Search Documents

By James R. Garvey

Coal reserves of the United States are enormous. Considered on the basis of proven reserves, and compared with reserves of other fuels, coal constitutes 88% of the proven recoverable energy resources of the nation. That includes oil, natural gas, oil shale and uranium used in burner reactors. Considered on the basis of "ultimate recoverable reserves", that is, those resources which can be extracted with improved technology and at somewhat higher costs and including those resources of all fuels not yet found but believed to be waiting discovery, coal still accounts for 75 % of the national total. In the U.S. hydrocarbon economy about 76% of the total energy needs are supplied by petroleum and natural gas and about 20% by coal. Domestic resources of oil and gas are running dangerously low, and assuming a continued hydrocarbon economy, the 20% supplied by coal may increase dramatically. Nearly a quarter of the petroleum consumed in the U.S. is imported. Natural gas is in shorter supply than petroleum and the problems of its importation seem at least as difficult as those of oil.

Jan 6, 1972

By S. H. Ash

SAFETY records have improved in all branches of the mineral industry. While annual production was rising from $2 billion in 1910 to nearly $12 billion in 1950, fatalities decreased from 3539 in 1911 to 974 in 1951. And, although safety progressed under hand methods, it progresses more effectively under modern, mechanized methods. But powered devices such as electric or diesel units can in themselves create new hazards unless proper safeguards are instituted. Health Use of diesels underground is increasing. Diesel equipment has been used in construction of 34 tunnels in 16 states in the last 17 years. The 77 noncoal underground mines in 24 states using diesels underground range from mines with large open stopes to those with narrow veins, so that the ventilating problems represent a good cross-section of U. S. mining. The U. S. Bureau of Mines has received no report that anyone has suffered ill effects from the proper use of properly maintained equipment. The necessity for correct maintenance and use of satisfactory exhaust conditioners cannot be emphasized too strongly.

Jan 2, 1954

By A. T. Robinson, J. E. Dorn

The electrical resistivities of aluminum alloys containing CU, Ge, Zn, Ag, Cd, and Mg were found to increase linearly with the atomic percentage of the solute atoms. Application of Linde's rule to these data suggests that each aluminum atom contributes 2.5 electrons to the metallic bond. ALTHOUGH aluminum invariably exhibits a Jt\. valence of three in ionic solids, it does not follow necessarily that its valence in the metallic state is also three. As a matter of record, many properties suggest that the number of bonding electrons in metallic aluminum is less than three. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the atomic radii1 of the metallic elements in the solid state decrease with increasing atomic number at the beginning of any one period. The atomic radius of aluminum, however, is greater than that which would result from a regular decrease in atomic radius with increasing atomic number, suggesting that the number of bonding electrons in aluminum is somewhat less than three. Correlated with the anomalously large atomic radius of aluminum is its abnormally low melting temperature. As the atomic numbers increase in any one period, the melting temperatures of the metallic elements increase.' As shown in Fig. 2, however, the melting temperature of aluminum (13) is only slightly greater than that of magnesium (12). Again the number of bonding electrons in metallic aluminum appears to be nearer two than the expected value of three. In addition Ageev and Ageeva3 alculated the electron density distribution in the aluminum lattice. A comparison of such electron density curves for various assumed valence states of aluminum with experimentally determined curves suggests that the actual number of bonding electrons in metallic aluminum is between two and three. Hume-Rothery and Raynor', " have suggested that the above-mentioned abnormalities are associated with the overlapping of the Brillouin zones of metallic aluminum when it is in the usual face-centered cubic structure. The importance of the number of bonding electrons in metals has been extended recently into the field of mechanical properties. While formerly it was thought that the plastic properties of alpha solid solutions were primarily dependent upon the lattice strain induced in the solvent by the solute, it is now known that the difference in the number of bonding electrons of the solute and solvent also has its influence on the plastic properties."1' In order to achieve a satisfactory correlation of the effect of alloying elements on the plastic properties of aluminum alloys,"'T however, it was necessary to assume that the number of bonding electrons contributed by aluminum was about two rather than the expected value of three. It appeared to be desirable, therefore, to seek other criteria for evaluating the number of bonding electrons contributed by aluminum to its alpha solid solutions, especially in view of the practical as well as the theoretical importance of the effect of valency on the plastic properties. Norbury' was perhaps the first to illustrate that the increase in resistance of alpha solid solutions is associated with the differences in valence of the solute and solvent metals. In a series of illuminating investigations Linden-'' has shown that the electrical

Jan 1, 1952

By Franklin J. Hill, Theodore D. Tiemann

Sized fractions of Wisconsin Gogebic taconite were reduced with hydrogen over the temperature range from 600° to 1000°C. In general, the degree and rate of reduction increase with temperature. Particle size has no observable effect except in the smaller fractions at 900°C and above, where reduction is impeded, possibly due to the siliceous nature of the ore. Gaseous diffusion appears to be significant as a rate controlling factor at certain stages. THE depletion of high grade iron ore reserves in the United States has established the need to utilize all available iron ore deposits, both in long range planning and from the viewpoint of national emergency. This has led to extensive research and development in this field. The beneficiation of Wisconsin Gogebic taconite ore has been previously studied by investigators at the University of Wiscconsin, 1 the United States Bureau of Mines,, Battelle Memorial Institute, 3 and others. Methods investigated have included concentration by flotation processes, magnetic and gravity separation, magnetic roasting and various combinations of them. The foregoing studies have been concerned with the production of an enriched ore suitable for blast furnace use. If the ore could first be reduced to metallic iron and then beneficiated, the product could be used directly in the open hearth or electric steel-making furnace. The by-passing of the blast furnace should enhance the economic feasibility of the beneficiating process. The work reported here,4 was undertaken to establish data on the hydrogen reduction of Wisconsin taconite that would eventually lead to the development of an economic direct reduction process for this and perhaps other low grade siliceous ores. The volume of work on direct reduction can be judged by the fact that 240 direct reduction processes were patented in the United States alone up to 1951, 5 and numerous additional processes have since been developed. Some of the factors contributing to direct reduction development are: 1) The increasing capital cost of the blast furnace and its accessory equipment. 2) The decreasing availability of high grade domestic ore. 3) The high cost of steel scrap for use in the open hearth and electric furnaces. In general, direct reduction processes can be divided into two types; those using a solid reductant (coal, peat, lignite) usually carried out in a kiln, and those using a gaseous reductant (H2, CO) in a shaft furnace or a fluidized bed retort. As there is no low cost coal readily available in northern Wisconsin but natural gas could be quite easily obtained, it is believed a gaseous reductant process would offer the greater feasibility for use on Wisconsin taconite. It is hoped that this preliminary work will beof interest to other investigators in this increasingly important field. TACONITE ORE The ore used in the investigation was obtained originally from the U. S. Bureau of Mines, and consisted of a representative composite made up from trench samples of the Norrie, Pabst, Plymouth, Pence, and Yale members of the Wisconsin Gogebic range iron formation. Chemically, the ore contains approximately 52 pct SiO, and 30 pct Fe. X-ray diffraction and other studies indicate the principal minerals to be quartz (SiO2), hematite (Fe2O3), and goethite (Fe2O3. H2O). Minor amounts of iron containing silicates, siderite (FecO3), and magnetite (FeO-Fe2O3) are present. The iron minerals and quartz are so finely disseminated that the ore requires grinding to less than 200 mesh (74 µ) for essential liberation.l,2 The iron content of each of the several size fractions studied is shown in Table I. EXPERIMENTAL METHOD The method used throughout the investigation was based on that developed by the U. S. Bureau of Mines in Minneaopolis6,7 in which the course of reduction is followed by the loss in weight of the ore sample. More specifically, a 100-g sample of the size frac-

Jan 1, 1962

By J. S. Browning

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has been experimenting with flotation processes to separate the spodumene-beryl ores mined at Kings Mountain, N.C. The success to date as well as the present status of the process is discussed. Further experimentation is underway and studies will be made on the milling costs involved in the flotation process. The pegmatites of the Kings Mountain-Lincoln ton, N.C., area constitute the largest known domestic reserve of beryl and spodumene. The reserve is estimated to contain 90 million tons of pegmatic material with 1,280,000 tons of recoverable Li,O(lithia) as spodurnene.' The pegmatites also contain 0.4 to 0.5 pct beryl disseminated throughout the orebodies. The pegmatites may contain a potential reserve of 240,-000 tons beryl, equivalent to approximately 34,000 tons of BeO. Different flotation methods for separating beryl from feldspar or quartz, or both, have been developed by various investigators.2-7 On the other hand, published information is limited on concentration of spodumene-beryl ores. As the response of beryl and spodumene to flotation is essentially the same, a successful separation of the two minerals depends upon use of a selective depressant or a selective collector for one of the minerals. Several years ago, the U.S. Bureau of Mines, recognizing the need for developing a large domestic supply of strategic beryl, undertook studies to develop improved methods of recovering this mineral. Because of the low beryl content of the pegmatites, economic production of the beryl entails its recovery as a byproduct of spodumene flotation. Thus, the development of procedures that would provide for maximum recoveries of the spodumene, as well as the beryl, was a primary objective of the studies. Tests were made on run-of-mine ore and spodumene flotation tailing from the Foote Mineral Co.'s spodumene concentrator at Kings Mountain (Fig. 1). Pet-rographic analyses of the ore and flotation tailing are given in Table I. Detailed analyses and examinations of the ore and tailings revealed that the beryllium was present in the form of a low-alkali beryl. The crystals were small, rarely larger than 14-mesh diam, and were clear and colorless. About 10 pct of the Li20 content of the ore was present in the mica and feldspar components of the pegmatite. In some weathered ores the associated clays also contained small amounts of lithia. This is typical of pegmatites in the Kings Mountain area. LABORATORY TESTS In the past, a vigorous chemical treatment of the spodumene surfaces with acid or caustic soda has been considered essential for satisfactory selective flotation of the spodumene from the other minerals in pegmatites. Many tests were made during this investigation to determine if chemical treatment of the spodumene could be eliminated in favor of a reagent combination that would depress the other minerals while selectively floating the spodumene. A simple reagent combination and process was developed that gave better spodumene recovery and grade of concentrate than the more elaborate acid or caustic treatment methods previously used. The finely ground ore pulps were conditioned with either an ammonium, alkali, or alkaline earth lignin sulfonate and sodium fluoride, and the spodumene was floated and cleaned using oleic acid as the collector. The spodumene tailing was deslimed, conditioned with sulfuric acid and coco amine acetate, and floated to reject mica. The mica tailing was thickened and conditioned with hydrofluoric acid, then washed to remove the acid. The washed pulp was conditioned with sodium hydroxide for pH control, and the beryl was floated and cleaned with oleic acid as the collector. Table II summarizes the results of the laboratory test work. About 77 pct of the spodumene and 75 pct of the beryl were recovered from the pegmatitic material. The spodumene concentrate assayed 6.1 pct Li20 and 0.01 pct BeO, and the beryl product assayed 3.0 pct Li20 and 1.57 pct BeO. Similar results were ob-

Jan 1, 1961

By H. Bartholomew, L. Bernstein

Experirmental bonds of Ag-In SLID to gold, copper, nickel, Kovar, Dumet, nickel-plated molybdenum, ALL-Pt vrzetallizing on ceramic, and nickel-plated Mo-Ti metallizing on Al2O3 ceramic have been made and exalnined. Metallographic taper sections were made of all bonds for Phase identification. In addition, failuve temperatltres were determined for bonds heated undev shear load. Sowe bonds were subjected to electvon-probe microanalysis. The ternary SLID system Ag-In-Sn was similarly evaluated. Plwtonticrogaphs and electron-probe data are discussed and related to over-all phase diagrams , diffusion effects, and wetting properties of the liquid. The rates of diffusion andor compound formation of gold, silver, and copper in indium and In-Sn liquids are found to descend in that order, as measured by the relatzve thickness of phase layers in the interfaces of bonds made at 200to 400°C. It is concluded that the SLID process enables one to produce bonds which are stable at high temperatures, after having been fabricated at low temperatures, and meet most requirements for application in interconnection, silicon bonding, or hermetic sealing of electronic devices. In a previous publication by one of the authors, the theory and principle of SLID bonding in simple binary systems was discussed. SLID bonding can be defined as a joining process using a preform with a laminated structure: a low-melting material clad on a high-melting core. During the bonding cycle a metallurgical transformation occurs such that the resultant structure can withstand, without reliquefying, temperatures higher than those at which the bond was made. The phases present in the joint interface region are high-melting compounds or, if equilibrium is reached, solid solution. Properties will depend on the phases present, ultimately approaching those of the solid substrate core of the SLID preform. The high-temperature strength of bonds made in these systems was correlated to phase identification in the interfacial bond regions from metallographic cross sections and electron-probe X-ray microanalysis data. When complex electronic components are assembled, multiphase systems result at the interfaces of bond regions. In these ternary and higher-order systems very little diffusion and phase-diagram data is available with which to predict the nature of the interfacia1 region that will result from conventional fabrication processes and subsequent field use of the component. Clarke and Rhines did early work in the field using the Al-Mg-Zn system as a vehicle. Guy and co-workers studied a portion of the Cu-Zn-Ni system and some mathematical4 and general5 aspects of multiphase diffusion. irkald' and coworkerse recently studied diffusion in the Cu-Zn-Sn system. No diffusion studies have been made on ternary systems directly applicable to this investigation but some phase diagrams are available: g-u-n, u-i-n, and CU-i-n. I) DESCRIPTION AND EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The elements Au, Ag, Cu, Ni, In, and Sn are found in alloy systems commonly used in fabricating and assembling electronic components. Reference to the appropriate phase diagrams9 and the previous publication will indicate that the binary systems of any of the two low-melting elements, indium and tin, with any one of the other four higher-melting elements are capable of producing SLID bonds. It is not unreasonable to assume that any ternary or higher-order alloy system containing at least one of the elements gold, silver, copper, or nickel and one or both of the elements indium and tin could be used to produce bonds which are stable at high temperatures, after having been fabricated at low temperatures. Indeed, the liquidus contours and isothermal sections of those phase diagrams available7 do so indicate. The parameters affecting the bond and the equipment used in evaluating the bond were described in an earlier paper.' The current investigation used the

Jan 1, 1967

By R. J. Teitel

The Pb-U system has been investigated by X-ray, thermal, and microscopic analyses. Two pyrophoric intermetallic compounds were found; UPb3 and UPb. The crystallographic structure of UPb3 is reported. A phase diagram was drawn for the system showing three eutectic and one syntectic reaction. AS a result of the interest in uranium metallurgy, the Pb-U system has been investigated. Practically no quantitative data appears in the literature concerning this system. Chips were machined from bars of high-purity uranium obtained from Ames Laboratory and the lead was 99.9 pct high-purity grade from Bel-mont Smelting & Refining Co. The chips were pickled in a dilute solution of nitric acid, washed in water and then alcohol, and dried prior to use for alloy preparation. The lead was simply sheared from the pig with no chemical treatment. Lead and uranium were placed in graphite crucibles and loaded into an induction furnace. In order to insure good alloy formation, the lead was loaded above the uranium to wash the uranium chips into the melt. After the charge was held at the desired preparation temperature for 15 to 30 min, it was allowed to cool in the crucible. The entire melting operation was accomplished in an atmosphere of helium (double charcoal refined grade with no further treatment). The procedure was to outgas the furnace by first evacuating it to 10-% m Hg, admitting helium to 8 psi gage and sealing the furnace off. An optical pyrometer focused on the charge through a hole in the crucible cover was employed for thermal measurements. Usually a 50° to 70°C correction had to be added to the instrument value. The most suitable alloy preparation temperature range was found between 1220° and 1280°C. The reason for this is explained by the phase diagram, Fig. 7. Above this temperature range two liquids separate preventing alloy formation upon cooling at a reasonable rate. On the other hand, below this range the uranium was coated with a layer of both compounds and the rate of reaction was diminished by diffusion processes. The fastest reaction rate occurred in this narrow range of temperature because only UPb coats the uranium and it evidently does not protect the uranium as well as UPb,. Apparatus and Procedures The development of apparatus and techniques was determined by the peculiar properties of the alloys. All the alloys were pyrophoric, and, consequently, the alloys had to be protected from oxidation by handling them in a dry box or inert atmosphere furnaces. Other operations performed outside of this equipment had to be done as quickly as possible. Thermal analyses were conducted in a furnace and arrangement similar to that described by the author.' Graphite crucibles having a thermocouple well in the bottom were used to contain the prepared alloy, while a helium atmosphere protected the melt from oxidation. The furnace was outgassed by pumping a 10-3 mm Hg vacuum until the furnace had been heated to 400°C. Then helium was admitted and the furnace sealed under 8 psi gage pressure. Chromel-alumel thermocouples were used for thermal analysis and the accuracy of thermal measurements was judged to be k 5°C. At first, an attempt was made to use platinum-platinum-rhodium thermocouples, but evidently lead vapors attack it at high temperatures forming low melting alloys. These lead vapors had direct access to the thermocouple because the graphite crucible was porous. A differential temperature control was used to regulate thermal analyses. The thermal gradient across an alundum tube placed between the windings and the crucible was maintained constant by a controller.

Jan 1, 1953

By L. Adler

Any design of a mine roof in bedded deposits which ignores differential deflections at the supports can quickly lead to dangerous overstressing. As illustrated by the typical case presented on page 1029, if one support deflects only 0.1 in. more than its neighbor, stresses 50 pct higher than anticipated will result. Previous studies1-3 have assumed that the mine roof acts like a beam clamped at both ends, with no deflection or slope' at the supports (Fig. 1). Essentially this assumes:5* ?A = ?, = ?b and dA = dB = 0. However, a host of conditions can cause differential sag or deflection at one support, and even an apparently trivial deviation can have major consequences in the beam: variations in spacing, size, and material of supports; local settlement due to floor heaving or lower mine openings; non-uniformity in wedging or bolt tensioning.8 In one particular instance concrete pillars, poured in place, shrank away from the roof upon setting.' When understood and controlled, differential sag becomes a definite advantage, permitting the transfer of loads from one support to another. Where one support is a bolt or prop and the other a pillar or rib, the load on the former can be reduced while the load on the pillar or rib is increased. This means two things: 1) savings can be effected by using smaller artificial supports such as props and bolts and 2) loads can be increased in the rib to induce eventual failure for longwall caving. In this last respect, another factor underlying coal bumps becomes understandable. The design of a mine roof by beam theory assumes that when a bedded formation is homogeneous, iso-tropic, and elastic, it will act like a uniformly loaded beam, fixed or clamped at both ends,6 s in Fig. 1.'" These are important assumptions. The uniform load is the weight of the beam itself or its body load. For a beam of unit width, this load becomes per foot: w = yhb. w = uniform load y = specific weight, lb per ft3 h = depth or thickness of beam, ft b = width of beam, ft Since b = 1, w - yh [ 1 ] A beam fixed at both supports is statically indeterminate to the second degree, that is, two equations in addition to those for static equilibrium are required to determine the reactions at the supports. These equations result from the geometry. From statistics: ^F,= 0;RA + RB — wL = 0 [2] wU S,M0 = 0 ; MB H------------MA — RBL = 0 [3] it Using superposition in which the left support is kept intact and the right one resolved into an active force and moment, we obtain from Fig. 2:" ?b = ?m + ? b2 + ?B3 = 0 dB = dB1 + dB2 + dB3 / wU Ma RBL \ V d°=(-r+-2—r)-zr [5] Where: Subscripts refer to position on axis of beam R = force, lb M = moment, ft-lb w = uniformly distributed load, lb per ft L = span, ft 0 = slope, radians d = deflection, ft E = Young's Modulus, lb per ft" 1 = Moment of inertia about the neutral axis, ft4 Solving Eqs. 2 through 5 for the four unknown reactions, we obtain: 2 L3 Fig. 3 is obtained by plotting MA and M, vs d, and then plotting RA and R, vs d, and adjusting their scales to coincide with MA and M, vs d,. It should be noted in Eqs. 6 and 7 that as dB increases, MA increases the same amount that Mn decreases. Eqs. 8 and 9 show a similar relationship between RA and R,. Proof that MA is the maximum absolute moment occurring in the beam is as follows: where M, = moment at x wx-When where M,., = maximum positive moment Eqs. 6 and 8 into above: For small dn: MA> M,,,

Jan 1, 1960

By R. W. Kewish

The preparation of massive uranium metal containing very low concentrations of a number of light elements by bomb reduction of UF4, with calcium is described. Details of procedures are given for preparing high-purity ingredients for the bomb reduction. The as-reduced uranium metal contained, on the average, less than the following amounts of light element impurities, in ppm: Li, 0.1; Be, 0.1; B, 0.1; C, 25; 0, 70; Na, 1; Mg, 3; Al, 2; and Si, 7. Other impurities for which the metal was examined averaged, in ppm: Ca, < 10; V, < 10; Cr, 2; Mn, 6; Fe, 50; Co, < 5; Ni, 8; and Cu, 1. THE preparation of very high-purity uranium metal in massive form for research purposes is of great importance. Recently the kilogram-scale preparation of uranium metal containing less than 70 ppm of detected impurities was accomplished by Blumen-thal and coworkers by vacuum remelting of high-purity crystals of uranium obtained by fused salt electrolysis.1"3 Albert and coworkers4 have reported successful experiments in lowering the concentrations of certain impurity elements in uranium, notably iron, to a few ppm by the zone-melting method. The present paper describes the preparation of high-purity massive uranium metal by the bomb reduction of UF4, with calcium. Early in 1951 a program was undertaken at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory to prepare uranium metal of very high purity with respect to a number of the light elements. The methods considered for this purpose were 1) bomb reduction of a uranium halide with calcium, 2) electrolysis of fused salts, and 3) hot wire decomposition of UI4, The first of these processes had been used extensively at Los Alamos since 1943 (and still is used) for the production of uranium metal.5 In considering the three processes it was evident that either of the last two would require an extensive development program with no certainty of success. On the other hand, a study of available data showed that uranium metal of very high purity with respect to some light elements had occasionally been made in routine processing by the first method. It was therefore decided that an intensive study of the bomb-reduction process would be made to see if it could be improved to yield uranium metal with very low concentrations of light elements. DEVELOPMENT OF PROCEDURES The bomb-reduction process used at Los Alamos consists of reducing UF4 with calcium, using iodine as a booster. The reaction is carried out in a magnesium-oxide crucible enclosed in a steel bomb. Argon is used in the bomb to avoid objectionable side reactions which would occur in the presence of air. All ingredients for this bomb-reduction process were examined as possible sources of light elements. It was known that high-purity UF4 was required. The calcium used in the reductions was a source of carbon and magnesium. The magnesium-oxide crucibles were sources of boron, silicon, and magnesium. The iodine did not appear to be a source of any impurities. Pure UF4- The UF4 for bomb reduction is prepared from U3O3 , by successive reduction to UO2, with hydrogen and hydrofluorination of the UO2, with anhydrous HF. Since it was known that no impurities were normally introduced during the gas-solid reactions, effort was directed toward the preparation of high-purity U3O3. Of the many possible procedures for the purification of uranium solutions the following were investigated: 1) Precipitation of uranium peroxide. (Two procedures were tried. The first consisted of simultaneously adding hydrogen-peroxide and ammonium-hydroxide solutions to a uranyl-nitrate solution, containing citric and malonic acids, at such relative rates that precipitation was carried out at a constant pH of 1.5 The second consisted of simultaneously adding uranyl-nitrate, ammonium-hydroxide, and hydrogen-peroxide solutions to an aqueous solution

Jan 1, 1960

JOINT convention week has become a feature of the year with western mining men. The first was held at Denver in 1926, the second at Salt Lake City in 1927, and the third is about to take place at Los Angeles. Holding in the same city in one week the meetings of a number of related organizations has been .found to permit the development of a well-rounded program at the same time that it economizes time and money for the members, many of whom belong to several of the participating organizations. For the third time, the American Mining Congress, represented by its Western Division, of which Philip Wiseman is chairman, is taking the lead and assuming the main responsibility. The A.I.M.E. is furnishing the papers for two sessions and the California Development Association for one. The Southern California Section, Robert R. Boyd, chairman, is host for the Institute, but the Northern California, Nevada and Arizona sections have each contributed papers to the program, and will be represented at the meeting. It will be a real reunion of the mining men of the Southwest.

Sep 1, 1928

By L. A. Cowan

IF the elements of personality be those characteristics in which humans differ, and if this definition be applied to the purchasing department for the Climax operations in Colorado, it must he concluded that this department has no distinguishing traits that would give it a departmental personality different from that possessed by the similar department of any progressive mining enterprise. Or, one may go further by stating that the rudimentary functions of any purchasing practice employed principally in the acquisition of maintenance, repair, and operating supplies are much alike, whether or not the industry involved be mining or milling. However, in the fact that the principal purchases of a mining company are materials for maintenance and repair and consumable operating supplies lies that essential characteristic which differentiates mining and milling purchasing functions from those of the manufacturer, the fabricator, or the ordinary processor.

Jan 1, 1946

By A. H. Larson, L. G. Twidwell

DURING the roasting of zinc sulfide concentrates and by-product recovery from flue dusts, the zinc sul-fate phase may occur in various stages of the processes. In addition to zinc sulfide, other sulfide phases are usually present such as CdS, PbS, CuzS, and FeS. Consequently, the effect of these sulfides on the thermal decomposition of ZnS04 was investigated. Merck high-purity, anhydrous zinc sulfate was used as the starting material. The sulfate was heated under an argon atmosphere, at a rate of 10°C per min. With the first slight indication of decomposition as determined by gas analysis, the sample was removed from the furnace and allowed to cool. X-ray patterns showed no other phase present. It is estimated that less than 0.05 pct of the ZnS04 decomposed. The metal sulfides were also heated under an argon atmosphere to drive off any adsorbed water. The materials were then sized (-200 to +270 mesh), mixed in predetermined mole ratios, and pressed into pellets. The experimental measurement of the reaction rate consisted of purifying the argon carrier gas, continuous flushing of the heated reacting mixture with argon, and collection and analysis of the SOn product gas. The reaction system was heated to 600°C and al-

Jan 1, 1967

CAPTAIN JOHN H. BALLAMY John H. Ballamy, Captain on the Regimental Staff of the 103d Engineers, was killed near Fismes, on August 9, 1918. Captain Ballamy was born at Plymouth, Pa., in 1886 and graduated from the High School of that town in 1903. In the following year he began work as a coal miner, and at the same time began the study of mining engineering in the evening and any other spare time. He continued this diligent and energetic practice for many years. For sixteen years he continued in the employment of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company&apos;s coal mining department, first as a practical miner, next as rodman on the survey corps, of which he soon became chief, then draftsman and mining engineer in the company&apos;s office. In January, 1916, he was promoted to the position of district engineer in charge of mining engineering work. He became a member of this Institute in September, 1917. CAPTAIN JOHN H BALLAMY. Captain Ballamy&apos;s military experience began at the same time as his engineering practice. He was a charter member of Company A, Engineers, N. G. P., which was organized ten years ago. He saw service on the Mexican border as First Lieutenant of this Company, and remained in that position until November, 1916. In July, 1917, he was again called into service and was sent to Camp Hancock, Ga., with the 103d Regiment of Engineers. Before joining this regiment he attended a school for officers at Fort Sill, Okla., where he received special training in field fortifications. In December, 1917, he was commissioned Topographical Captain on the Regimental Staff, and in April, 1918, preceded his regiment by about six weeks to France, where he again attended an officers&apos; training school. He rejoined his regiment on July 15, near Chateau Thierry and was killed near Fismes on August 9, 1918.

Jan 11, 1918

By W. F. Rochow, W. C. Burke

Numerous designs of linings and accessories, including dams, lifters, and heat exchangers, contribute greatly to kiln efficiencies. Greater conductivity is achieved with basic brick than with fireclay and high-alumina refractories, depending largely upon the use of steel plates in radial joints between adjacent brick to increase heat transfer through the lining. Refractory lifters expose all portions of the load to radiant or convective heat and raise some portions to higher temperatures by cascading the load down through the path of the hot gases.

Jan 3, 1955

By H. P. Willard, R. W. Gates

Basic Inc., has been mining magnesite and brucite for 27 years at Gabbs, Nev. This is a medium sized open-pit mine. The magnesite deposits are in north-western Nye County about 30 miles east of Luning, Nev., on the west slope of the Paradise Range, at an elevation between 5000 and 6000 ft. The magnesite and associated brucite is used to make magnesia refractories employed principally in the steel industry and magnesium oxide for various chemical uses.

Jan 10, 1963

Trans No. Place Date Vol. 1. Wilkes-Barre, Pa&apos; May, &apos;71 1 2. Bethlehem, Pa Aug., &apos;71 1 3. Troy, N. Y Nov., &apos;71.. 1 4. Philadelphia, Pa Feb., &apos;72.. 1 5. New York, N. Y.&apos; May, &apos;72.. 1 8. Pittsburgh, Pa Oct., &apos;72.. 1 7. Boston, Maas Feb., &apos;73.. 1 8. Philadelphia, Pa." May, &apos;73.. 2 9. Easton, Pa Oct., &apos;73.. 2 10. New York, N. Y Feb.. &apos;74.. 2 11. St. Louis, Mo.* May, &apos;74.. 3 12. Hazleton, Pa Oct., &apos;74.. 3 13. New Haven, Conn Feb., &apos;75.. 3 14. Dover, N. J. ? May, &apos;75.. 4 15. Cleveland, 0 Oct., &apos;75.. 4 16. Washington, D. C Feb., &apos;76.. 4 17. Philadelphia, Pa.} June, &apos;76.. 5 18. Philadelphia, Pa Oct., &apos;76.. 5 19. New York, N. Y Feb., &apos;77.. 5 20. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. ? May, &apos;77.. 8 21. Amenia, N. Y Oct., &apos;77, . 6 22. Philadelphia, Pa Feb., &apos;78:. 6 23. Chattanooga, Tenn.*...May, &apos;78&apos;.. 7 24. Lake George, N. Y Oct., &apos;78.. 7 25. Baltimore, Md.* Feb., &apos;79.. 7 26. Pittsburgh, Pa Mayo &apos;79.. 8 27. Montreal, Canada Sept., &apos;79., 8 28, New York, N. Y.? Feb., &apos;SO.. 8 29. Lake Superior, Mich. ..Aug., &apos;80.. 9 30. Philadelphia, Pa.&apos; Feb., &apos;81.. 9 31. Staunton, Va May, &apos;81..10 32. Harrisburg, Pa Oct., &apos;81..10 33. Washington, D. C.? ....Feb., &apos;82..10 34. Denver, Colo Aug., &apos;82..11

Jan 1, 1928

By Samuel H. Dolbear

NOT WITHSTANDING the extremely low ebb of business activity, the nonmetallic industries have fared somewhat better than some other branches of mining. The average price level in nonmetallics, although far from satisfactory, has resisted any cataclysmic fall such as has been suffered by copper and other metals. Stocks, also, though too abundant, represent no corresponding overhang of the market, which should result, in some branches, in a more rapid recovery. Research work has continued in some industries with interesting developments.

Jan 1, 1933

By Lewis M. Haupt

Discussion of the paper of Mr. Granger, presented at the New Haven meeting, February, 1909, and published in Bulletin No. 25, January, 1909, pp. 1 to 37. LEWIS M. HAUPT, Philadelphia, Pa. (communication to the &apos;Secretary*) :-This subject is of great interest to me, and I am noting progress and conditions as a test of my own judgment in advocating what I believed to be the nearer, cheaper and better route at Nicaraugua. I have as yet learned nothing to change my views, or modify the convictions which led me to retire from the Commission; but that is not the issue to-day. Our government is committed to the Panama route, and is bound to " make good." There are many points presented by Mr. Granger which seem to me worthy of very serious consideration. But when all is said there remains the risk of seismic convulsions, to which either form of canal is subject; and I fail to see that the risk would be reduced by making the cut deeper, with greater surcharge of lateral pressure upon the side walls. A severe earthquake in the rainy season would doubtless close either type of canal. One of the arguments in favor of the Panama route most insisted on, was that Nature had provided good natural harbors at its termini. Recalling this, it has interested me to note that the cost of creating the necessary harbors is estimated at $27,000,000. Mr. Granger refers to this, and quotes the Board&apos;s report to the effect that, on the Atlantic side, it will require 5 miles of jetties to " make an excellent harbor out of a wretched one." The vulnerable part of Mr. Granger&apos;s paper seems to me to lie in the admission that the plant required is still in the embryonic stage, and that at least one machine should be built and tested " to demonstrate that the theoretical strains and forces work out in practice exactly as expected." This, how-

Jul 1, 1909

By J. B. Darby, P. A. Beck

IN a previous publication,&apos; the 1200°C isothermal section of the Cr-Mo-CO system was surveyed. It was found that starting from the binary (Cr,Co)a, the u phase extends deep into the ternary system in the form of a narrow band, which, when extrapo-

Jan 1, 1956

By Paul W. Chase

Centralized process control has received increasing emphasis in recent years. Its application at U. S. Steel&apos;s Minntac facility for production of taconite pellets is discussed in this paper. A brief description of the flowsheet will provide background for discussion of the process instrumentation and digital system.

Jan 1, 1969