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By L. L. Seigle

Free energies, heats, and entropies of mixing of solid Fe-Au alloys have been measured by the galvanic cell method between 800° and 900°C. A positive deviation from Raoult's law and a large excess entropy of mixing were observed, both attributable to lattice distortion caused by the disparity in component atom sizes. Since the terminal solid solutortiontions are not regular, thermodynamic properties computed from the location of the mis-cibility gap do not agree well with measured quantities. The electromotive force data suggest some changes in the existing Fe-Au phase diagram. ALTHOUGH a considerable amount of information has been accumulated about the thermodynamic properties of metal solid solutions which exhibit negative deviation from Raoult's law, particularly those in which ordering occurs, relatively few experimental measurements have been made on solutions with positive deviation. This is due to the infrequency of broad homogeneous regions suitable for experimental measurement in solutions of this type, since any marked positive deviations from ideality lead to restricted solubility and the formation of miscibility gaps. Thermodynamic data reported in the literature for such systems have usually been calculated from the location of the miscibility gap boundaries under the assumption that the entropies of mixing are ideal, i.e., the terminal solutions are regular.' One of the few binary systems with both positive deviation and a wide homogeneous range in the solid is the Ni-Au system. A recent investigation of solid Ni-Au alloys' revealed that the entropies of mixing were much larger than ideal and consequently thermal data computed from the phase boundaries assuming regular solutions were seriously in error. Theoretical considerations put forward by Zener indicated that high entropy values should generally be associated with systems possessing a miscibility gap in the solid, when this is due to differences in the size of component atoms. These facts suggest that the regular solution assumption is a poor approximation for many solid solutions with positive deviation and that reliable thermodynamic data generally cannot be obtained by conventional methods from the location of miscibility gap boundaries. The Fe-Au system, Fig. 1, resembles the Ni-Au system in certain respects. The presence of a miscibility gap in the solid indicates a large positive deviation from ideality, but there is nevertheless an extensive single phase region suitable for experimental measurement. The following investigation of solid Fe-Au alloys was carried out in order to obtain additional data on the thermodynamic properties of metal solid solutions with positive deviation from Raoult's law and to further compare thermodynamic data computed from miscibility gap boundaries with those measured experimentally. Experimental Method The thermodynamic properties were derived from measurements of the potential developed between pure solid iron and Fe-Au alloys in a high temperature galvanic cell. The experimental apparatus and technique were the same as those used for the Ni-Au alloys and described in a previous report.' Cell electrodes were 1/16 in. diam rods swaged from chill-cast ingots and annealed for one week at 850°C. The alloys were prepared by melting fine gold granules under argon with pure iron obtained from the National Research Co. The cell electrolyte was

Jan 1, 1957

By A. M. Amdur, A. N. Matushkina, G. I. Gazaleeva

"The article highlights results of theoretical and practical studies on the enlargement of fine gold in the process of heat treatment. The object of research is refractory gold silicate-carbonate ores of Vorontsovskoe Deposit (Northern Ural), containing fine gold. For setting up experiments and analyzing the results were used the methods of applied mathematics, mathematical statistics, mathematical and physical modeling. Modeling and calculations were performed using the software package HSC Chemistry 6.0, MatLab, setting up a full factorial experiment and other modern modeling methods. Using a scanning electron microscope, the distribution of fine-dispersed ore gold particles by size was studied. It was found that gold particles smaller than 0,4 µm smoothed the vertices and edges, i.e. they are of globules with an amorphous structure. Amorphous materials are nonequilibrium phases with high thermodynamic activity. The physicochemical properties such as melting temperature, diffusion coefficients, the content of metal impurities differ from the properties of the solid phases. In the course of the research were formulated the following scientific bases of the mechanism of enlargement of the gold particles: - the movement of dispersed droplets of gold in the process of external heat to the surface of the ore particles in the pore occurs under the action of thermocapillary pressure; - after melting of the host rock occurs flotation of molten droplets by the bubbles of gases and coagulation of fine gold; - the conditions of flotation drops of gold in oxide melts; floated drops of radius R = 1-100 µm. Analysis of the equilibrium at the perimeter of wetting a drop of gold-oxide melt-gas showed that the scheme of the tension will not significantly differ from the case of solid gold, while the radius of the gas bubbles should be at least 2 times greater than the radius of drops of gold. The proposed method of predicting the results of the enrichment of the proposed scheme, including heat treatment and gravitational centrifugal concentration of crushed ore. Experimental verification of the proposed scheme in the laboratory showed a satisfactory convergence of experiment and prediction. Gold recovery in the concentrate was 33,84 against 33,7 percent forecast. The increase in overall gold recovery to a gravity concentrate after heat treatment is more than 20 %."

Jan 1, 2018

By R. D. Cromarty, J. Du Toit

"Penetration of matte into tap-hole bricks causes detrimental refractory wear, which can lead to furnace breakouts. The ability of the tap-hole clay to form a protective layer on the brick, thereby limiting matte penetration was investigated by examining the interaction between platinum group metal (PGM) matte, tap-hole clay, and alumina-chrome refractory bricks on a laboratory scale.Samples containing clay and brick as well as samples containing clay, brick, and matte were heated to different temperatures to establish the clay-brick interaction and the extent of matte penetration. The greatest degree of physical contact between the brick and clay was achieved at curing temperatures of 600°C. Poor clay-brick contact was observed in the sample that was heated to 900°C.Matte displaced the clay in the clay-brick-matte sample that was heated to 1350°C, with significant matte penetration into the brick. Less matte penetration was observed when the clay-brick-matte sample was heated to 1500°C. Less matte penetration was also observed in the claybrick- matte sample in which the clay and brick were pre-baked at 800°C, and the sample then reacted with matte at 1350°C. IntroductionFloatation concentrate from ore from the eastern Bushveld Complex of South Africa, specifically the Platreef, Merensky, and UG2 reefs, forms the feed to the Polokwane platinum smelter (Hundermark, De Villiers, and Ndlovu, 2006). The ore from the UG2 Reef has a high chromite content, which requires high operating temperatures (1500–1700°C) to avoid chromium spinel build-up in the furnace hearth. These high operating temperatures lead to matte superheats in the vicinity of 500– 600°C, which put increased demands on the refractory materials (Nelson et al., 2005).Upon tapping, the matte moves through the tap-hole, which consists of an aluminachrome refractory brick-lined tapping channel (Hundermark, De Villiers, and Ndlovu, 2006). The flow of molten matte is stopped by the injection of tap-hole clay to form a plug in the tap-hole. The tap-hole clay hardens and strengthens during curing to obtain the required hardness and refractoriness against penetration, corrosion and erosion (Nelson and Hundermark, 2014)."

Jan 1, 2016

By Yang Xianwan, Zhu Xiaoyun, Guo Zhongcheng, Zheng Yanping, Zhai Dacheng

"Corrosion resistance of RE-Ni-W-P-SiC composite coating and 3 l6L stainless steel in corrosion media of H2SO4, HCl, H3PO4 and FeC13 solutions at different concentrations by means of immersion methods and anodic polarization curves obtained by DHZ-1 electrochemical synthetic tester and HDV-7 transistor constant potentiometer. Immersion experiment results show that corrosion rate of RE-Ni-W-P-SiC composite coating as-deposited in HCl solutions increases with the rise of HCl concentrations, on the contrary, the corrosion rate of the composite coating after heat treatment decreases with increasing the HCl concentrations the corrosion rates of the coatings as-deposited and after heat treatment in H2SO4 and H3PO4 solutions respectively decrease with the rise.of H2SO4 and H3PO4 concentrations the corrosion rate of the deposit as-deposited in FeC13 solutions decreases with increasing FeC13 concentrations, while the rate of the composite coating after heat treatment increases .with the rise of FeC13 concentrations.In addition, the corrosion rate of 3 l 6L stainless steel in the corrosion media of H2SO4, HCl, H3PO4 and FeC13 solutions at different concentrations increases with rising of concentrations. Furthermore, the corrosion rate of 316L stainless steel in the corrosion media of H2SO4, HCl, H3PO4 and FeC13 solutions respectively is much greater than that of the RE-Ni-W-P-SiC composite coating as-deposited and after heat treatment in the same corrosion media.1. IntroductionAll the materials and their products, when processed, stored and used, it is inevitable that the corrosion, wear, fatigue and crack occur owing to the actions of surroundings. Those early failure and abrasion, through all kinds of departments and profession that corrosion consumes one percent of tens of the steel products of the whole world; and two or four percent of the GDP is lost because of the corrosion."

Jan 1, 2000

By P. F. Stratton, M Huggahalli, N Saxena

"Several studies have been carried out to determine how the optimum atmosphere conditions in the heat treatment of metals can be established for a given product by using different gas injectors and varying atmosphere flow rate and composition. The most common approach taken to gain insight into furnace atmospheres has been to use commercial computational fluid dynamics codes and examples of their use are shown. However, the complexity of these codes, the difficulty in establishing boundary conditions, their cost and computational demands limit their usability in solving day-to-day production problems.A simplified, web-based model of a furnace atmosphere is described where the conservation equations are solved to determine the composition profiles of the atmosphere in the furnace. Although the model is restricted in scope to certain types of furnace, it is shown to give better results than CFD when boundary conditions are uncertain. The application of the model to the understanding of existing furnace conditions and to determining ways of optimising the use of gases are discussed. IntroductionThe important role of protective atmospheres during heat treatment of metals, furnace brazing of assemblies and soldering of printed circuit boards is well established. The atmosphere in the furnace prevents air ingress and oxidation of the parts, helps flush away any flux or binder from braze and solder pastes and provides an important mode of heat transfer [1]. In a batch furnace having typically one or two gas injectors, the gas utilisation and process can be optimised by minimising air leaks and mantaining atmosphere homogeneity with fans or other atmosphere circulation techniques. In a continuous furnace, however, atmosphere optimisation is more difficult as furnace inlets and exits can also let in air. The atmosphere requirements of different stages of heat treatment, brazing or soldering vary [2]. Achieving these atmospheres in different sections of the open-ended furnace is a relatively complex task. Methods such as atmosphere zoning and the use of physical curtains and gas injectors have evolved with time, though it is hard to predict how effective these techniques will be for a given furnace and process. Experts in the field tend to rely on experience and rules-of-thumb rather than scientific method to achieve the required results."

Jan 1, 2001

During the construction of storage caverns, and during their lifetime if the use to which they are put so requires, it is necessary to provide adequate ventilation to ensure the safety and comfort of the underground workforce. An analysis of likely contaminants during construction has indicated that where a large facility is situated in a rock mass of even moderate temperature climatic conditions are likely to be the limiting factor during most of the mining operation and atmospheric pollution when blasting is undertaken. Possible options for improvement are increased air flow, cooling of intake air and reduction of the heat source by altering the number and type of haulage units employed in the cavern. Local solutions are an alternative approach where heat problems are confined to a few specific locations

Aug 1, 1994

By J. R. Bhamidipati, Nagy EI-Kaddah

"Over the years, mathematical modeling has been established as a viable tool for design and analysis of melting and solidification processes. Modeling of electromagnetic casting and melting systems involves three coupled problems -- determination of the containment field, the shape of the meniscus, and the temperature field -- which have to be solved simultaneously. One of the difficulties in numerical simulation of these systems is in defining and gridding the solution domain as the meniscus shape of the liquid region is not known a priori. This paper describes a methodology for solving these coupled problems in a two-dimensional electromagnetic containment field. This method is based on the solution of the electromagnetic, free surface dynamic, and heat transfer equations in a fixed domain in computational space by mapping the physical space into an invariant computational space during the search for the equilibrium shape using a variable non-orthogonal coordinate transformation. This approach, also, eliminates the need for regridding the liquid and solid regions during phase change. This methodology is demonstrated for two electromagnetic confinement systems -- the Magnetic Suspension Melting process and the electromagnetic casting of aluminum. The model predictions are in good agreement with available data for these systems. It is suggested that the methodology presented here is likely to provide a useful tool in the design, analysis, and optimization of electromagnetic confinement systems. IntroductionDuring the past decade, mathematical modeling has emerged as a viable tool for the design, analysis, and optimization of casting and melting processes /1-2/. It is generally recognized that the usefulness of modeling to study the interplay between the various process parameters without resorting to extensive experimentation relies heavily on accurate representation of the physical phenomena in these systems. In modeling electromagnetic confinement casting and melting systems, it is important that the model address all aspects of electromagnetic field interaction with the metal, if accurate predictions are to be obtained /3/. The electromagnetic field affects the heat transfer phenomena primarily through joule heating. In addition, the electromagnetic forces play a key role in heat redistribution in the molten pool via melt stirring, and, in confinement systems, support the molten metal pool."

Jan 1, 1994

By R. H. Estrada-Ruiz

This work analyses a new approach to estimates bubble size distribution of froth surfaces using artificial neural networks (ANN).Also, the robustness of ANN to interpret images with illumination perturbations, produced by light problems or dirt attached to the window of the video camera is evaluated. The experimental work was carried out in a laboratory flotation column, instrumented with an image acquisition system. The images were processed making use of a perceptron model with a hidden layer, sigmoidal transfer function and unitary bias, and the ANN trained with a back propagation algorithm. The results of validation show that ANN are reliable for learning and producing generalized predictions of the froth mean bubble diameter and bubble size distribution, when the model is trained using a database that contains information on the illumination intensity. Keywords: image analysis, neural networks, bubble diameter, bubble size distribution.

Jan 1, 2009

By James D. Noll, M. Eileen Birch

A monitoring method for diesel particulate matter was published as Method 5040 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Organic and elemental carbon are determined by the method, but elemental carbon (EC) is a better exposure measure. The US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) proposed use of NIOSH 5040 for compliance determinations in metal and nonmetal mines. MSHA also published a rule making for coalmines, but no exposure standard was provided. A standard based on particulate carbon is not considered practical because of coal dust interference. Interference may not be a problem if an appropriate size-selective sampler and EC exposure standard are employed. Sub micrometer dust concentrations found in previous surveys of nondieselized, underground coal mines were relatively low. If a large fraction of the sub micrometer dust is organic and mineral matter, sub micrometer EC concentrations would be much lower than sub micrometer mass concentrations. Laboratory and ?eld results reported here in indicate the amount of EC contributed by sub micrometer coal dust is minor. In a laboratory test, a sub micrometer EC concentration of 31µg m 3 was found when sampling are spirable coal dust concentration over three times the US compliance limit (2mg m3). Laboratory results are consistent with surveys of nondieselized coal mines, where EC results ranged from below the method limit of detection to 18µg m 3 when size-selective samplers were used to collect dust fraction shaving particle diameters below 1.5µm sub micrometer EC concentrations were ?7µg m3. In dieselized mines, sub micrometer EC concentrations are much higher.

By A. C. Watts

The question of disposition of the slack and dust so troublesome to coal mine operators of the West has been divided by your committee chairman into three heads, viz: The preparation and transportation of fine and powdered coal. The developments along the line of low heat carbonization. The uses to which fine and pulverized coal have been put. The development of low heat carbonization has been assigned to me. This is really not a part of the subject but as it has a most important bearing on the future use of coal, I presume the chairman thought best to include it. An English committee on smoke abatement makes the statement that the burning of raw coal is "dirty, wasteful and unscientific". I will go a step further and characterize it as an "economic crime." It has been predicted by eminent scientific men that eventually no raw coal will be burned for heat or power purposes. All this will take time, experimentation and large expenditure, but it will surely come. The question of disposition of slack and dust so troublesome to coal and utilization of its by-products has been retarded by the abundance and cheapness of the raw coal, and by the abundance of suitable coking coals for metallurgical purposes. But necessity is surely, if slowly, demanding that the enormous waste ensuing from the burning of raw coal for heat and power must cease. For instance, smoke abatement investigations in Manchester, England, showed that the increased cost of household washing was about $1,250,000 per year due to smoke and soot. It is estimated that in London 200 tons of soot and smoke particles are suspended in the atmosphere over that city during dense fogs and that much more than this is emitted from the chimneys each winter day during the forenoon. As an example of what benefits a smokeless fuel gives, it is cited that in the mill town of Shaw, England, the burning of smokeless fuels in the factories has reduced the so-called fogs by about 80%. Necessity, caused by the war led Germany into the field of low tem¬perature carbonization because of the shortage of motor fuel and lubricating

Jan 1, 1922

By T. S. Taylor

THE development of the linear hot-wire anemometer has been chiefly clue to the efforts of L. V. Kings1 and A. E. Kennelly and H. S. Sanborn.2 The anemometers used by these investigators consisted essentially of a fine heating wire having attached leads for resistance measurements at distances of 10 or more centimeters from each other. In using such an anemometer, the current is measured that is necessary to maintain the resistance of the wire, between the two leads, constant for different air velocities. Thus resistance is always so chosen that the temperature of the heating wire will be sufficiently high to make the observations practically independent of small variations in the temperature of the gas in which the anemometer is placed. The measurement of the resistance of the anemometer wire requires a Kelvin bridge set up, which for commercial work is not altogether desirable. The cooling effect clue to different air velocities depends on the temperature difference between the wire and the gas and the total quantity or mass of gas passing the wire per unit tine. Since the temperature of the wire is maintained constant, the effect observed in the change in the heating currentfor a given change in air velocity is a measure of the difference between the gas flow in the two cases. Such an anemometer, therefore, measures the average gas flow for a length depending on the distance between the two resistance leads. Therefore the instrument in the form used thus far is not very satisfactory for measuring gas velocities in small tubes or in places where the velocity varies rapidly across the line of flow. For the purpose of measuring gas flow through relatively small tubes, where the velocity changes rather rapidly across the tube, the hot-wire anemometer has been modified in the manner shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1. It consists essentially of a platinum heating wire H about 0.007 in. (0.178 mm.) in diameter and ½ to 1 in. (12.7 to 25.4 mm.) long stretched across a suitable framework, say of glass. This wire has

Jan 9, 1919

By Best W. N.

Discussion of the paper of W. N. BEST, presented at the San Francisco meeting, September, 1915, and printed in Bulletin No. 104, August, 1915, pp. 1527 to 1537. WILLIAM A. WILLIAMS, San Francisco, Cal.-I would like to ask whether .Mr. Best ever had any experience with an oil burner that used neither air nor steam? W. N. BEST, New York, N. Y.-Yes. This type is commonly known as the "mechanical spray burner" and uses oil heated under high pressure to above its vaporizing point. These burners are not as efficient as the atomizing type for the following reasons: 1. They produce a round flame which; as with any other type of burner, must pass over a flat surface. A round flame cannot fit a flat surface. 2. They do not evenly distribute the heat, resulting in localized heat. 3. The outlet through which the fuel passes is very small; so all gravities of oil, especially oil containing sand, cannot be burned. 4. Their construction is such that they must be cleaned frequently, as the residuum in the fuel clogs the burner. 5. The oil opening being small, the capacity of each burner is small, so that many burners must be used in a boiler or furnace. (The fewer burners there are, the more accurately they can be regulated.) In marine boilers, these burners are largely used, because they do not require either steam or air for atomization. However, there are other methods by which this objection to other types can be eliminated, such as by the use of a rotary blower and steam turbine engine, the exhaust front the engine passing into the engine condenser, thus obviating loss of water. Mechanical burners are rarely used in shops. I know of but one power plant using them. With mechanical burners, the fuel must be maintained at a high pressure. On board naval vessels, some mechanical burners demand an oil pressure of from 100 to 6001b. It is advisable to reduce the pressure as much as possible, as fractured pipes or fittings are particularly dangerous, for the heated oil escapes as a vapor. In such cases there is liability of an explosion caused by spontaneous combustion.

Jan 12, 1915

By Henry M. Howe

If a bar of wrought iron or steel is suddenly cooled from a bright red-heat, the contraction which then occurs is considerably greater than the expansion previously caused by heating the bar, so that its final length is considerably less than its initial length. Mr. Thomas Wrightson has investigated this phenomenon,* and has shown that not only does this permanent contraction occur on sudden cooling, but, if the heating and cooling be repeated, say fifty times, a further permanent contraction occurs at each successive cooling. In Mr. Wrightson's opinion, this contraction cannot be explained on mechanical grounds, and he ascribes it to some molecular change caused by sudden cooling; but I think that we need not invoke mysterious molecular changes to explain this phenomenon, which appears to me to be due to very simple and purely mechanical action. Let us consider the cooling as divided into two periods, in the first of which the exterior or skin of the bar becomes almost completely cooled, and hence tends to contract almost to its initial dimensions, while the still hot arid plastic interior contracts but little; in the second period the already cool skin remains nearly constant in temperature, and hence tends to contract but little, while the interior cools from a comparatively high temperature to the ordinary temperature, and hence undergoes great contraction. The excess of the contraction of the skin over that of the interior during the first period tends to make the bar bulge in the middle of its length. This, as well as the decrease of density which occurs, Mr. Wrightson correctly explains. The interior of the bar just sufficed to fill the skin when both were in their initial condition, before being heated at all. At the end of the first period, the volume of the still hot interior is more than the now contracted skin can hold while maintaining its initial shape; and the effect is much the same as when we powerfully blom into a soft India-rubher Lag of the shape of the skin of the bar—it bulges, and tends to approach the spherical shape, in which the ratio of surface to

Jan 1, 1886

By Frank G. Norris

Slag control is adjustment of the composition of the slag, especially with respect to the FeO content. The theoretical method of slag control would be to charge a mixture of pig iron and scrap of given composition into the furnace, to melt always at the same carbon, and, after a uniform ore addition, to tap with a constant slag composition. Such conditions are not even approximated. Both scrap and pig iron are of variable, and, in many cases, unknown composition. The charge is oxidized to a variable extent during melting. The result is that the FeO content of the slag, and consequently of the metal at tap, varies over a wide range. In order to make a nearly uniform product, this variation must be compensated for in some way. One way is to adapt the ladle deoxidation to the requirements of the metal. The other is to control the slag. In a general sense slag control may be considered as a method of compensating for variations in the composition of the charge and in oxidation during melting. The method of slag control for low-carbon steel was developed by Dr. Herty at our Butler plant3. Use of this method enables the furnace operator to tap heats at a more nearly constant FeO content and, therefore, to use a more nearly uniform deoxidation practice. The desired FeO and the accompanying deoxidation will depend on the application of the product. This statement implies that 0.10 carbon steel finished with a 15 FeO slag may be essentially different from a 0.10 carbon steel finished with a 30 FeO slag. In making low-carbon steel, the desired carbon places a lower limit on the FeO content of the slag, because the slag must be sufficiently oxidizing for proper carbon elimination. With this degree of oxidation, the phosphorus specification is met without difficulty, and there is little danger of phosphorus reversion. Thus a limiting factor in high-carbon heats is of slight importance in low-carbon heats. For heats of 0.05 to 0.07 per cent carbon, the FeO content of the slag may be controlled at

Jan 1, 1935

By Frank G. Norris

Slag control is adjustment of the composition of the slag, especially with respect to the FeO content. The theoretical method of slag control would be to charge a mixture of pig iron and scrap of given composition into the furnace, to melt always at the same carbon, and, after a uniform ore addition, to tap with a constant slag composition. Such conditions are not even approximated. Both scrap and pig iron are of variable, and, in many cases, unknown composition. The charge is oxidized to a variable extent during melting. The result is that the FeO content of the slag, and consequently of the metal at tap, varies over a wide range. In order to make a nearly uniform product, this variation must be compensated for in some way. One way is to adapt the ladle deoxidation to the requirements of the metal. The other is to control the slag. In a general sense slag control may be considered as a method of compensating for variations in the composition of the charge and in oxidation during melting. The method of slag control for low-carbon steel was developed by Dr. Herty at our Butler plant3. Use of this method enables the furnace operator to tap heats at a more nearly constant FeO content and, therefore, to use a more nearly uniform deoxidation practice. The desired FeO and the accompanying deoxidation will depend on the application of the product. This statement implies that 0.10 carbon steel finished with a 15 FeO slag may be essentially different from a 0.10 carbon steel finished with a 30 FeO slag. In making low-carbon steel, the desired carbon places a lower limit on the FeO content of the slag, because the slag must be sufficiently oxidizing for proper carbon elimination. With this degree of oxidation, the phosphorus specification is met without difficulty, and there is little danger of phosphorus reversion. Thus a limiting factor in high-carbon heats is of slight importance in low-carbon heats. For heats of 0.05 to 0.07 per cent carbon, the FeO content of the slag may be controlled at

Jan 1, 1935

By H. R., Collins

THE purpose of pulverizing coal before burning it is to make available every heat unit it contains. Machinery has been developed which will pulverize coal in one operation, delivering it to bins in front of the furnaces at an expenditure of about 17 hp.-hr. per ton, in a medium-sized plant. The cost of the operation depends upon the amount of moisture that must be expelled before pulverizing, the cost of labor, and the cost of coal delivered at the plant. At a small plant, requiring a pulverizer with a capacity of only ½ ton per hour, the cost per ton pulverized will naturally be greater than at a plant requiring the largest pulverizer, with a capacity of 7 tons per hour. The first step is to reduce large lumps to a size suitable for drying uniformly, before passing to the pulverizing mills; this is done in rolls, at a single pass. The second -step is the elimination of moisture, in order to facilitate pulverizing to great fineness, while also increasing the heating effect and the temperature attainable when the coal is burned. There are other mechanical advantages in the handling of, dried coal. Driers are now manufactured which are able to eliminate moisture without distilling any of the volatile combustible matter in the coal; they are fired by hand or with pulverized fuel. The heat first surrounds the shell of the drier, being confined within a chamber where complete combustion takes place; the heated gases are then led through a duct to the discharge end of the drier and enter the inside of the shell at a temperature not exceeding 300° F. This temperature is maintained by the operator and is indicated by a pyrometer. Volatile combustible matter is not likely to be distilled until the temperature rises above 400° F. On discharging from the drier, the coal is usually passed over a magnetic separator in order to prevent pieces of iron from going to the pulverizer. Two types are used: a magnetic pulley which automatically discharges its collection of iron, and a lifting type, from which the iron is removed by hand when convenient.

Jan 4, 1918

By C. S. Roberts

Microstructural studies of a Mg-10.3 pct Al alloy showed that discontinuous precipitation during aging multiplies the grain boundary area available for easy deformation in elevated temperature creep. An increase of strain rate for a 6.2 pct Al alloy at 400°F, where precipitation and creep are concurrent, caused an increase in the volume percentage discontinuously precipitated at the completion of the process. The relatively poor elevated temperature creep resistance of heat treated alloys of the Mg-AI-Zn type was explained in these structural terms. C resistance of the heat treatable Mg-A1 based alloys is poor compared to that of Mg-Ce based alloys. While the latter show a continuous precipitate, Mg-A1 alloys prefer a discontinuous precipitate at grain boundaries. '.:' It has been concluded that the excellent creep resistance of Mg-Ce alloys was primarily due to the continuous precipitation which especially localized at the grain boundaries.' The purpose of the present investigation was to obtain a parallel correlation, if such exists, between the poor creep resistance and the state of precipitation in Mg-A1 alloys. Discontinuous precipitation produces about three times as many true grain boundaries as originally existed. This microstructure would be expected to have a marked influence in creep, where quantity of grain boundary area is important. Experimental Procedure The two experimental alloys contained 6.2 and 10.3 pct Al. They were made from electrolytic magnesium by alloying under flux and casting in 3 in. diam permanent molds. The ingots were extruded into 1 1/4 x 1/8 in. flat stock under the following conditions: billet preheat 700°F (2 hr), container and die temperature 700°F, speed 3 fpm, and area reduction ratio 45:1. The creep specimens were machined from blanks which had been solution heat treated 24 hr at 770°F and aged 16 hr at 400°F. Attempts were made to control the grain size as closely as possible for extruded stock. The grain size after solution heat treatment was about two thousandths of an inch for the 6.2 and five thousandths for the 10.3 pct Al alloy.

Jan 1, 1957

By R. M. Caitlin

QUITE a number of years ago in looking for basic facts, it seemed obvious, in view of an unquestion-able supply of raw material and an extensive requirement probable in the near future, that the funda-mental requirement of any shale-oil industry was mass production 'by a continuous process. This decision greatly simplified matters, as it eliminated all considera-tion of externally-heated retorts, and all batch processes, which only utilize a part of the capacity of the interior space because, unless the ashes are removed as rapidly as formed, the space occupied by them is dead, instead of being occupied either by shale in active distillation or in drying out and heating up preparatory thereto. A second imperative and basic necessity soon appeared as a natural sequence, namely, the fixed carbon of the spent shale must be utilized to supply the heat for the eduction of the oil. PRODUCTION OF THE CRUDE As the production of the crude oil is the first and most important step in the utilization of oil-shale, being the only source from which the multitude of possible by-products can come, each by a special treatment of the crude oil, I will devote the time allotted to me to the subject of crude oil production-its cost expressed in terms of tons treated per man per shift. The costs of mining the shale and refining the crude shale oil vary with local conditions and are not specially influenced by the source of the crude. But the cost of distilling the shale in terms of tons per man shift seems to be the basis of any proper comparison of costs. After considerable experimenting, ranging from laboratory tests up to and including quantities of fifteen to twenty tons, it was evident that a plant might be made up of an indefinite number of units operating in concert. The economic size of the units, however, would .have to be determined by experiment. The general theory of our process contemplates a regulated combus-tion of the fixed carbon in the spent shale, in its incan-descent condition after all the oil has been driven out of it; and a transfer of the resultant heat to the mass of raw shale above.

Jan 1, 1927

By Reginald S. Dean

Manganous oxide is readily soluble in concentrated ammonia solutions containing ammonium salts. Lixiviants of ammonia and ammonium carbamate permit ready extraction of manganese from reduced ores and the manganese in such solutions may be precipitated by heating to transform the carbamate to carbonate. THE widespread occurrence of manganese in low grade oxide and carbonate ores not amenable to mechanical concentration has led to extensive investigations of hydrometallurgical methods for producing a pure manganese compound suitable for further treatment. Manganese carbonate is the preferable compound. This product when fully crystalline and of not too fine crystal size is easily filtrable and stable in air. It can be converted to other compounds such as the oxides by heating in air or can be reacted with acids for producing salts. A useful hydrometallurgical process must produce relatively concentrated solutions that can be purified easily, reagents must be cyclically used, and heat requirements must be small. Neither the ammonium sulphate nor sulphur dioxide leaching processes that have been tested extensively fulfill these requirements. Other heretofore proposed processes have obvious limitations and have not been tried on a large scale. The present process is based on the discovery by the writer of a new group of aqueous manganese-ammonia complex solutions highly concentrated in ammonia, which permit rapid solution of manganous oxide to concentrations of 80 to 100 g Mn per liter and from which a fully crystalline, easily filtrable manganese carbonate is precipitated by the addition of carbon dioxide and partial ammonia removal. Although the process may be carried out with many ammonium salts, commercial advantages dictate the use of ammonium carbamate, which is obtained when CO2 is passed into concentrated aqueous solutions of ammonia. If the carbamate is used, the only reagents, ammonia and CO2, are volatile and may therefore be recovered from solutions and residues by heating, thus eliminating washing and extensive evaporation. Impurities are controlled easily as most metal oxides are either insoluble in the lixiviant or fail to precipitate with the manganese carbonate. Others are controlled by sulphide addition. The process has been tested extensively on a small scale on a wide variety of ores, including Three Kids, Artillery Peak, Cuyuna, and Chamberlain, as repre-

Jan 1, 1953

By Reginald S. Dean

Manganous oxide is readily soluble in concentrated ammonia solutions containing ammonium salts. Lixiviants of ammonia and ammonium carbamate permit ready extraction of manganese from reduced ores and the manganese in such solutions may be precipitated by heating to transform the carbamate to carbonate. THE widespread occurrence of manganese in low grade oxide and carbonate ores not amenable to mechanical concentration has led to extensive investigations of hydrometallurgical methods for producing a pure manganese compound suitable for further treatment. Manganese carbonate is the preferable compound. This product when fully crystalline and of not too fine crystal size is easily filtrable and stable in air. It can be converted to other compounds such as the oxides by heating in air or can be reacted with acids for producing salts. A useful hydrometallurgical process must produce relatively concentrated solutions that can be purified easily, reagents must be cyclically used, and heat requirements must be small. Neither the ammonium sulphate nor sulphur dioxide leaching processes that have been tested extensively fulfill these requirements. Other heretofore proposed processes have obvious limitations and have not been tried on a large scale. The present process is based on the discovery by the writer of a new group of aqueous manganese-ammonia complex solutions highly concentrated in ammonia, which permit rapid solution of manganous oxide to concentrations of 80 to 100 g Mn per liter and from which a fully crystalline, easily filtrable manganese carbonate is precipitated by the addition of carbon dioxide and partial ammonia removal. Although the process may be carried out with many ammonium salts, commercial advantages dictate the use of ammonium carbamate, which is obtained when CO2 is passed into concentrated aqueous solutions of ammonia. If the carbamate is used, the only reagents, ammonia and CO2, are volatile and may therefore be recovered from solutions and residues by heating, thus eliminating washing and extensive evaporation. Impurities are controlled easily as most metal oxides are either insoluble in the lixiviant or fail to precipitate with the manganese carbonate. Others are controlled by sulphide addition. The process has been tested extensively on a small scale on a wide variety of ores, including Three Kids, Artillery Peak, Cuyuna, and Chamberlain, as repre-

Jan 1, 1953