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By G. C. Wallick

Since the appearance of the paper, "Solution of the Equations of Un-steady State Two-Phase Flow in Oil Reservoirs," by W. J. West, W. W. Garvin, and J. W. Sheldon,' a two-fold investigation of this subject has been carried out. One objective of the investigation has been to deter-mine the feasibility of solving such problems 7on a medium-size com-puter such as the Datatron*, and the other objective has been to in-vestigate the application of such cal-culations to experimental and theo-retical petroleum reservoir research. In the first Datatron calculations, the fluid and rock properties published by West, et al, were used, together with the published equations describ-ing the system. Details of the formu-lation not given in the original paper are discussed in the Appendix to this note. Reference should be made to the subject paper for the complete equations and defintion of symbols. An unexpected result of this in-vestigation was the discovery that the linear solution published by West was in error. Thus, in addition to describing the Datatron solutions and to discussing certain numerical diffi-culties which will be encountered if one uses the published method of solution, the purpose of this note is to indicate the nature of this error. LINEAR FLOW Since the linear case requires a minimum amount of scaling, a fixed-decimal point Datatron program was written for the one-dimensional flow problem and an attempt was made to duplicate the solution described by West. In the case described, fluid was produced at a constant rate, Q, until such time as well pressure reached 0.04. Production was then continued at constant pressure. From the constants and curves given by West it was determined that the ini-tial constant production rate could be approximated by Q = 0.007. An ini-tial dimensionless time step ?t = 0.434 X 10 - "as used, and each suc-cessive time step was doubled until a value of = 0.444 was reached. This constant interval was then used for the remainder of the solution. In subsequent solutions, several varia-tions in the time schedule were em-ployed, including smaller time steps and slower rates of increase in the time steps. In all cases, almost identical results were obtained regardless of the time schedule employed. However, as described below, it was noted that the time schedule had some influence on the rate of convergence of the solutions. As a check on the accuracy of the solution, the cumulative production at each time step was calculated using the two methods described in the Appendix. Satisfactory agreement was observed with the differences in these two values of the order of two parts in 50,000. It should be noted that the mass balance check as described is of questionable value, particularly with regard to the well pressure and saturation. This is especially true in the radial solution where pressure and saturation values near the wellbore would make only a negligible contribution to the numer-ical integration. It is believed, how-ever, that such a comparison is ot value in determining the over-all accuracy of a solution. In comparing the Datatron solu-tion with that published by West it was discovered that in the later stages of depletion, the pressures near the well declined more rapidly in our solution than in the West solution, and that the limiting well pressure of 0.04 was reached at an earlier time than that originally reported. It thus became evident that it would be impossible to duplicate the production schedule described by West and a constant rate of production was maintained until the well pressure was equal to 0.0. A representative comparison of the results published by West with those obtained in this investigation is shown in Fig. 1, which is a plot of GOR as a function of cumulative recovery. These two curves should be in agreement until a cumulative recovery is reached which corresponds to a well pressure of 0.04 — for the Datatron solution, a recovery of approximately 5.6 per cent. Actually, a major disagreement is evident. Subsequent correspondence

Jan 1, 1958

By J. W. Spretnak, G. W. Cunningham

Grain growth across the bond region in Pressure bonded copper was found to be mainly dependent upon the presence or absence of microvoids, but it was also found that prior history, bonding pressure, bonding time, and bonding temperature are important variables. An increase in pressure, time, or temperature tends to promote grain growth in the interfacial region. Polygonization is observed after pressure bonding except for specimens previously annealed at temperatures on the order of 1800°F or higher. The dislocation density in bonded specimens was found to be greater in the bond region. THE bonding of metals by the application of gas pressure at elevated temperatures is a relatively new process, having been developed over the past 10 years. The technique, as described by Paprocki, Hodge, and Boyer,l is unique in that assemblies of many parts and complex shapes can be bonded with a negligible amount of deformation. The process thus differs metallurgically from pressure welding, cold welding, and recrystallization welding in that deformation occurs only in a microscopic region whereas, in general, the welding requires severe deformation and may extend the contact surface by a factor of 3 to 10 during the welding. From a practical standpoint, pressure welding is not amenable for bonding large surfaces. During the time in which Paprocki and coworkers were deve1oping the process, West2 established aproc-ess,for bonding aluminum to uranium, and Barnes and Maze? developed a gas-pressure-bonding technique for nickel and copper. Recently, Fugardi and Zambro4 have used equipment similar to that developed by Paprocki and coworkers to establish parameters for bonding stainless steel, aluminum, and zirconium. Most of the investigations on pressure bonding have been empirical in nature and, although methods have been developed for bonding such metals as molybdenum, columbium, titanium, zirconium, and stainless steel, the information concerning the mechanism of bonding is limited. Several workers5"7 have studied the pressure bonding of dissimilar metals in order to gain information on diffusion and formation of inter-metallic phases under application of pressure. Clapson and Robbins8 have shown by a series of annealing studies that voids in the interfacial boundary of roll-bonded copper can prevent movement of the boundary until the voids are spaced far enough apart to prevent pinning. They also indicated that recrystallization and grain growth can eliminate the voids. In this paper it is shown that voids are the major detriment to grain growth across pressure-bonded interfaces, but it is also shown that prior history, bonding pressure, bonding time, and bonding temperature are

Jan 1, 1962

By P. J. Spencer, J. N. Pratt

The vapor pressure of manganese over liquid Mn-Sn alloys has been determined by a high-temperature torsion-effusion technique. Alloys containing from 8 to 100 at. pct Mn were investigated in the temperature range jrom 1280" to 1580" and the measured pressure values were used to calculate the partial and integral thermodynamic properties of the liquid alloys. The activities show small negative departures from ideality while the integral heats and excess entropies of mixing are asymmetric inform, changing from positive to negative with increasing manganese content. The possible contribution of various factors to the observed thermodynamic properties is discussed. COMPARATIVELY few thermodynamic data are available for manganese alloy systems.' Therefore, as part of a continuing program of studies of the thermodynamic properties of transition metal alloys, measurements have been made on various binary alloys involving this element. In recent publications,2~3 investigations of liquid Mn-Cu alloys and of the Mn-Au system in both solid and liquid states have been reported. For the first-mentioned system the work suggested that magnetic interactions may be responsible for the observed form of the thermodynamic properties, while in the second the influence of the electrochemical factor appears to be dominant. The present paper describes a similar study of liquid Mn-Sn alloys. Again the thermodynamic properties have been obtained from vapor pressure measurements made by use of a high-temperature torsion-effusion technique.4 A detailed description of the apparatus and of the experimental procedures used in alloy preparation and pressure measurement may be found elsewhere.2'4 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS Sixteen alloys, ranging in composition from 8 to 100 at. pct Mn, were prepared from spectroscopically standardized manganese of 99.99 pct purity and tin of 99.999 pct purity, both supplied by Johnson-Matthey and Co., Ltd. One-gram samples of the alloys were obtained by carefully weighing appropriate amounts of the pure components into an effusion cell; this was then suspended in the apparatus and the metals melted together in situ by heating under vacuum to approximately 1550°K. After allowing sufficient time for a homogeneous liquid alloy to be formed, vapor pressure measurements were commenced. These were determined as rapidly as possible at a series of steady temperatures within the range of interest. The duration of experimental runs on individual samples was kept sufficiently short to ensure insignificant varia- tion of alloy composition during investigation. After completing pressure measurements, the alloys were rapidly cooled and their compositions checked by weighing or chemical analysis. All experiments were conducted using effusion cells machined entirely from boron nitride. Measurements were made using a variety of cells with orifice areas ranging from 0.0032 to 0.0075 sq cm and lengths of the order of 0.04 cm; the usual effusion correction factors for orifice geometry and molecular distribution were calculated using Freeman and Searcy's equation5 and had values between 0.6 and 0.75 for the orifices employed here. The vapor pressures of manganese over the alloys were measured at approximately 20°K intervals in the temperature range 1280" to 1580°K. In view of the close approximation of the measured pressures to Clausius-Clapeyron behavior in the experimental temperature range, the data for each alloy have been expressed by equations of the form: logp(atm) =-A/T + B A least-squares computer treatment was applied to the vapor pressure values in order to obtain the coefficients A and B with their associated error. The resulting equations are listed in Table I, together with the equation for pure solid manganese obtained from a previous study.4 To minimize the effect of possible apparatus calibration errors, the activities and partial free energies of manganese in the alloys were calculated by initial reference to the latter equation, obtained from identical torsion-effusion measurements. The immediately resulting thermodynamic quantities, based on a solid manganese reference state, were then converted to refer to the more appropriate supercooled pure liquid manganese standard; tabulated values of the free energies of solid and liquid manganese from Hultgren et al.' were used for this purpose. Partial entropies of solution of manganese were calculated from the temperature coefficients of the free energies and partial heats from the Gibbs-Helmholtz relationship.

Jan 1, 1969

By Robert H. Richards

OF the several professions-the chemist, the civil engineer, the mining engineer, the mechanical engineer-the courses of instruction, as arranged at the scientific schools, differ considerably as to the amount of practical information which the student is able to gain. The analytical chemist has facility for a very thorough review of the processes which he will be called upon to perform. The student in civil engineering by his field practical learns the use of his tools and the art of taking field-notes. The mechanical engineering student is in the vicinity of machine-shops, which he can visit, and at which . he can work. The student in mining engineering has no such advantages. The mines are at a distance, and the railroad fare to get to them is oftentimes an insuperable difficulty. The aim of these laboratories is essentially to give to the student in mining and metallurgy a chance to study on a small scale the practical parts of his profession. We cannot, in a small laboratory, build a mine to timber, to work, and to survey; we cannot make artificial quicksands and other impediments to mining. In short, we cannot study exploration; but we can study the mechanical preparation and the subsequent smelting of ores. Before presenting the plan of these laboratories it may be interesting to indicate the progress of the idea from its beginning. During the summer of 1870 President Runkle visited the mines of Colorado, and while there, conceived the idea of making an expedition with the mining students to some of the Western mining regions. He talked over the scheme with many railroad and mining men, and everywhere received encouragement. In the summer of 1871 the Institute party visited the mines of Colorado, and spent six weeks in taking notes of them. President Runkle here conceived the idea of building up a mining and metallurgical laboratory ; and by the aid of Booth & Co. of San Francisco, a stamp-mill was obtained, with the Washoe silver-working apparatus. During the year

By Richard H. Terhune

It cannot be said that the development of processes for roasting in Utah has been evolutionary. Some of the best systems were contemporaneons with smelting here, and one of the most primitive methods, pile roasting, is still entrenched, to the exclusion of all others, at one works. This is certainly not because we have not had sulphur, in place and out of place, to contend with, but rather because roasting has not been a necessity, we having, like most other smelting districts in America, a good share of oxidized ores.

Jan 1, 1888

By James Aston

A PROPER consideration of this subject is not confined to the technical channels of production and metallurgy. It concerns an industry, and should cover economic aspects which are of material importance in any program of development. The discussion may logically be treated under three subdivisions, as follows: (1) manufacture, (2) characteristics related to quality of material; (3) adaptability and exploitation of product. MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT IRON The manufacture of wrought iron is the most ancient art of the ferrous metal industry. The eighty years or less of existence of processes identi-fied with our modern "Age of Steel" is a relatively brief interval com-pared with the several thousand years associated with the production of wrought iron by man. From the primitive early methods of production, manufacture for many centuries followed the line of direct reduction. There were developments as experience was gained through the years; but man's needs for a strong, ductile, forgeable product were met by reducing the ore to metallic iron in a single-stage operation. Following the development several centuries ago of what has become our modern blast-furnace operation, manufacture of wrought iron was gradually transformed into a two-stage method of first producing cast iron and then refining this to the desired degree of forgeability; the fore-runner in principle of today's scheme of manufacture of steel. The product retained the essential characteristics of highly refined base metal with iron-silicate slag incorporation, which were associated with the material resulting from direct reduction methods. Cort's invention of the puddling process in 1784 is a landmark in wrought-iron manufacture. It consisted essentially in adapting a coal-fired reverberatory furnace to the refining operation; thus lifting the industry out of the slough of

Jan 1, 1935

By R. W. Fountain, John Chipman

The solubility of nitrogen in Fe-B alloys (0.001 to 0.91 pet B) is determined by the Sieverts' technique for temperatures of 950° to 1150°C. The activity coefficient of nitrogen is decreased by boron. The three-phase equilibrium between ? iron, BN, and gas is established and also the four-phase equilibrium between iron, BN, Fe2B, and gas. The above equilibria are calculated for a iron. The relation of these data to hardenability and strain aging of boron-treated steels is discussed. BORON additions are known to enhanbe the hardenability of heat-treatable steels and to assist in the control of strain aging in sheet steel for deep drawing. The increase in hardenability is explained by the theory that adsorption of boron on austenite grain boundaries reduces their free energy and thus retards ferrite and upper bainite nucleation.l,2 Digges and Reinhart3 have shown that the full effectiveness of boron in commercial steels is achieved only when strong nitride formers such as titanium and zirconium are also present. The influence of nitrogen on eliminating the boron contribution to hardenability was also demonstrated by Shyne and Morgan.4 These workers prepared Ni-Mo steels containing either nitrogen or boron or nitrogen plus boron. The nitrogen-plus-boron steels showed the lowest hardenability which was attributed to the presence of stable nucleating particles, presumably nitride. Morgan and Shyne5-7 have shown that boron in the amount of 0.007 pet will completely eliminate strain aging due to nitrogen in low-carbon, open-hearth steels. In addition, by proper control of the boron additions, a rimming steel can be produced. Since the effectiveness of boron on hardenability and eliminating strain aging is influenced by the amount and distribution of the nitrogen in the steel, the present study was. undertaken to determine the influence of boron on the solubility of nitrogen in iron. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The solubility of nitrogen in Fe-B alloys was measured by the method of Sieverts, which consists of determining the amount of gas dissolved by the metal in a constant volume system. The apparatus employed in this investigation and the experimental details have beendescribed previously.B AMcLeodgage was added to the apparatus to allow measurements at very low pressures. The alloys were melted at reduced pressure in a basic-lined induction furnace using electrolytic iron and ferroboron. Ferroboron was added after the primary deoxidation of the iron with carbon. Since it was difficult to attain a constant low level of oxygen by this procedure, silicon was added after the carbon deoxidation and prior to the ferr obor on addition. The alloys were castas 2-in. sq ingots, heated in argon at 1050loC, and forged to 1/4-in. plate. After forging, 1116 in. was machined from each side of the plate to remove any possible contamination, and it was then cold-rolled to 0.010-in. sheet. The sheet was cut into approximately 1/4-in. squares and pickled in an inhibited H2SO4 solution to ensure a clean surface. In the case of the boron alloys, a hydrogen treatment could not be used for surface cleaning because boron losses resulted. The composition of the alloys is given in Table I. For a solubility determination, a 75-g sample was inserted in a quartz tube and sealed in place in the apparatus. The entire system was evacuated at room temperature and leak tested for 24 hr. If no leaks were observed, the system was heated to the temperature of measurement and again leak tested for 24 hr. If no leaks were detected, the hot volume and solubility determinations were begun. The hot volume was determined at a constant temperature for each run by admitting successive amounts of argon and recording pressure vs volume, which, in all cases, resulted in a straightline relationship. The argon was then removed and the procedure repeated with nitrogen. Successive additions were made until the desired nitrogen content of the metal and equilibrium pressure of the system were obtained. The

Jan 1, 1962

By B. M. Larsen

Jan 1, 1948

By B. M. Larsen

Jan 1, 1948

By Dart Wantland, C. A. Heiland

There once was a little kid, whose lot was a very tough one until he grew up. His parents did not have much in common; from all indications, it is probable that the child was not wanted. His father Geology and his mother Physics separated shortly after his birth, which occurred during the World War amid a smoke screen of mathematics. He was kicked around a great deal. His parents could not agree on a name, and they finally christened him "Geophysics," for short. His relatives insisted that the name should be "Geophysical Prospecting," "Geophysical Exploration" or "Exploratory Geophysics"; though the youngster has grown up by now, this battle is still going on. His father did not think the child would amount to much until he began to show some unexpected talents, which were acquired, no doubt, from his mother Physics. His progress caused his father no little worry, and he began to wonder whether his offspring would help him in his business when he grew up or would set up shop in competition with the old man. His aunt Petroleum watched his growth with benevolent interest; his uncle Mining remained rather skeptical and cousin Civil Engineering not only assumed the attitude of the man from Missouri but was not much convinced even after he had been shown. Making a long story short, the kid decided that he had to stand on his own feet and get along as best he could. Having come from a good family he possessed some outstanding characteristics such as resourcefulness and a reasonable amount of business ability. He therefore decided that it would be to his advantage to follow in his father's and mother's footsteps as much as possible, and develop the good qualities of both. As a result, the youngster did fairly well for himself, and his relatives decided that it might be to their advantage to be on better terms with him. Father Geology had come to the conclusion that the boy could be very helpful to him and now wanted him to live in his house. His mother, who had brought him through the teething and measles stages, felt quite capable of bringing up the boy without the help of his father; and, as the fairer sex will do, would confide to a neighbor every now and then that his

Jan 1, 1940

By C. A. Heiland, Dart Wantland

There once was a little kid, whose lot was a very tough one until he grew up. His parents did not have much in common; from all indications, it is probable that the child was not wanted. His father Geology and his mother Physics separated shortly after his birth, which occurred during the World War amid a smoke screen of mathematics. He was kicked around a great deal. His parents could not agree on a name, and they finally christened him "Geophysics," for short. His relatives insisted that the name should be "Geophysical Prospecting," "Geophysical Exploration" or "Exploratory Geophysics"; though the youngster has grown up by now, this battle is still going on. His father did not think the child would amount to much until he began to show some unexpected talents, which were acquired, no doubt, from his mother Physics. His progress caused his father no little worry, and he began to wonder whether his offspring would help him in his business when he grew up or would set up shop in competition with the old man. His aunt Petroleum watched his growth with benevolent interest; his uncle Mining remained rather skeptical and cousin Civil Engineering not only assumed the attitude of the man from Missouri but was not much convinced even after he had been shown. Making a long story short, the kid decided that he had to stand on his own feet and get along as best he could. Having come from a good family he possessed some outstanding characteristics such as resourcefulness and a reasonable amount of business ability. He therefore decided that it would be to his advantage to follow in his father's and mother's footsteps as much as possible, and develop the good qualities of both. As a result, the youngster did fairly well for himself, and his relatives decided that it might be to their advantage to be on better terms with him. Father Geology had come to the conclusion that the boy could be very helpful to him and now wanted him to live in his house. His mother, who had brought him through the teething and measles stages, felt quite capable of bringing up the boy without the help of his father; and, as the fairer sex will do, would confide to a neighbor every now and then that his

Jan 1, 1940

By R. H. Dourson, B. H. Sage, W. N. Lacey

The compositions of coexisting phases in the methane-propane-n-pentane system were determined at 160° and -2 20°F. throughout the two-phase region, at pressures above 500 lb. per sq. in. The experimental results permitted the calculation of gas-liquid equilibrium constants as well as the establishment of the critical behavior of this ternary system. Although many binary paraffin hydrocarbon systems have been investigated, the experimental work relating to the phase behavior of ternary paraffin hydrocarbon mixtures at elevated pressures is relatively scarce, being limited to a study of the meth-ane-propane-PL-pentane system at 100°F.l,2 However, Guter and co-workers have studied the phase behavior of the methane-ethane-ethylene system at relatively low temperatures. Information concerning the phase behavior of ternary systems is of value in predicting the behavior of the components in multicomponent systems, since the influence of pressure, temperature, and concentration may be individually ascertained. In the light of the importance of such information, the study of this ternary system was extended to higher temperatures in order to increase the field of temperature in which the data could be applied. Since all states encountered in this investigation are above the critical temperature of methane, the details of its phase behavior are not of direct significance. The properties of propane in the heterogeneous region were taken from a correlation3 based upon recently published data. The corresponding information for n-pentane was taken from experimentally measured vapor pressures and volumetric data.4 The rnethane-propane system has been studied throughout the two-phase region at temperatures above 70°F.,5 while the phase behavior of the propane-n-pentane system has been established for temperatures above 160°F.6 The volumetric and phase behavior of the methane-72-pentane system has been studied in detai1.7,8 The experimental measurements serve to establish with adequate accuracy the phase behavior of the components and of the constituent binary systems for this ternary system. It is believed that, with the exception of the measurements for the methane-propane system, the uncertainties in the earlier data relating to the pure substances and the binary mixtures are probably less than those associated with the values reported here. Method The methods and apparatus employed in this investigation have been described.137 In principle, the method involved the withdrawal of samples of the coexisting gas and liquid phases from a vessel containing a heterogeneous mixture of methane, propane and n-pentane. Provision was made so that

Jan 1, 1943

By W. N. Lacey, R. H. Dourson, B. H. Sage

The compositions of coexisting phases in the methane-propane-n-pentane system were determined at 160° and -2 20°F. throughout the two-phase region, at pressures above 500 lb. per sq. in. The experimental results permitted the calculation of gas-liquid equilibrium constants as well as the establishment of the critical behavior of this ternary system. Although many binary paraffin hydrocarbon systems have been investigated, the experimental work relating to the phase behavior of ternary paraffin hydrocarbon mixtures at elevated pressures is relatively scarce, being limited to a study of the meth-ane-propane-PL-pentane system at 100°F.l,2 However, Guter and co-workers have studied the phase behavior of the methane-ethane-ethylene system at relatively low temperatures. Information concerning the phase behavior of ternary systems is of value in predicting the behavior of the components in multicomponent systems, since the influence of pressure, temperature, and concentration may be individually ascertained. In the light of the importance of such information, the study of this ternary system was extended to higher temperatures in order to increase the field of temperature in which the data could be applied. Since all states encountered in this investigation are above the critical temperature of methane, the details of its phase behavior are not of direct significance. The properties of propane in the heterogeneous region were taken from a correlation3 based upon recently published data. The corresponding information for n-pentane was taken from experimentally measured vapor pressures and volumetric data.4 The rnethane-propane system has been studied throughout the two-phase region at temperatures above 70°F.,5 while the phase behavior of the propane-n-pentane system has been established for temperatures above 160°F.6 The volumetric and phase behavior of the methane-72-pentane system has been studied in detai1.7,8 The experimental measurements serve to establish with adequate accuracy the phase behavior of the components and of the constituent binary systems for this ternary system. It is believed that, with the exception of the measurements for the methane-propane system, the uncertainties in the earlier data relating to the pure substances and the binary mixtures are probably less than those associated with the values reported here. Method The methods and apparatus employed in this investigation have been described.137 In principle, the method involved the withdrawal of samples of the coexisting gas and liquid phases from a vessel containing a heterogeneous mixture of methane, propane and n-pentane. Provision was made so that

Jan 1, 1943

By C. W. Phillips, R. S. Busk

With most cast metals the grain size may vary within wide limits, depending upon the conditions at the moment of freezing. These conditions are subject to control in magnesium-base alloys, by proper melting and superheating techniques, enabling production of quite uniform and fine-grained castings, almost independent of section thickness. However, such variations of grain size as do exist, in common with all metals, are reflected in corresponding changes in mechanical properties. It is the intent of this paper to present data giving the relationship between grain size and mechanical properties. Data are also included on the combined effects of grain size and micro-porosity. In addition, a short discussion of factors influencing the grain size of sand castings is included. Measurement OF Grain Size By grain size is meant the statistical distribution of volumes occupied by the individual crystallites in a metal section. Since this is almost always impossible of direct measurement, several methods of estimating and expressing the size have been evolved. Most exact methods make use of the microscope. This involves study of a single plane cut at random through the metal. What is seen in the microscopc are polygons, each the cross section of a grain. The diameters or areas of these polygons are then measured and the grain size is expressed as an average diameter, number of grains per unit area, average area per grain, or, rarely, average volume per grain. Rutherford, Abom, and Bain3 have discussed extensively the errors involved when using a plane section to estimate volume. They clearly point out that the tendency is to underestimate the true grain size because of the nature of the measurcment. The A.S.T.M. recommends that measurement be made by comparison with a standard chart, by means of Jeffries' planimetric method4 or Heyn's intercept method. The Society recommends that the notation be in terms of the number of grains per unit area (as is the grain-size number used for steel) or as an average diameter, expressed in inches or millimeters (as for copper and brass). The method of measurement used for this study was comparison with a standard chart, which has been described by P. F. George.5 The chart was constructed by photographing at Ioo diameters a uniform specimen with an average grain diameter of 0.003 in. The average diameter of this specimen was determined by numerous measurements, using both the Jeffries and Heyn methods. The other grain sizes were then obtained by appropriate enlargemcnt of the master sample. Careful comparison of the chart method with other methods on identical samples indicates that though the differences be-

Jan 1, 1945

By H. R. Brannon, F. M. Perkins, Weldon O. Winsauer

Both the abnormal resistivity exhibited by shaly reservoir materials and their potential are due to adsorption of ions. Interrelationships between the two have been derived and verified by laboratory results. These relations which have resulted from this work may be used in a qualitative manner to estimate whether or not a particular shaly reservoir contains hydrocarbons, and also to estimate the porosity of shaly sands. INTRODUCTION In spite of the progress which has been made in the last decade toward a better understanding and utilization of the electric log, there remain a number of problems in the interpretation of the log. One of these which is often troublesome is that of divining the nature of the fluids in sandstones or carbonate rocks which contain appreciable amounts of shale. It was shown by Patnode and Wylliel in 1949 that shaly rocks exhibit an abnormally low resistivity when saturated with solutions of low ionic concentrations. This phenomenon has been demonstrated to be due to the adsorptive properties of shale or clay in the rock.' In estimating the fluid content of shaly sands or carbonates from the electric log, it is desirable and sometimes necessary to correct for the abnormally low resistivity. A similar correction is likewise often necessary if attempts are made to estimate the porosity of a stratum from resistivity measurements. The correction may be made from data obtained on core samples and from information on salinity of interstitial water. Cores, however, are not always available. Moreover, even if cores are at hand, their examination is time-consuming. It would be most desirable, therefore, to make corrections of this nature from the log itself. Since both the abnormal resistivity and the potential' are consequences of the adsorption of ions on shale, it should be possible to utilize the potential curve to give better interpretation of resistivity data obtained in logging shaly materials. The work described in following sections was directed toward this end. THEORY Relation of Resistivity of Shaly Reservoir Rock to Adsorpttve Properties In discussing the effect which the presence of shale or clay exerts on the resistivity of a reservoir rock, it is convenient to make use of the resistivity factor.4,5 This quantity has been defined as the ratio of the resistivity of the rock when it is completely saturated with an electrolyte to the resistivity of the electrolyte itself. When the rock, such as a clean sand or carbonate, is free of shale the resistivity factor is virtually independent of the ionic concentration of the electrolyte used to saturate the sample, so that F = R0/Rw = constant for a clean rock . . (1) where F is the resistivity factor, R0 is the resistivity of the rock saturated with electrolyte, and Rw is the resistivity of the electrolyte. When the rock contains argillaceous material, the resistivity factor as defined above is no longer independent of the concentration of the electrolyte used to saturate the rock, but decreases as the ionic concentration of the electrolyte decreases. In explanation of this behavior, it is instructive to consider a sample of shaly porous rock placed in contact with a large volume of a dilute electrolyte. The sample is considered to become saturated with the electrolyte, and to attain equilibrium with it. As a result of adsorption by the shale surfaces within the rock, there is a greater concentration of ions in the solution adjacent to the shale particles in the interstices of the sample than there is in the external solution with which the

Jan 1, 1955

By Marvin P. Barnes, John G. Simos

The Park City District, Utah, is situated in the Wasatch Range at the intersection of the westward extension of the axis of the Uinta Range. Ore has been mined almost continuously from the first discovery in 1869 to the present day, with a total production of over 14 million tons. Sediments of Carboniferous to Triassic age have been folded into the northerly plunging Park City anticline and subsequently modified by thrust faulting, diorite and diorite porphyry intrusions, and strong east-west normal faulting during the Laramide orogeny. Younger andesitic volcanics partially cover the eastern edge of the district. The ore bodies occur as both lode and bedded replacement deposits over widely scattered localities. Near surface, high-grade silver "bonanza" ores were mined in early days from the Ontario and Daly Lodes, which occur along the east-west zone of faulting near the center of the district. Other lode or fissure deposits were found along the Mayflower and Hawkeye faults to the east and southeast. Large bedded replacement silver-lead-zinc ore bodies associated with east-west zones of fissuring, have been mined from favorable horizons in the Park City Formation in the Daly West and Judge mines. A series of long, narrow, high-grade, replacement ore bodies occur in the Silver King mine at a single horizon in the Park City Formation. Ore is currently being mined from strong bedded replacements in the Humbug Formation near the apex of the Park City anticline. Factors controlling ore deposition are: magmatic source, structural feeder systems, and favorable host rocks. Ore deposition along favorable beds is primarily a function of physical conditioning and secondarily of chemical composition.

Jan 1, 1968

By Waldemar Lindgren

FIFTEEN years ago, in his presidential address before the Washington Academy of Sciences,1 Alfred H. Brooks said: "Applied geology can only maintain its present high position by continuing the researches which advance the knowledge of basic principles. Future progress in applied geology depends on progress in pure geology." Early in 1927, Dr. David White, then chairman of the Division of Geology and Geography of the National Research Council, appointed a committee "On the Processes of Ore Deposition," which was the first recognition by the Council of this branch of applied geology. This committee will not be able to solve the many complex problems involved; it can only clear the way, survey the field, state the problems and encourage systematic research. This short paper aims to outline and to analyze the present status of this kind of geological research, to ascertain the quality of the work and to suggest lines that might profitably be followed. INCREASING DEMAND FOR GEOLOGISTS Economic geology, or the art of geology, could develop only after the principles of geology and mineralogy had been established. Before that time it was merely a collection of trade rules accompanied by more or less wild speculations. Thus we observe the beginnings of economic geology in the period 1770-1820. Soon afterwards, the State Surveys were established in this country, with the realization that the natural resources should be investigated and described. Geology was hardly yet equal to the task of scientific research in relationships and genesis, however, and there followed a period of discouragement and stagnation. In the meanwhile, pure geology had again registered progress, and, based on its principles and also on the rapid mining development in the Cordilleran region, the present phase of the study of ore deposits began to take form. Raphael Pumpelly, S. F. Emmons and G. F. Becker were among the pioneers in this movement. The United States Geological Survey was organized. Ore deposits were scientifically described and studied along lines of structure and mineralogy; theories of genesis were advanced, not always permanent but based on sound induction.

Jan 1, 1928

By Y. Ueda, F. Noguchi, T. Yanagase

The rate of CaO dissolution into slag melts is of great importance in the field of pyrometallurgy. In this study the mechanism of CaO dissolution has been investigated by observing the melt heated on Pt-filament directly through microscope together with a help of X-ray micro analyser to find out a distribution of each element around CaO crystal. The direct observation reveals that the CaO dissolution tends to proceed by the action of molten slag entering between CaO crystal and newly formed 2Ca0. Si02 layer through cracks. The effect of slag composition on the formation of 2CaO- SiO2 layer will be shown as well as the effect of halogenides addition on the destruction of this compound layer.

Jan 1, 1976

By Enrique Hauser

FIRE-DAMP is a mixture of methane with other inert gases or combustible gases. The inert gases in question are carbonic acid, water vapor, nitrogen, etc. The combustible gases are hydrogen, ethane, etc. The study of the properties of fire-damp, therefore, becomes a study of the properties of methane and the influence on its properties of the different gases we have mentioned. Characteristic Properties of Methane 1. Respirability.-Methane being a paraffin is characterized by its weak chemical affinities. From the physiological, point of view one could substitute it for nitrogen of the air at least momentarily, without experiencing any difficulty in breathing the mixture consisting of 21 per cent. 02 + 79 per cent. CH4. I .have tried this on myself, making the gas exhaled -from the lungs burn subsequently in a Bunsen burner.1 From the chemical point of view, this weak affinity permits the gas to be burned in certain circumstances with hydrogen and oxide of carbon in an oxygenated mixture, with the result that the last two gases achieve only a fractional combustion. This practice has been utilized with success in the methods of analysis which I have perfected and which I describe later in this paper. 2. Retardation of Flashing Point.-A characteristic property of methane is its retardation of flashing point, noted by Davy in 1816 and studied by Mallard and Le Chatelier in 1883.2 Taffanel and Le Floch have recently confirmed these results.3 Let us recall the nature of this retardation:

Jan 2, 1916

By H. Cecil Spicer

The results described in this article are based on field work conducted during the periods APril-May, 1939, and MaY-JulY, 1940. The United States Potash CO. is mining potash on Government land under a permit from the Department of the Interior and the geophysical investigation mas completed under a cooperative arrangemerit made between that company and the Conservation Branch of the Geological Survey. The writer, a member of the Section of Chemistry and Physics of the Geologic Branch, was assigned to this investigation. Four definite objectives were in mind for the geophysical work in the studies over the salt deposits. The first was to determine the measure of success that could be attained in this type of work with the resistivity methods that were to be employed. These methods had been introduced into the work of the Conservation Branch by Benjamin E. Jones for the investigation of dam sites, and have been used under his direction by the author for such work. If the method proved to be applicable, an l was to be made to contour the top of the salt beds and also the other formation boundaries known to be present in this area. Salt-water aquifers were to be studied in an effort to determine their boundaries, and an attempt was to be made to delineate the potash-bearing beds. Others have made, and reported, resistivity studies over saliferous deposits in different areas. Friedell and Messrs. Schlumberger2 reported geophysical work performed in the disrovery of the salt domes of Alsace; Carrette and Kelly3 described the geology of the same area. Leonardon and Kelly4 published a resistivity curve obtained over the Hettenschlag dome, and a further discussion of this same area was given by the Messrs. Schlum-berger5 in a communication. Messrs. Alty6 described studies 0" salt deposits in which the sing[e-probe method was used. Sinerez7 mentions that electrical methods were tried over salt deposits in Spain. Geoffrey and Charrin8 show a resistivity curve obtained over marl, gypsiferous marl and salt which is similar to that obtained over the New Mexico salt deposits. Kelly9 reported resistivity work performetl with the ground comparator of Zuschlag over the salt deposits near Syracuse, N. Y., where the Salina formation is at a depth of 700 to 800 ft. Some structural studies on the potash basin of Alsace are described by Poldini.10 Another single-probe resistivity study, made over salt deposits in New Mexico, is briefly described by Heiland,ll through the courtesy of Harry Aurand, of the Midwest Refining CO.

Jan 1, 1942