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By J. E. Sepulveda

Tar sand deposits in the. Stare of Utah contain more than 25 billion barrels of in-place bitumen, Although thirty times smaller than the well-known Athabasca tar sands, Utah tar sands do represent a significant domestic energy resource comparable to the national crude oil reserves (31.3 billion barrels), The term "tar sand" refers to a consolidated mixture of bitumen and sand, Based upon a detailed analysis of the physical and chemical properties of both the bitumen and the sand, a hot-water extraction process for Utah tar sands is currently being developed in our laboratories at the University of Utah. This process involves intense agitation of the tar sand in a hot caustic solution and subsequent separation of the bitumen by a modified froth flotation technique., Experimental results indicated that, for a given tar sand sample, percent solids and caustic concentration were the two most important variables controlling the performance of the digestion stage, These variables were identified by means of an experimental, factorial design, in which coefficients of separation greater than 0.90 were realized. Although preliminary in nature, the experimental evidence gathered in this investigation seems to indicate that a hot-water extraction process for Utah tar sands would allow for the efficient utilization of this important energy resource.

Jan 1, 1978

By AIME AIME

THE Annual Meeting-numerically the 162d meeting-of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers will be held at the Pennsylvania Hotel, 7th Ave. and 33d St., New York, Feb. 18-22, with the exception of the following events: the Mineral Industry Education Division will meet Sunday afternoon and evening at the Columbia University Men's Faculty Club, 400 West 117th St.; and a meeting of the Section Delegates, the annual business meeting of the Institute, and an executive session of the Board of Directors will be held in that order Tuesday afternoon in the Engineering Societies Building, 29 West 39th St., where the Directors will meet in the evening following their annual dinner to the Section Delegates. The Pennsylvania--one of the Statler group of hotels-was selected as headquarters because it has the physical equipment and facilities-for registration, technical sessions of all sizes, luncheons, social events, etc.-as well as the prominence and location desirable for an Institute annual meeting. (A tip for Tuesday afternoon and evening: You can walk underground from the Pennsylvania to within half a block of the Engineering Societies Building,)

Jan 1, 1945

By R. S. Conti, M. R. Krump, C. P. Lazzara Ph. D., R. L. Derick, L. L. Chasko

A mine fire is one of the most challenging safety issues facing a mine operator and can occur at any location underground. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Twentymile Coal Mine, CO, conducted in-mine experiments to determine the capability of high-expansion foam for addressing underground fires. The tests were conducted in sloping entries with high-capacity diesel-powered foam generators. The following results were observed: a well-designed, maintained and properly operated high-expansion foam generator can propagate a foam plug hundreds of feet in steep upward-sloping (20%) multiple entries against a ventilation pressure; stoppings and partitions designed to contain the foam plug in upward-sloping entries must be substantially constructed; and the predicted quantity of foam concentrate can be significantly less than the actual amount used, due to foam losses, such as bubble breakage on dry surfaces. This paper describes the production of high-expansion firefighting foam and discusses the in-mine experimental tests and results.

Jan 1, 2010

By B. Wasmund, M. Parravani, M. Jastrzebski, Z. Coull

"One of the main drivers of overall profitability of pyrometallurgical vessels is refractory lining campaign life. Increased economic pressure to improve vessel life requires innovative solutions to the problem of refractory cooling. Hatch has recently developed a high-intensity, waterless cooling system that bridges the performance gap between external shell cooling and internal water-cooled copper elements. External shell cooling has a limited effectiveness in protecting the refractory lining, because it is thermally insulated from the hotface of the lining by its thickness. This situation does not improve until the lining itself has become worn near the end of the campaign. The patented technology developed by Hatch overcomes this problem by positioning high-velocity air-cooling channels within the lining, closer to the hotface where the cooling benefits can be realized throughout the entire duration of the campaign. The current paper presents the development and application of Internal Air Cooling technology as well as results from the pilot campaign in an operating commercial vessel. Various adaptations for this novel, cost-effective and inherently safe system are also discussed."

Jan 1, 2015

By Coida D. S. Renata, Gerald Okwuchi Onyedika, Moura E. B. Esperidiana, Graca Valenzuela-Diaz, Martin Chidozie Ogwuegbu, Francisco R. Valenzuela-Diaz, Amauche Cyprian Achusim-Udenko

This work aims to incorporate Mgbee clay, vegetal fibre (Costus afer) in recycled low density polyethylene (rLDPE). The incorporation of clay and vegetal fibre in rLDPE was carried out using a twin screw extruder machine and the nanocomposites were obtained. The nano composites were characterized by the Young’s modules test, tensile tests, bending test, XRD, SEM, DSC, and TG and other properties evaluated. The results of morphological and thermal properties showed a good interaction between the clay, and rLDPE as compared to neat rLDPE.

Mar 1, 2017

By A. R. Conroy

Microscopic observation of physical and chemical changes which take place in various materials under conditions of elevated temperature and controlled atmosphere can often yield valuable insight into the fundamental physical-chemical reactions which control processes in which these materials play an active role. The technique of high-temperature microscopy thus becomes an important tool for basic and applied research in pyrometallurgical and allied fields. Investigators have long been aware of this and through the years have applied the technique to a wide variety of problems. However, up to this time, application has been on a rather limited scale due to the high initial cost of equipment and the relatively low rate of production of data resulting from the complexity of the apparatus and attendant problems in manipulation.

Jan 1, 1964

By M. H. Allan

SASKATCHEWAN POWER CORPORATION is a Provincial Crown Corporation responsible for the production transmission and distribution of electric power and natural gas in the Province of Saskatchewan. Through the electric power responsibility, we became interested in the coal reserves in Saskatchewan, which, although still somewhat of an "orphan fuel" in the early and mid 1950's, gave the promise of providing a low-cost source of energy for electric generation. Coal in Saskatchewan, a lignite with an "as-received" heating value of from 5000 to 6500 Btu's per lb and up to 40% moisture, was first recorded in 1853 . By the end of the 19th century, many small mines were in operation in the Estevan, Coronach and Shaunavon areas supplying local inhabitants with a cheap source of heat. These small mines, some of them prosperous, some of them not, continued operation right up to the late 1940's, when oil replaced coal in the market place. The year 1930, however, saw the introduction of the new technique of strip mining in the Estevan area. This technique revolutionized coal mining. It was now possible to use large machinery to uncover the coal and cast the overburden to one side instead of burrowing through thin seams of coal varying from 2 to 10 feet thick. The overburden cast aside by these large mechanical shovels, or later draglines, created heaps of spoil which at that time, during the depression, were a sure sign of prosperity and the welcome news that people had jobs. By the late 1940's, coal production had dropped off, but the spoil piles remained and were now labelled by some as "scars on the landscape", even though there had been some natural succession of grasses. In addition, some people had planted trees in experimental plots and even some aerial seeding had been done.

Jan 1, 1978

By Paul M. Tyler

"In preparing this paper the writer has perforce depended mainly upon published information, including the catalogs and pamphlets issued by importers and dealers such as the Diamond Drill Carbon Co. and J. K. Smit & Zonen. Special acknowledgment is made to various articles published by S. H. Ball. The writer of this paper, however, is alone responsible for statements herein contained and since he has often found it necessary to rationalize apparently conflicting opinions of recognized authorities on this little-known subject, he will welcome constructive criticism from the trade.Two types of diamond are extensively used for industrial purposes. One type, known as bort or bortz (boort, boart, bowr, etc.), consists of diamonds of the gem variety but unfit for cutting into gems. They may be colorless, yellow, brown, or gray. The other type, carbonado, known in the trade as ""carbon"" or ""black diamond,"" differs greatly from the white diamond, being opaque and apparently amorphous or noncrystalline. Actually, instead of forming a large single crystal as in a gem stone, carbon diamond comprises a mass of microscopic crystals that interlock to form a tough, homogeneous material with no planes of cleavage. It is found in various colors -- black, dark green, brown, and gray -- but usually it has .a dark lustrous black surface, with a resinoid or submetallic appearance, often resembling fine-grained steel. Upon exposure to the air the broken surface gradually darkens to an ash-gray color. Ballas is a special type of carbonado in which the crystals are definitely-oriented around a central nucleus. They are harder and tougher than ordinary carbonado but are much scarcer. The Cape ballas is reputed to be not quite so tough as Brazilian ballas but tougher than carbon or bort.The diamond crystals are isometric and take a variety of forms. The cleavage is octahedral and well marked. A crack is easily -started parallel to an octahedral face, and bort or gem diamonds are notoriously brittle, especially when subjected to sudden shock. Even carbonado, while it has a high resistance to slowly applied pressures, may be chipped or broken by a sharp blow.Exposed to radioactive rays, the diamond becomes phosphorescent; this property is often utilized to distinguish it from quartz, topaz, or glass. The unusually high refractive index likewise aids in its identification in the case of a more or less transparent stone. At the temperature of the electric arc, diamond is converted into graphite, another form of Carbon but one of the softest mineral substances. At a much lower temperature, as low as 1,5620 F., the diamond may be burned like ordinary carbon in an atmosphere of oxygen, and according to some authorities there is danger of burning a diamond if overheated even in air."

Mar 1, 1932

By George H. Holmes

This paper is one of a series being prepared by the Minerals Division of the Bureau of Mines on mining and milling methods and practices at various mines in the United States. It describes such methods at the Caselton mine of the Combined Metals Reduction Co. The Caselton mine and mill are in secs. 28 and 29, T. 1 N., R. 67 E., M. D. B. & M., Lincoln County, Nev., about 10 miles by paved highway south- west of Pioche, Nev. (fig. 1). the history of the district and company This circular summarizos operations, describes physical features, labor and living conditions, the geology, ore deposits, and the ore. Prospecting and exploration methods are outlined, and shaft sinking, drifting and crosscutting, and raising are covered under development methods. In the soction on mining mothods, stoping and slushing are discussed, following which are descriptions of underground transportation, hoisting, ventilation, drainage and sampling, and surveying. The surface and crushing plants are described, and milling practices are presented in dotail with explanation of the filter plant and assay office. Safoty practices and the company organization are described in the concluding sections of the circular.

Nov 1, 1950

By Wei-Tong Du, Yu Wang, Peng-cheng Li, Shu-Chao Wang

CaCO3 thermal decomposition produces CO2 and CaO, and CO2 can be used as a weak oxidant in vanadium extraction. CaO will also affect the vanadium extraction process. This experiment, taking self-blowing and temperature acquisition experiment system, through adding different quality CaCO3, studies the molten iron in the oxidation behavior of C, V and P and its impact, and analysis of CaCO3 decomposition of the heating effect of the molten pool. The result indicates that adding CaCO3 in the vanadium extraction process had no obvious effect on the oxidation of carbon, but partly increased vanadium oxidation which reached more than 90%. Increased CaCO3 additions also increased cooling the molten pool, with a maximum decrease in temperature of 20 K. In addition, the oxidation of P also increased, reaching 40%. The research has proved that CaCO3 can serve to oxidize V and P is effective in vanadium extraction.

Mar 1, 2017

By Thomas Varley

IN THE congressional act establishing the Bureau of Mines one of the functions outlined was "to assist I the industry in the prevention of mineral waste." This had not only to do with the waste in mining but in milling and metallurgical practices, including smelting. The organization of the Bureau of 'Mines includes many divisions, each working in a particular field and charged with certain investigative work. The metallurgical division has the above duties under its immediate supervision, and the station located at Salt Lake City is directed by the chief of this division: There are ten experiment stations of the Bureau of Mines, located in various parts of the country, most of them being housed at state universities under cooperative agreements. Considerable care was exercised in locating the stations and in choosing the particular type of work to be investigated at each place. Inasmuch as the Bureau was designed to serve and cooperate with the industry it is only natural that the investigative work be of interest and importance to the territory immediately adjacent to the respective stations.

Jan 1, 1925

By C. P. Broadbent

The process metallurgy of many nickel laterite smelting operations is controlled largely by the physical chemistry of the slag system. Consequently, accurate phase diagram information and physicochemical property data are essential to interpret and predict the behaviour and optimisation of the overall process. The system (SiO2 - MgO - FeO) first described by Bowen et al. between 1914 and 1935 and the system (SiO2 - MgO - FeO - Fe2O3) determined by Muan and Osborne in 1956 are of particular relevance to the study of nickel laterite smelting slags as these systems form a reasonable approximation of many industrial slags. This paper will review the literature for these (and other relevant) phase systems. In addition data available from the ternary and (quasi)ternary phase diagrams will be compared with data obtained from industrial slags. The physico-chemical properties under consideration will include; melting and crystallisation behaviour (solidus and liquidus temperatures), viscosity - temperature relationships, heat flux considerations, electrical conductivity, surface and interfacial tension.

Jan 1, 1993

By C. I. Basilio

Pearson's hard and soft acid and base (HSAB) principle may be applied to flotation systems. The HSAB principle states that hard acids prefer to bond with hard bases and soft acids prefer to bond with soft bases. By determining the Drago E and C parameters for the different components of a flotation system, the HSAB principle could be used to explain the selectivity of some collectors such as thionocarbamates against some minerals. Determination of these parameters is done by utilizing Drago's theory and flow micro-calorimetry.

Jan 1, 1991

By Charles G. Kemsley

IN view of the truly remarkable development of special steels for special purposes, the mining industry has for years looked forward to a time when steel makers would come forward with a product which would be an improvement over the straight carbon steel which has always held the field for drilling rock. In order to avoid making changes in conventional shop practice, the industry has perhaps been too insistent upon obtaining a water hardening steel which could be handled in the blacksmith shop by long established methods. As early as 1932 or 1933, an oil-hardening tool-steel of the one per cent carbon, plus chrome, plus molybdenum type was applied to hollow drill steel. It was known as a hard as well as a tough steel, and one that, theoretically, should give a good account of itself as a rock drill, if properly heat-treated; and so it has proved in actual trials. There were numerous deterrents which retarded adoption of this steel. For several years there has been a constant improvement in the drilling qualities of the straight carbon steel, and, considering the higher unit price ? of the alloy, there has been considerable doubt in the minds of some mining? men as to what advantage there might be in the use of alloy over straight carbon for hollow drill steel. The alloy being an oil-hardening steel, its adoption meant having two kinds of steel in the mine, for a time, and that spelled trouble, unless some positive means of identification was adopted. The hardening and forging ranges of alloy steel being narrow also made necessary much closer control over these operations if poor results were to be avoided. These thoughts undoubtedly prevented its use becoming wide-spread, for, as a matter of actual record, less than fifteen per cent of all the hollow drill steel used in Canada today is alloy.

Jan 1, 1942

By R. J. Marcotte, C. T. Eddy, R. J. Smith

THE objectives of the investigation herein reported were to determine: (I) the S-curves for certain selected cast steels, (2) whether or not the published S-curves for wrought steels are satisfactory for use on cast steels of similar composition, and (3) to prepare hardenability curves of the selected cast steels. In order to make the final comparisons between cast and wrought steel more completely tangible, it was deemed advisable not only to determine S-curves for the steels submitted in the cast condition but also to roll some of the cast-steel test bars and determine comparison S-curves on such wrought material. This procedure eliminates the composition variable and makes it possible to reveal the differences resulting from plastic deformation of the cast structure in addition to providing the comparison with published data on wrought steels. CAST STEELS The cast steels selected for the preparation of S-curves, or time-temperature transformation curves, were similar to S.A.E. series 1030, 2330, 4130 and 4330. Of these the 1030 was supplied by The Crucible Steel Casting Co., Cleveland, Ohio, and the other three by The Sawbrook Steel Castings Co., Lockland, Ohio. The steels were furnished in the as-cast condition. The manufacturers supplied the chemical analyses and the properties that could be obtained in the heat-treated condition-all of which is summarized in Table I. [ ] PROCEDURE The metallographic and dilatometric procedures and equipment were in general standard. The specific technique employed was described in a report of the Steel

Jan 1, 1945

By Lauri Holappa

Copper converting is mostly performed in Peirce-Smith converters. The process is still very similar to the original one developed in the early 20th century. It is a batch process in a horizontal cylindrical reactor with air blowing via tuyeres along the length of the reactor side. The Peirce-Smith converter has its roots in Bessemer's inventions in the 1850's as he tested both horizontal and vertical vessels for steel converting. However, for steel making a vertical pear-shaped converter with air bottom-blowing was established. In the course of time, there was a distinct necessity for oxygen usage instead of air due to harmful effects of nitrogen to steel properties and its cooling effect. In-bath blowing of oxygen did not succeed, however, and top-blown oxygen converter with oxygen lance (LD or BOF) was first developed in he 1950's and emerged rapidly to a dominating position. Somewhat later oxygen bottom-blowing via special shrouded tuyeres was developed (OBM or Q-BOP) but has attained only fractional share. Bottom-blowing technique had, however, impact on the current combined blown converters which adopted the benefits of both top and bottom blowing. In copper converting Peirce-Smith type converters have kept their position until today although new processes have been introduced and at least few of them seem to be emerging. In one respect copper converting has a clear leading position i.e. in the progress of continuous converting processes (Mitsubishi, Ausmelt). These processes utilise top-blowing lances instead of in-bath blowing tuyeres. A different principle for continuous converting is flash converting by Kennecott Outokumpu, which makes smelting and converting independent of each others. Solid ground matte is used as a feed for flash converting in a reactor shaft similar to Outokumpu matte flash smelting. A comparable process has been presented by Inco too. The paper discusses principal physico-chemical and process technical similarities and differences in copper and steel converting. Although these processes are metallurgically quite different it seems that during the modem history of ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, starting from the 1850's, the exchange of knowledge between these disciplines has been quite intensive. In long-term perspective, many similarities in the development can be found but also divergences due to different ambient circumstances.

Jan 1, 2003

By Robert G. Bottge

Hard rock mining has grown in importance in the Yukon Territory during the last 10 years while Alaskan hard rock mining has declined. One asbestos deposit in Alaska is dormant, but an asbestos deposit 55 miles to the east in the Yukon Territory is being mined by the Clinton Mine Div., Cassiar Asbestos Corp., Ltd. In this Bureau of Mines report, the economics of mining in the two locations were derived using the Clinton mine as a model. Both deposits were assumed to be of equal size and mined by similar methods. Conventional open pit mining and processing methods were assumed, and capital and operating costs were derived using flowsheets and standard costing methods. The estimated cost for the mine, mill, and support facilities in Alaska was about 30 percent more expensive than that in the Yukon Territory. The higher labor rates in Alaska were the primary contributor to the higher construction costs; freight rates added only slightly to the total costs. Approximately two-thirds of the additional annual costs of operating in Alaska were for wages and fringe benefits. The price required for the Alaskan asbestos fiber was $356.65 per ton compared with $287.44 for Yukon fiber, plus or minus 20 percent. A 12 percent discounted cash flow rate of return, 100 percent equity financing, and a rapid writeoff of assets were assumed.

Jan 1, 1975

By P. D. I. Honeyman

DURING 1938 many copper companies again felt the economic pinch and smelter operations were often on a reduced basis which some- times resulted in intermittent operations and complete shutdowns. During the last half of the year production was stepped up and smelting operations resumed a more normal appearance. One of the present-day trends in reverberatory sme1ting is definitely toward high-tonnage operations. i\ t the Phelps Dodge Corporation's Douglas plant, the reconstructed 107 by 26- ft. reverberatory furnaces are operated at the rate of 1000 tons of solid charge per day. The arch, all of silica brick; is sufficiently high above the bath to give

Jan 1, 1939

By R. J. Marcotte, C. T. Eddy, R. J. Smith

The objectives of the investigation herein reported were to determine: (I) the S-curves for certain selected cast steels, (2) whether or not the published S-curves for wrought steels are satisfactory for use on cast steels of similar composition, and (3) to prepare hardenability curves of the selected cast steels. In order to make the final comparisons between cast and wrought steel more completely tangible, it was deemed advisable not only to determine S-curves for the steels submitted in the cast condition but also to roll some of the cast-steel test bars and determine comparison S-curves on such wrought material. This procedure eliminates the composition variable and makes it possible to reveal the differences resulting from plastic deformation of the cast structure in addition to providing the comparison with published data on wrought steels. Cast Steels The cast steels selected for the preparation of S-curves, or time-temperature transformation curves, were similar to S.A.E. series 1030, 2330, 4130 and 4330. Of these the 1030 was supplied by The Crucible Steel Casting Co., Cleveland, Ohio, and the other three by The Sawbrook Steel Castings Co., Lockland, Ohio. The steels were furnished in the as-cast condition. The manufacturers supplied the chemical analyses and the properties that could be obtained in the heat-treated condition—all of which is summarized in Table I. The metallographic and dilatometric procedures and equipment were in general standard. The specific technique employed was described in a report of the Steel

Jan 1, 1945

By S. Bhattacharaya, S. Aich, B. K. Nandi

"At present scenario, there has been an increasing demand in the usage of blend coal in power sector; regardless of how, specific knowledge on burning and ignition characteristics and their interactive effects is stingy. In this work a detailed investigation was therefore taken up to study in detail the combustion characteristics of selected coal samples and their blends. Certain parameters were believed to have significant effects on combustion characteristics of individual coal and their blend. Major parameters identified for this purpose included proximate analysis, combustion conditions, heating rate, reaction regions, blending ratios, ignition condition, reactivity (or reaction rate) and burnout temperatures. With the help of these parameters, thermal features and reaction kinetics of the individual and blended samples were investigated through a qualitative and quantitative thermo-gravimetric analysis of two different individual coals and their blend carried out in an oxygen atmosphere from ambient to 800 0C at a constant heating rate of 10 K/min. A significant difference in terms of rate of mass loss with temperature correlated from Arrhenius expression along with coal-coal blend interactions and deviation from their expected behaviour, have been observed between the kinetics of individual and blend samples, the latter showing better ignition performance and comprehensive combustion phase. It was also found that particles having the lowest percentages of volatile matter and ash could possibly be blended with particles having high ash and volatile matter to meet the required burning condition which can be effective in terms of cost savings, improved fuel economy, reduced undesirable exhaust emissions and improved safety of coal burning equipment. Experimental results further indicated that individual samples and coal blend samples have different combustion features in terms of residue left, peak temperatures and activation energies. Thermodynamic activation parameters such as activation energy, pre-exponential factor and order of reaction were computed from the thermal data using the modified form of non-isothermal methods. INTRODUCTION Coal has been the most significant source of energy for India and would remain so at least for the next few decades. About 60-65% of the electricity produced in India is from coal fired power plants. Indian coal is of drift origin and of high ash content. Ash content of the coal burnt in power plants in India is in the range of 30-45%, most of it being Run-of-Mine coal. Most of the power plants in India source their coal from number of mines, most common being multiple sourcing. Usually coal from each source [1] is burnt separately. For various reasons mostly associated with logistics, burning of blended coal is rarely practiced. Blending of coal is practised mainly for improving the quality of available coal and meets the shortage of coal supply. Blending technique is generally practised in power industries to reduce the cost of power generation along with mitigating combustion performance or slagging problem ensuring consistency in as fired coal quality and also for environmental compliance. Blending good quality imported coal can improve coal quality and helps in preserving indigenous coal resources for longer period [2]. Use of blended coal shall reduce load on all boiler components (Mill, CHP, Boiler, AHP) & reduce O&M cost and increase the availability. The main purpose of blending is to get a blended as fired coal having ash, volatile matter and gross calorific value close to design coal and the two coals are to be blended in such ratio proportions that resultant coal blend have desired ash, volatile matter and gross calorific value [3]. For a coal to be blended certain parameters have to be considered to get compatibility with respect to combustibility ( Burn ability) of coal, grindability ( HGI), ash fusion behavior, swelling characteristics of coal, need to be checked"

Jan 1, 2017