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By Richard J. Mainiero

INTRODUCTION Because of the hazards associated with flammable methane gas and coal dust, the shooting of mudcaps (adobes) or other unconfined explosive charges in underground bituminous coal mines is prohibited; all explosives must be fired in stemmed boreholes. However, there are situations where it would be advantageous from a safety standpoint to fire open shots. This would be in the areas of dislodging loose roof slabs, overhangs, rock-fall leveling, slab or boulder breaking, crib removal, and crevice shooting. The Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, has been developing an explosive charge that is non-incendive; that is, detonation of the charge will not ignite a flammable atmosphere. This explosive charge could be applied to the blasting conditions mentioned above. As of this writing, the explosive charge has not yet been certified as "permissible" for use in flammable atmospheres, but the necessary protocol is being finalized with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), U.S. Department of Labor. The explosive charge described in this paper is merely a prototype sheathed rock-breaker charge (sheathed permissible explosive rock- breaker charge) demonstrating the feasibility of such a device. Industry may modify the design and composition of the charge in producing a commercial product so long as it is still safe, as defined by a testing schedule being developed by the Bureau of Mines and MSHA.

Jan 1, 1984

By P. Eadington

I feel sure that the apparent anomolies between his findings and ours arise as a result of the different experimental methods used. The modem oxygen electrode method he used is sensitive to nano moles of oxygen uptake whereas the method we used was only sensitive to micro moles at best. Furthermore, our experimental method did not permit measurements to be made in the first ten to fifteen minutes of reaction, the very time he is observing. Direct comparison of his data to ours is made difficult because of not knowing the specific area of the samples he used. However, we found that precipitation of PbS using sodium sulphide gave rise to samples of area approximately 30 m2 g - 1. Noticing the rapid decline in oxidation rate over ten minutes, as reported in Table 1, one can conclude that we could not measure the rate after ten minutes using our method. Taking the above area I estimate that at these rates only a small fraction of surface would be oxidised in a period of hours. I can only conclude that at some point a change in oxidation mechanisms occurs giving rise to a much faster rate such as we observed. Finally, I would like to comment on the apparent inertness of the homogeneously precipitated lead sulphide sample 11. This method of preparation we found to give specific areas of 20 to 30 times less than other methods and this would account for the very low oxidation rate.

Jan 1, 1982

By R. G. Paterson

THE usual procedure in determining the magnetic susceptibilities of rocks and formations has been to take samples in the field and measure their volume susceptibilities in the laboratory, using one of numerous methods available. In none of these methods is the measuring instrument suited for field use. Usually the sample is pulverized; sometimes it is machined to a desired size and shape, and in one method' a cast of the sample is made and the susceptibility of the rock compared with that of a material of known susceptibility of the same size and shape, made from the cast of the original sample. Some writers assert that the difference in susceptibility of a rock sample in powdered and solid forms is negligible, and while doubtless this is true in many cases there are others in which the difference becomes appreciable. Further, the susceptibility of a small specimen may differ from that of the rock from which it is taken, owing to the stresses produced by the hammering or other forces used to obtain the sample and shape it for testing. Wilson2 found that an individual specimen of granite had about the same susceptibility in the solid as in the powdered form, but that pieces from different parts of the rock varied as much as 750 per cent because of unequal distribution of magnetite. The most accurate value of susceptibility would, obviously, be obtained from averaging a number of tests on the undisturbed rock instead of from one or two samples. No such procedures have been published, to the writer's knowledge. It is the purpose of this paper to describe a method by which susceptibilities of rocks may be determined in place by means of a portable instrument. METHOD The principle involved in this new method is that there is a change in inductance of a coil due to the presence in its magnetic field of a paramagnetic or diamagnetic medium. In this case, however, the windings of the coil do not enclose any part of the rock under test. Instead, the coil is circular, being small in cross section as compared to its radius, and consists of several hundred turns of fine wire. It is placed flat on the rock of which the susceptibility is to be measured. Thus only part of the magnetic field from the coil penetrates the rock under test. The relation between the change in field strength or inductance of the coil and the susceptibility of the medium will be developed later. To measure the change in the inductance of the coil due to the presence of a magnetic material an alternating-current inductance bridge was chosen. DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS Of many alternating-current bridge methods applicable,3 the one shown in Fig. I (Owen's bridge') was adopted for its simplicity and sensitivity. In Fig. I, the test coil is indicated by P1L1. It is connected to the bridge by about

Jan 1, 1941

By R. C. Mahon

The Homer iron-ore mine is at Iron River, Mich. Because it covers a large area, 400 acres, and because there was a considerable depth of water in the glacial drift above most of the ore bodies, this mine has presented a number of unusual and often difficult operational problems. The purpose of this paper is to discuss a few of the most important problems encountered. Surface Water Mining on this property was started on one 40-acre tract. The ledge in this area was the highest on the property and, although it was a real problem, water could be handled by underground pumping. During the first period of mining, drifts were driven just under the ledge and holes were drilled through to the surface material. In later years these drifts have been extended wherever possible. Although these drifts assisted in the drainage problem, it was evident they would not be sufficient alone. Before mining on a large scale could be started on this property, the water problem had to be solved. A number of test holes were put down to the ledge, and showed that there was an average 150 ft. of water-saturated glacial drift above the ledge over the rest of the mine. The upper 70 ft. was gravel and sand and the lower 80 ft. clay and hard pan, with some narrow seams of sand and gravel. It was evident that the water above the clay seam could not be drained off through openings in the ledge and for that reason it was decided to install surface drainage wells. This method of drainage was entirely new at that time and was pioneered at the Homer mine. The sinking of the first well was started in June 1929. Immediately following the first well a number of wells were sunk, but only to the top of the clay seam. This was done with the idea that a greater capacity could be obtained in a shorter time from gravel seams where the water flowed more freely and that the cost of pumping the water above the clay seam would be considerably less than if the wells had all been sunk to the ledge at once. Before the drainage of surface water was started, 1200 gal. per min. against a head of 800 ft. was being pumped from the mine. By March of 1932, with five surface wells in operation, the mine pumping had been reduced to 150 gal. per min. At this time we were pumping 5000 gal. per min., under an average head of 110 ft. from the surface wells. The total pumping costs were 30 per cent less than in 1929 because the greater capacity was being pumped at a much lower head. From 1932 to 1936 the mine was idle and all surface pumping was stopped. Since 1936, 10 new wells have been added with a total pumping capacity of 8000 gal. per min. at the present time. The water level has been lowered 70 ft. since surface pumping was started in 1929, and it is now approximately at the top of the clay. To remove the water below the clay seam, 11 of the 15 wells were sunk to the ledge.

Jan 1, 1946

By S. Korman, S. B. Tuwiner

Chalcocite flotation is affected by agitation intensity during conditioning. Sodium sulphide in minute quantity may activate or depress, depending on conditions. Oxygen is a depressant while oxygen and sulphide neutralize each other by re-action at the mineral surface. Diffusion across a stagnant film at the surface governs reaction rates, while film thickness is reduced upon increase of agitation intensity.

Jan 2, 1950

W. O. OWEN,* Washington, D. C. (written discussion?). Few people appear to realize that the time to reach the crippled soldier is when he is first hurt. In my own judgment, the best time to reach him is before he is hurt, by showing him what other cripples have themselves clone of their own initiative, without Government-support, rendering themselves self-supporting, able to bear a little bit more than their own weight, so that they may lay aside a little bit for a rainy clay and some for a little fun in

Jan 5, 1918

By C. Dinis da Gama

In order to reduce the complexity of mechanisms influencing rock. fragmentation by blasting a simulation approach is proposed, using the capabilities of microcomputer interactive graphics. Situations involving cratering end bench blasting are simulated, and both jointed and intact rocks can be subjected to explosive action, taking into consideration its breakage mechanisms. Size analysis curves relating rock distribution before and after the blasts are determined and compared with field data.

Jan 1, 1984

By William F. Blake

The discovery of tin-ore in the Black Hills of Dakota dates from June, 1883, and short preliminary notices were published in September of that year.* The discovery-point is known as the Etta Mine, in the central portion of the Hills, about six miles east of

Jan 1, 1885

By Howard R. Hughes

In drilling for water and oil to reasonable depths through the generally soft yielding clay and sand formation of the Coastal Plain of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, the rotating method of drilling was adopted, principally on account of the easy and quick penetration, and the low cost of the drilling plant. In favorable ground, free of heavy gravel and rock strata, as much as 1,600 ft. has been drilled in less than 36 hr., although such performances were of course rare. Hydraulic rotary drilling, or, as it is now called, rotary drilling, was used in the above States as early as 1880. The plant consisted of an ordinary derrick, a 25-h.p. boiler, a small hoist, a steam pump, and a water swivel with hose attachment, and an ordinary flat diamond-pointed bit. The successful drilling in of a phenomenal oil well by this process on Spindletop, near Beaumont, Texas, on Jan. 10, 1901, and the ascertained impracticability of drilling subsequent wells in the same locality by other methods (owing principally to heavy quicksand under pressure from below), brought rotary drilling into great prominence, practically to the exclusion of any other process throughout the Coastal Plain, and later on elsewhere. The method, as its name implies, involves the rotation of a pipe by means of machinery placed on the derrick floor. A drill bit attached to the lower end cuts a clearance for the drill pipe, with much the same motion and effect as an auger. Water forced through the drill pipe by means of a pump, and escaping through the bit, removes the cuttings and returns to the surface outside the drill pipe. In this manner the hole is kept open, permitting the drill stem to rotate freely. The pressure of the column of muddy water holds up the walls of the hole until it has been cased. Practically all the wells of the Gulf coast region, numbering nearly 10,000, have been drilled with this system. During the last five years its use has been extended to many other States and countries.

Jan 1, 1915

By W. C. Meyer, R. R. Klimpel

A physical model of flotation, derived from viewing froth as a kinetic species since it constitutes the carrier of ore particles, not only agrees with and is simulated by engineering mathematical models, but is statistically verified by actual laboratory flotation data. The model couples the mechanical removal of froth using paddles with the more rapid interactions taking place in the bath. It clearly shows that the kinetics of mass removal is dictated by flotation cell dimensions, paddle speed, and, more importantly, froth characteristics. Some conclusions and model predictions are presented.

Jan 1, 1984

By I. H. Pratt

The results of a study on the preparation of thin-film capacitor structures are discussed. The dietectric source material was quartz which was sputtered and deposited onto aluminum electrodes and counter-electroded to complete the metal-oxide-metal structures. This configuration was utilized to evaluate the dielectric, the device characteristics, and related process parameters. The effect of gas sputtering pressure, magnetic field strength, source-to-substrate distance, and power density on the rate of deposition is shown. Increased film thickness uniformity over a 3 by 3 in. area by optimum substrate positioning is indicated. Dielectric constant, dissipation factor, dielectric breakdown strength, insulation resistance, heat treatment, capacitance, and dissipation over the range 400 Hz to 5 MHz are reported. In the fabrication of silicon-integrated circuits, silicon dioxide has found use as a material suitable as a diffusion mask, for surface passivation of the silicon, and for protection of conductive films used for interconnections. Its use as a dielectric for thin-film capacitors in film hybrid circuits has been limited, to a degree, for lack of a compatible processing technique and because of its relatively low dielectric constant. With the recent advent of practical metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) field effect devices, the material is now being used to insulate the gate electrode from the conducting channel in the silicon. In this latter application, more stringent requirements have been imposed on .the oxide. A comprehensive resume of the use of silicon dioxide in integrated silicon device technology has been compiled including oxide film and bulk properties, method of oxide formations, and their applications.' A relatively new process to deposit SiO, and other dieIectrics is by rf sputtering, and the purpose of this paper is to describe the behavior of capacitors fabricated with a dielectric which has been sputtered from a quartz target and to indicate the relative effect of several of the process parameters on the film deposition. Work on rf sputtering of SiO2 and other dielectrics has been reported utilizing a triode type of sputtering system as described herein or a diode self-sustained glow discharge system. 2-8 SPUTTERING The process occurs during an electrical discharge in a gas plasma which provides the ions for acceleration to the target to produce the desired sputtering. The necessary plasma can be generated by a dc glow discharge through application of a high potential between two electrodes at approximately 2 to 10 x 10-2

Jan 1, 1969

By N. De Nevers

A calculation method has been developed for carbonated water flooding. This method takes into account the effects of oil viscosity reduction and oil swelling, due to carbon dioxide transferred to the reservoir oil from the carbonated flood water. It shows the effect of changes in carbonation pressure and carbonated water slug size. The method is based on a Buckley-Leverett-type linear flow model. The mathematical approach is similar to that developed by Welge, et al, for enriched gas drives. However, it contains a very important advance over the previous papers in its solution to the problem of injection of a "slug" of carbonated water rather than continuous injection of fluid of constant composition. The method also shows the chromatographic nature of the transport of Co 2 in a carbonated water flood. Sample calculations indicate that viscosity reduction is the most important source of incremental oil recovery. Swelling contributes to a lesser extent. Raising the carbonation pressure increases recovery, but this effect diminishes as pressure is increased. increasing the slug size also increases recovery, but again this effect diminishes as slug size is increased. INTRODUCTION In recent years there has been considerable interest in carbonated water flooding as a secondary recovery method. Several carbonated waterflood field tests are now in progress.1'3 Yet there is no published method for predicting the results of a carbonated water flood. This paper presents a method for predicting the oil recovery for ; carbonated water flood. In a carbonated water flood. a carbonated water slug is injected into the reservoir. Then this slug is driven forward by injecting plain water behind it. The field operator must choose the carbonated water slug size and the CO2:water ratio in the slug. The calculation method presented here shows the effects of both slug size and CO2:water ratio on oil recovery. The calculation assumes that the addition of carbon dioxide to flood water increases the oil recovery by two mechanisms: 1. Carbon dioxide transfers from the flood water to the oil, thereby reducing the viscosity of the oil. At the lower viscosity, the oil flows more readily and is more easily swept out by flood water. 2. The carbon dioxide which transfers to the oil phase causes the oil phase to swell. Assume that the residual oil saturation (volume per cent of pore space) is the same whether the oil is carbonated or not. Then the same volume will contain less stock tank oil if it is carbonated, due to oil swelling. The plain water driving the carbonated water slug forward will strip the CO2 out of this residual oil., causing this oil to shrink. This swelling-followed-by-shrinking leaves behind a lower residual oil saturation than would have been left behind by a plain water flood. Since some oils swell to almost twice their original volume at reasonable CO2 pressures, this effect may be large. Two additional benefits sometimes claimed for carbonated water flooding are: 1. Adding CO2 to flood water greatly increases the water injectivity in some cases.1 (Injectivity = BPD of water injected/ft of sand x differential bottom-hole pressure, psi.) CO2 forms a weak acid in water; injecting carbonated water is, therefore, somewhat like acid treating. If a formation responds to acid treating, it will probably have a higher injectivity for carbonated water than for plain water. Although the increased injectivity increases the profitability of a carbonated water flood over a plain water flood, it does not change the production curve based on total fluid injected. Therefore, the method presented here does not show any effect of increased injectivity. 2. It is claimed in one patent4 that carbon dioxide will react with some constituents of the oil to form detergents. These detergents are expected to increase the oil recovery. There is little data available to support this idea. The calculation method presented here takes no credit for extra oil recovery due to the formation of any such detergents.

Jan 1, 1965

By Reynold Q. Shotts

Chemical methods, based on the relative rates of oxidation of fusain, bright coal, and dull coal by nitric acid, have been devised to determine these coal components.1-4 Results obtained by oxidation methods for fusain have been checked against results obtained from microscopic methods on duplicate samples of the same coals, but to the author's knowledge this has not been done for bright and dull coal components. For this reason it is not certain that the two methods of analysis identify essentially the same chemical or physical units. It would be highly desirable to see results of the application of both methods to duplicate samples, but in the absence of any such data the author has attacked the problem indirectly. From the U. S. Bureau of Mines samples were obtained of three Alabama coals which the USBM had analyzed optically and reported on over the past 30 years. These samples were subjected to analyses by oxidation rate methods. Results of this work, and comparisons with the USBM analyses, have been published. This was the first indirect approach to the problem. The present report attempts a second indirect approach by way of internal validation.

Jun 1, 1955

GENTLEMAN: The year 1928 was another in the history of the Institute which was marked by quiet growth and steady progress. The total membership as of December 31, 1928, was 8703 as compared with 8438 on December 31, in 1927. Again the main increase has been in Members and the number of Junior Associates is less. As will be seen also by the Treasurer's report, the increase is reflected in larger receipts for dues indicating that fewer have had to be dropped for non-payment. There has been a gratifying increase in the number applying for reinstatement and it seems clear that interest in and attachment to the Institute has notably increased. The year was signalized by the merging of the Rocky Mountain Club with the Institute which brought to our roll one hundred and forty who were not previously members from among the men who have made the West. It also brought to the Institute a strong tradition of good fellowship and a fund of over $100,000, the interest from which is to be expended so far as may be, for purposes beneficial to the Western states. The Endowment Committee expects to see other and similar funds entrusted to the Institute and the Board has already appointed a special committee to consider all projects for expenditure of the revenue from them. It is felt that with the organization and personnel available in the Institute even modest revenues can be made to yield large returns in the way of scientific and technical knowledge. Within the year also, a third great Division has been organized within the Institute, building on the foundation of the old Iron and Steel Committee. The new Division signalized its independence by joining the Lake Superior Mining Institute in a visit to the Menominee Range in September and by furnishing material for a special volume of 353 pages, "Iron and Steel" Technology in 1928," printed and distributed in December. The Institute of Metals Division held its fall meeting with good attendance as one feature of National Metal Week at Philadelphia in October, and published its volume of Proceedings, running to 836 pages, in August. "Petroleum Development and Technology in 1927," 844 pages, came out in June and recorded the work of the Petroleum Division. A most interesting Fall meeting was also held by the Division at Tulsa,

Jan 1, 1929

By F. M. Lewis, J. F. Myers

The paper reports the development of a large, slow speed ball mill closed circuited with a hvdro-scillator. This increased grinding efficiency 28 pct over conventional units. AS the title indicates, this is a progress report for the first year of experimental operation of a relatively large diameter, slow speed ball mill with 1-in. balls, with and without various classifiers, and including a hydroscillator. Several years ago the authors came to the conclusion that if any further progress were to be made in our flotation process, an understanding of the chemical and physical reactions and the control thereof, in the grinding circuit, was essential. It may be stated, at this point, that the preparation of a correct feed for the flotation process is still the number one objective of our grinding studies. This progress report deals with grinding "per se," and not with the chemical and physical reactions as the result of grinding. Prior to this time we had taken the naive position, that since grinding had been practiced by the industry for some fifty years or more, it had been well exploited and developed by a host of investigators. Consequently, we had given the matter only superficial attention. At the start of our study, we were aware of the fact that some difference in opinion existed, but we were not prepared for the controversial evidence that developed nor for the extent to which the experts differed in their viewpoints. There seemed nothing else to do but to tour the continent and decide for ourselves what was right and what was wrong, read all the published literature and visit with anyone who had ideas about the matter. This we did over the next few ensuing years. Since our study has met with some measure of success, we report, herewith, these data that ultimately they may be of help to other investigators. In 1944 it became necessary to increase our grinding capacity and at the same time to grind the sulphide portion a little finer. This provided the impetus to put our ideas into effect. As has been previously described, our grinding flowsheet at that time consisted of a 6x12 rod mill, followed by two 5x10 ft, and one 6x12 ft trunnion overflow ball mills, with conventional rake classifiers. Naturally, we first considered all the possibilities of altering or adding to the existing equipment. It became evident that if any appreciable increase in grinding efficiency could be obtained, it would pay to scrap the existing small mills and classifiers and install one big mill with adequate classification. Trying to determine just how much more efficient a big mill could be, in which were incorporated all

Jan 1, 1951

By J. F. Myers, F. M. Lewis

The paper reports the development of a large, slow speed ball mill closed circuited with a hvdro-scillator. This increased grinding efficiency 28 pct over conventional units. AS the title indicates, this is a progress report for the first year of experimental operation of a relatively large diameter, slow speed ball mill with 1-in. balls, with and without various classifiers, and including a hydroscillator. Several years ago the authors came to the conclusion that if any further progress were to be made in our flotation process, an understanding of the chemical and physical reactions and the control thereof, in the grinding circuit, was essential. It may be stated, at this point, that the preparation of a correct feed for the flotation process is still the number one objective of our grinding studies. This progress report deals with grinding "per se," and not with the chemical and physical reactions as the result of grinding. Prior to this time we had taken the naive position, that since grinding had been practiced by the industry for some fifty years or more, it had been well exploited and developed by a host of investigators. Consequently, we had given the matter only superficial attention. At the start of our study, we were aware of the fact that some difference in opinion existed, but we were not prepared for the controversial evidence that developed nor for the extent to which the experts differed in their viewpoints. There seemed nothing else to do but to tour the continent and decide for ourselves what was right and what was wrong, read all the published literature and visit with anyone who had ideas about the matter. This we did over the next few ensuing years. Since our study has met with some measure of success, we report, herewith, these data that ultimately they may be of help to other investigators. In 1944 it became necessary to increase our grinding capacity and at the same time to grind the sulphide portion a little finer. This provided the impetus to put our ideas into effect. As has been previously described, our grinding flowsheet at that time consisted of a 6x12 rod mill, followed by two 5x10 ft, and one 6x12 ft trunnion overflow ball mills, with conventional rake classifiers. Naturally, we first considered all the possibilities of altering or adding to the existing equipment. It became evident that if any appreciable increase in grinding efficiency could be obtained, it would pay to scrap the existing small mills and classifiers and install one big mill with adequate classification. Trying to determine just how much more efficient a big mill could be, in which were incorporated all

Jan 1, 1951

By Geo. Otis Smith

Twelve years ago, the Director of the United States Geological Survey addressed to the Secretary of the Interior a letter calling attention to the government's need for liquid fuel for naval use and pointing out that the rate of increase in demand was more rapid than the increase in production.' This letter, in a way, inaugurated the policy of public oil-land withdrawals, which was well founded in its primary purpose of protecting the oil industry and highly desirable in its immediate effect of checking the over-development of that day in California. Unfortunately, however, through delays in legislation, this policy may be regarded now as having outlived both its intent and its usefulness. In 1908, the country's production of oil was 178,500,000 bbl., and there was a surplus above consumption of more than 20,000,000 bbl. available to go into storage. In 1918, 10 years later, the oil wells of the United States yielded 356,000,000 bb1.—nearly twice the yield of 1908—but to meet the demands of the increased consumption more than 24,000,000 bbl. had to be drawn from storage. Nor is this all of the brief comparison. In 1918, our excess of imports over exports of crude petroleum was nearly 33,000,000 bbl. whereas in 1908 we exported 3,500,000 bbl., which was net, as we had not begun to import Mexican oil. In this period, the annual fuel-oil consumption of the railroads alone has increased from 16,871,000 to 36,714,000 bbl.; the annual gasoline production from 540,000,000 gal. to 3,500,000,000 gal. This record may be taken not only as justifying the earlier appeal for Federal action, but as warranting deliberate attention to the oil problem of today. Need of Future Supply The position of the United States in regard to oil can best be characterized as precarious. Using more than one-third of a billion barrels a year, we are drawing not only from the underground pools but also from storage, and both of these supplies are limited. In 1918, the contribu-

Jan 1, 1921

By R. R. Estill

THE rank of the Ruhr coal ranges from a high volatile bituminous coal to an anthracite, depending to some extent on the original depth of the seam. The average Ruhr coal corresponds to a soft bituminous American coal of a coking quality. The average thicknesses of individual coal seams being mined are also comparable (59 in. against 65 in. in the United States). However, consideration of seam conditions and mining conditions other than those just mentioned emphasizes differences rather than similarities with United States soft coal. In general, the Ruhr seams now being mined are much more folded and inclined than American seams. Dips of 20" and 30" are common in seams now being worked, and 30 pct of the coal reserves in the district are in seams dipping more than 35". Only on the tops and bottoms of folds do we find rather flat coal seams. In addition to the folding there is extensive displacement by cross faulting plus a certain amount of strike faulting of an overthrust nature, which results locally in doubling or omission of seams. Because of the long history of mining in the Ruhr, nearly all coal lying near the surface has long since been mined out, and we find that the average depth of mining is at present about 2300 ft below the surface. Deep mining, folding, and faulting result in seam conditions requiring a great deal more roof support than one finds in American soft coal mines. In fact only in the anthracite district and the Rocky Mountain and Pacific coal fields do we find somewhat similar conditions. It is easy to say, therefore, that the problem of mechanization of coal cutting and loading in the German mines is quite different from that which we have so effectively met in America with our mobile cutters and loaders, duck bill loaders, and a room and pillar system of mining our drift and slope mines.

Jan 12, 1950

By H. S. Geismer

There are three general methods available for obtaining commercial brown iron-ore: hand-screening; washing; and washing and concentrating. Hand-screening has produced a large tonnage of ore in the past, but is rapidly falling into disuse, except as a preliminary step, largely because modern furnace-practice requires all forcigii material to be separated from ores before they are deliv-

Jan 1, 1912

By J. F. Myers, F. M. Lewis

DISCUSSION L. E. Djingheuzian (Canadian Dept. of Mines and Technical Surveys, Ottawa)—In their Summary the authors say: "Reconciling the grinding efficiency with good metallurgy is still a problem." In the discussion of the first paper8 in his reply to W. I. Garms, Mr. Myers states: "Our grinding process with smooth I-in. balls has reduced by nearly one half the metallic losses in the fine micron sizes of the tailing. This is simply because less of the fine micron sizes are produced. Since the + 65 mesh size is the same as formerly, a higher percentage of the intermediate sizes are developed. These sizes have the highest floatability, require the least reagents, and use less floating time. "These factors contribute so heavily to the overall economies that dropping our power grinding gain from 28 pct back to 19 pct is a small detail. However, we feel that this is only a momentary situation and that eventually the best features of the grinding and flotation processes can be brought together, which is as it should be." Italics are mine. The above statements, to me, appear to be the answer to the opening statement in the Summary. Denoting the costs at different power grinding gains as: Power Grinding Power Grinding Gain, 28 Pct Gala, 19 Pct Cost of grinding G G1 Cost of flotation F F1 Value of metallic losses T T1 where G1 > G2 F3 < F, and T1 < T, we have: G1+Fl+T1<G +F+T. Since the authors accept the idea that "grinding in flotation plants becomes part of the &apos;conditioning&apos; of the feed to flotation",4 i.e., that in flotation the ball mill is primarily a conditioning machine, it can be postulated that Tennessee Copper grinding at cost G1 is more efficient than grinding at lower cost G. This can be directly inferred from the Conclusion of the paper. Mr. Myers also emphasizes this at the end of his reply to Mr. Garms: "that grinding is for the purpose of preparing flotation feed and not grinding per se." This, to me, in the final analysis means that when the efficiency of grinding is weighted against the conditioning factor, the former becomes a function of efficient conditioning, hence, within the system in which proper conditioning is the dominant factor, the best grinding efficiency is provided by grinding which will contribute towards the optimum conditioning. This brings us again to the statement: "that if every grinding unit were considered as a conditioner for each following step, efficient grinding plants would become much easier to design."&apos; In other words, grinding equipment should be balanced against the flotation equipment and against chemical reactions taking place in the system. F. C. Bond (Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co., Milwaukee)— The authors&apos; discussion of the probable ball motion in a slow speed high dilution mill is very interesting. When the 1-in. balls have worn down to about one fourth of their original weight they apparently first develop a flat surface; as wear progresses this flat face becomes concave, and other concave faces appear. It seems more probable that the first flat face may form at the softest part of the ball surface, and that each succeeding contact tends to force this flat face into sliding contact with a larger round ball; than that the flat faced ball tends to pair off with a particular round ball and to travel with it continuously. When the small worn ball has a flat face and is in sliding contact with a large round ball, the surrounding large balls will assume a more or less definite pattern, and slide against the worn ball, thus producing secondary concave faces. The primary concave face seems to be larger and better developed than the secondary faces. The ball charge can be divided into "concaves" which show at least one concave surface, "intermediates" which have developed flats or incipient concaves, and "rounds." Ball slippage is always present in a tumbling mill, and the mutual ball movement is necessarily a combination of rolling and sliding. The sliding motion is apparently concentrated upon the smaller worn balls which nest between the surrounding larger round balls. When each worn ball starts its upward path in the mill its primary flat or concave surface fits against a larger round ball, and the round ball slides upon it. The action may be something like that of the ball separator in a ball bearing, except that the worn sliding balls are always under considerable pressure. The material is ground under the combined influence of breakage 1—by impacts between falling balls and between falling and supported balls, 2—by being nipped between rolling balls, and 3—by being rubbed between the sliding balls. The rubbing action will be increased in the presence of worn balls with concave surfaces. The rubbing action probably produces a considerable portion of the finely ground slimes in the product. The worn balls commonly approach tetrahedrons in shape, and are very different from concavex, each of which has two equal opposed concave surfaces. Concavex were designed only to grind upon themselves, and not for use in combination with grinding balls. Their action in a grinding charge is very different from

Jan 1, 1952