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By Roger Thunvik, Carol Braester

Excavation of cavities below the ground water level induces water influx from the surrounding aquifer. An estimate of the rates of flow prior to excavation operations may be of valuable information for the mining engineer. The present paper deals with water influx into cavities of the tunnel type, e.g., mine galleries, tunnels, etc. The solution of the flow problem was obtained by a numerical finite difference method. The results are presented in dimensionless form as a function of the parameters characterizing the location of the cavity in the aquifer.

Jan 1, 1981

By Thomas M. Barczak

The resultant load vector is the representation of the forces applied to a longwall roof support element by caving strata into a single, quantifiable measure of support resistance. The relatively complex kinematics of the shield support prohibit a determination of support resistance simply by summation of leg forces. A method is being investigated by the Bureau of Mines to determine the resultant load vector by instrumenting supports with pressure transducers and strain gages to measure leg, canopy capsule, and lemniscate link forces. This concept has been laboratory tested in the Bureau's Mine Roof Simulator. Functional relationships among variables have been assessed, and confidence intervals have been established for prediction of the resultant load vector parameters.

Jan 1, 1984

By T. Sterry Hunt

IT is now five years Since I called the attention of the Institute to the industrial importance of the coal and the iron ores of the Hocking Valley in Southeastern Ohio, and in a pamphlet on the region published Soon after, in 1874, endeavored to resume the principal facts then known respecting it, including the observations of the geological survey of Ohio, made and published up to the time by Professors Andrews and Wormley, together with an estimate of the probable future of the region, and its relations to the coal and iron markets of the country. Since that time the labors of the Geological Survey have included a further Study of the coal by Prof. Edward Orton, the results of which will be awaited with much interest. I may say from my knowledge of them, that while confirming the general conclusions of his predecessors, he has been enabled to add much to our knowledge as regards the correlation of the various members in different parts of the coal-field, and to Show more clearly the positions and the importance of the ore-beds in the Hocking Valley region. The only ore mined in that vicinity previous to 1874, was below what is called the Great Vein or No. VI coal, and to the west of what is known as the Hocking Valley coal-field, and although experiments in a few furnaces in the State had Shown that this coal could be used with advantage in iron-Smelting there was not a single blast furnace within the field. My observations at that time, however, impressed me with the abundance of iron ore, not only below but above this important coal Seam, and I then ventured to express the opinion that this region, from its cheap and easily mined Smelting-coal, its native ores and limestones, and its geographical position and relations to the great markets of the West, and to the supply of rich iron-ores from Lake Superior, was destined at no distant time to become a great metallurgical centre, where iron could be made more cheaply than at any other equally accessible point in the country. The object of the present communication is to report progress, and to State how far my observations made in the region last month have justified the predictions of 1874. The five years which have elapsed have been, as all know, most unfavorable to the iron trade, and especially to new enterprises in untried regions, yet they have not passed without important industrial developments in the Hocking Valley, where not less than thirteen blast furnaces have been erected

Jan 1, 1879

By Howard S. Bryant

FROM the viewpoint of the oil producer, the oil refiner, the oil marketer, and the investor, in oil securities, a brief picture of the crude oil supply and demand in the present critical season of the year will be timely and interesting. Although crude oil production has been in a comparatively poor statistical position this year, increased sales and sustained refinery and crude oil prices have allowed increased profits for many oil companies. The large amount of crude oil going into storage during the present period of peak consumption, just previous to the major yearly fall decline in consumption, has caused oil producers to make plans to leave the oil in the ground for the present in several of the areas of large flush production. The present moment is looked on as the turning point in the current year.

Jan 1, 1929

By H. J. Hager

The Alabama By-Products Corp. is an entirely independent Alabama enterprise. Organization of the company stemmed from the consolidation of three important properties in the Birmingham District and a by-product coke plant at Tarrant, Ala. In 1924 ABC was merged with the Pratt Consolidated Coal Co. This merger greatly extended the company's holdings of valuable coal lands in Walker and Jefferson Counties.

Jan 12, 1950

By George M. Fowler

EVERY year it becomes more difficult to find new mining districts and new ore deposits. Nearly all of the important discoveries so far can be attributed to surface manifestations overlying the ore deposit. In the future greater skill will be necessary to find ore deposits that give little or no indication of their presence. Mining geology is making progress by broadening its attack upon mineralized regions, by including in its investigations studies of the relation of physical-chemical processes to ore precipitation and various phenomena that heretofore have not always been looked upon as major factors in the problems. Such, for example, are petrographic peculiarities that will help determine structure, aspects of strata or formations favorable or unfavorable to structural deformation or mineralization, and renewed studies of chert and dolomite. This broadening attack is not necessarily being directed to the study of large areas, but rather by doing extremely detailed work in three dimensions in relatively small critical areas to find the key to the structure, reasons for the manner of rock deformation, composition and texture of the rock, and other con¬trolling factors in the larger areas.

Jan 1, 1935

By William C. Marshall, Frank G. Norris

THE term "total operation" is meant to include problems that cannot be answered from the standpoint of either the blast furnace or the open hearth separately but must be studied by considering the interrelations of these two processes. There are other ways of expressing this idea, such as reference to the blast furnace and the open hearth as an integrated process or by emphasizing the interrelation and interaction of the two processes. Much progress has been made in metallurgy and other fields by breaking complicated processes and reactions into simpler parts and studying each of these intensively. This intensive study frequently is done under the controlled conditions of the laboratory experiment. The entire process is understood better by this specialized study of each of its parts. This procedure is so satisfactory that an understanding of unit operations is a fundamental requirement of chemical engineering. Much discussion of the open-hearth process is in terms of one heat or one furnace. By this is meant that the conclusions apply to one furnace, wherever it may be. Furnaces seldom occur singly; they are located in groups and these groups are located in steel plants having characteristic blast-furnace equipment. Problems that are affected by the number of furnaces operating, by the number of blast furnaces in the plant and by the fact that the open hearth shop is dependent on the blast-furnace capacity rather than on its own needs for the amount of iron available are among those which, in contrast to "unit operations," we have chosen to call "total operations," Many of these problems, such as charging delays and the general mechanical problem of material handling, are so familiar that merely to define "total operations" brings them to mind. These problems are of such importance that already they have received careful thought and study and probably will merit further study. As will be shown later, these mechanical problems are so intimately related to metallurgical problems of total operations that the effect of certain changes cannot be ascribed with certainty to either a mechanical or a metallurgical cause entirely. Although the problems coming under the general term of "railroading" are included in the problems of total operations, two others are selected for the discussion of this paper. One of these is strictly a problem of composition; the other is strictly a problem of tonnage production. The problem of phosphorus is present whenever basic open-hearth slag is used in the blast-furnace burden. This practice has not secured universal acceptance chiefly because of difference in preference for high-manganese or low-manganese pig iron. If high-manganese (2.00 per cent) iron is to be made, open-hearth slag as a source of manganese is usually cheaper than man

Jan 1, 1943

By F. T. Lee

Directional dependence of strength and deformation properties of the Mount Waldo granite pluton in southeastern Maine is controlled by joints and microfractures whose orientations are linked to flow- induced alignment of microcline crystals. Longitudinal and cross joints which formed during cooling of the mass, as well as much younger sheeting fractures, are commonly associated with subparallel, discontinuous microfractures. The orthogonality of microfractures (open, closed; filled, unfilled; bubble planes) establishes the ease of splitting of the granite. The easiest splitting direction (rift) is subhorizontal, the second easiest direction (grain) is parallel to the cross joints, while the direction of least easy splitting (hardway) is parallel to the longitudinal joints. Static and dynamic measurements made in the field and laboratory established that structural features are responsible for the marked stiffness anisotropy of the granite. In the central part of the pluton the static Young's modulus in the north-south direction averages 31.1 GPa, and 20.9 GPa in the east-west direction; the stiffer direction being parallel to the long C-axes of microcline phenocrysts and microfractures as identified in outcrop, core samples, and thin sections. Vertical downhole sonic measurements of dynamic moduli ranging from 2.5 to 16.2 GPa appeared to be anomalously low when compared to the static horizontal values. However, the field sonic values were confirmed by laboratory sonic pulse testing of oriented cores. The field results reflected closely spaced layers of open horizontal microfractures. Those deformation and strength properties that are closely tied to bubble planes, filled microfractures, and microcline orientation could be extrapolated to greater depths with good hope of success.

Jan 1, 1984

By Walter A. English, Ralph Arnold

Though production began in Canada only a short time after the discovery of oil in the United States, it has never attained large proportions, and if we were to judge entirely by the past the reserves of Canada would be put at a very low figure. There are only two areas from which oil is marketed at the present time; one, the old district around Petrolia in southern Ontario, and the other is the small Sheep Creek field near Calgary in Alberta. The former district has produced between 200,000 and 800,000 bbl. annually for the past 40 years, recent figures being near the minimum amount. Sheep Creek has produced about 12,000 bbl. annually for the past five years. The known reserves in proved territory in each of these fields are exceedingly small, when considered in terms of world reserves. The chief hope of Canada for reserves of considerable magnitude lies in the western provinces. Sedimentary rocks similar to those in the productive fields of the United States occupy thousands of square miles in the western provinces, so that it seems likely that somewhere within this great area the peculiar conditions necessary for the presence of oil pools will be found. Prospecting is being carried on energetically by several large companies, as well as by many independents. The Dominion Government, which controls most of the public lands, is pursuing a fairly liberal policy toward the prospector, which should stimulate wild-catting, although the province of British Columbia, which controls public lands within t.hat province, is at present unwilling to give adequate encouragement to make wildcatting attractive. As there is really no assurance that any productive pools will be found in western Canada, the estimates of reserves are subject to a wide possibility of error. In making estimates, the various areas within which geologic conditions are more or less uniform are discussed separately; the estimates given for each area are not given with the idea that there is a reasonable probability of their eventually proving to be correct. It is hoped that an average of these estimates, taken together with those made for other undeveloped countries, will give a correct total of reserves

Jan 1, 1923

By Walter A. English, Ralph Arnold

Though production began in Canada only a short time after the discovery of oil in the United States, it has never attained large proportions, and if we were to judge entirely by the past the reserves of Canada would be put at a very low figure. There are only two areas from which oil is marketed at the present time; one, the old district around Petrolia in southern Ontario, and the other is the small Sheep Creek field near Calgary in Alberta. The former district has produced between 200,000 and 800,000 bbl. annually for the past 40 years, recent figures being near the minimum amount. Sheep Creek has produced about 12,000 bbl. annually for the past five years. The known reserves in proved territory in each of these fields are exceedingly small, when considered in terms of world reserves. The chief hope of Canada for reserves of considerable magnitude lies in the western provinces. Sedimentary rocks similar to those in the productive fields of the United States occupy thousands of square miles in the western provinces, so that it seems likely that somewhere within this great area the peculiar conditions necessary for the presence of oil pools will be found. Prospecting is being carried on energetically by several large companies, as well as by many independents. The Dominion Government, which controls most of the public lands, is pursuing a fairly liberal policy toward the prospector, which should stimulate wild-catting, although the province of British Columbia, which controls public lands within t.hat province, is at present unwilling to give adequate encouragement to make wildcatting attractive. As there is really no assurance that any productive pools will be found in western Canada, the estimates of reserves are subject to a wide possibility of error. In making estimates, the various areas within which geologic conditions are more or less uniform are discussed separately; the estimates given for each area are not given with the idea that there is a reasonable probability of their eventually proving to be correct. It is hoped that an average of these estimates, taken together with those made for other undeveloped countries, will give a correct total of reserves

Jan 1, 1923

By C. Everard Arnold

The Giroux Consolidated Mines Co. is equipping a five-compartment shaft at Kimberly, Nev., which will serve the Alpha mine. The depth of this shaft, January, 1910, is 963 ft., and of this depth 948 ft. was opened by raising; 15 ft. of sinking was done so that the bearers, collar-set, and three shaftrsets might be installed and concreted, and with this done it mas possible to erect the necessary surface-equipment for resuming shaft-timbering on the completion of the raise. The arrangement of the shaft-timbering is shown in Fig. 1. At the 1,000-ft. level of the Alpha, and 750 f't. SW. from the Alpha shaft, a 14- by 18-ft. station was cut, and a 25-h-p. airhoist was installed. From here the raising commenced on July 5, 1909. The raise was cut approximately 13 by 21 ft. in area, and supported by timbering with square sets, illustrated in Fig. 2, which shows the division into four compartments. The end compartments, which were used as chutes, had the center girts heavier than in the others on account of the wear from falling rock. The chute-lining was braced by inserting 8- by 8-in. stiffeners parallel to and half way between successive caps. Similarly, the lagging on the wall sides of the cage-way and the compartment for pipes and ladder was stiffened with 4- by 6-in. timbers. In the pipe-and-ladder compartment the chute-stiffeners were reinforced with 8-by 8-in. struts, and as the cage-way was partitioned off by braced lining, there was practically no chance of rock entering the ladder-way in case a chute burst into the cage-way. Over the two center compartments the last two sets were always bulkheaded with 8- by 12-in. timbers, shown in Fig. 3, and from the lower bulkhead the cage sheave-wheel was suspended. After a round of holes had been blasted and the loose

Jan 1, 1911

By S. Chander, V. N. Sharma

Nickeliferous laterite ore from Sukinda, Orissa (India), consists of very fine particles agglomerated into larger aggregates. The ore is chemically and mineralogically complex and presents many characterization and beneficiation problems. In this study the results of a detailed investigation to characterize the ore by several techniques are discussed. Various techniques used for characterisation include elemental analysis, electron microscopy, electronspectroscopy for chemical analysis, x-ray and electron diffraction, differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses, EDAX analysis, Mössbauer and infrared spectroscopy. Generally one method compliments the other and it is shown that a combination of several techniques is necessary to fully characterize the ore. The scope and limitations of the techniques are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1980

By Michael S. Roscoe

In order to more accurately predict longwall surface subsidence over the Pittsburgh No. 8 Coal in Eastern Ohio, North American Coal Corporation's Quarto Mining Company undertook or participated in several subsidence studies. Due to the changing roof geology and rapid variations in the amount of cover two separate areas were investigated at two different mines to determine the subsidence response if any to these changes. Data generated from these studies were compared with NCB derived,data for accuracy and then used to predict subsidence under houses, gas lines and other critical man made structures. The following report summarizes the results of these studies as well as the subsidence case histories of gas lines, transmission towers, houses and water wells. Problems that were encountered during both phases of this process (investigation and subsequent application) are also included.

By A. Springer

Chemists, physicists and others, whose occupations necessitate the use of fine scales, have heretofore regretted their inability to obtain any which would remain uniformly accurate. The difference between the theoretical and the actual results obtained in the ordinary balance (provided the pivot-distances are exact) is mainly due to the frictional resistance between the knifeedges and their bearings. This frictional resistance, although reduced to a minimum in the finest scales when new, constantly increases, thereby decreasing the sensitiveness proportionately. When examined under the microscope, neither the surface of the knife-edge nor that of' its hearings ever appears perfectly smooth. Soft kunife-edges are easily blunted, whereas hard ones are brittle and liable to crumble under the effects of over-load or shock. Prof. Frederick A. Roeder for many years attempted to discover some means by ,which the knife-edge could be replaced with some device free from the above-mentioned objections. His experiments convinced him that a torsion-joint was best suited for that purpose. After he had communicated his conclusion to me, we jointly developed the system to its present form. A torsion-wire had been used for the centre of rotation, prior to Prof. Roeder's invention, but it was found impossible to replace the terminal knife-edges with torsion-joints.

Jan 1, 1884

By A. Eilers

The year 1874 marks a decided advance in the metallurgy of the West, in two directions. On the one hand, the technical management has been very materially improved, and on the other, the production has been largely increased over that of the previous year. The technical improvements of greatest importance are the introduction of condensation-chambers, or flues, at several works, and the further treatment of the lead matte produced in the ore smelting. These two are of general importance, and although by no means introduced at the majority of works, their adoption at the few where their great importance has begun to be understood will no doubt bring about their universal introduction. To these may be added a third step forward, which for some localities is vital enough, though for others it must still remain doubtful whether it is to be regarded as an improvement or not. This is the introduction, at several

By James Pollock

SUMMARY THE possibility of colloidal deposition of cinnabar has been neglected. In opalite deposits cinnabar exists in particles within or near the colloidal size range. Colloidal processes have been admitted to be operative in hot springs and low-temperature deposits similar to most cinnabar deposits. Mercuric sulphide sols are stable to elevated temperature and pressure, and in nature probably are chiefly affected by the electrolytes in solution, dilution of colloid, and presence of protective colloids as silica. The stability of mercuric sulphide sols to electrolyte is measured, and shown to be greatly increased by dilution and by the protective action of silica. Mercuric sulphide sols follow the Schulze-Hardy valency rule, therefore the precipitating power of complex mixtures of electrolytes can be computed roughly. The stability of mercuric sulphide sols is shown to be greater than the equivalent precipitating power of the electrolytes in a hot spring depositing mercuric sulphide. It is concluded that finely divided or earthy types of cinnabar are colloidally deposited. POSSIBILITY OF COLLODIAL DEPOSITION While colloidal solution has been suggested as a means of transport for a number of minerals, such as the sulphides of antimony, arsenic, and iron, it has been neglected in connection with mercury. This is surprising because there exists positive evidence that cinnabar is present in certain deposits in particles of colloidal or near colloidal size. Colloidal transport could result from either the rapid dilution or neutralization of alkaline sulphide solution bearing mercury coming in contact with deep ground waters, or from colloidal solution near the original source and subsequent flow to the point of deposition unchanged. That the dilution of a mercuric alkaline sulphide solution will precipitate mercury sulphide in colloidal form has been demonstrated a number of times and is easily confirmed. The dilution hydrolyzes the alkaline sulphide Na2S to the corresponding hydroxide and hydrosulphide NaOH and NaHS, and the diminution of the concentration of alkaline sulphide reduces the solubility. It is not the contention of this writer that colloidal deposition is the mode of transport of mercuric sulphide in all mercury deposits, but that the stability of a mercuric sulphide sol, as demonstrated below, in waters that are similar to those that have deposited mercuric sulphide necessitates consideration of this possibility in many deposits, especially those of the hot-spring and so-called opalite type. EVIDENCE OF COLLOIDAL DEPOSITION Ross1 has shown that most deposits of quicksilver are formed at low temperatures and pressures, and probably by solutions that have relatively simple chemical compositions. In most cases the solutions are probably similar to those observed in hot springs, and in two instances-at Steamboat Springs, Nevada, and Sulphur Bank, California-hot springs have been reported by Becker as actually depositing cinnabar.2 Opalite deposits were believed by early investigators to be surface phenomena

Jan 1, 1944

By L. G. E. Bignell

Surveying what was done in 1929 in meeting problems of oil-field equipment corrosion, one is struck by the fact that fewer meetings were held for discussion of these problems and fewer papers written than in any year since the subject engaged the attention of petroleum engineers. This does not mean that progress has not been made, for a great deal actually has been accomplished. Recommendations that accompanied field reports have been put into actual trial and some results obtained are gratifying. The type of papers prepared also has undergone a change, for they now deal with things accomplished rather than recite damages and suggest possible remedies. Some of the most notable work pointing the way for future solution of many pipe line problems is that done for the U. S. Bureau of Standards by Dr. K. H. Logan and Dr. Gordon N. Scott, dealing with tests of pipe coatings and reports on soil conditions. Many facts of great importance have been isolated and defined by these two men, not only indicating what may be done in some instances to retard corrosion, but showing that things formerly considered of importance have little bearing apparently upon the practical results. All-aluminum Storage Tanks In April, 1928, an all-aluminum 500-bbl. field storage tank was put into actual field use in Crane County, Texas, together with another tank of the same capacity but made with steel bottom and lower section of side sheets and aluminum upper ring of side sheets and deck. In April, 1929, after a little over one year's use these tanks were opened and examined by a group of engineers and chemists. The results of the test were enlightening. Other tanks made entirely of steel and used in the same battery with the two test tanks had some of their side and bottom sheets destroyed by corrosion in six to nine months, but the all-aluminum tank was in actual use for 18 months before holes were found corroded through the bottom, when the tank was examined for a second time in September, 1929. This field test of the aluminum tank confirmed the already known

Jan 1, 1930

By I. Iwasaki, K. A. Nataratjan

In a previous paper, ozone was shown to remove residual xanthates in flotation pulp solutions as well as to destroy the xanthate coating on bulk copper-nickel sulfide concentrates before differential flotation (Iwasaki and Malicsi, 1985). The oxidation and decom- position mechanisms of xanthate solutions in the presence of commonly used oxidants such as oxygen, chlorine, hypochlorite, bromine, iodine, and hydrogen peroxide at different pH levels have been reported in the past (Rao, 1971). Most of these studies have been restricted to xanthate solutions of pH less than 10. Very few references are available on xanthate decomposition in highly alkaline (pH > 12) solutions (Jones and Woodcock, 1983; Philipp and Fichte, 1960; Tipman and Leja, 1975). No systematic study of xanthate oxidation by ozone has been reported, although its use in flotation has been recognized of late (Allegrini et al., IWO; Ishii et al., 1970; Matsubara et al., 1978). To improve the efficiency of ozone use in flotation, it is essential to understand the mechanisms involved in the decomposition of xanthates with ozone, more specifically, to establish the stoichiometry and decomposition rate. In the present work, a preliminary attempt was made to investigate the effect of pH on xanthate decomposition, and probable mechanisms of xanthate oxidation with ozone.

Jan 1, 1986

By Peter J. Huck, Madan M. Singh

IIT Research Institute has investigated the potential of high pressure water jets for rapid rock excavation. During this study, an attempt was made to correlate the extent of breakage effected to the mechanical properties of rocks. Six rock types were used in these experiments and nine properties were determined for each rock variety. A regression equation using the two most significant rock properties and one jet parameter (pressure) was established. Although tests were conducted to specific pressures of 35, no minimum in the specific energy consumption was noted.

Jan 1, 1971

By Nathaniel Herz

The formula very frequently used for computing the economical size of pipe to transmit compressed air is that of D'Arey, as follows: D = cV w1l Where, D = the volume of compressed air delivered in cubic feet per minute, at the final pressure. c = an experimental coefficient determined for the various sizes of pipe, d = the diameter of the pipe in inches. 1 = the length of the pipe in feet. p, = the initial gauge-pressure in pounds per square inch, p2 = the final gauge-preesure in pounds per square inch. w1 = the density of the air, or the weight in pounds per cubic foot at the initial pressure, p1. The most common case is that in which the given quantities are: the quantity of air required, the length of the pipe, and the initial pressure. The method of solution is to assume a pressure-loss and to compute the remaining factor, cd5, thus giving the size of pipe corresponding to the assumed loss of pressure. It is always desirable to try two or more pressure-drops, in order to find the combination that is most satisfactory, since often a small change in the size of pipe will reduce or increase the loss of pressure several pounds. An alternative method is to assume a size of pipe and calculate the corresponding pressure-drop. Each method involves a series of tedious calculations to arrive at the most economical solution, and also requires the use of tables giving the constant, c, the density of the air, w1, and often, for convenience, a table giving the values of the expressions p1-p2 and c J I hare constructed a graphic chart, Fig. 1, for the solution of

Jan 1, 1913