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By Jennifer A. Slatnick

The U.S. Bureau of Mines estimated the potential availability of titanium from 39 mines and deposits in 12 market economy countries. The evaluated properties account for 76 pet of the market economy country demonstrated resources, which total 603 Mt of contained titanium dioxide (Ti02) in the minerals rutile, ilmenite, leucoxene, and anatase, and represent 95 pct of current production. Approximately 250 Mt of contained Ti02 could be economically recovered from evaluated titanium operations at January 1992 market prices. In terms of mineral concentrates, this equals approximately 19 Mt of rutile concentrate, 110 Mt of ilmenite concentrate, 47 Mt of synthetic rutile concentrate (in addition to the ilmenite), and 160 Mt of titanium slag that could be recovered. Over the past decade, the titanium minerals industry has adapted to the changing market. In the 1980's, titanium producers expanded production because of the rising demand for titanium products. Today, the titanium industry is in a state of overcapacity, and byproduct revenues, such as that from zircon, have become essential in keeping operations profitable. The industry has also witnessed a greater dependence on upgraded ilmenite products, such as titanium slag and synthetic rutile, because of the expense of rutile and the lower wastes emitted from these upgraded products. As a result of this dependence on upgraded ilmenite products, South Africa has become a leading titanium producing country and has displaced Australian production.

Jan 1, 1994

By L. A. Cisternas, R. I. Jeldres, D. Calisaya

"Flotation of copper-molybdenum sulphide ores in seawater entails critical challenges such as selective recovery of molybdenite, effective pyrite depression, and reducing the lime addition required to reach highly alkaline conditions. It is essential that laboratory flotation tests aimed at solving these problems give reliable, reproducible results and indicate the correct approach for industrial operations. Rougher flotation of coppermolybdenum sulphide ores in seawater was investigated using two different cells: a modified Denver cell and a standard commercial cell. The effect of an organic reagent on the flotation performance was tested, and the fast/slow-floating model was used to describe the results. The modified Denver cell significantly improved the reproducibility of the flotation test results, due to technological enhancements such as the impeller being driven from below without a stator, which enables the whole froth surface to be scraped with a paddle at a constant depth and rate. Organic reagents are a promising alternative to inorganic reagents for depressing pyrite in seawater. However, further studies should be conducted to investigate their impact on molybdenite recovery, as well as to evaluate the possibility of depressing pyrite after molybdenite separation. The fast/slow-floating model was found to be appropriate for describing the flotation kinetics of the copper-molybdenum ores. The parameters are useful for comparing the performance at different conditions. IntroductionOwing to the increasing scarcity of fresh water, the use of seawater mining and mineral processing is becoming increasingly important (Cisternas and Moreno, 2014). Seawater can be desalinated by reverse osmosis, but this involves considerable costs, limiting it to the big mining companies (Akgul et al., 2008; Leidner et al., 2012; Ghaffour, Missimer, and Amy, 2013). Furthermore, desalination has environmental consequences (Lee, Arnot, and Mattia, 2011); for example, a desalination plant designed to process 2.5 m3/s requires an electrical energy supply of around 30 MJ/s. To supply this power demand, a thermoelectric plant burning bituminous/sub-bituminous coal mixtures at a thermal power generation efficiency of 35% might release around 1200– 1500 t of CO2 per day. Furthermore, the effluents from desalination plants are typically discharged into the sea, and their high temperature and ionic content inevitably modifies the marine environment, with unknown consequences. The direct use of seawater is, therefore, more attractive, but it also poses major challenges since seawater contains ions that adversely affect mineral recoveries. In particular, in the flotation of sulphide ores in seawater, the floatability of molybdenite is depressed (Castro, 2012; Laskowski, Castro, and Ramos, 2014)."

Jan 1, 2017

By Muchi I

To clarify the characteristics of non-uniform flow of gas through layered burdens of ore and coke, flow equations of continuity and motion were solved numerically taking account of the geometrical effect of a bed. The results are compared with that predicted by an approximate solution. A mathematical-kinetic model for determining the distributions of process variables over the region from the top to the melting level of blast furnace with the horizontal or the inclined layers of burdens is developed in consideration of the uneven gas flow. By the use of this model, the longitudinal and the radial distributions of process variables in an existing blast furnace in Japan were calculated with the aid of a digital computer. Computed results show that the process variables and the melting level change remarkably over the cross-section of the furnace and that the patterns of these distributions are similar to the results observed by other investigators.

Jan 1, 1975

The relationship between the permeability of coal to a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide, and the permeability to methane and carbon dioxide separately is described in this paper, along with the analysis of the differences in permeabilities of coal to methane and carbon dioxide.

Jan 1, 1989

By B. De Paoli

At Pietrafitta, between Assisi and Perugia, ENEL (Italian National Electricity Authority) has for some time been managing a power-station operated with lignite, mined from an open mine on the way to exhaustion. A new plant is under construction which is located in the mine that was filled with tailings, mainly clays, sandy silts, lignite and ashes produced by the power-station. The soil profile is shown in Fig. 1: the thickness of the made ground is around 27 m. The foundation of the new power-station is on 320 t piles, 1.20 m diameter, embedded in the cohesive base formation at a depth of 57.5 m. 2,350 piles will be constructed for a total length of 125 km. It is therefore one of the largest pile sites at present in operation in Italy. [ ]

Jan 1, 1994

A case study of a landslide, which threatened vital infrastructure essential for the continuous operation of the Ok Tedi copper mine is presented. The paper presents a detailed description of the land- slide, outlines the assets at risk, and how the issue was addressed. This included the consideration of remedial options and the im- plementation of the most economically sound and geotechnically feasible remedial design which was completed within budget and on schedule. The paper is intended to highlight the responsibility of a mine based Geotechnical Engineering section in providing essential geotechnical investigations, design and professional advice on addressing stability issues in the infrastructure region.

Jan 1, 1997

By H. W. Hockin, D. r. Brandt, R. H. Walsh, P. L. Dietz, P. R. Girardot

New Jersey, Florida, and Canadian ilmenites were reduced with hydrogen or coke under various experimental conditions and the phase changes occurring in the ilmenite upon reduction have been studied by microscopic examination of polished sections and by X-ray diffraction. The products formed were dependent upon the type of ilmenite, temperature, time and reducing agent. Of the reducing agents, hydrogen was the more effective at lower temperatures. 1 HE possible utilization of ilmenite as a source of both iron and titanium has resulted in the development of a number of methods for the separation of the iron and titanium content. Slagging processes as currently used in Canada are typical of such methods. Somewhat less attention has been given industrially to the reduction of the iron content at less than the slagging temperature. Although references maybe found to such work, in general only one type of ilmenite, either natural or synthetic, has been studied by each author. We have attempted to draw some relationship between the results of experimental reduction and the type of deposit from which the ilmenite was derived, as evidenced by phases occurring in the ores and in the reduction products. Ilmenite ores having from 27 to 61 pct titanium dioxide were included in this study and in each case reduction was carried out at such temperatures that only limited coalescence of the particulate iron product occurred within the ilmenite grains. The history of the individual ilmenite samples and the temperature of reduction were found to determine the occurrence of various phases and the mode of distribution of the iron. REVIEW OF EARLIER WORK ON REDUCTION One of the earliest references to the reduction of ilmenite at less than the slagging temperature was made in 1917.' The metallic iron produced was_____ leached out by the action of dilute sulfuric or hydrochloric acid, to leave a product high in titanium dioxide. Subsequent to this, numerous patents2-'? and other references13"21 have appeared concerning reduction of ilmenite by carbon, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, coal gas, water gas, or the like in the absence of fluxing agents. Mineragraphic examinations were not reported, and in the main, the only examinations made were chemical analyses. However, in two cases3,13, titanium suboxides were reported in the products and in one case2' rutile was reported, in addition to metallic iron. Both were identified by X-ray diffraction. While reductions in the absence of fluxing agents were generally followed by either a wet or dry chemical process for removal of the metallic iron, a Canadian source17 reported removal of the metallic iron by magnetic separation. By the addition of fluxing agents during reduction, the metallic iron has been coalesced into "pearls." Each reference to such a process23-28 has shown that the coalesced iron could be removed by magnetic or gravity means after the product was crushed. In the absence of fluxes, the coalescence did not generally occur. The major part of the present study has been limited to reductions without fluxing agents in order to determine the primary reactions of naturally occurring ilmenites. Titaniferous iron ores have also been studied,29-33 17, l9 their reduction having been used as the basis of a commercial process for beneficiation of such ores in Norway29 and more recently considered in the United States34,35. The ease of reduction of titaniferous iron ores relative to that of hematite or magnetite has been referred to,33 with the conclusion that the more

Jan 1, 1961

By B Davis, A H. Benzer, A N. Mainza, C M. Evertsson, L M. Tavares, M M. Hilden, M S. Powell, C Rule, G Asbj÷rnsson

The Mogalakwena North Concentrator of Anglo Platinum Operations was built with the capability to allow for future projected expansion. Several research groups, currently working with Anglo American on collaborative research over a range of projects, were brought in to review the existing operation, with a view to releasing some specific bottlenecks and providing specialist design input to the potential plant expansion.Based on a thorough review of the high pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) and crushing circuit, a wide range of de-bottlenecking opportunities were identified. This was followed by a series of surveys to provide performance measurements and to model the circuit in detail. From this effort a full simulation of the plant has been developed, including updated models of the HPGR, crusher, bins and screens. These models have been implemented in the researchersÆ Model Development Kit (MDK) version of JKSimMet, and in a prototype dynamic simulator based on the Matlab Simulink software.The observations, measurements and simulations have provided guidance and quantified the benefits of some proposed circuit modifications. Based on these findings a number of upgrades are being planned, with the aim of ensuring full utilisation of the installed equipment. The circuit demonstrates a potential expansion of over 30 per cent through minor improvements, and a 70 per cent increase in capacity with the addition of some strategic equipment.The HPGR-crushing upgrade project demonstrates the potential benefits of nurturing disparate Research groups into a strong inter-disciplinary technical team capable of supporting operational needs while developing future technology.CITATION:Powell, M S, Hilden, M M, Evertsson, C M, Asbj÷rnsson, G, Benzer, A H, Mainza, A N, Tavares, L M Davis, B, Plint, N and Rule, C, 2012. Optimisation opportunities for high pressure grinding rolls circuits, in Proceedings 11th AusIMM Mill OperatorsÆ Conference, pp 81-94 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Oct 29, 2012

By Philip A. Holland

The Bureau of Mines has developed a method for determining helium in water for use in sampling and analyzing surface and subsurface waters for geochemical survey work. The accuracy of the analytical method is within ±10 percent for samples containing above 20 x 10-8 cm3 He (STP)/cm3 H20. The minimum detectable helium-in-water concentration is calculated to be 2 x 10-8 cm3 He (STP)/cm3 water. Water samples are collected in 500-cm3 stainless steel cylinders. The dissolved gases are extracted into a cylinder of equal volume containing a known quantity of neon. The resulting gas mixture is subsequently analyzed for helium and neon-21 by mass spectrometry. The volume of helium in the sample is calculated from the mass spectrometric determination of the helium-to-neon-21 ratio, the known quantity of neon used, and the extraction efficiency of helium.

Jan 1, 1981

By G. E. Anderson

THE Asientos-Tepezala district is in the north of the State of Aguascalientes, about 30 miles north of the city of Aguascalientes, the capital. The district is reached by a standard-gage railway on the west side through the junction, Rincon de Romos, which is on the main line of the National Railways of Mexico from El Paso to Aguascalientes. The terminal is Tepezala. On the east side a narrow gage connects Asientos with the junction, San Gil, on the main line, Asientos to San Luis Potosi. Tepezala on the west side of the Asientos hills is about 2 miles from Asientos on the east side. The area between the two mining centers is separated by a low subued divide which forms the central part of the hills. The district is in a group of isolated hills surrounded by characteristic bolson plains. The hills rise above the surrounding plains about 6500 to 10,000 ft.; the highest peak is Alta Mira. The two mining districts lie somewhat upon the flanks of the hills at about the same elevation, 7200 ft. The district is an old one and has been known since early in the 17th Century when the mines were worked by the Franciscan Monks. Their mining operations which were limited to the oxidized ore above the water level, consisted chiefly in extracting silver from the Santa Francisca vein. To judge from the old workings and the remains of surface plant, the operations were on a large scale. By modern mining operations since about 1900, the various mines of the district have been one of the principal sources of ore for the smelter located at Aguascalientes.

Jan 2, 1926

By Pascal P. Percy

Dado el elevado costo de transporte que implica el traslado de mineral aurífero en la compañía minera La Poderosa, se ha elaborado un proyecto denominado "Proyecto de transporte sobre rieles" donde se garantiza el acarreo de 550 t/d a partir de 1994 y se reduce los costos del transporte a 56%. En este sentido, el presente trabajo describe la ejecución del proyecto a través del uso de túneles, chimeneas y trocha en superficie, reemplazando la os volquetes y camiones. Asimismo, el proyecto desarrolla la ejecución del túnel en forma convencional a través del metraje, logrando un control estricto de los tiempos empleados en cada operación unitaria, la utilización adecuada de los recursos, coordinación de los trabajos a realizarse y los servicios requeridos.

Nov 24, 1993

By George I. Smith

Jan 1, 1985

By D. L. Wood, J. H. Westbrook

The tensile behaviors of the CsCl structure compound AgMg are extensively documented in terms of strain, strain rate, temperature, composition, and metallurgical processing treatment. The observations lend themselves to presentation in terns of three regimes of deformation behavior; 1) low temperatures where deformation is primarily by slip; 2) intermediate temperatures where the deformation mode is also slip but with the detailed behavior dominated by dislocation interactions with solute atoms; 3) high temperatures where defomation is primarily by diffusion controlled processes. Of all the material groups of potential interest as high-temperature structural materials, the inter-metallics have been the least studied, particularly with respect to their mechanical behavior. Moreover, the application and processing of intermetallics for uses which exploit their often unique physical properties have been impeded by a lack of understanding of their mechanical properties. Previous work in this area* has been largely *For a recent review, see Westbrook.' exploratory, aimed on the one hand at the direct empirical development of materials of engineering utility and ,on the other at identification of the important parameters affecting the mechanical behavior of inter metallics. As a consequence, there has not been available, heretofore—for any inter-metallic—data, sufficient in extent or precision to provide an adequate phenomenological description of the effects of metallurgical variables on deformation behavior. Such documentation is prerequisite to intelligent application or processing design and is also necessary for testing present and future theoretical analyses of mechanical behavior. It was therefore an objective of the present investigation to document the deformation behavior of a simple ordered intermetallic over as wide a range as possible of all the usual metallurgical variables. The compound AgMg was chosen as the subject of this investigation because it met all of a group of desired criteria, namely: 1) congruent but moderate melting point; 2) simple crystal structure; 3) ordered structure persisting to the melting point; 4) broad solubilities for the component elements. The first and last criteria were expected to aid in the preparation of homogeneous single-phase specimens: the second and third to help simplify the

Jan 1, 1962

By Charlie Graham

Our Approach ? Industry Trends ? New Forces at Work in Mining ? Deep Mining ? Energy projects ? Air power ? Hydraulics ? Electric alternatives ? Drilling ? Productivity ? Conclusions ? Transportation ? References

Oct 1, 2010

By J. E. Dinger, Ross Gunn

Faraday's Law of magnetic induction states that the e.m.f. acting around a closed circuit is equal to the time rate of change of flux through that circuit. If the closed circuit is a conducting medium, there will flow an electric current which is propor¬tional to the conductivity of the material and the time rate of change of the flux. Electrical currents so induced in a con¬ducting material are often referred to as eddy currents. Eddy currents are thus induced into a conducting material by (1) a time rate of change of the magnetic field through the material, by (2) a relative motion of the conducting material and a magnetic field, or by (3) a combination of (1) and (2). Because the magnitude of the induced eddy currents is dependent upon the resistance of the equivalent conducting path, these currents offer a method of detecting electrical discontinuities in a

Jan 1, 1945

By Thomas P. Meloy

As the importance of particle shape in mineral processing is increasingly recognized as an major variable in predicting the behavior of both individual particles and particle systems, whether it be in dense media, froth flotation, comminution or the flow of particles, new method of shape characterization are being developed, particularly for use on image analyzers. These shape characterization methods may be broadly classified into the analytical, empirical and physical formation methods. Discussed are approaches and the strengths and weakness of each of these methods. Moreover old and new shape measuring techniques are reviewed, particularly the new image analysis methods techniques such as Fourier, Haar, Fractal, Walsh and Delta as well as a variety of other techniques such as tabling, the Cascadograph, settling and L/D ratios. Also discussed are the problems of doing shape research, current progress and the future of the field.

Jan 1, 1990

By Joseph Lindmayer, Karl M. Busen

If silicon is in contact with silicon oxide, a heterojunction is formed which induces an inversion layer ("channel"). Influences of impurities and structural parameters on the channel are discussed. There seems to be no relation between surface damage in silicon and the channel. Phosphorz~s doping of the silicon oxide has no pronounced effect on the channel. Channels which were well above the range predicted by the heterojunction model were related to the action of H* at the silicon/silicon oxide interface. Channels which were well below tlze range predicted by the heterojunc-tion model were related to a transition region in the oxide adjacent to the interface. In support of the assumed transition region and the H+ are the ex-periments described on the paper. Furthermore, the concept of metastable OH groups in silzca, known from other publications, has been used to explain certain channel characteristics by the formation and the accommodation of hydrogen in the silicon oxide. THE electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device in many cases are influenced by the conditions of its surface. Because these conditions often are changing with temperature, time, ambient, or other parameters, numerous attempts have been undertaken to stabilize them by suitable processes. Several years ago Atallal studied the silicon/silicon dioxide interface and since then increasing attention has been given to the silicon dioxide as a means to stabilize silicon surfaces. This led to the evolution of the planar silicon devices where oxide layers are used to protect places at which the junctions are intersecting the surface. The formation of the oxide layers on silicon can be carried out by a variety of processes: high-temperature thermal oxidation (exposing the silicon surface to oxidizing agents such as 02, HzO, COz), evaporation of SiOz, or anodic oxidation of silicon. Originally the oxides were considered able to "passivate" the silicon surface and it was understood that they 1) protected the surface against any influence from the ambient and 2) stabilized surface conditions which were necessary for proper device performance. It soon was realized that the second quality was not always obtainable: Atalla and Tannenbaum showed that, in the process of forming a layer on doped silicon by thermal oxida- tion, electrically active impurities in the silicon near the interface are redistributed, thus giving rise eventually to the formation of unwanted charge distributions. The degradation of planar junctions during reoxidation of silicon was observed by Barson et a. Surface studies with silicon planar junction structures indicated that the breakdown voltage depended on the kind of procedure which was applied during or after oxidation.*" Yamin and worthinge report on charge storage and dielectric properties of SiOz films at elevated temperatures. Another influential parameter on the silicon surface is discussed by Lindmayer and usen,' namely the appearance of a surface potential on silicon as a consequence of the heterojunction formed by the silicon/silicon oxide interface. In the present paper the influence of impurities and structural parameters in silicon oxide in connection with the heterojunction is a particular object of our investigations. I) EXPERIMENTAL The material used was 10 ohm-cm p-type silicon slices with either damaged surfaces (mechanically lapped or polished) or damage-free surfaces (chemically polished). The majority of the slices were oxidized for 1 hr and 20 min at 1250°C in a steam + oxygen atmosphere generated by passing O2 through HzO at 90°C (wet oxygen). This led to oxide layers of about 9000 A. On some slices oxide layers were grown in pure oxygen (dry oxygen). By a photoresist process a set of 20 by 200 mil windows was then etched out from the oxide layer. The pattern of the windows is shown in Fig. 1. In a subsequent process n-type pockets with surface concentrations between 2 x 10" and 5 x 10" cm"3 were formed by phosphorus diffusion. This allowed ohmic contacts between the silicon surface and tungsten probes which for electrical measurements were placed into two adjoining windows and

Jan 1, 1965

By P. R. Goad

"Kidd Creek is a large volcanogenic base metal sulphide deposit, located near the west end of the Abitibi greenstone belt, 27 km north of Timmins, Ontario. The rhyolite geology is characterized by a NNE-striking and steeply east-dipping package of rhyolite volcaniclastics upon which has been imposed a strong ESE-striking and north-dipping structural fabric . Massive rhyolite units with grey-black. chloritic cores and yellow, sericitic margins intrude as dykes into the stratigraphic footwall and as sills higher in the stratigraphy. Massive rhyolite units positioned near the top of the felsic pile exhibit an extensive marginal development of hydraulic fracturing and are termed crackle-brecciated rhyolite.The stringer sulphide zone is positioned in a lobate blanket of crackle-brecciated rhyolite at the top of the felsic pile. The stringer sulphide zone is characterized by a mature chemical alteration, being specifically depleted in alkalis and enriched in iron-rich chlorite. with accompanying silica, sericite and carbonate alteration. A suite of trace elements characterizes this mature alteration. The massive rhyolite units, which intrude lower in the rhyolite volcaniclastics, exhibit a core of weak chlorite alteration and strong marginal sericite alteration. Tight or unfractured massive rhyolite units are essentially devoid of sulphide mineralization and exhibit a suite of trace elements characteristic of this immature alteration. It is interpreted that the massive rhyolite units intruded into an already evolving system and ""choked-off"" active conduits carrying hydrothermal fluids and subsequently acquired an immature alteration signature. Rhyolite units positioned higher in the pile developed intense hydraulic fracturing and a mature alteration coincident with the formation of the stringer sulphide zone. In summary, a model, based strictly upon the rhyolite geology, is reviewed to assist in the exploration for volcanogenic base metal sulphide deposits."

Jan 1, 1985

By Xiaoxu Sun, Jianchao Yao, Qiheng Zhu, Dubo Wang, Jiancheng He, Shijie Lu

Tower mill is considered to have a better regrinding and fine grinding effect compared with ball mill, and its application is much broader. The spiral agitator of the tower mill is driven by the motor. Media inside the mill is under the combined actions of the spiral mechanism, the cylinder, and media nearby, and these parameters are key factors affecting the grinding effect. However, it is not possible to obtain detailed information of kinematic law of media based only on traditional laboratory experiments, let alone the relationship between parameters of kinematic law of media and grinding effect. Experimentation is the only way to develop industrial equipment. However, this is time-consuming and costly, which hampers the further research of the tower mill’s grinding mechanism. The paper selects two structural parameters (gap between the edge of the spiral agitator and the cylinder wall, ratio between the diameter of cylinder and that of the spiral shaft.) and three operating parameters (diameter of media, filling ratio, the speed at the edge of the spiral agitator) as variables to do an orthogonal designed experiment of five factors, four levels, and thereby obtaining change law of grinding indicators of different parameters. Experimental equipment may be simplified to enable an applicable simulation strategy. Simulation based on a discrete element method is conducted to obtain the change law of the speed of media, collision frequency, normal force, and radial force. The relational curve between parameters of kinematic law of media and energy consumption of grinding is clarified, and key factors affecting grinding efficiency are determined. Those factors will be used for optimising the design and operating process. The research result of this paper obtained from laboratory experiments and computer simulation provides data support and theoretical bases, and has directive meaning and applicable value for tower mill’s optimisation and large-sized design. Keywords: Tower mill, discrete element method, kinematic law of media, energy consumption of grinding

Jan 1, 2020

By Mine F. J, Woods P. H

The Top End of the Northern Territory lies in the monsoonal zone and receives rain during the November-April period. Initially, at the start of the wet season, rain storms are localised, but, following the descent of the monsoonal trough from below the equator, widespread rain occurs. Overflow incidents at mine sites tend to arise midway through the annual wet season when excess water accumulated in ponds begins to discharge to the external environment. Remote-access monitoring may be undertaken at mine sites using equipment to continuously measure water quality parameters with storage of the information on a data logger. The data is then retrieved by visiting the site and transferring it to a portable computer or by remotely accessing the system using a telemetry system and transmission via telephone, VHF/UHF or satellite. Such systems are readily available and vary in cost depending on the sophistication of the data transfer system. Available sensors for continuous monitoring include those for conductivity, temperature, pH and other ion selective electrodes, eg nitrate, and water level. Of these variables, conductivity is most useful due to its inherent accuracy and stability of reading. Remote monitoring capability is able to provide: (i) more intensive monitoring of key issues; (ii) more timely information; (iii) correct perspective on the degree of environmental problem; and (iv) information from remote locations, which would be difficult to monitor by more conventional methods. Examples are given for applications of continuously logged measurement of conductivity of waters discharging to drains and in creeks at Pine Creek, Ranger, Nabarlek and Woodcutters mines in the Northern Territory. These applications demonstrate the timeliness of the continuous monitoring technique.

Jan 1, 1994