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By K H. Esbensen, K Engström

The conclusion from the debate over the last decade in the mining sector is that, for grade control, reverse circulation (RC) drill sampling gives more reliable results due to less sampling problems than blasthole samples. However, by conducting the latter with well-controlled procedures there still exist fair possibilities to counteract the major blasthole sampling problems and achieve fit-for-purpose representativeness, especially if based on minimal loss of fines. In the present PhD study, extensive replicate experiments and variographic characterisations are conducted to evaluate the performance of manual blasthole (BH) sampling and sectorial segment sampling. The experiments were performed in Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara AB (LKAB)’s Leveäniemi open pit mine in the north of Sweden. The experimental area is an apatite-magnetite iron ore deposit of the Kiruna type, with the demand to exhibit a maximum of local heterogeneity to allow the experiment the largest possible conclusion powers. Gathering and splitting the complete BH drill cutting cones (fines cone, coarse cone) served as an authoritative reference on which to assess the representativity of the two BH sampling methods.Results show that manual BH drill sampling is able to produce samples with an acceptable accuracy and precision if performed properly and with insight. Based on variographic comparison, segment sampling shows similar precision for chemical grades as the manual sampling, while the particle size distributions were more deviating for segment sampling than for manual sampling at the high and low size ranges. Possible reasons for these partly surprising results are discussed.For further investigation of the performance of BH versus RC drill sampling, a second experiment has been planned on a parallel profile. This will result in an unprecedented opportunity for a full variographic comparison between RC and BH sampling, aimed at designing specific, fit-for-purpose sampling procedures as a function of ore quality, cut-off grades and important contaminant levels.CITATION:Engström, K and Esbensen, K H, 2017. Blasthole sampling (replicate and variographic experiments) in LKAB open pit iron ore mines – fit-for-purpose representativity?, Australia, in Proceedings Eighth World Conference on Sampling and Blending , pp 85–96 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

May 9, 2017

By S Basu, P M. Midhun

Electro-Slag Remelting (ESR) is a process capable of producing ingots with much lower centre-line segregation and better internal soundness than conventional ingot casting processes, as well as lower inclusion and sulfur concentrations. This process is commonly used for alloyed steels intended for critical applications like components of marine turbines, supercritical powerplants and rocket motor casings. It involves melting a metal electrode using electrical resistive heating in a slag pool and re-solidification of the resulting metal droplets beneath the slag layer, forming an ingot. Conventional ESR fluxes consist primarily of CaF2, Al2O3 and CaO, along with minor concentrations of SiO2, MgO etc. The emission of fluoride vapour from the molten slag causes several environmental and health problems, triggering a need to develop and reduce the fluoride content in the ESR flux. The present study aims to develop low-CaF2 alternatives to commercial ESR fluxes without compromising on productivity and the surface quality of the refined ingot. Thus, the modification in chemical composition needs to satisfy properties like electrical resistivity, viscosity and liquidus temperature, essential for efficient ESR operation. Since electrical resistivity and viscosity are highly dependent on the ionic structure of the molten slag, it is important to understand the effect of compositional modification on the structure of the flux. The present study employs Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy to investigate the structural variations in the modified fluxes, especially the effect of changing SiO2 concentration, in comparison with conventional CaF2-rich fluxes. Additionally, thermal analysis (Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)) has been carried out to characterise the melting behaviour of the fluxes. The findings are compared with simulations carried out using the FactSage™ software, ver 8.3 (GTT Technologies, Aachen, Germany). Simultaneous analysis of liquidus temperature and the structure is expected to help in identifying the practical suitability of modified ESR flux compositions for industrial implementation.

Jun 19, 2024

Over the past 12 years screening of materials has undergone a dramatic change in both the types and materials used in screen mats and the quality requirements of the finished product. With the main thrust now on quality and a cleaner product a different approach was needed in the operation of sizing screens. New screen mats with many different aperture configurations have been developed using rubber and plastics.to replace the traditional screen mat of woven wire or punched plate.

Jan 1, 1984

By Jian Li, V. Y. Gertsman, David C. Katz, M. Elboujdaini

Analysis of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) usually involves high-end analytical tools including scanning electron microscope (SEM) and analytical transmission electron microscope (TEM). In recent years, focused ion beam microscope (FIB) has found many applications in materials science fields. In this study, high-resolution FIB images have shown details of crack morphology and a plan-view TEM specimen containing the selected crack-tip was successfully prepared. The preparation of cross-sectioned samples containing crack tips was of paramount importance for subsequent TEM analyses.

Jan 1, 2004

By Yongping Wu

The steeply dipping coal seams in this paper refer to those with the angle of inclination ranging from 35° to 55°. The reserves of the steep coal seams account for approximately 15%~20% of the total coal reserves in China. In the past 12 years, the top-coal caving mining method had been used to mine the steeply dipping thick (11.5-16.4 ft or 3.5-5.0m) coal seams. However, the mining process of top coal caving is complex with low recovery rate and nearly 30% of coal was wasted. Those problems can be solved by using the single pass large mining height (11.5-16.4 ft or 3.5-5.0m) method. But the movement of the overlying strata around the mining face area of large mining height is complex and it is hard to control the stability of ?rock-shield support? system. Therefore, field measurement, numerical simulation and physical (similarity material) simulation methods were used simultaneously to analyze the strata movement, roof structure and rock-shield support interaction characteristics. The results indicate that strata movement, which is the same as mining the steeply dipping seams with conventional mining heights, is asymmetrical about the dipping direction of the face; deformation, failures, and movement of the surrounding rocks are more intense; the roof weighting interval decreases; the weighting intensity increases significantly; and face sloughage occurs frequently. In the gob, the space for sliding and rolling of the roof increases; the broken main roof tends to form an anti-dip pile structure; the backfilling and compactness of broken roof increase at the lower portion of the face, thereby inducing significant unbalance in stress distribution between the upper and lower portions of the face. The overlying strata above the face form a multi-level step structure. The characteristics of contact and loading of roof-shield support system are more complex. The range of shield load variation is larger, and interaction between shield supports occurs frequently. Anti-toppling and anti-sliding devices at the face become more difficult to implement. The research results provide a theoretical basis for the mining practices in the steeply dipping thick seams with a large mining height. The practice in panel 25221 of 2130 coal mine indicates that the accident rates have been greatly reduced and good technical and economic benefits have bee realized.

Jan 1, 2014

By Vittorio Manassero, Antonello de Risi, Filippo Cavuoto

"This paper deals with an innovative mechanized method to bore and simultaneously line circular shafts, adopted in the Naples Metro project for the installation of 10 vertical shafts for ventilation purposes. With this method, excavation of shafts is carried out under a positive head of stabilizing fluid by a milling machine, temporarily set at the bottom of a permanent lining made of precast reinforced concrete segment rings. The debris is evacuated by inverse fluid circulation. The shafts in Naples are 4.5 m I.D., from 34 to 44 m deep and they are all located downtown in a highly urbanized area. They were bored and installed into volcanic soils under a hydrostatic head of up to 30 m. Displacements and groundwater level were constantly monitored to keep control of the effects on the surrounding buildings and utilities. INTRODUCTIONThe extension of Metro Line 1 in Naples (Italy) from the previous terminal of Piazza Dante to Piazza Garibaldi is also called the “low stretch”. Most of it runs along the coastline, encompassing the historical city center, the Greek-Roman Neapolis. The Metro Line crosses under densely urbanized areas for the whole way (Figure 1). It runs beneath Via Toledo, which follows the layout of the ancient Aragonese walls. The first station (Toledo) is located halfway along this street. Then, after a wide bend, the line reaches Piazza Municipio, where the second station is located. From there, the line moves along the axis of Via Depretis and Corso Umberto I, where the stations Università and Duomo are situated. The fifth station is in Piazza Garibaldi and the end of the stretch is located at the Naples Business Center. The twin single track tunnels were bored into volcanic tuff by TBM. This design choice simplified by far the construction of the tunnels and reduced to practically zero the interactions between tunnelling and surface buildings and utilities. Nevertheless, this choice entailed that the line had to be located at depths to the order of 35-45m below ground level and 30-35m below the water table. At each tunnel segment between stations, a pair of ventilation chambers were constructed (10 in total). Each ventilation chamber is connected to one TBM tunnel by a vertical shaft and a horizontal drift at the base of the shaft. The shafts, in addition to tunnel ventilation, provide a safety access/escape."

Jan 1, 2016

By S Q. Zhao, J H. Wei

"An EXTENDED ABSTRACT is available for download. A full-length paper was not prepared for this presentation. The Xitieshan lead-zinc deposit is located in the north margin of the Qaidam Basin, Qinghai Province, China. It is one of the largest massive sulfide deposits in China and is supposed to be of the sedimentation-exhalation (SEDEX) type. Based on the main ore mineral and sulfur isotopic compositions in sulfides found in the wall rock, the S of the deposit is considered to originate from the mantle, but the fluid potentially mixed with sea water during the hydrothermal circulation exchange. The study of lead isotopes shows that the metallogenic material is characterised by the mixture of orogenic and upper crust sources. The lead isotopic signature of the wall rock is similar to that of the ore, which shows synsedimentary characteristics. According to the composition of the rubidium and strontium isotopic signature, the value of 87Sr/86Sr is lower than the average value of that in the crustal rock, which is larger than that of the mantle. Hence, the metallogenic materials of this deposit mainly originate from the crust, which is related to materials of volcanic rocks activation and migration of the deep hot circulating water. The process of the metallogenic fluid circulation shows continuous interaction with crustal material and lead to continuous enrichment of the ore forming fluids. From the study of the fluid inclusion microthermometry of the ore and the associated minerals combined with the C, H-O, Si isotopes, it is believed that the metallogenic fluid is mainly coming from the mantle or the deep magma chambers. The rising deep fluid then mixes with the sea water. The carbon dioxide escaping and mixing with sea water during the hydrothermal exhalation process leads to the rapid precipitation of the hydrothermal fluid to deposit metal. That is proposed as the principal formation mechanism of the Xitieshan deposit. Further studies are proposed, including obtaining geochronology data from this deposit.CITATION:Zhao, Z X, Wei, J H, Liang, S N and Zhao, S Q, 2015. Advances in research on metallogenic mechanisms for the Xitieshan sedimentation-exhalation lead-zinc deposit, Qinghai Province, China, in Proceedings PACRIM 2015 Congress, pp 487–494 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 18, 2015

By Takefumi Takuma, Tsunenobu Nozaki, Masashi Nagano

Using sheet piles and pipe piles for permanent earth retaining is one of the most economical methods for constructing basement walls since they can also work as temporary shoring during construction. A major mixed-use redevelopment project in the UK, encompassing two to three large city blocks, utilized both sheet and pipe pile walls for a two-level subterranean parking structure. The 290m (950ft) x 100m (330ft) basement’s steel walls were designed to temporarily support excavation during construction and eventually to become a load carrying permanent structure in order to expedite the construction process and to achieve cost reduction. Two types of press-in piling machines, one for sheet piles and the other for pipe piles, were used for the job because of their abilities to press in sheet and pipe piles within tight tolerances for finished walls, for difficult installation conditions with very hard soil, and for its very low noise and practically zero-vibration operation; an essential factor for the job in close proximity to other businesses and residents. BACKGROUND Steel sheet pile and pipe piles have been used for many purposes including earth retaining. They are produced at steel mills and spirally welded at a fabrication yard to their corresponding specifications under strict quality control measures. Therefore, they can form highly reliable walls to its design capacity with proper installations. Their advantages as underground walls are:  They can form a high level of water cut-off function with their interlocks sealed by welding or with hydrophilic materials. See Figure 1 for a few examples for a sheet pile application.  They can carry vertical loading in addition to horizontal load and bending moment.  They can be a self-standing and temporary/permanent wall with flexible design and construction processes; bottom-up, top-down or hybrid sequences can be chosen per the project’s needs.  They can form a thinner wall than other wall types, creating larger inner space. See Figure 2.

Jan 1, 2019

By A Mooney, J Marsden, H Grosser, G Dunstan

Carrapateena is a copper-gold deposit hosted in a brecciated granite complex, located 500km North of Adelaide, South Australia. The deposit is being mined using the Sub Level Caving (SLC) Mining method at a rate of 4.25 MTPA. The Carrapateena SLC construction was completed in Q4 2019, with ramp up to a mine production rate of 4.25 MTPA completed within 12 months; ~ 6 months earlier than originally planned (OZ Minerals, 2020b). Traditional SLC designs have had issues with safety interactions on production levels, namely at the perimeter drive, as well as presented challenges for the application of automation due to frequency of activity required to achieve ring turnover rates. Safety in design provides an opportunity to learn from experience at recent modern SLC operations and by considering hazards early in the design process minimise exposure and improve safety, productivity and automation of mining activity. This paper discusses the work carried out during the Carrapateena feasibility study and optimised during project execution; to update the SLC production level mine design, with a layout known as the Carrapateena Crows Foot Level Layout. This paper focuses on: • An introduction to the Carrapateena Operation and mine plan. • An overview and historical challenges of traditional level layout. • An introduction to the Carrapateena Crows Foot level layout, including production level design parameters as well as development metres and productivity comparisons. • Outlines the benefits of the Crows Foot design for safety in design of SLC operations. Provides a roadmap for improved production efficiency, level operational philosophy and the application of automation within the SLC.

Mar 15, 2021

By D. G. Westlake

The electrical resistance of a series of V-H alloys (0 to 3.5 at. pct H) has been measured over the temperature range G° to 360°. Interstitial impurities made contributions to the residual resistivity, but not the ideal resistivity. The contribution of hydrogen in solid solution is expressed by Ap = 1.12 microhm-cm per at. pct H; but the contribution of precipitated hydride was negligible. A portion of the so1vu.s for the V-H phase diagram is presented. The solubility limit is given by In N (at. pct H) = (5.828 i 0.009) - (2933 i 44)/RT. Comparison of critical temperatures joy hydride precipitation and published critical temperatures for hydrogen embrittlement suggests the two are related. ThiS study was initiated as part of an investigation of the mechanism by which small concentrations of hydrogen embrittle the hydride-forming metals at low temperatures. It has already been shown that, in the case of hcp zirconium, a reduction in ductility accompanies the strengthening resulting from precipitation of a finely dispersed hydride phase.''' Our attempts to detect a similar precipitation of a second phase at low temperatures in V-H alloys by transmission electron microscopy have been thwarted because we have been unable to prepare thin foils that are representative of the bulk material with respect to hydrogen concentrati~n.~'~ The present investigation establishes the solvus of the V-H system at subambient temperatures. Subsequently, we hope to be able to determine whether the embrittlement temperature is related to the critical temperature for precipitation of the hydride in a given V-H alloy. veleckis5 has proposed a partial phase diagram for the V-H system based on extrapolations of the pressure-composition relations he measured at higher temperatures. Kofstad and wallace' conducted a similar study of single-phase alloys but did not attempt to establish the phase diagram. Zanowick and wallace' and ~aeland' have studied a portion of the phase diagram by X-ray diffraction, but they investigated no alloys in the hydrogen concentration range 0 to 3 at. pct, the range of interest to us. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The vanadium was obtained from the Bureau of Mines, Boulder City, Nev., in the form of electrolytic crystals. The analyses supplied with them listed 230 ppm by weight metallic impurities, 20 ppm C, 100 ppm N, and 290 ppm 0. The crystals were electron-beam-melted into an ingot that was rolled to 0.64 mm. Strips, 60 mm long and 4.2 mm wide, were cut from the sheet, and both rolled surfaces were ground on wet 600-grit Sic paper to produce specimens 0.4 mm thick. They were wrapped in molybdenum foil, vacuum-encapsulated in quartz, and annealed 4 hr at 1273°K. The specimens were annealed in a dynamic vacuum of 2X lo-' Torr for 30 min at 1073°K for dehydrogenation, and charged with the desired quantity of hydrogen by allowing reaction with hydrogen gas at 1073°K for 2 hr and cooling at 100°K per hr. Purified hydrogen was obtained by thermal decomposition of UH3. Sixteen specimens were studied: two contained no hydrogen and the others had hydrogen concentrations between 0.5 and 3.5 at. pct (hydrogen analyses were done by vacuum extraction at 1073°K). Electrical resistances were measured by the four-terminal-resistor method on an apparatus similar to the one described by Horak.~ The specimen holder was designed so that both current and potential leads made spring-loaded mechanical contact with the specimen. The potential leads were 30 mm apart, and the current leads were 55 mm apart. The current was 0.10000 amp. We used the following baths for the indicated temperature ranges: liquid nitrogen, 77°K; Freon 12, 120" to 230°K; Freon 11, 230" to 290°K; and ethanol, 290" to 340°K. Temperatures lower than 77°K were achieved by allowing the specimen to warm up after removal from liquid helium. Temperatures above 77°K were measured by a calibrated copper-constantan thermocouple (soldered to the specimen holder) and below 77°K by a calibrated carbon resistor. The temperature of the bath changed less than 0.l0K between duplicate measurements of the resistance. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Typical plots of resistivity p vs temperature T are shown in Fig. 1. In the interest of clarity, only five curves are presented and the data points have been

Jan 1, 1968

By D. Silverman, A. R. Brown

EquipmENT and methods for locating the points of entry of salt water into oil wells are described. These techniques make it possible to delineate accurately the top and bottom boundaries of water zones whether bottom water or intermediate zones of production, Data are given on tests by this survey method on a number of producing wells, Complete results were obtained on wells shelving water percentages ranging from high values to as Little as 10 pct salt water. A number of the wells tested were plugged back and the results are reported in detail. While not all the work-overs were successful, evidence, including the results of reruns by this survey method, points to failure of the plugback operations. The data provided in the tests discussed show, contrary to general opinion, that a large percentage approaching 50 pct of the wells showed intermediate water instead of bottom water. Furthermore, approximately a third of the wells tested showed multiple zones of water production. The equipment comprises a long pipelike assembly carrying 10 pairs of electrodes spaced apart a distance of 4 ft. A surface-controlled solenoid-operated switch is provided to connect each of the individual pairs of electrodes in turn to a single-conductor steel-armored cable by means of which the conductivity of the fluid in the vicinity of each of the electrode pairs can be continuously recorded at the surface. Any number of electrode pairs and any spacing can be used. This assembly is lowered on tubing and placed in position opposite the section of the well to be studied. A conventional rod pump is used to produce the well for the survey. The pump inlet is placed below the lowest electrode pair. The well is conditioned by pumping Out the salt water normally standing in the well and introducing fresh water into the annulus at the surface. When the resistivity of the water standing in the well has been increased to a sufficiently high value, the inflowing fresh water is stopped and the drawdown operation of the survey is started. As the fluid head is lowered by pumping, fluids flow into the well and the entry Of salt water is indicated by the change in resistivity of the fresh water opposite the 'Ones Of water entry, The process can be repeated as Often as necessary with little effort and without moving any well equipment to be sure that the fluids produced from each zone are representative Of the true reservoir content. Introduction The oil industry has been concerned from its inception with the control of fluids entering its wells. In order to effect the greatest economy of operation and to get the greatest total production of petroleum liquids out of the ground, the flow of gas and water must be controlled and often extensive workovers are planned and carried Out for this purpose. This has become even more important in recent Years because of the need for the conservation of natural resources. Whereas producing operations concerned with the original completion of a well are assisted to a great extent by a wide variety of instruments developed and perfected for that purpose, workover operations on oil wells have been greatly hindered by a lack of suitable instrumentation. The industry has searched for many years for a satisfactory instrument and process that

Jan 1, 1948

By A. R. Brown, D. Silverman

EquipmENT and methods for locating the points of entry of salt water into oil wells are described. These techniques make it possible to delineate accurately the top and bottom boundaries of water zones whether bottom water or intermediate zones of production, Data are given on tests by this survey method on a number of producing wells, Complete results were obtained on wells shelving water percentages ranging from high values to as Little as 10 pct salt water. A number of the wells tested were plugged back and the results are reported in detail. While not all the work-overs were successful, evidence, including the results of reruns by this survey method, points to failure of the plugback operations. The data provided in the tests discussed show, contrary to general opinion, that a large percentage approaching 50 pct of the wells showed intermediate water instead of bottom water. Furthermore, approximately a third of the wells tested showed multiple zones of water production. The equipment comprises a long pipelike assembly carrying 10 pairs of electrodes spaced apart a distance of 4 ft. A surface-controlled solenoid-operated switch is provided to connect each of the individual pairs of electrodes in turn to a single-conductor steel-armored cable by means of which the conductivity of the fluid in the vicinity of each of the electrode pairs can be continuously recorded at the surface. Any number of electrode pairs and any spacing can be used. This assembly is lowered on tubing and placed in position opposite the section of the well to be studied. A conventional rod pump is used to produce the well for the survey. The pump inlet is placed below the lowest electrode pair. The well is conditioned by pumping Out the salt water normally standing in the well and introducing fresh water into the annulus at the surface. When the resistivity of the water standing in the well has been increased to a sufficiently high value, the inflowing fresh water is stopped and the drawdown operation of the survey is started. As the fluid head is lowered by pumping, fluids flow into the well and the entry Of salt water is indicated by the change in resistivity of the fresh water opposite the 'Ones Of water entry, The process can be repeated as Often as necessary with little effort and without moving any well equipment to be sure that the fluids produced from each zone are representative Of the true reservoir content. Introduction The oil industry has been concerned from its inception with the control of fluids entering its wells. In order to effect the greatest economy of operation and to get the greatest total production of petroleum liquids out of the ground, the flow of gas and water must be controlled and often extensive workovers are planned and carried Out for this purpose. This has become even more important in recent Years because of the need for the conservation of natural resources. Whereas producing operations concerned with the original completion of a well are assisted to a great extent by a wide variety of instruments developed and perfected for that purpose, workover operations on oil wells have been greatly hindered by a lack of suitable instrumentation. The industry has searched for many years for a satisfactory instrument and process that

Jan 1, 1948

By L. Evrard, S. Brouwer, E. Bosly, E. Boydens

"A partial desulfurization roasting process has been tested on a typical copper-zinc sulfide concentrate in a Nichols Herreshoff monohearth pilot furnace whereby the su!fµr is partially removed and iron is to a certain degree preferentially oxidized. The phase changes that occur in the particles during selective roasting at 650°C and 800°C over a range of residence times were investigated by the use of chemical analysis, optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe analyses. The purpose of this work was to get an insight into the mineral assemblages formed by controlled oxidation roasting and to evaluate if this non traditional approach could be afterwards used to recover zinc, copper and iron by a physical separation method. IntroductionThere has been considerable interest over the years in improving extraction and processing procedures for recovering non ferrous metals especially from polymetallic ores containing copper, lead, zinc and iron sulfides with very fine intergrown phases. Complex sulfide ores, which represent considerable reserves and resources in copper, lead and zinc, as well as precious metals and sulfur, are difficult to treat by conventional physical processes, leading to impure concentrates at low metal recovery. Some methods that can be used to treat such ores were described by G. Barbery (1). Various metallurgical routes generally combining pyro- and hydrometallurgical methods have been explored to develop new processes to recover the metals from zinc-bearing sulfidic ores and concentrates (2, 3, 4). The feasibility of partitioning complex sulfide minerals to simpler phases in order to improve selective extraction of mineral constituents has also been investigated (5)."

Jan 1, 1999

By K. Pietruszka

The article presents the concept of the application of the Finite Element Method (FEM) and ABAQUS software in the global monitoring of changes in the rock mass and on the surface of the area, as a result of backfilling the workings. Waste materials applied for stabilizing old mining workings can have a strong influence on the rock mass and surface. According to the regulations, this process should be carefully monitored, especially in terms of the safety of surface structures and rock mass stability. The article presents the concept of an analytic and graphic presentation of the results of the measurements of old workings, applying the Finite Element Method and ABAQUS software in model studies. The main purpose of such interpretation of the geodetic observations results is the application of methods providing wide possibilities to present the geometry of workings, their changes and the influence of the rock mass and surface.

Jan 1, 2008

By K Williams, T Donohue, W Chen, T Roessler, A Katterfeld

Wet sticky iron ore poses particular difficulties in every aspect of the material handling process. Material hang-ups in bins, pipes and chutes; carry-back and spillage due to insufficient belt cleaning; clogging of screens; malfunctioning of crushers as well as rat holing of gravity reclaimed stockpiles are all predominantly due to the inherent cohesion and adhesion characteristics of the wet, sticky ore (Roberts, 1993). Limited understanding and quantitative measures on the stickiness of such a material significantly lower the mining operation efficiency.This research aims to investigate the cohesion and adhesion characteristics of the wet, sticky ore on physical modelling, experimental techniques and numerical implementation. Initially, the suitable bridging mechanism that contributes to the cohesive and adhesive forces within the iron ore material was identified (Hering, Martin and Stohrer, 1989; Rumpf, 1958). A cohesion/adhesion energy density factor based contact model was then introduced to describe the stickiness of the material. Secondly, an experimental system was proposed to directly test the stickiness of the material. Such a system is able to obtain both the cohesive/adhesive shear force and tensile force of the material at a specific moisture content. Lastly, the implementation of the proposed cohesion/adhesion model into the discrete element modelling (DEM) software was also discussed. A cohesion/adhesion calibration for modelling wet sticky iron ore in DEM was then conducted to ensure the material modelled in the simulation is reflective of the reality.From the study, understanding of the cohesion/adhesion characteristics of the wet iron ore material is significantly enhanced. Experimental and numerical outcomes can be directly applied for better designing or optimising the material handling processes that involve wet sticky iron ore. Consequently, the mining operating costs can be greatly reduced.CITATION:Chen, W, Donohue, T, Williams, K, Katterfeld, A and Roessler, T, 2015. Modelling cohesion and adhesion of wet, sticky iron ores in discrete element modelling for material handling processes, in Proceedings Iron Ore 2015, pp 387–392 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 13, 2015

By R. V. Higgins, A. J. Leighton

A fast method is needed for calculating thoroughly the performance of two-phase flobr~ in reservoir rock with complex geotrietry. The authors present such a method and .slzow its accuracy by romparison with laboratory performrrnce of a five-spot pattern. In making the performance c.alculations, the octant of the five-spot pattern was divided into four channels. The computer tinle required for the culculation was one rllinrcte. This is rorighly about minute per channel. INTRODUCTION By using an electronic computer it is now possible to make reservoir performance calculations in which fewer assumptions and more significant variables are included than was possible with a desk calculator. These performance calculations include such variables as the properties of the reservoir rock and its contained fluids, properties of the rock-fluid system and even different well-spacing patterns. Usually, the more variables that are included the higher the computer cost—and time on the computer is expensive. As a result, a short procedure is needed so the many variables will be included and accurate performance calculations will result. If a reservoir is composed of alternate layers of permeable and impervioi~s rock, and if each conducting layer has a different relative permeability, the combined computer cost for calculating each layer by the present long computer programs (which includes different well-spacing patterns and other variables) would be expensive. The performances of complex spacing patterns in a field often are studied by a potentiometric model, but in these model studies the analogy is to the flow of only a single phase. This paper presents a procedure to calculate the performance of a five-spot pattern with two phases flowing using a potentiometric model as a guide for the dimensions of channels and other related data. The time required to calculate the complete performance is about one minute on the IBM 7090 or four minutes on the IBM 704. The procedure can be extended to calculate the performance of more complex well spacings or an entire field with little modification. The procedure has been tested on the performance of the laboratory water floods of a five-spot pattern reported by Douglas, et alThe range of viscosity ratios in the laboratory experiments is from 0.083 to 754, which is extensive. The accuracy of the performance calculations is excellent as shown by the plotted points in Fig. I. The recovery as influenced by the geometry of the five-spot, taking into account the deviation from true radial character, has been predicted by Aronofsky and Ramey." The authors used a potentiometric model to determine the sweep efficiency to breakthrough of the flooding agent. Dyes, Caudle and Erickson,' by means of a laboratory model, show the influence of mobility ratio on recovery after breakthrough of the injected material. Dyes, et ai, used the X-ray shadowgraph technique and miscible phases in their studies. Craig, Geffen and Morse from the analysis of the performance of their laboratory model correlate many variables, including average saturation of a flooding agent determined by permeability relationship. Craig, et al, used X-ray shadowgraphs to determine the sweep efficiencies in sandstone models. In this report the sweep efficiency is not needed, and the important effect of continuously changing saturation gradients before and after breakthrough

By Jacob Bummer, Greg Roset, Dayle Flynn

"IntroductionStillwater Mining Company operates a Precious Metals Smelter (PMS) located in Columbus, Montana USA. The PMS processes iron, copper, and nickel sulfide bearing concentrates containing platinum, palladium, gold, and rhodium. The concentrates are produced from two mines in the Beartooth Mountains located in south central Montana. The PMS utilizes a 7.5 megawatt 3-in line electric furnace to smelt the concentrates, and two Top Blown Rotary Converters (TBRC's) to remove iron. In addition to the mine concentrates, the PMS also processes various forms of Platinum Group Metal (PGM) bearing recycled catalyst. The sulfide matte produced within the electric furnace and TBRC's acts as a collector for the PGMs. Throughout the operation of the PMS, there are three different forms of molten material that are processed through the Stillwater Granulation system: TBRC matte, TBRC slag, and electric furnace matte. This paper describes the operation of this granulation system.Tapping the FurnaceWhen a sufficient level of molten PGM bearing matte has been reached within the inner volume of the electric furnace, the molten material is ""Tapped"". Tapping requires drilling into the electric furnace until reaching the molten matte phase. The matte phase will drain out of the drilled hole through a graphite launder into a 5 ton refractory lined ladle. Once the ladle is full, the tap is plugged with a mud gun."

Jan 1, 2012

By Liu Wenyong, Huang Yucheng, Yang Ba

High-water rapid-solidifying material, called æhigh-water materialÆ, is a new material developed by the authors over many years. The material can solidify nine times its volume of water into solid. The material is a fine kind of binder with special properties. The solidifying body of high-water material with water has quite a high early strength. The compressive strength of the material within three days can reach the same strength as conventional Portland in 28 days. One ton of the material can replace three tons of conventional Portland cement as binder. Some important achievements have been made in application of high-water material. In metal mines, based on the material, a new full-tailing cemented backfill technology has been developed. The characteristic of the new technology is that high-water material is used as binder and full tailing or alluvial sand is used as backfill aggregate. Because of the application of the new technology, major technical problems in backfill technology such as classifying of tailing, dewatering, transportation of pulp, low strength of backfill body, environmental contamination and so on, have been solved.

Jan 1, 1998

By R. M. Waterstrat

The phase VPt has been reported to have a crystal structure of the B19 (AuCd) type at low temperatures.''' A recent investigation3 has indicated that this phase forms by an ordering reaction from the disordered fcc Pt(V) solid solution which is stable at high temperatures. olander4 has shown that there exists a close structural relationship between the orthorhombic B19 structure and a fcc structure possessing the L1 , (CuAu) type of atomic ordering. One may derive the B19 structure by a shear-like displacement of the atoms in the (002) plane of the ordered fcc lattice along the (010) direction through a distance equal to one eighth of the unit cell dimension, see Fig. 1, followed by an orthorhombic distor; tion of the cube axes such that a = 2.693A. h = 4.413A. and c =4.767A (estimated uncertainty 0.005A). Filings of this phase were produced by grinding a VPt alloy having the B19 structure with a diamond dental grinding disc. When these filings were subjected to X-ray diffraction examination, a pattern of a severely cold-worked fcc structure was obtained. higher solution temperature used (1200 C) or to a much lower oxygen pressure than he reported, due to transfer through many bends and tubes in his complicated apparatus. An interesting observation was made when an oxygen addition was attempted in a cylindrical sample of columbium in the cold worked condition rather than in the annealed condition. The interior of the sample re-crystallized during the oxygen addition at 900°C. The periphery, however. (1 mm) did not recrystallize. A similar sample without oxygen recrystallized throughout the entire cross section. It appears that the re-crystallization is hindered by interstitial oxygen. Presumably, the interior recrystallized before appreciable oxygen could diffuse into the core. This work was supported by the United States Atomic Energy Commission. When the filings were annealed in a high vacuum furnace for 15 min at 110O0C, however. they returned to the B19 structure perhaps as a result of reordering. Subsequent less-severe cold-working of these filings by grinding in a hardened steel mortar and pestle at room temperature produced a transformation into a cold-worked L1, structure which was slightly tetragonal. Thus it appears that the degree of deformation may influence the final structure. Considerable line-broadening was observed in X-ray diffraction patterns obtained from the cold-worked filings and therefore no attempt was made to obtain accurate lattice parameters. Vacuum annealing treatments at 1100'C intended

Jan 1, 1970

By Gi-Chun Han

This study focused on stabilization of heavy metals and removal of chlorine in MSWI bottom ash by artificial carbonation with washing. Artificial carbonation was carried out by applying CO2(g) injection in washing for fractions above and below 4mesh for reuse as construction materials like aggregate, As a result, carbonation with washing could satisfy Korean environmental regulation and remove chlorine in bottom ash more effectively by resolving residual friedel?s salt(3CaOAl2O3CaCl210H2O).

Jan 1, 2006