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By H. Sigurdson, C. H. Moore

Extensive studies have been carried out on electric furnace and blast furnace slags obtained in the winning of iron from its ores. These slags normally consist of elements of the gangue minerals present in the ores, as well as the added flux materials. In consequence, melts of CaO, MgO, Al2O3 and SiO2 can be considered as representing typical slag compositions. When a slag of this composition cools, it usually crystallizes according to predictions possible from an equilibrium diagram of these constituents, providing the melt is not undercooled to form glass. The melt is either viscous or fluid, depending upon the ratio of binary cations to silica, and crystallizes easily or forms a glass for the same reasons. If the melt is not overheated so that carbides of the metal components of the slag are formed and if the composition of the slag is so adjusted that it has a high fluidity, liquid equilibrium is attained and the slag can be held in a liquid state for extended periods of time. Upon tapping, the slag crystallizes into minerals, the type and proportion of which are determined by the melt composition. Since equilibrium is attained, the holding period is not critical. In melts containing a large increment of titanium, however, the normal slag procedures are not applicable. Titanium, as one of the atomic transition elements, is, at elevated temperatures, capable of being reduced to form metalloid compounds much more readily than the refractory oxides present in normal slags. In consequence, an oxide melt containing titanium never reaches equilibrium in a reducing environment, but continues to shift its composition until cooled. If melts of this nature are cooled and samples submitted to metal-lographic and X ray analysis the course of reaction and crystallization in this type of slag can be determined. Preparation of Slag The slags investigated fell into the system CaO-MgO-TiO2-Al2O3-SiO2 and were produced from ilmenite ores reduced by carbon in an electric furnace. Since the equilibrium series1 and the laboratory smelting of ilmenite2 are described in two of the accompanying papers, detailed description of the smelting procedure is not required here. However, certain essentials must be mentioned. Two types of melts were used to produce slags studied in this investigation. The first series of smelts made to determine proper flux addition were produced in a 4 lb Ajax induction furnace. The charge, consisting of ore with the proper flux addition, was heated in a graphite crucible until fluid, held fluid for a sufficient time period to obtain 1-5 pct FeO content, and poured. Because of the small size of the charge only the final sample of these melts could be examined. In the melts made in the 50 lb arc furnace, however, grab samples taken at 10 min. intervals between time of initial melting and final pouring were available for examination. These samples allowed a much clearer picture of the course of reaction and crystallization. amounts of ferrous oxide and reduced titanium compounds is opaque to transmitted light. Therefore, all petro-graphic studies had to be made on polished slag sections. A representative sample of slag was cut or broken, mounted in a thermosetting plastic, ground flat using 400 grit silicon carbide, the coarse scratches removed with 600 grit silicon carbide and polished on billiard cloth using levigated alumina. Rouge was avoided because of the entrainment of the red particles in pores in the slag, causing a possible confusion with some of the mineral phases. In order to prevent sample projection above the plastic surface red bakelite was used to hold the sample, and backed up with clear lucite. In this manner sample labels could be permanently retained in the mounting. The polished samples were examined on a Bausch and Lomb metallograph at magnifications of 250 X, 500 X, 1000 X and 1800 X. The instrument was equipped for examination of specimens under bright field illumination and with crossed nicols. A magenta tint plate to aid in color tone differentiation was also used. Petrology of Slags In order to determine the composition and mineral relatinos of a previously unreported system petrologically, it is essential that the starting composition, reaction temperature and final composition be known. The chemical composition of the ilmenite ore used in these smelts is given in Table 1, and the complete analysis of a typical high titanium, low iron slag is given in Table 2. In the winning of TiO2 from ilmenite by a smelting process it is necessary to produce a slag which will melt at an economically feasible temperature, remain molten as the iron is removed by reduction, be fluid enough to be readily removed from the furnace, contain a high percentage of TiO2 and a low percentage of reduced titanium com-

Jan 1, 1950

By Alan Arias

On grinding in pure water, zirconium, tantalum, iron, and stainless-steel powders were extensively comminuted and simultaneously oxidized with hydrogen release, whereas nickel, copper, and silver powders did not react with water and their particle sizes increased. On grinding nickel, copper, and silver in water pressurized with oxygen, nickel and copper became extensively comminuted and were oxidized, whereas silver did not react with oxygen and its particle size increased. From these results and other considerations , it is hypothesized that for extensive comminution of ductile metals and alloys to occur on grinding they must react with the grinding media. UlTRAFINE metal and alloy powders are finding an ever-growing number of applications in metallurgy and in other fields.' Of particular interest are ultrafine metal and alloy powders suitable for dispersion strengthening.2'9 Various research programs on dispersion strengthening are being carried out and in some of these programs the ball-milling method is being used to produce dispersion-strengthened materials. This method usually involves the simultaneous grinding of metal or alloy and a dispersoid followed by consolidation of the resulting powder mixture. To obtain the ultrafine powders required for dispersion strengthening,' grinding is carried out in many liquids, including aqueous and nonaqueous media, with or without grinding aids.4'5 Nonaqueous liquids usually contain water as an impurity and some grinding aids may contain water of hydration.5 The water present may affect the grinding process. The writer has shown5 that. on ball milling chromium in water, the chromium is oxidized and hydrogen is released. It was surmised that the same reaction may occur on ball milling other metals and alloys in waterbearing liquids. Therefore, the investigation of ball milling in water was extended to metals and alloys other than chromium. In the course of the investigation, however, it became apparent that the data-to-gether with the results from a few additional experi-ments—could be used to postulate a comminution mechanism for ductile metals and alloys. A well-known comminution theory is that of smekal.7 According to this theory, comminution is possible because of the weakening effects of surface cracks and other imperfections in materials. This theory imposes a lower limit of about 1 µm for the ground particles. The beneficial effects of liquids and additives on the rate of grinding are well known.8 Mechanisms by which liquids and additives may aid in grinding were reviewed by Rose and Sullivan.' One aspect of these effects is based on Rehbinder's theory of crack propagation in materials under stress.9 According to Reh-binder's theory, liquids or additives may promote the spread of cracks in stressed materials by lowering the surface tension at the crack tip. Rose and Sullivan surmise that the same mechanism may be operative during grinding, thereby facilitating comminution of the particles. In addition, Rose and Sullivan reviewed how additives may act as dispersants as a result of their being adsorbed on the surface of the particles being ground. This concept has been suggested by Quatinetz, Schafer, and smea15 to explain from their experiments the major role of additives that enabled them to grind metal down to 0.1 µm. Discussions of other comminution theories and additional sources of material on the subject will be found in Ref. 10. None of these previous suggestions and theories, however, can account for all phenomena encountered during ball milling of metals to submicron size in this and in a previous investigation by the author.6 The objectives of this investigation were to determine the behavior of metal powders during ball milling either in pure water or in oxygenated water and to gain an insight into the grinding mechanism. Zirconium, tantalum, iron, nickel, copper, and silver powders were ball-milled in pure water. These metals were selected because their oxides cover a wide range of free energies of formation. For comparison purposes, an alloy-type 430 stainless steel-was also ball-milled in pure water. The pressure of the hydrogen released during ball milling was monitored in order to determine the oxygen that combined with the metal or alloy. In order to obtain more information on the nature of the grinding process, nickel, copper, and silver powders were also ball-milled in oxygenated water (water pressurized with oxygen). The oxygen that reacted with the powders was determined from the pressure decrease in the mills. The powders resulting from ball milling in pure water and in oxygenated water were subjected to surface area, optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. With these data, the oxygen calculated to be combined with the metals during ball milling, and comparison of the free energies of formation of the oxides of the milled powders with that of water, a comminution mechanism was postulated. MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT, AND PROCEDURES The materials used in this investigation were powdered metals, deaerated distilled water, high-purity helium, and commercial grade (99.5 pct purity) oxygen. The powdered metals used were zirconium, tantalum, iron, nickel, copper, and silver. A 16 pct Cr, ferritic stainless steel, type 430, was also used. The purities (or nominal compositions) and the surface areas of these metals and the alloy are given in Table I.

Jan 1, 1970

By EL HANAF

The exploratory program initiated in Egypt in 1937 by four major oil companies was well under way early in 1939. Extensive gravity-meter surveys were carried out in the Sinai Peninsula and the Eastern and Western Deserts. Seismic and magnetometer work vas conducted on a restricted scale. The data collected justified wildcat drilling on structures located geophysically and/or geologically.

Jan 1, 1946

By K. J. McGrew, J. W. Murphy

Introduction Maximization of profit consistent with environmental protection is the principal goal of new applications development for any conventional or in situ mining technique. Efficient evaluation of all the parameters that contribute to mining costs and production hinges on proper design and evaluation of testing programs and data. The program discussed uses several field and laboratory procedures to estimate ore deposit characteristics and optimize lixiviant compositions. Ore characteristics and lixiviant compositions are then used in a long path leaching test (stream tube test). Stream tube test data are analyzed by mathematical models with computer assistance to predict such wellfield rate parameters as target metal production, lixiviant consumption, and restoration. When these predicted rates are combined with market values for target metals, capital expenditures, prices of lixiviant chemicals, and other economic variables (labor costs, power rates, and licensing fees), an assessment of the relative feasibility of various proposed mining plans is possible. The flowsheet in Fig. 1 illustrates this process. [ ] Field and Laboratory Procedures In general terms, the procedures followed in the evaluation of an in situ leaching application aim at accomplishing: •rapid leaching and maximum recovery of the target metal in a marketable form, •low consumption of lixiviant chemicals, •unquestionably satisfactory restoration of the mined aquifer, and •minimization of capital and operating costs for the above through development of an optimum mine plan. Keeping these goals in mind, the following minimum test program is generally recommended. Geology •Estimate of ore reserves and their variability. •Average disequilibrium value for uranium deposits. •Ore thickness, depth to ore, water level, degree of confinement, and consolidation. •Characterization of quality and quantity of other ore deposit constituents (e.g. sulfide minerals, ion exchange parameters). Hydrology •Single well pump and injectivity test. •Downhole vertical permeability test to compare flow rates of barren and mineralized formations. •Groundwater quality as it may affect licensing, hydro metallurgy, and restoration. Hydrometallurgy • Flask or autoclave tests for optimization of lixiviant parameters and determination of specific reaction rate constants. • Flask or autoclave tests for assessing amenability of lixiviant solutions with ore, consumption of lixiviant, stability of metal in solution contacting ore, and environmentally important species mobilized. • A long-path leach test for modeling the behavior of the lixiviant solution flowing through a long mineralized streamline (stream tube testing). •Metal recovery tests from lixiviant solutions (ion exchange, electrowinning, etc.). •Lixiviant regeneration tests. •Environmental restoration tests.

Jan 1, 1985

FRank FirmstoNe, Easton, Pa.: The effect of lead on brass seems to have been recognized by Berthier, and the facts published by him as early as 1818 (Ann. des Mines, 1st ser., iii., 1818, p. 347 et seq.). He there says expressly that copper containing lead makes " dry " (see) brass, and that, for the same reason, blast-furnace

Jan 1, 1898

I. PRESIDING OFFICER, At all business meetings of the Institute the President, or, in his absence, the First Vice-President, or, in the absence of both of them, any other Vice-President or Director, chosen by the meeting, shall preside. At all other meetings of the Institute the President, or, in his absence, one of the Vice-presidents shall preside. If none of these be present the meeting shall elect a Chairman. The President shall do and perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Institute. II. ORDER OF BUSINESS. At each business meeting of the Institute the order of business shall be as follows: 1. Reading of minutes of preceding meeting. 2. Report of the President, 3. Report of the Treasurer. 4. Report of the Secretary. 5. Election of Directors. 6, Reports of Standing Committees. 7. Reports of Special Committees. 8. Special Orders. 9. Miscellaneous business. This order of business may be changed at any meeting, by a vote of a majority of the Members and Associates present. At all sessions of the Institute, other than business meetings, the order of proceedings and the time of adjournment shall rest in the discretion of the presiding officer. III. SECRETARY OF THE INSTITUTE. The Secretary shall keep a record of the proceedings of all the meetings of the Institute, He shall be custodian of the corporate seal, of the minute books and of all the legal documents belonging to the Institute. He shall have charge on behalf of the Institute of all correspondence. He shall notify all Officers and Directors and all members of committees of their election and appointment; shall issue notices of all meetings of the Board, and of the annual and other business meetings of the Institute; and shall, in calling special meetings of the Directors, specify the objects of such meetings. He shall act as clerk at all the meetings of the Board of Directors and at all meetings of the Institute, The Secretary shall be custodian of all technical or scientific papers submitted to the Institute for its consideration and shall have general charge and supervision of the editing and proof-reading of all material published by the Institute, and of the distribution thereof. The Secretary shall be the custodian of all back numbers of the Transactions and other publications of the Institute. There shall be kept under his direction an account in ledger form of all such back numbers, He shall on the first day of January of each year submit to the Library Committee a statement of the number of copies of Transactions, magazines and other publications printed during the preceding year, giving the number distributed and remaining undistributed; also a statement covering additions to and withdrawals from the total stock of Institute publications, with the number 'remaining on hand at date of statement,

Jan 1, 1928

By Herbert Clark Hoover, Lou Henry Hoover

QUESTIONS of assaying were explained in the last Book, and I have now come to a greater task, that is, to the description of how we extract the metals. First of all I will explain the method of preparing the ore1 ; for since Nature usually creates metals in an impure state, mixed with earth, stones, and solidified juices, it is necessary to separate most of these impurities from the ores as far as can be, before they are smelted, and therefore I will now describe the methods by which the ores are sorted, broken with hammers, burnt, crushed with stamps, ground into powder, sifted, washed, roasted, and calcineda.

Jan 1, 1950

By Alfred W. Gauger, George A. Burrell

The senior author of this paper, while in Colorado on other official business, made a trip to the Cripple Creek gold-mining district to get more data than are at present available regarding the composition of the gas that issues from the rock into the mines of the district. This was done at the suggestion of George S. Rice, Chief Mining Engineer of the Bureau of Mines. There are -many questions of interest and importance in connection with the ventilation of the mines in the Cripple Creek district, such as the menace to life and mining of a suffocating gas entering the mines from the rock, the danger due to powder smoke (from blasting operations), and danger of continued inhalation of rock dust by the miners. This report confines itself to the first problem, the gas from the rock, and principally to one phase of this question, the composition of the gas and its effects on men and lights. A more thorough study of this and other ventilation problems is planned. That the rock gas is a real menace is shown by the fact that miners (variously estimated from 25 to 50 by different persons interviewed) have been killed by it in the 25 years that mining has been vigorously carried on at Cripple Creek. Many men have had narrow escapes from death, some of them having been incapacitated for days. In addition, much loss of time results because at certain periods of the year or on certain days it is impossible to enter some workings. At a few mines, fans force air into the workings, thus supplementing the natural ventilation and much improving conditions, but the improvement is not entirely adequate at all times. Origin of the Gas Lindgren and Ransome1 think that the gas found in the rocks of the Cripple Creek mining district represents the last exhalations of the ex-

Jan 1, 1917

By T. A. Rickard

The notion prevails that writing is a knack, that the skilful use of the pen is a gift of nature. This is an error. Dogberry may be responsible for it; he said: "To be a well-informed man is the gift of fortune, but to write and read comes by nature". Because Dogberry said it, we may be sure that Shakespeare thought otherwise. Ability of any sort may be partly innate, but my own observation and experience lead me to conclude that most of the easy writers have become so by constant practice. As I recall the names of men successful with the pen, I remember that most of them have written a great deal and have taken particular pains to improve their style. The suggestion that proficiency in the difficult art is a happy accident provokes a sardonic smile. The larger part of the great writing in our literature is the result of persistent effort. An easy fluency has been the undoing of many; their flamboyant and fantastic scribbling has proved as perishable as froth. This criticism applies to technical writing also; in order that a technical description or discussion may hold the interest of the reader, at least long enough to cause him to read it to the end, the writing must be done carefully and systematically; otherwise it will fail in its purpose of conveying information. Clearness is absolutely essential. "It is not enough to use language that may be understood; it is necessary to use language that must be understood."* The purpose of writing, at least of that which is meant to be read by others, is not only to express ideas but to communicate them. Lack of perspicuity may prove as %ad as

Jan 1, 1931

By F. N. Rhines, B. H. Alexander

MUCH attention has been directed to the effects of grain size upon the properties of alloys, but there has been scant study either of the conditions that determine the pattern and dimensions of den-drites in metal systems, or of the influence of their shape and size upon the overall properties of cast-ings. The aim of the research that is about to be described has been to investigate the effect of vari-ous factors upon the mode of formation of dendrites in alloys by measurements of the distance between adjacent dendrite arms (dendrite spacing). Early investigators, including Grignonl and Tschernoff,2 showed that a metal dendrite is com-posed of a tree-like system of stalks and branches arranged in a simple geometrical pattern. North-cott and Thomas3 demonstrated that, in the face-centered cubic solid solutions of copper-base, these stalks and side arms all lie in (100) directions in the crystal. Several investigators, including Sauveur and Chou,0 Sauveur and Reed,' and Martin and Mar-tina have reported that the addition to steel of alloy-ing elements, such as nickel, chromium, and molybdenum, not only makes the dendrites easier to reveal by etching, but makes them coarser. The latter authors8 proposed that the coarsening of the dendrites is roughly proportional to the increase in the temperature range of freezing, caused by adding the alloying elements. Sauveur and Chou6 showed, in addition, that the dendrites are coarsened by a decreased rate of cooling of the casting. Measurement of Dendrite Arm Spacing Among the physical conditions that could be ex-pected to have an influence upon the dendrite arm spacing, that appears in a cast metal, are: composi-tion, rate of freezing, crystal structure, and type of constitution. The relationships obtaining between these variables and the dendrite dimensions have been examined, in the present research, by measur- ing the arm spacing in a wide variety of alloys, listed in tables II through VI. Alloy compositions are recorded in the tables by showing the symbol of the major metal followed by the percentage and symbol of the alloying agent; thus, "Al-10Ag" is an aluminum-base alloy containing 10 pct of silver. Although none of the alloys were analyzed, an im-pression of their degree of purity may be obtained from that of their component metals given in table I. Five hundred grams of each alloy was made by melting in small clay-graphite crucibles in an elec-tric muffle furnace. After alloying the temperature was adjusted to 50" to 75°C above the liquidus and the melts were poured into cast iron molds, at room temperature, the molds having a wall thickness of 1 in. and a cavity 11/2 in. sq in cross-section. Each ingot, thus cast, was sectioned at mid-height and the sectioned surface was polished and etched for metallographic examination. Dendrite spacing meas-urements were made at three positions, namely, ad-jacent to the mold wall, midway between the wall and the center of the ingot, and at the center (desig-nated e, m, and c respectively, in the tables). A typical series of microstructures is presented in fig. 1. For each measurement, the average was taken of the dendrite spacing of several grains covering a zone about 2 mm wide. Only those grains which had a major dendrite axis nearly in the plane of polish were selected in order to eliminate corrections for orientation differences from grain to grain. Although the dendrite spacings were measured to the nearest thousandth of a millimeter, the values listed in the tables are thought to be significant only to the nearest hundredth of a millimeter. The larg-est difference in readings found, when various ob-servers rated the same specimens, was 0.012 mm; the largest difference between corresponding meas-urements upon duplicate specimens was 0.027 mm.

Jan 1, 1951

By Edward H. Robie

MANY engineers currently are working harder than usual, in part because of the demands being made upon them for increased production in the war effort, and in part because engineers are in short supply so that there is more to do for those who are available. In some instances the question has come up as to what additional payment, if any, should properly be made for overtime work, and to what extent is such payment legally permitted under the rules of the Salary Stabilization Board. Most engineers employed in an executive, administrative, or outside salesman capacity are not paid for overtime. They are paid for doing a job instead of for the hours they put in, and are free to do all the unpaid home work they feel they should do after dinner, as well as to do a bit of thinking and worrying during wakeful hours in bed. But engineers employed in a strictly professional capacity normally have standard office hours. Some employers pay for overtime and some don't. Their practice as it existed on Jan. 25, 1951 may be continued. In the absence of such practice at that time, the Salary Stabilization Board says that the engineer may now receive additional compensation up to his straight-time rate for an extended work week. No formal approval of the Board is required. "A professional engineer," in the mind of the Board, "is a person employed in a professional capacity, who, by reason of his special knowledge of the mathematical and physical sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design, acquired by professional education and practical experience, is qualified to practice engineering." Inducted Engineers A letter from a young man just inducted into the service and fearful that his engineering training is not going to be utilized reached us last week from Fort Riley, Kan. The AIME, cooperating with the other Founder Societies, is doing what it can, through the Engineering Manpower Commission, to see that engineers are not being wasted in the military establishment. So we passed this young man's letter along to T. A. Marshall Jr., executive secretary of that Commission. Mr. Marshall tells us that the normal procedure now being followed by the Army in handling Selective Service inductees is to have them first complete 16 weeks of basic training before assignment to specialized categories. During that time they are classified. If one has an engineering degree he should be classified as scientific and engineering personnel at the end of the basic training period. He should then be transferred to a technical detachment and assigned an MOS (Military Occupational Specialties) reflecting his education. If a young man is looking for a commission, it might be added that the current policy in the Army is to transfer to OCS (Officer Candidate School) applicants for commissions in the infantry only. The local unit commander can give information on this point, based upon the aptitude shown in tests. In view of the current shortage of engineers, it is believed that a young man should seriously consider remaining in enlisted status unless he can obtain a commission in a branch of the service that can make full use of his technical skills. His work may thus be more to his liking even if his uniform is not. New York or Atlantic City? In which place is it preferable to hold the annual meeting of a professional society like the AIME-New York or Atlantic City? That is, a winter meeting. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has held its recent meetings at Atlantic City, with increasing attendance and satisfaction. The American Institute of Chemical Engineers chose Atlantic City for its recent December annual meeting. Only twice has the AIME ever met in this famous seashore resort: in 1898 and 1904. Chief advantages of going to Atlantic City over New York are that technical sessions are better attended, there being little else to do there in Winter; the cost to members is less, and hotel facilities are better adapted to a large meeting. As to cost, take a banquet, for instance. The Chalfonte-Haddon Hall, which caters especially to winter conventions, charges about $7 for a banquet dinner of standard quality. A similar dinner at the Statler in New York would cost about $8.50, and about $10.50 at the Waldorf-Astoria. (The charge for tickets is somewhat greater than this because of the cost of music, programs, flowers, and other incidentals.) Rooms, too, are somewhat less at Atlantic City, two in a room being accommodated for about $7 per day each, compared with $7 to $10 at a headquarters hotel in New York. On the other hand, AIME headquarters is put to some extra expense for staff travel, food and lodging, and members living in New York and environs are forced to pay a hotel bill. New York, of course, has more varied amusements to offer, plenty of big stores, and the glamour of a big city. The choice may be discussed at the forthcoming meeting in New York. In the meantime if any reader cares to express an opinion one way or the other we shall be glad to hear it. College Scholarships Most parents of children in the later stages of high school find it necessary to give some consideration to the cost of a college education. Although salaries have increased substantially it seems that the cost of the necessities of life, such as food, housing, and maintaining the family automobile, have gone up even more, so the problem of financing the children's education is as acute as ever. Many overlook the possibility of scholarships, or feel that only a student at or near the top of his class has a chance to get one. As a matter of fact, close to 150,000 scholarships and more than 15,000 fellowships, worth some $42,000,000, are available in 1200 American colleges and universities. Those who are interested should send 55¢ to the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. for a 248-page publication just issued by the U. S. Office of Education, entitled "Scholarships and Fellowships Available at Institutions of Higher Education."

Jan 1, 1952

By C. A. Meissner

THE following is a further discussion of the paper of James Gayley, " The Application of Dry-Air Blast to the Manufacture of Iron " (Trans., xxxv., 746), with special reference to his sup-plementary paper (Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 4, July, 1905, pp. 797 to 819), and. to the paper of J. E. Johnson, Jr., "Notes on the Physical Action of the Blast Furnace " (Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 5, September, 1905, pp. 1111 to 1146). Mr. Gayley's paper has been discussed also by E. Windsor Richards, R. W. Raymond, E. H. Saniter, W. J. Foster, H. M. Howe, V. Pendred, B. H. Thwaite, James Gayley and Alexander Pourcel (Trans., xxxv., pp. 1022 to 1042), Joseph W. Richards (Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 4, July, 1905, pp. 703 to 718); T. W. Robinson (Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 4, July, 1905, pp. 788 to 796) ; C. B. Dudley, R. W. Raymond, J. E. Johnson, Jr., W. F. Mattes, James Gayley, David Baker, John Birkinbine and F. E. Bachman (Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 5, September, 1905, pp. 1147 to 1152);.E. de Mille Campbell (Bi-Monthly Bulletin., No. 1, January, 1906, pp. 25 to 50) ; John Birkinbine (Bi-Monthly Bulletin, No. 1, January, 1906, pp. 137, 138). At the Washington meeting of the Institute, May, 1905, a very instructive and interesting paper was presented by Mr. J. E. Johnson, Jr., entitled " Notes on the Physical Action of the Blast Furnace,"' in which reference is made to Mr. Gayley's dry-blast process. A few of Mr. Johnson's conclusions, as summarized in the last pages of his paper, do not appear to me to be in complete accordance with the results obtained at the Isabella furnaces; and I therefore present the following notes which may throw further light on this subject: Mr. Gayley has called attention to the fact that the moisture in the air is an extremely variable and uncertain factor; and

May 1, 1906

By John E. Latz

QUICKSAND far below the surface, stopped two attempts by the Potash Co. of America to sink a third shaft to a potash bed that lies 1000 ft below the southern New Mexico desert. Virtually all methods of grouting were employed in the two failures without any indication of consolidation of the flowing sand. Sinking the South Shaft at the Carlsbad potash mine seemed an almost insurmountable task, until freezing was employed as a final resort. This process that proved to be the answer may be defined as "the sinking of a shaft by freezing, consists of the formation, in the water-bearing strata, of a large block of frozen ground in which it is possible to sink a shaft without danger of an influx of water, providing the ice-wall between the water outside and the shaft itself is strong enough to resist the hydrostatic pressure." Freezing Method Used Extensively in Europe Successful frozen ground shaft sinking projects had been completed in Europe, and Russel G. Haworth, resident manager of the Potash Co. of America, went abroad in search of the know-how needed for the New Mexico undertaking. The freezing process, with a history of two failures at the time, was first successfully employed by Poetsch in 1885 at the Houssu Collieries near Haine St. Pierre, Belgium. Poetsch contracted to sink the remaining 64 ft of an uncompleted shaft through water laden strata from a depth of 190 ft to a depth of 254 ft. This work was in progress until 1887. The freezing and sinking consumed more than two years. As a result of early failures, the process was not favorably received until soon after the turn of the century. The accurate prediction of success in a given application was made possible by the concerted effort and study of a group of European engineers. Means of accurate deviation measurement and control were devised, the nature and properties of frozen water laden soil (the ice wall) were investigated, a thorough and rational basis of refrigeration load calculation developed, and concurrently the efficiency and dependability of refrigeration machinery was greatly advanced. Numerous shafts in Germany, Belgium, France, and England today testify to the reliability and economical surety of the freezing method. Applied to the South Shaft, which is circular in cross-section and 15-ft diam, the freezing method consisted of drilling holes 350-ft deep, through the water bearing strata into impervious ground-the freeze hole pattern being concentric with the shaft and 31-ft diam. The holes were cased with pipe closed on the bottom end. Smaller tubes were placed inside these casings and connected to a header supplying chilled brine from a refrigeration plant. The brine descended in the tubing to the bottom of the hole and ascended through the annular space between the two pipes to the top of the casing; flowed into the return header and back to the refrigeration plant. Under these conditions, each of the freeze hole casings became surrounded by a cylinder of ice

Jan 1, 1952

By W. O. Hotchkiss

RECOVERY and profits in the mining business do not go hand in hand. Some part of an orebody can usually be recovered at a lower cost per ton than the whole orebody or a higher proportion of it. Similarly, the total of the profits that may be made from mining an orebody is in itself not a true measure of the value of the business. The yardstick for money value should be present worth, and this is particularly so for purposes of com-parison. A simple example, well within the bounds of practicability, illustrates these points: Assume a mine to have known ore reserves of 4,000,000 tons. The ore is of uniform grade but is so situated that 1,000,000 tons could be mined more cheaply than the remainder. Present operations are on the basis of complete recovery of the ores. Output is 100,000 tons per year at a profit of $1 per ton. It is estimated that the 1,000,000 tons of readily accessible ore could be mined at the same production rate but at a profit of $2 per ton. For an output of 100,000 tons each year at a profit of $1.00 per ton, the mine will have a life of 40 years; will produce $4,000,000 of total profit, and, at Hoskold rates of 8 and 4 per cent, will have a present value of $1,104,690. If only the easy one-quarter of the ore is considered, with an output of 100,000 tons each year, at a profit of $2.00 per ton, that part of the mine will have a life of 10 years, will produce total profits of $2,000,000, and at rates of 8 and 4 per cent will have a present value of $1,224,800. . Under conditions such as these, then, one-quarter of the reserve ore promptly mined is worth some 10 per cent more than the entire reserve would be on an average basis extending over the longer period. Assume further that one-half, or 2,000,000 tons, of the reserves could be promptly mined at the same yearly rate of 100,000 tons at a profit of $1.50 per ton. Then this part of the mine would have a life of 20 years, would produce total profits of $3,000,000, and would have a present value of $1,320,630; approximately 20 per cent greater than for the whole ore-body on an average basis for the longer period.

Jan 1, 1936

By E. W. Enqelmann

DURING January, 1933, burlap or coco matting was placed in the bottom of launders handling various products of the flotation plant of the Magna mill of the Utah Copper Co., with the hope of increasing the total recovery of gold. This was soon followed by placing various materials, such as coco matting, cotton twill, and common 10-oz. burlap on the bottom of the main tailing launder. The burlap was found to be the most economical material to use. The test was first conducted in an old wooden launder, 40 in. wide and 2000 ft. long, with 10-oz. burlap fastened

Jan 1, 1935

By J. Holms Pollok

The determination of specific gravity dates from such antiquity, and the various published methods of determining it are so numerous, that one may well be skeptical as to the value of a new means of obtaining so well-known a quantity. I make no claim to any great novelty for the little device here described, the principles, though not the convenient details, of which are more or less embodied in the publications of Mr.

Jan 1, 1900

By John E. O’Rourke, Kevin M. O’Connor, Pamela H. Rey

INTRODUCTION The resurgence of coal mining activity in the United States, brought on by the spiraling costs of fossil fw1 energy in the Seventies, has come at a time of intense public concern for the quality of the environment. Notwithstanding pressure on our economy to develop alternate sources of fue1 energy to the import of oil, the legislatures of several states have reacted to public concern over the environment by passing strict regulations aimed at con- trolling the subsidence effect s of underground mining. Agencies of the federal government charged with assistance to the mining industry, including the Department of Energy and the Bureau of Mines, have sponsored a number of instrumentation and field measurement projects aimed at the development of subsidence prediction models that can aid the mine operator's task of subsidence control. There are good empirical models developed in Europe for subsidence prediction, but they were made possible by a large body of mining-induced subsidence data collected there over a long period of time. No com- parable subsidence data base exists in the United States, and consequently empirical modeling of subsidence is not a realistic approach for our near term needs. Moreover, the geologic and topographic diversity of the several coal regions in the United States is expected to necessitate the development of several empirical models, each one expected to be relevant to its own region. Because of the time and costs that are likely to be involved in an empirical modeling approach, it is considered more expedient and cost effective to develop a general, mechanistic model for subsidence prediction purposes. In order to develop such a model, it is necessary to investigate and quantify the mechanics of the subsidence process from the mine level up to the ground surface. The series of projects discussed in this paper are designed to achieve this objective and include the following work: (1) the identification of geotechnical instrumentation that will pro- vide mine level overburden and surface subsidence data. (2) a field demonstration of selected instruments, and (3) documentation of case histories for complete subsidence mechanics, using the demonstrated and preferred instruments. An identification of feasible instrumentation and monitoring techniques was completed by Woodward-Clyde Consultants (WCC) in 1977 (O'Rourke and others). This paper discusses a demonstration of those instruments at a mine in Utah, and at two subsequent projects, currently underway at longwall mines in Colorado and West Virginia. 'he latter two projects when complete will provide documented case histories of subsidence mechanics. The process of optimizing subsidence instrumentation and monitoring techniques to the conditions encountered during installation and monitoring for these underground mines is shown to be an evolving one, and one which has had some notable successes to date. INITIAL DEMONSTRATION The initial design and demonstration of selected monitoring systems was carried out at the SUFCO No. 1 mine, near Salina, Utah. The instrumented panel was approximately 152 m wide. 640 m long. and was 290 m to 320 m deep. The mined height of coal. seam averaged 2.4 m. The mining method was room and pillar using continuous mining machines. This method allowed some monitoring of the supported condition during development, and eventually allowed monitoring of a caved system when both chain pillars and room pillars were extracted on retreat. The two instrument systems shown on Table 1 were selected from the earlier feasibility report for demonstration at SUFCO No. 1. Collectively, the two systems, one for a fully-supported mining method and the other for a fully-caved method, incorporate most of the instrumentation to be found within all five systems listed in the earlier feasibility report. The instrumentation includes surface, subsurface and mine monitoring installations. All of the SUFCO instruments selected to meet the specifications of the general instrument types listed on Table 1 were manually operated. That is, data from the installed system could only be obtained while a person was there to physically observe or operate the system readout. Automatic data recording equipment was available for some installations, but the objectives were to keep the systems as simple as possible for the demonstration project. A complete description of the surface, sub- surface and mine level instruments, and the demonstration project results are given in WCC (1982), and selected features are discussed in this paper.

Jan 1, 1982

By Henry R. Piehler

Continuous seven- and nine teen -filament close-packed silver-steel filamentary composites mere tested in tension. For purposes of comparison, the tensile behavior of the composite was predicted from the measured properties of the individual com-ponents. It was assumed that the axial strain is the same in both components and that the contribution of each component to the composite flow stress is proportional to its volume fraction. Good agreetnent was obtained between the observed and predicted tensile behavior. However, the composite elongation at fracture was about twice that observed when the individual steel wires were tested alone. Composites in which the filaments were widely spaced failed by the consecutive fracture of the filaments. In composites with closely spaced filaments, a composite instability preceded frachcre. These effects are explained in terms of a lateral restraint to the necking of the filaments which develops in the deforming composite. TWO-COMPONENT or composite materials are increasingly being developed and used as structural materials. Of all the composite geometries used, the filamentary configuration has proved to be the most successful. Polymer-bonded fiber-glas, the most common of the filamentary composites, has been investigated most extensively to date. One explanation of the behavior of fiberglas1 suggests that the load transfer between the glass fibers and the polymer matrix occurs primarily through friction. Bond separation between the fibers and the matrix is presumed to occur at very low stresses. Subsequently, only frictional bonding can provide for the transfer of load from the matrix to the fibers. The force normal to the fiber-matrix interface which gives rise to this friction is assumed to arise from the matrix shrinkage which occurs during solidification. The behavior of metallic filamentary-composite materials would be expected to differ from that of fiberglas in several significant aspects. Residual stresses resulting from differences in thermal contraction can be kept to a minimum by proper heat treatment. A strong wetted bond is formed between the two phases. In brazed joints,2 for example, the interphase bond is sufficiently strong that the weaker material will fail before separation occurs at the interface. Most metal filaments can undergo appreciable amounts of plastic deformation before failure. Failure by plastic instability or necking frequently occurs in metallic filaments, but not in glass fibers tested at room temperature. Differences between the behavior of fiberglas-polymer and metallic filamentary composites have indeed been observed in composites containing various types of metallic filaments in a silver matrix.3,4 At strains of the order of 10-2 pct, all the deformation was accommodated by the silver matrix. Hence, the strength of the composite depended only on the fiber concentration and not on the nature of the fiber. At higher strains, the strength of the composite increased when filaments with higher work-hardening rates were used. Surface slip line observations on a silver-mild steel composite that had been stretched 4 pct showed that an appreciable amount of deformation occurred in the filaments. Work on tungsten-copper filamentary composites5 has shown that the ultimate tensile strength for varying filament fractions followed a linear mixture rule. Assuming that the axial strains in both filaments and the matrix are equal, this linear mixture rule can be expressed as: The subscripts c, f, and m refer to the composite, filaments, and matrix, respectively. A and V are the area and volume fractions of each component. sc and of are the ultimate tensile strengths of the composite and the filaments. sm is the flow stress of matrix at a strain equal to the elongation at failure of the filaments. However, the tungsten filaments can undergo only a limited elongation before they fracture without an appreciable reduction in area. A composite containing more ductile filaments might indeed deviate from this linear mixture rule for the ultimate tensile strength, since filament failure by necking might be arrested by the matrix. SPECIMEN PREPARATION Specimens were prepared from 0.8 pct carbon steel piano wires of 0.015 in. initial diameter. The wires were given a thin nickel flash and a silver plate varying in thickness from 0.015 to 0.007 in., depending on the filament fraction desired. In order

Jan 1, 1965

By Guy N. Bjorge, A. J. M. Ross, S. J. Staple, J. D. Johnson, J. F. Wiggert

In recent years the Homestake mine has been served by three shafts, the B. &. M., the B. & M. No. 2 and the Ellison, supplemented by an inside shaft, the Milliken, extending from the 2000-ft. level to the 3200-ft. level. In 1932, when a new operating shaft was under consideration, the bottom of the mine was at the 3200-ft. level. The B. & M. and the B. & M. No. 2 shafts were down to the 1550-ft. level and the Ellison was being deepened from the 2600 to the 3200-ft. level. All ore was hoisted at the B. & M. and Ellison shafts. Levels below the 2600 level, which were under development only, were served by the Milliken shaft. Below the 1550-ft. level, the mine was served only by the Ellison shaft from the surface. Within a few years, when ore reserves above the 1550-ft. level would be depleted, operation would be limited to the Ellison shaft and the auxiliary underground shaft. The Ellison shaft alone was not adequate for hoisting the entire output from the deeper levels and also handling all men and supplies. Furthermore, assurance of safety and uninterrupted operation required two fully equipped shafts to the deeper levels. Therefore a new operating shaft was authorized in November, 1932, and was named for A. J. M. Ross, the mine superintendent. Plans for New Shaft The B. & M. shaft, begun in 1878 before much was known of the form and extent of the orebodies, was too near the ore and was endangered by ground movement. In 1924 this shaft was seriously threatened and sinking of the B. & M. No. 2 shaft, to supplant it, was begun. The latter was completed to the 1550-ft. level in 1928. In the meantime ground movement at the B. & M. shaft had practically stopped and, though loss of the shaft constantly threatened, ore hoisting was con-

Jan 1, 1937

The total estimated production of coal in the United States during the first century and a quarter of mining is shown in Table 20. This is the total of the production of the various states already shown in the various tables, and is believed to be the first statement of this sort made. No such table prepared from limited data can be accurate, but it is the writer's opinion that the totals shown are less than those actually produced. It was thought that this study would enable a reasonably accurate account of the movement of coal down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to be written. The searches made have shown that at this time the data do not exist from which such a study can be made, but some of the facts collected may be useful to future students.

Jan 1, 1942