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By C. C. Miller, A. R. Belyea, C. H. Herty, E. B. Burkart

The removal of sulfur from steel has been studied by many investigators, but the quantitative relationships between the factors involved have not been determined. This is undoubtedly due to the number of variables encountered in practice, an attempt to study any one reaction or relation being affected by other reactions the relative importance of which cannot be estimated. The factors that affect the extent of removal of sulfur in the basic open-hearth process are generally considered to be: 1. Basicity of the slag: (a) Iron oxides in the slag; (b) carbon in the metal or carbide in the slag; (c) temperature. These factors affect the reactions: FeS + CaO = CaS + FeO FeS + CaO + C = CaS + CO + Fe. 2. Amount of sulfur in the gas. 3. Amount of manganese in the metal. The factors which affect the rate of removal of sulfur include, in addition to these: 4. Fluidity of the slag: (a) Normal changes in fluidity with temperature; (b) changes in fluidity because of the addition of special reagents such as fluorspar. 5. Agitation of the bath. Within the past two years, two papers have been presented dealing with the influence of sulfur in the gas on slag and metal. Nead' has shown that if a gas high in sulfur be used for heating, the metal and slag will absorb sulfur. Whitely2 concluded from his experiments that if a

Jan 1, 1925

By A. C. Dorenfeld

Ores of the Mammoth mining district, some 45 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona, are treated by Mammoth-St. Anthony, Ltd. The ores now treated come from a complex system of veins and faults, comprising three mines, in close proximity: The Mohawk, Mammoth and Collins. The ore treated in the past was oxide ore, which contains economic amounts of gold, silver, lead, molybdenum, and vanadium (as wulfenite and vanadanite). The lead-zinc sulphide ore has never been treated before. The Ore The sulphide ore contains galena, sphalerite, marmatite, pyrite and some chal-copyrite, covellite, chalcocite and bornite, as well as small amounts of gold and silver. The value of the ore is principally in the lead and zinc content. The lead-zinc sulphides are substantially liberated at a minus 65-mesh grind. However, a large part of the chalcopyrite and other copper minerals is not freed, but remains as pin points on the sphalerite. Economically, the copper is unimportant. The gangue is a rhyolite granite, with very little limestone. There is no molybdenum or vanadikm in the sulphide ore. History of Sulphide Treatment Test work on samples of the sulphide ore was conducted by several equipment companies, the Arizona Bureau of Mines and the company's laboratory. Results of this test work indicated that for some reason, which at the time could not be explained, recoveries would be only about 65 per cent lead and 50 per cent zinc. Notwithstanding this, because of the nation's need for metals, the management built a 150-ton treatment plant. The mill was started in June 1942. During December 1942, using the standard method of treating lead-zinc ore, the monthly results were as shown in Table I. These results were poor. Too much lead was in the zinc concentrate, and too much zinc in the lead concentrate. It should be noted here. that prior to December attempts were made to depress the sphalerite with large and varied amounts of cyanide, zinc sulphate, and sodium sulphite with poor results.

Jan 1, 1947

By A. C. Dorenfeld

Ores of the Mammoth mining district, some 45 miles northeast of Tucson, Arizona, are treated by Mammoth-St. Anthony, Ltd. The ores now treated come from a complex system of veins and faults, comprising three mines, in close proximity: The Mohawk, Mammoth and Collins. The ore treated in the past was oxide ore, which contains economic amounts of gold, silver, lead, molybdenum, and vanadium (as wulfenite and vanadanite). The lead-zinc sulphide ore has never been treated before. The Ore The sulphide ore contains galena, sphalerite, marmatite, pyrite and some chal-copyrite, covellite, chalcocite and bornite, as well as small amounts of gold and silver. The value of the ore is principally in the lead and zinc content. The lead-zinc sulphides are substantially liberated at a minus 65-mesh grind. However, a large part of the chalcopyrite and other copper minerals is not freed, but remains as pin points on the sphalerite. Economically, the copper is unimportant. The gangue is a rhyolite granite, with very little limestone. There is no molybdenum or vanadikm in the sulphide ore. History of Sulphide Treatment Test work on samples of the sulphide ore was conducted by several equipment companies, the Arizona Bureau of Mines and the company's laboratory. Results of this test work indicated that for some reason, which at the time could not be explained, recoveries would be only about 65 per cent lead and 50 per cent zinc. Notwithstanding this, because of the nation's need for metals, the management built a 150-ton treatment plant. The mill was started in June 1942. During December 1942, using the standard method of treating lead-zinc ore, the monthly results were as shown in Table I. These results were poor. Too much lead was in the zinc concentrate, and too much zinc in the lead concentrate. It should be noted here. that prior to December attempts were made to depress the sphalerite with large and varied amounts of cyanide, zinc sulphate, and sodium sulphite with poor results.

Jan 1, 1947

By AUDLEY H. STOW

I. INTRODUCTION. THE general drift of the discussion as to the relative merits of pressure- and exhaust-fans has resulted, if we may judge from the prevailing practice, largely in favor of the latter. The subject has been hitherto treated, however, with special reference to highly gaseous mines, the effect of the form of ventilation upon dust-explosions having been too little considered. Even in mines containing practically no gas, dust-explosions may occur; and if, as I believe, pressure-fans are to be preferred for their effect upon dust, it may be worth while to reopen the debate, and to challenge the advisability of exhaust-ventilation under certain conditions. There are several forms of colliery-ventilation, which may be described as follows: Plain or simple pressure-ventilation, in which the fan acts as a pressure-fan, and the movement of coal is unobstructed at the surface by doors or equivalent devices in drifts or shafts, the traveling and haulage thus being in the return-current. Plain exhaust-ventilation, in which the fan acts as an exhaust-fan, the movement of coal being likewise unobstructed at the surface, and the traveling and haulage being in the intake. Obstructed pressure-ventilation, in which the movement of coal is obstructed at the surface, in order that the traveling and haulage may be in the intake. Obstructed exhaust-ventilation, in which the movement of coal is obstructed at the surface, in order that the traveling and haulage may be in the return. The apparent advantages in running a fan "pressure" during working-hours, and " exhaust" between shifts, seem to justify the recognition of this combination as a standard form of ven-

Feb 1, 1909

By E. H. Wells, A. Andreas

New Mexico retained its position as the sixth largest oil-producing state for the year 1937 with a total production of 38,484,630 bbl. This was an increase of 11,680,184 bbl. over the 1936 production of 26,804,446 bbl., or a gain of 43 per cent. The production for Lea County during 1937 was 35,961,056 bbl.; for Eddy County, 2,136,251 bbl.; and for northwestern New Mexico (San Juan and McKinley Counties), 387,323 bbl. The average daily non-marginal well allowable for Lea County on Jan. 1, 1937, was 92 bbl.; at the close of the year it was 67 bbl. The average daily pipe-line runs were less than the allocations of the New Mexico Oil Conservation Commission, but slightly in excess of the state allowables recommended by the United States Bureau of Mines. The average daily production for the year was 105,437 barrels. The total number of completions in the state was 742, of which 638 were oil wells; 19 hydrocarbon gas wells; 5 carbon dioxide gas wells and 80 dry holes. Of the dry holes, 46 were in proven fields. Of these 46 dry holes, 13 were in the Artesia-Grayburg-Jackson-Maljamar area, Eddy County, two in the Getty Extension field, Eddy County, 11 in the Red Mountain field, McKinley County, three in the Rattlesnake field, San Juan County, and nine in the Aztec-Bloomfield area, San Juan County. There were only eight dry holes in the proven fields in Lea County. Southeastern New Mexico Lea County.—The Monument field was the largest producing field in Lea County, with 10,945,788 bbl., closely followed by the Eunice field with 10,927,929 bbl. The Hobbs field, formerly the largest producing field in Lea County, was relegated to third .place, with 7,292,522 barrels. Drjlling during the year closed the gap between the northern part of the Eunice field and the southern part of the Monument field. The wells in this area were relatively small, because of decreased porosity in the lime. The greatest activity in Lea County was in the Monument pool, with 199 completions, 197 being oil wells, one a gas well and one a dry hole.

Jan 1, 1938

By A. Muan

Liquidus data are presented for mixtures in the ternary system FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2 in equilibrium with a gas phase with O2 pressures ranging from 10-10.9 to 1 atm. Data obtained are combined with previously published data to construct lines of equal 02 pressures and lines of equal CO2/H2 mixing ratios along the liquidus surface. Courses of crystallization of selected mixtures under conditions of constant total composition, constant O2 pressures, and constant CO2/H2 mixing ratios are discussed. PHASE equilibrium studies of silicate systems where iron is one component are complicated by the fact that iron readily occurs in three different states of oxidation: Fe3+, Fe2+, and Fe0. Success or failure in work with iron silicate systems is to a large extent dependent on control of the oxidation state of iron and all investigations therefore must be carried out under carefully controlled atmospheric conditions. Silicate systems containing only strongly electropositive metals (like Na+, Ca2+, Mg", etc.) can, for simplicity, be treated as condensed systems, that is, the gas phase can be neglected and the phase relationships discussed in terms of the phase rule written in the well known simplified form P + F = C + 1. In the case of iron silicate systems, however, the composition of the condensed phases varies with the gas composition, and a complete picture of phase relationships can be obtained only by varying the gas composition over a wide range. In order to understand the phase relationships in the more complicated multicomponent silicate systems with iron oxide as one of the constituents, a knowledge of the ternary system FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2 is essential, since it constitutes a bounding portion of all such systems. It was with this in mind that the present study was undertaken. Previous Work A considerable amount of work has been done on various aspects of the chemistry and metallurgy of systems containing silica and iron oxides. The two bounding binary systems FeO-Fe2O3 and FeO-SiO2" The first attempt to obtain information on phase relationships of iron oxide-SiO, mixtures at different 0, pressures was made by Greig.' Darken" determined the melting points of iron oxide on solid silica under various atmospheric conditions. Darken did not determine experimentally the composition of the melts at liquidus temperatures but discussed very ably the principles involved in applying the phase rule to the system. In a recent study Schuhmann, Powell, and Michal8 determined experimentally the liquidus surface of a portion of the ternary system and combined the new information with data in the literature to construct a phase diagram. Their method was briefly as follows: Homogeneous mixtures with various contents of SiO2, FeO, and Fe2O3 were made up by melting together stock mixtures in various proportions. Samples of the homogeneous mixtures, the compositions of which were determined by chemical analysis, were then heated in platinum crucibles in an inert atmosphere until equilibrium among the condensed phases was achieved. The samples were quenched to room temperature and the phases present determined by microscopic examination. Assuming that no change in composition takes place during the equilibration run in inert atmosphere, the liquidus surface can be determined, but no information is obtained regarding the partial pressures of 0, of the gas phase in equilibrium with the condensed phases. The author's method, to be described in the next section, permitted the location of points at the liquidus surface as well as a calculation of the corresponding partial pressures of O2. Experimental Method General Procedure: The standard quenching technique was adapted for a study under controlled variable atmospheric conditions. Premelted mixtures of silica and iron oxides in platinum envelopes were held at constant temperature under chosen atmospheric conditions until equilibrium was reached among solid, liquid, and gas phases. The sample was then quenched to room temperature, the phases present identified, and, for the most significant runs, the composition was determined by chemical analysis. The corresponding partial pressure of 0, was calculated from known equilibrium constants of the gas reactions occuring in the furnace atmosphere. Materials: Starting materials were oxides of commercially highest available purity; cp silicic acid was dehydrated by heating to 1350°C for 6 hr and cp Fe2O3 was dried at 400° C for the same length of time. Samples of 10 g were made up by mixing

Jan 1, 1956

Aamot, Olav Crone, Chem. Engr., Norsk Elektrokemisk, Kongensgt. 18, Olso. Norway. '29 Abadilla.-Quirico A., Dir., Bureau of Mines Manila, P. I. '38 Abbott, Clarence E., V.P., Charge of Raw Materials, Tennessee Coal, Iron & R.R. Co., 1212 Brown-Marx Bldg., Birmingham, Ala. '04 Abel, Raymond L., Prof., Dept. of Pet. Refin., Univ. of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, Pa. '29 Abel. Walter D., Cons. Engr 1839 Holmby Ave., W. Los Angeles. Calif. '32 Abele, Louis T R. F. D. 5. Susquehanna Trail, N., York. Pa. '31 Abell, Leo M., Ore Dressing Investigator, School of Mines Adelaide, S. Australia. '31 Abenius. Hakan V., Mine Supt., Bolidens Gruvaktiebolag Boliden, Sweden. '37 Aborn, Robert H., Asst Met., Research Lab., U. S. Steel Corp. Lincoln Highway, Kearny, N. J. '19 Abraham, W. E. V., East India United Service-Club, 16 St. James' Sq., London, S. W. 1, England. '28 Abrams. Charles Jackson 1624 17th St., Denver, Colo. '36 Abstein, Henry T., Engr. & Mgr., Profile-Tamarack Mines Co Yellow Pine, Idaho. '27

Jan 1, 1938

By W. P. Frey

The briquet plant of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co., at Lansford, Pa., has previously been referred to.' It has passed the stage of experiment and now rests on a foundation practically and financially sound. The purpose of this' paper is to explain how success has been attained, and to set standards for the development of hard-coal briquetting which may eliminate future failures. All the conclusions are based on actual results, avoiding speculation and theory. Up to three years ago, the L. C. & N. Co. used coal-tar pitch as a binder in making hard-coal briquets. The plant operated with a monthly output of 300 to 600 tons and was unable to meet its own expenses. Naturally, no one was satisfied, especially as the ideals of a smokeless briquet were still unrealized. Then came the Dutch oil process, introduced in this country by the General Briquetting Co. of New York. This process uses as binder a small percentage of heavy residue of petroleum, which, being liquid, permits great economy of handling; it also did away with the most objectionable fumes of the former briquets. This oil2 is not absolutely smokeless; heating the fresh fuel to red heat liberates some low-volatile hydrocarbons, yielding a white smoke which is not objectionable. On the other hand, this oil adds to the briquet about 7 per cent. of volatile matter, giving the product a heating capacity equal to that of the best free-burning anthracite coal. The average silt used in the manufacture of these boulets averages 16.5 per cent. chemical ash, corresponding to 12,000 B.t.u. per pound of coal. The Hydrolene used as binder runs about 17,500 B.t.u. per pound, and approximately 7 per cent. of it enters into the mixture, hence 12,000 X 0.93..........................11,160 B.t.n. 17,500 X 0.07.......................... 1,125 B.t.u. Total.....................................12,385 B.t.u. per pound of briquets

Jan 1, 1918

The useful minerals can be subdivided into two large groups. One comprises those which are mined because of their chemical composition. They represent the natural resources of certain materials or of energy (coal). The second group is used not because of their chemical composition but because of certain physical properties or combinations of physical properties. A large number of minerals are mined because of their hardness, their electrical and thermal properties, their color or plasticity. There has been increasing recognition of the value of mineral synthesis during the past 30 years. This is illustrated by the development of improved aircraft spark plugs and chemical porcelain about the time of the first World War. During World War II the impact of crystal chemistry upon ceramics became most pronounced. New ceramic bodies were tailor-made, such as those designed with a high dielectric constant and low power loss, for use in high-voltage, high-frequency communication. In the field of refractories special materials were needed for unusual heat-resisting service in jet and rocket engines, and in the processing of fissionable materials. The synthesis of natural minerals in the laboratory has long been of aid to geologists and mineralogists in their study of the origin of minerals and physico-chemical conditions under which certain minerals were

Jan 1, 1950

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Jan 1, 1938

By Gifford White

CONSIDERABLE attention has been directed in recent years to methods of electric prospecting other than the conventional direct-current tech-niques. It has been extensively recognized that electrical data of a more general nature than that possible by direct-current methods might be useful in geophysical studies. To this end, a number of different types of electric currents have been employed, such as single-frequency alter-nating currents, square-topped periodic current waves,4 periodic surges of a less specific nature,8 and suddenly applied direct current.1,2 Yet, to the author's knowledge, little analysis of these different types of driving currents has been made from the standpoint of network theory to determine just what type of currents would give the most useful data, and, most important of all, to determine the relation of the data taken by one method to those of another. Without touching on the actual theoretical problem of how currents flow in the earth under specified boundary conditions, some very useful information can be obtained from the study of the fundamental integral equations of electrical networks, throwing light on the problem not ordinarily appreciated by the field worker. Some manipulation of the standard network equations will be made, with the sole purpose in mind of developing expressions leading to practical results. Suppose that four points in the earth have been located and it is wished to obtain the most useful type of electrical data by inserting current into two of them and measuring the potential developed between the other two. The first problem that arises is that of which pair of the four shall be chosen as current grounds. In the direct-current case, where only steady potentials are measured, the selection is of little consequence, but as soon as currents varying with time are used at the current grounds, a new effect arises. The fact that a varying current is flowing in the current-carrying conductor between the current grounds means that magnetic and electric fields varying with time will be produced

Jan 1, 1940

By W. P. Frey

THE briquet plant of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Co., at Lansford, Pa., has previously been referred to.1 It has passed. the stage of experiment and now rests,, on a foundation practically and financially sound. The purpose of this paper is to explain how success has been attained, and to set standards for the development of hard-coal briquetting which may eliminate future failures. All the conclusions are based on actual results, avoiding speculation and theory. Up to three years ago, the L. C. & N. Co. used coal-tar pitch as a binder in making hard-coal briquets. The plant operated with a monthly output of 300 to 600 tons and was unable to meet its own expenses. Naturally, no one was satisfied, especially as the ideals of a smokeless briquet were still unrealized. Then came the Dutch oil process, introduced in this country by the General Briquetting Co. of New York. This process uses as binder a small percentage of heavy residue of petroleum, which, being liquid, permits great economy of handling; it also did away with the most objectionable fumes of the former briquets. This oil2 is not absolutely smokeless; heating the fresh fuel to red heat liberates some low-volatile hydrocarbons, yielding a white smoke which is not objectionable. On the other hand, this oil adds to the briquet about 7 per cent. of volatile matter, giving the product a heating capacity equal to that of the best free-burning anthracite coal. The average silt used in the manufacture of these boulets averages 16.5 per cent. chemical ash, corresponding to 12,000 B.t.u. per pound of coal. The Hydrolene used as binder runs about 17,500 B.t.u. per pound, and approximately 7 per cent. of it enters into the mixture, hence 12,000 X 0.93 11,160 B.t.u. 17,500 X 0.07 1,125 B.t.u. Total 12,355 B.t.u. per pound of briquets

Jan 1, 1918

Philip Argall, Denver, Colo. (communication to the Secretary) : Mr. Rickard expresses regret that I have not given more extracts " from the fresh leaves of nature's open book." The quotations used by me in argument were all from nature's open book, and by authorities recognized in the scientific world as being able to decipher nature's unwritten pages, if not lay bare her inmost secrets. The study of -nature should be preceded by a knowledge of her laws. Natural science is but the summary of the observations of the past or an organized and accurate knowledge of the order in which things have been observed to happen. One who ignores the 'knowledge of the past or despises that of the present and approaches nature's open book with a virgin mind but too often finds her

Jan 1, 1895

I HAVE previously demonstrated to you as well as I knew how in what way ores are treated and then how the separated metals are brought to their pure and ultimate limit of perfection by means of smelting and other artificial fires; all except gold, which remained incorporated in the silver. Because the method used for the others does not serve for this, and if indeed it did serve it would be a great labor and could not be done without a great loss of the thing, it is therefore necessary to proceed with the practice of another art if you wish finally to extract gold from the bonds of the intrinsic substance of silver, for it exists bound and scattered in this like the soul in the body of living creatures. In this, unlike the other works where you make direct use of the vigor of the fire, you use a substance that is like water, drawn by the force of fire from a very powerful composition of two materials. This is a very marvelous thing to consider as a liquor because of its powerful effects. It is made by artificial distillations and it has an acid property and the power of corroding and reducing into itself silver and any other metal placed in it, with the exception of gold. Nothing is apparent in it except a pure water. It is indeed a very ingenious thing for which we must be greatly indebted to that philosopher, alchemist, or whoever else was its discoverer. The silver that contains gold is put in this water, and from its former quiet state you will see it change as if forced to combat and breathlessly devour and consume that silver in itself and change it into water. This happens in a very short time and with very little help from the heat of the fire. All the gold that was united in the silver you will see like sand at the bottom, and when the water is taken off by decantation it will freely give you all the gold without any loss. Nor is it so ill-mannered as to fail to restore the silver to its place if you wish; and though it seems to have consumed and spoiled it as it was before, it returns it to you without loss. Since the process of this art is a very useful thing for anyone who knows

Jan 1, 1942

By R. P. Alger, C. A. Doh, M. P. Tixier

The principle, the equipment and field operation of sonic logging are described. The tfio-receiver system produces logs independent of hole size and mud. Field experience is given and forms the basis for the interpretation of the log. The derivaiion of porosity values from measured velocities is discussed, according to the type of formations (hard formations, compacted sands, and unconsolidated formations). The time-average equation proposed by M. R. J. Wyllie, A. R. Gregory and L. W. Gardner is uscd as a basis for the computation of porosity in limestones, cemented sandstones and compacted sands. Variations in the lithologic character of limestones do not seem to change the porosity calibration markedly. The compaction of sands is related to the compaction of shale adjacent to them; and, thus, the shale velocity is used for the establishtnent of empirical relations for the computation of porosity in un-consolidated formations. Various forrnu.las are tentatively presented to account for shale and fluid content. Field experience demonstrates that considerable attenuation of sonic energy takes place in unconsolidated formations, particularly when gas bearing, and in fractrured formations. Unusually large attenuation produces skipped cycles, a feature easily recognized. The application of sonic logging to structura1 studies is featured, showing its possible integration with the dipmeter. Correlation and its application to the irrterpretation of seisrmic surveys are reviewed. The paper is illustrated with field examples. Sonic logging is the recording of the time required for a sound wave to traverse a definite length of formation. Sonic travel-times are inversely proportional to the speed of sound in the various formations. The speed of sound in subsurface formations depends upon the elastic properties of the rock matrix, the porosity of the formations and their fluid content and pressure. Below the "weathered" or low-velocity layer extending from 50 to 100 ft or so below the surface, sound velocities may range from about 6,000 ft/sec in shallow shales to as much as 34,000 ft/sec in dolomites. In hard formations (well cemented and/or compacted), the sonic log reflects the amount of fluid in the formations; hence, it correlates well with their porosity. In unconsolidated formations, which are usually of fairly high porosity, the sonic log gives an approach to porosity determination, when its readings are corrected for lack of compaction, shaliness, and fluid content. In such formations the sonic log may also indicate the presence of gas and may distinguish between oil- and water-bearing beds. Field experience with the sonic log in soft formations is more limited than that in hard formations. As a result, interpretation in soft formations is not as well developed at the present time. In all types of formations the sonic log is of considerable value for correlation and for the more detailed and accurate interpretation of seismic data. EQUIPMENT AND PRINCIPLE FIELD OPERATION The basic features of the sonic log" are a two-receiver system and two available short spacings. The log is recorded on film using a standard field unit. An SP curve is run along with the sonic curve to give a more interpretable log and to establish absclute depth control for comparison with other logs run in the same well. If desired, a gamma-ray curve may be recorded simultaneously with the sonic curve. Fig. 1 shows the sonic-gamma ray combination sonde. The sonic portion consists of a sound transmitter and three receivers mounted 3, 4 and 6 ft from the transmitter. When the first and second receivers are used, a sonic log of I -ft spacing (distance between receivers) is obtainea. Use of the first and third receivers provides a 3-ft spacing. The transmitter emits pulses at the rate of l0/sec. After the transmission of a pulse the first arrival of sound energy at each receiver triggers its response system. The differ-

By Fred D. DeVaney

DURING the past few years a radically new process for the magnetic roasting of iron ores has been investigated and developed by Pickands Mather & Co. and the Erie Mining Co. in the Erie laboratory at Hibbing, Minn. This process, originally devised by Dr. P. H. Royster of Washington, D. C., involves the use of a roasting technique quite different from older methods. It has now been demonstrated that iron-bearing materials can be roasted as effectively as by any previously known method, and at a much lower cost. The increasing shortage of highgrade iron ores in this country has accelerated the search for new methods that would permit low grade materials to be utilized. The concept of magnetically roasting low grade nonmagnetic ores such as the oxidized taconites and then separating such material magnetically has always had considerable appeal. The magnetic concentration idea is attractive because of the sharpness of the separations and cheapness of the method. Heretofore, however, the equipment and the processes available for the magnetizing-roasting -step have left much to be desired. The customary equipment available for reduction roasting has been: 1-multiple hearth furnaces, 2-rotary kilns, and 3-shaft type kilns. In addition, it is understood that some work has been done in magnetically roasting fine ores by a process using the FluoSolids principle, but little information on this process is available. The multiple hearth kiln has been used the most but first costs and operating costs have been high because of low capacity, high maintenance, and poor gas utilization. Magnetic roasting can be done in a rotary kiln, but the radiation losses are high and the conversion to magnetite is usually unsatisfactory because of poor contact between the gases and the solids. Of the shaft-type furnaces, probably the most efficient yet developed is that designed by E. W. Davis of the Minnesota Mines Experiment Station. This furnace was operated at Cooley, Minn., during 1934-1937 but was abandoned in 1937 because the operation was uneconomic. Heretofore the basic concept behind most magnetic roasting processes has been the idea of heating iron ore to a temperature of 800° to 1100 °F in a strong reducing atmosphere, preferably either carbon monoxide or hydrogen. Temperatures under 800°F were undesirable since excessive roasting time was required. Temperatures over 1100°F were avoided because of the danger of converting part of the iron to ferrous oxide which is nonmagnetic. In the new roasting process, the operation is carried on in a shaft furnace using a controlled atmosphere containing a low percentage of reducing gas. The temperature in the roasting zone is considerably higher than with the usual reducing gas and this speeds up the reduction time. Portions of the spent furnace gases are cooled and recirculated and this together with the good contact between ore and gas makes for high reducing gas utilization. High heat economy is secured by recuperating heat from the roasted ore by passing the cold reducing gases countercurrent to flow of ore. The heat transfer principle is similar to that employed in a pebble stove and to that used in the Erie Mining Co. furnace at Aurora, Minn., for pelletizing fine magnetite concentrates derived from taconite. The theory of controlled atmosphere during the roasting operation can best be appreciated by inspecting the equilibrium diagram of the Fe-C-O system shown in Fig. 1. An inspection of this diagram shows that in certain areas magnetite, Fe3O4, is the only stable form of iron. A further inspection of this table shows that if the proper ratio is maintained between carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, such a gas will be reducing with respect to hematite, Fe2O3, and will be oxidizing with respect to both ferrous oxide, FeO, and iron, Fe. It should be kept in mind that the formation of ferrous oxide in a roasting operation is harmful, since this oxide is nonmagnetic; if it forms in any quantity, it will cause substantial loss of iron in the ensuing magnetic separation step. If a ratio of approximately three parts carbon dioxide to one of carbon monoxide is maintained, the resulting operation can be carried on at a relatively high temperature without fear of over-reduction. Specifically, most of the tests in the Erie furnace have been made at a temperature of 1500° to 1600°F, with an entrant gas containing approximately 5 pct carbon monoxide and 15 pct carbon dioxide, with the remainder largely nitrogen. It should be remembered that the ratios of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide shown in Fig. 1 hold even though the bulk of the gas is an inert gas such as nitrogen. It may surprise many to learn that a gas containing as low as 3 pct carbon monoxide, and 12 pct carbon dioxide with the remainder nitrogen is an extremely effective reducing gas in the 1000° to 1600°F temperature range. The reducing gas is not limited to carbon monoxide, and mixtures of hydrogen and carbon monoxide may be used effectively, provided that a similar ratio is maintained between the reducing gases and carbon dioxide and water vapor. For a more detailed explanation of the theory involved, the reader is referred to U. S. patents 2,528,552 and 2,528,553. From a safety standpoint, the weak reducing gas used in the furnace offers an advantage. Its composition is such that it is well below the limits of explosion should air enter a hot furnace. This condition is not true with the usual reducing furnace, in which a gas rich in carbon monoxide or hydrogen is used. The general furnace design and method of operation may best be understood by an inspection of

Jan 1, 1952

MRS. SIDNEY J. JENNINGS, President, MRS. ARTHUR S.. DWIGHT, First Vice-President, MRS. KARL EILERS, Second Vice-President, MRS. H. W. HARDINGE, Third Vice-President, MRS. BRADLEY STOUGHTON, Recording Secretary, MRS. AXEL 0. IHLSENG, Corresponding Secretary, MRS. ARTHUR S. DWIGHT, Acting Treasurer. Welfare Committee MRS. C. C. BURGER, Chairman, Sub-Committees Americanization Belgian Relief MRS. LEVI HOLBROOK, Chairman, MRS. HENRY H: KNOX, Chairman, Emergency MRS. HERMAN A. PROSSER, Chairman. Since the annual meeting held in February, 1917, when the Woman's Auxiliary to the A. I. M. E., was formed, the work of organization, which of necessity must be slow, has steadily gone forward. Under the Chairmanship of Mrs. C. C. Burger of the Welfare Committee, three active sub-committees have been formed: that of Americanization; under Mrs. Levi Holbrook, who is eminently fitted for such a position, by her active and valuable work in a number of the fine patriotic societies of our country; the Belgian Relief Committee, under Mrs. Henry H. Knox, which has clone phenomenal work in the three months of its existence, and whose report is later given in detail; and the Emergency Committee under Mrs. Herman A. Prosser, which has a fund already established, and is. in close touch with Major Arthur S. Dwight, ready to act when necessity arises. The officers of the Auxiliary feel more than gratified at the response so far received, and in a later issue will print extracts from letters, if permission can be gotten from the writers, showing the interest and enthusiasm that have beer aroused by the formation of a Woman's Auxiliary. Answers have even come from far Korea "the hermit nation," from Australia, from South America, showing what a bond of sympathy and, helpfulness is in process of growth. It is our sad duty to announce the death of our Treasurer, Mrs. George D. Baryon, who, from the very inception of our plan to organize, was an inspiring and valuable co-worker. Her place will be difficult to fill. Mrs. Arthur S. Dwight is Acting Treasurer at present. The Auxiliary wishes to express its heartiest thanks to Mr. Stoughton, the genial and efficient Secretary of the A. I. M. E., for his cooperation and valuable suggestions in the difficult work of organizing. He has indeed been "a guide, philosopher and friend." SUSANNE M. IHLSENG (MRS. AXEL 0.), Corresponding Secretary.

Jan 7, 1917

By H. H. Hausner, O. V. Roman, F. V. Lenel, G. S. Ansell

The radial shrinkage during sintering of cylindrical compacts and loose aggregates of copper powder was measured. It was found to be nonuni-form from top to bottom of the samples and to depend upon the method of supporting them. The non-uniformity is due to the effect of gravity forces during sintering. Since gravity has an effect in sintering without externally applied stresses, no sharp dividing line can be drawn between conventional sintering and hot pressing. RECENT investigations of the sintering behavior of compacts1 and of loose powder aggregates2 have indicated that forces, other than those arising from surface tension effects, may play a role in shrinkage. In compacts it was shown that residual stresses from the pressing operation influence shrinkage behavior. In loose powder aggregates gravity forces due to the weight of the powder affect the ratio of shrinkage in the vertical and the horizontal direction. The main effort in the work reported here was to show that gravity plays a role also in the sintering of compacts. A few additional experiments were made confirming the effect of gravity in the sintering of loose powder aggregates. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Compacts and loose powder aggregates were prepared from irregularly shaped, electrolytic copper powder. Prior to use the powders were reduced 30 min at 400°C in dry hydrogen to remove surface oxides. Then the -325 mesh size fraction was separated from the -100 + 325 mesh fraction. The compacts were pressed at a pressure of 10,000 psi from 50 g of powder in a hardened steel die, 1 in. in diam. The height of the compacts was 0.725 i 0.005 in. An effort was made to get as uniform a green density distribution in the compacts as possible. The walls of the die were lubricated with a suspension of 3 pct of zinc stearate in acetone and the compacts were pressed using double action by first pressing the powder at 1200 psi with the die barrel supported, then removing the sup- ports and pressing to final pressure of 10,000 psi with the die barrel floating. The pressure was maintained for 10 sec. The compacts were sintered at a temperature of 925°C, generally for 1 hr. In order to maintain uniform temperature they were sintered in boats made from cylindrical copper blocks. The blocks were 2 in. in diam, either 2 or 2 1/2 in. long and, split to form the body of the boat and a lid. The body of the boat contained a cavity 1 3/8 in. wide, 1 in. deep and either 2 1/8 or 1 3/8 in. long. The longer cavity accomodated two samples, the shorter one only one sample. The uniformity of temperature distribution within the boats was checked with thermocouples welded to the top and bottom of the samples. The maximum variation between top and bottom temperatures was i 1/2°C. The actual sintering temperature was held constant within ±2°C. In order to determine the effect of gravity forces, i.e., the weight of the compacts, upon shrinkage, they were supported in the following ways during sintering: a) Full Bottom Support. The compacts rested either on a flat alundum disk or on alundum powders. b) Partial Bottom Support. The compacts rested on a graphite cylinder, 0.3 in. in diam which formed a projection on a larger graphite disk. It is difficult to balance the compact on the small projection. To avoid having the compact tip, a small hole was drilled through the compact and through the graphite disk and its projection. The graphite disk was then suspended from the lid of the boat by a thin iron wire which passed through the holes in the disk and the compact. c) Top Support, first type. A hole 3/32 in. in diam was drilled diametrically through the green compact 3/16 in. from the top of the compact. The compact was sintered suspended from an alundum rod (thermocouple protection sleeve) inserted into the hole. d) Top Support, second type. A hole was drilled axially through the center of the compact. The upper part of the hole from the top surface of the compact one fourth of the way down was 1/16 in. in diam; the lower part of the hole from the bottom surface three fourth of the way up was 3/32 in. in diam. The compact was suspended from the lid of the boat by an iron wire passing through the upper part of the hole and then tied into a knot. The loose powder aggregates were made by filling l in. deep, l in. diam cylindrical graphite molds with -325 mesh powder. To achieve uniform density in all the loose powder aggregates, the powders were settled in the molds by placing the

Jan 1, 1963

By Bauer, Alan

In considering blasting it is necessary to consider the drilling and explosives since one is generally concerned with the total cost of muck of a certain size in the pit or through the crusher. To get a current idea of the drilling situation in open pit mines plotted in Fig. 1 are the drilling costs per ton of material vs. hole diameter for rotary drill holes in large limestone, iron ore and taconite operations. The exception is the 2-in. diam hole which was drilled with a percussion drill in limestone.

Jan 1, 1968

By W. Rostoker, A. S. Yamamoto, K. Anderko

ALTHOUGH the corrosion resistance of magnesium and its alloys is closely related to iron content, there has been no direct measurement of the solid solubility of iron in magnesium. Bulian and Fahrenhors;1 and Mitchel]2 agree that pure iron or a limited terminal solid solution crystallizes from the Mg-rich liquid. For this reason a magnetic-moment method was selected to estimate that portion of the total iron content which is not in solid solution. Since iron in solid solution in magnesium cannot contribute to ferromagnetism, the difference between chemical and magnetic-iron analyses should yield the solid solubility. By experimentation it was found that the melting of pure sublimed magnesium (99.995 wt pet purity) in Armco-iron crucibles at about 800°C is a convenient way to introduce small amounts of iron. Melts retained 5, 10 and 20 min at 800°C analyzed 0.003,, 0.005,, and 0.018 & 0.001 weight pet Fe, respectively, after being stirred, heated to 850°C, and cast into graphite molds. The as-cast alloys were pickled in acid (dilute HC1 + HNO3), annealed at 600°C for 3 days, scalped on a lathe to remove the pitted surface, pickled again, extruded at about 100°C to 3-mm wire, reannealed 41/2 days at 500°C, and water-quenched. The specimens were again scalped, pickled, and used both for chemical and for magnetic analysis. Most of the precautions described were intended to prevent iron pickup by contact with tools or superficial iron enrichment by volatilization of magnesium during heat-treatment. It is believed that the specimens ultimately used for test were homogeneous and characteristic of phase equilibria at 500°C. Magnetic Analyses A susceptibility apparatus of the Curie type was used for magnetic analyses. Field strengths of up to 10,400 oersteds could be generated. By this method, an analytical balance measures the force of attraction which a calibrated magnetic field exerts on a suspended specimen. The force equation is as follows f/m = M dh/dy where f/m = force per unit mass of sample M = magnetic moment per unit mass dH/dy = magnetic field gradient The dH/dy characteristic of the instrument is determined by the use of a standard palladium sample, and the calibration is made independently for all values of H. Since a large finite field is required to saturate an assembly of ferromagnets, it is necessary to measure the apparent magnetic moment for increasing steps of H until a saturation value is obtained. The percentage of iron in the sample as free ferromagnetic iron may then be computed simply C= 100 (M1/M1) where C = percent content of undissolved iron in sample M1 = saturation magnetic moment of sample per unit mass M1 = saturation magnetic moment of iron per unit mass taken as 217 emu-cm per gm There is no serious difficulty in applying this method except for the unusual magnetic behavior of very fine particles of ferromagnetic substances. It has been found and is the basis for a widely accepted theory that with sufficient subdivision, the magnetic fields required to saturate and the coercive force after saturation rise to exceedingly high values. Recent work on precipitates of Fe and Co from copper solid solutions8 showed that about 5000 oersteds were necessary to approach saturation. The magnetic moments as a function of field strength measured in the present investigation are listed in Table I. Only the 0.018 wt pet Fe alloy yielded a magnetization curve with a fairly well-defined saturation plateau at 3.76x10 -2 emu-cm/ gm. This corresponds to 0.017 & 0.001 wt pet Fe in the alloy. This indicates that the solid solubility must be of the order of 0.001 wt pet Fe. The magnetic-moment data of the other two alloys are badly scattered, indicating that the amount of ferromagnetic iron in these samples is so low that the magnetic forces acting on them cannot be measured accurately by the analytical balance used. Nevertheless, the fact that even the 0.003, wt pet Fe alloy shows ferromagnetism indicates that the solid solubility must be below that value. Acknowledgment This work was sponsored by the Pitman-Dunn Laboratory of Frankford Arsenal, Philadelphia, Pa. The support and permission to publish are gratefully acknowledged. References W. Bulian and E. Fahrenhorst: Zeic. Metallkunde, 1942, vol. 34, pp. 116-170. 2 D. W. Mitchell: AIME Transactions, 1948, vol. 175, pp. 570-578. 3 G. Bate, D. Schofield, and W. Sucksmith: Philosophical Magnsine, 1955, vol. 46, pp. 621-631.

Jan 1, 1959