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By E. H. Mulligan

THE ERRINGTON B-I mine is located on the Errington orebody of Steep Rock Iron Mines, Limited, at Steep Rock Lake, Ontario. In 1946, this orebody entered the shipping lists of the Lake Superior iron ranges as an open-pit operation. During the period 1946 through 1953, the mine produced a total of 9,000,000 tons of iron ?ore. In 1950, as the mine approached the economic limits for open-pit operations, ground was broken for an underground development to exploit the deposit at depth. The mine is designed for an ultimate production of 1,500,000 tons per year by the block-caving system of mining. The initial shaft is 1,200 feet deep and will produce or-e from the 700 and the 900 levels. The 1,100 level will be used as a drainage level and as a haulageway for waste rock, which is hoisted to surface by skip. Ore from the two production levels moves by a system of ?ore passes to a crushing plant located below the 900 horizon and is hoisted from this point to surface by conveyor belt. At the present time, all material handling on the levels is by tramming, but as tram distances increase conveyor haulage will probably be installed. The initial stage of the Errington B-1 development is expected to produce 6,000,000 tons of ore over a period of four years. The second stage will require deepening of the shaft and development of lowe1? production levels. The conveyor hoisting plant will be extended to serve these new levels. We visualize the mining of this orebcdy down to 2,500 feet by these methods.

Jan 1, 1956

By H. A. Watson

This circular, which is a revision and combination of two previous publications,3 4/ presents information on the different types of equipment that may be used to analyze mine atmospheres, with particular reference to the application and limitations of each type. Such information is frequently requested by mining companies, State mining departments, and other agencies concerned with safety in mining who wish advice regarding methods of analysis of mine atmospheres and the equipment necessary for establishing laboratories for that purpose. Since the Haldane-type apparatus is particularly applicable to the accurate determination of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and combustible gases such as methane in mine atmospheres, that apparatus and the method of operation are described in detail. The circular presents results of a critical study of the accuracy attainable with the Haldane-type apparatus in the determination of methane in concentrations of the order of 0.25 percent, by volume. Analytical procedures involved in the other methods discussed are presented in publications referenced in this circular. Information is given also on the various accessory equipment needed in a laboratory for the analysis of mine atmospheres, and suggestions on laboratory design are included. INTRODUCTION 'The analysis of mine atmospheres plays an important part in promoting safety and maintaining safe conditions in mining operations, particularly in coal mining, where the flammable gas methane presents a continuous hazard in Nome mines and may be encountered unexpectedly in others.5/ Methane has been encountered also, often unexpectedly and with disastrous results, in noncoal mines and in tunnels under

Jan 1, 1956

By G. K. Manning, W. E. Few

WORK on the effect of vacuum heat treatment of 0.040 in. diam sintered and wrought molybdenum wires has been sponsored by the Office of Naval Research at Battelle for the past several years. An electrical resistance furnace' capable of maintaining a vacuum of less than 0.1 micron of mercury at temperatures as high as 4000 °F was used for heat treating the wires. Early in the work, it was found that the introduction of a few microns pressure of oxygen into the furnace resulted in a rapid increase in the oxygen content of the wire specimens and the appearance of a discrete oxide phase. Subsequent elimination of the oxygen atmosphere caused the disappearance of the oxide phase. This was used to determine the solid solubility of oxygen in molybdenum over the temperature range of 2000" to 3000°F.2 It was observed that, with the disappearance of the oxide phase, the wires regained some ductility. Single-phased wires possessed from 5 to as much as 40 pct elongation in 2 in. Later, attention became centered on determining the cause of this wide range in ductility. Wires containing less than 0.002 pct C, less than 0.0007 pct 0, less than 0.0005 pct N, and less than 0.00003 pct H exhibited the erratic ductility noted above. These percentages represent approximately the limit of accuracy of presently available methods of analysis and thus it became apparent that chemical analysis would be of little help in the study. A number of possible explanations for the wide range in ductility were suggested during the course of the work. It was first suspected that variations in the grain size of the recrystallized wire specimens might be responsible. Wire from several lots of material was available. One of these lots tended to develop very large grains when recrystallized, the others all developed an ASTM grain size of 3 to 4 when heated above 2700°F. No correlation between grain size and ductility could be found. It was thought that back diffusion of oil from the diffusion pump might cause contamination of the wire, principally with carbon, but when wires were treated without cooling the cold trap in the pumping system,

Jan 1, 1956

By G. A. Croes, N. Schwarz

This paper reports the results of a series of model displacement experiments carried out for measuring the efficiency of the water-drive process. This series forms a continuation and extension of that described by Engel-herts and Klinkenberg. Detailed information has been obtained on the influence of the oil/water viscosity ratio. The results are represented in the form of a diagram from which both the oil recovery and the water/oil ratio can be easily read off as a function of the total production (oil plus water) for all values of the viscosity ratio M between I and 500. These resu1ts are viewed in the light of the two existing theories on water flooding, viz. that of Buckley and Leverett and that of Dietz. It is shown that if the Buckley-Leverett theory applies, the relation between the relative permeability ratio and saturation, which plays a major role in this theory, (.an be calculated with a high degree of accuracy from the results of the model experiments. Dietz's theory is found to be in agreement with the experimental results in a certain range of circumstances. A discussion of the physical background of the Buckley- Leverett and Dietz theories makes it clear why the latter fails to agree with some of the experimental results. INTRODUCTION For an economical exploitation of oil fields both a rational control of natural (primary) recovery processes and a proper application of artificial (secondary) recovery methods are essential. These require detailed information upon the dependence of the relevant flow processes on the variables by which they are governed. Three methods are available for obtaining this information: (1) (statistical) analysis of actual field data; (2) appropriately scaled model experiments; and (3) mathematical analysis of the physical problem. If sufficient data were available, the first method would, in principle, be the most reliable one, although it has the drawback that the basic relationships between the variables involved are to a large extent obscured by the natural inhomogeneities of most reservoirs. The most profitable procedure seems to be: (a) determining the fundamental relations for idealized reservoirs by methods (2) and (3); (b) checking the consistency of the results obtained by these two methods; and (c) establishing the range of applicability of these methods to actual reservoirs by comparison with the data accumulated under (1). In this paper items (a) and (b) are dealt with for the case of homogeneous loose sands initially saturated

Jan 1, 1956

By C. L. Brown

Coal has been transported by belt conveyors in mines for many years; however, only since the beginning of the general mechanization period have complete transportation system of this type been employed. Aside from my complete belt-conveyor transportation systems, belt conveyors are frequently used in conjunction with other transportation. Many early installations, for the most part, were made without standards as a guide. As a result, some States have outlined certain requirements based more or less on experience following mine fires. Correlation of these regulations should result in more uniformity in connection with standardization of regulations. The National Electrical manufacturers Association has published standards for mining-belt-conveyor installations2/ that should be helpful to the coal-mining industry generally. Bureau of Mines Schedule 2F3/ requires certain controls for permissible-belt- conveyor drives, and similar requirements are listed in Bureau of Mines bulletin 514.4/ Committees of the American Mining Congress have prepared much valuable information concerning operation of belt conveyors, and a subcommittee on fire-resistant belting has been active. 5/

Jan 1, 1956

By P. L. De Bruyn, R. J. Charles

The transfer of kinetic energy of translation into other forms of energy by impact is a fundamental process in most crushing and grinding operations. During and after the impact process the original source energy may be accounted for in any of the following possible forms: 1) Kinetic energy of translation of both the impacted and impacting objects. 2) Kinetic energy of vibration of the components of the impact system. 3) Potential energy as strain energy of the components of the system or in the form of residual stresses. 4) Heat generated by internal friction during plastic deformation or during damping of elastic waves. 5) New surface energy of fractured materials. At any instant during the impact process only the strain energy of the components of the system can contribute directly to the brittle fracture process. If fracture is the desired result, as in comminution, it would seem advantageous to choose or arrange the conditions of impact so that a maximum amount of the original kinetic energy could be converted to strain energy at some moment during a single impact. The present work deals with determination of these desirable conditions for a simple case of impact and application of the principles involved to general cases of impact.

Jan 1, 1956

By A. M. Gaudin, D. W. Fuerstenau

By streaming potential techniques, the zeta potential of quartz has been measured as a function of the concentration of dodecylammonium salts at different pH values. These experiments indicate that adsorption of dodecylammonium ions takes place as individual aminium ions until a certain critical concentration is reached in the double layer, at which point the adsorbed collector ions begin to associate into patches of ions, called hemi-micelles. Because of its effect on the surface potential of quartz, pH controls the adsorption of dodecylammonium ions. The value of cooperating agents and nonionized constituents of flotation systems is discussed. A PREVIOUS investigation' of the role of pH in the flotation of quartz with anionic collectors is here extended to an inquiry of how the cationic collector, dodecylammonium acetate, is adsorbed at the quartz-solution interface. The equilibrium amount of this collector adsorbed by quartz has already been measured as a function of concentration and pH.2,3 The weight of prior evidence has suggested that two mechanisms are involved in the adsorption of this collector by quartz, but with existing adsorption measurements alone it is not possible to determine what the mechanisms are. Gaudin and Bloecher2 postulated that a polymolec-ular adsorption coating begins to form before the first monolayer has been completed. Gaudin and Morrow4 indicated that a similar situation might exist in the film of dodecylammonium ions on hematite. A study of electrokinetic potentials at the quartz-solution interface provides some detail toward a fuller understanding of the adsorption mechanism. Experimental Results The zeta potential at the quartz-solution interface was calculated from streaming potential data measured with the apparatus described in detail in a thesis by Fuerstenau5 and briefly in a paper by Gaudin and Fuerstenau.1 The quartz used in these experiments was a 48/65-mesh fraction prepared in the manner described previously.' Zeta potential of quartz was obtained for various amounts of the amine salt at pH 4, 7, 10, 11. In

Jan 1, 1956

By F. W. Luerssen, J. F. Elliott

F LUSHING the early slag from a stationary open Fhearth having a high percentage of hot metal in its charge is necessary in order to remove silica from the system. The flush slag is strongly oxidizing and is somewhat acidic. It has, however, considerable capacity to extract phosphorus from the bath and it also removes considerable manganese. It seems probable that factors which control the distribution of phosphorus and manganese between slag and metal in the refining period also should be dominant in the flush and postflush periods. Several studies, as summarized elsewhere,1,2 support the viewpoint that conditions closely approaching equilibrium for these elements are rather readily established during the refining period. Over the years these studies have repeatedly demonstrated that 1—high slag v01ume, 2—low bath and slag temperature, 3—basic slag, and 4—strongly oxidizing slag favor rapid elimination of phosphorus from the bath to the slag. They also show that the following conditions favor retention of manganese in the bath: 1—low slag volume, 2—high bath and slag temperature, 3— basic slag, and 4—minimum oxidizing power of slag. When it is considered that the flush slag often carries as high as 75 pct of the manganese charged and only 25 to 60 pct of the phosphorus charged, it is evident that in removing silica much manganese is sacrificed but phosphorus removal is far from conplete. Because of overriding circumstances, this is accepted in most operations and actually it is considered to be inevitable. This may account for the fact that little attention has been paid to conditions affecting the elimination of phosphorus and manganese in the flush slag. A recent study of the behavior of various charge oxides has developed considerable information on the flush and postflush periods. Because the data are felt to be of general interest, they have been brought together and Presented in this paper. The object is to show the various factors in the flush and postflush periods which influence elimination of phosphorus and manganese. Physical Conditions During and After Flushing Physical conditions existing during the flush vary from plant to plant, from shop to shop, from furnace to furnace, and even from heat to heat. They are strongly influenced by the physical and chemical character of the charge oxide which is ordinarily necessary to provide sufficient oxidizing power early in the heat. Invariably the period is characterized by a vigorous reaction between the principal re-actants: the hot metal being added and the charge oxide. During the flush, it is probable that the slag acts to some extent as an oxidizer; but, because of the critical influence of the behavior of the charge oxid'e on flushing action, it seems apparent that the oxide itself is the dominant oxidizer. Fig. 1 shows the course of two heats which were selected as being typical of the group studied. Heat A was charged with 55 pet hot metal, based on the total metallics charged, and heat B had 57 pct hot metal. As indicated in Table I and Fig. 1, the melt-down slag, which is not usually voluminous and which is principally FeO, expands greatly in volume and will show rather high levels of SiO2, MnO, and P2O5 very soon after the beginning of the hot metal addition. Simultaneously, large volumes of CO are liberated which cause violent mixing of slag and metal. It is of interest to note that the time required to bring carbon down to a low level is very much longer than that required for the removal of silicon, manganese, or phosphorus. At the end of flush, carbon in the bath is still approximately 2 pct. When strongly reducing hot metal is brought into contact with strongly oxidizing conditions within the furnace! it is probable that the rate of mass transfer to the slag (and atmosphere) of silicon, manganese, phosphorus, and carbon initially depends principally on the rates at which the two participating phases are brought into contact That is, it depends on the nature of the various reactions. Later in the flush period, when the scrap is virtually all dissolved and the action of the bath has settled down to a steady and somewhat gentle boil, it is likely that other factors, such as the transfer of oxygen across the slag-metal interface, become dominant. The temperature of the slag-metal system is far from uniform. Heat is being driven by the flame down through the slag. Bubbling and surging of the metal also frequently brings portions of the bath in contact with the flame. At areas of contact between the ore and liquid metal, or slag and liquid metal, the oxidizing reactions generate much heat. On the other hand, scrap is being melted which tends to absorb large quantities of heat. Because the liquid bath is high in carbon, the steel scrap is brought into solution rapidly. This can proceed at a rather low temperature; and until much of the scrap has been taken into solution, the bath temperature would not be expected to increase appreciably. Consideration of these factors leads to the conclusion that during the flush period the slag should be rather hot and the bath relatively cold. Both observation and temperature measurements bear this out. Experimental Data The extended program of charge oxide evaluation permitted study of the widely varying conditions existing during the flushing period. Slag and metal analyses and bath temperatures reported herein (Tables I and 11) were obtained toward the latter portion of the work. Four different types of charge oxide, sinter, two types of hydraulic cement-bonded soft ores, and a pyrobonded agglomerate were used in the study. Although the heats reported were from only one 205 ton furnace, they show variations in flush slag analyses all the way from 25 pct FeO, which is typical with the use of a hard natural charge ore, to 45 pct FeO which resulted when a very poorly agglomerated fine ore was used. The physical behavior of the flushes showed a correspondingly wide variation from well controlled reactions to violent surges following periods of inac-

Jan 1, 1956

Before presenting this address I desire to express my appreciation of the honour which has been conferred on me by my election as iPresident of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. At this stage it might not be out of place to recall that Broken Hill was the birthplace of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, originally formed as the Australasian Institute of Mining Engineers in 1893.In selecting for my address the topic of "The Broken Hill Mining Industry and its Contribution to the Economy of Australia" I realise it is impossible to cover fully every aspect of the nation's economy which owes all or part of its origin to the Broken Hill field. Nevertheless, I feel that some attempt should be made to give credit to the Broken Hill mining industry for its part in the progress which Australia has made over the past seventy years.. If we care to reflect for a moment it soon becomes apparent that, not only is the Broken Hill mining industry an important producer of base metals for domestic and overseas consumption, but its profits have provided the means whereby many of Australia's leading secondary industries have been established or built up. Examples which come to mind are the founding of the iron and steel industry by the Broken Hill Proprietary Company; the establishment of plants at Port Pirie in South Australia, and at Risdon in Tasmania, for the production of metallic lead and zinc; and also at Port Kembla for the smelting of copper ores. From profits derived from operations at Broken Hill, capital has also been provided to assist other new essential...

Jan 1, 1956

By T. E. Howard

The western phosphate field, comprising parts of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah, contains one of the world's largest known reserves of phosphate rock. Although phosphate-rock deposits of good-grade have been known since before the turn of the century and production has been recorded since 1906, real development of this important field did not begin until immediately after World War II. Since then fertilizer-manufacturing facilities using western phosphate rock have been expanded, and three electric-furnace plants for producing elemental phosphorus have been installed, resulting in a rise in mine production from 323,955 long tons2/ in 1945 to 1,653,916 long tons3/ in 1953. Interest in the field is increasing, and it is reasonable to expect that the western phosphate industry will continue to expand. Before 1945 all western production was from underground mines. In that year the first strip mine in the field was started near Montpelier, Idaho,~ and in sub-sequent years a number of other open-pit mines were opened in southeast Idaho and western Wyoming. At present the major part of the production comes from surface mines. Underground mining has continued, and new underground mines have been opened in the field, but recent exploration by operating companies has been aimed primarily at developing additional deposits suitable for low-cost surface mining. Preliminary reserve estimates by the Federal Geological Survey5/ indicate that only a very small part of the total resource may be recovered by surface methods and that the industry eventually must depend largely on underground mining. Because one function of the Bureau of Mines is promoting the conservation and development of the Nation's mineral resources, it is appropriate that research be conducted to develop low-cost maximum-recovery underground mining methods applicable to western phosphate-rock deposits.

Jan 1, 1956

By W. D. Forgeng, R. L. Folkman, D. C. Hilty

The solubility of oxygen in molten Fe-Cr alloys has been determined at 1550° , 1600°, and 1650°C for alloys containing up to alloyshasbeenabout 50 pct Cr and found to decrease as chromium increases to 6 pet and then to increase gradually. Phase relations in the Fe-Cr-0 system at steelmaking temperatures have been evaluated and two previously unreported oxides have been identified. OPERATIONS in the melting and refining of chromium steels are dependent to a major degree on the reactions of chromium and iron with oxygen and are primarily directed toward controlling and modifying these reactions to secure maximum advantage in the utilization of chromium. Although fairly effective practices have been developed empirically, understanding of the specific reactions is limited. Moreover, the ability of molten steel to dissolve oxygen that subsequently precipitates as oxide inclusions during solidification is well known, so that clarification of the effect of chromium on the nature and mechanism of formation of these inclusions is desirable. Study of the problem indicated that increased knowledge of the fundamental Fe-Cr-0 system is essential to further technical and economic improvement. Consequently, an investigation of the influence of chromium on the solubility of oxygen in molten iron and of phases and phase relations in the Fe-Cr-0 system was undertaken at the Metals Research Laboratories of the Electro Metallurgical Co. as part of a general program on the effective utilization of chromium in chromium steel production. Experimental Procedure All of the experimental runs made during this investigation were carried out in the rotating crucible induction furnace which has been described in detail in a previous publication.' In review, the principle underlying this furnace is that rotational forces in the crucible cause the molten metal to assume a concave shape in such a manner that the slag is contained in the molten metal cup, thereby minimizing slag/crucible contact and subsequent reaction. Practically all of the heats were melted in commercial-quality magnesia crucibles of the type usually furnished for laboratory induction furnaces. All of the runs were made under an argon atmosphere after the furnace chamber had been degassed. Bath temperatures were controlled by Pt—Pt-10 pct Rh thermocouples. The basic furnace charge consisted of a premelted 12 to 15 lb electrolytic iron slug which had been cast to a shape convenient for fitting into the rotating furnace crucible. A typical analysis of the electrolytic iron slugs is given in Table I. For certain runs, it was desirable to melt down charges containing high initial chromium contents. In these cases the chromium was added to the electrolytic iron during the premelting operations. Chromium was added to the rotating furnace bath in the form of electrolytic chromium of the analysis given in Table 11. In all of the constant temperature runs, the standard procedure was to melt down the electrolytic iron or alloy slug under vacuum, admit argon to slightly greater than atmospheric pressure, and adjust rotational speed to develop a well formed "cup" on the bath surface. The melt was then saturated with oxygen by an addition of ferric oxide and the temperature of the bath adjusted to within +5°C of the desired level. At this point the heat was permitted to come to equilibrium prior to sampling or further addition. This time interval was varied from 15 min to 2 hr but generally was about 20 min. After sampling, the desired chromium addition was made and the bath again equilibrated prior to subsequent sampling. This cycle of addition and sampling continued for the duration of the run which lasted from 4 to 8 hr. At the end of this period, power was shut off and the bath allowed to solidify in the furnace. Quenched metal samples were taken from the equilibrated melts by means of the "Taylor sampler" which has been described by Taylor and Chipman.' Before being submitted to chemical analysis, all samples were carefully examined for surface slag occlusions and cold shuts. Later in the study, each sample was radiographed and examined metal-lographically in cross-section to determine the presence of internal defects. On the basis of these examinations, sound and apparently clean specimens were selected from the Taylor samples for chemical analysis.

Jan 1, 1956

By E. S. Greiner

Germanium and silicon have been plastically deformed in torsion at elevated temperatures. Slip took place on the four {Ill} planes. Dislocations, revealed by etch pits on a (111) face, occurred in rows that were traces of operative slip planes. THE plastic deformation of germanium and silicon by bending and tension at elevated temperatures has been reported by Gallagher.&apos; Transla-tional slip during plastic flow in these materials, according to Gallagher&apos; and Treuting,&apos; occurs on (111) planes. Recent work by Treuting&apos; indicates the direction of slip to be <1l0>. The present paper describes the plastic flow characteristics of germanium and silicon deformed by torsion. Torsional deformation was accomplished by twisting 1/4x1/4x2 in. specimens held in molybdenum grips and contained in an atmosphere of helium in a transparent quartz tube and heated by an external resistance furnace. The angular displacements were measured on a graduated circle with a pointer attached to the movable grip. Temperatures were measured with a chromel-alumel couple; the hot junction was within the quartz tube and in close proximity to the specimen. Photographs of samples of germanium and silicon twisted at 850" and 1180°C, respectively, are shown in Fig. 1. The germanium was twisted 230" per in. and the silicon 80" per in. These deformations are larger than those used in experiments to be described later and are presented only to emphasize the extensive plasticity of these materials. Germanium A single crystal specimen of germanium (n-type, 7 ohm-cm resistivity) with a (111) plane normal within 3" of the torsion axis, Fig. 2, was chemically polished with CP-4 solution" and then twisted 9" during the twisting of these specimens of germanium, the slip lines from the (lli) plane should have appeared in the four lateral faces instead of in only two. Perhaps the absence of rotational slip is brought about by the square cross-section. A cylindrical specimen would have a more uniform stress distribution in torsion than one with a square cross-section, and may deform by rotational slip. A specimen of germanium (n-type, 5 ohm-cm resistivity) twisted less than 8" per in. at 550°C, was cut to expose the (111) face 19" 28&apos; from the torsion axis, Fig. 4a. This face, after metallographic

Jan 1, 1956

By P. N. Summerfield

This report describes the first phase of a general investigation designed to ascertain whether an electronic roof-testing device can be developed that will improve the ability to detect "loose" or "drummy" roof rock over that possible by striking the roof with a sounding bar and noting the character of the air vibrations with the unaided ear or the rock vibrations with the fingers. The amplitude, frequency content, and duration of the vibrations produced by striking solid and drummy roof rock with a hammer or sounding bar have been measured. Results disclosed that there is a significant difference between the characteristics of the vibrations produced in solid and drummy roof. This difference is such that the design of an electronic device to indicate quantitatively the condition of the roof rock appears possible. INTRODUCTION The conventional method of roof testing consists of striking the roof with a bar2/ and judging its soundness from the character of the air vibrations heard with the ear and/or the rock vibrations felt with the fingers -a procedure that depends upon the experience and the sensory abilities of the observer. Impact testing of a solid roof rock usually produces a sharp ping or click, whereas impact testing of a drummy roof rock produces a dull thud or drummy sound. This method of roof testing is, at most, only a qualitative test, and many roof rocks are difficult to classify as drummy or solid.

Jan 1, 1956

By W. Rostoker, S. Spachner

A N alloy of 50 pct Ni-50 pct Fe is currently manu- factured in tape thickness down to 1/8 mil. In the annealed form, this alloy produces an almost square hysteresis loop. This has generally been related to the fact that by proper rolling and annealing practice a sharp cube, (100) [OOl], texture can be developed. As part of a program directed toward an understanding of the relationships between magnetic properties and structure of tape core materials, analyses were made of preferred orientations in tapes of various thicknesses. Annealed tapes of this alloy in 2, 1, 1/2, ¼, and Y&apos; mil gages were acquired from commercial sources. Pole figures constructed for the 2 and 1 mil tapes showed the expected sharp cube texture. However, the ½, ¼, and ? mil annealed tapes showed no evidence of any preferred orientations. A comparison of two transmission patterns is shown in Fig. 1. The origin of the absence of texture in the tapes of less than 1 mil thickness was explored in some detail. The basic questions were whether the heat treatment for the thinner tapes was wrongly selected, whether the initial cold worked textures were different, or whether the actual thickness of the tape exercised some influence on its annealing characteristics. Quantities of the five gages of tape were acquired in the as-rolled condition just prior to the final anneal. Pole figures of the cold worked textures were constructed for each of the tapes. Eye estimates of in-

Jan 1, 1956

By Robert E. Hershey

1. Estimates of reserves were made for three coal beds in Hamilton County the - Lantana, Sewanee, and Richland. Nine coal beds have been mined at one time or another in the county, but not enough information was available to estimate reserves in any beds other than the three given. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves for all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and on 1,800 short tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated to be 53 million tons as of January 1, 1954. Of this total 35 million tons is in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in each bed were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bed characteristics were insufficient for making an estimate conforming with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove re-serves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves determined by this investigation.

Jan 1, 1956

By Milton Glicken

THE airborne geophysicist is a busy man these days. In his plane he may have the airborne magnetometer, the airborne scintillation counter, and the airborne electromagnetic surveying system. Each of these is an independent tool, but all require additional auxiliary equipment for locating the aircraft in space: recording altimeters and Shoran or aerial cameras. Now there is still another piece of equipment, the airborne magnetic gradiometer, an accessory to the magnetometer. To understand its uses, consider the function of the magnetometer itself. Aside from detecting magnetic ore, the airborne magnetometer finds greatest use in spotting intrusions of igneous material. Where there is enough contrast in magnetic susceptibility of igneous rock and adjacent formations, it outlines the intrusion. Certain minerals also influence the magnetometer directly, but with the exception of magnetite and possibly one or two others, their effect is weak and can be detected only when there is sufficient ore and the magnetometer flight passes very close to it. An igneous intrusion of infinite depth with vertical sides is represented on a magnetometer record by an anomaly, as in Fig. 1. Amplitude of the high depends on susceptibility contrast of the igneous rock. Generally speaking, the edge of the intrusion lies below the point of inflection of the curve, and this point, where the curvature changes from positive to negative on the magnetometer profile, would be near A in Fig. 1, with a counterpart, of course, on the other side. Location of the contact is one of the principal objects of the survey, but finding the precise point is not always easy, as inspection of the curve near A will show. Mineralization is often found at the contact zones, as at B. Magnetic effects, if detected, may be small, as in B&apos;, and when superimposed on the anomaly due to the instrusion they are very difficult to discern and analyze. Furthermore, if these small fluctuations are to be perceived by the magnetometer the vertical scale should be large. This increases the slopes of the anomaly and makes detection of small deviations and inflection points even more difficult. The airborne magnetic gradiometer was designed to help overcome these difficulties. What it presents is the first derivative of the magnetometer record with respect to time, that is to say, the slope at any point. Fig. 2 represents an actual magnetometer record (solid line) with the corresponding gradiometer record (dashed line) superimposed. Both records read from right to left. Vertical lines on the original magnetometer record are automatic steps designed to keep the pen from going off scale. The slope of any curve is greatest at the point of inflection or point where the curvature changes sign, and this point is a maximum (or minimum) on the gradi- ometer. The chief advantage of the gradiometer is that maxima or minima are much easier to see and to locate precisely; hence an accurate location for the point of inflection can easily be found. Note that points C and D are more sharply defined than C and D&apos;. Similarly the small fluctuations of the original record, so important to the interpreter, are far more clearly shown at E, F, and G, than on the original record at E&apos;, F&apos;, and G&apos;. Though not necessarily highs and lows on the gradiometer, they do show up clearly what would take a painstaking analysis to detect on the original magnetometer record. Will the gradiometer have a particular configuration which indicates an orebody? Not necessarily. The total intensity curve, or original magnetometer record, can display an orebody in various ways, depending on dimensions, orientation, latitude, and composition, as well as on direction, flight height, and instrumental sensitivity of the traverse. Where the total intensity can take on so many different shapes the gradiometer must vary too. It is generally recognized that interpretation of total intensity magnetometer records requires an expert analysis; the gradiometer can be of considerable assistance to the expert but it does not replace him. Mechanism of the gradiometer is simple. A Leeds & Northrup recorder in the aircraft records the magnetic gradient simultaneously with the total intensity, which is on another recorder. Fiducial marks are put on both records simultaneously and the speed of the paper through the recorders is kept the same on both. This makes it possible to place one record over the other for direct comparison. In the laboratory the flights are positioned on a map. Maximum and minimum points on the gradiometer, which can then be posted on the map at their proper locations, may be expected to fall along a trend crossing the direction of flight. Trends should indicate the edge of an intrusion, or some other important features, and when superimposed on the total intensity contour map help greatly to locate the points of inflection, or line of zero curvature.

Jan 1, 1956

By L. D. Jaffe

IN 1945-1946, the author measured temper brittle-ness in ingots of varying composition prepared by remelting SAE 3135 bar stock under vacuum. Since other investigators1-" have been referring to this hitherto unpublished work, belated publication seems worthwhile. Steel in 7 lb batches&apos; was induction melted with nickel additions in a magnesia crucible under a pressure of 10 microns of Hg or less and cast into a 2 in. diam chill mold. The compositions of ingots A, B, and C prepared in this way are shown in Table I; the vacuum melting lowered carbon, manganese, sulphur, and nitrogen content. Ingot B was homogenized 24 hr at 1095°C; ingots A and C were not homogenized. Blanks, M in. square, were cut from each ingot, austenitized 1 hr at 870°C, water quenched, tempered 1 hr at 595"C, and water quenched. Half the blanks from each ingot were given an embrittling treatment of 50 hr at 455°C and water quenched. A few specimens, embrittled and unembrittled, were finally heated 1 hr at 580°C and water quenched. Charpy specimens machined from the blanks were V-notched on the side closest to ingot mid-radius and paired as to radial position in the ingot, one of each pair having received the embrittling treatment and the other not. Specimens were broken in a standard impact machine at various temperatures, the same temperature, in general, being used for both bars of a pair. Fig. 1 shows the results. It is evident that temper brittleness, as measured by the increase in temperature of transition from brittle to tough failure introduced by the 455°C treatment, was decreased but not eliminated by reducing carbon to 0.006 pct, manganese to < 0.004 pct, and nitrogen to 0.001 pct. In another study," temper brittleness was apparently eliminated by -reducing carbon to 0.003 pct, with 0.80 pct Mn and 0.0015 pct N (ingot D)." • Analyses given for carbon below 0.02 pct were made by Jensen method; for nitrogen, by Kjehldahl method. Values quoted else-where&apos;-&apos;." for carbon content of ingot C and for nitrogen content of ingot D were obtained by conventional combustlon and by vacuum fusion methods, respectively, and are considered much less accurate. The 580°C final treatment removed previous em-brittlement (ingot B particularly), indicating that this was "reversible embrittlement."" Metallographic examination of ingot C with 1 pct nital etch revealed only ferrite; ingot A had carbide spheroids uniformly distributed in a ferrite matrix. With ethereal picric acid plus zephiran chloride etchant.&apos; no differences between embrittled and un- embrittled specimens of ingots A, B, or C were noted. Fracture of C and D below the transition temperature was predominantly transcrystalline, with traces of intercrystalline, in both embrittled and unembrittled conditions. The corresponding fracture of unembrittled B was mixed transcrystalline and intercrystalline; of embrittled B, predominantly intercrystalline with some transcrystalline areas. . . . Acknowledgment The efforts of J. C. Leschen, formerly of National Research CO~P., in preparing the ingots are acknowledged with thanks.

Jan 1, 1956

By R. C. Rumble

To /neet the need for a subsurface flowmeter capable of measuring low rates of flow, a new type flowmeter has been built and tested in the field. This instrument is self-contairzed, can be run on a wire measuritzg line, and may be run through 2-in tubing. It consists of a rotameter flow-measuring assembly used in conjuncfion with a conventional subsurface instrument clock and chart. Integral with the tool is an inflatable packer which, by effecting a seal between casing and tool, diverts all fluid through the metering assembly. Packers of different size adapt the tool to different sizes of casing or liner. The flowmeter is capable of measuring rates of flow as low as 4 BID. The flowmeter has been run experimentally in seven wells. It has yielded satisfactory resrrlts in five of the wells, and in the other two it failed to operate because of loose sand in the hole. INTRODUCTION One of the oldest problems facing the producing branch of the petroleum industry is the location of depths of entry of fluid into a wellbore and the determination of the amount of fluid entering at each depth. This problem is often encountered in oil and gas wells completed in single producing horizons as well as in multiple pays; it is a common problem in oil wells which produce excessive volumes of gas. Several subsurface instruments designed to detect and meter flow in the producing interval of wells have been described in the literature.1,2,3,4 Most of these, however, were apparently intended for use in wells producing at relatively high rates of flow, and consequently lack sensitivity to low flow rates. Because of this and of other possible disadvantages inherent in these instruments, development of the subsurface flowmeter described in this report was undertaken. DESIGN OF FLOWME&apos;I&apos;ER Design Requirements In considering the requirements for a flowmeter that would not be subject to the limitations of devices existing at the time work was started, attention was first given to the size of the tool. Such an instrument should be of sufficiently small diameter that it could be lowered readily in 2-in tubing in a producing well. The flowmeter should contain a recording unit so that it might be run on a wire measuring line with conventional reeling equipment. It should not be too long to be accommodated by a portable lubricator of the type used for running conventional subsurface instruments. The metering mechanism of the flowmeter should not be affected appreciably by the viscosity or density of the flowing fluid. Such an instrument should record flow rates in the range from less than 10 B/D to over 100 B/D. To achieve this, a packer should he provided to divert through the instrument all fluid flow in the wellbore. This packer should be of such nature that in the event of excessive flow the fluid would bypass the instrument instead of forcing it up the wellhore. General Description A flowmeter incorporating most of the desired features outlined above was developed and built. The instrument is an elongated tubular device terminated on

Jan 1, 1956

Jan 1, 1956

By W. Hodge, A. F. Haskins, R. M. Evans

Refractory boron compounds are shown to resist corrosion by molten zinc. Coatings were made from ferroboron and manganese boron by several methods: welding, hard facing, and pack diffusion; and techniques of coatings are very important. Mechanical failure of the diffusion coatings can be partially eliminated by applying them to type 416 chromium steels rather than carbon steels. Welded coatings made with a tungsten arc are better than those made by other welding methods. Sintered compacts of mixtures of iron and chromium borides developed strengths of about 30,000 psi. They resisted corrosion of zinc at 600°C and oxidation at higher temperatures. MOLTEN zinc rapidly attacks common metals of construction. The rate of attack is greatly amplified at temperatures over 500°C. However, there are many applications where it is necessary, or at least advantageous, to use metal construction, such as for galvanizing pots and zinc smelter equipment. Condensers and agitator linings used in continuous zinc smelting processes are eroded and corroded by violently agitated molten zinc. Pumps, tubing, and other parts to permit transfer of molten zinc would be desirable in many zinc handling operations. The development of metallic materials which are resistant to molten zinc also might permit its use as a heat-transfer medium in modern high efficiency power plants. In reviewing previous work on zinc-resistant metals, it was evident that most of the available data refer to corrosion at temperatures just above the melting point. Tungsten and high Mo-Fe alloys containing more than 80 pct Mo resist corrosion by molten zinc.&apos;, &apos; Imhoff states that because chromium is not attacked by zinc, chromium plating improves galvanizing pot life." Nitrided cast iron has been used in die-casting machines&apos; where the molten alloy is 96 pct Zn and 4 pct Al. Other metals that have been suggested as of possible value for zinc resistance are columbium, tantalum, and titanium.V he corrosion of steel by zinc has been discussed by many authors,z, "2 None of these materials resisted corrosion by molten zinc at the temperatures used in this investigation, i.e., 600" to 700°C. I. Exploratory and Resistant-Coating Tests To make a study of zinc-resistant metals, exploratory tests were conducted to sort out roughly those materials which seemed most worthy of further development. This preliminary study included both solid metals and surface coatings. Exploratory Corrosion Tests in Molten Zinc—In initiating a study of this problem, numerous samples of metals and alloys were evaluated by dynamic corrosion tests made at 440 °C. Each metal was tested in its most readily available form, which, because of shape and size, was often unsuited for standard corrosion testing. The equipment used for dynamic corrosion testing of all materials, except in a few initial experiments, is shown in Fig. 1. Samples were tied to tungsten rods with tungsten wire, immersed in the zinc, and revolved at 12 rpm about the circumference of a 4 in. diam circle. Speed of travel was about 12.5 fpm. The molten zinc was protected from oxidation by an atmosphere of carbon monoxide, or, at a later period in the program, by a 9:1 mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen. When the effect of both molten metal and atmosphere was desired, the zinc level was lowered. Special high grade zinc was used in all of the corrosion tests. Corrosion losses for materials tested are shown in Tables I and 11. Whenever the materials were available in suitable form, the losses are reported in mils per year. It was recognized that weight losses on irregularly shaped specimens did not show the corrosion rate but the important consideration—poor resistance to corrosion—could be determined readily.

Jan 1, 1956