Search Documents

By F. Twyman, D. M. Smith

Those chemists (they are still greatly in the minority) who use the spectroscope, use it very often, and find it almost indispensable. As a means of detecting minute quantities of the metals it is unrivalled. A metal can be readily distinguished in the presence of any other element, compound, or mixture without the necessity of separation. The qualitative analysis of the metallic constituents of a substance, which the spectroscope gives so easily, is a sure basis for planning a chemical analysis. As the determination of each element proceeds the purity of precipitates may be checked as often as desired. If, possessing these advantages, the spectroscope has been neglected in general chemistry, it is not surprising that it was neglected in metallurgical chemistry; for many of the impurities which are of industrial interest, even when they are present in a metal or alloy in small quantities, are not then always easily detected by the examination of their visible spectrum. The history of the development of the art has been given in Bureau of Standards 19cientific Paper No. 444. The Development of Analysis by Spectrogbaphy Fig. 1 shows, by means of photographs taken with a quartz spectro-graph, what a valuable region of the spectrum is excluded if one has a visual instrument only. Wave length 4023 is about the end of the visible spectrum, the region from 3800 to 1854 being invisible. It is easy to understand then how it is that the vigorous resuscitation of spectrum analysis which has commenced in the last few years has been associated with the use of the quartz spectrograph; notwithstanding that the most useful instrument for the general inorganic chemist to have at his elbow, after the balance, is a good visual spectrometer.(1) 1 The revival of spectrum analysis is to be attributed chiefly to the work of W. N. Hartley with his co-workers, and to A. de Gramont. Hartley,

By Songsong Wang

Recently, replacing Pierce-Smith converting process with the oxygen bottom-blowing continuous converting technology has become a new research focus. Based on the principle of Gibbs free energy minimization, the thermodynamic model of oxygen bottom-blowing continuous converting multiphase equilibrium system has been established. The elements distribution behavior is calculated at the same burden composition and operation parameters as the industrial production. The results show that the absolute errors of the mass fraction (wt%) of Cu, Fe, S, Pb, Zn, As, Sb, Bi in crude copper are 0.06, 0.0030, 0.070, 0.38, 0.39, 0.020, 0.017, 0.034, 0.010, respectively, and the absolute errors of the mass fraction (wt%) of Cu, Fe, S, Pb, Zn, As, Sb, Bi in slag are 0.53, 0.81, 0.020, 0.23, 2.5, 0.0048, 0.0010, 0.0030, 1.49, respectively. The calculated results agree well with the actual industrial production data, indicating that the model can be well applied in the oxygen bottom-blowing continuous converting practice.

By Gerald L. Finfinger, Syd S. Peng

Geology is an integral part of roof control, mine design, and production operations. Yet, the importance of geology, coal/rock as an engineering construction material and its properties and behavior within the planned mine areas, in overall mine production operations has not been hilly appreciated. Of all of the engineering disciplines, mining engineers work with the most challenging construction materials. They must deal with rock materials as they exist in their natural states and design mine structures without well-known and defined properties. Further complicating the design process is the variability of the in-situ rock materials with rock types and rock properties varying widely from place-to-place. Predicting properties in advance of mining is difficult and oftentimes impossible. This is why some types of roof-control failures may suddenly occur in some areas when a single roof-control technique is consistently applied to an entire panel, section, or mine. Many roof-control techniques are primarily applicable to the geological conditions that were assumed in the development of those techniques and variations of the rocker rock properties may require modification or significant redesign of the support technology.

By W. W. Yankie, A. T. Chatas

This paper is written as a discussion of the paper, "Buckling of Tubing in Pumping Wells, Its Effects and Means for Controlling It" by Arthur Lubinski and K. A. Blenkarn, which war published in the March, 1957, issue of Journal oP Petroleum Technology. An analogy is drawn between the buckling of tubing in pumping wells and a fiube, fitted with frictionless pistom, linked by an inelastic rod, and which is subject to an internal pressure. A simple derivation shows that the critical internal pressure exerts a hydrostatic force on the pisfon which is close to the Euler load for compression buckling of the same tube. While the results agree with those of Ref. I, the basis of calculations has been changed and clarified. The presence of internal upsets at the pistons is discussed. INTRODUCTION In the Appendix, Lubinski and Blenkarn state that a tube with ends closed by frietionless pistons connected by an inelastic rod (Fig. 1) will behave as a column loaded with a force equal to the tension force in the rod. They note that, while the fluid may not resist a shear force, the moment in every cross section is piston force multiplied by the elastic line deflection (c.f., the loaded column). Since the equations of the elastic lines are similar in the two cases, the solution is carried over from the loaded column. On the contrary it is suggested that while the method of solution remains unchanged from the column case, the actual stress distribution is different, a fact which is taken into account in this note. A simple method of approximating the buckling pressure is given, and their reasoning in our mathematical language is continued. GENERAL EQUATIONS The equation of an elastic line, initially straight in the x direction (Fig. 2), is given by In the case of a loaded column, this may be written: For the pressurized tube it was shown, by analogy with the loaded column, that tion has a solution that, for P, = EI/P, any deflection is stable (a criterion for buckling). An attempt will be made to describe more precisely, the forces acting on the tube, and to analyze the buckling condi,tions. DISCUSSION If the tube assumed a deflected position, the volume between the pistons would increase so that in deflecting, the energy of the fluid would decrease. When the increase in elastic energy of the tube (due to bending) is equal to the decrease of fluid pressure energy, buckling conditions exist. Analyzing the forces on the tube (Fig. 3), two transverse forces, T,, T,, exerted by the pistons, are balanced by a resultant of the pressure elements which are linearly dependent on the local curvature of the elastic line (Fig. 4). Unlike most buckling cases, the forces depend on the shape of the elastic line, a condition that makes a rigorous mathematical treatment difficult. Several approximations may be used to clarify the problem.

By R. A. Ritter, J. P. Batycky

A numerical technique has been developed to permit estimating the pressure gradient associated with laminar flow of thixotropic liquids through long Pipelines. For this purpose the pipeline is divided into a number of radial and longitudinal increments within which rheological properties of the fluid may be considered as constant at any time. Then, provided only that the fluid flow curve is defined at every duration of shear, it is possible to predict the instantaneous pressure gradient at any cross-section along the pipeline for each desired flow rate and pipe size. The technique consists of an iterative integration of shear rate to establish the appropriate value of the wall shear stress at each location. Consistency of fluid in the increment is determined by the flow history of that increment, while the radial flow associated with variations in velocity profile is accounted for by adjusting the width and radial position of the increment. A number of pressure profiles, computed at each of several flow rates, provide a convenient basis for pipeline design and pump selection. INTRODUCTION In recent years considerable attention has been given to predicting pressure drop associated with the isothermal laminar flow of time-independent non-Newtonian fluids in pipes and annuli. 6,11,12 The approach generally has been to develop analytical relationships between flow rate and pressure drop based on simple constitutive models which hopefully provide an approximate description of the rheological properties of the fluid. Analytical solutions are highly desirable since the influence of all pertinent parameters can be readily determined. Unfortunately, however, this approach is restricted to simple flow geometries and- frequently leads to erroneous results due to inadequacies in the model. In certain cases a solution may be obtained through applying appropriate numerical techniques.l,14 For example, a digital computer program is available for predicting the velocity profile and pressure drop encountered by any Newtonian or time-independent non-Newtonian fluid flowing under laminar conditions in a cylindrical pipe or annulus.l In this paper the consistency behavior of the fluid need only be described in terms of basic rheological data. Analyzing flow systems involving fluids with time-dependent rheological characteristics is considerably more complicated since substantial changes in consistency may occur because of sustained shear action. This sensitivity to shear frequently persists for several hours. Consequently, variations in pressure drop and/or flow rate resulting from the aging process and addition of unsheared or partially sheared fluid to the system must be considered for purposes of pipeline design. This paper outlines a numerical method for predicting the transient and steady-state laminar flow behavior of a thixotropic liquid in a pipeline of arbitrary length (i.e., at a specified constant flow rate, the instantaneous pressure gradient may be determined at any time after start up and at any location along the pipeline). Several such pressure gradient profiles, computed at several flow rates, may be combined to produce a complete portrait of the system response. This flow portrait provides a reasonable basis for pipeline design and for selecting a suitable pump characteristic. TIME-DEPENDENT RHEOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR The most familiar time-dependent rheological properties are those exhibited by thixotropic liquids. Many of these materials, particularly thixotropic crude oils, generally display an apparent yield stress in that a finite pressure gradient is required to initiate flow. Then, under the influence of sustained shear at a constant shear rate, the consistency systematically decreases to some final limiting value. The shear stress obtained at

By J. Price Wetherill

The coal-seams that are worked vary from 3 1/2 to 100 feet in thickness, and occur at all angles of inclination, but are never flat for any great extent. They contain coal, slate, and an unsolidified coal, called dirt by the miners, in various proportions, a uniform seam of coal alone being rare. The upper walls are composed of conglomerate, sandstone, or slate; the first two hard and solid in texture, and withstanding the action of the atmosphere and moisture sufficiently well to offer but little trouble to the mining operations; while the latter crumbles rapidly, owing, in part, to the decomposition of iron pyrites which it contains in large quantities, and in part to its own friable character, and requires constant care to avoid accidents to the men working below it, and to prevent its mixing with the coal mined. The floors are composed of slate. As in all mining operations, the general system pursued is to reach with a permanent outlet such a point in the seam as will

By Todd M. Ruff

Blind areas around construction equipment are a major contributing factor in incidents involving a piece of equipment striking a worker. In highway construction, these types of incidents result in an average of 22 deaths a year in the United States. The Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, in cooperation with the Washington State Department of Transportation, is evaluating methods to decrease these incidents. One such method uses devices that assist equipment operators in monitoring blind areas around the equipment to prevent collisions with workers or other objects. Several camera and sensor systems are available for this application. These systems were evaluated on various trucks used in road construction and maintenance. Tests were conducted on sanding trucks during the winter months, which allowed researchers to investigate the effectiveness and limitations of various technologies under the most extreme conditions. Tests were also conducted on dump trucks and utility vehicles during the warmer months to study the effectiveness of the systems in highway work zones. Results showed that many difficulties arise when using camera and sensor systems in cold, snowy climates. And, while the operation of these systems is more reliable during the warmer months, challenges still exist in using them on equipment in congested work areas.

By Rohrbach

Crosshole Sonic Logging (CSL) testing is commonly used to verify the integrity, quality and ultimately the acceptability of the concrete in structural elements such as drilled shaft foundations, secant pile cutoff walls, and secant/tangent pile earth retention structures. Besides concrete quality, many factors can impact CSL test results (e.g. laitance, air temperature, access tube spacing, access tube debonding, etc.). Effective use of CSL testing requires fully informed qualified practitioners capable of distinguishing between abnormal readings unrelated to deficiencies in the drilled shaft concrete and similar readings indicating the presence or possible presence of drilled shaft defects. Based on data and experience gathered from CSL testing of thousands of drilled shafts across North America, this paper discusses such factors and other information useful when evaluating CSL test results, and provides practical recommendations intended to reduce the potential for incorrect test data interpretation. The CSL testing industry is lacking in a clear, universally accepted guideline for the interpretation of CSL data and acceptance criteria of these concrete elements. This paper proposes terminology and a streamlined process for use when atypical results are obtained. The proposed terminology and method are intended to simplify and expedite the submittal review and approval process. Because construction activities for these elements are often on the project?s critical path, the benefits obtained in terms of project savings and reducing costly delays are undoubtedly valuable.

By William D. Leech

Lebanon used a TBM for the firsttime to excavate a tunnel in the country. A main beam TBM, built in 1979, bored the 3.8 m (12.5-ft) diameter by 4,020 m (2.5-miles) Madiq Tunnel. The TBM bored through karstic terrain of dolomitic limestone, limestone and marly-limestone rock having near horizontal beds with more than twelve faults crossing the axis of the tunnel. The TBM also encountered more than six major karst features, filled with various combinations of boulders, clay, void space and water. The excavation through these collapsed-breccia zones drastically slowed the TBM?s progress. When complete, which the Madiq Tunnel is a part, the Kesrouane Water Project along the coast will bring fresh and irrigation waters to the parched and heavily populated region north of Beirut. The paper will describe the tunnel geologic features, karst genius, TBM upgrades and performance, and TBM/karst difficult situations

By Bruce K. Cantrell, Winthrop F. Watts

The U.S. Bureau of Mines and others have conducted a number of occupational exposure surveys since the publication of the International Agency for Research on Cancer report of 1989(1), which labeled diesel exhaust as a probable human carcinogen. These surveys have assessed diesel exhaust exposure using measurement of diesel aerosol and/or specific polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as indicators of exposure. This report reviews, available diesel exhaust aerosol and gas measurement techniques. Measurement of human exposure to toxic agents is the first step in determining the exposure-dose-response relationship. It is a fundamental step in risk assessment. Measuring exposure to diesel exhaust pollutants is particularly challenging due to the complexity and variability of exhaust components. This paper reviews current occupational health standards for diesel emissions and available diesel exhaust gas and aerosol measurement techniques. Although surveys in mines have primarily assessed diesel exhaust exposure using diesel particulate matter (DPM) some exhaust gas measurements have been used as indicators of exposure. DPM is emphasized because it is a major component of diesel exhaust, is suspected to make a major contribution to the health hazard, and is measurable. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH STANDARDS Occupational exposure surveys of diesel exhaust frequently measure regulated pollutants, or pollutants that are suspected carcinogens, even if no permissible exposure limits (PELs) have been established. In the United States, various organizations recommend a range of allowable values for diesel exhaust gaseous constituents, including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO.), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitric oxide (NO), and formaldehyde (HCHO). Table I summarizes these recommended levels, showing 8-hour or 10-hour time-weighted-average values where available; where these are not available, 15-minute short-term [ ]

By Charles Himrod

In presenting this paper it is not intended to enter into any discussion of the theory of the blast-furnace, but simply to give the results of a number of determinations of CO and CO 2 in furnace gases, and some conclusions arrived at, and the result of an experiment made in hopes of increasing the production of CO 2. In the first table, on page 198, is given the averages of a number of analyses of gases of different furnaces, and in the second, of two stacks of different sizes under varying circumstances. The conclusions arrived at as to what influences the production of CO2 are as follows: lst,. Kind of fuel. Bituminous coal not permitting the formation of as much CO, as coke. 2d. Kind of ores. Rolling-mill cinder being much less favorable to formation of CO2 than hematite ores, magnetites probably less than hematites, but more than cinder. 3d. Length of time of contact of gases with ore. Small furnaces and too rapid driving both waste fuel by riot allowing enough time for conversion of CO into CO2. 4th. The temperature of blast. The hotter the greater the quantity of CO2. 5th. Regularity of passage of stock through the furnace. The hanging and dropping of the stock, however slight, seems to pack it more solidly in the hearth, increases the resistance to the blast, and decreases the quantity of CO2. These are the most common causes noticed which influence the production of CO2, unless we except the one that might be considered the greatest of all, the one that has spoiled so many tons of iron, and the amiability of so many furnacemen, the one most dreaded, the great unknown. It would seem a self-evident proposition that the better the contact of the gases with the ore and the less with the fuel, the greater would be the amount of CO2 produced. To prolong the contact of gas with the ore furnaces are enlarged with advantage, and pains are taken to charge the stock in such a manner as will best promote it. Still, with furnaces of most approved construction and most skilful manipulation, the gases leave the furnace so rich in CO, that not half the heating power of the fuel is obtained, and the highest

By E. L. McHugh, J. M. Girard

This paper discusses the results of two recent case studies in which high-tech prototype instruments were used. The first case study describes the results of a ground-based hyperspectral imaging tool used to map the geology of an open-pit mine highwall. The second case study outlines the use of interferometric synthetic aperture radar and how this type of radar can be used in a variety of geotechnical situations. These case studies are part of an on-going research project at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) Spokane Research Laboratory. The project objective is to implement engineering controls and design methods in order to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities associated with slope failures at mining operations. Project personnel are hopeful that these new developments in technology will lead to better geotechnical monitoring and design in slope stability and other important areas of rock mechanics.

By Farzaneh Sadri

After water leaching of an acid baked REE concentrate, impurities such as Fe, Al, Th, and Cu are removed by neutralization with different reagents such as NaOH, Mg(OH)2, MgCO3, CaO, and CaCO3. Among these chemicals, lime (CaO) and limestone (CaCO3) are the preferred reagents due to their low costs. However, because of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) precipitation, they are not so common in industry. One of the disadvantages of gypsum precipitation is the adsorption of REE to the precipitates, losing a fraction of REE to gypsum which is hard to recover. In this paper, batch and continuous conditions in the impurity removal process using limestone are investigated and the differences between these two processes are examined. Based on the experiments, REE uptake by gypsum significantly increases in continuous processes, and different gypsum morphologies are observed.

By W. L. Van Heerden

In situ complete stress-strain characteristics of large coal specimens by W. L. VAN HEERDEN, B.Sc. Hons. (Pret.) (Visitor) The significance of ;n situ tests on large coal specimens is briefly reviewed. Tests aimed at obtaining complete stress-strain characteristics of large coal specimens with high width-to-height ratios are described. A formula for the relationship between strength and width-to-height ratios of coal pillars is proposed, and the influence of width to- height ratios on the deformation characteristics of pillars is discussed.

Several major impediments threaten the successful delivery of tunnel and under-ground construction projects. In addition to technical design and construction risks associated with tunnel projects, many of which are well understood, budgetary pressures, funding constraints and the complexity of procuring, administering and executing multiple concur-rent projects in a large program could also have a catastrophic impact on the program?s objectives. Contributing factors often include poorly managed design, procurement, construction, managerial, organizational, market and stake-holder risks, as well as nonconforming inputs or outputs to the costs and schedule, or any other potential inabilities to deliver the required or desired results. A strategy to prevent ?failure? of a project requires a proactive and holistic approach to risk management. Through planning, identification, analysis, management, monitoring and control of the project?s risks (both threats and opportunities), attention to management of risk will in-crease the probability and impact of positive events and decrease the probability and impact of events adverse to a project?s objectives.

By Kenneth Robertson

THEREi9 probably less known of this subject than of any other connected with the metallurgy of iron. In all the books that treat of this mattes, there are given analyses of slags, their chemical formulae, the loss of iron, etc. ; but few, if any, give the character of the iron made at the time ; none give analyses and physical characteristics of the ores and limestones used, and they present merely isolated examples from various furnaces, and consequently one is more frequently puzzled than enlightened after reading them. During two years I have had occasion to analyze the slags and many of the pig-irons from two furnaces, and for this article I have made analyses of all the different grades of pig made by them. A

By J. L. Huitt, J. L. Pekarek, D. K. Lowe

In a theoretical study of hydraulic jetting, the velocity of the abrasive material relative to the velocity of the fluid in the jet stream is analyzed as the jet stream moves through the convergent and straight sections of the nozzle and the region between the nozzle exit and target. The results revealed that the abrasive material exits from the jet nozzle at a lower velocity than the fluid. The exit pmticle velocity can be increased by increasing either the density of the fluid or the length of the nozzle, and/ or decreasing either the particle density or particle diameter. In the divergent jet stream, there exists a point after which the particle velocity exceeds that of the fluid. The relative velocities were considered in the derivation of an equation to predict cutting rate of a circumferential notch and maximum notch depth. Data of a general nature and data which substantiate the theoretical results were obtained experimentally. INTRODUCTION The use of a fluid containing an abrasive material has been an established technique for cleaning and cutting for many years. In the petroleum industry, the early effort to use this technique1 to perforate and/or to overcome wellbore damage met with only limited acceptance because of the short life of the jet nozzle. With the introduction of improved perforating techniques, and later, hydraulic fracturing, the use of hydraulic jetting as a well completion technique became even less appreciated. It was only in recent years that interest in hydraulic jetting was revived. Once this interest was revived, the results of surface tests stimulated the interest of the industry even more than the state of the technology probably warranted because many of the tests were not appropriate for down-hole conditions. However, because of the stimulated interest, the development of the jet nozzle progressed very rapidly to the point where the nozzle life was no longer a prob- lem. With this accomplished, the use of hydraulic jetting in well completion became an accepted practice in a short time. The purpose of this paper is to present a theoretical analysis of the hydraulic jet stream as it passes through the nozzle and travels to its target. With a better understanding of the jet stream and the effects of various parameters, the performance of the process can be predicted more accurately. Equations are presented for cutting rate as applied to circumferential wellbore notching that relate the jet stream make-up, notch configuration and formation material. Also, experimental data are presented on some factors pertinent to hydraulic notching that are not theoretically analyzed. RELATED STUDIES Most of the studiesl-5 reported in the recent literature have pertained to the more practical aspects of hydraulic jetting; i.e., the effects of certain parameters as interpreted from experimental results, and the application of hydraulic jetting in well completion. In reviewing the effects of various parameters, it is interesting to note the reported depths of penetration obtained under various imposed conditions. In general, the depths vary from a few inches to several feet; however, a depth of penetration of less than 6 in., as reported by Thompson,4 seems more realistic for the usual field practice of hydraulic jetting with sand in water for a period of 20 to 30 minutes. In addition to the practical aspects, the study of Brown and Loper5 included a theoretical approach to hydraulic jetting. Their study resulted in the development of a theoretical expression for the maximum depth of penetration if jetting were continued for an infinite time. An analysis of the equations presented reveals that the initial cutting rate is infinite. The equation expressing centerline velocity is that of Forstall and Gaylord,6 which is applicable for a jet stream exiting in a large stationary medium. Since practically all of the fluid pumped into a perforation (or cut) must flow back through the perforation prior to re-entering the wellbore, a description of the medium as finite and non-stationary seems more reasonable. Thus, in this

By William H. Schiffbauer, William D. Mayercheck, August J. Kwitowski

This report summarizes work sponsored by the Bureau of Mines in the development of a remote operating system (ROS) for controllng a thin-seam continuous miner (TSCM) 500 feet or more distant from the extraction face. Detail s are provided on ROS subsystems including the continuous miner, video equipment, controls and displays, the electronic control system, and the operator station.

By Christof Metzger

This paper discusses the process utilized by the Kiewit?Bilfiger Berger Joint Venture (Contractor) to select, design, and procure the largest mixshield tunnel boring machine (TBM) ever implemented in North America. The mixshield will excavate the 8,534 linear m × 6.7 m ID (28,000 linear ft × 22 ft ID) tunnel for the City of Portland Oregon?s, Bureau of Environmental Services (Owner) East Side CSO Tunnel Project. TBM selection was conducted under a preconstruction contract in which the Contractor, Owner, Construction Management Consultant and Designer collaborated on TBM selection prior to commencement of construction. This paper focuses on TBM design considerations, including the use of one versus two machines, machine configuration,extended-wear protection, hyperbaric interventions, boulder digestion, and erection of a steel-fiber-reinforced segmental lining