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By L. A. Mills

After three years of experience in operating the pilot plant for the Noranda Continuous Smelting Process, the decision was made, in March 1971, to build an 800 ton per day commercial plant at Noranda, Quebec. The de- sign and layout of the plant is discussed and the installed equipment described. Experience previously gained in the pilot plant is mentioned when it has been used in the choice of equipment or plant layout. The full- scale reactor was started up in March 1973 and the operational datacollected and the experience acquired during the first 30 months of operation are described. This includes operation to produce both high grade matte and copper. Areas discussed include refractory wear, fuel consumption and throughput of copper concentrates. Changes made to original equipment and methods of operation are discussed, together with the reasons. The ad- vantages of using solid fuels to handle inert materials and to maximize converting air flowrates and concentrate throughputs are described. Relative efficiencies of oil and natural gas are compared. The addition of oxygen from a 94 ton per day oxygen plant to the reactor converting air was started in August 1975 and the initial operating results are included.

Jan 1, 1976

By M. Yoshinuga, S. Watanabe

Some iron ores, sinters and pellets occasionally show abnormal behavior during reduction which makes them undesirable as blast furnace burden. These may be divided into the following three types: (1) decrepitation of iron ore, (2) swelling of iron ore and pellet, (3) size degradation of sinter. In this paper reduction experiments and microscopic examinations were made to clarify the mechanisms and causes of these abnormal phenomena. Decrepitation occurs mainly when compact hematite ores containing small amounts of limonite are heated to about 500°C. Abnormal swelling of ores and pellets is caused by the rapid growth of fibrous metallic iron from the surface of wustite grains during rapid reduction and is fundamentally related to their original microstructure. Size degradation of sinter occurs through the development of cracks in the reduction stage from hematite to magnetite. About 80% of the iron ore used in Japan's blast furnaces comes from abroad, and the iron and steel industry must import this raw material from distant overseas places at high freight rates. The blast furnace operators, therefore, have made strong efforts to cut costs under these restrictive raw materials conditions by increasing productivity and simultaneously decreasing coke consumption. If, however, a high proportion of the ore burden consists of unsuitable materials furnace irregularities often result, establishing the need for detailed investigations of the basic natures of the ore constituents and their reactions during the reduction process. Recent investigations '-' of various ore burdens suggest that some iron ores, sinters and pellets are occasionally abnormal in appearance and behavior during reduction studies and may prove to be undesirable for use in the blast furnace. In the present study reduction experiments and microscopic observations were made to clarify the causes and the mechanisms of the abnormal behavior observed in some constituents of the burden and their effect on blast furnace performance. REDUCING APPARATUS The four kinds of reducing apparatus used in this investigation were the following: 1. The JIS* (Modified Gakushin') apparatus shown in Fig. la is most commonly used in Japan to evaluate the reducibility of ores under static conditions. It consists of a stainless steel tube of 60 mm inside diam suspended from a balance. 2. Linder's Reduction Test apparatus (Fig. lc) has a reducing barrel 130 mm diam and 200 mm long which rotates at 30 rpm. Some modifications were made in test procedures. 3. Gakushin Standard Test apparatus for determining the reducibility of granular ores (Fig. Id) consists of a horizontal silica tube 32 mm diam, 370 mm long and a movable electric furnace which enables rapid heating and cooling of the specimens. 4. The test apparatus for reduction under load (Fig. lb) gives a comprehensive evaluation of the behavior of ores under conditions simulating the static loading and the chemical reduction conditions encountered in. a blast furnace stack. A stainless steel tube of 50 mm diam and a carbon rod of 35 mm diam were used as the sample container and the support for the weight, respectively. In each investigation care was taken to select the most suitable method and apparatus to distinguish the abnormal nature of the ore in question. SIZE DEGRADATION OF SINTER DURING REDUCTION Sinter makes up the major portion of the blast furnace burden and its behavior during reduction should bear a close relationship to the iron productivity. Recently, some of the sinter was found to show serious size degradation during reduction at a relatively low temperature range. Because this phenomenon was thought to be a possible source of furnace irregularities, tests were made to clarify the phenom-

Jan 1, 1969

By Ronald M. Hays

The Duluth Gabbro Complex in Northeastern Minnesota possibly contains a significant domestic copper resource and the nation's largest nickel resource. Exploration has discovered large low-grade copper-nickel (Cu-Ni) deposits between Hoyt Lakes and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). The mining and processing of Cu-Ni will have environmental, economic, and social impacts. The purpose of this study is to relate major environmental, economic, and social considerations to various aspects of Cu-Ni extraction. An open pit and two underground (block caving and open stoping with backfilling) models were developed to generate information on the impact of Cu-Ni extraction. Important considerations having environmental, economic, and social impacts (luring various aspects of Cu-Ni extraction are identified and defined. These aspects are exploration, development, mining, beneficiating, smelting, transportation, and termination of operations. Considerations are grouped into the general categories of site, industrial, energy, climatic, resource, water, air emission, waste disposal, employee, tax and royalty, transportation, and community considerations. Cu-Ni extraction in Northeastern Minnesota presents major environmental, economic, and social risks. Decisions are required on trade-offs between adverse and beneficial impacts. The approach used in this study assists in assessing environmental, economic, and social impacts. It will aid in the examination of potential and projected short-term and long-term advantages and disadvantages and will aid in the development of Minnesota's Cu-Ni resource for the maximum benefit to society.

Jan 1, 1974

By Paul M. Tyler

According to Lindgren , the economic importance of pegmatites stems from the fact that they represent the principal natural storehouse of two classes of mineral products : (1 ) common minerals in exceptional size and purity and ( 2 ) several of the rarest minerals , which are not commercially available from other types of deposits . Most pegmatites can be described simply as coarse- to very coarsegrained granites . Pegmatite includes coarse -textured igneous rocks of any composition , such as syenitic , alkali syenitic , dioritic , or gabbroitic ; but basic pegmatites are far less common than those that are associated with acid rocks and correspond approximately to the mineral composition of ordinary granite . Moreover , only a very few basic pegmatites can be considered as economic sources of useful minerals . Whereas , in ordinary granitic rocks the individual minerals usually measure 1/8 to 1/4 inch across , in pegmatites they are characteristically over 1 inch and often more than 12 inches in diameter . Although some of the constituents of the pegmatite may be only a fraction of an inch in length , single crystals more than 10 feet long are by no means unusual , and some crystals are enormous . A whole quarry was operated in the Urals within a single crystal of feldspar . Huge quartz crystals are quite common although usually imperfect . Muscovite plates 10 feet in diameter have been mined in India , and the Purdy mica mine in Canada contained a mica crystal measuring 6.5 by 9.5 feet and weighing nearly 7 tons , which supplied more than $20,000 worth of trimmed mica sheet . A loglike crystal of spodumene in the Etta mine in the Black Hills of South Dakota was 42 feet long . Giant crystals of beryl weighing several tons apiece have been mined from several properties . Because so many rare minerals are found in substantial concentration only in pegmatites , it is a common fallacy to suppose that pegmatites are always enriched in rare elements . Traces of most of these elements , of course , are found in almost all igneous rocks , and they reappear in the sediments derived from igneous rocks . It does not follow , however , that all or even most pegmatites contain higher percentages of rare elements than other granitic rocks . Geological evidence points to the probability that notable concentrations of rarer minerals or elements in pegmatites are more or less fortuituous , such additions often being ascribed to events subsequent to the original emplacement of the main body of the pegmatite . Most pegmatites consist principally of potash , feldspar , and quartz . Even mica , although commonly present , is not an essential constituent . Probably

Feb 1, 1950

By O. J. Hassel, W. T. Maidens, J. H. Calbeck

The rotary gas fired reheating furnace used by the American Zinc Oxide Co. at Columbus, Ohio for Therotarygasfiredreheatingfurnacerefining lead-free zinc oxide is described. The outstanding features of this operation are that the color of the zinc oxide is greatly improved, sulphur is eliminated, and cadmium arethatrecovered without densifying the product to an objectionable degree. IN 1919 Leland S. Wemple obtained a patent for a process of reheating zinc oxide wherein the "coarsening of grain due to excessive heating was avoided." He taught in his specification that if solid carbonaceous material, such as lamp black, was added to the zinc oxide in proper amounts prior to reheating, objectionable sulphur compounds could be removed and the color would accordingly be improved and no objectionable densification would occur because of the relatively low temperature required. The situation that made this invention imperative was the newly opened zinc oxide plant of the American Zinc, Lead & Smelting Co. in Hills-boro, Ill. This was one of the early Western Type American Process zinc oxide operations. Characteristic of all of these early Western operations using Tri-State and Western ores was the great difficulty encountered in obtaining a product low enough in sulphur to compete with the Eastern Type American Process zinc oxides which were made from ores containing very low sulphur percentages. Wemple demonstrated that the refining process of his invention produced a superior color and although this was true and a most welcome feature, the primary purpose of the early refining operations at Hillsboro was to reduce substantially the high sulphur content of the crude zinc oxide. Although many and varied attempts had been made for refining zinc oxide none of the processes had a commercial history of any consequence until Wemple's invention became standard practice for the American Zinc, Lead & Smelting Co. in 1919 and their operations have been unique in that substantially all of their lead-free zinc oxide has been reheated since the first installation at Hillsboro. This process has become known in the industry as refining. The furnace developed by Wemple and continued in use by the company from 1919 until 1943 was unusual and merits some consideration by way of review in this paper. The furnace was essentially a double hearth coal-fired muffle furnace with a mechanical raking system consisting of a central shaft supporting six rabble arms in each muffle. The untreated or "crude" zinc oxide was fed onto the outer rim of the top muffle, moved to the center where it dropped to the lower muffle and progressed to the outer rim where it was discharged into an alloy screw conveyor. The retention in this furnace was extremely short, about 5 min, and the shallow zinc oxide bed on the hearths of the muffles was being continuously turned by the fast moving rabbles. Soft coal was burned on the grates below the lower muffle and the long yellow flame necessary to carry the heat around both muffles resulted in a very inefficient combustion of the fuel. The temperature of the top of the lower muffle seldom exceeded 65 °C although the oxide itself often reached 700°C before discharge. The capacity of this furnace was approximately 1/2 ton per hr. In our plant at Columbus it was necessary to keep four of these furnaces running in parallel to take care of the production because, as mentioned above, every pound of zinc oxide produced during these 24 yr passed through one of these refining furnaces. An essential part of this refining operation was the use of carbonaceous material admixed with the zinc oxide fed to the furnaces. Between 1 and 2 pct of a bran produced in the processing of cotton seed was added to all zinc oxide charged to the furnaces. The bran ignited on the top hearth and was still burning when the charge fell from the top hearth to the bottom hearth making a cascade of sparks. The rapid turning of the zinc oxide caused these particles of bran to flash on the hearths behind each rabble; but the combustion, of necessity, had to be complete by the time the charge reached the outer rim of the bottom hearth, otherwise the finished product would be contaminated with the charred particles of bran which would give the zinc oxide an unsatisfactory color. Although this operation was initiated to reduce objectionable sulphur percentages, as time went on new properties of the product were appreciated which made advisable continuing the refining process long after other methods of sulphur reduction became known in the industry. The particle size and particle size distribution, the absence of colloidal fines and perhaps a unique surface condition gave this product an outstanding performance when used in paints. The Wemple furnaces installed in Columbus in 1919 had to be rebuilt frequently and were extravagant in the use of fuel. The raking mechanism and the muffles required excessive maintenance expense and as the furnaces wore out the problem arose whether to continue along this line or to explore the possibilities of obtaining similar or better results in the simpler and more commonly used rotary furnace. To this end special research was initiated in 1941 on a small laboratory rotary

Jan 1, 1951

By R. E. Cech, J. H. Hollomon

KURDJUMOV and Maksimova reported experiments with manganese steels and high carbon steels' and with an Fe-Ni-Mn alloy' in which mar-tensite was formed isothermally over a range of temperatures. They found in some cases that mar-tensite formation could be suppressed by rapid quenching to liquid nitrogen temperature. From their microstructural observations of martensite formed isothermally, they concluded that the rate controlling step is nucleation rather than growth. Kulin and Cohen,3 in an attempt to reproduce these experiments, found that with a steel having the same composition as that reported by Kurd-jumov and Maksimova, the transformation to martensite was essentially complete above the temperature range of Kurdjumov and Maksimova's isotherms. The possible reasons for this disagreement were not considered. Recent papers by Das Gupta and Lement4 and Kulin and Speich5 report the formation of isothermal martensite in a high chromium steel and in an Fe-Cr-Ni alloy, but neither paper can be considered a verification of the original Kurdjumov and Maksimova results. Further, in neither case were the authors able to suppress the formation of martensite entirely. Because of the important bearing the Kurdjumov and Maksimova results have to an understanding of the mechanism of martensite reactions it was felt that an experimental investigation directly concerned with checking the validity of their results was in order. This paper describes the results obtained on the isothermal transformation over the temperature range from —79" to —196°C of an alloy of iron, nickel, and manganese. Experimental Apparatus A 15 lb heat of an alloy containing 73.3 pct Fe, 23.0 pct Ni, and 3.7 pct Mn was melted by induction and cast under argon. The ingot was forged to 1-in. bar and a portion rolled to 1/16x1 1/2-in. strip. This strip was pack-homogenized 300 hr at 1100" in a helium-filled sealed iron tube. The composition after homogenization was 73.2 pct Fe, 22.94 pct Ni, 3.73 pct Mn, 0.05 pct C, and 0.015 pct N. The strips were cut to 1/2-in. width for dilatometer and metal-lographic specimens. Only the center portion of the 11/2-in. strip was used in the present investigation. The dilatometer employed was similar in design to one described by Flinn, Cook, and Fellows." A concentric fused auartz rod and tube assembly with hooks for holding the specimen was mounted so as to transmit the specimen dilation to a 1/10,000 in., 1/10 in. travel dial gage. The dilatometer proper was mounted by means of extension arms to a counterweighted sliding member on a vertical standard. This method of mounting permitted rapid transfer of the dilatometer from the austenitizing furnace to the quenching bath and low temperature chamber. A small electrical vibrator on the dilatometer kept frictional effects of the quartz members at a minimum. The austenitizing unit was a vertical, molybdenum-wound, hydrogen atmosphere furnace maintained at a constant temperature ±3°C by means of constant power input. A 12-in. stainless steel jacketed copper liner having 1/2-in wall thickness acted to equalize the temperature in the hot zone of the furnace. This liner, closed at the bottom end and open at the top to permit entrance of the dilatometer and specimen, was kept filled with dry nitrogen gas. A chromel-alumel thermocouple was placed inside the tube to determine the temperature. The 4-in. dilatometer specimens in the chamber varied less than 1/2° across the specimen length except for a 1 1/20 drop at the end nearest the open end of the furnace. The low temperature isothermal holding bath was a double Dewar arrangement similar to one described by Turnbull7. The outer bath was filled with a refrigerant at a temperature lower than the desired holding temperature. The inner bath was filled with Freon "11" or "12" or a mixture of both, depending upon the holding temperature. This inner bath which tended to be cooled by the outer bath was kept at a constant temperature by introducing a small amount of heat with a manually controlled electric heater. Stirring was accomplished by bubbling dry air through the bath. A Leeds and North-rup type K potentiometer was used to measure the inner bath temperature as indicated by a five element copper-constantan thermopile. The bath temperature was maintained within ±0.2°C of the desired temperature by occasionally adjusting the heater current so as to keep the Leeds and Northrup galvanometer at zero deflection with a constant setting of the potentiometer. Isothermal tests were usually continued for 300 to 400 min and another reading made at approximately 1000 min if the bath, unattended overnight, had not deviated in temperature more than 5°C. Transformation curves are drawn dashed (Fig. 1) through the time region where temperature was not controlled precisely. Experimental Procedure Dilatometer specimens of 1/2x1/16-in. strip were cut to 41/2-in. length and holes were drilled for the quartz hooks with proper spacing to give a 4-in. measured length. A thermocouple consisting of 0.012-in. diameter chrome1 and alumel wires was spot welded to the specimen and threaded between the dilatometer rods to binding posts near the dial

Jan 1, 1954

By R. A. Meussner, C. T. Fujii

Chromium solution in wustite depresses the oxygen activity in a nonideal manner and expands the lattice slightly. Gravimetric measurements of the equilibrium compositions of wustite containing 0.00 to 1.38 wt pct Cr define the oxygen potential (CO2-CO atm) and the limits of the phase field at 1000°C. These data extrapolate to a maximum solubility of 2 wt pct Cr. The lattice parameter data, room-temperature measurements of quenched samples, differ significantly from those in the literature. Both pure and chromium wus-tites contract at uniform and equal rates as the oxygen content (metal deficit) increases. The a. US metal deficit relationships are straight lines showing none of the curvature previously reported. At constant metal deficit, the a. expands by 0.002? on alloying with 0.4 to 0.5 wt pct Cr but is insensitive to further chromium additions: a small expansion rather than a marked contraction. These results require a modification of the accepted alloying mechanism. IN the high-temperature oxidation of Fe-Cr alloys in Ha-H,and CO2-CO atmospheres the vapor transfer of oxygen from the continuous wustite outer scale to the porous inner scale/alloy interface sustains the high oxidation rates.1"3 The driving force for this transport is the difference in the oxygen activity of the outer wustite and that at the inner scale/alloy interface. In pure CO2, as well as in CO2-CO atmospheres, carburization of the alloy accompanies this oxidation. Current efforts to evaluate the parameters controlling this carburization have shown that the process is not simple; i.e., the carbon concentration in the alloy initially increases rapidly, reaches a maximum, and then decreases slowly as the oxidation time is extended. This is the same pattern reported by McCoy for the more complex oxidation-carburization of stainless steels and an Fe-Cr alloy in CO2 at lower temperatures.4 These changes in the carburization process occur while the overall oxidation rate and the lattice parameters of the scale layers remain constant. If this invariance of the lattice parameter is assumed to indicate a constant scale composition and thus a constant oxygen potential, the carburization results are not easily explained. Electron microprobe traces across the thickness of these outer scales, however, have revealed distinct chromium gradients penetrating 10 to 50 µ from the inner surface where the chromium concentrations were estimated at a few tenths percent. The variation of the chromium cmcentration on the inner surface of the scale, and the resulting change of the oxygen activity, during the oxidation process is considered to be important in defining the carburization process. Thus, to gain an understanding of the complex oxidation-carburization proc- ess, it was necessary to measure the properties of wustite containing known amounts of chromium (chromium wustite). Although the general features of the Fe-Cr-0 equilibrium diagram between 900° and 1300°C have been fairly well established by Richards and white: Wood-house and White,6 Seybolt,7 and Katsura and Muan,8 there have been no detailed studies of the limits of the chromium wustite phase field or the properties of these alloyed wustites. The recent results of a limited study of chromium wustite by Levin and wagner9 indicate that more than 0.67 wt pct Cr is soluble in wustite above 850°C and that this alloying is accompanied by a substantial lattice contraction. This change in the lattice parameter was not evident in the X-ray diffraction patterns of wustite layers from the oxidation experiments;1,3 the lines were sharp even though a chromium gradient existed in the scale. The present paper describes gravimetric equilibrium experiments which delineate the boundaries of the chromium wustite single-phase field at 1000°C and define the changes in the oxygen activity and the lattice parameter of wustite as functions of chromium and oxygen contents. The lattice parameter data of chromium wustite obtained from these equilibrium and special quenching experiments differ considerably from those reported.9 Those for pure wustite show significant differences from the widely accepted data of Jette and Foote.10 Since the causes of these differences are not easily assignable, and since the literature contains many sets of data on wustite which if not in conflict are at best not in harmony, the experimental procedures are discussed in the present paper. EXPERIMENTAL Oxide Preparation. The specimens used in these studies were porous pellets compacted from high-purity (Fe,Cr)2O3 or Fe2O3 powders. These powders were prepared from electrolytic chromium (99.8 pct purity) and electrolytic iron purified by consumable-electrode, vacuum arc-melting processing (299.9 pct purity).11 The oxides were produced by standard analytical procedures: solution of the metals in acids (HC1, then HNO3 added), coprecipitation of the hydroxides (NHaOH), and filtering and washing these precipitates. Initial dehydration of the coprecipitated hydroxides was done in a porcelain evaporating dish heated by a Meker-type burner, final dehydration by firing in a recrystallized alumina crucible at 1000" to 1050°C for 20 hr in an electrically heated furnace. Spectrographic analysis detected the following impurities: silicon, 0.01 pct or less; aluminum, 0.001 pct to trace; manganese and copper, 0.0001 pct to none. Each of these levels is at least one order of magnitude lower than in commercially available CP grade ferric and chromic oxides. Fluorescence analy-

Jan 1, 1969

By Edmund S. Leaver, A. P. Towne, Jesse A. Woolf

Part of the work of the Precious Metals Section is to conduct oretesting experiments on ores selected as representative of various mining districts or areas . The projects are authorized by the Metallurgical Division , and only those ores in which gold and silver or gold or silver constitute an essential part of the total values are assigned to the Precious Metals Section . Such ores include those containing the precious metals only as commercially important ingredients , as well as those containing base metals such as copper , lead , and zinc along with the gold and silver . In many instances the "ore " may be a tailing product of a grade good enough to warrant retreatment , or a concentrate for which it is desirable to develop a method of treatment to avoid the expense of shipment to a smelter . It is evident that in general the greater part of this ore - testing work is done according to standard testing procedure , such as cyanidation, amalgamation, gravity - concentration , and flotation , or a combination of these methods . The standard methods of conducting such tests have been outlined in previous reports of ore - testing studies . However , since the inauguration of this oretesting program 6 years ago , the ores submitted under authorization have become increasingly more refractory to simple methods of treatment. Consequently, a considerable number of the projects completed during the fiscal year 1941 have required an unusual amount of work and in some instances have developed into real research problems . For such ores more complete microscopic and spectroscopic examinations and more complete chemical analyses

Feb 1, 1942

By A. G. Spillette, R. L. Nielsen

The purpose of this paper is to further the understanding of reservoir response to hot-water injection by desuribing a two-dimensional, mathematical model of the process. Key assumptions are that no gas phase is present, and that the injected fluid reaches thermal equilibrium instantaneously with the reservoir fluids and sand. The resulting system of three partial differential equations is solved simultaneously through the use of a "leap-frog" application of standard alternating direction implicit methods for the solution of the mass-balance equations and the method of characteristics for solution of the energy-balance equation. The utility of the mathematical model is demonstrated by comparing numerical and analytic temperature distributions for hot-water bank injection and by comparing calculated with observed field behavior. Additional calculations show that hot waterfioding can recover significantly more oil than cold waterflooding, and that a hot-water bank recovers, with less energy input, nearly as much oil us continuous injection. Introduction Consistent field success with hot fluid injection processes requires good reservoir description and a thorough understanding of recovery mechanisms. The latter is fostered by a combination of well designed experimental studies and physically sound mathematical modeling. The purpose of this paper is to further the understanding of reservoir response to hot-water injection by describing a two-dimensional mathematical technique, indicating its validity, and demonstrating its utility for studying the effects of reservoir and operating parameters. Published experimental studies of hot fluid injection processes are few." Even if extensive data were available, two considerations discourage exclusive reliance on laboratory or field work. First, because of the severity of scaling requirements," laboratory results must be interpreted with care. Second, because of the one-shot nature of field experiments — injectivity/productivity tests and pilot floods—results seldom are available over the desired range of operating conditions. These factors emphasize the need for devoting attention to mathematical modeling to complement laboratory and field work. Through the use of mathematical models, scaling uncertainties can be bridged and response can be predicted for unique combinations of reservoir and operating conditions. Numerous mathematical models developed during recent years enable us to calculate temperature distributions, thermal efficiency (or conversely, fraction of heat lost), and oil recovery behavior for hot fluid injection. Ramey" and Spillette' recently have provided reviews of these methods. Most models have concentrated on predicting temperature distributions and thermal efficiency; few have been directed at predicting oil recovery.'."1° Although these techniques are useful for estimating effects of reservoir parameters and operating conditions on process performance, results are limited by the assumptions made and by the methods of coupling independently solved fluid-flow and energy-balance equations. A computer-based method is presented for predicting total reservoir response to hot-water injection that obviates most simplifying assumptions. The model simulates fluid flow and heat transfer in two dimensions within a vertical cross-section spanning the oil sand and adjacent unproductive strata. Known numerical procedures are used to solve the governing partial differential equations. The mathematical model handles the effects of reservoir heterogeneity, gravity, capillarity, relative permeability and temperature-dependent fluid properties. In addition, a wide range of operating conditions can be modeled, including hot-water followed by cold-water injection. Mathematical Description of Hot-Water Injection Key assumptions in the mathematical model for hot-water injection are that (1) no gas phase is present and (2) the injected fluid reaches thermal equilibrium instantaneously with the reservoir fluids and sand. Relative permeability and capillary pressure are assumed independent of temperature. Darcy's law for multiphase fluid flow relates the velocities of the oil and water phases to the phase pressure gradients by the following relations:

Jan 1, 1969

By W. V. Green

Creep of tantalum was measured at temperatures from 0.6 to 0.89 of the absolute melting temperature. The creep curves include first, second, and third stages. Steady-state creep rate depends on the fourth power of stress. The activation energy for creep throughout this temperature range is approximately 114 kcal per mole, measured by the aT technique. Subgrain formation occurs as a result of creep strain, and pile-up dislocation arrays are observed in etch-pit patterns. BECAUSE of its high melting point-which is exceeded only by those of rhenium and tungsten—and its high room-temperature ductility compared to most of the other high-melting-point metals, tantalum will undoubtedly be utilized in an increasing number of high-temperature applications. Alloying studies directed toward increased high-temperature strength must use data on tantalum itself as a base line in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the alloying additions. However, to date, no systematic study of creep of tantalum at temperatures above one-half of its melting point has been reported in the literature. Conway, Salyards, McCullough, and Flagella1 have measured linear creep rate of tantalum sheet as a function of stress, but at only one temperature, 2600°C. This paper describes a relatively thorough study of the high-temperature creep of tantalum. METHOD Material Tested. The commercially supplied, l/2-innch-diameter tantalum rod used for this work was electron-beam-melted, cold-forged, rolled, swaged, cleaned chemically, and vacuum-annealed for 1 hr at 1000°C, all by its manufacturer. The vendor's analysis included 60 to 170 ppm C, 3.4 to 4.2 ppm H, 60 to 80 ppm 0, 15 ppm N, and a hardness ranging from 66 to 81 Bhn and averaging 76 Bhn. Creep eimens Used. Two creep-tested specimens are shown in Fig. 1. The 1/4 in.-diameter gage section was 3/4 to 1 in. long, and terminated either at shoulders 5 mils high or at 20-mil-diameter tantalum wires spot-welded to the circumference of the gage section. Both kinds of shoulders served equally well as fiducial marks for optical strain measurements. The spot welding did not alter the creep behavior in any detectable way; the 5-mil- high sharp shoulders did not result in any detectable localized effect on the strain. Before testing, each tensile bar was first mechanically polished -id then electrochemically polished according to the method referred to by Forgeng2 as the "Thompson Ramo Woolridge" method, which was suitable for tantalum after small adjustments of technique were made. Two tensile bars tested at low stresses had 1/8-in.-diameter gage sections and utilized only the weight of the bottom grip for the applied load. Although these diameters were smaller than were desired for other reasons, applied loads were known with high precision in the tests in which they were used. Testing Procedure. Two different constant-load creep-testing machines were employed, one of which has been described by Smith, Olson, and Brown.3 In both, the tensile bar is held vertically on the axis of a cylindrical tungsten tube or screen heater by threaded tungsten grips. The tensile bars and associated grips are heated by radiation from the incandescent heaters, which are heated by their own electrical resistance. Both testing machines use pins to hold the bottom grips in place. The load is applied to a tensile bar through hanging weights, a constant force-multiplication lever, a pull rod sealed to the chamber lid, and a top grip threaded to the pull rod at one end and to the tensile bar at the other. In one machine, the vacuum seal is a bellows with a low spring constant; in the other, the seal involves a rotating "0 ring". With the latter, rotation is converted to translation with a crank shaft, so that elongation of the tensile bar is accommodated with no change of tensile load. The incandescent tensile bar is viewed by an external optical system through slots in the radiation shields and heater, and an enlarged image is projected on a ground-glass screen. Gage-length measurements are made on this image with cathetometers on traveling microscopes. With regard to creep-test results, the two machines were identical. Thorium oxide coatings were applied to the threaded ends of the tensile bars, to prevent diffusion welding of the tensile bars to the grips during testing. Specimen temperatures were measured with an L. & N. optical pyrometer which had been calibrated against a standard carbon arc, and were corrected fir window absorption by calculation from the measured spectral transmittance of the quartz observation windows. Longitudinal temperature gradients in the tensile-bar gage length and temperature drifts during testing were detectable but small, and were estimated to be 10°C or less. Accuracy of temperature measurement was confirmed by comparing the temperature measured on the surface of a special

Jan 1, 1965

By P. Chiotti, J. T. Mason

Ther?nal, X-ray, metallographic, and vapor pressure data were obtained to establish the phase diagram and standard free energy, enthalpy, and entropy of formation for the compounds in the Sw-Zn system. Four compounds, SmZn, SmZn2 , SmZn4.s, and SmZn8.5, melt congruently at 960°, 94Z°, 908°, and 940°C, respectively. The cornpounds SlnZns, Sm3Znll, and SnzZn7.3 undergo peritectic decomposition at 855", 870°, and 890C, respectively. Another compound of uncertain stoichiometry, SmZn11, undergoes peritectic decomposition at 760°C. Four entectics were observed with the following compositions in weight percent zinc and eutectic tenzperatures in degrees Centigrade: 12 pct, 680°C; 36 pct, 890°C; 58 pct, 850°C; and 72 pct, 900°C. An allotropic transformation and a composition range were observed for the SmZnz compound. The transfor)nation varies from 905" to 865°C as the zinc content increases from 16.0 to 48.5 wt pct, respectively. The free energy of formation of the compounds at 50PC varies between -15.9 kcal per mole for SmZn to -51.1 kcal per mole for SmZn,.,. Corresponding enthalpies vary between -19.2 to -78.3 kcal per mole. The ther-modynamic properties for the liquid alloys are described by the relations: A search of the literature revealed very little information on the Sm-Zn system. Chao et al.&apos; as well as Iandelli and palenzonai have reported the structure of SmZn to be cubic B2 type and Kuz&apos;ma et al3. have reported the structure of -sm2zn17 to be of the Th2Ni17 type. The purpose of this work was to establish the phase diagram of this system, to determine the zinc vapor pressure over the solid two-phase regions of the SYstem, and to calculate the thermodynamic properties of the compounds. MATERIALS AND EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES The metals used in this investigation were Bunker Hill slab zinc 99.99 wt pct pure and Ames Laboratory samarium. Analysis of the samarium by chemical, spectrographic, and vacuum-fusion methods gave the following average impurities in ppm: Nd, <200; Eu, <100; Gd, <100; Y, <50;Ca, 225; Ta, 400; Mg, 10; Cu, ~50; 0, 175; H, 20; and N, 15. The elements Fe, Si, Cr, Ni, Al, and W were not detected. The samarium was received as sponge metal and was kept under argon except when being cut with shears and when being weighed. Tantalum was found to be a suitable container for alloys with zinc contents up to the Sm2Znl, stoichio-metry. At higher zinc contents the grain boundaries of the tantalum containers were penetrated by the alloy and the containers failed during prolonged annealing. About 25 g of massive zinc and samarium sponge were sealed in tantalum crucibles equipped with thermocouple wells. These crucibles were in turn sealed in stainless-steel jackets. All closures were made by arc welding under an argon atmosphere. The samples were equilibrated in an oscillating furnace and in some cases were given various heat treatments in a soaking furnace. After appropriate heat treatment the steel jackets were removed and the alloy subjected to differential thermal analysis. The apparatus was calibrated against pure zinc and pure copper and found to reproduce the accepted melting points within 1°C. Alloys were subsequently subjected to metallographic examination and those of appropriate compositions were used for X-ray diffraction analysis and for zinc vapor pressure determinations. The vapor pressures were determined by the dewpoint method. Both the differential analysis and dewpoint measuring apparatuses have been described in earlier papers.4, 5 All alloy samples were etched with Nital (0.5 to 3 pct nitric acid in alcohol) except the samarium-rich alloys. These more reactive alloys were electro-polished in a 1 to 6 pct HClO4 in methanol solution at -700c at a potential of 50 v. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS Phase Diagram. The results of thermal analysis are indicated by the points on the phase diagram, Fig. 1. Eight compounds and four eutectics were observed. The composition of the compounds and their melting or peritectic temperatures are given on the phase diagram. The four eutectic compositions in wt pct zinc and eutectic temperatures in % are: 12 pct,- 680°C; 36 pct, 890°C; 58 pct, 850°C; and 72 pct, 900°C. The stoichiometry of the most zinc-rich compound is still uncertain, but is very likely either SmZnll or SmZnlz. However, to simplify the presentation which follows it will be referred to as SmZnll. As shown on the phase diagram the phase regions for some of the samarium-rich alloys have not been unambiguously established. A sample of pure samarium was observed to transform at 924°C and to melt at 1074"C, in good agreement with corresponding val-

Jan 1, 1968

By A. Roy MacLean

"Cape Breton is an island on the eastern extremity of Nova Scotia, Canada. Here, coal mining under the Atlantic Ocean has been a way of life since the early French militia mined coal for heating purposes in 1720. Despite many ups and downs over the intervening years, the coal industry has survived and is now in a favourable position to benefit from the upswing in international coal usage.Mining in Cape Breton Early mining in Cape Breton was done by hand picks and shovels. The coal was loaded into mine cars which were hauled by horses to the main haulage system for transport to surface. Later, compressed-air cutting machines and drills led to the use of explosives to blast the coal so that it could be loaded by hand and transported as above. In 1923, longwall mining (by hand) was introduced. In 1950, the Dominion Coal Company developed the Dosco continuous miner in order to mechanize the longwall coal-getting operation. At this time, conveyor belts came into wide-spread use, along with diesel locomotives to haul mine cars from the longwall face to the main transport system. During this period, coal was also mined by conventional mechanized room-and-pillar equipment such as cutting machines, loaders, roof bolters, etc. This system evolved into the use of the continuous ·miners of today, which are employed in the Lingan Mine room-and-pillar section. However, this method is only satisfactory at shallow depths and gradients. For these reasons, almost all the coal in this coal field will be mined by longwall methods. In 1968, the Government of Canada expropriated the assets of the Dominion Coal Company on Cape Breton Island in order to prevent complete closure of an uneconomic industry by its owners. The government created, by an Act of Parliament, the Cape Breton Development Corporation which now operates the coal mines, coal preparation plants, railway, shipping pier and ancillary services (Fig. 2). Since its inception, the Corporation has closed three mines, opened two new mines, is in the process of developing a third new mine, and has invested heavily in the one mine which remains from its previous owners."

Jan 1, 1985

By Joseph Blake Smith

Coal resource data from published sources and company files were used by the Bureau of Mines to determine the location and extent of strippable coal reserves in Wyoming. Total strippable reserves of 23 billion tons were estimated in seven major coal areas. Seven large strip mining operations were active in 1969, and their production totaled 45 million tons of coal. Cutoffs used to define strippable reserves were (1) minimum coalbed thicknesses of 5 feet; (2) overburden-to-coal ratios of less than 10 cubic yards of over- burden per ton of coal; and (3) total overburden thicknesses of less than 120 feet, except where reserves occur in multiple beds or a single thick bed. Tertiary rocks along margins of the Powder River basin contain most of the strippable coal reserves in Wyoming. The Wyodak beds, ranging in combined thickness from 30 to 1.30 feet, crop out on the east flank of the basin and contain an estimated 19 billion tons of strippable subbituminous C-rank coals under less than 200 feet of overburden. Partings between these beds total less than 60 feet. The 100- to 200-foot-thick. Healy bed on the western flank of the basin and the 35-foot-thick School and 20-foot-thick Badger beds on the south also contain large strippable reserves. Elsewhere in Wyoming, strippable reserves. Elsewhere in Wyoming, strippable deposits are subbituminous coal of Late Cretaceous and Tertiary ages, mostly in the Hanna and Great Divide basins in the south-central portion of the State and in the Kemmerer-Hamms Fork region in the southwestern corner.

Jan 1, 1972

By Milton E. Wadsworth, R. Ted Wimber

Cobalt sulfate solutions containing ammonium acetate and chloroplatinic acid were reduced by hydrogen in a pyrex-glass lined autoclave in the temperature range of 170o to 232°C and hydrogen partial pressure range of 115 to 830 psia. The reduction rate was directly proportional to the hydrogen partial pressure and surface area of the pyrex glass and was independent of the quantity of chloroplatinic acid added initially. Experiments involving the variation of the relative concentration of ammonium acetate indicated that the reducible cobalt complex was probably the diacetate complex of cobalt, Co(AC)4H20, or a new mononcetate complex Co Ac, which was in solubility equilibrium with a pink precipitate of CO(AC)-4HzO. THE reaction in which a metal is dissolved by an acid to produce gaseous hydrogen and a salt solution was discovered early in the history of chemistry. In 1859 Beketoff found experimentally that this reaction could be reversed; i.e., a salt solution could be reduced by gaseous hydrogen to produce a metal and an acid. A review of work done on this phenomenon since that time may be found elsewhere., The hydrogen reduction of a cobalt salt solution is facilitated by complexing the cobalt ion. An ammonia complex of cobalt has been reduced commercially in the recovery of cobalt metal. A new reducible complex of cobalt was discovered5 when it was found that a co-baltous sulfate solution containing ammonium acetate could be reduced by hydrogen at temperatures in the region of 200°C. When a cobalt sulfate-ammonium acetate solution was heated to a temperature below its normal boiling point, a violet color became apparent, indicating complex formation. The nature of this complex was investigated5 by the addition of NH4Ac to a CoSO4 solution maintained at 85o. During the first additions of NH, Ac, the pH of the solution remained fairly constant at about 5.85. However, as the ratio of NH,Ac to CoSO, approached two, the pH rose and then leveled off at about 6.05. The absorption spectra of a Co(Ac), solution and a CoSO,, NH Ac solution were obtained at 85°C and were compared and found to be the same. These findings suggested that the diacetate complex of cobalt, Co(Ac),.4H20, was formed at 85°C. When a cobalt sulfate-ammonium acetate solution was heated to a temperature above about 165o, a finely divided pink precipitate appeared. The X-ray diffraction pattern of this precipitate indicated that it was Co(Ac), - 4H,O. In addition, it was discovered that when chloroplatinic acid, H,PtCl;, was added initially to the cobalt sulfate-ammonium acetate solution, a faster reduction was obtained. The roles of the solution complex, pink precipitate and chloroplatinic acid in the reduction process were then investigated. APPARATUS The experimental work was carried out in a two-liter stainless-steel autoclave. Adetailed description of the autoclave and the auxiliary equipment used in maintaining constant temperature and pressure may be found elsewhere.= Because the stainless steel was corroded, and also because it acted as a hydrogena-tion catalyst, an all-glass liner was fabricated such that the solution came only into contact with flame-polished pyrex glass. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE The solutions used in the experimental work were prepared by dissolving reagent grade chemicals in distilled water. Although variation of the brand of ammonium acetate appeared to have no effect on the experimental results, CoSO, 7H O from the J. T. Baker Chemical Co. of Phillipsburg, N. J.,was found to give faster reductions than that prepared by Allied Chemical and Dye Corp., N. Y. The former was used throughout the course of the experimental work and was weighed up at the outset of each experiment. The ammonium acetate was dissolved to form a 6M stock solution, which was stored under refrigeration. A 10 pct solution of chloroplatinic acid (J. T. Baker Chemical Co.) was diluted to a 1.15 x 1Q2 M stock solution, which was standardized by precipitation of K,PtCl, as outlined by Scott. The appropriate volume of the chloroplatinic acid, H,PtCl,, solution was pipetted into the clean, dry glass liner. The cobalt sulfate-ammonium acetate solution, which had previously been saturated with

Jan 1, 1962

By W. D. Forgeng, R. L. Folkman, D. C. Hilty

The solubility of oxygen in molten Fe-Cr alloys has been determined at 1550° , 1600°, and 1650°C for alloys containing up to alloyshasbeenabout 50 pct Cr and found to decrease as chromium increases to 6 pet and then to increase gradually. Phase relations in the Fe-Cr-0 system at steelmaking temperatures have been evaluated and two previously unreported oxides have been identified. OPERATIONS in the melting and refining of chromium steels are dependent to a major degree on the reactions of chromium and iron with oxygen and are primarily directed toward controlling and modifying these reactions to secure maximum advantage in the utilization of chromium. Although fairly effective practices have been developed empirically, understanding of the specific reactions is limited. Moreover, the ability of molten steel to dissolve oxygen that subsequently precipitates as oxide inclusions during solidification is well known, so that clarification of the effect of chromium on the nature and mechanism of formation of these inclusions is desirable. Study of the problem indicated that increased knowledge of the fundamental Fe-Cr-0 system is essential to further technical and economic improvement. Consequently, an investigation of the influence of chromium on the solubility of oxygen in molten iron and of phases and phase relations in the Fe-Cr-0 system was undertaken at the Metals Research Laboratories of the Electro Metallurgical Co. as part of a general program on the effective utilization of chromium in chromium steel production. Experimental Procedure All of the experimental runs made during this investigation were carried out in the rotating crucible induction furnace which has been described in detail in a previous publication.&apos; In review, the principle underlying this furnace is that rotational forces in the crucible cause the molten metal to assume a concave shape in such a manner that the slag is contained in the molten metal cup, thereby minimizing slag/crucible contact and subsequent reaction. Practically all of the heats were melted in commercial-quality magnesia crucibles of the type usually furnished for laboratory induction furnaces. All of the runs were made under an argon atmosphere after the furnace chamber had been degassed. Bath temperatures were controlled by Pt—Pt-10 pct Rh thermocouples. The basic furnace charge consisted of a premelted 12 to 15 lb electrolytic iron slug which had been cast to a shape convenient for fitting into the rotating furnace crucible. A typical analysis of the electrolytic iron slugs is given in Table I. For certain runs, it was desirable to melt down charges containing high initial chromium contents. In these cases the chromium was added to the electrolytic iron during the premelting operations. Chromium was added to the rotating furnace bath in the form of electrolytic chromium of the analysis given in Table 11. In all of the constant temperature runs, the standard procedure was to melt down the electrolytic iron or alloy slug under vacuum, admit argon to slightly greater than atmospheric pressure, and adjust rotational speed to develop a well formed "cup" on the bath surface. The melt was then saturated with oxygen by an addition of ferric oxide and the temperature of the bath adjusted to within +5°C of the desired level. At this point the heat was permitted to come to equilibrium prior to sampling or further addition. This time interval was varied from 15 min to 2 hr but generally was about 20 min. After sampling, the desired chromium addition was made and the bath again equilibrated prior to subsequent sampling. This cycle of addition and sampling continued for the duration of the run which lasted from 4 to 8 hr. At the end of this period, power was shut off and the bath allowed to solidify in the furnace. Quenched metal samples were taken from the equilibrated melts by means of the "Taylor sampler" which has been described by Taylor and Chipman.&apos; Before being submitted to chemical analysis, all samples were carefully examined for surface slag occlusions and cold shuts. Later in the study, each sample was radiographed and examined metal-lographically in cross-section to determine the presence of internal defects. On the basis of these examinations, sound and apparently clean specimens were selected from the Taylor samples for chemical analysis.

Jan 1, 1956

By Xianjun Lyu, Junxiang Wang, Peng Wu, Minjie Lian

"In recent years, the efficient cementation of mine tailings is a new way to manage mine solid wastes. The traditional cement materials have a slow setting time, large dosage and poor cementation strength for fine aggregate such as mine tailings. Therefore, the preparation of new type cementitious materials for the cementation of fine tailings has great potential in the treatment of mine waste solids. The paper mainly focuses on exploring the critical factors affecting the cementing performance of granulated blast furnace slag and its performance in the cementation of fine aggregate. Results indicate that the fineness of slag has a significant effect on its cementitious activity and Portland cement clinker has a better stimulation effect on the cementitious properties of slag than lime. And, anhydrite has a better early stimulation effect on the cementitious properties of alkali-activated slag compared to semi-hydrated gypsum and dihydrate gypsum. According to a series of tests on the cementation of fine iron tailings, the optimal ratio of slag, Portland cement clinker and anhydrite is determined as 60:30:10. Compared with P.O 42.5 ordinary Portland cement, the new slag based cementitious material shows much better cementing performance on fine tailings sample. Under the dosage of 12%, the compressive strength of fine tailings mortar using slag-based cementitious material in 3 curing days is increased to 168% that of using P.O 42.5 ordinary Portland cement, while the compressive strength in 28 days curing period is increased to 194%."

Jan 1, 2018

By J Johansson, J Lööw

Attractive mining workplaces are good, safe and healthy environments. They are also workplaces that the workforce of the future wants to work in. As skilled miners and engineers are already scarce, this is important both for today and for the future. However, the future of mining will also be subject to increased international competition. In attempting to become more competitive, many mining companies turn to rationalisation, looking to both rationalise their production and organisation as well as optimise their processes. Work organisation is important in both rationalisation and providing attractive mining work. As a result, this paper investigates a ‘lean production’ (LP) philosophy for the organisation of future mines. The aim of the paper is to investigate to what extent LP can be used to organise for attractive mining. It first defines what attractive mining work is and to what degree it can be influenced by work organisation. A short insight into the LP concept will be given as well as a review of how it is discussed and utilised in mining today. In conclusion, a summary of LP’s potential to realise future attractive mining is given.CITATION:L&#246;&#246;w, J and Johansson, J, 2015. Work organisation for attractive mining – lean mining and the working environment, in Proceedings Third International Future Mining Conference, pp 197–204 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 4, 2015

The green field discovery of a two million ounce high-grade refractory gold ore deposit in the Indonesian Province of Sulawesi Utara, led Newmont to utilise its proven technical expertise in dry grinding and whole ore roasting to develop a 2000 tonne per day, 160 000 ounce per year operation in this remote and picturesque location.Located at an elevation of 250 in above sea level and ten kilometres to a deep water natural harbour, the hard rock open pit mine, process plant and infrastructure facilities were built to budget at a capital cost of US$132 million. The plant was commissioned with oxide ore, with the first gold poured in March 1996 and with refractory ore in January 1997. The operation rapidly met its production targets because of extensive forward planning and training programs developed for the local workforce. The presence of steep topography, fertile coastal plains, high rainfall, high seismicity of this location led to the decision to dispose of neutralised tailings in deep water off the coast instead of impounding tailings in a dam. This paper describes the development of the project and the challenges in developing a gold operation in a remote location which lacked infrastructure, the steps taken to ensure a smooth commissioning, and the selection of the workforce to operate a technically sophisticated facility.

Jan 1, 1997

By Yuchen Wu, Purushotham Thkkaraja, Marek Borowski, Jie Liu, Jianwei Cheng, WANCHENG ZHENG, Yu Wang, Weidong Lu, Gang Zhao, Zhanyou Sa, Huan Yang, Yuhang Wu, Hui Wang

The abstract discusses the importance of gas drainage in coal mines for safety, environmental protection, and resource utilization. It highlights the significance of borehole sealing technology for efficient gas drainage. The study introduces a new inorganic retarding sealing material and investigates its properties, including stability, thermal stability, fluidity, and thixotropy. The material's diffusion performance in cracks is tested using a self-designed system. Field tests in a coal mine demonstrate the material's effectiveness in improving borehole sealing compared to traditional materials.

May 1, 2022

By Walter W. Kaufman

This Bureau of Mines manual for design of surface mine haulage roads covers such aspects of haulage road design as road alinement (both vertical and horizontal), construction materials, cross slope, and drainage provisions. Traffic control and design of proper lane widths to promote safe vehicle movement are included, as are suggested criteria for road and vehicle maintenance and for runaway-vehicle safety provisions. The aim of this publication is to provide those involved with surface mine haulage road design with a complete manual of recommended practices that, if implemented, will promote safer, more efficient haulage routes.

Jan 1, 1977