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By Homer G. Turner

Coals, other than anthracite, have been so thoroughly studied under the microscope during recent years, that we now know what kinds of plants and what parts of plants form the bulk of lower rank coals from peat to bituminous coal. The microscope has also shown the state of preservation of such vegetation as well as the nature and distribution of products of plant decay. These and further details have been ascertained mainly through the employment of two methods of attack, section cutting and maceration. Anthracite has failed to respond to these methods, so well adapted to the study of lower rank coals and, therefore, has been neglected by investigators to such an extent that there is much doubt as to its microscopical characteristics. The object of this paper is to lift anthracite from its realm of obscurity by demonstrating the wealth of microscopical detail that is revealed when reflected light is used on a properly polished and etched surface and, further, to show the relationship between anthracite and bituminous coal. Technique The method adopted in this investigation is similar to that described in an earlier paper.' Because of slight modifications recently made, the process is again described. It consists, briefly, of etching a polished surface of coal with heat. Although pieces of various sizes and shapes are used, blocks of coal about 2 or 3 cm. square take the most uniform polish and are large enough to be handled with ease. Larger pieces can be used if one has the equipment for polishing them and they rnay be desirable when one wishes to study some particular form that extends for some distance through the coal. Large surfaces, however, require greater care in polishing and etching; for this reason, they are not recommended for ordinary work.

Jan 1, 1925

By R. L. Templin

THE increasing use of aluminum and its alloys in commercial fields has demanded a better understanding of their machining properties. This fact is exemplified by problems that have arisen in the automotive and airplane industries, but many in other fields might be cited. As pure aluminum and its alloys in their various commercial conditions show appreciable differences in their machining properties, it is not surprising that quite divergent solutions have been offered for the machining problems encountered. However, if the fundamental requirements of the most suitable cutting tools for these metals are understood, these machining problems lend themselves more readily to satisfactory solutions. Since the machining of free cutting brass and mild steel is understood by most persons accustomed to working these metals, it may serve our purpose better to first make a general comparison of the tools more commonly used in machining these metals with the tools most suitable for machining aluminum, then proceed to a more specific discussion of the individual stools.

Jan 1, 1927

By R. F. Mehl, C. S. Barrett, A. H. Geisler

THE mechanism by which the super-saturated solid solution of 20 per cent silver in aluminum decomposes has been reported in two previous publications. 1,2 The analysis of streaks in Laue photograms showed that thin platelike particles (the so-called Guinier-Preston aggregates) form upon {111} matrix planes in the early state of decomposition.1 The size of these particles is larger, the higher the temperature at which they form in accordance with nucleation theory;3 at all temperatures they increase in size with aging.2 When they have grown thick enough to afford three-dimensional diffraction, powder X-ray photograms show that the structure is not that of the equilibrium precipitate y but that of a transition lattice ?'. Since this is also platelike in shape and also lies upon the {111} matrix planes with the {110} direction in the matrix parallel to the {11.0} direction in ?', it seems likely that the original platelet particles are merely ?' in an early stage of formation, and thus finely dispersed. The atomic spacing and pattern on the {00.0} plane in ?' are identical with those on the {111} matrix plane to which it lies parallel, and since comparable directions in the two planes are parallel, the lattices are thus coherent at the interface; an analogous coherence has been found in aluminum-copper alloys.3 The structures ?' and y are both close-packed hexagonal and are oriented alike; they differ only in interatomic distances. Consequently, ? ' is regarded as y strained from its ordinary dimensions by the lattice coherency between it and the matrix.2 The lattice movements that transform the matrix to the equilibrium precipitate appear to be very simple.2 The mechanism of precipitation in this system is simpler and is more precisely known than that in any other system,2,4 hence the system should be a profitable one for the difficult task of correlating property changes with structural alterations. The present report provides additional studies on powder X-ray diffraction from alloys of 10 per cent, 20 per cent and 30 per cent Ag, and presents the correlation of crystallographic changes with changes in microstructure, Brinell hardness and electrical resistivity of the three alloys. PREPARATION OF SAMPLES AND EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The preparation of the 20.2 per cent Ag alloy has been described.2 Alloys containing 9.9 and 29.7 per cent Ag were prepared from 99.97 per cent Al and 99.99+ per cent Ag using a similar procedure. Rolled

Jan 1, 1943

Prof. G. W. MAYNARD, New York City (communication to the Secretary): Prof. Christy, in his admirable paper on "The Growth of American Mining Schools," has overlooked the work done by the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in its department of mining and metallurgy. This oversight is naturally due to the fact that the department was, for lack of money, discontinued in 1871. It was organized by the writer in 1867, starting with ten students, who had already completed the first two years of the civil engineering course in the Institute. The course covered two years, specifically devoted to mining, metallurgy and assaying, which, in connection with the two years' drill in the civil engineering department made a four years' course. During the four years of the existence of the department, thirty-five students took the course, of whom twentyfive graduated; and of this number eight have been members of the Institute of Mining Engineers, and the majority of them have occupied high positions in the profession. The equipment of the department was, at that time, second only to that of the Columbia School of Mines. As Prof. Christy has cited other institutions which are not distinctively mining schools, but in which the ruining course was subordinate to other courses, it seems to me that the work in this line carried out by the oldest engineering school in the country may very properly be referred to. In addition to the regular mining course, a special course in assaying was given; and many young men were here prepared for positions in the mines and metallurgical works of the west. PROF. George F. Swain, Boston, Mass.: I have listened with great interest to Prof. Christy's valuable paper, but there is one conclusion at which he arrives that appears to me entirely unjustifiable, and to which I desire to take exception. Prof. Christy finds that of the total wage-earners in the United States in 1880,10.41 per cent. were employed in " trade and transport;" 20.24 per cent. in " manufactures and mechanics," and 1.83

Jan 1, 1894

By Arthur Crowfoot

Page IntRodUction ................... The Round Table in Lake Superior Practice .........420 Early Use of Revolving Round Table in Butte District...... Use oF the Round Table at GREat Falls foR Sand-Slime Feed ., . The Round Table for Fine Slime........,.... Construction of Slime Plant at Great Falls..... '..... 424 Tests on Wood, Linoleum, and Cement Decks.........426 Central Feed Apron Removed ....'......... Re-treatment of Round-Table Tailing........... Determination of Conditions for Round-Table Treatment of Slimcs ... 430 Variation in Slope of Round-Table Deck........ ,... The Steel-Frame Cement-Deck Round Table ........ Tests on Cement and Canvas Dock Surfaces ..: ..... Conoidal Deck Round Tables............. Results with Sand-Slime Feed on Conoidal Deck....... Conclusions from Preliminary Tests on Conoidal and Conical Decks ... 446 Discussion of Results of Four-Day Test on Conical and Conoidal Decks . 452 Discussion of Results of Eight-Day Test.......... Qualitative Sampling of Concentrates Across Conical Deck.... Summary of Slime-Plant Practice............ Suggested Flow Sheet for Slime Classification and Treatment.... Conclusion...................467 Introduction The principal object of this paper is 60 presest, data on the development of the revolving convex round table as a concentrator for the through 0.07-mm. slimes from the ores of the Butte district, although some brief notes on the earliest recorded use of this type of concentrating table in the ore-dressing plants of the Lake Superior region and of the Butte district are also presented. The revolving convex round table belongs to the class of concentrating tables known as film-sizing. tables, these tables using the relative transporting power of a film, or thin sheet of water, as it flows over a quiet inclined surface, to separate the minerals of a sorted product. The grains of heavy mineral move down the slope of the table deck slowly, or, in some cases, not at all, after the initial force of the feed entry VOL. XLIX.—27

Jan 1, 1915

By Leonard Grimshaw

DIFFUSION Of carbon from gases into iron has been the object of much research, because of its long recognized importance in carburizing processes, but the direct diffusion of carbon from steel into iron has received relatively little attention. Because of the increasing use of clad metals in industry, direct diffusion from steel into iron is becoming of practical importance. Therefore, the object of this investigation was to study the diffusion of carbon from several different kinds of steel directly into relatively pure iron, realizing that elements in the steels other than carbon might influence the rate of carbon diffusion. The previous work on diffusion of carbon into iron has been consider-able, and includes many reports in foreign languages. This work has recently been well reviewed by Mehl1 and Krynitsky,2 and the reader is referred to their excellent bibliographies.

Jan 1, 1937

By Byron M. Bird

JIGGING is the stratification of a mass of solid particles in upward pulsations of water or in alternating upward and downward pulsa¬tions. The stratification usually is effected in a rectangular open¬top container having a perforated bottom through which the pulsations of water are applied to the materials to be separated; in separating coal, to a mass of coal and refuse. Jigging usually is a continuous process involving three steps: (1) the reception of the raw coal, (91) the stratification of the coal and refuse so that the refuse settles to the screen plate, and (3) the overflow of the cleaned coal and the withdrawal of the refuse collected on the screen. The jig is the most universal washer ever devised. It is handling in practice a wide range of closely sized coals and ores, mixed sizes of coal from 8-in. to 0 through %-in. to 0, and mixed sizes of ores down to %3 O-in. to 0 and even smaller. It is treating materials ranging in specific gravity from that of gold at 19 to that of coal at 1.30. It is handling feeds in which the proportions of high-gravity materials range from 90 per cent or higher, as for some iron ores, to 10 percent or less for some coals. It is handling feeds containing all shapes of particles-round, rectangular, and flat. It is handling simple separation problems and difficult separation problems. Thus, it is an almost universal separating device. One might add that it has been one of the most misunderstood types of washers, from both a theoretical and a practical point of view. Although con¬siderable progress has been made in coal jigging in the past 10 years, the jig probably has more unexplored possibilities than any other type of washer. In this chapter the object has been to treat the jigging process in a practical manner and to give information that will help the reader to improve his particular operation. Inasmuch as performance data from operating plants would contribute little of value, none has been given. Instead, the emphasis is upon jigging principles as a foundation for attacking the problems that arise. These principles are in reality tenta¬tive conclusions from research in the field of jigging during the past 10 years and most of this chapter should be regarded as a progress report on an investigation still under way.

Jan 1, 1943

By J. V. Emmons

IT has long been known that the outside skin of tool steel frequently exhibits properties widely different from the interior of the mass. Within the last few years it has been generally recognized that many of these properties were clue to surface decarbonization. The origin and effects of this altering of the composition have been but little studied. C. M. Johnson' arrives at the conclusion that, in annealing, "the most active agent in surface decarbonization is the rust or scale (present on the surface), which is actually reduced to metal at the expense of the carbon in the steel to which it adheres." W. H. Hatfield in his admirable paper, The Chemical Physics Involved in the Decarburization of Iron-Carbon Alloys,' has given us the most tenable theory of the removal of carbon from iron. While Mr. Hatfield's work has been principally clone in connection with the annealing of white cast iron to produce malleable castings, it is frequently applicable to the decarbonization of tool steel. The following equations which he proposed have been fully borne out by the author's experiments: 2Fe3C + 2CO2 = 3Fe2 + 4C0 2C0 + 02 = 2C02 Continuous 2C02 + 2Fe3C = 3Fe2 + 4C0 It is the purpose of the author to show, in a quantitative manner, the effect of various treatments in eliminating the carbon in tool steel. Some of the phenomena of the decarbonized surface will also be described, as well as the practical problems they present to. the manufacturer and user of tool-steel products.

Jan 9, 1914

By C. E. MacQuigg

In this paper it is impossible to more than touch on many of the commercial alloys of iron, chromium, and carbon, therefore the discussion is confined to the properties of some of the less well-known alloys with upwards of 20-per cent. chromium. The discussion has been based largely on the strictly engineering aspects of the alloys. Chromium has well-defined effects when added to the iron-carbon system. These effects depend on the amount of chromium added and on the composition of the iron-carbon alloy to which the addition is made, i.e. whether low- or high-carbon steel, cast iron, etc. In the case of the low-carbon steels, the chromium addition, when not in excess of several per cent., appears to exert an influence on the properties by its influence on the critical range. In the higher chromium alloys, the physical properties are influenced chiefly by the formation of new complexes, such as iron-chromium solid solutions and, with higher carbon contents, iron-chromium carbides of great hardness. Examination of the published data1 on the critical range phenomena of chromium-bearing steels up to several per cent. chromium indicates an agreement on the following points:

Jan 1, 1923

By C. E. MacQuigg

In this paper it is impossible to more than touch on many of the commercial alloys of iron, chromium, and carbon, therefore the discussion is confined to the properties of some of the less well-known alloys with upwards of 20-per cent. chromium. The discussion has been based largely on the strictly engineering aspects of the alloys. Chromium has well-defined effects when added to the iron-carbon system. These effects depend on the amount of chromium added and on the composition of the iron-carbon alloy to which the addition is made, i.e. whether low- or high-carbon steel, cast iron, etc. In the case of the low-carbon steels, the chromium addition, when not in excess of several per cent., appears to exert an influence on the properties by its influence on the critical range. In the higher chromium alloys, the physical properties are influenced chiefly by the formation of new complexes, such as iron-chromium solid solutions and, with higher carbon contents, iron-chromium carbides of great hardness. Examination of the published data1 on the critical range phenomena of chromium-bearing steels up to several per cent. chromium indicates an agreement on the following points:

Jan 1, 1923

By T. L. Joseph

THE extent to which hot metal from the blast furnace affects open-hearth practice and the quality of steel produced has been discussed widely. Open-hearth operators have attributed difficulties experienced in making satisfactory steel to characteristics of the pig iron not disclosed by ordinary analysis. The commonest criticism of the iron has been that it is "physically cold" or "dirty." Often when the blast furnaces are working irregularly the quality of the iron is questioned. A cold hearth, slipping and hanging, the use in the past of unsintered flue dust, and the use of ores difficult to smelt have been associated with the production of iron of poor quality. The difficulty of the situation is that we have no proven yardstick for quality aside from ordinary analysis. Uniformity in analysis is recognized as being important, but the difficulty of changing the open-hearth practice when the iron analysis varies widely may not always be fully appreciated. Although the problem of correlating the characteris-tics of steel with those of pig iron is admittedly obscure, the effort of producers of quality steel to investigate all factors that may have a bear-ing on the final product is justified. This report contains data on the oxides in several hundred casts of basic iron produced in a furnace during the course of normal operation on Lake ores. Incidental to the study of the oxides in the iron, it was desir-able to follow closely the temperature of the iron. The effect of tempera-ture of the iron upon the silicon and sulphur present is discussed. A general relation between the basicity of the slag and the sulphur in the metal was developed. The amount and composition of oxides in the hot metal and in the steel bath during various intervals between melt-down and tap are discussed. Heats of rimmed steel, lulled steel, and semikilled steel were investigated. The hot metal on individual heats was either all taken from a mixer or consisted partly of direct metal and partly of

Jan 1, 1937

By Guy N. Bjorge, A. J. M. Ross, S. J. Staple, J. D. Johnson, J. F. Wiggert

In recent years the Homestake mine has been served by three shafts, the B. &. M., the B. & M. No. 2 and the Ellison, supplemented by an inside shaft, the Milliken, extending from the 2000-ft. level to the 3200-ft. level. In 1932, when a new operating shaft was under consideration, the bottom of the mine was at the 3200-ft. level. The B. & M. and the B. & M. No. 2 shafts were down to the 1550-ft. level and the Ellison was being deepened from the 2600 to the 3200-ft. level. All ore was hoisted at the B. & M. and Ellison shafts. Levels below the 2600 level, which were under development only, were served by the Milliken shaft. Below the 1550-ft. level, the mine was served only by the Ellison shaft from the surface. Within a few years, when ore reserves above the 1550-ft. level would be depleted, operation would be limited to the Ellison shaft and the auxiliary underground shaft. The Ellison shaft alone was not adequate for hoisting the entire output from the deeper levels and also handling all men and supplies. Furthermore, assurance of safety and uninterrupted operation required two fully equipped shafts to the deeper levels. Therefore a new operating shaft was authorized in November, 1932, and was named for A. J. M. Ross, the mine superintendent. Plans for New Shaft The B. & M. shaft, begun in 1878 before much was known of the form and extent of the orebodies, was too near the ore and was endangered by ground movement. In 1924 this shaft was seriously threatened and sinking of the B. & M. No. 2 shaft, to supplant it, was begun. The latter was completed to the 1550-ft. level in 1928. In the meantime ground movement at the B. & M. shaft had practically stopped and, though loss of the shaft constantly threatened, ore hoisting was con-

Jan 1, 1937

By Clarence S. Ross

INTRODUCTION THIS chapter on the rô1e of physical-chemical processes in ore deposition presents unusual difficulties because it attempts to discuss the theory of processes that are very imperfectly under- stood, but which are among the most fundamental problems now before the student of ore formation. It is generally believed that a great variety of ore deposits are in some way derived from igneous rocks; but we desire to know the mechanism of their splitting off from the parent magma, the physical and chemical character of the material that acts as a medium for transfer from magma to the point of deposition, the manner of deposition, and the methods of replacement and removal of the invaded rocks. This problem is difficult for the field geologist because it concerns forces that for the most part have long since ceased to act. It involves a complex system of which the time for completion extends from the first development of the parent magma through its intrusion, its slow cooling and crystallization, and the final escape of its last residuum, a time probably represented by millions of years. In space the processes extend from profound depths of the abyssal magma which can never be directly observed, through the horizons characterizing deep-seated igneous rocks and ore deposits; those formed at moderate depths; and ends with surficial ones and surface thermal springs. The geologist usually can study the effect at but one of these horizons: he must attempt to fit his puzzle together while seeing but a few parts at a time. Thus he must deal with many isolated phenomena, as if they were the result of many physical and chemical systems; when in fact his problem involves a single exceedingly complex system, and will only be understood when that entire complex system is understood. The geophysicist is handicapped because he must attempt to interpret an extraordinary complex system, involving physical and chemical conditions which he can never hope to duplicate fully, through the study of many exceedingly simple systems.

Jan 1, 1933

By J. B. Fisken

(Butte Meeting, August, 1913.) BEFORE touching upon the immediate subject of this paper a few facts of a historical nature as to the general application of electricity to mining might be of interest. As to what was actually the first application of electricity to mining, opinions will no doubt always differ. My experience does not go back far enough, nor are the records to which I have had access of any value as covering this point. Sydney F. Walker, a man whose pioneer experience in the application of electricity to mining purposes dates back as far as 1876, ,gave an interesting resume of the subject in an address before the South Wales branch of the Association of Mining Electrical Engineers at its 1.913 session, and, unless his statements are shown to be wrong, they should be accepted as facts. According to Mr. Walker, the ignition of charges of blasting powder was the first operation in mining to be accomplished with the aid of electricity. Very frequently this energy was furnished by a static machine and occasionally by a magneto generator. Later, this was followed by the application of electricity to bell signals, and we are told that this application was looked upon skeptically and regarded as an expensive experiment by the mining managers of those early days. At the Paris Exposition of 1878, there was exhibited an electric lamp, which suggested future possibilities to the mining engineers of those days. The first successful application of electric lighting to underground excavations that I have been able to find any record of is that of M. Blavier. In the year 1879' he installed two Serrin lamps and successfully illuminated one of the large underground chambers in the Angers slate quarries. Another early application of electricity to the lighting of mines is that in the large chambers in the salt mines of Maros-Ujvár, in Hungary; these have been regularly and successfully lighted elec-

Jan 6, 1913

By Norman Carmichael

This paper describes the evolution of transportation at an important mining property, beginning at a time when the railhead was 400 mi. distant, and tracing the steps leading to the development of what is probably the heaviest ore train ever operated in underground mine service over narrow-gage tracks, a 300-ton ore train on a 20-in. track, at working costs closely approximating those obtained on systems involving much greater capital expenditure. Useful where geological and financial considerations render inadvisable the excavation and maintenance of large tunnels and heavier rolling stock. THE problem of transportation in the Clifton-Morenci district of Arizona has been one of peculiar difficulty and consequently has been an important factor in the cost of mining and treating the ores produced. From the crude beginning made over 50 years ago, many changes have been necessary to keep pace with the increased output of copper. A heavy-duty haulage system has developed on the original 20-in. track gage to meet the existent metal-mine conditions.

Jan 3, 1924

By Charles W. Henderson

THE influence of mineral production on the development of the western United States has been profound. From 1848 to 1860, there was only gold production, the effect of silver began in 1860, and from then on both had a powerful influence. Lead production started in 1863, copper in 1863, and zinc in 1885, but was small until 1898. Gold alone was therefore the stimulus of the early settlement and exploration of the Western States.. But mineral deposits caused neither acquisition of territory nor determination of boundary lines. Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and parts of Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado were formally acquired from Mexico fourteen days after the actual date of the discovery (January 19, 1848)1.2 of gold at Sutters Mill, near the present town of Coloma, California (a discovery which, with the immediate new discoveries, aroused the world several months later) ; but the acquisition was by treaty (under negotiation for some time but signed February 2, 1848)3 in settlement of a war involving the boundaries of the grassy plains of Texas, an area at that time not known to contain any metals, and to date found to have but few metal deposits.4 The international boundary at 49º latitude for the far northwest states was determined by causes other than mineral deposits.

Jan 1, 1933

By James P. Kimball

The object of the present memoir is to pot on record some practical experiments by the writer in smelting a silicions native magnetite with no other flux than the silicates of its own gangue.' This work was undertaken in the spring of 1878 for Messrs. Naylor & Co., of' Boston, to whom I am indebted for the privilege of here communicating its results, these having hitherto only been simply announced.* So far as I am aware these are the first instances of the kind ill this country that non-calcareous; or rather non-carbonatbed, magnetite have successfully been used strictly alone as self-fluxing ores in the blast furnace; that is, without the addition of' calcareous flux in the form either of limestone, quicklime, calcareous ore, or basic (calcareous) slag. Previous to the spring of 1878, when the Chateaugay magnetic ore was first brought to illy notice. its use had been limited to Catalan forges, after " separation " at the ore bed. The blooms and billets made from it in the several forges of Messrs. Weed $ Williams, and of Mr. Williams, were well known in the trade as among the best in the market. Tile Chateaugay ore beds proving of great magnitude, and the ore exceptionally low in phosphoric acid, it commended itself for blast-furnace purposes to Messrs. Naylor & Co., who employed me to blow-in the charcoal furnace at Pittsford, Vt., on this ore in the spring of 1878, a previous trial of this ore in the same furnace in the fall of 1877 having proved abortive. This was therefore the first time that Chateaugay ore was successfully smelted in a blast furnace, although since well known as a blast-furnace ore possessing superior and exceptional qualities. The Pittsford furnace, although rebuilt in 1844, and subsequently improved by the former owner, the late J. Prichard, is one of the few furnaces of the old type with open breast (Sumpfofen) still active in this country, Its improvements 011 furnaces of the period,

Jan 1, 1881

By F. Keller, A. H. Geisler

ALTHOUGH the subject of precipitation from solid solution appears to be one of the more profitable fields in metallurgy for study with the electron microscope, few comprehensive studies have yet been made. Occasionally electron micrographs have been published that illustrated alleged precipitation in various alloys, but frequently the apparent size, shape and distribution of the particles do not fully agree with those expected from theory or from observations of the precipitate when the particles have grown to a size resolvable with the light microscope. The presence of a Widmanstätten pattern for submicroscopic precipitate particles has been demonstrated for only a few aged alloys.1 The initial problem has been the development of suitable techniques for applying the transmission-type instrument to a field that has been inherently associated with reflection-type microscopes. The various techniques have been the subjects of numerous publications, and instead of describing them individually here it will suffice to say that the oxide film method has proved to be the most satisfactory method yet found for studying the microstructure of aluminum alloys with the electron microscope. This method has the definite characteristic advantage that the actual surface layer of the specimen is examined and not a plastic or silica replica. Doubtless suitable methods for forming and removing the oxide film could be developed for alloys of other metals. The purpose of this report is to point out the characteristics of the oxide film method that have been observed during the studies of numerous aged aluminum alloys and to present the results of these studies. PREPARATION OF SPECIMENS The oxide film method for preparing specimens of aluminum alloys for examination in the electron microscope has been described in detail previously.1,2 Briefly, the procedure consists of preparing the metallographic specimen, forming the film by anodic oxidation and removing the film from the prepared surface of the oxidized specimen. The specimen is polished according to the usual procedure for microscopic examination.3 The specimen may then be etched to remove flowed metal but etching to attack the alloy constituents or to leave them in relief as in the replica processes is not necessary. Electrolytic polishing is not generally recommended. Deep-etched specimens are used frequently, however, since they provide information that is not revealed by polished specimens and frequently present the same information more clearly than do the polished specimens. The surface preparation of specimens to be deep-etched is not important, since specimens that have been subjected to the first wet polishing operation are generally used, but frequently the as-rolled surface is suitable. These specimens are then etched using a suitable macroetching reagent.

Jan 1, 1946

By C. C. Furnas

IT is well known that particles of different sizes are not distributed evenly throughout the average charge in an iron blast furnace. Just how great the disparity in particle size in different parts of a single plane in a furnace may be is indicated by the results of some recent investigations1 conducted by the Bureau of Mines on a furnace operating on Lake ores. The wide variations found in gas velocity, gas composition, and temperature from the periphery to the center of the upper charge column were caused by the great variation in particle size of the raw materials used and were also greatly influenced by the methods of charging. This paper summarizes the results of an investigation of the influence of different methods of charging and of the treatment of raw materials upon the size distribution of the solid particles in the blast furnace. A more complete report will appear later as a Bureau of Mines technical paper.

Jan 1, 1929

By W. R. Crane

While professiorlally engaged in the oil- and gas-fields of Kansas, in measuring the pressure and flow of gas-wells, and studying the phenomena attendant upon the production of both oil and gas, I noticed in the flow of gas a peculiar and interesting feature. That there are actual lines of flow in liquids (non-compressible fluids) discharged through an orifice, or a short section of pipe, is shown by the external shape of the discharge—the vena contracts. Such lines of flow are not observable in the discharge of gas from an orifice. It can hardly be questioned that they exist. That they are not apparent is probably due to the very small weight of the gaseous particles, which climinishes the momentum of their movement in a given direction, acquired before they issue from the orifice, and also to the expansion of the gases, which would exert a powerful influence in overcoming any such tendency in their flow. Gas flowing from an orifice, supplied by a large reservoir or blowing-engine, exhibits almost the reverse of what is noticed with liquids. Namely, the gas assumes the form of an inverted truncated cone, of large angle: with its apex-end at the orifice. (See BB, Fig. 1.) This external ahape assunled by the flow of gas shows, however, marked differences under varying conditions of volume and pressure. For instance, a large volume of gas under high pressure, flowing through a 2- or 3-in. pipe, as in the case of a natural gas-well, assumes a more definite conical form, the angle of which increases as the pressure falls. Moreover, outside of the well-defined inverted cone is a thin conical heath or zone of gas, A A, the angle of which is considerably greater than that of the main cone, and increases with +1UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, LAWRENCE, KANSAS.

Jan 1, 1905