Search Documents

By THOMAS G. FEAR

THE COAL DIVISION started its share of the annual meeting Monday morning with a study of coal classi fication. A. C. Fieldner was in the chair. The report of the tellers of the ballot for division chairman, stating that Thomas G. Fear had been elected to that office, was read by M. D. Cooper. Mr. Fear acknowledged the honor in a few words. In reviewing the history of the Coal Classification Committee the chairman pointed out that this was its third symposium, the last previous one having been held at the 1930 Annual Meeting. Throughout its work the com¬mittee has had the active cooperation of the Canadian workers who are interested in the subject which should result in a uniform scheme of classification in Canada and the United States. F. E. Lathe, of the National Research Council, Ottawa, abstracted the first two papers of the session entitled "Determination of the Alkali-Soluble Ulmins in Coal," by Edgar Stansfield and K. C. Gilbart, and "Moisture Determination for Coal Classification," by the same authors. The third paper "Condition of Water in Coals of Various Ranks"' was presented by its author, A. W. Gauger. Written discussions of these papers were presented by H. C. Porter and Gilbert H. Cady. In the oral discussion which followed, W. T. Thom, Jr., brought out the advisability of considering age as a factor in classification. Mr. Fieldner favored retaining bed moisture as a partial classification basis, stating that a review of many coal analyses revealed a remarkable consistency in this item in samples from a given mine particularly where the moisture content was not high. Mr. Porter pointed out that the structure and porosity of coal often have much to do with its moisture content and that these vary in different parts of a seam, particularly in anthracite. Mr. Gauger expressed doubt as to whether the Stansfield method gives the true moisture content of coal, which is needed for classification purposes.

Jan 1, 1932

By B. D. Cullity

A distribution of residual stress after plastic elongation is proposed, in which the bulk of the material is strained in compression and a very small portion in tension, This distribution is shown to account both for the X-ray observations and for the effect of plastic straining on magnetic losses in silicon steel. The regions left in compression are tentatively identified with the interiors of the sub-grains revealed by the electron microscope. THIS paper is concerned with the general problem of the nature of the residual stress which is produced in metals by plastic elongation. A particular stress distribution will be suggested which accounts for the main X-ray diffraction observations which have been made. It will also be shown that certain magnetic measurements made on silicon steel can be understood in terms of this stress distribution. X-RAY OBSERVATIONS Uniform straining of a crystal lattice (macro-strain) causes a diffracted X-ray beam to shift its position, and nonuniform straining (microstrain) causes line broadening. If a bar of metal is plastically elongated in the longitudinal x direction and then unloaded, diffracted X-ray lines are observed to be both shifted and broadened.'-= Although the observed line shift indicates the presence of macro-strain, experiments have shown that no macrostrain, in the usual engineering sense of the term, exists.5"7 For example, removal of a layer from one surface of a stretched and unloaded bar does not produce curvature in the remainder of the bar 5'7 Fig. 1 shows the variation of lattice strain in the x direction, as determined from X-ray line shifts, with the applied stress in the same direction. The curve ABC is the normal stress-strain curve of the material, AB being the elastic portion and BC the plastic. In the elastic region AB, the strain measured by X-rays, called the lattice strain, and the strain measured mechanically are both proportional to the applied stress, and both return to zero when the applied stress is removed. Above the elastic limit the lattice strain would be expected to continue to increase along the line BD. Actually, it increases less rapidly with respect to stress, or even decreases, as shown by BE. If the applied stress is then decreased, the lattice strain decreases along EF, which is parallel to AB. As a result, there is a compressive residual lattice strain FA after unloading. STRESS DISTRIBUTION. Since a stretched and unloaded bar does not contain macrostress, it follows that the observed line shift must be due to a special distribution of mi-crostress. Such a distribution is shown in Fig. 2, which shows the variation of the stress u, across a stretched and unloaded bar. The material is assumed to consist of two kinds of regions: regions C, stressed more or less uniformly in compression, comprising the bulk of the volume of the material and responsible for the observed diffrac-

Jan 1, 1963

By Leo H. Glanville

Until 1934, natural ventilation was depended upon in the mine of the Climax Molybdenum Co. at Climax, Colorado. In that year a 7-ft. axial-flow, low-pressure fan was installed as an exhausting unit. In 1936, three more fans of the same kind were installed, all as exhausting units, with a total capacity of 115 000 cu, ft. per min., and since then fans and sprays have been added as required. Atmospheric Conditions Adverse atmospheric conditions at this elevation of 11,500 ft. account in part for difficulty in maintaining adequate ventilation throughout the mine. Barometric pressures range from 18.99 to 20.01 in. of mercury; the norma1 average being 19.70 in. Air weight is 0.051 lb. per cu. ft., and humidity is low—about a 30 per cent yearly average. This makes the use of mechanical humidity aids mandatory the Year around to prevent excessive dryness of the mine workings and the resultant dust hazard. The yearly temperature range is from minus 24" to 75°F.; typically, in February 1942 the mean low was minus 3.25°F. and the mean high, 21.3°F. In August the mean low was 34.8°F.; the mean high, 64.26°F. Even during the summer month air filtration through the openings of the cave area is 32°F., owing to accumulation of snow in the glory hole and in Part to glacial ice, which, combined with a rock temperature of 39°F. on the upper levels (elevation 11,945 ft.) and 42°F. on the main haulage level (elevation 11,470 ft.], makes it difficult to maintain a comfortable working temperature. The one advantage in ventilation of mine workings at the altitude of the Climax mine is that the power required to circulate a given air volume is 32 per cent less than would be required at sea level. Problems since 1936 the mine management has studied intensively plans for providing adequate ventilation for the entire mine for its expected life. As the ore breaks into large pieces, much secondary blasting is necessary, therefore there is a considerable amount of smoke, gas and dust, which requires circulation of a large amount of air to remove the contamination, It is undesirable to use haulage drifts and manways as air passages because some would be passageways for contaminated air also, and there would be undesirable high velocities in some drifts. High velocities and large volumes of subfreezing air dry out the passageways through which they pass, and thus increase the amount of dust. Regulating doors in haulage drifts are difficult of upkeep and interfere with production. It was decided as a general principle to distribute fresh air to each working place at low velocities and low pressures and to remove contaminated air as soon as possible with a minimum of travel through working places.

Jan 1, 1943

By Leo H. Glanville

Until 1934, natural ventilation was depended upon in the mine of the Climax Molybdenum Co. at Climax, Colorado. In that year a 7-ft. axial-flow, low-pressure fan was installed as an exhausting unit. In 1936, three more fans of the same kind were installed, all as exhausting units, with a total capacity of 115 000 cu, ft. per min., and since then fans and sprays have been added as required. Atmospheric Conditions Adverse atmospheric conditions at this elevation of 11,500 ft. account in part for difficulty in maintaining adequate ventilation throughout the mine. Barometric pressures range from 18.99 to 20.01 in. of mercury; the norma1 average being 19.70 in. Air weight is 0.051 lb. per cu. ft., and humidity is low—about a 30 per cent yearly average. This makes the use of mechanical humidity aids mandatory the Year around to prevent excessive dryness of the mine workings and the resultant dust hazard. The yearly temperature range is from minus 24" to 75°F.; typically, in February 1942 the mean low was minus 3.25°F. and the mean high, 21.3°F. In August the mean low was 34.8°F.; the mean high, 64.26°F. Even during the summer month air filtration through the openings of the cave area is 32°F., owing to accumulation of snow in the glory hole and in Part to glacial ice, which, combined with a rock temperature of 39°F. on the upper levels (elevation 11,945 ft.) and 42°F. on the main haulage level (elevation 11,470 ft.], makes it difficult to maintain a comfortable working temperature. The one advantage in ventilation of mine workings at the altitude of the Climax mine is that the power required to circulate a given air volume is 32 per cent less than would be required at sea level. Problems since 1936 the mine management has studied intensively plans for providing adequate ventilation for the entire mine for its expected life. As the ore breaks into large pieces, much secondary blasting is necessary, therefore there is a considerable amount of smoke, gas and dust, which requires circulation of a large amount of air to remove the contamination, It is undesirable to use haulage drifts and manways as air passages because some would be passageways for contaminated air also, and there would be undesirable high velocities in some drifts. High velocities and large volumes of subfreezing air dry out the passageways through which they pass, and thus increase the amount of dust. Regulating doors in haulage drifts are difficult of upkeep and interfere with production. It was decided as a general principle to distribute fresh air to each working place at low velocities and low pressures and to remove contaminated air as soon as possible with a minimum of travel through working places.

Jan 1, 1943

By J. Mizrahi, A. M. Baniel, A. Mitzmager, S. Star

This article gives an account of the latest developments in the use of TBE for sink-float separation of silicate minerals. A number of minerals for which the process has been tested and found suitable are reviewed. Specific examples are discussed in relation to the particular problems of sink-float separation and recovery of TBE as compared with non-silicate minerals. The economic aspects are outlined. Silica and silicates comprise the most common and abundant group of minerals, and since they are present in variable amounts in most ores, they constitute an appropriate subject for the review and discussion of the recent developments in the use of TBE for mineral concentration. The silicates considered as a group have an extremely wide range of chemical and physical properties. Some of these properties, which are common to all minerals, are of importance to concentration by TBE and are discussed in some detail in this paper, as well as the development of methods and apparatus for concentration and recovery of TBE and several examples of concentration of silicates. PROPERTIES OF MINERALS WITH RESPECT TO CONCENTRATION BY TBE The properties considered as most important to concentration by TBE are specific gravity, structure, surface and shape. The specific gravity of a mineral is a fundamental property and is constant between very close limits for the same species of different sources if particles are pure and free from cavities or cracks. In many species, however, solid inclusions and changes in chemical composition due to replacement of elements cause variations in the specific gravity. The plagio-clase series of feldspars between albite and anorthite illustrate this point (specific gravity from 2.60 to 2.77). Fig. 1 shows the specific gravity distribution of some of the common silicate minerals.' The highest specific gravity is about 4.7 (zircon) and the lowest is 2.0 (sepiolite), with most of them ranging between 2.6 and 3.5. Although most of the silicates given in Fig. 1 are found as constituents of rocks, those generally considered as rock making minerals are comparatively few. They include quartz, feldspars, nephelite, sodalite, leucite, mica, pyroxenes, amphiboles, chrysolite, kaolin, talc and serpentine. These minerals may appear in igneous rocks as coarse crystals in granites, syenites and diorites or as very fine grained dispersions in basalt and felsite. When the latter rocks occur in an ore, their specific gravities depend on the minerals present and structure. The same is true for the sedimentary and metamorphic rocks (sandstones, shales, gneiss, slate, schists). A comparison of specific gravities for the minerals listed in Fig. 1 with that of TBE (see Table I) shows that the important rock-forming minerals, with the exception of pyroxenes, amphiboles and chrysolite (olivine), lie in the specific gravity range of less than 2.96 and can therefore be separated by TBE. The ore structure is important both in determining the apparent specific gravity and the efficiency of TBE recovery. The structure can be compact (as in

Jan 1, 1963

By J. A. Morgan, R. E. Lund, D. E. Warnes

The design, operation, and performance of an integrated pilot plant for recovering zinc and copper from a complex sulfide ore are described. Metallurqical processing comprised selective sulfate roasting in a fluid bed, leaching in a weak sulfuric acid solution, recovering copper by cementation with scrap iron, air oxidation to remove soluble iron, more-or-less conventional Purification for removal of impurities deleterious to zinc electrolysis, recovering zinc by electrolyzing solutions, and recycling spent electrolyte to the sulfating roaster. The effects of several feed preparation and roasting variables on the sulfation response of zinc, copper, and iron are set forth, together with the electrolyzing characteristics of the zinc solutions. SEVERAL years ago, St. Joseph Lead Co. undertook a research program to develop procedures for winning values from a complex ore. The deposit was a massive sulfide ore body containing upwards of 65 pct pyrite. Gangue, composed principally of quartz, calcite, dolomite, and alumina, comprised only 10 to 20 pct of the mineralized zones. Zinc, lead, and copper values were variable, but averaged about 6.7 pct Zn, 2.6 pct Pb, and 0.4 pct Cu. Early in the exploratory test work, it was established that the intimate physical association of the minerals in the ore made beneficiation by conventional flotation procedures difficult. Accordingly, in addition to a comprehensive program to investigate physical methods of ore beneficiation, a research program was established to develop a direct metallurgical method for processing the ore. After surveying a number of potential methods for recovery of both metal and sulfur values, effort was concentrated on the development of a sulfate roasting process. It is the pilot-plant development of the sulfate roasting-solution purification—electrolyzing procedures which forms the subject of the present paper. PREPILOT PLANT INVESTIGATIONS From a thermodynamic viewpoint, it is feasible to sulfate selectively a host of metals, including Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, and Co, in an iron sulfide ore without sulfating iron. Of course, a number of conditions such as roasting temperature and gas composition must be controlled. In addition, as first disclosed by Hybinette,' an alkali metal salt is frequently beneficial in promoting the sulfation reactions. The application of fluid bed roasting to the sulfate roasting of nonferrous metals was pioneered by Stephens of Battelle Memorial Institute.' Subsequently, Falconbridge Nickel Mines, Ltd. developed an unique process for selectively sulfating and recovering nickel, copper, and cobalt from their nickeliferous pyrrhotite, which recently has been described in an excellent paper by Thornhill.3 One of the unique features of the Falconbridge process is that the feed is introduced into the fluidized roasting furnace in a manner such that the feed slurry is broken up into droplets and the droplets lose their moisture before contacting the surface of the fluidized bed. The dried droplets do not tend to cake or fuse, but rather remain as discrete agglomerates of concentrate particles and roast without significant degradation. St. Joseph, aware that Battelle Memorial Institute had participated in the development of the Falconbridge process, obtained permission from Falcon-

Jan 1, 1962

By John M. Campbell, W. E. Portman

A series of correlating charts have been prepared to enable the field engineer to predict the amount of stock tank fluid produced by stabilization of first stage separator fluid. The charts shown are particularly convenient for estimating the relative effect of temperature and pressure in economic studies. Further work is planned to investigate the factors affecting stage separation' yo supplement this preliminary work. The direct correlation of separation variables is dictated as a convenience to eliminate the trial and error calculation necessary when using the standard flash vaporization equations. These are obtained by a material balance using the equilibrium vaporization ratio K, and have appeared in the following, or similar. form many times in the literature. where La = mols of any component n in the separator liquid Ko — equilibrium vaporization ratio for any component at separator pressure and temperature Fa = mols of any component n in the feed Vn = mols of any component n in the vapor V = total mols of separator vapor These equations may of course be effectively and accurately solved by use of digital and analog computers. However, these are not usually readily available in field offices and the need often arises for fast results during routine operational problems. Consequently, many methods have been devised in an attempt to simplify the basic calculation.2-14 The methods proposed are generally satisfactory, but do not eliminate trial and error methods and the necessity of subsequent calculations to obtain the answer in volume terms. The purpose of this work. therefore, was to develop accurate charts that would give the result directly in gallons. When using stage separation the recoveries would be lower than those shown, for stabilization usually gives about 95 + per cent recovery on the potential stock tank components in the separator liquid. The recoveries are shown in terms of a 14 psi Reid Vapor Pressure product which has a true vapor pressure of 14.7 psia at 98°F. Consequently, this product represents a stable stock tank liquid under normal storage conditions. To estimate natural gasoline re- coveries by stabilization the volume shown may be multiplied by 1.20 for 18 Ib RVP natural gasoline and 1.36 for 26 lb RVP natural gasoline. PROCEDURE The five analyses shown in Table 1 were chosen since they were representative of wellstream compositions often found and had almost the same propanes plus liquid content, expressed in gallons per 1,000 std. cu ft of wellstream. The distribution of the components though is widely variant. A temperature range of 0-100°F. and a pressure range of 200 to 1,250 psia was chosen inasmuch as most separations fall within these limits The K values used were modified values of those originally published by Katz and Hachmuth.' In the range chosen these have generally given good results when predicting fluid recoveries. The choice was somewhat arbitrary, for the authors' personal experience has shown that

Jan 1, 1957

By F. S. White, E. L. Kinsella

THE solids fluidization process brought out by the Standard Oil Development Co. in the early forties for catalytic cracking of petroleum enabled rapid transfer of large quantities of heat from gases to solids under closely controlled temperature conditions. As the technique developed, it was natural that applications for the process outside the petroleum industry would be sought. The calcination of limestone to ' quicklime requires the transfer of a large quantity of heat at high and closely controlled temperatures. For these reasons, this possible application was one of the first to be investigated. Laboratory work conducted by the Dorr Co. indicated that lime produced by solids fluidization would be of exceptional quality. Calculation of theoretical heat balances showed that savings in fuel could be expected. Accordingly, a pilot plant of 10 tons per day capacity was erected by the New England Lime Co. at Adams, Mass., to substantiate the process. Operation of the pilot plant, previously described,1 showed that excellent lime could be produced with a saving in fuel. The work also indicated the necessity of preparing feed to remove the finer fractions if dust losses were to be held to a tolerable level. A single-stage fluidized solids drier-stripper was developed to accomplish this sizing.2 Subsequently a commercial lime reactor was erected at Adams, beginning operation in June 1949, followed by air sizer facilities completed in November 1951. This paper will describe these two applications of solids fluidization. The raw material for preparation of lime by the fluidizing process is a high calcium crystalline lime stone having the approximate chemical composition shown in Table I. The stone is first prepared by crushing and grinding in conventional equipment to pass a 6-mesh sieve. After crushing, the material is sent to the FluoDry unit for drying and dedusting. Fluidized Drying and Sizing As shown in Fig. 1, the FluoDry unit consists of a 1/4-in. cylindrical steel shell, 9-ft ID by 22-ft 6-in. overall height. Attached horizontally at the bottom is a 6-ft diam combustion chamber, approximately 7 ft 6 in. long. A refractory constriction dome, consisting of first-quality fire brick shapes, partitions the inside into two sections. The lower section is called the windbox and the upper the bed compartment. The vertical wall of the shell is lined with 6-in. first-quality rotary kiln blocks. In the bottom of the windbox a hoppered section is formed with castable refractory to permit the windbox to be readily cleaned via a 6-in. screw conveyor. The combustion chamber is similarly lined with refractory shapes. On the 6-in. diam section, 4 1/2 in. of insulating brick, HW-26, are used. The inner combustion chamber is lined with 4 1/2-in. Korundal brick to withstand the high flame temperatures encountered. An 8-in. steel feed pipe, entering vertically through the top and fitted with an air-operated cone valve,

Jan 1, 1952

By B. W. Dyer

IN 1924, the Crescent Eagle Oil Co., while drilling the salt section of the Paradox formation in Grand County, Utah, encountered a salt that did not appear to be sodium chloride. This salt was analyzed and showed the presence of potash minerals, both sylvite (KC1) and carnallite (KMgC12.6H20). Because of the high potash content of the sample, there was considerable speculation: (I) as to whether the hole had been salted, and (2), if not, the extent, richness, and the depth at which the deposit occurred. The discovery caused a large amount of activity in the area. During the next few years, 68 potash prospecting permits were issued by the Government, 24 under the Act of 1917 and 44 under the Act of Feb. 7, 1927, each including about four sections of land. Several holes, all shallow, were drilled for potash. A number of holes were drilled for oil into the salt horizon and the cuttings collected at the oil wells were examined petrographically and chemically. The shallow test holes were not sufficiently deep to reach the potash horizon and revealed nothing of value, but several of the oil test holes gave some indication of where potash might be found. LOCATION AND GEOLOGY OF DEPOSITS The potassium and magnesium salts have been found in various places from the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad tracks about seven miles west of Thompsons, in eastern Utah, to Cane Creek, a tributary of the Colorado Rivera distance north and south of about 35 miles. In this locality, there appear to be five separate deposits: the Crescent Eagle area, which is in T. 22 S., R. 19 E.; the Salt Valley area, in the vicinity of the north-south line of T. 23 S., between R. 20 E. and R. 21 E.; the Seven Mile area, in the eastern part of T. 25 S., R. 2o E.; the Cane Creek area, on the Colorado River, in T. 26 S. and T. 27 S., R. 2o E. and R. 21 E.; and the Salt Wash area, in T. 22 S. and T. 23 S., R. 16 E. and R. 17 E. (Fig. I.) The Crescent Eagle and Salt Valley areas are in the Salt Valley anticline, some of the wells being in the fault graben and others outside. Structurally, the Salt Valley anticline is very complex, and can be described in general terms as a northwesterly plunging collapsed anticline about 15 miles long. In the Crescent Eagle area, the valley graben is about 1 mile wide and the salt probably forms a plug, the apex of which is in the vicinity of the Crescent Eagle well. Owing to the complex structure, there has been every opportunity for flowage in the salt to cause local thinning or thickening of beds. The regular succession of formations in the general area* is: [Cretaceous Mancos Dakota Jurassic Morrison Summerville Entrada Carmel]

Jan 1, 1945

By B. W. Dyer

In 1924, the Crescent Eagle Oil Co., while drilling the salt section of the Paradox formation in Grand County, Utah, encountered a salt that did not appear to be sodium chloride. This salt was analyzed and showed the presence of potash minerals, both sylvite (KCl) and carnallite (KMgC12.6H2O). Because of the high potash content of the sample, there was considerable speculation: (I) as to whether the hole had been salted, and (2), if not, the extent, richness, and the depth at which the deposit occurred. The discovery caused a large amount of activity in the area. During the next few years, 68 potash prospecting permits were issued by the Government, 24 under the Act of 1917 and 44 under the Act of Feb. 7, 1927, each including about four sections of land. Several holes, all shallow, were drilled for potash. A number of holes were drilled for oil into the salt horizon and the cuttings collected at the oil wells were examined petrographically and chemically. The shallow test holes were not sufficiently deep to reach the potash horizon and revealed nothing of value, but several of the oil test holes gave some indication of where potash might be found. Location and Geology of Deposits The potassium and magnesium salts have been found in various places from the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad tracks about seven miles west of Thompsons, in eastern Utah, to Cane Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River— a distance north and south of about 35 miles. In this locality, there appear to be five separate deposits: the Crescent Eagle area, which is in T. 22 S., R. 19 E.; the Salt Valley area, in the vicinity of the north-south line of T. 23 S., between R. 20 E. and R. 21 E.; the Seven Mile area, in the eastern part of T. 25 S., R. 20 E.; the Cane Creek area, on the Colorado River, in T. 26 S. and T. 27 S., R. 20 E. and R. 21 E.; and the Salt Wash area, in T. 22 S. and T. 23 S., R. 16 E. and R. 17 E. (Fig. I.) The Crescent Eagle and Salt Valley areas are in the Salt Valley anticline, some of the wells being in the fault graben and others outside. Structurally, the Salt Valley anticline is very complex, and can be described in general terms as a northwesterly plunging collapsed anticline about 15 miles long. In the Crescent Eagle area, the valley graben is about 1 1/2 mile wide and the salt probably forms a plug, the apex of which is in the vicinity of the Crescent Eagle well. Owing to the complex structure, there has been every opportunity for flowage in the salt to cause local thinning or thickening of beds. The regular succession of formations in the general area* is: Cretaceous Mancos Dakota Jurassic Morrison Summerville Entrada Carmel

Jan 1, 1948

By B. W. Dyer

In 1924, the Crescent Eagle Oil Co., while drilling the salt section of the Paradox formation in Grand County, Utah, encountered a salt that did not appear to be sodium chloride. This salt was analyzed and showed the presence of potash minerals, both sylvite (KCl) and carnallite (KMgC12.6H2O). Because of the high potash content of the sample, there was considerable speculation: (I) as to whether the hole had been salted, and (2), if not, the extent, richness, and the depth at which the deposit occurred. The discovery caused a large amount of activity in the area. During the next few years, 68 potash prospecting permits were issued by the Government, 24 under the Act of 1917 and 44 under the Act of Feb. 7, 1927, each including about four sections of land. Several holes, all shallow, were drilled for potash. A number of holes were drilled for oil into the salt horizon and the cuttings collected at the oil wells were examined petrographically and chemically. The shallow test holes were not sufficiently deep to reach the potash horizon and revealed nothing of value, but several of the oil test holes gave some indication of where potash might be found. Location and Geology of Deposits The potassium and magnesium salts have been found in various places from the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad tracks about seven miles west of Thompsons, in eastern Utah, to Cane Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River— a distance north and south of about 35 miles. In this locality, there appear to be five separate deposits: the Crescent Eagle area, which is in T. 22 S., R. 19 E.; the Salt Valley area, in the vicinity of the north-south line of T. 23 S., between R. 20 E. and R. 21 E.; the Seven Mile area, in the eastern part of T. 25 S., R. 20 E.; the Cane Creek area, on the Colorado River, in T. 26 S. and T. 27 S., R. 20 E. and R. 21 E.; and the Salt Wash area, in T. 22 S. and T. 23 S., R. 16 E. and R. 17 E. (Fig. I.) The Crescent Eagle and Salt Valley areas are in the Salt Valley anticline, some of the wells being in the fault graben and others outside. Structurally, the Salt Valley anticline is very complex, and can be described in general terms as a northwesterly plunging collapsed anticline about 15 miles long. In the Crescent Eagle area, the valley graben is about 1 1/2 mile wide and the salt probably forms a plug, the apex of which is in the vicinity of the Crescent Eagle well. Owing to the complex structure, there has been every opportunity for flowage in the salt to cause local thinning or thickening of beds. The regular succession of formations in the general area* is: Cretaceous Mancos Dakota Jurassic Morrison Summerville Entrada Carmel

Jan 1, 1948

By A. D. Hughes

A relatively small area in Malaya, about 200 miles long by 40 miles wide, is the most important source of tin in the world. Some tin is recovered in other parts of the peninsula. Of the tin mined, 98 pct is recovered from alluvial deposits. From 1935 to 1941 the average annual world production of tin was 190,000 tons. The average annual production from Malaya during the same period was 62,000 tons or about one third of the total. Other producing countries, in order of importance, were the Netherlands East Indies 34,000 tons, Bolivia 30,000, Belgian Congo, Nigeria, Siam, Burma, China, and a few others with smaller amounts. The serious shortage of tin during the war period was due to the fact that the Japanese were occupying Malaya, Netherlands East Indies, Siam, Burma, and China which, together, formerly were producing 65 pct of the world supply. Because of the importance of tin in the world economy, and because of the fact that little is generally known in this country regarding the methods of recovering the tin in Malaya, it is believed that a short description of the industry, as carried on there, may be of interest to many of the readers. In addition you may be interested in the effect of the Japanese occupation, subsequent recovery of the properties and conditions existing at that time. The Malay Peninsula lies at the southeast tip of Asia. Singapore, a British colony, is situated on a small island at the southern end of the peninsula. It is a city of nearly a million population, an important world port, the site of a large British naval base and of one of the tin smelters. The Federation of Malaya consists of nine states, plus Penang, Malacca, and other small areas formerly part of the Straits Settlements, and it now covers the entire peninsula. The civil administration is controlled by the British. A constitution was adopted recently after reaching agreement with the Malay Sultans of the various states, who retain control of religious matters. The Capital is at Kuala Lumpur, a city of about 200,000 population, 250 miles north of Singapore and about half way to Penang. The country covers an area of 51,000 square miles, an area about equal to that of Florida and about one third that of California. It has a population of about seven million consisting of Malays, Chinese, East Indians, and a relatively small number of Europeans. The principal products are tin and rubber. There are over three million acres of planted rubber. The country is not self-supporting agriculturally as about one third of the necessary food supplies is imported. Rice is the principal food of the Asiatic population and some of the recent unrest is caused by a shortage of rice and the consequent high price. Good highways have been built through the settled part of the country. A railway, Government owned, extends from Singapore northward through the entire peninsula. The climate is tropical but health conditions are good for a tropical country. I was in Malaya from 1939 until January 1942, during the time of the simultaneous air attacks on Pearl Harbor, Manila, Hongkong, and Singa-

Jan 1, 1950

Flaubert, as we know, laid stress on the selection of the right word, le mot juste, the precise epithet, the word that belongs to the thing. A sentence, or even a paragraph, may be spoiled. by the use of a word that is not proper, that does not fit or is foreign to the meaning intended. An Australian mining expert is reported to have said: You have a property of considerable value, and what I saw warrants s good development of very rich cubicular galena, with gossan intermixed. 'Cubicular' means 'belonging to a small bedroom', a 'cubicle' being a sleeping compartment. He meant 'cubic', of course. This is a malapropism, and reminds me of the lady from Chicago that, on her return from Europe, said how much she had enjoyed the rural parts of France, because, among other things, it was "so delightful to hear the French pheasants singing the mayonnaise to the tune of the Los Angelus". It is impossible to amalgamate coal-tar thoroughly with the pulp in the agitating-tank. In metallurgy, 'amalgamate' refers to the combination of mercury with one or both of the precious metals, forming an amalgam, which is an alloy of mercury with another metal. It differs from other alloys, such as brass or bronze, in being made without the aid of heat, inasmuch as mercury is molten at the ordinary temperature. The word comes to us from the Greek through Old French and means 'something soft'. It is a mistake to use technical terms, having a specific meaning, for purposes that are foreign to that meaning. The writer of the quotation is not discussing any combination of metals; he is dealing with the physical process of mixing and is using 'amal-

Jan 1, 1931

By T. F. Witherbee

It is proposed to give, first, a description of the works; second, a report of the first six months of the present blast; and third, such improvements as have been suggested by the practical working. The site selected for this furnace was, at the time of commencing work, October, 1872, entirely covered by the navigable waters of Lake Champlain. A coffer-dam was first built of cribs of round timber filled with stone, forming three sides, while the shore answered for the fourth. Considerable excavating was done with a steam-dredge, a hole being left for it to pass out. The opening was then built up, and the cribbing banked up with blue clay from the bottom of the lake, to render it water-tight and the dam pumped out; the remainder of the excavating being done by hand. All of the foundations, with the exception of the elevator-tower, and fifteen feet of the east side of hot blast, rest on the Potsdam sandstone, which forms the shore line, dipping into the lake at an angle of fifteen degrees. Owing to jogs in the formation, a much greater depth was found necessary than was at first anticipated, the foundation under the stack

By T. F. Witherbee

IT is proposed to give, first, a description of the works ; second, a report of the first six months of the present blast; and third, such improvements as have been suggested by the practical working. The site selected for this furnace was, at the time of commencing work, October, 1872, entirely covered by the navigable waters of Lake Champlain. A coffer-dam was first built of cribs of round timber filled with stone, forming three sides, while the shore answered for the fourth. Considerable excavating was done with a steam-dredge, a hole being left for it to pass out. The opening was then built up, and the cribbing banked up with blue clay from the bottom of the lake, to render it water-tight and the dam pumped out; the remainder of the excavating being done by hand. All of the foundations, with the exception of the elevator-tower, and fifteen feet of the east side of hot blast, rest on the Potsdam sandstone, which forms the shore line, dipping into the lake at an angle of fifteen degrees. Owing to jogs in the formation, a much greater depth was found necessary than was at first anticipated, the foundation under the stack

Jan 1, 1876

By E. C. Potter

FUEL-OIL was first substituted for coal at these works in September, 1888. It was first applied in the converting-department to the battery of boilers, consisting of 14 tubular boilers, 16 feet in length by 5 feet in diameter. To operate these boilers with coal for 24 hours required 14 strikers, 3 ash-wheelers, 6 men unloading coal, and 2 water-tenders, making a total of 25 men. With fuel-oil the same boilers require for the same period 2 water-tenders and 4 men to attend to the burners, making a total of 6 men. This gives a saving of 19 men, which, at an average of $2 per day each, amounts to $38 per day. Comparing the consumption of oil with that of coal, we find that for the week ending January 5, 1889, with an ingot output of 6403 tons, 2731 barrels of fuel-oil were used as against a necessary consumption of coal for the same work of 848 tons, showing 3.22 barrels of fuel-oil to be equivalent to one ton of Indiana block-coal. Figuring oil at 60 cents per barrel, and coal at $2.15 per ton, we have as the cost of oil $1.93, as against $2.15 for its equivalent in coal. In December, 1888, the rail-mill battery of 26 boilers, of the same dimensions as those in the converting-department, was equipped for fuel-oil. For the week ending January 5, 1889, with a rail out-put of 5208 tons, 5987 barrels of oil were consumed, as against a necessary consumption of coal, to do the same work, of 1805 tons, showing 3.31 barrels of fuel-oil to be equivalent to one ton of Indiana block-coal, which at the costs named above would show $1.98 worth of fuel-oil to he equal to $2.15 worth of coal. The labor required to operate the rail-mill boilers for 24 hours, with coal as fuel,is: 26 stokers, 4 water-tenders, 6 ash-wheelers, 12 men unloading coal; total, 48 men. With oil as fuel, the same work requires 4 water-tenders and 6 men to attend to the burners; total, 10 men; a saving over coal of 38 men in 24 hours, which, at an average price of $2 per day, would be $76 per day. In the brief experience we have had with oil as fuel, we find that the efficiency of the boilers is somewhat increased and the repairs are

Jan 1, 1889

By H. H. Stoek

Mine models have three distinct uses: 1. As exhibits in expositions and museums. 2. As exhibits in law suits. 3. As illustrations in teaching mining engineering. All three uses are in a sense educational. The third, or distinctively teaching function, has not been extensively developed in America as it has been abroad, chiefly because of the cost of the models and the scarcity of model makers. In connection with expositions, such as the Columbian, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Panama-Pacific, a number of very good mine and metallurgical models were prepared with funds furnished by State commissions, by mining organizations or mining companies. At the close of these expositions, some of these models have been deposited in National or State museums or in educational institutions, but too many of them haw been lost, or have been stored away in some mining company's office or in the basement of some State building, where they have been lost sight of and have gradually fallen to pieces. A visitor to a German mining school is impressed by two facts: 1. The mining laboratories are in general inferior to those in America. 2. The mining museums are infinitely superior to ours, particularly in models exhibited. One may reply to this comparison by saying that a museum is necessarily a work of time. From the historical standpoint this is, of course, true, but it is not necessarily true in connection with a working museum intended to illustrate current practice. For instance, the oldest mining school in Germany, that at Freiberg, has much excellent historical material, but very little on modern practice, while Berlin, one of the youngest German mining schools, has a most extensive and valuable collection of modern appliances and models. This is true in spite of the fact that one of the best-known model shops is at Freiberg, from which many of the models to be seen in America have come. Because many of the models in American mining schools have come from

Jan 1, 1918

The Candelaria deposit was first discovered by Spanish prospectors in 1863; but its silver ore was not exploited on a large scale until 1873, when the Northern Belle mine was opened. The first Northern Belle mill was built at Belleville, 13 km (8 miles) to the northwest. From 1876 to 1886 the Northern Belle paid over $1 million in dividends each year. In 1882 a 43 km (27 miles) pipeline was built to Candelaria from the White Mountains to the west to furnish water for the mills and town at Candelaria; it was 100 mm (4 in.) in diameter, hand- riveted, and made in England. Sections of this pipe are used. as claim posts today. At its terminus at Metallic City, above Candelaria, a large concrete reservoir was built and called Metallic Lake. It is being used today by Candelaria Partners. Production at Candelaria declined after the mid-1980s, revived for a short period in the early 1890s, and during the 1920s a 300 ton mill operated for three years. Candelaria Partners is owned jointly by Occidental Minerals and Congdon and Carey, with Occidental being the operator. An engineering study done in mid-1979 resulted in engineering for the plant commencing in late that year and heap leaching being started in September 1980. Two million tons of ore per year containing 108 g Ag and 0.28 g Au per mt (3.15 oz Ag and 0.008 oz Au per st) will be mined from the Lucky Hill and Mount Diablo .areas about 1.6 km (1 mile) up Pickhandle gulch from the heap leaching operation. Waste -to -ore ratio is about 2:l. Ore is mined by front-end loaders and hauled by 85 ton trucks to the primary crusher, a 1,070 by 1,780 mm (42 by 70 in. ) gyratory. Primary crushed ore is conveyed to a stockpile of 10,000 tons live capacity from which it is reclaimed by hydraulic reciprocating feeders and conveyed to the crushing and agglomeration facility. This unit is composed of a 1.8 m by 2.6. m (6 ft by 12 ft) double deck screen, a 2.1 m (7 ft) standard cone crusher, and three conveyors. At the conveyor transfer points NaOH and NaCN solution is sprayed on the ore as it falls through a row of 75 mm (3 in.) hanging steel bars. During this process of turning and dividing the ore, the fines agglomerate with the coarse ore to give better percolation for the leach solution on the heaps. Provision was made for the later addition of 2 kg per mt (4 lb per st) of cement to aid in the agglomeration. Agglomerated ore at minus 50 mm (2 in.) size is then conveyed to a 390 mt (430 st) loadout bin where it is transferred to 85 ton rear dump trucks for haulage to the leach pads.

Jan 1, 1981

By Leo H. Glanville

UNTIL 1934, natural ventilation was depended upon in the mine of the Climax Molybdenum Co. at Climax, Colorado. In that year a 7-ft. axial-flow, low-pressure fan was installed as an exhausting unit. In 1936, three more fans of the same kind were installed, all as exhausting units, with a total capacity of 115,000 cu. ft. per min., and since then fans and sprays have been added as required. ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS Adverse atmospheric conditions at this elevation of 11,500 ft. account in part for difficulty in maintaining adequate ventilation throughout the mine. Barometric pressures range from 18.99 to 20.01 in. of mercury; the normal average being 19.70 in. Air weight is 0.051 lb. per cu. ft., and humidity is low-about a 30 per cent yearly average. This makes the use of mechanical humidity aids mandatory the year around to prevent excessive dryness of the mine workings and the resultant dust hazard. The yearly temperature range is from minus 24° to 95°F.; typically, in February 1942 the mean low was minus 3.25°F. and the mean high, 21.3°F. In August the mean low was 34.8°F.; the mean high, 64.26°F. Even during the summer month air filtration through the openings of the cave area is 32°F., owing to accumulation of snow in the glory hole and in part to glacial ice, which, combined with a rock temperature of 39°F. on the upper levels (elevation 11,945 ft.) and 42°F. on the main haulage level (elevation 11,490 ft.), makes it difficult to maintain a comfortable working temperature. The one advantage in ventilation of mine workings at the altitude of the Climax mine is that the power required to circulate a given air volume is 32 per cent less than would be required at sea level. PROBLEMS Since 1936 the mine management has studied intensively plans for providing adequate ventilation for the entire mine for its expected life. As the ore breaks into large pieces, much secondary blasting is necessary, therefore there is a considerable amount of smoke, gas and dust, which requires circulation of a large amount of air to remove the contamination. It is undesirable to use haulage drifts and manways as air passages because some would be passageways for contaminated air also, and there would be undesirable high velocities in some drifts. High velocities and large volumes of subfreezing air dry out the passageways through which they pass, and thus increase the amount of dust. Regulating doors in haulage drifts are difficult of upkeep and interfere with production. It was decided as a general principle to distribute fresh air to each working place at low velocities and low pressures and to remove contaminated air as soon as possible with a minimum of travel through working places.

Jan 1, 1943

By Sam Tour

OF the new alloys achieving commercial prominence during the year, an aluminum-silicon magnesium casting alloy, which is similar in many respects to the 4 per cent copper alloy, developed about 1921, which has attained such a wide field of service, may be mentioned. The new alloy, like the old, is a heat-treatable type and develops about the same physical properties. The alloy casts easily and is relatively insensitive to high pouring temperatures. Its ability to produce substantially leak- proof castings is noteworthy. A second casting alloy development is the new Aluminum Co. of America No. 132, "Lo-Ex" piston alloy, a result of nearly eight years of research. The alloy contains about 14 per cent silicon and varying amounts of nickel, copper, and magnesium. It exhibits a low coefficient of expansion and thus permits small piston clearances. Its lower specific gravity is a further advantage.

Jan 1, 1932