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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 David M. Mchaina, Michel Grenier, Stephen G. Hardcastle

An airborne dust survey was conducted at the Arthur W. White mine of Dickenson Mines Limited by CANMET/MRL and Dickenson Mines Limited Staff in April 1990 for the purpose of evaluating environmental conditions underground and in the surface mining plants. The survey was designed to measure respirable silica, total arsenic and lead concentrations at several workplaces. In addition, settled dust and rock samples were collected from workplaces and analysed for total arsenic content. More importantly, arsenic exposure data were needed to evaluate the impact of Ontario Regulation 176/86 as amended by Ontario Regulation 23/87. A total of 165 area and personal air filter samples were collected during the study. Of these, 85, 67 and 13 samples were for arsenic, silica and lead respectively. Sampling aid analyses were performed according to the Ontario Ministry of Labour Regulations. More than 90% of the workplaces sampled for respirable silica, total arsenic and lead were below the Ontario Ministry of Labour Regulations; and 10% of the workplaces sampled for arsenic shaved concentrations above the Threshold Limit value (TLV) proposed in the Ontario Regulation 176/86 as amended by Ontario Regulation 23/87. These results were used to identify occupations and/or workplaces where more sampling and control measures were required respirable silica, total arsenic and lead. This paper describes the results of the dust sampling program conducted at Dickenson Mines Limited.

Jan 1, 1991

By M. J. Gula, S. S. Xue, E. P. Horwitz

A study has been conducted to remove iron from sulfate solutions using Eichrom's Dipexo® extractant, P,P'-di(2ethylhexyl) methanediphosponic acid (H2DEH[MDP]). It is found that this extractant can effectively and selectively extract ferric ion from highly acidic solutions. Ninety-nine percent of the iron was extracted from a simulated feed solution in a single stage. The separation factor, Fe/Zn, was 106. Over 90% of the iron in a loaded organic can be recovered in an aqueous solution by reductive stripping. This paper presents the experimental results. A new process for iron removal using Dipex extractant is described and discussed.

Jan 1, 1999

By Jeffrey IC

This paper presents a method of measuring field power consumption of shearers and deriving specific energy consumption versus shearer haulage speed performance curves. A description of a computer program which simulates the cutting action of a shearer drum is presented. A comparison between the field specific energy curves and the computer simulation results is made. The simulation results compare well with the field data where all the coal seam is being cut by the shearer. The computer simulation results give back-calculated field pick force cutting characteristics, which allow the performance of the shearer to be predicted for other operating conditions, e.g. effect of changes to pick lacing, effect of changing the drum rotational speed, allows the calculation of power requirements for a particular production rate.

Jan 1, 1992

To provide a simple means for rapidly checking methane concentrations at working faces in coal mines while remaining under permanently supported roof. The Approach: A light telescopic probe, through which a gas sample can be pumped Into a methanometer, has been developed. See Figure 1 [ ] How It Works: The telescopic probe consists of sections of small stainless steel tubing encased in sections of lightweight fiberglass tubing. When fully extended the probe is almost 19 ft. long; fully closed it is approximately 5-1/2 feet long. It can be used In either of these positions as well as at intermediate extensions. An approved methanometer is clamped to the probe by a support bracket.

Jan 1, 1975

By D. K. Grubbs

Red bauxites from Breadnut Valley, Clarendon Parish, Jamaica, are very homogeneous in texture. Bauxite minerals are uniformly distributed in a groundmass, the predominant grain size being smaller than l um (Figure 1 Although the deposits have a massive, non-stratified structure, they all seem to have been affected by postformational faulting which is evidenced by shear zones running subvertically through the deposits. These shear zones stand out very clearly because of a yellow staining along their faces. Often yellow zones, ranging from a few m to several cm in thickness, have developed. When the shear zones are cut at an angle, they appear as yellow veins. Near the surface of the deposits, yellow material forms shallow irregular lenses (Figure 2). In most cases, tree roots (hair roots), or their imprints, are associated with the shear zones or stained areas. In fact, the yellowish color is especially pronounced along these roots and often disappears where the roots end (Figure 3). The mineral composition and texture of red groundmass and yellow zones are markedly different. Secondary phosphate minerals and a higher goethite to hematite ratio characterize the mineral composition of the yellow zones. It should also be noted that Al-substitution in goethite from these areas is significantly higher than in goethite occurring in the groundmass (Figure 4).

Jan 1, 1980

By S. Kurama

Incorporation of de-watering sieve waste of borax (TSW) from Etibor Kirka Borax Company (Turkey) on the mechanical and physical properties of a commercial floor tile composition was investigated. In order to achieve this aim, TSW was partially employed in place of feldspar in the standard composition up to 20 wt %. The formulated compositions were wet milled, dried, shaped and then fired at 1190C for a total firing time of 38 minutes (from cold to cold) under industrial conditions. It was found that using of TSW up to 15 wt % improved the physical and mechanical properties of final product. The results indicated a good prospect for TSW as a co-flux in floor tile formulations.

Jan 1, 2006

By S Fidler

Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a process by which coal is converted in situ to a combustible gas that can be used as a fuel or chemical feedstock. The process has been used in commercial-size projects in the former Soviet Union for more than 40 years, while significant national research programs have been undertaken in the United States and Western Europe. The Chinchilla UCG project is located at a site southeast of Chinchilla in Queensland. The UCG operation commenced in December 1999. A controlled shutdown of the process was initiated in January 2002 and successfully completed in April 2003. The process is currently under conservation and ready for restoration of gas production for commercial use in the near future. Groundwater plays an important role in the gas formation process during UCG. Most of the process water required for chemical reactions is usually derived from the coal seam itself and from surrounding aquifers. If insufficient water is available for chemical reactions the UCG gas will contain reduced concentrations of combustible components, and conversely, excessive water influx into the process area would cool down the reactor and thus limit the energy available for gas production reactions. Because of the importance of groundwater in the gasification reactions, and the potential to contaminate groundwater if the process is not correctly controlled, it is essential to predict and to control the groundwater influx into underground gasifiers during and after underground gasification. Control of groundwater requires a thorough understanding of hydrogeological conditions in the vicinity of the gasifier in order to be able to predict inflow rates, and constant monitoring throughout the process of water production rates and groundwater pressure in the coal seam and adjacent aquifers. Hydrogeological testing and groundwater monitoring in the vicinity of the UCG operation commenced six months in advance of its initiation. Monitoring of groundwater pressures in the vicinity of the gasifier have also been undertaken using vibrating wire piezometers installed in the coal seam at varying distances from the gasifier. This paper presents the results of the hydrogeological testing and groundwater quality monitoring carried out at the site, which show that it is possible to operate a UCG process without uncontrolled impacts on groundwater.

Jan 1, 2003

By Ruth F. Brinkley

This report is the 17th of a series originally issued annually, and more recently bienially, to acquaint the reader with the work of the Division of Explosives Technology, Federal Bureau of Mines. It differs from preceding reports in that its material is presented in two parts: Part I reviews briefly the overall activities of the Division during fiscal years 1955 and 1956;4/ part II presents in abstract form, the publications of the Division during that period. As it is not unusual for research completed in the course of one report period to be published only in the following period, the Bureau believes that the present approach will give a more accurate presentation of its work for the period considered. The Bureau hopes too, that the somewhat more concise presentation will prove convenient to the reader.5/ PART I -RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGIC ACTIVITIES The activities of the Division during fiscal years 1955 and 1956 reflected the steadily growing preoccupation with factors affecting the safety of permissible explosives and those affecting the tests used for approval of these explosives. Findings by a team of French investigators prompted a study of the influence of atmospheric moisture on the ignition of firedamp by

Jan 1, 1961

By R. W. Raymond

ChaRles William HenRy Kirchhoff was born March 28, 1853, at San Francisco, Cal., where his father, Charles Kirchhoff, was at that time consul for his native country, Germany. A few years later, the family moved' to Hoboken, K. J., in which city the son received his preliminary education at the Hoboken Academy, proceeding later to Germany, where he was graduated in 1874 as mining engineer and metallurgist at the Prussian Royal Mining Academy of Clausthal, in the Harz. Upon his return to the United States, he became chemist of the Delaware Lead Refinery at Philadelphia, and retained that position for three years. But in 1877 he began what was to be an almost uninterrupted life-long association with David Williams, the publisher of The Iron Age, of New York, who established in that year, and continued for a brief period, a journal entitled the Metallurgical Review, on the editorial staff of which Mr. Kirchhoff received a place. The enterprise was doubtless an attempt to cover a wide metallurgical field outside of that which properly belonged to The Iron Age. But it was soon abandoned, and Mr. Williams wisely concentrated his energies upon the older journal, which, under his vigorous and skillful management, and the labors of the able editors and correspondents whom he selected, became one of the greatest institutions of its class in the world. From 1878 to 1881, Mr. Kirchhoff was assistant editor of The Iron Age. From 1881 to 1884, he was managing editor of the Engineering and Mining Journal; in 1884 he returned to The Iron Age, to become for five years its associate editor, and in 1889, on the retirement of James C. Bayles, editor-in-chief. This list of dates and employments, without further comment, sufficiently indicates, at least to the eye of an expert, that Mr. Kirchhoff had found his congenial career in trade journalism. His qualifications for this profession were somewhat exceptional. He possessed the scientific training, the knowledge of foreign languages and literatures, and the power of making and keeping friends, which enabled him to get early notice of technical novelties; he had the taste for statistics which made him both industrious and intelligent in their collection and use; and to these traits he added a mastery of the meaning of such accumulated data, and a sane, critical judgment of the situations which they represented, as well as of the sources and the figures themselves, which made his opinion weighty

Jan 1, 1917

By A. L. Mular

Several capital cost estimation procedures are reviewed briefly, although the factored estimate method is discussed in preference. A table of cost versus equipment parameter data is provided, where the cost may be updated from the current value of the M&S cost index for mining and milling. Cost equations are useful to prepare computer programs which perform capital cost calculations. The use of the factored estimate method is illustrated.

Jan 1, 1978

By C. A. Heberlein

C. A. HEBERLEIN, New York, N. Y.-The results stated by Rey and Brevers are so startling that they are of great interest, as the concentration of a low percentage of cinnabar by differential flotation yields a high-grade concentrate in the presence of either arsenical or iron pyrite. The authors say: "Cyanide can thus be used to depress arsenopyrite and make a good cinnabar-arsenopyrite separation. A cinnabar-pyrite separation could probably be effected in the same way." Corrosive sublimate at the present price of mercury would be a very expensive reagent but the expense would be justifiable if a high rate of concentration could be obtained with a high extraction. On my request, special tests were made in the Punitaqui mill in Chile along the line suggested by the authors, without any improvement of either grade or extraction. As the recovery of the cinnabar in a complex sulphide of chalcopyrite and pyrite gave unsatisfactory results, I had tests made at the testing laboratory of the American Cyanamid Co. at Stamford, Conn. As these tests turned out to be highly satisfactory, not only at Stamford but later at the mine, they are presented here. [ ] The pulp had a density of 22 and a pH of 7.8. Total time of conditioning was one minute. The reagent added was Texas fuel oil, 0.116lb. of 33.7 Bé. gravity containing 0.9 per cent sulphur. Frother, 0.062 lb. of No. 5 pine oil. Rate of concentration of mercury was 25.7: 11. [ ]

Jan 1, 1941

By Irving Cadoff, Richard Nolder

An analysis oj a series of samples of single -crystal silicon grown on sapphire shows that ,four distinct orientation relations exist. There are at least thirteen crystallographic planes which serve as substrates ,for epitaxial growth The model which assumes that silicon substitutes for aluminium and bonds with the oxygen atoms of the sapphire to form the first later for subsequent growth can account for the epitaxial geometry in all four cases. Multiplici-ties 01 specific orientations are found which are explained by the symmetry of both the sapphire and silicon crystal structures. It was reported in the previous paper' that single-crystal silicon films can be deposited on single-crystal a A1,03 (sapphire) with a wide variety of orientations. The silicon films, however, were found to deposit in only four different orientation relationships with respect to the sapphire substrate. The X-ray data have been analyzed to determine the plane and direction of atomic fit and an atomic model to account for the epitaxial relationships at the silicon-sapphire interface has been developed. These results are described in the present paper. EXPERIMENTAL The Laue X-ray data described in the previous paper were reduced to stereographic projections in a standard manner. These data were supplemented with X-ray reflection data obtained with -& E and A Full-Circle Goniometer (Electronics and Alloys, Inc.) mounted on a Phillips diffractometer unit. The silicon films were thin enough to result in characteristic reflections from the substrate as well as the silicon. The superimposed stereographic projections were analyzed to determine the orientation relationships. Ambiguities were resolved by referring to constructed models of various lattice planes for both silicon and sapphire. These lattice models were also used to develop the model for atom fit at the interface. DATA AND ANALYSIS 1) Crystal Structures. The crystallography of silico-n, which is of the diamond cubic class with a. = 5.4~, is straightforward. The sapphire structure is more complex and generally difficult to represent in pictorial form. It is of the rhombohedra1 class but usually referred to hexagonal axes. The transformation of indices between these two systems can lead to ambiguities which will have bearing on the analysis presented herein. Therefore, the basis used in this paper is described in the appendix. Referred to the hexagonal system, the parameters of sapphire are co = 12.95.&, a, = 4.75~, c/a = 2.73. All parameters are for room temperature. Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate schematically the hexagonal unit cell model of sapphire used for this analysis. The oxygen atoms are assumed to occupy positions in an idealized hexagonal array on basal planes. Their actual positions are in a slightly distorted hexagonal array. The aluminum-atom positions are scaled to their actual positions in the lattice with respect to the basal layers of oxygen atoms. It was found that an idealized model where the aluminum atoms are assumed to lie exactly at the octahedral interstices of the oxygen lattice, similar to that used by ~ronberg,' was not adequate for this study.

Jan 1, 1965

By Gérald Riverin

Over the past century, exploration methods for volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits have evolved in response to a decreasing number of discoveries made by traditional surface prospecting and by ground and airborne geophysics. Statistical trends support the concept that fewer and fewer outcropping and sub-cropping VMS discoveries will be made in the future. In turn, this creates new opportunities to develop more sophisticated exploration models and techniques to explore at greater depth and to make blind discoveries. Current exploration models include various combinations of geological, geochemical and geophysical criteria which have been based on the results of land-based VMS research. The role of seafloor research in the development of these models has so far been only of a subordinate nature, perhaps due to a lack of direct involvment of the exploration industry in the seafloor research, and vice-versa for the seafloor researchers in VMS exploration. Another contributing factor is that exploration relies on exploration criteria that result from detailed geological, geochemical and geophysical studies of both footwall and hanging wall rocks, studies that are not possible in modern sea floor environments. Nevertheless, seafoor research has contributed to our understanding of the growth of sulphide mounds, the mechanism of sulphide deposition and of the chemistry of fluids involved in VMS systems. In particular, the role of structure and of tectonic setting has been clarified through observation of active seafloor hydrothermal systems. In turn, observations made in land-based VMS research has helped seafloor researchers to focus on key issues which, will eventually contribute to improved exploration models.

Jan 1, 1998

By Wallace Pratt

THE Philippine Islands. have produced no oil commercially, nevertheless, oil is known to be present at various places in the islands.1 Although all attempts to produce oil commercially have failed, no intelligent, persistent exploration has been carried out. The Richmond Petroleum Corpn. a subsidiary of the Standard Oil Co. of California) and a syndicate, headed by Ralph Arnold are at present engaged in exploring Bondoc Peninsula in Tayabas Province, one of the promising Philippine areas, in a manner that promises to test the petroleum possibilities adequately and intelligently. How can the petroleum resources of an entirely undeveloped area like the Philippines be estimated, where not even the areal extent of the various geologic formations is known? Obviously no calculated figure for assured future production can be derived. Yet a study of the evidence of the occurrence of petroleum, the character of the possible reservoir beds, the probable source rocks, the character and size of favorable structures, and the area over which petroleum-bearing rocks are known to occur, will throw some light on the question. The fact that rocks of the same geologic age and similar composition have been explored and are producing in Borneo, Sumatra, and Java to the south and in Formosa and Japan to the north also affect the problem, so that one can obtain some idea of the quantity of petroleum that may reasonably be expected from the Philippines. It is this measure of the possibilities rather than a definite calculation of petroleum reserves that is presented herewith. This paper will not attempt to describe, nor even to enumerate in detail, the occurrences of petroleum in the Philippines as such data have already been published. Fig. 1 indicates the localities where

Jan 7, 1922

The purpose of the Lower Lea Valley Cable Tunnel project is to relocate the overhead power lines circuits, which currently cross the proposed site for the 2012 London Olympics in East London. This was the first contract to be awarded as an Olympic project and is on the critical path for the proposed Olympic Park as the construction of the Olympic village, stadium and other venues cannot begin until the tunnels are complete, the cables installed and the overhead power lines removed. The tunnelling works for the scheme include two parallel tunnels between Hackney and West Ham. Each tunnel is approximately 6 km in length. One tunnel is 4.15 m ID and connects the National Grid substations. The other is 2.82 m ID and connects the EDF Energy substations. The tunnels were constructed through mixed ground using four earth pressure balance tunnel boring machines. These were driven simultaneously from two drive shafts within a single site. The 12 km of main tunnels were constructed within a year from start to finish, with completion in June 2007. The shafts range between 6 m and 15 m ID. These were constructed using a combination of caisson sinking and underpinning techniques. Dewatering was adopted to suit the groundwater conditions.Other works include the design and construction of the head house buildings, cable and ventilation culverts, mechanical and electrical (M&E) installations and all associated works. In addition to the above, a further 1 km of tunnel and two shafts were added to the project scope connecting the EDF Energy tunnel to the substation at Bow. These additional works provided further challenges to the project to ensure that these works were constructed within the program constraints for the 2012 London Olympics. This involved refurbishing one of the tunnel boring machines from the main EDF Energy tunnel drives and relaunching the machine to construct the Bow tunnel. The Bow tunnel was constructed within two and a half months, with the tunnel boring machine breaking through in August, ahead of schedule. The main challenge presented by this project is the program constraints. This project outlines the requirement for team work between the client, stakeholders, contractor and designer in order to provide program certainty. A close working relationship between the contractor and the designer is required to provide value engineered, time-saving solutions to mitigate the risks associated with the design and construction program.

Jan 1, 2008

By A. Cochardt, D. H. Feisel

HE success of the sintered aluminum powder material (SAP)' in raising the maximum useful temperature of aluminum alloys has stimulated effort in investigating similar systems in which the metallic matrixes have higher melting points. Examples of such systems which have been studied are nickel-alumina,2, 3copper-silica,4 copper-alumina,4 titanium-cerium oxide,5 and 80/20 nickel-chromium,8 cobalt,= and molybdenum7 matrixes with various hardeners. Conventional precipitation-hardened high-temperature alloys are often thermally unstable in service. The original fine particles that are responsible for good strength properties grow in size at elevated operating temperatures, a process termed "over-aging." This growth of precipitated particles causes a gradual loss in strength properties. A previous paperb describes the factors that govern the process of overaging, and estimates the time required for overaging of a nickel-alloy matrix dispersion-hardened by various precipitates such as are found in current high-temperature alloys, and by alumina. These calculations indicate that nickel-base alloys hardened with Ni3Al, Tic, or TiN are quite unstable at 1340" F (727°F). Such alloys should overage within a few hours at that temperature. A nickel-base alloy hardened with alumina, on the other hand, should behave differently. It should not overage appreciably within a thousand years. It was further shown8 that the thermal stability of the oxide-hardened alloy is mainly due to the low solubility of oxygen in equilibrium with alumina in the nickel-base matrix. Since the oxygen solubility is small, little oxygen can diffuse, and structural changes require very long times. This paper illustrates the effects of time and temperature on the structural stability of nickel alloy matrixes hardened by dispersions of Ni3A1, Ni3Ti, Tic, and alumina, and of nickel-chromium matrixes hardened by alumina. Hardness measurements and metallography have been used as a measure of structural stability. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Using the best information from published phase diagrams,'-l4 compositions of the Ni-Al, Ni-Ti, and Ni-Ti-C alloys were determined so as to have 5 vol pct of precipitate at 1350° F(732°C), the temperature selected to illustrate the effect of time on structural stability. Table I lists the chemical compositions of these alloys. Standard laboratory melting and alloying techniques were used in preparing ingots of the F-Series of alloys. The cast ingots, 1 3/4 in. in diam, were forged to 3/8-in. diam rods.

Jan 1, 1960

By Y. L. Su, R. Stefanko, Y. J. Wang

This chapter describes a new approach to the solution of stress distribution around underground openings utilizing the finite element method and employing stochastically simulated rock properties. It is well-known from extensive laboratory tests that the properties of rocks, e.g., Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio, are not single-valued but form some distribution. If the scatter of test data is attributed to the variability of the rock itself rather than due to an inadequacy in test procedure, then stress solutions have to consider these variations. Utilizing this basic philosophy, the present study was initiated. A long circular opening subjected to plane strain in a hydrostatic stress field was chosen as a specific example to illustrate this approach. The technique adopted in solving stress distributions was based on the finite element method. This method is essentially a generalization of standard structural analysis procedures in which the continuum is idealized as an assemblage of "elements," interconnected at a finite number of nodal points. It is capable therefore of handling different material properties for individual elements in the model, if desired. In this study, each individual element was assumed to be isotropic, homogeneous, and elastic. However, values for Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio were randomly varied from element to element according to an assumed frequency distribution.

Jan 1, 1970

By Miguel Olivas-Martínez

A two-dimensional computational model for the hot filament chemical vapor deposition (HFCVD) process to produce diamond films is presented. The model incorporates the transport of momentum, energy, and mass inside the reaction chamber of a HFCVD reactor. The gas-phase homogeneous reactions were represented by a simplified reaction mechanism. The gas-phase transport equations were coupled to the kinetic expressions representing the catalytic dissociation of the molecular hydrogen at the filament surface and the deposition rate of the diamond film on the substrate. The computational model was solved numerically by means of a commercial software. The model predictions showed good agreement with the experimental data reported in the literature in terms of both temperature and methyl concentration profiles along the filament-substrate center distance. Examples of the potential applications of the present formulation for the design and further optimization of the HFCVD reactor are discussed.

Jan 1, 2006

By Juan E. Rassmuss

Durante mucho tiempo la explotación del azufre en el interior del Perú, ha sido de manera regular dado su bajo consumo nacional y cotización en el mercado peruano. Asi, solo ciertos yacimientos ubicados en el norte de nuestro país producen y generan divisas que no sobrepasan los 6 millones de soles. En el marco de esta situación, el objetivo del siguiente estudio, pretende reactivar el consumo nacional de los yacimientos del Sur del país, -en tanto volumen e importancia comercial por medio del uso de un método de beneficio apropiado. La formación de los yacimientos del Sur, a diferencia de los de Piura y Bayovar, se da por la emanación postvolcánica de gases sulfurosos, generandoimpregnaciones de azufre en las lavas y tufos del Terciario Superior y Cuaternario. Posteriormente se produjeron fracturas en las zonas contíguas de los volcanes, formando depósitos lenticulares de extensión variable. Dichos depósitos son superficiales puesto que solo cerca de este espacio se puede mantener la oxidación del sulfuro de hidrógeno y los gases están a temperatura baja para depositar azufre. En cuanto al costo del azufre tenemos el costo de explotación, beneficio, transporte y embarque. Finalmente, se deduce que la fundición del azufre como la filtración, soliflucción pueden ser favorables en el uso de métodos de explotación menos costosos, asi como el incremento de la explotación depende de un mercado común estable y de un cálculo exacto de los costos de producción.

Jul 20, 1956