Search Documents

By John V. Beall

Ten years ago, upon coming home to New York, we had money in the bank, a portfolio of stocks, a rent- controlled apartment overlooking the Hudson and we didn't own an automobile. This was bliss! The just reward of industry and careful management of the fruits of our labor in the mines overseas. Although we kept up a delaying action, the family was pushing hard for a house in the suburbs. We were able to find something wrong with every house that came up but, finally, in a weak moment made the unlikely compromise of putting ten dollars down on a piece of property in Westchester County.

Jan 1, 1971

By T. Y. Yan

SUMMARY Laboratory high pressure column tests have shown that the presence of 1-20 ppm of aluminum ion effectively prevents permeability loss during uranium leaching with leachates containing sodium carbonate. If added after permeability loss has occurred, aluminum ion can restore the permeability to nearly its original value. No deleterious effect was observed on uranium leaching performance and the technique should be quite compatible with all field operations. INTRODUCTION The recovery of uranium values from underground deposits by in situ leaching or solution mining has become economically viable and competitive with conventional open pit or underground mining/milling systems (Merrit, 1971). In situ leaching processes are particularly suitable for small, low-grade deposits located in deep formations and dispersed in many thin layers. Many such ore bodies occur along a broad band of the Gulf Coastal Plain (Eargle et. al., 1971). The advantages of the in situ leaching processes have been reviewed (Anderson and Ritchi, 1968). In the in situ leaching process, a lixiviant containing the leaching chemicals is injected into the subterranean deposit and solubilizes uranium as it traverses the ore body. The pregnant lixiviant or leachate is produced from the production well and is then treated to recover the uranium. The resulting barren solution is made up with the leaching chemical to form lixiviant for re-injection. Upon completion of the leaching operation, the formation is contaminated with leaching chemicals and other species made soluble in the leaching operation and has to be treated to reduce the concentration of these contaminants in the ground water to levels acceptable to the regulatory agencies (Witlington and Taylor, 1978). Restoration is accomplished by injecting a restoration fluid, which could be the fresh water or water containing chemicals, into the formation. As it traverses the leached formation, the restoration fluid picks up the contaminants and is then produced at the production well. This produced water is either disposed or purified for recycle. In both phases of operation, formation permeability or well injectivity is one of the most important parameters which determines the viability of the in situ leaching process. Low formation permeability limits production rates, leading to uneconomical operations. The formation is said to be sensitive if there is a sharp loss of permeability on contact with water and other fluids. Many uranium bearing formations, for example, the Catahoula formation of the Texas Coastal Plain, contain significant amounts of clay minerals which are water sensitive. Serious permeability losses can occur when the pH and chemical composition of the lixiviant is significantly different from that of the formation water. Jones has investigated the influence of chemical composition of water on clay blocking of permeability (Jones, 1964) and Mungan studied permeability reduction through changes in pH and salinity of the water (Mungan, 1965). Various mechanisms of permeability damage have been proposed and reviewed (Jones, 1964; Mungan, 1965; Gray and Rex, 1966; and Veley, 1969). When large amounts of swelling clays are present, a significant fraction of the flow channels in the formation can be reduced due to swelling. However, in most cases, swelling need not be the main cause of permeability losses. Particle dispersion and migration or clay sliming can be more important causes for formation damage. Clay particles entrained in the moving fluids are carried downstream until they lodge in pore constrictions. As a result, microscopic filter cakes are formed by these obstructions, plugging the pores, effectively restricting fluid flow and reducing the formation permeability. Moore found that as little as 1-4 percent clays present in a fine grained sandstone could completely plug the formation if they are contacted by incompatible injected fluids (Moore, 1960). It has been found that injection of NaHC03/Na2CO3 lixiviant into formations with significant clay content often leads to loss of formation permeability and well injectivity. To alleviate this problem a change of the lixiviant composition to KHC03/K2CO3 has been proposed. At present, however, many in situ leaching operations employ NH4HC03/(NH4)2C03 mixtures as a source of carbonates. This approach has been successfully used in South Texas by Mobil, Intercontinental Energy, Wyoming Minerals and U.S. Steel, etc. The use of ammonium carbonates solutions, however, contaminates the formation and requires a time-consuming restoration operation. The other approach to reduce the permeability loss is to pretreat the sensitive formation with chemicals which prevent clay dispersion and migration. Such chemicals include hydroxy-aluminum (Reed, 1972 and Coppel et. al., 1973), hydrolyzable zirconium salts (Peters and Stout, 1977), hydrolyzable metal ions in general (Veley, 1969) and polyelectrolyte polymers (Anonymous). Still another approach, is to minimize the "shock" caused by sudden injection by gradually changing the chemical composition of the injected fluids from that of the formation water. THE APPROACH Since permeability loss can be an important factor limiting the efficiency and economic viability of the in situ leaching process, a study was initiated on

Jan 1, 1982

By Paul I. Eimon, Byron R. Berger

INTRODUCTION Epithermal silver-gold deposits form at low to moderate temperatures in near-surface environments. These deposits are found in all rock types, but historically, the most important deposits occur as veins in volcanic rocks (e.g., Creede, Colorado; Pachuca, Mexico) and as replacements in sedimentary sequences (e.g., Mercur, Utah; Carlin, Nevada). Increases in the open-market prices for silver and gold in the last few years have resulted in renewed interest in precious metals and the economic viability of large-tonnage low-grade deposits. These bulk-mineable deposits form as replacements in permeable horizons or as stockworks in the up- per parts of otherwise bonanza-type hydrothermal systems and newly recognized systems that erupted onto the surface as hot springs, fumaroles, or geysers. Large tonnage low-grade de- posits were an unconventional resource prior to price increases; however, now they constitute one of the main sources of precious metals in the United States and the importance is growing worldwide. This paper presents conceptual geologic- geochemical models of epithermal precious-metal deposits derived from studies of productive deposits throughout the world. Much of the data presented is not new. However, the interpretation of the data in terms of current concepts of hydrothermal processes is new. This paper deals with idealized and general ore-forming mechanisms, and no attempt is made either to explain the origin of the different chemistries of ore- forming fluids or to examine all of the variations in specific deposits due to local structural controls and host-rock compositions.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. W. Leonard

This expanded and more detailed supplement to earlier published work1 is offered as a means to demonstrate the high empirical correlation which exists between the readily measured coal bench scale test parameters of volatile matter (d & a.f.), Hard-grove grindability index (HGI), Koppers cone bulk density (BD) and pulverization level (% passing a 1/8-in. screen) to the less readily measured full scale coke stability index. Thus, Fig. 1, 2 and 3 represent the correlated test data contained in Tables I, II and III respectively. Ninety-six coals are correlated so that 97% of the resultant cokes fall within two points and 100% fall within three points of the actual tested coke stability indices. The main generalizations which can be drawn from the correlation of these coals are as follows: 1) The coke stability indices for higher bulk density coals (46.0 BD to 50.6 BD) appear to be largely influenced by differing combinations of factors for coals above and below a pivotal point of approximately 36% to 37% volatile matter. Below this pivotal volatile matter coke stability index appears to be influenced largely as a result of changes to the coal volatile matter and pulverization level. While above this pivotal volatile matter coke stability indices appear to be dependent on the coal hardness, as measured by the HGI, and to some extent upon coal volatile matter. Pulverization appears to have little influence on the coke stabilities of the harder coals (52 HGI to 58 HGI) of greater than 36% to 37% volatile matter. 2) The coke stability indices for lower bulk density coals (41 BD to 45.9 BD) appears to be largely influenced by changes to coal volatile matter and pulverization level for softer coals above approximately 58 HGI. 3) The main empirical observation to be drawn from these results is that for coals above approximately 36% to 37% volatile matter the quantities of hard and soft constituents as measured by the HGI are important when defining coal rank for correlation to the coke stability index.

Jan 1, 1965

By Harrison R. Cooper

This section will outline procedural, statistical, and model applications developed for specific problem solving and for specific applications in beneficiation processes. Iron Ore Processing Introduction of taconite as a basic raw material in the iron ore industry took place with application of high order technical resources for process development and engineering. This investment of resources encouraged computer utilization to maximize efficient use of capital. From this recognition, process control computers have been installed for operations use in the major taconite plants of the iron range. One of these installations, the Minntac Division of U. S. Steel at Mountain Iron, Minnesota, is described in the paper by Chase in these proceedings. Other computer techniques used in taconite processing are outlined by Tuttle, Ahlquist and Carlson, representing Erie Mining. In this volume Tuttle, et al. describe statistical methods for development of information in taconite beneficiation. Statistical methods used in iron ore processing are described by Volin in treating flotation data as outlined in prior proceedings of the symposia and in other publications. 1,2,3 Industrial Minerals The use of linear programming for feed blending at the Carlsbad operation of International Minerals and Chemicals was outlined by Nunnekoven in 1963.4 Subsequent application of this procedure at the Kingston phosphate operation in Florida was described by Loper. Continued development led to installation of an on-line computer in the Kingston plant which reached operational status in 1967.6,7,8 Application of an on-line computer to industrial mineral production accomplished at Kingston is regarded as a milestone in computer use development. Following this achievement, the Cominco potash beneficiation plant near Saskastoon in Canada was automated by installation of an on- line computer programmed to carry out direct digital control functions to effectively operate the plant by process computer. The procedures used in the Cominco operation are described by Madge in this volume. Development of a mathematical model

Jan 1, 1969

By R. Van A. Norris

The following tests were made, during 1889, for the Susquehanna Coal Company, to determine the relative efficiency of several styles of mine-car wheels in use at their collieries at Nanticoke, Pa. The wheels experimented upon may be divided into two classes: The "old style" (Figs. 1 and 2), which are oiled at every trip; and the "new style" (Figs. 3, 4, and 5), which require oiling about once in two to four months. Fig. 1 shows a section of a plain cast wheel, with patent annular oil-chamber. This is held in position on the axle by a square, split cotter-pin. Fig. 2 is a similar wheel, with a patent cast bushing, which is readily replaced when worn. The lubrication is effected by a simple oil-hole, but the oil is delivered a little inside of the gaugeline of the wheel, where it is most needed. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are sections of a " new style " patented, self-oiling wheel. In this, the outer end is cast closed, and the wheel is fastened to the axle by a spring cotter-pin passed through one of the plugged holes. Dirt is prevented from entering the open end by a cap, with faced end and packing-ring, fitting over the end of the hub. The lubricant is introduced into the oil-chamber through one of the plugged holes in the hub. When the wheel is in motion, the lubricant is thrown by centrifugal force away from the axle, enters the two ports shown, and is

Jan 1, 1890

By D. J. Bourne, G. E. Atwood

The new potash refinery of Duval Sulphur & Potash Co. produced its first tonnage of muriate of potash in November 1951. Full capacity was attained in early 1952. Excellent extraction efficiency is being obtained by the process, which is basically froth flotation. System temperature control is practiced and has proved to be of great metallurgical value through high potassium recovery and. low reagent cost. WHEN Duval Sulphur and Potash Co. recently entered the established potash industry, the vast amount of pioneer work essential in an entirely new endeavor was unnecessary. Thus it was possible to screen and assemble proved techniques into a highly efficient process based on the combined knowledge of the industry. It is hoped that the refinements Duval has added to these cumulative achievements will contribute to the rapid advance of the potash industry and related enterprises. The process selected utilizes as raw material syl-vinite ore typical of the Permian Basin. This ore is principally comprised of interlocked crystals of potassium chloride, about 40 pct, and sodium chloride. Also there is as much as 1 1/2 pct of dispersed clay slime which, because of its nature, highly complicates beneficiation of these ores. The refining method is basically flotation in which the mineral sylvite is floated away from the halite-clay gangue to produce a 60 pct K,O muriate of potash product for the plant-food trade. It departs from established practice in the use of an improved reagent scheme, developed by the company's technical staff, and in

Jan 1, 1954

By A. Perry Thompson

Discussion of the paper of A. PERRY THOMPSON, presented at the San Francisco meeting, September, 1915, and printed 'in Bulletin No. 100, April, 1915, pp. 645 to 677. ARTHUR S. EAKLE, Berkeley, Cal.-At the old Morning Star mine in Alpine County, where large masses of enargite were found some years ago, I looked particularly for evidences of replacement of pyrite by the enargite. While I have not made a particular study of any of the specimens, I judge that the pyrite and enargite were precipitated together. They were both primarily in those rocks. Of course, by using Mr. Graton's method of determination we might possibly find a situation somewhat different, but I should say that the enargite is not replacing the pyrite, but was simply precipitated at the same time. The bodies occurred there within 50 ft. of the surface, so it is probably not a case of secondary enrichment. H. W. TURNER, San Francisco, Cal.-In the case where secondary chalcocite shows a crystalline structure and cleavage lines, what is the evidence of the secondary nature of it? C. F. TOLMAN, Stanford University, Cal.-You can find practically all the evidences we have discovered in the microscopic study of ores. You can find all stages in the process of replacement of earlier minerals, especially bornite, by chalcocite, from a stage, in which the process has but just started with only occasional fragments of chalcocite set in bornite, to a stage where remnants of bornite are set in chalcocite. The replacement may take place along the cleavage lines or along the crystallographic directions of the earlier mineral, or it may take place irregularly. In one type of replacement you may find in one spot a few cross-cutting veins, and in another spot the latter may be so enlarged that there remain only a few individual specks of the replaced mineral.

Jan 12, 1915

By E. C. Franz

IN an effort to understand high cycle fatigue, as well as to study the mechanism of fracture in general, a number of researches have been undertaken whereby the fracture properties of a metal have been determined under conditions of repeated cyclic prestsain employing high strains with relatively few cycles. Liu, Lynch, Ripling, and Sachs' showed the effect of a definite strain history consisting of small increments of tensile or compressive prestrain upon the flow and fracture characteristics of metals after a limited number of repeated loadings. Liu and SachsW emonstrated by cyclic straining of the aluminum alloy 24s-T4 that the least reduction in ductility was obtained when the compressive stress was nearly equal to the tensile stress. Attempts have been made to correlate the reduction in ductility under such prestraining with conventional fatigue data, as was done by Liu and co-workers.' The following research was conducted to determine if such reduction as has been noted could be correlated with conventional fatigue data or whether the effect resulted from causes extraneous to the basic mechanism of fatigue failure such as strain aging. It might be pointed out in this connection that the reduction in ductility has occurred in alloys that might be susceptible to strain aging or similar behavior, such as alloy 24s-T4. In the present investigation, the test specimens were prepared from the aluminum alloy 75s-T6 and annealed electrolytic copper. Alloy 75s-T6 is a complex precipitation hardenable alloy, whereas electrolytic copper would not be expected to exhibit strain aging effects, particularly at room temperature. The experimental procedure consisted of prestraining test specimens repeatedly by increasing tension in small increments to various total prestrain values, followed by testing to failure in a tension test. The prestraining as well as the final testing was performed on a tensile machine using special fixtures9 0 maintain concentricity of the specimens. After prestraining, the specimens were unloaded as rapidly as possible and immediately reloaded so that the total time lapse between strains was held to a few seconds. Logarithmic or true natural strain was used in all calculations. The results are presented in Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 1, the retained ductility, area after prestrain area at fracture is plotted against the tensile prestrain, initial area area after prestrain as abscissa with the number of stress reversals executed to attain the required prestrain plotted as parameter. Several specimens that fractured during

Jan 1, 1955

By Paul A. Schafer

BALATOC mine, the principal gold-producing mine in the Philippines, is 10 miles southeast of Baguio, in the Cordillera Central of northern Luzon.1 The region is a deeply dissected plateau, ranging in altitude from 3000 t0 5000 ft. above sea level. The rocks consist chiefly of granodiorite, diorite, and remnants of metamorphosed sediments, cut by dikes of andesite porphyry and quartz-diorite porphyry. All are intruded by a volcanic breccia plug, oval in horizontal section, about 3200 ft. long and 2300 ft. wide, which is the north central part of the mineralized area. Three main vein systems have been developed (Fig. 1): q6, 231 and 364, which strike about N.70°E. and dip 5o to 90°S. Each system is a braided zone consisting of many individual components. They are disturbed by a series of premineral faults or shear zones striking about N.45°E. Twelve of these produce important effects on the persistence, character, and quality of veins. From west to east the faults are named (after claims): Hog, Big Gun, Bull, Pine, Lolita, Bar No. I, Bar No. 2, Curt, Sun, Helen, Itoe, and Frog. They are early breaks formed prior to the N.70°E. vein fractures. Mineralization occurs on them but, with several prominent exceptions, they are too low grade to mine. A number of northwesterly striking faults complete the structural pattern. Although they are relatively abundant, the effect on the veins is so small that they do not present any problems in mining or development. All of these faults that have been observed are later than the N.70°E. veins and offset them to the left. NORTHEAST FAULTS The early northeast faults* are notably continuous in spite of their small displacements, 20 to 100 ft. Frequently they appear so weak that their importance is masked and their identity clouded. The gouge along any of these faults may vary from exceedingly weak at one point to very strong at another point only a short distance away. In other words, the amount of gouge depends on the changes of attitude of the fault plane, and is no indication of the extent of the movement. Places where walls are spread apart are filled with gouge squeezed from tight places. Also, mineralization sometimes obscures fault gouges by replacement. The mineralization of northeast faults has produced several important ore bodies; namely, 231 west on Pine fault and q6 vein on the same fault. To a smaller extent, Lolita, Curt, Bull, Bar No. I, and Sun

Jan 1, 1942

By A. J. Carlson, G. M. Marincel, M. L. Hovland, J. H. Healy

Research personnel of Erie Mining Co., a pioneer taconite mining firm on the Mesabi Range, have invented a new method to make an effective 325 mesh separation at high tonnage rates over stationary screens. The company regards this development as historically significant in that it represents the first successful method to commercially screen large tonnages of ore at fine sizes. Erie, which is now completing an expansion program at its plant site near Hoyt Lakes, Minn., has incorporated this screening method as part of that expansion. When completed, the concentration plant will produce 10.3 million tons of iron concentrate, all of which will have been efficiently screened at 325 mesh.

Jan 4, 1967

By S. D. Michaelson

Open pits and quarries are the major sources of all "hard rock" tonnage mined today. Normally, ore is fractured from the pit face by blasting and then truck-hauled to a primary crusher where pro- cessing begins; overburden (or waste) is generally truck-hauled from the pit to dump areas. Truck haulage of blasted ore and overburden accounts for some 25 to 50% of total mining costs in a typical open pit and commonly is the largest single cost factor. Obviously then, cost reduction efforts should properly focus on improving existing haulage systems and developing new breakthrough techniques for material transport. Continuous flow systems for large tonnages ordinarily will result in a lower cost than batch systems such as truck or rail haulage. Continuous flow with pipelines for liquids and slurries, or conveyors for medium to coarse dry materials (in the -8-in. range) are the economic answers for bulk materials handling over reasonable distances.

Jan 11, 1968

By G. C. Kuczynski

A. J. SHALER* and H. UDIN*— Bonding, and the increase in contact area, form two of the series of phenomena collectively known as 'sintering.' A third one of these is involved in changes in dimensions of the whole compact. Dr. Kuczynski's Fig 1, in which the center of the sphere does not approach the surface of the plate, shows that he is not concerned with the last of these phenomena. On the other hand, Frenkel's work is exclusively concerned with changes in dimensions. Dr. Kuczynski's rather unfortunate remarks about Frenkel's work are therefore beside the point. The work of Wulff and myself, quoted by the author, has also been primarily concerned with what we call the 'second stage of sintering,' in which such systems as may be represented by Kuczynski's model of a sphere and a block are no longer in existence. The work of Pines also falls in this category. Neither does Dr. Kuczynski's very masterful experimental work represent a solution to the problem of bonding. It does not seek to answer the question of why particles approach one another and form a weld in the first place. Such a study clearly reveals that the area of contact is initially rapidly deformed by direct mechanical flow caused by the same force of attraction. This initial deformation is neglected here. On the other hand, students of the phenomena of sintering must not underestimate the very important contribution that Dr. Kuczynski does make in this paper. It is a well-worked out study of the mechanism of 'spheroidization' of the voids, the first manifestation of which, during sintering, is the growth of the areas of contact, with no change in the dimensions of the compact. This study is very valuable as a basis for predicting the development of the strength of such compacts as filters and certain porous bearings, in which the second stage of sintering is never reached. A few more specific points may be brought up here. If, in Table 4, the data are extrapolated to zero time, it is easily

Jan 1, 1950

By J. de la Vergne, L. O. Cooper

The hydrostatic steel mine shaft liner (HSL) Provides a permanent wall lining for drilled shafts. It is watertight and suitable for bad ground conditions. After a shaft has been drilled to its full depth, the HSL is lowered into it and secured in place with cement grout. The liner consists of a cylindrical steel shell usually reinforced with exterior stiffening rings. The shell is basically designed for compressive strength and the rings are provided to give the shell added resistance to buckling. There are no published standards for the correct procedures to design an HSL. This paper gives a method that appears logical. A design solution can be complex with increased opportunity for error. This paper presents simple formulas to produce sufficient accuracy for construction design. Two new concepts are presented, referred to as transition pressure and critical pressure. An example demonstrates use of the formulas and concepts presented. To facilitate comprehension and use of the formulas, Greek letters are avoided and most of the English alphabet symbols used refer by association to their definitions. An appendix shows derivation of the formulas.

Jan 1, 1984

The sudden and untimely death of Dr. Charles R. Van Hise, late' president of the University of Wisconsin, was one of the greatest losses, not only to the educational world and science of geology, for which he was a great leader and pathfinder, but also to the world of mining and allied interests, for which he was an adviser and helper who blazed trails and pointed out paths of development, which the practical men of englneering and industry will follow long after his death. To the general public, Dr. Van Hise stood as a great educator who conceived and wrought out a new idea in the people's university .of .a commonwealth and as a great active mind that could not be held within the bounds of education and science but, by its own bigness and broadness, was forced into the contemplation of the larger affairs of the nation. To the engineering profession, dr. Van Hise will be remembered as a tireless worker who solved some of the most complex problems in geolpgy and the development of mineral resources and recorded these findings In a form that is of lasting value to those who follow him in similar labor. In this combination of thinker and worker, educator and economic student, scientist and practical engineer, lies Dr. Van Hise's contribution to his generation. As an educator, Dr. Van Hise attained perhaps his widest recognition, for in the University of which he was president he evolved and accomplished a new idea, which caused it to be called, in 1908, by President Eliot of Harvard, "the leading State University." At the time of his death, Nov. 19, 1918, he was just completing fourteen years as president and forty-three years as student and teacher in the University. His entire life of 61 years had been devoted to his State and its University. He was the first alumnus of the University and the first Wisconsin-born citizen to become its president—and he enjoyed the longest term as president of the institution. Since his graduation from its College of Engineering in 1879, he had been constantly a member of its faculty. As Chief Justice John B. Winslow, of the Wisconsin Supreme Court said at the time of President Van Hise's death, " Wisconsin has had many able sons, men who have served their Country and their State with ais-tinguished honor in various fields of effort, but among them all none, I believe, has rendered greater service in his time than President Van Hise. The University will be his true monument, for to him, more than to any one person, we owe the present commanding position of that, great Institution." What his "new ideal of a State University" was maybe best expressed in the words which he used to outline it in his inaugural address in 1904. "I shall never be content until the beneficent influence of the University of Wisconsin reaches every family of the State. This is my ideal of a State University. When the University of Wisconsin attains this ideal, it will be the first perfect State University.... The University of Wisconsin desires to prevent that greatest of all economic losses to the State, the loss of talent. To prevent this loss of talent, the University must not only provide for those who come to Madison for instruction, but must go out to the people of the State with the knowledge which they desire and need." Hence it was said early in his administration that "the boundaries of the State are the campus fence."

Jan 1, 1920

By G. M. Ritcey

The design of the plant facilities together with the necessary equipment required for the operation is at an optimum only for the specified plant with its peculiar priorities and preferences. Because many alternatives in design are possible to suit a particular plant, each plant designer and contractor must choose carefully in the selection of the site, design and choice of materials of construction, as well as the type of equipment necessary for the process. Basic factors as efficiency, dependability, simplicity, and safety must be considered early in the construction; while the choice of equipment, materials of construction, possible corrosion problems, automation, maintenance, effluents disposal and tailings dam construction can greatly affect the plant costs. While existing plants are in operation, the know-how gained from the operating experience of those plants can be invaluable in the new plant planning, design, and construction.

Jan 1, 1978

By H. W. Hitzrot

SEPARATING a mixture of particle sizes of material suspended in a liquid medium is by no means an exact science. Selecting machines for individual classifying operations is even more difficult. The plant operator's own background is of course invaluable, and considerable help may be obtained from technical articles, talks with sales engineers, and handbooks on ore dressing. These several sources of information, however, are difficult to marshal in proper perspective for the major decision on classification units that an operator may be called upon to make. To the present writer's knowledge this assembly of facts is not available in handbooks, and technical papers are scarce on classification equipment developed in the past five or six years. It is believed that this paper will be helpful to users of classification equipment at this particular period in the development of hydro-classification. For easy reference the following classification units now available and in use in metallurgical and industrial operations are listed below, with a brief description of each. Unit-type classifiers, bowl classifiers, and bowl desiltors are all rectangular tanks, slightly tilted, with reciprocating rakes or screws to remove settled sands. The unit-type classifier, Figs. 1 and 2, is available in widths from 14 in. to 20 ft and lengths up to 40 ft. The shallow bowl of the bowl classifier, Fig. 3, equipped with rotating rakes, is superimposed on the lower end of the tank. Reciprocating rake compartments for this design range from 18 in. to 20 ft wide. Bowl diameters vary from 4 to 28 ft. The flat-bottomed bowl of the desiltor, Fig. 4, of relatively large diameter, is equipped with rakes rotating outward and partly over a pit, which is created by extension of the rectangular tank into and under the bowl section. Bowl desiltors are available with reciprocating rake sections 4 to 20 ft wide and bowls from 20 to 50 ft in diam. The bowl desiltor is used for applications beyond the range of the bowl classifier. The hydroseparator, Figs. 5 and 6, is a circular tank equipped with slowly rotating rake arms, set on a slope, with interrupted rake or spiral blades to move the settled solids to a central discharge cone. Tank diameters vary from 4 to 250 ft. Tank depths at center are 2 to 3 ft for small units and up to 25 ft for larger units. Hydraulic classifiers of the sizer and super-sorter types, Figs. 7 and 8, are narrow, deep, rectangular tanks divided by vertical baffles into a series of pockets. Hydraulic water is added near the bottom of each pocket. Perforated constriction plates, spiral flow arrangements, or jets are used to disseminate the water under pressure (hydraulic water) throughout the bed of material in the pocket. Discharge valves on each pocket are operated automatically by a pneumatic mechanism, a pincer-type mechanism, or a pressure control and motor combination actuated by a hydrostatic tube within the pocket. Hydraulic classifiers are available in 4, 5, 6, and 8-pocket units of varying constriction plate areas to suit conditions. There is now a jet sizer of unit pocket design that can be made up in 1 to 25 sections or more to accommodate sizing requirements. The hydroscillator, Fig. 9, is a rectangular tank set on a slope of 3 to 4 in. per ft. A bowl is superimposed on the lower end. The bowl bottom is an oscillating rubber-covered disk, perforated to allow hydraulic water introduced beneath the disk to set up a teeter bed and thus produce an oversize or rake product exceptionally free of slimes, and material minus the mesh of separation. A shallow dam at the periphery of the bowl allows the coarse or oversize fraction to spill over and drop down into the tank compartment, where it is moved up the deck by reciprocating rakes. The material, minus the mesh of separation, overflows a circular and stationary weir which is several inches higher than the dam on the oscillating disk. It is carried off in a circular launder in the usual manner. These units are available in bowl diameters from 4 to 14 ft and with reciprocating rake compartment widths to suit the tons per hour to be handled. Centrifugal classifiers include the solid bowl centrifuge and the cyclone classifier. The solid bowl centrifuge, Fig. 10, consists of a truncated cone fixed to a horizontal shaft and rotating at high speed. An internal spiral rotating at slightly less speed continuously removes solids deposited on the inner surface of the cone, or bowl. Feed enters the cone by means of the hollow center shaft. Overflow leaves through ports at the large end of the cone, and oversize solids, moved by the spiral, exit through ports at the small end. Centrifugal classifiers of this type are available in cone diameters from 18 to 54 in. The cyclone classifier, Fig. 11, is a stationary cone having a cylindrical upper section and a lower cone section. Feed is introduced tangentially into the upper cylindrical section under pressure from a hydrostatic head or by means of a pump. Centrifugal force thus induced effects a classification within the cone, the fine sizes being carried off in the overflow through an opening at the top of the cylindrical section. Coarse solids at relatively high pulp density exit through a control valve at the apex of the lower cone section. Cyclone classifiers are available in 3, 6, 12, 14, 24, and 30-in. diam. The cone classifier, Fig. 12, is a steel-plate cone with sides usually about 60" from horizontal. It contains no rotating mechanism. Feed enters a feed-well at center and classification is effected by gravity and pulp density. Fines are carried off in the flow over a peripheral weir at the top of the cone. Settled solids exit through an opening at the apex. An apex valve actuated through levers and rods by the pulp density in the lower cone section is usually supplied. Diameters are usually maximum at 8 ft.

Jan 1, 1955

By R. D. Carter

Methods are presented for calculating the performance of multiwell gas reservoirs. These methods account for two-dimensional, unsteady-state flow of a non-ideal gas through a heterogeneous formation. The performance can be obtained for gas reservoirs with known physical properties and configuration subjected to specified development and production schedules. These methods may prove helpful in optimizing the exploitation of gas reservoirs. The numerical solrrtion procedures given for this non-linear problem are extensions of known techniques for the linear diffusion equation. Two of these procedures are based on a new difference equation given by Saul'ev. Limitations and advantages of these procedures are discussed. An example solution is presented and is used to compare the calculation methods. INTRODUCTION Li planning the operation of a multiwell gas reservoir, it is desirable to predict its performance for each alternate development and producing schedule under consideration. This paper presents three numerical procedures that can be used to calculate such gas reservoir performance using a digital computer. These methods account for two-dimensional transient flow of a non-ideal gas within the reservoir. Extension of these methods to three-dimensional flow is possible. The paper is divided into three parts. The first describes the problem for which a solution is wanted and three numerical procedures that can be used to obtain solutions. The second discusses the information necessary to set up a problem. This part will be of greatest interest to the field engineer. The third gives data and results for an example problem. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION METHODS In the following development, a gas reservoir is regarded as a sealed, porous, permeable, heterogeneous body in which a single, non-ideal gas phase is flowing. Flow is permitted in the x- and y-horizontal directions, but is considered to be negligible in the vertical or z-direction. The reservoir can be tapped by one or more wells. Methods to be described provide a basis for calculating the complete performance of the reservoir, including rates and cumulative production from the wells, and pressure distribution and decline in the reservoir. If the isothermal flow of a non-ideal gas obeying Darcy's Law occurs in two dimensions in a region R, the governing equation in this region is:

Jan 1, 1967

Draftsman and transitman for coal mine work in Middle West. Salary $125 per month. No. 277. Technical graduate wanted for metallurgical work in experimental laboratory of large New England manufacturing concern. A knowledge of metallography of steel is essential. Practical experience is desirable but not required. No. 305. High-class man to install and take charge of a coal mining property. Must be experienced in handling labor and of good sound judgment. Work will require a man to be on the grounds practically all the time. The work is drift mining and is not gaseous. No. 306. Engineer familiar with the acid treatment and melting of cyanide precipitates; also a competent assayer. Applicant must be able to furnish good references. No. 307. Wanted-practical mining man, foreman, or superintendent for work in middle or southern Atlantic States. Salary $200 per month. No. 308.

Jan 5, 1918

Downtime cannot be tolerated on electric shovels whose cost may approach or exceed $400,000 each. The same may be said for larger-variety off-highway trucks which require an operational expenditure upwards of $50 per hour. One company, for instance, in order to ensure a more continuous operation, has specified centralized lubrication for all of its new equipment. In wet or dry weather, the mining of asbestos can place undue strains on machinery and other equipment. When the mineral is dry, its dusty, loose fibers work their way into crevices, and when wet, the glutinous asbestos may adhere to axles, gears and other wear components. Such conditions are multiplied during the extreme cold winters of eastern Canada. It is more difficult to lubricate and maintain equipment, and erosiveness becomes more punishing to wear parts. Resultant breakdowns rapidly drain off profits.

Jan 1, 1971