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By Kenneth P. Katen

INTRODUCTION Though the use of continuous mining machines consolidated the operations of cutting, drilling, blasting, and loading in one machine that would theoretically provide uninterrupted production, it was soon realized that the face haulage and roof support operations remained as major impediments to continuous production. The ability to provide not only continuous cutting and loading, but also continuous haulage and roof support (see Fig. I), was the basis for the introduction of mechanized longwall systems in this country from Europe in 1951. The early systems employed friction props for roof support, but were to become obsolete shortly after introduction of the first hydraulically powered, self-advancing supports in 1960. Since then, use of the longwall technique has grown to the point where it is currently providing more than 5% of the annual output of underground coal mines in the United States. The shortwall system had its origin in Australia, but was first introduced into this country in 1962 following the development of powered roof supports. It, too, provides for continuous cutting, loading, and roof support (see Fig. 2), but has not experienced the widespread popularity of longwall due to its inherent inability to easily provide for continuous haulage. While there are in the neighborhood of 100 longwall systems currently in operation in this country, there are only a handful of short- wall operations providing production of slightly more than 907 184.7 t/a (1,000,000 stpy) Both of these systems provide uninterrupted roof support for face operations by means of hydraulically powered steel roof supports. In each case, the coal removal consists of open-end cuts made from the narrow end of a large rectangular pillar (panel) which has been blocked out by continuous miners developing entries around its perimeter. However, this is the extent of the similarities between the two systems. It is hoped

Jan 1, 1981

By J. B. Morrow, D. H. Davis

THERE are two general approaches to the problem of increasing profits from an operation. One is to lower expense; the other is to raise income. Mechanical preparation of coal may be used for either purpose but a prudent consideration of many details must precede any decision lest the results be negative instead of positive. It is quite possible that any net gain will result from a combination of the two. Since mechanically prepared coal invariably is a better product qualitatively than a hand-picked coal from the same mine, it is a reasonable expectation that the customer will be willing to increase the producer's income by paying a higher price. Or there may be the possibility that a combination of mechanical mining plus mechanical cleaning will give a lower over-all production cost for the coal in the railroad car. More likely, there will be found a combination of these two factors. From the customer's point of view, the competitive delivered cost per B.t.u. considered in relation to such incidental factors as dust nuisance, handling properties, ash disposal, and ash fusibility determines what he will pay. In-a bulk tonnage such as coal, freight is a very considerable part of the delivered fuel cost, and obviously freight paid on incombustible ash has no economic attractions. INCENTIVE FOR CLEANING Coal is prepared in four major ways: l (1) by screening or sizing, (2) by mixing or blending, (3) by cleaning, including hand picking and mechanical cleaning, (4) by dustless treatment. By a combination of any or all of these methods, coal can be prepared to standard specifications. It is easily possible to have good cleaning and still get a poor final product because of faulty screening or mixing, while it is possible to produce a very acceptable product from mediocre cleaning if the coal is well screened and mixed.

Jan 1, 1950

By J. J. Luchessa

HAULAGE was one of the many problems to be solved in the successful handling of the Miami Copper Company's low-grade orebody. The ore extracted had to be increased from 1000 to 18,000 tons per 24 hours over the existing track-age and haulage way. This called for increased speed, longer trains, in¬creased car capacity, and a block signal system so as to maintain a fixed schedule and headway. The motive power in service at the time of this transition consisted of Baldwin-Westinghouse 6-ton trolley locomotives. (See Fig. 3.) These locomotives were purchased to handle twenty inverted-V-bottom side-dump cars of 60 cu. ft. capacity. Dimensions were limited as to height on account of ore chutes, width on account of short radius curves, and length of 12 ft. from bumper to bumper- so that the locomotives could be handled on the man and material hoist which has a cage length of 121/ ft. The limited length made it possible to bring the locomotives to the surface for periodic overhauling and major repairs such as changing wheel tires, gears, and

Jan 1, 1934

By L. J. Kashar

By means of a continuum-mechanics approach, the following equation for calculuting the pressure for axisymmetric cold forging has been derived: where P is the extrusion pressure; K and n are the strength coefficient and the strain-hardening exponent of the steel, respectively; a and b are strain factors, primarily dependent on the die design; and R is the extrusion ratio. Data from compression and backward-extrusion tests performed at a crosshead speed of 0.5 in. per min on a nonwork-hardening material pure lead) and on a work-hardening material (1018 steel) indicate that the predicted extrusion pressures obtained from the derived equation agree very closely with the actual extrusion pressures. Therefore, the equation can be used to predict backward-extrusion pressures from standard mechanical-test data. The decision to cold-forge a part is based on several considerations, most of them related to economics. However, the production feasibility is usually determined by the pressure needed to extrude the part and the availability of tooling that can repeatedly sustain this pressure for over several hundred thousand cycles. A major contribution to the cold forging of steel would result from the development of steels that could be forged at reduced pressures and from the development of techniques that permit the accurate prediction of the pressure necessary to cold-forge the part. The ability to predict extrusion pressures is necessary to properly design the tooling required for the cold-forging process. Attempts to theoretically predict the cold-forging pressure, especially for work-hardening materials, have been unsuccessful in previous investigations of the cold-forging process.1-3 Many empirical relations have, therefore, been proposed relating the extrusion pressure to the chemical composition,' the extrusion ratio,2 the tensile strength,273 and hard- ness, 2 and the yield strength3 of the material being extruded. However, these empirical relations are valid only for the specific conditions used in their development, and, in some cases, the empirical relations had a scatter band greater than * 10 pct. A study of the extrusion process was undertaken with the objective of developing predictor equations for extrusion pressure by using a continuum-mechanics approach to the problem of metal flow. The derivation of such an equation is summarized in this paper, and data are presented that confirm the validity of the derived equation. DERIVATION OF THE EXTRUSION EQUATION If the extrusion of a material through a die is considered in terms of a work balance, it has been shown that it is possible to derive an equation relating the work necessary to move the material through the die to the deformation work undergone by the material. The work done, W, in moving the material is given by where F is the extrusion force, I, is the distance the material was moved, A, is the original cross-sectional area of the material, P is the extrusion pressure acting on A,, Ap is the cross-sectional area of the extrusion punch, and Pp is the punch pressure acting on Ap. The deformation work, WD, is given by where V is the volume of metal deformed, ay is the flow stress of the metal, and E is the total strain undergone in the extrusion. If there are no frictional losses, the work done, W, is equal to the deformation work, WD; therefore, Since the volume of a metal does not change during deformation,

Jan 1, 1968

By JAMES GAYLE

(Presented at the Washington meeting, May 3, 1905, and simultaneously sent to the Iron and Steel Institute, for presentation at the meeting of that Society in London, May 11, 1905.) IT is to be regretted that the data respecting the use of dry-air blast, which was presented to the Iron and Steel Institute at its meeting in the United States, in October, 1904, should. have been restricted to the period from August 25th to September 9th inclusive, and from September 17th to 30th inclusive. In order to present the paper at all it was found necessary to limit the record of operations to the period above stated. In the discussion of the paper it would appear from the conclusions of some participating therein, that they have been placed at some disadvantage in considering the economies obtained through the use of dry-air blast, by reason of the data covering such a short period. It is the purpose of this communication to present in detail the record of operations of the Isabella Furnaces from November, 1904, to March, 1905, inclusive, as shown by the furnace-records. The month of October, 1904, is not included, as the furnace using dry-air blast was stopped several times for repairs, and while the record was a very good one considering these interruptions, yet it was not a continuous one. The record for Furnace No. 1 using dry-air blast, and the comparison with Furnace No. 3 using natural air for the month of November, 1904, is set forth in Table I. By a reference to my former paper it will be noted that the month of November is the beginning in this country of the winter period, when the atmosphere decreases rapidly in humidity. The month of October being the transition month in the autumn and April in the spring, and furnaces using natural air approach more closely, from November on, to the conditions obtained by the use of dry-air blast. The data given in

Jul 1, 1905

By J. A. Ede

The property of the Spring Valley Coal Company, situated in Bureau county, Ill., comprises something more than 30,000 acres of coal-lands, on which have been opened four mines, designated as Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4. Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are plans of the first three; and Fig. 7 is a view of the surface-plant at No. 4, the workings of which it is not necessary to illustrate, as this mine has been practically merged in No. 2. No. 4 shaft is only 500 feet from No. 2, and both are ventilated by the same fan, and are in the same circle of air-supply. In speaking of No. 2, we now include No. 4. The system pursued in all the mines is " long-wall advancing," and the shafts are all vertical. The seam worked is locally and commercially known, in the Illinois series, as No. 3; but its position in the geological series is that of No. 2. It averages in thickness about 42 inches, arid has no partings, but mines in rectangular lumps, which stand a large amount of handling before breaking. An analysis made from Colliery No. 1 gave the following : Per cent. Moisture,.......... 1.45 Volatile combustible matter,.47.27 Fixed carbon,.........41.97 Sulphur,.........2.46 Ash,....... .. .. .. 6.85 Plate 6 shows a photographic view of this seam. The staff seen in the view is 37 inches long. The table on page 188, recorded in my office, which I presume to be correct, may be of interest. The bottom is fire-clay, varying in thickness from 6 to 24 inches. It affords what is considered good mining-ground. The roof immediately above the coal is a dark shale, lying in small bands, from 4 to 9 inches in thickness. Between the

Jan 1, 1900

By Edgar C. Bain, William E. Griffiths

The results of an inquiry into the structural nature of some 70 iron alloys containing both nickel and chromium over a considerable range of concentration are briefly described in this paper. This study is a part of a comprehensive program of investigation into alloys involving chromium in progress at the Union Carbide and Carbon Research 1aboratories. All the compositions studied contained carbon in amount comparable to commercial alloys. The B Constituent In addition to locating the limits of composition for the three principal types of structure (polyhedral ferrite, martensite and austenite) and their combinations, certain other features of the system were observed. A hitherto undescribed brittle constituent (designated here as the "B constituent") was discovered. It is very hard, non-magnetic and forms in two modes from chrome-ferrite by recrystallization. It is the stable low-temperature condition for the equal-proportion chromium-iron materials containing less than 10 per cent. nickel. Although it partakes of the nature of an inter-metallic compound, yet it may exist over a considerable range of composition. It is non-existent above a temperalure zone, varying with composition, from 800° C. to 950° C., and heating above this critical temperature develops chrome ferrite persistent after average cooling rate; a few hours just below this temperature will develop the complicated brittle crystalline type. The B constituent, when found in the grain boundaries of alloys of lower chromium content, contributes a serious brittleness removable, however, by heating and cooling rapid enough to prevent its re-format'ion. By suitable means of precipitution, the hard B constituent can be made to strengthen the already stiff alloy matrix in the manner of submicro-scopic particles, as exemplified in duralumin or the Sykes iron-tungsten and iron-molybdenum alloys. A possible explanation is offered for the familiar brittleness developed in chrome iron at temperatures above about 475" C. and removable by

Jan 1, 1927

By R. L. Bleifuss

Most pellets swell only slightly during reduction, but some swell so enormusly that their increase in size is termed catastrophic. Since catastrophic swelling produces irregularities in blast furnace operation, an understanding of the phenomenon is of practical as well as theoretical interest. Observations have shown that catastrophic swelling is characterized by the growth of a network of fine iron filaments. Evidence is presented to show that the growth of these filaments is promoted by the presence of calcium in the magnetite lattice of the original ore. During reduction, the limited mutual solubility of CaO and FeO produces an unstable condition that inhibits the uniform nucleation of metallic iron. Other elements in the magnetite lattice whose oxides are continuously soluble in FeO in the critical temperature range have no effect. Magmatic segregation or pyrometasomatic replacements are the most likely deposits to contain calciferous magnetite. Over the past few years there has been an increasing concern throughout the iron and steel industry over the tendency of pellets to swell during reduction. Although the tendency for swelling is only one of several attributes that determine the behavior of pellets in the blast furnace, swelling-reduction tests are now part of the normal evaluation procedure of many pellet consumers. During a swelling-reduction test, pellets display either the moderate increase in size known as normal swelling, or the enormous expansion known as catastrophic swelling. This paper is concerned with the origin and control of catastrophic swelling and how it is enhanced or inhibited by the presence of minor elements. Swelling Behavior The swelling behavior of pellets during reduction is indicated in Fig. 1. The lower curve represents normal swelling and the upper curve catastrophic swelling.' During the initial stages of reduction, that is, up to about 20-25% reduction, the two curves are considered to be equivalent. Beyond this point normal pellets undergo a gradual decrease in size with increased reduction. By contrast, pellets which exhibit catastrophic swelling show a second dramatic expansion between 25 and 70% reduction. The initial normal swelling develops as the hematite of the pellet is successively reduced to magnetite, and then to wustite. Work by Edstrom' and others has shown that the reduction of hematite to magnetite is accompanied by a 25% volume increase, whereas the magnetite to wustite stage shows a volume decrease. The volume increase overlaps the wustite field because magnetite is formed simultaneously with the wustite during topochemical reduction of the pellet. The catastrophic expansion is clearly related to the wustite, to

Jan 1, 1971

By J. D. Grace

Screening by centrifugal force is a unique subject, for all vibrating screens, with but one exception, depend on gravity alone to pass material through a sizing mesh or screen cloth. Centrifugal screening is one of the greatest advancements made in screening since the development of vibrating screens. It makes possible sizing in a range previously im-practical by mechanical methods. The centrifugal screen is specially designed for fine sizing from No. 4 separations to finer than No. 100 separations. Centrifugal force provides a positive control of factors that make fine particle separation practical and effective as opposed to gravity which is a fixed force acting only in a fixed direction, The centrifugal screen provides a control of the force of material against the screening surface, and also controls the distance of departure of the material from the surface and its rate of return. The centrifugal screen has a rotating drum that becomes a natural fan blowing air outward through the material being screened and carrying float dust and fines through the apertures with it. Screening by centrifugal force is an unique subject, for with the exception of only one vibrating screen presently on the market, all vibrating screens depend upon gravity to pass material through a sizing mesh or screen cloth. This one screen that sizes by centrifugal force and utilizes gravity only to convey material along the screen, is the Symons V-Screen. The requirements of the industrial minerals industry to meet ever-increasing stringent fine sizing specifications by a practical mechanical method accentuates the weakness of gravity, a fixed force acting in a fixed direction, as a prime force for fine sizing. It was apparent a force other than gravity was needed. This led to the development of a centrifugal screen to meet modern demands for practical fine sizing operations. Gyratory-type screens in use today were originally designed in a day when a 1/4-in. separation was normally considered fine sizing and 1/8-in. separations were extremely fine sizing. Although gyratory-type screens are sometimes used for separating below 1/8-in., they are not practical screens for this purpose. They were not designed to do this type of work. A growing demand for a practical means of making positive mechanical separations in a range of from 1/8 in. downward led to the development of the vibrating screen. These screens utilize higher speeds and lower amplitudes of vibration than

Jan 1, 1967

By R. D. Begley, A. W. Khair

Introduction The technique being investigated here uses a physical mine model which consists of a plexiglass room-and-pillar model 11.4 x 11.4 cm (4.5 x 4.5 in.). It is placed at the bottom of a larger plexiglass box 25.4 x 30.5cm (10 x 12 in.). The box is then filled with a model material representing geologic overburden. Sand has been selected because of its deformability under gravitational forces. The mine model is capable of creating a cavity and induces movement on the surface of the model material. This surface disturbance can be measured using a photographic technique called holographic interferometry. This paper discusses results of an investigation of the possibility of generating subsidence criteria using physical mine models and laser holographic interferometry. Problem Statement Subsidence appears to be widespread in two states - Pennsylvania and Illinois - although serious subsidence is found in localized areas of numerous other states (HRB Singer Inc., 1977). The US Bureau of Mines estimates that more than 1618 km2 (400,000 acres) of urban areas are threatened by subsidence. Pennsylvania and West Virginia contain 57% of these threatened areas, with the remainder being spread out over 16 states (Johnson and Miller, 1979). Events of subsidence have been reported in urban areas, including Pennsylvania (Gray et al., 1977) and Illinois (Mahar and Marino, 1981). One location has observed three episodes of subsidence beginning in 1950 (Bruhn et al., 1981). These subsidence events all occurred over abandoned room-and-pillar mines. Some mines have been abandoned more than 50 years (Bauer and Hunt,1981) . Available research does not offer much on the problem related to time dependent subsidence, especially those associated with the failure of remnant coal pillars. The physical modeling technique developed at West Virginia University is capable of measuring both instantaneous and time delayed subsidence. Laser Holographic Interferometry Laser holographic interferometry, or holometry, uses the interference properties of laser light to measure small movements of objects. The object requires only optical access and no surface instrumentation. This technique is closely related to photoelasticity. Both techniques rely on the uniqueness of the light reflected off or through an object in any given state of stress. The entire measurement process is done remotely without any surface instrumentation and without using a camera. The interferogram is constructed and visual observation will yield fringes on all areas that yielded or moved. The displacement represented by one fringe was determined by Wilson et al. (1977) and is given by the relationship: [d ='1(1) 2 cos 8 where d = displacement of one fringe 6 = incident angle of laser light A = wavelength of light (632.8 x 10-9 meters for Helium-Neon lasers)] In summary, holometry is capable of detecting very small movements of objects under study. It is a very sensitive process that requires laser light and vibration free experiments. Experimental Program Lab Facilities The primary components of the facilities were the laser and the optical table. The light source was 50 milli-watt, Helium-Neon laser. The optical table was a granite slab weighing nearly one ton. All experiments were performed on the optical table. It consists of a large table sitting on air cells similar to car innertubes. Six air cells were placed on top of two layers of wood and Styrofoam. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the vibration free table. Even with these precautions, the experiments still had to be performed at night to reduce potential traffic related vibrations. Room-and-pillar mine models consisting of three different pillar sizes were constructed out of plexiglass. The models were designed to represent three different extraction ratios. Figure 2 shows the models. The extraction ratios were determined by the tributary loading concept (Peng, 1978). These models were the primary component of a seam extraction simulator. A schematic of this simulation device is shown in Fig. 3.

Jan 1, 1986

By E. G. Williams

Manganese-ore has been found upon the Isthmus of Panama throughout' a region of nearly three hundred square miles, over the greater part of which, however, it is known only in small bodies without commercial value. Only six mines, controlled by two companies, have actually shipped ore, although a large area has been taken up in miningelaims. The ore-bearing region extends along the coast of the Carib. bean Sea, beginning on the west near Puerto Bello and extending easterly about 35 miles toward Point San Blas. Ore has been discovered in the interior, at a maximum distance of about 10 m. from the coast. Fig. 1 is a map of a portion of the Isthmus

Jan 1, 1903

By F. S. Crawford

IRON and copper are mined in the Lake Superior district. The iron mines of the district have the best safety record for that industry in the country as a whole, while the copper mines of the district rank second in two of the four years recorded (Table 1). In Utah copper comes mainly from open-pit mines, which enables that state to lead easily in safety. All of the Michigan production comes from deep under-ground workings. About 60 per cent of the iron miners in St. Louis County, Minnesota, are employed at open-pit mines; this favorably affects the combined open-pit and underground accident-frequency rate, as this county pro-vides most of the Minnesota-mined iron ore. In Michigan, however, there are few open-pit mines, the bulk of the production coming from underground mines, while all of the Wisconsin production, just across the state line from Michigan, is from underground mines. In spite of the fact that fewer mines in Michigan use the safer open-pit method, the iron-mining industry of that state maintained a consistently low record from 1931 to 1934; however, it was many points behind its nearest com petitor, Minnesota, with its much greater production from open-pit mines.

Jan 1, 1939

By K. D. Sheffler, R. W. Hertzberg, R. W. Kraft

The Ni-Ni,Ti lamellar eutectic alloy responds to unidirectional solidification by alig-nment of the platelets of the two phases roilghly perpendicular to the moving solid-liquid interface. X-ray diffraction and zetallographic experimenls show that the following cryslallographic relationships exist in the directionally solidified ingots: lamellar interface w [0001] Ni3Ti 11 (111 }Ni local growth direction (1120) Ni3Ti n (110) Ni These relationships are rationalized on the basis of the crystallography of the constituent phases. In recent years researchers in several laboratories have shown that an aligned or "controlled" micro-structure can be produced in many binary eutectic alloys by forcing the alloy to solidify unidirectionally in an elongated crucible.'-3 It also has been found that a unique crystallographic relationship often develops between the two phases in such a structure.4, 5 Since a parallel arrangement of phase particles in an alloy should, and, in many cases, does, produce unique and highly anisotropic properties, the alloys so produced are of potential interest in a variety of applications. Studies of these alloys are also of interest at the academic level because they help to improve our basic understanding of the way in which metals solidify. This paper reports the metallographic and crystallographic structure of another of these alloys—that between nickel and Ni3Ti. In a separate paper, hot tensile and stress rupture properties as well as deformation and fracture behavior of the same alloy are discussed.19 EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS AND RESULTS General Characteristics of the Eutectic Reaction. Several small exploratory Ni-Ti melts were made to resolve a conflict in Hansen6 over the eutectic composition. The alloy containing 16.4 at. pct Ti, Fig. 1, appeared metallographically to be closest to the eutectic composition, although small dendritic patches of proeutectic nickel are present. The eutectic morphology is lamellar and appears quite sharp and angular, indicating a strong influence of crystallographic factors upon the microstructure. Some of the eutectic nickel platelets are continuous with the primary phase, whereas in hyper eutectic melts a "halo" of nickel generally surrounded the proeutectic inter-metallic platelets, indicating that nickel is the nucleating phase in this eutectic reaction. Extensive precipitation of Ni3Ti has occurred in the primary nickel phase in a Widmanstatten pattern which makes the dendrites difficult to differentiate from the eutectic mixture. This phenomenon may account for discrepancies among the eutectic compositions reported in the literature. The sloping solvus line bounding the nickel primary solid solution explains the presence of the intermetallic precipitate. Poole and Hume-Rothery7 report that the solubility of titanium in nickel drops from 13.8 at. pct at the eutectic temperature (1304°C) to approximately 9 at. pct at 700°C (Ni3Ti, on the other hand, melts con-gruently and exhibits essentially no solubility for nickel or titanium). Lever rule calculations based upon Poole and Hume-Rothery's phase diagram indicate an increase from 21 vol pct Ni3Ti in the eutectic mixture at the eutectic temperature to 61 pct at room temperature. Selective point count measurements of the volume fraction of eutectic Ni3Ti platelets in the eutectic microstructure yielded a value of 46 i 2 vol pct, which required extensive precipitation of Ni3Ti from the nickel solid solution onto the eutectic intermetallic platelets during cooling from the solidification temperature. Influence of Directional Solidification. Nickel bar and titanium sponge of 99.9 pct purity were induction-melted in zirconia crucibles under argon in the proportion of 13.8 wt pct (16.4 at. pct) Ti to produce 14-lb master heats which were cast into investment molds yielding 5/8-in.-diam pins approximately 10 in. long. These pins were remelted under argon in horizontal zirconia boats and unidirectionally solidified to produce 1/2-in.-sq ingots approximately 44 in. long. Details of the experimental techniques and apparatus are described elsewhere.'

Jan 1, 1970

By E. Miller, J. M. Eldridge, K. L. Komarek

Activities of magnesium in liquid Mg-Sn alloys have been determined between 5 and 90 at. pct Sn and 990" and 1290°K by an improved isopiestic method wherein tin specimens, heated in a temperature gradient and contained in crucibles of special geometry, were equilibrated with magnesium vapor in a closed titanium system. The crucibles were designed so that the equilibrium compositions of the specimens were satisfactorily preserved on termination of the experimental runs by quenching. The activity values are in excellent agreement with those predicated on the phase diagram and allowed a delineation of the solidus curve of the compound Mg2Sn near its melting point. EQUATIONS have been recently derived relating the chemical potentials of the components to the liquidus and enthalpy data for binary systems exhibiting one congruently melting compound.' The liquidus curve of the Mg-Sn system between the eutectics was carefully redetermined and the thermodynamic properties thus calculated were in reasonably good agreement with values derived from electromotive-force measurements of an,' but differed greatly from the iso-piestically determined values of Ashtakala and Pid-geon.3 The present study was initiated: a) to resolve the discrepancies; b) to develop a method for measuring activities in systems having volatile (and possibly highly reactive) components; and c) to use the method in a general investigation of the thermodynamic properties of the homologous series of Mg-Group IVb systems, i.e., Mg-Pb, Mg-Sn, Mg-Ge, and Mg-Si. This paper describes the results for the Mg-Sn system. An isopiestic technique, originally developed by Herasymenko 4 and adapted for alloys having a component of high reactivity and low volatility,5-8 was modified in this study by using crucibles designed to preserve the equilibrium composition of highly volatile liquid specimens on quenching from high temperatures. Tin specimens, contained in tightly covered graphite crucibles and heated in a temperature gradient, were equilibrated with magnesium vapor of fixed pressure from a magnesium reservoir kept at constant temperature in a previously evacuated and sealed titanium tube. During equilibration magne-

Jan 1, 1967

By G. L. Smit

The Buffelsfontein Gold Mining Company is situated in the Klerksdorp district of the Province of the Transvaal in the Republic of South Africa, approximately 100 miles west of Johannesburg. Gold production commenced in January 1957 and Uranium treatment of residue slimes as a by-product started in July 1957. The mining property is 5435 mining claims in extent, the equivalent of 7988 acres or 12.5 sq miles. The mine was initially exploited by the Pioneer Twin Shaft System, consisting of a 26-ft diam down-cast shaft and a 22 ft-diam up-cast shaft, sunk in the north-west area of the mine to cater for the hoisting and ventilation requirements for a milling rate of 150,000 tons per month. To exploit the Eastern zone of the property and assist in increasing production to 200,000 tons milled per month, it was decided to sink a further Twin Shaft System consisting of a 28-ft diam downcast shaft and a ventilation up-cast shaft -22-ft in diam, both monolithic concrete lined — 200 ft apart and 5300 ft deep. This paper deals with the sinking and commissioning of these Eastern Twin Shafts. This was achieved by one sinking crew within a period of 20 months. A) PLANNING 1) Siting: The Eastern Shaft System was sited in the north-east area of the property, 12,000 ft east on strike from the Pioneer System. (Fig. 1). Initially the system was sunk to the 5300 ft elevation to conform with the original Pioneer Shaft System. On completion a sub-vertical main shaft will be sunk to the 8000 ft elevation in the immediate vicinity, and subsequently the surface ventilation shaft will be deepened to this elevation by raising from level to level and sliping to full size. The exact positions of the shafts were chosen after: a) underground development had located certain known water bearing zones, and b) geophysical and topographical surveys had been carried out. The shafts passed through the following geological succession: Surface to 4430 ft - Dolomites of the Transvaal System 4430 to 4470 ft - Quartzites and conglomerates of the Black Reef Series of the Transvaal System. 4470 to 4470 ft - Diabasic Lava of the Venters-dorp System (Ventersdorp Contact Reef at base). 4470 to 5250 ft - Quartzites of the Elsburg Series of the Upper Witwaters-rand System. The shafts were sited to ensure that the least possible water would be encountered during sinking, and this contributed to the rapid rate of sinking. 2) Duties: a) The 22-ft diam ventilation shaft was designed to up-cast 1,400,000 cfm of air (0.060 density) against a resistance of 22 in. water gauge. b) The main shaft was designed to handle 160,000 tons hoisted per month as well as the men, material and down-cast ventilation to serve this tonnage. The 284 diam main shaft is equipped with streamlined buntons spaced at 15 ft centers set in pockets which were left during sinking. There are six compartments, four of which are sewed by two dual purpose hoists, hoisting either, twedeck man cages or 13-ton bottom discharge skips. The other two compartments are served by a single purpose winder hoisting double deck cages accommodating 60 men per deck. (Fig. 2). 3) Timing: Permanent equipment was ordered well in advance to insure continuity in the operation. Development underground reached the shaft positions before the start of sinking operations. From this development, boreholes were drilled into shaft positions to drain off water in the vicinity of the shafts. To ensure complete co-ordination of effort, all relevant data, as well as the allocation of responsibility, were made known to all persons and departments concerned. 4) Models: The extensive use of scale models during the preliminary planning stages proved most useful in deciding on design such as buntons, bunton pockets and guide cleats, and complex layouts concerning loading, spillage and pumping arrangements. (Fig. 3). These models also proved invaluable in determining the walling routine. Normal working conditions could

Jan 1, 1964

By J. D. Miller Discussion by N. P. Finkelstein, M. C. Fuerstenau

The point designating 10 -4 nole/per liter sulfonate addition in Fig. 1 has been presented incorrectly. This figure, with the corrected scale, is shown at right. N. P. Finkelstein (National Institute for Metallurgy, Johannesburg, South Africa) - The qualitative conclusion the authors of this paper have reached in evaluating the influence of hydrocarbon chain length on collector effectiveness agrees with conclusions in several published reports. However, in two other

Jan 1, 1969

By Noah Fields Drake

During July and August, 1899, the writer took advantage of an opportunity of going to Shansi to gather some information concerning the geology and value of the already famous coalfields of that province. The long journey, mainly on slow river-boats, and the limited time at command, allowed only about ten days of work to be done in the coal-fields around Tsê Chou. The geologic structure and the rock-formations were found to be simple and quite regular, so that in that time the accompanying sketch-map (Pig. 1) was made, and a fairly good idea of the distribution of the coal and general geologic features was obtained. The map was made by measuring a base-line about three-quarters of a mile long, triangulating for principal points over the field, and filling in the details by rapid sketches. The few elevations marked on the map were taken with an aneroid barometer. Only a few of the great number of towns and villages that are within this densely populated area are shown; and the coal-mines indicated are not the only ones within the area, but the ones where most of the following information about the coal was obtained. The value of this coal-field was first clearly set before the scientific and commercial world by Baron von Richthofen,* who made a geologic reconnaissance of Shansi in 1870. Since that time the hostile attitude of the Chinese government and people towards foreigners and their enterprises has kept the coal-fields from being developed. But the last few years of rapid change in the conditions of China have at last apparently opened a way for the exploitation of this coal-field. The Peking syndicate, a joint English-Italian company, now has concessions from

Jan 1, 1901

By L. W. Legerwood

During the past three decades, the oil industry has expended increasing eflorts seeking improved drilling tools or systems to reduce drilling costs. The total cost of these efforts is unknown, but it certainly amounts 10 tens of millions of dollars. Most of the "new" system that past and present investigators have sought to develop actually are old public information. In seeking to implement new-systern concepts, investigators have tested the following: impact at frequencies ranging from 6 to 300 cycles per second; electrical, mechanical and hydraulic meam of actuating percussors; bit rotary speeds up to 2,000 rpm; electric and hydraulic bottom-hole means of rotating bits; bottom-hole machines with power outputs up to 400 hp; shock waves; explosives; high-velocity pellets; flame; arc; grinding wheels; abrasive jets; erosion by high-velocity gases; chemical attack; electric current; magnetic waves; retractable rock bits; reelable drill pipe; continuous coring with reverse circulation; and automation of drilling rigs. Table I shows how these investigations are grouped for discussion purposes in this paper. In spite of these efforts to discover new and improved systems, rotary drilling main;aim its economic leadership. Undoubtedly, rotary drilling costs will continue to be reduced by rigid application of the best available technology and by development of new rotary technology. In view of the extensive past development programs, however, significant long-range improvement appears to be a research, not a development problem. Research must postulate and prove theories and principles governing variour subsurface rock-failure processes pertinent to both rotary and new systems. Ah, research must produce physical and engineering data relative to these processes. When such information is available, earth boring will graduate from an art to a science. Major improvements in rotary drilling can then be expected, and the systematic evolution of an improved drilling method can be initiated—with a strong probability for success. Development of drilling methods other than rotary drilling has been one approach investigated by the industry as a means for reducing drilling costs. Major cost-reduction efforts, however, have been centered on engineering development work aimed at incremental improvements in rotary drilling. A relatively minor effort has been expended to establish basic physical principles and engineering data pertaining to the earth-boring process which can serve as a foundation for the development of cost-cutting drilling hardware. Current oil-industry economic trends have added impetus to the need for effective programs to reduce drilling costs. However, areas for expanded future efforts should be selected only after careful study of past investigations. It is the purpose of this paper to review past and Dresent industry efforts to develop new drilling tools or systems and to suggest areas where additional science is needed. Past reviews of drilling methods have been limited to a few processes prominent at the time the reviews were made. This paper seeks to present a concise, well organized review of all methods that have received actual development or test work. The preparation of a paper seeking to review all past developments is fraught with many difficulties, not the least of which are errors in or obsolesence of printed matter used as source material and the lack of data on industry developments which have not been published. Since de-

By D. W. McGlashan, K. N. Mcleod

IN the use of free bubbles with precise temperature control and continuous pH measurement, the contact angle apparatus differs from all previous equipment. Experimental procedures differ sharply from the captive bubble method1,2 of introducing the gaseous phase in the three-phase system. When freed from the tube and captured by a solid surface, a bubble more closely conforms to the spherical ideal set up by the usual mathematical analysis of surface free energy or surface tensional relationships of the forces involved. The assembled equipment, Fig. 1, departs from the usual contact angle apparatus in providing: 1) water circulation for fixing temperature, 2) instruments to measure and record pH during testing, and 3) a system for producing and using free bubbles. The apparatus allows testing over a broad range of closely controlled conditions, and the use of free bubbles gives contact angles independent of operator manipulation, which was unavoidable in the older captive bubble method. A bubble released below the specimen rises through the liquid and contacts the mineral. If the mineral is gas-avid the bubble adheres, developing a finite contact angle. Reaction cells (1), 2x33/8x5 3/16 in. ID, are of pyrex glass 5 mm thick. To prevent optical distortion, the sides are optical flats and are planed parallel to within five wave lengths of light over the entire surface. Special cement is required to withstand chemical attack and thermal shock. The cell is placed in a thermal jacket (2) made of welded aluminum. A water seal for the optical ports is made by using O-rings tightened against the flats of the cell by fine-threaded and adjustable ports, Fig. 2. In-flow water is discharged downward from a manifold located near the bottom of the cell jacket. Water overflows the weirs at each end of the cell jacket, discharging from both sides to a collecting manifold (24). A hose (26) leads the overflow water to the thermal-conditioner well (4), which is recessed to accommodate a reaction cell and two beakers (150 ml). Both the thermal jacket and the thermal-conditioner well are insulated to minimize the effects of temperature differentials. Water, discharging from the thermal-conditioner well, returns to a thermostat bath and pump (3), from which it is pumped to the thermal jacket. The thermostat bath permits temperatures to be adjusted from 1" or 2°C to 80°C and will maintain the selected temperature within 0.2ºC. An electrode support (22) groups the four electrodes (8) so that they fit conveniently into the reaction cell, Fig. 2. This assembly holds the glass electrode, the calomel electrode, the temperature-

Jan 1, 1957

By H. K. Birnbaum

The termination of a twin lamella in the interior of a crystal requires accommodation of the strains at the tip of the twin which result from coherency of the twin and matrix. In zinc and magnesium crystals,

Jan 1, 1960