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By Junius D. Edwards

WHEN Charles Martin Hall invented the electrolytic process for the production of aluminum, one basic requirement was a supply of pure alumina. Now, more than 50 years later, the same requirement still holds, and there are no technical straws in the wind to indicate that this situation is likely to change. Long ago, Aluminum Company of America took a number of steps to see that this country should not face shortages of alumina and aluminum in time of emergency. As one step to this end, the Company developed and used a supply of bauxite in South America in order to conserve dwindling Arkansas reserves. Another, and more a program than a step, was to investigate every type of process that might bear the possibility of utilizing the low-grade ores of aluminum that are more plentiful than bauxite. It is a long story, but the investigation included electric-furnace processes, acid extraction processes and alkaline extraction processes, with or without preliminary furnace and sinter treatments. Some of the processes developed were operated in commercial production. This work has been continuous since the first World War. The turn of the wheel came sooner than was expected when, in 1942, bauxite shipments through the Caribbean became uncertain and hazardous through the operation of submarines. The tremendous requirements of aluminum for the war effort were consuming high-grade bauxite at an alarming rate and a national search for substitutes began. High-grade bauxites, for technical and economic reasons, have been defined as those containing about 7 per cent or less of silica. While bauxite of this grade was limited in amount in the United States, there was in sight a substantially greater volume of low-grade, high-silica bauxite not amenable to economic treatment by the Bayer process, but richer in alumina than the clays or other available low-grade ores. It was at this point, and after several years of intensive research on this particular phase of the problem, that Aluminum Research Laboratories brought to completion the invention of one of its research staff, which made practical the utilization of large reserves of low-grade bauxite in America. BAYER PROCESS The Bayer process has been almost universally used for the 'production of alumina from bauxite. This process, in outline, comprises the digestion of finely ground bauxite in a solution of caustic soda (NaOH) under pressure and at an elevated temperature. Alumina in the bauxite goes into solution as sodium aluminate and the impurities-oxides of iron, titanium and silicon-remain undissolved. The undissolved residue, known as "red mud," from its color, is separated and run to waste. Aluminum hydrate (A1202.3H20) is precipitated from the solution of sodium aluminate, and the liquor containing the caustic soda and some alumina is returned to the process for digesting more bauxite. The aluminum hydrate, after washing, is calcined at a high temperature to produce

Jan 1, 1945

By J. E. Tobey, David R. Mitchell, J. H. Kerrick

DETAILED knowledge of purchase specifications established by coal consumers is essential to the successful design and operation of a coal-preparation plant. ANTHRACITE Specifications should be considered by both the consumer and the producer as guide posts outlining a certain path for both to follow. Plants differ, therefore specifications must differ to meet the varied requirements. Specifications are not of themselves a "cure all" or an assurance of complete satisfaction in fuel utilization. Specifications should not be regarded as a license to engage in an orgy of buying any and all coals that may happen to fall within their limits. This would lead to the-indiscriminate mixing of coals which may vary in their burning characteristics. Different coals of equal grade tend to be individualistic in their burning characteristics. Rather, specifications should be used to help simplify coal selection, to reduce the actual number of coals used over a given period; in other words, to have a stabilizing influence on coal or customer turnover. In the final analysis, the use of too many coals per year in a plant is costly to both the consumer and the producer. Too many sources usually result in higher operating and maintenance costs for the consumer and higher sales costs for the producer. Finally, the statement included in the report accompanying the comprehensive Coal Selection Charts prepared by the Coal Committee of the National Association of Purchasing Agents, and released in 1938, is significant. This Committee worked diligently for a period of 15 years seeking to find a scientific and reliable method for selecting coals. The two following paragraphs are quoted from its report: More important is the fact that no ready-made classification or set of specifications can possibly replace the judgment and resourcefulness of an experienced combustion engineer, or fuel technologist, nor the usual need for full scale plant tests under the exact conditions of use before a final decision is made . . .

Jan 1, 1943

By W. F. Wheeler

In the study of the coals of Illinois now being carried on by the State Geological Survey, an attempt is being made to determine the most satisfactory basis of comparison between different coals. The following discussion is based upon work done for the Survey in the laboratories of the State University and under the general direction of Prof. S. W. Parr. "Pure coal" has been defined by Mr. A. Bementl as ash- and moisture-free coal, and the use of this pure coal" as a basis for comparing different bituminous coals has lately been much discussed among engineers in the middle West. By some the B.t.u. of the pure coal is being used to check calorimetric results, and to calculate the calorific value of different coal-samples from the same seam, for which purposes it is necessary to assume—first, that the composition and calorific value of pure coal from different parts of the same coal-seam are uniform, and, second, that these values remain constant after the coal is mined, both of which assumptions there are reasons to believe are inconsistent with the facts. Certain variables are included in pure coal, as ordinarily defined, and disregard of them may lead to serious error. In any event, where delicate shades of difference are involved, no sure interpretation of results car] be made, unless these variables be eliminated. As a basis of comparison between coals, ash- and moisture-free coal is much to be preferred to " dry coal," and still more is it to be preferred to moist coal," as ordinarily reported in analyses. There are, however, two constituents other than ash

Jan 1, 1908

By Arthur C. Simmons

The area that produces Pennsylvania grade, which includes New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and a part of Ohio, increased its production in 1942 about 1,580,000 bbl. over that attained in 1941. Such an increase is substantial for this area, and measured in terms of increased output of lubricants, for which the crude is particularly suitable, it represents a needed arid worth-while addition to the lubricant resources of the United States. The year 1942 was a difficult operating period for most of the petroleum-producing areas in the United States, but the Appalachian region, owing principally to its location, type of operations, and crude value, suffered less from war influences than other areas. The state of Pennsylvania produced 17,823,870 bbl. of crude oil, which is approximately 63 per cent of the total production of Pennsylvania grade in the entire area. Production Bradford Field The Bradford field, which produces almost wholly by water-flooding methods, increased its production nearly 4000 bbl. per day over 1941 despite a very slight reduction in total number of wells completed. Well completions in the Bradford field (in both New York and Pennsylvania) includc both producing oil wells and water-intake wells. About half of the well completions are producing oil wells and the remaining half are water-intake or injection wells. About 10 per cent of the total well completions of the Bradford field were in Cattaraugus County, New York. No segregation of well completions is available, so that precise statistics cannot be given for New York and Pennsylvania.

Jan 1, 1943

By Arthur C. Simmons

The area that produces Pennsylvania grade, which includes New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and a part of Ohio, increased its production in 1942 about 1,580,000 bbl. over that attained in 1941. Such an increase is substantial for this area, and measured in terms of increased output of lubricants, for which the crude is particularly suitable, it represents a needed arid worth-while addition to the lubricant resources of the United States. The year 1942 was a difficult operating period for most of the petroleum-producing areas in the United States, but the Appalachian region, owing principally to its location, type of operations, and crude value, suffered less from war influences than other areas. The state of Pennsylvania produced 17,823,870 bbl. of crude oil, which is approximately 63 per cent of the total production of Pennsylvania grade in the entire area. Production Bradford Field The Bradford field, which produces almost wholly by water-flooding methods, increased its production nearly 4000 bbl. per day over 1941 despite a very slight reduction in total number of wells completed. Well completions in the Bradford field (in both New York and Pennsylvania) includc both producing oil wells and water-intake wells. About half of the well completions are producing oil wells and the remaining half are water-intake or injection wells. About 10 per cent of the total well completions of the Bradford field were in Cattaraugus County, New York. No segregation of well completions is available, so that precise statistics cannot be given for New York and Pennsylvania.

Jan 1, 1943

ALABAMA. Aldrich.-Aldrich, W. F. Anniston.-Noble, A. E., 20th St. and Wilmer Ave. Auburn.-Brown, R. L., Box 0. Bessemer.-Abbott, C. E., T. C., I. & R.R. Co. Ferguson, V., U. S. C. I. Pipe & Fdy. Co. Williams, E. P., Tenn. C., I. & R. R. Co. Birmingham.-Aldricb, T. H. Aldrich, T. H., Jr., 406 Woodward Bldg. Allen, A. W., 1616 S. 14th Ave. Bowron, J., 1401 S, 20th St. Burbidge, T. A., Browu-Marx Bldg. Coxe, E. H., Tenn. C., I. & R. R. Co. Crawford, G. G., Tenn. C., 1. & R. R. Co. Crockard, F. H., Woodward Bldg. Dimmick, F. D., Dimmick Pipe Co. Ellis, E. E., 1515 Brown-Marx Bldg. Fairbairn, C. T., Woodward Bldg. Fies, M. H., 2316 Highland Ave. Hiller, E., 516 Brown-Marx Bldg. Hillman, M. P. G., 707 Empire Bldg. Ludwig, C. P., 12th Ave. and 12th St. McCormack, G. B., Lookout Mt. Iron Co. McCrery, C., Tenn. C., I. & R. R. Co. Moffett, C. A , 909 Brown-Marx Bldg. Peters, R.. Jr., Brown-Marx Bldg.

Jan 1, 1917

By P. B. Bucky

IN this day of steady progress in the mining industry, especially along mechanical lines, the question of whether to discard present equipment for that of a new type often engages the minds of many officials of mining companies. The rapid strides made from year to year sometimes cause this question to be brought up within a year after new equipment has been purchased and installed. It is a moot question whether a machine that has been purchased last year should be replaced by a new one put on the market this year. As I see it, the reasons for the replacement of present equipment may be summed up as follows: (1) because of increased safety; (2) because of legal regulations; (3) because of increased profits. I think all of us, as engineers, will endeavor to put in as safe equipment as it is possible to devise. The tendency of mining companies in that direction is very gratifying.

Jan 1, 1930

By Edward Richardson

As DEVELOPED up to the end of the Great War, an airplane was essentially a mechanism of wood and fabric, joined and held together by metal fittings and, fastening. The engine and accessories, wire for wheel spokes and other tension members, and the occasional use of metal for interplane struts and the shafts of surface controls required some metal, but essentially it was a. wood and fabric structure. Attempts had been made to use metal for other purposes, such as struts in the drag-trussing of wing panels and for short interplane struts, and Junkers had produced an airplane of iron in 1915. By 1917 he was using steel tubes and duralu-min sheets, securing noteworthy advantages aerodynamically and from the standpoint of weigh PRINCIPLES OF AIRPLANE CONSTRUCTION The loaded weight of airplanes ranges from 500 lb. for the light plane of which we heard so much a short time ago, to about 40,000 lb. The great majority of planes range from 2000 to 10,000 lb. Of this weight from 15. to 30 per cent. is for the dividend-earning load. This percentage is so low that every per cent. saved on the rest of the weight increases the pay load from 3 to 6 per cent. The economic value of every pound that can be saved in designing or constructing a plane is sufficiently great to warrant spending money on refined methods of structural analysis, materials of superior strength properties for a given weight, methods of manufacture which may make possible the use of refinements in structural design, and the like, to an extent unknown heretofore.

Jan 1, 1928

By J. W. Hickman

INTRODUCTION RECENT work by the authors1 on the oxide films formed on alloys of titanium and zirconium with nickel and copper indicated that an investigation of the oxides which form on alloys of copper and nickel might permit the relative rates of formation and diffusion of the ions of. these metals to be determined. This binary system is of further interest since the alloys which form are of the solid solution-type over-the entire range. In addition nickel is much more oxidation resistant than copper. A comparison of the free energies of formation of the simple oxides which may occur on these alloys indicates that nickel oxide should be observed over the entire time and temperature ranges of oxidation for all alloy compositions.1 In. order for nickel oxide to predominate on the surface, it is necessary that nickel ions form and diffuse to the surface. Two factors which may influence the formation of nickel oxide may be the ionic sizes, where Cu+ is 0.96Å and Ni-++ is 0.70Å, and the charges on the ions. On the basis of size, Ni++ should diffuse more readily than Cu+ while on the basis of charge, Cu+ should form more readily than Ni++. According to Uhlig2 passivity to corrosion in an alloy appears at a critical composition which for copper-nickel alloys is related to the tendency of the d band of electronic energy states to fill with electrons. This composition in the copper-nickel alloys corresponds to 40 at. Pct nickel at which composition Uhlig2 (quoting La Que's data) states that the alloy system becomes passive. Magnetic and specific heat data indicate that the d band of copper-nickel alloys is filled at 6o at. pct copper or 4o at. pct nickel. Mott and Jones3 have shown that if, on alloying nickel with copper, one considers a copper atom to be identical with a nickel atom except for an extra electron (nickel -has the-configuration: 3d8 4s2 and copper: 3 d10 4s) then at 60 at. pct copper or 4o at. pct nickel enough electrons are contributed by copper to fill the d band of the alloy. At this composition the magnetic susceptibility approximates zero according to Grew.4 Although the electron diffraction data will not determine the rates of the several reactions which may occur during oxidation, yet a determination of the structures of the surface oxides may yield information concerning the relationships, if any, which may' exist between the oxide structures which form and that composition where the magnetic susceptibility approximates zero. It is quite possible, of course, that the mechanisms of the oxidation and corrosion reactions may be so widely different that no correlations between them may be possible. SURVEY OF LITERATURE The metals, copper and nickel, which are face-centered cubic, form solid solution alloys which are face-centered cubic with no superstructure for all compositions. Three oxides of nickel have been investigated structurally by X ray diffraction. Of

Jan 1, 1948

By Stanley B. Roboff

Throughout the world nuclear power re- actors are being designed and constructed as the energy source for stationary power plants. They are built to power submarines, surface ships, and long-range aircraft and to provide small package power plants that can be set up with relative ease in outlying areas. Regardless of type, most of these plants are designed to operate at the highest permissible temperatures and with the greatest possible burn-up of fuel. On paper it is now possible to design a nuclear power plant that will out-perform all existing types of power-generating plants, and at costs which are attractive. Such plants, however, are not now being built, nor will they ever be built, unless major engineering advances are made in the realm of reactor materials. The reason for this is straight- forward enough. Although it is known that huge quantities of energy can be generated in nuclear fuels within short periods of time, as yet there are no construction materials capable of withstanding the severe conditions that would exist within a power reactor operating with ultrahigh output.

Sep 1, 1956

By M. A. Meyers, P. P. Meyers

The analysis of the phenomena involved in determining the compressive strength of iron-ore agglomerates leads to the identification of important parameters. It is shown mathematically that the pellet rupture strength is proportional to the cross-sectional area. Fracture is initiated at the center of the pellets by the tensile stresses developed by the compressive loads normally to the compressive axis. The variation in strength between individual pellets of identical composition and subjected to identical treatments u due to internal voids of varying sixes that act as stress-concentration sites. Two novel testing procedures are proposed. The first consults of testing the pellets between two plates having three steel spheres each. This configuration simulates much better the environment actually encountered by the pellets. The second procedure consists of a thick-walled cylinder in which a piston penetrates; a large group of pellets is tested simultaneously, as the stress versus strain plot is being recorded. This latter test presents vacant advantages over the conventional testing procedure; the main one is that one single test is sufficient to characterize the mechanical response of the pellets.

Jan 1, 1984

By G. R. Palmer

The occurrence of mercury minerals in precious metal-bearing ores has long been noted. During cyanide leaching of these gold-silver ores, some mercury forms a soluble cyanide complex, which is present in the pregnant leach solution and passes through the process operations of the cyanidation mill. As a result, mercury is found on the electrowinning cell cathodes, on the stripped carbon before It is volatilized during carbon regeneration, or in theme tailings pond. The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Mines is examining the effectiveness of two ion-exchange resins to adsorb gold and/or mercury from a cyanide leach solution. The resins, Duolite A-7 and Ionac A-305, were contacted with leach solutions containing varying concentrations of mercury, gold, and silver. The resin A-7 reached a maximum mercury loading of 0.0165 lb Hg/ft3, and A-305 reached a maximum mercury capacity of greater than 0.44 lb Hg/ft3. Adsorption of gold by both A-7 and A-305 is influenced by the presence of additional ions in the solution.

Jan 1, 1984

By E. A. von Hahn, T. R. lngraham

Cementation rates ulere studied by rotating an elec-tropolished or etched copper strip in aqueous solutions, of either perchloric acid or alkaline cyanide, containing silver ions. The rates of cementation were more rapid in acidic media than in cyanide media. In both, the rates varied with the rate of rotation of the copper strip. The deposits formed in the acidic solutions were finely divided, loosely adhering powders. Those formed in the cyanide solutions were dense and adherent. The presence of the deposits influenced the cementation rates. In the acidic solutions the rate was enhanced, possibly because of the increased cathodic area. In the alkaline solutions the rates were decreased in the presence of the deposits. This has been attributed to restricting the diffusion of the copper ion from the rnetal outward into the bulk of the solution. In an earlier paper1 the authors described a kinetic study of the cementation of palladium on copper in perchloric acid solutions. That work indicated that there were two stages in the palladium cementation process. The first, more rapid stage was consistent with rate control by the diffusion of Pd11 ions to the copper surface and/or by chemical reaction at the surface. The second stage was consistent with rate control by the diffusion of copper ions from the copper surface, through the deposit, out into the main body of solution. The effect of the type of deposit on the rate of cementation is of particular interest because it may be one of the primary features involved when large quantities of metal are to be cemented from solution. No substantial investigations of the effect seem to have been made. Accordingly, an extension of the previous work was arranged to study the cementation of silver on copper. This system was selected because of the convenience of the analytical methods, the previously established technology with copper, and the fact that the system could be studied in both acidic and alkaline media. By selecting perchloric acid and alkaline cyanide solutions as the media, it was hoped that some assessment might be made of the effects, on cementation, of having the silver ion present in a virtually uncomplexed state and in a highly complexed state. EXPERIMENTAL The cementation rates were studied, as previously described,' by rotating a copper strip (1.0 by 23.2 cm) clamped to the peripheral surface of a lucite cylinder. The solutions were kept at constant temperatures (±0.05°C) under an atmosphere of purified nitrogen, and samples were taken periodically for analysis. The initial solution volume was 1000 ml and the sample volume 5 ml. The initial silver(1) ion concentrations were made low (0.5 to 1.0 x 10-4 moles per liter) to minimize the influence of the cemented deposit on rates. The solutions were prepared by dilution of suitable aliquots of silver perchlorate and silver cyanide stock solutions. Both stock solutions were prepared from purified silver powder (Johnson, Matthey, and Mallory Ltd.) with redistilled deoxygenated water, and they were kept under an atmosphere of purified nitrogen. To prepare the stock solutions, weighed amounts of silver powder were dissolved with nitric acid. For the AgC104 stock solution the silver nitrate solution was evaporated twice to near dryness with perchloric acid and then made up to volume: For the NaAg(cN)2 stock solution, the silver ions were precipitated with sodium hydroxide solution. The precipitate was filtered, washed thoroughly with redistilled water, dissolved with 1.1 times the required stoichiometric amount of sodium cyanide solution, and made up to volume. The small amounts of free perchloric acid and sodium cyanide present in the stock solutions were disregarded in the preparation of the solutions. The copper strips were cut accurately from 0.025-in. sheet (American Metal Climax OFHC brand) and annealed for 1.5 hr at 470°C in a stream of nitrogen. Analyses of the solution samples for silver and copper were done with a Techtron Model AA-3 atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Calibration standards of the same composition as the experimental solutions were prepared and analyzed simultaneously with the samples. No difficulty was experienced in the analyses, and the reproducibility was within 1 to 2 pct in both alkaline cyanide and perchloric acid solutions.

Jan 1, 1968

By J. M. Silliman

ISOMETRICAL drawing and clinographic projection are generally preferred to perspective drawings for representation of small objects or complicated mechanisms, as they present to the eye a sufficiently accurate picture of the object, while they possess great advantages over perspective in the simplicity and rapidity of execution, and the facility they give for taking measurements directly from the drawings.

Jan 1, 1882

THE International First-Aid and Mine-Rescue con-test, under the auspices of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, was held at Butte, Mont., on Aug. 20, 21 and 22. As usual, the first-aid elimination contests were held the first day, the finals the second, and the mine-rescue contest the third. While the number of teams entered was not as great as at some previous contests held nearer the coal-mining districts of the East, the atten-dance was much larger than usual, due to the great interest in first aid, rescue work, and accident preven-tion that has been created by the effective support and constructive policy of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. toward them. The winner of the first-aid contest was the Great Falls Zinc Mill team of the Anaconda company, of which Fred Erickson is captain. Second place went to the Baton Rouge team of the Standard Oil Co. of Louisi-ana, and third to the Great Falls Furnace Refinery team of the Anaconda company.

Jan 9, 1928

Howland Bancroft (A Modern Approach To Foreign Mineral Development, P 666) was born in Denver, Colo and attended the University of Colorado, University of Michigan and received a B S and B A degree From 1907 to 1912 he was with U S Geological Survey In 1911 he was involved in study of mining resources of Peru Mr Bancroft resigned from Federal Survey and opened offices as consulting mining geologist in Denver in 1912 From 1919 to 1920 he was a consulting engineer in San Francisco He was manager of Sinclair Panama Oil Corp in Panama City in 1920 From 1921 to 1923 he was vice president and managing director of same corporation He did independent examinations in Western states and an exploration trip through Turkey in Asia from 1924 to 1925 Mr Bancroft was vice president and general manager of Lago Petroleum Corp in charge of operations in Venezuela Mr Bancroft has spent time in 34 different countries in the world and in a number of different Latin American States, Europe, Asia Minor and Africa

Jan 1, 1952

By Paul A. Bailly

Around 4500 B.C., the Pharaoh of Egypt ordered a military campaign to the Sinai Peninsula and the shores of the Red Sea, to search for copper deposits which Egypt needed for jewelry, vases and weapons.5 To my knowledge, this is the first recorded expedition aimed at the discovery of minerals. The diligent Egyptian soldier-prospectors made discoveries through visual detection and manual effort, the approach which has given us the bulk of our mines to date. In the Rio Tinto District of Spain where Roman miners followed the Phoenician traders, we find the first evidence of discovery of hidden ore bodies in the absence of mineralized outcrops. This is how Joralemon 13 describes these Roman discoveries to the southwest of the Rio Tinto hills, under the flat plain of Seville:

Jan 6, 1979

Jan 1, 1934

By Foster Bain

THE outstanding characteristic of the last hundred years has been the world-wide rise in the standard of living. Man's dominion over nature is increasing with an accelerating pace and more and more the forces and materials of this world are being made to serve man's necessities and his convenience. We demand both quantities and varieties of goods that were beyond the dreams, to say nothing of the reach, of our fore-fathers, and our possession of them has become so much a matter of course that they excite no remark. Literally, thousands of young folks have required an explanation of a recent popular song, "Thanks for the Buggy Ride," for the reason that their own experience does not extend back into the pre-flivver age. This transition from the use of vehicles made mainly of wood and drawn by animal power, to metal made cars propelled by mineral fuels is all but complete and the memory even of older conditions is already fading. This is symbolic of what is happening all around us. In a recent book, Dr. Frank J. Goodenough, president of Johns Hopkins University, referred to Chinese civilization as a ?vegetable" civilization meaning thereby that the Chinese depend mainly upon the plant world for food, clothing and other necessities and luxuries. Our own people did the same hardly more than a hundred years ago. In 1820, this country produced and used only 5 lb. of pig iron per capita, but a quick and enormous change was wrought in the hundred, years that followed, and in 1920 the amount was 119 times as much, or 597 lb. It has since increased even beyond this and touched a peak of 809 lb. in 1923. In that year our output was more than twice that of 1903 and nine times that of 1883. This increase in production

Jan 10, 1926

By James Boyd

It is obvious that mining has been influenced to a high degree by political and economic events, many of which are of such a nature that the mining industry has relatively little influence in shaping them. I cannot present too optimistic a picture for the immediate future, although I feel that from the long-range standpoint one need not be pessimistic about the future of the mining industry. The population of the United States is continuing to increase and with it has come an expanded consumption of metals on a per capita basis. With this expansion there has and will continue to come the demand for more goods and in- creased products from our mines and our fabricating plants. World War

Jan 5, 1950