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By John E. Riddell

This review is based on a questionnaire sent out to 24 Canadian exploration companies, known to be active in the mineral exploration field, concerning their practice in the use of applied geochemical techniques in Precambrian terrains. Of the companies questioned, 16 returned completed questionnaires and of these, ten companies stated that they had some experience in this type of work. Of the companies who did not answer or return the questionnaire in time I know that at least three have been quite heavily engaged in applied geochemical work in the glaciated Precambrian areas. I also know that these three companies have been reasonably successful in their ventures, so I feel the following figures and opinions are, if anything, on the pessimistic side. Before continuing with the paper I would like to express my personal thanks to the Chief Geologists, Geologists and Exploration Managers of the various companies who cooperated in making this review possible by answering the questionnaires and making available summaries of their work in the glaciated terrains. Of the companies who stated that they had no experience in geochemical prospecting in glaciated Precambrian areas it is interesting to note that only two have reported that they do not use applied geochemistry at all. Two companies have reported that they make use of applied geochemistry in New Brunswick in areas of-light glaciation. Their opinion is that it is a useful aid to other techniques in evaluating mineralized areas.

Jan 1, 1960

By R. E. Cech

Metallographic observations on hydrogen-reduced nickel oxide crystals suggest that nucleation of nickel occurs at structural singularities in the oxide. The fully reduced structure contains micron-diameter, worm-like voids occupying 40 to 50 pct of the volume. The crystallographic orientation relationships between nickel oxide and nickel resulting from oxide reduction are recorded and discussed. THE process of reduction of oxide to metal is one of considerable complexity involving a chemical reduction reaction, mass transport of reducing agent to the point of reaction and of reaction product away from it, and finally a transformation whereby metal atoms released from the oxide rearrange to form a stable reduced phase. In addition, nucleation of the reduced phase affects the overall reaction kinetics. Thus far only the thermodynamic aspect of reduction has received the attention warranted by the importance of

Jan 1, 1960

By Spooner H. W

The paper describes the search for mineral deposits in an area of 4,500 sq. miles of south-west Tasmania. The area is one of difficult access and the problem of speedy movement and maintenance of field parties was solved by the use of helicopters. The programme has followed a systematic pattern of the aerial photography of the exploration area with the preparation of photQmosaics and topographical base sheets from these mosaics. Geological maps were initially prepared by photogeological interpretation and making use where possible of pre-existing information. The maps produced were later checked by ground traverses. Geophysical maps were obtained by the use of airborne magnetic, electromagnetic and radiometric methods. Geophysical and geological anomalies were checked on the ground by a campaign using ground geophysical equipment in the former case and geological and geochemical work in both instances. Audio Frequency Magnetic and Induced Polarization techniques were used in an area which was covered by several hundred feet of Tertiary sediments.The campaign has reached the stage of the drilling of specific targets.INTRODUCTIONThis paper describes the activities of Lyell-E.Z. Explorations (L.E.E.), an organization which was formed in 1956 by the Mt. Lyell Mining and Railway Co. Ltd. and the Electrolytic Zinc Co. of Australasia Ltd. to explore for mineral deposits in an area of approximately 4,500 sq. miles in southwest and southern Tasmania. To provide the necessary personnel and equipment for this project the exploration resources of both Companies were pooled and augmented and a headquarters was established in Queenstown. The work was directed by a Committee of four made up of officials from both Companies; a review of this structure has recently been presented by Hall (1959).

Jan 1, 1960

By D. W. Fuerstenau

Recently R. J. Charles1 showed that comminution of brittle or semi-brittle materials in batch operations is described more appropriately by a variable energy relationship than by the specific relationships proposed by Rittinger,2 Kick,3 and Bond.' That is, the value of n in the empirical differential operation which applies to crushing and grinding (Eq. 1) is variable. Independently, Holmes' developed an identical generalized equaton for size reduction. The experimental data of Charles and Holmes show that the value of n is determined by the material and the comminuting machine and is constant for a given combination of these two conditions. The general objective of the present article is to extend the Charles-Holmes concepts to continuous ball milling. The specific objective is to analyze the operation of a vibratory ball mill dry-grinding chromite in a continuous open circuit and to develop an equation for the comminution of chromite in this mill. Basic Principles: In a batch mill the length of time during which the material is ground is a direct measure of the energy expended on the material, except possibly for exceedingly fine grinding. However, in a continuous operation, the fraction of the total expended energy which is useful for grinding will vary according to feed rate and amount of material in the mill. If the amount of material within a continuously operating vibratory mill is low enough so that only part of the expended energy is used for grinding, the extent of size reduction at constant power input must depend upon the length of time the material is retained within the mill, namely, upon retention time. The following analysis pertains to a continuous mill operating under these conditions. The empirical differential equation that applies to the comminution of brittle materials is:" dE = -Cdx/x" [1] where dE is an infinitesimal energy expenditure, C a constant, dx an infinitesimal size change, x the particle size, and n a constant. For continuous grinding in an open circuit at constant power input, P, Eq. 1 must be written as (dtr)P = -C dx/x" [la] where dt, is an infinitesimal time during which a particle of size x is in the mill, and C' is a constant. A ground product never consists of particles of single size but always comprises a distribution of sizes. In comminution, the expenditure of energy causes a lateral shift in the size distribution.', ' " The general objective of any engineering study of comminution is to correlate the magnitude of this size distribution shift with the energy expended, the ultimate aim being to cause the greatest shift with the least amount of expended energy. Although a number of criteria can be used to measure this shift, Schuhmann's size modulus has been found convenient.' Mathematically, the Schuhmann size distribution can be expressed as follows:" y = l00(x/k) [2] or in differential form: dy = [F- xa-' dx ] K, where y is percentage of material finer than size x, a is a constant that determines weight distribution among particles of various sizes, and k the size modulus that denotes the theoretically maximum-sized particle in any size distribution. By considering the energy required to reduce an element of weight of material, dy, from size x, to size x, the element of time during which the material must remain in the mill at at power will be (dt..).= J'-Cax!(dy) [3] Summing up all the elements of weight from zero to 100 for a product that conforms to the Schuhmann size distribution yields C C f Cdx,\( 100«x°-'dx\

Jan 1, 1960

By E. J. Ostrowski

The Bureau of Mines experimental blast furnace, Bruceton, Pa., was operated to determine the feasibility of replacing part of the burden coke requirements with solid fuels injected directly into the smelting zone. This report describes preliminary experiments and information resulting from such an interchange. These experiments were made on an all-sinter burden, using two parts sinter to one part fuel. Anthracite fines were injected intermittently into the smelting zone of the furnace by compressed air through auxiliary tuyeres. The interval between injection periods ranged from 5 to 15 minutes. A maximum of 28 percent of the stock column coke bur-den was replaced. This percentage replacement caused furnace malfunction, but the overall percentage of these experiments indicated that 20 to 24 percent of the coke requirements could be replaced in this way. The metallurgical coke consumption was decreased by as much as 377 pounds (25.3 percent) per ton of pig metal produced. Buckwheat anthracite No.4 was used in this experiment; however, such solids as bituminous coal or coke fines also could be used. The frequency as well as the quantity of solid fuel injected has a direct bearing on furnace performance.

Jan 1, 1960

By Joseph A. DeCarlo

The rapid growth of the organic chemical industry in the United States and abroad has focused attention on the future raw-material sources for this important industry. Chemical products are essential to modern civilization; and millions of tons of organic chemicals are used annually, ranging from basic raw materials to finished chemical products such as drugs, cosmetics, and soaps. Hundreds of chemical products are made directly or indirectly from coal, but in this report "coal chemicals" will be limited to crude tar, crud light oil, and ammonia recovered in the high-temperature carbonization of bituminous coal and the important principal products obtained by processing these materials. Specifically these include benzene} toluene, xylene, naphthalene, creosote oil, tar acid oil, pitch, and ammonium sulfate. Therefore the term "coal chemicals", wherever used in this report, includes only these products and does not include the secondary or intermediate products such as styrene, synthetic phenol, aniline, phthalic anhydride, or finished products made from these, such as synthetic rubber, plastics, and dyes. The United States leads the world in production and consumption of coal chemicals. In the past five years nearly one-fourth of the total output of coal-tar crudes in the world was produced in the United States. Consumption of some of the more important products derived from these crudes such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and naphthalene, however, ranged from about one-third to one-half of the world total because of imports and production of benzene, toluene, and xylene from petroleum. The synthetic organic chemical industry of the United States was established during World War I on chemical raw materials obtained by the high-temperature carbonization of bituminous coal but this source of supply currently furnishes less than 40 percent. More than 60 percent of the chemical raw materials used to produce organic and inorganic chemical is supplied by the petroleum industry and production of petrochemicals is rising rapidly.

Jan 1, 1960

By W. E. Robinson

Oil-shale kerogen was processed into oil and oil products before the first oil well was completed by Drake in 1859. However, because of economic and other advantages, natural petroleum has been the principal source of liquid fuels and lubricants since 1859 and is a convenient root of many [organic] chemicals in common use today. In recent years the difference has narrowed between the cost of producing liquid fuels from well petroleum and other sources. This narrowing of cost difference has resulted both from the increased cost of finding new sources of petroleum in the United States and the experimental demonstration of lowered costs for synthetic liquid fuels by the Federal Bureau of Mines and by industry. Available petroleum resources of this country are being reduced and eventually may be inadequate to meet the demand. Alternate means of assuring an adequate supply of liquid fuels for this country include the development of processes for utilizing other carbonaceous materials such as oil shale and coal.

Jan 1, 1960

By J. M. Toguri, K. Grjotheim

It is known 1,2 that the equilibrium between titanium metal, TiCl2 , and TiCl3, in a solvent of molten metal chlorides, is influenced both by the total amount of dissolved titanium and by the type of solvent. Assuming that the trivalent titanium forms the complex ion Ti111 Cl4, the equilibrium reaction may be expressed by the following equation, (Me) TiIII cl4+ 1/2 Ti = 3/2 TiII cl2+ (Me) Cl The ideal ionic equilibrium constant for this reaction is, Where the N's are the molar ionic fractions in the equilibrium melt, and (Me) the different types of cations present in the equilibrium mixture. The following thermodynamic relation is derived between Kand the concentration of cations in the equilibrium melt, mix The N"S are the equivalent ionic fractions, and so forth are constants corresponding to the standard changes in free energy for reactions in melts where only the cation indicated is present, and f (y1) is a function of the activity coefficients in the equilibrium mixture. When this term vanishes, a simplified linear relationship between In Kideal and the concentration is obtained. The simplified relationship has been applied with satisfactory results to the experimental data of Mellgren and pie,' and Kreye and Kellogg.2 MANY existing methods for the production of light metals involve the reduction of their respective metal halides in the presence of salt melts composed of alkali or alkaline earth chlorides. In such a solution phase, the light-metal halide may undergo stepwise reduction from a higher, to a lower valence, and finally to a zero valent state. In this connection, the disproportionation equilibrium is of great interest. In the case where the higher valence is three and the lower valence is two, the disproportionation equilibrium may be written as follows, 3 Me11 = 2 Me111 + Me [I] If this equilibrium occurs in a salt melt containing a large excess of alkali chlorides, a typical ionic melt is obtained. It is then possible to formulate the cation equilibrium: 2 Me+h' + Me = 3 Me++ [II] Reaction [11] is analogous to a cation exchange reaction. It has been shown thermodynamically that the equilibrium constant for such a reaction in 2

Jan 1, 1960

By S. R. Mitchell, M. C. Fuerstenau, A. M. Gaudin

The two principal attributes of a thickener pulp are its settling rate and the ultimate pulp density of the thickened mud. Testing for evaluation of thickening attributes of a pulp has usually been done batch-wise by placing the pulp in a one-liter glass graduated cylinder and noting the position of the boundary between clear liquor and mud as a function of time. Refinements in testing have included repulping a thickened mud to various dilutions and evaluating the settling rate on these various repulped muds. This is considered to make possible an estimate of the settling rate as a function of pulp density and therefore to pinpoint the slowest settling pulp which ought to be critical from the standpoint of thickener plant design. Finally, tests are sometimes made with model-size continuous thickeners of arbitrary size. In batch tests it is generally accepted that the behavior of a pulp is described by a curve such as the one shown in Fig. 1, in which the position of the boundary between clear liquor and mud (the mudline) is plotted against time. It has also been assumed that the initial settling rate (the slope of the line segment AB) is descriptive of the pulp and independent of the size and shape of the container. Where the settling rate is slower and clearly a function of time (portion CD of the settling curve), it has been assumed that the data are not of much use because of the intrusion of compacting phenomena. The next important datum is the height. PE, which is a measure of the so-called ultimate pulp density. This quantity is assumed to be characteristic of the pulp and independent of the container. When actual data are recorded, results are rarely exactly according to this theory and numerous deviations may be noted. For example, some pulps seem to require an appreciable delay before beginning to settle, as in line AF. This is spoken of as representing the need for an induction time for flocculation. It has seemed desirable to explore thickener data with a more sensitive charting tool than is afforded by the coordinates of Fig. 1. Instead of relating the position of the mudline to time, it has seemed desirable to relate the rate of descent of the mudline to time. This, in effect, amounts to charting the slope of the line in Fig. 1, or the derivative of its ordinates, against the same abscissas. Fig. 2 shows the new chart for the curve ABCDE of Fig. 1. When this new tool was applied to data obtained, for example, with sized clay pulps, astonishing differences appeared. Apparently the traditional tool conceals differences instead of revealing them, whereas the new method emphasizes them. It seems, also, that both charting methods have their uses. In this article attention is focused on the effects of pulp density and container height as they affect the settling behavior of flocculated suspensions of a sized kaolin. The thesis by M. C. Fuerstenau' gives more details than this summary, as well as some information about the effect of other variables. Sized fractions of kaolin were used, supplied through the courtesy of S. C. Lyons of the Georgia Kaolin Co. Large batches were made by agitation in a flotation machine and in a glass jar equipped with a mixer. The settling vessels were 2, 4, and 6-in. diam glass cylinders of various heights. Pulp Dilution: The effects of pulp dilution on sedimentation behavior are shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. Fig. 3 shows data on pulps ranging from 2.44 to 16.7 pct solids initial pulp density, flocculated with Separan and charted in the traditional manner. At least two of the lines appear nearly straight in their early sections, but neither of the others does. Each of the curves in this figure includes a region labeled

Jan 1, 1960

By J. Gurland

THE microstructure of sintered carbides consists of particles of metal carbides, such as WC and TiC, embedded in a metallic binder which is usually a cobalt—or nickel-rich solid solution. One of the important factors influencing the strength of the alloys is the degree of dispersion of the carbide particles in the binder matrix. While it is generally accepted

Jan 1, 1960

By J. Olaf Sund

"THE November issue of the Bulletin carried in it ""Origin of the New Bruns1viclc Gypsum Deposits"" by J. Olaf Sund. This paper was a digested account of a Master's thesis at the University of New Brunswick which was a very useful compendium of information of gyp-sum in New Brunswick. It was a warded the President' s Gold .Medal and the First Prize in the Graduates' Section of the Students' Essay Competition. The present writer presents his congratulations to the winner of the competition. At the same time he must comment on the use of certain terms and on certain conclusions presented in the paper.The term ""unconformable"" has been used in several places in the paper to describe the relationship of gypsum to anhydrite in various deposits in New Brunswick in a sense which is quite alien to the accepted meaning. It has long been known tl1at the gypsum at the surface or near the surface in deposits in the Atlantic Provinces has come from hydration of anhydrite by surface and ground waters. The gyp-sum must be looked upon then as an alteration or even a weathering product. It cannot in this sense be called ""unconformable"" and thus arguments using the word in the accepted sense are invalid."

Jan 1, 1960

By Lloyd Williams

A vertical air shaft in the Birmingham, Ala., iron district was sunk with a circular cross section and lined with concrete at a relatively low cost to provide needed ventilation for an iron-ore mine. The method of sinking the shaft is described, and the costs are stated in mar-hours with a descriptive list of equipment and a statement on the size and use of temporary buildings. Preparation began May 2, 1955, and the shaft was completed at a depth of [680] feet by September 22, 1956. By October 1956, all temporary building and [aft]-sinking equipment had been removed. The total direct-labor cost for the operation, including preparation and dismantling, was 50,700 man-hours, or 30.2 man-hours per foot. Total rock and dirt removed amounted to 17,523 cubic yards (in place), and the shaft lining required 4,635 cubic yards of concrete to form a circular air shaft with an inside diameter of 16 feet.

Jan 1, 1960

By Sabri Ergun

The method of constant compositions involves the determination of the time required for the attainment of a given conversion at various temperatures. Heretofore, it has been used in evaluating the energy of activation only. A development of the method, made in the present study, makes possible the evaluation of the functional dependence upon composition and the frequency factor in addition to the energy of activation. INTRODUCTION Kinetics of reactions are best analyzed in the light of the mechanism, energy requirements, and forces involved in the reaction. Such physico-chemical information is not often available in solid state phase transformations. The reaction rates are followed by changes in a physical property during the course of the reaction, and repeating the experiment at different temperatures permits the determination of activation energy only. The possibility of a complete kinetic analysis by such a purely "phenomenological" approach has been questioned.4/ In this report a method is developed making possible the evaluation of the functional dependence upon composition and frequency factor in addition to the energy of activation. The application of the method to a study of solid state order-disorder changes is demonstrated.

Jan 1, 1960

By E. C. Tarpley

The Federal Bureau of Mines has studied solvent extraction as a means of concentrating the mineral components in coal. Solubilities of a number of American coals were determined using abietic acid as a solvent. The effect of rank on solubility was investigated, and maximum solubility was found with coals of intermediate rank. Vitrinite is the most soluble petrographic component; fusinite, micrinitc, and exinite are nearly insoluble. Spore exines also have a low solubility. Abietic acid is a hydrogen donor and reduces pyrite to ferrous sulfide. Mild hydrogenation of high-molecular-weight fragments of the coal structure to those of lower molecular-weight probably contributes to the solvent action. Even where solubility of the coal substance exceeds 90 percent, contamination of the mineral matter with coal makes identification of the mineral components difficult. Further separation might be possible by the application of float and sink techniques to the residue. INTRODUCTION Work n the solvent extraction of coal is conducted to recover commercially useful products and to characterize coal;. and obtain information on their structure. Some coals, particularly those of low rank, contain waxes, resins, and humic acids which can be removed by solvent extraction and find varied industrial uses. In World War II, solvent extraction of coal was conducted on a commercial scale in Germany to obtain a low-ash feed material for hydrogenation and to produce electrodes carbon for the aluminum industry.4 5/

Jan 1, 1960

By H. L. Gibbs

Many factors contributed to the decision to build a radiochemical laboratory at the Salt Lake City Metallurgy Research Center to investigate the application of radioactive isotopes and chemical compounds in extractive metallurgy. These reasons included the notable success achieved in biological sciences with radioisotopes, the development of reliable instruments and methods for identifying the isotopes and measuring their activities, and the commercial availability of radioisotopes in a variety of forms and known activities. The paramount reason, however, was the realization that better methods were needed for guiding and quantifying research to resolve the complex extractive metallurgy problems under study at the Research Center. This is the first of a series of reports describing the application of radioisotopes and radioactivity techniques in extractive metallurgy. The report includes a discussion of licensing and safety requirements, a general description of the laboratory and the methods used, a definition of the nature and scope of the research program, and a synopsis of the more important problems studied. Subsequent reports will concern radioactive techniques for solving specific problems in mineral dressing, hydrometallurgy, and pyrometallurgy.

Jan 1, 1960

By H. C. Burghard, F. R. Brotzen

Experiments were performed to determine the effects of mechanical vibrations on ordering in CuAu. The effects of 5, 10, and 15 kc vibrations were investigated over a range of ordering temperatures of 280° to 360°C. A decrease in the rate of ordering was observed at all frequencies and ordering temperatures. THE effects of mechanical vibrations on certain solid-state reactions have been noted by several investigators. In 1930, Mahoux' reported a substantial increase in the case depth of a steel sample nitrided under the influence of mechanical vibrations over that of an unvibrated sample. Similarly, an accelerating effect of vibrations on the diffusion of chromium in steel was noted. Guillet, in the same year, confirmed the results of Mahoux. More recently Schenck and schmidtmann3 studied the effects of low-frequency, alternating loads on the diffusion of carbon in steel. The results of their experiments, conducted at 500 cycles per min and large strain, (0.2 pct), indicated an acceleration of the process. These workers also reported an increase in case depth of a sample vibrated at 430 kc during a carburizing treatment. Effects of high-frequency vibrations on solid-state reactions have also been investigated by Gudzoff and Gavze6 and Fairbanks and Dewez.7 The former reported an acceleration of the age-hardening process in aluminum alloys. The latter noted changes in the structure and mechanical properties of steel annealed under the influence of vibrations. On the other hand, Altenburg4 and Ehringer5 have given some theoretical reasons and experimental evidence as to the improbability of any effect of vibrations on diffusion. Comprehensive surveys of the effects of vibrations on metallurgical reactions are given by Hiedemann' and Bergmann.9 None of the above investigations led to a physical description of the effects of mechanical vibrations on solid-state reactions. In the present study an attempt was made to gain an understanding of the influence of vibrations on nucleation and diffusion. The order-disorder transformation was chosen for investigation since its mechanism has been extensively discussed in the literature. Moreover, the progress of the transformation may be easily followed by observation of electrical resistance changes. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The specimens used for the experimental observation of ordering rates were prepared from 50 at. pct Cu-Au alloy wire.* Each specimen consisted of a 0.02-in. diam wire approximately 10 in. long to which two copper potential leads were silver soldered, 2 1/2 in. apart, near one end of the wire. A 1/8-in. diam by 1/4-in. long steel stub was silver soldered

Jan 1, 1960

By G. Sandoz

A simple diffusion-couple experiment was carried out for the purpose of determining whether chromium in sufficient amounts would cause the cementite phase in cast irons to become thermodynamically stable with respect to graphite and austenite at 1750°F. The implications of the results to some current theories on graphitization mechanisms are discussed. The literature abounds with evidence that chromium retards the decomposition of cementite to graphite and austenite or ferrite, for example during first-stage and second-stage graphitization in malleabilizing white cast irons and the subcritical graphitization of steels. Efforts to explain this retarding action of chromium have been conjectural, however, because the mechanisms controlling graphitization kinetics in the absence of chromium have never been clearly established. Concerning rate control, there are basically two schools of thought: 1) that graphitization rates are limited by diffusion potential (the stability of cementite relative to graphite, and 2) that graphitization rates are limited by diffusivity of Fe, C, Si, vacancies, and so forth.5'10 Chromium then, is thought either to increase the stability of cementite or to retard some critical diffusion process.

Jan 1, 1960

By J. B. Gayle

The rate of oxidation of coals with nitric acid has been used by earlier investigators4 5 6/ for determining fusain and for studying petrographic composition. These workers accumulated considerable evidence indicating that, for coals ranging from lignite to low-volatile in rank, the method gives values for fusain that agree satisfactorily with those obtained by optical methods. One group5/even concluded that, when discrepancies are noted between results obtained by chemical and microscopic methods, the results based on the oxidation reaction are probably the more reliable. Unfortunately, after concluding that the method was valid, most of these workers apparently lost interest. As a result, no attempt to exploit or apply the method to problems of utilization has been reported. Recent studies of the influence of inert petrographic constituents on the properties of cokes made from various coals7/ have indicated a need for additional means of characterizing coals and blends used for carbonization.

Jan 1, 1960

By A. R. Elsea, E. E. Fletcher

Cast X-40 alloy with the lowest nitrogen content studied had a 100-hr rupture stress at 1500°F about equal to the reported value for the commercial alloy. Increases in nitrogen content progressively decreased the rupture strength, and with about 0.1 to 0.2 pct N a minimum strength was reached, but there was no accompanying change in microstructure. Further increases in nitrogen resulted in the fomzation of progressively increasing amounts of a lamellar, pearlitic-type structure at the grain boundaries, with accompanying increases in rupture strength, and above about 0.25 to 0.33 pct N, the rupture strength exceeded the normally reported values. Two series of melts representing different melting stocks exhibited minimum rupture strengths at different nitrogen contents. This suggests that some unidentwed trace element not removed by vacuum melting has a strong influence on the response of this alloy to variations in nitrogen content. In a series of melts with manganese contents ranging from 0.6 to 3.2 pct, the material with the lowest manganese content had the highest 100-hr rupture strength at 1500°F. The manganese variations had no appreciable effect on the microstructure. CAST cobalt-base alloys such as X-40* exhibit high strengths at elevated temperatures (1500°F and above), but they also show considerable scatter in high-temperature properties. Since the design of parts for critical applications must be based on the minimum expected properties, this broad scatter appreciably lowers the design strength of the alloy. If the relatively poor properties exhibited by a few test parts from any given group could be improved, the spread in properties would be narrowed, and the design stress could more closely approach the average expected properties. The purpose of this research investigation was to learn what were the causes of these erratic properties and, if possible, to find methods for eliminating them. Earlier unpublished work showed that vacuum melting markedly influenced the high-temperature strength of cast X-40 alloy. There were indications that this behavior may have been the result of changes in the nitrogen or manganese content of the castings. Consequently, in the current investigation, the influence of variations in nitrogen and manganese content on the structure and high-temperature properties of cast X-40 alloy was studied. In this program, X-40 melting stock was vacuum melted to produce a base material that was very low in nitrogen content and in volatile trace elements. Additions were then made to this base material to produce alloys of the desired composition. The metal was cast into investment molds producing coupons which were machined into stress-rupture bars. These bars were subjected to stress-rupture tests and me-tallographic study to determine the influence of changes in analyses (nitrogen and manganese content) on the structure and properties. Material—The melting stock used for these experi-ments was in the form of shot from two master heats of commercial X-40 alloy. Only one master heat was used in a given series of melts. Thus, any differences in structure or properties that showed up in the specimens from a given series would be the result only of the intended variations in composition. The certified analyses of the master heats were as follows: C Mn Si Cr Ni Lot No. 2 0.50 0.71 0.66 25.44 10.53 Lot No. 3 0.54 0.73 0.70 25.95 10.00 W Fe Co P S Lot No. 2 7.45 1.34 Bal. 0.011 0.013 Lot No. 3 7.58 1.53 Bal. 0.005 0.016

Jan 1, 1960

By R. F. Tenney

This report has been prepared because little detailed information has been published on the production and use of anthracite producer gas for industrial-process and brick-kiln heating. To obtain this information, an investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Mines in cooperation with a building-brick manufacturer (firing both periodic and tunnel kilns with anthracite producer gas) and with a manufacturer of anthracite-gas producers. In addition to a study of available plant records, 2 weeks was spent in systematic observation and measurement during regular operation of the Hazleton Brick Co. plant, Hazleton, Pa., in July 1953. This report presents the results of this investigation and a description of producer and periodic-kiln equipment, operating procedures, and labor requirements. A summary of the conditions of producer and kiln operation is given for the 2-week observation and for the 11 preceding months. The two 10-foot standard anthracite-gas producers consumed 301 tons of Rice and Buckwheat No. 1 anthracite, as delivered, averaging over 13,000 B.t.u. per dry pound during the 2-week period, with a producer hot-gas efficiency of 95 percent, at an average gas offtake temperature of 5400 F. The yield of gas5/ of 153 gross B.t.u. per cubic foot amounted to 140,000 cubic feet per ton of fuel as fired, or 73,500 cubic feet per kiln heating hour, which was sufficient for kiln requirements.

Jan 1, 1960