Search Documents

By D. R. E. Whitmore, J. M. Harrison

There are five logical stages in the search for orebodies in virgin territory, namely: (1) reconnaissance inventory of geology, and related investigations; (2) development of broad concepts as a basis for selecting regions of potential mineral deposits; (3) assessment of criteria leading to specific localities within these regions; (4) geo-physical and geochemical studies that will delineate small anomalous areas; and (5) stripping, drilling or other means of locating ore. In addition, the development of new means of extracting mineral resources and the finding of new uses play a vital role in our mineral industry. The continued growth of this industry will be largely governed by our ability to develop or to adapt new concepts and techniques, and to produce a greater number of scientists and engineers. It should always be remembered that more than one-third of Canada's exports are dependent upon our ability to find, develop and economic-ally exploit new orebodies.

Jan 1, 1967

By N. H. Grace

"IntroductionA STRIKING FEATURE of the past twenty years has been the application of organized scientific and industrial research to problems of national defence and security and to the development of our natural resources. It has been shown that effective research improves public health, increases the productivity of land, makes mineral wealth available, and increases the efficiency and productive capacity of industry. Alberta is a region bounteously provided with a variety of natural resources, and the Province has entered into a period of unprecedented industrial development. There is, surely, a great opportunity to bring scientific research to bear •on problems associated with the development of these natural resources.I propose to spend a little time discussing the term 'research', indicating something of the various types of research and those fields which appear to •be the particular responsibility of government bodies. It seems logical, also, to outline the course of development .of industrial and scientific research in the English-speaking world during the past twenty-odd years.Research is investigation, examination, or enquiry, and involves the application of human thought, and actions, to the unfolding of new knowledge. That knowledge may assume a variety of forms. Fundamental knowledge may be new facts related to some form of matter, to motion, space, thought, and so on. Those engaged in applying the natural sciences have no monopoly on research as this term is equally valid for those engaged in obtaining, sorting, relating, and interpreting the facts of history, literature."

Jan 1, 1952

By P. K. Fedotov

Annually at least 5% percent of world power consumption is involved in the process of ore dressing while ore processing technology. Such rate of energy consumption demonstrates the importance of a given process study in the human life-sustaining activity. Examining of interparticle destruction being under external stress pressure in ore responses this problem solution at the greatest degree. The technology of destruction in the roll press is of great interest. The use of the given equipment allows to save a significant amount of energy by means of the built-in ore destruction mechanism. Examination of stress-strain fields which determine the level of interparticle destruction between the rolls in the ore layer enables to specify both level of ore destruction and power consumption. The mathematical computer modeling for the deformable environment use based on the finite-element method (FEM) allows to carry out the given research. We use FEM solution for elastic contact problem for the most complete study of power consumption employed in ore and interparticle destruction. This problem solution allows also to examine energy consumption expenses spent for ore crushing in the roll press. Also we have identified the mechanism of ore in a layer of the particles under pressure roller press. It is established that high level of performance and reduction of energy consumption in interparticle destruction of ore in the layer due to the appearance of the gradient of normal stresses in contact of particles of mineral raw materials. The algorithm has been developed determining crushing product particle size distribution of fractured particles in the layer, using the Bond’s theory of crushing. The use of our FEM model reduces the time of equipment selection for new plant and at the design stage to reduce the risks of errors in the choice of roller presses.

Jan 1, 2018

By Y. P. Huang

Experiment results and operation practice on reutilizing old tailings dumped at SCIM (Shang-chang Iron Mine) of KISCO (Kunming Iron and Steel Corp.) are presented. In a production period over 30 years SCIM dumped about 8 million tons of iron ore tailings. For improving resources utilization instead of wasting, experiments on processing for reutilization of the old tailings are con-ducted. These tailings are fine size fractions of weathered iluvial ores rejected out by classification- des-liming in ore washing and dressing processes, containing TFe 21%~22% in hematite mainly and limonite occasionally. Their particle size distribution, in average, is of 72.26% minus 0.037mm and 30.88% minus 0.005mm. Existence of plenty of micro-fine particles makes the tailings refractory to process, resulting in poor metallurgy. The whole sample of the old tailings without size-classification is fed into experimental process. Slon-100 type high grads WHIMS (wet high intensity magnetic separator) with cyc-pulsing is adopted, which magnetism-focusing rod?s diameter is changed from 3mm into 2mm. Operational conditions of optimizing rougher separation tests are strengthened. An iron concentrate assaying 52.21% Fe at quantity rate of 18.39% and iron recovery of 44.40% is obtained. Operational practice shows that metallurgy and economy of the old tailings treatment are close to what achieved at experiments. It is estimated, therefore, that some 1.4 million tons of this iron concentrate may be recovered from the old tailings. This means that KISCO has moved its key one-step in re-mining and reutilizing the secondary resources, which would be a good demonstration in this industry. This is also of social and economic significance in response to China government?s request on reducing consumption of resources and establishing society with economy for achieving sustainable development.

Jan 1, 2014

The following is an outline of the main metallurgical process developments which have occurred at Port Pirie during more than 100 years of smelting. Emphasis is placed on those process developments which evolved from research and development at Port Pirie, rather than those based upon purchased or established technology and straightforward plant engineering. Most processes involved have undergone major change and improvement through the efforts of Port Pirie staff. A culture of metallurgical research and development evolved strongly during the years when G K Williams made such a great impact, and continued for half a century. This culture involved strong links with external research bodies, particularly universities. A near complete bibliography of these developments is provided, together with a listing of patents. Research and development by The Broken Hill Associated Smelters Pty Ltd commenced in 1918 at South Melbourne, and after transfer to Port Pirie in 1921, continued there until 1989. Three periods of highly successful innovation resulted ù that of G K Williams into the 1930s, the post-war period until about 1962 and the period with developments led by Denby H Ward from about 1970 to 1985.

Jan 1, 2000

By John Convey

This short paper deals with the subject of research and its relation to productivity. All who have stopped to even think about industrial re-search and its impact on the nation-al economy take for granted that research and development are pre-requisite to increased productivity. It is another matter, however, to identify and properly evaluate the many factors entering into the relationship between the two. Some studies are currently underway in the United States on the subject, but, so far, nothing much in the way of conclusive data has come to light. In Canada, we have not yet even produced any statistical figures on national productivity, although work is now being done on this subject and information will soon be available. The usefulness of being able to measure the benefits of investment in re-search and development in terms of industrial growth or productivity need not be laboured for the benefit of those interested in research management.

Jan 1, 1964

By Longjiang Li, Song Mao, Zhengyang Qiao, Qin Zhang, Guizhou University, Ling Wang

"After a study on the advantages and disadvantages of flotation column, according to the limitation of ordinary flotation column only is used for a flotation of microgranular minerals, the paper designed a new kind of layered convection coarse particle flotation column.Using a bauxite to test the rationality of the flotation column.The test results show that the new layered convection coarse particle flotation column is feasible.It has certain advantages about coarse particles flotation.INTRODUCTIONFlotation column has many advantages, for example,a simple structure, high efficiency and energy saving, the obvious advantage of fine particles flotation , the index superior and so on. The advantages gradually getting people's recognition. Research of flotation column has been a breakthrough, however, due to it only is used for the flotation of microgranular minerals, and the microgranular mineral particles will lead to a series of problems, and makes the processing cost is increased. Due to increase grinding fineness can save the grinding time and reduce the cost of grinding, also can avoid the disadvantage of fairly granular mineral particles cause a deterioration in the flotation. So it is necessary to research a kind of coarse particle flotation column.After a research on the advantages and disadvantages of flotation column, the authors designed and manufactured a new layered convection coarse particle flotation column, the flotation column both in theory and operation is better than flotation machine.DESIGN OF THE LAYERED CONVECTION COARSE PARTICLE FLOTATION COLUMNAdvantages and Disadvantages of the Traditional Flotation ColumnIn the field of mineral processing, as the increasing proportion of ore that has low grade, fine dissemination size, complex mineral composition characteristics. The limitations of traditional flotation machine is increasing[1],for instance, the high energy consumption, severe wear, inconvenient configuration , large amount of maintenance and so on. Compared with flotation machine, the flotation column with high separation efficiency, low investment and production cost, covers a less area low installation cost, less reagent dosage, more suitable for separation of fine particles and can automatically control, etc[2]. At present, the ore is facing the world energy crisis situation, and becoming increasingly difficult to flotation. So it is important to invent a coarse particle flotation column."

Jan 1, 2016

By J. W. Reynolds

This paper describes the function of the research and development department of a large mining organization and the benefits which can be derived over the years. Examples are given of work done in rock drilling, ventilation, noise control and the development of backfill stowing machinery.

Jan 1, 1970

By W. A. Lang

Introduction That the coal industry has entered a new phase in its development is now evident. Coal, besides being the chief source of heat and power, has become a potential raw material for many industries. Rapid progress has been made in the methods used in the mining and preparation of coal, and in the equipment for the burning of coal. Data of a fundamental nature relating to the composition of coal and to its transformations? during combustion and processing have also been revealed. Research, the key which has opened this new era, has already accomplished much, but it has only begun to show what it may and should be able to do. New developments of coal burning equipment, super-power plants, carbonizing and briquetting plants, hydrogenation and synthetic chemical processes, will undoubtedly have a marked influence in the post-war years on the economic welfare of many coal producing countries. Until comparatively recently, however, there has been in many branches of the coal industry a tendency to regard research as something abstruse and something which had little or no value to those managing such branches. But the fact that coal has suffered as a source of heat and energy through inroads of oil, natural gas, and water power, has made it plain to the industry that, if it is to maintain its present markets in this competitive world, much less increase them, the whole industry must be willing to follow the example of other industries and plan for the future.

Jan 1, 1946

By Robert M. Lewis

At the Scotia plant of Blue Diamond Coal Co., near Cumberland Ky., good recovery and grade can be obtained when floating deep mine coal. When the plant changes over to strip coal, flotation fails, resulting in loss of coal. A procedure was developed at the Minerals Research Laboratory in Asheville, N. C., for recovering strip coal by flotation. Laboratory results were duplicated on a batch scale at the plant. The procedure was found to be effective when tried on a continuous basis in the processing plant.

Jan 1, 1973

By D. E. Wolfson

As energy requirements in the United States expand with the growth of the Nation, use of coal also can be expected to increase. This optimistic outlook for the coal industry is based on our vast reserves of high quality coals and the possibility of converting coal to end uses other than electricity and metallurgical coke. Potentially, millions of tons of coal might be needed in the form of gas and liquid fuels to supplement our reserves and imports of these natural products. Exactly when they will enter the economy on a large scale depends on many factors. On January 1, 1960, the estimated remaining reserves of coal were 1-1/2 trillion tons, about 50 percent of which is bituminous coal. In 1965, the production of bituminous coal and lignite passed the 500-million-ton mark, emphasizing the steady upward trend from the recent low of 403 million tons, and if the present rate of increase continues within the next five years, output should pass the alltime high of 631 million tons achieved in 1947.

Jan 1, 1969

By J. Kretschmann, P. Goerke-Mallet, C. Melchers

Mining always leaves a mark behind. Dealing with this legacy is not only a tremendous challenge in Germany, but internationally too. The Technical University Georg Agricola (THGA) in Bochum, Germany, has established a Research Center for Post-Mining. Researchers combine expertise from a variety of technical and nontechnical fields in their quest to shape the post-mining era that completes the mine life cycle. In this respect, the Research Center focuses on four research areas: Perpetual tasks and mine water management, Geomonitoring, Material sciences and site transition. With more than 200 years of successful partnership with the mining industry in Germany and abroad, THGA offers a perfect setting for fresh and sound ideas in order support mining’s social license to operate. The aim of the paper is to describe the Post-Mining Research Center along with exemplary research projects that are of interest to the mining industry globally and to foster technical communication and research networking.

Mar 2, 2022

By R. S. McCaffrey

In addition to its importance in agricultural production, Wisconsin is a very large manufacturing state and its rank in the metal working industries is probably first among the States of the Union per unit of population. The University of Wisconsin is a state supported institution and the Wisconsin tradition has always emphasized the relation of the University to the state and its responsibility to exercise its leader-ship where it might, in any and every way, for the development and benefit of the state and the community. The Department of Metallurgy of the University realized its responsibilities in the carrying out of the co-operative tradition and, two' years ago, an experiment was started in co-operative research between the University and certain of the industrial plants of the state. At the present time this work has so far progressed that it is no longer an experiment, and its results prove that this co-operative research may be carried on very advantageously and that, under the conditions existing in the state, the method employed has been satisfactory.

Jan 1, 1926

Homans [1950] offered a working definition of group that is useful for this research: "We mean by a group a number of persons who communicate with one another often over a span of time, and who are few enough so that each person is able to communicate with all the others, not at secondhand, through other people, but face-to-face." This chapter begins with a discussion of the group concept in reference to the hypothesized escape groups mentioned earlier. It then moves to an examination of analysis techniques used by the authors. Finally, the subjects themselves are profiled according to their demographic characteristics. The Nature of Groups Warriner [1956] took a realist approach to understanding groups: "(1) the group is just as real as the person, but (2) both are abstract, analytical units, not concrete entities, and (3) the group is understandable and explicable solely in terms of distinctly social processes and factors, not by reference to individual psychology." Warriner's realist position merely holds that "group" occupies a different domain in which it is no more or less concrete than "person." At this group level the unit of analysis will be those relations that indicate social rather than individual behavior. It is possible to investigate these group properties empirically-if a researcher avoids confusing conceptual entities with concrete ones. Most people seem to accept that group attributes must somehow be inferred, but think personal attributes will be directly manifested, requiring little or no interpretation [Snizek 1979]. In other words, nobody would equate physical components of an underground working section with the actual work group, yet social scientists (as well as laypeople) very often confuse real individuals with notions of the person. In actuality, neither groups nor persons are directly disclosed to the senses; both are inferred by experience and observation. One can "see" a group just as clearly as one can "see" a person, given the proper perspective from which to do so. It is necessary, in developing this perspective, to begin with a sound definition of the thing being examined. Besides communication, or more generally, social interaction, Homans [1950] included three other components of group makeup. "Sentiment" is characterized as the feelings people tend to form about one another when they interact often. These feelings include not only friendliness and dislike, but attitudes such as approval or disapproval. A "norm" is an idea, held in common by group members, that specifies how people ought to behave in given circumstances. In lay terms, norms are simply those informal rules individuals abide by in order to get along together in social situations. Finally, "activity" refers to those things persons do with others. In work groups, as an example, many of the activities are cooperative and goal-directed.

Jan 1, 2000

By Jack A. Crichton, Henry J. Gruy

This paper discusses methods used in the estimation of natural gas reserves and the general conditions under which the various methods are applicable. The factors used in estimating natural gas reserves are reviewed. Errors which have been found to occur frequently are listed. Introduction The estimation of natural gas reserves has become of paramount interest because of the increasing importance of gas in the nation's economy. Gas is a most desirable fuel, a fact substantiated by the continued rise in the market demand. In addition, new uses for gas are being developed by the chemical, plastic, and associated industries, and plants are being built to make gasoline from natural gas. These are a few of the factors contributing to the importance of the nation's natural gas reserves. With the increased importance of gas there is an increase in the need for reliable estimates of the magnitude and availability of natural gas reserves. These estimates are being used currently: (I) to determine which fields contain sufficient available reserves to justify the construction of pipe-line outlets to serve particular markets; (2) to design pipe lines necessary to serve those fields adequately;] (3) to determine the location of industrial and chemical plants; (4) to finance the development of gas properties, and the construction of gas pipe lines; (5) to determine fair and adequate depletion allowances and depreciation rates; (6) to justify applications for gas pipe lines before various regulatory bodies; (7) to determine the number of wells required to exploit the reserves most economically; (8) to aid in establishing values for the purchase or sale of gas properties, and for purposes of inheritance taxes; (9) to determine equities under unitized operations; (10) to provide a basis for calculating the economics of gas-cycling operations. History or Estimation of Natural Gas Reserves The natural gas industry in the United States had its beginning during 1826 when natural gas was used for lighting the city of Fredonia, N. Y. The first natural gas pipe line was a 25-mi]le wooden line constructed from hollowed logs, connecting West Bloomfield and Rochester, N. Y. There is no record of an attempt to estimate the gas reserve at West Bloomfield but an attempt was made to determine the capacity of the well by measuring the time required to 611 a large balloon. One of the earlier publications concerning estimation of natural gas reserves is the "Manual for the Oil and Gas Industry," published by the Treasury Department, United States Internal Revenue, in i9i9. The following methods of computing "gas depletion" are listed: (I) production decline of the gas well or property; (2) decline in open-flow capacity; (3) comparison with the life history of similar wells or properties, particularly those exhausted Art

Jan 1, 1949

By Wayne E. Glenn, R. W. French, Lincoln F. Elkins

The Lance Creek Sundance reservoir provides a case history of ro years performance of a reservoir in which unit operation has permitted effective utilization of gravity drainage augmented by primary pressure control with injection of gas into top structural wells. Detailed performance of the reservoir is presented by means of maps of Well status, reservoir pressure, individual well recovery, etc., and by pool-performance charts. Analysis of reservoir performance indicates only minor water encroachment, so that gravity, injected gas, and expansion of gas are the main oil-expulsive agents. A simplified theory of regional drainage of oil from upstructure location to downstructure location due to gravity is presented and checked by means of comparison of "reservoir" permeability and "well" permeability from the pool performance. Good order of magnitude agreement was obtained. Individual well performance and overall reservoir performance indicate possibility that maintenance of pressure makes ineffective those parts of the reservoir in which permeability is too low to permit effective drainage of oil by action of gravity. Oil from these parts can be recovered only when pressure is reduced locally by selective withdrawal or when overall reservoir pressure is finally reduced.

Jan 1, 1949

By J. C. Cordell, C. F. Weinaug

A study of the behavior of retrograde condensation from gas mixtures was made in the presence and absence of sand in order to determine if the condensed liquid would re-vaporize in the Presence of sand. Methane-butane and methane-pentane mixtures that would form liquids by retrograde condensation when produced from a constant volume cell were used. The methane-butane mixtures of similar composition were produced by three different methods. The first two were charged into an empty cell and were produced in one case within a period of 9 hr and in the other within a period of 3 days. The third mixture was charged to a sand-packed cell and produced within a period of 9 hr. The curves relating composition of the produced gas to pressure obtained from these experiments show that equilibrium was maintained as long as liquid was condensing. However, during the portion of the pressure decline where the condensed liquid should be revaporizing, equilibrium was maintained only when the mixture was produced from the sand-packed cell. The methane-pentane mixture is produced only in the presence of sand. The data obtained for this system also show that equilibrium is maintained at all times during the pressure decline. These results indicate that revaporization is aided rather than prevented by the fact that the condensate "wets the sand." The significance to the petroleum industry of the behavior of hydrocarbons in the retrograde region is becoming increasingly important because a large percentage of reservoirs being discovered today arc of the gas-condensate type. The important characteristic of a gas-condensate reservoir is the retrograde condensation of a liquid phase throughout the reservoir if the pressure is allowed to decline. In order to prevent the loss of this retrograde liquid in some of these reservoirs, they are "cycled"; that is, the material produced from the reservoir is processed to remove the heavier hydrocarbons and the light fractions are returned to the reservoir to maintain the reservoir pressure. Another method of producing these reservoirs is Pressure depletion. There are other methods but they are not in general use. Although a large number of factors are involved in determining the optimum method of producing a reservoir, only the problem of whether the retrograde condensate resulting from pressure depletion will revaporize from sand at equilibrium conditions is considered in this paper. Also the data are limited to the methane-n-butane and the methane-n-pentane systerns at loo°F and one type of sand. Three types of tests were run in order to compare the revaporization of retrograde liquid formed in a cell with that formed in a sand-packed cell, and to establish the effect of time. The results of tests presented in this paper indicate that both time and the presence of sand promote the revaporization of

Jan 1, 1949

By W. N. Lacey, R. H. Olds, B. H. Sage

The volumetric behavior of five mixtures of black oil and natural gas and of two mixtures of condensate and natural gas from a field in the San Joaquin Valley was experimentally established. This work was carried out at roo°, I9o° and 250°F in the pressure interval between 400 and 5000 psi. The viscosity of the liquid phase of four mixtures of black oil and natural gas was experimentally measured in the above-indicated temperature and pressure intervals. The effect of methane upon the precipitation of bitumen from the black oil was studied at 230°F. Introduction The solution of a number of the economical and technological problems which arise in connection with petroleum production is dependent upon the availability of the necessary quantitative information covering the materials involved. This requires data concerning physical properties of naturally occurring hydrocarbon mixtures at the pressures and temperatures characteristic of underground petroleum reservoirs. The experimental determination of the desired data for each situation encountered is relatively time-consuming. However, it is considered to yield results sufficiently more reliable than those obtained from correlations to justify the effort. For these reasons there was undertaken a laboratory investigation of the viscosity of the liquid phase and the volu- metric and phase behavior of mixtures of oil and gas samples obtained from wells in a field located in the San Joaquin Valley. Terminology The nomenclature of petroleum engineering is not at present entirely standardized. Many commonly used technical terms are not everywhere given the same meanings. For the purposes of this paper the following definitions will be adopted: Black oil refers to the dark-colored, hydrocarbon liquid obtained when the producing horizon of the well lies partly in the condensed hydrocarbon phase of the reservoir. Condensate is the term applied to the relatively volatile, pale yellow or amber-colored hydrocarbon liquid that is often obtained from the surface separator system when the producing horizon of the well lies in the gas cap of the reservoir. The gas obtained from the surface separator system is called natural gas regardless of whether the well is producing black oil or condensate. As might be expected from the multi-component character of naturally occurring hydrocarbon materials, the compositions of black oil, condensate and natural gas are subject to considerable variation depending upon the temperatures and pressures prevailing in the surface separator system as well as upon the overall composition of the material produced from the reservoir. In order to obtain samples capable of reproducing the total hydrocarbon material produced by the well, all oil and gas mixtures used in this investigation were com-

Jan 1, 1949

By James G. Crawford

Correlation Of water with its reservoir zone or formation has been one of the applications of oil-field water analysis of greatest direct value to the petroleum engineer. The water in each producing zone tends to have diagnostic characteristics by which it can be distinguished from every other water above or below that zone in that immediate vicinity. Representative analyses of oil-field waters from producing oil and gas fields in the Rocky Mountain region are included, and the diagnostic characteristics are discussed briefly. It is concluded that the generally dilute nature of Rocky Mountain oilfield waters is a result of dilution by meteoric waters, and that there is no relationship between presence or absence of commercial oil and the character of water in a structure. Introduction The study of waters associated With oil and gas began more than 50 years ago and has been well recognized by operators, engineers, and geologists for about 30 years. It appears unnecessary at this time to recite the history of oil-field water analysis; suffice to say that it has proved its worth many times to the production engineer suddenly confronted with water problems in producing oil and gas wells. Chemists and geologists have studied the possible origin of these waters and as Yet the subject is unsolved in many important phases. There are both local and regional problems connected with the explanation of concentrations and character- istics peculiar to each field, each subsurface zone and each province. Criteria useful in postulating the Occurrence of oil Or gas in One province completely fail when applied to another, and data carefully prepared and analyzed from one field may be actually misleading when applied to another. Correlation of water with its reservoir zone or formation has been one of the applications of oil-field water analysis of greatest direct value to the engineer. The concentrations and characteristics of the waters are essential to the engineers and geologists making interpretations of electric logs in this region. The behavior of water under conditions of reservoir temperature and pressure is dependent to a great degree upon its concentration and characteristics, and thus important to the reservoir engineer. With the advent of secondary recovery methods in the Rocky Mountain region the characteristics and treatment of water will become increasingly important. Premises upon which Correlation Is Based A brief review of the geochemical history of oil-field waters will suffice to present the premises upon which correlations of the waters are based. Sedimentary rocks which are now stratified were first sediments in seas, lakes and streams. These sediments were filled interstitially with connate water. With burial the sediments were compressed arid consolidated, integrated and indurated into bed rock and much of the connate water was dispelled. Following the formation of bed rock the strata were sub-

Jan 1, 1949

By G. Blackwell

In the 1980's the Canadian surface mining industry was confronted by declining competitiveness in the face of low cost foreign producers and alternative materials. Low metal prices undermined profits for many mining companies. Restructuring, rationalization, capacity reduction, technology transfer, as well as favourable currency rates and higher commodity prices, helped revitalize the industry by the close of the decade. Now in the 1990's, however, the need to improve competitiveness for profitability has re-emerged in greater intensity. In the current climate it is considered that there are three strategies available to industry to ensure profitability: continued rationalization and restructuring; optimization of operating practice; and technology development and transfer.

Jan 1, 1993