Search Documents

By Xie Zhang, Chongyang Zhao, Qingyun Huang, Bing Xie, Xiaopeng Zhen

"Extracting vanadium from vanadium containing hot metal into vanadium slag by BOF is the main vanadium production process in China. In this paper, the influence of Si content in hot metal on the quality of vanadium slag is analyzed. Synthetic vanadium slag with different SiO2 content were melted at 1673 K and then cooled to 303K at the cooling rate of 3?/min. Optical microscopy, SEM, EDS and XRD were used to analyze the mineralogical phases and crystallization behavior of vanadium slag. The results show that vanadium slag mainly contains spinel phase and silicate phase; V is enriched in the spinel phases while Si is concentrated in Fe2SiO4 CaFeSi2O6 and (Fe,Mn)2SiO4 as silicate phase. The melting point of slag increases gradually with the addition of SiO2; whereas viscosity decreases with an addition of 15~19% SiO2 and increases with an addition of 19~27% SiO2.IntroductionVanadium is an important element which is used almost exclusively in ferrous and non-ferrous alloys. The major vanadium products include FeV, V2O5, V2O3, VN and Al-V-Ti alloy. Furthermore, vanadium slags are mostly produced by oxidizing the elements in V-containing hot metal during a duplex refining process. Therefore, the process of removing vanadium from hot metal has its significance on the subsequent process[1].The extraction of vanadium is greatly affected by the mineralogical composition of vanadium slag[2], the distribution of the elements between the spinel and silicate phases and its physic-chemical properties. These characteristics of vanadium slag have been studied in some details. It has been reported that Si mainly exists mainly in the form of silicate which wraps the spinel crystals while small amount of Si stands as phosphorus quartz or diopside[2]. Chen et al.[3, 4] points out, when SiO2 content in vanadium slag increased every 1%, V2O5 decreased 1.48%. Moreover, silicate phases would embarrass the oxidation of V-containing spinels through decreasing the exposing probability[5]. Meanwhile, melting point and viscosity of vanadium slag has been greatly influenced by the SiO2 content. Therefore, this work attempts to analyze the above-mentioned questions systematically."

Jan 1, 2012

By Manuel Montañez

Nexa Resources está comprometida con el desarrollo de las comunidades campesinas del entorno de sus operaciones. En ese contexto se inserta el proyecto descrito en este artículo, el cual está orientado a mejorar la calidad de vida de las comunidades del área de influencia de unidad minera Atacocha (Pasco). El proyecto analizado incluye el fortalecimiento de habilidades y valores locales, el desarrollo de capacidades para acceder al mercado y una adecuada transferencia tecnológica y técnica para un manejo sostenible de los recursos pecuarios (vicuñas).

Aug 30, 2020

By William Roger Carvalho Gomes

Frequentemente surgem discussões sobre a utilização de tecnologias mais limpas em todos os segmentos de mercado. A indústria de transformação por estar relacionada ao aumento crescente na geração de resíduos sólidos. Atualmente, toma como necessária ter um foco importante na busca pelo desenvolvimento sustentável. Este trabalho tem como objetivo comparar dois materiais, sendo a fibra de vidro e a fibra de Basalto tendo como base a análise do ciclo de vida (ACV), por meio das análises do inventário e dos impactos. De acordo com os dados obtidos estima-se que o gasto energético para produção da fibra de vidro é aproximadamente 3 vezes maior que a fibra de basalto. Segundo a participação percentual da produção das fibras nos impactos ambientais, a fibra de basalto apresenta os melhores indicadores positivos em relação à fibra de vidro. Como análise preliminar o objetivo deste trabalho foi alcançado, apresentando que os impactos gerados pela fibra de basalto são menores que as da fibra de vidro.

Aug 17, 2017

By Martín Reyes

Iron concentration by ion flotation techniques, from sulfate solutions in presence of zinc was studied in a laboratory flotation column by continuous mode using a synthesized sand shell plate sparger, an anionic collector, promoters, and surfactant propylenglicol 400. Effects of experimental parameters, such as the concentration of reagent: potassium amyl xanthate and dithiophosphate, superficial gas velocity, and superficial liquid velocity were studied in terms of the recovery and enrichment of Fe (III). The results show that the iron elimination from the solution in the presence and absence of zinc (II) are of 59 % and 72 % respectively. The flotation efficiencies decrease with an increase of the concentration of xanthate and air flow rate. The best recovery was achieved, at Jg 0.1 cm/s, Jl 0.72 cm/s and a mixture of xanthate and dithiophosphate as promoter. It was also demonstrated that it is possible to selectively separate and concentrate iron (III) from solutions containing zinc. The behavior of iron ion flotation in a flotation column is reported in this research as a gas hold up, superficial gas velocity, bubble size and superficial bubbles area flux function. The results show that the extraction of aqueous ions of metal iron by ion flotation is strongly affected by: [C], Jg (cm/s), eg (%), Db (mm), Jl (cm/s), y Sb (s-1).

Jan 1, 2009

By Jiang Diao, Yong Qiao, Xuan Liu, Tao Zhang, Bing Xie

Adding CaO into the vanadium extraction converter is an effective way to decrease the dephosphorization burden in subsequent steelmaking process. The crystallisation process of spinel is one of the most decisive factors in the subsequent extraction. The theoretical calculation results show that the temperature of the peak total crystallization rate will decrease 5K with basicity increasing 0.1. The relation between cooling conditions and grain size of spinels is also discussed. It is found that low cooling rate and high basicity benefit spinel crystal growth. And the non-isothermal crystallization kinetics results indicated that the restriction factors of spinel growth is that solid crystals accept new components from liquid-solid interfacial. While the sample was cooled down to 1250 (1523K) at cooling rate of 5K/min, the crystal growth is consistent with Ostwald coarsening grew up law, and controlled by diffusion of particle.

Jan 1, 2016

By Yue Yu, Hangyu Zhu, Jianli Li, Di Wang

Thestainlesssteelslagastheby-productofsteel-makingplantscontains 2–10 wt% Cr O , and the potential elution of hexavalent chromium impedes the 2 3 utilization as a secondary resource. The reduction of chromium oxide in steel- making slag containing Cr O by FeSi at 1550 °C was investigated in the labora- 2 3 tory. The experiments were performed in a carbon-tube furnace, and the samples collected during tests were analyzed using X Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that the FeSi addition could efficiently enhance the reductionandrecoveryofchromium.WhentheamountofFeSirangedfrom2upto 9 wt%,therecoveryincreasedfrom65.60%to84.19%.Theoccurrenceofresidual chromium was metal particles, which dispersedly distributed in silicate phases owing to the size limitation. The sufficient FeSi could easily reduce chromium oxidesintometal,butthecriticalfactorofchromiumrecoveryistheprecipitationof suspending metal particles from the molten slag. Thus, some measures should be proposed in order to make sure that the suspending particles are adequate to aggregate into bigger ones. (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1)

Mar 1, 2018

By Tom Gaines, G. S. Brant, J. G. Debanne

"AbstractThe Bonnie Glen oil field, one of Canada's largest, lies about fifty miles southwest of Edmonton, Alberta. One hundred and thirty-eight wells have been completed in this field since its discovery in January, 1952. Five different procedures have been used in completing the producing wells.The reservoir is an Upper Devonian biohermal reef with good porosity and uniformly high permeability. The top of the reef is quite flat but the flanks slope at angles approaching 20 degrees from the horizontal. The reservoir has a gas cap with a maximum thickness of 400 feet, an oil column of 300 feet, and a :porcus aquifer of over 300 feet. The reservoir pressure is now 2,400 pounds per square inch gauge at datum ( -4100 M.S.L.).Because of the high permeability and the high •pressure, lost circulation and resultant blowouts are a particular hazard in drilling at Bonnie :Glen field. To reduce the dangers of blowouts, it is general practice to run casing to the top of the reef. If the reef is encountered 'high' it was usual practice to run a liner and perforate for completion. Wells penetrating the •reef below the gas/oil interface were either completed in open hole or through casing perforated opposite the oil pay, with the former method more frequently used. Eight wells were completed by the Humble-Otis permanent-type completion, and recently five high wells were completed open hole with the gas •cap exposed. This latter completion, 'tubing submergence', has proved highly satisfactory thus far.The open-hole type of completion is cheaper than the liner perforation method and results in better well performance. More experimentation and data are needed before the tubing submergence method can be recommended unqualifiedly. but all evidence thus far favours its use in reef reservoirs."

Jan 1, 1955

By J. H. Henderson, H. J. Ledbetter, N. B. Gove, J. D. Griffith

INTRODUCTION The results of a series of laboratory flood tests using liquid Iso-butane to displace refined oils from test cores are pre- ented and interpreted on an empirical bask. The study Revealed the similarity of the miscible liquid displacement to that of the immiscible-fluid displacement mechanism. The efficiency of the iso-butane flood decreased markedly as the oil Viscosity increased. but the effect of injection rate on the effectiveness of the primary production stage was negligible over the range investigated. The presence of free-gas saturation prior. to iso-butane breakthrough increased the volume of iso- Butane required to recover a given percentage of the oil present. Injection of liquid i.e.-butane prior to water follicle sculpted in a marked improvement in oil recovery by the water flood. INTRODUCTION The production of petroleum is often enhanced by the injec-1i1)n of extraneous fluids into the reservoir. It has been suggeited that the injection or cycling of a wet gas or a liquefied petroleum gas would he instrumental in increasing the effic.ienr!; of oil recover! to a greater degree than the commonly injected fluids. dry pas and water. Although instances of injection of light liquid hydrocarbons are not unknown, a systrmatic recording of the result is unavailable and superfi- cially, the practice gives the impression of being economicaIIy unsound. For specific types of displacement, analytic: solutions have been advanced which aid in understanding the physical mechanisms involved. However, there is no generalized theoretical concept which permits adequate prediction of displacement efficiency from a knowledge of readily measured reservoir rock and fluid properties. The Buckley-Leverett approach to oil displacement by an immiscible phase is an admirable analysiy of that type of mechanism. Dykstra and Parsons have introduced a useful concept in their evaluation of the role of the mobility ratio and its merit in rationalizing displacement phenomena. Everett, Gooch and Calhoun3 in their report on the effect of viscosity ratio and miscibility have pointed out the lack of a comprehensive theoretical approach and the desirability of investigating the mechanism of miscible-miscible displacement. In lieu of a well-developed theory concerning miscible-111isci1)le displacement and in view of the scarcity of engineering information on actual LPG injection trials, the limited program of laboratory experimentation described below was undertaken. OBJECTIVES The original broad objectives of the program, to study the oil recovery process using LPG as the displacing phase, defined the direction and scope of the laboratory tests. The specific objective. of the experimentation were to evaluate

Jan 1, 1953

By Robert Archer

IT is now well known that the structure of aluminum-silicon alloys can be refined in a rather remarkable manner, with consequent improvement of physical properties, by certain treatments applied to the molten metal shortly before casting. The differences between the treated and the untreated alloys are so marked that special terms are used to distinguish them, the untreated alloys being referred to as "normal" and the treated alloys as "modified." The first practical method of accomplishing this result was that of A. Pacz,1 which consists in treating the molten metal with a, salt flux of which the, active ingredient is sodium fluoride. The result can also be brought about, and in a more economical manner, by the addition of small quantities of metallic sodium (or potassium) to the molten alloy shortly before casting.2 The action of the Pacz flux evidently consists essentially in the production of free sodium by the reaction of sodium fluoride with aluminum. The changing of a normal alloy to a modified alloy is referred to as "modification' and any process for accomplishing this result is a "modifying" process. Modified aluminum-silicon alloys were introduced several years ago, and it has been demonstrated both in the laboratory and in commercial practice that it is no simple matter to produce castings having the maximum or nearly the maximum properties which under favorable circumstances can be obtained. The alloys are rather sensitive to small changes in chemical composition, and the modifying process must be carried out in a very particular manner to obtain the best results. Extensive experimental work has been carried out in the laboratories of the Aluminum Company of America with the object of determining the conditions that must be observed to make these alloys of the greatest possible

Jan 2, 1926

By B. J. Scheiner

A ferrous chloride-oxygen leaching system was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Mines as a means of re-covering copper and silver from a sulfide concentrate that had been pretreated to remove a majority of the antimony. The pretreated concentrate contained Cu, Ag, Pb, Zn, Sb, and As. Parameters affecting metal extraction, such as temperature, pressure, amount of ferrous chloride, and initial hydrogen ion concentration, were studied. Copper extraction of 98 pct was achieved by leaching 4 hours at 40 pounds per?square inch gage (psig) and 1000 ?C. Copper was recovered from leach solutions by cementation with iron, and the resulting ferrous chloride was recycled. Leaching the residue with cyanide followed by electrowinning recovered 99.7 pct of the silver. Iron, Sb, As, Pb, and S reported to the tails.

Jan 1, 1978

By Raymond M. Stateham

Climatic conditions are compared with roof fall occurrence from April 1, 1972, to December 31, 1975, by the Bureau of Mines. These comparisons indicate that humidity has a strong influence on roof fall occurrence rates. Cubic regression techniques are used to develop best fit curves. Statistical analysis of these curves indicate that both are sinusoidal and exhibit positive correlation with each other. The sine waves have a period of 1 year with maximum and minimum inflection points in August and February.

Jan 1, 1978

Jan 1, 1984

By A. J. Maselli, E. C. Cemak

Hartford Steel Technologies (HST) has a pyrometallurgical and hydrometaliurgical process capable of reclaiming valuable metals from a hazardous waste· stream such as EAF Dust. The HST Process effectively addresses the growing environmental concerns surrounding the increasing production of EAF Dust without producing any hazardous waste material as byproducts. Currently EAF Dust production levels are exceeding the 1,000,000 metric tons per year mark. The HST Process is designed to separate iron, zinc, lead, cadmium, copper, and silver metals using a two-phased process. The Pyrometallurgical side of the Process utilizes a Rotary Hearth Furnace to separate the iron metal from the remaining metals. These remaining metals are further separated, using a Hydrometallurgical Process, in a series of digestion tanks. The individual metals are then collected in saleable form.

Jan 1, 2000

By Seher Ata

This paper is concerned with the coalescence behaviour of two bubbles in dilute solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, methyl isobutyl carbonil and triton x-100. Two bubbles were produced at the tips of adjacent capillaries and the time elapsed between the first contact of the bubbles and film rupture was determined by means of a high speed camera. It was found that the amount of surfactant required to stabilise the bubbles increased in order of CTAB>TX-100>MIBC. The probability of coalescence decreased sharply with increasing surfactant concentration in CTAB and TX-100 solutions while with MIBC each bubble pairs resulted in coalescence, giving hundred per-cent coalescence probability.

Jan 1, 2014

By O. V. Suvorova, V. G. Minenko, D. V. Makarov, A. L. Samusev, E. A. Selivanova

"Saponite is a valuable marketable product widely used foundry, metallurgy and construction, in the chemical, food and consumer goods industries, in medicine, and in agriculture.The feasibility of producing of high-quality construction materials with enhanced physical-chemical and decorative characteristics from saponite-containing products has been given a scientific basis and experimentally validated. The compressive strength of the samples in the sintering temperature range of 800-1000 ?? varied between 35 and 80.9 MPa; the bending strength 8 and 26.7 MPa, which is superior to the high-grade ceramic bricks of the M-300 brand. It has been established that the saponite-containing product obtained using the electrochemical separation of process water has a high sorption capacitance relatively the heavy-metal ions such as nickel and copper (40.7 and 99.8 mg/g, respectively). As a result of sintering at 750 ?? the sorption capacity of the sorbent for the nickel and copper ions increased to 194.2 and 212.8. Using the XRD and SEM with energy-dispersive spectroscopy studies, we diagnosed the metal-containing phases and validated the metal sorption mechanism.This study opens up the possibility of practical realization of the saponite-containing product as high-quality building materials and heavy-metal sorbents while addressing the issue of process water treatment. INTRODUCTION The Lomonosov deposit of the Archangelsk diamondiferous province accommodates 10 kimberlite pipes. The anticipated volume of diamond-bearing ore and dump rock to be removed before reaching the open-pit mining limit is 300 mln t (Karpenko, 2009; Bezborodov, etal. 2003). Rock in the deposit is almost completely displaced by clay minerals, predominantly saponite, amounting to 90% in the vent facies (Karpenko, 2009)."

Jan 1, 2018

By L. Ozdemir

An investigation was made to determine the mechanical properties of oil shale at elevated temperatures and confining pressures, the thermal properties at elevated temperatures, and to provide mathematical models for mine design for in situ oil shale retorting. A review of current activity in in situ retorting is included with a comprehensive list of references. Tests were run at temperatures from 20°C to 500°C and confining pressures to 1500 psi with shale of 10 to 30 gallons per ton. A major loss of strength occured in heating 140°C with a partial regain from 380°C to 500°C. Higher grade shale had lower compressive strength. Elastic properties showed large variations. Brazilian tensile strength showed a similar temperature sensitivity as the compressive strength. Equations were developed for each property in terms of grade, temperature and pressure. Thermal, electrical and acoustical properties showed anomalies through the temperature range. Creep is a major factor in overall deformation of heated shale. Oil shale was found to be an excellent insulator. Loss of pillar support area at 800 hours of heating would be about 10 percent. Good correlation was found between a finite element model using the developed properties and an in situ heater test.

Jan 1, 1981

By M. Muskat

Calculations are reported on the differential sensitivity of the updip invasion of oil strata of varving permeability to the driving pressure differential. It is assumed that the water-oil interfaces advance with sharp fronts, or that the microscopic displacement efficiency is independent of rate and capillary pressure effects. It is found that, under such conditions, limitations of withdrawal rates will not greatly inhibit the "fingering" and bypassing tendency through high permeability strata unless the differential fluid head across the original oil column is of the order of or exceeds about 80 per cent of the driving pressure differential. In practice, such restrictions will be feasible only for oil reservoirs and aquifers of high permeability and dip, but may develop automatically under combined gas injection and water drive operations. INTRODUCTION A commonly expressed view regarding the intrusion of edge-waters into oil producing formations is that the geometry of such advance is rate sensitive. Specifically, it has been suggested that high rates of advance, stimulated by rapid withdrawals, will lead to "fingering" and an irregular type of invasion, whereas at low withdrawal rates the water encroachment will be more uniform. Two factors tend to support this view. One is the resultant effect of capillary pressure and gravity gradients in the displacement processes' involved in water intrusion, which are magnified at low rates of flow so as to improve the recovery efficiency. The other is the direct retarding effect of the rising water head as it advances upslope into the producing area. Capillary pressure forces give rise to a rate sensitivity of the oil recovery by water displacement in uniform strata as well as differential effects in non-uniform formations. These are basically independent of the effect of gravity and would also occur in horizontal beds or when the oil and water have the same density. Unfortunately, however, the fundamental equation describing the displacement process under the action of capillary pressures can be solved only by numerical or graphical procedures, and moreover the solutions are sensitive to the character of the capillary pressure and relative permeability curves.* On the other hand, the direct effect of gravity can be given a formal analytical solution if the simplifying assumption is introduced that the water advances with sharp fronts in the individual uniform strata. It depends on the absolute permeabilities of the water invaded zones and hence results in a rate sensitivity of the differential invasion in stratified media. Although a tieatment of this factor alone will not give a complete evaluation of the effect of rate on water intrusion in non-uniform pays, it should provide at least a semiquantitative measure of the sensitivity of "fingering" to withdrawal rate. Such a treatment will be presented in the following sections. GENERAL THEORY The basic element of the theory is the history of water advance updip in a uniform stratum (Fig. 1). In contrast to the assumption of constant flow rate, generally made in the analysis of displacement processes, we shall assume here that

Jan 1, 1951

By Joseph Alexis

Humphreys Engineering Co. has been associated with mining and milling since the turn of the century, but its greatest contribution to the industry was development of the Humphreys spiral concentrator in 1943. Few devices in the history of mineral beneficiation have been so uncomplicated. The spiral concentrator has no moving parts and requires no power except that needed to deliver slurry to the feed box, a requirement common to all concentrating devices. Although Humphreys Engineering Co. produces several models of spiral concentrators, the one -commonly used for coal cleaning is Model 24C-6 which has a flatter pitch than most other models. The spiral concentrator consists of a spiral conduit with a modified semicircular cross section. A slurry containing 20-35% solids by weight is fed to the feed box at the top of the spiral and flows downward. The heavier refuse particles concentrate along the inner side of the slurry stream and the lighter coal moves to the outside. The coal spiral has six complete turns-each turn consists of three 120°-sections and each section has a refuse port at the lowest point of the channel. The Humphreys spiral concentrator separates minerals in accordance with their physical properties (primarily specific gravity and particle shape). Aside from pumping slurry to the distributor, no energy is required to produce clean coal since the separating action is controlled by gravity. As slurry flows down the spiral channel, each particle is subjected to a centrifugal force, tangential to the channel. This force piles slurry on the outer rim of the spiral until the flowing stream reaches an equilibrium between outward centrifugal force and downward gravitational force. Once established, the stream position is relatively constant. In any flowing stream, differential velocities are present within that stream (the slowest fluid levels nearest the channel surface and the fastest layers at the center). As the channel curves, the lower slurry levels, retarded by friction, have much less centrifugal force and tend to move sideways toward the inner radius of the channel. As the bottom layers move inward along the bottom of the channel, the upper layers must move outward to maintain equilibrium. This cross sectional rotation separates the minerals and moves those of highest specific gravity toward the inner radius where they drop through refuse ports (see figure on following page). The simplicity of the spiral concentrator is apparent in operation. After tonnage, slurry volume, and percent solids of the feed have been determined-generally with laboratory testing-the operator's main concern is simple adjustment of the splitters located in the refuse ports. These splitters control the amount of refuse collected and, generally, once properly set they need little attention unless grade conditions drastically change or trash builds up and hinders laminar flow. Spiral concentrators are not overly sensitive to changes in pulp densities, variances in grade, or parti¬cle size and shapes. All these conditions may fluctuate over fairly wide ranges without adversely affecting recovery and product grade. In certain applications, desliming may improve recovery.

Jan 8, 1980

By Y. Kurokawa, R. Kurosawa, I. Iwata, I. Fukuoka, N. Sugita

INTRODUCTION The Ningyo-toge Mine is located in the western part of Honshu, about 800 km from Tokyo. Since the discovery of uranium ore deposit at Ningyo-toge in 1955, different kinds of mining and milling tests have been carried out. A new pilot plant of milling and UF6 conversion is also being under construction. Operations are scheduled to start by the end of this year. In 1979, the uranium enrichment pilot plant was constructed at Ningyo-toge and test operations have started. Thus, the Ningyo-toge area is assigned to undertake the Research and Development of the upstream of the nuclear fuel cycle in Japan. PNC has been strengthening its security measures more than ever. This paper will focus on the disposal of wasted material, especially on the disposal of heap leaching residue, in Japan. URANIUM ORE DEPOSITS The uranium of the Ningyo-toge Mine is characterized genetically by epigenetic sedimentary type deposits. They occur in the host rock of Neogene tertiary fluviatile conglomerates and sandstones which unconformably overlies the Mesozoic-Palaeogene granitic basement covered with lucustrine deposits and volcanic ejecta. More than 12 deposits have been found over the area of approximately 160 km2, and distribution of the deposits are strongly controlled by the so-called channel structure, probably remnants of paleo-streams on the denudation surface of the underlying grantic basement. Each ore body has different shape and dimension respectively, but about 2-3 meters thickness with the average grade of 0.05-0.2% U308 is common feature of the ore bodies. The ore is soft and loose, and it is composed of common rock forming minerals of allogenic origin and their altered products. The chemical composition of the ore depends on the constituents of the country rocks or the pebbles. A primary mineral, ningyoite and secondary mineral, autunite are major ore minerals, although three primary tetravalent minerals and thirteen secondary hexavalent minerals have also been detected. MINING EXPERIMENT Since 1959, various types of underground mining tests have been carried out at Ningyo-toge Mine. The room and pillar method was safe and simple, although the uranium ore recovery was below 70%. After experiment of the retreating long-wall method and slicing mining method, it was found that the modified long wall method was the most appropriate for the underground mining of the Ningyo-toge uranium deposits. This method was completed successfully to increase efficiency up to 2 or 3 times, as compared to conventional methods. MILLING EXPERIMENT In 1964, a small test mill was constructed at Ningyo-toge, and a milling experiment using the Ningyo-toge uranium ore was started. Re-modelling of equipments and improvement of the process lead to the establishment of the technique of the so-called wet process, and produce UF4 directly from the ore. The flow diagram is shown in Fig. 1.

Jan 1, 1981

By M. Muskat

Calculations are reported on the differential sensitivity of the updip invasion of oil strata of varving permeability to the driving pressure differential. It is assumed that the water-oil interfaces advance with sharp fronts, or that the microscopic displacement efficiency is independent of rate and capillary pressure effects. It is found that, under such conditions, limitations of withdrawal rates will not greatly inhibit the "fingering" and bypassing tendency through high permeability strata unless the differential fluid head across the original oil column is of the order of or exceeds about 80 per cent of the driving pressure differential. In practice, such restrictions will be feasible only for oil reservoirs and aquifers of high permeability and dip, but may develop automatically under combined gas injection and water drive operations. INTRODUCTION A commonly expressed view regarding the intrusion of edge-waters into oil producing formations is that the geometry of such advance is rate sensitive. Specifically, it has been suggested that high rates of advance, stimulated by rapid withdrawals, will lead to "fingering" and an irregular type of invasion, whereas at low withdrawal rates the water encroachment will be more uniform. Two factors tend to support this view. One is the resultant effect of capillary pressure and gravity gradients in the displacement processes' involved in water intrusion, which are magnified at low rates of flow so as to improve the recovery efficiency. The other is the direct retarding effect of the rising water head as it advances upslope into the producing area. Capillary pressure forces give rise to a rate sensitivity of the oil recovery by water displacement in uniform strata as well as differential effects in non-uniform formations. These are basically independent of the effect of gravity and would also occur in horizontal beds or when the oil and water have the same density. Unfortunately, however, the fundamental equation describing the displacement process under the action of capillary pressures can be solved only by numerical or graphical procedures, and moreover the solutions are sensitive to the character of the capillary pressure and relative permeability curves.* On the other hand, the direct effect of gravity can be given a formal analytical solution if the simplifying assumption is introduced that the water advances with sharp fronts in the individual uniform strata. It depends on the absolute permeabilities of the water invaded zones and hence results in a rate sensitivity of the differential invasion in stratified media. Although a tieatment of this factor alone will not give a complete evaluation of the effect of rate on water intrusion in non-uniform pays, it should provide at least a semiquantitative measure of the sensitivity of "fingering" to withdrawal rate. Such a treatment will be presented in the following sections. GENERAL THEORY The basic element of the theory is the history of water advance updip in a uniform stratum (Fig. 1). In contrast to the assumption of constant flow rate, generally made in the analysis of displacement processes, we shall assume here that

Jan 1, 1951