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Jan 1, 1967

By Kenneth P. Katen

INTRODUCTION Though the use of continuous mining machines consolidated the operations of cutting, drilling, blasting, and loading in one machine that would theoretically provide uninterrupted production, it was soon realized that the face haulage and roof support operations remained as major impediments to continuous production. The ability to provide not only continuous cutting and loading, but also continuous haulage and roof support (see Fig. I), was the basis for the introduction of mechanized longwall systems in this country from Europe in 1951. The early systems employed friction props for roof support, but were to become obsolete shortly after introduction of the first hydraulically powered, self-advancing supports in 1960. Since then, use of the longwall technique has grown to the point where it is currently providing more than 5% of the annual output of underground coal mines in the United States. The shortwall system had its origin in Australia, but was first introduced into this country in 1962 following the development of powered roof supports. It, too, provides for continuous cutting, loading, and roof support (see Fig. 2), but has not experienced the widespread popularity of longwall due to its inherent inability to easily provide for continuous haulage. While there are in the neighborhood of 100 longwall systems currently in operation in this country, there are only a handful of short- wall operations providing production of slightly more than 907 184.7 t/a (1,000,000 stpy). Both of these systems provide uninterrupted roof support for face operations by means of hydraulically powered steel roof supports. In each case, the coal removal consists of open-end cuts made from the narrow end of a large rectangular pillar (panel) which has been blocked out by continuous miners developing entries around its perimeter. However, this is the extent of the similarities between the two systems. It is hoped

Jan 1, 1981

By W. L. Worrell

R. C. Gifkins (CSIRO)—In this paper evidence is put forward to support the idea of grain boundary shearing in aluminum at 4.2°K and the phenomenon is explained in terms of a low-temperature "equicohesive temperature". It is stated that these findings show that grain boundary shear cannot be ruled out in any situation by temperature arguments alone. We believe, from our own recent study of "apparent grain boundary sliding'' at temperatures below 0.45 Tm, that it can be ruled out on temperature arguments alone.45 Our experiments were made principally with magnesium and a Ms-A1 alloy ("Magnox A12"). Careful examination of offsets of marker lines or steps at grain boundaries produced by deformation at room temperature (-0.3 Tm) showed many of these to result from curvature over narrow zones along the grain boundaries. A significant residuum did, however, appear as a sharp offset or step. It was found that the mean value of this step rose to a small value during the first 0.5 to 1 pct strain and then remained at this level with further strain. Moreover, exactly the same values were obtained (at the same stress) at 75°C instead of 21°C. That is, in this range of temperature the "apparent sliding" was not temperature-sensitive. At 125°C and above there was sliding which increased with strain and which was temperature-dependent. When this temperature-dependent sliding was used to calculate the sliding to be expected at room temperature, this underestimated the "apparent sliding" by a factor of 104. The conclusion drawn is that the "apparent sliding" consists of shear localized in a zone of a width measured perhaps in microns, whereas it seems that true sliding occurs on the boundary surface.46 A model for such localized shear has been developed in general terms, following a similar model of Urie and Wain.47 Other strong evidence for low-temper- ature sliding has been based on the offsets of marker lines consisting of a substructure seen using the electron microscope to resolve these.48 We have repeated this work and found that the effects can be accounted for in terms of cracks in an oxide film which is produced when the substructure is etched up; these cracks form over zones of shear rather than at actual interfaces. However, in aluminum at room temperature (-0.3 Tm) there is no "apparent sliding" which is optically detectable. We suggest that, when the temperature is much lower (and possibly the rate of strain higher, too), as in the experiments of Chin et al., then aluminum behaves like magnesium at room temperature, and a narrow zone of shear develops to accommodate differences in strain across the grain boundary. Such a zone could well give rise to triple-point cracks. It is hoped to investigate these suggestions further. B. Y. Chin, W. F. Hosford, Jr., and W. A. Backofen (authors' reply)—It is interesting to have Dr. Gif-kin's comments, although it is somewhat difficult to reply in detail without the reference containing the work that he describes. Apparently though, he does find a low-temperature temperature-independent sliding that would seem to be related to the observations reported here. Perhaps some of the difficulty has semantic origins, growing out of the distinction between ('true sliding" and "apparent sliding".

Jan 1, 1965

By V. C. Allen

THE Tri-State Zinc, Inc., Galena, Ill., was confronted with the problem of securing ore from a deposit because the hoisting shaft was several thousand feet from the mill. The orebody is several thousand feet long, averaging 200 ft in width and 60 ft in height and opened up by vertical shafts some 300 ft deep. Mining is by the room-and-pillar method. During the initial operation the ore was loaded by conventional electric 1/2-yd boom-and-dipper shovels and hauled to the shaft by 8-ton diesel trucks. This underground ore loading and hauling was well adapted to the conditions and productive of low costs per ton. However, with the mill situated as mentioned, a triple handling of all broken rock was necessary: l—from the stope to the shaft by truck, 2—up the shaft by skip br can into the surface hopper, and 3—by truck from the surface hopper to the crushing plant at the mill. In addition to the repeated handling, serious troubles were encountered during the winter because of freezing in the shaft hopper. Consideration was given to either moving the mill to the new orebody or to the construction of a second mill. The presence of other orebodies to be mined at a later date made the first alternative impractical while the capital outlay for a second mill, when the present plant of approximately 850 tons per day was deemed sufficiently large for the total reserves, made the second alternative also unwise. It was decided to retain the mill in the originals location and continue to move the ore to it. The idea of driving an inclined adit from the surface to the bottom of the orebody suitable for truck haulage and big enough to allow the passage of all mechanical equipment was conceived. Among the apparent advantages of such an incline were: 1— Direct haulage from the stope to the mill without rehandling. 2—Elimination of virtually all grizzlies. Trucking from underground to the mill would do away with all hoppers, chutes, gates, and skips and make the maximum rock size dependent solely on the size of the shovel dipper at the mine and the crusher opening at the mill. 3—Less secondary blasting would be needed. 4—Ease of transporting equipment and supplies underground. Shovels and trucks could be taken through the incline intact. 5—Equipment could be brought to the surface for repairs and servicing without loss of time. The same advantages of ease in moving would be present in the handling of men, steel, powder, and supplies. 6—There would be far less difficulty in increasing the amount of tonnage that could be moved by truck up an incline than would be found in attempting to increase the capacity of a shaft. 7—All the broken ore in the stopes would serve as bin capacity, as it would take the breakdown of all of the loading and hauling equipment to have the same effect as a delay in shaft hoisting. 8—All danger of men being trapped in the mine as a result of shaft fire or power stoppage would be eliminated. 9— Virtually all trouble from severe winter conditions would be eliminated by the direct haul underground to the mill. The decision was made to proceed with the driving of an inclined adit. The topography of the surface between the orebody and the mill was such that it was possible to locate the portal at a point 170 ft above the mine floor and 1800 ft horizontally from the central point of the orebody to the south and 2500 ft from the mill to the north. A grade of 10 pct was found to be optimum for continuous truck haulage when the various factors of speed, safety, and truck maintenance were all considered. The incline as driven was consequently 1700 ft long on 10 pct grade and 12 ft high by 17 ft wide in cross section. The tunnel-driving equipment was chosen so that it could be used in mining after the completion of the tunnel. Drilling was done with a jumbo with two Joy jibs mounting 3-in. drills, loading with an Allis-Chalmers diesel-powered, front-end loader of approximately 11/4-yd capacity, and hauling by Koehring Dumptor trucks of 8-ton capacity, diesel-powered. The width of the tunnel allowed the end loader and Dumptor to be placed abreast. Since the Dumptors can be driven either forward or backward with equal facility, loading was accomplished without turning around either machine throughout the loading operation. The crew in addition to the tunnel foreman was comprised of three men per shift at the start and in the later work, four men. Each crew could perform any part of the working cycle. If the drilling was completed and the round blasted in the middle of a shift, the same men would proceed with the loading and hauling. Since the mine already had been drained to the bottom levels, no water was encountered. At the halfway point the tunnel was widened for approximately 100 ft to permit trucks to pass. The total cost of the tunnel excluding the capital outlay for equipment, which was all continued in use in the subsequent mine operation, was $60,363.00 or $35.50 per ft. The tunnel was completed at the end of June, 1949 and has been in continuous use since that time. In the five months from July to November inclusive, 106,049 tons have been transported to the mill or an average of 835 tons per day. No unforeseen disadvantages have been encountered and the advantages which had been predicated before the adit's construction have been more than realized. As previously mentioned, the deposit is worked by the room-and-pillar system with occasional faces up to 125 ft high. Except in driving development drifts when diesel-powered, front-end loaders such as were used in the tunnel are employed, all shoveling is done by Yz-yd boom-dipper type shovels electrically driven. These units need a width of 25 ft and a height of 14 ft in which to operate. All hauling is by diesel trucks, mainly Koehring Dump-tors. Roads are maintained with caterpillar tractors and a road grader. The tonnage output from the

Jan 1, 1952

By G. B. Gould

Every mathematical statement of a measure of anything (as distinguished from a count') is followed by a qualification—always implied if not explicity stated—-that the statement is only an estimate, which may vary from absolute accuracy within certain limits, according to the accuracy of the measuring instrument. This basic fact, so obvious to engineers, is not so well understood by many that make use of laboratory coal tests. The tolerances that must be allowed in measurements of coal quality are very important in both their commercial and engineering applications—and the significance of these tolerances depends upon the use made of the laboratory coal test. Only in recent years has there been any intensive study of this question of tolerances as applied to measurements of coal quality. There is very little in our published literature on the subject, and what has been published is not readily comprehended by those who sell coal, or buy coal and use it, unless they happen to have made a study of the subject themselves. There is great need for more widespread understanding of what lias been discovered and how it applies to the use of laboratory coal tests. What follows is an attempt to condense into a few pages the results of the major investigations so far reported, and to explain their meaning in simple nontechnical language, with the addition of some recent illustrative experiments. Determining Deviations in Quality It is necessary at the outset to distinguish between: (I) the accuracy with which one test indicates the quality on one lot of coal; and (2) the accuracy with which a test of one lot of coal represents the average quality of a commercial product, of which the buyer will presumably receive a series of shipments—perhaps many thousands of tons. It is necessary to make this distinction because coal is a variable material—a heterogeneous mixture of a variety of components—the quality of which will vary from one lot to another. Therefore an absolutely accurate determination of the quality (if that were possible) of one lot of a coal is an

Jan 1, 1938

By G. B. Gould

Every mathematical statement of a measure of anything (as distinguished from a count') is followed by a qualification—always implied if not explicity stated—-that the statement is only an estimate, which may vary from absolute accuracy within certain limits, according to the accuracy of the measuring instrument. This basic fact, so obvious to engineers, is not so well understood by many that make use of laboratory coal tests. The tolerances that must be allowed in measurements of coal quality are very important in both their commercial and engineering applications—and the significance of these tolerances depends upon the use made of the laboratory coal test. Only in recent years has there been any intensive study of this question of tolerances as applied to measurements of coal quality. There is very little in our published literature on the subject, and what has been published is not readily comprehended by those who sell coal, or buy coal and use it, unless they happen to have made a study of the subject themselves. There is great need for more widespread understanding of what lias been discovered and how it applies to the use of laboratory coal tests. What follows is an attempt to condense into a few pages the results of the major investigations so far reported, and to explain their meaning in simple nontechnical language, with the addition of some recent illustrative experiments. Determining Deviations in Quality It is necessary at the outset to distinguish between: (I) the accuracy with which one test indicates the quality on one lot of coal; and (2) the accuracy with which a test of one lot of coal represents the average quality of a commercial product, of which the buyer will presumably receive a series of shipments—perhaps many thousands of tons. It is necessary to make this distinction because coal is a variable material—a heterogeneous mixture of a variety of components—the quality of which will vary from one lot to another. Therefore an absolutely accurate determination of the quality (if that were possible) of one lot of a coal is an

Jan 1, 1938

The annual report f the Secretary of the Navy for the fiscal year, ending June 30, 1917, but including operations and recommendations up to Dec. 1 of that year, contains the following remark about the activities of the Naval Consulting Board. The members of the Institute who are members f this Board are William L. Saunders, Benjamin B. Thayer, Thomas A. Edison, Thomas Robins, Lawrence Addicks, Joseph W. Richards, W. R. Whitney, assisted by 47 other members f the Institute, in the capacity of associate members of the Naval Consulting Board. During the year, the work of this board, organized and approved by Congress in 1915, has increased very materially in importance and volume, its meetings have been frequent and the work of its individual members has been such in some cases as to occupy almost their entire time in the service of the Government. Some time before the active entry of this country into war the board called a special meeting to which were invited some 50 of the leading scientists and industrial managers, whose special study fitted them to advise on the methods of meeting the

Jan 2, 1918

By James Norman, Benjamin S. Lindsey

BaritE (BaSO4) is the most important industrial barium mineral from the standpoint of quantity consumed. In 1938 the amount was 365,000 tons. Its uses are numerous, some of the 'more important being in the production of pigments, as an inert filler in a wide variety of products, as a weighting material in oil-well drilling muds, in the manufacture of some kinds of glass, and in the production of barium chemicals. The barite studied in this investigation occurs as the massive variety in a shale replacement formation near Magnet Cove, Ark. It is intimately mixed with quartz and small amounts of iron oxide and residual shale. Complete liberation of barite and quartz is not obtained when the rock is ground to 100 per cent through 325 mesh. The crude rock with which all test work was done assayed 85.1 per cent BaSO4, II.II per cent SiO², and 2.85 per cent R²O3. Its specific gravity was 4.03. It was found in the course of the investigation that the barite contained a small amount of uniformly distributed carbonaceous material, so intimately dispersed that it could not be seen with the microscope, but gave a definite gray cast to the barite concentrates. The color of the barite in polished sections of the crude rock ranged from gray to almost black, while finely ground powder was a reddish gray. The reddish hue was due to the iron oxide present. In 1939, under the supervision of Oliver C. Ralston,* the Bureau of Mines, in cooperation with the Milwhite Company, of Houston, Texas, undertook to study the flotation of barite from Magnet Cove, Ark. Flotation of several southern barite ores had already been investigated by the Bureau of Mines.' The Magnet Cove barite was unique, however, in that it had to be ground to such an extremely small particle size for liberation. The flotation of non-metallic minerals in the presence of a large amount of slime is usually very difficult, and when done is an innovation calling for conditions different from those under which granular material is scparated. Laboratory Flotation Work Preliminary investigation showed that the flotation reagents recommended by O'Meara and Coe1 for separating barite and siliceous material were suitable, but much larger quantities of reagents were required to separate such finely divided material. Moreover, it was found that careful control of the frothing was necessary. When oleic acid and sodium silicate were used a voluminous froth was observed at the beginning of a test, and toward the end there was not enough froth to effect complete recovery of barite. The addition of pine oil as a frother gave proper frothing for the duration of the test, and the substitution of coconut fatty acid (crude lauric acid) for oleic acid produced a more heavily burdened froth. Two different paper-mill fatty-acid products were tested

Jan 1, 1942

By Benjamin S. Lindsey, James Norman

BaritE (BaSO4) is the most important industrial barium mineral from the standpoint of quantity consumed. In 1938 the amount was 365,000 tons. Its uses are numerous, some of the 'more important being in the production of pigments, as an inert filler in a wide variety of products, as a weighting material in oil-well drilling muds, in the manufacture of some kinds of glass, and in the production of barium chemicals. The barite studied in this investigation occurs as the massive variety in a shale replacement formation near Magnet Cove, Ark. It is intimately mixed with quartz and small amounts of iron oxide and residual shale. Complete liberation of barite and quartz is not obtained when the rock is ground to 100 per cent through 325 mesh. The crude rock with which all test work was done assayed 85.1 per cent BaSO4, II.II per cent SiO², and 2.85 per cent R²O3. Its specific gravity was 4.03. It was found in the course of the investigation that the barite contained a small amount of uniformly distributed carbonaceous material, so intimately dispersed that it could not be seen with the microscope, but gave a definite gray cast to the barite concentrates. The color of the barite in polished sections of the crude rock ranged from gray to almost black, while finely ground powder was a reddish gray. The reddish hue was due to the iron oxide present. In 1939, under the supervision of Oliver C. Ralston,* the Bureau of Mines, in cooperation with the Milwhite Company, of Houston, Texas, undertook to study the flotation of barite from Magnet Cove, Ark. Flotation of several southern barite ores had already been investigated by the Bureau of Mines.' The Magnet Cove barite was unique, however, in that it had to be ground to such an extremely small particle size for liberation. The flotation of non-metallic minerals in the presence of a large amount of slime is usually very difficult, and when done is an innovation calling for conditions different from those under which granular material is scparated. Laboratory Flotation Work Preliminary investigation showed that the flotation reagents recommended by O'Meara and Coe1 for separating barite and siliceous material were suitable, but much larger quantities of reagents were required to separate such finely divided material. Moreover, it was found that careful control of the frothing was necessary. When oleic acid and sodium silicate were used a voluminous froth was observed at the beginning of a test, and toward the end there was not enough froth to effect complete recovery of barite. The addition of pine oil as a frother gave proper frothing for the duration of the test, and the substitution of coconut fatty acid (crude lauric acid) for oleic acid produced a more heavily burdened froth. Two different paper-mill fatty-acid products were tested

Jan 1, 1942

By Alvinus Brown Wood

The ancient copper-mines of Lake Superior, having been destroyed or covered by modern mining-dumps, are not accessible to the present inhabitants of that region, and, since no more are likely to be found, some account of those already discovered, from one who has seen them, may be acceptable to the Institute. Early in May, 1855, I took a party of men to open an ancient pit on the Quincy mine-location. Mr. C. C. Douglas was the " Agent," as mine-managers were then called on Lake Superior. The Quincy Co. had previously done work on a fissure-vein, several hundred feet west of the Amygdaloid lode (afterwards called the Pewabic lode), on which was the ancient pit herein described. 'It was at this pit that the Quincy main shaft was subsequently sunk. The ancient pit showed an apparent depth of about 4 R., but when cleaned out it was shown to he 14 ft. deep, having been filled up by the sliding-in of material composed largely of broken rock, taken out in sinking the ancient shaft, and left near its mouth. Midway of the shaft, and below water-level, was found a scaffolding of white-birch poles, which had been used as a landing, to assist in removing the excavated rock. The shaft was 7 ft. in diameter. The excavation had been done by first building fires in order to disintegrate the rock, as was proved by the abundance of charcoal found; then breaking the softencd rock with hammers of diorite, such as is found in the greenstone range on Keweenaw point. These hammers had about the size of large paving-stones. Only broken ones were found, the whole ones having been doubtless carried away for other work, such as could be traced on the lode for a hundred feet or more to the south. At the place where this shaft was sunk, barrel-copper (i.e.,

Jan 1, 1907

By V. J. Sikora, W. J. McGuire

Several years ago, we used an electric analogue computer to study the effect of vertical fractures on the productivity of wells in expanding fluid-drive reservoirs. The results of this work were used both as a guide to research and as a basis for the design of actual fracturing operations. In 1958, Dyes, Kemp and Caudle' published portions of the data from this study. The results were released in 1959 to service companies for use in fracturing guides. The purpose of this note is to discuss the experimental conditions and assumptions which were made to derive the information which is already partially a matter of public record. ASSUMPTIONS This study applies to fractures which extend in a vertical plane symmetrically from the well. For simplicity, we chose to study the case of a well in a square drainage area with its fractures extending toward two of its nearest neighbors. We have assumed no migration of fluid across the boundary of this area. The quadrant shown in Fig. 1 models this system. We made the usual assumptions that the reservoir is homogeneous and isotropic, that the fluid is homogeneous and that production is effected by fluid-expansion drive. We also assumed that the fracture extends from top to bottom of the reservoir. Of more practical interest is our assumption that the fracture does not change the size of the drainage area. This premise is appropriate if all the wells in the reservoir are fractured in the same way. But where a single well is fractured, its drainage area may be enlarged at the expense of its neighbors. This could be of economic importance. The assumption that the fracture will not extend beyond the established drainage area of the well also limits the application of the results. Such long frac- tures will yield benefits in excess of those predicted here. When we assume homogeneity, we disregard the frequently observed zone of damage in the vicinity of the well. Where damage is severe, the benefits resulting from by-passing it will far exceed those predicted by this study. All comparisons were made of systems producing in the semi-steady state. By this we mean that equal volumes contributed equally to flow (pressure was dropping at a uniform rate throughout the system) when the rate of flow was observed. EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP We used the pool unit of an electric analyzer' in this study. The squase drainage system of a well was rep-

By Charles A. Ashburner

The manufacturing and domestic consumers of anthracite are beginning to realize the fact more fully, that the coal purchased for any one year does not seem to burn so freely, does not fire with so little trouble, and does not last so long as that purchased during other years, or vice versa. Where coals of different sizes, or from different districts, are offered to the trade by the same or competing salesmen, the question suggests itself, which shall we buy ? Among housekeepers, who are the most numerous class of consumers, though on the smallest scale, distinction is seldom recognized among these anthracites. By other consumers the coals are grouped into those which, when burned, will produce either a white or a red ash, special qualities being arbitrarily attached to each. Others, again, know only of three varieties : (1) Those from the WYoming and LacKawanna fields, or the coals shipped from the northernmost basins over the railroads running through northeastern Pennsylvania direct to New York—notably, the Delaware. Lackawanna and Western, Delaware and Hudson, and Erie railways; (2) those shipped by the Lehigh Valley Railroad and the Lehigh and Susqaehanna division of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad down the Lehigh Valley ; and (3) those shipped over the main line of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad down the Schuylkill Valley. In special localities, where a favorite coal is largely used, the consumer will speak of one class, composed of his favorite coal, which possibly comes from two or three collieries, with a total aggregate annual production of less than a million tons; and of a second class, composed of the coals from all the other collieries in the anthracite

Jan 1, 1886

By J. E. Tobey, David R. Mitchell, J. H. Kerrick

DETAILED knowledge of purchase specifications established by coal consumers is essential to the successful design and operation of a coal preparation plant. ANTHRACITE Specifications should be considered by both the consumer and the producer as guide posts outlining a certain path for both to follow. Plants differ, therefore specifications must differ to meet the varied requirements. Specifications are not of themselves a "cureall" or an assurance of complete satisfaction in fuel utilization. Specifications should not be regarded as a license to engage in an orgy of buying any and all coals that may happen to fall within their limits. This would lead to the indiscriminate mixing of coals which may vary in their burning characteristics. Different coals of equal grade tend to be individualistic in their burning characteristics. Rather, specifications should be used to help simplify coal selection, to reduce the actual number of coals used over a given period; in other words, to have a stabilizing influence on coal or customer turnover. In the final analysis, the use of too many coals per year in a plant is costly to both the consumer and the producer. Too many sources usually result in higher operating and maintenance costs for the consumer and higher sales costs for the producer. Finally, the statement included in the report accompanying the comprehensive Coal Selection Charts prepared by the Coal Committee of the National Association of Purchasing Agents, and released in 1938, is significant. This Committee worked diligently for a period of 15 years seeking to find a scientific and reliable method for selecting coals. The two following paragraphs are quoted from its report: More important is the fact that no ready-made classification or set of specifications can possibly replace the judgment and resourcefulness of an experienced combustion engineer or fuel technologist, nor the usual need for full scale plant tests under the exact conditions of use before a final decision is made.

Jan 1, 1950

By R. T. Hukki

John F. Myers (Consulting Engineer, Greenwich, Corm.)—Since the art of comminution has lain practically dormant for many years, it is very interesting that R. T. Hukki approaches the subject with a new concept. One is reminded of the research carried on by A. W. Fahrenwald of Moscow, Idaho, a few years ago. Fahrenwald mounted a steel bowl on a vertical shaft. The balls and ore placed in the bowl were rotated at fast speeds, thus simulating the supercritical speeds used by Hukki. The rolling action of the balls against the smooth shell liner has pretty much the same effect. The action is horizontal in one case and vertical in the other. Both researchers report good grinding activity. It is also constructive that such able investigators give to the students of comminution their interpretation of their laboratory results in terms of large-scale operation. History shows that it takes a lot of time for such radically new ideas to be absorbed by the industry. Typical of this is the present-day activity of cyclone classification in primary grinding circuits. The idea of cyclone classification has been kicking around for 30 or 40 years. Certainly we all suspect that the ponderous grinding mills of today, and their accessory apparatus, large buildings, etc., will ultimately give way to small fast units, just as this has occurred in other industries over the past 50 years. At the moment there is no evidence that ball and liner wear is prohibitively high. In fact, at the time Fahrenwald was demonstrating his high-speed horizontal machine at the meeting of the American Mining Congress, several years ago, he assured this writer that the balls retained their shape much longer than they do in conventional tumbling mills. Rods and balls that slide (as some operators in uranium plants are experiencing) get flat. Apparently the balls have a rolling action. Mr. Hukki's references to the processing capacity of the Tennessee Copper Co. mills is adequate. Those studying this subject will be greatly interested in the paper presented by Richard Smith of the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. at the annual meeting of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy in Vancouver April 24, 1958. This paper will be published during the latter part of 1958 in the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Bulletin. Hukki's pioneering spirit is to be commended. R. T. Hukki (author's reply)—It has been heartening to read the objective discussion by J. F. Myers. The sincerity of his opinions is further strengthened by the fact that the article he has discussed contradicts in a major way the parallel achievements of his life work. Myers is right in his opinion that in general it takes a long time before new ideas are accepted by the industry. On the other hand, revolutions usually take place at supercritical speeds. There are many indications at present that both the unit operation of grinding and the related subject of size control are now just about ripe for a revolution. In grinding, brute force must ultimately give way to science. Rapid progress can be anticipated in the following fields: 1) Autogenous fine grinding at supercritical speeds will be the first advance and the one that will gain recognition most easily on industrial scale. At this moment, little Finland appears to be leading the world. Crocker recently made a statement that in nine cases out of ten, your own ore can be used as grinding medium more effectively and far more economically than steel balls. This is true. The present author would like to introduce a supplementary idea: In eight cases out of the nine cited above, it can be done at the highest overall efficiency in the supercritical speed range. Fine grinding must be based on attrition, not impact. The path of attrition may be vertical, horizontal, even inclined. 2) In coarse grinding, the conventional use of rods is sound practice. However, even the rods can be replaced by autogenous chunks large enough to offer the same impact momentum as the rods. To obtain the momentum, the chunks must be provided with a free fall through a sufficient height in horizontal mills operated at supercritical speeds. Coarse grinding must be based on impact. Detailed analysis of the subject may be found in a paper entitled "All-autogenous Grinding at Supercritical Speeds" in Mine and Quarry Engineering, July 1958. 3) All conventional methods of classification, including wet and dry cyclones, are inefficient in sharpness of separation. Continuous return of huge tonnages of finished material to the grinding unit with the circulating load is senseless practice. In the near future the present methods will be either replaced or supplemented by precision sizing. These three fields are also the ones to which J. F. Myers has so admirably contributed in the past. Fine Grinding at Supercritical Speeds. By R. T. Hukki (Mining EnGineERInG, May 1958). Eq. 9, page 588, should be as follows: T , c, (a — 6') n D Ltph On page 584 of the article the captions for Figs. 4 and 5 have been placed under the wrong illustrations and should be interchanged.

Jan 1, 1959

By C. S. Smith, L. H. Beck

KNOWLEDGE of the Cu-Zn constitution diagram was critically examined in 1944 by G. V. Ray-nor,1 who suggested the diagram reproduced in Fig. 1 as the best evaluation of available data. No pertinent work on the constitution has been published since that time, although a number of authors have discussed transformation kinetics and theory. Despite the large amount of work that has been done on the constitution of these industrially important and scientifically interesting alloys, minor uncertainties still exist. For example, it is still not possible to say definitely whether a two-phase region exists between the ordered and disordered forms of the 8 phase. A careful re-examination of the phase boundaries in this part of the diagram was therefore undertaken. Two methods were selected for the new investigation—quantitative metallography for the higher temperatures and precision lattice parameter measurement for lower temperatures. Because of the relatively narrow two-phase regions flanking the ß phase in these alloys, quantitative metallography is particularly suited for their examination, since the relative amounts of the two phases are very sensitive to their compositions. The method, however, is useless below about 350°C because of the inadequate resolution of the two constituents. Below 400°, however, the X-ray diffraction method is applicable, although it is of somewhat lower sensitivity in this system. The changes of composition that occur during quenching from above about 500°C entirely vitiate X-ray measurements at room temperature though they do not affect metallographic area measurements. The two methods overlap and supplement each other admirably. Both methods depend on the attainment of equilibrium composition of the two phases in a more or less intimate mixture and thus avoid the difficult problems of nucleation and long range diffusion involved in the conventional metallographic bracketing method. The alloys were melted from a master alloy made from re-electrolyzed cathode copper and Horsehead 99.99 pct Zn. Melting was done under a cover of either borax or charcoal and the alloys cast into a 7/8 in. sq graphite mold for the a-ß alloys or a 3/8 in. diam cylindrical graphite mold for the ß-? alloys. The a-ß alloys were rolled at 750°C to 5/8 in. sq; annealed for 24 hr at 800°C and quenched; then rolled and swaged at 200°C to 3/8 in. diam rods, annealed 24 hr at 200°C, quenched and cold rolled 2 pct reduction. This treatment was intended to obtain a small grain size and to produce many nuclei of the minor phase for growth on subsequent heat treatment. The unworkable ß-? alloys were given preliminary treatment by sealing in Vycor tubes in vacuum and annealing for 4 hr at 800°C followed by cooling in air. Samples of homogenized alloys were checked spectrographically for impurities, but the principal components were determined on samples subsequent to heat treatment. The impurities analyzed averaged approximately as follows: Ag, 0.0002 pct; Fe, 0.004; Si, 0.0008; Cd, 0.005; Mg, 0.0002; and Pb, 0.002. For metallography, samples of appropriate composition were cut into rods 5/8 in. long, sealed in pyrex tubes in vacuum and annealed for eight weeks at temperatures of 470°C and below, two weeks at 480°, 500°, and 600°C, and 4 hr at 700°C, followed by quenching in cold water. Temperatures were accurate to ±2°C. The cylinders were then machined to 8.7 mm diam and a slice weighing 1.5 g cut with a thin saw transversely from the center of each. This

Jan 1, 1953

Discussion of the paper of M. E. Lormbardi,. presented at the New York meeting, February, 1915, and printed in Bulletin No. 9S, February, 1915, pp. 209 to 215. I. N. KNAPP, Ardmore, Pa.-Some years ago I made a swinging spider to carry a string of casing in a way somewhat similar to that described in this paper. The ground I tried it in was too soft for its successful operation. The spider had a central one-flange bushing to carry the slips. Under this flange and on top of the spider was a properly protected ball runway, or ball bearing, which permitted rotating the casing when it was in place and supported by the slips.

Jan 5, 1915

By C. E. Armantrout, J. A. Rowland, D. F. Walsh

THE close-packed-hexagonal structure of mag-J- nesium is converted to a ductile and malleable body-centered-cubic lattice by the addition of lithium in excess of 10 pct. Further, the density of magnesium or magnesium-base alloys is decreased by additions of lithium. The practical possibilities of such alloys as a basis for uniquely light, malleable, and ductile structural materials were pointed out by Dean in 1944' and by Hume-Rothery in 1945.2 It was apparent to these investigators, however, that more complex compositions would be required if strengths sufficient for structural applications were to be developed in these alloys. In a search for strengthening additions, various investigators w have examined a number of the ternary and more complex alloys containing magnesium and lithium. An investigation of the fundamental characteristics of these alloys was undertaken by the Bureau of Mines. The investigation was initiated with a study of the magnesium-rich corner of the equilibrium diagram for the ternary system, Mg-Li-Al. The following data from published investigations of Mg-Li-A1 alloys were available: 1—a description of isothermal sections at 20" and 400°C through the Mg-Li-A1 constitution diagram by F. I. Shamrai;' 2—a diagram by P. D. Frost et al." showing approximate phase relationships at 700°F for a number of the Mg-Li-A1 alloys; and 3—diagrams showing the constitution at 500" and 700°F for the Mg-Li-A1 alloy system published by A. Jones et al.' Where compositions and temperatures permit comparison, these diagrams show disagreement. The 700°F isotherms of Frost and Jones differ only in the placement of the phase boundaries. But Sham-rai's 400°C (752°F) isotherm shows a variation in phases as well as in phase boundaries. Although rigid comparison of these different isothermal sections might not be justifiable, it seems impossible to reconcile Shamrai's construction with the isotherms of Frost or Jones. The isothermal sections presented in this paper were prepared to determine compositions which might be suitable for age hardening and to develop the general slope and placement of the various phase boundaries in the magnesium-rich corner of the diagram. Sections at 375", 200°, and 100°C were selected for investigation. In constructing these sections, the solubility of aluminum in magnesium, as reported by W. L. Fink and L. A. Willey Vn 1948, was used at the binary Mg-A1 boundary and the solubility of lithium in magnesium was obtained from the equilibrium diagram for that system as reported by G. F. Sager and B. J. Nelson" in the same year. The solubility of magnesium in lithium was determined experimentally and conforms in general to data reported by P. Saldau and F. Shamrai." Parameters for AlLi and MgI7A1, were taken from American Society for Testing Materials X-ray diffraction data cards. Experimental Procedures Although the isothermal sections presented in this paper are not unusually complex, the experimental techniques involved in their construction are made extremely difficult by the relatively high vapor pressure of lithium and the great chemical activity of both magnesium and lithium. Because of these characteristics, which make precise control of the composition of equilibrium-treated filings practically impossible, the disappearing phase method was used in preference to the parametric method in conjunction with metallographic studies. The alloys used in this investigation were melted and cast in an atmosphere of helium using a tilting-type furnace which enclosed a steel crucible and mold in a single unit. Each portion of the charge (500 to 600 g) was cleaned carefully just before placing it in the crucible; and the charge, crucible, and entire melting apparatus were evacuated and then washed with grade A helium while preheating to approximately 100°C. The alloys were melted and chill cast in an atmosphere of helium. Alloys prepared in this way were relatively free from inclusions and a fluxing treatment was considered unnecessary. The cylindrical ingots obtained were scalped and then reduced 96 pct in area by direct extrusion, yielding % in. diam rod. Sections of the rod, approximately 3 in. long, were given equilibrium heat treatments and then sampled for metallographic examination, X-ray diffraction study, and chemical analysis. The surface of each equilibrium-treated rod was machined to a depth sufficient to insure removal of contaminated material before samples for chemical analysis or X-ray diffraction study were obtained, and all decisions on microstructure were based on the examination of the central portion of the metallographic specimen. All specimens homogenized at 375°C were analyzed after this equilibrium heat treatment. When the composition of an alloy placed it in a critical area of the 200" or 100°C isothermal section, a check chemical analysis was made on a sample taken from the alloy specimen as-heat-treated at the particular temperature. Standard chemical procedures of gravimetric analysis were used in the determination of magnesium and aluminum; lithium, potassium, and sodium were determined by flame photometer methods

Jan 1, 1956

Jan 1, 1967

By Graham Bright

Metal mines were developed long before coal mines and the early lighting of underground workings was effected by torches and candles. The early coal mines were outcrop workings and little trouble was experienced from gas, but as the mines became deeper and shaft mines were opened it became apparent that an open-fame lamp was exceedingly dangerous where gas occurred. No satisfactory way of lighting gaseous coal mines was found until Sir Humphrey Davy brought out his famous safety lamp in 1815. The introduction of the Davy lamp was a great step forward but it was unsatisfactory from a light standpoint because the gauze absorbed a large percentage of the light given out by the flame. Clanny corrected this by the introduction of a cylindrical glass lens, which not only permitted a free distribution of the light from the flame but added greatly to the safety by eliminating the possibility of the flame coming in contact with the gauze and by protecting the flame against air currents. A very complete story of the flame safety lamp since its inception is given in the U. S. Bureau of Mines Bulletin No. 227, by J. W. Paul, I;. C. Ilsley and E. J. Gleim, published in 1924. A little more recent publication, known as Safety in Mines Research Board Paper No. 4, entitled "The Light Power of Flame Safety Lamps," by R. V. Wheeler and D. W. Woodhead, was published in England in 1927. The flame safety lamp was the only lamp available for gaseous mines for about 100 years. Although the incandescent electric lamp has been in use over 50 years, it was not found safe to use this lamp from wired circuits in gaseous locations. The storage battery was advocated shortly after the development of the incandescent lamp but until the introduction of the tungsten filament in the miniature mine-lamp bulb, the battery lamp was not a real possibility because of the excessive weight of the battery necessary to produce a sufficient amount of light. The actual development of the electric-battery type of lamp took place largely between 1910 and 1915. In England and Europe, the developmenb was almost entirely along the

Jan 1, 1936

By Graham Bright

Metal mines were developed long before coal mines and the early lighting of underground workings was effected by torches and candles. The early coal mines were outcrop workings and little trouble was experienced from gas, but as the mines became deeper and shaft mines were opened it became apparent that an open-fame lamp was exceedingly dangerous where gas occurred. No satisfactory way of lighting gaseous coal mines was found until Sir Humphrey Davy brought out his famous safety lamp in 1815. The introduction of the Davy lamp was a great step forward but it was unsatisfactory from a light standpoint because the gauze absorbed a large percentage of the light given out by the flame. Clanny corrected this by the introduction of a cylindrical glass lens, which not only permitted a free distribution of the light from the flame but added greatly to the safety by eliminating the possibility of the flame coming in contact with the gauze and by protecting the flame against air currents. A very complete story of the flame safety lamp since its inception is given in the U. S. Bureau of Mines Bulletin No. 227, by J. W. Paul, I;. C. Ilsley and E. J. Gleim, published in 1924. A little more recent publication, known as Safety in Mines Research Board Paper No. 4, entitled "The Light Power of Flame Safety Lamps," by R. V. Wheeler and D. W. Woodhead, was published in England in 1927. The flame safety lamp was the only lamp available for gaseous mines for about 100 years. Although the incandescent electric lamp has been in use over 50 years, it was not found safe to use this lamp from wired circuits in gaseous locations. The storage battery was advocated shortly after the development of the incandescent lamp but until the introduction of the tungsten filament in the miniature mine-lamp bulb, the battery lamp was not a real possibility because of the excessive weight of the battery necessary to produce a sufficient amount of light. The actual development of the electric-battery type of lamp took place largely between 1910 and 1915. In England and Europe, the developmenb was almost entirely along the

Jan 1, 1936