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By C. W. Davis, L. R. Messer

THE name fuller's earth, which was derived from its early use in "fulling" or removing grease from woolen goods, is a term that is generally considered to designate mineral matter, containing hydrous aluminum silicates of the clay group, which has a high capacity for removing colors from oils, whether of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin. Fuller's earths are usually dried and may be "tempered" by heating or may be treated with water or reagents to improve their efficiency. For our purpose the term "acid-treated earths" will include those products from the partial decomposition of mineral water by acid which are equal to or more efficient than an untreated fuller's earth from Quincy, Fla., when used in bleaching mineral oil by the "contact" process. In general, the contact process for treating oils consists of heating and agitating a mixture of oil and finely divided adsorbent, the latter being subsequently removed by filtration. The term "adsorbent" is used because, although there has been a great deal of controversy over the mechanism of removal of impurities from oils by mineral matter, there is no doubt that adsorption, which involves the surface of the solid, plays a major part.' The properties that make fuller's earth useful in the treatment of petroleum products by "percolation1' and in the purification of edible oils by the contact process have long been studied, but the comparatively recent adaptation of the contact process to the bleaching of petroleum products has made desirable the further investigation of fuller's earth and other adsorbent earths.

Jan 1, 1929

By AIME AIME

IT is unlikely that any oil field has ever threatened the future course of the oil industry as does Kettleman today. It seems that nature has striven to outdo herself in combining in this field every possible factor conducive to a tremendous production of the petroleum product in greatest demand-gasoline. This field already has 13,700 acres of proved land and an oil zone of known thickness of 1400 ft. It has wells yielding several thousand barrels of oil of virtually motor fuel grade, together with millions of cubic feet of gas at almost unheard of pressures. The field would have been the. answer to an oil man's prayer in times of under-supply, but now it is the oil man's nightmare, for drilled in -the manner of most other fields and without regard to available markets for oil and gas, the greatest physical and economic losses in the his¬tory of the oil industry will result.

Jan 1, 1930

By James P. Kimball

Jan 1, 1881

By Franklin H. Sharp, Kenneth L. Clifford

During the last few years the New Lead Belt of Southeastern Missouri has become the main source of lead in the United States. It also produces significant amounts of zinc, copper and silver. The mines are located on a narrow, mineralized trend extending southward from Viburnum, MG. for about 35 miles. The ore occurs as replacement deposits in the Bonneterre lime- stone formation which is about 1000 ft below the surface. In most of the mines, enough water is produced to supply the milling requirements without any reuse. There are dry areas, however, and at least two mills must rely on water reclaimed from their tailings lake to augment the mine water. These mills have no choice but to utilize recycled mill water.

Jan 7, 1973

By C. W. Davis

THE name fuller's earth, which was derived from its early use in "fulling" or removing grease from woolen goods, is a term that is generally considered to designate mineral matter, containing hydrous aluminum silicates of the clay group, which has a high capacity for removing colors from oils, whether of animal, vegetable, or mineral origin. Fuller's earths are usually dried and may be "tempered" by heating or may be treated with water or reagents to improve their efficiency. For our purpose the term "acid-treated earths" will include those products from the partial decomposition of mineral water by acid which are equal to or more efficient than an untreated fuller's earth from Quincy, Fla., when used in bleaching mineral oil by the "contact" process. In general, the contact process for treating oils consists of heating and agitating a mixture of oil and finely divided adsorbent, the latter being subsequently removed by filtration. The term "adsorbent" is used because, although there has been a great deal of controversy over the mechanism of removal of impurities from oils by mineral matter, there is no doubt that adsorption, which involves the surface of the solid, plays a major part.1 The properties that make fuller's earth useful in the treatment of petroleum products by "percolation" and in the purification of edible oils by the contact process have long been studied, but the comparatively recent adaptation of the contact process to the bleaching of petroleum products has made desirable the further investigation of fuller's earth and other adsorbent earths.

Jan 1, 1929

The curve of Fig. 3 for pyrite requires modification. There 11% a range of pH values from 6.2 to 7.8 for which no cyanide is required to prevent contact. From 7.8 to 11.3 a small amount of cyanide is required, with a sharp maximum of 20 mg. per liter at pH=9.6. The mistake arose from considering too few solution compositions (17 were considered) in constructing the curve. Subsequent work with other collectors indicates that the corrected curve is typical for such systems; it illustrates the further development of the dip in the pyrite curve of Fig. 5.

Jan 1, 1938

By R. A. Blake

Measurements of the quantity of xanthate abstracted from mineral surfaces and put into solution by an increase in the hydroxyl ion concentration were made. A residual xanthate concentration of 59.6 ppm was found in one case at a pH of 11.8. The abstracted xanthate is capable of acting as a collector on fresh mineral surfaces under proper conditions. It was learned that as the hydroxyl ion increased and the xanthate abstracted, the coarse particles lose their floatability first. A volume weight relationship based on percentage coverage was established and seems to offer a reasonable explanation of the cause of observed results.

Jan 1, 1973

By G. M. Ritcey

The concentration of metals in the solution, the .value of the metal being recovered, together with the flow through- put, may singly or in combination conbribute to the decision on the possible use of solvent extraction. Also, as noted earlier, the upstream and downstream aspects of the overall process have to be considered. The economic considerations may be divided into: 1. Capital investments 2. Operating costs Capital Cost The capital costs can be influenced by the following: 1. number of stages; 2. kinetics; 3. coalescence; 4. entrainment; 5. flow rates and ratios; 6. building requirements; 7. ancillary equipment; 8. environment constraints or requirements; 9. engineering design.

Jan 1, 1978

By J. T. Ryan

IN making a comparison of mine inspection methods in Europe and the United States, it is necessary to have some basis to start from, which makes this subject rather difficult, as such methods are governed largely by the authority given the inspector by the mining laws. In the United States there are 31 coal producing states and territories and 32 different mining laws under which inspectors operate, as one state-Pennsylvania-has both a bituminous and an anthracite code. Some of these codes are distinctly coal mining codes; others are essentially coal mining but apply also to other mines; several codes are sub-divided referring partly to coal mines and partly to other mines, and a few codes are mainly metal mining but apply in part to coal mining. Having all these different codes in the United States and the departments organized in a variety of different ways, there is of necessity a great difference in inspection methods in this country.

Jan 1, 1926

By NILS DANIELSEN

THE name of Swedish charcoal iron will probably bring to the memory of many old consumers an extremely tough and ductile iron which was formerly used in considerable quantities for common blacksmith purposes. To-day very little of this iron goes to such kind of work. Swedish charcoal iron is merely a speciality which is chosen whenever its remark¬able properties can be utilized. By giving a rough sketch of the manufacturing process of Swedish charcoal iron, the character of the iron, its weak as well as its strong points will more easily be understood. Swedish charcoal iron is a wrought iron also known in the United States under the name of Norway iron and Swedish Lancashire iron. The name Norway iron seems to have been attached to the product for the reason that in the earlier days it was generally brought into the States by Norwegian ships. However no iron of this kind is now made in Norway. The reason for the name Swedish Lancashire iron is that the manufac¬turing process emanated from Lancashier in England, the method being generally adopted in Sweden in the years 1831-1850. Today this iron is, with the exception of one plant in the United States, made in no place in the world outside of Sweden.

Jan 1, 1924

By L. E. Shiffman

W. J. Parton—Those operators faced with the problem of treating fine coal whether in bituminous or anthracite will find this paper most timely. I would like to take this opportunity of discussing Mr. Schiffman's paper and at the same time express certain views relating to our Tamaqua plant. I would like to ask the author what type of impeller and diffuser is used in the Denver cells? Screen analysis of products from individual cells indicate that coarser material resists flotation and only floats after greater retention time in the last few cells. Also, the need for a scavenger screen to reclaim non-floated coal particles further stresses this point. I have always felt that more efficient means of cleaning coal between 10-mesh and 28-mesh existed than flotation. Reagent and power costs are high for the flotation process. When floating +28-mesh particles, cell capacity is lowered and some of the particles are lost with the refuse. The Tamaqua plant of the Lehigh Navigation Coal Co. floats —28-mesh coal and capacity of recoverable coal is 40 tph for 1800 cu ft of Denver cells; or 0.05 tons per cu ft of cell. At Kimberly 7.75 tph for 600 cu ft of cell gives 0.013 ton per cu ft of cell. At Bessie 14 tph for 800 cu ft of cell gives 0.017 tons per cu ft of cell. It would be appreciated if the author would comment on what he feels is the upper size limit of particle to attain most efficient utilization of the flotation process. The dewatering screw is a very interesting development since it offers a simple way to prepare coal sludge for more complete clewatering by drainage or mechanical dewatering on screen or filters. In other words it could be used to accomplish the same thing as a thickener tank. I would appreciate having the author's comment on how he thinks such a screw dewaterer would work on a froth.* The process as used in floating coal at the Bessie and Kimberly plants may be referred to as more of a bulk oil float in contrast to a froth flotation process. Experiments on increasing capacity of cells is most interesting since we are going through such an experi- mental period at the present time. Recently a double overflow was installed on our No. 30 Denver cells. So far results are not conclusive. In reviewing this paper the following comments are made pertaining to investigation of methods for increasing capacity: Supercharging: Supercharged air in matte flotation or for that matter the use of the normal amount of air drawn in by the impeller would in all probability cause such an aeration in the cell as to destroy the buoyant effect given to the coal particles by the excessive amount of kerosine used. In other words, air creates an agitation zone throughout the cell, creating a boiling and thereby giving a lower recovery in the cell. It would be interesting to know whether the 7 pct increase in recovery was with no air being admitted to the stand pipe. Changing Impeller Speed: The speed of a receded disc impeller for a No. 30 cell as recommended by the Denver Equipment Co. is, I believe, approximately 250 rpm. At this speed and using supercharged air in excess of 8-oz pressure, we have observed a boiling action in the cells. In our flotation we endeavor to obtain some degree of froth flotation using pine oil as a frother. The boiling action as caused by increasing the amount of air added to the cells is detrimental to recovery in froth flotation. It is our belief that to obtain increased recovery from a cell in froth flotation, additional air must be introduced but at the same time this air must be dispersed throughout the pulp in the form of small bubbles and this can only be done by increasing the speed of the impeller. Therefore, if Mr. Schiffman decreased the speed of the No. 30 impellers and at the same time continued to use supercharged air, the boiling action may have been increased because larger bubbles developed. The lower recovery as reported could be due to this factor. Decreasing the impeller speed will definitely decrease the power consumed but may have other disadvantages. First, we believe it will permit "sanding" in the cell and this in our opinion will increase the wear on the impeller and diffuser, especially so, if there is pyrite and/or sand present in the feed. "Sanding" in the cell when air is used, as in froth flotation, will effect the dispersion of this air and cause boiling.

Jan 1, 1951

By L. E. Shiffman

W. J. Parton—Those operators faced with the problem of treating fine coal whether in bituminous or anthracite will find this paper most timely. I would like to take this opportunity of discussing Mr. Schiffman's paper and at the same time express certain views relating to our Tamaqua plant. I would like to ask the author what type of impeller and diffuser is used in the Denver cells? Screen analysis of products from individual cells indicate that coarser material resists flotation and only floats after greater retention time in the last few cells. Also, the need for a scavenger screen to reclaim non-floated coal particles further stresses this point. I have always felt that more efficient means of cleaning coal between 10-mesh and 28-mesh existed than flotation. Reagent and power costs are high for the flotation process. When floating +28-mesh particles, cell capacity is lowered and some of the particles are lost with the refuse. The Tamaqua plant of the Lehigh Navigation Coal Co. floats —28-mesh coal and capacity of recoverable coal is 40 tph for 1800 cu ft of Denver cells; or 0.05 tons per cu ft of cell. At Kimberly 7.75 tph for 600 cu ft of cell gives 0.013 ton per cu ft of cell. At Bessie 14 tph for 800 cu ft of cell gives 0.017 tons per cu ft of cell. It would be appreciated if the author would comment on what he feels is the upper size limit of particle to attain most efficient utilization of the flotation process. The dewatering screw is a very interesting development since it offers a simple way to prepare coal sludge for more complete clewatering by drainage or mechanical dewatering on screen or filters. In other words it could be used to accomplish the same thing as a thickener tank. I would appreciate having the author's comment on how he thinks such a screw dewaterer would work on a froth.* The process as used in floating coal at the Bessie and Kimberly plants may be referred to as more of a bulk oil float in contrast to a froth flotation process. Experiments on increasing capacity of cells is most interesting since we are going through such an experi- mental period at the present time. Recently a double overflow was installed on our No. 30 Denver cells. So far results are not conclusive. In reviewing this paper the following comments are made pertaining to investigation of methods for increasing capacity: Supercharging: Supercharged air in matte flotation or for that matter the use of the normal amount of air drawn in by the impeller would in all probability cause such an aeration in the cell as to destroy the buoyant effect given to the coal particles by the excessive amount of kerosine used. In other words, air creates an agitation zone throughout the cell, creating a boiling and thereby giving a lower recovery in the cell. It would be interesting to know whether the 7 pct increase in recovery was with no air being admitted to the stand pipe. Changing Impeller Speed: The speed of a receded disc impeller for a No. 30 cell as recommended by the Denver Equipment Co. is, I believe, approximately 250 rpm. At this speed and using supercharged air in excess of 8-oz pressure, we have observed a boiling action in the cells. In our flotation we endeavor to obtain some degree of froth flotation using pine oil as a frother. The boiling action as caused by increasing the amount of air added to the cells is detrimental to recovery in froth flotation. It is our belief that to obtain increased recovery from a cell in froth flotation, additional air must be introduced but at the same time this air must be dispersed throughout the pulp in the form of small bubbles and this can only be done by increasing the speed of the impeller. Therefore, if Mr. Schiffman decreased the speed of the No. 30 impellers and at the same time continued to use supercharged air, the boiling action may have been increased because larger bubbles developed. The lower recovery as reported could be due to this factor. Decreasing the impeller speed will definitely decrease the power consumed but may have other disadvantages. First, we believe it will permit "sanding" in the cell and this in our opinion will increase the wear on the impeller and diffuser, especially so, if there is pyrite and/or sand present in the feed. "Sanding" in the cell when air is used, as in froth flotation, will effect the dispersion of this air and cause boiling.

Jan 1, 1951

By J. F. Ednie

SCRAP metals to the value of more than a billion and a half dollars were recovered in the United States in 1939 for further use in industry. Few people have any true conception of the magnitude of the secondary-metal industry as related to that engaged in the production of the primary, or virgin, metals; of its importance, particularly when a shortage of primary metals exists, as at present; or of the advance that has been made in standardizing and improving the quality of its products. Of the iron and steel produced in the United States in 1939 (the data used in this article are largely taken from Bureau of Mines reports for that year) just over 50 per cent came from scrap and slightly less than 50 per cent from ore. Of the principal nonferrous metals-aluminum, anti-mony, copper, lead, nickel, tin, and zinc-63 per cent came from domestic ores and 37 per cent from scrap. Fig. 1 presents graphically the relative tonnage and value of primary and secondary production of ferrous and nonferrous metals. In this chart only purchased secondary metals are considered, the figures being exclusive of "home" or "plant" scrap which amounts to rather large figures in the iron and steel industry. Incidentally, the chart shows that from the tonnage standpoint the iron and steel industry is some twenty times larger than the nonferrous industry, though with regard to the value of the product the ratio drops to about two to one.

Jan 1, 1941

Albert Ladd Colby, New York, N. Y. (communication to the Secretary†):—I observed (Trans., xxxvii., 585) that to obtain tenders from several American mills, the foreign engineer should modify his maximum phosphorus to 0.10 per cent., not as Mr. E. Windsor Richards quotes me, that no American rail-maker can produce rails under 0.10 per cent. of phosphorus. Mr. Richards claims that no English engineer would agree to accept 0.10 per cent. of phosphorus on any terms whatever. Mr. Webster writes that only after an engineer has .been convinced that rails can be made in America equal in every respect to those he is getting abroad, should he be asked to modify ally conditions in his specifications. I know it to be a fact that during recent years in many cases, as, for instance, When delivery could be secured more promptly in the United States than in Europe, the consulting engineers of several British and colonial railroads have frequently agreed to modify their phosphorus requirement to a maximum of 0.10 per cent., and the rails delivered' under these modified specifications have, under like conditions, given just as satisfactory service and proved to be no more brittle than similar sections of 0.07 per cent. phosphorus rails, rolled in England under the same specification except without modification as to phosphorus. Furthermore, it would appear from the analyses of British rails, quoted by E. A. Dancaster,2 in his discussion of Mr.

Jan 1, 1908

By JOHN LANE DYNAN

HE Tonopah Extension property consisted originally of three claims, with an area of 38 acres. In 1902 a shaft, now known as No. 1, was started near the eastern end of the property, close to the Tonopah Mining Co.'s boundary line, in the. andesite cap rock' which covers the ore-bearing formations in the western end of the Tonopah district. A short distance below the 60-ft. level, the orebodies pinched out, although the veins continued. This shaft has not been used since 1916. Before 1910, the production was small, coming mostly from small shoots of high-grade shipping ore. In that : year, the, company started its 30-stamp mill and cyanide plant; the mill was later enlarged to 50 stamps, with a corresponding increase in the cyanide-plant capacity, which brought the capacity of the mill up to 350 .tons per day. The total production of the mine to Oct. 1, 1920, is 871,177 tons of ore, from which was recovered 15,267,216 oz. of silver and 156,241 oz. of gold.' This makes an average recovery per ton of 17.5 oz. silver and 0.179 oz. gold. The average price received for silver since' the beginning of operations is 65.87 c. per oz., and the average value recovered from the ore-'is $15.25. The area of the property has been gradually increased by purchases and consolidations of adjoining ground until it is now 647 acres. A new shaft, known as No. 2, was started in 1912, 1600 ft. west .of No. 1, and in the following year a crosscut on the 750-ft. level of this shaft resulted in the discovery of the. Murray Vein system, from which the greatest prosperity of the mine has come. This vein, with its related veins,

Jan 1, 1921

By R. H. Sweetser

AT the Buffalo meeting in October, 1898 (Trans., xxviii., 865), our Secretary, Dr. Raymond, in speaking of the obstacles he had encountered in securing contributions to the Transactions from members in practice, said: "It is the disinclination of many members to communicate incomplete or partial or preliminary results. They are going to write, ' some day,' a thorough and monumental paper; and meanwhile they prefer to communicate nothing. . . . It is the difficulty to which I have just referred that I have encountered in a wide correspondence with members, undertaken for the purpose of securing contributions of fact and opinion concerning the special subject of this discussion. . . . Almost none of them seem to recognize the value of preliminary, incomplete and indecisive reports of practice, as laying the foundation for a thorough inquiry." This remark was made in immediate reference to a discussion concerning blast-furnace tuyeres ; but, notwithstanding this appeal from the Secretary, little has been recorded regarding the distribution, the penetration, and the pressure of the blast at the tuyeres and inside the iron blast-furnace. I am therefore encouraged to contribute the following incomplete and crude observations of the blast-pressure inside the hearth. At the suggestion of J. H. Frantz, the General Manager of the Columbus Iron & Steel Co., a test was made at the East furnace of the company to determine whether there was any difference in blast-pressure at the different tuyeres. The apparatus used for this test was not sensitive enough to give accurate results. It consisted of a small pressure-gauge mounted on a 3/8-in. gas-pipe. A hollow plug, fitting into the peep-hole of the tuyere-cap, prevented the blast from blowing-out during the test. The test-pipe was held in place by means of the handle on the outer end.

Mar 1, 1909

By AIME AIME

A COMMITTEE, representing a number of the larger oil companies in California, met in San Francisco on Nov. 12, 1919, for the purpose of discussing the depletion deductions to be allowed in computing the Federal income taxes under the Internal Revenue Act of 1918. It was the general sense of the committee that a system based on sound engineering principles should be formulated for estimating the value of oil properties, so that better and more uniform results might be obtained by the various companies in filing their returns with the' Bureau of Internal Revenue. A subcommittee, consisting of five petroleum engineers, was thereupon appointed to collect information and draft a report. The committee consisted of G. C. Gester, Carl H. Beal, J. H. G. Wolf, E. G. Gaylord, and E. D. Nolan; this report is the work of that subcommittee.

Jan 1, 1920

By D. N. Hedges

This paper discusses the actual recovery and installation of a longwall in a bituminous coal mine in western Pennsylvania. The coal bed mined is in the Lower Freeport seam, which averaged 1.07 m (42 in.) in height locally. Drainage from the mine is about 13.25 ML/day (3.5 million gal per day) of water. This water deteriorates the mine's predominately fire clay bottom making it extremely difficult to move equipment. Support removal is accomplilshed by pulling the 5.44 t (6 st) shields out under their own hydraulic power and transporting them by track 8.05 km (5 miles) to the next longwall panel. This paper also discusses the changes that will be made to aid in the succeeding longwall recoveries and installations.

Jan 1, 1985

By H Haas

H. HAAS, San Francisco, Cal. (communication to the Secretary?). -Fig. 1 plainly shows that the comparison of the steam-turbine and Diesel-engine plants was made on a basis of 6,000 kw. continuous operating load. The tabulation of costs for an 8,000-kw. load is merely done to show the relation of increased output on' the unit power costs. Both plants would sacrifice their reserve capacity, which is to insure continuous operation, if operated to generate 8,000 kw. continuously; unless Mr. Hawkins advocates the operation of one of the turbines at 33.33 per cent. overload, retaining the other as a standby, which, besides overtaxing the turbine, results in a great loss of efficiency. It would he well for Mr. Hawkins to qualify certain of his statements. Thus, under the caption "Diesel Engines, Selection of Units," he says that "two of the largest Diesel-engine builders take the position that, in the present state of the art, they would not attempt to put out units over 1,000 kw.;" he should qualify it by saving that "two of the largest American Diesel-engine builders take the position that, in the present state of the art in the United States, they would not attempt to put out units over 1,000 kw." The reason that American manufacturers restrict themselves at present to units of that size is to be found not so much in a lack of experience in building large units as in a lack of a sufficient, demand for them in the United States to justify the heavy capital outlay connected with the development of such engines. There are relatively few localities in the United States where fuel prices are as high as they are in the Southwest, and regions of high fuel prices are sparsely settled and have a very limited demand for power. Where low fuel prices obtain, steam turbines are active competitors of Diesel engines for large power plants, particularly when the station load factor is low. As most of the American manufacturers of Diesel engines work under license agreements with European manufacturers, which limit their market to the United States and its possessions and Canada, a further limitation is imposed upon them, leaving to European firms practically the entire world as a market.

Jan 5, 1917

By Tegner C. Johnson

Just a few years ago, my company was referred to as the Marion Steam Shovel Company. Though we still make shovels, both two and eight-crawler types, the eight-crawler stripping shovel appears to have been replaced by the walking dragline for overburden removal and in some cases for the mineral as well. The walking dragline appeared in the coal fields in the early 1930's. It is popular because it can cope with overburden depths in excess of 100 ft and with blasted sedimentary rock, all at an O & O (ownership and operational) cost of ±10[c] per bank cu yd (bcy).

Jan 10, 1974