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By P. LaRochelle, K. Y. Lo, A. L. Tamuly Phukan

In many civil or mining engineering works, the stresses and deformations of natural or excavated slopes due to the combined effect of self-weight and initial stresses are of interest. Because of the mathematical complexities of this problem, however, no complete exact solution exists for the simplest case, that of assuming the stress-strain relation of the rock to be perfectly elastic. Efforts have therefore been directed toward numerical and experimental technique. The stresses within an elastic slope have been obtained by LaRochelle,1 using the photoelastic and finite difference method to determine the difference and sum of principal stresses. Subsequently, Finn,2 Hoyaux and Ladanyi,3 and Duncan and Dunlop4 attempted to solve the same problem by using the finite element method. The problem was also investigated by Brown and Goodman5 and Brown and King6 who emphasize the importance of the effect of loading or unloading procedure on the stress distribution within the slope. Although the geometry of the slope and the boundary conditions involved are identical or similar, the results obtained by these various authors by no means agree. It is therefore necessary to review briefly the results of elastic analysis in order to lend credence to the methods used in the solution. Although the stress-strain behavior of some rocks may be reasonably approximated by the elastic modrl, other rocks generally exhibit an elasto-plastic behavior with strain hardening or strain softening as shown in Fig. 1. Experiments show that for most rocks, the stress-strain relationship is approximately linear from the origin to the point P (neglecting the small concave region under low stresses). At P, the curve deviates

Jan 1, 1970

By V. J. Sikora, T. S. Hutchinson

This paper presents a method for making a water-rlrive ana1gsis without prior knowledge of aquifer geometry and uniformity using a standard desk calculator. Although it is necessary to know the initial oil in place to use this method, this is a minor limitation to the scope of (he method since in most reservoirs it is possible to obtain reasonably accurate volumetric oil-in-place estimates. An equation is developed which relates pressure at the water-oil contact to the water influx rate as a function of time by a factor called the resistance function. The resistance function introduces the composite effect of the aquifer geometry and flow resistance disrribution. It is pointed out that the characteristic shape of this function makes it possible to start with on approximation of the function and successively improve the approximation until the correct resistance function curve is obtained. In this fashion water-drive estimates can be made without the limitation of assuming simplifed aquifer shapes and flow distributions. This is the novel feature of this development. Methods are given for extrapolating the final curve to calculate future aquifer behavior. Equations are developed for adjusting the pressures and water influx rates where it appears that possible errors in these quantities make it difficult or impossible to obtain a useuble resistance function curve without this adjustment. Application of the pressure build-up analysis techiiique to estimate. some of the aquifer properties is also presented INTRODUCTION A great many oil pools are the result of oil accumulation in some type of trap in an otherwise large and continuous porous stratum. The void space of this stratum outside of the oil pool itself is filled with water or brine. In analyzing performance of the oil pool surrounded by this water aquifer, it is quite necessary. in most cases, to include behavior of the water. When the pressure at any point in a fluid system is lowered, such as by opening a well in an oil sand, fluids in the immediate neighborhood of this point will begin flowing towards this lower pressure sink. As pressure in this area drops due to flow towards the sink, fluids from farther out will start to flow towards the lower pressure. As more and more fluid is removed from the system, the distance from the sink or well within which flow is occurring will continually increase; that is, thc region of disturbance will grow. If some rigid boundary such as a fault is reached by the disturbance, this area will cease to grow; but if some movable boundary is reached, such as a water-oil contact, the area will grow on out into the water, although rate of growth may and almost always does change. The relation between amount of pressure drop and amount of fluid flowing at any point and at any time in an aquifer depends on such factors as compressibility and viscosity of the fluids, the porosity and permeability of the rock, geometry of the whole system and withdrawal rate or pressure drop. With these factors known, it is theoretically possible to calculate the pressure-flow behavior of the system, However, in practice true solutions to the problem are next to impossible due to complexity of reservoir systems. A number of approximate methods of solution have been developed based on various simplifying assumptions. One frequent assumption is that the water-oil contact can be located and equations defining oil reservoir and aquifer solved separately by assigning values to various parameters so as to match past pressure and production history. Usually the properties of the aquifer are not known, since few, if any, wells are drilled through the aquifer; but the water influx and the pressure at the reservoir boundary are known over some time. If it can now be assumed that the aquifer is circular, pie-shaped, or linear, and that it has uniform properties, it is possible to fit a theoretical dimensionless curve to the past aquifer performance history and therefore calculate future water drive. These theoretical curves are available in the literature,1,2,3 Of course, the assumption of uniform aquifer properties is almost always somewhat in error. Fortunately, however, moderate variations from the average have little effect on behavior of the system; and, hence, the best fit of a theoretical curve is frequently satisfactory. In other cases variations in aquifer properties and geometry are large enough that none of the available theoretical curves will give an acceptable fit of the data. In these cases, methods of fitting the data with various electrical analyzers have been developed.1,2' It is the purpose of this paper to present an approach

By E. A. Gulbransen, W. S. Wysong, K. Andrew

The reaction of carbon in solid solution in a metal with the surface oxide fim on many metals may be inferred from thermo-dynamic calculations for high vacua and high temperature conditions. Holm has recently shown that oxide films may be removed from ferrous materials by heating in a vacuum at high temperatures and that carbon is the essential element in the reaction. considerable work has been described in the literature on the de-carburization reaction. Several general references may been 2,3,4 However, the nature of the mechanism involved in the decarburization is not well understood. Our interest in this reaction resulted from many attempts to degas and to reduce by pure and dry hydrogen the surface oxides on strips of various types Of chrome-nickel alloys. Some of the early experiments On the behavior Of '3 pct chrome-iron in vacua of the order of 5 X lo' mm and at a temperature Of 600°C have been reported.5 These experi-merits showed a 'low reaction with the residual Oxygen Or water vapor in the system and no reaction with hydrogen. This is in accord with thermodynamic data which would lead to the prediction that it is extremely difficult to maintain a hydrogen atmosphere at 600' C pure enough to reduce Crz03 formed On the surface. The crystal structure of the superficial oxide film formed on 13 pct chrome- iron and Nichrome V has been investigated in the thin film range by Gulbransenr Phelps and Hickman,' and shown to be "203. It Was surprising to us to note that when a specimen of Nichrome V containing approximately 80 pet nicke1 and 20 pet chromium was heated to 850°C in a high vacuum, the specimen lost weight. The rate Of weight loss was very temperature sensitive. A study of this reaction in vacua and in a hydrogen atmosphere is the subject of this communication. Type Reactions Let us consider the various reactions which may occur when a metal is heated in vacua, in a hydrogen atmosphere, or in an oxygen atmosphere. The number and kind of reactions will depend upon the chemical nature of the metal, its alloying constituents and the location of the alloying constituents. The metals used in this study are chrome-nickel alloys of the heater type, They consist essentially of chromium, nickel and iron, small amounts of carbon, silicon and manganese and traces of zirconium, calcium, aluminum and magnesium. The trace elements are added to improve the lifetime and other characteristics of the alloy when used as a heater. Seven of the more important reactions with which we are going to be concerned here are as follows: 1. Metal . (gas) F? metal + gas — degassing of the metal 2. zM(s) + y }i Oi(g) M MIOu(s) -oxidation

Jan 1, 1949

By Frank H. Kingdon

and eventually we would have trouble. That is, these little localized overstresses may not be important if the structure is loaded a few times, but may be important if the structure is loaded many thousands of times. The existence of localized stress has been demonstrated by direct experimentation with delicate extensometers by the elaborate investigations of Coker. Localized stresses four, five, and six times those that we would get by the ordinary laws of mechanics exist in most of our structures. These stresses, ordinarily, under steady load do no damage but if they are repeated many times may start progressive failure. So far, we have seen no failure that could not be explained by localized high stress at a nick, a crack, a point where one heat treatment stopped and another began, or where there was local faulting, or any one of a dozen causes. In the case of drill rods, the actual distribution of stress must be different from that which any mathematical analysis could predict. It would seem that the spread of damage from the localized overstresses, so far as we can see now, explains the phenomenon known as fatigue. The Ideal Drill Steel By Frank H. Kingdon The essential qualities of a drill steel are: (I), It must be easily forged; (2), the forged bit end must permit easy heat treatment to obtain hardness to resist chipping; (3)) the bar or body must be stiff to resist bending or twisting and yet tough to resist shock and vibration, with resulting breakage, (4), the forged shank end must be easily heat treated to obtain hardness with great toughness. Minor requirements are that the bit and the shank are in alignment with the body; that the shank is of the proper shape and length and the shank collar or lugs of the proper diameter and length; that the hole is free from obstruction; that the striking end of the shank is flat and square; that the bit is of the proper shape, with the cutting and reaming edges formed full and to the required size; that the reaming edges are concentric with the axis of the steel, and that there are no sharp corners at the shoulder where the bit blends into the body. The essential qualities of a bit, are: That its shape be such that maximum cutting speed can be maintained for as great a distance as possible before wear of the gage and cutting edge reduces the speed of penetration to a point where a change of steel is made necessary; that the size or diameter of the drill hole corresponding to the gage of the bit can be maintained with the least possible reduction as the depth of the hole increases, and that the bit can be correctly and readily formed and heat treated. The following features of bit design require attention: Shape,

Jan 1, 1922

By Robert D. Lonqyear

SOMEWHAT biased by pride in twentieth century achievements, most of us mining engineers and diamond-drill operators look upon core drilling as a relatively modern practice. The invention of the diamond drill is generally ascribed to Rudolf Leschot, who made use of diamonds in 1846 in drilling blast holes in the Mont Cenis tunnel in Switzerland. In vain we search Agricola and other early writers on mining for signs of diamond drilling. We have, therefore, concluded that it was unknown until the middle of the last century. The trouble with this conclusion, as most prospectors will tell us, is that we "don't dig deep enough"; for it now appears that the archeologists have been putting one over on us for the last fifty years.

Jan 1, 1936

REPUBLIC STEEL CORP. and Armco Steel Corp. have joined in a $160,000,000 project for the production of iron ore from Taconite in the Lake Superior mining region. The two companies announced acquisition in equal shares of 100 pct ownership of the stock of Reserve Mining Co., which controls a vast deposit of magnetic Taconite iron ore on the eastern end of the Mesabi range in Minnesota. Through Reserve Mining the two companies will build a plant for manufacturing high grade ore from Taconite near Beaver Bay on the north shore of Lake Superior. The first announcement calls for about a $60,000,000 plant which will be built as soon as plans are completed and will have an annual capacity of about 2,500,000 tons of iron ore pellets. Longer range development plans call for future expansion of the plant to provide an annual capacity of 10,000,000 tons. This will amount to an additional investment of

Jan 10, 1950

By D. H. Baldwin, R. E. Reed-Hill

DURING the course of experiments involving oxygen equilibrations with a high-purity Pd-5 at. pct Rh alloy, the appearance of a subscale was noted. Most of the heat treatments in a pure oxygen atmosphere were performed at 900°C. The presence of the subscale was noted when the oxygen partial pressure was in excess of approximately 95 mm, up to 1 atm, the highest pressure used. According to available thermodynamic information' on the free energy of formation of Rh2O3 (the only reliably reported solid oxide of rhodium), this oxide should not be stable under these conditions, nor, of course, any oxide of palladium. Extraction of the subscale from the matrix was affected by treatment with aqua regia, and the resulting X-ray diffraction powder pattern is shown in Table I. This pattern is not that of Rh2O3, nor that of any known rhodium or palladium oxide. It can be indexed on a hexagonal lattice with a. = 5.22Å and co = 6.0Å. In addition to this unknown material, there was a weak Rh2O3 pattern. An X-ray fluorescence analysis of the powder gave 3214 palladium counts per sec and 5381 rhodium counts per sec, thus indicating the likelihood of a double oxide of palladium and rhodium. In view of the fact that the above result was obtained on a single sample, it is perhaps best not to insist upon the above ratio of about 0.6, but possibly to tentatively assume 0.5 or 1/1. The small amount of Rh2O3 in the X-ray pattern might have occurred on cooling, and it seems possible that the double oxide, below some temperature level, is not as stable as Rh2O3. To examine this point, some of the extracted double oxide was heated on a sheet of pure palladium in air at 900°C, and allowed to furnace-cool over a period of several hours. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the powder showed approximately the same intensity of Rh2O3 and the "hexagonal" oxide as before, but, in addition, a rather faint pattern of another crystalline species made its appearance. This finding again suggests partial transformation of the major (double) oxide to other oxides on cooling from 900°C. Application of the phase rule shows that only one equilibrium oxide (subscale) could have been present at temperature. Vacuum-fusion, oxygen analysis of the extracted subscale showed 7.7 ± 0.7 pct O. Combining this information with that of the X-ray fluorescence analysis suggests the formula PdRhO. This compound should have an oxygen content of 7.07 pct, which is within the range of error of the oxygen analysis. However, until a more careful stoichiometric study is made, it is suggested that the formula be written

Jan 1, 1965

By F. N. Rhines

STUDIES upon the sintering of metal powders, in the solid state, have led to the proposal that the surface energy of the powder particles provides the driving force that causes points of contact between pairs of particles to grow into broad welds which isolate the residual vacant space into pores that tend to spheroidize and gradually to diminish in total volume.' Investigators differ with regard to the mechanism of the movement of the metal, under the influence of surface energy, to accomplish these changes. One school asserts that there is a mass movement of the metal, referred to as a "viscous flow," while the other school prefers to view the movement as a self diffusion process, wherein individual atoms are, transferred without disturbance of the basic pattern of the crystal lattice. Extensive experimental studies upon the sintering of copper, conducted recently by A. J. Shaler,2 have been in- terpreted by their author as support for the viscous flow mechanism of transport, the theory of which was developed originally by J. Frenkel.3 Duplicating a portion of this work with minor changes, G. C. Kuczynski4 is led to the alternate view, namely, that the initial stages of sintering, at least, proceed as a self-diffusion process. Both of these investigations were designed to deal with an isolated unit of sintering, i.e., with the shrinkage of a single pore, or with the growth of a single point weld. It remains to ascertain the behavior of a typical metal powder compact composed of a large number of particles of varying size and sintering to a body with a multiplicity of pores. The observation of density changes alone during sintering is not sufficient in such a case; it is essential to know how the internal geometry of the compact changes. This has been the object of the present investigation, the results of which are used to support the self-diffusion mechanism of sintering. The present studies consist in the measurement of the number of pores as a function of size and time at temperature during the sintering of a copper compact made from a commercial copper powder lightly pressed and sintered in several different atmospheres. A brief survey was made also of the change in shape of the pores, under the influence of the same variables. All of this was done by direct observation with the microscope. Densities were measured on the same sample. It is found that, while the compact is exhibiting an overall shrink-

Jan 1, 1951

By J. Clair, H. Mirabel

The determination of the temperature and electrical potential distributicms in the cathodes of aluminum electrolytic cells is difficult. The reascms come from the various nature and the intricate three-dimensional geometry of the materials; besides thermal and electrical phenomena react upon each other. A method of calculation using a computer program applied to a mathematical model, figuring the cathode, is developed. Both of the thermal and electrical phenomena are simultaneously considered. Temperature and electrical potential distributions are finally obtained by successive iterations. Results are compared with measurements on industrial cells. Theoretical and practical applications of these studies are given. Up to the present time the study of the distribution of the temperatures and electric potentials in the electrodes, anode and cathode, of the electrolytic cells used for the production of aluminum was limited to one of the two aspects of the phenomena because of lack of a simultaneous method of calculation. For example, the anode or cathode drop was studied assuming that the temperatures in the iron and carbon are known, a method that obviously is very approximate since iron resistivity, in particular, greatly varies with temperature, which in turn depends on current density. Consequently we tried to find a method of calculation simultaneously taking into account both thermal and electrical phenomena. We proceeded to the study of the cathodes as an initial approach to the problem. Although the cathode and surrounding materials may have varied forms and particularly very heterogeneous characteristics, their structures are simpler than that of the Sijderberg anode and boundary conditions are more easily represented than in the case of anodes even though they are prebaked. The study was in two parts: a) development of a model schematizing the true geometry of a cathode and defining the thermal and electrical boundary conditions, and b) working out a method of calculation of the temperatures and potentials by means of an electronic computer. To facilitate solution of the problem, a model was used initially much simplified in comparison with an actual cathode. This model permitted development of the method of calculation. In a second phase, this model was adjusted to the study of actual cathodes and applied to different types of cells: low- or high-intensity cells, cells set up at ground level or above ground level, cells with cathodes more or less heat-insulated. Simultaneously measurements were made with cells equipped with cathodes of the types studied to compare the values resulting from calculation. The initial model was also used for general studies, in particular for studying the effects of current density in the carbon and iron. The results were confirmed or made precise by the model of the true cathodes. This report successively describes: a) the manner in which the model representing a cathode was worked out, with the simplifications and/or the hypotheses used, b) the method of solution of the problem by means of the electronic computer, and c) an example, stating the extent to which the results obtained may be realistic. Further the possibilities offered by such a study are examined. 1) CATHODE REPRESENTATION The purpose of this phase is to represent the cathode in the form of a so-called "mathematical model", that is with a simplified geometrical configuration, in order to meet the subsequent calculation requirements, while keeping to the true facts as closely as possible. This model further includes the thermal and electric conductivities with regard to temperature for the varied materials composing the cathode, as well as the thermal and electrical conditions at the model boundaries. 1.1) Guiding Principles. For calculating the temperatures and potentials the model is divided by trior-thogonal planes into a network of small elementary parallelepipeds. At the summit of these parallelepipeds' so-called mesh points, the temperatures and potentials are computed. The number of mesh points is of course limited by the capabilities of the computer, since 1) the number of equations to be solved depends on the number of mesh points selected, and 2) the amount of time spent by the computer considerably increases with increasing this number. These conditions call for the following requirements as concerns the model: a) Dimensional requirements: the calculation will be all the more accurate as the network is more closely meshed. Since the number of mesh points is limited in practice, it is necessary to restrict the dimensions of the model. b) Geometrical requirements: so as to make things easier in working out the network, the model must be given a simple geometry. In particular, it will be convenient to have the cathode so constituted that the surfaces limiting the cathode and the surfaces within the cathodes separating the different materials consist of triorthogonal planes. 1.2) Schematization of the Cathodes. After the tech-

Jan 1, 1968

By W. C. Elmore

THE magnetic powder method, long used for roughly mapping mag-netic fields, has recently been refined 1,2 for investigating the microscopic variations in the surface magnetization of ferromagnetic crystals. Bitter2 first discovered regular powder patterns connected with the crystal structure of such specimens. Several other investigators3 have used Bitter's original technique, with slight modifications, to study the varia-tion of the patterns with variations in the magnetizing field applied parallel to the surface, and their dependence upon the state of strain, of polish and of crystal cut. All of the explanations-of these patterns on metallic ferromagnetics have been couched in general terms. In a preliminary report we have described an improvement in the powder technique which led us to the discovery of a new effect throwing con-siderable light on the magnetic secondary structure of alpha iron4 and of nickel5 single crystals. We now report additional evidence confirming the existence and stability of a magnetic block secondary structure.

Jan 1, 1935

By W. C. Elmore

THE magnetic powder method, long used for roughly mapping mag-netic fields, has recently been refined 1,2 for investigating the microscopic variations in the surface magnetization of ferromagnetic crystals. Bitter2 first discovered regular powder patterns connected with the crystal structure of such specimens. Several other investigators3 have used Bitter's original technique, with slight modifications, to study the varia-tion of the patterns with variations in the magnetizing field applied parallel to the surface, and their dependence upon the state of strain, of polish and of crystal cut. All of the explanations of these patterns on metallic ferromagnetics have been couched in general terms. In a preliminary report we have described an improvement in the powder technique which led us to the discovery of a new effect throwing con-siderable light on the magnetic secondary structure of alpha iron4 and of nickel5 single crystals. We now report additional evidence confirming the existence and stability of a magnetic block secondary structure.

Jan 1, 1936

By W. C. Elmore

THE magnetic powder method, long used. for roughly mapping mag-netic fields, has recently been refined 1,2 for investigating the microscopic variations in the surface magnetization of ferromagnetic crystals. Bitter2 first discovered regular powder patterns connected with the crystal structure of such specimens. Several other investigators3 have used Bitter's original technique, with slight modifications, to study the varia-tion of the patterns with variations in the magnetizing field applied parallel to the surface, and their dependence upon the state of strain, of polish and of crystal cut. All of the explanations of these patterns on metallic ferromagnetics have been couched in general terms. In a preliminary report we have described an improvement in the powder technique which led us to the discovery of a new effect throwing con-siderable light on the magnetic secondary structure of alpha iron4 and of nickels single crystals. We now report additional evidence confirming the existence and stability of a magnetic block secondary structure.

Jan 1, 1936

By G. M. Gay, R. L. Perrine

This paper describes a method of numerical computation for three-dimensional, unstable, miscible displacement behavior useful for heterogeneous systems, as well as for more ideal conditions. In the method, flow equations are first linearized by a perturbation approach. The basic flow process is separated and a solution for its behavior readily obtained. The remaining problem of deviations from the basic flow caused by non-ideal conditions is then subjected to numerical analysis. Results obtained from use of the method are also presented. Although conditions assumed in the test cal-culations were severe, results show the type of dispersing flow expected and appear quite satisfactory. The method has eliminated or reduced in importance problems of oscillating values near steep fronts, excessive computer smoothing, etc. A unique advantage of the method is that the source of variations from ideal behavior can be observed. ,The one serious drawback results from the algebraic complexity of the perturbation approach, and the need for second-order terms to be retained in calculations of interest. Fewer array points are available and more computer time is required than would be desired. However, these difficulties are also experienced with other approaches to the solution of three-dimensional dispIacement problems. INTRODUCTION Prediction of behavior of the miscible displacement process within a porous medium for any system of engineering importance is plagued by a number of difficulties. With typical fluid properties the displacing fluid has the lower viscosity, and there is a natural tendency toward flow instability. The problem of predicting instability is compounded by the fact that every real system is heterogeneous. Permeability will vary from point to point — not entirely systematically, and yet not in a random fashion leading to a readily defined average. Furthermore, permeability is unlikely to be isotropic. These permeability properties, which are characteristic of any real porous medium, accentuate the effects of flow instability. Another factor to be considered is that flow dispersion accompanies the displacement process in a porous medium. Mechanistically, dispersion is due to the fact that flow between any two points in the medium follows multiple tortuous paths, each characterized by slightly different flow properties. The fact that the coefficient characterizing dispersive properties of the real medium JS a tensor with variable elements complicates matters. Further difficulties arise because the parabolic influence, while not negligible, is small. Thus, there is a tendency toward steep and uneven displacement fronts along which dispersion smoothing must be represented accurately. Yet frequently used numerical analysis schemes may tend toward either instability, oscillation or excessive smoothing, none of which gives the desired accurate picture of flow behavior. Thus, while many experimental and analytical studies of the process have been made, predictions of actual performance are still subject to considerable uncertainty and possible improvement. This paper reports on part of a study which attempts to develop improved methods for solution of the flow equations describing the miscible displacement process. Of necessity, the calculations were performed on a large digital computer. A three-dimensional system is represented, and the coefficients defining dispersion and permeability can be varied in a manner representative of a real system. Because the differential equations are nonlinear, a first step is to linearize them using a perturbation approach. Objective of this approach has been to separate the basic flow which would occur in an ideal system and for which predictions are readily made. Then the numerical analysis, which is necessarily complex, is directed toward solution of the perturbation equations. These equations state how the basic flow is modified

Jan 1, 1967

By J. B. Mudd

Introduction It is difficult to think of any activity on which mankind has been more dependent than mining, and certainly there is much evidence in almost every part of the world of old workings that clearly demonstrate that man from earliest times has dug and toiled to take from the earth precious stones, metals and materials that from time to time have been essential or of value to him. In step with social development and industrial and technological advances the tempo of mining activity, regulated only by the laws of supply and demand, has quickened and in this century has accelerated rapidly in keeping with its dramatic development. Indeed, the rate of change of events has been such that if it were to continue to accelerate as fast as it has over the past decade there is reason to wonder how the insatiable demands for metals and minerals are to be met in the years that lie ahead. Shallow mines containing high-grade ore deposits either have been or are being rapidly mined out and their place can only be taken in general by ore lying at greater depth, or by ore of low grade, situated for the most part in remote and in underdeveloped areas. The cost of exploration and development is rising at an alarming rate, with the result that the expenditure now required to bring a mine to production far exceeds anything previously contemplated. It is estimated that the total capital required to maintain existing operations and develop new ones during the next 5 years will be of the order of $50,000 million and of this, new capital to bring new mines to production will be of the order of $3,000 million. Today no single mining finance company can, from its own resources, find all the money for a major mining development, and as a consequence there has been a strong trend toward joint ventures and to the formation of multinational consortiums. International lending institutions already play an important part in financing many new mining projects and their participation provides the financial umbrella under which other lenders can invest with greater security. There is little doubt that to finance the costly ventures in the future, governments and international lending agencies, banks and finance

Jan 1, 1971

Dr. Rausch, from your vantage point as educator, engineer, and corporate executive, what would you say is the most fundamental need that must be satisfied for the continuing welfare of our society, our industry and our profession?

Jan 3, 1977

By Edel Moldenke

Burma has long been known for its ruby, tungsten, and tin deposits, and, lately, for having the largest lead-zinc mine in the world, the Bawd-win mine of the Burma Corpn. All the coal used, however, is imported from Calcutta; this is a bituminous coal of about 11,000 B.t.u., 24 per cent. ash, and costs about $8 per ton. Bituminous coal has not, thus far, been found, but many lignite deposits are known. The most promising lignite deposits are in the Namma field, Fig. 1, situated in the Northern Shan States of Upper Burma, about 30 mi. south of Lashio, the terminus of the Burma Railway, 750 mi. north of Rangoon. The

Jan 1, 1922

By A. J. Shaler, J. Prieto Isaza, J. Wulff

Tantalum metal has a number of unique properties which give it widespread application in modern technology and in research. In electronic apparatus involwing high temperatures in vacuo some of the refractory metals 6ecome brittle. Tantalum retains its ductility at elevated temperatures, and this property, together with its low vapor pressure and its ability to absorb gases, make it important in this field. Its chemical inertness in the presence of acids, halogens, and other corrosive media, makes it useful in chemical apparatus and in neuro and orthopedic surgical applications. As an addition to tungsten carbide in steel-cutting grades of cemented-carbide tools, the carbides of tantalum and of its sister element colum-bium have found considerable use. The present-day method1 of manufacturing tantalum is to sinter a powder compact of the metal in vacuo. Because tantalum-columbium alloys are difficult to work and since tantalum ores almost always contain columbium, the two metals must be separated chemically, the products of the separation being generally in the form of potassium tantalum fluoride and potassium columbium oxyfluoride. These salts are used in fused-salt electrolytic baths from which coarse metallic powder is deposited as a sponge at the cathode. Finer powder can be made from the coarse product or from tantalum scrap by first submitting it to an embrittling heat treatment in hydrogen and then crushing it. The fine hydrogen-containing powder may subsequently be degassed in vacuo at a high temperature. Prompted by the success of others2,3 in the magnesium reduction of titanium and zirconium halides; one of the authors undertook4 an investigation of the thermochemistry of the reaction between solid magnesium and gaseous tantalum penta-chloride, a subject which had not previously been studied. He found that the heat of formation of tantalum pentachloride is approximately 364,250 cal per mol at temperatures lower than the melting point of magnesium. A value of 83 units was found for the standard entropy at these temperatures. With these values, it was shown that magnesium and tantalum pentachloride are capable of reacting exo-thermically at temperatures less than the melting point of magnesium, and that no great violence is to be expected when these substances are heated together. The exothermic nature of the reaction indicated that the Drocess should be efficient and should not require much externally applied energy. Tantalum pentachloride is not commonly made commercially, and any process using it therefore involves the subsidiary problem of producing and handling this substance. A series of experiments was carried out in which dried chlorine saturated with carbon tetrachloride was passed over heated tanta-

Jan 1, 1949

By Carl G. Schwenk

Rocks of the Precambrian Shield of Rusk County, Wis., were recognized as a favorable host for volcanogenic base metal deposits by personnel of Bear Creek Mining Co. Most of the county is covered by a thick layer of glacial drift: consequently, geophysical techniques played a prominent role in the exploration program conceived and initiated there in 1966. The original work on three Precambrian exposures was followed by an airborne electromagnetic survey and subsequent ground follow-up. A geophysical evaluation of air-borne anomaly F-22 defined a target which was interpreted as a massive sulfide body. Numerous potential field and electrical tools were utilized to describe the geometry and physical properties of the target. Drilling confirmed the massive sulfide interpretation and eztentually outlined a 6 million-ton copper deposit.

Jan 1, 1977

By Charles A. Colton

(Read at the Amenia Meeting, October, 1877.) THE results of a series of analyses extending over a period of three weeks at the Cedar Point Iron Company's furnace, Port Henry, New York, are given in Tables I and II. This furnace uses a very pure magnetite and Lehigh and Lackawanna anthracite. The flue leading the gas from the "down-comer" to the boilers was tapped by a a inch gas pipe, which carried the gas to the Orsat apparatus. The pressure of the gas not always being sufficient, owing to the small amount made, to force it into the apparatus, I omitted taking samples several days, and with the exception of the last three days of the campaign, made the analyses whenever opportunity offered. I find the Orsat apparatus, as described by Prof. Egleston,* to work very well, with one exception. The CO is not absorbed as readily in the ammonia-copper solution as he states in his description of the apparatus, as many as 50, and sometimes 60, passes being necessary to absorb all the CO. The power of absorbing rapidly increases as the solution is used, and this would indicate that the more oxygen it contains the quicker will it do the work. Probably the addition of a small amount of some oxidizing agent would remedy this. When the furnace was working in its normal condition, I had no occasion for using the filter, the amount of fume being so small as not to cause any inconvenience. The gas burned with the flame peculiar to CO, and contained just enough solid particles to give it a slight reddish tinge. * See Transactions, II, 226; V, 487, 621.

Jan 1, 1878

By AIME AIME

UNTIL recently, practically all geophysical prospecting in Australia was conducted by government departments, either by the Aerial, Geological and Geophysical Survey of Northern Australia or the New South Wales Department of Mines. At present, in addition, the Shell company is carrying out an extensive geophysical campaign in South West Queensland. The Northern Australia Survey has now been in operation for over six years, its work being carried out principally in the northern and central parts of Australia over an area of about a million square miles. At present this Survey is being brought to a conclusion but it appears certain that the geophysical section will be transferred to a Commonwealth Government department on a permanent basis. At present the officers of the Geophysical Section are preparing or have issued some 150 reports on their field work and also a special technical report on the geophysical practice of the Survey.

Jan 1, 1942