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By L. R. Woodyatt, H. J. Beattie, C. T. Sims

Theories correlating the formation of u and related intermetallic compounds to the electron-per-atom density of binary and ternary alloys have appeared regularly in recent technical literature. These same principles can be modified and applied to complex precipitation-strengthened alloys such as the iron-, cobalt-, and nickel-base superalloys and the stainless steels. Since these complex alloys contain carbides and other phases that normally precipitate before the U-type phases, the nature and amount of the precipitated phases must be calculated first. The following general formula is then applied to the residual matrix composition of the alloy: element. The magnitude of the resulting number is indicative of whether the alloy will form a a -type phase. When these calculations (which are computerized) are systematically applied to alloys of knoun phase analysis, a breakoff in average electron-vacancy number is noted between U-free and U-prone alloys. Alloys with an average electron-vacancy number higher than the breakoff form a-type phases, while those with lower ones do not form these phases. This method could then be used to eliminate from consideration all experimental compositions that would precipitate undesirable phases. It also is useful in evaluating analyzed heats of alloys where minor heat-to-heat variations determine whether the alloy is o-free or o-prone. THE highly significant development of strong, ductile superalloys to provide reliable construction materials in the 1000" to 2500° F temperature range has been due principally to unremitting application of Edisonian techniques and logic by the dedicated physical metallurgists who have shouldered this responsibility. Tools such as the electron microscope, phase analysis, and computers to accomplish regression analyses have been used heavily, but the effort has been essentially practice of an art, rather than a science. The objective of this paper is to describe and illustrate application of some relatively fundamental principles to certain of these alloy systems in an attempt to remove some of the empiricism from the technology. Specifically, the work presented here deals with the use of periodic-group relationships to predict the formation of intermetallic phases which can occur in primarily austenitic (fcc) structures. Calculations that have been developed might be applied in the design of new alloys and the evaluation of known alloys, and thus have the potential of eliminating vast areas of unnecessary alloy preparation and evaluation. ALLOYING CONCEPTS AND STRUCTURAL FEATURES OF SUPERALLOYS Strength is produced in austenitic superalloys by three principle mechanisms: 1) precipitation of y'; 2) formation of carbides; 3) solid-solution hardening by soluble refractory metals. The first mechanism requires the addition of aluminum and titanium, the second requires carbon and carbide-forming elements, while the third calls for the addition of molybdenum and/or tungsten. A considerable concentration of chromium is usually maintained to resist oxidation/corrosion, but it is also an important carbide-forming element. Fig. 1 shows a sketch and electron micrograph of the structure of a typical wrought nickel-base super-

Jan 1, 1967

By B. B. A. Luzzat

ALUMINUM is today the most widely used of the nonferrous metals. The technical literature on the aluminum smelting process is, nevertheless, very meager, so that anyone interested in the subject cannot rely on more than a couple of dozen publications.' The patent literature is equally scarce; most patents refer to the production of alumina from aluminum-bearing ores, while not more than a few score significant patents deal with the electrolytic reduction of alumina, which is the real core of the aluminum smelting industry. The "reduction phase" is, from a technical and a scientific point of view, much more interesting than the "alumina phase", which, in effect, is only a combination of such well-known chemical operations as dissolving, precipitating, filtering, drying, and calcining. The electrolytic reduction of alumina, on the other hand, has features which do not appear in any other metal smelting operation. Some of them are of great technical and scientific interest even for those not directly engaged in the production of aluminum. The purpose of this paper is to describe in some detail the basic facts and developments of the reduction phase of aluminum smelting. Two Aspects of the Electrolytic Process The raw material for the reduction process is alumina (Al2O3) . Its purity in general runs as high as 99.50 pct or more. Small differences in the chemical composition generally do not affect the reduction process.* Of more importance are the physical prop- erties of the alumina, since they affect not only its rate of solution in the molten bath but also its heat insulating power.† In the following pages, un- less otherwise stated, it is assumed that a standard "Bayer" alumina is used. The reduction process, by which alumina is broken down into its components, may be roughly defined as its electrolysis in molten cryolite. The oxygen separates at the anode, and the aluminum at the cathode, which forms the bottom of the electrolytic cell. The electrolytic cell (or pot) where the process is carried out is a strongly reinforced steel box. The

Jan 1, 1951

By H. S. Drinker

THE first discovery of zinc 011 the property now worked by this company was made by the celebrated mineralogist, Prof. William Theodore Rapper, in 1845. Different claimants kept the property in continual litigation till 1861, when everything was satisfactorily settled by the purchase of the land by the company, who have worked it ever since. The mines are situated in a valley, four miles south of Bethlehem, Pa., in Lehigh County. The valley is from two to three miles broad, and is bounded 011 the north and south by syenitic hills. Syenite underlies the valley, and upon this is deposited the Potsdam sandstone, then a layer of slate, and, finally, a dolomitic limestone, belonging to the Chazy or Black River formation, in which the zinc deposits are inclosed. The rocks occur in folds, and have evidently been subjected to tremendous pressure from below, the zinc deposit being found in an anticlinal axis, in nearly vertical veins. I t is supposed that the zinc was originally disseminated through the

By C. H. Wayman, D. W. Fuerstenau

THE gas phase is one of the indispensible ingredients in flotation operations. Flotation depends on the collision of an air bubble and a mineral particle in a pulp and their ability to remain in contact long enough for adherence to take place. Before it is possible to understand the mechanics of air bubble-mineral particle encounter, it is necessary to learn more about the nature of bubbles themselves before collision with a mineral particle has taken place. To date, little work has been done on air bubbles in flotation systems. In 1945 Fahrenwald1 presented a study of the role of frothers on air bubbles and on aeration in flotation, and recently Wark and Sutherland2 discussed the work of Rosenberg3 in relation to flotation. The research reported in this present article was undertaken to investigate systematically the effect of bubble size and the concentration of certain reagents on the terminal velocity, shape, path, and drag coefficient of single bubbles in distilled water. Most of the work is concerned with the effect of a-terpineol on bubble motion in water, but studies were made with potassium chloride, potassium hydroxide, potassium ethyl xanthate, and potassium amyl xanthate.

Jan 6, 1958

By J. M. Smith, G. P. Willhite, J. S. Dranoff

Heat transfer rates were measured in sandstones with flow of gases perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. Effective thermal conductivities ker ranged from 0.7 to 1.7 Btu/(br)(ft)(°F). The contribution of the solid phase appeared to be the most important in these consolidated materials, although the thermal conductivity of the gas had some effect. The velocity of the gas through the pores of the sandstones had no influence upon ker up to values of 168 lb/(br) (sq ft) in agreement with data obtained for unconsolidated beds of glass beads. The present results indicated that gas mixing, and hence heat transfer by convection in the pores, is less for perpendicular transfer of energy than when fluid flow and energy transfer are in the same direction. HEAT TRANSFER PERPENDICULAR TO FLUID FLOW IN POROUS ROCKS Heat transfer in porous media with pore sizes in the micron range depends upon the fluid in the pores and the geometry of the solid phase. The best characterized system is a bed of solid spherical particles. Heat transfer in this system has been studied extensive1y (Ref. 8 summarizes the literature up to 1959) when the pores contain stagnant fluid. When the fluid is in motion the directions of flow and energy transfer have an effect on the heat transfer rates, as demonstrated by comparing the work of Willhite, et al l3 for perpendicular flow and that of Kunii and Smith9 for parallel flow of energy and fluid. For perpendicular flow, no increase in effective thermal conductivity ke was noted up to mass velocities G of 77 lb/(hr) (sq ft). In contrast, for parallel flow ke, increased with G in the same range of flow rates. These higher values of ke in the direction of flow also have been observed3,4,10 in beds of larger particles, 0.1- to 0.5-in. diameter. For beds of consolidated materials, such as porous rocks, data are not available for these compar- isons, although Adivarahan1 reported results for the parallel case. Hence the primary objective of this work was to measure ke values for perpendicular flow of fluid and energy in porous rocks. Of interest also was the variation in effective conductivity with fluid velocity. APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE In the experimental method, a constant heat flux was applied to the inner surface of an annular section of the porous rock. By cooling the outer wall, a temperature gradient through the annular sample was established and measured with thermocouples placed within the sample at various radial positions, and at three elevations (A,B.C). The location of the 2-in. O.D., 3.75-in. long sample in the apparatus is shown in Fig. 1. Fluid entered the bottom (1) of the 3-in. I.D. (approximate) steel shell, flowed upwards through the sample and out at the top (3). pressure taps (2,4) were used to check the permeability of the sample. The energy flowed radially from the centrally-located electric heater through the sample and was absorbed in the water-cooled jacket. The samples studied were naturally occurring sandstones from different locations with the properties given in Table 1. These materials are identical with those used by Adivarahan 1 for the parallel flow of energy and fluid. Prior to use they were refluxed with toluene to remove hydrocarbons and leached with distilled water to remove soluble salts. Each sample was visually examined and discarded if large nonhomogeneities, such as cracks or stone particles, were noted. Eight copper-constantan thermocouples were inserted in holes drilled radially into the sample with

By Axel Hultgren

IN ingots of silicon-killed carbon steel made without addition of - aluminum, transparent spherical or nearly spherical inclusions, up to about 0.15-mm diameter, are generally present. They may be glassy or crystallized, wholly or partially. In steels of high carbon contents they consist of silica,4,12 in steels of lower carbon contents arid, in consequence, higher oxygen contents, of iron-manganese-silicate with higher iron and manganese contents the lower the carbon content. Small silicate inclusions, about 0.01 mm or smaller, may occur, just as sulphide inclusions do, in portions that have been the last or nearly the last to freeze,10,12,17 this location being verified by primary etching.10 Hence, it may be concluded that they have separated from liquid steel that has become enriched in oxygen through segregation during freezing. Silicate inclusions with a diameter larger than about 0.02 mm appear, at least in ingots of moderate size, to be distributed at random in relation to the primary structure and therefore may be assumed to have existed as droplets in the liquid steel before freezing started at the point in question. The average size of such large inclusions has been found to increase toward the axis17 and their amount to increase from the top downward in the axial region .2,10 It has been assumed that this accumulation is a result of the droplets being brought down by the slowly settling metal crystals.2 It has been suggested that large silicate inclusions generally form,6 or may form," by coagulation of smaller ones, or by small drops being caught by larger ones during the rising of the latter.9 The occasional occurrence of a large inclusion surrounded by a swarm of small ones has been taken as a proof of this mechanism but, as suggested later, may be explained in another way. It has been pointed out that an inclusion droplet in the liquid steel may grow at the expense of an adjacent one, which implies diffusion of soluble inclusion-forming elements in the liquid steel.15 Further, it has been pointed out that, on cooling in ladle or mold, the metal-silicate equilibrium is displaced in the direction of separation of silicate. Thus inclusions may grow in size and amount.2,3,8,12,13,17,19,20 The exposure of the liquid steel to the oxygen of the air during tapping and pouring, and the consequent reaction, has been mentioned as a source of the formation of inclusions19,20 but this possibility has not received particular attention. Further, the admixture of furnace slag during tapping' or of refractory material from various sources1,20 has been considered. The inclusions due to the latter may be recognized, however, through their resistance to hydrofluoric acid, imparted by the alumina content. Silicate inclusions, are often referred to as. the natural and inevitable product of reaction on adding silicon or silicon

Jan 1, 1948

By D. G. Russell

Two techniques have been developed with which the applicability of pressure build-up analyses can be extended to include pressure data which previously have been considered virtually unusable. One of the interpretation methods makes possible the analysis of pressure build-up performance during the wellbore fill-up or after production period which occurs soon after a well is closed in. The other technique is an extension of a method for analyzing pressure build-up performance during the late-time portion of the pressure build-up which occurs after boundary eflects first begin to alter the shape of a conventional pressure build-up curve. With both of these methods it is possible to obtain estitnates of the kh product, the skin factor and the reservoir pressure. In addition, with the late-time analysis technique it is possible to obtain an estimate of the contributory drainage volume of the well being tested. This means that in some cases a check on reservoir limit test and (or) material-balance calculations can now be obtained from pressure build-ups. Both methods are slightly more time-consuming than conventional pressure build-up analysis methods because trial-and-error plots of pressure data must be made. The late-time method for analysis of pressure build-ups is in principle applicable to the late-time portion of a two-rate flow test or a pressure drawdown test. The interpretation formulas and procedures for these types of tests are also outlined. In these cases, as with pressure build-ups, it is significant that an estimate of the contributory pore volume is also obtained. On the basis of limited experience with the new techniques, it appears that satisfactory estimates of the kh product, skin factor, reservoir pressure and, for late-time analysis, contributory drainage volume can be obtained. INTRODUCTION The analysis of bottom-hole pressure build-up behavior in closed-in wells has been a a subject of interest in petroleum engineering circles for many years. In fact, few other subjects have received as much attention as pressure buildup analysis methods have. The cause for this interest is essentially twofold in nature. First, the pressure behavior of a well can normally be measured with a reasonably high degree of accuracy so that good data for analysis can be obtained. Secondly, over a fairly wide range of operating conditions, valuable information as to the quality of the reservoir rock and completion efficiency of the well can be obtained at a nominal cost. In recent years, numerous papers have been prepared on the effects of various operating conditions and reservoir heterogeneities on pressure buildup behavior. Very little work has been done, however, on extension of pressure build-up analysis methods to those pressure data which are not amenable to analysis by the present methods. The theory upon which the analysis of shut-in bottom-hole pressure build-up data is based is derived from the solution of the radial flow equation for a slightly compressible fluid for constant-rate conditions. It requires that the well be closed in for a sufficient period of time to obtain a clearly defined linear portion on the plot of observed bottom-hole pressure vs log (t + ?t)/ ?t (where At is shut-in time, and t is producing time to the instant of shut-in). From the slope of the plot and other normally obtainable data, the formation permeability, the well damage or skin factor, and the reservoir pressure at infinite shut-in time (if the reservoir were infinite) can be estimated. The successful application of this procedure depends on being able to recognize the straight-line section on the basic pressure build-up plot. The presently used pressure build-up interpretation theory also assumes that a well is closed in at the sand face and that no production into the well occurs after shut-in. In practice, of course, the well is closed in at the surface, and inflow into the well continues until the well fills sufficiently to transmit the effect of closing-in to the formation. This adjustment period is commonly referred to as the "afterproduction" or "fill-up" portion of the pressure build-up. During the period that the well fill-up effect is most pronounced, the basic pressure build-up plot is nonlinear. At later shut-in times after the effects of a drainage boundary have been felt at the well, deviation from the straight-line behavior of the pressure build-up plot also results. In many cases either of these effects or a combination of both can make the straight-line portion on the pressure build-up plot difficult to recognize. Obviously, an extension of pressure build-up analysis methods to include the afterproduction period and the period in which boundary effects are being felt would be desirable and might render valuable pressure data which for years have been considered virtually unusable. The principal reference of note concerning pressure buildup analysis during the afterproduction period is a paper by Gladfelter, Tracy and Wilsey.1 In the approach of these authors it is necessary to measure the rate of influx into the well during the afterproduction period. This is done through sonic measurements or through measurement of tubing-head and casing-head pressures simultaneously with

Jan 1, 1967

By R. L. Manegold

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

Jan 1, 1952

By S. Lipson, H. W. Antes, H. Rosenthal

A study was made of the effect of ingot structure on the strength and ductility of high-strength wrought-aluminum alloys. It was found that a fine-cast structure facilitated complete homogenization which, in turn, resulted in significant increases in ductility and strength. A completely homogenized 7075-T6 alloy developed tensile properties of 85,000 psi UTS, 75,000 psi YS, with 40 pct RA. Completely homogenized 7001-T6 alloy tensile properties were 102,000 psi UTS, 99,000 psi YS, with 19 pct Ra. A method was devised for making small ingots having secondary dendrite arm spacing of less than 10 u. This method involved multiple-pass arc melting of commercial rolled plate with a tungsten electvode. This material could be completely homogenized after 3 hr at 900°F; homogenization of the original plate material was not complete after 120 hv at 900°F. Degree of homogeneity was determined by use of metallographic and electron-microprobe analyses. The electron-micro-probe study also showed the preferential segregation of solutes in the microstructure. HIGH-strength aluminum alloys, such as those of the 7000 series, usually freeze by the formation and growth of dendrites. The dendrite arm spacing (DAS) depends on the rate of solidification.' Commercial ingots are usually direct chill-cast to promote more rapid solidification, but, due to the large mass of the ingot, localized solidification times are long and a large DAS results. During solidification, solute elements are rejected by the solid as it forms, causing enrichment of the liquid and ultimately solute-rich interdendritic regions. In order to attain a homogeneous ingot, the segregated solutes must diffuse across the dendrite arms. The larger the DM, the longer the time for complete homogenization. In the case of commercial ingots, the DAS is so large that the time for complete homogenization is prohibitively long and, therefore, second phases or compounds are always present. These un-dissolved phases are carried over to the wrought material during processing, resulting in an impairment of strength and ductility. In addition, the mechanical fibering of the undissolved second phases or compounds during working results in mechanical property anisotropy. If complete homogenization could be attained, higher ductility could be expected. The realization of higher ductility at current strength levels is a desirable objective; however, if higher-strength alloys were wanted, it might be possible to sacrifice some of this ductility by adding more solute elements and produce even higher-strength alloys than are currently available. Further, if complete homogenization leads to more efficient utilization of solute elements, then more dilute alloys should have relatively high strengths with very high ductility. In all instances, it would be expected that the degree of mechanical property anisotropy due to mechanical fibering would be reduced. Therefore, it was the purpose of this investigation to produce cast structures that would facilitate homogenization and to determine the effect of homogenization on the properties of high-strength, wrought-aluminum alloys. MATERIAL CLASSIFICATION Commercial Alloys. In order to illustrate the non-homogeneous condition that exists in commercial high-strength, wrought-aluminum alloys, typical micro-structures of 7001, 7075, and 7178 are shown in Fig. 1. The chemical compositional specifications of these alloys are given in Table I. It can be seen in Fig. 1 that a considerable amount of undissolved second-phase material is present in each of these alloys. The solute elements associated with the undissolved phases were identified by electron microanalyses. Back-scattered electron images and characteristic X-ray images of the three commercial alloys are shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. These data indicate that the second phases are regions of high copper and high iron-copper concentrations. The second-phase material also was analyzed for magnesium, zinc, manganese, chromium, and silicon, but no significant enrichment above that of the matrix was found. Therefore, the problem of homogenization resolved itself into one of dissolving the copper-rich and the iron-copper-rich second phases. In order to accomplish this objective, two approaches were made. The first was to reduce the iron as low as possible since this element has a maximum solid solubility of 0.03 pct in aluminum. The second was to produce cast structures with finer DAS to facilitate dissolving the second phases. Commercially Produced High-Purity Alloys. A special high-purity, 2000-lb ingot of 7075 alloy was made by a commercial producer. This alloy contained the following weight percentages of solutes: 5.63 Zn, 2.48 Mg, 1.49 Cu, and 0.21 Cr. All other elements combined were less than 0.02 pct by wt including iron and silicon at less than 0.01 pct each. The ingot was cast and processed into rolled plate using standard commercial techniques. Microstructures of standard commercial 7075 and the special high-purity 7075 are shown in Fig. 5. It can be seen from this figure that the high-purity alloy has less undissolved second-phase material, but a significant amount was still present. The second phase in the high-purity material did not contain iron but it was found to be enriched with copper. The slight effects of the increased purity and de-

Jan 1, 1968

By E. M. Norris

THE Western phosphate deposits extend over a large area in the Rocky Mountain region, comprising portions of south central Montana, southeastern Idaho, northeastern Utah, and southwestern Wyoming. A limited acreage of these deposits passed into private ownership prior to Dec. 9, 1908, at which time 7000 sq. mi. of land in these phosphate fields was withdrawn from public entry by direction of the Secretary of the Interior. Under the Act of Feb. 25, 1920 (41 Stat. 437) title to all phosphate lands in the public domain was reserved to the United States with provisions for leasing portions to citizens, corporations, states, etc. The above act, in effect, created by law a Western phosphate reserve of approximately 2,269,055 acres.

Jan 1, 1944

By J. A. Church

I. Early Furnaces,......423 11. Experiments with the HIgh-Shaft FURnace,..... 426 III. ExperMents wIth the Wide FURnace,..429 IV. ExperEentS with Extreme BOSH,... 43.2 V. Survival of the 56 by 180 IN. Furnace,.434 VI. Recent ExpeEiments,.....436 VII. SUMMary,........438 I. Early Furnaces. Copper blast-furnace construction in America has long recognized a general standard in the rectangular water-jacketed shaft with separate forehearth. The details, however, and especially those relating to shaft dimensions, have had to meet a great variety of conditions, and show no uniformity whatever. Selecting a few of the present day Western plants, we find furnace lengths varying from 12.5 to 87 ft., widths at tuyere level from 42 to 84 in., and heights above tuyeres from 5 ft. 4 in. to 22 ft. 4 in.; and comparing present designs with those of the past, we meet contrasts no less striking. Unlike its transverse section, the length of a furnace has come to depend rather on the size of unit desired than on the requirements of smelting; and if the question of length be ignored, several of the various existing designs can be grouped together on the basis of a common transverse section. This section, having a width at tuyere level of 56 in. and a height above tuyeres of 18 ft., was developed at Great Falls, and the story of its development contains some interesting features. Ground was broken for the Great Falls works in the spring of 1891. About a year later, the concentrator was able to begin operation, followed within the next few months by the Brueckner, reverberatory, and converter departments, and in April, 1893, by the first blast fur-

Jan 1, 1914

By T. L. Joseph

The extent to which hot metal from the blast furnace affects open-hearth practice and the quality of steel produced has been discussed widely. Open-hearth operators have attributed difficulties experienced in making satisfactory steel to characteristics of the pig iron not disclosed by ordinary analysis. The commonest criticism of the iron has been that it is "physically cold" or "dirty." Often when the blast furnaces are working irregularly the quality of the iron is questioned. A cold hearth, slipping and hanging, the use in the past of unsintered flue dust, and the use of ores difficult to smelt have been associated with the production of iron of poor quality. The difficulty of the situation is that we have no proven yardstick for quality aside from ordinary analysis. Uniformity in analysis is recognized as being important, but the difficulty of changing the open-hearth practice when the iron analysis varies widely may not always be fully appreciated. Although the problem of correlating the characteristics of steel with those of pig iron is admittedly obscure, the effort of producers of quality steel to investigate all factors that may have a bearing on the final product is justified. This report contains data on the oxides in several hundred casts of basic iron produced in a furnace during the course of normal operation on Lake ores. Incidental to the study of the oxides in the iron, it was desirable to follow closely the temperature of the iron. The effect of temperature of the iron upon the silicon and sulphur present is discussed. A general relation between the basicity of the slag and the sulphur in the metal was developed. The amount and composition of oxides in the hot metal and in the steel bath during various intervals between melt-down and tap are discussed. Heats of rimmed steel, killed steel, and semikilled steel were investigated. The hot metal on individual heats was either all taken from a mixer or consisted partly of direct metal and partly of metal from the mixer. Samples of the iron for oxide determinations were

Jan 1, 1937

By E. Martinez

Samples of chrysocolla, a hydrated copper silicate, from several sources were submitted to differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Pure samples of chrysocolla are difficult to obtain, but comparison of the thermograms revealed that certain reactions occurred in all the samples and it is believed that these are due to chrysocolla. Endothermic reactions occurred at 50' to 175°C, 350° to 650°C, and 980° to 1100°C each of which caused a weight loss. The first was due to loss of absorbed water, the second to a dehydroxyla-tion, and the last to conversion of cupric oxide to cuprous oxide. In addition, two exotherms were detected at 685° to 695°C and 935° to 950°C. Infrared spectra of heated samples indicated the exotherms were due to changes in the Si-O bonds leading to the formation of cristobalite. The results suggest that thermoanalysis may be a more sensitive and reliable method for detection and identification of chrysocolla than X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, or optical techniques. The recovery of copper from oxide ores has been the subject of much research in recent years. One of the principal oxide copper minerals is chrysocolla, a hydrated copper silicate. The information available indicates that it has widely varying properties depending on the origin of the sample. Chrysocolla usually is found associated with cuprite, malachite, azurite, and native copper. Most of these other minerals are recoverable by present day flotation practice, but chrysocolla is lost in the tailings.1,2 Reagent combinations that are successful in laboratory chrysocolla flotation with ore from one source have been found to be ineffective with another. 3 The copper segregation process offers an altemative to beneficiation of oxide copper ores.4'5 The process is of particular interest in processing ores that cannot be treated by conventional hydrometal-lurgical methods because of high acid consumption.6 Fuller understanding of the properties of chryso- colla may prove of value in the search for improvements in both the flotation and segregation processes. Chrysocolla samples from Arizona, Nevada, Chile, Australia, and South Africa were studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition, a sample from Miami, Ariz., was submitted to X-ray diffraction, infrared spectrophotometry, and surface area determination. EQUlPMENT Differential thermal analysis (DTA) detects, amplifies, and records exothermic-endothermic reactions occurring in a sample as its temperature is raised at a constant rate, usually 10°C per minute. A unit made by the Robert L. Stone Co. was used in this study. The tests can be run if desired with a gas streaming through the sample. A thermobalance records weight losses or gains in a sample as its temperature is raised at a uniform rate. The gravimetric analyses (TGA) were run on a Chevenard thermobalance converted electronically for graphic recording. A heating rate of 5°C per minute up to 1100°C was used in these tests. A Perkin Elmer Infrared Spectrophotometer, Model 221, was used with sodium chloride optics obtaining IR spectra in the 2 to 15 region. A pressed pellet technique with potassium bromide was used in preparing the samples. DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLES Chrysocolla is found in the oxidation zones of copper deposits commonly associated with malachite, azurite, and limonite. It is described as varying in composition and in color from bluish green to brown or black. Inclusions of other minerals are usual so chemical analysis of chrysocolla samples may be suspect. However, it is considered by many to be a solid solution of CuO, SiO2 and H2O with a general formula of CuO.SiO2.2H2O or 2CuO.2SiO2. 3H20. Chukhrov7 has described a sample from the Urals as CU3,5(OH)2 (A1Si3) O10.nH2O and stated that chrysocolla is a montmorillonite-type mineral. On the basis of X-ray analyses, DTA, and infrared spectra of chrysocolla from the Inspiration Mine, Ariz., Sun8 concluded that there was no substantial evidence to classify it as a montmorillonite mineral. Chrysocolla samples from many sources throughout the world were used in this investigation. The following is a brief description of each:

Jan 1, 1963

By Donald H. McLaughlin, Reno H. Sales

ADAPTATION to mining needs of the rich store of geologic knowledge concerning mineral deposits and the application of principles of the science to specific problems in the finding, development and stoping of particular ore bodies are the major tasks of the mining geologist. On him to an increasing degree is placed responsibility for estimation of ore and appraisal of mineralized ground, for explicit guidance of exploration and development, and for reliable advice with regard to the many geologic conditions that influence mining operations. In the long continued and steady efforts to meet these requirements, a special skill in close observation, recording, and quantitative interpretation has been developed, particularly by geologists on staffs of mining companies, which in many districts has proved to be effective, not only for technical ends, but also for advancement of scientific understanding. The foundations for mining geologic work were laid in most districts of the West by investigations of the United States Geological Survey. For years they have provided a reliable basis for geologic thought with regard to ore deposits, and later studies have enriched and supplemented rather than superseded them. In very few districts have the geologic relations stated in the earlier papers needed serious modification or revision, in spite of new evidence subsequently made available in abundance by mining exposures. Indeed, one of the chief satisfactions derived from success in mining geologic work is the assurance that it gives of the correctness bf the major concepts of the science of ore formation, established to so large an extent by the leaders of this notable group among whom Lindgren has been so eminent a figure. The geologists of the Survey have given and are continuing to give the service which can properly be expected of the Federal government. Their work, however, though of the greatest value in establishing the broad geological setting,

Jan 1, 1933

By Oliver Bowles

ROCK is no doubt the most abundant of all material things because the planet on which we live is made of it. All animal and vegetable organisms and the multitude of natural and manufactured products that occupy a comparatively insignificant film on the outer surface of the planet are derived from rock. Processes of Nature acting for untold centuries have transformed rock into soil, making possible the development of vegetable and annual life; and rocks have supplied the numerous raw materials, metallic and nonmetallic, wherewith the innumerable appurtenances of a complex civilization have been fabricated. As time goes on we live with increasing speed and with enlarged desires. Time and space are shortened by man's ingenuity, and products for human use must be manufactured with greater and greater celerity. It was inevitable that Nature's slow processes of rock alteration should fail to keep pace with human demands and that the variety of natural products should fall far short of the requirements of an industrial age. Man therefore supplemented these processes by attacking rock in its native bed amid using it to supply needs not otherwise satisfied.

Jan 1, 1934

By Colman Goldberg

IT is customary to plot crystallographic planes or axes on a Wulff stereographic net which is ruled with parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude. If a single crystal is placed at the center of a sphere, the coordinates of a crystallographic plane or axis are the coordinates of the point where the axis intersects the sphere. The standard (HKL) projection is the projection for which the sphere is rotated so that the (HKL) pole is at the center of the projection. Schiebold and Sachs' and many others have published standard projections for the more important planes of a cubic crystal. With Tables I and 11, it is possible to plot any plane (HKL) of a cubic crystal on a standard (001) projection if the absolute values of the individual H, K, and L are nine or less, which is almost always the case. Using the methods outlined by Barrett,' the standard (001) projection can be rotated so that any arbitrary plane is at the center of the projection. The tables are believed to be important for two reasons: 1—The heretofore published standard projections usually are not of the proper size to fit the stereographic nets available. With these tables a standard projection can be made which will be of exactly the proper size for the available stereographic net. 2—With the tables, planes that do not appear on the previously published standard projections can be easily plotted. For these reasons, the tables are especially useful in the study of optical reflections from etched surfaces and can also be used to make a standard projection for the axis which is normal to the macroscopic surface. (This axis can be found by X-ray or optical methods.) Then if the crystal is etched, the effect of the etchant can readily be determined by comparing the latitude and longitude of the reflecting planes (as determined with an optical goniometer) with the standard projection that has been prepared. Use of the Tables Fig. 1 shows the meridians and parallel which have been designated as zero longitude and latitude. The tables themselves are self-explanatory. The

Jan 1, 1953

By Myers, J. F.

The purpose of the mill tests reported herein, was to determine the relative power efficiency of fast and slow rod mill speeds on the ores of the Tennessee Copper Co. The tests were carried out at the lsabella Mill of the Tennessee Copper Co. under normal operating conditions. Every effort was made to keep the ore supply and other conditions constant, but it will be noted that some slight variation did occur. The open circuit 6 by 9 rod mill, and ore, used in these tests have been previously described.' Four motor drive pinions were available and the tests were performed in the following manner: each pinion was used to drive the mill for a period of one week. Constant sampling prevailed during the test run, and a composite sample for each speed test was made. Realizing that some slight liner wear took place during the four-week test-run, and that some slight variation of the ore may have taken place, a second and then a third series of four-week test- runs were made with the four different pinions. The screen analysis of each of the thee-week run samples at the various speeds were composited and the results are shown in Table 1. The authors feel that the 12 weeks of operation consumed during these test-runs would represent fairly the effect of each mill speed. The data of line 37 show that within the error of sampling and plant operation, the tons of minus 65-mesh material generated per horsepower hour was the same at all four speeds.

Jan 1, 1949

THE refining period of an open-hearth heat blends imperceptibly into the finishing period, during which final adjustments are made in slag composition, in bath action and temperature, and in composition of the steel, in order to prepare it for casting into ingots. Operations must be governed by the consideration that alterations in the character of the heat during the finishing period must be held to a minimum. In a broad sense, the finishing and deoxidation period of a heat may be said to be- gin when the action of the last ore addition has ceased, and to end when the teeming of the ingots is completed. INGOT STRUCTLIRES A survey of the relative advantages and disadvantages of different types of ingot structure is required because deoxidation treatments during the finishing period control the amount of gas evolved during solidification and consequently determine the type of ingot structure. Four classes of ingots are recognized, de- pending upon the degree of deoxidation to which the steel has been subjected. These types are killed, semikilled, capped, and rimmed; typical examples of their structures are represented by ingots 1, 2, 5, and 7, respectively, of Fig 9-1. The actual ingots from which these cross sections were sketched were all poured to the same height (indicated by the dotted lines) in the same type and size of bottle-top molds. The eight drawings of the figure represent selected types of ingot structure in a continuous series from "dead killed" to "wild," resulting from variations in the total quantity of gas evolved, from none at all to copious amounts, during solidification of the steel in the mold. Killed and semikilled steels are adjacent at the "quiescent" end of the ingot structure series where only small amounts of gas are evolved. The term "quiescent" describes the action of the molten metal during and subsequent to the teeming of killed and semikilled steels. Capped and rimmed steels are adjacent at the

Jan 1, 1964

By Richard W. Lodge

Ix the crucible-method of assaying ores for silver a certain amount of litharge is essential to supply sufficient lead to collect the precious metals. The object of this paper is to point out that the use of a .large excess of litharge in the assay of some ores will give results for silver that are uneven as well as low. So far as I know, however, an excess of litharge does not affect the results obtained in the crucible-assay of ores for gold. The main reasons for using, in the crucible-assay, much more litharge than is required to give the necessary lead button are : 1, its action as a flux; 2, its action as a desulphurizer; and 3, its action as an oxidizer, especially on metals like copper and nickel, whereby they are forced into the slag as oxides and thus prevented from passing into the lead button. Hence, by the use of much litharge in the crucible-assay more-ore can often be taken than in the scorification-process, and a lead button obtained which can possibly be cupelled at once or after a single scorification. The method is specially advantageous with an ore carrying much copper or similar impurity and poor in silver, when the assayer does not wish to resort to a wet-analysis for the determination of the silver. It is well known that some ores give better results when assayed by the scorification-method, while others give better results by the crucible-method. For several years I have noticed that, when much litharge was used with certain sulphide and arsenical ores, the results were considerably lower than when the scorification-method was used. This fact was more forcibly brought out in connection with certain work carried on this year by Messrs. H. A. Frame and

Sep 1, 1907

By Carl F. Dietz

(New York Meeting, February, 1912.) THE problem of drying ores is one that most mill-engineers are sooner or later called upon to meet, and it may be timely to point out sortie of the difficulties resulting from such operations from purely a metallurgical and economic stand-point. We mean, in the following pages, to discuss primarily the effect of such operations on. the ore itself, without particular reference to the mechanical or cost features of the subject; That an appreciable tonnage of the ore fed to the usual form of drier, either rotary or stack, is lost, is fairly well appreciated, but we believe that only a few mill-managers know just. what their drier-losses amount to, and we have found that in most cases they console themselves with the fact that the drier-smoke is not very much discolored, and it is generally believed that the draft is not sufficient to carry away more than a. negligible percentage of the values. The drying of ores is becoming an important factor. since the more general application of magnetic, static, and dry-table treatment. Its importance in the field of metallurgical operations warrants a close examination into its effects. This subject has been repeatedly brought hone to us, and while the drier-losses, in every case examined, have considerably exceeded even the most generous estimate, an attempt at a recovery of these values is rarely made. We have found that the losses resulting from drying-operations can be effectively recovered, at a low cost, and believe that the publication of the results of a number of investigations along these lines will be of interest and benefit to the profession at large. To dry an ore quickly and effectively, it must be brought into actual contact with hot gases or air. The rapid drying is effected by the fact that the hotter the gas the hungrier it is

Jul 1, 1912