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By Charles L. Mantell, Kurt Straler

The hydrogen reduction of Cr2O3 to chromium metal was found to be feasible at very low water-vapor concentrations, corresponding to dew points of -38° to -24°C, over a temperature range of 1130" to 1490°C. Hydrogen reduction under these conditions was predicted by the calculated equilibrium curves which also indicated that CrzOs is reduced directly to chromium without forming the intermediate oxide, CrO. This reduction path was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The percent reduction of Cr2O3 at each reaction temperature was constant with time, suggesting an inhibiting effect of water vapor. A small increase in the residual water-vapor concentration of a single temperature, 1490°C, strongly retarded the rate of reduction This effect was expressed by an empim'cal equation which indicated a direct relationship between "distance from equilibrium" and the rate of reduction. me effect of temperature over the range of 1130" to 1490°C was expressed in an Arvhenius plot of log rate vs reciprocal absolute temperature. From this curve the apparent enthalpy of activation was found to be 29,600 cal. Based on the hypothesis that the rate of reductiun is contvolled at the oxide-metal interface, an over-all rate equation consistent with the experimental data and the thery of absolute reaction rates was formulated. A simplification of this expression to an Arrhenius equation was justified by the overriding effect of temperature on the rate of reaction for the minimum water-vapor concentration range. MOST of the metals in Subgroup V1 of the periodic table can be prepared commercially by direct reduction of their oxides by hydrogen or carbon monoxide, at temperatures considerably below the melting points of both the metals and their oxides. Chromium is an exception, being generally reduced from its ore, Cr2O3 . FeO, by silicon in an electric arc furnace which operates above the melting point of the Fe-Cr alloy or above the melting point of chro- mium if a chromium oxide be the starting material. In reduction of chromium oxide by hydrogen, either reduction does not occur at all or the rate of reduction is extremely slow. Theoretical considerations based on the high, exothermic, free energy of formation of Cr2O3 compared to the oxides of the other Subgroup VI metals, molybdenum, tungsten, and uranium, would also suggest a slow rate of reaction and a high activation energy. Interest in the direct gaseous reduction of fine-powdered ores in fluidized beds was considered justification for examination of this reaction. In order to develop a basis for a continuing study of the commercial feasibility of the direct gaseous reduction of chromite, a study of the kinetics of the reduction of Cr2O3 with hydrogen was undertaken. To the authors' knowledge no accurate kinetic data for this reaction have been obtained. Neither has an activation energy been determined nor has an attempt been made to establish a mechanism of reaction. LITERATURE Maier10 compared the data of I. Y. Granaat,6 H. von Wartenburg and S. Aoyama, and G. Grube and M. Flad7 with that derived from calorimetric and ther-modynamic properties for the equilibria for the reduction of Cr2O3 with hydrogen. These results, plotted as the log of the equilibrium constant vs absolute temperature for the reduction of Cr2O3 and the intermediate oxide, CrO, to chromium, show agreement between the differently derived data. In both cases the equilibrium constants were extremely low. Maier showed that, over a temperature range of 1000° to 2000°K, Cr2O3 is more readily reducible than CrO. Granat assumed that CrO was preferentially formed from Cr2o3 above 1100°C. Grube and Flad's analysis of their reaction products in the 895" to 1000°C range indicated the coexistence of only Cr2O3 and chromium. The hydrogen reduction of the other Subgroup VI metals, molybdenum, tungsten, and uranium, shows that reduction of the higher oxide proceeds through all of the intermediate oxides before being reduced to the metal. Since evidence pointed to an anomaly in the reduction behavior of Cr2O3, the authors investigated the reduction path of Cr2Os.to chromium. This was done theoretically with more recently available free-energy data and experimentally by X-ray diffraction analysis. This work reinforces Maier's conclusion.

Jan 1, 1964

The mine planning and operational aspects of applying Continuous Surface Miner (CSM) technology to Australian coal strip and open cut mines is investigated for both existing and planned deposits. CSM produc- tivity as a function of geomechanical properties, formation thickness, mechanical availability and in-pit physical constraints, are considered. Productivity and operational costs are derived from current production machines and from first principles.

Jan 1, 1989

The Lennard Shelf is an Upper Devonian carbonate reef complex striking northwest for 350 km along the northeast margin of the Canning Basin. Numerous small Mississippi Valley type (MVT) Pb-Zn prospects occur within this belt, including the Wagon Pass prospect, located 105 km east of Derby in the Napier Range. At Wagon Pass, the base of the Upper Devonian sequence is a cobbly, dolomitic sandstone, the Van Emmerick Conglomerate. This is conformably overlain by the Frasnian to Famennian Pillara cycle Lower Napier Formation fore-reef deposits. These are characterized by red algal wackestones and terrigenous stylo- bedded packstones, with common dolomitization. The conformably overlying Famennian Nullara cycle contains a classic reefal assemblage, consisting of flat lying Nullara Limestone back-reef, fore-stepping massive Windjana Reef, and steep basinward dipping Upper Napier Formation marginal slope. The Nullara cycle is not dolomitized. The Wagon Pass mineralization is hosted by Lower Napier Formation dolomite. Mineral- ization consists of complex intergrowths and semi-massive assemblages of sphalerite and galena, with subordinate pyrite, marcasite, chalcopyrite, bornite, digenite, covellite and bravoite. Ore textures include granular and colloform. Gangue minerals are dolomite and very fine grained green chloritic clay. Although mineralization commonly occurs as reticulate fracture fillings, its overall distribution is stratabound. Ore paragenesis involved early "diagenetic" dolomitization, followed by breccia formation with chloritic and granular dolomite matrices. Main stage galena-sphalerite mineralization then occurred, accompanied by pervasive chloritization of silty units. Ore genesis was probably related to basin-derived "oil field" brines, with open space textures in the mineralization quite comparable to textures seen in Canning Basin dolomitic hydrocarbon reservoirs. Fluid inclusions in the host dolomite have typical MVT homogenization temperatures of 70-1150 C, and contain minor organic phases. The Van Emmerick Conglomerate, with its high porosity, dolomitization and weak Pb-Zn anomalism, was probably the aquifer for the mineralizing brines. Access of ore solutions to the Wagon

Jan 1, 1986

By H. A. D. Kirsten

The effects of the mining of deep-level tabular reefs are usually evaluated by use of continuum, elastic mining simulation analyses. This paper gives the results obtained from a series of analyses in which stopes of limited span are considered to be excavated in a non-linearly non-elastic, jointed and fractured rockmass. In particular, the theoretical influence of soft backfill in these conditions is evaluated. It is shown that the stress distribution and behaviour of the rockmass, alternately taken as an intact-elastic and as a fractured non-elastic medium, are completely different. The relevance of the energy-release rate commonly calculated in mining-simulation analyses, and the efficacy of its correlation with seismicity and the associated rockbursts, are reviewed. In deep-level mining operations, it is not practically feasible to obviate releases of seismic energy. The fact of their occurrence should therefore be accepted and, rather than considering the reduction of energy release as the primary objective, efforts should be concentrated on minimizing the effects of such release. Analytical results are given to demonstrate that this approach is not only correct, but also the only feasible solution to the rockburst-seismicity problem in deep mines.

Jan 1, 1989

By William E. Souder, R. J. Evans

From time to time, major technological innovations arise that alter the time-honored ways of doing things. Such innovations can dramatically benefit society in terms of new products, increased outputs, reduced costs and general modernizations. However, the advent of these types of technologies is likely to be resisted because of their uncertain potentials, and because they disrupt established routines and industry patterns. This paper reviews the case history of water jet coal cutting, and assesses its potential to become a major innovation within the next decade.

Jan 1, 1983

By Andrew R. Swanson

An experimental study of the process parameters controlling the selective agglomeration of raw coal slurries is described. Particular attention has been paid to the influence of input variables on agglomerate size and process kinetics. These factors were considered to be of paramount importance as they determine the selection and sizing of the process equipment. The variables studied include oil addition, pulp density, agitation rate and particle size of the feed. The results have been qualitatively interpreted in terms of a classical reaction kinetic model.

Jan 1, 1977

By George Machan

Bitumen coatings have been successfully used to significantly reduce downdrag on piles. Thicker coatings of "soft" bitumens can accommodate downdrag so well that very little downdrag load is transferred to the pile. Many of the case histories describe better than 80 percent downdrag load reduction. Bitumen coatings have been used on several projects in Oregon. On the Mocks Bottom Bridge project (see Reference 1), experimentation and instrumentation confirmed the viability of bitumen coatings and provided insights for design and construction. Subsequent bridge projects have used this information and have raised issues to be resolved.

Jan 1, 1989

By Daniel N. Adams

The University Link project extends Seattle?s light rail from downtown to University of Washington (UW). It includes 5.0 kilometers (3.15 miles) of twin-bored, 6.4 meters (21 feet) excavated diameter tunnels, and two cut-and-cover stations. The Capitol Hill Station (CHS) requires an excavation 170.7 meters (560 feet) long, 22.6 meters (74 feet) wide, and 22.9 meters (75 feet) deep. The University of Washington Station (UWS) requires an excavation of about 238.4 meters (782 feet) long, 21.3 meters (70 feet) wide, and 33.5 meters (110 feet) deep. The project is within the glacially diverse soils of the Puget Sound region, below groundwater. This paper highlights major station and tunnel design elements, including the approach to support of excavation at both station boxes, and the site staging requirements.

Jan 1, 2008

By R. W. Fountain, J. Chipman

THE solubility of nitrogen in iron and steel has been of considerable interest due to the role of nitrogen in strain-aging and in quench-aging. It is generally considered that quench-aging is the result of precipitation of carbide and nitride particles from supersaturated solid solution, while strain-aging results from the segregation of carbon and nitrogen atoms to dislocations.1-9 The rate of strain-aging is controlled primarily by the amount of carbon and nitrogen in solution and the temperature. In experiments on strain-aging of pure iron with only carbon or nitrogen as impurities, Fast" has shown that even after 40 hr at 50°C carbon did not give any strain-aging while

Jan 1, 1959

By George C. Howard, P. P. Scott

During the drilling of wells, fractures which are created or widened by drilling fluid pressure are suspected of being a frequent cause of lost circulation. A study of the variables which are believed by the authors to he related to fracturing led to the premise that the presence of an effective lost circulation material in a drilling mud stream would serve to plug small fractures at the moment they are encountered or created and thereby a a possible cause of lost Circula. tion by preventing fluid pressure from widening and extending the fractures. A large number of lost circulation materials were classified and tested in simulated fractures and in shallow wells. Granular type materials with a gradation of particle sizes were found to be the most effective for plugging. Within the limits of pumpahility, the concentration in mud of each lost circulation material tested was found to be a controlling factor in determining the maximum size fracture which could be sealed. A new type centrifugal sorter was given preliminary tests and found to be capable of concentrating cuttings for rejection and reclaiming lost circulation materials. INTRODUCTION The control and prevention of lost circulation of drilling fluids is a problem frequently encountered during the drilling of oil and gas wells. Lost circulation or lost returns may be defined as the loss to formation voids of the drilling fluids or cement slurries used in the process of rotary drilling and well completion. The loss may vary from n gradual lowering of mud level in the pits to a complete loss of returns. Not to be confused with lost circulation is the continuous reduction in mud volume caused by the loss of the fluid phase of muds as filtrate and the solid phase as filter cake during the continuous filt~ation process which occurs on permeable formation surfaces. The loss of drilling fluids and their costly constituents is only one of the detrimental effects experienced when circulation is lost. The loss of drilling time, plugging of potentially productive formations, stuck drill pipe, blow-outs, excessive inflow of water, and excessive caving of formatioils are other effects which contribute to make the control and prevention

Jan 1, 1951

By P. P. Scott, George C. Howard

During the drilling of wells, fractures which are created or widened by drilling fluid pressure are suspected of being a frequent cause of lost circulation. A study of the variables which are believed by the authors to he related to fracturing led to the premise that the presence of an effective lost circulation material in a drilling mud stream would serve to plug small fractures at the moment they are encountered or created and thereby a a possible cause of lost Circula. tion by preventing fluid pressure from widening and extending the fractures. A large number of lost circulation materials were classified and tested in simulated fractures and in shallow wells. Granular type materials with a gradation of particle sizes were found to be the most effective for plugging. Within the limits of pumpahility, the concentration in mud of each lost circulation material tested was found to be a controlling factor in determining the maximum size fracture which could be sealed. A new type centrifugal sorter was given preliminary tests and found to be capable of concentrating cuttings for rejection and reclaiming lost circulation materials. INTRODUCTION The control and prevention of lost circulation of drilling fluids is a problem frequently encountered during the drilling of oil and gas wells. Lost circulation or lost returns may be defined as the loss to formation voids of the drilling fluids or cement slurries used in the process of rotary drilling and well completion. The loss may vary from n gradual lowering of mud level in the pits to a complete loss of returns. Not to be confused with lost circulation is the continuous reduction in mud volume caused by the loss of the fluid phase of muds as filtrate and the solid phase as filter cake during the continuous filt~ation process which occurs on permeable formation surfaces. The loss of drilling fluids and their costly constituents is only one of the detrimental effects experienced when circulation is lost. The loss of drilling time, plugging of potentially productive formations, stuck drill pipe, blow-outs, excessive inflow of water, and excessive caving of formatioils are other effects which contribute to make the control and prevention

Jan 1, 1951

By Denise Nascimento, Alice Barreto Bevitori, Felipe Perissé Duarte Lopes, Renan Carreiro, Sergio Neves Monteiro, Isabela Leão Amaral da Silva

"Natural fibers obtained from plants have increasingly been used as reinforcement of polymeric composites in engineering applications. This is the case of the fiber extracted from the piassava palm tree, a native of the southeast region of South America, which for a long time has been used in simple items like brooms and brushes. Recently it was reported that the tensile strength of the piassava fiber varied inversely with the equivalent diameter. Following that previous work, the elastic modulus and the density dependence on the diameter of stiffer piassava fibers of the Attalea fiinifera species was investigated. Precise measurements with a profile projector and Weibull analysis of the experimental results indicated that both the elastic modulus and the density of piassava fibers also follow an inverse correlation with the diameter. Scanning electron microscopy observations of the microstructure and fracture surface showed that defects and participation of microfibrils are responsible for this correlation.IntroductionIn the past decades, both the increase in the price of the petroleum and climate changes due to greenhouse gas emissions are motivating the use of renewable and low cost natural materials as a substitute for energy intensive and CO2 contributor synthetic materials [1]. A typical case is that of natural cellulose-based fibers extracted from cultivated plants in comparison to glass fibers, which are extensively used for composite reinforcement. In fact, these natural lignocellulosic fibers are increasingly being investigated [2-6] as possible reinforcements of polymeric composites, and in some cases, successfully replacing glass fiber composites in engineering applications [7]. The automobile industry has remarkable examples of lignocellulosic fiber composite substitutions [8-10]. Not only do some of these fibers display specific mechanical properties comparable to glass fibers but their composites also contribute to lower equipment wear and better finishing of molded components [6]."

Jan 1, 2012

By D. A. Bailey, F. L. Kadey

During recent years, expanded perlite has found extensive use in a wide variety of commercial applications. Specifications for a range of uses call for aggregates having different physical properties and requiring various types of processing. The mitre scopic examination of expanded aggregates in specially prepared thin sections has yielded important information regarding internal structure and can be a useful aid in evaluation of the product. Perlite is an acid volcanic glass containing from 2 to 5 pct combined water. When crushed and rapidly raised to a temperature of 1500° to 2100°F, the volatilization of the combined water, coincident with softening of the siliceous glass, causes the particles to expand or pop. Expansion of perlite to densities as low as 1-1/2 lb per cu ft has been achieved, although the normal range is from about 2.5 to 10 lb per cu ft. Low-density materials of this nature have found application in cryogenic insula- tions, insulating tile and board, plaster and lightweight concrete, soil conditioners, filter aids after comminution, and a host of other uses. The expansion of perlite may be controlled by a number of variables. Some of these are ore milling, furnace design, expanding temperature, use of preheating techniques, screen size distribution, and feed rate of the crude. For the specific intended uses, the art of perlite expanding has developed to the point that much is known about the effect of these variables on the end product. The requirements, however, for an aggregate to be used in plaster are different from those for an expanded perlite to be used in lightweight concrete or for cryogenics. In the study of perlite, many practical questions remain unanswered. One of the most important is, "why do some perlites make hard aggregates while others cannot resist crushing or compaction?" The usual tests and methods for evaluation of nonmetallic substances have been tried and have contributed their share to our knowledge. But chemical analyses, compaction resistance tests, screen analysis, etc., will reveal only a limited amount of information. The answers to these complex questions may well be found in an examination of the intemal structure of the expanded particle. Such questions and the ex-

Jan 1, 1962

By Markus Dammers, Christopher Robben, Hermann Wotruba, Christian Schropp

"In most underground mining processes the entire extracted ore is transported from underground workings to surface processing plants for separation of valuable minerals and gangue material. Most of the transported material consists of barren rock with negligible metal content, especially for low grade deposits, such as in the copper or gold metal ore mining. Increasing mining depths result in higher costs for transportation and hoisting. Therefore, rejecting waste rock as soon as possible from the material stream gains importance. The concept of resource to product integration in the form of earliest waste rejection in combination with subsequent backfilling follows the philosophy of ‚leaving waste underground?. Implementing mineral processing underground can lead to less required mass movement to surface, hence reducing transportation and hoisting costs. At the same time, rejected waste can be used as backfill to increase extraction rates by reducing pillar volumes. In the mill, a stable high grade feed leads to decreased specific operating and investment costs as well as increased productivity and recovery. These effects as a whole have a large potential to reduce cut-off grades so that resources can be turned into reserves. Within the I²Mine (Innovative Technologies and Concepts for the Intelligent Deep Mine of the Future) project of the European FP7, investigations are carried out by the Unit of Mineral Processing of RWTH Aachen University, the Institute of Mining Engineering I and TOMRA Sorting Solutions | Mining. One aim of the cooperation is to develop new concepts for a comprehensive integration of near-to-face processing in combination with backfill into the overall underground mining process. Effects on up-, down- and side-streams are investigated to prove the potential of resource to product integration in comparison to common underground mining systems and processing methods."

Jan 1, 2014

By F. F. Aplan

Mineral process engineering is a small but important part of the nation's raw material industry. Minerals are usually processed in large plants of high capacity, at low cost, using few engineers and operators, and at an ever-increasing level of plant sophistication. The magnitude of the mining industry is huge, with about 4 Gt (4.5 billion st) of ore, coal and industrial minerals mined annually in the United States. Industries such as construction, manufacturing and power generation rely heavily on a strong US resource base to maintain a competitive edge. Though rooted in classical chemistry, geology, physics and mathematics, a mineral process engineer must be trained in the science and engineering required to process raw materials. A modern mineral processing program still stresses the traditional aspects of the profession. But it also emphasizes particle technology, applied surface chemistry, chemical processing of ores, solid-fluid separations, process and equipment modeling and optimization, materials handling, personnel management, maintenance and environmental and health aspects. In such areas as particle technology and some aspects of applied surface chemistry, mineral processing academic programs have taken a leadership position in supplying specialists to a variety of other industries. The objectives of a mineral processing program are: • to furnish personnel to support the basic raw materials industries (undergraduate programs); • to provide a research and development base for industry (graduate programs); and • to provide expertise in particle technology, applied surface chemistry and environmental programs for other industries (undergraduate and graduate programs). In the United States, mineral process engineering programs have historically been associated with mining and metallurgy departments. The recent movement of metallurgy programs away from primary processing towards materials science has created the need for a new accommodation.

Jan 1, 1992

By H. I. Aaronson, H. A. Domian, A. D. Brailsford

A current study of the growth kinetics of k (hcp) plates in a Cu-Si (fcc)' has generated a requirement for data 02 the chemical interdiffusion coefficient in a (termed D,) as a function of temperature at the composition of the a/a + k pJase boundary. Rhines and Mehl 2 have determined D, as a function of composition at lower silicon contents by making Matano analyses of concentration-penetration curves. However, the accelerating increase in B, which they demonstrated as the phase boundary composition is approached at constant temperature and the rapidly diminishing accuracy of this analysis as the limiting compositions of a diffusion couple are approached (the silicon-rich component of their couples contained appreciably less silicon than is permitted by the solubility limit) indicate that the required information cannot be safely obtained by extrapolation of their data. Although the quite different method employed in this study is not exact, it will be shown that the approximations made are not serious ones, particularly from the viewpoint of the prgcipal application anticipated for these data. D, was determined from the migration kinetics of the a :k boundaries formed in sandwich-type diffusion couples produced by welding a block of high-purity copper to opposite sides of a cube (* in. on edge) of homogenized high-purity Cu-5.82 wt pct Si alloy. The alloy is pure k in the temperature range employed. The surfaces of the couple components which were normal to the diffusion direction were machined accurately flat and parallel, lightly polished, and carefully cleaned. Welding was then accomplished by means of the vacuum-encapsulated pressure jig technique previously employed.3 Welding was always conducted at the intended diffusion temperature; thus the welding anneal also served as the first diffusion anneal. Subsequent diffusion anneals were performed in evacuated Vycor capsules. Following the welding anneal, one of the surfaces parallel to the diffusion direction was machined, ground, and polished flat; additional material was removed from this surface after each diffusion anneal in order to avoid any effects of composition changes. After etching,4 the average distance between a : k boundaries was measured by means of a traveling microscope with an accuracy (per measurement) of better than 1 p. Satisfactory results were obtained at four temperatures in the range 775° to 655°C; attempts to obtain data at two lower temperatures were unsuccessful, evidently as the result of the interference of surface contamination during the welding process.

Jan 1, 1969

The process and control technologies incorporated into the coal preparation plant at Newlands were to be used for the first time in Australia. The commissioning organisation and procedures were set up on the basis that commissioning personnel, while being competent, would be unfamiliar with the equipment. In addition the commissioning process would have to be completed quickly. The organisation coped with all of these problems and more.

Jan 1, 1986

The methods used by the Anglo American Corporation for analysis of long-term metal markets and prices are described. The principal factors affecting the relationships between production costs and metal prices are analysed. These are firstly the type of market, - speculative or consumer commodity, free market or subject to price control; and secondly the rate of growth of demand for the metal. It is shown that virtually all metals will have relatively low rates of demand growth for the foreseeable future, due to market saturation, increased economisation, substitution and product obsolescence. Metal prices have a clear dependance on production costs, however forecasting future costs is by no means simple; amongst other things, account must be taken of changing exchange rates, inflation rates, and the potential for operating more efficiently. The paper concludes by giving brief assessments of the long-term future for aluminium, copper, zinc, nickel and tin.

Jan 1, 1986

By Romeo Calderón

El presente trabajo describe los trabajados realizados en la Compañía minera Huarón con el objetivo de realizar la explotación de vetas muy angostas y sinuosas de potencias inferiores a 1.20 m. de un modo seguro, eficiente y económico, donde fue necesario resolver el problema de carguío y acarreo en tajeos inferiores a 1.20 m. empleando equipo LHD de 0.80 m. de ancho, fabricado especialmente para este fin.

Nov 1, 1982

By Rex B. McLellan

A simple model for dilute interslitial solid solutions is set up which enables a solubility equation for the equilibrium between the solid solution and the gaseous solute to be deduced. This solubility equation is used to estimate the partial thermody -namic functions of Ag-O and Fe-N dilute interstitial solid solutions from the measured equilibrium between these solutions and the gas phase. It is shown that the partial excess entropy of the solute atom in solution is a vibrational entropy which is due Principally to the oscillation of the interstitial atom and does not arise from electronic or elastic interaction between the solute atoms and solvent matrix. In this work measurements of the equilibrium between dilute solid interstitial solutions and a gaseous phase are used to deduce the important thermody-namic functions of the solid solution with the aid of a theoretical solubility equation formulated from a knowledge of the thermodynamic functions of the gas and a simple model for the solid solution. The quantity of principal interest which is deduced from the equilibrium data is the change in vibrational entropy occurring when a solute atom (u) is placed in an interstial site in the solvent (u) lattice. This paper forms part of a more general study in which the properties of condensed phases are deduced from measurements of the equilibrium between the condensed phase and a gas. Previous investigations have dealt with the equilibrium between krypton and liquid metals,' a pure metal and its vapor,' and dilute substitutional alloys and the vapor,3 and the subject has been popularly reviewed by McLellan.4 In the latter investigation3 the vapor pressures of very dilute Cu-Ag and Cu-Au alloys were measured with a Knudsen cell technique over a large range of temperatures and the analysis of the vapor-pressure data showed that the relative partial excess entropies were large and positive [ds= -Sudk = 30 for Au-Ag alloys and 150 for Cu-Au alloys; these values should be compared to unity, the value assumed for these exponentials in the quasi-chemical theory of solutions]. For many interstitial solutions experimental data is available for the equilibrium between the solution and a gaseous phase, and this can be used to deduce the vibrational entropies of the solute atoms in solution. The general method employed is to calculate the chemical potential of the solute atoms in the gas and equate this to pi, the chemical potential of solute atoms in the solid, which is deduced from a simple model set up for the dilute interstitial solution (in which the solute atoms act as bound oscillators in interstitial sites). This enables a theoretical solubility equation to be set up. In the case of Ag-O and Fe-N solid solutions the solubility c, is found to vary with temperature according to a relation of the type, where PU2 is the pressure of the O2 or Np molecules. Essentially, the theoretical solubility equation enables the parameter A(T), which gives the vibration entropy, and the parameter AH, which gives the energy of solution of a solute atom, to be estimated from the measured variation of solubility with temperature. The solutions treated are dilute enough to enable solute-solute interactions to be neglected so that the partial energy and excess entropy of solution E, and GS are not functions of composition and the configurational entropy is that of a random solution. Large positive values have been found for sxSu this quantity has not been given sufficient consideration in recent work on interstitial solutions and it is felt that the partial thermodynamic quantities of very dilute solutions should be understood before the thermodynamics of concentrated solutions can be fully appreciated. EXPERIMENTAL DATA 1) The Silver-Oxygen System. The measurements of Steacie and Johnson,= using silver foils, indicate that there is a pronounced minimum in the solubility vs temperature curve for O-Ag solutions. Eichenauer and Miiller6 have recently redetermined the solubility of oxygen in silver using a method developed in the investigation of metal-hydrogen systems.7 The solubility determinations were carried out on compact specimens of differing shapes and sizes and the results indicate a much lower solubility than was obtained by Steacie and Johnson with no minimum at 400°C. Subsidiary experiments showed that the erroneous results of Steacie and

Jan 1, 1964