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By E. T. Cox

WHILe engaged, in the year 1856, in determining the oil-bearing properties of some bituminous coals from Western Kentucky, by subjecting them to dry distillation in an iron retort, which held about a pint;, and to the neck of which were attached several bottles, for collecting the carbon oils, and washing and measuring the gas, I observed that there was a very great gain in the weight of coke thus made, over that obtained from the same coal when charred in a platinum crucible, as is usual in the laboratory for making the proximate analysis of coal. It was thought at the time that the increase of coke, by the former mode of treating the coal, was due to the pressure which the retarded gas exerted upon the solid carbon, and the possible fixing of a portion of the carbon from the volatile hydrocarbons. For the purpose of obtaining a more definite idea of the effects of pressure on the coking of coals, a series of experiments were made this spring under my direction, by my assistant, Dr. G. M. Levete. The results are highly instructive and full of interest, since they point out some peculiarities in the nature of bituminous coals which

By E. T. Cox

WHILE engaged, in the year 1856, in determining the oil-bearing properties of some bituminous coals from Western Kentucky, by subjecting them to dry distillation in an iron retort, which held about a pint, and to the neck of which were attached several bottles, for collecting the carbon oils, and washing and measuring the gas, I observed .that there was a very great gain in the weight of coke thus made, over that obtained from the same coal when charred in a platinum crucible, as is usual in the laboratory for making the proximate analysis of coal. It was thought at the time that the increase of coke, by the former mode of treating the coal, was due to the pressure which the retarded gas exerted upon the solid carbon, and the possible fixing of a portion of the carbon from the volatile hydrocarbons. For the purpose of obtaining a more definite idea of the effects of pressure on the coking of coals, a series of experiments were made this spring under my direction, by my assistant, Dr. G. M. Levete. The results are highly instructive and full of interest, since they point out some peculiarities in the nature of bituminous coals which

Jan 1, 1875

By John V. Beall

One Sunday night last month the phone rang and it was George Schenck from Penn State. How would we like to see a big scrap operation, he wanted to know. A few days later we were on the Connecticut turnpike headed for New Haven to visit a large scrap operation, M. Schiavone and Sons. George had a large clam basket in the back which he explained was for collecting trophies. The car shredder, he said, turns out some fancy metal shapes. In fact, they have gained a certain acceptance as objets d’art among George's friends and relatives. He thinks there may be a small, but possibly lucrative secondary market for shredded cars in the art world if the idea is imaginatively promoted. On the way to New Haven we received a briefing on the scrap industry. The scrap business grew from humble beginnings. Mostly it was started by a few immigrant Jews who collected junk in hand- or horse-drawn carts. The fortunate one might even have had a truck. Before proceeding further, we hasten to point out that the word "junk" is strictly taboo among scrap people, who prefer to refer to their industry as the "secondary metals industry."

Jan 1, 1970

MR. CHARLES F. RAND, President, BUTTE, MONT., APR. 29, 1913. American Institute of Mining Engineers. Dear Sir: In conversation here with Mr. Sales, who is much interested in the work of the Committee on Mining Geology, he made a suggestion which you may be interested to hear. He, and many of us, are interested in papers along our lines of special activity, as they appear from time to time in the Institute Transactions, and often take these papers with us into the field. It appears that the work of special committees which are being formed is likely to result in a much greater number of available papers than the Institute has ever before been called upon to publish. This year's Transactions, for instance, have to be published in two volumes. Why would it not be a good plan, instead of printing heterogeneous volumes, to classify the papers into several volumes, under main headings such, for instance, as iron and steel, precious metal mining, and mining geology ? We would, in fact, be very glad to suggest this as a topic for discussion, if you think it wise, in response to the Secretary's letter of April 18. Very truly yours, J. W. FINCH.

Jan 5, 1913

US Tin Mission To Study Costs in Far East A move to obtain adequate supplies of tin at prices the United States is willing to pay was initiated when the interagency tin mission left for the Far East. The Mission, which includes representatives of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, State Department, Defense Minerals Procurement Agency and the Bureau of Mines will go to Indonesia and Malaya. The primary purpose of the mission, according to officials, will be to study tin production costs, not to negotiate for the purchase of tin. The mission will be prepared to enter into negotiations, if the Far Eastern producers are amenable. The United States withdrew as a large-scale buyer of tin some months ago in protest against what it considered exorbitant prices being charged in the Singapore market. Subsequent attempts to negotiate for a steady tin supply at what this country considers reasonable prices have been unavailing. The U. S. is prepared to enter into a two or three year contract with the price of tin somewhere between $1.00 to $1.12 per lb. The decision to abstain from the market has not yet put a squeeze on U. S. supplies. Substantial quantities of tin still are coming in from Malaya under an old contract.

Jan 12, 1951

A severely technical article, however well written, can not be an agreeable form of literature. It suffers from the defects of its qualities. One defect is a congestion of language, due to a multiplicity of adjectival nouns. The sentences are packed with words of unpleasing sound, charged with complex ideas, crowding one another so closely that the phraseology moves like an ice-pack in Bering Sea or a log-drive in a river; the undercurrent of meaning may continue to move, but the surface is obstructed. This verbal congestion is made evident by ugly compoundings, many of which are adopted by the technical writer in the mistaken belief that they give directness to his statements. For example: A unanimously approved scheme "A scheme unanimously approved " The continuous temperature record "The continuous record of temperature " To stimulate interest in synthetic plant construction "To stimulate interest in the construction of synthetic plants " In smelters reverberatory-furnace firing with powdered coal has been practised for a decade. "In smelting, the firing of reverberatory furnaces with powdered coal has been practised for a decade." A tar consumption of one pound per ton "A consumption of tar at the rate of one pound per ton " A mechanical ventilating system

Jan 1, 1931

By N. M. Saum, W. T. Caneer

Uranium may be in short supply due to the predicted energy needs in the coming years. As a result of this, a new surge of uranium exploration is underway accompanied by the refinement of numerous exploration techniques. One such technique is the monitoring of radon gas in surface soils and rocks as a guide to subsurface uranium deposits. The Colorado School of Mines Research Institute became involved in radon studies in 1967 on a project for the Atomic Energy Commission. Since that time the Institute has conducted numerous radon surveys for a large number of companies which have been active in uranium exploration. The objective of this paper is to relate the techniques utilized by the Research Institute and the results of some of the studies performed. Most of the studies performed by the Research Institute were related to roll front, sandstone-type uranium deposits. However, we have performed radon studies in various other types of rock. For those who may not be familiar with the application of radon "sniffing" in soils and rocks, a brief descriptive background should be given. The following question may be asked-why use radon as a guide to uranium mineralization? Some of the answers to this question are:

Jan 5, 1974

By L. Kovisars, F. Buttazzoni

The current demand for copper in the western world exceeds 7 million tonnes annually. The growth in demand is expected to average 2.6% annually to a level exceeding 11 million tonnes in 2000. Copper mine production is currently about 6 million tonnes annually; the annual net addition to mine output in the future will have to average about 190,000 tonnes of contained copper. The industrial nations of Europe and the western Pacific are heavily dependent on copper imports. Currently these import needs are supplied by Canada, Africa and Pacific producers. The increased demand for copper in the future is expected to further weight the trade balance to the Pacific suppliers. An evaluation of undeveloped deposits allows the ranking of these deposits based on total cost of production, including provision for plant and infra- structure investment as well as political/social/ economic risk. Peru, Canada, and the Southwest Pacific are expected to significantly increase exports. The United States will develop deposits to replace depleted mines, maintaining mine production at a level approximately equal to current output, with a consequent increase in copper imports. Chile is expected to become the world's leading copper producer, as well as expanding it's position as the leading exporter.

Jan 1, 1982

By Boris J. Kochanowsky

In a mobile crushing unit system trucks are replaced by a conveyor, which results in a continuous, almost fully automated operation with all its attendant advantages. Because of new designs for large mobile crushing units that have been placed on the market, the use of these plants has increased significantly during the last three years. Gains in productivity and reductions in costs are vital to every mine operator, and the shovel-crusher-conveyor system is a powerful tool with which to achieve this goal. New Designs Increase Throughput While Reducing Size The basic concept of the shovel-crusher-conveyor scheme of operations is simple and sound, with the result that domestic operators are showing a growing interest in its application. A number of operators have been using small mobile crushing plants for several years, but large operators, in spite of considerable interest, have not been able to use this system because no mobile crusher capable of crushing 1000-2000 tph of rock loaded by a large shovel (6-12 cu yd) has been available. A suitable crusher must accept rock of the size handled by these large shovels, be simple in design, easily maneuverable, remotely controllable, and have price and maintenance costs not much higher than those for stationary crusher installations.

Jan 9, 1968

By Wm. I. Weisman, C. W. Tandy

Consumption of fluorspar in the United States in the last ten years has doubled to 1.34 million tons. One main, reason for the increase has been the use of the basic oxygen furnace to produce steel which requires considerably more fluorspar than the open hearth. The increasing consumption of aluminum and fluorocarbon chemicals will require more fluorspar, Since 1964 domestic fluorspar prices have advanced over 70%. Maximum prices were attained in 1971 and remain stable. These higher prices have brought about the expansion of production capacity at many of the present mines and mills. Exploration has been intensified, resulting in new discoveries, which are being brought into production. Many deposits, heretofore considered uneconomical, are being reappraised for possible development. Companies who have not previously mined fluorspar are actively seeking and acquiring new properties. The outlook for the continued health of the domestic fluorspar industries is favorable at present prices; however, it is doubtful that production will be greatly increased. New production will have to come from presently inaccessible areas of much greater distance from consuming centers. Prices will have to be higher to support this production. Domestic fluorspar production meets only 20% of domestic consumption. Thus, reliance on imports on fluorspar in the future will become increasingly more critical.

Jan 1, 1975

By C. W. Crispell

The four nomograms presented in this article were designed to simplify and make more rapid the calculations connected with the compression and transmission of air. The formulae involved are rather complicated, but the graphic solutions are simple; their use requires an ability to follow explicit directions and to interpolate values on a logarithmic sca1e. † For the sake of convenience, the nomograms will be divided into two classes, and the purpose and accuracy of each will be discussed. Power foR CompREssion It is frequently desirable to determine the horsepower necessary to compress a given amount of free air from atmospheric pressure to a certain final pressure. The nomograms in Fig. 1 and 2 present a rapid method of calculating the horsepower required to compress 1 cu. ft. of free air per minute by single or two-stage compression. The general formula for the horsepower required to compress air adiabatically is: S X 144 PVn [(P')n-1/sn -1 (1) where: P = absolute atmospheric pressure at compressor, in pounds per square inch. P' = final absolute pressure of compressed air, -in pounds per square inch. V = volume of free air compressed per minute, in cubic feet. S = number of stages. n = exponent of the compression curve.

Jan 1, 1918

By L. R. Gremillion, G. H. McClellan

Chemical and mineralogical data on 25 apatitic phosphate ores of diverse origins from commerical deposits around the world were widely variable. From 14 to 18 chemical constituents of each sample were determined, and each sample contained four to ten mineral phases. Altogether there were 34 different mineral phases, many of which occurred in only one sample. Samples contained varieties of francolites, fluorapatites, and mixed hydroxyfluorapatites. The apatite compositions calculated from chemical data showed that certain types of substitutions were characteristic of different apatite varieties, but every variety had some degree of substitution of (CO3)2- for (PO4)3-, and the P205 contents of the apatites ranged from 35.1 %for a North Carolina apatite to 41.9% for a Missouri apatite. In a concentrate with a grade of 32% P2O5, the North Carolina sample should contain about 8.7% gangue and the Missouri sample about 23.7% gangue. To optimize the digestion process of a phosphate ore, it is necessary to consider the dissolution behaviors of different mineral phases during acidulation and their possible effects on chemical properties of a fertilizer intermediate. In the production of wet-process acids or superphosphates, acidulation of certain minerals may cause foaming and formation of sludge, filtration, corrosion, and handling problems.

Jan 1, 1982

By L. W. Rowe, W. R. Opie

A brief history of TiCI, production and purification is given. Chlorinator feed materials for the production of TiCI4 are classified. The thermodynamics and kinetics of Ticl4 production by chlorination of TiO2 are discussed. Problems encountered in the chlorination and purification steps are outlined in detail. MOST of the current processes for the production of titanium metal require the use of TiC14 as a source of titanium values. This material can only be produced by a dry chlorination process, since it is immediately hydrolyzed in the presence of water. When pure, the tetrachloride is a colorless liquid boiling at 136°C. It fumes readily in moist air, reacting immediately with the moisture to form TiO, and HC1. History The tetrachloride was prepared as early as 1826 by DumasL who chlorinated a red hot mixture of carbon and TiO,. Since then, numerous other mixtures have been used including rutile, ilmenite, beneficiated ilmenites, titanium pigment, slags, and the various titanium metalloids such as TiN, TiCN, TiOC, and TiS2. S2Cl2, phosgene, and CC14 have been substituted for chlorine and CO has been used in place of carbon.

Jan 1, 1956

By Rossiter W. Raymond

The term " pipe-vein " has recently been applied in this country to certain deposits of lead ore in magnesian limestone. The use of the term has been twofold. It has been revived as a term found in textbooks on mineral veins, with the implied or declared assertion that the ore-deposits thus named in this country are similar to those which have borne the title abroad. It has also been advanced as an appropriate name for a new class of deposits, even if such a class had not previously been recognized. In either case, the assumption is that pipe-veins form a group or class by themselves, and are not merely interior and subordinate features in larger deposits. The peculiar mining law of the United States, which regards " the vein," whatever that may be, as the basis of title, lends a special interest to these claims. But the object of this paper is rather to discuss the subject from the standpoint of geology and technical literature. I shall briefly answer two questions: (1) What are pipe-veins as described in technical literature? and (2) Is the name appropriate or necessary for a new class of deposits ? The term " pipe-ore," as applied, for instance, to irregular, cylin-

Jan 1, 1879

By Rossiter W. Raymond

(Read at the Amenia Meeting, October, 1877.) THE term "pipe-vein" has recently been applied in this country to certain deposits of lead ore in magnesian limestone. The use of the term has been twofold. It has been revived as a term found in textbooks on mineral veins, with the implied or declared assertion that the ore-deposits thus named in this country are similar to those which have borne the title abroad. It has also been advanced as an appropriate name for a new class of deposits, even if such a class had not previously been recognized. In either case, the assumption is that pipe-veins form a group or class by themselves, and are not merely interior and subordinate features in larger deposits. The peculiar mining law of the United States, which regards " the vein," whatever that may be, as the basis of title, lends a special interest to these claims. But the object of this paper is rather to discuss the subject from the standpoint of geology and technical literature. I shall briefly answer two questions : (1) What are pipe-veins as described in technical literature? and (2) Is the name appropriate or necessary for a new class of deposits ? The term "pipe-ore," as applied, for instance, to irregular, cylin-

Jan 1, 1878

By Edward Sayre

IN shaft sinking for coal mines, the cost item greatly influences the method adopted. This holds true especially when soft material must be traversed. The average life of a coal mine is short. This is clue either to the limited area of the coal basin or to the great expense of maintenance and haulage underground when the entries are extended a considerable distance from the hoisting shaft. Therefore, the engineer in opening a coal mine is confronted with the fact that the cost must be kept within certain bounds else the venture will prove unprofitable. For this reason he may be prohibited from adopting certain safe, but expensive, methods that are used in sinking caissons for foundations, driving transportation tunnels, or other work of permanent construction. A common method of sinking through difficult ground employs the aid of a steel shoe pushed ahead of the shaft timbers. Another is the drop-shaft method. These two methods were used in sinking the main shaft and the air shaft of the Eagle No. 3 mine, at Des Moines, Ia., and the following data show the relative success and cost of the two methods of sinking under the same conditions. A drill log of the material to be penetrated was as follows (see Plate 1, Fig. .1)

Jan 9, 1916

By William L. Zeller

IN the past 75 years industrial engineering has been highly developed in many fields, but the coal mining industry has just begun to realize its potential for cutting costs. To receive the maximum benefit, a company should apply industrial engineering from the time a new installation is contemplated, but the principles can also be used to reduce and control the costs of an established operation. One company that had been mechanized for seven years reduced its total labor cost 57 pct by industrial engineering. Of this reduction, 20 pct was brought about by a preventive maintenance, rebuilding, and scheduled lubrication program that eliminated 80 pct of the delay caused by mechanical and electrical failures. Thirty percent of the cost reduction was attributed to rearranging the work force into crews of the most effective size, changing working methods, and training all mine supervision in the principles of the cost reduction program. The remaining 7 pct reduction was brought about by a wage incentive program for all the men in the mine. The productivity of this coal mining operation was increased from less than 8 tons per payroll man to 20 tons. This increased productivity was brought about while using the same equipment, men, and supervision.

Jan 12, 1957

NAME AND OBJECT. SEc. 1. This Institute is incorporated under the Membership Corporations law of the State of New York ; its corporate name is American Institute of Mining Engineers; and its objects are such as are stated in its Certificate of Incorporation. ARTICLE II. MEMBERS. SEC. 1. The membership of the Institute shall comprise four classes, namely 1. Members ; 2. Honorary Members ; 3. Associates ; 4. Junior Members. All members shall be equally entitled to the privileges of membership, except¬ing that Honorary Members, Junior Members, and Members and Associates whose residences shall be outside of the United States, Mexico, and Canada shall not be entitled to vote. Members and Associates residing within the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada, and not in arrears for dues, shall be entitled to vote in person at the meetings of the Institute, or, as hereinafter provided for, by letter ballot. SEC. 2. The following classes of persons shall be eligible for membership in the Institute, namely : as Members, all professional mining . engineers, geologists, metallurgists, or chemists, and all persons actively engaged in mining and metal¬lurgical engineering, geology, or chemistry ; as Associates, all persons desirous of being connected with the Institute who in the opinion of the Board of Directors are suitable.

Jan 1, 1917

NAME AND OBJECT. SEc. 1. This Institute is incorporated under the Membership Corporations law of the State of New York ; its corporate name is American Institute of Mining Engineers; and its objects are such as are stated in its Certificate of Incorporation. ARTICLE II. MEMBERS. SEC. 1. The membership of the Institute shall comprise four classes, namely 1. Members ; 2. Honorary Members ; 3. Associates ; 4. Junior Members. All members shall be equally entitled to the privileges of membership, except¬ing that Honorary Members, Junior Members, and Members and Associates whose residences shall be outside of the United States, Mexico, and Canada shall not be entitled to vote. Members and Associates residing within the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada, and not in arrears for dues, shall be entitled to vote in person at the meetings of the Institute, or, as hereinafter provided for, by letter ballot. SEC. 2. The following classes of persons shall be eligible for membership in the Institute, namely : as Members, all professional mining . engineers, geologists, metallurgists, or chemists, and all persons actively engaged in mining and metal¬lurgical engineering, geology, or chemistry ; as Associates, all persons desirous of being connected with the Institute who in the opinion of the Board of Directors are suitable.

Jan 1, 1917

NAME AND OBJECT. SEC. 1. This Institute is incorporated under the Membership Corporations law of the State of New York ; its corporate name is American Institute of Mining Engineers; and its objects are such as are stated in its Certificate of Incorporation. ARTICLE II. MEMBERS. SEC. 1. The membership of the Institute shall comprise four classes, namely 1. Members ; 2. Honorary Members ; 3. Associates ; 4. Junior Members. All members shall be equally entitled to the privileges of membership, except¬ing that Honorary Members, Junior Members, and Members and Associates whose residences shall be outside of the United States, Mexico, and Canada shall not be entitled to vote. Members and Associates residing within the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada, and not in arrears for dues, shall be entitled to vote in person at the meetings of the Institute, or, as hereinafter provided for, by letter ballot. SEC. 2. The following classes of persons shall be eligible for membership in the Institute, namely : as Members, all professional mining . engineers, geologists, metallurgists, or chemists, and all persons actively engaged in mining and metallurgical engineering, geology, or chemistry ; as Associates, all persons desirous of being connected with the Institute who in the opinion of the Board of Directors are suitable.

Jan 1, 1923