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By W. W. Norton

The gradually increasing proportion of sulphide ores which lead smelters of to-day are called upon to handle has caused the roasting problem to become one of ever greater importance. Mines have increased in depth, methods of concentration have improved, competition in the purchase of ores has become more keen and it has been clear that new and modern methods of eliminating sulphur must receive a large share of attention. We may look back a score of years or so and recall the old hand roasters, some of which turned out a finely divided roasted product, and others fashioned with a "fuse-box" wherein the roasted ore was slagged. Then came mechanical furnaces of several types, the Bruckner cylinder, the Brown-O'Harra, the Ropp, and others, all designed to cut out the cumbersome hand labor of the old reverberatories. Roasting costs were thereupon reduced and tonnages stimulated to a gratifying extent. However, it seems to have been early recognized that this very feature of a greater amount of roasted sulphide ore as compared with oxide ore brought with it a train of difficulties at the blast furnaces. The mechanically roasted ore was fine physically, the blast furnaces were choked and the troubles of the smelterman were not at an end. Then the Huntington-Heberlein pot system of roasting appeared upon the scene, and later on the Dwight-Lloyd machines were invented, and inasmuch as both of these processes were designed not only to roast the ore but to agglomerate it as well, it was apparent that distinct steps in advance had been achieved. At the Murray plant, modern up-to-date roasting practice is fully exemplified and there are now in successful operation roasting furnaces or devices of several sorts: namely, Godfrey revolving-hearth furnaces, Wedge multiple-hearth mechanical roasters, Dwight-Lloyd sintering machines, and Huntington-Heberlein pots. Godfrey and Wedge furnaces will properly handle material high in sulphur, say ores with 25, 30, and 35 per cent. of that element; D. & L. machines and H. & H. pots will positively not treat efficiently ores or mixtures containing anywhere near the sulphur content mentioned, but are confined to charges containing in the neighborhood of 15 or 18 per cent. In passing, it may also be explained that, so far as the knowledge of the writer goes, Godfrey and Wedge furnaces do not economically eliminate sulphur to an extent

Jan 1, 1915

By David White

ATTENTION has been given to the sources and supply of the raw vegetal matter and. the conditions of its submission to the process of sedimentation. An original and most valuable review has been made of the more important or significant chemical compounds originally contained in the organic debris, and of the biochemical changes-undergone by the latter during deposition. Consideration also has been given to the factors controlling the selective biochemical decomposition, in whole or in part, of :this debris, and the deposition, as, sediments, of the undecomposed plant structures and compounds, together with more or less of the so-called "ulmic," or "humic," organic decomposition products in colloidal solution.1 BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES END IN PEAT FORMATION The biochemical process terminates in the peat stage of coal formation, and with the cessation of this process organic sedimentation is completed. All subsequent changes result from geological causes and conditions. The deposits are in the form of peats of different types, organic muds, oozes, etc. They are essentially uncompressed and are wholly unconsolidated, and their water content is great, amounting to over 85 per cent. near the surface of the deposit. Many of the chemical compounds remain as in the once living organisms; others are biochemically broken down and new ones formed.

Jan 2, 1925

By V. R. Garfias

Principal events in petroleum operations of Mexico during 1934 have been the completion of three producing wells in the Poza Rica area and the plans for the expansion of operations of the Cia. de Petroleos de Mexico, S.A. (Petromex). Production for 1934 is estimated at close to 38,000,000 bbl., an increase of 4,000,000 bbl. over the previous year; an increase due in large part to the successful development in Poza Rica. The output of the South fields (Golden Lane) and Tehuantepec fields also increased somewhat during the year. Production of natural gasoline increased from 382,000 to 431,000 bbl. in 1934. Crude run in local refineries is estimated at 26,000,000bbl., some4,000,000bbl. more than the previous year. Exclusive of bunker fuel exports totaled 24,000,000 bbl., or 3,000,000 more than in 1933. Domestic consumption increased approximately 500,000,bbl. during the year, reaching a total of close to 13,600,000 bbl., exclusive of ships' bunkers. A total of 148 wells were completed as compared to 91 in 1933 and 40 in 1932. In proven areas, 133 completions resulted in 54 producers and 79 failures. The 15 wildcats drilled during 1934 gave no encouraging results. Seven of these were located in the border zone of northeastern Mexico; three tested possible northeast extensions of the Northern fields; two were drilled for possible extensions of the "Golden Lane" and three were completed in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Fields Northern Fields (Heavy Oil District).—There were 34 producing wells and 71 failures completed in the Northern fields, as compared to 20 producers and 20 failures in 1933. Practically all new producers were drilled to the shallower San Felipe formation, while wells drilled to the deeper Tamasopo limestone encountered salt water. Production of the field totaled 11,890,000 bbl., a decrease of 7.5 per cent from the previous year. Acid treatment was attempted during the year in seven wells

Jan 1, 1935

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

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

Jan 1, 1986

Jan 1, 1969

By H. G. Doll

A new logging method, called induction logging, is described; it measures the conductivity, or resistivity, of the strata traversed by a bore hole. The apparatus, which is briefly described, comprises a coil system coupled with the ground by induction, so that there is no need for direct contact with the mud, or with the formations. For that reason, the method is particularly useful in oil base mud, and it was first applied to that case. A discussion concerning the respective contribution of each region of ground in the vicinity of the coil system is given. Through the concept of a geometrical factor, it is demonstrated that the total signal, which measures the apparent conductivity, is the summation of the partial products — geometrical factor by conductivity — for the different regions of the ground under consideration. It is thus possible to establish, for each type of coil arangement, investigation characteristic as well as departure curves and correction charts for beds of various thicknesses. This should greatly facilitate the quantative interpretation of the field logs, even in cases where such interpretation would have been difficult on electric logs taken with electrodes. It is also shown that focussing combinations of coils can be used, which give, directly on the recorded log, a value close to the true conductivity, even for fairly thin beds, thus eliminating in most cases the need for corrections. These focussing systems also give a sharper definition of the boundaries between successive strain.

Jan 1, 1949

By H. G. Doll

A new logging method, called induction logging, is described; it measures the conductivity, or resistivity, of the strata traversed by a bore hole. The apparatus, which is briefly described, comprises a coil system coupled with the ground by induction, so that there is no need for direct contact with the mud, or with the formations. For that reason, the method is particularly useful in oil base mud, and it was first applied to that case. A discussion concerning the respective contribution of each region of ground in the vicinity of the coil system is given. Through the concept of a geometrical factor, it is demonstrated that the total signal, which measures the apparent conductivity, is the summation of the partial products — geometrical factor by conductivity — for the different regions of the ground under consideration. It is thus possible to establish, for each type of coil arangement, investigation characteristic as well as departure curves and correction charts for beds of various thicknesses. This should greatly facilitate the quantative interpretation of the field logs, even in cases where such interpretation would have been difficult on electric logs taken with electrodes. It is also shown that focussing combinations of coils can be used, which give, directly on the recorded log, a value close to the true conductivity, even for fairly thin beds, thus eliminating in most cases the need for corrections. These focussing systems also give a sharper definition of the boundaries between successive strain.

Jan 1, 1949

By Mi Chung

T HE ore-dressing problem at Tul Mi Chung is complicated by the unusually complex nature of the ores. These come from replacement ore- bodies in limestone at the contact with a granite batholith, and contain copper, gold, silver, bismuth, molybdenum, iron, arsenic, zinc, and lead, the first two metals constituting the principal sources of profit. Iron is present as pyrite, magnetite, and hematite. Arsenic occurs both as mispickel and lollingite (FelAsa), the latter carrying a certain amount of finely divided gold. The gangue minerals are those typical of limestone con- tact-metamorphism and include a large percentage of garnet, together with diopside, serpentine, calcite, epidote, zoisite, actinolite, 'mica and other minerals. A part of the gold occurs in a free state; some is combined with chalcopyrite and lollingite, and a consider- able proportion is contained in the pyrite. Researches towards the improvement of recovery have been energetically conducted since 1915. Amalgamation, gravity concentrating tables, vanners, can- vas plants, etc., have all been tried and discarded in favor of flotation. It was very quickly established that fine grinding was essential for satisfactory recovery. This was and is still accomplished in Hardinge ball and pebble mills. A comparative test showed that when the ore was crushed to the point at which it contained 20 to 26 per cent. coarser than 100 mesh, the gold recovery was only 55.9 per cent., whereas when crushed so that only 11 to 15 per cent. was coarser than 100 mesh, the gold recovery was increased to 82.5 per cent. No particular difficulty was ever experienced in making a satisfactory recovery of copper but the losses in gold were considered serious and led to the investigation described in this paper.

Jan 1, 1924

By GILBERT E. SEIL

GREAT advances in the preparation of ores for reduction to ferro-alloys have been made, although standard methods of reduction have been continued at most plants. Efficiencies, yields per furnace, and energy requirements per ton are generally better than previously attained. The advantages of sizing and conditioning of ore, fluxing stone, and coke have been realized. Conditioning varies from drying the furnace burden to chemical rearrangements to facilitate reduction reactions and sometimes to furnish some of the energy required for the reaction before the burden reaches the furnace. During the war period it is impossible to discuss in detail many of the advances made. They are subjects for postwar papers. However, the new procedures mentioned in the following paragraphs are indicative of the work already done and in progress.

Jan 1, 1944

By L. Bombardieri, H. F. Mills

Iron King mine, producing gold-silver-lead-zinc-ore, is 10 miles east of Prescott, Ariz. At present the 1806 level is being developed. The echelon pat tern of ore deposit continues at depth but is less pronounced, and the orebody is now more or less continuous over 2600 ft of strike length, with widths 5 ft to as high as 26 ft where overlapping of lenses occurs in one section of the mine. Better continuity of ore at depth has encouraged systematic mining and improved plant facilities to offset higher operating costs. With favorable persistence of ore at depth, the three-compartment No. 6 hoisting shaft appeared inadequate to handle increased tonnage from greater depths, and in 1952, a four-compartment steel and concrete shaft was started. This is now at a depth of 1906 ft, and shaft pockets and loading cartridges are being installed on the 1806 level. Ore from the new shaft, hoisted in 5 ½ -ton Jeto bottom dump skips, is dumped into a 500-ton shaft bin, from which it is fed to a 16x30-in. gyratory crusher and conveyed 415 ft through an undersurface concrete gallery to the secondary crusher and conveying system supplying the 900-ton mill. Lead, zinc, and pyrite concentrates are floated, and the flotation tailings are cyanided after desliming. Waste from the new shaft is dumped into a 250-ton surge bin, fed from this bin to a 24-in. conveyor, and discharged into the glory hole above the block cave. The new shaft is served by a double-drum 400-hp hoist used for ore and waste; the No. 6 shaft conveys men and material.

Jul 1, 1956

By G. V. Woody, J. D. Price

Many producers of by-product coke have spent considerable time and given considerable thought to the use of a substitute for low-volatile coal as an admixture with high-volatile coking coal for charging high-temperature by-product coke ovens. Generally speaking, there are two principal reasons for this, one being occasioned by the lack, in certain localities, of low-volatile coal delivered at a cost sufficiently low to permit its use, and another being the desirability of finding a substitute product with a delivered cost lower than the cost of the low-volatile coal. It was for the first of these reasons that the Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation was particularly interested in this subject. This paper deals with the experimental work and the results obtained by that company in producing and using low-temperature char. Overcoming Defects in Coke from Colorado Coals Colorado coking coals are all of the high-volatile type and were all laid down during the Cretaceous period, which makes them something like 80 million or so years younger, geologically, than eastern coals. They behave, when coked alone, something like the Pittsburgh-seam coals. They make a very brittle, highly cross-fractured, fingery coke of fair shatter value but quite low in resistance to abrasion. Mixed with a low-volatile coking coal such as Poca- hontas or certain Oklahoma coals, they make a coke that is equal to virtually any of the eastern cokes. The inferior quality of Colorado coke has long been recognized, and a considerable amount of time, effort and money has been spent upon investigations of means for improving its physical properties. While it has been found that some improvement in quality of coke can be secured by the adjustment and control of such variables as pulverization, moisture content, oven temperature and bulk density of charge, and through the addition of certain inert materials such as pulverized coke breeze, pitch, high-volatile noncoking or semicoking coal, the benefits so gained have been comparatively small. There are no low or medium-volatile coking coals available within a reasonable freight-cost distance. Therefore a substitute for low-vol-atile coal was developed through low-tem-perature carbonization—or, more correctly speaking, through the partial devolatiliza-tion—of high-volatile coals. The blending of this lower volatile char with the high-volatile coking coal distinctly improves the quality of coke made from Colorado coal. There is nothing especially new about this idea. In 1908 a Japanese patent was taken out by Kotaro Shimomura, whose claim was: The method of making a nonfingery coke out of bituminous coals, without using natural coals of low-volatile matter; according to which a certain coal is heated at a temperature between about 300°C. and about 600°C. so as to leave about 15 to 25 per cent volatile matter in the coal; this coal is mixed with the

Jan 1, 1944

By J. D. Price, G. V. Woody

Many producers of by-product coke have spent considerable time and given considerable thought to the use of a substitute for low-volatile coal as an admixture with high-volatile coking coal for charging high-temperature by-product coke ovens. Generally speaking, there are two principal reasons for this, one being occasioned by the lack, in certain localities, of low-volatile coal delivered at a cost sufficiently low to permit its use, and another being the desirability of finding a substitute product with a delivered cost lower than the cost of the low-volatile coal. It was for the first of these reasons that the Colorado Fuel and Iron Corporation was particularly interested in this subject. This paper deals with the experimental work and the results obtained by that company in producing and using low-temperature char. Overcoming Defects in Coke from Colorado Coals Colorado coking coals are all of the high-volatile type and were all laid down during the Cretaceous period, which makes them something like 80 million or so years younger, geologically, than eastern coals. They behave, when coked alone, something like the Pittsburgh-seam coals. They make a very brittle, highly cross-fractured, fingery coke of fair shatter value but quite low in resistance to abrasion. Mixed with a low-volatile coking coal such as Poca- hontas or certain Oklahoma coals, they make a coke that is equal to virtually any of the eastern cokes. The inferior quality of Colorado coke has long been recognized, and a considerable amount of time, effort and money has been spent upon investigations of means for improving its physical properties. While it has been found that some improvement in quality of coke can be secured by the adjustment and control of such variables as pulverization, moisture content, oven temperature and bulk density of charge, and through the addition of certain inert materials such as pulverized coke breeze, pitch, high-volatile noncoking or semicoking coal, the benefits so gained have been comparatively small. There are no low or medium-volatile coking coals available within a reasonable freight-cost distance. Therefore a substitute for low-vol-atile coal was developed through low-tem-perature carbonization—or, more correctly speaking, through the partial devolatiliza-tion—of high-volatile coals. The blending of this lower volatile char with the high-volatile coking coal distinctly improves the quality of coke made from Colorado coal. There is nothing especially new about this idea. In 1908 a Japanese patent was taken out by Kotaro Shimomura, whose claim was: The method of making a nonfingery coke out of bituminous coals, without using natural coals of low-volatile matter; according to which a certain coal is heated at a temperature between about 300°C. and about 600°C. so as to leave about 15 to 25 per cent volatile matter in the coal; this coal is mixed with the

Jan 1, 1944

By John C. McDonald

The amount of published literature in the field of mechanical properties of magnesium alloys is not great; particularly with respect to rolled alloys. Haughton and Prytherchl have summarized most of the articles to 1937, including their own work on sheet. Although many papers can be found dealing with the technology of magnesium and the alloys now in commercial use, there does not seem to be any work dealing exclusively with the variation in properties of rolled alloys as caused by changes in alloy composition. Comparison of published data reveals considerable discrepancies in properties of alloys of the same composition, probably due to differences in the details of working and heat-treating followed by different workers. The purpose of this paper is to study the properties of alloys in conditions where the effects of such differences have been eliminated. It is well known that the strength and ductility of metals are functions of the working and heat-treating they have received, as well as of their chemical composition. In comparing alloys with respect to these properties, therefore, all possible combinations of the variables of the fabrication procedure ought to be carried out on each alloy. One or more of these treatments mill produce the highest ductility, or strength, or both. These highest properties would then be selected as characteristic of each alloy, and alloys would be compared on the basis of those properties. Thus a separation of the effect of composition and that of workiiig and heat-treating would be achieved. In this paper, however, a compromise with completeness has been made by carrying out a restricted number of treatments. As a consequence, the properties obtained are not necessarily the best that the alloy is capable of exhibiting; but since all alloy3 have been treated by the same method, the results ought to be comparable. The elements selected for the study comprise a class that will alloy easily with magnesium, and that are reblatively cheap. Each was added in different amounts, up to a limit that varied with the element.

Jan 1, 1940

By John C. McDonald

The amount of published literature in the field of mechanical properties of magnesium alloys is not great; particularly with respect to rolled alloys. Haughton and Prytherchl have summarized most of the articles to 1937, including their own work on sheet. Although many papers can be found dealing with the technology of magnesium and the alloys now in commercial use, there does not seem to be any work dealing exclusively with the variation in properties of rolled alloys as caused by changes in alloy composition. Comparison of published data reveals considerable discrepancies in properties of alloys of the same composition, probably due to differences in the details of working and heat-treating followed by different workers. The purpose of this paper is to study the properties of alloys in conditions where the effects of such differences have been eliminated. It is well known that the strength and ductility of metals are functions of the working and heat-treating they have received, as well as of their chemical composition. In comparing alloys with respect to these properties, therefore, all possible combinations of the variables of the fabrication procedure ought to be carried out on each alloy. One or more of these treatments mill produce the highest ductility, or strength, or both. These highest properties would then be selected as characteristic of each alloy, and alloys would be compared on the basis of those properties. Thus a separation of the effect of composition and that of workiiig and heat-treating would be achieved. In this paper, however, a compromise with completeness has been made by carrying out a restricted number of treatments. As a consequence, the properties obtained are not necessarily the best that the alloy is capable of exhibiting; but since all alloy3 have been treated by the same method, the results ought to be comparable. The elements selected for the study comprise a class that will alloy easily with magnesium, and that are reblatively cheap. Each was added in different amounts, up to a limit that varied with the element.

Jan 1, 1940

By Alexander B. Morris

Studies such as the investigations into the solubility of gases in crude oil under various conditions, which have been carried on during the past three or four years, are very interesting from an academic point of view, but this consideration alone is hardly sufficient to warrant the large contributions from the industry necessary to maintain them. Some definite benefit to the industry as a whole should be forthcoming. The purpose of this paper is to direct the attention of company engineers, and company executives, to some of the ways in which the information gained from these studies can be made directly profitable. This work has two principal economic aspects. One affects the investment budget, and through it the financial requirements of the companies. The other affects operations, and through this course is reflected in current earnings. It will be shown that, as a direct result of the investigations into gas solubility, undertaken in the recent past by various investigators, it is now possible: 1. To determine more accurately the amount of reservoir oil originally present. 2. To obtain closer control on operating conditions, to effect more economical recovery. 3. To predict earlier and more dependably when and how much surface lifting equipment will be needed. 4. To reduce, or entirely avoid the very large investment in gasoline recovery equipment now frequently found necessary. 5. To control the gravity of the pipe-line oil so as to secure the greatest possible revenue from the products of the well. 6. To effect the recovery of a large amount of gasoline now wasted while the practicability of a gasoline recovery system is being decided. 7. To plan operations, by comparison with the history of old properties operated without this new information, so as to avoid the mistakes of ignorance made in the past. These points will be discussed in the following pages, though not necessarily in the order stated. There is so much overlapping of the points themselves, and of the data from which they have been drawn as conclusions, that to treat them in any particular order would require

Jan 1, 1935

By Samuel D. Warriner

(Wilkes-Barre Meeting, June, 1911.) THE dealings between concentrated capital invested in the conduct of our various industries and the combinations of labor known as "trade union organizations," have produced not only in the United States, but abroad, many novel methods of negotiation between employers and wage-workers. The size and strength of these organizations have destroyed the personal elements formerly governing the dealings between employer and employee and have produced various forms of trade-agreements now in more or less successful operation. The difficulty, however, has- been to secure consent of both parties to an equitable agreement. For this purpose there have been devised various forms of arbitration, either compulsory under the shadow of governmental legislation, or voluntary by mutual agreement. But these have not been altogether successful from a technical stand-point, for the reason that a compromise has generally been necessary, and in an effort to reach an agreement, terms have been made which have been neither fair nor satisfactory to either of the contending parties. The Anthracite Board of Conciliation represents one of the few thoroughly successful courts for the settlement of trade-disputes, if not the only one which has yet been evolved. The prestige of this board rests upon its successful treatment of the labor-troubles of the anthracite region for a period of more than eight years, and upon the fact that it has been able not only to reach decisions based upon the merits of the controversies, but to enforce its decisions upon both the employees and the employers. It has never been obliged to shape its conduct to secure the consent of the contending parties, and its decisions have been strictly and, in the main, cheerfully observed. The remarkable feature of this board has been that it has

Aug 1, 1911

By Herbert Hoover

I HAVE been greatly honored as your unanimous choice for President of this. Institute, with which I have been associated during my entire professional life. It is customary for your new President, on these occasions, to make some observation on matters of general interest from the engineer's standpoint. The profession of engineering in the United States comprises not alone scientific advisers on industry but, in great majority, is comprised of the men in administrative positions. In such positions, they stand midway between capital and labor. The character of your training and experience leads you to exact and quantitative thought. This basis of training in a great group of Americans furnished a wonderful' recruiting ground for service in these last years of tribulation. Many thousands of engineers were called into the army, the navy, and civilian service for the Government. Thousands of high offices were discharged by them with credit to the profession and the nation. We have in. this country, probably, one hundred thousand professional engineers. The events of the past few years have greatly stirred their interest in national problems.' This has taken practical. form in the maintenance of joint committees for discussion of these problems and support to a free advisory bureau in ,Washington. The engineers want nothing for themselves from Congress.. They want efficiency in government, and you contribute to the maintenance of this bureau out of sheer idealism. This organization for consideration of national problems has had many subjects before it, and I propose to touch on some of them this evening.

Jan 1, 1920

By H. A. Doerner, F. D. DeVaney, J.B. Clemmer

Production of magnesium metal in the United States during the past decade has increased from less than 600,000 lb. in 1928 to more than 4,800,000 lb. in 1938.1 The growing industry has stimulated interest in methods of production and in sources of raw material. All of the present domestic production is from brines. However, the availability of large tonnages of magnesite in the state of Washington, together with the possibility of cheap power, have created interest in the utilization of magnesite for the production of magnesium metal as well as for other purposes. Magnesite, the carbonate of magnesium (MgCO3), usually is associated with limestone (CaC03) and dolomite (MgCO3. CaC03). It occurs in crystalline and microcrystalline (sometimes termed amorphous) forms.2 The more common crystalline mineral is found in various shades of white, gray, yellow and brown, the colors being due to impurities, chiefly iron. Magnesite has a hardness of 3.5 to 4.5 and a specific gravity of 3.0 to 3.1. It forms rhombohedra1 crystals in the hexagonal system, having a vitreous, pearly luster. The quarries and mines of the Northwest Magnesite Co. near Chewelah, Wash., are large producers of magnesite for refractories. The deposits are extensive, some veins being hundreds of feet wide. The boundaries of the veins are indefinite, and the magnesite is interfingered with dolomite. Calcite, talc, serpentine, quartz and shale are disseminated through the deposits. The quality of the ore cannot be determined by appearance or by simple tests; chemical analysis is required. These features make it difficult to determine the boundaries or total quantity of workable ore.3 Only the higher-grade ores are mined, and a considerable proportion of the magnesite content is discarded by hand-sorting and log-washing methods. After calcining, the sorted product meets the specifications for usual refractory material, as it contains approximately 81 per cent MgO, 7 per cent SiO2, 6 per cent CaO and 6 per cent Fe203 + A1203. A sample of the reject material had the following analysis after calcining: 65.4 per cent MgO, 6.3 CaO, 21.1 SiO2 and 6.5 R2O3. The percentage reported as R2O3 includes compounds whose chlorides are acid-soluble but give precipitates in ammoniacal solution that are ignited and weighed. The more common constituents are Fe2O3, A1203 and TiO2. The sorted magnesite product is not the best grade. even for refractory purposes, and leaves much to be desired for a reduction process. The rejected material contains a large proportion of magnesite. It is apparent that an effective concentration method would yield a higher recovery and a better product. In general, the refractory grade is not suitably pure for other uses. Recent developments in the production of

Jan 1, 1943

By J. B. Clemmer, F. D. DeVaney, H. A. Doerner

Production of magnesium metal in the United States during the past decade has increased from less than 600,000 lb. in 1928 to more than 4,800,000 lb. in 1938.1 The growing industry has stimulated interest in methods of production and in sources of raw material. All of the present domestic production is from brines. However, the availability of large tonnages of magnesite in the state of Washington, together with the possibility of cheap power, have created interest in the utilization of magnesite for the production of magnesium metal as well as for other purposes. Magnesite, the carbonate of magnesium (MgCO3), usually is associated with limestone (CaC03) and dolomite (MgCO3. CaC03). It occurs in crystalline and microcrystalline (sometimes termed amorphous) forms.2 The more common crystalline mineral is found in various shades of white, gray, yellow and brown, the colors being due to impurities, chiefly iron. Magnesite has a hardness of 3.5 to 4.5 and a specific gravity of 3.0 to 3.1. It forms rhombohedra1 crystals in the hexagonal system, having a vitreous, pearly luster. The quarries and mines of the Northwest Magnesite Co. near Chewelah, Wash., are large producers of magnesite for refractories. The deposits are extensive, some veins being hundreds of feet wide. The boundaries of the veins are indefinite, and the magnesite is interfingered with dolomite. Calcite, talc, serpentine, quartz and shale are disseminated through the deposits. The quality of the ore cannot be determined by appearance or by simple tests; chemical analysis is required. These features make it difficult to determine the boundaries or total quantity of workable ore.3 Only the higher-grade ores are mined, and a considerable proportion of the magnesite content is discarded by hand-sorting and log-washing methods. After calcining, the sorted product meets the specifications for usual refractory material, as it contains approximately 81 per cent MgO, 7 per cent SiO2, 6 per cent CaO and 6 per cent Fe203 + A1203. A sample of the reject material had the following analysis after calcining: 65.4 per cent MgO, 6.3 CaO, 21.1 SiO2 and 6.5 R2O3. The percentage reported as R2O3 includes compounds whose chlorides are acid-soluble but give precipitates in ammoniacal solution that are ignited and weighed. The more common constituents are Fe2O3, A1203 and TiO2. The sorted magnesite product is not the best grade. even for refractory purposes, and leaves much to be desired for a reduction process. The rejected material contains a large proportion of magnesite. It is apparent that an effective concentration method would yield a higher recovery and a better product. In general, the refractory grade is not suitably pure for other uses. Recent developments in the production of

Jan 1, 1943

By E. L. Tucker

PREVIOUS investigations of E. L. Tucker and R. E. Head' related in particular to the effect of cyanogen compounds on galena, sphalerite, and pyrite, and their behavior in the presence of such com- pounds. The present contribution deals with the float- ability of the copper minerals and of pyrite. All experiments were performed on minus 200-mesh material, the method of preparation being the same as that described in the previous article. Flotation tests were made in a small mechanically agitated machine of 50-g. capacity designed in this laboratory by Gates and Jacobsen." General Naval Stores pine oil No. 5 and potassium xanthate were used in constant amount in all of the experiments; these agents were selected because of their present wide use in the flotation of copper minerals. Lime additions were varied to secure four 'final hydrogen ion concentrations, namely, neutral, 0.0005 per cent CaO, 0.003 per cent CaO, and 0.02 per cent CaO. The variation in lime addition was introduced to include the range of alkalinities employed in actual flotation practice.

Jan 1, 1926