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Prof. H. O. Hofman, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Mass. (communication to the Secretary): When Mr. Stetefeldt quotes me as saying that " silver-assays are uniformly made by scorification," he has evidently not understood that I was referring solely to the practice of silver-lead smelting-works. Everybody knows that silver-mills do not employ the scorification-assay for regular work ; and it is equally certain that in very few, if any, silver-lead smelting-works will the crucible-assay be found in use for determining silver. The second part of the quotation, "as it is adapted to all kinds of ores and gives excellent results unless organic matter is present," although, of course, also intended in a restricted sense, might very well be extended to a general one. Mr. Furman, in his Manual of Practical Assaying,* says, on page 123: "We believe that the Colorado practice is preferable, as most ores will yield higher silver-results by scorification." The fact that the scorification-assay is the accepted one in Colorado is strong presumptive evidence for its accuracy, as exactness would nowhere else be more jealously demanded. Mr. Stetefeldt cites Albert Arents- as a supporter of his preference for the crucible-assay, although I had already done so in favor of scorification. Looking up again the reference, I find that I was justified in quoting him, as, while Mr. Arents advocates the crucibleassay for low-grade gold ores, not on account of the greater accuracy of its results, but because it is quicker and less expensive, he condemns it§ for the assay of silver-ores, and prefers the scorifier for rich goldores, and for coppery ores, and in general for ores containing both silver and gold. As I, like Mr. Stetefeldt, have kept no detailed

Jan 1, 1895

President H. M. Howe, Boston, Mass. (communication to the Secretary): Le Chatelier's pyrometer is certainly a most convenient and accurate instrument for the laboratory, and one that may be used under some conditions in the mill. I have used it for several years and with great satisfaction. Like Prof. Roberts-Austen and unlike Herr Blass, I have always found that its indications remain constant over long periods. Like Prof. Roberts-Austen, also, I find it possible, in a quiet place, to read with extreme accuracy ; and, by the use of a telescope, I can read temperatures to within a degree, for some delicate determinations which I have in hand. Variations in the temperature of the room affect the readings of the instrument far less than one would expect. When the current is cut off, the mirror does not always return exactly to the same place; in other words, the zero shifts appreciably, and must be determined often, indeed every few hours if accuracy be desired. In some cases I have had it determined within a very few minutes of every important reading. To this end a switch should he introduced, so that the circuit may be broken readily. With this arrangement we can determine accurately the position of the zero within a very few seconds of the time of taking any especially important reading. The chief causes of the variation of the zero which I have noticed are as follows: a. The suspension may not be tight enough, so that the momentum of the galvanometer frame as it swings makes its supporting wires slip in their bearings. b. Changes in the position of neighboring iron objects may deflect the mirror. c. Changes in the temperature of the room may, perhaps, change the torsion of the suspension wires, and so shift the mirror. d. Dust may attach itself to the galvanometer frame, and by friction against the surrounding fixed parts of the galvanometer, may

Jan 1, 1895

Since this paper was written, some changes have taken place, materially reducing the cost of iron-making as estimated in the text. These are chiefly reductions in the prices of ore and fuel. The charcoal used is now made in bee-hive ovens, and the price is con-

Jan 1, 1895

By C. A. Stetefeldt

In a former paper (Runs., xxi., 286) I described the plant of the Marsac Refinery, and the manipulations of the process, but cou1d not, at the time, give reliable statistical results. To supply the latter is the object of the present paper. I shall give actual facts as correctly as possible, without any bias one way or the other. For all statistics I am indebted to Mr. W. G. Lamb, who has charge of the Marsac lixiviation-plant and refinery; to Mr. A. Luebeck, assayer at the Ontario mill; and to the Daly Office, Salt Lake City.* Before starting on the work of the year 1892, a most careful clean-up was made, and any remnants were charged to the refinery. During 1892 the Marsac lixiviation-works produced 48.8 tons of so-called "regular" sulphides, which contained, on an average, 11,449 ounces of silver per ton; 11.77 ounces of gold per ton; and 569.8 pounds of copper per ton. To this must be added, 266 pounds of sulphides and by-products left over from the product of 1891, which contained 1380 ounces of silver, 1.41 ounces of gold, and 63 pounds of copper. Before giving the results of the clean-up, a general discussion of the items of expense, methods of assaying, etc., is desirable.

Jan 1, 1895

By Henry M. Howe

I NOW call your attention to two directions in which very important progress may be confidently hoped for—pyrometry and the heat-treatment of steel. We already find in the market more than one pyrometer which, in spite of serious defects, may lie used advantageously for determining and controlling the temperature of many of our metallurgical processes. It is to be hoped, and with much confidence, that by the rapid extension of the use of such instruments, the economy and efficiency of these processes may undergo an increase which, in the aggregate, will be of the greatest importance. In this connection, the lucid paper of Prof. Roberts-Austen," and the learned bulletin of Mr. Barus, are most welcome. But much remains to be done in the way of devising pyrometers suitable for manufacturing purposes. While some of the present pyrometers are most convenient and accurate in the laboratory, serious difficulties attend the use, in factories, of those which I have

Jan 1, 1895

By H. O. Hoffman, C. D. Demond

There are two methods of determining the fusibility or refractoriness of fire-clays, the theoretical and the experimental. In the former, conclusions are drawn from the chemical composition; in the latter, from the changes which the clay undergoes when subjeoted to intense heat. It is well to use both methods, beginning with the actual heat-test and explaining the results obtained from this by the help of the chemical analysis. In discussing the subject, however, it is better to reverse this order. I. The Theoretical Method.* Leaving out the hygroscopic and combined waters and any organic matter, as not directly affecting the fire-resisting property, the refractory constituents of fire-clay are alumina and silica, and the fluxing constituents magnesia, lime, soda, potash and ferric oxide. According to Bischof,† alumina is the least fusible component, and silica follows close upon it. If, however, a mixture of the two be heated, it will be found that its melting-point is much lower than that of alumina, as a silicate will then have been formed. The way in which silica affects the refractoriness of alumina has been strikingly presented by Seger 1 in a diagram reproduced in Fig. 1. The abscissæ represent the melting-points of Seger cones Nos. 26 to 36 (see p. 55); the ordinates, the relative amounts of alumina and

Jan 1, 1895

By C. A. Stetefeldt

Jan 1, 1895

By Frederick H. Williams

The object of this paper is to bring to the attention of those members of the Institute who are interested in the subject, a method for the estimation of manganese, which has been frequently used in the labratory of the Vulcan Steel Works during he last eight months, and which is deemed worthy of more general use. It is simply an adaptation of well-known processes, for the purpose of determining this element in pig iron and steel. In general, the method consists in precipitating the manganese as binoxide dissolving in dilute sulphuric acid in the presence of an excess of a standardized solution of oxalic acid, and titrating the remainder of the oxalic acid left unoxidized with permanganate of potash. For this method, therefore, two standardized solutions are needed, viz., a permanganate solution and an oxalic acid solution. The permanganate solution is made so that 1 C.C. is equivalent to 1 mgr. of iron. By using so weak a solution and keeping tile bulk of the solution to be titrated down to 75 C.C. or a little leas, the accuracy of the process is greatly increased, since the final reaction is almost if not quite as sharp as if a stronger solution were used. The oxalic acid may be of almost any strength, but if made so that 1 c.c. requires 3 O.C. of the permanganate to oxidize it, it will auswer well. The process is then, as follows: from 1 to 2 grams of. pig iron or steel ate dissolved in 40 to 50 C.C. of concentrated nitric acid with the aid of heat. As soon as solution is erected, in the awe of steel, add gradually and cautiously, the solution being kept boiling, sufficient pulverized chlorate of potash to precipitate the manganese as binoxide. Two grams will be a great abundance. In the case of pig iron, first remove the carbon and silica by filtering the solution through asbestos and washing with concentrated nitric acid. Filter the strong acid solution in which the binoxide has been precipitated, through asbestos with the aid of the filter pump. When it has entirely passed through wash well with water. Blow the contents of the funnel into the beaker in which the precipitation was made and rinse the funnel with a little water.

Jan 1, 1882

By H. M. Chance M

The following tables have been compiled from the annual reports of the Inspectors of Mines, to determine the percentages of fatal and non-fatal casualties from roof-falls and explosions of fire-damp. As we cannot assume that every accident has teen recorded by the inspectors ; as many casualties terminating fatally after the lapse of a considerable period, are inevitably recorded as " non-fatal;" and as clerical errors may have crept into the compilation,* the figures of these tables cannot be considered absolutely correct, but the summary is sufficiently reliable to show the features I wish to differentiate. Under the heading " Miscellaneous" are included all accidents not directly attributable to explosions of fire-damp, roof-falls or fails of coal. Prominent among the numerous causes included under this head are premature or delayed explosion of blasts, accidental explosion of powder or cartridges, accidents from mine cam, falls in shafts, machine accidents, sliding of loose coal in pitching breasts, suffoca tion by choke-damp, etc., comprising in all 48 per cent. of the total number of casualties.

Jan 1, 1882

By N. H. Murlenberg, T. M. Drown

It is often a tedious matter to get a solution of pig iron or steel, for the determination of phosphorus, which is absolutely free from silica. Where pig iron rich in silicon is dissolved in hydrochloric or nitric acid in the usual procedure, it is necessary, not only to evaporate the solution to complete dry ness, but to heat the dry residue for some beam in an air-bath to a temperature of about 120° C. The oxide of iron is thus rendered insoluble in nitric acid, and is only slowly dissolved by hydrochloric acid. In the method of determining silicon by nitric and sulphuric acid, described in the Transactions of the Institute, Vol. VII, page 346, arid Vol. VIII, page 508, we obtain in one or two hours a solution of the iron in the form of ferric sulphate entirely free from silica, and containing free sulphuric acid. It occurred to Us that this solution might be made available for the determination of the phosphorus by the molybdate method. The following experiments mere tried with unsatisfactory results. 1st. The iron was precipitated by ammonia, the precipitate filtered, washed, and dissolved in nitric acid. 2d. The iron was precipitated as basic acetate and dissolved in nitric acid. 3d. The solution was neutralized by ammonia, and nitric acid added in small excess. In all these cases the phosphorus obtained by precipitating by ammonium molybdate and magnesia-mixture was too low. The following method was then tried with success. The filtrate from the silica and graphite was evaporated to small bulk and heated in a porcelain dish on a sand-bath. until fumes of sulphuric acid ceased to escape. The dry residue was taken up with dilute nitric acid and the solution precipitated by ammonium molyldate. The phosphorus was weighed as magnesium pyrophosphate. The results were satisfactory. To save time, the original solution of the iron in nitric and sulphuric acids was evaporated to dryness and heated as before until

Jan 1, 1882

By T. Sterry Hunt

Jan 1, 1882

By D A. Bowman, S Schafrik

With the goal of reducing injuries and fatalities related to haul truck accidents, this research investigates technologies and intervention strategies for improving worker training using a virtual environment (VE). Funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), this research specifically focuses on training workers in preshift inspections of haul trucks to avoid preventable defects from causing worker injuries and expensive equipment damage. Improved training in these inspections is expected to increase uptime. The VE developed to train workers for preshift inspections consists of three phases: the virtual tour, the virtual inspection and the shift simulation. The virtual tour introduces information necessary to conduct a preshift inspection by guiding the worker around a haul truck, identifying parts to be inspected and explaining defects to look for. The virtual inspection assesses retention as the worker navigates around a haul truck and identifies defects. During the shift simulation, the worker is shown a simulation of the work shift, which animates severe consequences of any overlooked defects to emphasise the importance of preshift inspections. To provide multiple training platforms, desktop and CAVEÖ versions of the training VE were created. Flux Studio was used to model the environment and to produce Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML) files for the desktop version. DIVERSE, an application programming interface, was then used to implement a more realistic version of the VE in a CAVEÖ, a room-sized visualisation system. Initial feedback from mining colleagues indicates that the training VE may replace normal classroom training for preshift inspections in the future. As opposed to PowerPoint presentations and instructional videos, the training VE provides better spatial understanding of the location of parts and incorporates interactive features to actively engage drivers in the learning process, which may result in better retention. Initial feedback also indicates that minor improvements can be made to the virtual tour and virtual inspection phases.

Jan 1, 2008

By Stephen Se

Geological assessment of active mine faces enables ore grade control, geological modelling and exploration planning. Monitoring of the mine advancement at every drill-blast-muck cycle allows for effective production management. However, geological assessments are performed infrequently due to the need to travel to active mine faces, and detailed surveys to map the mine progress are performed at the end of the month. Instant Mine Modeller (iMM) is a portable ruggedized stereo-vision system that creates photo-realistic three-dimensional models of underground mine faces on-site. The 3D models are generated automatically within minutes and can be viewed underground and annotated with geological information. The overall ore percentages of the face are calculated automatically for grade control. Annotated 3D models are located in the mine coordinate system and can be imported into mine management systems. iMM allows for daily monitoring of the mine progress and geology, and for re-visiting the mine virtually as it existed. iMM has been deployed in an underground hard rock mine for 18 months, and it effectively brings the underground work face into mine management offices enabling the right decisions at the right time. iMM has demonstrated benefits to various mine processes including grade control, geological mapping, 3D photo-realistic as-built and production volume.

Oct 1, 2009

By Dieter Loh, Mathias Knoll, Florian Werres

When a new tunnelling project starts, it has been a vital tradition for decades to cast and erect master rings horizontally on a flat surface to demonstrate the compliance with dimensional tolerances. Some tenders ask for the erection of two or even three rings upon each other or repeated master ring erections at intervals throughout the project. Especially for large diameters, this is a challenging and risky task for the workforce in the segment factory. A truck-mounted crane is often necessary, and in some cases it can take up to a week to complete a master ring. The concept of virtual rings has the potential to replace this tradition by assembling master rings digitally instead of physically. This is based on a best-fit approach, considering the 3D coordinates from laser tracker measurements of segments or segment moulds. Building a virtual ring, a sub-millimeter accuracy can be achieved, the alignment of neighboring circumferential and ring joints observed, and the fit of bolt holes checked. The traditional method, on the other hand, is discussed controversially despite the significant amount of work and risks—particularly as the horizontal position of the ring and absence of gaskets do not simulate the reality in the excavated tunnel. This paper will highlight the technical aspects of virtual rings, as well as their pros and cons, illustrated by a case study from London Thames Tideway where a total of 30 physical master rings could be replaced by virtual rings.

Jun 13, 2023

By Mihaita Matei

An adaptive approach to control the deformation in tube hydroforming process is presented. This requires: the use of an existing non-linear FE software (ABAQUS) that incorporates a user material model (VUMAT), the development and implementation of an adaptive control strategy to coordinate the internal pressure and the axial load so as to prevent fracture and wrinkling failures (knowledge-base controller) and the application of the developed adaptive simulation approach for finding the optimal loading path required to hydroform a defect-free part with as uniform thickness distribution as possible (user's load subroutine (VDLOAD). In order to validate the approach, the case of conical hydroforming and the case of bending followed by hydroforming component is discussed.

Jan 1, 2011

Virtual Reality (VR) simulations are excellent tools for training, education, simulation of abnormal and dangerous conditions in mines and solving complex problems. Although the concept of VR has been around for nearly half a century, it has taken recent advances in hardware and software to bring this technology to within the budgetary reach of ordinary users and researchers. VR is now successfully being used in the minerals industry for: data visualization, accident reconstructions, simulation applications, risk analysis, hazard awareness and training. The Institute of Sustainable Minerals Industry, Advanced Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality Research Group (SMI-VR) at the University of Queensland, established in late 2000, has been involved in developing VR applications for the minerals industry in conjunction with various research centres. This paper illustrates the benefits of using advanced computer graphics and VR techniques in the minerals industry with some examples of applications developed.

Jan 1, 2003

By Yi Yang, Mark Zoback

"We report laboratory studies of the time-dependent deformation of core samples from four different formations in the Williston Basin - the Lodgepole formation, the Middle and Lower Bakken formations and Three Forks formation. The laboratory tests reveal varying amounts of viscoplastic deformation in response to applied differential stress. The time-dependent deformation is generally greater in rocks with higher clay and organic content, and can be described by a power-law function. Because the magnitude of the creep strain is linearly proportional to the applied differential stress, we can utilize viscoelastic theory and geophysical logs to estimate the degree to which tectonic stress is affected by viscoplastic stress relaxation. We suggest that viscoplastic stress relaxation results in the Upper and Lower Bakken Formations act as frac barriers during hydraulic fracture stimulation in the Middle Bakken, but the Lodgepole and the Three Forks Formations are not frac barriers.INTRODUCTIONHorizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing in shale reservoirs are critical for successful exploitation of ultra-low permeability shale gas, tight gas and shale oil reservoirs. Characterization of the mechanical properties of the reservoir rocks is essential to understanding the behavior of rocks during drilling and completion. Previous laboratory studies have shown that the timedependent deformation in clay-rich shales can be characterized as linear/viscoelastic deformation (Chang et al., 1997; Hagin and Zoback, 2004a, b; Sone and Zoback, 2013b, 2013c). Sone and Zoback (2013c) showed that laboratory measurements of time-dependent deformation in various gas shale reservoir rocks, and demonstrated that the viscoplastic deformation of these rocks can be characterized by a power-law function. They interpreted the results in the framework of linear viscoelastic theory to quantitatively assess the geomechanical effect of viscous time-dependent deformation over engineering and geological time scales. (Sone and Zoback, 2014) further extended the theory and proposed a viscous relaxation model that can be applied to predict the continuous differential stress magnitude using the geophysical logs. They tested the validity of their model by comparing the stress prediction with the occurrence of drilling induced tensile fractures (DITFs) and the vertical hydraulic fracture penetration observed from microseismicity."

Jan 1, 2015

By R. G. Reddy

Viscosities of Feo-SiO2 slags were calculated using the previously developed structural based model. An expression was derived using hole theory and the atomic pair model to relate the NO0 and temperature to the viscosity. The deduced equation n=4.9x10-9 T1/2 NO0 exp (E/RT) poise was successfully applied to predict the viscosity of FeO-SiO2 slags in the composition range of 0.1 < XSiO2 < 1 for several temperatures. The calculated data agrees well with the experimental viscosity data.

Jan 1, 1991

By Zhijing Zhang

Sodium borosilicate is the basic composition of coating materials, Vycor and Pyrex glasses. In the present study, viscosities of Na2O-Si02-B2O3 ternary melts were measured under various compositions and temperatures. Experiments were carried out using rotary viscometer and graphite components. Our experimental results were compared with those in literature. Based on present experimental results, the previous structure based viscosity model was modified. The predicted viscosity results are in excellent agreement with the present experimental data in the temperature range with molten state samples. The fitting ranges of the model cover the composition of XB2O3 from 0.1 to 0.6 combined with xSio2 / xNa2O = 0.5, 1,2 and 5 respectively.

Jan 1, 1998

By F. Shahbazian

attempt to systematize the knowledge on slag viscosities, the present work was carried out. The Among the physical properties of slags, viscosity is very important in understanding the mass out in the temperature range 1438-1762 Q The rotating cylinder method was used in the viscosity measurements. Crucibles and spindles made out of pure iron were employed. The transfer phenomena in metallurgical processes. The viscosities of fayalitic slags are of great interest in the non-ferrous metal industry, with special reference to copper production. In an slags were prefused before the measurements. In order to take into account the vaporization reactions involving CaF2, pre- and post measurement samples of the slags were chemically analysed and the compositions were ascertained. The results show that in the case of the CaO-SiO2 system, CaF2 additions tend to decrease the viscosity, in accordance with the expectations. In the case of the "FeO"-SiO2 system, at higher "FeO" / SiO2 ratios in the slags, a reverse trend was observed. The results are discussed on the basis of a viscosity model for silicate melts developed in the present laboratory as well as the structural considerations of silicates.

Jan 1, 2000