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alinement clamp

A setscrew-equipped, universal-type clamp from one side of which a slotted
angle-iron wand, about 18 in (45.7 cm) long, extends outward from a
clamping device at 90 degrees . May be made to fit any size drill rod and
is used in pairs, leapfrog fashion, to orient successive rods in a
specific compass direction as these are lowered into a borehole being
surveyed by the acid-bottle method. By this means, the bearing and
inclination of a drill hole may be determined in formation or under
conditions where a Maas- or other-type magnetic compass cannot be used.
Long

aliphatic

Of, relating to, or derived from fat; fatty; acyclic. Applied to a large
class of organic compounds characterized by an open-chain structure and
consisting of the paraffin, olefin, and acetylene hydrocarbons and their
derivatives (as the fatty acids). Webster 3rd

alipite

A discredited term referring to massive apple-green, hydrated
magnesium-nickel silicate similar to genthite.

alisonite

A massive, deep indigo-blue copper-lead sulfide, Cu2 S.PbS . It
contains 53.63% copper and 28.25% lead. Tarnishes quickly. Hess

Aliva concrete sprayer

A compressed-air machine for spraying concrete on the roof and the sides
of mine roadways. Used in coal mines for the fireproofing of roadways, for
reducing air leakages, and for spraying tunnels supported by roof bolts.
See also:guniting; gunite. Nelson

alive

Said of coal when it makes a rustling sound as it bursts, cracks, and
breaks off while under pressure. The rising of methane from the coal
causes a similar sound. CF:dead

alkali

a. Any strongly basic substance, such as a hydroxide or carbonate of an
alkali metal (e.g., sodium, potassium). Plural: alkalies. Adj. alkaline;
alkalic. Said of silicate minerals that contain alkali metals but little
calcium; e.g., the alkali feldspars. AGI
b. Any substance having marked basic properties; i.e., being capable of
furnishing to its solution or other substances the hydroxyl ion, OH (super
-) . Stokes

alkali bentonite

A bentonite containing easily exchangeable alkali cations and having
original properties that are not permanently destroyed by the action of
sulfuric acid, but can be restored by treatment with an alkali salt
followed by regulated dialysis. This group includes Wyoming-type bentonite
and other similar bentonites. Davis

alkalic

a. Said of an igneous rock that contains more alkali metals than is
considered average for the group of rocks to which it belongs. AGI
b. Said of an igneous-rock series that contains more sodium and/or
potassium than is required to form feldspar with the available silica.
AGI
c. Said of an igneous-rock series containing less than 51% silica when the
weight percentages of CaO and of K2 O + Na2 O are equal.
AGI
d. Said of an igneous rock belonging to the Atlantic suite. Syn:alkali;
alkaline. AGI

alkalic feldspar

See:alkali feldspar

alkali earth

One of a group of elements (Group II) forming divalent cations; esp.
calcium, strontium, and barium, but also includes beryllium, magnesium,
and radium.

alkali feldspar

a. Those feldspars composed of mixtures or crystal solutions of potassium
feldspar, KAlSi3 O8 , and sodium feldspar, NaAlSi3 O
8 , with little or no calcium feldspar, CaAl2 Si2 O
8 .
b. The subgroup of the feldspar group including albite, anorthoclase,
microcline, orthoclase, and sanidine. Syn:alkalic feldspar
CF:plagioclase

alkali flat

A level area or plain in an arid or semiarid region, encrusted with alkali
salts that became concentrated by evaporation and poor drainage; a salt
flat. See also:playa

alkali garnet

A general term for members of the sodalite group that are closely related
crystallographically and chemically to the true garnets. English

alkali granite

a. A coarse-grained, plutonic rock carrying free quartz and alkali
feldspar. CMD
b. A granitoid rock with accessory sodic amphibole or sodic pyroxene.

alkali-lime series

Igneous rocks that contain soda-lime (plagioclase) feldspars. Hess

alkali metal

A metal in group IA of the periodic system; namely, lithium, sodium,
potassium, rubidium, cesium, and francium. They form strong alkaline
hydroxides; hence, the name. Syn:alkaline metal

alkalimeter

a. An apparatus for measuring the strength or the amount of alkali in a
mixture or solution. Webster 3rd
b. An apparatus for measuring the amount of carbon dioxide (as that
liberated from a weighed sample of carbonate-containing material by
reaction with acid). Webster 3rd

alkaline

Adj. of alkali. See:alkalic

alkaline-earth bentonite

A bentonite containing easily exchangeable alkaline-earth cations and,
either before or after acid treatment, capable of being made to assume
properties of an alkali bentonite by treatment with an alkali salt
followed by regulated dialysis.

alkaline-earth metal

A metal in group IIA of the periodic system; namely, beryllium, magnesium,
calcium, strontium, barium, and radium; so called because the oxides or
earths of calcium, strontium, and barium were found by the early chemists
to be alkaline in reaction. ASM, 1