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By Michael G. Schill, Mark C. Fischer

Since its introduction several years ago in the United States, the high pressure belt filter press has proven to be a highly cost-effective dewatering device in a number of mining and industrial applications. To evaluate the process and economic factors associated with the dewatering of coal refuse, a comprehensive program of laboratory and on-site pilot studies has been conducted. This paper will summarize findings of this study and discuss advantages of the belt filter press over conventional dewatering methods. The conventional means of dewatering thickened coal refuse involves the use of vacuum disc filters or centrifuges. Due to the high amount of energy used to dewater refuse with these devices it was a logical course of action to apply belt filter press technology to this application, since a belt filter press will require less than 3.7 kW (connected).

Jan 1, 1982

By T. F. Petty

During 1935 there were drilled in North Central Texas 1071 wells, of which 565 were dry holes, 469 were oil wells with an initial production of 43,766 bbl. and 37 were gas wells with an initial production of 129,332,000 cu. ft. Production has been 14,180,042 bbl., or a daily average of 38,849 bbl. In Table 1 are listed the various pools of the district. Most of the smaller pools are of minor importance and are merely productive spots. Numerous other similar spots might have been listed as pools but their production is included in other fields. There are a few flowing wells but practically all of the wells are being pumped. The estimated potential is about 50,000 bbl. and the allowable production is based on the Texas Marginal Well Law. In Table 2, wildcat wells that have resulted in the discovery of pools or important extensions to old pools or that have contributed to the geological information of the area are listed.

Jan 1, 1936

By William P. Blake

The adaptation of aluminum to the construction of portable instruments of precision, where lightness is important, is well illustrated by the double reflecting and repeating circle, the invention of Captain Charles Hervey Tomnshend, of New Haven. One of these instruments, now exhibited to the members, has just been completed by Stackpole & Bro., of New York, and is made of aluminum, with the exception of a few minor pieces and a portion of the handle. This instrument is intended for use in a boat, and to be held in one hand like a sextant; and as it is a complete circle, lightness of the material becomes more important. The whole instrument, as shown, exclusive of the eye-pieces and the handle, weighs only one pound, or about one-third of the weight of a sextant of the usual construction. The circle, about nine inches in diameter, was cast in one piece from metal furnished by the Pittsburgh Company.

Jan 1, 1890

By Eugene A. Alexandrov

The Minister of Geology of the Soviet Union P.Ya. Antropov, recently visited China and claims that this country occupies one of the foremost places in the world in reserves of tin, tungsten, molybdenum, antimony, iron ore, coal, and phosphates. Occurrences of economic value of chromite, nickel, gold, beryllium, tantalum, niobium, rare earths, and asbestos have also been reported. MINERAL RESOURCES Coal: The inferred reserves of coal are estimated at at 1,500 billion tons. A considerable part of the coal reserves is represented by coking coal, 80% of which is bituminous. Thicknesses of coal seams range up to 150 ft in the principal deposits located in northern and northeastern China. The total output of coal in 1958, 270 million tons, was produced by an army of 20 million people mainly in small mines operated by the agricultural communes. Modern hydraulic mining is applied besides primitive, obsolete methods and equipment

Jan 3, 1960

G. SHERBURNE ROGERS,* Washington, D. C. (written discussion ?).- Mr. Neal's paper on the petroleum hydrology of the Mid-Continent district is a welcome contribution on a subject concerning which none too much is known; it is, I think, the first published description of the chemical character of the oil-field waters of the great Mid-Continent area. When studying the oil-field waters of the California fields several years ago, the differences in chemical composition between waters occurring at various horizons seemed to be sufficient to enable the operators to use water analyses as a basis for determining the source of the water flooding a well; and it is gratifying to find that, Mr. Neal has arrived at a similar conclusion. As Mr. Neal points out, the Mid-Continent waters are very different in character from those of the California fields, and casual. inspection

Jan 3, 1919

By W. E. Newberry

The Aspen Mining District is situated at the eastern edge of the system of stratified rocks of western Colorado, where this edge meets the ridge of metamorphic granite which divides the State into two unequal parts. In following the valley of the Roaring Fork westward from the continental divide towards Aspen, one passes through a country of granite and gneiss, with no sedimentary rocks until the town is nearly reached. At this point the Cambrian quartzites first make their appearance, lying on the granites, with a dip of from 30' to 45 to the northwest. Beyond these quartzites and conformably upon them lie dolomites, limestones, shales, porphyries and sandstones, gradually flattening in general dip as one proceeds westward, but much disturbed by local foldings and faultings.

Jan 1, 1890

The United States Civil Service Commission announces open competitive examinations for the positions of valuation engineer, assistant valuation engineer, and valuation aid for the Income-tax Unit of the Internal Revenue Bureau. The duties of these positions will involve the estimating of: (1) The quantity of mineral, oil, and gas or timber; (2) the theoretical and market values of mineral, or oil and gas in place, standing timber, and their products; (3) the value of equipment ordinarily used in discovery, exploitation, and utilization of such natural resources; (4) the cost of development, exploitation, and utilization of such natural resources. The entrance salary for each grade, within the range stated, depending on the qualifications of the appointee, is: Valuation engineer, $3600 to $4800 a year, though in exceptional cases higher salaries may be paid; assistant valuation engineer, $2500 to $3600 a year; valuation aid, $1200 to $2500 a year. Applications for valuation aid must have had a bachelor's degree from a college of recognized standing, graduation from a four years' high-school course, or education equivalent to that required for such graduation, and at least four years' experience in the technical branches of one of the industries mentioned in positions tending to qualify them for the duties outlined above.

Jan 6, 1919

By Roland W. Rammler

With oil consumption increasing more rapidly than known reserves in industrial countries, there has been a growing interest in the production of synthetic crude oil. The main starting materials for such production are coal, oil shale and tar sand, all of which occur in enormous quantities in North America. A process sequence suitable for all three of these starting materials incorporates a preliminary retorting step to produce oils for subsequent hydrotreating. For this retorting step, a technique known as the Lurgi-Ruhrgas process has proven highly efficient. The process has been commercially used for the flash carbonization of coal and has also been tested in pilot- plant experiments with oil shale and tar sand.

Jan 1, 1970

By I. E. Rosenzweig

GEOPHYSICAL prospecting by earth-resistivity methods is frequently applied to investigation of structural problems in geology. Fig. 1 indicates a scheme of the general arrangement used in these methods of measurements. The battery (or generator) E is connected with two "current electrodes" II and 12. The current of intensity J, supplied by this battery, passes through the earth between these elec- FIG. 1.-GENERAL ARRANGEMENT OF APPARATUS. trodes. A potential difference U will be measured between two other electrodes V1 and V2, called "potential electrodes." According to the configuration of electrodes (Fig. 1), the resistivity of a homogeneous soil results from the formula p = 2pcaU/J [1] where c=1/a/b11 - a/b12 ? (a/b21-a/b22) [2]

Jan 1, 1938

By D. F. Kelsall

During the past twenty years, and especially in the last decade, hydraulic cyclones have found increasing application in metallurgical processing as classifiers and, under special circumstances, as thickeners. To a more limited extent cyclones have been used to extend heavy, or dense, medium separation into the finer size ranges, and several attempts have been made to separate dispersions of immiscible liquids with a view to use in the field of liquid- liquid extraction. Before considering several aspects of conventional application, less conventional applications and some potential uses of modified cyclones, the mechanism of separation within a cyclone and the effect of the, major variables will he summarized.

Jan 10, 1963

By W. C. Hagel

In 1952, Hauffe and pfeiffer1,2 reported that parabolic rates of nickel oxidation are decreased by factors of two and four at 1100° and 1000°C, respectively, when Li2O vapor is present. Hauffe 's3 explanation was that monovalent lithium enters the crystal lattice of p-type NiO to decrease cation-vacancy concentration and, hence, diffusion of Ni2+ ions across the growing oxide. After first succeeding in adding lithium directly to molten nickel, the purpose of this investigation was to determine whether alloyed lithium is a more effective oxidation inhibitor than the external vapor. Seven 650-g heats were prepared by melting carbonyl nickel inductively under 1 atm of argon. Various amounts of lithium were added by dropping small chunks into the melt. Only about 10-pct recovery was achieved with the remainder lost by spattering and volatilization. Nominal and actual

Jan 1, 1965

By Robert S. Shoemaker

Recently we read a short article which stated that Marcona Corp. was studying the use of 25,000-hp autogenous grinding mills for an iron ore project in Alaska. As if that weren't enough, they were going to dispense with the primary crusher and feed run-of-mine ore to the grinding mills which were to be driven by wrap-around seven-cycle motors. We see also that Bougainville Copper Co. will be grinding 90,000 tpd of ore in only eight 4250- hp ball mills. At Bougainville too, their float section will be the first large one to be completely equipped with the new 350-cu ft flotation cells. After a half century of relatively peaceful growth in the minerals industry, we are now seeing almost exponential advances in both equipment and plant size. At the same time, we are seeing a constant blending of hydro and pyrometallurgical techniques and processes into minerals beneficiation until the sample grind-'em-up-and-concentrate-'em plant is becoming a rarity.

Jan 1, 1970

By Frank W. Bowdish, T. M. Plouf

The purpose of this writing is to make available additional data, not previously published, on the zeta potential at various pH values of chrysocolla from the Inspiration mine, Arizona. Much research has been performed on chrysocolla, its physical properties, and its flotation, the results of which have not yielded a commercially acceptable flotation process for its recovery. The present data were collected and are presented to further advance chrysocolla research. Experimental For this investigation a carefully prepared sample of chrysocolla was used. This sample was obtained by crushing specimens from the Inspiration mine and picking out by hand the solid blue particles at -3+8 mesh, by grinding these to 10 mesh and repicking the +28 mesh sizes, by cleaning this product using magnetic separation, and by grinding and screening the material into fractions for final magnetic treatment on a Frantz Isodynamic Separator. All testing was done on the -100+150 mesh fraction. A chemical analysis was made on a portion of this fraction which was washed in dis-

Jan 1, 1974

Development of Technical Education for the Petroleum, Industry. By H C GEORGE (Min & Met, June, 260 2000 words) With a growth of 718 per cent in the petroleum industry from 1901 to 1931, there was a corresponding increase in the demand for technically trained men in the industry This was first met by increasing numbers of college graduates from the old established courses m chemistry, geology and engineering However, there began to be felt a need for scientists and engineers specially trained for the petroleum industry In 1912 the University of Pittsburgh established the first department in any university in the world that offered major work in petroleum engineering and petroleum geology In Europe, the first major work in petroleum engineering was offered in England in 1913 at the University of Birmingham The University of California and Stanford University offered major work in petroleum engineering in 1915 Since that time at least 10 other American universities and colleges have offered major work and at least 12 others are now offering some courses dealing with petroleum, and the petroleum industry.

Jan 1, 1935

By Frank C. Greene

Drilling for oil and gas in Missouri continued at a slightly lower rate than has been prevailing. A summary of operations for the past few years as compiled and published by the Missouri Geological Survey and Water Resources is as follows: Two oil pools are being developed in Cass County. Neither area has been drilled completely, and detailed descriptions will not be given at this time. In the Endicott pool in the southern part of T. 44 N., R. 33 W., oil is found in the Warrensburg sand, which is now considered to be the Big Lake sand of eastern Kansas. The top of the sand is about 125 ft. below the Herthalimestone. The best well is reported to have made 14 bbl. per day for the first four days. The oil is 30" to 32' BB. gravity. This is the only pool in the state, aside from the older areas on the east and west edges of Lees Summit, Jackson County, that is producing oil from the Warrensburg sand. Drilling continues in the Knoche pool in the central part of T. 46 N., R. 33 W., where the oil is found in the Squirrel sand. The oil produced by both these pools is sold by truck in Kansas City.

Jan 1, 1937

THERE are two general classes of problems in connection with electric furnaces. First, those relating to the best utilization of the electrical power inside the furnace; second, those connected with the bringing of the electrical power to the point where it is to be utilized. Referring particularly to the latter class of problems, many calculations have been made, covering a wide variety of furnaces, to check the electrical capacity and power factor found from test. The following analysis, made for the purpose of determining the maximum capacity and approximate performance of a new furnace, to operate at 160 volts on a 60-cycle circuit, may be of interest. The first characteristic necessary to determine is the inductance, since this is the factor that limits the amount of power which can be put into the furnace. Inductance is calculated from the dimensions of the furnace, according to formulas of the U. S. Bureau of Standards,1 as

Jan 10, 1918

The Library of the above-named Societies is open from 9 A.M. to 10 P.M., except on holidays. It contains about 70,000 volumes and 90,000 pamphlets, including sets of technical periodicals and publications of scientific and technical societies. Members of the Institute, with few exceptions, are forced to spend a portion of their time in localities isolated from sources of information. To these the Library, through its Library Service Bureau, can render valuable service through correspondence; letters requesting information will receive especial attention. The Library is prepared to furnish references and photographic copies of articles on mining and metallurgical subjects; to determine the existence of mining maps, and to furnish general information on the geology and mineral resources of all countries. All communications should be made as definite as possible so that the information received may be what is desired and not include collateral matter which may not be of interest. The time spent in searching for such collateral matter will be saved, and the information will he sent more promptly and in more usable shape.

Jan 9, 1917

By John Fayerweather

Here is a challenge to industry to meet the need for management training for the men now passing from essentially technical work into managerial responsibility . . . And a program to handle the job. The purpose of this article is to throw out a challenge both to industry and to educators-a challenge to meet a crying need for management training among the young mining engineers of our nation, the men from 25 to 35 years old who are passing from essentially technical work into managerial responsibilities. It is the author's suggestion that these men could profit tremendously from the intensive training in management subjects which could be provided by short programs in mining administration. The challenge is to mining educators to provide such programs and to the mining industry to support the programs and to release their men to receive the training they need. Such a proposal clearly requires sound supporting arguments.

Oct 1, 1956

By J. H. Nead

Discussion of the paper of J. H. NEAD, presented at the New York meeting, February, 1916, and printed in Bulletin No. 108, December, 1915, pp. 2341 to 2357. E. D. CAMPBELL, Ann Arbor, Mich.-Any one at all familar with research work can at once see that Mr. Nead has condensed into his tables and curves the results of a carefully planned set of experiments which must have involved a great amount of work on his part. He deserves much credit for the way in which he has carried out these experiments, for it is to the results of such systematic experimentation that we must look for further knowledge of the underlying causes which determine the physical properties of steel. It will probably be many years before we have sufficient knowledge of all the factors of the problem of the constitution of steel, but every set of carefully carried out experiments such as Mr. Nead has made adds something to our knowledge and brings us a little nearer to the final solution of the problem.

Jan 5, 1916

By F. F. Aplan

Pollution control will be of utmost importance in the 1970's. In this area, the mineral process engineer has a special competence to understand and remedy many pollution situations. There is an old adage that goes, "Build a better mouse- trap and the world will beat a path to your door." Would that it were so, but the reality of the situation is such that, just as a supplier must sell his machine, a professional man must sell his competence. It is a sad but true fact that mineral processing engineers have not done a very good job in selling their extensive competence in the control of a broad range of pollution problems. Recently one of our students visited a paper pulp mill where he was shown a foam fractionator used to remove paper pulp fibers from plant discharge waters. "Foam fractionator hell, that's a flotation cell!'' was his comment. Ah so, it would appear that large numbers of technical people consider themselves experts on "foam fractionation" Or is it that we have been very remiss in demonstrating the usefulness of our equipment and processes and our professional competence to solve, these pollution problems?

Jan 1, 1970