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E. A. HOLBROOK,*Urbana, Ill.-To those who have followed the development of powdered coal two questions often occur. First, as to the moisture in the coal. In Illinois we recognize that the bituminous coals contain about 12 to 15 per cent. of what we call "contained moisture," that is, the moisture is present in the coal although this may appear absolutely dry and dusty. In addition, the surface moisture may be present in any amount. I would like to ask what is the relative effect of these two forms of moisture upon the work of pulverizing. Does Mr. Collins refer to the contained moisture or to the surface moisture in estimating the degree to which the coal must be dried? H. R. COLLINS.-In the lignite coals, of which this country possesses a great deal and is beginning to develop them to considerable extent, the "contained" or "combined" moisture does not .trouble us; we have no difficulty in reducing lignites to a high degree of fineness. But when dealing with bituminous, sub-bituminous, or semi-bituminous, we, prefer to reduce the combined moisture as well as the hydroscopic moisture as far as possible. We have recently put into operation, at a plant, furnaces and boilers consuming the lignite from northern New Mexico, which contains between 4 and 5 per cent. moisture as we pulverize and burn it. The evaporating efficiencies under the boilers have been so remarkable that we wish to check the results half a dozen times before quoting them. We have also just started two boilers at the Garfield smelter, and have obtained the same high efficiencies.

Jan 11, 1918

G. SHERBURNE LAGERS (written discussion*).-Mr. Kennedy's discussion1 of Mr. Matteson's paper takes the form of a criticism of my own comments2 on this paper. Mr. Kennedy is a respected authority on matters pertaining to the salt-dome oil fields, and his characterization of my "elaborate figures" as "worthless" is sufficiently candid and comprehensive to warrant a brief reply. My "voluminous figures" consisted simply of a rough estimate of the minimum quantity of salt in the Humble dome, and a calculation of the volume of sea water and of the volume of saturated brine which this salt would represent. Mr. Kennedy apparently interprets my remarks as opposing the idea that so large a volume of salt could have been deposited from sea water, for lie cites the area and thickness of European salt beds; but nothing was further from my intention. Given an arm of the sea, an arid climate, and evaporation under a hot sun, it is easy to conceive the formation: of almost any thickness of bedded salt. I cited the figures in connection with Harris' theory of the origin of salt domes, according to which the plugs were formed by the deposition of salt from ascending brine solutions, owing to the drop in temperature as they neared the surface. I pointed out the well-known fact that the solubility of salt is only slightly affected by temperature, and that a drop of 80° C. would cause the deposition of less than one-tenth of the salt in solution; hence that more than ten times the volume of salt actually forming the plug must have been involved. If ten times the salt actually in sight be computed in terms of brine and multiplied by 50 or 60 to take into account all of the known salt domes, the resulting figure is so enormous that I am not at all as sure as Mr. Kennedy seems to be that the porous stratified rocks of eastern Texas and western Louisiana could contain or furnish so great a volume of migratory brine.

Jan 8, 1918

The Library of the above-named Societies is open from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. on all week-days, except holidays, from September 1 to June 30, and from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. during July and August. The Library contains about 55,000 volumes, including sets of technical periodicals and the publications of scientific and technical societies. Members of the Institute, with few exceptions, are forced to spend a portion of their time in localities isolated from sources of information. To these the Library can render valuable service through correspondence; letters requesting information will receive special attention. The Library is prepared to furnish references and copies of articles on mining and metallurgical subjects; to determine the existence of mining-maps, and to furnish general information as to the geology and mineral resources of all countries. All communications should be made as definite as possible so that the information received may he what is desired and not include collateral matter which may not be of interest. The time spent in searching for such collateral matter will he saved, and the information will be sent more promptly and in more usable shape. The members of the institute can be of service to the Library by forwarding copies of mining-reports, naps privately issued, and similar material, which will be classified, indexed, and made available to other members. Suggestions for additions to the Library, either by purchase or personal solicitation as gifts, will be welcomed. It is hoped that members while in the city will use the Library freely, and assurance is given that most careful service will be rendered to them.

Jan 7, 1913

By A. S. Richardson

THE design of mine airways receives, in general, very little engineering treatment. To a large extent this is, of course, due to the fact that information upon which to base calculations is seldom available in definite form. In many mines the extent of the workable deposits may not be known at the time an air course is planned, and the length of service is indeterminable. Volume of air required for ventilation may also increase with extension of the life of a property, and natural obstacles, such as heavy ground, often place limitations upon the size of opening that can be maintained. Perhaps a majority of the shafts used in ventilation of metal mines were originally intended as hoisting shafts, and many of the tunnels and cross-cuts similarly used, were also designed as haulage ways or for other operating purposes. Even when a shaft is sunk solely for ventilation, custom usually dictates a size and shape consistent with the type commonly used for ordinary operations, because experience has demonstrated it can be excavated and maintained. In fact it may not be very far wrong to say most ventilation openings were never made with any consideration as to economic design for such use. When an air course is required to pass air between different parts of mine workings under a fixed pressure, the size of opening required for a given volume of flow, is, of course, determined by the resistance factor of the air course. It is then impossible to proportion the opening with reference to economics of power consumption, and this paper is limited to the design of openings where ventilation pressure or power consumption may be varied for economic advantage.

Jan 2, 1926

By G. G. Gunther, C. L. Boeke

THE zinc deleading processes at the Parral and Santa Barbara mills are described separately to provide a basis for comparison. Although the two procedures are fundamentally alike, there are some differences in application to meet specific conditions. The Asarco mill at Parral in the State of Chihuahua is a flotation plant treating 1450 metric tons per day of complex sulphide copper-lead-zinc ores. In general, the procedure used for selective separation of the minerals into a copper, a lead, and a zinc concentrate follows the usual practice. First, a bulk copper-lead concentrate is floated and then separated into a final copper and a final lead concentrate by the sulphurous acid process. A small tonnage of high grade gravity lead concentrate is tabled from the bulk copper-lead cleaner tailing before it is reground so as to avoid undesirable over-grinding and sliming of this portion of the lead mineral. Next, a zinc concentrate is floated from the lead rougher tailing and, as described later, is separated into a final lead product and a final zinc concentrate. Finally, the zinc rougher tailing receives a strong scavenger float to remove all recoverable middling values for regrinding and return to the flotation circuits. The slime is separated from the scavenger flotation product, and only the sand portion goes to the regrind section. The minerals in the separated slime are extremely resistant to all methods of selective separation and pose one of the major problems awaiting solution. Nevertheless, the slime shows a profit when mixed with either the lead or the zinc concentrate, except when metal prices are very low, so it is accepted as a final product for lack of a more profitable method of handling it. In contrast, the minerals in the reground sands of the

Jan 1, 1953

By W. E. Mitchell

ELECTROLYTIC, production of cadmium at the Great Falls plant started in the first part of the year 1925. Prior to that time, an experi¬mental unit had been in operation for a few months during the year . 1922. At present the plant is the largest producer of cadmium, not only in the United States but in the world. Electrolytic cadmium is characterized by its very low content of impurities. The main impurities, which are lead, copper, zinc, and iron, do not aggregate more than 0.05 per cent., leaving a cadmium content better than 99.95 per cent. The consumption of cadmium has increased rapidly since the war, with the growing use in the plating industry. Cadmium plating has come into prominence because of its connection with the automobile and radio industries. As a protective coating, a deposit of, cadmium is superior to zinc. Cadmium is also used extensively in alloys. Important among these is the alloy with copper used in telephone and trolley wire. In proportion of 0.5 to 1.2 per cent., cadmium adds materially to the strength and wearing qualities. Practically all commercial zinc concentrates contain a small amount of cadmium. In the electrolytic zinc process, the cadmium that is dissolved in the regular leaching operation is removed from solution with metallic zinc, generally added in the form of zinc dust. This precipitate also contains the copper taken into solution and the excess of zinc dust, which is required in order to insure a complete removal of all impurities. The precipitate is treated by a separate process to recover the copper, cadmium and excess zinc. In order to make the metals more soluble and to render insoluble such impurities as iron, arsenic and antimony, the precipitate is roasted. The roasting is carried out in gas-fired McDougall furnaces, with a roasting temperature of about 700° C.

Jan 1, 1930

By John F. Burst

GENETIC correlations of the various types of Cheltenham fireclays found in Missouri have been the subject of several papers. The correlations usually have been attempted on the basis of stratigraphic and leaching patterns (Wheeler,18 1896; Allen, 1,2 1935 and 1937; McQueen,13 1943). Herold10 (1943), as well as Allen,l,2 has dealt at length with the mineral¬ogy of Missouri fireclays and postulates genetic relationships from min¬eralogical findings. Both researchers cite kaolinite as the primary clay mineral of the Cheltenham formation and suggest that differences in physical proper¬ties are due to clay mineral impurities such as halloysite or illite (not recog¬nized by the name "illite" at the time of Allen's papers). By ascribing the differences to impurities, it is possible to use weathering as the only major alteration factor. This paper seeks to probe still farther into the clay mineral composition of the Cheltenham formation and to show thereby that the mineralogical differ¬ences that have been found to exist within the "kaolinite" component of the Cheltenham fireclay may alter somewhat the previously held theories of diagenesis. Two Missouri fireclays, which have been rather thoroughly investigated, were chosen for comparison of genetic relationship to clay mineral content. One is a typical plastic fireclay of the middle Cheltenham (McQueen's classification13) obtained at Mexico, Audrian County, Missouri, from a large open pit operated by the A. P. Green Fire Brick Co. The other-a typical hard flint fireclay-was obtained from a pocket deposit in southwestern Mont¬gomery County, Missouri.

Jan 1, 1952

By Ernest Robinson

SINCE the early nineties, there has been a persistent belief in some minds that petroleum in commercial quantities exists in Montana. It is, however, only comparatively recently that commercial produc-tion has been secured. . The earliest deep boring in the plains region of Montana was made in what is now Blaine County, in 1890, by the town of Chinook in an effort to secure artesian water. The well reached a depth of 956 ft. without developing an adequate supply of fresh water, but the drillers reported shows of oil and gas. In 1892, the Quartermaster's Depart-ment of the U. S. Army drilled a hole at Fort Assini-boine, northwest of the Bearpaw Mountains, in essentially flat-lying sediments to secure water for the military establishment. This well reached a depth of 1500 ft. and shows of oil and gas were reported. In 1903 and 1904, two wells were drilled within what is now the Glacier National Park in an effort to develop oil production. Shows of oil and gas were encountered at several horizons but no commercial production was brought in. The extraordinary geological conditions in the area where these wells were drilled should be mentioned. The thrusts from the southwest which, in other places along the Rocky Mountain front, resulted in folding, here developed the great Lewis overthrust fault. It is in fact largely to this fault that the magnificent scenery of the Glacier Park is due. A great thickness of Algonkian strata belonging to the Belt series was thrust northeastward over the upper Cretaceous sediments. The derricks under which the wells referred to were drilled were in moun-tains composed of very old rocks but the holes were drilled through Cretaceous sediments.

Jan 7, 1923

By Colman Goldberg

IT is customary to plot crystallographic planes or axes on a Wulff stereographic net which is ruled with parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude. If a single crystal is placed at the center of a sphere, the coordinates of a crystallographic plane or axis are the coordinates of the point where the axis intersects the sphere. The standard (HKL) projection is the projection for which the sphere is rotated so that the (HKL) pole is at the center of the projection. Schiebold and Sachs' and many others have published standard projections for the more important planes of a cubic crystal. With Tables I and 11, it is possible to plot any plane (HKL) of a cubic crystal on a standard (001) projection if the absolute values of the individual H, K, and L are nine or less, which is almost always the case. Using the methods outlined by Barrett,' the standard (001) projection can be rotated so that any arbitrary plane is at the center of the projection. The tables are believed to be important for two reasons: 1—The heretofore published standard projections usually are not of the proper size to fit the stereographic nets available. With these tables a standard projection can be made which will be of exactly the proper size for the available stereographic net. 2—With the tables, planes that do not appear on the previously published standard projections can be easily plotted. For these reasons, the tables are especially useful in the study of optical reflections from etched surfaces and can also be used to make a standard projection for the axis which is normal to the macroscopic surface. (This axis can be found by X-ray or optical methods.) Then if the crystal is etched, the effect of the etchant can readily be determined by comparing the latitude and longitude of the reflecting planes (as determined with an optical goniometer) with the standard projection that has been prepared. Use of the Tables Fig. 1 shows the meridians and parallel which have been designated as zero longitude and latitude. The tables themselves are self-explanatory. The

Jan 1, 1953

IN THE early evening of October 15, 1954, a large specially designed truck, convoyed by a second smaller one, arrived at Silver Bell, Arizona, completing a ten-hour 110-mile journey from Phoenix. The big truck was driven through gaps left in a previously prepared concrete foundation, the load was jacked up, the large girders that constituted the bed of the truck were pulled away, and the load was then lowered into place on the foundation. A crew of two men, the two truck drivers, finished the job in a little more than an hour. When they were through, a complete and attractive three-bedroom house, prefabricated in Phoenix, was almost ready for occupancy. About all that remained to do was to connect the utilities-water, electricity, plumbing, and gas. The kitchen and bathroom equipment and appointments were superior in every respect, and there was a built-in car port for the automobile of the prospective residents. This family domicile was one of more than one hundred, each averaging about $8,000 in cost, that the American Smelting and Refining Company has provided for its employees engaged in mining and milling 7,500 tons per day of low-grade Porphyry copper ore. Aside from the fact that it is more economical-partly because of the variety of union craftsmen needed to build and equip a house-to do the work in a city 110 miles away, the significant point is the high quality of housing that is provided for what may be called in nostalgic vein the "mining camp" of 1955. Silver Bell is typical of all the Porphyries in this respect though the community is relatively small. At San Manuel

Jan 1, 1957

By R. G. Ward

The temperature gradient in the subhearth metal or "salamandern of the iron bhst furnace results in the establishment of gradients in the concentrations of silicon, manganese, carbon, and sulfur. The temperature and compositional variations observed in three blast furnaces are analyzed according to irreversible thermodynamics and the systems appear to be close to the steady state condition. Apparent heats of transport, Q, for silicon, manganese, carbon, and sulfur are found to be respectively -17.5, -5, -2.1, and+22k cal per g mol. In conclusion the significance of thermal diffusion in extraction metallurgy is briefly discussed. INCREASING interest has been shown in recent years in the application of irreversible thermodynamics to metallurgical problems. In particular studies have been made of the transport of matter in thermal gradients1-' and under chemical gradients imposed by a binary solvent However, no detailed example in extraction metallurgy has been reported although gradients are the essence of many extractive processes. The case of the distribution of elements in molten blast furnace iron under a thermal gradient is discussed here. DATA In blast furnace operation the hearth bottom is often extensively destroyed by molten metal, and the metal may penetrate perhaps 10 ft into the furnace foundations forming a "bear" or "salamander". Several hundred tons of molten metal may thus exist beneath the level of the conventional tap hole and remain relatively undisturbed for several years under a thermal gradient. This system is subject to little convective stirring because the temperature decreases from top to bottom, and mechanical stirring due to movements in the stack and to tapping operations is unlikely to penetrate far into the metal. The system may thus be regarded as static

Jan 1, 1963

By J. G. Montgomery

An increased drilling activity was apparent in the shallow sand fields of northwestern Pennsylvania during the year. This drilling, however, was confined to previously outlined productive areas and as new shallow sand pools of interest were discovered. Drilling for Oriskany gas proceeded at about the same rate as in previous years. One new area in Kinzua township, Warren County, was opened up during the year by a producing well, but later this well developed salt water and the productive capacities of the area are very indefinite at the present time. Production from the shallow sand areas remained approximately the same as in 1935. Production from the Oriskany or deep sand areas increased approximately 20 per cent. Two new markets were made available for the Oriskany gas during the closing months of the year by the completion of the Peoples Natural Gas Co. line from the Hebron field to Clarion County, Pa. and Penn York Gas Co. line from the Harrison field to points in northwestern New York State. With the exception of the Kinzua well, the few deep wildcat wells drilled during the year failed to discover new fields in the deep sands. Bradford Oil Field The accompanying data on the Bradford oil field include only the production obtained from the portion of that field that is in the State of Pennsylvania, for it appears probable that Cattaraugus County production, which consists mainly of the New York State portion of the Bradford field, will be included in annual oil production figures for New York State. The Bradford field production for 1936 totaled 14,533,000 bbl., and as it is necessary to estimate New York State production for the Bradford field, the accompanying data includes the production from the Pennsylvania end of the Bradford field of 13,208,000 bbl., which is an increase of approximately 8 per cent over 1935 production.

Jan 1, 1937

By Haakon Styri

IN discussion of Dr. Fitterer's paper on electrolytic separation of slag inclusions, some results from experiments on electrolyzing high-carbon steels at the SKF Research Laboratory were given.1 We had been working for a number of years on chemical methods of separating the inclusions but could not find any solvent that would dissolve the steel without attacking some of the inclusions, particularly the sulfides in which we were mostly interested at the time, nor any that would dissolve all sulfide or silica in filings as fine as 300 mesh without attacking the iron. Electrolytic methods had also been tried without any real progress until we learned from the Bureau of Mines about the use of the collodion membrane around the anode. Our early difficulties were to some extent different from those of the Bureau of Mines, perhaps because of experimenting on steels of higher carbon content, but most of our difficulties were of the same nature as those of the Bureau. Formation of large quantities of basic hydroxides use of impure and oxidized ferrous sulfate. To protect from oxidation from the atmosphere during electrolysis, after purer chemicals were obtained, a thin layer, 1/8 in. or less, of molten paraffin was poured over the surface of the cathode liquid, where it solidified. It was found desirable also to hold the cathode chamber slightly acid by initial addition of 0.1 per cent acid (sulfuric or hydrochloric) to prevent precipitation of the hydroxide. This acidity would decrease gradually and the cathode chamber would become neutral before the end of the electrolyzing. The increase in acidity in the anode chamber during our early experiments had appeared to cause attack of the precipitated sulfides in the residue, which originally was analyzed by volumetric method for sulfur, and for this reason a 10 per cent sodium citrate solution was substituted for the sulfate in the anode chamber.

Jan 1, 1932

By Norman Patton

THE subject assigned is so broad that thorough discussion is well-night impossible within the space allotted, and further, few specific data are available upon which to predicate conclusions concerning the efficiency of present methods of distributing anthracite. This paper treats briefly the various agencies through which both primary and secondary distribution are effected, the methods of transportation and the general interrelation of production, demand, inventories and price. AVENUES OF DISTRIBUTION "Three distinct types of primary distribution are common in the marketing of anthracite. First, though not most important, is the sale by the producer, or operator, direct to the consumer. These sales, other than to employees and the local trade, are generally confined to steam sizes for industrial uses, and are consigned to the sidings or docks of the consumer. Sales of this type often are so closely priced to compete with oil and bituminous that the addition of even a small dealer's margin is sufficient to increase the cost to the point where the business might be lost. Second, the operator sells to a wholesaler or broker for subsequent resale, either to a retail dealer for clearance through his yard or direct to large consumers. Usually this method of distribution is employed by the smaller operators, who do not find it economically feasible to maintain extensive sales organizations. In most instances, the wholesaler retains some 5 per cent for his services, paid, of course, by the producing company whose anthracite he handles. He may, and frequently does, handle the output of several different companies, suited to the varying needs of the

Jan 1, 1935

By Robert R. Turner, Arthur R. MacPherson

This chapter reviews the steps which should be taken from the time it is decided to consider autogenous grinding in the development of a new ore deposit or the expansion of an existing plant up until the purchase of the new autogenous mills. In this case the term autogenous includes semi -autogenous, secondary pebble mills, and lump milling as well as fully autogenous grinding systems. Also, both wet and dry grinding alternatives have been included. Before the test program it must be decided how many bulk samples are required to properly assess the autogenous grinding possibilities of the deposit. Also, a decision must be made on where and how the samples are to be ground i.e. pilot mill at site or in established location, wet and or dry grinding, etc. In the test program itself, certain fundamental data must be obtained. The testing should include enough work to determine whether fully autogenous or semi-autogenous grinding should be used and what type produces best power efficiency. Also, all the other pertinent data should be collected such as power; tonnages; feed, charge, and product sizing; circulating loads, etc. If a secondary mill is required to produce a final grind the decision on whether a pebble or ball mill should be used may require additional test work. Finally, the concentration of the mineral may play an important part in selection of the circuit and should become a part of the final testing once the grinding has been established.

Jan 1, 1978

By R. J. Jackson, D. E. Williams, W. L. Larsen

The phase diagram of the Ta-Zr system is presented with a discussion of the methods used in its determination. The solidus contains a minimum at 1820°C near 25 wt pet Ta. A complete solid solution exists at elevated temperatures between tantalum and ß zirconium. This solid solution decomposes monotectoidally at 800°C and 12 wt pet Ta. The maximum solubility of tantalum in a zirconium is slightly less than 2 wt pet, and decreases with decreasing temperature. The solubility of zirconium in tantalum is 5 wt pet at the monotectoid temperature and about 2 wt pet at room temperature. THIS investigation was part of a program of research on refractory metal alloy systems having potential application in nuclear reactor technology. Preliminary prop-ess has been reported in the Ames Laboratory annual research reports.l Most of the previously reported work on the Ta-Zr alloy system consisted of partial phase diagram investigations and the determination of the mechanical properties of the zirconium-rich alloys. Anderson eta1.2 studied alloys containing up to 30 wt pet Ta as part of an investigation of several zirconium alloy systems. These investigators also determined some of the mechanical properties of the alloys at room temperature and 650°C. In a discussion of Anderson's work, Pfei13 suggested that the bright phase in the microstructures of the intermediate alloys is a tantalum-rich solid solution or an intermediate phase in a matrix of ß zirconium solid solution. Litton,4 Keeler,5 and Chubb6 determined the mechanical properties of zirconium-rich alloys at ambient and elevated temperatures. Van Thyne and McPherson7 reported the tensile properties

Jan 1, 1962

By Harlowe Hardinge

THE sound made by ball, pebble and rod mills has long been used by the operator as the "telltale" of their operation. The nature of this sound depends upon local conditions and the type of mill used. By experience an operator can tell whether the mill is running properly or not. Some operators are able to detect the difference in sound much better than others and get better results running the same mill tinder the same conditions. The automatic operation of a mill using sound as the fundamental means for maintaining control presents many problems. The satisfactory solution of these problems requires, for given operating conditions, a greater average output, with improved product for subsequent processing, than can be obtained by manual control.

Jan 1, 1939

By Heber Cole

THE gypsum industry of Canada, like all others connected with the construction business, has felt the full effect of the depression during the past few years, and sales of its products have been greatly curtailed. The year 1934, however, saw a decided turn for the better and a gradual but steady improvement is noticeable in all its branches. In many ways the depression has been a blessing in disguise to the gypsum industry; during the years from 1926 to 1930, demand increased so rapidly that companies were forced to expand and often new apparatus and machinery were placed in operation regardless of expense, or plants already existing were taxed to their limit and forced to keep running with the minimum amount of repairs. The depression, therefore, has really given the industry what might be called a breathing spell, in which it has had time to take stock of its position, to reduce its costs of production, to devote more serious attention to the quality of its products, and to con-solidate its operations into a smooth working whole, which as conditions improve will enable it to meet the demands of the trade with more varied products of a quality hitherto unattained. Progress in the gypsum industry, however, has not been confined to the years of the depression, for some of the greatest advances occurred under the spur of increased demand for its products by the building trade. The purpose of this paper is to review briefly some of the out-standing trends in the development of the gypsum industry in Canada during the past 10 or 12 years.

Jan 1, 1935

By P. G. Linder

The mechanical concentration of ores has not attained any considerable extent in Sweden, by reason of a scarcity of ores calling for this kind of treatment. Of rich iron-ores there is still an abundant supply; and magnetic concentration, which in the future undoubtedly will become of great importance, not being as yet demanded by necessity, has not advanced beyond a few experiments. At the copper-mines mechanical concentration has been superseded by chemical processes; the lead mines are worked out; and it is (with one exception) only the mines producing blende, or blende and galena intimately mixed, that have adopted mechanical methods for enriching their low-grade ores. While the concentrating-plants in Sweden are few and their output is comparatively insignificant, the methods employed, the general features of the work and the results obtained under extremely unfavorable conditions, may offer some points of interest to persons who are engaged in this branch of industry and have similar problems to deal with. Before going into a detailed description of the several plants, I will offer a few remarks that hold good for all of them and constitute a general review of Swedish concentration and its conditions. At all the works the ore to be treated is a mixture of blende and

Jan 1, 1895

By M. E. Wadsworth, D. R. Wadia

The rate of reaction of cuprite was measured in a series of sulphuric acid solutions, from which oxygen had been excluded, at various concentrations and temperatures. The overall reaction CuzO + H2S04 + Cu " + CuO + H20 + So4' may be explained quantitatively by two simultaneous rate reactions involving not only H+ but also the hydrolytic adsorption of H2SO4. The results indicate the importance of considering surface mass balance relationships associated with heterogeneous surface reactions. T EACHING has long been an important method for the recovery of metals from certain minerals. Many processes have assumed minor importance in modern practice but such operations as the recovery of uranium and present interest in high pressure-high temperature solution of sulphides' ' well illustrate the importance of leaching as a unit operation. Little quantitative information is available in a form sufficient to determine the mechanism of solution at the solid-aqueous solution interface for given systems. For this reason, it is important that fundamental studies of leaching processes be conducted so that parameters associated with such surface reactions may be understood and correlated. Cuprite was chosen for this study as a result of a recent investigation carried out at the University of Utah on ores of the Ray and Chino Mines Divs. of the Kennecott Copper Corp. These sulphide deposits contain sufficient oxidized minerals, such as cuprite, malachite, and azurite, so that recovery of metal values contained in the oxidized fraction is of primary interest. Of these oxides, cuprite (Cu,O) is the most interesting, since it dissolves in sulphuric acid by an oxidation reduction couple resulting in the formation of 50 pct metallic Cu and 50 pct cup-

Jan 1, 1956