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By G. G. Priest, B. E. Morgan

The production of oil and gas from wells is often seriously hindered by the compaction of solids in the perforations during the perforating process. To realize the full productive capacity of a well, it is necessary either to remove the plugging material from the perforations or to perforate in a manner which does not cause plugging of the perforations. The latter method can be accomplished by having a non-plugging fluid in the casing at the time the well is perforated. This paper describes the results of laboratory tests, perforating tests, and experimental field tests which demonstrate that certain emulsions serve effectively as non-plugging perforating fluids. The principal components of these emulsions are two liquids: an aqueous phase consisting of a solution of either sodium chloride or calcium chloride, and an oil phase consisting of diesel oil, tetrachloroethylene, or a combination of both. Small amounts of other agents which serve to stubilize the emulsions, to reduce the fluid loss, and to inhibit corrosion are also present. The density of the emulsions is controllable within the range of 7.5 to 12.5 lb/gal; no insoluble solids are present, the filtration rate is low, and the thermal stability is satisfactory at temperatures as high as 200°F. The corrosion of steel by these emulsions is negligible. Tests conducted under conditions which simulate the temperature and the pressure in an actual well demonstrate that these emulsions fulfill the requirements of a non-plugging perforating fluid. In addition, lirnited field experience furnishes evidence that these emulsions remain in position after they are spotted, that they are retained in the casing after the perforations are made, and that they are easily removed from the perforations when the well is opened for production. When the pressure in the borehole is greater than the formation pressure at the time a well is perforated, plugging of the perforations can be avoided by spotting an emulsion adjacent the interval to be perforated. This procedure should eliminate low well productivity caused by plugging the perforations. INTRODUCTION Nature of Problem The most widely used method for the completion of oil and gas wells is to set and cement casing through productive horizons, and then to obtain production by gun-perforating the section of casing opposite the desired interval. This method is gen- erally successful and it was thought at one time that those failures which did occur were due to insufficient penetration by the perforator. Despite recent improvements in perforators which assure ample penetration, unsatisfactory fluid production continues to be a problem. Evidently, the trouble comes from some other source. Recent results obtained by Allen and Worzel1 demonstrated that low fluid productivity may be caused by the perforating process and/or by the fluid in the wellbore at the time of shooting. They found that perforations are often completely plugged by debris from the perforator, pulverized sand from the formation, and compacted solids from the drilling mud when the pressure in the wellbore is greater than the pressure in the formation at the time of perforation. In some cases a differential pressure in excess of 400 psi was required to initiate flow into the well through these plugged perforations. The plugging of perforations by solids not only causes low productivity from wells, but it creates simultaneously other problems in the production of oil and gas. For example, when most of the perforations are plugged, high rates of flow must occur through the few perforations that are open. The resulting high pressure drop may cause production

Jan 1, 1958

By D. D. Dunkin

Sandstone has been prepared for glassmaking purposes, and marketed from the White River Valley in Arkansas at Guion, Izard County, since about 1910—soon after the completion of the White River Branch of the Missouri Pacific R. R. Co. Until 1921, operations were somewhat spasmodic and ended in many failures. In that year a plant was built by the Silica Products Co., Inc., and since that time the operation has been continuous and steady. The land is held under leases, covering about 30 square miles of the best sandstone adjacent to the railroad. Most of the product is shipped to glassmakers. Geology The St. Peter sandstone is rather widely distributed in north central Arkansas and is exposed most prominently in outcrops along the slopes of the White River Valley and its tributarirs that form the division between the Boston Mountains to the south and the Salem Plateau of the Ozarks to the north. It is of Ordovician age and is generally underlaid by Cotter dolomite and capped by Plattin limestone, except in the vicinity of Bellefonte and Everton. At those places, it is a massive cross-bedded, laminated, saccharoidal sandstone; underlying it is the Everton limestone and overlying it, the Joachim magnesium limestone The sandstone at Everton contains numerous phosphatic pebbles and inclusions of sandy limestone. The irregularity of cross-section, the evidence of sorting action and the phosphatic pebbles appear to be indications of secondary deposition The St. Peter sandstone occurs as a massive formation in the picturesque bluffs along the White River Valley from near the eastern escarprnent of the uplift northwestmard into the Ozarks. The exposure shows a series of gentle anticlinal and synclinal folds. The greatest thickness is at the southeastern end, where it is over 100 ft. in many places. It thins out to the north and west and then to isolated and scattered deposits which cap the ridges and mountains of the Ozarks.

Jan 1, 1928

By Frank M. Brewster

The handling of congealing oils and paraffin is a serious problem in the Appalachian fields, particularly because the small amount of oil produced per well makes the removing of paraffin a very costly operation per barrel. Few operators realize or have any means of knowing just how much production is lost on account of paraffin depositing over the face of the sand and plugging the pores of the sand; but where paraffin has been removed the production increases indicate that this loss has been considerable. Many operators believe that paraffining is confined to the tubing and pumping equipment, but it is evident that the most serious damage occurs on the face of the sand and a short distance back in the pores. This paper is an attempt to disseminate information on methods and processes in use in the Eastern fields for combatting losses of production and operating difficulties caused by deposition of paraffin in the pores, on the walls, on the tubing and on other pumping equipment. Mills1 covers this subject so thoroughly that excerpts, abstracts and quotations from his work have been used freely in this paper. Nature oF Paraffin Mills states: "The so-called paraffin that collects in oil wells, and in the pores of the producing sands immediately around the wells, is generally made up of amorphous wax or uncracked paraffin, asphalt, or other gummy hydrocarbons mixed with more or less water, oil and inorganic silt. Some of the samples of this paraffin collected from oil wells in different fields and examined by the Bureau of Mines contains as much as 20 per cent. by weight of water and inorganic silt, whereas other samples are composed entirely of waxy hydrocarbons and oil. The inorganic silt accompanying this 'paraffin' is mostly fine sand, clayey materials, common salt and finely disseminated precipitates of calcium and magnesium carbonates. Sulfates of calcium, barium and strontium are less common constituents of paraffin.

Jan 1, 1928

By Brahm Prakash, R. Schuhmann

Chemical conditions for flotation and nonflotation of cassiterite and fluorite with oleic acid as collector and with alizarin dyes as modifying agents were studied by means of small-scale, vacuum-flotation tests. Artificial cassiterite was prepared fot these tests by high-temperature methods, especially by crystallization from borax melts. FLOTATION test work on Bolivian tin ores some years ago led to the development of several workable schemes of selective soap flotation, but left unanswered many questions of soap-flotation chemistry.' Accordingly, the study of the activation and soap flotation of quartz just reported? was undertaken as a start toward the elucidation of some of the unanswered questions. The experimental work on quartz flotation consisted primarily of small-scale, vacuum-flotation tests in which activator and collector additions and pH were varied between wide limits. In the work to be described in this paper, the soap flotation of cassiterite and fluorite was studied by the vacuum-flotation technique developed in the previous study of quartz. Using oleic acid as collector, conditions for floating cassiterite and fluorite in the absence of modifying agents were first determined. Then the effects of barium, calcium, and alizarin dyes on the flotation of cassiterite, fluorite, and quartz were studied. Alizarin dyes were chosen for study because of the promise they have shown as selective modifying agents in the flotation of non-sulphide minerals.12,1 Also, they form a family of reagents in which there should be a systematic correlation of chemical properties with composition. As a preliminary to the study of cassiterite flotation, an investigation of the preparation of synthetic cassiterite and X ray studies of natural and synthetic cassiterite were undertaken. Experimental Methods The flotation technique and most of the reagent preparations were described fully in the previous paper.' In addition, for the present work it was necessary to prepare satisfactory stocks of clean cassiterite and fluorite and to obtain samples of alizarin dyes. Cassiterite: High-grade cassiterite from the Netherlands East Indies was crushed, sized, and cleaned

Jan 1, 1951

By Brahm Prakash, R. Schuhmann

Chemical conditions for flotation and nonflotation of cassiterite and fluorite with oleic acid as collector and with alizarin dyes as modifying agents were studied by means of small-scale, vacuum-flotation tests. Artificial cassiterite was prepared fot these tests by high-temperature methods, especially by crystallization from borax melts. FLOTATION test work on Bolivian tin ores some years ago led to the development of several workable schemes of selective soap flotation, but left unanswered many questions of soap-flotation chemistry.' Accordingly, the study of the activation and soap flotation of quartz just reported? was undertaken as a start toward the elucidation of some of the unanswered questions. The experimental work on quartz flotation consisted primarily of small-scale, vacuum-flotation tests in which activator and collector additions and pH were varied between wide limits. In the work to be described in this paper, the soap flotation of cassiterite and fluorite was studied by the vacuum-flotation technique developed in the previous study of quartz. Using oleic acid as collector, conditions for floating cassiterite and fluorite in the absence of modifying agents were first determined. Then the effects of barium, calcium, and alizarin dyes on the flotation of cassiterite, fluorite, and quartz were studied. Alizarin dyes were chosen for study because of the promise they have shown as selective modifying agents in the flotation of non-sulphide minerals.12,1 Also, they form a family of reagents in which there should be a systematic correlation of chemical properties with composition. As a preliminary to the study of cassiterite flotation, an investigation of the preparation of synthetic cassiterite and X ray studies of natural and synthetic cassiterite were undertaken. Experimental Methods The flotation technique and most of the reagent preparations were described fully in the previous paper.' In addition, for the present work it was necessary to prepare satisfactory stocks of clean cassiterite and fluorite and to obtain samples of alizarin dyes. Cassiterite: High-grade cassiterite from the Netherlands East Indies was crushed, sized, and cleaned

Jan 1, 1951

By Frederick Rhines

THE investigations of Wyman1 have demonstrated that copper deoxidized with several of the commonly used agents that confer immunity to ordinary hydrogen em-brittlement can still be embrittled if it is annealed alternately under oxidizing and reducing conditions. During the oxidizing cycle, oxygen diffuses into the copper and frequently deposits a subscale composed of the oxide of the residual deoxidizing agent. Upon subsequent reduction with hot hydro-gen, the copper becomes ruptured along the grain boundaries to a depth sharply limited by the previous penetration of oxy-gen as delineated by the inner boundary of the subscale. Obviously the sensitivity to this kind of hydrogen embrittlement is engendered by the introduction of oxygen during the oxi-dizing anneal, but beyond this the mecha-nism of the process, and hence the controlling factors, remain obscure. There are several possibilities: (I) oxygen dissolved in the copper matrix of the subscale may, upon cooling prior to the hydrogen anneal, precipitate as cuprous oxide which is subse-quently reduced by hydrogen as in the familiar case of hydrogen embrittlement; (2) oxygen in solid solution in copper may itself confer susceptibility to embrittlement by hydrogen; (3) the normally refractory oxides such as those of aluminum, silicon and titanium may themselves he reduced by hydrogen when in contact with copper; or (4) the precipitated oxides of the sub-scale may be complex compounds such, perhaps, as Si02-Cu20, which are partially reduced by hydrogen. These possibilities have been examined, and it has been con-cluded that the first three and possibly the fourth are operative collectively or indi-vidually under more or less predictable conditions.

Jan 1, 1940

By S. R. Zimmerley, John Gross

A survey of the status of ore dressing in 19231 placed particular stress on the need of research in the crushing and grinding of ore, especially on the need for a method of measuring the surface of the products obtained in crushing and grinding and for fundamental data on the law of crushing, in order that intelligent conclusions may be drawn from actual crushing or grinding experiments. There has been no satisfactory means of determining the surface of crushed products. The results have been judged entirely by the amount of the various sizes produced, based on sieve sizing for particles above 74 microns in size and on microscopic measurement or elutriation for particles below 74 microns, a method which could give only a general idea of what had been accomplished. The fact that the long controversy between the followers of Kick and of Rittinger has resulted in no accepted conclusion is evidence of the need for fundamental data on the crushing law. Some Methods of Measuring Surface of Particles A dissolution method was used by Wolff to measure surfaces of glass powder. A mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide was the solvent and the amount of glass dissolved in two hours from the powder was compared with that dissolved from a glass plate.2 Lately Herbert F. Kriege has used the dissolution method in determining surface of calcite and limestone.3 Dr. Geoffrey Martin and his coworkers in England have also used a dissolution method to determine surface on quartz. They compared the amount of quartz dissolved from the sample in one hour by a hydrofluoric acid solution with the amount dissolved from a measured quartz

Jan 1, 1930

By R. C. Hall

The magnetic anisotropy and magnetostriction of single crystals of alloys between 25 and 59 wt pct Co in Fe have been determined in the disordered and ordered states. The magrzetostriction is large and positive for all alloys in both states of order (up to 150 x 10-6 for A,, and 40 x 10-6 for 111). The magnetic anisotropy becomes zero rzear 41 pct Co for the disordered state. Ordering shifts the zero-anisotropy composition to about 50 pct Co. COBALT-iron alloys have for many years been of interest as magnetic materials because they have unusually high magnetic saturation values.' This interest was increased recently by the development of Supermendur.' Supermendur is an alloy of 49 pct Co-49 pct Fe-2 pct V* which was found by suitable purification and heat treatments, including a magnetic anneal, to possess excellent magnetic properties. These included a square hysteresis loop with a low coercive force and a high magnetization, and a low total loss. Two factors which are important in determining the magnetic hysteresis properties are the basic magnetic properties of magnetostriction and anisotropy. Alloys having zero anisotropy and zero magnetostriction show improved hysteresis properties.3 Since very meager data4-' are available in the literature on the single-crystal anisotropy and magnetostriction of the cobalt-iron alloys, the present program was undertaken to determine these two properties in the disordered and ordered states. EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUES Ingots of the cobalt-iron alloys containing from 25 pct to 59 pct Co in iron were vacuum melted from electrolytic iron and cobalt of 99.9 pct purity. The ingots were cooled at a rate of about 1°C per hr through the transformation temperature (950" to 980°C dependent on the alloy content) for the growth of large grains. From these grains, single-crystal disks were fabricated with either the (110) or (100) plane parallel to the faces of the disk. The crystals were given two heat treatments to produce either the ordered state (cooling rate of 20°C per hr from 850 "C) or the disordered state (water quench from 850 °C). Since the iron-cobalt alloys order very rapidly, the water quench may not have produced complete disorder in all cases. Due to the method of growth, the crystals were not perfect. Most of the samples had low-angle boundaries and a few had some small included grains. These imperfections could and probably did affect the accuracy of both the magnetic anisotropy and magnetostriction measurements. Much of the scatter in the data may be attributed to the crystal imperfections. The methods of determining the spontaneous saturation magnetostriction and the anisotropy have been previously described.419110 MAGNETOSTRICTION The magnetostriction in the [loo] and [Ill] directions (hO0 and ?111 respectively) is illustrated in Fig. 1 for the disordered state. Both ?100 and ?111i became large positive values as cobalt was added to iron. The state of order did not have a large effect on the magnetostriction. The effect of order did not appear too consistent in these data. Tentative curves are shown in Fig. 1 for the ordered magnetostriction near the FeCo composition; here ?100 appeared to be lowered and ?111 raised as the degree of order was increased. These results agree qualitatively with the

Jan 1, 1961

By J. S. Kirkaldy, R. C. Dorward

The solubilities of copper and gold in silicon and germanium have been determined by equilibration of the solid semiconductors with coexisting liquidus phases. The experimental results were combined with estimated activity coefficients of the liquidus alloys to determine the following partial molar enthalpies and excess entropies of solution for the systems: Solubility measurements were also carried out below the eutectic temperature of the copper-silicon system. The partial molar enthalpy and excess entropy of copper in silicon with respect to Cu3Si were determined to be 40.2 ±0.5 kcal per mole and 9.7 i 0.5 cal per mole — OK, respectively. It has been dentonstrated that nu-cleation and growth of intermediate compounds are retarded in copper-silicon diffusion couples. This points out the dangers of determining equilibrium solubilities by dijjusion methods. THE thermodynamic requirement for equilibrium between contiguous phases at constant pressure and temperature is that the chemical potential of each component be constant throughout the system. Equating expressions for the chemical potential of solute, component 2 say, in two phases, alpha and beta, gives

Jan 1, 1969

By E. W. Filer, L. S. Darker

ONE of the primary purposes of this investigation was to determine how far blast-furnace metal and slag depart from equilibrium, particularly with respect to sulphur distribution. In studying the equilibrium between blast-furnace metal and slag, there are two approaches that can be used. One method is to use synthetic slags, as was done by Hatch and Chipman;' the other is to equilibrate the metal and slag from the blast furnace by remelting in the laboratory. In the set of experiments here reported, metal and slag tapped simultaneously from the same blast furnace were used for all the runs. The experiments were divided into two groups: 1—a time series at each of three different temperatures to determine the t.ime required for metal and slag to equilibrate in various respects under the experimental conditions of remelting, and 2—an addition series to determine the effect of additions to the slag on the equilibrium between the metal and slag. An atmosphere of carbon monoxide was used to simulate blastfurnace conditions. The furnace used for this investigation was a vertically mounted tubular Globar type with two concentric porcelain tubes inside the heating element. The control couple was located between the two porcelain tubes. The carbon monoxide atmosphere was introduced through a mercury seal at the bottom of the inner tube. On top, a glass head (with ground joint) provided access for samples and a long outlet tube prevented air from sucking back into the furnace. The charge used was iron 6 g, slag 5 g for the time series, or iron 9 g, slag 7 % g for the addition series. This slag-to-metal ratio of 0.83 approximates the average for blast-furnace practice, which commonly ranges from about 0.6 to 1.1. A crucible of AUC graphite containing the above charge was suspended by a molybdenum wire in the head and, after flush, was lowered to the center of the furnace as shown in Fig. 1. The cylindrical crucible was 2 in. long x % in. OD. The furnace was held within &3"C of the desired temperature for all the runs. The temperature was checked after the end of each run by flushing the inner tube with air and placing a platinum-platinum-10 pct rhodium thermocouple in the position previously occupied by the crucible; the temperature of the majority of the runs was much closer than the deviation specified above. The couple was checked against a standard couple which had been calibrated at the gold and palladium points, and against a Bureau of Standards couple. The carbon monoxide atmosphere was prepared by passing COz over granular graphite at about 1200°C. It was purified by bubbling through a 30 pct aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide and passing through ascarite and phosphorus pentoxide. The train and connections were all glass except for a few butt joints where rubber tubing was used for flexibility. The rate of gas flow was 25 to 40 cc per min. As atmospheric pressure prevailed in the furnace, the pressure of carbon monoxide was only slightly higher than the partial pressure thereof in the bosh and hearth zones of a blast furnace—by virtue of the elevated total pressure therein. Simultaneous samples of blast-furnace metal and slag were taken for these remelting experiments. The composition of each is given in the first line of Table I. There is considerable uncertainty as to the significant temperature in a blast furnace at which to compare experimental results. This uncertainty arises not only from lack of temperature measurements in the furnace, but also from lack of knowledge of the zone where the slag-metal reactions occur. (Do they occur principally at the slag-metal interface in the crucible, or as the metal is descending through the slag, or even higher as slag and metal are splashing over the coke?) The known temperatures are those of the metal at cast, which averages about 2600°F, and of the cast or flush slag, which is usually about 100°F hotter. To bridge this uncertainty, remelting temperatures were chosen as 1400°, 1500" (2732°F), and 1600°C. For the time series the duration of remelt was 1, 2, 4, 8, 17, or 66 hr; crucible and contents were quenched in brine. The addition series were quenched by rapidly transferring the crucible and contents from the furnace to a close-fitting copper "mold." Of incidental interest here is the fact that the slag wet the crucible

Jan 1, 1953

By John Wulff, J. H. Hollomon

The opinion has been widely held that the corrosion of alpha brass occurs by the selective solution of zinc. As late as 1939, Fink1 and Evans2 suggested that in the initial stage of the corrosion the selective solution of zinc produces copper-rich areas, which subsequently act as cathodes that facilitate the deposition of copper. Previously Abrams3 had shown that most of the copper found on corroded brass was re-deposited and not residual, although he did not consider the nature of the initiation of the corrosion process. Enough data exist to indicate that any metal surface is sufficiently heterogeneous to provide the anodes and cathodes necessary for the initiation of corrosion.4,5 Thus, for alpha brass we need postulate not an initial selective solution of zinc, but only the existence of local differences in electrochemical potential. The heterogeneity responsible for potential differences may arise from oxide and other films as well as from alloy concentration gradients. Even though selective corrosion may be possible in some alloy systems, previous data on alpha brass as well as the experimental work reported in this paper do not require this supposition. Bengough and May16 in a discussion of Abrams' paper, first suggested the addition of small amounts of arsenic (0.03 per cent) to a1pha brass to prevent the redeposition of copper (dezincification). This suggestion was later substantiated by Nixon.7 In their studies of the inhibiting influence of arsenic, Evans and Fink were led to the selective-solution hypothesis in order to explain the initial corrosion of such alloys. They believed that an arsenic film covered anode areas and prevented the formation of copper-rich spots capable of acting as cathodes for the deposition of copper. They did not consider, however, the mechanism by which the arsenical film was formed. Bengough and May,a in another publication, suggested that the commonly found gray or black arsenical film may act to: (I) carry oxygen to the brass surface, (2) increase the discharge potential of copper on brass, (3) precipitate cuprous chloride from colloidal suspension in chloride solutions. Masing9 assumed that the film found upon arsenical brass was metallic arsenic. His measurements of hydrogen overvoltage of bulk arsenic led him to believe that the inhibition of dezincification occurs because the overvoltage of a brass surface is lowered by the arsenic film. He reasoned that this film would permit the more rapid reduction of hydrogen at the cathode, which would prevent the redeposition of copper. In a recent paper,10 we have pointed out that the film formed during the corrosion of arsenical brass and copper in stagnant solutions is essentially arsenious oxide (As2O3),

Jan 1, 1942

By John Wulff, J. H. Hollomon

The opinion has been widely held that the corrosion of alpha brass occurs by the selective solution of zinc. As late as 1939, Fink1 and Evans2 suggested that in the initial stage of the corrosion the selective solution of zinc produces copper-rich areas, which subsequently act as cathodes that facilitate the deposition of copper. Previously Abrams3 had shown that most of the copper found on corroded brass was re-deposited and not residual, although he did not consider the nature of the initiation of the corrosion process. Enough data exist to indicate that any metal surface is sufficiently heterogeneous to provide the anodes and cathodes necessary for the initiation of corrosion.4,5 Thus, for alpha brass we need postulate not an initial selective solution of zinc, but only the existence of local differences in electrochemical potential. The heterogeneity responsible for potential differences may arise from oxide and other films as well as from alloy concentration gradients. Even though selective corrosion may be possible in some alloy systems, previous data on alpha brass as well as the experimental work reported in this paper do not require this supposition. Bengough and May16 in a discussion of Abrams' paper, first suggested the addition of small amounts of arsenic (0.03 per cent) to a1pha brass to prevent the redeposition of copper (dezincification). This suggestion was later substantiated by Nixon.7 In their studies of the inhibiting influence of arsenic, Evans and Fink were led to the selective-solution hypothesis in order to explain the initial corrosion of such alloys. They believed that an arsenic film covered anode areas and prevented the formation of copper-rich spots capable of acting as cathodes for the deposition of copper. They did not consider, however, the mechanism by which the arsenical film was formed. Bengough and May,a in another publication, suggested that the commonly found gray or black arsenical film may act to: (I) carry oxygen to the brass surface, (2) increase the discharge potential of copper on brass, (3) precipitate cuprous chloride from colloidal suspension in chloride solutions. Masing9 assumed that the film found upon arsenical brass was metallic arsenic. His measurements of hydrogen overvoltage of bulk arsenic led him to believe that the inhibition of dezincification occurs because the overvoltage of a brass surface is lowered by the arsenic film. He reasoned that this film would permit the more rapid reduction of hydrogen at the cathode, which would prevent the redeposition of copper. In a recent paper,10 we have pointed out that the film formed during the corrosion of arsenical brass and copper in stagnant solutions is essentially arsenious oxide (As2O3),

Jan 1, 1942

By J. H. Brophy

Experimental evidence in recent years shows that nickel coated hydrogen reduced tungsten powder can be sintered to 98 pct of theoretical density at 1100°C. New data indicate that the sintering rate is the same for nickel contents ranging from 0.125 wt pct (mon-atomic layer) to 5.0 wt pct Ni coated on 0.561. tungsten powder. Nickel tungsten made by coreduction from oxides sinters in a kinetically similar way, but the rate tends to increase with higher nickel contents. The activation of sintering can be accomplished with a minimum amount of nickel if coated powder is used. Transverse rmpture strength was found to increase in specimens containing 0.25 pct Ni as density increased during the initial stage of the carrier-phase sintering process. Upon the onset of grain growth in the final stage, strength was found to decrease. With increasing nickel contents up to 4 pct, strength increased. Maximum strengths in three-point loading were observed at 73,000 psi for 0.25 pct Ni and 93,000 psi for 5 pct Ni. These were comparable to that of massive tungsten recrystal-lized in the presence of nickel and tested in the same way. The results were sensitive to the mode of powder treatment and ductility was negligible in all cases. The study and application of sintered bodies of nickel and tungsten is not new; however, the analysis of the mechanism by which small additions of nickel increase the sintering rate of tungsten promises to Contribute new information regarding sintering theory in general. Initial experimental evidence was presented by the authors showing that nickel-coated hydrogen-reduced tungsten powder may be sintered to 98 pct of theoretical density at 1100°C in 16 hr.' Simultaneously, a kinetic analysis of the process showed that it took place in two distinct stages. In the first stage, nickel evidently served as a carrier phase through which tungsten atoms could move. This stage was kinetically similar to the 'solution-precipitationo step postulated when the carrier phase is liquid3 although in the nickel tungsten case, there is no evidence of the existence of a liquid phase either in equilibrium phase relationships or in mi-crostructures at the temperatures under consideration. In the present work, new data for nickel-coated tungsten powder are offered in support of the proposed mechanism, and a more explicit study of the second stage of densification is presented. Concurrently, the sintering kinetics of these coated powders are compared to Ni-W powder made by coreduction of oxides. In this way the present work can be compared to earlier results in nickel activated sintering of tungsten in which the coreduction process was emplyed. The ultimate utility of such an activated sintering process will be determined to some extent by the mechanical and physical properties of the final prod-

Jan 1, 1962

By C. A. Doh, R. Q. Fields, M. Lebourg

A formation tester run on logging cable is now available to the oil industry. It offers a method of safely and rapidly testing possible producing formations in uncased holes. These tests can be made up the hole after running the electric log. Reservoir pressure data is continuously recorded at the surface as the fluid sample is extracted. The tester may be assembled with a reservoir of 1-, 2.75-, or 5.5-gal capacity. A retaining pad on the body of the tool is expanded against the wall of the hole at the exact depth desired; this depth is determined by electrical log control. Two bullets are then fired through the center of the retaining pad which create a connection between the formation and a flow line to the sample chamber. When the chamber is filled, a valve is closed and the fluid sample sealed at maximum pressure. The tool is retracted to minimum diameter and brought out of the hole. Electrical circuits permit a complete recording at the surface of the mechanical operations of the tool as well as the formation pressure build-up and the hydrostatic mud pressure. The tool was introduced commercially during the latter part of 1955 in the Gulf Coasts of Louisiana and Texas. Over 1,000 operations have been made to date (Sept. 1, 1956); 50 per cent of which resulted in successful tests. Failures have been due mostly to ineffective sealing in unconsolidated sands. One major company had 41 successful tests out of 80 attempts with 23 ineffective pad seals. Results for this company were very gratifying as to pinpointing gas-oil ratios, indicating productive permeabilities and aiding in determination of fluid content where electrical log and side-wall coring information were inconclusive. Eight typical pressure curves are discussed (including misruns). Six types of fluid recoveries are interpreted. Eight actual field examples of electric logs, showing the problems solved by the formation tester, are illustrated. The present applications of the tool are discussed: 1. Determination of productive fluid—varticularlv differentiating between gas and oil. 2. Determination of reservoir pressure as an aid to: (a) safety in completion technique, (b) reduction in drilling costs, and (c) reservoir analysis. 3. Determination of minimum gas-oil ratios. 4. Location of gas-oil or oil-water contacts. 5. Recovery of samples for examination and analysis: oil (gravity); gas (hydrocarbon content); water (salinity). Additional applications envisioned for the future are also given: (I) subsurface exploration based on accurate pressure, (2) recovery of fluid samples from the undisturbed reservoir for PVT work, and (3) possible quantitative study of permeabilities or productivity index. Running the formation tester requires no special pre-cautionary measures. Because full hydrostatic mud pressure is maintained at all times, well depth is no problem. Thus, the method allows safe, economical testing in wells which heretofore could only be tested by setting casing. INTRODUCTION A new method of safely and rapidly testing possible producing formations in uncased holes is achieving considerable success. The method offers promise of further advances in reservoir study. Called the formation tester, the new instrument is unique in that it operates on logging cable. It thus offers all the advantages of wire-line operations and becomes an important adjunct to present logging and side-wall coring services. The tester is operated against the wall of the hole at any depth desired. Zones to be tested are usually determined by a study of the electrical and the micro-caliper surveys. Reservoir data, as well as the operating cycle of the tool in the hole, are continuously recorded at the surface during the operation. The tester, as it was originally designed, was capable of recovering a 1-gal sample of reservoir fluid per trip in the hole. Tools with reservoirs of 2.75- and 5.5-gal capacity are now available. The 5.5-gal reservoir is equipped with a segregating system, set before going in the hole, so that the last portion of the recovery (usually 1 gal) is automatically separated from the first portion. This makes it possible

Jan 1, 1958

By Charles B. Dudley

In the spring of 1877, the Pennsylvania Railroad Company became so dissatisfied with the average life and wear of the steel rails it was then able to procure, that it determined to make an invest,igation into the chemical composition and physical properties of steel rails, with a view, first, to answering the question why one steel rail has to be removed from the track after, perhaps, eight months' service, while another lasts ten years; and, secondly, if this investigation succeeded in throwing light on this important subject, to use this information in securing better rails in the future. The results

Jan 1, 1879

By W. T. Jr. Thom

INTEREST naturally attaches to fissuring and subsidence of the earth's surface, whatever the cause may be, and the induced movement and fissuring of the impervious strata overlying an oil sand is of even greater practical importance because of its bearing upon the recoverability of the portion of the oil not already extracted or extractable by ordinary production methods. It is probably true that significant ground movement induced by oil production occurs only in oil fields in relatively young formations, where the oil comes from incoherent or only slightly cemented sands and oil-soaked clays, but inasmuch as a great proportion of our "gusher" wells produce from "running" sands and yield a large part of the total oil output, it seems worth while to make an effort to inspire the collection and recording of data indicating the nature and magnitude of oil-field subsidence, both surface and subsurface.

Jan 1, 1927

By Thomas V. Falkie, Robert Stefanko

Previous articles in this column have defined the manpower situation as it. applies to the coal industry. There is at present a shortage of experienced managers, mining engineers, technicians and skilled workers. The extent of this shortage is controversial, but it is sufficiently important to have received the serious attention of coal industry people at all levels. It has also been discussed by union officials, educators, government agencies and trade publications as well as other communications media. Discussion is not enough, however. A plan of action is needed. Some suggestions for such a plan are presented here. First, the coal industry must interest itself in government training programs. The U.S. Government (primarily the Bureau of Mines and HEW) is planning to spend or is spending millions of dollars to educate and train technicians, inspectors, engineers and miners. The new Federal Health and Safety Academy at Beckley, W. Va., for example, will involve an expenditure of $20-30 million for the physical plant alone. There are encouraging signs that the present hierarchy in the Bureau of Mines intends to seek the advice of mining educators on some of these projects, but industry should also demand a voice in the policy to be followed in making these expenditures.

Jan 1, 1971

By W. B. Mather

R. G. Wuerker (University of Illinois, Urbana)—Mr. Mather is to be congratulated for stressing the most urgent need for a program of testing the physical properties of rocks, as they are encountered by the petroleum engineers on their drilling jobs and by the miners on their excavating, roof control and mineral preparation tasks. Another valuable source of information is the Handbook of Physical Constants.22 It stresses the physicist's approach rather than the engineer's procedure. The study of hardness, and rock hardness in particular, is beset with many difficulties. There is no satisfactory definition of hardness yet, and the term hardness is used to describe a number of quite dif- ferent properties. Hardness tests are grouped into static and dynamic determinations. They should be expressed with reference to the mechanical action of the applied force, like indentation hardness, scratch hardness, abrasion hardness, rebound hardness. A discussion of all these various hardness tests and of the special difficulties encountered in hardness testing of such heterogeneous material as rocks is given in the U. S. Bureau of Mines' standard proposal. The more critical student may be referred to the book by D. Landau: Hardness, which is in my opinion the best existing treatise on this subject.

Jan 1, 1952

(Under this heading will be published notes sent to the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons introduced by members.) Milling or Smelting. Graduate Missouri School of Mines desires position in milling or smelting department of responsible non-ferrous mining company. Twenty-eight years of age, married, 4 1/2 years in milling, smelting, and experimental work with large copper company. Refererences. A-3326. Technical Graduate, B. S., E. M., 1909, age 34, single, desires position with prospects of advancement. General engineering experience in, mining, development and exploration work, estimating, mining methods, mapping, mine accounting, and drafting. Can furnish complete .record of experience. A-3327. Superintendent or Engineer. Civil engineer, technical graduate, age 29, seven years varied experience, municipal, drainage, mining of iron ores in Virginia, desires position as superintendent or engineer; available immediately; references. Salary expected $2000 to $3000. A-3131. Engineer or Executive. Graduate mining engineer, age 31, married, eight years' experience in mine operation, exploration and reporting, desires engineering or executive position of responsibility. Now employed. Highest credentials. A-3422. Mine Manager or Superintendent, technical, education, married, desires opening. First class references. Wide experience in mine development and operation; milling and general construction as executive. A-3496.

Jan 8, 1919

By S. A. Braley

DRAINAGE water from coal mines is probably the most serious water pollution problem today, varying in importance according to location of the mines and geological structure. Drainage may be either acid or alkaline in character. Acid discharge, the most severely detrimental to a stream, is caused by natural oxidation of the sulfuritic material (FeS2) in the strata associated with the coal seam. Since the acid is the result of a natural reaction the acid water differs because it does not cease with abandonment of the mining operations. There is no known economical method of neutralizing acid mine water or any practical method to prevent oxidation of exposed pyrite. Since production of acid from a mine does not stop when mining stops, the total quantity produced depends entirely upon the excavated areas. The increasing volume of acid water in many mines has greatly increased operating costs. Pumping is expensive and acid mine waters are destructive of all equipment, especially metals in pumps and piping, and necessitate the use of corrosion-resistant materials. Discharge of the acid mine drainage into streams neutralizes their normal alkalinity, causes them to become acid, and produces an environment unfavorable for aquatic life and unsuited for industrial or domestic use without costly treatment.

Jan 1, 1957