Search Documents

By Joan Melcher

The oil embargo and increasing disillusionment with nu- clear power have put this country's abundant coal reserves in growing demand. Both the government and industry are looking toward increased coal mining, and with this goes an increased interest in new and advanced methods of coal utilization. One advanced coal system stands out among the rest-magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Its high efficiency, strong probability of sulfur dioxide control, and limited consumption of cooling water place MHD in a unique position to help the power generation industry. Another point in MHD's favor is the capital costs of operation, which are lower than those of other advanced technologies. However, initial costs are higher and realization of a commercial MHD plant in this country may be more than a decade away.

Jan 12, 1977

By H. K. van Poollen, H. C. Bixel

A treatment is given of the transient pressure behavior of a well located at the center of a circular region surrounded by a radial discontinuity. On either side of the discontinuity, the values of permeability, viscosity, compressibility and porosity are uniform but may be different from those on the other side of the discontinuity. The results are obtained by solving a pair of finite difference equations. The numerical solution to these equations is obtained using a digital computer. The results are compared with previously published, approximated analytical solutions to the same problem. Solutions, presented graphically, show pressure decline for constant rate fluid production. The range of variables studied include dimensionless time from '0.001 to 100 and storage capacity ratio from 0.001 to 1,000. The well behaves as if it were in an infinite reservoir for dimensionless times less than 0.25. Reservoir properties near the well can be estimated in the usual manner. An overlay technique is used to match an experimental curve with one of the theoretical curves. It is possible to estimate the distance to a discontinuity by substituting the actual time t and the corresponding dimensionless time tD at which a match occurs into the equation a = (0.000264 tk1/tD , µ1 cI)I/2 where kI/ I µI cI is the diffusivity near the well, and may be estimated from data taken at early time. Several buildup curves are computed. These curves show that for early shut-in times, correct values for transmissibility are obtained from conventional analysis. However, erroneous values of static reservoir Pressure are obtained unless data at large shut-in times are taken. INTRODUCTION A mathematical treatment of the transient pressure response of a well located at the center of a region bounded by a circular discontinuity is given. Within a region (Fig. 20) the properties of both the rock and the fluid are considered to be constant on either side of the discontinuity. While these properties are considered constant, they may be different on opposite sides of the discontinuity. A discontinuity of this type could be a fluid-fluid contact or a sudden change in rock characteristics such as thickness, porosity or permeability. Analytical solutions to this problem are available. 1-3 However, they are so involved that they are of little practical use. An approximate solutionl is available but the range of times over which it is valid has not been specified. A numerical solution to a pair of finite difference equations is used to obtain the solution given in this paper. PREVIOUS WORK One of the first solutions to the problem was published by William Hurst.1 Hurst considered unsteady-state flow of fluids through two sands in series with different mobilities in each sand. He used Laplace transforms to obtain a solution for a single well located at the center of the circle enclosing the first of the two sands. In this case, the solution for the pressure change in Region I (Fig. 20) is2

By William H. Spice

Exploratory drilling in South Central Texas for the year 1944 showed a marked increase over that of 1943 and resulted in a similar increase in new fields discovered. In this area, which comprises the 30 counties included in district No. I, Oil and Gas Division, Railroad Commission of Texas,? 61 exploratory wells were drilled during 1944 as compared with 29 exploratory wells drilled during 1943, or an increase of over 100 per cent. Three new oil fields, two new gas fields and one gas-distillate field were discovered during the year, as compared with one new oil field and one new gas field discovered during 1943. These new fields were the result of exploratory drilling throughout the district along the Wilcox trend and the deeper Edwards lime trend, which was started during the previous year. The Wilcox trend yielded the new Loma iilta-Wilcox oil field and the San Caja gas-* tlistillate field, both in McMullen County. The Charlotte field, in Atascosa County, was discovered along the deeper Edwards lime trend. These three discoveries were of considerable importance and subsequent development should indicate the desirability of continued exploration along these trends. The other three discoveries, United oil field in Guadalupe County, Pederson gas field in Milam County and Van Cleve gas field in Zavalla County, were of minor importance. Charlotte Field, Atascosa County, was discovered by the Humble Oil and Refining Company's No. 3 Pruitt, completcd on Aug. 9, 1944, flowing 176 bbl. per day, 3/16-in. choke, 710 lb. tubing, 475 lb. casing pressures, 37.7º A.P.I. gravity, from the top of the Edwards lime from 6917 to 6923 ft. Two oil wells were completed during the year in this field. This discovery is 14 miles southwest of the same company's Imogene field, also producing from the Edwards lime but with considerable difference in reservoir characteristics. The discovery of this field is the result of surface geology and subsequent seismograph survey of the area. Loma Alta-Wilcox Field, McMullen County, was discovered by the Atlantic Refining Company's No. I Atkinson, completed on June I, 1944, flowing 102 bbl. per day, 9/64-in. choke, 1900 lb. tubing pressure, 37º A.P.I. gravity, from Wilcox sand from 6866 to 6869 ft. after being drilled to a total depth of 7185 ft. This discovery is the result of subsurface geology and an extensive seismograph survey of the entire area. Sun Caja Field, McMullen County, was discovered by Edwin M. Jones No. 2-C Ezzell, completed on June 2, 1944 as a dual completion in the Wilcox sands, flowing 1,740,000 cu. ft. gas with 53 bbl. distillate, 1/4-in. choke, 2035 lb. tubing pressure, 53.2º A.P.I. gravity, from sand 6416 to 6453 ft. and flowing 2,000,000 cu. ft. of gas with 127 bbl. distillate, 1/4-in. choke, 2500 lb. tubing pressure, 50º A.P.I. gravity, from sand 6889 to 6916 ft., after being drilled to a total depth of 7264 ft. Three gas-distillate wells were completed during

Jan 1, 1945

By R. A. Marshall

Much has been written by men connected with the coal mining industry, and mining laws have been enacted for the safety of the men employed in the mines, and for the protection of property connected therewith. It seems almost impossible for anyone to select a subject that has not already been read, discussed and put into effect, especially in the coal mines of Western America. There is, however, a subject of much interest to the mining public, and to which I have given a great deal of study and consideration, and which I believe will be received by this convention, and will be given due consideration in the future in applying it to the safety of the mine,- "Efficiency in Shot Firing." Beginning with 1865, and for a period of 28 years in the state of Colorado, the annual reports of the chief inspectors show that 1159 coal miners were killed in the following manner: Five hundred eighty-two by falls of rock and coal ; 517 by gas and dust explosions; 6o by careless handling of explosives and the shooting of coal by the, individual, miner. It is my firm belief that 75 per cent of these fatal accidents might have been avoided, if a safe and proper shot firing system had been installed, at each and every mine. This may sound unreasonable, but I believe that the blasting of coal by the individual miner, and the use of black powder, squibs and fuse has, in reality, caused the death of many miners, from shock after blasting, the shooting out 'of timbers, and working in powder smoke, which fatal accidents were attributed to falls of rock or coal. These conditions led the people of Colorado, through their representatives of the General Assembly of Colorado, to enact a new coal mining law, and in 1913 this law became effective, containing twelve sections devoted to the subject of Efficiency in the System of Shot Firing. During the period 1913 to 1920, the employment of a shot firer, the use of permissible. powder, and the electric hand battery has resulted in safer mines, safer miners and safer shot firers, and I believe every coal mine in the state should employ first-class, certified shot firers, use permissible powder and fire the shots with an electric hand battery. I believe where gas generates in dangerous quantities, which is generally determined by inspection of the mine, and the daily report, the shooting in. such a mine should be done by electric battery located outside of the mine. Where permissible powder is used, I have seen the shot firer start down the mine with a belt around his waist containing one hundred caps, a safety lamp to test for gas, and an open light to ignite the fuse. Would it not be much safer for the shot firer if he used the electric hand battery? In non-gaseous mines where black powder is used, I have. seen the miners carry fuse into the mine, and shot firers have been known to partly tamp the holes, which was

Jan 1, 1921

By B. Mather

I was very glad to see an article on alkali-silica reactivity of concrete aggregate in Mining Engineering. It is a topic that should be reexamined every 45 or 50 years. The last paper (that I am aware of) that examined this topic in Mining Engineering was Rexford (1950), who, at the time, was chief of the Petrography Section, South Pacific Division Laboratory, Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles, CA. The paper was presented at the AIME meeting in Los Angeles in October 1948. Professor Leming's discussion generally reflects the current state-of-the-art; but it provides no references for more detailed information. I wrote a paper titled "How to avoid excessive expansion of concrete due to alkali-aggregate reaction," which was included in the Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Alkali-Aggregate Reactions in Hydroelectric Plants and Dams (Mather, 1995). In it, I emphasized that it was the hydroxide ion (not the alkali ion) that caused the pore fluid in the concrete to dissolve reactive silica, producing alkali-silica gel capable of taking up water, thereby, causing swelling and rupturing of the concrete. Excessive expansion will not occur unless there is a sufficient amount of potentially expansive alkali-silica reaction product and water. However, this will not occur unless there is a sufficient quantity of reactive aggregate and unless there is a mechanism by which the pH of the pore fluid can get well above the normal value of about 12.6. In many cases it is sufficient that the cementitious medium not only contains portland cement but also contains ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) or a pozzolan such as fly ash, silica fume, metakaolin, volcanic glass or calcined shale - any of which may have been included for economic reasons. If, however, the person selecting the ingredients for concrete knows that the aggregate is reactive (with no alternate nonreactive aggregate available) and if the person knows that the only available portland cement has a high alkali content (i.e., more than 0.6% Na2O.; Na2e = % Na20 + 0.658 x % K20), then it becomes irresponsible not to establish what reasonable precaution one should take. Professor Leming suggests using one of the following: 30% Class F fly ash, 50% GGBFS or 7% to 10% silica fume. My view is that one should prepare test specimens with the cement and aggregate to be used and then expose these both with and without at least two dosages of each of the various alternative materials (slag, pozzolan and lithium salts), so that the required dosage. to control the expansion is established. Then, economic considerations can dictate the final selection. I would point out to the author that GGBFS is not a pozzolan and is not an admixture, but, rather, it is a latent hydraulic cement. An admixture is, by definition, a material other than hydraulic cement. I commend him for suggesting that aggregate producers should become more active in knowing about the reactivity of their products and the precautions needed to permit those products to be safely used in concrete.

Jan 1, 1997

By A. Todd Davis

"Introduction“CAN YQUR Company afford not to train?"" This question was asked by Jack Taylor in the Factory Management Magazine for June, 1950. Mr. Taylor went on to say, ""No, it can't; no Company can"". It's true that many training programmes have not done the job they were designed to do because of a number of factors such as parts of management resenting training, management failing to understand the abstract values of training, and management giving impossible assignments or picking the wrong trainers. However, Mr. Taylor summarizes his article by saying that a properly-designed and •conducted training programme brings a company or a corporation to the point where the question is: ""Can my Company afford not to train?""About two years ago, in July, 1952, Nevada Mines Division of the Kennecott Copper Corporation embarked on a training programme, the same type of programme that had been inaugurated earlier at the •Utah Copper Division at Bingham, Magna, and Garfield, Utah. President Charles Cox of Kennecott, in •a speech made •before the Utah Bankers Association in June of 1951, stated that, ""I think that our programme of employee training is one of the most important phases of our entire operation"". That statement might be said to be one of the guiding principles of training at Nevada Mines Division. Training is supported by top managements and down the line to Division managements. As the years go by, the Company expects to receive many benefits from training."

Jan 1, 1954

W. R. CRANE, State College, Pa.-The use of mine models for instructional purposes, both in the classroom and for more general work, as in the engineer's office, is of so much importance that I was pleased to FIG. 1.-MODEL OF A TIMBERED STOPE. see Professor Stock's paper which supplements a fairly voluminous literature on the subject. I have been interested in model making for instructional purposes for nearly 20 years and have tried my hand at practically every phase of the work, and have also employed practically every kind of material that

Jan 1, 1918

PRESIDENT WETZEL: The meeting will come to order. We are pleased to see a few of the more hardy survived last night's-ordeal and are present this morning. The Secretary has some correspondence which he will read. SECRETARY WHITESIDE: Gentlemen, I have a couple of telegrams and a letter which I would like to read to you at this time. First, a telegram addressed to Mr. Wetzel: "Regret greatly necessity canceling my plans to be present at meeting. Appreciate your conveying my best wishes to members for successful and profitable session.

Jan 1, 1942

By Y. M. Zhao

The dry coal preparation technology based on air dense medium fluidized bed is an innovative dry highly efficient technology of coal by introducing fluidization technology into beneficiation.. A modularized 40-60 tones/hr system (KZX-40) with an air dense medium fluidized bed separator was established. The construction cost of the modularized system is only 1/3 of the traditional wet heavy-medium coal preparation plant construction cost with the same capacity, and the consumption of dense medium can be reduced by 50%-60%. The footprint and volume of the system are decreased by 75% and by 89.81%, respectively. These facts show the improved intensity, efficiency and economy of modularized coal preparation technique. The modularized KZX-40 system can be used to separated 50-6 mm coal over a separation density range of 1.3-2.2g/cm3 depending on the variation of <1mm fine coal content. The separation efficiency of the system was investigated at low and high separation densities by float-sink experiments. The partition curve of the products at low separation density shows that the separation density (d) is 1.33g/cm3, and the probable error (E) value is 0.05g/cm3. Using 50-6mm coal with an ash content of 55.35% as feedstock, at a high separation density of 1.61g/cm3, the clean coal with an ash content of 14.67% and the tailing with an ash content of 71.26% are produced with an E value of 0.06g/cm3. It is clear that the modularized KZX-40 system is suitable for separating 50-6mm coal effectively. During the dry coal preparation process, the dust is removed by the bag collector and recycled back into the separator. So the system has the advantages to work without environmental pollution and water. The modularized system greatly reduces the construction and operating costs and decreases the area and volume required, compared with wet dense medium system. The system is applicable to the coals located in arid regions and also to the coals that tend to slime during wet separation. Keywords: modularized, KZX-40, fluidized bed, beneficiation

Sep 1, 2012

By G Lumley

Gold miners have been underperforming the price of gold for a number of years. So why has the æmarketÆ undervalued our gold miners relative to what they have been mining? The low valuation ascribed to gold mining companies is largely attributable to their profit performance. In the period since 2006 the price of gold in A$ has risen about $900/oz, but the real cash margin (operating cash costs + cost of finding and/or acquiring deposits + the cost of bringing them into production) has only risen about A$100. Rising operating costs are a major part of this reduction in real margin. Energy and labour costs have risen more than the inflation rates across a number of countries as have taxes, royalties, etc. There are however, more significant contributors to the rising cost base. Firstly, in 2006 the average gold grade was 2.0 g/t; today it is 1.3 g/t. Secondly, strip ratios (for surface mines) have increased by 19 per cent during this time. Open cut mining equipment unit output across the world has dropped by 26 per cent during 2006 - 2012. Finally, costs have risen by 55 per cent during this time period. Consequently, there is now 3.8 times more mining cost required to produce an ounce of gold from surface mines compared with 2006. The decline in gold grade looks to be a permanent trend as does increasing strip ratio if output is to be maintained. Costs will continue to rise although cost control will be necessary. Reversing the decline in equipment performance and closing the gap between median and best practice provides the hope for a sustainable reversal of cost increases. The current gap between best practice and median performance has grown to 112 per cent for mining trucks, 168 per cent for excavators and 169 per cent for front end loaders. Closing this gap is the potential for a more profitable future. For most gold mining companies improving mining efficiency is not an option; it is an imperative.CITATION:Lumley, G, 2013. How many gold mines will inefficiency kill?, in Proceedings World Gold 2013 , pp 267-276 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 26, 2013

By G. Bruggeman, K. G. Kreider

Grain boundary dij]usion coefficienls were measured in tungsten between 1400° and 2200° C and can be expressed by the equation sq cm per sec This activation energy confirms some eavlier estimates made .from tungsten sintering experiments. Grain boundary diffusion was found to occur in sub-bozrndavies having -misorientations of less than 10 deg. The actiuation energy for this subboundavy diffusion is equal to that for dijjusion in incoherent grain boundaries with in the limits of error. This is shown to be consistent with the dislocation model of Low-angle boundaries wheve diffusion occlcvs along- the dislocation &apos;YPipes" comprising -tile boundary. RECENT investigations of the sintering of tungsten powders all report activation energies which are considerably less than the activation energy for tungsten volume diffusion. Kothari&apos; reports a value of 100 * 5 kcal per mole, Hayden and Brophy&apos; obtained 90 kcal per mole, and Vasilos and smith3 found 110.7 kcal per mole from their sintering studies. Since most determinations of the activation energy for volume diffu-sion4-&apos; fall between 120 and 160 kcal per mole (the true value seems most likely to be nearer 150 kcal per mole), the conclusion is drawn that the mass transport leading to densification during sintering is accomplished by grain boundary diffusion. This interpretation is consistent with various diffusion models of the sintering process. 10-12 Vasilos and Smith calculate diffusion coefficients from their data which fit the equation D * 1.36 x 10* exp(-llO,700/HD However, no direct measurements of tungsten grain boundary diffusion have been made. Furthermore, considerable disagreement exists between the directly measured values of tungsten volume diffusion.&apos;-&apos; In order to corroborate the inferred results of the sintering experiments concerning grain boundary diffusion and to provide accurate diffusion data essential to the analysis of the kinetics of creep, oxidation, precipitation, and so forth, the present work was undertaken to measure self-diffusion in single-crystal and polycrystalline tungsten between 1400" and 2200°C. It is within this temperature range that tungsten sintering is done, the re crystallization of tungsten occurs, and the widest application of tungsten as a high-temperature material will probably be made. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Radioactive WlE5 was produced by irradiating tungstic acid in a neutron flux of 1.2 x 1012 neutrons per sq cm per sec for 36 hr. A 2-week waiting period was allowed for the decay of w"~ also produced by the irradiation. (w"~ has a half-life of 24 hr.) The half-life of the remaining isotope was determined to be 75 days confirming the presence of w lE5 and the absence of any undesired radionuclide. Specimens 4 in. in diam and $ in. thick were cut from polycrystalline swaged tungsten rods (recrystal-lized) and from Linde single-crystal rods. Chemical analyses of these materials appear in Table I. Actually upon closer examination, the single-crystal specimens were found to consist of several subgrains separated primarily by tilt boundaries in which the misor-ientation ranged from 3 to 10 deg. Thus, it was possible to measure boundary diffusion coefficients in these low-angle subboundaries as well as in the incoherent boundaries of the polycrystalline specimens. The two faces of each specimen were ground flat and parallel within 0.0001 in. The radioactive tungstic acid was dissolved in concentrated ammonium hydroxide, placed on the ground flat of the specimen, and evaporated to dryness. The oxide was then reduced in hydrogen at 1000°C resulting in a layer of wlE5 approximately 1 p thick. The diffusion anneals were performed in vacuum in a tantalum resistance furnace. Time at temperature ranged from 10 hr at 1400°C to 2 hr at 2200°C. The penetration profile was determined by measuring the residual activity after successive removal of surface layers by grinding on metallographic polishing paper. Extreme care was exercised to insure that sections were always taken normal to the diffusion direction; this was verified repeatedly by checking that front and back surfaces of the specimen remained parallel. The activity was measured with an end-window Geiger-Mueller counter. The sides and edges of the specimen were well-shielded to eliminate possible effects due to surface diffusion. The weight of the

Jan 1, 1968

By E. B. Thornhill

In this paper on the recovery of mercury as sulphide, from the residues from the amalgamation and cyanide treatment of high-grade ores and concentrates, I will not discuss the many reactions, chemical and other- wise, that take place in the general process, but confine myself more particularly to the methods of recovering the mercury. I submit charts of two amalgamation-barrel charges, Figs. 1 and 2, which are self-explanatory. The flow sheet of the high-grade and the mercury extraction plants is showh in Fig. 3.

Jan 1, 1916

By P. H. Wendland

Calculations are presented for the design of a silicon photodiode in which the incident light beam makes multiple passes between the detector surfaces. Total internal reflection is used for this "light-trapping" effect. By this means, the optical path length can be extended to several millimeters, while the electrode separation remains less than 102 cm, as required for nanosecond response time. Data are presented for a Schottky barrier photodiode constructed on a multiply reflecting silicon base wafer. It is shown that the long-wavelength response is considerably extended in such structures without a corresponding sacrifice in high-speed response. The development of efficient and powerful lasers at 1.06 p has stimulated interest in detectors which operate at this wavelength. In typical silicon photodiodes, for detecting 1.06 p radiation, the requirements for high speed and high sensitivity are mutually exclusive. Since the absorption coefficient is only 25 cm-&apos;, a lo-&apos;-cm path length is required to absorb 92 pct of the incident 1.06 p radiation. If the electrode separation is greater than 10 cm, however, the carrier transit time will be greater than 1 nsec. This problem can be solved by allowing the incident light beam to make multiple passes between the electrodes. The optical path length can then be extended to several millimeters, as required for complete absorption, while the electrode separation remains less than 10&apos; cm, as required for nanosecond response time. In a typical photodiode geometry, one ohmic contact and one rectifying contact are formed on the two opposite surfaces of a base wafer, and the wafer thickness determines the electrode separation. The objective of the multiple reflection design is to allow all 1.06 p radiation to enter the detector front surface and to form the back detector surface so that no 1.06 radiation can exit. Total internal reflection at the back detector surface is well-suited for light trapping of 1.06 p radiation because the relatively large dielectric constant of silicon leads to a critical angle of 16.5 deg for total internal reflection. LIGHT TRAPPING It is well-known that, as light passes from one medium such as air into another medium such as glass or silicon, the angle of refraction is always less than the angle of incidence. In the limiting case, where the incident rays approach an angle of 90 deg with the normal, the refracted rays approach a fixed angle +, beyond which no refraction is possible: this is called the critical angle. It follows from Snell&apos;s law that where = critical angle, n - index of refraction of air, n&apos; - index of refraction of the medium. Applying the principle of reversibility of light rays, all internal angles of incidence greater than +, will produce total internal reflection and "light trapping". The index of refraction of silicon at 1.06 p is 3.5,&apos; and the critical angle is thus 16.5 deg. Fig. 1 shows these relationships for silicon. This very small critical angle in silicon is significant because all incident angles between 16.5 and 90 deg will produce total internal reflection and "light trapping". This effect can be implemented with a "prismlike" geometry, so that incident light can be introduced into the sample without loss and "trapped". PHOTOSIGNALS A precise knowledge of the absorption coefficient at 1.06 in silicon is of critical importance to the design of fast and efficient silicon photodiodes for 1.06 radiation. Dash and newman2 show a value of 25 cm-l, and our measurements have corroborated this value. Assuming that the collection of photoinduced minority carriers is perfect, the quantum efficiency of a photodiode is dependent only on the absorption coefficient. It then follows from Lambert&apos;s law that where QE is the quantum efficiency in pct, a is the absorption coefficient, d is the optical path length, and the reflectivity at the surface is assumed to be completely suppressed by an optical interference layer. Fig. 2 gives the maximum quantum efficiency for 1.06p radiation of a silicon photodiode with optical path length d, using Eq. [2]. The ultimate response time of a fully depleted photodiode to an incident light pulse can be considered to be the arrival times of all photoinduced carriers at the contacts, i.e., the minority carriers at the junction interface and the majority carriers at the oppo-

Jan 1, 1968

By Rolfe PR, Ellis BA, Clements RJ

Associated Minerals Consolidated Limited (AMC) is constructing a 112,500 tonne/yr synthetic rutile plant at Narngulu, near Geraldton in Western Australia. Design of the plant is based on the technology developed by AMC and utilised in its two existing plants at Capel in Western Australia. Ilmenite Feedstock for the plant will be sourced from AMC&apos;s mine at Eneabba and coal obtained from the Collie deposits. The plant is scheduled to come on stream in the second quarter of calendar 1987. The rationale of the decision to construct the Narngulu plant is examined against the background of the world market for high-Ti02 content feedstocks. Also provided is a detailed description of the plant and an examination of the technology used in process Design.

Jan 1, 1986

By Keith Heasley, Christopher Newman, Zach Agioutantis

"Previously, in 2013, a laboratory version of the computer code ARMPS-LAM, introduced at the 32""d International Conference of Ground Control in Mining, successfully integrated the laminated overburden model of LaModel into an ARMPS-style pillar stability analysis. The ARMPS-LAM analysis has now been fully integrated into the ARMPS program allowing users to more accurately classify the stability of a given mine design utilizing a laminated overburden model for the determination of pillar loading within theAMZ. ,This paper introduces the new Windows-based ARMPS-LAM program. The program's ease of use, output result generation, and limitations are highlighted through the parametric analysis of three hypothetical case studies where traditional ARMPS output is compared to output generated by LaModel. As mining operations continue to produce at greater depths and in more complex geometric and geological conditions, flexible and efficient analyses of mine stability for underground room and pillar mining has become more and more essential. The ARMPS-LAM program provides the mining industry with an empirically backed, numerical design tool for the evaluation of underground room and pillar mine plans.INTRODUCTIONIn the Southern Appalachian coal fields of the United States, retreat room-and-pillar methods have allowed mining operations to maintain high rates of production in the face of adverse geologic conditions and shrinking coal reserves. Over the years, research has been dedicated to understanding and mitigating mining-related dangers due to second mining practices, such as: pillar squeezes, floor heave, roof falls, pillar bumps, etc. However, as mining operations continue at deeper depths and with more complex geometric and geologic conditions, there is an inherent industry need for more accurate, flexible, and faster evaluations of stability for underground room-and-pillar mining."

Jan 1, 2016

By Appendix by A. S. Goldoni, R. E. Tate, E. M. Cramer

The diffision coefficient for self-diffision of plutonium in the temperature range 350" to 440°C has been measured by using puZ3 as the tracer isotope. Autoradiopaphic techniques were used to inzlestigate the possibility of grain boundary diffusion, hut only evidence for volume diffusion was found. The least-squares fit of the data gives the .following equation for the diffision coefficient: The computer least-squares technique for fitting the nonlinear equations is outlined. DETERMINATION of the self-diffusion coefficient of the fcc 6 phase of plutonium is in principle a straightforward experimental task. However, the chemical reactivity, the intense @ activity, and the toxicity of plutonium put limitations on the experimental techniques. The technique selected included roll bonding for preparation of the diffusion couples and pulse-height analysis of the @-particle activity to determine the distribution of the PU tracer in the diffusion couples. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Couple Preparation. Cylinders about 0.5 in. in diam were cast from two special stocks of plutonium, one of which had been enriched in puZ3&apos;, as shown in the isotopic analyses listed in Table I. For each roll-bonded composite sheet, a cylinder 0.437 in. in diam and 0.190 in. thick was turned from each kind of plutonium on a lathe in a 98 pct He atmosphere. The two freshly machined cylinders were positioned face to face in a tube of commercially pure aluminum which had been sealed at one end by welding and the assembly was evacuated on a vacuum manifold overnight. The elapsed time between machining the faces of the plutonium cylinders and evacuating the loaded tube was about 15 min. After overnight evacuation of the assembly the indicated vacuum was 1 X 10"5 torr or better. The aluminum tube was then warmed and pinched off with a cold-welding tool. The pinched-off weld was also fusion-welded as an additional precaution against leakage of air into the evacuated assembly. The assembly was immediately heated for 30 min in a 250°C furnace and reduced in thickness by being passed through a rolling mill with rolls heated to 200°C. The rolling schedule (four passes of 100 mils each with a 10-min reheat after two passes) reduced the thickness of the assembly to 100 mils. The rolled assembly was allowed to cool normally in air. The rolled assembly was sheared at the edges and the aluminum peeled from the composite plutonium sheet. The elliptical sheet was about 0.060 in. thick and usually three 0.383-in.-diam disks could be punched from its central portion. The sheet was heated on a hot plate to the ductile low 0 range (140°C as measured by temperature-indicating pellets) before each disk was quickly punched. The quality of the bond in the disks was evaluated by metallographic examination of the scrap sheet adjoining the hole left by the punch. Only well-bonded specimens without oxide in the interface (as indicated by metallography) were considered satisfactory for further use. More than half of the specimens so examined contained sufficient oxide in the interface to be rejected. Diffusion Anneal. Each disk to be diffusion-annealed was wrapped in 1-mil-thick tantalum foil and sealed within a Pyrex capsule evacuated to 1 x 10~5 torr or better. This capsule was then sealed within another Pyrex capsule at a similar pressure. The diffusion anneals were carried out at temperatures between 350" and 440°C in Marshall furnaces adjusted to have a temperature gradient of not more than *1/2"C over a 5-in. length. This gradient was then further smoothed by using a nickel tube as a liner in the furnace. The liner was divided into three longitudinal cavities by a septum of nickel sheet to which two calibrated Chromel-Alumel thermocouples were attached. One thermocouple was used for controlling the furnace temperature by means of a Brown Pyrovane controller equipped with a Capaciline anticipation circuit; the second thermocouple was monitored twice daily with a Leeds and Northrup K-2 precision potentiometer.

Jan 1, 1964

By B. C. Allen

Surface free energy and surface self-diffusion of solid molybdenum were studied in the temperature range 1600" to 2400°C using pressure-sintered bi-crystals. Comparison of groove angles formed in various surfaces perpendicular to the grain boundary indicate a maximum of 1 pct variation in surface free energy with crystallographic mientation. This anisotropy tends to decrease with increasing temperature. The surface diffusion of the bicrystals is equivalent to that of sheet with a mild (100) Preferred orientation. Anomalously low values found for bi-crystals with surface orientations of (OOl), (012), and (011) are rationalized in terms of anisotropy in surface free energy. THE effect of crystallographic orientation on surface free energy1,&apos; and surface self-diffusion3,4 has been primarily studied in fcc metals. The object of this work was to study the effect of orientation on surface diffusion and surface free energy of bcc molybdenum using pressure-sintered bicrystals. EXPERIMENTAL WORK Materials and Crystal Preparation. Arc-melted molybdenum rod was obtained commercially and electron beam zone refined at 50 cm per hr at 10- 5 torr to form single crystals about 8 cm long and 0.65 cm diam. Three crystals were prepared with axial orientations about 1 deg from [001.], [011], and. [111]. To reduce the carbon content, the crystals were annealed 2 hr in 1.4 atm flowing wet hydrogen at 2050°C. Then the oxygen content was reduced by annealing for 2 hr in -30°C dewpoint hydrogen at 2020°C. The resulting impurity analysis is given in Table I. Bicrystal Preparation. The single crystal rods were cut into transverse slices with a thin silicon carbide abrasive wheel to produce specimens about 0.6 cm long. They were mounted in epoxy and surrounded by stainless steel washers. Cutting in half was done longitudinally at various angles to known crystallographic planes containing the cylinder axis according to Fig. 1. To reduce surface deformation resulting from the cutoff wheel and thus reduce parasitic grain boundary formation on subsequent annealing, about 0.003 cm was manually ground off each cut surface with 600 grit paper. Care was taken to keep the surface flat. After removal from the mounts, one half was generally ro-tated 180 deg with respect to the other to give a po- tential symmetrical tilt grain boundary between the two halves. In the other cases when low misorienta-tion angles were desired, the crystals were not rotated. On the basis of symmetry, sufficient bicrystals were prepared to cover the entire range of misorientations for symmetrical tilt boundaries. The misorientations, +, ranged from 0 to 45, 0 to 90, and 0 to 60 deg for [001], [011], and [111] bicrystals, respectively. One [Ill] twist bicrystal was prepared from 2 single crystal discs rotated 17 deg relative to each other. Each specimen consisted of two pieces which were placed in a cylindrical tantalum can. Sharp edges were rounded and the fit was made as snug as possible to reduce subsequent deformation during bonding. The assembly and crystals generally were vicuum outgassed at 900" or 1700°C and then electron beam welded in the can at l x 10-4 torr. After being leak checked, the samples were placed in an autoclave and hydrostatically gas-pressure bonded5 in four batches under helium at 10,000 to 18,000 psi at 1650°C for 3 hr. Satisfactory bonds were obtained in many cases, and most of the crystals bonded after two exposures. The results did not appear to be affected by the various pressures used, preannealing conditions, crystal orientation, or time-pressure-temperature route taken to the final bonding condition. After bonding, the tantalum cans were selectively removed in cold concentrated HF. Measurements indicated overall deformation was under 1 pct. The bicrystals were metallographically ground and polished flat and perpendicular to the axis. Examination showed the boundaries were straight and almost free of parasitic grains caused by extraneous local deformation. Annealing. In preparation for thermal grooving, the bicrystals were cleaned and annealed by outgassing at 10-5 torr at 1900°C and heating at 2300°C under 1 atm 99.996 Ar for 0.5 hr. The crystals were held in a closed 4-deck box made of molybdenum sheet, and were heated in a Ta-1OW resistance furnace. The ar-

Jan 1, 1970

By H. W. McGerrigle

The St. Lawrence Valley of Quebec lies in an earthquake danger zone, the main centers of which appear to be Murray Bay, Montreal and Quebec City. This paper compares conditions in this "earthquake zone" with those of other, currently more active, earthquake zones of the Earth, deals briefly with the mechanics of earth movements and outlines the means by which earthquakes are re-corded. An account is then given of the earthquakes which have occurred in the Province of Quebec -from that of 1534-35 to the earthquake of 1925. A 50-year frequency cycle is implied. The general conclusion is that the 11robability of future earthquakes should be given more consideration in the construction of buildings in the St. Lawrence Valley region.

Jan 1, 1966

I-institute of Metals Division S. SKOWRONSKI, Chairman ZAY JEFFRIES, Vice-chairman WILLIAM M CORSE, Secretary Executive Committee J. R. FREEMAN, JR, Local Section G E JOHNSON R S ARCHER, Non-ferrous Data Sheets P. D. MERICA EDGAR C BAIN, Journal Committee L W SPRING SAM TOUR, Papers Committee F. L. WOLI H. C. JENNISON, Membership Committee Local Section Committee J. R. FREEMAN, JR., Chairman R. J. ANDERSON, Cincinnati R L. DOWDELL. Minneapolis R. S WILLIAMS, BostoI G. H. CLAMER, Philadelphia W. A SCHEUCH, Chicago R. F. WOOD, New York

Jan 1, 1923

By Neal P. Cochran

It is always a pleasure for me to address a group of mining engineers. I am doubly grateful when I am allotted sufficient time to describe the total Office of Coal Research program. My remarks are directed to our total program but I trust you will all understand my emphasis of the utilization aspect of our activities since that is my portion of the program. From its inception, the Office of Coal Research has sought out creative ideas for improving our national use of coal by developing new uses, improved mining procedures, lower costs, and appropriate studies with respect to the resource itself. Quite early in the game, our Economics and Marketing Division contracted for studies with respect to New England export market, Western coal, and similar items. Our Mining and Preparation Division has successfully developed a packaged coal-fired boiler and has partially developed a packaged fluid-bed type boiler as well. Our Mining and Preparation Division is working in such diverse fields as treatment of sewage with coal and the separation of coal into distinct-petrographic constituents so that all fractions of the coal can be put to the best possible use. We would like to be doing more work on improved mining methods, better preparation techniques, and any other mining improvement that will benefit the industry and our program. The synthetic fuel plants I will describe later will operate seven days per week, 24 hours per day. We would like the mine to operate on this same sort of cycle and are prepared to support research that will lead to this.

Jan 1, 1970