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By B. Caro Vargas

The Toulon Tunnel project is a key component of the highway corridor on the French Riviera between Marseille and Nice and is a fundamental transportation infrastructure for the region. The first design studies started in the 1960s. The tunnel project is comprised of two separate tunnels: south and north. The north tunnel was built between 1992 and 2002 after 10 years of difficult construction. On March 15, 1996, for example, a collapse of the tunnel in the Marchand area generated a sinkhole in the city center, causing a 20-month delay. The south tunnel alignment runs parallel to the north tunnel below Toulon?s historical downtown at a depth of 20 to 40 m (65 to 131 ft) with some areas with less than 10 m (32 ft) of cover. The risk management program was studied to be a state of the art program in urban tunneling construction.

Jan 1, 2012

By G. Armand, A. Noiret, D. Seyedi, J. Morel

"Clay formations in their natural state exhibit very favorable confining conditions for repository of radioactive waste because they generally have a very low hydraulic conductivity, small molecular diffusion and significant retention capacity for radionuclides. Nevertheless, one concern regarding the hydromechanical behavior around drifts in such claystone is the associated pore pressure field disturbance during excavation works. In the short term, the very low permeability leads to an almost “undrained” condition, meaning that the stress change due to face advance will create volumetric strains leading to an increase or decrease of pore pressure. If the effective stresses reach the failure level, the induced damage around these excavations might change the favorable properties of such formations. To demonstrate the feasibility of a reversible deep geological disposal of high-level and intermediate-level long-lived radioactive waste (HLW, IL-LLW) in the Callovo-Oxfordian claystone (COX) formation, the French national radioactive waste management agency (Andra) started in 2000 to build the Meuse Haute-Marne underground research laboratory (M/HM URL). The present paper illustrates observed pore pressure changes during excavation of drifts (˜5 m diameter), of micro tunnels (˜0.7 m diameter) and a borehole (˜0.15 m diameter). All these openings are parallel to the major horizontal stress at the main level of the M/HM URL. In drifts parallel to the major stress (i.e., when the initial stress field in the drift section is quasi-isotropic) an important increase followed by a drop of pore pressure is observed in the horizontal plane at the drift wall. These observations emphasize the impact of the in situ stress state and rate of excavation on the pore pressure and provide important insight of the hydro mechanical behavior of the COX claystone and the relationship between pore pressure and excavation induced fractures zone."

Jan 1, 2015

By Russell C. Drew

The United States has long been recognized for its ability to marshall the many tools of its scientists and engineers to meet national threats or crises. Two major World Wars, the Dust Bowl, the Soviet Missile threat, Sputnik, and more recently the Energy Crisis have stimulated military weapons development, massive land reclamation and water management programs, NASA, and the Space Program, Project Independence, and soon a new agency, the Energy Research and Development Administration. While our record of successful responses to these major national concerns lends support to the expectation that we will succeed in dealing with the current energy problem and potential future crises as well, the crisis mode of response is becoming increasingly wasteful of funds and human and natural resources. This waste, while always of a concern, is a more important factor than previously because of the accelerating pace at which the world has been shrinking, relatively, in comparison to its human population and that population's increasing demand for resources, both renewable and nonrenewable. If present growth patterns continue, in the year 2000 there will be two people to feed, clothe, house, and satisfy for every one person that existed in 1970. On a finite planet, with finite land areas, limited resources, and only partial understanding of the means by which future problems can be addressed, one of the major threats to mankind will be scarcity and one of our major challenges will be better management of our resources. The challenge will be to guide Federal investments in R&D that are of sufficient magnitude and in the proper

Jan 1, 1974

By G. Reed Marchant

In 1967 the US Congress passed the "Clean Air Act." This act was amended in 1970. As a result it soon became obvious that American industries were going to have to make significant changes in their methods of operation to be able to comply with quickly developing federal regulations. One of the first regulations developed was on sulfur dioxide. For this reason, the nonferrous smelting industry was immediately affected by these new regulations. This is true because the smelting process produces sulfur dioxide as a natural product of combustion when the sulfur-bearing ore is oxidized to purify the metal. The federal government's approach for setting standards included public hearings at which government, industry, and private citizens were allowed to make comments. For this reason, it was apparent to Kennecott's Metal Mining Div. that it was desirable to make a maximum effort in working with the agency to see that correct input was provided at the hearings to assist the government in setting fair and realistic standards. It was also obvious that more complete monitoring would be required. It soon became apparent that the efforts required input from many levels of the corporation from the chief executive to the plant operators. In order to accomplish both the administrative and the technical needs, an organization was needed that could respond quickly to these needs, obtain information from diverse sources, and bring it to focus in an organized approach to the problem.

Jan 1, 1979

Ecological Fuel from High-Sulfur-Content Coal

Sep 13, 2010

By W. J. Pearson

"""POTASH"" is a term applied to the compounds of the element potassium (K) and when used in agriculture and industry is ex-pressed in terms of potassium oxide (K2O), regardless of the actual com-position of the compound. When a chemical analysis is made of a fertilizer, the amount of K is deter-mined and then calculated to the equivalent amount of K2O. However, the compound K2O does not exist in nature. Most of the world's potash supply is derived from mineral deposits similar to those in Saskatchewan and New Mexico. However, there is some production from concentrated surface brines such as occur in Searles Lake, California; Salduro Marsh, Utah; the Dead Sea; and from well brines in Micl1igan."

Jan 1, 1960

By I M. Platten, C J. S Sangster, Y Xie

The Cononish gold-silver deposit is a steep, relatively narrow quartz-vein system, with a current total mineral resource of 154 000 oz Au and 589 000 oz Ag. The northeast-southwest trending system was emplaced into late Proterozoic metasediments, and postdates metamorphism and associated Caledonian Orogenic foliations. Assay and mineralogical data show that gold and silver is spatially associated with sulfides in quartz. The main sulfide is pyrite, but galena, chalcopyrite and sphalerite occur in small amounts. Gold occurs as electrum, with minor native gold, and silver occurs additionally as tellurides and native metal. The gold/electrum is fine-grained, generally less than 100 microns in size. The main ore shoots plunge 45¦ south-west, have a 40 m to 80 m intersection with the existing underground development and extend between 40 m and 260 m down plunge. Small-scale sulfide-bearing domains within the vein carry the highest gold grades. They collectively define the ore shoots, where one or two, and rarely three, of the domains are present at an individual site in the vein. Discontinuity of individual domains, variation in domain thickness and internal heterogeneity results in short scale variation in grade across the structure. Geological mapping along a 1.2 km exploration adit has provided critical æconditioningÆ data to support resource evaluation based on development and relatively wide spaced drilling. In addition, it has provided an indication of potential challenges that could be encountered during production.

Jan 1, 2009

By John C. Ludlum

A most stimulating event in the development of world mineral production and technology, the Eighth Commonwealth Mining and Metallurgical Congress was convened at Melbourne Town Hall on March 1 by Sir Maurice Mawby, President of the Congress. Continuing successively at Melbourne, Canberra, Sydney, and Surfers Paradise in Australia and then at Wellington, New Zealand, the four plenary sessions, 50 technical sessions, and both local and extended mine and plant tours during the seven weeks of the Congress, provided a superb medium for assessing the present and looking into the future. There were more than 2300 participants from 32 countries in the various functions of the Congress, including 500 delegates and wives from countries other than Australia and New Zealand, and from 18 countries not members of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Registrants from South Africa numbered close to 200 and there were about 100 from Canada, 70 from the United Kingdom, 60 from the United States, and 20 from Zambia. Although most of the overseas delegates held administrative positions with companies, government agencies, and colleges or universities, professions identifiable from registrations included 100 engineers, 60 geologists and 30 metallurgists.

Jan 8, 1965

By David R. Maneval, Jack M. Campbell

The regulatory process by which governmental authorities acknowledge and, in turn, permit the location, construction, and operation of large scale energy-related facilities has become extremely detailed in recent years. One example of the detail that is entailed in the regulatory process is the number of permits that must be acquired by operators prior to the construction and operation of energy-related facilities. It has been estimated, for example, that 75 permits are required prior to the opening of a new coal mine in Pennsylvania while 50 are required in Kentucky. From the perspective of facility owners and operators the regulatory process often appears overly complex and may be perceived as a constraint to the corporate decision making process. From the perspective of those responsible for administering regulations, the process is perceived as a means by which public desires-pursuant to social objectives such as environmental protection and occupational safety-can be achieved. As a result of conflicting organizational interests, the clash between energy facility owners and operators and their regulators appears to be inevitable. Furthermore, the resolution of this conflict lies in the trade-off between objectives and the costs of regulation. The balance of objectives and costs is a subject of the political process and not a topic of consideration in this paper. This paper is concerned with the actual administration of regulations, that is, the implementation of that which arises from the interplay of organizational interests. The paper assumes that environmental control laws will not likely be repealed, that regulations to implement the intent of these laws are here to stay and thus the paper seeks to assess how regulations are administered at various levels of government pursuant to objectives. The paper hypothesizes that the administration of objectives (or policy) has an impact on decision making which affects energy facility decision making. While recognizing the fact that regulatory policy cannot be totally divorced from administration, this paper proceeds under the assumption that elements of the regulatory process may be examined individually. The subject of this study is limited to the interplay between regulatory agencies and their clientele.

Jan 1, 1979

By Frank H. Macpherson

When it became apparent early in 1941 that the United States might be drawn into the war, studies were made of the bauxite situation in Arkansas, principally because 9.5 pct of the known bauxite reserves of the country were located in that State. Bauxite mining was then geared for maximum production to supply ore to meet this country's war requirements and, if necessary, to supply the needs of Canada as well. In view of the comparatively small bauxite reserves, Congress appropriated funds for an extensive exploratory drilling program to be carried out by the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the Geological Survey. An alumina plant was erected near Bauxite and an aluminum plant near Hot Springs, Ark., by the Defence Plant Corp. The Metals Reserve Co. established a schedule of prices, arranged for stockpile sites and a buying agency. Operators cooperated to step up production and new ones came into the field. Production Record Prior to 1941, the greatest annual production in Arkansas was 562,892 long tons, dry basis in 1918. During the single month of August 1943, 693,596 long tons were mined—130,704 tons more than for the entire year of 1918. In general the Arkansas bauxite deposits are relatively small, irregular in thickness, somewhat scattered and, compared to coal, iron or open-pit copper deposits, are ill-adapted to an expansion in output. Commercial deposits range in horizontal extent from less than an acre to about 40 acres and are usually very irregular in outline. The average thickness of all known workable deposits is between 12 and 15 ft. with a maximum of about 60 ft. The ore bodies are usually somewhat undulating and nearly horizontal although locally some deposits dip as much as IS°. Types of Bauxite Three physical types of bauxite may be recognized: pisolitic, granitic and amorphous. Pisolitic ore is the most common type. It consists of small pebble-like nodules, ranging from the size of a pin head up to several inches in diameter, all set in a fine grained matrix. Transported bauxite is usually- pisolitic. Most residual bauxite is granitic. It is believed not to have moved appreciably from the location where it originally was formed. This is indicated by the fact that it appears to grade into unaltered nephelite syenite, which it overlies. Amorphous ore is the least abundant. It is nonpisolitic and resembles clay, has no characteristic texture, and can be identified definitely only by chemical analysis. Uses of Bauxite Bauxite is chiefly used for, and at the present time is substantially the only

Jan 1, 1948

By Frank H. Macpherson

When it became apparent early in 1941 that the United States might be drawn into the war, studies were made of the bauxite situation in Arkansas, principally because 9.5 pct of the known bauxite reserves of the country were located in that State. Bauxite mining was then geared for maximum production to supply ore to meet this country's war requirements and, if necessary, to supply the needs of Canada as well. In view of the comparatively small bauxite reserves, Congress appropriated funds for an extensive exploratory drilling program to be carried out by the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the Geological Survey. An alumina plant was erected near Bauxite and an aluminum plant near Hot Springs, Ark., by the Defence Plant Corp. The Metals Reserve Co. established a schedule of prices, arranged for stockpile sites and a buying agency. Operators cooperated to step up production and new ones came into the field. Production Record Prior to 1941, the greatest annual production in Arkansas was 562,892 long tons, dry basis in 1918. During the single month of August 1943, 693,596 long tons were mined—130,704 tons more than for the entire year of 1918. In general the Arkansas bauxite deposits are relatively small, irregular in thickness, somewhat scattered and, compared to coal, iron or open-pit copper deposits, are ill-adapted to an expansion in output. Commercial deposits range in horizontal extent from less than an acre to about 40 acres and are usually very irregular in outline. The average thickness of all known workable deposits is between 12 and 15 ft. with a maximum of about 60 ft. The ore bodies are usually somewhat undulating and nearly horizontal although locally some deposits dip as much as IS°. Types of Bauxite Three physical types of bauxite may be recognized: pisolitic, granitic and amorphous. Pisolitic ore is the most common type. It consists of small pebble-like nodules, ranging from the size of a pin head up to several inches in diameter, all set in a fine grained matrix. Transported bauxite is usually- pisolitic. Most residual bauxite is granitic. It is believed not to have moved appreciably from the location where it originally was formed. This is indicated by the fact that it appears to grade into unaltered nephelite syenite, which it overlies. Amorphous ore is the least abundant. It is nonpisolitic and resembles clay, has no characteristic texture, and can be identified definitely only by chemical analysis. Uses of Bauxite Bauxite is chiefly used for, and at the present time is substantially the only

Jan 1, 1948

By W. W. Adams, T. D. Lawrence

"Despite the manpower shortage and other difficulties of operation in war time, the National Safety Competition of 1943 for the promotion of safety in the mineral industries of the United States was notable for having a larger enrollment of mines and quarries than in any other year except 1941 and 1942 since the yearly safety contests were inaugurated in 1925. The competition was also notable for having a larger number of man-hours represented by the competing companies than in any previous contest except that of 1942. The ratio of accidents and days of disability resulting from accidents to the number of man-hours of work performed was more favorable than in 1942; the accident-frequency rate was lower and therefore better than in 13 of the 19 years during which the annual safety competitions have been conducted, and the accident-severity rate was better than in 16 of the 19 years.The National Safety Competition is a yearly safety contest conducted by the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior. Companies that win first place in their respective group in the contest are awarded a bronze trophy, ""The Sentinels of Safety,"" which is provided by THE EXPLOSIVES ENGINEER magazine. Competing companies are segregated into six groups: Underground bituminous-coal mines, underground anthracite mines (in Pennsylvania), underground metal mines, underground nonmetallic-mineral mines, open-cut mines (without regard to kind of mineral produced), and open quarries (without regard to kind of stone produced). The bronze trophies are retained by the six winning companies for 1 year and are then transferred to the winners of the succeeding year's contest. On the pedestal of each trophy is engraved the names of the winners of the trophy. With the award of the trophies for 1943, therefore, the pedestal of each trophy bears the names of 19 winners."

Aug 1, 1944

By J. Brendan Mclaughlin, Casimir J. Koshinski, Michael V. Rose, Wolfgang Baum

Mercury contamination is a worldwide problem in the mining, smelting, and refining of gold, silver, and copper. In these areas, mercury may be found as a naturally-occurring material in ores and concentrates, and/or in secondary feedstocks such as leach residues, pyrometallurgical treatment residues, refinery by­products, electrowinning electrodes, autoclave discharge solids, and waste water and acid plant sludges. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated mercury one of the most harmful heavy metal contaminant in the environment and has implemented regulations that prohibit land disposal of characteristically hazardous wastes containing greater than 0.20 mg/1 TCLP mercury without prior treatment, thus increasing the cost of managing these materials. The presence of mercury in mine, smelter, and refinery by­products and wastes severely decreases, and in some cases eliminates, the ability to recover residual metal values from the contaminated material. The lost revenue associated with this disposal, combined with the increased direct cost of waste treatment, and/or disposal and protecting workers and the environment, can adversely affect overall profitability. The safe, efficient, and economical removal of mercury from gold, silver, and copper mining by-products requires a treatment process that is capable of liberating the mercury from the wide variety of compounds and matrices in which it may be contained, reducing the mercury content in the matrix to desired levels, and recovering the mercury in pure saleable form, without producing any secondary solid, liquid, or gaseous wastes. This paper reviews results from commercial operations and pilot scale tests using a thermal process owned and operated by Mercury Recovery Services, Inc. (MRS) to remove and recover mercury from copper acid plant blowdown sludge, Merrill­Crowe precipitate from gold/silver mining operations, and Cottrell and salt slag dusts from a precious metals refinery.

Jan 1, 1997

By Karl Fetters

IN the process of making steel in the open-hearth furnace the refining of the metal during the working period of the heat is largely accomplished through the agency of the slag. From the birth of the process until the present day steelmakers have recognized the importance of the slag in determining the composition of the metal and the quality of the product. The general relationships between slag composition and metal analysis have long been known, at least in a qualitative or approximate fashion. For examples, the iron oxide content of the slag is higher on lower carbon heats; the more basic slags are higher in iron oxide for a given carbon content; certain amounts of iron oxide and lime are required for phos-phorus removal and a high lime-silica ratio is needed if the sulphur content of the metal is to be diminished. In recent years a number of quantita-tive relationships involving these and other variables have been developed through plant and laboratory studies by numerous investigators in this country and abroad. The direct comparison of laboratory and open-hearth data involves the question of the degree to which each approaches the conditions of chemical equilibrium, a question which, from the open-hearth standpoint, we are scarcely yet in position to answer. And, although a considerable body of dependable equilibrium data has been obtained in the laboratory, this work has not yet been extended to cover the ranges of slag composi-tion encountered in basic open-hearth practice. In the present study we shall not attempt to draw comparisons between data from the two sources; nor do we attempt to draw conclusions as to the approach to chemical equilibrium in the open-hearth furnace. Many of the operating variables that are likely to be erratic or unrecorded during the earlier stages of the heat become more consistent and are more readily subject to observation and control during later stages. For example, undigested lime or ore gradually goes into solution, the rate of carbon drop levels off, and the temperature of the metal is brought under control. For these and other reasons a greater degree of self-consistency is likely to be found among data obtained during the

Jan 1, 1940

Provide the U.S. mining industry with the means to measure and control exhaust emissions of diesel engines used in underground mines. Approach Diesel research is divided into four primary areas: exhaust aerosol measurement, particulate control, gaseous emission control, and chemical and biological characterizition of particulate matter. Diesel research is frequently cosponsored by industry; collaborative research ventures between industry, academia, other government agencies, and the Bureau arc common. Diesel research at the Bureau is conducted in the diesel engine research facility at the Bureau?s Twin Cities Research Center (TCRC). This facility is a state-of-the-art laboratory capable of performing emissions testing, exhaust control evaluations, and safety tests. Background Exposure of mine workers to airborne contaminants from diesel engine exhaust is potentially harmful. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has recommended that whole diesel exhaust be regarded as "a potential occupational carcinogen" and that ?reductions in exposure to diesel exhaust in the workplace would reduce the risk." The U.S. Mine Safely and Health Administration (MSHA) convened an Advisory Committee on Standards and Regulations for Diesel-Powered Equipment and is beginning to implement its recommendations, which cover health, safety, and certification and approval issues surrounding the use of diesels underground. In January 1992, MSHA published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking to regulate diesel particulate matter in underground mines.

Jan 1, 1992

By William B. Plank

FOR the third consecutive year, I have collected the data on enrolment and employment of graduates from the schools in. the United States and Canada that grant degrees in mineral technology. The data were collected in the same way as formerly; namely, by questionnaire, dated Jan. 5, 1935, and are therefore comparable with the figures reported for former years. This year, along with the names of the 48 schools in the United States and the six in Canada, are listed the courses offered and the degrees granted by each, school, together with the names of the professors in charge. The names and addresses of the four schools in Mexico are also given. The list is on pages 450-1, which should he valued as a directory by those interested in mineral technology education. So far as is known, this is the most complete and up-to-date list that has ever been published.

Jan 1, 1935

By T. J. Ballard

Corundum is a natural alumina (A120 ) and is next to the diamond in hardness . Except for the gem varieties , it is used principally as an abrasive , chiefly in grinding , dressing , and polishing metals and optical glass . Natural corundum is preferred to artificial abrasives for certain specialized jobs . Most of the corundum ( excluding emery ) mined in the United States came from the Corundum Hill mine in North Carolina and the Laurel Creek mine in Georgia . The Corundum Hill mine provided over half of the domestic production of corundum prior to 1900. Since 1900 , the importation of foreign corundum and the manufacture of artificial abrasives caused the decline of corundum mining in the United States .

Mar 1, 1947

By Albert F. J. Bordeaux

INTRODUCTION. THE following general survey of the character and present condition of the silver-mines of Mexico, though not offered as a detailed treatise, has been prepared with care, is believed to he generally up-to-date, and is offered as a summary which may be found useful by mining engineers. Mexico has ranked for several centuries first among the silver-producing countries. It is now second as copper-producer, and seventh as gold-producer, with a fast-increasing output every year. The total amount of capital invested in its mining- and smelting-works is more than $250,000,000, while the yearly metallic production is $160,000,000. There are more than 20,000 recorded mining properties. The silver-mines of Mexico represent deposits of three principal classes: (1) veins and stock-works in eruptive rocks; (2) fissure-veins crossing the crystalline schists, granite, diorite, etc. ; and (3) veins and replacement-deposits in limestone. The true fissure-veins in some districts contain (in value) more gold than silver. In other deposits, the silver is decreasing in depth, leaving galena and zinc-blende as the principal ores.

Jan 9, 1908

By Tamás Megyeri, Dániel Borbély, Vera Szánto, László Kovács

"Upon completion, the Bátaapáti deep underground radioactive waste repository complex (National Radioactive Waste Repository - NRWR) will provide safe final disposal for low and medium-level radioactive waste from the Paks Nuclear Power Plant in Hungary. The waste emplacement is in progress and one of the main concerns related to the development is ensuring a feasible plan is in place for permanent repository closure. Detailed hydrogeological observations and safety assessments revealed that the clay filled fault zones penetrated with the access tunnels play determinant role in the long-term confinement performance of NRWR, so they need to be plugged. Detailed mechanical analysis and numerical modelling of the tunnel constructed through a fault zone is presented here to gain a better understanding of the rock mass and rock support behavior. The effect of stress reflection is demonstrated and its consequences are described in detail. A recommendation is given for tunnel support design in such conditions. INTRODUCTION Crossing fault zones is a challenging task during tunnel construction and can lead to failure if not properly accounted for during design and construction. These failures are can be caused by high water inflow or stability loss of the rock mass surrounding of the tunnel (examples can be found in CEDD, 2015). The prediction of the magnitude and development of displacement has a considerable impact on issues during tunnel construction. Changes of rock mass stiffness or structure ahead of the face, to a great extent influencing stresses in the vicinity of the tunnel and thus deformations (Steindorfer, 1998). Further research with numerical simulations was carried out, and the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of displacement vector is presented in (Grossauer et al, 2005). The concern associated with crossing fault zones was considered during the design of the Bátaapáti deep underground radioactive waste repository complex (NRWR) in Hungary. In the case of NRWR project, the fault zones have an impact on maintaining the stability of the surrounding rock mass as well as the final sealing of the repository. As part of the final closure design, a complex numerical modelling program was completed to gain a better understanding of the mechanical behavior of the rock mass and the monitoring observations during construction. Even though the need for the presented study is closely related to the NRWR project, the results can be used in any project related to fault zone crossing. The methodology used to better understand the impact of crossing fault zones for the NRWR project is presented in this paper. First the project background is introduced including an overview of the underground facilities, the aim of the repository, and the construction experience gained from the first crossings of the fault zones. After that the in-situ and laboratory testing is summarized. The numerical modelling methodology is detailed in the next section. Not only the outcome of the model is presented, but the results are compared with the experience and observations made on site. Since a good agreement is found between the actual and the modelled behavior, the conclusions are based on the validated result. To fulfill the aim of the paper, the stress reflection concept is introduced to explain the mechanical behavior of the fault zone and the rock support; furthermore straightforward suggestions are made for rock support design."

Jan 1, 2016

By Paul M. Tyler

Hafnium appears to be among the more abundant of the newly discovered elements . Though quite widely distributed in nature , its compounds chemically so resembled those of zirconium , its sister element , that it escaped detection until 1923 , when Coster and Hevesy announced the discovery of the element , to which they gave the name of " hafnium " , from Hafniae , the Latin name for Copenhagen , where their research work was performed . Hafnium has so far been found only as a minor constituent of zirconium minerals . Zirconium as an element was discovered more than 140 years ago , but only a few unimportant uses were found for the metal or its compounds until some 18 years ago ; it is still classed among the rarer commercial metals . It is not surprising , therefore , that hafnium has not yet found a definite place for itself in industry . Nevertheless it has commanded a considerable interest among scientists ; and in 1930 some 70 grams of perfectly pure oxide of hafnium were prepared in Europe . A commercial future for hafnium is already glimpsed in the radio industry , and its high melting point and electronic emissivity have already led to the taking out of patents for its use in radio tubes and incandescent electric lamp filaments and for the cathode surfaces of devices such as X- ray tubes and rectifiers .

Apr 1, 1931