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By H. l. Burghoff, C. H. Mathewson

The study of the creep of metals under conditions of prolonged loading has received the attention of many investigators for several years and almost innumerable papers have been published on the various aspects of the subject. As it appeared that much could still be learned from a study of single crystals, the present work was carried out to study the effects of temperature and conditions of loading upon the properties and deformation in tension of single crystals of alpha brass containing about 70 per cent copper and go per cent zinc. In particular, it was hoped to obtain information from tests below and above the recrys-tallization temperature of the material, so that properties such as elastic limit, yield point or critical stress, and manner of deformation might be compared for tensile tests at an ordinary loading rate and for prolonged loading. Accordingly, short-time tensile tests and creep tests were made at room temperature, 300°, 500° and 700°F. The two latter temperatures are above the lowest possible recrystallization temperature of polycrys-talline 70-30 brass. Previous Work Clarke and White1 have made creep tests of some copper-zinc alloys, including 70-30 brass, and copper-zinc-tin alloys at temperatures both below and above the recrystallization temperature of the materials considered. Hanson and Wheeler2 have studied the flow and fracture of single crystals of aluminum for short-time and prolonged tensile loading over a range of temperature extending from room temperature to 400°F., their experiments being made without consideration of the orientations of the test specimens. Extensive creep and fracture tests on single crystals of lead at room temperature have been made by Betty3 and by Baker, Betty and Moore." Results of the last-named investigation were published while the present work was in progress. Miller5 examined the elastic limit of zinc single crystals at and above room temperature by means of creep tests, while Miller and Milligan6 reported the results of tests designed to show the influence of temperature on elastic limit of single crystals of aluminum, silver and zinc. The behavior of iron crystals under static tensile loading at room temperature was reported by Gensamer and Meh17 while the present investigation was in progress. Their specimens exhibited a well-defined yield point, below which no appreciable creep could be detected. The manner of yielding proved interesting, as the shape of the creep-time curve for the iron crystals differed from the common type of crcep curves. Elongation did not begin immediately, or at least was initially very slow. The rate of elongation then increased continuously and finally decreased to zero. This S-shaped type of elongation-time

Jan 1, 1941

By A. B. Kinzel

Precise knowledge regarding the effect of heat treatment on the properties of steel has made possible the detailed specifications and instructions covering optimum heat-treating temperatures and practices that are in current use. A distinct contrast is presented by the metallurgical treatment of steel adjacent to a fusion weld, as such steel is subjected to each temperature from room temperature to fusion temperature, and cooled at a rate that is not generally controllable but is predetermined by the nature of the assembly to be welded, the kind of welding used, and the surrounding conditions. This is true regardless of the type of fusion welding: oxyacetylene, electric arc, thermit or flash resistance. Therefore it seemed desirable to investigate the effect of this metallurgical treatment on the characteristics of carbon steels commonly used for welding, by a detailed study of metal subjected to each temperature range; i.e., each heat-affected zone. Oxyacetylene welding was chosen for the investigation because of the experimental facility of accurately segregating and studying each temperature zone. The nature of the zones produced by other types of welding is the same. The difference is primarily a matter of dimensions of each of the temperature zones involved. The advantages and disadvantages of the extent of the zone are of prime moment, and are discussed after the presentation of the detailed zone study. No mention is made of the fused metal proper, as this has been the subject of much published research and the nature of the solidified metal is fairly .ell known. General Method The scheme of procedure in the work herein reported involved the testing of the metal of each temperature zone adjacent to the weld in so

Jan 1, 1935

By César Sotillo

"El presente texto describe el proceso de la industria del acero en México. La compañía fue fundada en el siglo XX y tiene sus altos hornos en Monterrey, capital del estado Nuevo León, donde se funden los minerales de fierro que provienen de los yacimientos del Cerro de Mercado, situado en la región central de Durango. El yacimiento consiste de cuerpos inclinados hacia el oeste y que tienen contactos bien definidos con la roca encajonante; Asimismo afloran cuatro cuerpos de mineral, de los cuales el más grande tiene cerca de 800 metros de longitud. El cuerpo mineral está dividido en dos partes por resbalamientos producidos por fallas en la porción occidental del valle; los mismos que junto con la erosión, han producido la peculiar topografía de esta parte del estado de Durango. "

May 1, 1953

By John Battista

Uranium mining in Australia has a chequered history. This paper reviews the development of the Australian uranium mining industry from the 1930?s to the present day. It outlines the geology of the various deposits and the mining and metallurgical techniques used to extract the uranium. The industry is profoundly affected by government policies and the paper considers the roles of the Federal, State and local governments. The influence of public opinion on nuclear issues and the effects current and historical policies of various governments have had on uranium mining are outlined. Despite heavy restrictions placed on it, Australia?s uranium mining industry has maintained its place as one of the world?s largest producers. This paper also provides an outline of where the industry in Australia may be headed in future.

Aug 1, 2010

By Kevin Lofftus

The rest potentials of molybdenite electrodes are measured as a function of pH in absence and presence of flotation reagents. The chemicals used include sodium ethyl xanthate, kerosene, dextrin,sodium hydrosulfide, hydrated sodium molybdate, sodium sulfate, and hydrated sodium thiosulfate. The effect of dissolved oxygen is also noted. The obtained data are correlated with the results of micro-flotation tests obtained under similar chemical conditions.

Jan 1, 1984

By Leopoldo Gutierrez, Esau Arinaitwe, Marek Pawlik

"The effect of various polymers, including: anionic carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polystyrene sulfonate (PSS), humic acids (HA) and non-ionic hydroxypropyl cellulose, on the wettability of Athabasca bitumen was evaluated through dynamic contact angle measurements using the captive bubble technique. The tests were carried out as a function of pH at a constant ionic strength (0.01 mol/L sodium chloride). The evolution of the three-phase contact angle between the solution, bitumen and an air bubble was followed as a function of time over a period of ~6 minutes. The contact angle data were modelled using a first-order kinetic equation. The results were analyzed in terms of the initial contact angle, the evolution rate constant, and the steady-state contact angle value. In the case of anionic polymers, a pronounced decrease in the initial contact angle value was observed at pH 3. Under acidic conditions, there was no significant effect of CMC observed on the steady-state contact angle value but PSS and HA significantly decreased the steady-state contact angle value. At pH 8.5. the anionic polymers did not affect the wettability of the bitumen surface but they significantly decreased the contact angle evolution rate. These results suggested that CMC is not capable of permanently lowering the hydrophobicity of bitumen, and the polymer only slowed down the evolution of the contact angle to the steady-state value. The results also showed that polystyrene sulfonate and humic acids were capable of making bitumen hydrophilic but only under acidic conditions. Only hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) produced a large decrease in the steady-state contact angle under alkaline conditions (pH 8.5). The kinetics of contact angle evolution in the presence of HPC was also drastically lowered. The results were discussed in terms of the chemical composition of the polymers and their different affinities towards the bitumen surface."

Jan 1, 2014

By Kadri Dagdelen

Design of the ultimate pit limit to direct long range mine planning has been a celebrated problem in the mining industry, and in mining academia, since 1965. Although many papers have been presented on this topic, even today, there is not a single solution technique which is widely accepted and considered universally best. Many philosophical differences exist among the pit planners concerning the use of different methods and it appears that resistance is very strong towards accepting other techniques if you are a believer in one. Whatever the case might be, the pit parameterization technique for the ultimate pit limit design is the latest and takes a different approach than its predecessors. There are already a number of papers which discuss the concepts involved (Francois-Bongarcon, 1976; 1978; 1980; 1981); however, the aim of this paper is to fill in some of the gaps which are thought to be missing in the previous discussions and, in addition, to present the recent research done on the subject at the Centre de Geostatistique de l?Ecole de Mines de Paris in Fontainbleau, France. This paper is divided into two parts. The first part will discuss practical aspects and interpretations of pit parameterization concepts with- out using mathematical or theoretical arguments; the reader who is interested in the theory should refer to Francois-Bongarcon (1978). The second part will present an approach to obtain a complete double parameterization of reserves using an inexpensive (computer costs) single parameterization algorithm. A case study of this approach is also included.

Jan 1, 1982

By Voyle R. McFarland, Robert A. Burmeister, David A. Stevenson

The distribution of lead between phases in the Ag-Sb-Te system was studied using microautoradio -graphy. Two compositions were investigated, both containing an intermediate phase Known as silver antimony telluride as the major phase, and one containing AgzTe and the other SbzTes as the minor phase. For both compositions, two thermal treatments were used: nonequilibrium solidification from the melt and long equilibration anneals of the as-solidified structure. For each composition, lead was segregated in the minor phase of the as-solidified structure, but was distributed in the matrix after anneal. The electrical resistivity and carrier type were insensitive to the distribution of lead in the two-phase structure. ThERE has been considerable interest in the Ag-Sb-Te system because of its thermoelectric properties. The major interest has been in compositions on the vertical section between AgzTe and SbzTes, particularly the 50 mole pct SbzTes composition AgSbTez (compositions are conveniently expressed as mole percent SbzTes along the AgzTe-SbzTes section). One of the major problems in the proper evaluation and utilization of this material is the inability to control the electrical properties through impurity additions: all alloys prepared to date have been p-type, even with the addition of large amounts of impurities. It has been shown Wit all the compositions previously studied contain an intermediate phase of the NaCl st'ructure as a major phase (denoted by b) and a second phase, either AgzTe or SbzTe3, as a minor phase.'-3 One explanation for the unusual electrical behavior of this material is that the impurity additions have a higher solubility in the second phase than in the matrix; the impurity would segregate to the second phase, leaving the bulk matrix essentially free of impurity.4 In order to investigate this mechanism with a specific impurity element, the distribution of lead between the two phases was determined using autoradiography. Lead 210 was chosen because of the suitability of its 0.029 mev 0 particle for autoradiography and also because of the interest in lead as an impurity in this system.5'6 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Two compositions were taken from the vertical section between AgzTe and SbzTes, 50 mole pet SbzTes (Viz. AgSbTez) and 75 mole pct SbzTes, in which AgzTe and SbzTes appear, respectively, as the minor phase. Lead containing radioactive lead (pb210) was added to the above compositions to provide a concentration of 0.1 wt pct Pb. The material was placed in a graphite crucible in a quartz tube which was then evacuated and sealed. The samples were melted and solidified by cooling at a rate of 8°C per min and then removed and prepared for microa~toradiography. After autoradiographic examination of these samples, they were again encapsulated and annealed in an isothermal bath at 300°C for a number of days and prepared for examination. An alternate method of preparation employed a zone-melting furnace; the molten zone traversed the sample at a rate of 1.2 cm per hr and the solid was maintained at a temperature of 500°C both before and after solidification. This treatment had the same effect as solidification at a slow rate followed by an anneal for several hours at 500°C. In order to obtain the best resolution, thin sections of the alloy were prepared by hand lapping to a thickness of approximately 20 p. Other samples were prepared for examination by lapping a flat surface on the bulk sample. The resolution, although somewhat better in the former procedure, was adequate in both instances and the majority of the samples were treated in the latter fashion. A piece of autoradiographic film (Kodak Experimental SP 764 Autoradiographic Permeable Base Safety Stripping Film) was stripped from its backing, care being taken to avoid fogging due to static-electrical discharge. A small amount of water was placed on the sample, the film applied emulsion side down on the surface of the sample, and the sample and the film dipped into water in order to assure smooth contact. After drying, the film was exposed for 2 to 5 days, the period of time selected to give the best resolution. The film was developed on the specimen and fixed and washed in place. Two major factors must be considered in establishing the reliability of an autoradiograph: the in-

Jan 1, 1964

By L. Bernoth, I. Firth, S. Rhodes, P. McAllister

As biotechnologies emerge from laboratories into main-stream application, the benefits they offer are judged against competing technologies and business criteria. Bioremediation technologies have passed this test and are now widely used for the remediation of contaminated soils and groundwaters. Bioremediation includes several distinct techniques that are used for the treatment of excavated soil and includes other techniques that are used for in situ applications. They play an important and growing role in the mining industry, for cost-effective waste management and site remediation. Most applications have been for petroleum contaminants, but advances continue to be made in the treatment of more difficult organic and inorganic species. This paper discusses the role of biotechnologies in remediation and pollution control from a mining-industry perspective. Several case studies are presented, including the land application of oily wastewater from maintenance workshops, the composting of hydrocarbon-contaminated soils and sludges, the bioventing of hydrocarbon solvents, the intrinsic bioremediation of diesel hydrocarbons, the biotreatment of cyanide in water from a gold mine, and the removal of manganese from acidic mine drainage.

Jan 1, 2000

By J. W. Pugh, J. D. Nisbet

F. B. Foley—The use of data published by Wever and Jellinghaus in 1931 to fix boundaries of the sigma phase in the Fe-Cr system, in the face of the author's own references to the suggestions of Bradley and Goldschmidt, Aborn and Bain, and Hougardy that the phase is much more extensive, and the very much more accurate work, which weighs heavily in favor of these suggestions, of Cook and Jones, published in 1943 and evidently disregarded by the authors, makes their derived ternary diagram, especially fig. 15 for 400°C, quite inaccurate on the Fe-Cr side and affects the extent of phase boundaries in the most controversial and important part of this ternary system. In commercial Fe-Ni-Cr alloys the occurrence of sigma has been observed time and time again at lower chromium contents than that of the 24 pct Cr, 16 pct Ni, 60 pct Fe alloy which is the lowest permitted by fig. 15 of practically carbonless metal. Newel1 reports sigma in 27 pct Cr-Fe even with some carbon present to be one of the greatest detriments to its extensive application, whereas Pugh and Nisbet set a low limit of 36 pct Cr for sigma in the binary Fe-Cr system. J. J. Heger—The diagrams presented by the authors do not agree with observations made on commercial Fe-Cr and Fe-Cr-Ni alloys, nor do they agree with two recent investigations made on the Fe-Cr and the Fe-Cr-Fe systems. I refer first to the investigation made by Cook and Jones1' on the sigma region of the Fe-Cr system. On the basis of their results which were published in 1943, Cook and Jones established new boundary limits for the sigma and the alpha plus sigma regions. These new limits have been accepted and are incorporated in the Fe-Cr diagram that appears in the 1948 edition of the Metals Handbook. This diagram is shown here as fig. 34. As will be noted, the boundary limits of the alpha plus sigma region in this diagram extend to much lower chromium contents than do those in the diagram presented by the authors in fig. 2. These new limits indicate that sigma phase should form in an Fe-Cr alloy containing 26 pct Cr, and experience with commercial alloys confirms this finding. Indeed, recent studies on a commercial Fe-Cr alloy containing 17 pct Cr have shown sigma phase to be stable in this alloy at 550°C. I recognize that the authors' work did not include studies on the sigma region; however, I believe this is a serious omission because sigma phase may profoundly affect the physical properties of these alloys and should be evaluated in any investigation which attempts to relate physical properties to the equilibrium diagram. The second investigation to which I refer is that made on the Fe-Cr-Ni system by Rees, Burns, and Cook,'' who used pure alloys and employed heating 17 W. P. Rees, B. D. Burns, and A. 3. Cook: Journal Iron and Steel Institute. (July 1949) 162, Part 3. p. 325. times that extend to 200 days. These investigators published their results in July 1949 and from these results constructed isothermal sections at 800" and 650°C. The isothermal section at 650°C is shown here as fig. 35. This diagram indicates sigma phase should form in a pure 18 pct Cr-8 pct Ni alloy. Although sigma phase has not been observed after 10,000 hr at 1200°F in commercial 18-8 alloys containing carbon and nitrogen, it has been observed under the same conditions in 18-8 alloys modified with titanium and columbium, both of which serve to reduce the effect of carbon and nitrogen. This section and the one at 800°C suggest that the constant iron sections which are presented by the authors, should be considerably altered, if they are to represent an accurate picture of the system. A few of the suggested alterations are as follows: In fig. 9, the section at 50 pct Fe, the gamma plus sigma region should be widened, not narrowed at 800" and 650°C. In fig. 10, the section at 60 pct Fe, the gamma plus sigma region should be widened at 800° and 650°C. In fig. 11, the section at 70 pct Fe, an alpha plus sigma, an alpha plus gamma plus sigma, and a gamma plus sigma region should be added. In fig. 12, the section at 80 pct Fe, the alpha plus gamma region should be widened at 800°C. In fig. 13, the section at 90 pct Fe, the alpha plus gamma region should be widened at 650° and 800°C. Undoubtedly, the chief reason for the discrepancies between the authors' data and those of Rees, Burns, and Cook is that the authors did not employ long enough heating times to allow for transformation. In this connection, I wish to warn that transformations in these alloys, particularly transformations at temperatures below 800°C, are extremely sluggish and may require a year or more to approach completion. Therefore, unless extremely long heating times are employed or steps are taken to accelerate these transformations by such means as mechanical working, the results will not yield an accurate picture of the alloy system. Certainly, an accurate picture is needed for the development of better high-temperature materials. E. J. Dulis-The purpose of this work is not clear. If an improvement of the ternary equilibrium diagram of the Fe-Cr-Ni system was wanted, it seems logical that testing techniques superior to those previously used would be a prime requirement. To approach equilibrium in this system, long holding times are needed; a fact established long ago but apparently ignored by the present authors, who used the continuous heating and cooling tests in equilibrium studies. A publication on the same system by Bradley and Goldschmidt6 was criticized by Monypenny in a

Jan 1, 1951

The Gippsland Basin, southeastern Australia, has an Upper Cainozoic history of episodic change of hydrology and the related environment, reflected in the geomorphology and surficial deposits of the onshore basin and the hydrodynamically controlled accumulations of petroleum of the offshore basin. Succeeding this episodic pattern, man through a number of activities, has had a sudden and major impact on the hydrology and the related environment. Activities include those directly affecting the groundwater system, such as extraction of fossil fuels with the consequent threat of land subsidence; irrigation and clearing of vegetation and the consequent effect of salinisation; change of land use and installation of septic tanks with resulting nitrate pollution; damming of streams and the consequent reduction in the frequency of floods with degradation of the biological Environment; de-snagging streams and construction of cutoffs with increased stream erosion, modifying wetlands including drainage, with the consequent degradation of their ecosystems; and increase in phosphate and nitrate inputs to the coastal lakes with the risk of their eutrophication.

Jan 1, 1992

By Lijun Xu, Ragula Bhaskar

The transport of dust particles from a turbulent air stream on to the surface of a mine entry is mainly due to the effect of diffusion, sedimentation and inertial impaction. While the literature in aerosol science contains many references on particle deposition, most studies apply to smooth surfaces in small, short tubes. The deposition data from those experiments may not be applicable to deposition in mine airways that have large areas of rough surfaces and extend several thousand meters. This paper describes the mechanisms of mine dust transportation and deposition, specifically, by estimating the turbulent deposition velocity for coal dust in mine airways. Data from in-mine experiments on ambient dust concentration and dust deposition along a straight entry were used. A statistical model for dimensionless turbulent deposition velocity was developed, and compared with the models developed by other researchers. The model shows that the distance from the dust source is an important factor in the turbulent deposition of mine dust.

Jan 1, 1995

By Clarence W. Dunham

BECAUSE of the earthquakes that occur at Chuquicamata, the design of the smelter stacks constituted the most difficult structural problem of the entire sulphide ore project. Slight tremors occur almost daily and shocks of moderate magnitude are not uncommon. Naturally, the operation of the smelter depends upon the safety of these stacks, and their resistance to earthquakes was the critical feature of their design. Adequate data of the magnitudes of past shocks at Chuquicamata were not available. However, considering the information that was obtained from experiences in other parts of Chile, a period of one to two seconds was adopted as a basis for the design. To complicate the problem further, the stacks had to provide for operations under a wide variety of conditions ranging from the possibility of running one reverberatory furnace and two converters initially to perhaps five or six furnaces and eight or ten converters simultaneously in the completed plant. No one could tell for certain just what the ultimate capacity might have to be because the plans permitted a large extension beyond the first installation if this became necessary. Studies of the stacks were made for many conditions. At first it was thought that one stack 600 or 650 ft high should be used initially for both the furnaces and converters, with a second similar stack to be built for the future extension. This height would provide adequate draft in the rarified atmosphere at the plant's elevation of 10,000 ft. It would also disperse the gases high in the air. Preliminary studies of this large stack showed that such a structure was possible if made of steel but it would be exceedingly costly. Furthermore, the effects of the tendency for the top to whip under the action of earthquakes might be serious, and the design had to be based upon assumptions which might not be trustworthy. Such a tall stack was finally abandoned in favor of a larger number of smaller ones. Initially, one stack will service the first three or four furnaces. Another will handle the gases from four or five converters. The smelter has been located in such a position that the prevailing winds carry the fumes away from the remainder of the plant. A height of 300 ft for the stacks was finally selected. The top diameter is approximately 24 ft 9 in. clear inside of the lining. The converter stack is located upon a hill alongside the smelter. This provides an effective increase in height because its base is approximately 66 ft above the yard level. The base of the reverberatory stack is at the latter elevation. Stacks made of reinforced concrete or of steel were investigated, and so were many shapes for them. As these studies progressed, the lightness of a steel structure, and the ductility of the metal itself, led to the decision to use steel for the main part of the stacks. The fact that serious damage to one of the stacks would cause the plant to shut down, caused special studies to be made of the stress conditions that might exist around the breeching which had to be nearly 15 ft wide and 40 ft or more high where it joined the stack. This height was necessary in order to provide adequate transition from the horizontal flow of the gases to the vertical direction without undue eddies. This opening constituted a serious source of weakness in the structure. If made with sufficiently strong reinforcement around its edges, there would be a hard spot in the structure that might cause trouble because of shaft vibrations.

Jan 1, 1952

By Virgil Miller

Bureau of Mines Reports of Investigations 3244, 3245, 3246 and 3264 give data of detailed studies on smelting in the lead blast furnace handling zinciferous charges at Trail, B. C. The present paper gives more on analyses of the gases leaving the top of the charge and on accretions formed on the walls of the blast furnace. New data are presented to show the effect of the temperatures at the tuyere zone on the lead content of the slags made. The greater part of this paper, however, deals with a much debated subject, namely air used in lead blast furnaces. Original data are presented to show the effects on smelting lead 'products when air is supplied to a lead blast furnace under volume versus under pressure control.

Jan 1, 1940

By A. Lloyd, Montgomery, J. Jorgesen, W. J.

"Coals are ranked according to their degree of metamorphism or progressive change in the natural series from lignite to anthracite. The reader is referred to ASTM Standard D-388, ""Standard Classification of Coals by Rank"" for a detailed description of the system in use throughout North America including Canada.Fixed carbon and calorific value (expressed in Btu/ lb) calculated to the mineral-matter-free basis have been chosen as the main characteristics from which rank is established. Higher rank coals are classified according to fixed carbon content, lower rank coals according to the calorific value on a ""moist"" mineral-matter-free basis. Certain adjacent groups are differentiated according to their agglomerating (caking) properties. ""Moist"" refers to inherent moisture. Referring to Table 1, coals having calorific values greater than 14,000 Btu/lb on a moist mineral-matter-free basis and fixed carbon of 69% or more on a dry mineral-matter-free basis are classified according to fixed carbon. Coals having calorific values of less than 14,000 Btu/lb on a moist mineralmatter-free basis are classified according to calorific value on a moist mineral-matter-free basis. Agglomerating coals having 69 to 86% fixed carbon on the dry mineral-matter-free basis are classified in the low or medium volatile group of the bituminous class according to their volatile matter content. Agglomerating coals having calorific values between 10,500 and 11,500 Btu/lb are classified in the high volatile C bituminous coal group; nonagglomerating coals in the same calorific value range are classified in the sub-bituminous A coal group."

Jan 1, 1985

By G. Van Weert

Refractory ores and concentrates containing silver tend to form Ag-jarosite during autoclave oxidation. Silver extraction from the oxidation products is therefore low, unless a hot lime treatment step to decompose Ag-jarosite precedes cyanidation. Since silver iodide is very stable but soluble in cyanide solutions, the formation and decomposition of Ag-jarosite in the presence of iodine species was studied. Results indicate that Ag-jarosite formation could be prevented in favour of H3O-jarosite and AgI while oxidizing Ag2S under industrial autoclaving conditions, when the total iodine species to Ag mole ratio exceeded 5. Lower ratios gave proportionally more Ag-jarosite and less AgI. Under these conditions existing Ag-jarosite was also found to decompose in H30-jarosite and AgI.

Jan 1, 1993

The efficiency of a coal mine ventilation circuit is usually measured by the ratio of the sum of the face quantities divided by the quantity supplied by the fans. Other types of systems use the power delivered to the power supplied to measure efficiency. This paper argues the case that the current measure may be inadequate and that by also looking at the power ratio, ventilation may be better managed. Problems associated with failing ventilation systems would be highlighted earlier so that crisis management could be avoided.

Jan 1, 2009

By Tobias W. Goodman

The U.S. Bureau of Mines used a contact drilling strategy with short-collared assemblies in order to rotary drill long horizontal methane drainage holes in the Beckley Coalbed near Glen Daniel, WV. By decreasing the thrust, and increasing the rotation of the drill bit when in contact with the roof and floor rock, assemblies with 1-ft (0.3-m), 10-ft (3- m), and 144 (43-m) long collars were made in deflect and stay in the coalbed. Successful application of this procedure resulted in holes drilled full length in coal with the original assembly including bit. The test assemblies deflected away from the original bearings of the holes during drilling and arced. Four holes were drilled to depths ranging from 478 ft (145.7 m) before the strategy was developed, to 4,034 ft (1,230 m) when the strategy was applied. Total length of the holes in coal was 8,590 ft (2,618 m). After 577 days the total methane captured by the holes was 221,600,000 ft? (6,276,000 m3). The methane flow rate peaked at 805,000 ft3/d (22,798 m3/d), then decreased to stabilize at 670,000 ft?/d (18,974 m3/d) after 6 months.

Jan 1, 1989

By Jonathan S. Jackson, Bruce P. Ream

Leach water management is one of the few areas in dump leaching subject to operator control. As such, it is of considerable importance. Theoretical considerations indicate that high leach solution application rates are inefficient in washing solubilized copper from dumps. The high rates cause unnecessary dilution of copper values, raising unit recovery costs. Use of excessive amounts of leach solution also cools dumps, resulting in reduced leaching rates. This paper reviews leach solution application methods and details the results of field tests run to determine the benefits and feasibility of low versus high application rate techniques of applying water to dump surfaces.

Jan 1, 1980

By Frank E. Kottlowski

Widespread high-calcium (HC) limestones in New Mexico and adjoining areas, are low in magnesium, but some units include shale interbeds that would be deleterious for usage in sulfur removal. In southwest New Mexico, southeast Arizona, and adjoining parts of Mexico, limestones in the thick Mississippian Escabrosa, Pennsylvanian-Permian Horquilla, and Cretaceous U-Bar units are HC as are strata in the Mississippian Lake Valley, Pennsylvanian formations, Permian Hueco, and parts of the Permian Capitan Limestone of south-central and southeast New Mexico and west Texas. In north-central and central New Mexico, many limestones in the Pennsylvanian Madera Formation are HC as are some of the Cenozoic travertines. In northwest New Mexico, where the present-day mine-mouth coal- fired power plants occur, there are no HC limestones, but to the north in southwest Colorado some beds of the Mississippian Leadville Limestone and Pennsylvanian Hermosa Formations are HC. HC limestones considered contain at least 95 percent calcium carbonate and less than 3 to 5 percent magnesium carbonate. Limits for other impurities are alumina, 1 percent; silica, 2 percent; sulfur 0.05 percent; phosphorous, 0.02 percent; and iron oxide, about 1 percent. Chemical and physical requirements differ slightly depending upon the ultimate use.

Jan 1, 1995