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By Walter C. Holmes

IN the recently published book entitled "Man in a Chemical World," by A. Cressy Morrison, the several pages discussing explosives were included in the chapter on "Serving Industry." Such a classification is entirely correct, as blasting explosives function only as a tool for accomplishing certain useful work, a tool which is completely destroyed in one use. Explosives are so important to industry and to modern society, in fact, that it seems impossible to imagine the existence of civilized nations without access to commercial explosives as ready servants. Two main types of explosives are now in use, the low-velocity or deflagrating type, such as black powder, which is adapted for use in coal mining and other applications where a slow, heaving effect is desired, and high explosives of the dynamite type,

Jan 1, 1938

By F. W. Bloecher

D ETERMINATION of the surface area of finely divided minerals is of interest to mineral engineers engaged in flotation, comminution, and dewatering studies. In the industrial minerals field, many materials are classified as to fineness according to their specific surface (surface area per unit weight). A method of surface area determination has been tested and used in the Richards Mineral Engineering Laboratories at M.I.T. It involves low temperature krypton adsorption measurements using the technique described by Beebe.1

Jan 3, 1951

By R. Schuhmann, A. M. Gaudin, J. Dasher

Occurrrences of South African uranium have been known qualitatively for over twenty years, but no account was taken of them because of their low grade. In 1945, known uranium deposits were few, but their grades were 20 to 100 times higher than South African ores. Viewed in this light, the exploitation of South Africa's uranium is revolutionary indeed. Development of various analytical procedures capable of dealing with the needs of the project accounted for one-half of the cost and included: a) simple and automatic radiometric analytical procedures, b) sampling procedures appropriate to prevent sample contamination, c) procedures for sample and record-storing to accommodate many thousands of analyses per month, d) chemical methods giving high accuracy analyses for high grade samples not at radioactive equilibrium, and e) development of rapid procedures having moderate accuracy for low grade samples i.e., mill tailings and barren liquors. This task is continuing today with major improvements coming from time to time.

Aug 1, 1956

By Waldemar F. Dietrich

Mineral fillers are relatively inert chemically under the conditions of use but have physical properties* that modify those of the materials in which they are incorporated. The mineral fillers considered in this article are asbestos, barite, clays, diatomite, crushed limestone, limestone whiting and lime, mica, silica, talc and soapstone, and pyrophyllite. Slate and stone, other than limestone and its derivatives, are excluded because, even though used in large quantities, they are exceptionally low-cost materials generally produced close to the area where they are used.

Jan 8, 1959

By George K. Burgess, Robert A. Hadfield

1. Introduction.—The methods of production of sound steel ingots have been described in several papers read recently before this Institute. It was thought by Director Stratton, of the U. S. Bureau of Standards, and ourselves to be of sufficient interest and importance, as a further contribution to this subject, to compare the properties of rails rolled in one mill according to American practice, from several types of ingot of substantially the same chemical composition but cast by several processes; and to compare in considerable detail the properties of an ingot manufactured by the Hadfield special-feeding process and one of the usual type for rolling into rails. We are greatly indebted to F. W. Wood, President of the Maryland Steel CO., who made this investigation possible by kindly placing his rail mill at our disposal; and he and his associates at Sparrows Point did everything possible to make the experiment a success, including the execution of several of the tests and analyses. 2. Classification and Manufacture of Ingots.—Of the ingots used in this investigation, eight were made in Sheffield and furnished by Sir Robert Hadfield, and one was made and furnished by an American steel company,l as a comparison ingot, and was supposed to represent the usual type of ingot from which rails are made. The characteristics of the ingots are given in Table I. Ingots 1, 2, 3, and 4 were cast large end up and fed by the Hadfield method in the usual manner with charcoal and blast continued until the molten steel has set on the top of the head, say varying from 20 to 40 min. To ingots 1, 2, and 4 was added 0.1 per cent. aluminum, and to the nickel-chrome ingot, No. 3, 0.125 per cent. For sake of comparison, there were also included two ingots, Nos. 8 and 9, cast with the small end up and fed by

Jan 1, 1915

By Didyk M. Marko, Vásquez Ñ. Gregorio

INTRODUCTION The Salvador Division of Codelco Chile is an important copper molybdenum production center, located 1,200 km north of Santiago and 124 km east of the Pacific Ocean, in the foothills of the Andes Range. El Salvador Mine produces by block caving 8,600,000 t of ore with a content of 1 .l0% Cu and 0.02% Mo, from a copper porphyry ore body. The geology of the ore body shows a great heterogeneity as to rocks, grade distribution, ore height and undercutting levels. This has resulted in a variety of designs for the productive units (blocks) and in the mineral handling systems. Up to now, 4 systems have been employed: grizzly and intermediate haulage; slusher drifts with intermediate ore pass and haulage; slusher drifts with scraper loading directly into trains; and, LHD. On the other hand there is a marked dispersion in the final results from each block mined out. We report here the conclusions reached after analyzing the data gathered on the mining of 163 depleted blocks, representing a total production of 102,000,000 t, with an undercut area of 340,000 sq m. The final results of each block, characterized in terms of tonnage and fine cop- per recovery, were studied as a function of a number of design, geological, and operational parameters. BASIC CONCEPTS Indices of Efficiency In order to evaluate the final result of each block, or group of blocks, the following indices of efficiency were defined : Tonnage Recovery (TR) . It is the ratio between the ore tonnage extracted and the in situ tonnage estimate for each block or group of blocks. Grade efficiency (E) . It is the ratio between the Cu mill feed grade and the in situ Cu grade estimate for each block or group of blocks. Grade efficiency is numerically equal to the ratio between fine copper recovery (FR) and tonnage recovery (TR) . Figure 1 shows the final results for 163 mined out blocks, in terms of tonnage and fine copper recovery. Different grade efficiencies are also indicated. The marked dispersion in the final results of mined out blocks must be stressed since it greatly incides in mine planning. It must be kept in mind that an eventual concentration of low overall efficiency in the blocks during a given period (e.g., one year) will make it necessary to bring into production new blocks over the standard development schedule. It is worth noting that the final results in the 163 mined out blocks corresponding to a production of 102,000,000 t of ore with a mill feed grade of 1.445% were obtained from an ore estimate of 93,000,000 t and a grade of 1.671% Cu, which represents 110% tonnage recovery and 86% grade efficiency. Parameters Studied The following parameters are considered in this study: Geological Parameters. These parameters depend exclusively on the geological and geotechnical features of the ore body. IN SITU GRADE: The initial estimate of the block grade. Four copper grade categories were considered : (a) lower than 1.3% ; (b) 1.3 to 1.6%; (c) 1.6 to 2.0%; (d) higher than 2.0%. The overall initial in situ estimate of the ore body was 1.6% Cu. IN SITU TONNAGE: Initial tonnage estimate of the block. Four categories are considered: (a) below 500,000 t; (b) 500,000 to 1,000,000 t (c) 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 t; (d) over 1,500,000 t. CONTACTS SLOPE: Since up to 4 rock types can be found in a block, resulting in a corresponding number of contacts, a horizontal con- tact was defined as that which forms an angle of less than 45" with the horizontal and a vertical contact that which forms an angle of more than 45" with the horizontal. GRADE DISTRIBUTION: As in rock types, horizontal and vertical grades were defined. ORE HEIGHT: The distance measured between the undercut level and the top of ore. Four categories are considered: (a) less than 60 m; (b) 60 to 100 m; (c) 100 to 150 m; (d)over 150 m

Jan 1, 1981

By Alan K. Burton

Having estimated fleet size and productivity, the next and final step in this analysis is to introduce cost. Total cost of the system is a combination of capital, operating, and any other external costs that may be incurred. The last item, external costs, can be particularly important when comparing one size or type of truck fleet with another. Once costs are calculated, it is possible to compare systems on a total cost, cost per hour, cost per ton, or any other basis that is required. Methods used vary from simple owning and operating costs to sophisticated discounted cash flow analyses involving optional fleet replacements over the project life.

Jan 1, 1976

By R. S. Rickard

Chemical processing of ores has gained new im¬petus in recent years. The reasons are many. They range from the need to process ores that are difficult to beneficiate to the avoidance of pollution. Although many think of chemical processing as a hydrometallurgical operation there are other techniques. An example is chlorination. Chlorination, although examined and discarded by many investigators, is again being considered as a means of extracting uranium1, treatment of silver-lead ores2, and the recovery of base metals from pyrite cinder and ores3. Segregation roasting of copper and nickel ores, a process similar to chlorination, is another chemical treatment being revived.

Jan 1, 1970

By R. W. Smith

IN the manufacture of portland cement, the basic and fundamental essential is a limestone uniformly rich in calcium carbonate and carrying less than 3 per cent magnesium carbonate. In searching for such a deposit, also having in mind quantity of rock, accessibility and quarrying facilities, the Pacific Coast Cement Co. discovered and developed its present quarry at View Cove on the east coast of Dall Island, Alaska. Dall Island is about 100 miles west of Ketchikan and 650 miles north from Seattle. It is 70 miles in length and 5 to 10 miles in width. The climatic conditions are much more favorable than would be expected. The temperature ranges from zero to 70 degrees. The precipitation is considerably more than at Seattle, although there was less snow during the last season than at Seattle. The island is rugged and mountainous; the vegetation is moss and grass and a large portion is timbered with spruce, hemlock and cedar. Some of this timber has market value. The limestone quarry is about 30 miles north of the extreme southern end of the island. The company acquired 240 acres which contain limestone of remarkable uniformity, the percentage of calcium carbonate being about 95. It is estimated that there is ample recover- able rock on the holdings to supply the cement plant at its maximum capacity for well over 100 years.

Jan 1, 1929

By W. H. Patnode

The effect of suspended solids on the resistivity of slurries is discussed and the relationship between drilling mud resistivity and mud filtrate investigated. It is concluded that it is erroneous to substitute mud resistivity for mud filtrate resistivity in electric log calculations. A recommendation is made that both the bud resistivity and the mud filtrate resistivity be determined when electric logs are run. INTRODUCTION The electric log is influenced not only by the resistvity of the drilling mud in the borehole at the time of logging but also by the resistivity of the drilling mud filtrate. Sherborne and Newtoni investigated the relationship of mud resistivity to mud filtrate resistivity and concluded that, "The resistivity of the mud in most cases closely approximates that of its filtrate," and "In fact, with the exception of Aquagel and its filtrate, the figures for any particular mud and filtrate are almost identical." Present practice is to determine only the drilling mud resistivity and apply this same value to calculations involving the mud filtrate. The purpose of this study is to reexamine the factors governing the relationship between mud resistivity and mud filtrate resistivity. EFFECT OF BOREHO1.E FLUID ON THE ELECTRIC LOG Resistivity Log The resistivity log may be modified by the resistivity of the borehole fluid in two different ways: (1) The apparent resistivity of a for-formation may be different from the true resistivity of the formation because of the flow of some current through the drilling mud in the borehole. Therefore the resistivity of the mud is an important factor. (2) The apparent resistivity may differ from the true resistivity, if a formation is invaded by mud filtrate, because of displacement by the mud filtrate of some of the interstitial fluid in the formation. In this case the resistivity of the mud filtrate rather than the resistivity of the mud is the important factor. Self Potential Log The self potential arises, in part, from electrochemical effects resulting from the interaction of connate waters in porous formations and the fluid in the borehole. Expressed in simple form, E = Klog-p where E is the electrochemical self potential, K is a derived constant, pl is the resistivity of the borehole fluid, and p2 the resistivity of the water in the formation. A theory of the electrochemical component of the self potential in boreholes has been recently set forth by Wyllie.3 In the above equation resistivities have been substituted for activities of the ions in the fluids.' It is therefore apparent that the resistivity of the mud filtrate is more nearly representative of the activities of the ions than is the resistivity of the mud. However, it is possible that in some instances the ionic activities of cations from certain clays may contribute to the total cationic activity of the drilling fluid to such an extent that the mud resistivity is more nearly representative of the activities than the filtrate resistivity. This is particularly the case when the resistivity of the mud is less than the resistivity of the mud filtrate. In addition the apparent self potential may be influenced by the resistivity of the drilling mud because of current flow through the borehole. RESISTIVITY OF SLURRIES Aqueous drilling muds are slurries containing fine-grained solid particles. The solid constituents consist mainly of added clays and weighting materials in addition to solids contributed by the drilled formations. The filtrate is primarily water in which quantities of salts or other chemicals are dissolved. The resistivity of the fiiltrate is a function of the type and quantity of dissolved material whereas the resistivity of the mud is a function of the combined resistivities of the filtrate and the resistivities of the suspended solids. Experiments have been carried out to determine the relationship between the resistivity of solutions and the quantity and type of solid matter insus-pension. Solid materials of high resistivity, as well as solid materials of relatively low resistivity, have been used. The data obtained make possible the evaluation of the probable effect of suspended solids on the resistivity of drilling mud. Procedure Resistivities were determined by means of a conventional conductivity cell with platinized-platinum electrodes. Total resistance between the electrodes was measured by Kohlrausch's alternating current bridge method using a General Radio Company Type 650-A impedance bridge with telephone. The cell was standardized with potassium chloride solutions of known normalities in order to calibrate the cell so that measured resistances of slurries could be converted to resistivities. Resistivities were determined for mixtures of potassium chloride solution and solid materials by placing a measured quantity of solution in the cell and adding weighed quantities of solid materials in small increments to the solution. The net change in resistance on addition of solid materials was measured. Even distribution of the solid particles was maintained within the cell by a motor-driven glass propeller before measurements were made. Slurries Containing High-Resistivity Solids Powdered silica sand having a maximum diameter of about 60 microns and precipitated chalk of commercial grade were used to make the slurries whose resistivities were measured. Both of these substances have high resistivities, are virtually insoluble, and effectively do not carry current in a slurry. The resistivities of slurries composed of potassium chloride solution and these two solid materials are given in Table 1. The ratio of the resistivity of the solution to the resistivity of the slurries was computed and was found to follow the relationship established by Archie

Jan 1, 1949

By W. H. Patnode

The effect of suspended solids on the resistivity of slurries is discussed and the relationship between drilling mud resistivity and mud filtrate investigated. It is concluded that it is erroneous to substitute mud resistivity for mud filtrate resistivity in electric log calculations. A recommendation is made that both the bud resistivity and the mud filtrate resistivity be determined when electric logs are run. INTRODUCTION The electric log is influenced not only by the resistvity of the drilling mud in the borehole at the time of logging but also by the resistivity of the drilling mud filtrate. Sherborne and Newtoni investigated the relationship of mud resistivity to mud filtrate resistivity and concluded that, "The resistivity of the mud in most cases closely approximates that of its filtrate," and "In fact, with the exception of Aquagel and its filtrate, the figures for any particular mud and filtrate are almost identical." Present practice is to determine only the drilling mud resistivity and apply this same value to calculations involving the mud filtrate. The purpose of this study is to reexamine the factors governing the relationship between mud resistivity and mud filtrate resistivity. EFFECT OF BOREHO1.E FLUID ON THE ELECTRIC LOG Resistivity Log The resistivity log may be modified by the resistivity of the borehole fluid in two different ways: (1) The apparent resistivity of a for-formation may be different from the true resistivity of the formation because of the flow of some current through the drilling mud in the borehole. Therefore the resistivity of the mud is an important factor. (2) The apparent resistivity may differ from the true resistivity, if a formation is invaded by mud filtrate, because of displacement by the mud filtrate of some of the interstitial fluid in the formation. In this case the resistivity of the mud filtrate rather than the resistivity of the mud is the important factor. Self Potential Log The self potential arises, in part, from electrochemical effects resulting from the interaction of connate waters in porous formations and the fluid in the borehole. Expressed in simple form, E = Klog-p where E is the electrochemical self potential, K is a derived constant, pl is the resistivity of the borehole fluid, and p2 the resistivity of the water in the formation. A theory of the electrochemical component of the self potential in boreholes has been recently set forth by Wyllie.3 In the above equation resistivities have been substituted for activities of the ions in the fluids.' It is therefore apparent that the resistivity of the mud filtrate is more nearly representative of the activities of the ions than is the resistivity of the mud. However, it is possible that in some instances the ionic activities of cations from certain clays may contribute to the total cationic activity of the drilling fluid to such an extent that the mud resistivity is more nearly representative of the activities than the filtrate resistivity. This is particularly the case when the resistivity of the mud is less than the resistivity of the mud filtrate. In addition the apparent self potential may be influenced by the resistivity of the drilling mud because of current flow through the borehole. RESISTIVITY OF SLURRIES Aqueous drilling muds are slurries containing fine-grained solid particles. The solid constituents consist mainly of added clays and weighting materials in addition to solids contributed by the drilled formations. The filtrate is primarily water in which quantities of salts or other chemicals are dissolved. The resistivity of the fiiltrate is a function of the type and quantity of dissolved material whereas the resistivity of the mud is a function of the combined resistivities of the filtrate and the resistivities of the suspended solids. Experiments have been carried out to determine the relationship between the resistivity of solutions and the quantity and type of solid matter insus-pension. Solid materials of high resistivity, as well as solid materials of relatively low resistivity, have been used. The data obtained make possible the evaluation of the probable effect of suspended solids on the resistivity of drilling mud. Procedure Resistivities were determined by means of a conventional conductivity cell with platinized-platinum electrodes. Total resistance between the electrodes was measured by Kohlrausch's alternating current bridge method using a General Radio Company Type 650-A impedance bridge with telephone. The cell was standardized with potassium chloride solutions of known normalities in order to calibrate the cell so that measured resistances of slurries could be converted to resistivities. Resistivities were determined for mixtures of potassium chloride solution and solid materials by placing a measured quantity of solution in the cell and adding weighed quantities of solid materials in small increments to the solution. The net change in resistance on addition of solid materials was measured. Even distribution of the solid particles was maintained within the cell by a motor-driven glass propeller before measurements were made. Slurries Containing High-Resistivity Solids Powdered silica sand having a maximum diameter of about 60 microns and precipitated chalk of commercial grade were used to make the slurries whose resistivities were measured. Both of these substances have high resistivities, are virtually insoluble, and effectively do not carry current in a slurry. The resistivities of slurries composed of potassium chloride solution and these two solid materials are given in Table 1. The ratio of the resistivity of the solution to the resistivity of the slurries was computed and was found to follow the relationship established by Archie

Jan 1, 1949

By Charles F. Manness

In the great increase of product which has been accomplished in the American Bessemer plant, through improvements in machinery and refractories, and by more perfect skill in their manipulation,

Jan 1, 1881

"In the spring of 1927, six members of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers met for dinner at the Chemists' Club in New York to discuss the possibility of setting up a committee within the Institute to further the current interest in the science of steelmaking. Attention to this subject had been crystallized by a symposium held by the Faraday Society in 1925. After a prolonged discussion, ranging from thermodynamics to slag conditioning, it was decided to approach the Institute with the request that a standing committee on "The Physical Chemistry of Steel Making" be set up. This committee proposed to promote scientific and practical papers on the subject, and was designed to cooperate with the Open Hearth Committee of the Institute in bringing scientific developments to the attention of open-hearth operators throughout the country. . . . "As the life of the [Physical Chemistry of Steelmaking] Committee lengthened and general interest in the technical phases of steelmaking grew, it .became evident that there was a distinct need for a book that might serve the open-hearth interests to better advantage than standard texts whose scope is necessarily wide and whose detailed exposition of the open-hearth process is, therefore, somewhat limited. With this thought in mind, the Committee, after some years of consideration and debate, embarked on the venture of writing a manuscript on 'Basic Open Hearth Steelmaking'." The foregoing paragraphs, taken from the introduction by C. H. Herty, Jr. to the first edition, well describe the circum- stances which led to the publication of “Basic Open Hearth Steelmaking” in the spring of 1944. The book consisted of nine- teen chapters contributed by twenty-three authors and edited by the staff of Alloys of Iron Research and T. S. Washburn, H; M. Larsen, and J. S. Marsh with Frank T. Sisco as consulting editor. The Engineering Foundation and the Open Hearth Steel Committee of the Iron and Steel Division, AIME, made financial grants; steel companies and other organizations supported the publication by contributing time and expenses of staff members in their capacity as authors or editors. The volume was sponsored by the Seeley W. Mudd Memorial Fund and appeared under the

Jan 1, 1964

"In the spring of 1927, six members of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers met for dinner at the Chemists' Club in New York to discuss the possibility of setting up a committee within the Institute to further the current interest in the science of steelmaking. Attention' to this subject had been crystallized by a symposium held by the Faraday Society in 1925. ' After a prolonged discussion, ranging from thermodynamics to slag conditioning, it was decided to approach the Institute with the request that a standing committee on "The Physical Chemistry of Steel Making" be set up. This committee proposed to promote scientific and practical papers on the subject, and was designed to cooperate with the Open Hearth Committee of the Institute in bringing scientific developments to the attention of open-hearth operators throughout the country... . "As the life of the [Physical Chemistry of Steelmaking] Committee lengthened and general interest in the technical phases of steelmaking grew, it became evident that there was a distinct need for a book that might serve the open-hearth interests to better advantage than standard texts whose scope is necessarily wide and whose detailed exposition of the open-hearth process is, therefore, somewhat limited. With this thought in mind, the Committee, after some years of consideration and debate, embarked on the venture of writing a manuscript on `Basic Open Hearth Steelmaking'." The foregoing paragraphs, taken from the introduction by C. H. Herty, Jr. to the first edition, well describe the circumstances which led to the publication of "Basic Open Hearth Steelmaking" in the spring of 1944. The book consisted of nineteen chapters contributed by twenty-three authors and edited by the staff of Alloys of Iron Research and T. S. Washburn, B. M. Larsen, and J. S. Marsh with Frank T. Sisco as consulting editor. The Engineering Foundation and the Open Hearth Steel Committee of the Iron and Steel Division, AIME, made financial grants; steel companies and other organizations supported the publication by contributing time and expenses of staff members in their capacity as authors or editors. The volume was sponsored by the Seeley W. Mudd Memorial Fund and appeared under the

Jan 1, 1951

By Philip D. Wilson

AS thin most important and vital component of an airplane aluminum hay rapidly become the heart and tome- of the war program. Its production ham increased amt will continue to increase, in comparison with its pre-war position further than that of any of lie other important critical metals except magnesium. Compared with the 1939 production of tons of primary ingot coming from four plants, all owned by the Aluminum Company of America the 1942 figures are more than three timer as large. Including, recoverable scrap and contracted ingot from Canada the 191,, supply of aluminum for the United States will be over siren times dial of 1939- A substantial part of this increase has been achieved during the past year as total production in 1941 was only some 307,500 tons. During 1942 six great new ingot plants sponsored and owned by the Government have come into production and three others are nearing completion.

Jan 1, 1943

By Richard Downs, Stephen P. Burke

The oxidation of pyritic sulphur associated with coal is important for the following reasons: 1. It is the predominant cause for the formation of acid mine drainage issuing from bituminous coal seams. This drainage pollutes the streams in coal regions, making the water unfit for industrial purposes and causing the disappearance of fish and wild life. As a consequence the movement of industry and especially recreational industry, so important to the population of these areas as an alternative means of livelihood, is impeded. 2. It is instrumental in effecting a series of reactions, which bring about the degradation and ultimately result in the spontaneous combustion of bituminous coal in storage. 3. It contributes to the breaking and shattering of the coal structure and is one of the causes of roof falls and floor lifts in mines. 4. It is the primary cause of the many nuisances associated with gob piles and the refuse of cleaning plants. 5. Its proper control and application might possibly be employed in the preparation of coal to reduce the inorganic sulphur content. The research that has been conducted on the oxidation of the various forms of iron sulphides is extensive and the literature voluminous. Nevertheless, few efforts have been made to determine experimentally and with some precision the mechanism of the reaction under the conditions of its occurrence in bituminous coal mines. It has generally been accepted that the oxidation of pyritic sulphur proceeds according to the reaction 2FeS2 + 2H2O + 7O2 ? 2FeSO4 + 2H2SO4 [1] The ferrous sulphate in the drainage streams is further oxidized by air to produce ferric hydroxide and more acid. Yet the literature fails to disclose any pertinent investigation on the mechanism of this reaction. The present contribution is concerned primarily with this aspect of the problem and while the work to be reported is not yet complete, it has yielded results from which interesting and significant conclusions may be drawn.

Jan 1, 1938

By Richard Downs, Stephen P. Burke

The oxidation of pyritic sulphur associated with coal is important for the following reasons: 1. It is the predominant cause for the formation of acid mine drainage issuing from bituminous coal seams. This drainage pollutes the streams in coal regions, making the water unfit for industrial purposes and causing the disappearance of fish and wild life. As a consequence the movement of industry and especially recreational industry, so important to the population of these areas as an alternative means of livelihood, is impeded. 2. It is instrumental in effecting a series of reactions, which bring about the degradation and ultimately result in the spontaneous combustion of bituminous coal in storage. 3. It contributes to the breaking and shattering of the coal structure and is one of the causes of roof falls and floor lifts in mines. 4. It is the primary cause of the many nuisances associated with gob piles and the refuse of cleaning plants. 5. Its proper control and application might possibly be employed in the preparation of coal to reduce the inorganic sulphur content. The research that has been conducted on the oxidation of the various forms of iron sulphides is extensive and the literature voluminous. Nevertheless, few efforts have been made to determine experimentally and with some precision the mechanism of the reaction under the conditions of its occurrence in bituminous coal mines. It has generally been accepted that the oxidation of pyritic sulphur proceeds according to the reaction 2FeS2 + 2H2O + 7O2 ? 2FeSO4 + 2H2SO4 [1] The ferrous sulphate in the drainage streams is further oxidized by air to produce ferric hydroxide and more acid. Yet the literature fails to disclose any pertinent investigation on the mechanism of this reaction. The present contribution is concerned primarily with this aspect of the problem and while the work to be reported is not yet complete, it has yielded results from which interesting and significant conclusions may be drawn.

Jan 1, 1938

By Stephen Burke

THE oxidation of pyritic sulphur associated with coal is important for the following reasons: 1. It is the predominant cause for the formation of acid mine drainage issuing from bituminous coal seams. This drainage pollutes the streams in coal regions, making the water unfit for industrial purposes and causing the disappearance of fish and wild life. As a consequence the movement of industry and especially recreational industry, so important to the population of these areas as an alternative means of livelihood, is impeded. 2. It is instrumental in effecting a series of reactions, which bring about the degradation and ultimately result in the spontaneous combus-tion of bituminous coal in storage. 3. It contributes to the breaking and shattering of the coal structure and is one of the causes of roof falls and floor lifts in mines. 4. It is the primary cause of the many nuisances associated with gob piles and the refuse of cleaning plants. 5. Its proper control and application might possibly be employed in the preparation of coal to reduce the inorganic sulphur content. The research that has been conducted on the oxidation of the various forms of iron sulphides is extensive and the literature voluminous. Nevertheless, few efforts have been made to determine experimentally and with some precision the mechanism of the reaction under the condi-tions of its occurrence in bituminous coal mines. It has generally been accepted that the oxidation of pyritic sulphur proceeds according to the reaction 2FeS2 + 21120 + 702 --> 2FeSO4 + 2H2S04 [1] The ferrous sulphate in the drainage streams is further oxidized by air to produce ferric hydroxide and more acid. Yet the literature fails to dis-close any pertinent investigation on the mechanism of this reaction. The present contribution is concerned primarily with this aspect of the problem and while the work to be reported is not yet complete, it has yielded results from which interesting and significant conclusions may be drawn.

Jan 1, 1937

By D. C. Seidel, M. C. Fuerstenau, R. J. Roman

The role of surface charge in soluble salt flotation, which was developed in Part I, is extended to relate the theory to the specific phenomena of KCI-NaC1 separations. Temperature-collector solubility relationships, metal ion activation, and particle size effects are discussed. The initial paper in this series developed and presented the hypothesis that one of the mechanisms of soluble salt flotation may involve electrical attraction between the collector and mineral surface. This hypothesis was developed from a combination of experimental data and free energy calculations, and details of the logic are presented in this first paper.* The studies have indicated that KC1 has a positive surface charge and NaCl a negative charge. KC1 can therefore be floated with sulfonate ion (RSO;) or with an aqueous polar species such as the aqueous amine chloride, RNH3C1(,,). The chloride end of the RNH3C1(,,) molecular dipole is probably negative and will be attracted to the positive surface of the KC1 particles and absorb (actually probably fit into a vacant chloride site) on the mineral surface. The amine end of the collector molecule would extend into the solution phase and provide the air avid surface required for flotation. NaCl particles are floated by such collectors as aqueous molecules of fatty acid salt, RCOONa(,,), in which the positive inorganic end of the dipole is attracted to the negatively charged surface of the NaCl and, in this case, adsorb and probably fit into a vacant sodium site on the surface. The aminium cation, RNH~, should also be a collector for NaC1. For certain collectors, actual precipitates of the collector must be formed before a sufficient amount of the polar aqueous molecule is present to effect flotation. In a system of this type there is a three-way equilibrium between: Aqeous Molecular Solid Precipitate - A of the Collector (Not Dissociated) . Ionic Species (Dissociated). The controlling equilibrium is probably between the precipitated form of the reagent and the aqueous

Jan 1, 1969

By J. T. Duce

There were no important changes in the producing situation in Colombia in 1930, because the emergency bill passed by the Colombian Congress in 1927 is still in effect, and therefore no change has taken place in the law governing petroleum. At the close of 1930 the Colombian Congress began to consider a new petroleum bill. This measure is an improvement on the preceding bills which had been the subject of so much debate in the Congress. However, it cannot by any means be regarded as perfect, and a number of criticisms may be justly leveled at it. The most substantial one probably is that the royalties on public lands, and the taxes on private lands, while apparently low, are deliverable at seaboard, or payable based on seaboard price at the option of the government. If the government exercises its option to take the oil at the mouth of the well, the cost of the transportation figured back into oil is also deliverable to the government. This phase of the law has the effect of making seemingly low royalties a burden on the operator. The fact that taxes on private properties are deliverable in kind is also an unusual provision for which there is no good precedent. The pipe line provisions are also noteworthy, and the government has authority to fix rates and also to deny permits to construct pipe lines for reasons affecting national economy. There are also clauses enforcing unit operation on both public and private lands, and collecting a tax of 1 c. per 1000 ft. of gas wasted. It remains to be seen whether this bill will be enacted, or whether it will be substantially modified. This much may be said, however, that unless it is modified, it will defeat its own purpose; i. e., promotion of petroleum development in Colombia. Company Activities The South American Gulf Oil Co. shut down its operations during the year, and now employs only watchmen at its camps, Las Monas and El Tigre. The Standard Oil Co. of California continued operations on the Coast at Repelon and Gualapa. At the close of the year Repelon

Jan 1, 1931