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By A. Visnapuu

The U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated the oxidation of American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Type 304 stainless steel (SS) during annealing in simulated combustion products from several air-CH4 fuel ratios. Atmospheres representing air-CH4 ratios of 14:1 and 18:1 contained free 02, while atmospheres representing 10:1 air-CH, ratio did not. A Cr203 layer formed on SS samples annealed in atmospheres containing free 0, while a Cr-Fe spinel layer formed in atmospheres with no free 02. The Cr203 layer was adherent and presented a protective barrier to metal diffusion, effectively limiting oxidation of the metal substrate. The Cr-Fe spinel was not protective and allowed the diffusion of Fe through the spinel to the gas-oxide interface where it was oxidized to magnetite, which spalled from the surface. This resulted in thick scale layers on samples annealed in atmospheres containing no free 02, as compared to layers formed on samples annealed in atmospheres containing free 02. These results confirmed and explained industrial operators' observations that thick, smoky (fine spalled magnetite) scales form on SS annealed in low free-02 atmospheres, while thin protective oxide layers form on sheets in atmospheres containing free 02.

Jan 1, 2010

By M. A. Cook

Sutherland used an ion-pair adsorption model to derive the author's hy-drolytic pee-acid) adsorption equation for the contact bubble curves of Wark and Cox. To do so it was necessary to postulate that the sum of coverages of surface anion sites by the collector and depressant anions is practically unity. It is here shown that the free energy of Sutherland's postulated collector ion (x-)-depressant ion (OH-) exchange reaction (for no other than the OH- to compete with X-), namely EX + (OH-) Z SOH- + X-, is in some cases positive and X- should not even adsorb. Also, in many cases the (OH-) adsorption must be quite negligible even though the collector covers only about a sixth of the mineral surface at the threshold of air bubble contact. This, however, contradicts the postulate that permits one to derive the correct bubble contact eqwztion for the ion-pair model. Furthermore, the requirement for charge neutrality leads in the ion-pair model to the (impossible) constancy of the ratio @+)/(OH-) along a contact bubble curve in which pH may change by more than seven units. HYDROLYTIC ADSORPTION EQUATION Hydrolytic (free-acid or free-base) and ion-pair (H', X-, or R', OH-) adsorption models of the collector in metal sulfide and similar flotation systems are superficially alike and somewhat difficult to differentiate. This is because they yield, under seemingly valid assumptions, equivalent forms of the equations describing the distribution of the collector between the aqueous solution and the mineral surface. This has been discussed by the author and associates1-4 and more recently by Sutherland,' both for simple collector-mineral and for more complicated collector-depressant-mineral systems. In the hydrolytic adsorption model the equations describing the contact bubble curves of Wark and coxeJ7 are as follows :2 Here X is the collector anion, D- the depressant anion, 9, and On are the fractions of the free-acid sites S on the surface of the mineral covered by collector and depressant free acids, respectively, and @ is the fraction of uncovered sites. Kx is the free-acid collector dissociation equilibrium con- stant, K1 that for the free-acid collector adsorption, KD that for the free-acid depressant dissociation, and K2 the equilibrium constant for the free-acid depressant adsorption. Eqs. 1 to 5 yield upon simultaneous solution the result is the critical free-acid concentration for bubble contact in the absence of depressant-free acid. Eq. 8 expresses the conditions along a simple collector-mineral contact bubble curve for the case HD = 0, or V = 0. Last and Cook showed that Eq. 6 applies generally and with good accuracy in the collector-depressant-metal sulfide mineral systems. Inci-dentally, it has been shown by infrared absorption studies that in some cases the free-acid adsorption process splits out water.' In this case, Eq. 2 might be written SHOH + HX Z SHX + H20, with a similar equation replacing Eq. 4 for depressant-free acid-water exchange. This possibility does not change, however, the basic equations or considerations of the hydrolytic adsorption model. Indeed, this type of free acid-water exchange reaction was predicted for fluorite and iron ore flotation by oleic acid in the dry grinding and boiling processes.410

Jan 1, 1961

By N Gkikizas-Lampropoulis

Selection of delay times to optimize fragmentation has been a controversial topic among researchers and blasting practitioners. This paper interprets previous experimental information on the effect of delay on fragmentation with the aid of some new experimental observations of the time of detachment of the free face of the blast as well as results of numerical modelling. It was shown that detachment of the burden occurs at delays shorter than the one which produced optimum fragmentation in the experiments, suggesting some fragmentation improvement due to gas action. In addition, at the spacing to burden ratio of the experiments, the damage zone from an earlier detonating charge extends the distance to the neighboring charge, essentially affecting the burden of some of the holes of the blast, at detonation time. Computer modelling demonstrated that increased spacing results is less overlap of stress induced damage zones meaning that there is less influence of delay on stress wave induced fragmentation. It was also shown that simultaneous initiation results in less back break, while increased back break may result even with short delay times.

Jan 1, 2016

By Reynold Q. Shotts

The small domestic underfeed stoker as now designed is unusually sensitive to the coking and plastic properties of coals, and when the attempt is made to burn the high rank coking and caking coals of the Appalachian fields, serious trouble may occur. Part of the trouble may be caused by the ash content and clinkering characteristics of the particular coal in use, but more often it is the result of an excessive ac-in of coke in the form of ''trees,, or masses in the fuel bed. Often the zone of burning becomes so restricted that the fire goes out, and in extreme cases the fire may be lifted completely out of the fuel bed and away from the air ports. Even if the fire is preserved, excessive coking may cause response to subsequent heat demand to be slow and irregular. Coke trees seem to grow most readily during periods of hold-fire operation, so that in order to preserve the fire in mild weather it is often necessary to set the timer for such a long operating period each hour that much unneeded and unwanted heat is developed, causing discomfort. During demand periods the fire may pick up so slowly that the intense burning which develops just before stoker cut-off causes a serious overshooting of the thermostat. Stoker coal performance tests which have been made in a number of labora- tories1,2,3,4,5 are one method of approach to the problem Of selecting stoker coals- As yet these tests have not been standardized and they are expensive and time-consuming. The value of the results probably increases with the length of the test. Sherman and co-workers at Battelle Memorial Institute believe that even a one-week test is not too reliable a trial2 and it is quite likely that Others will agree. A great advantage of such tests is that characteristics of coals, other than the tendency to form coke masses, may be evaluated from them. The selection of stoker coals would be greatly facilitated if there existed some simp1e measure Of the tendency Of a a to form coke in a fuel bed. Although possessing all Of the disadvantages Of any small-scale laboratory test, the test for the free-swelling index of coal has been found useful for evaluating the probable effects Of swelling properties upon combustion.7 Ostborg, Limbacherand Sherman, have shown that the test can Predict, roughly, the tendency Of coke to accumulate in the fuel bed Of a domestic stoker. They also gave instances of its value in predicting combustion behavior in some large installations. The use of the test for free-swelling index has become well established and has been adopted as a standard by the American Society for Testing Materials.8 When domestic stoker coal investigations began at the State Mine Experiment Station in the summer of 1944, it was decided

Jan 1, 1949

By A. Lloyd, Montgomery, J. Jorgesen, W. J.

"Coals are ranked according to their degree of metamorphism or progressive change in the natural series from lignite to anthracite. The reader is referred to ASTM Standard D-388, ""Standard Classification of Coals by Rank"" for a detailed description of the system in use throughout North America including Canada.Fixed carbon and calorific value (expressed in Btu/ lb) calculated to the mineral-matter-free basis have been chosen as the main characteristics from which rank is established. Higher rank coals are classified according to fixed carbon content, lower rank coals according to the calorific value on a ""moist"" mineral-matter-free basis. Certain adjacent groups are differentiated according to their agglomerating (caking) properties. ""Moist"" refers to inherent moisture. Referring to Table 1, coals having calorific values greater than 14,000 Btu/lb on a moist mineral-matter-free basis and fixed carbon of 69% or more on a dry mineral-matter-free basis are classified according to fixed carbon. Coals having calorific values of less than 14,000 Btu/lb on a moist mineralmatter-free basis are classified according to calorific value on a moist mineral-matter-free basis. Agglomerating coals having 69 to 86% fixed carbon on the dry mineral-matter-free basis are classified in the low or medium volatile group of the bituminous class according to their volatile matter content. Agglomerating coals having calorific values between 10,500 and 11,500 Btu/lb are classified in the high volatile C bituminous coal group; nonagglomerating coals in the same calorific value range are classified in the sub-bituminous A coal group."

Jan 1, 1985

By James W. Ballard

The facts are generally accepted that an atmosphere containing large quantities of any dust is objectionable to breathe and that some dusts are more dangerous than others. Therefore, knowledge of the composition of dusts is important in evaluating the hazard entailed on exposure. At present, free silica, of which quartz is the most abundant form, is considered one of the most significant dusts, from the standpoint of pneumoconiosis, and one State5/ has established permissible limits of air dustiness on the basis of the free-silica content of rock. The amount of free silica in materials used for rock dusting also has been limited.6/ Determination of free silica or quartz, therefore, is important.

Jan 1, 1940

By James W. Ballard

The facts are generally accepted that an atmosphere containing large quantities of any dust is objectionable to breathe and that some dusts are more dangerous than others. Therefore, knowledge of the com-position of dusts is important in evaluating the hazard entailed on exposure. At present, free silica, of which quartz is the most abundant form, is considered one of the most significant dusts, from the standpoint of pneumoconiosis, and one State5/ has established permissible limits of air dustiness on the basis of the free-silica content of rock. The amount 06 free silica in materials used for rock dusting also has been limited.6/ Determination of free silica or quartz, therefore, is important.

Jan 1, 1940

By Randy Clarkson

"Free gold particles occur in many base metal and precious metal mines throughout the world. Occasionally mine operators are unaware of the presence of free gold particles in their ores because they have not seen free gold hand specimens or at the working face of the mine.Due to the high density and malleability of gold, large circulating loads of free gold particles can build up over time in grinding circuits. This gold is often deposited in unintended traps throughout the mineral processing system.These unidentified free gold deposits represent a serious security risk as well as inaccessible inventory of gold. Deposits of free gold particles often remain undetected by mine management until they are accidentally discovered while repairing mill equipment. The trapping and subsequent release of gold particles can frustrate attempts to calculate accurate metallurgical balances.Nuclear tracers have been used to determine the free gold recovery efficiency of gravity recovery equipment, drills, and sampling equipment (Clarkson, 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999 and Walsh, 1986, 1992). In 1995, the author used radiotracers to locate and eliminate gold traps at La Mine Doyon (Clarkson, 1997). In 1998 and 2001, the author also salted mineral processing circuits at Royal Oak's Pamour Mine in Timmins (Clarkson, 1999) and at Gold Corp’s Red Lake Mine in Ontario with radioactive gold particles.The gamma and X-ray radiation from gold's nuclear isotope (Au198) were detected through steel, in pipes, and in moving equipment with scintillometers. The radiotracers proved to be a safe, rapid and accurate method of identifying gold traps, improving security, determining the recovery efficiency of Knelson gold concentrators and estimating retention times of gold particles in various processes."

Jan 1, 2003

By Daniel Kim, Michael Free, Justin McAllister, Urian Marshall, Shijie Wang

"Cathode impurity levels of electrorefined copper were evaluated based on 1/10* scale laboratory electrorefining tests. Cathodes were evaluated near the top, mid-section, and bottom sections of cathodes on both the set and mold sides and strip and scrap cycles. Slime weights were measured, and slime and electrolyte samples were also evaluated for impurities. Results from these tests have been compiled and compared to evaluate the effects of changes in operating conditions and electrode location on cathode impurities.IntroductionMany types of impurities are commonly found in commercial copper electrorefining anodes. The smelter operations that produce the anodes process concentrates that contain a wide variety of impurities that vary based on the mineralogy of the ore. Most anode impurities are removed during electrorefining. However, a portion of the anode impurities is incorporated into the copper cathode product. The mechanisms by which impurities are transported from the anode to the cathode are not well understood. Some impurities can be transported as anode slime particles to the cathode where they are incorporated into the cathode. Other impurities can be transported as dissolved species that are electrochemically reduced with the copper to become part of the cathode. Although research has been performed on anode slimes and impurities [1-4], there is a need for additional information regarding the relationships associated with electrorefining cycles, electrode faces, local electrode positions, anode impurities and specific cathode impurities. The objective of this study was to evaluate lead, arsenic, and antimony cathode impurity trends associated with electrorefining cycles, electrode faces, local electrode positions, and anode impurities. A variety of techniques including electrolyte filtering, anode heat treatment, high electrolyte arsenic concentration, high arsenic and/or lead in anodes, flocculation of slime particles, and appropriate current density control were used to vary cathode impurity levels. Each test was performed only once for a strip cycle and once for a scrap cycle. Consequently, the results for the individual conditions are preliminary and are not the focus of this study. However, the collective set of data with varying impurity modifying techniques provides a broad range of impurity levels, and the associated trends with respect to lead, arsenic, and antimony are discussed in this paper. Approximately 180 analyses of copper cathode were used to track the antimony, arsenic, and lead impurities. Eighteen anode slime samples were also analyzed for antimony, arsenic, and lead."

Jan 1, 2012

By Liow Jong-Leng

A survey of the interactions of large gas bubbles formed from top and bottom injection of gases into melts was carried out. Spherical cap bubbles were found not to produce much splash when they break through the bath free surface except for that formed by plunging of the-spout at its edges. In contrast, the bursting of balloons produces cavities which give rise to liquid jets being ejected from the bath free surface. The position of the balloons relative to the bath free surface is an important parameter in the formation of the liquid jet. It is found that the interactions of multiple bubbles close to the free surface is important in determining the splash behaviour of gas injected systems.

Jan 1, 1996

By R. G. Reddy

To better understand the behavior of bacterial-mineral interfacial reactions, a thermodynamic model based on the- studies of bacteria adhesion on mineral surfaces has been evaluated. The bacteria adhesion to the mineral surface would be increased by l ' d1;1creasing the change in Gibbs free energy of adhesion and it would be reduced if the change in Gibbs free energy of adhesion of the system is increased. From the combination -of Young's equation and equation of state, the change in Gibbs free energy of adhesion -for bacterium-mineral system- was calculated. Influence of liquid surface tension, mineral surface tension on the change in Gibbs free energy of adhesion and consequently bacteria behavior on mineral systems- has been discussed.

Jan 1, 1991

The Pennsylvania State College, Mineral Industries Experiment Station, State College, Pa For publications address the Director The Pennsylvania State College through the Minerals Research Experiment Station has issued 10 Bulletins and three Technical Papers, from which the following have been selected as of greatest interest to mining engineers and geologists: Bulletin 1, An investigation of the properties of smitliing coals (1922), free; 2, Petrography of the Mica Pendotite Dike at Dixonville (1926), free; 4, The Helderberg Group from cen¬tral Pennsylvania to southwestern Virginia (1929), 25 cents, 5, Bentonite in Pennsylvania (1929), 10 cents, 6, Production data on Appalachian oil fields (1930), free; 8, Oil field waters of Pennsyl¬vania (1930), free; Technical Paper 2, Condition of water in coals of various ranks.

Jan 1, 1933

By Charles Will Wright

The present struggle for economic and industrial supremacy by the Communist world is against the United States, its main target, and the other Free World nations. The basis of industrial power is minerals, so the Communist nations are building up mineral production within their borders, often regardless of costs, and are acquiring quantities of mineral products from Free World countries for future use. They are contracting for additional supplies and advancing funds for the development of these quantities. A number of the less developed mineral producing countries of the Free World are being infiltrated by Communists and Communistic influence. This situation is well known, but as yet little has been done to oppose these activities or to awaken the public to their seriousness. The Communist countries are still far behind the Free World Nations in production of many essential minerals. But, shortages are being made up from Free World nations in exchange for petroleum, manganese ore, chromite and other products. Restrictions on shipments of strategic materials to Communist countries have not been maintained.

Jan 1, 1964

By I. Ward, E. Milosavljevic, M. Botz

"The silver nitrate titration method is a rapid and acceptably accurate means of analyzing for cyanide in leach solutions that contain primarily free cyanide. However, in leach solutions containing elevated levels of copper, the titrimetric method overestimates the concentration of free cyanide and underestimates the concentration of weak and dissociable (WAD) cyanide. The authors have developed a modified potentiometric (MP) titration method for determining WAD cyanide that overcomes issues associated with high copper levels in solution. The new MP-WAD method involves addition of a chemical ligand to the sample prior to silver nitrate titration to release cyanide bound to copper. Once released from copper, cyanide in solution is no longer affected by the presence of copper, and titration results are quantitative rather than empirical. In multiple laboratory trials with synthetic solutions and complex actual leach solutions, analytical results obtained with the new MP-WAD method were found to be within about ±5% of analyses obtained with the USEPA OIA-1677 WAD cyanide analytical method.IntroductionThe silver nitrate titration method is widely used to estimate the concentration of cyanide in leach solution for purposes of cyanidation process control. Cyanide determined by silver nitrate titration is commonly referred to as “free” cyanide, but frequently should be referred to as “titratable” cyanide. By definition, free cyanide is the sum of the concentrations of aqueous hydrogen cyanide HCN(aq) and the cyanide anion CN- (ASTM, 2010). Titration will only yield a reasonably accurate measurement of free cyanide when metal-cyanide complex concentrations (e.g., cadmium, copper, mercury, nickel, silver and zinc) in solution are low. In other words, titration will only yield a reasonably accurate measurement of free cyanide if the solution primarily contains free cyanide."

Jan 1, 2015

By Lauri Gregg

How Can Man Meet the Carbon-Free Energy Challenge ? ? Increases in Energy Efficiency can displace 1/2 to 2/3 of the Carbon-Free Energy required to stabilize at 550 ppmv ? Renewable Energies require too much land and thus can displace 5 to 10 % of the energy requirement ? Large new sources of carbon free energy are needed ? Conservation is desirable but provides only a small and variable contribution ? People will have to adjust to higher levels of CO2 in the atmosphere as energy demand continues to grow

Nov 1, 2002

By Y Peng, B Guo

In gold processing plants, the water from the cyanidation stages is treated to detoxify cyanide species and this recycle water becomes the main part of the process water. Despite the low concentration of free and weak acid dissociable (WAD) cyanides in process water, the recoveries of gold and silver is still affected during flotation, especially when gold and silver are associated with iron sulfide minerals. This is a case at the Hidden Valley (HV) Mine. In this study, the effect of free and WAD cyanides on gold and silver recoveries by flotation from the HV Mine was considered.WAD cyanide (WAD CN) was prepared by mixing sodium cyanide and copper sulfate at a cyanide to copper ratio of 3:1 dosed at different cyanide concentrations. It was found that both free and WAD CN depressed gold and silver and particularly iron sulfides in flotation. The depressed gold and silver recoveries were closely associated with the depressed recovery of iron sulfide minerals, suggesting that free and WAD CN may not depress the flotation of liberated gold and silver minerals significantly. It was also found that 10 ppm free cyanide completely depressed the flotation of iron sulfide minerals and WAD CN depression is probably through the WAD dissociation to free cyanide species (mainly aqueous HCN) during the grinding process, resulting from a decrease in pH. Thermodynamic calculation showed that 5.5 ppm free cyanide was released in the end of grinding at an initial WAD CN concentration of 50 ppm. This research provides a guideline to counteract the negative effect of WAD CN in the flotation of gold and silver minerals.CITATION:Guo, B, Peng, Y and Espinosa-Gomez, R, 2013. The effect of weak acid dissociable cyanide on gold and silver flotation in Hidden Valley Mine, in Proceedings World Gold 2013 , pp 341-346 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 26, 2013

By Herbert H. Kellogg

Graphs representing the standard free-energy of formation as a function of temperature for 21 fluorides are presented, along with estimated values for the standard free-energy of formation of 20 atedadditional fluorides. A few of the many possible uses of these data in metallurgical calculations are discussed, including the fluorination of oxides, sulphides, metallurgicaland chlorides, and the reduction of metal fluorides. RECENT papers which have presented free-energy data for oxides, sulphides, chlorides, carbonates, sulphates, and silicates in the form of free energy vs. temperature plots,1-5 have found important uses in teaching and metallurgical development work. This method of presentation of thermo-dynamic data serves to make available in readily usable form thermodynamic constants which are scattered throughout the literature, and to show by graphical means the stability relations which exist between the compounds of a given type. It is certainly desirable to have these free-energy-temperature diagrams for as many types of compounds as are of present or potential use in metallurgical processes. Thus, even though there are but few uses of metallic fluorides in extractive metallurgy today, the potential uses of fluorine processes are of great importance and serve as the principal justification of this paper. Recent developments in the production of fluoro-carbons have resulted in vastly improved methods for the production and handling of fluorine and corrosive fluorides, with consequent reduction in costs.".' The extractive metallurgist should no longer overlook possible fluorine processes when development of a new process for a relatively high unit-price metal is being considered. In a previous paperv he author outlined in some detail the importance and use of free-energy data in metallurgical calculations and also discussed the properties of a standard free-energy vs. temperature diagram. The same method of presentation is adopted in this paper, and the reader is referred to the earlier work for explanations of the use of free-energy data. Thermodynamic Data This paper presents standard free-energy vs. temperature diagrams, Figs. 1 and 2, for those fluorides for which the major thermodynamic constants are known. In the calculations of the standard free-energy of formation (AGO), values of the enthalpy of formation at 298°K (?Ho,) were taken from "Selected Values of Thermodynamic Constants"8 most of the values of standard entropy at 298°K (S°298) were taken from "Selected Values"," but in a few cases the values given by Kelley9 ere preferred; data for the Phase changes came from "selected Values" and several of Kellley's publics- tions;0-12 and most of the specific-heat data were taken from Kelley.l0 The appendix gives a detailed list of the sources of the data. As explained in an earlier paper,6 he accuracy of some of the standard free-energy relationships is not high. An error of +1 kcal at 1000°C is expected in most of the curves of Figs. 1 and 2. The error may be as high as +3 kcal in some of the curves. Rather than attempt to estimate the reliability of each curve, the source of the data used is reported in the appendix, and the reader may compare these data with newer values as they become available. Figs. 1 and 2 fail to show values for the fluorides of many important metals. In most cases this is because the entropy of the metallic fluoride is unknown. For preliminary calculations it is often useful to have available the best estimate of an unknown datum, rather than no information at all. With this in mind, Table I lists estimated standard free-energy values for a number of important metallic fluorides not included in Figs. 1 and 2. The values reported in Table I were, calculated by Brewer et al.13 and are based on estimated entropy values. The estimated uncertainty of the values for each fluoride were calculated from the uncertainty values given by Brewer1' for ?H°, and the entropy function.

Jan 1, 1952

By Hara Y, Arino S, Nakamura M, Tachimori M

The theoretical and experimental studies have been done to clarify the hearth flow of iron and slag. The results of dissections show that the hearth can be treated as a packed bed of coke hav- ing good permeability with a coke-free layer at the bottom of the hearth. 3-dimensional numerical calculations of hearth flow with and without a coke-free layer are carried out, and the results are assured by a water model simulation. The influences of a coke-free layer on the iron flow and the discharge route of iron and slag are examined. The 3-dimensional flow pattern can be represented simply by the travelling time, which depends on characteristically the profile of coke-free layer and the quantity of iron in the hearth. Those flow parameters could be obtained by the results of radioisotope tracer test ( Co for iron flow, and Sc for slag flow) at several furnaces. As a result, it is found that the coke-free layer repeats the cycle of appearance and disappearance at several-month intervals. This cycle corres- ponds to large temperature fluctuation at the bottom of hearth. The relation between iron flow and skull (solidified iron, coke and deposited graphite mixed layer) on the hearth brick was studied by the model experiment and the thermal analysis based on the indications of thermocouples installed in the bottom of the hearth. If a thin coke-free layer is formed on the skull, a fast iron flow is generated in the layer, and melts away the skull. The growth and melting of skull produces the fluctuation of thermal load on a bottom brick, causing brick Damage.

Jan 1, 1981

By Elena L. Chanturiya, Vladimir A. Bocharov, Roman A. Amosov

"In many volcanogenic base metal deposits of Russia the gold is closely associated with copper sulphides and pyrite. The recovery of gold associated with pyrite is especially difficult problem.Investigations of gold chemical state and mineral forms in copper-zinc sulphide ores of Gay and Barsuchiy Log deposits in the Urals have been made using EPMA, optic image-analysis, XRA, SEM, thermo-electrical force measurements and selective gold leaching experiments.Two gold varieties are determined: 1) free native gold particles (from 5 µm up to 0,25-1,0 mm), which can be liberated after grinding of ore up to 0,074 µm and named “free gold”; 2)”invisible” gold, including finely disseminated native gold and chemically bound gold. The second variety can’t be disclosed during grinding. Free gold can be recovered by gravitation and flotation while the processing behaviour of “invisible” gold is determined by properties of gold-bearing sulphides: pyrite and chalcopyrite. According to results of diagnostic leaching experiments in ores of deposits mentioned above the part by weight of free gold reaches 70%, the part by weight of the ”invisible” gold is up to 20%. About 10% of gold is enclosed in quartz and acid-soluble minerals.Theoretically (taking into account gold distribution data) it’s may anticipate gold recovery by gravitation up to 60%. However after grinding up to 50-60% of class –0,074 mm only about 40% of gold passes into oversize product including 30% of free gold and 8% of ”invisible” one. It can be recovered by gravitation. Remaining free gold and ”invisible” gold can be extracted by flotation – 25% in total. Inevitable gold losses in tailings may reach 8-10%."

Jan 1, 2003

By T. G. Richardson, F. M. Perkins

In the recent paper of Richardson and Perkins entitled "A Laboratory Investigation of the Effect of Rate on Recovery of Oil by Water Flooding,"' the authors found very little appzrent effect on oil recovery of having free gas saturation present prior to water flooding in unconsolidated sands. We agree that the effect in this particular system was small but do not feel that the data presented should be regarded as disproving work of others which has shown an appreciable effect. The authors do not make such a claim, but neither do they advance an explanation of the difference. In our experience the following factors must be carefully considered when studying the relation between residual oil saturation after water flooding and initial free gas saturation: (1) the magnitude of the inherent residual oil saturation, i.e., the residual oil saturation with no free gas; (2) the increase in oil-water viscosity ratio with pressure lowering if the gas saturation is obtained by solution gas drive; and (3) the oil shrinkage which occurs with pressure lowering and gas evolution. The system studied by Richardson and Perkins gave residual oil saturations as low as 20 per cent without free gas present, and one should perhaps not expect much further lowering. As an illustration of the magnitude of the effect when the residual oil saturation is inherently higher we submit the accompanying figure. These data were obtained on an unconsolidated sand under elevated pressure in a system similar to the one described by Richardson and Perkins. Gas saturation was established by gas drive before water flooding. The viscosity ratio was 600:1 under the conditions of the displacement. Here the gas was extremely effective in reducing residual oil saturation. This fact was also indicated by Kyte, et al.2 Their plots of residual oil saturation vs initial gas saturation show trends of greater free gas effect with higher oil viscosities. The pressure-dependent effects were not discussed by Richardson and Perkins. They should be separated from the free gas effect if the objective of the study is a correlation of residual oil saturation vs initial free gas saturation. The increase in oil viscosity when gas is released from solution tends to increase residual oil saturation. This effect is rather small in the viscosity range of kerosene. A Buckley-Leverett calculation, assuming an increase in viscosity ratio from 1.2 to 1.8, indicates an increase in residual oil saturation of about 1 per cent of pore volume. Thus, one would expect this system, if operated at constant viscosity ratio, to show a slightly greater free gas effect. As Dyes- as shown, oil shrinkage can offset the beneficial effect of free gas on waterflood oil recovery, if the gas saturation is established by depletion. Since

Jan 1, 1958