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By E. E. Roecker, J. F. K. Brown

For three years The Hudson Coal Co. has used egg anthracite instead of coke in its foundry cupola. It has long passed the stage of being told it cannot be done—the metal would be cold, of poor quality, or the speed of operation would be low. From observation, from use and from test. we know that our metal is about average; the cast iron invokes no adverse comment from the machine shop and the speed suits our foundry requirements. We have there-iore resolved into practice anthracite combustion processes in an industrial furnace formerly using coke, under conditions suitable to our needs. When it comes to translating what we know into use in another cupola, however, where operating conditions may be different, or to explaining why, with seemingly the same conditions in our own cupola, we have attained sometimes a temperature of 2800° in the metal and at another time 2600°, or a speed of 5 tons per hour against 2 35 tons per hour, we cannot do it. We cannot do this because there seems to be an unbridged gap between laboratory ideas on combustion and practical ideas on com-bustiqn, which we have been unable to cross in terms understandable to us as practical consumers. This gap or bridge centers around the problem of how combustion actually takes place; and we believe it is controlled by two factors: (I) the character of the surface of the fuel and (2) the space provided and needed within which the oxygen of the air is allowed to or can act on that surface. It has long been contended on behalf of coke that porosity is an important factor in combustion, although, admittedly, there are two schools of opposing thought on this question, as revealed in technical literature. It has been understood generally that a light, porous coke is the best metallurgical fuel because there are more square inches of carbon exposed to the blast of air, therefore more useful carbon-dioxide reactions can take place in the given space between the entrance of the air and the point where useful work is done. It is now our general idea that the heavier and the harder the coal, the better the metallurgical fuel, provided the surface of that fuel is suitable for fast reaction with the oxygen. Time and Space A cupola is loaded in layers of fuel and iron. The horizontal line where the first charge of iron rests on the coal is the top of the bed coal. With us that is 22 in., usually, above the tuyeres where the air enters. This means 600 lb. of coal. Every subsequent coal layer is 100 to 125 lb. of coal, and that 100 to 125 lb. of coal melts 1000 lb. of iron at around 2700° in the ladle. This quantity of coal represents a 3-in. layer spread across the cupola. The question arises: If this 3 in. of coal will melt 1000 lb. of metal, why was it necessary to use 600 lb., or 22 in., of coal beneath and between the first charge of iron and the air entrance?

Jan 1, 1944

By H. Foster Bain

FROM time to time geologists and mining engineers, impressed by the heavy demands made on our mineral reserves' by modern industry, and particularly by the steadily mounting rate of production necessary to meet that demand, have issued warnings as to the danger of exhaustion. There can be no dispute as to the fact that mineral deposits are exhaustible. New mineral, is not created to replace that taken from the earth and when a crop of mineral is once harvested another cannot be grown in the same area. The evidence of exhaustion 'of particular oreshoots, deposits, or even of whole districts is familiar to all who have mined. If one were to judge solely from the abandoned mills and prospect holes he would rightly conclude that mining is but a short-lived industry. If one were, furthermore, to assemble the data as to known reserves of almost any of the commonly used minerals, and divide them by the annual tonnage mined, he would come to the same conclusion. If, again, one were to consider the most carefully made estimates of competent men seeking to measure the earth's reserves of minerals and plot against them a projection of the curve of past consumption, he would be justified in viewing the situation with alarm.

Jan 1, 1930

By Walter Renton Ingalls

IN SEVERAL papers and addresses during the past two years, I have dwelled upon some of the economic consequences of the war. The fundamental thought that I have sought to convey is that the world became immensely poorer by the war, not only in material wealth and population, but also in the psychology and morale of the people. I do not see how there can be any intelligent dissent from that statement. All the ideas of post-war prosperity were manifestly fallacious, manifestly fallacious from the outset. If there had been any truth in them it would have followed logically that a great war, with all its destruction of wealth, health and life would be a good thing. Therefore, let us have a great war every ten years or so. Such an idea would be both monstrous and absurd. Assuming then the acceptance of my premise, I have tried to show that the losses by the war could be made good in a short time, i.e., in a relatively short time, only by doing things a great deal better than formerly, and that the accomplishment of such a result called for greater transparency in industry, for industrial cooperation, for thinking in terms of industries as a whole, and for the greater exercise of engineering functions. All of this introduced, of course, the position and psychology of labor. I say frankly that I do not look for labor to contribute any constructive thought to the upbuilding. I neither expect it nor hope for it. This is a pity, for it could do so much for its own economic advancement if it would. However, it never has done so, but rather has benefited only from the exercise of the talents of the few, and the main hope now is to bring it into a passive state, dispelling the resistive fallacies that developed during the war. Let us briefly examine the nature of these.

Jan 1, 1921

By Michel David

One of the most important questions that arises in ore estimation can be stated as follows: What is the error when one extends the grade of a sample to a certain volume? The theory of regionalized variables, with the concept of extension variance, provides a response to that crucial question for any kind of sample extended to any volume. For the usual "extensions" encountered in current mining practice, some simple results can be derived from that theory which was initiated by Dr. G. Matheron. These results have been applied to a stratiform lead-zinc deposit for which several estimations of grade, tonnage and related precision have been made for a series of grid sizes such as might be used in a progressive exploration program.

Jan 1, 1969

By AIME AIME

MANY of the important papers to be presented at the World Congress of Engineering at Tokyo, in November, 1929, are being furnished by members of A.I.M.E. and a list of them is given below: "Fifty Years of Physical Metallurgy,,-by H. M. Boylston, Case School of Applied Science, Cleveland, Ohio.

Jan 1, 1929

By Simon D. Strauss

The world appetite for minerals in the, third quarter of this century grew at a higher rate than had been anticipated. To illustrate, consider the experience of four, commodities. Excluding the Communist bloc, sometimes referred to as the centrally planned economies, demand for aluminum increased at a compound rate of 8.6% between 1950 and 1975,; copper rose by 4.4%; iron ore by 5.5%; and tin, the laggard in the group, by 2%. Except for tin, the figures are substantially greater than growth rates anticipated in 1950 in the Paley Commission report and other studies. The growth rate was not evenly distributed in geographical areas. Professor Wilfred Malenbaum of the University of Pennsylvania did an interesting study breaking these figures down as among three principal sources of demand -- the United States, other industrialized nations (which he referred to as the "rich lands"), and the developing world (which he referred to as the "poor lands").

Jan 1, 1982

By Howard A. Meyerhoff

AS a source of mineral wealth, the larger islands of the West Indies have never had an enviable reputation. The Spaniards took possession of them in the sixteenth century hopeful that they would yield gold; but it was not long before they knew the rather rigid limitations of Antillean gold production and were seeking-and finding ---richer deposits of the precious metals in Mexico and on the west coast of South America. Although a great deal of wealth changed hands in the West Indian islands in subsequent years, the fact may be laid to the abundance of pirates and privateers and not to the richness of local ore bodies.

Jan 1, 1941

By W. H. Bassett

ABOUT twenty-five years ago the copper industry had outgrown the Lake Superior production. The electrolytic copper producers had- their process well in hand and the industry was well started in the use of electrolytic copper, both for working into wire and sheet, and for the making of alloys. The trade knew that some brands of copper made good material and that other brands did not. There came together a group of men-a refiner, a rolling-mill man, and a manufacturer of electrical machinery-each of them desiring to know why there was a difference and what .it was. Much investigation was done with wire bars and cakes which involved ' chemical analysis, metallographic examination, physical tests and electrical tests. To find the influence of different kinds of copper in making brass 200 carloads of ingots were made into ,eyelet brass under careful observation; each carload was carefully analyzed and tested before used. The alloy was made and rolled under standard conditions and the results recorded.

Jan 1, 1924

By Walter G. Perkins

In the assay of copper-bearing material for gold and silver, the elimination of copper before the final cupellation is of course essential, because any copper left in the lead-button will carry gold into the cupel; and a method which will effectively remove the copper with the smallest amount of manipullation is desirable. The scorification method is often rendered long and tedious by the necessity of repeatedly re-scorifying the button— to say nothing of the risk of losing Au—Ag thereby incurred. An ore carrying, for instance, 10 per cent,. of copper and only 0.1 or 0.2 oz. gold per ton, cannot be scorified with accurate results, because so many portions would have to be taken in order to get enough gold for weighing. On the other hand, the crucible method, with potassic nitrate and nails, would not do at all in such a case, because all the copper would be reduced by the nails, and (if the charge were 0.5 A. T.) this would defeat cupellation, by causing cupel-absorption of gold. In matte-assays, more concentrated value permits the determination of gold from smaller portions, and thus diminishes the difficulty experienced with ores. The method here described has been severely tested, during use for more than a year, and hart never failed hitherto, in the assay of any ore or product to which it has been applied. It is not proposed as perfect for every variety of ore or matte—probably no method would be that; but it is believed that, intelligently used, with the modifications dictated by practice, it will give better results, with less expenditure of time and labor, than any other known to the writer.

Jan 1, 1902

By W. L. Fink, L. A. Willey

DURING the war there was introduced a new higher strength aircraft alloy designated 75S.1,2.3 The properties of this alloy assure extensive applications in both military and commercial aircraft. It is therefore important to understand its limitations as well as advantages. The properties of 75S alloy in the heat-treated tempers, like those of many other aluminum alloys, are affected by the rate of quenching. In general, low quenching rates tend to cause low strengths and to adversely affect the resistance to corrosion. Commercial quenching procedures are usually sufficiently rapid to permit the development of maximum properties. However, in the center of heavy sections, such as large rolled and extruded shapes, the quenching rates may not be rapid enough to develop maximum strength or resistance to corrosion. The investigations of 75S alloy described herein reveal the most critical range of temperature and the effects of quenching sheet and extrusions at different rates through that temperature range, on the tensile properties and resistance to corrosion. PROCEDURE Preparation of Specimens Sheet specimens (3 in. by 9 in.) were prepared from a commercial lot of 75S "as rolled" sheet (0.064 in. thick). The composition° was as follows: Weight Percentage Cu Mn Mg Zn Cr Al with Normal Impurities 1.64 0.16 2.58 5.66 0.27 Remainder The specimens employed for the determination of the time-temperature relations during quenching of sheet were prepared by the following procedure: the hot junction of a 28-ga. iron-constantan thermoelement (asbestos insulated) was brazed to a thin strip of aluminum which was in turn brazed into the end of a 3/16 in. i.d. by ¼ -in. o.d. by 30 in. long aluminum protection tube. Before brazing, the tube was flattened to 0.064 in. thickness over the junction and adjacent lead wires for a distance of 1 ½ in. The flattened end of the tube was fitted into a slot cut from one edge to the center of the 3 in. by 9 in. by 0.064 in. sheet and brazed into place. The brazed joint was dressed to the thickness of the sheet and the entire specimen buffed to approximately the brightness of "as rolled" material. Because of the brazing operations required, these specimens were prepared using 3S alloy. For the investigation of quenching rates in heavy sections, there were used 75S extrusions which had compositions similar to that of the sheet. The specimens consisted of 14 in. lengths of ¾ in., 2 in., 3 in. and 4 in. diam cylindrical rods and a roughly rectangular extruded section which was approximately 4 in. by 7 ½ in. Thermocouples were peened into the bottoms of 1/8 in. diam wells drilled into one end and parallel to the axis to a depth of

Jan 1, 1947

By K. Brack, G. H. Schwuttke

Annealing properties of subszerface amorphous lavers produced through high-energy ion implantation in silicon are studied. The buried layers are produced through the implantation of ions (nitrogen), ranging in energy from 1.5 to 2 mev. X-ray interference patterns, transmission electron microscopy, and resistivity profiling are used to study the annealing characteristics of the ion damage. The annealing experiments indicate a low temperature (below 700°C) and a high temperature (above 700°C) region. Significant changes occur in the amorphous layer during the high-temperature anneal. Such changes are corre-lated with the re crystallization of the amorphous silicon and the formation of subsurface (buried) silicon-nitride films. TODAY'S main problems in the field of ion implantation are related to the accurate determination and prediction of 1) the distribution profiles of implanted ions, 2) the lattice sites occupied by the implanted ions, 3) the lattice damage produced through ion implantation, and 4) the annealing characteristics of damage centers in the lattice. This paper reports investigations concerned with the problems listed under 3) and 4). EXPERIMENTAL Our investigations cover the energy range of incident ions from 100 to 300 mev and from 1 to 2.5 mev. The emphasis of this study is on the energy range from 1.5 to 2 mev. The experiments are conducted with single charged nitrogen ions. To implant the ions a van de Graaff generator is used as described by Roosild et al.1 Accordingly, a gas containing the desired ion specie is passed through a thermome-chanical leak into a radio frequency activated source. The positive ions are driven into the van de Graaff with the help of a variable voltage probe. Emerging from the accelerator the ions drift into a magnetic analyzing system and here the desired ion specie is bent 90 deg into the exit port. The ion beam leaving the analyzer is defocused and drifts down a 4-ft long tube to hit the silicon target. At this position the 20 pamp ion beam has a circular cross-section of 2.1 cm. N2 is used as a source gas for nitrogen ions. The implantation target is silicon with zero dislocation density, 2 ohm-cm resistivity, (111) orientation, mechanically-chemically polished, and 1 mm thick. The target is mounted on a water-cooled heat sink and kept at room temperature. A fluence of 1015 to 1016 ions per sq cm is used. RESULTS 1) Silicon Perfection after Bombardment. High-energy ion bombardment of silicon has some striking effects on lattice perfection. Some results were reported in detail previously at the Santa Fe conference2 and are here briefly summarized for the benefit of the experiments described in the following. 1.1) Identification of Surface Films on Silicon. After bombardment all samples are found to be coated with surface films. The films on the silicon surface vary in thickness and color; they can be transparent, slightly brown, or opaque. The films are thicker and darker in the high-intensity area of the beam and they delineate the bombarded surface area of the crystal. The films produce electron diffraction patterns characteristic of carbon and of SiO2. Carbon is predominant. The presence of carbon in these films was confirmed by use of the electron microprobe. Formation of the films occurs independently of the ions used and is attributed to a contaminated vacuum of the high-voltage machine. The carbon is most likely the product of the pump oil which is cracked and polymerized under ion impact. The films stick tenaciously to the silicon surface and burn off in a low-temperature Bunsen flame. 1.2) Mechanical Perfection of the Silicon Surface. The mechanical perfection of the bombarded silicon surface was investigated through optical microscopy, electron microscopy in which the replica technique is used, and optical interferometry. No mechanical damage of the surface was visible after bombardment. However, if a bombarded sample is soaked for several minutes in hydrofluoric acid (HF), gas bubbles may develop in certain spots of the silicon surface. It is also noted that in these areas the surface film starts to peel off. Relatively large patches of film come off if the sample is soaked in HF during ultrasonic agitation. After HF treatment, pits may be present on the silicon surface. The pit dimensions are estimated to be as large as 50 µ. The pits appear in the region of most intense irradiation. 1.3) Lattice Perfection After Bombardment. No lattice damage is found on the silicon surface. Electron transmission micrographs and selected area diffraction patterns of the surface show no difference before and after bombardment. Measured approximately 2 µm down from the surface, the silicon lattice throughout this depth is of good perfection. Well-defined Laue spots and Kikuchi lines are obtained from the surface as well as from the indicated area below the surface. However, some radiation damage is dispersed in this top layer. A sharp boundary line separates this surface layer from a highly damaged layer which extends further downward into the silicon. Typical of this

Jan 1, 1970

By T. B. Armstrong

Electrical energy conservation sees that service facilities are operated only when needed and that production equipment is operated under an optimum condition. Specific energy consumption (kw-hr per tonne) is not regularly recorded for comminution circuits because of variations in ore characteristics and the low grinding efficiency (0.1 to 2.0%) of the equipment. Improved data acquisition can produce meaningful results. Particle size monitor systems and density gauges permit comparison of energy (kw-hr) and production (tonne) for a "fixed" condition. Finding the operating condition producing the lowest unit energy consumption provides a target for an effective energy management program.

Jan 1, 1982

By C. Morrow

Deformation studies were performed on tuffaceous rocks fran Yucca Mountain, Nevada Test Site to determine the strengths and coefficients of friction under confining pressures from 10-50 MPa at room temperature. Frictional strengths of 30ºsawcut samples increased with pressure and reached values of around 150 MPa at the higher confining pressures. However, the failure strengths of the intact samples were quite unpredictable. The coefficients of friction ranged between 0.7 and 0.9 for all specimens. These data can be used in conjunction with in situ stress measurements at Yucca Mountain, to evaluate the potential for earthquake activity in the region.

Jan 1, 1984

By H. C. Fiedler

It was recently shown with 3.3 pct Si-Fe containing 0.026 pct S and 0.06 pct Mn that the extent of secondary recrystallization to a cube-on-edge texture is determined by the cooling rate from the solution temperature of the manganese sulfide inclusions.1 With a rapid cooling rate, many small inclusions rather than a few large ones are formed, which leads to increased restraint to normal grain growth and more complete secondary recrystalliza-tion. Strip samples 12 mils thick, rolled from 1-in.-thick slabs that were cooled at 130°C per min

Jan 1, 1964

By Roshan B. Bhappu, Milton F. Lewis, Jean A. McAllister

Several alternatives are available for treating lower grade gold ores averaging 0.04 to 0.10 oz per ton. These include heap, vat, and agitation leaching and may involve conventional zinc precipitation or carbon adsorption-electrowinning systems. Each of these processes have their inherent economic and operating advantages and disadvantages and the selection of the optimum method for a given gold ore is solely based on economic evaluation of the applicable processes. In this paper an effort is made to provide engineering feasibility estimates for the above processes under varying operational conditions such as ore grade and price of gold.

Jan 1, 1974

By E. G. SINCLAIR

DRILLING wildcat wells in Wyoming differs a little from methods used in any other field. Here it is always advisable to start the hole as large as is convenient in order to carry each string of pipe as far as possible, so that drilling can be continued a thousand feet deeper if necessary, as there is always sand a few hundred feet ahead that really ought to be tested. This plan may seem ambitious, but if it is adhered to, it will save a great deal of trouble before the well is completed. In making the location, one representative from the operating department and one from the geological department should work together, so that the well may be in the best possible place for obtaining oil and the most feasible place to drill for the operating department. In Wyoming nearly all wells are drilled with standard tools, as with them a better log can be kept and better time made in completing the hole. The shales of Wyoming are very hard and do not mix well in a wet hole. The shale cuts into large pieces, too large to be circulated out of the hole, and forms a mat on the rotary which soon cuts off circulation. Then if this mat cannot be jarred from the bit, the drilling string has to be pulled and the mat cut off from the bit with a pick or an axe. I have seen standard tools come out of a wet hole with 10 to 16 in. of mat on the bottom of the bit. Rotary tools have drilled wells satisfactorily in the Big Muddy field and at Billy Creek, but in the other fields the wells have been drilled much more economically with cable tools.

Jan 1, 1926

By W. M. Weigel

LESS advances in the technology of non-metallic minerals than for several years past mark 1931, and the cause is easily found. The universal depression and decreased markets for non-metallic as well as other mineral commodities has forced the producers to cut out all unnecessary expense and reduce operating costs to a minimum in order to keep going, even on a reduced output, and to prevent insolvency. The result. has been that but 'little research has been carried on, and such as has been completed has in but few cases been put into commercial practice on account of the expense involved in new equipment and plant changes. The trend in the industry has been more economic than technologic, and the greatest effort put on market studies and sales attempts to expand markets and scrutiny of present operating 'practice leading to reduction of cost of production. This tendency has been increased by highly competitive conditions and the buyer's market which has prevailed and to the fact that price has been a greater factor than quality in placing orders. Only in cases where improvements in technology would immediately and effectively reduce costs or where in special cases there was but little competition with almost a monopoly control has actual technical development taken place.

Jan 1, 1932

By Charles H. Fulton

IT is assumed that the word "college" for the present purpose signifies technical school or technical department of a college or university. About ten or fifteen years ago, and more recently in some instances the contact between the technical school and the industry, as represented by the operating companies, was very limited. The school made no effort to place its graduates in the industry and the graduate's first position was obtained by his own or his friends' efforts; the friend often was a professor. The industries, or the operating companies, seemingly had little interest in the training of the technical graduates they employed or in seeking to discover their personal characteristics and fitness for the work. In the public mind there was little relation between technical training and industry. Such training was in the field of education; industry was in the field of business; and the interrelationship was not a matter of common knowledge or concern.

Jan 1, 1929

By AIME AIME

The following persons have been proposed for election as members or associates of the Institute during March and April, 1908. Their names are published for the information of members and associates, from whom the Committee on Membership earnestly invites confidential communications, favorable or unfavorable, concerning these candidates. A sufficient period (varying in the discretion of the Committee, according to the residence of the candidate) will be allowed for the reception of such communications, before any action upon these names by the Committee. After the lapse of this period, the Committee will recommend action by the Council, which has the power of final election.

Jan 5, 1908

By AIME AIME

ON Thursday a most interesting symposium on "Gases in Metals" was held, with both morning and afternoon sessions. The morning was devoted principally to the considerations of the steel maker, the nonferrous field being taken up in the afternoon period. Dr. John Johnston, as chairman, introduced the subject with "A Short Analysis of the Gas-metal Problem and Its Practical Importance." He then introduced P. H. Brace who explained in considerable detail the various vacuum fusion and other methods in use at present, both here and abroad, in the study of "gases" in metals. He was fol¬lowed immediately by H. W. Graham on "The Effect of Oxygen in Steel." The papers elicited considerable discussion, the point being particularly noted by both Dr. Rawdon and Dr. Sauveur that a knowledge of "total oxygen" alone is not sufficient information for the metallurgist, distribution of oxygen being probably the more important. Dr. Johnston, in commenting on the lack of agreement among many of the methods now in use, such as the Ledebur and vacuum fusion, spoke of the contemplated plan of the Iron and Steel Division to have a number of standard samples analyzed by many laboratories by the various methods, the Bureau of Standards acting as a clearing house, so that more definite information may be obtained on the comparative accuracy of the method.

Jan 1, 1933