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By R. S. Barneyback

Not much more is known about concrete today than was known to the Romans. For all the research only better tools have resulted to measure the quality of the materials that go into it." In this paper "some of the materials for lightweight concrete and their characteristics are considered and effort is made to indicate their effect on the end result — a structure of lightweight concrete." Lightweight concrete had noble beginnings. It is believed that the first specification for lightweight concrete was written by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the early years of his reign, 117-138 AD. Hadrian, was an engineer by trade and an Emperor by adoption. He took considerable interest in the structures sponsored during his reign, even to the point of working out the structural details and preparing working drawings for some of the more prominent works in the vicinity of Rome. In order to reduce the dead weight of the 140 ft diam dome of the Pantheon he specified that the lightweight structural concrete members supporting this concrete and tile composite dome were to be fabricated from a concrete containing pumice and scoria. Still standing after 18 centuries of abuse, this structure has been described as the master effort of a great structural genius, the ultimate achievement of Roman engineering skill.' The Romans were the first to employ many concrete techniques we think of as modem innovations. Some unnamed superintendent noted that when a carefully measured amount of pigs blood was measured into each batch of concrete during mixing, the concrete was more durable and exhibited much better resistance to freezing and thawing climates. He no doubt, attributed this success to the appeasement of one of the gods who in return provided protection for the building containing this sacrificial offering in its walls. It is known today that the blood-entrained air in the concrete tends to make mixtures more workable, resistant to moisture penetration and more resistant to frost damage.

Jan 1, 1964

By Gregory J. Comstock

There is a growing interest in the possibilities presented by the manipulation of metal powders, which justifies an attempt to summarize their character and potential value. A summary of this kind presents an opportunity for making a classification of metal powder products into several general types. Our present knowledge of the finer and more abstract aspects of many of the principles involved in metal powder technique is extremely limited. Any conclusions as to the ultimate value of the process will, therefore, for the present at least, be of doubtful value unless they are substantiated by its products. The number of such products is increasing. A study of their diverse and unusual characteristics; an examination of the methods by which they are made, and a consideration of the reactions that take place during their fabrication, in so far as we can define them, should afford as good an evaluation of this interesting development as it is possible to make at this time. A critical study of this kind results in a formidable list of special attributes, which apparently are characteristic of applied powder metallurgy. A comparison of these special effects with the end products and well defined limitations of the melting and casting process indicate that often they may very well be considered as being special advantages. They are subject, of course, to certain not as yet so well defined limitations of their own. Based on current products only, a necessarily condensed summary of the more striking special attributes of the metal powder process follows. Manipulation of Highly Refractory Metals The powder process presents a means of manipulating highly refractory metals, which cannot be cast and formed in the usual melting and casting process. Tungsten, molybdenum and tantalum are the classic examples of the adequacy of the metal powder process for meeting unusual conditions of this character. The development and application of these metals by means of it, and their importance in the electrical

Jan 1, 1938

By E. M. Boatman, S. J. Pirson, R. L. Nettle

More than a decade ago some theoretically derived relationships were proposed that permitted the prediction of the relative ability of reservoir fluids (oil, gas, water) to flow simultaneously within the porous structure of rocks. While many successful predictions of fluid-flow ratios from wells have been made from electric logs, the theoretical deductions have not been subjected to laboratory verifications. For the relative permeability to liquid and gas, simultaneous flow of water and air was used, employing the familiar external-gas-drive technique. While in the process or water desaturation, the resistivities of the test cores (Woodbine sand) were measured. Their permeabilities varied from 10 to 280 md. The laboratory results indicated the need for changing the values of exponents in the theoretically derived formulas, whereas the form of the functions of resistivities and saturations remained as derived by theory. For the relative permeability to oil and water, the three-core dynamic technique was used on six cores. In this case it was found that the formulas were valid with but slight modification as derived by theory, to a sufficient degree of accuracy for engineering use and for well productivity prediction from electric logs. INTRODUCTION Conventional quantitative well log interpretation generally stops after reasonable values for formation porosities and water saturations have been established. Yet such in formation is insufficient to predict either the outcome or the desirability of well tests and completion, let alone the economic aspect of producing oil- and gas-bearing sections which might have been established by conventional log analysis. To give an engineering answer to such questions, it is necessary to predict the expected fluid flow ratios, the productivity index and the ultimate recovery from potentially productive wells. This problem requires in part for its solution a determination of the relative permeability characteristics of the potentially producing formations, both to oil (or water) and gas, and to oil and water.

Jan 1, 1965

By C. D. Hunter, I. B. Browning, N. W. Shiarella

During the year 1936 improvement in the oil industry in Kentucky continued at about the same rate as shown by that of the year 1935 over the year 1934. The development of several new pools in western Kentucky and the increase in the application of repressuring methods to the old fields of eastern and to a lesser extent of western Kentucky increased the total production to 5,481,227 bbl., as compared to 5,175,054 produced in 1935. The principle sources of this increased production are the Livermore field and the new Bates Knob field in McLean County, in western Kentucky, and the result of repressuring operations in the " Corniferous" pools of Lee, Powell, Wolfe, Morgan and Estill Counties and the "Weir" sand (of Mississippian age) fields of Magoffin, Lawrence and Johnson Counties in northeastern Kentucky. The last named fields have a producing sand especially adaptable to these methods. Drilling No new fields were opened in eastern Kentucky during the year. All new drilling was codned to pressure wells and new oil wells to complete patterns around the intake wells. Owing to the relatively low "initial" or flush production of the wells in this section—even though the ultimate recovery per acre is as large—higher prices for crude will have to prevail before extensive search for new fields is begun; as in northwestern Kentucky, where active exploratory work has been carried on as in the several preceding years, resulting in numerous new and prolific, although comparatively small fields. In this section approximately 500 new oil wells drilled in the Owensboro field, embracing several pools in Ohio, Hancock, Daviess, McLean, Henderson, Webster and Nuhlenberg Counties in the northwestern part of the state. The total oil production for this field during 1936 exceeded by many thousand barrels the 2,821,722 bbl. produced in 1935. In these fields the producing sands range from the middle Missis-

Jan 1, 1937

By Gregory J. Comstock

THERE is a growing interest in the possibilities presented by the manipulation of metal powders, which justifies an attempt to summarize their character and potential value. A summary of this kind presents an opportunity for making a classification of metal powder products into several general types. Our present knowledge of the finer and more abstract aspects of many of the principles involved in metal powder technique is extremely limited. Any conclusions as to the ultimate value of the process will, therefore, for the present at least, be of doubtful value unless they are substantiated by its products. The number of such products is increasing. A study of their diverse and unusual characteristics; an examination of the methods by which they are made, and a consideration of the reactions that take place during their fabrication, in so far as we can define them, should afford as good an evaluation of this interesting development as it is possible to make at this time. A critical study of this kind results in a formidable list of special attributes, which apparently ate characteristic of applied powder metallurgy. A comparison of these special effects with the end products and well defined limitations of the melting and casting process indicate that often they may very well be considered as being special advantages. They are subject, of course, to certain not as yet so well defined limitations of their own. Based on current products only, a necessarily condensed summary of the more striking special attributes of the metal powder process follows. MANIPULATION OF HIGHLY REFRACTORY METALS The powder process presents a means of manipulating highly refractory metals, which cannot be cast and formed in the usual melting and casting process. Tungsten, molybdenum and tantalum are the classic examples of the adequacy of the metal powder process for meeting unusual conditions of this character. The development and application of these metals by means of it, and their importance in the electrical

Jan 1, 1938

By F. H. Labee

Questionnaires and special letters soliciting information were sent to a great many geologists, petroleum engineers, independent operators, and representatives of large companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and New Mexico. Replies to more than 50 per cent. of these letters were received. A survey of the facts and opinions presented in this correspondence will be made a little later, but first some of the general aspects of the problem will be reviewed. By "unit operation,"1 we mean the development and operation of a single entire pool, or reservoir, of petroleum by one management, on a systematic and scientific plan which is best calculated ultimately to extract from the pay sand and bring to the surface of the ground the largest possible amount of oil with the greatest possible total profit. No one, as far as the author has been able to ascertain, denies the advantages, both scientific and practical, of unit operation. All are agreed that it is sound in theory. It permits the proper distribution of wells, which should always be spaced on the ground according to a regular geometric plan with the intention of maintaining the same spacing all the way down and into the pay sand, or pay sands. This spacing will be different for different fields, depending on such variable factors as the lithologic character of the pay formation, the nature of the controlling structure, the depth of drilling, the viscosity of the oil, and so on. From the viewpoint of engineering practice, as applied to economical extraction of oil, there is no more important consideration than well spacing—well spacing in the pay formation, and not merely on the surface of the ground —for the method of well spacing has a direct bearing upon all such engineering practices as pressure control, repressuring by gas, the water drive, and SO on. H. C. Miller2 summarized the advantages of an ideal cooperative development plan as follows: "Among the more important advantages of

Jan 1, 1930

By A. B. Stevens, C. J. Coberly

The absolute porosity of a rock or sand may be defined as the volume of the interparticle space expressed as a percentage of the total rock volume. The effective porosity as contrasted with the absolute porosity is the volume of the interparticle spaces which intercommunicate with passages of sufficient size to permit the entrance or recovery of gas or oil, also expressed as a percentage of the total rock volume. A knowledge of effective porosity is of prime importance in estimating the ultimate recovery to be expected from oil and gas-bearing formations. The determination of the effective porosity of a rock includes the measurement of two values: (I) the volume of the rock as a whole, and (2) the volume of the grains and sealed pore space. This paper deals with a new apparatus which has been called a "hydrogen porosimeter" for determining the volume of the grains and the sealed pore space. This volume is determined by means of the pressure relations established in the instrument by the introduction of a known quantity of hydrogen. The Hydrogen Porosimeter The apparatus used in this work consists of an upper chamber for measuring the gas, a lower chamber for holding the sample to be tested, a gage for measuring the pressures, a tank of hydrogen, and the necessary connections. (Figs. 1 and 2.) Of the several gases that might be used for this work, hydrogen has been chosen for three reasons: (1) it deviates less from the gas laws than most gases; (2) it readily penetrates the sample; (3) it is absorbed less than most gases by the solids and liquids with which it may come in contact. Method of Operation After placing the sample to be tested in the lower chamber, the apparatus is thoroughly flushed with hydrogen to remove all air from the system, which is then brought to atmospheric pressure Po. The valve connecting the two chambers is next closed and the pressure in the upper chamber is brought up to a pressure PI by admitting gas from the tank.

Jan 1, 1933

By J. T. Hayward

Studies of the forces and conditions governing the recovery of petroleum from natural reservoirs indicate that a low gas-oil ratio increases ultimate recovery, retards the encroachment of water and tends to reduce lifting costs. Methods for controlling and reducing gas-oil ratios in producing wells consequently have been given considerable attention during the past few years. However, during this same period, the production from wells in nearly all fields has been fixed by proration agreements and it is the opinion of the writer that where a well is required to produce steadily at a predetermined rate, less than its "potential" or maximum capacity, the gas-oil ratio will depend only upon the rate of production, and will be independent of the method of production and of the design of equipment in the well. If no change in the rate of production is contemplated, efforts directed to improving the gas-oil ratio by altering the diameter of the flow string, changing the position of the choke, assisting the flow with gas-lift or pump, etc., will be unsuccessful. This viewpoint is not new. It was presented by H. N. Marsh and B. H. Robinson in 1929,' but it has not been generally accepted. Although engineers believe that the rate of withdrawal and not the equip ment used governs the water-oil ratio, a similar opinion regarding the gas-oil ratio is not so commonly admitted. The rates of flow of oil and gas into the base of an oil well depend upon the following conditions: 1. The characterist-ics of the oil and gas. 2. The characteristics of the underground reservoir. 3. Temperature and pressure conditions in the reservoir. 4. The back-pressure held against the face of the sand. In operating a well, the only one of these conditions over which control may be exercised through operating procedure and the use of equipment above the sand is the back-pressure at the face of the sand. Strictly speaking, the back-pressure varies over the face of the sand, owing

Jan 1, 1932

By Arthur Phillips, Carl H. Samans

The study of anisotropy in metals has been greatly stimulated in recent years by the rapid development of X-ray methods for determining the crystallographic relationships of wrought and annealed materials. Prior to this time the knowledge regarding the directional properties of commercial alloys consisted almost exclusively of observations of a practical nature made during the fabrication of metal objects, supplemented by a limited number of mechanical tests on specimens cut at various angles to the direction of working. Such observations clearly indicate that the common methods of cold-working metals cause both a crystallographic and a mechanical fibering varying in character and degree according to the nature and extent of the deforming process. Even after annealing, following certain not too well known combinations of reductions and anneals, a preferred orientation may exist,, thereby constituting a residual fiber effect sufficiently pronounced to manifest directional properties. With the application of the X-ray the experimental horizon was extended chiefly because the study of anisotropic metals promised to offer direct and quantitative evidence regarding the involved mechanism of fragmentation and plastic flow. As a natural consequence the intensive studies in this direction have yielded a vast accumulation of data of ultimate potential value. Unfortunately, however, as is commonly the case in entering a virgin field of experimentation, many of the data cannot be molded into complete and coherent form because of the many unrelated conditions of the experimental projects. Again, the results of the study of single crystals have been rather naturally but at times indiscriminately applied to poly crystalline metals. Furthermore, sweeping statements have been made regarding the behavior during working and annealing of metals and alloys, entirely on the basis of similarity in lattice arrangement. There is abundant reason for believing that relatively small concentration variables, differences in magnitude and distribution of applied stresses, and the character of associated annealing treatments may in some cases greatly influence the mechanics of flow

Jan 1, 1933

By William R. Webster

The unusual interest taken in the papers on steel at the New York (1922) meeting showed that the time is ripe for the renewal of the general discussion of the physics of steel, on the same lines that wete used formerly and produced such good and lasting results. The curves shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and the appendix were added to my paper1 after the February meeting, but, unfortunately, Figs. 1 and 3 were transposed; the curves on page 252 are for bessemer steel and belong on page 254; while those on page 254 are for open-hearth steel and belong on page 252. These errors are evident at once on referring to the data in Tables 1 and 2, pages 227 and 228. The curves for each 0.05 per cent. of carbon and manganese in basic open-hearth steel are given in Figs. 1 and 2; these lines for the lower carbons and manganese are comparatively uniform. Figs. 3 and 4 give similar lines for carbon and manganese in bessemer steel. The large break in the carbon lines from 0.55 per cent. to 0.60 per cent. is caused by much higher silicon in the steels of 0.60 per cent, carbon and over that are used for springs, etc. The estimated ultimate strength of pure iron, and the increase in strength by carbon, phosphorus, and manganese, with the different views regarding the same, were given and diseussed. All of this can be considered as an introduction to the practical use that is now being made of such data in selecting the heats of steel best suited to give the required physical tests called for in the finished rolled material. The chemical composition of the steel, of course, tells only a part of the story, as many other factors that have an influence on the physical properties of the steel must be considered, and controlled as far as is possible. Some of these have already been referred to, but there are other important ones to be considered and discussed.

Jan 1, 1923

By Edmund Kirby

This meeting marks the point at which the long-standing dissatisfaction with the mineral-land laves, the innumerable protests against them, and the many isolated efforts to obtain relief, have developed into a general movement for the: revision. That part of the mining industry which is affected by these laws has three general organizations to speak for it: the American Institute of Mining Engineers, Mining and Metallurgical Society of America, and the American "A Mining Congress: all of which are represented in this meeting. In the series of able and thoughtful presented here, prominent men have discussed the evils of the present laws aid some of the reforms which should be made in them. We all appreciate fully the ultimate value of these studies; but we are also painfully aware of the fact that discussion of this kind has been going on for a quarter of a century without any other effect than a steady increase in the mass of printed records stored on library shelves. In order to get any practical result we must induce an indifferent government at Washington to act, and to do this we must unite in pushing some practical plan whereby it may act in a simple and effective way and with the least possible amount of criticism or opposition. The actual question before us is not whether the mining laws are bad; for their evils and absurdities are not only beyond discussion but also beyond the resources of a temperate and dignified vocabulary. It is not what particular changes ought to be made; for it is premature to make specific recommendations until there is some one to listen to them. Moreover, we all know that there are wisdom and experience enough available, and awaiting that time, for the creation of a code which would be a model to the mining world. The practical question now is, how to obtain the revision; and since the American Mining Congress has of late restricted its attention to this phase of the problem I wish as one of its representatives here to present its views upon the matter.

Jan 6, 1914

By C. K. Leith

MANGANESE is one of the minerals which is principally consumed in countries other than those of origin. Nearly 85 per cent of the pro-duction is used by the United States, England, Germany and France, and roughly a third of the total is used by the United States alone. On the other hand, over 85 per cent of the world production comes from Brazil, Russia, India, the Gold Coast of Africa, and the Sinai Peninsula. It follows from this fact that practically all manganese moves across international boundaries in raw or alloy form, and much the larger part of this movement is for considerable distances and is ocean borne. There is no indication that any one of the principal consuming countries can develop even approximately adequate supplies of its own. Under abnormal war conditions, with high prices and changes in metal-lurgical methods, only 35 per cent of the needs of the United States was met from local sources, and under our recent tariff only 11 per cent. There are thousands of manganese deposits scattered about the world, but only a very few which can figure largely in supplying requirements on a modern scale. The known reserves, together with highly probable extensions and explora-tions now under way, indicate no shortage from a world standpoint for many decades to come. The production and marketing of manganese is going steadily into fewer and stronger hands. The steel in-dustry uses over 90 per cent of all the manganese mined, and is acquiring control of a considerable part of the production in all of the principal fields-the Germans in Nikopol, the English in India and Gold Coast, the Americans in Georgia, India, Gold Coast and Brazil. Some of the controlling companies are of international scope. Concentration of commercial control is a notable tendency. A natural consequence is the growing un-easiness of smaller consumers the world over about their ultimate supplies and desire to know more definitely how and where manganese supplies will be controlled in the future. The sources of supply are few enough to warrant the belief that more or less monopolistic ele-ments of control are not impossible.

Jan 5, 1927

By N. V. Sujathkumar, I. Vasudhevan, R. Santhakumar

"Freshwater ornamental fish culture is gaining importance in India and cheaper and nutrient rich live foods such as infusorians, daphnids, copepods and tubifecids are needed urgently. In this regard, adequate research has been conducted to produce such live feeds through recycling of agriculture and animal wastes. By this venture, besides generation of additional income, environment is also kept clean. In order to popularise the technologies relating to production of live foods from wastes and generate employment opportunities, training programmes were conducted for 100 Self Help Group women belonging to Thoothukudi district. The topics of the training included, breeding of ornamental fishes by utilizing the building material wastes, production of live foods through recycling of agricultural and animal wastes. A study on feed back was conducted with 100 respondents represented from different villages. The variables such as socio economic status, economic motivation, usefulness of training and constraints were included in this study. The impact assessment of this training of rural women indicated that 79 percent respondents were in favour of using the training for self employment by utilizing different kinds of wastes. Similar training programmes have also been planned in other parts of Tamilnadu. Introduction Ornamental fish culture is one of the most appropriate sectors to provide opportunities of employment to uplift the status of rural women. To ensure women utilize their full potential in useful and profital activities like freshwater ornamental fish culture, it is necessary to provide training and support for rural women which will ultimately lead to empowerment. Self Help Group Women are being trained routinely in India on the production of live foods for ornamental fish culture through recycling of agricultural and animal wastes. In this regard, training programmes were organized for the Self Help Group Women on freshwater ornamental fish culture. Which is gaining much importance in India. Cheaper and nutrient rich live foods such as infusorians, daphnids, copepods and tubifecids are needed urgently. The techniques of live feed production through recycling of agricultural and animal wastes would not only generate additional income by would also keep the environment clean."

Jan 1, 2008

By William R. Webster

The unusual interest taken in the papers on steel at the New York (1922) meeting showed that the time is ripe for the renewal of the general discussion of the physics of steel, on the same lines that wete used formerly and produced such good and lasting results. The curves shown in Figs. 1 to 4 and the appendix were added to my paper1 after the February meeting, but, unfortunately, Figs. 1 and 3 were transposed; the curves on page 252 are for bessemer steel and belong on page 254; while those on page 254 are for open-hearth steel and belong on page 252. These errors are evident at once on referring to the data in Tables 1 and 2, pages 227 and 228. The curves for each 0.05 per cent. of carbon and manganese in basic open-hearth steel are given in Figs. 1 and 2; these lines for the lower carbons and manganese are comparatively uniform. Figs. 3 and 4 give similar lines for carbon and manganese in bessemer steel. The large break in the carbon lines from 0.55 per cent. to 0.60 per cent. is caused by much higher silicon in the steels of 0.60 per cent, carbon and over that are used for springs, etc. The estimated ultimate strength of pure iron, and the increase in strength by carbon, phosphorus, and manganese, with the different views regarding the same, were given and diseussed. All of this can be considered as an introduction to the practical use that is now being made of such data in selecting the heats of steel best suited to give the required physical tests called for in the finished rolled material. The chemical composition of the steel, of course, tells only a part of the story, as many other factors that have an influence on the physical properties of the steel must be considered, and controlled as far as is possible. Some of these have already been referred to, but there are other important ones to be considered and discussed.

Jan 1, 1923

By C. R. Breck

THERE has been a running discussion over the-past several years with respect to the life and adequacy of our natural gas reserves.. Some of the experts agree on one phase of the subject at least--that eventually it will be necessary to augment deliveries of natural gas in the northern markets by the development of a more or less comparable synthetic gas made from coal. The purpose of this paper is to point out: 1. It may be later than a good many people think-the demand for additional domestic and commercial pipeline gas in at least one section of the North will probably be felt rather keenly before an adequate synthetic pipeline-gas project, developed on economic lines, could be completed, even if ' initiated in the near future. 2. The evidence is considerable that such a project would be technically sound and economically self-supporting, although the margin of profit at first might be so small and the magnitude of an economic enterprise so great that financing would be impossible without Government aid in some form or other. The part of the country referred to is the heavily populated section in the northeast of the United States. To simplify an examination of the situation, let us take the potential marketing areas within range to the north and east of the three pipelines: 1. Tennessee Gas Transmission Co. as it enters Erie County, New York state. 2. Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation just before the tap that supplies the general Philadelphia area. 3. Transcontinental G& Pipe Line Corporation as it enters the state of New Jersey The sources of gas for these three pipelines are in Texas and Louisiana. The ultimate maximum combined capacity of the three lines at the points stated is approximately 1,200,000,000 cu ft per 24 hr at the maximum load factor probable of attainment in normal operation. The areas supplied by the three lines north and east of the points stated, or assumed as eventual markets, are: 1. Central New York state, from Buffalo to Albany (both inclusive).

Jan 1, 1953

By Jerome Alexander

IT is an outstanding fact of Nature that many of the practical properties of substances are dependent, not on their ultimate chemical composition, but on the kind and degree of aggregation of their constituent particles. Thus, a granite boulder is unmoved by wind or water, but if reduced to a fine dust it will be blown about by the wind and washed away by the rain. Carbon in one crystalline state of aggregation (diamond) is the hardest known substance, whereas in another crystalline state (graphite) it is so soft that it is used as a lubricant. Laying too much stress on the mere chemical analysis of substances is apt to obscure the fact that the nature of the aggregation of their particles is always a factor of importance, and sometimes the most important factor. Colloid chemistry deals with matter in. a very fine state of subdivision; its sphere begins with particles just a little smaller than a wave length of light-and extends clown until they blend into molecular dimensions. With particles of this size; such phenomena as surface tension and adsorption, which depend on the development of free surface, become enormously magnified. Thus a cube of 1 cm. edge has a surface of only 6 sq. cm.; but if it is reduced to colloidal dimensions by being cut up into cubes each having an edge of 0.01 , (0.00001 mm.), it will yield one million, million, million (1,000,000,000,000,000,000) such cubes, having a combined area of 600 sq. in., or 21,274 sq. ft. The tiny force with which a drop of rain clings to the window pane becomes a. factor to be reckoned with, if the surface involved is increased millions of times. From the colloid-chemical viewpoint, metals and alloys may be regarded as jellies or sponge-like structures, the viscosity or stiffness of which at ordinary temperatures is exceedingly great; and like all jellies their properties are dependent on the composition and degree of dispersion of their constituent phases. These, in turn, depend on chemical composition, mutual solubility, speed of chilling, subsequent mechanical and heat treatment, etc In fact, in preparing metals and

Jan 2, 1919

By Walter Miller

Advancement in engineering in the refining industry during 1933 might be likened to the jagged flame of a poor wick-test kerosene—a few outstanding high spots, but not broadly spectacular. Economic conditions were unsatisfactory for the first six or eight months, but the improvement in the latter part of the year had some immediate effect in stimulating new designing and building. The national legislative program involving the industry drew the attention of executives away from petroleum technology to some extent. The National Recovery Act, and its offspring, the Petroleum Code, demanded deep and continued study to put the machinery into smooth motion. From a purely technical engineering stand, therefore, the emergency measures might be considered a temporary brake on progress. The ultimate effect, if the whole industry can get back "out of the red," may well be a more than expected advance. Of course, petroleum technologists and engineers, including both those engaged within and those busy in designing and building for the industry, continued their efforts, and much of the results of their work will undoubtedly see the light of day under the improved economic conditions, which bid fair to stay with us. There was little improvement during 1933 in atmospheric distillation, sweetening processes, or furnace design, but experimentation during the year on these subjects may materialize into distinct advances. The trend toward compact distilling and fractionating equipment, especially in the Appalachian district, deserves noting. A number of refineries in that district replaced obsolete shell still units with up-to-date tube stills and efficient fractionating towers, both for the better separation of lubricating fractions from the crude and for improving the boiling range of the gasoline. A number of small skimming and topping plants in flush fields, such as East Texas, which felt the pinch of production control, were forced to shut down, but the stronger among them are consolidating their positions by installing cracking equipment and in some cases more modern crude-distillation units. Motor Fuel For the first time in many years a reviewer is able to point to at least a temporary cessation in the competitive race in the manufacturing

Jan 1, 1934

By Gary P. Thomason

INTRODUCTION One may have heard about how various projects were financed or certain companies were successful in obtaining a bank loan, but there are many more projects and companies who fail to get the money they need. At least a portion of these failures, and a large percentage of the frustrations connected with even the successful financings, are a result of not understanding the process of obtaining money. Recent years have seen a proliferation of debt financing sources available to finance minerals operations (see the next Chapter 11), but these represent only a minor portion of the minerals financing market. The fundamental source of borrowed money to many minerals related companies remains the banks. Therefore, understanding the "Loan Approval Process" can easily mean the difference between getting the money or not. LOAN APPROVAL PROCESS The initial stages of the loan approval process should begin long before the bankers, and the organizations they represent, enter upon the scene. The loan approval can be broken down into six stages: 1) Generation 2) Preparation 3) Presentation 4) Evaluation 5) Approval 6) Documentation As you can see in Figure 1, the bank is only directly involved in the second half of the process. The perils in obtaining financing for the smaller minerals venture are primarily in the first three stages, not the last three. The minerals venture making application for a loan can, in almost every case, improve its chances of success by carefully planning and preparing itself and the information that will be required of it in the loan approval process. Generation This first step in the process is deciding on the need for a loan. (Earlier papers in this Book and in Chapter 11 provide some guidance.) It is surprising how many ventures confuse the need for money with the need for a loan. Suffice to say that the equity investor risks both the timing of the yield on his capital and, ultimately, his capital. The lender, on the other hand, advances temporary funds which he expects to be repaid on a specific schedule with a fixed

Jan 1, 1985

By Dell H. Adams

COAL EXPLORATION Coal exploration may be defined as the acquisition of data necessary to define and acquire a block of coal which can be mined at a profit. Unlike ore minerals, coal resources are widespread and relatively abundant with supply exceeding demand in almost every case. Thus simple discovery of coal is generally not enough. The chemical and physical variability of individual coal seams, the capital intensive nature of coal mine development, and the changing patterns of utilization require that a multiphase, three-dimensional evaluation be made of each potential reserve. Factors which must be investigated include not only the quantity and quality of the coal but also the geologic, hydrologic, and engineering characteristics of the seam and its surrounding strata. Acquisition of property to provide a secure base for exploration and mine development is equal in importance to the geologic and engineering programs. The successful development of a coal reserve requires that control of coal and, in the case of a strip mine, the surface be in the form of contiguous blocks of sufficient size to support mining. PHASES OF EXPLORATION The high capital risks of coal exploration and land acquisition dictate that a multiphase program be utilized to minimize initial risk. In such a program, phased development of the data insures that each increase in capital expenditures will be justified by a corresponding increase in the level of confidence in the ultimate success of the project. Each phase is designed to provide sufficient data and property control to facilitate the decision whether to proceed to the next phase of development or to discontinue the program (Table 1). The first phase of a typical exploration program consists of a pre-

Jan 1, 1981

By Damon H. McFadden

5.1-1. Geographic and Geologic Factors. Surface mines are located where the coal seam can be economically uncovered and where the product can be utilized competitively with other fuels. The planning and designing of a pit may follow various procedures. The sequence for consideration of the influential factors as considered here may not be complete for every pit, nor will it be necessary to be completely used in each design. It is suggested as a check and outline for the engineering approach. Controlling conditions for the layout should be listed and considered with the facilities and equipment for the exploitation. After these items, as listed below, have been discussed and the feasibility agreed upon, then the actual planning and design of the pit can be done. GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES. The location of the coal area sets the climatic stage. The rainfall, the temperature extremes, and the general weather conditions all affect the design of the pit. Overburden soil when wet may not be stackable and may be impossible to move by standard procedures. The coal seam itself may be so soft that it must not be traveled on when wet, as the losses may be the difference between a profitable venture and an unsuccessful one. Some equipment will work well on dry soil only, just as a dredge works only in the wet. The conditions must be checked and analyzed. Some equipment cannot handle frozen soil (wheel excavators), so temperature extremes must be noted. The extreme weather conditions may also govern the expected working days and therefore the ultimate production. The altitude (atmospheric pressure) may affect the equipment, and this should be checked. All of these conditions should be noted on the preliminary map of the area. GEOLOGIC FACTORS. The geologic and surface conditions of the coal field dictate the type of pit generally feasible. Rough terrain, rolling terrain,

Jan 1, 1968