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By Paul Munoz

TRINIDAD, which has never been. seriously consid-ered as a large oil producer, has recently taken a new lease on its oil life through active development work being carried on by a newly organized American company that has been conspicuously successful in the short time in which it has operated on the island. From an oil operator's point of view Trinidad pos-sesses numerous natural advantages which are not found in any other oil producing country. The climate, while tropical, is healthy. The nights are always cool. Deep-water shipping ports in protected waters are available within short pipe-line distance from the pro-ducing fields. The distance from Trinidad to the At-lantic seaboard of the United States is less than from the Gulf Coast or from Mexico. The labor supply is abundant and can be had at reasonable rates. The island enjoys a good, stable government under British rule and is traversed by a net-work of excellent govern-ment roads. From a production standpoint the fields being de-veloped by Trinidad Oil Fields, Inc., the company re-ferred to above, present interesting problems which are being successfully solved. The oil sands are extremely fine; some of them having over 50 per cent passing 100- mesh screen and, with the exception of the Palo Seco field, the sands are loose, with shale-breaks and shale capping and with rock pressures running up to 600 lb. per square inch. Rotary drilling is universal, as the formations encountered are soft Tertiary shales, clays, sandy shales and sands, with occasional sandstone and lime shells, which are easily drilled with the rotary. As high as 600 ft. of hole in 24 hr. has been made in some of this company's wells. Production is at present obtained at depths ranging from 500 to 2500 ft. but further development will probably result in deeper pro-duction being obtained. The oil being produced ranges from 21 deg. to 37 deg. Bé gravity and is all asphaltic base oil.

Jan 7, 1927

By D. R. Spink, D. N. Okuhara

Two reagents have been proposed for the commercial extraction of copper from leach liquors, namely LIX64N produced by General Mills Chemicals, Inc. and Kelex 120 produced by Ashland Chemical Company. Each of these reagents consists of an active extractant and an additive. In the LIX system, the additive improves the kinetics of the extraction reaction whereas for the Kelex system, the additive acts primarily as a third phase inhibitor. Equilibrium and kinetic studies have been conducted with both systems. In general, the Kelex system effectively extracts copper at a lower pH than LIX64N; furthermore, the rate of extraction with Kelex is considerably faster than with LIX which indicates that systems employing the Kelex extractants might also be able to employ agitated columns rather, than mixer- settlers which are absolutely necessary for effective extraction with the LIX reagents.

Jan 1, 1973

By Thomas E. Ban, Charles D. Thompson, Charles A. Czako

Continuous sintering-a metallurgical process for more than 50 years-has broadened from its origin in nonferrous metallurgy to present-day applications in ferrous, chemical, and nonmetallic fields. During the past year, self-fluxing sinter production has been a subject of active interest to iron metallurgists in North America. Accomplishments however, have come predominantly from Europe and proper interpretation of these reports requires an understanding of European raw materials and European economics. The technology, of course, can be applied universally.

Jan 10, 1959

By H. A. Schwartz, W. Kenneth Bock

IN this paper it is shown that when the tensile strength of a given steel in various states of heat-treatment is plotted against its elongation, a straight line results. The equation of this straight line can be computed with considerable accuracy from its chemical composition. The appropriate equations are given. The logarithm of the slope of the tensile-strength locus is shown to be proportional to the cumulative effect of the total alloy addition and the position of the line to be directly proportional to the cumulative effect of the alloy content. It is further pointed out that heat-treatment is more effective than composition in determining yield ratio. The latter enters mainly by its effect on hardenability, which is briefly discussed. Reduction of area and Brinell number are given some incidental attention. The data are applicable only to steels that have been normalized and/or quenched. The steels, if normalized, may or may not have been tempered. If quenched they must have been tempered at or above 400°C. (750°F.).

Jan 1, 1944

By D. J. Spottiswood

The control of thickener operation has proved difficult due to a lack of understanding of thickener operation and the long retention times involved. This is particularly true in counter current decantation circuits where the interact ion between thickeners further complicates the control problem. In this paper, the control aims and controlable variables are identified, and the development of a control system is discussed. Models of the sedimentation process, as carried out in thickeners, have been primarily aimed at thickener design. These models are examined and utilized in a dynamic model development. A preliminary dynamic model of the thickener operation is discussed here with relation to control application and its use in CCD circuit control examined.

Jan 1, 1984

By A. L. Holley

There are regularly manufactured in the eleven Bessemer steel rail mills of the United States, 119 patterns* of steel rails, of 27 different weights per yard. This list does not include patterns which, although still largely in use, are regarded by experts as obsolete, and which would swell the number to nearly 300; nor does it include all the patterns for which rolls are kept on hand to fill a passible demand; nor does it include extra patterns rolled in one finishing groove by opening or closing the rolls so as to get different weights with the same contours. The list embraces only those separate patterns which are subject to current orders. How thoroughly modern these patterns ere, is shown by the fact that of the whole 119, there are but five patterns of conspicuously bad shape; all the rest more or less completely illustrate the standard features,—a heavy head, light web and Hanges, and a good angle to hold the fish-plate. Sixty-two per cent. of the patterns have the "Chanute" head, which was not designed until 1874.† Sixty-four per cent. of the 119 patterns are embraced under five weights per yard,; three only of these vary from standard type; there are thus 76 patterns, all of them modern and standard, to represent five different weights, for which five patterns would perfectly answer. Of the 60lb. rails, there is only one of the pear-head type, while a dozen of the bevelled head templets cannot be distinguished from each other

Jan 1, 1881

By A. J. M. Ross

Backfilling of stopes and other underground openings in the Homestake mine with sand tailings was undertaken primarily to reduce surface subsidence, which was wrecking much of the surface plant and a substantial part of the town, and to make possible maintenance of openings into the top of pillar stopes as mining progressed. The progress of this type of filling has been rapid and the results very satisfactory. Sand is now used in filling timbered stopes, shrinkage stopes, and abandoned drifts and crosscuts. A permanent pipe-line system for transporting sand tailings into the mine by gravity has been installed. The close filling of all stopes has resulted in important benefits other than the two major ones. The ore bodies in the Homestake mine occur as replacements in one distinctive layer of the metamorphosed pre-Cambrian sediments along a group of minor folds that together form a complex anticline that pitches at 35" to 40' to the southeast. The ore bodies are extraordinary for their magnitude. Widths of over 300 ft. have been mined and continuous ore has been followed for over 1200 ft. along the strike on some of the upper levels. Mining has been by shrinkage stoping with square-set mining of crowns and pillars. In the standard plan, shrinkage stopes 60 ft. in the direction of strike and the full width of the ore have been taken up to within 25 ft. of the level above. After filling, the crown has been mined by square-set methods, as have also the 40-ft. pillars between shrinkage stopes. In former days, when the supply of ore seemed inexhaustible, the mining of pillars was allowed to lag far behind because of the high cost. Many pillars were rather badly fractured on the level and in some places between levels. Coarse waste was used for backfilling all stopes, but in pillars it became increasingly difficult to maintain haulageways for the transportation of this fill over the top of the stopes as mining progressed. The cost of maintaining these crosscuts was excessive and in many pillars practically impossible. Therefore it became the practice to fill pillar stopes by tapping the back and sides of the stopes.

Jan 1, 1940

By A. J. M. Ross

Backfilling of stopes and other underground openings in the Homestake mine with sand tailings was undertaken primarily to reduce surface subsidence, which was wrecking much of the surface plant and a substantial part of the town, and to make possible maintenance of openings into the top of pillar stopes as mining progressed. The progress of this type of filling has been rapid and the results very satisfactory. Sand is now used in filling timbered stopes, shrinkage stopes, and abandoned drifts and crosscuts. A permanent pipe-line system for transporting sand tailings into the mine by gravity has been installed. The close filling of all stopes has resulted in important benefits other than the two major ones. The ore bodies in the Homestake mine occur as replacements in one distinctive layer of the metamorphosed pre-Cambrian sediments along a group of minor folds that together form a complex anticline that pitches at 35" to 40' to the southeast. The ore bodies are extraordinary for their magnitude. Widths of over 300 ft. have been mined and continuous ore has been followed for over 1200 ft. along the strike on some of the upper levels. Mining has been by shrinkage stoping with square-set mining of crowns and pillars. In the standard plan, shrinkage stopes 60 ft. in the direction of strike and the full width of the ore have been taken up to within 25 ft. of the level above. After filling, the crown has been mined by square-set methods, as have also the 40-ft. pillars between shrinkage stopes. In former days, when the supply of ore seemed inexhaustible, the mining of pillars was allowed to lag far behind because of the high cost. Many pillars were rather badly fractured on the level and in some places between levels. Coarse waste was used for backfilling all stopes, but in pillars it became increasingly difficult to maintain haulageways for the transportation of this fill over the top of the stopes as mining progressed. The cost of maintaining these crosscuts was excessive and in many pillars practically impossible. Therefore it became the practice to fill pillar stopes by tapping the back and sides of the stopes.

Jan 1, 1940

By William A. Johnson

The mathematical analysis of diffusion curves in solid metals is carried out ordinarily by analogy with the flow of heat in a continuous medium and no account is taken of the fact that the materials involved are composed of discrete particles that move discrete distances at irregular intervals. It is possible to treat the problem on the basis of simple assumed atomic mechanisms, in which case, because of the small scale of the elementary process compared to the gross effects observed experimentally, the two procedures lead to the same expression for the variation of concentration with distance. Thus, for engineering purposes, the usual methods are quite satisfactory. If, on the other hand, our purpose is to go beyond the mere collection of data, however desirable this may be, it is necessary to recognize and understand the factors that are of fundamental importance. One factor that has not hitherto been considered when dealing with solid metals is the difference in atomic weights of the isotopes of a single metal. While all the atoms of a given element are alike chemically, their weights may vary by a small but significant amount, and atoms of different weights may have different diffusion rates. With gases this variation in isotopic weight produces a change in the rate of diffusion by a factor inversely proportional to the square root of mass. While, except for the lightest gases, this is not a large effect, it is, for example, sufficient to permit a considerable concentration of one isotope at the expense of others. If metals exhibit a similar phenomenon, some modification of the analysis of the diffusion process will be required, since the different isotopes of a given metal will have different probabilities of moving and the heat-flow analogy will contain a fundamental error. This situation cannot be rectified by using a diffusion coefficient based on the average probability of moving, and it can be shown that even when the diffusion coefficient is independent of composition, the diffusion curve will not agree with the simple theory except in the rare cases where only one isotope exists; e.g., gold. If, however, the mass effect in the solid state were no larger than in the gaseous, the errors arising therefrom in the analysis of ordinary diffusion curves would be quite negligible. Nevertheless, our desire to obtain all possible information concerning the details of the diffusion process, and the possibility of diffusion in the solid state as a means for separating isotopes are cogent reasons for undertaking an experimental study to determine whether isotopes of different masses diffuse at different rates. Experimental Procedure If isotopes of different masses diffuse at different rates, the ratio of the concentration of one relative to another will vary with the distance from the diffusion inter-

Jan 1, 1946

By William A. Johnson

The mathematical analysis of diffusion curves in solid metals is carried out ordinarily by analogy with the flow of heat in a continuous medium and no account is taken of the fact that the materials involved are composed of discrete particles that move discrete distances at irregular intervals. It is possible to treat the problem on the basis of simple assumed atomic mechanisms, in which case, because of the small scale of the elementary process compared to the gross effects observed experimentally, the two procedures lead to the same expression for the variation of concentration with distance. Thus, for engineering purposes, the usual methods are quite satisfactory. If, on the other hand, our purpose is to go beyond the mere collection of data, however desirable this may be, it is necessary to recognize and understand the factors that are of fundamental importance. One factor that has not hitherto been considered when dealing with solid metals is the difference in atomic weights of the isotopes of a single metal. While all the atoms of a given element are alike chemically, their weights may vary by a small but significant amount, and atoms of different weights may have different diffusion rates. With gases this variation in isotopic weight produces a change in the rate of diffusion by a factor inversely proportional to the square root of mass. While, except for the lightest gases, this is not a large effect, it is, for example, sufficient to permit a considerable concentration of one isotope at the expense of others. If metals exhibit a similar phenomenon, some modification of the analysis of the diffusion process will be required, since the different isotopes of a given metal will have different probabilities of moving and the heat-flow analogy will contain a fundamental error. This situation cannot be rectified by using a diffusion coefficient based on the average probability of moving, and it can be shown that even when the diffusion coefficient is independent of composition, the diffusion curve will not agree with the simple theory except in the rare cases where only one isotope exists; e.g., gold. If, however, the mass effect in the solid state were no larger than in the gaseous, the errors arising therefrom in the analysis of ordinary diffusion curves would be quite negligible. Nevertheless, our desire to obtain all possible information concerning the details of the diffusion process, and the possibility of diffusion in the solid state as a means for separating isotopes are cogent reasons for undertaking an experimental study to determine whether isotopes of different masses diffuse at different rates. Experimental Procedure If isotopes of different masses diffuse at different rates, the ratio of the concentration of one relative to another will vary with the distance from the diffusion inter-

Jan 1, 1946

By Edwin C. Eckel

The title of this study may fairly lead to misunderstanding unless its basal viewpoint is explained at the start. There is of course no chance of misunderstanding the term strategic minerals-for some years past it has been rather generally used to cover those mineral supplies, important for war use, which do not occur in adequate amount on the territory of the Power under consideration. Even here, however, I might add a note of warning. It is commonly understood that the list of strategic minerals will vary, according to what country we are considering; but it is rarely understood, even in Staff studies, that it varies equally according to the particular adversary we happen to be considering. In the present study I have stated the definition in the broadest possible terms, and have at this stage purposely avoided limiting it to any one country or war situation, with the express purpose of being free to bring out certain implications which are commonly, if not always, overlooked. The more important opportunity for misunderstanding is, of course, that my views on the phenomena war and peace do not coincide with those currently fashionable, particularly in advanced intellectual circles. For we must face the fact that for a decade past the natural reaction from war conditions has shattered the public mentality so completely that our public discussions of such questions have very little relation to fact; they are excursions into ideal rather than Realpolitik. And as such they serve merely to prevent public discussion or accept-

Jan 1, 1932

By Edgar S. Cook

The Warwick furnace at Pottstown, Pa., constructed for anthracite fuel, is, as may be remembered, 554 feet high, with 15; feet bosh. The actual working height from stock-line to bottom is only 474 feet, the bell-and-hopper taking up 8 feet. During the year 1886 we used mixed fuel, in the proportion of three-fourths anthracite and one-fourth coke. The total product of iron was 30,6299 tons of 2280 lbs., being a weekly average of 589 tons, including all ordinary and extraordinary stoppages. Deducting the latter, the weekly average would be about 600 tons. The fuel-consumption for the year was 1.2 tons per ton of iron, while the ore-mixture yielded 52 per cent. of iron. For about two months during the summer of 1887 we were obliged to run on anthracite exclusively, owing to the Connellsville coke strike. In the fall of 1885, in relining the furnace, the crucible had been built 8 feet 9 inches in diameter, with the view of using regularly one-quarter of coke (the largest previous diameter having been 7 feet 5 inches), and we felt somewhat apprehensive of the results when compelled to use anthracite only. The average of seven weeks' run on coal, as compared with the average of the seven corresponding weeks of 1886 (using one-quarter coke), was as follows:

Jan 1, 1889

During the presentation of the papers, questions were deferred until after the last paper in the afternoon. At that time, the authors and co-chairmen formed a panel for discussion of any pertinent questions. The panel was as follows: Carl Gerity - Ozark Lead Company – Chairman Mike Young - Master Mechanic - Ozark Lead Company Largo Albert - Maintenance Specialist (hoisting) Mines Maintenance Dept. - International Nickel Company, with assistance from Co-author Alan Cameron - International Nickel Company Gary Beerkircher - Product Manager - Rexnord Inc., Nordberg Machinery Group Richard Schaal - Director of Maintenance - Superior Division, Magma Copper Company Rich Hodgson - Assistant Production Superintendent - FMC Corporation The remarks have been edited by the panelists for readability, the basic ideas were not changed. Additional thoughts by the panelists submitted at the time of their revision are indicated by ***.

Jan 1, 1975

By Donald M. Hausen

Microscopic evaluation of trace quantities of metalliferous phases in flotation products requires counting large numbers of particles. Particle counts of many thousands may be required for precision, but cannot be obtained practically by conventional microscopic techniques. A less tedious microscopic method for evaluating trace sulfides in mill tailings was developed for the O'okiep Mining Co. in South Africa. Hundreds of thousands of particles were evaluated by this method called "gross-counting." Gross-counting consists of counting microscopic fields rather than point-counting individual particles. Total counts are calculated by multiplying the average number of particles per field by the total number of fields examined over the entire mount. Total gross-counts range from about 20,000 particles for +200 to 100,000 or more for -400 mesh size material in lucite mounts. Sulfides and metallic particles in each field are identified and tallied along with field counts. Totals for each type of metallic particle are divided by the total gross-count to give volume percent which is corrected to weight percent by specific gravity factors.

Jan 1, 1973

The early records of coal in Kentucky by Walker and Gist have already been mentioned. Thomas Hutchins was aware of it in 1778, or perhaps several years earlier, as in writing of the Buffaloe, now Green, River, he said, "several persons who have ascended this River, say, that Salt Springs, Coal, Lime and Free Stone etc. are to be found in a variety of places."1 The next record found is an entry to Ellis and Marshall, of 878 acres on Coal Bank Creek, in the, then Fayette County on July 14, 1784.2 The settlement might have been made, or the name given, some time before. Hermeline, in 1783, mentioned iron ore and coal on the Green River,' although he had not been west of the Susquehanna River; his knowledge of coal might have come from Hutchins, although the latter made no mention of iron in that locality. In November 1790, coal was mined on Sturgeon's Creek in Lee County and floated in three barges down the Kentucky River to Cleveland's Ferry, where it was hauled to Lexington. The results were not equal to the expectations, and it was 1793 before the experiment was. repeated 4 In 1791, the estate of Samuel Wharton advertised for sale 31,000 acres "in the county of Jefferson, on the North Side of the Green or Buffaloe river, in the State of Virginia."5 In November 1795 three patents were issued for land in the then Lee County, aggregating 130,000 acres. These patents cover much of Harlan County. The descriptions of these surveys mention passing stone coal. on Rough Branch of Martin's Fork, a "great deal of stone coal" on Blacksnake Branch of Pucketts Creek, and "a quantity of stone coal" probably on Crummies Creek.6 Jedediah Morse, in The American Gazetteer, 1798, said that in Kentucky "in many places there are appearances of potter's clay, and coal in abundance." It is possible that shipments may have been made from near

Jan 1, 1942

By D. H. Newland

On the bulk basis New York's contribution to the production of oil is small, representing, as it does, a bare half of one per cent of the annual total for the United States. Yet it has more importance than is implied by such a statement. Petroleum includes a variety of organic compounds, some more and some less valuable. It would be a fairer estimate of the situation to say that New York in recent years has produced around 10 to 12 per cent on the average of all Pennsylvania grade oil, the supply of which is strictly limited and the demand steady even in times of overproduction of other grades. One may not infer from this that New York and other Appalachian states enjoy an independent position in the market with a price structure uninfluenced by that of the Mid-Continent, Gulf or California fields. On the other hand, the recent market demoralization in the South and West brought about by uncontrolled production caused prices to drop to a point where the life of the local industry was seriously threatened. The current cost of producing oil in New York under the methods of water-flooding, by which most of the output is now obtained, has been estimated by competent authority at not less than $2.50 a barrel. The

Jan 1, 1934

By Y. P. Chugh, R. A. Missavage

Moisture has been known to influence strata failures in coal mines for a long the. A concise review of what is known about effects of moisture on strata control with emphasis on the Illinois basin coal mines is presented in this paper. Some approaches to mitigate the effects of moisture-leaving coal in the roof, guniting, shotcreting, application of sealants-are then briefly discussed.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. Francis

OF THE methods that have been used for studying the chemical composition of coal, attack by reagents has not, in general, yielded much information. Most of the reagents used have been strong oxidants such as nitric acid or Schulze's solution. The use of a milder oxidizing agent, such as air at low temperatures, enables progressive changes in the character of the coal substance to be studied and thus helps toward an understanding of its constitution. British bituminous coals frequently have a banded structure. These bands (of four types) can be separated one from another and have been found to possess markedly different chemical characteristics, even when taken from contiguous portions of the same lump coal. It has been found convenient to give each of the ingredients of banded coal a distinctive name, more or less descriptive of its appearance, and the study of the chemistry of bituminous "coal" in England has resolved itself into a study of each ingredient separately. . The coal chosen for this work was taken from the Top Hard seam at East Kirkby colliery, Nottinghamshire, a detailed chemical analysis of which has been recorded by Baranov and Francis.1 The banded structure was well marked and the bands could readily be separated. The research was confined to the brilliant vitreous bands (vitrain), the dull hard bands (durain) and the "sooty partings" (fusain); for previous work had shown that the fourth type, to which the name clarain has been given, is intermediate in character, chemically, between vitrain and durain.

Jan 3, 1925

By Kenneth E. Mathews, Ross D. Hammett, S. Byron Stewart

Theoretical models have been important throughout the history of engineering as a means of understanding past experiences and predicting future performance. Most modelling involves assumptions and a degree of idealization, and it is shown that it is important that the effects of these be recognized when making use of models. One of the principal concerns in underground mining is the effect of the excavations on the states of stress in the rock adjacent to these excavations. As mining proceeds to depth, stress concentrations may be sufficiently high to cause inelastic behaviour of the rock and yielding along joint surfaces. At this stage, attention must be given to the sequencing of the mining process to ensure that the ground control techniques applied are optimized. Increasing use is being made of computer modelling techniques to assist with design. Three case studies are presented to illustrate the application of computer models in mine planning and ground control. In all cases, the data available for design was limited, but the mines were fully developed and openings could be inspected. The mining methods studied are cut and fill stoping, room and pillar stoping, and longhole stoping.

Jan 1, 1983

By R. S. Lewis

IN a recent study1 of the evolution of engineering education 1870 was taken as the initial point, as it is said to mark the transition from the poineer era in American engineering education to an era of rapid growth and consistent development. Prior to the founding of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1824, West Point Military Academy was the principal source of formal engineering training. In 1849 Rensselaer revised its program on the model of the leading French technical schools. Lawrence Scientific School was estab-lished at Harvard and Sheffield Scientific School at Yale in 1847. The University of Michigan pioneered in en-gineering instruction in the West, offering its first course in 1853 and awarding its first degree in 1860. Other important steps in -the progress of engineering education were the founding of Columbia School of' Mines in 1864, the opening of Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1865, and the founding of Cornell Uni-versity and the Thayer School of Civil Engineering at Dartmouth in 1867. From its organization in 1852 until 1871 the Ameri-can Society of Civil Engineers was virtually the only national society of engineers. In 1871 the American Institute of-Mining and Metallurgical Engineers was founded, to be followed later by the Mechanical En-gineers in 1880 and the Electrical Engineers in 1884. This expansion and diversification of the engineering profession was paralleled in the colleges, and by 1885 the plan of different curricula in the major branches of engineering was soundly established.

Jan 7, 1927