Search Documents

By A. Ojanen, T-L. Huggare, A. Kuivala

An electrolytic zinc plant with a capacity of 90,000 tons/year went on stream in Kokkola, Finland, in late 1969. It is a standard electrolytic zinc process plant; however, it has been subjected to several process improvements and enlargements during its time of operation. A fluidized bed roaster treats 500 tons/day of zinc concentrates which also contain mercury. Since the mercury evaporates completely in the roasting process, a mercury removal unit has been added to prevent, contamination of sulphuric acid produced in the neighbouring acid plant. The same unit also removes selenium from the roaster gases. In a separate unit, about 6 tons a year of metallic 99.999% mercury is recovered. The neutral leaching, originally a batch process, has been converted to a continuous operation, and a residue treatment system comprising hot acid leaching and jarosite precipitation has been added. Purification comprises a "hot arsenic-zinc dust" step and a cadmium removal step with zinc dust, both operated batchwise. Purification residues are used to make about 200 tons/ year of 99.99570 cadmium in a process developed by Outokumpu Oy. The electrolytic precipitation of zinc carried out at medium current density gives zinc of 99. 995% purity.

Jan 1, 1973

Papers in Classes A-Metal Mining, B-Milling and Concentration, H-Industrial Minerals, and I-Mining Geology are distributed in MINING TECHNOLOGY, which is issued every other month. Papers in Classes C-Iron and Steel Division, D Nonferrous Metallurgy and E-Institute of Metals Division are distributed in METALS TECHNOLOGY, which is issued twice quarterly. Papers in Class G Petroleum Division are distributed in PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY, which is issued every other month. TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS in Classes F-Coal Division, J Mineral Industry Education Division, Mining Administration, and L-Geophysics, are issued as separate pamphlets. Contributions are papers that when printed or mimeographed are available, but only on request.

Jan 1, 1946

By Charles Larkey

NUMEROUS papers have been published on the use of graphic methods to determine the best curve to be used in estimating the production decline of oil wells but, as far as the writer has been able to ascertain, nothing has been published dealing directly with the subject as to how curves may be worked out mathematically, which will conform most closely to the production data under consideration in any given instance; hence the writer has endeavored to show by means of a few concrete examples just how such appli-cation can be made. Among valuation engineers, two types of curves are in current use for the representation of the decline in production of oil wells. One may be represented by the equation, y = krx, sometimes known as a percentage curve, for the reason that the production for any period is multiplied by a constant rate or percentage to obtain the production for the succeeding period. This curve appears as a straight line on semi-logarithmic cross-section paper. The other curve may be represented by the equation, y = kxn, and is shown as a straight line on logarithmic cross-section paper. In each of these equations, y represents the number of barrels produced over a given period of time, and x the successive periods of time. The other letters are constants to be determined for each well or group of wells considered in arriving at the most probable curve to represent the rate of production for a given property; from which the underground reserves may be estimated by extrapolation, or the extending of the curve beyond the last known period of production to show the most probable production values for the future.

Jan 7, 1923

By I. N. Zavarine

THE observations presented in this paper were recorded during a study of the spheroidizing process. Spheroidization of cementite in steel is either brought about to develop a set of desirable mechanical properties or is an incidental result of mechanical and heat-treating manipulations. Physical properties of steel are materially influenced by the state of the cementite. Conversion of cementite from the lamellar to the spheroidal state is usually accom-panied by a decrease of hardness and of strength and by an increase in ductility. The spheroidized structure is usually considered as an ultimate step in the process of the softening of steel. The unorthodox hardening of a 3.5 per cent Ni steel (SAE No. 2330) after a heat-treatment that previously proved entirely suitable for a complete spheroidization of cementite in carbon steels led to the observa-tions that constitute the subject of the present paper.

Jan 1, 1939

By H. K. Shearer

The principal events in the oil history of south Arkansas, north Louisiana and Mississippi in 1930 have been: In Arkansas, very little activity, except for discovery of deep oil production at Urbana, and completion of the first oil well in Miller County. In Louisiana, continued development of the Zwolle area, bringing production up to about 10,000 bbl. per day; practically complete development of the Carterville oil-producing area; discovery and drilling of the rather disappointing Holly area, and discovery of Trinity gas production at Sugar Creek, Claiborne Parish and Rodessa, Caddo Parish. In Mississippi, discovery of the Jackson gas field, in Hinds and Rankin counties. Proration of oil runs was not put in effect in these areas during 1930, because the natural decline of the older fields brought production below the demands of local markets. The only effect of the oversupply and low price of oil was the curtailment of some drilling which might otherwise have been done. Drilling in Arkansas reached the lowest stage since the discovery of oil, with less than 100 completions. Louisiana showed some increase in drilling over 1928 and 1929, but almost half of the wells were drilled primarily for gas rather than oil. As no review on north Louisiana production has been prepared since 1927, and there was none on south Arkansas for 1928, the developments of the three years, 1928, 1929 and 1930 are here briefly discussed.

Jan 1, 1931

By Fred B. Brost

In 1976, a decision was made to install a conveying system to transport ore 10.3 km (6.4 miles) from the new Eisenhower mine to Twin Buttes. The system, supplied and installed by Cable Belt Ltd., of England, represents a radical departure from conventional conveyor systems. The driving tension is applied through two endless wire ropes while the belt acts only as the carrying medium. Features of the system are a single 2240-kW (3000-hp) drive and a 60° angle bend. Construction was completed in two years and full production was attained alter several mouths operation.

Jan 12, 1979

REORGANIZING AMERICAN ENGINEERS There are in America approximately 500 engineers' organizations of various kinds, and yet it is estimated in many communities that 30 to 50. per cent. of the resident engineers are not members of any society of engineers. There is no enumeration of the engineers of the country, but estimates range from 100,000 to 300,000, the latter number probably including assistants, such as instrumentmen, draftsmen and inspectors, together with professional engineers. These local, state, regional and national organizations are for the most part independent and have no means for cooperation. Steps toward the improvement of these conditions are being taken in a number of localities and have already been taken in others. Many engineers are giving the matter serious attention. American Society of Civil-Engineers took an important action at the June meeting of its Board of Direction, by, authorizing the creation of a Committee on Development of Am. Soc. C. E. This action is now well known to all representatives on Engineering Council. Other Founder Societies axe reported to be considering similar action. Engineering Foundation, at its meeting on Sept. 12, adopted the following resolutions: Survey of Engineering Organizations BE IT RESOLVED: that the Engineering. Foundation is prepared, the four Founder Societies concurring, to devote its strength and its' income, so far as this may he required, to a study of existing engineering organizations, and from information thus developed to formulate a series of constructive recommendations which may he serviceable in guiding the further development of local and national engineering organizations in their relations to the profession of engineering, to the public and to each other, to the end that a foundation may he laid upon which to establish a broadly planned procedure, which, while recognizing and preserving all that has already been accomplished, shall increase the power of American engineers in upbuilding their profession and in the service they render to society; and RESOLVED: that in accepting the responsibility for such an undertaking, it will be the purpose of the Engineering Foundation to organize the proposed research along the broadest possible lines, to call to its aid highly qualified experts, and to avail itself of the help of agencies which may be willing to cooperate; and RESOLVED: that in proposing this research the Engineering Foundation has no desire or purpose to intrude upon the domain of individual organizations; that it does not propose to control the action of any individual or organization; nor to ask the acceptance of its conclusions; but that its purpose shall he to develop a possible procedure, or a series of such procedures, of such evident, merit that they will appeal to those who are likely to be most interested; it will do this in the belief that in so far as its work may justify the confidence of engineers and of engineering organizations, it will bear its own fruitage.

Jan 11, 1918

By N. E. Maccallum

Almost half a century has passed since the Siemens brothers, after tedious and costly experiments, finally began the manufacture of open-hearth steel. The furnace of that time was very small, having a hearth-capacity of from 3 to 4 tons, and we can appreciate the wonderful development that has taken place in those 50 years by the knowledge that to-day furnaces of 50 times the original capacity are in operation. As the new steel process assumed importance, and furnaces began to grow in number and in size, a question arose, to which no satisfactory answer has ever been given, and that was: aWhat is the safe and economical limit of the open-hearth furnace ?" Various stopping-places have been suggested, and 20, 30, 40, and 50 tons have each been advocated, but all such arbitrary restrictions have been passed, and 60 tons would probably represent the average furnace, although in a few instances from 70 to 80 tons are regularly tapped into one ladle. The furnaces which are the subject of the present paper have gone far beyond even these limits, and since, in my opinion, they mark another step in the progress of open-hearth steel, they will be considered fairly and frankly, in order that those to whom the matter may be of interest may be able to judge and form their own conclusions. Short accounts of the work of these furnaces have appeared from time to time in various technical journals, of which the following is a brief résumé. These furnaces are the property of the Phoenix Iron Go., of Phœnixville, Pa., and their distinctive and important feature is, that they charge to twice the capacitl of one ladle, and tap simultaneously into two ladles, with a device for controlling the flow into either. In this way the capacity of the furnace is not limited, as formerly, but heats of any size within the capacity of two ladles may be charged.

Jan 1, 1913

By William L. Fink, Dana W. Smith

Approximately two years ago the authors obtained data that indicated that initial precipitation could not be detected by change of lattice parameter in the aluminum-rich aluminum-magnesium alloys. Some of these data were first published in a brief note in Mining and Metallurgy'. Cast specimens were used at that time and they showed initial precipitation relatively sooner than sheet material of the same composition. For this reason a more thorough investigation has been carried out using a homogenized aluminum-magnesium sheet corltairling approximately 10 per cent magnesium. Materials.—The aluminum used in the preparation of the aluminum-magnesium alloy was of high purity, containing less than 0.01 per cent each of iron, silicon and copper. The magnesium was high-purity sublimed magnesium. Preparation of Alloy.—Approximately 4 kg. of the aluminunl was melted in a plumbago crucible in an electric furnace and the magnesium was added. The melt was thoroughly stirred with a graphite rod and fluxed with chlorine gas before casting. The alloy was cast in the form of a sheet ingot in a cold iron tilting mold (approximately 200 by 165 by 40 mm.) and into small chill-cast slabs for chemical analysis (75 by 40 by 5 mm.). The chemical analyses were made upon drillings from the analysis slabs. The analytical methods were those described in "Chemical Analysis of Aluminum," published by the Aluminum Company of America. The composition of the alloy was found to be: magnesium 10.30, silicon 0.013, iron 0.008 and copper 0.005 per cent. In order to insure homogeneity the alloy was given two intermediate anneals at 430' C. for a total time of 36 hr. The ingot was hot-rolled

Jan 1, 1937

By Gregory Comstock

THERE is a growing interest in the possibilities presented by the manipulation of metal powders, which justifies an attempt to summarize their character and potential value. A summary of this kind presents an opportunity for making a classification of metal powder products into several general types. Our present knowledge of the finer and more abstract aspects of many of the principles involved in metal powder technique is extremely limited. Any conclusions as to the ultimate value of the process will, therefore, for the present at least, be of doubtful value unless they are substantiated by its products. The number of such products is increas-ing. A study of their diverse and unusual characteristics; an examination of the methods by which they ale made, and a consideration of the reactions that take place during their fabrication, in so far as we can define them, should afford as good an evaluation of this interesting development as it is possible to make at this time. A critical study of this kind results in a formidable list of special attributes, which apparently are characteristic of applied powder metal-lurgy. A comparison of these special effects with the end products and well defined limitations of the melting and casting process indicate that often they may very well be considered as being special advantages. They are subject, of course, to certain not as yet so well defined limita-tions of their own. Based on current products only, a necessarily con-densed summary of the more striking special attributes of the metal powder process follows.

Jan 1, 1938

By Charles J. Haas

The effectiveness of rock bolts in resisting shear displacement along preexisting fracture surfaces or slip planes was determined in the laboratory with full-scale bolts and large-scale shear test equipment. The system variables were the type of bolt, orientation of bolt relative to shear surface, and normal pressure on the interface. Results showed that, in general, both conventional bolts and resin- grouted reinforcing bars significantly increase the shear resistance along a fracture or bedding plane when the average normal compressive stress on the plane is in the order of 25 psi and when the bolt is oriented such that it tends to lengthen as the shear progresses. An increase in shear resistance is also noted at the higher normal pressure of 250 psi; however, the increase is small compared to the corresponding shear resistance without a bolt. Conventional bolts oriented such that they lose tension as shear displacement occurs added no shear resistance since the tension drops to zero at very small shear displacements.

Jan 1, 1977

By Paul D. Merica

Jan 1, 1932

By K. C. Sclater, B. R. Stephenson

Recent progress in oil-recovery methods has brought into prominence gas-energy relations in oil sands. The greater the effort made to utilize this gas-energy relationship to the best advantage in oil recovery, the greater becomes the need for more precise information concerning physical conditions as they actually exist in an oil well. The intelligent use of gas-oil ratios when considering production efficiency has been the subject of much recent discussion. It has been stressed that the pressure as well as the volume of gas must be known when considering the efficiency of a producing well on an energy basis. When methods of production are compared on an energy basis it implies a knowledge of pressure, temperature and physical properties of the fluids at the bottom of the well. In questions concerning gas-lift and the pressure control of wells usually there is a wide variance of opinion among engineers when energy relations come up for discussion. Perhaps this difference f opinion can be traced to erroneous assumptions made with regard to the physical conditions existing within the well. If erroneous assumptions are made it follows that computations based on these assumptions will give results which also will be in error. That erroneous assumptions are made is not to be wondered at because when handling a fluid composed of gas and oil, we are dealing with a complexity of hydrocarbon components each varying to some degree in physical and chemical properties. This means that the physical state of the gas and oil will depend not only on temperature and pressure but that it will be influenced also by the relative amounts of the various hydrocarbon components present. If water is present the problem becomes still more complicated. From these considerations alone it would appear that we can well afford to give some thought to devising more positive methods or means for obtaining data on physical conditions within the well rather than depend entirely on computations from casinghead data. If these data

Jan 1, 1929

Jan 1, 1971

By H. V. W. Donohoo

Exploration in 1955 was marked by a trend toward large-scale programs using a number of geophysical techniques. These programs were initiated both to locate new mineral districts and to bring individual prospects into production. All 14 companies replying to the author's questionnaire include geophysics in the general exploration routine whenever it is applicable, and five companies carry on extensive geophysical programs. Nearly all report that company personnel perform the surveys. In addition to these firms there are the many smaller operators who contract much of their geophysical work. There are indications that the volume of such contracting is sizable.

Feb 1, 1956

By W. M. Aubrey, P. L. Steffensen

AUTOMATIC grinding control for ball mills in closed circuit with cyclones was developed for the concentrator of the Marmoraton Mining Co., a subsidiary company of Bethlehem Steel Corp. The concentrator, located at Marmora, Ont., Canada, treats an ore that analyzes 35 to 40 pct magnetic iron. Magnetite, the recoverable iron mineral, is concentrated by fine grinding and magnetic separation. The mesh of grind obtained in the plant is not determined by the point at which liberation is sufficient to yield a satisfactory grade of concentrate, but by the physical requirements of the downstream pelletizing operation. This is considerably finer than is metallurgically necessary. The concentrator has two identical units, each consisting of a rod mill in open circuit, followed by a ball mill in closed circuit with a cyclone and two rougher magnetic separators. The cyclone was chosen as a classifier because of its high efficiency on heavy gravity, magnetically flocculated material.

Jan 1, 1957

By George S. Rice

The increasing use of mechanization at the face of the workings in coal mining and the consequent necessity of special supports of the roof has led, in several countries, to considerable scientific investigation, including physical tests in mines as well as on specimens of roof rocks to obtain data on the behavior of the immediate roof strata and on the effect of its pressure on supports while the coal is being mined. The investigations discussed in this paper do not include studies of the ultimate effect of subsidence and movement of the roof rock over the mine excavation, upon higher strata and the surface, but are confined to the immediate underground effects in the workings. The more recent principal investigations which have been brought to the attention of the writer are as follows: Germany.—The trial of strip packing, the usual method employed in Great Britain in longwall workings, as compared with complete packing heretofore used in Germany and in France to minimize subsidence; the behavior and strength of metal props under load; the testing of the strength of coal measure rocks, in the laboratory of the Technical High School of Breslau; and an investigation, by a special commission, concerning "bumps" as a possible cause of instantaneous outbursts of gas in coal mines of Lower Silesia. France.—The cause of instantaneous outbursts of gas in the Gard mines and tests by the official French experimental organization of the "electrical resistivity" of coal as a possible means of detecting a condition preceding an instantaneous outburst. Great Britain.—The subsidence of the roof and rise of the floor preceding and during excavation of the coal, in longwall and in room-and-pillar or bord-and-pillar workings; the compression and lateral movement of the road packs in longwall back from the face; the extent of separation of the immediate roof layers from the higher strata following mining excavation;

Jan 1, 1932

By John Van N. Dorr

Introduction.................... 212 The DoRR Classifier.........212 History................ 212 Description................... 215 Regulation of Products............. 216 Cost of Operation.............216 Power...........216 Capacity..............216 Uses.................217 The Dorr Thickener.............219 History...........292 Description.............. 221 Speed............ 222 Power......,....223 Repairs.............,... 223 Labor................. 224 Capacity................ 224 Density of Underflow............... 224 Uses.........,.......226 Continuous Counter-Current Decantation....... 227 Concentration..............227 Industrial Uses................228 Acid-Proof Thickeners.......... 228 The Dorr Tray Thickener........... 229 Description.................. 229 Capacity................. 231 The Dorr Agitator................. 232 History................... 232 Description................... 233 Speed.................... 234 Power.................... 234 Renewals................... 235 Efficiency................... 236 Selective Agitation................ 236 Conclusion................... 237

Jan 1, 1915

By Joseph Sinclair

THE Republic of Ecuador is situated partly in the northern and partly in the southern hemisphere. The equatorial line passes about 11 miles north of Quito, and. divides the country into two almost equal parts. Crossing the equator almost at right angles, and extending from Colombia into Peru, the Andes form a great upland that, in cross-section, resembles a truncated cone, the top of which is about 40 miles wide and about 10,000 ft. above the sea, while the base is about 80 miles wide extending from sea level, on the Pacific Coast, to the Amazon Plain, on the east. Superimposed on this upland are many active and extinct volcanoes, which form roughly two parallel chains of mountains, on the eastern and western boundaries, respectively, of the plateau. These are often referred to as the Eastern and Western Cordilleras of the Andes, although their parallelism is somewhat. questionable. The highest of these mountain, masses is Chimborazo, about 21,000 ft., above the sea; among the others is the volcanic peak, Cotopaxi, rising to about 18,000 ft. above the sea. The development of the petroleum resources of Ecuador is greatly affected by this Andean mass, not only .because of its composition and geological structure but because of the barrier it interposes between the lowlands on the Pacific side and whatever part of the Amazon Plain to the east is finally found to belong to Ecuador, for the eastern boundary of the Republic is still in dispute with Peru. To understand, therefore, the development of the petroleum reources of the Ecuador and the barriers to such development, we must bear in mind the three great physio-graphic divisions, viz., the Pacific Coastal region on the west, the Andean Plateau in the center, and the Amazon Plain on the east. The first important effect of the threefold physiographic division is that Ecuador has two sets of petroleum regulations: one for. that portion east of the Andes, and one for the Andean Plateau and the Pacific Coastal region although it is probable that the two sets of regulations are, in part, 'due to the boundary dispute with Peru.

Jan 3, 1924

By George Sears

UNTIL a comparatively few years ago, interest in tantalum was limited almost wholly to its scientific investigation, but its extreme resistance to the action of even the strong mineral acids, its great avidity for the common gases, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, and its capacity for transforming alternating to direct current are winning for it a place in our industrial life. Tantalum is not attacked by any single acid except hydrofluoric, nor is it affected by solutions of alkalies. Aqua regia, which readily dissolves both platinum and gold, has no action on it. This resistance to the common corrosive agents is an outstanding property of tantalum and accounts for many of the applications to which it has been put. When heated, tantalum reacts readily with oxygen and nitrogen and absorbs large volumes of hydrogen, 740 volumes being taken up at a dull red heat. This capacity for absorbing gases is being utilized to an increasing extent in the manufacture of vacuum tubes, in which tantalum is used for the metal parts, especially for grid wire. It is said to be a superior metal for this purpose, particularly in power and sending tubes, because of its low secondary emission. The use of tantalum in the manufacture of electrodes, dishes, spatulas and other laboratory apparatus appears to be fairly steady. There has been some development in its use for dental instruments, surgical tools, pen points, hypodermic needles and acidproof pumps. Recently it has been used in the manufacture of spinnerets for the rayon industry, of nozzles for the manufacture of artificial casings for sausages and of lining for plant equipment.

Jan 1, 1930