Search Documents

By Louis Huber

DESPITE the fact that centrifugal fans were first developed for ventilating mines and that artificial ventilation was first practiced in mines, the lack of knowledge of mining men on mine ventilation in general, and on fan performances and characteristics in particular, is very much in evidence today. While it is true that mines are much better ventilated now than they were 20 to 30 years ago, we have made very little progress in the study of mine ventilation, or in mine ventilating fan design. Today the average mine operator is woefully dependent on the engineers of mine fan manufacturers when he is in the market for a fan, and this situation works to the disadvantage of both the operator and the manufacturer. The former may be imposed upon by an unscrupulous sales engineer and induced to buy a fan which is not the proper one for the mine; when it is operating it may be wasteful of power and even accessory to a serious mine disaster. More often, however, it is the fan manufacturer who is imposed on. If the operator asks the manufacturer to build for him a fan that will deliver a certain quantity of air against a certain specified pressure and requiring a specified number of horse power when operating under these conditions, the manufacturer may build a fan that will comply with these specifications to the letter. When the fan is installed it is frequently found that it is delivering a greater quantity of air against a lesser pressure or a lesser quantity of air against a greater pressure, and is requiring more horse power than specified in the first case and less than that specified in the second. In either case the operator usually upbraids the manufacturer for not meeting specifications, and refuses to pay for the fan. The trouble in either case outlined above is that the pressure necessary to force the specified quantity of air through the mine has been estimated incorrectly by the operator or his engineers. When a fan is designed and built to deliver a certain quantity of air against a certain specified resistance it will operate at its maximum efficiency only when it is operating under

Jan 2, 1926

By George B. Clark

Many basic engineering principles of all four phases of mining operations, namely, prospecting, exploration, development, and exploitation, can be analyzed better in terms of quantitative geology. Geological data from both field and laboratory will also complement scientific methods now being developed. THE geological data emphasized so successfully in prospecting for new deposits, that is, structural controls, strength of solutions, and type of mineralization, are basically those required for successful exploitation. In the mining of newly discovered deposits the most economical methods should be employed as early as possible to keep the overall cost per unit produced at a minimum and to permit maximum extraction of valuable minerals. A crucial question is: How can geological data be translated into useful quantitative results which will aid in achieving this end? H. E. McKinistry' has suggested that a solution may be reached in one of two ways: 1—the usual approach, use of judgment based on experience; or 2—mathematical calculations and tests on models, both subject to certain limitations. He also suggests that in addition to better use of geology more case data and theoretical data are needed on which to base sound judgment. Further research, therefore, is necessary. Perhaps in this field the emphasis should be on more specialization in mining methods and ground movement by men with thorough training in physics, engineering, geology, and underground mining. These specialists would be equipped to point out the most economical and scientific methods of exploitation. Selection of a stoping method is governed by the amount and type of support a deposit will require in the process of being mined, or by the possibility of employing the structure of the deposit to advantage in mining the ore by a caving method. In addition to these factors there are others which almost invariably influence the choice of an economical method of mining:' 1—strength of ore and wall rocks; 2—shape, horizontal area, volume, and regularity of the boundaries of the orebody, and thickness, dip and/or pitch of the deposit and individual ore shoots; 3—grade, distribution of minerals, and continuity of the ore within the boundaries of the deposit; 4—depth below surface and nature of the capping or overburden: and 5—position of the de- posit relative to surface improvements, drainage, and other mine openings. In the final analysis it is usually necessary to disregard the less important of these factors to satisfy the requirements of the more important. Because of the variation of geological conditions throughout and surrounding the deposit, no mining method will be everywhere ideally applicable to the conditions encountered in one ore deposit. The immediate problem is to interpret the above physical characteristics of deposits in terms of geological characteristics. Very few quantitative geological data are available on the factors related to a choice of mining methods. However, there are many descriptive data in mining and geological literature which collectively show how important an effect details of geology have upon all phases of mining operations. The following categories of basic mining methods were investigated to establish the geological factors that have affected their successful application: 1— open stopes with pillars; 2—sublevel stoping; 3— shrinkage stoping; 4—cut-and-fill stoping; 5— square-set mining; 6—top slicing and sublevel caving; and 7—block caving. It should be noted that the first five of these methods are listed in the order of increasing support requirements. Mines were selected as examples only where geological descriptions were complete enough to warrant their use. A study of the geological factors involved in mining operations led to a choice of the following classifications, employed in Table I: 1—structural type of orebody; 2—dimensions (geometry); 3— country rock (type); 4—faulting, folding, and fracturing; 5—alteration of ore and rock; 6—type of mineralization; and 7—geological factors determining mining method (summary). Of these factors only one yielded results that can be defined from available data in a quantitative manner, i.e., dimensions of the deposit. These are the most reliable guides that can be used in selection of suitable mining methods. They are, in general, the properties of geologic structure most difficult to evaluate by studies of models, pho-toelastic studies, and other laboratory methods, all of which are at present more limited in their applications than the geologic method. Application of geology has proved a reliable guide in other phases

Jan 1, 1955

By R. W. Waterfill

MANY existing ore deposits of valuable metals have been worked out in their upper surface levels and the continued productivity of these mines is dependent on their extension to greater depths in the earth. The maximum depths at present reached are about 6000 to 8000 ft. below the surface, with no evidence of an impoverished ore vein. These mines are widely distributed; some of the best known are in South Africa, Brazil, India and in the western sections of the United States. Among the factors which increase the difficulty of working these mines at increasing depths are hoisting, rock pressure and temperature. The manner and effectiveness with which these problems arc met will, no doubt, determine in a large measure the ultimate depths to which any mine can be profitably worked. The most critical of these three factors at present is the increase in temperature with depth. The high temperature and humidity in many of these mines at present are severely detrimental to the health of the workers and greatly hamper their efficiency. Some have almost reached a condition in which the human system cannot survive. The problems involved in the cooling and ventilation of mines have all been ably analyzed and presented in previous articles. For this reason, only a résumé of conditions affecting the cooling and conditioning of deep and hot mines will be given in this paper before attention is directed to possible methods of improving atmospheric conditions in the working levels. Physiological Effects of Temperature, Humidity and Air Motion Many data on the physiological effects of different atmospheric conditions on the human system have been compiled and published through the combined efforts of the American Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers, the U. S. Bureau of Mines and U. S. Public Health Service. These data were not primarily developed around the conditions existing in deep mines, but the upper temperature limits of the investigations extend into, and are applicable to, mine atmospheric conditions. While the exact values of the standard comfort conditions, established for persons of such habits as those employed in detecting the different degrees of comfort, might not produce identical effects upon persons inured to

Jan 1, 1929

By J. G. Koenigsberger

The electrical specific resistance of rocks in the field is measured by sending a current through a medium of great volume, compared to the electrodes, whose resistivity should be measured. The whole resistance can be determined by the Wheatstone bridge and the specific resistance calculated by a well-known formula. The resistivity of some rocks in place in Germany and in Switzerland is given; first, of a rock near the surface, and especially near electrodes. Practical applications are made in the determination: (1) of the continuity of a conducting orebody; (2) of the surface ares of an orebody; (3) in the detection of a water-bearing fault in a salt mine. Preliminary 'observations are described: (1) on the influence of the depth of ground-water table; (2) on the detection of gas under high pressure in coal seams. The observations in this paper of the electrical resistivity of rocks and soil in place are along the lines of the very interesting method and results of the Messrs. Gish, Rooney, Hotchkiss and Fisher. 1,2 All the work described has been done since 1920. Method Used The very simple method consists in the application to the rock of two plane circular electrodes of iron or brass of a suitable diameter, with the aid of a contact substance, and in measuring the resistivity in a Wheatstone bridge with alternating current of 100 to 400 Hertz frequency per sec.). The general formula is known to be R= R0 +d/4(1/a+1/b-1.7/l+0.8(a+b)/l2) (1)

Jan 1, 1929

By Philip W. Guild

Approaching exhaustion of areas where traditional prospecting methods can pay off and sharply rising costs require increasing sophistication in planning exploration. Most outcrops, not only of ore and gossan but also of obvious zones of alteration, have been examined; many of the anomalies readily detectable by geophysical means have been drilled; geochemical surveys now cover extensive tracts. How should the explorationist proceed to find the ores that will keep his company in business and supply the world with the energy and raw materials it needs? Two courses are open to him: (1) saturation coverage by geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and drilling in the expectation that something will turn up or (2) critical analysis of the factors responsible for the concentration of valuable minerals in the earth's crust. The successful explorationist applies both methods to the limit of his resources. The second course, analysis of geologic factors, also comprises two principal lines of research: (1) ever more detailed study of the chemistry (including isotopic analysis) of the ore and gangue minerals of known deposits in an effort to understand how they were formed and (2) increasingly detailed mapping of their environment to determine the reasons for their localization. Again, both are very necessary.

Jan 1, 1971

By R. A. Fitch, J. D. Griffith

A performance calculation method was used in conjunction with experimental studies to develop means of predicting and interpreting miscible floods and to explore possible methods. of improving their efficiency. The calculation method is based upon the division of reservoirs into multiple independent zones or strata. Comparison was made with some experimental floods and with a field project to obtain some measure of the applicability of the method. Two aspects of miscible flooding were considered: (I) the displacement of a miscible front through a reservoir, and (2) the distribution and utilization of the solvent volume injected to maintain miscibility. Calculations and experihental observations indicate that alternate gas-water injection behind a miscible front significantly improves miscible flood performance, both within a single stratum and in a multistrata reservoir. Calculations were made on the extent to which miscibiliry is maintained by a given solvent volume in a stratified reservoir. Two alternate criteria for determining the optimum volume of solvent for injection are discussed. The preinjection of a small volume of water ahead of the solvent is suggested as a method of obtaining more efficient utilization of solvent. Calculations and experiments were made to investigate the effects of water preinjection. INTRODUCTION Miscible fluid displacement as a possible means of recovering oil has been the subject of extensive research and numerous field tests over the past several years. This work has brought out both favorable and unfavorable features of the miscible recovery methods. Many tests have shown that a miscible fluid can displace all of the oil contacted, leaving no high residual oil saturation, as is characteristic of immiscible displacements. The miscible methods have proven dificult to control, however, as evidenced by early breakthrough of the displacing fluid and poor sweep efficiency in several field projects. It became apparent early in the investigation of miscible displacement that the development of improved techniques and better methods of control would be required to extend the range of applicability to any significant portion of our petroleum reservoirs. The purpose of this study was to consider the problem of designing miscible floods to obtain better performance. A performance calculation was used in conjunction with experimental studies to develop means of predicting and interpreting miscible floods and to explore possible methods of improving their efficiency. Two aspects of miscible floods were considered separately in this study and the results are presented in two parts. The first part concerns the manner in which the miscible front is displaced through the reservoir. In these calculations the condition of miscibility between the reservoir oil and the displacing fluid is assumed. In the second portion the distribution and utilization of the preinjected solvent in maintaining rniscibility is considered. This portion dealing with solvent utilization applies only to the enriched gas or LPG slug processes. CALCULATION METHOD AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES COMPUTATIONAL MODEL The calculations for expected reservoir performance are based upon the multi-strata concept of reservoir properties. The method assumes multiple, independent strata (no crossflow between strata) and explicitly includes variations in patterns, injectivity, areal sweep and displacement efficiency. Lateral variation in permeability within the strata (for example, directional permeability) may be considered in the calculations, provided the variations are similar in all strata. The calculations based on this model furnish the rates of injection and rates of production of both oil and the displacing fluid for the composite system of strata. To carry out calculations on the mathematical model described, information is required on the performance of the displacement process under consideration in a single stratum element of the pattern to be used. In particular, for a given pattern and displacement process, data are required relating injectivity and composition of the produced stream to the volume of fluid injected. Data on the variations in areal sweep must also be available if it is desired to track the areal sweeps in the multi-strata model. These data may be obtained from experimental work such as model studies or other suitable methods. This representation of reservoir properties is, of course, an approximation and may be inappropriate in some cases. But the representation is not an arbitrary one since most oil reservoirs are essentially successive layers of sediment with the net producing pay zone often comprising but a fraction of the gross formation thickness. The fact that permeabilities measured in the vertical direction are frequently but a fraction of the horizontal permeability adds some evidence to the validity of this model. This type cal-

Jan 1, 1965

Jan 1, 1888

By Michael F. Dunn, Francis S. Kendorski

The fall of rock from strip coal mine highwalls continues to be the largest single source of fatal accidents, so methods to improve highwall stability through improved blasting practices were investigated in the field. This paper covers the results of a project to improve, using existing and proven technology, unstable highwall conditions through better blasting practices in Appalachian strip coal mines. Better borehole blasting agent distribution and optimization of burden, spacing, and delay periods allowing satisfactory breakage with minimal backbreak were the objectives. At a selected field site, geologic conditions were closely examined with regard to joint orientation and spacing, and resulting slope stability considerations. Utilizing surface blasting concepts of trying to achieve flexural failure of the rock mass both horizontally and longitudinally by appropriate relationships between burden, spacing, and hole length, as well as delay time sequence to achieve optimal confinement and breakage, successful results were achieved. A test series of eight blasts was completed and the resultant highwall monitored by repetitive photography. Actual blockfalls could be measured and the stability for each blast design thus quantified. The study of drilling and blasting economics along with equipment performance led to an economic model of blast parameters and the identification of blast design cost benefits. The work demonstrated that small strip mining companies are able to achieve a more stable highwall excavation utilizing presently available technology, equipment, and explosive products at improved operational cost and safety.

Jan 1, 1983

By W. E. Wrather

CURTAILMENT of production was a matter of far more serious concern to the oil industry through 1933 than the search for new supplies of oil. The huge reserves of crude, built up during past years, instead of inspiring a feeling of security, were viewed apprehensively. The status of past laws and court decisions seemed to guarantee to operators the right to produce oil at will, and this entrenched privilege was so widely adhered to that the market was-in a constant state of chaos. The more modern idea of the ownership of oil in place and correlative rights gained headway slowly, since usually there were enough belligerent producers, staunch believers in the old established order, to defeat the efforts of the majority who sought to' introduce order and restraint. State regulatory commissions were unable to cope, with the rebellion among producers with the result that those who abided by proration rulings were penalized, while those who flouted the rulings and produced unrestrainedly were able to make profits on large volumes of flush oil even at low prices. This situation, known in the vernacular as the "hot 'oil" problem, became so acute that the industry was threatened with ruin. The low price for 36c A.P.I. in the Mid-Continent came in April. at 25c per barrel 'but gradually moved upward to the long-hoped for price of $1.00 per barrel in October, after the Federal Government had taken a hand in the matter and effectively allocated production among the oil producing states and materially curbed the "hot oil" runs.

Jan 1, 1934

By E. S. Machlin

The possibility that formation of voids under creep-rupture conditions may take place by the condensation of vacancies has been investigated theoretically. It has been concluded that nucleation of voids under creep-rupture conditions by vacancy condensation is highly improbable. However, growth of pre-existant voids by vacancy condensation is probable. A number of predictions made in this theory have been verified by the data. It has been predicted and checked that the product of rupture life and steady-state creep rate for preannealed metals and single phase alloys is an approximately invariant quantity, independent of stress, temperature, and atomic number for a given type structure. The direction of the effect of cold work on this product has been predicted and found in agreement with experiment. A number of experiments to evaluate the vacancy condensation mechanism further are described. SEVERAL papers have appeared recently which speculate on the origin of voids formed at grain boundaries under stress.' ' The object of this paper is to examine quantitatively the proposition that the voids produced in a creep test are a result of vacancy condensation. A result of this paper is a theory of creep-rupture. Void Nucleation Application of standard nucleation theory" to the problem of void nucleation leads to the following conclusions: 1—Homogeneous nucleation of voids requires a supersaturation ratio (concentration of vacancies in supersaturated to that in saturated solution) of 400 for a reasonable surface energy of 1000 erg per cm-and 1.4 for the improbably low surface energy of 10 erg per cm. 2—Heterogeneous nucleation of voids at plane interfaces between two phases requires a supersaturation ratio of 2.5 for a typical contact angle of 145 3-—Void nucleation about a solid particle may be accomplished at a supersaturation ratio of 1.17 for a typical value of work of adhesion? of 60 erg per The work of adhesion is the surface work 10 replace two solid-vauor surfaces by a solid-solid interface. enr ' between an oxide and a metal in the presence of a surface active element such as sulphur. Estimates of the supersaturation ratio at which voids are produced in diffusion experiments yield a maximum of 1.01. Inasmuch as the foregoing mechanisms of void nucleation probably will not operate at this level—too low a surface energy is required—the investigatol. is led to the conclusion that voids must already exist. That is, nucleation of voids probably does not occur. Rather, existing submicroscopic voids grow out to visible size. Already existing voids might be produced during solidification or working. Supercritical sized parlicles which contain cracks may act as heterogeneous void nuclei. Gas pockets may act as void nuclei. Experiments are desired to determine the nature of the heterogeneous void nuclei which grow out to voids in both diffusion and creep experiments. Void Growth Void growth might occur in at least two possible ways, depending upon whether the already existing void nuclei are at grain boundaries or within the grains. In the case of a spherical void far from a crystal boundary, vacancies are generated during creep as a consequence of the migration of suitable dislocation jogs' and are also annihilated at sinks. Under these conditions, a steady-state concentration of vacancies is built up in the crystal, defined by the condition that for any differential volume the rate of generation of vacancies in that volume equals the rate of annihilation of those vacancies." This equality would lead to the development of a gradient of vacancy concentration radially outward from the void surface up to a radius where the vacancy lifetime becomes equal for all directions of vacancy migration. The distance over which this vacancy concentration gradient extends equals about 2vD,T* where D, is the vacancy diffusivity and T:' the vacancy lifetime in a crystal outside the gradient in a zone of constant vacancy concentration. The vacancies generated in the region over which the gradient exists will annihilate more often at the void than elsewhere. Approximately a little over one-half the vacancies generated in the gradient zone will annihilate at the void. Hence, the growth rate of the void is given by on where R is the radius of void in centimeters, is the atomic volume, and R is the rate of generation of vacancies, number per centimeter" per second. R D and T* may be estimated in terms of other physical parameters." In particular, R = n.j e/b [3] where n is the average number of vacancy produc-

Jan 1, 1957

By G. W. Jones

THIS paper describes experiments in which eight test samples of gelatin dynamite were fired in three different types of apparatus and the quantity and composition of the gaseous products of detonation determined. The special dynamites were so prepared that the oxygen balance of the samples varied from -35.0 to +6.0 g. per 100 g. of explosive, including the wrapper. By means of this graded series of explosives, the relation between oxygen balance and gaseous products of detonation could be studied explicitly. The effect of varying oxygen balance on explosive strength has been discussed in another paper.1 The apparatus employed in the work described in the present paper included (1) the Bichel gage, a steel bomb of 15-1. volume; (2) the Crawshaw-Jones confined detonation apparatus, a steel cannon from which the explosive is fired into a pipe of 90-1. volume; and (3) the Hercules tank, an apparatus in which the explosive is confined in a quartz block which is placed in a steel tank of about 4500-1. volume. A full description of the apparatus is given later. VARIABLES AFFECTING COMPOSITION OF DETONATION PRODUCTS The character of the detonation products of commercial explosives is governed in part by the same factors that affect the combustion products from explosive mixtures of air with gases or vapors. In either case, combustible materials-namely, carbon, hydrogen, and sometimes sulfur-are present and combined variously. In an exploding gas mixture the combustibles are oxidized by oxygen in the admixed air, whereas with explosives the necessary oxygen is provided by oxygen-carrying materials in the explosive ingredients.

Jan 1, 1928

By P. W. Ramsey, E. J. Boyle, E. A. Anderson

ONLY a few zinc-rich alloys are in commercial use today, and these depend largely upon solid solution effects for their desirable properties. Typical examples are rolled alloys containing about I per cent of copper, with or without additions of elements such as magnesium,1 and die-casting alloys containing about 4 per cent of aluminum with small amounts of magnesium and sometimes copper.2 A number of elements are capable of forming alloys with zinc, which do not enter into solid solution except in limited degree. The present paper considers one such system, zinc-titanium, in which alloys having potentially useful properties in the rolled form were found. ZINC-TITANIUM SYSTEM The zinc-rich portion of the zinc-titanium diagram, as determined by standard methods in this laboratory,3 is shown in Fig. I. The portion of the diagram of significance in the present work extends from 0 to about 0.5 per cent titanium. Gebhardt4 places the eutectic at 0.45 per cent, but the evidence in favor of the composition given in Fig. I is considerable. The solid solubility of titanium in zinc is very low indeed and possibly places these alloys in a somewhat different category from the commercial alloys previously mentioned. ALLOY PREPARATION All of the alloys used in this work were prepared with titanium metal of 98.9 per cent purity. In most cases high-purity zinc (99.99 per cent) was used but sufficient work was done later to show that zinc of about high-grade composition would yield approximately equal results. Best practice in alloy manufacture seemed to be to prepare a zinc-titanium hardener by adding about 4 per cent of titanium metal to molten zinc and holding under a boric acid cover, with frequent stirrings, at 750°C. until the titanium had dissolved. The desired titanium content could readily be obtained in the final alloy by adding the calculated amount of this hardener. The alloys proved to be quite stable in composition, unless overheated, and, with reasonable temperature control, required no cover or flux to prevent loss of titanium content by oxidation. HOT-ROLLING TESTS Three alloys containing, by analysis, 0.05, 0.12, and 0.23 per cent titanium were selected for preliminary study. Slab cross sections revealed a marked grain refinement* (Fig. 2) in the two alloys of highest titanium content. Cast unalloyed zinc has a columnar grain structure similar to that shown for the alloy of lowest titanium content but without the scatter of small equiaxed grains at the center.

Jan 1, 1944

By PAUL AUDIBERT

THE downward trend of metal prices seems to act something like a reagent that precipitates selfishness in most business men's hearts; in the same way the upward trend precipitates altruism. Operators do not say: "I continue working my mine without curtailment because I can afford the present prices while my neighbor cannot and thus will give me way." They say: "I continue working my mine because 1 consider it a service for consumers. They will get better prices on a free market. Any curtail¬ment would be an attempt to raise prices artificially, that is to say, bad economics." Copper producers have learned how fallacious is such an opinion. It perhaps was not fallacious in olden times when all mines were worked on a small scale even if operating on a big deposit. At that time the supply and demand law played fair. When prices were too low and profits were vanishing for many mines, they would. shut at once, then little by little the metal scarcity would induce prices to climb up again; finally these prices would reach the point when it became profitable to again work the closed mines. Re-opening and shutting down mines was then a normal custom. Workers and operators weakly deplored this unstability, but there was nothing effective they could, do about it.

Jan 1, 1931

By Robert D. Gunn, John E. Boysen, Dennis D. Fischer

The second underground coal gasification experiment conducted by ERDA's Laramie Energy Research Center at a site near Hanna, Wyo., was completed on Jul. 30, 1976. During the experiment production reached 0.32 blm3/d (12 M cu ft/d) of 6.9 w/m3 gas (175 Btu per cu ft). Approximately 6100 tonnes (6700 tons) of coal were gasified during the experiment. Energy return ratios of 4.5 to 5.3, coal gas thermal efficiencies of 76 to 89%, and overall process efficiencies of 65 to 74% were achieved during the second Hanna experiment. This paper describes the experiment and the results obtained with emphasis given to the determination of the energy recovered relative to energy consumed in conducting the test. Data from this determination are compared with previously published data from the first test conducted at Hanna during 1973-74.

Jan 1, 1978

Jan 1, 1901

By K. C. Mills, E. T. Turkdogan

The results on the rates of vaporization of Fe-Ni alloys, levitated by an electromagnetic field in a stagnant atmosphere of helium, are shown to be in close agreement with those predicted theoretically. AS shown in Part I of this series of papers, the rates of vaporization of metals enhanced by convection currents are increased further by the process of condensation of metal vapor when there is a steep temperature gradient in the boundary layer. At the time this theoretical work was completed one of the authors (K. C. Mills) had already carried out some experimental work on the rates of vaporization of molten Fe-Ni alloys. The experimental work was done under conditions which make it possible to compare the experimental rate data with those predicted on theoretical grounds. EXPERIMENTAL The object of the experiments was to evaluate the activities in a number of binary metal systems. The details of the experimental technique are given in another paper by Mills, Kinoshita, and Grieveson,2 and, for the present purpose, a brief mention of the relevant features of the experimental method will be adequate. Using an induction coil, the metal weighing about 1 to 1.5 g was levitated by the electromagnetic field in a stagnant atmosphere of pure helium. The helium was freed from oxygen and water vapor in the usual manner, and its pressure in the vaporization chamber was maintained at 1 atm through a bleeder device. The vaporization chamber consisted of a pyrex tube, 2.8 cm diam, with a side arm connected to the helium bleeder. The bottom of the tube, shaped conical, was surrounded by the induction coil, and the top was sealed with an optical flat for the purpose of measuring the melt temperature with a two-color optical pyrometer. By suitable adjustment of the high-frequency power input, the metal was brought to the desired temperature in about 30 sec of levitation. After a specified vaporization time, e.g., 3 to 4 min, the alloy was quenched by switching off the power. The amount of metal vaporized was determined from the difference between the initial and final weights of the sample. During the vaporization time, temperature fluctuations of about ±10°C were observed. COMPARISON OF EXPERIMENTAL DATA WITH THEORETICAL VALUES The experimental results are given in Table I. As already mentioned, the attainment of the vaporization temperature took about 30 sec from the moment of levitation. Therefore, the times recorded in Table I are 30 sec less than the total time; this is considered to be a reasonable estimate of actual vaporization times.

Jan 1, 1964

By H. C., Simpson

MANY metals by virtue of their place of occurrence as ore, and their uses are travelers! Iron and steel, for instance, is one of the greatest of travelers in the form of ships and the romance of iron in this respect is only just beginning to be superseded by the stories which can be told of the travels of aluminum and its alloys, used in the building of airplanes. Tin is a traveler from the Straits Settlements to this country and Europe, for use in the canning industry; afterward traveling all over the civilized world as a part of the container for preserved foods. Silver is somewhat of an aristocrat, when its uses are measured against those of the baser metals. From earliest times it has been used for adornment (first perhaps o4 the person and later for the embellishment of weapons and' buildings), for the making of fine ar¬ticles used in the household, and as money. While its uses have been widened by the discoveries in chemistry, electricity and other sciences, its early uses are still much in evidence in our modern life.

Jan 1, 1928

By McHenry Mosier

MeRcuRy is one of the strategic metals of which the supply has been raised from critical uncertainty to more than enough for essential demands. Work by the Bureau of Mines has contributed substantially to increased production of mercury in the United States and to consequent accumulation of Government stocks. Other contributing factors have been higher prices for mercury and Government loans to operators. The Bureau has undertaken 13 exploration projects, 10 of which have been completed. This work has comprised 28,376 ft. of several types of drilling and 23,798 lin. ft. of surface trenching, and has indicated commercial ore containing 34,800 flasks of mercury and marginal ore containing 26,200 flasks, a total of 61,000 flasks; equivalent, respectively, to domestic production for 8 months, 6 months, and 14 months. As Government stocks are now adequate, domestic production (currently at the rate of 50,000 flasks per year) is gradually being curtailed through Government control of labor and operating supplies. Introduction Mercury was one of the seven metals designated as strategic by the Army and Navy Munitions Board in 1939, when Congress appropriated funds for the investigation of domestic sources of supply of war minerals. The Bureau of Mines immediately started a limited search for strategic minerals, but the first mercury project was not begun until December 1940. The U. S. Geological Survey assisted in the search for cinnabar by contributing information on domestic mercury deposits, preparing maps, and making geological studies of exploration projects. The present high rate of production of mercury in the United States was encouraged by the increase in price to $196 per flask at New York (Fig. I) and Government loans to operators for mine development and plant construction. The Bureau of Mines has issued, for restricted distribution subject to wartime controls, 13 War Minerals Reports on individual mercury deposits (listed in appendix A). In March 1942 it also published a Progress Report of the Metallurgical Division, R. I. 3627, Cinnabar-reduction Plants of the Southwestern Arkansas Quicksilver District. Uses of Mercury Mercury and its compounds have more than 3000 uses. Its principal use is as a catalyst in the manufacture of gases for chemical warfare; the next largest is in pharmaceuticals. Mercury is essential also for: (I) certain electrical apparatus, (2) industrial control instruments at many war plants, (3) munitions, including blasting caps, (4) insecticides in agriculture, (5) antifouling paint for ship bottoms, (6) dental preparations, (7) general laboratory use, and (8) amalgamation of free-milling gold ores.

Jan 1, 1949

By McHenry Mosier

MeRcuRy is one of the strategic metals of which the supply has been raised from critical uncertainty to more than enough for essential demands. Work by the Bureau of Mines has contributed substantially to increased production of mercury in the United States and to consequent accumulation of Government stocks. Other contributing factors have been higher prices for mercury and Government loans to operators. The Bureau has undertaken 13 exploration projects, 10 of which have been completed. This work has comprised 28,376 ft. of several types of drilling and 23,798 lin. ft. of surface trenching, and has indicated commercial ore containing 34,800 flasks of mercury and marginal ore containing 26,200 flasks, a total of 61,000 flasks; equivalent, respectively, to domestic production for 8 months, 6 months, and 14 months. As Government stocks are now adequate, domestic production (currently at the rate of 50,000 flasks per year) is gradually being curtailed through Government control of labor and operating supplies. Introduction Mercury was one of the seven metals designated as strategic by the Army and Navy Munitions Board in 1939, when Congress appropriated funds for the investigation of domestic sources of supply of war minerals. The Bureau of Mines immediately started a limited search for strategic minerals, but the first mercury project was not begun until December 1940. The U. S. Geological Survey assisted in the search for cinnabar by contributing information on domestic mercury deposits, preparing maps, and making geological studies of exploration projects. The present high rate of production of mercury in the United States was encouraged by the increase in price to $196 per flask at New York (Fig. I) and Government loans to operators for mine development and plant construction. The Bureau of Mines has issued, for restricted distribution subject to wartime controls, 13 War Minerals Reports on individual mercury deposits (listed in appendix A). In March 1942 it also published a Progress Report of the Metallurgical Division, R. I. 3627, Cinnabar-reduction Plants of the Southwestern Arkansas Quicksilver District. Uses of Mercury Mercury and its compounds have more than 3000 uses. Its principal use is as a catalyst in the manufacture of gases for chemical warfare; the next largest is in pharmaceuticals. Mercury is essential also for: (I) certain electrical apparatus, (2) industrial control instruments at many war plants, (3) munitions, including blasting caps, (4) insecticides in agriculture, (5) antifouling paint for ship bottoms, (6) dental preparations, (7) general laboratory use, and (8) amalgamation of free-milling gold ores.

Jan 1, 1949

By R. L. Sandefur

Professor Kim's excellent review article1 on ultimate pit planning contains a statement of the apparently widely held but incorrect belief that "kriging provides information on the confidence limits around the estimate which no other extension technique is capable of supplying." If a geostatistical approach is valid, there are several good reasons for using kriging but uniquely provided confidence limits is not among them. If kriging is possible, then confidence limits can be calculated for any other linear estimate. Kriging is the procedure which finds the weighing coefficients which minimize the estimation variance [ ] is the variance of blocks like the one being estimated. wi is the covariance of the estimated block and the i-th sample. oij is the covariance of the i-th sample and the j-th sample. Ai is the weighing coefficient for the i-th sample. N is the number of samples. The formula for estimation variance can also be used to calculate confidence limits on blocks estimated by any linear combination of sample grades including: 1) Polygons a. Hole nearest block centroid is assigned weight 1. All other holes are assigned weight 0. b. Polygonal area weighing. The samples are assigned weights directly proportional to their polygonal areas of influence within the block. The weights sum to 1. 2) Inverse distance weighing. The samples are assigned weights directly proportional to the reciprocal of their distance to some power from the block centriod. The weights sum to 1. Often only holes nearer than a certain distance and/or the nearest hole in each octant is considered. If there is an antisotropy to the ore body, an elliptical transformation often gives more accurate results. The most popular inverse distance weighing function is inverse squared distances (IDS). 3) Simple average. All samples within a certain distance are assigned the same weights which sum to 1. As an example of the applicability of the above formula to any linear estimate an internal verification on copper grade of 665 blast holes on the 1040 bench at Utah's Island Copper mine is presented. Internal verification is simple and applicable to non-linear estimates as well. Any sample (drill hole, bulk, trench, or chip) is dropped out, the value of the dropped sample estimated and compared with the actual value. If this is done for all samples, a measure of confidence limits is obtained. Internal verification is used in Cominco's MEPS system4 and in the BLUEPACK system.5 Comparison of block values against estimates697 is not dissimilar to internal verification. Results of the internal verification are presented below:

Jan 1, 1980