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By H. E. Powell

The smelting of brass and bronze generates a dust composed primarily of zinc oxide, with lesser amounts of other metal oxides, such as copper, lead, and tin. The small quantity of this waste generated by individual smelters and the relatively low unit value of the contained metals, suggests the desirability of reclaiming the metals onsite or at some nearby point. The Bureau of Mines has developed a process that fits these requirements. The technique consists of (1) dissolving zinc and copper from the dust with sulfuric acid, (2) recovery of copper by cementation, (3) recovery of zinc as zinc sulfate crystals, and (4) recovery of lead and tin as a salable residue. Alternatively, zinc may be recovered by electrodeposition. Free acid is recycled and no major pollution problems are generated by the process.

Jan 1, 1972

By John P. Gooch

The solubility of 1,1,2,2-tetrabromoethane (TBE) in water was determined from 1.0° to 97.0° C. The solubility (S) of TBE in grams of solute per 100 grams water was correlated with [S = 1,920.55 [exp (40292L7 11, T2 10 T 737.577 + 9.923962 ] where T is in degrees Kelvin. A thermodynamic analysis conducted on a system consisting of a TBE phase and a water phase in equilibrium with a vapor phase led to the calculation of the activity coefficient, vapor-liquid equilibrium distribution coefficient, relative volatility, and heat of mixing for saturated solutions of TBE in water. Data required for these calculations were the solubility of TBE in water and the vapor pressures of TBE and water as a function of temperature.

Jan 1, 1972

By R. V. Higgins

A numerical method is presented to calculate the isopressure (isobar) lines and streamlines for an oilfield from the pressure distribution. A knowledge of these lines is useful in the study of the flow of fluids in underground reservoirs, especially for those containing gaseous and/or liquid hydrocarbons. This work was done primarily to enable determination of the shape factors needed in the calculation of petroleum reservoir performance. However, it has application for the flow of water in aquifers, or electricity or heat in odd-shaped geometry. Techniques previously developed were used to calculate the pressure distribution. From this pressure distribution, the isopressure lines were calculated accurately by the method presented in this paper. Then by successively projecting orthogonal lines from one isopressure line to another, the streamlines are determined. From the coordinates of the isopressures and the streamlines, the shape factors can then be determined by a published method. Computer methods are presented to calculate the streamlines and isopressures for any well-spacing pattern existing within a field with multiple wells. The method reproduces the flow net for several well configurations having extensive geometrical variations. Such information provides the petroleum engineer with data from which he can compute oil recoveries for different patterns and thereby maximize the recovery of hydrocarbons from the reservoir.

Jan 1, 1972

By Rudolph H. Jacobson

The leaching of heaps or sub-marginal waste ore dumps as it is practiced throughout the Southwest as well as other parts of the world, is the major method of secondary recovery of copper. In 1970, twenty percent of all domestic copper was produced by dump leaching operations (l). In recent years, this method has been successfully extended on a limited scale, for the recovery of uranium from low-grade ores (2). It is inevitable that this technique will be increasingly employed in metal production to satisfy the insatiable demand of our mineral based society. Although dump and heap leaching has been used effectively for some time (3) , its application has been more of an art than a science. Therefore, it is essential that we learn about the important factors and parameters affecting this versatile process so that we may make increasing use of this technique in the future. The dump or heap leaching process encompasses the preparation of ore for-subsequent inplace leaching, the flow of solutions and ionic species through porous rock masses, the leaching of minerals with inexpensive and, if possible, regenerable lixiviants under prevailing conditions of the inplace environment, and the recovery of metals from the pregnant liquors. It is evident that this comprehensive scope of dump or heap leaching falls under the realm of interdisciplinary science and engineering requiring the application of the principles of physics, mineral engineering, hydrology, computer modeling, operations research, economics, and allied disciplines. An exhaustive study of the phenomenology of a leach dump or heap requires detailed knowledge of the simultaneous interaction of'

Jan 1, 1972

By J. E. Dooley

A mass spectral scheme of analysis was devised which can be used to identify individually a single compound from a larger group of similar compounds. Mass spectra for 32 alkyl aryl sulfides are provided for future reference work, and analytical correlations used in producing the analytical scheme are discussed. Some of the correlations show that base peaks are either the same mass as the parent peaks or may be derived from cleavage alpha to the sulfur atom with migration of one hydrogen to the sulfur atom. Other spectral consistencies provide means of separating ortho-, meta-, and paratolyl arrangements in an overall analytical scheme. Determinations of chain lengths and separation of isomeric species are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1972

On July 1, 1969, the Explosives Research Center merged with the Health and Safety Research and Testing Center to form the Safety Research Center, with facilities at Pittsburgh and Bruceton, Pa. Subsequently, passage in December of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-173) had a major influence on the activities of the new center. These activities were conducted under two main programs, Coal Mine Safety Research and Explosives Research. The Coal Mine Safety Research program was concerned primarily with two categories of hazards: health-related hazards associated with the mine environment, due to such factors as respirable dust, toxic gases and vapors, and excessive noise; and accidents due to mine fires, explosions, and roof falls.

Jan 1, 1972

By Raymond A. Bradbury

A significant news item appearing in a coal mining journal in November 1969 stated simply that a Caterpillar D-333-CNA engine had received Bureau of Mines Schedule 31 approval. This item occurring at the time a new mining property in Martin County of East Kentucky was being prospected and prepared for mining, resulted in the manage-ment of Martin County Coal Corporation asking the question, "Why not use diesel equipment in our new operation?" Martin County Coal Corporation is part of the A. T. Massey Coal Company, Incorporated organization. The property being developed is on a 17,500 acre leasehold obtained from Pocahontas Land Corporation and lies in the Wolf Creek area of Martin County. The Norfolk and Western Railway Company built a 24-mile railroad into this undeveloped section of Kentucky to tap a huge reserve of steam coal. Duke Power Company is the customer who will take all of the production from Martin County Coal Corporation mines which ultimately is projected to be 2,000,000 tons annually. Four coal seams, all above drainage, are included in the lease. The Middle Coalburg and Stockton are being deep mined now and it is in those mines that the diesel haulage equipment was introduced. This paper will endeavor to trace the steps loading to the introduction of the first diesel-powered Wagner Mining Equipment Company ScoopTram in a coal mine in America. It will further elaborate on the features which make this unit a very versatile and useful utility unit as well as the safety features which are incorporated in the machine. The success of this first unit led to the placing of

Jan 1, 1972

By Ross W. Smith

In recent years there has been a considerable amount of research work done relative to the effect of pretreatment and aging in water on the surface properties of both simple metal oxides and more complex oxides such as the silicate minerals 1-6. Of particular interest is the work of Somasundaran6 who states that after preparing minerals by size reduction and washing with dilute acids "... it is essential to treat it (the mineral) with water in order to remove any effects of leaching itself." Somasundaran also states, "... it is advisable to use a solution close to the point of zero charge for conditioning purposes." Parksl notes that, "Dehydration, dehydroxylation, and increased crystallinity can be expected to decrease the PZC. The presence of anionic impurities or of pH-independent potential determining ions will decrease the PZC. Cationic species will increase the PZC." Healy and Jellett4 believe that in the Zn0-water system "the surface charge of Zn0 in water and each pH is determined by the concentration and adsorption of each hydrolyzed (charged and uncharged) Zn(II) species." Finally, according to Parks 2, "The PZC of an unaltered com¬plex oxide in a system devoid of specific electrolytes is approximately the average of the PZC's of its component oxides... Equilibration with water results in loss of mono and divalent cations by exchange with H+, thus a loss of influence on the PZC by those cations, i.e., a shift in the PZC with time in the direction of that remaining oxide. The present paper investigates the change of point of zero charge (PZC) of a number of simple oxides and several complex oxides as a function of aging time in water. In some cases acid pretreatment of minerals was performed. However, in most cases the minerals were not acid pretreated. In several systems pH change as a function of aging time in water was monitored.

Jan 1, 1972

By R. D. White

"The Cumberland Basin of Nova Scotia has long been considered a structural basin by virtue of the elliptical outcrop and inward dip pattern of the Pennsylvanian outcrops. Recent published and unpublished data indicate that subsidence began in the late Devonian, perhaps resulting from a graben or rift. The Mississippian sediments which filled the growing depression were continental, lacustrine and marine with evaporites. The cessation of the riftforming processes is recorded by the alluvial swamp-type sediments of the Pennsylvanian which filled the depression. In excess of 25,000 feet of Carboniferous rocks are believed to be present in the deepest part of the Basin. Starting with the rift hypothesis, we can speculate on the kinds of sediments, their location and the structural features present beneath the Pennsylvanian surface. Using surface exposures and a limited amount of subsurface data, we theorize that (1) the Mississippian evaporites acted as glide zones which effectively divided the Basin into two horizontal structural layers. The rocks above the evaporites, responding to Appalachian stresses, formed the long diapiric folds with cores of overthickened evaporites. Below the evaporites the structures are related to movements of the rift floor, compaction closures and structures formed by differential horizontal movements of the rift walls. (2) The rift, in its deeper parts, will have more and a greater variety of marine rocks than the outcrops indicate. Should the rift hypothesis be correct, the possibility of finding hydrocarbons is enhanced."

Jan 1, 1972

By M. G. Zabetakis, T. D. Moore

The use of a partially slotted 6.5-inch-inside-diameter vertical pipe to remove methane from a longwall gob area at a depth of 2,260 feet in the Pocahontas No. 3 coalbed ms investigated. The value of gas removed by such a pipe under free-flow conditions was found to equal the cost of the installation in this case. Approximately 25 percent of the available methane passed through the pipe without the use of an exhauster; an additional 10 percent was removed when an exhauster was employed. The diversion of methane through a vertical slotted pipe to the surface permitted the use of increased mining rates and decreased the ventilation air requirements.

Jan 1, 1972

By J. W. Onuscheck

The oxygen-fuel oil burner lance is a very useful tool at the Monessen B.O.F. It increases the overall flexibility of the operation. An additional 15,000 to 20,000 ingot tons can be produced at a given hot metal supply. It helps overcome sporadic drops in hot metal thermal values and/or supply. It results in increased yield, in particular, on high carbon heats where much yield was lost on reblow triggered slag reactions. The burner has also been adopted as a standard tool to aid burning in new vessel linings. Overall, steelmaking performance has improved with the use of standard preheat practice. Scrap charges up to 50 percent have been used routinely in times of extreme hot metal shortages, but the performance is weak in some categories. Development of a single step oxy-oil process is in progress. In this process, scrap and hot metal are charged as in the normal B.O.F. practice, but fuel oil is fired with the refining oxygen.

Jan 1, 1972

By Keros Cartwright

Distribution of temperature within the lithosphere can be significantly affected by the movement of ground water. Stallman (1960) presented the basic equation for the simultaneous transfer of heat and fluid in a porous medium and first used earth temperatures to determine aquifer permeability. Subsequently, studies of rock and soil temperatures were used to determine the flow of water through clay layers separating aquifers (Bredehoeft and Papadopulos, 1965; and Sorey, 1971), and to locate shallow aquifers (Cartwright, 1968; Birman, 1969). Cartwright (1968) showed that shallow aquifers maintain a nearly constant temperature throughout the year and that heat is exchanged between the aquifer and land surface. These temperature data also suggest that shallow aquifers hydrologically connected to surface-water systems have significantly greater effect on temperature distribution than aquifers in the deep artesian basins. Water wells developed in the shallow glacial and dolomite aquifers to depths of over 122 meters (400 feet) in northern and central Illinois produce water at temperatures very close to the mean annual air temperature. An analysis of the character of the rocks and soils suggests that the tem¬perature gradient should, and does, vary according to changes in thermal conductivity due to changes in lithology. This is because, under conditions of steady and uniform flow of heat from the earth's interior to the surface, a greater temperature gradient is required in poorly conductive rocks than in highly conductive rocks to transmit the same quantity of heat. Based on estimated values of thermal conduc-

Jan 1, 1972

By M. E. Volin, F. H. Erbisch, G. M. Wenberg

Bacterial leaching of copper and uranium is practiced under acidic conditions in environments furnishing sulfur and iron. However, many mineral deposits do not have these conditions; the chalcocite and native copper deposits in Michigan's Upper Peninsula are examples. Species of bacteria and fungi isolated previously from samples taken at the White Pine Copper Co. tailings pond and mine, were screened for solubilization of copper from chalcocite ore and flotation concentrate and from native copper jig concentrate. Certain Penicillium species solubilized significant amounts of copper under neutral to slightly acidic conditions in a carbon and nitrogen-enriched medium. Leaching apparently was accomplished by release of metabolites which chelated with the copper. The copper yield was highly dependent upon the medium composition and the concentration of copper in the source material. The standardized procedures which were developed in an attempt to maximize copper yield in leaching times of three to five days are described. This preliminary research indicates a biological leaching process for copper which is different from those in use, but whether it can be applied economically remains to be determined.

Jan 1, 1972

By Victor F. Hollister, Robert W. Hodder

"The petrology and mineralogy of porphyry copper deposits are thoroughly described in recent literature and cited as the definitive characteristics for this type of deposit. The magmatic-hydrothermal aspect of genesis is also dealt with in detail. However, descriptions of their internal structure and regional setting are not as rigorous, and the genesis of this structure is simply stated as the release of high fluid pressures in a cooling magma emplaced along large fault zones. Genetic relationships between internal structure, regional setting and the tectonic evolution of continents has been alluded to infrequently in the past, but can now be considered together within the developing concept of orogeny at the margins of drifting crustal plates.Tensional structures, on both local and regional scale, and a Triassic to Tertiary age are described for porphyry copper deposits. We contend that such structure and age are distinct and unifying characteristics for this type of deposit and are genetically related to major crustal movements. British Columbia has porphyry copper deposits contemporaneous with plutons 180 to 200 million years old and 40 to 60 million years old. The former age group correlates with early stages of the continent's westward drift, and the latter group with a change in tectonic style during late development of the Canadian Cordillera. Hence, one can in British Columbia reflect on the genesis of a deposit's structure in the broader context of tectonic evolution. Such consideration should lead to more definitive criteria for area selection in exploration."

Jan 1, 1972

By José Arce

El presente texto señala la importancia de los métodos geofísicos en la exploración de yacimientos minerales del Perú. De acuerdo a las diferentes situaciones geológicas se elige el método más adecuado. Para el caso de vetas de gran buzamiento con sulfuros metálicos se utiliza el método electromagnético autopotencial, cuyo accesorio es la resistividad; para el caso de Mantos de bajo ángulo o bolsonadas con sulfuros metálicos, se cuenta con el método electromagnético y para la estructura de sulfuros diseminados Placeres Hierro, pirrotita, cobalto, níquel, se emplea la polarización inducida y el electromagnético, cuyo accesorio es la resistividad y gravimétrica.

Jan 1, 1972

By D. B. Eccleston

Natural gas and mixtures of natural gas and hydrogen were used as fuels in a laboratory engine to determine the relationship of emissions to air-fuel ratio and to establish practical lean limits for air-fuel ratio. Synthetic gas manufactured from coal (Synthane) and natural gas were used as fuels in a vehicle to obtain comparative data on emissions and performance. Results showed that lean limits for air-fuel ratio when using hydrogen-enriched natural gas were extended significantly beyond Chat of natural gas. Synthane pro¬duced exhaust that was significantly less reactive than exhaust from natural gas. With lean air-fuel ratios, the acceleration performance of a vehicle fueled with Synthane was improved over its performance when fueled with natural gas.

Jan 1, 1972

By Robert M. Lewis

Can wet-ground mica be produced from mica schist ores, and if so, would its properties be comparable with products now on the market? This was the problem which prompted the development of a flowsheet for the beneficiation of mica schist. The fine-ground mica industry relies on weathered pegmatites and alaskite ores as sources of raw material. The mica concentrates obtained from these ores are relatively clean and require moderate beneficiation to meet color and bulk-density specifications. Mica obtained from mica schist is iron-stained and decrepitated and requires additional beneficiation to produce a wet-ground mica product. Despite these adversities, there are several advantages to be gained by mining and processing mica schist ores. The mica content of these ores is considerably higher than that of the pegmatites and alaskite ores now being mined, often containing in excess of 40% mica. This higher-grade mica feed should promote a lower mining and milling cost. The mica schist ores with their higher mica content would mean less tailings to handle; however, there would have to be a means for disposing of acid and sulfate wastes. A flowsheet was developed whereby mica could be recovered from mica schist ores and beneficiated in a way that would result in a high-quality end product.' The essential phase of the process involves using reducing reagents to increase the magnetic susceptibility of iron contaminants which then can be removed with a magnetic separator. General Treatment Procedure The mica is floated by either of two methods, an amine float in an acid circuit' or the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) amine-fatty acid float in an alkaline circuit' The flotation mica is ground in a pebble mill to liberate contaminated particles and expose iron-stained surfaces. The concentrate is then conditioned with a reducing reagent and passed through a Frantz Ferrofilter for the removal of magnetic material. The nonmagnetic product is acid-leached to further reduce the iron contamination. The leached material is then ground to product size and checked for specifications. Discussion of Flowsheet and Its Development Flotation: The mica is concentrated by flotation using either of two methods: an amine float in an acid circuit, or the USBM amine-fatty acid float in an alkaline circuit.' The writer does not wish to elaborate on the relative merits of the two flotation procedures; however, after investigating ores from various localities, it was felt that the amine float in an acid circuit was more consistent when using a standard procedure. Iron Reduction and Magnetic Separation: This phase of the flowsheet may be considered the key to the process. It was developed when it became apparent that hot acid leaching had just about reached its maximum effective¬ness for color improvement. S. C. Sun and William Hirsh in "Hydrochloric Acid Leaching of Iron From Pennsylvania Aluminous Clays,"` reported iron extraction for -20-mesh minerals of 82.20% for hematite and only 33.46% for magnetite. The test procedure employs a 19% hydrochloric acid solution, 104°C temperature, and 10% solids. It was felt that magnetic removal of some of the iron contaminants before leaching therefore would be advantageous. Since the iron minerals present as contaminants vary in magnetic susceptibility, it was decided to experiment with reducing reagents as a means of influencing their magnetic properties. Zinc hydrosulfite or sodium hydrosulfite were the reagents used throughout the tests. The procedure developed consists of conditioning the mica concentrate in a closed container at approximately 5% solids with a reducing reagent. Approximately 10.0 lb of zinc hydrosulfite per ton of mica concentrate is used. The ferric iron is reduced to the ferrous state (magnetic) and oxidation is retarded by isolation from the atmosphere in a closed container. After the desired conditioning time has elapsed, the material is passed through a Frantz Ferrofilter where the magnetic particles are retained and discarded as

Jan 1, 1972

By D. E. Seizinger

The Bureau of Mines has developed analytical methods, primarily gas chromatographic, for measurement of exhaust oxygenates produced from selected simple fuels. The resulting data were used to estimate levels of carbonyls and noncarbonyl oxygenates in exhaust from gasoline fuels. Estimated noncarbonyl oxygenates in gasoline exhaust may comprise as much as 30 pct of total oxygenates which include unsaturated carbonyls and noncarbonyls believed to be significant potential pollutants.

Jan 1, 1972

By R. A. Mosser

Production control of aluminum content of low carbon aluminum killed open hearth steels is being achieved by using an oxygen probe unit. Based on the free oxygen content of the bath after block, a preliminary chart for aluminum additions has been established. The aluminum aim is .040%. Controlled aluminum contents will result in eliminating coarse grain heats, high aluminum contents, and a reduction in aluminum costs. By reducing the frequency of high aluminum contents both cleaner and better rolling heats will be obtained. The savings in aluminum costs is an added benefit of lesser importance in comparison to the quality improvements gained by controlled aluminum contents. Although the main goal for the oxygen probe at Republic Steel has been to adapt it for production control of aluminum contents, future usage could be extensive. Immediate plans for using the probe are on degassed material, on fully blocked open hearth heats to improve manganese recoveries and ranges, and on machining grades to control oxygen content. Also by controlling the oxygen content of the steel to as close to equilibrium conditions as possible, cleaner steel will result.

Jan 1, 1972

By N. Mohan, A. K. Biswas, V. Y. Sampat Kumar

At low sodium-oleate concentration, calcite flotation is substantially improved by the use of CO2 instead of air. Electrophoretic mobility measurements indicate that carbonation results in the accumulation o f positive charge on the calcite particles. This heightens adsorption of oleate anion, an effect confirmed by tracer-technique measurements. Fundamental insight is obtained as to how CO2 serves better as an activator than some mineral and organic acids, how oxalic acid acts as a depressor, and why the influence of Ca++ ions, liberated during carbonation, on flotation behavior of calcite is insignificant and sometimes adverse.

Jan 1, 1972