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By R. B. Burt, James A. Barr, I. S. Tillotson

THE pumping of solids in water suspension is an important part of many metallurgical and mining operations. In most cases, it is still in the rule of thumb category for which no universal formula has been developed, and much research is needed. Because of the limited and incomplete data available, this article may be classed as an experience paper, which is presented with the hope that some contribution will be made toward the development of the so-called universal formula. This formula, if and when developed, may be evolved from several factors, many of which are not now available for general application. The designing engineer is interested in obtaining accurate forecasts on: 1-the minimum velocities needed to prevent choke-ups in the pipeline, which in turn dictates pipe sizes, 2-power required for pumping, 3-pump selection. The basic factors for a given problem will include: 1-weight per unit of time of solids to be handled, 2-specific gravity of solids, for calculation of volume, friction and power, 3-screen analysis of solids with the colloidal acting, i.e., the slime fraction, a very important factor, 4-shape of particle or some means of determining a friction constant, 5-effects of percentage of solids, 6-development of a viscosity factor to be used in the overall calculations, 7-calculation of the lower limits of pipeline velocities permissible, 8-calculation of total head, pump horsepower, and 9-setting up of pump specifications. In certain limited cases horsepower and total heads and minimum velocities may be computed and a suitable pump selected from basic data, but in many cases, as in mining of Florida pebble, phosphate, experience rather than a hydraulic formula still should be used as a basis of selection. Pumping Florida Pebble Matrix Pumping at the Noralyn mine of International Minerals and Chemical Corp. will be used as an example. Other areas will vary as to the characteristics of the matrix, especially the slime content. A typical screen analysis of this matrix is: +14 mesh, pebble size,* 2.1 pct; -14 +35 mesh, 11.4 pct; -35 +150 mesh, 60.5 pct; -150 mesh, 25.0; total, 100 pct; moisture in bank, 20.0 pct; weight per cu ft in bank, 120 lb. The -150 mesh fraction may increase to as much as 35 pct in adjacent areas. When thoroughly elutriated, the matrix has a relatively slow settling rate, which is an important factor in permitting lower pipeline velocities without choke-ups. Exact data is not available to evaluate settling rates. For a factor of 100 a suspension of clean building sand in water is suggested. When pumping long distances, a quick settling matrix allows the coarser solids to settle out along the bottom of the pipeline, causing drag, turbulence, and increased friction. With a slow settling matrix as at Noralyn, turbulence acts to keep the solids in suspension at a lower friction head, regardless of the pumping distance. When the pebble, content of the matrix, i.e., the +14 mesh fraction, is in excess of 10 pct of the total solids, trouble may be expected from settling out even in normal pumping distances. To prevent choke-ups and maintain tonnage, an additional pump must be added in the long runs, where one pump would otherwise be satisfactory. A typical pulp handled is: total volume, 7800 gpm; water, 4500; solids pumped per hr, 4200 lb; sp gr pulp, 1.4; percent solids in pulp, 46.; pipe size, 16-in. ID; pulp velocity, 12.85 fps; probable critical velocity, 10 fps, as below this minimum -velocity choke-ups would be numerous. In calculating friction heads the Armco handbook is used where a roughness factor based on 15-year-old pipe is set up. Because the pipe used in pumping matrix is, smooth and- polished because of the scouring, action of the phosphate and its silica content, the head losses in the Armco table for water are practically the same as in pumping the Noralyn matrix through smooth pipe, plus the fact that conditions vary widely over short periods, making accurate determinations difficult to obtain. New pumps and pump, changes are being tested continuously and a wealth of data built up. This has resulted in a substantial improvement and lower relative costs in pumping matrix. The Florida phosphate industry is constantly seeking to offset higher wage and material costs with improved technique. Until a few years ago a 12-in. discharge pump was commonly used, with heads as low as 80 ft. Sizes have gradually increased and heads more than doubled. For example, the following pump was placed under test at the Noralyn mine: make, Georgia Iron Works; size, suction 16 in., discharge 14 in.; impeller, 39-in. diam; motor, 600 hp, slip ring; full load speed, 514 rpm. The results were increased head, higher capacity than the older design, with fewer pumps in the line from mine to washer.

Jan 1, 1952

By Otto W. Nuttli

The magnetic method of prospecting is well suited to determination of faulting in the basement rock. In addition to establishing the horizontal position of the fault, it often furnishes valuable information concerning the depth and amount of faulting. Consider a simple case of a vertical fault, represented in cross-section in Fig. 1. Let AA' represent the plane of observation (ordinarily the surface of the earth), and BB'B"B"' the upper surface of the basement. Assume that the sedimentary rocks are nonmagnetic, so that the magnetic susceptibility of the material above the basement is zero. Let k indicate the susceptibility of the basement rock, a- the density contrast between it and the neighboring sedimentary rocks, and t the amount of vertical displacement.

Jun 1, 1955

By John Buch

NEARLY 25 years ago operating officials in the northern anthracite field were confronted with the problem of profitably mining virgin beds of thin coal (those 48 in. and under) or destroying them by mining under-lying thick beds. To solve this problem costly hand-mining methods were replaced by cheaper mechanical methods, which eliminated the need for the lifting of bottom or the brushing of top in excessive quantities, which was essential if proper height for hand loading' was to be provided. During this period long-face mining was an outstanding development. In its favor in comparison with any other method were the ease with which undercutting machines could be used, a differential in powder cost of about fifteen cents per ton in favor of this method over mining from a solid chamber or pillar face, and a greater production per day from a single working place, resulting in lower capital expenditures for a given total production, closer supervision and lower transportation cost. The long faces were drilled by jackhammer and undercut by machines. The coal from the cut was loaded into mine cars placed on the gangway road by means of a double-drum mechanical scraper engine and a mechan-ical V-type scoop. A tugger hoist was used to spot empty cars at the loading point from a supply placed at the operation by an electric mine locomotive. During loading the roof was supported by vertical wooden props paralleling the face. After the loading was completed the scraper engine and the ropes that had been used to propel the scoop in the loading of coal transferred the props to and along the face. A row of unfilled cogs was then built parallel to the new face and about 6 ft. from it. These cogs were usually made 6 by 3 ft., the longer dimension paralleling the face; they were placed on an average at 12-ft. centers. These wooden cogs were left in place and were buried later by falling roof. Attempts to remove them were never successful. When a new long face was started, the cog spacing would be increased to about 20-ft. centers. As successive cuts were made, weight would begin on the cogs, and they

Jan 1, 1939

By D. J. Jr. McAdam

Fort the past five years, an investigation of the endurance properties of metals has been in progress at the U. S. Naval Engineering Experiment Station, Annapolis, Md. As a result of the investigations at this Station1-5 and other laboratories6-11 "endurance limits" of practically all kinds of carbon and alloy steels have been determined and have been correlated with other physical properties, especially with tensile strength. About a year and a half ago, the investigation at the Naval Experiment Station was shifted to non-ferrous metals. As a result, several papers discussing the endurance properties of numerous non-ferrous metals and alloys, especially the alloys of nickel and of copper12-16 have been published. In these papers, stress-cycle graphs illustrate. the endurance properties of each individual metal and alloy, and other graphs illustrate the effect of cold working, heat treatment, and chemical composition on endurance and other physical properties. Endurance tests of non-ferrous metals were made by the machines used in the endurance tests of ferrous metals. 1-4 The specimen for the rotating-cantilever tests, which has been described, 1,2,13 has a conical surface, with taper so adjusted that the stress is nearly uniform over a length of about 1 ½ in. Alternating torsion tests were made with the machine of the inertia types17 and usually by an accelerated-fatigue method.12 As the rotating-cantilever endurance limits of metals are about twice the alternating-torsion endurance limits, the former values are more generally useful in correlating the endurance properties of nonferrous metals. In several recent papers by the writer13-16 correlation of the endurance properties of a number of non-ferrous metals has been discussed.

Jan 10, 1925

NEW MEMBER, The following list comprises the names of those persons who became members during the period Mar. 10 to Apr. 10, 1915: Members ADAMS, Louis WINFIELD, Supt., Rolling Mills, Lehigh Plant, Bethlehem Steel Co., So. Bethlehem, Pa.. ALLEN, ARTHUR WATTS, Mine Mgr Rodeo, San Juan, Argentina., BALL, EDWIN MARCOTTEL, Mine Supt., Ishkooda. Mines, Care Tenn. Coal, Iron & R. R. Co., H.F.D. 1, Birmingham, Ala. BOLN, CHARLES A., Oil salesman 135 S. 2d St., Philadelphia., Pa. BOYD, DAVID F., Naval Officer Navy Department, Washington, D. C. CAPERTON, GEORGE HENRY Charleston, W. Va. COGGESHALL, GEORGE W., Chem. Engr., Institute of Industrial Research, Washington D C

Jan 5, 1915

By Howard L. Hartman

The past 15 years have seen rapid advances in the metallurgy of materials for drill machinery and bits, but rock drilling itself continues to be largely an art. Jet piercing, roller bit rotary drilling, and rotary percussion are all promising new techniques, but the percussion rock drill, still used for 90 pct of the blastholes in U. S. hard-rock mining, has under- gone no major modification since pneumatic machines were first used successfully in the 1860's. This singular lack of progress stems directly from ignorance of the nature of impact failure of rock and the fundamentals of rock penetration in general. For nearly three-quarters of a century, mining engineers did not know what went on at the bottom of a drillhole.

Jan 1, 1959

By Frederick G. Tickell

Petroleum engineers are displaying considerable interest in those fundamental properties of matter and energy that control the phenomena of oil and gas production. The subject is a difficult one to investigate by laboratory experiments for two reasons: (1) it is impossible to reproduce in the laboratory the scale of forces and dimensions that exist in the underground reservoir; (2) if we attempt to scale down the dimensions we are unable to reduce all proportionally. It is as if we tried to construct a model blast furnace for the reduction of iron ore, and reduced all lineal dimensions. We should find that the interstices between the miniature chunks of ore would not permit rapid transfer of gases, that combustion and heat transfer would not take place as in the full size furnace and that, in short, the contraption would not work. Just so, when we attempt to make a reduced scale oil field we find we must have, not only miniature reservoir and miniature wells, but "miniature" sand, 011, gas, etc. Much valuable work, however, has been done along these experimental lines and more will no doubt follow, but investigators should bear this point in mind and strive to attain dimensional homogeneity and dynamical similarity in order that their conclusions may be translated into terms applying to the oil reservoir. As Gibson says,' "These conditions are attained when all terms of the physical equation have the same dimensions, . . . when all corresponding particles of the two systems trace out similar paths and when the velocities are such as to make all corresponding forces acting on two such particles in the same ratio." It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the mechanics of fluid movement as it pertains to the oil pool and to point out the complexity of the laws of fluid delivery under the conditions often found. We have to do, fundamentally, with confined fluids, possessing potential energy whose expenditure is restricted by certain properties of the confining media and of the fluids themselves. The equation of motion and time is completely stated when we can assign values to the propulsive

Jan 1, 1929

By H. L. Barr

THE following report covers the history of the development of the mine, present equipment, methods and costs of mining and milling. In addition, a description of the ore deposit is given with emphasis on the origin of the fractures, mode and types of ore occurrence, and mechanics of granite emplacement. An endeavor has been made to present a complete and accurate statement of the San Mauricio mine, the highest grade gold mine in the Philippine Islands. Credit is gratefully acknowledged to the mine staff for descriptions and details regarding their particular field of work. All analyses were made by Mr. T. A. DeVore, head chemist, San Mauricio Mining Co. Messrs. Edward Wisser, J. E. Fyfe, A. F. Skerl and W. B. Meek, geol-ogists, have contributed geologic information and ideas, for which thanks are extended. The Executive Committee of Marsman and Co., Inc., Managers of the Company, has kindly given permission for publication. Mr. J. B. Stapler, Division Manager, Marsman and Co., has had the courtesy to read the manuscript and to give critical and helpful suggestions.

Jan 1, 1940

By Oscar Weiss

STILFONTEIN and surrounding areas gave negative results in all prospecting attempts since about 1904 when Goerz and Co., a forerunner of Union Corporation Ltd., first drilled in the region and on the farm Stilfontein. Subsequent efforts by African and European Investments Co. and Anglo American Corp. from 1934-37 were completely unsuccessful. Holes drilled by these companies on the farms Rietfontein, Hessie, and Palmietfontein were stopped in the Lower Witwatersrand system without finding payable reefs.

Jan 10, 1951

By C. E. Corson

The experiments of which the results and significance are set forth in this paper do not by any means cover the whole subject of the heat-treatment of the material referred to, yet they constitute a contribution to that general subject, rather than to the special department of' annealing. The material here considered is acid open-hearth steel, containing from 0.50 to 0.80 per cent. of carbon, with a nearly uniform percentage of other elements. This class of steel is rapidly increasing in commercial importance. It is even rumored that the rail-specifications of some railroads will hereafter require open-hearth steel. Yet this particular grade seems to

Jan 1, 1907

By Charles McElroy White

IT is indeed an honor to have been asked to participate in the program which celebrates the seventy-fifth birthday of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers. This great organization has occupied an important place in the professional and industrial life of this country-of the world. Its members have explored the far reaches of our globe and have played a great part in the discovery, extraction and utilization of the mineral resources upon which our civilization so largely depends. These engineers, together with the restless prospectors, on the one hand, and the scientists, on the other, have literally been the advance scouts of our modern way of life. As such, we owe them a deep and lasting debt of gratitude. May I, therefore, wish many happy returns to the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers and express the hope that it may long continue to be of great service, as it has been in the past. The subject assigned to me-Iron Ore and the Steel Industry-is, indeed, important, as one considers the future of our world. I shall give as few figures as possible. Pertinent statistical data are included in the tables in this chapter, which, I think, will prove interesting. Many studies of iron-ore reserves have been -published and are available; hence I shall limit myself mainly to an interpretation of these figures. The statistics data are from standard sources, including the Lake Superior Iron Ore Association, the American Iron and Steel Institute, the United States Bureau of Mines, the United States Geological Survey, the United

Jan 1, 1947

By Sherwin Kelly

The prime objective of geophysical exploration is to promote the economical and rapid dis-covery of mineral or oil deposits of commercial value. To a few this concept as applied in min-ing may signify the direct discovery of ore-bodies, but to the geophysical engineer this latter Idea is one of the most insidious and detrimental misapprehensions which he has to combat. The destruction of this annoying obstacle to the progress of geophysical exploration reveals the kernel of truth behind it, that the exploration geophysicist has for the better part of two decades been concerned primarily with the discovery of mineral formations favorable to the occur-rence of commercial ore. There is a very real distinction here, since geophysical methods are capable of discovering certain mineral formations such as sulphide bodies or quartz veins, but are totally incompetent to predict whether or not they constitute ore; that is. whether or not they contain minerals of economic value in the amounts requisite to repay extraction. The art of geophysical exploration is now, however, rapidly outgrowing these early limita-tions. The rate of this growth will in large measure depend on the recognition by the mining industry of the fact that geophysics can play a role far wider and more important than it usual-ly does now, in guiding the future exploration and development of mineral deposits. It is my own firm conviction that as time marches on we will see the methods of applied geophysics turned more and more to the delineation of both minor and major structural features. The outlining of such features having a bearing on the probable loci of mineral deposition will be of inestimable value in guiding the development of a mining district. It is in this field that there will In-evitably occur a meeting and overlapping of the activities of the exploration geophysicists and

Jan 1, 1940

By J. O. Lewis, Carl H. Beal

Introduction ............................... 492 Theories Relating to the Recovery of Oil.................. 493 Methods Commonly Employed for the Estimation of Future Production..... 495 Saturation Method........................... 495 Production Curve Method....................... 496 Production per Acre Method.....................: 496 Appraisal Curves.............................. 498 Derivation and Construction...................... 498 Comparison of Appraisal Curves of the Osage and Nowata Fields...... 505 Use of Appraisal Curves........................ 506 Accuracy of the Apprais?l Curves and Their Sources of Error........ 508 Relation Between Future Productions of Wells of Equal Output....... 510 Use of Appraisal Curves for the Derivation of Generalized Future Decline Curves. 513 Theory of Generalized Curves Showing the Decline in Production...... 513 Suggested Methods for Making Closer Estimates.............. 517 Use of Logarithmic Coordinate Paper.................... 518 Summary................................ 520 Introduction Oil wells usually reach their maximum daily output shortly after they are completed. From that time they decline in production, the rapidity of decline depending on the output of the wells and on other factork governing their productivity. The production curve of a well shows the amount of oil produced per unit of time for several consecutive periods; if the conditions affecting the rate of production are not changed by outside influences, the curve will be fairly regular, and, if projected, will furnish useful knowledge as to the future production of the well. By the aid of this knowledge the value of a property maybe judged, and proper depletion and depreciation charges may be made on' the books of the

Jan 1, 1918

By Allen L. Hatch

A survey of all phases of the world's lead and zinc production in 1968 from ore through to refined metal was conducted by sending questionnaires to individual companies ad the results of this survey are tabulated at the end of the paper. The paper goes on to review changes in the geographical distribution of the world's lead and zinc mine and metal production and in the trading patterns of raw materials, present and future utilization of metal production capacity, developments in metal smelting and refining processes and the growing importance of marketing, product development and research in the 1950's and 1960's.

Jan 1, 1970

By Jed H. Mosgrove

One of the most interesting of all the subjects required of persons studying the different facets of coal mining is coal mine gases. Some mine gases have been a real problem since the very beginning of underground mining, and in the early days there was insufficient knowledge to cope with them. The history of mining shows that until about the last 50 years, much work was done primarily by the hand methods which are primitive by today's standards. Miners had to contend with gases without the aid of enclosed lighting, permissible mine machinery, sophisticated testing devices, and high-pressure ventilating fans. In early days the miners were not educated about the different mine gases nor did they have the technical equipment to determine the actual composition of the deadly atmospheres they encountered. They simply applied a descriptive term to each gas or mixture of gases depending on its, effect on a person or the surrounding atmosphere. The gases or mixtures of gases were then referred to as "damps," a term which was probably derived from the German word "damps," meaning vapors or gases. The more common damps encountered were : Blackdamp A condition of the atmosphere in which a miner's light would be extinguished and in which breathing would be difficult, sometimes even resulting in suffocation. An atmosphere deficient in oxygen which could contain a combination of any of the mine gases. Firedamp A flammable mixture of methane and air which would either burn or explode when ignited. White Damp A mixture of gases containing carbon monoxide, most often found in mines during fires or after explosions.

Jan 1, 1981

By David W. Brunton

The list of our past-Presidents comprises the names of many who, in their official addresses, have sketched the current progress of the arts and professions with which they were familiar. Such addresses are, in my judgment, highly useful, setting forth the results of our own work as a society, and recalling to our minds the particular lines in which discussion would prove most fruitful. Following this course with some hesitation, I venture to offer an outline of the recent improvements and the present situation in mining and metallurgy in the Western United States. The wonderful advances in mechanics, chemistry, and electricity have all combined to aid these arts to such an extent that progress during the last decade has undeniably been more rapid than ever before in the history of the profession. In all mining countries improved transportation-facilities, in many instances called into existence by the traffic created by the mines themselves, have done much to enlarge the field of operations by the reduction of freight-, operating- and living-expenses, thereby bringing lower-grade properties into the producing class. Under normal conditions, as the age of a district increases, all these different factors should combine to off-set the augmented costs attendant on deep mining, and greatly tend to prolong the profitable life of the mines. The more recent and important improvements in our Western mining-practice which have contributed most towards the advancement of the art may be briefly summarized as follows; but, before beginning this portion of my address, I wish to thank most heartily the many engineering friends who have so

Jan 1, 1910

A HIGHLY successful joint conference on coal-mine transportation was held at Pittsburgh on Oct. 20 by the Pittsburgh Section of the American Insti-tute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers and Mining Section of the Engineers' Society of Western Pennsyl-vania. C. E. Lesher, executive vice-president of the Pittsburgh Coal Co., presided over 215 members and others in the morning and Graham Bright, sales en-gineer with the Mine Safety Appliances Co., presided over about 180 in the afternoon. There were four prepared papers and much discussion, as well as a good luncheon between the sessions. Mechanical loading in the Pittsburgh district was discussed by L. E. Young, production vice-president of the Pittsburgh Coal Co. More companies in this district are using loading machines, more types of machines are being tried, and more coal is being mined by them than heretofore. The draw-slate above the Pittsburgh seam is the main problem; but devices for supporting and moving draw-slate are being tested. Except in two mines, the slate is being taken down. The fundamentals of the machines are similar, but the electrical drive and other parts have been improved. The problem is to recover or move as much coal as possible without hand labor. Methods of cleaning coal must be improved to meet the new methods of loading. The Pittsburgh Coal Co. has ten Joy machines and others are under order, a Myers-Whaley machine, Jeffrey conveyors, and Eichoff conveyors. The last mentioned are used in entries and other conveyors in rooms. At Montour No. 10 mine, one Joy machine is worked in rooms and one in entries.

Jan 12, 1927

By David H. Browne, John F. Thompson

The literature dealing with the physical constants of nickel is so fragmentary and unrelated that a synopsis presents unusual difficulties. It is only within the last few years that investigators have understood the importance of placing on record not only the determinations they have made but also the composition, physical treatment, and past history of the material investigated. For this reason much of the earlier literature is valueless. Determinations have been made of the same physical constants on samples differing widely in origin, composition, and treatment, and the results differ widely among themselves. In the first place nickel is almost as flexible a term as steel. Its physical properties are widely influenced by its composition and treatment. It absorbs large quantities of gases and is exceedingly difficult to prepare in a state of chemical purity comparable to gold, silver, or copper. It is vitally affected by thermal and mechanical treatment. Hence in the following pages the recorded literature, where quoted, must be accepted with a certain reserve and used, as far as possible, as a check on later observations, in which these important factors are noted. In every case where new determinations are given, an attempt has been made to record all available information concerning the composition and treatment of the material used so that the data may serve as stepping-stones toward a wider knowledge of the properties of the metal. As this synopsis is an attempt by men of metallurgical training to do what should long before have been done by physicists, it is to be expected that certain errors may have crept in. Any corrections or suggestions

Jan 1, 1921

By F. F. Peng, A. D. Walters, M. R. Geer, J. W. Leonard

INTRODUCTION Washability characteristics derived from float-and-sink analysis in Chapter 4 demonstrate that coal is intrinsically heterogeneous, and this heterogeneity is also evident in the proximate, ultimate, and size analyses. A range of particles from high to low specific gravity is usually seen in the run-of-mine coal. One objective of coal preparation is to recover the high quality float material (the particles of lower specific gravity) such that the recovered product meets certain quality specifications, as well as to reject or recycle low quality particles of higher specific gravity. The maximum recovery of cleaned coal at the required quality is of major concern to plant operators. However, the quantity and quality of products of coal cleaning, determined in the operation of actual commercial cleaning plants and by theoretical calculation based on run-of-mine washability studies, are known to be different with each coal. Therefore, during the last half century, coal preparation engineers have repeatedly sought methods to predict the technical and economical efficiency of separation of cleaning equipment and systems. Many formulas have been proposed by international investigators to evaluate the efficiency of various coal cleaning operations, primarily based on the yield and/or ash of the various products of coal cleaning. Performance criteria in use today are capable of defining all of the important aspects of a given concentrating operation; however each criterion has certain restrictions or limitations. It is important, therefore, to understand how such formulas can be used and the problems involved in their construction. Technical Measure of Plant Performance Conventional means for evaluating a preparation plant's performance are generally approached through the use of equipment performance mea-

Jan 1, 1979

By Carl E. Reistle

ENGINEERS as a group are often criticized because they have been responsible for the development of many technical improvements only to allow the administration of them to pass into the hands of others who may have little understanding of how they operate and little competence in their use. These criticisms are not always justified. There are many engineers who have shown themselves to be great administrators in addition to being great creators or builders, and more and more one sees the engineer demonstrating unusual administrative ability as he moves into the executive ranks. The last five or ten years have seen a new movement developing in this country-a movement brought about through the recognition by business statesmen that successful business administrators and executives just cannot be expected to develop like Topsy, that the management of a company must deliberately take steps to cultivate the proper climate or environment for growth if it wishes to provide an adequate and capable succession of executives in the future. This movement has taken on a number of names-Management Development, Executive Development, Personnel Development-but are these not actually misnomers? Can we develop anybody? In the strictest sense of the word, the author doubts that anyone can change any other person, at least, not much. The change must come from within. Perhaps this movement should be looked at not as a program of developing people but as one of giving people an opportunity to develop themselves. In the Humble Oil & Refining Co. there is an Executive Development Program; maybe it might better be called a Program of Development for Executives.

Jan 8, 1954