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By W. L. Falke, A. A. Cochran

Vast deposits of low-grade manganese ore exist in the United States, yet domestic production is insignificant compared to the more than 2 million tons of ore imported yearly into this country.1 A basic problem in connection with manganese is to find economical ways to utilize domestic resources.2 As a part of its program to conserve domestic mineral resources and to reduce dependence on foreign sources, the U.S. Bureau of Mines has conducted extensive research to broaden manganese technology and to find economical processes for recovering manganese from these low-grade resources. Although a great many processes have been proposed for treating domestic manganese resources, a failing of many of them is that too many steps are involved for economical operation.2 Some of the major processes that have been proposed were reviewed by Norman and Kirby.3,4

Jan 3, 1967

By E. C. Herkenhoff

THIS subject may be controversial. Personal preferences influence the final selection of cyclones, and side issues such as costs, floor areas, head room, and ease of replacing worn parts all enter the picture, but the following comments and data should apply to most cyclone selection problems. Broadly, the uses for cyclones in wet classification may be divided into three fields: 1) Open circuit operation, for two products, in which feed rate and sizing vary and the products vary. For example, feed may be divided into a sand product and a slime product. 2) Open circuit operation, for two products, in which feed varies, one product to have constant sizing. This calls for adjustment in either the apex or the vortex aperture. 3) Closed circuit operation, the finished product to have constant sizing. Most classification jobs fall in this category.

Jan 8, 1957

Jan 1, 1906

Jan 1, 1943

By AIME

The Taconites Are Ready, the editorial appearing on P. 933 of the September issue, has provoked comment from several informed engineers to the effect that the indicated profit margin was considerably exaggerated. The cost figures in the editorial, taken from the Congressional Record, were characterized as inaccurate by some correspondents. The theme of the story was, however, substantiated in the announcement (P. 1023, October) that Republic and Armco had joined forces in a $160 million project for taconite development. Chief among the dissenters was E. W. Davis, , Director of the Mines Experiment Station at the University of Minnesota. Mr. Davis has worked up the following set of cost figures:

Jan 1, 1950

By Douglas R. Shaw

Normal dodecyl mercaptan was evaluated as a collector for flotation of sulfide minerals and precious metals. The reagent is from the class of normal mercaptoalkanes (n-alkyl thiols), and is commercially available in the form of a mixture of n-dodecyl mercaptan, the primary constituent, and a water-soluble dispersant, under the trade name Pennfloat™ 3. * Reported are results of bench-scale flotation experiments on many commercially treated base metal and precious metal sulfide ores. Dosages, points of addition, and flotation pH were among the variables studied. Most notable results were increased copper, molybdenum, and precious metals recoveries. Dosages of dodecyl mercaptan on some ores were considerably lower than required for conventional collectors. The reagent was shown to be a highly effective and versatile collector on virtually all of the more than 30 sulfide ore types examined.

Jan 1, 1982

By R. L. Thayer, D. L. Auer

A review of bentonite production and quality control methods, is presented along with an update on techniques employed by the bentonite industry. This paper also includes an overview of bentonite market demands and long-range supply with resulting emphasis on changes in bentonite testing methods required to utilize existing reserves.

Jan 10, 1979

By Oscar Glaeser

THE United Verde Copper Company's mine is at Jerome, Ariz. The orebodies are of the schist replacement type, the main sulfide mass being a large lens-shaped body approximately 7 acres in cross-sectional area. In general, the mineralization is found along the iron schist contact, with the orebodies extending about 1000 ft. along this contact and varying from a few feet to 250 ft. in width. Three types of ore are mined; schist porphyry and the so-called "heavy" or "massive sulfide" ore. Approximately 50 per cent. of the total tonnage mined at present is of the latter class. A representative analysis of this ore indicates 42 to 46 per cent. sulfur. Because of the high sulfur content, blasting in this ore is an extremely hazardous operation. Not only does it endanger the lives of men who may be in the mine at blasting time but it also becomes a potential fire menace when timber is in close proximity to shots being fired in these massive sulfides. The origin of the fires of 38 years ago, embers of which are glowing to this day, may perhaps be attributed to dust explosions due to blasting in the massive sulfides of those, early square-set stopes.

Jan 1, 1930

By AIME AIME

In taking account of stock, on the occasion of the recent removal of the office of the Institute, it was found that pamphlet copies of the papers named in the list given below were on hand, in excess of the average number deemed adequate for future casual demand. Special reduced rates will be made for these surplus copies to members applying promptly. "First come; first Served." Author. Title. Ref. No. ASHBURNER, C. A. " Petroleum and Natural Gas in New York State." 273 MARTENS, A. "The Microstructure of Ingot¬ Iron and Cast Ingots." 626

Jan 1, 1907

By Ralph H. Sweetser

To control the slag in an iron blast furnace is to control the quality of the pig iron produced (and to a certain extent the tonnage), and to control the whole operation of the furnace itself, including a large part of the cost of production. The character of the slag is the determining factor in the character of the pig iron as to the controllable limits of sulfur, silicon, and, to a certain extent, the manganese; it has an influence on the proportions of combined and graphitic carbons.

Jan 1, 1935

By Ralph H. Sweetser

To control the slag in an iron blast furnace is to control the quality of the pig iron produced (and to a certain extent the tonnage), and to control the whole operation of the furnace itself, including a large part of the cost of production. The character of the slag is the determining factor in the character of the pig iron as to the controllable limits of sulfur, silicon, and, to a certain extent, the manganese; it has an influence on the proportions of combined and graphitic carbons.

Jan 1, 1935

By Earl Oliver

Superficial observation of the petroleum stabilization movement in 1932 is disappointing. Threatened overproduction persisted; waste continued; proration was violated; gasoline taxes were evaded; and, as a consequence, chaos threatened the industry as the year drew to a close. However, comparison of the movement in 1932 with its beginning a few years ago, and analyses of those influences that promote its growth as well as those which retard it, disclose some reasons for encouragement. Stabilization, as we see it, is not merely a mechanical engineering problem. It involves social engineering. By which we do not mean it is possible, or even desirable, to change the nature of men, but rather that it is possible to set up procedure that will avoid causing them to clash. It comprehends consideration of physical objects that is clearly within the field of the engineer, but it considers them only in relation to their distribution, utilization and control in harmony with philosophies that motivate men and shape current conceptions of right and wrong, or of justice and injustice if those terms be deemed more acceptable. Stabilization cannot be effected without utilizing the knowledge of the engineer, but neither can it be effected without utilizing more than comes within his traditional field of activity. In discussing the problem herein we shall endeavor to treat it briefly from that consolidated viewpoint. Rapid fluctuations in supply have characterized the oil industry from its beginning; yet only within the past ten years has an understanding begun to develop regarding the extent of waste—the degree of dissipation of natural resources—that attends the operation of the industry under the practices and laws which control it in the United States. The extent and regrettable consequences of those wastes, their underlying causes and the ease with which they could be prevented are not yet generally understood even within the industry. Producing TomoRRow' s Oil Today The interests detrimentally affected by these economic evils are vastly greater than the mere welfare of the oil industry. The problem involves the nation's supply of gasoline and other petroleum products at

Jan 1, 1933

By H. R. Froning, R. O. Leach

In wertability alteration flooding, a chemical agent is rnoved through a reservoir by the flood water to increase oil recovery by decreasing the degree of wetting of the rock by the oil. Substantial amounts of the chemical may be lost during movement through the reservoir. The extent of the loss, and therefore the economics of the process, depends in some cases on factors which are difficult to reproduce in the laboratory. Therefore, a short-duration, low-cost field test method is needed to permit evaluation of chemical requirements under actual field conditions. This paper describes a small scale rest conducted at a single well for measuring chemical requirements, thereby giving a more reliable evaluation of this important factor in the applicability and economics of the process. In the rest a small wafer slug containing the chemical agent and a nonadsorbed tracer is displaced into the reservoir by a known volume of wafer. The well is then placed on producrion. Chemical loss per barrel of pore volume contacted is calculated from [he fractional recoveries of the agent tested and the nonadsorbed tracer. The method has been used to determine within the actual reservoirs the chemical requirements for both a sandstone and a dolomite reservoir. Several chemical agents are potentially available for wettability alteration flooding, although none is universally applicable. For some applications of the method, chemical costs per barrel of additional oil recovered can be substantially less than one dollar. INTRODUCTION Wettability alteration flooding provides a means of increasing oil recovery from reservoirs by decreasing the degree of wetting of the rock by the oil and increasing the displacement efficiency of the flood water. Earlier studies demonstrated a relationship between oil recovery during waterflooding and the degree of wetting of a rock surface by an oil. The application of wettability alteration flooding to the Harrisburg field of Nebraska provided a field test' of this recovery process. Subsequently, additional laboratory and field tests have developed additional procedures for evaluating wettability alteration flooding, and have indicated where the process may be applicable. Applicability of this process to specific reservoirs is determined by a progression of tests to determine sus- ceptibility of the reservoir to alteration of its wettability, to indicate the degree of recovery improvement and to estimate the amount of chemical required to process the reservoir. The economics of applying improved oil recovery processes depends not only upon the degree of improvement in oil recovery achievable by the process but also upon the process costs and the timing of the income and the investment. Emphasis in this paper is on the expenditure aspects of the process. The work reported in this paper indicates that the chemical investments required for wettability alteration flooding are substantial. For evaluating the economics of a potential flooding application it is imperative that a sound estimate of the chemical requirements be made for the reservoir. Generally, true reservoir conditions are not adequately simulated in laboratory chemical propagation tests. Because of wide well spacings, many years might be required to obtain chemical propagation data from conventional pilots or inter-well tests. Consequently, n short-duration, low-cost method is needed to determine chemical requirements in the field. The potential applicability of wettability alteration flooding is discussed, as well as the economics of wettability alteration with respect to the inherent and imposed restrictions on the timing of income and investments. DETERMINATION OF CHEMICAL REQUIREMENTS In the process of moving a chemical bank through reservoir rock, some of the chemical agent lags too far behind the flood front to be effective or is otherwise lost to the reservoir system. The extent to which these losses occur overshadows the reductions in chemical concentration due to diffusion and to mixing with the reservoir fluids. Experience indicates that almost without exception, chemicals which induce a wetting change undergo either sorption reactions or chemical reactions with mineral constituents of the pore surfaces. Other reactions may occur between the added chemical and the reservoir oil and water. Even in limiting consideration to reactions of the relatively inexpensive inorganic salts, bases and acids, the reactions may be exceedingly complex. Reservoir pore surfaces consist of more than silica in sandstone reservoirs, and more than calcite or dolomite in carbonate reservoirs. Many mineral species are present, each exhibiting specific tendencies to react with an injected chemical. The reactions which occur can consume enough of the agent to have an important effect on economics. These reactions can cause a change in pH of the chemical bank, or may remove some of the active chemical by precipitation, adsorption or reaction to form a new chemical which may or may not be effective in

By Theron Wasson

The Central Michigan area held first place in the state during the year. Midland and Isabella, the leading counties in 1932, produced most of the oil in 1933. The Porter field southeast of Mt. Pleasant and along the same structural trend saw the greatest drilling activity. In Porter during the year 117 new wells were drilled. Under proration these wells produced 3,583,617 bbl., or nearly one-half the total for the state, which has been estimated at 7,947,695 bbl. The Porter field is already outlined on all sides except the northwest. It probably reached its peak in 1933. Unless a new field of some magnitude is developed in 1934, Michigan will see a continuous decline. The Greendale extension to the old Mt. Pleasant field furnished the new flush for 1932. In 1933

Jan 1, 1934

By Takahide Wakamatsu, Douglas W. Fuerstenau

Contact angles on alumina are related directly to the adsorption of alkyl sulfonates at the solid-water interface and thus are strongly controlled by the pH of the solution, the concentration of surfactant, and the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. As the pH of the solution is increased above the point of zero charge, sulfonate adsorption ceases and alumina remains hydrophilic. However, in neutral and acidic solutions, contact angles increase markedly in magnitude when the adsorbed sulfonate ions form hemimicelles at the solid-water interface. Under a wide variety of solution conditions, a limiting value of the contact angle is attained at the point of reversal of the zeta potential. Finally, contact angle phenomena are empirically correlated with the sulfonate adsorption density through the work of adhesion.

Jan 1, 1974

By Stephen Birch

THE Chitina mining district of Alaska is located at the headwaters of the Chitina and Copper Rivers. At present, the only producing min-ing properties are the mines of the Kennecott Copper Corpn. and the Mother Lode Coalition Co., which are situated 196 miles from Cordova the port of entry. The first claims, later acquired by the Kennecott Mines Co. and afterwards transferred to the Kennecott Copper Corpn., were discovered in 1900. The Copper River & Northwestern Ry., which connects the mines with tide water at Cordova, was completed in the spring of 1911. Contemporary with the construction of the railroad, aerial tram equipment was brought to the mines by pack train and a tramway, 3 miles, long, connecting Bonanza mine with the proposed railroad terminal, was finished, enabling shipments of high-grade ore to be made immediately on the completion of the railroad. A mill to treat the lower grade ore was begun the same year. The Kennecott company's holdings consist of 111 mineral claims. The Mother Lode Coalition Mines Co., which is controlled by the Kennecott Copper Corpn., owns 73 claims adjoining the Kennecott holdings. All data on operations and geology refer equally well to the Mother Lode property.

Jan 1, 1924

By J. D. Bateman

At Giant Yellowknife, where high grade gold-bearing orebodies are highly irregular in shape, geology has been applied extensively to the mining of ore. The classical functions of the mine geologist in the fields of exploration and mine development have been extended to guide ore extraction, ensuring "clean" mining and effectively reducing waste dilution.

Jan 12, 1951

By W. B. Mather

Arkansas' nonmetalliferous deposits are of many different types. The principal types briefly described in this paper are: clays, shales and slates; silica deposits; limestone and dolomite; barite; gypsum; celestite; nepheline syenite; greensand; phosphate; vermiculite; fuller's earth; bentonite; diamonds; sand and gravel. The future development of these deposits is expected to effect profoundly the industrial development of the state.

Jan 5, 1950

By Milan Lipensky

A variation of the longwall retreat system using friction props developed in coal mining is used extract a sedimentary manganese deposit at the San Francisco mine, Autlan, Jalisco, Mex. The Compania Minera Autlan, operating the mine, is partially owned by Bethlehem Steel Co. Roof control problems under a number of mining and strata conditions that defied uniform theoretical approaches led to a variety of experimental approaches that subsequently resulted in practical mining systems. Geologically, the area is one of considerable volcanic activity. The rocks are nearly flat-lying to moderately dipping conglomerate, tuff beds, inter-bedded porphyritic sills and felsitic lava flows. The formations overlying the manganese horizon are badly fractured and vary in thickness from 50 ft at the collar to 1400 ft in the deeper parts of the mine.

Jan 12, 1964

Jan 1, 1951