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By Robert C. Emmett, Donald A. Dahlstrom

FOR many years gravitational classification has been employed as a basic tool in beneficiation of minerals and coal. While improvements have been made to increase efficiency and fields of application, the basic flow pattern has remained relatively unchanged in most gravitational classifiers. Feed slurry is introduced into a settling pool wherein the coarser solids settle against either an upward or horizontal fluid current, or a combination of both, and are withdrawn in a concentrated underflow stream. The finer solids below the classification point possess too low a settling velocity and thus are primarily swept out through a weir overflow by the bulk of the fluid. Because of its simplicity, efficiency, and low power and maintenance costs, gravitational classification finds a wide acceptance for separations in the range of 20 to 325 mesh.

Jan 10, 1953

By K. Thirumalai, D. P. Schlick

Longwall Technology has a potential of resulting in safety and productivity improvements of U.S. underground coal mining similar to those experienced by the introduction of continuous miner systems. The study presents a comprehensive national evaluation of longwall technology to assess the potential of longwalls to improve health and safety and coal productivity. The study was conducted by the authors during the spring of 1980 as part of MSHA New Technology Coordination activities and with a view to examine the factors that may limit the acceptance of longwall technology in the U.S. coal mining operations. The study points out areas where adjustments need to be made in MSHA regulations and enforcement to help Longwalls. A two-entry longwall system appears to offer a practical method of improving underground coal productivity and safety. Applying regulations that are primarily designed for room and pillar methods to longwall mining, in some instances, reduces the effectiveness and productivity benefits feasible by new technology application. Controlling dust is the single predominant problem in the design and operation of longwalls in the United States. The results of this study points out a need for a coordinated program between government and industries on dust control technologies for examining acceptable technological options to control dust in longwalls without restraining the production capability of the system.

Jan 1, 1981

W. E. RUDER, Schenectady, N. Y. (written discussion?).-To many members of the Institute, papers like this one by Prof. Jeffries, and that on "Reversal of Inheritance" by Prof. Howe, may seem highly academic. Aside from their direct application to all heat-treating processes, to my mind, the establishment of a physical fact and the correlation of facts into a definite law are in themselves ample justification for immense effort. A law, once established, cannot be ignored by those who carry the work along to practical ends. In studying both papers, it seems to me that each author is more concerned with defending a theory than with explaining the individual results as published by various investigators. Take, for example, my sample of pressed electrolytic iron, frequently referred to by both. Prof. Howe, defending inheritance, says that the grains on the second (1300° C.) heating inherited their size from the mother austenite. Prof. Jeffries, defending reversed inheritance, elabor-.

Jan 4, 1918

By D. A. Rice, R. L. Stone

Studies of the possible effect of plant water chemistry on the strength of unfired iron ore pellets apparently have not been reported in the literature. Naturally occurring soluble salts were removed from magnetic concentrate filter cakes obtained from several iron ore concentrators. Laboratory balling tests showed that unfired pellets made from these "clean" filter cakes were 50-100% stronger than the usual unfired pellets containing the salts. The fact that certain chemical additives dissolved in the water used for balling "clean" concentrates decreased the strength of unfired pellets indicates that salts in the plant process water may be responsible for lower strengths. According to chemical analyses of plant process waters at these plants, calcium and magnesium are probably the most detrimental salts in the plant circuits. It is suggested that calcium, magnesium, and other polyvalent cations in the mill process waters ion-exchange for lower-valence cations in the bentonite and thereby destroy the electrostatic-charge bonding in the green pellet. Some practical guidelines are also included for plant balling practices.

Jan 1, 1973

By Walter E. Lewis, Robert L. Marovelli

Underground support has a long history as evidenced by Agricola's general description in Dc Re Metallica:1 "The timbering of these openings is done as follows: stulls are set at intervals into hitches in the hanging and footwall, and upon them smooth poles are laid continuously; and that they may be able to bear the weight, the stulls are generally a foot and a half thick. After the ore has been taken out and the mining of the vein is being done elsewhere, the rock then broken, especially if it cannot be taken away without great difficulty, is thrown into these openings among the timbers, and the carriers of the ore are saved toil, and the owners save half the expense. This, then, generally speaking, is the method by which everything related to the timbering of shafts, tunnels, and drifts is carried out."

Jan 1, 1971

By Thomas Elliott

It is now clearly evident that 1963 is witnessing a record year for prospecting and exploration in British Columbia and Yukon Territory, as substantiated by the following facts: ? About 60 large mining companies and many smaller ones are active in the search for new ore deposits. ? More than 500 prospectors and exploration geologists have been in the field this season. ? It is estimated that $10 million has been spent this year on the search for new ore deposits. ? Claim staking in B. C. to July 31, totalling 14,250, is up 2000 over 1962. ? Helicopter companies report a record total of 25 aircraft chartered to mining groups, with additional numbers used in oil-gas exploration. ? Leading assayers state that business with the industry is double that of the previous year. ? Diamond drillers report an increase of approximately 25% in the amount of contracts now on hand. The question is often asked, "Why is mining so active in Canada's Pacific Northwest?"

Jan 12, 1963

By N. S. Keith

(Read at the Wilkes-Barre Meeting, May, 1877.) THIS question is suggested by a statement made by Dr. Siemens, widely printed in the journals of the day, that a continuous rod of copper, thirty miles in length and three inches in diameter, is capable of conveying that distance, electrically, energy equal to 1000 horse-power. It is not attempted to advance the statement that the source of power shall be zinc, nor even coal, but waterfalls, which from their situation are not practically available for manufacturing establishments in their immediate vicinity. In order to fully consider this subject., we must understand the doctrine, I may say the science, of the correlation of the forces, so called. We must understand that all matter is endowed with an amount of force, and that each atom and molecule, simple and compound, has its specific portion of the whole. This force, at rest, is called latent heat, intrinsic energy, or potential. In motion it is called heat, light, electricity, chemical affinity, attraction, magnetism, power, etc., according to its sensible manifestations. These are the effects of the one force active in different substances, or in different assemblages of matter. Force put in motion comes to rest by reason of the resistance to motion which it encounters; in overcoming

Jan 1, 1878

By N. S. Keith

This question is suggested by a statement made by Dr. Siemens, widely printed in the journals of the day, that a continuous rod of copper, thirty miles in length and three inches in diameter, is capable of conveying that distance, electrically, energy equal to 1000 horse-power. It is not attempted to advance the statement that the source of power shall be zinc, nor even coal, but waterfalls, which from their situation are not practically available for manufacturing establishments in their immediate vicinity. In order to fully consider this subject,, we must understand the doctrine, I may say the science, of the correlation of the forces, so called. We must understand that all matter is endowed with an amount of force, and that each atom and molecule, simple and compound, has its specific portion of the whole. This force, at rest, is called latent heat, intrinsic energy, or potential. In motion it is called heat, light, electricity, chemical affinity, attraction, magnetism, power, etc., according to its sensible manifestations. These are the effects of the one force active in different substances, or in different assemblages of matter. Force put in motion comes to rest by reason of the resistance to motion which it eucounters; in overcoming

Jan 1, 1879

Jan 1, 1918

By Keith Leonard Sutherland

AEROFLOAT 25 is a complex mixture of free cresylic acid with aryl substituted dithiophosphoric acids, sulphides, disulphides, etc. Its complete composition has not been published by the makers or patentees. It is prepared1 by the reaction between phosphorus pentasulphide and carefully selected cresylic acid. We have been informed that this acid contains no phenol and very little cresol, and that it is rich in the higher alkyl phenols, particularly the xylenols. The reaction between a phenol ROH and phosphorus pentasulphide may produce compounds of the following type:2 [ ] Except for the simplest type, the thiophenols (ii), the boiling points of these compounds lie above 300" C. The amounts of the thianthren compounds formed from the five xylenols (if all these are present) will vary according to the position of the substituents. In an attempt to ascertain something of the nature of the reagent, fractional distillation under atmospheric pressure was undertaken. At the outset, hydrogen sulphide was freely evolved, and-particularly below 200°, C.-the fractions had the strong odor characteristic of the

Jan 1, 1939

By C. R. Garr, A. R. Troiano

FLAKING or hair-line crack formation has been a major problem confronting the producer of large alloy steel forgings.' Today it is generally conceded that hydrogen in one or more forms in alloy steel sections is a requisite for flaking. Hence an obvious remedy is a thermal cycle that reduces the hydrogen content to some low level. In practice, this generally means holding the material at some subcritical temperature for a period of time depending on the size of the ingot or forging. Another method that will suffice in some cases is to cool large forgings slowly, i.e., bury in ashes. In practice, this hydrogen bake is sometimes accemplished inadvertently by a series

Jan 1, 1958

By John D. Gill

The purpose of this paper is to invite attention away from the obvious. direct monetary costs of oil-field overdevelopment (as distinguished from "social costs") to a consideration of the role played by the exercise of freedom to create even allegedly excessive1 plant facilities in contributing to the maintenance of equilibrium in the wholc economy and in promoting material progress. The obvious and most commonly discussed effect of overdevelopment of oil fields is illustrated by the allegation that already the excessive development of the East Texas field has cost upward of $162,000,000;2 in other words, the drilling of 12,500 wells more than the number estimated as the requirement for economical recovery of the reserve has unnecessarily raised the total cost of development that amount. Many other illustrations of so-called excessive development of oil pools could be presented. Some of them, like Cushing, Powell and Long Beach, might be drawn from the era antedating widespread discussion in the trade of such matters as optimum well spacing, reservoir energy, the conservation rate of depletion of reserves, etc. Numerous other cases can he found in the records of the current era, which began with the introduction of rationalized restriction of production. Besides East Texas, there may be mentioned Oklahoma City, Centralia and. more recently, the town-lot development of Bloomingdale, Michigan.

Jan 1, 1940

The Library of the above-named Societies is open from 9 A.M. to 10 P.M. on all week-days, 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 9, 1915

By Philip D. Pearson

IN recent years, there have been many changes in mining operations in the Lake Superior district. To follow these trends on the Menominee Range of Michigan, information has been assembled from all of the iron mining operations in the area. There are 15 operating underground mines in the Iron River-Crystal Falls area of the Menominee Range. Within the past two years, two idle properties were re- opened and are now producing, and a third and fourth are being reopened. Also, there are two siliceous openpits operated by independent companies outside this immediate area. Six companies operate the underground mines, employing some 1850 employees. Table I shows pertinent facts about these properties.

Jan 4, 1951

By G. S. Hume

Three provinces in Canada—New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta— produce oil and gas in commercial quantities. In addition a small amount of oil is being produced and refined in the Northwest Territories at Norman on the Mackenzie River. The production at Norman is derived from two wells drilled by Northwest (Imperial Oil) Co. in 1920 and 1923. The refined products of the oil are used locally in connection with mineral developments on Great Bear Lake. The production of petroleum by provinces and the consumption of natural gas are shown in Table 3. In addition a small amount of natural gas is produced in the southwestern part of Manitoba from shallow wells for local use. Tables 1 and 2 give detailed information. The greatest drilling activity in 1933 in Canada centered around the southern end of the Turner Valley field, Alberta. In addition to several wells previously commenced in this area, eleven new wells were begun. There were three completions to the Paleozoic producing zone in 1933 in the southern part of Turner Valley and one well was abandoned as a result of being off the favorable structure. Of two wells completed in

Jan 1, 1934

By B. G. Langston, R. D. MacDonald, F. M. Stephens

WITH the development of uranium ores that contain substantial amounts of acid-consuming compounds, the alkaline leach has become an attractive method for extraction. Considerable work has been done on both atmospheric and pressure-leaching with aqueous solutions of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate as the lixiviants.1,2,3 For the treatment of uranium-bearing limestones and other high-lime (CaO) ores, the sodium carbonate leach has proven attractive because it avoids the high reagent consumption incurred by the reaction of sulfuric acid with lime. In addition, the corrosion problems with sodium carbonate are negligible as compared with those encountered in the acid-leach system. The sodium carbonate leach, however, does not yield as high an extraction of the uranium as the acid leach and is not attractive for economic reasons when treating ores that are high in sulfates or sulfides.

Jan 9, 1957

By Walter Weeks

CONSIDERABLE difference of opinion seems to exist as to whether the rate of air flow when a fan is placed on a given duct should be determined by the use of static pressure or total pressure characteristics. A little study will show that both methods are correct. Assume that a fan is connected to a duct by an expansion piece as shown in Fig. 1, and that steady flow is established. Considering the atmospheric pressure as zero pressure, let the static head at the outlet of the fan be h and the velocity at this point be v1. The total head at the outlet is then h + v1/2g? The total head at this point must be equal to the total head at the end of the duct plus the losses that have occurred between the two points. Let f be the friction loss in the straight duct, s the shock loss in the dif- fuser, and V2 the velocity at the end of the duct. Then h+ v12/2g=v22/2g + f + s FIG. 1.-FAN ON DUCT. A curve showing the value of the left-hand side of the equation for different rates of flow is the total pressure characteristic of the fan, while a curve showing the value of the right-hand side is the total pressure characteristic of the duct. If these two curves are plotted on the same chart, the intersection indicates the rate of flow when steady flow is established.

Jan 1, 1930

By Arthur C. Spencer

ThRee great deposits of iron-ore, in Camaguey and Oriente Provinces, Cuba, are well known to me through careful field-examinations executed in the years 1901 and 1907. In 1901 I visited the Cubitas iron-ore district, which lies about 12 miles distant from the city of Camaguey in a northerly direction, and the Mayari district, which includes the Sierra Nipe, lying opposite Nipe bay on the north side of Oriente Province. In 1907 I again visited the Cubitas district, and also made a sojourn of several days in the Moa district, where the extensive deposits of iron-ore were observed and studied. The observations of 1901 were made under the auspices of the then Military Governor of Cuba, Gen. Leonard Wood, and my conclusions concerning the value of these deposits were incorporated in a report.' The examination of certain denouncements of iron-ore in the Moa district in 1907 was made in behalf of iron-masters operating in the United States, to whom I reported the existence of large amounts of easily-workable limonitic iron-ore, properly designated " brown iron-ore " in the terminology now current among iron-ore producers in the United States. In 1908 I published a paper entitled, Three Deposits of Iron Ore in Cuba, outlining the occurrence and origin of the surfi-cia1 ores existing in the Cubitas, Mayari, and Moa districts.2

Jan 1, 1912

GEORGE F. BECKER Dr. George Ferdinand Becker, notice of- whose death appeared in the May Bulletin, was born in New York City Jan. 5, 1847, the son of Alexander Christian Becker, member of a Danish family, and Sarah Cary Tuckernian Becker of Boston. Dr. Becker was the last member of the group of distinguished geologists who, in 1879, were associated with Clarence King at the time of the organization of the United States Geological Survey. He was a leader in mining geology and geophysics, and for many years had been the chief of the Division of Chemical and Physical Research in the Geological Survey, and the investigations under his direction led to the establishment of the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington. Dr. Becker was a graduate of Harvard University and received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Heidelberg, and in 1871 passed the final examinations at the Royal School of Mines in Berlin. He was for four years an instructor of mining and metallurgy in the University of California, from which he went to the United States Geological Survey. In 1896 he examined the gold and diamond mines f South Africa and at the time of the Spanish-American War was detailed to serve as geologist on the staff of General Bell with the army in the Philippine Islands. He died at his hone in Washington, D. C., on Apr. 20'.1

Jan 6, 1919

By Y. M. Chang, C. H. Pitt

A jet slurry apparatus has been constructed to test corrosive/erosive wear properties of grinding ball metal. Plain high carbon steel heat treated to a hardness of about 60 Rc was used. Slurries of quartz and chalcopyrite ore concentrate were used as the jetting media. Weight loss due to pure corrosion was determined by the linear polarization technique. Weight loss due to pure erosion was determined by jetting while cathodically protecting the sample. By comparing the total weight loss with the sum of the weight losses from pure corrosion and pure erosion, it was found that there was a synergistic effect between corrosion and erosive wear. Corrosion rate, erosion rate, and total erosion/corrosion rate are given as a function of pH and mineral type.

Jan 1, 1986