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By Samuel G. Lasky

The writer has been interested in determining the mineralogic dis-t,ribut.ion of silver in the base-metal ore of thc Ground Hog mine of the Asarco Mining Co. in the Central mining district of New Mexico.' This ore consists of a varitextured mixture of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena and pyrite in a quartz gangue. The average ore contains 14 per cent of zinc, 9.5 per cent of lead, 5 per cent of copper, and 10 oz. of silver per ton. Generally it is accepted that the silver in ores of this type, in which no definite silver minerals can be recognized, is contained in the base-metal minerals. Published assays of pure mineral specimens from many districts show that each of the base-metal minerals contributes in some degree to the total silver content of the ores, and to determine the proportionate amount contributed by each mineral in any specific ore it has been the practice to assay selected specimens of each mineral, the purity of which has been determined microscopically. There being no such assays available for the Ground Hog ore, and it being impracticable to have enough of them made to give average results, the writer resorted to a mathematical attack upon composite assays of large quantities of ore and concentrates. Surprising results were obtained, and it is the threefold purpose of this paper to present these results, to describe the mathematical method used, and to point out the value of using this method even when assays of pure specimens are available. Value of the Mathematical Method The obvious way of attacking the problem would be to separate cleanly large quantities of ore into its component minerals and then to determine the average silver content of each mineral by assay of representative samples. Since an absolutely clean separation is not feasible, it has been the practice, as mentioned above, to assay pure specimens of the different minerals. No one will contend seriously that the silver content of a base-metal mineral is constant throughout any particular deposit, and it will

Jan 1, 1935

By Samuel G. Lasky

The writer has been interested in determining the mineralogic dis-t,ribut.ion of silver in the base-metal ore of thc Ground Hog mine of the Asarco Mining Co. in the Central mining district of New Mexico.' This ore consists of a varitextured mixture of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena and pyrite in a quartz gangue. The average ore contains 14 per cent of zinc, 9.5 per cent of lead, 5 per cent of copper, and 10 oz. of silver per ton. Generally it is accepted that the silver in ores of this type, in which no definite silver minerals can be recognized, is contained in the base-metal minerals. Published assays of pure mineral specimens from many districts show that each of the base-metal minerals contributes in some degree to the total silver content of the ores, and to determine the proportionate amount contributed by each mineral in any specific ore it has been the practice to assay selected specimens of each mineral, the purity of which has been determined microscopically. There being no such assays available for the Ground Hog ore, and it being impracticable to have enough of them made to give average results, the writer resorted to a mathematical attack upon composite assays of large quantities of ore and concentrates. Surprising results were obtained, and it is the threefold purpose of this paper to present these results, to describe the mathematical method used, and to point out the value of using this method even when assays of pure specimens are available. Value of the Mathematical Method The obvious way of attacking the problem would be to separate cleanly large quantities of ore into its component minerals and then to determine the average silver content of each mineral by assay of representative samples. Since an absolutely clean separation is not feasible, it has been the practice, as mentioned above, to assay pure specimens of the different minerals. No one will contend seriously that the silver content of a base-metal mineral is constant throughout any particular deposit, and it will

Jan 1, 1935

The writer has been interested in determining the mineralogic dis-t,ribut.ion of silver in the base-metal ore of thc Ground Hog mine of the Asarco Mining Co. in the Central mining district of New Mexico.' This ore consists of a varitextured mixture of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena and pyrite in a quartz gangue. The average ore contains 14 per cent of zinc, 9.5 per cent of lead, 5 per cent of copper, and 10 oz. of silver per ton. Generally it is accepted that the silver in ores of this type, in which no definite silver minerals can be recognized, is contained in the base-metal minerals. Published assays of pure mineral specimens from many districts show that each of the base-metal minerals contributes in some degree to the total silver content of the ores, and to determine the proportionate amount contributed by each mineral in any specific ore it has been the practice to assay selected specimens of each mineral, the purity of which has been determined microscopically. There being no such assays available for the Ground Hog ore, and it being impracticable to have enough of them made to give average results, the writer resorted to a mathematical attack upon composite assays of large quantities of ore and concentrates. Surprising results were obtained, and it is the threefold purpose of this paper to present these results, to describe the mathematical method used, and to point out the value of using this method even when assays of pure specimens are available. Value of the Mathematical Method The obvious way of attacking the problem would be to separate cleanly large quantities of ore into its component minerals and then to determine the average silver content of each mineral by assay of representative samples. Since an absolutely clean separation is not feasible, it has been the practice, as mentioned above, to assay pure specimens of the different minerals. No one will contend seriously that the silver content of a base-metal mineral is constant throughout any particular deposit, and it will

Jan 1, 1935

By Samuel G. Lasky

The writer has been interested in determining the mineralogic dis-t,ribut.ion of silver in the base-metal ore of thc Ground Hog mine of the Asarco Mining Co. in the Central mining district of New Mexico.' This ore consists of a varitextured mixture of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena and pyrite in a quartz gangue. The average ore contains 14 per cent of zinc, 9.5 per cent of lead, 5 per cent of copper, and 10 oz. of silver per ton. Generally it is accepted that the silver in ores of this type, in which no definite silver minerals can be recognized, is contained in the base-metal minerals. Published assays of pure mineral specimens from many districts show that each of the base-metal minerals contributes in some degree to the total silver content of the ores, and to determine the proportionate amount contributed by each mineral in any specific ore it has been the practice to assay selected specimens of each mineral, the purity of which has been determined microscopically. There being no such assays available for the Ground Hog ore, and it being impracticable to have enough of them made to give average results, the writer resorted to a mathematical attack upon composite assays of large quantities of ore and concentrates. Surprising results were obtained, and it is the threefold purpose of this paper to present these results, to describe the mathematical method used, and to point out the value of using this method even when assays of pure specimens are available. Value of the Mathematical Method The obvious way of attacking the problem would be to separate cleanly large quantities of ore into its component minerals and then to determine the average silver content of each mineral by assay of representative samples. Since an absolutely clean separation is not feasible, it has been the practice, as mentioned above, to assay pure specimens of the different minerals. No one will contend seriously that the silver content of a base-metal mineral is constant throughout any particular deposit, and it will

Jan 1, 1935

By Donald W. Gentry, John F. Abel

This paper presents some of the results of a rock mechanics instrumentation program designed for, and implemented at. longwall panel 4N at the York Canyon Mine near Raton, New Mexico. The objective of this particular instrumentation program was to determine the response of the rock mass to longwall mining of a thick coal seam utilizing shield-type supports. Measurements were made in the rock along the ground surface, above the coal seam, in the coal seam, and immediately below the coal seam. Longwall test panel 4N had a total developed length of 762 m (2500 ft) and a face width of 168 m (550 ft), [Fig. 1]. The seam mining height in the panel area was approximately 3 m (10 ft). The average depth of overburden above the panel is 107 m (350 ft) although it ranges from 73-134 m (240-440 ft). Roof support at the face was provided by 116 Hemscheidt 320 HSL shields. These shield-type supports weigh 11.4 metric tons each.

Jan 1, 1979

By E. H. Dix

The success of the Charpy impact test in the steel industry has led those interested in aluminum alloys to investigate the possible application of this test to aluminum and its alloys. In this paper are set forth the results of a few preliminary tests made at the Lynite Laboratories of the Aluminum Manufactures, Inc. In order to study more thoroughly the significance of the Charpy test, slow-bending tests have been made duplicating the arrangement of the impact machine. Tests have been made on both notched and unnotched specimens of a series of copper-aluminum alloys. Apparatus The standard American-made Charpy impact machine delivering a blow of over 200 ft.-lb. was much too large to test aluminum-alloy specimens of the same type used for steel, so that it was necessary either to adopt a larger specimen or to have a special light-weight hammer made. Since there is no known relation between specimens of different sixes, even though geometrically similar, it was decided to adhere to the 10 by 10 mm. specimen. Accordingly, Sauveur and Boylston, the American makers of the machine, were asked to construct a special light-weight pendulum adapted to their standard machine, this pendulum to have one-tenth the capacity of the standard. The writer wishes here to acknowledge his indebtedness to Mr. H. M. Boylston for the personal interest and care exercised in constructing this pendulum. The machine with the light-weight hammer in place is shown in Fig. I. It is mounted on a concrete foundation with the concrete covering the flange on the base of the machine. Vibration is further prevented by four 5/8-in. (15.8 mm.) foundation bolts. The large standard hammer shown against the wall was also used for some of the unnotched bars that required more than 20 ft.-lb. to rupture. When the light-weight hammer was received, it was carefully cali-

Jan 1, 1921

By J. S. Fulton

THOSE who live in steel-mill towns are so accustomed to the sight of flames spouting from the mouth of a Bessemer vessel that they seldom pause to think of the amazing process behind it. Actually cold air is being blown through a hot liquid and, instead of cooling it, raises the temperature of the liquid. When coffee is too hot to drink, we know that blowing on it will cool it, so it was no wonder that when Henry Bessemer (or William Kelly, as your patriotism chooses) first proposed this cycle of steel production, he was considered mad. When Bessemer and Kelly started their investigations around 1852, there was not much practical knowledge of metallurgy and, in consequence, there was wide variation in the product made by their process. It was appreciated that the silicon, carbon and iron were all potential fuels, but not until Mushet discovered the beneficial effects of having manganese in the pig iron did the process really become commercial. Bessemer's patent of 1855 covered a crucibleful of liquid iron into which a refractory tuyere was lowered and the blow started. Since that time virtually every conceivable form of vessel, bottom arrangement, tuyere size and location have been suggested or tried. There have been stationary vessels with fixed bottoms, that were side, top or bottom blown; tilting vessels with two sets of side tuyeres at different elevations; vessels like a three-compartment septic tank; vessels of a cylindrical form supported on the long axis with tuyeres along the side submerged by a partial rotation of the vessel (this type continues in copper refineries) ; portable vessels to make the blow in a ladle over a mold in a foundry; a combination of a cupola and converter in one shell, and various other arrangements. But in all these experiments, compressed air for the blast was presupposed and there was little discussion of the quantity or quality of the air delivered to the tuyeres. At one time or another various practices that now are forgotten have been tried or suggested: for instance, the use of inert gas at the end of the blow; the addition of fuel to the blast; the use of hot-blast stoves; the drying of the air to a minimum moisture in the blast. Except in the last-named method little attention was paid to the quality or quantity of the air blown. PHASES Of the many papers published on various phases of the Bessemer process, nearly 170 according to one bibliography, over go per cent were concerned with the metallurgical phase and less than 10 per cent discussed various sections of the pneumatic phase. Since the two phases are coincidental, apparently nine times as much thought has been given to the result as has been given to one of the causes of the Bessemer process. Is it not possible that if more attention had been paid to the pneumatics so many papers would not have had to be written on the troubles in the metallurgical phase? A study of published papers and conversation

Jan 1, 1941

By C. F. Park

Hog Mountain is in the north central part of Tallapoosa County, Alabama, about 13 miles northeast from Alexander City. The Hog Mountain Mining and Milling Co. controls 1658 acres of land and is the only company operating in the district. The principal mine workings are in sections 10 and 15, T.24N., R.22E. The region has been visited by geologists many times, has been briefly described in several papers,' and mentioned in many others. No detailed map of the mine or vicinity has been published. The field work for this report was started in March, 1934, as part of the Public Works reemployment program. About a month and a half was spent mapping both the surface and underground geology. The mine owners and operators have cooperated in every way possible to facilitate the work. N. 0. Johnson, the mine engineer, E. W. Ellsworth, J. E. McCoy and J. G. Englebert have acted as assistants for part of the work. The University of Alabama and the State Geologist's office have aided materially by permitting free use of their libraries and laboratory equipment. Geography Hog Mountain forms a conspicuous ridge that rises to a height of a little more than 1000 ft. above sea level, and about 400 to 500 ft. above the adjacent country. The ridge is composed of granitoid intrusive rock and silicified schist that are more resistant to erosion than the surrounding softer schist. The topography of the area around the ridge is gently rolling and is typical of the subdued forms of the deeply eroded Southern

Jan 1, 1935

By C. F. Park

Hog Mountain is in the north central part of Tallapoosa County, Alabama, about 13 miles northeast from Alexander City. The Hog Mountain Mining and Milling Co. controls 1658 acres of land and is the only company operating in the district. The principal mine workings are in sections 10 and 15, T.24N., R.22E. The region has been visited by geologists many times, has been briefly described in several papers,' and mentioned in many others. No detailed map of the mine or vicinity has been published. The field work for this report was started in March, 1934, as part of the Public Works reemployment program. About a month and a half was spent mapping both the surface and underground geology. The mine owners and operators have cooperated in every way possible to facilitate the work. N. 0. Johnson, the mine engineer, E. W. Ellsworth, J. E. McCoy and J. G. Englebert have acted as assistants for part of the work. The University of Alabama and the State Geologist's office have aided materially by permitting free use of their libraries and laboratory equipment. Geography Hog Mountain forms a conspicuous ridge that rises to a height of a little more than 1000 ft. above sea level, and about 400 to 500 ft. above the adjacent country. The ridge is composed of granitoid intrusive rock and silicified schist that are more resistant to erosion than the surrounding softer schist. The topography of the area around the ridge is gently rolling and is typical of the subdued forms of the deeply eroded Southern

Jan 1, 1935

Hog Mountain is in the north central part of Tallapoosa County, Alabama, about 13 miles northeast from Alexander City. The Hog Mountain Mining and Milling Co. controls 1658 acres of land and is the only company operating in the district. The principal mine workings are in sections 10 and 15, T.24N., R.22E. The region has been visited by geologists many times, has been briefly described in several papers,' and mentioned in many others. No detailed map of the mine or vicinity has been published. The field work for this report was started in March, 1934, as part of the Public Works reemployment program. About a month and a half was spent mapping both the surface and underground geology. The mine owners and operators have cooperated in every way possible to facilitate the work. N. 0. Johnson, the mine engineer, E. W. Ellsworth, J. E. McCoy and J. G. Englebert have acted as assistants for part of the work. The University of Alabama and the State Geologist's office have aided materially by permitting free use of their libraries and laboratory equipment. Geography Hog Mountain forms a conspicuous ridge that rises to a height of a little more than 1000 ft. above sea level, and about 400 to 500 ft. above the adjacent country. The ridge is composed of granitoid intrusive rock and silicified schist that are more resistant to erosion than the surrounding softer schist. The topography of the area around the ridge is gently rolling and is typical of the subdued forms of the deeply eroded Southern

Jan 1, 1935

By C. F. Park

Hog Mountain is in the north central part of Tallapoosa County, Alabama, about 13 miles northeast from Alexander City. The Hog Mountain Mining and Milling Co. controls 1658 acres of land and is the only company operating in the district. The principal mine workings are in sections 10 and 15, T.24N., R.22E. The region has been visited by geologists many times, has been briefly described in several papers,' and mentioned in many others. No detailed map of the mine or vicinity has been published. The field work for this report was started in March, 1934, as part of the Public Works reemployment program. About a month and a half was spent mapping both the surface and underground geology. The mine owners and operators have cooperated in every way possible to facilitate the work. N. 0. Johnson, the mine engineer, E. W. Ellsworth, J. E. McCoy and J. G. Englebert have acted as assistants for part of the work. The University of Alabama and the State Geologist's office have aided materially by permitting free use of their libraries and laboratory equipment. Geography Hog Mountain forms a conspicuous ridge that rises to a height of a little more than 1000 ft. above sea level, and about 400 to 500 ft. above the adjacent country. The ridge is composed of granitoid intrusive rock and silicified schist that are more resistant to erosion than the surrounding softer schist. The topography of the area around the ridge is gently rolling and is typical of the subdued forms of the deeply eroded Southern

Jan 1, 1935

By G. C. Bateman

THE Workmen's Compensation Act of Ontario was passed in 1915 and Miners' Phthisis was added to the list of compensable industrial diseases in 1916. Under this provision of the Act only about two cases were compensated per year. In 1924, The Department of Public Health made a survey of miners in the four principal camps-Sudbury, Porcupine, Kirkland Lake and Cobalt-and the survey indicated that an alarming proportion of the men exposed to dust had silicosis in one or other of its several stages. A number of conferences were held between representatives of the Department of Mines, the Department of Public Health, the Compensa-tion Board and the mine operators. The operators were advised that in the earliest stages of silicosis there was no physical disability and if men in that stage were removed froni underground there would be little danger of permanent disability. They were further advised that if active steps were taken at once to compensate men that had some real disability and remove from the mines men in the early stages of silicosis, the first cost would be the greatest and thereafter their liability should decrease. As a result of this advice, and having at that time no reason to doubt the findings of the survey, the operators agreed to do all that was asked of them and cooperate with the Government in the steps believed neces-sary to meet the situation, and to provide compensation for the men affected.

Jan 1, 1937

By Henry Louis

The present paper comprises two parts, which have but little con nection with each other. The first is practically a continuation of the investigation on the specific gravity of gold liberated by means of acids from its alloys, on which subject I had the honor of presenting a brief note to the Institute in 1893 (Trans., xxii., 117); the second describes a series of experiments on the behavior of amorphous gold under the action of heat. By the kindness of Prof. W. C. Roberts-Austen, C.B., F.R.S., chemist to the Royal Mint, I have been permitted to conduct these experiments in the mint assay-office, all the splendid resources of which institution were freely placed at my disposal. I desire at the outset to express my obligations to Prof. Roberts-Austen and to all the staff of the mint assay-office for their kind assistance at all stages of my experiments. I.—The Specific Gravity of Gold in Alloys. In the note already referred to, I published my discovery that the gold left on dissolving out the silver from an alloy of gold and silver (which I shall here term " residual amorphous gold ") has a higher specific gravity than ordinary molten gold. I also pointed out that I had worked on very small quantities of material and with balances and weights on the accuracy of which I could not implicitly rely, and that in so far my numerical data were inconclusive, although I had but little doubt of the correctness of the broad fact. The experiments now recorded were made under the most advantageous circumstances and with various refinements. Particularly, I found that the ordinary form of specific-gravity bottle was responsible for several small sources of error; and I accordingly designed an improved form (Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry, April 30,1894, vol. xiii., p. 322), which I used for this work. The

Jan 1, 1895

By Carl Floe

A NUMBER of proposals have been made for the hydrometallurgical recovery of copper from flotation concentrates, but as yet no process has been developed that has demonstrated an ability to compete with the present smelting methods under ordinary conditions. The treat-ment of copper concentrates by hydrometallurgical methods is in general similar to that used in the present electrolytic zinc process and involves roasting, leaching with H2S04 solution, separation of solutions, control of impurities and electrodeposition. While many of these steps are simpler and more readily carried out for copper than for zinc, a number of inherent difficulties have prevented the general adoption of the process. To compete with smelting, the following problems must still be con-fronted, although many solutions for their have been proposed: (1) con-duction of the roast in such a way that leaching will give an extraction of copper comparable to that obtained by smelting; (2) regulation of the ferric iron content of the solutions during electrolysis; (3) disposal of the excess acid regenerated from the sulphates formed in roasting; (4) eco-nomical recovery of the precious metals from the leach residues. The roasting problem is largely one of preventing the formation of copper ferrites, CuO.Fe2O, and Cu20.Fe2O3, which are quite insoluble in dilute sulphuric acid. These ferrites are apparently formed' to a small extent even at low temperatures and above 650° C. their formation is rapid1. While it is possible to carry out laboratory roasts in such a way that less than 5 per cent of the total copper is present in the insoluble ferrite form, a closer temperature control is required than can readily be obtained in industrial furnaces. The flash" roasting effects and consequent high temperatures that occur as the calcine falls from hearth to hearth in the ordinary multiple-hearth roaster are probably largely responsible for the inevitable formation of some ferrites. The result is that in a commercial plant the extraction of copper would not average more than 90 per cent in a single 10 per cent H2SO4 leach. This is

Jan 1, 1937

By C. M. Signer, W. P. Hewitt

THIS is a story of a mine discovered in the days of the Conquistadores but that remained unimportant until the second decade of this century. Without the usual legendary history of romance and fabulous riches it has become famous for the development of unexpected metals and unusual problems. These developments and experiences, exciting and interesting as any legend, are the substance of the San Antonio mine of the Santa Eulalia district in northern Mexico. Originally opened for its silver-lead content, it developed a tin deposit of singular economic importance and unique geologic interest, a vanadium orebody that for a few years placed it among the leading vanadium producers of the world, and now lead and zinc sulphide ores. It has been the seem of a disastrous flood that brought deep-sea divers into Mexico's desert mountains and raised important problems regarding ground water, demanding unusual measures. Geology and operating questions relating to the above matters will be discussed and much of it is recent history which has become a part of Mexican mining lore. History Dates Back to 1325 Santa Eulalia is the oldest of American cities, founded in 1325 by the Aztecs under the name of Tenochtitlan and devastated in 1521 by Cortes and his rapacious band of iron-willed adventurers. Their lust for gold burned through the Aztec empire and onward into most of North America. Santa Eulalia was in the path of conquest. In 1591 the district's first ore discovery was made near what is now the San Antonio mine. The ores carried no gold and the silver-lead content was unattractive to the early pioneers. Not until 1700 was real mining activity undertaken.

Jan 1, 1952

By Hjalmar W. Johnson

It has long been accepted that blastfurnace practice varies to some degree with the coke used. While the qualities desirablc in iron have been known for some time, the qualities in coke that produce such iron have not been established. There are no objective standards for blast-furnace coke, which is usually described in general terms, as good or bad. Many experienced operators believe that coke cannot be measured objectively except by using it in the furnace, noting the result, and labeling the coke according to furnace operations. This is admittedly unscientific, and besides is useless for the two main purposes for which a measure of coke quality is needed: (I) to produce the best possible coke from the coals and equipment on hand; (2) to test new coals and determine their value for blast-furnace coke. In seeking such an objective measure, much work has been done on tumbler tests, shatter tests, sizes of coke, porosity, specific gravity, reactivity or combustibility and other tests, but as yet very little has been published in which conclusive correlations have been established between such objective measures and furnace operation. In our study of the problem during the past 8 years we have developed no new measures of coke quality, but we have collected data that are presented here in the hope that they may assist in further work, so that at some future time there may be developed such positive measures. The purpose of this paper is to show that there are variations in coke and that such variations do influence the operation of blast furnaces. At the same time we must remember that there are variations in blastfurnace operation and it may be the blast furnace that is at fault. This correlation of coke properties with blast-furnace operation will be worked out in the following steps: . Discussion of a period when a change in the coke resulted in an increase in efficiency on one furnace and a decrease in efficiency on another. 2. Adaptation of the inefficient furnace to the available coke so that normal efficiency was restored. 3. The use of radial distribution: a discussion of the effect of size of ore layer in adapting blast-furnace operation to the coke. 4. An example of a change in size of coke and the detrimental influence on the pro duction of one furnace. 5. An example of a change in size of coke, together with manufacturing data, to show why it changed, the conclusion being that coke is a product with an optimum value. 6. Illustration of the fact that coke has different optimum values on two furnaces, with discussion on adaptation of operation so the optimum values will be the same. 7. Limitations of the use of screen tests as an objective measure of coke quality. 8. Importance of uniformity in coke. Functions of Coke and Qualities Required to Perform These Functions Coke has three important functions in a blast furnace: (I) to furnish most of the

Jan 1, 1942

By Hjalmar W. Johnson

It has long been accepted that blastfurnace practice varies to some degree with the coke used. While the qualities desirablc in iron have been known for some time, the qualities in coke that produce such iron have not been established. There are no objective standards for blast-furnace coke, which is usually described in general terms, as good or bad. Many experienced operators believe that coke cannot be measured objectively except by using it in the furnace, noting the result, and labeling the coke according to furnace operations. This is admittedly unscientific, and besides is useless for the two main purposes for which a measure of coke quality is needed: (I) to produce the best possible coke from the coals and equipment on hand; (2) to test new coals and determine their value for blast-furnace coke. In seeking such an objective measure, much work has been done on tumbler tests, shatter tests, sizes of coke, porosity, specific gravity, reactivity or combustibility and other tests, but as yet very little has been published in which conclusive correlations have been established between such objective measures and furnace operation. In our study of the problem during the past 8 years we have developed no new measures of coke quality, but we have collected data that are presented here in the hope that they may assist in further work, so that at some future time there may be developed such positive measures. The purpose of this paper is to show that there are variations in coke and that such variations do influence the operation of blast furnaces. At the same time we must remember that there are variations in blastfurnace operation and it may be the blast furnace that is at fault. This correlation of coke properties with blast-furnace operation will be worked out in the following steps: . Discussion of a period when a change in the coke resulted in an increase in efficiency on one furnace and a decrease in efficiency on another. 2. Adaptation of the inefficient furnace to the available coke so that normal efficiency was restored. 3. The use of radial distribution: a discussion of the effect of size of ore layer in adapting blast-furnace operation to the coke. 4. An example of a change in size of coke and the detrimental influence on the pro duction of one furnace. 5. An example of a change in size of coke, together with manufacturing data, to show why it changed, the conclusion being that coke is a product with an optimum value. 6. Illustration of the fact that coke has different optimum values on two furnaces, with discussion on adaptation of operation so the optimum values will be the same. 7. Limitations of the use of screen tests as an objective measure of coke quality. 8. Importance of uniformity in coke. Functions of Coke and Qualities Required to Perform These Functions Coke has three important functions in a blast furnace: (I) to furnish most of the

Jan 1, 1942

By D. A. Woodford

A number of observations have now been reported where the steady-state creep rate is apparently linearly dependent on the applied stress at high temperature and low stresses. This results in a creep rate greater than that predicted by extrapolation of high-stress data and has obvious practical implications. However, some of these observations are open to question. For example, the analysis by Harris and Partridge17 of the data of Greenfield et a1.18 was dependent on strain rates which, according to the original authors, were too low to be measured. Dr. Bernstein appears to have demonstrated a linear stress dependence at low stresses in two zirconium alloys. There are, however, a number of discrepancies in his treatment of the data and the subsequent theoretical analysis which require clarification. 1) It is incorrectly stated that steady-state conditions are revealed by a slope of unity on a plot of log i vs log (time). This objection is trivial if the author meant to say a slope of zero, although it is unclear how subsequent extrapolation was made to determine the steady-state creep rates at low stresses for the zircaloy-2. If the plot used was actually log c vs log (time), it is unlikely that a slope of unity would represent a constant creep rate. A plot of log (c - co) vs log (time), where c0 is the extrapolated intercept sf the steady-state creep rate on the strain axis, would have a slope of unity during steady-state creep. However, eo cannot be determined unless is is already known. 2) The author chooses to interpret his results based on the equation: where A, and B, are structure-sensitive parameters, Ql and Q, are the activation energies for the particular creep process, and n describes the sensitivity of the creep rate on stress. The first term represents a slip creep process and the second a diffusion creep process. However, it is stated later that "two distinct processes acting in parallel are involved". Eq. [I] surely represents two processes in series since each reacts to the total applied stress and t, is the sum of the individual creep rates. If the processes are acting in parallel, then the effective stress in each would be less than the applied stress. The component stresses would be given by sl + s2 = a but it is not clear how the magnitude of either, or the corresponding stress exponent, could be determined.

Jan 1, 1969

By William N. Matheson

The major consideration in any management and engineering decision is the economic evaluation of factors. The right decision is the best cost decision, provided of course that it is the safest. Changes, improvements, and advances in mining technology, as in any business, come about through the pressure of economics in combination with the inventiveness and engineering abilities of efficient mine operators. Without proper economic evaluation and an appreciation of profit and loss of an operation, advances in mining methods would come about at a slow pace, if at all.

Jan 4, 1959

By W. P. Lass

The gold precipitate from the zinc-dust presses in the cyanide plant of the Alaska-Treadwell Gold Mining Co., Treadwell, Alaska, is treated, in the refinery adjoining, by the Tavener or lead-smelting method. About 3 or 4 tons of this precipitate is produced monthly having 'a gold assay value of $40,000 to $60,000 per ton. It was formerly the practice to treat the byproducts from this process, consisting of 2 tons of slag, 300 lb. of matte, 500 1b. of refinery refuse, flue dust, etc., in a 24-in. water-jacketed blast furnace. This practice was discontinued in the summer of 1914 by reason of the difficulty of keeping the lead-well open when treating a high-grade lead product; of preventing the loss of gold in the flue dust; and of avoiding injury to the general health of the refinery operators; a plain single-phase electric furnace was substituted for the blast furnace. The furnace was constructed from an old steel acid drum by cutting off the top and introducing a cable, made from strands of bare copper wire, through the bottom and spreading the strands out fan-shaped on the inside of the drum. Powdered graphite, obtained by grinding up old crucibles, mixed with 10 per cent. cement, was tamped wet into the bottom of the drum, around and completely covering the copper wires. The graphite was carried up to the bottom of the furnace, or lead-well, and acted as the lower electrode. The sides were built up of ordinary firebrick forming a melting chamber 14 in. in diameter by 20 in. high. The upper electrodes, of graphite or carbon, are 3 in. in diameter and 40 in. long, arranged with joints enabling new electrodes to be connected without shutting down or wasting stubs. A screw feed was arranged for raising and lowering the upper electrode. (Figs. 1 and 2.) The cover for the furnace had three openings, one for feeding the charge, one for the escape of gases, and one in the center for the introduction of the electrode. It was later found more practical to enlarge this center opening to 6 in. in diameter, to allow of a central feeding of the charge around the electrode.

Jan 1, 1916