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By S. Leber, R. F. Hehemann

This investigation describes the kinetics of alloying in a (Cb-15 wt pct W. 5 wt pct Mo, 1 wt pct Zr) powder-metallurgy alloy. The degree of homogeneity obtained in hydrostatic ally pressed and vacuum-sintered samples is described by composition distributions resulting from analysis of X-ray dvfraction line profiles. Sintering variables and degvee of powder dispersion were evaluated. The utility of single-value parameters obtained from composition distributions is disaissed. The spatial distribution of composition, as revealed by anodically tinted metallographic sarrzples, was used to provide diffision models based on a concentric-sphere geometry. Diffusion equations developed from these models were found to be in general agreement with experimental results. The powder-metallurgy method for the production of refractory metal alloys has the ability to produce an inherently fine-grained, fabricable structure. The more general use of this method is inhibited, in part, by the presumed difficulty in obtaining homogeneity on a microscale. The degree of homogeneity therefore is an important, but usually neglected, variable in specifying the quality of a powder-metallurgy alloy. Convenient techniques for measuring the degree of homogeneity are now available,' and have been used to develop a model describing the process of alloying in a simple binary mixture.' In this investigation, the process of alloy formation has been studied in a more complex system. PROCEDURE The columbium-based F-48 mixture was prepared from the constituent powders shown in Table I. The particle sizes tabulated were provided by the vendors of the individual powders. Standard laboratory techniques utilizing a jar mill were employed for blending. The blended powders were hydro-pressed into 1-in. diam rods which were then sliced into thin discs for vacuum sintering. All samples were given a preliminary treatment at 1700°C for 2 hr. Varying degrees of homogeneity were obtained using additional treatments at higher temperatures. The degree of homogeneity obtained by a specific sintering treatment was evaluated metallographi-cally using the anodic-tinting technique described by olff,' and quantitatively by the analysis of X-ray diffraction line profiles using the X-ray diffraction technique developed by udman.' The diffraction technique is strictly valid only for binary systems. However, the relatively small difference between the lattice parameters of tungsten and molvbdenum when compared with columbium permitted the treatment of the complex composition of F-48 as a (W, Mo)-Cb pseudobinary. Calculations were weighted in accord with the W-Mo ratio in the F-48 composition. The contribution of the 1 pct Zr was ignored since it could not even be detected in the blended powder. Two factors are required to convert an X-ray line profile into a composition distribution. The variation of these factors with composition is shown in Fig. 1. Curve A was used to convert angular posi-

Jan 1, 1964

By R. W. Hyde, B. S. Old, S. E. Eaton

INTRODUCTION ONE of the most important problems facing the steel industry at the present time is that of maintaining at a minimum the sulphur content of many grades of steel where sulphur is known to have harmful effects on both quality and yield. The present outlook in this struggle to reduce the amount of sulphur in steel is rather gloomy since the sulphur content of the raw materials available in the United States is gradually rising, with little relief in sight. A flow sheet of sulphur in the steel process is shown in Fig I. The values used here were obtained by averaging coke oven and blast furnace data at No. 5 furnace in Cleveland and are considered typical for high top pressure practice. The sulphur evolved in the blast furnace top gas was obtained by difference and since the amount is relatively small, little significance should be attached to this particular value. From Fig I it is apparent, however, that coals used in the production of metallurgical coke represent by far the largest single source of sulphur in steelmaking. As an indication of the decrease in quality of these coals as regards sulphur content the weighed average annual sulphur analysis of the coals supplied to two different steel plants, since 1925, is plotted in Fig 2.1 The sharp rise since 1940 is strikingly apparent. Another indication of this trend is found in estimates of coking coal reserves. Thus in the case of Pittsburgh seam coals available in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties in Pa. as of Jan. 1937 only 25 pct of the coal reserves would contain less than 1.50 pct sulphur after washing.2,3 Many of these lower sulphur reserves have been seriously depleted in recent years because of accelerated war demands. Still another demonstration of the increasing sulphur content of coals on a country-wide basis is found in a report by the Bureau of Mines4 which shows a steady increase in the sulphur content of coke made in the United States, It should be noted that this increase continues in spite of the wider use of coal washing in recent years. Sulphur occurs in coal in three forms, pyritic (FeS2), organic sulphur, and a small amount of sulphate sulphur (CaSO4), The sulphur is subsequently found in the coke in combination with carbonaceous material of unknown composition and as calcium and iron sulphides: In considering the general problem of sulphur elimination, the Republic Steel Corp. was interested in determining which, if either, of the two major forms of sulphur in coal contributes the greater portion of sulphur to the coke, Since the ratio of pyritic to organic sulphur varies widely in different coals, it was thought that if it could be shown definitely that the major part of the sulphur occurring in coke originates from one of the two major forms of sulphur in the coal, it would then be possible to select with confidence coal which, although high in total sulphur, would yield coke of fairly low sulphur content, Using the new

Jan 1, 1948

By A. G. Weber, K. H. Coats, M. H. Terhune, R. L. Nielsen

Two computer-oriented techniques for simulating the three-dimensional flow behavior of two fluid phases in petroleum reservoirs were developed. Under the first technique the flow equations are solved to model three-dimensional flow in a reservoir. The second technique was developed for modeling flow in three-dimensional media that have sufficiently high permeability in the vertical direction so that vertical flow is not seriously restricted. Since this latter technique is a modified two-dimensional meal analysis, suitably structured three-dimensional reservoirs can be simulated at considerably lower computational expenses than is required using the three-dimensional analysis. A quantitative criterion is provided for determining when vertical communication is good enough to permit use of the modified two-dimensional areal analysis. The equations solved by both techniques treat both fluids as compressible, and, for gas-oil applications, provide for the evolution of dissolved gas. Accounted for are the effects of relative permeability, capillary pressure and gravity in addition to reservoir geomety and rock heterogeneity. Calculations are compared with laboratory waterflood data to indicate the validity of the analyses. Other results were calculated with both techniques which show the equivalence of the two solutions for reservoirs satisfying the vertical communication criterion. INTRODUCTION Obtaining the maximum profits from oil and gas reservoirs during all stages of depletion is the fundamental charge to the reservoir engineering profession. In recent years much quantitative assistance in evaluating field development programs has been provided by computerized techniques for predicting reservoir flow behavior. Because of the spatially distributed and dynamic nature of producing operations, automatic optimization procedures, such as those now in use for planning refining operations, are not now available for planning reservoir development. However, present mathematical simulation techniques do furnish powerful means for making case studies to help in planning primary recovery operations and in selecting and timing supplemental recovery operations. A number of methods have been reported which simulate the flow of one, two or three fluid phases within porous media of one or two effective spatial dimensions>-4 However, applying computer analyses to actual reservoirs have been limited mostly to two-dimensional areal or cross-sectional flow studies for two immiscible reservoir fluids. To obtain a three-dimensional picture of reservoir performance using such two-dimensional techniques, it has been necessary to interpret the calculations by combining somehow the results from essentially independent areal and cross-sectional studies. To the authors' knowledge, the only other three-dimensional computational procedure, in addition to those presented here, was developed by Peaceman and Rachford8 to simulate the behavior of a laboratory waterflood. Two computational techniques which may be used to simulate three-dimensional flow of two fluid phases are described in this paper. The first method, called the "three-dimensional analysis", employs a fully three-dimensional mathematical model that treats simultaneously both the areal and cross-sectional aspects of reservoir flow. The second method, called the vertical equilibrium (VE) analysis", is applicable

By J. S. Seawright

Haulage is a costly feature in the operation of an open pit mine, whether it be iron, copper, or limestone. The National Iron Co. has adapted an old underground method to the open pit inclined skip haulage to bring the ore from the pit bottom to the crusher or beneficiation plant. The Rockover skip has been placed in operation where limited areas have retarded or eliminated use of long rail or road slopes. Deep and narrow orebodies subject to rapid increase in depth that discourage use of conveyor belts and necessary crushing plants are ideal for this system. The skip haulage method was developed to combine the desirable features of conveyor, truck, and rail haulage and at the same time avoid the draw- backs. The skip was designed to follow the natural angle of repose of the pit wall and can vary from 25° to 45°. Open-pit skips now in operation show that the installation is successful and provide the

Jun 1, 1955

By C. W. Goodale

I. INTRODUCTION. In the summer of 1909 the Boston & Montana reduction department of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. completed a new flue system, at a cost of about $1,100,000, and -is this includes the largest and highest chimney in the world, and some new features of flue construction, a description will be of interest. At the Spokane meeting of the Institute in September, 1909, a brief mention was made of this flue system, in discussing Mr. Brunton's presidential paper on the Progress of Metallurgy in the West, and a promise was given that when a long enough time had elapsed, so that operating results could be given, a paper would be offered. The smelting plant includes blast furnaces, MacDougall roasters, gas-fired reverberatories, and converters.

Jan 8, 1913

By A. E. Bellis

THE CHAIRMAN (ALBERT SAUVEUR, Cambridge, Mass.).-Any information likely to throw light on the constitution and proper treatment of high-speed steel in order to obtain maximum results, should surely he welcomed. All users of high-speed steel, I believe, will agree with the authors that, in order to obtain satisfactory results, it is not sufficient to heat all brands of high-speed steel to one and the same temperature; apparently very slight differences of chemical composition seem to call for marked differences in temperature. I think that all of us agree that a properly treated piece of high-speed steel should have a fine austenitic or polyhedral structure and that an appreciable quantity of free carbide may be present in the case of very high tungsten steels. What we seem to lack is a satisfactory method, quick and reliable, of ascertaining when the proper structure has been obtained. I think Mr. Bellis' paper is a step in the right direction. To the untrained eye, however, it is not an easy matter to select from some of his photomicrographs the one representing the best structure; for instance, in the case of steel A, we wonder why temperatures of 2,250 and 2,300 do not yield the same results, seeing that both structures are apparently alike, and the same might apply to some of the other samples. I have no doubt, however, that the experienced observer is capable of detecting structural differences that are not made plain here and by which he is able to select the proper quenching temperature. COLIN G. FINK, East Orange, N. J.-On page 68 the authors say that the use of a barium chloride bath to eliminate this difficulty has the disadvantage that the surface of the tool becomes decarbonized." I would like to ask whether they actually found that the surface was decarbonized, or whether they base this conclusion on softening alone? A. E. BELLIS, Springfield, Mass.-No, we have never demonstrated that it was a decarbonization, it is just the softening of the steel. The addition of ferrocyanide to the ferrochloride bath has been suggested. I think that is not altogether satisfactory, because the ferrocyanide bath changes composition very rapidly at these high temperatures, and it would be just a question of luck whether or not it had too much or too little ferrocyanide in the bath giving equilibrium with the carbon content.

Jan 4, 1917

By Paul M. Tyler

MUCH information concerning pegmatites which was thought to be true a few years ago has been proved false, and what is now actually known about some pegmatites is not true of many others. The erratic and seemingly unpredictable structure and variable composition of this class of mineral deposits has been widely emphasized. Even parts of the same pegmatite body exhibit marked differences in texture, mineral composition, width, and attitude. Constructive geological thinking in respect to pegmatites now aims to establish general laws rather than to stress the confusing diversity of features having no special economic significance.

Jan 9, 1953

By L. H. Robinson

A proposed method of drilling utilizes sequential detonation of two types of explosive charges delivered to the hole by a conventional drilling fluid through pipe. A shaped charge first produces a long thin hole. A second charge, called a gauging charge, is pumped into the thin hole, explodes, and enlarges it to full gauge. In one suggested configuration, the explosives are contained in cylindrical capsules 4- to 5-ft long. A drilling head is positioned 2- to 3-ft off bottom. When a capsule is pumped to the bottom of the hole and stops, pressure inside the drill pipe increases and differential pressure detonates the explosive. Primacord along the length of the capsule disintegrates the capsule. The debris circulates out of the hole with the drilling fluid. The gauging-charge action was examined using 2-ft cubes of Berea sandstone. The sandstone (18 per cent porosity) was vacuum-saturated with water and surrounded by concrete. To prevent reflected tensile pulses, the acoustical impedance of the concrete matched that of the sandstone. A 750-psig pressure was applied to a drilling fluid within a shaped-charge-formed hole before detonating the gauging charge. In these tests, 190 gm of rock were removed for each gram of explosive detonated. A similar series of experiments on low-porosity (0.40 per cent) metamorphic limestone provided a more rigorous test. Extensive fracturing from the gauging-charge action prevented an estimate of the volume of the expanded hole. The diameter of the hole was irregular, ranging from about 2 to 4 in, or about fivefold larger than the hole created by the shaped charge. INTRODUCTION In the past, explosives have found a varied but somewhat limited use in the oil field. An early well stimulation technique, still in use today, in vo lves shooting ni troglycerin to en large the borehole and to increase matrix permeability near the wellbore. Bullets and jets are now the conventional method of perforating casing and tubing. Detonations are frequently used to "back off" or "shoot off" stuck pipe and, of course, seismo-graphic work has long depended on explosive-generated pulses to find attractive earth structures. Efforts to use explosives in drilling operations have received limited examinations1-3 which, in one respect, is surprising because explosives offer one way to transmit large amounts of energy directly to the bottom of the hole. Recently, Ostrovskii l described a Russian method of drilling with explosives that utilizes small capsules containing explosives which are pumped into the mud stream to the bottom of a borehole. As the capsules leave the end of the drill pipe, a detonation mechanism is armed. Impact detonates the explosive. In another configuration, two liquids (an oxidizing agent and fuel) in the capsule are separated by a frangible membrane. Separately, the liquids are nonexplosive. Near the bottom of the drill pipe, the capsule passes through a narrow constriction which ruptures the membrane. The mixing of the liquids produces an explosive. Impact is again used to detonate the explosive. About the time Ostrovskii was developing his method, Humble Oil & Refining Co. was independently doing research on another explosive drilling concept based on the sequential detonation of two types -of explosive charges. The proposed technique consisted of alternately pumping a shaped charge and then a "gauging charge" down a well. The shaped charge should drill a long, tapered hole, and the gauging charge should expand it to full gauge. This paper presents the visualized drilling concept and gives results of laboratory work which showed that sequential firing of charges can form hole at an attractive charge-to-rock removal ratio. An important finding was that increased environmental pressure, which is to be expected in wells, increases rock removal efficiency of the gauging charge.

Jan 1, 1966

Jan 1, 1969

By Reno H. Sales

EVERY mine manager, mine geologist, and every prospector in the field who appraises the future of mining properties does so on the basis of a theory of ore deposition whether he recognizes this fact or not. Wherever the ultimate value of a mine or prospect is dependent upon undeveloped ore, any estimate by an engineer or geologist necessarily involves a theory of origin of the deposit. In view of these facts the importance of a thorough understanding of the genesis of ore deposits cannot be overestimated. It well may be that the greatness of our country will depend upon finding reserves of natural resources as yet undiscovered. The genesis of ore deposits offers a fascinating field for study and investigation. This is attested by the large number of geologists who have written at length on the subject. For progress made toward a better understanding of ore genesis we owe much to Kemp, Lindgren, Ransome, Vogt, Emmons, Spurr, Graton, and a host of others. Within my own experience, I have attempted to apply in practice the various concepts and theories that have been advanced by these men.

Jan 5, 1954

By J. D. Runkie, A. G. Lyle, G. A. Gillies

Tar evaluation of data obtained by selective flotation from even a simple ore is a very difficult process, and when the ore tested is complex the process becomes extremely difficult and cumbersome The authors, in the course of an investigation into the selective behavior of various flotation reagents on nonmetallic minerals§ were confronted with an aggravated form of this difficulty, owing to the large mass of data that had accumulated over a period of years They finally devised a method whereby the results of the various flotation tests could be correlated and interpreted by means of graphs representing recoveries and rejections of the component minerals in the ore This method of graphical analysis proved so useful in nonmetallic flotation that it was afterwards applied to sulphide flotation, where it yielded equally satisfactory results Since this method of analysis leads to very definite conclusions as to the effect of changes in reagents and flotation procedure, it is felt that a wider application of the method might assist the industry by reducing the amount of test work required, and possibly increase the accuracy of the final analysis GRAPHS In Fig I, four curves are plotted on the same graph with cumulative percentages as ordinates and cumulative weights as abscissas In this instance the four curves are named, respectively the barite-recovery curve, the limestone-rejection curve, the silica-rejection curve, and the summation curve In these tests barite was the mineral concentrated, therefore a barite concentrate was produced Definitions Before explaining the curves in detail it might be advisable to define several new terms, such as "percentage rejection," "summation index," and "summation curve," as well as the word "test," which has been used in a special sense. A "test" will include all the operations performed upon a batch of ore from the time it is placed in the rod mill until the last product has been assayed Thus a test may be a comparatively simple procedure producing only one concentrate and a tailing, or it may be a very complicated procedure producing five or more concentrates of a specific mineral as well as a tailing The number of concentrates produced will depend entirely upon whether the collector was added to the pulp in the flotation cell in one lot or was added in five or more portions Percentage Rejection-The ability of a selective flotation collector to reject an undesired mineral is just as important as its ability to collect the desired mineral The percentage rejection curves shown on the graphs give this factor due consideration and its value is calculated as follows Suppose a concentrate contains 5 per cent of an undesired mineral This indicates

Jan 1, 1942

By M. Baeyertz

SINCE 1915 many papers and books have covered industrial applications of X-rays from various angles. Two of the more recent are a paper by Fink and Archer1, which describes in detail the technique of radiography, and a paper by Clark2, which embraces the whole field of X-ray metallography. This paper, therefore, is confined to work of the X-ray Laboratory of the Western Electric Co., which naturally divides into two categories: radiography and diffraction patterns of various types.

Jan 1, 1930

By R. W. Raymond

Under the names of Conservation, Social Justice, the New Nationalism, and Progressive Democracy, many earnest reformers are calling for a new system of Federal government to replace the one which they ascribe to our fathers, and declare to have been outgrown. They are proposing the lease by the United States of certain natural resources on the public domain, for the profit of the U. S. Treasury, instead of the sale of such resources to private citizens or associations of citizens. In the present paper, I shall try to show that this notion is neither new nor good. It is clear that the United States is owner, as well as sovereign, of public lands acquired through conquest or purchase from other nations, as it was owner of the public lands expressly ceded to it by the original thirteen States. Its policy with regard to such lands involves, therefore, two entirely distinct questions: What shall it do as owner ? and, What shall it do as sovereign ? The latter question, it must be confessed, has played but a small part in our history. All the prerogatives of sovereignty which were not explicitly conferred upon the Federal government by the original States were retained by them. The ownership or control of precious or other metals or minerals in the earth, for instance, was thus reserved to the several sovereign States. New York, South Carolina, and other States have passed laws on this subject, without regard to Federal authority. As new States have been successively admitted to the Union, the tacitly accepted theory has been, that they thereby acquired all the reserved rights of the original States. These newer States largely outnumber the first thirteen; and it is inconceivable that they would submit to any deprivation of sovereignty based on historical grounds. One of them—Texas—came into the Union by its own voluntary

Jan 1, 1913

By Wilbur H. Somerton

W. H. Somerton is to be commended for his application of the methods of dimensional analysis in combination with the results of laboratory drilling tests to obtain a significant formula for the rate of penetration for the process of rotary drilling. This formula is shown to be a consequence of a more general formulation developed by the discussor as a result of his investigations of the basic action of most methods of rock drilling by mechanical means—the momentary loading of a chisel-shaped tool on the surface of the rock at the bottom of the hole. Some of the author's conclusions are re-examined in the light of this general formulation. DRILLING RATE FORMULA The author selects a minimum number of the most significant variables associated with the rotary drilling process to set up his two dimensionless parameters. Only one variable is associated with the geometry of the bit —the bit diameter, D; only one variable is associated with the properties of the rock pertinent to drilling— the drilling strength, S; and only two independent variables are associated with the conditions of operation the weight on the bit. F, and the rate of rotation, N. The dependent variahle of interest is, of course, the rate of penetration, R. The results of the author's drilling tests show that the variable R that appears in the dimensionless parameter, RIND is approximately proportioned to the square of the variable, F, that appears in the other dimension-less parameter, F/D2S. This establishes the functional relationship between these two simple parameters that leads to the formulation of a third dimensionless parameter, RD1T2/NF1. This last parameter is a significant one for the rotary drilling process, in general, although the author properly limits the validity of his equations to his present test conditions. The author realizes that the numerical value of this parameter, C, is not a constant but may be a function of one or more additional dimensionless groupings of the many other variables associated with the rotary drilling process, e.g. some dimensionless measure of bit wear. The author's parameter is shown to be a special case of a more general dimensionless parameter, developed by the discussor. that is applicable to practically all methods of rock drilling by mechanical means, namely. RD2S/P. P is the rate at which mechanical work is done on the rock, and S is the drilling strength, a term originated by the discussor. S is defined as the ratio of energy input to the rock to the volume of rock broken

Jan 1, 1929

By A. W. Furbank

IN reviewing the aerial cameras produced in different countries, it becomes apparent that in nearly all of them an attempt has been made to secure the greatest possible angle of view. This angle, of course, is determined by the objective. The objectives most commonly in use in aerial cameras have a maximum angle of 65°. The objective developed for this new Zeiss camera combines freedom from distortion and brilliant definition, with an angle of 95°. Aerial mapping, it is claimed, has been placed on a different economic basis, and new possibilities presented, par-ticularly in connection with automatic stereoscopic plotting instruments, to which some short references are made. One way of enlarging the angle of view is to couple several instruments with their axes convergent, thereby producing a multilens camera. Typi-cal of cameras of this sort in the United States is the Bagley four-lens camera, which later was developed into the five-lens camera (T3-A) of the U. S. Air Corps. More recently, in order to get away from the unfavorable Maltese cross image field of the five-lens camera, and to obtain a more practical form, two five-lens cameras were combined. By using them in tandem and rotating them by 45° relatively to each other, a ten-lens camera was produced, covering an octagonal ground area, with a total angle of view of 140°. Similar designs have been evolved in other countries. In all of them, however, a number of difficulties have arisen, quite apart from their large weight and high cost. Because of their complex mechanism, numerous shutters and magazines, and the high precision with which these parts must be interadjusted and synchronized, these cameras are far from dependable. Moreover, a multilens camera by itself does not yet constitute a complete outfit for producing pictures suitable for photogrammetric survey. Because all the component pictures, except the central one, are obliques, it is always necessary to employ rectifying apparatus which transforms the marginal views to the perspective of the central one. In multilens cameras with many individual magazines, it is not convenient to

Jan 1, 1938

By J. Handin

Triaxial compression tests with independently applied external confining pressures and internal pore pressures show that the ultimate compressive strengths of representative oil well cements are nearly linear functions of effective pressure — the difference between external and internal pressures on the jacketed cylindrical specimens (to 15,000 psi). The strengths are little affected by the test temperature to 350F (not to be confused with the curing temperature). At an effective pressure of 15,000 psi, strengths are in the rage of 30,000 to 50,000 psi, comparable to those of sedimentary rocks under similar conditions. The cements become very ductile even under low effective pressures; permanent shortenings of 30 per cent or more are attainable without rupture. INTRODUCTION Since the pioneering work of Richart, Brandtzaeg and Brown1 on the failure of cement under combined compressive stresses, it has been recognized that ultimate compressive strength is greatly enhanced by the application of confining pressure. More recently, Mc Henry2 showed that the strength of concrete was a linear function of the effective pressure (the difference between the external confining pressure on a jacketed specimen and the internal fluid pore pressure), at least for a range of 0 to 1,500 psi. The effect of temperature had not been investigated, and no previous systematic triaxial compression testing of naterials used for oilwell cementing seems to have been done. The present work was suggested by the late J. hi. Bugbee3 who stated that "consideration of the common application of high-pressure hydraulic fracturing to the initial completion or recompletion of wells, and the large pressure drawdowns in some producing wells, particularly those in abnormally high-pressure gas-condensate reservoirs, raises the question of what is a suitable cement strength for various completions. The intuitive belief exists that cement strength need be no greater than formation strength. Tests should, however, be conducted at downhole conditions." The ultimate compressive strengths of rocks penetrated by the borehole must rise several fold with increasing depth.4 This marked enhancement of strength is due to the influence of the effective pressure, the total weight per unit area of the overburden less the hydrostatic pore pressure. (The effect of temperature due to the geothermal gradients is relatively small for depths to 30,000 ft.) .A significant comparison of the strengths of rocks and cements at downhole conditions requires knowledge of the confined compressive strengths of cements as well. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES The theory and technique of triaxial compression testing are fully discussed in earlier reports.4-6 Briefly, cylindrical specimens 1-in. long and 0.5-in. in diameter are jacketed in thin copper tubes of negligible strength, placed in the test chamber and subjected to an external confining pressure of kerosene and loaded axially by the piston at a strain rate of 1 per cent per minute. Pore pressures of water (or kerosene) are applied independently through the hollow piston and are maintained constant during the shortening of the specimen, Tests at sensibly 0 pore pressure are arranged so that any free water in the cement can escape to the atmosphere. (If egress of water were denied, pore pressure would rapidly attain the value of the external confining pressure because of reduction of pore space.) The test chamber can be heated for high-temperature experiments. Unless otherwise noted, the cement samples were air dried for about a week. Recorded during a test are pore and confining pressures, shortening and axial differential force (total force less the product of the confining pressure and the area of the piston). True stress-strain curves are constructed by dividing the measured differential force by the actual cross-sectional area of the specimen at a given

Jan 1, 1966

By H. J. Rahilly

MINE FIRES, in the Butte District, have been a source of trouble and expense for the past thirty years, for while the actual fire area in most of the mines has been comparatively small, the handling of the gas has generally been a much larger problem than the actual putting out of the fire. The chief causes of these fires have been: Defective electrical equipment, incendiarism or carelessness, and spontaneous combustion. While fires from the first two causes have been numerous, they have generally been discovered and extinguished before they became very serious. Spontaneous combustion has been the cause of most of the large fires. Sufficient heat has been generated by ground movement, high rock temperatures, and decomposition to set fire to inflammable materials (tarred ropes, canvas, dry timber, manure, and hay) left in the gobs some years ago. Also, the heat resulting from the oxidation of the fine broken sulfide ore is sometimes sufficient to set fire to the timbers. In 1906, a fire was discovered on the 1100-ft. level of the Minnie Healy mine about 400 ft. (122 m.) west of the Minnie Healy shaft, which presumably originated, in one of the upper levels, from spontaneous combustion. The fire was walled off by concrete bulkheads and a pillar of ground 100 ft. (30 m.) thick was left below and mining resumed underneath. During subsequent operations, this pillar became cracked and broken and the fire passed into the new workings. It travelled downward and spread rapidly until, in 1917, it had become necessary to wall off portions of the Tramway, Leonard, and West Colusa mines on the 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1800, 1900, and 2000-ft. levels, and the top of the 2200-ft. raises were sealed. The fire area now consists roughly of a block 1000 by 1200 ft. and from the 600-ft. to the 2200-ft. level. This block is composed largely of a series of parallel northwest-southeast nearly vertical veins and stringers that form a large orebody, with no well-defined walls but badly fractured and faulted, and known locally as "Horsetail Ore." These veins, or orebodies, are mined by the square-set or the rill method.

Jan 2, 1922

By Henning Nielsen

SIX weeks ahead of schedule, the International Nickel Co. of Canada Ltd. has brought a 30-mile rail line into the newly born town of Thompson, Manitoba. Its construction spurs the development of a rich new mining region slated to become the world's second largest nickel-producing area-exceeded only by Inco's Sudbury, Ont., workings. Two mines, the Thompson and the Moak Lake, will be opened to meet International Nickel's scheduled annual production goal of 385 million lb of refined nickel by 1961. Accomplishment of this aim will mean an additional 75 million lb of the metal available to consumers. In addition, stepped-up out- put of Inco's Sudbury holdings may increase this figure by another 25 million lb. (For an earlier report on these developments see MINING ENGINEERING News, January 1957).

Jan 12, 1957

By Dennis K. Mortensen

Startup of the 9000 tpd Sacaton concentrator is expected to increase Asarco's domestic copper concentrate capacity by 21%. The plant site is located due west of the mining operations, consisting of both crushing and concentrating facilities. Arthur G. McKee & Co. served as the prime contractor for the project. The Sacaton mineralization contains both sulfide and oxide ores. Primary mineral constituents are chalcocite, azurite, malachite, chrysocolla, and minor amounts of silver and occasional gold. Sulfides are distinguished from oxides when more than half the total copper content is in the form of a sulfide copper mineral. While non-sulfide copper minerals are considerably less prevalent throughout the orebody, they tend to occur quite intimately with the sulfide minerals, particularly in the upper zones of the mineralization. For this reason the decision was made to treat all the ore in a flotation circuit using existing sulfidizing methods.

Jan 11, 1974