Search Documents

By Jacob H. Masliyah

The dynamic simulation of a gravity separation vessel (a high throughput classifier) has been developed. The feed slurry was assumed to contain light (oil droplets) and heavy (mineral solids) particulates of various size. The feed slurry was characterized by the particle size distribution of both the light and the heavy particles. The equations describing the slip velocity for each specie and those defining the time variation of each specie concentration were solved implicitly using Runge-Kutta algorithm. The dynamic simulation was capable of predicting the movement of the froth layer and the density variation of the under- flow. Field data are in agreement with the simulation model and it is shown how this model could be used to develop a control strategy.

Jan 1, 1984

By D. E. Musgrove

The question of alternating current vs direct current has become an important consideration to the mining industry. Rising production costs demand lower investment, which, in many instances, can be realized by the use of ac mining machines. Generally ac motors, control systems, and distribution and power conversion equipment can be installed for approximately 50 pct of the first cost of their dc equivalents. This basic saving has made ac mining a serious competitor for the traditional dc mining systems. With the increased use of ac voltages underground, there has developed the problem of conveniently converting distribution voltages to usable 480-v power. Power at low voltages should not be carried for comparatively long distances, and the transformation should be made at the point of use. Otherwise, serious voltage regulation problems and objectionable line losses will occur.

Jan 5, 1955

By R. W. Smith, R. J. Charles

Fractions of glass particles in the size range 0.5 to 5.0 µ were prepared by an elutriator that operates in a centrifugal field. Although mean sizes of commercially graded abrasive powders were ten times greater than those of samples prepared by the elutriator, frequency size plots for elutriator samples compared favorably. Efficiency of separation was low and amounts of material recovered by the elutriator were small, but the method should find use in preparation of small amounts of sized materials for laboratory investigations.

Aug 1, 1956

By Robert H. Weber

Increasing acceptance of perlite products, chiefly in the fields of lightweight structural aggregates and thermal and acoustic insulation, has led to expanding market demands that have encouraged many new producers to enter the field. In some instances, however, the failure of these producers to anticipate the variable response of perlite to conventional processing methods has led to difficulty in establishing an economical flowsheet by which a predictable specification product could be obtained. It is not the writer's intent to provide a solution to these problems, but rather to summarize their nature. It is to be hoped that members of the industry who have hurdled some of these obstacles will document solutions arising from their experience.

Jan 2, 1955

By Chas. A. Ashburnea

THE appliances which have been proposed, and the modifications in the construction of boiler-furnaces which have been made for the prevention of smoke, and the utilization of what are ordinarily called the waste products of combustion, have been innumerable.† †There is now open in London an exhibition "of apparatus of all kinds devised to prevent smoke."

Jan 1, 1882

By H. R. Green, D. M. Lamb, A. D. Taylor

The design of slurry launders has usually been based on strictly empirical concepts. An examination of the most common procedures reveals that they do not account for many of the variables that are recognized as significant for slurry transport. These may include flow rate, volume concentration of solids, solids specific gravity, solids size distribution, particle shape, launder geometry, and roughness of the wetted surface. It was decided to develop a design procedure, which would accomplish two things:

Jan 8, 1978

By Henry B. Estabrooks

As was true with many mining companies, the management of Tennessee Copper Co. followed with interest the successful application of AN-FO as an explosive in coal stripping, construction, open-pit mining, and finally in underground salt mines. Since Tennessee Copper's operations required about 1,250,000 lb of dynamite annually, the potential savings in explosives costs that could be realized by switching to AN-FO could not be ignored. From a cautious start, AN-FO is now being used for stoping, development work and secondary blasting in all mines of Tennessee Copper Co. AN-FO accounts for 80% of the explosives used in such work. Fragmentation, fumes, crew acceptance, and cost savings have been quite attractive without any decrease in safety.

Jan 11, 1962

By R. W. Callen, W. A. Hockings

This paper describes a computer program which calculates material balances for complex steady-state material flow circuits encountered in mineral processing. The program determines mass flows in the various process streams of a flowsheet from multicomponent analytical data obtained from samples of the streams. The program, Metallurgical Balance System (MBS), has been used extensively in treating Pilot plant test data, in production evaluation and control, and in plant design. The program performs well even on ill-conditioned data. Input to the program is easily accomplished by unskilled personnel and the output appears in well-formatted tables.

Jan 1, 1981

By V. Rajaram, H. W. Earnest, A. W. Jenike

Mine backfilling is a desirable method for the disposal of retorted oil shale. Hydraulic, mechanical and pneumatic transport and stowing methods were investigated, and the mechanical transport and stowing method using conveyors was selected as the most promising system. Transport of retorted oil shale at the rate of 2700 t/h (3000 stph) to the backfill level, situated about 610 m (2000 ft) below surface, with skips or conveyors is uneconomic. Hence, borehole transport utilizing gravity flow was investigated. This Paper describes the theory of flow, flow properties of retorted oil shale, and the design of a borehole and hopper system.

Jan 1, 1980

By G. W. Healy, D. C. Hilty

MAJOR considerations in the production of stainless steel are the utilization of stainless steel scrap and the recovery of chromium and other metallic values from the initial furnace charge. The decarburization of a bath of molten chromium steel with gaseous oxygen is usually accompanied by a considerable amount of metallic oxidation. Since recovery of this metal from the slag may require substantial expenditures of time and materials for slag reduction, holding metallic oxidation to the minimum consistent with good operating practice is generally desirable. The important role of temperature in minimizing metallic oxidation is illustrated by Fig. 1, taken from the results of Hilty, Healy, and Crafts,' who established the quantitative relations connecting the amounts of chromium, manganese, and iron oxidized during the oxidizing period of chromium steel heats with the composition of the initial charge and the temperature and composition of the molten bath after oxidation. Higher temperatures after the oxygen blow result in lower metallic oxidation. Although high temperatures are desirable for minimizing metallic oxidation, practical operating considerations limit the degree to which they can be employed. Excessively high temperatures or prolonged operation at moderately high temperatures may cause serious damage to the furnace refractories, so that a compromise must be effected. The problem, therefore, is one of controlling the oxidizing period of chromium steel heats to the shortest time at the highest practical temperature. The most effective tool the steel melter has for attaining high temperature while decarburizing a chromium steel heat is now commonly considered to be the oxygen lance with an adequate supply of gaseous oxygen. In order for the tool to be effective, however, the heat resulting from the oxidation of carbon, chromium, silicon, manganese, and iron in the bath must exceed the heat losses from the furnace. General recognition, of this principle has stimulated a trend toward faster injection of oxygen. For example, Pachaly2 proposed a high temperature at the start of the oxygen blow or a high rate of oxygen input as a means of obtaining the desired carbon level with high chromium recovery. On the other hand, limited understanding of the specific effects of oxygen input rate has hampered development of optimum practices. As part of a broad study of the metallurgy of chromium steel melting, therefore, the Linde Air Products Co. and the Electro Metallurgical Co. at their Metals Research Labo-ratories have evaluated the heat-balance during the oxidizing period in terms of oxygen input rate. The evaluation has then been related to factors such as temperature increase, metallic oxidation, oxygen Utilization, etc., and extrapolated to include a wide

Jan 1, 1958

By T. F. Petty

During 1935 there were drilled in North Central Texas 1071 wells, of which 565 were dry holes, 469 were oil wells with an initial production of 43,766 bbl. and 37 were gas wells with an initial production of 129,332,000 cu. ft. Production has been 14,180,042 bbl., or a daily average of 38,849 bbl. In Table 1 are listed the various pools of the district. Most of the smaller pools are of minor importance and are merely productive spots. Numerous other similar spots might have been listed as pools but their production is included in other fields. There are a few flowing wells but practically all of the wells are being pumped. The estimated potential is about 50,000 bbl. and the allowable production is based on the Texas Marginal Well Law. In Table 2, wildcat wells that have resulted in the discovery of pools or important extensions to old pools or that have contributed to the geological information of the area are listed.

Jan 1, 1936

By John D. Erickson

The concepts of long-range, open pit planning presented here are not new. The new idea is how the factors that control the location of the final pit limits can be considered altogether as one large, simultaneous equation. The X, or unknown quantity that is being solved for, is a long-range pit design that fulfills the desired objectives. The objectives of a final pit plan are determination of the extent and location of ore reserves, the allowable stripping necessary to uncover the ore, the final pit surface intercept, final pit topography and the contained metal values in both ore and waste.

Jan 4, 1968

By S. S. Hsieh

Important carboxylic acid components of tall oils were tested individually as phosphate flotation reagents. These included C18 unsaturated fatty acids and C10 to C18 saturated fatty acids and resin acids. These experiments were conducted to evaluate such factors as the degree of unsaturation, hydro-carbon chain length, isomeric form, side-group modification, and cyclic structure. The effects of mineralogical characteristics on flotation response also were considered. Results of this systematic evaluation provide guidelines for selecting efficient substitute reagents and fundamental data for further research on improved flotation technology.

Jan 1, 1983

By Charles M. Bayer

Reading in the AIME annual reports that certain activities have been financed by the Rocky Mountain Club Fund, less senior members of the Institute may wonder. "What's the Rocky Mountain Club?" Less youthful members will not have to wonder. They will recall the Club as an intriguing, almost fantastic organization, largely of western mining men, that flared across the New York horizon, flamed brilliantly for a little more than two decades, then sputtered out of existence- glorious even in its last flash. It was the only product of its mold, a fabulous group of magnanimous men who unhesitatingly sacrificed a cherished dream for which they had raised millions of dollars so that the money, instead of creating a magnificent club house, could be used instead to save the lives of starving Belgian children in World War I.

Jan 12, 1964

By S. W. Hazen

The use of operations research and computer techniques continued to expand during 1967. A number of mining companies either obtained computers or were experimenting with their use through service bureaus. This trend was also evident in the Canadian mining industry. Although the annual Symposium and Short Course on Computers and Operations Research in Mineral Industries was not held in 1967, technical periodicals like MINING ENGINEERING, Mining Congress Journal and Engineering and Mining Journal stepped up their coverage on the subject. The annual AIME meeting had eight papers in two sessions and one session on Operations Research was held at the SME Fall Meeting in Las Vegas.

Jan 2, 1968

By David A. Summers, John Corwine, Li-King Chen

The results from fracturing plexiglas beams are combined in eight existing equations to determine the surface energy of the material. The reliability of each equation is tested, and the equation in use to determine fracture toughness is found to be the most exact. This equation is then used in determination of the surface energy of Barre Granite.

Jan 1, 1971

By D. W. Kestner

Recent developments and trends in the state of the art as being commercially applied to the pelletizing and sintering of metallic ores, concentrates and reverts will be reviewed. Both ferrous and non-ferrous materials will be covered. The influence of environmental considerations on the decision to build, the process selection, and design of the plants will be discussed. Use of coal in iron ore pellet induration will also be reviewed as the availability and price structure of oil and gas becomes a consideration to the plant operators.

Jan 1, 1980

By G. J. Cardwell

The rock and mineral analyst will be called upon to determine both the major and minor constituents in materials as varied as rocks, soil, sediments, concentrates and various liquids. These analyses will have interactions requiring extraction, matrix modification, and background correction. Analytical methodologies include classical gravimetric methods, such as fire assay, emission spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, atomic absorption, inductively coupled plasma, and neutron activation. With these capabilities the analyst can be called on to determine three-fourths of the elements in the periodic table. How can the earth scientist pick the method best suited for his particular sample?

Jan 1, 1984

By Gary B. Williamson, Barton K. Cross

Digital simulation is a modern analysis tool which allows the mine operator to evaluate the result of making a decision without actually changing the organization or buying the equipment. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the use of digital simulation in evaluating a decision of whether or not to introduce dispatching in an open pit mine. The analysis shows that appreciable savings can be realized by dispatching. In certain cases, an operator can reduce the number of trucks required to move a specified tonnage. A second analysis evaluates the alternatives of using one large shovel or two smaller units. In this case, the operating cost of the haulage equipment necessary to support the shovels turns out to be the critical factor in this decision.

Jan 1, 1969

By W. H. Eatock

In its infancy, the potash refining industry in Saskatchewan was heavily influenced by practices developed in Carlsbad, NM, resulting in modern, highly productive plants. The first 15 years has been a period of reduced production, due to excessive capacity, when improvements tended to be emphasized in the mining rather than the refining functions. However, some innovations have been developed and applied in Saskatchewan and the industry is entering a period of massive expansion which will produce further advances. This paper discusses, in general terms, some of the different approaches and recent trends.

Jan 1, 1983