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By Charles Colcock Jones

In any discussion of this very large subject we are confronted at the outset with so many obstacles that at best only a fragmentary and rather disconnected presentation can be made of it, and my hope is that building from the few facts I have to offer a more complete knowledge may be secured. In the whole intermountain and Pacific Coast region, west of Pueblo, Col., and from Canada to Mexico, there is no production of pig iron, and steel production is confined to the manufacture of a small amount of open-hearth steel from scrap. When we consider the area, the resources, and the several centers of population, this condition seems anomalous, even in the face of every counter argument as to cheap water transportation, or other means of transport from the Atlantic Seaboard or from the iron and steel centers of the Middle West. This comatose condition, if such a term may be applied, is certainly not due to a lack of all the essential materials and factors for success in iron and steel smelting, but is rather, I think, due largely to the general fact that it is only within a comparatively few years that the centers of population on the Pacific Coast have attained a size that would entitle them to the position of distributing or freight centers, or that the "back country" has been enough built up to make it sufficiently interesting to the railroads to foster trade from the local centers to the interior points rather than seek to supply such local centers and the interior by a transcontinental haul. "Ore Supply Edwin C. Eckel, in his monumental work on Iron Ores, has but little to say concerning the Pacific Coast deposits. He mentions (p. 269) those of Minaret, Madera County, and the Eagle Mountains, Riverside County, Cal., "perhaps 50 to 100 million tons each;" the deposits in Shasta County, worked for the electric furnace on Pitt River; and

Jan 1, 1916

By John Henry Harden

IT appears that in the earlier days of anthracite coal mining, 1824-25, the Lehigh region mined 76 per cent. of all the coal sent to market. During the same period Wyoming sent 12 and 5 per cent. respectively, whilst the Schuylkill sent 11 and 18 per cent., the number of tons marketed being in those days very small indeed. In the year 1828 the Schuylkill region mined over one-half of all the coal sent to market, and continued to do so for thirty years (with the exception of the year 1831), until 1858 ; since that date the pro¬duction has declined very steadily in comparison with the other regions, until, in 1876, it was only 34 per cent. Wyoming, in the year 1820, was mining 40 per cent., but the production of all the regions was very small ; in six years it declined to 5 per cent., increased to 34 per cent. in 1831, declined to 10 per cent. in 1838. Since which time the increase has been gradual, until 1873-75 Wyoming produced over 50 per cent. of all the anthracite coal sent to market. In 1867 the production exceeded that of Schuylkill, and has continued to do so since that time. In the year 1876, during the existence of the " coal combination," Wyoming lost 9 per cent. ; during the same time Lehigh gained 7 and Schuylkill 2 per cent. over their relative production of the preceding year, the decrease of Wyoming being two and a half million tons, the increase of the Lehigh one million, the decrease of the Schuylkill nearly three-quarters of a million. The extraordinary production of the Lehigh region at a time of decreased demand and in opposition to an agreement with the other regions to limit the supply to the supposed demand was the cause of the disagreement which ultimately broke up the combination of the great coal-producing and carrying companies. The Lehigh region produced very steadily, from 1829 to 1854, an average of about 22 per cent. of the whole production. From 1854

Jan 1, 1877

By Jose J. Alvarez

INTRODUCTION Three major plant processes control the operation of an uranium in-situ mining plant. The three pro- cesses can be categorized under the headings termed - loading, elution, and precipitation. All other plant processes can be subcategorized under the three. In summary, the major plant processes in an in- situ mining plant are: 1. Loading - The pregnant lixiviant from the production wells flows through anion exchange resin. The loading of the uranium on the resin is controlled by various factors, such as ionic strength, valence, functional groups, etc. 2. Elution - The uranium-loaded resin is eluted or regenerated by a high ionic strength solution. The effluent from this process is de- fined as the pregnant eluate. 3 . Precipitation - The pregnant eluate is chemically treated to attain the ideal conditions for the selective precipitation of uranium. Hydrogen peroxide is an ideal precipitating agent under URI conditions. This paper will focus on two of the major processes: Elution and Precipitation. For the most part this relatively young industry has grasped the theory of liquids in continuous flow for the operation of the plant processes. Likewise, URI initially operated the two processes of interest with the continuous flow concept. Through laboratory experiments, URI has abandoned the flow concept and operates the eluting and precipitating stages with the concept of "batch" processes, whereby only one container, filled to a specified liquid level, is chemically processed. In the proceeding sections, each of the two pro- cesses will be discussed in detail, from their original concept to the present operation. Only minor modifications were made to the existing circuits for the conversion with results revealing a greater level of efficiency. ELUTION The elution of the loaded anion exchange resin can be achieved by different high ionic strength solutions. The selection of constituents is dependent on both chemical and economic considerations (i .e., efficiency and operating/restoration factors). The regenerant presently used is a pH 9.5 solution containing 7.5% NaCl and a mixture of Na2C03/NaHC03. expressed as 2.5% NaHC03.

Jan 1, 1980

By Reginald Williams

THE amount or value of the precious metals consumed in dentistry is probably amazing to most people. It falls very little short of that which is consumed in jewelry. Inasmuch as the ultimate destination is in the human mouth, dental alloys enjoy some importance because life and health depend upon restorations made with them. Prosthetic dentistry has made wonderful progress in the last few years. The manufacturers who supply the metals also deserve commendation. This industry which deals with metals to go into people's mouths is comparatively new. There is no literature on the subject, and little or no precedent by which to be guided. It was only by close cooperation with the dentist or prosthetic technician that desirable physical properties were produced, as nearly as possible, in the metals which were available and permissible. It is true that there were and still are conflicting opinions among the dentists as to the physical properties they require. Sometimes they request the impossible, such as alloys which are exceedingly stiff and springy, yet will bend or adjust easily. Even in this latter instance, progress has been made by supplying methods of heat-treatment whereby metals may be softened or hardened at will. (Figs. 1 and 2.) The demands made upon manufacturers are extremely varied. They must supply metals of tensile strengths ranging from approximately 30,000 to 100,000 lb. per sq. in. and over. The latter metals must be workable and in many instances capable of extreme deformation. They must not be affected by mouth conditions, nor should they oxidize greatly when molten, at red heat, or during a soldering operation. In addition to physical specifications, color demands must also be met. The firm of which I have the most knowledge manufacturers 11,553 standard stock articles of precious metals, taking into consideration formulas, finenesses, grades, colors, gages, lengths, sizes and weights. If special demands are taken into consideration, the number would be in excess of 25,000. Wrought metals are manufactured in a great many alloys of different sizes and shapes, such as plate, bar, rod, wire, sheet, strip, mesh and foil. There are also other products of importance.

Jan 1, 1928

By M. E. Lombardi

ThE Coalinga oil field is located on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, California. The structure is in general a monocline, the edges of the oil horizon resting on the foot hills and dipping gently toward the east. One prominent anticline occurs plunging southeast. The earlier drilling was done in the foot hills comparatively near the outcrop and the wells were shallow. The sands were followed eastward and, in the case of the anticline, along the plunge, the wells becoming deeper and deeper until the depth of 4,000 ft. was reached and passed. There is nothing to show that the oil will not be found in quantity at still greater depth. In fact, some of the best producers have tapped the sand at close to 4,000 ft. The recovery of oil still farther to the east, and therefore at greater depth, seems to be mainly a question of drilling. In this territory the formations drilled through are chiefly sands and shales; they will not "stand up" in an open drilling hole; the casing has to be carried close to the bit, and it is always difficult to keep the casing free for any considerable distance. Ability to carry casing of comparatively large diameter without conductor pipes for distances of 2,000 or 3,000 ft. or over is desirable in such territory chiefly for two reasons. It makes it possible to enter the oil sand with a pipe of ample diameter; it eliminates one or more expensive strings of casing which act only as conductors for the water string, and furthermore, in territory where waters are encountered which corrode steel rapidly, it makes possible the construction of a rust- and alkali-resisting water string. It is always desirable to shut off top waters, which may lie within 100 ft. or less of the oil sand, with 10-in. pipe. Where the depth is so great that a practical weight of 10-in. pipe will not withstand the probable collapsing pressures, 81/4 in. at least is desirable. About the limit of rotary drilling to date in California seems to be the setting of the 10-in. string at 3,200 ft., although the rapid advance in rotary work during the past year seems to indicate that this depth may soon be increased. It is my purpose now, however, to treat only of cable-tool drilling. The problem is to reach a depth of 4,000 ft. or more with a string of

Jan 1, 1915

By John Henry Harden

It appears that in the earlier days of anthracite coal mining, 1824-25, the Lehigh region mined 76 per cent. of all the coal sent to market. During the same period Wyoming sent 12 and 5 per cent. respectively, whilst the Schuylkill sent 11 and 18 per cent., the number of tons marketed being in those days very small indeed. In the year 1828 the Schuylkill region mined over one-half of all the coal sent to market, and continued to do so for thirty years (with the exception of the year 1831), until 1858 ; since that date the production has declined very steadily in comparison with the other regions, until, in 1876, it was only 34 per cent. Wyoming, in the year 1820, was mining 40 per cent., but the production of all the regions was very small; in six years it declined to 5 per cent., increased to 34 per cent. in 1831, declined to 10 per cent. in 1838. Since which time the increase has been gradual, until 1873-75 Wyoming produced over 50 per cent. of all the anthracite coal sent to market. In 1867 the production exceeded that of Schuylkill, and has continued to do so since that time. In the year 1876, during the existence of the "coal combination," Wyoming lost 9 per cent.; during the same time Lehigh gained 7 and Schuylkill 2 per cent. over their relative production of the preceding year, the decrease of Wyoming being two and a half million tons, the increase of the Lehigh one million, the decrease of the Schuylkill nearly three-quarters of a million. The extraordinary production of the Lehigh region at a time of decreased demand and in opposition to an agreement with the other regions to limit the supply to the supposed demand mas the cause of the disagreement which ultimately broke up the combination of the great coal-producing and carrying companies. The Lehigh region produced very steadily, from 1829 to 1854, an average of about 22 per cent. of the whole production. From 1854

By James H. Hance

Discussion of the paper of JAMES H. HANCE, presented at the New York meeting, .February, 1916, and printed in Bulletin No. 110, February, 1916, pp. 299 to 326. FREDERIC P. DEWEY, Washington, D. C. (communication to the Secretary*).-I wish to congratulate Professor Hance and to thank him for his extremely valuable addition to the fund of data upon this subject. It presents clearly conclusive and incontrovertible proof of the unreliability of drill samples of this class of metal for determining the value of such bullion. I am afraid, however, that his hope that some one in the mint service might continue such an investigation upon a more elaborate and exhaustive scale is, for the present at least, doomed to disappointment. As a practical matter, the mint service is not now particularly interested in segregation in crude bullion. So much trouble and friction arose, -both in the original purchase and in the transfer from one institution to another, in handling segregated bullion, that it became necessary to adopt drastic measures and now it is seldom attempted to determine the value of such bullion in the service. When bullion known or even suspected of being segregated is presented for purchase, it is at once strongly refined in the pot and the disturbing elements so far removed that concordant assays may certainly be obtained from the dip samples and a reasonably fair agreement obtained from drill samples. The mint service prefers that the owner should refine his bullion himself, but if he does not we will do it at his expense and return the slag to him when desired. Much work has been done in the mint service trying to arrive at the value of deposits of segregated bullion without strong refining. It was no unusual thing for such deposits to be melted three times at the purchasing office and to have 30 to 40 assays on the metal made before buying it. Yet when shipped to a mint it was found necessary to melt two or three times more and to make 15 to 25 assays before the mint would accept the bar, and there were considerable differences between the valuations of the two offices. In what was undoubtedly the worst case ever investigated, the purchasing office melted the deposit, 953 oz., three times, with a loss of 105.5 oz., and made 46 assays; the mint melted three times, with a loss of 6.6 oz., and made 28 assays. The mint allowed the purchasing office 1.178 oz. of fine gold more than the purchasing office claimed, while an extensive investigation of the mint samples by the Bureau, in which over 100 independent assays were made in various service laboratories, indicated that the metal carried 0.7 to 0.9 oz. more of fine gold than the mint allowed. Preliminary assays on the original metal

Jan 5, 1916

By A. T. Schwennesen

Every engineer has occasion to trace or copy a map, plan, or other drawing on paper too thick for the ordinary way of using tracing-cloth or tracing-paper. When the figure is small and simple a copy may be made by holding the original against a window-pane, coverin& it with the paper, and tracing direct by the aid of the strong sunlight from outside. The need of utilizing this principle on a larger scale and in a more convenient position led Dr. J. C. Branner to plan the table of which the following is a description : This table was first made in the form of an adjustable glass-top table with a mirror beneath, in 1887, while Dr. Branner was State Geologist of Arkansas. Later it was modified as experience suggested until the form as here described was evolved. The device consists essentially of a drafting-table with a plate-glass top, upon which the original drawing and the paper are laid, and a mirror mounted underneath to reflect the light of the sky up through the drawing. The glass top is hinged and fitted with two arms and thumb-screws, so that it can be raised and fixed to any position, either inclined or horizontal. The mirror is pivoted and revolves about a horizontal axis, so that it may be tilted to any angle. The hood of cardboard or black cloth prevents the reflection of light from the tracing, and may or may not be attached to the table.

Jan 1, 1912

By William P. Blake

THE importance to the growing steel industry of the United States of a domestic supply of ferro-manganese or "spiegel" of a high grade, induces me to bring to your notice some details of the method by which a superior article is produced in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At Reschitza, Hungary, and probably at Laibach also (the Krainische Industrie Gesellschaft), ferro-manganese is made in a blast-furnace, with charcoal as fuel, and limestone as the flux. The ore is a ferruginous mixture, containing about 37 per cent. of sesquioxide of manganese. It is silicious, and somewhat resembles, in its appearance, the manganese ore from Red Island, in the Bay of San Francisco, California. It contains about 29 per cent. of silica and some alumina, shown by the subjoined analysis

Jan 1, 1876

By G. R. Gohn, S. M. Arnold

The results of stress-corrosion tests upon several non-ferrous sheet metals are presented in this paper. The metals include tough pitch copper, five binary brasses, two leaded brasses, one copper-silicon alloy, two tin bronzes, and two nickel-silver alloys. The tests indicate that for most of these sheet metals, externally applied bending stresses below the yield point (0.01 per cent offset) do not result in stress-corrosion cracking as determined by the A.S.T.M. Tentative Method of Mercurous Nitrate Test for Copper and Copper Alloys (B 154-41T).~ Only in the cases of low brass, high brass and medium leaded brass, all cold-worked 4 B & S numbers hard, was any corrosion cracking observed below the yield strength, and in all cases such failures occurred at stresses above the proportional limit for these materials. However, when some of the same materials which showed no evidence of stress-corrosion cracking at stresses below the yield strength, are stressed beyond the yield point, stress- corrosion cracking is quite apt to occur. Since experience has shown that some of these materials, particularly the brasses, are susceptible to stress-corrosion cracking under service conditions, these tests would indicate that, besides externally applied stress and corrosion, plastic deformation in addition to that resulting from the original cold working of the material is also required to produce conditions conducive to stress- corrosion cracking.

Jan 1, 1945

By William P. Blake

The importance to the growing steel industry of the United States of a domestic supply of ferro-manganese or "spiegel" of a high grade, induces me to bring to your notice some details of the method by which a superior article is produced in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. At Reschitza, Hungary, and probably at Laibach also (the Krainische Industrie Gesellschaft), ferro-manganese is made in a blastfurnace, with charcoal as fuel, and limestone as the flux. The ore is a ferruginous mixture, containing about 37 per cent. of sesquioxide of manganese. It is silicious, and somewhat, resembles, in its appearance, the manganese ore from Red Island, in the Bay of San Francisco, California. It contains about 29 per cent. of silica and some alumina, shown by the subjoined analysis:

By Reginald Williams

THE amount or value of the precious metals consumed in dentistry is probably amazing to most people. It falls very little short of that which is consumed in jewelry. Inasmuch as the ultimate destination is in the human mouth, dental alloys enjoy some importance because life and health depend upon restorations made with them. Prosthetic dentistry has made wonderful progress in the last few years. The manufacturers who supply the metals also deserve commendation. This industry which deals with metals to go-into people's mouths is comparatively new. There is no literature on the subject, and little or no precedent by which to be guided. It was only by close cooperation with the dentist or prosthetic technician that desirable physical properties were produced, as-nearly as possible, in the metals which were available and permissible. It is true that there were and still are conflicting opinions among the dentists as to the physical properties they require. Sometimes they request the impossible, such as alloys which are exceedingly stiff and springy, yet will bend or adjust easily. Even in this latter instance, progress has been made by supplying methods of heat-treatment whereby metals may be softened or hardened at will. (Figs. 1 and 2.) The demands made upon manufacturers are extremely varied. They must supply metals of tensile strengths ranging from approximately 30,000 to 100,000 lb. per sq. in. and over. The latter metals must be workable and in many instances capable of extreme deformation. They must not be affected by mouth conditions, nor should they oxidize greatly when molten, at red heat, or during a soldering operation. In addition to physical, specifications, color demands must also be met. The firm of which I have the most, knowledge manufacturers 11,553 standard stock articles of precious metals, taking into consideration formulas, finenesses, grades, colors, gages, lengths, sizes and weights. If special demands are taken into consideration, the number would be in excess of 25,000. Wrought metals are manufactured in a great many alloys of different sizes and shapes, such as plate, bar, rod, wire, sheet, strip, mesh and foil. There are also other products of importance.

Jan 1, 1928

By D. Geoffry Minnes

Nepheline syenite is a silica deficient crystalline rock consisting of albite and microcline feldspars and nepheline, together with varying but small amounts of mafic silicates and other accessory minerals. Nepheline-bearing rocks are widely distributed around the world but only in Canada, Norway, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and the United States are deposits worked commercially. Because of its low melting point and fluxing ability, nepheline syenite was investigated in the early 1900s by many students of glass and ceramics. Although the nepheline syenite deposits in Methuen Township, Ont., Canada, were discovered as early as 1897 it wasn't until 1935 that the first mill was erected to produce nepheline syenite products. In Canada, nepheline syenite deposits are worked by Indusmin Ltd. and International Minerals and Chemical Corp. (Canada) Ltd. who have combined production capacity in excess of 1800 tpd. Between 1935 and 1972 seven million tons valued at $78 million were produced from the Methuen Township deposits. In Norway, the Norsk Nefelin Div. of Elkem Spigerverket has produced nepheline syenite from a deposit on Stjernoy Island in western Finnmark since early 1960. Between 1961 and 1972 the company produced 930,000 mt with an estimated value of $17 million. Nepheline syenite has been under investigation in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) since at least 1928. In 1951 the first commercial alumina works was brought on stream at Volkhov, near Leningrad, utilizing nepheline concentrates from the Kola peninsula as mill feed. Since then two others have been completed and more are planned. Large quantities of portland cement, sodium carbonate, and potassium carbonate are produced in conjunction with the alumina. In the United States, nepheline syenite has been produced for many years from deposits in central Arkansas by the Big Rock Stone and Materials Co. for construction aggregates and, since 1947, for roofing granules by the 3M Co. Chap. 16 on "Feldspar, Nepheline Syenite, and Aplite" in the 3rd ed. of Industrial Minerals and Rocks (Castle, and Gillson, 1960) and Nepheline Syenite Deposits of Southern Ontario (Hewitt, 1960) contain excellent accounts of earlier commercial development of nepheline syenite as a glass and ceramic material. Therefore this chapter deals mostly with the period since 1960 and with matters not previously reported in detail. An English monograph on Nepheline-Syenite and Phonolite (Allen et al., 1968) is a complete current survey of nepheline syenite which, with its very complete list of references. is an excellent source book. End Uses Nepheline syenite from the Canadian and Norwegian producers finds use primarily in the manufacture of glass and ceramics. One producer also makes several grades of nepheline syenite that are useful as extender pigments and fillers in paint, plastics, and rubber. In the Soviet Union nepheline is used in increasing quantities in the manufacture of alumina, alkali carbonates, and portland cement and to a lesser degree it is used in the manufacture of colored container glass.

Jan 1, 1975

By James Douglas

At this last meeting of our Institute for the year 1899, it is appropriate that we should look back at the past. To review the century's progress in the exact sciences and the resulting arts that fall within the scope of our labors is beyond my ability. But I wish to draw your attention to some phases of that progress, almost as important, which lie within the zone of sociology, touching at so many points the domain of applied technology. One of these is suggested by the library of technical literature which this century has produced —not the least important contribution to which is our own Transactions. The nineteenth century has witnessed the beneficial spread of democracy in politics. Under the impulse, to no small degree, of the same spirit, there has grown up a brotherhood of fellow-workers and a sense of fellow-ownership in the secrets of nature. Though the Patent Office has assumed such proportions as to hare become a source of national revenue, and a multitude of inventors, great and small, are seeking through its agency to secure some pecuniary profit from their devices, there is even greater eagerness among both interested and disinterested workers in the field of technology to publish their observations, and even their discoveries, and to give them to the world without remuneration. The motives influencing the great body of writers who, without any pay, use the technical journals and such media of communication as our Transactions, in order to give to the brethren of their craft the results of

Jan 1, 1900

Two 6.17-m-diam (20.25-ft) shafts, said to be the largest ever opened with mechanical raise boring techniques, were completed in May and June 1978, at Monterey Coal Co.'s No. 1 mine near Carlinville, Ill. According to the shaft contractor for the project, Frontier-Kemper Constructors, the openings are 60% greater in cross section than the largest previous raise-bored shaft, which had a diameter of 4.85 m (16 ft). Both vertical shafts are 93 m (305 ft) in total depth, with the upper 28-30 m (90-100 ft) sunk and lined by conventional methods through unconsolidated overburden and the remainder mechanically bored through sedimentary rock. The two shafts will be used for service access as well as to augment ventilation.

Jan 12, 1978

By D. K. Crampton

THE object of this work was to obtain and correlate information on effect of internal stress in variously drawn tubes on several properties. Also, a simple approximate method of comparing types of stress distribution in such variously drawn tubes was sought. There is also included some work on comparison of single and polycrystalline materials and effect of different types of operation and preferred orientation. PREPARATION OF MATERIAL A series of tubes was drawn to study the effect of the type and degree of final reduction on various physical properties and the approximate distribution of stress intensity across the tube wall. The material used all came from a single heat of 70-30 brass melted in a regular production Ajax-Wyatt induction furnace. The analysis of the metal as cast was: copper, 70.36 per cent; lead, 0.04; iron, 0.02; zinc, balance. The material was cast in "shells" with 4 in. outside diameter and 3/4 in. wall thickness. It was drawn part way down according to the usual standard mill schedule and then by suitable individual schedules to finish by a variety of types and degrees of drawing to the same final cases in every instance; namely, 0.750 in. outside diameter by 0.080 in. wall thickness. The exact final draws, together with the percentage area reductions, diameter reductions and gage reductions are given in Table 1.

Jan 1, 1932

By H. E. Doerr

The writer has been unable to find much information relative to tests made to determine the effect of forging on the specific density of steel. The opinion, however, among men engaged in the business, seems to be that forging greatly compresses or consolidates the steel. While such is doubtless the case with spongy or porous steel, the following experiments indicate that there can be little or no change in the density with steel initially free from cavities. Ten ingots of basic open-hearth steel cast as shown in Fig. 1 were used in the experiments. All the specimens were 0.53 carbon with all other elements the same, the analysis being determined from drillings taken midway between the center and outside of the upper end, as shown in Fig. 2. The specimens were selected from over one thousand ingots so that the tests could be comparative for the work done in forging only, but no two of the ingots were cast in the same heat. Each ingot remained in the mold approximately 30 min., when it was removed and sir-cooled. About 12 hr. later, when the temperature had been reduced to approximately that of the surrounding atmosphere, the head was discarded and the ingot heated in an oil furnace to approximately 2250" F. (1235" C). Approximately 1 min. was required to forge under the steam hammer to 1 1/4 in. (31.75 mm.), rough diameter, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2. All ingots were allowed to air-cool after forging. Cylinders 1/2 in. (17.7 mm.) in diameter and 1/2 in. high were then turned from the forged and unforged parts of the ingots and numbered. The ten pairs of specimens were submitted to Louis E. Endsley, Professor of Railway Mechanical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh; A. N. Talbot, Professor of Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois; L. Z. Slater, chief chemist, Scullin Steel Co., St. Louis, Mo. NO information was furnished as to which specimens were forged or unforged and each laboratory used the same specimens, submitting the average of three independent determinations, a tabulation of which is shown in the accompanying table in which the laboratories are designated by the letters A, B, and C. While there is considerable difference in the individual determinations for a number of the specimens, the averages

Jan 1, 1920

By Luis Toron, Salvador Cortes-Obregon

John D. Price (Colorado Fuel and Iron Corp., Pueblo, Colo)—The paper on the coal fields of the Oaxaca district as prepared by engineers Toron and Cortes-Obregon of the staff of the Bank of Mexico bears witness to the thorough and careful way in which the men associated with this organization perform their work. There is little to be added to their paper in way of discussion other than to confirm and amplify some of their statements. Since the only extensive and well-developed field of coking coal lies in the northeastern section of the country adjacent to Sabinas in the state of Coahuila, it follows that blast furnace plants would be located in that same region. Two such plants are now operating at Monterrey and Monclova, using coke produced at the Sabinas district mines. But the nearer of these two plants is 600 miles from Mexico City and even farther from the center of population. Transportation of products from these mills to the market area is therefore expensive, both because of the distance and the difficulty of the terrain over which it must be carried. The development of an integrated steel industry closer to the center of population has therefore long been a goal toward which the Mexican technicians have been striving. While the presence of coal of some grade has been reported in many of the states, and many ideas have been advanced regarding its possible uses in iron and steel production, deposits of anthracite in Sonora and the various coals of the Oaxaca district as reported on in this paper are the only ones that have been explored in a serious manner. The coking coal from the Mix-tepec zone appears to offer promise of producing a coke which could be used in a standard blast furnace. Several problems are indicated, however: 1—The ash in the coal is high as mined, but indications are that it can be washed to an ash content of 15 pct with a recovery of 70 pct of washed coal. 2—Such washing would increase the volatile content from 17.4 pct to about 20 pct, and in a byproduct oven this should give a coke yield of close to 80 pct with an ash content of coke under 20 pct. 3—A free swelling index of 5 appears low for a good coking coal, and below that of the coals from the Sabinas district, which show between 6 and 9. But washing of the coal should result in an improvement in this regard; in the United States coals from Utah with an index even lower than 5 have made a usable coke. 4—A coal with volatile as low as 17.4 in raw coal and 20 in washed coal would come close to being classed as a low-volatile rather than medium-volatile coal, and low-volatile coals are notorious for their high expansion properties. Several plants in the United States are making coke from straight medium-volatile coal of 26 to 28 volatile content, and one at Rosita,, Mexico, from coal of 25 volatile. But no plants to my knowledge are using coal as low as 20 volatile. Since the Rosita coal appears to be a borderline coal from the angle of its expansion properties the coking of one of the straight lower volatile must be approached with caution. 5—There are few coals possessing any degree of coking properties which cannot be used in coke production by careful attention to its preparation and blending. The fact that coals of other types are available in this same region make improvement through blending very possible. 6—There are other workable methods of reducing iron ore other than the conventional coke-blast-furnace method. These will not be discussed here but it is known that their use has been considered. The technicians of not only Mexico but also of the other Latin American countries are keenly aware of their natural resources and their national needs. This paper emphasizes the fact that the Mexican technicians are working on their problem and attempting to speed the day of self-sufficiency for their country. Salvatore Cortes-Obregon (author's reply)—I wish to thank Mr. Price for his kind remarks. The Mixtepec coal as shown in Table II has 30 pct ash and a free swelling index of 5, but when the same coal is washed to 15 pct ash it has a free swelling index of 8 to 9 and the volatiles increased from 17.4 to 20.7 pct. A satisfactory coke has been produced from blends made in the Mexican laboratory using at least 40 pct of the Mixtepec coking coals with the other Oaxaca non-coking coals. Koppers in Germany report good coke obtained from the Oaxaca coal with a blend of 80 pct Mixtepec coal. Consideration is being given the possibility of using methods other than the conventional blast furnace for the reduction of iron ore near the Oaxaca area; electric furnaces appear promising. The non-coking coals could be used to produce cheap electric energy and the coking coals to make metallurgical coke.

Jan 1, 1955

By Dudley L. Davis, E. C. Peterson

Introduction The Darwin District is 30 miles east of Olancha which is 220 miles north from Los z4ngeles via U. S. Highway No. 6. The ore deposits occur in the Darwin hills that have been elevated above the Darwin plateau by typical basin and range-type faults. Some of these faults have been active quite recently as shown by the displacemerit of Quaternary (?) basalt flows and the rejuvenation of erosion in Darwin wash. The ore bodies occur as fissure fillings and replacement of favorable beddings in a thick series of Paleozoic limestones, dolomites, shales and quartzites. Rich oxidized lead-silver ores were dis'Overed in the early seventies. BY 1875, Darwin had a population Of about 5000, and by 1880 several small mills and smelters had been built. Early exhaustion of surface ores, the isolated location of the district, and fluctuation Of metal prices caused intermittent operations until World War 11. The district production is estimated at about $3,000,000 prior to 1900 and perhaps $4,000,000 between 1900 and 1945 when Anaconda purchased the major producing mines. 'or the Past two Years, daily production has averaged 75 tons of direct shipping and 150 tons of milling-grade ore. At present, 300 tons of mixed oxide and sulphide ore are treated by flotation, the oxidized lead minerals being activated by addition of sodium sulphide after galena and sphalerite have been recovered from the circuit. Extraction averages 85 pct of the lead, 80 pct of the silver, and about 33 Pct Of the zinc in a bulk concentrate. The mill is designed so that minor changes permit selective flotation of pyritic lead-zinc ores encountered at depth. General Geology The oldest rocks in the Darwin hills are a series of Paleozoic limestones, dolomites, shales and quartzites probably pennsyl-vanian in age. These rocks have been intruded on the Rest by the Coso granite batholith and on the east by a granodiorite stock. Numerous sills and dikes grading from orthoclase granite to gabbro are exposed in the underground workings. The sedimentary rocks have been considerably folded and faulted, the most prominent structure being a northwest pitching anticlinal fold, the crest of which lies just west of the ridge line of the Darwin hills, The east limb of this fold has been intruded by the granodiorite stock and east of the stock the sediments show several closely spaced anticlines and synclines. The minor flexures on the west flank of the major fold are structurally important in localizing the ore in the Defiance and Essex mines of the Darwin group. There are three principal systems of faulting and fissuring, most of which are post-intrusive and premineral in age, with minor amounts of postmineral movement. The Darwin tear fault is the largest, most persistent fault in the district. It strikes N 60 to 75°W, dips steeply south and is traceable for about 10 miles. It is a normal

Jan 1, 1949

By W. N. Poundstone, P. C. Thakur

Introduction Horizontal drilling in coal mines is a relatively new technology. The earliest recorded drilling in the United States was done in 1958 at the Humphrey mine of Consolidation Coal Co. for degasification of coal seams. Spindler and Poundstone experimented with vertical and horizontal holes for several years. They concluded in 1960 that horizontal drilling in advance of underground mining appeared to offer the most promising prospect (for degasification) but effective and extensive application would be dependent upon the ability to drill long holes, possibly 300 to 600 m, with reasonably precise directional control and within practical cost limits (Spindler and Poundstone, 1960). Mining Research Division of Conoco Inc., the parent company of Consolidation Coal Co., began a research program in the early 1970s to achieve the above objective. The technology needed to drill nearly 300 m in advance of working faces was developed by 1975 and experiments on advance degasification with such deep holes began in 1976. Preliminary results of this research have already been published (Thakur and Davis, 1977). To date nearly 4.5 km of horizontal holes have been drilled for advance degasification and earlier results were reconfirmed. In summary, these are: • The greatest impact of these boreholes was felt in the face area where methane concentrations were reduced to nearly 0.3% in course of two to three months from original values of nearly 0.95%. • The methane concentration in the section return reduced to 50% of its original value immediately after the boreholes were completed, indicating a capture ratio of 50%. • The total methane emission in the section (rib and face emission plus the borehole production) did not increase but rather gradually declined with time. • Initial production from 300 m deep boreholes in the Pittsburgh seam varied from 3 m3/min to 6 m3/min but then slowly declined as workings advanced inby of the drill site (well head) exposing a larger surface area parallel to the borehole. Encouraged by these results, it was decided to design a horizontal drilling system that would be mobile and compatible with other face equipment. A mobile horizontal drill can be divided into three subsystems: the drill rig, the drill bit guidance system, and borehole surveying instruments. The drill rig provides the thrust and torque necessary to drill 75- to 100-mm diam holes up to 600 m deep and contains the mud circulation and gas cuttings separation systems. The drill bit guidance system guides the bit up, down, left, or right as desired. Borehole surveying instruments measure the pitch, roll, and azimuth of the borehole assembly. Additionally, it also indicates the thickness of coal between the borehole and the roof or floor of the coal seam. Thus, it becomes a powerful tool for locating the presence of faults, clay veins, sand channels, and the thickness of coal seam in advance of mining. In recent years, many other potential uses of horizontal boreholes have come to light, such as in situ gasification, longwall blasting, improved auger mining, and oil and gas production from shallow deposits. The purpose of this paper is to describe the hardware and procedure for drilling deep horizontal holes. The Drilling Rig [Figures 1 and 2] show the two components of the mobile drilling rig: the drill unit and the auxiliary unit. The equipment (except for the chassis) was designed by Conoco Inc. and fabricated by J. H. Fletcher and Co. of Huntington, WV. The drill unit. It is mounted on a four-wheel drive chassis driven by two Staffa hydraulic motors with chains. The tires are 369 X 457 mm in size and provide a ground clearance of 305 mm. The prime mover is a 30-kw explosion-proof electric motor which is used only for tramming. Once the unit is Crammed to the drill site, electric power is disconnected and hydraulic power from the auxiliary unit is turned on. Four floor jacks are used to level the machine and raise the drill head to the desired level. Two 5-t telescopic hydraulic props, one on each side, anchor the drill unit to the roof. The drill unit houses the feed carriage, the drilling console, 300 m of 3-m-long NQ, drill rods, and the electric cable reel for instruments. The feed carriage is mounted more or less centrally, has a feed of 3.3 m, and can swing laterally by ± 17°. It can also sump forward by 1.2 m. The drill head has a "through" chuck such that drill pipes can be fed from the side or back end. General specifications of the feed carriage are: [ ] The auxiliary unit. The chassis for the auxiliary unit is identical to the drill unit but the prime movers are two 30-kW explosion proof electric motors. It is equipped with a methane detector- activated switch so that power will be cut off at a preset methane concentration in the air. No anchoring props are needed for this unit. The auxiliary unit houses the hydraulic power pack, the water (mud) circulating pump, control boxes for electric motors, a trailing cable spool, and a steel tank which serves for water storage and closed-loop separation of drill cuttings and gas.

Jan 1, 1981