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By George Ross Green

[In discussion of the paper of Mr. J. C. Bayles, read at the New York meeting of September, 1890, Trans., xix., p. 18.1 It is often so difficult to locate the causes of failures of machinery and apparatus which can be examined and studied at leisure, that it is not surprising that the causes of explosions should escape detection. Usually the explosion is the first evidence that anything is amiss, and the time for observing the conditions is necessarily brief. An incident in a welding-works near Essen, Germany, might be cited as exemplifying what trifling causes may lead to disaster, and how difficult, under the most favorable conditions, it may be to discover them. A blowing-engine was arranged with two suction-pipes at each end of the blowing-cylinder—one leading to the air, and the other to the gas-holder. Each pipe was provided with a valve, and all were so adjusted that the cylinder drew in gas and air in the proportions found most advantageous. The gases from the cylinder were carried directly to the furnace through suitable pipes, and while the cylinder was provided with relief-valves, every effort was made to prevent explosions, principally by compressing the gases to a point where the rate of efflux of the mixture was greater than the velocity of combustion, if the expression is here allowable. It was found that the apparatus would work satisfactorily for some time, and then the relative proportions of the mixture would change, and an explosion might have been the result. Experiments consuming days were made to discover a method of averting this danger, but they were unsuccessful, until it was observed that the change in the composition of the mixture of gas and air took place when the gasometer began to rise or fall—the back-pressure due to friction when the holder was rising or its absence when falling being sufficient to change the conditions. As soon as this was discovered,

Jan 1, 1892

By Leah L. Naugle, H. G. Landau, H. H. Lowry

EVIDENCE has been accumulating in recent years, in part from the work of the Coal Research Laboratory, that coals belong to a family of natural polymers and that even in complex reactions the differences between coals are quantitative and not qualitative. This point of view leads to the expectation that if a series of coals were subjected to a closely controlled set of experimental conditions the results obtained should be related to the chemical analyses of the individual coals. The data accumulated over the past 10 years by the Bureau of Mines in its "Survey of Coke-, Gas-, and By-Product-Making Properties of American Coals," in what has come to be recognized as the Bureau of Mines-American Gas Association (BM-AGA) carbonization assay test,1-12 offer an unusual opportunity to check this conclusion. The present paper reports an analysis of the data on the first go coals and coal blends-including coals numbered I to 55b, inclusive -which have been carbonized according to a standard procedure at intervals of 100°C. from 500° to 1100° in either or both 13 or I8-in. cylindrical retorts." In Table I are given the name of the seam from which the sample was obtained, the analytical data used, and the reference to the original publication of the Bureau of Mines. The coals range in fixed carbon from 46.2 to 79.0 per cent, in volatile matter from 15.4 to 41.3 per cent, in ash; from 2.1 to 15.9 per cent, in moisture from o.8 to 19.7 per cent, and in total sulphur from 0.40 to 4.44 per cent; therefore the entire gamut of bituminous coals is represented. The petrographic nature of the individual coals is not considered in the following analysis, although both "normal" bright coals and splint coals are included in the samples studied. For information on the petrography of the coals and for further information characterizing the coals the original papers should be consulted. Although the coals that are included extend over the whole range of bituminous coals, they do not cover this range entirely adequately. In particular, only 13 of the go coals have moisture contents greater than 3 per cent. This concentration at low moisture values means that the effect of moisture, which is an important factor, cannot be determined with as much certainty as would be desirable. All the coals were not tested at every temperature and in both retort sizes. Only the first 30 coals were tested at 1100°, and only about 50 at the other temperatures, except at 900°, where nearly all of them were included. In the accompanying tables the actual number of observations entering into each correlation is given. In this study equations are given for calculating analyses, yields, and properties of coke and by-products from the coal analyses. To decide whether these equations are satisfactory it is necessary to know the accuracy with which these quantities were measured in the assay tests.

Jan 1, 1941

By Samuel G. Lasky

What the evidence prevails upon the mind to believe, depends upon the mind as well as upon the evidence. M. L. IN a recent discussion of the mineral resource position of the United States, published in the September 1946 issue of MINING AND METALLURGY, I expressed my conviction that ore deposits of major magnitude remain to be found in this country and that they can be found without undue cost or risk. I stated with equally strong conviction, however, that if the search for such deposits is to be notably successful there must be, among other things, a reorientation of philosophy and mental habits on the part of many who would be connected with the search. I would now like to enlarge upon that statement. For such a purpose, we may consider that the search for concealed deposits involves four steps: (I) the selection of areas for further study; (2) the geologic study of those areas in order to verify their general favorableness and in order to choose specific patches worthy of being tested; (3) the decision whether exploration of the patches chosen should actually be undertaken; and (4) the exploration itself. The first two steps and the last rest upon the judgment and skill of geologists. The third step-the decision whether exploration should be undertaken-rests upon management. In my opinion, the philosophies or principles that have guided these steps in the past are now inadequate. PHILOSOPHY OF APPRAISAL If concealed deposits are to be looked for, how are the places of their possible concealment to be recognized? Every known mineralized area still in the prospect stage has already been repeatedly examined and condemned. As for those deposits concealed under later rocks, there may be not even the clue of a near-by outcrop for engineer or geologist to consider. How then, are we to know where to look? Geologic Probability In the early days of our mining industry, ore deposits were found mainly by "following the ore." Later, as such opportunities decreased, and as geologic concepts became accepted, deposits were found more and more through use of the notion of geologic probability. Many instances can be cited wherein a courageous operator ignored the implications of the unsuccessful efforts of predecessors and, solely by "following the ore," converted a discredited prospect into a good mine. Similar experience doubtless will occur in the future, but "following the ore" will no longer in itself find new deposits in the amount needed. Nor can enough new ore be expected from further use of the notion of geologic probability, for, as mentioned above, our known prospects `have already been ex-

Jan 1, 1947

By J. Moore Samuel

Before the year 1909, no measurements of dust losses and flue gases had been made at the Copper Queen Reduction Works, at Douglas, Ariz. At that time the "unaccounted" loss of the smelter had reached a figure that drew attention to the possibility of large stack losses. The measurement of dust losses had not been studied much at that time, and estimates of dust losses, with a few exceptions, were the results of tests by what has been termed '(chemical methods," that is, the aspiration and filtration through cotton, wool or some similar medium of a few liters of gas, the dust being weighed on a chemical balance, and the volume of gas computed from the volume of aspirator water. The possible error of this method is enormous, and the probable error much too large for reliable results. Since the object of these tests was to discover not only the extent of the dust losses, but also the possibility of profitably reducing them, it was decided that the method adopted must have the following characteristics: 1. The sample of gas taken for filtration must be representative of the whole volume of gas, that is to say, it must have the same dust content. This condition will be fulfilled in all cases if the gas sample is drawn off without change of rate of flow. Then it will contain the same proportion of entrained or suspended particles of dust as the original gas. In the case of flue gases which contain only fume, at a temperature above or near the sublimation point, this condition need not be adhered to since the fume will not behave as entrained particles, but more nearly as a true gas. Consequently the gas sample in this case only may be drawn off at any rate of flow. 2. The gas sample taken must be large enough (a) to yield sufficient dust to permit of accurate chemical and physical examination; (b) so that the ratio of the total volume of gas passing through the flue to the volume of gas sample taken shall not be too large.

Jan 1, 1917

By Wm. I. Weisman, C. W. Tandy

Consumption of fluorspar in the United States in the last ten years has doubled to 1.34 million tons. One main, reason for the increase has been the use of the basic oxygen furnace to produce steel which requires considerably more fluorspar than the open hearth. The increasing consumption of aluminum and fluorocarbon chemicals will require more fluorspar, Since 1964 domestic fluorspar prices have advanced over 70%. Maximum prices were attained in 1971 and remain stable. These higher prices have brought about the expansion of production capacity at many of the present mines and mills. Exploration has been intensified, resulting in new discoveries, which are being brought into production. Many deposits, heretofore considered uneconomical, are being reappraised for possible development. Companies who have not previously mined fluorspar are actively seeking and acquiring new properties. The outlook for the continued health of the domestic fluorspar industries is favorable at present prices; however, it is doubtful that production will be greatly increased. New production will have to come from presently inaccessible areas of much greater distance from consuming centers. Prices will have to be higher to support this production. Domestic fluorspar production meets only 20% of domestic consumption. Thus, reliance on imports on fluorspar in the future will become increasingly more critical.

Jan 1, 1975

By H. Foster Bain

THIS subject is one that has attracted my attention for a good many years. All of us have had occa-sion to think of the waste that comes from the poor organization of our methods of finding mines and of looking after prospects. Probably all of us, in, examination work, have made a long and difficult journey to see some prospect, in a far country, or often in the mountains, have found the prospect one that never could be developed, and have learned for the first time that it had been previously examined by from two to six of our professional associates, who, each in turn, condemned the property as worthless. I know properties, as all of you do, that have been repeatedly examined by first-class engineers. Perhaps it would not be safe or wise to have an invariable rule that, each prospect should be entitled to only one examination by one engineer; and yet, it seems to me that somewhere there is a middle ground to take; it is hardly necessary that each little prospect should be examined so many times that the walls get greasy from the climbing of mining engineers, or the stopes get filled up with cigarette stumps. 'This mining engineering profession ought to have brains enough to find some way of making this unnecessary, and of making the benefit of an examination, in some cases at least, and in a much larger number of cases than at present, avail-able to the industry as a whole. If we would save the amount of money that is spent unnecessarily on reexamination of properties, and let that money flow into the actual development of )properties, I believe that, in the long run, we would be better off. Just how to do that is another problem. In 1916, while in London, Edgar Rickard and I attempted to do something of that kind. We started to organize a plan whereby mining engineers might, with the consent of their class, turn over to a central organization their reports on properties they had examined, whereby men who had occasion to look up these same properties might, on payment of a fee (which should go back to the original client, if you desire, or might be devoted to some other purpose for the benefit of the industry), have access to these earlier reports. We found, in the short time we considered this matter, that a good many British engineers, and a good many of the companies, were willing to consider this. In other words, they were willing to pool their information, as a matter of practical experience. We all know the enormous value of pooling information. I think it is a problem that may well be considered from the point of view of the industry as a whole, which the Society might attempt' to work out on a businesslike basis. Assuming, however, that it is possible to work out a plan whereby we get the minimum number of examina-tions that are necessary and we make some saving in money, we reach another stage-the problem of the examination itself.

Jan 3, 1922

By Albert Sauveur

MY FIRST paper dealing with the theories of the hardening of steel by rapid cooling was published in the Transactions of this Institute in 1896-30 years ago-under the title "The Microstructure of Steel and the Current Theories of Hardening;" hence, also, the title of the present paper. It was extensively discussed and was, I believe, one of the starting points of many subsequent papers and discussions of the same subject, discusssions which at times became almost violent and which led to the formation of different schools such as the "Carbonists" and the "Allotropists." Some of the older members of the Institute, who took part in the debate or who were interested observers, will, I am sure, have kept a vivid remembrance of it. The controversy gradually quieted down, apparently for lack of ammunition, without any side acknowledging defeat. Recently, however, interest in it has been revived through the claims of some that these vexed questions had at last been solved. In an effort to ascertain if possible the prevailing view of those best qualified to express an opinion a questionnaire was submitted to the following gentlemen: J. 0. Arnold Sir Robert Hadfield Edgar C. Bain W. H. Hatfield Carl Benedicks Samuel L. Hoyt N. Belaiew Kotaro Honda H. M. Boylston Zay Jeffries Harry Brearley H. Le Chatelier G. K. Burgess H. H. Lester William Campbell Francis F. Lucas H. C. H. Carpenter John A. Mathews Pierre Chevenard A. McCance P. Dejean Albert Portevin C. A. Edwards Walter Rosenhain F. Giolliti Bradley Stoughton G. Grenet F. C. Thompson Leon Guillet

Jan 2, 1926

By K. R. Carson, J. Weertman

An attempt is made to ascertain the mechanism of tangle and cell formation and its dependence upon dislocation-interstitial carbon interactions. The strain-hardening behavior of single crystals of 3.25 pct Si-Fe was determined at 300° and 425°K and under conditions of both continuous and interrupted tensile strain. Significantly enhanced hardening was observed in crystals deformed at the elevated temperature, and it was further accentuated by interrupted straining. Transmission electron microscopy was used to study the resultant dislocation structures. Strain aging was found to aid tangle and cell formation at 425°K, but at both temperatures embryo tangles formed solely from primary glide dislocations, presumably by a process involving cross slip and "mushrooming". IN the course of plastic deformation all bcc metals and alloys develop a dislocation structure characterized by loose-knit groups of tangled dislocations. With increasing strain the tangles become more tightly knit and grow larger; finally a three-dimensional cellular substructure is formed:1 This process has been observed with the transmission electron microscope.'-l7 However, most investigations were confined to the study of nearly pure polycrystalline metals at relatively low temperatures. At intermediate temperatures, 0.17 to 0.14 Tm where T, is the melting temperature in degrees absolute, the mobility of interstitial impurities such as carbon is high enough to permit migration to nearby glide dislocations but is still low enough so that a significant drag force is exerted.18,19 it is also in this temperature range that a hump occurs in the curve of work-hardening rate vs temperature for iron. Analogous plots for tantalum" and columbiumzo show a definite upward trend in the work-hardening rate. Keh and Weissman1 have pointed out that this behavior may be explained solely on the basis of changes in the dislocation configuration: at low temperatures the dislocations tend to be relatively straight and uniformly distributed, but at intermediate temperatures tightly knit tangles and cellular substructure appear. The interference of these tangles with glide dislocations causes the observed increase in the work-hardening rate. This explanation appears reasonable, yet one might ask what factors cause tangle formation to be so favorable at intermediate temperatures. It seens likely that the strong dislocation-interstitial interactions which are known to occur in this temperature range are at least partly responsible," with the magnitude of the effect being proportional to the interstitial concentration. The purpose of the present work is to study the relationship between tangle formation and strain hardening in a bcc metal in the temperature range 0.17 to 0.4 Tm. Particular emphasis was placed upon a study of the effects of interstitial-dislocation interactions. Single crystals of 3.25 pct Si-Fe containing about 200 ppm of C in solid solution were used in the investigation for the following reasons: 1) The mobility of interstitial carbon in 3.25 pct Si-Fe is negligible at 300°K but increases rapidly at slightly elevated temperature22. Hence, differences between the flow curves and dislocation structures of crystals deformed at 300°K, 0.17 T,, and crystals deformed, say, at 425°K, 0.24 Tm, should be appreciable because of the enhanced dislocation-carbon interactions at the elevated temperature. This effect was accentuated in some samples by interrupted straining, thereby introducing a certain amount of aging. 2) Near room temperature, slip in suitably oriented 3.25 pct Si-Fe single crystals is largely confined to the (110) planes.23'24 Dislocation structures formed under conditions of single glide are the least complicated and their method of formation is the most easily discernable. 3) Dislocations in Si-Fe can be tightly locked with carbon atmospheres by a low-temperature aging treatment. The subsequent thinning of samples to foil thicbess causes little or no rearrangement in the dislocation structure.25 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Large single-crystal sheets of 3.25 pct Si-Fe were donated by Dr. C. G. Dunn of the General Electric Research Laboratory, Schenectady, N. Y. The orientations of the sheets were determined and slabs 1.0 by 0.25 by 0.05 in. were cut such that the desired tensile axis corresponded to the long dimension. The slabs were mechanically polished and subsequently decar-burized by heating at 1000°C for 3 days in a flowing wet-hydrogen atmosphere. A carbon content of about 200 ppm was introduced by heating at 805°C for 25 min in a flowing atmosphere of dry hydrogen containing heptane vapor. Shaped copper tools were then used to spark-machine at 0.125 by 0.50 in. gage length onto each slab. Vacuum annealing at 1225°C for 2 days followed by a quench into the cold end of the furnace to retain carbon in solid solution concluded the soecimen preparation. Continuous tensile flow curves for crystals of severa1 orientations Were obtained both at 300' and 425°K. A strain rate of 6.67 x 10-4 Per set was used in these and all other tests. Crystals oriented for single glide, B and D in Fig. 1, were subjected to a 3.5 pct plastic elongation to insure uniform slip along the gage length; they were then immediately subjected to interrupted strain cycling as indicated in Fig. 2(a). Each cycle consisted of unloading to 1.5 kg per sq mm, holding

Jan 1, 1969

By John W. Cabot

The following series of analyses, which may, be of interest to Bessemer-steel makers, is submitted as a contribution to the muchvexed discussion of manganese in Bessemer steel. They were made by the writer in the spring of 1881, at the works of the Pittsburgh Bessemer Steel Company Limited, during a' period of about eight days, part of. which time the rail-steel showed great variation in rolling qualities. During the first part of tile time in question, it rolled well; later on it began to roll wome until, finally, it cracked very badly, reaching its worst stage. After this it rapidly improved until it again rolled smoothly. During this time of transition from good rolling to bad, and hack to good again, the course of the manganese was followed quite closely. It is the striking correspondence between these varying manganese contents and the differences in rolling which is here presented as worthy of notice. The other ordinary elements were determined occasionally, but showed no. unusual variation: The steel, in question, was ordinary rail-steel of about the following compusition : C=35. P - .08. Mn - .98. Si = .08. 8 = .06. The samples for manganese determinations were taken at first from an average of two days' work, and later on, when the steel

Jan 1, 1882

By J. R. Eckel

It has long been known that mud properties affect drilling rate and that drilling with water is as much as six to .seven times faster than with mud. However, it is not known why drilling rates with mud are lower. Recent studies show what fluid properties govern microbit drilling rate and also provide a quantitative correlation of these fluid properties and hydraulics with microbit drilling rate. All the microbit tests reported in this paper were made with a low permeability (about 10 md) limestone. They were conducted at constant bit weight and rotary speed with varying fluid properties, flow rate Q and nozzle dinnteter d. The tests showed that (1) drilling rate in a given system with constant circulating rate and nozzle velocity is a function of the kinematic viscosity [viscosity /density, (cp)/ p (density)] of the drilling fluid measured at near bit nozzle shear rates; (2) the combined effect of fluid properties and hydraulics on microbit drilling rate is defined by a Reynolds number function (kQp/dp); (3) for the same kinematic viscosity, drilling rate is independent of solids content; and (4) for the same kinematic viscosity, drilling rate is independent of fluid loss. INTRODUCTION The fact that mudding up reduces rate of penetration is well known, but the reduction varies from well to well. The rate with mud may be 80 percent of the water rate or it may be as low as 15 percent. Since this reduction of up to seven-fold takes place under conditions of constant bit weight, rotary speed and mud circulating rate in a uniform formation, it can only be a result of the change in fluid properties. Previous work1-" both in field tests and in laboratory microbit tests) showed that drilling rate with mud is lower than with water (Figs. 1 and 2). Microbit tests also confirm, at least qualitatively, the field observation that drilling rate slows with increased pressure differential from borehole to formation (Fig. 3). The qualitative effect of drilling rate of bit weight, rotary speed and rate of mud circulation are also the same for the field and microbit rig. For these reasons, the industry generally accepts microbit results as being qualitatively meaningful in terms of field application.

By R. B. Walker, R. Palmer, L. C. Bryner

The purpose of this investigation was to further study some of the factors affecting the air oxidation of sulfide minerals. Data obtained from laboratory studies on the effect of temperature, concentration of iron salts, pH, and other catalysts on the biological and nonbiological oxidation of sulfide minerals are presented. The oxidation of copper sulfide minerals and subsequent leaching of the soluble copper has long been a profitable operation. The chief oxidizing agent is oxygen from the air. This reaction is influenced by a number of different factors such as temperature, light, hydrogen ion concentration, oxidizing agents, and various catalysts. Sullivan1 found that copper sulfide minerals are slowly oxidized by the air and that dilute sulfuric acid and iron (111) increased their solubility. At that time it was not known that bacteria were involved in the oxidation of the sulfide minerals. It has been shown that pyrite, molybdenite, free sulfur, and the copper sulfide minerals found in the waste rock dumps in Bingham Canyon, Utah, are largely oxidized by chemosynthetic autotrophic microorganisms found in the leaching streams.2-6 Similar organisms have been isolated in other mining areas7,8 and from the effluents from coal rnines.9 The following are some of the questions that have arisen regarding the mechanisms of the reactions involved in the leaching process. How dependent is the leaching operation upon the biological reactions? How does the temperature effect the biological and non-biological reactions? How does the concentration of iron (II) and (111) effect the rate of oxidation of copper (II) sulfide? Does the iron act as a catalyst? Does activated carbon act as a catalyst on the oxidation of sulfide minerals? What effect does the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) have on the above reactions? The purpose of this paper is to report the results of laboratory studies on these problems. EXPERIMENTAL The apparatus used in this investigation was an air lift percolator described in our earlier work.' The percolator consisted essentially of an air lift which enabled the leaching solution and microorganisms to pass freely through a suspension of mineral (substrate) in Ottawa sand. The air lift served the additional purpose of maintaining an ample concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the nutrient (leaching) solution. (See Fig. 1.) The percolators were so constructed that they could be immersed in liquid constant temperature baths for temperature studies. The thermostats were controlled to +0.5°C. The reactions were all run in the dark. The percolators were charged with one to three g of mineral, dispersed in 100 g of Ottawa sand and 100 ml of nutrient or leaching solution. The sand was purified to remove traces of iron by digesting with concentrated hydrochloric acid and washng with distilled water until free from chloride. After drying, the sand was ready for use. The compressed air supply was regulated to 5 psi and bubbled through an aerator containing distilled water, which was maintained at the same temperature as the bath used. The air was filtered through cotton plugs to maintain sterile conditions. The tops of the

Jan 1, 1968

Discussion of the papers of Dorsey A. Lyon and Samuel S. Arentz, p. 789; S. E. Bretherton, p. 802; H. A. Wentworth, p. 809; and Richard D. Drvine, p. 814. GeoRge W. RiteR, Salt Lake City, Utah.—We have every reason to believe that oil flotation will soon come into general use as a final guard against slime losses in concentrating mills, not only in the case of zinc ores, but also in the case of other semi-precious ores. It also promises much as a primary process for the concentration of minerals that are not adapted to gravity methods. Moreover, modifications of the process involving selective or preferential flotation are gradually becoming understood, and will make it possible to eliminate pyrite and other minerals occurring as undesirable impurities in zinc concentrates. And what perhaps is of equal importance, further modifications promise an effective method of separating zinc blende from ores that are chiefly valuable for copper, lead, and precious metals, thereby making an asset out of zinc which has heretofore been a liability. The tendency of certain pulverized minerals to float on water, especially after having been in contact with grease, has been known to mill-men for a long time, and was formerly something to be deplored and to be striven against. All at once, this tendency has become a saving grace; and now, like tardy converts to a new faith, we are zealous advocates of something we once despised. I was once employed at a mine in the Tintic mining district of Utah— the old Eureka Hill property—where ores that were too low in value to warrant being sent to copper or lead smelters were treated in a combination mill. The ores contained gold, silver, lead, copper, zinc, manganese, arsenic, etc., in varying quantities and in varying mineral forms, mingled in a quartz and calcite gangue. The material was stamped fine and then concentrated on Frue vanners so as to make a smelting concentrate, after which the tailings were thickened and treated in amalgamating pans for the recovery of non-concentratable precious metals. In the amalgamating pans, under the influence of heat and agitation, a dark greasy froth or scum sometimes formed on the surface of the ore mixture. This froth or scum was composed mainly of mineral sulphides, and its occurrence might have meant only casual losses in the previous concentration, except that the phenomenon was accompanied by faulty amalgamation of the precious metals and by excessive losses in the mill tailings. Grease and oil, present by accident, were the cause of the trouble. Whether the intense vibration in the mill, due to the pounding of the heavy stamps, had caused small particles of grease to be shaken loose

Jan 1, 1915

By John F. Elliott, John P. Hager

The standard free energies of formation of the lowest stable sulfides of chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten in equilibrium with the corresponding metal hazle been determined by reacting the sulfide and metal with H2(g)/H2S(g) mixtures. The reaction is A method for estimating the standard ~nolav entropies and standard entropies of formation at 298°K of the sul-fides of refractory metals is presented. The standard free energies of formation of the lowest sulfides of the metals in group VIa of the periodic table are probably best determined with the reaction* is known with greater accuracy than is that property for any other sulfur-bearing compound or solution which might serve as a reference phase to establish the chemical potential of sulfur for the essential re- However, there still remain significant problems to the use of Reaction [I] in studying these sulfides. First, the equilibrium gas ratios (Ph2S/PH2) are very small, and with the most stable sulfides in the series the ratios tend to be at the limit of the range for precise chemical analysis (10-4); and second, the reaction rate for the formation or reduction of these sulfides appears to be relatively slow. A primary reason for the latter problem is that the gas phase near the equilibrium concentration has very little capacity for transport of sulfur. It is to be noted that the thermo-dynamic properties obtained from the experimental results by Eq. [I] apply for 1 g-atom of sulfur in the metal-saturated compound even though the exact composition of the compound has not been determined. The work reported here is a study of the standard free energies of formation of the lowest sulfides of chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten, and of copper, by Reaction [I]. In planning the experimental program, it was decided that the technique that has been used previously3"' could be used with modification and that an improved analytical method was needed for determining H2S in the gas phase. THE EXPERIMENT The once-through flow of gas was selected in preference to recirculating the gas, a) because of the low sulfur capacity of the gas, b) because of the relatively slow rate of reaction and the danger of the

Jan 1, 1968

By Ernest Gayford

When the United States Government started buying gold at varying prices per ounce, set by the President and the Treasury Department, the gold miner found himself facing new conditions, as gold became a commodity with a fluctuating market price. While it was self-evident that the miner was to receive more for his gold than the old established price of $20.67 per ounce, there was an element of uncertainty, which made it difficult, and perhaps dangerous, to decide to invest his time and money to produce gold, especially if the profit would represent only the difference between $20.67 an ounce and the new price as set from day to day by the Government. When, however, on Jan. 30, 1934, the United States went off the gold standard, the price of newly mined gold being rather definitely set at $35 per ounce, with some assurance that the price would be maintained at or near this figure for a long time to come, the gold miner was justified in revaluing his property on the basis of the new price, and the prospector was offered inducement to spend his time and energies hunting for new mines, or going back to old locations previously abandoned as of doubtful value. It is interesting to see what this new price means to the producer of newly mined gold, and how much of the increase is passed on to the producer. It will be found that, as with the base metals, the nearer he can get to producing a finished product himself the greater his reward will be; the net returns for bullion being necessarily higher than for the same amount of gold shipped in concentrates to the smelter. Bullion can be shipped to the United States mints or Government assay offices under the following terms and conditions. An affidavit must accompany the shipment, stating, among other things: 1. The source of the gold; whether ore, tailings or placer. 2. The tons of ore, tailings or cubic yards of gravel from which the shipment was recovered.

Jan 1, 1935

By Philip D. Wilson

FEAST and famine-or, chronologically, famine and feast-have characterized the aluminum supply program during 1943. Fortunately for the war effort the famine phase is over and aluminum production is now in the happy position of being abundantly able to supply all the requirements of the armed services plus a monthly surplus which is building up a substantial stock pile as a reserve against any contingencies. But the present condition of oversupply cannot be attributed to the super-efficiency of the aluminum production program which was designed to take care of the over-all requirements of the war with little or no margin of safety. The present more than comfortable situation is due primarily to the fact that the armed services generally have not consumed anything approaching the amount of aluminum which their requirement estimates indicated.

Jan 1, 1944

By Eugene H. Cowles

The German silver industry of the United States amounts in value to upwards of $6,000,000 or $8,000,000 annually. Several thousands of people earn a livelihood pursuing it, and the beautiful goods and articles manufactured from this time-honored and valued alloy are everywhere visible. German silver enters largely into our street signs, harness and house hardware, and all manner of table-ware, solid or plated. There is scarcely an hour in the day that German or nickel-silver is not before our eyes. The composition of this alloy is a very uncertain thing, and depends largely on the honesty of the manufacturer and the price the purchaser is willing to pay. It is composed of copper, zinc and nickel in varying proportions. The best varieties contain from 18 to 25 per cent. of nickel, and from 20 to 30 per cent. of zinc, the remainder being copper. The more expensive nickel-silver contains from 25 to 33 per cent. of nickel, and from 75 to 66 per cent. of copper. The nickel is used as a whitening element; it also strengthens the alloy and renders it harder and more non-corrodible than the brass made without it, of copper and zinc. Moreover, it reduces the odor emanating from brass, which is so disagreeable if it occurs about the dining-table. Of all troublesome alloys to handle in the foundry or rollingmill, German silver is the worst. It is unmanageable and refractory at every step in its transition from the crude elements into rods, sheets or wire. As a white-headed furnace-man recently said to the writer, in one of our large mills, " you can put eight crucibles into the fire, each containing exactly the same mixture of German silver, and when you take them out and pour them into slabs for rolling, seven will be a mass of scum or slag, or the stuff will swell up like rising bread and overflow the moulds, and be so full of blow-holes that it will look like a sponge. The eighth crucible will contain perfectly good metal. On remelting the next day, the bad stuff will, in nine chances out of ten, come out just as good metal as the eighth pot the day before, and under apparently the same conditions." With nickel at seventy or eighty cents per pound, German silver

Jan 1, 1890

By John B. Pearse

IN order to get an idea as to the strength of steel rails, it will be well to review the tests to which iron rails have been subjected. In England, Mr. Ashcroft found that the best 80 pound rails broke under a 300 pound weight, falling 15 feet. In Germany the Society of Railway tyfanage1-s determined 011 and have long applied a test of 1000 pounds falling 101/2 feet, as the standard which all first-class iron rails must reach. In this country no inspection nor test is applied, but tests made show that iron rails fro; our most reliable makers, break under a G foot fall of a 1500 pound drop as an extreme test, most of those tested breaking under a far less test; some breaking with less than a 3 foot fall of the same weight. Everywhere where steel has been used, engineers have come to the conclusion that some test is required to show the regularity and strength of the product. As compared with iron, the tests which steel will stand are wonderful. After numerous experiments partially based on the experience of the rail-mill at Graz, belonging to the Southern Railway of Austria, the Society of German Railway Managers fixed upon a test of 2000 pounds falling 138 feet. They found that this test represented the steel which suited their necessities, and also found that with steel of otherwise average purity, this test represented about one-half per cent. of carbon, and made it a rule to take no steel containing under three-tenths of a per cent. of carbon, because it was too soft. They expressed a hope that a harder steel could soon be made tough enough to stand the same test. I n England, a test was adopted of 2240 pounds, falling 15 to 17 feet on the rail on heavy bearings. This test has been found satisfactory under heavy traffic on average road-beds, and has been invariably

By Thomas N. Walthier

Ocean miners seem prepared to commit upwards of $50 million, spread over the next 10 years, to develop a deep ocean capability. More and more large companies, Kennecott, Inco and Tenneco, to name a few, singly or through consortia, are spending money, often big money, to obtain a viable and profitable marine mining industry. Much of the current involvement of the mining industry in the oceans is concerned with either exploration for or engineering studies of manganese nodule deposits and most of it is considered highly proprietary. Thus, the scope of the total effort can only be surmised. The following provide a good indication as to the magnitude of the over-all effort: (1) Hughes Tool Co., Oil Tool Division, announced last March it has been performing engineering studies and ocean surveys (in collaboration with Global Marine, a subsidiary of Tenneco Oil) for the purpose of developing deep ocean mining equipment and techniques. As a result of these studies, Global Marine will build a 35,000-ton prototype deep sea mining ship for Hughes. (2) Deepsea Ventures, Inc. has been "assiduously compiling data on the location. depth, and composi-

Jan 1, 1971

By W. G. Matteson

IN 1915, the State of California passed a law of great scope and importance. This law has been in successful operation for., year and may be briefly described as an act "establishing and creating a department of. the State Mining Bureau for the protection of the natural resources of petroleum and gas from waste and destruction through improper operations in production; providing for the inspection of petroleum and gas wells; requiring all persons operating petroleum and gas wells to make certain reports" and providing the necessary officers and assessments-to carry out the provisions of the act. The statute provides for a separate department of the State Mining Bureau, under the general supervision of the State mineralogist, with a staff composed of a "state oil and gas supervisor" and four deputies. It rules that all petroleum and natural gas wells shall be drilled, operated or abandoned under the supervision of the State supervisor, who shall order such tests or remedial work as seems to him necessary to protect the interests of property owners and the general public. It also provides for a board of arbitration to consider orders given by the supervisor which are not acceptable to the well owner. Section 18 of the, act, which is the provision that is directly related to, this paper, requires "the owner of any well referred to in this act to keep a careful and accurate log of the drilling of such well;" and further requires that this log shall show the character and depth of the formations passed through or encountered in the drilling, particularly the location and depth of the water-bearing strata; the character of the water encountered (so far as ascertained); whether the water was shut off, and, if so, at what point; that it shall show completely the amounts, kinds and size of casing used; the depth at which oil-bearing strata are encountered; the depth and character of the strata, and whether all water was successfully and permanently shut off so as to prevent percolation or penetration into the oil-bearing strata. -

Jan 2, 1917

Discussions of the papers of DORSET A. LYON and SAMUEL S. ARENTZ, RICHARD D. DIVINE, H. A. WENTWORTH, and S. E. BRETHERTON, presented at the Salt Lake meeting August, 1914, and printed in Bulletins Nos. 91 and 92, July and August, 1914. GEORGE W. RITER, Salt Lake City, Utah.-We have every reason to believe that oil flotation Will soon come into general use as a final guard against slimes losses in concentrating mills, not only in the case of zinc ores, but also in the case of other semi-precious ores. It also promises much as a primary process for the concentration of minerals that are not adapted to gravity methods. Moreover, modifications of the process involving selective or preferential flotation are gradually becoming understood, and will make it possible to eliminate pyrite and other minerals occurring as undesirable impurities in zinc concentrates. And what perhaps is of equal importance, further modifications promise an effective method of separating zinc blende from ores that are chiefly valuable for copper, lead, anti precious metals, thereby making an asset out of zinc which has heretofore been a liability. The tendency of certain pulverized minerals to float on water, especially after having been in contact with grease, has been known to mill-men for a long time, and was formerly something to be deplored and to be striven against. All at once, this tendency has become a saving grace; and now, like tardy converts to a new faith, we are zealous advocates of something we once despised. I was once employed at a mine in the Tintic mining district of Utah¬the old Eureka Hill property-where ores that were too low in value to Warrant being sent to copper or lead smelters were treated in a combination mill. The ores contained gold, silver, lead, copper, zinc, manganese, arsenic, etc., in varying quantities and in varying mineral forms, mingled in a quartz and calcite gangue. The material was stamped fine and then concentrated on Frue vanners so as to make a smelting concentrate, after which the tailings were thickened and treated in amalgamating pans for the recovery of non-concentratable precious metals. In the amalgamating pans, under the influence of heat and agitation, a dark greasy froth or scum sometimes formed on the surface of the ore mixture. This froth or scum was composed mainly of mineral sulphides, and its occurrence might have meant only casual losses in the previous concentration, except that the phenomenon was accompanied by faulty amalgamation of the precious metals and by excessive losses in the mill tailings. Grease and oil, present by accident, were the cause of the trouble.

Jan 11, 1914