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By G. S. Brooks, L. G. Duncan

During the past few years, the Mineral Point Zinc Co. has had under consideration the improvement of various types of gas-filtering apparatus used in the removal of dust from crushing and milling plants, in the manufacture of oxide, and on blast-furnace fume and sintering furnaces. The original equipment of the various plants of the company was, of course, along lines of the standard stationary bag house. These houses required large surfaces, hand shaking, and varied only in the manner of the collection of solids and in the distribution of the gas. , Early in 1908, the first trial of a mechanical bag house was made at Nassau Plant at Depue, Ill. The duty of this installation was on dust-laden gas from a fine-crushing mill. The Printz and Rau bag machine was finally adopted and put into operation. This ingenious machine embodied what were then to us two novel features in bag-house practice: 1. An intermittent crinkling and snapping of the filtering fabric to free the meshes of solids. 2. A reversal of gas flow for a short period by a temporary connection with the suction trunk. This equipment worked fairly well except in cold weather, when we ran into condensation troubles. Had we at that time understood more fully some of the limitations of fabric filtering work, these might well have been remedied. We were impressed by this experience, however, with the efficiency of sudden tension on the fabric under suction. After a study had been made of some of the western blast-furnace houses using the reversal-of-flow feature, experiments were started early in 3 914 with a view to developing an automatic equipment along the best lines of our past experience. The objects sought were: 1. Keeping labor out of the houses for hygienic reasons. 2. Reduction of labor costs. 3. Reduction in size of bag houses. 4. Accessibility. 5. Ability to handle relatively hot gases where required.

Jan 1, 1918

By J. C. Purcupile, R. L. Morris

Present methods of roof support require that first a hole must be drilled, and then a toggle belt or grouted resin bolt be set. Automating this system is very difficult. Therefore, we decided to develop a system which would insert pins into the roof in one step. We think that this type of system can be automated much easier. It would then speed up the roof bolting operation and eliminate the need for a man to work under unsupported roof, making roof bolting a much safer job. There are two ways that a pin can be inserted in a mine roof without drilling a hole. It can either be pushed in, using a very high, constant axial force; or it can be hammered in like a nail. The former method involves very high compressive stresses in the pin, and requires complicated machinery to prevent buckling. Since hammering the pin does not require high axial forces buckling is not as likely. Also, experiments have shown that there are no problems associated with getting the pin to go in straight. We chose to develop the second method. While investigating methods for hammering a pin into a mine roof, we learned that piles were being driven 10 times faster than by conventional methods with a method called "orboresonance." We decided to turn the pile driver upside down, and drive pins up into the mine roof. Sonic Pin Setting Machine The machine consists of a steel bar supported at the nodal points of its first mode of transverse vibration (Fig. 1). A mechanical oscillator, driven by a hydraulic motor, is attached to one end of the bar. This provides the forcing function for the vibrations in the bar. The hydraulic power is supplied by a portable unit. When the forcing function is near the natural frequency of the bar, large amplitudes of vibration occur and require little power input. An anvil is attached to the bar at a point of maximum deflection, providing a means for striking the pin. Since the bar is being driven near its natural frequency, it takes little energy to accelerate the bar back and forth between each hit. This means that most of the power being put into the bar is going into driving the pin. This is unlike conventional pile drivers which use most of their power to accelerate the hammer back and forth between hits. The resonant frequency of the bar we used is about 250 Hz, which is in the audible range, hence the term "sonic pin setting machine." The system benefits are: (1) elimination of the two-step drilling and pin-setting roof bolt operation, (2) increased speed, (3) more intimate contact between the formation and bolts, (4) less expensive roof bolts, (5) higher integrity, (6) potential for automatic operation. Modifications During the months from Oct. to Dec. 12, 1974, under U.S. Bureau of Mines grant No. 00144104, "Projects on Coal Extraction," six members of the senior class at Carnegie Mellon University designed and built the experimental machine. They drove three pins into the Safety Research coal mine at Bruceton, Pa., and determined that the project was worth continuing. In January 1975 we began making modifications and repairs in preparation for a more extensive program of testing at Bruceton. The major items were: 1) Design and build a collapsible pin guide to keep the pin parallel with the line of travel of the lift table. 2) Move the anvil to the center of the bar. 3) Refinish the nodal holes and install new node pins and bushings. 4) Realign the bar in its frame. 5) Install a relief valve on the lift unit to control the upward force. The upward force that we exert on the pin is relatively small, so there is no tendency for it to buckle. This means that all we need to do is hold the pin straight during its initial penetration. This allows the bushing to travel up and down in a straight line. At the beginning of penetration, the bushing

Jan 1, 1977

By Donald B. Gillies

The fundamentals of human nature don't change much from generation to generation, or even from century to century. Except for the spur of necessity and the lure of reward and ad venture, few of us would bestir ourselves unduly. The general welfare has little appeal to the average individual. Its promotion comes about mainly as a by-product to individual efforts directed at more personal benefits and satisfactions. In discussing incentives for the mining industry, we really are talking about incentives for people who devote their energies and resources to mining. The vigorous and productive mining industry as we have known it was the product of the varied incentives we have known in the past: the lure of great financial reward if you struck it rich; the thrill of romance and adventure in the search for mineral wealth, usually along the frontiers 'of civilization; the satisfaction of developing a great, productive enterprise by the application of skill, courage, and determination in the face of obstacles. Back of the prospector and engineer were other venturesome persons willing to take a flyer with their savings in a grubstake, or in stock in a promising mining venture, hoping for large returns, but reconciled to take a loss and try again with the next opportunity. It is free enterprise-a chance for high profits, but a chance also of total loss-that created the great mining industry of this country and of the world. Free enterprise has given us, in the United States, the greatest productive system in the world, the highest standard of living, the most abundant life. The lure of gold-whether from the ground or merely incidental to the discovery and development of our mineral resources-pushed our frontiers westward across the country and northward into Canada and Alaska far in advance of the staid course of agriculture and commerce. No one guaranteed success to our forebears as they risked life and fortune in developing a new country. Self-reliance was the backbone of our economic and spiritual Progress and achievements. Our neighbors had little time to spare from their own problems. And though there was a willingness among the pioneers to help one another, they didn't lean too much on one another.

Jan 5, 1950

By R. O. Williams

It is shown that Ni3Al precipitates homogeneously from nickel-rich alwminum alloys as plates on the (100) planes. Prior to actual precipitation a process occurs which is believed to be one of increasing short-range order. After precipitating the Ni3Al plates enlarge through competitive growth. Discontinuous precipitation can occur simultaneously with the above processes. Recent ideas of the origin of precipitation strengthening appear adequate to explain the hardness changes. REMARKABLY little appears to be known about the precipitation process in Ni-Al alloys in spite of their technical importance. This investigation originated to supply additional information about precipitation in general, this system in particular. Information on the structures and kinetics have been obtained through the use of hardness, X-rays, microscopy, calorimetry, and resistivity on high-purity alloys. PROCEDURES Six alloys, Table I, were prepared by melting carbonyl nickel and high-purity aluminum in alumina crucibles in vacuum and casting into 1-in. graphite molds. All rods were homogenized at least once at 1300°C for 24 hr prior to swaging and this was repeated on the first three alloys after 75 pct reduction. Alloy 4 could be reduced only 10 pct at 1000°C (probably in two-phase field) prior to fracture but 1/4-in. samples quenched from 1100°C were readily reduced cold. Alloy 5 was reduced 15 pct cold but failed on the next pass while alloy 6 of essentially the same aluminum content failed inter-granularly without apparent flow up to 1000°C. The alloys were heated in hydrogen at the elevated temperatures and formed thin, coherent aluminum oxide coatings which provided excellent oxidation resistance at lower temperatures. However, freshly prepared surfaces showed considerably less resistance at 500"to 700°C in air and apparently resulted in internal oxidation. As a consequence, low-temperature agings were carried out in evacuated tubes. RESULTS The isothermal hardening behavior of these alloys at 500"and 565C is given in Figs. 1 and 2. These results were obtained from samples cold worked 75 pct, recrystallized at 1000°C (1100°C for the 7.8 pct Al) and quenched in water. This recrystallization was used to give smaller grain sizes so as to obtain more uniform hardness values and the points represent an average of five readings. The electrical resistivity was measured on 1/16-in. wires quenched from 1000°C during aging at 495°C to give Fig. 3. The energy release and its rate are given in Fig. 4 for the 6.9 pct Al alloy during aging around 500°C. Inasmuch as this was a single run, its accuracy is not known but certainly the general shape and magnitudes are correct. The method used to obtain these results is described elsewhere.' Data for the aging at 600°, 700°, and 800°C of these alloys cold worked 50 pct are given in Fig. 5. Supplementary information from microscopy and X-ray diffraction have been included to indicate recrystallization, discontinuous precipitation and the appearance of superlattice lines from the Ni3Al. The hardness of these alloys as annealed, aged, cold worked, and cold worked and aged is given vs composition in Fig. 6. Those samples which were isothermally aged, Figs. 1 and 2, were reaged at 532°C and at successively higher temperatures for the indicated times to give the data of Fig. 7. These results as well as certain others, support the idea that the level of hardness reached for temperatures above 600°C are equilibrium values more or less independent of path. This being the case, the breaks in the curves would be the complete solution of the Ni,Al. The electrical resistivity versus temperatures for some of these alloys, both aged and unaged, is given in Fig. 8 along with those data from heating slowly (10 deg per day) to high temperatures. Interesting points include the lowering of the Curie temperature (the change in slope), the lack of any indications of a solubility limit and the large temperature coefficient for the Ni3Al. A slight break for Ni3Al around 100C shows up but this is not a Curie temperature as Ni3Al is not ferromagnetic down to -190°C. Metallographically both the nickel-rich solid solution and the Ni3Al appear very much like pure nickel. Profuse twin boundaries are present both

Jan 1, 1960

By James F. Kemp

Discussion of the paper of D. Foster Hewett, Bulletin To. 27, March, 1909, pp. 291 to 310. JAMES F. KEMP, New York, N. Y.:-Mr. Hewett's paper is one of exceptional interest, because it not only adds an important contribution regarding one of the rarer, valuable elements, but also because it introduces compounds hitherto unknown and in associations no less novel. While we have occasionally dis¬covered and recorded asphaltite in metalliferous deposits, for example in the Joplin and Granby districts, we have not seen a metallic ore in a deposit essentially asphaltite. The source and method of introduction afford a subject well worth serious reflection. Vanadium was first discovered and recognized as a distinct element in the slags obtained in smelting the titaniferous magnetites at Taberg, Sweden. For a long time, therefore, we looked upon the titaniferous magnetites as its hone. Analyses proved, years ago, that it was present in the ores of this type in New Jersey and in the Adirondacks. It was quite rarely determined, but when looked for it was, I think, invariably found, although the Amount seldom exceeded 0.5 per cent. of V,05., In just what combination it exists in the titaniferous ores is uncertain. One might imagine V2O3 replacing some of the Fe2O3 of magnetite; or, since in the lead series vanadates and phosphates are closely akin, one might wonder if a lime-vanadate could take the place of apatite. Yet no lime-vanadate has been found in nature, and apatite itself is usually rare in the titaniferous ores. When percentage-curves are plotted for a series of analyses of the ores, the line of vanadic oxide shows a curious sympathetic behavior with the line of chromic oxide;' but the data are somewhat limited, and no compound has sug¬gested itself which throws light on the matter. Dr. W. F. Hillebrand has discussed the occurrence and dis-

Oct 1, 1909

By W. H. Hough, P. B. Leavenworth

Development during 1942 led to the discovery of 26 new fields in the Texas Gulf Coast, as compared with 27 during 1941. Of these, 19 are classed as oil fields, 4 distillate fields, and 3 gas fields. Production from the new fields amounted to 614,467 bbl. to October 1942. Producing Sections.—Discoveries in I942, compared with the previous two years, classified by producing formations, are shown in the following table: It is interesting to note the increase in Wilcox discoveries due to the extensive geophysical campaign that has been con. ducted since 1940. Drilling.—During the year 688 wells were drilled, of which 574 produced oil or gas and 114 were dry. This represents a considerable decline in activity over the previous year, when 1405 wells were drilled in the area, of which 1081 were producers and 324 failures. Jackson County continued to hold the lead, with 222 wells completed. Production.—-Despite curtailed drilling, production amounted to 118,009,451 bbl. for 1942, indicating a slight increase over the 113,726,893 bbl. produced during 1941. The statistics in Tables I and 2 include condensate and distillate as oil production, because many Gulf Coast fields produce oils with a wide variation of specific gravities, all of which are commingled in pipe lines. Table 3 shows by counties most of the activities referred to. The number of wells drilled includes only field wells; not wildcats. Outstanding Fields of 1942 The Texas Gulf Coast covered in this report has 270 more or less active oil and gas fields, including the new discoveries of 1942. Of these the most outstanding from the standpoint of production are listed in Table 4. Each of these fields produced one million barrels or more during 1942. Some of the fields where new extensions are occasionally referred to as separate fields, such as West Columbia and New West Columbia, or Thompson and South Thompson, are combined to give a more accurate outline. Two interesting facts may be noted from this list of some 26 oil fields: (I) that the Lolita field, Jackson County, is the only discovery since 1938 to produce more than one million barrels annually, although there have been 79 discoveries since Jan. I, 1940; (2) that 20 of these 26 fields produce from the Frio. New Fields ALief, Harris County.—Pure Oil Company's No. I Mike Albanese was drilled to 8637 ft. in Cook Mountain shale. After numerous tests the well was completed on Apr. 20, 1942, in a Yegua sand at 7919 to 7924 ft. for 54 bbl. of 52' gravity oil and 3,335,000 cu. ft. of gas through

Jan 1, 1943

By W. H. Hough, P. B. Leavenworth

Development during 1942 led to the discovery of 26 new fields in the Texas Gulf Coast, as compared with 27 during 1941. Of these, 19 are classed as oil fields, 4 distillate fields, and 3 gas fields. Production from the new fields amounted to 614,467 bbl. to October 1942. Producing Sections.—Discoveries in I942, compared with the previous two years, classified by producing formations, are shown in the following table: It is interesting to note the increase in Wilcox discoveries due to the extensive geophysical campaign that has been con. ducted since 1940. Drilling.—During the year 688 wells were drilled, of which 574 produced oil or gas and 114 were dry. This represents a considerable decline in activity over the previous year, when 1405 wells were drilled in the area, of which 1081 were producers and 324 failures. Jackson County continued to hold the lead, with 222 wells completed. Production.—-Despite curtailed drilling, production amounted to 118,009,451 bbl. for 1942, indicating a slight increase over the 113,726,893 bbl. produced during 1941. The statistics in Tables I and 2 include condensate and distillate as oil production, because many Gulf Coast fields produce oils with a wide variation of specific gravities, all of which are commingled in pipe lines. Table 3 shows by counties most of the activities referred to. The number of wells drilled includes only field wells; not wildcats. Outstanding Fields of 1942 The Texas Gulf Coast covered in this report has 270 more or less active oil and gas fields, including the new discoveries of 1942. Of these the most outstanding from the standpoint of production are listed in Table 4. Each of these fields produced one million barrels or more during 1942. Some of the fields where new extensions are occasionally referred to as separate fields, such as West Columbia and New West Columbia, or Thompson and South Thompson, are combined to give a more accurate outline. Two interesting facts may be noted from this list of some 26 oil fields: (I) that the Lolita field, Jackson County, is the only discovery since 1938 to produce more than one million barrels annually, although there have been 79 discoveries since Jan. I, 1940; (2) that 20 of these 26 fields produce from the Frio. New Fields ALief, Harris County.—Pure Oil Company's No. I Mike Albanese was drilled to 8637 ft. in Cook Mountain shale. After numerous tests the well was completed on Apr. 20, 1942, in a Yegua sand at 7919 to 7924 ft. for 54 bbl. of 52' gravity oil and 3,335,000 cu. ft. of gas through

Jan 1, 1943

By J. W. Leonard

This expanded and more detailed supplement to earlier published work1 is offered as a means to demonstrate the high empirical correlation which exists between the readily measured coal bench scale test parameters of volatile matter (d & a.f.), Hard-grove grindability index (HGI), Koppers cone bulk density (BD) and pulverization level (% passing a 1/8-in. screen) to the less readily measured full scale coke stability index. Thus, Fig. 1, 2 and 3 represent the correlated test data contained in Tables I, II and III respectively. Ninety-six coals are correlated so that 97% of the resultant cokes fall within two points and 100% fall within three points of the actual tested coke stability indices. The main generalizations which can be drawn from the correlation of these coals are as follows: 1) The coke stability indices for higher bulk density coals (46.0 BD to 50.6 BD) appear to be largely influenced by differing combinations of factors for coals above and below a pivotal point of approximately 36% to 37% volatile matter. Below this pivotal volatile matter coke stability index appears to be influenced largely as a result of changes to the coal volatile matter and pulverization level. While above this pivotal volatile matter coke stability indices appear to be dependent on the coal hardness, as measured by the HGI, and to some extent upon coal volatile matter. Pulverization appears to have little influence on the coke stabilities of the harder coals (52 HGI to 58 HGI) of greater than 36% to 37% volatile matter. 2) The coke stability indices for lower bulk density coals (41 BD to 45.9 BD) appears to be largely influenced by changes to coal volatile matter and pulverization level for softer coals above approximately 58 HGI. 3) The main empirical observation to be drawn from these results is that for coals above approximately 36% to 37% volatile matter the quantities of hard and soft constituents as measured by the HGI are important when defining coal rank for correlation to the coke stability index.

Jan 1, 1965

By William Plank

In practically all rock-excavation problems there is need for a careful study of the rock structure, its fault, cleavage or bedding planes, and even the texture of the rock itself. These studies should form the bases upon which an excavation method is selected and they should be carefully considered in predicting the amount and extent of the excavation. The need for such studies was forcibly illustrated in the problems involved in a cut made in 1929, along and underneath a 200-ft. high rock projection for a State-highway near the City of Easton, Pennsylvania. The rock mass was badly faulted and also contained a number of cleavage planes at approximately right angles to the fault planes. Much of this structure was visible and could have been studied and analyzed before' the work was begun. The State had rigid specifications as to finished grade and slope of cut, which apparently were made without reference to the geologic structure. The contractor complied with the specifications, under the close inspection of the State engineers. A tunnel blast was, placed in the base of the cliff, with the result that 65 per cent more rock was broken than was intended by the specifications. About four years after the blast, the writers of this paper studied the circumstances surrounding the operation, to determine the cause of this excess excavation.

Jan 1, 1935

By Oswald J. Heinrich

The serious objections to the Leblanc soda process may be enumerated as follows: 1st. The total loss of sulphur employed, equal to about one-third of soda produced. Various processes have been proposed to regain this sulphur, but none have come into practical operation on a large scale. 2d. The great balk of waste products, equal to nearly twice the amount of soda, which forms a serious annoyance about the works. 3d. The complicated series of operations necessary. 4th. The large amount of labor and fuel required. 5th. The prodoction of noxious gases which necessitate extensive condensing arrangements. 6th. The large capital necessary for the . erection and maintenance of the plant, These objections have long been recognized, and many attempts have been made during the last thirty or forty years, to discover and introduce a cheaper and more direct method for the manufacture of this important staple. The reaction between bicarbonate of ammonia and common salt, whereby bicarbonate of soda, insoluble in a solution of chloride of ammonium, is precipitated, has been closely studied for the last twentyfour years, on account of its simplicity and the purity of the product it affords. This ammonia-soda process is now so far developed, that while it is not in position to entirely replace the Leblanc process, yet it can successfully compete with it where the conditions and localities are favorable. The advantages of the ammonia-soda process may be summed up as follows : 1st. It is independent of the essential agent in the Leblanc process, via., sulphuric acid, and hence can be established in those localities where salt is abundant, and yet where sulphuric acid could not be made, or where it could not be transported profitably. 2d. The ammonia-soda process being a " wet" process, the evaporation of salt brines to obtain the solid salt required in the Leblanc process, is rendered unnecessary. 3d. The direct conversion of chloride of sodium into bicarbonate of soda, which can readily be converted into the maketable monocar-

Jan 1, 1879

By Henry E. Colton

Very little information has been published concerning the Tennessee coal-field. The State never appropriated over $600 per annum for a geological survey, and that was discontinued about 1870. Yet even with that small sum Dr. J. M. Safford made a

Jan 1, 1886

By U. K. Custred, E. W. Long, V. R. Degner

In 1973, the United States production of marketable phosphate rock set a record in excess of 42 million tons. This production rate is expected to continue to increase, due to the growing international requirement for fertilizer, at a rate exceeding 5% per year well into 1977. One approach towards increasing plant production capacity to meet the growing demand is through large-capacity flotation cells, provided they achieve metallurgical performance comparable to existing smaller cells. A 9-month evaluation test program recently completed at the Haynsworth mine at Bradley, Fla., demonstrated the feasibility of achieving economically acceptable concentrate grade and recovery levels using large, high-capacity flotation cells. The composition of the feed to the Haynsworth beneficiation plant is a typical Florida pebble phosphate matrix composed of phosphorite pebbles ranging in size from approximately 1-1/2 in. down to 150 mesh and intimately associated with a mixture of clay and sand (essentially silica). The feed contains approximately 22 to 28% phosphate reporting as tricalcium phosphate, Ca3 (PO,) 2, or "bone phosphate of lime" (BPL). The flotation section utilizes the double-float procedure typical of Florida plants. The phosphate is first floated away from the silica in the rougher circuit, using crude fatty acid, ammonia, and fuel oil or kerosene. Rougher conditioning is accomplished at 60 to 70% pulp solids with sufficient ammonia added to raise the pH to 9 to 9.5. Following coarse and fine rougher flotation, the concentrate (overflow) streams are joined and conditioned (sulfuric acid cleaned and washed) prior to entering the cleaner circuit where an amine float (cationic reagent and kerosene added in the feed box; pH 7.3 to 7.8) is employed to float the silica. The feed to the coarse rougher circuit averages 29% +35 mesh while the fine rougher feed averages 10%+35 mesh. Primary attention was directed toward the large rougher cell performance (recovery and grade) on coarse feed during the Haynsworth evaluation program. Flotation Cell Test Program A row of three No. 120 size (300 cu ft) WEMCO flotation cells was installed in parallel with an existing air-cell row. The total installed volume of the large cell circuit was 900 cu ft and required a floor space of 306 sq ft. This compared to the air-cell total volume of 200 cu ft and 152 sq ft floor space. (Both floor areas include feed and tails hoppers but exclude walkways.) Fig. 1 is a schematic cross section of the large flotation cell showing the relative location of key mechanism elements. In operation, the rotor generates a fluid vortex extending up along the walls of the standpipe and creating a sufficient vacuum within its core to ingest air into the standpipe/rotor cavity through the air inlet duct. The ingested air mixes with the pulp, which has been recirculated through the false bottom and draft tube, in the rotor. Further mixing occurs as the air and pulp move radially outward from the rotor, finally passing through the disperser into the flotation cell. Flotation is accomplished outside the disperser, where phosphorite laden air bubbles rise and the remaining pulp recirculates down along the cell wall to the false bottom and draft tube. Large-flotation-cell performance is influenced by the ability of the mechanism to (1) circulate, or suspend, the solids in the pulp; (2) ingest air into the rotor cavity; and (3) mix the air and pulp effectively. The proper balance between pulp circulation and air ingestion is a key consideration in achieving good recovery in a course feed application. Large-flotation-cell pulp circulation and air transfer characteristics are significantly influenced by rotor speed and rotor submergence; therefore, these two operational parameters can be used to "optimize" a particular mill application. Fig. 2 maps the hydraulic performance of the WEMCO No. 120 size flotation cell. This map can be used to relate the cell operational parameters which influence metallurgical performance. At a given rotor speed, power intensity (i.e., pulp circulation) is seen to increase, and airflow decrease, as rotor submergence is increased. The inverse relation between power and airflow is due to the two-phase air-liquid mixture density reduction accompanying the increased airflow rate. For any fixed rotor submergence, the power intensity (i.e., fluid circulation) and airflow both increase as rotor speed is increased. The selection of these two mutually related operating conditions (i.e., rotor speed and submergence) was a key consideration in the Haynsworth evaluation program.

Jan 1, 1976

By L. A. Morley, W. T. Parry

Engineering design problems encountered by mining engineers often depend on the properties of natural granular materials such as soil, poorly consolidated sediment, fault gouge, and hydrothermally produced clay. The physical properties of such granular materials frequently are determined by the properties of silicate clays. In most mining applications, the clays are in contact with water. Swelling of clay due to water infiltration can interfere with underground support and haulage systems. Water-saturated clay on fault, fracture, and bedding planes causes slope failures in open pit mines, roof falls and heaving of weak underclays in coal mines. Water may be removed and cementing agents may be produced in clays by electrical methods. When an electrical potential gradient is applied to a charged capillary by two electrodes, water moves toward the negative electrode.1 This electrokinetic phenomena is known as electroosmosis and has been used to successfully dewater clay minerals which lack strength because of water. A consolidation effect occurs when the flow of water is accompanied by a decrease in water content. Electrochemical changes in the clay result in cementing and irreversible hardening. Theory A mathematical basis of electroosmotic phenomena is presented by Helmholtz.3 Smoluchowski5 modifies Helmholtz’ model and presents Eq. 1 to describe fluid flow velocity due to electroosmosis. For this formula, the zeta potential can be measured experimentally. The Helmholtz-Smoluchowski model is reasonably valid for clay aggregates with large pores saturated with fresh water or dilute electrolyte solutions.° An assumption used for Eq. 1 (equations are given Table 1; terms are defined in Table 2) is that the thickness of the electrical double layer surrounding the clay particles is small compared with the pore radii. Because this is generally not the case, Schmid7 presents Eq. 2. The volume charge density in the pore may be approximated from cation exchange capacity and porosity measurements. Casagrande8 offers a semi-empirical relationship (Eq. 3) for volume rate of electroosmotic flow and finds that k, is relatively constant for most clays with an average

Jan 1, 1972

By Irving B. Cadoff, Ernest Levine

The fracture path in a Cu-4 pct Ag alloy wet with mercury was found to he dependent on the heat treatment used prior to tensile testing. Both quenched and slow-cooled alloys were embrittled by the mercury.. For quenched alloys, which were single -phase, the crack path was intergranular. Slowly cooled alloys, which contained precipitate platelets, exhibited transgranular fracture. By comparing stress-strain data for these alloys with similar data on mercury -embyittled solid-solution alloys, it was found that the role of the precipitate and that of the grain boundary in the fracture process were equivalent . THE fracture path which results when metals are strained in a liquid environment appears to be dependent upon the nature of the specific system. Mixed transgranular and intergranular cracking has been observed in the 2024 T4 aluminum alloy when wet with a Hg-Zn amalgam.' Transgranular fracture was induced in an A1-4 pct Cu alloy by masking off the grain boundaries from the liquid Hg-Zn amalgam.' The embrittlement of solid-solution alloys of copper in mercury results in intergranular fracture.' The effect of a precipitated phase on the fracture path in copper alloys is the subject of the present investigation. Cu-4 pct Ag was chosen so that its behavior could be compared with previous work on embrittlement of copper alloys. PROCEDURE High-purity copper (99.999 pct) was used as a base metal, along with 99.999 pct purity silver. Melting was carried out in graphite crucibles with manual agitation to get adequate mixing. The ingots were homogenized by means of vacuum annealing, chemically cleaned, and cold-rolled with intermediate vacuum anneals, to the desired thickness of 0.025 in. The rolled sheets were sheared to the final specimen size of 1 by 0.025 by 0.1 in. The specimens were then electropolished in phosphoric acid (concentrated) and heat-treated in an evacuated capsule at the solution temperature of 770°C. One batch was slow-cooled and the other quenched in water. The thermal etching which occurred during heat treatment was sufficient to permit grain boundary and precipitate delineation. Tensile tests were carried out in air and in mercury on a Table-Model Instron at a pulling speed of 0.2 in. per min. Wetting was accomplished by electro-polishing in phosphoric acid, rinsing in alcohol, and immersing in a pool of mercury. Once wet the coating was stable throughout the mechanical tests. In our studies it was found that wetting the surface or total immersion in mercury produced identical results. For convenience, the wetting technique was used for the experiments described. The crack pattern was observed directly on the surface by removing the mercury after testing. De-wetting was accomplished by flame heating the samples in a vacuum after testing and before observation of the surface. No etchant or polishing was used so as not to obscure the crack pattern on the surface. The mercury removal, however, resulted in a pitted surface but otherwise left the pertinent features visible. Photomicrographs were taken in this condition so as not to disturb the structure associated with the crack pattern. The average precipitate spacing was measured previous to coating the sample with mercury by use of an optical eyepiece micrometer. RESULTS The microstructure of the quenched specimens was single-phase while that of the slow-cooled specimens contained thin platelets of a second

Jan 1, 1964

By E. S. Bartlett, D. N. Williams

QUANTITATIVE values for the oxidation rate of unalloyed molybdenum in air at temperatures above the melting point (1460°F) of the characteristic oxide are contained in the literature as a result of previous investigations. Lustman' reported values corresponding to 0.36 in. penetration per day (IPD) at 1500 and 1600°F in still air, noting essentially no variation in rate with temperature. Jones, Spretnak, and Speiser' reported values corresponding to 0.14 and 0.13 IPD at 1500 and 1800°F, respectively, in still air, attributing the decreased oxidation rate at higher temperatures to a lesser accumulation of the corrosive molten oxide on the surface at the higher temperature as a result of increased volatilization rate. Harwood3 ecently summarized work in the field, presenting generalized data corresponding to 0.48 to 0.96 IPD at 1800°F and 0.55 to 0.83 IPD at 1700°F in slowly flowing air. In a recent program at Battelle, it became desirable to know more about the characteristic oxidation behavior of molybdenum under varying conditions of temperature and atmosphere. Using oxidation-test apparatus designed for dynamic, continuous recording of weight change during testing,' values for the oxidation rate of molybdenum were obtained at temperatures from 1400 to 2150°F. In addition the effect of air flow on the oxidation rate was studied briefly at temperatures of 1600, 1800, and 2000°F. Exhaust of the contaminated atmosphere from the oxidation chamber was effected by an impeller pump attached to a 3/16-in.-diam opening in the oxidation chamber. The volumetric exhaust rate (cubic feet per hour) was normally maintained slightly in excess of the input rate to avoid condensation of MOO,,' on the sample suspension rod. The entering atmosphere was preheated prior to admission to the oxidation chamber by a 1 1/2-in.-diam cup packed with shredded asbestos. The experimental data are presented in Table I. Comparing conditions 2 and 3 (taking into account the temperature difference) and conditions 8 and 9. shows that in the absence of forced exhaust an atmosphere of moving air results in greater oxidation rate than a stagnant atmosphere. The use of forced exhaust, as shown by comparing conditions 3 and 4 and conditions 14 and 15: resulted in an even greater increase in oxidation rate. By virtue of the size of the atmosphere input and exhaust openings, it was calculated that the exhaust velocity was about 60 times that of the input velocity for essentially equal volumetric flow rates. Because of the proximity (about 3/4 in.) of the exhaust port to the specimen, it is logical to assume that cleansing of the atmosphere immediately surrounding the specimen was accomplished much more efficiently by the exhaust flow than by the input flow at a constant-volumetric flow rate. Also, it can be seen by comparing conditions 4 through 7 and conditions 11 through 13 that increasing the rate of atmosphere flow (by increasing input velocity with a proportional increase in exhaust velocity) above some optimum value has little, if any, further effect on the oxidation rate. These results suggest that there is a maximum oxidation rate for molydenum at a given temperature which is obtained when conditions are maintained such that the partial pressure of MOO3 in the atmosphere surrounding the specimen is at a low value. By controlling the partial pressure of MOO, surrounding the sample, it is possible to control the rate of volatilization of MOO:, from the surface. This, in turn, affects the rate of oxidation, since the thickness of the MOO3 layer determines the amount of oxygen which will be able to reach the reaction surface.' When the liquid oxide layer is less than some critical thickness, i.e., when the volatilization rate is high, enough oxygen is transported to the active surface to permit oxidation to proceed at the maximum rate allowed by the kinetics of the oxidation reaction. However, if the volatilization of MOO,, is suppressed, the thickness of the layer of MOO3 on the surface increases, and the diffusion of oxygen through the oxide layer becomes the rate-controlling step in the oxidation process. The lack of agreement between the present results and those of previous investigators is presumed to be due to differences in removal of the oxidation product (Moo,) from the immediate vicinity of the sample. By comparing conditions 1, 5, 10, 12 and 14, it is seen that when forced exhaust was used the oxidation rate of molybdenum increased with increasing temperature. A rapid increase was observed between 1400 and 1600°F, attributable to the effects

Jan 1, 1959

By L. H Levenson, Charles S. Barrett

The orientation of metal crystals and grains, both large and small, can be detcrmined conveniently and accurately without the use of X-ray apparatus. This seems to be appreciated by so few metallurgists that it may be useful to explain in detail the method we have found most satisfactory in the laboratory—the reflection of light from crystallographie etch pits. This note includes a description of a suitable inexpensive instrument and instructions for etching various metals and for plotting the data. As the stereographie projection is used to facilitate handling the data, this note may he considered as an appendix to an earlier review of the metallurgical uses of the stercographie projection.' Various methods involving etch pits have been used by other investigators. Bridgman's method2 consists of attaching the specimen to a sphere (a transparent sphere is convenient4 , holding it at arm's length, and marking a spot on it when it has been turned so that the eteh pits reflect light into the eye of the observer from a lamp standing behind him. It has an accuracy of about 2" and is extrernely rapid. A greater accuracy can be obtained by having the reflected light fall on a screen, as has been done by Czochralski,5 Chalmers,6 and Schubnikov.7 All of these methods have been intended for undeformed single crystals. Tammann and his coworkers3,8 developed a method for estimating the number of grains in a polyerystalline aggregate having orientations in a given region of the stereographic triangle and thus obtained statistical information about deformation and reerystallization textures. While the method has had some use in recent years,9 it is not applicable to the majority of problems in physical metallurgy. Smith and Mehl10 determined orientations by plotting the directions of the sides of individual etch pits on a stereographic projection. The accuracy is limited to about 3" and the method requires careful polishing and high magnification.

Jan 1, 1940

By Charles S. Barrett, L. H. Levenson

The orientation of metal crystals and grains, both large and small, can be detcrmined conveniently and accurately without the use of X-ray apparatus. This seems to be appreciated by so few metallurgists that it may be useful to explain in detail the method we have found most satisfactory in the laboratory—the reflection of light from crystallographie etch pits. This note includes a description of a suitable inexpensive instrument and instructions for etching various metals and for plotting the data. As the stereographie projection is used to facilitate handling the data, this note may he considered as an appendix to an earlier review of the metallurgical uses of the stercographie projection.' Various methods involving etch pits have been used by other investigators. Bridgman's method2 consists of attaching the specimen to a sphere (a transparent sphere is convenient4 , holding it at arm's length, and marking a spot on it when it has been turned so that the eteh pits reflect light into the eye of the observer from a lamp standing behind him. It has an accuracy of about 2" and is extrernely rapid. A greater accuracy can be obtained by having the reflected light fall on a screen, as has been done by Czochralski,5 Chalmers,6 and Schubnikov.7 All of these methods have been intended for undeformed single crystals. Tammann and his coworkers3,8 developed a method for estimating the number of grains in a polyerystalline aggregate having orientations in a given region of the stereographic triangle and thus obtained statistical information about deformation and reerystallization textures. While the method has had some use in recent years,9 it is not applicable to the majority of problems in physical metallurgy. Smith and Mehl10 determined orientations by plotting the directions of the sides of individual etch pits on a stereographic projection. The accuracy is limited to about 3" and the method requires careful polishing and high magnification.

Jan 1, 1940

Air-sand Process of Cleaning Coal Discussion of paper by THOMAS FRASER and H. F. YANCEY, presented at the New York Meeting, 1926, and issued, as Pamphlet No. 1561-F, with MINING AND METALLURGY, February, 1926. T. DEVENNY, Edgarton, W. Va.-How near the size of the sand can the coal to be treated be brought? Do you use an 8-mesh coal on that cleaner? J. J. RUTLEDGE, Baltimore, Md.-From the little I have seen of the apparatus in operation, I should say 8-mesh. In my experience in metalmine concentration work, trying to separate different minerals on one jig, sometimes I have succeeded and sometimes not. This apparatus has appealed to me; something of this kind should be useful with the silicates and carbonates of zinc. I think this apparatus has possibilities in metal mining. Recently in our coal field a screen has been introduced for cleaning coal; it is giving excellent service. When I asked the inventor why he did not take it to the metal mines, he said there was a good and sufficient reason, in a patent way. There may be reasons why it would not be applicable for metal mining; but the simplicity of it appeals to me and I cannot see why it could not be so used. T. FRASER (written discussion).-We feel that 8-mesh would be about -the minimum size of coal practicable to treat by the air-sand process. This would depend partly upon the friability of the coal. The more nearly the lower size limits of the coal- approaches the size of the sand, the more .time will be required in screening the sand out of the cleaned coal, which would mean a little more chance of breakage. In regard to the treatment of ores; this would necessitate the use of some heavier mediums than ordinary silica sand, or some other means of making the separation at a higher specific gravity than is required for coal. We are now working on a method of obtaining this effect for the preparation of anthracite coal without resorting to the use of heavier and more expensive material than common sand.

Jan 1, 1927

By W. F. White, W. R. Beloff, B. C. Dorwart, G. W. Jaworski

INTRODUCTION The rigid inclusion stressmeter is a relatively low-cost instrument developed by Hawkes and Bailey (1973) and was originally intended to monitor stress changes in mine pillars subjected to uniaxial stress changes. In this regard, this instrument has found considerable use by the mining industry. More recently, there have been attempts to use the stressmeter for determination of more general changes of the in situ rock stress. This paper reports on a study to characterize the performance of the rigid inclusion stressmeter for this application and presents results on the effect of anisotropic stress changes. These stress changes must be accounted for to properly analyze general changes of the in situ rock stress. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The rigid inclusion stressmeter is an instrument designed to measure variations of the in situ stress around a borehole. The stressmeter studied in this work, is manufactured by Irad Gage, Div. Creare Products, Inc. Lebanon, New Hampshire. It consists of a stiff hollow steel gage body that is preloaded across a borehole diameter. The preloading is activated by sliding a wedge between an upper platen and the gage body. Changes in the in situ stress result in slight deformations of the gage body. These deformations affect the stress in a highly tensioned wire that

Jan 1, 1982

By F. F. Aplan

INTRODUCTION The production of coal is a major part of the mining industry. In recent years the production of clean coal has exceeded 600 million tons per year and is reported to have reached 660 million tons in 1977. Some data on the magnitude and utilization for the year 1975 is given in Table I. In that year 648 million tons of soft coal were produced and of this 267 million tons or 41% approximately was produced by mechanical cleaning. Of the 374 million tons of raw coal sent to the preparation plant, 28.6% or 107 million tons was discarded as refuse. In the same year approximately 6 million tons of anthracite were produced and nearly all of this was cleaned. Table I also gives coal utilization statistics for 1975. Excluding the approximately 20% that goes to the coke ovens or to export, the vast bulk of our production is used for steam power generation and a lesser amount for captive production of industrial power and process steam. While much of the nation's coal (e.g. strip mined western, sub-bituminous coal) may be removed from the ground in relatively pure form by modest selective mining techniques, other coal requires preparation in order to remove ash and sulfur constituents and produce an acceptable steam or coking coal. Preparation is often a valuable adjunct to mining in that rather non-selective, low cost, bulk mining techniques may be used underground while the preparation plant is used to reject refuse at low cost above ground. The principal reason for the use of coal preparation is to convert raw coal into an acceptable commercial product by removing the high ash and high sulfur refuse material.

Jan 1, 1979