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By G. A. Moore

A brief review is given of methods designed to produce metallic iron of high purity, and typical results are listed. A recent method, utilized at the National Bureau of Standards, consists of the extraction of ferric chloride by ether, reduction of this ferric chloride to ferrous chloride, further purification of this chloride, and the subsequent electrolytic deposition of metallic iron. iron produced by this procedure apparently is softer than, and otherwise different in properties from, any iron previously prepared and contains appreciably smaller amounts of impurities. THE history of attempts to produce "pure" iron reaches to antiquity and it may be presumed that each ancient armorer who succeeded in making a better steel concluded, correctly, that he had done a better job of removing the "base metals," and incorrectly, that he now at last had a "pure" metal. Early metallurgical papers mentioned use of "pure iron" in making alloys—this "pure" iron in most cases being inferior to some commercial stocks of the present time. Improvement has been continuous, and usually at a sufficient rate to convince each succeeding group of workers that they, at last, were using the really pure metal (until the analysts also improved their techniques to again discover the impurities). These adventures were reviewed in some detail by Cleaves and Thompson.' Although the ores of a metal may be abundant, difficulties in extracting it may make the pure metal very rare. When impurities are restricted to a total of a few parts per million, nearly all pure metals become rarities. Lead, copper, gold, mercury, silver, zinc, aluminum, bismuth, and the six platinum metals are claimed to be available with total impurities ranging from 2 to 50 ppm. The present small and scattered world supply of so-called "pure" iron holds an unimpressive place in another group of 16 metals having approximately 100 ppm of foreign material. Of about 20 less rare metals, only the platinum metals are more costly to prepare. While the production of such rare varieties of iron may appear insignificant in the presence of thousand-ton operations with 95 to 99 pct metal, it must be emphasized that all researches on commercially interesting irons and steels are in fact studies of the modifications of the properties of iron by additional materials. Until the properties of high purity iron are directly measured, all ferrous research must operate without known base values. Traces of impurities may affect the properties of a metal in many ways. Infinitesimal traces of solutes, by disturbing the electronic configuration, greatly change the electrical properties of transistors and semiconductors2-3 and slightly larger traces might alter these quantities in iron. Soluble impurities which disturb the perfection of lattice arrangement not only may alter the magnetic constants and electric properties, but by their close association with dislocation phenomena probably control the very existence of the "yield point"; determine the value of yield stress; and perhaps control the selection of slip and cleavage planes. It has been speculated that impurities might even cause the allotropic transformation in iron, but in any case their rearrangement must contribute to the unreliability of heat capacity and other thermodynamic measurements. Impurities which do not remain in solution may cause even greater effects on the properties. Microscopically visible amounts of phases other than ferrite can be found in all high purity irons which have come to my attention. It can be calculated that from 50 to as little as 2 ppm of an insoluble material might be sufficient to completely film all grain boundaries in irons having grain sizes from ASTM Nos. 10 to 1. Should this occur, such films, even though invisible, may be very important in fracture problems, especially at extremes of temperature:' Studies of grain growth and diffusion normally imply consideration of a single-phase system, hence, in the presence of insoluble impurities they can be expected to give ambiguous data." High purity iron is also in demand for use as chemical and spectro-chemical standards; for work in classifying the lines of the iron spectrum; for biological work in nutrition; and for work in nuclear physics. where the presence of some sensitive

Jan 1, 1954

By W. R. Marks

Computer-aided torsional analysis of grinding mill drives is defined and related to the mill design process. Equations of torsional dynamics are developed for general mechanical drives. Consideration is given three solution types - specifically the determination of undamped natural frequencies, the calculation of steady vibration amplitudes, and the prediction of transient torques during starting. Following a summary of the methods of calculating drive motor performance, the problem in making practical application of this theory are discussed. Experiences in both calculating and measuring the torsional loads on a large ball mill with dual synchronous motors are reviewed. Conclusions are drawn on the effectiveness of computer-aided torsional analysis for improving mill drive reliability.

Jan 1, 1984

By Alfred E. Hunt

Professor EGGERTZ first published a method based upon the fact that, when steel is dissolved in dilute nitric acid, and heated until the separated flocculent carbonaceous matter goes into the solution, the liquid assomed a brown color proportionate in intensity to the amount of the combined carbon in the steel. This method has been so variously modified that at present but few chemists use exactly the same procedure. It is the object of this paper to present

Jan 1, 1884

By Edna A. Dancy

Jan 1, 1965

By T. W. Martin, T. J. Crocker, J. M. Goris

The current technology of large rock conveyors is reviewed. Based on this investigation two large rock conveyor concepts have been developed and a test facility investigation designed and fabricated. The USBM will test these concepts along with loading and transfer points for handling mine run rock material up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in size. An evaluation of open pit mining systems using large rock conveyors documents substantial cost savings when compared to truck haulage.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. M. Floyd

The theory, construction and applications of oxygen sensors employing high-temperature electro- chemical cells with solid electrolytes are briefly reviewed. The application of disposable probes to measurement of the oxygen potential in matte and slag baths in tin, copper, and nickel smelting operations is described. Examples discussed include end-point determination in smelting and slag-cleaning operations, pilot-scale investigations of process chemistry to assist in the development of smelting strategies, and measurements in operating smelters to improve the efficiency of operation.

Jan 1, 1984

By AIME AIME

ON the afternoon of Feb. 20 of this year a new volcano was born in the center of the State of Michoacan, Mexico, about 100 miles inland from the Pacific Coast. Creation of this new mountain - forming crater began on an almost flat cultivated field at the south margin of a small basin about a mile in diameter and having an altitude of approximately 6800 ft. above sea level. This basin is connected to a gently inclined plain that forms the Parangaricutiro valley, the chief town of this municipality, bearing the same name as the valley, being situated three miles from the site of the new crater. The village of Paracutin, from which the new volcano received its name, is about one mile to the northwest of the crater. From the City of Mexico to the volcano is a distance of 330 miles. The paved highway running from Mexico City to Guadalajara, by way of Toluca and Morelia, is left at Carapan; from here another paved branch highway goes to Uruapan. The town of Paracutin is reached by a narrow dirt road 18 miles from Uruapan and connects with a road leading to Parangaricutiro where horses may be hired for a 40-minute trip to a place where visitors can enjoy a magnificent view of the volcano. It is possible to get within half a mile of the point of eruption in this manner.

Jan 1, 1943

Jan 1, 1935

Ask any mineral industry executive what he considers one of the most expensive aspects of getting a product to the ultimate consumer and invariably the answer will be transportation. Some company officials say that transportation charges alone account for over half of the total cost of most products. If these judgments are correct and a recent invention turns out to be the long-awaited breakthrough that shippers have been looking for, then many producers can look forward to slashing their delivery costs by 90%.

Jan 9, 1969

By Herbert C. Hoover

While the importance of the superficial alteration of golddeposits is recognized in pure science, it seems often to be singularly disregarded among engineers in practice. Its great practical bearing lies in the exploitation of new regions; and nowhere are the disastrous results of ignoring it more vividly shown than in Western Australia, where the impoverishment of the ores, and their frequent transition from free-milling' to refractory character in depth (things, as a rule, neither anticipated nor ascertained by exploration beforehand), have brought many companies to ruin, or caused the loss of much money squandered on machinery adapted only to temporary conditions.

Jan 1, 1899

By John F. Barkley, J. W. Woomer, H. F. Yancey, H. B. Charmbury

The coal picture in 1955 was much brighter than in 1954, when the tonnage produced dropped to the 1939 level. Bituminous coal and lignite production are expected to approach 465 million tons, against 392 million tons in 1954, an increase of about 19 pct. On the other hand, the production of anthracite declined about 7 pct to some 25 million tons. There was marked improvement in coal consumption in all industrial lines except railroads. At the end of November 1955 the largest consumer, electric power utilities, had used about 126 million tons, an increase of some 22 million tons over the previous year. Coke-oven consumption increased about 19 million tons and coal coked in beehive ovens increased about 1.5 million tons, due to heavy coke

Feb 1, 1956

By U. W. Lisner, V. J. Hucka

Coal, which was discovered in Utah in 1849, covers about 18% of the total area. Production in 1981 was more than 13 Mt (14 million st). However, some Utah coal mines are quite gassy. If longwall face technology is applied, then release of a large volume of methane may be expected during the mining process. Investigations on methane content have been made by use of an isothermic bubble desorbometer. A desorbable methane content of 0.5 to 16 m3/t (20 to 632 cu ft per st) of coal has been determined.

Jan 1, 1985

Jan 1, 1935

By Toshiki Hayashi, Shoichi Asahina, Kenitsu Hosokura

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.'s Kunitomi Smelter has been treating in the blast furnace copper concentrate containing bismuth. The bismuth is concentrated in the electrostatic precipitator dust and the converter dust. Bismuth contained in the converter dust is leached by a mixture of salt and sulfuric acid, and is then recovered by a cementation process using scrap iron. The bismuth cake thus recovered and the electro- static precipitator dust are reduced to crude bismuth metal which is further refined to a high purity bismuth metal by the pyrometallurgical refining process. Details of this process are elaborated in this report.

Jan 1, 1976

By J. C. Karcher

GEOPHYSICAL methods have been more extensively applied to prospecting for oil during 1936 than at any previous time. Their use has been extended to include al- most every oil and gas producing area in the United States. More than ten magnetometer parties, more than nine gravimeter parties, more than five electrical surveying crews, more than fifty torsion balance parties, more than two hundred seismic reflection parties, and several refraction parties were- operating in the United States throughout the year. A tendency has been noted to abandon the use of the pendulum for geophysical prospecting in the oil fields and to increase the use of the

Jan 1, 1937

By Donald A. Cumming

Since the first major mine development, the company has continually looked for ways of improving drifting methods. The planned increase in production to 60,000 tpd, and the lack of trained personnel, requires new development methods to maintain this high production rate. In order to finish the drifting on the 2015 and 2075 levels, a total of 59,000 ft is required, or two years at the present rate.

Jan 4, 1972

By A. Blake Caldwell

In 1936 the Ertsberg story began and its development is a classic example of the courage it takes to discover one mining prospect and bring it into production. Truly, the finding and working of this mine is a modern exception to the overwhelming odds every modern prospector must surmount to be successful. Today, it takes lots of time, plenty of money and the tenacity of a bulldog to whip the laws of nature. Ertsberg ("ore mountain" in Dutch) is literally an elliptically shaped plug of magnetite which erosion has exposed for 560 ft above ground level. The deposit has been likened to an ice cream cone with the outcrop the ice cream, which is above ground, and with the cone buried below the surface. Assaying about 2.5% Cu, the 33 million tons of ore also carry 0.025 oz Au and 0.265 oz Ag per ton.

Jan 1, 1970

By Fred W. Menzl, Raymond E. Sutton

GABBS, Nev., in Nye County, is 140 miles southeast of Reno and about 31 miles north of the Southern Pacific railroad at Luning. The townsite lies at the eastern edge of Gabbs Valley, and plant and quarry operations are in the foothills of the Paradise Range at elevations from 5000 to 5900 ft. Hard-surfaced roads connect with main U. S. high- ways on the north and south. Historical Background: Brucite, a magnesium hydroxide mineral, was discovered in the Gabbs area in 1927 and magnesite, the magnesium carbonate, was found later on claims originally staked and worked for the tungsten mineral scheelite. The brucite is on a granodiorite contact and the magnesite is usually some distance away from the granodiorite

Jan 7, 1957

By A. M. Gaudin, D. W. Fuerstenau

IN concentration of certain ores by soap flotation, prevention of quartz flotation is desired; the contrary is true in treatment of some oxide iron ores. Experimental study of the flotation of quartz goes back at least a quarter of a century.' Clean quartz does not float with fatty acids or soaps but does float when activated by one of many metallic salts. Control of pH is important. Broadly speaking the problem of quartz flotation has been approached from the empirical side, as was the related topic of flocculation or dispersion of quartz suspensions.' Empirical studies indicated the existence of critical relationships between the additions of collector and activator. These additions were not stoichiometric for the formation of soaps of the activator cation.

Jan 1, 1955

By Maurice Rey, Victor Formanek, Paul Chataignon

IT is found when floating oxidized lead ores by sulphidization, that the presence of calcium salts in the water is usually detrimental and lowers the recovery. This effect is particularly marked in dry countries such as North Africa, where the waters often carry large amounts of calcium sulphate and where the ore may even contain gypsum. This effect is particularly marked in dry countries such as North Africa, where the waters often carry large amounts of calcium sulphate and where the ore may even contain gypsum. The effect of calcium salts is readily visible. Whereas in their absence cerussite is quickly stained brown and then .black by sodium sulphide, in their presence the mineral remains very light in color. A similar- effect is produced when barium sulphide is used as a sulphidizing agent instead of sodium- sulphide. Magnesium salts have little or no effect and even tend to reduce the detrimental effect of calcium salts. A study of this phenomenon indicates that it is due to the precipitation of calcium or barium carbonate in contact ,with the mineral simultaneously with the formation of lead sulphide.

Jan 1, 1950