Search Documents

By Donald F. Taylor

TANTALUM and columbium are newcomers in the world of metals. Many of the metals described in this volume had been known and used for centuries before either tantalum or columbium was known to exist. The scarcity of the ores and the comparative difficulty of extraction delayed their technology until specialized methods of processing could be developed. HISTORY Early in the nineteenth century, 1801, Hatchett discovered a new oxide, which he called columbium oxide, and a year later, Ekeberg announced that he had found a new element, which he named tantalum. The preparation of the metal tantalum in impure form was first announced by Berzelius in 1824, but the actual production of ductile metal did not occur until 1903, when von Bolton, of Siemens and Halske, developed a process for the production of tantalum pure enough to be drawn into electric-lamp filament wire. The use of tantalum as a filament wire began to decline when ductile tungsten was introduced in 1909. In 1921, C. W. sake, of Fansteel Metallurgical Corporation, produced the first ingot of tantalum metal in America. The first ingot of columbium was produced in 1927 in the laboratory of the same company. There are several good reasons why tantalum and columbium are often mentioned together. They occur together in their important minerals, are similar in many of their properties, and are

Jan 1, 1953

By Mark Malamphy

DURING the latter part of the year 1932, the Servico Geologico e Mineralogico do Brasil ordered four magnetic field balances with tem-perature-compensated magnetic systems and a photographic recording apparatus for the registration of the diurnal variation. These instru-ments were delivered during the early part of the year 1933 and a short time later were taken to Santa Catherina for use in the field. Before the field work was begun, a series of experiments was carried out to determine the behavior of these new instruments under existing field conditions. The recording instruments were mounted in an under-ground chamber and their sensitivities checked by means of a Helmholtz coil. The field instruments were then mounted at fixed stations and readings were taken to determine the diurnal variation and compare it with the photographic records. The data obtained with the horizontal field balances were concordant but that obtained with the vertical component instruments showed a considerable divergence. This divergence was of such a magnitude that it was necessary to spend considerable time in determining its cause and finding a means of improving the functioning of the instruments. This paper presents the results of our observations on these systems and the conclusions at which we arrived; also the means we took to partly elimi-nate the difficulty until new systems could be ordered from Germany.

Jan 1, 1935

By Timothy Collins

There was once a speculative period of interest in small mining companies that is commonly referred to as "the uranium boom of the 50's." In the late 60's, there was a second mining stock boom: it centered around uranium and silver, when silver had reached a new high of $3.60. In the mid 1970Js, there may be a new boom in the making, and it appears that substantial public and institutional interest in mining equities will finally result in a viable long-term capital market rather than the boom-or-bust pattern of the 50's and 60's. The reason for Wall Street's renewed interest in mining is understandable: most mineral commodities have recently gone up in price. Domestically, these price increases have come in the wake of the inflationary spiral unleashed by years of unbridled government deficit spending and erratic fiscal and monetary policies. Internationally, of course, the biggest push for higher prices has come from third-world countries whose primary income derives from indigenous natural resources. Many of these countries-whose fiscal and monetary policies haven't been models of excellence either-have attempted to cope with the worldwide economic mess by forming cartels that could control the price of commodities. What's happened to petroleum is well-known; what's happened to copper, bauxite, phosphate, and uranium is part and parcel of the same syndrome.

Jan 9, 1975

By Jackson R. Pellett

INTRODUCTION The Friedensville mine is situated in Upper Saucon Township, Le- high County, Pennsylvania, in the southern central part of the Allentown quadrangle of the United States Geological Survey, approximately 5 miles southeast of the City of Allentown and 4 miles south of the City of Bethlehem. Zinc was first discovered in the Friedensville area early in the 19th century and several mines were operating during the latter part of the century. Zinc oxide was produced in 1853 and zinc metal in 1859. All mining in the area ceased in 1893 chiefly because of an unfavorable economic situation caused by a severe ground water problem and competition from the higher grade ores in New Jersey. Property acquisition by the New Jersey Zinc Company began in 1899 and periodic exploratory drilling was carried on until 1940 when sufficient reserves were proved for development of a mine. Shaft sinking was undertaken in 1947 and, due to severe hydrologic conditions, was not completed until 1952. Production began in 1958 and today the mine is producing about 64,000 tons of zinc concentrate per annum. The concentrates are trucked to the Company's smelter at Palmerton, Pennsylvania, approximately 30 miles north of Friedensville. The mine also produces from its mill tailings industrial and agricultural grades of limestone for commercial markets.

Jan 1, 1970

Discussion of the paper of R. H. RICHARDS and BOYD DUDLEY, JR., presented at the New York meeting, February, 1915, and printed in Bulletin No. 97, January, 191.5, pp. 67 to 72. R. H. RICHARDS, Boston, Mass.-I believe that the manner of working for efficiency in almost all lines is to study the conditions of highest efficiency, and then to measure what is being clone. We can then see how near we have approached the highest efficiency. Spigots in practice often use many times the water theoretically needed. There are places where that is necessary for safety reasons. There are, however, places where it is unnecessary, and in these places it seems to me that this work of Mr. Dudley's will be a great help to the mill man to arrive at the greatest economy of water and highest efficiency. ALBERT R. LEDOUX, New York, N. Y.-A good many years ago I received a telegram from that distinguished engineer, Hamilton Smith, which simply said in substance: "I have discovered that liquids will flow faster from a square orifice than from a round orifice of the same area, under the same head." I wondered why he sent me the telegram, but some time afterward he told me that he had been making experiments along that line in Montana; that he thought the discovery was interesting

Jan 5, 1915

By H. M. Morse

Mississippi, during the year 1941, experienced the greatest diversity of oil activity since the beginning of oil interest in the state—core tests for exploration, core tests for sulphur, continued drilling at Tinsley for production, and wildcatting, which brought to light two new oil fields and two new salt domes. There were 45 wildcat wells drilled in 1941, which showed greater results and findings geologically than the 85 drilled in 1940. Tinsley Oil Field (Yazoo County).—The Tinsley oil field, with its boundaries fairly well defined now, is 8 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point. During the past year 213 producing wells were completed, which brought the total number of producers in the field by the end of 1941 to 325 wells. Seven producing sands have been logged, with a total average thickness of 30 ft. of oil sand. The producing formations are the Selma, Eutaw and Tuscaloosa. The average total depth of the wells is 5012 ft. The average gravity of the oil is 35.4°. Production for 1941 was approximately 15,500,000 bbl. of oil. Vaughan-Pickens Oil Field (Yazoo County).—At the end of 1941 only three wells were Producing in this field, the fourth having been abandoned. The total production for the field for the year was approximately 250,000 bbl. of oil. The producing sand is the Wilburn, in the Eutaw formation. Cary Field (Sharkey County).—The British American Oil Producing Co. completed, on Sept. I, 1941, its F. B. Houston No. A-I well, sec. 23, T. 11 N., R. 7 W. It is

Jan 1, 1942

By H. M. Morse

Mississippi, during the year 1941, experienced the greatest diversity of oil activity since the beginning of oil interest in the state—core tests for exploration, core tests for sulphur, continued drilling at Tinsley for production, and wildcatting, which brought to light two new oil fields and two new salt domes. There were 45 wildcat wells drilled in 1941, which showed greater results and findings geologically than the 85 drilled in 1940. Tinsley Oil Field (Yazoo County).—The Tinsley oil field, with its boundaries fairly well defined now, is 8 miles long and 3 miles wide at its widest point. During the past year 213 producing wells were completed, which brought the total number of producers in the field by the end of 1941 to 325 wells. Seven producing sands have been logged, with a total average thickness of 30 ft. of oil sand. The producing formations are the Selma, Eutaw and Tuscaloosa. The average total depth of the wells is 5012 ft. The average gravity of the oil is 35.4°. Production for 1941 was approximately 15,500,000 bbl. of oil. Vaughan-Pickens Oil Field (Yazoo County).—At the end of 1941 only three wells were Producing in this field, the fourth having been abandoned. The total production for the field for the year was approximately 250,000 bbl. of oil. The producing sand is the Wilburn, in the Eutaw formation. Cary Field (Sharkey County).—The British American Oil Producing Co. completed, on Sept. I, 1941, its F. B. Houston No. A-I well, sec. 23, T. 11 N., R. 7 W. It is

Jan 1, 1942

NEW MEMBERS The following list comprises the names of those persons who became members during the period Apr. 10 to May 10, 1914: Members ADAMS, HENRY H., JR., Merchant, Henry H. Adams & Co., and Colonial Iron Co., 149 Broadway, New York, N.Y. ADAMS, LELAND D., Mine Mgr., Supt., East Canada Smelting Co.,Weedon, Quebec, Canada. AGUILERA, EUGENIO, Chief Engr. Mining & Foresting Dept. of Santiago, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. ALFORD, NEWELL GILDER; Min. Engr., Asst. Chief Engr., St. Bernard Mining Co,. Earlington, KY.

Jan 6, 1914

[Abrahamson, Guy C., (5'43) Lt., 0-880861, Hammer Field Fresno Calif. Adamec, LAW, (8'42) c/o Braden Copper Co., Rancagua, Chile. Adams, Karl S., (9'43) Univ. of New Hampshire, Durham, N. H. Agnilar, Roperto Q., (9'43) Texas College of Mines, El Paso Texas. Ainge, B'onald Farra, (943) Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand. Akaran, Cevdet A,, (9'44) Pennsylvania State College, State College, Pa. Albala, Americo, (5'44) School of Mineral Industries, The Pennsylvania State College, State College, PA.]

Jan 1, 1946

(Under this heading will be published notes sent to the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons introduced by members) Member, aged 32. Fifteen years' experience in the mining, quarrying, and manufacture of gypsum and gypsum products, as purchasing agent, designer, operating manager and managing executive. Thoroughly familiar with the business in all branches, especially the organization of efficient producing forces and machinery and the value of cost and their application to manufacturing. Desires responsible position with a financially reliable concern in the same or similar business in which an interest may be obtained at a later date. Now doing consulting work, but free for appointments after April 1. New York or Philadelphia. No. 345. Member, technical graduate. Unmarried. Aged 32. Seven and one half years' experience in mining, timbering, and mine sampling. At present, and for past two and a half years, mine sampler for well known and highly successful mining company. Desire change. Go anywhere. Prefer assisting Mining Engineer. No. 346. Member, 40 years old. 18 years' experience in examinations and operation in the United States, Mexico and South America. Especially successful with poor class of labor. Open for engagement in any part of the world, in technical, administrative or consulting work. No. 347. Member, technical graduate. Sixteen years' experience as engineer, superintendent, and manager in metal mines. Exploratory . work, developing and equipping new properties. Operation of large mines, and various systems of mining. Low costs. Specialized in iron and copper mining, but have had some experience in zinc, lead and pyrite mining. No; 348.

Jan 4, 1917

By A. E. J. Engel

The New York talc deposits of commercial importance are in St. Lawrence and Lewis counties, in the northwest Adirondack Mountains (Fig 1). All of the deposits are of pre-Cambrian age and occur within highly deformed and recrystallized marble of the Gren-ville series. The deposits in St. Lawrence County, near Gouverneur, are the largest and most productive of their type known in the Western Hemisphere. In 1948 the seven mines which are in operation will produce about 130,000 tons of ground talc. All talc production in Lewis County is from one mine. There the annual production ranges from 15,000 to 30,000 tons. These so called talcs of New Yorb State include earth materials of different chemical and mineral compositions. In general the mineral talc is subordinate in amount to other minerals in both the Gouverneur and Natural Bridge deposits. In the Gouverneur district the mineral talc comprises less than 25 pct of the mined and ground rock. Most of the rock mined is a tremolite- or tremolite-anthophyllite schist somewhat altered to serpentine and talc. This characteristic in no way tlevaluates the "talc" for certain markets, and in some instances makes the material more desirable. The Natural Bridge talcs include types high in serpentine, as well as complex aggregates of serpentine, talc, carbonates, and diopside. Usage of the term talc, however, for

Jan 1, 1950

Jan 1, 1911

Jan 1, 1912

Jan 1, 1909

Jan 1, 1910

By Robert Job

Up to five years ago the pig-iron used by the Philadelphia & Reading Railway Co. had been obtained solely upon the appearance of the fracture; but as the service was unsatisfactory, an investigation was made to determine the quality best adapted

Jan 1, 1905

By M. J. Greaves

All available data concerning risk as it applies to scaling up pyrometallurgical plants, processes, and equipment are determined to estimate the statistical chance of success. Random numbers are assigned to all data in order to avoid any chance of bias. The data bank is organized in such a way that an estimate can be made of the degrees of risk involved over a wide range of circumstances. Included are duplicating existing designs and large commercial installations based on smaller commercial installations, pilot models, or bench models.

Jan 1, 1977

CLARENCE N. FENNER.-Mr. Gelstharp, chief chemist of the Pitts-burgh Plate Glass Co., has directed my attention to the fact that that company was using optical pyrometers obtained from the Leeds & Northrup Co. several months before the members of the Geophysical Laboratory arrived at Charleroi. I am glad to make this correction. The chief object of my paper was to emphasize the necessity of careful temperature control in the making of optical glass and to describe the kind of tests to which an optical pyrometer should be subjected at a glass plant in order to obtain information regarding the closeness with which its readings correspond with true temperatures under the condi-tions which prevail in each particular case.

Jan 12, 1919

By N. D. Policow, J. S. Orphanos

Dewatering fine clean coal fractions, -595µm (-28 mesh), represents one of the most difficult and costly separations in typical plant circuits. Since 1969, the screen bowl centrifuge has offered an economical alternative to filtration/thermal dyer combinations. The performance of screen bowl centrifuges has been continuously modified and improved to dewater not only coarser coals, but also today's variety of ultrafine material. Test comparisons with alternative methods show the screen bowl centrifuge to be most cost effective and efficient when all factors are considered.

Jan 1, 1984

By F. C. Blake

THE test of the English cupellation furnace should be so supported that the cupeller can change readily the elevation of the test, and at the same time watch the litharge channel. It is also important to raise or lower either side, independently of the other, in me of uneven wear of the side walls or of the breast. If the refined silver is poured from the test, it is much better to control the lowering of the test from the front than to raise the back by screws or a lever. In order to enable the cupeller to manipulate the test with one hand, when the litharge is running, and to pour the refined silver from the test without aid, I have altered the common support to the test, as shown in the accompanying drawing. The common method of supporting the test is by four screws, working in cross-bar nuts beneath the test. The points of the screws set, into the test plate upon which the test rests. These screws are usually worked by pounding or pulling upon the heads, which may be either small pulleys or straight bars, as shown on the back screws in the drawing. The screws are also worked by turning a crank, which is

Jan 1, 1882