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By F. Bahnemann

IN discussing the problem of abnormal magnetic polarization, C. A. Heiland1? emphasized the unfortunate fact that our knowledge of the geological and physical conditions relating to such occurrences is very limited and that a more detailed insight into their physical causes would be extremely valuable for interpreting measured anomalies. He also pointed out that to arrive at quantitative physical formulas that would express the conditions that cause abnormal polarization many more occurrences of the kind would have to be recorded. The first part of this paper is a contribution to such descriptions.

Jan 1, 1935

By W. G. Pfann

In zone-melting, a small molten zone or zones traverse a long charge of alloy or impure metal. Consequences of this manner of freezing are examined with impurerespect to solute distribution in the ingot, with particular reference to purification and to prevention of segregation. Results are expressed in terms of the number, size, and direction of travel of the zones, the initial intermsofsolute distribution, and the distribution coefficient. IF a charge of binary solid-solution alloy is melted and then frozen slowly from one end, as for example in the Bridgman method of making single crystals,' coring usually occurs, with a resulting end-to-end variation in concentration. Such coring, or normal segregation, is undesirable where uniformity is an object. On the other hand, for certain systems, it can be utilized to refine a material by concentrating impurities at one end of the ingot.'. ' In the present paper a different manner of freezing will be examined with respect to the distribution of solute in the ingot. A number of procedures will be indicated which have in common the traversal of a relatively long charge of solid alloy by a small molten zone. Such methods will be denoted by the general term zone-,melting, while the process described in the preceding paragraph will be called normal freezing. It will be shown that, in contrast to normal freezing, zone-melting affords wide latitude in possible distributions of solute. Segregation can either be almost entirely eliminated or it can be enhanced so as to provide a high degree of sttparation of solute and solvent. A number of simplifying assumptions will be invoked which, while not entirely realizable in practice, nevertheless provide a suitable point of departure for more refined treatments. Moreover, our own experience with zone-melting has shown that, for certain systems at least, the analysis holds quite well. The present paper will be confined to a discussion of principles and a general description of procedures. Comparison with experiment is planned for later publication. Normal Freezing Before considering zone-melting, segregation during normal freezing will be reviewed briefly. If a cylinder of molten binary alloy is made to freeze from one end as in Fig. 1, there usually will be a segregating action which will concentrate the solute in one or the other end of the ingot. If the constitutional diagram for the system is like that of Fig. 2, then the distribution coefficient k, defined as the ratio of the concentration in the solid to that in the liquid at equilibrium, will be less than one and the solute will be concentrated in the last regions to freeze. If the solute raises the freezing point, then k will be greater than one and the solute will be concentrated in the first regions to freeze. The concentration in the solid as a function of g, the fraction which has solidified, can be expressed by the relation: C = kC0 (1-g)k-1 [I] where C, is the initial solute concentration in the melt. Eq 1 is based on the following assumptions: 1—Diffusion in the solid is negligible. 2—Diffusion in the liquid is complete (i.e., concentration in the liquid is uniform). 3—k is constant. Concentration curves representing eq 1 for k's from 0.01 to 5.0 are plotted in Fig. 3. This equation, in one form or another, has been treated by Gulliver,³ Scheuer,4 Hayes and Chipman5 for alloys and by McFee2 for NaCl crystals. It is derived in Appendix I. It should be pointed out that the k which is calculated from the phase diagram will be valid only in the ideal case for which the stated assumptions are correct. In all actual cases, the effective k will be larger than this value for solutes which lower the melting point, smaller for solutes which raise the melting point, and will probably vary during the beginning of the freezing process. For simplification it will be assumed that the ideal k is valid. Zone-Leveling Processes The processes of this part are designed to produce a uniform, or level, distribution of solute in the ingot. Single Pass: Consider a rod or charge of alloy whose cross-section is constant and whose composition, C2, is constant, although permissibly varying on a microscopic scale." Such a charge might be a rapidly frozen casting or a mixture of crushed or powdered constituents. Cause a molten zone of

Jan 1, 1953

By Peter J. Lean

The introduction oE computer control in the grinding circuit of the New Broken Hill Consolidated Limited concentrator in the early 1970's gave smoother operation at optimum performance. The ore feedrate and water additions to the grinding circuit were controlled to operate each of the ball mill/ rake classifier grinding units at the upper limit of the circulating load while classifier overflow density was maintained to give a product size and pulp density suitable for flotation. An incremental expansion of the concentrator in 1981-82 included the installation of hydrocyclones in closed circuit with three of the four ball mills. Without the rake classifiers in circuit the previous control strategy could not be used and the complex interaction of hydrocyclone performance characteristics when classifying coarse grained sulphide ore resulted in the over-grinding of the lead mineral galena. Testwork aimed at optimising grinding circuit performance recognised the enhanced tendency of higher specific gravity minerals to report to the cyclone underflow. The data has been evaluated on an individual mineral basis and then used to develop a model For grinding circuit control. The development of the model which uses inputs of ore feedrate, metal content of the Feed and slurry density of the cyclone overflow to predict the size of the minerals in the grinding circuit product is described and model predictions are compared with plant performance.

Jan 1, 1984

By William Cruger

OUTLINE SUMMARY A. Brief Description B. Characteristics 1. Can be highly cost effective 2. Restricted in usage 3. Political Controversy 4. Volume of Transactions 5. Users C. Mechanism 1. Five steps D. Investor issues 1. Application 2. Restricted usage 3. Discount 4. Formal or informal process 5. Restricted benefits 6. Recompense 7. Window of opportunity THE VARIOUS PROGRAMS1 A. Brazil B. Chile C. Venezuela D. Argentina E. Mexico USAGE IN THE MINING, METALLURGICAL, AND PETROLEUM INDUSTRIES

Jan 1, 1990

By B. Ball, C. H. Cox, S. N. Yap

Electrokinetic measurements on cassiterite were made in the presence of sodium di-hydrogen phosphate, mono-hydrogen arsenate, bisulfite, and sulfate. Flotation studies were also conducted using sodium dodecyl sulfonate in the presence of these salts. It was found that the anions specifically adsorb on cassiterite in the order H2AsO-4 H2PO4 HSO3 SO4 and consequently cause flotation depression. The adsorption mechanisms of the various inorganic anions are discussed in detail.

Jan 1, 1980

By C. A. Heiland

Geophysical methods are playing an ever increasing part in various engineering fields. About ten years ago, geophysical exploration was first applied in civil engineering to the study of foundations and the location of construction materials and water. Its usefulness is now being extended into the field of structural engineering. Almost every structure has to be so designed that it will withstand any force to which it may be subjected. Such forces may result from its own weight, applied loads, pressures of various kinds, including those due to wind and water, ground subsidence and vibrations. The last two, problems involving the nature and dynamic behavior of surface and subsurface formations, are within the scope of geophysical investigations. In the design of any structure, the disposition and dimensions of its members as well as their materials must be so selected that they will withstand any or all of the forces enumerated above. In other words, its "resistance" to such forces must be sufficient, allowing for a definite margin of safety. Often a static treatment of the problem leads to satisfactory results, but the static method entails serious errors when vibrations are involved, as in resonance with an impressed vibration the displacements of a structure or parts thereof may dangerously exceed the allowable values. The principle of "dynamic design"† is, therefore, avoiding or reducing resonance by suitable selection of the natural frequency of a structure, or by the provision of damping. Methods of Investigation Dynamic design of structures is required where ground vibrations occur naturally or are produced artificially. Earthquake regions fall in the first group; areas of industrial activity where vibrations are produced by machinery, blasting, etc., fall in the second. In either case, dynamic

Jan 1, 1940

By C. A. Heiland

Geophysical methods are playing an ever increasing part in various engineering fields. About ten years ago, geophysical exploration was first applied in civil engineering to the study of foundations and the location of construction materials and water. Its usefulness is now being extended into the field of structural engineering. Almost every structure has to be so designed that it will withstand any force to which it may be subjected. Such forces may result from its own weight, applied loads, pressures of various kinds, including those due to wind and water, ground subsidence and vibrations. The last two, problems involving the nature and dynamic behavior of surface and subsurface formations, are within the scope of geophysical investigations. In the design of any structure, the disposition and dimensions of its members as well as their materials must be so selected that they will withstand any or all of the forces enumerated above. In other words, its "resistance" to such forces must be sufficient, allowing for a definite margin of safety. Often a static treatment of the problem leads to satisfactory results, but the static method entails serious errors when vibrations are involved, as in resonance with an impressed vibration the displacements of a structure or parts thereof may dangerously exceed the allowable values. The principle of "dynamic design"† is, therefore, avoiding or reducing resonance by suitable selection of the natural frequency of a structure, or by the provision of damping. Methods of Investigation Dynamic design of structures is required where ground vibrations occur naturally or are produced artificially. Earthquake regions fall in the first group; areas of industrial activity where vibrations are produced by machinery, blasting, etc., fall in the second. In either case, dynamic

Jan 1, 1940

By AIME AIME

WHEN your good secretary was kind enough to ask me to speak tonight I was rather reluctant to do so lest it be just another case of a man who has been abroad inflicting himself on his friends. So if anybody wants to walk out on me it will be perfectly all right. In the matter of statistics, geography, geology, and the like, you can get more from an encyclopaedia than I can tell you. For that reason I want to restrict myself to mentioning just a few personal impressions of that great country, Australia. About ten days ago I met the professor of mining from the University of Adelaide. In our conversation, which ran into a discussion of the relative characterstics of the two countries, he asked me whether it was fair to think of Australia as a land of strikes and not think of the United States as the home of murderers, bootleggers, and gangsters. At any rate those are the things most prominently played up in the news from the respective countries, so you can see how distorted our conceptions can be.

Jan 1, 1931

(Members are urged to send in for this column any notes of interest concerning themselves or their fellow-members.) Members and guests who called at Institute headquarters during the period Feb. 10, 1916 to Mar. 10, 1916: D. A. S. Bell, Ottawa, Can. E. B. Latham, Santa Maria, Cal.. John Cooper, Exeter, Devonshire, Eng. H. N. Lawrie, Portland, Ore. I. Dally, Seattle, `Wash. L. A. Levensaler, Tacoma, Wash. George W. Evans, Seattle, Wash. George J. Lyon, Schenectady N. Y. Alexander Fyfe, London, Eng. Fred MacCoy, Antofagasta, Chile. F. C. Greene, Seattle, «rash. J. Mitchell-Roberts, London, Eng. I. Ishikawa, Tokio, Japan. Chas. W. A. Sultan, Yonkers, N. Y. William Kelly, Vulcan, Mich. R. B. Tinsley, Big Stone Gap, Va. Paul S. King, Wilmington, Del. Walter E. Trent, Reno Nev. Oscar Lachmund, Greenwood, B. C. Alfred W. G. Wilson, Ottawa, Can. J. S. Lane, New York City. Nelson Dickerman has resigned as general Manager of the Pato Mines (Colombia), Ltd., and The Nechi Mines (Colombia), Ltd., and will return from Colombia to San Francisco, Cal., the latter part of April. W. A. Prichard has been appointed as his successor.

Jan 4, 1916

Solution mining got back in the news recently when Kalium Chemicals, Ltd., a joint subsidiary of Pittsburgh Plate Glass and Armour & Co. announced its plans to go full speed ahead in mining potash by the solution method in its vast holdings 30 miles west of Regina, Saskatchewan. The company is keeping the technical details of this mining technique under wraps for competitive reasons, but company officials insist that the major difficulties in solution mining of potash have been overcome and that the final product will have definite competitive advantages on the open market. Kalium's holdings in the Regina area total about 500 sq mi. The ore-primarily sylvite mixed with appreciable quantities of halite-occurs in the Prairie Evaporite formation at a depth of 5300 ft. The ore zone averages about 100 ft in thickness. Too deep to be economically mined by conventional underground methods, such as is being done at International Minerals & Chemical Corp.'s Esterhazy mine (depth about 3100 ft), Kalium gambled that it could develop a successful method of solution mining even though earlier attempts in Germany, the U.S., and Canada had failed.

Jan 6, 1964

By J. C. Mertz

ACCURATE knowledge of the solid solubilities of the elements that dissolve in the important base metals is needed for guidance in the preparation and heat-treatment of the alloys derived from these compo-nents. While there is still difference of opinion concerning the merits of the X-ray and microscopic methods of determining such solubilities, it is certainly true that the recent extensive use of X-ray diffraction to review the existing constitutional data has revealed many glaring inaccu-racies and has brought about a much improved knowledge of phase-boundary locations, which will inevitably come to include all of the important alloy systems. When the work is done with all necessary precautions it appears that in the majority of cases where the solubilities extend beyond a few tenths of a per cent the X-ray back-reflection technique is capable of furnishing the best of information in this field. For the most prolonged and thorough studies it is obviously advisable to combine the results of several methods, in particular, to obtain an agreement between X-ray and microscopic data. This paper reviews the work previously done on the solubilities of phosphorus, arsenic, antimony and bismuth in copper and, in considera-tion of the uncertainties thus made apparent, presents, new X-ray data obtained with the first three members of this group.

Jan 1, 1936

By E. D. Gardner

The tide of increasing demand for metals turned during early 1949, with resultant lower prices. The production of the principal metals was less than in 1948. The problem of high unit costs, however, was held over from 1948. With the lower prices for metals, greater efforts are being made to reduce operating costs. The labor supply was adequate during the latter half of the year in most districts. The force has been reduced at most mines; some mines were idle during part of the year because of strikes, and others ceased operations on their own account. In the main, labor efficiency increased during the year in underground metal mines. Efforts are being made generally to improve labor relations. Green men hired in the time of the scarcity of skilled miners are becoming better trained. The supervisory personnel of most mines is cost conscious, and the planning of operations has been improved. Overhead costs are being scrutinized. The trend toward mechanization underground continued strong. Mining technology rapidly is becoming a problem of handling materials. Surface miners, underground miners and miners of metals, nonmetallics, and coal can learn much Gardner from each other. A mine, however, may become overmechanized. The capital charges against new equipment may exceed the saving in labor costs where sufficient daily tonnage is not handled.

Jan 1, 1950

By Charles Means

A THOROUGHLY modern coal-handling system has been installed at the Pittsburgh Terminal R. R. & Coal Co.'s new No. 8 shaft, or Coverdale mine, about 11 mi. (17.7 km.) from Pittsburgh on a spur f the Montour R. R. The Pittsburgh seam, which is the one worked, is reached at a depth of 342 ft. (104 m.). Power is delivered to the mine at 22,000 volts over a transmission line of the bow-arrow type of construction. A private telephone line connecting the various mines and the main office in Pittsburgh is carried on the same poles. The high-tension line is brought to an outdoor, step-down, transformer substation, where three 833-kv.-a., single-phase, 60-cycle, oil-insulated, self-cooled transformers reduce the potential to 2300 volts. The transformers are protected by electrolytic, aluminum-cell lightning arresters, horn gaps, and choke coils. High and low-tension busses, together with fuses, choke coils and air-break horn-gap switches with their remote-control operating mechanism are mounted on a substantial structural-steel tower 25 ft. (7.6 m.) in height. MINE SUBSTATION The transformer substation is adjacent to a pressed-brick building that houses direct-current substation equipment together with switchboards, etc., for the control and distribution of power. This building also contains the hoist for the men and supplies.

Jan 9, 1921

By V. N. Antaki

ELEMENTAL phosphorus (referred to as P,) is a true mineral product that has developed, in the relatively brief span of a century, from a laboratory curiosity to a heavy chemical. Annual production now exceeds 300,000 short tons. Continued rise in production has been predicted, consistent with new applications for P, derivatives and the expected population increase. In itself elemental P, is valuable chiefly as an 'intermediate chemical. The principal end uses at present are in inorganic phosphates, both simple and complex, of sodium and potassium, used in water treatment and detergent compounds, leavening agents, food supplements, and dentifrices. Organic P, compounds are important as plasticizers, oil additives, flotation agents, and more recently as gasoline additives (TCP being the outstanding example). The increasing use of high-analysis water-soluble and liquid solution fertilizers, as well as the direct application of phosphoric acid to the soil, will probably be the most significant factors in P, production growth rate. Coke oven plants now using sulfuric acid to fix byproduct ammonia values will gradually switch to phosphoric acid in order to market a fertilizer with completely available values. Recently sponsored experiments show that phosphoric acid can be directly admixed with cattle and poultry feed to produce rapid growth. Both P, compounds and modifiers for oil well drilling mud show increasingly promising significance.

Jan 3, 1957

By George Burgess

THE Pyrometer Committee was. formed Sept. 20, 1918, at the suggestion of Dr. H. M. Howe, Chairman of the Engineering Division of the Research Council, for the purpose of developing a pyrometric method suitable for open-hearth steel practice so that the effects of temperature in the various stages of the processes of steel making might be correlated quantitatively with the other factors influencing the production of sound .steel. As finally constituted the Committee consists of Dr. George K. Burgess, Chief Division of Metallurgy, Bureau of Standards, Chairman. Dr. Paul D. Foote, Chief of Pyrometry Section, Bureau of Standards, Secretary. Dr. H. M. Howe, Chairman Engineering Division, National Research Council, ex officio. Prof. G. H. Clevenger, Chairman Metallurgical Section, National Research Council, ex officio. Mr. F. E. Bash, Leeds & Northrup Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. R. P. Brown, The Brown Instrument Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Prof. G. H. Brown, Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J. Mr. R. C. Drinker, metallurgical engineer, Boston, Mass., Dr. W. E. Forsythe, Nela Research Laboratory, Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. J. T. Hall, Taylor-Wharton Iron & Steel Co., High Bridge, N. J. Mr. J. S. McDowell, Harbison-Walker Refractories Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. Mr. Malcolm McNaughton, Joseph Dixon Crucible Co., Jersey City, N. J. Mr. A.' H. Miller, Midvale Steel Co., Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. F. E. Walduck (since deceased), The Norton Co., Worcester, Mass.

Jan 9, 1919

By R. F. Pilgrim

A digital computer program to mathematically simulate the effect of limited changes in feed rate in the range of 80 to 95 tph on a plant-scale wet grinding circuit has been developed and tested. The circuit studied included an 8-ft-diam X 12-ft rod mill operating in open circuit and feeding two parallel 12-ft-diam x 10-ft pebble mills, each one operating in closed circuit with an 8 X 32-ft rake classifier. The simulation is an empirical one based on two sets of data collected manually from the operating circuit under what was said to be steady-state feed rates of 80 and 95 tph with all other operating variables also at steady state. The procedure is a combination of several published approaches to the modeling of grinding mills and classifiers and it is applicable to a wide range of circuits. The program permits the computing of the size distributions of all feeds and discharges of all grinding units and classifiers in the circuit for a specified feed rate. The data used in this report for demonstrating the program are unsatisfactory since the circuit was not operating under steady-state conditions when it was sampled. Consequently the circuit model parameters could not be accurately estimated. The predictive power would be greatly improved if new data were obtained under true steady-state conditions.

Jan 1, 1973

Application of Kutter's Formula to Gases Discussion of paper by F.-ERNEST BRACKETT, presented at the Pittsburgh Meeting and issued, as Pamphlet No. 1578-A-F, with MINING AND METALLURGY, June. 1926. C. S. WITHERELL, New York, N. Y..(written discussion).-There is no reason to doubt that the relationship between the rate of, flow and. the impelling force of all fluids can be expressed by a general typical equation that takes cognizance of all relevant factors such as density, viscosity (or its reciprocal, mobility) and nature of channel-walls. Most fluids that are commonly conveyed by flow in confined channels are so highly mobile that they may be considered non-viscous, hence for these fluids the factor of viscosity does not need to appear in the equation. Water is the outstanding example of this class of fluids and its dynamic behavior has been so thoroughly investigated that proven formulas pertaining thereto, be they rational or empirical, would naturally serve as prototypes for the other non-viscous fluids. As non-viscous fluids can be classed all gases and vapors, most unsaturated aqueous solutions, gasoline, alcohol, etc. Viscous fluids comprise those that have a sluggish flow such as most oils, tar, molasses, etc., the' high viscosity of which is due to shearing resistance between molecules, a force that must betaken into account in figuring the flow of fluids of this class.

Jan 10, 1926

By David C. Yang

INTRODUCTION Over the world, and especially in the United States, there is increasing dependence upon progressively lower grade ore deposits. These lower grade ores are frequently difficult or impossible to process due to complex mineral assemblages being very finely disseminated. Thus, many of the conventional mineral concentration methods are not applicable to these ores. For the last few decades, research in the more exotic mineral processing techniques has been conducted, both in universities and in governmental and industrial laboratories. Since its inception, the Institute of Mineral Research of Michigan Technological University (MTU) has devoted much of its attention to the problems of processing refractory, low grade ores. Recently a new flotation system was developed which shows promise of being applicable to a broad range of ore types. This process has been the subject of two allowed patent applications. This paper describes the details of such a flotation system which is potentially useful for treating ultrafine minerals. Some highlights of the testing program on a variety of iron ores and a group of lithium-bearing ores will be presented. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES Both iron and lithium ore flotation treatments followed the same general procedures, with minor differences in pH and in reagent dosages. The method is rather simple, efficient and economical from the standpoint of recovery and the cost of reagents consumed.

Jan 1, 1979

By H. D. Peterson, G. E. Butts, J. F. Spisak

In 1978, Anschutz Mining Corp. began efforts to develop the Madison Cobalt Project in southeast Missouri. Preliminary metallurgical studies indicated that intermediate grade cobalt products, suitable for shipment to existing refineries, could be recovered from the sulfide mineralization of the ore body. However, tolling and freight charges were significant, as the refineries were located outside the US. These refineries would not satisfy the goal of strategically insulated production of superalloy-grade cobalt. The acquisition of proven, readily available refinery technologies was then evaluated. However, licensing costs were substantial and the "proven" technologies were not directly applicable to the unique chemistry of Madison materials. Faced with these challenges, Anschutz, in conjunction with the Colorado School of Mines Research Institute, embarked on an effort to develop a sulfate-based separation and refining process. CSMRI performed bench-scale and continuous pilot experiments on solutions generated through other pilot campaigns conducted by Lurgi, Hazen Research, and Sherritt Gordon. The results indicated that cobalt could be selectively extracted from sulfate media using a new generation of organophosphates. The solvent extraction system produced a solution suitable for electrolysis of high-purity cobalt. Preliminary cost studies indicated the novel process was competitive with other refinery systems. Plans to develop the detailed engineering-design information required to commercialize the process were abandoned when the price of cobalt collapsed to less than $17.64/kg ($8.00 per lb).

Jan 1, 1985

By John Reynders

Our entry into the World War suddenly brought home to us in a startling way the vital importance of manganese. Since the war, much has been written and said upon the subject of manganese and a great deal of time and money have been spent in attempts to find an adequate substitute for this metal in the manufacture of steel; none has been found. It is true that ways are known by which it is possible to make small amounts of good steel without manganese; but taking into consideration the diminishing quality of iron ores and fuels. as' well as the increasing exaction of specifications for finished products, it may safely be assumed that high-grade manganese ore will be more and. more a necessity in the production of steel as time goes on. Taking world resources as a whole it may be well to point out that the problem of obtaining needed supplies of manganese from a strictly commercial viewpoint is now less serious than it was before the war. Formerly it was feared that world resources of high-grade manganese ore might be exhausted in a relatively short time, but, largely as a result of the stress laid upon the importance of manganese during the war, the world's available supply of high-grade manganese ore has been greatly augmented by new discoveries and fuller development of previously known deposits.

Jan 5, 1927