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By H. Sigurdson, T. V. Cherian, C. H. Moore

The phenomenon of recovery of cold-worked metals is interesting not only because of its practical importance but also because of its fundamental significance in solid state reactions. Although extensive investigations1,2 have already been made in an attempt to discover the mechanics of the recovery process, many of the observations have not yet been satisfactorily correlated to provide a completely consistent model for the process. The wide differences in the recovery rates of various properties can be cited as a typical example of one of the difficulties that are encountered. Frequently, for example, the electrical resistance will have almost completely recovered before any recovery in tensile strength can be detected. Of course, such differences in the recovery rates of different properties might be explained by assuming that each property is a unique function of the work-hardened state, and consequently each property exhibits its own unique recovery rate. The assumption that different properties are uniquely related to the work-hardened state cannot be denied. On the other hand, the properties that recover at different rates often exhibit more or less parallel changes upon work-hardening. This suggests that the microstructural changes attending recovery are not exactly the reverse of the changes attending work-hardening. Several types of imperfections must be postulated in order to account for this apparent anomaly. The different recovery rates for various properties, then, are due to the different recovery rales of the type of imperfection to which each property is most sensitive as well as the unique dependence of each property on the cold- worked state. This concept assumes that a simple model of the work-hardened state consisting only of one type of imperfection, such as Taylor's type of dislocation patterns, is inadequate to cope with the diversified phenomena attending work-hardening and recovery. Although current models for the work-hardened state are not useful for describing all aspects of the recovery process, the general trends of the recovery of each postulated type of imperfection as a function of time and temperature should be at least qualitatively deducible from the rather well developed laws of kinetics of reactions in the solid state. Consequently, recovery data might prove useful for elucidating some aspects of the complexities of the work-hardened state of metals. A preliminary attempt to study work-hardening by investigating recovery rates of cold-worked metals is outlined in the following pages of this report. Experimental Procedure Many properties recover when cold-worked metals are annealed below their recrystallization temperature. Therefore, electrical resistivity, thermal electromotive force, X ray diffraction line widths, X ray diffraction line intensities, elastic spring back, density and other physical and chemical properties have been used to study the recovery process. Major interest, however, has generally been directed toward the recovery of the mechanical properties such as hardness, yield strength, and tensile strength. But a search of the literature suggests that the effect of recovery on the true stress-true strain curve has been neglected, in spite of the current recognition of the fundamental importance of such an investigation. An investigation on the effect of recovery treatment on the true stress-true strain curves in tension, therefore, was undertaken in the present study. Commercially pure aluminum (99. + pet Al) in the form of 0.100 in. thick rolled sheet of 2S-O aluminum alloy was selected as the material for this investigation because rather extensive correlatable data are already available on the recovery of some of its properties. Tensile specimens having a 6 in. long gauge section and a uniform reduced section width of 0.500 in. were machined from the sheet in accordance with a design that has previously been reported.3 All specimens were selected with their axes aligned in the rolling direction. In order to eliminate the effects of previous work-hardening and the effects of machining, the specimens were annealed for 15 min. at 750°F before testing. During tensile testing the loads were measured by means of a proving ring (sensitive to 1/2 lb) in series with the specimen.4 Strains were determined from the extension of a rack and pinion strain gauge sensitive to a strain of + 0.0001. The stress was recorded as the true stress, namely

Jan 1, 1950

By A. Bascetin

One very important aspect of mining is deciding what material in a deposit is worth mining and processing, versus what material should be considered waste. This decision is summarized by the cut-off grade policy. The cut-off grade strategy for an open pit mine influences the annual cash flows and affects the net present value of a project. The optimization of cut-off grade strategy requires the knowledge of detailed operational costs, mining sequence, mining operation, processing, and product constraints, as well as the grade distribution of a given deposit defined by pit, phase, and different material types. Cut-off grade optimization algorithms have been developed in the past. The most common criteria used in cut-off grade optimization is to maximize the net present value (NPV). This paper describes the determination of a cut-off grade strategy based on Lane?s algorithm adding an optimization factor based on the generalized reduced gradient (GRG) algorithm to maximize the project?s NPV. The introduced algorithm is a windows based program developed at Virginia Tech that is based on a series of Visual Basic routines within a spreadsheet environment (Excel).The benefits of the methodology are demonstrated using a hypothetical case study. Keywords: Cut-off grade optimization, net present value maximization, generalized reduced gradient algorithm method.

Jan 1, 2007

By Haakon Styri

IN discussion of Dr. Fitterer's paper on electrolytic separation of slag inclusions, some results from experiments on electrolyzing high-carbon steels at the SKF Research Laboratory were given.1 We had been working for a number of years on chemical methods of separating the inclusions but could not find any solvent that would dissolve the steel without attacking some of the inclusions, particularly the sulfides in which we were mostly interested at the time, nor any that would dissolve all sulfide or silica in filings as fine as 300 mesh without attacking the iron. Electrolytic methods had also been tried without any real progress until we learned from the Bureau of Mines about the use of the collodion membrane around the anode. Our early difficulties were to some extent different from those of the Bureau of Mines, perhaps because of experimenting on steels of higher carbon content, but most of our difficulties were of the same nature as those of the Bureau. Formation of large quantities of basic hydroxides use of impure and oxidized ferrous sulfate. To protect from oxidation from the atmosphere during electrolysis, after purer chemicals were obtained, a thin layer, 1/8 in. or less, of molten paraffin was poured over the surface of the cathode liquid, where it solidified. It was found desirable also to hold the cathode chamber slightly acid by initial addition of 0.1 per cent acid (sulfuric or hydrochloric) to prevent precipitation of the hydroxide. This acidity would decrease gradually and the cathode chamber would become neutral before the end of the electrolyzing. The increase in acidity in the anode chamber during our early experiments had appeared to cause attack of the precipitated sulfides in the residue, which originally was analyzed by volumetric method for sulfur, and for this reason a 10 per cent sodium citrate solution was substituted for the sulfate in the anode chamber.

Jan 1, 1932

By Richard J. Hartman

Current design practice is to select steel sheet piling sections using sufficient section modulus and yield strength to resist the calculated bending moment. Thus, section modulus is the only property of the sheet pile cross section used in the selection process. Full scale laboratory testing documented that section modulus alone is insufficient to predict the strength of sheet piling. During testing, sheet pile sections with equivalent section modulus exhibited as much as 75 percent difference in load resisting capacity. Analytical study following the testing established that, in addition to the traditional longitudinal (vertical) stress in sheet piling, transverse (horizontal) stresses are also present. Transverse stresses reduce the ability of the sheet piling to function in the intended manner. It was found that transverse stresses result from the pressure applied by soil and water and that the capacity of the sheet piling diminishes with increased pressure. All sheet piling is subject to this behavior. This paper describes the testing and the results and establishes that a problem exists. A two dimensional procedure is described that assists in evaluating transverse stresses and their effect on sheet pile capacity. A method of creating design aids for use by engineers is illustrated.

Jan 1, 2006

By Paul M. Tyler

Syria is a federation of States under French mandate , comprising the Republic of Syria , the Lebanese Republic or Great Lebanon ( Grand Liban ) , the State of the Alouites , and the Djebel Druse Territory . Beirut is the center of government for the whole area , about 60,000 square miles . Syria is essentially an agricultural country . There is little manufacturing ; and with the exception of the production of asphalt and salt , the mineral industries have not yet risen to commercial importance . Whether this condition is due to a dearth of workable deposits or merely to insufficient exploration is not apparent . The mineral resources , as reported by various authorities , include asbestos , asphalt rock , bitumen , chromite , coal , copper , gold , gypsum , iron , lead , magnesite , manganese , marble and other building stones , nickel , ocher , pandermite ( a hydrous borate of calcium) , petroleum , phosphate rock , pyrite , salt , silver , sulphur , tin , and titanium ( ilmenitic beach sands ) .

Mar 1, 1933

By O. Dojcar

Equations for calculating the parameters of controlled blasting (burden and spacing of boreholes and weight of the bottom charge) are derived and analysed on the basis of empirical values and made more precise through incorporation of the properties of the rock being blasted and explosive applied. For the success of controlled blasting the correct choice of the blasthole diameter/charge diameter ratio is critical. This relation is defined as the coefficient of radial decoupling of the charge; it is recommended that it is chosen to be between 3 and 3.5. Analysis of smooth blasting, cushion blasting and presplitting indicates that cushion blasting is a less destructive alternative to smooth blasting, but it has a slightly higher blasthole consumption and limited possibilities of use. There are definite economic advantages to controlled blasting, especially in rock masses of low and medium strength

Dec 1, 1996

By B. Hewitt

Murrin Murrin Operations has not had a successful beginning. Numerous reliability and operability issues many of which are the result of design decisions have been addressed through mechanical and operational changes and the CCD circuit is no exception. The decision to install, the installation and the results of the CCD1 rake-lift mechanism and feedw ell dilution system are discussed in this paper. The installation was justified on improved operational robustness and an increase in the in the underflow density of 1% (per cent w/w). At approximately the same time process modifications in the solution neutralisation circuit were implemented and these changes altered the rheology of the slurry reporting to CCD1. Since the modifications to CCD1 and the solution neutralisation circuit, the CCD circuit has averaged a 2% improvement in the circuit underflow density. The CCD1 modification was completed on time and mechanically has performed well. From a risk point of view, the central rake-lift and Turbodil® dilution system add a degree of freedom and robustness to CCD1 operation that has extended the range of operational confidence. In this respect, the modification has been a success and is complementary to solution neutralisation improvements.

Jan 1, 2004

By A. Dunnett, N. J. Turner, J. Koyanagi, M. Ji

The analysis of rare earth element (REE) samples is a necessary part of the metallurgical process for rare-earth bearing ores, providing invaluable information during testing procedures. This requires a fast, multi-element technique, capable of analyzing a variety of matrices for all rare earth elements. X-ray Fluorescence spectrometry and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis are typically used for high concentrations of REE, but they have limitations for some process work applications due to an inability to measure all elements, longer analysis times, significant interferences and elevated detection levels. The work reported here uses new approaches with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) in order to achieve high precision and accuracy within acceptable timeframes. A combination of aerosol dilution and Kinetic Energy Discrimination (KED) produce a process solution assay method that is robust enough to deal with changing sample matrices and concentrations, whilst maintaining low reporting limits and precisions of less than 5% Relative Standard Deviation (RSD). For high concentration metallurgical and geological samples, a sodium peroxide fusion digestion procedure was used, followed by ICP-MS analysis using extended dynamic range (EDR) and KED. Using these technologies, it has been demonstrated that the necessary support can be given to metallurgical process work for REE extraction.

Jan 1, 2014

By L. V. Pirela, S. M. Farouq Ali

Some interest has been expressed recently in the application of solvents in conjunction with a thermal drive, such as a steamflood. At least one field project of this type has been reported. This paper makes the first attempt to provide some of the basic information necessary for choosing a solvent for such an application. Results of displacements conducted at elevated temperatures are also discussed. This paper shows that, in the case of alcohol-hydrocarbon-water or brine ternary systems, the system miscibility may increase, decrease, or both increase and decrease within the same system when the temperature increases. The distribution coefficient was consistently found to increase in favor of the oleic phase with an increase in temperature, which is advantageous from the standpoint of oil recovery. Results of solvent displacements in a sandstone core showed that even a relatively small temperature effect in the favorable direction (increase in miscibility and distribution coefficient) can lead to a 50 percent increase in oil recovery. On the other hand, if the system miscibility decreases with the temperature, even though the distribution coefficient increases, the oil recovery at the higher temperature may not increase. INTRODUCTION Miscible displacement has been the subject of many investigations. Miscible-phase solvent flooding, employing solvents such as alcohols that are miscible with both oil and water, has received considerable attention. Investigations conducted by Gatlin and Slobod,l Taber, Kamath and Reed,2 Holm and Csaszar,3 and Farouq Ali and Stah14 have helped in understanding the mechanism of solvent flooding. While the use of alcohols and similar solvents as oil recovery agents is economically unattractive, these solvents nevertheless provide a means of understanding the mechanistic aspects of important miscible-phase oil recovery processes such as the Maraflood process (discussed by Gogarty5). As shown by Taber et a1.,2 the phase behavior of a solvent-oil-water system is of .utmost importance in determining the efficiency of the oil displacement. This paper makes the first attempt to obtain the ternary phase behavior data for nine alcohol-hydrocarbon-water/brine systems at elevated temperatures. Results of core tests at elevated temperatures are also presented which corroborate the effect of temperature on oil recovery, as judged on the basis of phase-behavior data. The use of solvents at elevated temperatures has been suggested earlier by Farouq Ali.6 At least one field test of this type has been reportedO7 With the widespread use of thermal recovery techniques, it is possible in some situations (especially in steamflooding) that the use of a suitable solvent in conjunction with the heat carrier may be economically feasible. This paper attempts to provide some of the basic information needed for judging such feasibility. LOCATION OF THE PLAIT POINT The phase behavior of a typical ternary system consisting of a solvent, hydrocarbon and brine (or water) can be represented by a triangular diagram such as the one shown in Fig. 1 (for temperature TI). Point Pon the binodal curve represents the plait point, being the limit of tie lines such as Y1 Y2 The compositions of the coexisting oleic and aqueous phases are given by points Y2 and Y1, respectively, for any mixture composition along Y1Y2. The characteristics of ternary diagrams have been discussed by Findlay8 and others. Taber et aL3 have shown that the position of the plait point in a particular ternary system plays the decisive role in determining whether or not theoleic phase would be displaced in a continuous manner during an alcohol displacement. The area above the binodal curve also is important, since it represents

Jan 1, 1969

By Mitsuhiro Ito

"To allow various wastes containing high levels of chlorine to be used as alternative raw materials for Portland cement, two practical methods of chlorine removal were developed. In the first method, chlorine is extracted from the wastes during the cement manufacturing process. In the second, ash-dust waste with high chlorine content is first washed and then dehydrated to cake before being introduced to the cement manufacturing process. This cake can be used as an alternative for some cement raw materials. By combining the two methods, various wastes previously considered unsuitable for recycling due to their chlorine content can often now be used in cement manufacturing plants. As such, these methods represent a major contribution to environmental protection as well as a solution to problems relating to the diffusion of heavy metals and dioxins from cement plants.1. IntroductionWaste generation levels have risen rapidly in recent years. in both the consumer and industrial sectors and today, the need for effective, efficient waste management is one of the most pressing and serious problem of today's society.The Japanese cement industry has reacted to the increase in waste generation by using certain materials as alternative raw inputs or fuels for cement production, in an effort to contribute to society and conserve energy resources.These wastes often contain non-negligible levels of chlorine and heavy metals, however, both of which are unsuitable for cement production. Depending on the element content, Heavy metals have a particularly negative effect -on cement quality; in addition, they can be released into the environment. Chlorine, on the other hand, is contained in large amounts in incinerated ash from household wastes as well as in certain plastics. Both substances are considered impediments in cement-production, not only because they reduce the quality of the cement produced but also because they impair operating safety on cement production lines.To address this problem, two practical technologies have been established for separation and recovery of chlorine components during cement pre-processing and production. This paper introduces the application of these technologies with a special focus on incinerated ash from urban wastes, a representative form of waste material having notably high concentrations of chlorine, heavy metals, and dioxins. We also outline the technologies enabling this material to be used as an alternative input to cement production."

Jan 1, 2000

By Kenny Lo

"SummaryFor more than a century, ground freezing has been a construction technique used in stabilization of ground by means of lowering the temperature of surrounding soil strata. This technique is used in circumstances where conventional grouting method is unable to achieve the degree of consolidation required to prevent settlement and water ingress during the execution of underground excavation. Whilst ground freezing is effective in imparting self-supporting characteristics to the excavation profile, it poses significant challenges when it comes to the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) where sprayed concrete is used to support the freshly excavated ground. Sprayed concrete, if used in an appropriate manner, provides a fast, efficient and structurally-reliable means of supporting the structure, especially in underground construction. The evolvement in sprayed concrete technology is attributed to the development of concrete know-how, improvement of spraying technique with the use of automation spraying equipment, more in-depth understanding of sprayed concrete behavior and enhancement of materials used in production of high quality sprayed concrete Not only has this markedly escalated the prominence of sprayed concrete on wider perspective,. the positive development has also pushed sprayed concrete beyond its boundaries, enabling it to be embarked on area of application not considered possible decades ago. Nevertheless, sprayed concrete, for all its placement versatility, still depends largely on the technicality provision very similar to concrete to achieve the required quality. Parameters such as raw material grading composition, curing temperature and cement quality are some of the factors that can easily sway the quality of concrete from one extreme to another. Conducive ambient temperature is critical in ensuring optimum hydration of concrete. This is more important in sprayed concrete where temperature plays a pivotal role in influencing the early strength and long term strength development. The low temperature imposed by ground freezing is everything but ideal for competent hydration to take place. This paper outlines how the innovative use of sprayed concrete helps to overcome the adverse ambient temperature in the construction of a 110m underground pedestrian walkway utilizing ground freezing technique in Hong Kong."

Jan 1, 2016

By Jinsheng Wang, Zhixiong You, Xuewei Lv, Yu Zhang, Jie Dang

Electro-titania slag is generally used as the raw material for titanium dioxide production by sulfate process. The phase composition of titanium as well as their disseminated grain size have significant effect on the acidolysis of titanium. Anosovite is considered as the most favorable Ti-bearing phase due to its high acidolysis ef ficiency, while silicates and rutile are not soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid. Different cooling rates will play a significant effect on the phase structure and particle size, which directly affects the acidolysis ratio of titania slag. In this paper, the influence on acidolysis ratio of titania slag at different cooling rates was studied. The results revealed that slower cooling rate resulted in the formation of larger particle size and a comparatively higher acidolysis ratio was obtained. On the contrast, rapid cooling was disadvantageous to the leaching of titanium as the smaller particle size anosovite was wrapped by glass phases.

Mar 1, 2018

By Douglas J. Lacke

1974 marked the start of a new era for Climax Molybdenum Co., a division of AMAX, with the initiation of an open pit operation above the existing successful underground block panel caving mine. A number of problems posed a challenge to the Climax open pit. Highly fractured rock, old mine workings, permafrost, and more than 7.6 m/a (300") of snowfall forced changes in normal operations. Final pit wall design was altered. Production bench heights were lessened due to old workings. These and other modifications contribute to a highly successful open pit operation.

Jan 1, 1981

By D. G. Sinclair

In any discussion on the subject of mine-safety, it is well to honestly face the fact at the outset that mining is a hazardous occupation and that certain inherent dangers attach to the work, which, in spite of the greatest vigilance on the part of everyone concerned, will from time to time exact their toll of in jury or death from the underground worker. Great progress has been made of late years in narrowing down the range of these necessary risks, and, illustrative of what can be done along these lines by concerted effort, it is pleasing to read from time to time of large operating mines running for weeks, months, a year or more, without a single lost-time accident. To achieve any results in the work of accident prevention it is necessary, first, to have a definite goal, such as a no-accident period, be it a week, a month, or a year, to aim at; and, second, to set up definite standards to work by. The legal code of regulations should form the basis of all standards of work at every mine and should, for this reason, cover as far as possible all conceivable phases of operation. This represents the ideal, but in practice it is unattainable, largely because of the many variables that must be considered, due to the divergence in the scale of operations and to differing geological conditions at the different mines. Hence it becomes necessary for the operator who wishes to attain the maximum in the establishment of high standards of safe operation to so amplify the code as to meet the peculiar requirements of his operation.

Jan 1, 1930

By Alex Probst

With low metal prices and increasing value placed on plant water and tailings disposal areas, it is becoming essential to maximize the efficiency of solid-liquid separation processes. Since its inception over 25 years ago, the use of flocculants has grown exponentially. While flocculants play a crucial role in the sedimentation process, they are also a major operating cost. Recent innovations are revolutionizing the industry once again. New thickener designs are doubling thickener-loading rates while reducing flocculant consumption. The feedwell, as the heart of the thickener, is undergoing many significant metamorphoses. With CFD and other advanced computational analysis, feedwell technology is being examined more thoroughly than ever before, The result is that the thickener previously thought of, as a "Black Box" is now being mapped and controlled with state-of-the-art technology. This paper will examine recent design improvements in all aspects of thickeners in order to project the look of the thickener of tomorrow.

Jan 1, 1999

So many emergencies that crop up in mining necessitate a departure from ordinary methods that the writer has been led to illustrate a few of the examples that have come under his notice during a somewhat lengthy career; and as most of the methods illustrated are certainly outside the ordinary, it may be hoped that while to many they may convey little that is new, to the larger number some acceptable information may be gleaned whenever the occasion calls for it. Experience has shown that there can be no hard and fast rule in mine timbering that will fit the varying- necessities of different localities, and the engineer must divest his mind of all prejudices that his practice of any particular system or systems may have induced, and must direct his attention to the character of the local timber and its fitness or otherwise for the purpose he has in view. Fortunate indeed are the man and mine that can claim an abundance of good and cheap mining timber it simplifies, oftentimes, what would be, under unfavourable timber conditions, a difficult problem. In many parts of the States there is either none or at best a scrub if the latter, he has to either pigstye, balk, or bulkhead, if his ground will permit; if, not, and the necessary timber has to be imported, then some system of recovering his timber and using it over and over again may be possible. As an illustration of this, Fig-s. Nos. I and 2 show a method applied to the copper deposits of the LyellTharsis, Tasmania. The workings were wide; varying from 30 ft. to 50 ft., and the deposit a taIcose schist of fairly good...

Jan 1, 1902

By James Gayley

(Presented at the Washington meeting, May 3, 1905, and simultaneously sent to the Iron and Steel Institute, for presentation at the meeting of that Society in London, May 11, 1906.) It is to be regretted that the data respecting the use of dry-air blast, which were presented to the Iron and Steel Institute at its meeting in the United States, in October, 1904, should have been restricted to the period from August 25th to September 9th inclusive, and from September 17th to 30th inclusive. In order to present the paper at all it was found necessary to limit the record of operations to the period above stated. It appears from the reported discussion that some of those who took part felt themselves to be at a disadvantage, in considering the economies secured through the use of dry-air blast, by reason of the fact that the data presented covered so short a period. It is the purpose of this communication to present in detail the record of operations of the Isabella Furnaces from November, 1904, to March, 1905, inclusive, as shown by the furnace-records. The month of October, 1904, is not included, as the furnace using dry-air blast was stopped several times for repairs; and while the record was a very good one considering these interruptions, yet it was not a continuous one. The record for Furnace No. 1 using dry-air blast, and the comparison with Furnace No. 3 using natural air for the month of November, 1904, is set forth in Table I. By a reference to my former paper it will be noted that the month of November is the beginning in this country of the winter period, when the atmosphere decreases rapidly in humidity. The month of October being the transition month in the autumn and April in the spring, and furnaces using natu-ral air approach more closely, from November on, to the conditions obtained by the use of dry-air blast. The data given in

Jan 1, 1906

An Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) was used to measure the surface forces between glass sphere and silica plate in CnTAC1 (n=12, 14, 16, 18) solutions. The results showed the presence of long-range attractive forces that can be fitted to single exponential functions. With a given surfactant, the attractive force increased with increasing concentration, and reached a maximum at the point of charge neutralization (p.c.n.). The decrease in the attractive force above the p.c.n. is probably due to the inverse orientation of the surfactant molecules. A plot of the log (p.c.n.) vs. the number of carbons in the hydrocarbon chains of the Cn TACI homologues showed a linear relationship with a slope of -0.37, indicating that the surfactant adsorption entails a decrease in free energy by -0.85 kT per mole of CH2 (or CH3) group. These results suggest that the adsorption of long-chain surfactants is controlled by hydrocarbon chain association during the process of forming surface hemi-micelles (or domains). Possible origins of the long-range attractions are discussed on the basis of the results presented in this communication.

Jan 1, 2006

By Glaydson Simões dos Reisr

Micropore organosilicas (MOs) were synthesized using methyl-phenyl-polysiloxane as precursor. The MOs were characterized using several analytical and functional techniques. The materials were assigned as micropores materials, with specific surface area up to 642 m2 g-1 and yield up to 72.55%. The adsorbents have hydrophobic surfaces and were used for removal of diclofenac from aqueous solutions. The adsorption kinetic and isothermal data were well described by the general order and Sips models, respectively. Diclofenac exhibited a better affinity than NM and the mechanism of adsorption suggested that hydrophobic groups play a key role in the adsorption process.

Aug 17, 2017

By P. A. Hacquebard, M. P. Avery

"Gondwana coal deposits are widespread and are known to occur in four continents. They are present in Brazil, India, South Africa, and Australia. From coal petrographic examinations and a detailed literature survey, it is interpreted that Gondwana coals are present also in Canada and the United States. Laurasia, or Northern Hemisphere, coals occur in the United States, Canada, and Europe. They form the main coal producing fields of the world. Megascopically, Gondwana coals have a uniform, micro-banded appearance, with a dull lustre; Laurasian coals are bright and have distinct bands of vitrain and clarain. Petrographically, Gondwana coals, compared to Laurasian coals, are lower in vitrinite, but higher in inertinite, particularly in semifusinite. Mineral matter averages 16% in Gondwana coals and 5.7% in Northern Hemisphere coals.Gondwana coals are characterized by thick seams that terminate through lithification (Versteinerung), whereby coal passes laterally into shale. Laurasian coal seams are thinner and terminate by splitting and digitation.Vitrinite/inertinite ratio data indicate deposition of the Gondwana coals in dry marshes under strong oxidizing conditions. The Laurasian coals originated in wet marshes in a reducing environment. As deduced from fossil plants and fossil spores, temperate and near arctic conditions apply for the Gondwana coals. A tropical and subtropical climate is indicated for the Laurasian deposits. The Gondwana coals were formed under allochthonous conditions. They derived from vegetation that drifted into the peat bogs. The Laurasian coals are autochthonous and originated from vegetation that grew and was buried in the peat bogs. The Gondwana coals are Late Carboniferous and Early Permian. The Laurasian coals are entirely Late Carboniferous."

Jan 1, 2004