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By D. A. Salinas G., A. H. Castillejos E.

Pachuca tanks are commonly used in the hydrometallurgical industry to carry out leaching operations. The fluidynamic characteristics of the liquid phase, resulting from the injection of gas into the draft tube, are important to achieve the complete suspension of the mineral particles and has a decisive influence in the mass transfer processes occurring in this reactor. This study investigated the effect of different design and operating characteristics on the liquid velocity field. using a laboratory-scale Pachuca tank. The transparent model was filled with water, and air was injected through the bottom in the absence of mineral particles. The liquid velocities over the whole reactor were measured under several experimental conditions using particle image velocimetry (PIV). This technique allowed to obtain a very detailed picture of the liquid motion even in the draft tube, as long as bubbles were absent from the measured field of view. The experiments have shown that the liquid velocities increase with increasing the draft tube to tank diameters ratio, the distance from the conical bottom to the draft tube entrance, or the gas superficial velocity. On the other hand, an increase in the water level with respect to the draft tube outlet caused a decrease. A mathematical model, which used the no-slip model, to calculate the variation of axial effective density along the two-phase region, was found to predict liquid velocity fields which agree very satisfactory with the experimental results obtained under all the conditions studied.

Jan 1, 1999

By Ross W. Smith

Many studies have been made of the microflotation of quartz (1,2,3,4,5,6) and alumina (3,5,6, 7,8) using various anionic and cationic hetero- polar hydrocarbon surfactants as collectors. A few studies have been made on these minerals using amphoteric hydrocarbon collectors ( 9,10, 11,12) and only a few studies have been made on the use of fluorocarbon surfactants as flotation collectors (13,14). The present investigation compares microflotation response of the two minerals in hydocarbon and fluorocarbon collector systems of the anionic, cationic and amphoteric types. An attempt is made to relate flotation response of the minerals to their electrokinetic behavior and the pKa values of the collectors.

Jan 1, 1979

By Qingming Feng, Dongbo An, Jinhong Zhang

The application of the geopolymerization of mine tailings as construction materials is hindered by the fact that conventional geopolymerization of mine tailings usually involves a large consumption of alkali, i.e., sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and a long curing time, because of the relatively low reactivity and the high Si/Al ratio of mine tailings when compared to other active resources such as fly ash and clay minerals. The present study is focused on efficiently activating mine tailings, reducing alkali consumption, decreasing curing time and improving compressive strength. We firstly investigate the temperature effect on the alkali activation of mine tailings during geopolymerization. Secondly, the impact of additives, i.e., calcium hydroxide and aluminium oxide, on the compressive strength of samples is studied. Thirdly, different forming pressures have been applied to remove excessive alkali and its impact on samples' strength has been investigated. The results show that a 40 MPa unconfined compressive strength (UCS) can be achieved with the geopolymerization samples after mine tailings are activated by sodium hydroxide at 170°C for 1 hour with the addition of calcium hydroxide and alkali dissolved aluminium oxide, further compressed with a 10 MPa forming pressure and finally cured at 90°C for 3 days. The findings of the present work provide a novel method for the geopolymerization of mine tailings as construction materials.

Jan 1, 2014

By H Kim, M J. Sun

Global steel companies are actively combating climate change by reducing carbon emissions. Traditional steel production, using the blast furnace (BF) – basic oxygen furnace (BOF) process, heavily depends on coal and emits substantial CO2. To mitigate this, companies are transitioning to the more eco-friendly DRP (direct reduction plant) – EAF (electric arc furnace) process, which lowers CO2 emissions. This study quantitatively evaluates the impact of increased hydrogen consumption on the carbon footprint of product (CFP) through an analysis of direct reduction process heat and mass balances. The study prioritises a comprehensive material balance based on mass conservation principles. The heat balance is calculated using differences in enthalpy through state energy properties, avoiding heat consumption. Validation using operational data from Hyundai Steel Dangjin works’ blast furnaces shows close alignment between calculated results and actual data, with less than 1 per cent error. This methodology facilitates a detailed analysis of the direct reduction process, offering insights into its feasibility and efficiency. Analysis of the operational impact by increasing the hydrogen ratio demonstrates reduced CO2 emissions and increased heat requirements due to the endothermic nature of hydrogen reduction, in contrast to the exothermic CO reduction. Possible solutions include raising reducing gas temperature or enhancing flow rate. The study effectively utilises designed heat and mass balances to assess material quantities and thermal balance under different operational conditions. It lays the foundation for the initial direct reduction process design, aiding in deriving and optimising operational parameters. Additionally, it provides valuable insights into the challenges of increased hydrogen, contributing to the production of greener steel by addressing these issues.

Aug 21, 2024

By F. Varley

Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in cooperation with mine operators, conducted a study of heat stress exposures among mine rescue workers in underground mines. Mine rescue workers face extreme heat loads as they enter hot and poorly ventilated environments, particularly when they are wearing breathing apparatuses. The burden of wearing a closed-circuit breathing apparatus (CCBA), the inability to drink fluids for extended periods of time, and the potential for ventilation disruptions and fires combine to increase the risk of heat illness during a response to an emergency. In this research, ambient environmental conditions and heat strain indicators were measured using conventional ventilation monitoring tools during mine rescue training exercises. Heat strain was measured with an ingestible temperature-sensing pill that measured core temperature continuously. In addition, a heart-rate monitoring chest strap was used to indicate physical strain resulting from physical activity and heat. Both core temperature and heart rate data were transmitted to a remote recorder worn by a rescuer and time-stamped. Team activities were also observed to determine the contribution of work rate to a person’s total heat load. The effectiveness of several engineering controls, such as cooling the air inhaled by rescuers through an apparatus, wearing cooling vests, and supplying water through the CCBA masks, were investigated. Administrative controls, such as limiting the duration of exposure and controlling the work rate through forced-rest regimens, were also evaluated. Results to date are discussed, and tools for evaluating team condition and estimating the length of time it would be safe for rescuers to work are proposed.

By F. Varley

Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in cooperation with mine operators, conducted a study of heat stress exposures among mine rescue workers in underground mines. Mine rescue workers face extreme heat loads as they enter hot and poorly ventilated environments, particularly when they are wearing breathing apparatuses. The burden of wearing a closed-circuit breathing apparatus (CCBA), the inability to drink fluids for extended periods of time, and the potential for ventilation disruptions and fires combine to increase the risk of heat illness during a response to an emergency. In this research, ambient environmental conditions and heat strain indicators were measured using conventional ventilation monitoring tools during mine rescue training exercises. Heat strain was measured with an ingestible temperature-sensing pill that measured core temperature continuously. In addition, a heart-rate monitoring chest strap was used to indicate physical strain resulting from physical activity and heat. Both core temperature and heart rate data were trans-mitted to a remote recorder worn by a rescuer and time-stamped. Team activities were also observed to determine the contribution of work rate to a person’s total heat load. The effectiveness of several engineering controls, such as cooling the air inhaled by rescuers through an apparatus, wearing cooling vests, and supplying water through the CCBA masks, were investigated. Administrative controls, such as limiting the duration of exposure and controlling the work rate through forced-rest regimens, were also evaluated. Results to date are discussed, and tools for evaluating team condition and estimating the length of time it would be safe for rescuers to work are proposed.

Jan 1, 2004

Blasting in Norwegian mines is often carried out by contractors who tend to look for the cheapest solution, without concern about fragment quality. The requirementsfor a contractor are usually only related to the maximum size of boulders and the quantity per month. Even when the owners of the mine are responsible for blasting, very little effort is made to optimise the blasting process. This paper presents test methods which were used and results from small-scale and full-scale blasting tests. In the small-scale tests, cubes 500 x 500 x 500 mm of four different rock types were blasted in a chamber, using two types of dynamite explosive. The velocity of detonation (VOD) for the dynamite explosives was 3000 m/s and 6000 m/s respectively. Three cubes of each rock type were blasted with each type of explosive, and a total of six cubes of each rock type was used. The entire muckpile (approximately 350 kg) was- sieved and weighed after each blast and fragments between 8-16 mm were tested for impact values and flakiness. The results of these tests clearly showed improvement in fragmentation the closer the acoustic impedance ratio of the explosive (VOD x density) over the rock (Cp density) was equal to one. The results also showed that the quality of the fragments (in terms of impact values) tends to be better when the cubes are blasted with the high velocity dynamite.

Jan 1, 1995

By S. Torno

The elimination of ultrafine (<10 µm) clay particles is essential to the treatment of abandoned coal-washing plant tailings for the recovery of the remaining coal fraction by enhanced gravity processing. Effective hydrocyclone classification is required to remove this fraction. The highly variable composition and particle size distribution of such wastes creates significant difficulties in the operation of hydrocyclones for such classifications. Hydrocyclone laboratory investigations and their plant setup require lengthy or time-consuming tests. The use of empirical models of such classifications frequently requires modification to correspond to actual operating conditions. Results of the evaluation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to predict hydrocyclone classification of coal-washing plant tailings are presented. Results of the standard k-epsilon turbulence, SSG turbulence and large eddy simulation CFD models are compared with the results obtained from analyzed hydrocyclone classifications. The CFD models tested are shown to be very effective in the simulation of hydrocyclone classifications for the determination of the classification particle size and adequate for determining the efficiency index values for many applications. The large eddy simulation model was identified as the most precise, but it is recommended that all three models be improved simulations of classifications above and below the classification particle size.

Jan 1, 2011

By T. Z. Mugodi, D. R. Fleming

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is defined as ‘The goods and services that support the electronic display, processing, storage and transmission of information’. Early in 2002 the South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) commissioned a study into the diffusion and adoption of ICT in eight sectors of the economy. The platinum mining Sector was one of these. The key findings presented in this paper are based on the platinum sector component of that study. The paper examines the theoretical basis behind technology transfer and innovation diffusion and presents the results of an ICT diffusion survey carried out in the South African platinum mining sector. ICT is shown as the modern day technological tool which is an accelerator of economic development. The current state of ICT diffusion in the platinum mining sector is defined and projections for the near future are given. Recommendations which will ensure smooth and full adoption are presented and justified.

Jan 1, 2003

By R. S. Adhikari

This paper presents an innovative computer vision method for condition assessments of bridges with multiple defects in bridge elements using digital images. This work utilizes 3D model of existing bridges and overlays digital images on 3D model to simulate on-site visual inspection. The analysis of element condition index (ECI) of bridges requires information about the severity and extent of defects in elements. In general, ECI is evaluated manually during routine bridge inspection considering the severity of dominant defects. The evaluation of ECI with multiple defects needs to be addressed with consideration of dominant defect as well as the interaction among defects. However, Image-based quantification techniques largely depend on geometry of objects (i.e. shapes). Shape vectors of a given object change as they are translated, rotated, and scaled with different magnitudes. This work considers shape preserving algorithms such as, affine and projective transformation for proper image alignment. Semi-automated approach for detection and quantification of concrete distress such as cracks and spalling are considered for the defects analysis. The proposed methodology ensures the consistency in reporting ECI and eliminates the shortcoming of traditional approaches.

Aug 1, 2013

By D. R. Nagaraj

There are few organic ligands that can adsorb effectively on noble metals, especially gold, in aqueous media. Ligands containing sulfur and nitrogen donors are known to be the most effective. Dithiophosphorous acids, for example, are known to adsorb on gold under certain conditions and these, along with xanthates, are used traditionally to recover gold values by flotation from ores. These compounds, however, are not necessarily selective for gold since most of the associated sulfide minerals are also floated. Monothiophosphorous acids, on the other hand, were recently discovered to float gold values selectively from sulfide-containing ores in a mildly alkaline medium; thus the dicresyl monothiophosphate is now used commercially in a gold flotation operation in the U.S.

Jan 1, 1991

By D. Nag, J. Fernando

Hazelwood Power Mine is one of the largest open pit brown coal mines in Australia. The removal of overburden is the first step in coal winning operation. The primary aim of construction of overburden dump is to provide an effective stable working surface for stacker. The paper discusses site investigation techniques used to determine dump soil properties, stability analysis method using GALENA and GWEDGEM, results of stability analysis. The paper concludes with recommendation for a safe dumping strategy for level 2 stacker dumping.

Jan 1, 2003

By Ali Kahriman, D. Adiguzel, R. Ulger, U. Akkaya

The environmental problems arising from ground vibration has been faced and discussed frequently in various industries such as quarry, mining, civil works, shaft, tunneling, pipe line and dam construction etc. where the blasting operations are unavoidable. This paper presents the results of ground vibration analysis induced by blasting during the construction of the Istanbul Kadiköy-Kartal metro tunnel. Different rock formations in this tunnel route which is 21.6 km in length were encountered during the excavation process by blasting. As a first stage, Hoek’s Geological Strength Index (GSI) values of rock units were determined by using inverse distance weighting method. The GSI values which were obtained from boring data were used when evaluate the data. GSI values were estimated by inverse distance method (figure 3) along with the tunnel route. Afterwards, ground vibration parameters induced by 21 shots which were made in different locations was monitored and passing routes of vibration waves determined. Weighted averages of GSI values were calculated according to distance of the regions where vibration waves passed. Multi regression analyze were made with using frequency, charge per delay, GSI and the distance between the shot point and monitor station. The main goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between ground vibration frequency induced by blasting and GSI.

Jan 1, 2011

By Kewu W

Kaolin used as an industrial mineral, especially that in the paper-manufacturing industry, must be of fine size, with high brightness, a low impurity content, and good crystal shape. However, in most kaolin deposits there are various impurities which have a very bad effect on the quality of the kaolin. Therefore, it is necessary to remove these impurities from kaolin ore. Owing to their similar surface properties, the separation of kaolin and iron oxide minerals, especially microkaolin and iron oxide minerals, has been regarded as difficult. The iron oxide minerals often intergrow with kaolin in fine and complicated forms, such as thin films, which make separation difficult. In order to overcome this difficulty, many workers have suggested various treatment methods and obtained great success. Based on research work by Fuerstenau (1980), Huang, Li and Hu (1984), Hui and Wei (1991), Shergold (1978), and Zambrana et al (1974), we have investigated a two-liquid flotation technique for iron removal from kaolin and obtained some success.

Jan 1, 1993

By Kuda R. Mutama, Allen E. Hall

A wind tunnel investigation into the fundamental characteristics of jet fan performance is described. The effects of varying fan positioning in a square tunnel cross section are reported for two fan outlet diameters and velocities. Tests were conducted, also for a jet fan placed in a flow developed by an external fan operating in the same direction as the jet fan. The position of the jet fan relative to the tunnel walls was found to affect its performance. Performance parameters were determined and used to formulate theoretical equations based on momentum and energy considerations. The results identified a range of flow ratios which can be used to design an effective jet fan ventilation system and provide a basis for the selection of jet fans for practical mining applications

Jan 1, 1997

By J. M. Mutmansky

"This study analyzed laboratory comminution techniques for respirable mine dust generation and the properties of the resulting dusts. It was the objective of the study to determine the suitability of the resulting dusts in reflecting the properties of natural airborne dust. This paper deals specifically with the amount of contamination introduced into the generated dust as a result of abrasion when using nine different grinding methods. The analysis was made by comparing the content of 25 chemical elements in the lab-generated dusts with the same elements in the airborne coal mine dusts. It was found that all the lab-generated dusts possessed contamination but that several methods produced smaller percentages of contamination and that the residence time in the grinding device was an important factor in the contamination levels. INTRODUCTIONDust in the atmosphere is a health hazard and a major source of occupational diseases in the coal mining industry (Anon., 1980; Merchant, Boehlecke, and Picket-Hamer, 1986). It has been shown that coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) is directly related to the inhalation and accumulation of respirable coal dust in coal miners' lungs. In order to effectively protect coal workers from coal dusts, we must have a clear understanding of dust properties including dust generation and dust-lung reaction mechanisms. This requires extensive biomedical research. Dust related research often requires large samples of respirable coal dusts to be collected, either for repeated experiments or stored for future reference. Unfortunately, current sampling instruments are not able to meet this demand. Ali a result, laboratory-generated coal dust ls frequently used as a substitute for coal mine dust in biomedical and other research applications. Now, the questions are how close the characteristics of laboratory-generated dusts are to those of mining-generated dusts and which equipment is moat appropriate for research dust production in the laboratory . These are some of the interests of this research project. The primary objective of this project was to find a laboratory technique which can generate coal dusts possessing properties similar to coal mine dust with respect to particle size distribution, chemical composition, and particle shape and morphology. However, this paper will focus only on the chemical compositions of the prepared dust samples and try to identify the sources of chemical contamination from various size reduction processes."

Mar 1, 1992

By K. S. Coley, G. A. Irons, T. Kaneyasu

"It is very important to reveal the lime dissolution mechanism in steelmaking slag, to promote its dissolution without calcium fluoride, which is now almost forbidden for use in most industrialized countries. In this research, the purpose was focused on the development of an experimental method to measure the mutual diffusivity of Ca2+ under the condition of lime dissolution into slag. By forming diffusion couples using a ""vacuum slag aspirating technique"", the method was established. The following mutual diffusivities of Ca2+, in CaO-SiO2-FeO slag systems, imitating oxygen steelmaking slag, were determined using this method:4.1*10-10 m2/s at 1400°C for 27wt.%CaO-53wt.%SiO2-20wt.%FeO slag,4.3* 10-10 m2/s and at 1400°C for 20wt.%CaO-40wt.%SiO2-40wt.%FeO slag, and 1.3*10-10 m2/s at 1250°C for 20wt.%CaO-40wt.%SiO2-40wt.%FeO slag.It was also verified that, if the basicity and ferrite content of the bulk slag are low, then a calcium silicate film forms on the lime surface, and drastically deters the lime dissolution."

Jan 1, 2004

By M. Karmis

For several centuries surface subsidence has been recognized as an inevitable consequence of most underground mining. In fact, British court records of disputes and litigations related to property damage due to mining subsidence can be traced to the early fifteenth century (Shadbolt, 1978). The first systematic investigations of the mechanisms involved in mining subsidence can be credited to Belgian Mining Engineers. The re- search effort was initiated after the widespread movements and the resulting structural damages suffered by the City of Liege in the 1920&apos;s. The publication of Gonot&apos;s 1871 treatise "Loie de la NomZ" (normal theory) was one of the most not- able achievements of the Belgian school of that era (Gonot, 1871). During the past 100 years the phenomenon of mining subsidence has been the subject of intensive research, particularly in Europe where long- wall is the most common method of underground coal mining. Many theories have been advanced to explain the mechanism of ground movement as it develops from the excavation, through the superincumbent strata, to the surface. Such theories include the original concepts of beams, arches, domes and the contemporary mathematical modeling principles of strata movement assuming two extreme concepts-- a continuous elastic medium and a stochastic medium for the superincumbent strata. An excellent review of the development of these theories ?-s given by Shadbolt (Shadbolt, 1978). In conjunction with the theories of mass strata movement in the vicinity of mine workings, the subject of surface subsidence predictions has also been the subject of extensive research. The development of reliable and rational techniques of subsidence prediction is imperative, if this phenomenon is to be recognized and controlled within acceptable environmental levels. Empirical as well as mathematical methods have been proposed to fulfill this objective and a comprehensive analysis of these methods has been presented in the literature (Bramer, 1973; Shad- bolt, 1978; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1980). As a result of this intensive research effort, it is now accepted in many )coal fields-- mainly in Europe-- that the state of art in subsidence prediction and control has approached a level where mining induced surface displacements can be predicted to a suggested accuracy of less than + 20 percent. Furthermore, such movements can be translated into anticipated structural failures using established damage criteria, thus enabling appropriate precautionary measures to be implemented. In this country, subsidence is rapidly gaining emphasis as an important environmental problem of underground coal mining. Damage resulting from this phenomenon ranges from land settlement to severe structural damage and has been witnessed in rural (Illinois, Colorado, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania) as well as in urban areas (Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois, Wyoming). Yet, the art of subsidence prediction and hence control in this country, for both longwall and room-and-pillar coal mining, is far from approaching the maturity reached by the Europeans. In this paper, field measurments and computer modeling techniques have been used to develop some basic relationships of longwall subsidence and its related parameters. Because the objective of this study was to develop regional subsidence trends, all processed information pertains to the Appalachian coal region.

Jan 1, 1981

By J. Ekengård, H. Srinath, M. Andersson, P. Jönsson, D. S. Sarma

The present paper deals with mixing between the metal and slag phase during the ladle refining process, including vacuum degassing. Dispersion of metal drops in ladle slags has been studied. The results show a larger quantity of metal droplets in ladle slag during the alloying and stirring phase than during the subsequent vacuum degassing phase. The thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of the interaction between metal drops and the slag matrix have been considered and probable reasons for the observed distribution discussed.

Jan 1, 2004

By F. M. L. Mulaudzi

Behaviour studies of metal dusting processes and associated filamentous carbon formation were undertaken on Alloys 600, 601, and 800 using a simulated metal dusting environment of 25C0-70H2-5H20 (vol.%) at 650°C. These samples were studied visually and by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDX) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Visual examination and SEM surface observation showed that Alloy 800 suffered metal dusting attack at an early exposure reaction period. The coke deposit amounts increased significantly with reaction time from 168 hours to 336 hours in Alloys 600, 601, and 800. Alloy 800 showed pitting after 168 hours&apos; exposure, and the degree of pitting increased after 336 hours. XRD showed all these alloys had a common austenitic phase, with Alloy 800 also having ferritic metal particles. Alloy 800 after 168 hours&apos; exposure had a complex phase mixture on the surface, consisting of ferritic Fe and austenitic FeNi phases. For coke deposit, there were also Fe304, Fe3C and graphitic carbon. The existence of Fe, Ni, and Cr metal particles, and also graphitic carbon in coke deposits, was confirmed by EDX analyses.

Jan 1, 2013