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By A L. de Ambrosis, S J. Clarke

In the non-codified realm of tunnel design there are issues which are sure-fire instigators of controversy. This paper presents a discussion regarding one particular issue which in the authors’ experience often results in comment and debate. This issue only forms part of the rock load assessment process, but it is specifically addressed with the intention of presenting a rational basis for design, which may result in broader acceptance within the tunnel design community.The issue considered relates to the characterisation of in situ rock stresses for the design of tunnel support in the Sydney Basin. A summary is given of the literature on the topic, with emphasis on the main sources of uncertainty and contention. A design approach is proposed, with particular focus given to the numerical modelling of in situ ground stresses and the approach used to ensure that the adopted stress regime is consistent with the assumed ground model. The resulting variability in the initial stress field is discussed and comparisons made to the test database.CITATION:de Ambrosis, A L and Clarke, S J, 2014. Characterisation of in situ stresses for tunnel lining design in the Sydney?Basin, in Proceedings 15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2014 , pp 247–252 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 17, 2014

By T. H. Dubaniewicz

Fiber-optic technology is progressing rapidly, including the development of fiber-optic sensors for many applications. These sensors have the advantages of high sensitivity, light weight, small size, high bandwidth, and freedom from electromagnetic influences. The U.S. Bureau of Mines is investigating the use of fiber-optic technology to monitor mine atmospheres. This report describes a methane monitor based on differential absorption of infrared light. The monitor can detect methane concentrations as low as 0.2 vol pct as far away as 2 km via fiber-optic cable. The upper range is 100 vol pct methane. Since the system requires no electrical power within the mine, it is intrinsically safe.

Jan 1, 2010

By Z. Sample, S. Kaushik

"INTRODUCTION Industries around the globe have been making significant advancements in recent years due to innovations in automation technology. With the implementation of modern automation technology, professionals in process automation or plant operations can expect significant and exciting change, and the mining and mineral processing industries are no exception. From 2000 to 2010, the International Council on Mining & Metals (ICMM) reported that an increased output and increased value of most metals has resulted in a rise in global metal and mineral process industries from $214 billion to $644 billion. [1] Since most productivity increases in mining and mineral process industries have been achieved through the ability to process lower grade ores with improved efficiency and larger equipment, these industries have begun to adopt advanced automation and control technologies. Despite a growth slow-down, the mining and mineral processing industries are poised for continued and sustainable growth and development due to an increasing demand for energy minerals and emerging technologies requiring minerals and metals previously not demand. However, as these industries becomes more automated, new challenges are arising on the horizon. DEMOGRAPHIC TIME BOMB John Payne from BP is credited with first using the term Demographic Time Bomb to describe the upcoming crisis in the process industry in finding experienced operations personnel. From a survey of 912 mining professionals, Stratum International found that a mere 0.4% of senior level candidates were between the ages of 25 and 34 and a similar proportion aged over 75 years. This indicates that there is both a deficiency of young skilled workers and a skilled workforce that is retiring earlier than the previous generation. Combined with data published by the US Department of Labor stating that the median age of the mining workforce is approaching 50 years old, this implies that these skilled mining and mineral process professionals are an aging population with irreplaceable knowledge and experience that are expected to retire in the next 5-10 years. While it is projected that the labor pool will be sufficient to fill open positions, the real question is if this young workforce will have necessary skill sets and experiences."

Jan 1, 2015

By Derek J. Fray

The need for on-line sensors is outlined and it is demonstrated that the control of many processes is prevented by the availability of these devices. The use of solid electrolytes is described for the sensing of elements in molten pyrometallurgical phases. In the cases where there is no suitable electrolyte, the addition of a second phase of a compound containing both the element to be measured and the element whose ion is mobile in the electrolyte can be used. For the measurement of high concentrations of an element a method based on current measurement is proposed.

Jan 1, 1994

Late Cretaceous and early Tertiary coals in the Greymouth, Ohai and Kaitangata coalfields represent a major national energy resource comprising-up to 2500 x 106 tonnes of coal in ground. The three coalfields are closely related in terms of age and sedimentary and structural character. The most striking feature common to all is the complexity of the geology which has severely restricted exploration and mining of these coal resources. This complexity is manifest in the irregular lensoid nature of coal seams and by the incidence of unpredictable medium and small scale faulting and folding. There are many geological similarities between these coalfields which are considered to arise from a common origin which can be related to the plate tectonic evolution of the southwest Pacific region. In order to efficiently assess and exploit these coal resources it will be necessary to know their geology in great detail. This can he achieved by increasing the understanding of the sedimentary and structural evolution of the coal bearing basins. This knowledge may be gained by the application of traditional (ie drilling, field mapping) and innovative techniques (ie high resolution seismic, in seam seismic) with on going research-oriented studies (ie basin analysis, coal petrography).

Jan 1, 1987

By J. Schnarr, D. Deever, E. Johnson

"The above committee sent out a questionnaire to the gold mines for the purpose of learning what units and methods are currently in use in the mines as the first step in an attempt to agree on standard units to be used in any papers or reports that may be given to other mines or presented at meetings. The next step is to try to arrive at acceptable standard units for reporting and methods of making tests. It was suggested by Mr. J. Jardine of Eldorado Mining and Refining that the use of the metric system should be seriously considered. It was also brought out that there was no intention of having any mine change their methods to the standard for internal reporting as this would involve too much change. However for external reporting there shouldn't be too much difficulty in converting to the accepted standard units.On the following pages are the reports of those mines that replied to the questionnaire.MALARTIC GOLD FIELDS LIMITEDP.A. Coulter1. All assays - Ounces per ton2. Consumption of reagents - Pounds per ton3. Reagent strength of solutions - Pounds per ton4. Reducing Power - As described in C 0 I.L, Analysis of Cyanide Solutions5. Pulp Densities - Grams per litre6. Screen Analysis (Tailings) A sample of 150 gms is washed on a 200 mesh screen. The plus 200 mesh material is dried and ro-tapped for fifteen minutes. The plus 200 mesh portions are weighed cumulatively (the balance is considered -200 mesh) and reported in per cent."

Jan 1, 1967

By E. Tulcanaza

Mining companies normally establish exploration and research programs originated with actions in embryonic stage. At their early stages of development, these exploration and technological activities are subject to uncertainties that need, first, to be resolved, deciphered or, at least, mitigated for information reporting; and later, for valuation reporting. Under these circumstances, these exploration activities follow a sequence of development phases that range from exploration work to the profile, conceptual, and finally to basic engineering phases and construction. For information reporting, the International Template for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves integrates the minimum standards being adopted by the relevant professional bodies in Australia, Canada, South Africa, Chile, USA, UK, Ireland, and other European countries which set up the Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO, www.crirsco.com). These standards are based on the progressive collection of relevant information to reduce present and future uncertainties over time under a context of transparency, materiality, and technical competence. For valuation reporting several procedures have been disclosed and applied. However, in the last decades financial instruments such as real options, decision analysis, and games theory have developed into a niche of great potential for mine valuation applications. The objective of this paper is to provide a summary of the information reporting standards prepared by the Chilean National Commission for the Qualification of Competent Persons in Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves and show a procedure and an application of real options to the valuation of the sequential development phases of a mine asset from the exploration stage through up to full development.

Jan 1, 2007

By G. W. Crane

WHEN ore was discovered on the Tintic Standard property in the spring of 1916, new developments were immediately started both north and south of that property, on the supposition that in East Tintic the ore would be found to occur in northerly trending channels, similar to those so characteristic of the older camp. But 9 years of developments have failed to establish the existence of such a channel. This is due undoubtedly to important differences in the geology of the two camps, that were not recognized, and is indicative of the danger in the general tendency toward interpreting the geology of East Tintic too strictly in terms of that of the older camp. It should not be forgotten that while the two sections have had practically the same geological history, the net results of a long series of geologic processes have developed in them conditions that differ so widely and in so many particulars that the necessity of regarding them as essentially different districts seems apparent. In an effort to emphasize this fact, this paper is devoted chiefly to a comparison of the geological conditions as found in the two camps and is addressed more particularly to those familiar with the geology of the Tintic district. Following a short description of the several ore discoveries and of the Tintic Standard mine is a brief discussion of the evidence of ore channels in East Tintic. For my information regarding the Tintic Standard mine, I am indebted to the courtesy and generous assistance of Messrs. Wade and Snow of the Tintic Standard Mining Co.

Jan 9, 1925

By Robert H. Leach, C. H. Chatfield

This paper gives a brief summary of the process of manufacture of sterling silver, and some of its more important physical properties, as observed in conlmercial production of rolled sheet and wire. Although papers have been published by Turner and Smith,1 Rose,2 Sperry3 and Jordaq4 there are few technical data available, and unfortunately the time allowed for the preparation of this paper has not been sufficient to make it as comprehensive as the title might indicate. Analysis of Steeling Silver Fine or pure silver is too soft for coinage and the manufacture of articles in which strength and resistance to wear are desired. From the earliest times of which we have record, copper has been the metal generally used to harden silver. Analyses of coins and silver articles from ancient tombs show varying amounts of copper, and old Roman silver objects in the British Museum have approximately the same ana,lysis as our sterling. The first authentic record of the establishment of a standard alloy is during the reign of Henry I1 in England. During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the people in the Eastern Provinces of Germany had a reputation for the standard and purity of their silver coinage, and it is said that Henry II employed some of these Easterlings, as they were called, to improve and standardize the English coinage, which had become debased. The peculiar standard adopted is probably accounted for by the system of weights used. A troy pound contains

By Robert H. Leach, C. H. Chatfield

THIS paper gives a brief summary of the process of manufacture of sterling silver, and some of its more important physical properties, as observed in commercial production of rolled sheet and wire. Although papers have been published by Turner and Smith,1 Rose,2 Sperry3 and Jordan,4 there are few technical data available, and unfortunately the time allowed for the preparation of this paper has not been sufficient to make it as comprehensive as the title might indicate. ANALYSIS OF STERLING SILVER Fine or pure silver is too soft for coinage and the manufacture of articles in which strength and resistance to wear are desired. From the earliest times of which we have record, copper has been the metal generally used to harden silver. Analyses of coins and silver articles from ancient tombs show varying amounts of copper, and old Roman silver objects in the British Museum have approximately the same analysis as our sterling. The first authentic record of the establishment of a stand¬ard alloy is during the reign of Henry II in England. During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the people in the Eastern Provinces of Germany had a reputation for the standard and purity of their silver coinage, and it is said that Henry II employed some of these Easterlings, as they were called, to improve and standardize the English coinage, which had become debased. The peculiar standard adopted is probably accounted for by the system of weights used. A troy pound contains

Jan 1, 1928

By Robert Leach

THIS paper gives a brief summary of the process of manufacture of sterling silver, and some of its more important physical properties, as observed in commercial production of rolled sheet and wire. Although papers have been published by Turner and Smith,1 Rose,2 Sperry3 and Jordan,4 there are few technical data available, and unfortunately the time allowed for the preparation of this paper has not been sufficient to make it as comprehensive as the title might indicate. ANALYSIS OF STERLING SILVER Fine or pure silver is too soft for coinage and the manufacture of articles in which strength and resistance to wear are desired. From the earliest times of which we have record, copper has been the metal generally used to harden silver. Analyses of coins and silver articles from ancient tombs show varying amounts of copper, and old Roman silver objects in the British Museum have approximately the same analysis as our sterling. The first authentic record of the establishment of a standard alloy is during the reign of Henry II in England. During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the people in the Eastern Provinces of Germany had a reputation for the standard and purity of their silver coinage, and it is said that Henry II employed some of these Easterlings, as they were called, to improve and standardize the English coinage, which had become debased. The peculiar standard adopted is probably accounted for by the system of weights used. A troy pound contains

Jan 1, 1928

By Himanshu Dehra

The pre-fabricated outdoor rooms are often utilised near the mines and construction sites for office purposes. The paper has presented modelling and simulation results of the integration of commercially available glass coated photovoltaic (PV) energy technology and solar ventilation technology into a pre-fabricated outdoor room. The pre-fabricated outdoor room has been setup at Concordia University, Montréal for full scale testing of the glass coated PV modules with solar air ventilation. The computer simulation model has been developed for PV modules installed on a double wall wooden frame in an outdoor room based on its preliminary field testing. The testing apparatus was a wooden frame assembly of double wall with solar air ventilation: two adjacent glass coated PV modules, air column and plywood board filled with polystyrene. The measurement data collected from various sensors were: solar intensity, ambient air temperature, room air temperature, electric power, surface temperatures of PV modules and plywood board, air velocities and air temperatures in the air column. The enhancement in the air velocity of the air column was achieved with an exhaust fan fixed in an outdoor room. The simulation model is used to perform the two dimensional energy analyses with applied one dimensional solution of steady state heat conduction equations. The simulation model is based on conjugate heat exchange paths with network boundary conditions of convection, radiation heat exchange and solar air ventilation heat transport. The model parameters are based on measured values of ambient air temperature, room air temperature, air velocity at outlet of air column in double wall, electric power and available solar intensity. The model has predicted fairly well energy performance of glass coated PV modules with solar air ventilation installed on a wooden frame. The model is also useful for predicting heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) requirements for the pre-fabricated outdoor rooms.

May 1, 2007

By Jerry Ran

Many large underground mines using the open stoping method have changed their primary applications of consolidated rock fill (CRF) to paste or consolidated hydraulic fill due to considerations of demand in infrastructure and equipment, system reliability, backfill capacity and material sources. However, some smaller or even large mines still use or consider using CRF for backfill purpose due to factors such as capital expenditure, availability or suitability of other fill types or in some cases local regulatory requirements. As demands on CRF applications diminish among major mining companies, there is a lack of recent literature on application of CRF to open stoping in design and operation. There are several methods being used for fill strength design. Results from these methods have been successfully applied to paste or hydraulic fill. However, the design strength for CRF is much higher than that determined by use of these widely accepted methods. In operation, CRF preparation and placement have significant impacts on the quality of placed CRF and therefore the mining performance. This paper reviews the current fill design methods and their applications to open stoping with presentation of the bench marking data, presents fill failure cases and various CRF preparation and placement arrangements and discusses quality assurance and control programs.

Jun 1, 2012

By Mary Ann Bennett, Val Nichols, Colleen Proctor

"In 1997 when Royal Oak Mines Inc. went into receivership, the mineral processing technicians (mill operators) who had been working at Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories for most of their career walked out with no credentials to serve as testimony of their knowledge and skills.As a result of new diamond mining activity and the establishment of socio-economic agreements, mining industry representatives approached the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE), Government of the Northwest Territories, in 1999. They requested support and direction to promote training and recognition for mineral processing technicians at BHP’s (BHP Diamonds Inc.) Ekati mine. ECE recommended the development of occupational standards and certification.This paper describes the development process and end products that resulted from this collaborative project between industry, government and education. In addition, industry representatives involved in the project share their views on the development process and the benefits of standards and certification.The conclusion invites industry members to support national occupational standards and certification with their associated benefits: standardized training in the workplace and institutions, proof of competence for hiring, recognition of prior learning, and a nationally and internationally recognized credential.INTRODUCTIONSwiftly changing labour market demands are nothing new in the North. The fur trade and mineral discoveries have brought employment to workers in a feast and famine cycle for decades. In the late 1990s, the Giant, Con, Lupin, Polaris and Nanasivik mines were nearing the end of productive runs. Many experienced workers found that without credentials, they had no proof of their abilities to offer prospective employers."

Jan 1, 2005

By P. Greenfield, C. C. Smith, A. M. Taylor

The Mg-Zr alloy ZA and Mg-Mn alloy AM503(S) are shown to have a markedly improved resistance to creep deformation after suitable heat treatments. This improvement makes them suitable for certain stress-bearing fuel element components in nuclear reactors. The extent of strengthening is described and an explanation of the behavior of both materials is given, based on a combination of strain-aging and grain growth. The increase in operating temperatures of fuel element components in Calder Hall type nuclear reactors has necessitated the development of magnesium base alloys with a very high resistance to creep at temperatures up to 500°C. Such alloys are not required for fuel element cans, which require high-creep ductility rather than strength, but for can supporting and stabilizing components, which are needed to support the imposed loads without deforming more than about 1 pct in times of up to 40,000 hr. The amount and type of alloying addition made to magnesium for these parts is limited by the necessity of keeping the cross-section to thermal neutrons as low as possible. The alloys must also possess a high resistance to oxidation in CO2. Alloys which have been developed for this application include ZA, an alloy of magnesium with 0.5 to 0.7 pct Zr and AM503(S), an alloy of magnesium with 0.5 to 0.75 pct Mn. In the as-extruded condition these alloys are very weak and ductile in creep but it has been found that they can be strengthened to a significant extent by heat treatment. This paper describes the method of developing a high-creep resistance in ZA and AM503(S), the extent of the strengthening produced and discusses the probable mechanisms of strengthening. TEST MATERIALS Specimens were taken from typical casts of ZA and AM503(S) alloys extruded into 2 1/4-in.-diam bars, supplied by Magnesium Elektron Ltd. Typical analyses of the bars were as follows: The as-extruded mean grain diameter was 0.001 to 0.002 in. for the ZA alloy and 0.003 in. for the AM503(S) alloy. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS Extruded bars of ZA alloy, 2 1/4 in. in diameter and 9 in. long, were heat treated in electrical resistance furnaces in an atmosphere of flowing CO2 containing 50 to 300 ppm water, thereby reducing the extent of oxidation compared with that which would have occurred in air. Heat treatments were carried out at 600oc for times of 8, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr and material was subsequently both furnace cooled and water quenched. In order to measure the effect of time of heat treatment, specimens were creep tested at 400°C and 336 psi for about 1000 hr. Subsequently, the behavior of material heat treated for 96 hr at 600°C and furnace cooled was tested at a variety of stresses from 200° to 500°C. Tests were also conducted at 200o and 400°C on material in the as-extruded condition for comparative purposes. With the AM503(S) alloy, only the effect of heat treatment at 565°C for 4 hr was examined. It has been shown1 that such a heat treatment produces marked strengthening in this alloy. Tests on this material were conducted at a variety of stresses at 200°, 300°, and 400oc with comparative tests on as-extruded material at 200o and 400°C. The creep tests were carried out on machines using dead-weight loading and direct micrometer strain measurements on specimens 5 in. long and 0.357 in. diameter. At temperatures of 400° C and below, the creep tests were conducted in air, but at higher temperatures an atmosphere of CO2 was used. Grain size measurements were made on ZA in the extruded and heat treated states and on each specimen after creep testing. This was done by a line count of a minimum of 20 grains in two or three random fields in the longitudinal and transverse directions. The same method was used for measuring the grain size of as-extruded AM503(S), but the grain size of the heat treated material was so large that this method could not be employed. For heat-treated AM503(S) the large grained characteristics (between 0.1 and 1 in.) were confirmed by the measurement of individual grains. In the case of the ZA alloy, specimens taken from various stages in the program were analysed for hydrogen by a combustion method. Material in various states was also analysed for the soluble and insoluble zirconium content by dissolving in dilute hydrochloric acid. This technique has been useda for the determination of amounts of zirconium present

Jan 1, 1962

By P. Ventura

Reliability of the liquefaction analysis is based on data plotted as by piezocone, as by deep vibrocompactation monitored tests. The negative porewater pressure, re lated to hydrostatic value, recorded by piezocone, is a good marker of the absen ce of the liquefaction. Systematic measures of the ground settlements, inside the vibroinfixed steel pipe, allow to locate the liquefable strata with loose density. Experimental study of the combined soil improvement by stone columns is carry out in particular in sea bed. The interaxis of the columns for the best efficiency is valued as of the vibrocompactation, as of the drainage effects, especially during earthquake.

Jan 1, 1989

By T. C. Boberg, R. B. Lantz

This paper presents a method for calculating the producing rate of a well as a function of time following steam stimulation. The calculations have proved valuable in both selecting wells for stimulation and in determining optimum treatment sizes. The heat transfer model accounts for cooling of the oil sand by both vertical and radial conduction. Heat losses for any number of productive sands separated by unproductive rock are calculated for the injection. shut-in and production phases of the cycle. The oil rate increase caused by viscosity reduction due to heating is calculated by steady-state radial flow equations. The response of successive cycles of steam injection can also be calculated with this method. Excellent agreement is shown between calculated and actual field results. Also included are the results of several reservoir and process variable studies. The method is best suited for wells producing from a multiplicity of thin sands where the bulk of the stimulated production comes from the unheated reservoir. The flow equations used neglect gravity drainage and saturation changes within the heated region. INTRODUCTION This paper presents a calculation method which can be used to predict the field performance of the cyclic steam stimulation process. The calculation method enables the engineer to select reservoirs that have favorable characteristics for steam stimulation and permits him to determine how much steam must be injected to achieve favorable stimulation. While the calculation represents a considerable simplification of physical reality and the results are subject to numerous assumptions which must be made about the reservoir, it has been found that realistic calculations can be made of individual well performance following steam injection. The duration of the stimulation effect will depend primarily on the rate at which the heated oil sand cools which, in turn, is determined by the rate at which energy is removed from the formation with the produced fluids and conducted from the heated oil sand to unproductive rock. A complete mathematical solution to this problem is a formidable task, and finite difference techniques would undoubtedly have to be used. The calculation method pre- sented here utilizes analytic solutions of simple related heat transfer and fluid flow problems. The method is sufficiently simplified that it can be used as a hand calculation, although the calculations are somewhat lengthy and laborious. For that reason, the analysis was programmed for an IBM 7044 digital computer. Well responses observed at the Quiriquire field in eastern Venezuela&apos; have been matched using this program after making suitable approximations for reservoir and wellbore conditions. One of the most valuable uses of this calculation method is to assess the effect of reservoir and proc-cess variables on the stimulation response. This paper contains results of several studies made of key reservoir and process parameters. Among the most important of these is the influence of prior wellbore permeability damage. If a well is severely damaged prior to stimulation, a higher stimulation response will be observed than if it is undamaged. If a portion of this damage is removed, a permanent rate improvement will occur. THEORY I)ES(:KJJ&apos;TION OF CALCULATION METHOD The process of cyclic steam stimulation is essentially one of reducing oil viscosity around the wellbore by heating for a limited distance out into the formation through the injection of steam. Suitable modifications of the calculation technique presented here can be made so that stimulation of wells by hot gas injection or in situ combustion can also be calculated. A schematic drawing of the heat transfer and fluid flow considerations included in the calculation method is shown in Fig. 1. In brief, the calculation assumes that the oil sand is uniformly and radially invaded by injected steam. For wells producing from several sands, each sand is assumed to be invaded to the same distance radially. In calculating the radius heated rn energy losses from the wellbore and conduction to impermeable rock adjacent to the producing sands are taken into account. After steam injection is stopped, heat conduction continues and oil sands with r < ra cool as previously unheated shale and oil sand at r > r, begin to warm. The effect of warming of oil sand out beyond r, has little effect on the oil production rate compared to the effect of cooling of the oil sand nearer the wellbore than ra. Thus, in computing the oil production rate, an idealized step function temperature distribution in the reservoir is assumed where the original temperature exists for r > rn and where an average elevated temperature exists for r < rn. The average temperature in the oil sand for the region r < rn is computed as a function of

Jan 1, 1967

By N. Som

The pile capacity in cohesive and granular soils depends on a number of parameters. The values of these parameters as recommended by Indian Standard Code of Practice vary over wide ranges. A designer often finds it difficult to select appropriate values of these parameters for realistic estimate of a pile capacity. The present paper makes a critical review of the values of the parameters given in Indian Standard Code of Practice and suggests a realistic approach to selecting them in the light of recent research.

Jan 1, 1996

By K. K. Kelley, W. W. Weller

This report contains experimentally determined heat capacity data for four crystalline sulfides -- AsS , GeS , NiS , and Ni3 S₂ -- over the temperature range from 50 ° to 298.15 ° K. The heat capacity data were used to evaluate the entropies of the sulfides at 298.15 ° K. Entropies of formation from the metals and rhombic sulfur and from the metals and diatomic sulfur gas are also included .

Jan 1, 1964

By Douglas W. Barr

If some of you have been through the long hot summer in the southwest, you may find it refreshing to turn your thoughts to the wintertime problems of mineral processing in the northern climates. The purpose of this paper is to point out some of the ways in which heat is gained or lost in the tailing basin operation and the problems that can result if too much heat is lost.

Jan 1, 1980