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By R. E. J. Putman

Introduction Self-tuning regulators are a class of controllers built around the concepts of sampled data theory, and are especially suitable for implementation in a digital microprocessor or minicomputer control system. The algorithms used are distinctly different from those based upon analog control techniques and include automatic adjustment features which permit them to adapt to unmeasured changes (in, for example, ore grindability) or process nonlinearities (as exhibited by cyclone classifiers). They are also designed to handle transport lags in a simple manner, for example, anticipating the effects of a variable recycle rate on particle size distribution. The advent of distributed control systems will encourage the exploration of these techniques in the minerals processing industries, and particularly for improving the control of comminution circuits, which are especially energy intensive. This paper outlines some current work in progress on this topic. Background Those engaged in the practice of process control have long had two philosophical problems for which solutions have been actively sought - what is optimal control and how can we attain it in some heuristic fashion automatically. The basic analog controller can be represented by the differential equation: [V = Ko + K1 f y • dt + K2 dt(1)] where: v and y are the instantaneous values of output and error respectively and K0, K1, and K2 are tuning constants. The empirical rules for establishing the values of K0, K1, and K2, which provide stability, have evolved from the initial suggestions of Ziegler and Nichols(9) in 1942 and have served their purpose well. However, later analyses demonstrated that there are in fact many combinations of the values of K0, K1, and K2 which, besides being stable, behave better or worse in relation to other process control criteria; some examples are duration of error, amplitude of a damped response, magnitude or rate of movement of control valve or adjustment of speed regulator, etc. The definition of optimality had broadened. In 1964, Kalman(4) published his classic paper which tried to resolve these problems. He defined a

Jan 1, 1982

By R. A. Feemster, C. M. Rader

Because of the necessity for taking regularly occurring open-flow tests in prorated high-pressure oil fields, much gas is turned to atmosphere by way of vertical vent lines leading away from the oil and gas separator. In the past, measurement of such gas has been accomplished by several methods, usually by use of the open-flow Pitot tube. The use of the closed-flow Pitot tube has been avoided apparently chiefly because the ordinary vent-line hook-up makes it necessary to apply the instrument closer to a bend, valve, or obstruction in the pipe than is recommended by rules of good practice. The many advantages that would result from the application of the closed-flow Pitot tube prompted investigation of the actual effect upon quantity rate of flow measurements computed from data obtained with the tube in a normal working position, which is closer to the tee at the base of the vent riser than is usually considered as giving highly accurate results. An effort Was first made to compare the results thus obtained to those under ideal conditions and at high velocities To make this comparison, knowledge of the characteristics of gas flowing at very high velocities is essential. Research for such information indicated that little or no work had been done that would give data necessary for such a comparison, therefore the problem was changed to a test designed to determine the relationship between quantity rates of flow as measured by an orifice meter and a Pitot tube placed at the center of a pipe eight diameters from a tee or ell at the base of a vent riser, through which gas is flowing under low pressures at very high velocities. To determine this relationship, a series of tests was run on a number of 8-in. iron-pipe vent riser., in which the Pitot tube data were taken at the position as stated above. Gas from a wet-gas gathering system was passed through an orifice meter setting and thence to atmosphere by way of the vents. Data were taken simultaneously from the orifice meter and Pitot tube from which computations for comparisons were made. The actual method of comparison is discussed later in this paper. Since Pitot-tube information is usually given in general terms, and not readily usable, it will be the purpose of this paper to discuss the applica-

Jan 1, 1934

By AIME

A NATIVE son of Salt Lake City. David Douglas Moffat has contributed greatly to both the mineral industries and civic progress in the State of Utah. He was born in 1880 and his whole life bas been intimately associated with mining and milling. His father, one of Utah's pioneer mining men, was superintendent of a mill at Park City. When Moffat was only 18 years of age he went to Philipsburg Mont., where he spent several years as a machinist, and later as master mechanic for the Granite Bi-Metallic Mining Co. He returned to Park City in 1903 as master mechanic and night mill foreman for the Ontario Silver Mining Co. After a few years of varied experience he became, in 1910. general foreman of the Boston Consolidated Will at Garfield, Utah.

Jan 1, 1947

He took a great interest in technical matters and his inclination was strongly toward research investigations. At the same time he was effective in manual and mechanical work and was generally found working side by side with the men under his direction. His nature was unselfish and he was extremely popular socially. He was a member of the Coeur d'Alene Commandery, Knights Templar. Stanly A. Easton. Lieutenant.Louis Baird Louis Baird, a Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery of the British Army, died on the battlefield in 1915. Lieutenant Baird was born July 28, 1880, at Stirling, Scotland. His technical education was obtained at King's College, Melbourne, Australia, in 1893 to 1895, and at the Technical College at Glasgow, Scotland, in 1897 to 1900. After an apprenticeship with the Mexican J. & 8. Rec. Co. of Mexico, lasting from 1900 to 1903, he became mill superintendent for the Cia. Minera Benito, at Juarez, Zac. During the year 1905-6 he was assistant manager of the Candelaria y Anexas, at Pinos, Zac., and from 1906 to 1907 was engineer with the Cia. Minera Jalisco, San Sebastian, Jalisco. At the time of his admission to the Institute, in 1908, he was practising as a mining engineer at Etzatlan, Jalisco, Mexico. For the next four years he practised his profession in the City of Guadalajara, Jalisco, removing, in 1913, to Ixtlan del Rio, in the State of Tepic. It was from here that he returned to England to put his services at the disposal of the British Government. The Institute is not definitely informed as to how, where, or when Lieutenant Baird met his death. Captain John H. Ballamy John H. Ballamy, Captain on the Regimental Staff of the 103d Engineers, was killed near Fismes, on Aug. 9, 1918. Captain Ballamy was born at Plvmouth. Pa.. in 1886 and graduated from' the High School of that town in 1903. In the following year he began work as a coal miner, and at the same time began the study of mining engineering in the evening and any other spare time. He continued this diligent and energetic practice for many years. For sixteen years he continued in the employment of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Rai1roa.d Company's coal mining

Jan 1, 1920

By F.L. Preshidge

R. B. RATHBUN,* Salt Lake City, Utah (written discussion?).¬While the engineer should carefully weigh the merits of the various types of equipment, he must bear in mind that the object of his plant is the recovery of suspended solids, and a thing is unimportant except as it contributes to this end, other engineering principles being duly considered. The controversy regarding the use of synchronous motor-driven rectifiers by which the power for the treater is taken directly from the mains of the local power system, rather than the motor-generator rectifier giving each treater unit its own isolated electrical system, has led many to think that on the type of rectifier depends the success of .the plant. It is in fact a relatively unimportant part of the plant and represents a very small fraction of the investment; the recoveries in dust and fume are practically the same in each case. One large smelting concern has adopted the motor-generator type for all of its plants after years of experience with the synchronous-motor type. Its reasons are practically the same as those set down by Mr. Eschholz for his preference. Given more in detail they are: 1. An independent electric system prevents outside power-line conditions, like voltage fluctuations, from interfering with the operation of the Cottrell plant and eliminates the possibility of the Cottrell plant causing trouble for the power company. The latter, while not very

Jan 12, 1918

By William R. Chedsey

IN the last two years the E.C.P.D. committees having to do with the inspection of engineering schools for possible accrediting have been concerned with the engineering content of some of the mineral industries courses. Originally the discussion arose with regard to engineering geology, or geological engineering, afterward broadening to metallurgical engineering, ceramic engineering, agricultural engineering, and other branches not pertinent to this discussion. Some members of visiting committees took the attitude that they probably would have to accredit these types of training as included in the engineering group if they met the average standard set by the mining schools, though they questioned -whether they were really engineering.

Jan 1, 1939

Gerald Sherman, Bisbee, Ariz. (written discussion*) .—The fact that, after a change in the hours of labor, as much work is found to be done in 8 hr. as was accomplished in 10, probably results from the more rigid examination of operating methods that is made when the management faces new and more difficult conditions. Although A better working pace will prevail, most of the gain will result from economies of plan and only a part of it from the improved effciency of labor. The Iabor of shoveling is so severe that it may be easily believed that a working period of less than 7 hr. will give maximum results, but there arc many other occupations about a mine in which this is not true, and in which the rate of accomplishment is in proportion to the time employed, up to 9 or 10 hours. Mr. Harley's study of shoveling has becn thorough, and demonstrates the benefit of investigation and education even in such simple work, but his reference to methods of payment opens a subject even more important in mine management. The efficiency of labor may be excellent, but unless a method of equitable payment accompanies it, the result will be only temporary. With strict but sympathetic supervision, a good average day's work can be obtained; but with the exception of those unusual men who cannot be restrained from working to their limit, an average daily wage does not bring out the remarkable performance of which many men are capable. There is also a considerable variation in the average amount accomplished, dependent on the supply of Iabor. This can readily be shown by any labor record that covers several periods of shortage or superabundance of labor. An increase in the daily wage in the time of labor shortage does not necessarily bring out an increased day's work; there is usuaIly a decrease in labor efficiency at such times regardless of the wage, whenever a daily rate is used. Rewards to individuals for exceptional performance appearing as an increased rate of pay cannot be made in a large organization without bad feeling. In a small organization, an individual's ability may be so well recognized that different rates of pay can be applied. Exceptional work can only be obtained by a method of payment based on the valuable results accomplished. As a basis for such payment, an

Jan 1, 1920

By R. W. Raymond

(Reprinted With some additions and changes from the Engineering and Mining Journal)] THE death of Prof. Samuel Benedict Christy on the 30th of November,. at the age of 61 years, cuts short a brilliant and influential professional career. He was born in San Francisco, Aug. 8, 1853, and was graduated as Bachelor of Philosophy at the University of California in 1874. For the five years that followed, he studied mining and metallurgy as a post-graduate in the same institution, serving also as instructor in analytical chemistry, and becoming in 1879 instructor in mining and metallurgy¬a position which he held until 1885. During this period he became known also by his contributions to technical literature, the earliest of which, perhaps, was his report on the Monte Diablo coals (in 1875); but the first which drew my attention to him was an exceedingly able discussion (in 1879) of the genesis of the quicksilver deposits of California, in which he followed with much acuteness and originality the lead of Professor Becker, who had been teaching at the University of California. The notion of the thermo-aqueous formation of such deposits was then new; and the laborers in a field now familiar to every student deserve the credit due to pioneers. For some years the subject of quicksilver seems to have occupied much of Christy's attention. In 1877, he described the mines and works at Almaden, Spain; in 1884, the Imperial quicksilver works at Idria, Austria; in 1889, the New Almaden mines of California. But his great work was the creation of the school, of mining and metallurgy at the University of California, which may be said to have begun with his occupancy of a full professorship of these branches. It is not necessary here to recount the early difficulties and perils of the University, and its long struggle for academic independence of political control or interference. The battle is over, and the institution is now upheld by the intelligent loyalty of the citizens of California, without regard to party. But while the issue was uncertain, the development of special schools of applied science was scarcely practicable. Doctor Becker and William Ashburner had given up the school of mines as a hopeless task when Christy, younger and less experienced, took it up. As he wrote me in February, 1901-

Jan 4, 1915

By W. D. Bennett

AN interesting effect has been observed in the vacuum etching of titanium in the high temperature ß phase. Using a high vacuum annealing furnace, operating at less than 2x10-6 mm with a tubular titanium liner, it has been found possible to etch polished metallographic specimens at different temperatures between room temperature and 1000°C without contamination or increase in hardness.' Heat etching of titanium has been reported by other workers,' but the following example is of interest as an experiment under high vacuum in the absence of any contamination. Two polished specimens of iodide-processed titanium are placed at different positions along the axis of the furnace corresponding to temperatures of 900" and 800°C above and below the a-ß transus. The specimens are then raised to these temperatures and annealed simultaneously for 3 hr under the same high vacuum conditions. After cooling and withdrawing the specimens, their surfaces are photographed without further treatment. Figs. 1 and 2 show the results for the 800" and 900°C specimens, respectively. Fig. 1, corresponding to a vacuum etch in the a region, shows a typical equiaxed structure with what appears to be a slight shift of grain boundaries. Fig. 2, corresponding to a vacuum etch in the ß region, shows an equiaxed type of structure with the growth of striations in certain grains. The striations are only superficial, as a light polish and chemical etch restores the clean equiaxed structure. The vacuum etch, occurring as it does above the a-ß transus, records the state of the metal in the ß phase by means of the surface relief produced by the selective evaporation of metal from different grains; the metal itself reverts to the equiaxed a on cooling. The nature of the ß etch" (Fig. 2) suggests that, in transforming from the close-packed-hexagonal a to the body-centered-cubic ß lenticular-shaped laminae are formed parallel to common planes of the two structures. This would explain why some grains appear to be unaffected by the etch. The technique has interesting possibilities in the investigation of the mechanics of high temperature transformation. Acknowledgment This note is published by permission of the Deputy Minister, Dept. of Mines and Technical Surveys, Ottawa, Ont., Canada.

Jan 1, 1956

By F. Selig, E. J. Couch

The following points serve to supplement the interesting theoretical study on forward combustion by Thomas, and may be of some general interest. The mathematical model presented by the author can be viewed as a first approximation to the problem of calculating the vertical burned height profile resulting from ignition of the interval | z |<h/2 in a very thick formation. However, the assumption of a given minimum combustion temperature T, would give a better approximation to the vertical burned profile if the burning height were not constrained to stay within the ignited layer. This follows from the fact that both fuel and oxygen are present in the adjacent region, |z|>h/2, and for certain combinations of process variables the temperature is sufficiently high for complete combustion to occur. In this case, the vertical coverage will first become greater than the ignited interval before cutting back to zero as the extinction limit is approached as shown in Fig. 1. Such growth of vertical coverage is possible if the minimum combustion temperature is less than the initial source temperature (r = rj) at the edge (z = h/2) of the ignited interval. But this latter temperature is equal to one-half the source temperature for the case of infinite burned height.&apos;,&apos; Thus growth will occur initially if The fact that the vertical burned height can be greater than the ignited interval complicates the picture considerably, as can be seen by referring to Fig. 1. Here burning occurs in Region A, whereas none was possible in the original mathematical model. At the same time, there is no combustion in Region B, contrary to the assumption of burning in the entire layer |z|<h/2. This apparent inconsistency suggests that the vertical coverage derived from this simple model does not adequately represent the vertical height of the burned zone. A more compatible model will result from the actual stepwise calculation of the burning length (as a function of time) that would give rise to the specified combustion temperature. This problem can be more conveniently attacked by using the temperature distribution, given by the author&apos;s Eq. 12, expressed in the integrated form:

By Charles H. Hopkins, J. M. Lohr

A COMMERCIAL development requiring a suitable alloy or alloys for sealing into various grades of glass made it desirable to have a more exact knowledge&apos; of the expansion characteristics of the nickel-iron alloys than appeared in the published literature. The expansion of the more common [ ] types of glass under consideration varies from 2.7 to 10.4 X 10-s per degree Centigrade, over the range 20° to 400° C. For reference, the thermal expansion curves of several types of glass used for sealing by the lamp and tube industries are given (Figs. 1 and 2). This paper covers a detailed investigation of the thermal expansion of a series of nickel-iron alloys in which the nickel content varies from 30 to 70 per cent. Particular stress is laid on the alloys that contain between 40 and 55 per cent Ni.

Jan 1, 1938

By Knut L. Sandvik, Aage Solbakken

it is an established fact that the collecting properties of xanthates and anionic collectors are dependent on the hydrocarbon chain length. This is ascribed to the greater adsorption densities caused by increasing the xanthate chain length. As batch flotation tests showed similar trends for amines, an investigation of the adsorbing properties of amines was undertaken. Because earlier investigations showed adsorption densities for dodecylamine salts on quartz varying as much as 20 times under apparently similar conditions,1-4 it was decided to make a survey of the changes in adsorption density due to the drying conditions of the quartz. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The quartz, handpicked in the pegmatite quarries of Iveland, Setesdal, had the following composition: SiO2 99.81, A12O3 0.01, Fe2O3 0.05 and loss by ig-

Jan 1, 1969

During the past 20 years the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co. and the General Electric Co. have collected a valuable library of some 9000 volumes on electricity. The collection was intended especially for use in patent searches and is particularly rich in patent material. Files of all the principal patents relating to electric light acid power issued by America, England, France and Germany, are present, together with copies of the patents owned or controlled by the two companies. Another feature, and one of unusual value, is a series of volumes containing the records of the important adjudicated patent cases of these companies and their predecessors during the past 25 years, and forming a storehouse of electrical history. There are also files of about 100 electrical periodicals. It is a pleasure to announce that this collection has now been presented by the owners to the Engineering Societies Library. This gift, which was arranged through Mr. Charles A. Terry, Vice-president, Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co., and Mr. Charles Neave, Counsel,

Jan 7, 1918

Jan 1, 1925

By John V. Beall

There were no easily identifiable tourists. Everybody carried attaché cases and sported the buttoned-down look in dress. They were all there at the Hotel Indonesia to make a deal. But deals don&apos;t come quickly over there and those that staved and persevered became bored. They clung to the air conditioning of the Hotel and sought hobbies to while away the weeks-and even months. It is not an easy life but it can pay off fog sonic company. The government officials are neither stupid nor lazy. They are new at their jobs. Many are ex-army men and they know they must learn before they can enter into a contract with confidence. So they take time, and time is on their side.

Jan 1, 1970

By Joseph Mac Donald

Stripped of its romantic possibilities, mining is a commercial business, carried on for the profit there is in it; and the business of the manager, in its ultimate analysis, is to make the profit as large as possible. The general manager of a mining company should keep himself personally familiar with all the details of its operations. If he fails to do so, chaos results, labor becomes inefficient, costs go up, and profits go down. Nowhere is this emphasized more than in Mexico. If the mining operations are extensive and complex, involving, besides the work of mining the ore, its transportation and treatment by various milling operations, and the marketing of the products, the business, to be carried on properly, must be

Jan 1, 1909

By Charles H. Hopkins, J. M. Lohr

A commercial development requiring a suitable alloy or alloys for sealing into various grades of glass made it desirable to have a more exact knowledge of the expansion characteristics of the nickel-iron alloys than appeared in the published literature. The expansion of the more common types of glass under consideration varies from 2.7 to 10.4 X 10-6 per degree Centigrade, over the range 20" to 400&apos; C. For reference, the t,hermal expansion curves of several types of glass used for sealing by the lamp and tube industries are given (Figs. 1 and 2). This paper covers a detailed investigation of the thermal expansion of a series of nickel-iron alloys in which the nickel content varies from 30 to 70 per cent. Particular stress is laid on the alloys that contain between 40 and 55 per cent Ni.

Jan 1, 1939

By Charles H. Hopkins, J. M. Lohr

A commercial development requiring a suitable alloy or alloys for sealing into various grades of glass made it desirable to have a more exact knowledge of the expansion characteristics of the nickel-iron alloys than appeared in the published literature. The expansion of the more common types of glass under consideration varies from 2.7 to 10.4 X 10-6 per degree Centigrade, over the range 20" to 400&apos; C. For reference, the t,hermal expansion curves of several types of glass used for sealing by the lamp and tube industries are given (Figs. 1 and 2). This paper covers a detailed investigation of the thermal expansion of a series of nickel-iron alloys in which the nickel content varies from 30 to 70 per cent. Particular stress is laid on the alloys that contain between 40 and 55 per cent Ni.

Jan 1, 1939

We regret to advise that, owing to unusual pressure of business at our printers, Volume TAX will not be ready for distribution so early as was announced in the last Bulletin. It will probably be distributed in November. Volumes LVII and LVIII were mailed during the month of August to all members whose dues were paid on Aug. 1; members who failed to receive their Transactions within a reasonable time are requested to notify the Secretary. In the case of members who have recently changed their addresses, the Transactions Were sent-to addresses on record on Aug. 19; those who did not notify .us of change of address until after Aug. 19 will find their Transactions at the old address.

Jan 10, 1918

Theoretically mobile primary crushers at the mine working face can be considered the ideal comminution system. A crusher which follows the ore can reduce materials handling costs because it eliminates about one ton of truck deadweight per ton of ore hauled to the crusher. It also eliminates the backhaul of this same deadweight ton. Development of mobile primary crushers has centered in Germany where many soft iron ore and limestone deposits are flat-lying and thus readily adaptable to the use of shiftable conveyors which easily followed the working face. These ores were easily crushed in impact- type mills which had extremely large receiving openings and therefore large reduction ratios. The feeding of such a unit was done with a front-end loader which dumped its load to an inclined apron feeder, which in turn fed the impactor. Under the crusher was an inclined conveyor which transferred the crushed ore to a belt wagon for delivery to the shiftable overland conveyor. Low headroom overhead eccentric single-toggle jaw crushers and short-shaft gyratories were also used on these units, which generally travelled on tracks. While these early mobile primary crushers were versatile and served their purpose, they generally suffered from low capacities. Manufacturers have quickly responded with larger crusher, feeders, and moveable supports, however; and today mobile crusher s have capacities of up to 1500 metric tons per hour, a figure comparable to the capacity of some 54 in. by 74 in. gyratories. An example of a quarry portable crushing plant is at the Bath cement plant of Canada Cement Lafarge, Limited. Two 12 cu yd front-end loaders are digging the stone and hauling it to the portable crushing plant which feeds a field conveyor system. The crushing plant is moved and the field conveyors extended whenever the length of the haul exceeds 300 ft. At the crushing plant, the loaders discharge the stone onto a pan feeder which feeds into the hopper of a Weserhutte-Hazemag compound crusher which combines primary and secondary rotors in the same housing. These are driven at 1200 rpm by 800 hp and 1,000 hp motors (600 and 750 kw). The maximum 3 ft feed (914 mm) is reduced to 3/4 in. (19 mm) at 800 tph. The Weserhutte steered walking mechanism, operated by hydraulic cylinders, takes five -foot strides. Another example is at Alcoa of Australia&apos;s operation at Huntley in Western Australia. At the mine face, front-end loaders load 50 mt rear-dump trucks that transport the bauxite ore to the mobile crusher which follows the mine operation. The crusher can turn 360° within its own length, walk at a speed of 34. 5 ft per minute (10.5 m per

Jan 1, 1978