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G. B. WATERHOUSE,* Buffalo, N. -Y. (written discussion?).-One of the most essential features of rail manufacture is the production of rails that will give good service and be free from failures. To this end rails are made to careful specifications and their manufacture is controlled by rigid inspection on the part of both the producing mill and the railroad or its representative, such as the Hunt special inspection referred to in the paper. Captain Hunt refers to the crescent-shape base failures and describes them as ruptures in the rail flanges extending from the outside inward toward the web. This is hardly correct and may be misleading. It has been shown, over and over again, that the base breaks originating in seams invariably start at the center of the rail base; and run longitudi-nally in varying lengths from 3 to 12 in. and sometimes longer. Most of them are from 5 to 8 in. long and then curve outward to the edge of the flange. The split at the center of the base may exist for an indefinite time and not be discovered until the break shows on top of the flange or the piece of flange breaks off. The. stresses that cause the break are explained in two ways: (1) by the eccentric bearing of the rail base, that is taking contact at one side or edge and bringing excessive strain at the center of the base which starts fracture in any seam that may he present at that point; (2) the split may be due to cross strain in the base where this member is thrown into. compression, as happens where a pair of trucks are on opposite sides of the cross tie or rail-base hearing, and the head is put in tension. A careful study of "split base breaks" shows that fully 95 per cent. occur on the tie bearing, which is further evidence that the above de-scribed causes for the initial break are probably correct. These split base breaks are almost invariably progressive, but always start at the center of the rail-base running longitudinally.

Jan 12, 1919

By W. G. Pfann

THE problem of forming points on wires that were from 0.002 in. to 0.010 in. in diam arose in the recent appearance of silicon and germanium point contact rectifiers as elements in microwave radar.1 In these devices a pointed tungsten wire makes a delicate contact with the surface of a semiconductor. Because the quality of such rectifiers is largely determined by the nature of this contact, considerable attention has been given to the formation of the metal point. Reproducibility of contour and freedom from burrs and even microscopic irregularities are considered essential. The operations involved must be simple and rapid enough for mass production. Previously tungsten wires had been provided with conical points by a grinding method which involved rotating a wire about its axis and causing it to bear at an oblique angle against a spinning abrasive disc. This was later complemented with an electrolytic polishing treatment which removed irregularities from the ground point and also rounded it off at the tip-a desirable feature. Finally, these operations were supplanted by the electrolytic pointing method described here. MECHANISM OF POINT FORMATION The wires to be pointed are partially immersed- in an electrolyte in a .vertical position whereupon they are provided with smooth rounded points entirely by electrochemical action. The process is independent of the depths to which the wires penetrate the electrolyte because the points are formed at the surface level. It may be used to point a single wire or many of them simultaneously and is applicable to wires of different diameters within a limited range. Solution of the immersed portion of a tungsten wire is accomplished by making it the positive electrode in an electrolytic cell, as shown in Fig I. While the wire is maintained at constant voltage the current through the cell falls continuously, principally because of the decrease in wetted area which results from solution of the tungsten. This increase in resistance occurs in a reproducible manner and is used as a control in the process. As the immersed portion of the wire dissolves, it remains cylindrical in shape except for the short section which is wetted by the meniscus. Here the rate of solution is lower and decreases as the top of the meniscus is approached. The result is the formation of a tapered section inside the meniscus. As solution continues, the cylindrical section either dissolves entirely or drops off just before complete solution, leaving only the taper which is now sharply pointed. Further action causes this point to become rounded and then quite blunt, until finally the end of the wire is almost plane. Fig 2 shows the stages in this development. Contour PF is most representative of those used in point contact rectifiers. Thus a variety of point

Jan 1, 1947

By M. Vallée

This case study compares the actual production figures for the No. I and No. 2 copper orebodies of the Société Miniére Louvem, Val d'Or, Quebec, with the preproduction estimates and a postmortem geostatistical estimation using kriging techniques. The deposits considered are small subvertical sulphide orebodies which were mined from August 1970 to April 1973, producing 648,000 tons at 2.04% Cu versus the 1968 computed reserves of 671,000 tons at 2.51% Cu (with 20% dilution), thus showing a 25% overestimation of the copper contained. The postmortem geostatistical estimation based on the same 44 D.D.H. intersections available in 1968, shows 2.24% Cu (no dilution), compared to 3.23% Cu (no dilution) given by the conventional section method. Block by block kriging techniques were used, but within the ore contours as determined by the geologist. In this case, Characterized like many sulphide deposits by highly dispersed sample values, geostatistical kriging techniques permit a more realistic estimation of the metal contained within a given volume, than the conventional methods which overestimate it. This study has been conducted by the Mineral Exploration Research institute (IREM-MERI) for SOQUEM, and is one of the few case studies released with all pertinent data. More postmortem of this kind are required for geologists and geostatisticians to improve their methods and their "batting average".

Jan 1, 1977

By McQuiston. F. W., E. C. Tveter

Sulfide mineral flotation has been applied to all naturally occurring sulfides and several synthetics. Of even more importance is the fact that economic separations are now being made between sulfides of essentially all the different metals. The variety of methods and minerals involved in such practice make it difficult to characterize them except in terms of general factors which influence the practices used. Ore grade and mineral composition are the major factors determining the processing method and the extent to which processing must be carried to achieve optimum economic return for a given ore. Since the choice of treatment is also affected by such factors as mine location, shipping charges, smelter schedules, each ore is a separate problem even though mineralization may be similar; The dissemination of minerals in the ore naturally determines the fineness of grind required for liberation. However, since grinding costs are a major part of most milling costs, emphasis has been placed on means of rejecting gangue minerals at the coarsest size possible. This has led to increased flotation of middling products or bulk concentrates for subsequent regrind and retreatment. Reagent development has also played an important part in present plant practice. Relatively few new frothers and collectors have found application during the past 25 years and many have disappeared. In general practice, re- agent combination choice is now fairly consistent with the type of collector being chosen on the basis of the mineral to be floated, the frother on the basis of pulp alkalinity, and the modifiers primarily on the basis of minerals to be rejected. REPRESENTATIVE FLOTATION PLANTS The milling operations described in this chapter have been selected primarily to illustrate these differences in ores and processing methods for the major types of ore minerals. The compositions of these minerals are shown in Table 1. These concentrators were chosen as representatives, both on the basis of geographic location and mineral content of the ore treated. At least one mill is included from each of the major producers, but the primary object was to show the practice employed for the various ore minerals and the different approaches to the middling problems encountered. The individual plants which have contributed data to this study are listed in Table 2, with a summary of their operating data, and are discussed in the order shown.

Jan 1, 1962

By P. C. Kelly

The processes involved in turning a set of seismograph records into a geological structure map may be divided into three classes; (1) picking reflections on the records, to be used for the computations; (2) determining the basis on which the computations should be made in order to arrive at correct results; (3) making the necessary computations and plotting sections and maps. The first is usually done by the crew chief, or at least checked by him. The computing system usually originates in the head office, occasional consultations with the party chief providing modifications as necessary to meet special conditions. The computations and plotting are done by the party computer, with possibly one or two assistants if the calculations require much time. Picking the Rejleclions Marking of the reflections on the records is perhaps the most important step and the one most likely to determine the reliability of the final results. Making the "picks" is important because most of the problems that come up in practical work are connected with the problem of what can be done with poor records. The lack of any definite criteria by which to judge what are good and usable reflections is at the bottom of the difficulty. Give the same set of records to several people to mark and they will probably come out with a variation in the number of reflections per record that are deemed usable. With good records the correct picks are obvious to all, but with poor records experience seems to be the only reliable guide as to what picks are reliable and what are merely born of imagination and desperation. Experience in marking records and seeing how the structures eventually check out is more important than training in physics or geology. Different types of equipment and shooting methods may produce records quite different in appearance, from the same territory, and the computer can do his best work with records of a type on which he has had considerable experience, and has learned the limitations and shortcomings as well as the virtues of the data with which he is working. Reflections may be picked for dips only, in which case the particular reflection picked is not recognizable with certainty on records from any other spread. For the purpose of computing dips it is necessary that the reflection be marked on a11 or nearly all of the strings of the records, as

Jan 1, 1940

By P. C. Kelly

The processes involved in turning a set of seismograph records into a geological structure map may be divided into three classes; (1) picking reflections on the records, to be used for the computations; (2) determining the basis on which the computations should be made in order to arrive at correct results; (3) making the necessary computations and plotting sections and maps. The first is usually done by the crew chief, or at least checked by him. The computing system usually originates in the head office, occasional consultations with the party chief providing modifications as necessary to meet special conditions. The computations and plotting are done by the party computer, with possibly one or two assistants if the calculations require much time. Picking the Rejleclions Marking of the reflections on the records is perhaps the most important step and the one most likely to determine the reliability of the final results. Making the "picks" is important because most of the problems that come up in practical work are connected with the problem of what can be done with poor records. The lack of any definite criteria by which to judge what are good and usable reflections is at the bottom of the difficulty. Give the same set of records to several people to mark and they will probably come out with a variation in the number of reflections per record that are deemed usable. With good records the correct picks are obvious to all, but with poor records experience seems to be the only reliable guide as to what picks are reliable and what are merely born of imagination and desperation. Experience in marking records and seeing how the structures eventually check out is more important than training in physics or geology. Different types of equipment and shooting methods may produce records quite different in appearance, from the same territory, and the computer can do his best work with records of a type on which he has had considerable experience, and has learned the limitations and shortcomings as well as the virtues of the data with which he is working. Reflections may be picked for dips only, in which case the particular reflection picked is not recognizable with certainty on records from any other spread. For the purpose of computing dips it is necessary that the reflection be marked on a11 or nearly all of the strings of the records, as

Jan 1, 1940

By H. H. Hasler

THE mining and removal of coal from two or more beds, either simultaneously or consecutively, in vertically adjacent areas have always been matters of concern to mine operators from both operating and recovery points of view. However, with the progressive introduction and use of electrical and mechanical facilities, such problems assume even greater proportions. In this paper typical cases occuring in Cambia County, Pa., are given and procedures whereby such problems may be .greatly reduced, if not entirely eliminated, are suggested. Throughout a considerable portion of the Central Pennsylvania bituminous coal region, particularly in Cambria County (Fig. I), the portion of the region to which references in this paper are made, large areas are encountered where two or more beds of coal occur and have been mined extensively since the earliest days of mining in the county. Generally, operations were commenced in one bed of coal on a property, following which, as conditions appeared to warrant, operations were commenced in another bed or beds on the same property, in some instances by the same operator. Operating results by no means have been uniformly successful, as the following review of some typical cases indicates, partly because of lack of experience in earlier cases and in certain later cases to disregard for the experiences of earlier operators. It is suggested that repetitions of such failures may be reduced largely, if not eliminated entirely, by adherence to a few basic principles founded upon past experiences. Geology and Stratigraphy The geology, stratigraphy, and relief of almost all of Cambria County have been studied and reported at length by the U. S. Geological Survey in its Johnstown, Ebensburg and Barnesboro-Patton Folios and other publications, by the Pennsylvania Geological Survey and by various individuals. All exposed rocks occurring within the boundaries of the county are of sedimentary origin, consisting of alternate beds of sandstone, slate, shale, fireclay, coal, limestone, etc., and all have been classified by the U. S. Geological Survey as extending from the upper strata of the Catskill formation, Devonian system, to and including, in a few hilltop areas, the lower strata of the Monongahela formation, Carboniferous system. Included within that range is the Allegheny formation, Pennsylvania series, which embraces all of the commercially important beds of coal that occur in the county, viz., the A, or Brookville, to the E, or Upper Freeport, both inclusive, shown in Fig. 2. The measures are traversed by a series of anticlines and synclines, extending in a northeasterly and southwesterly direction, which form broad, gently sloping basins (flat to 15 pct pitch, exceptionally to 25 pct). However, the topography of the surface is such that long lines of outcrops of all beds of coal overlying bed B, and to a limited extent bed B also, occur over large areas, a factor which contributed to the early and extensive development of mining activities in the county. Earliest mining developments of commercial importance were made in B, C', D, and E beds of coal, and it is in these beds that the principal mining operations are being conducted. To a limited extent, mining operations also have been conducted in local areas in the A, B rider and C beds. Coal beds being mined today range in thickness from approximately 28 to 60 in. Intervals between the respective beds of coal are variable but conform somewhat to the following general averages: A to B, 60 to 100 ft.; B to C, 50 ft.; C to C', 70 ft.; C' to D, 45 ft.; and D to E, 45 ft. The following are typical mining cases obserced over a period of years in various parts of the county.

Jan 1, 1952

By T. Cameron Kenney

INTRODUCTION Whereas the design of rock slopes in open-pit mines is done largely by mining engineers and geologists, the design of slopes in overburden at this point in time is a problem for which civil engineers or geotechnical engineers are best prepared to deal. The reasons for this situation are to be found in the educational curricula and the technical journals of the two groups, where soil mechanics has received little attention by mining engineers and geologists, and rock mechanics has similarly received little attention by civil engineers. In ten years' time this paper will hopefully be considered by young mining engineers to be a repeat of the material that they studied at university. However, even in ten years time I believe that the civil (or geotechnical) engineers will be extensively used as consultants on overburden- slope problems of open pit mines because mining companies will find this more expedient than maintaining their own geotechnical staff, special field equipment and special testing laboratories. For this reason, the purpose of this paper is not to condense several university soil mechanics courses into a twenty-page text for mining engineers and geologists. Rather, the purpose of the paper is to offer a general explanation of various factors affecting slope stability so that mining engineers and geologists will have a better understanding of the behaviour of overburden soils in slopes. A great deal has been written in soil mechanics literature on the subject of slope stability. No attempt will be made to reference all this material but rather only a selected number of references will be cited. Excellent general treatments of the subject of stability of overburden slopes are available (1,2,3,4). Further information of a more specialized nature is to be found in such publications as the Journal of the Soil Mechanics and Foundation Division of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Geotechnique (printed by the Institution of Civil Engineers, England), Canadian Geotechnical Journal, and the proceedings of the conferences of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering. FACTORS INFLUENCING SLOPE STABILITY There are two general scales of slope-stability problems, gross stability and local stability. Gross stability refers to large volumes of soil, and gross instability would involve large rotational-type shear failures. Local stability refers to something much smaller and examples

Jan 1, 1972

By A. E. Deruyttere, J. Van der Planken, M. Laurent, Van den Bergen

FahRENHORST and schmid1 observed that zinc single crystals work hardened less rapidly when strained in liquid air (- 185°C)than in a bath at -82°C, whereas at higher temperatures the rate of work hardening decreased with increasing temperature, as would be expected. Cadmium and magnesium showed no such decrease at -185°C. At that time the observed anomaly for zinc at liquid air temperature probably seemed insignificant. However it later was confirmed2 by experiments in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) and in the mixture solid carbon dioxide-acetone (-77"C) and therefore appeared to be real. seeger3 then suggested that the anomaly might be due to the different wetting of the zinc crystals by the cooling media. Recently a new confirmation was obtained,4 however the cooling media again were different: the rate of strain hardening was found to be lower in liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen than in pentane cooled to various temperatures down to -126°C. Ekperiments will now be reported in which the medium surrounding the specimen at the different temperatures was the same, namely gaseous air. The single crystals were made from "Overcor 99.99" zinc. They were grown in a vertical traveling furnace on seeds of nearly the same orientations. The diameter of the crystals was 5 mm and the length between shoulders 140 mm. The brass shoulders were stuck to the crystals by means of araldite. A thin steel wire was fixed to each shoulder and served to fasten the specimen to a Houns-field tensile testing machine. The crystals with the shoulders and part of the wires were surrounded by two concentric cylindrical containers. The coolant. either liquid air or ground solid carbon dioxide, was poured into the outer container only. During cooling the containers rested on a support which was removed when the straining was started. In order to check the temperature which the crystals would attain inside the inner container, a hollow bar of zinc in which a thermocouple was fitted was first mounted in the apparatus as a substitute for a crystal. It appeared that a constant temperature, respectively - 183° and -72°C, was attained inside the bar, if a soaking time of the order of 1 hr was allowed and if the outer container was constantly kept filled. Accordingly, this procedure was adopted for every tensile test. To take account of the large scatter, fourteen tensile tests were performed with liquid air and seven with solid carbon dioxide. The orientation of the crystals and the results are presented in the table, in which the symbols have the following meaning: 1 : temperature x : initial angle between basal plane and specimen axis : initial angle between slip direction and specimen axis a : shear strain at fracture 0: average rate of strain hardening = —-——- 100 t0 and Te representing respectively the critical shear stress and the shear stress at fracture. Despite the scatter of the a- and 8— values which is of the same order of magnitude as in the work reported by Seeger and Trzuble,4 it is evident that the strain hardening rate is significantly lower at -183°C thanat-72°C. The table also contains the average values calculated from Seeger and Trauble's results at the corresponding temperatures: z.e., four results at -183oC and two at-70°, -71°C. These authors calculated 9 in a slightly different way, but this is unimportant. The agreement between the a-values shows that both sets of experiments are comparable despite the differences in experimental techniques. The rates of strain hardening also agree and it may therefore be concluded that the anomaly is not

Jan 1, 1962

By R. H. Atkinson

With the object of improving the melting, casting, and working of palladium and 95.5 pct Pd-4.5 pct Ru, the effects of different melting atmospheres (reducing, oxidizing, and neutral), crucible linings, and annealing atmospheres have been studied. Some interesting observations are included about the solubility and diffusion of gases in palladium. THE object of the present work was to ascertain the effect of oxidizing, inert, and reducing ambient atmospheres on the melting and casting of palladium and a Pd-Ru alloy commonly used for jewelry. The need for such a study was indicated during World War I1 when jewelers experienced difficulty in their attempts to make small castings of the torch-melted Pd-Ru alloy by the lost-wax process. When the metal was melted under oxidizing conditions similar to those used for platinum, the castings were gassy; on the other hand, if the melting atmosphere was reducing, the castings were hot-torn and brittle. General Experimental Procedure Pure palladium sponge (99.9 pct Pd) and pure ruthenium powder (99.8 pct Ru) were used for making small ingots (50 g) of palladium and 95.5 pct Pd-4.5 pct Ru by induction melting. The coil, 3 in. high by 2 in. ID with 16 turns, was energized by a 20 kva Ajax high frequency converter. The melting crucibles, so-called sand crucibles, which were made of a highly refractory fireclay, were lined with different materials, including proprietary magnesia, alundum, zircon, and zirconia

Jan 1, 1957

By AIME AIME

THE CHAIRMAN of the fast growing Petroleum Division is not only a graduate of the University of California, but a third generation native son. After a few years spent in hard-rock geology, his professional efforts were transferred to the sedimentaries and to petroleum investigations, as a consulting geologist. For ten years these investigations covered the Rocky Mountain, Oklahoma, Texas, and eastern districts. After the war he returned to Casper, Wyo., as chief geologist for the Consolidated Royalty Oil and Western Exploration Companies. This employment afforded him the opportunity to study particularly the economic relationship between the lessor-lessee interests in development and production, a somewhat unusual type of petroleum specialization.

Jan 1, 1939

By R. M. Jorda

The mechanism of parafin deposition and prevention has been studied in the laboratory using an apparatus which provides a quantitative means of studying parafin deposition on metal and plastic surfaces. The amount, hardness, adhesion, per cent wax and mean molecular weight of parafin deposits appear to be governed by surface roughness alone, all other conditions being constant. Tests of various plastic coatings indicate that most smooth, nonparafinic plastics are capable of reducing parafin deposits in oil wells, but flexible, highly polar, nonparafinic plastics are more suitable for providing long term resistance to parafin deposition in oil wells if the flow stream contains abrasive materials. INTRODUCTION The problem of paraffin deposition is one of long standing in the oil industry.' Crude oils often contain paraffins which precipitate and adhere to the liner, tubing, sucker rods and surface equipment as the temperature of the producing stream decreases in the normal course of flowing, gas lifting or pumping. Heavy paraffin deposits are undesirable because they reduce the effective size of the flow conduits and restrict the production rate from the well. Where severe paraffin deposition occurs, removal of the deposits by mechanical, thermal or other means is required, resulting in costly down time and increased operating costs. The troublesome paraffins are normal hydrocarbons ranging from approximately C15H38 to C38H78 mixed with small amounts of branched paraffins, monocyclic paraffins, polycyclic paraffins and aromatics.' The amount of paraffins found in crude oils varies from less than 1 to more than 30 per cent. Many publications are available which deal with this problem, and perhaps the most significant findings in recent literature are contained in a publication by Hunt3 ho developed the "cold spot tester", a really useful means of investigating paraffin deposition. Hunt's observations led to many generalized conclusions concerning the effect of surface roughness on paraffin deposits. He ascertained that there was an observable qualitative correlation between the severity of paraffin deposition and the roughness of the surfaces which he tested (cold rolled steel, stainless steel and several plastics). Because of the number of meaningful observations made by Hunt, his cold spot tester was modified somewhat and extensive tests were per- formed to study the quantitative relationship between surface roughness and the physical and chemical nature of paraffin deposits. LABORATORY TEST PROCEDURES The cold spot test apparatus consists of a flat circular plate mounted on a curved tube and positioned in a vessel containing a wax-oil solution (Fig. 1). The apparatus is arranged so that the temperature of the central portion of the circular plate can be varied by means of a circulating liquid stream; the test equipment includes provisions for maintaining a constant wax-oil solution temperature and stirring speed. In the paraffin deposition studies, the modified cold spot tester was used as follows. The cold spot probe consisted of a flat circular plat 2 in. in diameter and 1/8-in. thick positioned in the wax-oil solution kept at constant temperature. As in Hunt's earlier experiments," a cold liquid was circulated through a tube connected to the circular plate so that the liquid impinged on one side of the plate cooling the plate from the center outward, causing paraffin to deposit on the side of the plate exposed to the wax-oil solution.

Jan 1, 1967

By A. L. Hay

The Sydney coal field, the largest and most valuable in Nova Scotia, is situated on the northeastern coast of the Island of Cape Breton, extending from Mira Bay on the south to Cape Dauphin on the north, a distance of 30 miles, and has a general dip northeast under the sea. (Fig. 1. The field embraces the mining villages of Morien, Birchgrove and Reserve and the towns of Dominion, Glace Bay, Waterford and Sydney Mines. The city of Sydney is situated about midway between the northern and southern extremities of the field and on the western fringe of the productive coal measures. Sydney harbor crosses the coal field, cutting off direct rail connection between Sydney Mines and the greater part of the field to the southeast. (Fig. 2.) The coal measures are exposed in the cliffs on the coast line, which rise to an average height of 30 ft., and are almost continuous throughout the length of the field. The portion of the coal field under land forms a small segment of a circle, the greatest distance from the coast landwards is 9 miles, and it occupies an area of 200 sq. miles. The greatest distance developed seawards from the shore by mining operations is 2 miles. The strata maintain a regularity of dip at this distance, proving a submarine area of about 70 sq, miles. How much further the coal field extends seawards is unknown, but the indications are that it extends far beyond the present economical working limit and in all probability there is a vast submarine coal field. The productive coal measures are of Carboniferous age, these being underlain by beds of sandstone, locally classed as millstone grit, which define the southern limit of the field, while a spur of syenitic hills cuts off the coal-bearing strata on the north. Two main anticlinal folds having a general course easterly divide the field into three basins named from north to south: Sydney Mines-Lingan, Glace Bay and Morien. So far as the portion of the coal field already developed is concerned the general effect of these folds is to vary the direction and dip of the strata at different points of the several basins. The strata dip seawards at the average rate of 6 per cent. along the axes of the basins. On both sides of the several basins, the strata have a dip varying from 7 to 40

Jan 1, 1930

By Norman Yarborough

Much has been written about the energy fuels including their standing with respect to reserves, their delivered Btu costs, their potential in the electrical generating market and their capabilities to meet a burgeoning demand. Yet, when all factors are placed in their proper perspective, the spiraling electrical energy market alone should guarantee each fuel a better than average market for the foreseeable future. In fact, a study made by the U.S. Federal Power Commission on the spare capacity utilities have on hand indicated that 39 of the 181 major utility systems had less than 10% reserves on hand at the end of 1969. Fuel supplies are critically low in some areas, especially in the Southeast, South Central and Midwest areas of the U.S. In other systems equipment shortages resulting from faulty equipment or delays in getting new equipment deliveries causes power failures during peak loads. In addition, lack of labor curtails the erection of some new facilities and prevents many other facilities from operating at capacity.

Jan 1, 1970

By Hans Lundberg

IN ORDER to comprehend the help and information that may be expected from electrical prospecting, it is necessary to have at least a general knowledge of the methods and principles involved in preparing and interpreting results obtained in the field. Electrical prospecting is rather complicated, both in theory and practice, and in order to make a brief description clear to the practical mining man it has been necessary to idealize and generalize the problems, at the risk of having such simplification criticized by the theoretical man. This simplification must not be misinterpreted as showing a lack of theoretical knowledge. FIG. 1.-FLOW OF CURRENT IN AND AROUND A CONDUCTING BODY. For its operation, electrical prospecting mainly depends on the fact that most metallic ores conduct an electric current much more readily than barren rocks. If an electric current flows through a block of ground within which a body of chalcopyrite is enclosed in country rock of schist, the current will find less resistance to its passage through the chalcopyrite than through the schist, even though the passage through the latter be much shorter. This is because the longer path through the chalcopyrite offers less resistance, owing to the superior electrical conductivity of the chalcopyrite (Fig. 1).

Jan 1, 1928

By J. E. Sandor, P. F. Schmidt

A general review of the present knowledge of the semiconductor/oxide interface is given, with emphasis on silicon and germanium. The electrical properties of clean surfaces and the changes that occur upon oxidation are described. A brief disczcssion of the methods and mechanisms of oxidation of silicon is given, and the interaction between the semiconductor substrate and the oxide phase is considered. Physical properties of the oxide film, charge storage effects due to the dielectric, and some device applications of oxide films on semiconductors are discussed. THIS paper will be heavily preoccupied with the elemental semiconductors germanium and silicon. Undoubtedly some injustice is done thereby to other semiconductor-oxide systems, but it is not readily possible to cover all aspects of so vast a field in the present review. In considering the semiconductor/oxide interface, we may start out by discussing briefly an idealized clean semiconductor surface, and may then follow the changes brought about by oxidation, as the oxide is allowed to grow progressively thicker. The references given are not a complete list, but are to be taken as guides to the literature. Tamml suggested in 1933, based upon the study of a one-dimensional asymmetrical potential model, that localized surface states may appear at the surface of a crystalline lattice; it was pointed out by Fowler that these states should occur in pairs. shockley3 examined the origin of such surface states on the basis of a more general one-dimensional model and found that surface states may appear in the forbidden region between the highest filled and the lowest vacant band. This happens when the two bands overlap, as, for instance, the "s" and ('p" bands of the diamond structure. In a three-dimensional model these levels would produce a surface band which is half-filled for diamond, and the number of surface states should be approximately equal to the number of surface atoms. This picture of the surface has been refined by more recent theoretical work, like Handler's4 and Koutecky and Tomasek's~ without introducing essential modifications. When these concepts were applied to semiconduc-

Jan 1, 1965

By AIME AIME

Council.* PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL. ROBERT Wm. HUNT CHICAGO, ILL. (Term expires February, 1907.) VICE-PRESIDENTS OF THE COUNCIL. WILLIAM P. BLAKE TUCSON, ARIZ. THOMAS F. COLE DULUTH, MINN. IRVING A. STEARNS WILKES-BARRE, PA. (Term expires February, 1907.) HENRY M . HOWE NEW YORK, N. Y. J. B. GRANT DENVER, COLO. JAMES D. HAGUE NEW YORK, N. Y. (Term expires February, 1909.) COUNCILORS. F. L. GRAMMER BALTIMORE, MD. JOSEPH HARTSHORNE POTTSTOWN, PA. CHARLES H. SNOW NEW YORK, N. Y. (Term expires February, 1907.) A. A. BLOW WASHINGTON, D. C. FRANK LYMAN NEW YORK, N. Y. T. A. RICKARD SAN FRANCISCO, CAL. (Term expires February, 1908.) THEODORE DWIGHT NEW YORK, N. Y. WALTER WOOD PHILADELPHIA, PA. WM. FLEET ROBERTSON VICTORIA, B. C., CAN. (Term expires February, 1903.) SECRETARY OF THE COUNCIL. R. W. RAYMOND, No. 99 John Street NEW YORK, N. Y. (Term expires February, 1907.) ASSISTANT SECRETARY AND EDITOR. JOSEPH STRUTHERS NEW YORK, N. Y.

Mar 1, 1906

By R. C. Gifkins

R. C. Gifkins (CSIRO)—In this paper evidence is put forward to support the idea of grain boundary shearing in aluminum at 4.2°K and the phenomenon is explained in terms of a low-temperature "equicohesive temperature". It is stated that these findings show that grain boundary shear cannot be ruled out in any situation by temperature arguments alone. We believe, from our own recent study of "apparent grain boundary sliding'' at temperatures below 0.45 Tm, that it can be ruled out on temperature arguments alone.45 Our experiments were made principally with magnesium and a Ms-A1 alloy ("Magnox A12"). Careful examination of offsets of marker lines or steps at grain boundaries produced by deformation at room temperature (-0.3 Tm) showed many of these to result from curvature over narrow zones along the grain boundaries. A significant residuum did, however, appear as a sharp offset or step. It was found that the mean value of this step rose to a small value during the first 0.5 to 1 pct strain and then remained at this level with further strain. Moreover, exactly the same values were obtained (at the same stress) at 75°C instead of 21°C. That is, in this range of temperature the "apparent sliding" was not temperature-sensitive. At 125°C and above there was sliding which increased with strain and which was temperature-dependent. When this temperature-dependent sliding was used to calculate the sliding to be expected at room temperature, this underestimated the "apparent sliding" by a factor of 104. The conclusion drawn is that the "apparent sliding" consists of shear localized in a zone of a width measured perhaps in microns, whereas it seems that true sliding occurs on the boundary surface.46 A model for such localized shear has been developed in general terms, following a similar model of Urie and Wain.47 Other strong evidence for low-temper- ature sliding has been based on the offsets of marker lines consisting of a substructure seen using the electron microscope to resolve these.48 We have repeated this work and found that the effects can be accounted for in terms of cracks in an oxide film which is produced when the substructure is etched up; these cracks form over zones of shear rather than at actual interfaces. However, in aluminum at room temperature (-0.3 Tm) there is no "apparent sliding" which is optically detectable. We suggest that, when the temperature is much lower (and possibly the rate of strain higher, too), as in the experiments of Chin et al., then aluminum behaves like magnesium at room temperature, and a narrow zone of shear develops to accommodate differences in strain across the grain boundary. Such a zone could well give rise to triple-point cracks. It is hoped to investigate these suggestions further. B. Y. Chin, W. F. Hosford, Jr., and W. A. Backofen (authors' reply)—It is interesting to have Dr. Gif-kin's comments, although it is somewhat difficult to reply in detail without the reference containing the work that he describes. Apparently though, he does find a low-temperature temperature-independent sliding that would seem to be related to the observations reported here. Perhaps some of the difficulty has semantic origins, growing out of the distinction between ('true sliding" and "apparent sliding".

Jan 1, 1965

By Adam L. Wesner, A. C. Richardson

This paper describes the development of a continuous float-and-sink process to produce coal low enough in ash content to be suitable for production of electrodes. The cleaned coal had a combined iron and silicon content of 0.239 pct. The efficiency of recovery was 84 pct. DURING World War I1 the demand for electrode carbon was greater than could be met by the supply of petroleum coke available for this use. It was believed that coke made from an extremely low-ash coal might be a suitable substitute for petroleum coke. Requirements for electrode carbon to be used for the production of aluminum are that the silicon plus iron content shall be not more than 0.14 pct of the coke. However, during the period when petroleum coke was in short supply, it appeared that relaxations of the specifications might be allowed to permit 0.4 pct iron plus silicon in the coke. For this work, the specifications were that the coal should contain less than 1 pct of ash, and the combined iron and silicon content of the coal should not exceed 0.28 pct. Heavy-liquid separations made on a number of coals showed that if certain size fractions of some coals Were separated at low specific gravities the resulting float products would meet the required specifications. The objective of this work was to develop a continuous, commercially feasible process for producing low-ash coal. After consideration of various processes, the method chosen was a float-and-sink separation using a solution of calcium chloride as the separating medium. Eagle Seam coal was used for the experiments. The —10 +35 mesh fraction was found to be the most promising feed for producing the low-ash content coal. A batch of 30 tons of — --in. coal was screened at 10 and 35 mesh; the yield of —10 +35 mesh was 20 pct of the feed. This fraction comprised the feed for the separation tests. In spite of the fact that this portion was screened a second time at 35 mesh, the coal still contained 16 pct that was finer than 35 mesh. Three-fourths of the undersize was in the —35 +48 mesh range. A representative portion of the —10 +35 mesh fraction was subjected to batch float-and-sink separations to determine the best gravity to be used in the continuous tests to obtain a high recovery of low-ash content coal. The heavy liquid used was a mixture of carbon tetrachloride and benzene which assured complete wetting of all of the particles. As usual in batch separations, adequate time was allowed for each separation so that even the near gravity particles had ample time to separate. The separations were made at increments of 0.01 sp gr from 1.25 to 1.28 and also at 1.32 and 1.59. Each specific-gravity increment was assayed for ash content. From these data it was concluded that 1.27 sp gr was best for the continuous separation of the coal. The products from the batch separation were composited into float 1.27 and sink 1.27 sp-gr fractions; these were assayed for ash, iron, and silicon. Table I shows the results of the batch separations. The composite float 1.27 fraction contained 66.04 pct of the total weight, and had an analysis of 0.79 pct ash, 0.073 pct iron, and 0.112 pct silicon, or 0.185 pct iron and silicon combined. These data are indicative of the results possible if a perfect separation is made at 1.27 sp gr under static conditions. Inasmuch as the method under investigation is a dynamic system these results could not be obtained. It remained to be determined, however, just how close to the theoretical results the actual continuous separation would be.

Jan 1, 1953

By Adam L. Wesner, A. C. Richardson

This paper describes the development of a continuous float-and-sink process to produce coal low enough in ash content to be suitable for production of electrodes. The cleaned coal had a combined iron and silicon content of 0.239 pct. The efficiency of recovery was 84 pct. DURING World War I1 the demand for electrode carbon was greater than could be met by the supply of petroleum coke available for this use. It was believed that coke made from an extremely low-ash coal might be a suitable substitute for petroleum coke. Requirements for electrode carbon to be used for the production of aluminum are that the silicon plus iron content shall be not more than 0.14 pct of the coke. However, during the period when petroleum coke was in short supply, it appeared that relaxations of the specifications might be allowed to permit 0.4 pct iron plus silicon in the coke. For this work, the specifications were that the coal should contain less than 1 pct of ash, and the combined iron and silicon content of the coal should not exceed 0.28 pct. Heavy-liquid separations made on a number of coals showed that if certain size fractions of some coals Were separated at low specific gravities the resulting float products would meet the required specifications. The objective of this work was to develop a continuous, commercially feasible process for producing low-ash coal. After consideration of various processes, the method chosen was a float-and-sink separation using a solution of calcium chloride as the separating medium. Eagle Seam coal was used for the experiments. The —10 +35 mesh fraction was found to be the most promising feed for producing the low-ash content coal. A batch of 30 tons of — --in. coal was screened at 10 and 35 mesh; the yield of —10 +35 mesh was 20 pct of the feed. This fraction comprised the feed for the separation tests. In spite of the fact that this portion was screened a second time at 35 mesh, the coal still contained 16 pct that was finer than 35 mesh. Three-fourths of the undersize was in the —35 +48 mesh range. A representative portion of the —10 +35 mesh fraction was subjected to batch float-and-sink separations to determine the best gravity to be used in the continuous tests to obtain a high recovery of low-ash content coal. The heavy liquid used was a mixture of carbon tetrachloride and benzene which assured complete wetting of all of the particles. As usual in batch separations, adequate time was allowed for each separation so that even the near gravity particles had ample time to separate. The separations were made at increments of 0.01 sp gr from 1.25 to 1.28 and also at 1.32 and 1.59. Each specific-gravity increment was assayed for ash content. From these data it was concluded that 1.27 sp gr was best for the continuous separation of the coal. The products from the batch separation were composited into float 1.27 and sink 1.27 sp-gr fractions; these were assayed for ash, iron, and silicon. Table I shows the results of the batch separations. The composite float 1.27 fraction contained 66.04 pct of the total weight, and had an analysis of 0.79 pct ash, 0.073 pct iron, and 0.112 pct silicon, or 0.185 pct iron and silicon combined. These data are indicative of the results possible if a perfect separation is made at 1.27 sp gr under static conditions. Inasmuch as the method under investigation is a dynamic system these results could not be obtained. It remained to be determined, however, just how close to the theoretical results the actual continuous separation would be.

Jan 1, 1953