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By Mark Malamphy

DURING the latter part of the year 1932, the Servico Geologico e Mineralogico do Brasil ordered four magnetic field balances with tem-perature-compensated magnetic systems and a photographic recording apparatus for the registration of the diurnal variation. These instru-ments were delivered during the early part of the year 1933 and a short time later were taken to Santa Catherina for use in the field. Before the field work was begun, a series of experiments was carried out to determine the behavior of these new instruments under existing field conditions. The recording instruments were mounted in an under-ground chamber and their sensitivities checked by means of a Helmholtz coil. The field instruments were then mounted at fixed stations and readings were taken to determine the diurnal variation and compare it with the photographic records. The data obtained with the horizontal field balances were concordant but that obtained with the vertical component instruments showed a considerable divergence. This divergence was of such a magnitude that it was necessary to spend considerable time in determining its cause and finding a means of improving the functioning of the instruments. This paper presents the results of our observations on these systems and the conclusions at which we arrived; also the means we took to partly elimi-nate the difficulty until new systems could be ordered from Germany.

Jan 1, 1935

By Clarence Zener

It is customary to regard the stress-strain relation as consisting of two parts, thc elastic region and the plastic region. The essential attribute of the plastic region is the presence of a permanent set, which remains upon removal of all stresses. The essential attribute of the elastic region is the absence of such a permanent set. Absence of a permanent set does not imply a linear relation between stress and strain, nor even a single valued relation. In fact, in no real metal is stress a single valued function of strain in the elastic region. The property of a solid in virtue of which stress and strain are not uniquely related in the elastic range will be called "anelasticity." The purpose of the present article is to review and correlate the past work upon the anelasticity of metals. The following paper by W. A. West124 describes investigations upon anelastic properties of iron. Many manifestations of anelasticity have been observed, the first as early as 1835 by Weber.l,2 In his experiments Weber subjected a specimen to a constant load (or deformation) for a given time, and then suddenly removed the load. He observed that most of the deformation suddenly disappeared, but that there remained a residual deformation, which disappeared only gradually with time, as is illustrated in Fig. I. The occurrence of a residual deformation which only gradually disappeared, Weber called the elastic after-effect (Elastische Nackwir-kung). An extensive review of the early work upon elastic after-effects has been given by Auerbach.3 Another manifestation of anelasticity is the dependence of the elastic constants---e.g., Young's modulus— upon the method of measurement. Thus, if dynamic methods are used, the measured value will depend upon the frequency of oscillation. Still another manifestation is dissipation of energy attending vibration, called damping or internal friction. One objective. of metallurgical science is the understanding of the plastic and fracture properties of metals in terms of their microstructure. Through such an understanding will come the ability to design microstructure to give the desired mechanical properties. A study of anelasticity will furnish an invaluable aid in the attainment of this objective. Such studies, when properly guided, yield information regarding the relation between stress and strain in the individual components of the microstructure. In order, however, that this type of information may be obtained, it is necessary that the experimental studies of anelasticity be interpreted by the appropriate mathematical analysis. This article, therefore, starts with the mathematical formulation of anelasticity.

Jan 1, 1947

By Clarence Zener

It is customary to regard the stress-strain relation as consisting of two parts, thc elastic region and the plastic region. The essential attribute of the plastic region is the presence of a permanent set, which remains upon removal of all stresses. The essential attribute of the elastic region is the absence of such a permanent set. Absence of a permanent set does not imply a linear relation between stress and strain, nor even a single valued relation. In fact, in no real metal is stress a single valued function of strain in the elastic region. The property of a solid in virtue of which stress and strain are not uniquely related in the elastic range will be called "anelasticity." The purpose of the present article is to review and correlate the past work upon the anelasticity of metals. The following paper by W. A. West124 describes investigations upon anelastic properties of iron. Many manifestations of anelasticity have been observed, the first as early as 1835 by Weber.l,2 In his experiments Weber subjected a specimen to a constant load (or deformation) for a given time, and then suddenly removed the load. He observed that most of the deformation suddenly disappeared, but that there remained a residual deformation, which disappeared only gradually with time, as is illustrated in Fig. I. The occurrence of a residual deformation which only gradually disappeared, Weber called the elastic after-effect (Elastische Nackwir-kung). An extensive review of the early work upon elastic after-effects has been given by Auerbach.3 Another manifestation of anelasticity is the dependence of the elastic constants---e.g., Young's modulus— upon the method of measurement. Thus, if dynamic methods are used, the measured value will depend upon the frequency of oscillation. Still another manifestation is dissipation of energy attending vibration, called damping or internal friction. One objective. of metallurgical science is the understanding of the plastic and fracture properties of metals in terms of their microstructure. Through such an understanding will come the ability to design microstructure to give the desired mechanical properties. A study of anelasticity will furnish an invaluable aid in the attainment of this objective. Such studies, when properly guided, yield information regarding the relation between stress and strain in the individual components of the microstructure. In order, however, that this type of information may be obtained, it is necessary that the experimental studies of anelasticity be interpreted by the appropriate mathematical analysis. This article, therefore, starts with the mathematical formulation of anelasticity.

Jan 1, 1947

By John L. Boardman

BECAUSE of the attention that has re¬cently been given to the health and safety of miners by various organizations such as the A.I.M.E., The American Congress, Mining Section, National Safety Council, as well as the Bureau of Mines and various state mining departments, your committee on health and safety deemed it best to call attention this year to the mine-accident cause that is by far the most important; namely, injuries due to falls of ground, rock, roof and coal. Each of several members of the committee contributed a brief outline of the importance of this accident cause in his district. While these papers were brief, it would require too much time and space to give them in full, therefore we present an outline of each and summation of all. REPORT OF M. D. COOPER, HILLMAN COAL AND COKE CO. M. D. Cooper, Division superintendent, Hillman Coal and Coke Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., contributed the following: During the period from 1930 to 1939, accidents from falls of roof in bituminous mines average 54.3 per cent of all accidents. In mechanized mining, there is a tendency toward reduction in this class of accidents because the operator of the machine is usually at a distance of 10 to 20 ft. from the face, whereas. in hand loading the miner is close to the face during most of the shift. No doubt the use of aluminum and light steel beams supported at regular intervals by jacks, a common practice in mechanical mining, has contributed to the favorable record so far developed. REPORT OF M. H. FIES, DE BARDELEBEN COAL CORPORATION Milton H. Fies, Vice-President, DeBardeleben Coal Corporation, Birmingham, Ala., says: With reference to the types of mining, it is suggested that a clear understanding be had as to the character and thickness of the directly overlying strata, with especial consideration to the strength and in some cases an analysis of it. In coal mining, generally speaking, overlying strata higher in silica than others is stronger. In changing from narrow to wide places, the procedure should be experimental, both as to the width and depth of places and as to the nature of the necessary timbering. Since most of the accidents in coal mining particularly are due to falls of roof and coal, this phase of mining should be attacked with vigor. There is no substitute for discipline and, in this connection, under present conditions it is important that cooperation by the labor organizations be sought and that a spirit of fairness prevail. Frequent and thorough inspection of all active working places should be made.

Jan 1, 1941

By John L. Boardman

BECAUSE of the attention that has recently been given to the health and safety of miners by various organizations such as the A.I.M.E., The American Congress, Mining Section, National Safety Council, as well as the Bureau of Mines and various state mining departments, your committee on health and safety deemed it best to call attention this year to the mine-accident cause that is by far the most important; namely, injuries due to falls of ground, rock, roof and coal. Each of several members of the committee contributed a brief outline of the importance of this accident cause in his district. While these papers were brief, it would require too much time and space to give them in full, therefore we present an outline of each and summation of all. REPORT OF M. D. COOPER, HILLMAN COAL AND COKE CO. M. D. Cooper, Division superintendent, Hillman Coal and Coke Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., contributed the following: During the period from 1930 to 1939. accidents from falls of roof in bituminous mines average 54.3 per cent of all accidents. In mechanized mining, there is a tendency toward reduction in this class of accidents because the operator of the machine is usually at a distance of 10 to 20 ft. from the face, whereas in hand loading the miner is close to the face during most of the shift. No doubt the use of aluminum and light steel beams supported at regular intervals by jacks, a common practice in mechanical mining, has contributed to the favorable record so far developed. REPORT OF M. H. FIES, DE BARDELEBEN COAL CORPORATION Milton H. Fies, Vice-President, DeBardeleben Coal Corporation, Birmingham, Ala., says: With reference to the types of mining, it is suggested that a clear understanding be had as to the character and thickness of the directly overlying strata, with especial consideration to the strength and in some cases an analysis of it. In coal mining, generally speaking, overlying strata higher in silica than others is stronger. In changing from narrow to wide places, the procedure should be experimental, both as to the width and depth of places and as to the nature of the necessary timbering. Since most of the accidents in coal mining particularly are due to falls of roof and coal, this phase of mining should be attacked with vigor There is no substitute for discipline and, in this connection, under present conditions it is important that cooperation by the labor organizations be sought and that a spirit of fairness prevail. Frequent and thorough inspection of all active working places should be made.

Jan 1, 1941

By J. M. Callow

HISTORICAL SKETCH THE selective action of oils for lustrous minerals was first disclosed by Haynes in 1860. In 1885, Miss Carrie Everson elaborated this idea and also disclosed the fact that acid increased the. so-called selective action. Her patent called for oils, either animal, vegetable or mineral, also for an acid or salt. The process was tried out on a practical scale in Baker City and Leadville, in 1889, and failed: first, because,, as has since been shown, of the unsuitability of the ore to flotation; and second, because the invention was too far in advance of the times. Then followed the Elmore brothers, first with their bulk oil processes and later with their vacuum method. The basic principles of oil flotation were undoubtedly covered by the above inventors, the work done since their time being merely a building up on ground work laid by them. Different kinds of oil, different quantities of oil, and all the varying degrees of agitation, were all exemplified and practiced by them in one phase or another, and the developments that have since been made are but elaborations of the fundamental principles laid down by Haynes, Everson, and the Elmore brothers. In 1902, the Potter-Delprat process was developed in Australia. In this process no oil was used, the mineral being raised by the generation of gas, brought about by the introduction of acid into the pulp. The mineral particles appeared on the surface of the separatory vessel, in the form of a scum or froth, buoyed up-by minute gas bubbles attached to them. This no doubt first gave the suggestion of gaseous flotation. In 1902, also, Fromont, an Italian, was granted a patent in which. he combined violent agitation with oil and gaseous flotation, the gas being generated within the pulp, in much the same way as in the Potter-Delprat process.

Jan 12, 1915

By David Mandolesi

An examination has been made of the structures of strand cast blooms and the rails rolled from them; this paper details the characteristics of these typical structures. Results of mechanical testing data show that this product compares with rails processed from conventional ingot steel. Improvement in processing yields and surface quality standards are also briefly discussed.

Jan 1, 1972

By E. DeGoyler

The Furbero oil field lies in the Gulf coastal plain of Mexico between the important ports of Tampico and Vera Cruz and about one-third of the distance between the two points from the latter (Lat. 20" 22' N., 97" 30' W. Gren.). It is in the State of Vera Cruz, about 14 miles west by south of the village of Papantla in the canton of the same name, and is the most southern of the developed oil fields of the Tampico-Tuxpam region being a distance of 50 miles south by east from the Potrero del Llano field and 42 miles in the same direction from the Alamo field. The field has been developed by the Oil Fields of Mexico Co. and is in the midst of a large block of lands owned or leased by them. Communication is through the port of Tuxpam with which it is connected by a narrow-gauge railway and 6-in. pipe line some 52 miles in length. This field is of more than ordinary interest since it represents a type of oil deposit hitherto unknown. So far as I am aware, no other commercially valuable deposit of oil is known to occur under conditions of accumulation similar to those found here. The igneous nature of the so-called 'sand' encountered in drilling was not recognized until a number of wells had been drilled; and it was not until recently that the geological relations of the sill or laccolith, which gives rise to the accumulation of oil, were known and the so-called 'anticline' was known to be, in part at least, the result of igneous intrusion. Geological surveys in this general region were made in 1900-1901 by W. H. Dalton and in 1907-1909 by P. C. A. Stewart, F. W. Moon, Leonard V. Dalton, and Dr. Max Muhlberg. More recent surveys have been made, however, under the direction of the author, by E. L. Ickes, B. C. Belt, B. Hartley, and Harve Loomis. Notes of the earlier examinations were not available with the exception of the report by Dr. Muhlberg who apparently first recognized the true nature of the Furbero intrusion. This paper is indebted to his work and that of the more recent surveys for much of the detail regarding stratigraphy and to Messrs. Percy Furber and Arthur C. Payne, President and General Manager of the Oil Fields of Mexico Go. for permission to publish, and for much of the in-

Jan 1, 1916

By Jacques B. Wertz

Among the parameters to be considered in the continuous search for new base-metal deposits, there often is a stratigraphic controlling factor that seems instrumental in the localization of ore. In British Columbia, for instance, the Upper Triassic as well as Lower Jurassic volcanics mixed with sediments are a useful indication in the search for copper while, in some parts of Australia, rhyolite bodies seem to be the favorable indicator, and this always within the geosynclinal environment. In Arizona, this stratigraphic factor becomes highly significant and it will be shown here that a large number of ore deposits are to be located around the flanks of ancient calcareous basins or depressions, preferentially corresponding to a certain optimum thickness as revealed by isopachs. The Martin limestone, of Devonian age, is already known for its basal O'Carroll bed which coincides with mineralization at places, and this is a relatively minor control. However, several limestone basins outlined by isopachs are in reality of greater importance as they localize mining districts. Indeed, most mines are found to coincide with a specific thickness of limestone while occurring simultaneously close to major, regional fracture intersections. The regional fractures in question were interpolated and extrapolated from known, important fault expressions, integrating quite well with the existing geology and further confirmed by minor criteria such as contacts, igneous plugs, axes of elongation of batholiths, dikes, etc. Although elements of subjectivity remain, this grid of fractures can be used quite successfully as a working hypothesis in the search for ore. Results of the present study which superposes major structural

Jan 1, 1971

By AIME

Annual production of more than 4,000,000 tons of 0.74 percent copper ore and coincident handling of over 5,000,000 tons of waste at the open-pit mine of Castle Dome Copper Co. near Miami, Ariz. takes a lot of power. Manufacturers have ever co-operated with mining companies in providing the required equipment to suit the problem. Power equipment suppliers have done much to make possible the economic and profitable production of copper from low-grade ores. In the future, as mining operations will necessarily handle even lower-grade ores, the ability of the manufacturer to supply the power and mechanical equipment to produce more metal at a fair and reasonable price will be the good right arm of the miner. About 27,000 tons of concentrate is produced from the 4,000,000 tons of ore.

Jan 1, 1948

By John W. Rushton

What role does maintenance play in the design of a new mineral processing facility? Consider the fact that most new plants never reach design capacity the first year-or the second, third, or fourth years. The fact is, according to data collected from several plants which have started up in the last ten years, mill throughput and equipment availability doesn't peak, on the average, until the fifth year.

Jan 3, 1978

By W. C. Lilliendahl, G. Meister

Uranium metal with a purity of about 99.9 pct was produced on a large scale by fused salt electrolysis with a material efficiency of about 90 pct. The material efficiency depends mainly on bath composition, electrolysis temperature, electrode smothering, and elutriation during washing of the powder. RESEARCH and development work on fused salt electrolysis carried on by the Westinghouse Lamp Div. Bloomfield, N. J., was done under the Manhattan District Corps of Engineers and later under the Atomic Energy Commission for the commercialization of uranium production for the first atomic pile at the University of Chicago in 1942. From the conception of the atomic bomb project it was recognized that metals with impurity levels having little metallurgical significance would be required. Permissible impurity levels were based on neutron absorption. Of particular significance was boron, which could not be present in amounts exceeding 1 ppm. The electrolytic method as developed in 1930 by Driggs and Lilliendahl,1,2 and later improved, yielded uranium of very low boron and other deleterious impurity content. No other method was capable at that time of producing uranium metal of the required purity.' The low boron content of uranium produced by the electrolytic process resulted from the availability of the reactants which were low in boron content, and from the inherent elimination of boron in the fused salt bath. Since the heart of any electrolytic process is the electrolysis cell, this paper will deal with the development of the original bath composition for the efficient production of uranium from a batch process to one of continuous operation. Emphasis also will be placed on other factors which will affect the material efficiency of the process. With the laboratory cell the material efficiency of uranium powder recovery in the early electrolysis was relatively low, about 35 pct based on the ratio of uranium recovered to uranium added. This early process also had other defects. The electro- lytic bath could not be used continuously. After three runs from a freshly charged crucible, the deposit showed a tendency to slip off the electrode as it was raised from the bath. This condition necessitated pouring the charge every fourth run and preparing a new bath. It was assumed at that time that this condition was caused by the increasing fluoride concentration with each addition of uranium salt, which adected the mobility of the uranium ions. Experimental The electrolysis cells differed in size only. They were of the floating cathode type. The laboratory cells were 21/2 in. ID and 6 in. deep and operated at 30 amp and 5 volts. Production was about 150 g metal powder per 8 hr. The plant cells (5 units) were 9 in. ID x 21 in. deep and operated at 1800 amp at 12 volts. The total production unit was designed to produce 250 lb of uranium powder per 8 hr day. Because of the tendency of uranium fines toward spontaneous combustion, material efficiencies were based only on the recovery of useful coarser metal which could be safely handled. The reported efficiencies are of particular significance only as related to the same group of experimental procedures. At the start of the project no changes were contemplated until previous data could be definitely confirmed. Therefore, the first experiments were with the 50 pct CaCl2-50 pct NaCl mixture. The material efficiency of uranium deposition as a function of the number of electrolyses is shown in Table I. In Table I, the decrease in efficiency at 800°C with number of runs is apparent and confirmed the earlier data. Operating at 900°C enabled the number of runs to be doubled, but before pouring the charge the efficiency of recovery became poor. This test indicated that the improved efficiency might have been caused by an increase in the fluidity of the bath.

Jan 1, 1958

By D. P. Seraphim

Single crystals of bee Li-Mg solid solution were grown and their internal friction was measured as a function of temperature, A peak of the Zener type was found in the damping spectrum. The activation energy for the relaxation process is 21.5 ± 1 kcal per mole and the frequency factor is 1015.7 ± 0.7 sec-1. ZENER internal-friction peaks which are observed for a wide range of solid solutions are attributed to stress-induced changes in local order.' In the present work a Zener internal-friction peak, the first reported for a solid solution of an alkali metal, is

Jan 1, 1961

By Robert T. Chapman

The revolution in equipment for blasthole drilling, ore loading, and ore hauling has been so rapid over the last ten years that it has generated an important new profit potential in the mining industry. With the new high-capacity machinery now available, it is possible for a mining enterprise to earn a profit from larger and lower grade orebodies than ever before despite the ever-increasing burden of rising costs. Just what such equipment can accomplish when coupled with improved mining practice has been demonstrated with startling success at the No. 1 mine of Minerva Oil Co. near Cave-in-Rock in Hardin County, Ill. The No. 1 is an underground operation which has been producing fluorspar and zinc ores and concentrates continuously since 1944. A few years ago, when the mine neared the familiar cross-roads where rising costs, increasing tonnages, and relatively static product prices converge, company officials decided to bolster the operation with new mobile equipment. They chose three machines which proved so effective that output at the No. 1 doubled between 1963 and 1965,while costs dropped by about 40% in the same period.

Jan 11, 1966

By Waldemar Lindgren

The following pages present data accepted by many geochemists and geologists regarding the succession of minerals and the temperatures of formation in ore deposits affiliated with igneous rocks. They also present the individual views of the author on the composition of the solutions that were active and on the mode of deposition. He does not regard these views as speculations or hypotheses but as forming a well motivated and consistent theory. It is not certain, however, that all investigators will subscribe to them. Introduction The mining engineer may not always be interested in the field of stability and temperature of origin in the mineralogy of ore deposits, but he certainly is interested in the succession of minerals because this has a definite bearing on the understanding of the ores and on the best processes of extraction. It is proposed, therefore, to summarize in plain language the principal features of succession as shown in metallic ores. Chemical analyses of ores are always important, but the real knowledge of succession—sometimes called paragenesis-—of ores has been gained only in the last 20 years, by the study of polished sections. The study of hand specimens threw much light on the subject—as shown, for instance, by Breithaupt, whose "Paragenesis," written a hundred years ago, is still useful—but the results have been modified by our slowly gained understanding of the processes of replacement. Indications of Temperature Melting Points.—In the first place, a distinction must be made as to whether the ore is a product of magmatic consolidation, of pegmatitiza-tion or of hydrothermal activity. Most of the ores fall in the latter class. In any case, the melting points, although of importance, are not definite indications. In a magma the oxides and sulfides are likely to be among the earliest crystalline products (magnetite, ilmenite, zircon, corundum,

Jan 1, 1937

By A. F. Henderson, C. F. Cornell, A. F. Dunyon, D. A. Dahlstrom

Ossi E. Palasvirta (Development Engineer, Oliver Iron Mining Diu., U. S. Steel Gorp.)—The authors are to be congratulated for their interesting article, which thoroughly illustrates the variables inherent in filtration of taconite concentrate. The work and the conclusions based thereon largely parallel the test work done by the writer at the Pilotac plant" and the experience gained with a commercial size agitating disk filter in the same plant. At Pilotac, however, a thorough study was also made of the effect of depolarizing (demagnetizing) the filter feed, and it is the purpose of this discussion to comment on the merits of depolarization of the magnetite concentrate prior to filtering. The work at Pilotac was done in three phases: 1) preliminary laboratory testing with a circular filter leaf of 0.047 sq ft, followed by 2) plant testing using a 4-ft diam, single-disk agitating filter that was purchased on the basis of the pilot tests on the 4-ft model. In the laboratory tests depolarization was achieved by slowly withdrawing' batches of thickened concentrate from a coil producing an alternating field of about 300 oersteds. In plant tests the standard Pilotac procedure' was employed, wherein the pulp falls freely through the depolarizing coil. The preliminary tests in the laboratory at first seemed to indicate that although depolarization of the filter feed decreases the cake moisture, it also tends to decrease the thickness of the cake, thus decreasing filtering rate. The tests with the 4-ft disk filter soon showed, however, that the compactness of the cake, attained during the form period because of depolarization, permitted a considerable decrease in drying time without any sacrifice in final moisture content. Thus, the filter could be operated at a much higher speed, and the overall capacity was higher than with magnetized feed. Because of the great compactness of the cake there was little shrinkage during the drying period, which prevented cracking and subsequent loss in vacuum. This in turn permitted operation with as thick a feed pulp as the diaphragm pumps could handle, eliminating the necessity of pulp density control. On the basis of these findings, the 6-ft agitating disk filter has been operated at 2 rpm, using feed pulps varying from 65 to 73 pct solids. Initially Saran 601 was used as medium, but it was later replaced with a relatively open, tight-twist nylon cloth. Filtering rates up to 750 lb per ft- er hr can be attained with feeds averaging about 70 pct- 270 mesh, and there is no trouble because of cracking. The cake moistures vary between 8.5 and 9.5 pct. To recapitulate, the merits of depolarizing the filter feed may be summed up as follows: 1) The well dispersed pulp shows less tendency to settle in the filter tank. 2) The homogeneous filter pool results in more even cake formation. 3) Because of absence of flocs, great compactness of cake is attained during the form period. 4) The cake does not tend to crack during the drying period. 5) A drier cake is produced. 6) A shorter drying period is necessary, permitting higher operating speed, which in turn results in increased capacity. 7) Density of the feed pulp can be kept as high as the equipment can handle. This increases capacity, since it is directly proportional to the percentage of solids in the pool. A few tests were also made to study the effect of chemical flocculants on filtration efficiency. Results showed that the effects of chemical and magnetic floc-culation were quite similar. Thus the use of a floccu-lant would impair rather than improve the filtering of magnetite concentrate. A. F. Henderson, C. F. Cornell, A. F. Dunyon and D. A. Dahlstrom (authors' reply)—We want to thank O. E. Palasvirta for his comments, particularly in view of the encouraging results obtained with demagnetized taconite concentrate. In our studies an attempt was made to evaluate the effects of depolarizing the feed to the plant filters by passing the slurry through a coil, similar to the method described by Palasvirta. Unfortunately, in our experiments there were no startling improvements in performance level, neither cake rate increase nor cake moisture reduction. However, when slow filter cycle speeds were employed, the filter cake tended to crack and the vacuum level dropped, resulting in an increase in cake moisture content. When demagnetized feed was used during slow speeds, no cake cracking was evidenced and the vacuum level remained constant. Thus the depolarizing coil was found necessary only in cases of cracking. It should be noted that most of our test work concerned a feed of 85 to 90 pct —335 mesh and about 60 pct by weight solids concentration. This contrasts with 70 pct —270 mesh and 65 to 73 pct by weight solids as noted by Palasvirta. Reviewing both sets of results, it might be concluded that depolarizing may be successfully employed to alleviate cake cracking tendencies and may markedly improve cake rates and moistures on the coarser taconite concentrates. Further investigations may disclose the exact relationship of grind and pulp density to the depolarizing action.

Jan 1, 1959

By R. T. DeHoff, L. J. Buteau, J. Kronsbein

Network topology is introduced and used to describe sinter bodies at various stages of the sintering process. The matrices of incidence, loop-branch. tree-branch, and cut-branch are constructed and their relationship to the three-dimensional void space and the common two-dimensional bounding surface is established. The sintering body is assunzed to remain connected but this is not so with the void space. The topological invariants known as Betti numbers are related to this observed fact and provide parameters which measure the progress of the sintering process. They are extracted from the matrices by means of known algebraic operations. Experimental procedures are given which permit actual construction of the various matrices and determination of the Betti numbers by serial sectioning of the sinter bodies. A sinter body is produced by exposing a large number of metallic particles (0.00001 to 0.3 in. diam) to a temperature that is near but below their melting point. When these particles are maintained at such a temperature for a sufficient length of time, it is found that the interparticle contacts become welded. As time increases, these welds, often referred to as necks, grow. All of the space between the particles constitutes a single connected void; an ultimate consequence of sintering is the breaking up of the void into separated parts. A mathematical apparatus for describing the geometric characteristics of a sinter body at each stage of the process was first proposed by F. N. Rhinesl when he introduced the application of topology to this problem. He described the sinter body in terms of one of its topological invariants, the genus. The most important advantage of a topological description is invariance with respect to continuous deformations. This means that particle sizes and shapes need not be considered, resulting in considerable simplification and generalization of the geometric description. In the case of a sinter body, wherein the internal geometry is particularly complex, the simplification provided by topological concepts is absolutely essential. The important parameters in the Rhines model are the number of particles and the interparticle contacts. The invariant considered called genus is given by Euler's formula for the connectivity of two-dimensional surface of the sinter body. This surface includes the pore-solid interface. The Euler formula is G = C - P + 1 [1] where C = number of interparticle contacts, P = number of particles, and G = genus of the surface bounding the sinter body. In topology the term genus may be used to mean the number of self re-entrant cuts that can be made on a closed surface without dissecting it into more than one connected surface. Its use is restricted to the surface and does not apply to the three-dimensional volume enclosed or excluded by it. In the case of sintering, the volume enclosed by the surface is defined as the sinter body; the volume excluded will be referred to as the void space. There is an intrinsic reason for using genus as a characteristic number associated with a sinter body. The genus is related to the Gaussian curvature by the integral of the product of the principal curvatures taken over the entire surface of the sinter body, as given by

Jan 1, 1965

By Ralph Arnold

Since 1915, when Elk Basin field was brought in, eight oil fields have been developed in Montana and the production has arisen from 50,000 bbl. in 1916 to 8,000,000 bbl. in 1926. The production for 1927 was 5,121,600 bbl. and the total up to the end of 1927 was 27,138,239 barrels. The eight fields, with their year of discovery are: Elk Basin, Carbon County (1915); Devil's Basin, Petroleum County (1919); Cat Creek, Petroleum County (1920); Soap Creek, Big Horn County (1921); Kevin-Sunburst, Toole County (1922); Lake Basin, Stillwater County (1924); Pondera, Pondera and Teton counties (1927); and Bannatyne, Pondera and Teton counties (1927). About 170 wildcat wells have been drilled in the state of which 8 were successful and 162 gas wells or dry. Hence, only one out of 21, or 5 per cent. of the wildcats have been successful. The average depth of the wells has been 1600 ft. and the average cost $32,000 apiece. • Up to Jan. 1, 1927, a total of 1376 wells have been drilled in the producing oil and gas fields of the state, of which 904, or 66 per cent., were successful oil wells; 82, or 6 per cent. were gas; and 390, or 28 per cent, were dry. The percentage of dry wells is excessive as compared to the wells in other states, due to the uncertainties of limestone reservoir rocks. The total production of oil to Jan. 1, 1927, has been 22,016,639 bbl. and of gas 7,265,330,000 cu. ft. The average price at the well for the oil has been $1.47 per bbl. and for gas about 4 c. per 1000 cu. ft. The value at the point of consumption has been about 23 c. per 1000 cu. ft. The total revenue derived from crude oil has been $32,277,119, and from gas 8350,613, or a total income to the producer of $32,727,832. Each well drilled in the state has already (to Jan. 1, 1927) averaged a return of over $21,000. The total number of domestic (Montana) oil and gas companies organized, since the first in 1885, has been 844, of which 702 are still alive and 142 dead. Oil and gas companies registered for operation within the state to Jan. 1, 1927, but with outside charters, are 143, of which 66 are alive and 77 are dead. Outside the few distributing companies, which are included in these figures, the grand total of 997 companies which have

Jan 1, 1928

By John L. Boardman

Because of the attention that has recently been given to the health and safety of miners by various organizations such as the A.I.M.E., The American Congress, Mining Section, National Safety Council, as well as the Bureau of Mines and various state mining departments, your committee on health and safety deemed it best to call attention this year to the mine-accident cause that is by far the most important; namely, injuries due to falls of ground, rock, roof and coal. Each of several members of the committee contributed a brief outline of the importance of this accident cause in his district. While these papers were brief, it would require too much time and space to give them in full, therefore we present an outline of each and summation of all. Report of M. D. Cooper, Hillman Coal and Coke Co. M. D. Cooper, Division superintendent, Hillman Coal and Coke Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., contributed the following: During the period from 1930 to 1939, accidents from falls of roof in bituminous mines average 54.3 per cent of all accidents. In mechanized mining, there is a tendency toward reduction in this class of accidents because the operator of the machine is usually at a distance of 10 to 20 ft. from the face, whereas in hand load- ing the miner is close to the face during most of the shift. No doubt the use of aluminum and light steel beams supported at regular intervals by jacks, a common practice in mechanical mining, has contributed to the favorable record so far developed. Report of M. H. Fies, De Bardeleben Coal Corporation Milton H. Fies, Vice-President, DeBar-deleben Coal Corporation, Birmingham, Ala., says: With reference to the types of mining, it is suggested that a clear understanding be had as to the character and thickness of the directly overlying strata, with especial consideration to the strength and in some cases an analysis of it. In coal mining, generally speaking, overlying strata higher in silica than others is stronger. In changing from narrow to wide places, the procedure should be experimental, both as to the width and depth of places and as to the nature of the necessary timbering. Since most of the accidents in coal mining particularly are due to falls of roof and coal, this phase of mining should be attacked with vigor There is no substitute for discipline and, in this connection, under present conditions it is important that cooperation by the labor ornanizations- be sought and that a spirit of fairness prevail. Frequent and thorough inspection of all active working places should be made.

Jan 1, 1943

By John L. Boardman

Because of the attention that has recently been given to the health and safety of miners by various organizations such as the A.I.M.E., The American Congress, Mining Section, National Safety Council, as well as the Bureau of Mines and various state mining departments, your committee on health and safety deemed it best to call attention this year to the mine-accident cause that is by far the most important; namely, injuries due to falls of ground, rock, roof and coal. Each of several members of the committee contributed a brief outline of the importance of this accident cause in his district. While these papers were brief, it would require too much time and space to give them in full, therefore we present an outline of each and summation of all. Report of M. D. Cooper, Hillman Coal and Coke Co. M. D. Cooper, Division superintendent, Hillman Coal and Coke Co., Pittsburgh, Pa., contributed the following: During the period from 1930 to 1939, accidents from falls of roof in bituminous mines average 54.3 per cent of all accidents. In mechanized mining, there is a tendency toward reduction in this class of accidents because the operator of the machine is usually at a distance of 10 to 20 ft. from the face, whereas in hand load- ing the miner is close to the face during most of the shift. No doubt the use of aluminum and light steel beams supported at regular intervals by jacks, a common practice in mechanical mining, has contributed to the favorable record so far developed. Report of M. H. Fies, De Bardeleben Coal Corporation Milton H. Fies, Vice-President, DeBar-deleben Coal Corporation, Birmingham, Ala., says: With reference to the types of mining, it is suggested that a clear understanding be had as to the character and thickness of the directly overlying strata, with especial consideration to the strength and in some cases an analysis of it. In coal mining, generally speaking, overlying strata higher in silica than others is stronger. In changing from narrow to wide places, the procedure should be experimental, both as to the width and depth of places and as to the nature of the necessary timbering. Since most of the accidents in coal mining particularly are due to falls of roof and coal, this phase of mining should be attacked with vigor There is no substitute for discipline and, in this connection, under present conditions it is important that cooperation by the labor ornanizations- be sought and that a spirit of fairness prevail. Frequent and thorough inspection of all active working places should be made.

Jan 1, 1943