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By S. P. Rivers

The stainless steel industry re1ies on nitric-hydrofluoric acid (HNO,/HF) pickling solutions to remove surface contaminants and maintain the corrosion resistance of the steel. More stringent environmental guide1ines are expected to be placed on the disposal of these solutions which could significantly increase processing costs. The U.S. Bureau of Mines has been conducting research to develop a process for recycling depleted pickling solutions, thus reducing the quantity of by product acids generated. Research has shown that F- can be liberated from the predominant iron fluoride species (FeF,') by using oxalic acid in an electrodialysis cell. Ion selective membranes allow dissolved metals in the depleted solution to be replaced with hydronium ions by metathesis, thereby regenerating the HF. The regenerated HN03/HF is then retained in the pick1ing solution. This paper reports on the research effort at the U.S. Bureau of Mines Rolla Research Center to apply electrodialytic recycling to HN03/HF pickling solutions.

Jan 1, 1993

By D. W. Mitchell

Planning today for what hopefully will never happen is one of the surest ways to decrease the chance of it happening. As Napoleon proved and Ian Mitroff wrote, "The heat and stress of battle is the worst time to make decisions of strategic importance." Mitroff also wrote, "The value of a plan is not that it will ever perfectly match reality, but going through the process of planning speeds the process of recovery. It allows the organization to emotionally work through the worst before it actually happens." This paper concentrates on things miners must consider; on the need for plans to be like a belt conveyor strong enough to carry the load, flexible enough to stretch a little; on the criticality of throwing away fax machines and telephones, and having certain officials at the scene rather than back in head-quarters; on the training of fire brigades and mine-rescue teams; on having company-controlled chromatographs; on having people who can look at trends rather than numbers. Some of the things in this paper might anger some readers; for that, I can only ask them to consider first the problem not their position.

Jan 1, 1993

Mineral deposits in New Zealand whose origin can be ascribed to primary magmatic segregations are associated with mafic-ultra- mafic complexes related to two orogenic episodes which took place during Paleozoic and Mesozoic times. These mafic-ultramafic complexes are essentially of two types. One is ophiolitic and has podiform chromite mineralisation presumably formed below a spreading ridge. The other type occurs as intraplate layered intrusions in which Fe-Cu-Ni sulphides and Fe- Ti-V oxides have formed as a result of liquid immiscibility with the host magma, and have subsequently accumulated by gravity means. Generalised descriptions are given for some deposits in NW Nelson, Fiordland and Marlborough districts.

Jan 1, 1980

By Penny C. Stewart

Narrow vein underground stope design engineers in Australia have expressed significant interest in the requirements and methodology for developing site-specific stability charts. This is largely due to a concern that existing stope stability charts inadequately take into account factors influencing narrow vein stope stability, such as the effect of backfill abutments and the effect of in stope pillars. This paper presents conclusions from a comprehensive statistical examination of case history requirements for a site specific stability chart and critiques literature arguments for site-specific charts. A new statistical analysis technique and a large comprehensive stability database enabled the authors to quantify case history requirements and any site-specific effects the model exhibits. The analyses indicated that a reliable stable-failure boundary requires at least 150 case histories, of which a minimum of 10 percent should be unstable stope surfaces. Marginal site-specific effects were observed for the operating conditions captured within the database. The authors conclude that the apparent site-specific effects noted in previous literature are attributable to operating conditions inadequately represented in the database. Such operating conditions could induce erroneous stability predictions at any site, and are therefore not truly site-specific. Following from these conclusions, a strategy for taking into account operating conditions particularly relevant to narrow vein mining has been proposed. In particular, the development of a chart that accounts for the effect of backfill abutments on stope stability. Backfill abutment effects are particularly relevant to mechanised narrow vein mining methods such as modified Avoca. Collaboration from at least five sites is required to obtain access to relevant data and underground drives for geotechnical mapping. Preliminary estimations indicate that approximately three months fieldwork is required to meet case history requirements. CMS data in conjunction with 3-dimensional design software will be used to calculate equivalent linear overbreak/slough (ELOS). In contrast to stable, failure, major failure and caving categorical variables, ELOS is an objective and continuous stability variable and is therefore, more conducive to mathematical modelling.

Oct 1, 2001

By Marcella Mateus de Mello

O presente trabalho objetiva analisar a influência da distribuição de intensidade espacial do laser na geração de padrões de speckle em superfícies metálicas. Os padrões de speckle estudados são obtidos quando o laser atinge uma superfície metálica. A análise da imagem de padrões de speckle pode ser relacionada com a rugosidade de superfícies metálicas iluminadas com o laser. Com esse estudo pretendemos melhorar a sensibilidade das medidas de rugosidade de superfícies metálicas a partir das imagens de padrões de speckle.

Aug 17, 2017

By Flaviano Galdino

Com a implantação do projeto de digitalização do Nível 1 no laminador de tiras a frio da CSN - Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional, a CSN modernizou o obsoleto controle de processo. Com essa modernização, houve a necessidade de adequação no Procom para manter a comunicação entre eles. Devido a essa necessidade, foi elaborado um plano estratégico para a atualização tecnológica deste Procom. O projeto foi divido em fases e o que vamos apresentar é resultado da primeira fase, onde a CSN desenvolveu com recurso interno.

Jul 30, 2018

By Y. Z. Zhang

Cyanide has generated environmental concerns because of its toxicity, and it may not respond to the treatment of complex and refractory gold ores. Gold leaching by thiourea is one of the most promising substitutes of cyanide. However, the high reagent consumption has hindered thiourea from its commercial application in gold extraction. The process chemistry and mechanism of thiourea degradation has been discussed on the basis of chemical bonding theory, thermodynamics and electrochemistry in this paper. Progresses on the decreasing of thiourea consumption have been summarised. The potential application of thiourea in gold extraction has been evaluated.

Jan 1, 1996

By R. M. Rose, K. A. Jones

Resistive measurements ulere made on superconducting niobium single crystals in transverse magnetic fields. Crystals were grouln in both high and ulfrahigh vacua, doped with stnall quantities of oxygen, and annealed in ultrahigh vacua at temperatures from 900' to 1350°C. Maxima in the fluxoid pinr~ir~g force were observedfor the [100] and [210] directions. The increase of the critical current density with dissoved oxygen was seen to saturate at relatively low concentration. This behavior, and the variation of J, and residual resistivity (as a function of oxygen content and annealing) of both clean and dirty gassy) crystals, is seen as a consequence of the formation of clusters with (210)~b habit planes and (200)ffo common boundaries. These suboxide clusters are apparenlly stable at high temperatures and very low oxygen concentrations. It is generally known that dissolved oxygen at concentrations well below the solubility limit sharply increases the critical current density of superconducting niobium.' Such a result would not be expected if Nb-0 solutions were random, not even as the result of segregation on the scale usually encountered in solid solutions. According to the Kim-Anderson theory of flux creep,' the critical transport current density is determined by the pinning force Fp associated with some feature of the microstructure. As the Lorentz force. a or (J X R), of the transport current in the magnetic field approaches Fp, flux creep and then flux flow occur. The pinning force is expected to be quite small if the heterogeneity involved is significantly smaller than tte range of coherency which for niobium is circa 250~.~ Although the strain field of an individual oxygen atom in the niobium lattice is relatively large, it does not seem plausible that individual atoms could be so effective as to account for the data. Also, ~ramer~ found that straining and strain aging specimens containing small amounts of oxygen on occasion decreased the residual resistivity. A possible explanation for the above behavior may be found in the work of van Ooijen and van der Goot,= who found that annealing changed J, for niobium foils containing oxygen, and they attributed the changes to ordering of the oxygen atoms. This phenomenon has been observed by other investigators using X-ray and PROCEDURE Cylindrical 4-in.-diam niobium single crystals with axial orientations [ill], [110], [112], and [oo~] were grown from pure niobium, see Table I for analysis, in an ion-pumped ultrahigh-vacuum system using the electron beam floating zone technique. Total pressure during growth was lo-'9 torr: the oxygen partial pressure was less than lo-" torr, as determined by a mass spectrometer. These crystals will be referred to as the "clean" crystals. Similar crystals were also grown in another system at a pressure of 5 X 10"6 torr. These crystals will be referred to as the "dirty" crystals. Specimens 14 in. long were cut from the as-grown crystals and one end was polished down to no. 600 carbide paper smoothness. A back-reflection Laue photograph was then taken in order to fix the crystallo-graphic directions transverse to the crystal. The critical current density J,, the current density necessary to produce a voltage drop of 1.0 pv between voltage leads placed a in. apart, was determined as a function of the magnitude and direction of the transverse magnetic field and of the oxygen concentration. The technique and experimental arrangement was essentially similar to that of Tedmon et al.' In the remainder of this paper, the azjmuthal angle $ for the field H is referenced to the [ I101 direction in all four crystals, and oxygen was added in small equal increments by anodization and annealing.7 The resistivity ratio, RR, of the resistance at room ternperature to that at 4.2"K (H =7.00 kG) was determined as well.

Jan 1, 1970

In subterranean mining operations, access to communication networks deep underground is critical for transporting data, voice and video, and other supporting applications that are essential for efficient and safe operations. Whether accessing sophisticated ERP or maintenance management systems, engaging in fleet management, video surveillance, or access control, or protecting miners with wireless locator systems, these networks serve as a literal lifeline between workers deep within mines and surface operations. For this, mining networks require more than permanently installed network cabling, it also requires unique deployable systems designed for quick installation, extension and even relocation as the active mine site area moves, or equipment is moved in and out.

Mar 1, 2014

By L. Galarza

"INTRODUCTION Beneficiation of ores and minerals in a concentrator plant requires a significant amount of water [1] for the grinding and particle separation processes; most of it ends up being recirculated for reuse, slurry pumps are used after crushing and grinding feeding the ore to a classifier to separate fine-grained material (less than 5 mm) from coarse-grained material requiring further grinding. The lower ore grades [2] in the past couple of decades have demanded an increase on power size and efficiency of process machines to maintain a competitive plant throughput; Hydro-cyclone feed pumps to control both under and over milling or grinding are not the exception; Fig. 1 shows a conventional drive train [3] comprising an (1) asynchronous motor (also known as squirrel cage induction motor = SCIM), a high speed coupling (2), a gear reducer (3) and a low speed coupling (4) attached to the shaft of the pump (5), to accommodate the motor rated speed (typically 1800 rpm) to the process requirements (in the range of 250 rpm to 350 rpm), requiring additional components related to the gearbox: instrumentation, maintenance, disposable lubricants and filters, spare parts, thus reduces the overall system efficiency ultimately reflected into CAPEX and OPEX.WHY VARIABLE SPEED DRIVES FOR CYCLONE FEED PUMPS Hydrocyclones or commonly referred as “cyclones” are one of the most important devices in the minerals industry [4]; almost universally used in close-circuit grinding because of their high capacity and relative efficiency, the evolution of Power Electronics made affordable the use of Medium Voltage - Variable Frequency Converters (VFC) for Cyclone Feed pumps in combination with induction motors larger than 500hp (373kW) to gain multiple benefits: - Soft start with minimum electrical utility disturbance = inrush current mitigation - Full Torque available at zero speed for overload startup with pulp solidification after long still stand periods, superior to any other reduced voltage starting method. - Optimum and constant pump speed (independent of the electrical network or load condition), compared to across the line SCIM operation - Flexible Motor Voltage and Speed regardless of the power distribution Voltage and Frequency - Improved Power Factor (close to unitary), over the entire operating speed range"

Jan 1, 2015

Flinders Power, formerly NRG Flinders, is considering the possible use of low rank coal from Lake Phillipson, South Australia (SA) in its power stations at Port Augusta, SA. Typically, this coal contains about 35% moisture and 10% ash. Unfortunately, it also contains high levels of sodium (1% Na) and chloride (0.95% Cl) with a Na2O level in ash of 18.9%. Such levels cause serious problems during coal combustion, making the use of as-mined coal impractical for power generation. This paper describes the development of an aqueous leaching technique to remove 90% of the sodium and chloride and to yield a product with a Na2 O level in ash of less than 3%. Small-scale agitation leaching tests with good quality tap water at ambient temperatures showed that the coal needed to be crushed to minus 5.6 mm to obtain maximum removal of water-soluble sodium and chloride in 30 min. Leaching kinetics, but not the ultimate removal of salt, were enhanced by the use of higher temperatures (up to 150°C), but this was deemed uneconomic. Varying the pulp density between 20% and 50% had little effect on extractions and there was no benefit in multiple stage water washing. The best results by water leaching were 69%~74% extraction for sodium and 95%~97% for chloride, meaning that the sodium removal was well below the target level. From SEM examinations of the leached product it was concluded that the remaining sodium was organically bound to the carbon atoms in the coal. Further tests using aqueous solutions containing cation exchange additives such as calcium chloride (CaCl2) or ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) or sulphuric acid (H2SO4) showed that significantly enhanced sodium extractions were possible and target specifications were met. Two options, namely a single-stage and a two-stage leach, were then investigated. In a single-stage leach with additive, minus 5.6 mm coal was leached at 33%~50% solids for 30 min at ambient temperature and then filtered and washed with fresh water. This gave a sodium removal level of about 81% and a Na2O level in ash of about 5%. These levels do not quite meet tar-get specifications. In a two-stage leach, the coal was first leached with water alone without an additive as in the single stage leach, and the washed residue re-leached under similar conditions for about 5 min with an additive (CaCl2), and then filtered and washed. This gave a cumulative sodium removal of 96% and a Na2O level in ash of 1.4%~2.4%. These levels are well within target specifications.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. Ke

Traditional geostatistical methods have been used in ore reserve estimation for decades. Neural Networks (NNs) have provided an alternative approach to data analysis and ore reserve estimation. Unlike the traditional geostatistical methods, neural network uses a highly non-linear complex algorithm to do the estimation. Although Neural Networks have been demonstrated to be attractive alternatives as with every new techniques, there are questions which remain unanswered. This paper presents a comparative analysis with different types of metamodeling approaches -- Triangular, Kriging, Spline, and Neural Network. The neural-network is organized in a multiple-layers and Back-propagation model is used to handle the non-linearity and hidden slabs for smoothing the predicted results. With multiple dimensional and very noisy drill hole sample data, the ore grade is predicted and the overall performance is validated by the analysis of R-squared (R2), Root-Mean-Squared (RMS), and contours of ore grade spatial variability. The ore grade and tonnage of estimated outputs are also compared with various cut-off grades.

Jan 1, 2003

By D. E. Buchanan

The: volatility of a motor fuel is an index to its quality and to the satisfaction that will attend its use as an internal combustion engine fuel. Natural gasoline is concentrated volatility; threfore, it is quite natural that the most important market for natural gasoline should be for blending with less volatile refinery gasolines. Progress in the art of manufacturing natural gasoline, particularly in fractionation, which has made possible the elimination of the fixed gases and lighter hydrocarbons having a tendency to gasify at atmospheric pressure and temperature, has made it possible and desirable for refiners to utilize an ever-increasing percentage of natural gasoline in their finished product. This, in turn, has enabled the industry at large with each succeeding year to supply to the consuming public a better grade of gasoline. While cracking processes and improved fractionation in refinery operation have resulted in higher yields of gasoline per barrel of crude oil refined, natural gasoline has also played a large part in this respect because it has enabled the refiner to cut deeper into the crude and still maintain proper standards of volatility by blending natural gasoline with the product from his stills. There is, of course, with even the present improved grades of natural gasoline, a limit to the percentage that may properly be used. This percentage varies with different grades of crude oil, varies according to the facilities employed at the refinery and varies according to the grade of motor fuel manufactured; therefore it is not possible to say that for a certain predetermined amount of motor fuel to be manufactured in a given area, a certain definite amount of natural gasoline will be required. It is, however, generally conceded, and statistics bear out the statement, that the average gallon of motor fuel sold in this country contains approxi-matcly 11 per cent. of natural gasoline. Isolated cases may be found where in a very few refineries during certain seasons no natural gasoline is used, while in other plants as high as 35 per cent. and 40 per cent, natural gasoline is used in certain grades of motor fuels. Production Statistics The total production of natural gasoline for 1927, including California, is estimated at 1,627,600,000 gal. This represents an increase of 20 per

Jan 1, 1928

By M. B. Kime, A. T. Kaniki

"Grinding tests were conducted on an oxidized copper-cobalt ore using a pear-shaped ball mill. Twelve mono-sized ore fractions were prepared and wet ground batchwise. The mill was run for 0.5 to 30 min intervals. The shortest interval provided data more closely related to the breakage function (B) because less secondary breakage was hypothesized. Some selection function (S) and B parameters were determined. Remaining parameters were estimated using a population balance model simulator. To evaluate the kinetics model, an unsized ore sample was also milled. Predicted and measured particle size distributions (PSDs) agreed well, suggesting that S and B parameters can be used for continuous operation mass balances.RÉSUMÉ Des essais de broyage ont été menés sur un minerai oxydé de cuivre-cobalt à l’aide d’un broyeur à boulets piriforme. Douze fractions de minerai de dimension unique ont été préparés et broyés en voie humide en lots. Le broyeur était mis en route à des intervalles de 0,5 à 30 minutes. L’intervalle le plus court fournissait des données plus étroitement liées à la fonction d’abattage (B) car d’après l’hypothèse avancée, le besoin d’abattage secondaire était moindre. Certains paramètres de la fonction de sélection (S) et de B ont été déterminés ; les paramètres restants ont été estimés à l’aide d’un simulateur de modèle d’équilibre de population. Pour évaluer le modèle de cinétique, un échantillon de minerai non calibré a également été broyé. Les compositions granulométriques (PSD, de l’anglais particle size distributions) prévues et mesurées correspondaient bien, ce qui laisse penser que l’on peut se servir des paramètres S et B dans le cadre d’équilibrages massiques en fonctionnement continu. INTRODUCTIONSize reduction of solids is a very energy intensive and highly inefficient process. It consumes approximately 5% of the electricity produced worldwide (Rhodes, 1998), and more than 50% of the total energy used in mineral processing plants (Walkiewicz, Lindroth, & Clark, 1996). An increase in grinding efficiency can therefore result in significant reductions in operating costs. This often amounts to determining the optimal design configurations for milling an ore sample in a laboratory mill under standard conditions. Prior to optimizing the milling stage, the requirements for downstream processing in terms of particle size distribution (PSD) need to be understood because low liberation and overgrinding will lead to future problems. Once this is done, it is also important to clearly understand the breakage properties of the ore. The kinetics of size reduction in tumbling mills are often determined using two probabilistic functions: selection and breakage (Austin & Luckie, 1972). Knowledge of the selection and breakage functions also enables the prediction of the PSD for a given ore sample."

Jan 1, 2017

By D. E. Stone

Solid and liquid impurities must be removed almost completely from synthesis gas for the production of synthetic liquid fuels because of their effect on the synthesis catalyst and turbocompressors. The maximum permissible concentration of dust has been set at 0.05 grain per 100 cubic feet.5/ This is one part per million by weight, or about the same concentration as in average city air. The cost of synthesis gas is estimated to constitute 60 to 70 percent of the total cost of the synthetic liquid fuel. For this reason this station is developing processes using coal instead of the more valuable coke as raw material, which promises reduction in cost of the synthesis gas. This, however, increases the difficulty of attaining the above dust value. As failure of the dust-removing equipment to produce high-purity gas may ruin valuable equipment within a few minutes, it is imperative that a reliable and continuous method be obtained for determining such extremely low concentrations .of dust in the purified gas. A suitable device must also instantly sound an alarm and, if necessary, automatically actuate the proper valves to prevent damage. The Ess Instrument Co. designed and built an instrument which they believed might fulfill these specifications. It' continually compared, by means of photoelectric cells, the intensity of a light beam passing through the gas and a similar beam passing through clean air. For maximum sensitivity, the photocells were connected back to back, i.e., anode to cathode and cathode to anode. The difference in voltage produced by the two cells was amplified and operated an indicator.

Jan 1, 1951

By I. AITKENS

Quartz maintains a rather conspicuous position among gem stones , despite its being the commonest and, in its natural form, the most easily recognized of mineral substances . This prominence is due primarily to the extensive use of amethyst , which provides stones of the finest violet color , and also to the wide employment of yellow quartz ( citrine ) which is called topaz by jewellers and vies with the true topaz in color and brilliance . Unlike many less costly gem materials quartz is hard and durable .

Mar 1, 1932

By T. W. Turk

In May 1984, Davy McKee Corporation was awarded a contract for engineering design, procurement assistance, project management and startup services for two gold recovery plants? in the People's, Republic of China (PRC). The basic design of these two projects was to be accomplished by a combined effort of the Chinese and Davy McKee Corporation (DMC). The, design goals were to provide a state-of-the art plant while maintaining Chinese standards and design practices whenever possible. Chinese-manufactured equipment was to be used as much as possible. This paper discusses the project organization and procedures developed to accomplish the design goals, the process selection and design, and the selection and procurement of equipment outside of the PRC. Design development for grinding, leaching and carbon adsorption, and gold recovery are discussed in detail. The major goal of process selection and design was to provide common criteria for both plants. Equipment .sizing and selection was identical for carbon-in-leach adsorption, gold recovery, acid washing, and carboo regeneration for both plants. Of special importance is the design of the wastewater treatment system. Due to the cl0se proximity of a major population area, slurry discharging from these mines must be treated to meet drinking water standards. The process development and design of this system is also discussed in detail.

Jan 1, 1989

By Breno Totti Maia

Due to operational conditions and locations, BOF suffers variations in important parameters whose effects on the liquid bath are usually neglected. The present paper investigated two aspects: inner BOF pressure and oxygen temperature in the stagnant reservoir. The results have shown that oxygen temperature changes properties like density and velocity but has small influence on jet penetration. The BOF inner pressure has significant influence on jet penetration and creates a new challenge regarding nozzles dimensions considering overexpanding and underexpading jets.

Oct 30, 2017

On-line radioisotope gauges determine information on the characteristics of ore to enable improved control of processing operations. In the metalliferous mineral industry, in-stream analysis systems based on radioisotope X-ray techniques determine concentrations of valuable minerals at various stages of the concentration process. In the coal industry, on-line gauges determine ash and moisture contents, and the specific energy of coal.In-stream analysis systems developed in Australia are installed in about 30 mineral concentrators. Their use has led to the increased recovery of valuable minerals, and the time taken to recover the cost of installation is usually several months. The savings to Australia resulting from use of these analysis systems is estimated to be more than $A 15 million per year.Australian experience in the training of mineral industry personnel shows that the most effective approach is to combine courses on nuclear techniques and control of processing operations. This is the basis of Australia's contribution to the minerals sub-project of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Industrial Project.

Jan 1, 1985

By N. A. Warner

Virtually zero gas emission smelting is promoted as a means for securing environmental advantages and the general public’s acceptance. Concerns about climate change will increasingly make it more difficult for new primary metals projects to come to fruition unless greenhouse gas emissions are decreased. Assuming a sustainable market for sulphuric acid is not locally available, the next best option is high temperature reaction of strong SO2 with limestone or dolomite. This is followed by CO2 liquefaction and disposal either underground or in the deep ocean. The Voisey’s Bay nickel project is cited as an example where appropriate location of a new smelter close to large dolomite or limestone deposits would lead to a virtually zero gas emission operation. Most of the electrical energy required for producing technically pure oxygen and for liquefying CO2 and transporting it to disposal can be derived from smelting a bulk sulphide concentrate and then reacting SO2 at high temperature. Provided the smelter gases are properly cleaned before sulphur fixation, the sulphated stone should be uncontaminated and environmentally benign and possibly of use in the building and construction industry.

Jan 1, 1999