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By Kung-Lee Wang, Brian W. Mackenzie, Warren E. Morrison, DeVerle P. Harris, George F. Sharrard

The term "mineral economics" is applied to a wide range of activities in the mineral industries. Earlier chapters have described the application of economic concepts to the mineral industries-supply, demand, conservation, tariffs, etc. The solution of mineral economics problems is often assisted by the application of quantitative methods. The purpose of this chapter is to describe a number of quantitative methods-econometric, operations research, and management science techniques-which find application in the analysis of mineral economics problems. These methods include input-output analysis, trend analysis, forecasting techniques, simulation, multivariate statistical analysis, mathematical programming, and market research techniques. The purpose of this introductory section is to provide a mineral economics framework for the application of these methods. Mineral economics is a subdivision of economics that is justified by a sufficient number of economic problems in the mineral industry requiring special experience and an unusual combination of skills. These problems are concerned with the conversion of minerals as geologic resources to minerals as economic goods. The mineral conversion process is outlined in Fig. 8.A.1. The physical occurrence of mineral deposits in nature and the market demand for mineral products in the economy provide the basic stimuli. The conversion process embodies a number of sequential stages-exploration, the development of mineral deposits, and mineral processing facilities and, consequently, productive activity to supply market demand. Changes in demand and the depletion of deposits illustrate the dynamics of the process. Mineral economics applies economic con-

Jan 1, 1976

By Rees D. Rawlings, C. W. A. Newey

The aging characteristics of an Fe-11 at. pct Mo alloy have been studied by means of light metallography together with density, Young&apos;s modulus, and hardness measurements. The results were consistent with the precipitation of a single intermetallic compound during aging; overaging was slow relative to that in other iron-based binary alloys. The solution treatment temperature had a small effect on the rate of hardening whereas deformation prior to aging had a marked effect on both the rate of hardening and the peak hardness. The density data indicate that the compound precipitated is Fe3MO2 and not the Laves phase Fe2Mo. Analysis of the modulus and density results gave values for the time exponent for precipitate growth of approximately 1.0 and 1.5 for the alloy aged with and without prior deformation, respectively. DETAILED studies of precipitation hardening in bcc matrices have been confined largely to the effects of carbides and nitrides. In view of this and the growing technological interest in intermetallic compound strengthening, e.g., in maraging steels, a study of precipitation in iron-based alloys with a low interstitial content has been undertaken. This paper is concerned with the aging behavior of an Fe-11 at. pct Mo alloy; the mechanical behavior of the alloy will be reported later. The early work of sykes on Fe-Mo alloys showed that precipitation of the intermetallic compound was accompanied by an increase in hardness and a decrease in volume of the material. More recent surveys of the strengthening associated with precipitation have been made3-5 and, in particular, Elsen and wassermann4 showed that deformation prior to aging increased the rate of hardening. These latter workers also followed the precipitation process by means of dilatometry, electrical resistivity, and lattice parameter measurements. Their results confirmed that there is a decrease in volume on aging. Except for the work of Hornbogen on an Fe-20 at. pct Mo alloy, neither clustering nor the precipitation of a nonequilibrium phase has been observed in Fe-Mo alloys. Studies of alloys of lower molybdenum content475 indicate that the equilibrium intermetallic compound is precipitated during aging. However, there is some doubt concerning the nature of the equilibrium precipitate phase. According to the phase diagram constructed by Hansen,8 the phase should be precipitated. This phase has a rhombohedra1 crystal structure which is characterized by the formula Fe706,&apos; although the composition of the molybdenum-rich boundary corresponds approximately to Fe3Mo2. The version of the diagram proposed by Sinha, Buckley, and Hume-Rother indicates that the A phase, a Laves phase Fe2Mo, should be precipitated. Their observation of a Laves phase supports the earlier findings of Bechtoldt and Vacher,13 although, in a recent study of the system by means of diffusion couples, Rawlings and Newey did not detect the phase. The work presented here describes the effect of solution-treatment temperature, aging temperature, and prior deformation on the aging characteristics of the alloy as revealed by light metallography together with hardness, density, and Young&apos;s modulus measurements. In addition the density data are used in an attempt to determine the compound precipitated during aging. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE A 29-kg ingot of the alloy was cast at R.A.R.D.E., Fort Halstead, from deoxidized, Japanese electrolytic iron and sintered molybdenum. The ingot was homogenized for 6 hr at 1473°K and then worked, with intermediate anneals, into 6- and 16-mm-diam rods and 6-mm plate. Chemical analysis of the alloy gave, wt pct: Mo, 17.5 (11 at. pct); C, 0.003; Si, 0.002; S, 0.005; P, <0.002; and02, 0.0098. Solution treatments were carried out under a dynamic argon atmosphere in a vertical, "crusilite" element, furnace which had a facility for rapid quenching into iced water. Except for the study of the effect of solution treatment temperature, all specimens were solution-treated at 1573" * 2°K for 1 hr. Salt baths were used for the aging treatments. Specimens for hardness, density, and Young&apos;s modulus measurements were produced, after heat treatment, from the stock rod or bar using a precision silicon carbide slitting wheel. As described later, the quenching treatment produced local plastic strain in the stock material; consequently, care was taken to ensure that the specimens were not prepared from these regions. Those specimens used in the studies of the effects of prior deformation on the aging behavior were strained in compression in a Denison universal testing machine. Specimens for light metallographic observations were mechanically polished on successively finer grades of diamond paste down to and then etched in either alcoholic ferric chloride or in a 2 pct nital solution. Vickers diamond pyramid hardness data were obtained using a 30-kg load. At least five impressions were averaged for each determination. Density measurements were made using a displacement technique in which each specimen was weighed in air and in dibromoethane at 296°K. The specimens were cylindrical and weighed 3 to 4 g; all weighings were made on a balance reading to 1 x 10"5 g. For each specimen the mean value of five weighings was used to calculate the density. The density of the dibromoethane was determined using the displacement procedure and a standard nickel specimen. The error in an absolute density value was estimated to be HI.01 pct. To obtain the density as a function of aging time a single specimen was used and the density meas-

Jan 1, 1969

By AIME AIME

THE Petroleum Division will hold two meetings this fall, one on the Coast at Los Angeles, Sept. 29, with the technical sessions in the assembly room of the California Oil and Gas Association and a banquet Friday evening at the Richfield Cafe atop the Richfield building; the other in the Southwest, at Dallas, Texas, Oct. 6 and 7, with the Baker Hotel as headquarters. Dr. Frederick M. Becket, President of the Institute, and A. B. Parsons, Secretary, will attend both meetings. Arrangements for the meetings are not yet complete but the respective local committees, working in close touch with the officials of the Division are rapidly shaping up the programs and other detail.

Jan 1, 1933

By C. H. Curtis

HE valuable mineral content of the current feed -*- to the Miami concentrator is as follows: copper, 0.7 pct total; molybdenum, 0.01. Flotation of this ore yields a sulphide concentrate containing: chalco- cite, 44 pct; molybdenite, 0.5; pyrite, 50.0; insol, 5.5. A combination of potassium ethyl xanthate and pentasol amyl xanthate as collectors, and pine oil as frother, are used in this flotation. Rejection of pyrite is encouraged by holding the amount of collectors used to the minimum consistent with copper recovery and by operating at high alkalinity (equivalent to 0.35-0.40 lb CaO per ton solution of pH 11.0). The molybdenum recovery in the sulphide concentrates under the above flotation conditions is approximately 50 pct of that originally present in the ore. Taking into account the acid soluble molybdenum, indicated molybdenite recovery is 75 to 80 pct. The attempt to separate the molybdenite into an acceptable molybdenum product begins with the bulk sulphide flotation concentrate just described. This concentrate is composed of chalcocite, whose floatability has been promoted to the fullest extent possible for the sake of its recovery from the ore, together with the pyrite which has been activated along with the copper mineral. The problem is to deaden the copper and iron minerals, and to float the molybdenite. Obviously in the accomplishment of this end, conditioning and preparation of the pulp, prior to flotation, plays an all important role. The first step is thickening to 50 to 60 pct solids, with milk of lime added to the thickener feed to maintain an alkalinity of the pulp equivalent to a pH of 8.5 to 8.8 during its residence in the thickener. The purpose of the thickening is primarily to reduce the volume of pulp for subsequent treatment. However, the relatively prolonged retention of the pulp in the thickener at the desired alkalinity is known to have a favorable depressing effect upon pyrite. There is a limit for this alkalinity above which a depressing effect upon molybdenite occurs. The thickened pulp (alkalinity: 0.015 lb CaO per ton, pH 8.8), discharges into an agitator, retention time approximately 2 hr, to which additional lime is added to raise the alkalinity to 0.35 to 0.40 lb CaO per ton solution, pH 11.6. This additional lime is required for pyrite depression and can be tolerated without loss of molybdenite because of the limited time of contact in the conditioner tank. The pulp leaving the lime conditioner passes through two successive steaming tanks, which are mechanically agitated, and into which live steam is admitted directly into the pulp near the bottom of the tanks. The temperature of the pulp is maintained as near boiling as possible. The steaming time is approximately 4 hr. The pulp leaving the last steamer has an alkalinity of about 0.04 lb Cao per ton solution, pH 8.7. It is believed that oxidation of the copper and iron sulphides occurs during steaming, the resulting sulphates reacting the calcium hydroxide to calcium sulphate and thus reducing the alkalinity. Since the steamer-feed solution is already saturated with calcium sulphate, the calcium sulphate produced during steaming is precipitated. It is believed that this calcium sulphate is precipitated preferentially on copper and iron mineral surfaces thus decreasing their floatability. Aside from the "lime chemistry" during steaming, pine oil is displaced from the pulp and xanthate decomposed, which has a major effect upon the deadening of the copper and iron sulphides. Following steaming, the hot pulp is admitted to another conditioning tank wherein it is aerated, primarily for cooling, but incidentally for additional oxidation of the copper and iron sulphides. The resulting "deadened" pulp is then diluted to 20 pct solids, a specific collector for molybdenite, ordinary stove oil, is added and the separation of the molybdenite by flotation is undertaken at a pH of 8.5 to 8.8 in standard Miami air-flotation ma-chines. B-22 frother is used when necessary. A re-grind of the thickened rougher concentrates is made prior to the first cleaning operation chiefly for rejection of insoluble in subsequent flotation. The cleaner concentrate is then stepped up to 90 pct MoS, in an 8-cell Denver flotation machine No. 18. Sodium silicate is added to the cleaner circuit. Its effect is to flocculate molybdenite and stabilize the froth. In summary, it may be stated: 1. Separation of molybdenite into an acceptable product from sulphide copper concentrates by flotation involves preliminary preparation and conditioning of the pulp, which is of major importance. 2. This preparation and conditioning consists of several successive steps: (A) Thickening to 50 to 60 pct solids at controlled alkalinity to reduce volume of pulp and to contribute to depression of pyrite. (B) Agitation at high-pulp density for limited time with additional lime to provide for depression of pyrite. (C) Steaming at high-pulp density for decomposition of xanthate and xanthate surface films, evolution of pine oil, and oxidation of sulphide minerals other than molybdenite. The latter involves sulphating of lime with probable precipitation of calcium sulphate preferentially on copper and iron minerals. (D) Aeration at high-pulp density for cooling, and for further oxidation of copper and iron sulphide minerals. (E) Dilution of pulp to 20 pct solids and addition of specific collector for molybdenite, common stove oil. It is hardly necessary to point out that this rather drastic procedure for depression of previously activated copper and iron sulphide minerals, without at the same time depressing molybdenite, is possible due to the inherently high floatability and refractory nature of molybdenite. However, molybdenite is susceptible to depression by excessive lime which must therefore be limited to the amount consistent with satisfactory molybdenite recovery. The steaming procedure is being carried on at Miami Copper Co. under license agreement with Janney, Nokes, and Johnson, holders of letters patent on the process.

Jan 1, 1951

By C. H. Curtis

HE valuable mineral content of the current feed -*- to the Miami concentrator is as follows: copper, 0.7 pct total; molybdenum, 0.01. Flotation of this ore yields a sulphide concentrate containing: chalco- cite, 44 pct; molybdenite, 0.5; pyrite, 50.0; insol, 5.5. A combination of potassium ethyl xanthate and pentasol amyl xanthate as collectors, and pine oil as frother, are used in this flotation. Rejection of pyrite is encouraged by holding the amount of collectors used to the minimum consistent with copper recovery and by operating at high alkalinity (equivalent to 0.35-0.40 lb CaO per ton solution of pH 11.0). The molybdenum recovery in the sulphide concentrates under the above flotation conditions is approximately 50 pct of that originally present in the ore. Taking into account the acid soluble molybdenum, indicated molybdenite recovery is 75 to 80 pct. The attempt to separate the molybdenite into an acceptable molybdenum product begins with the bulk sulphide flotation concentrate just described. This concentrate is composed of chalcocite, whose floatability has been promoted to the fullest extent possible for the sake of its recovery from the ore, together with the pyrite which has been activated along with the copper mineral. The problem is to deaden the copper and iron minerals, and to float the molybdenite. Obviously in the accomplishment of this end, conditioning and preparation of the pulp, prior to flotation, plays an all important role. The first step is thickening to 50 to 60 pct solids, with milk of lime added to the thickener feed to maintain an alkalinity of the pulp equivalent to a pH of 8.5 to 8.8 during its residence in the thickener. The purpose of the thickening is primarily to reduce the volume of pulp for subsequent treatment. However, the relatively prolonged retention of the pulp in the thickener at the desired alkalinity is known to have a favorable depressing effect upon pyrite. There is a limit for this alkalinity above which a depressing effect upon molybdenite occurs. The thickened pulp (alkalinity: 0.015 lb CaO per ton, pH 8.8), discharges into an agitator, retention time approximately 2 hr, to which additional lime is added to raise the alkalinity to 0.35 to 0.40 lb CaO per ton solution, pH 11.6. This additional lime is required for pyrite depression and can be tolerated without loss of molybdenite because of the limited time of contact in the conditioner tank. The pulp leaving the lime conditioner passes through two successive steaming tanks, which are mechanically agitated, and into which live steam is admitted directly into the pulp near the bottom of the tanks. The temperature of the pulp is maintained as near boiling as possible. The steaming time is approximately 4 hr. The pulp leaving the last steamer has an alkalinity of about 0.04 lb Cao per ton solution, pH 8.7. It is believed that oxidation of the copper and iron sulphides occurs during steaming, the resulting sulphates reacting the calcium hydroxide to calcium sulphate and thus reducing the alkalinity. Since the steamer-feed solution is already saturated with calcium sulphate, the calcium sulphate produced during steaming is precipitated. It is believed that this calcium sulphate is precipitated preferentially on copper and iron mineral surfaces thus decreasing their floatability. Aside from the "lime chemistry" during steaming, pine oil is displaced from the pulp and xanthate decomposed, which has a major effect upon the deadening of the copper and iron sulphides. Following steaming, the hot pulp is admitted to another conditioning tank wherein it is aerated, primarily for cooling, but incidentally for additional oxidation of the copper and iron sulphides. The resulting "deadened" pulp is then diluted to 20 pct solids, a specific collector for molybdenite, ordinary stove oil, is added and the separation of the molybdenite by flotation is undertaken at a pH of 8.5 to 8.8 in standard Miami air-flotation ma-chines. B-22 frother is used when necessary. A re-grind of the thickened rougher concentrates is made prior to the first cleaning operation chiefly for rejection of insoluble in subsequent flotation. The cleaner concentrate is then stepped up to 90 pct MoS, in an 8-cell Denver flotation machine No. 18. Sodium silicate is added to the cleaner circuit. Its effect is to flocculate molybdenite and stabilize the froth. In summary, it may be stated: 1. Separation of molybdenite into an acceptable product from sulphide copper concentrates by flotation involves preliminary preparation and conditioning of the pulp, which is of major importance. 2. This preparation and conditioning consists of several successive steps: (A) Thickening to 50 to 60 pct solids at controlled alkalinity to reduce volume of pulp and to contribute to depression of pyrite. (B) Agitation at high-pulp density for limited time with additional lime to provide for depression of pyrite. (C) Steaming at high-pulp density for decomposition of xanthate and xanthate surface films, evolution of pine oil, and oxidation of sulphide minerals other than molybdenite. The latter involves sulphating of lime with probable precipitation of calcium sulphate preferentially on copper and iron minerals. (D) Aeration at high-pulp density for cooling, and for further oxidation of copper and iron sulphide minerals. (E) Dilution of pulp to 20 pct solids and addition of specific collector for molybdenite, common stove oil. It is hardly necessary to point out that this rather drastic procedure for depression of previously activated copper and iron sulphide minerals, without at the same time depressing molybdenite, is possible due to the inherently high floatability and refractory nature of molybdenite. However, molybdenite is susceptible to depression by excessive lime which must therefore be limited to the amount consistent with satisfactory molybdenite recovery. The steaming procedure is being carried on at Miami Copper Co. under license agreement with Janney, Nokes, and Johnson, holders of letters patent on the process.

Jan 1, 1951

By C. K. Leith

ManGanese is one of the minerals which is principally consumed in countries other than origin. Nearly 85 per cent. of the world&apos;s production is used by the United States, England, Germany and France, and roughly a third of the total is used by the United States alone. On the other hand, over 85 per cent. of the world production comes from Brazil, Russia, India, the Gold Coast of Africa and the Sinai Peninsula. It follows from this fact that practically all manganese moves across international boundaries in raw or alloy form, and much the larger part of this inovement is for considerable distances and is occan bornc. There is no indication that any one of the principal consuming countries can develop even approximately adequate supplies of its own. Under abnormal war conditions, with high prices and changes in metallurgical methods, only 35 per cent. of the needs of the United States was met from local sources, and under our recent tariff only 11 per cent. There are thousands of manganese deposits scattered about the world, but only a very few which can figure largely in supplying requirements on a modern scale. The known reserves, together with highly probable extensions and explorations now under way, indicate no shortage from a world standpoint for many deeades to come. The production and marketing of manganese is going steadily into fewer and stronger hands. The steel industry uses over 90 per cent. of all the manganese mined and is acquiring control of a considerable part of the production in all of the principal fields—the Germans in Nikopol, the English in India and Gold Coast, the Americans in Georgia, India, Gold Coast and Brazil. Some of the controlling companies arc of international scope. Concentration of commercial control is a notable tendency. A natural consequence is the growing uneasiness of smaller consumers the world over about their ultimate supplies and desire to know more definitely how and where manganese supplies will be controlled in the future. The sources of supply are few cnough to warrant the belief that more or less monopolistic elements of control arc not impossible.

Jan 1, 1927

By L. R. Jackson

THE idea presented in this paper is that the capacity of a metal for plastic flow before rupture is dependent on the type of stress system applied-that is, the absolute magnitude of the stresses are unimportant provided that they are large enough to produce continued flow; the important factor is the "type" of stress system. A term called the "triaxial stress ratio" is defined in such a way that this ratio can be used to characterize the "type" of system. The paper is divided into three sections. The first section discusses means of representing the effect of complex stresses on plastic flow and defines "triaxial stress ratio"; the second section discusses various methods of&apos; obtaining complex stress distribution. The third section gives some experimental results showing the effect of types of complex stress on the capacity of various metals for flow. An appendix discusses some details on methods of obtaining complex stresses. I. REPRESENTATION OF COMPLEX STRESS SYSTEMS AND THEIR EFFECT ON PLASTIC FLOW Representation of Stresses It is convenient to have a consistent system of notation that will allow the representation of the entire range of complex stresses from hydrostatic compression to hydrostatic tension on plastic flow in a single diagram. Such a system is provided by making use of the fact that any complex stress system can be resolved into a hydrostatic tension or compression and a pure shear. Consider a stress system having the principal stresses [S1 S2 5 S3]. This system can be resolved into a new system consisting of the three components [ ] and three pure shears. If Sm is positive, the net stress effect is hydrostatic tension; if it is negative, the effect is hydrostatic compression. In order to produce a systematic notation, a quantity that will be referred to as the "triaxial ratio" will be defined by the equation [ ] Sm is given by Eq. I and S1 is the absolute magnitude of the largest principal stress without regard to sign. Table I lists the triaxial ratios for various common systems. [ ] Representation of Strains Strains will be plotted as "true" strains according to the system proposed by Ludwik.1

Jan 1, 1944

By C. B. Foraker

THE Magma mine, of the Magma Copper Co., at Superior, Pinal County, Arizona, is 68 miles east of Phoenix and 21 miles west of Miami, Arizona, on highway U. S. 180. TEMPERATURES AND UNDERGROUND WATERS Surface Temperatures.-The average surface dry-bulb temperature at Superior is 72.4º; wet-bulb, 57.4º; with an indicated relative humidity of 38 per cent. The average yearly rainfall from 1921 to 1936, inclusive, was 18.74 in. The maximum condition of the atmosphere is in June, July and August, and the minimum is in January and February. The surface temperatures, of course, influence the temperatures of the down- cast shafts; however, the variation between winter and summer causes a difference of only 2º to 3º in the stopes and working places that are not close to the intake shafts. Average atmospheric conditions are shown in Fig. 1. Rock Temperatures.-Rock temperatures on the deeper levels of the mine are as follows: [ ] There appears to be no difference in rock temperature for any particular horizon of the various formations or in the vein. Water encountered is always the same temperature as the rock from which it flows, and for this reason it is thought that the water is heated by the rock; not the rock by the water. The country rock apparently has been heated by the various intrusions, perhaps the vein itself, and has not yet had time to cool off. The geothermal gradient (Fig. 2) as indicated by the rock temperatures given above is 1 ½ º per 100 feet. Underground Waters.-The underground water varies from 350 to 565 gal. per min., depending on the rainfall. The limestone and other

Jan 1, 1938

By C. C. Harris

A critical literature review leads to a descriptive model of tumbling mill operation based upon energy partition concepts and the necessary requirements for particle fracture. As grinding proceeds into the ultra-fine region, conditions which are of little significance during normal operations gradually become controlling. These involve increasing resistance to fracture and an increasing tendency to aggregate as particles become smaller, and a growing fraction of the power input being consumed fruitlessly. The result is that fineness asymptotes to a maximum value as comminution proceeds indefinitely; thus where t is time, p and n are experimentally determined parameters, and Ø is a measure of fineness, which is presumed to be proportional to specific surface area, or proportional to the reciprocal of the size modulus (provided that the distribution modulus remains constant with time), or both. Ø, is the asymptotic value of Ø and is a measure of the grind limit. A method for its graphical determination is given. In a previous paper1 the physical and mathematical principles requisite to a study of the role of energy in comminution were reviewed. The micro-process of comminution — or the comminution event — can be investigated in terms of (a) the magnitude of the force-field localized around the individual particles which gives rise to the stresses generated in the particles, which in turn induces their fracture, and (b) the distribution of fragment sizes, should the event prove fruitful. The entire fragmentation operation can be considered to be the totality of its individual events, and in order to obtain a single independent variable of the process it is necessary to transform and sum the local stresses in terms of energy.1 This energy, however, will account for only a fraction of the energy input to the comminution process, the actual magnitude depending upon the kind of mill and several related factors. From the comminution viewpoint the primary function of a mill is that of stressing as many as possible of the individual particles of the charge to failure, with the maximum economy of energy expenditure. This is difficult indeed to achieve, for stressing a particle does not always break it, while the overwhelming portion of the energy input is involved with various internal mill processes which — almost incidentally — determine the magnitude, frequency, and manner in which the forces are applied to the particles. Essentially, these processes depend upon the mill dimensions, loading and speed, and they may be little affected whether fracture occurs or not. These processes must be delineated if a complete description of the role of energy in comminution is to be given; the energy account sheet1 (Fig. 1) in showing how the energy is partitioned for the requirements of the several functions it performs, provides a framework for the development of a model of the comminution process. Actual numerical values for the variables appearing in Fig. 1 will depend upon the mill, materials, and operating conditions. A possible general relationship between the variables will be suggested in this paper. Before proceeding further, a cautionary note must be issued. It was pointed out in an earlier paper&apos; that while energy input is not changed by increasing the power and decreasing the time in the same proportion, and vice versa, the results of the process in terms of particle fineness may be different. Thus, although energy is chosen as the independent variable of a comminution process, it is not absolutely independent, and care must be exercised to ensure that it is used within its range of valid application. Time has the necessary independence, and it will be used in place of energy where it is appropriate. The residence time in a mill is usually of the order of minutes. Under these conditions the particles are subjected to "... a relatively constant fracture producing environment".2 However, under the more rigorous conditions of greatly extended time, which pertain in ultra-fine grinding, indications are that the fracture producing environment no longer remains constant; this is the major subject of this paper. At this extreme limit the mill is probably taxed to its utmost, and at the same time the bulk material properties are becoming closer to ideal, while the physico chemical effects associated with surfaces, edges and corners are multiplying. (The edge length per unit volume is proportional to the square of the specific

Jan 1, 1968

By Rodney P. Smith

The rate of motion of the boundary between a single-phase a-iron region and a two phase a-iron plus ?-iron, or a-iron plus cementite region has been measured on decarburization at several temperatures between 500" and 865°C. These data, together with data for the carbon content of a-iron at the boundary, yield the diffusivity of carbon in a-iron. The activation energy for carbon diffusion is 19.8 kcal per mole for the temperature range —50° to 150°C and increases to an average value of 23.0 kcaL per mole for the temperature range 727" to 865°C. AS part of an investigation of the diffusivity of carbon in iron using a steady-state method,&apos; the diffusivity of carbon in a-iron was determined at the temperatures 802" and 851°C. The diffusion constant thus obtained was larger, by nearly a factor of two, than that predicted from the combined results of stanley2 and of Wert.3 It seemed desirable, therefore, to continue the investigation. Since the temperature range in which the steady-state method can be conveniently used is limited, we have chosen a decarburization method, based on the laws of diffusion in metal accompanied by a phase change.4,5 If the initial carbon content of the Fe-C alloy is such that two phases coexist at the decar-burizing temperature* and decarburization is car- ried out such that the surface is maintained at substantially zero wt pct. C, the carbon distribution after a time, t, will be as shown in Fig. 1. The boundary between the single-phase and two-phase regions moves from y = 0 to y = x in the time, t, where x is proportional4 to tl". If the initial carbon (content of the sample is Ci, and CB is

Jan 1, 1962

By C. R. Criss, R. J. McCormick

ThiS paper .summarizes the development and perform. ance of the Coldwater Oil field, Isabella County, Mich. Production is obtained at a depth of 3750 ft from a dolomite reservoir, which is probably both Rogers City and Dundee. There appears to be no persistent barrier to vertical fluid movement between the Rogers City and Dundee, and both formations are believed to have a common original oil-water contact. No we1ls are open to production at the level of the Dundee. The discovery of the field in 1944 was followed by the drilling of 81 producing wells and nine dry holes. By the end of 1952, the field had produced 12,763,000 bbl of oil, at which time 69 active wells were producing 3600 B/D oil and 21,000 B/D water. The reservoir has an effective natural water drive, and bottom-hole pressure has declined 75 psi from an original pressure of 1453 psi. Oil is undersaturated at reservoir conditions with a solution GOR of 512 cu ft/bbl and a saturation pressure of 1190 psi. INTRODUCTION Although the Coldwater Field is now in its ninth year of production, it ranks seventh in cumulative recovery, and second in current daily oil production in the State. Following complete development of the field in 1946, it has consistently contributed approximately 11 per cent of Michigan&apos;s daily production. Coldwater appears to have a greater pay thickness than most fields producing from the Rogers City forma- tion in the west central part of the Michigan basin. Except as influenced by the extent of closure and the thickness of the oil column, reservoir performance is believed to be representative of Rogers City fields in this part of the basin. For this reason, it is felt that the following presentation of factual data for the field will be of general interest. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT Discovery of the Coldwater field during Aug., 1944, followed favorable subsurface geological correlations and core tests drilled to a shallow stratigraphic marker horizon. The field is located in the west central part of the Michigan Basin in Coldwater Township (T16N-R6W), Isabella County. It is 60 miles west-northwest of Bay City, and near the geographic center of the southern peninsula of Michigan. The discovery well flowed 200 bbl of oil the first 24 hours from the Rogers City dolomite at a depth of approximately 3750 ft. Field production is principally from the Rogers City with a minor amount assumed to come from the underlying Dundee dolomite, although none of the wells are open to production at the level of the Dundee. Both the Rogers City and Dundee formations belong to the Devonian system (See Geologic Column-Fig. I.) In addition to Rogers City-Dundee oil production, sweet gas is produced from the Michigan Stray sand of the Mississippian system at a depth of 1400 ft. The gas reservoir has approximately the same areal extent as the underlying oil reservoir. Although gas production is an important feature of the Coldwater field, this report is concerned only with the oil reservoir. The productive area is approximately 3200 acres. The pool is developed on a 40 acre spacing pattern with wells drilled in the center of the north half of 40 acre tracts, except for a few off-pattern wells drilled along

Jan 1, 1955

By R. P. Rothwell

The milling of silver ores has arrived at a great degree of perfection in the mining districts of our Western States and Territories, and I hare thought the record of the practical results obtained at the present time, in a few of the principal districts, would prove of value arid interest to many of our members, both at home and abroad. An American silver mill is composed, in descending order from where the ore is dumped, of: 1st. A rock-breaker, usually of the Blake or Alden pattern; 2d. The battery of stamps, the number of which varies from 5 to 120, generally in batteries of 5 or 10 heads, so arranged that a single battery may stand while the others are running; 3d. The tanks where the crushed ore settles (if it is a met stamping-mill), or of a drying-floor if the crushing is done dry; 4th. Amalgamating pans ; 5th. Settling pans ; 6th. Agitators or pans in which mercury escaping in the tailings is caught; 7th. Blanket sluices, over which the tailings run, and where mercury and unamalgamated sulplides are saved. A reference to the engravings (see plate), which show one of the latest forms of an 80stamp silver-mill run by a turbine water-wheel, will show clearly the arrangement of the several parts. THE ONTARIO, UTAH, SILVER MILL. One of the best examples of a silver-mill, and at the same time one of the most successful concerns in the West, is the mill of the Ontario Silver Mining Company, near Salt Lake, in Utah. This mill treats the ore from the Ontario mine, ore which at present is very base, being composed of zinc, lead, and silver sulphides and silver chloride in a quartz gangue. This ore has become baser as the mine attained greater depth, though the vein holds its own, or rather increases, both in thickness and richness. The mill is managed in a skilful and economical manner, though the necessity for

Jan 1, 1880

By S. F. Shaw

MINING conditions in Mexico during the current year have been most unfavorable, synchronizing with conditions in the United States, but the outlook for the near future is improving. The chief difficulties met with are because of the following conditions: severe drop in prices of metals; high smelting rates; high prices of supplies; inadequate means of transportation; low efficiency of labor. In comparison with pre-war prices for metals it cannot be said that prices are low, particularly for silver, which recently has gone to a level that would have been considered exceedingly good in 1912. But conditions have changed so greatly that only the most favorably situated properties can operate without loss.

Jan 1, 1921

By Rollin E. Hook, Attwell M. Adair

The response of CrzO3 and C~304 to various heat treatments was studied in are-melted iodide chromizim over the temperature range 1000" to 1750°C. These oxides, which are present as impurity phases in this material, were identified by X-ray diffraction teclzniques which were supplemented by optical metallop-aphy. As a function of increasing temperature, Crs04 is first observable in samples annealed at 1300°C and coexists with Cr2O3 (the low-temperature oxide) over a temperature range exceeding 200°C. As the temperature decreases, Cr3O4 dissolves with the concomitant precipttation of Cr2Y2. Both oxides precipitate predominantly at pain boundaries. The reactions which occur are involved with at least ternary equilibria, possibly due to iron which is present as an impurity in arc-melted iodide chromium. HILTY, Forgeng, and Folkman&apos; reported in their investigation of the Fe-Cr-0 system that Cr3O4 (with about 8 pct Fe substituted for chromium) is a primary phase found in alloys with 9 or more pct Cr. They reported that this phase is stable only at high temperatures and that below the liquidus Cr3O4 is disproportionated into Cr2O3 and chromium-rich metal for both Fe-Cr-O alloys and in oxygen saturated pure chromium. Further, they proposed that CrsO4 forms by a peritectic reaction between Cr2O3 and the liquid. On the other hand, Hook, Garrett, and Adair2 found in their investigation of impurity phases formed in "pure" chromium (material consolidated from iodide chromium crystals) that Cr3O4 forms intergranularly and is stable as low as 1500°C which is 375OC below the melting point of chromium. The purpose of the research described herein is to determine the temperature range of stability of Cr3O4, and to show the nature of its decomposition. This further investigation indicates that Cr3O4 undoubtedly occurs in this material as low as 1300°C. The chromium studied was consolidated and fabricated from iodide chromium crystals (ICr-5) and contained Fe r 135 ppm, Si = 20 to 100 ppm, and 0 = 35 to 137 ppm. A complete chemical analysis is given elsewhere.&apos; Annealing was conducted in 1 atm of purified helium and all samples were rapidly cooled (-200°C per sec) by withdrawing them from the furnace hot zone under a high flow rate of helium. The details of the electrolytic-etching technique and electrolytic-digestion techniques for preparation of insoluble residues for X-ray examination are given elsewhere also.&apos; EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS The Starting Material. The as-swaged rod (final swaging done at 900°C) had a wrought grain structure and contained a dispersion of CrzO3 inclusions of maximum particle size of about 2 or 3 p, Fig. 1. The microstructure also contained a dispersed

Jan 1, 1964

By G. Hileman

During the year 1934 there were no new or extraordinary developments in the proven fields. With few exceptions all companies operating in these fields continued intensive exploitation programs on their old properties in an attempt to maintain the normal production of former years. In one or two instances these exploitation activities have had such marked success that the total production for 1934 slightly surpassed that of 1933. The most striking increase in production is that shown by the Kilometer 27 pool of the Comodoro Rivadavia field. However, this increase cannot be attributed to intensive drilling, since it is the result of a more uniform daily withdrawal distributed among all the productive wells. The Province of Salta also showed another increase, so that, judging from the statistics of the past three years and in view of proposed exploration projects, the future may reveal some interesting developments in this province. One of the most interesting occurrences in Salta is the discovery, though not yet considered commercial, made at Macueta, near the boundary line between the Argentine and Bolivia. This exploration well was drilled by the Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey and is the northernmost exploratory well in the republic. The oil from this well is of the same type and commercial value as that produced in the San Pedro and Lomitas fields. The producing horizon is also the same as that in the other Salta fields; that is, the Paleozoic Permo-Carboniferous.

Jan 1, 1935

Frank Owen, El Perú Venezuela (communication to the Secretary): Mr. Cragoe&apos;s accurate description of the rich and extensive mines of the Frontino and Bolivia Co. is of much interest to those acquainted with Colombian mining. While the labor in that part of Colombia is, of course, admittedly far inferior to that of white miners, it is,. nevertheless, decidedly superior to that available in other parts of the republic, and in the northern mining regions of South America generally. The Autioquenos have been miners for several generations, and many of those employed at the Frontino Co.&apos;s works have been brought up at the mines, which is a distinct advantage. The ground encountered in the surface-workings of that district being very treacherous, they are skillful timber-men, every miner being able to put in his own timber in tunnels, stopes, etc., so that, except for the main shafts, where sawn timber is used, special timber-men are not required. In the shallow workings it is the custom for a miner to come out of the mine into the thickly-wooded bush and select and cut the timber he requires, which he will then take into the mine and put in

Jan 1, 1899

By Thomas D. West

The fact that iron expands when heated, until fusion takes place, and that molten iron is consequently less dense than solid iron of the same grade, is now universally admitted. It was proved by the extensive experiments of Mr. Thomas Wrightson, reported in the Jownal of the Iron and Steel Institute (1890, No. 1, p. 72, and 1891, No. 1, pp. 75, log), and, in a manner, is illustrated in heavy founding by the shrinkage &apos;of the molten metal, which must be " fed " in order to obtain solid castings. This decrease in volume requiring " feeding" while the metal is still liquid I call " shrinkage," applying the term " contraction" to the decrease in volume which takes place after solidification, while the iron is cooling to atmospheric temperature. The light-work founder, not having the opportunity to make heavy castings, in which shrinkage can be observed, is apt to confound the two; but they are in fact distinct, and are separated by an act of expanion, which takes place at the moment of solidification. The fact of this expansion was first practically demonstrated by Mr. John R. Whitney, of Philadelphia, Pa., whose experiments are recorded in the National Car and Locomotive Builder of May, 1889. Experiments recently made by the writer indicate that there is a constant relation between this expansion and the preceding shrinkage and forcibly demonstrate the necessity of " feeding " a casting to make its interior solid. This is a matter with which all makers and users of castings have experienced difficulty. The founder being heretofore unable to define correctly the principles involving the urgent necessity of " feeding " has failed to impress the moulder with its importance in making sound castings.

Jan 1, 1897

By Lucien Eaton

INCREASED mining activity during the past year has brought to light changes in mining practice and advances in technique, born and incubated in the period of depression from which the mining industry is now emerging. Although the tendency toward large output from individual mines has continued, a salutary trend is evident toward greater efficiency at small mines, in which the gold mines of Canada have led the way. Improvement in excavating machinery and washing plants for small placers has continued, and knowledge of the possibilities and limitations of this kind of equipment has increased. Greater portability through sectionalization has been the keynote. Power, shovels and draglines mounted on caterpillar treads move from one deposit to another under their own power, and floating washing plants mounted on pontoons can be taken down, moved, and set up again by a small crew of men in only a few days.

Jan 1, 1937

By C. E. Julihn

Technology concerns the ways of doing things; mineral technology the ways of performing operations required for obtaining minerals from the earth and extracting their valuable constituents for man&apos;s use. At any particular time, technology is relatively fixed, as everyone tries to adopt the way of doing things that has proved most profitable; but improvements evolve from minor changes here and there, and occasion- ally entirely new methods are discovered. Technologic improvement thus characterizes any long-time view of the mineral industries. Its test lies always in reduction of costs; there is no other incentive for the adoption of new methods. Reduction in cost of producing metal from ore decreases, in turn, the amount of metal that must be obtained from ore in order to pay for its production. An advancing technology thus is characterized by utilization of ores of lower and lower grade. A very important result of this is an increase in the gross quantity of metal obtainable at any price level, since the earth&apos;s crust contains vast amounts of very low-grade ores and relatively insignificant amounts of very high-grade ores. Technologic advances have, therefore, been the means of rendering the metals both cheap and abundant. Though concern as to possible exhaustion of the world&apos;s ore deposits is warranted, it is conceivable that a transcendent technology of the future might supply metal requirements from what we

Jan 1, 1932

By T. P. Meloy

In a recent paper, Gaudin and Meloy1 derived a size distribution function for single, impact fracture. Mular2 extended the use of this size distribution to describe the output of carefully controlled grinding experiments. As it stands, the function is difficult to compute. Consequently, a series of tables of the function are presented below: where M(x) is the cumulative fraction finer than size x when x is particle size. Weight percents are tabulated for the single parameter, r, in three different size ranges: from 0 to 1, from 1 to 10 and from 10 to 100. Tables I, II and III are cumulative percent finer and Tables IV, V and VI are for weight percent passing screen size x, retained on the screen below. A number of conditions from the table are plotted in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 is a plot of the cumulative percent finer vs. size, and Fig. 2 is the weight per-

Jan 1, 1963