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By G. Donald Emigh

Nothing is more important to life-plant and animal-than phosphate. Its compounds are essential to the energy functions of all living systems and for the formation of bones and teeth. Animals get their phosphate from eating plants and other animals, or domestically from feed supplements. Plants get their phosphates from the soil. Man's most important use of phosphate is for fertilizer; approximately 95% of the world's phosphate rock production is consumed by fertilizers. Most of the balance is processed in electric furnaces into elemental phosphorus, the important raw material for making industrial phosphates. Recovery of uranium from phosphates has been possible but not widely used. However, recent significant developments have generated interest in such recovery in the US and elsewhere. Phosphate occurs in all igneous and sedimentary rocks, and in all fresh and salt water. However, economical recovery is limited to deposits where natural concentration of the phosphate mineral has occurred. Occasionally natural concentration is great enough that the material can be used as mined; generally, however, the ore is low grade_ and must be concentrated. Phosphate rock is produced in 31 countries. Fig. 1 shows the location of major phosphate rock producers as well as some of the known phosphate deposits not yet in production. In the last decade the world phosphate industry has experienced steady growth. World production rose from 98 Mt of phosphate rock in 1973 to 140 Mt in 1982. Fig. 2 shows the growth curve of rock production and graphically illustrates the almost straight-line rise since 1945 in both US and world production. Table 1 gives the breakdown, by countries, of world rock production, 1974 through 1979. Table 2 shows US rock production by producing areas. Definitions of Terms Used in the Phosphate Industry Phosphate Rock: Commonly called rock in sedimentary deposits and apatite in igneous deposits. Those expressions generally include any mined, or mined and beneficiated, fluorine-containing calcium phosphate used as the raw material for the next stage of manufacturing. The average phosphate content in rocks is 0.1 to 0.2% P2O5, as documented by McKelvey (1973). About 200 minerals contain more than 1 % P2O5. However, the important mineral in igneous rocks is fluorapatite, [Ca5 (PO4),3 F], containing about 42% P205 and 3.8% F2; in sedimentary rocks the important mineral is francolite, a carbonate fluorapatite containing up to 2% molecular CO2. Both are in the apatite family of minerals. Most phosphate rock, whether beneficiated or not, is a fine-grained material. The expression phosphate rock has no relation to its phosphate content. For example, phosphate rock from Idaho used in the production of phosphorus may contain about 24% P205, whereas rock from Morocco may contain 36.6% P2O5. Phosphorite: A deposit of phosphate directly or indirectly of sedimentary origin, which is of economic interest. Grade of Phosphate Rock: The calcium phosphate content of phosphate rock is expressed in different world areas by one of the following terms: BPL (bone phosphate of lime) TPL (triphosphate of lime) P2O5 (phosphorus pentoxide) P (phosphorus-not commonly used) An illustration of relationship is: 80% BPL = 80% TPL = 36.6% P5O2 = 16% P

Jan 1, 1983

By M. I. Mthenjane

"BackgroundThe paper discusses post-mining land use however, the essence of the topic is the emotional motivation behind the decisions related to mining investment and development. Therefore this is not a typical SAIMM technical paper about the science and techniques of post-mining land use. There are already numerous papers written and conferences held on this aspect of post-mine land use; the science is well understood, but the evidence of the practical application of the (environmental, social, and economic) science is sparse. At a recent conference held in November 2017 on the theme of ‘Science, Business, Society Dialogue – linking science, society, business and policy for the sustainable use of abandoned mines in the SADC region’, it was demonstrated through the delivery of several papers on the possible viable options of post-mine land use. The conference was structured in nine sessions, covering the following relevant topics:? Sessions 1 and 2: Nature and magnitude of the problem: raising awareness? Sessions 3 and 4: International experiences in remediation: case studies? Sessions 5, 6 and, 7: Technological solutions: converting liabilities into assets? Session 8: Implementing solutions: social and legal aspects? Session 9: Wrap up, lessons learned: conference resolution.Summaries of the key outcomes of the sessions are available for reference.The aim of this paper, accompanied by the video speech, is to provide a visualization of the possibilities of post-mine land use. Mining contributes approximately 7% to South Africa’s GDP - this is the lowest it has ever been and is attributable to both a diversifying economy and to poor mining and investment policy which has resulted in reduced investment in the sector. The objective of the paper is to highlight the opportunities, for succeeding and diversifying economic activity following mining and mineral extraction which can continue to sustain the livelihoods and wellbeing of communities and societies beyond mining.During mining, very few alternative and local economies develop. Dependence on mining and its value chain prevails until mining ceases. This idea is conveyed in Figures 1a and b."

Jul 1, 2019

By John C. Machisak

Statistical data on injuries in the metal and nonmetal industry of the United States first became available to the Bureau of Mines by collecting reports from the operators for the calendar year 1911. Since then reports have been collected annually. The present bulletin, covering the calendar year 1954, is the 31st publication (1933-34 was published as Bulletin 398) containing statistical data on injuries at metal and nonmetal mines and related plants, and it 1s the first such bulletin to be published since 1942. The last publication was Bulletin 461, Metal and Nonmetal-Mine Accidents in the United States, 1942. The unpublished statistics for 1943-53 may be found in the Appendix of this bulletin. The Bureau of Mines is authorized to collect data on injuries and related employment at metal and nonmetal mines, but there is no Federal law that compels operators to submit such information. Therefore, all materials submitted are voluntary responses to the Bureau's requests for information. The figures presented herein may not be complete for the entire industry, nevertheless, every effort has been made to make them so, and the data given are believed to be representative of the hazards to which metal and nonmetal workers are exposed. Moreover, the figures are comparable as between States-which is significant in view of the lack of uniformity among the States as regards classes of plants covered by State laws, classes of injuries covered by State reports, and other factors that tend to make it impracticable or impossible to compare the injury experience of one State with that of another or comprehend the relative importance of the various causes of injuries in the industry as a whole.

Jan 1, 1957

By Bruce Kennedy, William Hustrulid

Georgius Agricola in 1556 wrote De Re Metallica, one of the first and probably the most famous of mining reference works. In Book 1 he reflects rather elegantly on mining and miners. "Many persons hold the opinion that the metal industries are fortuitous and that the occupation is one of sordid toil, and altogether a kind of business requiring not so much skill as labour. But as for myself, when I reflect carefully upon its special points one by one, it appears to be far otherwise. For a miner must have the greatest skill in his work, that he may know first of all what mountain or hill, what valley or plain, can be prospected most profitably, or what he should leave alone; moreover, he must understand the veins, stringers, and seams in the rocks. Then he must be thoroughly familiar with the many and varied species of earths, juices, gems, stones, marbles, rocks, metals, and compounds. He must also have a complete knowledge of the method of making all underground works. Lastly, there are the various systems of assaying substances and of preparing them for smelting; and here again there are many altogether diverse methods. ... "Furthermore, there are many arts and sciences of which a miner should not be ignorant. First there is Philosophy, that he may discern the origin, cause, and nature of subterranean things; for then he will be able to dig out the veins easily and advantageously, and to obtain more abundant results from his mining. Secondly, there is Medicine, that he may be able to look after his diggers and other workmen, that they do not meet with those diseases to which they are more liable than work- men in other occupations, or if they do meet with them, that he himself may be able to heal them or may see that the doctors do so. Thirdly follows Astronomy, that he may know the divisions of the heavens and from them judge the direction of the veins. Fourthly, there is the science of Surveying that he may be able to estimate how deep a shaft should be sunk to reach the tunnel which is being driven to it, and to determine the limits and boundaries in these workings, especially in depth. Fifthly, his knowledge of Arithmetical Science should be such that he may calculate the cost to be incurred in the machinery and the working of the mine. Sixthly, his learning must comprise Architecture, that he himself may construct the various machines and timber work required underground, or that he may be able to explain the method of the construction to others. Next, he must have knowledge of Drawing, that he can draw plans of

Jan 1, 1982

By Marvin V. Damm, Lloyd C. Venburg, Dan Sokol

Analytical and computer models are used to evaluate information obtained from existing data and investigation programs so mine water control systems can be designed and developed. These models allow the geohydrologist to predict the amount of groundwater inflow and the impact of dewatering and stream diversion on the hydrologic regime, and to determine the schedule and equipment needed for mine dewatering. This article describes uses of the model and the essential components necessary to construct an effective and practical one. Hydrologic models are constructed to determine the extent that mining activities will affect the ground water and surface water hydrologic regime. These models range from basic analytical, mathematical models to the more sophisticated finite difference and finite element groundwater models. Many factors determine the degree of sophistication, including the mining stage, the complexity of the hydrologic regime, the mining process, and regulatory requirements. Model Uses The geohydrologist and engineer construct models so the entire ground and surface water handling and supply system can be integrated and optimized. These models can provide the following data: • Information for water balance studies-the entire hydrologic regime for the area, including precipitation, transpiration, evaporation, infiltration, runoff, and the effect of geologic features. • Data on seepage rates during mining. • Information to design the depressurization and dewatering system, including water well spacing, location of sumping systems, need for grout curtains, and possible horizontal drain and underdrain locations. • Data needed to schedule dewatering and mining operations. • Prediction of initial and long-term impacts of mining and dewatering, including local and areal drawdowns, effects on existing wells, and modifications to the surface-subsurface hydrologic regime. Potentiometric surface maps and hydrographs can be prepared from these data. • Prediction of the effect of discharge from the water control system on the surface hydrology and data input to design systems for water discharge, storage, recharge, or reinjection. The results of a computer study that illustrates the effect of dewatering and reinjection into an aquifer to confine the cone of depression are shown on the accompanying figure. • Information to forecast potentiometric surface recovery after mining ceases. The accompanying figure shows the pumping and reinjection rates in a program that is adequate to dewater a mine and permit the recovery of potentiometric levels to approximate premining levels after mining ceases. • Documentation and design information for monitoring systems to be installed during all mining phases. • Water quality predictions and geochemical changes, including the possibility of brackish or saline water intrusion because of extensive dewatering or depressurization operations. • Documentation and data for acquiring permits from regulatory agencies. Model Input Program For any model to be effective, detailed hydrologic and geologic data must be gathered from a review of existing information and from an investigative program. These data should cover entire model limits. Data updating, revising, and refining should occur as new information is received from the investigation and monitoring programs, and from the mining operation as it progresses through the pre-mining, mining, post-mining, and reclamation

Jan 8, 1982

By Joseph Daly

This is the detailed evaluation of the establishment and implementation of an ‘oil recycle plant’ located on site at Boggabri Mine NSW, (Australia); its production, its use and its value. Also discussed in detail is the quality of the raw material produced, and the process and initial application of this raw material generated as well as the analysis of such, as a component within bulk explosive as applied to the mining industry as compiled during analysis. Laboratory analysis prior to field testing is also discussed including independent external laboratory analysis as well as the environmental benefits and a business case for recycled oil in blasting. This paper includes technical details of the product including densities, velocity of detonation and other associated key performance indicators. The intention is to off-set the amount of Distillate (Diesel) utilised as a component of bulk explosives, with a raw recycled oil and thus reducing both the environmental carbon footprint as well as production costs with regard to introduced petrochemical production and utilisation; an oil that is an existing recourse of controlled waste not only difficult but expensive to otherwise dispose of, whilst keeping the entire process ‘on-site’. Though recycled oil in blasting is not an entirely original idea, the key feature of this paper is the ability to complete the entire process on-site.

Jan 1, 2014

By J. E. Harris, J. A. Whiteman, A. G. Quarrell

The graphitizing reaction has been studied in a number of Fe-C-Si alloys in the temperature range 550° to 725°C. The TTT relationships exhibit "C" curve behavior except where nuclei, either foreign or graphite itself, are present before the start of the reaction. It is suggested that the rate -controlling process is diffusion of carbon through ferrite. For the reaction to proceed at the observed rate it is calculated that the matrix surrounding the particles must deform plastically; experimental evidence for this deformation is presented. It is well-established that the decomposition of austenite to pear lite occurs at a maximum rate at an intermediate temperature.l-5 This "C curve" be- havior, which has been reported in a number of other systems,5-10 is a consequence of the relatively low rate of nucleation of the pearlite at small degrees of undercooling of the austenite. The cemen-tite phase in the pearlite is, in turn, metastable with respect to graphite and if steels are held for prolonged periods at elevated temperatures decomposition of the pearlite occurs. It is difficult to predict the shape of the subcriti-cal graphitization TTT (time, temperature, transformation) diagram for, in this case, undercooling does not occur. However, the free-energy change for the reaction does decrease with increasing temperature" (Fig. 1) and it is thus anticipated that the rate of nucleation will fall as the temperature approaches that of the eutectoid. In addition, a decreasing growth rate with increasing temperature is predicted in some circumstances with pure Fe-C alloys. However, apparently similar conditions exist for first-stage graphitization in the austenite range (malleabilization) but no evidence for C curve behavior has been presented in the extensive liter-

Jan 1, 1965

By P. J. Nel, A. Täuber

SYNOPSIS A method is described whereby finely ground glassy granulated blastfurnace slag mixed with small quantities of clay, whiting and quartz has been used for making ceramic tiles in the laboratory. The tiles were semi-dry pressed and devitrification as well as sintering occurred during firing. The properties of the resulting product compared favourably in many respects with ordinary ceramic flooring materials.

By K. Ramji

"The development curve in the extractive sector has become longer, steeper, and riskier due to increased social, legal, and political risks from various stakeholders. Indigenous peoples are a unique stakeholder because their growing legal rights to lands and resources can often determine a project’s outcome. A project will only be successful if it is able to obtain the legal permits, withstand any judicial reviews, and gain and maintain the social license to operate. Stakeholder identification, management, and engagement are key risk-mitigation tools required to successfully convert risks into opportunities.RÉSUMÉ La courbe de développement du secteur de l’extraction s’est allongée, elle est devenue plus abrupte et plus hasardeuse en raison de l’accroissement des risques sociaux, légaux et politiques venant des divers intervenants. Les peuples autochtones sont des intervenants uniques puisque leurs droits légaux croissants sur les terres et les ressources déterminent souvent ce qu’il adviendra d’un projet. Un projet ne pourra réussir que s’il est capable d’obtenir les permis légaux, passer à travers les analyses judiciaires, puis obtenir et maintenir le permis social d’exploitation. L’identification des intervenants, la direction et l’engagement constituent les outils clés de l’atténuation des risques nécessaires pour bien convertir les risques en possibilités."

Jan 1, 2016

By John F. Abel

AIME is closing the books on its first 100 years. In the next year the meetings and many papers will doubtless be filled with statistics on the growth of AIME, and, incidentally, on the mining industry. Let's try to keep our cool and avoid breaking our arms patting ourselves on the back. AIME, nationally and locally, runs on the drive and dynamism of a rather small number of its members. If you look at the annual SME Blue Book of national officers and committee members, you will be struck by the repetition of the same names throughout. Trend for a few men to shoulder the burdens and responsibilities can be seen on the local level, too.

Jan 1, 1970

By C. C. Merrill

The Bureau of Mines beneficiated the wastes generated by commercial titanium chlorination operations to reclaim metal values and reduce the problem of disposing of solid wastes. A water leach solubilized about 40 percent of the dry weight and over 75 percent of the metallic impurities. The residue from the water leach was rich in titanium dioxide and carbon; it was combined with rutile and recycled to a laboratory chlorinator. The contained carbon was used in lieu of part of the coke requirement.

Jan 1, 1969

By D. Brady

The need for onsite gas monitoring during, or following, a major incident at an underground coal mine has long been recognised. Recommendations from inquiries following Queensland mine disasters have included ?qualified persons and equipment for rapid analysis of gas samples be available in times of emergency? and that ?this may be accomplished by either mobile laboratories or laboratories established in each mining locality.? Following the Moura No. 2 disaster, the Queensland Government allocated funds to Simtars for a mobile laboratory to respond should such a disaster occur again in the future. This vehicle was commissioned in 1997 and has been used at many mine sites under a wide range of scenarios. Simtars, armed with over ten years of operational experience with this mobile laboratory, has taken an active role in the design and construction of a modernised replacement unit. With a twenty point tube bundle system and ultrafast gas chromatograph the result is, arguably, the best equipped mobile gas analysis laboratory for mine emergency response in the world. This paper outlines the features of the new laboratory, its capabilities and the philosophy behind the design and inclusions.

Jan 1, 2012

By Namavari. H., M. Ashouri, M. R. Sarhadi, S. H. Mansouri, A. Sarrafi

The splash phenomenon and its effective parameters in metallurgical converters have been studied thoroughly for decades. The detailed studies of processes such as tuyere blockage, wave formation during air injection, entrapped phases, and also processes which control the formation of bubbles in viscous fluids are not feasible yet. In this research, we have used a converter-shaped vessel made of flexi-glass. Water and oil have been used as matte and slag phases respectively. The effective operational factors responsible for creation of splashing have been studied such as air flow rate, tuyere angles, depth of tuyere submergence, tuyere blockage, density and viscosity of liquids, liquids heights, etc. The results have been found as follows: the amount of splashing increases slowly as air flow rate increases. However, as the air flow rate reaches a critical value (depending on the physical specification of converter) the amount of splashing rises sharply, because the flow of air inside the liquid changes from bubbling into a jet stream; and most of the splashed materials are in the form of filaments instead of droplets. Changing tuyere angle from horizontal towards vertical position will increase the turbulence level on the fluid surface and causes an increase in the amount of splashing. The effect of tuyere submergence is related to the converter opening angle. As the converter opening angle is shifted towards the hood position, the amount of tuyere submergence and splashing will increase. As density of the liquid increases, the number of droplets splashing increases with a decrease in drop size. Therefore, the total amount of splashing decreases. However, as viscosity of the liquid increases, the splashing material increases due to the changes in the splashed material from droplet shape into filament form. The height of liquid inside the converter, depending on the relative height of heavy phase and light phase, is an important parameter regarding splashing. As the relative height of heavy phase to light phase increases the splashing will decrease. The tuyere blockage will cause the pressure in the inlet manifold to increase; and in real cases will increase the splashing. Finally, we have development a model based on dimensional analysis to relate the above parameters in order to calculate the amount of splashed material.

Jan 1, 2007

By Richard A. Forth

During the construction of the Island Line (ISL) in Hong Kong between 1982 and 1986 piled foundations of a building were encountered in a tunnel drive. As the tunnel alignment could not be changed work was temporarily suspended whilst grouting took place beneath the pile cap. The tips of the piles were then cut off. The normal precast concrete lining segments were replaced by the "stiffer" spheroidal graphite iron segments and tunnelling resumed. Settlement of the building was found to be under 10 mm due to the tunnel drive and no damage was reported to the building.

Jan 1, 2002

By L. H. Van Loon

INTRODUCTION THE property of Madsen Red Lake Gold Mines, Limited lies between Russet and Faulkenham lakes in Baird and Heyson townships, district of Patricia, Ontario. It is about six miles south west of the town of Red Lake, with which it is connected by an all-weather road. All orebodies found to date at the property are silicified lenticular bodies which lie within tuff beds. The ore bas a specific gravity of 2.95. It consists of mica and chlorite schist, silicified and containing a considerable amount of disseminated carbonate, and mineralized with pyrite, pyrrhotite, magnetite, arsenopyrite, and chalcopyrite. Of these, pyrite, in coarse to fine disseminated grains, is by far the most abundant. Pyrrhotite occurs in ?the gangue material as medium to fine disseminated grains. A very small amount of arsenopyrite, in small crystals, is associated with the pyrite, and small grains of chalcopyrite occur in both gangue and pyrite. Although some of the gold present in the ore is quite coarse, a good deal of it is extremely fine.

Jan 1, 1951

By Hemang Desai

A damaged outlet pipe beneath Lenihan Dam has restricted reservoir discharges, severely constraining the owner?s groundwater recharge program. The solution, a new outlet pipeline through the dam?s right abutment, includes an approximately12.2-m-deep (40-ft-deep) shaft and 618.7-m-long, 4.3-m-diameter (2,030-ft long, 14-ft-diameter) tunnel mined in Franciscan melange composed of hard blocks of rock and soft clayey matrix. Alternating road header with drill and blast operations and using steel ribs and shotcrete have proven a flexible combination for handling the variable ground conditions. Excavating the shaft and connecting it to the tunnel require lowering the reservoir for five months, during which time careful construction sequencing and use of a tunnel plug eliminate the risk of an uncontrolled discharge.

By J Rayner, R P. Langmead, J A. R Coote

Gosowong is situated within the Neogene magmatic arc of Halmahera island in the Maluku province of eastern Indonesia. It was discovered as the result of a rigorous ground reconnaissance program in an area with no previous mining activity. The broad structural setting in the Gosowong District comprises an elongate dome formed by the forceful upward intrusion of magma along a deep-seated structure, resulting in associated tensional fracturing trending parallel to the long axis of the dome. Four copper-gold porphyries and numerous low-grade epithermal veins occur within this mineralised corridor, with the Gosowong Deposit being the only economic occurrence discovered to-date. Gold mineralisation is hosted within multiphase epithermal quartz-adularia and quartz-chlorite fissure veins, breccias, and stockworks. High-grade gold mineralisation is emplaced in two gently south-plunging ore shoots along a 400 m section of the north-striking, east-dipping, Gosowong Fault, the primary control on mineralisation. The Gosowong Fault is believed to be a tensional fracture associated with uplift of the dome. Lithological variation and structural intersections play a large role in grade distribution within the vein zone. Host rocks comprise a wide range of shallow marine, intermediate-basic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of ?late Miocene age. The Gosowong gold deposit is a classic example of a low-sulphidation epithermal gold deposit, based on the abundance of adularia and illite in the alteration assemblage, and low base-metal sulphide content within quartz-adularia veins. The indicated resource is estimated at 0.99 Mt at 27 g/t Au and 38 g/t Ag for a total of 870 000 ounces Au, using a cut-off grade of 2 g/t Au.

Jan 1, 1999

By R Austerberry, S Green

Highly weathered ground, limited collar options and the need to achieve a desired outcome at the lowest possible cost led to the need to adopt a construction approach that had no established design methodology. The newest ventilation shaft at Mandalay Resources’ Costerfield Operations had to be established to a depth of 30 m through poor ground best described as ‘sticky swelling clay’, some of which was contained within an old backfilled pit.The ability to excavate a traditional presink was not possible due to limited space and the introduction of men into the shaft was to be avoided due to the associated safety risks and corresponding increase in cost. Piling in conjunction with raise boring and remote fibrecrete application was identified as a possible solution that could achieve the desired outcome at an acceptable level of risk.Construction of the piles was challenging and required continual refinement until an acceptable level of productivity could be achieved. Limitations on concrete delivery was taken into consideration to ensure hole stand-up time was acceptable and re-drills were not required. The adoption of a set process from alignment, drilling, concrete placement and testing ensured the desired design was achieved. Mine operators should consider the use of piling as a method of shaft stabilisation for the portion of raise bored shaft that passes through the weathered zone.The importance of quality control and attention to detail through the entire shaft construction process cannot be underestimated as issues such as insufficient geotechnical investigation, pile and pilot hole deviation, concrete and fibrecrete quality, as well as delays in the application of fibrecrete can place the success of the project at risk.This paper outlines key learnings from a client’s perspective with regards to the concept, planning, design, execution and completion of a 3.1 m diameter raise bore shaft through both weathered and highly structured ground at the Augusta Mine.CITATION:Green, S and Austerberry, R, 2014. Piling and raise bore construction – key learnings from a client’s perspective, in Proceedings 12th AusIMM Underground Operators’ Conference 2014 , pp 35–42 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Mar 24, 2014

By K. Sugawara, Y. Hirakawa, A. Sato

The rock mass properties such as deformability and permeability are highly dependent on the existence of cracks. The Ratio of Crack Opening Dependency (RCOD) was proposed as a new index to evaluate the deformability of infinite jointed rock mass. The RCOD is defined as the ratio of total amount of crack opening and the total deformation of jointed rock mass. The theoretical relation between the RCOD and the effective compliance of jointed rock mass is discussed and confirmed through two-dimensional numerical analysis by the SC-DDM, together with the applicability to the rock engineering. Les propriétés de masse rocheuse telles que la déformabilité et la perméabilité sont très dépendantes de l'existence de fissures. Le rapport de dépendance d'ouverture des fissures a été proposé comme un nouvel index d'évaluation de la déformabilité de masse rocheuse à assemblage infini. Le rapport de dépendance d'ouverture des fissures est défini comme étant le pourcentage de quantité totale d'ouverture des fissures et de déformation totale de la masse rocheuse assemblée. Le rapport théorique entre le rapport de dépendance d'ouverture des fissures et la compliance efficace de masse rocheuse assemblée sont traités et confirmés au travers d'une analyse numérique à deux dimensions par SC-DDM en même temps que l'applicabilité à l'ingénierie des roches. Die Felsmasseneigenschaften wie Verformbarkeit und Durchlässigkeit sind hochgradig abhängig von dem Vorhandensein von Rissen. Das Verhältnis der Riss-Öffnungsabhängigkeit (RCOD) wurde als neuer Index der Verformbargkeit von infinit zerklüfteter Felsmasse vorgeschlagen. Der RCOD wird als Verhältnis der Gesamtmenge der Rissöffnungen und der Gesamtverformung der zerklüfteten Felsmasse definiert. Die theoretische Beziehung zwischen RCOD und der effektiven Verformbarkeit von zerklüfteter Felsmasse wird diskutiert und durch zweidimensionale numerische Analyse mit SC-DDM bestätigt, zusammen mit der Anwendbarkeit auf Bergbautechnik.

Jan 1, 2003

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

The vacuum-microbalance method was used to study the oxidation behavior of Zircaloy-2 and -3A over the temperature range of 300 to 850°C and at 0.1 atm pressure. The results fit in well with the authors' earlier studies on zirconium. Tin was found to increase the rate of oxidation and also the temperature at which the metal burns. Both the cubic-rate law and the parabolic-rate law gave imperfect fits to the rate data. Since the parabolic-rate law has been derived from accepted physical principles, this rate law was used to interpret the rate data. A heat of activation of 28,600 cal per mole was calculated. The transition phenomenon previously observed in hot-water and steam-corrosion processes was studied systematically for oxygen atmospheres. Observations on the rate of oxidation, color and properties of the oxide films show that the transition phenomenon was associated with a failure in the adherence of the oxide to the alloy. ZIRCALOY-2 and -3A have found important uses in the field of reactor metals due to their low neutron adsorption, good strength and good resistance to corrosion. One feature of the corrosion reaction in steam or hot water is the sharp transition in the rate of corrosion to a higher value after a certain amount of reaction has occurred. This paper presents a study of the reaction of Zircaloy-2 and -3A with oxygen including a study of the transition phenomenon which has been found to occur also in oxygen atmospheres. A comparison will be made between the oxidation behavior of these alloys and the pure metal. It was hoped that a study of the details of the oxygen reaction would lead to a better understanding of the reactions occurring in hot-water and steam atmospheres. Literature Kinetics-—The reaction of Zircaloy-2 and -3A with hot-water and steam atmospheres has been studied by Thomas.' Goldman and Thomas,' Thomas and Forscher," and Thomas and Kass.' Empirical equations for the kinetics of the reaction have been given by Thomas and Forscher." The change from the initial slow rate of reaction to the final rapid rate of reaction has been termed transition with the post-transition corrosion kinetics following a simple linear equation in time. The corrosion behavior in high-temperature steam was similar in many features to the corrosion in high-temperature water. Goldman and Thomas' and Pray and Peoples' have shown that the addition of tin, while increasing the rate of corrosion, counteracts the deleterious effect of nitrogen. The beneficial effect of iron, nickel and chromium was to improve the adhesion of the oxide to the metal as well as to counteract the deleterious effect of nitrogen. Mallet and Albrecht" have studied the oxidation of two zirconium-tin alloys. The cubic-rate law was found to fit the oxidation data for the 1.5 pct tin alloy while the parabolic-rate law was found to fit the data for the 2.5 pct alloy. Kendall' in a recent paper has studied the oxidation of Zircaloy-2 containing 1.5 pct tin in air atmospheres. Transition Phenomenon—In steam atmospheres Thomas' has observed fora 1.8 pct tin alloy containing small amounts of iron, nickel and chromium that transition to a more rapid rate of corrosion at 400°C

Jan 1, 1959