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By R. H. Richards

IN nearly all ore-dressing operations it is a common practice to discharge mixtures of fine ore and water through spigots; for example, from classifier pockets, from jig hutches, from settling tanks, etc. As a, general rule it is desirable to regulate the composition, i.e., the ratio of water to sand, of such discharged products; and this can usually be done by varying the size of the orifice or spigot through which the material is discharged. Thus it is that problems similar to the following are frequently encountered: With a given quantity of solids per unit time, of a given specific gravity, to be discharged with water under a given head, and with a given ratio of water to solid, what must be the size of the spigot opening? If the spigot is to be open continuously, there are, aside from its form, but three factors governing the rate at which it will discharge a mixture of sand and water, namely: the head of water above the spigot; the area of the spigot opening; and the viscosity of the material to be discharged. The term viscosity, as used here, means the ratio of the volume of pure water that will flow through a given orifice under a given head in a given time to the volume of the material under consideration that will flow through the same orifice in the same time under the same conditions. While the actual viscosity of water containing sand in suspension is not increased by the presence of the sand, nevertheless the volume-rate at which such a mixture will flow through an orifice is less than that at which pure water will flow, by reason of the friction of the particles of sand against each other and against the sides of the orifice. In other words, the flow is retarded as it would be by increased viscosity; and therefore, for the purpose in view, we may speak of the viscosity of a mixture of ore grains and water as defined above. The head of water above the spigot is generally fixed by the form and design of the classifier or tank to which the spigot is attached. So, with the head known, in order to determine the size of the spigot required it is necessary to know the viscosity of the desired mixture, and the coefficient of discharge of

Jan 1, 1915

By G. H. Alvey, A. W. Foster

The measure of value of an oil property is approximated by the length of time it takes to "pay out;" viz., the time required for it to return the original investment. This time varies in different fields. In the Appalachian and Mid-Continent fields, a good investment pays out in about four years; in California, it requires a slightly longer time; and in the Gulf field about two years. The two principal methods for establishing these values are based on acreage, as in California, and on production, as in the Appalachian field. The method of establishing values based on production1 was worked out in the Appalachian fields and approximates the value remarkably well in some fields; but it is a rule of thumb and should be used intelligently. Briefly, the method is as follows: An arbitrary number of dollars (called the barrel-day price) multiplied by the number of barrels of settled daily production of the property gives the value. In its crudest application, the barrel-day price is determined by the "$10 to $0.01" rule, which means that the barrel-day price is one thousand times the prevailing price of oil. For instance, with oil at $3.50 per bbl. the barrel-day price would be $3500 per bbl. This rule, however, is not strictly applied, for the barrel price is varied according to whether or not the wells "hold up." But when a barrel price for a district has been fixed it is quite general to raise or lower the price with the fluctuation in the price of oil; here the"$10 to $0.0l"ruleisused extensively. However, the prospective purchaser takes into account tangible equipment upon the property, the extent to which the drilling program has been carried out, whether or not the wells are "shot" or natural, depth of wells, spacing of wells, paraffin trouble, etc. The basis of this method is settled production. As soon as production is considered settled, a flat barrel-day price is generally applied to all properties, no matter what their age. If it were possible to show that this flat rate was erroneous and that the value of the property depended on the point on the decline curve at which the wells happened to be (in other words, their age), and also on the operating costs, the future price

Jan 1, 1921

By Boyd Dudley, R. H. Richards

In nearly all ore-dressing operations it is a common practice to discharge mixtures of fine ore and water through spigots; for example, from classifier pockets, from jig hutches, from settling tanks, etc. As a general rule it is desirable to regulate the composition, i.e., the ratio of water to sand, of such discharged products; and this can usually be done by varying the size of the orifice or spigot through which the material is discharged. Thus it is that problems similar to the following are frequently encountered: With a given quantity of solids per unit time, of a given specific gravity, to be discharged with water under a given head, and with a given ratio of water to solid, what must be the size of the spigot opening? If the spigot is to be open continuously, there are, aside from its form, but three factors governing the rate at which it will discharge a mixture of sand and water, namely: the head of water above the spigot; the area of the spigot opening; and the viscosity of the material to be discharged. The term viscosity, as used here, means the ratio of the volume of pure water that will flow through a given orifice under a given head in a given time to the volume of the material under consideration that will flow through the same orifice in the same time under the same conditions. While the actual viscosity of water containing sand in suspension is not increased by the presence of the sand, nevertheless the volume-rate at which such a mixture will flow through an orifice is less than that at which pure water will flow, by reason of the friction of the particles of sand against each other and against the sides of the orifice. In other words, the flow is retarded as it would be by increased viscosity; and therefore, for the purpose in view, we may speak of the viscosity of a mixture of ore grains and water as defined above. The head of water above the spigot is generally fixed by the form and design of the classifier or tank to which the spigot is attached. So, with the head known, in order to determine the size of the spigot required it is necessary to know the viscosity of the desired mixture, and the coefficient of discharge of

Jan 1, 1915

By G. D. Arsdale

This paper describes a series of experiments leading to the development. of a method for leaching the mixed ores of the Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co., containing chalcocite and silicates of copper, by the use of solutions acidified with sulfuric acid and carrying ferric sulfate. Iron is added to the solutions and ferric iron is regenerated electrolytically to a percentage high enough to act as an efficient solvent. The decreased yield is partly compensated for by a higher current density. AN IMPORTANT problem in modern copper metallurgy, particularly in the Southwest, has been to obtain good recoveries from what are commonly known as mixed ores; that is ores in which the copper occurs partly as oxide and partly as sulfide compounds. The dividing line between mixed ores and ores commonly accepted as concentrating is not definite. In other words, much ore now being concentrated carries considerable copper in non-sulfide form, on which recoveries are hot so good as on ores carrying less of these constituents. While treatment by concentration may be commercially profitable, on ores carrying oxide copper within certain limits, there are large deposits for which the application of con-centration could not be considered, and yet which have not been considered amenable to leaching because they carried too much sulfide. The Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co. has large amounts of such mixed ores, and this paper is an account of the experimental work by which a method was developed for their treatment, and for which a large plant is now being erected by the Inspiration Co. It is not claimed that the method is a general solution of the problem of mixed-ore treatment but it is apparently well adapted for leaching the ores of the Inspiration Co., for which it was designed. The work done has covered preliminary laboratory and test-plant investigation, and .a pilot-plant run, extending from March to the middle of December, 1923. Thoroughly consistent and satisfactory results, were obtained continuously for more, than six months in the pilot plant; and it is believed that the results; and probable costs that can be had on a large scale have been definitely, proved. The method, however, was designed for local conditions; and while the basic principles are general, there are ores on which it will not work and other ores for which considerable modification may be required.

Jan 10, 1925

By G. D. Van Arsdale

This paper describes a series of experiments leading to the development of a method for leaching the mixed ores of the Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co., containing chalcocite and silicates of copper, by the use of solutions acidified with sulfuric acid and carrying ferric sulfate. Iron is added to the solutions and ferric iron is regenerated electrolytically to a percentage high enough to act as an effcient solvent. The decreased yield is partly compensated for by a higher current density. An important problem in modern copper metallurgy, particularly in the Southwest, has been to obtain good recoveries from what are commonly known as mixed ores; that is ores in which the copper occurs partly as oxide and partly as sulfide compounds. The dividing line between mixed ores and ores commonly accepted as concentrating is not definite. In other words, much ore now being concentrated carries considerable copper in non-sulfide form, on which recoveries are not so good as on ores carrying less of these constituents. While treatment by concentration may be commercially profitable on ores carrying oxide copper within certain limits, there are large deposits for which the application of concentration could not be considered, and yet which have not been considered amenable to leaching because they carried too much sulfide. The Inspiration Consolidated Copper Co. has large amounts of such mixed ores, and this paper is an account of the experimental work by which a method was developed for their treatment, and for which a large plant is now being erected by the Inspiration Co. It is not claimed that the method is a general solution of the problem of mixed-ore treatment but it is apparently well adapted for leaching the ores of the Inspiration Co., for which it was designed. The work done has covered preliminary laboratory and test-plant investigation, and a pilot-plant run, extending from March to the middle of December, 1923. Thoroughly consistent and satisfactory results were obtained continuously for more than six months in the pilot plant; and it is believed that the results and probable costs that can be had on a large scale have been definitely proved. The method, however, was designed for local conditions; and while the basic principles are general, there are ores on which it will not work and other ores for which considerable modification may be required.

Jan 1, 1926

1. List of Manuscripts Seen in America 2. List of Manuscripts Seen in England 3. List of Maps Examined 4. List of Newspapers Examined 5. General Bibliography - Numbered Reference List

Jan 1, 1942

By H. W. Young

DEVELOPMENT of high-tension outdoor substations during the past few years has been due primarily to economic reasons. The demand for power in small communities could not be met with the conventional and 1 FIG. 1.-33,000-VOLT STEP-UP OUTDOOR AIR-BREAK SWITCH AND SUBSTATION INSTALLATION OUTSIDE OF A POWERHOUSE GENERATING AT 2300 VOLTS STEPPING UP TO 33,000. TWENTY-ONE COAL MINES ARE SUPPLIED FROM LINES LEADING FROM THIS INSTALLATION. comparatively expensive indoor types unless the rate for service was materially increased. That the various problems incident to development have been solved successfully, it is only necessary to point to the

Jan 9, 1919

By P. BOURY

THIS account of a contrivance which has been found serviceable in practice may be of interest to engineers, and' especially to those engaged in hydraulic mining. In that process, one feature which seems at first sight to possess little significance, is highly important in its effects, namely, the regular supply of water to the " giants." The chief condition of this regularity is an even flow in the pipe-line from the penstock to the nozzle. This, of course, requires that the penstock be kept full. Any considerable surplus of water, overflowing at the penstock, is a simple waste, unless it be otherwise utilized in the sluices. At all events, it does not affect the delivery of the nozzles. But a deficiency at the penstock may admit air into the pipe; and this may produce hydraulic recoil, injuring the line by incessant vibrations, giving rise to leaks, and even to blow-outs, and (when a partial vacuum exists at the time of the fracture the collapse of the pipe. An accident of this sort in our main pipe-line, occasioned partly by a settling of the ground and partly by the presence of air in the pipe, led to the employment of the device here described. The line referred to is made of 30-in. pipe, successively reduced to 18 and 15 in. in diameter, for the supply of two giants. By reason of the causes above mentioned, the 30-in. pipe burst more than 1,400 ft. from the penstock, and, despite the air-valve, the 30-in. pipe was collapsed to such a degree that one length of it, next to the penstock, was squeezed together and positively swallowed by the main pipe, through which it traveled for 750 ft., piercing through a short elbow on the way. This remarkable result was undoubtedly the effect of the vacuum suddenly produced when the pipe burst.

Sep 1, 1906

(Members are urged to send in for this column any notes of interest concerning themselves or their fellow-members.) Members and guests who registered at Institute headquarters during the first half of March: James C. H. Ferguson, San Francisco, Cal. Capt. A. F. Lucas, Washington, D.C. Henry Adams, Stamford, Conn. Dexter P. Cooper, New York, N. Y. H. A. Wheeler, St. Louis, Mo. L. D. Moore, Chatham, N. J. John M. Sherrerd, Easton, Pa. Hennen Jennings, Washington, D. C. R. T. White, formerly General Manager of the Braden Copper Co., Chile, is to take charge of a copper company in Caucasus, South Russia.

Jan 4, 1914

By J. M. Ohm, Carl M. Bunker

Two special tools for recovering gamma-ray probes and logging cable from drillholes have been designed by Ohm and Bunker and constructed by Ohm. Though intended specifically for U. S. Geological Survey equipment, they may be used with other equipment of the same general type. Fishing Tool for Probes: A fishing tool of the overshot type (Fig. 1) was designed to retrieve logging probes (sondes) that become disconnected from the logging cable and are trapped in the drillhole. When the tool slides over the top of the gamma-ray probe, studs on the bottom engage the shoulder near the top of the probe (Fig. 2), which is then pulled to surface.

Jan 10, 1959

By D. S. Jacobus

It is proposed to give in this paper an estimate of the cost at which carburetted and uncarburetted water-gas will have to he sold, in order to compete successfully for steam-boiler use with anthracite coal. The following are analyses of the gas direct from the generator, and of the same after it has been carburetted for illuminating pnrposes. Per cent. by Volumes. I. 11. Uncarburetted. Carburetted. Nitrogen,.4.69 2.5 Carbonic acid,.3.47 .3 Ethylene,....... 0 12.5 Oxygen,....... 0 .2 Benzole vapor,...... 0 1.5 Carbonic oxide,.36.80 29.0 Marsh-gas,.2.16 24.0 Hydrogen,.52.88 30.0 100.00 100.0

Jan 1, 1889

By E. W. Felegy

THE need for improved mine communication to increase efficiency and to insure greater safety has long been recognized. General and unrestricted communication between all points underground, and between the surface and all points underground, is probably the least advanced phase of the mining industry. An ideal system of mine communication must re- quire no fixed wire installations. The equipment must be small, lightweight, and readily portable, and the power requirements low. A system that can be used not only under normal circumstances but also in an emergency, when the continuity of wires, tracks, and pipelines may be disrupted, must function independently of any aid furnished by standard installations.

Jan 5, 1953

By Claudia Gasparrini

Silver occurs in nature in major, minor and variable amounts in a very large variety of minerals and in several mineral species in the same ore. Because these minerals may respond differently to the same flotation or leaching agents, detailed studies to establish the correct silver mineralogy become essential for optimum recoveries in those situations where the silver is treated as a primary product. On the other hand, fine grain sizes, which often affect gold recoveries, are not generally as critical in silver metallurgy, due to the lower market price which allows for more of the element to remain In the tailings before incurring in economical losses.

Jan 1, 1984

By Forrest W. Kinsey

The use of pellets in North American blast furnaces has made the mixes used in the associated sinter plants unique. These mixes generally contain a high percentage of fine waste oxide materials as the principal iron bearing portion of the mix, with iron ores and concentrates added in minor amounts only. Additionally, the sinter basicity is always above one and can be three or higher. This paper will discuss the large body of knowledge and experience developed by one company on this type of sinter mix. Results of laboratory tests will be used to illustrate how mix composition and feed preparation affect sinter productivity and quality.

Jan 1, 1977

By W. J. Keep

Almost without exception, writers on the subject say that sulphur in cast-iron will cause it to be white, and is in every way injurious. All founders believe that a small amount of sulphur in the fuel will work great damage, and that if any castings crack, or if anything out of the general run occurs, it may be charged to sulphur in the fuel. Fuel rarely contains more than 1 per cent. of sulphur, and if this can produce so marked an effect, one would suppose it an easy matter to introduce sulphur into cast-iron, so as to produce castings containing different desired percentages of sulphur. We have be-

Jan 1, 1894

By R. V. Ramani, T. S. Kovach

In many instances, the actual production from a longwall face does not equal the planned capacity. General problem areas that have been identified include face length and panel depth, face area and gate entry roof support, face conveyor and shearer wear, outby haulage system failures, number of entries in longwall gate development, and longwall move time. The performance of a longwall face is totally dependent on the interaction of these and other factors. To explore fully these interactions, a systems analysis of longwalls has been performed. In this paper, the systems approach, the factors considered in the analysis, and the results of the analysis are presented.

Jan 1, 1985

By F. Z. Schellenberg

Systematic exploitation in the Pittsburg coal-seam on a large scale is simple where the boundaries of the property do not interfere by forcing drainage-, ventilation-, and transport-lines of entries to be run to particular confined fronts. A prime condition governing development is the natural direction of the seam's perpendicular cleavage-planes, giving long lines of smooth faces near together and parallel, bearing about 65' to the left of the meridian and therefore crossing the basins. The gradients of dip into the basins change from 10 per cent. at the east rim to practical flatness northwestward across the great coal-fields, a hundred miles wide; the dip being halved in rate at each successive crossing-over of an anticlinal crest. Elevations above sea-level on this transverse section, in scope of present development, differ by 1,000 ft. between low trough and high outcrop. Local irregularities of dip are found, but the main feature to be recognized is the pitch of the basins—the general rise northeastward at 20 ft. per mile, from 100 ft. below sea-level at the low point near the SW. corner of Pennsylvania to 1,500 ft. and more above tide, and the appearance then, at the surface, of the lower coal-seams carried in the next deeper-lying thousand feet of rock-measures; below which series come the oil- and gas-sands of Oliphant's charted column of strata, reaching down altogether 3,000 ft. below the Pittsburg coal-seam. Because of the general regularity of occurrence of the coal-seam, the mine-map depicting the courses of economic operation to be undertaken and the steps in controlled exhaustion, need be but a projection of two dimensions on the horizontal plane of space, and this for the most part composed of natural, almost unbroken lines, on the face and on the end of the coal, co-ordinating rectangularly.

Jan 1, 1911

Gentlemen:-I herewith present a report on some of the more important activities of the Institute for the year 1921. The present incumbent took. over the active management of the Secretary's office on the first of July and his, work was facilitated, while becoming acquainted with the routine of the office, by the constant and., kindly assistance of the former, Secretary, Mr. Stoughton, during the following three months, and that no interruption occurred inn its regular and smooth operation is due to him and to the Assistant Secretary, who has always been ready to give the benefit of his experience and assistance. MINING AND METALLURGY Through the efforts of President Ludlow and the generous assistance of one of our members, coupled with the excellent work of Major Barbour, MINING AND METALLURGY has, during recent months, shown constant improvement, which could not have taken place, however, had it not been, for the support given by a number of our contributing members. We have every reason to feel encouraged with respect to the quality of the publication and its cost of production. For the year 1921, the net cost of MINING AND METALLURGY was about fifty cents per member, per annum. Occasional letters are received criticizing the Board for producing this publication, but they are more than offset by letters of approval. When the, full purpose of the publication is appreciated, criticism ceases. The elimination of MINING AND METALLURGY and reversion to free distribution of all papers to all members, whether desired or not, would mean such a heavy additional expense that the number of papers would have to be much curtailed. The generous cooperation of members in sending for only such papers as they particularly desired has saved, the Institute thousands of dollars. A plan is being worked out that will materially assist in securing a prompt distribution to members of all pamphlets dealing with subjects in which they are especially interested.

Jan 2, 1922

By W. D. Smith

It has been 5 years since the writer left the Philippine Islands and while in that country his chief work did not lie in this field, though he has visited all but one of the localities mentioned in this article. The principal field studies relating to oil were M de by his colleague, Mr. Wallace E. Pratt. The writer's investigations ealt with the general stratigraphy and paleontology of the Philippines. with the exception of the investigations made by Mr. Pratt and the writer very little information on this subject is available. A number of geologists in the employ of large oil companies have visited the Islands from time to time but, following the general rule, the public has scarcely ever been permitted to learn anything of the results. The writer is indebted to the Bureau of Insular Affairs, Washington, for late information regarding recent legislation in the Islands relating to petroleum. All the known oil seeps, petroleum residues, such as ozocerite, and natural-gas emanations are associated with Tertiary sediments. The chief seeps and most promising prospects are located as follows: 1. Bondoc Peninsula (lower end), Tayabas Province, Southeast Luzon. 2. The west coast of the island of Cebü from Alegria north to, and perhaps beyond, Toledo. 3. Central Mindanao not far from Lake Lanao. 4. The ozocerite veins on the Island of Leyte in the northwestern part in the vicinity of the town of Villaba. 5. Natural gas from some deep wells in Tertiary shale formations on the eastern flank of the Cordillera and extending out under the plain on the island of Panay. The first mention in geological literature, to the writer's knowledge, of gas or petroleum in the Philippines is found in the description of the Island of Panay by the Spanish geologist, Abella, in the year 1890. In 1898, an oil well was being dug on the estate of Smith Bell & Co., an English concern, near the town of Toledo on the west coast of Cebu. In

Jan 1, 1921

By G. S. Cole, G. F. Bolling

ThIS note accompanies a study of grain structure changes in metal ingots produced by the alteration of fluid motion.1 Although the Prandtl Number of aqueous solutions is much higher than that for metals, it is quite instructive to see the simulation of freezing, as pointed out by Jackson and coworkers.2-4 Accordingly we have observed the effects of natural thermal convection, the changes induced by a steady-state rotation in one direction, and the changes under oscillation.' Temperature measurements were made under duplicate conditions whenever the visual observations appeared interesting. A solution of 15 pct NH4C1 in water was chosen. In each case the solution was preheated to 90°C in a 4-in.-diam Pyrex beaker filled to a level of about 5-in. depth and covered to prevent convective air cooling. The beaker was then placed in a container of iced brine, suitably arranged on a rotating table for movement about its cylindrical axis. Upon immersion in the brine under static conditions, fluid flow was observed near the wall of the beaker before the onset of crystallization, which generally commenced only after the temperature fell to 51.5"C. The region of flow extended about 1 mm from the wall and could not be observed elsewhere. The measured radial temperature increased sharply within 1 cm from the wall and thus over a distance considerably greater than that observed for the flow. However, we note that this difference of approximately one order of magnitude between hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layers should be expected for aqueous solutions, in contrast to metallic liquids. Beyond this layer the temperature was isothermal at a given height and in general nearly 10°C warmer than at the wall. The overall visual observation was therefore supported quite well by temperature measurement. There was also a vertical temperature gradient of nearly 2°C per cm throughout the liquid increasing from the colder bottom; this of course could not be observed visually. Eventually crystals precipitated from solution. (It

Jan 1, 1968