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By W. C. Leslie

The textures of cold-rolled and of annealed iron are compared with those of an iron-0.8 pct copper alloy in which the amount of precipitation after cold rolling was controlled. Previously published pole figures -for cold-rolled and for annealed iron are confirmed. The effects of precipztatiotz after cold rolling are to retain the cold-rolled texture after annealing, to inhibit the formation of the usual allnealing texture, and to produce elongated recrys-tallized ferrite grains. It is suggested that the inhibition of new textures by precipitation after cold rolling is a general phenomenon. A great deal of attention has been paid to the development of texture during the secondary or tertiary recrystallization of ferritic alloys, but very little work seems to have been done on the control of texture during primary recrystallization. If such control were attained, it might be possible to simplify the processing of oriented materials or to change the characteristics of current cold-rolled and an-nealed products. From previous experience, it seemed likely that texture could be controlled by recrystallizing a supersaturated solid solution. Green, Liebmann, and Yoshidal found that the formation of preferred orientation in aluminum (40 deg rotation about <111> relative to the deformed matrix) was inhibited when iron was retained in supersaturated solid solution in the strained aluminum. The authors attributed this inhibition to iron atoms in solid solution. There is, however, an alternative explanation. Green et al, took a highly supersaturated solution of iron in strained aluminum and heated it to an unspecified temperature for recrystallization. It is probable that precipitation occurred prior to and during recrystallization, and it is proposed that the inhibiting agent is this precipitate, rather than the iron atoms in solid solution. It is important to note that precipitation before cold work is ineffective; the effective precipitate is that formed after cold working and either before or during recrystallization. The location and distribution of the precipitate are critical. Precipitation in such a manner has been found to have profound effects upon kinetics of recrystallization and the microstruc-ture of the recrystallized alloys.2-4 It would be surprising, indeed, if this were accomplished with no change in texture. Because of the relative simplicity of the system, and because of previous experience,4-7 it was decided to determine the effect of precipitation on texture in an alloy of iron and copper. Bush and Lindsay5 found an unspecified change in texture in cold-rolled and annealed low-carbon rimmed steel sheets when the copper content exceeded 0.1 pct. MATERIALS In earlier work, the rate of recrystallization of a low-carbon steel was greatly decreased by 0.80 pct copper, and, after the proper treatment, the recrystallized ferrite grains were greatly elongated.4 Accordingly, it was decided to investigate the effect of precipitation on texture at this level of copper content. The iron and the iron-copper alloy were made from high-quality electrolytic iron and OFHC copper, vacuum-melted in MgO crucibles, cast, hot-rolled to 0.2 in., then machined to 0.150 in. The compositions are given in Table I. The plates were heated to 925°C and brine quenched, twice. This produced a ferrite grain size of ASTM 0 in the iron and ASTM 1 in the Fe-Cu alloy. Disk specimens were cut from the heat-treated plates, repeatedly polished and etched, then used to determine (110) and (200) pole figures by reflection. Despite the complication of large grain size, these pole figures strongly indicated a random texture. PROCEDURES The copper content in solid solution in ferrite before cold rolling and recrystallization, and hence, the amount that could precipitate during the recrys-tallization anneal, was controlled at three levels by heat treatment. The specimens as quenched from 925° C were presumed to have all the copper, 0.80 pct, in solid solution. Other samples of the quenched alloy were aged 5 hr at 700°C to retain about 0.5 pct Cu in solid solution.6 A third set of quenched specimens was reheated to 700°C, then slowly cooled in steps, to reduce the amount of copper in solid solution to a very low level. All specimens were cold-rolled 90 pct, from 0.150 to 0.015 in. thick. The rolling was done in one direction only, i.e., the strip was not reversed between passes, with a jig on the table of the mill to keep the short specimens at 90 deg to the rolls. The rolls were 5 in. in diameter and speed was 35 ft. per min. Machine oil was used as a lubricant. In a supersaturated alloy, the maximum effect of the copper precipitate on microstructure and on recrystallization can be developed by a treatment at 500°C, after cold rolling and before recrystallization.&apos;

Jan 1, 1962

By C.H. Davis, W.H. Bassett

The ease and value of the application of spectrum analysis to industrial chemistry appears to be appreciated in few of the large works laboratories of this country. For 8 years, this analysis has been of great value to the authors in both analytical and metallurgical work. To the analyst the complete qualitative analysis of an unknown alloy, revealed by a spectrogram, is a sure basis for the planning of the most direct and rapid method of attack. As the determination of each element proceeds, the purity of precipitates may be checked as often as desired. The spectrograph proves invaluable in the recognition of impurities, the separation of which would entail a lengthy and difficult procedure, or when the weight of an unknown is less than is necessary to complete the desired determinations. A few hundredths of a gram will usually suffice for spectrographic analysis. In the separation of the rarer elements, the spectrograph will show, with precision, the point where each step has been successful. In zinc of certain classes, indium, gallium, and germanium have been isolated in this way; the presence of antimony in lake coppers has been proved; and bismuth has been detected in zinc and in alloys where the presence of a few thousandths of a per cent. would be harmful. An antimony precipitate in a delicate determination may contain a considerable proportion of tin or arsenic, both of which will be revealed. The spectrograph is consequently important to the metallurgist as well as to the analyst. Impurities in raw material are often a source of annoyance, especially when their detection involves delay and costly analytical work. Whethcr low conductivity in copper is due to arsenic, nickel, or something else may be cluickly found out. Residual traces of boron, magnesium, manganese, silicon, vanadium, and other deoxidizing agents are easily identified where wet analysis may fail to reveal their presence, even after days of effort. Complex alloys of any kind are dissociated by the spectro-

Jan 1, 1923

By W. H. Bassett, C. H. Davis

The ease and value of the application of spectrum analysis to industrial chemistry appears to be appreciated in few of the large works laboratories of this country. For 8 years, this analysis has been of great value to the authors in both analytical and metallurgical work. To the analyst the complete qualitative analysis of an unknown alloy, revealed by a spectrogram, is a sure basis for the planning of the most direct and rapid method of attack. As the determination of each element proceeds, the purity of precipitates may be checked as often as desired. The spectrograph proves invaluable in the recognition of impurities, the separation of which would entail a lengthy and difficult procedure, or when the weight of an unknown is less than is necessary to complete the desired determinations. A few hundredths of a gram will usually suffice for spectrographic analysis. In the separation of the rarer elements, the spectrograph will show, with precision, the point where each step has been successful. In zinc of certain classes, indium, gallium, and germanium have been isolated in this way; the presence of antimony in lake coppers has been proved; and bismuth has been detected in zinc and in alloys where the presence of a few thousandths of a per cent. would be harmful. An antimony precipitate in a delicate determination may contain a considerable proportion of tin or arsenic, both of which will be revealed. The spectrograph is consequently important to the metallurgist as well as to the analyst. Impurities in raw material are often a source of annoyance, especially when their detection involves delay and costly analytical work. Whethcr low conductivity in copper is due to arsenic, nickel, or something else may be cluickly found out. Residual traces of boron, magnesium, manganese, silicon, vanadium, and other deoxidizing agents are easily identified where wet analysis may fail to reveal their presence, even after days of effort. Complex alloys of any kind are dissociated by the spectro-

Jan 1, 1923

By James Kemp

IN earlier years, the custom prevailed of regarding the anthracite basins as cases of folding with slight development of faulting. Folding is so pronounced and, in the eastern and western Middle Fields, at times so violent, that the inference was a natural one and led to the widespread impression that practically all the disturbances of the seams could be explained in this way. The cross-sections-and maps prepared forty or more years ago for the Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania, by Mr. Ashburner under Prof. J. P. Lesley, exhibit little else than folds.1 So far as I can discover faults fail in the charts, except in one small case in the Henry Colliery near Plainsville on the outskirts of Wilkes-Barre. Some years ago, while spending a day or two in Wilkes-Barre, under the guidance of R. V. Norris, I looked over some recent and accurate cross-sections of a number of the large collieries and was deeply impressed with the peculiar behavior of some of the seams and the intervening shales. Thus, a seam might present a small, more or less overturned fold, rising 30 to 50 ft. (9 to 15m.) above its general course, and yet the movement would be taken up in the overlying shales, so as hardly to be noticeable in the seams next above or below. These and similar anomalies, especially when shown with the accuracy of engineer&apos;s surveys, possess great scientific and practical interest, bearing as .they do, not alone on coal mining, but on theoretical geology and the actual behavior of strata under great compressive stresses. In preparation for the semicentennial meeting of the Institute, an, effort was therefore made to secure some of the most interesting sections for presentation to the members. The collection of illustrations here shown is mainly due to, Mr. Douglas Bunting of the local committee, to whom and to the contributing companies acknowledgments are due.

Jan 1, 1922

By Alfred G. Heggem

It is the purpose of this article to describe methods recently introduced into the oil and natural gas industry to safeguard the lives of the workmen and to protect property from destruction. Only such drilling methods are described as pertain directly to the operations necessary to maintain the well under complete control at all times. Wells Formerly Drilled Without Controlling Equipment It may seem incredible that practically all wells, until rkcently, were drilled without the provision of any means for control. To drill a hole into a boiler carrying high-pressure steam without first providing means to control the escape of steam would be unthinkable, yet in oil fields wells are drilled into a gas or oil formation with a possible pressure of 300 to 1,800 lb. per square inch and a daily flow of 20,000,000 to 80,000,000 cu. ft. of gas or 1,000 to 15,000 bbl. of oil per day. Some wells have produced in excess of 100,000 bbl. of oil per day, but these are exceptional cases. In addition to the loss of product, one must consider the great danger attendant upon the promiscuous liberation of such an amount of explosive and inflammable substance. Introduction of Metal Casing for Deep Drilling The introduction of metal casing to secure a permanent and impervious wall in a well made the drilling of deep wells possible and removed many of the original problems encountered in well drilling, but it did not insure the control of the well. To obtain the full value of the casing it was essential that a pressure-tight joint be made between the wall of the well and the lower end of the casing. Many materials in various forms were used, including cotton, hemp, stable refuse, oats, rice, cloth, leather, cork, rubber, lead, clay and cement, resulting, after a slow process of evolution, in the general adoption of two types of bottom fittings for

Jan 1, 1916

By G. R. Frank, R. E. Willett, E. H. Hollingsworth

The most generally accepted equilibrium diagram for A1-Fe alloys has a eutectic system on the aluminum side with an essentially insoluble constituent of the formula, FeAl,, as the second phase. In 1938, Bradley and Taylor1 did report a phase change of FeAl,, but this change has never been confirmed. According to them, FeA1, is the stable phase only at higher temperatures; at lower temperatures, it is converted into Fe2Al7 and aluminum. It has now been found that there is, in fact, a phase change of the Al-Fe constituent on the aluminum side of the equilibrium diagram. This change, however, is not the one reported by Bradley and Taylor. The alloys used were cast by continuous processes and had these analyses: Fe - 1.98 to 2.02 pct, Cu-0.01 pct, Si - 0.01 pct, Mn - 0.01 pct, Mg - 0.00 pct, Zn - 0.00 to 0.01 pct, Cr - 0.00 pet, Ti - 0.00 to 0.04 pct. The constituent in these alloys was identified by X-ray analysis with a Guinier camera and by chemical and X-ray powder diffraction analyses. Two procedures were used to separate constituent for the last two analyses. In one procedure, it was separated by treating a sample with a solution of methanol saturated with iodine. And in the other procedure, it was separated by first applying, at 12 amp per sq ft in 15 pct sulfuric acid at 70°F, an oxide coating to a sample, and then dissolving this coating in a solution of 35 ml of 85 pct H3PO4 and 20 g of CrO3 per liter. Several observations directed attention to a phase change of the A1-Fe constituent. Differences that appeared too great to be accounted for by micro-structure alone were found in the voltages required to apply the same thickness of an oxide coating to products from rapidly and slowly chilled ingot. Even more striking was the difference in appearance of the coatings themselves. One applied to a product from a rapidly chilled ingot was dark gray in appearance, in fact, almost black, while one applied to a product from a slowly chilled ingot was essentially white. Also, even a short period of thermal treatment at an elevated temperature of products from rapidly chilled ingot led to the same anodizing behavior as that of products from slowly chilled in-

Jan 1, 1962

By W. McA. Johnson

The object of this paper is to describe the several necessary characteristics of the zinc-retorting charge and to show how by certain improved methods, the large excess of coal, over that theoretically required, can be reduced, thereby effecting an increase in the smelting capacity of a retort plant as well as other economies. In the southwestern zinc works a charge of roasted zinc ore with a side mixture of carbonates and silicates, analyzing on the average 50 per cent. Zn, is mixed with 55 or more per cent. of its weight of a mixture of coal and coke analyzing 60 to 70 per cent. fixed carbon. The ore is of varying fineness and the coal and coke are usually crushed in a semi-moist condition through a 3/8-in. screen. With ores of a slaggy nature, this coal proportion is increased, sometimes to as much as 100 per cent. of the weight of the ore. With carbonate ores, or where anthracite screenings with higher carbon content are cheap enough, the percentage of reducing agent is cut to 45 per cent. or even somewhat lower. The average charge per retort for a monthly run of a plant on ore, as distinguished from retorts on blue-powder, ladle-skimmings and other between-products, runs from 60 to 66 lb., with a mean of 63 lb. for the Southwest with standard retorts of 8 1/2-in. inside diameter and 50 in. long inside, using roasted sulphide ores. Conditions will change these figures, but 40 lb. of ore per cubic foot of retort space is, I believe,&apos;an average in the better-operated plants. Since the rise in the price of spelter, the tendency has been to overcharge. To remove the slag that is formed when retorts are overcharged, extra men are put on to "gum-chisel" the retorts to prevent "set" furnaces and "butchered retorts." Taking the above conditions as premises, we find that from four to six times the amount of coal necessary for the reduction is used, as is evidenced by the fact that the residues analype as high as 35 per cent, fixed carbon. There are good reasons why this excess of fixed carbon must be used and perhaps these can be best explained by a description of the metallurgical requisites of a zinc charge. We may enumerate these as follows: 1. High reducing power, especially at the end of the shift, to reduce any carbon dioxide to monoxide and bring about a good condensation

Jan 1, 1918

By S. R. Zimmerley, S. F. Ravitz

High-grade cobalt concentrates were produced from the complex Blackbird ore with very good recovery in continuous pilot-plant operations in which a low-grade bulk cobaltite-pyrite flotation concentrate was roasted in a multiple-hearth furnace to oxidize the pyrite selectively. The cobaltite was floated from the resulting calcine.

Jan 1, 1950

By A. G. McGregor

In the Southwest a number of large steel chimneys discharge the gases from the copper smelting furnaces. Some of these chimneys show no deterioration after twenty years, others show serious deterioration after tour years service. A steel stack 20 ft. 7 1/2 in. (6.3 m.) in diameter by 279 ft. (85 m.) high, Fig. 1, used for roaster gases only at the Calumet & Arizona Mining CO.&apos;s plant at Douglas, Ariz., was lined to the top of the bell, 40 ft. (12 m.) from the base, with common brick placed on end, lime and cement mortar being used. Above the bell, the stack was lined with 4 by 4 by 8 in. (10 by 10 by 20 cm.) building tile, placed on end, making a lining 4 in. thick. The tiles were supported on angle-iron rings, riveted to the inside of the chimney shell about 15 ft. apart. The chimney was put into use in the latter part of 1913. Four years later, considerable of the tile lining had fallen out of place and mixed with the flue dust at the bottom of the chimney. About a year later, several flattened and distorted sheets were noticed about 70 ft. below the top. An investigation showed that the thickness of these distorted sheets, which was originally 1/4in., had been reduced one half. One year later, or six years after the chimney went into use, several holes, a square foot and smaller in area, appeared near the flat spots mentioned. Soon afterwards, when the chimney was shut down for repairs, it was found that most of the tile lining for 125 ft, from the top had fallen out and that the steel shell was badly corroded; but where the lining remained in place the shell was undamaged. Many of the tile which had fallen out of place had become soft or flaky and crumbling, others were as hard as when placed. An analysis of the hard and soft tile is shown on p. 2. These tile were of a fireclay mixture, and were used instead of common brick on account of lower cost. The steel forming the upper 125 ft. (38 m.) was replaced, and a 4 1/4-in. (11-cm.) lining of firebrick was laid from the bell to the top of the chimney. The brick were placed on end, wedges and keys being used. After each 8-in. course was set, keyed, and wedged tight, thin mortar —water, sodium silicate, and finely ground silica—was worked into the joints. The brick are supported on angle-iron rings, every 15 ft., in the same way as the tile.

Jan 1, 1921

By Robert Linton

In 1898, Joseph L. Giroux and J. A. Snedaker organized the Pilot Knob Copper Co. and began developing the Pilot Knob mine at Kim-berly, Nev., for high-grade copper ores, carrying good gold and silver values, that the formation had disclosed. At that time the nearest railroad was over 150 mi. distant. The high-grade ores did not prove to be extensive at this point—at least to the depth (240 ft.) to which the work was carried—but development of neighboring claims indicated extensive deposits of sulfide porphyry ore of concentrating grade lying at shallow depth, and deeper deposits of direct-smelting oxidized ores occurring in limestone near the limestone-porphyry contact. The properties passed through the hands of several organizations, with only meager development, until acquired in 1913 by Consolidated Coppermines Co., whose holdings now comprise 3480 acres of mining claims in the Robinson district. Since that time development has been prosecuted more actively; and for the purpose of determining the most efficient and economical method of treating the ores, considerable testing work has been done during the past three years, both in the laboratory and in actual mill operations. At first, the shipments were of ore high enough in grade to be profitable even with the long wagon hauls to the railroad and prevailing freight and smelting charges. In 1905, a blast furnace and a concentrator were erected at Kimberly. On account of insufficient ore supply, the blast furnace was never blown in and later was dismantled. The concentrator as originally equipped was operated for only about two months, both because the ore supply at that time was not sufficient and because gravity concentration did not yield satisfactory extraction. The location and arrangement of the mill further entailed high operating costs. In 1908, the Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. began to mill successfully, on a large scale, its sulfide porphyry ores, which are similar in character to the adjacent Coppermines ores. After that time, all of the ores and concentrates produced by Coppermines Company were smelted and a considerable part of the Coppermines low-grade ores concentrated at the Steptoe works of the Nevada Consolidated Co.

Jan 1, 1921

By C. D. Keen

In the latter part of the summer of 1913 the Conservation Commission of the State of Louisiana, under presidency of M: L. Alexander, decided to stop the waste of natural gas going on at the "burning gas-well," Located about 2 mile southeast of Oil City, La. On several occasions, both in newspapers and in reports, comment had been made on the condition of this well, its harmful effect on the Caddo gas field, and the considerable loss, estimated at several thousand dollars each month, caused by the escape of the valuable fuel., But nothing had been done to bring the well under control and prevent further waste of gas until the State Conservation Commission took the matter in hand. The gas fields of Louisiana are among the greatest in the country. So far most of the gas has been found in the Caddo field proper, although considerable development has been done in and around the city of Shreveport and near the town of Mansfield in DeSoto parish. To extend the life of the gas fields and to prevent the quick exhaustion of the supply of the natural fuel are matters of vital importance for this section of the country. Four gas companies have entered the Caddo field and supply the surrounding towns and cities With gas. The Arkansas Natural Gas Co. has pipe lines to Little Rock, Ark., and supplies gas to the following cities and towns in that State: Texarkana, Hope, Garland, Emmet, Prescott, Boughton, Beirne, Gurdon, Arkadelphia, Gum Springs, Mal-vern, Dsnaldson, Gifford, Perla, Beaton, Beauxite, Mabelvale, Bryant, Sheridan, Pine Bluff, Little Rock, Argenta, Pulaski Heights, and Hot Springs. The Southwestern Gas & Electric Co. transports gas to Mooringsport, Blanchard, Caddo, Rodessa, Oil City, Vivian, Bloomburg, Hosston, Ida, Dixie, Belcher, and Shreveport. The Marshall Gas Co. supplies gas to the town of Marshall, Texas. The Louisiana Co. has a line to Shreveport. In, the oil field the gas is used for drilling purposes, and the operators either have their own gas system or buy from the gas companies. At the present time the surrounding territory depends for its fuel supply on the Caddo field, and the importance of the conservation of the natural-gas

Jan 1, 1915

By Albert Sauveur

Floris Osmond, Honorary Member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, born in Paris, March 10, 1849, died at Saint-Leu near that city, June 18, 1912. Taken suddenly ill with congestion of the brain while on his way from Paris to his home, he reached it in time to write on the typewriter his last wishes, one of which was that no biographical notice of his life should be published. Holding Osmond&apos;s memory sacred, as those who have known him will, is it our duty to conform with his desire ? Shall no mention be made in our Transactions of the beautiful life and great achievements of one of our most honored members? Is it not, on the contrary, incumbent upon us to disregard Osmond&apos;s instruction in this matter and to place on record our admiration for the nobility of his life, for his talents and for the importance of his work, that younger men may be inspired by it with a desire to be guided by worthy motives in the path of unselfish pursuits ? I cannot feel that in following this course I am disloyal to Osmond&apos;s memory and I am strengthened in this belief by the opinion of men of high honor whom I have consulted before undertaking the writing of this obituary notice. One of them, Professor Henry M. Howe, justifies my decision better than I could do it myself when he writes : " Let us look frankly at the matter. Here we have a most extraordinary life, a life of rare beauty and power of inspiration to the rest of mankind. In my opinion we should not deprive mankind of the stimulating influence of the example of M. Osmond simply because he shrank from publicity. Our young men see every day how greed and vulgar push succeed, and with what material rewards they are crowned. They see too rarely the more valuable crown which comes to self devotion. A permanent and public recognition of the beautiful qualities of Osmond&apos;s life cannot fail to appeal to the imagination of young men and to help to deflect them toward leading a noble rather than a sordid life. Therefore I feel that the Revue de Métallurgie and other bodies owe it to the public to give prominence to his career by means of biographical notices."

Jan 1, 1914

By F. P. Dewey

Bone-ash cupels have been used from time immemorial to absorb litharge, and accompanying oxides, in assaying. Doubtless, also, from the earliest days cupels have been most unjustly blamed for much poor assaying. It has long been known that the precious metals go with the litharge into the cupel. This occasions a loss of precious metals and reduces the results of the assay. There have been many investigations of cupels and the most diverse views have been expressed, the extremes being the statements of Lodge1 that every cupel has some effect upon the loss in assaying telluride ores and of the Campredons2 that coarse and fine and hard and soft cupels all give the same loss of silver when cupelling the same weights. The truth lies between these statements and much nearer the latter. In a vast majority of cases the influence of the cupel is not dominant and is outweighed by other conditions, particularly the temperature of the cupelling bead. At the Spokane meeting of the Institute I presented a paper on the Assay and Valuation of Gold Bullion,3 which recorded the results of many hundreds of assays made in the Mint service under everyday commercial conditions, which of necessity differ from scientific conditions. In following this matter up, for the purpose of increasing the accuracy of our commercial methods of bullion assays, the question of the absorption of gold by the cupel was found to be a most important one and was taken up for investigation. In a lesser degree, the silver absorption is important and interesting, but at resent it appears to be far more complicated and, while many figures showing silver absorption may be found through this paper, much further investigation is required to put the subject upon a satisfactory basis.

Jan 1, 1918

By AIME AIME

THE luncheon of the Milling Methods Committee in the Engineers&apos; Club, on Feb. 16, was distinctly a social affair, although several matters of a non-milling nature were fruitfully discussed. The session* on Milling Methods, the same afternoon, attracted a gathering which overtaxed the capacity of the Board Room on the fifteenth floor. Galen H. Clevenger presided, with the moral reinforcement of Charles Butters. As all papers were available in printed form, and since synopses have appeared in MINING & METALLURGY, it is unnecessary to cover the contents of each in detail here. The first paper (T. P. 410), by Leaver and Woolf, on the "Flotation of Minor Gold in Large-scale Copper "Concentrators," was excellently summarized by R. S. Dean of the U. S. Bureau of Mines, who stressed the -very definite action of lime as a depressant of gold, and showed how the authors had worked out the best conditions of alkalinity, pH concentration and reagents for -optimum recovery of gold along with base metals, especially where lime had to be used to depress pyrite. No discussion was evoked.

Jan 1, 1931

By James Hyslop

MECHANIZATION of American coal mining continues to make rapid progress. Economic pressure will compel abandonment of manual methods wherever possible and will also provide the incentive needed for the improvement of machines and mining systems. However, rapid progress may be made along strictly technological lines and at the same time much slower progress in approaching maximum productivly and efficiency. One can well ask, just how efficient are mechanized mines, and to what extent is productivity affected by the mental attitude of management and workers?

Jan 1, 1946

By E. M. Norris

During the winter and spring of 1917, an unprecedented number of underground fires occurred in the Butte district. With one exception, these fires were caused by the failure of electrical equipment, and called attention to the increased fire hazard in underground mining operations occasioned by the extensive use of electricity. Five local conditions that contributed toward a heavy fire risk were: (1) The heavy continuous timbering necessary for mine supports; (2) the strong ventilating pressures in the shafts and main airways; (3) the subsidence and faulting movements in the country rock, which ruptured cables and displaced trolley and lighting wires; (4) the strongly acid mine waters, which quickly developed any weak points in the electrical insulation; (5) oxidation in old stopes containing large amounts of timber. In the summer of 1917, a comprehensive plan of fire prevention was begun by the Anaconda Copper Mining Co., which involved a thorough and intensive development of the preventive measures then in use. These were as follows: Fireproofing, remodeling and strengthening electrical insulations, extension of underground water system, control of &apos; ventilation, maintaining efficiency of fire-fighting crews, and reorganization of fire patrol. In considering the problems of fireproofing, it was immediately apparent that some method of applying a durable coat of fireproof material to the mine timbers was needed. The first experiments were made with a plaster composed of one part cement, one-half part fireclay, and three parts sand. This was applied by hand to a thickness of 1 in. (2.5 cm.) over a reenforcement of herringbone metal lath. It made a very satisfactory covering for fan stations, but was too soft and friable for traveling ways, where it was subject to abrasion. The cement gun was tried next with a three to one mixture of sand and cement. A 1/2-in. coating of gunite applied over poultry netting or metal-lath reenforcement proved

Jan 1, 1923

By Dever C. Ashmead

FRom time to time metal-mine engineers have inquired why anthracitc mines and their preparators are rarely operated on the two or three-shift basis. The subject may be approached as affecting: labor, development, the underground workers, the preparator, the outside workers, capital, the supply account, power consumption, the storage of coal over various shifts, railroad car supply, and the market. Labor From the start, the adoption of a plan of three full-shift operations in a day would cause difficulty with the colliery employees, for they have never worked on that plan and would show their resentment by suspending work. Even if they could be induced to work according to this schedule they would not be as efficient, for they would be working more or less unwillingly at hours at which they are accustomed to rest. Operation on a three-shift basis would necessitate triple manning of each working place, and dissensions would arise between the men, for each shift would claim that the preceding shift had taken undue advantage and had not left as favorable conditions as it had found. To obviate these disputes it might be [necessary to let out the work to a contractor, who would hire his helpers to mine out the chamber, or breast. The state mining law requires that a miner be put in charge of each working place. To conform with this provision he would have to hire three helpers and two miners to mine the breast. The labor unions have been trying to abolish the subcontractor in mine work and any method of working that would cause his return, however innocent in purpose, would result in labor disturbances. It might be possible to form partnerships of three miners working a place together, but these men would be quite likely to have frequent dissensions as to the proportion of work performed by each shift. Only

Jan 1, 1923

By E. M. Norris

During the winter and spring of 1917, an unprecedented number of underground fires occurred in the Butte district. With one exception, these fires were caused by the failure of electrical equipment, and called attention to the increased fire hazard in underground mining operations occasioned by the extensive use of electricity. Five local conditions that contributed toward a heavy fire risk were: (1) The heavy continuous timbering necessary for mine supports; (2) the strong ventilating pressures in the shafts and main airways; (3) the subsidence and faulting movements in the country rock, which ruptured cables and displaced trolley and lighting wires; (4) the strongly acid mine waters, which quickly developed any weak points in the electrical insulation; (5) oxidation in old stopes containing large amounts of timber. In the summer of 1917, a comprehensive plan of fire prevention was begun by the Anaconda Copper Mining Co., which involved a thorough and intensive development of the preventive measures then in use. These were as follows: Fireproofing, remodeling and strengthening electrical insulations, extension of underground water system, control of &apos; ventilation, maintaining efficiency of fire-fighting crews, and reorganization of fire patrol. In considering the problems of fireproofing, it was immediately apparent that some method of applying a durable coat of fireproof material to the mine timbers was needed. The first experiments were made with a plaster composed of one part cement, one-half part fireclay, and three parts sand. This was applied by hand to a thickness of 1 in. (2.5 cm.) over a reenforcement of herringbone metal lath. It made a very satisfactory covering for fan stations, but was too soft and friable for traveling ways, where it was subject to abrasion. The cement gun was tried next with a three to one mixture of sand and cement. A 1/2-in. coating of gunite applied over poultry netting or metal-lath reenforcement proved

Jan 1, 1923

By Dever C. Ashmead

FRom time to time metal-mine engineers have inquired why anthracitc mines and their preparators are rarely operated on the two or three-shift basis. The subject may be approached as affecting: labor, development, the underground workers, the preparator, the outside workers, capital, the supply account, power consumption, the storage of coal over various shifts, railroad car supply, and the market. Labor From the start, the adoption of a plan of three full-shift operations in a day would cause difficulty with the colliery employees, for they have never worked on that plan and would show their resentment by suspending work. Even if they could be induced to work according to this schedule they would not be as efficient, for they would be working more or less unwillingly at hours at which they are accustomed to rest. Operation on a three-shift basis would necessitate triple manning of each working place, and dissensions would arise between the men, for each shift would claim that the preceding shift had taken undue advantage and had not left as favorable conditions as it had found. To obviate these disputes it might be [necessary to let out the work to a contractor, who would hire his helpers to mine out the chamber, or breast. The state mining law requires that a miner be put in charge of each working place. To conform with this provision he would have to hire three helpers and two miners to mine the breast. The labor unions have been trying to abolish the subcontractor in mine work and any method of working that would cause his return, however innocent in purpose, would result in labor disturbances. It might be possible to form partnerships of three miners working a place together, but these men would be quite likely to have frequent dissensions as to the proportion of work performed by each shift. Only

Jan 1, 1923

By R. V. Wheeler, W. Francis

Of the methods that have been used for studying the chemical composition of coal, attack by reagents has not, in general, yielded much information. Most of the reagents used have been strong oxidants such as nitric acid or Schulze&apos;s solution. The use of a milder oxidizing agent, such as air at low temperatures, enables progressive changes in the character af the coal substance to be studied and thus helps toward an understanding of its constitution. British bituminous coals frequently have a banded structure. These bands (of four types) can be separated one from another and have been found to possess markedly different chemical characteristics, even when taken from contiguous portions of the same lump coal. It has been found convenient to give each of the ingredients of banded coal a distinctive name, more or less descriptive of its appearance, and the study of the chemistry of bituminous "coal" in England has resolved itself into a study of each ingredient separately. The coal chosen for this work was taken from the Top Hard seam at East Kirkby colliery, Nottinghamshire, a detailed chemical analysis of which has been recorded by Baranov and Francis.&apos; The banded structure was well marked and the bands could readily be separated. The research was confined to the brilliant vitreous bands (vitrain), the dull hard bands (durain) and the "sooty partings" main); for previous work had shown that the fourth type, to which the name clarain has been given, is intermediate in character, chemically, between vitrain and durain. The method of experiment was, briefly, to draw a slow current of moist air through weighed samples (50 gm.) of the three ingredients, vitrain, durain, and fusain, in the form of powder (through a 60-mesh and on a 90-mesh sieve) contained in glass tubes which could be maintained at a constant temperature during prolonged periods. After passing through the coal, the air bubbled into a measured volume of

Jan 1, 1925