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By Fred V. Seibert

The Functions and the Responsibilities of the Institute The Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy is unique. ln addition to the welfare of its members, it has a real interest in the welfare and promotion of one of Canada's largest and most important basic industries. It is because of this that the membership is composed of both individual and corporate members. The individual members are both technical and non-technical (Members and Associates). Both Members and Associates have the same status in the Institute and all are interested in the welfare of the mineral industry. The aims and objects of the Institute 11re twofold. The education and welfare of its individual members and the sound promotion and welfare of the mineral industry. Perhaps it might be well if we reviewed these aims and objects as stated in our Constitution: "First - To promote the arts and sciences connected with the economical production of valuable minerals and metals, by means of meetings for the reading and discu11ion of technical papers, and the subsequent distribution of such information as may be gained throo.gh the medium of publications". It cannot be denied that we have do ne a good job in this particular phase of our work. Nevertheless, there is still room for improvement. It has been suggested that we might have more discussion and, on occasions, more criticism of our papers and programmes. This can best be done if the authors will have their papers prepared in sufficient time to permit of preprints being made availa1ble before the meeting at which they are to be presented.

Jan 1, 1950

By D. Weston

"IntroductionIn preserving this paper, the author would like to acknowledge the basic development work carried out by the Consolidated Mining & Smelting Company of Canada, without whose initiative the development of the Aerofoll mill would not have been possible. In particular, he would like to pay tribute to the late Mr. C. T. Oughtred, Superintendent of Concentration for Cominco, whose vision and research-mindedness was the chief contributing factor in the carrying alo.ng of the original development.He would like also to acknowledge the help and co-operation of the staff of the Mines Branch, Department of Mines and Technical Surveys, Ottawa, without which the finalization of the un.it and its application would have been many additional years in coming to industry; and the assistance and encouragement given so freely by Mr. C. W. Dowsett, Consulting Metallurgical Engineer, Ventures Limited, and Professor A. M. Gaudin, Massachusetts Institute of Technology."

Jan 1, 1950

By H. E. Lee, P. C. Feddersen

Greenockite is the only known cadmium mineral of importance. It occurs rather universally, in minor concentrations, as a secondary mineral in sphalerite deposits. The world's cadmium output is obtained through the processing of metallurgical by-products, largely from the treatment of residues from electrolytic zinc, retort zinc and lithopone plants. These sources are supplemented by the processing of fumes from lead and copper smelting operations. The development of modern selective flotation practice in the decade 1920-1930, which permitted the economical mining of complex lead-zinc ores, resulted in significant increases in the quantities of cadmium entering lead smelting systems. Being closely related to zinc as to occurrence, properties and production, most detailed description of cadmium recovery methods are to be found recorded in connection with zinc metallurgy. Other than occasional articles pertaining to particular operational procedures, literature offers but little in the nature of a balanced survey of lead smelter cadmium recovery practices. While many of the basic operations described for the recovery of cadmium from zinc by-products are applicable to the treatment of lead plant products, the inherent problems involved differ widely. In general the cadmium content of related by-products from routine lead smelting operations is present in lower concentrations, exists in a less soluble state and is associated with both a greater quantity and a greater variety of detrimental impurities. To cope with these problems, lead smelter practices are found to follow the general outline: Preparatory Processing 1. Concentration operations 2. Sulphation operations Cadmium Plant Processing 1. Leaching operations 2. Purification operations 3. Sponge precipitation operations 4. Metal recovery operations 5. Refining and casting operations As in the case of related zinc plant operations, cadmium recovery practices at lead smelters are not standardized. They not only vary as to type, but also extent. Depending upon prevailing conditions, lead smelter cadmium operations range from simple concentration campaigns, for the purpose of sufficiently "up-grading" products for shipment elsewhere, to complete processing steps for the production of refined metal. Preparatory Processing The cadmium content of lead smelter receipts is low and, as a rule, proportionate to the zinc content; the usual range of cadmium contained being of the order of 0.01-0.05 pct. Were it not for the low boiling point of cadmium, such small concentrations would, no doubt, be lost in the large tonnages of slag, metal and other smelter end products. However, the ready volatility of cadmium and its compounds at prevailing lead smelting temperatures results in its concentration in fractional portions of fume collected. This collected fume comprises a circulating load within the smelter system. Thus, the cadmium content of blast furnace fume* increases with each successive circulation until an equilibrium value is reached when the sum of the cadmium losses, due to handling and in slag, waste gases and other end products, becomes equal to the intake as ore. With ore receipts averaging, say 0.03 pct cadmium, the concentration value obtainable, through fume circulation in a routine manner, approaches 10-12 pct. In such operations, cadmium concentrations in blast furnace fume of from 3-5 pct are readily .attainable. However, the concentration gain beyond this range, with each additional circulation, is progressively decreased as a result of mounting losses occurring through handling and in end products. Therefore, to avoid excessive cadmium loss and to enhance the ultimate concentration anttainable, it is customary practice to isolate blast furnace fume at some intermediate cadmium content for special concentration procedure. The most common type cadmium concentration "campaign" involves special smelting operations wherein a relatively high portion of blast furnace fume at 3—6 pct cadmium is incorporated into the sinter charge. This type practice is roughly illustrated by the diagram on p. 111. Cadmium fume collected from lead blast furnace operations is not amen-

Jan 1, 1950

In July 1946 President Truman approved the stock- piling act providing for the accumulation of stocks of strategic minerals in which this country is deficient. Congress also provided huge sums for the purchase of these materials to initiate the program. In order to meet anticipated stock pile goals it will be necessary for the United States to import very large quantities of 70 strategic materials, by far the largest items being minerals and metals. There are no priorities of relative importance in the list, as the lack of any single item may cause industry to fail in its part in national defense. Stock piles of material in a form as close as possible to the ultimate fabricated state represent not only the actual material physically on hand but also "canned" labor, transportation, smelting, refining, and all other steps. Central and South America, together with Canada and Newfoundland, in their normal capacity as sources of supply will be called upon to furnish a sizable pro- portion of the total requirements. No special measures should be arranged for this purpose; it will be more practical to make purchases in accordance with the availability of materials of desired quality, not by reference to geographic area. Much has been said in the past, and may be repeated in the future, concerning the desirability of hemispheric self-sufficiency-both from a resources and from a military security viewpoint. The mineral industries cannot favor the principle of eco-

Jan 1, 1950

By A. J. Kauffman Jr.

The Petrographic Section of the Bureau of Mines, Northwest Electrodevelopment Laboratory, Albany, Oreg., annually examines thousands of minerals and rocks. Samples are received from mining, engineers, prospectors, and government agencies, both State and Federal. During the past 2 years certain uncommon minerals have been identified in the samples submitted. Eleven occurrences have been selected for reporting in detail. These selections were made because in most cases a new locality is involved. The data reported are the result of application of the latest techniques, and widely disseminated references concerning each mineral have been added for completeness. Several occurrences have been described by other investigators; in those cases new data have been supplied to supplement the already published information on these occurrences. No uranium-bearing minerals have been included; they will be treated in another paper. The Bureau of Mines does not make chemical analyses or assays for individuals or firms In direct competition with private laboratories. Mineral¬ogical examinations, however, are made for prospectors and the general public. Such examinations a call surface to determine whether the sample in question has possible commercial value. If it has apparent value, the sender is so informed, and suggestions as to its .Arc, development and marketing are offered. The latest scientific apparatus is available to aid in identification. The apparatus includes microscopes, both wide-field and polarizing, a Bunsen-type spectroscope for visual observation of the Zinc and band spectra of many elements, differential thermal apparatus for the examination of hydrous material, apparatus for cutting and mounting either thin sections for study in transmitted or polished surfaces for reflected-light studies, and a high-intensity magnetic separator for concentrating minerals according to their magnetic susceptibility. Also, available, but not an integral part of the Section, are several laboratory-type Geiger counters, a grating spectrograph, and X-ray diffraction apparatus. If need be, all of these tools may be employed to identify a mineral or rock.

Jan 1, 1950

By Jr. Reed

Cassiterite was discovered in Coosa County, Ala. in 1880 by Judge John S. Bentley. Since that time intensive surface prospecting has revealed the presence of cassiterite in pegmatite bodies that occur in a zone about 20 miles long and 3 miles wide. Numerous trenches and test pits and several shafts were sunk, and one attempt was made to nine and concentrate the cassiterite commercially. The problem of a domestic tin industry and the question of the extent of the Alabama tin deposits have long been of public interest and concern. The deposits have been examined by numerous geologists and several governmental agencies, including the Geological Survey of Alabama, the Geological Survey and the Bureau of, Mines. of the Department of Interior, and others. The Bureau of Mines and the owners of the properties, Charles A. Dean and Robert A. Russell, investigated the Coosa County tin deposits under a cooperative agreement from October 1, 1948, to June 10, 1949. Sixteen hand trenches totaling 527 linear feet and 33 machine trenches totaling 6,780 linear feet were dug. Two shafts wore sunk for a total of 72 feet, and 44.4 feet of drifting was done. Thirty-one diamond-drill holes totaling 2,776 feet were drilled.. Four hundred thirty samples, representing 1,192.6 linear feet, were taken for assay and wore analyzed by the Southern Experiment Station at Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Jan 1, 1950

By E. A. Gulbransen, K. F. Andrew

The gas-metal reactions of zirconium are very interesting. The metal is extremely stable at room temperature to reactions with the several gases present in air and the metal will stay bright indefinitely. However, at temperatures of several hundred degrees higher the metal reacts readily with oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. This behavior, in addition to the fact that zirconium is one of the higher melting point metals which might have high temperature applications under the proper conditions, resulted in the work reported in this communication. There are several factors which indicate that zirconium might have good oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures. These are: (1) the high melting point of approximately 1860°C, (2) the high melting point of the oxide of approximately 2675°C, (3) the high degree of thermodynamic stability of the oxide to chemical reaction and the low decomposition pressure of the oxide and (4) the possible formation of a continuous oxide film since the volume ratio of oxide to metal is greater than unity. The unfavorable factors are: (1) the metal reacts to form nitrides, hydrides and carbides, (2) the oxide is soluble at elevated temperatures in the metal and (3) the oxide ZrO2 undergoes crystal structure transformations at high temperature. The oxidation resistance of this metal is not only a question of the rate of film formation but is complicated by the fact that the oxide and other reaction products dissolve in the metal which in turn will affect the physical and mechanical properties of the metal. The protection of the metal to nitride formation must be considered separately from the oxide problem. One unfavorable factor is that the volume ratio of the nitride to the metal is about unity. This indicates that a discontinuous film might be formed. This paper will present measurements on the rates of reaction of the metal with O2, H2 and N2 over a wide temperature and pressure range. The reaction in high vacuum and the stability of the several compounds formed will be presented. The results are correlated with fundamental rate theory and with the physical and chemical structure of the metal and film. Literature Although many papers have been published on the chemical reactions of zirconium with various gases, comparatively few are concerned with the protective nature of the metal and its reactions at normal pressures. The studies in the pressure range below 0.01 mm of Hg gas pressure are largely of interest in the nature of the adsorption of gases by hot filaments in high vacuum apparatus. The reactions of zirconium in this pressure range have been reviewed by Fast8 and by RaynOr.27 In spite of certain differences of opinion as to the maximum adsorption temperatures for various gases, the low pressure range is qualitatively understood. Some of these papers will be mentioned briefly here. 1. LOW PRESSURE Ehrke and Slack' find that oxygen reacts above 885°C and hydrogen above 760°C. Nitrogen does not react up to a temperature of 1527°C. Fast9 on the other hand observes that oxygen is absorbed above 700°C and nitrogen at temperatures exceeding 1000°C. Hydrogen is absorbed from 300" to 400°C and liberated between 500" and 800°C. It is readsorbed at 862°C and released above 862°C. Hukagawa and Nambo22 find a rather complicated picture for the absorption of oxygen. A rapid initial absorption is found between 180" to 230°C. Further oxygen is not taken up until a temperature of 450°C is reached. The optimum temperature for complete absorption is 650" to 700°C. Nitrogen is found to be completely adsorbed at 600°C. However some of the gas is evolved at higher temperatures. Their data on the absorption of hydrogen indicate some of the gas is removed at 550°C. Guldner and Wooten17 in a study of the low pressure reactions of zirconium with various gases observed that the reaction with oxygen occurs at temperatures above 400°C and that the oxide is formed. The reactions with carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide occur rapidly at temperatures of about 800°C with the oxide and carbide being formed. Zirconium reacts at temperatures of 400°C slowly and at 800°C rapidly to form the nitride and with hydrogen and water at 300°C to form the hydride and a mixture of the oxide and hydride respectively. 2. NORMAL PRESSURE DeBoer and Fast3 in a study of the electrolysis of oxygen in zirconium find that the metal absorbs up to 40 at. pct of oxygen without forming a new phase. The solubility of nitrogen in the lattice has been studied by de Boer and Fast4 and Fast10 and is found to be considerable. At higher temperatures the oxide dissolves in the lattice at an appreciable rate according to Fast10 and the zirconium surface becomes active. De Boer and Fast4 and Hägg18 have studied the solubility of hydrogen and find that at room temperature the solubility corresponds to ZrH1.95 Desorption occurs on lowering the pressure. Hydrogen is stated to be more soluble in the ß-form and the

Jan 1, 1950

By H. G. Doll

An earlier paper on the general subject of the SP log has analyzed the limitations of that log, in particular when dealing with thin permeable beds enclosed in thick highly resistive ones. Under such conditions, the SP log does not give a good definition of the permeable beds. Selective SP logging is a new method which gives an accurate determination of the permeable beds; even in highly resistive formations, except when the salinity of the mud is extremely high. It also permits a close approxi. mation of the static SP to be obtained. The method consists generally in controlling the potential of auxiliary electrodes located in the drill holes in the vicinity of the measuring electrode. In this manner. the flow of SP current along the drill hole is modified to counterbalance the effect of highly resistive strata. Several procedure; and arrangements used to record selective SP curves and static SP curves are explained. Field examples illustrating these methods are given and discussed. INTRODUCTION In an earlier paper,' the shape of the SP curves and the amplitude of the SP peaks were analyzed, considering how the circulation of the SP current is influenced by the subsurface media as a function of their geometrical configuration and their resistivities. It was shown, in particular. that the permeable beds situated between highly resistive formations are sometimes indistinctly indicated by the deflections of the SP log. It is the purpose of this paper to dircuss a new method now being developed, namely selective SP logging, whose principal feature is to enable a more accurate determination of the depths of the permeable beds present in highly resistive formations, such as occur in limestone fields. It will be shown also how an addi-tional curve called the static SP log can be derived from the selective SP log, or recorded directly, to facilitate the interpretation. Another purpose of the static SP log is to provide an approach toward the determination of the value of the static SP, where this value is not readily given by the SP log. This application. although less important at the present time than that mentioned above, nevertheless is of interest, inasmuch as, according to laboratory and field experiments conducted by several investigators, the determination of oil saturation of reservoirs from the data of the electric log implies the knowledge of the resistivity of the connate water,2,3 to which the static SP seems to be related.4,5,6,7 PRINCIPLE OF SELECTIVE SP LOGGING The method of selective SP logging of the formations traversed by a bore hole consists in recording two curves under the following conditions: The measuring device comprises one measuring electrode M and two additional electrodes G-G', connected to each other. located above and below

Jan 1, 1950

Jan 1, 1950

By Kenneth M. Earl

In its investigation of deposits of strategic minerals, the Bureau of Mines did some development drilling at the New Galena Deposit in an endeavor to find an additional source of supply of lead. In Bucks County, lead and zinc minerals have been found in shales over a largo area west and northwest of Doylestown. Considerable mining has been done in the vicinity of New Galena on the North Branch of Noshaminy Creek, 3 miles northwest of Doylestown. It has not been possible to obtain a satisfactory history of the New Galena mine, as there is much disagreement in statements. Most of the mining was done in open pits. Two shafts were sunk to shallow depth; one of these became part of the main pit' which is 256 foot long, 50 to 75 feet wide, and 20 to 44 feet deep. Small pits 8 to 10 foot square wore sunk on the ore zone, which extends some 1450 feet to the southwest. The rock containing the minerals is either black or gray shale. The gray material closely resembles limestone. The following minerals have been reported from the mine: quartz, ankerite, calcite, galena, sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and bornite. Some of the galena has yielded 10 to 15 ounces of silver and 10 cents in gold per ton. The average grade of the ore as mined is not known. To investigate the downward extension of the ore shoot, the Bureau drilled two holes aggregating 373.9 feet, No additional ore was developed by this work.

Jan 1, 1950

By Forrest K. Pence

Bentonite deposits are known to occur in Texas within the Jackson group of formations. This group represents the uppermost Eocene age sediments found in the coastal plain area of Texas. It outcrops across this area of the state in a narrow band of some 4 to 20 miles width. The outcrop pattern roughly parallels the present Gulf of Mexico shore line and is some 100 miles inland from the Texas shore, Fig 1. The principal bentonite deposits are found in the areas where this outcrop pattern cuts across the south-central Texas counties of Karnes, Gonzales, and Fayette. In these deposits, the better quality bentonite is found in the lower or bottom layers of the volcanic ash deposits in which they occur. Some of these better quality benton-ite~ develop very light colors upon firing and therefore justify their being classified as "white firing." The deposits in Karnes and Gonzales Counties apparently occur in commercial quantity, whereas the white firing strata so far uncovered in Fayette County have been too thin to be classified as yet as "commercial." A study of the ceramic properties of the weathered ash in Gonzales and Karnes Counties was reported in 1941.' Commercial development of the deposit in Gonzales County, 7 miles east of Gonzales, Texas. was started earlier by the Max B. Miller Co. for the purpose of marketing the material as a bleaching clay, and this operation has developed to very sizable proportions. In recent years, this company has offered a specially selected grade of the Gonzales material as a suspending agent in glaze slips. The white firing property especially adapts the material to use in white cover coat enamels. The strata in the deposit are practically horizontal and consist from top to bottom of approximately 2 ft of soil overburden, 10 ft of brown bentonite, 2 ft of coarse white bentonite, and 4 ft of waxy white bentonite overlying a he grained sandstone. The & being made in the quarry is approximately one-half mile in length. Only the bottom 4 ft of waxy bentonite is being recovered, the upper layers being stripped and wasted, Fig 2. It may appear somewhat surprising that the very bottom strata appears to have been the one most completely altered. To confirm this, samples from top to bottom of the various strata were studied microscopically by R. F. Shurtz. Professor of Ceramic Engineering, University of Texas. His interpretation is to the effect that the lower part of the seam was deposited at a much earlier date than the top, and that the lower part was chemically altered to a considerable extent before the upper part of the seam was laid down. The conclusion to be derived from these examinations may be stated briefly to he that the alteration in these strata or parts of strata has proceeded independently of the alteration in other parts of the strata during a considerable geological period. The presence of gypsum and iron stain throughout all of the strata indicates that alteration is now proceeding more or less uniformly throughout. It is contended that the alteration of the original ash to montmorillonite is not a result of the presently operating processes. A deposit which occurs approximately 7 miles southeast of Falls City and just south of the village of Casta-howa, has been explored and leased by J. R. Martin, of San Antonio. Mr. Martin has conducted mining and marketing operations in bentonite for a period of many years and asserts that the white firing strata found in this deposit occurs in commercial quantities. His pit, which is shown in Fig 3, exposes 2 ft of soil overburden, approximately 5 ft of white bentonite having coarse texture, and approximately 5 ft of waxy white bentonite which in turn overlies a brown sandy clay. Here, as in the Gonzales deposit, the most completely altered portion is found at the bottom of the seam, as per following report of microscopic examination by Mr. Shurtz. Sample No. 1: This sample was taken from the top stratum which is one foot thick. It is grayish in color and it contains visible fossilized plants. The color is probably the result of fine carbonaceous material in the rock. Under the microscope the sample is seen to consist of glass and feldspar; the amount of glass predominating. Both these substances are slightly altered. No montmorillonite or other clay mineral can be identified definitely; however, the products of the slight alteration mentioned are probably montmorillonite or mineral gel. Sample No. 2: This sample was taken from the stratum second from the top. This stratum is fourteen inches thick. The sample is light gray. It shows numerous veinlets of greenish translucent material ranging from one-eighth inches wide down to the limit of visibility with the unaided eye. It has the smooth, sub-conchoidal fracture characteristic of some bentonites. Microscopically the sample consists mainly of aggregates of clay minerals. The birefringence of the aggregates is lower than would be expected if the

Jan 1, 1950

Jan 1, 1950

By D. H. Wertz, R. R. Furlong

Dry room equipment at Donora Zinc Works is of the design which prevailed at the time the plant was built in 1915. It consists of 11 adjoining rooms, each being 99 ft long, 11 ft wide, and 7 ft high and having a capacity for 1040 retorts. Heat is supplied by steam coils beneath the slatted wood floor and by warm air ducts at the ceiling. Drying practice is about the same as that generally followed in the industry except that, under normal zinc furnace operations, the maximum drying time is 45 days. During certain seasons of the year the drying process was seriously affected by varying weather conditions which frequently resulted in a scrap loss of 5 to 7 pct. Because of these unfavorable conditions, which caused uneven drying and strains in the retorts, increased retort failures in the zinc furnaces were recorded. Regulation of temperature and humidity under all conditions appeared to be the logical solution of this problem. Controlled drying had been developed for a number of ceramic products and investigation of several such drying processes in this area revealed favorable results. Along with control of drying conditions and the attendant decrease in scrap losses, plant operators also reported a material reduction in drying time. Another factor affecting the decision to proceed with this development was the drastic change in market conditions for retort clay. Curtailment of shipments from the chief source of supply made it necessary to proceed with blending of other available clays, but quality of these clays was questionable for adequate retort life in the 24 hr furnace cycle. Rapid furnace testing of new mixtures was desirable but impossible with the prolonged drying schedule. Therefore development of a controlled drying process for zinc re- torts offered the solution to the problem of rapid testing of retort mixtures. Description of Process and Equipment The freshly extruded retort is cylindrical in shape, 58 in. long, 9 in. id and has 1 1/8 in. side walls. One end is closed and approximately 2 in. thick. The moisture content of this "green" retort is about 17 pct which means a necessary removal of 30 lb of water per retort. Retorts are set on the slatted floor of the dry room with the closed end down. The controlled drying process depends upon the circulation of a large volume of conditioned air at low velocity. To provide for uniform distribu-

Jan 1, 1950

By G. A. Vissac

MoIstuRe in coal must be considered as an impurity, just the same as ash, from the standpoint of utilization of the coal. Being incombustible, it reduces directly the heating value of the coal, and in addition absorbs heat for its evaporation. Its presence means useless expenditures in handling and transportation. In coke plants, extra moisture reduces capacity and may cause damage to brick work and equipment. Accordingly, the removal of extra moisture can be considered just as important as the removal of other impurities, such as ashes, in the modern coal preparation plant. Moisture, which can be removed by heating the coal up to a temperature of 100°C, may be retained in various forms: 1. As a film, on the surface of each coal particle, and in the interstices between particles, retained by capillary forces. 2. Or "occluded" inside the coal particles. This occluded moisture may be either free moisture (as in a sponge), or hygroscopic moisture which varies with atmospheric conditions, (also called "regain"). These latter forms of moisture are particularly common in "young" coals (subbituminous and lignites); bloom coals (seam outcrops); fusain; and carbonized products. In our study of coal drying, we shall consider only the removal of free moisture, exclusive from hygroscopic moisture. Dewatering If we reserve the name of drying to the removal of water by evaporation, we must consider the initial phase of the mechanical removal of free moisture as a distinct operation covered by the term dewatering. In all cases the free water carried over the surface of the coal particles or in their interstices, or in their pores, is retained by capillary forces. Dewater-ing is accomplished by breaking or counteracting these capillary forces; removal of as much water as possible by dewatering methods is usually advisable, as the cost of these operations is generally much less than by evaporation. The most common methods of me-chanical dewatering are: 1. "Pressure piling," which reduces the interstitial spaces, accomplished in dewatering bins or over dewatering screens. 2. Or dynamic methods, such as used in centrifuges or over vibrating screens. We shall only mention the " preferential wetting" method, in which surface water can be displaced by hydrocarbons, as offering possibilities, but which, to our knowledge, has not reached yet a practical development. But we must point out that the capillary forces retaining water on the coal surfaces, decrease considerably with increased temperatures. This is the principle used in all modern dishwashing machines; by using very hot water, dishes are extracted almost dry. In line with this development, we favor the type of dryers including a dewatering section; as the coal enters the dryer and is gradually brought up to higher temperatures, its dewatering ability is increased and advantage can be taken of this conditioning, resulting in increased drying efficiencies and reductions in drying costs. Heat Drying In the final phase, the remaining moisture must be evaporated. Coal and water must be brought up to the chosen temperature of evaporation, and heat must be supplied to fill the requirements of the latent heat of evaporation of the water to be removed. Accordingly, drying becomes largely a problem of heat transfer, and drying methods can be classified accordingly, namely: 1. Radiant transfer. 2. Transfer by surface contact and conduction. 3. Transfer by hot gas contact. The first method is not applicable to coal drying; the second method is used in the old type rotary dryer. The third method, the most commonly used in modern coal dryers, will be the only one considered here; and, of course, we shall deal with continuous types of dryers only. The mechanism of complete drying is really very complex-—several phases are involved: 1. The constant rate period. 2. The uniform falling rate period. 3. The varying falling rate period. As most of our practical coal drying problems deal with wet coals (over 6 pct of moisture), and do not require complete drying (under 1.5 pct), we shall deal with the first condition only, namely the constant rate drying. Dryer Calculations Instead of presenting the algebraic formulas, we believe a concrete example will provide a clearer illustration. Assume a feed of wet coal at the rate

Jan 1, 1950

By William H. Lesser

Never before have mine managers in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania been so seriously concerned about the rising cost of pumping mine water. Many of them know that future pumping charges may affect their operating profits adversely to an extent that will make it necessary to abandon some mines. Increased pumping charges in the anthracite industry are currently comparable in importance with higher mining costs; in fact, profitable operation of some mines depends not only upon the cost of mining coal but also upon whether they can be kept free from water at reasonable cost. Pumping charges are relatively low during the early development of a mine, but they increase rapidly as development progresses. Numerous crop falls, strippings, and. abandoned adjacent properties contribute unfavorably to the volume of water produced during mining. The foregoing conditions and the existence of large underground pools below existing mining levels present water problems of such magnitude and cost that some mine owners cannot continue to operate profitably.

Jan 1, 1950

By L. M. Pidgeon, K. T. Aust

There has been considerable interest in the possible use of titanium in magnesium alloys.' Zirconium has shown some promise in this connection2 and its general similarity with titanium suggests that the latter might act in a similar manner. A literature survey revealed that quantitative data on the Mg-Ti system was unavailable. Several patents3 have claimed that titanium additions from 0.2 to 4 pct to magnesium alloys were possible, but no mention was made as to the form in which the titanium existed in the alloy. Kro114 succeeded in introducing only traces of titanium into magnesium by bubbling TiCl4 through the metal under argon or by reacting it with sodium titanium fluoride. The application of theoretical data given by Carapella5 based on Hume-Rothery's principles, involving atomic size factor, crystal structure, valency and the electro-chemical factor, suggests that a Mg-Ti alloy is a favorable case, and the system appeared to warrant experimental examination. Experimental Procedure and Results THERMAL ANALYSIS If titanium is appreciably soluble in magnesium, a change in the melting point of the magnesium might be detectable using standard cooling curve methods. Magnesium was melted in graphite crucibles under an argon atmosphere, the assembly being enclosed in a silica tube. Graphite thermocouple protection tubes served also to stir the melts. The apparatus was very similar to Fig 1, with the addition of a refractory and baffle system to prevent undue heat losses from the top of the crucible. Chromel-alumel thermocouples were calibrated using Al of 99.97 pct purity. Dominion Magnesium Limited sup- plied redistilled high purity magnesium of the analysis given above. Titanium was added in three different forms: 1. Titanium powder —100 mesh, from the Titanium Alloy Manufacturing Co., Niagara Falls, N. Y. 2. Sheet titanium from the U.S. Bureau of Mines, produced by Mg reduction of TiCl4. 3. Magnesium —50 pct titanium master alloy from Metal Hydrides Inc., Beverly, Mass. The melting point of the high purity magnesium used was measured experimentally as 651.0°C. More than a dozen tests were conducted using titanium from the three sources referred to above, in calculated additions up to 20 pct titanium, at temperatures between the melting point and 1000°C and holding periods up to 6 hr. In no case was evidence obtained of solubility of titanium in magnesium, using inverse-rate and time-temperature curves. The melting point of the magnesium was unchanged within the accuracy of measurement, namely -+0.5°C; and no other thermal arrests were detected. Metallographic investigation of the thermal analysis billets indicated that the titanium additions were apparently mechanically entrapped in the magnesium in segregated areas. Consequently, these samples were not analyzed for titanium. The master alloy proved to be a mechanical mixture of titanium particles in a magne- sium matrix. These results indicated that the titanium solubility, if such existed, could not be obtained by the usual thermal methods. X RAY DIFFRACTION INVESTIGATION In an effort to detect solubility of titanium in magnesium, samples were investigated using both the Debye-Scherrer and the Focusing Back-Reflection methods. Filings from samples of the thermal analysis billets and from pure magnesium were annealed in argon one hour at 350°C to relieve mechanical strain. Measurements made of the interplanar spacings showed no difference between the Mg-Ti samples and pure magnesium. The interplanar spacings could be measured to within 0.0002A, and the greatest variation found was 0.0004A, in the back-reflection method. The diffraction lines for magnesium were not shifted by the titanium additions indicating that the solid solubility of titanium in magnesium is of a very low order—less than 0.5 pct. From both diffraction methods, a d or interplanar spacing of 0.817A was obtained for the redistilled high purity magnesium. This latter value is not given in the standard X ray diffraction cards for magnesium metal or vacuum distilled magnesium. Theoretical calculations for a close-packed hexagonal space lattice for magnesium indicate that the planes {2134) should give a line which was found. The relative intensity for this reflection at 0.817A is slightly less than that at 0.870k for magnesium. SOLUBILITY OF TITANIUM IN LIQUID MAGNESIUM The Mg-Mn system was examined by Grogan and Haughton6 who were

Jan 1, 1950

By Herbert Clark Hoover, Lou Henry Hoover

Jan 1, 1950

The difficulty of finding new ore bodies, the complexities of patenting them when they are found, and the absence of incentive legislation for exploration have limited mining exploration in the United States mostly to the big companies. This situation, coupled with ECA spending abroad, has caused American capital to look outside our national boundaries for investment opportunities which are further made attractive by some relaxing of restrictions to gain American dollars and patronage.

Jan 1, 1950

By R. Maddin, C. H. Mathewson, W. R. Hibbard

Recent publicationsl.2 establishing the presence of cross-slip in strained metallic single crystals oriented wholly within the area of single slip as predicted from the generalizations of Taylor and Elam3 described these markings as they appeared during the initial stages of the deformation process. At that time, the plane having a common glide direction with the primary slipping plane was reported as the cross-slip plane although the specific direction was not confirmed. Consequently, in continuation of the research, it seemed advisable to investigate the micro-graphic appearance of cross-slip together with the Laue back-reflection X ray analysis and stress-strain data during the later stages of the deformation process. Accordingly, a single crystal of brass (72.75 pct Cu, 0.01 pct Fe, 0.01 pct Pb, 27.23 pct Zn) was polished mechanically and repolished electrolytically after the manner described in the earlier paper.' Three pairs of flat surfaces, parallel to the specimen axis, and (1) perpendicular to the plane containing the pole of the primary glide plane and the specimen axis, (2) perpendicular to the plane containing the pole of the cross-slip plane and the specimen axis, and (3) perpendicular to the plane containing the slip direction and the specimen axis, were polished mechanically and repolished electrolytically, resulting in a final minimum gauge diameter of 0.4864 in. in a gauge length of 3.36 in. The specimen was elongated in tension and load-extension readings were taken following the method described in the initial investigation.' Observed reorientations were obtained from a series of Laue back-reflection photograms at the center and ends of the gauge length and at various positions around the circumference of the specimen. These were interpreted after the manner of A. B. Greninger.4 Cross-slip (Fig 1 and 2) was found with the first appearance of the primary slip clusters and usually joined members of these clusters. In addition, a third set of entirely different markings (Fig 3) could be noted. The displacement of this third set by the primary slip lines was measured as 8300 at. diam (3.04 microns). Since the specimen was carefully observed at high magnifications before any deformation and no markings of any type could be noted, it would appear that this third set was formed during the deformation process prior to the initiation of classical primary slip. Additional extensions produced no unusual change in the appearance of either cross-slip or the third set of markings. The number of lines increased with increasing elongation and appeared, generally, in areas where earlier markings were present. The continuity of the clusters of cross-slip lines in Fig 4, 5 and 6 illustrates that they are neither noticeably displaced by nor do they displace the primary lines at this stage. In Fig 7, cross-slip appears in a long narrow localized band approximately 45 degrees from the stress axis. This somewhat resembles a twin band except for the lack of a sharp boundary. After a shear of 0.257, suffcient additional glide occurred on the cross-slip plane to displace the primary slip lines (Fig 8). Generally, where a large number of cross-slip lines could be observed in an area on one flat surface, few cross-slip lines appeared on the diametrically opposite position on the parallel flat (Fig 9). These, of course, were not matched observations on the same glide ellipses. It was extremely difficult to make such comparisons. The third set of markings (Fig 10) was extensively displaced by glide on the primary slip planes. A plot of the width of primary slip clusters versus their displacement of the third set of lines is shown in Fig 11. The slope and the linearity of the plot suggest that each primary glide plane slips to a constant maximum value of shear before further slip is transferred to another plane. A shear value of 0.28 was determined in this case. Heidenreich5 has presented a similar schematic representation of glide for aluminum. After the specimen had attained an elongation of 51.8 pct, corresponding to a shear of 0.973, cross-slip appeared very prominently in certain areas as shown in Fig 12, yet at diametrically opposite positions very little cross-slip could be noted, Fig 13. Classical conjugate slip was found at this advanced stage in the deformation, Fig 14, which corresponds to the axial location shown at 12 in Fig 15. It should be noted that cross-slip occurs within the conjugate slip clusters and on the same plane as the cross-slip associated with the closely spaced primary lines which constitute a background in less distinct focus. The third set of markings noted at all stages in the deformation of the

Jan 1, 1950

By Jr. Allan

"Although the advantages of large-capacity air receivers for underground mines are plainly evident from published information about various installations in the United States and abroad, details of their construction are not generally known in this country., Ordinary present-day air-compressor installations servicing mining machines are designed to supply air at a specified pressure in sufficient quantity to meet the peak demand of the mine,2/ although this demand may exist for only a few minutes out of 24 hours and, as usually happens, eventually exceeds the capacity of the compressor. Most of the receivers provided with these compressors (to a certain degree of standardi¬zation) are capable of storing a volume of air approximately equal to that compressed in 1 minute by the machine.3, 4/ As a result, during peak-load periods the compressor operates at full load capacity without maintaining kick-off pressure. At other periods of the work cycle, production of compressed air is intermittent.At least one large mine5/ has adopted large-capacity receivers to reduce wear on its air-compressing system caused by the sudden demand of peak loads. Under the old system, the compressors jumped suddenly from half speed to full speed; boilers furnishing steam to the compressors were taxed heavily to provide the increased requirements of power; and machines using the air, among which were four large hoists, were required to operate at 65 pounds per square inch rather than at the 90 pounds per square inch for which the compressors were regulated. Operation of air machines, especially drills, at pressures lower than those for which they were designed decreases their efficiency and increases maintenance costs. In addition, air that comes directly from the compressors has had little opportunity to cool and dry enroute.6./ As a result, quantities of compressor lubricant and water are carried into the machines that use the air. When expansion occurs in the cylinder or turbine of such engines, the temperature of the air drops, and this oil and water is precipitated. The water washes away lubricating oils in the machine, causing poor performance and high cost of maintenance; the compressor oil, in addition to being a poor lubricant for compresed-air engines, exerts a corrosive action on gaskets and rubber hoses.7/Reduction of peak demands on air compressors by large receivers lowers power costs by establishing more nearly constant load factors,8/ and in some cases by permitting the use of smaller compressor capacity.8,9/Load factor is the ratio of average demand to maximum demand; a low load factor costs money.10/Elimination of high-peak demands raises the load factor by making the average and the maximum demand more nearly equal. Further savings may be made possible by large receivers where their use permits charging to be done at night in regions having lower power rates during that period.11/Where ordinary receivers are used, compressor breakdowns cause immediate work stoppages in the mine owing to lack of air. Similarly, the capacity of a large receiver has been known to permit uninterrupted work in the mine until the compressors have been returned to service.9/Large-capacity receivers, either steel-tank or underground rock-chamber, offer a practical solution of many existing problems by providing a sufficient reserve of compressed air within the pressure range required for efficient operation of machines to level off peak demands on the compressor. The com¬pressors operate when the demand has reduced the pressure in the receiver below the regulating pressure and until all air used from the receiver has been replaced. It has been found possible in at least two mines,8.9/ one of which the author has visited, to entirely eliminate one compressor and to obtain more efficient performance from the remaining one by the construction of an underground coal-chamber receiver.8/"

Jan 1, 1950