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By Andrew R. Swanson

An experimental study of the process parameters controlling the selective agglomeration of raw coal slurries is described. Particular attention has been paid to the influence of input variables on agglomerate size and process kinetics. These factors were considered to be of paramount importance as they determine the selection and sizing of the process equipment. The variables studied include oil addition, pulp density, agitation rate and particle size of the feed. The results have been qualitatively interpreted in terms of a classical reaction kinetic model.

Jan 1, 1977

By Andrew Torok, Thomas D. Thompson

Research efforts have not developed techniques for the complete desulfurization of coal that is needed to reduce air pollution caused by burning coal and to reduce the sulfur in metallurgical coke. Sulfur in coal occurs in three forms and of these, the pyritic sulfur occurs as discrete mineral particles and, at least theoretically, should be subject to physical rejection. Pyrite occurring in hard rock mining is concentrated by froth flotation; therefore, the possibility of removal of pyrite from coal by flotation does exist. With this possibility in mind, the flotation and adsorption characteristics of ore and coal-pyrite were compared while using potassium ethyl xanthate as the collector.

Jan 1, 1973

By Richard Klimpel

This paper describes the effects of slurry viscosity on the selection-for-breakage and breakage distribution parameters in the wet grinding of ores. A series of experimental tests were run on laboratory scale ball mills. Slurry viscosities were modified by varying the solids/water ratio with and without the presence of selected chemicals. Very consistent and predictable correlations are shown to exist. The grinding parameters were calculated using a computerized back-calculation technique developed by Klimpel and Austin. Industrial scale circuit calculations and preliminary plant trial data suggest that considerable increases in throughput and/or fineness of grind can be achieved through the judicious use of chemical additives.

Jan 1, 1977

THE TRANSACTIONS of the Institute for the early years display but Little interest in physical metallurgy-indeed, it is striking how thoroughly process metallurgy absorbed attention until quite recent years. The first volume carries no article that can be strictly described as physical metallurgy, unless one on the rolling and hammering of ingots be doubtfully so described. Nor does the second volume contribute more the interest then was in mining, and in production methods, both ferrous and nonferrous, with much attention to the new methods of making steel. The third volume records papers on: the condition of carbon in gray and white iron, a paper devoted to chemical rather than microscopic analysis; the annealing of spiegeleisen; phosphorus and carbon in iron and steel, similarly chemical. Much attention was given, and continued to be given for years, to the manufacture and behavior of rails. The question of the nature of steel appeared early (Vol. 11)-What is Steel, by A. L. Holley-where arguments on nomenclature were already active; and Holley also bemoans, in modern spirit, the Inadequate Union of Engineering Science and Art; Pearse wrote on cast iron for guns (reflecting again the ironic beneficence of war in metallurgy), and said that Captain Walbach was the first to insist on chemical analysis of gun irons; he quotes Major Wade's study of comparative hardness, using penetration hardness measurements (Brinell was to come later), and quotes the important Reports on the Strength and Other Properties of Metals for Cannon, by H. C. Baird, Philadelphia, 1855, in which the advanced state of tensile testing at the time is shown. Hewitt, in Vol V, comments upon the function played by technical schools and technical societies upon the growth of metal-

Jan 1, 1948

By J. N. Munro

At the present stage of geothermal technology and the still limited applications of geothermal energy, most of us consider any use of "things geothermal" to be something out of the ordinary. If in such a situation there can be a use of geothermal energy which is even more unusual, then the utilization of geothermal energy-or more precisely, geothermal heat--for the manufacture of salt is just such a use. This is the essence of investigations in the Fiji Islands, where experiments in the evaporation of seawater to product, salt have been conducted using geothermal heat emanating from the ground in an area of hot springs. The hot springs are located on the coast at Savusavu in a depression about GO ft wide. There are ten individual springs, but most of these are small and insignificant. The temperature of the water from these springs reaches 100°C.

Jan 9, 1964

By Toyohiko Hirota, Fukuo Itoh

Oil and natural gas aside, sea floor mineral resources currently being exploited in Japan are offshore sand and gravel and deep-sea manganese nodules. The mining of sand and gravel has already started. With regard to manganese nodules, the geophysical investigation and the study of the mining method are also underway. This report outlines the activity of a few Japanese firms, the Deep Ocean Minerals Association formed by some 30 private firms, Government agencies, a public corporation and two government research institutes. Researches on new exploration instruments, properties of deep-sea sediments and the mining method currently conducted by the National Research Institute for Pollution and Resources are described in detail.

Jan 1, 1976

By Leonard D. Jaffe, Donald C. Buffum

THE importance of temper brittleness in alloy steels has long been realized in Europe, In the United States recognition of its importance has developed within the last several years. Many brittle failures encountered in parts made of alloy steel are undoubtedly attributable, wholly or in part, to temper brittleness. These failures have occurred particularly at low temperatures, under shock loading, and in the presence of notches, restraints and combined stresses. It has been almost universally accepted that plain carbon steels are not susceptible to temper brittleness. As a result, considerable effort has been expended in attempts to discover the manner in which alloying elements introduce temper brittleness. It is desired to raise the possibility that plain carbon steels are not only susceptible to temper brittleness, but are much more susceptible than alloy steels, in the sense that they embrittle much more rapidly. It is suggested that previous views, (that plain carbon steels are not susceptible), are based upon an erroneous interpretation of the experimental results. INTERPRETATION OF PREVIOUS DATA For many years the standard criterion for susceptibility of a steel to temper brittleness consisted of comparison of the energy absorption, in a notched-bar impact test at room temperature, of specimens that had received two heat treatments.1 One specimen (or group of specimens) was quenched, tempered, and quenched from the temper. The other specimen (or group) differed only in having received an embrittlement treatment, which might consist of a slow cool from the tempering temperature, or of an isothermal hold in the range 450-550°C subsequent to quenching from the temper. If the energy absorption of the specimen receiving the embrittlement treatment was lower than that of the specimen not given this treatment, it was said that the steel was susceptible to temper brittleness, If the energy absorptions were the same, it was said that the steel was not susceptible. Several investigators2,3 found that plain carbon steels showed negligible difference in energy absorption in such tests (at least when their manganese content was below 0.60 pct), and concluded that plain carbon steels are not susceptible to temper brittleness. Recently the deficiencies of the criterion mentioned above have been pointed out.4-6 The criterion now generally used for susceptibility to temper brittleness retains the heat treatments used in the earlier scheme, but instead of the notched-bar impact tests being made only at room temperature, they are made over a range of temperatures, covering the transition from ductile to brittle fracture, If the transition temperature of the specimens receiving the embrittlement treatment is higher than those

Jan 1, 1948

By R. H. Moore

The data for diffusion in dilute binary alloys with the Solvents Ag, Cu, Ni, Fe. Al. and Pb hare been correlated as a function of atomic volume. Linear equations of the form: Q = b - a log V are obtained with constants "a" and "b" ciuirac-teristic of each solvent metal. In most cases. 3-d In recent years measurements of diffusion coefficients in solid binary alloys. using small concentrations of radioactive isotopes. have resulted in accumulation of highly reproducible data. Such and 4-d transition elements correlate on separate straight lines from those which serve to correlate the non/ransition elements. The data for the uon-transilion elements diffusing in silver and copper liave been fitted by least-squares analysis. It is concluded that the size and charge effects which determine the magnitude of the activation energy for diffusion are a function of atomic volume. systems represent the simplest possible examples of chemical diffusion since solute interaction effects can be neglected and Kirkendall-like phenomena do not occur. Generally it is found that thc diffusion rate of the solute is within an order of magnitude of the diffusion rate of the solvent. The differences have been attributed to the effect of size and to electrostatic interactions between the solute and solvent atoms.

Jan 1, 1965

By Joseph E. Pogue

New economic forces are at work in the petroleum industry. In order to visualize these forces and to see clearly their bearing upon the producer, refiner, and marketer, it is necessary, first, to go back and gain a perspective of the economic evolution of the business. Early Trend to Integration For several decades prior to 1911, the outstanding feature of the petroleum industry was a trend toward integration, culminating in a huge combine, the Standard Oil Co. An important aspect of this integrative trend, however, was its concentration upon a combination and control of refining and marketing, leaving crude oil production, for the most part, to the exigencies of small-unit competition. It is a noteworthy coincidence that during this era the law of oil and gas was formulated and applied, whereby these substances had to be reduced to possession to establish ownership; and the forces of competition in crude oil production were thereby intensified. It was to the interest of an industry, safeguarded in its control of manufacturing and markets, to have supply stimulated by legal convention as well as by individual initiative in order that the growing demand could be met without interruption. And so overproduction of crude oil during this era was no handicap, but rather an aid, to the progress of the industry. Disintegration But the idea of superintegration, despite its efficiencies, became repugnant to the temper of the times and so the Standard Oil Co. was dissolved by Court decree—disintegrated into over 30 parts. And thus, in 1911, was ushered in the second era of the petroleum industry, a period of intense competition. This era coincided with the development of automotive transportation, and a tremendous growth resulted in the effort to keep pace with the mounting demand for gasoline. An intense individualism and unbridled competition were appropriate to this period of entry

Jan 1, 1930

By P. A. Boeck

The thermal insulation of high-temperature equipment for industrial purposes is a subject that has not received from engineers and designers the attention its importance deserves. This may be attributed to a number of causes: In the first place, heat flow is a rather difficult factor to measure under the working conditions of an industrial furnace, and until the comparatively recent introduction into certain operations of the heat balance sheet, with a systematic attempt to account for the discrepancies in the totals, the various causes of heat losses and the reasons for their existence were not brought to light. Moreover, such rapid advancement and radical changes in the design of equipment, especially in metallurgical lines, have occurred that practice has apparently outdistanced the theory of design. In the modern tendency toward greatly increased size of units, effort has seemingly been made to utilize the heat of fuel gases without proper attention having been paid to conserving heat energy and confining it strictly to the points of maximum activity. The systematic study of the thermal properties of structural materials, which is being carried out by various government bureaus and also by a number of technical societies, is forming the basis for more intelligent and consistent work in the economically important subject of prevention of fuel waste. Advantages of Insulation It is not necessary in this practical and utilitarian age to enlarge upon the need of prevention of heat losses, but attention may advantageously be called to the other benefits derived simultaneously with the saving in fuel and the increase in thermal capacity of furnaces when properly insulated. In most industrial furnaces—which are here spoken of in the broadest sense, indicating general high-temperature equipment for any purpose and heated in any manner—the operations are generally carried on through a temperature range which has been found by practice to give the most ef-

Jan 1, 1916

The Library of the above-named Societies is open from 9 A. M. to 10 P. M. except on holidays. It contains about 70,000 volumes and 90,000 pamphlets, including sets of technical periodicals and publications of scientific and technical societies. Members of the Institute, with few exceptions, are forced to spend a portion of their time in localities isolated from sources of information. To these the Library, through its Library Service Bureau, can render valuable service through correspondence; letters requesting information will receive especial attention. The Library is prepared to furnish references, and photographic copies of articles on mining and metallurgical subjects; to determine the existence of mining maps, and to furnish general information on the geology and mineral resources of all countries. All communications should be made as definite as possible so that the information received may be what is desired and not include collateral matter which may not be of interest. The time spent in searching for such collateral matter will be saved, and the information will be sent more promptly and in more usable shape.

Jan 4, 1918

By G. Sherburne Rogers

Introduction. ONE of the features of oil-field work that puzzles operator, chemist and geologist alike, is variation in the gravity of the petroleum produced, on neighboring leases or even from adjoining wells. Few fields in the United States yield oil that is of uniform gravity throughout; in some, fields the different grades are produced from different sands, in a few from different formations, and in many from different areas in the same sand. In a few cases, perhaps, a common assumption-that the heavier oil is derived from the lighter through the escape of the more volatile constituents-is valid, but many cases can not be explained in this way. Although in the California fields the specific gravity of the oil generally decreases with depth, there are numerous exceptions to this rule; and, as in many other regions the light oil is found nearest the surface, it is evident that evaporation underground is generally an unimportant factor. It is generally recognized that the great differences between petroleum from widely separated fields are due largely to differences in age and degree of metamorphism and to variation in the composition of the original organic matter; but in the writer's opinion some of these broader differences, as well as most of the minor variations in the character of the oil from any one field, are clue to the local action of natural reagents such as sulphur or oxygen. This is particularly likely to be true if the oil has migrated from one formation to another, as in the California fields; and in some areas it appears that variation in sulphur content may even afford a rough index of the extent or distance of the migration. It is the purpose of this paper to call attention to the chemical action of sulphur and oxygen on petroleum, to show that the gravity of the oil from any one field is intimately related to its sulphur content, and to discuss the possi-

Jan 7, 1917

By T. H. Aldrich

There are two conditions generally prevailing upon the earth—those within atmospheric influence, tending towards oxidation, and those away from atmospheric influence, tending towards reduction. Practically all mineral substances from mines of any depth a.re in a reducing condition. Since the cyanide process, in order to dissolve silver or gold, requires that the prevailing conditions under which it operates shall be oxidizing, and the materials usually acted upon bei~lg of a reducing character, it becomes necessary to supply oxygen to the solution carrying the cyanide. This oxygen is usually supplied through the medium of dissolved air in the solation, or through the medium of various chemical compounds, which upon combining vith the solution or the ore give off a part of their oxygen. Strange as it may seem, practically all mineral substa~~ccs are partly soluble in water, especially water carrying alkali or cyanide. The greater the surface exposed and the finer the material is ground, the greater mrill be the rate of dissolving of the reducing-agents from the ore into the cyanide solution. In most cases, if the solution carrying the ore particles is agitated with air, the air will dissolve into the solution faster than will the reducing-agents; but in some cases the reducing-agents will dissolve more rapidly on account of easy solubility or greater surface exposed. It is a dissolving race between the oxygen from the air and the reducing-agents from the ore, and if the reducing-azents predominate, cyanide will not dissolve the gold from the ore. In many cases it will dissolve some of the gold, because in a mass of irregular shape some of the gold particles might be exposed upon the outside surface of a particle of rock; but if the solution had to penetrate through cracks, the side-walls of which were lined with reducing-agent-

Jan 1, 1912

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

Jan 7, 1913

By Lane D. Schultz, John D. McLennan, Jean-Claude Roegiers

During construction of the intake tunnels for a nuclear power facility in Ohio, evidence of a potential geological discontinuity was discovered. Assuming that the discontinuity might still prevail underneath the site, it was decided to measure the stress profile across the discontinuity. This information would be used to assess future stability on the basis of predicted shear stresses acting along the fracture. Seven intervals were hydraulically fractured to determine the magnitude and orientation of the stress tensor, in order to infer the shear stresses acting along the discontinuity. The formation consists of tightly interbedded shales. This, in combination with the shallow depths, would be expected to lead to horizontal hydraulic fractures -- a situation which generally provides limited information. Careful testing procedures, and meticulous interpretation, allowed the determination of the horizontal stress components as well as the vertical component, via the initiation and/or propagation of multiple fractures. The measured stresses fall within the range of stress magnitudes and orientation determined in other areas of the northeastern and north-central United States and in southern parts of Canada. In addition, a small stress gradient anomaly was recorded at depth. On a different scale, the measured stress regime is also evaluated in light of the regional geological setting.

Jan 1, 1982

By Donald Gilbert

PRIOR to July, 1919, the sampler at each mine of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. in Butte did his work in his own way and was responsible to the mine foreman only. At that time, the sampling at all the company's Butte mines was placed in charge of a member of the geological department and stand-ardized methods of doing the work, were adopted. These standards were incorporated in a set of instruc-tions accompanied by blueprints representing typical conditions. The main features of the instructions were as follows: All samples to be cut at breast height and horizontally, regardless of dip of vein, and the horizontal width reported. A single sample to include not more than a 5-ft. width of the breast and to weigh not less than 4 lb. for this width. Where the vein is made up of two or more streaks of different hardness or mineral content, each streak is to be sampled sepa-rately and the average value of the combined width figured. If two streaks of ore are separated by a streak of waste, which is not sampled, in obtaining the average value of the breast the waste must be figured in with a zero assay. Drifts to be sampled in the breast after each round. Raises to be sampled for each floor raised. Each end to be sampled separately and the average width and value of the two ends to be used as the average of the floor. All veins cross-cut to be sampled along the side of the cross-cut, at breast height and horizontally. Where the vein strikes at an acute angle to the line of the cross-cut, the width of sample must be corrected to show the horizontal width at right angles to the line of strike of the vein. Rill stopes must be sampled across the full mining width. In square-set stopes, each set must be sampled separately along the line of the caps. Waste portions of the vein which are mined for filling must not be included in the sample.

Jan 2, 1922

The stabilization of a gravel road with soil is a method of treatment developed in recent years by the United States Bureau of Public Roads for the purpose of binding the constituents together better, and maintaining a more durable surface. The process consists in adding to the gravel or crushed stone and sand, a soil mortar, so-called, of fine sand, silt and clay, mixed in the proper proportions. The coarse gravel and sand supply structural strength and hardness; the fine sand adds embedment support to the coarse sand; the silt acts as a filler to prevent the granular particles from rocking; while the clay serves not only as a binder but also provides pores minute enough to cause connecting moisture films which are supposed to have high cohesive properties'. It will be recognized that the clay is an important ingredient both when wet and dry, and should not show excessive expansion when wet, nor correspondingly high shrinkage in drying, as otherwise there is danger of unseating the nonplastie particles. Such a stabilized road, although an improvement on one with a floating surface, will in course of time be subject to wear, and become dusty when the clay dries out and breaks up. It has been found that if some salts are added to the road mixture they tend to maintain the soil moisture and prevent dustiness of the road or raveling of the road surface. In addition to this, it is claimed that these dissolved salts cause a thinning of the moisture films on the particles, thus permitting greater compaction of the road mixture, and thereby increasing its density. This fact can be proved by noting the increased compaction which a road mixture shows when certain salts are added to the soil water. Since certain chemical substances such as sodium chloride are electrolytes, the question arises whether they cannot have wine effect on the qualities of the clay in the soil mortar, and perhaps improve them. In view of the fact that certain salts seem to exert a favorable effeet on the road mixture it is desirable that they he held in the road soil as long a time as possible.

Jan 1, 1938

The stabilization of a gravel road with soil is a method of treatment developed in recent years by the United States Bureau of Public Roads for the purpose of binding the constituents together better, and maintaining a more durable surface. The process consists in adding to the gravel or crushed stone and sand, a soil mortar, so-called, of fine sand, silt and clay, mixed in the proper proportions. The coarse gravel and sand supply structural strength and hardness; the fine sand adds embedment support to the coarse sand; the silt acts as a filler to prevent the granular particles from rocking; while the clay serves not only as a binder but also provides pores minute enough to cause connecting moisture films which are supposed to have high cohesive properties'. It will be recognized that the clay is an important ingredient both when wet and dry, and should not show excessive expansion when wet, nor correspondingly high shrinkage in drying, as otherwise there is danger of unseating the nonplastie particles. Such a stabilized road, although an improvement on one with a floating surface, will in course of time be subject to wear, and become dusty when the clay dries out and breaks up. It has been found that if some salts are added to the road mixture they tend to maintain the soil moisture and prevent dustiness of the road or raveling of the road surface. In addition to this, it is claimed that these dissolved salts cause a thinning of the moisture films on the particles, thus permitting greater compaction of the road mixture, and thereby increasing its density. This fact can be proved by noting the increased compaction which a road mixture shows when certain salts are added to the soil water. Since certain chemical substances such as sodium chloride are electrolytes, the question arises whether they cannot have wine effect on the qualities of the clay in the soil mortar, and perhaps improve them. In view of the fact that certain salts seem to exert a favorable effeet on the road mixture it is desirable that they he held in the road soil as long a time as possible.

Jan 1, 1938

By H. J. Stehli

Probably the earliest sinter from lead ore was made in the product sinter boxes attached to some hand reverberatory roasters. The ore was drawn from the roaster bed when dead roasted, and then by laborious effort fritted together by rabbling at a high temperature in the sinter box. This was not a true sinter, but was a great improvement over the dusty dead-roasted fine ores. The Huntington-Heberlein pots were the first real advance in the art, and produced some real sinter. They required that the sulphides be preroasted to 5 or 6 per cent sulphur, and the long cycle of operating and deep bed of material used in the pots fostered the formation of densely fused material and fines. This necessitated crushing of the densely fused cake and returning to the next charge large amounts of fines screened out. The Huntington-Heberlein pots made comparatively high lead losses because the deep bed and high internal temperature together favored the volatilization of lead. Lime (CaO) was added to the charges, and this addition constituted the patented feature of the Huntington-Heberlein process. Its sole function we now know was to act as an isolator of the sulphide particles, and any other substance—for instance, iron oxide—of equal fineness performed the same function. The Savelsberg process used limestone instead of burned lime, and in this there was a definite advantage. The converting of CaCO3, to CaO is a highly endothermic reaction, so the lime acted not only as an isolator of sulphide particles but absorbed excess heat and to some extent prevented premature fusion of the sulphides. The Carmichael-Bradford process used gypsum instead of limestone, and had the disadvantage of adding more sulphur to a charge from which it was desired to eliminate sulphur. Here again the gypsum served only as an infusible isolator of sulphide particles. The first Dwight-Lloyd apparatus to sinter lead ores commercially was installed at Perth Amboy in 1907. The fact that lime in any form was necessary to sintering was quickly disproved by making excellent sinter from Bunker Hill and Sullivan table concentrates, silica sand and iron oxide only.

Jan 1, 1937

By J. H. Nead

The subject of this paper is one to which there are many references in the literature on the manufacture of steel in the open-hearth furnace, but few actual experimental data have been published. For that reason, the presentation of results obtained from two open-hearth heats where attempts were made to measure the sulfur absorption will be of considerable interest and value. The two heats on which the experiments were made were Armco ingot-iron heats and differ from the usual open-hearth heat of medium- or mild-carbon steel in that the refining is carried further; in this product the carbon and manganese are reduced practically to traces. In most other respects, and especially in respect to the absorption of sulfur from the producer gas, the two heats are typical of usual open-hearth practice. The object of the experiments made on the first Armco iron heat was to determine the fluctuation of the composition of the metal bath and the slag throughout the course of the heat, with especial reference to the variations in sulfur. It was hoped to determine whether there was an increase in sulfur in the bath from the producer gas and if so at what stage in the process the increase occurred. The experimental method consisted of charging analyzed scrap and pig iron, so that the sulfur in the charge could be calculated. Then, throughout the duration of the heat, metal and slag samples were takcn every half hour, beginning as soon as there was enough molten metal to take a sample. These samples were analyzed; the results are given in Table 1. All domestic scrap was used and the charge was made up as follows: Head End Finish Pounds Pound Pig iron........................ 36,300 Pig iron....................... 23,900 Sheet scrap bundles............. 36,200 Sheet bars..................... 23,900 Sheet bm..................... 40;200 The total charge, exclusive of the re-pig added near the end of the heat, was 160,500 Ib. The limestone charged was 21,400 Ib., or 13½ per cent.

Jan 1, 1924