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Jan 1, 1925

By Oscar M. Wicken

The mineral magnesite (MgCO3) if pure would consist of 47.7 pct MgO and 52.3 pct CO2. It is one of the calcite group of rhombohedral carbonates which includes calcite (CaCO3), siderite (FeCO3), rhodocrosite (MnCO3), and smithsonite (ZnCO3) among others. The members of this group enter into a wide range of substitutional solid solutions, whose range is still imperfectly known.* MgCO3 and FeCO3 appear to form a complete series of which breunnerite (ferroan magnesite) is a well known variety. Because of the considerable difference in size of the Ca and Mg ions, there is only a limited range in substitution in the MgCO3-CaCO3 series. (Dolomite, not strictly a member of the calcite group, may be regarded as an ordered structure developed when Ca: Mg is approximately 1:1.) The practical consequence of these relationships is that the lime carbonates (calcite and dolomite) are commonly present in magnesite deposits chiefly as mechanical mixtures. Magnesite may be either crystalline or "amorphous" (cryptocrystalline). The crystalline form has a hardness of 3.5 to 4.0. The color may range from white to black through shades of yellow, blue, red or gray. It is rarely found pure but generally contains variable amounts of iron, lime, and silicate minerals. Color cannot be used as an index of purity except under specific local conditions in a single quarry. In a given quarry an experienced man may be able roughly to grade magnesite by intuitively assessing such features as crystallinity and color. Crystalline magnesite occurs in larger deposits, but the cryptocrystalline variety is more common. The latter is fine-grained and compact and shows no cleavage; often it is descriptively called "bone magnesite." The fracture is usually conchoidal, and hardness is 3.5 to 5.0. It is normally white, but sometimes it is light yellow to orange or buff because of included impurities. In addition to lime and iron, which may be present in small amounts, silica may be present as inclusions of serpentine, quartz, chalcedony, or other minerals. In general, commercial deposits of "amorphous" magnesite have lesser amounts of accessory minerals than does crystalline magnesite. The specific gravity of "amorphous" magnesite is 2.90 to 3.0. Pure, crystalline magnesite has a specific gravity of 3.02, but iron carbonate, commonly present, raises the specific gravity to somewhat higher values. Magnesite dissociates, when sufficiently heated, into magnesia (MgO) and carbon dioxide. Either simultaneously or upon further heating the magnesia develops a crystalline structure identical with that of the natural mineral, periclase, which occurs sparingly in nature but not normally in workable deposits. Brucite is another magnesium mineral capable of being directly reduced to magnesia by heat alone. Brucite (Mg(OH)2) has been mined for the production of various grades of magnesia. It theoretically contains 69.1 pct MgO and 30.9 pct H2O. It may be white, but is generally blue or green with a gray cast. It has a translucent appearance. The mineral is soft (hardness, 2.5), and has a specific gravity of about 2.4. Nomenclature of Products The word "magnesite" literally refers to the natural mineral, but common usage has applied it plus a prefatory word to two other

Jan 1, 1960

[University of Alaska College, Alaska Mining Society TOM CHRISTENSON, President MARY ANN KISER, Secretary H. G. WILCOX, Faculty Sponsor WM. FACKLER, Counselor University of California Berkeley, California Mining Association JOHN W. COOK, President LORETTA A. RICHTER, Secretary W. S. WEEKS, Faculty Sponsor]

Jan 1, 1946

By G. R. Speich

The interlarnmelm spacing, growth rate, and degree of segregation that accompany cellular precipitation in four Fe-Zn alloys containing 9.7, 15.2, 23.5, and 30.5 at. pct Zn have been determined in the temperature range 400" to 600°C. The chemical free-energy change for the reaction was calculated from the available thermodynamic data and the known compositions of the phases. The fraction of the chemical free-energy change for equilibrium segregation that is converted into interfacial free energy decreases from 0.43 to 0.08 as the magnitude of this free-energy change increases from 35 to 270 cal per mole. At constant temperature the cellular growth rate is proportional to the cube of the dissipated free energy. At 600°C newly 100 pct of the equilibrium segregation is achieved during cellulm precipitation whereas at 400°C only 85 pct of the equilibrium segregation is attained. During cellular growth, mass transport of zinc occurs by grain boundary diffusion; excess zinc remaining in the a! phase after the completion of growth is removed slowly by volume diffusion. A modified Cahn theory of cellular precipitation predicts the observed interlamellar spacing within a factor of two. In cellular precipitation reactions such as pearlite formation or discontinuous precipitation, the basic problem is to predict the variation of growth rate G, interlamellar spacing S, and degree of segregation P with composition and temperature. To accomplish this we need three independent equations relating these quantities. One of these equations comes from the diffusion solution. To obtain two additional independent equations, some assumptions must be made. cahnl has suggested recently that two plausible assumptions are 1) that growth rate is proportional to the dissipated free energy and 2) that the spacing which occurs is that which maximizes the dissipated free energy. According to the first assumption, this spacing also maximizes the growth rate and the rate of decrease of free energy per unit area of cell boundary. The present work was undertaken to test these assumptions. To test the first assumption it is necessary to study a cellular reaction over a wide range of supersatura-tions to establish a relationship between G and the dissipated free energy at constant temperature. This is possible only in discontinuous precipitation reactions since in pearlite reactions constituents other than pearlite form if the composition of the parent phase deviates even slightly from the eutectoid composition. The Fe-Zn system was chosen for study because 1) discontinuous precipitation proceeds to completion over a wide temperature and concentration range, 2) the degree of segregation within the cell can be measured by lattice parameter measurements,2 and 3) the thermodynamics of this system have recently been determined by Wriedt.3 In this system the cells consisting d alternate lamellae of a and r phases form from supercooled iron-rich a phase. The a phase within the cells is bcc as is the original a phase, cia, but has a different orientation and a slightly lower zinc content than the original a phase. The r phase has a zinc content of about 70 at. pct and a crystal structure isomor-phous with T brass. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Four Fe-Zn alloys with 9.7, 15.2, 23.5, and 30.5 at. pct Zn were prepared from carbonyl-iron powder (400 mesh, 99.8 wt pct Fe) and zinc powder (200 mesh, 99.99 wt pct Zn). The powders were ball-milled together and cold-pressed under 60,000 psi to discs $ in. thick by $ in. diam. The cold-pressed discs of the alloys with 9.7 and 15.2 at. pct Zn were sealed in evacuated silica capsules and heated slowly to 1100°C over a period of 1 week (3 days at 600°C, then 3 days at 80O°C, then 1 day at 1100°C). The alloys with 23.5 and 30.5 at. pct Zn were treated similarly except that the final homogenization temperatures were 1000" and 85O°C, respectively, to prevent melting. The alloys were quenched in iced brine from the final homogenization temperature. Specimens of each alloy were subsequently aged in salt pots at temperatures of 400°, 450°, 500°, 550°, 600°, and 650°C for times that varied from a few minutes to several hundred hours. At a late stage of this work, an alloy containing 11.2 at. pct Zn was prepared by vapor-impregnation of iron foil with zinc vapor at 890°C. This alloy proved useful for electron microscope studies because it was free of porosity. The homogenization and aging conditions were based on the recent Fe-Zn phase diagram of Stadelmaier and Bridgers4 rather than the earlier diagram of ansen.5 They consist of a homogenization heat treatment in the homogeneous a field followed by an aging treatment in the two-phase a + r field. The aged specimens were metallographically polished and etched in 2 pct nital and the radius of the largest cell in the microstructure determined. This radius plotted vs time gave a straight line whose slope is the boundary migration rate or growth rate G of the cell. To determine the interlamellar spacing, specimens were examined by surface-replica and thin-section electron microscope techniques. Because of the irregular nature of the lamellae within the cell, the average interlamellar spacing S .of the cell was measured by the method of Cahn and Hagel,6 where S is defined by:

Jan 1, 1969

Flexibility is the keynote in designing modern exploration drills that and mobility. Add to the flexibility of individual drills the wide range of models, and the man looking for a drill has ample choice today. Weight? Choose from models as light as 50 lb or as heavy as 10,000 lb. Hole capacity? From less than 1 in. for smallest core drills to 20 in. or more for auger types. Transportation? The lightest go by packsack (in fact, that is one trade name) ; others are designed to go by Jeep, truck, on skids or are built on light trailers. Power? Select air power, gasoline or diesel engine, electric motor, or use a power take-off from the vehicle on which the drill is mounted. Drill bits offer almost as much variety as the drilling machines themselves. Many drills are suitable for a variety of uses, and often adapt to several types of bits with ease. Some of the types available are: diamond core, diamond reaming, rotary, auger, shot, and special soil sampling tools.

Oct 1, 1955

By L. D. Keller

The application of hydraulic concentration to large scale operations has been effectively accomplished by the use of the SiphonSizer. Operation has been simple, automatic and essentially trouble free. The use of the primary desliming SiphonSizer on magnetic taconites has shown an improvement in grade of concentrate and an increase in recovery over conventional hydroseparators. Magnetic concentrates have been further deslimed and upgraded in SiphonSizers by floating a coarse middling product away from the heavier concentrate. The application of the Siphon-sizer to closed circuit grinding has met with only partial success to date. Hydraulic concentration of minerals has been practiced for a good many years. Until recently, however, the practice has been limited to equipment using a multiplicity of small pockets and relatively low tonnages and flows. The adaptation of the SiphonSizer to the concentration and classification of magnetite has changed this concept. Some fifty commercial units varying in size from a 16-ft diam circular unit to a 25x100-ft rectangular unit are currently in operation on magnetic taconites. Additional units up to 38 ft diam are under construction. Depending upon the application in the flowsheet, upgrading varies from 0.75% to 14% Fe in a single stage. To those not familiar with taconite processing, the importance of the struggle to remove economically as much silica as possible may not be fully appreciated. Perhaps some figures pertaining to transportation costs will underscore this important process. If the silica content of the concentrate from a 10,000,000 ton per year plant could be reduced by I%, a savings in boat freight, at $2.00 per ton, would amount to $200,000 annually! THE SlPHONSlZER The SiphonSizer, as illustrated in Figs. lA, 1B and 2, is a hydraulic classifier in which the hydraulic water is distributed uniformly across the bottom of the vessel by means of a system of headers (1 and 2), jet pipes (3), and nozzles (4). The depth of the teeter bed is automatically maintained by the siphon-float assembly. The feed is introduced through a feed well (5) and separated into two fractions by the effects of rising water and the density of the teetered bed. The magnetite fraction is discharged by the siphon (12) while the fine slime and light middling overflow a peripheral weir (9) to the overflow launder (6). The bed depth is controlled automatically by float valves (7), which are responsive to changes in the height of clear water supported in the superelevation tubes (8) by the density of the teetered bed. On top of the float (7) is a needle valve (10) which permits

Jan 1, 1963

By Robert M. Funk, James E. Lawver

The development of a laboratory and pilot-scale high-tension electrostatic flowsheet for the production of iron-ore super concentrates having silica contents in the range of 0.1% is presented, A variety of hematite and magnetite ores were tested with this flowsheet, and the pertinent metallurgical data are given. The applications and limitations of this process are brought out in terms of both practical and theoretical considerations. There have been many new developments in the past few years that have required mineral beneficiation engineers to consider new techniques for iron-ore concentration. Developments in iron powder metallurgy, and particularly the making of sheet metal directly from high-purity iron-ore concentrates, and the concept of using metallized pellets as a substitute for scrap in electric-furnace steelmaking have created demands for what is commonly referred to as iron-ore superconcen-trates. In most cases, specifications for superconcentrates are that they contain less than 0.1% total gangue, with some applications requiring less than 0.05% gangue. To produce these concentrates, new and modified processes are being developed, and the three methods receiving attention as the primary concentrating methods are: 1) Magnetic separation in which dry rotor-type equipment is used for magnetite and the high-intensity magnets are used for hematite. 2) Amine flotation. 3) "High-tension" electrostatic separation (or, elec-trodynamic concentration). This paper examines the high-tension electrostatic process in terms of its limitations and abilities for the production of iron-ore superconcentrates. A technically effective and simple flowsheet was developed through laboratory and 5 and 100-ton pilot-plant studies for the production of concentrates containing from 0.02 to 0.20% SiO, with iron recoveries between 85 and 90%. The process is also shown to be economically feasible. Laboratory Test Program Separation Characteristics: The suitability of the electrostatic high-tension method for iron-ore supercon-centration stems from the fundamental mechanism governing the process, i.e., particles are separated on the basis of differences in electrical conductivities. This conductivity is a characteristic property of minerals, and if the difference between the conductivities of two min- erals is great enough, then their separation can be performed by a high-tension machine. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the critical factor is the time necessary for the particle charge density, which is established by a corona discharge field, to decay to a level such that the centrifugal force acting on the particle exceeds its electrostatic, or image, force. At this point, the particle can leave the rotor at some trajectory and fall into an appropriate product receptacle. This decay time is directly proportional to electrical conductivity, and the process variables, such as feed rate, rotor speed, electrode configuration, and rotor composition, are selected to optimize the ability of the separator to resolve different conductivities. Table 1 lists the measured conductivities for some of the iron and gangue minerals used in developing the flowsheet. These results were obtained by using the conductivity cell described by Lawver and Wright.' The discharge curve of most minerals that lend themselves to super concentration by high-tension is so fast that the

Jan 1, 1971

By J. S. Aronofsky

The first step in a quantitative analysis ot the mechanism of oil displacement by water in a fractured reservoir is usually conceded to be the solution of the differential equation describing the saturation distribution of two immiscible fluids flowing in a porous medium, where the capillary pressure is taken into account. In such a system the production mechanism may consist of displacement of oil both by the flow of water due to natural or artificially imposed pressure gradients and by imbibition, which implies a flow of water not due to external pressure gradients. Owing to the presence of the two oil displacement mechanisms, the mathematical model given by the differential equation intended to describe the system may not properly represent the behavior of the physical system. In fact, in the reservoir the rate of water advance may be very slow, and in the case of a fractured reservoir with a great number of large fractures, the pressure difference determining the flow of water through the matrix may be much less than 1 lb/'psi over lengths of a few feet. In such a case, imbi-bition (the exchange between oil in the matrix and water in the fractures resulting from capillary forces) may become, with time. a significant element of the production mechanism. It occurred Lo the authors, however, that without going into a physical analysis of the process of production, it might be possible by means of simple abstract reasoning to throw some light on the variation of recovery with time under conditions occurring in a highly fractured oil reservoir with rising water table. The object of this paper is to present both the reasoning and its application to a reservoir of the highly fractured type. Specifically, the analysis given here was undertaken to try to explain the increase of recovery (as defined later) with time as observed in this reservoir, without having to assume unlikely variations in the reservoir parameters with depth. This attempt has been successful as will become clear upon comparison of the computed recoveries with the actual field data. ABSTRACT MODEL Let us consider a small volume. of porous matrix saturated with oil at time, t = 0. Let the process of oil displacement by water start at time, t = t,,. At some time, t, the process will have terminated. Then a volume of oil equal to or smaller than the original oil contained in the matrix will have been produced. The first basic assumption that describes the model and guides the forthcoming reasoning is that the oil production from the small volume. dv, is a continuous monotonic function of time and that it converges to a finite limit. Such an assumption is not inconsistent with the results of laboratory waterflood tests as well as with results of imbibition tests where this is, in fact, observed. The second basic assumption is that none of the properties which determine the rate of convergence change sufficiently during the process to affect this rate or the limit. Let it be assumed that the form of the function of time relative to production from the matrix volume. dv, is given by where V,(t) is the volume of oil produced up to that time t. R is the limit toward which the recovery converges, A is a constant giving the rate of convergence, and V,(t) is the volume of oil originally in place in the volume, dv. It should be noted that recovery at time I will be understood here to he It follows that r. tends to R as t tends to infinity. CONSTRUCTION OF RESERVOIR FROM ABSTRACT MODEL Let the reservoir consist of a series of identical blocks of porous matrix stacked vertically and separated by fractures. Let each of these blocks satisfy the conditions of our abstract model. These conditions are: (1) that recovery is a continuous mono-tonic function of time converging to finite limit, and (2) none of the properties that determine the rate of convergence change sufficiently to affect the rate or the limit. Let water be rising in fractures so that oil production from any part of the block starts when the water comes in conLact with it. TOTAL RECOVERY FROM THE RESERVOIR COMPARED TO RECOVERY FROM A SINGLE MODEL ELEMENT As stipulated in Eq. 1, in the case of the abstract model,

HENRY G. MARTIN,* Chicago Heights, 111. (written discussion?).-. The object in taking three or more ladle tests is to secure a sample that will show the average composition of the heat, not primarily to investigate the lack of uniformity existing; however, the assumption that the samples are not of uniform composition -remains. In other words, we have three samples of steel of different composition, the par-ticles of which are not subject to extreme comminution so as to mix inti-mately, and yield an average homogeneous sample, if placed in one

Jan 11, 1919

By A. S. Yue, A. E. Vidoz, F. W. Crossman

Tensile specimens were prepared from a single grain of an epitaxially grown Al-CuAl2 eutectic ingot. The eutectic lanzellae were oriented parallel and perpendicular to the tensile axis of the specimens. Since the composite was of the eutectic composition, the aluminum-rich matrix could dissolve up lo 5. 7 wt pct Cu in solid solution and, therefore, was amenable to strengthening by precipitation hardening. The tensile properties of the eutectic single crystals were determined at room temperature as functions of interlamel-lar spacing, platelet orientation, and thermornechanical trealment. The obserced variations in composite stress and modulus with respect to the level of&apos; composite strain are discussed in terms of premature fracture of CuAlz platelets, a distribution function for the strength of the lamellae, and unequal strains due to localized fracture of&apos; platelets. The discontinuous fiber composite model of Kelly and Tyson is modgied to account for a changing distribution of fiber lengths during composite loading. The tensile properties at elevated temperatures were determined for the direc-tionally solidified eutectic oriented with platelets parallel to the tensile axis. The observed properties are attributed to the onset of plasticity of the CuAL2 phase above 150°C. DURING the investigation of whisker- and fiber-reinforced metallic matrix composites in recent years, two major problem areas have developed: 1) The fabrication of the composite involves tedious handling techniques in order to obtain a unidirection-ally aligned and uniformly spaced set of whiskers in the metal matrix. 2) Due to weak interfacial bond strengths or because of the formation of additional embrittling phases at the metal-fiber interface during long-time exposure or fabrication at elevated temperatures, many composite systems have exhibited considerably lower strengths than those predicted by a law of mixtures analysis.&apos; These problems have been bypassed by the technique of growing whiskers and plates of high-strength materials in a ductile metal matrix by controlled unidirectional eutectic solidification.2 The tensile properties of directionally solidified A1-CuA12 eutectic are presented here. This alloy consists of a ductile aluminum matrix, containing up to 5.7 wt pct Cu in solid solution, which is amenable to precipitation hardening by heat treatment and a reinforcing high modulus CuAlz intermetallic phase. The two phases are present in the form of alternating platelets or lamellae. The microstructural stability of this unidirectionally solidified alloy at elevated temperatures has been studied extensively.3.4 and preliminary tensile and bend tests have been reported. 5-7In the present investigation the tensile properties of the A1-CuA1, eutectic have been studied as a function of several ther-momechanical variables: solidification rate. heat treatment. rolling at elevated temperatures. and lamellar orientation. It was felt that the uniformity of structure and excellent interfacial bonding would give tensile properties concomitant with the metal matrix composite theory of strengthening proposed by Kelly and coson. 8-9 The tensile properties that were obtained point to a wide distribution of strengths for the CuAlZ platelets, which leads to large deviations from the predicted mechanical behavior for this composite. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Epitaxial Growth of Eutectic Alloy. The A1-CuA1, eutectic alloy was prepared by an epitaxial growth process. Sections of a master alloy ingot (total impurity content <0.008 pct) were placed in an alundum boat, melted. and directionally solidified to obtain a multigrained plate 12 by 2 by 4 in. This plate was tapered at one end to mate with a seed crystal 1; in. long and 4 by $ in. square. Then the seed-plate combination was placed in an alundum boat which sat in a quartz tube passing through the center of a horizontal resistance wound tube furnace. A dried argon atmosphere was maintained. The temperature gradient in the furnace was such that the liquid-solid interface of the eutectic alloy was located near the end of the furnace and could be observed through the quartz tube. Single-crystal plates were formed by melting the material back to the midpoint of the seed crystal of the desired platelet orientation and then epitaxially growing the plate from the seed by withdrawing the alundum boat from the furnace at a constant rate. This technique was used to produce aluminum and CuA12 lamellae parallel and perpendicular to the transverse direction on the plate. Metallographic examination showed that both phases were continuous across the original liquid-solid interface. It was also possible to grow a plate from two seeds placed side by side: and, although the lamellae of one seed were oriented at 90 deg to those of the second seed, the interface between the two grains remained parallel to the growth direction along the entire ingot length. Maintenance of a straight intergranular boundary during the solidification process was possible as long as both seeds were oriented with their original growth direction parallel to the solidification direction of the plate. Eutectic plates were directionally solidified at rates of 0.2, 1.0. and 4.7 cm per hr and sectioned transversely to the solidification direction to determine the apparent inter lamellar spacing of the lamellae. Metallographic examination was also employed

Jan 1, 1970

By Ted C. Briggs

Nitrogen exists in two broad categories commonly designated as elemental nitrogen and fixed nitrogen. Elemental nitrogen is found in nature as a diatomic molecule and constitutes about 78%, by volume, of the earth&apos;s atmosphere. Fixed nitrogen is a common term used for nitrogen that is chemically bound to other elements. Although elemental nitrogen is very abundant, nonleguminous plants cannot utilize nitrogen unless it is in the chemically combined form. The content of this chapter is confined to fixed nitrogen since the uses and properties of elemental nitrogen and the fixed nitrogen compounds are different. Bacteria associated with legumes are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen, but not to the extent or in the locations required by modem agriculture. The need to use fertilizers containing fixed nitrogen compounds to grow food crops has been recognized for hundreds of years, and from antiquity farmers have used organic wastes such as animal manures, vegetable wastes, sewage sludge, fish scraps, etc., containing these compounds for fertilizers. The organic materials have a low nitrogen content, however, and cannot support large-scale food production. Known commercial-size deposits of natural nitrates containing much higher nitrogen content exist only in Chile, and the possibility of the discovery of other significant deposits is remote. The Chilean deposits were the major source of nitrogenous fertilizers until about 1913, when the Haber-Bosch process for the production of synthetic ammonia was developed. In the Haber-Bosch process, nitrogen reacts with hydrogen, at high temperatures and pressures and in the presence of a catalyst, to form ammonia. At present Chile is the only country in the world with a nitrate mining industry, and, although the mining of natural nitrates is an important industry in Chile, natural nitrates are relatively unimportant, worldwide, because of the adoption of fixed nitrogen processes. The relative amount of the world demand for fixed nitrogen that is derived from natural nitrates has declined in recent years and will continue to decline. Modern farmers are sophisticated in economic calculations such as cost to benefit ratios and, for the most part, they purchase plant nutrients which give the highest return on their investment. Natural nitrates cannot compete on a fixed-nitrogen cost basis with anhydrous ammonia and its derivative products. In a limited sense, the fixed nitrogen industry is mining the air. Modern plants use air, water, and, in most cases, natural gas to produce the ammonia that is now the key building block of the fixed nitrogen industry. To present an accurate picture of the industry, this chapter on nitrogen follows a format somewhat different from that of other chapters in this volume.

Jan 1, 1975

By C. E. Silverblatt, D. A. Dahlstrom

Previous bench-scale studies demonstrated that a substantial moisture reduction can be obtained by the application of steam to coal filter-cakes, particularly to those containing a limited amount of minus 200-mesh material. Consequently, U.S. Steel&apos;s Applied Research Laboratory conducted a study to determine the feasibility of steam filtration of 1/4 in. by 0 coal on a continuous pilot-scale installation in which an Eimco extractor is used. The test results showed that the moisture content of this coal could be reduced to 5.5% at a steam loading of about 175 lb of steam per ton of dry cake. In terms of steam consumption, this loading is calculated to be 1-1/2 lb of steam per lb of water removed. In some tests, only 1 lb of steam per lb of water removed was required. These levels of steam consumption are significantly less than the actual heat requirements of conventional thermal dryers. The satisfactory moisture reductions were obtained at filtration rates of 125 to 186 lb of dry solids per sq ft per hour. However, the proper design of commercial filters should improve the potential rates that can be attained. These results indicate that steam filtration has considerable economic potential for drying 1/4 in. by 0 coals and also has additional advantages over the conventional thermal drying of coal. The results of the previous bench-scale studies and those published by Burton&apos; demonstrated that a substantial moisture-content reduction can be effected by the application of slightly superheated steam to coal filter-cakes, particularly to those containing a limited amount of minus 200-mesh material. Consequently, US Steel&apos;s Applied Research Laboratory conducted a study to determine the feasibility of steam filtration of 1/4 in. by 0 coal on a continuous basis. In the continuous process, the dewatering operation on the filter is conducted in stages. In the first, the bulk of the water in the feed slurry is removed by conventional mechanical dewatering on a portion of the filter before the steam is applied. In the second stage, steam is applied to the cake. The steam condenses and releases its latent heat, thereby reducing the viscosity of the remaining cake water; this reduced viscosity then facilitates further drainage and produces a cake of lower moisture content. Because of the availability of feed coal on a continuous basis and since steam was readily available from a low-pressure boiler, the Applied Research Laboratory selected for the test site a coal-preparation plant that cleans Pittsburgh Seam coal. A slurry of table and flotation coal in percentages as they occur normally was used as feed stock. Typical analyses of this slurry are shown in Table I. DESCRIPTION OF FILTER AND EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES An Eimco Extractor was selected for the evaluation of steam filtration in a continuous process. This unit was chosen because of its availability and its design features that permit relatively simple hood construction, instrumentation, and operation. A photograph of the Extractor is shown in Fig. 1. In the filter a cloth medium is used that travels horizontally and continuously with a grooved, rubber drainage belt. The total effective filter area was 12.5 sq ft. As the feed slurry flows by gravity from the feed box onto the medium,

Jan 1, 1964

By D. L. King, C. D. Rubert, R. W. Christy, B. A. Schepman

R. W. Christy (Manager of Sales, Sanitary Engineering Equipment, Link-Belt Co.) and C.D. Rubert (Barrett, Haentjens & Co.) — Messrs. King and Schepman have presented an excellent paper which outlines the general practice in the design of thickener mechanisms. Lifting devices, controls, special applications and underflow pumping arrangements have been reviewed in detail. Pumping arrangements were illustrated which eliminate the need for an expensive tunnel beneath the thickener floor. Most of those illustrated have the common feature of a relatively long underflow suction line extending from the hopper floor to the pump located on the bridge at the periphery of the tank. The authors limit these arrangements to comparatively dilute or thin slurrys. It is implied that dense and coarse concentrates, which are difficult to pump, cannot be handled unless a tunnel is constructed. Fig. 1 shows an underflow pump arrangement which negates the need for a tunnel but which permits the operator to convey a heavy dense slurry. The pump is mounted directly on the fixed hoist platform and the impeller is located at the base of the steel center column. Priming water is not needed. The column

Jan 1, 1963

By John Fritz

MEMBERS of the American engineering societies who were in London and Paris during the last days of. June and early July were present at many interesting gatherings. The official delegates of the Founder societies were the specially honored guests of the foreign engineering societies, but other American engineers took part in the meetings. The members of the delegation were: Arthur S. Dwight, Charles F. Rand, William Kelly, representing A. I. M. E.; Ambrose Swasey (general chairman of deputation), Ira N. Hollis, Jesse M. Smith, representing A. S. M. E.; F. B. Jewett, A. E. Kennelly, G. O. Squier, representing A. I. E. E.; Charles T. Main, Robert A. Cummings, John R. Freeman, D. C. Henny, representing A. S. C. E.

Jan 1, 1921

By R. E. Reed, R. D. Leggett, Paxton, H. W.

TECHNIQUES have been developed for growing monocrystals and bicrystals of Fe-20 Cr, Fe-20 Cr-20 Ni, and Fe-18 Cr-8 Ni alloys by both the strain-anneal and the Bridgeman techniques. None of the techniques are new but since they are simple and many people have expressed interest, they are described here quantitatively as they could be modified for other single-phase "commercial" materials of high melting point. CRYSTAL GROWTH BY STRAIN ANNEAL Flat tensile specimens with a tapered gage length were initially studied to deduce the approximate critical strain. Normal flat tensile specimens were then used. The optimum procedure for the austenitic steels (Fe-Cr-Ni) deduced from a variety of cold reductions, recrystallization treatments, tensile strain, and growth anneals was as follows: cold reduce 70 pct, recrystallize (after machining tensile specimens) at 1000°C for 1 hr, strain in tension 2.5 pct, and then heat to 1350°C as rapidly as possible. A time of 100 hr at 1350°C is usually sufficient to pro-

Jan 1, 1960

By A. D. S. Gillies

The effectiveness of coal mine face ventilation and the ability of airflow to maintain satisfactory methane and respirable dust levels in the working face area has been studied through the use of scale modeling techniques and underground testing procedures. In particular, consideration has been given to examination of the effects of operation of a high airflow, machine mounted dust scrubber unit on face air patterns. Results obtained through a cooperative study with the Peabody Coal Co. demonstrate that new mining cycles can be considered that increase production efficiency while maintaining satisfactory ventilation conditions.

Jan 1, 1986

By N. K. Chen, R. Maddin

Single crystals of molybdenum were extended at temperatures from 1300° to 2500°C. It was found that with increasing temperatures, the yield becomes more pronounced and the number of slip bands for equal amounts of elongation decreases. Slip at high temperatures fragments the structure. OTHER than the investigations on sodium and potassium by Andrade and Tsien,&apos; the researches of Steijn and Brick&apos; on a iron single crystals at low temperatures are about the only studies of the influence of temperature on glide of body-centered cubic single crystals. The effect of test temperature on glide has been rather widely investigated with hexagonal crystals" and less widely with face-centered cubic crystals. ~~ a result of these studies it can be said that, in general, the onset of plastic flow as measured by the initial rate of strain hardening becomes more abrupt with increasing temperature, and the value of the yield decreases with increasing temperature. Strain hardening, however, is markedly affected by changes in temperature except at very low and very high temperatures where the strain hardening rate becames constant. In the present investigation it is shown that temperature affects the glide of molybdenum single crystals in much the same manner as crystals of other classes, it., for comparable strains the number of slip bands decreases with increasing temperature; shear along the slip bands increases with increasing temperature; the yield becomes more pronounced with increasing temperature of test; and the strain hardening approaches a constant at very high temperatures. In addition, it is shown that, in agreement with the work of Tsien and Chow, Qlip occurs on (110) planes in <Ill> directions. It is further shown that slip at high temperatures fragments the structure into either irregular sized cells or bent atomic planes which are roughly aligned in crystallographic directions. Experimental Procedure Single crystals 3 mm in diameter by about 25 mm long were prepared using the technique previously described.&apos; The furnace in which the crystals were grown served as the extension apparatus for the tension tests. It consisted of a 4 in. water-cooled brass tube 20 in. long which was continuously evacuated at the bottom. Two water-cooled copper electrodes held the specimen by means of spherical collets secured in place in the electrodes by set screws. These electrodes served also to transmit power and stress to the specimen. The lower electrode was clamped to a stand, while the upper electrode was fastened to one side of a lever arm flexibly supported at the top through a slightly offset pinion. A metal bellows operating elastically was attached to the upper electrode to affect a vacuum seal and allow freedom of motion. The level of the arm was adjusted by rotating a graduated nut. Rotation of the electrode was prevented by a key fitted into a groove. After the specimen was mounted and the vacuum secured, the lever arm was adjusted so that the bellows was at its relaxed position. This insured that the total weight of the specimen, the upper electrode, and the downpull of the vacuum were balanced by the horizontal beam. Since the specimen was heated by its own resistance, expansion of the specimen proceeded freely by this arrangement. During the time of heating the specimen, the beam was maintained in a horizontal position by turning the nut at the top. By graduating the lever arm and using a known dead weight on the lever arm to supply a tensile stress, the graduated nut could be read to 0.0001 in. extension. Since

Jan 1, 1955

By James Harding

THE usual method of sampling mineral deposits is to drill holes and assay the sludge or core. Though the results thus obtained may not represent the true average value of the deposit, it is on these results that estimates of practically all large orebodies are made. In a large number of cases, the results of exploitation fall far short of the estimated value of the orebody. The standard method of making these estimates is to find the cubic contents of triangular prisms, in the apexes of which the drill holes are placed, .by multiplying the surface area by the average depth of the ore in the three drill holes and then multiplying the cubic contents by the specific gravity of the ore or rock to find the tonnage. The assay value is found by dividing the sum of the products of the depth of ore in each hole and the corresponding assay value by the sum of the depths of the ore in the three holes. As the latter part of this method is subject to many mathematical errors, it should not be depended on.. Some engineers, therefore, use a discount factor, but as this factor is either arbitrarily selected or is obtained by obscure methods, the results are no better than guesswork. The standard method is correct when the drill holes are so laid out that the triangular prisms are equilateral in cross-section. But as ore deposits cannot always be drilled into at regular intervals and because of the human factor, if many holes are drilled, triangular prisms of all degrees of angularity are produced. In such cases, it is necessary to assume that the influence of the different holes is not the same in all directions, which assumption of course is absurd.

Jan 1, 1921

By Walter Mueller

Transition in the underground coal industry, begun with the passage of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, should be completed midway in the 1972-80 period. Surprisingly, many of the far reaching effects of this act have been, for the most part, beneficial to the industry from the standpoint of health, safety and basic operating standards. Production has dwindled, but the next few years will see production declines level out. Average declines of approximately 27% have been recorded since passage of the 1969 act, with costs increasing an average of $1.50 per ton throughout the industry. Nationwide averages presently are in the range of 14 tons per man-shift, and by 1980 this may be further reduced to a 10-ton per man-shift average for the industry. But in spite of the many temporary set-backs affecting the industry, the marketing opportunities are clearly visible. Due primarily to the energy squeeze facing the U.S. over the near term, the &apos;underground coal operator is and will be enjoying unusual leverage in selling his product.

Jan 10, 1972

By John J. Howard

WE are approaching the depletion of our principal source of iron ore-the Great Lakes deposits, which have provided 85% of the nation&apos;s requirements for the past fifty years. This situation presents a threat to our standard of living and our position as a world power. Fortunately, in the Great Lakes region there are still tremendous quantities of potential iron ore in the form of the low iron, high silica rock called taconite. The economical extraction of iron from taconite will insure our future steel supply if no new deposits available to the United States even in time of war are discovered. In the new process presented here, the iron is reduced directly by a simple method and then separated from the silica. The product is "feed," not to the blast furnace, but to the steel plant. This process requires very much less plant, less physical and chemical treatment, and less fuel and auxiliary materials than the conventional ore concentration-blast furnace method. In my opinion, this new, fundamentally different approach offers a better hope for the solution of the iron ore problem.

Jan 5, 1950