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By AIME AIME

THE fifth annual fall meeting of the Petroleum Division of the A. 1. M. E. went down into history as being one of the best ever held by this Division and marked progress was made in the concentration of sentiment regarding several matters-particularly the principles of unit control or operation of oil pools. The first day's program was devoted to the discussion of well spacing and many valuable data were assembled and presented and the discussions following the reading of the different papers was interesting and spirited. However, throughout the whole trend of the discussion it was noted that in the background there was the idea of unit control of the pool and if such a condition could be secured the well spacing theories could be applied much better than could be hoped for if each lease in the pool was treated as a separate and individual unit.

Jan 1, 1929

Members of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgica Engineers can now secure copies of the Journal of the Institute of Metals of Great Britain at a special price of $5 for the two volumes issued during the year, postage extra amounting to approximately 25 cents. This Journal is one of the best books dealing with the subject of non-ferrous metals and alloys and this arrangement with the Institute of Metals permits our members to take advantage of this specially low price. Back numbers of the Journal can be purchased on the same basis. The Journal can be ordered directly through the office of the Institute of Metals, Great Britain 36 Victoria St., Westminster, S. W. I., London, England. The letter should be accompanied by an international money order and a copy sent to Secretary of the A. I. M. E. in order that the membership record may be checked.

Jan 9, 1919

R. B. T. KILIANI, Denver, Colo. (written discussion *).-Mr. Len-nox's paper is decidedly interesting in that he shows that a field exists for the Chilean mill, in which its efficiency compares favorably with that of more modern grinding devices. The figures he has given clearly indi-cate that a coarse feed is conducive to higher efficiency than the fine feeds which the Chilean mill has usually been called upon to grind. The fact is also apparently indicated that operating the Chilean mill in closed circuit with a mechanical classifier results in still higher efficiency, and that in such cases the percentage of returns should be kept below 100 per cent. to obtain best results. It would be interesting to see the results of further tests with what Mr. Lennox calls "Mixed Feed," since the data given in Table 4 seems to' point to the fact that a mixed feed,

Jan 12, 1919

By W. H. Fluker

Until recently, the universal practice in New Zealand was dry-crushing and direct cyaniding. With ores containing no mineral sulphides, and little or no coarse gold, 'this method, in spite of its many disadvantages, gave excellent results, and was by far the best one available, pending the solution of the slimes-problem. But the situation has now been changed. The successful treatment of the slimes, enabling the mines not only to do away with dry-crushing, but also to deal with the mineralized ores of the lower levels, which are, for obvious reasons, quite unsuited to that method of treatment, has made wetcrushing universal; and this may be taken as satisfactory proof of its superiority over the former practice. In the lack of accurate information from plants operating successfully, particulars of experimental trials carried out on a working-scale at the Waitekauri Extended mine, Maratoto,

Jan 1, 1903

By Thomas M. Drown

The use of bromine as an oxidizing agent, particularly for sul phur, has become very general in analysis, replacing the stronger oxidizing acids. The object of this paper is to describe briefly the experience which we have gained with this reagent in the laboratory of Lafayette College in the oxidation of metallic sulphides. Most of the simple sulphides, as blende, pyrite, etc., when exposed to the combined action of an alkaline hydrate and bromine, and finally to hydrochloric acid, are completely and promptly dissolved. The procedure is as follows: The very finely pulverized mineral is first treated, in a beaker, with a solution of sodium hydrate of a spe cific gravity of 1.25, and heated ; bromine is then cautiously added to supersaturation, and finally hydrochloric acid to acid reaction. If any of the sulphide is not taken up, the same operation may be re peated. It is necessary, however, that the mineral be very finely pulverized. Instead of using the pure bromine, a saturated solu tion of bromine in potassium bromide may be used with equally good effect. The process is advantageously simplified by making a saturated solution of bromine in the concentrated alkali. This is done by pouring bromine into a solution of sodium hydrate, of the above given specific gravity, until no more is taken up, and then adding a little of the sodium hydrate solution until the liquid does not give off free bromine. The procedure with this solution is as follows: The pulverized mineral is moistened with, say, 10 cc. of the solution, and heated, then hydrochloric acid added to just acid reaction. Two more additions of the alkaline solution, in amounts of 20 cc. each, are added at intervals of about ten minutes, each addition being followed by hydrochloric acid. The total amount of the alkaline solution (containing the bromine) used is, therefore, 50 cc., and the amount of hydrochloric acid should not exceed that necessary to make the solu tion acid after each addition of the alkali. The mixture should be kept hot. After the final addition of acid, the contents of the beaker is taken to dryness and heated in an air-bath to 110° to 115°C., to render silica insoluble. The dry mass is then taken up by hydro' chloric acid and water and, after filtration, the sulphuric acid is pre

Jan 1, 1880

US 4,185,996 -- Removal of arsenic and sulfur Impurities from arsenic-containing cobalt sulfide ore. The ore is oxidized In air at a temperature of 700 to 800°C for 3 to 8 hr to drive off the bulk of the sulfur The oxidized ore 1s heated with a reducing gas at a temperature of 700 to 800°C for 2 to 6 hr to volatilize arsenic, and the final calcine 1s leached with an acid to eliminate substantially all of the remaining arsenic. A.R. Zambrano, assigned to Hanna Mining Co Jan. 29, 1980. 3 pp. (75-2). Filed. 2-13-78 (877,002).

Jan 1, 1982

By AIME AIME

Do you Possess, or Can you Obtain; and Will you Give, or Sell, to the Institute Library Early Volumes of the following Proceedings and Journals? American Chemical Society. American Foundrymen's Association. Australian Mining Standard. Chemical Society of London. Deutsche Chemische Gesellschaft. The Foundry. New Zealand Mines Record. Queensland Government Mining Journal. La Revue Universelle des Mines.

Jan 9, 1907

G. W. TRAER (author's reply to discussion*).-Prof. Parr's discussion develops two points, upon which it seems desirable to comment. First, as to putting through a large enough tonnage to secure economic operation. At each manipulation of each oven 1500 1b. (680 kg.) of coal will be charged and the resultant coke discharged from a like amount of coal. . Sixteen slabs will be discharged at each manipulation, each approximately 5 ½ in. by 11 in. by 6 ft. (14 cm. by 28 cm. by 1.8 m.). The operating schedule of a commercial plant, based upon our observations and calculations, indicates a "through put" of at least 12 tons of coal per day for each oven. We have made these figures conservatively and feel confident of materially exceeding them in a fully developed operating system. Our oven plant, with containers, will not cost as much as high-temperature plants of the same capacity. They do not require container equipment; but this is much more than offset by the cost of the great basal heat regenerative flues. Our operating requirements are quite susceptible to the application of mechanical devices and we believe our labor cost will be well within the necessary limit. Second, as to Fig. 1 in my paper, showing the specific gravity' of the tar. It Was not intended to show that the specific- gravity of -the tar rises With decreasing heat, since of course the contrary is the fact. One of the curves shows the relation between temperature and specific gravity and the other the relation between temperature and- yield. Our consulting engineer prepared the chart according to his customary method for showing two dimensions.

Jan 1, 1919

By Albert F. J. Bordeaux

(Cleveland Meeting, October, 1912.) THE immediate vicinity of the sea-shore, affording special facility for the exportation of ores, makes it possible to work certain mines in the Vladivostok district, which, in more remote places of Siberia, would remain unproductive. Outside of the city of Vladivostok the population is small and the country is very little prospected. Additional discoveries of valuable deposits like the large body of calamine which has recently been opened in the neighborhood of earlier worked lead-silver ores, in the Tetiuhe valley, are still in the field of possibilities. For many years gold alone was produced, in part from the coastal rivers and in part from a quartz-vein on Askold island near Vladivostok. But the production is diminishing, and prospectors are looking for other rivers in the interior, such as the tributaries of the Ussuri. These rivers are now more accessible than formerly, due to the slow but gradual development, of colonization by the Russian peasants. The few natives of the country, called Orodjones, are of the Chinese race. They resemble the North American Indian and are hardy fur-hunters. They have given some attention to placers and have already shown good specimens of gold-dust from the rivers Iman, Bikin, Noto, etc. Coal-mining was begun in the Vladivostok region more than 20 years ago, but in a somewhat irregular way. The industry is not as yet important and the best coal-seams are badly prospected, or ire even neglected. Copper, lead, and iron exist in several places. The amounts give some encouragement to the anticipation that the discoveries will give rise to important metallurgical works. I here present a review of the various deposits, based upon such safe information as is in hand, when I have not drawn upon my personal observations. Fig. 1 is a snap of Eastern Siberia, showing the mineral deposits.

Oct 1, 1912

By D. S. Jacobus

The boiler here referred to was of the water-tube type, having 2535 square feet of heating-surface, which the makers held to be capable of generating 325 horse-power of steam; this being understood to mean that 325 times 30 pounds of water would be evap-

Jan 1, 1889

Book Review MAN-TO-MAN: THE STORY OF INDUSTRIAL DEMOCRACY. By John Leitch, Phila¬delphia, Pa. The B. C. Forbes Publishing Co., New York, 1919, 2.19 pp., 7 1/2 X 5 in. $2.00. "Man to Man" is a short, well-written, well-printed, easy to read and very interesting hook. It is an account of a method introduced into more than twenty industrial plants to give the workers a share in managing their own troubles. It is not a panacea for labor troubles and strikes, but neither have existed where the new method has been tried. The scheme is, in a word, to organize the working force like the government, having a cabinet composed of the executives, a senate composed of foremen, and a house composed of men elected by fellow workers from all departments. This governing machinery takes up all complaints of workers, investigates, reports, and settles. The increased profits due to economy and increased production from this cooperation are divided 50-50 between the company and the men. Experience has shown that, since inattention, tardiness, irregularity, and inefficiency tend to reduce their profits, all men very quickly, after once convinced of the sincerity of the management in their scheme of cooperation, eliminate them because it is for their personal profit. Astonishing results have been attained, including higher wages, greater output, lower unit costs, great reduction in labor turnover, elimination of waste, an increased loyalty and a waiting list of employees even in periods of labor shortage. Profit sharing as such and stock ownership as a benefit to industrial relations are discussed briefly and illuminatingly, although they are not believed by the author to he the best way to bring about the human relation between those who work,for and those who work with money. The author is not against unions but does not believe the union is the best medium for improving industrial relationship. The look is nowhere dogmatic but is always forceful and convincing and, being well written, is very entertaining. It is doubtful if "Industrial Democracy" is the right expression for the solution of the problem but certainly anything that will place on the shoulders of labor some of the responsibility of industry and will increase production is tine much-to-be-desired desideratum. It is a. contribution to the solution of our biggest problem and should be read by everyone who employs men and who has been worried by the labor turnover. P. E. B.

Jan 7, 1919

By John Blatchford, H. O. Hofman

The leading antimony mineral is stibnite. In smelting stibnite ore two processes are available, precipitation and roasting-reduction. The former is suited only for high-grade ores. As low-grade ores are more common than high-grade, roasting-reduction is of greater importance than precipitation. In the roasting process the aim may be to leave the oxidized antimony in the ore, or it may be to volatilize as much of the antimony as possible, collect the volatilized oxide as a rich intermediary product and smelt it for antimony, leaving the gangue poor enough to be considered a waste product. Whichever way the roast is conducted certain difficulties inherent in stibnite are encountered. These are: 1. The low melting point of stibnite which, according to Pélabon,' is 550°C., according to Wagemann2 540°C., and according to Borgstroma 546°C. 2. The ignition temperature: According to Friedrich,4 stibnite, if heated in air, begins to oxidize at 290°C. if the size of a grain is 0.1 mm. in diameter; at 343", if 0.1 to 0.2 mm.; and 430" if 0.2 mm. 3. The fusibility of a mixture of Sb2S33 and Sb203 which in the form of kermesite (Sb2S3)z.Sbz03 melts at 517°C.6 4. The volatility of Sb2Ss and SbzOs, for which no numerical data appear to exist, although practical experience has shown that they are volatile at low temperatures. As regards the oxidation of metallic antimony, we have the experimental evidence of C. F. Plattner6 that when fused and brought to a red heat, it burns with a bluish-white flame to Sb2Oa which passes off as a

Jan 1, 1916

HENRY M. HOWE, Bedford Hills, N. Y. (communication to the Secretary *).-Dr. Burgess would add to the value of this important paper if he would give us the carbon content of the steel made in the several charges, or, if this cannot be done, if he would indicate whether, as might he inferred from his paper, the teeming temperature is approximately constant and independent of the carbon content of the steel, or whether as would be expected, it varies with the content and is materially higher for low- than for high-carbon steel. If he could add to Table 3 the time of the several tests, that would be welcome. His Table 3 leads one to infer that, once the bath is melted somewhat more than flat, the temperature of the roof is nearly constant and is approximately the highest compatible with reasonable longevity. That is to say, the metal is heated by means of a roof and flame at nearly constant temperature. The temperature of the observed upper surface of the slag should reflect that of the roof approximately, and in Table 3 this seems to be true, the temperature of both rising toward the middle of the record, and again falling. The slag as the medium through which the heat passes from roof to metal, should be intermediate in temperature between the two, as it is here. But the temperature of the metal ought to rise continuously, unless when cold additions are charged, and this too seems to be. true, allowing for slight observational errors, the total rise from the first to the last spoon-test being 89°. The temperature drop of from 85° to 135° from the last spoon-test to the teeming is surprisingly great, suggesting that the spoon-tests represent the metal immediately beneath the slag, and therefore appre-

Jan 6, 1917

Discussion of the paper of ALBERT SAUVEUR, presented at the Pittsburgh meeting, October, 1914, and printed in Bulletin No. 93, September, 1914, pp. 2439 to 2449 G. K. BURGESS, Washington, D. C.-This very instructive contribution by Professor Sauveur to our knowledge of that puzzling substance, Hadfield's manganese steel, should not only be read in connection with the paper of Messrs. Hopkinson and Hadfield referred to by Professor Sauveur (Bulletin No. 87, pp. 513 to 530, March, 1914); but one should also have in mind, as throwing much additional light upon the questions raised, two papers recently presented before the Iron and Steel Institute, the one by Sir Robert Hadfield (Journal of the Iron and Steel Institute No. II, 1913) on Heating and Cooling Curves of Manganese Steel, the other by Messrs. Hadfield and Hopkinson (ibid., No. I, 1914) treating of the Magnetic and Mechanical Properties of Manganese Steel. We then have brought together for this substance, the thermal, magnetic, and mechanical properties as well as the resulting microstructure, for the definite heat treatments described, and in particular after long annealing between 500° and 700° C. Sir Robert Hadfield and Professor Hopkinson see in the properties found for manganese steel (of C = 1.25 and Mn = 12.5 per cent.) a demonstration of the untenableness of the allotropic theory of iron, whereas Professor Sauveur reaches the contrary conclusion, that some of the facts observed can be explained only in terms of the existence of beta iron in steel of this composition. There is another possible hypothesis: namely, that these several series of experiments shed no light on the subject of the allotropy of iron, or at least as regards the existence of beta iron. However heretical it may sound, I am inclined to this last belief.

Jan 4, 1915

By M. N. Shetty, A. C. D. Chaklader

RECENTLY, it has been demonstrated that a considerable densification and interparticle bonding can be achieved if a pressure is applied to a powder compact while the material of the compact is undergoing either a decomposition reaction' or a polymorphic transformation.' The term "reactive hot pressing" has been coined to identify this process in which a phase change is combined with pressure to achieve interparticle bonding. This process is based on a principle which postulates that there is an enhanced reactivity and mobility of the molecular species at the phase-transformation temperature and this effect is utilized for interparticle bonding in powder compacts. This note summarizes the results obtained in an attempt to utilize this technique to produce ceramic-metal composites. In this case, a decomposition reaction of a compound (which after decomposition yielded an oxide) was used to achieve interparticle bonding in ceramic-metal composites. The reactive hot pressing was carried out in a Phillips induction heating unit, using either a graphite or a high-temperature steel die which functioned as both the susceptor and the hot-pressing component. The die was heated to the desired temperature in a helium atmosphere. All cermets produced by this technique were based on alumina as the ceramic phase. Different metal phases such as iron, copper, and chromium were used to study the effect of varying the metal phase on the properties of the composite. a Mono-hydrate (Boehmite) was mixed with different proportions of metal powders (-325 mesh) in dry condition in a mortar and pestle. No special precautions were taken for proper mixing. The mixtures were then compacted into a cylindrical form having an approximate dimension of 1 cm in diameter and 1 cm in height. For this compaction an ordinary

Jan 1, 1965

By N. S. Greensfelder

THE firing of explosive charges by electricity dates back to 1745 when a Doctor Watson is said to have used an electric spark for igniting gunpowder. His method failed in practical application because, to ignite blasting powder, heat must be applied for a period longer than the duration of an electrostatic spark; Wheatstone found that this does not exceed 14000 sec. The usual result, therefore, of an electrical discharge in gunpowder is to scatter the grains, without igniting them. Benjamin Franklin partly overcame this difficulty by confining the powder and crushing grains that lay in the line of discharge. In 1822, after the primary cell had been discovered by Volta, Robert Hare, professor of chemistry at the University of Philadelphia, noticed the heating of a short piece of wire placed in the circuit of a voltaic battery. Later work by Oersted, Faraday, Wheatstone, and Henley resulted in the development of the magneto blasting machines. Fulminates of gold and silver are thought to have been discovered by Cornelius Drebbel, about 1600. Pepys, in his diary for November 11, 1663, recounts a conversation with Doctor Allen, who told him about aurium fulminans "of which a grain ... . put in a silver spoon and fired, will give a blow like a musquett and strike a hole through the silver spoon downward, without the least force upward.1," This fallacious belief that explosives act downwards only, is still held by many who should know better. Fulminate of mercury was discovered by Howard in 1799. J. Shaw of Philadelphia is said to have invented a fulminate-of-mercury cap in 1814; his idea was later adopted by gunmakers in England and France. The principal advantages of

Jan 9, 1922

By E. M. Wise

THE practice of dentistry, particularly the construction of artificial dentures and "bridges," involves a unique and difficult application of the precious-metal alloys. Appliances used in the mouth are continuously exposed to corrosive agencies which can hardly be described as mild, and must remain free from tarnish and be substantially immune to corrosion. Limitations with respect to space and weight demand high physical properties, while complexity of form requires ease of working. The high corrosion resistance required necessitates the use of alloys of high precious metal content. The usual expedient of resorting to mechanical working to produce the requisite strength and stiffness cannot be utilized because of the frequency of annealing and soldering operations. To meet these difficult conditions manufacturers of dental goods were early led, unknowingly perhaps, to the production of precipitation-hardening or temperable alloys. The excellent properties of iridium-platinum may have suggested the addition of platinum metals to the conventional gold-silver-copper alloys to produce greater strength and hardness. It was found that such quarternary alloys retained their high physical properties after passing through the usual soldering process; i, e., heating to 7500 to 8000 C. and cooling naturally in the air. Later it was discovered that they could be softened and rendered more ductile by heating to the same temperature and quenching, in water. These early examples of precipitation hardening, for years the common knowledge, of dental practitioners and laboratory technicians, escaped the attention of the scientific world and discovery of the transformation which was responsible for this hardening was discovered by the Russian investigators of the system Au-Cu, Kurnakow, Schemtschushny and Zasedatelev,(1) § although the optimum conditions for securing good properties in aged alloys were not given attention.

Jan 1, 1932

By Charles H. Fulton

There are comparatively few accurate data on the melting-or the freezing-point temperature of metallurgical slags, or on related physical phenomena, such as fluidity near the melting-point, specific heat, latent heat, etc. With the exception of the work of H. 0. Hofman,' and some older work by R. Akerman, P. Gredt, and H. M. Howe, no information is available that is of direct interest to the metallurgist. Hofman's valuable work is the only one that refers to slags produced in the metallurgy of copper and lead. The classic work of J. H. L. Vogt,2 who views slags from the standpoint of physical mixtures (solutions in which the entities are minerals), has opened up a new field in the study of slags, and has placed the investigation of such properties as melting-temperatures, etc., on a rational basis. The recent work of A. L. Day, E. T. Allen, and W. I?. White, of the Carnegie Institution, at Washington, and of European investigators3 on certain systems of silicate minerals confirms the value of the investigation of silicate series from this standpoint, and it is my aim to apply this method to metallurgical slags, in order to gain exact data of value in metallurgy. The work recorded in the present paper is the result of an investigation of reverberatory-furnace slags made for a Western smelting company to determine exactly the influence of change in composition, within comparatively narrow limits, on the melting-point. For a general discussion concerning the mineralogical character of slags and the principles on which this investigation is based, reference should be made to other work: for the subject is too large to be stated in this paper, except very briefly in the following outline:

Jan 1, 1913

By J. T. Eash, W. S. Crowell, E. M. Wise

The practice of dentistry, particularly the construction of artificial dentures and "bridges," involves a unique and difficult application of the precious-metal alloys. Appliances used in the mouth are continuously exposed to corrosive agencies which can hardly be described as mild, and must remain free from tarnish and be substantially immune to corrosion. Limitations with respect to space and weight demand high physical properties, while complexity of form requires ease of working. The high corrosion resistance required necessitates the use of alloys of high precious metal content. The usual expedient of resorting to mechanical working to produce the requisite strength and stiffness cannot be utilized because of the frequency of annealing and soldering operations. To meet these difficult conditions manufacturers of dental goods were early led, unknowingly perhaps, to the production of precipitation-hardening or temperable alloys. The excellent properties of iridium-platinum may have suggested the addition of platinum metals to the conventional gold-silver-copper alloys to produce greater strength and hardness. It was found that such quarternary alloys retained their high physical properties after passing through the usual soldering process; i. e., heating to 750° to 800" C. and cooling naturally in the air. Later it was discovered that they could be softened and rendered more ductile by heating to the same temperature and quenching in water. These early examples of precipitation hardening, for years the common knowledge of dental practitioners and laboratory technicians, escaped the attention of the scientific world and discovery of the transformation which was responsible for this hardening was disclosed by the Russian investigators of the system Au-Cu, Kurnakow, Schemtschushny and Zasedatelev~,(~)$ although the optimum conditions for securing good properties in aged alloys were not given attention.

Jan 1, 1932

APRIL 10-Officially, spring comes to the Great Lakes on March 21 as it does elsewhere in the country but in the Superior district continued snow and freezing until late in March have caused citizens in Duluth to place their bets on April 15 for the first ore vessels if the ice breakup is left to Mother Nature. North and west of Duluth and near the eastern end of the Mesabilies the little town of Aurora, population 1100. As the little v-nosed snowplow, pride of the community, shuttled back and forth clearing Aurora's few sidewalks, the crowd in Bradich's Cafe were more interested in the impending high school state championship basketball tournament in Minneapolis than in the outcome of Erie Mining Company's petition for water rights for their proposed 10 million ton taconite concentrating plant. Such a plant would employ 4500 workmen, and at the prevailing ratio of 10 people for every mine worker in Minnesota, this would mean a 45,000 increase in population for Aurora and the vicinity in the next few years. Downstate fishermen are alarmed at the flurry of activity by the mining companies in pushing plans for large scale recovery of iron from taconite. Inconvenience to these gentlemen will be inconsequential when compared with the vast increase in payrolls for range communities. Oliver is pushing the construction of a fine ore agglomeration plant at Virginia which will give them valuable experience for projected taconite processing. Oglebay, Norton & Co. is ready to go at Beaver Bay, north of Duluth, as the right of way for a railroad from Babitt to Beaver Bay is secured as well as permission to dispose of tailing into Lake Superior at the site of the proposed concentrating plant. This company is also doing research in agglomeration at Ashland, Ky., in cooperation with other interests. The financing is yet to be worked out. Of the four possibilities for agglomerating taconite concentrate-sintering, pellitizing, nodulizing and briquetting-the prospects for pelletizing appear the most favorable., It seems likely that 60 cents per ton can be saved by this process over sintering because only 1 to 2 pct of coal is required as compared with 7 pct for sintering. One reason for the lower coal consumption is that the chemical transition of magnetite to hematite which transpires in the pelletizing process is exothermic.

Jan 5, 1950