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By J. B. Dilworth

The word ".development," as used in connection with mining, is a rather general term and in most instances must be qualified or explained before the exact thought in the mind of the user is made clear. For instance, by the development of a mining district is often meant its entire facilities of mineral production, such as railroads, towns, mine plants, etc. In speaking of the development of a property its prospecting by test pits or diamond drill borings may be referred to; or it may be the mines, strip pits or quarries from which the coal, ore or rock is won. Rut, as a rule, when the development of an individual mine is spoken of the idea in mind is the system of underground workings by means of which the mineral is recovered and transported to the surface. It is this character of development that is considered here. The discussion will be confined to the ordinary room-and-pillar system of mining practically horizontal coal seams that is used in most bituminous coal mines in this country, and to only two phases of this subject; viz., what is properly included under the head of "Development" as it appears on the books of a coal company or the inventories of an examining engineer, and how its " value " should be determined by the accountant or engineer. No absolute rule or definite agreement covers these points, yet these questions are far more than academic. Development is often an important part of a mining company's assets, affecting the amount of its invested capital (and hence its rate of taxation under present Federal income tax laws) as well as the value of its total assets and the amounts chargeable to cost of coal and to depreciation. Mine Development Account Perhaps the majority of mine accountants will agree that the mine development account is that capital account which shows the extraordinary expenditures incurred in opening and expanding the underground workings of a mine until it has reached its normal production, the expenditures being those made for shafts, slopes, rock tunnels, drift mouths and such relatively permanent work; also payments over and above ordinary mining costs made for driving entries, air courses and break-through; for

Jan 1, 1922

By P More

US 4,132,621-In the electrowinning of aluminum, the cells are aligned in a lengthwise direction so as to lessen the harmful influence of the induced magnetic fields Each cell is supplied with current from the preceding cell both via the head arid at least one side riser The output of the cathode bars is divided into two separate groups, the upstream group supplying the head of the subsequent cell arid the downstream group supplying the side risers of the subsequent cell This produces a substantial improvement in cell efficiency arid a greater regularity P Morel, J P Dugois, arid B Langon, assigned to Aluminium Pechiney. Jan 2, 1979 12 pp. (204¬243M) Filed 1-12-78 (868,861) Priority: France, 1-19-77 (77/2,213) US 4,134,806-Cells, anodes, arid methods for use in the electrowinning of nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, or other metals from an acid ore leach solution or the like The cell is provided with vertically immersed stationary cathodes and stationary rod anodes which are noncorrodible by the electrolyte arid are electrocatalytic to the anode reaction. The spaced parallel anode rods are connected to electric current supply bars The anode rods have an electroconductive core made of a metal alloy arid a surface coating of an oxide of platinum or a platinum group metal The ratio of active cathode surface area to active anode surface area is preferably at least 3 0. De Nora arid C Traini, assigned to Diamond Shamrock Tech¬nologies, SA Jan 16, 1979 13 pp. (204-105R) Filed 9-15-77 (833,661) Priority Italy, 1-29-73 (19738 A/73). Same British 1,434,334-5, dated May 5, 1976 US 4,135,994-In the electrowinning of aluminum at a high current efficiency, the electrolytic bath is a mixed molten salt consisting of 2-15% by weight of aluminum trichloride, 15-83% of sodium chloride, 15-70% of combined calcium chloride arid magnesium chloride but riot more than 40% of calcium chloride, arid optionally up to 10% of barium chloride Preferably, plate-shaped graphite electrodes used for both cathodes and anodes are arranged in parallel inclined relation so that the axis in the lengthwise direction makes an angle of from 10° to 45° to the horizontal. T Ishikawa arid H Ichikawa, assigned to Nippon Light Metal Co Ltd Jan 23, 1979 4 pp (204-67) Filed 11-15-77(851,632) Same British 1,550,502, dated Aug 15, 1979

Jan 1, 1980

By Thomas L. Garwood, F. C. Menk

IT is generally accepted that no method of coal cleaning except froth flotation is effective in cleaning dust. In the majority of coals mined in the United States the dust sues contain a high percentage of impurities, hence the removal of the dust from the coarse sizes lowers the impurity content of these sizes. Dedusted coal is desired as a means of providing a better feed to cleaning plants because of increased efficiency in I both dry and wet plants. In dry-cleaning plants, a dedusted feed makes for a pervious and uniform bed. With a dusty feed the fines tend to segregate in the feed stream and pass en masse over the air separators, causing a lack of uniform aeration and fluidity of the bed necessary to efficient cleaning. In wet-cleaning plants dedusting of the feed often decreases the sludge problem to the point of eliminating the necessity of wasting wash water. It may be advantageous to eliminate sludge-settling equipment in favor of dedusting equipment, to provide the advantages of a dedusted feed to the wet-washing process. Dedusting advantages may include: (1) the removal of fusain, especially advantageous in plants washing coal intended for metallurgical coke; (2) prevention of the gradual build-up of solids in the wash water, with a consequent variation in the washing ability of the system; (3) prevention of the loss of dust to the sludge ponds, providing instead a fuel for local consumption or special markets. DEDUSTING The practice of dedusting, sometimes called aspirating, has presented a problem in disposing of the dust and intermediate small sizes recovered in the process. It has been found that no difficulty is experienced in disposing of the intermediate sizes, since they are free of fine dust and burn freely on grates built for small coal. They handle well, flowing freely from bins and hoppers and into conveyors, and pulverize easily. They have a low angle of repose. In tests made on this size as a feed to coke ovens, the results have been excellent, in that the natural breakdown of coal in handling and shooting in the mine gives this small-size coal good coking characteristics-producing a strong, fingery coke structure. Deduster dust from Illinois coal has been

Jan 1, 1950

By Charles H. Behre

UNDER the caption "fault," geologists intend to include all mass movements of solid rocks over adjacent rock masses. When these are studied long after their origin, however, circumstances make it possible to recognize as "fault" only formations showing clear evidence of actual movement of one side with respect to the other. Necessarily the chief evidence consists of the offset of a vein, bed, or other key structure. Planes of movement parallel to the bedding, or nearly so, are recognized with difficulty or are overlooked and hence many important faults are wholly unrecorded. Indeed, among standard American references on structural geology, one alone emphasizes the importance of bedding-plane movements and that one only briefly1. For some time the writer, cognizant of this difficulty, has paid special attention to such movements, both as observed in the field and as recorded in the literature. It is believed that enough data are now at hand to justify a short discussion. Its purposes are fivefold. It is desired first to briefly classify and describe at least the more common kinds of bedding-plane faults, and second, to examine the causes and manner of their formation, at least in instances where the subject has not yet been well covered by other investigators. Third, certain by-products of bedding- lane movements are of such conspicuous importance to the economic geologist and mining engineer as to merit mention. Fourth, concrete illustrations should be placed before the reader in order to lend reality and to furnish a basis of comparison with his experience; such illustrations will necessarily be scattered through the text of this paper. They are only in part from the writer's own field observations. The fifth and prime objective of this paper is to direct attention to the great importance of movements on the bedding planes, in the hope that the recognition of such movements and their significance may simplify mining problems.

Jan 1, 1937

By H. Cecil Spicer

THE results described in this article are based on field work conducted during the periods April-May, 1939, and May-July, 1940. The United States Potash Co. is mining potash on Government land under a permit from the Department of the Interior and the geophysical investigation was completed under a cooperative arrangement made between that company and the Conservation Branch of the Geological Survey. The writer, a member of the Section of Chemistry and Physics of the Geologic Branch, was assigned to this investigation. Four definite objectives were in mind for the geophysical work in the studies over the salt deposits. The first was to determine the measure of success that could be attained in this type of work with the resistivity methods that were to be employed. These methods had been introduced into the work of the Conservation Branch by Benjamin E. Jones for the investigation of dam sites, and have been used under his direction by the author for such work. If the method proved to be applicable, an effort was to be made to contour the top of the salt beds and also the other formation boundaries known to be present in this area. Salt-water aquifers were to be studied in an effort to determine their boundaries, and an attempt was to be made to delineate the potash-bearing beds. EARLIER STUDIES Others have made, and reported, resistivity studies over saliferous deposits in different areas. Friedel1 and Messrs. Schlumberger2 reported geophysical work performed in the discovery of the salt domes of Alsace; Carrette and Kelly3described the geology of the same area. Leonardon and Kelly4 published a resistivity curve obtained over the Hettenschlag dome, and a further discussion of this same area was given by the Messrs. Schlumberger5 in a communication. Messrs. Alty6 described studies on salt deposits in which the single-probe method was used. Sinerez7 mentions that electrical methods were tried over salt deposits in Spain. Geoffrey and Charrin8 show a resistivity curve obtained over marl, gypsiferous marl and salt which is similar to that obtained over the New Mexico salt deposits. Kelly9 reported resistivity work performed with the ground comparator of Zuschlag over the salt deposits near Syracuse, N. Y., where the Salina formation is at a depth of 700 to 8oo ft. Some structural studies on the potash basin of Alsace are described by Poldini.10 Another single-probe resistivity study, made over salt deposits in New Mexico, is briefly described by Heiland,11 through the courtesy of Harry Aurand, of the Midwest Refining Co.

Jan 1, 1941

The Enquirer of October 13, 1835 carried a letter signed "G," calling attention to the great number of Virginians who were leaving the state and to the lack of enterprise shown in not developing the ample natural resources available. He mentioned coal in particular and in closing said: "Besides the coal mines owned by individuals, the Black Heath company of colliers are carrying on extensive operations. Owing to the derangement of the currency, and the immense expenses incurred in boring and sinking new shafts, I understand that their dividends have not yet been so large, as they may be confidently expected in future.-Another company, under the title of the Midlothian Coal Mining Company, is now about being organized by the Messrs. Wooldridges of Chesterfield, for the purpose of establishing an extensive coal business. Having examined the lands embraced in the charter and the principles upon which the company is designed to be organized, I am persuaded that more productive stock can no where be found. The charter embraces a space nearly equal to a mile square, adjoining the mines of the Black Heath company, those of Mr. N. Mills, and those of Stone Henge, which space must contain coal of great thickness of excellent quality, as the strata of coal of those other mines pass through it; exhibiting a field so extensive, that centuries may elapse before it is exhausted. A shaft has been sunk on these lands, from which a very large quantity of the best coal is being raised. The terms of the charter require the Proprietors to sell one-half of these lands and mines, from the sale of which they will appropriate $100,000 as permanent capital, to purchase hands and engines, and to sink other shafts to work the property and thus going into operation with such decided advantages, as to produce a profit as great as a reasonable man should desire. Here is an opportunity for investing capital, which I think should satisfy the wishes of many Virginians who speak of emigrating. Will they not embrace it?-I have confined my remarks to the coal mines, because they are in the heart of our State, and their operations are familiar to many who can verify the statements. I might extend them to the other mineral treasures of our State; but if I do so, they must be reserved for another number, this being longer than I intended, and perhaps longer than you can conveniently find room for in your crowded columns. G." In January 1828 the Tuckahoe Canal Company was authorized to construct a canal along Tuckahoe Creek, from the James River up the stream about five miles; later this was amended to allow the use of the stream with a depth of water of two feet, no tow path was required, or provided: A toll of one cent per bushel was collected and the canal company made large profits. The service was so poor that in December 18, 1835, John G.,

Jan 1, 1942

By John S. Marshall

The purpose of this paper is to present to the profession data and experience obtained over a period of 5 years in the operation of 87 shaker-conveyor units, and the production of 2,169,638 tons of run-of-mine anthracite coal. The data are not generally available and should be of interest to those concerned with the operation of anthracite and bituminous mines. To simplify comparison, a ton of 2000 lb. of raw run-of-mine coal has been used as the production unit throughout this paper. Mining Methods and Equipment The mine is in the vicinity of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in the Buried Valley area of the Susquehanna River. Seven veins were mined, varying in thickness from 18 in. to 8 ft. The cover overlying the veins varied from 200 to 800 ft. Three-fourths of the 1200 acres of property was covered with from 100 to 200 ft. of water-bearing gravels and clays, which prevented first mining under rock cover less than 50 ft. and pillar removal under rock cover less than 100 ft. The property was opened by two shafts sunk on the mountainside to avoid the sand and gravel present in the river valley. The veins dipped an average of 5" from the shafts. In certain areas the veins were practically flat and in some places a reverse pitch as high as 5" was encountered for short distances. A daily output of 3800 tons was hoisted on a two-shifi; hoisting operation. The mining consisted of 75 per cent pillar removal, and of the total production in the later years of operation 80 per cent was loaded by shaker conveyors, chain conveyors and scraper loaders. Shaker conveyors accounted for 70 per cent of the total output; chain conveyors and scraper loaders for 10 per cent. All conveyor work was double-shifted and 25 per cent was triple-shifted. A total of 87 shaker-conveyor units were on the property, of which 75 were kept in operation at all times.

Jan 1, 1940

The Round Table on Qualities of Pig Iron, under the auspices of the Joint Committee on Qualities of Pig Iron, which is made up of members of the American Institute of Mining and Metallurgical Engineers, the American Foundrymen's Association, the American Society for Testing Materials, the Gray Iron Institute, and the Malleable Iron Institute, was held at the Palmer House, Chicago, III., on Oct. 1, 1935. Prcoeedings R. H. SwEEtseR,* New York, N. Y.—Seven years ago last June, in Chicago, we had a round table on qualities of pig iron1, and at that time the foundrymen were out with their battle-axes for the blast-furnace men, and the open-hearth men were doing the same thing. After that meeting there was really a determined effort to find out about the qualities of pig iron, and great progress has been made all along the line. This afternoon we want to have a frank discussion of the qualities of pig iron, whether it is the molten pig iron going into the steel plant, or cold pigs going to the different foundries. We ought to hear something from Dr. J. T. MacKenzie, who is chairman of the Joint Committee, and from Mr. R. E. Kennedy, the Technical Secretary of the American Foundrymen's Association. J. T. MacKEnzie,† Birmingham, A1a.—As a result of that meeting in Chicago, there was considerable agitation in the Foundrymen's Association to develop a set of tests for pig iron. One of the difficulties was that nobody talked the same language on shrinkage, draws, live iron, dead iron, and so forth, which were the main complaints against pig iron. By request of a committee of the Foundrymen's Association, the Bureau of Standards ran a comprehensive set of tests that did develop the principles governing the optical pyrometer as applied to cast iron and pig iron. Then the Bureau went on further with the fluidity test, and developed a method for the absolute changes of volume at the freezing point. There is one serious gap in the yardstick, which has never been developed, and that is the tendency to draws from heavy sections to light. Everyone who has worried about the differences of section, and sponginess in changes of section, realizes that the

Jan 1, 1936

By P. W. Bridgman

It is characteristic of most scientific investigators that they are not satisfied with the discovery of new facts, no matter how curious or unexpected, but that along with the factual discovery there is a constant effort to understand. It appears that one's interest in, and satisfaction with, the discovery of an array of new experimental facts is enormously increased if one has at the same time a theory or hypothesis guiding one's expectation of what sort of new experimental discovery may lie around the corner. Conversely, as a theoretical physicist one's satisfaction with his theory is greatly enhanced if along with the development of the theory can go the discovery of new experimental facts, confirming or perhaps modifying the theory as it grows. Of course, there have been long arid stretches in the history of physics in which new data of unquestioned ultimate importance have piled up, without much inspiration or illumination in the way of understanding. For 50 years spectroscopy had such an arid history, but how irksome this was felt to be is plainly shown by the almost audible relief that greeted the first success by Bohr in injecting understanding into the situation, and by the fresh rush of experimenters into this field when the prospect of understanding had once been offered. The investigations in the field of high pressure, which have occupied me for a long time,' until the last few years have been in very much the same sort of situation as spectroscopy before the advent of Bohr. A great many kinds of data were collected for a great many solid and liquid substances, and there could be no question of the importance of these data, because the uniform change of dimensions produced by hydrostatic pressure is perhaps the simplest conceivable type of alteration to which a body can be subjected. But except for a few isolated flashes, there was no theoretical illumination, so that it had to be to a large extent the enthusiasm of the collector that kept me going. However, within the last few years the wave-mechanics theory of solids has progressed so rapidly that

Jan 1, 1938

By R. A. Flinn, John T. Norton

A considerable number of experiments in recent years have definitely established the fact that the internal friction or mechanical hysteresis of a metal under cyclic stress is a property that is highly "structure sensitive." Because of this fact, it has been suggested that an observation of this property, which often is referred to as "damping capacity,'' might be a useful indicator of structural changes taking place when a metal or alloy is subjected to any of a number of metallurgical treatments. Damping capacity is of interest to both engineer and metallurgist, but from a rather different point of view, and the information that each desires from such observations is of a different nature. The metallurgist is in search of various external indications of changes taking place in the interior of a metal; changes which are in themselves not directly observable. Even if the observed phenomenon cannot be explained in fundamental terms, it may be empirically related to certain characteristics of the material and prove of real value in research. Internal friction or mechanical hysteresis occupies such a position, and, although it is not well understood in terms of basic metallic theory, an observation of its changes can serve in a very useful capacity. Of course, there is nothing new in the measurement of damping, but the use of this property in metallurgical research constitutes a vast field, which has received all too little attention. The present work is essentially of an exploratory nature in this field and is an attempt to evaluate the process as a research tool. The phenomenon of age-hardening was chosen as a typical example of a structural change and one method of measuring damping was examined in considerable detail. Methods of Measuring Damping Capacity Many kinds of observations can be made upon a specimen subjected to a cyclic stress from which can be calculated the energy absorbed in

Jan 1, 1938

By H. H. Lowry

Science attracts the attention and interest of an individual or an industry in general only in proportion to the apparent direct application to its immediate welfare or benefit. Engineering accomplishments, as aphlied science, therefore receive more recognition than the scientific discoveries on which they are based. Even self-evident truth needs endless repetition before recognition: engineering as applied science cannot advance beyond the science on which it is founded. Scientific research, and discovery, is sometimes forced by the limitations recognized by those active in its development for the use of society and industry and sometimes results from an apparently superficially illogical curiosity about natural phenomena. Research has received inadequate support except in industries born in the laboratory, the chemical and electrical industries, from which many lessons might well be drawn by their elder associates. The rapid growth of these industries has been largely due to close cooperation of scientists and engineers. Most rapid advance is made when the research worker and the engineer keep in close touch with each other's ideas and problems. Many of the developments of modern industry are based on discoveries buried for years in scientific journals because the "time was not ripe" at their discovery. The situation with regard to utilization of coal is quite the oppositre. The fundamental facts in regard to the scientific aspects of the problem of developing the energy from coal are scarcely known. The engineer, without much scientific cooperation, has accomplished much in increasing the number of kilowatt-hours per pound of coal from 0.31 in 1919 to 0.69 in 1934, in increasing the 1000 gross ton-miles of freight hauled from 12.2 to 16.4 per ton of coal in the same period, in fuel economy in production of coke, and in developing the production of motor fuel in Germany and England by hydrogenation of coal. This lack of scientific research on the utilization of our most important natural resource, coal, has been due undoubtedly in large part to the reluctance of investigators to study the interrelationships involved in the complicated processes in which coal is used. These complexities are made

Jan 1, 1936

By A. Andreas

New Mexico established an annual record by producing 38,897,741 bbl. of oil during 1940. This was approximately 6 per cent greater than the 1939 production of 36,746,840 bbl. The daily average produc-tion was 106,569 bbl. New Mexico retained its position as the seventh oil-producing state. The recommendations of the United States Bureau of Mines were followed by the Oil Conservation Commission in setting the monthly state allowable. At the beginning of the year the average top allowable for each qc-acre unit was 40 bbl. and at the close of the year it was 36 bbl. Remedial work by the operators has been extremely beneficial and satisfactory in reducing the gas-oil ratios in various fields. Gas formerly blown into the air is now being processed by numerous casinghead plants. The Oil Conservation Commission, with the full cooperation of the Proration Office and operators, has taken bottom-hole pressure surveys and has done considerable remedial work in various fields. Two new oil fields and one gas field were discovered in New Mexico during 1940. Numerous extensions to the existing fields were made. Some of these were definitely wildcats in the same townships designated as fields and some, although called extensions, were more than 3 miles from production. Lea County continued to be the largest oil-producing county in the state, with a production of 33,976,394 bbl. It had the largest number of completions during 1940, with 303 oil wells, 9 gas wells and 13 dry holes—a total of 325 wells. Eddy County was the next most active county, with 239 completions, of which 163 were oil wells, 8 gas wells and 68 dry holes. It produced 4,405,158 bbl. of oil during the year. The increased activity in Eddy County and the completion of a large number of producing oil wells have created a transportation problem that can be solved only by additional pipe-line facilities. During the year Eddy County was unable to produce 1,500,000 bbl. of its allowable oil, because there was no pipe-line outlet. There were 601 wells completed in New Mexico in 1940, of which 478 were oil wells, 22 gas wells and IOI dry holes. This was a decline of approximately 9.5 per cent in the number of completions compared with 1939, when 659 wells were drilled. Southeastern New Mexico Lea County.—The largest producing field in Lea County was the Monument field, with 6,894,475 bbl.; followed by Eunice with 6,559,348 bbl. and Vacuum with 4,743,065 bbl. The Hobbs pool, which for years was the largest producing field in the state of New Mexico, was fourth with 3,790,477 bbl. The Vacuum pool was the most active area, having 68 completions, of which 67 were oil wells and one was a dry hole. Only one new field was discovered in Lea County during 1940; the discovery well was in the Caprock area, the Livermore State No. I, in the SE. 1/4 SE. 1/4 sec. 30, T. 12 S, R. 32 E. This well was drilled to a

Jan 1, 1941

By Howard C. Pyle, John E Sherborne

Core analysis is a recent development in the field of petroleum technology. The earliest work on this subject was done in connection with evaluating and planning secondary oil recovery by water-flooding. Present-day analysis of sands of flush fields requires new and independent interpretations of the data provided by cored material. Particular attention is being paid to the development of rapid, routine methods for measuring physical characteristics of sandstone, such as permeability, porosity and grain size, as well as the sand's fluid content. Permeability may be defined as the fluid-passing capacity of a rock. For a sandstone to be permeable it must be possible to pass a measurable quantity of fluid through the material in a finite period of time. The common unit of permeability is the darcy, which may be defined as the rate of viscous flow, in milliliters per second, of a fluid of one centipoise viscosity through a porous medium having a cross section of one square centimeter, under a pressure gradient of one atmosphere (76.0 cm. Hg) per centimeter.' For convenience the subunit millidarcy, or one-thousandth darcy, is often used. Porosity is defined as the fluid-containing capacity of a rock and is usually expressed as a percentage ratio of the total pore volume to the rock or bulk volume. Since measurement of only the effective or communicating pore volume is often made, porosities are distinguished as total or effective.2,3 Net effective porosity is defined as the net pore volume available for oil and gas. Oil and water content of sand is measured and expressed either as the percentage saturation of the total pores or of the bulk rock. The oil content may also be expressed as the percentage saturation of the net effective pores. In connection with water-flooding, methods of core analysis were developed to furnish data that could be used in determining the quantity of recoverable oil14-6 and the probable rates at which various sands or divisions of a sand open to the wells would take water or produce oil. In flush fields, the analytical data are used to predict the productivity of a cored interval. They indicate the presence of oil, gas and water and may

Jan 1, 1939

By K. C. McCutcheon, John Chipman

To a very large extent the quality of a mild steel ingot is determined by the manner in which it is poured into the ingot mold and its behavior during the first few minutes after it has been poured. The formation of the solid rim of metal around the periphery of the mold, the effervescent action of the liquid steel within this solidified rim and the upward or dounward movement of the metal level are indications of what is going on beneath the surface of the liquid metal, especially at the interface at which solidification occurs. Observation of this "rimming action" enables an experienced observer to predict the thickness of the sound skin of the ingot and the location and extent of cavities or "blowholes" caused by entrapment of gases. The control of rimming action at the hands of a skillful steel pourer is a vital part of the control of quality in mild steel sheet, and the behavior of the liquid steel during the rimming period is a useful criterion of the melting and refining practices employed in the open hearth. The behavior of rimming steel during solidification depends primarily upon the evolution of gases from the molten metal and it is therefore a problem of considerable interest to determine the nature and amount of the gases evolved. A number of attempts to determine either the amount or the analysis of the evolved gases have been reported. Klinger,' in 1925, analyzed the gases extracted from rimming, sernikilled and killed steel ingots and found that the chief constituent of the rimmining gas was carbon monoxide. The relatively large amounts of nitrogen reported in his first few samples may have been due to incomplete removal of air from the gas-collecting mechanism. McKune² reported similar studies of rimming ingots from which surprisingly large proportions of nitrogen and hydrogen were evolved. Ameen and Willners3 determined both the amount and composition of gases extracted from unkilled ingots with the aid of diminished pressure. Their ingots weighed only 80 kg. (176 lb.) and apparently were solid within two or three minutes, so that their

Jan 1, 1938

By H. Landsberg

In a previous report1 it was pointed out that a successful attack on roof troubles has to be preceded by extensive scouting. As Lord Kelvin once said, scientific progress can be made only if accurate data are available: "unless you measure, you do not know." The Convergence Recorder For the observation of roof movements in mines the convergence recorder has shown that it will enable us to get some of the necessary information. Results with convergence recorders were first published by Winstanley and other English investigators for rapidly moving longwall faces. In their investigations the speed of work and the heavy overburden produced a considerable amount of absolute values of convergence in a short time. Under the conditions frequently encountered in our investigations in Central Pennsylvania, under shallow, overburden and in mines with slowly proceeding extraction, the movements observed were much less in absolute value, for an equal interval of time. This mas partly because the mines in which our studies were carried on frequently had idle days, sometimes four or five in succession. Therefore continuous records were not employed and a simple convergence gauge was built. In its first models, it consisted only of two telescoping tubes pressed against roof and floor by a coil spring. At the side of the lower tube a rule divided into 1/2-mm. divisions mas fixed and a knife-edge, which was attached to the upper tube, mas slid over the scale in case of convergence between roof and floor. While the larger motions could be read on this device, it seemed to be desirable to increase the accuracy by inserting between the two tubes a dial meter reading in 1/1000 in. Such a gauge was first built in April 1937 and installed for experimental purposes in a bituminous coal mine in Pennsylvania (Fig. I). It was read at least once daily, 24 hr. apart, and if feasible at shorter intervals. After several months of experience it can be said that this type of gauge answers the scientific as well as the practical needs. It is easier to handle than the recorder; no clock is used, there are no pen troubles. The price of

Jan 1, 1938

By H. H. Stoek

A study of Americarf coal-mine practice shows two of its distinctive features to be: A greater number of accidents per thousand employees than in any of the other leading coal-producing countries; a much greater percentage of the coal lost than in any of the other leading coal-producing countries. Although our subject is mainly concerned with the second feature, any consideration of mining methods should include safety, efficiency, and economy or costs. If the argument could be offered that our wasteful mining was necessary on account of safety, and that it is carried out with less loss of life than in other countries, the plea for conservation of coal could not he so strongly urged. But when we are wasteful of both life and property, the subject merits more: consideration than it has received. Some coal operators will doubtless say that the unit of accidents should be the number per million tons produced rather than per thousand employees, for by adopting this unit America probably stands in the lead rather than the lowest among the countries. However, vital statistics are not usually so expressed by other governments, by life and accident insurance companies, or in other industries, and it is merely begging the question and attempting to bolster up a bad condition to adopt a peculiar unit for the statement of our accidents. For many years the statement was made by various agencies, and was unchallenged, that "For every ton of bituminous coal mined in the United States a ton had been lost in the way of pillars left in the mines." This statement was undoubtedly true for many years, and although in the past decade some progress has been made toward obtaining a higher extraction, and in some districts very decided progress, the loss is still great; and, although no exact data can be given, it is probable that for the United States as a whole at least one ton is lost for every two mined.

Jan 1, 1923

By C. S. Blair

The development of a geological department as an integral part of the Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Co. in the Birmingham district, Alabama, in 1908 was an innovation probably unique for any mining organization south of the Ohio River. At that time a few of the oil companies were starting geological departments, but there were no geologists among the larger industrial organizations. The Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Co. had been a substantial producer of pig iron for many years and was just getting a start in the manufacture of steel products from the pig iron. It had large acreages of coal land, ore land and timber land, but there was lacking the detailed knowledge of the possible mineral resources of much of its territory, and this territory at that time covered an area in the neighborhood of 500,000 acres in the states of Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia. Those responsible for the operations of the mining properties, not being familiar with the kind of help that might be expected from geologic work, were decidedly skeptical of the utility of the work. Therefore it was necessary to develop cooperation with the mining organization, by not infringing upon its functions, and by developing the work in such a manner as to demonstrate to the mining department its practical utility. In the first instance the man responsible for a mining operation is apt to assume the attitude that the geologist is a blockader, because the geologist, unfortunately, is obliged to point out difficulties in the carrying out of mining operations in the way originally planned. He points out the dangers of mining out one coal or metal seam at the ultimate expense of an upper or lower seam, and he develops structural features, such as faults and folds, which call to the attention of the mining operator difficulties in his future operations, which the latter had not anticipated. Eventually, however, the value of having these data became apparent to the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Co., and the operators not only welcomed the geological work and cooperated fully in its acquisition of essential information, but reached the point of asking assistance and advice; and complete coordination of the two activities has existed for many years.

Jan 1, 1935

By R. L. Wilcox, M. L. Fuller

Owing to the nature of the die-casting process, fresllly cast alloys are undoubtedly not at equilibrium from the standpoint of alloy phase relationships. After casting, therefore, they tend to undergo phase changes, with the ultimate effeet of reaching a state of equilibrium at the aging temperature, beyond which no fnrther change takes place. This phase alteration undoubtedly is one of the primary causes of the changes in dimensions and physical properties that zinc-alloy die castings undergo during aging. It is planned to report on this problem in a series of papers of which this is the first. The writers have made a study of commercial zinc die-casting alloys over a period of several years, utilizing the X-ray diffraction technic of determining the phase composition changes in the alloys. Up to the present, two principal phase changes have been observed which are capable of causing dimensional changes: (I) the segregation of secondary constituents from the zinc-base solid solution and (2) the beta aluminum-zinc decomposition. The latter is the subject of the present paper and studies on the former will be reported upon at a future time. Scope of Study In the present investigation a special technic for the study of the beta phase in zinc-alloy die castings has been developed, making possible the determination of the period of existence of the beta phase after casting. The pure beta constituent and its decomposition have been studied in detail. The effect of magnesium and copper on the velocity of the decomposition is reported. The heat of decomposition, the eutectoid temperature arid the accompanying density change have been measured. The density change lias been calculated from data on crystal structure and the result thus obtained has been compared with the actual change.

Jan 1, 1935

By Donald L. Katz, Marshall B. Standing

Density data are reported on 16 saturated hydrocarbon vapors at Pressures ranging from 1000 to 8220 Ib. per sq. in. and at temperatures ranging from 35° to 250°F. These data have been used to extend the compressibility-factor chart for natural gases up to 10,000 lb. per sq. in. The relatively large quantity of high-boiling constituents present in high-pressure vapors in equilibrium with crude oils makes it necessary to include in the analysis of the gas the molecular weight, density, and possibly boiling range of the heptanes and heavier fraction. Relationships have been presented by which the density of gases may be obtained directly from the temperature, pressure, and gas gravity provided the gases have a common source or are similar in composition. Introduction The densities of natural gases are necessary in many engineering in in petroleum production and utilization, Gas reserves, changes in reservoir pressure, gradients in gas wells, metering of gases, pipeline flow, and compression of gases are typical problems requiring the density of the gas. A decade ago, engineering computations used ideal gas laws with deviations up to 500 Ib. per sq. in.4 Recent discoveries of pools having Pressures UP to 7500 lb. Per sq. in., and installation of pressure-maintenance and recycling plants, have increased the need for data On gas density at high pressures. Methods of Computation The accepted method of computing the density or specific volume of natural gases is the use of the ideal gas law corrected by a compressibility factor. The method proposed by Kay7 of correlating compressibility factors for gaseous mixtures on pseudocritical properties5 appears to be satisfactory for natural gases.2 The meth-me-compressibility factor has been shown to deviate systematically from the behavior of natural gases2 and a chart giving these corrected factors is available. A method of computing specific volume of gaseous mixtures from partial molal volumes has been reported by sage and Lacey.8 Complete data for the computation are not yet available for all hydrocarbon gases. Most- of the reported data on gas densities have been in the single-phase region removed from the dew point or saturation condition. Since most gases in the reservoir Or while on contact with liquid '''ring flow are saturated, the determination of densities under conditions of saturation is particularly important. Although there is no reason to believe that the saturated gases differ in behavior from those consider. ably removed from their dew points, the usual experimental determinations find difficulty on approaching the dew-point conditions, This paper reports the density of I6 saturated gases in equilibrium with crude oils. The relationships developed to compute the density of gases to high pressure' have been modified and enlarged. A simpli-fied method of obtaining gas density is presented in the Form of charts, which apply for specific groups of gases.

Jan 1, 1942

By T. B. Counselman

AfteR several years study, the Universal Atlas Cement Co. decided to rebuild its plant at Leeds, Alabama. The entire old plant, which was to operate during the new construction, was then to be scrapped with the exception of two kilns. The quarry was to be mechanized, new and larger kilns installed, with the most modern type of equipment all through the plant. Raw grinding operations at all of the Universal Atlas plants were dry. However, the dust hazard of this operation and the growing emphasis on occupational diseases made wet grinding attractive. Coal at Leeds is cheap, so that a slightly higher coal practice was unimportant. Power was cheap, so that waste-heat boilers were not desirable. Since new kilns were to be installed, these could be made long enough to make filters unnecessary. Wet raw grinding could be either the old practice of open-circuit compartment mills or closed-circuit grinding in accordance with metal-lurgical practice. The latter saved power and steel wear and saved initial investment. This had been demonstrated in cement plants. Also, the elimination of tramp oversize was a most important advantage. Ease of chemical control was another factor. Blending in the thickener, with elimination of slurry mixers had been found practicable. Therefore, if wet raw grinding were used at all, the advantages were clearly in favor of closed-circuit grinding. Detailed layouts of the most modern possible closed-circuit dry-grinding plant and of a closed-circuit wet-grinding plant were prepared, and careful estimates were made of initial investment and operating costs. Full consideration of all the factors involved resulted in a decision to install wet closed-circuit grinding. The capacity of the new kilns was established at 4000 bbl. per day. Two new kilns were installed, each with a capacity of 80 bbl. per hour. Since 625 lb. of raw material is required to make a barrel of finished cement, the capacity of the grinding plant for the new kilns had to average only 1250 tons per day. Sufficient additional grinding capacity had to be provided for the two remaining old kilns, or their possible replacement by a third new kiln. The grinding rate, therefore, was set at 90 tons per

Jan 1, 1939