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By R. T. Keyes, R. B. Clay, L. L. Udy, V. O. Cook, M. A. Cook

Based on compressibility and stress wave velocity in rock, initial explosive loading conditions, the thermochemistry of the explosive and reasonable description of the pressure-distance relations behind the shock front, the distribution of energy between the products of detonation and the burden are estimated as a function of time for various loading conditions. These include 'powder factor', loading density A (fraction of borehole occupied by explosive), and the explosive itself. Factors responsible for rock fragmentation are discussed in terms of: 1) 'release wave fracturing', 2) 'shear wave fracturing', and 3) 'release of loading fracturing' or 'rock bursting'. Release wave fracturing appears to occur only in the immediate vicinity of free faces, and shear wave fracturing only adjacent to the borehole under normal blasting conditions. Rock bursting is thus considered to be the most important means of rock fracturing in blasting. Means for maximizing it are considered. The most important factors to consider include maximum available energy A, explosive density p1, loading density A and 'powder factor'. Maximum efficiency is attained in general by maximizing the A . p1 product. This is achieved by using high density explosives at a loading density of unity (A = 1.0). Ways for achieving this condition are discussed. The bulk-handled aluminized slurry blasting agents have the desired properties for achieving optimum conditions for high blasting efficiency based on the theory outlined herein. Factors considered most important in the blasting of rock are: 1) The maximum available energy A, determined by the heat of explosion Q and the mechanical efficiency ?, a factor intimately associated with the mode of application (A = Q at highest gas concentrations). 2) The 'borehole pressure', pb, or the maximum pressure developed in the borehole after passage of the detonation wave and before the burden has had time to move or become compressed appreciably. (Owing to the short duration of the detonation wave at any particular point in the borehole, the fact that the explosive may not always fill the borehole completely and the further fact that the burden may not actually see the detonation pressure, the borehole pressure is considered more significant than the detonation pressure p2 as a performance factor in borehole blasting.) The borehole pressure is determined by the explosion or adiabatic pressure, p3 , and the loading density, A, or the fraction of the borehole filled by explosive. 3) The physical conditions important in the application of the explosive are: a) The 'powder factor,' (We/Wr), or the ratio of the wt of the explosive to that of the rock being blasted expressed as lb per ton or more generally in lb/cu yd. b) The bulk density, p1 ?. c) The 'burden' or 'line of least resistance,' the spacing between boreholes, the geometry of the borehole pattern and sequence of firing. d) The physical and chemical properties of the rock, most significant of which are possible heterogeneties, such as faulting, prefracture, and greater than micro-scale chemical heterogeneities. (This factor is not considered here but deserves a great deal of careful consideration.) All of these factors need to be carefully considered in the most economical engineering of a blast. Here is considered firstly an outline of the present status of dynamic rock mechanics, particularly as it pertains to blasting. The factors pertaining to the most efficient application of blasting agents are also considered, followed by a discussion of methods of application to achieve optimum explosives performance. ROCK MECHANICS Dynamic rock mechanics is currently a rapidly developing science contributing greatly to a better understanding and consequently the more effective application of explosives in blasting of rock.1-22 Basic to the development of the science of dynamic rock mechanics were the advances of Goransen23 and the Los Alamos and NOL groups24-28 concerning rock and stress wave phenomena and the transmission and reflection characteristics of stress waves at interfaces between different media. Basing considerations on this new knowledge as well as new experimental methods of study (ultra-high speed streak and framing cameras and electronic timers) the theory of fracture and failure of solids under impulsive loading by stress waves developed rapidly.14,16,27-29 Also the

Jan 1, 1967

By M. C. Flemings, F. R. Mollard

Two-phase Pb-Sn alloys, ranging in compositiotz from 12 to 26 at. pct Pb, were unidirectionally solidified in a convection-fvee system, with thermal gradients in the liquid of up to 480°C per cm. Plane front solidification Loas achieved in all alloys at sufficiently steep gradient and slow growth rate. Conditions causing breakdown of the interface to a cellular or dendritic structure were roughly as predicted by a sinlple constitutional supercooling criterion. Structures of alloys of near-eutectic composition, solidified with plane front, exhibited a lamellar structure; the alloys furthest from the eutectic exhibited a rod-like morphology. Assumptions used in a previous paper for calculations of solute redistribution in two-phase plane front growth are shown to be reasonable for Pb-Sn alloys. Results of calculations are in good agveement with experiment. These show that variations in growth rate during solidification of the composite produce marked changes in average composition of the solid. IN a previous paper, Part I,' conditions necessary for plane front solidification of two-phase alloys were discussed and calculations given on solute redistribution in this type of solidification. This paper, Part 11, describes experiments on Pb-Sn alloys, designed to check the assumptions of the analyses presented, and to demonstrate their applicability to a given alloy system (Pb-Sn). APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE General. A vertical crystal growing unit was built for the study as described below, and "normal solidification" employed throughout (i.e., the ingot was completely melted except for a portion near the bottom end and then solidification initiated). The furnace was designed to permit achieving very low interface velocities, and steep gradients, in essential absence of convection; it is sketched in Figs. 1 and 2. Simple heat flow considerations indicated choice of a small-diameter specimen (ingot) to achieve high thermal gradients; ingot size chosen was 0.3 cm in diam. The ingots were held inside silica tubes 0.06 cm wall thickness. The requirement for an essentially convection-free system was met by use of the vertical furnace with the heat source over the heat sink, as well as by use of the small diameter ingots. In addition, by selection of tin-rich Pb-Sn alloys, the diffusion boundary layer (lead-rich) was denser than the bulk liquid and would not cause convection. The only apparent driving force for convection in this system was the small transverse temperature gradient resulting from heat flow into the samples from the furnace. Such convection must have been small, however, since 1) no temperature fluctuations in the melt were noted in the recordings, which would have indicated turbulent convection, and 2) experimental results obtained and described below could not have been achieved in presence of significant convection. Ingot Preparation. Pb-Sn alloys ranging from 12 to 26 at. pct Pb were prepared from high-purity lead and tin (99.9999 pct pure metal). Each alloy was prepared by first melting the pure metals in the proper ratio in air, in a Pyrex container. The melt was then stirred thoroughly with a graphite rod and cast into a preheated graphite mold. Ingots were then prepared from these castings for use in the actual experiments; each ingot consisted of a rod of alloy, 15 cm long in a 25-cm-long transparent fused-silica tube, 0.3 cm ID and 0.06 cm wall thickness. One chromel-alumel thermocouple, made with 0.004-in.-diam wire and protected by a two-hole alumina tube, was inserted into each ingot. The 1.5 cm of the thermocouple nearest the bead were protruding from the alumina tube and were coated with a very thin layer of boron nitride paste which provided electrical insulation while allowing good heat conduction. The electrically welded junction size was about that of each wire and the cross section of the two wires represented about 0.3 pct of the sample cross section. Including the coating, the thermocouple cross section still represented less than 0.5 pct of the ingot cross

Jan 1, 1968

By R. O. Leach, O. W. Wagner

Because of unfavorable wetting conditions much residual oil is left when a porous material is Pushed by water. Methods suggested to change reservoir wetting to improve oil displncernrnt efficiency are generally expensitlr. The present 1aborator.y study was undertaken to gain an under.standinx of the factors which determine reservoir wettability, arid to find out if oil displacement efficiency might be improved by a wettahility change accomplished at low cost in on oil reservoir. Contact angle measurements were made on mineral surfaces using sevc.r~zl sets of reservoir oil and water samp1es. Results of the contact angle studies suggest that reservoir wetta-hility may he primarily determined by natural surface-active substances present in the reservoir fluids. The effect of changing sa1inity and pH of the water phase was studied. The re.suits suggest that gross changes in preferential wettability might be acc~o~npli.shed by injection of water containing simple chernicnls to alter pH or salinity in the reservoir. Such treatment could he much less expensive than injection of commercial surface-active agents. Waterflood tests have also been made using synthetic cores and oil and water having wening characteristics similar to those of reservoir fluids. Cores initially oil-wet were flooded in such a way that they were made prefermtial1y water-wct by the advancing flood water. This reversal in preferential wettability achieved greater oil displacement efficiency than when either oil-wet or water-wet conditions were maintained throughout the flood. For the systems studied, the higher the oil viscosity the greater the percentage improvement obtained over conventional waterflood recovery. This suggests that a flooding process making use of wettability-reversal may extend the oil viscosity range over which water flooding is attractive. Because a precise adjustment of reservoir wettability does not seem to be required, and because altering the pH or salinity in some reservoirs may be inexpensive, it appears that a waterflooding process employing wet-[ability-reversal could find .succesful field application. I NTRODUCTION The efficiency with which water will displace oil from a porous material is related to the nature of the capillary forces present. These in turn are controlled by the preferential wetting of the solid by the two fluids. Because of unfavorable wetting conditions, 30 per cent or more of the original oil in place may remain unrecovered in that portion of a reservoir flushed by water. This paper is concerned with the possibility of improving waterflood oil displacement efficiency by alterations in the wettability of the porous material. A laboratory study was made to gain a better understanding of the factors which control reservoir wettability, and to determine if the oil displacement efficiency could be improved by some inexpensive means of manipulating wettability of the porous medium. Contact angle measurements were made with several natural and synthetic oil, water and solid systems (1) to obtain a better understanding of how to duplicate reservoir wettability in the laboratory, and (2) to discover possible means for changing preferential wettability of natural reservoir systems. Flooding tests were also made in synthetic systems to determine if oil displacement efficiency could be improved by those wettability manipulations suggested by the contact angle measurements. Based on these studies a possible method for improving waterflood oil displacement efficiency is presented. This method involves causing an originally oil-wet porous material to become preferentially water-wet during the course of a water flood. The purpose of this paper is to present results of the laboratory studies. THEORY Rock surfaces in some oil reservoirs are believed to be covered with a firmly attached bituminous or other organic coating. Such surfaces would be preferentially oil-wet in the presence of both oil and water, regardless of composition of reservoir fluids. Other reservoirs are believed to contain rock surfaces not permanently coated with such materials, and which would be preferentially wet by water in the presence of water and oil free from surface-active substances. However, when the reservoir fluids do contain certain natural surface-active materials in sufficient quantity, rock surfaces acquire a degree of preferential oil wettability caused by adsorption of these natural surface-active materials on the solid. The equilibrium amount of these materials adsorbed per unit surface area is believed to depend upon their concentration in the bulk liquid phases.

By Ronald Allum

Arizona leads all other states in the value of gemstones produced with an annual production which exceeds $3,000,000. Gemstones are an important component of the mineral wealth of the State. Turquoise, peridot, chrysocoll a, petrified wood, fire agate and crystallized mineral specimens are among the gemstones commercially mined. Numerous additional deposits are operated by hobbyists. The State's reputation as a source of gemstones and specimens for the collector and lapidary adds to the economy of the State by attracting tourists. Production of gemstones further adds to the State's economy through employment in the value added gemstone processing industries and by employment of Native American craftsmen.

Jan 1, 1988

? A roof bolter reaches for a lever while guiding the drill with his other hand. Since he's watching the drill and many of the controls look and feel alike, he hits the wrong control and crushes his hand. ? Six hours into the night shift, an ore truck driver dozes off. The truck plows over the berm and down into the pit. ? Fleeing a afire, a face crew sees smoke in the intake entry. Assuming the fire is ahead, they cross over to another entry, but soon encounter even worse smoke. These very different accidents have at least one factor in common: the human factor. The actions, decisions, thoughts, or perceptions of one or more humans contributed to the accident. These are just a few examples of safety problems researched by the Human Factors Group of the Pittsburgh Research Center, U.S. Department of Energy.

Jan 1, 1998

CAT offers three different methods to accomplish crowd & retract on an electric rope shovel Rack and pinion Rope crowd HydraCrowd The presentation will compare the three systems and introduce the benefits of the Hydracrowd

May 1, 2013

By Lidong Teng, Seshadri Seetharaman, Aida Abbasalizadeh

0In the present paper, the feasibility of the recovery of dysprosium from spent Nd-Fe- B magnets containing approximately 9 wt% Dy was investigated by using molten salt process. The salt bath consisted of a mixture of NaCl-KCl-LiCl corresponding to the ternary eutectic composition. AlCl3 was used as a chlorinating agent in order to enable an efficient dissolution of metal in the molten salt phase in the salt bath. The metal chloride which is formed as the result of chemical reaction between the metal in magnet and AlCl3, is subsequently subjected to electrolysis in order to be deposited on the cathode. Graphite rods were dipped in the salt bath as electrodes and alumina crucibles were used as the containers for the electrolytic cells.

Jan 1, 2014

The resin-in-pulp (RIP) ion exchange process was originally conceived by the Atomic Energy Commission in the early 1950's. However it was developed to commercial success by the Anaconda Co. at its 3000-tpd ore processing mill in Grants, N. M. Essentially, the Anaconda mill's crushing, grinding and acid leaching operations are the same as at the nearby Kerr-McGee mill, except that Anaconda uses manganese dioxide instead of sodium chlorate as oxidant during acid leaching. The real differences between the two mills become evident when considering how Anaconda treats its leached materials.

Jan 8, 1974

By Michael Brittan

The Delkor Linear Screen represents an important screening innovation in the minerals industry. Applications geared to the enhancement of gold processing efficiency through coarse screening are presented. Recent developments in the use of the Linear Screen as a fine screening classification device in mill circuits are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1998

By Tony Stephens

In this paper I will try to give an overall picture of the use of pure oxygen in gold leaching in South Africa. Pure oxygen has been overlooked as a reagent for many years. Only with the increased sophistication of gold plant instrumentation, greater recognition of the technical abilities of the plant management and a more definite attitude towards plant efficiency has the recent break-through been achieved. There are, today, twelve plants using pure oxygen in this way as a permanent part of their operation and another three or four presently carrying out long-term evaluations. I believe that this number will double over the next few years as more and more plants identify potential benefits. I have, therefore, set out to look at the background and chemistry behind these innovations, describe the various methods available to dissolve oxygen, briefly look at the laboratory and trial work carried out by ourselves at Afrox and then the different installations, both ours and those of our competitors.

Jan 1, 1998

By L. P. Hendriks

Consolidated Murchison, the only antimony producer in South Africa, is situated in the northeastern part of Transvaal. Phalaborwa, an important copper/phosphate mining town is situated about 60 km to the east of Consolidated Murchison, on the border of the Kruger National Park. The mine is jointly controlled by Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Co. Ltd. (JCI) and Anglovaal Limited.

Jan 1, 1998

By Lewis L. Oriard

INTRODUCTION In recent years, there has been a trend in the direction of larger drilling equipment and larger diameter blastholes. Although this change has improved the efficiencies and reduced the costs in many operations, it has increased the potential for damage to underground openings. In addition, in many instances one now finds more sophisticated delicate instruments, automated control facilities, and a large variety of structures in proximity to blasting activity. The combined effect of larger-scale blasting activity and its proximity to various features of interest is such that there is an increased need for a more refined analysis of blasting effects and their control. BLASTING EFFECTS ON ROCK SURFACES The Breakage Mechanism In order to develop techniques for controlled blasting, one must first understand the features of the mechanisms by which blasting causes rock breakage to occur. These features have not been easy to demonstrate, mostly due to the difficulty in making tests and observations at the high stress levels and short time durations involved. When an explosive charge is detonated, the material surrounding the charge is subjected to a nearly instantaneous, very high pressure [on the order of 1.4 to 13.8 GPa (0.2 to 2.0 X 106 psi), depending on the explosive]. If the charge is coupled to "average" rock, this pressure will pulverize the surrounding rock for a distance on the order of 1 to 3 charge radii in hard rock, and to a greater distance in softer rock (this is also dependent on the type of explosive). As the pressure wave passes into the rock, high tangential stresses cause radial cracks to appear, and the nearly discontinuous radial stress zones gen¬erated by the shock front may cause tangential cracks to appear. The extent of these cracks depends on the energy available in the explosive, how quickly the energy is transmitted to the rock, and the strength properties of the rock. The discontinuous shock front is quickly dis¬sipated, but the expanding gases generate a longer-acting pressure. A compressive pulse travels to the nearest face or internal rock boundary where it is reflected in tension. The tensile strengths of most rocks are roughly 40 to %o of their compressive strengths, so the rock may now fail in tension whereas it may have been able to support the diminished compressive phase without failure. The ten¬sile deflection typically produces a failure described as tensile slabbing or scabbing. Laboratory experiments and field experience have pretty well established that several mechanisms are involved. These include (1) the classical case of tensile parallel slabbing when the pressure pulse is reflected at a free surface; (2) failure under quasi-static compressive loading (the shape is normally irregular due to discontinuities in the rock); (3) radial cracking under the action of tangential stresses at the periphery of the expanding pressure pulse; (4) peripheral cracking at the discontinuous shock front which is quickly dissipated; and (5) additional mass shifting due to the venting of the explosive gases. The first three items have received much attention in the laboratory and the literature. The complex effects of gas venting are difficult to test in the laboratory because of the difficulty in reproducing the many weak planes and discontinuities typical of most field conditions, which play such a prominent role in determining the behavior of the rock mass subjected to blasting. Unfortunately, gas venting effects can be pro¬jected to significant distances under certain field conditions, and are sometimes difficult to control. It is not unusual for gas venting to be the overriding factor in determining the final geometric shape and physical condition of the finished excavation. Sources of Damage For the purposes of this discussion, damage includes not only the breaking and rupturing of rock beyond the desired limits of excavation but also an unwanted loosening, dislocation, and disturbance of the rock mass the integrity of which one wishes to preserve (such as mine pillars, underground openings, etc.). The sources of damage include, of course, all those physical features of the rock breakage mechanism. Each of these effects must be limited to the desired zone of breakage and excavation if the integrity of the remaining rock mass is to remain undiminished. The primary zone of rock breakage usually can be controlled in the normal process of field experimentation to determine proper charge sizes and location for primary excavation. However, it frequently happens that there is damage from sources which are more difficult to account for in the design process, which are often overlooked. These are (1) the overbreak due to poor drilling control, (2) dislocation of rock (mass shifting) due to venting of explosive gases, and (3) loosening or dislocation due to the influence of seismic waves (ground vibrations). CONTROL OF ROCK BREAKAGE Importance of Geometry In studying the rock mass and blasting design con¬siderations, it is important to keep in mind the geometric relationships among charge size, shape, and position, and the physical features of the rock mass to be preserved. The features of principal interest are the external shape and position of the rock mass relative to blasting, and the position and attitude of any weak planes in the rock mass. The Sequence of Blasting and Excavation Events Unfortunately, there are too many times when the task of preserving delicate rock is considered hopeless, and because of this attitude, no further effort is ex¬pended towards caution or control. In such cases there is often a failure to recognize the importance of the se¬quence of the procedures. Attention to this can greatly reduce unwanted effects at minimum cost. Perimeter Control The requirements for perimeter control are highly dependent on the special needs of each particular proj¬ect. The desirable degree of control is a highly variable

Jan 1, 1982

By A. H. Larson, R. J. McClincy

Laboratory-scale decopperizing experiments with multiple sulfur addifions were conducted at 330°C on ternary Pb-Cu alloys containing, as the third elenlent, Sn, Ag, As, Sb, Bi, Zn, and Au, common impurities in lead blast-furnace bullion. For silver and tin, an increased rate and extent of 'cofifier removal was obsert3ed. The elements As, Sb, Zn, Au, and Bi had no effect or less effect as compared to sulfur additions with no i)npurily additions. THE production of primary lead in the blast furnace yields an impure lead frequently containing such impurities as copper. antimony. arsenic. tin, gold, silver iron, oxygen. and sulfur. By cooling this lead to a temperature near its melting point. most of the iron, sulfur, and oxygen and part of the other impurities are removed in the form of a dross. With incipient solidification of the lead, the copper concentration wil have been reduced to 0.02 to 0.05 pct. depending upon the concentration of the other impurities. according to Davey.' Since copper interferes with the treatment of silver after the desilverizing process, it is desirable to decrease the copper content of the lead still fur-ther before the lead is desilvered. The decopperizing of the lead is accomplished by stirring a small quantity. approximately 0.1 pct. of elemental sulfur into the lead at a temperature near its melting point, 330" to 360°C. The copper is removed as a copper sulfide which constitutes a small fraction of a voluminous dross consisting mostly of lead sulfide and entrained metallic lead. The residual copper concentration following the decopperizing operation is frequently as low as 0.001 to 0.005 pct. Thi fact has aroused considerable interest because the equilibrium copper concentration of lead in contact with solid PbS and solid Cu2S is at least an order of magnitude greater, 0.05 pct Cu at 330C. 1, 2 Most investigators have suggested that various impurities in the lead bullion are responsible for the very low copper concentrations frequently encountered in practice. There is little agreement, however? as to which of the impurities are helpful and which are not.3"11 Also. few investigators have sought to explain the mechanisms responsible for the removal of copper to very low concentrations. Willis and Blanks9 have proposed that a nonstoichiometric copper-deficient cuprous sulfide forms in place of the supposed Cu2S. Being copper-deficient, this sulfide phase would possess a low copper activity, and the diffusion of copper dissolved in the liquid lead into this phase would be greatly facilitated. Pin and wagner2 have investigated the removal of copper from liquid lead by studying the effect of impurity-doped lead sulfide on the decopperizing of pure Pb-Cu alloys. Samples of the doped PbS were held in contact with copper-saturated lead for 1 week at 33'7°C. They reported a beneficial effect on decopperizing with bismuth and antimony and no effect with tin or silver. which is directly opposite to the results observed in practice and those reported by Davey 3 and this studv. The purpose of this paper is to describe the effects of certain additive elements on the extent to which copper can be removed fro111 liquid lead by successive additions of sulfur. The impurity elements were added individually to prepared Pb-Cu alloys. The resulting ternary alloys as well as a binary Pb-Cu alloy were then decopperized with repeated additions of sulfur. EXPERIMENTAL Materials. Granulated test lead with a purity of 99.999 pct and the additive elements Cu. Ag. Sb. Bi. Zn. Sn. and Au with purities of 99.99 pct were American Smelting and Refining Co. research-grade materials. The major impurities in the lead were 1 ppm each of iron and copper. all others being less than 1 ppm. The arsenic used was a technical-grade arsenic of 98+ pct purity. Reagent-grade flowers of sulfur were melted under argon to provide small pieces free of fines. Apparatus. The decopperizing experiments were carried out in a 25-mm-OD by 375-mm-long Pyrex tube sealed at one end. The tube was mounted vertically in a resistance-heated. hinge-type tube furnace controlled to within ±lcC. Temperature measurement was accomplished by means of a standardized chromel-alumel thermocouple sealed into the base of a silica. paddle-type stirring rod. All decopperizing experiments were carried out under an argon atmosphere. Procedure. A Pb-Cu starting alloy containing 0.05 pet Cu was prepared under carbon and poured into cold tap water to produce shot. The ternary alloys were prepared by melting together 100 g of the starting alloy and a sufficient amount of the impurity element to yield the desired concentration. The resulting alloy was then homogenized in a Pyrex tube at 450C with continuous stirring. The furnace temperature was then lowered to the operating temperature of 330°C. When thermal equilibrium had been obtained at the operating temperature, individual additions of 0.2 pct (0.2 g) of solid sulfur were added to the melt and stirred in. Stirring was continued for a period of 3 min. discontinued for 5 min. and resumed for the remaining 2 min of a 10-min cycle. This cycle was repeated for as many sulfur additions as desired. When the decopperizing experiment had been completed the lead bullion was quenched and samples of the bullion and dross phases were taken for analysis. Results. The results obtained in the decopperizing

Jan 1, 1970

K. T. Aust and J. W. Rutter (General Electric Research Laboratory)—We find it difficult to reconcile the activation energies determined by Gifkins with his general conclusion that "migration during both creep and grain growth can thus be treated on the basis of the same model" (that of Lucke and Detert). Gifkins finds the activation energy for grain boundary migration during creep to be 24.5 kcal per rnol and that for grain boundary migration during grain growth to be 7.5 kcal per mol. The calculation carried out by Gifkins of the activation energy for grain boundary migration during grain growth, using the Lucke and Detert model, gives a value of 20 to 24.5 kcal per mol, rather than his experimental value of 7.5 kcal per mol. The theory of Lucke and Detert was developed to account for the rates of migration of grain boundaries in the presence of impurities during grain growth. The theory does not take into account the effect on the boundary migration of another, simultaneous process such as creep deformation and would be expected, therefore, to be applicable only to migration during grain growth. The fact that Gifkins measured a different activation energy for boundary migration during grain growth (7.5 kcal per mol) from that during creep (24.5 kcal per mol), although the specimens were of the same composition, shows clearly that such an effect exists under his experimental conditions; the presence of a simultaneous creep deformation markedly affects the boundary migration process in comparison with what would be observed under the same conditions but without the creep deformation. The failure of McLean's equation (Eq. [4] of Gifkins' paper) to give a satisfactory dislocation density difference for boundary migration during creep is not surprising, since the activation energy which must be used in this equation refers only to the elementary atom transfer process of grain boundary migration. This activation energy value is approximately 6 kcal per mol for zone-refined lead, as determined in both the grain boundary migration experiments of Aust and Rutter31, 32 and the grain growth experiments of Bolling and Winegard.33 Using this activation energy value, McLean's equation gives reasonable agreement with observed migration rates for grain boundaries moving free of the influence of impurities.31, 32 The value of 24.5 kcal per mol is probably associated with the presence of impurity atoms, as Gifkins suggests. It should be noted, however, that this value was obtained using lead of only one composition and measurements at only two temperatures. The work of Aust and Rutter3"' on the effects of tin, silver, and gold on grain boundary migration in zone-refined lead in the temperature range from 320" to 200°C, as well as the work of Bolling and Winegard34 on the effect of silver and gold on grain growth in zone-refined lead, shows that the measured activation energy is markedly dependent upon the kind and amount of solute present. Gifkins' work does not permit evaluation of the effect of the 8 ppm of impurities other than oxygen present in his specimens. One incidental point: the symbols used to designate the experimental points of Fig. 6 appear to be in incorrect order in the figure caption. As the caption is printed, it would indicate that larger grain sizes were obtained after annealing at 47°C than at 100°C, which does not agree with the text (point M, p. 1019). Finally, it seems clear from Gifkins' results that any serious attempt to determine whether grain boundary migration and grain boundary sliding during creep occur with the same activation energy, as Gifkins suggests and McLean rejects, must take into account the effects of impurities on these two processes, Although the work of Weinberg35 indicated that adding small amounts of copper, iron and silicon to aluminum did not affect the grain boundary shear behavior, it should be noted that his starting material contained approximately 60 ppm of impurities. Gifkins' results indicate impurity effects at an impurity level of 8 ppm, suggesting strongly that the most significant impurity range to be investigated lies substantially below that value. R. C. Gifkins (author's reply) — As Drs. Aust and Rutter suggest, the results under discussion may have to be reinterpreted in the light of their own work on grain boundary migration, which was not available to me when the paper was written. Because of their work, Aust and Rutter attach more importance than I did to the activation energy for grain boundary migration during annealing (7.5 kcal per mol) obtained from a "direct" plot of log-rate against the reciprocal of absolute temperature. At the time it was obtained, this value seemed rather low, although it was similar to the value obtained by Bolling and Winegard.36 It was then, and still is, difficult to accept this value because of the low value of the index in the power law for grain growth, which seemed to indicate the influence of impurities. It was also concluded that the low value of the activation energy might have arisen from the manner of selecting rates of grain growth which were truly comparable at the two temperatures. There were many other indications in these experiments and those on recrystallization during creep3? that an impurity, probably oxygen, was of importance. The model for grain-boundary migration which Lucke and Detert had proposed was an obvious possibility and its use yielded an activation energy for boundary migration during annealing of 20 to 25 kcal per mol.

Jan 1, 1961

"There mines are located in out of the way places, where timber is scarce and its price high, the problem of protecting it from fire risk is of considerable practical importance. Scarcity of timber for mining purposes is commonly met with in the more arid parts of the country, where, so, mine timbers are most likely to become dry, and inflammable, and where, therefore, the risk from fire is accentuated. Any effective and cheap method of securing adequate protection of such timber at the lowest possible cost is worthy of careful investigation. The use of magnesite cement has been suggested in this connection.The necessary qualities for any substance for the use suggested above may be summarized as follows: It should be resistant to abrasion, and to impact and structural stresses. It should be durable when subjected to the action of the elements, and stable to any minor derangements of the base on which it is placed. It must be relatively unaffected by changes in temperature, by the action of water, and should adhere to the material on which it is placed, and it should also be free from shrinkage cracks due to setting up the material, Magnesite cement appears to fulfill the various conditions outlined above.The elasticity of such cement is the outstanding quality which makes it desirable for exterior work. It also possesses the ability to adhere to all materials in a marked degree. Its freedom from expansion and contraction after setting is one of the principal reasons for its adhesive quality. It may be applied to old brick or stone walls, even tho they have been repeatedly covered with paint, and the quality of adhearing to wood makes it possible to secure a weather-proof protection to the wooden casings and trim of exterior openings. The quality of adhesion and elasticity is easily proved by applying a 1/2"" layer to a 1"" board which has been first covered with metal lath. Such a board, about 8 feet long, may be repeatedly deflected about 3"" in the center without breaking the bond to the board, or causing any cracks to appear in the magnesia cement. The ability to resist fire as well as the possession of insulating qualities are also desirable characteristics of magnesia cement stucco.Magnesite cement stucco should be applied in two coats, each 1/4"" thick on various surfaces such as wood lath, metal lath, sheathing board, brick, hollow tile, or stone; care being taken as regards the presence of lime, unless the same has been rendered, or become inert as with very old, walls. The first coat made up to a consistency that works easily under the trowel is applied in the usual manner. No water should be added to the liquid chloride as it would alter its density, and injure the work. The second or finishing coat is then applied. The aggregates are different in each, and no other dry material should be added to them as they come to the trade. The cement may be applied in zero weather without damage. Setting is quite slow under such conditions, but the cement ultimately becomes hard. It should always be applied to a dry surface excepting that under certain conditions it is desirable to apply a solution of magnesium chloride before using the stucco."

Dec 1, 1919

By R. W. Stahl, H. E. Sanford, J. B. Benson

"As movement or transportation of coal is second only in importance to actual mining, and as the latter is wholly dependent on the former, the efficiency of the haulage system often determines the efficiency of the entire plant. Safe or accident-free transportation is essential, also, because no attempt is made to divorce safety and efficiency, it being realized that they are inseparable.Most of the Ruhr mines were opened decades ago, and many features that were considered up-to-date then are now obsolete. Progress in developing haulage systems has been slow, chiefly because it would be very costly to change many to accomodate more modern equipment. These systems are being altered or modernized slowly, as capital permits. The only revolutionary changes that have been made in mine haulage are the use of larger locomo¬tives and cars, in the movement of shuttle cars, and in the adoption of skip hoisting. Most Ruhr shafts, however, will not accomodate large cars, the secondary roadways are too narrow for large locomotives, and the coal is too soft to permit skip hoisting because degradation would be too great. Therefore, notable advances have been made only at newer plants, where allowances have been made for modern equipment.The shafts are deep (average 2,300 feet) and of comparatively small diameter. The small bore was designed to reduce costs of sinking and lining. Generally, the shafts are lined throughout with masonry; however, most of the buntons and guides are wooden.The hoisting engines arc installed in masonry structures, and where more than one hoist is used they are placed on opposite sides of the shaft to eliminate as much noise as possible (fig. 1). This arrangement also prevents an engineer from acting on any signals except those transmitted to him. A few hoisting engines are mounted in the headframes (fig. 2). The hoisting engines are equipped with overwind, overspeed, and auxiliary braking devices, which are tested frequently and kept operative at all times. The signal code is displayed in view of the engineer, and a light or dial indicator informs him of the cage's position in the shaft. Many hoists are equipped with re¬cording devices, which show on a continuous chart the speed of hoisting as well as any delays throughout the 24-hour period.A Koepe system of winding is in general use because of the depth of shafts (fig. 3). With this system, a single rope passes over a single-groove, large-diameter sheave attached to the motive power, and the ends of the rope, after passing over the head sheaves, are attached to the cages. A flat tail rope suspended in the shaft and connected to the bottom of the cages serves to balance the system. Both steam and electric engines are used to activate the hoisting system, end the engines are capable of moving at least a 50-percent overload.The ropes are necessarily of large diameter (2-1/2 inches and greater), and flexibility decreases as rope diameter increases. To overcome the unwieldiness .of large-diameter ropes as shafts become deeper, a four-rope system is being tried at one mine (fig.4). In this system the load is equalized between four ropes which permits much smaller ropes to be used. All hoist ropes are inspected daily and discarded after 2 years service unless special permission for longer service is granted by the Mine Inspectorate, and then only after thorough visual and electromagnetic inspection."

Jan 1, 1950

By M. Bender, H. D. Goodfellow

"Belt conveyors, because of their low capital and operating costs and inherent flexibility in handling a wide variety of products, have numerous applications in the mining industry. With the increased emphasis on improving the workplace environment, dust emissions from belt conveyors at transfer and other points have become a significant problem for many applications.The paper reviews belt conveyor dust control technology and compares dust emissions from belt conveyor systems with other possible materials handling systems. Technical information on existing belt conveyor installations which have been designed to minimize or eliminate dust emissions is summarized. The important features of good design as well as the necessary input from operating and maintenance personnel are highlighted. The status of research and development work on dust control on belt conveyor systems on a world-wide basis is discussed. A proposed methodology for field measurements of emission factors from belt conveyor systems is presented. Data collected from such a test program can be used to establish a design basis for new dust-free belt conveyors.IntroductionBelt conveyors have proven themselves over the year s in the mining industry as a reliable and low-co st method of moving bulk material at high tonnage rates. Because of the above, as well as their inherent flexibility in handling a wide variety of products, belt conveyors are often called the ""workhorses"" of bulk material handling systems. For many processing plants, belt conveyors serve as the ""vital link"" in providing feed to the plant and the removal of the finished product. As would be expected, there has been considerable engineering effort in designing rugged and reliable belt conveyor systems.It is also well known that belt conveyor systems are a primary source of respirable dust emissions. The major sources are from the tail pulley where material is received and the head pulley where material is discharged, from the return idlers, due to the fine material attached to the return belt, and from the take-up pulley. It is usually considered that for dust particles less than 10 microns, these particles will remain airborne and thus can have a profound effect on the workplace environment."

Jan 1, 1982

By R. J. S. Brown, B. W. Ganison

A new logging method has been developed, based on measurement of the nuclear magnetism of formation fluids. The nuclear magnetism log (NML) is the only log that responds solely to formation fluids. It operates equally well in both oil-base and water-base muds and in empty holes, and can be used in all kinds of formations except strongly magnetic ones. Two separate NML measurements can be made, one of which provides a continuous formation fluid curve. This fluid curve is called the free fluid log (FFL) and is believed to indicate a minimum effective porosity in most formations. The FFL not only delineates fluid-containing zones, but provides an excellent correlation curve that can be obtained under conditions where conventional correlation logs are ineffective. Preliminary tests indicate that the second kind of NML measurement may help distinguish oil and water zones and provide information concerning permeability and wettability. (The FFL itself appears to provide some information on permeability.) The second kind of NML measurement requires stopping the logging tool for a short time opposite a zone of interest and taking more extensive NML data that can be displayed as nuclear magnetic relaxation curves. In some instances, oil and water saturations for the region immediately adjacent to the borehole can be read from these relaxation curves. INTRODUCTION In 1946, Bloch, Hansen and Packard and Purcell, Torrey and Pound3 independently announced the successful demonstration of the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance. During the past 13 years, there have been many applications of nuclear magnetic resonance, including applications to the study of chemical structure and to the measurement of magnetic field strengths. Preliminary experiments on the feasibility of using nuclear magnetism measurements in well logging were made independently by California Research Corp. and Varian Assoc., the Varian work being sponsored by the Byron Jackson Tools, Inc. Since then a cooperative research program on nuclear magnetism logging has been carried out by the Byron Jackson Div. and Research Center of Borg-Warner Corp., and California Research Corp., subsidiary of Standard Oil Co. of California. The use of nuclear magnetism in well logging is of special interest because it offers a way of making direct measurements on the hydrogen in the formation fluids and not on the rock matrix. Within the past 1 1/2 years, successful measurements have been made with a research model logging tool in wells in California, Tex as, Utah, Louisiana and Wyoming. NUCLEAR MAGNETISM SIGNALS Polarization, Relaxation and Precession Many atomic nuclei possess magnetic moments and spins; that is, they are similar in some respects to bar-magnet and gyroscope combinations. Molecules and their nuclei are subject to thermal motion, which has a scrambling effect, tending to leave as many nuclear spins oriented in any one direction as in any other. However, if a magnetic field is applied, the magnetic nuclei tend to align in the direction of the field. The scrambling and aligning forces compete with each other, with the result that a few more spins are oriented parallel to the field than in other directions. This gives a net magnetization, or polarization, which is directly proportional to the strength of the applied magnetic field (aligning influence) and inversely proportional to the absolute temperature (scrambling influence). When the magnetic field in, or temperature of, a liquid sample containing protons is changed, the new equilibrium value of proton polarization is not established immediately but requires an amount of time which depends on the nature of the hydrogen-containing materials. The process of approaching the equilibrium value of polarization is called relaxation.'.' Polarization is a vector quantity, and the components parallel to and perpendicular to the magnetic field must be considered separately. Relaxation of the component parallel to the field is called "thermal relaxation", or "longitudinal relaxation", and the corresponding time for this component of non-equilibrium polarization to decay by a factor of e (natural log base) is denoted T. The relaxation of the perpendicular component is called "transverse relaxation", and the corresponding relaxation time is denoted T,. The potential energy of a magnet in a uniform field depends on the angle the magnet makes with the field; therefore, a change of the component of net polarization parallel to the magnetic field involves an exchange of energy between the spin system and the thermal motion of the molecules, leading to the term thermal relaxation for the relaxation of this component. Suppose we subject a sample to a strong magnetic field at right angles to the earth's field for a time greater than TI. A polarization, thus, is established at right an-

By P. K. Koh, H. A. Lewis, H. F. Graff

New data on the distribution of silicon between slag and carbon-saturated iron at 1600Oand 1700OC are presented which, in combination with previously published data, permit the determination of silica activities over a broad range of compositions in the CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 system. The distribution of silicon between graphite-saturated Fe-Si-C alloys and blast furnace-type slags in equilibrium with CO has been described in previous publications.1"3 In this past work the silica-silicon relation was established at temperatures of 1425" to 1'700°C for slags containing up to 20 pct A12O3. This paper presents the results of additional studies at 1600" and 1700° C which extend the silicon distribution data at these temperatures for CaO-A12O3-SiO, slags over a range from zero pct Al2O3 to saturation with Al2O3, or CaO.2Al2O3. The upper limit of SiO2 is set by the occurrence of Sic as a stable phase when the metal contains 23.0 or 23.7 pct Si at 1600" or 1700°C, respectively. The activity of silica over the expanded range is determined directly from the distribution data.3 Recently4-7 other investigators have studied the activities of SiO, and CaO, principally in the binary system, using different methods and obtaining somewhat different results. EXPERIMENTAL STUDY The experimental apparatus and procedure have been fully described in previous publications.1, 3 Six new series of experimental heats have been made, four at 1600° and two at 1700°C. Master slags of several fixed CaO/Al203 ratios were pre-melted in graphite crucibles, and these were used with additions of silica to prepare the initial slag for each experiment. Slag and metal were stirred at 100 rpm and CO was passed through the furnace at 150 cc per min. The initial sample was taken 1 hr after addition of slag at 1600°C or 1/2 hr after addition at 1700°C. The run was normally continued for 8 hr at 1600°C or 7 hr at 1700°C, and the final sample was taken at the end of this period. Changes in Si and SiO2 content indicate the direction of approach to equilibrium, and in a series of runs where the approach is from both sides this permits approximate location of the equilibrium line. Fig. 1 shows the results of such a series of 15 runs at 1600°C for slags of CaO/Al,O3 = 1.50 by weight. Figs. 2 and 3 record other series at 1600°C and Fig. 5 a series at 1700°C with fixed CaO/Al0 ratios. The results of the experiments at 162003°C have been reported in part in a preliminary note.3 In the experiments recorded in Figs. 4 and 6, the slags were saturated with A12O3 (or with CaO.2A12O3 within its field of stability) by suspending a pure alumina tube in the melt during the course of the run. The final slag analyses were used to establish the liquidus boundaries8 in the stability fields of CaO.2Al2O3 and of Al20,. ACTIVITY OF SILICA The free-energy change in the reaction has been calculated by Fulton and chipman2 from recent and trustworthy data including heats of formation, entropies, and heat capacities. The more recent determination by Olette of the high-temperature enthalpy of liquid silicon is in satisfactory agreement with the values used and therefore requires no revision of the result which is expressed in the equation: SiO2 (crist) + 2C (graph) = Si + 2CO(g.) [1] &F° = + 161,500 - 87.4T The standard state for silica is taken as pure cristobalite and that of Si as the pure liquid metal. Since the melts were made under 1 atm of CO and were graphite-saturated, the equilibrium constant for Eq. [I] reduces to K1 = asi /asio2. The value of this constant is 1.77 at 1600°C and 16.2 at 1700°C. Through K1, the activity of silica in the slag is directly related to the activity of silicon in the equilibrium metal.

Jan 1, 1960

By R. L. Ash, R. R. Rollins, C. J. Konya

An investigation was performed to determine conditions for optimizing the spacing of simultaneously initiated multiple explosive columns. This was done by using models of mortar, dolomite, and Plexiglas with 10-grain mild detonating fuse as the explosive charge. It was desired to simulate blastholes with multiple primers initiated by detonating fuse or when high-velocity explosives are used in low-velocity materials. It was found that optimum spacing between multiple charges was strongly influenced by charge length. At less than optimum charge length, the spacing at which complete shearing was possible between adjacent charges decreased exponentially with a subsequent loss of broken material volume. For charges fired simultaneously, larger burdens and spacings were possible as compared to those necessary for single-crater charges. For each material studied, there was a characteristic optimum charge length and a maximum attainable spacing at any given burden. Proper selection of the spacing distance between charges is fundamental to successful blasting. Its value directly affects the cost of drilling and explosives used per unit of broken material. In addition, the choice of a spacing that is Compatible with a given set of blasting conditions aids in the control of fragmentation sizing, ground vibrations, overbreak, and throw which in turn, influence other production costs. For example, normally loaded blastholes that are spaced too closely invariably promote overbreak and usually give coarse fragmentation. Unless care is taken, airblast and violent flyrock will occur and under certain conditions cutoffs and misfires may result. Too large a spacing, on the other hand, frequently leads to conditions that form bootlegs or toes. The choice of a particular spacicg to use, however, is largely a matter of individual experience and judgment, usually based on trial and error. Very little is known or can be found in the literature with regard to how the spacing between charges is related to field conditions and charge geometry. As a general rule, the firing time sequence of adjacent charges and properties of a material are thought to have the most significant influence on the spacing distance best suited for any given field condition. For example, delayed initiation of adjacent charges usually always requires a closer spacing than when charges are fired at the same time. This should be expected if one considers that the energy normally dissipated and lost in the surrounding ground from charges fired independently would be captured and utilized for breaking material between charges when they are initiated together. Spacing can be extended also when charges are aligned with structural planes of a material, such as jointing, along which shearing is relatively easy. It is customary to relate the spacing (S) between charges to their common burden (B) in the form of a spacing ratio, or SIB. The burden normally is considered as the optimum depth or distance from any single charge perpendicular to the nearest free or open face at which the desired fragmentation and maximum crater yield are obtained. For production blasting, value of the ratio is generally considered to vary from 1 to 2, depending on conditions.1-6 When adjacent charges are fired independent of one another, the value varies from 1 to about 1.4, the closer amount being employed to square corners or produce craters having the ideal 90" apex angle. The larger ratio is the geometric balance value for craters having an apex angle of 135". The basic ideal crater forms in the plane of the charge diameter for charges fired independently are shown in Fig. 1. In the event charges are fired simultaneously, geometric balance in the plane of their charge diameters suggests that a spacing ratio near 2 would be appropriate, as illustrated by Fig. 2. In practice, however, some compromise ratio value must be selected to conform with the specific ground conditions. An example would be where the jointing planes tend to produce 60° or 120° crater angles, the appropriate geometrically balanced charge arrangement being given by Fig. 3. In this condition, the spacing ratio is 1.15, not 1 or 1.4 as suggested for the 90° cratering of independently fired adjacent charges. In view of the foregoing, it would seem logical to assume that whenever charges all having the same burden are fired at the same time, spacing distances always can be greater than those permitted by charges fired independently. In practice this is not the case, however.

Jan 1, 1970