Search Documents

By Charles D. Hoyt

T IME studies and cost accounting were combined to increase the efficiency of the overall mining method and thereby reduce costs at the Titania mine of the National Lead Co. in southern Norway about 70 miles southeast of Stavanger. From these studies a more effective drilling system was developed, standards were adopted for setting base pay rates, shrinkage stoping was abandoned for open stoping, a new mechanical loading chute was adopted, and the loading and haulage system was changed. Ore minerals at the Titania mine are ilmenite and magnetite; gangue minerals are plagioclase and hyperstene with accessory minerals of biotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and spinel. The average content of the ore is 17 pct TiO2 and from 20 to 25 pct iron. The ilmenite crystals contain microscopic lamels of hematite, making it impossible to obtain a high TiO2 content in the concentrate. An ilmenite concentrate with 44 pct TiO2 and 36 pct Fe, and a magnetite concen-

Jan 9, 1950

By M. S. Klima, P. T. Luckie

An evaluation of the operating performance of a recently designed pneumatic centrifugal classifier is presented. This classifier has been modified from a separate air and feed input design to an entrained solids in air feed input. The evaluation first required determining the size distributions for the three streams (feed, fine, and coarse). Using size distribution data and mass flow rates, a size selectivity curve was calculated for each operating condition tested. This curve, in turn, was characterized by appropriate selectivity parameters (i.e., the equiprobable or cut size, the sharpness index, and the apparent bypass values). The variation of these parameters with classifier operating conditions was examined. From these evaluations, the "best" operating conditions for the classifier were then determined.

Jan 1, 1985

By L. G. Laureau

This paper is presented to call the attention of steel-manufacturers to the need of further reform in the manner of casting and handling ingots. The problem of making the work usually performed in and around the casting-pit less dangerous to the men and less costly to the management is one which has occupied the minds

Jan 1, 1885

By M. L. Requa

In the fall of 1910, the Nevada Petroleum Co., operating in the Coal-inga field in California, determined to drill a number of wells with rotary tools, in order to prove conclusively the relative value of the rotary as compared with the standard rig. At that time, the rotary was but little known in California and its proposed introduction met with considerable criticism on the part of the operators and quiet opposition among the standard drilling crews. There were few men available who were competent to handle a rotary outfit, and these few had had but little experience in California fields. Machines as then built were much inferior to those now used, being lighter in construction and of a poorer quality of material. The shells encountered at depths between 1,700 and 2,000 ft. seemed to be too hard to permit of successful drilling, and at these depths the rig was changed over to standard tools and by them completed. Because of the heavy depreciation, the time lost in converting from rotary to standard, and the comparatively small profit, it was concluded that unless in the future there was some material improvement in rotary rigs, nothing would be gained by drilling with rotary tools upon this property. Little or no drilling has been done upon the property since that time, but in the meantime a large number of men have been trained in the use of the rotary; in fact, many standard-tool men have abandoned standard drilling and, starting in as roustabouts, have become thoroughly competent rotary operators. The improvements in the machinery have been such as to remove many of the objections and the rotary drilling of to-day is in every way superior to that of 1910. In contrast, a well drilled recently by the Kern Trading & Oil Co., in the east side Coalinga field may be cited. The first 2,500 ft. was drilled in 24 days and it is confidently expected that the water string will be set with a rotary at 3,400 ft.—a record obviously far beyond that made in 1910 by the Nevada Petroleum Co. The records herewith are published with the hope that some one having more recent data will publish them so that comparison may be

Jan 1, 1915

By G. H. Clamer

Page Bronze Bearing Metals. By G. H. Clamer............... 162 Pennsylvania Railroad Anti-friction and Bell Metals. By F. M. Waring .. 166 The Tin-plate Industry. By D. M. BUck. Discussed by G. H. ClameR, J. W. RICHARDS............................ 168 The Aluminum Bronze Industry. By W. M. Corse............ 171 Bronzes, Bearing Metals, and Solders. By G. K. BURgess and R. W. Woodward. Discussed by G. H. Clamer, R. T. Roberts......... 175 Babbitts and Solder. By G. W. Thompson................ 184 The Cadmium Supply of the United States. By C. E. Siebenthal. Discussed by M. L. Lissberger, C. W. Hill, F. F. ColcoRd.......... 185 Solder, Its Use and Abuse. By M. L. LissbergeR............ 192 Bronze Bearing Metals G. H. ClameR,* Philadelphia, Pa.—Unfortunately, prior to the war no serious attention was given to the conservation of tin, notwithstanding that this country is practically dependent upon outside sources for its entire tin supply. Tin is of vital importance in many industries, but it is surprising how many and how excellent are its substitutes when we become acquainted with them. Tin has always been a relatively high-priced metal, and it is part of the human attitude to associate high prices with high standards; it is not until the price of a commodity becomes well-nigh prohibitive that we hunt for substitutes, because the idea of substitution seems always to involve an assumption that the substitute must necessarily be inferior. The history of the development of bearing bronzes is a striking example of this policy. In the early days, copper-tin alloys were almost universally used, the idea then being prevalent, which is still held by many, that a bearing to resist wear must be hard, and the harder the better. The favorite bronze bearing contained 90 per cent. copper and 10 per cent. tin; frequently, in service which was considered severe, even higher proportions of tin were used. Such hard alloys have great resistance to compression, but as a rule they had a very wide factor of safety in this

Jan 1, 1919

By S. H. Ash

Safety records in the mineral industry for 1954 will do well to hold their own as compared with 1953, because of the poorer rate in the coalmining branches, even without the recent mine explosion at the No. 9 mine of the Jamison Coal & Coke Co., Farmington, W. Va., that killed 16 persons. .The cause of that disaster has not yet been ascertained. The metal-mining branch appears to have improved its record over the last year, however. Health Diesel equipment continues to be favored in non-coal mines. Equipment includes locomotives, trucks, tractors, and muckers. Of major concern and interest is the establishment of a new threshold limit for oxides of nitrogen-5 ppm as compared with 25 ppm. This gas is the most harmful component of diesel-engine exhaust gas

Jan 3, 1955

Perhaps, after years of concerted effort at a mineral prospect, your company has reached the stage of feasibility study. Detailed target investigations, drilling, bulk sampling, land acquisition, and engineering analyses are complete, and the deposit still remains an attractive investment possibility. Your company, after long study, decides to begin mine development-now, how do you convince lending institutions that your proposed operation will return their borrowed funds, plus interest, over the term of the loan?

Jan 12, 1978

By Robert H. Dickson

Limestone replacement and contact metamorphic orebodies are 80 irregular that sampling and estimating are far less. exact than in more regular types of deposits; both the mineralized masses and the lenses of ore within them are extremely irregular. So much development work is required to find the ore that the expense of blocking out great tonnages is prohibitive; furthermore, the rock near these orebodies is so heavy that drifts or raises cannot be kept open for many years without excessive repairs. As a result, few mines in limestone have more than three years supply of ore in sight. As most of the ore, is developed by stoping— not by drifting, raising, or drilling—estimates of ore developed do not indicate the total amount of ore that may be expected; they simply indicate the relative condition of the mines. But even if they are to do this, they must be made according to a fixed plan, intelligently carried out. The estimates of ore in the Calumet & Arizona Copper mines, Warren District, Ariz., have been of much value to those who plan the mining and development work. This paper describes the methods of sampling and estimating used in these mines. Sampling Samples are taken in various ways and depend on the condition of the working and the purpose for which the sample is to be used. Drifts, crosscuts, and raises are sampled by channels or by taking a grab off each mine car as it is filled. Stopes are usually sampled by drill holes or by taking a representative sample off each mine car; the latter, or chute, sample is by far the best sample. All workings are studied periodically by an engineer, who makes graphic and detail notes of the geologic structure, as shown in Fig. 1. The daily car tally and assay of each particular working is added to the same sheet opposite the material it represents. These sheets make a permanent record, showing the exact boundaries as well as the grade of ore in all workings.

Jan 1, 1925

By C. M. Loeb, A. M. Gaudin, J. H. Brown

THE object of most size reduction operations in the mineral industry is to liberate the grains of valuable minerals in the ore from those of the gangue. This is usually accomplished by crushing and grinding the entire mass of ore until there is only a small probability that any single particle contains more than one mineral. During this size reduction only limited control exists over size or composition of the particles exposed to the breaking action, and there is no control over the paths followed by cracks generated during the operation. This lack of control usually results in overgrinding and in production of large quantities of very fine material. The first detriment, overgrinding, is costly in itself, but when combined with the second factor it is doubly so. Not only is the fracture of a free particle unnecessary-the fracture of these particles may also make subsequent separation operations difficult, inefficient, and wasteful. It has been pointed out' that if the object of size reduction is to liberate the valuable mineral component of the ore then, ideally, fracture should follow intergranular paths to the exclusion of trans- granular ones. This would result in liberation of the valuable minerals with as little size reduction as possible. This ideal comminution operation is referred to as intergranular comminution, and it was the object of the investigation to determine the extent to which it could be developed by heat treatments.

Jan 4, 1958

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

By Kenneth J. Kurry

12.2-1. Introduction. Successful management constantly strives to improve its methods and equipment in order to produce a better product at reduced cost. It is not enough that managers be cost conscious and industrious in these days of rapid, dramatic technological development. They must keep abreast of these developments-new or improved methods, machines, and equipment. Most of the machines and equipment have been carefully designed and perfected by reliable companies. However, improvements and progress often evolve from a definite need and are most successful in a particular operation. What may be the "answer" to the requirements of one company may be totally useless or inefficient to those of another. The manager of today must continuously evaluate the myriad proposals for change that result from modern technology-in terms of the particular needs and objectives of his company-to determine correctly which will best satisfy those needs and reach those objectives. Each new method or piece of equipment must receive careful study to make certain it is compatible with the entire operation. It may solve a problem in one department only to create a new problem in another. There are many pitfalls to be avoided in obtaining the necessary facts, and often these problems are unrelated to the actual use of the equipment or method being studied. All facets of the operation being considered must be thoroughly studied to determine if the method is compatible to the entire operation. For example, in considering a possible recommendation that a certain method and type of equipment be used to transport ore, some of the factors that should receive close scrutiny are: blasting procedure, maintenance, turning radius, percent grades, weather extremes, dumping problems, tire problems, length of haul, operator acceptance, or mismatched equipment. Failure to consider every factor-large and small, present and future-in evaluating a proposed change can mean a large investment in a new method or machine that will have to be continued for years at higher-than-antici-

Jan 1, 1968

By Dewitt T. Ring

Lack of reliable detailed production figures for earlier years, together with the loose nomenclature in reference to producing horizons and the application of the term "field" without any definite meaning or restriction, has made it impossible to gather statistical data suitable for the Institute's form. In common with all other producing areas in the United States, Ohio has felt severely the economic ills of the entire industry during the past year. With overproduction, not only of crude but also of refined products, going on throughout the country, the price structure as a direct consequence has weakened on Ohio oils. Valuable crude is being sold at a big loss today because producers arc willing to, and do, sell more than the market can absorb. The axe hangs heavy over the heads of Ohio producers, and will until something constructive is done to keep supply in proportion to demand. This not only applies to Ohio but to the entire industry. Production of Pennsylvania grade in Ohio was under 50 per cent proration, which has been in effect since Oct. 1, 1937. Three price cuts since February have lowered the posted price from $1.70 to $1.18, a 30 per cent reduction; other grades were less drastically reduced. Pipeline storage facilities were limited; many producers were faced with the problem of providing their own storage or the risk of ruining their wells. If they wanted to pull and abandon wells, there was no market for junk equipment. Many employees have been cut to half time and in a number of instances their services entirely dispensed with. Summary of Production and Drilling Both oil and gas production in the state during 1938 showed a definite decline over the previous year. (A table showing production by years from 1876 through 1937 was published in Vol. 127 of the Transactions.) The total production of crude oil in the state for 1938 was 3,357,914 bbl., as compared with 3,654,000 bbl. in 1937, a decrease of 7.1 per cent. At

Jan 1, 1939

By Dewitt T. Ring

Lack of reliable detailed production figures for earlier years, together with the loose nomenclature in reference to producing horizons and the application of the term "field" without any definite meaning or restriction, has made it impossible to gather statistical data suitable for the Institute's form. In common with all other producing areas in the United States, Ohio has felt severely the economic ills of the entire industry during the past year. With overproduction, not only of crude but also of refined products, going on throughout the country, the price structure as a direct consequence has weakened on Ohio oils. Valuable crude is being sold at a big loss today because producers arc willing to, and do, sell more than the market can absorb. The axe hangs heavy over the heads of Ohio producers, and will until something constructive is done to keep supply in proportion to demand. This not only applies to Ohio but to the entire industry. Production of Pennsylvania grade in Ohio was under 50 per cent proration, which has been in effect since Oct. 1, 1937. Three price cuts since February have lowered the posted price from $1.70 to $1.18, a 30 per cent reduction; other grades were less drastically reduced. Pipeline storage facilities were limited; many producers were faced with the problem of providing their own storage or the risk of ruining their wells. If they wanted to pull and abandon wells, there was no market for junk equipment. Many employees have been cut to half time and in a number of instances their services entirely dispensed with. Summary of Production and Drilling Both oil and gas production in the state during 1938 showed a definite decline over the previous year. (A table showing production by years from 1876 through 1937 was published in Vol. 127 of the Transactions.) The total production of crude oil in the state for 1938 was 3,357,914 bbl., as compared with 3,654,000 bbl. in 1937, a decrease of 7.1 per cent. At

Jan 1, 1939

By P. Somasundaran, I. J. Lin

There are several methods described in the literature for the determination of the order and the rate constant for the flotation of minerals. These often involve some type of computational or graphical procedures. A relatively simpler method developed on the basis of a technique used by Chang" in chemical kinetics is described in this paper. Chang's technique, like most others in chemical kinetics," is based on the law of mass action which states that the rate of a chemical reaction is proportional to the active masses of the reacting substances at any given time. Application of this law to the flotation of minerals would involve the adaptation of the terms "flotation" for "chemical reaction" and "floatable amount of the minerals" for "the active masses of the chemical reactants." There are indeed a large number of physical processes controlling the actual flotation rate. The most inefficient one of these could be considered equivalent to the slowest reaction in a series of chemical reactions. If variables such as aeration rate and agitation are kept at constant levels, the rate of flotation under free flotation conditions (i.e., conditions under which the suspension is dilute) will be given by the following equation: where C is the concentration of the floatable minerals in the pulp at any given time t, K is the rate constant, and n is the order of the reaction. If we represent the floated fraction of the floatable mineral at time t as m (0 m - 1) and C at t = 0 as Ca, integration of Eq. 1 yields

Jan 1, 1974

By W. N. Logan

THE petroleum industry of Indiana made somewhat notable progress during the year 1923, considering the number of handicaps it encountered. The price of labor and materials continued to have an upward slant while the price of crude oil took a decidedly downward course. In spite of these adverse conditions, the quantity production will closely approximate that of 1922, when it passed the million-barrel mark. The progress of the industry in Indiana should be considered fairly satisfactory as long as the present production is maintained. In other words, if the loss of production from the waning old wells can be offset by the production from the new for a period of 10 or 15 years longer, the industry may have cause for congratulation. SUB-TRENTON INVESTIGATIONS In recent years a number of tests of strata lying below the Trenton limestone have been made in Indiana. Several of these tests were completed in 1923. Indications of oil were reported by drillers from several horizons below the Trenton. The most satisfactory of these came from the St. Peter sandstone lying immediately below the Trenton limestone, but no production has yet been obtained from any of the Sub-Trenton horizons. Glen Valley Wells.-Two wells in Marion County were drilled into the St. Peter sandstone, 1 mi. north of Glen Valley and 9 mi. south of Indianapolis. About 30 ft. of sand saturated with a dense asphaltic oil was found in the upper part of the St. Peter sandstone in one of the wells, which contained about 10 per cent. of the light oils, or more easily volatile constituents, and about 90 per cent. of a dark, dense, asphaltic residue. The oil resembled the residue of an asphaltic petroleum from which the more volatile oils had disappeared.

Jan 3, 1924

By Carl Henrich

While the size of the blast-furnaces used for smelting leadand copper-ores has constantly increased, during late years, the manner of removing the slag from the furnace to the slag-dump has (until quite recently, at least) practically remained the same. The only appliance in practical use has been the two-wheeled slag-pot, holding about 300 to 400 pounds of slag, or as much as one man could manage to pull or push on a smooth, hard surface. When these slag-pots on wheels were first introduced, the daily capacity of a lead or copper blast-furnace hardly reached 30 tons of smelting-charge. With furnaces of this size, and even when the capacity had been doubled, this kind of slag-pot answered well enough. All the improvements made were in the construction of these pots and not in an increase of their size, which was limited by the weight which one man could handle. But the size of the furnace went on increasing. The daily consumption of one furnace rose gradually to 75 tons, 100 tons, and even more. The writer had occasion to construct some of these furnaces, which, in their day, were among the largest, if not the largest, of the water-jacketed kind then in existence. A water-jacketed furnace will always smelt more in the same time than a furnace with brick walls. Already, in those days, the slag-removal from these enlarged furnaces received due attention by the writer. The removal of 60 tons of slag in 24 hours, in pots holding only 300 pounds each, will require 400 pots to be filled in 24 hours; and when the amount.of slag increases to 90 tons, 600 pots will be required. That is to say, in the last case, 25 pots in each hour, or 1 pot each 24 minutes, will have to be put under the slagspout, filled, pulled away, and replaced with another. This will involve too much hurry for any degree of comfort, convenience

Jan 1, 1896

By Foster Bain

MOST of us householders in the East burn anthra-cite, so the problem that interests us most is the distribution and supply of the domestic sizes of anthracite. That, however, is only a small part of the coal problem and has its own peculiarities. Whether anthracite prices are high or low is largely a matter of relativity, depending on the size of the transaction, the available supply, and other things. As an isolated example which I hesitate to quote because it is not entirely representative, you may be interested to know that the Government fuel yard has been delivering to the Government buildings in the District of Columbia, white-ash stove coal at 16 c. a ton less during January, 1923, than during the same month of 1922. The reason is that the Government deals only with large companies who have been wise enough not to boost their prices and the small increase at the mine has been more than offset by the decrease in railroad rates. The total cost is $12.50 per ton, but I want to make it perfectly clear that it does not follow that this would be a just price for a retail dealer to charge the domestic consumer. For example, in the Government business there is no such thing as a bad debt, and certain other fixed or general charges are charged to other departments. The Bureau of Effi-ciency made an effort to determine what would be a. legitimate handling charge for a retail dealer, in Washington, and concluded that if the Government's cost of handling was $1.00, then $1.88 would be the corresponding fair charge to pay a retail dealer carrying the same volume of business, allowing for bad debts, complete depletion and depreciation of his equipment, and 10- per cent. profit. Assuming that this is the correct differential for Washington, it does not' follow that it would be equally just for Pittsburgh, New York, or elsewhere; nor does it by any means follow that it is a fair differential this year, because the dealer, after being unable to use his equipment in the summer months, now has to deliver an unusually large quantity of coal. I merely cite this instance to show that on the basis of primary cost of coal plus railway charges the retail price is not necessarily higher this-year than last.

Jan 4, 1923

Joseph William Richards, was born in Oldbury, Worcestershire, England, on July 28, 1864, of English-Scotch parents, Joseph and Bridget (Harvey) Richards. In 1871, he came to this country with his parents. He attended the public schools of Philadelphia, Pa., where his father was a manufacturing metallurgist, and in 1882, graduated from the Central High School with the degree of A. B. The same year he entered Lehigh University, from which he received the degree of A. C. (Analytical Chemist) in 1886; M. S. in 1891, and Ph. D. in 1893. His connection with the university was continuous from 1887 until his death, and he therefore adds another to the list of names of men Prominent in the A. I. 11. E. who have helped to develop Lehigh University to the important position which it now occupies in mining and metallurgical education in respect of world-wide fame. It is fitting to recall in this connection that, Eckley B. Coxe, a fonnder of the A. I. M. E., four times its vice-president,, and president in 1878-79, was literally a pillar of the university for several years prior to his death; Thomas M. Drown, founder, vice-presi(lent, secretary for 11 years, honorary member, and president in 1897, was president of Lehigh University from 1895 to 1904; and Henry S. Drinker, founder, manager, vice-president, and honorary member, was president of the university from 1905 to 1920. Doctor Richards was no less active in both institutions. With the exception of the years 1886 to 1887, when he was superintendent of the Delaware Metal Refinery of Philadelphia, his professional life was devoted to the upbuilding of the metallurgical department of the university, in part through his continuous services as a member of the teaching staff, and in part through the international renown won for the department by his achievevements as author, investigator, expert and rerognizcd authority in metallurgy, especially the metallurgy of aluminum, metallurgical-chemical calculations, and electrometallurgy. He was assistant instructor in metallurgy and blowpiping in 1887; instructor, 1888-90; instructor in metallurgy, mineralogy and blowpiping, 1890-97; assistant professor, 1897--1903; professor of metallurgy, 1903-1921. He died at his home in Bethlehem, Pa., on Oct. 12, 1921, of heart failure. To the A. I. M. E., for a continuous period of a dozen years, his services were equally loyal and effective. He was vice-president, 1910-11, and 1916-17; councilor, 1912; dirctor, 1913-15; chairman of the Iron and Steel Clommittee, 191-1-21; he was one of the framers of the Insti-

Jan 1, 1922

Joseph William Richards, was born in Oldbury, Worcestershire, England, on July 28, 1864, of English-Scotch parents, Joseph and Bridget (Harvey) Richards. In 1871, he came to this country with his parents. He attended the public schools of Philadelphia, Pa., where his father was a manufacturing metallurgist, and in 1882, graduated from the Central High School with the degree of A. B. The same year he entered Lehigh University, from which he received the degree of A. C. (Analytical Chemist) in 1886; M. S. in 1891, and Ph. D. in 1893. His connection with the university was continuous from 1887 until his death, and he therefore adds another to the list of names of men Prominent in the A. I. 11. E. who have helped to develop Lehigh University to the important position which it now occupies in mining and metallurgical education in respect of world-wide fame. It is fitting to recall in this connection that, Eckley B. Coxe, a fonnder of the A. I. M. E., four times its vice-president,, and president in 1878-79, was literally a pillar of the university for several years prior to his death; Thomas M. Drown, founder, vice-presi(lent, secretary for 11 years, honorary member, and president in 1897, was president of Lehigh University from 1895 to 1904; and Henry S. Drinker, founder, manager, vice-president, and honorary member, was president of the university from 1905 to 1920. Doctor Richards was no less active in both institutions. With the exception of the years 1886 to 1887, when he was superintendent of the Delaware Metal Refinery of Philadelphia, his professional life was devoted to the upbuilding of the metallurgical department of the university, in part through his continuous services as a member of the teaching staff, and in part through the international renown won for the department by his achievevements as author, investigator, expert and rerognizcd authority in metallurgy, especially the metallurgy of aluminum, metallurgical-chemical calculations, and electrometallurgy. He was assistant instructor in metallurgy and blowpiping in 1887; instructor, 1888-90; instructor in metallurgy, mineralogy and blowpiping, 1890-97; assistant professor, 1897--1903; professor of metallurgy, 1903-1921. He died at his home in Bethlehem, Pa., on Oct. 12, 1921, of heart failure. To the A. I. M. E., for a continuous period of a dozen years, his services were equally loyal and effective. He was vice-president, 1910-11, and 1916-17; councilor, 1912; dirctor, 1913-15; chairman of the Iron and Steel Clommittee, 191-1-21; he was one of the framers of the Insti-

Jan 1, 1922

By Knut Conradsen

In the study 208 heavy mineral concentrates (pan samples) from Jameson Land, East Greenland, are considered. Each concentrate has been analysed (by spectroscopy) for the content of (approx.) 25 elements. Furthermore the exact sampling position and the geological characteristics of the environment have been registered. In the study is shown how different multivariate methods combined with geological knowledge of the area can be used in the interpretation and classification of the data. Special emphasis is put on the problem of finding reliable expressions for the background level of the element concentrations in the area. This is done by means of severel discrimination procedures. The other main subject is a demonstration of the applicability of isoscore maps - originating from factor analyses - in the evaluation of the co-variability of the data, and thus give another way of classifying the individual samples according to the content of different elements.

Jan 1, 1977