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By V. H. Gottschalk, R. S. Dean

In the theoretical study of metallurgical reactions, it is necessary to make certain assumptions concerning the nature of metal-gas systems. The assumption usually made is that the reaction in such systems takes place predominantly with gas that is in "solution" and that the amount of solution follows the rules which have been developed for aqueous solutions; namely, Henry's law. The purpose of this paper is to inquire whether these assumptions are the best ones that present knowledge of gas-metal systems permits us to make. In the first part the extent to which a gas will dissolve in a metal and still follow Henry's law is considered. The conclusion is believed justified that the number of molecules of gas that can dissolve in a metal and have the system follow Henry's law must be small indeed. It is therefore improbable that the first assumption concerning the predominance of these dissolved molecules in reaction is correct. It is suggested that some improvement in the correlation of the probabilities with the assumptions made in the mass law equations would be made by the use of the dp law of Sieverts in place of Henry's law. However, the amount of gas that may be held in a metal so that it follows either Henry's or Sieverts' law is considerably outweighed in most metallurgical reactions by that held in gas-metal systems of entirely different structures and concerning which little experimental evidence is available. Some speculation concerning the nature of these is offered. The conclusion is that attention should be given to the determining of the nature of gas-metal systems and that the really fruitful application of the mass law and its connected calculations will have to await a more complete knowledge of these systems than we now possess. DISCUSSION (Paul D. Merica presiding) P. D. Merica, New York, N. Y. (written discussion).—The solubility relations of gases in metals, in so far as they are known from the pioneer work of Sieverts and others, have from the first presented certain challenging peculiarities. The authors have emphasized the significance of these characteristics and suggest that they point

Jan 1, 1933

The oil production in Bahrein for the year 1937 was 7,762,264 bbl., a monthly average of 646,855 barrels. Sufficient potential production had been developed in the Second Pay (Main Pay) at Bahrein by the end of 1936 to supply the anticipated crude demand, and the drilling program was changed from straight development to partial exploration during 1937. Two nonproductive wells were drilled to test the Third Pay at a depth of about 2900 ft., or some 900 ft. below the top of Second Pay. As a result of this exploratory work, the normal drilling program was slowed down and only eight new wells were completed in the Second Pay during 1937, making a total of 45 producers from the Second Pay. The deep test was drilling at 5081 ft. at the end of the year. A 550-ft. section (termed Fourth Pay) of porous limestone interbedded with anhydrite was topped at about 4150 ft. Numerous drill-stem tests indicated that the limestone was very permeable and that it carried large volumes of natural gas under high pressure together with a small amount of high-gravity oil or condensate. Drill-stem tests also indicated that the bottom 50 ft. of the 550-ft. section carried an encouraging amount of heavier oil, gravity about 37" A.P.I., with characteristics similar to the oil produced from the Second Pay. A well was started somewhat down-structure from the deep test to better determine the oil-producing possibilities of the Fourth Pay. Some refinements in drilling technique were adopted during the year. All wells started to the Second Pay were drilled with rotary from the surface. The top 1500 ft. of porous limestone section, formerly drilled with cable tools, is now drilled with rotary without circulation, using water to wash the cuttings into cavities. The shale section from this point to the top of the oil horizons is drilled with natural mud circulation. The productive horizons are drilled with oil circulation under pressure control. A second satisfactory method of completing wells was developed when the two Third Pay test wells were plugged back and gun-perforated through cemented casing opposite the Second Pay, with good results.

Jan 1, 1938

George Otis Smith, Washington, D. C. (communication to the Secretary) : The somewhat exceptional features discussed by Dr. Jenncy in his paper on " The Mineral Crest" mere recognized and described by Mr. Tower in our report on the Tintic district. The general absence of surface-outcrops of important ore-bodies, and their occurrence, when present, at relatively low points, are noticeable characteristics of this district, and the statements made by Dr. Jenncy agree in general with our observations. The approximately horizontal upper limit of the Silver Gem ore-body in the Bullion-Beck mine is figured in this report, and mention made also of the horizontal pipes of ore found in several mines." In only one case," however, was any hypothesis

Jan 1, 1903

By Lyon F. Terry

INCREASING domestic demand for products, a sharp reduction in exports to Europe, and a rise in imports from South America were the chief features of the economic side of the industry in 1940. As the war progressed it became evident that exports to former European customers were being cut off or drastically reduced, leaving heavy inventories of products in the hands of many American refiners who had anticipated larger demands from the belligerents. Stocks of motor fuel reached burden-some proportions early in the year for the added reason that refining operations were stimulated by heavy demand for heating oils. Excessive tanker rates for Gulf to Eastern Seaboard movements during the first part of 1940 contributed to the accumulation of products on the Gulf Coast, where refinery gasoline prices were forced to extremely low levels by midyear. Tanker rates receded to normal during the summer but have since risen again to the approximate equivalent of pipe-line tariffs from the Mid-Continent.

Jan 1, 1941

By R. W. Raymond

The western public domain acquired by the United States through trcaties, as the result of conquest or purchase, was invaded after Marshall's re-discovery of gold in California, by an overwhelming multitude of prospectors and miners from all parts of the world. he mineral lands of the whole Pacific slope were practically unsurveyed. Congress, disgusted with the experiment of leasing mineral lands, which it had tried for 40 years, and abandoned in 1847, enacted no laws for the management of these public mineral lands, and the pioneers made their own laws governing mining titles. These local regulations applied at first to gulch-mining in the auriferous river-beds only; and they constituted a simple and practical system. adapted to the needs and means of primitive communities—significantly called " camps." They had the means of measuring distances, but not angles; they knew no property except personal property in the form of pickaxes, pans, supplies, camp-equipage, horses or mules, and mining rights. The earliest codes which they developed expressed what might be called the law of the lariat. With the lariat they measured the distance assigned to each miner along the gold-bearing gulch—a double portion to the discoverer, and a single portion to his successors, in the order of their coming. With the lariat, they hung, after such due process of law as was available, the rascal who stole a horse, or a bag of gold-dust, or a mining claim, or killed another man without giving him fair notice and a chance to defend himself. In these pioneer codes, adopted in mass-meetings and enforced by the same authority, two features concern us most: 1. They measured mining property by one dimension only. So many feet of the gulch, held by one man, meant a distance into either bank, and a distance in depth, extending as far as gold might be found.

Jan 1, 1915

By AIME AIME

BOB VAN PELTS boyhood days in the mining atmosphere of Colorado apparently influenced him to direct hip college education first towards geology, at. Cornell College, then to mining at Michigan College of Mines and finally to graduate work in geology at the University of Chicago. He taught geology at his alma mater. Cornell College. served as geologist for the National Park Service then was on the staff of the Illinois Geological Surrey investigating and mapping mineral resources, and in 1928 because chief of the department of geology, mining, and metallurgy in the newly organized Rosenwald Industrial Museum (now the -Museum of Science and Industry,). He was made assistant director of the Museum in 1931.

Jan 1, 1941

By W. E. Ruder

Considerable interest has been shown lately in various types of furnaces for the production of high temperatures, both for laboratory purposes and for small industrial uses. Dr. J. A. Harkerl described certain modifications of the Arsem graphite resistance helix for high-temperature work at the National Physical Laboratory. Dr. Northrup also has developed two interesting forms of high-temperature furnaces. In 1911, Messrs. Winne and Dantsizen2 described two forms of resistance furnaces using ductile molybdenum or tungsten as resistors. Since the discovery, by this laboratory, of methods for producing these metals in ductile form, their use as resistance elements in the research laboratory of the General Electric Co. has grown to such an extent that they are now almost indispensable. These furnaces are used here for alloy research, annealing, heat-treating, and practically all of the thermal processes requiring temperatures above 900' C. Various types of furnaces have been developed to meet the general needs of laboratory work, and it is the purpose of this paper briefly to describe some of these furnaces. A tubular furnace wound with a metallic resistor is the simplest type to construct, and almost every laboratory has made such furnaces. The only essential difference between a furnace wound with platinum o base metal and one wound with tungsten or molybdenum is that the coils of the latter must be heated in a neutral or reducing atmosphere It has long been our custom here to build our resistance furnaces with : metallic casing from which the tube could be easily removed for rewind ing. The heat-insulating material—usually calcined magnesia, alumina silica, or silex, depending upon the nature of the resistor-—is used i: powdered form so that it can be readily removed and replaced. I order to adapt this method to tungsten or molybdenum windings,

Jan 1, 1918

By Samuel H. Dolbear

THE value of a mine is basically dependent on its capacity to yield profits. Since the ore must be mined, treated, and sold, some of it in various future years. there is a risk involved as to future costs, selling price, and working conditions. It cannot be expected that the economic condition existing at the time of valuation will continue unchanged for long periods in the future. During the past 20 years, mineral production in the United States has been conducted under a changing economy in many respects more exacting than that applied to other businesses. There have been increased production incentives, technical aid, exploration of privately owned mineral deposits by government at federal expense, and liberal loans for development and equipment, with risk partially assumed by government.. Some of these benefits have been counterbalanced by price ceilings, consumption controls, and stimulation of competition from foreign producers who have been offered the same advantages extended to American operators. For the present, mines will operate under a government policy directed toward reducing federal aid and control. The tenure of this change will depend upon future elections and the status of foreign relations. War and threat of war are now of the most vital significance to the mineral industries. Other factors which influence cost of production, markets, and price of mine output might be classified as Acts of God or Acts of Government. In some countries expropriation and the difficulty of exporting earnings or investment returns are risks that must be considered by foreign capital. Recognizing that this retards American investment in foreign countries, the Mutual Security Agency offers insurance against such expropriation and guarantees the convertibility of capital and profits. Since it is impossible to predict with certainty either cost of production or selling prices of metals for long periods, some assumptions must be made as to profits in the future. The basic assumption must be that the price of the company's product will vary in proportion to changes in operating cost. There is often a lag in this reaction, however, for prices of minerals are generally more sensitive to declines and less sensitive to increases than are costs. This reflects in part the resistance of labor to downward wage revision and a corresponding alertness in realizing its share of price advances. Some labor contracts include automatic adjustments to metal prices. Notwithstanding the complexity of the, problems involved and the difficulty of weighing their effect on value, such risks may be appraised with reasonable accuracy and a rate of earnings adopted that is compatible with the risk. It is, of course, possible to revert to a yardstick of value such as the commodity dollar, which has been advocated from time to time, but while revaluation in 1933 disturbed public confidence, the theoretical gold dollar continues to be the standard of greatest stability. Its gain or loss in purchasing power is reflected ultimately in cost of production and selling price of the mine product. At present 35 dollars are allocated to one ounce of gold. Measurement of Risk In the application of the Hoskold and most other formulae, a yearly dividend rate commensurate with the risk involved is set aside out of annual earnings. If the risk is great, this rate may be 15 to 25 pct of the amount invested. The remainder is placed in a sinking fund invested in safe securities such as high grade bonds or conservative equities, and the interest or dividends from these securities are added to the sinking fund. The sum of these sinking fund payments and the compounded interest at the end of the mine life is taken as the value of the mine. Admittedly the decision as to the size of the risk rate is the most difficult element in valuation and one requiring the most exacting consideration. It is necessary to look years ahead in an effort to determine future costs, market prices, demand, competition which may develop, including that of substitutes, and other influences common to the mine and to the region in which it is situated. Another phase of risk is the enactment of unfavorable legislation, taxes, and what appears to be an alarming spread of nationalization and expropriation. Capital is sometimes borrowed from the government to finance strategic production. Such loans may be collectable only out of production and involve no liability otherwise. Valuation in these cases must recognize the effect of such a reduction in liability. Offsetting some of these risks are the possibilities of mechanization and other cost-reducing discoveries, improvements in mining and treatment methods, new uses for minerals and metals, and normal growth of markets. In this paper, the terms risk rate, dividend rate, and speculative rate are synonymous. Safe rate and redemption rate are also used interchangeably. These alternatives are used here because they are commonly found in the literature on mine valuation. In Michigan, the State Tax Commission has long employed a risk rate of 6 pct in its valuation of iron mines. There the outline of reserves is well established and operating costs and conditions are based on adequate experience. The following comment on rates appears in the report of the Minnesota Interior commission on Iron Ore Taxation submitted to the Minnesota Legislature of 1941.1 Most engineers agree that 7 percent for the specu-lative rate is "an absolute minimum". C. K. Leith in

Jan 1, 1954

By R. A. Pallanch

IN his recent paper, "The Controversial Art of Flotation," (Mining Technology, March, 1944) E. H. Rose states that "flotation is a science in so many variables that only art can blend them." This statement is apt. It contains meat. In other words, a valid scientific reason is behind every flotative effect. Some of these reasons we understand, but much the greater number of them still escape us. This does not prevent us from "going places," as familiarity and experience with the problems result in an increasingly intelligent and artful handling of these effects. Hypotheses are built up by the individuals concerned to explain certain happenings. Many of these hypotheses have to be abandoned when placed under the glaring scrutiny of actual trial. A few survive the severest of tests, come through unscathed, and are elevated to the rank of theories, something susceptible of certain chemical and physical explanation, under the conditions of the particular plant concerned. If these theories continue to hold water under all the variations existing in most milling plants, they gradually become accepted as facts in the minds of the plant operators. But-and here is a big BUT-these so-called facts may fall down completely in another plant working under an entirely different set of conditions. In other words, each plant tends gradually to build up its own facts, which may or may not be facts at another operation.

Jan 1, 1945

By Paul Averitt

require both time and money. Any attempt to secure a quick answer will yield a figure that very likely cannot be substantiated, and certainly will not yield information in the detailed form now desired. It will be about 10 years before a completely new estimate can be prepared for the coal reserves of the United States at our present rate of progress, though of course, much information will be available in the interim. We would like to present such information as we obtain in the form most acceptable to the industry, and to that end we are working closely with coal resource committees of the AIME, the National Bituminous Coal Advisory Council, and the Bureau of Mines. DISCUSSION G. H. Cady*—Mr. Averitt's description of the nature of the coal resources investigations of the United States Geological Survey and the progress of this work is very timely in view of the general interest in the subject of coal resources. The Federal Survey is obviously taking the "long view" with respect to the appraisal of the coal resources as part of the preparation of the general geological map of the country and the attendant determination of the quantity of all mineral and fuel resources. It is apparently for regional surveys of the conventional type that the detailed procedures employed by the Federal Survey are applicable. Even if so it is somewhat unexpected to find the same criteria for evaluation will be applied to the country as a whole. The work on coal resources appraisal has been proceeding at various rates in a number of coal producing states for various periods. Undoubtedly since there has been no common practice in the method of appraisal the states each have worked independently and independently of the Federal Survey, and each has adopted certain practices to meet local conditions. I do not know how much consideration has been given by the U. S. Geological Survey to these practices. It seems probable that such consideration might result in important modifications of the standards which apparently have been set up by the Federal group in line with local requirements. It is the practice in some state surveys to present the facts in regard to the occurrence and distribution of coal beds and their variations in thickness down to thicknesses of 1 to 1 1/2 ft in relatively narrow stages up to maximum thickness. It is then possible for any one using such figures to compile quantitative estimates of workable coal at various minimum thickness limits. This is a desirable objective where surveys are detailed and information correspondingIy good. However, vast quantities of coal lie in beds that are relatively thin about which little information is available and the quantity of such coal might affect the final appraisal to the extent of several thousand million, depending upon the minimum limitation observed. Thus in the case of Illinois a difference of 1 ft in average thickness of coal in the coal field would make a difference of approximately 35 billion tons in the estimated quantity present. One is dealing with a very large area and small differences in thicknesses are very irnportant in the overall picture. The estimate of 10 years to accomplish the sort of detailed appraisal outlined by Mr. Averitt is viewed somewhat skeptically and certainly would require many more trained geologists than seem to be available. The requisite detailed mapping and study are very time consuming not only because of the geological field work required, which is difficult in certain seasons, but also in order to assemble data from company and personal files, and to study drill records and cores, and to sample and analyze the coal. Unless the staff of geologists could be increased in the order of several hundred per cent the prospects are that the appraisal of the type suggested will require many decades not just one. The permanent value of such appraisal, however, is not questioned and it should be expedited as rapidly as means allow. Satisfactory appraisal is not easily achieved and will vary from time to time. The main function of a geological survey is to collect and present the facts that will make possible appraisal in terms of existing conditions by individuals, particularly engineers, qualified by training and expcrience for making such estimates. Thickness and character of the coal bed, nature of the overlying and underlying strata, position, thickness, and character of "partings," relationship to other coal beds, and a variety of other factors must be assembled by the geologist in order to present a complete picture of the geological setting. The economic and engineering factors are in general outside the field of geological experience. The geologist should see to it that the pertinent geological facts are available; much more information than simply thickness and depth of the coal beds is essential to meet all the requirements of appraisal in the future as well as at present. With respect to the present demand by engineers and coal mine operators and others for a rapid re-appraisal of the available coal resources, in the light of existing practices and those in immediate prospect, the Federal procedure of systematic mapping and appraisal is scarcely in line. It will be necessary for those particularly interested in having such an estimate made to establish standards with respect to the various factors involved so that the scope of the geological work can be definitely restricted for the various coal fields. There is little use in setting up general standards since no such standards will be applicable to all fields. Thus it is folly to establish a standard minimum thickness to be generally applicable which is one-half to one-third the minimum minable thickness in some fields. The greatest difficulty in appraisal of the presently actually workable coal bed lies in the variation in the importance placed on roof, floor, structural conditions, bedded impurities. sulphur content and other factors that affect judgment relative to the value of a coal bed. It is doubtful whether any appraisal will have universal approval in view of the variable factors involved. For this reason if none other, the facts should be carefully and painstakingly assembled after the manner of a systematic geological survey such as that advocated by Mr. Averitt. Only upon the basis of sucb information can reliable estimates be made in line with selected conditions. Paul AveRitt (author's repty)— In this paper I discussed, but did not define as such, two major phases of our activities on coal, which are closely related, and which normally we in the U. S. Geological Survey see as an integrated whole. It is understandable, therefore, that Dr. Cady should assume that my remarks applied only to the current work on coal reserves with which I am directly concerned. In view of Dr. Cady's discussion, however, I think a brief summary of the two phases of U. S. Geological Survey activities on coal will be appropriate. The long-term function of the U. S. Geological Survey on coal investigations is to make detailed geologic studies, involving the preparation of detailed geologic maps showing the outcrops and correlations of coal beds, direction and dip of coal-bearing rocks, nature and thickness of overburden, location of faults and fold axes, and similar features. Such studies also yield many measured sections of coal and associated strata, which show variations in the thickness of the beds, and the intervals between coal beds. Taken as a whole, detailed geologic studies provide much useful information for mine operators and engineers. As Dr. Cady points out, this type of geologic work is arduous and time consuming, but it provides the basic data that are necessary both in the development of our coal fields, and also in the preparation of coal-reserve estimates, which are discussed in the next paragraph. The U. S.

Jan 1, 1950

Discussion of the paper of K. Huessener, (Trans., vol. 53, pp. 402 to 4333, and of the papers of Linn Bradley, H. D. EGbert and W. W. Strong, pp. 303, 319. R. J. WysoR, So. Bethlehem, Pa. (communication to the Secretary*). —At our plant (Bethlehem Steel Co.), we have had several Bradshaw burners under course of construction and erection for some time, but up to the present we have not had opportunity to put them in service. I regret that I can not take part in the discussion with some actual results from these burners. Mr. Huessener properly emphasizes the importance of obtaining the highest combustion temperature practicable in boiler practice, which demands a near approach to perfect combustion conditions. The ideal burner is the one which, while meeting the various mechanical requirements, fulfills the above condition under a wide range of gas pressure. The question as to the relative value of hot raw gas and cold washed gas for boiler use is a very interesting one. I think that in the past the importance of low temperature of washed gas sometimes has been overemphasized. Mr. Huessener has pointed out that so far as temperature is concerned, no advantage accrues in washing gas below 100" F. In many plants, there is a notable operating economy in using furnace cooling water, which is appreciably warmer than the supply water. However, in a given type of washer, other conditions being constant, the lower the exit gas temperature the lower will be the dust content; this is equivalent to saying that the more washing water is used, other conditions being constant, the lower will be the dust content of the exit gas. For each type of washer there is a certain desired average temperature difference between inlet water and exit gas, concomitant with known average dust and moisture contents, and with economical operation. With the present tendency toward smaller stove checkers, it is generally agreed that gas for stove use should be cleaned to a dust content of 0.20 grain or less. The method employed and extent of gas cleaning are clearly problems for individual furnace plants. As a general proposition, wet washing is decidedly more attractive for furnaces smelting soft, fine Lake ores than for those reducing chiefly hard, lumpy ores, such as the foreign and domestic magnetites. In the former case the average moisture content of the gas is probably 35 grains per cubic foot, the dust content is relatively high and the top temperature relatively low. In our plant, the ore mixtures consist almost exclusively of hard magnetites. The average dust content of the gas leaving the dust catcher will average only about 2 grains and the moisture about 12 grains per cubic foot, corresponding to saturation at about 83" F. The temperature is fully 100" F. higher

Jan 1, 1917

By A. M. Gaudin, C. S. Chang

Adsorption was measured for barium ion and laurate radical, using radioactively marked agents, over wide range of concentrations. Laurate adsorbed in absence of barium fails to float. With barium, flotation-effective laurate coating needs not exceed 5 pct of monolayer. Barium adsorption then is several fold larger. No barium laurate coating is obtained. IN general, fatty acids or their alkali salts do not cause clean quartz to float. However, the presence of multivalent ions, such as the alkaline-earth metal ions and heavy-metal ions, can activate quartz and thus make it respond to soap flotation. The mechanism of activation and soap flotation of quartz has been studied.'-' The problem was attacked by making flotation tests rather than by careful adsorption measurements on suspensions of ground quartz in solutions containing the activator and the collector. Attempts have been made to determine the adsorption of barium ion and calcium ion on quartz. The results have only qualitative value as the analytical methods were not adequately precise. Artificial radioactivity and progress in radioactivity detection have introduced a new analytical tool, which can have a sensitivity several orders of magnitude greater than that of other methods."-" In the experimental work described in this paper the radioactive tracers, barium 140 and carbon 14, were employed. Lauric acid was synthesized, having a radioactive carbon atom and was used with Ba" to study the adsorption of barium and laurate ions from aqueous solution on ground quartz. Flotation tests, using the vacuum flotation technique,' were run in conjunction with the adsorption experiments. The object of this investigation was to understand better the reaction mechanism of barium activation and soap flotation of quartz. Methods and Materials Quartz Sample Preparation: Lumps of hand-picked quartz, washed free of stains, were reduced in size to —20 mesh in laboratory crushers. The product was boiled in concentrated hydrochloric acid to remove the abraded iron. The cleaned product then was ground dry in a laboratory porcelain mill, using siliceous pebbles, to pass through a 200 mesh screen. The ground product was deslimed by sedimentation at 37 microns. This —200 mesh +400 mesh material was subjected again to boiling with concentrated hydrochloric acid, followed by washing with distilled water and further desliming. The cycle was repeated until no trace of iron could be detected in the wash liquor. During the final washing, the pH of the wash water was checked to insure the complete removal of the acid from the mineral. The quartz then was rinsed with conductivity water. The resulting product was dried in a drying oven and stored in mason jars. The impurities (spectrographic) were as follows: Al, 0.01 to 0.001 pct; Li, Mg, Mn, Na, each less than 0.001 pct; Fe and Cu not detected. The specific surface of the quartz sample was determined by the krypton gas adsorption method.' The average of two measurements was 881 sq cm per g. The calculated specific surface for 37/74-micron quartz particles, using a surface factor of 1.96; is 900 sq cm per g. This is in good agreement with the measured value of 881 sq cm per g. Beta-Counting Method: The radioactive isotope of barium used in the experimental work was barium 140. It has a sufficiently long half-life, 12.8 days, emits high-energy beta particles (up to 1.0

Jan 1, 1953

By A. M. Gaudin, C. S. Chang

Adsorption was measured for barium ion and laurate radical, using radioactively marked agents, over wide range of concentrations. Laurate adsorbed in absence of barium fails to float. With barium, flotation-effective laurate coating needs not exceed 5 pct of monolayer. Barium adsorption then is several fold larger. No barium laurate coating is obtained. IN general, fatty acids or their alkali salts do not cause clean quartz to float. However, the presence of multivalent ions, such as the alkaline-earth metal ions and heavy-metal ions, can activate quartz and thus make it respond to soap flotation. The mechanism of activation and soap flotation of quartz has been studied.'-' The problem was attacked by making flotation tests rather than by careful adsorption measurements on suspensions of ground quartz in solutions containing the activator and the collector. Attempts have been made to determine the adsorption of barium ion and calcium ion on quartz. The results have only qualitative value as the analytical methods were not adequately precise. Artificial radioactivity and progress in radioactivity detection have introduced a new analytical tool, which can have a sensitivity several orders of magnitude greater than that of other methods."-" In the experimental work described in this paper the radioactive tracers, barium 140 and carbon 14, were employed. Lauric acid was synthesized, having a radioactive carbon atom and was used with Ba" to study the adsorption of barium and laurate ions from aqueous solution on ground quartz. Flotation tests, using the vacuum flotation technique,' were run in conjunction with the adsorption experiments. The object of this investigation was to understand better the reaction mechanism of barium activation and soap flotation of quartz. Methods and Materials Quartz Sample Preparation: Lumps of hand-picked quartz, washed free of stains, were reduced in size to —20 mesh in laboratory crushers. The product was boiled in concentrated hydrochloric acid to remove the abraded iron. The cleaned product then was ground dry in a laboratory porcelain mill, using siliceous pebbles, to pass through a 200 mesh screen. The ground product was deslimed by sedimentation at 37 microns. This —200 mesh +400 mesh material was subjected again to boiling with concentrated hydrochloric acid, followed by washing with distilled water and further desliming. The cycle was repeated until no trace of iron could be detected in the wash liquor. During the final washing, the pH of the wash water was checked to insure the complete removal of the acid from the mineral. The quartz then was rinsed with conductivity water. The resulting product was dried in a drying oven and stored in mason jars. The impurities (spectrographic) were as follows: Al, 0.01 to 0.001 pct; Li, Mg, Mn, Na, each less than 0.001 pct; Fe and Cu not detected. The specific surface of the quartz sample was determined by the krypton gas adsorption method.' The average of two measurements was 881 sq cm per g. The calculated specific surface for 37/74-micron quartz particles, using a surface factor of 1.96; is 900 sq cm per g. This is in good agreement with the measured value of 881 sq cm per g. Beta-Counting Method: The radioactive isotope of barium used in the experimental work was barium 140. It has a sufficiently long half-life, 12.8 days, emits high-energy beta particles (up to 1.0

Jan 1, 1953

By C. W. Burrows

The burden a man can endure depends on its magnitude and the number of times it is applied, as well as on many other factors. The resisting power of steel likewise is dependent on many factors. The maximum load it can support indefinitely is much less than its possible momentary burden. A light load straining the metal far within its elastic limit, if repeated indefinitely, ruptures the metal. The magnitude of the stresses that may be alternately applied and removed without rupturing the material depends on the number of repetitions of the cycle; the intervening periods of rest; the thermal, electric, and magnetic conditions, as well as the presence of secondary streessses. While we are unable to formulate the law between the magnitude of repeated stresses necessary to produce rupture and the length of time during which these alternating stresses may be applied before rupture, my experience is that the time increases as the magnitude of the force decreases, according to a law which! to a first approximation, is exponential. In other words, F = Ce-t where F= magnitude of alternating stresses; t= time for which stresses are continued; C = constant, which depends on the conditions under which the operations are carried out. It is quite probable that the same type of law holds for the magnitude of a continuous force and its duration. When a rod of steel is subjected to the blows of a drilling hammer several things happen. First, one end is struck by the hammer and the other end is driven into the rock, thus causing a bodily displacement of the entire material of the steel drill. The greatest stresses involved in this bodily displacement are located at the two ends of the steel and manifest themselves by the distortion of these parts. Second, after the blow has been delivered, the steel drill, due partly to its own resiliency and partly to the resiliency of the rock, experiences a vibratory motion as a whole, this motion is quite similar to the bouncing of a rubber ball thrown violently upon a smooth pavement. Third, the free vibration of the drill is determined only by its own natural period of vibration. This motion involves all the characteristics of any vibrating body emitting sound. Certain elements of the rod will experience alternations of condensation and rarefaction and, in these regions, the individual steel

Jan 1, 1922

By D. B. McGilvra

ANY mining operation in the Altiplano of the Andean range presents problems and imposes obligations on the mining company not usually met with in the United States. The Aguilar mine is in a sparsely populated, semiarid region, 50 km by road from the Argentine State railroad station of Tres Cruces, Jujuy, Argentina. In starting an operation in such a location it becomes necessary for the mining company to prepare first for the needs of the required force of workmen and their families. This program calls for houses, schools, hotels, water, electric power, laundries, post offices, police

Jan 1, 1947

By M. D. Cooper

UNDERGRADUATES in mining engineering may be prepared for work by giving them sound instruction in the courses generally considered essential to the profession. The industry is not deeply concerned about the details of those courses. The average man in the coal industry does not wish to insist upon a rigid program. Therefore, he differs little from those in the teaching profession-who evidently are not unanimous in their opinions, or all college catalogs would be alike. For the good of the profession, it is just as well that there should be differences in regard to details. It appears that students graduating in mining engineering from the accredited institutions receive similar instruction.

Jan 1, 1950

The adoption of a plan of safeguarding American industry against extreme revolutionary industrial propaganda is the keynote of a report just issued by ex-Governor Robert P. Bass, of New Hampshire, covering the period of his service as. Director of the Marine and Dock Industrial Relations Division of the United States Shipping Board. He thinks that the only hope of America's resisting the tide of industrial unrest that is sweeping over the civilized world is in the development and early application of a constructive industrial program, in which program publicity and education carrried on by the Government will hold a leading place. He says: The Government should systematically inform both employers and employees in regard to many matters of the utmost interest and importance of each. It should acquaint labor with the Government's activities and service to labor in the past and should create in labor an appreciation of its joint interest with capital and with the Government in the problems of production. Satisfactory assurances should be given that labor will have a substantial voice in determining the distribution between capital and labor of the profits of production. Labor should be promised its reasonable share of any increase in production. There should be a joint determination of wages, hours, and conditions of work. Based on the foregoing principles, great emphasis should be placed on labor's interest and responsibility in the processes f production.

Jan 6, 1919

By T. B. Counselman

C. G. McLachlan—In the foregoing paper the author has presented a very neat method for calculating the solution recovery for a countercurrent flowsheet. He has, however, based his calculations, as he states, on the assumption that "the concentration of dissolved value must be exactly the same in the overflow and underflow of any thickener." This assumption, which is usually made regardless of the type of calculation used, is "not strictly correct because diffusion of the dissolved gold in the solution associated with the solids as it progresses through the countercurrent system is far from being instantaneous, with the result that on a ton for ton basis, the assay of the solution in the thickener underflow is higher than in the corresponding thickener overflow. An agitator introduced into the flowsheet between thickeners will reduce, but not entirely eliminate, this difference. In practice we have found that the best way to take care of this condition— in addition to the use of one or more intermediate agitators—is to circulate 20 pct or 25 pct more solution than called for by the cheoretical calculation. This presents no difficulty provided that adequate thickener capacity is provided in the original design of the countercurrent circuit.

Jan 1, 1951

By T. B. Counselman

C. G. McLachlan—In the foregoing paper the author has presented a very neat method for calculating the solution recovery for a countercurrent flowsheet. He has, however, based his calculations, as he states, on the assumption that "the concentration of dissolved value must be exactly the same in the overflow and underflow of any thickener." This assumption, which is usually made regardless of the type of calculation used, is "not strictly correct because diffusion of the dissolved gold in the solution associated with the solids as it progresses through the countercurrent system is far from being instantaneous, with the result that on a ton for ton basis, the assay of the solution in the thickener underflow is higher than in the corresponding thickener overflow. An agitator introduced into the flowsheet between thickeners will reduce, but not entirely eliminate, this difference. In practice we have found that the best way to take care of this condition— in addition to the use of one or more intermediate agitators—is to circulate 20 pct or 25 pct more solution than called for by the cheoretical calculation. This presents no difficulty provided that adequate thickener capacity is provided in the original design of the countercurrent circuit.

Jan 1, 1951

CHAIRMAN DOUGHTON of the House Ways and Means Committee announced on September 23 that the committee has scheduled public hearings on an excess-profits tax, beginning on November 15, 1950. In the meantime, the staff of the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation and the staff of the Treasury Department are to confer jointly on this question in the hope that such conferences may result in the preparation of a report on excess-profits tax proposals which could be used as a basis for testimony before the committee. It is thought that this procedure may aid in the draft of an excess-profits tax bill for introduction in the House when Congress reconvenes on November 27.

Jan 11, 1950