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By Frank F. Aplan, Edward C. Jr. Dowling, Richard R. Klimpel

Thirteen kinetic models that mathematically describe the flotation process have been statistically evaluated for the flotation of copper, lead and zinc ores. Comparisons have been made for a variety of circuits involving roughing, cleaning, scavenging and regrind followed by cleaning. Variations in collectors, frothers, depressants and activators have been considered. Based on the statistical criteria used for the evaluation, and the reagent, circuit and ore variations studied, the most reliable flotation models have been identified and subsequently used to characterize the metallurgical results.

Jan 1, 1986

By H. R. Shell

Variations between laboratories on the silica and alumina content of calcined kyanite led to this Bureau of Mines study of the extent and nature of the differences. In particular, Bureau scientists hoped the study would lead to correction of the causes of the dissimilarities. A sample of calcined Kenya kyanite was analyzed by seven different laboratories familiar with silicate analysis. The compiled data indicated differences originating from lack of recovery of silica after two acidic dehydrations, from high alumina caused by several factors, from loss or gain of iron during sample fusion, and from indifference regarding the accurate determination of minor constituents.

Jan 1, 1959

By Jacek Paraszczak

Application of teleoperated and automated mobile equipment in underground metal mines represents a promising avenue to overcome some of the challenges facing the industry. This paper addresses the issues of overall effectiveness of the autonomous loading and haulage equipment in comparison with conventional man-operated machines. It overviews and discusses the factors affecting availability, utilization and production rate. It puts an emphasis on some problems and risks not present in conventional man-operated systems, as well as their character and criticality. It stresses the need to analyze the factors affecting OEE of the autonomous equipment more in-depth than it has been done up to date and to take them into consideration at the stage of feasibility studies. The paper concludes with some recommendations and indicates the directions of the future research in this field.

Oct 1, 2009

By Philip D. Shelton

INTRODUCTION Traditional design of support for permanent underground mine excavations place great emphasis on the magnitude of the maximum radial load which a specific support or lining must sustain. However, this depends upon so many factors that reliable prediction in advance of excavation is very difficult except in strong-self supporting ground. Some of the factors affecting the loads acting on a support are illustrated in Table 1. [ ]

Jan 1, 1984

By A. M. Lovelace

Introduction One area of engineering utilization of materials in which the requirements are especially rigorous and demanding is that of aerospace systems, including aircraft, helicopters, missiles, and space satellites. Materials used in these systems must reliably perform many critical functions in a broad range of adverse environments. Some of the most critical functions are performed by polymeric nonmetallic materials such as elastomers (rubber), coatings, fibrous materials, and reinforced plastics. These types of polymeric materials have some common characteristics that make them attractive to aerospace system designers: light weight, corrosion resistance, and relative ease and low cost of processing and fabrication. Each type also has its own special characteristics that enable it to perform certain required functions better than other competing materials can (Table 1). The desirable properties of polymeric materials, which in some applications make them the only practical candidates, are partly offset by their principal limitation, which is degradation by exposure to high temperature. [ ]

Jan 1, 1971

By V. J. Sikora, T. S. Hutchinson

This paper presents a method for making a water-rlrive ana1gsis without prior knowledge of aquifer geometry and uniformity using a standard desk calculator. Although it is necessary to know the initial oil in place to use this method, this is a minor limitation to the scope of (he method since in most reservoirs it is possible to obtain reasonably accurate volumetric oil-in-place estimates. An equation is developed which relates pressure at the water-oil contact to the water influx rate as a function of time by a factor called the resistance function. The resistance function introduces the composite effect of the aquifer geometry and flow resistance disrribution. It is pointed out that the characteristic shape of this function makes it possible to start with on approximation of the function and successively improve the approximation until the correct resistance function curve is obtained. In this fashion water-drive estimates can be made without the limitation of assuming simplifed aquifer shapes and flow distributions. This is the novel feature of this development. Methods are given for extrapolating the final curve to calculate future aquifer behavior. Equations are developed for adjusting the pressures and water influx rates where it appears that possible errors in these quantities make it difficult or impossible to obtain a useuble resistance function curve without this adjustment. Application of the pressure build-up analysis techiiique to estimate. some of the aquifer properties is also presented INTRODUCTION A great many oil pools are the result of oil accumulation in some type of trap in an otherwise large and continuous porous stratum. The void space of this stratum outside of the oil pool itself is filled with water or brine. In analyzing performance of the oil pool surrounded by this water aquifer, it is quite necessary. in most cases, to include behavior of the water. When the pressure at any point in a fluid system is lowered, such as by opening a well in an oil sand, fluids in the immediate neighborhood of this point will begin flowing towards this lower pressure sink. As pressure in this area drops due to flow towards the sink, fluids from farther out will start to flow towards the lower pressure. As more and more fluid is removed from the system, the distance from the sink or well within which flow is occurring will continually increase; that is, thc region of disturbance will grow. If some rigid boundary such as a fault is reached by the disturbance, this area will cease to grow; but if some movable boundary is reached, such as a water-oil contact, the area will grow on out into the water, although rate of growth may and almost always does change. The relation between amount of pressure drop and amount of fluid flowing at any point and at any time in an aquifer depends on such factors as compressibility and viscosity of the fluids, the porosity and permeability of the rock, geometry of the whole system and withdrawal rate or pressure drop. With these factors known, it is theoretically possible to calculate the pressure-flow behavior of the system, However, in practice true solutions to the problem are next to impossible due to complexity of reservoir systems. A number of approximate methods of solution have been developed based on various simplifying assumptions. One frequent assumption is that the water-oil contact can be located and equations defining oil reservoir and aquifer solved separately by assigning values to various parameters so as to match past pressure and production history. Usually the properties of the aquifer are not known, since few, if any, wells are drilled through the aquifer; but the water influx and the pressure at the reservoir boundary are known over some time. If it can now be assumed that the aquifer is circular, pie-shaped, or linear, and that it has uniform properties, it is possible to fit a theoretical dimensionless curve to the past aquifer performance history and therefore calculate future water drive. These theoretical curves are available in the literature,1,2,3 Of course, the assumption of uniform aquifer properties is almost always somewhat in error. Fortunately, however, moderate variations from the average have little effect on behavior of the system; and, hence, the best fit of a theoretical curve is frequently satisfactory. In other cases variations in aquifer properties and geometry are large enough that none of the available theoretical curves will give an acceptable fit of the data. In these cases, methods of fitting the data with various electrical analyzers have been developed.1,2' It is the purpose of this paper to present an approach

By Holler W. Walter Enrique

Dado que las entidades comercializadoras de concentración y minerales exigen que los productos mineros sean limpios, la organización minera diseñó y estudió una tecnología para la eliminación del Hg, donde la fabricación y montaje de los hornos gemelos circulares permite el lavado y recuperación del material sólido. En este sentido, el presente texto describe el proceso de desmercurización de ciertos minerales a través del uso de hornos metalúrgicos que liberan el Hg, y lo descargan automáticamente del proceso en el que se encuentra.

Nov 8, 1984

QEMSCAN« technology is a widely accepted automated e-beam technique providing quantitative and statistically robust mineralogical data to the mining industry. It uses X-ray mapping combined with backscattered electron (BSE) brightness to identify minerals in almost any type of geological material (Gottlieb et al, 2000). Besides the modal mineralogy also the liberation, associations, average grain size and other textural information can be obtained. The aim of this study is to test reproducibility of this technique by setting up and running standard tests on different QEMSCAN« systems. Multiple sample blocks were prepared by our standard operating procedure as epoxy-mounted, carbon-coated, polished blocks. The replicates were measured under the same conditions and measurement parameter settings on different QEMSCAN« instruments. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for the set of measurements was calculated. Generally the reproducibility of the systems themselves was found to be excellent, ranging between 0.4 and 1.5 per cent RSD. The more significant change in the reproducibility was found to be caused potentially by the sample preparation and variation in the mineralogy of the replicates. The measurement parameter settings together with these variations can account for almost 15 per cent RSD for minerals of low abundance. For analysed samples good results for the main phases present in quantities higher than 2 - 5 wt per cent of the total mass of the sample were confirmed with RSD generally below six per cent. Following the experiments, the parameters having the biggest influence on the performance of the QEMSCAN« and its precision are discussed in detail. The importance of sample preparation procedures and measurement parameter settings is emphasised. It is shown that experience and excellence is necessary for getting the most from the automatic mineralogical methods like QEMSCAN«.

Jan 1, 2008

A geologic, petrographic and geochemical study has been performed on the pyroclastic flow deposits in the coastal area of East Zhejiang Province, Southeast China. This study leads to classification of the pyroclastic flow deposits into three associations: the extrusive type, the surge type and the ash flow type welded tuff associations. Through detailed investigation and comparison of the characteristics of these lithologic associations, with emphasis on the welded tuffs, a comprehensive model has been proposed to demonstrate the petrogenesis of the pyroclastic flow deposits.

Jan 1, 1995

By J. A. Herbst

During the last decade it has been established that conventional flotation control strategies based on classical control theory result in significant increases in grade, recovery, and operating-cost savings. In the current report a description of an advanced model-based control philosophy is presented. The derivation and verification of a simplified flotation model is described. The implementation of a Kalman filter for estimation of unmeasured variables for input to controllers is discussed. Several control strategies using the model-based approach are described, emphasizing the nonlinear nature of the flotation plant. Expected trends in the implementation of such model-based flotation control strategies in the future are discussed.

Jan 1, 1986

By F. A. Baczek

The Electroslurry TM electrowinning concept has been incorporated into a process flowsheet for recovering copper from smelter flue dusts. The process has averaged 96% recovery of the copper as high-grade electrowon while at the same time removing a majority of the impurities that degrade drawn copper as a result of recycling flue dust and liberator cathodes: The dust is processed through several stages consisting of leaching, copper precipitation, Electroslurry TM electrowinning and waste liquor treatment. The process may be integrated into a smelter operation and become an effective and feasible means of maintaining good product purity.

Jan 1, 1980

By F. D. Rosi

IN the production of single crystals by the Bridg-man method of solidification from the melt in vacuum at a crucible lowering rate of 0.25 in. per hr, a cellular structure was frequently observed in copper and copper-base alloys at the terminal surface of the as-cast crystals (i.e., the surface representing the last portion of the crystal to solidify). The geometrical form of this structure varied from crystal to crystal, but, in general, could be classified as either hexagonal or quadrilateral. Fig. 1 shows examples of this cellular structure, which is similar to that reported by Buergerl and, more recently, by Pond and Kessler&apos; and Rutter and Chalmers. In the micrographs of Figs. lb and c, the cubic structure in the alloy crystals is obscured somewhat by excessive surface evaporation in the final stages of solidification. X-ray orientation studies indicate that the traces outlining the various geometrical forms correspond to octahedral planes, which are the planes of greatest reticular density in the face-centered cubic lattice. It would appear from this that the view first propounded by Bravais,4 that the surface energies and normal growth velocities of the different crystal planes are inversely proportional to their reticular densities, applies to this cellular structure, since those surviving are the planes of greatest atomic density. Thus, the observed variation in the geometrical form of this structure in crystals of different orientation is readily understandable from the distribution of the (111) planes in the standard {111}, (1101, and (1001 stereographic projections. Depending upon whether the crystal axis (i.e., the direction of crystallization) coincides with a <111>, <111>, or <100> direction, the cellular structure viewed from a surface perpendicular to the crystal axis will consist of a network of regular hexagons, skewed hexagons (with interfacial angles of 110" and 125"), or cubes, respectively. It follows, moreover, that off-orientations from these principal directions will yield modifications of these three basic geometric configurations. In this connection, it is interesting to note that the bounding planes of the hexagonal structure observed in tin by Rutter and Chalmers3 showed no preferred orientation.

Jan 1, 1954

By A. N. Crownover, H. T. Kennedy, E. P. Miesch, C. H. Bowman

The paper presents correlations of (l) molar volume of gaseous hydrocarbon mixtures with pressure, temperature, composition and properties of the C,-plus fraction; (2) shrinkage of oils during flash and differential liberation of gas, including the calculation of formation volume factor under various conditions; and (3) bubble-point pressure with temperature, composition and characteristics of C, plus. The data on which the correlations are based comprise 1,615 measurements on 900 hydrocarbon systems, including numerous systems containing nitrogen, hydrogen sul-fide and carbon dioxide. In each correlation, the number of data points covered and the accuracy is substantially greater than in previously available work. Thus, the equation yielding molar volumes of gases has an average deviation of 2.04 per cent, applied to mixtures having temperatures up to 313F and pressures up to 9,800 psis, compared to 2.37 per cent for the Benedict-Webb-Rubin equation applied to the same data, and 4.53 per cent for the method based on the law of corresponding states. he equations resented are all explicit in the dependent variable, and require no iteration on the digital cow puter. INTRODUCTION The ease and accuracy of determining the composition of hydrocarbon mixtures, compared to the difficulty of measuring their properties under reservoir conditions, makes it desirable to utilize composition as the key to physical behavior to the greatest possible extent. As a result, there are available correlations between composition, or easily measured characteristics dependent on composition, and practically every important engineering property of reservoir fluids. The task confronting us is one of finding more exact relationships between important variables rather than extending correlations to new properties. This paper describes new correlations of molar volumes of gases, formation volume factors, and bubble-point pressures with composition, temperature and where possible, pressure. Each correlation is obtained by employing a sufficiently large amount of data so the calculated properties are probably as least as accurate as the measurement on which they are based. MOLAR VOLUME OF GASES Although many equations of state have been proposed for pure gases, only a few methods are applicable to hydrocarbons at conditions comparable to those in petroleum reservoirs. Still fewer arc useful in describing the behavior of mixtures, with which the petroleum engineer is largely concerned. The correlation presented here involves procedures similar to those of Alani and Kennedy The van der Waals equation is modified to make a and b functions of temperature instead of being constants for each material.This is a cubic equation, which may have either one or three real roots. The lowest root corresponds to liquid volume, while the highest applies to gas. When the procedure was applied to 703 pressure-temperature points of 164 gases of known composition and volume, the average deviation was 12.08 per cent, and the standard deviation 8.15. The above calculations were made using the constants derived for liquids by Alani and Kennedy and the mixture equation developed by them. A closer approximation to measured molar volumes is obtained by employing different sets of constants for different areas on the pressure-temperature chart, and by changing the relationship between a,,, and b,,, for mixtures and the a, and b, for individual hydrocarbons. The various sets are shown in Table 1, and the areas for which they are recommended are plotted in Figs. 1 through 7. In these figures, the area designated by zero is in the critical region for pure materials, and the values obtained for them may be unreliable. For normal mixtures, however, the area may be added to any of the bounding areas without substantial error. The new relationships employed are

Jan 1, 1966

This paper sets out to discuss how alluvials - particularly mineral sands, tin and gold have adjusted to meet the problems of lower grade and more difficult physical political and economic conditions. The mineral sands industry seems to have adapted satisfactorily but less so with tin and gold.

Jan 1, 1996

By J. M. Smith, G. P. Willhite, J. S. Dranoff

Heat transfer rates were measured in sandstones with flow of gases perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer. Effective thermal conductivities ker ranged from 0.7 to 1.7 Btu/(br)(ft)(°F). The contribution of the solid phase appeared to be the most important in these consolidated materials, although the thermal conductivity of the gas had some effect. The velocity of the gas through the pores of the sandstones had no influence upon ker up to values of 168 lb/(br) (sq ft) in agreement with data obtained for unconsolidated beds of glass beads. The present results indicated that gas mixing, and hence heat transfer by convection in the pores, is less for perpendicular transfer of energy than when fluid flow and energy transfer are in the same direction. HEAT TRANSFER PERPENDICULAR TO FLUID FLOW IN POROUS ROCKS Heat transfer in porous media with pore sizes in the micron range depends upon the fluid in the pores and the geometry of the solid phase. The best characterized system is a bed of solid spherical particles. Heat transfer in this system has been studied extensive1y (Ref. 8 summarizes the literature up to 1959) when the pores contain stagnant fluid. When the fluid is in motion the directions of flow and energy transfer have an effect on the heat transfer rates, as demonstrated by comparing the work of Willhite, et al l3 for perpendicular flow and that of Kunii and Smith9 for parallel flow of energy and fluid. For perpendicular flow, no increase in effective thermal conductivity ke was noted up to mass velocities G of 77 lb/(hr) (sq ft). In contrast, for parallel flow ke, increased with G in the same range of flow rates. These higher values of ke in the direction of flow also have been observed3,4,10 in beds of larger particles, 0.1- to 0.5-in. diameter. For beds of consolidated materials, such as porous rocks, data are not available for these compar- isons, although Adivarahan1 reported results for the parallel case. Hence the primary objective of this work was to measure ke values for perpendicular flow of fluid and energy in porous rocks. Of interest also was the variation in effective conductivity with fluid velocity. APPARATUS AND PROCEDURE In the experimental method, a constant heat flux was applied to the inner surface of an annular section of the porous rock. By cooling the outer wall, a temperature gradient through the annular sample was established and measured with thermocouples placed within the sample at various radial positions, and at three elevations (A,B.C). The location of the 2-in. O.D., 3.75-in. long sample in the apparatus is shown in Fig. 1. Fluid entered the bottom (1) of the 3-in. I.D. (approximate) steel shell, flowed upwards through the sample and out at the top (3). pressure taps (2,4) were used to check the permeability of the sample. The energy flowed radially from the centrally-located electric heater through the sample and was absorbed in the water-cooled jacket. The samples studied were naturally occurring sandstones from different locations with the properties given in Table 1. These materials are identical with those used by Adivarahan 1 for the parallel flow of energy and fluid. Prior to use they were refluxed with toluene to remove hydrocarbons and leached with distilled water to remove soluble salts. Each sample was visually examined and discarded if large nonhomogeneities, such as cracks or stone particles, were noted. Eight copper-constantan thermocouples were inserted in holes drilled radially into the sample with

By J. Grogan

Leaching of galvanized steel coatings allows the steel substrate to be used as a zinc-free scrap source to steel and iron furnaces. In this study the behaviors of sulfuric acid leaching solutions are investigated. The ranked significance of the variables are shown to be acid concentration > temperature > zinc concentration. Examination of the leaching mechanism finds the rate-limiting step to be the cathodic hydrogen reduction reaction. This rate is not only influenced by acid concentration, but also by the hydrogen reduction exchange current density. Dezincing leaching rates are improved by taking advantage of the higher exchange current density of the iron substrate versus the zinc coating. This is accomplished in practice by increasing the exposed interfacial zinc:iron surface area through shredding. Also, a leach control mechanism is proposed through online monitoring of the zinc-iron couple mixed potential.

Research on Universal Depressant of Talc and Serpentine

Sep 13, 2010

PERSONAL (Members are urged to send in for this column any notes of interest concerning themselves or their fellow-members.) Members and guests who registered at Institute headquarters during. the period May 10 to June 10, 1915: Robert M. Keeney, Somersville, Conn. C. A. Moffett, Birmingham, Ala. Emilio Mosonyi, San Salvador, C. A: A. W. G. Wilson, Ottawa, Canada. Junjiro Nagazumi, Fukuoka, Japan. G. H. Glover, Jr., Short Hills, N. J. Francis R. Pyne, Elizabeth, N. J. R. W. Brock, Vancouver, B. C. F. C. Alsdorf, Los Angeles, Cal. J. L. W. Birkinbine, Philadelphia, Pa. W. J. Loring, London, England. Roy H. Allen, Jamesburg, N. J. R. A. Bull, Granite City; 111. Francis Andrew Thomson received the degree of Master of Science from the Colorado School of Mines at the recent commencement exercises. The subject of his thesis was Stamp Milling and Cyaniding.

Jan 7, 1915

By Lynn B. Hales

There is a large economic opportunity associated with improving metallurgical performance in mineral processing plants that use process control. Thus, future control systems will be developed towards more sophisticated user friendly, computer-based systems that use powerful software analysis and control techniques. Auto-tuning, adaptive control and process models will gain expanded use because of their transparent availability to the system designer. Control of individual unit operations will be optimized and coordinated through expert systems that monitor economic conditions and management directives and direct operations accordingly. Plant areas, once considered cost centers, will be integrated into plant-wide control systems for economic control and optimization. This article looks at new control hardware, process sensors, control strategies and software development tools. It also looks at the economics driving the continued development of advanced process control systems. Process control systems routinely used in the mining industry were born when the microprocessor was invented. They have continued along an evolutionary path from vendor specific processing hardware and proprietary operating systems to computer industry standard "open architecture" systems. The many economic forces that drive the development and functionality of these process control systems will cause this evolutionary process to continue. Two of the broadest categories are the needs of the end users and the desire of the system manufacturers to distinguish their products from one another. More

Jan 1, 1994

Comparative Studies on Balls Versus Spheroidal Tetrahedrons Working Media to Ore Grinding in an Industrial Drum Mill

Sep 13, 2010