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By Maurice C. Fetzer, Charles R. Austin

It has long been known that plain high-carbon steels may be susceptible to graphiti-zation below the A1 critical, but no data have been available to indicate what factors cause and tend to inhibit graphite formation. Two recent publicationsl,2 have shown that the factors controlling graphitization below the A1 are different from those operating above the A1 inversion where commercial graphitization of malleable iron begins. Furthermore, for plain high-carbon steels graphitization below the critical point does not appear to be related to ordinary chemical analyses. Many years ago it was recorded3 that the rate of graphitization at subeutectoid temperature is not a maximum just below the A1 critical, but at some lower temperature, which Austin and Norris have shown to be about 670°C. Indeed, work done in our laboratory has demonstrated that it is impossible to spheroidize certain steels in the temperature range of 650° to 710°C. without the formation of considerable amounts of graphite. However, if the temperature is maintained just below the A1 (720°C.) these same steels may be completely sphe-roidized at constant temperature. In previous studiesl,2,4 on I per cent plain carbon steels graphitization was encountered during prolonged tempering. The limited number of steels studied did not provide sufficiellt data to permit adequate study of the factors controlling this graphitization. Accordingly, a limited statistical investigation was undertaken, utilizing 18 steels of similar chemical analyses, furnished by four steel companies, who also supplied information regarding the history of manufacture. An extensive program of research is being carried out on these steels, including the effect of pretreatment and atmosphere on the nature and extent of graphitization, and the possible correlation of graphitization with such characteristic properties as hardenability, grain size and mechanical behavior. In the present paper discussion is restricted to a study of the correlation between graphitizing tendency at 670°C. after quenching from several temperatures above the critical, and (I) the minor variations in the chemistry of these steels of "similar" chemical composition, and (2) the deoxida-tion practice employed. The state of the lead bath, oxidized or protected from oxidation by charcoal, used in the tempering treatments is also considered. Materials Eighteen plain carbon steels of about I per cent carbon, and containing similar amounts of each of the other common elements usually found as impurities, were obtained in the form of rods % in, in diameter from four steel manufacturers. The analyses for ordinary and special elements of all the steels were made on the rod stock as received in the laboratory, and the re-

Jan 1, 1941

By Maurice C. Fetzer, Charles R. Austin

It has long been known that plain high-carbon steels may be susceptible to graphiti-zation below the A1 critical, but no data have been available to indicate what factors cause and tend to inhibit graphite formation. Two recent publicationsl,2 have shown that the factors controlling graphitization below the A1 are different from those operating above the A1 inversion where commercial graphitization of malleable iron begins. Furthermore, for plain high-carbon steels graphitization below the critical point does not appear to be related to ordinary chemical analyses. Many years ago it was recorded3 that the rate of graphitization at subeutectoid temperature is not a maximum just below the A1 critical, but at some lower temperature, which Austin and Norris have shown to be about 670°C. Indeed, work done in our laboratory has demonstrated that it is impossible to spheroidize certain steels in the temperature range of 650° to 710°C. without the formation of considerable amounts of graphite. However, if the temperature is maintained just below the A1 (720°C.) these same steels may be completely sphe-roidized at constant temperature. In previous studiesl,2,4 on I per cent plain carbon steels graphitization was encountered during prolonged tempering. The limited number of steels studied did not provide sufficiellt data to permit adequate study of the factors controlling this graphitization. Accordingly, a limited statistical investigation was undertaken, utilizing 18 steels of similar chemical analyses, furnished by four steel companies, who also supplied information regarding the history of manufacture. An extensive program of research is being carried out on these steels, including the effect of pretreatment and atmosphere on the nature and extent of graphitization, and the possible correlation of graphitization with such characteristic properties as hardenability, grain size and mechanical behavior. In the present paper discussion is restricted to a study of the correlation between graphitizing tendency at 670°C. after quenching from several temperatures above the critical, and (I) the minor variations in the chemistry of these steels of "similar" chemical composition, and (2) the deoxida-tion practice employed. The state of the lead bath, oxidized or protected from oxidation by charcoal, used in the tempering treatments is also considered. Materials Eighteen plain carbon steels of about I per cent carbon, and containing similar amounts of each of the other common elements usually found as impurities, were obtained in the form of rods % in, in diameter from four steel manufacturers. The analyses for ordinary and special elements of all the steels were made on the rod stock as received in the laboratory, and the re-

Jan 1, 1941

By I Lumsdaine

QNI Pty Ltd operates the Yabulu Refinery located 25 kilometres north of Townsville, North Queensland. The plant treats nickel laterite ores sourced from the Philippines, Indonesia and New Caledonia. The cobalt head grade and overall recovery expectations for the 2001/2002 financial year are 0.161 per cent and 53.8 per cent respectively. Cobalt is a valuable byproduct derived from the nickel refining operation which utilises the Caron Process. Any increases in cobalt recovery that are achieved from the existing relatively low level provide significant improvements to the bottom line of the operation. Towards the end of 2000, a project was undertaken to characterise cobalt losses with the sole purpose of improving cobalt recoveries using a variety of analysis techniques. The Time-of- Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF-SIMS û University of South Australia) method was used to verify the presence of surface bearing cobalt species, originating from either co-precipitation or adsorption mechanisms. Cross-section examinations were also performed using Scanning Electron Micrscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDXS). These techniques indicated the presence of high cobalt concentrations (in the order of several per cent) within a select number of roasted and leached ore particles. The phenomenon of cobalt losses due to incomplete leaching within specific ore particles was not widely documented within the Refinery prior to these studies. In order to quantify losses via this mechanism, Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA û JKTech Centre) was also performed on key samples. This paper serves to document a systematic approach in determining the source of significant valuable mineral losses in an established, operating plant. It discusses the use of a variety of analytical techniques, which have been adapted for the minerals processing industry, but are strongly relevant for plant investigations in the hydrometallurgical industry.

Jan 1, 2002

By Robert B. Crookston

This paper presents a resume and status report: of mining technology appropriate to commercial oil shale development in the United States today. The nature and extent of oil shale in Colorado and Utah are discussed. A look at most of the prominent activities now underway emphasizes the questions "where are we now?" and "where are we going?" Various alternate mining methods are reviewed and a bibliography of oil shale mining is included.

Jan 1, 1980

By S. Gan, E. van Niekerk, L. Birrell, D. Robbertze, L. Ncubi, B. Zhao

Quality assurance and quality control (or QAQC) plays a key role in safeguarding the level of confidence of the data generated during mineral exploration and mine development, and is also part of the reporting code requirements for resource estimation and reporting, as well as mining investment. Implementation of good policies and working protocols in quality management will result in the generation of reliable information, which is critical for decision-making on the future of the mining project. The use of certified reference materials, i.e., standard, blank, and duplicate samples, proves effective and efficient for ensuring the level of data confidence in terms of precision, accuracy, and sample contamination. This is well demonstrated by the practice of QC in the exploration programme for the chrysotile tailings storage facilities of Havelock Mine, using 1254 samples from 53 drill-holes. Different statistical tools were applied to analyse the assay results from these samples. The outcome substantiates that the QC practice established during the Havelock exploration project is aligned to best practice guidelines in the industry. The resource delineated indicates that the tailings material at Havelock could potentially become a significant source of supply to the global magnesium market.

Jul 2, 2022

By Rosa Malena Fernandes Lima, Kerollan da Silva Ramos, Joyce de Assis Silva, Geriane Macedo Rocha

This study evaluated the effects of collector type amide-amine compared with those of conventional etheramine acetate (both cationic collectors) on the surface properties of quartz and hematite. An examination of certain properties of the reagents indicated that the new collector amide-amine has CMC (critical micelle concentration) and pKa values (100 mg/L and 8.2, respectively) significantly lower than those of etheramine (800 mg/L and 9.4, respectively). Microflotation tests showed that the recoveries of quartz with amide-amine in all the concentrations tested were higher than those with etheramine. This is attributed to its lower CMC and pKa values. The selectivity window between quartz and hematite flotation using amideamine was higher at pH 10.5 (approximately 80% for 5 mg/L). Therefore, the use of starch is not necessary in siliceous itabirite flotation by amide–amine collector. Zeta potential measurements and infrared spectra reveal that the adsorption of amide-amine collector on quartz surface occurs mainly by electrostatic attraction. Considering the better collectability of amide-amine for quartz flotation and lower adsorption affinity for hematite surface than etheramine, the amide-amine is a promising collector to be used in reversal iron ore flotation.

Jul 30, 2021

By D. J. Jr. McAdam

PART I.-OUTLINE OF INVESTIGATION, DESCRIPTION OF METHODS AND MATERIAL Previous Investigation of the Influence of Stress on Corrosion IN 1917 Haigh1 presented evidence that under simultaneous corrosion and cyclic stress metals may fail at lower stresses than if the corrosion is prior to the cyclic stress. In 1926 the author, while investigating the cooling effect of water on the fatigue resistance of metals, found that under these conditions steel specimens fail at stresses far below the endurance limit.2 (By "endurance limit" is here meant the fatigue limit obtained with specimens as free as possible from stress concentration and corrosive influences.) This led to an investigation (at the Naval Engineering Experiment Station, Annapolis, Md.) of the influence of cyclic stress on corrosion. This investigation maybe divided into three parts. The first part was a general survey of the conditions necessary to cause complete failure under corrosion and cyclic stress of relatively high frequency. The entire process by which metals fail under these conditions was-called "corrosion-fatigue." "Corrosion-fatigue limits" for a large number of metals were determined and the relationships of these limits to chemical composition, heat treatment and physical properties were established. The conclusion was reached that corrosion-fatigue is due to the accelerating influence of cyclic stress on corrosion. Results of this part of the investigation were presented in five papers.2-6 The second part of the investigation was a preliminary study of the influence of cyclic stress on corrosion. Each experiment was conducted in two stages. The first was a corrosion stage in which the specimen was corroded under cyclic stress; the second was a fatigue stage, in which the previously corroded specimen was tested (without further corrosion) to determine its fatigue limit. The difference between this fatigue limit and the endurance limit was used as a criterion of the "damage" due to

Jan 1, 1931

By Carolina Bruecker, Axel Preusse

"The topic of ground movements in Germany has been studied extensively in the past, especially in the field of active mines. The active hard coal mines were finally shut down in 2018 in Germany and lignite mining is expected to take place only until 2038. The so-called long-term liabilities of the mine operators in Germany include, among other things, the long-term guarantee of stability and thus the monitoring of ground motion.So far, the economic use of underground mining in Germany was mainly the supply of raw materials. In the future, the underground storage of compressed air, methane, or hydrogen will play an important role in renewable energy supply and climate change. Therefore, underground storage space will become more important and spatial planning is essential to ensure availability of safe underground openings for the various options of environmentally friendly energy storage.However, this renewed usage of underground openings may also bring new and sometimes unknown challenges of geomechanical influence. On the one hand, the aftermath of hard coal and lignite mining will be an increasing challenge in mining subsidence engineering. On the other hand, new possibilities due to underground spatial planning may lead to subsidence and/or heaving of the upper surface.INTRODUCTIONBoth hard coal and lignite have a long tradition in Germany. The Prosper Haniel mine in the Ruhr area was closed at the end of 2018 after 150 years, which signalled the end of hard coal production in Germany. Lignite mining still takes place in the Central German, Lausitz, and Rhineland districts. However, lignite mining in Germany is expected to be phased out gradually by 2038 (MDR, 2019). With the closure of these mines, however, mining damage is not over. The long-term consequences of mining, which extend far beyond the closure of the mines, are associated with the liability and responsibility of the individual mining companies. The so-called eternity burdens on the mining company continue to apply. In the field of lignite production, the discontinuation of dewatering and the resulting possible elevations of the surface will be a relevant topic for the future of mine surveying. The same applies to the hard coal mines, which are partially flooded in Germany and therefore require extensive monitoring of soil movements in the future.The discontinuation of energy from hard coal and lignite calls for a change in the energy mix. With the renewable energy revolution in Germany, the focus is on a sustainable and environmentally compatible climate and energy policy based on renewable energies. Sustainable use of the subsoil, both natural and anthropogenically produced cavities, will play an essential role in the objectives of this policy. For example, disused mine cavities can be used to store electricity from renewable energy sources. (Umwelt Bundesamt, 2018) These functions will again cause classical ground movements such as subsidence and uplift, but will also bring new challenges for the mine surveyor. Challenges can be underground cavity exploration in inaccessible areas or legal aspects of underground competition."

Jan 1, 2019

By James C. Barker

The Bureau of Mines evaluated the tin development potential of the uplands between the Kanuti and Hodzana Rivers from 1978 through 1980. Chemical and petrologic data indicate that local granitic intrusions are generally similar to "tin granites" that contain tin deposits elsewhere. The tin mineral cassiterite (SnO2) was identified in chlorite-rich greisen from the Sithyiemenkat pluton. Greisen zones are located near the intersections of high-angle, linear structural features, and samples contain up to 0.23 pct Sn. One bedrock exposure of greisen is 10 to 15 ft wide. Although some lode mineralization is present, the deeply eroded nature of the region suggests larger tin-bearing cupolas may have existed prior to erosion. Extensive stream gravel deposits have not been affected by glaciation, and potential exists for placer tin deposits. Especially favorable is a large semiclosed basin drained by the Kanuti Kilolitna River. Heavy mineral concentrates collected from surface alluvium in the Kanuti Kilolitna River valley contained up to 51.2 pet Sn (0.02 to 0.4 lb/yd3 Sn), up to 5 pct W, up to 0.4 pct Cb(Nb), and up to 0.1 pct Ta. The concentration of heavy minerals is expected to in- crease with depth. Detailed mapping and extensive surface and subsurface sampling will be needed to quantify the mineral development potential of the lode and placer tin deposits in the uplands.

Jan 1, 1986

By M. G. Corson

INFORMATION regarding the use of manganese alloys has hitherto been incomplete and available only from widely scattered sources. This paper attempts a systematic description of properties and uses of alloys other than manganese bronze, manganin and duralumin, which are probably the only non-ferrous alloys associated with manganese in the minds of most metallurgists.1 PROPERTIES OF MANGANESE Manganese can react either acid or basic; it is hard to obtain in the pure state; it has two different crystalline lattice structures, both of the cubic system, one stable above 850° C. and the other below 650° C., both coexisting in the intermediate range. Although the commercial product is hard and brittle, the pure metal seems to be ductile. In fact Zhemchuzhny, in Russia, was able to obtain ductile manganese and draw it to fine wires by the simple expedient of adding about 3 per cent. copper to the alumino-thermic product. Copper most probably brings the sili-cides, aluminides, nitrides and carbides present in the commercial product into a much less harmful form of distribution. One industrial use that can be foreseen for wrought manganese articles is as anodes for electrolytic processes in sulfate and nitrate solutions, particularly with high voltages. A practically insoluble skin of manganese peroxide is likely to form in such cases and an insoluble and strong anode material will be available.

Jan 5, 1927

By James C. Duchon

The use of extended workdays (regular shift lengths of 10 or 12 h (hour), while still maintaining a 4O-h workweek) in mining operations is attracting growing interest in the United States. There is very little doubt that extended workdays is a very popular alternative among the work force because of the significant increase in days off, including weekends, especially when compared with traditional rotation schedules of working seven straight shifts or having only one weekend off every 4 to 6 weeks. However, there are some serious concerns by management, workers, unions, and various governmental policymakers that working 10-or 12-h days may create an added risk of accidents and health problems. The U.S. Bureau of Mines reviewed the literature studies related to the safety and performance issues of extended workdays. This report presents a summary of those findings. The studies examined in this review are divided into three sections: (1) laboratory, (2) field, and (3) accident and injury analysis. In general, results are inconclusive. Studies have shown both positive and negative effects. It is concluded, therefore, that in industries such as mining where accidents are a serious concern, special measures and evaluation in the use of extended workdays be considered.

Jan 1, 1994

By W. F. Faragher

The principal equipment in the catalyst plants at Ludwigshafen-Oppau was inspected and is presented in the form of flow sheets for the manufacture of four of the principal catalysts. The equipment is in many cases of special design rather than stock items that was built by the company and modified in the coarse of the growth of the high-pressure synthesis of hydrocarbons in Germany. It is believed that if the manufacture of catalysts were to be undertaken elsewhere, the selection of equipment for the operations involved could be made successfully from the guidance furnished by this rather general report. Five additional catalysts are described, also. II. CATALYST 5058 FROM FRESH TUNGSTIC ACID In a supply tank of about 2,000 liters capacity, 500 kg. of tungstic acid (W03.H2O) that contains about 92-93 percent of W03 is dissolved at 60-70° C. in 1,500 liters of mother liquor. The solution is-effected by stirring for about 1-1/2 hours. The mother liquor is obtained from a previous, lot of catalyst and is first adjusted to a concentration of 13 percent 1H3 by passing in gaseous ammonia. The solution is allowed to stand without stirring for 1 hour, then is pumped into the saturating vessel through a cloth filter (three-quarters hr. to one hr.). The saturator is purged with H2S and thereafter the solution, which has been cooled to about 75° C., is heated in an atmosphere of hydrogen sulfide with stirring to about 70° C. This charge is slowly cooled to 50°, and then more rapidly to about 20° C. (time of cooling 6-7 hours).

Jan 1, 1946

By Northcutt Ely

This volume summarizes mining and petroleum legislation in 30 jurisdictions of the Western Hemisphere. Within these jurisdictions, primary attention is given to requirements that must be met in each country for acquisition of rights to permit development of mineral resources. Coverage includes: First, identification of the controlling laws or statutes governing minerals acquisition and reference to the administrative authority; second, analysis of the laws governing mines and quarries and their products; and third, analysis of laws applicable to natural gas, petroleum, and related materials. Where pertinent, sections dealing with historical background or administration have been added. In countries where minerals are subject to control of States or Provinces, those areas are considered separately from the central government.

Jan 1, 1970

By Chandra Sekhar Gahan

The present study aimed to investigate the depyritization of coal using iron oxidizing and sulphur oxidizing acidophilic chemolithotrophic microorganisms in an iron free 9K growth medium at varying pulp densities. Three different coal samples used in the shake flask study from three different countries such as domestic anthracite (Korean), Indonesian and Chinese lignite. Experiments were carried out in batch at a controlled temperature of 35 °C and varied pulp densities of 8%, 10% and 12% (w/v) with a working volume of 100 ml containing 10 ml of microbial inoculum and 90 ml of the iron free 9K growth medium. Coal samples were crushed and ground to fine size fractions <100 microns by attrition mill wet grinding. The progress in the experiments were followed by the regular measurements of pH, redox potential, viable planktonic cell count, residual Fe2+ ion concentration, amount of acid addition and amount of slaked lime addition. The pyritic sulfur removal percentage varied between 90-95% with highest sulfur removal with China coal (95%) followed by Korean Coal (93-94%) and slightly lower level for Indonesia coal (90%). However the pyrite oxidation was highest for Korean coal ranging between 78-80% followed by a similar level of pyrite oxidation of 50-61% for the Chinese and Indonesian coal. It was found that 10-12% pulp density would be fairly feasible for all the different coals tested leading to an economical process. Another benefit from this study is the iron free 9K growth medium, which will reduce the operation cost and overall it?s an environment friendly process.

Sep 1, 2012

By Beaumier. M., J. -P. Lalonde

"Les réultats obtenus dans les sols sur quatorze aires d&apos;essai et six cheminements régionaux dans I&apos;A bitibi-Témiscamingue indiquent clairement qu&apos;il existe des variations régionales importantes dans les teneurs en éléments traces de l&apos;horizon A1 formé sur l’épais recouvrement glacio-lacustre de cette région. Les anomalies obtenues correspondent à celles qui ont été décelées lors de précédents levés des eaux souterraines et du till de base.Selon les critères d&apos;évaluation utilisés, treize des quatorze aires d&apos;essai ressortent comme anomales dans Ie contexte abitibien; dix de celles-ci sont tres anomales. Ceci suggère fortement qu&apos;un levé régional de sols, fondé sur une approche multi-éléments, identifierait entre 70 et 90 % des cibles géochimiques reconnues par des échantillonnages en profondeur. Les résultats d&apos;un échantillonnage systématique effectué sur une région de 1000km2 viennent aussi appuyer cette hypothèse. Conséquemment, les sols formes sur les sédiments glacio-lacustres sont un médium très utile pour inventorier de grandes regions recouvertes par ce typ e de sédiments.L &apos;horizon A1 est Ie plus utile pour ce type de levé parce qu&apos;i1 est facil e d échantillonner, qu &apos;it assure une plus grande constance du typ e de matériel échantillonne et qu&apos;il contient des teneurs accrues.De multiples mécanismes de dispersion géochimique ont joué des rôles d &apos;importance variable pendant et après la mise en place des sédiments glacio-Iacustres. Les plus importants sont la pression hydrostatique, la diffusion chimique et électrochimique ainsi que la bio-accumulation. Si on veut progresser dans la connaissance de ce milieu complexe, on devra adopter une approche plus systemique tenant compte de I&apos;interaction des mécanismes agissant dans l&apos;environnement global avant, durant et apres Ie depôt du mort-terrain."

Jan 1, 1984

By JESSICA W. A. AZURE, Kansake A. Bruno, Samuel Frimpong, AZUPURI G. A. KABA, FORSYTH A. KADINGDI, PROSPER E. A. AYAWAH

Blasting generates undesirable ground vibration with adverse effects on humans, the environment, and structures. Numerous studies have used various techniques including machine learning (ML) to predict the peak particle velocity (PPV) caused by blasting in surface mines. These studies used the validation-set approach to evaluate the performance of their predictive models. In this study, Random Forest (RF), Gaussian Process (GP), and Gradient Boosting Machine (GBM) were applied for the prediction of PPV using data from a large open-pit gold mine in Ghana. An ensemble model based on a stacked generalization approach was then built on these three base models to significantly improve the PPV prediction performance. The model evaluation was done using repeated tenfold cross-validation which resolves the challenges with the validationset approach for small datasets. The dataset used in this study comprised a total of 196 measurements taken from different blasting operations. R-squared ( R2 ), mean absolute error (MAE), and root mean square error (RMSE) were used to evaluate the model performance. The results obtained from these models revealed that all the base models did not significantly outperform each other. However, the stacked generalization approach had a better performance, with RMSE = 0.12, R2 = 0.96, and MAE = 0.07. This approach presented an improvement over the existing methods and will be useful for highly accurate predictions of ground vibration during blast design. The application of this model will be useful for efficient and effective blast design.

Nov 8, 2022

By Patricia J. Leonard - Mayer

A Bureau of Mines surface resistivity method has been used to determine the joint strike and coefficient of anisotropy of jointed , nearsurface formations at five study areas . The field studies demonstrate the use of rotated , or azimuthal , Wenner-Lee arrays for determining the strike of predominant joint sets . The results of the field studies include the following : in a formation having a predominant , vertical joint set , the maximum value of the apparent resistivity ( pa ) occurs in the same direction ( azimuth ) as the joint strike ; the polar coordinate graph of pa for such a formation is approximately elliptical ; the coefficient of anisotropy ( ^ ) can be calculated from the field data , and values of λ for jointed formations are in the same range of values reported for layered formations ; values of λ are higher at mined sites than at unmined sites . The azimuthal resistivity method and horizontal profiling were used at a site in Pennsylvania to delineate a zone of intensely jointed and fractured bedrock that provided a flow path from a surface stream to a mine . Analysis of the data has been based on a simple model of a jointed formation having a single joint set ; the success achieved to date indicates the need for a more complex model and additional field data .

Jan 1, 1983

By R. J. Hopkins, L. B. Haney

On the basis of limited experimental work conducted at the Port Pirie smelter, it would appear that, by increasing the specific surface of sinter, and possibly that of coke as well, a marked increase in the rate and degree of sinter reduction in the furnace shaft can be achieved. Fusion-point tests have shown that this increased reduction means a much higher sinter fusion point and narrower plastic zone, while the more efficient utilization of coke in the furnace is inherent in the intensification of reduction by the provision of a more reactive sinter surface. Investigations aimed at increasing the ability to operate the blast furnace with a higher lead tenor of sinter reducing fuel cost proportionately, and at eliminating the loss in reduction potential in coke entering the furnace, as shown by the presence of appreciable proportions of CO in the top gases, are reported. Several lines for future investigations that could result in improved smelting methods are proposed. A SOMEWHAT informal presentation of ideas on lead blast-furnace smelting will be given in this paper. These ideas have been developed during observations of furnace behavior at Port Pirie and earlier at Mt. Isa, and have been guided by the results of laboratory experiments at Port Pirie. The authors do not intend to propound any particularly new theories, but present their ideas as a basis for discussion which may help toward a better understanding and improved control of blast-furnace operation. Performance variations of considerable magnitude occur from time to time at most lead blast-furnace plants. While Port Pirie is fortunate in having a very regular supply of high grade concentrates, it is no exception in this respect. Such irregularities are of considerable economic importance and they constitute a challenge to present-day metallurgists in their efforts to obtain an ever greater degree of control over furnace operation. In operating as Port Pirie does with a relatively high lead charge, it has been recognized for a long time that shaft conditions are ,of the greatest importance. A practical, or engineering, attack on the problem of accretions consisted of changes in furnace design, e.g., by widening the shaft to 10 ft above the bottom row of tuyeres, and by the provision of curved ends and vertical walls.&apos; That this attack has had a great measure of success is shown by the fact that barring down of these wide furnaces is rarely necessary, shaft conditions have greatly improved, and sensitivity to charge variations has been markedly reduced. These modifications, followed by some metallurgical changes (chiefly the incorporation of pig iron into the furnace charge in 1948), have brought furnace operation to a point where some variables which were previously masked can now be studied. Accordingly, over different periods of time during the last five years, such variables as could be given numerical values have been recorded and subjected to statistical examination. The objectives of this work were: 1—to reveal the true importance of the different variables and 2—to show the proportion of total furnace variation which is unexplained and therefore referable to causes not measured at present? e.g., shaft accretions, sinter structure, coke structure, and others. Statistical Study of Variables In this work factors relating to furnace speed and lead reduction have been examined: 1—slag com-

Jan 1, 1955

By J. O. Stephens

During the late 1940&apos;s and early 1950?s, the Westinghouse Combustion Turbine Division built and demonstrated a residual oil-burning locomotive on six eastern railroads. Plans were made to convert to burning pulverized coal, and a single combustor was operated at a full-pressure condition in the laboratory for about two years. During the mid-1960&apos;s to mid-1970&apos;s, there was considerable interest in coal-burning MHD and a combustor was developed which would also be applicable to combustion turbines. In the early 19801s, the BCR National Laboratory (BCRNL) became affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh, and a program was begun, supported by the Stare of Pennsylvania, to develop an all-purpose combustor for use with industrial and utility boilers and eventually with combustion turbines. In this paper, we review the work of almost 40 years, indicate our present position, and propose steps to be taken leading to efficient and environmentally acceptable power generation from coal, and specifically to coal-burning locomotives.

Jan 1, 1986

By MacLean L

In 1975 the Commonwealth Government established import parity pricing for all liquid hydrocarbons discovered after the 16th September, 1975. These discoveries were termed "new oil" to differentiate them from existing discoveries and production. Overnight the price of the product being sought trebled, resulting in greatly enhanced economics by increasing the potential returns on existing prospects and by making smaller plays economically viable. After 18 years of drilling, the offshore Gippsland Basin has attained a moderate level of exploration for a basin of its size. Fifty seven prospects have been drilled within the basin but only a few of these were drilled along the southern and northern margins, while the deep water areas along the eastern margin have remained virtually undrilled following the Hapuku-1 oil discovery. The major hydrocarbon accumulations within the basin are trapped beneath the Latrobe Unconformity surface and exploration has largely concentrated on this single play in areas immediately adjacent to the major producing fields.

Jan 1, 1982