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By George R. Gardner, Kenneth B. Ray

THE application of wet cleaning processes for the beneficiation of bituminous coal has created in some localities a problem in the recovery and disposal of fine solids in the washery water. The maximum allowable concentration of these solids in the washery circuit that is consistent with satisfactory operation of the cleaning units remains a controversial point. It has, however, been generally recognized for a number of years that some degree of control should be exerted over the concentration of such material. Early methods of control involved intermittent or continuous discharge of a portion of the plant slurry into near-by streams or settling ponds, and this persisted even after the adoption of settling tanks or cones. The practice is not always economical, for two reasons: first, because of the waste of coal, and, second, because it is sometimes difficult and expensive to obtain an adequate supply of water. The latter condition often is aggravated by chemical treatment of the make-up water that is necessary to prevent excessive corrosion of plant equipment. The modern approach to this problem has been the adoption of continuous thickening devices. However, because such equipment occupies considerable plant space and is somewhat expensive to construct, the practice of loading these thickeners beyond their rated capacity is widespread, therefore often the performance of such units is not altogether satisfactory. In recent years, European washeries have increased the rate of settling of the fine coal from the slurry by the addition of specially prepared starch solutions. These reagents cause flocculation of the solid particles and thereby increase the rate of sedimentation. The first important work on the flocculation and clarification of coal slurry was done by Henry, who developed the Henry process and used it successfully in Belgian preparation plants. Soon after the initiation in Belgium, the process was introduced into England, where subsequent investigation developed similar processes, which were successfully used in

Jan 1, 1939

By J. M. Morris

The point to be made most clear in this paper is the economic value of flotation in the Benguet mill flow sheet. It is rather a statement of effect with no attempt at a technical explanation of the cause. Certain well-known, easily understood reagents, mechanisms and principles have been adapted to the conditions at Benguet, and have proved to be more successful than was demonstrated in the laboratory. The mechanical and metallurgical development of this particular operation was arrived at by trial and error, with fortunately very little error. Changes were slow, of necessity, which in the end proved a blessing in that time was afforded for observation and analysis of the disturbing factors; and as a result each change was a definite step towards higher efficiency. Many of these steps were unpredictable from laboratory work because of the varied and differing characteristics of ores met with in daily operation of the mill, which were practically impossible to reproduce on a laboratory scale. The Benguet mill receives daily ores that differ as much as if they were delivered from three different properties. There is first the surface and upper-level zone, which produces an oxidized secondary ore containing considerable iron oxide, manganese oxide and some organic matter. Formerly, most of this ore consisted of very soft fill with some hard rock mixed in. It also contained an unusual amount of iron and aluminum sulfate, which formed hydrates upon entering the alkaline cyanide solution and caused excessive frothing. When flotation was introduced in the Benguet mill the general characteristics of this upper-level ore had changed considerably, in that it was practically all newly mined, fairly hard ore. It still contained many of the same disturbing elements, but was somewhat simpler to treat than formerly. The small proportion of fines is still troublesome in flotation, and plant practice probably does not show more than 80 per cent extraction on this small portion of the ore. No definite figure on this is available, as this particular ore is delivered at irregular intervals

Jan 1, 1939

By B. H. Sage

AN apparatus is described for the measurement of the pressure-volume-temperature relations of pure substances, simple mixtures and complex mixtures with an over-all absolute uncertainty, which is usually not more than 0.2 per cent. The equipment is suitable for studies in the gaseous, two-phase, and liquid regions. The behavior of such systems may be investigated at pressures as high as 10,000 lb. per sq. in. for temperatures between 70° and 600° F. The methods of measurement and the construction of the apparatus are described in some detail. The measurement of the volumetric behavior of multicomponent systems requires the simultaneous measurement of the pressure, volume, temperature and weight of each component of the system. In the present apparatus a sample having constant weight is investigated at a number of independently controlled pressures and temperatures, there-fore it is necessary only to establish the weight of each component added before a given set of measurements. This method is in distinction to that in which the total volume remains constant and the pressure is varied by addition or removal of material, the system having variable weight. An objective in the design of the apparatus to be described was to develop equipment that would yield results involving no uncertainties larger than 0.25 per cent throughout the range of pressures from 150 to 10,000 lb. per sq. in. at temperatures between 70° and 600° F. Although this over-all absolute uncertainty of measurement may not appear to be small, it necessitated care in the plans for control and measurement of each of the fundamental variables. In general, any uncertainty greater than 0.05 per cent in the pressure, volume, absolute temperature or weight of each component was considered undesirable; therefore the attempt was made to obtain a precision of measurement in each case such that the absolute uncertainty would be only half this amount except in certain regions near the ends of the experimental range of the variable under consideration.

Jan 1, 1939

By F. S. Crawford

IRON and copper are mined in the Lake Superior district. The iron mines of the district have the best safety record for that industry in the country as a whole, while the copper mines of the district rank second in two of the four years recorded (Table 1). In Utah copper comes mainly from open-pit mines, which enables that state to lead easily in safety. All of the Michigan production comes from deep underground workings. About 60 per cent of the iron miners in St. Louis County, Minnesota, are employed at open-pit mines; this favorably affects the combined open-pit and underground accident-frequency rate, as this county provides most of the Minnesota-mined iron ore. In Michigan, however, there are few open-pit mines, the bulk of the production coming from underground mines, while all of the Wisconsin production, just across the state line from Michigan, is from underground mines. In spite of the fact that fewer mines in Michigan use the safer open-pit method, the iron-mining industry of that state maintained a consistently low record from 1931 to 1934; however, it was many points behind its nearest competitor, Minnesota, with its much greater production from open-pit mines.

Jan 1, 1939

By L. C. Campbell

THE purpose of any accident-prevention program is the curtailment or entire elimination of injuries and fatalities. It is a job that is never finished in the coal-mining industry. Day by day, on shift and off shift, men are exposed to injury and death in varying numbers. Seldom is it possible to lock up at the end of the shift and leave a mine plant in the care of a sleepy watchman, as can be done at most manufacturing plants. Even on off shifts there are maintenance and supply crews, coal cutters, pumpers and ventilation men exposed to danger. The prevention program of The Koppers Coal Co. recognizes two primary facts: First, no program can be successful without the full support of the management and complete knowledge of the job at hand on the part of every supervisor. Second, and equally important, is the full cooperation of every employee in observing the safety rules and practices set up by the management. Conscious day-to-day concern for his safety by the indi-vidual worker is the longest stride toward a good safety experience. How to accomplish the education of the individual worker and super-visor for safety is the problem of The Koppers Coal Co. as it is the problem of all coal companies.

Jan 1, 1939

By H. W. Hitzrot

THE new 4800-ton fine-grinding plant at the Hollinger Consolidated Gold Mines property at Timmins, in the Porcupine district of northern Ontario, went into operation in November 1937, and represents the culmination of an experimental program. The plant is a moderately low rectangular building of hollow tile on a steel frame, large enough to house four 7 by 15-ft. ball mills, with a 12 by 27-ft. classifier beside each mill. At one end is space for the addi-tion of another mill and classifier or a mill and classifier for the regrinding of table concentrates. This regrinding is now done in the old grinding department of the main mill building. Also within the new building are the four 6-in. sand pumps for lifting the product from the low-dis-charge ball mills up to the classifier feed launders and the containers and appurtenances of a complete dust-collecting system. Together with the usual overhead crane, these constitute the major units of equipment within the new plant. The location is at the lower end of the main mill buildings toward the old tailings pond, now so neatly leveled off and sodded to rival the very best of our own W.P.A. projects. Close by the new grinding plant is a large dome-shaped structure-the new fine-ore bin designed and built by Mr. Longmore and the Hollinger milling and engineering staffs. There are four separate automatically loaded inclined belt conveyors leading up from the bottom of the bin to the grinding plant. Each belt is equipped with a recording weightometer, in the grinding building. The whole structure and the machinery within it give the impression of permanence and a carefully integrated design with close attention to details, giving the operators every advantage for consistently good work.

Jan 1, 1939

By W. H. Meyer

Although an aerial photograph is not a map, most of the information that is necessary for compiling a map is recorded in the photograph provided some form of radial-line method is used to determine the true position of images. The slotted- templet method, which is based on the well-established radial-line principle, has made it possible to construct accurate mosaic maps at a cost comparable with that formerly charged for the average mosaic. It makes possible the securing of these results with far less ground control, which is always expensive. It has expanded widely the possible use of aerial photographs for mapping. ALTHOUGH a vertical or oblique aerial photograph is not a map, most of the information that is necessary for compiling a map is recorded in the photograph. Some ground controls or data are needed, the number and accuracy to be governed by the mapping method to be used and the scale and final accuracy desired in the finished map. RADIAL-LINE CONTROL It is essential that the principle of radial-line control in the use of vertical aerial photographs be understood and accepted before any confidence in the slotted-templet method can be gained. A simple sketch and some enlargements showing the Empire State Building will serve to illustrate the cause of displacement of an image that is above the datum plane as recorded in the photograph. The top of the tower of the Empire State Building is directly above the base, and when the image of the top is shown almost two blocks away from the center of the base, it is evident that the image of the top of the tower is not the true location, and in this particular case we know where the true location is; namely, over the center of the base of the tower. If the top of the tower were the top of a hill 1250 ft. high, we would have no way of knowing by inspection the true position of the top of the hill, so it is very important to have a method whereby the true location of any such point can be determined, and thereby make it possible to convert the detail of an aerial photograph into accurate information for mapmaking.

Jan 1, 1939

By John Conley

THE production of lime by the burning or calcination of limestone, including all varieties from true dolomites and magnesian limestones to high-calcium types, continues as one of the essential basic industries. In 1937, a total of 4,124,165 tons of lime valued at approximately $30,091,000 was produced in the United States.1 The importance of any contribution to our knowledge on the mechanism of the lime-burning process is, therefore, obvious. The burning of limestone has been practiced since the earliest days of our civilization, and the literature on the various phases of the industry is voluminous. Calcination of the various types of limestone has been studied by many previous investigators, but some points require addi-tional research. Each occurrence of limestone provides an opportunity for specific investigation, because the characteristics of stones in different localities vary. Knibbs13 has given an excellent discussion of available data on the theory of lime and magnesia burning. The thermal dissociation of calcium carbonate has been studied more recently by Johnston,2 Smyth and Adams,3 Ralston et al.,4 Furnas,5 Potapenko,6 and Southard and Royster.7 As a result of these investigations the dissociation temperature at atmospheric pressure has been established as 894° to 898° C. The dissociation of dolomite and magnesite, although studied by several investigators, 4,6,8 still requires clarification by additional data. The calcination of limestone was studied for a twofold purpose: (1) to extend our information on the mechanism of the lime-burning process and (2) to standardize the conditions for calcination of high-calcium and dolomitic limestones for subsequent hydration tests on the lime.

Jan 1, 1939

By A. B. Kinzel

SILICON, unfortunately, is not in the same category as some other metals with respect to the absolute value of the highest purity material prepared. Tucker, in England, and Becket, in this country have devel-oped procedures for the purification of silicon, and Becket's process has made industrially available silicon of a purity of 99.8 per cent or better. However, even the term "silicon metal" may be a paradox to some people, although not more so than the term "amorphous" as applied to silicon. These terms come from commerce, and "metal" is used to distinguish industrially high-purity silicon from ferrosilicon, silicon-aluminum, and other high-silicon alloys. Alloys of iron and silicon with 95 per cent Si or less are known as ferrosilicon, with a designation of silicon content where necessary, and the terns "silicon metal" is invariably applied to the grades containing 96 per cent Si and higher. The Becket method of purification was referred to in a monograph on the Alloys of Iron and Silicon, and the Tucker procedure was described in some detail in that publication.1 In order to get silicon of still higher purity, a sample, prepared by the Becket method, analyzing 99.84 per cent Si, 0.020 Fe, 0.016 Al, 0.005 Ca, 0.025 C, 0.033 per cent 02, 0.006 H2, 0.006 N2, and 0.001 per cent Mn, was crushed to pass a 100-mesh sieve said further purified by a modification of Tucker's procedure. This modification differs from Tucker's method in that after treatment the 100-mesh alloy was centrifuged to remove the last traces of acid. Our directly determined analysis of this purified sample shows: Si, 99.952 per cent; Fe, 0.009; Al, 0.012; Ca, 0.003; C, 0.006; or 99.982 per cent. Silicon by difference equals 99.97 per cent. The variation between silicon by difference and silicon as directly determined is important. Although Tucker mentions the amount of insoluble matter in commercial silicon both before and after his treat-ment, he does not mention the existence of carbon in the alloy; neverthe-less, lie reports silicon by difference. Any final figure as to purity obviously results from agreement between direct determination and

Jan 1, 1939

By Ian Wark

IT has been shown1 that in the absence of heavy metal salts, the nature of the alkali used to promote differential flotation-whether caustic soda, lime or sodium carbonate-is unimportant. The hydroxyl ion is the active depressant upon which differentiation depends, and the pH value determines whether a film of collector forms on any given mineral surface. Even when sodium cyanide is used in conjunction with alkalies, it is the pH value and not the nature of the alkali or its concentration that is important, for upon the pH value alone depends the fraction of the added sodium cyanide that is present as cyanide ion, which is the true depressant. When heavy metal salts become dissolved from partly oxidized ores, or are added intentionally as activators, conditions are different, and metallurgists have found that lime and sodium carbonate do not give identical results, even when added in amounts sufficient to produce the same pH value. In the few instances in which we had attempted to confirm this view, we had failed to do so, for, with nothing to guide us, we had inadvertently chosen solutions that gave contact curves of a "stand-ard type," which correspond to conditions of ready floatability. Now, however, we find that, in the presence of copper salts, and within a restricted range of reagent concentrations, the nature of the anions present is important, and that sodium carbonate does influence the results, apart from the usual effect due to its influence on pH value. With the recognition of this anion effect, and with the control of temperature already introduced,' it appears that the factors of major importance in connection with this set of reagents have been taken into consideration, and that the results obtained and the conclusions drawn from contact tests will be of more immediate value to the operator.

Jan 1, 1939

By Henry Mulryan

DIATOMS are microscopic aquatic plants of the order Bacillariaceae. They are unicellular plants with skeletons made up of amorphous opaline silica. The skeletons show highly ornate, complicated geometrical designs. Diatoms live in water virtually everywhere. They are found in clean sea water, brackish water, and fresh-water lakes and ponds. When conditions are right, diatoms propagate by subdivision in huge numbers. Alkalinity, temperature, and the presence of high concentrations of silica in the water largely control diatom life. When the diatoms die the skeletons drop to the bottom of their habitat to form oozes of vary-ing thicknesses. DIATOMITES Diatomite, or diatomaceous earth, is composed essentially of the siliceous remains of the diatoms, although other organic skeletons are also present, especially in sea-water deposits where radiolaria, sponges and silico-flagellates are common. Impurities are generally carbonaceous material, fine-grained silt, volcanic ash and dust, and occasional coarse grains of sand. Diatomites are marine, brackish, or fresh-water, depending upon types of diatoms and their method of deposition.

Jan 1, 1939

By W. A. Ver Wiebe

The year 1938, with a production of 58,784,250 bbl. from 18,790 wells shows a slight recession from the high peak of oil production reached the previous year, when slightly over 68 million barrels of oil was marketed. The previous high peak had been reached in 1917 with a total of 45,451,000 bbl. Another still earlier peak was reached in 1904, during which year slightly less than 5 million barrels was produced and sold. The production of gas, on the other hand, probably reached a new peak during 1938 with a total of over 60 billion cubic feet. This peak, however, was not the highest peak, for during the year 1908 over 80 billion cubic feet was produced. Between these two high peaks the production dropped down to 16 billion cubic feet in the year 1921. The number of wells drilled during the year totals 1569. This figure is somewhat lower than the figure given in several trade journals because it does not include wells that were deepened or recompleted in a different geological horizon. Nearly three-fourths (or 1107) of the total number of wells were completed as commercial oil wells (915 in western and 192 wells in eastern Kansas). The commercial gas wells completed number 50, of which 4 are in eastern Kansas and 46 in western Kansas. The remaining 412 completions include 130 dry holes in eastern and 282 dry holes in western Kansas. Based on daily potential capacity, the new discoveries of the year accounted for 70,000 bbl. of new oil for eastern and 1,220,000 bbl. of new oil for western Kansas. It is interesting to note in this connection that the number of wells completed in the state rose gradualIy to a first peak in 1904, when 2782 were drilled. The number dropped off rapidly to 368 three years later, but rose to the second and highest peak in 1918 when 4671 wells were completed. In the period between 1904 and 1912 more gas wells than oil wells were completed. Between the high peak of 1918 and the somewhat lower peak in 1937, the low point was reached during 1931, with the completion of only 470 wells. In the matter of new pools discovered, Kansas again ranks high. The exact number depends somewhat upon the interpretation of a new area whether it should be called a new pool or a long extension of an

Jan 1, 1939

PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR DONALD B. GILLIES CLEVELAND, OHIO PAST PRESIDENTS AND DIRECTORS R. C. ALLEN CLEVELAND, OHIO D. C. TACKLING SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. TREASURER AND DIRECTOR KARL EILERS NEW YORK, N. Y. VICE-PRESIDENTS AND DIRECTORS H. G. MOULTON NEW YORK, N. Y. HARVEY S. MUDD Los ANGELES, CALIF. PAUL -D. MERICA NEW YORK, N. Y. WILFRED SYKES CHICAGO, ILL. WILLIAM B. HEROY HOUSTON, TEXAS HENRY KRUMB NEW YORK, N. Y.

Jan 1, 1939

By A. Hultgren

PAGE Outline of Progress of Knowledge and Theories about Gas Evolution in Steel Ingots, and Its Influence on Crystallization and Segregation 2 Object of Present Investigation 16 theoretical Discussion of Process of Solidification 17 Gas Given Off from Rimming Steel during Solidification 17 Equilibrium Diagram of the Iron-carbon-oxygen Alloys 19 Solidification of Pure Iron-carbon-oxygen Alloys 25 Solidification When Carbon Monoxide Is Given Off at Constant Pressure... 25 Solidification When Gas Evolution Is Suppressed 26 Schematic Application on Solidification of Rimming-steel Ingots 27 Influence of Manganese, Sulphur and Phosphorus 28 Experimental Work 30 Liquid Steel and the Mold Gas 30 Ingots Investigated and Methods Used 33 Ingot Structure 42 Structure of Rim Zone 42 Structure of Core 49 Structures Obtained under Special Conditions of Freezing 50 Distribution of Metalloids 55 Other Observations Made 60 General Discussion of Solidification Process 63 Condition of Liquid Steel before Casting 63 Rimming Period 70 Composition of Rim Zone 93 Freezing after Top Is Closed 96 Slag Inclusions and Ingot Scum 102 Reaction between Gas in Blowholes and Surrounding Solid Steel during Cooling 103 Summary 105 Appendix-Preparation and Etching of Ingot Sections 106 References 107 IN 1934, Jernkontoret (The Swedish Ironmasters' Association) appointed a committee for the study of the structure of rimming-steel ingots and the various phenomena associated with their solidification. The members of the committee, including those who have joined it later, have been: I. Bohm, B. D. Enlund, B. Kalling, M. Tigerschiöld, 1. Wohlfahrt and the authors. The present paper? is a somewhat

Jan 1, 1939

By Joseph Pogue

OVER a period of years the writer has presented a number of studies1 on various aspects of proration, in a progressive attempt to analyze critically and constructively the economic complexities of this interesting institu-tion, which in a decade has revolutionized the economics of oil production in the United States. In the course of the investigations leading to these papers, the changing nature of proration and the principles under-lying its evolution have gradually become clear, so that it is now possible to depart from the analytical method and to construct a synthesis of the steps that, if furthered by the industry, should carry proration past the economic hazards that still surround it to the goal of maximizing the value of the petroleum resource to the industry and the public alike. NATURE OF PRORATION Proration literally means the allocation of demand among competing producers on a pro rata basis, but the term now carries a much broader significance for it is employed to describe the entire process by which the production of crude oil in the United States is regulated. There is naturally much confusion of thought on the subject, for proration is an evolving system of control based upon principles of conservation and equity and embracing a body of practices that are tending to adjust themselves to the needs of the situation but are subjected to varying and divergent influences in the process. As it is now constituted, proration is a planned production measure designed to prevent waste, insure ratable takings, and balance supply and demand. The procedure is administered by State regulatory bodies through use of the police power of the States under authority of State conservation laws; the practice is supported by a considerable degree of voluntary conformance on the part of operators; and the Federal Government has accorded its cooperation by providing advisory quotas, circumscribing imports, checking movements of hot

Jan 1, 1939

By G. E. Goodspeed

THE Cornucopia gold quartz veins form a parallel vein system traversing meta-morphic and granodioritic rocks. Field and petrographic evidence suggests that metasomatism has played an important role both in the emplacement of the grano-diorite and in the formation of the veins. Structurally the veins appear to be related to the major tectonic features of the Wallowa Mountains and to be narrow shear zones rather than filled fissures. Petrographic studies indicate a complex history of formation starting from initial alteration along fractures or joints followed by recurrent fracturing and a quartz-forming stage,-and closing with continued shearing and microbrecciation, which permitted the upward percolation of the later ore-forming solutions. The precipitation of ore minerals from these solutions formed ore shoots. Postmineral effects include the injection of Tertiary basaltic dikes, a slight amount of cross faulting, and some movement along the planes of the veins as well as oxidation. INTRODUCTION Cornucopia is in the southeastern part of the rugged Wallowa Moun-tains of northeastern Oregon. It was founded over 50 years ago following the discovery of its system of gold quartz veins. The major veins are roughly parallel and dip into the western side of Pine Valley, which drains the southern slope of the range. Previous operations had cut the upper portion of four major veins with two tunnels over 1000 ft. apart, when the present operating company drove a third tunnel, called the Coulter, at the level of the valley over 1000 ft. lower to intersect the most easterly major vein at over 6200 ft. from the portal.

Jan 1, 1939

By C. K. McArthur

The subject of classification is so broad that this discussion is confined to what the author believes is of prime importance in connection with proper grinding and classification. The years past have witnessed many noteworthy changes in fine grinding and classification, which have been accompanied by a readjustment of ore-dressing flowsheets for the preparation of better ground and/or sized products at an expenditure of less power, steel and maintenance than formerly. Nowhere in the industry is more being done in the way of experimental work to lower costs than in grinding circuits, because, at best, grinding costs are high. Recent years have indicated that, on the average, finer grinding has a real application. Without careful preparation of the process feed, no operation can be highly efficient or successful. In an earlier paper, the findings of an extensive survey at representative concentrators were presented1. Also, in the year of 1935, a technical discussion was given by Dr. J. V. N. Dorr (Some Notes on Classification Trends in America) before the Chemical, Metallurgical and Mining Society of South Africa In both papers mentioned, much has been said regarding flowsheets, grinding and classification. The author is very familiar with these papers, having had considerable to do with the actual operation of the flowsheets, as well as large mills and classifiers in the work described. Some data from the second paper have been included in the following discussion. Circulating Load In this particular paper it seems advisable to deal with the classification phases of the work that to a major extent govern the success of any closed-circuit grinding unit. The question has often been asked in connection with a closed circuit: "What circulating-load ratio should be carried?" This is really an

Jan 1, 1939

By Tracy Jarrett

IN making gold alloys possessing certain physical properties, such important factors as corrosion resistance, color, hardness and melting points must be considered. All of these requirements depend directly upon the composition. It is possible to obtain the same colored gold alloy by using different compositions, but in doing so one may bring in some undesirable property. Other investigations have been carried on in this field by F. E. Carter,1 E. M. Wise,2 and L. Sterner-Rainer.3 To make a complete study of the effect of composition upon these properties, a systematic investigation was carried on involving a range of copper content from 85 to 65 per cent. Elements such as zinc, silver and nickel were used to replace in part the copper content. The gold content in all the alloys remained constant. Only 10-karat gold alloys of those containing 41.6 per cent gold will be considered. All of the alloys were made in an induction furnace. Each alloy was cast in a 3 by ¼ by ¾ -in. ingot. The method of obtaining the melting points and making color determinations was described in a previous paper.4 The Rockwell B scale with the ball and 100-kg. weight was used for all hardness determinations. The submersion of test pieces in concentrated nitric acid is one of the standard corrosion tests used in the optical trade. A test piece in the 50 per cent cold-worked condition, ½ by 2 by 0.043 in., is blanked from a strip using a. die, and the weight, loss per square inch of surface is taken as a means of comparison. The time for this test is 2 ½ hr. of actual sub-mersion of the test piece in the acid. This standard test was applied to all of the 10-karat gold alloys discussed in this paper. The tensile tests were made upon strips of the dimensions shown in Fig. 1. The test pieces after blanking were annealed at 1300° F. for 20 min. and cooled in air. The "drop of the beam" method was used in determining the yield point, as there was a very marked "drop" when the yield point was reached.

Jan 1, 1939

By J. T. Burwell, J. Wulff

As is well known, the alloys of iron containing 18 ± per cent chromium, 8* per cent nickel and less than 1.2 per cent carbon exhibit the same allotropic modifications as iron. The face-centered cubic or gamma phase is stable at high temperatures and the body-centered cubic or alpha ferrite is presumably stable at room temperature. The transformation from the gamma phase to the alpha phase in alloys of the above composition (18-8 or stainless steel) is sluggish; even moderately rapid cooling permits the retention of the gamma phase. Cold-work, however, causes the transformation from gamma to alpha to occur at room temperatures. It is difficult, nevertheless, to induce complete transformation regardless of the method of cold-working. Since metallographic polishing is very effective in transforming the surface austenite to ferrite, as indicated by the magnetic studies of Buehl and Wulff,1 it was decided to investigate the phenomenon by electron diffraction methods. Apparatus The apparatus used (Fig. 1) was a hot-filament type employing movable slits, similar to that described by Germer.2 The sample-to-photographic plate distance was 69 cm. and the accelerating voltage 30 kv. Since electrons do not in general follow geometrical paths, it is necessary that either the electron source or the sample be movable in a plane normal to the beam. In this case the sample is fixed and the electron source is movable. The source is adjusted until the shadow of the sample appears in the brightest part of the beam as viewed on the fluorescent screen, then the slits composing the two pinholes are inoved into position one by one. The system is evacuated by means of a mercury diffusion pump backed up with a Cenco Hypervac oil pump. Pressures lower than 10- mm. of Hg are read on a calibrated ionization gauge.

Jan 1, 1939

By F. Cadena

HIWASSEE Dam, now under construction by the Tennessee Valley Authority on the Hiwassee River, a tributary of the Tennessee River, will require aggregate for approximately 800,000 cu. yd. of concrete. Near the damsite deposits of natural sand or gravel are not available and graywacke, a rock that is found in abundance, suggested itself as a likely source of manufactured aggregate. Graywacke is a metamorphosed sandstone composed principally of a mixture of quartz (65 per cent), mica (25 per cent), and feldspar (10 per cent). Other minerals are present in negligible amounts. The rock varies in different parts of the quarry from very fine to a coarse grain containing particles of about 1/4 in. maximum size, although the bulk of the deposit is medium grain. Extensive tests showed that graywacke would be suitable as a source of both coarse and fine aggregates. The aggregate plant available for use at Hiwassee Dam consisted of the coarse-aggregate and sand plant used on the Norris project. The coarse-aggregate plant had also been used at Chickamauga Dam. Although most of this plant equipment is now in use at Hiwassee, the present flowsheet is not only different from that at Norris and Chickamauga but is also unique as compared to the flowsheet of the average crushed-stone aggregate plant. It is hoped that this paper will show the importance of proper arrangement of equipment if the optimum in flexibility and capacity is to be attained. FLOWSHEET Rock is loaded by 3-yd. electric shovels into 12-yd. dump trucks, which carry the rock to the primary crusher, a 42-in. Superior McCully gyratory unit set at 4 ¾ in. (Fig. 1). The primary crusher discharges directly onto a 42-in. inclined belt conveyor, which carries the product to a surge storage pile with a maximum live storage capacity of approximately 3000 tons. A concrete tunnel under this storage pile houses the feed end of a 36-in. belt conveyor (conveyor B) fed by a 36 by 66-in.

Jan 1, 1939