Search Documents

By S. H. Ash

Mass production methods, although increasingly important for economic reasons, create new hazards, remove many hazards, and improve health and safety by reducing exposure and obtaining better supervision. Such methods must be efficient or be discarded. Skilled workmen are required who must be trained to utilize equipment that replaces picks, shovels, and explosives. The effects of working conditions on the health of workmen have long been evaluated in noncoal mines. Studies and action programs relating to environmental health hazards in the mineral industry have placed particular emphasis on dusts. The anthracite industry is conducting an action program on the problem of dust. Segments of the bituminous industry are now conducting similar investigations. An industrial hygiene survey of coal mining in the State of Washington has been conducted and the results published in 1949. (State of Washington, Department of Health, I. H. Bul letin 4.) Chest X rays were obtained from miners in the six major coal-producing counties. State Health Department mobile X-ray equipment was set up at most large mines. Participation was on a voluntary basis, and response was obtained from 70 percent. Important in successful mining safety programs are training programs for supervisors and workmen alike. These programs recognize that the employe is the focal point in injury prevention and are planned and function around him. During the war, industries had to compete with each other for workers and to obtain and hold good workers, working conditions had to be made attractive. The average age of the mine worker increased, and, contrary to what many expected, mining injury rates decreased rather than increased. To attract competent workers, risks to life and limb, as well as laborious tasks, have to be reduced, and an experienced worker is indispensable for safety. Young men are returning to modernized mines. Mass production methods and equipment are more to their liking; jobs are more remunerative, demand action, and require special training and skill that give them the mark of a craftsman. Such workmen can be taught safe methods.

Jan 1, 1950

By W. L. Saunders

This paper deals specifically with heading-driving as distinguished from the broader term tunnel-driving. A heading is a pilot or path-finder for the main tunnel. Some headings are complete tunnels in themselves; that is, conditions at times warrant driving a heading the full diameter of the proposed tunnel. A tunnel 10 ft. in diameter might be driven to advantage through a single heading, provided the nature of the material admits, but it usually pays to drive rock tunnels of large diameter through the heading-and-bench system. Much depends upon the material, as in soft ground tunnels of much larger diameter are driven in a single heading. In mines, the tunnels, drifts, cross-cuts, adits, etc., are usually of small diameter, hence the driving of headings applies to completed tunnels in mining-work, except, of course, in cases like drainage-tunnels and main entries leading into coal-mines, where conditions call for tunnels of large diameter, approximating those driven for railway-service. In building aqueducts the tunnels are driven from 6 to 8 ft. in diameter up to 15 or 20 ft., while in railway-service the dimensions vary from 18 to 30 ft. in diameter. There is no department of rock-excavation so difficult as that of heading-driving. This work also belongs to the most expensive class in rock-excavation. A heading is driven directly in the solid. There are no lines of lesser resistance towards which to direct the energy of the blast, but the material must be blown out by main force. The completion of the heading simplifies all the rest of the work of excavation. It is easy, for instance, to enlarge a heading either from above, below or on the sides, by breaking towards the open face through holes approximately at right angles to the axis of the heading; or the enlargement sometimes takes place by holes driven outside of the heading running approximately parallel with it, the rock

Jan 1, 1910

By T. Glen Heslop, Dennis H. Laubscher

INTRODUCTION In all cave mining operations waste is drawn mixed in the ore, hauled, hoisted and milled. This waste usually contains some mineral which partly covers some of the costs of mining and milling it, but it still re- presents a loss of profits as the production rate from the mine is matched to the mill capacity - every tonne of waste milled replaces a tonne of profitable ore. Draw control aims to reduce the amount of waste drawn and to increase the amount of ore recovered. It is also used to regulate the grade of ore flowing to the mill and in block cave blocks to prevent potential stress build- up on the major apexes above grizzly drifts. This paper summarises what has been learnt about draw control in the forty years that cave mining methods have been used in the three largest underground chrysotile asbestos mines in the southern hemisphere. The four mining methods to which draw control has been applied are: a. Block caving. b. Shrinkage with overburden caving. c. Sublevel caving. d. Open stoping. Open stoping has been included because on a number of occasions severe falls from the back and side of these open stopes have occurred. Without full records of where and when ore is blasted, when and how much ore has been drawn from each of the drawpoints, it would be impossible to analyse the migration of ore and fallen waste in the stope. Several problems peculiar to chrysotile asbestos ore bodies affect the practice of draw control. Heterogeneous fragmentation, cavities, side pressures and the interaction of stresses in the caved ore affect the migration of ore under draw. Fibre is normally not developed uniformly throughout the ore bodies, values vary from place to place but there is usually a general decrease upwards and the hangingwall contact is an economic limit. The immediate hangingwall rock frequently looks like the ore body hostrock and is difficult to recognise in a drawpoint, and cannot be used as the marker for stopping draw. During caving or shrinkage, a large proportion of fibre becomes detached from the host rock and re- ports in the fines, which migrate differently to the larger rocks. The fines are not sticky, and flow easily if loose and dry, but compacted, the fibre and rock fines con- solidate the ore. During draw the proportion of fines in the ore varies considerably, as fines either flow relatively freely between the large rocks or become trapped and compacted above large rocks or hangups. This creates a large sampling error in drawpoint grade assessments, whether done visually or by bulk sampling, unless the assessments are done frequently. The method of draw control used is to regulate the draw rate in an attempt to lower the ore-waste interface as evenly as possible, and to finally stop working the drawpoint when a calculated tonnage has been drawn.

Jan 1, 1981

By Harry E. Krumlauf

The year 1957 was one of declining metal price and production. Many lead-zinc-copper mines were forced to close, and the remaining mines limited production to stay more in line with demand. High cost of labor, supplies, and equipment and high taxes aggravated the situation. Some operators postponed or abandoned expansion programs because of uncertain economic conditions. Output was curtailed by elimination of over- time employment and reduction of the working force. The number of employes laid off was small- reduction in the labor force was accomplished by not replacing those who left a company's employ.

Jan 2, 1958

By Julien Deby

THE sinking of a deep shaft is always a serious undertaking, especially when the strata to be traversed are of great hardness, or when they are feebly coherent or highly saturated with water. In the, first case, that of solid rock, modern appliances, such as the rock-drill, put into motion by air-compressors, along with suitable explosives, will generally answer the purposes of the mining engineer until he has reached the main water-levels. When these have

Jan 1, 1877

By Julien Deby

The sinking of a deep shaft is always a serious undertaking, especially when the strata to be traversed are of great hardness, or when they are feebly coherent or highly saturated with water. In the. first case, that of solid rock, modern appliances, such as the rock-drill, put into motion by air-compressors, along with suitable explosives, will generally answer the purposes of the mining engineer until he has reached the main water-levels. When these have

By H. V. Fairbanks

This report covers a study of three different methods for drying ultrafine coals by sound waves. Ultrafine material is classified as coal which passes through a 100-mesh sieve. During the investigations, it was found that the addition of acoustic radiation to the drying of ultrafine coal is effective in increasing the rate of drying; the effect of acoustic radiation to improve drying decreases with an increase in the temperature of the system; the drying rate increased 10-40% when acoustic radiation was introduced into a rotary kiln but was dependent upon the environmental conditions; the application of vertical vibrations to multi-tiered drying screens increased the rate of moisture removal ten times over that obtained in the rotary kiln; the formation of coal balls in any of the drier systems retards the rate of drying; the higher the initial moisture content of the coal the greater the amount of coal balls formed.

Jan 1, 1970

W. 0. HOTCHKISS,* Madison, Wis.-When we began to do geological field work in the Lake Superior region, we found a correlation in existence, and, as youngsters, accepted all that as settled. Both Mr. Allen and I, since that time, have seen a great many things that were not apparent nor visible to Van Hise, and those who worked with him; we realize now that the correlation was not final and that much remains to be determined concerning geology of the Lake Superior region. My attitude on this matter is that we should not publish an amended correlation as a final thing. We should avoid, in every way possible, foreclosing the minds of those who follow us in working in the geology of this region. As a matter of fact, no correlation can be final at present, because facts and data are accumulating so rapidly that every classification must be immediately modified to fit further observation. Consequently, my attitude in this matter would be, instead of saying that the iron formations of the Lake Superior region are all Middle Huronian, to say that there may be three Huronians-or four or five- we do not know. I believe it is better policy to hold to our present correlation. I do not believe there is any economic benefit to the mining man or the geologist working on problems relating to explorations for iron ore, that cannot be just as well solved by maintaining our present correlation, with a. wholesome idea of our lack of knowledge and the necessity for further detailed work. Then, if any new horizons are discovered in any particular range, the minds of the investigators will not be foreclosed because some one has said that all the iron formation is in the Middle so that there is no use looking elsewhere for it. There is use looking elsewhere, in many cases, as the ore deposits become exhausted.

Jan 1, 1920

By STEPHEN L. GOODALE

THE question indicated in this title was put by letter to a number of my friends working in various industries, who have charge of young metallurgical graduates. The replies were almost unanimous in stating that the college training should cover in the most .thorough manner possible those sciences which are the fundamentals - of engineering. Mathematics, physics, mechanics, electricity, chemistry, physical chemistry, and their applications to actual problems of life were mentioned in most of the letters I received. Some writers added also business law, economics,. and finance. One reply expressed it: "These subjects, well founded, mixed with good judgment, well applied, should enable the .young man to carry on the art of life successfully." One answer stated frankly what is really wanted: "As much as possible.' ' This writer mentioned .the sciences as being very important, but he wishes men ' to be trained in metallurgy also, and he concedes the omission of some advanced chemistry and physic's to secure the metallurgy. He emphasized particularly. the a we. desirability of work in college to development' He concludes his letter with a repetition of his slogan that what is wanted is as much as is possible.

Jan 1, 1930

By Rex O. McLellan

The formation of a monovacancy in a metal is simulated in an elastic model by the displacement of the surface of a small spherical cavity in a large elastic continuum. The application of linear elasticity to this distortion results in a well- known formula for the energy and an expression for the concomitant entropy change due both to the shear strain in the continuum and also to the dilation of the solid resulting from the boundary conditions at the surface of the solid. Elastic data (the sliear modulus and its temperature coelficient) are used to calculate the entropy and energy of formation for many metals. Despite the simplicity of the assumptions involved, the agreement between the calculated entropies and energies and experimental values is remarkably good. In recent years there has been a large increase in measurements of the absolute concentration of mono-vacancies in metals as a function of temperature. Hence new data for both the energy and the noncon-figurational entropy of formation of monovacancies has become available. Recent measurements&apos; of the anomalous (non-Arrhenius) self-diffusion in many bcc metals has also focused interest on the prediction of the thermodynamic parameters of mono- and multi-vacancies in those metals for which no data are available. Damask and Dienes&apos; have discussed the various theoretical calculations of the energy of formation EL, of a monovacancy. These include simple models involving the breaking of atomic bonds on moving atoms from the interior of a crystal to the surface, models combining elastic calculations with surface-energy terms and detailed quantum mechanical calculations. The simler models give the correct order of magnitude of &, but tend to overestimate it by a factor of about two. The quantum mechanical calculations4"7 have been carried out for the noble and alkali metals with generally reasonably good agreement with the available Ef data. The calculation of entropy of formation Sfv14 lnvolves a fundamental calculation of the perturbation of the phonon spectrum caused by the creation of a vacancy. Huntington, Shirn. and wajda8 have given an approximate evaluation of sJV by considering an Einstein model for the localized vibrations in the immediate neighborhood of the defect and then using elastic theory to calculate the entropy associated with the shear stress field in the distorted crystal (as originally proposed by Zenerg). They also included a term due to the dilation of the crystal. They obtained a value of 1.47k for copper, in good agreement with the experimental value (1.50k). However, Nardelli and Tetta- manzi1° have recently shown that neglecting the coupling between atoms (Einstein Model) may lead to a serious error so the agreement may be somewhat fortuitous. In this work simple linear elastic theory is used to calculate the entropy and energy of formation of mono-vacancies. Despite the simplicity of some of the assumptions involved, the agreement with the available experimental data is remarkable. However. the reasonable degree of success in the application of linear elastic calculations to the excess entropy of a solute atom in a dilute solid solution1&apos; indicates that the application of elastic theory to vacancies. where the interaction of different atomic species is not involved, may not be inappropriate. THE ELASTIC MODEL The metal is assumed to be a spherical elastic continuum. A small spherical cavity of volume V = 4i;v:&apos;/3 is cut from the center. removed. and dissolved rever-sibly in the bulk of the material. TO a good approximation no net atomic bonds are broken and the material does not undergo a volume change although the externally measured volume of the body would increase by V. The radius of the sphere of metal is much larger than r Next a negative pressure is applied to the cavity causing its surface to be displaced inward by an amount simulating the relaxation of the lattice around a monovacancy. In this model the energy and entropy accompanying the distortion are taken as 4, and <. As a first approximation the equation of state for the solid is taken as: r = ro(i + *~D LiJ where K is the bulk modulus. P the hydrostatic pressure. Vo the volume of the material at 0°K and zero pressure. and d+/dT = 30. where 0 is the linear thermal expansion coefficient. The variation of entropy with hydrostatic pressure is given by the Maxwell equation: These equations give the entropy change resulting from increasing the hydrostatic pressure from 0 to P as: and since • we have: This is the entropy arising from the dilation resulting

Jan 1, 1970

By C. H. Fulton

Page Introduction........................... 280 Distillation Products from Reduction of Zinc Ore........... 281 Preliminary Investigations..................... 290 Equilibrium of Reaction Zn + CO2 + ZnO + CO in Temperature Range of Condensation........................ 293 Requisites for Successful Condensation................ 299 Discussion............................ 300 Introduction The study of the condensation of zinc from its vapor was undertaken to shed light on certain problems encountered in large-scale electric zine-furnace work. recently conducted. It is a matter of common knowledge that one of the disadvantages of the arc type, electric zinc furnace, is the production of a large amount of blue powder and proportionately little liquid spelter, for, as stated by Stansfield,l "A notable defect in the electric smelting of zinc ores is the difficulty experienced in obtaining the distilled zinc in the liquid state; ...... when zinc ores are smelted electrically, very little liquid metal is commonly obtained, nearly all of the zinc being in the state of powder." This difficulty was not encountered in the electric furnace used12 the main difficulty being the destruction of the fire-brick lining of the large condenser, in certain parts, and the formation of .some oxide and dross coatings on the condensing surfaces. The reason for these difficulties could readily be explained by the infiltration of air whenever the condenser was changed from one retort base to the other, the zinc absorbed in the fire-brick forming oxide and causing rupture by its expending volume. Two facts, however, tended to disprove this theory for the rupture of the fire-brick lining: first, the large distilling retort, lined with fire-brick, which was shifted from charge to charge on alternate bases at temperatures between 1200 and 1300 C., fully exposed to the air, showed no signs of disintegration whatever; second, marked disintegration in the condenser occurred .only in places that were at tempera-

Jan 1, 1919

By R. C. Philp, Allan Gibb

The term a matte " is applied to smelting-products so extremely diverse in composition and physical properties that it appears impossible to devise any generic formula to represent, chemically, the manner in which the varied proportions of the almost unlimited possible constituents combine with each other. Mattes produced in copper-smelting, in distinction from those produced in smelting-operations in which the recovery of cop per is secondary to that of other metals, cover a narrower range in composition. The copper-content of such mattes vary from 20 to 80 per cent., and even this range is much smaller in general practice since it is found advantageous, when possible, to produce mattes with about 50 per cent. of copper in the first operation. Further, it is unusual that arsenic or antimony occurs in copper-ores in sufficient proportions to form arsenides or antimonides in such quantities that they will separate out from the furnace-products, as is common in lead-smelting. Generally, the mattes produced in copper-smelting are composed mainly of copper (usually greater than 35 per cent.), iron and sulphur, the remaining elements being usually in proportions sufficiently small to allow of their treatment as impuritiee, rather than as essential constituents of the mattes. In modern practice of smelting copper-ores in blast-furnaces the tendency is to approach pyritic smelting as nearly as possible, the furnaces being low and the air supplied being largely in excess of that required for complete combustion of the carbonaceous fuel. Hence, the atmosphere of the blast-furnace thus used is usually oxidizing or nearly neutral, and, as a consequence, the reduction of metallic iron that was a necessary evil of former practice is of unusual occurrence in operations where the main object is the recovery of copper. Hearth-accre-

Jan 1, 1906

By Ernest F. Burchard

A Reconnaissance of the manganese- and chrome-ore deposits of Cuba was made by the writer, as a representative of the U. S. Geological Survey, in company with Mr. Albert Burch of the Bureau of Mines, under instructions of the Secretary of the Interior, in the spring of 1918. The Cuban Government courteously detailed Sr. E. I. Montoulieu, a mining engineer connected with the Treasury Department, to act as escort and associate throughout the work on the island. The object of the study was to obtain authentic information for use of the United States Government as to the location, character, quantity, and availability of the manganese- and chrome-ore deposits in Cuba. Accordingly, the work comprised examination of such deposits as seemed to be of promise, without regard to stage of development, with a view to a determination of the quantity and quality of ore likely to become available for shipment during 1918 and 1919, and of the tonnage of ore in reserve. Wile it was possible to visit most of the deposits that seemed to be of promise, there was not sufficient time to visit all that were brought to our attention, some of which may have merit. Moreover, the necessity for paying particular attention to the ore deposits and the mines precluded the possibility of making more general studies of the geology of the region, and of making satisfactory collections of country rock and of fossils, and so for other details as to the geography and geology of Cuba the reader is referred to the report by Hayes, Vaughan, and Spencer.l Mr. Burch returned to the United States about 10 days in advance of the writer, who continued, in company with Sr. Montoulieu, investigations of reported deposits in Pinar del Rio, Matanzas, and Santa Clara Provinces. On his arrival in Washington, Mr. Burch submitted to the Director of the Bureau of Mines a summary of the results of the work to date. Later the writer published, as Press Bulietin 190. 380 of the U. S. Geological Survey, a statement concerning the chrome and man-

Jan 1, 1920

By E. V. Foran

AMONG the many newer disclosures that have accompanied the petroleum industry&apos;s progressively deeper exploratory drilling is the increased frequency with which the operators are encountering reservoirs of which the products at the time of discovery exist wholly or predomi-nantly in the gas phase. The popular term "distillate pool" is most often used within the industry when referring to this type of reservoir, and in this paper the term is used in that sense. These pools have been observed in many different surroundings. In some places the entire reservoir is filled with the wet gas containing its water-white condensible products in the gas phase but apparently with no dark oil or other hydrocarbon liquids in the reservoir. The 8200-ft. horizon in the Big Lake field in West Texas is a good example of this type. At other places the wet, or distillate-bearing, gas may form a large gas cap directly overlying and in contact with an extensive reserve of dark oil. Oklahoma City, Kettleman Hills, the 8500-ft. horizon in the Big Lake field, and many others are examples of this type. There are also many places in which the wet distillate-bearing gas fills nearly the entire reservoir space, while the dark oil occupies only a narrow, bandlike zone, which marks the boundary of the reservoir along its lowest productive contour. The heavier components of these deep pool gases are generally water white in color, a large portion of which are condensible in a conventional oil and gas separator, when operated under pressures of the order of 400 to 800 lb. per sq. in. Although the water-white products recovered in the separator sometimes have end points of 650° F. and higher on standard Engler distillation, they occur only in the gas phase in the reservoir. It is entirely possible that even some small amounts of dark colored reservoir components may occur in the gas phase when the temperature is 300° F. and pressures exceed 6000 lb. per sq. in. Close approaches to these conditions have been encountered in the deepest producing wells. The condensible content of the deep reservoir gases of the many pools that have been tested or produced to date shows a wide variation in both condensible content, per 1000 cu. ft. of gas, and physical character.

Jan 1, 1939

By I. L. Nichols, D. C. Seidel, D. E. Traut

A fluidized countercurrent ion-exchange system was developed, operated, and evaluated by the Bureau of Mines. The system consisted of integrated multiple-compartment absorption and elution columns in which the solution flows are continuous except for short periods when resin increments are withdrawn. The exchange of uranyl sulfate between a simulated acid leach uranium solution and a strong-base, ion-exchange resin together with the subsequent elution with an acidified sodium chloride solution was studied. The effects of the number of sections, section heights, amount of resin withdrawal, and solution flow rates were investigated. Also examined were the kinetic and equilibrium relationships for the absorption step. The experimental data indicate a strong interdependence between variables. Solution retention time appears to be a major limiting variable. The column was efficient over a range of conditions, but close control was needed for optimum operation.

Jan 1, 1977

By W. A. Mudge, Paul D. Merica

One of the most prominent features of our present-day industrial development is the ever-increasing demand put upon materials of construction. Engineering ingenuity, within the past 25 years, has been unusually active, and in some fields at least engineers frankly say that engineering design has progressed as far as the limitations imposed by the properties of the present materials of construction will permit. Consequently, they are today demanding improvement in their working materials and seeking new ones, through the aid of which the present limitations of design may be overcome. The activity of this search is evident in all fields, but it is particularly so in that of structural materials required to be resistant to corrosion. The corrosion resistance of metals and alloys is never absolute and all-inclusive; a particular alloy will withstand some corrosive conditions well and fail utterly under others. Furthermore, other properties, physical and mechanical, required in conjunction with corrosion resistance vary considerably for different commercial applications. One wants a soft, ductile sheet metal resistant to atmospheric corrosion; another, a high-strength alloy resistant to sulfuric acid. The last decade has witnessed active and definite progress in the development of high-strength, corrosion-resisting alloys. In June, 1924, a symposium by the American Society for Testing Materials, on Corrosion-resistant, Heat-resistant and Electrical-resistance Alloys, disclosed no less than 60 commercial alloys the properties of which were described as being suitable for industrial service where corrosion resistance was a feature. Today the number of these alloys has been doubled, at least. In addition, economy in design and construction through decreased weight has given considerable impetus to the improvement of alloys of which the mechanical propprties may be improved by heat-treatment.

Jan 1, 1935

By Paul D. Merica, W. A. Mudge

One of the most prominent features of our present-day industrial development is the ever-increasing demand put upon materials of construction. Engineering ingenuity, within the past 25 years, has been unusually active, and in some fields at least engineers frankly say that engineering design has progressed as far as the limitations imposed by the properties of the present materials of construction will permit. Consequently, they are today demanding improvement in their working materials and seeking new ones, through the aid of which the present limitations of design may be overcome. The activity of this search is evident in all fields, but it is particularly so in that of structural materials required to be resistant to corrosion. The corrosion resistance of metals and alloys is never absolute and all-inclusive; a particular alloy will withstand some corrosive conditions well and fail utterly under others. Furthermore, other properties, physical and mechanical, required in conjunction with corrosion resistance vary considerably for different commercial applications. One wants a soft, ductile sheet metal resistant to atmospheric corrosion; another, a high-strength alloy resistant to sulfuric acid. The last decade has witnessed active and definite progress in the development of high-strength, corrosion-resisting alloys. In June, 1924, a symposium by the American Society for Testing Materials, on Corrosion-resistant, Heat-resistant and Electrical-resistance Alloys, disclosed no less than 60 commercial alloys the properties of which were described as being suitable for industrial service where corrosion resistance was a feature. Today the number of these alloys has been doubled, at least. In addition, economy in design and construction through decreased weight has given considerable impetus to the improvement of alloys of which the mechanical propprties may be improved by heat-treatment.

Jan 1, 1935

By E. W. Engle

Fox several years the Fansteel Products Co. has been engaged in the production and development of various of the rarer metals. It is at present engaged in the commercial production of tantalum, tungsten, and molybdenum in a very high state of purity. The information contained in this paper is partly a general compilation from various sources and partly information obtained as a result of recent years of work in the laboratory of this company. Tantalum, tungsten, and molybdenum form a group peculiar to themselves among the commercially available metals. Their very high melting points (tantalum 2770° C., tungsten 3350° C., and molybdenum 2550° C.) set them apart so far as the metallurgical processes for their production are concerned. Further, when properly prepared and treated they will stand a somewhat unusual degree of cold work, that is work below the temperature at which marked crystal growth takes place. Such cold-worked metal may show a high tensile strength; tantalum to 130,000 lb. per sq. in., tungsten to 490,000 lb., and molybdenum to 260,000 lb., in the form of fine wire. In physical appearance, these metals are not unlike some steels; they may be better described by saying that polished tantalum some¬what resembles lead; polished tungsten, iron; and polished molybdenum, nickel. The polished surfaces of all three remain untarnished in ordinary air. Air containing corrosion-producing impurities will, in general, show molybdenum the least resistant to corrosion and tantalum the most resistant. Molybdenum has, however, a high degree of resistance to corrosion by hydrochloric acid, a property that should render it of commercial interest. On the other hand, it is markedly attacked by some of the weaker organic acids.

Jan 3, 1925

By J. R. Campbell

In order to discuss the subject intelligently, it will be necessary to touch briefly on the forms in which sulphur is supposed to exist in coking coal to be carbonized in beehive or byproduct ovens. Sulphur is known to exist in coal as sulphides and sulphates, as can be determined experimentally. Then there is the so-called organic sulphur, i.e., sulphur in combination with the carbon, &apos;hydrogen, and oxygen of the coal, about which much has been written, but nothing definitely proven in an experimental way. In fact, so far. as we know, there never has been developed a satisfactory and conclusive method in the laboratory for the direct determination of organic sulphur. For most coking coals, it can be safely assumed that the preponderance of sulphur is in the form of pyrite (FeSz). When exposed to comparatively low temperatures during the coking process, it loses its sulphur according to the following chemical reaction: 7FeS2 = Fe7Ss + 6S. It will be seen, therefore, that six out of the 14 atoms of sulphur (or 42.8 per cent.) are expelled, or volatilized. FelSa remains in the coke as pyrrhotite, or magnetic sulphide of iron; this accounts for the highly magnetic properties of the powdered coke. A more commonly accepted reaction is FeS2 = FeS f S, in which the straight sulphide of iron is produced with 50 per cent. volatilization of sulphur. In the beehive methods of coke making, air is introduced in sufficient amounts to carry on the distilling and the coking processes, and the sulphur is oxidized along with the other volatile products: First, into sulphur dioxide (SO2), known by the pungent andsuffocating odoremitted from the trunnel head; second, into sulphuric anhydride (SOa); and, finally, into sulphuric acid, as it comes into contact with the air and moisture. In a properly regulated draft on a beehive oven, there is never complete combustion of the gases. In other words, the coking process should be carried on in a reducing atmosphere, and a low-grade producer gas kept issuing from the trunnel head. For coals of about 30 per cent. volatile matter, the ratio of air to gas is 3½ to 1. In complete combustion, the ratio is 6 to 1, producing an extremely high temperature

Jan 1, 1916

By J. R. Campbell

IN order to discuss the subject intelligently, it will be necessary to touch briefly on the forms in which sulphur is supposed to exist in coking coal to be carbonized in beehive or byproduct ovens. Sulphur is known to exist in coal as sulphides and sulphates, as can be determined experimentally. Then there is the so-called organic sulphur, i.e., sulphur in combination with the carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen of the coal, about which much has been written, but nothing definitely proven in an experimental way. In fact, so far as we know, there never has been developed a satisfactory and conclusive method in the laboratory for the direct determination of organic sulphur. For most coking coals, it can be safely assumed that the preponderance of sulphur is in the form of pyrite (FeS2). When exposed to comparatively low temperatures during the coking process, it loses its sulphur according to the following chemical reaction: 7FeS2 = Fe7S8 + 6S. It will be seen, therefore, that six out of the 14 atoms of sulphur (or 42.8 per cent.) are expelled, or volatilized. Fe7S8 remains in the coke as pyrrhotite, or magnetic sulphide of iron; this accounts for the highly magnetic properties of the powdered coke. A more commonly accepted reaction is FeS2 = FeS + S, in which the straight sulphide of iron is produced with 50 per cent. volatilization of sulphur. In the beehive methods of coke making, air is introduced in sufficient amounts to carry on the distilling and the coking processes, and the sulphur is oxidized along with the other volatile products: First, into sulphur dioxide (SO2), known by the pungent and suffocating odoremitted from the trunnel head; second, into sulphuric anhydride (SO3); and, finally, into sulphuric acid, as it comes into contact with the air and moisture. In a properly regulated draft on a beehive oven, there is never complete combustion of the gases. In other words, the coking process should be carried on in a reducing atmosphere, and a low-grade producer gas kept issuing from the trunnel head. For coals of about 30 per cent. volatile matter, the ratio of air to gas is 3 ½ to 1. In complete combustion, the ratio is 6 to 1, producing an extremely high temperature

Jan 1, 1916