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Syncrude Canada produces a large part of Canada’s crude oil supply. The company processes about 225,000 bbl/day. The oil produced is used for jet and automobile fuel, home heating oil, plastics and other consumer synthetics. Crude oil is produced through a process of mining, extracting and upgrading bitumen. A rich supply of bitumen is contained in the Athabasca oil sands deposit in northern Alberta. Tailings from the bitumen processing are sent to a settling basin.

Jan 1, 2000

By John L. Schaller

The Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, has investigated the extraction of alumina from domestic kaolin clay by leaching with boiling 26 wt-pct hydrochloric acid. Acid leaching of crushed calcined kaolin feed yields slurries that are slow settling and difficult to filter because of the presence of fine particles generated in crushing, calcining, and leaching. Laboratory research showed that tumbling and moistening crushed raw kaolin on a pelletizing disk caused the fines to agglomerate on the surfaces of the larger particles, while the sharp edges and corners of the larger particles were rounded off. Minus 16-mesh crushed raw kaolin was misted on a 36-in-diam, 8-in-deep pelletizing disk at rates of 175 to 250 lb/hr, and was calcined in either a rotary or a fluidized-bed calciner; negligible degradation occurred. The physical properties of the misted calcined kaolin were evaluated in the leaching system of the clay-hydrochloric acid miniplant. Only minor attrition occurred during leaching, and the slurry was readily filtered on a continuous belt filter.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. C. Ion, O. Isaksson, J. Stjernberg

Iron ore pellets are a preferred feedstock for ironmaking. One method used for pelletizing is the grate-kiln process, first established in 1960.During the past decade, the establishment of new grate-kiln plants has increased rapidly, especially in China, and new constructors of pellet plants have started to operate in the market. It is well known that the grate-kiln method yields a superior and more consistent pellet quality compared with the straight-grate process. However, certain issues exist with the grate-kiln plant, which are discussed here, together with proposed practical solutions.

Jan 1, 2015

The paper outlines the development of a solvent extraction process for the recovery of scandium, yttrium, thorium, and heavy lanthanides from waste sulphate liquor at the Port Pirie uranium treatment plant. A summary is given of known solvents for these elements, including the recently developed alkyl-phosphoric acid esters which are applicable to sulphate solutions.A kerosene solution of di- (2'-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (EHPA) has been suggested by some workers as a suitable solvent for fractionation of the lanthanides. Experimental work with this solvent showed that it could be used for initial recovery of the above elements from low concentrations in the complex sulphate liquor. In particular, scandium could be recovered as a high grade product by extraction with 0·lM EHPA, followed by a purification strip with 9N sulphuric acid, and final stripping of scandium with sodium hydroxide solution.To enable alkaline stripping to be used successfully, the kerosene solution of the reagent was modified by the addition of a small proportion of nonanol. Experimental work included laboratory scale batch tests and small pilot scale continuous tests.A proposed extension of the process for the separate recovery of individual heavy lanthanides, yttrium, and thorium is described.INTRODUCTIONAt the Port Pirie uranium treatment plant of the South Australian Government, large volumes of "barren liquor", free from 'uranium, are at present run to waste. This "barren liquor" results from sulphuric acid leaching of Radium,Hill uranium concentrate, followed by separation of solid residues and removal of uranium from the clear solution by ion exchange. The mineral davidite, from which the uranium is derived, contains other potentially valuable components, notably vanadium, chromium, thorium, yttrium, scandium, and the lanthanides. These constituents are...

Jan 1, 1961

By N. R. Dixon

This report summarizes all work performed under U.S. Bureau of Mines Contract No. J0395028, "Noise Control of Rubber-Tired Front-End Loaders Used in Surface Mining. " Two loaders, a Caterpillar 988 and an International H-400B, were chosen for this program, and the noise sources and acoustic paths that contribute to the operator's noise exposure were identified. Retrofit noise control treatments were designed and installed on these loaders, and noise reductions of more than 10 dBA at the operator position were achieved on both machines. The retrofit packages are low cost and have been field tested in two mines for more than two years. The results of the program were communicated to the mining industry through a series of noise control workshops and a field manual. The workshops were given in nine states across the U.S. and more than 440 manuals were distributed An audio/visual slide presentation was also developed which the program.

Jan 1, 1983

By Giuliana A. Zelada

This paper reports on a study of 43 compression load tests (five fully instrumented) and ten pullout tests of auger cast-in-place (ACIP) piles in sand. Eight design methods reported in the literature were used to predict the measured pile capacities. Ultimate load capacities of the ACIP load tests were determined using two different definitions of ultimate capacity and compared with predictions. Load transfer behavior was determined from a study of the fully instrumented pile tests and compared to predicted values. Recommendations are made regarding the design approach most appropriate for these foundations and the best procedure for estimating ultimate capacity from pile load tests.

Jan 1, 2000

By P. Rosten

US mine production of iron ore in 1984 showed some improvements compared to 1983. But reduced demand from the iron and steel industry caused temporary shutdowns of many iron ore mines and pelletizing plants. US raw steel production in 1984 was slightly above 1983, but still at a depressed level. Production was 83 Mt (92 million st), compared with 77 Mt (85 million st) in 1983 and 68 Mt (75 million st) in 1982. Two major production trends continued in 1984. They were the increased production from electric furnaces and the growing use of continuous casters. Electric furnace production included 33.2% of the steel poured in 1984, compared with 31.5% in 1983. Continuous casting was used for 39% of 1984 steel production, compared with 32.1% in 1983. Statistical Process Control Statistical Process Control (SPC) has taken on new proportions in the iron ore and steelmaking industries within the last year. This mathematical technique is used to monitor, control, evaluate, and analyze a manufacturing process. The technique charts variability of important quality parameters. Training and adaptation of SPC techniaues for process control have been initiated at Inland, Steel's Minorca, Pickands-Mather's Hibtac, Cleveland-Cliff's Empire and Sherman operations, and at Reserve Mining. One of these operations has requested its bentonite supplier provide SPC charts on quality specifications. Some of the steelmaking operations (Inland Steel, Bethlehem Steel, Dofasco, LTV Steel, National Steel, Stelco, Weirton Steel, and Wheeling-Pittsburgh) have set up SPC programs within their operations. And they also have insisted that some of their suppliers use SPC. Plant Shutdowns The permanent closure of Stelco's Griffith mine at Red Lake, Ontario, has been delayed by one year. This gives employees more time to adjust. The mine is now set to close in April 1986, instead of April 1985. Sidbec (Canadian government) and its other partners (including British Steel Corp., Quebec Cartier Mining, and US Steel) closed its iron mining operations at Gagnon, Quebec. The pellet plant has been leased to Quebec Cartier. New Iron Ore Operations The massive Carajas iron ore project in Brazil is scheduled to come onstream in Jan. 1986. It is to achieve full-scale commercial shipments by July of that year. The 66% iron crude ore requires only crushing and screening before shipment. The product consists of 83% sinter feed and 17% coarse ore. Annual production capacity will be 32 Mt (35 million st) when the project is completed. Principal customer for the ore is Nippon Carajas Iron Ore Co., a consortium of Japanese steel mills. The Arab Iron & Steel Co. (AISCO) has started up a $US300 million, 3.6 Mt/a (4 million stpy) iron ore pelletizing plant built by Kobe Steel Ltd., at Al Hidd-hide in Bahrain. By 1986, this grate-kiln-cooler plant will supply high quality iron ore pellets to feed direct reduction plants in the immediate Gulf area and Far East markets. Iron ore supplied from Brazil, Peru, India, and Mauritania provides the feed to the pellet plant. Hydrated lime (2%) is used as a burden.

Jan 5, 1985

By Jon C. Volkwein

The U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted a study to assess the impact of a directional water spray system on a unique single inlet dust scrubber on a low-profile mining machine. Tests were conducted in a full-scale model mine using a continuous mining machine. Tracer gas was introduced at the face and concentrations of the tracer gas were monitored at the face and in the return. Various parameters tested included mining position, depth of cut, brattice setback, and combinations of scrubber, and directional or symmetrical sprays. Results indicated that either water spray configuration improved the ventilation effectiveness of the scrubber by a factor of 2 to 3. Average face ventilation effectiveness (FVE) values for all testing of the scrubber and directional sprays were 0.95, versus 0.37 for a standard 20-ft blowing curtain without sprays. No FVE values were less than the standard 20-ft blowing results.

Jan 1, 1989

By H. Maleki

In this paper, long-term measurements in five underground mines are presented to demonstrate how these measurements can be applied to stability evaluations and design of underground excavations. These case studies address both the global aspects of strata response to mining activities as well local ground behavior and support loading. The measurements include static (stress and deformation) and geophysical. Case studies quantify pillar behavior, roof-floor deformation patterns, overburden response, and microseismic activities. Large-scale studies quantify the nonuniform nature of overburden deformation and collapse. Local measurements address yield and stable pillar load deformation characteristics, as well as the performance of support systems under combined axial and lateral loads.

Jan 1, 2002

By T. W. Beck

Drilling into coal mine roof strata to install roof bolts has the potential to release substantial quantities of respirable dust. Due to the proximity of drill holes to the breathing zone of roof bolting personnel, dusts escaping the holes and avoiding capture by the dust collection system pose a potential respiratory health risk. Controls are available to complement the typical dry vacuum collection system and minimize harmful exposures during the initial phase of drilling. This paper examines the use of a bit sleeve in combination with a dust hog-type bit to improve dust extraction during the critical initial phase of drilling. A twisted-body drill bit is also evaluated to determine the quantity of dust liberated by comparison to the dust hog-type bit. Based on these laboratory tests, the bit sleeve may reduce dust emissions by one-half during the initial phase of drilling before the drill bit is fully enclosed by the drill hole. Because collaring is responsible for the largest dust liberations, overall dust emissions can also be substantially reduced. The use of a twisted-body bit has minimal improvement on dust capture compared to the commonly used dust hog-type bit.

Feb 27, 2013

Distinguished guests ladies and Gentlemen. As many of you know, before I became a Labour Member of Parliament, I had an unusual career path for a politician, in that I spent quite a few years working in the business community. In other words, I was mainstreamed before I was institutionalised. Given that some of this time was spent working for the then Macraes Mining Company Limited, now Gold and Resource Developments NL, I feel that I may have a perspective on how things are seen, on both sides of the fence. In terms of public perception and esteem I am not sure which career option was the step up and which was the step down. So far what I have found very familiar, is that in both roles there is a gulf between the reality and the perception of that reality - a gulf that is both huge and hard to bridge. I think it is a point worth making here amongst another busy industry cluster, that we can all too easily get so embroiled in the day to day activities, that we lose sight of how this might look to those running on a different treadmill. I can still remember scratching my head at the beginning of some days, as I worked to get new mining projects started that I knew were going to bring real jobs and economic benefit to New Zealand, but ending the day feeling like I may instead have been proposing bringing back both strip mining and slavery. If I learnt one valuable lesson out of that time it was this: .... mining has become so publicly demonised on the road to ecological nirvana, that even attempting a lucid dialogue on mining issues, with some, is incredibly difficult.

Jan 1, 2000

By R. G. Bentsen, D. A. T. Donohue

The cyclic steam injection process has become the most widely applied and most successful thermal recovery technique in use today.1-4 Normally, steam stimulation is repeated several times during the life of a project. The problem is to select the optimum number and size of steam treatments so that the profits realized over the entire life of the project are maximum. Obviously, operating costs rise directly with the frequency and amount of steam injection. Operating efficiency, on the other hand, can be adversely affected if the amount and frequency of stimulation are insufficient. Thus arises a multistage decision problem; that is, a decision must be made at each sub-period (day, for example), as to whether steam should be injected, and, if so, how much. It is desirable that these decisions be made in such a way as to secure maximum net profit before taxes. This can be achieved by dynamic programming. To use dynamic programming, we must be able to predict not only the production rate-time curve resulting from a given stimulation, but also how changes in stimulation policy will affect this curve. In this study, the effect of steam injection on well performance is estimated on the basis of a simple model that takes into account both steady-state and transient flow. Oil production rate is calculated for both types of flow, and the larger of the two values is used. This allows the calculation to change to radial steady-state flow at such time as this mechanism becomes more effective than the transient mechanism. We propose to show how dynamic programming can be used to optimize the steam soak process with respect to net profit. For this, a mathematical representation of the steam soak technique is necessary. A further objective, therefore, is the formulation of a mathematical model capable of realistically simulating the physical process. Oil Production Response Model The advantage of using a mathematical model is its generality and ease of manipulation. However, the model must be an accurate representation of the physical process, for a solution derived from a model can be no better than the model itself. The question now arises as to how well the model should be expected to simulate reality. In general, the simplest model should be tried first, for additional accuracy is apt to require additional cost and time. Also, the search for a high degree of accuracy may yield only greater complexity and difficulty without yielding significantly better results. With this in mind, we kept our model as simple as possible, yet generally representative of the actual physical process. The number of state variables is limited to three, and stochastic variations in the parameters are ignored. As a consequence, use of this model should be restricted to cases in which the underlying assumptions are not severely violated. In

Jan 1, 1970

By Steferson Ferreira de Oliveira

A máquina convencional de usinagem por descargas elétricas (EDM) é utilizada no processo de nitretação por descargas elétricas (NDE), pois permite enriquecer a superfície de um substrato de aço SAE 52100 com nitretos em meio a uma solução dielétrica composta por água deionizada e ureia. O objetivo do presente trabalho é caracterizar as camadas formadas ao utilizar uma solução dielétrica (30g / l) como fonte de nitrogênio e comparar as propriedades obtidas quando se utiliza eletrodo de cobre eletrolítico. As caracterizações das amostras no processo foram por meio das técnicas de microscopia óptica (OM), microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV) e microdureza Vickers (HV), revelando a formação de uma camada uniforme e endurecida de nitretos, recoberta por uma camada branca (Zona Refundida), como comprovado por difração de Raio-X (DRX) a formação de compostos com nitrogênio. As camadas formadas no eletrodo peça temperado e revenido foram mais espessas do que as que formaram no eletrodo peça esferoidizado. Para avaliar o desempenho do processo de usinagem, foram utilizados parâmetros como taxa de remoção de material (TRM), taxa de desgaste do eletrodo ferramenta (TD) e desgaste volumétrico (DVR).

Oct 30, 2017

By Henrique de Araújo Resende

Em função do aumento constante da produtividade nos laminadores e linhas de processo de usinas siderúrgicas e de alumínio, está cada vez mais evidente a necessidade de aumentar as campanhas de produção dos mandris de bobinadeiras e desbobinadeiras, reduzir as paradas de manutenção das linhas além de minimizar ao máximo os custos com reparo e fabricação. Para isso, é importante conhecer os diversos projetos de mandris utilizados nos últimos anos, os maquinários envolvidos na fabricação e reparo desses equipamentos além de estar atualizado quanto às novas tecnologias que poderão ser aplicadas. Para possibilitar o entendimento descrito acima, este material será divido em 3 partes: Projetos SMS de mandris no Brasil; Condições de fabricação e reparo; Novas tecnologias. A SMS possui 58 mandris em operação hoje no Brasil estratificados entre os seus principais clientes, desde linhas de decapagem e laminação a quente até a saída do produto final após os laminadores a frio na galvanização e linhas de pintura e corte. Com isso, é possível estabelecer uma análise técnica do desempenho de cada equipamento e sobressalente de forma bem estruturada. Esse é o principal objetivo desse trabalho.

Aug 16, 2017

By Parry. V. F.

"INTRODUCTION Coal is a compressed mass of heterogeneous, macerated, metamorphosed plant remains that have collected in the earth's crust. Probably no two beds of coal have identical properties, and different parts of the same bed may vary considerably when measured by some of the many empirical tests that have been developed to classify or differentiate the properties of coal. Because of this great variability in properties, the commercial processing of coal to produce coke and byproducts has developed largely as an art based on experience, rather than as a science. Much empirical chemical research, however, has been and is being conducted on coal carbonization, and this work is of practical value in obtaining larger yields of gas and byproducts and in the improvement of the physical properties of the coke.Both ultimate and proximate analyses have been used for correlating purposes. 3/ In the United States the proximate analysis is used for the classification of coal according to rank and grade. The proximate analysis can be employed usefully in the coal—carbonization industry because separation of the combustible matter of coal into volatile matter and fixed carbon is, in fact, a small carbonization test conducted on 1 gram of coal heated in a platinum crucible.Small—Scale Laboratory Coking Tests,Many empirical tests have been devised for determining the coking properties and measuring the yield and quality of gas and byproducts obtainable from various coals. These tests, made on samples ranging from 25 grams (about 1 ounce) to 5 kilograms (11 pounds), furnish information that is roughly proportional in practical value to the size of the sample carbonized. However, the cost of the carbonization test also increases with the amount of the sample, so that for preliminary surveys of a number of coals, samples of 25 to 1,000 grams usually are employed."

Dec 1, 1939

By A. C. Fieldner

"INTRODUCTION In a previous report3 prepared for the American Gas Association, the influence of washing coal on coke properties and on gas and by-product yields was discussed on the basis of answers to questionnaires sent to coke-oven superintendents and a review of the literature on the subject. This review indicated that the elimination of free impurities by cleaning coal improved coke quality by (a) reducing ash and sulphur, (b) decreasing clinker trouble in burning the coke, (c) diminishing cross fractures in the coke, resulting in greater resistance to breakage on handling, and less small coke and breeze, and (d) greater uniformity in chemical composition and physical properties of coke. Washing also reduced the sulphur in coke and gas and increased the yield of gas and by-products per ton of dry coal charged.This paper is supplementary to the previous report and presents some experimental data obtained with Pittsburgh bed coal from Pennsylvania and Mary Lee bed coal from Alabama.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSGrateful acknowledgment is made to F. J. Pfluke, of the Rochester Gas and Electric Cc., of Rochester, N. Y., for the plant test data on screened lump and washed coal; and to Ray W. Arms, Manager of the Coal Cleaning Department, of Roberts & Schaefer Co., of Chicago, for the data on effect of air cleaning."

May 1, 1931

By Carrie Pourvahidi

The California High Speed Rail Authority (Authority) was created by the State of California through legislation in 1996. The purpose of the Authority is to plan, construct, finance and operate a statewide intercity high speed passenger rail system. In 2004 the Authority prepared a programmatic level environmental document in compliance with the California Environmental Quality and National Environmental Protection Acts (CEQA and NEPA).The Authority and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) were the lead agencies overseeing the development of the environmental documentation. The resulting document includes two volumes and 64 supplemental technical reports analyzing the transportation needs for California and the selection of an approach to meeting the project transportation needs. The Programmatic Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) identified High Speed Rail as the most environ-mentally protective, sustainable and economical approach to meeting the state?s projected transportation needs.

Jan 1, 2008

By M Davies, G Theletsane, A H. Gray

Recovery of gold from gold ores has been driven by the available technology and its configuration in the process plant flow sheet.Conventional practice in test work programs has the ore being ground fine (to 106 or 75 microns) to ensure liberation ahead of leaching or flotation. This paper identifies that, in many cases, gold and gold sulfide carriers will liberate and be recovered to a concentrate at much coarser sizes.There is an exponential increase in energy consumption relative to particle size reduction. This impact becomes extreme when comparing crushing a product to 1 mm against grinding to 75?microns.The resultant reduction in energy consumption when liberating and separating at 1 mm or coarser compared to grinding to 75 microns can be in the order of 15 kWh/t or 60 per cent of energy in the comminution circuit.Recovery of free gold and gold sulfide carriers by preconcentration (using continuous gravity devices such as the InLine Pressure Jig), combined with flotation of the fine gold and gold carriers, can result in significant power savings.There are multiple locations within the flow sheet that can be targeted using this process, including recovery in the cyclone underflow of existing plants, preconcentration ahead of the plant or complete greenfield, low-energy process plants designed from first principles based on data from a Gekko developed test work regime.We will describe the process of defining mineralogy in the laboratory and the decision-making process through to actual applications in the field.Several examples will be provided, including a South African Witwatersrand gold ore, several Australian gold ores and others, indicating the benefits of this process and where it has been brought to commercial reality.CITATION:Gray, A H, Davies, M and Theletsane, G, 2014. Coarse liberation and recovery of free gold and gold sulfide carriers for energy reduction in process plants, in Proceedings 12th AusIMM Mill Operators’ Conference 2014 , pp 117–128 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 1, 2014

By Lance Kolbush, Alex Vaughn, James Fisher, Michael Barish, Tony Toney

Somerset International has worked to enhance the recovery of sub-20 micron particles in our patented Sub325 Systems by introducing chemicals in the systems prior to the centrifuge. This paper details four cases of such enhancement. Two on the fine coal recovery side at a 325 tph plant in Central PA and Warrior Met Coal 7 plant. Two on the tailings dewatering side at a 1200 tph Southern WV plant and at Warrior Met Coal 7 plant.

Feb 22, 2026

Laboratory experiments show that the delay detonators, either electric (copper coated or aluminium) or non-electric (down-the-hole) as generally used in opencast mines and quarries have some scattering from the actual firing time due to manufacturing inaccuracy and variations in basic ingredients of the product. This scattering varies from 1 to 4 % depending on the product quality. Due to this component scatter, adverse blasting effects like misfires, overbreak, underbreak or fly-rock may occur if the design patterns are not judiciously made. It has also direct impact on muck profile and fragmentation.

Jan 1, 1999