Search Documents

By Crone Duncan

The search. for massive sulphide orebodies is steadily being extended to greater depths as well as expanding outward into the large portion of the earth's surface where the sulphide bodies are deeply weathered. Massive sulphide orebodies are generally not large in dimensions. They are not like disseminated type sulphide bodies that form large ground exploration targets that can be detected at greater and greater depths simply by increasing the geometrical spacing between the geophysical transmitter and receiver. In¬creasing the transmitter-receiver spacing with massive sulphide bodies eventually "waters down" the anomaly from the body until it disappears into noise. If high surface conductivity is present, as is common in areas of deep weathering, the problem is compounded by the increasing response of the surface layer, as the receiver-transmitter spacing is expanded. The search to greater depths has important implications other than just detection of the orebody. Drilling costs are increased and the probability of missing the target are increased. Missing an orebody is an expense that is difficult to evaluate in dollars per line mile of survey especially since one does not know the value of what was missed. A ground Pulse EM method has the capabilities of solving the problems of deeper exploration particularly in areas of surface weathering it can attain deep penetration without large coil spacings, it also provides information from a complete range of frequencies. The method has other operational advantages since it is free of geometrical restrictions as to coil alignments and can operate in areas of high power line noise.

Jan 1, 1975

By Yeole Shivraj Narayan, Nunna Nagabhushana Ramesh, Banoth Balu Naik, Alluru Ramya

MicroEDM process is mainly used for producing miniaturized features like microholes on different types of materials that are hard to cut and difficult to machine. One typical application of microEDM process is microhole drilling operation. Choice and utilization of optimum pulse parameters is of utmost importance for achieving superior surface quality and higher machining rates. However, the process is characterized by low machining rates and considerable overcut as compared to conventional EDM drilling. An attempt is made to investigate the effect of pulse parameters on maraging steel 300 alloy during micro EDM drilling. Parameters like pulse on time, pulse off time, voltage and current are explored through 09 experiments replicated thrice using Taguchi method. Machining characteristics like material removal rate and overcut are studied while drilling micro holes of 500 µm diameter using brass electrode. Evaluation of microhardness after microdrilling is also performed. It is found that puls on time and current influenced the machining characteristics. Minimal change is observed int he microhardness of the alloy after microdrilling.

Mar 1, 2018

By Werner Goldsmith

This discussion is confined to the first section of Professor Clark's paper entitled 'Elastic and Nonelastic Waves' and its application to wave propagation in rocks. Some published results by other investigators concerning measured decay of peak strain and variation of pulse duration with travel distance are cited, but the principal subject of this section is a detailed mathematical analysis of spherical (and, to a lesser extent, of plane) wave propagation in various homogeneous, isotropic media. The materials selected include an elastic substance, a Voigt and a 'modified' Voigt solid-the latter incorporating the assumption of a constant loss factor (defined here as the product of frequency and the ratio of the imaginary to the real part of the shear modulus)-and a solid friction model. While other possible representations of a solid continuum model are mentioned, corresponding solutions are not presented. The pulse inputs considered comprise exponential decay, a unit step, and steady- state sinusoidal excitation: the process of conversion from one solution to another in the operational plane is indicated. The basic problem relative to the analysis of wave propagation in rocks concerns the specification of the appropriate material behavior, since the equations of motion for a given geometry of the source and medium are well established. In principle, the required information can be deduced from two types of measurement: 1) field observations of underground explosions or seismic disturbances, and 2) laboratory tests on small samples of the pertinent rock. However, in practice both types of approaches are beset with difficulties and subject to valid criticism. Field observations must be carried out under relatively uncontrolled conditions, including, in general, a lack of knowledge of the precise arrangement of the medium, stratification, faulting. inhomogeneities, etc. Specimens investigated in the laboratory can not represent the environment found

Jan 1, 1967

This paper examines the latest advances in mine drive and motor systems. In the last decade, the drive technology employed for large mine winders has migrated from the traditional dc technology to ac motors with cyclo convertor drives. Recent advances in pulse width modulation (PWM) drives have resulted in these being applied to large winder drives. While having many advantages for the winder system, the PWM drive must be carefully designed to ensure long-term reliable operation. When combined with induction motor technology, the PWM drive presents the ideal solution for winder drives. This paper examines the factors in choosing a suitable PWM drive for a winder installation. Factors under consideration include: winder duty cycle, drive rating restrictions, choice of power semiconductor device, cooling, and low speed operation.The cage induction motor is the motor of choice for large winder drives and has a number of advantages over the synchronous motor. The induction motor is ideally suited to integrated winder applications where the motor is built inside the friction drum, as installed at WMCÆs Olympic Dam site. The challenges of integrating the induction motor into the friction drum will be detailed, including: assembly, ventilation, air gap adjustment, and position sensors.

Jan 1, 2005

By M. F. Vancas

The advantages of using vertical pulsed columns as replacements for conventional mixer/settlers in the uranium industry have been known for some time. The advantages of the columns offer include a reduction in real estate for the plant, elimination of diluent evaporation and crud formation. This paper presents the findings of laboratory tests of pulsed columns extracting copper from pregnant leach solutions and also discusses potential advantages of the pulse column in copper solvent extraction.

Jan 1, 1999

By M. C. Nielson

The paper describes the design and operation of pulsed columns as replacements for conventional mixer/settlers. The advantages, which the columns offer, include a reduction in real estate for the plant, elimination of diluent evaporation, containment of noxious vapors and reduced crud formation. In addition to the description of operation, the paper presents the findings of laboratory tests of pulsed columns extracting copper from pregnant leach solutions and also delineates potential advantages of the pulsed column in copper solvent extraction.

Jan 1, 1999

By Valentine A. Chanturiya

The aim of this paper is basically to show progress in the study of nanosecond processes involved in the disintegration and breaking-up of mineral complexes with fine noble metals. We studied the influence of nanosecond High-Power Electromagnetic Pulses (HPEMP) on the physical and technological properties of refractory gold-containing ores and beneficiation products. Experimental data are presented to confirm the formation of breakdown channels and selective disintegration of mineral complexes as a result of pulse irradiation, which makes for efficient access of lixiviant solutions to precious metal grains and enhanced precious metal recovery into lixivia during leaching. Preliminary processing of gravity concentrate with a HPEMP resulted in significant increase of gold and silver extraction into lixivia during the cyanidation stage, with gold recovery increased by ~31% (from 51.2% in a blank test to 82.3% after irradiation). Gold recovery from stale gold-containing dressing tailings products increased after pulses-irradiation from 8-12% to 80-90%.

Jan 1, 2006

E. W. Stutchbury (Internationa~ Oombustion Aust. Ltd.) : Mr. Callcott made particular mention in his paper of erosion in primary air fans which are placed after the mill discharge. He adds that subsequent reduction in plant performance and resulting increased maintenance costs occur. It is generally assumed that this statement is substantially correct as the fan handles the complete output from the mill, but with modern materials, reduction in performance and subsequent .maintenance are not now a problem. This consideration of handling the pulverised coal in the fan is more than offset by the advantage of operating the mill under suction which results in cleaner operating conditions, simpler feeder arrangements and elimination of complicated seals on the mill.and feeder unit. It should be specially noted that whereas mill exhausters in the past have used chequer plate blades (sometimes with the addition of hard facing by electrode deposit) it is modern practice to provide fan blades of up to 1 in·. thick Ni-hard suitablyheat treated, with the circumferential section of the fan also in Ni-hard. By the use of this material large power...

Jan 1, 1957

LIST OF REFERENCES COMPILED BY ENGINEERING SOCIETIES LIBRARY FUEL POSSIBILITIES IN STEEL MAKING. Iron Age, November 6, 1913, p. 1056-1059. Paper read before the American Iron and Steel Institute, by William Whigham. The author discusses the use of pulverized coal as a fuel for open-hearth furnaces. IMPROVED PULVERIZED FUEL FEED DEVICE. Iron Age, November 6, 1913, p. 1024. Brief description of the Dunn apparatus, especially intended for cement kilns, but used also in the nodulizing of iron ore. WIDER UTILIZATION OF PULVERIZED COAL, H. R. Barnhurst. Iron Age, October 23, 1913, p. 906-908. Part of discussion of paper by James Lord on The Use of Pulverized Fuel in Metallurgical Furnaces, read before the Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania. POWDERED COAL FOR OPEN HEARTH FURNACES. Iron Age, October 16, 1913, p. 855. Abstract from the "Coal and Coke Operator." USE OF PULVERIZED COAL AS A FUEL FOR BOILERS, R. C. Carpenter. Sibley Journal of Engineering, December 1913, p. 85. COAL-DUST FIRED BOILER. Indian Engineering, November 29, 1913, p. 301. PROGRESS IN FUEL UTILIZATION. Mining and Scientific Press, October 25, 1913, p. 638. BUFFALO GRAIN-ELEVATOR DUST EXPLOSION. Engineering News, July 31, 1913, p. 223-24. Reprinted in the National Fire Protection Association Quarterly, October, 1913, p. 149-151. Mention is made of the danger of explosions in connection with the burning of powdered coal. POWDERED FUEL AND EXPLOSIONS. Railway Age Gazette, July 18, 1913, p. 53-84. Letter by W. D. Wood. USE OF PULVERIZED COAL IN METALLURGICAL FURNACES, James Lord. Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania, Proc., October, 1913, p. 363-371; discussion, p. 371-417. With bibliography.

Jan 3, 1914

By N. T. Avard

THE profitable disposal and utilization of much of our slack coal, lignite, and other low-grade fuels is one of the major problems facing the coal mining industry of Canada today. It is my belief that the pulverization process applied to these fuels opens the door to greater efficiency and greater prosperity, and I wish to discuss briefly with you some features of its development and advantages to date. Indeed, the art of burning pulverized coal under stationary boilers is one of the romances of modern engineering. As a Nova Scotian, I feel some pride in the fact that at Chignecto Mines, N.S., was built in 1906 the first pit-mouth power plant on the North American continent. This was built to make effective for the first time Edison's dream of carrying coal for power by wire rather than by rail. This plant, built by the Maritime Coal, Railway and Power Company, Limited, success-fully utilized underfeed stokers for twenty years but in 1927 was replaced by a more modern plant equipped with machinery for burning pulverized coal, which is now operating very successfully. A further source of pride is the fact that the first boilers on this continent to be operated by pulverized coal were installed by the Dominion Coal Company at New Waterford, N.S., in 1912 and were satisfactorily operated during the lifetime of the plant. It is an acknowledged fact that average living conditions on a large part of the North American continent are far superior to those of any other people on earth. The reason is that we use so much more machinery per capita, and cheap power supply has been a large factor in bringing that about. Statistics show that where one horse-power was used one hundred years ago to assist man in his work, five hundred horse-power is used today. Truly a remarkable development and the key to our present high standard of living. Lack of coal in the chief industrial centres of Canada has forced the extra-ordinary development of the water powers which Providence has placed in those centres. How many of us realize that Canada stands second in the world in the per capita development of hydro power, Switzerland being first and the United States sixth? From this condition, we are reminded of the fact that the per capita foreign trade of Canada far exceeds that of our great neighbour to the South-but another illustration of the benefits accruing from our great power development.

Jan 1, 1937

By E. S. Bardwell

DURING the period extending from May, 1922, to September, 1923, the copper-refining furnaces of the Great Falls Reduction Department of the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. at Great Falls, Mont., were operated exclusively with pulverized coal as fuel. The installation was made first as an experiment. It proved successful from the start and was abandoned solely because fuel oil from the Sunburst field became available at a price sufficiently low to make its use desirable from an economic standpoint. The equipment required for pulverized coal has, however, been kept intact and is available for immediate use should the oil supply fail. Inasmuch as pulverized coal had been used on two large reverberatory smelting furnaces and was, at the time we were considering its application to the copper-refining furnaces, being used on the Wedge furnaces roasting zinc concentrate for the electrolytic zinc plant, we were equipped with a coal-pulverizing plant of ample capacity to supply pulverized coal for the furnace refinery. The only problem was to devise suitable means for transporting pulverized coal from the pulverizer plant, located in the smelter building, to the refinery about 1000 ft. distant and about 150 ft. above the level of the pulverizer plant. When studying this installation, it should be borne in mind that the layout represents an adaptation suited to the existing conditions at this particular plant. The installation was entirely satisfactory and uniformly dependable but might be modified to advantage from an operating point of view if an entirely new installation were being planned.

Jan 9, 1925

A bibliography of the use of pulverized coal for the years 1917 and 1918 has been compiled by the Library for the Institute. It comprises three typewritten sheets. Copies may be obtained by those interested at $2 per copy.

Jan 5, 1919

By E. J. Karges

The use of pulverized coal for generating power and performing industrial processes has made an important contribution to our industrial economy during the past half century. Actually, the burning of coal in powdered form is a subject that has held the attention of engineers for a century or longer. Its widespread use, however, is comparatively recent, As early as 1866 patents were granted to Messrs. Whelpley and Storer for a method of feeding pulverized coal into a furnace as an auxiliary to the grate fuel. In the many tests made during the subsequent years with various kinds of apparatus, the experimenters were handicapped in not getting the coal fine enough to obtain complete combustion and to prevent excessive formation of slag.

Jan 1, 1965

By Josef J. Schwegel

The first vertical shaft lime kiln operating according to the parallel-flow regenerative principle was developed and built in the nineteen-fifties by Schmid-Hofer in Austria. Upon proving this concept of calcining or "burning" limestone to be very energy efficient for the production of good quality lime, Maerz Ofenbau AG of Zurich, Switzerland was in 1965 licensed for the design detailing and construction of these kilns. The first regenerative shaft type lime kiln outside of Austria was built in 1966 and through close co-operation with customers and their operating personnel, the advanced technical developments of today's kiln designs were accomplished. At present approximately 190 kilns of this type in capacities ranging from 60 to 700 short tons per day have been built or are under construction throughout the world in highly industrialized as well as less developed countries.

Jan 1, 1981

By T. W. Oshnock

Pulverized coal (PC) and other injectants can be injected into the blowpipes of a blast furnace to decrease coke requirements. Throughout the history of blast-furnace development, there have been many attempts at injecting PC. In the 1960's a more serious effort was made to improve pulverized coal injection (PCI) technology. However, because of the additional capital requirements and the projected near-term inexpensive cost of other injectants, very few PC1 systems were installed. When the second oil crisis occurred around 1979, the shortage and high cost of fuel oil caused blast-furnace operators to operate without oil injection. It was soon discovered that blast- furnace operation without oil was not as smooth or efficient. Experiments with PC1 quickly showed that coal was a good replacement for oil which resulted in the rapid application of PC1 in both Europe and Japan. As a result, PC1 technology for blast-furnace operation has progressed rapidly during the 1980's. This paper will describe the worldwide status of PCI, characteristics of different PC1 systems, the effect of PC1 on blast-furnace process parameters, and the economic effects of using PCI. Results from the USS Blast-Furnace Thermochemical Projection Model comparing the effects of different coal properties and the effects of other tuyere injectants such as oil and natural gas will also be described.

Jan 1, 1988

By André Oliveira

The present paper describes state-of-the-art Pulverized Coal Injection technology with focus to Dynamic Distribution guaranteeing highest accuracy on equal distribution and being thus one of the key factors enabling constantly highest injection rates. As an alternative to the construction of a new plant, existing plants may be modernized and upgraded to latest technology. Two recent examples are presented. As a conclusion, two case studies of return on investment are showing that the PCI technology, both for new facilities as well as for upgrades, is very profitable and mandatory for high blast furnace operation effectiveness.

Aug 17, 2017

By John C. Nigro

The Bureau of Mines is investigating the use of pulverized coal as a fuel for iron ore pelletizing to determine its effectiveness as a substitute for natural gas and oil. Experimental data illustrates the application of both a gun-type suspension burner and a cyclonic-type slagging burner to a grate-kiln pelletizing unit. In addition, experimentation with a cyclonic fired external combustion chamber for possible adaptation to a shaft or straight grate pelletizing furnace is discussed. The tests were conducted in the Bureau of Mines Twin Cities Metallurgy Research Center's pilot plant with high rank bituminous coals from Kentucky and Colorado and low rank subbituminous coals and lignites from Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota. Although combustion was excellent with the suspension burner, the low ash fusibility temperature coals and lignites caused some kiln ringing and accretion buildup in the grate kiln transfer section which were not encountered when firing with the high ash fusibility temperature Kentucky coal. Pellet contamination by coal ash was not deemed substantial. Problems with the cyclonic burner and external refractory combustion chamber centered around (a) maintaining complete combustion of the coal within the burner, (b) molten slag attack on the lower refractory chamber resulting in erosion of the lining and increased slag viscosities, and (c) freeze-up of the slag tap hole.

Jan 1, 1977

Brief descriptions of several types of unit pulverizeI' are given and the functioning of the components that crush, carry, dry and classify the coal is considered. A distinction is drawn between pulverizers which crush particle beds and those .operating by free-crushing. The overall performance of pulverijlers is considered in terms of correlations between mill variables, coal grindability, abrasiveness, moisture and particle size. Brief discussioiJ. of the influence of pulverized fuel quality on boiler operation and of pulverizing costs concludes the paper.INTRODUCTIONModern coal pulverizers function as carriers of materials and as crushers, as dryers and as size classification machines and, thus, the unit pulverizer comprises. several components that normally function as separate apparatus. The controls of the unit pulverizer must have sufficient flexibility to accommodate rapid variations of boiler load or coal quality. Further, the machine must be robust, yet easy to maintain preferably at annual intervals-so that maintenance costs are small (for coal is a relatively cheap material). Usually, the full load of a modern pulverized-fuel fired boiler can be raised with one pulverizer off-line. All coals, from anthracites to brown coal, may be prepared as pulverized fuel (hereafter P.F.) .Each pulverizer of a direct-fired boiler has, broadly, to supply the burners with coal powdered so that about 80 per cent passes a 200 B.S. sieve and only a small proportion, less than about 10 per cent, remains on the 100 B.S. sieve. The classification processes must prevent any appreciable proportion of coarse particles in the P.F. and yet not return excessive proportions of "finished" fines. The quality of the P.F. should not vary greatly with output rates which may be anywhere between the maximum rate and one quarter ofthe maximum. The suspension of P.F. in the primary air...

Jan 1, 1957

By James A. Barr

PUMICE and pumice are varieties of volcanic ejecta formed from lavas of the more silicic types. Chemical analyses of pumice, pumicite and perlite, from which synthetic pumice is now produced, will generally fall within the limits 65 to 75 pct silica, 9 to 20 pct alumina, less than 8 pct combined alkalies (sodium and potassium oxides), less than 3 pct calcium and magnesium oxide, less than 3 pct iron oxide, with smaller amounts of manganese, titanium, phosphorus and other oxides. Perlite is characterized chemically by having, in addition to the percentages of oxides given above, as high as 6 pct combined water. PROPERTIES Pumice is a natural silicic foam glass produced by volcanic eruptions. The molten glass foam, upon rapid cooling, trapped the steam and volcanic gases that caused it to remain extremely porous and vesicular in structure. Pumice is found in the form of large lumps several cubic feet in volume and also in grains only a few millimeters in diameter. Chemically, pumicite is of the same range of composition as pumice. The distinction between pumice and pumicite is one of particle size; the coarser materials are pumice; the fine particles, an appreciable percentage of which is in the range of 100 to 325-mesh or finer, are pumicite. If the erupting volcano ejects a silicic lava containing much gas and water vapor, the sudden release of pressure tends to free the gas. The viscosity of the lava, its rate of cooling and the amount of gas evolved, all have part in determining the degree of expansion of the glassy particles and the fineness of the vesicle. If the lava is of the correct viscosity and there is not too much gas, a pumice may be formed. Large amounts of gas may cause complete disruption into pumicite.30 In 1916, Barbour gave the name "pumicite" to the volcanic ash of Nebraska and since then the name has been widely used in industrial circles for the finer-grained commercial varieties. The glass of pumice and pumicite is transparent and colorless. It

Jan 1, 1949

By Gordon C. ‘Bud’ Presley

The pumice and pumicite review arrived too late for the June issue. Estimated domestic production of pumice and pumicite in 1992 was up compared with 1991, according to US Bureau of Mines statistics. The Bureau estimate of domestic production of 400 kt (440,000 st) for 1991 turned out to be 401 kt (442,000 st) of actual production, the lowest since 1989. In 1992, the estimated the value of pumice and pumicite sold or used in the United States was $11.6 million, up only $200,000 from the 1991 value. There was an increase in the mine, or mill, average price from the five-year low of $11.44/t ($10.37/st) in 1986 to $26.42/t ($23.96/st) in 1992. Estimated tonnage produced in 1992 was 439 kt (484,000 st). Apparent domestic consumption was 642 kt (707,000 st), up 135 kt (149,000 st) from 1991. Imports for consumption were estimated to be 215 kt (237,000 st) last year. Domestic production supplied 68% of the demand in 1992, with net imports supplying the remaining 32%. This compares with domestic production sup¬plying 53% and net imports supplying 47% of the apparent consumption in 1988. Exports were about 900 t/a (1000 stpy) for the period 1984 to 1988. In 1989, exports rose sevenfold to 7 kt (7700 st) and to 20 kt (22,000 st) in 1990. The Bureau of Mines reported that the amount of pumice and pumicite exported in 1992 was 12 kt (13,200 st). It is assumed that these exports were from the Pacific Coast because imports, mainly from Greece, continued to be a market factor on the East Coast and the Gulf Coast States in the United States.

Jan 1, 1993