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By Jack A. Crichton, Henry J. Gruy

This paper discusses methods used in the estimation of natural gas reserves and the general conditions under which the various methods are applicable. The factors used in estimating natural gas reserves are reviewed. Errors which have been found to occur frequently are listed. Introduction The estimation of natural gas reserves has become of paramount interest because of the increasing importance of gas in the nation's economy. Gas is a most desirable fuel, a fact substantiated by the continued rise in the market demand. In addition, new uses for gas are being developed by the chemical, plastic, and associated industries, and plants are being built to make gasoline from natural gas. These are a few of the factors contributing to the importance of the nation's natural gas reserves. With the increased importance of gas there is an increase in the need for reliable estimates of the magnitude and availability of natural gas reserves. These estimates are being used currently: (I) to determine which fields contain sufficient available reserves to justify the construction of pipe-line outlets to serve particular markets; (2) to design pipe lines necessary to serve those fields adequately;] (3) to determine the location of industrial and chemical plants; (4) to finance the development of gas properties, and the construction of gas pipe lines; (5) to determine fair and adequate depletion allowances and depreciation rates; (6) to justify applications for gas pipe lines before various regulatory bodies; (7) to determine the number of wells required to exploit the reserves most economically; (8) to aid in establishing values for the purchase or sale of gas properties, and for purposes of inheritance taxes; (9) to determine equities under unitized operations; (10) to provide a basis for calculating the economics of gas-cycling operations. History or Estimation of Natural Gas Reserves The natural gas industry in the United States had its beginning during 1826 when natural gas was used for lighting the city of Fredonia, N. Y. The first natural gas pipe line was a 25-mi]le wooden line constructed from hollowed logs, connecting West Bloomfield and Rochester, N. Y. There is no record of an attempt to estimate the gas reserve at West Bloomfield but an attempt was made to determine the capacity of the well by measuring the time required to 611 a large balloon. One of the earlier publications concerning estimation of natural gas reserves is the "Manual for the Oil and Gas Industry," published by the Treasury Department, United States Internal Revenue, in i9i9. The following methods of computing "gas depletion" are listed: (I) production decline of the gas well or property; (2) decline in open-flow capacity; (3) comparison with the life history of similar wells or properties, particularly those exhausted Art

Jan 1, 1949

By Robert T. Pring

In addition to the humanitarian aspects of a dust-control program, certain economic benefits are becoming more fully recognized and now furnish a greater incentive to the mill operator to eliminate the dust from his plant. It is well known that a favorable working environment promotes increased efficiency and improves the morale of employees, with a consequent decrease in labor turnover rates. One progressive mining company' estimates its direct and indirect labor turnover costs at from $40 to $50 per man; for skilled labor, such as machine operators, the cost may approach $100 per man. While these figures may not be typical of every plant, they do indicate a potential savings in operating costs. Dust signifies waste; its elimination decreases maintenance costs of mechanical and electrical equipment; its recovery is often justified from the standpoint of values contained in the collected material, although in large-scale milling operations handling low-grade ore this may not be an important factor, Perhaps the most significant trend in industrial sanitation is that dust-control equipment and procedures are becoming recognized as integral parts of the mill flowsheet. Exhaust ventilating systems are now afforded equal care in design and maintenance to that given other machinery more closely related to the Process. Methods of Dust Control "Dust control" is a general term descriptive of a number of methods used singly or together to prevent particulate atmospheric contamination. These methods are: in order .of their desirability, as follows: 1. Change of process. 2. Isolation of process. 3. Wet methods. 4. Ventilation. a. Local exhaust ventilation. b. General ventilation. 5. Personal respiratory protection. In ore-concentration plants it is seldom prac tical to change a process to eliminate the dust it creates It is possible in some cases to isolate a particular dust-producing operation from the rest of the plant, provided that constant attention on the part of the operators is not required. Frequently water is used in fine crushing and fine grinding, primarily to facilitate the processing of the ore and incidentally to allay the dust produced. Wet methods, however, are not feasible in coarse and secondary crushing operations, because of the relatively great volume of water required in instantly wetting each freshly fractured rock surface. Such quantities of water would entail conveying and storage difficulties. Local exhaust ventilation is the most effective and most commonly applied control measure, wherein directional air currents through the zone of dust production draw the contaminants into a duct system. Unfortunately, only a limited amount of reliable information on exhaust ventilation is available.2-5 of necessity these publications are rather general, being primarily concerned with engineering fundamentals. While many organizations have successfully

Jan 1, 1943

By Charles H. Sawyer, Walter Knox

All of the coals commonly used in domestic bituminous stokers form coke, and satisfactory operation depends upon the fact that the coke formed is so weakly bound together that it breaks readily in the normal operation of the stoker and automatically maintains a good fuel bed. Some coals, because of their tendency to form solid, blocky coke, are practically excluded from use in small domestic stokers as now built. Other coals, some among the best stoker coals available, can form this troublesome coke under certain conditions. Many contradictory methods have been offered as cures for coke formation. Generally the procedure has been to try various adjustments until a combination was found that seemed to give better results. Such random methods of treatment have not provided any reliable information as to causes. The present paper covers a comprehensive test program undertaken by the Koppers Company's Stoker Coal Research Laboratory at Kearny, N. J. The program had two main objectives; first, to discover what factors affected coke formation, and second; to define corrective steps that could be applied in stoker service work. Conclusions and Results i. The design of the stoker outweighs in importance all other factors capable of improving coke formation. 2. Insufficient air supply aggravates the formation of large blocky coke, although raising the air above 30 to 40 per cent excess (as determined during steady running) does not further improve the character of the coke formed and only reduces its accumulation at the expense of efficiency, increased fly ash, poorer clinker-ing, and other disadvantages. 3. Increasing the coal feed results in a somewhat more friable coke structure and is recommended for persistently troublesome jobs. 4. Increasing over-fire draft improves the character of the coke formed and reduces troublesome accumulations by accelerating off-period burning, although at some expense in efficiency and some increase in fly-ash accumulation. 5. Coke structure was not substantially improved by blocking some of 'the retort tuyeres, although the blocking of tuyeres at the feed-screw end of a rectangular retort did lead to somewhat improved performance, possibly because of considerably better distribution of coke in the fuel bed. 6. With the equipment tested no difference was shown between installation of the same stoker in a steam boiler and a warm-air furnace, or between a sand-filled and a ventilated type of hearth. 7. The following design features had no noticeable effect on coke formation: a. Presence or absence of coal-tube air as provided by many manufacturers to eliminate smoke-back. B. Presence or absence of a flap damper ill the air duct to minimize off-period burning. c. Continuous or intermittent (ratchet and pawl driven) movement of fuel feed screw.

Jan 1, 1944

By R. F. Stilwell

There are three things that all coal consumers look for when they burn coal: (1) suitability for their particular requirements and burning equipment, (2) uniformity of shipments, and (3) quality as expressed by heating value and other chemical and physical tests. Suitability, or proper application, is determined generally from previous buying experience. It is a function of (1) the reliability and integrity of the shipper and distributor, (2) of a certain coal field or seam and of (3) uniformity and quality. Quality is limited by the location and geology of the seam and mine, the mining and preparation methods and equipment and the knowledge and ability of the personnel. Uniformity of shipments is in many ways the most important factor in coal selection. Lack of uniformity in chemical quality, size consist and treatment cause most of the customer complaints that arise from faults of the coal shipper. Lack of uniformity destroys suitability and quality standards, causing a large customer turnover, and greatly increases sales expense and reduces the net return to the operator. Oil and gas fuels are more uniform in quality than solid fuels, and there will be more gas and oil competition for coal markets after this war than before, because the size of their market is a direct function of the dimensions of their pipe lines, which have been greatly increased during the war. Present mechanical coal-cleaning equipment based upon gravity concentration has gone a long way toward giving us a coal of uniform ash content. The chart in Fig. I, by Hebley,1 shows the greater uniformity of the ash content of washed coal as compared with that of raw coal. Wide variation in the nature and amount of ash in the coal feed to the washer leads to a coal of non-uniform ash content. Mechanica1 cleaning equipment does not understand such terms as ash-softening temperature, coking properties, size consist and sulphur content. Unless the feed to the washer is uniform, the washed coal probably will not be uniform. Table I shows the ash, sulphur and ash-softening temperature of two mines in the Pittsburgh bed, both raw and washed, loaded over the same tipple; also No. 3 and No. 4 Pocahontas seams, both raw and washed, loaded from the same preparation plant. It is obvious that they must be blended or loaded separately if a uniform product is to be obtained. Why Is Blending Necessary? It was natural for the operators of captive mines producing by-product coals to recognize the necessity for blending raw coals of different quality and coking characteristics. They have had many years of experience with blending high, low and medium volatile coals at their oven plants. They have found that careful blending gives a coke of more uniform quality and better structure. Coals that could not be

Jan 1, 1947

By James K. Stanley

Preferred orientation, particularly in irons and low-carbon steel, is a phenomenon that is both of considerable importance and theoretical interest. At times it is a liability and at other times an asset. In deep-drawing operations, preferred orientation is extremely undesirable because it necessitates trimming operations and increases scrap loss. Furthermore, oriented metals are likely to crack more easily than randomly oriented material because the forming of symmetrical and unsymmetrical shapes out of preferentially oriented metals and alloys increases the probability of rupture in regions of high stress, owing to differential ductility.' In the electrical industry, on the other hand, preferentially oriented silicon irons are in demand for transformer application because of the improved magnetic permeabilities in the rolling direction.2 This phenomenon of preferred orientation in soft magnetic materials has been responsible for the tremendous improvement in transformer design and construction in recent years. Directional properties in metals have received a great deal of attention in the metallurnical -literature,3-9 in which much of the information reported about orientation has been obtained by conventional methods, mechanicai properties and X-rays. A wealth of data has been obtained and often at a great expenditure of time. The recent introduction of the magnetic torque measurements on ferromagnetic materials provides a very simple and rapid method of evaluating orientation. The judicious use of the method can supply important information, but it should be borne in mind that such studies must be supplemented by X-rays, optical methods,10 and etch and pressure figures" to get a rational understanding of the orientation phenomena. No claims are made that the magnetic torque of evaluating orientation will reveal the behavior of the metal in deep drawing. For this purpose the accepted tests for deep-drawing quality must be used. For a good drawing stock, which must have low impurities, desirable grain size, ductility, strength, hardness, good surface, random orientation, and good recrystallization behavior, it cannot be expected that any simple test will be satisfactory for appraising all the factors. The only factor on which the magnetic method can be used is orientation, which is, of course, of considerable importance. When directionality can cause a 10 to 15 per cent change in tensile strength and a IOO to 300 per cent change in tear length,12 it goes without saying that a reliable as well as rapid method for detecting these changes would be desirable. There are certain inherent advantages in testing orientation by the torque method: The method is rapid with the proper type of equipment; no elaborate preparation of specimens is required—it is only necessary to punch or machine a I-in. disk of the sheet material and insert it into the testing device.

Jan 1, 1944

By S. F. Urban, G. Derge

At the time this investigation was initiated variations were observed in the quality of different heats of basic electric-furnace steels, although they had been made under purportedly similar conditions. This indicated that these variations were related to normally unobserved variations in the character of the bath, especially during the "refining" period. Although the slags used for this operation are commonly referred to as "reducing" slags, and are regarded as having a "deoxidizing" action on the bath, no reliable measurements of this action were available. It was decided, therefore, to study the behavior of oxygen in the metal for ' large enough number of heats to learn its normal variations and to relate these variations to regularly observed conditions of operation. The most important general conclusion reached was that the time a heat is held under a reducing 'lag should be reduced to a minimum, which was about an hour and a half under the conditions studied. Beyond this time no observable beneficial effects are obtained from the reducing slags, insofar as oxygen and sulphur content of the bath are concerned. It is likely that added time may increase hydrogen content as well as heat costs. The oxygen content of the bath is never reduced below the amount in equilibrium with the carbon. Concurrently with this work, J. S. Marsh1 presented data that supplement and support many of the results of this paper. Procedure The work was done in two different electric-furnace shops of the same plant. The selection of heats was made primarily with regard to the convenience of heat schedules. companion slag and metal samples were taken just prior to slag-ofi and throughout the refining period for an initial set of 17 heats, and before slag-off and near tap for an additional I3 heats. slag Sampling presented no particular problem; a spoonful of slag was poured onto a metal plate and when sufficiently cool was sealed in an airtight container. Sampling the metal for oxygen presented a more complex problem. Because of the lack of previous experience in sampling electric-furnace baths, a number of methods were compared. Chilled Wedge Samples2 An unkilled metal sample is removed from the furnace in a well-slagged car-bometer spoon and poured immediately into a heavy copper mold designed to provide rapid freezing. Three different types of molds were used to determine the optimum for electric-furnace hats. The Big wedge Mold (a) was a 4 by 4 by 4-in. split copper mold, yielding a wedge-shaped casting I in. wide, 1 1/2 in. long, and 34 in. maximum thickness, and was finally adopted as the most satisfactory design.

Jan 1, 1948

The management of risks associated with slope instability is an essential process in the safe and economic operation of open cut mines. The ?slope stability radar? (SSR) has been developed to better manage those risks. The SSR remotely scans rock slopes to continuously measure any surface movement and can be used to detect and alert users of wall movements with sub-millimeter precision. The high level of movement precision and broad area coverage of the rock face can allow for a better understanding of the geomechanics of slope deformation, including magnitude of potential failures and additional warning time of impending instability. Additionally, radar waves adequately penetrate through rain, dust and smoke to give reliable measurements, 24 hours a day. SSR systems have been deployed in many metalliferous and coal mines throughout the world. Over 80 systems are currently being used with current operations in 17 countries. Greater than 200 rock slope collapses and waste dump failures (from several to millions of tones) have been monitored, with ?warning? precursor movements recorded by the SSR. This technology enables a radical change in the management of risks in open cut mining. This paper will present recent case studies of the SSR operation in coal and metalliferous mines. Slope Stability Hazards and Rock Slope Monitoring in Open Pit Mines Surface mining often creates excavation boundaries which are steeper than those would be created under natural processes in the same rock type. They are also undertake quite rapid stress changes during mining and are influenced by significant external forces such as blast vibrations and changes in groundwater. These conditions are likely to allow some degree of instability to develop in the pit slopes. The hazards associated with this instability of pit slopes can be extremely variable in character; ranging from small cobble sized rocks dislodging and falling from mine benches to complete collapse of entire pit walls. It is usually the position of mine geotechnical or geological staff to assess these hazards for mine operations. The assessment of hazards due to unstable slopes can be done by visual observation of precursor signs such as fracturing or rilling of loose material. A more reliable indicator of instability involves the quantitative measurement of outward movement and acceleration of material as an instability mechanism develops. There is strong evidence that small precursor movements of a rock wall occur for an extended period prior to rock slope collapse (Hoek and Bray, 1981). Development of a monitoring system, adopting acceptable slope deformation criteria coupled with warning systems and design of stabilization or risk reduction measures if appropriate has become a standard method of dealing with slope instability. Framework for Slope Hazard Management using the SSR A framework for the management of slope hazards is shown in Figure 1 (discussed in detail in Harries, 2007). Although this framework is specifically for use with the Slope Stability Radar, a similar framework could be developed for other monitoring technologies for monitoring slope deformation. An important point to consider is the sequential nature of the hazard management framework from selecting the context ? identifying hazards ? analysing hazards ? evaluating hazards ? treating hazards. [ ] Once the context of the system has been developed (for example ? to monitor for rapid bench scale collapse), the identification of hazards is the next stage in hazard management. Identification of slope hazards can be relatively straightforward due to the visual nature of the information that the SSR system produces. The areas of excessive wall deformation are highlighted in color maps of the mine slope with a co-aligned photographic image to review the actual site of interest. The responsible personnel must then analyses this data, usually reviewing the deformation style and rate, as well as the size of area that appears to be failing. This information can then be evaluated against organisation protocols (for example it may be only a small sub-bench failure that will be ?caught? by existing benches and hence can be categorized as a lower risk). Once these hazards are evaluated they can then be treated if required. Two major options are available to reduce the risk during this treatment option. We can reduce the likelihood of failure ? for example by buttressing the failure or de-pressurising of water pressures in a slope. However, the most likely plan of action is to reduce the consequence of the failure. One of the most successful opportunities to reduce the consequence of a slope failure is to ensure that no personnel or mining equipment is present at the location of a slope failure when collapse finally occurs. This has been the major benefit of the SSR system to the different mining operations around the world. SLOPE STABILITY RADAR TECHNOLOGY OUTLINE Slope Stability Radar system specifications and capabilities: ? Measurement precision +/- 0.1mm (std.) ? Perforated dish and other features enable it to operate in high wind conditions ? Measurement range is 1700 metres ? Scans 270 degrees horizontally and 120 degrees vertically ? 1 ? 30 minute repeat rate for area scans (varies according to area being scanned ? RF exposure (<0.05mW/cm2) is a factor of 200 below the acceptable limit for the general population (1 mW/cm2) ? Tolerant to vibration and mining equipment ? The system weighs approximately 1500 Kg ? Remote area power supply enabling unmanned, continuous 24/7 monitoring ? Real time monitoring

Jan 1, 2009

By Dale L. McKinnon, Jean-Pierre Farant

"Dust collectors are used to reduce airborne dust levels generated during crushing at a mining operation and their adequate maintenance is required to ensure effective control of health and safety hazards associated with dusty conditions. Although the pitot traverse technique is commonly employed to balance these dust collectors, the use of an alternative-the equilibrium concentration tracer gas method-is proposed in this paper. This method, which uses sulphur hexafluoride as a tracer gas, can be used to balance airflows in dust collectors and to determine hood collection efficiency accurately and effectively. This technique also reduces some of the errors inherent to pitot tube measurements. IntroductionIndustrial dust collectors are used to reduce dust genera ted by processes like cru shin g, and these must be periodically checked and balanced to ensure continuing effective control of health and safety hazards associated with dusty conditions.To date, the pitot tub e traverse technique has been commonly used to balance air flows in dust collectors. However, this technique is both time -consuming and cumbersome. The equilibrium concentration tracer gas method, described in this paper, is proposed as a viable alternative as it is faster, more reliable, and amenable to automation. The use of tracer gases for such task s is not new. This approach has been used in a variety of mining situations to determine volumetric flow rates in underground openings, leak age through mine stoppings, the effectiveness of face ventilation, pollution migration patterns, mine air recirculation rates, and rock porosity."

Jan 1, 1986

By J. E. Nesset

The bubble size, together with the gas rate, determines the bubble surface area flux in flotation machines and, therefore, impacts directly on the kinetics of flotation. Understanding the variables that influence bubble size is one of the keys to understanding flotation recovery. Surprisingly, these relationships are poorly understood, largely due to the difficulties associated with gas dispersion measurements in industrial environments. The McGill gas dispersion sensors (bubble size, gas rate, gas holdup) are capable of reliably making such measurements. This paper reports on a study, using the McGill sensors in a 0.8 m3 Metso RCSTM pilot cell, which investigated the effect on bubble size of frother type and concentration, gas rate, temperature and rotor speed. A Denver laboratory cell was used to investigate the effect of elevation above sea level. Frother concentration proved to have the predominant influence on bubble size, and the effect of frother type can be normalised as a function of the critical coalescence concentration (CCC). Measurements made at many plant sites worldwide are compared to the model developed using the Metso RCSTM unit.

Jan 1, 2007

By Lon Santis, David Buckwalter, Ken Steinmetz

This paper describes a magazine security system using two readily available cellular telephone-based technologies. The system is comprised of vibration sensors and remote cameras. The system is used at a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) licensed explosives storage location in Pennsylvania to comply with PA Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) regulations. The system provides instant notification to the licensee via cellular modems, text messaging, phone call, and e-mail. Likewise, the licensee can control the system remotely over the internet and using text messaging commands. The vibration sensors attach to the door of the metal type I magazines magnetically and detect any movement or vibration. The cameras trigger on movement and thermal radiation changes and can also be triggered manually to check alarms received from the vibration sensors. The previous system was comprised of a base unit and magnetic strips. The magnetic strips were powered by a hard line from the control unit and mounted on the doors and top of magazine creating a bond, that when broken triggered an alarm. Our main issues with the unit were the delay in alert times and tech support. Because of these issues, we decided an upgrade was necessary. Compared to that previous system used at this site, these new systems are highly affordable, carefree and reliable.

Jan 1, 2014

By B. M. Larsen, T. E. Brower

An increasing amount of attention is being paid to the possible influence of oxygen, in its several modes of occurrence in steel, upon some of the properties of the metal; but clearly investigations along this line are unlikely to yield significant results until reliable analytical methods for the determination of oxygen have been established. This paper presents some results of a study of an improved Ledebur method which aims to determine a definite portion of the oxygen; namely, that which presumably is present in diffusible form in the solid steel. These more or less preliminary results lead us to believe that the oxygen so determined has some significance; their presentation at this time will, we hope, stimulate discussion of, and focus attention upon, certain rather neglected aspects of the problem. Considerable work has been done recently on methods of estimating inclusions and on the vacuum-fusion method for oxygen; with results which, however, are of somewhat questionable significance. It is commonly presumed that the oxygen in a bath of molten steel in a furnace is present partly as a separate phase consisting of suspended particles of oxides or silicates, partly in solution, the latter being probably the more important. Upon addition of a deoxidizer, it reacts with some portion of the dissolved oxygen and precipitates it as additional suspended particles; the oxygen not eliminated in this way, which remains in solution in the liquid steel, may be regarded indifferently either as dissolved oxygen or as dissolved FeO. When the steel is poured, some of the suspended particles rise towards the surface, others remain trapped in the finished steel, appearing as nonmetallic inclusions in amounts corresponding usually to about 0.01 to 0.03 per cent Oz in the steel. The dissolved oxygen may be partly eliminated as CO during freezing of the ingot, but some remains either in solution or in part precipitated as FeO. Finished steels may thus contain oxygen in several forms: (1) In non-metallic inclusions which are probably quite insoluble in the solid metal at all temperatures; (2) in solid solution which at lower temperatures may be supersaturated; (3) in FeO particles produced by relief of this

Jan 1, 1932

By C. E. Violet, R. J. Borg, E. M. Howard

The miscibility gap in the Au-Ni system has been determined by Mossbauer spectroscopy, with used as a probe. The phase boundaries were determined from the compositional dependence of both the isomer shift and Curie temperature. X-ray diffraction measurements were also used to confirm the Mossbauer results. 1 HE purpose of this research is to demonstrate the application of Mbssbauer spectroscopy to the determination of phase boundaries and to redetermine the miscibility gap by an independent and novel technique. The techniques evolved in this study are readily applicable to other polyphase systems and are generally as quick and accurate as the more conventional methods, e.g., metallography, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and so forth. To be sure, not all polyphase systems will lend themselves favorably to Mijssbauer investigations, but this is a problem met in the use of conventional methods as well. The Mbssbauer spectrum responds to a different set of physical parameters, and consequently provides an entirely independent method of analysis. It is especially useful if the system has either a ferromagnetic or an antiferromagnetic transition. The Au-Ni system was selected because alloys containing more than -60 at. pct Ni become magnetically ordered at low temperatures; also the miscibility gap is quite well established (see Ref. 7 for a compilation of pertinent references, also Fig. 11, and thus provides a reliable test of this novel procedure. As Fe is the most commonly used Mijssbauer isotope, there exists a wealth of information concerning its behavior in iron-containing alloys and compounds. However, as yet there have been relatively few experiments using it as a probe to investigate nonferrous systems. By choosing a nonferrous alloy system, we are able to demonstrate that its use is not restricted to systems containing iron as one of the major constituents. Wertheim and ~ernick&apos; have used the same method to investigate Cu-Ni, and demonstrated that one can obtain a systematic variation in the isomer shift and magnetic hyperfine field. However, we believe this to be the first time these techniques have been used to establish phase boundaries. Two hyperfine interactions were measured and used to determine the phase boundaries, viz., the magnetic hyperfine splitting and the isomer shift which in this alloy system are both strong functions of composition. Calibration curves were established based upon single-phase solid solutions obtained by quenching from temperatures well above the maximum of the miscibility gap, see Fig. 1. Solid solutions containing 25, 50, 65, 75, 85, 92, and 96 pct Ni as well as pure nickel were used in the calibration procedure. Fig. 2 shows the Curie temperature, TC, and the isomer shift, v,, as determined from the Mbssbauer spectra, and variation in lattice parameter as determined by X-ray diffraction, as functions of composition. The compositions of the two-phase systems quenched from temperatures within the miscibility gap are obtained by comparing their respective values of TC and v0 with the calibration data. I) EXPERIMENTAL Mbssbauer sources were made by fusing the component metals in a tungsten arc melter, which has a water-cooled copper hearth. Both nickel and gold were 99.999 pct pure, and the melting was done in an atmosphere of purified argon. The alloys were rolled, diced,

Jan 1, 1969

By G. H. Kennedy, H. E. Criner

CYCLONE thickeners are "hydraulic centrifuges" designed either to produce a maximum practical separation between the water and solids of a feed slurry or to classify the slurry solids according to particle settling rate. The possibilities of utilizing the thickener to "close" plant water circuits have been investigated. Since the thickener becomes an integral part of the plant water circuit when installed, the basic means by which the solids content of all circulating water systems must be controlled is reviewed. All coal not separated from the circulating water by means of dewatering screens or settling devices must be bled from the plant at the same rate as they are being fed or created by degradation. If this were not true, the circulated volume would finally be completely filled with solids. If the rate of bleed is low, the solids concentration in the bleed and circulating water generally will be high. To keep a reasonable circulating water concentration, large amounts of fresh water must be supplied and the bleed rate must be high. These conditions are usually undesirable because of the difficulty in securing fresh water, the loss of large quantities of coal, and the pollution of nearby streams. Thickeners are the primary stage in the separation of the water contained in the bleed from the coal. Since a thickener, when operating with reasonable efficiency, usually cannot be expected to deliver an underflow containing less than 50 pct water, secondary dewatering devices such as a slurry screen or vacuum filter must be used to separate additional water from the bleed. The surface area required by the filter or screen will be nearly proportional to the total water which must be handled, and therefore the thickener becomes necessary to hold down the original cost. The water separated from the coal is then returned to the plant circuit to maintain the water balance and thus becomes the source of fresh water. It is not necessary to return clear water to the plant to maintain control of the circulating water concentration. It is only necessary that the bleed dewatering devices remove coal in all sizes at a rate equal to that at which these sizes are entering the circulating water. However, practically speaking, in order to maintain low solids concentration, it is usually necessary that the thickener have good recovery characteristics on bituminous coals in those sizes down to 400-mesh. The thickener can remove the smaller sizes from the closed-circuit system at the "solids in" rate and prevent their "build up" in the circulating water as shown in Fig. 1. With the portion of the feed water going directly to the underflow, comes the very fine solids not concentrated by the cyclone. All the larger solids are removed from the feed and delivered in a concentrated condition at the underflow. To apply thickeners with some reasonable assurance that operating requirements will be met, it is necessary to know the rate at which solids of all sizes must be removed from the circulating water and to know the thickener characteristics. The required removal rate of fine solids not recovered by other dewatering devices may be estimated from the size distribution and tonnage of the plant feed with a reasonable allowance for degradation in the circulating water system. A more reliable estimate may be secured by sampling the plant bleed water during a constant load period.

Jan 1, 1952

By D. C. Torre

Since the early 1960s, there have been efforts to develop and produce reliable continuous haulage systems capable of taking the full output of a continuous miner and transporting it, in one continuous flow, from the face to the tipple. The majority of the successful continuous haulage systems were placed in operation in the early 1970s. These were all of the bridge conveyor type. They usually consisted of bridges and mobile bridge carriers (MBC) attached at the inby end to the continuous miner and at the outby end to the panel conveyor itself. These successful bridge conveyor continuous haulage systems are either of the belted or chain type. The most successful belt type continuous haulage systems are those manufactured and marketed by the Long-Airdox Co. Until early 1977, Jeffrey Mining Machinery Division manufactured and marketed the most successful chain conveyor type haulage sys¬tems. In 1977, Long-Airdox reentered the market with a chain-type system to complement its belted system. The original bridge-type continuous haulage system was introduced to the coal mining industry in the early 1960s by the old Long Co., a predecessor to the current Long-Airdox Co. These original units were of the chain conveyor type. In the early 1970s, there were also developments in continuous haulage, employing different material handling media. These in¬cluded the Serpentix, a flexible type belt, introduced by the Joy Manufacturing Co. There was also a serious attempt to introduce hydraulic-type continuous haulage by Consolidation Coal Co. and Conoco Research. Despite some startling successes, particularly with the bridge-type haulage systems, the general and widespread application of continuous haulage has eluded the mining industry. Some of the problems are related to underground conditions; others to people, both management and labor. One of the greatest obstacles to universal success continues to be the difficulty of accepting the philosophy as well as the machinery of continuous haulage. Nevertheless, efforts continue to spread the success of commercial and viable systems in the industry. There is also effort to improve on these systems, and on methods for their successful use. In addition, efforts continue, with private and public support, to develop new types of continuous haulage equipment and systems. Bridge Type System Developments Because they have already been successful in some US and overseas mines, new developments in bridge-type systems will first be touched on. The Long-Airdox Co. has continued to improve both its belted and chain continuous haulage system. In the belted system, the company recently introduced a new design that will be mainly applicable in higher coals and in noncoal mining applications, as shown in the accompanying figure. This new system is equipped with 305-mm-diam (12-in.-diam) pulleys in the bridges and mobile bridge carriers, in place of the 150-mm-diam (6 in.-diam) pulleys in the standard system. The modification is designed primarily to improve belt life and keep belt problems to a minimum. An operator, the Clinchfield Coal Co., a Division of Pittston Coal, developed the detaching of the bridge-type continuous haulage system from the miner by placing a mobile bridge carrier at the head of the string. However, Long-Airdox and Jeffrey have now made this an option to their at¬tached-type system. In the US, there are many chain type haulage systems detached from the miner with an extra MBC at the head. There are two such belted systems

Jan 7, 1982

By D. Savile Davis

D. Savile Davis* (Member): The members of the Chamber of Mines Research Laboratories, headed by Dr Cook, indeed deserve all the plaudits that have been given for the original conception of the rock-cutter, and for the research work that has gone into designing the equipment now being tested. Underground trials with the rock-cutting machines at the Doornfontein Gold Mining Company Limited have been encouraging to the extent that 29 square fathoms of rock have been cut in the past three months with two modified prototype machines. Both the hangingwalI condition of the stope and the control of stoping width have been excellent. So far, however, the rate of production has been too slow and does not compare with conventional stoping methods, due firstly to the time-consuming operation of moving the machine forward and resetting it in its next cutting section and secondly to mechanical defects. Although great strides have been made in improving the tungsten carbide cutting tool, further progress is dependent upon engineering development in the design of a more reliable and versatile machine within economic limits. Commenting briefly on the experiments that have been carried out on the Gold Fields mines, the rock-cutter, when used at the Luipaards Vlei mine, some 600 ft below surface, cut very nearly perfect slots above and below the reef on a stope face but was unable to cut slots in the reef itself. At the Doornfontein mine, however, where the tests are currently being carried out at a depth of 8,000 ft below surface and where there is a much greater pressure acting on the rock face, vertical fracture planes can be clearly seen in the hangingwall running parallel to the face. Owing to the presence of these fracture planes it has been found impossible to cut slots of any depth and the action of the machine is more one of spalling than of cutting, resulting in slabs of combined reef and waste falling from the face as the cutting tool advances. This is accentuated by the existence of a well-defined hangingwall parting plane. Most of the slabbing takes place from the slot cut below the reef to the hangingwalI of the stope. Since waste sorting in narrow conditions and poor lighting is not an efficient operation, the reef together with a proportion of waste rock, has to be removed from the stope. The ripping action of the machine as opposed to slot cutting under these particular conditions may not be a great disadvantage, as the volume of waste which can be packed depends on the ratio of reef width to stope width and with a narrow reef body some waste has to be removed to the surface. In these circumstances mining at depth with this type of machine should not be viewed as selective mining but more correctly mining without explosives. Another type of rock-cutter is being tested by the Gold Fields Group, consisting of a diamond studded rotating disc, which has, to date, cut slots 10 ft in length and averaging 7 1/2 in. in depth. It is, however, too early to comment on the practicability and economics of such a cutter. The great interest that is at present being shown in breaking rock without the use of explosives warrants comment on the Robins raise-borer, recently introduced into South Africa, and used for the first time with great success at the Doornfontein mine.

By Wallace W. Roepke, James C. Church

Introduction The history of mining machine development has been and is one of "bigger is better." While this may not always be true, it is currently the only approach open to machine designers without specific in situ cutting force information. The US Bureau of Mines has tried to modify this approach by supporting research, both in the laboratory and in field tests, that demonstrates that bigger is only better if the equipment is used correctly. In-house research has shown conclusively that deeper cutting reduces both dust and energy (Roepke, Lindroth, and Myren, 1976). This approach has been applied to a large Lee-Norse (LN456) continuous mining machine, which confirmed that slow deep cutting is beneficial and does not have a negative effect on production (Black and Rounds, 1977; Black et al., 1978). Specific in situ engineering data needed on coal cutting forces have not, however, been obtained by field tests with the LN456. Although the machine was instrumented to obtain data on one seam, it would be impractical to move the machine from mine to mine. It became apparent that a portable, easy to use device was needed for obtaining coal cutting forces in situ. Such a device could provide the engineering data needed by manufacturers, the site-specific cutting information needed by operators, and a field research tool to establish correlation with laboratory cutting tests. Design and Development According to a set of design guidelines established by the Bureau, the proposed device should be able to measure cutting forces directly with standard coal cutting bits, be transportable by two miners, and be self-contained. These guidelines were given to Ingersoll-Rand Research Inc. (IRRI). The contractor performed a rigorous review of 16 existing in situ portable tester designs, none of which could use a standard coal cutting bit to measure cutting force directly. These included a wide range of devices, all of which are discussed in the final report (Banerjee and Wisner, 1982). A series of design tradeoffs were established to satisfy initial design guidelines. The final deci¬sion was heavily weighted by an industry survey to determine the preferred concept from four man¬ufacturers and four operators. To assure ease of use with maximum information, all respondents wanted a linear cutting device that could work in seams down to 1 m (40 in.). The final design choice was between a linear and a rotary tester. The rotary tester would cut on an arc in the same manner as a rotary drum machine. It had several faults, however, that could not be resolved within the scope of this contract. The worst was related to arc cutting (Roepke, Lindroth, and Myren, 1976). Since any bit cutting on arc enters the coal at zero depth, goes to maximum depth only at the horizontal centerline, and exits at zero, maximum cutting force is obtained only at the instant the bit crosses the horizontal centerline. This centerline peak response would require that many replications be made with an arc-type cutter to get reliable force information. The arc-type tester would require extensive face preparation to establish the cutting path and extensive wasted clearing cuts to advance the device for additional layers of cuts. The linear tester could be mounted directly on any face or rib with only minor preparation. By its nature, a linear cut at a constant depth provides multiple peak force data over the length of the cut, thus reducing the required number of replications. The final review of these two major design concepts plus indus-

Jan 9, 1983

W. H. Blauvelt, New York, N. Y.—One thought lias been running through my mind during the wholc of this meeting and that is that the scientific and the practical men must recognize very clearly their interdependence. The value of scientific classification of coal is going to be of the very greatest importance to the users, the practical men. Is not the scientific investigation and the great amount of work that is being done in a measure at least lost to the world? Therefore the scientific investigations and the practical needs of the users should bo brought as close together, and the work should be done as closely together, as possible; that is, the scientific man should know what the practical man needs, and the practical man should not feel that the scientific man is merely a theorist. Scientific investigation is going to have a great effeet and be of great valuc to the practical man who is trying to solve his problems. In the subject which I discussed&apos; for instance, we must look to the scientific man to tell us why coal cokes in one way and not In another and why certain coals will do certain things and others, which appear on the surfacc to be generally similar, do not act in the same way. Need or Physical Data on Coal H. J. Rose, Pittsburgh, Pa.—There is a subject which is a sort of hobby of mine; that is, the need for what might be called critical tables of constants for coal. The chemist has big volumes giving constants, such as the density, solubility, specific heat, thermal conductivity and all other physical and chemical data that have been determined for chemical compounds. Data arc also available on many common materials, for example, the density, hardness, modulus of rupture or maximum crushing strength of swamp white oak as compared with some other wood. In fact, physical data for practically cvery hype of wood commercially produced in the world can he found. In the same way the metallurgical man has handbooks giving the properties of alloys, etc., but we havc very little tabulated information about coal. Our principal reference works are the volumes published by the U. S. Bureau of Mines on the proximatc and ultimate analysis and calorific values of coals of the United States. That is 3 pioncer work of enormous value, but we have reached the point where we need more diversified information. Mr. Fulweiler raised the question of the relative strength of the different coals and cokes. Dr. Campbell and Dr. Ashley wanted to have some information on the resistance of coal to air slacking. It was brought out in the discussion that we want to know something about the coking properties of coal. There are any number of physical tests that we need, such as the thermal conductivity of certain coals, the coefficient of expansion, or the coefficient of friction; or other constants. A smattering of such information is scattered through the literature; for instance, a research worker in Wales will report a coefficient of expansion on Wclsh coals and one in South Africa will report something else for one or two kinds of African coals, hut it is difficult to find the information that is needed on our own coals. Would it not be worth while to consider collecting reliable critical

Jan 1, 1930

By Charles Jones

Discussion of the paper of CHARLES COLCOCK JONES, presented at the San Francisco meeting, September, 1915, and printed in Bulletin No. 105, September, 1915, pp. 1887 to 1898. D. A. LYON, Salt Lake City, Utah.-For some years I have been interested in the iron-ore deposits of the Pacific Coast, and I feel very much indebted to Mr. Jones for the information he has given us on this subject. I think that we are also very much indebted to him for having presented this paper, as he has given us reliable data in shape of facts and figures, which is just what we need in considering whether or not it would be commercially feasible to attempt to establish an iron and steel industry on the Pacific Coast. Personally, due to lack of market, I do not think it is a commercially feasible proposition at the present time. Mr. Jones states that pig iron can be produced on this coast as cheaply as it can be produced in Pittsburgh. Even. so, what can be done, with it after it is produced? To begin with, iron produced on the. Pacific Coast has to compete with iron produced in China. Last year I had occasion to investigate the subject of the market for iron and, steel on the Pacific slope, and found that it was possible for the producers of Chinese iron to sell it for much less than the price for which iron can be produced in the West, and also for less than eastern pig iron is now sold for, even when shipped through the Panama Canal. I was informed that the agents for Chinese iron had instructions to sell it for $1 or $2 less per ton than that asked for other irons on the market. Of course, I realize that the competition of Chinese iron may not be important, but even if it is not, and even though pig iron ,can be produced at the cost given by Mr. Jones in his paper, I do not see any immediate chance of its being so produced, due to lack of market. C. C. JONES, Los Angeles, Cal.-Mr. Lyon is right. It is a fact that Chinese pig is being sold in San Francisco on some large contracts at $18.50 a ton, while $19 is the usual price. We ought to produce iron. on this coast at $14. Personally I do not think Chinese iron is ever going to be an important factor. It is a bugbear out here now. You are not going to have much Chinese pig iron in .this country. Our little friend Japan is going to absorb everything it can. The price of Chinese pig iron at $18 is about as low as it will ever get. If we can show you that we can produce this iron here at the same price as at Pittsburgh, I. think you will have a good opportunity to compete with anything China or India can ever do. Costs there are very low now. They are going to come up by leaps and bounds in the next few years. The labor cost over there may be very low now, but I. have seen some men from there quite recently

Jan 12, 1915

By Steve O. Green

Introduction The US coal mining industry is in the midst of a serious economic crisis. To overcome increased operating costs, operators must take advantage of technological advancements in mining systems and equipment. A relatively new concept available to underground operators is that of extending the cutting depth for continuous mining machines (continuous miners). This system is referred to as deep-cut mining, and may be described as mining cuts to depths greater than the standard 6 m (20 ft). Productivity is increased through the reduction in continuous miner tram time since the machine stays longer in each working face. To successfully implement a deep-cut mining system, three problems must be overcome: Exposing personnel to unsupported roof, methane removal, and controlling respirable dust. Remote control cutting The solution to the unsupported roof problem is remote control. Recent advances in remote operation, especially in radio remote controls, have resulted in what is generally accepted as a safe and reliable tool. By installing remote control on the continuous miner, the operator and helper can now be stationed in a supported area. This allows for improved visibility while cutting coal. With this in mind, the limiting factor now becomes the position of the haulage equipment operator. North River No. 1 uses Joy 21SC shuttle cars and Jeffrey 4110 diesel ramcars. These cars are pulled against the bumper of the continuous miner. Thirteen meters (43 ft) can be cut with the shuttle car and 14 m (45 ft) with the Ramcar before the operator of the car is inby permanent supports. By loading away from the bumper, about 1.5 m (5 ft) can be added, bringing total cut depths up to 14.5 and 15 m (48 and 50 ft), respectively. Methane removal The second problem involves methane removal, and the line curtain-to-face distance. In other words, how to maintain the line curtain to allow sufficient ventilation to remove methane and not expose workers to unsupported roof. The solution, in most cases, is to use a blowing-type ventilation system. Unlike the exhausting system that, to be effective, must be installed within 3 m (10 ft) of the working face, the blowing system can be effective at greater distances from the face. Numerous studies have documented the advantages of a blowing-type ventilation system over an exhausting system. Furthermore, a blowing system can be significantly improved by in¬creasing the velocity of the air delivered without increasing the volume of air. With this greater ventilation efficiency, it is possible to secure ventilation plan approval from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) for a greater curtain set-back distance. This eliminates the need for personnel to travel inby permanent supports to extend the face brattice. The distance from the face MSHA will approve, however, is on a mine-by-mine basis. MSHA will evaluate the particular mine&apos;s face methane liberation rates, along with the specific proposals regarding face ventilation volumes and velocities. Dust control The third problem is controlling respirable dust. This is actually a result of the solution to the second problem. In the blowing system, while mining on the slab cut, both the continuous miner and haulage units are located on the dusty side of the line curtain (Fig. 1). In the early 1970s, underground operators virtually abandoned this system, in order to comply with the 2 mg/m3 (0.87 gr per cu ft) federal dust standards. The blowing face curtain did offer increased face ventilation efficiency. With that, greater curtain-to-face distances were also

Jan 8, 1987

By J. L. Rodda, R. L. Wilcox, E. C. Truesdale

IN recent years various problems in connection with research work on the preparation and properties of zinc-base alloys have required reliable information concerning the constitution of the zinc-rich portion of the iron-zinc equilibrium diagram. On numerous occasions rather positive indications were obtained that, for example, the solubility of iron in zinc was incorrectly represented on .the current equilibrium diagrams.. A careful study of all the available literature relating to the iron-zinc system led to the conclusion that much of the early work was unsatisfactory as measured by present standards of experimental accuracy, and as a result it was decided to redetermine the location of the liquidus curve and of adjacent portions of the diagram. Part I. of this paper comprises a description of the experimental methods and a summary of the results by means of which the zinc-rich end of the iron-zinc diagram has been revised in the following ways: 1. Measurements of the solubility of iron in liquid zinc by several different sampling methods, leading to a relocation of the liquidus curve. 2. Microscopic, conductivity, and X-ray studies of the solid solubility of iron in zinc, which, together with thermal analyses, have resulted in new values for the solid solubility and the eutectic temperature and composition. 3. Heating and cooling curves, obtained by a refined differential method, leading to new locations for the two peritectic horizontals. In Part II of the paper the attempt is made to review all of the published work having a bearing on the constitution of the iron-zinc system, and to correlate the present results, and some recently published data

Jan 1, 1935