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By Bember Díaz

El presente texto señala la perforación y disparo como los medios más adecuados para la explotación de la mina Marcona. Los depósitos de mineral de fierro de Marcona se encuentran ubicados en el distrito de Marcona, provincia de Nazca, Ica. Los elementos que se consideran en un banco para la perforación de taladros y voladuras son: el tipo de material que constituye el banco, altura de explotación del banco, talud en la cara libre, dureza del material, el factor de explosivo que se desea usar, incluyendo la fragmentación y el desplazamiento que se quiere obtener, y la profundidad de perforación total, que es la altura de explotación más la sobreperforación necesaria para obtener el nivel del piso deseado. Asimismo, dentro del sistema de voladuras, se emplea el uso de nitrato de amonio mezclado con petróleo residual denominado ANFO, habiéndose obtenido reducción en los costos por tonelada disparada mediante su uso.

Jan 1, 1969

By D. Bois, P. Keating, J. Lemieux, M. A. Vallée, M. Allard, R. S. Smith, L. Z. Cheng, M. Chouteau, K. Fountain

"A comparison of data from INPUT, GEOTEM, and MEGATEM airborne electromagnetic (AEM) systems over the Aldermac deposit, Québec, Canada, was undertaken to evaluate the relative ef¬ficiency of these systems for the detection of small, deep conductors. The Aldermac orebody was mined between 1933 and 1934 to a depth of 200 m. A deeper mineralized zone was discovered in 1987. The MEGATEMII system was used to acquire 90- and 30-Hz data over the deposit in 2003 as part of a research project. These MEGATEMII data were compared with data acquired by other AEM systems (GEOTEM and INPUT), and the results show that the MEGATEMII response is ten times larger than the other sys¬tems. For the dB/dt response, 30 Hz gives a better signal-to-noise ratio, whereas 90 Hz has a better signal-to-noise ratio on the B-field.The data were evaluated by numerical modeling. The deposit was best represented by a complex mod¬el, comprising two weakly conductive bodies to approximate the alteration halo, two deeper prisms repre¬senting known orebodies, and three bodies ranging in thickness from 3 to 6 m and in resistivity from 12 to 20 ohm·m, representing the chargeable overburden. This implies that the MEGATEMII system is able to see a small conductive body at more than 200 m depth in an area where the response is contaminated by conductive overburden."

Jan 1, 2009

By J. Bleeck, G. Mahrt

INTRODUCTION Many excellent papers have been written and presented regarding agricultural lime and the subject has been covered extensively in books concerning soil science, fertilizing, limestone, etc. We felt challenged to construct a paper that wouldn’t merely be a repetition of past presentations. Therefore, we chose to begin with factors having the most impact on plant growth realizing that the audience is likely to be relatively unfamiliar with this subject. So, we decided to dig deep into the roots of soil and plant growth science in order to better understand the significant role of limestone in this important area. The soil with the higher plants growing upon it forms an open and dynamic ecosystem in which there is flux of energy and material (heat, light, water, nutrients, mineral and organic matter, organisms). Plants root in the soil and then take up oxygen for root respiration, yielding energy for nutrient uptake, water for turgescence and transpiration and use in photosynthesis and the mineral nutrients needed for the synthesis of organic matter. Above the ground the plant takes in light energy and heat using them in photosynthesis to assimilate atmospheric CO2. Photosynthesis is the basic life process of creation. However, we will look at the root room where soil, water, air, and heat economy and the supply of nutrients determine soil fertility and the important role lime plays here. Location is the primary point to be considered when discussing agriculture (climate and soil); secondly, the dynamic and mobility of the minerals (plant nutrients) in the soil; and thirdly the conversion of organic substances into humus. And then there is a great deal of water involved in the growing process. In order to produce 1 kg of dry plant substance, 300 to 800 kg of water must be pumped through the plant and is then lost by transpiration. Cereals, vegetables, and sugar beets consume between 400 to 500 kg of water during the growing process and long-growing crops, such as alfalfa and clover, can consume 600 to 800 kg of water per kg of finished product. Without water, a plant cannot grow. (Reference 1)

Jan 1, 2006

This paper presents a resume of the likely profitable mining areas in New Zealand. It covers the main 'minerals' û gold, coal, oil and gas, ironsands, silica sands, clays, lump silica, perlite, sulphur and limestone. The potential mining projects are depicted on a map of New Zealand together with the associated works involved in hydro-electric and geothermal power development requirement for industries such as aluminium, nickel ferro-silicon or silicon carbide production. The political need for mining development to relieve unemployment and reverse emigration is stressed. A case is made for exploration and development assistance by government in labour re-training, energy supply and transportation, if the tremendous losses through lack of use of human and industrial resources are to be rapidly reduced. These losses are currently estimated at $10 000 000 000 per year. The need for protection of the sanctity of contract and security of tenure of all mining operations is touched on briefly as is the need for a reasonably balanced view on conservation. However, as both of these are more properly covered in papers on the legal and environmental aspects of the mining climate, they are presented here only as they affect the economy of the mining operation. Finally, there is a brief comment on the mining climate in New Zealand relative to Australia and South Pacific mining operations.

Jan 1, 1990

By Williams DJ, Battino S

The rapid crushing technique for the measurement of gas content of coal consists of accelerating the rate of gas desorption from coal by crushing. This technique allows the determination of gas content in the space of hours rather than days or weeks as required for the traditional slow desorption technique. The crushing technique is used particularly when gas content determinations are urgently required for mine safety purposes. The method is now routinely used in underground coal mines of NSW and to a lesser extent in QLD. Despite the rapidity and efficiency of this method, concerns have been raised upon the reliability of the method to deliver accurate results. Experience in Australia has shown that there is in fact some discrepancy in results between gas laboratories using the rapid crush technique. The development of rapid crushing techniques for seam gas content measurements in Australia and the main causes of variability in the gas content test results were investigated. The gas laboratories participating in the gas content testing were CSIRO Division of Coal and Energy, BHP Technical Services and GeoGas Pty. Ltd.

Jan 1, 1998

By Guy R. B. Elliott

If chemical mining is to work, it is extremely important to watch heat balances. Some reactions with coal give off heat and others absorb heat. The reactions of coal with oxygen or air give off heat, but the reactions of coal with steam or with carbon dioxide absorb heat. By balancing the proportions of the two types of reactions, the energy of the coal can be almost completely recovered and environmental damage is minimized. The chemical reactions are listed in Table 1 in the usual form with subscripts (s) and (g) indicating solid or gaseous materials. In reaction 1, solid corbon, C(s), reacts with gaseous oxygen, O2(g), to produce gaseous carbon dioxide, CO2 (g). H means enthalpy or available heat in the material; F is free energy, and it measures whether the reaction can go at all, and if so, how much.

Jan 9, 1973

Legislation and Government Programs.-On February 4, 1977, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its final environmental impact statement on the occupational use of inorganic arsenic.2 The statement examined the ramifications of the original proposed standard published in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).3 The DEIS proposed to limit the exposure of employees to no more than 4 micrograms of arsenic per cubic meter of air as determined on an 8-hour-time-weighted average basis; or a ceiling limit of 10 micrograms of arsenic per cubic meter of air based on a 15 minute sampling period. The purpose of the proposed regulation is to reduce the risk of smelter workers developing lung and skin cancer as a result of exposure. A comprehensive study compiled by the Committee on Medical and Biologic Effects of Environmental Pollutants concluded that "there is strong epidemiologic evidence that inorganic arsenic is a skin and lung carcinogen in man."' In April 1977, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) served notice to ASARCO Incorporated that its Tacoma copper smelter and associated arsenic-producing facilities were in violation of State laws which limit sulfur dioxide and particulate matter emissions. This notice followed the Washington State Pollution Control Hearing Board overturning a prior ruling by the Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency (PSAPCA) which had permitted a 5-year variance from the State of Washington air quality standards. In December 1977, ASARCO appealed in court the decision of the Hearing Board.

Jan 1, 1980

SMCRA contains five principal regulatory provisions that form the basis for its implementation: Performance Standards Performance standard safe intended to ensure that all surface mining is conducted in a way that protects the environment and the public and ensures that the mined land is restored to productive use following mining. Permits Before developing a surface or underground coal mine, an operator must have a permit issued under SMCRA. An application for a permit to conduct a surface coal mining operation is a detailed document that consists of text and numeric data describing the proposed mining and reclamation. Information must be furnished on pre-mining environmental conditions, existing land use, proposed mining and reclamation, how the performance standards will be met, and the post-mining land use. This provides the regulatory authority with the information necessary to determine that the operation can be conducted in accordance with the regulations. Performance Bonds Before a permit can be granted, an operator must post a performance bond sufficient to cover the cost of reclaiming the site in the event the operator fails to complete reclamation. The bond is not fully released until all performance standards have been met and reclamation of the site has been determined to be successful after five years in the East and Midwest, and after 10 years in the arid West. However, the bond can be partially released as various phases of reclamation are completed. Inspection and Enforcement If a violation of SMCRA or of a state surface mining and reclamation law is observed, an inspector issues a notice of violation to the operator. The violation must be corrected within a specific time, and the operator may also have to pay a fine based on the severity of the violation. If the violation is not corrected, acessation order is issued to immediately stop active coal mining, and the operator must pay a fine. If a violation is especially serious (for example, creates an Following reclamation, the land was immediately put back into agricultural production. Today, grain and corn crop yields have continually exceeded targets. 2 imminent danger to public health or safety or causes significant damage to land, air, or water resources) the inspector immediately issues a cessation order. An operator must correct all violations in order to obtain permits for new mines. Lands Unsuitable For Mining Congress recognized that certain coal deposits cannot be mined without permanent damage to unique cultural or natural resources. As a result, SMCRA protects these resources in two ways: It prohibits mining within the boundaries of national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, trails, wild and scenic rivers, wilderness and recreation areas; in areas which will adversely affect sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and within a restricted distance of occupied dwellings, public roads, buildings, parks, schools, churches, and cemeteries; and Provides a process that allows anyone whose interests may be adversely affected by proposed mining to petition to have specific lands designated unsuitable for mining.

Jan 1, 1992

By J. D. Cooner

SINCE my working life of 32 yr has been spent in and about the anthracite mines of the Hudson Coal Co., and the previous 4 yr in a college school of mines, I can write best about the safety program of a coal mining company. However, most of the suggestions, statements and practices mentioned herein are applicable to the members of a safety organization and program of almost any industry. It is realized that industrial officials actually interested in real safety work are fully acquainted with the requirements of a practical safety program. Therefore, for such persons there may be nothing new in this paper. The Hudson Coal Co. of Scranton, Pa., employs 7,000 men and produces 5,000,000 tons of anthracite annually at nine collieries scattered for a distance of 40 miles throughout the Lackawanna and Wyoming valleys of northeastern Pennsylvania. For the past 17 yr of the above mentioned 32, I have been engaged in safety work as a safety inspector, assistant mine superintendent, and at present the safety engineer. I have also had the privilege of visiting coal and metal mines in other parts of the United States and Canada. We Americans are the most careless people in the world. If any one doubts this statement why are 100,000 of our people killed accidentally annually? Or why during the almost four years we were engaged in World War II were more of our people killed accidentally at home than were killed in our army, navy, marine corps, coast guard, and other services during the same period? We are careless everywhere in our homes, on the highway, at work and at play. The purpose of this paper is to outline the requisites of a safety department and its program to stop the accidents occurring to employees at work in mines or industrial plants. The first requisite for a safety program is that the management must be convinced of the need and value of a real safety program. By "management" is meant each department head from the president down. Otherwise a good safety department with a good safety program will not succeed because it will not have the proper personnel and equipment to work with, its rules and regulations will not be enforced, and the members of the safety department will be belittled in the eyes of most of the workmen and supervisors. Next, a safety engineer and his inspectors should have worked in the production end of the mines as workmen and also in an official capacity. They are then in a position to have practical and first hand knowledge of the accident hazards of the industry, how to prevent them, and in general the problems of both the workmen and officials. Some men are appointed as safety inspectors when they are physically unable to carry on as mine officials. Such men may know the safety end of the industry and even be safety-conscious, but if they are physically unable to be mine officials they are also physically unable to be safety inspectors, as a safety inspector in our mines must walk from 2 to 4 miles on each daily inspection-and visit each working

Jan 1, 1948

By Jue Kou, Lei Yu, Bern Klein, Lusheng Zhou, Chunbao Sun, Genzhuang Li, Reem Roufail, Amit Kumar

Magnetic liners can improve the performance of ball mills by increasing grinding efficiency, extending service life, and reducing maintenance costs. Despite their importance, the fundamental understanding and the quantitative investigation on the effects of the magnetic liners has not been addressed in the literature. This paper addresses this gap by studying charge motion, and how the use of a magnetic liner affects the breakage mechanism of the mill, using discrete element method (DEM) modeling and the Hertz-Mindlin contact model with relative velocity dependent (RVD) rolling friction. Charge motion was modeled under different mill speeds. Compared to conventional steel and rubber liners, the charge motion in the magnetic liner mill was predominantly cascading. Quantitative analysis of the energy dissipation within the mill was conducted to investigate mill breakage. Regardless of speed, over 50% of the total energy dissipation in the magnetic liner mill was in the form of abrasion and attrition. The results highlighted the appeal of magnetic liners in secondary and regrinding application, where abrasion and attrition are considered more efficient in the fine material breakage, and where impact is ideally minimized to reduce mill wear. A number of experiments were conducted to assess the effect of different model parameters on the performance of the magnetic liner mill. The highest abrasion/attrition intensity was observed with high values of the model parameters namely the restitution coefficient, static friction coefficient, and rolling friction coefficient.

Jun 12, 2019

Novel techniques were developed to obtain samples from and make measurements in the shaft of the flash furnace at the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter. The data obtained was used to validate mathematical models of the burners and the reaction shaft. Particle, gas and wall temperatures were measured along with the oxygen potential of the molten particles. Collected particles were characterised by sizing, chemical analysis and optical microscopy. The region of the shaft immediately beneath the burner where the rate of change was most rapid received special attention.

Jan 1, 1993

By J. C. Mertz

ACCURATE knowledge of the solid solubilities of the elements that dissolve in the important base metals is needed for guidance in the preparation and heat-treatment of the alloys derived from these compo-nents. While there is still difference of opinion concerning the merits of the X-ray and microscopic methods of determining such solubilities, it is certainly true that the recent extensive use of X-ray diffraction to review the existing constitutional data has revealed many glaring inaccu-racies and has brought about a much improved knowledge of phase-boundary locations, which will inevitably come to include all of the important alloy systems. When the work is done with all necessary precautions it appears that in the majority of cases where the solubilities extend beyond a few tenths of a per cent the X-ray back-reflection technique is capable of furnishing the best of information in this field. For the most prolonged and thorough studies it is obviously advisable to combine the results of several methods, in particular, to obtain an agreement between X-ray and microscopic data. This paper reviews the work previously done on the solubilities of phosphorus, arsenic, antimony and bismuth in copper and, in considera-tion of the uncertainties thus made apparent, presents, new X-ray data obtained with the first three members of this group.

Jan 1, 1936

By R Thomson

The use of uranium metal in non-ferrous metallurgical practice is dis-cussed with reference to its alloying behaviour and chemical activity. It is suggested that the more promising applications are in the treatment of molten metals to combine with impurities. Mines Branch work along these lines is described for copper, zinc, magnesium, aluminum and nickel alloys. It is shown that a cop-per-uranium master alloy (25 per cent U) successfully deoxidizes molten copper without detriment to the electrical or mechanical properties of the product at residual uranium levels of up to 0.8 wt. per cent. Additions of uranium to alpha brass in amounts greater than the lead impurity content were found to remove the deleterious effect of lead on hot-workability. Similar deoxidizing and malleableizing effects were found with uranium additions to nickel. It is thought that uranium forms stable intermetallic compounds with many impurity elements. A significant malleableizing effect can therefore be expected in the presence of other elements besides lead.

Jan 1, 1963

By B. A. Cheadle, K. P. Steward

Axial tensile, ring tensile, closed end burst, and free end burst tests were done at room tempe.vature and 300°C on three batches of Zircaloy-2 sheathing zuith different textures. Knoop hardness tests were also done on all batches. The mechanical properties of the tubes were largely dependent on the percentages of cold work, but were also markedly affected by the textures, particularly with respect to deformation behavio'r. The deformation behavior observed confirmed Picklesimer's predictions, zuhereas Knoop hardness results could be correlated with texture and yield strength anisotropy after the ,method of Wheeler and Ireland. From the mechanical properties, and from efjectiue strain values deterrlzined at the fractures using a photoqid technique, it zuas concluded that tubing witlz a single preferred orientation of radial basal poles best combines strength and ductility for any given deqee of cold work. THE mechanical properties required in collapsible Zircaloy-2 fuel sheathing for water-cooled power reactors are strength to resist wrinkling deformation by coolant pressure and ductility to accommodate a small amount of deformation in service without rupturing. Zircaloy-2 tubing during fabrication develops pre- ferred orientations of the a Zr grains due to aniso-tropic deformation behavior, and these textures markedly affect mechanical properties. Picklesimer' had predicted the deformation behavior of tubes with various textures, but the texture required to provide the optimum strength and ductility for a given degree of cold work has not been reported. To investigate this problem, tests at three transverse to axial stress ratios were done at room temperature and 300°C on three batches of Zircaloy-2 tubing covering a wide range of textures and percentages of residual cold work. Knoop hardness values were also measured to correlate with preferred orientation and yield strength anisotropy after the method of Wheeler and relland.' 1) MATERIAL For this investigation, three batches of tube-reduced tubing were chosen from the Zircaloy-2 sheathing produced for the Douglas Point Reactor. Individual tubes were 191/2 in. long, 0.600 in. OD, and 0.0165 in. nominal wall thickness. The identities of the batches, together with their textures, are shown in Table I. The tubes had the normal Zircaloy-2 composition3 of 1.5 wt pct Sn, 0.3 wt pct Fe, Ni, Cr combined with the following oxygen concentrations: Batch VII 1140 to 1390 ppm 0 Batch VIII 1400 to 1750 ppm 0 Batch IX 880 to 1320 ppm 0

Jan 1, 1968

By P. Couceiro, J. Navarro

A new methodology to perform selective blast designs by adapting the explosive energy, hole by hole (or in the hole), to the rock properties as a combination of their strength properties through the X-Rock model has been developed based on drill-monitoring data from both autonomous and manual rotary drilling modes. For that, a thorough normalization process has been developed to minimize external influences in the data induced by the different rig system and the operator interventions during manual drilling operation. Principal component analysis has been used to combine drill monitoring information. Data from 48,385 blastholes, comprised in 102 production blasts at 7 different levels in one expansion of the mine have been used for the analysis. The methodology, called X-Energy, combines the X-Rock model outputs with actual blast design parameters (drill pattern, stemming and borehole length, explosive mass/density and others) and a constant variable obtained from a machine learning algorithm, to estimate size distribution and percentage of fines and coarse material, hole by hole, by combining and recalibrating the Kuznetsov (Cunningham, 1987) based equation. From it, a new shovel-independent diggability model has been developed as combination of the P80 size, the rock properties (from the X-Rock) and a constant variable obtained from a machine learning algorithm. The X-Energy application presented in this study have been implemented in Minera Escondida Limitada (MEL), to design and operate production blasts with the goal of varying the explosive density to the rock properties to obtain a more uniform size distribution and digging rates, hole by hole, based on a target size and rate, and improving slope care, preventing active faults to fail. The methodology has been applied and validated in 17 production blast (8,277 blasthole), unlocking an average of 12.8% reduction in explosives costs (explosive consumption), by combining a pattern expansion strategy and a better distribution of the explosive density within the blast. The results demonstrate how a better distribution of the explosive energy by varying its density in the hole according to the rock and blast geometry variables can reduce powder factor (explosive consumption) while improving or maintaining blasting and digging results.

Jan 1, 2024

By Kazuteru Tozawa, Robert G. Robins

"The stability of calcium arsenate is discussed in relation to the possible misuse of lime in the treatment of gold processing waste waters. Stability diagrams have been derived and experimental results cited to show that calcium arsenate has a higher solubility in neutral to alkaline solution than has previously been recognized and this solubility is further enhanced by the presence of carbon dioxide, bicarbonate or carbonate.IntroductionThe removal of arsenic from gold mine waste waters has been of interest for more than thirty years, but with the recent emphasis on clean water standards there has been renewed activity in relation to that problem. The processing of gold-bearing sulphides which contain arsenopyrite and other complex arsenic sulphides is well established. Initial roasting to oxidize the sulphides leaves the arsenic in the form of both arsenic and arsenic, in which forms it is soluble in the subsequent leaching stage. Further oxidation of the leach liquors is required before the well-established procedure of precipitating calcium arsenate with lime, which is carried out despite an immense lack of knowledge of the calcium-arsenic-water system.The solubility product and free energy of formation for Ca3(AsO4)2, which are to be found in recent and reliable sources of data, originate from the work of Chukhlansev, whose experimental determination of the concentration of calcium from the solubility of calcium arsenate in solutions of various pH yields the results plotted in Figure 1. This is the work which has resulted in a wide acceptance of the ""insolubility"" of calcium arsenate and the use of lime to stabilize arsenic in that form.Laguitton attempted to further elucidate the chemistry of the lime addition method for treating arsenical waste waters from gold processing operations. The low solubility product for Ca3(AsO4)2 was the basis for his examination of likely chemical equilibria in the system. Laguitton and other workers have not considered atmospheric carbon dioxide as an important component in this system."

Jan 1, 1982

By Otto H. Henry, Edward L. Badwick

Up to the present time, according to Hansenl and Haughton,² the constitution of the bismuth-indium system has not yet been published. The generally accepted value for the melting point of indium, as listed in most scientific journals and textbooks, is 155°C. Recently, however, H. M. Davis3 has determined a new melting point for indium of 157.3²C O.l°C. Since bismuth has been used in preponderance as an alloying element in the majority of low-melting alloys, and indium has been used with considerable success in lowering the melting points of low-melting alloys, 4,6 an interest has been developed in the application of these two metals, making a complete knowledge of the constitution of its alloys desirable. In this investigation, the melting point of indium reported by H. M. Davis has been found to be substantially correct. A value of 157. ²°C ± O.5°C was determined. The two eutectic compositions have been placed at 34 and 50 pct bismuth with their respective eutectic temperatures as 72.4°C ± 0.5°C and 90°C ± 0.5°C. The bismuth-indium phase diagram has been determined by thermal and microscopic analysis and is shown in Fig I. Thermal Analysis Granulated bismuth and indium shot, having a guaranteed purity of 99.99 and 99.95 pct, respectively, were melted in a carbon crucible by means of a laboratory heater. To minimize oxidation of the alloys, a heavy mineral oil (Nujol) having a high- flash point was used. A platinum-platinum rhodium thermocouple of fine wire encased in a thin-walled Pyrex glass tube, about 1/8 in. in diameter, was connected to a type K potentiometer for temperature measurements. The thermocouple was calibrated against the melting points of tin, bismuth, and the silver-copper eutectic and the boiling point of water. Since the temperature readings could be reproduced to 0.²°Cl and the accuracy of the temperature standards in this range is slightly better than 0.5°C, it scems reasonable to assume that the temperature readings are reliable to approximately 0.5°C. The cooling rate could be controlled by varying the amount of insulation surrounding the crucible. Three or four layers of asbestos paper, 1/16 in. thick, sufficed to give a cooling rate of from I° to ²°C per minute. Undercooling was slightly noticeable. This condition was minimized by vigorous stirring, since the advantage of using slower rates was too small to justify the greater expenditure

Jan 1, 1947

By Otto H. Henry, Edward L. Badwick

Up to the present time, according to Hansenl and Haughton,² the constitution of the bismuth-indium system has not yet been published. The generally accepted value for the melting point of indium, as listed in most scientific journals and textbooks, is 155°C. Recently, however, H. M. Davis3 has determined a new melting point for indium of 157.3²C O.l°C. Since bismuth has been used in preponderance as an alloying element in the majority of low-melting alloys, and indium has been used with considerable success in lowering the melting points of low-melting alloys, 4,6 an interest has been developed in the application of these two metals, making a complete knowledge of the constitution of its alloys desirable. In this investigation, the melting point of indium reported by H. M. Davis has been found to be substantially correct. A value of 157. ²°C ± O.5°C was determined. The two eutectic compositions have been placed at 34 and 50 pct bismuth with their respective eutectic temperatures as 72.4°C ± 0.5°C and 90°C ± 0.5°C. The bismuth-indium phase diagram has been determined by thermal and microscopic analysis and is shown in Fig I. Thermal Analysis Granulated bismuth and indium shot, having a guaranteed purity of 99.99 and 99.95 pct, respectively, were melted in a carbon crucible by means of a laboratory heater. To minimize oxidation of the alloys, a heavy mineral oil (Nujol) having a high- flash point was used. A platinum-platinum rhodium thermocouple of fine wire encased in a thin-walled Pyrex glass tube, about 1/8 in. in diameter, was connected to a type K potentiometer for temperature measurements. The thermocouple was calibrated against the melting points of tin, bismuth, and the silver-copper eutectic and the boiling point of water. Since the temperature readings could be reproduced to 0.²°Cl and the accuracy of the temperature standards in this range is slightly better than 0.5°C, it scems reasonable to assume that the temperature readings are reliable to approximately 0.5°C. The cooling rate could be controlled by varying the amount of insulation surrounding the crucible. Three or four layers of asbestos paper, 1/16 in. thick, sufficed to give a cooling rate of from I° to ²°C per minute. Undercooling was slightly noticeable. This condition was minimized by vigorous stirring, since the advantage of using slower rates was too small to justify the greater expenditure

Jan 1, 1947

By Francis P. Sinn

IN the zinc smelting industry the year 1947 seems to have been one of putting one's house in order rather than one of any material technical development or radical change in operating conditions. Labor generally has been in better supply but several plants report a scarcity of skilled workmen. Some plants continue to operate on the basis of a six-day week and will probably continue to do so until labor is more plentiful. Only one plant is known to have operated on a curtailed basis because of labor shortage, but here the difficulty was lack of proper housing facilities. Necessary materials and equipment for much-needed maintenance and modernization have been in short supply so these programs have often been delayed. Laborsaving devices of the "Payloader" type have been more generally used for handling materials. Slab zinc production was discontinued during the last months of the year at Danville, 111. and at Langeloth, Pa. Both of these plants used the Hegeler type of furnaces fired with producer gas. It is understood that the rolling mill and possibly the acid plant at Danville will continue to operate. At Langeloth acid will be produced from

Jan 1, 1948

By Charles Barron McIntosh

BECAUSE of the well known relationship between a low atmospheric pressure and increased amounts of methane in coal mines, attempts have been made to find associations between low pressures and coal mine explosions. An early study by F. Able disclaimed this relationship. He found that half the explosions took place during a rising barometer when methane content in a ventilated mine would be decreasing. A more recent study by C. L. Hosler revealed a close relationship between anthracite mine explosions and low atmospheric pressure. Bituminous coal mine explosions, where coal dust as well as methane can be exploded, were found to be more closely associated with a rising pressure following a low barometer than with the falling or low pressure period. Emphasis on rising pressure periods led the present writer to investigate the effect of the post-frontal or post-cyclonic weather on coal dust. Dust samples of uniform mesh were exposed in an Illinois mine. Analyses of the dust taken before and after the passage of cold fronts and their accompanying low pressure troughs indicated an increase in coal dust moisture prior to a frontal passage and loss of moisture from coal dust following the time of lowest pressure. Thus the warm, moist air (Tropical Maritime)found over the mine during the falling pressure period was cooled in the mine and moisture added to the dust. Cold, dry air (Polar Continental) accompanies' the rising barometer following a frontal passage and the air, being heated in the mine, subtracted moisture from the coal dust. A similar but seasonal phenomenon occurs from summer to winter, the dry dust period in winter being recognized as the more dangerous period. The question arose as to how the short period or daily changes in moisture content of coal dust compared with the seasonal changes. Temperature and humidity statistics were obtained from the surface and mine entry for the months of July andJanuary. The gain and Ioss of mdisture. to the hine were calculated for these two morths as were the gain and loss associated with mT (Tropical Maritime) and cP (Polar Continental),air masses as observed in the investigatiynsl. Temperature and humidity statistics tigatiynsl.taken from [the two air masses represent atimp span of only 34 hr. The redultant changes as presented in the accompanying table verify the supposition that short period changes in coal mine moisture may attain the magnitude of recognized dangerous seasonal changes. Statistics for the mT air and the July air have been placed next each other and those for cP and January air together for easier comparison of the two warm and two cold air units. The last column readily reveals that there is little difference in the amount of moisture being deposited in the mine from the mT air and the July average air. A similar conclusion is reached regarding the loss of moisture from the mine when it is affected by the cP air mass or the average January air. This comparison would be particularly true from late fall through early spring when strongly contrasting air mass changes are a common occurrence. The invasion of cold, dry air following a cold front thus produces a drying period that could well receive more attention as a danger period for coal dust explosions. This drying period would compare with Able's explosion period during a rising barometer. The drying period is also perltinent in Hosler's findings, where it was noted that the average explosion day (for bituminous coal mines) followed the day of lowest atmospheric pressure. Moreover, the author's investigation of some 365 coal mine explosions also indicates that this post-frontal period should receive special attention in connection with mine safety measures. Two comparatively recent major explosions in Illinois (Centralia and West Frapkfort) occurred after the mines had been under the influence of cold-dry air for 25 to 30 hr-following a deep low pressure passage. Dust was the important explosive element in both these explosions.

Jan 1, 1958