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By W. L. Crentz, E. E. Donath, D. Doherty

Maurice Rey—The influence of cyclone diameter upon the fineness of separation is an important point which, however, cannot be discussed adequately if the injection pressure or the rate of flow are not specified. Perhaps some light can be thrown on the matter by using the formulas derived by Dahlstrom. Let us consider several geometrically similar cyclones where the apertures e and b are equal and proportional to the diameter D and which are operated with the same pressure drop. Eq 8 of Dahlstrom's paper can be written: Q Q = K D'. " or. if F is constant: Q = K D18 K is a constant of proportionality. Introducing this value of Q in eq 13 gives elimination efficiency = K D0' " Elimination efficiency, in the terminology of Dahlstrom, means the diameter of particles, in microns, which divide equally between the underflow and the overflow. This denomination is regrettable and it would be preferable to call it diameter of separation or characteristic size or any other name connoting a size rather than an efficiency. Whatever the name used, the above equation shows a slow increase in the fineness of separation when the diameter of the cyclone decreases. For example, if a 14-in. cyclone gives a 400-mesh separation (37 microns), geometrically similar cyclones, having the same pressure drop will give separations at the sizes shown below.

Jan 1, 1951

By E. E. Donath, W. L. Crentz, D. Doherty

Maurice Rey—The influence of cyclone diameter upon the fineness of separation is an important point which, however, cannot be discussed adequately if the injection pressure or the rate of flow are not specified. Perhaps some light can be thrown on the matter by using the formulas derived by Dahlstrom. Let us consider several geometrically similar cyclones where the apertures e and b are equal and proportional to the diameter D and which are operated with the same pressure drop. Eq 8 of Dahlstrom's paper can be written: Q Q = K D'. " or. if F is constant: Q = K D18 K is a constant of proportionality. Introducing this value of Q in eq 13 gives elimination efficiency = K D0' " Elimination efficiency, in the terminology of Dahlstrom, means the diameter of particles, in microns, which divide equally between the underflow and the overflow. This denomination is regrettable and it would be preferable to call it diameter of separation or characteristic size or any other name connoting a size rather than an efficiency. Whatever the name used, the above equation shows a slow increase in the fineness of separation when the diameter of the cyclone decreases. For example, if a 14-in. cyclone gives a 400-mesh separation (37 microns), geometrically similar cyclones, having the same pressure drop will give separations at the sizes shown below.

Jan 1, 1951

T.B.King (Depaytment of Metallurgy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology)— A valuable contribution of the authors is in the factual information which they have been able to gather; this type of information is quite difficult to obtain. In many respects, however, it would have been better if they had not subsequently embarked on a discussion of the chemistry of the converter process. It seems inconceivable that the authors do not refer to the papers of Schuhmann and his associates14 which have set the thermodynamic foundation for the whole copper smelting operation. In addition, a very useful review on the physical chemistry of copper smelting by Ruddle 5 appeared as long ago as 1953. An examination of this literature would have convinced the authors that there is no cause to be surprised at a correlation between the magnetic content and the silica content of converter slags, though they rightly point out that one should distinguish between the total magnetite content of the slag and the amount of magnetite which may be considered to be in solution. It is not true that the lowest melting converter slag is that corresponding to the eutectic between ferrous oxide and silica. The simplest slag system which can be considered is a three-component system, since both ferric and ferrous iron are present. As Schuhmann, Powell, and Michal have shown, there are lower melting compositions than this eutectic in the ternary system. The most unfortunate impression given by this paper is that the driving force for chemical reaction is determined by the heat of reaction: of course the entropy change must be taken into account. It would have been more correct to list, in Table VI, values for free energies of formation. Nor can it be said that the data in Table VI represent the "best available data." They do not corregtond with any of the recent, acknowledged sources. F. E. Lathe and L. Hodnett(author's reply)— We are pleased that Dr. King finds the factual information in our uawer of some interest. Dr. King suggests that it would have been better if our analysis and discussion of the data had been omitted, largely because our list of references is so. incomplete. If he will carefully read our introduction, he will see that the questionnaire was sent out in the hope of obtaining data which would throw light on certain questions relating to the use of converter refractories. We did not attempt (nor would the AIME have published!) a complete review of the literature on copper converting, as Dr. King has apparently assumed, nor indeed a complete analysis of the data submitted, but tried only to find a sound basis for the choice of refractories, taking into consideration common variations in converter practice. We hope our paper indicates that, by raising the silica content of the converter slag and operating at a higher temperature, the normal circulating load of magnetite can be greatly reduced, and the whole reverberatory-converter operation improved to a major degree, with resultant important savings. Under such operating conditions, chrome-magnesite brick may be expected to stand up better than those of straight magnesite. Regardless of the choice as between these brick types, however, we find the cost of converter refractories to be so low in comparison with other converter costs as to justify operation under the more severe conditions suggested. Valuable as are the papers by Schuhmann and associates and the book by Ruddle, we make no apology for omitting reference to them, nor for using heats of reaction without mention of entropy changes or free energies of formation. Our primary object was to interest the practicing copper metallurgist, with whose language we may claim to be fairly familiar; we think it would have been unwise to include the highly theoretical phases of the subject which Dr. King suggests. The interest shown in our preliminary paper presented at the New York meeting in 1956, and the trends in practice whtat we have observed since that time, suggest that we did not wholly miss the target. In conclusion, we sincerely hope that Professors King and Schuhmann will independently review the data obtained in our questionnaire and submit a paper giving their own recommendations as to the choice of refractories and the particular converter operating conditions which will result in the lowest overall cost of copper smelting and converting.

Jan 1, 1960

The co-operation of the members of the Institute is earnestly sought by the Committee on Nominations, recently appointed by the Board of . Directors, in its work of formulating a ticket for officers and places falling vacant in the Board of Directors in February, 1916. The Committee must present the official ticket of nominations to the Board of Directors at its October meeting. Members are, therefore, urged to send promptly their nominations for officers and Directors in order that the Committee may have an opportunity to give them full consideration. The officers to be elected at the annual meeting in February, 1916, are: One officer, known as Director and President. Two officers, known as Director and Vice-President. Five officers, known as Director; The attention of members is called to Articles V and VII of the Constitution, and to By-Law XIII, which reads as follows: "The geographical districts to be considered by the Committee on Nominations shall he as follows, until otherwise ordered by the Board. District No. 1. New England, New York, and New Jersey, excepting New York City and district., which is provided for in the Constitution. (N. B.-New York City and district is designated District 0.) District No. 2. Pennsylvania. District No. 3. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri. District No. 4. Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. District No. 5. Montana, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. District No. 6. California and Nevada. District No. 7. Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. District No. 8. Louisiana and Texas. District No. 9. Other Southern States and District of Columbia. District No. 10. Mexico. District No. 11. Canada."

Jan 7, 1915

By Bailey Willis

It is proposed to present some of the results of observation of the geologists of the Appalachian division during the past seven years, and of experimental study during the past three years, on the subject of structural geology in the Appalachian Province. The article must be brief, even at the risk of obscurity; but a more complete and fully illustrated paper will appear in the Thirteenth Annual Report of the United States Geological Survey. Certain Facts. The following facts are first to be taken account of: From the Cambrian age to the Carboniferous there existed a conti nent stretching southeast from the present range of the Blue Ridge, covering what is now eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, eastern Vir ginia, North and South Carolina and eastern Georgia, with some un known part of the present Atlantic ocean-bed. Northwest from this continent lay a sea, reaching to the west and north of the Mississippi. Sedimentary deposits derived from the land accumulated with or ganic remains, in the sea; the greater part fell in a narrow zone along the shore, the remainder spread in a comparatively thin sheet over the bottom of the Mediterranean of North America. The resulting strata measure, near Mauch Chunk, Pa., 30,000 feet; over much of Pennsylvania, 20,000 to 25,000 feet; over eastern Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, but 10,000 to 15,000 feet. The stratified mass, considered with reference to its broad physical char acters, consists of three members: A base of shale and sandstone ; a middle of limestone, 2500 to 6000 feet thick—a stratum probably not equalled in the world for uniformity of character and massive ness; and a top of shale and sandstone, 5000 to 23,000 feet thick. This mass has been folded. In a zone 900 miles long and 50 to 125 miles wide, the strata exhibit such attitudes and relations as could result only from a force of compression acting from north west or from southeast, or from both directions. Our problem is :

Jan 1, 1893

By Edmund Newton

The steel industry of the United States has depended in the past almost wholly upon imports for its supplies of manganese. Many of the important domestic sources yield ores leaner in their natural condition than the foreign ores the steel industry. has been accustomed to use. To make them available, therefore, either the ores must be concentrated or the practice of the steel industry modified. Roughly 25,000 T. annually of high-grade manganese ores are used for dry batteries for chemical purpose, and in other ways; while approximately 750,000 T. are required for making steel. , By present practice, every ton of steel takes an average of about 14 lb. (1.8 kg.) of metallic manganese. This is generally added to the steel in the form of an alloy, the standard alloys being the 80-per cent. ferro-manganese and the 20-per cent. spiegeleisen, During the year 1917, 286,000 T. of ferromanganese and 193,291 T. of spiegeleisen were made in this country, the former largely from imported ores; and 45,381 T. of ferromanganese. was imported. The metallic manganese represented by these alloys was 304,000 T., the product of roughly 800,000 T. of high-grade ore and 345,000 T. of low-grade ore. Manganese Deposits in the United States Before the war manganese ore was mined in relatively small quantities in the Appalachian region, including Virginia, Tennessee and Georgia, and in Arkansas, but owing to the increase in prices during the past three years manganese mining has been undertaken also in Montana, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Minnesota. From data now available it appears that in this country deposits of high-grade manganese ores are usually small, while materials lower in manganese and higher in iron occur in appreciable quantities. Our total quantity of manganese-bearing material is relatively large, but on

Jan 1, 1920

By E. R. Funk, H. Udin, J. Wulff

The surface tension of solid silver is measured by a refinement of the Udin, Shaler, and Wulff technique. The tests were made in a purified helium atmosphere at four different temperatures and various times. The average of the results is y = 1140 + 90 dynes per cm for the range 875° to 932°C. A SUCCESSFUL measurement of the surface tension of solid copper was reported by Udin, Shaler, and Wulff.' They performed experiments on copper held in vacuum within 100°C of the melting point. At these temperatures, the creep rate in 5 and 3 mil copper wires was sufficient to permit determination of a balance between the contractile force of surface tension and the extending force of small copper weights joined to the end of the wire specimens. By suspending a series of variously weighted specimens and measuring the change in a gage length during the test, the balancing applied load could be found. This point of zero strain is a measure of the surface tension. The mathematical formulation of this gives: w = r y [1] where w is the weight for zero strain; r, the radius of the wire; and y, the surface tension. A subsequent note by Udin pointed out that eq 1 applies only to single-crystal specimens. Since the specimens used revealed a "bamboo" structure upon

Jan 1, 1952

By Becket, Frederick M.

CHROMIUM is but one hundred and thirty years of age-a mere youngster as related to many metals that' have speeded world progress. It was Vauquelin of France who proved conclusively that the so called red lead of. Siberia contained a new element. The variety and characteristic colors of the compounds suggested the name chromium. He also succeeded in reducing oxide of chromium to the metallic form and described the product as very brittle, infusible, needle- like crystals on which acids had very feeble action. His metal was not pure chromium, of course; it must have contained appreciable carbon in the combined form as a result of reducing the oxide by carbon at high temperatures. Vauquelin's description in 1798 of this work is a gem-indeed, literally, he went so far as to discover the presence of chromium oxide in the emerald. The metallic product did not seem to interest Vauquelin greatly, but a new chemical industry began shortly after his discoveries.

Jan 1, 1928

By H. M. Roche

MAGNETITE mining and milling in the Eastern States in 1939 showed considerable improvement over 1938. For the first eight months of the year production of magnetite proceeded at a normal rate but operations were stepped up in the last four months owing to increased domestic demand. In New York, the Republic Steel Corp. operated the Witherbee-Sherman mines at Mineville throughout the year. Chateaugay Ore and Iron Co. operated their low-phosphorus mine at Lyon Mountain for the first seven months, but on Aug. 1, Republic Steel took over this mine -and have since operated it. In Pennsylvania, the Bethlehem Steel Co, operated the Cornwall mine continuously. In New Jersey, Mt. Hops and Scrub Oak were in operation all year. The Washington mine went into production on Nov. 1 and the Richard mine on Dec. 1.

Jan 1, 1940

By Walter B. Devereux

Metallic copper is a product of native metallurgy in various parts of Mexico, and by somewhat varied processes. While recently examining copper mines in the State of Jalisko, I had an opportunity of witnessing Mexican copper smelting by a process which I have not seen described, and which is interesting from the fact, that a fine quality of copper is produced from sulphurous ores in three metallurgical operations, and apparently without excessive loss. The process was carried on in buildings which were part of a plant erected by an American more than twenty-five years ago for the purpose of smelting and working copper. After a few years this man met with accidental death, and the works have been but little used since. Located in the centre of a high range of mountains, far from any town or seaport, and inaccessible except over difficult mule trails, these substantial buildings, filled with furnaces and heavy machinery,

Jan 1, 1883

Jan 1, 1890

By C. P. Parsons

To properly account for the various characteristics of drilling muds obtained in different areas and geological horizons, it is necessary to study the composition of the mud from a chemical and physical standpoint as determined by the proportions and activities of the various solid contituents that are present in various states of division. Briefly summarized, science teaches that there are three states of division into which these solid constituents or particles may be grouped: namely, the suspended state, the individual particles of which are known as suspensoids; the colloidal state, in which the individual particles are termed colloids; and the crystalloidal state, wherein the individual particles are held in true solution and are termed crystalloids. The suspended state is one wherein the particles are fairly large and are present as molecular complexes, having none of the properties of colloids or crystalloids. Since matter varies in physical character and in chemical activities with its state of division, these coarser suspensoids do not themselves materially affect the physical or chemical properties of the solution in which they are suspended. On the other hand, they are distinctly detrimental in drilling muds and it is desirable that they be removed. Under the general classification of suspensoids are included sand, gravel and cuttings which contribute nothing to the colloidal stability or other desirable properties of the drilling fluid. As the state of division approaches but does not reach a molecular simplification, the term "colloidal state" is used in describing this condition. The colloidal state arises when one form of matter is in a very fine state of division and is distributed through a second phase. The material in the finely divided state is called the dispersed phase, while the liquid in which it is dispersed is called the dispersive phase. These particles of matter are in a colloidal state and will not settle out from the dispersive phase so long as colloidal conditions are stable. Moreover, they exhibit the property of having an oscillating movement around a central position in solution (the Brownian movement). In the third state of division, the crystalloidal state, the individual particles are held in true solution and are usually present as single molecules or ions. In a drilling fluid the water content of the fluid contains

Jan 1, 1931

By Jaakko Kajamaa

Neutron diffraction was applied to determine sheet textures by the transmission method. Cold-rolled and recrystallized copper sheets were investigated. The amount of cube texture was determined for three compositions, in which the phosphorus content was, respectively, 0, 0.005, and 0.03 wt pct. The heat treatment was in every case 8 sec at 650°C. In the two latter cases the cube texture was prevented. In addition a comparison with the X-ray diffraction transmission method was made with the 96 pct cold-rolled copper sheet. Outer parts of both (111) pole figures can be considered to be rather identical. This is seen from the fact that the intensity ratio ITD/120" was 0.45 for neutron diffraction and 0.40 for X-ray diffraction. Differences between the methods were discussed in detail. Features peculiar to neutron and X-ray diffraction in texture studies were listed and compared. In this work neutron diffraction was applied to determine sheet textures. Specifically, it was desired to ascertain whether this method can be used to reveal differences when compared to other methods. In addition, the amount of the cube texture in copper sheets was determined as a function of phosphorus content. Previous applications of neutron diffraction to texture problems include the following: nickel wires,' wire of some bcc metals,' and uranium bars.3 In the neutron diffraction technique the greatest difference is in the sample—its method of production and its volume. A sample needs no treatment and its volume is roughly 105 times larger than the volume of an X-ray diffraction sample. The cold-rolled sheet was investigated both by neutron diffraction and by X-ray diffraction, because it is expected that, due to large number of defects, possible differences in the results of the two methods would be revealed. It is a well-known fact that X-ray lines show broadening when cold-worked. Analysis has shown that this is based chiefly on small crystalline size, micro-stresses, and/or faults.4'5 Neutrons are sensitive to the above-mentioned disturbing factors as well, but circumstances in diffraction are different from the X-ray case. Because the sample represents a larger volume, the result is an average over that volume. In addition, it can be assumed that the sample has preserved its original structure, because it needs no special preparation. The particular limitation of neutrons is the relatively low neutron intensity available from nuclear reactors. This decreases the resolution as compared to the X-ray diffraction methods. Furthermore, absorption mainly reduces diffracted X-ray intensity, while multiple scattering effects, i.e., secondary extinction, disturb neutron diffraction. SO neutrons and X-rays behave in a different way when interacting with matter. As in other structural investigations, one can utilize this difference in texture studies as well. One cold-rolled and three recrystallization textures in copper sheets were investigated by neutron diffraction. The samples were produced at the Outokumpu copper factory to the specifications shown in Table I. The paper is divided into five parts. The first deals with the theory of the measurement. In the second, experimental procedures are described. Results are presented in the third part. Both cold-rolled and re-crystallized samples are studied. Discussion is in the fourth part, and finally in the fifth part some conclusions are drawn. 1) THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS Properties peculiar to neutron diffraction are the following: a) the scattering length varies greatly between one element and another; b) many of the elements do not absorb neutrons appreciably. In this connection it is of primary interest to know the interaction of neutrons with lattice imperfections. As with X-rays this problem leads to diffraction analysis of deformed and recrystallized metals. From the physical point of view the main difference is that neutrons are scattered by nuclei (magnetic scattering is not considered here), whereas X-rays are scattered by electrons. The features peculiar to neutron and X-ray diffraction methods in texture studies are listed in Table 11. Pole figures are an important tool in performing structural analysis of deformed or recrystallized metal. Present texture research technology requires pole figures which are as precise as possible. The choice between these two methods depends on the technical information which is required. The X-ray diffraction transmission technique may give results which are not necessarily representative of the average physical state of the sample. Although foil samples normally contain enough crystallites for diffraction, they may not necessarily represent the whole structure. An example of this problem is the frequently observed difference between the "surface" and the "inside" texture of a sample. The production of foil samples may disturb the original structure of the parent material. The selection and orientation of the foil from the sample is quite arbitrary. Normally, a highly deformed piece of metal has several texture components. Different components are deformed in a slightly different manner. This is a re-

Jan 1, 1969

Conservation and Survey Division, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebr. G. E Condra, State Geologist. Publications in geology of tlie Conservation and Survey Division are as follows: No 1, Stratigraphy of the Pennsylvanian System in Nebraska, by G. E Condra, 75 cents; 3, Correlation of tlie Pennsyl-

Jan 1, 1933

By William Waters Van Ness

The Pierrefitte mines, situated in the South of France, in the district of the Hautes-Pyrenees, owe their name to the fact that the first mining operations of any extent, and of comparatively reccnt date, were carried out in the neighborhood of the village of Pierrefitte, which is a branch terminus of the Midi railway. The Pierrefitte mines, however, embrace a wide extent of country and several different concessions, on most of which comparatively little exploration-work has been done. The portion of the property presently to be described is a zone running roughly E—W., over a distance of about 5 miles from the valley of Cauterets to the valley of Estaing, the ridge dividing these valleys being a spur of the main chain of the Pyrenees, and running more or less at right angles to it. According to local tradition, which various indications tend to confirm, these mines are of ancient date, the first workings being attributed to the Romans, who are supposcd to have sought not only the lead but also the silver which is contained in the ore. Old slags have been found in the neighborhood which might well have been produced from the cupellation of lead-ores. These old workings, while of considerable extent at times, do not seem to have extended beyond a depth of 100 ft., even this depth being somewhat exceptional. The old notarial records of the district show that mines were known to exist, and that they were even worked, in the sixteenth century, but since the mines were abandoned (by the Romans or others) considerably prior to this period, very little

Jan 1, 1909

By D. C. Hilty

It has long been known that in melting high-chromium steels, some of the carbon might be oxidized out of the melt without excessive simultaneous oxidation of chromium, and that higher temperatures favor retention of chromium. The advent of oxygen injection as a tool for rapid decarburization of a steel bath permits significantly higher bath temperatures, and it was quickly recognized that the use of oxygen injection facilitated the oxidation of carbon to low levels in the presence of relatively high residual chromium contents. Up to the present time, however, specific data pertaining to the chro-mium-carbon-temperature relations in chromium steel refining have not been available. Individual steelmakers have evolved practices more or less empirically, but there has been very little real basis for predicting how effective any given practice can be in permitting maximum oxidation of carbon with minimum loss of chromium. The current investigation, therefore, was undertaken in an effort to establish the fundamental carbon-chromium relationship in molten iron under oxidizing conditions. As reported below, the equilibrium constant and the influence of temperature on that constant have been derived for the iron-chromium-carbon-oxygen reaction in the range of chromium steel compositions with what appears to be a fair degree of precision. The practical application of the result will be obvious. Experimental Procedure The laboratory investigation was carried out on chromium steel heats melted in a magnesia crucible in a 100-lb capacity induction furnace at the Union Carbide and Carbon Re- search Laboratories. The charges for the heats consisted of Armco iron, low-carbon chromium metal, and high-carbon chromium metal, the relative proportions of which were calculated so that the various heats would contain from approximately 0.06 pct carbon and 8 pct chromium to 0.40 pct carbon and 30 pct chromium at melt-down. When the charges were melted, the bath temperatures were raised to the desired level, and the heats were then decarburized by successive injections of oxygen at the slag-metal interface through a ½-in. diam silica tube at a pressure of 30 psi. The duration of the oxygen injections was from 30 sec to 2 min. at intervals of approximately 5 to 30 min. It did not appear that length or frequency of the injection periods had any significant effect on the results; cansequently, no effort was made to hold them constant and they were controlled only as was expedient to the general working of the heats. Between successive injections, the heats were sampled by means of a copper suction-tube sampler that yields a sound, rapidly-solidified sample representative of the composition of the molten metal at the temperature of sampling. This sampling device is a modification of the one described by Taylor and Chipman.1 An attempt was made to vary bath temperatures between samples, but it quickly became evident that, unless the variations were small or unless the new temperature was maintained for a minimum of 15 min. during which an injection of oxygen was made in order to accelerate the reactions, a very wide departure from equilibrium resulted. For most of the runs, therefore, temperature was maintained relatively constant at approximately 1750 or 1820°C. A few reliable observations at other temperatures, however, were obtained. Temperature Measurement The high temperatures involved in this investigation were measured by the radiation method, utilizing a Ray-O-Tube focused on the closed end of a refractory tube immersed in the metal bath. The immersion tubes employed were high-purity alumina tubes specially prepared by the Tona-wanda Laboratory of The Linde Air Products Co. These tubes were quite sturdy under reasonable mechanical stress at high temperature. They were unusually resistant to thermal shock, and chemical attack on them by the melts was slow. With care, it was found possible to keep these tubes continuously immersed in a heat for as long as 5 hr at temperatures up to 1850°C, before failure by fluxing occurred. The Ray-O-Tube—alumina tube assemblage was similar to those supplied commercially for lower temperature applications. In operation, the alumina tube was slowly immersed in the molten metal to a depth of approximately 5 in., and the device was then clamped solidly to a supporting jig where it remained for the duration of the run. A photograph of the equipment, in operation with Ray-O-Tube in place and oxygen injection in progress, is shown in Fig 1. When in position in a heat, the instrument was calibrated by means of an immersion thermocouple and an optical pyrometer. For calibration through the range of temperatures from 1500 to 1650°C, a platinum -platinum + 10 pct rhodium thermocouple in a silica tube was immersed alongside the alumina tube. Output of the Ray-O-Tube in millivolts and the

Jan 1, 1950

Jan 1, 1930

By H. A. Hancock, L. M. Pidgeon

Equilibrium carbon monoxide pressures were measured over the reaction between chromium oxide and a number of solid ferrochromium alloys in the composition range 0.4 to 4.8 pct C and 0 to 49 pct Fe. Measurements were also made for the carbides Cr23C6 and Cr7C3 which agreed well with previous investigations. Between 1050°and 1400°C the pvessures varied from 0.1 to 56 mm and increased markedly with the iron and carbon contents of the alloys. The data were used to estimate the activity of carbon in the alloys and to calculate the equilibrium conditions for the decarburization of a useful range of ferrochromium alloys. WHEN ferrochromium is produced by the reduction of chromite with carbon in an electric arc furnace it invariably contains up to 10 wt pct C. For many purposes such as the production of stainless steel, it is necessary that the carbon content be as low as from 0.02 to 0.05 pct. Thus an important part of the ferrochromium industry consists of the production of low carbon ferrochromium. The classical Bessemer steelmaking technique cannot be used to oxidize low carbon contents in chromium and ferrochromium alloys without also oxidizing the chromium. Recently a new commercial process2-4 has been introduced for oxidizing carbon from high chromium content alloys which consists of heating the solid alloy with such oxidizing agents as Cr2O3, Fe2O3, or SiO2 in a retort at reduced pressures. By maintaining the carbon monoxide pressure below the equilibrium value for the system, the carbon can be removed as carbon monoxide without oxidizing the chromium. The equilibrium conditions for the decarburization of solid chromium carbon alloys have been determined by Boericke5 who measured the carbon monoxide pressure over the reaction between the various chromium carbides and chromium oxide. A typical reaction is shown below. Cr23C6 + 2Cr2O3 =u 27Cr + 6CO [1] These values are not applicable to the decarburization of commercial ferrochromium alloys which invariably contain major amounts of iron. The present investigation was therefore undertaken to measure the change in the equilibrium carbon monoxide pressure brought about by additions of iron to the Cr-C-0 system, thus extending the work of Boericke into the region of the production of low carbon ferrochromium. MATERIALS AND METHOD Materials. Measurements were made on two carbides of chromium, Cr233C6 and Cr7C3, and fifteen Fe-Cr-C alloys. The chromium carbides were made

Jan 1, 1963

By Robert Bedford

THE objects of this paper are: 1. To give cost data on drilling obtained at the North Star mine in California; 2. To describe the methods of testing drills employed there, giving the results of shop tests, and the correlated data obtained underground; 3. To demonstrate that these tests form a satisfactory basis upon which to judge rock drills. The rock at this mine is either close-grained diabase in the upper levels, or tough grano-diorite in the lower levels. The vein, which has an average dip of 23°, consists of about 5 ft. of "formation" lying between walls of unaltered country rock. Of the 5 ft., solid quartz and stringers make up 18 in. of pay ore. The formation, which consists of but slightly altered country rock, is almost as hard as the unaltered walls. From 4 to 42 ft. is sent to the mill. One-third of the holes are drilled in the quartz; two-thirds in the formation. The holes are about 42 ft. deep and break on the average of 1.15 tons per hole. The average number of holes per stope drill shift is at present 5.65. The number of drill shifts throughout the mine in 1913, was 18,679, and the cost of labor for drilling, power, supplies, upkeep of machines and air lines, tool sharpening, and distribution, amounted to 33 per cent. of total mining expense. To do this work there are in commission 43 No. 12A, three No. 17V and eight No. 16V Waugh stopers, three Jackhamers, two Waugh pluggers, and 17 No. 8 ,and two No. 7 water Leyners. For the past three years a record has been kept of the repairs on each machine and number of shifts operated by it. The figures given in Tables I and II for the cost of repairs per drill shift have been taken from this record. The underground air pressure is about 90 lb. The air consumption per drill shift was measured by, aerometers. The leakage of pipe lines between compressor and meter is not included. From the number of pieces of steel sharpened for each type of drill during the year the average used per drill shift has been ascertained. For other supplies the figures given represent a year's average.

Jan 8, 1914

By H. Stigzelius

FINLAND'S recent mining history is both dramatic and pitiful in its shifting fortunes, dominated as it has been, by the country's proximity to the border zone of opposing dictatorships and social traditions; Fascism to the south, Communism to the east, and Democracy to the west. After 108 years under Russia's more or less harsh rule, Finland gained its democratic independence during the 1917 revolutionary strife in Russia with the official help of Germany and spontaneous help of other neighbors. The young nation was attacked by Russia in 1939 and again in 1941. It is common knowledge how the Finns fought with everything they had and everything they could get against their overwhelming adversary, and how by force of circumstances they landed in the Axis camp in 1941. Finland has never been known as a mining country in the same way as near-by Sweden, whose abundant iron and copper smelters during long periods so greatly contributed to the nation's welfare. Its largely barren, Archaean-granite geology long seemed forbidding. Some mining was done, to be sure; copper and tin at Pitkaranta near the Russian border, and lead and copper at Orijarvi. But towards the end of the last century the absence of a single producing mine cast a pessimistic shadow of truth over the Finnish poet Runeberg's words, that

Jan 1, 1946