blending a number of coals in each plant for the production of high-temperature coke is facing practically every producer in the United States at the present time, and is one which will probably continue for many years to come. Midwestern by-product coke ovens in the Chicago and St. Louis areas use annually from 12 to 15 million tons of bituminous coals which are transported 500 to 700 miles from the Appalachian coal fields of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and eastern Kentucky. Approximately two-thirds of this coal is high-volatile bituminous. The critical transportation problem confronting the nation in 1943, and the growing scarcity of the best Appalachian coking coals, prompted the Illinois Geological Survey to propose a research program in which would be studied the coking properties of blends of low-sulphur, high-volatile Illinois coal with the high- and low-volatile coals from the eastern fields. Such blends containing Illinois coal, if substituted for the all-eastern blends normally coked,

Jan 1, 1948

By B. M. Larsen

In endeavoring to put the art of the steelmaker on a more scientific basis, as a means of securing closer control of the product, we must be severely critical of the basis of any theory we use. In particular, we must be careful to distinguish between factors that are primary and those of only secondary impartance. The concentration relations that determine the slag-metal equilibria, which are usually more or less closely attained, are of course of primary significance, but a, dear picture of the whole process requires that the actual rates of the several reactions be taken properly into account. At the high temperature of the steelmaking furnace, all reactions might be thought to be very rapid, but some of them in fact are not; the essential causes of this condition are important to a proper understanding of the process. This paper aims to present, and to justify, the viewpoint that the most significant reaction is the oxidation of carhon in the metal, the progress of which determines the oxygen pressure levels in slag and metal and produces stirring effects, all of which influence the course of the process as a whole. Reaction Rates at Steelmaking Temperatures General experience in reaction rates makes it almost certain that at steelmaking temperatures equilibrium is attained practically instantaneously when the reactants are well distributed in a single liquid phase —that is, in the so-called homogeneous reactions. The actual slowness of some of the reactions in the open-hearth furnace must therefore be attributed to a relatively slow rate of diffusion within the slag or metal phase, which limits the rate at which the reactants can meet each other in the liquid steel or at its surface. That the reactions can be made to go with great rapidity, by proper mixing and stirring of the reacting phases, is indicated by the following illustrations: 1. In the Bessemer process there is intimate contact between air and the whole mass of metal, and the reactions are complete in a few minutes. 2. Perrinl has demonstrated that by pouring liquid steel into slag contained in a deep ladle, and thereby producing almost a slag-metal emulsion, the phosphorus or oxygen content of the steel is adjustcd immediately. 3. Barret, Holbrook and Wood2 observed a quite rapid rate of desulphurization when powdered calcium carbide was stirred vigorously into liquid iron. 4. When a spoonful of liquid steel is poured into a. mold containing aluminum wire, the formation and precipitation of alumina occurs in the fraction of a second required to freeze the surface layer of the tiny ingot. The first three examples all show that any means of increasing the effective surface between slag and metal and promoting intimate mixture of the reacting phases, thereby obviating the limitation imposed by diffusion, will enhance the speed of the steelmaking process.

Jan 1, 1941

By B. M. Larsen

In endeavoring to put the art of the steelmaker on a more scientific basis, as a means of securing closer control of the product, we must be severely critical of the basis of any theory we use. In particular, we must be careful to distinguish between factors that are primary and those of only secondary impartance. The concentration relations that determine the slag-metal equilibria, which are usually more or less closely attained, are of course of primary significance, but a, dear picture of the whole process requires that the actual rates of the several reactions be taken properly into account. At the high temperature of the steelmaking furnace, all reactions might be thought to be very rapid, but some of them in fact are not; the essential causes of this condition are important to a proper understanding of the process. This paper aims to present, and to justify, the viewpoint that the most significant reaction is the oxidation of carhon in the metal, the progress of which determines the oxygen pressure levels in slag and metal and produces stirring effects, all of which influence the course of the process as a whole. Reaction Rates at Steelmaking Temperatures General experience in reaction rates makes it almost certain that at steelmaking temperatures equilibrium is attained practically instantaneously when the reactants are well distributed in a single liquid phase —that is, in the so-called homogeneous reactions. The actual slowness of some of the reactions in the open-hearth furnace must therefore be attributed to a relatively slow rate of diffusion within the slag or metal phase, which limits the rate at which the reactants can meet each other in the liquid steel or at its surface. That the reactions can be made to go with great rapidity, by proper mixing and stirring of the reacting phases, is indicated by the following illustrations: 1. In the Bessemer process there is intimate contact between air and the whole mass of metal, and the reactions are complete in a few minutes. 2. Perrinl has demonstrated that by pouring liquid steel into slag contained in a deep ladle, and thereby producing almost a slag-metal emulsion, the phosphorus or oxygen content of the steel is adjustcd immediately. 3. Barret, Holbrook and Wood2 observed a quite rapid rate of desulphurization when powdered calcium carbide was stirred vigorously into liquid iron. 4. When a spoonful of liquid steel is poured into a. mold containing aluminum wire, the formation and precipitation of alumina occurs in the fraction of a second required to freeze the surface layer of the tiny ingot. The first three examples all show that any means of increasing the effective surface between slag and metal and promoting intimate mixture of the reacting phases, thereby obviating the limitation imposed by diffusion, will enhance the speed of the steelmaking process.

Jan 1, 1941

By W. A. Ver Wiebe

The year 1940 was singularly unmarked by sensational developments in Kansas. Routine operations were carried on in a systematic, orderly fashion and the efforts of oil producers were concentrated on extending known fields. In Kansas an arbitrary yardstick for wildcats has been set up. A well drilled mile or more from a known pool or well is now considered a wildcat. A "rank wildcat" is one that is drilled at least 2 miles from any known producer. During 1940, rank wildcats resulted in the completion of 116 test wells, among which 16 were successful in finding new oil pools and the remaining I00 were dry holes. The ratio of successful wells to dry holes, therefore, was approximately I:6. During the year, 1890 wells were completed in eastern and western Kansas. This figure is somewhat lower than that given in several trade journals, because it does not include wells that were deepened or wells that were recompleted in a different geological horizon. About three fourths of these (1423) were completed as commercial oil wells (I220 in western and 203 in eastern Kansas). The commercial gas wells completed number 58 of which 10 are in eastern Kansas and 48 in western Kansas. Of the remzining completions 147 are dry holes in eastern and 262 are dry holes in western Kansas. Based on daily potential capacity, the new discoveries of the year account for a cumulative initial production of 46,000 bbl. in eastern and 2,128,000 bbl. in western Kansas. The state of Kansas attained a new peak in production, with the total of 66,245,000 bbl. for the year 1940, the number of contributing wells being 20,779. Thus the increase over 1939, when about 58 million barrels was produced, is considerable. The previous peak occurred in 1937, when 70,761,000 bbl. was marketed. In another still earlier peak, in 1917, slightly more than 45,000,000 bbl. was produced and sold. The production of gas probably reached a new peak also during 1940, with its total of 85 1/2 billion cubic feet. Between the peak of the year 1908, when over 80 billion cubic feet was produced, and that of 1940, the production dropped to a low point of 16 billion cubic feet in the year 1921. The number of test wells drilled was larger than in 1939; that is, 1890 compared with 1458. The first peak was reached in 1904, when 2782 wells were drilled. The number dropped off rapidly, to 368 three years later, but rose to the second and highest peak in 1918, when 4671 test wells were completed. In the period between 1904 and 1912 more gas wells were completed than oil wells. Between the high peak of completions in 1918 and somewhat lower peak of 1937, the low point was reached during 1931, with the completion of only 470 test wells. In the number of new pools discovered, Kansas again ranks high among the states. The exact number depends somewhat upon the interpretation of a "new" area— whether it should be called a new pool or a long extension of an old pool. Unfortunately, the matter of securing the right kind of production allowable also enters into this question. Often the decision regarding a new pool cannot be made until other wells

Jan 1, 1941

By W. A. Ver Wiebe

The year 1940 was singularly unmarked by sensational developments in Kansas. Routine operations were carried on in a systematic, orderly fashion and the efforts of oil producers were concentrated on extending known fields. In Kansas an arbitrary yardstick for wildcats has been set up. A well drilled mile or more from a known pool or well is now considered a wildcat. A "rank wildcat" is one that is drilled at least 2 miles from any known producer. During 1940, rank wildcats resulted in the completion of 116 test wells, among which 16 were successful in finding new oil pools and the remaining I00 were dry holes. The ratio of successful wells to dry holes, therefore, was approximately I:6. During the year, 1890 wells were completed in eastern and western Kansas. This figure is somewhat lower than that given in several trade journals, because it does not include wells that were deepened or wells that were recompleted in a different geological horizon. About three fourths of these (1423) were completed as commercial oil wells (I220 in western and 203 in eastern Kansas). The commercial gas wells completed number 58 of which 10 are in eastern Kansas and 48 in western Kansas. Of the remzining completions 147 are dry holes in eastern and 262 are dry holes in western Kansas. Based on daily potential capacity, the new discoveries of the year account for a cumulative initial production of 46,000 bbl. in eastern and 2,128,000 bbl. in western Kansas. The state of Kansas attained a new peak in production, with the total of 66,245,000 bbl. for the year 1940, the number of contributing wells being 20,779. Thus the increase over 1939, when about 58 million barrels was produced, is considerable. The previous peak occurred in 1937, when 70,761,000 bbl. was marketed. In another still earlier peak, in 1917, slightly more than 45,000,000 bbl. was produced and sold. The production of gas probably reached a new peak also during 1940, with its total of 85 1/2 billion cubic feet. Between the peak of the year 1908, when over 80 billion cubic feet was produced, and that of 1940, the production dropped to a low point of 16 billion cubic feet in the year 1921. The number of test wells drilled was larger than in 1939; that is, 1890 compared with 1458. The first peak was reached in 1904, when 2782 wells were drilled. The number dropped off rapidly, to 368 three years later, but rose to the second and highest peak in 1918, when 4671 test wells were completed. In the period between 1904 and 1912 more gas wells were completed than oil wells. Between the high peak of completions in 1918 and somewhat lower peak of 1937, the low point was reached during 1931, with the completion of only 470 test wells. In the number of new pools discovered, Kansas again ranks high among the states. The exact number depends somewhat upon the interpretation of a "new" area— whether it should be called a new pool or a long extension of an old pool. Unfortunately, the matter of securing the right kind of production allowable also enters into this question. Often the decision regarding a new pool cannot be made until other wells

Jan 1, 1941