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MELTING in a hearth and in a basket is almost the same thing; charcoal and bellows are used for both. These are made large or small according to the quantity that you wish to melt, and more or less force of the bellows is applied according to the need. The hearth, bowl, or refinery, as the masters call it, is made with bricks and clay like a forge; opposite the middle of the tuyère a round hole is made like a wash- basin, wide at the mouth and narrow at the bottom where there is a hole for emptying it. A little iron plug is put in this so that it may be closed when necessary, or a piece of brick that is cut and pointed. Now, when this has been well covered all over with ashes, and the tuyère has been arranged so that the wind strikes the center, it is first filled with charcoal and baked very well so that the metal may be kept hot once it has been melted. When it has been baked, it is again filled with charcoal, fire is applied, and it is left to inflame gradually by itself. Then put one or

Jan 1, 1942

By Andrew A. Blair

THE increased importance and value of chemical analysis in connection with metallurgical operations is largely, if not entirely, due to the increased accuracy of the analytical methods used for the quantitative determination of the foreign elements always associated with the metal operated upon. This applies especially in the working of iron and steel, and to the determination of the amounts of such elements as phosphorus, carbon, and silicon. The influence of greater or smaller amounts of these elements upon the physical properties of iron and steel will be better understood when the proper experiments shall have been made upon samples whose chemical composition is known with almost absolute certainty. From the present standpoint of analytical chemistry, it is easy to see that at least one reason for the failure of many attempts to solve this problem, is the inaccuracy of the analytical methods used. Even at the present time the frequent want of agreement (over and above the unavoidable error due to manipulation) between chemists working on the same sample, leads one to think that there is still at least a choice in the methods used. It is true that very frequently a faulty method in the hands of a skilful analyst may be made to give corroborative results

Jan 1, 1876

By E. R. Funk, H. Udin, J. Wulff

The surface tension of solid silver is measured by a refinement of the Udin, Shaler, and Wulff technique. The tests were made in a purified helium atmosphere at four different temperatures and various times. The average of the results is y = 1140 + 90 dynes per cm for the range 875° to 932°C. A SUCCESSFUL measurement of the surface tension of solid copper was reported by Udin, Shaler, and Wulff.' They performed experiments on copper held in vacuum within 100°C of the melting point. At these temperatures, the creep rate in 5 and 3 mil copper wires was sufficient to permit determination of a balance between the contractile force of surface tension and the extending force of small copper weights joined to the end of the wire specimens. By suspending a series of variously weighted specimens and measuring the change in a gage length during the test, the balancing applied load could be found. This point of zero strain is a measure of the surface tension. The mathematical formulation of this gives: w = r y [1] where w is the weight for zero strain; r, the radius of the wire; and y, the surface tension. A subsequent note by Udin pointed out that eq 1 applies only to single-crystal specimens. Since the specimens used revealed a "bamboo" structure upon

Jan 1, 1952

By W. Rutledge

As is well known, the Sydney coal-field comprises an area of about 200 square miles, being about 32 miles from the month of Big Bras d' Or, on the northwest, to Mira Bay on the southeast, by about 6 miles in width. The whole of this area is underlain by

Jan 1, 1886

By L. P. (Les) Haldane

Building a small underground coal mine is a risky endeavor, especially in the recent economic environment. ARCO's Mt. Gunnison No. 1 Mine, located in western Colorado, was designed and built as a small expandable speculation mine with initial production to be sold on the spot market, so it was very important to minimize capital exposure. This mine, operated by West Elk Coal Company, a subsidiary of Anaconda Minerals, was successfully built under budget at $35 million, and has been operating successfully since completion of construction in late 1982. The initial planning phase of a project is extremely important for testing the economic and technical feasibility of a proposal. The construction phase, by contrast, carries with it significant cost and quality risks which can relate to long-term economic and operating problems and therefore directly affect the viability of the project. This paper discusses several different aspects of the cost overrun risk involved in building an underground coal mine, and how attempts were made to minimize these risks during construction of the Mt. Gunnison Mine. Good people, construction planning, and execution are essential factors in assuring a quality, cost-effective project, with corresponding risk minimization during the construction phase and long term favorable implications for the operating phase.

Jan 1, 1985

Jan 1, 1886

By Erwin S. Sperry

The formation of cracks in metals is one of the most perplexing obstacles encountered during the process of rolling. When occurring in brass they may be due to several causes: 1. Shrinkage-cracks. These are caused by a rough or cracked mould which prevents the metal from shrinking uniformly and without rupture. It is consequently torn apart. In the majority of instances such cracks are visible to the naked eye, and often penetrate the metal to a considerable depth; in others they are nearly if not quite microscopic, but

Jan 1, 1899

The fate of generations yet unborn lies in man's hands. Shall it be prosperity, a high standard of living, and the development of spiritual values; or ruin, misery, and a reversion to jungle law? World affairs move in high gear, at high tension, in many directions. Each nation fears the other fellow- races, crosses the white line on curves, skids, takes its half in the center; and the devil take the hindmost. For one, the United States is on the horns of dilemma; it must insure a flow of raw materials of industry and world-wide markets in order that the American people may maintain high standards of living, but the commitments of the United States cannot be fulfilled without trimming present standards of comfort and convenience back to the level of perhaps a quarter of a century ago. A way must be found to retreat without anarchy at home as well as abroad. Everything is relative and all things change, and change is the essence of civilization. It is now clear that man has not kept pace with changes of all kinds, some of them overnight, during the past 50 years. Conventionality has led to stagnation; man now seeks learning of all kinds at an accelerated pace, but men should not be educated beyond their native intelligence for they must be able to apply their education. There must be a resolute action now on 10 great challenges in regard to conservation of human and ma-

Jan 1, 1950

By R. Hogg

INTRODUCTION The principal applications of the flocculation process in the coal industry lie in the area of waste water treatment. Consequently, the concern is more with the behavior of the associated minerals, clays for example, than with the coal itself. At the same time, however, the presence of even small amounts of fine coal can significantly influence the performance of the flocculation operation. Coal preparation waste water treatment is a substantial problem involving over 200 billion gallons of water annually. There can be no doubt that these quantities will continue to increase as coal production increases and environmental considerations dictate the increased use of closed circuit systems and tighter control of effluent quality. Furthermore, we can expect to find a continued increase in the amount of fines generated in the coal mining and processing operations. Modern mining techniques tend to yield a finer raw coal with a higher ash content. The greater emphasis on fine coal cleaning for improved sulfur and ash removal and increased coal recovery will also lead to greater demands being placed upon the wastewater treatment system. The costs of "blackwater" treatment have been shown to vary widely from plant to plant (1). Part of this variation can be attributed to differences in the coal being mined and the plant flowsheet but there are no doubt significant contributions from the improper design and operation of treatment facilities.

Jan 1, 1980

By L. H. de Wald, J. Walter Scott

The removal of lead by fire refining methods from copper of electrolytic quality is growing in importance. Particularly is this true of the refining of secondary copper and copper cathodes obtained from electrolytic cells where lead is used as the anode material, as in the electrolysis of ore-leaching solutions and foul electrolyte. When investigating the removal of small amounts of lead from molten copper in a reverberatory furnace during the refining of secondary copper of otherwise electrolytic copper quality,' it was found necessary first to know something about the distribution of the lead throughout the bath. The authors believe that it is not generally known how small amounts of lead as an impurity are distributed in a molten copper bath; that is, whether the lead is concentrated at the bottom or at the top, or whether it occurs more or less uniformly throughout the bath. The data contained in this report may help, therefore, in the development of a satisfactory fire refining method for the removal of this obstinate element from a molten copper bath. The first step was the development of a method for taking samples from various locations in the bath, at the surface and at various depths. The sampling device used, shown in Fig. 1, consisted of a 10-gram fireclay assay crucible fitted into a ring on the end of a steel rod handle of suitable length. A fireclay scorifier, 2 in. dia., with a ½-in. hole bored in the

Jan 1, 1930

By Homer Staley

THE casting alloy 88 copper, 10 tin, 2 zinc, commonly known in England as Admiralty metal and in this country as Government bronze, gun metal, or Naval Department composition G, has, at its best, many valuable properties. However, its physical properties are known to vary widely with slight changes in method of manufacture of the castings, such as slight variations in composition, variation in pouring temperature, kind of mold used, method of pouring and gating of molds, size and shape of castings, amount and kind of heat treatment., and so forth.1 The microstructure of castings made from this alloy is influenced by slight variations of composition, rate of cooling, and kind and length of heat treatment. This is best understood by reference to the equilibrium diagram. The part of the diagram in which we are interested and the effect of the thermal equilibrium relations on the physical properties of the alloy 88 copper, 10 tin, 2 zinc, have been discussed by Hoyt, Camp-bell, Primrose, and Rawdon.2 In Fig. 1 is given the equilibrium diagram of the copper-tin alloys. Briefly stated, the relations of composition and temperature changes are as follows. Compositions between A and a consist of but one constituent-the a bronze, which is a, solid solution of copper and tin, rich in copper. On cooling from the molten state these compositions gradually crystallize, at temperatures above 790°, into a mass of interwoven tree-like crystals or dendrites. The cores of the dendrites are rich in copper and the percentage of tin gradually increases as the surfaces are approached. As cooling progresses, after all the metal has crystallized, no further changes occur, in the crystals other than diffusion within the crys-

Jan 9, 1919

By R. I. Jaffee, F. C. Holden, H. R. Ogden

IN a previous series of papers, the results of studies made on various types of high purity base titanium alloys were presented. Included in this work were the Ti-Mn' and Ti-Cu' alloys, representative of sluggish and active eutectoid systems, respectively. The present paper gives the results of a simi- lar study made on Ti-Mo alloys as an example of a ß-isomorphous alloy system. Experimental Procedures Alloy Preparation—Six ½-lb ingots were prepared from iodide titanium and high purity molybdenum stock. The ingots were arc melted in a water-cooled copper crucible under an argon atmosphere. Each ingot was melted at least twice to insure homogeneity and complete solution of the molybdenum. This was done by inverting the ingot in the crucible and remelting completely.

Jan 1, 1957

By T. J. Hudson, P. B. Queneau, J. D. Prater

The process parameters for effective utilization of nitric acid as an oxidant for copper-iron sulfides have been developed. Leaching variables found to be important were acid concentration, temperature, time, atmosphere, pressure, mineral type, particle size, and percent solids. Particular attention was devoted to analysis and control of fumes evolving during the oxidation. Data were recorded on metal extraction, elemental sulfur formation and oxidation, product gas composition and evolution rate, reagent consumption, and residue flotation response. The study was concluded by laboratory testing a flowsheet based on the foregoing observations. Ninety-eight percent of the copper contained in a chalcopyrite-bornite concentrate was recovered, requiring 1.6 lb of nitric acid to be regenerated externally per pound of copper extracted. Iron remained in the leach residue as hydrogen jarosite and was ultimately rejected from the system by froth flotation. Sixty percent of the sulfur contained in the copper concentrate reported in the elemental form; the remainder was oxidized to sulfate and eliminated with the hydrogen jarosite in the flotation tails or by neutralization of the solvent extraction raffinate with lime. Nitrogen was evolved primarily as NO and NOD; up to 3% N2O also was present. Gases containing sulfur were absent except when pyrrhotite was solubilized in the absence of soluble copper. In this case, HAS was evolved.

Jan 1, 1974

By W. W. Loo

A REVIEW of the literature on the reduction of cassiterite showed. that scarcely any progressive changes were made in the methods of reducing cassiterite until within the last two decades, and that during that period many improvements in the metallurgy of tin have taken place. Since 1914 the world's consumption of tin has increased considerably, resulting in the exploitation of primary tin deposits such as the Bolivian lode, which has become an important source of tin. On account of the low tin content of Bolivian ore, and the presence of objectionable impurities of the reduced tin, the smelting of this ore and the refining of the tin has changed considerably from the methods formerly used. A comparative study of the methods of smelting cassiterite concentrates suggested that an investigation be planned so as. to determine what factors effect the extraction of tin from its ores by reduction with carbon. The first part of the experimental work was the determination of whether roasted cassiterite concentrates can be reduced by carbon without the use of flux, and the reduced pellets of tin be collected into a single mass separate from the dry gangue residue The second part of the experimental work was a comparison of the effect of variations of the different factors on the smelting of roasted cassiterite concentrates: first, the effect of varying the composition of the slag; second, the effect of varying the amount of reducing agent; third, the effect of varying the relative amount of the resulting slag; and fourth, the effect of different kinds of reducing agents:

Jan 1, 1928

By Research Staff ? Verde Copper Mines

FLOTATION is now commonly practiced in alkaline ore pulps, yet little is known regarding the action of the alkaline solutions on the ore particles beyond the fact that films of oxidized material form. We wish to chronicle our discovery of the presence of soluble reducing agents in alkaline ore pulps of the United Verde, and present some data on lime consumption. During the grinding and flotation of a pyritic ore containing small amounts of ferrous sulfate and other soluble salts, an excess of lime was added to precipitate the salts, and filtered samples of the solution were titrated with standard permanganate solution. Even in pulps of high causticity an appreciable permanganate titration was always obtained, in spite of the fact that the solutions were shown to contain little iron. Investigation of the cause brought about the discovery of several previously unsuspected compounds in flotation pulps made from pyritic ore. Not only the reducing agents present had to be identified, but also the amount of dissolved oxygen, and a survey was finally made of the free oxygen content and reducing agents of the mill pulp in the concentrating mill at Clarkdale. A great many compounds might form, caused by oxidation of pyrite or other metal sulfides or by reaction between a lime solution and pyrite. The most probable compounds considered were calcium sulfides; polysul-fides, thiosulfates, and polythionates. Later it was discovered in the literature that in alkaline pulp polythionates do not exist and if introduced. are decomposed into sulfites and thiosulfates.1 Any precipitated sulfur is changed by alkali into thiosulfate and polysulfide. Sulfites and sulfides react to form thiosulfate, so that in the end it is possible to have in an alkaline solution only thiosulfate and an excess either of sulfide or sulfite. Confirmatory tests were made and it was finally established that the alkaline mill pulps made from the United Verde ore contained

Jan 1, 1929

Covering resources, production, uses, defense impact, and future outlook of nickle, Mining Engineering presents the third in a series of articles on strategic minerals. Preceding it are "Cobalt" in January and "Sulphur" in May.

Jan 8, 1951

By E. E. Malouf

For centuries small amounts of copper have been recovered from acid mine-drainage waters. In recent years, the expansion of copper-bearing waste dump leaching for copper recovery has established a technological basis that is rapidly converting the art of copper leaching into a science. Copper leaching and recovery from solution has become an important adjunct of nearly all copper mining operations. Leaching of copper, whether from copper- bearing ore or waste, follows well established chemical reactions commonly in an acid circuit, but where leaching of copper is to be made in rock that is a high acid consumer, ammonia and ammonia carbonate, as well as cyanide leach solutions, can be used effectively. Current hydrometallurgical processes are being applied at an ever increasing rate to recover the trace amounts of copper in copper mine waste by in-place leaching. Currently approximately 300,000 tons of copper are produced annually in this manner while as recently as ten years ago, only one-eighth of this amount of precipitate copper was produced. Where copper occurs as an oxide in higher concentrations as to be classified as an ore rather than waste, then the hydrometallurgical processes are applied as percolation or agitation leaching in vats, pachuca tanks or prepared heaps. This approach gives better control over the recovery of the leach solutions, particularly in the processes where ammonia or cyanide leaching agents are to be used.

Jan 8, 1972

By R. D. Leitch, W. P. Yant, R. R. Sayers

In 1924, the United States Public Health Service was requested to undertake a special study of stream pollution. The Public Health Service asked the United States Bureau of Mines to take up the study because the training and experience of the personnel of the former was considered not to be as well suited to this type of investigation as that of the Bureau of Mines. Under H. Foster Bain, then Director of the Bureau, field investigations were begun in the spring of 1925. Along with mine-drainage wastes, the problem of gas-house and coke-oven waste was investigated in the laboratory and a method of treatment by sodium hydrate and benzol was found to be promising. The idea was obtained by A. C. Fieldner, chief engineer of the Bureau Experiment Stations, on a trip to Germany in 1924. He saw a practical application of the process, but obtained no information as to definite chemical or mechanical processes. Because of the then pending American patent applications by the German firm, we made no attempt to develop our findings further. Shortly afterward, a similar method of treatment was developed in the United States,' and since that time we have devoted our attention entirely to mine drainage. This paper is a presentation of some general facts and information gathered during the past five years on coal-mine drainage. Scope of Work There was such a diversity of opinion at the time this work was begun, on the whole subject and apparently so little accurately known, that it was decided to undertake a basic study from which first, certain definite information might be evident, and second, what might be considered

Jan 1, 1931

By William M. Baldwin, T. S. Howald, A. W. Ross

EXPLORATORY WORK THE related subjects of preferred orientation, directionality in physical properties, and earing tendencies of wrought metal [ ] strip have attracted the attention of metallurgists to such an extent that in the past 20 years hundreds of researches have been published on this one general problem. The anisotropy of tensile strength and elongation have been exhaustively studied in their relationship to the occurrence of ears in cups drawn from strips-20.29 and, to a lesser extent, yield strength7,11,17 and stress-strain curves" have been investigated. Despite the tremendous fund of knowledge thus accrued, no simple quantitative correlation of directionality and earing tendencies has yet been found. In a sense, this is not surprising. The formation of ears in a drawn cup clearly is a special phase of the general study of metal flow; in particular (as will be brought out in the course of this paper), ears are due to anistropy in the rates of deformation of the metal in the radial, circumferential, and "thickness" directions of the original blank. It would be difficult to effect a correlation between earing tendency and a property that may be completely independent of the flow of metal, or at best related to metal flow in an exceedingly complex fashion. Yet, it is this correlation that has been attempted; tensile strength and elongation are attributes of metal rupture, a phenomenon that has quite admirably been shown to be distinct from the phenomenon of metal flow,21 while yield strength and stress-strain

Jan 1, 1945

The Library of the above-named Societies is open from 9 A.M. to 10 P.M. on all week-days, except holidays, from Sept. 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 willreceive 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 be what is desired and not include collateral matter which may not be of interest. The time spent in searching for such collateral matter will be 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, maps 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 1, 1916