Search Documents

By Tuncel M. Yegulalp, Peter G. Zambas

In planning an underground room-and-pillar mine, the selection of the shaft or portal location and the orientation of the main haulage arteries is of paramount importance, particularly in view of the high dependence of the cost of truck haulage on the proper definition of these parameters. In an effort to facilitate this selection a computer program was written which, by relating the truck characteristics to the areal configuration of the property or ore body, derives the volume-weighted total fuel and time requirements for hauling ore from every panel within the property to a specified portal or shaft location through a predetermined gridwork of haulage drifts. By varying the size and orientation of the gridwork and the location of the portal or shaft access, an infinite number of configurations can be investigated. The results of this analysis can be plotted to indicate the optimum conditions.

Jan 1, 1974

By Aloys IL. Wollrab

The conditions that govern the selection of a suitable type of detachable bit for the small, isolated mine, for rock work and tunnel contracting and for the large mine are quite dissimilar, therefore intelligent recommendation of a particular make of detachable bit must involve consideration of many factors. Small, isolated mines may find advantageous a detachable bit that a larger mine cannot afford to use, because of more efficient conventional steel sharpening and steel-distribution practice, but a small mine may not be able to adopt the practice of large mines because of necessary capital expenditures for equipment for detachable-bit sharpening and . shanking. The perfect detachable bit, suitable for all conditions, has not yet been developed. Conventional Drill Bit in Use That drilling speed increases as the bit gauge decreases is well known, but since small-hole drilling is the exception rather than the rule the rate of such increase is probably not so generally recognized. Tests carried out by Holman Brothers Limited1 with 7/8-in. steel show that when bit sizes are reduced from I½ in., I3/8 in., and I3/16 in-; to I3/8 in., I1/4 in.., and I1/8 in., respectively, the volume of the hole is I 5 per cent less and the drilling speed 49 per cent higher. Recent tests by the United States Bureau of Mines2,3 in hard, uniform basalt showed that a reduction in average gauge from 2.077 to I,826 in., a difference of o.25I in., gave an increased drilling speed of 65 per cent. The limits to which a drill hole may be extended depend upon the loss in gauge. Since the conventional bit with 5° and 14° clearances did not possess sufficient reaming edge to permit the smaller gauge changes that were required for small-hole drilling, experiments were made in bit construction with a view to correcting this deficiency. This resulted in the adoption of the full reaming cross bit (having full Carr charac1erist.i~~) by some mines4 In order to drill holes having a minimum taper from the collar to the bottom of the hole, full reaming center-hole cross bits with 90° cutting angles, 5° and 14° wing tapers, forged on 7/8-in. quarter-octagon drill rods, are used in the conventional drill-steel practice at Hollinger. In the steel shop close attention is given to the condition of the dies and dollies, which, combined with a rigid inspection of the finished bit, ensures as nearly a perfect bit as call be forged economically. Shop practices and costs have been discussed in earlier paper.5,6 The method by which the radii for the special dies used for forging bits of different gauge diameter are obtained so that the points and reaming edges cut circles of the same diameter has been discussed by Hibbert. Requiremnts for Detachable. Bit for Hollinger Under these it it was appar- ent that it would be difficult to introduce a detachable bit that could successfully compete with the conventional bit already in

Jan 1, 1943

By Aloys IL. Wollrab

The conditions that govern the selection of a suitable type of detachable bit for the small, isolated mine, for rock work and tunnel contracting and for the large mine are quite dissimilar, therefore intelligent recommendation of a particular make of detachable bit must involve consideration of many factors. Small, isolated mines may find advantageous a detachable bit that a larger mine cannot afford to use, because of more efficient conventional steel sharpening and steel-distribution practice, but a small mine may not be able to adopt the practice of large mines because of necessary capital expenditures for equipment for detachable-bit sharpening and . shanking. The perfect detachable bit, suitable for all conditions, has not yet been developed. Conventional Drill Bit in Use That drilling speed increases as the bit gauge decreases is well known, but since small-hole drilling is the exception rather than the rule the rate of such increase is probably not so generally recognized. Tests carried out by Holman Brothers Limited1 with 7/8-in. steel show that when bit sizes are reduced from I½ in., I3/8 in., and I3/16 in-; to I3/8 in., I1/4 in.., and I1/8 in., respectively, the volume of the hole is I 5 per cent less and the drilling speed 49 per cent higher. Recent tests by the United States Bureau of Mines2,3 in hard, uniform basalt showed that a reduction in average gauge from 2.077 to I,826 in., a difference of o.25I in., gave an increased drilling speed of 65 per cent. The limits to which a drill hole may be extended depend upon the loss in gauge. Since the conventional bit with 5° and 14° clearances did not possess sufficient reaming edge to permit the smaller gauge changes that were required for small-hole drilling, experiments were made in bit construction with a view to correcting this deficiency. This resulted in the adoption of the full reaming cross bit (having full Carr charac1erist.i~~) by some mines4 In order to drill holes having a minimum taper from the collar to the bottom of the hole, full reaming center-hole cross bits with 90° cutting angles, 5° and 14° wing tapers, forged on 7/8-in. quarter-octagon drill rods, are used in the conventional drill-steel practice at Hollinger. In the steel shop close attention is given to the condition of the dies and dollies, which, combined with a rigid inspection of the finished bit, ensures as nearly a perfect bit as call be forged economically. Shop practices and costs have been discussed in earlier paper.5,6 The method by which the radii for the special dies used for forging bits of different gauge diameter are obtained so that the points and reaming edges cut circles of the same diameter has been discussed by Hibbert. Requiremnts for Detachable. Bit for Hollinger Under these it it was appar- ent that it would be difficult to introduce a detachable bit that could successfully compete with the conventional bit already in

Jan 1, 1943

By T. M Morris

THE rate of flotation of solid particles determines the percentage recovery of these particles which can be obtained during a given time interval. It is an established fact that the recovery is greatest in the fine sand size range and falls off on either side of this size range. It is also a fact that the history of the development of concentrating devices has been marked by a desire to recover the small particles: tables were developed to treat material too fine to recover in jigs; flotation recovers material too fine to be recovered on tables. As our ores become more complex and require finer grinding, a greater proportion is in the slow-floating size range. It is therefore of economic importance that the effect of size of particle upon rate of flotation be studied. Many studies have been made along this line. The present investigation attempts to quantify the rate of flotation by means of a rate equation, and then compares the effect of size upon the rate of flotation. It was found that the flotation rate constant increases with increase in diameter of particle in the size range smaller than the optimum size particle. The flotation rate constant decreases with an increase in diameter of particle in the size range coarser than the optimum size particle. This suggested two different actions taking place, and these are discussed. Suggestions for further work in order to improve the flotation rate of both fine and coarse particles are made. The usual method of expressing rate is to plot cumulative percent recovery vs time. If we knew the equation of this kind of curve we could replot it as a straight line, and the slope of the line would be an index of the magnitude of the flotation rate. It is easier to compare straight lines than curves. The basis used for obtaining the equation of the recovery vs time curve is the law of mass action. This law states that the "rate of a chemical reaction is proportional to the 'active masses' of the reacting substances present at any given time." This, of course, implies a constant temperature. We can modify this for our use by using the term flotation reaction instead of chemical reaction and the term floatable particle instead of active masses. dC Thus----— kc [1] where C denotes concentration of particles, t denotes time, k denotes a proportionality constant. If the exponent of C is 1, then we have a first order rate reaction. If the exponent of C is 2, then we have a second order rate reaction. For a first order rate reaction, we obtain, after integration, where k is again a proportionality constant and has the dimension of the reciprocal of time. C, is the original concentration or weight or percentage of floatable particles. C, is the concentration or weight or percentage of floatable particles remaining in the flotation cell after time t. If all particles of the mineral to be floated were capable of floating we could take C, as 100 and C, would be 100 - R, where R is the cumulative percentage recovery of mineral at time t. But it is not usual for all of the particles to be capable of floating, because of surface oxidation, etc. Therefore, we must introduce a factor x which is the percentage of un-floatable mineral. Hence the first order equation is It has been proposed by various workers1-' that this equation describes the flotation rate. More recently N. Arbiter4 states that a second order rate equation fits the recovery vs time curve more closely than does a first order rate equation. Morris- as discussed the evidence presented for this statement. It has been concluded that the first

Jan 1, 1953

By T. M. Morris

THE rate of flotation of solid particles determines the percentage recovery of these particles which can be obtained during a given time interval. It is an established fact that the recovery is greatest in the fine sand size range and falls off on either side of this size range. It is also a fact that the history of the development of concentrating devices has been marked by a desire to recover the small particles: tables were developed to treat material too fine to recover in jigs; flotation recovers material too fine to be recovered on tables. As our ores become more complex and require finer grinding, a greater proportion is in the slow-floating size range. It is therefore of economic importance that the effect of size of particle upon rate of flotation be studied. Many studies have been made along this line. The present investigation attempts to quantify the rate of flotation by means of a rate equation, and then compares the effect of size upon the rate of flotation. It was found that the flotation rate constant increases with increase in diameter of particle in the size range smaller than the optimum size particle. The flotation rate constant decreases with an increase in diameter of particle in the size range coarser than the optimum size particle. This suggested two different actions taking place, and these are discussed. Suggestions for further work in order to improve the flotation rate of both fine and coarse particles are made. The usual method of expressing rate is to plot cumulative percent recovery vs time. If we knew the equation of this kind of curve we could replot it as a straight line, and the slope of the line would be an index of the magnitude of the flotation rate. It is easier to compare straight lines than curves. The basis used for obtaining the equation of the recovery vs time curve is the law of mass action. This law states that the "rate of a chemical reaction is proportional to the 'active masses' of the reacting substances present at any given time." This, of course, implies a constant temperature. We can modify this for our use by using the term flotation reaction instead of chemical reaction and the term floatable particle instead of active masses. dC Thus----— kc [1] where C denotes concentration of particles, t denotes time, k denotes a proportionality constant. If the exponent of C is 1, then we have a first order rate reaction. If the exponent of C is 2, then we have a second order rate reaction. For a first order rate reaction, we obtain, after integration, where k is again a proportionality constant and has the dimension of the reciprocal of time. C, is the original concentration or weight or percentage of floatable particles. C, is the concentration or weight or percentage of floatable particles remaining in the flotation cell after time t. If all particles of the mineral to be floated were capable of floating we could take C, as 100 and C, would be 100 - R, where R is the cumulative percentage recovery of mineral at time t. But it is not usual for all of the particles to be capable of floating, because of surface oxidation, etc. Therefore, we must introduce a factor x which is the percentage of un-floatable mineral. Hence the first order equation is It has been proposed by various workers1-' that this equation describes the flotation rate. More recently N. Arbiter4 states that a second order rate equation fits the recovery vs time curve more closely than does a first order rate equation. Morris- as discussed the evidence presented for this statement. It has been concluded that the first

Jan 1, 1953

By J. H. Swislzer

TWO-LIQUID miscibility gaps have been found to exist in both the CaO-SiO, system above 1705 and the Cr,03 system above 2200"c. Glasser and 0sborn3 studied the extension of these miscibility gaps into the Ca0-Si0,-Crz03 ternary system and reported that the two-liquid region is not present at temperatures below the monotectic temperature of 1705°C in the CaO-SiO, system. The present authors, in connection with other work on surface-tension measurements and foam stabilities in the same ternary system,4 observed that the miscibility gap exists at temperatures as low as 1600°C. A brief experimental study was devoted to deter- mining tie-line positions in the two-phase region. The technique used was to obtain a separation of phases at 1600°C, then to quench-in the high-temperature phases and obtain a chemical analysis of each phase. It was necessary to take special precautions in obtaining a phase separation because of a tendency toward emulsification of the two liquids. The procedure followed is described in the schematic drawing in Fig. 1. A small platinum crucible containing several pinholes on its sides was placed inside a larger platinum crucible. An excess of Crz03 was placed in the outer crucible, together with a prefused binary CaO-Si02 mixture, and the Cr203 was allowed to diffuse through the pinholes and saturate the same binary CaO-SiOl mixture in the smaller crucible. After equilibration at 1600°C, the inner crucible contained only the lighter liquid (liquid A) saturated with Cr203. The outer crucible contained layers of both liquids. Experimental data were obtained by analyzing the entire contents of the inner crucible and only the bottom layer of the larger crucible (liquid B). The upper layer of the outer crucible was not suitable for chemical-analysis purposes because dispersions of the second phase sometimes were found in the samples. The technique is described in more detail in Ref. 4. The same method was used by Grieveson and urkdoan' to study a miscibility gap in sulfate-ferrite melts, where the liquids were difficult to separate because of similarities in density. In addition to the phase-separation experiments, a few others were conducted to obtain information

Jan 1, 1964

By N. K. Chen, R. Maddin

THE textures of straight-rolled and of cross-rolled molybdenum were first determined with the aid of pole figures by Custers and Riemersma.' These authors have shown that for straight-rolling, the main texture was (100) [0111 with a considerable spread about the rolling direction. After cross-rolling a second texture was obtained in which there was a [111] axis perpendicular to the rolling plane, possessing a rotary symmetry. Recently Semchy-shen and Timmons2 in their study of preferred orientation of arc-cast molybdenum sheet obtained similar pole figures. In these two investigations, polycrystalline materials were used. In the main, the textures of molybdenum in these cases are qualitatively consistent with rolling textures of other body-centered cubic metals, such as iron and Fe-Si alloys." In the present investigation, single crystals of molybdenum were deformed by rolling with respect to specific crystallographic planes and directions. Since the deformation textures of polycrystalline aggregates have been related intimately to the behavior of individual grains,4 a study of possible correlations of final textures with respect to the initial orientations of the single crystals might conceivably lead to a better understanding of the textures. Annealing treatments were carried out after deformation in order to study the recrystallization characteristics as well as the recrystallization texture. Rolling of Single Crystals Single crystals of molybdenum (about 1/8 in. in diarn x 1-in. long), grown by the method previously described,5 were cold-rolled without intermediate anneals. Except for specimens MR-1 and MR-2, which were rolled at random in the preliminary test in order to find a proper rate of reduction, all other specimens were carefully documented as to their respective orientation before deformation by means of X-ray Laue back-reflection methods. A stereo-graphic projection was constructed from which it was possible to determine a particular plane and direction to be considered for rolling. Parallel flat surfaces were then polished metallographically with respect to a reference scratch on the specimen which was mounted in sealing wax. These flat surfaces contained the plane chosen for rolling. After etching, a Laue back-reflection photogram was again made of one of the flat surfaces to determine the exact plane of rolling. The initial orientations of all the specimens (specified by two elements for each crystal, direction of rolling and the pole of the rolling plane) are summarized in Fig. 1. The specimens were mounted in plasticene between two hardened Si-Fe plates. The sandwich was then rolled down, keeping the direction constant in the case of straight-rolling. In cross-rolling (MR-10, MR-11, and MR-12) the sandwich was rotated 90" after each pass so that every first and third pass contained the same rolling direction. Specimens MR-14, MR-15, and MR-16 were compression-rolled following the manner of Barrett." In these cases the direction of the sandwich through the rolls was changed by 3" to 5" for each pass until the specimens were rolled to the desired reduction in thickness. It was found that if extreme care was exercised in rolling, i. e., the amount of deformation per pass was extremely small, the specimens could be rolled to a large reduction in thickness. The rate of reduction used, with a single exception of MR-1. was generally 0.001 in. per 10 passes. Thus, it took about 800 passes to reduce a specimen to a final reduction in thickness of 87 to 98 pct. The results of rolling are shown in Table I. Cold-Rolling Textures The final orientations were determined by the conventional Laue transmission method," using molybdenum radiation, with or without a zirconium filter. Pole figures were plotted from (1101 and (200) reflections in which three degrees of intensity— heavy, medium, and light—were determined visually. Three main types of textures have been observed from the deformed single crystals. These are: 1—a

Jan 1, 1954

By L. Segle, R. Resnick

NUMEROUS experiments in the past few years have proven that void formation occurs quite generally in the diffusion zone of bimetal specimens1-4 The phenomenon has been explained in terms of the accumulation of lattice vacancies resulting from unequal diffusion of the constituents and their eventual precipitation as holes.= Attention has recently been directed to the fact that voids also form within homogeneous metals during high-temperature creep.' The idea has been put forward that these voids form by the condensation of excess lattice vacancies generated by intersecting dislocations.".' If the precipitation of lattice vacancies from solution is treated as a nucleation and growth process, the predicted vacancy concentration for homogeneous nucleation of voids at an observable rate is 100 to 1000 times the normal thermal equilibrium concentration. It appears that voids actually form during diffusion at vacancy supersaturations which are much lower than this8 According to the calculations of Machlin,' the same must be true for voids formed in homogeneous metals during creep, if these are considered to arise from the precipitation of lattice vacancies. Therefore, if the vacancy mechanism is valid, it seems that the holes which form in diffusion and creep specimens are heterogeneously nucleated by imperfections or impurities in the metal. Irregularities in the frequency and distribution of voids in diffusion couples bear out this explanation.' , It is not known at the present time what the nuclei are on which vacancies condense. Various investigators have speculated that they could be certain dislocation configurations, already existing voids produced during solidification or working, gas pockets, or inclusions in the metal. Relatedly, the precise value of the degree of vacancy supersatura-tion for void nucleation is still uncertain. An initial attempt to estimate this value from diffusion data, made by Balluffi, indicated that voids form in diffusion couples at vacancy concentrations which may

Jan 1, 1958

By Kenneth Schellinger

THE terms surface tension and surface energy are well known when applied to liquids and are generally described by referring to the excess energy of the air: liquid interface as a result of unsaturated molecular forces surrounding the surface molecules of the liquid due to the presence of the air phase on one side. Such unbalanced forces produce the familiar water droplet of spherical form and are generally summed up as a surface tension measured in dynes per centimeter which can be shown mathematically to be equal numerically to a corresponding surface energy expressed in ergs per square centimeter. A specific surface energy, however, is best thought of as the energy necessary to produce one unit, of new surface on a substance. Hence, in producing a bubble in a flotation cell the impeller must supply surface energy corresponding to the air: liquid interfacial area on the interior of the bubble. Inasmuch as it is relatively easy to extend or contract the surface of a liquid, there are a number of successful methods for liquid surface tension, or energy, measurement based upon surface deformation. This happy state of affairs does not, however, extend to solids, which are considered to possess surface energies for the same reasons as do liquids, i.e. because of unsaturated ionic bonds at the solid: gas interface. As in the case of the flotation cell producing surface on liquids as new bubbles, it takes energy to produce new surface on solids as new particles. As every mill man knows, this surface is produced on mineral solids in a grinding mill by the action of a tumbling mass of iron balls. But here so much energy usually is wasted by the inefficient action of these balls that a large amount of heat is generated, and the surface energy production may be easily confused with the energy necessary to produce this ineffective heat. The tumbling balls and fracturing minerals ultimately take their energy from a rather large electric motor. It has been variously estimated that from 10 to 20 pct'" only of this energy from the motor does not appear as heat and may be presumed to appear as surface energy on the min- erals present. Such a production of new surface on the mineral phases is accompanied, of course, by a size reduction that is inevitable as more and more mineral interior molecules become surface molecules by the fracture exposure. This size reduction of mineral particles, although the most obvious feature and perhaps the sole object of the milling operation, is from this energy viewpoint the outward manifestation of the production of surface energy only. Measurement of the characteristic surface energies of pure minerals and their various mixtures in ores would be a step towards understanding of the energetics of the commercial grinding operation. In addition, the characteristic surface energy of a mineral is probably a physical property specific for that mineral, and therefore, from a scientific standpoint, should be measured. It is interesting to note that, in contrast to the large body of work on the surface tensions of liquid systems and biological systems, the field of solid surface energies has been neglected. Prior to 1920 it is difficult to find more than one or two references to work on solid surface energies in Chemical Abstracts. Since 1920 such references number somewhat less than 100, while those on liquid systems are numbered in the thousands. Much of this apparent neglect of the field of solid surface energies (the term is intended to be somewhat inclusive at this point and refers both to the solid: gas, and the solid:liquid interface) is because of the lack of a reliable method of measurement rather than any lack of scientific curiosity. It was, and still is, difficult to produce new surface on a solid without the simultaneous production of interior changes in the same solid which may consume part of the energy used. The extension in the surface area can be measured, but the interior crystal-

Jan 1, 1953

By Kenneth Schellinger

THE terms surface tension and surface energy are well known when applied to liquids and are generally described by referring to the excess energy of the air: liquid interface as a result of unsaturated molecular forces surrounding the surface molecules of the liquid due to the presence of the air phase on one side. Such unbalanced forces produce the familiar water droplet of spherical form and are generally summed up as a surface tension measured in dynes per centimeter which can be shown mathematically to be equal numerically to a corresponding surface energy expressed in ergs per square centimeter. A specific surface energy, however, is best thought of as the energy necessary to produce one unit, of new surface on a substance. Hence, in producing a bubble in a flotation cell the impeller must supply surface energy corresponding to the air: liquid interfacial area on the interior of the bubble. Inasmuch as it is relatively easy to extend or contract the surface of a liquid, there are a number of successful methods for liquid surface tension, or energy, measurement based upon surface deformation. This happy state of affairs does not, however, extend to solids, which are considered to possess surface energies for the same reasons as do liquids, i.e. because of unsaturated ionic bonds at the solid: gas interface. As in the case of the flotation cell producing surface on liquids as new bubbles, it takes energy to produce new surface on solids as new particles. As every mill man knows, this surface is produced on mineral solids in a grinding mill by the action of a tumbling mass of iron balls. But here so much energy usually is wasted by the inefficient action of these balls that a large amount of heat is generated, and the surface energy production may be easily confused with the energy necessary to produce this ineffective heat. The tumbling balls and fracturing minerals ultimately take their energy from a rather large electric motor. It has been variously estimated that from 10 to 20 pct'" only of this energy from the motor does not appear as heat and may be presumed to appear as surface energy on the min- erals present. Such a production of new surface on the mineral phases is accompanied, of course, by a size reduction that is inevitable as more and more mineral interior molecules become surface molecules by the fracture exposure. This size reduction of mineral particles, although the most obvious feature and perhaps the sole object of the milling operation, is from this energy viewpoint the outward manifestation of the production of surface energy only. Measurement of the characteristic surface energies of pure minerals and their various mixtures in ores would be a step towards understanding of the energetics of the commercial grinding operation. In addition, the characteristic surface energy of a mineral is probably a physical property specific for that mineral, and therefore, from a scientific standpoint, should be measured. It is interesting to note that, in contrast to the large body of work on the surface tensions of liquid systems and biological systems, the field of solid surface energies has been neglected. Prior to 1920 it is difficult to find more than one or two references to work on solid surface energies in Chemical Abstracts. Since 1920 such references number somewhat less than 100, while those on liquid systems are numbered in the thousands. Much of this apparent neglect of the field of solid surface energies (the term is intended to be somewhat inclusive at this point and refers both to the solid: gas, and the solid:liquid interface) is because of the lack of a reliable method of measurement rather than any lack of scientific curiosity. It was, and still is, difficult to produce new surface on a solid without the simultaneous production of interior changes in the same solid which may consume part of the energy used. The extension in the surface area can be measured, but the interior crystal-

Jan 1, 1953

By Fredrick Laist, J. P. Cooper

In the spring of 1931 an experiment was made at Anaconda with a small reverberatory furnace, with which was combined a roasting shaft. The arrangement is shown in the accompanying drawing (Fig. 1) and requires but little explanation. The general idea was to roast flotation concentrates, mixed with the proper fluxing materials, by dropping them down a heated shaft, from which the calcines would enter the smelting zone of the reverberatory furnace through an opening in the roof. The hearth of the reverberatory was 3 ft. wide by 21 ft. long. The roasting shaft was 3 ft. square inside and had an effective height of about 20 ft. The reverberatory furnace was arranged so that it could be charged either directly through the roof with regular hot calcines, in the usual manner, or by means of the shaft, at the top of which were a feeding arrangement by which cold flotation concentrates, suitably fluxed, could be fed continuously and a pipe through which cold air was blown in. Means were provided for distributing the feed over the cross-section of the roasting shaft. At first a mechanical arrangement was used but later it was found that a simple cone served the purpose equally well and gave less operating trouble. On account of the small size of the equipment, it was realized that absolute capacity and fuel consumption figures would mean but little. It was not to be expected that ratios comparable to those obtained in large furnaces could be gotten, and the only way in which any idea could be obtained as to the possibilities of the combination furnace was to run it in parallel with the reverberatory furnace charged in the usual manner and operating without the shaft. The results of such parallel runs are given in Table 1. The amount of oil burned in the reverberatory was purposely maintained at substantially the same rate during both runs in order that the benefits resulting from the shaft might be gaged. It was expected that the shaft would considerably increase the capacity of the reverberatory and that a better fuel ratio would be obtained on account of the high temperature at which the calcines would enter the

Jan 1, 1934

By George C. Toland

In 1950 the phosphate fertilizer market warranted the design and construction of a new fertilizer plant by Cominco at Kimberley, B.C. The initial rated capacity of the plant was 70,000 tons per year of high- grade ammonium phosphate. The plant was placed on-stream in 1953. One of the major problems in operating the fertilizer plant was the disposal of the gypsum tailings slurry which was a by-product of phosphoric acid manufacture. The original weight of dry tailings produced by the mill was 500 tons per day. This quantity increased over the years until a projected 2200 tpd was selected for the pond design described in this paper. The original gypsum tailing area was located south of the fertilizer plant and adjacent to the St. Mary's River. By 1965 the original disposal area had proven inadequate and Cominco's engineering staff had selected a 500 acre disposal site to the east of the plant.

Jan 1, 1971

By P. R. Gage, R. W. Bartlett

SILICIDE coatings on refractory metals are often applied by transporting a silicon halide vapor to a hot metal surface where dissociation or hydrogen reduction occurs. The subsequent chemical reaction to produce the coating requires diffusion of silicon or the refractory metal through the in situ silicide layer. This solid-state diffusion process step is often slower than the vapor-transport step and, therefore, rate controlling. This situation is analogous to the parabolic oxidation of metals in which the oxidation rate is controlled by diffusion through the oxide layer. The purposes of this study were to 1) measure the rate of formation of MoSiz and MoSi2 coatings under conditions such that the silicide diffusion process is rate controlling and lower silicide compounds are not formed and 2) determine by a marker experiment whether silicon or the respective refractory metals are the principal diffusing species in the disilicides.

Jan 1, 1965

By M. J. Buerger

POSSIBLY the most puzzling features observed during a single-crystal deformation test are the appearance of slip striae on the surface of the crystal and the strengthening of the specimen.1 While the first phenomenon is mainly of theoretical interest, the latter is fundamental to all strain-hardening and cold-working processes in which the deformation occurs by translation. The plastic deformation of crystals has received considerable discussion2 and need not be reviewed here in, any great detail. It has been observed, essentially, that after a certain amount of initial stress is applied, the surface of the crystal becomes covered with sets of parallel striae or rings which appear to divide it into thin slabs or slip blocks.3 The striae are the traces of rational crystallographic planes along which shearing movements are localized, these movements providing the strain which accompanies stress applied beyond pure elasticity. As deformation under the applied stress proceeds the slip blocks shear past one another, although the essentially single-crystal character of the specimen is unimpaired. All of the shearing apparently takes place in the immediate vicinity of the original slip striae without the appearance of new planes of movement.4 Since each increment of strain is attended by an increased stress requirement to continue the deformation, the crystal strengthens during the process.

Jan 1, 1928

By N. E. Brown, F. L. Versnyder

THE apparent dependency of the electrical characteristics of hexagonal crystalline selenium on microstructure has aroused much interest in microscopical studies of selenium. Microscopic observations on the crystallization of selenium have been made by Escoffery and Halperin,' P. H. Keck,' and other investigators. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the microstructural changes observed on polished cross-sections of single layers of selenium after various heat treatments. Observations were also made on crystallization of the free-surface layer of these deposits. In general, all of the transformations studied were either transformations of the vitreous selenium to hexagonal selenium or micro-structural transformation of the hexagonal selenium itself. Procedure The selenium used in this work was obtained from the American Smelting and Refining Co. and was approximately 99.96 pct pure. An intentional impurity of 1 part per 2,000 of bromine was added to the material prior to evaporation. A thickness of approximately 0.002 in. of this selenium was vapor deposited on an aluminum base plate. The maximum plate temperature during the vacuum vapor deposition was 140°C. Mounting of the cross-sectional specimens for metallographic study could not be done in plastic mounting media, as is customary, since temperatures in excess of 50°C would cause unwanted transformations. Consequently, a simple clamp-type device was used to mount the specimens for preparation. All grinding operations were then done carefully by hand in order that the specimen not become heated during this operation. Wet polishing was done on the conventional metallographic polishing laps, using successively finer grinding powders. An extremely careful polish is necessary, since observation and micrography of the specimens are done in the unetched condition under polarized light. The two observations of crystallization made on the free surface of vitreous selenium deposits (Figs. 4 and 5) were made on surfaces which were perpendicular to the cross-sections studied. These free-surface layers were examined directly, i.e., no pre- vious metallographic preparation, as obtained from the vacuum vapor deposition. Microscopic Observations A study was made of polished cross-sections of the vitreous selenium as-deposited. It was noted that in all cases there was columnar crystallization adjacent to the base plate, which appeared to occur during the vacuum deposition process. This observation has also been made by Keck? It also was observed that vagrant spherulitic crystallization occurred in the vitreous selenium. The term "vagrant" is used, since these spherulitic grains appear to crystallize at random throughout the vitreous selenium during the vacuum deposition process. Columnar crystallization at the A1-Se interface and a typical spherulite observed in a polished cross-section of "as-deposited" vitreous selenium may be seen in Fig. 1. Cross-sectional samples of vitreous selenium studied after heat treating individual samples for 20 min in 10" steps from 80" to 220°C revealed that crystallization—in this case, columnar crystal growth —proceeds from the aluminum base plate to the surface of the specimen (Fig. 2). Crystallization was microscopically observed to be complete after the 130°C heat treatment. Visual examination of the free surface of the specimen after the 130 °C heat treatment revealed the readily recognizable grey appearance of the completely crystallized selenium, in corroboration of the microstructural observations. No microstructural transformations then appeared to take place between 130" and 190°C. At 190°C the beginning of recrystallization appeared and proceeded until the columnar grain structure had been completely transformed to equiaxed grains between 210" and 220°C (Fig. 3). Naturally, the grain size of the recrystallized grains at the lower temperatures (190" to 210°C) was smaller than is illustrated in Fig. 3. In addition, polished cross-sections of deposits heat treated at 140°C for 10 min to cause complete crystallization and, subsequently, heat treated in 10" steps from 80" to 220°C for 20 min were studied. As expected, no microstructural transformations took place until the beginning of recrystallization was observed at 190°C. A comparison with the previously studied specimens revealed that recrystallization proceeded almost identically in the two experiments although in the first case the deposits were vitreous prior to the series of heat treatments and in the second case they had been crystallized by a previous heat treatment. By heat treating for longer times (180 min) at lower temperatures, the

Jan 1, 1956

By Louis A. Panek

The purpose of this paper is to present a method of designing safe and economical arch structures that are to be constructed of concrete or directly of original earth materials. The experimental data used to illustrate the design method are taken from Bucky and Fen tress,1,2 and the application of the ideas presented by them is extended by obtaining an additional set of curves from which arch structures may be designed. This design method is based upon the following principles of similitude: A scalar model made of the same material as that of the full sized structure will behave similarly to its prototype if the density of the model is increased in the same proportion as its linear scale is decreased. Let R represent the scale or model ratio, namely, the ratio of a prototype linear dimension to the corresponding model linear dimension. The effect of increased density may be obtained by rotating the model in a centrifuge at a speed such that the centrifugal held exerts on the model an accelerative force R times the accelerative force of gravity. Under these conditions; (I) model unit stresses are equal to corresponding prototype unit stresses, (2) the ratio of the prototype deformation at a given point to the model deformation at a similar point is equal to the scale ratio, R, and (3) the model and the prototype will behave similarly within and beyond the elastic limits of strain. According to the above relations, such models can be used to solve the following problems: I. The dimensions of the most economical safe arch structure for a given load. 2. The miaximum safe roof span underground for given geologic conditions. The procedure is described briefly as follows. Tests are made by rotating in a centrifuge a number of models that repiesent a variety of prototype loads and dimensions. From the experimental data, curves are plotted to show the relations between these loads and dimensions. The curves are used to solve directly the problems stated above. Structural design is based upon the working (safe) stress of the material of construction, which is established by applying a factor of safety to the experimentally determined ultimate strength of the material. In conformity with this principle, each model is gradually loaded until failure occurs. A safety factor is then applied to the results. If a safety factor of 4 is used, a given model at failure represents a safe prototype, the linear dimensions of which are equal to one-fourth the model ratio at failure times the corresponding model dimensions. The safe model ratio is computed from the following formula: Safe R =(1/4)4p2n2r/g=p2n2r/g [I] in which: n = centrifuge revolutions per second at model failure; r = radius of rotation of the model in feet; g = 32.2 ft/sec2.

Jan 1, 1949

By T. Turner, C. L. Zimmerman, U. Kappus

The purpose of the project is to divert flood flows of North Potato Creek. The project is located in the southeast corner of Tennessee near Copperhill, approximately 160 km north of Atlanta, GA. The project consists of: a 28-m high dam, a 0.9-m diam outlet conduit, an emergency spillway, and a 4.0-m diam hard rock transbasin diversion tunnel. This flood-water management system was part of Cities Service Co. mine safety program for the Cherokee ore body, which is partially located within the creek channel. The following paper describes the entire project development from feasibility studies to design and construction management.

Jan 1, 1981

By M. J. Buerger

Possibly the most puzzling features observed during a single-crystal deformation test are the appearance of slip striae on the surface of the crystal and the strengthening of the specimen.' While the first phenomenon is mainly of theoretical interest, the latter is fundamental to all strain-hardening and cold-working processes in which the deformation occurs by translation. The plastic deformation of crystals has received considerable discussion2 and need not be reviewed here in any great detail. It has been observed, essentially, that after a certain amount of. initial stress is applied, the surface of the crystal becomes covered with sets of parallel striae or rings which appear to divide it into thin slabs or slip blocks.3 The striae are the traces of rational crystallographic planes along which shearing movements are localized, these movements providing the strain which accompanies stress applied beyond pure elasticity. As deformation under the applied stress proceeds the slip blocks shear past one another, although the essentially single-crystal character of the specimen is unimpaired. All of the shearing apparently takes place in the immediate vicinity of the original slip striae without the appearance of new planes of movement.4 Since each increment of strain is attended by an increased stress requirement to continue the deformation, the crystal strengthens during the process.

By D. O. Wyble

Five water-driver fields, for which pressure predictions had been made within a few years after discovery, were re-studied when four to five years of additional pressure and production data became available. It was fortnd that forecasts of the pressure in water-dri~fe reservoirs may be subject to considerable unccrtainty. Predictions car be erroneous when there is insufficient presswe history to define the cllaracteristics of the aquifer, and when there are errors in the pressure, production or geologic data. INTRODUCTION The efficient operation of an oil or gas reservoir requires that the important characteristics of the reservoir be determined soon after its discovery. It is especially desirable to evaluate the pressure-production relationship quickly, for this relationship provides a basis for deducing the type of production mechanism that is operative, and for making pressure predictions. The pressure predictions, in turn, provide a basis for calculating efficient rates of production, determining whether water or gas should be injected, etc. The importance of pressure prediction is such that forecasts should be made as accurate as possible, and the limits of error well defined. Historically, pressure forecasts for some fields have proved very accurate, while for others the forecasts were so erroneous that they resulted in the adoption of wrong, or at best, unnecessary production practices. Pressure predictions made for water-drive fields are especially subject to error. Accurate forecasting for these fields requires that much be known not only about the reservoir proper but about the adjacent water-filled rock as well. The water-containing rock, or aquifer, may extend for many miles, and often there is only meager data regarding its thickness, permeability and porosity. Much of the information must be inferred from the previous pressure behavior of the reservoir. A brief pressure history may provide little information about the characteristics of the aquifer. Hence, pressure predictions made early in the life of water-drive fields can be incorrect. The work described in this paper was done to determine the degree of reliability which can be expected of pressure predictions made within a few years after water-drive fields are discovered. Five fields, for which the original pressure predictions had been based on less than seven years' history, were re-examined with the aid of four to five years of additional pressure data. Where the predictions were inaccurate, the reasons for failure were ascertained. The studies were accomplished by use of the electric reservoir analyzer.' The analyzer was first adjusted to repeat the original pressure-production match using the same values for the various parameters as were used in the original study. Then, the actual production rates experienced during the time elapsed since the initial study were set into the analyzer, and the pressure behavior indicated by the machine for this period was compared with that which actually OCcurred. Where the pressure profile traced out by the analyzer deviated from the observed field behavior, the analyzer was readjusted to obtain a better over-all match. The old and the new solutions were compared to determine the reasons for any differences. COMPARISON OF PREDICTED RESERVOIR PRESSURE BEHAVIOR WITH ACTUAL PERFORMANCE Field A The original pressure-production match is entirely adequate as evidenced by the pressure match of the field's history subsequent to Jan., 1952 (see Fig. 1)'.

By F. E. Lathe, G. A. Guess

This investigation was started with the idea of determining whether copper-nickel mattes might not have a lower flowing temperature than copper mattes, and thus perhaps aid in accounting for the difficulty so far experienced in attempts at pyritically smelting copper-nickel ores. We have used the term flowing temperature to avoid confusion with the usual melting temperature. The idea at first was that there might be a greater viscosity range in the one matte than in the other. In the early experiments it was in our minds to determine the relative fluidity of the mattes at a given temperature. Looking to this end we tried pouring equal quantities of matte at the same temperature down an inclined graphite slab, and comparing the distances traveled. Results from such experiments were not satisfactory. We next tried pouring equal quantities at the same temperature through a drilled hole in an Acheson graphite crucible, timing the flow with a stop watch, the whole operation being carried out in the muffle. The flowing temperatures of the mattes tried in this way appeared to be about the same, and there was no marked difference in their fluidity when well fused. Oxidation gave some trouble. These experiments finally led to the adoption of the following apparatus which we thought at the time was wholly original with us, but which we have since found was described by W. McA. Johnson.l The tray used was a slab of graphite 8 in. long, 2 in. wide and 1/4 in. thick. It had six holes, into each of which sat a cup of Acheson graphite. Centrally in the bottom of each cup was a vertically drilled hole 3/16 in. in diameter and 1/2 in. long. The mattes to be tested were put into the cups, in a solid piece. The cups were covered with inverted Battersea "A" cups. The tray was put into the muffle of a gas-fired furnace. Supports on each end held the tray about 2 in. from the floor of the muffle. Under

Jan 1, 1917