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International Trade in Nonmetallic Minerals. BY J W FURNESS AND E W PEHRSON (Man &. Met, Sept, 432 2500 words) International trade in nonmetalic minerals (exclusive of fuels) is dominated largely by fertilizer raw materials such as phosphate rock, potash, nitrates, sulphur and pyrites and the miscellaneous group of minerals including asbestos, mica, graphite, fluorspar and china clay Cost of trans¬portation deters any substantial movement of the building materials which usually occur widely in nature and are thus available near consuming centers at relatively low cost This paper, which presents a summary for 1932 of the world production, consumption and principal trade relations of asbestos, china clay, fluorspar, graphite, gypsum, mica, phosphate rock and potash illustrated by world charts, is based on an original study of 15 nonmetallic minerals conducted by the U S Bureau of Mines Practical and Legal Aspects of Mme Financing See METAL MINING Economic Significance of High-grade Concentrates See MILLING AND CONCENTRATION

Jan 1, 1937

By Orville R. Lyons, A. C. Richardson

THE Coal Division of Battelle Memorial Institute, during the course of an investigation conducted for a coal producer, carried out extensive sampling of the fine-coal section of a preparation plant. The information obtained during the testing period was used to evaluate the overall plant operation and provided the basis for. recommended changes in the plant flowsheet. Included in the information were data for the results obtained when using a Bird centrifuge to dewater the particular coal being treated. At the completion of the investigation, the coal producer gave Battelle permission to publish the operating data for the Bird centrifuge in order to make this information available to the coal industry. The authors wish to take this opportunity to express their appreciation to this company and its officials for their willing cooperation in the matter of publication. Description of Preparation Plant: The preparation plant on which the data were obtained is primarily a jig plant. The coal being washed is a low inherent moisture, friable, Pocahontus-type. The washed coal from the jig is dewatered and sized at 1/4 in. by a Parrish-type dewatering and sizing screen. The minus 1/4-in. coal and the underflow water from the shaker screen flow to a sludge tank where, after the coal settles, the coal is conveyed by a flight conveyor into a pump sump. The pump, a 300-gpm sand pump, delivers a mixture of fine coal and water to a Bird centrifuge which produces a dewatered cake and an effluent. At the time when the investigation was made, the centrifuge effluent was returned to the sludge tank and the cake product was mixed with a coarser size of coal prior to loading into railroad cars. The semiclarified water from the sludge tank overflowed into a pump sump from which it was pumped to the jig. As originally designed, the preparation plant was intended to operate with a closed water system but it was found, soon after operations started, that for various reasons this could not be done. In order to provide for removal of excess water from the system and to aid in maintaining the desired minimum percentage of solids in the circulating water, the plant was operated to provide from the sludge tank a continuous overflow of water and fine solids that was sent to waste. The centrifuge feed represents approximately 35 tons per hour of minus 1/4-in. coal in the form of a pulp averaging 38 pct solids. Sampling Procedure: In order to obtain basic data for determining the relationships existing in the fine-coal section of the preparation plant, samples were obtained for: (1) the centrifuge feed, (2) the centrifuge cake, (3) the centrifuge effluent, and (4) the circulating water. The sampling was arranged to start on a Monday, in order to begin operations with a sludge tank full of fresh water, and was continued long enough to allow sufficient time for fine solids to build up within the water system or for a two-day, four-shift operating period. All samples were taken at half-hour intervals except when plant stoppages occurred. After a stoppage the plant was

Jan 1, 1951

By M. K. Elmouttie, G. V. Poropat

The analysis of structure using joint set statistics is well known. Other data such as the position of discontinuities and the contacts between rock mass units cannot be easily incorporated in simple statistical analysis based on orientation alone. Algorithms to model the structure of rock slopes using measurements of the orientation and position of discontinuities are being developed by CSIRO Exploration and Mining. These algorithms provide a capability to model the structure of a rock slope and estimate the likelihood of the formation of hazardous blocks in existing or proposed rock slopes and identification of the location and size of these blocks. The algorithms provide the basis of structural modelling to identify potential failure mechanisms in rock slopes.

Jan 1, 2006

By Paolo Heiniger

The aim of this paper is to present the operative solutions devised and then adopted to implement the underexcavation (soil extraction) of the Tower of Pisa, by means of soil extraction. The intervention has been performed by the Consorzio Progetto Torre di Pisa, a joint venture made of five qualified Italian companies (Trevi S.p.A. , Rodio S.p.A., Italsonda S.p.A., Ismes -Enel Hydro S.p.A., Bonifica S.p.A.), selected for their experience in the field of monitoring and restoration of monuments, structural design, foundation engineering and specialised works in underground conditions. Since 1991 the Consorzio has been charged with the specific task of implementing, within the contractual frame of a Concession, all the decisions made by the International Multidisciplinary Commission appointed by the Italian Government the previous year, with the aim at solving the «problem» of the Tower, strengthening the structure and stabilising its foundation. The Trevi Group, which is represented by Trevi S.p.A. in the above mentioned Consorzio, has given and is giving its direct and constant contribution and is engaged in supplying the special equipment to the operation and the drilling technology which has been successfully adopted to date.

Jan 1, 2000

By P. R. Celmer, Leonard R. Weisberg

THE principle of fractional crystallization has been successfully used to prepare high-purity (99.999 pct) Ga. Hoffman and Scribnerl removed single crystals of gallium solidifying in a gallium melt, while Zimmerman2 grew single crystals from the melt by the Kyropolous technique. In contrast, attempts at purifying gallium by zone refining have been less successful. ichards, reported that despite the passage of 40 zones through a gallium ingot, there still remained 5 to 70 ppm each of Cu, Fe, Ca, Mg, Si, Al, and Ag. Previously, Detwiler and Fox4 detected only one impurity, Pb, segregating in zone-refined ingots. These surprising results prompted an investigation of the factors controlling impurity segregation in gallium. Possible reasons for this were insufficient diffusion of impurities in the melt; recontamination of the melt by its oxide film which is not affected by the passage of the zone; reaction of gallium with the boat; sudden freezing of gallium following supercooling, especially since gallium easily supercools to and trapping of impurities at grain boundaries. Impurity segregation tests were carried out by directionally freezing gallium using the Bridgman rnethd, modified in that the molten gallium is lowered out of a furnace into a slush of dry ice and trichloroethylene, thus minimizing supercooling. Since the gallium is contained vertically, the oxide film is in contact only with the tail end of the melt. It was found that Teflon makes an excellent crucible for gallium since it is quite pure, non-reactive, translucent, flexible, machinable, and is not wet by gallium. The gallium crystals could be grown at various speeds, and the melt could be vigorously stirred by a Teflon rod moving through the gallium in a vertical reciprocating fashion. Single crystals could be grown by placing a solid Teflon plug at the bottom of the melt drilled out in such a way to cause the solidifying gallium to follow a winding path. Thus, even if many crystals are originally nucleated, only one grain will predominate. The grain structure of the gallium crystals was revealed by an etchant composed of equal volumes of HC1, HNO3 and HF, diluted with water to half strength. Emission spectrographic analyses were carried out on samples removed from the front and tail ends of the resulting gallium ingots. Typical results of this study are summarized in Table I. The rate of freezing in all three cases was about 1 in. per hr. It can be seen that even though stirring of the melt does help, it is even more important to grow a single crystal of Ga in order to obtain good segregation of impurities. The effect of crys-tallinity on the segregation of impurities was previously observed6 in the directional freezing of germanium; however, in this case, the effect was much less pronounced. This dependence of impurity segregation on the crystalline perfection of Ga may be related to its thermal conductivity which is the most anisotropic of all metals.7 The anisotropic thermal conductivity can cause the solid-liquid interface to be nonuniform, thus leading to trapping of impurities during freeing, and therefore reduced segregation. In conclusion, it is indicated that zone refining of gallium would be more successful if seeding and similar precautions are taken to insure single crystal growth. The authors are indebted to Mr. H. H. Whitaker for the spectrographic analyses and to Drs. B. Abeles and F. D. Rosi for helpful advice and encouragement throughout the course of this work. This research was supported by the Electronics Research Directorate, Air Research and Development Command, under Contract No. AF33(616)-5029. REFERENCES 'J. 1. IToffmon and B. T. Scribrer: I. Research h'atl. Bur. Standards, 1935, "01. 15, p. 205. 'W. Zirnmerman: Science, 1954, vol. 119, p. 41. %J. L. Richards: Nature, 1956, vol. 117, p. 182. 'D. P. Detwiler and W. M. Fox: I. Metals, 1955, "01. 7, p. 205. 5P. W. Bridgman, Proc. Am. ilcod. Sci., 1925, vul. 60, pp. 305,385,423. "S. L1. Christian: private c ommuni cation. 'K. W. Powell: roy. Sac., 1951, vol. 209, p. 525. 'W. G. Pfann: Zone Re fining, p. 20. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, L058.

Jan 1, 1962

Research workers from the Bureau of Mines and industry met with other government and industry representatives at the Mont Chateau Lodge, Morgantown, W. Va., on May 30-31, 1973, to discuss the current status of methane control in eastern U.S. coal mines. The opening remarks, the eight technical presentations, and the discussions of the members of a government-industry panel are published here for the benefit of those concerned with the control of methane in coal mines. In addition, an introduction has been added to present the background of work in this field.

Jan 1, 1973

By Rajesh Minda

160 numbers of double bulb underreamed piles were constructed based on the safe loads specified in IS code at Tripura. The pile load tests yielded a much lower capacity. A detailed investigation work was carried out to find out the reasons for anomaly. The work included soil exploration followed by extraction of two piles bearing numbers 72 and 151. It was seen that the bulbs were not formed as per specification. Some comments on IS Code have been made at the end.

Jan 1, 1996

By Milton H. Fies

The dedication of thin building, establishing a station of the U.S. Bureau of vines at the University of Alabama, bristles with significance and challenges the wisdom and courage of the people of this State. Here is united, in common aim, the Engineering School of our State University, recognized for its competency and usefulness, and the Federal Bureau of Mines. The Bureau is one of the most effective arms of our National Government. It outranks in accomplishment, measured by practical scientific contribution, any like governmental organization in all the other nations. It possesses none of the characteristics of many other bureaus of government which have created popular bias. Here is one Bureau devoid of political suggestion or aim with a personnel zealously devoted to labor in scientific re¬search - an organization marked by practical accomplishment, alleviating many of life's burdens, raking easier life's pathway, and unerringly pointing to life's possibilities.

Jan 1, 1936

By S. Kitamura

In recent years, the amount of ferritic stainless steel production has increased. However, the rust formation by the salt spray test was pointed out in the past. At the centre of the circular rust zone, pitting corrosion where water-soluble nonmetallic inclusions were embedded was observed. These inclusions originated from the suspended refining slag and consisted of multi-phase oxides and sulphides. By the experiments and thermodynamic consideration of the water-solubility, not only CaO or CaS, but also lime rich calcium-aluminates or calcium-silicates have shown large water-solubility. The composition of oxide phase in the inclusions was almost the same among the samples from molten steel, slab, or cold rolled sheet. On the contrary, CaS was clearly observed around the oxide in the sample of cold rolled sheet, although it was not found in the molten steel or slab samples. The enrichment of sulphur occurred from the desulphurization reaction of the suspended slag particles in the molten steel and also occurred from the diffusion of sulphur to the oxide inclusions during the heating of the slab. The optimization of refining slag composition has lead to produce the ferritic stainless steel without rust formation. Keywords: stainless steel, rust, calcium aluminates, calcium sulphides, water-solubility, refining slag, composition control of inclusions.

By Gerald Laswell

Jan 1, 1976

In April, 1961, a large pillar was removed by blasthole mining methods at Inco's Murray mine. More than half a million pounds of explosives were used to break 2,120,000 tons of ore in a single underground blast. The 5, 10 2-inch boreholes, involving 435,815 feet of drilling, were loaded over a three-week period, using conventional explosives and short-period electric caps. From this blast, more than half a million tons of ore have been removed to date (April, 1962) through slusher trenches situated in the footwall of the ore body. T HE Ontario Division of The International Nickel Company of Canada, Limited, operates six underground mines and two open pits in the Sudbury district in the north-central part of the Province. This paper describes the removal of a large pillar at the Murray mine (Figure 1), where 2,120,000 tons of ore were broken in a single underground blast by the blasthole mining method. This is the largest underground blast achieved to date (April, 1962) at Inco mines.

Jan 1, 1963

By Whiten WJ

A method that allows data to be mass balanced and screen models to be fitted in a single step is described. The inclusion of several variables to describe the feed data in the fitting procedure allows a mass balance to be conducted at the same time as the fitting of the screen model. Analysis of Groote Eylandt Mining Company screening data has demonstrated that this method is ideally suited to applications where complete stream data are not available. Also, certain random fluctuations in screen model parameters arising from the fitting of consecutive mass balances and screening models are significantly reduced. A cubic spline function with fixed knot positions corresponding to particle sizes and variable (fitted) cumulative percent passing values is used to describe the feed size distribution. When the spline function is interpolated at the experimental feed particle sizes a fitted feed size distribution is obtained. This feed size distribution is then used as input to the screen model calculations from which product size distributions are generated. Since both feed and product size distribution data are used to minimise the residual errors between the observed and fitted stream size distributions, a mass balance is Conducted simultaneously with the screen model parameter fitting.

Jan 1, 1984

By P. A. Witherspoon, R. W. Donovan, T. D. Mueller

The use of petroleum-barren aquifers for underground storage has become extremely important to the natural-gas industry. A critical problem in assessing the feasibility of a specific aquifer for such use is the permeability determination of the caprock over the proposed storage project. The approach used here is to conduct both static and dynamic field tests on the aquifer being analyzed. Valuable information on the possibility of communication between the storage aquifer and any other aquifers above can be obtained by measuring hydrostatic water levels and water analyses. Significant differences in such data give evidence of the lack of communication between the intended storage reservoir and other horizons. The dynamic approach requires that one well be pumped in the storage aquifer, and changes in fluid levels recorded in both the aquifer and its caprock. The interpretation of the data from such pumping tests involves the solution of nonsteady radial flow in an infinite aquifer and the influence on such flow of a leaky caprock. A finite-difference model has been used to investigate this problem, and the transient behavior has been solved numerically with a digital computer. It has been found that the pressure transients in the storage aquifer are not affected significantly by moderate caprock leakage. The pressure behavior of the caprock is a much better indicator of the degree of leakage, and generalized solutions for this behavior are included. Field data are presented to demonstrate both the static and dynamic approach. If is concluded that appropriate investigation of the groundwater hydrology in an aquifer-type gas-storage project can provide much valuable information for determining the effectiveness of the caprock to hold gas. INTRODUCTION Underground storage of natural gas in the United States has been developing at a rapid rate over the past few years. In 1955, the total gas-storage capacity was about 1.6 trillion cu ft; by 1961, this figure was almost 3.2 trillion cu ft, an increase of 100 per cent in six years.' This trend un- doubtedly will continue because the economics favor the development of gas storage, as opposed to the construction of new pipelines, to meet the inherent cyclic demand for fuel in the metropolitan areas of this country.' About 15 per cent of the current underground gas storage has been developed in petroleum-barren aquifers, i.e., geological domes or anticlines in which no commercial quantities of oil or gas had been produced prior to the storage operations. The necessity for using barren aquifers outside many metropolitan areas of this country has been due to the lack of depleted oil or gas fields that were near enough and large enough to meet the demands of such consuming areas. Pipeline companies have developed aquifer storage along their transmission lines to meet the fluctuating needs of their complex systems. Considerable thought has also been given to the problem of storing gas in a structureless aquifer, both in this country' and in the Soviet Union outside the city of Leningrad.'," Conditions such as these have led to the development of aquifer gas-storage projects in many parts of the U. S. Most of these developments have centered in the Mid-Continent area, and the greatest amount of activity has been concentrated in Illinois.6 Thus, the use of petroleum-barren aquifers for gas-storage purposes has become extremely important to the natural-gas industry. There are three basic problems in developing aquifer-type storage: (1) finding an adequate geologic structure, (2) finding a suitable storage reservoir within the structure and (3) determining the tightness of the caprock over the intended storage zone. The first two problems can be solved by applying conventional methods of exploration geology, but once these problems are solved, the question arises as to why no oil or gas is present in an otherwise favorable setting. Two situations are possible: (1) an adequate source bed was never present, or (2) a source bed was present but the petroleum seeped away because of a leaky caprock. Determining the tightness of the caprock is one of the most critical problems in assessing the feasibility of a specific aquifer for storage purposes. In attacking this problem, one usually takes cores of the caprock and subjects them to a rigorous investigation. Such core data are desirable, but they only detail the matrix properties and cannot be expected to reveal the gross characteristics of the caprock. Several gas-storage projects in the U. S. have had considerable leakage where

By S. O. Reichert

The nuclear industry has made a considerable effort to reduce environmental pollution with the result that knowledge in the field of radioactive waste management is well advanced. An example of the methods used for radioactive waste disposal is provided by the Savannah River Plant (SRP) operated by E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. for the AEC. It occupies an area of 320 sq mi along the Savannah River downstream from Augusta Ga., and has production facilities that include a fuel preparation area, three reactor areas, two chemical separation areas (F and H), and a heavy water plant. Gaseous, Liquid and Solid Radioactive Wastes Are Handled During Disposal The primary sources of radioactive waste are the reactor and chemical separation facilities. The reactors are cooled and moderated by heavy water which, in turn, is cooled by river water in heat exchangers. This arrangement prevents irradiation of the river water so that radioactivity is not discharged into the river water except when small quantities of moderator are lost by heat exchanger leaks. Because of the high cost of heavy water, these losses must be kept to a minimum.

Jan 9, 1968

By H. W. Miller, V. H. Wilhem

Although the year 1933 was a period of uncertainty, considerable new development was initiated, with a high percentage of favorable results, for owing to financial conditions only projects of merit were proposed and developed. Unfavorable marketing conditions caused severe financial losses to refinery and sales departments of nearly all companies during the first half of the year. In anticipation of stabilized Government control, earnings were generally favorable during the third quarter but failure of the Government to take legal action against violators of the proration orders, and lack of agreement on a definite plan of curtailment, resulted in considerable overproduction and demoralization of the market structure during most of the final quarter. However, toward the close of the year Government action against violators of the Oil Code had a tendency to decrease overproduction materially and give the market a firmer tone. As a whole, the price structure of crude oil was maintained at a high level during the year; in fact, at a much higher level than the price of refinery products warranted. At no time during the year was production within 10,000 bbl. daily of the state allotment, overproduction of crude reaching a peak of 70,000 bbl. on Sept. 7, average daily average for the year being about 27,000 barrels. Numerous plans for equitable curtailment were prepared and tested during the year, none of which fully solved the many and intricate problems faced by operators who were in most cases willing to curtail if they could feel that cooperation was being practiced by their neighbors. Outstanding events in California oildom during the period under discussion may be classified under the following headings: 1. New discoveries. (a) New development in proven areas. (b) Deeper zones in settled pools. 2. Unproductive wildcat operations. 3. Whipstocking practice and procedure. 4. Progress of unit and orderly plans of development.

Jan 1, 1934

By J. Wiebmer

The two most important influencers of cost-per-ton in an underground mining machine are its productivity (tons/hour) and its availability-utilization (hours/year). Operating cost and initial price have far less impact. This paper reviews a cost-per-ton sensitivity analysis for underground mining equipment and discusses benchmarks for measuring its performance. The conclusion is that miner-supplier partnerships and the Information Age are the two most significant trends in cost-per-ton reduction.

Jan 1, 1997

By Horace Porter

MOST of the bituminous and semibituminous coals of this country Will coke, and all of them yield, on carbonizing, more or less marketable gas and byproducts. We need, however, a finer distinction as between various grades of coking coals and between coals of different degrees of byproduct and gas-making possibilities. There is required by the consumer or the coal producer a dependable test to show whether a certain coal or mixture of coals will make coke of good commercial value for blast, furnace, foundry, water-gas, or domestic use; whether any difficulties in operation may arise from properties inherent in the coal; and whether gas and byproducts may be expected of good quality and in profitable quantity. For determining coke quality, the most dependable test is in actual run in an oven, but for byproducts a coal may better and more accurately be tested in the laboratory or in a miniature oven or retort. As to what are the most desirable qualities in blast-furnace coke, the furnace men themselves are not in complete agreement. Soiree desire a hard, well-burned, "hot" coke, and others get better results from a "greener," less hardened product that burns somewhat more readily in the furnace. But certain qualities of cell structure and porosity are commonly agreed upon as desirable. Information as to what kind of coke a certain coal may be made to yield is valuable in advance, whatever may be the consumer's ideas as to the particular kind most suitable to his needs. The question arises, Can we predict coking quality with any degree of satisfaction from a small-scale test? It used to be said that coals could not be tested satisfactorily on a laboratory scale either for the coke they would yield or-the byproducts. On account of the mystery with which the coking quality of -coal has been shrouded and the large determining influences that many believe are exerted by mass, pressure, and the passage of carbonaceous volatile matter through the coking material, it has seemed difficult to reproduce in the laboratory the exact conditions of commercial practice. Great progress, however, has been made in recent years

Jan 9, 1919

By W. D. Grundy, Frances Wahl Pierce, Jean-Paul Marbeau, Carol Waite Conner

Resource and coal quality estimates of three coal deposits in the Western United States were estimated by kriging, a geostatistical method that yields unbiased estimates with maximum achievable precision. Derived geostatistical models were used in kriging to estimate the tonnages of the deposits and to derive contour maps of thickness, structure, and sulfur content. Where data were available on quarter-mile spacing, kriging was used to obtain detailed information applicable to mine planning and design. Where data were sparse, kriging was used to do a preliminary evaluation of total resources. Geologic studies were required to correlate the individual coal beds and to identify complicating conditions such as the presence of faults, burnt zones, channels, and regional changes in thickness and elevation. Where these conditions were identified, they were explicitly integrated into the estimation procedure.

Jan 1, 1983

El presente texto señala los factores y la teconología para controlar adecuadamente el medio ambiente subterráneo en el curso de los próximos diez años. En ese sentido, se muestra el control de las dimensiones físicas, el calor, los gases, la humedad, la ventilación de la mina, supresión de polvo, iluminación, ruido, esfuerzo físico y movilidad y el futuro transporte subterráneo.

May 1, 1981

By Kenneth Seaver

Discussion of the paper of KENNETH SEAVER presented at the San Francisco meeting, September, 1915, and printed in Bulletin No. 105, September, 1915, pp. 1913 .to 1927. J. W. RICHARDS, South Bethlehem, Pa.-This paper concerns a very large industry, and an important detail in that industry. Within sight of where I live in Bethlehem, Pa., are coke works in which $2,500,000 was lost by the use of improper bricks in the coke ovens. This was the fundamental reason of the failure of the plant. The old ovens have all been torn out and replaced by new ovens built of proper bricks. This may emphasize the commercial importance of this subject. When speaking about coke-oven brick, the first thing that comes to my mind is how important it would he if it were possible to. get a brick of better heat conductivity. The heat for coking coal has to go through the thickness of the brick. The silica brick used has low heat conductivity as compared with some other refractories; magnesite brick probably has four times its heat conductivity. The coke oven needs bricks of high heat conductivity. Any process which would increase the heat conductivity of silica brick would undoubtedly shorten the coking process.

Jan 12, 1915