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By Ch. Wenzl

Anodes must have a certain physical and chemical quality in order to provide uniform anodic corrosion and meet the requirements of electrorefining, i.e. to achieve a high current efficiency, low energy consumption, low amount of anode scrap and low effort together with high cathode quality. Various properties of the anodes can be influenced directly by the casting process, which is the interface of pyro- and hydrometallurgy of copper. The aims of anode casting ? high output and long mould lifetimes ? are not consistent with good physical anode quality. The physical requirements of an anode are smooth surfaces, uniform weight and thickness, minimal edge effects, minimal distortion of the body and the lugs, as well as a homogeneous microstructure, in order to achieve uniform dissolution behaviour. The chemical quality of the anode copper is a task of electrorefining operations, but the elemental distribution within the anodes, which should be as homogeneous as possible in order to provide uniform anodic corrosion, can be influenced by the casting process.

Jan 1, 2007

By R. Haldenwang, R. Erasmus, P. T. Slatter, R. P. Chhabra

Notches are used routinely for measuring the flow rate of water with free surface flows. As far as can be ascertained, no work has been done to investigate the performance of these flow rate measurement devices for non-Newtonian suspensions. The Flow Process Research Centre at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology has investigated the flow rate of kaolin and bentonite suspensions from a tank for two notch shapes, namely rectangular and triangular, and for 3 different concentrations of each suspension. The notches were calibrated using water and then the kaolin and bentonite suspensions were tested in them. The rheological characterisation of the fluids was done with a Paar Physica MC-1 rotary viscometer fitted with a cup and roughened bob. Analysis of the results shows a significant increase in discharge coefficient with increase in concentration, and the discharge coefficient has been correlated to the yield stress. This is the first such study, and further investigation is needed to confirm and extend these findings.

Jan 1, 2007

By Y. Zimmels, C. Feldman

Closed-circuit grinding processes are considered in the context of a reactor-separator circuit that involves multifraction streams and products. Because grinding circuits are low-efficiency, capital-intensive operations, modeling to maximize their economic return is appropriate. An attempt to develop and test such a model is presented in this work. The model relies on process simulation for both the mill and the separator, in conjunction with constraints imposed by product specifications. The grinding process was simulated using breakage functions, which provided complete data on the feed and product of the mill. A cyclone bank used as the separator was also simulated using known models. The overall process model provided a complete simulation of the multistream grinding and separation process. The process model was then incorporated into an economic model that predicts grinding cost, subject to process constraints, for a given set of operating variables. The model facilitates economic optimization of the grinding process as it relates to process variables and process hardware.

Jan 1, 1993

DEFENSE Materials Procurement Agency has been moving rapidly to encourage copper industry expansion programs. Although copper production is at a high level, a shortage exists on a world-wide basis as well as on the domestic scene. Projected expansion programs will not ease this current demand for most of them are 2 to 5 years off. Refining facilities are adequate but there is a shortage of ore and scrap, and it is for this reason that the expansion programs are directed at developing more sources of supply. The domestic expansion programmed thus far and understood to have been arranged with price escalation should the domestic price go to 271/20, were summarized by American Metal Markets as follows (dates of announcement are given in parenthesis: .1-Copper Cities Mining Co.'s, $15,000,000 expansion near Miami, Ariz., to be operating about 1954. DMPA will buy 22,500 tons of copper a year up to a given amount on an agreed price of 23¢ per pound, with some exceptions and depending upon salability at a higher price to other purchasers in the U. S. (September 25th). 2-An RFC loan of $60,000 to North Butte Mining Co. to be paid off on the basis of deliveries at a purchase price of 241/20 per pound (September 25th). 3-A $25,000,000 expansion program by Phelps Dodge to provide 38,000 tons per year by late 1954. DMPA would purchase it at a price of 22¢ per pound up to 112,500 tons providing other purchasers in the U. S. will not pay a higher price (September 26th). 4-Anaconda Copper Mining Co. $40,000,000 expansion in Nevada to provide more than 30,000 (might be increased to 45,000) tons per year. DMPA would purchase the copper at 250 per pound for a limited period of time if it is not salable to industrial users at above this price. Production would start around 1953 (November 14th).

Jan 1, 1952

A mineral exploration manager's prime function is to provide a frame- work within which new mine production can be achieved. As part of this framework, the manager should know his employerb future requirements, and should direct exploration towards those particular mineral commodities which indicate satisfactory growth in consumption and price. Selection of these commodities can be assisted by studies of world reserves, and long term trends in price and consumption. Exploration planning is most efficient with an assured and reasonably uniform supply of funds.

Jan 1, 1980

By A. R. T. Denues

LIQUID-OXYGEN explosives commonly consist of a carbonaceous absorbent enclosed in a canvas wrapper and soaked with a liquid con-taining more than 90 mol per cent of oxygen. Investigation of these explosives in this country was initiated in 1917 by George S. Rice, then Chief Mining Engineer of the Bureau of Mines. The early development is summarized in two papers.1,2 Their characteristics, advantages and disadvantages were considered in a recent bulletin of the Bureau of Mines.3 Other publications of this Bureau4,5 treat the technology of these explosives and contain adequate references to pertinent literature. These investigations defined the properties of liquid-oxygen explosives and improved them greatly; however, an outstanding disadvantage is their high inflammability, a property of critical practical importance. These explosives as hitherto prepared are easily inflamed; the combustion resulting from an accidental ignition is particularly dangerous because of the ease with which it passes into detonation. For this reason the Bureau of Mines undertook a cooperative investigation, which has resulted in the development of fire-retardant treatment for the minimiza-tion or elimination of this hazard without materially impairing the explosive properties, including the ease of detonation. This presentation will offer a general description of the investigation and the outstanding results. Further phases will appear in subsequent short papers, and the entire investigation including the results of detailed experiments will be available in a forthcoming bulletin of the Bureau of Mines (Bull. 429). The effects produced by fire-retardant treatments of the carbonaceous absorbent and of the canvas wrappers were investigated separately, and the efficacy of combinations of these treatments with particular reference to the possibility of inflammation and to the development of detonation from inflammation was studied. The experimental explosive was pre-pared from a granular carbonaceous absorbent and the results described may be more or less unique for such a material. An extensive preliminary

Jan 1, 1940

By Robert H. Richards

The extent to which sizing by sieves should be carried, as a preliminary to the separation, by jigging, of minerals of different specific gravities, has been a matter of controversy for many years. The subject has been investigated by several authorities, yet the ground does not seem to have been completely covered, nor are the questions involved entirely settled. For my present purpose I shall refer to but three investigators—Rittinger, Munroe, and Hoppe. In seeking additional light, I have gone over part of the old ground which has been considered satisfactorily settled; and since these preliminary tests have thrown light on some points, they have been included in this paper. In the investigations here described, I have confined myself, for several reasons, wholly to small sizes—grains of 0.1 inch in diameter and less. Rittinger's work was mainly done upon larger sizes, and there is much need among millmen of information concerning the smaller sizes. Moreover, these sizes brought the investigation within the means at my disposal. The laws that have been claimed as the laws of jigging by the several authorities are: 1. The law of equal-settling particles. 2. The lam of interstitial currents. 3. The law of acceleration. 4. The law of suction. The first of these has been considered by investigators, generally, to be the most important of all, and the larger part of the work of jigging is thought to be governed by it. But that it does not cover the whole of jigging is clear to all; and to account for the increased efficiency which we may call the extra jigging-catch, the other three laws have been advanced. The investigation described in this paper was undertaken to determine, as far as possible, to what extent each of the four laws con-

Jan 1, 1895

The working of alluvial deposits has from all times been a popular form of mining, not only from the simplieity of its operations, but also, in its more primitive stages, from the possibility of carrying it on without large capital, without skilled lahour, expensive plant, long terms of preparatory work, or, in fact, any other requisite than a shovel, a dish, and a stout pair of arms. It is possibly one of the oldest industries, and probably, also, it has been one of the most profitable.In tbe Australian States the happy days of rid alluvial deposits, when gold was to be hltd for the shovelling, are now almost over. The lust for gold has caused almost every corner of the world to be ransacked, and the more easily earned wealth to he exhausted: for the most part there remain now those deposits only which are too poor to be profitably worked by means of the implements and methods of old times. But, though the deposits have become poorer, the keen inventiveness of man has devised means whereby such large quantIties can be treated at a cost so low that he can still make a profit out of them. In this article, out of the many means devised, three only will be referred to-viz., hydraulic sluicing, bucket dredging, and hydraulic dredging. All mining may be divided into three principal operations-1st, the breaking down and conveying of the ground to where it is to be treated for the recovery of the metallic values, 2nd, the treatment of the material for the recovery of those values; and, 3rd) the removal of the worthless material or tailings. In all mining the object is to effect these three processes for the least expenditure of money commensurate with the highest degree of efficiency.

Jan 1, 1907

By R. J. Mitchell

"Centrifuge modelling of earth structures is a well-proven technique for evaluating the performance of prototype structures using physical models. The applications of this technique have increased dramatically during the last decade such that even the modelling of dynamic responses in structures has been accomplished.This paper presents the first model test results used to design a mine backfill. The models were tested using a 3 m radius 30 g-tonne geotechnical centrifuge which was constructed at Queen's University specifically for model studies on mine backfill stability and subsidence. The models represent the first production blast-hole stope to be mined at Westmin Resources Ltd. 's H. ~ Mine on Vancouver Island. This paper includes photographs of:model failures in the centrifuge and correlations of model test results with analyses based on unconfined and triaxial test data.IntroductionDuring the feasibility study and development stages for the H.W. Mine, Westmin Resources Ltd. conducted a comprehensive rock mechanics and backfill engineering program. The results of these studies indicated the need for assurance of backfill stability during pillar recovery on the initial blast-hole mining block. The cemented tailings backfill had to be free standing for heights up to 25 m and the potential for surcharge loading from a weak hanging wall zone, the potential for fill block sliding down-dip and the potential for seismic loading had to be considered in the design of the fill strength. The basic questions to be answered were: what cement content is required and will the resulting backfill costs be economic relative to the proposed mining method and sequence? Figure I shows a typical cross-section through the first mining block . The up-dip stope is to be mined first and backfilled with cemented tailings . The down-dip stope would then be mined and filled. Depending on ground conditions encountered, the complete intervening pillar could be recovered and the void backfilled with uncemented tailings or it could be recovered in small sections by exposing limited back and wall areas, backfilling with waste rock and I or cemented tailings . This latter method is commonly referred to as the Avoca method"

Jan 1, 1987

By Moo Eob Choi

A new process for converting sulfur dioxide to elemental sulfur by a cyclic process involving calcium sulfide and calcium sulfate without generating secondary pollutants was developed at the University of Utah. In this process, sulfur dioxide is reacted with calcium sulfide to produce elemental sulfur and calcium sulfate. The latter is reduced by hydrogen to regenerate calcium sulfide. In the present work, the effects of different pelletization conditions for the initial reactant calcium sulfate on the strength and reactivity of the pellets were determined. These conditions include the type, amount, and impregnation method of catalyst, binder amount, and sintering. Experiments were also performed to determine the effects of temperature in the range of 973-1173 K, pellet size, cycle repetition, and water vapor or carbon dioxide content in sulfur dioxide stream on the reaction rates of the cyclic process. Nickel-catalyzed fired pellets produced by the use of molasses or cement as a binder showed good reactivity as well as high compressive strength during the cyclic tests. The binder amount did not significantly affect the reaction rate.

Jan 1, 2006

By L. H. Schwartz, M. V. Nevitt

THE phase Ti2Ni has been described by Laves and Wallbaum,1 who found the phase to be face-centered cubic with 96 atoms per cell, by Duwez and Taylor,2 who confirmed these observations and reported a lattice parameter of 11.333A, and by Rostoker,' who reported the structure to be isomorphous with the double carbide Fe,W,C, type E93, and to have a lattice parameter of 11.29A. In this study a group of isostructural phases has been found among alloys of certain second and third long-period transition elements. The systems investigated included all the combinations of zirconium and hafnium with the Group VIII elements rhodium, palladium, iridium, and platinum. There is evidence that many of these new Ti2Ni-type phases require oxygen for their stability in the temperature ranges in which they were studied. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Alloy samples weighing 5 g were prepared by arc-melting metals whose purity is indicated in Table I in a helium-argon atmosphere. Samples of the as-cast buttons, wrapped in molybdenum foil and sealed in evacuated quartz tubes, were

Jan 1, 1959

By Bevan JE

The US Bureau of Mines is conducting research to improve the health and safety for underground coal miners, and the efficiency of the mining systems that are used. In 1986, the Bureau began a major research effort on the technology for computer-assisted mining systems for underground coal mines. The initial target was technology for continuous mining machines that would allow them to extract coal by computer-assisted operation. Technology areas being investigated include guidance systems, machine condition systems, computer systems, machine control, human-machine interfaces and planning. In each of these areas, individual system development has progressed to where underground testing of these systems will begin in 1991.In addition to coal extraction, the Bureau has also begun research for the development of technology for computer-assisted roof bolting. The Bureau is developing technology for a "smart" roof bolter that would be able to sense and analyze strata conditions to determine the requirements to provide a competent roof. The system would determine the location of the hole, drill the hole to length, and select and install the appropriate bolt.

Jan 1, 1991

By Victor V. Nazimko

Longwall mining technology without interpanel pillars is feasible from a geomechanical point of view. A set of pillarless longwall layouts are proposed including tailentry pillar recovery, headentry pillar recovery and drivage of a new tailentry, partial headentry pillar recovery and combination mining in which advancing panel entries are used for retreating panels. The following mitigative measures are proposed in order to enhance the stability of entries near the panel: driving crosscuts obliquely to the longwall face line, advance support of entries and crosscuts, localized destressing of the chain pillars by horizontal slotting, and partial stowing of the gobs behind the pillars being recovered. A new technology of recovering barrier pillars on the setup entry side is also proposed. This technology uses the same regular longwall face for interpanel pillars extraction.

Jan 1, 1994

By David Turnbull

IN most reactions involving solids the transformation kinetics may be represented by the combination of two processes-those of nucleation and of growth. For example, Mehl and his coworkers 1,2 in their studies on the transformation of austenite to pearlite in steels have been able to describe the kinetics in terms of the rates of nucleation and of growth. By micrographic examination of their specimens they determined the nucleation rate (rate of appearance of pearlite colonies) as a function of time, of percent transformation, and of temperature. They observed that after an incubation period in which no nuclei are observed, the number of nuclei appearing per unit time per unit of untransformed grain boundary area, increases at an increasng rate with time. When recrystallization rates have been interpreted in terms of rates of nucleation and growth and the rate of nucleation determined, an incubation period followed by an increasing rate of nucleation has also been reported. Among the studies in which this phenomenon has been observed are those of Kornfeld and coworkers3 on cold-drawn aluminum wire, of Anderson and Mehl4 on the recrystallization of aluminum sheet, and of Stanley and Mehl5 on the recrystallization of silicon ferrite sheet. The existence of an incubation period during which no nuclei are observed does not appear to have been reconciled with the generally accepted Volmer-Becker theory of nucleation in condensed systems. This theory ostensibly requires the rate of appearance of nuclei to be independent of time. VOLMER-BECKER THEORY In order to form a stable nucleus of a new phase B in a mother phase A, the molecules or atoms of the mother phase must surmount a free energy barrier whose height is determined by the volume free energy change accompanying the transformation and the energy of the surface separating the two phases. The free energy difference between nuclei of various sizes and the molecules or atoms of the mother phase is plotted schematically in Fig I as a function of the radius of the nucleus r. This free energy difference is plotted for two values of the change of free energy per atom, (fB - fA) accompanying the transformation when the volumes of the two phases are infinite. One of these values of (fa-fA) corresponds to a temperature above the temperature To at which the phases A and B are in equilibrium, and the other to a temperature below To. In order for a nucleus of phase B to be stable at a temperature T2 < To, its radius must be equal to or greater than the critical value r* for which the free energy of formation of the nucleus is a maximum, ?f*. Aggregates of phase B having radii equal to or less than r* will be called embryos. Mehl and Jetter,6 in discussing the kinetics of nucleation in solid systems, suppose that embryos of critical size are formed

Jan 1, 1948

By Pirooz Barar

The new Stanley Hall building will house the center for bio-engineering and technology research for the UC Berkeley campus. The structure is located at the northeast part of campus, adjacent to Donner Lab, on the west side of Galey Road, approximately 600 ft. from the Hayward Fault. The building site has a complex geological formation. To the east there are clayey soil shale formations, and to the west there is greywake shattered sandstone. The water table is at 10 ft. below grade. The structure will consist of 6 levels below grade and 8 levels above grade, which calls for an 83 ft. deep excavation on the northeast side. There is an approximately 35 ft. grade differential between the east and west sides of the building. Because of this severe grade differential, as well as high water tables, the lateral forces on the building due to uneven earth pressures would have been 2 times the magnitude of the seismic forces. To mitigate the lateral earth pressures, a permanent Soil Nailed Wall, integrated with the structural system of the building was designed. PB&A, Inc.?s in-house design program ?Winslope? was utilized to design the system and the data obtained from a rigorous monitoring program, were used to calibrate several computer runs using Plaxis program.

Jan 1, 2004

G. K. BURGESS,* Washington, D. C.-In the service tests, the Advisory Committee on Aeronautics considered it highly necessary, particularly for seaplanes, to find out whether or not it was necessary to paint exposed parts; reports have been obtained but have not been pub-lished at the present time. Investigations were carried on at three Navy Yards. On just a hurried examination, the inspection was made about two weeks ago and the results are now being digested an examination shows that the aluminum alloys, whether painted or unpainted, stand up very well. It apparently is not necessary to paint, which, of course, is a very important item in the question of the weight of seaplanes. We will be able to report on that, I expect, probably at the next meeting.

Jan 12, 1919

By J. Launay

In order to control and dispatch the sewage water coming from 3 tunnels toward 2 downstream sewage tunnels, a large cavern has been excavated in a suburb of PARIS. Located at a depth of 47,00 m, it has been excavated using the NATM procedure through swelling clay, weathered sandstone, and marl and chalk. It is 16,50 m high, 12,40 m wide and 60, 00 m long, with an elliptical cross-section and its two ends are egg-shapped. The final lining of the cavern is composed of 30 to 40 cm of shotcrete, steel ribs and passive anchor bars. The excavation stages and related movements were surveyed by extensometers, pressure cells and convergence devices. The design, method of construction of the cavern and the results of the measurements made are commented.

Jan 1, 1989

By Roy J. Greenfield, Charles H. Stoyer

A geophysical survey was made in Kylertown, Pa., in an area where the ground water is polluted with acid mine drainage. Since acid mine water is a good electrical conductor, both direct-current electrical and electromagnetic loop methods were examined for their ability to determine the subsurface electrical conductivity structure and from this to imply the location of the acid water. Consistent results were obtained with the two methods and the interpreted subsurface resistivities were consistent with the electrical resistivity measured for water samples. It was demonstrated that fracture traces which act as conduits for ground water flow can be located with electromagnetic surveying methods. Thus geophysical methods for measuring subsurface electtrical resistivity can be used to advantage for monitoring the environmental impact on the ground-water system of acid mine water.

Jan 1, 1977

By A. H. Shapiro, W. –F. Leung

A decanter centrifuge of novel design was developed for the dewatering of fine-solids slurries having micrometer-range particles that form pastelike, flowable, hard-to-dewater cakes. The design combines a compound beach with a cake flow control structure that allows expressed liquid, from the cake in the dry beach region to be returned to the liquid pool while maintaining a high-solids throughput. To provide optimal performance with various operating parameters (i.e., feed rate, centrifugal gravity, pool, differential speed, concentration of feed solids and slurry type), the cake flow control is adjustable. The second part of the beach is preferably at a zero angle. Tests showed that the new design allows increases in solids dryness and solids throughput. Key words: Dewatering, Centrifuge, Slurry, Fine particles, Beach decanter, Cake-flow control

Jan 1, 2003

By D. G. Osborne

"The paper describes current &apos;tools&apos; available to the coal preparation engineer for carrying out the evaluation of data, process design, selection of equipment and layout and design of coal preparation plants.Laboratory and pilot-scale equipment is widely available and test data can be used to provide valuable design information regarding capacities and sizing for specific applications. Pilot plants, unless they fit closely to the basic design envisaged for the eventual commercial plant, C(In often provide only limited useful information.Computing aids such as equipment simulation, plant modelling, etc. are becoming widely applied for establishing design criteria and investigating flowsheet options . Other computer tools such as computer-aided design systems are taking over some of the time-consuming tasks of detailed layout and design and estimation of quantities, etc. and providing the means for detailed examination of more than a single option.Besides computer modelling there is also physical modelling of plant buildings, plant sites and entire proposed mining areas; the former can be especially useful in finalizing design and threading&apos; pipework and electrical reticulation systems through the plant without the resultant risk of impairment of flow, obstruction or wastefulness. Not the least of the benefits of plant models is the assistance provided for training new operating and maintenance staff."

Jan 1, 1985