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(Under this heading will be published notes sent to the Secretary of the Institute by members or other persons.) The position of converter blower at a side-blow Bessemer steel casting plant is vacant. The State Legislature of Utah has provided for the establishment of a metallurgical research department at the State School of Mines, Salt Lake City. Applications will be received for, the position of head of this laboratory, and further details may be obtained by applying to Prof. Joseph F. Merrill, Director, University of Utah, Salt Lake City. An engineering company owning patents for improvements in steel manufacture which have been adopted at many works in America, desires. to secure the services of a technical iron and steel metallurgist as assistant to its chief metallurgical engineer.

Jan 6, 1913

By T. O. Meyer, J. R. McVey

A 10-channel automatic data acquisition system has been assembled for underground use with the Bureau's "Tunnel Stress Relaxation Gage". The automated system was needed to improve data collection by providing a rapid, long-term printout of measurement data in tunnel stress relaxation experiments. Special unit assembling and packaging of all measurement equipment, to be used in typically hostile mine environments, is the subject of this report. Even though automatic data acquisition systems have been in use for years, none have been developed with the accuracy herein described for use in such an environment. The object of this report is to inform researchers of a workable, proven, dependable underground data acquisition system. We have found that giving attention to these packaging details many times spells the differences between success and failure of underground tests.

Jan 8, 1973

By GERALD A. WARING

ALASKA'S coal consumption is now about 130,000 tons annually. About one-quarter of this amount is used in the southeastern part of the territory and in settlements on the western coast and comes from Seattle and from British Columbia mines. About 60,000 tons is sub-bituminous coal from the Healy River mine in central Alaska, and is used mainly at Fairbanks, sixty miles to the north, for heating and the development of electric energy, for the city and the gold-dredging operations of the Fairbanks Exploration Co. The remaining 40,000 or 50,000 tons is bituminous coal from Matanuska Valley, in the south-central part of the territory. These coal deposits extend intermittently for about forty miles along the valley, which trends eastward from the upper end of Cook Inlet.

Jan 1, 1934

By W. R. Ingalls

THE MAJOR use of spelter has always been for the coating of iron and steel products, the process of coating being known as "galvanizing" and the products themselves as "galvanized," except for a couple of years during the war, when the consumption for brass making became superior, in the United States at least, owing to military demands. Since 1919, however, the consumption of spelter for galvanizing has regained the premier position, but not with such a long lead over brass making as previous to the war. The last development is ascribable to two main reasons, viz., an increased demand for brass in new industries, especially automobile manufacturing; and a diminished use of spelter per unit of iron and steel galvanized. MAJOR IMPORTANCE OF SUBJECT The last mentioned matter has already been the subject of some discussion and of some literature. The galvanizers have been charged with deliberately thinning their zinc coatings, with the consequence of producing inferior goods and thereby jeopardizing the whole galvanizing business. Zinc producers have been concerned about this, out of consideration of both the less use of zinc per unit of iron and steel and the fear that, the number of units produced may be curtailed. It has been argued, among other things, that the present policy of American galvanizers would impair their ability to compete in foreign markets with British galvanizers, who have been represented as making a superior product.

Jan 7, 1923

By Samuel Doak

THE utilization of rotary kilns, of the well-known cement type, for the preparation of iron ores, for the blast furnace, has become of considerable economic importance within the past 10 years in certain localities, notably those where the native ores are lean. Such kilns may be used simply for the agglomeration of ores too fine to be charged into the blast furnace (i.e., ores whose loss in the dust catchers is excessive, and whose fineness is detrimental to the working of the furnace), or for the desulphurization of lump and fine ores the sulphur content of which does not exceed 6 or 7 per cent. The desulphurizing action can be combined with that of agglomeration provided the kiln is sufficiently large. Other processes have been developed for the same purpose, but while I am not able to draw a comparison between them by reason of lack of sufficient data, it is safe to say that the kiln, if properly dimensioned for the character of ore to be treated, will compare favorably in its results, both as to economy and quality of product, with any other process. It is not, however, as well adapted for the treatment of flue dust, as is a sintering operation, on account of the large percentage of fine coke contained therein. Any combustible entering the kiln at its feed end renders the process very much more expensive and unsatisfactory on account of the difficulty of controlling the temperature, also because of the rapidity with which long "rings" form, due to the increased heat at the cooler end of the kiln. The greatest value of the kiln at present is in the treatment of pyrites cinder; that is, the residue from pyrites ore after the extraction of the greater part of the sulphur. This cinder, while high in iron content, has too much sulphur remaining in it to be allowed to form a large part of the blast-furnace burden, without further treatment. It will range in metallic iron from 42 per cent., representing a very low-grade cinder, from a domestic pyrites, to 64 per cent. of the residue from the best Spanish ore, and the corresponding silica content will vary from the maximum of about 25 per cent. to 1 ½ per cent. The residual sulphur depends largely on the type of burner used in the original desulphurization. In general, the leanest original ores retain the greatest amounts of sulphur. In

Jan 9, 1915

By R. H. Rice

Turbo blowers for blast-furnace blowing have now been in use for some years, and a review of the experience gained and the present state of progress may be interesting.

Jan 1, 1915

By Mitchell, Edmund I.

VARIOUS suggestions as to proper fees for engineering services have been put forth by individual practitioners and by the American Institute of Consulting Engineers, the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers, the Iowa Engineering Society and the Mahoning Valley (Ohio) Engineers, for the guidance of both the engineer and his client. The American Institute of Architects also has a schedule of minimum charges (revised 1908). So far as can be determined, however, the four national societies representing civil, mining, mechanical and electrical engineering have never given consideration to this question. An examination of technical periodicals published during the past decade shows that these schedules make provision for three methods of charging; i.e., (A) a percentage of the cost of the completed project; (B) a per diem rate; and (C) a fixed sum. Suggested minimum charges are as follows:

Jan 1, 1921

By Charles E. Nelson

THIS paper will outline briefly the practices commonly followed in this country for the melting and refining of magnesium and its alloys. The processes used for the various forms of primary magnesium, as jar as there are differences in the physical shape or behavior, will be discussed. The refining of general fine scrap or secondary magnesium was presented in an earlier paper and will be discussed briefly.1 Inasmuch as the use of fluxes is an essential part of all the melting and refining processes, this paper will deal with these in sufficient detail to point out their unique characteristics, in order to make their use more effective. The outline of this discussion will closely follow that of an earlier paper,2 with such changes and additions as seem necessary to bring it up to date. TYPES OF MELTING PRACTICE All melting and refining processes for magnesium and its alloys require the use of fluxes. These fluxes have a magnesium chloride base and other halide salts or oxides are added to give a density or behavior exactly suited to the particular melting practice. The successful handling of magnesium depends upon the proper use of the correct fluxes. There are four general methods of melting, summarized in the following paragraphs and treated in more detail in the section on Melting and Refining. Open-pot Method The open-pot method makes use of No. 230 flux, which provides protection during melting and a molten pool of flux into which the solid magnesium melts. The flux is stirred through the molten metal bath and agglomerates oxide or similar foreign bodies;, on quiet standing, it separates away, leaving the refined metal ball floating in an encircling layer of molten flux. It forms only a thin fluid film over the surface of the molten metal, which may be parted for hand-ladling processes and tends to cover the metal again after the ladle is removed. A very light dusting of the pot surface with fresh flux immediately after the ladle is removed is desirable. The open-pot method is used generally in the following processes: (I) alloying and remelting in the production of ingot, (2) in sand foundries for premelting and to a smaller extent for the production of small castings, (3) in permanent-mold founding for premelting and also direct ladling to castings, (4) for continuous methods of preparing metal in the production of billets or ingots from which wrought products are fabricated, (5) in general scrap recovery. Crucible Process The crucible process makes use of No. 310 flux, which has the property of being thinly fluid at the start, to provide protection and refining qualities, and then drys out or thickens after a time, leaving a protecting crust on the pot surface until the time of casting. At that time it can be readily skimmed off or held back, thus allowing the contents of the crucible to

Jan 1, 1946

The Institute maintains for the use of members (and especially for the use of out-of-town members) a reading and writing room, where all usual office facilities are available, including telephone, telegraph, receipt, forwarding and care of mail and express packages, etc. A file of current magazines is also maintained in this room, and the Institute's staff will lend its best efforts to serving the members in connection therewith. The Institute also maintains for the use of its members free dressing rooms, library research department, etc. Attention is called to these facilities at the present time in the belief. that they may be especially useful to out-of-town members in connection with the Meeting.

Jan 5, 1918

By L. G. Margolin

INTRODUCTION In this paper we derive an expression to predict the onset of growth of a crack in a quasibrittle material. We employ an energy criterion, which was first proposed by Griffith (1920), and is essentially equivalent to the first two laws of thermodynamics. The criterion is applied to the elastic-plastic crack of Olesiak and Wnuk (1968), which is a three-dimensional generalization of the Dugdale (1960) crack. Our expression for the onset of growth differs in several respects from a criterion based on a crack in a brittle material (i.e., using linear elastic fracture mechanics) . Furthermore, the new features are in qualitative agreement with the experimental data. Among these new features are 1) the dependence of the apparent surface energy, or critical strain energy release rate on crack size (the shape of the R-curve); 2) the effect of in-plane stresses (i.e., the stresses that do not lead to any traction on the crack faces) on crack growth; and 3) a brittle-ductile transition. The energy criterion, as a necessary condition for crack growth, rests on a firm theoretical basis. However, its role as a sufficient condition is less secure. Several alternate criteria have been proposed as necessary and sufficient conditions for the onset of crack growth. We will contrast several of these, including critical strain (Olesiak and Wnuk, 1968; Goodier and Field, 1963) and crack opening displacement ("COD", Burdekin and Stone, 1966) with the energy criterion. We will show that these alternate approaches are inconsistent with the energy criterion, in the sense of being necessary conditions, and so should be rejected as criteria for growth--at least for the elastic-plastic crack.

Jan 1, 1984

By R. V. McAfee

The fundamentals of vertical-lift performance are examined with the aid of computer-calculated flowing gradient charts. Flowing and gas-lift well performance characteristics are determined from available well test data. The effect of tubing size, gas-liquid ratio and wellhead pressure is discussed for both flowing and gas-lift wells. The effect of gas-injection pressure, formation gas, bottom-hole pressure and valve spacing is also discussed for gas lift wells. From these studies conclusions may be reached for improving or prolonging natural flow, obtaining optimum lift efficiency when natural flow ceases and improving existing gas-lift systems. The techniques perfected satisfy the requirement that the time involved to conduct an evaluation be practical for operating personnel. INTRODUCTION Flowing pressure gradients furnish the key to successful evaluation of vertical-lift performance in producing wells. Command of multiphase flow gradients in some readily usable form is a necessity before operating personnel can competently include vertical-lift performance evaluation of both flowing and artificial-lift wells in their over-all consideration of production efficiency. A readily usable form cannot be overemphasized since most of the decisions which confront the production engineer with a problem well must be made quickly. In moving a barrel of oil from the reservoir to the stock tank, the major portion of energy generally is expended in the vertical-lift phase. This may or may not be of concern during the flowing life of a well, depending upon the production requirements. It becomes of some concern when the flow performance of the well becomes erratic, and a conscious effort must be made to maintain natural flow. It is at this time that the first steps may be taken to modify existing conditions to relieve unnecessary limitations to proper flow. When natural flow ceases and some form of artificial lift must be installed, the amount of energy expended in lifting liquids becomes quite obvious. It is at this time, if no other, that lifting efficiency becomes important because that part which must be supplied from an outside source is now related directly as a cost per barrel of oil produced. Ten years ago, the majority of gas-lift wells were produced with gas-well gas. Today, the majority are produced by closed rotative gas-lift systems. This permits a direct evaluation of well performance in terms of horsepower requirements and has resulted in mixed conclusions as to the success of gas lift based upon the relative efficiency of a particular system. An increased awareness of the need to resolve vertical-lift performance on a readily usable, scientific basis was inevitable. An indication of the need for better applied science in this field is the often-asked question of whether or not gas-lift can efficiently deplete a given well or reservoir. This question cannot possibly be answered without first evaluating reservoir, surface and vertical-lift performance both as encountered today and as anticipated throughout the life of the well or wells. The technique presented in this paper was originally developed to upgrade gas-lift installation design from an applied art to an applied science. It has since been successfully used not only for this purpose, but also for the whole field of vertical-lift performance in its broadest sense. Lift efficiency should be considered important while the well is still flowing, as well as after natural flow ceases. Correct interpretation and proper modification of the vertical-lift performance of a producing well can provide dramatic improvement in production performance and/or efficiency. STATEMENT OF THEORY AND DEFINITIONS Fig. 1 illustrates the three divisions of production which will be used in this paper. The terms are a modified version of those presented in the very fine paper by Gilbert.' The fields of reservoir and surface performance both have been greatly improved over the years. A study of those writings which may be found indicates that the field of vertical-lift performance has not progressed as well. There are two possible reasons for this lack of progress. 1. It has not been recognized as a scientific field in itself by the oil companies, as has reservoir engineering. 2. The equipment companies have confined their efforts to mechanical design research rather than the more basic study of vertical-lift performance of producing wells. Both organizations must have an economic stimulus for doing research in this field, and most of the results obtained in past work has been so erratic as to arouse little enthusiasm. The basic purpose of interpreting vertical-lift performance is to predict operating conditions below the surface of the ground from available data. The success of the interpretation depends upon the accuracy with

By Sidney Siegel, J. Gardner Brooks, Irvin R. Kramer

IN 1942 Grossmann1 proposed that the hardenability of a steel may be calculated from its chemical composition by considering the base hardenability associated with its carbon content and grain size and multiplying this base by factors for each element present. Since Grossmann's original publication, several investigators2-5 have reexamined the multiplying factors for the individual elements and in general have found that the multiplying principle is valid. However, some of the individual factor curves developed have been in poor agreement. Inasmuch as the carbon-factor curve obtained by Grossmann was dependent [ ] upon the factors for all the other alloying elements present in the steel, it logically followed that his results were in need of correction in the light of the new data available for manganese, silicon, and the other alloying elements. Furthermore, in order to avoid the possibility that errors in the manganese, silicon, or other curves might influence the carbon-factor curve, investigation of iron-carbon alloys containing little or no manganese and silicon was necessary. That the effect of carbon on hardenability was greater than indicated by Grossmann is shown by a comparison of the diameters of completely hardened rounds of iron-carbon alloys with the ideal critical diameter calculated from Grossmann's factors. These alloys have a greater hardenability in a hite quench than predicted by Grossmann's factors for an infinite quench (Table I). [ ] Among the other important variables that were in need of further investigation were the effect of deoxidation practice on the grain-size correction curves and the effect of stable carbide-forming elements on the depth of hardening. Most of the work by Kramer, Hafner, and Toleman4 was done on silicon-killed steels. It was not known whether Grossmann's grain-size correction curves, deter- mined on aluminum-killed steels, was valid when applied to steels with different deoxidation practice. More data on the

Jan 1, 1946

By T. Cantwell, N. C. Rasmussen, H. E. Hawkes

Beryl is a mineral that may be difficult to distinguish from quartz by casual field inspection. The easily recognized green color and hexagonal crystal form of coarse-grained beryl are by no means universal, even in beryl from pegmatitic deposits. If it occurred as a fine-grained accessory mineral in an igneous rock, it would almost certainly escape detection unless samples were submitted for petrographic or chemical analysis. There may be substantial deposits of some beryllium mineral, other than beryl, that has been overlooked because that mineral also closely resembles the common rock-forming minerals. A reliable and simple method of identifying beryllium minerals and determining the beryllium content of a rock would be helpful in exploration. This article describes preliminary experiments in applying nuclear reaction to the qualitative identification of beryl and to the semiquantitative determination of the beryllium content of rock samples. Gaudin,1,2 the first to apply a nuclear reaction in detecting beryllium minerals, developed a method that irradiates the sample with gamma rays, which react with beryllium nuclei to produce neutrons. The neutrons are then measured with standard equipment. The cross section for this reaction is about 1 millibarn. The cross section is a measure of the probability that a reaction will take place, for example, between a beryllium nucleus and an incident gamma ray or alpha particles.3-5 At 1-millibarn cross section for the reaction, satisfactory performance required a source strength of the order of 1 curie (3.7 x 10"' disintegrations per sec, where each disintegration releases one or more gamma rays). The reactions will not take place if the gamma radiation is below a minimum energy, in this case 1.63 mev. The size of the source and the energy of the radiation made heavy shielding necessary for these experiments, both to reduce the background count of the neutron counter and to safeguard personnel. The original discovery of the neutron by Chad-wick in 1932 resulted from experiments with another nuclear reaction, induced by bombarding beryllium with alpha particles in which the products are carbon-12 and neutrons. The equation for this reaction is as follows:' " ,Be" + ,He'? 6C12 + 8,n' [1] re-particle neutron In the above nuclear equation (Eq. 1), the sub- script number indicates the number of protons in the nucleus (the atomic number) and the superscript the total number of neutrons and protons (approximately the atomic mass). For the alpha-neutron reaction the cross section is about 250 milli-barns, or 250 times that of the gamma-neutron reaction used by Gaudin. The positively charged alpha particle is repelled by the positive charge of the beryllium nucleus; it must, therefore, have a certain minimum energy in order to approach close enough to the beryllium nucleus to react. For reaction with the beryllium nucleus, the lower limit of the alpha-particle energy is 3.7 mev. The alpha-neutron reaction, with polonium-210 as an alpha source, was selected for the present experiments. Alpha particles are emitted by polonium-210 at 5.30 mev, which is adequate for the reaction with beryllium. Furthermore, this isotope of polonium emits alpha particles with negligible associated gamma radiation, thus eliminating the necessity of shielding. The half-life of polonium-210 is 138 days. Inasmuch as alpha particles carry a possible charge and are large compared with most nuclear particles, their energy is rapidly dissipated in passing through matter. Their range in standard air is 3.66 cm,3 and they penetrate only a few tens of microns into a mineral sample. The short range in air can be minimized by preparation of a flat sample surface that can be brought very close to the alpha source during analysis. On the other hand, short range of alpha particles in air lessens the radiological health hazard and makes it possible to use this method without shielding. It must be emphasized, however, that the alpha emitters are potentially very dangerous if they enter the human body. Polonium must be handled with extreme caution. The literature has reported experiments on the yield of neutrons from reaction of alpha particles with beryllium nuclei. Feld" reports that in intimate mixtures of polonium and beryllium, 3 x 106 eutrons per sec are produced per curie of polonium. Elsewhere in the same reference it is stated that a sandwich-type source yields about one third as many neutrons as an intimate mixture. A table of neutron yields for full energy polonium alpha-particles on thick targets as reported by Anderson7 is the basis of Table I. From Table I it can be deduced that the elements most likely to interfere, i.e., those that also produce neutrons when bombarded by alpha particles, are boron and fluorine. These data also show that it will probably not be possible to determine very small quantities of beryllium in rocks because of the masking effects of the major elements, sodium, magnesium, and aluminum. The neutrons emitted in the alpha reaction are detected by another nuclear reaction. Either of the

Jan 1, 1960

By L. G. Austin, P. T. Luckie, R. R. Klimpel, R. S. C. Rogers

1. INTRODUCTION The Bond method(1.2) for sizing tumbling ball mills has been used successfully for many years. The primary purpose of the Bond calculation is to predict the mill size and mill power to give a desired capacity (Q tph) from a wet overflow ball mill in normal closed circuit operated with a circulation ratio of 2.5. The input to the calculation is the make-up feed size characterized by the 80%-passing size in micrometers (xG), the desired circuit product size characterized by the 80%-passing size (xQ), and an empirical grindability number (the standard Bond Work Index) determined by a standard test. A series of empirical correcting factors(2) are used to convert the results to open-circuit or dry grinding in grate discharge mills. The Bond method has two major engineering advantages: (i) it is very simple; (ii) experience has shown that it works for many circumstances, as a reasonable approximation, because it is based on direct conversion of test data to results measured on industrial mills. There are four main disadvantages of the Bond method. First, there will be a range of error for any specific mill and material and set of operating conditions because the method does not explicitly include several variables which are obviously important: (i) recycle ratio and classifier efficiency (ii) mixture of ball sizes in the mill (iii) variations of residence time distributions with mill geometry and slurry density (iv) lifter design (v) slurry rheology (vi) different underfilling or overfilling of the mill as flow rate is changed. Second, the Bond method explicitly assumes that specific grinding energy E is not a function of ball load, whereas industrial practice and laboratory tests(3) show that the specific grinding energy (to go from a specified feed to a specified product) is less for lower ball loadings than the ball loading for maximum mill capacity. Third, the method uses only the 80% passing size of circuit feed and product to characterize the size distributions, whereas mill capacity in general must depend on the shape of the feed size distribution and the product size distribution. The prime example of this is the use of the reverse closed circuit which removes some fraction of the make-up feed before it is

Jan 1, 1982

By E. J. Kenaedy, E. H. Robie

THOUGH the fall meeting of the Coal Division was held in the heart of the anthracite section, at Hazleton, Pa., the bituminous industry was well represented also, and the two groups found much common ground for discussion. The' technical part of the program was confined to two sessions in the morning and afternoon of the first day, Friday, Oct. 14, the evening and the following day being reserved for field trips and social functions. The attendance more than met the expectations of those in charge of the arrangements; there seemed no hint of depression here.

Jan 1, 1932

By E. A. Devuyst, M. A. Mosoiu, V. A. Ettel

Nickelic hydroxide is an important metallurgical reagent used for precipitating cobalt from nickel sulfate solutions. Existing methods of preparation of nickelic hydroxide involve electrolytic oxidation of Ni(OH)2 or the use of strong oxidizing agents such as chlorine, ozone and persulfate. Although the oxidizing properties of the SO2 + O2 system have been known for some time, e.g., detection of SO2 and oxidation on iron in acidic solution, the application of this system for the preparation of nickelic hydroxide as a process was not considered in the past. The present paper describes a new method for chemical preparation of nickelic hydroxide which has been developed in INCO laboratories. The technique consists of reacting nickelous hydroxide suspensions with a slurry of calcium sulfite in the presence of air or oxygen. The main advantage of the process is the cost of reagents and an absence of soluble by-products (e.g., C1-). The chemistry of this process is unusual since the redox potential obtained during the reaction exceeds that of the oxygen electrode. Therefore, the effect of CaS03 is not just a catalytic acceleration of the reaction NI(OH)~ + 02. The so3= must be involved in the stoichiometry of the overall reaction producing in the initla1 phase some strongly oxidizing intermediate species.

Jan 1, 1981

By O. W. Walvoord

A Definition: An ore feeder is a mechanical device that, by virtue of its motion, causes ore to be supplied or carried forward at a desired metered rate to other milling equipment. From the viewpoint of economics there can be little question, even for small tonnage operations, as to the advisability of using mechanical feeders in the place of manual labor. Only a few short years ago, it was common practice to employ crusher men for the feeding of crushers, thus eliminating the capital expenditures required for mechanical feeding equipment. Having been a crusher man in several instances, the author does not favor such practice. The high cost of labor today eliminates the crusher man, and feeders become an economical capital expenditure when considered against the importance of obtaining maximum production efficiency from all the machines in a process flowsheet.

Jan 2, 1955

Secretary Membership Committee Increase of Membership Papers and Publications Committee Library Committee Treasurer Report of the Secretary TO THE BOARDOF DIRECTORASN D THE MEMBEROS F THE AMERICANIN STITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGICAENL GINEERS GENTLEME:N As will be shown by the special reports of the Finance, Membership, Library, Papers and Publications, Increase of Membership, and other standing Committees, together with that of the Treasurer, the year 1927 was one in which the Institute made very satisfactory progress in a number of directions. In total numbers the membership is no larger but in revenue from dues there has been a marked increase. This has been due to the promotion to full membership of Junior Associates of earlier years, to the larger proportion that come in originally as members rather than juniors, and to the keener interest in the work of the Institute reflected in prompter payment of dues. The latter is important, since experience shows that of those who fall behind a large number must ultimately be dropped for non-payment. Conditions in the mining industries have been healthy though not booming. It has been much easier for members to find employment and meet their financial obligations but there has not been that flow of young men into mining, and hence in part into the Institute, that characterized certain earlier years. Rather the tendency toward centralization and larger industrial units has restricted the number, though not the scope, of opportunities for technical men in the mineral industries. The Institute is constantly receiving resignations from members crowded out of mining into other lines of activity. On the other hand, those who remain in mining and metallurgy have a greatly increased necessity for i,dormation and contacts with technology. A few years ago many superintendents and most foremen were non-technical men. Today the reverse rule obtains and shift bosses and men who occupy even lower positions in industrial units are called upon to know and to apply such an amount of technical knowledge that graduate engineers are the rule rather than the exception. The curious situation has obtained that with a much smaller enrolment of students in the schools of mining and metallurgy there has been at times an actual shortage of young engineers for beginners' jobs. The young men retort that the conditions of employment and pay offered in mining are not equal to those in other lines and, while it is undoubtedly true that the young engineer beginning in mining is able to start under conditions markedly better as to pay, living, and responsibility than did the men who are now leaders, they are required to know much more and have usually spent more in time and money to qualify for their jobs. The whole matter is one which warrants much more attention than has been given to it. For the Institute it is important since the young men

Jan 1, 1928

By J. G. Balkestein, J. W. R. Baerts

During an attempt to develop a method for accurate, rapid, continuous analysis of ash content of wal, the Dutch State Mines Laboratory found that the absorption coefficient for X-rays was related to ash content. This relationship was utilized in the development of an apparatus called CendreX, used to measure the absorption and in turn the ash content. The principle, procedure, accuracy, and applications of the CendreX automatic determination of ash in coal are discussed in detail. Until recent years coal preparation research was concentrated on the possibilities and efficiency of preparation equipment. Ever increasing demands for quality in coal, however, have caused researchers to become concerned with quality control. One of the characteristics strongly influencing quality (calorific value) and, consequently, the price of coal is ash content. Both customer and producer require that the ash content be controlled. To make this possible it is necessary for the producer to collect samples from the coal stream in the washery and to determine their ash content. On the strength of the results obtained the production process can then be adjusted, if required. Until recently incineration was the only method for determining ash content. When coal is incinerated with oxygen, it takes at least 15 min to determine the ash content. Even then some time may be lost in passing on the data. Therefore, this discontinuous and time-consuming method does not make a suitable starting point for checking, re-adjusting, or modifying the production process. Since it was not possible to accelerate incineration by mechanization and automation, another type of rapid continuous analysis had to be found. This would have to depend on some coal characteristic closely linked with ash content. At the Central Laboratory of Dutch State Mines, Dijkstra and Sieswerda found that the absorption coefficient for X-rays was suitable for this purpose. An apparatus based on the measurement of this characteristic was developed. Named CendreX,* this patented equip- *A Stamicarbon N. V. registered trademark. ment, used in combination with a sampler and conditioning apparatus, permits continuous determination of ash content with satisfactory exactness to within 3 min.t At the American Mining Congress meeting of May 1961, Log A. Updegraff, surveying aspects of continuous analyaia, reported on the CendreX appartus (Mining Congress Journal, August 1961). Since the first Condition for correct ash determination, whatever the method used, is always a sample taken in the right way, some practical aspects of sampling will be discussed first. SAMPLING In coal handling operations, each grain has its characteristic properties. In both the cross-sectional and longitudinal direction of the product stream the mixture of these grains is imperfectly blended. The elimination of the factor of segregation between the cross-sections from the direction of the stream is the principal aim of continuous analysis. Therefore, the samples to be analyzed are withdrawn in various places from the segregated product stream in such a way that they form a semi-continuous flow. In order to be truly representative of the product stream, the sample flow must fulfil two conditions: 1) The sample flow must be sufficiently large to insure that adventitious differences between the composition of the product stream and sample flow will be as small as possible. 2) All grains through the entire cross section of the product stream must have an equal chance to get into the sample flow. Since there is always a segregation through the cross section the sample flow will have a bias if the sampler collects only part of this section. In order to prevent the volume of the sample flow from becoming too large, the cross sections are taken discontinuously. However, this discontinuity gives rise to the adventitious differences that arise between the composition of product stream and the sample flow, and these differences become greater and are more deranging as the fluctuations follow each other more quickly. Moreover, the intervals between the morrnents of sampling mean a delay in the analysis. The aim will, therefore, be to collect small samples, or in other words thin cross-sectional increments, taken at sufficiently high frequencies. The following points should also be taken into account: 1) The smallest dimension of the openings in the sample collector must be equivalent to at least 3 d in

Jan 1, 1962

By D. W. Fuerstenau

The United States is rapidly approaching an acute shortage of minerals. According to some observers, this situation may even be more severe than the energy crisis because the US consumes nearly 30% of the world's mineral production. With the mounting competition for world mineral supplies, we can no longer take for granted that foreign mineral products will be available to the US as abundantly as in the past. In 1973, US consumption of mineral raw materials was $35 billion. Of this, $7 billion consisted of imports. Without a drastic reorientation towards the mining of domestic mineral resources, the 1973 $7 billion deficit might mushroom to $100 billion by the year 2000. Thus, a return to domestic sources of raw materials will become absolutely necessary-and will be bucking the trend of the past 25 years, characterized by capital investment for growth in multinational overseas mining operations.

Jan 11, 1975