Search Documents

By W. C. Krumbein

GEOLOGICAL problems are approached from a geometrical (space relations) viewpoint, a kinematical (time sequence) viewpoint, or a dynamical viewpoint. The first two require sound training in conventional geology and in field methods. The third approach requires a solid foundation of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Modern training for geologists should include close integration of basic sciences with geological principles. INTRODUCTION Our knowledge of the earth has increased tremendously during the last half century. We know more about its surface configuration, the distribution of its natural resources, the procession of living forms that inhabited it in the past, the chemical composition of its oceans, the areal distribution of its surface rocks, the movements of its atmosphere, and so on. Not only do we know more facts about the earth, but we have a better understanding of the processes that take place on and within it, such as the nature of earthquakes, the thermodynamics of the atmosphere, the chemical equilibria involved in the formation of igneous rocks, the mechanics of stream flow, the dynamics of the earth's origin, and so on. Many sciences contributed to the sum total of this knowledge, including such established disciplines as geology, geography, physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology. Out of this accumulation of new knowledge grew also a group of new sciences, such as seismology, oceanography, meteorology, volcanology, hydrology. Collectively these latter are known as the geophysical and geochemical sciences, and to a large extent they began as branches of geology. Until the turn of the century, for example, the study of earthquakes (seismology) was a part of geology, although as early as 1846 Mallet, a physicist, had suggested that the subject could be investigated by elastic-wave theory. Comparatively little progress was made along these lines until the seismograph was developed near the turn of the century; since then, additional earthquake data have accumulated rapidly, but more important, the interpretation of these data essentially has kept pace with their accumulation. In similar fashion, meteorology, was generally considered a branch of geology as recently as one or two decades ago. Considerable progress had been made in such aspects as weather forecasting, but the science dates its recent rapid rise from the year 1911, when Bjerknes first applied the principles of dynamics to the analysis of air masses. The rapid development of such disciplines as oceanography, volcanology and hydrology was due in part to the application of principles of chemical equilibrium, of dynamics, and of thermodynamics to earth problems, by men who were essentially physicists or chemists by training. The last half century, therefore, and particularly the last two decades, saw the influx of numerous chemists and physicists into the realm of the earth sciences. In the meantime the main body of geology itself showed a marked growth, and

Jan 1, 1941

By Lynn B. Hales

The software systems which support the Pinto Valley Supervisory Control System are divided into three general categories. These are defined as the real-time operating system; a process data acquisition, reduction, and communication system; and a set of process-oriented systems which interface the operators and engineering staff to the process. The role of each of these three classes is reviewed. The software systems which provide reports, status displays, and trend graphs are discussed.

Jan 1, 1978

By Dubois Eastman

BEHIND the contrasting liquid-fuel technologies of Germany and the United States lie the basic differences of scarcity and abundance. The chemists and engineers of each nation have developed processes that accommodate available raw materials. In the United States, processing is based on an abundant supply of petroleum, which is refined into a variety of fuels and lubricants. Germany has little indigenous petroleum but has a readily available supply of coal that can be converted into liquid fuels and lubricants. As a result, in Germany several basic processes have been developed for the conversion of coal into synthesis gas (carbon monoxide and hydrogen). In turn, this gas is processed into products. As a normal function of its researches into petroleum processing, the petroleum industry in the United States has made careful studies of various conversion and synthesis techniques. A number of oil companies are carrying out independent development programs with the aim of synthesizing hydro- carbon products that can be marketed at a price that will compete with the price of refined petroleum products. American oil companies hope to perfect synthesis processes that will directly benefit the consumer. A good example of progress in these terms is the synthesis plant at Brownsville, Texas, which is based on the conversion of natural gas to synthetic fuels and other valuable products. When this plant is operated at near capacity, it is expected that the products will be able to compete favorably for the consumer dollar. The complete gasification of coal is a technique well rooted in history. As a controlled process on a small scale, it goes back centuries. As a practical technique on a commercial scale, it dates back to 1839, when "producer gas" appeared in Germany for limited industrial use. By 1873, "water gas," or "city gas" as it is sometimes called, was being manufactured commercially in the United States for use in heaters and stoves. The water-gas process was the cornerstone for modern synthesis. To older methods that were concerned only with carbon and oxygen reactions, it added hydrogen by means of steam. Thus far the goal of conversion was to produce gas for heating, lighting, industrial use, and cooking. The long step forward to synthesis was made in 1927, when Germany started to make gasoline from coal by means of the revolutionary Bergius hydrogenation process. A year earIier, Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch had announced their process, which finally reached the

Jan 1, 1953

The Howe Memorial Lecture, in memory of Henry Marion Howe, Past President of the Institute, was authorized in April, 1923, as an annual address to be delivered by invitation under the auspices of the Institute by an individual of recognized and out standing attainment in the science and practice of iron and steel metallurgy or metallography, chosen by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Iron and Steel Division. The following were the Howe lectures and lecturers for the years indicated: 1924 What is Steel? By Albert Sauveur.

Jan 1, 1936

By C. A. Wert, K. C. Hsieh

Measurement has been made of the organic sulfur concentration in coal macerals using microanalytical techniques in the transmission electron microscope. This technique utilizes measurements of x-rays emitted by the sulfur atoms embedded in the hydrocarbon constituents and the bremsstrahlung x-rays generated in the matrix. It is a simple technique for thin specimens and yields reliable results. Although it can be used to measure the average organic sulfur content of coal, it is most useful in determining organic sulfur in extremely small volumes of material. Variations in organic sulfur content can be measured at a scale unimagined earlier. This TEM technique also has application for determination of organic chlorine, phosphorous, potassium and other elements often found distributed through the hydrocarbon constituent of fuels.

Jan 1, 1985

By Jan M. Mutmansky, Y. J. Wang

Mine ventilation analysis is an engineering discipline that can be considered a branch of the body of science known as network analysis. Likewise, the group of engineering procedures known as the critical- path method (CPM) is considered a branch of network analysis. It is therefore not surprising that mine ventilation network analysis and CPM have many similarities. These similarities are useful in analyzing several types of mine ventilation problems and will be utilized in this paper. The analogy between the free split in a ventilation circuit and the critical path in a scheduling network has been recognized by Owili-Eger (1973). While this was recognized as a property of a general ventilation network, many important applications to controlled- splitting problems also exist. The mathematical procedures necessary to apply CPM and network methods have previously been presented (Wang, 1981; Wang, 1982). This paper will illustrate the implementation of these methods by application to mine ventilation networks.

Jan 1, 1982

By R. A. Hancock, L. C. Uren, G. V. Feskov, P. P. Gregory

The resistance to flow of mixtures of gas and oil in passing up through the flow tubing of oil wells operated by gas-lift or by natural flow is a factor in oil-recovery technic that has received but little attention. Yet accurate design of a tubing installation for a particular set of conditions, where operation is by either of these methods, is impossible without quantitative data on the pressure loss suffered by the oil-gas mixture in its passage through the well tubing to the surface. Because of lack of such information, petroleum production technologists have been compelled to approach this problem by " cut-and-try" methods, which, doubtless in many cases, has resulted in the installation and use of tubing too large or too small for most efficient utilization of the expansive force of the gas used in lifting the oil. Impressed with the necessity for information of this character, the authors have conducted a series of tests with large-scale apparatus in the petroleum engineering laboratories of the University of California, designed to be productive of data that would afford a means of attacking the problem of flow-tubing design on a more scientific basis. Mechanics of Expulsion of Gas-oil Mixtures in Naturally Flowing and Gas-lift Wells When oil is lifted from a well by the expansive force of compressed natural gas or air, the fluids enter the lower end of the eduction tube under elevated pressure, with the gas partly in solution, but largely distributed in the form of occluded bubbles within the oil mass. As discharged from deep wells, after reaching the surface, there will normally be at least 60 times as much gas, by volume, as of oil; and in many cases the ratio of gas volume to that of the oil will have a value as great as 1000 or more. On entering the lower end of the eduction tube, however, a relatively smaller volume of gas will be found in the oil-gas mixture, on account of compression of the gas in accordance with the elevated pressure necessary. If the pressure at the point of admission to the

Jan 1, 1930

By H. A. Hamza, N. E. Andersen

Emulsions have long occupied an important position in many industries. In the petroleum industry, where enhanced oil recovery techniques such as steam stimulation, flooding, etc. are being increasingly practiced, emulsions are very frequently produced. Characterization of these emulsions are an important prerequisite for monitoring and evaluation of the recovery processes. Emulsion properties will also determine the type of treatment required to separate and recover the oil phase. A variety of laboratory, pilot-scale and field-generated emulsions were characterized. Coulter technique results for size analysis are compared with microscopy (image analysis) and laser light scattering methods; Coulter determined oil contents are compared with gravimetric and volumetric methods of analysis.

Jan 1, 1980

By L. C. Skinner

THE Coal Hydrogenation Demonstration Plant at Louisiana, Missouri, was completed early in the year 1949. It has operated more or less continuously since completion except for the time required for making necessary inspections, repairs, and alterations between runs. Operations have included a short vapor-phase run on North Dakota lignite-tar distillate oil in 1949, followed in 1950 by four comparatively short exploratory liquid-phase runs and one vapor-phase run on Rock Springs [ ]

Jan 1, 1953

By Chester N. Truax

Still another shadow was cast over coal's largest market-the electric utilities-when President Johnson signed into law the Federal Clean Air Act of 1967. Air pollution-sulfur reduction-was thus brought into sharper focus as one of the central problems of the coal industry. Industry executives testified in both Houses of Congress to enable the lawmakers to develop a workable and economic law. The new legislation calls for the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to establish air control regions. After the regions are outlined the Department will publish air quality criteria on pollutants. Anticipating this legislation, the coal and utility industries have for the last several years been involved in extensive research programs to develop solutions to the air pollution problem. Even though the coal industry has been under strong attack for its part in adding contaminants to the atmosphere, it is by no means the major contributor.

Jan 2, 1968

By Ross W. Smith, Mine-Yun Hwang

Many studies have been made of the microflotation of quartz (de Bruyn, 1955; Fuerstenau, 1957; Somasundaran, 1964; Smith, 1973; Fuerstenau, 1976; and Smith and Akhtar, 1976) and alumina (Somasundaran, 1964; Smith and Akhtar, 1976; Fuerstenau and Palmer, 1976; Fuerstenau and Akhtar, 1976; Fuerstenau and Yamada, 1963; Modi and Fuerstenau, 1960) using various anionic and cationic heteropolar hydrocarbon surfactants as collectors. A few studies have been made on these materials using amphoteric hydrocarbon collectors (Wrobel 1969 and 1970; Smith. Haddenham, and Schroeder, 1973; Gupta and Smith, 1975) and only a few studies have been made on the use of fluorocarbon surfactants as flotation collectors Cooke and Talbot, 1955; Somasundaran and Kulkami, 1973). The present investigation compares microflotation response of the two minerals in hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon collector systems of the anionic, cationic, and amphoteric types. An attempt is made to relate flotation response of the minerals to their electrokinetic behavior and the pKa values of the collectors.

Jan 1, 1981

By H. Xi-Lum

Three rapid cold bonding production methods wing sponge iron powder as a binder for low temperature pellets have been successfully developed. These methods differ from ordinary bonding by the elimination of salt and other catalyzers, equipment corrosion and environmental pollution. Experiments show that these pellets have good metallurgical properties. A semi-industrial test has proven the laboratory results, with the continuous and stable production of metallic pellets. These methods replace traditional high temperature firing of oxidized pellets for direct reduction. As a result, the plant for oxidized pellets can be saved and substituted for grate in the grate-kiln system. Thus, 20% of the investment could be saved, and production cost may also be decreased because the production of cold bonding pellets does not need additional space.

Jan 1, 1984

By Pedro G. Salmon

The broad general distinction between primary and secondary batteries lies in the fact that in the former the current is produced by the consumption of one or both of the elements composing the cell, while in the latter the elements retain their form as such, and merely pass from one state of chemical combination to another. Much has been said in condemnation and but little in praise of storage-batteries; yet, notwithstanding the severe criticisms passed upon them, the skepticism with which electricians have viewed them, and the ignorance with which they have been handled, they continue to push their way into use. Their manufacture has now become a well-defined and established industry.

Jan 1, 1890

Editors of engineering periodicals usually read the advertising pages. It may be hard' for some men, let alone engineers, to understand what value there is in reading "dry advertisements." Yet it is a fact that valuable suggestions have been obtained from these so-called "dry advertisements" which have been the means of securing greater efficiency in the performance of some undertaking and consequent saving of time and money. It seems to be an editorial practice to look to the advertisements for suggestions for the reading pages. It is a fact that some of the most appreciated descriptive articles were suggested by advertisements. Every undertaking is limited to that point where tools and machinery for its successful performance and completion may be purchased or manufactured. No work can he planned without having in mind such limitation, and the technical journals may be relied upon to furnish descriptions, both editorially and through the advertising pages, of methods and plant used in successfully performing various tasks. This being so, why should not the reader or subscriber to a magazine or periodical avail himself of such a fountain of knowledge? Such perusal proves of value to the up-to-date engineer or man occupying a -position. of responsibility where initiative is essential. Authorities agree that advertisements are on a par with technical articles for their educational value, and this Is as it should be. Also, most subscribers to a publication realize that a, successful advertising medium means a continuance of advertising patronage, which in turn enables the publisher to turn out a better and larger volume of reading matter.

Jan 6, 1915

By F. R. Hewitt

The methods of mining talc are simple, and in western North Carolina are almost entirely by open cut and quarry. The larger part of the talc of this section lies in various-sized "veins''. inclosed in quartzitic walls, the majority of which have by folding been thrown into a perpendicular position, or nearly so, and the exposed edges of which have been covered by debris from erosion of the mountain above. This covering of loose rocks and earth is from 5 to 25 ft. thick, and in most cases has to be removed because it is difficult to support. Sometimes the covering is heavy enough to "catch" and timber successfully, and in this case the talc can be worked out by the usual method of following the "vein," using stulls for holding up the walk until the vein is worked out, and then allowing the cut or drift to fall in. In some cases it proves more convenient to sink shafts and run drifts, following the talc "veins" until exhausted. The talc deposits of this section are badly broken and faulted both laterally and perpendicularly, and in some cases are found many feet below the level of drainage, necessitating pumping at considerable expense. My own experience in mining talc has been that the chief point is to get a reliable "vein," and that then the mining is not as difficult, or any more so at least, than that of any common ore. If the "veins" are pure talc it is simple; if the talc is admixed with foreign matter, such as tre-molite in excess, or stains of iron or manganese, as is often the case, one had better abandon the deposit. Methods of Manufacture Talc, being a soft mineral, is not difficult to reduce to the condition desired by the trade. Powdered talc is admitted under low duty from France, Italy and Austria, and some is being imported from Asiatic points. Talc is usually ground and bolted in any simple reduction mill. That mined in this section is hand-sorted and the quality that will make good powdered talc is ground for use in the manufacture of talcum powder, cosmetics, etc., while all that is hard enough and has sufficient strength is used for crayons and blanks for gas burners and electrical work, being sawed into the shapes desired. The rest that is clean and pure is ground

Jan 1, 1917

By Dennis K. Mortensen

The Role of the Operator The ultimate objective of any installation is to be able to accomplish the useful work that it was originally designed for. The operator needs a tool that he can both operate effectively and maintain efficiently. The overall design and subsequent installation of a comminution circuit should be a marriage of good engineering practice and practicality. Since the operator must operate and maintain his equipment, his input into the design and installation is vital to its ultimate success. The design of a crushing or grinding circuit is dependent upon many factors including flowsheet design, equipment selection, physical layout, space restrictions, climatic restrictions and considerations for future expansion. The operator must live on a day-to-day basis with the results of the final design and installation. The most satisfactory operation will result when the operator has a major input into each of the criteria that are used to define the final design and installation. The operator referred to is not only the mining company or organization that is having the installation built for its specific use but, more specifically, the person or persons that will actually be responsible for its daily operation and maintenance. Future references to the "operator" will include those individuals with that daily reponsibility. The operator's input into the installation of the circuit is of equal importance to his input into the design. The engineering organization which puts together all of the various design drawings for circuit installation is generally restricted to trying to get all of the details onto a multitude of 24" x 36" two dimensional drawings with a few isometric drawings thrown in. It's almost impossible to get all of the details of a final installation onto all of the drawings, and field modifications are necessary to make everything fit properly. In a multilevel installation, such as a grinding or crushing circuit, it is difficult to envision space requirements to adequately operate and maintain the various pieces of equipment simply by looking at a set o£ drawings. For some designs it is helpful to build a scale model so that a more realistic view of what the installation will look like can be seen. The scale model allows the operator to make whatever changes in design are needed to operate and maintain his equipment most effi-

Jan 1, 1982

The 27th Regiment of Engineers was organized in the Army not long ago for special mining service at the front (or, we might even say, in advance of the front). In military engineering in warfare, the "sappers and miners" are one of the ancient branches of the corps of engineers; but in modern warfare the importance of this service has been greatly magnified. The 27th Engineers is a. special mining regiment, which is being recruited from mining engineers and miners from all districts of the country, already containing representatives from all the mining states between Arizona and Montana and from the Atlantic to the Pacific Coast. Those of us who cannot go to the front should not-be content to tell the young fellows to go, and then forget them. We want the men of the 27th Engineers to know that they represent our industry and their industry; and that the industry is going to think about them and back them up. Expressing the above views, the Engineering and. Mining Journal instituted a fund for the aid of the 27th Engineers. It has already raised a considerable sum of money, and contributions are coming in fast; but there is no limit to what is wanted. This money is being spent in providing the regiment with athletic equipment, both outdoor and indoor; with games for the barracks; with cigarettes and smoking tobacco; with contributions to the funds of the several companies that the men raise among themselves. It is contemplated, moreover, that there will be need to extend aid and comfort to some of the families whom the men have left behind. Contributions of books, sweaters and other knitted articles are also being received.

Jan 3, 1918

Draftsman and transitman for coal mine work in Middle West. Salary $125 per month. No. 277. Technical graduate wanted for metallurgical work in experimental laboratory of large New England manufacturing concern. A knowledge of metallography of steel is essential. Practical experience is desirable but not required. No. 305. High-class man to install and take charge of a coal mining property. Must be experienced in handling labor and of good sound judgment. Work will require a man to be on the grounds practically all the time. The work is drift mining and is not gaseous. No. 306. Engineer familiar with the acid treatment and melting of cyanide precipitates; also a competent assayer. Applicant must be able to furnish good references. No. 307. Wanted-practical mining man, foreman, or superintendent for work in middle or southern Atlantic States. Salary $200 per month. No. 308.

Jan 5, 1918

By A. C. Rand

The invention to be described in this paper is the work of Frederic A. Halsey, Engineer for the Rand Drill Company, of New York, and its use mill abridge the notable wastefulness of power of the striking rock-drill, and, at the same time, increase its capacity for work. That the older type of rock-drill is wasteful in power, is generally admitted; the cause being the use of steam* without expansion, arid the "cushion" of the blow, by the incoming steam upon the lower † end of the piston before the cutting tool strikes the rock.

Jan 1, 1885

By F. C. Blake

The best method for the estimation of copper in ores and secondary products is that proposed by Dr. Steinbeck* for the award offered by the Mansfeld'schen Ober-Berg-und Hutten-Direction. It is based upon the decolorization of the blue ammonia solution of copper by potassic cyanide.7 It is necessary for the accurate estimation of copper in arsenides that the arsenic be separated from the copper before the ammonia solution is made. The presence of a notable amount of arsenic renders the titration by potassic cyanide inaccurate, the end reaction being obscured by the appearance of a yellowish-green tint towards the end of the titration. The change of the color of the ammonia solution from blue to the tint caused by the presence of arsenic cannot be used for an end reaction, for the intensity and quick appearance of the latter color depend upon the amount of arsenic present in the solution. In the analysis of speise, the method of separating the copper by an oxidizing and reducing treatment in the muffle, to volatilize the arsenic, gives poor results, and there may easily be some loss of the weighed sample. The separation of the precipitated sulphides of arsenic and copper by treating with sodic sulphide, gives good results, but the process is tedious. I have used the two following methods, which are simpler and more expeditious than those mentioned, with good results

Jan 1, 1881