Search Documents

By E. D. Gardner

The Synthetic Liquid Fuels Act (58 Stat., 190; 30 U.S.C. Sup., Secs. 321- 325) was approved by Congress April 5, 1944; it directed the Bureau of Mines to build demonstration plants to produce synthetic liquid fuels from coal, oil shale, and agricultural products. The most important oil-shale de- posits in the United States are in the Green River formation of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. The oil shale of western Colorado generally is more amenable to exploitation, more persistent, and apparently richer than elsewhere in the Rocky Mountain Region. It occurs at the top of a high plateau surrounded by bold, nearly vertical escarpments 500 to 600 ft in height. The top 400 to 500 ft of these escarpments comprises an oil-shale measure that averages 15 gal of shale oil per ton; the bottom 70 to 100 ft of the measure, called the Mahogany Ledge, averages over 30 gal per ton. The full measure in a 1000-square-mile area is estimated to contain 300 billion barrels of shale oil;' the Mahogany Ledge is estimated to contain 100 billion barrels of oil. These estimates are based on numerous surface samples and on core-drill holes drilled by the Government and by private enterprise. The oil-shale beds are undisturbed and lie nearly horizontal. The name

Jan 1, 1949

Jan 1, 1967

Jan 1, 1891

Jan 1, 1959

By Henry G. Granger

NOTHING in this paper is to be understood as even suggesting a moment's suspension of the splendid work now going forward on the Isthmus of Panama, except so far as it is related to the proposed locks. All the work already done, and all material purchased or ordered, would be available for the plan herein proposed. The situation and the problem concerned may be summarized as. follows : The scheme of a lock-canal through the Isthmus of Panama was adopted, as is well known, on two principal grounds-namely, the greater expense of a sea-level canal, and the longer time required for its construction. Of these, the latter is believed to have been the more influential. But further developments have diminished the weight of both, so that a reconsideration of the question is warranted. It is the purpose of this paper to advocate such a reconsideration-emphasizing the importance of certain objections to the lock-canal not mentioned or not duly appreciated in the report of those members of the International Board of Consulting Engineers who favored this form; showing the nature and bearing of the new facts developed; and, finally, proposing a combination of well-known methods and apparatus, which would, in my judgment, effect the construction of a sea-level canal in less time, and perhaps at no greater cost, than will be required for the remaining work on the lock-canal. I. OBJECTIONS TO A LOCK-CANAL. 1. Earthquakes. Two centuries ago Panama is said to have been destroyed by an earthquake. In 1882 a rather violent earthquake was felt at the southern end of the Isthmus. In 1898 I felt a slight shock near the present border-line of Colombia. In 1900 I felt three shocks at Quibdo, the head of navigation of the

Jan 1, 1909

By F. W. Clark

At the present time, when lixiviation versus amalgamation is being so thoroughly discussed by practical men, and published information is so meagre, the following tests, made by students in the mining laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, may be of interest to others. The ore experimented upon was obtained from the Sombrerete mines near Zacatecas, Mexico. A careful analysis of the dried sample resulted as follows : Per cent. SiO2,............62.79 S.............13.86 Al2O3............4.39 Fe,............11.26 Zn,............1.57 CaO.............2.91 MgO,........... 0.06 Cu,.............0.12 Pb,.............0.40 Sb and As,..........trace CO2,............2.35 Ag,.............0.16 99.87

Jan 1, 1886

[Aamot, Clav Crone, (Member '29) Met., Det Norske Aktieselskab for Elektrokemisk, Industri, Inc., Oslo, Norway. Aamot, 0, Crone, (Member '29) c/o Elektrokemisk, Radhusgaten 23, Oslo, Norway. Aase, Glenn D., (Junior Member '40) Jr. Met., American Smelt. & Refin. Co., Selby, Calif. Abadie, Henry G., (Junior Member '43) Div. Petr. Engr., Union Pacific R.R. Co., 422 W. 6th St., Los Angeles 14, Calif. Abbott, Clarence E., (Member '04) Civil Engr., V.P., Tennessee Coal, Iron & R.R. Co., 1542 Brown Marx Bldg., Birmingham, Ala. Abbott, Fred E., Jr., (Member '44) Petr. Engr., c/o Arabian American Oil Co., A.P.O. 816, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. Abel, Raymond L., (Member '28) Chem. Engr., 0. 0., Pittsburgh Chem. Warfare Procurement Dist., American Bank Bldg., Pittsburgh, Pa.]

Jan 1, 1946

By S. S. Hsieh, J. R. Lehr

Bench scale beneficiation studies were made on Idaho dolomitic phosphate rock using the TVA carbonate flotation process. The process used diphosphonic acid as a phosphate mineral depressant and fatty acid as a carbonate mineral collector. Silica was subsequently rejected as float using an amine collector, with phosphate product recovered as the sink fraction. Two samples of prepared flotation feed from commercial operation were used. One contained 21% P205 and 3.2% MgO. The other contained 26% P205 and 1.8% MgO. The results indicate that concentrates containing 31% to 33% P205 and 1% or less MgO can be obtained, with about 80% P205 recovery.

Jan 1, 1986

By L. V. Wade

Abstract-US Bureau of Mines efforts under longwall research programs to develop the capability to predict support requirements for longwall/shortwall support systems are discussed. Ground control studies are being conducted in conjunction with several longwall/shortwall demonstration projects. Geologic, support performance, and strata behavior are being documented on these projects. A hypothesis is presented for the prediction of support requirements.

Jan 11, 1978

By R. V. Norris

1. INTRODUCTION. THE anthracite coal trade, with a shipment averaging about 70,000,000 tons per year, differs essentially from other coal business, in the fact that the larger sizes, comprising about 65 per cent. of the total, are used almost exclusively for domestic purposes, principally during the winter months; and that for proper combustion close-sizing is imperative, so that eight sizes are made; broken, egg, stove, and nut, known as prepared sizes, and pea, buckwheat, rice, and barley, known as steam sizes. These sizes are made in the regular course of preparation, and but little variation in the natural percentage of each is practicable. Thus it is necessary either to work the collieries intermittently, or to dispose of all the varying sizes in their fixed proportions. Unfortunately, the market does not at all times absorb the coal in proper proportions, and rather than interfere with the regular operation of the mines it has been found economical to provide storage for the excess. While the cellars of the consumers are the great storage-plants of the country, this capacity is not under the control of the trade, except so far as reduced prices during the spring and summer months may tempt the use of this reserve. The same remark applies but with less force to the retail yards, which,, though usually small, store in the aggregate a large amount of anthracite. While every effort is made to utilize to the utmost the individual storage-capacity of the country, there still remains the necessity for taking care of the irregularities of the market by the construction of storage-plants under the direct control of the producers. Such plants are usually the property of the railroads, and are situated at points most convenient from a traffic stand-point.

Jun 1, 1911

By C. A. LINDBERG

Several new methods have been developed on the Iron Range to remove the material adhering to truck bodies in freezing weather. A machine known as a Gradall, incorporating the features of digging both above and below the horizontal, digging angle of blade control, full revolving, travel almost anywhere, and operated by one man, has proven successful in trials at body cleaning. Several of these units are in use with great saving in box-cleaning costs and improvements in efficiency of the truck operation with full capacity boxes. In addition to their winter use, the same machines have been used for ditching and excavating in the summer with great saving. The latest method of combating this freezing problem is to carry the exhaust from the engine through the body, making use of the tremendous heat that is now being wasted. To do this, the present wood sandwich which is used between the bottom of the box and the wear plate is removed and replaced with angles or channels run lengthwise of the box and spaced to permit gases to flow between or through them and also provide a good sup- port for the wear plate. The channels or angles are cut a little short on each end to form a cross passage that permits the gases to flow through the area. In the front end, openings are made in the wear plate and connect to a manifold created by welding a plate across the whole front of the box, spaced from the original end by the original vertical reinforcing angles at that point. The body being described is for a Euclid truck which is the only truck that has been adapted to this body-heating idea to date. At the rear of the truck, the holes from the cross passage are made in the bottom plate of the body and lead into a triangular-shaped body cross member under the scoop end of the truck.

Jan 1, 1949

By AIME AIME

The Institute Headquarters at Spokane was established at the Spokane Hotel, and included a Bureau of Information for the benefit and comfort of members and guests of the party during the time of the meeting. The first session, held Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 28, 1909, in the beautiful Convention Hall ,of Masonic Temple, was called to order by Mr. E. J. Roberts, Chairman of the Spokane Local Committee, who introduced Mr. J. C. Ralston, City Engineer, representing the Mayor of Spokane and the Spokane Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ralston extended to the members and guests of the Institute a cordial welcome to the city of Spokane, substantially as follows:

Dec 1, 1909

By AIME AIME

PRESIDENT BASSETT'S gavel called the Annual Business Meeting to order shortly after 10 a. m. on Tuesday. On motion of Eugene McAuliffe, reading of the minutes was dispensed with and Mr. Bassett read his annual report of the year's activities as follows : During the year I have visited eighteen of the twenty- seven sections, making an average of GG 2/3 per cent. The invitation to come again has always been extended, but in only one case have I been able to visit the same section twice. Chicago entertained the president twice during 1930. Mrs. Bassett accompanied me on visits to ten sections. Everywhere we have found the most cordial hospitality and a gratifying enthusiasm for the Institute. If anyone had fault to find with the management or felt dissatisfied with what was being done, it was carefully concealed. I am happy to report to you an agreeable, helpful and progressive spirit in each of the sections visited.

Jan 1, 1931

Jan 1, 1969

Jan 1, 1882

By H. O. Hofman

Jan 1, 1896

RACAL COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS Henry McCormick, Chairman; David Watts, Secretary; H. H. Campbell, A S. McCreath, S H. Chauvenet, C. E. Stafford, George S. Comstock, Jones Wister, E. C. Felton, F. W. Wood, Harvey Fisher. CITIZENS' RECEPTION COMMITTEE Governor H. M. Hoyt, Hon John C. Herman, Hon Simon Cameron, Hon. J. D. Cameron, W T. Hildrup, Charles L. Bailey, W. W. Jennings, Lane S. Hart, H. U. Carter, Gilliard Dock, T. T Wierman, Jr, James Boyd, D. L. Jauss, Dr. T J. Dunott, S. C. Gilbert. William J Rose, James Lynah, Dr. H. B Buehler, William N Lamberton, John Wister, G. M. McCauley, David Fleming, John Q. Donney, M. E. Olmsted, H. S Gross, Henry Gilbert. John B. McPherson, Lyman D. Gilbert, F. W. Forman, L. S. Bent, A. J. Dull, F. R. Leib, Dr. G. W. Belly, James McCormick. The opening session of the meeting was held in the hall. of the Young Men's Christian Association, on Tuesday evening, October 25th. Mr. Jones Wister, of the Local Committee of Arrangements, introduced the Hon. John C. Herman, mayor, who, in a brief address, extended to the members present a welcome to the city, of Harrisburg ; Lieutenant Governor Stone made an address of welcome on behalf of Governor Hoyt and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. President Metcalf responded, on behalf of the Institute, to the cordial addresses of the mayor and lieutenant-governor. The following persons proposed for members and associates of the Institute, and recommended by the Council, were unanimously elected :* MEMBERS. William F. Aldrich, - Montevallo, Shelby Co., Ala. George H Blake, - Steelton, Dauphin Co., Pa. L. Bertram Cady, - Salisbury, N. C. John B. Church, - Pottsville, Pa. Walter S. Church, - Pottsville, Pa, Frank L Clark, - Pittsburgh, Pa. * In the following list are included those elected at a subsequent session of this meeting.

Jan 1, 1882

By M. E. Lombardi

IN comparison with the mining industry the petroleum industry is new and inexperienced, and until now it might have been called the fortunate industry. Its great good fortune consisted in two things; a bountiful supply hidden by nature in the rocks of the earth, and a steady and large increase, during the past twenty-five years, in the demand for petroleum products. It is a remarkable fact that consumption of gasoline in the United States has shown an increase every year since automobiles first became important, and even in 1930 there was a four per cent increase, in spite of the universal depression; the estimated increase if the times had been normal, was ten per cent. This industry has, therefore, not passed

Jan 1, 1931

By B. J. Guarnera

There have been major changes in the makeup and nature of the uranium exploration industry in recent years. Significant price increases precipitated an increase in exploration activity-according to the Department of Energy, exploratory drilling in 1977, by 140 companies, was almost 8 million m (26 million ft). This represents a 37% increase over the prior year's drilling. Projections for 1978 indicate at least 9 million m (30 million ft) of exploratory holes will be drilled in the US. Exploration expenditures in 1979, including land acquisition, drilling, and other costs, were estimated by DOE at over $236 million. Domestic expenditures for 1978 are estimated at over $250 million.

Jan 10, 1978

By Carleton C. Long, George F. Weaton

Two years ago the general features of the St. Joseph Lead Company's zine-smelting process were described.' At that time the discussion was limited to a description of the production of high-purity electrothermic zinc oxide. The present paper will describe the commercial production of electrothermic zinc metal. Since a fairly complete description of the plant of the Josephtowlz smelter was given in the earlier paper, the brief recapitulation given here will be limited to mention of additional equip-ment recently installed and a bare outline of the preparatory process. The raw material is zinc sulphide concentrate received from the company's mines in St. Lawrence County, New York. An average dry-weight analysis of this material is: Zn, 58.28 per cent; Pb, 0.56; insoluble, 1.6; SiO², 1.12; Fe, 6.4; CaO, 0.47; MgO, 0.27; S, 31.9; Cd, 0.1; Cu, 0.06; Mn, 0.24. Moisture content is usually about 3 per cent. Three 21-ft. 6-in. diameter, 12-hearth Nichols-Herreshoff furnaces roast the coacentrate to a calcine of average conlposition (first 10 months of 1938): Zn, 67.69 per cent; Pb, 0.06; insoluble, 1.75; SiO², 1.26; Fe, 7.24; CaO, 0.47; MgO, 0.36; S, 1.88; Cd, 0.1; Cu, 0.07'; Mn, 0.27. The sulphur dioxide gas, after passing through a waste-heat boiler, proceeds through a recently redesigned low-resistance gas-purification assembly to the contact sulphuric acid plant, of which the capacity is 200 tons of concentrates per day. The calcine is mixed with a portion of returned furnace residues and sintered on 42-in, by 44-ft. Dwight-Lloyd sintering machines, gas-fired. Wind-box gases pass through air coolers before filtering in a 1440-bag Dracco unit, and thence to stack. The Dracco fume is mixed with Cottrell dust, from roaster gas cleaning, and sent to the leach plant, where it is roasted (SO² to acid plant) and leached with sulphuric acid to recover, as end products, lead sulphate, zinc sulphate and cadmium.

Jan 1, 1943