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By H. O. Hoffman, C. D. Demond

There are two methods of determining the fusibility or refractoriness of fire-clays, the theoretical and the experimental. In the former, conclusions are drawn from the chemical composition; in the latter, from the changes which the clay undergoes when subjeoted to intense heat. It is well to use both methods, beginning with the actual heat-test and explaining the results obtained from this by the help of the chemical analysis. In discussing the subject, however, it is better to reverse this order. I. The Theoretical Method.* Leaving out the hygroscopic and combined waters and any organic matter, as not directly affecting the fire-resisting property, the refractory constituents of fire-clay are alumina and silica, and the fluxing constituents magnesia, lime, soda, potash and ferric oxide. According to Bischof,† alumina is the least fusible component, and silica follows close upon it. If, however, a mixture of the two be heated, it will be found that its melting-point is much lower than that of alumina, as a silicate will then have been formed. The way in which silica affects the refractoriness of alumina has been strikingly presented by Seger 1 in a diagram reproduced in Fig. 1. The abscissæ represent the melting-points of Seger cones Nos. 26 to 36 (see p. 55); the ordinates, the relative amounts of alumina and

Jan 1, 1895

By B. Egeberg

IN A previous paper1 the authors dealt with the physical properties of cold-rolled and heat-treated Britannia metal of the approximate composition Sn, 91 per cent., Sb, 7 per cent. and Cu, 2 per cent. It was found that cold rolling to more than 50 per cent. reduction produced a continuous softening of the metal when measured by the Brinell machine, whereas the Shore instrument indicated increased hardness; that the strength of the material followed the Brinell hardness and that the metal therefore became weaker the more it was cold-rolled; and further, it was found that hardness and strength could be largely restored to the cold-rolled metal by "baking" for about one hour at any temperature, between 200° and 450° F., the melting point. The higher the baking temperature, the more effective was the heat treatment as far as increased hardness was concerned. It seemed to be of little importance whether the metal was soaked or not at the baking temperature for a great length of time and the rate of cooling seemed to be immaterial. The present paper deals with the same alloy and more particularly with the resistance towards various forms of stress - tensile, bend and deep drawing. The metallography of Britannia metal has in part also been covered and an explanation attempted for the abnormal behavior of this alloy.

Jan 1, 1929

By D. E. Sweeney

In May of 1980, a mine operated by Belmoral Mines Ltd experienced a failed crown pillar, resulting in the death of eight miners and putting sixteen others in harm?s way. The Ferderber mine was located in the Val d?Or region of the province of Quebec in Canada, and had been under development for 19 months and production for 9 months, since the opening of the portal. The crown pillar separating the 1?7 level from overlying overburden ultimately failed, permitting an estimated 1.5 million cubic feet of liquefied sediment to gain entry into the mine. This paper back-analyses the cave-in by applying decision error theory, in an examination of the organizational culture and the collective decisions contributing to the cave-in disaster. A case will be made for a greater understanding of mining methodology, geomechanics and risk assessment when operating in such challenging geologic conditions. Boundary condition and decision (BCD) analysis will be introduced as an innovative new method for the analysis of mine accidents and incidents. It will also be shown that BCD analysis can be applied to any event in an enterprise for which standards, norms or legislation exists. A cognitive profile will be presented that provides insight into the safety ethos existing within the Ferderber mine organization at the time of the tragedy.

Jan 1, 2007

By S. E. Phillipson

Underground mine mapping is a critical component of understanding the controls on ground instability. Many relatively localized examples of ground failure are associated with geologic features, such as faults, joints, compaction zones, or sedimentological transition zones. In contrast, long-running, directional roof falls are associated with regionally directed horizontal stress fields, which are induced by tectonic plate interactions in the earth?s crust. When stress-related features are distinguished from geological features, underground mapping can be an effective method for inferring the direction of horizontal stress at individual mines. Comparisons with data compiled in the World Stress Map confirm that underground mapping can be a valid method for determining the orientation of maximum principal horizontal stress at a variety of scales, ranging from individual mines to an entire mining district or coal basin. Comparisons are presented between the maximum horizontal stress directions inferred by MSHA?s Roof Control Division through underground mapping and the azimuths of maximum horizontal stress in the World Stress Map database for North America?s Pennsylvanian-aged Appalachian, Illinois, Black Warrior, and Arkoma Basin coal fields. The comparison indicates that azimuths are similar for both data sets, even where variations in the direction of horizontal stress are present. It is interpreted that inconsistencies in direction are attributable to near-surface affects such as deeply incised stream valleys, or to fault zones that represent heterogeneities in the crust.

Jan 1, 2009

By V. Léveillé

As new legislation drives metallurgical plants to lower SO2 emissions, plant managers face the challenge of keeping their costs under control. The Cansolv® SO2 Scrubbing System has been broadly adopted in the non-ferrous industry as a cost-effective solution for smelter operators to meet the new SO2 emissions targets. The Cansolv® SO2 Scrubbing System is an a mine-based regenerable process that selectively absorbs SO2 from a variety of gases, including dilute smelter gases, such as furnace and converter gases. The system produces a pure, water-saturated SO2 by-product stream, which can then be directed to the front end of a sulphuric acid plant for conversion to sulphuric acid. When deployed in a smelter complex, the Cansolv® SO2 Scrubbing System may also be used to process acid plant tail gas, allowing single absorption sulphuric acid plants to achieve emissions an order of magnitude lower than that of a double absorption acid plant with a lower capital investment. Depending on inlet gas temperature, SO2 emissions in the treated gas can be controlled to as low as 55mg/Nm3. This paper will describe some of the applications where customers have or are planning to use the Cansolv® SO2 Scrubbing System, as well as which features and cost advantages for the treatment of smelter gases were important in the technology choice.

Jan 1, 2009

By R. E. Hall

When the criterion for control of scale prevention on the evaporating surfaces is made the conditions in the concentrated boiler water, then this control becomes an exact operation amenable to an accuracy commensurate with all other operations in the boiler room. The responsibility in boiler water conditioning, however, includes more than clean surfaces. Corrosion in feed lines, economizers and the boiler is a function of the condition of the later, and must be controlled. Steam line and turbine blading deposits must be obviated by the system of conditioning. By the chemical treatment employed, the amount and character of noncondensable uses in the steam must be controlled in accordance with the intended use of the steam. All. in all, the responsibility in boiler crater conditioning ends not with the entrance of the water into the boiler but with the passage from the boiler nozzle of steam, the dryness and rarity of which are defined by the uses to be made thereof. A clearer conception of the scope of boiler water conditioning can be obtained by reference to a diagram of the surfaces (Figure 1) at which it functions. Consideration of this diagram leads to the following outline for the problems of boiler water conditioning: (a) Prevention of scale formation on surfaces (1) In contact with water but at which no evaporation occurs. (2) At which evaporation is occurring.

Jan 1, 1926

By G. A. Maki, P. J. Fullman, R. G. Roden

"In October 1984, Rocanville Division began using a stacking system to handle potash mill tailings. Previous to this date, mill tailings were slurried to the top of the tailings pile and allowed to debrine while flowing down the pile. With the new stacking system, slurried tailings are fed to mobile stackers. The stackers consist of cyclone packs to debrine the tailings and drag conveyors with screw discharges to deposit the tailings onto the existing pile. This paper deals with the various aspects of the project from conception to its present state.IntroductionPrevious to 1984, when the stacking project was first implemented, potash mill tailings were handled as follows. Mill tailings were first debrined to approximately 65010 solids using a cyclone cluster. The cyclone underflows were then introduced onto a vacuum scroll filter table. Here the tailings were further debrined and discharged into the disposal tank where the tailings were reslurried with reclaim brine and pumped to the tailings disposal site. At the disposal site the slurry was discharged onto the tailings pile and by a natural settling process the tailings were debrined with the brine ultimately collected in the reclaim brine ponds. The shape and profile of the tailings pile was controlled by building salt dykes to control the flow of the discharged tailings slurry. As the tailings pile grew in height, booster pumps were added to the disposal system."

Jan 1, 1990

Bureau of Medical Inspection, Broken Hill, New South Wales.INTRODUCTIONFor a considerable time it has be3n realised that the pathological changes produced in human lungs by the inhalation of free silica varied, not only according to the amount of silica inhaled, its particle size and the period during which it was inhaled, but also according to other mineral elements which might be admixed with the fine silica dust and inhaled along with it, or inhaled subsequently to the silica containing dust. It was observed that, in many instances, these admixed dusts tended to inhibit the action of the free silica in causing injury to the lungs, as well as the development of certain complications, whilst in other cases it was felt that certain substances could actually accelerate the tissue damage caused by the silica.A fresh impetus to the problem of the prevention of the development of silicosis was given when, in 1937 and 1939, Denny, Robson and Irwin published papers entitled "The Prevention of Silicosis by Metallic Aluminum." Working at the same time at the Saranac La.boratory, and quite independently, and using a colloidal aluminum hydroxide, Gardner arrived at the same conclusions as Denny, Robson and Irwin, namely, that in experimental animals the development of silicotic changes could be prevented if eithertogether with the silica, or subsequent to its inhalation...

Jan 1, 1946

By Jacob Bummer, Greg Roset, Dayle Flynn

"IntroductionStillwater Mining Company operates a Precious Metals Smelter (PMS) located in Columbus, Montana USA. The PMS processes iron, copper, and nickel sulfide bearing concentrates containing platinum, palladium, gold, and rhodium. The concentrates are produced from two mines in the Beartooth Mountains located in south central Montana. The PMS utilizes a 7.5 megawatt 3-in line electric furnace to smelt the concentrates, and two Top Blown Rotary Converters (TBRC's) to remove iron. In addition to the mine concentrates, the PMS also processes various forms of Platinum Group Metal (PGM) bearing recycled catalyst. The sulfide matte produced within the electric furnace and TBRC's acts as a collector for the PGMs. Throughout the operation of the PMS, there are three different forms of molten material that are processed through the Stillwater Granulation system: TBRC matte, TBRC slag, and electric furnace matte. This paper describes the operation of this granulation system.Tapping the FurnaceWhen a sufficient level of molten PGM bearing matte has been reached within the inner volume of the electric furnace, the molten material is ""Tapped"". Tapping requires drilling into the electric furnace until reaching the molten matte phase. The matte phase will drain out of the drilled hole through a graphite launder into a 5 ton refractory lined ladle. Once the ladle is full, the tap is plugged with a mud gun."

Jan 1, 2012

By Raymond B. Ladoo

ABRASIVES include the substances, natural or artificial, that are used to grind, polish, abrade, scour, clean or otherwise remove solid material, usually by rubbing action but also by impact (sandblasting, for example). They do not include abrasive tools-for instance, lathe tools and files-or polishing agents such as waxes, which act by filling pores. Detergents and cleaners whose action is chemical rather than physical are omitted although some chemical action polishes and cleaners may also contain solid abrasives; for example, many metal polishes. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS The most important physical properties of materials that qualify them for use as abrasives are hardness, toughness (or brittleness), grain shape and size, character of fracture or cleavage, purity or uniformity. For making bonded grain abrasives such as grinding wheels, additional important factors are stability under high heat and bonding characteristics of grain surfaces. The economic factors of cost and availability are always important. No one single property is paramount for any use. For some uses extreme hardness and toughness are needed, as in diamonds for drill bits; for others, the factors of greatest importance are hardness and ability to break down slowly under use, to develop fresh cutting edges when grains become worn-for example, in garnet for sandpaper, neither highly cleavable or friable grains nor extremely tough grains

Jan 1, 1949

Mathematical modelling of continuous rotary vacuum filtration has been limited by the wide range of variables and the absence of connecting equations linking the variables. The filter type and size, mechanical design and predicted performance are generally determined by laboratory leaf tests on representative samples of slurry, or plant samples from an operating filter. A model has been developed which includes the major process variables such as slurry feed rate and concentration, cake thickness, wash water and air flow rates, to predict the filter production throughput, cake moisture and residual solubles. Where possible the model incorporates well established equations relating form filtration, washing and drying rates of the filter cake. Where an equation has not been formulated, standard curve fitting programs have been used to establish an algorithm. The theoretical equations and the derived algorithms are defined in the text. A major feature of the model is that operators, metallurgists, process, mechanical and instrumentation engineers become more aware of the interaction of process variables, the principles of the equipment design and its limitations when operating at peak performance. The model has specific application in the alumina industry where a high moisture content of the filter cake can increase chemical losses and energy costs, and in the coal industry where overseas companies are insisting on lower export coal moistures.

Jan 1, 1989

Philip Argall, Denver Col. (communication to the Secretary): Dr. Raymond claims (Trans., xxiii., 560)) that my statement (p. 557) regarding the crystallization of iron "is beyond question incorrect." He says: "It is not even settled that vibration will crystallize iron under any conditions." While admitting that authorities differ on the possibility of cold crystallization of iron, I believe it is a settled and undisputed fact that vibration in the presence of heat will crystallize iron. Bloxam and Huntington say :* " Vibration assists 'in converting fibrous metal (iron) back into a crystalline state when heated, a lower temperature sufficing than in the absence of vibration." Mr. A. F. Hill, summing up a very exhaustive review upon the crystallization of iron and steel, pronounces against crystallization, but only at temperatures below 900' F. Mr. Howe, discussing ,the breakage of a 20-foot porter-bar with a crystalline fracture, suggests that it was attributable to heat, jointly with the jar. We see, then, that vibration of heated iron bars will induce crystallization and consequent change of structure. Referring to my statement, I wish to point out, that I was discussing the vibration of stamps arid should have said, "vibration under all such conditions," etc. That is, vibration attended with sharp blows, such as a stamp-stem is subjected to, will crystallize iron; yet I believe that intense vibration under any condition will

Jan 1, 1895

By Regan R

Appin Colliery mines the Bulli Seam with a gas composition of 98.5% methane and 1.5% carbon dioxide. Relaxation of the strata generally occurs to below the base of the Wongawilli Seam, some 40 m below the Bulli Seam, and approxim- ately 125 m above the Bulli Seam, for longwall face widths of 135 m or more. Previous exper- ience showed that when longwall faces were mined for a distance approximately equal to the face width, the mine ventilation could not provide sufficient dilution due to methane emissions from the underlying measures. Postdraining downholes were drilled to intersect the Wongawilli Seam below the operat- ng longwall. These holes were connected to an underground to surface gas range and various suction levels were applied to improve gas drainage. The resulting gas flow rates and purity from all the downholes were regularly monitored and peak flows in some holes exceeded 160 1/sec. The surface plant drained almost 20 million m3 of gas for the period July 1981 to January 1982 at an average methane purity of approximately 70%. Distinct patterns emerged for different downholes from curves illustrat- ing their variations in flow rate with distance subsequent to passage of the longwall face. The difference between free flow characteristics and those obtained with the application of

Jan 1, 1982

By Frank E. Chase

Sacrificial entries, roof slotting, and other tactics have been used to combat high horizontal stresses during roadway development in U.S. coal mines. In Australia, the "pillar extraction on the advance" mining method has been successfully employed as a horizontal stress control technique. The concept of advancing and relieving mine workings through pillar extraction developed from observations that some mines experience difficult ground conditions when advancing and retreating the first panel in a new reserve. However, conditions dramatically improve in subsequent panels. Apparently, the creation of a gob area stress relieves the adjacent panel workings. After much debate and close scrutiny, the first U.S. roof control plan to advance and relieve was approved in 1998, for the Sargent Hollow Mine in Wise County, VA. The major concern was that this mining practice places section personnel inby of the gob. The tentative approval permitted barrier pillar slabbing and removal of the adjacent development pillar during panel development. The intent of the plan was to provide a "stress shadow" for the advancing faces and outby workings to reduce the excessive number of roof falls. Sargent Hollow successfully extracted their first panel by pillaring on advance and retreat mining using posts. Mobile roof supports were employed to extract pillars while advancing the second panel. This paper summarizes Sargent Hollow Mine's experiences with the advance and relieve mining method.

Jan 1, 1999

By L. O. Bieber, L. H. Martin

DIFFERENT MELTS OF THE same type of nickel and high-nickel alloys, while having almost identical mechanical properties at room temperature, may have widely varying hot malleability. Either the upper limit or burning temperature may vary or a variation in malleability may occur within the temperature limits normally encountered during hot working. Melts which have reduced hot malleability of the latter type, are said to have a "hot short" range. Examination of melting records and chemical analysis of these heats fails in most cases to show the reasons for these variations. In May, 1930, an investigation was started to determine if a quick and accurate method of hot-malleability testing could be developed which would predict the ability of the metal to withstand hot forging and hot rolling by standard mill practices. The results obtained were so satisfactory that from that time on, all melts of nickel and high-nickel alloys produced in the International Nickel Company's Huntington, W. Va. Works have been tested when hot malleabilty was an important factor. To date, over 63,000 commercial melts of Monelt † nickel, Inconel† and other high-nickel alloys have been tested and the test data compared with processing results. As the result of experience gained in over sixteen years, two standard methods of hot malleability testing have been adopted.

Jan 1, 1948

By Robert D. Brown

The federal government kicked off the new budget season in November 1978, when Finance Minister Chretien announced a handful of proposed amendments to provisions of the federal Income Tax Act and Regulations affecting mining. (See Tax Notes in the January 1979 issue of the CIM Bulletin.) Declaring in his budget speech that these changes were in response to the report of the joint federal/provincial task force on resource taxation, Mr. Chretien tossed the ball to the provinces-" I want to take the lead here... I feel confident that the provinces will do their part". Quebec and Ontario, picking up the ball in their spring budgets, have announced favourable modifications to the provincial taxes on mining, with these moves being paralleled in the recent Manitoba budget, which proposes a flatrate mining tax to replace the previous controversial two-tier royalty. In the meantime, the federal government passed a host of amendments to the federal earned depletion regulations. The result is yet another batch of complex tax changes for the industry to note and digest, but this time with the hopeful factor that most of the changes are favourable to the industry. This article reviews the current status of the federal budget changes, comments on the Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba proposals, and reports on the changes to the earned depletion regulations that were passed by Order-in Council in March 1979.

Jan 1, 1979

By H. Moslemi

Metal sulphides are usually semiconductor and their electrical conductivity is low; therefore they are sources of electrons and promote electrochemical reactions. This phenomenon is of significant importance in sulphide flotation. The formation of a hydrophobic surface on the sulphide minerals is the result of various electrochemical reactions. Potential difference in the mineral-liquid interface plays an important role in the kinetics of the reactions, and consequently, on the flotation behaviour of sulphides. The value of the potential difference is influenced by different oxidation-reduction reactions at the interface area, and is measured by a two-electrode system in which an electrode is applied as reference electrode. In this study, we attempted to measure open-circuit potentials of pyrite, pyrrhotite, and steel electrodes with respect to the reference electrode. To verify the results, two reference electrodes, saturated calomel and gold, were used. Time-potential relations with respect to both reference electrodes show that the potential of both pyrite and pyrrhotite increases with time; however, this trend decreases for steel except when at pH 12. The results show a potential drop by an increase in pH value, except for steel, for which the opposite holds. This paper discusses galvanic interactions between minerals and grinding media in the grinding circuits, as well as among other minerals in the flotation processes.

Jan 1, 2012

By Dierling D. H

The paper briefly describes the mining system employed on Western Deep Levels for the past 20 years. The negative aspects which gave rise to a new mechanized method of mining are discussed. The sequence of events leading from the Mine's first attempt at trackless mining in 1980 to the present day in-stope project is presented. The original justification for this project and the in-stope trackless mining method is described in detail. The results to date are evaluated and the original rationale for going in-stope trackless mining questioned. A totally new mining philosophy for Western Deep Levels, whereby major geological disturbances are left in situ and longwalls re-established and mined using trackless mining machinery is described. The economics of this mining method are discussed. Trackless mining machinery can also be put to good use within the conventional longwalls in a new method of mining using Load Haul Dumpers (LHD) in reef drives. When the instope trackless mining project commenced in 1983, it was stated that expansion to any significant degree with diesel powered vehicles could be ruled out and electrically driven alternatives would have to be developed. This issue is discussed and the Mine's decision to expand with diesel powered vehicles explained. Finally, the extent to which trackless mining is likely to be seen in the 1990 s at Western Deep Levels is discussed.

Jan 1, 1986

By Bothe C

Froth flotation processes use different surface properties of the minerals to be sorted. In an aqueous environment the hydrophobic mineral attaches selectively to air bubbles and is lifted to the surface of a separation vessel, while the tailings settle towards its bottom. Besides the surface properties, the hydrodynamic conditions play an important role. With respect to the hydrodynamics the flotation process can be divided, for simplicity, in two sub-processes. The attachment of hydrophobic particles to air bubbles, the so-called mineralisation, demands a large number of collisions and therefore high turbulences. The phase separation however needs a deterministic movement of both the particle-bubbles-aggregates and the tailings particles and therefore a quiescent flow field. The optimisation of the overall process requires a separation of both sub-processes, especially when fine particles have to be sorted. In conventional mechanically agitated flotation cells both sub-processes take place in the same turbulent volume. For this reason they suffer from a decreasing selectivity with decreasing particle size. In flotation columns the mineralisation of air bubbles and the phase separation are performed in a quiescent environment. This results in high concentrate grades and at the same time in a very slow attachment kinetics, which must, especially for fine particles, be counterbalanced by a long residence time of the slurry.

Jan 1, 1993

By William Priestley

IN THE manufacture of gun forgings and other steel parts that, in service, are subject to sudden high stresses and shocks, it is most desirable to use steel possessing the greatest toughness and ductility possible without sacrifice of strength. In order to obtain this condition, it is necessary to procure steel that shows the highest possible elongation and reduction of area without lowering the tensile strength and elastic limit. Proper heat treatment of the steel can control this condition within certain limits. When heat treatment has failed to produce the desired results, metallurgists have used steels containing molybdenum, zirconium, vanadium, chromium, tungsten, etc. The purpose of this paper is to describe a method by which these desired physical properties may be procured-by the elimination of certain impurities that inherently exist in steel made by the open-hearth process, and without the use of expensive alloys. DESIGN OF GUN FORGINGS In the manufacture of gun forgings, a certain elastic limit is fixed by the designer, and the walls of the gun are made of the proper thickness, allowing a suitable factor of safety for the high stresses and sudden shocks that occur during gun firing. The elastic strength of the gun is about 1.4 times the stress set up at any point along the bore of the gun during firing with the maximum powder charge.

Jan 12, 1921