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By A. E. Seaton

In this paper it will be my endeavor to trace the development of the marine engine and its appurtenances, and the general progress that has taken place in marine engineering generally during the past fifteen years, rather with the object of attributing much of it to the successful efforts of the makers of iron and steel, thereby rendering my thanks to them for the valuable service they have contributed to my profession, than to recount what has been achieved by the skill, ability and perseverance of my colleagues in shipbuilding and engineering. The engineer has been at all times dependent on the ironmaster, and on more than one occasion his progress has been barred by the inability of the latter to overcome some obstacle to success in his manufacture. But on the other hand, it is equally true that the ironmaster has often been ahead of the engineer, and has been prepared, long beforehand, to supply that which would make a success for the marine engineer if he would avail himself of it.

Jan 1, 1891

By Francis A. Pocock

The writer is continually asked, if this electricity:is all you claim for it, why do not the mines put it in and use it? The best answer was given by Mr. John Fox Tallis, in his paper read before the South Wales Institute of Engineers in 1888, namely, that the reasons are similar to those which have prevented the more general employment of other systems of haulage. Managers, as a rule, are " not experienced mechanical engineers; neither are they all versed in electrical engineering." It may be said that there are a number of " able and practical electrical engineers who could do the work; but those electrical engineers are not conversant with the practical routine of colliery work and are, therefore, placed at a disadvantage by not knowing the actual requirements of mining engineers, and the many little difficulties to be met and contended with in underground workings; and, until mining engineers have acquired the necessary knowledge and a confidence in electricity, it is only natural that they will continue to follow the beaten path." In the above remarks, Mr. Tallis has hit the nail on the head. In the face of the partial failure, financially, of the haulage-plant which the Union Electric Company of Philadelphia had set to work at Lykens Valley, Pa., an electric haulage-plant was installed near Scranton, Pa. The question was not whether electricity could do the work, but whether any electrical company knew enough about the practical difficulties to attack and overcome them. That point being settled, the remainder was easy. The contract for the Erie Colliery haulage-plant was signed in January, 1889. This colliery is owned by the Hillside Coal and Iron Company, Mr. Samuel Hines, President, and Captain W. A. May, Superintendent. The company has been using arc-lamps in its breakers for three years. It is the only company in the Lackawanna Valley which has had enterprise enough to do so. Consequently, it was acquainted

Jan 1, 1890

By R. H. Richards, A. E. Woodward

In Rittinger's Aufbereitungskunde of 1867 occurs (p. 195) the following table, which shows the rate of falling in water of fragments of minerals, of irregular shapes and of five different specific gravities: Diameter of particles in millimeters. 10 8 6 4 3 2 1 .5 Sp. Or. Velocity in meters per second. Auriferous silver, 16..9 .8 .7 .57 .5 .4 .29 .20 Galena,. ..7.5 .62 .55 .48 .39 54 .28 .20 .14 Pyrites,. ..5.0 .49 .43 .38 .30 .26 .22 .15 .10 Quartz,. ..2.6 -30 .27 24 .19 .17 .14 .10 .07 Coal,. ..1.3 .13 .12 .10 .08 .07 .06 .04 .03 With the purpose of extending this valuable table, to cover a larger number of minerals and sizes of each mineral, and of making it more easy of application in deciding upon a sieve-scale for any group of minerals, we have prepared the curves of velocity of fall of bodies in water shown in Plates I., XI., 111. and IV., using Rittinger's formula V= 2.44d(8 —1) where V= velocity in millimeters per second. " D = diameter of particles in meters. " 8 = specific gravity of the mineral. These curves embrace a large number of specific gravities, and for each specific gravity the relation of the diameter of the mineral particle to the velocity of its fall in water is given for all diameters and velocities used in practice. The second diagram is an enlargement of the lower left-hand corner of the first, the third bears the same relation to the second, and in like manner the fourth to the third. Plate I, therefore, covers the work of the coarsest jigging 2 inches in diameter; and under

Jan 1, 1890

By Edward S. Cook

For several years past, dating particularly from the days of serious "ore-dirt" complications at the Warwick furnace, I have been desirous of providing some safe, quick and easy method of relieving the tuyeres of slag, when the cinder- and iron-notches are chilled through loss of heat in the clucible or when, from dropping or jumping of stock, the molten slag is forcibly driven into the bellyand leg-pipes. Various methods were proposed, but objections of one kind or another always presented themselves, and the subject was postponed to a more convenient season. In the summer of 1887, while running on anthracite alone, 1 found the various expedients in use to be so utterly valueless, that the importance of a practicable tuyere slagging-valve impressed me more forcibly than ever. The holes left in the cast-iron jacket at one side of the bottom of the water-blocks were found to be of no value whatever. The swinging or hinged cap on the elbow of the belly-pipe, while convenient to permit the removal of lag after the belly-pipe was partially or wholly filled, could not be adapted to discharge the slag before solidifying, except at great risk to the men and loss of time just when the constant running of the engine and the keeping of blast on the furnace was of the utmost importance. By removing keys from the caps and holding them in place with props, the slag could be discharged through the tuyeres and belly-pipes, with the engine running, by knocking the props away at a given signal. This method is extremely hazardous to life and limb, and I have always hesitated to make use of it. When the furnace is in such condition as to require the adoption of some method of the kind, the stoppage of the engine, cooling the blast and the contents of the crucible, always aggravates the trouble. When the caps are blown open and the slag is discharged by removal of the props, it is necessary to stop the engine to replace them. An hour or more will elapse before this can be done, as the slag must be partly removed before the tuyeres can be approached by ordinary mortals, and the caps handled and fastened in place again. Any movement of the stock is liable to burn the workman, as he stands, securing the cap in front or at one side of the open belly-pipe.

Jan 1, 1889

By F. Lynwood Garrison

Except in the old Catalan forge, or its modifications, attempts to make iron and steel directly from ore in a practical and economical manner have failed so frequently and completely that such schemes are looked upon with justifiable distrust. Without exception, all have failed from one cause or another, although in some instances every indication of a practical success was manifest in the beginning. It is, therefore, necessary to carefully examine and consider every detail affecting the process, or more properly, furnace, under consideration. This I have done to the best of my ability during a long visit to Russia last summer, and after satisfactorily observing the practical success of the furnace in the iron works of Count Stroganoff at Dobriansky in the Government of Perm, I decided to investigate as completely as possible the history of similar furnaces in Finland and Russia. These data, sifted and verified with the greatest possible care, form the substance of the present paper.* An illustration on page 321 of Percy's Iron and Steel shows the old type of Osmundssmide or harkugnar, which has been in use in Northern Europe since pagan times. Fig. 1 shows a furnace of this kind. It should, perhaps, more properly be called a high-bloomary furnace or forge, the Swedish word hark meaning bloom or loupe. It was with this type of furnace that Mr. Husgafvel began his experiments at Porsaskoski in 1875. Attempts to obtain better results with larger furnaces of this type were failures, as every bloom or loupe obtained necessitated blowing out the furnace with a consequent large waste of fuel. A larger furnace of course increased this waste with no corresponding advantage. A movable hearth of threeeighth inch iron, lined with a mixture of clay, quartz and lime, was next tried, but in consequence of the frequent repairs of this lining,

Jan 1, 1888

By Ellsworth Daggett

In the first paper on the Russell process presented by Mr. Stetefeldt, in May, 1884 (Transactions, xiii.), the process was treated from a purely theoretical standpoint.. 111 his second paper of October, 1886 (Transactions, xv,), the details of the plant, the chemicals used, and the manipulation in both mill and laboratory were treated. The aim of the present paper is to present economical results recently attained, new data affecting the preparation and manipulation of ore in the mill, and a more complete and systematic scheme of laboratory work. This paper is compiled mainly from Mr. Russell's notes of his own experience. Many of these notes, particularly those relating to work at Cusihuiriachic,* Mexico, have been upon work directly under the personal observation of the compiler, who takes pleasure in thus presenting to the Institute, data and considerations of much interest and value pot only to users of the Russell process, but to mill men generally. The description of the chemicals used and of the preparation of the mill-solutions being' in part the same now as when Mr. Stetefeldt's second paper was published, some use is here made of portions of that paper. No theoretical matter is here given. For a treatise containing also the theory of the process the reader is referred to Mr. Stetefeldt's complete work on " Lixiviation of Silver Ores by Hyposulphite Solutions," now in preparation. To facilitate the consultation of this paper, the following synopsis and index is prefixed. The figures in parenthesis indicate the page of this paper on which the subject is treated.

Jan 1, 1888

By W. H. Adams

One of the most attractive subjects for technical writers is the gigantic industry of the manufacture of sulphuric acid. This is no doubt, natural when we take into account that it has grown in this country during the past twenty years, from a production of 60,000 tons in the year 1867, to that of nearly 450,000 tons in 1887. We may well excuse much of the literature which but repeats the same old story, as it serves to bring to the public notice, at proper intervals, the hidden resources of our land; and this constant application of essential truths will sooner or later be the means of freeing us from dependence upon the Old World for necessary chemical products. The present increase in manufacture of this acid in the United States is almost wholly from pyrites ores, which we have in unlimited quantities close at hand. The largest consumption of such acid is for treatment of other native products, petroleum, rock-phosphates, etc.; and, considering the knowledge we have gained during the past twenty years, it is safe to say that the industry is but fairly established, and the causes which have operated to place us in our present proud position are but natural incentives for a further growth and an increased consumption of the many other undiscovered or undeveloped resources of our American soi1. In one of his earlier editions Muspratt says: " It would seem that the manufacture of sulphuric acid, though as extensively carried on as any other business, yet seems to be the least understood; and the ignorance of some manufacturers appears to be only equalled by that of writers, who, in their description of the production of this acid, give figures of apparatus, and vaunt as improvements, things which have been exploded for years. It is possible to find in the works of eminent men drawings of apparatus, for the production of sulphuric acid, which never could possibly have worked one day—some, in fact, could never have worked at all."

Jan 1, 1888

By H. M. Chance

Jan 1, 1886

By J. C. Bayles

Jan 1, 1886

By Victor O. Strobel

Fire-brick hot-blast stoves have been the subject of frequent discussions at the meetings of the Institute; and although it is my object to elucidate some of the points in connection with this subject, I will not go into the specific features of all types, but more especially call attention to a new type recently designed by Mr. Fred. W. Gordon. As the economical production of a ton of pig-iron is a more essential feature than a large output, much depends, where fuel cannot be obtained cheaply, upon suitable apparatus whereby high temperatures can be maintained. Where iron-pipe stoves have been employed, the fuel-consumption reached one and a half pounds of fuel, and, when a larger output was desired, often two pounds, to the pound of iron produced. The temperature attained rarely exceeded 900' F., and that at the expense of frequent renewals of the pipes, which was not inconsiderable. The fire-brick hot-blast stoves of the past five or six years have clearly demonstrated their superiority over the old system. Of the accompanying drawings, Fig. 3 illustrates a four-pass regen-

Jan 1, 1886

By Theodore A. Blake

More than a quarter of a century has passed since the introduction of the machine known as the Blake crusher, the invention of Eli W. Blake, of New Haven, Conn. Although originally designed for breaking stone for road-metal, its importance for crushing ores of the precious metals, and those of iron, copper, and zinc, as well as emery, phosphates, plaster, etc., mas soon recognized, and for many years its use has been world-wide, and its construction so well known that no special description of it is deemed necessary. Following its introduction, many different machines for the same purpose, containing the same essential features of upright convergent jaws, one of which is movable with respect to the other, hut having some slight modification of such movement (generally a rubbing motion) or of the non-essential method of imparting motion to one or both of the jaws, have been offered to the public for sale and use, but have, as a rule, in time disappeared from the market. If we seek for the reason of the success of the Blake crusher, aside from its simplicity of construction, we shall find it in the adherence to the principle of crushing by simple pressure and careful avoidance of attrition. In this lies the economy of power and of wearingsurfaces. To reduce any hard and brittle material to a fine powder by many different methods—by attrition, impact, or percussion—is a comparatively easy matter; but to accomplish this by the employment of either of the above-mentioned principles involves such a consumption of wearing-surface? (generally iron) or of power, that the numerous devices that have hitherto been presented to the public as solutions of the problem of fine crushing have proved utter and complete failures when tested with reference to the power employed and the wear of iron in doing their work.. Aside from the use of crushers with the harder ores, the only two methods of fine crushing in general use, and, in the writer's opinion, worthy of consideration, are by means of stamps and rolls; the former doing their work by percussion, the latter by pressure, provided

Jan 1, 1885

By W. J. Taylor

FURNACE-MEN who have not taken advantage of the use of dynamite in certain blast-furnace troubles, as explained by Mr. Witherbee in his valuable papers read before the Institute some years since, cannot appreciate the quick relief and great advantage that may be derived at times from its judicious employment. Before giving my experience in the use of high explosives in blastfurnace troubles of certain kinds, I will record a method I have used with marked success in " blowing down." Had I not understood, however, the use of powder, I would have " salamandered " effectually the first time I tried it. Early in my straight-furnace experiments, last summer, at the Chester, N. J., Furnace, I wanted to blow down to within 3 or 4 feet of the tuyeres. To do this with a down-comer not lined, and without putting in any limestone to keep the gases cool enough to do no harm, was not an easy task. We could keep the bell and hopper cool by filling them with water, say 12 inches deep; but before we got the stock down 15 or 20 feet the pyrometer in the gas-flue on top mas up to 1300°, and the clowncomer was red-hot, with the heat still rising. In this emergency my assistant, Mr. N. M. Langdon, urged the trial of a plan lie had often advocated, viz., the introduction of water in some way under the bell in the proper quantity, in order that its evaporation might absorb and reduce the heat of the escaping gases to a point where it would not do any harm. He thought the bell

Jan 1, 1885

By C. A. Stetefeldt

FoR the convenience of those who do not care to enter into the details of this long essay, I begin with a summary of the most important results it presents. The extraction of silver by the lixiviation-process from ores which have been subjected to a chloridizing-roasting, is based upon the fact that silver chloride is easily soluble in solutions of sodium or calcium hyposulphite, and that silver is precipitated from such solutions by an alkaline sulphide, with regeneration of the hyposulphite salts. In case the ore contains lead a large portion of the latter is and dissolved, lead sulphate being soluble in hyposulphite solutions. If, at the same time, copper is present, the sulphides precipitated from the solution, contain silver, copper, and lead, a combination of metals not desirable for subsequent treatment. Mr. E. H. Russell, of Park City, Utah, is the inventor and the patentee in the United States and several foreign countries of a new lixiviation-process, based upon the chemical facts discussed in this paper. Mr. Russell has discovered that lead can be completely separated from a sodium hyposulphite solution, as lead carbonate, by sodium carbonate or purified soda-ash, without precipitating any copper or silver. After decanting the solution from the lead carbonate, silver and copper are obtained from it in the usual way. This method of separating lead prohibits the use of calcium poly-sulphide as a precipitant for the sulphides, because any calcium entering the regenerated lixiviationsolution would also be precipitated as a carbonate with the lead by soda-ash. Hence, a sodium sulphide must be employed. A full investigation has demonstrated that this is by no means detrimental. Sodium sulphide and hyposulphite are more advantageously used in the lixiviation-process than the corresponding calcium-salts. Another defect in the lixiviation-process consisted in the necessity of a very perfect chlorination of the silver in the ore, because silver in

Jan 1, 1885

Jan 1, 1884

By T. Sterry Hunt

Jan 1, 1884

By T. Sterry Hunt

WET processes for the extraction of copper from its ores have of late attracted much attention, especially in Europe, where the use of oupriferous iron-pyrites as a' source of sulphur prevails. These processes present an additional interest, when, as is often the case, the copper-ore's to be treated contain one or both of the precious metals, since the complete separation of these from copper, either in the dry or the moist way, is, as is well known, one of the difficult problems of metallurgy. The principal wet processes hitherto in use for the extraction of copper from its ores, may be included under three classes : I. Those in which the copper in snlphuretted ores is rendered soluble in water by calcining them, after a preliminary roasting which removes the greater part of their sulphur, with a portion of common salt, by which the copper is converted into a chloride (Long-maid and Henderson), or with sulphate of soda, by which sulphate of copper is formed (Monnier). Allied to these is the method by which a portion of the copper is got as soluble sulphate by roasting without addition, a process which is sometimes modified and rendered more complete by re-roasting the lixiviated residues with the addition of a portion of raw sulphuretted ore (Bankart). II. Those methods in which free chlorhydric or sulphuric acid is used to dissolve the copper- from oxidized or roasted ores. These, while simple and efficient, are too costly, except in certain localities where chlorhydric acid is a waste product. Related to them is the plan which consists in exposing the oxidized and moistened ores to the slow action of sulphurous acid mixed with air, by which a soluble sulphate of copper is formed. It has been proposed to decompose the solutions of sulphate or chloride of copper by sulphuretted hydrogen, thus separating the copper as sulphide, and using the liberated acid to dissolve fresh portions of oxidized copper. It is, however, the almost universal practice to throw down the copper from its solutions, however obtained, in the metallic state by the use of iron, either scrap-iron or iron-sponge; although in some instances

Jan 1, 1882

By T. Egleston

THE works of the Ore Knob Copper Company are situated in the county of Ashe in the northwestern part of the State of North Carolina, about ten miles from the Virginia line, at an elevation of 4600 feet above the sea. The nearest railroad station is at Marion, Smythe County, Virginia, about forty-five miles distant. The roads from the railroad to the works have been constructed by the company for the transportation of their material, and are very hilly, and in certain seasons of the year in bad repair. Transportation is therefore always limited and never easy, although it is done by contract at a very low price. The main difficulty with the transportation is not so much its cost as the fact that it puts a limit to the production of the works. These unfavorable conditions make it necessary for the owners of the mine to smelt their ores and to send to market nothing except the metal, which alone will bear the cost of transportation. The mine was opened previous to 1860, but has only been worked systematically during the last five or six years. The vein is a fissure vein from ten to twenty feet in thickness in the gneiss of the

Jan 1, 1882

By S. H. Chauvenet

Jan 1, 1882

By T. Egleston

The works of the Ore Knob Copper Company are situated in the county of Ashe in the northwestern part of the State of North Carolina, about ten miles from the Virginia line, at an elevation of 4600 feet above the sea. The nearest railroad station is at Marion, Smythe County, Virginia, about forty-five miles distant. The roads from the railroad to the works have been constructed by the company for the transportation of their material, and are very hilly, and in certain seasons of the year in bad repair. Transportation is therefore always limited and never easy, although it is done by contract at a very low price. The main difficulty with the transportation is not so much its cost as the fact that it puts a limit to the production of the works. These unfavorable conditions make it necessary for the owners of the mine to smelt their ores and to send to market nothing except the metal, which alone will bear the cost of transportation. The mine was opened previous to 1860, but has only been worked systematically during the last five or six years. The vein is a fissure vein from ten to twenty feet in thickness in the gneiss of the

Jan 1, 1882

By T. Sterry Hunt

Jan 1, 1882