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ROBERT PEELE, New York, N. Y. (written discussion *).-This excellent paper is one of a number of recent detailed descriptions of the, methods and plant in use at prominent mines of the country. The publication of such papers cannot be too highly praised. In the past, the interchange of inside information has often been hampered by the disinclination of some mining companies to permit publication of details of their work. These companies apparently have not realized fully that free discussion is of mutual benefit; that members of mine staffs are aided in. keeping up to date, in improving old methods and devising new ones to meet changes in conditions, and, by a wholesome feeling of rivalry, are stimulated to introduce economies and do better work. In writing this paper, Messrs. Haight and Tillson have packed a large amount of information into a relatively small space, and the numerous illustrations, chiefly reductions of working drawings, are valuable. The authors are also to be commended for their highly detailed Table of Contents, which adds to the usefulness of the, subject matter. The method of mining at Franklin does not fall readily into any of the accepted classifications. It is a combination of shrinkage stoping and mining of the pillars by a modified top-slicing method. Attention may be called to the fact that, in the wider parts of the orebody, the stopes, 17 to 18 ft. (5.2 to 5.5 m.) wide are transverse; in the narrower parts, they are longitudinal, that is, in the direction of the' strike. This varia-tion is made necessary by the shape and character of the deposit, and distinguishes practice at Franklin from that in some of the western mines. The direction of the stops is changed from transverse to longitudinal when the orebody narrows sufficiently to make the length of a transverse stope approximately equal to its width. Some of the longitudinal stopes exceed 120 ft. (36 m.) in length, and when the hanging wall is bad, requiring prompt filling, three operations' proceed simul-taneously in the same stope, viz., ore is broken at one end, while drawing down goes on in the middle, and filling at the other end. Each transverse stope or chamber is begun by a crosscut from foot to hanging wall, which is afterward enlarged to the stone width and to a height of 12 or 15 ft. (3.7 or 4.6 m.). This preliminary work is done only once for each stope, because the stope is carried up far enough to continue stoping

Jan 1, 1918

By J. B. Evans

Maintaining overall optimum profitability at a mine site necessitates constant reassessment of operating strategies. In essence, each strategy is a particular combination of envisaged capital expenditure, income flow and elapsed time. Selecting a strategy, based on profita¬bility potential requires each contemplated strategy being subjected to discounted cash flow analysis; even with a computer such analysis can be cumbersome. The chapter discusses a 'shortcut' technique which assigns profitability rankings to alternate strategies and iden¬tifies those aspects of a. strategy which impact heavily on profitabil¬ity. This technique can yield quick assessments of sufficient accuracy for many operating strategy decisions. taken on site at on-going mines.

Jan 1, 1978

* The greatest and richest iron ore body in the world was discovered by U. S. Steel in Venezuela in April 1947, and is disclosed for the first time in this issue (p. 178), One solid mountain of ore, Cerro Bolivar, will furnish more tonnage than the famous Hull Rust pit at Superior has, or can produce. Total resources are on the order of 2 billion tons plus. Big Steel is now moving with great speed on construction to bring out this ore, and 10 million tons are scheduled for shipment into Baltimore and Birmingham by late 1952. This ore will arrive at, Pittsburgh at a price lower than present natural ores from Superior. The Venezuelan properties will be completely mechanized. •U. S. Steel and independent companies are embarking on a taconite beneficiation program of tremendous proportions, which must be speeded to completion in the 1950's (see p. 185). By 1960 over $l.2 billion dollars will be spent on Venezuela, taconite, and Labrador to solve the United States iron ore crisis. In addition, U. S. Steel will spend another $300 million plus for a new steel mill at Trenton, N. J., before 1955. •The Deister Concentrator Co. gave $500 to the 1950 Coal Division Scholarship Fund. •Howard N. Eavenson, in analyzing the bituminous coal situation (see p. 193), suggests that anti-trust laws be extended to labor unions, disinterested trustees to administer pension funds, begin pension funds now and stop the collection of all "check-offs" for union dues or funds. •Minerals and metals worth 13.9 million dollars were produced in the United States in 1949, Secretary of the Interior Oscar L. Chapman announced. Although this value was 11 pct less than in 1948, it was the second greatest in history. Nonmetallics was the only major group that in 1949 equaled the 1948 production high. Mineral fuels decreased 12 pct and metals 15 pct. • Prospects for making gas from coal are seen to be unattractive by the Pittsburgh Consolidated Coal Co. because the success of operation depends on price and supply of coal which presently are not attractive. The company has shut down its gasification plant at Library, Pa. * Economic prospects for the immediate future in the United States are good and business probably will continue at its present high levels throughout at least the early part of 1950, Secretary of Commerce Charles Sawyer said in his year-end report to the White House based on his personal survey of business conditions. •A 467-ft well 34 miles north of Rock Springs, Southwestern Wyoming, is said to be flowing a 5 pct solution of nearly pure trona (sodium carbonate) at the rate of 10,000 barrels a day. Trona, natural soda ash, is mined for the chemical trade at Searles Lake, Calif., and from about 1500 ft underground near Green River, Wyo., and has been in short supply. •The AEC is "very much interested" in a discovery of radioactive material that has been made in Baraga County bordering Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, reported F. G. Pardee, Michigan State mining engineer. The material has been identified as uranium oxide in the form of pitchblende or uraninite. The discovery, made by a geologist of the Jones & Laughlin Ore Co., is the only instance in which the commission has certified samples of Michigan rock.

Jan 2, 1950

By F. Kurata, P. C. Davis, T. L. Gore

An experimental method and apparatus for the study of the low-temperature phase and volumetric behavior of volatile mixtures are described. The phase diagrams, including the critical points, and the volumetric behavior of a natural gas and a mixture of the natural gas with methane at temperatures from -40°F to -200°F and pressures to 1.200 11si are givrn. INTRODUCTION Knowledge of the phase and volumetric behavior of mixtures of the light hydrocarbons at low temperatures is becoming increasingly important as interest in low-temperature separation processes increases. Distillation at low-lemperatures has been used for some time to recover ethane and ethylene from natural gas and refinery gas for petrochemical uses. Removal of excess nitrogen from natural gas by distillation has been proposed as a means of increasing the capacity of gas transmission lines and of improving the marketability of the gas.1,2 Evaluation of the latter process has been hampered, however, by the scarcity of data from which the phase behavior of natural gases at low temperatures might be predicted. While existing correlations of vaporization equilibrium constants may be used to predict the behavior of such mixtures at lower pressures, high-pressure computations often require knowledge of the location of the critical point of the system involved. Although correlations have been developed for the prediction of the critical temperature and pressure of certain types of hydrocar-bon systems, they do not apply to very volatile systems such as nitrogen-bear-ing natural gases. This paper describes the initial stages of an investigation of the low-temperature behavior of a numher of natural gases and other gases of commercial interest. The experimental method and apparatus are described. and the phase and volumetric behavior of a natural gas and a mixture of the natural gas with methane are presented. PREVIOUS WORK The published low-temperature vapor-liquid equilibrium data for hydrocarbons and mixtures of hydrocarbons with nitrogen and helium are listed in Table I. Most of these data are for binary systems, and the data of Stutz-man and Brown" at 100 psi are the only data on a natural gas. The data of Bloomer and Parent3 on the methafie-nitrogen system, which have been phblished since this study was completed, are a valuable addition to the knowledge in this field. Prior to the publication of these data the only published critical point data on systems having critical temperatures below the ice point were those of Ruhemann.1 on the methane-

Jan 1, 1952

By R. O. Williams

Analytical representation of the thermodynamics of solutions is highly desirable from the standpoint of accuracy, compactness, and numerical manipulations. In particular, computer calculations are greatly implemented. Mathematical considerations show that previous expressions have one or more serious defects. This investigation shows a Fourier series to be satisfactory but that it is also possible to derive a new series which fits certain additional conditions. Included examples show the value of analytical expressions in giving a simple characterization of each system using some two to five parameters, the elimination of the Gibbs-Duhem integration, and the es timation of the error for the experimental function as well as derived functions. It is further shown that the present characterization provides easy comparison between systems. IN the past, thermodynamic calculations have depended to a considerable extent on tabular and graphical methods. As the volume and precision of such data increase such methods become less satisfactory. Specifically, the selection of the optimum representation and the estimation of errors require statistical methods which in turn require analytical representation. The utilization of such data require further manipulations which are best done analytically for maximum precision. For example, phase equilibria are determined by common tangents to free-energy curves: a graphical determination is normally of low accuracy. As computers are increasingly used analytical representations become almost mandatory. Insufficient mathematical consideration has been given previously to the selection of empirical expressions. Those expressions having some theoretical justification are generally too inflexible and mathematically unattractive. We consider the problem in some detail and show that a Fourier series can be effectively used. Also a new series is defined which has certain advantages. ANALYSIS We wish to consider the analytical representation of the heat of mixing, AH, the excess free energy, ?Gxs, and the excess entropy, ?sXS, as a function of composition, X, for binary solutions relative to the pure components in the same state. When a distinction is not required, we use W to denote any one of the above functions. One may use a Taylor expansion around X = 0 to generate a power series. As the derivatives are un- known we represent the series as W = A + BX + CX2 + DX3 + EX4 + ... [l] where the constants A , B, C , ..- are to be selected to provide some optimum fit. For the extremes of composition W is necessarily zero so it follows that A = 0 [2a] B +C + D + E +••• = 0 [2b] Nonelectrolytes, which we are considering, appear to satisfy the condition that d3W/dx3 = 0 [3] in the terminal regions. This is the basis of the a, ß, and Q functions used by Hultgren et al.' and others. While this condition does not have a strong theoretical basis it does appear desirable that any analytical relation should satisfy this condition. Darken2 and Turk-dogan and Darken3 have shown that many systems exhibit this behavior over an extended range from each terminal region, departure being restricted to a limited intermediate region. Since we have no a priori knowledge as to where this transition occurs we can require that this condition be satisfied only as a limit at the extreme compositions as a general condition. We will show later how more restricted conditions can be included in specific solutions. Darken2 has called this behavior the quadratic formalism; we call our application the limiting quadratic formalism, LQF. This condition applied to the above power series requires that D = 0 [4a] 4-3-2E +5-4-3_F + 6 • 5 . 4G + ••• =0 [4b] The form of the power series normally used, due to Margules,4 is W=X(1-X)(A + BX + CX2 + DX3 + EX4 + •••) [5] where A, B, C, --. are a new set of constants. (Guggenheim5 has given a variation of this expression in a more desirable form. Since, however, it is contained in the above expression it does not require separate consideration.) This form is precisely what results by incorporating the conditions in Eq. [2] into the power series and regrouping the constants. The LQF requires that B =C [6a] and 4.3.2(D-C) +5-4-3(E-D) + ••• =0 [6b] Thus, the correct form of the Margules expression with two adjustable parameters is w =X(1-X)[A + B +X2-2/3x3)] 171 and the EX4 term must be included before three adjustable parameters are permitted.

Jan 1, 1970

By Walter C. Lawson

The primary objective in laying track in panel sections is to reduce the number of track laborers required. This is possible because the work is mechanized. Moreover, because the work is mechanized and each of the operations needs only a few men, and each is self-contained, the work can be carried on at night as well as in daylight; therefore, the method provides a means of preparing tracks on more than one shift. The laying of tracks in open pits and quarries in panel sections is not new but new methods have been made possible by the introduction of new types of equipment. The purpose of this paper is to describe the methods that are followed in the Morenci open pit. General Mining Operations Full-scale ore production at Morenci is about 50,000 tons daily. The normal yearly output of ore and waste is 32,000,000 tons, of which 30,000,000 tons is handled by rail haulage. This requires the building of approximately 47 miles of loading and other temporary tracks during a 12 months' period (Fig I). Broken ore and waste is loaded into 90-ton capacity dump cars with 5-cu-yd full-revolving electric shovels. Shovel banks are uniformly 50 ft high. They are blasted with churn drill holes and the broken material from a blast is loaded out with two shovel cuts, the first one being called (locally) the "splatter" cut and the second one the "clean-up" or "face-up" cut. When a shovel is making its clean-up cut, the loading track is about 70 ft from the toe of the bank and, under normal conditions, a bank is blasted against it without removing the track. It is thus evident that each track is used for two shovel cuts before relocation is necessary, inasmuch as a single position serves for both the clean-up cut prior to blasting and for the splatter cut following the blast. The normal advance of a solid bench by a single blast is 40 ft (Fig 2). Preparation OF Panel Grade In preparation of panel grades bulldozers and rooters are used for the bulk of the work and an auto-patrol road grader for the final stage. At Morenci, bulldozers have always been used for track-grade preparation, but before the introduction of the other two types of equipment grades were uneven and irregular at best, and always necessitated a big gang of track laborers to hand-block under the ties with rocks after a track was laid into place. High blocking also made poor track because of instability and caused frequent derailments. Under these conditions derailments were generally bad as re-railing became difficult. Much track was torn up and many tics broken in the process. The inadequacy of the hand-blocked track, together with the inefficiency of hand blocking, constantly pointed, to the desirability of reducing the amount of labor required, so various means were tried to improve conditions, such as wood

Jan 1, 1949

By B. L. Averba

THE determination of retained austenite by X-ray diffraction uses the following relationship:"" Pa = constant . RVaA (8) [1] where: P is the diffracted power from phase a; R, the calculated intensity factor; A, the absorption correction; 8, the diffraction angle; and Va, the irradiated volume of phase a For a flat sample making a glancing angle + with the incident beam the absorption correction is calculated as: * 1 sin (28 - 4) A .= 1 [2] µ sin, (28 — 4) + sin 4 where µ is the linear absorption coefficient. Beu3 has proposed that the computed absorption correction be combined with the constant and that the experimental observation of the absorption correction used in the original method be eliminated. This procedure is permissible only if: 1—There is no preferred orientation in the sample, and 2—The geometric requirements have been met precisely. If these conditions are not met the validity of the determination is questionable. Unfortunately the necessary conditions must be tested experimentally for each determination, and this is done most easily by observing whether the apparent absorption has the form of Eq. 2. In practice it may be convenient to plot P/R vs the parameter sin (2? — )[sin (28 — +) + sin +] to obtain straight lines for the ap- parent absorption correction. Deviations from straight lines indicate either that the sample has not been positioned correctly or that the relative intensities are incorrect. Geiger counter spectrometer methods also have been used successfully for retained austenite determinations. In the usual spectrometer arrangement the sample makes equal angles with the incident and diffracted beams (8 = ); thus the absorption correction is simply 1/2µ and independent of 8. The retained austenite is then easily calculated from integrated intensity measurements on austenite and martensite lines. If the austenite content is not too low and if excessive fluorescence is not encountered it is possible to use filtered radiation and a recording spectrometer. The integrated intensities are then proportional to the areas of the diffraction peaks. For lower austenite contents the following technique was used: A bent quartz monochromator and a Geiger counter spectrometer are employed. The monochromatic radiation is focused on the front slit, and the counter slit is made broad enough to include the entire line. A series of readings are taken in the vicinity of the diffraction peak. The highest reading includes the diffraction line plus background. The background is obtained from the average of several readings on each side of the peak. The integrated intensity is obtained by subtraction. CrK, and FeKa have been used for such determinations. This technique has been found to be as sensitive and as accurate as the photographic methods. In the spectrometer methods the ratio austenite/ martensite may be obtained from readings on austenite and martensite lines and the application of Eq. 1. It is also possible to use external standards and to obtain the austenite contents from measurements on the austenite lines alone. The small correction for carbides then becomes unnecessary. The best standards are probably samples with known

Jan 1, 1954

By H. M. Otte, A. L. Esquivel

A new leasl-squares method is Presented for determining lattice parameters of hexagonal or tetragonul structures. The method is adapted for use on electronic computers and involves a reiterative procedure. The correction factor employed raries linearly with the lattice parameter, a (determined from the Brag, angle). In contrast, Cohen's method and recent modifications of it use a correction factor that varies incersely as the squure of the lattice paramneter, a. While the recent modifications attempt to improve the precision of the extrapolated lattice parameter, a, (or-cu). by stressing the importance of the weighting factor. the present approach emphasizes the need for choosing the correct extrapolation function. A comparison between the present method (the Linear method) and Cohen's method indicates that the Linear method may be more appropriale in certain cases. through a priori no critertion appears to he available for making a chorce between the methods. The size of hexagonal and tetragonal crystal lattices is determined by two parameters, a, and c,. Although in principle the two lattice parameters can be determined independently from reflections for which h - k = 0 and 1 = 0, respectively, in practice this may be inconvenient (because of the angular positions at which these reflections may occur) or not easily possible (because of low intensity). Furthermore, if a high precision or accuracy is required, the limited number of reflections of this type available, particularly in the high-angle region, is not sufficient for the necessary corrections (mainly due to absorption) to be determined with accuracy. Several methods1-7,11-13 have been proposed employing all reflections, to obtain the optimum values, a. and co, either by a trial and error procedure or a least-squares fit. Of the latter method, cohen's5 is the best known one since it provides explicit expressions for the optimum a. and c,. However, Cohen's method is only strictly valid if an extrapolation function is used that varies linearly with l/a2 or lie2 (see Section 3), a requirement that does not appear to be generally appreciated. On the other hand, all the better known and more widely used A recent trial and error method was proposed by Massalski and King8,7 who computed extensive auxiliary tables of axial ratios vs the functions A = [(4/3)(h2 + hk +k2) + l2+(a/c)2] and C = A(c/a)2 used in computing a and c values from the observed Bragg angles. These values of a and c were then plotted against a function which permitted linear extrapolation. As a criteria; for the "optimum" values, Massalski and King rely upon a visual fitting of the line through points representing reflections of low 1-index points to compute the extrapolated value of ao and high 1-index reflections to obtain CO. The successive computations and graphical plotting required to reach the "optimum" value are quite lengthy and tedious even on a desk calculator and no quantitative assurance is obtained of having in fact selected the optimum value.* If the method of Massalski and King is used on an electronic computer, then their published tables become redundant and a least-squares fit becomes a natural selection for the choice of optimum values. Such an approach will be called the Linear method. For work now in progress on the effect of certain physical variables on the lattice parameters of hexagonal crystals, it has become essential to determine the confidence limits of small changes in the lattice parameters. Since extrapolation functions that varied linearly with a and c actually also appeared to vary linearly with l/a2 or l/c2 when tested against published as well as our data, a comparison of Cohen's method and the Linear method was considered desirable (Sections 3 and 4). For the latter method an electronic computer was required since a reiterative procedure to obtain the optimum ao and co values had to be employed. The purpose of this paper is to describe the principles of the Linear method, illustrate its application, and compare it with Cohen's method. 1) THE LINEAR METHOD The standard practice in obtaining the lattice parameters in the Debye-Scherrer method is to

Jan 1, 1965

By Albert E. Wiggin, Frederick Laist

Early ill 1914 it was decided to test, on a fairly large scale, the treatment by flotation of Anaconda slime and mill tailing. For this purpose a standard-type Minerals Separation machine was installed at the Washoe Reduction Works during May and June, 1914. This was followed by the installation of a full-size Callow pneumatic machine plant. Experiments were also made, on a smaller scale, with the Froment, the Towne, the Fields, and the Anaconda flotation machines. The last-named machine was developed at this plant. In addition to the tests made in the standard-type Minerals Separation machine some tests were made using a Minerals Separation machine of the sub-aeration type. During the series of experiments a large variety of oils was tested. Experiments were also conducted using both round-table feed and tailing to determine whether it would be better to displace the round tables by flotation for the treatment of the slime, or to supplement the round tables by flotation of the round-table tailing. A series of tests was also made on the treatment of the mill tailing by grinding followed by flotation to determine the relative merits of flotation and leaching for the treatment of this product. In addition, flotation tests were made on mixtures of mill tailing and slime. The round-table feed referred to above is the total slime from the mill. It contains about 35 per cent. colloidal solids and approximately 90 to 95 per cent. of the total solids will pass through 200 mesh (0.067 mm.). It assays from 2.3 to 2.6 per cent. Cu. The mill tailing referred to above is the total discard from the mill, exclusive of the slime. It is all finer than 2 mm. and about 90 to 95 per cent. will remain on 0.25 mm. It assays about 0.60 per cent. Cu. A brief summary of the experimental flotation results follows:

Jan 1, 1917

By E. C. Bitzer

The primary object of the work described in the following pages was to simplify the equipment in the separating circuit of the heavy-media process by substituting a spiral classifier for the separatory cone. Mechanical considerations were the leading attraction and the best that was hoped for on metallurgical performance was that the new vessel would give results equal to those obtained by conventional equipment. Tests have demonstrated in commercial operation on iron ore that the mechanical advantages of the spiral separator are about as predicted; also, the metallurgical performance is superior to the cone on the ores treated. Treatment of iron ore involves the separation of two products: a concentrate that sinks and a float product that contains true float material plus a controlled division of interfering middling. The middling material is heavier than the average specific gravity of the separating medium. Recent work with the spiral separator on Tri-State zinc ore showed that the middling material had to be recovered as concentrate because this fraction contained the bulk of the zinc in the ore. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to make three products with the new separator on an ore such as this: a float tailing, a float middling, and a high- grade heavy sink product. It appears from this last work that the new separator has definite mechanical and metalluigical advantages over any type of separating cone for treating feed that contains large amounts of material of a specific gravity close to that of the separating medium. However, either type of separator should perform equally well, metallurgically, on feed that is free of middlings. Each series of experiments with the spiral separator has required additional work to fully develop the possibilities of the machine. For this reason the paper is divided into chronological parts. History of Development A drag-type classifier was first proposed as a substitute for the cone separator by Butler Brothers technicians during the initial tests with galena medium at Crosby, Minn., in 1937. The desire for finding a substitute for the cone arose from trouble with interfering middlings and certain operating disadvantages of the cone. The possibility of using a spiral classifier was also suggested at this time by Emmett Butler and C. J. Abrams. However, inability to satisfactorily recover fine galena, which was used as a medium, terminated all development work at Crosby. During the winter of 1937--1938 investigation started on magnetic medium with concurrent development of the inverted or closed-top cone, which was found necessary to eliminate iron-ore middlings with the float product. About

Jan 1, 1949

By E. C. Bitzer

THE primary object of the work described in the following pages was to simplify the equipment in the separating circuit of the heavy-media process by substituting a spiral classifier for the separatory cone. Mechanical considerations were the leading attraction and the best that was hoped for on metallurgical performance was that the new vessel would give results equal to those obtained by conventional equipment. Tests have demonstrated in commercial operation on iron ore that the mechanical advantages of the spiral separator are about as predicted; also, the metallurgical performance is superior to the cone on the ores treated. Treatment of iron ore involves the separation of two products: a concentrate that sinks and a float product that contains true float material plus a controlled division of interfering middling. The middling material is heavier than the average specific gravity of the separating medium. Recent work with the spiral separator on Tri-State zinc ore showed that the middling material had to be recovered as concentrate because this fraction contained the bulk of the-zinc in the ore. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to make three products with the new separator on an ore such as this: a float tailing, a float middling, and a high grade heavy sink product. It appears from this last work that the new separator has definite mechanica1 and metallurgical advantages over any type of separating cone for treating feed that contains large amounts of material of a specific gravity close to that of the separating medium. However, either type of separator should perform equally well, metallurgically, on feed that is free of middlings. Each series of experiments with the spiral separator as required additional work to fully develop the possibilities of the machine. For this reason the paper is divided into chronological parts. History of Development A drag-type classifier was first proposed as a substitute for the cone separator by Butler Brothers technicians during the initial tests with galena medium at Crosby, Minn., in 1937. The desire for finding a substitute for the cone arose from trouble with interfering middlings and certain operating disadvantages of the cone. The possibility of using a spiral classifier was also suggested at this time by Emmett Butler and C. J. Abrams. However, inability to satisfactorily recover fine galena, which was used as a medium, terminated all development work at Crosby. During the winter of 1937--1938 investigation started on magnetic medium with concurrent s development of the inverted or closed- top cone, which was found necessary to eliminate iron-ore middlings with the float product. About

Jan 1, 1947

GENERAL GEOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION The uranium mineral appraisal herein described was made for an ore deposit in New Mexico. The uranium mineralization occurs as roughly tabular to lens-shaped deposits of varying thickness within the sandstone of the Jackpile formation of Jurassic age. The mineralization occurs at several horizons within the Jackpile formation, but is not always confined to specific beds. It often transgresses across stratigraphic layers, as demonstrated when attempting correlation of uranium gamma anomalies between adjacent drill holes. Preferred mineral trends have been established in some parts of the deposit, but are not always predictable when attempting to extrapolate beyond the zones defined by drill hole sampling. MANAGEMENT OF DRILL HOLE SAMPLE DATA All of the drill hole sample data used in the appraisal were obtained from interpretation of gamma-ray logs. A brief description of gamma-ray log sampling is given in Chapter 2. Two preliminary steps are involved in preparing gamma-ray logs into sample data normally acceptable for computer manipulation. 1) The gamma analog trace produced by the downhole probe must be digitized, i.e., counts-per-second (CPS) are recorded for each 0.15 m (1/2-ft) interval across the gamma-ray anomaly. The work is usually done on a "digitizer" while following the analog trace with an electronic stylus on a special tablet or table. The other alternative is to do the work manually. Some of the newest downhole logging equipment produces a magnetic tape output which can be read by a computer. 2) The gamma-ray CPS values must then be converted to equivalent U308 assay values, taking into consideration all appropriate correction factors. The US Atomic Energy Commission, now part of the Department of Energy, developed the theory and algorithm for this conversion in the 1960's, and though the work can be done manually, it is best done with the GAMRED (gamma-reduction) computer program. Fig. 14-1 illustrates a typical analog trace produced by the probe instrumentation, including gamma-ray trace (left), self-potential electric log (center), and resistivity log (right). Fig. 14-2 shows a form of the computer output after the analog data has been digitized to 0.15-m (1h-ft) intervals and converted to percentage U308 values for the same hole. The U308 grade bar graph on the right permits rapid visual inspection of anomalous values by depth and elevation. The converted U308 sample data were next processed by the SURVEY program that assigned to each assay interval [0. 15-m (1h-ft)] an X Y Z coordinate, taking into account all deviations indicated from downhole survey information. The output file of the SURVEY program was listed on the line printer for examination by project geologists, and also became the main input file for the URAN/ COMP compositing program, which is designed to group individual 0.15-m (/-ft) U308 sample values into larger intervals representing discrete anomalous zones according to a series of specified parameters entered into the program by the user. Composite U308 intervals were computed by the URAN/COMP computer program, the logic of which may be briefly described as follows: Step 1 The program searches for the highest U308 value in the hole and builds a composite by adding the highest grade interval on either side so long as the added value is greater than a minimum acceptable grade, and the total composite, after addition, meets minimum GT (grade times thickness) constraints. Step 2 The program loops back to find the next highest assay value in the hole not already included into a composite, until all anomalies above minimum cutoff grade are composited. Step 3 Individual composites are combined if they are closer than a specified minimum waste thickness, and the resultant composite grade still meets GT minimums.

Jan 1, 1980

By J. M. Hodge

This paper represents a start on the problem of choosing alloy steels for a given application on the basis of toughness as indicated by the room temperature notched bar impact value at the desired hardness level, and as such, is very useful. I believe, however, that the authors will agree that it is only a start on this problem. The authors state that neglecting temper brittleness or other possible effects of the tempering temperature level, the impact values at a given grain size level will be determined principally by the hardenability. This is, of course, true inasmuch as the hardenability determines the microstructure, but it serves to emphasize the broad field that hardenability now covers, since this study apparently includes mi¬crostructures ranging from full martensite to coarse pearlite. Furthermore, the + or - 20 ft-lb spread in the correlation with hardenability, which certainly limits the usefulness of these results for many applications, indubitably reflects the wide range of microstructures corresponding to a given value of hardenability in terms of the difference between full martensite and asquenched hardness.

Jan 1, 1947

By L. C. Raymond

Valuations in the mineral industry differ from those of other enterprises because mines and oil wells have a definite life so cannot be considered a perpetuity. This requires that in any mineral-property evaluation the recovery of invested capital is necessary during the life of the property. Capital write-offs for nonextractive industries are assumed to be continuously plowed back to sustain the operation and produce yields on the capital invested. The extractive or mineral industry, however, generally attempts to return to the investor both interest and principal during the life of a property. Normally this is done currently and the dividend includes both items. Where the mineral property possesses large reserves and the life factor approximates a perpetuity, the return on investment is generally comparable to that of industrial stocks. The valuation of a mineral property, at best, is based on educated estimates and judgment factors. This is particularly true as it relates to estimating selling prices over a long term or assessing the quality of management. Also, it is possible to make various assumptions as to rapidity of working out the deposit, varying time for start-up of operations, varying earning rates, so as to obtain different results with the same basic facts. Thus it is not surprising that two engineers, irrespective of their abilities, may not agree exactly even when given the same facts, but their results should be close enough to be used in establishing a fair value for trading purposes. The valuation is no better than the source of basic data and the soundness of judgment factors. Fundamentally the basic principles of mineral valuation are similar for base metals, sulfur, oil, or any other mineral. Each mineral, however, requires an engineer to have a knowledge of such factors as its occurrence, distribution, mining and processing methods, and marketing problems in order to gather and analyze all the facts and data that have a bearing on the earning potential of the property. Present Value of a Mineral Property In essence the present value of a mineral property is a sum of money in today's dollars that future income from the property are worth. It differs from the total anticipated earnings by the amount of the interest that the unrecouped investment could be expected to earn during the period of recoupment. Thus, if one could accurately estimate what a mineral property will earn during its life, after deducting all operating, administrative, capital, interest, and tax charges, the determination of present value would be a relatively simple mathematical calculation. Normally, where the expected life of the mineral property extends beyond 20 or 25 years, the discounted value of earnings beyond this period is relatively small. The petroleum industry generally discounts the annual cash flow of an operation rather than earnings since, for tax-saving purposes, earnings are kept

Jan 1, 1976

By D. O. Wyble

Five water-driver fields, for which pressure predictions had been made within a few years after discovery, were re-studied when four to five years of additional pressure and production data became available. It was fortnd that forecasts of the pressure in water-dri~fe reservoirs may be subject to considerable unccrtainty. Predictions car be erroneous when there is insufficient presswe history to define the cllaracteristics of the aquifer, and when there are errors in the pressure, production or geologic data. INTRODUCTION The efficient operation of an oil or gas reservoir requires that the important characteristics of the reservoir be determined soon after its discovery. It is especially desirable to evaluate the pressure-production relationship quickly, for this relationship provides a basis for deducing the type of production mechanism that is operative, and for making pressure predictions. The pressure predictions, in turn, provide a basis for calculating efficient rates of production, determining whether water or gas should be injected, etc. The importance of pressure prediction is such that forecasts should be made as accurate as possible, and the limits of error well defined. Historically, pressure forecasts for some fields have proved very accurate, while for others the forecasts were so erroneous that they resulted in the adoption of wrong, or at best, unnecessary production practices. Pressure predictions made for water-drive fields are especially subject to error. Accurate forecasting for these fields requires that much be known not only about the reservoir proper but about the adjacent water-filled rock as well. The water-containing rock, or aquifer, may extend for many miles, and often there is only meager data regarding its thickness, permeability and porosity. Much of the information must be inferred from the previous pressure behavior of the reservoir. A brief pressure history may provide little information about the characteristics of the aquifer. Hence, pressure predictions made early in the life of water-drive fields can be incorrect. The work described in this paper was done to determine the degree of reliability which can be expected of pressure predictions made within a few years after water-drive fields are discovered. Five fields, for which the original pressure predictions had been based on less than seven years' history, were re-examined with the aid of four to five years of additional pressure data. Where the predictions were inaccurate, the reasons for failure were ascertained. The studies were accomplished by use of the electric reservoir analyzer.' The analyzer was first adjusted to repeat the original pressure-production match using the same values for the various parameters as were used in the original study. Then, the actual production rates experienced during the time elapsed since the initial study were set into the analyzer, and the pressure behavior indicated by the machine for this period was compared with that which actually OCcurred. Where the pressure profile traced out by the analyzer deviated from the observed field behavior, the analyzer was readjusted to obtain a better over-all match. The old and the new solutions were compared to determine the reasons for any differences. COMPARISON OF PREDICTED RESERVOIR PRESSURE BEHAVIOR WITH ACTUAL PERFORMANCE Field A The original pressure-production match is entirely adequate as evidenced by the pressure match of the field's history subsequent to Jan., 1952 (see Fig. 1)'.

By W. Mitchell, B. H. Bergstorm, C. L. Sollenberger

A unique compression testing machine was constructed to load individual 1/8 to I-in. spheres of glass, etc., at rates from 100 to 100,000 lb per min. During loading the applied load was continuously plotted us the deformation of the sphere-platen system. The load-deformation curve conforms to the theory of elasticity. The spheres were surrounded by steel retaining rings or by gelatin (to prevent secondary fracture). The product size modulus was determined from screen analyses. The data shows: 1) Energy input per unit mass is inversely proportional to the product size modulus (or directly proportional to the surface area per unit mass). 2) Increased loading rates slightly increase the energy input per unit mass required for fracture without affecting the preceding relationship. Theory and experiments show that much of the input strain energy is transformed into kinetic energy of fragments at fracture, this being a reason efficiencies based on "surface energies" are exceedingly small. This large kinetic energy component is usually dissipated as heat but may be partially reclaimed because impact of fragments against the surface of steel retaining rings causes additional comminution. There are currently several theories of crushing, all of which can be derived from the general energy equation of Gillilandl as was pointed out by Mitchellet al in 1954'and more recently by Rose and Sullivan. If the exponent of the equation dE-x-"dx is assigned values of 2,1, or 3/2, one obtains by intergration between suitable limits, the equations of Rittinger, kick,' and Bond,' respectively. Other investigators prefer to let the exponent be a variable parameter. To help resolve the controversy, the Allis-Chal-mers Research Laboratories set up a series of carefully controlled experiments in which the level of energy input required to induce the comminution of a single particle by slow compression loading was very accurately measured. The energy input requirement, in conjunction with the size analysis of the fragments produced at fracture, yielded an accurate energy-product size relationship for the conditions studied. APPARATUS The experimental apparatus was designed to apply a compressive load on opposite sides of an "ideal particle." Spherical shapes were chosen, because point contact loading is typical of the mechanics of conventional crushers. The bulk of the experimental data was obtained with glass spheres because glass is a fairly homogeneous, brittle material for which the properties follow definite statistical distributions. The spheres ranged from 1/8 to 1-in. diam. The compressive load was applied to the specimen at a uniform rate by a loading mechanism (Fig. 1) which acted through a system of levers. The uniform rates, ranging from 100 to 100,000 lb per min, were obtained by metering water into a bucket suspended at the end of the secondary level. Point contact was made with the sphere through tungsten-carbide platens. This latter material is extremely hard and has a high modulus of elasticity, thereby having a minimum of distortion when loaded. The actual load on the sphere was measured independently of the lever system by a load cell, Fig. 2, which was designed so that the voltage output of the load cell would be proportional to load. The deformation of the specimen was indirectly measured by a pair of transformers which were attached to opposite edges of the upper platen. The cores of the transformers, which were attached to the lower platen, moved relative to the transformer so that the voltage output was proportional to the deformation of the sphere-platen system. The load was plotted against the deformation on an X-Y recorder. The area under the curve, as shown on Fig. 3, was proportional to the energy input of the

Jan 1, 1961

The cut-and-fill mining methods in use in the mines of The International Nickel Company of Canada Limited, at Falconbridge Nickel Mines Limited, in the Sudbury District, and at McIntyre Porcupine Mines Limited in the Porcupine District, are typical of the general cut-and-fill practice in both the base-metal mines and the gold mines in the Province of Ontario. The following pages describe the methods in use. HORIZONTAL CUT-AND-FILL STOPING Horizontal cut-and-fill stoping, as practiced in the mines of The International Nickel Company of Canada Limited, falls into two main classifications: (I) transverse cut-and-fill stoping, where ground conditions or wide ore bodies make it necessary to establish narrow stopes and pillars across the width of the ore body; (2) longitudinal cut-and-fill stoping where ore body widths and ground conditions allow safe mining of the full width of the ore body. Transverse Cut-and-fill StopiNg General Stoping Layouts Stope and Pillar Widhs.—For transverse stoping, experience has indicated that narrow stopes and pillars, 27 ft. 6 in and 22 ft., respectively, are most satisfactory. These width are multiples of 5 ft. 6 in., which is the center to center dimension of a standard square set. Thus any stope, or block of stopes, can be readily converted from cut-and-fill to square set-and-fill if ground conditions should warrant such a change. Formerly, pillars were established 16 ft. 6 in. wide, the equivalent of the width of three square sets, with the intention of extracting the pillars by mining an overhand slice one set wide and an underhand slice two sets wide. However, subsequent experience proved that a two-set overhand slice is so much more efficiently mined than a one-set slice, and 22-ft. pillars have been made standard. Chutes.—The stope chutes are established on the longitudinal center line of the stopes and are spaced at 22-ft. centers from footwall to hanging wall. The footwall chute is usually from 5 to 10 ft. from the footwall of the stope. It is offset where necessary at an angle of 52° and vertical chutes are carried from the offset at 22-ft. centers. In sections of the ore body where a flat hanging wall would cut off hanging-wall chutes within a few cuts of the sill, it has proved to be more economical to use temporary chutes or slushers, or both, for these first few cuts, rather than to el permanent chutes at the hanging wall.

Jan 1, 1946

By J. W. Wolfe

The Benedict-Webb-Rmbin equation of state was used in digital computer programs to make rapid determinations of natural gas equilibrium phase compositions. Mixture components were the nine hydrocarbons, methane through heptane. Comparative tests were made with data from field separators, plant exchangers and literature sources. For most tests made, the B-W-R equations predrcted component K-vallles, mixture enthalpies and phase aensities within tile accuracy of available correlations for rune-component mixtures: significant deviations were noted when mixtures contained components heavier than heptune. INTRODUCTION Rapid, accurate methods for calculating the properties of hydrocarbon mixtures are needed for predicting the behavior of natural gas processes. For example, because of the common use of two-phase separation methods in gas proccssing, calculations must be made for the density and composition of equilibrium vapor and liquid phases. In addition, predictions must often be made for the temperature and pressure changes associated with the flow of single- and two-phase natural gas fluids through heat exchangers, chokes and turbines. The complex nature of non-ideal mixtures makes rigorous calculations for these natural gas properties difficult and time-consuming. Natural gas properties have conventionally been determined with generalized data correlations. These correlations, such as the K-values presented in the NGAA Equilibrium Ratio Data Book, are usually based on some average property of the mixture and have proven to give satisfactory estimates for the properties of most oil and gas systems. Digital computers, however, have not only increased the utility of these correlations, but also have made practical the use of equations of state for calculating the properties of natural gases. Potentially, if basic pure component data are available, all the desired thermodynamic properties of mixtures can be derived from a single equation of state describing the mixture. Currently. the best equation of state for describing the behavior of pure, light hydrocarbons over single-and two-phase regions, both below and above critical pressure, is that of Benedict. Webb and Rubin.' The equation contains eight constants which are determined by empirically fitting the equation to pure-component PVT data. Benedict and his co-workers presented the clevelopment of their equation as early as 1940.2 The B-W-R equation is a modification of the Beattie-Bridgeman equation of state and gives better PVT predictions than the Beattie equation at densities above the critical density. Benedict et al. made the equation applicable to mixtures by relating the mixture constants to composition and the constants for pure compounds. These authors, in a serics of articles in 1951,' showed the accuracy of the B-W-R equation when applied to light hydrocarbons and their simple mixtures, and demonstrated the equation's utility for making vapor-liquid equilibria calculations. Since its inception, the B-W-R equation has been the subject of many papers. Numerous additions and modifications have been proposed,'-',"'-':' the purpose of most being to improve the equation's ability to predict PVT properties of specific mixture systems. In 1959, Opfell, Pings and Sage summarized much of the work on the B-W-R equation in their book on equations of state." Since natural gases are primarily mixtures of light hydrocarbons, the B-W-R equation is a natural choice for an equation of state to compute both phase equilibria and thermodynamic properties of natural gases. Consequent-

Jan 1, 1967

By Warnie Flint

PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENTS According to statistics compiled by the National Safety Council, US Bureau of Mines, American Medical Association, and other agencies, accidental injuries cause more deaths than all the leading diseases. NO one is immune to an accident. Probably the best way to describe an accident is to say that it is an unexpected happening. The automobile driver is not expecting a terrifying crash, the electrician does not expect to be electrocuted, nor is the coal miner expecting the roof to fall on him. All personal injuries will not result in death. There is a multitude of victims who are living proof of what accidents can mean to an individual-victims who are blind, paralytic, missing arms, legs, etc. In most instances the earning power of these individuals is gone, and they are utterly dependent upon family or welfare. For many years there seemed to be an attitude that prevailed in industrial America that accidents were inevitable, and that so many fatalities and injuries should be expected. This, of course, was utter nonsense. Since the birth of such organizations as The National Safety Council, American Society of Safety Engineers, and the US Bureau of Mines, much progress has been made in reducing accidents. The enactment of compensation laws greatly contributed to the progress that has been made. Does this mean that all accidents can be prevented? Unfortunately, it does not. Human psychology indicates that men will work unsafely or perform unsafe acts for the following reasons : 1) Lack of knowledge or skill. 2) Conflicting motivations, such as: (a) to be more comfortable, (b) to save time or effort, (c) to be accepted by a group. 3) Physical or mental condition. Nearly everyone desires his own safety, but not all individuals are willing to do what they know to do to insure their own safety.

Jan 1, 1981

By R. L. Manegold

IN RECENT years there has been a decided trend toward bringing ores and coal out of open-pit and underground mines by long, sloping single-stage belt conveyors. Because the high investment cost of haulage conveyors dictates maximum speed and full loading for economy, conveyor belts are running faster than ever before, with a greater burden on the belts. In addition, larger blocks of ore are being mined and conveyed. Rougher use of large mining equipment generates more tramp iron; mechanical loading rejects nothing. Therefore the extraction of tramp iron and other deleterious materials for the protection of haulage conveyors at transfer points, chutes, and idlers is becoming an increasingly difficult job. In our experience, the best method of protecting long haulage conveyor belts is to extract the tramp iron, at least the large tramp iron, ahead of the main haulage conveyor or series of conveyors. It is most practical to collect the tramp iron at the earliest source -possible, usually directly after the primary car unloading dump or after the primary crushers, which are ordinarily not affected by tramp iron, see Fig. 1. The coal or ore from its primary source is fed by chutes or feeders onto a buffer or shock belt conveyor, a short, ruggedly built conveyor system that can be considered somewhat expendable. Its primary function is to bring the ore up to speed for transmission to the haulage conveyor. There is no assured method of protecting this conveyor from tramp iron damage at its feed end. Likewise, there is a possibility, although remote if the magnet applied to this belt is installed correctly, that the tramp iron extraction process will damage the shock belt, which is, however, short and comparatively inexpensive. Magnetic head pulleys with their maximum effective range of about 8 or 10. in. cannot be considered for large installations, even though they are desirable because of the continuous and, automatic tramp, iron removal feature. Further, the most dangerous form of tramp iron with respect to potential damage to a haulage conveyor is the long rod, roof bolt, or rail segment, which is not extracted satisfactorily because of the limited tangential contact of such an iron shape with the magnet. Magnetic head pulleys are also undesirable because the dribble or fines from the head pulley discharge at the same point as the tramp iron. Screens must be used to separate the fines from the magnetics, resulting in additional expense and loss of head room. Magnetic detectors have been used with success, but they only indicate the, presence of iron, and the conveyor belt must be stopped for its manual removal. The, stoppage of any conveyor means that all preceding equipment must be stopped or a cascade of material on the idle conveyor will result. Occasionally combinations of detectors and magnetic, head pulleys are used. The detector precedes the magnetic head pulley and detects only large pieces of tramp iron, while the magnetic pulley subsequently takes out the smaller ferrous metals. Suspended magnets overcome the disadvantages of magnetic head pulleys, detectors or a combination of both. There are several magnetic extraction problems involved in applying a suspended magnet at this

Jan 1, 1952