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By J. Chipman

There is no better way of paying tribute to the memory of a scientist than by developing and carrying forward those ideas which he has contributed to science and which are for us the very essence of his immortality. For a lecturer who has not had the great privilege of stdying under Professor Howe or 'ven of knowing him in person, these ideas must be transmitted through the printed word. It is our great good fortune that Professor Howe left to us a rich heritage of publication, not only in his classic monograph on the "Metallography of Steel and Cast Iron" but in a wealth of earlier hooks and papers in the transactions of this Institute arid of other scientific and engineering bodies. An outstanding characteristic of this published record is the great breadth of interest and of vision which it portrays. His was riot a narrow specialization in only the scientific aspects of ferrous metallographg. On the contra1y many of his important contributions had to do with a far broader field of metallurgicial endeavor. He insisted that his students be well grounded in 1 he fundamentals underlying the whole field and not led into the narrow groove of specific applications. Among his first major publications we find papers on copper smelting, extraction of nickel, the efficiency of fans and blowers, thermic curves of blast furnaces, the cost, of coke, and the manufacture of steel. These are the papers of a metalhurgical engineer and it was among engineers that Henry Marion Howe made his early and well-merited reputation. These early engineering contributions display very clearly the strongly sctientific inclination of their author. The classic work on "The Metallurgy of Steel" published in 1890 contains a thorough and critical discussion of all that was known at the time concerning the alloys of iron and of what we would now call the physical metallurgy of steel. In addition it describes steel-making processes in use and some that had become obsolete, and points out in critical fashion the reasons for success and failure. Steel mill design and layout were included as well as some pertinent discussion of refractories. The book is indeed an embodiment of one of Howe's outstanding characteristics—breadth. It is both the science and the engineering of steel production as known in that day. One of Howe's earliest technical papers was entitled "What is Steel?" That was nearly seventy-five years ago when many new processes and new kinds of steel were being developed. The time was ripe for such a question and the answers which Howe was able to give were helpful in understanding the phenomena of heat treatment. Twenty-five years ago Professor Sauveur repeated the question as the title of the first Henry Marion Howe Memorial Lecture. It seemed to him that this question, "What is Steel?," had served as Howe's motto throughout the remainder of his life. Today I shall present for your consideration a question of another sort: "What is Sletallurgy?" Perhaps it is not too much to hope that in the answer we may obtain a clearer and possibly broader view of the nature of our science and our profession. The time is ripe for giving careful consideration to what we mean by metallurgy. If our Metals Branch is to become in fact an American institute of Metallurgical Engineers, it is essential that we understand what is meant by metallurgical engineering. I am convinced that the best interests of the profession have not been served by a narrow interpretation of these terms. We must now place emphasis on the breadth of metallurgy as a science and as an engineering profession. With its usual brevity and wit. Webster's dictionary definesmetallurgy as "the science and art of extracting metals from their ores, refining them and preparing them for use." I shall riot assume that the words "science" and "art" and "metal" are so well understood as to require no defining but others among our contemporaries are better qualified than either your lecturer or the dictionary to present the broad meanings of these terms. When we say that metallurgy is among the oldest of the arts we are not classing it with painting or sculpture or music but rather with the making of tools or weapons or the building of bridges or chariots or cathedrals. In short we are saying that metallurgy is among the oldest of the engineering professions. The question " What is metallurg ? " has been one of rather more than ordinary concern to those of us who have the task of developing a curriculum for the education of students in this field. This development has been going on in a number of universities over a period of some years. but there seems to be as yet no unanimity as to what such a curriculum should contain. I believe there is fairly complete agreement that it must be founded upon sound

Jan 1, 1950

By George J. Conroy, James H. Green

Results of a long-term program of electrical parameter measurement in underground coal mine working sections, performed by The Pennsylvania State University under US Bureau of Mines (USBM) sponsorship, are utilized as the basis for an analysis of the electrical energy requirements during operation. A model section is hypothesized, developed from the average or most representative characteristics as determined from tabulations of the measurements. Performance factors of the model section's machine complement are then analyzed, particularly with regard to the energy required per ton of raw coal cut and delivered from the section. Results are given in kilowatt -hours per ton.

Jan 1, 1980

By A. B. Hildebrandt

P. B. Baxendell is to be complimented for an exccllent piece of work. To our knowledge there has been no previous publication of field data on the flow of oil and gas through the annulus of a well. It is certainly gratifying to see this work on annular flow confirm the previous published correlation procedure on tubing flow. It extends considerably the range under which reliable gas-lift calculations can be made. Baxendell discussed this work with us about a year ago and was kind enough to send a large scale plot of his correlation. We had been designing gas-lift installations on flow through the annulus, assuming that the original correlation of the f factor based on tubing flow' was valid as long as we stayed within the same mass velocity range on which the correlation was based. Doing this work necessitated the use of an equivalent diameter for the annular flow. The equivalent diameter is defined as area' of stream cross section wetted perimeter and for the case of an annulus is D, — D,. Substituting this in the basic equation correlating energy loss along with the area to flow required to convert the velocity, to volumetric flow rate, D (Baxendell's Eq. 7) becomes dell's expression, D,). Similarly, the D in 1.4737 X 10 (M&/D) becomes (D, + D;) for annular flow. On receipt of Baxendell's data, we. of course, recalculated it to put it into the form we were using, and to see how well it agreed with the correlation based on tubing flow. Fig. 1 shows the results, which were certainly gratifying. For low values of (D, - D,) pv, the data coincide with the data on flow through tubing, whereas at high values the data on flow through the annuli appear to be leveling off to a constant value. For very high rates of flow where the turbulence is very high, one might expect the value f to level out and become constant. A bulletin published in 1914 by the U. of Wisconsin presented results of a large number of laboratory teats in air lifting water through short lengths of 1.25-in. tubing. It was possible to correlate a random sampling of

By R. Van A. Norris

The following tests were made, during 1889, for the Susquehanna Coal Company, to determine the relative efficiency of several styles of mine-car wheels in use at their collieries at Nanticoke, Pa. The wheels experimented upon may be divided into two classes: The "old style" (Figs. 1 and 2), which are oiled at every trip; and the "new style" (Figs. 3, 4, and 5), which require oiling about once in two to four months. Fig. 1 shows a section of a plain cast wheel, with patent annular oil-chamber. This is held in position on the axle by a square, split cotter-pin. Fig. 2 is a similar wheel, with a patent cast bushing, which is readily replaced when worn. The lubrication is effected by a simple oil-hole, but the oil is delivered a little inside of the gaugeline of the wheel, where it is most needed. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are sections of a " new style " patented, self-oiling wheel. In this, the outer end is cast closed, and the wheel is fastened to the axle by a spring cotter-pin passed through one of the plugged holes. Dirt is prevented from entering the open end by a cap, with faced end and packing-ring, fitting over the end of the hub. The lubricant is introduced into the oil-chamber through one of the plugged holes in the hub. When the wheel is in motion, the lubricant is thrown by centrifugal force away from the axle, enters the two ports shown, and is

Jan 1, 1890

By Ward W. Minkler

Since 1978, the titanium metals industry, throughout the non-socialist world, has experienced a period of growth and prosperity unparalleled since the late 1950s. Sponge producers, melters and mill product manufacturers have operated at capacity, record shipments have been attained, new producers have entered the industry and established producers have implemented expansion plans. However, there is now mounting evidence that the underlying elements which generated this vigorous surge have abated, at least temporarily. It now appears that in 1982, the industry will encounter overcapacity, excessive inventory accumulations and the probability of declining prices. Therefore, it does seem appropriate that we now take inventory of the present and future markets for titanium with the hope we can identify both near term opportunities as well as challenges the industry now faces. If we view the development of titanium markets as a function of time, they fit rather neatly into three sectors.

Jan 1, 1982

By H. Hubert

THE first attempts at direct utilization of blast-furnace gas in engines were made in 1895. For a considerable time the gas had been burnt in Cowper stoves for heating the blast for the furnace, and under the boilers which supplied steam to the blowing-engines, and others serving the furnaces. It was natural, therefore, that the idea of directly employing it in gas-engines should have occurred simultaneously to several engineers, notably to Lürmann and to Lencauchez, who had pointed out the blast-furnace as a powerful -gas-producer. Nevertheless, nowhere had any attempt been made to apply it to this purpose up to the end of 1894, when Thwaite proposed it to Mr. James Riley, of the Glasgow Iron & Steel Company. About the same time investigations were being made in Belgium and in Germany, independently of Thwaite's experiments, which were not generally known on the Continent. The industrial world, which up to that time had hardly favored the idea, had thus been gradually prepared to receive it. The gas-engine, long restricted to small sizes and dependent upon the use of an expensive fuel obtainable only in large centers, now began to make headway. At the Paris Exhibition of 1889 two engines of 100 h.p. were shown and excited much interest among engineers. One had four cylinders, and was made at the celebrated works of the Deutz Company, and the other was a single-cylinder engine, exhibited by two French designers, Messrs. Delamare-Deboutteville and Malandin. In the meanwhile the design of gas-producers had made important progress, completely freeing the new engine from its

Nov 1, 1906

By David G. Chedgy

The Meadow River No. 1 preparation plant, owned by Sewell Coal Co. which is a subsidiary of the Pittston Co., was commissioned in the spring of 1974. A survey of the environmental noise levels was conducted, and the dominant noise sources identified. An engineering program was initiated to reduce the prevailing levels to a point that the operator's exposure would be within compliance with the MESA regulation for ear protection. The program was continued until compliance was achieved and the attenuation factors for each abatement device recorded. The highlights of this program will be presented with a discussion of the practicality of the devices utilized.

Jan 1, 1977

By B. M. Larsen, T. E. Brower

In an earlier paper1 we discussed a simple, rapid method of taking samples of liquid steel and analyzing them for oxygen, which, though possibly not absolutely accurate (as is likewise true of all other methods), certainly yields results that are satisfactorily consistent. Accordingly, samples from hundreds of heats ill different shops were analyzed for oxygen, with results sufficient in number to be handled statistically and permit estimation of some general trends. Measurements were made in acid as well as in basic open hearths, throughout the refining period, to learn how stirring, blocking, adding ore or lime or sand, affects the oxygen content of the bath; we also followed the changes brought about by tapping, teeming, and deoxidizing. Some of these results, discussed in an earlier paper,2 bring out the dominant role of the carbon-oxygen reaction in regulating degree of oxidation both of metal and of slag, also the marked variability of concentration of dissolved oxygen [0] in excess of that which would be in equilibrium with carbon and with carbon monoxide at a partial pressure of one atmosphere. As a logical beginning on this complex problem, we take up in the present paper the variability of this excess oxygen, A[O], when other factors are as constant as they ever are in open-hearth operation; namely, toward the end of the refining period, when the bath may be regarded as in the comparatively steady state it approaches in absence of disturbing factors. This condition was chosen because by that time the significant reactions, except carbon oxidation, between slag and metal have come to substantial equilibrium; this facilitates interpretation of the complex situation and thus perinits more definite conclusions to be drawn. This excess concentration of oxygen, A[O], in the metal is needed, of course, to make the steelmaking process go at a reasonable rate; alternatively it may be regarded as a measure of the virtual pressure increment above one atmosphere, or of the degree of supersaturation, of carbon monoxide in the metal. According to our measurements, the excess concentration A[0] in liquid steel varies from about 0.009 to 0,035 per cent oxygen by weight. It is quite sensitive to change of conditions, being altered temporarily by operations such as stirring with green poles, additions of ore, lime, or sand; but as the disturbance works itself out, it resumes a level within the intermediate range characteristic of the steady state. The conditions most common in average furnace practice are covered by the following: i[O] Usual Per Cent Oxygen by Conditions Weight 1. Vigorous lime boil........... o.oog-0.01s 2. Steady state................ o.or;-0.025 3. Working of ore.............. o.023-0.035 Thus when the bath can be regarded as in a reasonably steady state—that is, when it is boiling normally, is at proper temperature with a well-shaped slag, and has been free from disturbing effects during the preceding half hour—A[0] returns from

Jan 1, 1948

By B. M. Larsen, T. E. Brower

In an earlier paper1 we discussed a simple, rapid method of taking samples of liquid steel and analyzing them for oxygen, which, though possibly not absolutely accurate (as is likewise true of all other methods), certainly yields results that are satisfactorily consistent. Accordingly, samples from hundreds of heats ill different shops were analyzed for oxygen, with results sufficient in number to be handled statistically and permit estimation of some general trends. Measurements were made in acid as well as in basic open hearths, throughout the refining period, to learn how stirring, blocking, adding ore or lime or sand, affects the oxygen content of the bath; we also followed the changes brought about by tapping, teeming, and deoxidizing. Some of these results, discussed in an earlier paper,2 bring out the dominant role of the carbon-oxygen reaction in regulating degree of oxidation both of metal and of slag, also the marked variability of concentration of dissolved oxygen [0] in excess of that which would be in equilibrium with carbon and with carbon monoxide at a partial pressure of one atmosphere. As a logical beginning on this complex problem, we take up in the present paper the variability of this excess oxygen, A[O], when other factors are as constant as they ever are in open-hearth operation; namely, toward the end of the refining period, when the bath may be regarded as in the comparatively steady state it approaches in absence of disturbing factors. This condition was chosen because by that time the significant reactions, except carbon oxidation, between slag and metal have come to substantial equilibrium; this facilitates interpretation of the complex situation and thus perinits more definite conclusions to be drawn. This excess concentration of oxygen, A[O], in the metal is needed, of course, to make the steelmaking process go at a reasonable rate; alternatively it may be regarded as a measure of the virtual pressure increment above one atmosphere, or of the degree of supersaturation, of carbon monoxide in the metal. According to our measurements, the excess concentration A[0] in liquid steel varies from about 0.009 to 0,035 per cent oxygen by weight. It is quite sensitive to change of conditions, being altered temporarily by operations such as stirring with green poles, additions of ore, lime, or sand; but as the disturbance works itself out, it resumes a level within the intermediate range characteristic of the steady state. The conditions most common in average furnace practice are covered by the following: i[O] Usual Per Cent Oxygen by Conditions Weight 1. Vigorous lime boil........... o.oog-0.01s 2. Steady state................ o.or;-0.025 3. Working of ore.............. o.023-0.035 Thus when the bath can be regarded as in a reasonably steady state—that is, when it is boiling normally, is at proper temperature with a well-shaped slag, and has been free from disturbing effects during the preceding half hour—A[0] returns from

Jan 1, 1948

By Donald W. Frommer

For many years the Bureau of Mines has been con- ducting comprehensive iron ore research programs with the objective of increasing domestic supplies and divising techniques that would enable profitable exploitation of low-grade and complex domestic iron-mineral deposits. Since 1962, much of the Bureau's flotation research at Minneapolis has been concerned with studies on the treatment of low-grade hematitic-goethitic jaspers of the Marquette range, Mich. Ores from Michigan require grinding to substantially minus 400-mesh for liberation that will permit production of quality concentrates. With such fine grinding, diminished flotation effectiveness can be expected because of slime interference. The word "slime" is an ambiguous term. Taggart states "Slimes in an ore pulp are loosely defined as the fine fraction that overflows a desanding separator. . ."

Jan 4, 1964

By Raja V. Ramani, Jan M. Mutmansky, Ralph W. Barbaro

This paper discusses the effect of the computer revolution on Penn State's facilities and personnel and provides a short history of computer applications in mining in the Department of Mineral Engineering. The computer era began in 1955 at Penn State when the engineering faculty built a sizeable vacuum-tube computer. Since that time, a succession of machines has introduced many changes and presented a variety of opportunities and problems to the university's computer personnel and to the community of users. This paper discusses both the changes in computers and the accompanying problems that occur in a university computing environment. A historical summary of computer simulation programs developed within the Department of Mineral Engineering is presented along with information on computer applications in ventilation, statistics, mathematical programming, coal preparation, and other areas. Finally, computer plans for the future are discussed in terms of the develop- ments in the Charles B. Manula Computer Library and in terms of ongoing and future computer-related research projects.

Jan 1, 1983

By D. Jenkins

The Franklin Laboratory was designed mainly for the analysis of the products from the two concentrating mills situated at Franklin and Sterling Hill, the most important determinations being the zinc, iron, manganese, lime, moisture, and silica contents of the ores. Within the last 4 years, however, it has been found advisable to examine most of our supplies, and therefore additional space and equipment was allotted for the examination of such substances as oils, greases, soaps, alloys, fuels, paints, explosives, and water. The building as shown in elevation (Fig. 1) and plan (Fig. 2) consists of a main or routine laboratory, an experimental laboratory, a water analysis room, and the other accessories such as stock room, library, sampling and drying rooms, and office. The main laboratory is further divided into a balance room and zinc analysis room. As the greater part of our determinations are volumetric, good light is a very important factor and with this in view the interior malls of the building were constructed of white enameled brick laid in Keene cement. These also have the additional advantage that they give a clean and attractive appearance to the room. The windows are large, being 76 by 44 in. and even on very dark days the light is good throughout the whole laboratory. Our zinc titration requires a constant light and as, on many days, especially in winter, the light is variable, we installed two Artificial

Jan 1, 1918

By J. H. Bowden

The shaft-plant here described was put in operation in September, 1895, and the No. 6 slope-motor was started in May, 1896. The plant comprises : One Norwalk three-stage compressor l21/2, 91/2 and 5 in. diameters of air- and 20 in. diameter of steam-cylinder, all 24 in. stroke; capacity at 100 revolutions, 296 cu. ft. of free air per minute, compressed to 600 Ibs. per sq. in. A main pipe, 5 in. diameter, 4380 ft. long, with five charging-stations in No. 6 Shaft, and a branch of 3 in. pipe, 3100 ft. long, with three charging stations, in No. 6 Slope. These pipes on each line charge a Porter compressed-air motor, with 7 by 14 in. cylinders, and four 24 in. drivers, weighing about eight tons, with a tank-capacity of 130 cu. ft. of air at 550 lbs. pressure in the main tank, reduced to 160 lbs. in the 8-in. auxiliary tank of 4.2 cu. ft. capacity, supplying the cylinders. The No. 6 shaft run averages 4000 ft. each way on grades of $ to 23/4 per cent., and averaging close to one per cent. in favor of the loaded cars. The No. 6 slope run averages 2100 ft. with nearly the same grades. The mine-cars weigh 2800 Ibs. empty, and about 9800 lbs. loaded, and are hauled in trips of 12 to 20, averaging about 15 cars. The shaft-motor now hauls about 355, and the slope-motor 320 cars per day of 10 hours, replacing in the shaft 17 mules, and

Jan 1, 1901

By Alexander Bowie

Of the following problems, some have been suggested by recent articles in technical journals, which have led me to believe that the mathematical discussion here submitted may be of use to mining engineers. Problem I. To Find the Grade or Angle of Inclination upon which the Power Required to Move a Loaded Car Down-hill Will Haul an Empty One Up-hill. Let a be the desired angle of inclination; C, the coefficient of' friction; W and w, the weight in pounds of the loaded and of the empty car, respectively.

Jan 1, 1902

By J. Wade Watkins, E. S. Mardock

The accurate evaluation of reservoir-performance characteristics in the secondary recovery of petroleum by water flooding requires use of a water tracer that may be injected into water-input wells and detected at oil-production wells to supplement data obtained from core analyses, wellhead tests, and subsurface measurements. Radioactive iodine has been used successfully as a water tracer in field tests to determine: (I) relative rates and patterns of flow of injected water between water-input and oil-production wells and (2) zones of excessive water entry into oil-production wells. Laboratory evaluations of potential water tracers, previous tracer studies, the value of using a radioactive tracer, general field procedures, and the use of surface and subsurface instruments for the detection of the emitted gamma radiation, are summarized. Data from the field tests are presented graphically and discussed in detail. It is concluded that the radioactive-tracer method, using radioactive iodine, may be used successfully to measure either the relative rates and patterns of flow or zones of excessive water entry into wells under conditions of comparatively rapid transit time between wells. INTRODUCTION Extensive use is made of data obtained from core analyses, wellhead tests, fluid characteristics, and subsurface measurements in evaluating the sweep efficiency of water injected into oil sands for the recovery of oil. Theoretical flow rates and patterns may be calculated from those data using radial-flow formulas, if it is assumed that the physical conditions in the productive formation are homogeneous. Unfortunately, homogeneous conditions rarely, if ever, exist in oil-productive formations. The use of a tracer that may be injected into an oil sand and detected quantitatively, or even qualitatively, at offsetting oil-production wells provides basic data that may be used in determining more accurately the subsurface rates and patterns of flow of injected water between wells than is possible by theoretical calculations based on assumed conditions. Consideration of the data obtained by using a water tracer assists in the application of remedial measures to water-input wells, such as plugging of channels, or selective plugging of highly permeable zones, thereby effecting a more uniform flood and a greater ultimate oil recovery. A water tracer should have the following characteristics: (1) low adsorption on solid reservoir material; (2) high solubility in water; (3) low or negligible solubility in crude petroleum; (4) a wide range of solubility of compounds that may be formed by chemical reactions with ions present in reservoir rocks or waters; (5) high detectability in low concentrations by portable apparatus; and (6) general availability at low cost. Additional desirable characteristics are that the tracer should be nonhazardous in nature under normal working conditions and quantitatively detectable in the well bore, as well as at the surface. Review of Previous Tracer Studies The need for a water tracer has been recognized for many years. As far back as 1906, Dole1 described the use of fluorescein in flow-rate studies made in France in 1901. In 1921, Ambrose" discussed in detail the use of organic and inorganic dyes, chlorides, nitrates, and other anions, lithium salts, and the Slichter electrical

Jan 1, 1955

By Stanley B. Roboff

Throughout the world nuclear power re- actors are being designed and constructed as the energy source for stationary power plants. They are built to power submarines, surface ships, and long-range aircraft and to provide small package power plants that can be set up with relative ease in outlying areas. Regardless of type, most of these plants are designed to operate at the highest permissible temperatures and with the greatest possible burn-up of fuel. On paper it is now possible to design a nuclear power plant that will out-perform all existing types of power-generating plants, and at costs which are attractive. Such plants, however, are not now being built, nor will they ever be built, unless major engineering advances are made in the realm of reactor materials. The reason for this is straight- forward enough. Although it is known that huge quantities of energy can be generated in nuclear fuels within short periods of time, as yet there are no construction materials capable of withstanding the severe conditions that would exist within a power reactor operating with ultrahigh output.

Sep 1, 1956

By B. Hyatt, E. Klokholm

The reesistivity of Cu-Pd alloys of 9.6 to 29 pct Pd alloys was measured after plastic deformzation in tension. For all compositions a continzting decrease in resistivity with increasing plastic strain was observed. By comparison with the results of Damask on a brass ad Cu3Au, it was deduced that these anonzalous decreases in resistivity are due to the decrease in short-vunge order caused by cold work. An anomalous decrease in the resistivity of cold-worked CU-Pd alloys was first reported by Jaumot and Sawatzky.' They observed decreases in the electrical resistivity when disordered Cu-Pd alloys drawing at room temperature. Recently, a similar anomaly was reported by Aarts and Houston-Mac-Mi1lan2 in Ag-Pd alloys containing 10 to 45 pct Pd. The plastic deformation in this case was produced by tensile strain at liquid-nitrogen temperatures. For AE-Pd alloys the relative resistivity change becomes positive for tensile strains of about 20 pct.

Jan 1, 1960

By Karl F. Peterson, H. K. Najarian, Robert E. Lund

PRIMARY products of the Josephtown smelter are zinc metal of various grades, lead-free zinc oxide pigments, cadmium metal, and sulphuric acid. Zinc concentrates of domestic and foreign origin are blended and desulphurized at the roaster plant. The equipment includes five, 12-hearth Herreshoff roasters and two modified Trail-type suspension roasters. The sulphur dioxide containing gases from the roasting operation are diverted to a four-unit contact acid plant for the manufacture of sulphuric acid. The roasted calcines are agglomerated by sintering on Dwight-Lloyd-type sintering machines; the sinter is crushed and sized within required limits; and the sized sinter is smelted in vertical shaft-type electro-thermic furnaces. Of the 13 electrothermic furnaces of various sizes now in operation, four are designed to produce American process zinc oxidc of various specifications; and the remaining nine furnaces are equipped with vacuum-type condensers and produce zinc metal. Papers describing the general smelting practice at Josephtown have been published by AIME. Since both High Grade zinc metal and lead-free zinc oxide pigments are produced direct from the electrothermic furnaces without need for subsequent refining, the elimination of impurities such as lead and cadmium has to be accomplished during roasting and sintering operations. To effect the producing of both High Grade and Prime Western zinc products, the roasting and sintering operations are on two separate circuits. A High Grade circuit produces finished sized sinter low in lead, cadmium, etc., for the High Grade furnaces; and the Prime Western circuit produces finished sinter destined for the furnaces producing Prime Western metal. Sintering at the Josephtown smelter differs in many important respects from the sintering practice in smelters operating horizontal retort zinc furnaces. Requirements of the electrothermic smelting furnaces define the physical characteristics of the sinter, while the chemical composition of the sinter is controlled according to the grade of metal and oxide to be made as final products. Three principal objectives in the sintering process at Josephtown smelter are: 1. To transform the zinc calcine from the roasting operations into a hard, yet porous agglomerate that will not crumble in the smelting furnace. 2. Crushing and sizing of the sinter to obtain a proper screen analysis which is normally —% in. down to +1/4 in. particle size. 3. To eliminate, particularly in the High Grade circuit, as much of the impurities such as sulphur, lead, and cadmium as possible. The sintering plant as originally built in 1930 was equipped with three standard 42 in. x 44 ft Dwight-Lloyd sintering machines. Each machine was equipped with a 15x60 in. sintering corporation fan driven by 150 hp, 900 rpm synchronous motor through a magnetic clutch and capable of delivering 30,000 cfm of air at 15 in. of water and 150°F. Each sintering machine was driven by 7½ hp dc motor with controllers for varying the speed of the machine from 8 to 32 in. per min. The pallets were cast iron and the grates of the herringbone type. The charge was mixed in a 4 ft diam x 8 ft Stehli pugmill and transported by belt conveyor, elevator and tripper conveyor to a small bin over each machine. Shortly after the start of operations the following changes were found necessary: 1. The herringbone grates which plugged very quickly and were difficult to keep clean were replaced by straight, narrow cast-iron grate bars running at right angles to the travel of the pallets. These grate bars are held in place by a center bar extending across the pallet on the 24 in. dimension and by removable retaining plates which form the sides of the pallets. 2. Mechanical grate knockers were developed in conjunction with new grate bars for continuously and automatically cleaning the grates. 3. As the cast-iron pallets cracked, they were replaced with cast-steel pallets. In 1938, the capacity of the sinter plant was increased with the installation of two 42 in. x 22 ft machines which were brought from the company's Herculaneum lead smelter. With a circulating load of some 250 to 300 pct, production of finished sinter on the 42 in. x 44 ft machines at this time amounted to about three tons of sized sinter per machine hour. In 1945, one of the 42 in. x 22 ft machines was replaced by a 60 in. x 44 ft machine of our own design. In 1948, as part of the plant-wide expansion program, the sinter plant not only was expanded but also divided into two separate plants; namely, Prime Western and High Grade circuits. The sinter destined for furnaces producing Prime Western zinc metal is made in a new plant comprising two 60 in. x 44 ft Dwight-Lloyd-type sintering machines, each having a 45,000 cfm Sturtevant fan at 18 in. water static pressure and served by an 8 ft diam x 12 ft long rotary charge pclletizer and auxiliary crushing and sizing equipment. The sinter destined for furnaces producing High Grade zinc metal and zinc oxide pigments is produced in the old sinter plant which was expanded to accommodate four of the 60 in. x 44 ft sintering machines, replacing the old sintering units. In the High Grade sinter circuit, two units of the 60 in. x 44 ft machines are used as preliminary soft sinter machines; and the remaining two units of the 60 in. x 44 ft machines are used to make finished hard sinter. Purification Theory Partial elimination of lead and cadmium in the sintering of zinc ores is common knowledge. However, by some manipulation and by taking advantage of the double circuit, it is possible to make zinc sinter which is nearly free of contaminators. Lead

Jan 1, 1952

By L. W. Bahney

Many methods for the determination of gold or silver, or both, in cyanide solutions have been published, which with care in manipulation, and modification in some cases, will give results that are satisfactory. It is possible to classify or group these methods as follows: 1. Evaporating the solution in a porcelain or agate-ware dish containing litharge,l or in a "boat" made of lead foil. 2. Forming a lead sponge containing the precious metals by means of zinc shavings,2 zinc dust,3 or a piece of aluminum.4 3. Decomposing the cyanide solution with an acid and precipitating the precious metals by the use of one or a combination of some of the following: Copper sulphate,5 sodium sulphite,6 hydrogen sulphide,' cement copper.ll 4. Precipitating the silver by zinc dust held in a Gooch crucible and determination with a standard solution of sulphocyanate.9 5. Electrolysis.l0 . 6. Colorimetry.ll

Jan 1, 1915

By J. M. McDowell, E. C. Doty, F. Morgan

Improvements in the X-ray method of measuring liquid saturation and saturation distribution are presented. Two identical direct current amplifiers have been added to measure continuously the intensities of the X-ray tube output and the beam which has passed through the core under test. The ratio of these intensities is automatically recorded on a modified Brown Electronik Recorder. Arrangements have been made to drive the core automatically and in synchronism with the recorder chart so as to give a continuous curve showing the variation of liquid saturation along the length of the core. By determining the ratio of the two X-ray beam intensities simultaneously the measurements are made essentially independent of small fluctuation in voltage and current supplied to the tube. This improved technique has been used for investigating the fluid distribution along the length of cores and core assemblies when one fluid is displaced by another. Typical results of these studies are shown. INTRODUCTION In a previous publication' a method was described for measuring the oil saturation in cores which was based on the absorption of X-rays by the fluid content of the core. While that technique is capable of yielding accurate results, the original apparatus was not especially convenient for determining the fluid distribution along the length of a core. This was primarily due to the slow response of the amplifier and galvanometer and the necessity of making a point by point survey of the material under investigation. It was, therefore, not only possible for sections of the core having a variable or unusual saturation distribution to escape observation entirely, but changes in output of the X-ray generator between readings on the unknown and the monitor introduced errors in the measurements that could be avoided only by further stabilization of the source or by taking a large number of readings. This paper describes a method and apparatus for recording continuously and automatically the intensity of the X-ray beam that is transmitted by a core. The variation of saturation with time at a given section of the core may thus be found, or by scanning the core by driving it in synchronism with the recorder the saturation distribution may readily be determined. As indicated in the previous paper, the X-ray method possesses an advantage over the weighing technique in relative permeability experimentation in that the core need not be removed from the holder for the purpose of making a saturation measurement. Furthermore, the actual distribution of fluid and the effects upon that distribution of inflow and outflow heads may be investigated. And errors due to gas bubbles or loss of liquid that are frequently sources of error in volumetric methods of saturation determination are avoided. PRINCIPLE OF THE METHOD The energy in an X-ray beam that has passed through an absorbing material is expressed by the well known formula: E = E0, e-cd (1) where E, is the energy in the incident beam, µ the mass absorption coefficient, c the density or concentration of absorbing material, and d is the length of path of the beam in the absorber. The coefficient µ varies with the wavelength of the radiation as well as with the absorbing material. The output of an X-ray tube varies in an approximately linear manner with the tube current, but to the second or higher power of the anode voltage. Moreover, the quality or wavelength distribution of the radiation varies with the voltage.

Jan 1, 1950