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By Y. L. Su, R. Stefanko, Y. J. Wang

This chapter describes a new approach to the solution of stress distribution around underground openings utilizing the finite element method and employing stochastically simulated rock properties. It is well-known from extensive laboratory tests that the properties of rocks, e.g., Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio, are not single-valued but form some distribution. If the scatter of test data is attributed to the variability of the rock itself rather than due to an inadequacy in test procedure, then stress solutions have to consider these variations. Utilizing this basic philosophy, the present study was initiated. A long circular opening subjected to plane strain in a hydrostatic stress field was chosen as a specific example to illustrate this approach. The technique adopted in solving stress distributions was based on the finite element method. This method is essentially a generalization of standard structural analysis procedures in which the continuum is idealized as an assemblage of "elements," interconnected at a finite number of nodal points. It is capable therefore of handling different material properties for individual elements in the model, if desired. In this study, each individual element was assumed to be isotropic, homogeneous, and elastic. However, values for Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio were randomly varied from element to element according to an assumed frequency distribution.

Jan 1, 1970

By D. S. Kingery, D. W. Mitchell

Experience in Europe indicates that the control of dust production and dissemination by water or foam systems is not successful except during undercutting. Cybulski, Dawes, and DeBraaf-respectively Director, Mines Research Establishment "Barbara", Katowice, Poland; Principal Scientific Officer, Safety in Mines Research Establishment, Sheffield, England: and Chief, Central Mines Research Establishment, Hoensbroek, Treebeek, The Netherlands-believe that wetted dust becomes readily dispersible and abatement measures should be considered only as a temporary means for reducing the health hazard. In an effort to reduce the health hazard, calcium chloride is used on the floor of main haulageways in Dutch mines and water infusion is practiced in Germany in mines where the coal is relatively porous. With respect to wet coal dust, the Belgians, British, Dutch, French, and Russians reportedly have accepted the results of research from the Polish and American experimental mines on the effectiveness of water as an inert in arresting explosion propagation. The Polish use the two test methods proposed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines for evaluation of the adequacy of wetness of mine dust; they require that water be added to the wet dust to maintain a minimum of 50% moisture by weight if dependence is placed on water alone.

Jan 7, 1964

By Ian William Wark, Keith Leonard Sutherland

MERCAPTOBENZTHIAZOLE and its sodium salt are marketed under the trade names Flotagen and Flotagen S respectively, for use as collectors for cerussite and other minerals. The structural formulas for sodium mercaptobenzthiazole and for sodium ethyl xanthate are: [ ] Chemically there is a resemblance between the two compounds, though the free acid (mercaptobenzthiazole itself) is much more stable than xanthic acid. Both are readily oxidized, e.g., by iodine to disulphides, and can be estimated by iodometric titration. Qualitatively they are similar as collectors in flotation, although there are quantitative differences between them that may be important in practice. It is deduced that the influence of the nitrogen atom is subordinated to that of the sulphur atoms, and that the dominant group of these compounds is the mercapto group -SH or -SNa. The general method of investigation has been based on contact tests. Two temperatures, 10º and 35º C., have been chosen, and with a standard concentration of 20 mg. per liter of mercaptobenzthiazole (i.e., of the free acid) the influence of alkali, cyanide and copper sulphate on contact at sulphide mineral surfaces has been studied. This standard concentration corresponds to about 19 mg. per liter potassium ethyl xanthate; it brings out the differences between the minerals better than a higher concentra-

Jan 1, 1939

By A. L. Holley

THOSE who are familiar with working gas furnaces will perhaps admit that the ordinary producer is the least satisfactory feature of the- whole system, chiefly by reason of its great waste of fuel, both above and below the fire. The waste of fuel in cleaning the fire has not, as far as I am aware, been carefully measured ; it has been roughly estimated at various works as averaging twenty per cent. to twenty-five per cent. The coke that falls into the ash-pit is largely mixed, if not stuck together with clinker; when this coke is not recovered and utilized (and where coal is cheap it does not pay to recover it), the waste is certainly as high as above estimated. Cleaning a fire on a grate (especially a fire of dirty coal, like much of our Western coal), by inserting a few temporary grate-bars, then withdrawing the regular grate-bars and letting the whole lower part of the fire tumble into the ash-pit, must necessarily be wasteful of fuel, but it has been found to be the most practical system. The fire under a boiler should be thin, to insure perfect combustion; hence it may be moved from one side to the other, so that .the clinker and ashes may be uncovered and removed. But a producer fire should be so thick that carbonic oxide only shall rise from it ; a thick fire cannot be thus manipulated. In several of the French works the ordinary producer without grates is employed ; the whole body of the fire rests on the floor of the ash-pit. It did not seem to me that less fuel was wasted here than with grates in cleaning fires. The bottom layer of the fire had to be drawn out with hooks, and there was nothing to prevent much coke from coming away with the clinker and ash. A producer shaped like a cupola furnace has many advantages, but if grates are employed the waste of coke in cleaning is not lessened. But the waste at the bottom of the fire is only a part of the waste in the ordinary producer. Mr. Emmerton, chemist to the Joliet Iron and Steel Company, has lately made a number of gas analyses from the producers of that company, worked with impure Illinois

Jan 1, 1880

By Persifor Frazer

The following notes on the Whopper and adjoining mines in the Gunnison district of Colorado mere made in the spring of this year. The time chosen for the author to visit the region was, unfortunately, the most unfavorable of an exceptionably unfavorable year. About the middle of May all the hill slopes, which at this period of the pear are generally covered with pasture, were thickly covered with snow. The unusually large precipitation of this Tear caused loacal mountain torrents at every few hundred feet, which wore away the oft foothills into gulches, gouged great chasms out of the roads, and transformed miles of usually dry soil into dangerous quagmires. Travel was totally interrupted for weeks, except on horseback or afoot, and even then with great difficulty and some danger. The Whopper mine is situated on the Whopper Mountain, about two miles from the headwaters of Rock Creek, and on the right hank of that stream. The Whopper Creek flows into Rock Creek horn the east, and, by a precipitous descent, offers excellent facilities for its utilization as a source of power. This stream, which pours past the picturesque Whopper Cabin about thirty tons of water a minute, has a fall of 100 feet in 400 yards, and is said to be a stream of some size, even at the seasons of the year when drought prevails. The Whopper claim extends down the hill a distance of about 250 feet to its intersection with the Whopper Creek (on the other side of which is a small tunnel on its extension called the "Teller") and over the steep hill northwest to the limits of the claim about 1250 feet. The part of the mountain in which this mine is situated is remarkable for its splendid forest, the spruce, fir, and quaking asp covering the mountain-sides with a green growth of valuable timber. The distance from Gothic City to this mine is about eight miles along the valleys of East River and Rock Creek, and on the divide which separates them. The elevation of Gothic City is given from the engineer's notes as 9500 feet above sea-level, and the mean of several observations with a Beck watch-barometer made the elevation of Whopper Cabin (which is about fifteen feet above the floor of the Whopper upper tunnel) about 1260 feet above Skiles's Cabin in Gothic City. The record of this instrument must, how-

Jan 1, 1881

By Persifor Frazer

THE following notes on the Whopper and adjoining mines in the Gunnison district of Colorado were made in the spring of this year. The time chosen for the author to visit the region was, unfortunately, the most unfavorable of an exceptionably unfavorable year. About the middle of May all the hill slopes, which at this period of the year are generally covered with pasture, were thickly covered with snow. The unusually large precipitation of this year caused local mountain torrents at every few hundred feet, which wore away the soft foothills into gulches, gouged great chasms out of the roads, and transformed miles of usually dry soil into dangerous quagmires. Travel was totally interrupted for weeks, except on horseback or afoot, and even then with great difficulty and some danger. The Whopper mine is situated on the Whopper Mountain, about two miles from the headwaters of Rock Creek, and on the right bank of that stream. The Whopper Creek flows into Rock Creek from the east, and, by a precipitous descent, offers excellent facilities for its utilization as a source of power. This stream, which pours past the picturesque Whopper Cabin .about thirty tons of water a minute, has a fall of 100 feet in 400 yards, and is said to be a stream of some size, even at the seasons of the year when-drought prevails. The Whopper claim extends down the bill a distance of about 250 feet to its intersection with the Whopper Creek (on the other side of which is a small tunnel on its extension called the "Teller ") and over the steep hill northwest to the limits of the claim about 1250 feet. The part of the mountain in which this mine is situated is remarkable for its splendid forest, the spruce, fir, and quaking asp covering the mountain-sides with a green growth of valuable timber. The distance from Gothic City to this mine is about eight miles along the valleys of East River and Rock Creek, and on the divide which separates them. The elevation of Gothic City is given from the engineer's notes as 9500 feet above sea-level, and the mean of several observations with a Beck watch-barometer made the elevation of Whopper Cabin (which is about fifteen feet above the floor of the Whopper upper tunnel) about 1250 feet above Skiles's Cabin in Gothic City. The record of this instrument must, how-

Jan 1, 1881

By W. H. Emmons

The exploration of deposits of the metals will never become an exact science. There will always be an element of uncertainty in prospecting and developing mines. In countries where the surface has been closely scrutinized, most of the deposits whose outcrops contain valuable metals have probably been discovered. Many metalliferous deposits, however, are normally so much altered at the surface that the true significance of their outcrops is likely to be obscured. If a deposit is not exposed, its presence may become known by some one of its characteristics that is different in kind or in degree from a similar feature of the associated rock. Thus, a deposit that is not exposed may be discovered because of its magnetic property. So few minerals are strongly magnetic that the value of magnetic surveys is limited, but the dip needle has nevertheless proved of great aid in locating magnetic belts, and these in some regions are associated with workable iron ores. The Cuyuna Iron Range of Minnesota, which does not exhibit any outcrop of iron ore, was discovered by drilling "areas of attraction" that are due to belts of magnetic rocks associated with the iron ores. In some regions the use of the dip needle is justified, even if it does no more than reveal the strike of the rocks, since a knowledge of the latter enables the driller to locate and point his holes to advantage. The measures of gravity by the use of the pendulum are so accurate, or the limit of error is so small, that one might detect the presence of a concealed tabular deposit approximately at the surface, 34 ft. (10.36 m.) thick, having a density double that of the surrounding rocks. However, not many deposits have a density twice that of ordinary rocks and a thickness as great as 34 ft.; if they lie a short distance below the surface the density or the thickness must be even greater. Consequently, there is not much hope of sufficiently developing the gravity method of detecting deposits of heavy ores to make it of practical value. If the limit of error could be reduced to about one-tenth the present factor, and if the rather tedious and painstaking methods of determining gravity that are now in use could be simplified, the method would promise some degree

Jan 1, 1918

By A. Goldberg, T. E. Tietz, J. E. Dorn

Introduction The concept that the flow stress for plastic deformation of metals in the work hardening range is a function of the instantaneous values of the strain, strain rate and test temperature was promulgated by Ludwick' many years ago. This thought has been more or less a guiding principle throughout the immediate period of development and growth of mechanical metallurgy. It has been tacitly assumed or knowingly applied to many investigations on the plastic behavior of metals. Spurred by the theoretical interest and practical importance of the plastic behavior of metals, many investigators have attempted to determine empirical, semi-empirical, and theoretical equations2-l8 relating the flow stress with the strain, strain rate, and temperature. Although the applications of such equations have been extensive, the experimental verification of the existence of a mechanical equation of state is weak. Furthermore, some of the available evidence on plastic flow appears to suggest that no simple functional relation between stress, strain-rate, strain and temperature can exist. The mechanical equation of state demands that Where a = true stress = loadlinstantaneous area e = true strain _ Instantaneous gauge length ~ initial gauge length i = true strain rate T = temperature This formulation implies that da is an exact differential. Therefore the flow stress (a) is a function of the instantaneous values of the strain (c) the strain rate (i) and the temperature (T), independent of the previous mechanical or thermal history. Having reached a certain strain, strain rate, and temperature, by any path whatsoever, a definite and fixed value of the flow stress should be obtained. One check on the validity of the mechanical equation of state is easily obtained. Consider the following three tests on the stress-strain curve at constant temperature: A. Strain at rate :I B. Strain at rate it C. Strain at rate 11 to el and continue test at &. A graphical representation of possible results of such tests are shown in Fig I. If, for strains greater than el, test (C) data coincide exactly with the data from test (B), as shown in Fig ra, a limited verification of the mechanical equation of state is obtained for the range of strain rates from il to iz. But if the data from test (C) differ from those of (g) beyond strain t\ where the strain rate is changed from il to k2, the mechanical equation of state is not

Jan 1, 1949

By Paul Merica

ONE of the most useful, and at the same time least commonly used, methods of thermal analysis for the determination of transformations in metals and alloys consists in the recording of the tune intervals required for successive increments of temperature change during heating or cooling, the temperature of the furnace containing the specimen being altered at a uniform rate. The curve obtained by plotting these time intervals as a function of the mean temperature of the specimen during the interval is called the inverse-rate curve. It is probably due to the fact that no simple and convenient method has apparently been available for the measurement of the successive time intervals that this method has not been so generally used as, for example, the differential method, for which several tykes of automatic or semi-automatic apparatus have been designed. Whenever this method has been used, the intervals have usually been measured with the use of a chronograph; its operation as practised at the Bureau of Standards' is as follows: The temperature of the specimen is measured by a thermocouple and a dial potentiometer. The operator sets the potentiometer at successive values of the electromotive force differing by equal increments, usually 0.02 millivolt, and records the exact instant on the chronograph, by pressing a contact key, at which the galvanometer coil passes through its null position. Two-second intervals are also recorded on the chronograph record, and the number of 'seconds elapsing between successive signals is afterward counted from the record and plotted as a function of the electromotive force or of the temperature. This is an admirable method and by it most minute thermal arrests may be detected, but it requires a good chronograph, which is generally difficult to obtain, and the time of one operator during the recording and, subsequently, to read the intervals from the record; the latter operation often takes from one to two hours.

Jan 7, 1919

By Arthur S. Wright

THE accuracy of the silver-assay depends in great measure upon a careful regulation of the heat of the muffle during the process of cupellation. At the beginning of the operation, a relatively high temperature is required to " open " the lead buttons, that is, to clear off the black film of oxide that covers the surface of the metal button immediately after fusion has taken place. The muffle is usually closed up until the buttons are uncovered. As soon as a clear, free surface of molten metal is exposed to the oxidizing action of the air, the temperature should immediately be lowered to the minimum temperature at which the formation and absorption of litharge can progress freely, and the buttons still be kept from " freezing." The process, under satisfactory conditions, will be characterized by the formation of rings of litharge crystals (" feathers," as they are styled), on the cupel, about the oxidizing globule; and the nearer these rings of litharge crystals call be made to approach the central oxidizing globule without interfering with the freedom of oxidation and absorption, the smaller will be the volatilization of silver, and consequeiltly the greater the degree of accuracy attained. This minimum heat must be maintained uniformly during the oxidation of the lead; and just as the last of the lead is disappearing, and the button is preparing to l blick," the temperature of the muffle should be allowed to rise so that the last traces of lead will be driven off. This regulation of the heat calls into play all the skill of the assayer, and requires a vigilant eye, able to distirlguish between the slightest variations of temperature of the muffle, assisted by a nice adjustment of fuel and draft. With a few cupels in the muffle at one time, the proper heat for each cupel can be maintained by roughly approximating the proper temperature, and then moving the cupels backward and forward in the muffle; but this is gene-

Jan 1, 1897

A concept gaining attention among rock mechanics researchers in studies of soil-structure inter- action is the use of compressible packing between the structure such as tunnel lining and the soil or rock. Lester H. Gabriel, provided information about work on this concept at the II Symposium on Rapid Excavation, October 16-17, 1969, Sacramento State College, Sacramento, Calif. It is well-known that loads transmit their effects to those locations which deform least. Traditionally, the question to be answered by the structural engineer is how rigid the structure ought to be. The stronger the structure, the more resistant it becomes to deformation. If it is more rigid than the surrounding strata, the structure acts as a pillar, focusing load on itself. However, if the structure is less rigid than the surrounding strata, blocking or packing between the structure and the enclosing material facilitates the formation of soil or rock arch. The object then is to design and build structures such as tunnel linings, which harness the advantages of carefully planned small movements. Tests on plaster cylinders imbedded in granular sand and loaded were compared to those of plaster cylinders protected in sheathing of polyfoam rubber. The compressible sheath permitted support of up to ten times greater loads Gabriel, Lester H., "Principles of Soil-Structure Interaction Applied to Tunnel Linings." Hecla Mining Co. has successfully used shotcrete with substantial cost savings for ground support purpose. To date, the use of shotcrete in Hecla's operations has been limited to openings where long-term high quality support was required, in exceptionally difficult ground, and to a limited degree in stope support. Experience with both the wet and dry process indicated that the latter was better for their applications. The availability of effective accelerators which reduce losses from rebound, give high-early strength and permit placement in wet conditions, led to this conclusion. The gross cost under such conditions as those at Hecla, including rebound losses and overshooting, is estimated by Hecla to be $51 per cu yd.

Jan 12, 1969

By B. L. Sackett

IN a general way, the situation in copper smelting is quite similar to that of lead smelting. In other words, the introduction and successful flotation of copper ores has tended to decrease greatly the tonnage to be handled by the smelter and therefore has resulted in curtailed smelter operation. However, copper production has increased rather than decreased. The general effect of flotation has been to decrease the number of furnaces operating, but it has also increased to a considerable extent the difficulties in handling the material, just as was outlined in the case of lead smelting. In copper smelting, the flotation concentrates must be roasted and prepared for the reverberatory furnace. HANDLING FLOTATION CONCENTRATES The handling of copper flotation concentrate, which is more or less wet and mucky, is more difficult than was the handling of the old gravity concentrate. Also, the roasting of the concentrate and the handling of the calcine produced is more difficult. That is mainly because the material is extremely fine and the tendency to higher dust losses is greatly increased. The draft in the roasting furnaces must be kept as low as, possible, and the feeding of the calcine into the reverberatory furnace must be done carefully, so that dust losses may be kept at a minimum. TRANSITION STAGES OF CONCENTRATION AND SMELTING The general process through which the copper smelter has gone as a result of flotation has been somewhat as follows: In the relatively old days, when copper ores of low grade were first treated, a large number of furnaces were required, and naturally comparatively poor recoveries were made. Also, the profits on low-grade ores were small and the handling of those ores was possible only because of the large tonnages. Then came gravity concentration, which was a great improvement but which only incompletely removed the gangue material, the insoluble and the iron, from the copper ore, and made comparatively poor copper recoveries. This still left a considerable amount of insoluble and iron, as well as the copper itself, to be treated at the smelter.

Jan 1, 1928

By Walter Henoch

THE subject of my talk is, "What 'the college, student expects when he gets out of college." Since all of us, here tonight are engineers, I think it will be proper to limit the discussion to "What the engineering student expects when he emerges from college." It might be well to con-sider just why we chose engineering rather than some other of the many courses open to us. We certainly did not choose it because it is easy nor because we thought it would be a very pleasurable way to spend four years of our lives. The majority of students who choose this profession have a pretty well-formed idea of what an engineering course requires. They at least know that they must work to re-ceive their credits. The minority, which is no small num-ber, are soon disillusioned and as a result they either quit college entirely or they join the' Commerce School. I asked a number of my fellow students just what it was that induced them to join the engineering profession, but it was hard to obtain a clear cut statement from any of them. Some said it was due to environment; others said, they took it because they liked it, and still others said they took it because their folks wanted them to. These state-ments are rather vague and incomplete, but underlying them all is something that the fellows found hard to ex-press. I think it is this: To the layman there is something of romance and adventure about the engineering profes-sion, and this fact coupled with the reputed high salaries and high commands of certain noted engineers no doubt fired our imaginations and consequently led us to join the ranks of the engineers. No doubt many engineers have gone out into the world and have found little romance or adventure .attached to their work, but nevertheless it is an occupation of a wide diversity of interest, of constant change of scene, and of vivid and human relations.

Jan 5, 1928

By Percival Roberts

It may seem necessary to offer an apology for presenting for consideration a process which is conspicuous by its absence in the literature of the Institute, and which may be thought by some to belong to the past in metallurgy, and to have been already superseded. But the large capital invested in puddling calls for a careful consideration of the question whether the time has certainly arrived when the puddling furnace must be replaced by the converter and open-hearth furnace. May there not still be a place for puddled iron alongside of molten iron and steel, and is not the improvement of the puddling process itself worthy the attention of engineers equally with the Bessemer and open-hearth processes? The changes involved in the conversion of pig iron into wrought iron are well understood and need only be briefly alluded to. The patent of Henry Cort bears the date of 1784. Since that time * the improvements in the process have mainly consisted in the replacement of sand by iron bottoms by Samuel Baldwyn Rogers in 1818, and the still more recent substitution of iron oxide for the refractory materials used for the rides and bridge of the hearth, which distinguishes the wet or boiling process from the dry or pnddling process. Chemically, the process consists in the removal of the metalloids from the pig iron, a result effected mainly by the iron oxide. Silicon is first oxidized, then the phosphorus, and finally the carbon. The silicic and phosphoric acids produced pass into the cinder and the carbonic oxide burns as it escapes from the bath of metal. It is interesting in this connection to note the effect of temperature on the removal of the phosphorus from the iron. As is well known, no phosphorus is eliminated under the oxidizing influences prevailing in the Bessemer converter, while from 70 to 80 per cent. is removed in puddling. But we find, if in working cold short irons

Jan 1, 1880

By G. H. Clamer

Page Bronze Bearing Metals. By G. H. Clamer............... 162 Pennsylvania Railroad Anti-friction and Bell Metals. By F. M. Waring .. 166 The Tin-plate Industry. By D. M. BUck. Discussed by G. H. ClameR, J. W. RICHARDS............................ 168 The Aluminum Bronze Industry. By W. M. Corse............ 171 Bronzes, Bearing Metals, and Solders. By G. K. BURgess and R. W. Woodward. Discussed by G. H. Clamer, R. T. Roberts......... 175 Babbitts and Solder. By G. W. Thompson................ 184 The Cadmium Supply of the United States. By C. E. Siebenthal. Discussed by M. L. Lissberger, C. W. Hill, F. F. ColcoRd.......... 185 Solder, Its Use and Abuse. By M. L. LissbergeR............ 192 Bronze Bearing Metals G. H. ClameR,* Philadelphia, Pa.—Unfortunately, prior to the war no serious attention was given to the conservation of tin, notwithstanding that this country is practically dependent upon outside sources for its entire tin supply. Tin is of vital importance in many industries, but it is surprising how many and how excellent are its substitutes when we become acquainted with them. Tin has always been a relatively high-priced metal, and it is part of the human attitude to associate high prices with high standards; it is not until the price of a commodity becomes well-nigh prohibitive that we hunt for substitutes, because the idea of substitution seems always to involve an assumption that the substitute must necessarily be inferior. The history of the development of bearing bronzes is a striking example of this policy. In the early days, copper-tin alloys were almost universally used, the idea then being prevalent, which is still held by many, that a bearing to resist wear must be hard, and the harder the better. The favorite bronze bearing contained 90 per cent. copper and 10 per cent. tin; frequently, in service which was considered severe, even higher proportions of tin were used. Such hard alloys have great resistance to compression, but as a rule they had a very wide factor of safety in this

Jan 1, 1919

THE FRENCH occupation of the Ruhr valley and other districts on the eastern side of the Rhine continued during March to be the pre-dominating feature in European affairs. There were sporadic troubles and disorders, but on the whole the Germans were passive while the French were consider-ate. However, it became more and more evident that France is not in this way going to succeed in collecting the reparations, to which of course she is entitled. It appears to be a case of Germany being unwilling to pay what is claimed from her and France being unable to make her do it. However, as the month drew on it became reason-ably clear that both the French and the Germans were becoming more and more disposed to get out of an impossible and dangerous situation. It was suggested that the basic principles upon which Germany now is ready to resume reparations payment are as follows: (I) appointment of a commission to establish Germany's ability to pay and to fix limits to the reparations; (2) a series of international loans; (3) the amount to be paid cannot exceed approximately 30,000,000,000 gold marks. From Russia came numerous reports reflecting economic and political changes there. One of these told of a Cossack insurrection in the southeast of European Russia. Another reported that the expatri-ated Russians recognized the solidity of the Bolshevik government and would contest it no longer, and would reunite with other Russians if they would recognize the rights of private property and validity of former debts. This is the same position that is taken by most of the foreign governments, and especially Great Britain and the United States, with respect to recognition of the present government of Russia. Secretary Hoover announced that it is no longer necessary to give famine relief to the Russians, their present need being for credit, not food. Lenine was reported seriously ill and probably incapacitated for further activity. Administration of the government, in succession to him, by a triumvirate was suggested.

Jan 4, 1923

By Guilliaem Aertsen

The derivation of the word tire (or tyre, as it is spelled in England) is obscure. Some dictionaries suggest that it is the aphetic form for "attire, covering," so called as being the outside covering or band of a wheel; also as a corruption of "tier," the band which holds, or "ties," the rest of the wheel together. One dictionary states: "The supposed derivation of the word is that bands were first used on wheels in the City of Tyre, Syria." In the infancy of railroads, the tracks consisted of flat bars of iron, spiked or bolted to the upper surfaces of longitudinal timbers, which, in turn, rested upon masonry foundations. Stone blocks installed for this purpose on the old Germantown & Norristown Railroad, now the Chestnut Hill branch of the Philadelphia & Reading Railway, were to be seen for many years on the right-of-way, north of what is now Wayne Junction, Philadelphia, Pa. The "cornerstone" of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was laid Apr. 4, 1828, and the fist locomotive in America was built by Peter Cooper at the St. Clair Works, Baltimore, Md., in 1829 "to demonstrate its adaptability to a curved road." It is believed that the first successful locomotive was built in Philadelphia by Tyler & Baldwin in 1832 for the Germantown & Norristown Railroad. Rufus Tyler and Matthias Baldwin were brothers-in-law; the latter's name will be identified with American locomotives until locomotives are forgotten. The wheels on these first locomotives, designed to run on this primitive rail, mere shod with plain iron bands, bent and welded. The flanges consisted of separate iron bands, bent sidewise,welded, and bolted to the sides of the wooden fellies, or rims. Before many years had elapsed the tires were fabricated of iron bands, rolled in one piece with the flange projection on the side. The tire for each wheel was bent and welded and subsequently attached to the wheel center by shrinkage, bolts, rivets and various mechanical devices. Germany is generally given the credit for first making such tires of

Jan 1, 1917

By H. Van F. Furman

TO those engaged in the purchase and sale of gold- and silverores, mattes and bullion, the frequent differences in the gold- and silver-contents, as reported by different assayers, is a source of much annoyance and expense. The desirability of uniform methods of assay has long been recognized by certain refiners who specify in their bullion-contracts the method to be adopted in assaying the bullion. One large producer of base bullion employs at each refining-works with whom it has a bullion contract an assayer whose duty it is to see that the bullion is sampled and assayed according to contract-specifications. For the assay of gold- and silver-bullion, standard methods are now generally adopted; the reeult being that differences seldom occur. While we cannot hope for anything near perfection from fireassay methods for ores, mattes and base bullion, as carried out cornmercially, such methods may be made to yield results which answer all commercial requirements, and they will probably be retained for obvious reasons. The object of the present paper is to point out some of the sources of error and to show the importance of more uniform methods of assay and close attention to the details of the work. The sources of error in the assay of ores and mattes are: improper sampling; losses of the precious metals during fusion, scorification and cupellation; imperfect elimination of the base metals on the cupel and imperfect extraction of the silver during the parting in nitric acid. It is not the object of the present paper to enter upon the subject of sampling; but a few remarks may be of value. There has been considerable discussion recently in Colorado upon the frequent differences which occur in the assays of Cripple Creek gold-ores, and these differences have been attributed to various causes. The writer is informed by two of our most prominent smelters that since they have adopted 100-mesh screens (the general practice is 80-mesh) the

Jan 1, 1895

By Lester Uren

The fluid level maintained in wells pumped for oil is an important factor in deter-mining their productivity but one that has received little attention in the literature relating to petroleum-production technology. In the present paper the writer undertakes to show how and to what extent fluid level influences productivity and suggests the use of a fluid level indicator as an aid to the oil producer in maintaining the fluid surface within the well at the proper position. IT is realized that the depth of fluid maintained in a pumping well is sometimes influenced by other considerations than the quantity of fluid that will enter the well: the prevention of sand incursion, prevention of waste of natural gas, and the maintenance of a suitable submergence for the pump, for example. These latter factors have an important influence on the productivity of the well, so that otherwise unwarranted fluid levels must sometimes be maintained to offset them; but where the handling of unconsolidated sands is not a problem of consequence and where water has been properly excluded, the principles developed here and the practices recommended, should apply. The principal objective of the producer should be to produce the maximum quantity of oil in the shortest possible time. Any method or equipment that will increase the rate of production during the early years of the life of the well, when gas pressure is high, will greatly augment the .ultimate production. The maintenance of a proper fluid level in the well at all times will go far toward accomplishing this desired result. For a given set of conditions surrounding the flow of oil into a particular well, in which the viscosity of the oil, the porosity and grain size, of the sand, and the diameter of the well appear as constants, two variables determine the quantity of oil that will flow from the sand into the well. These are: the effective pressure behind or within the oil in the reservoir sand, and the fluid level maintained within the well.. The former is the expulsive force that causes movement of oil from the sand into the well, while the latter determines the magnitude of a resisting force opposing such movement. The first of these factors is largely beyond the control of the oil producer, but it is in his interest to reduce the opposing force to the lowest economic limit.

Jan 2, 1925

By W. H. Emmons

THE exploration of deposits of the metals will never become an exact science. There will always be an element of uncertainty in prospecting and developing mines. In countries where the surface has been closely scrutinized, most of the deposits whose outcrops contain valuable metals have probably been discovered. Many metalliferous deposits, however, are normally so much altered at the surface that the true significance of their outcrops is likely to be obscured. If a deposit is not exposed, its presence may become known by some one of its characteristics that is different in kind or in degree from a similar feature of the associated rock. Thus, a deposit that is not exposed may be discovered because of its magnetic property. So few minerals are strongly magnetic that the value of magnetic surveys is limited, but the dip needle has nevertheless proved of great aid in locating magnetic belts, and these in some regions are associated with workable iron ores. The Cuyuna Iron Range of Minnesota, which does not exhibit any outcrop of iron ore, was discovered by drilling "areas of attraction" that are due to belts of magnetic rocks associated with the iron ores. In some regions the use of the clip needle is justified, even if it does no more than reveal the strike of the rocks, since a knowledge of the latter enables the driller to locate and point his holes to advantage. The measures of gravity by the use of the pendulum are so accurate, or the limit of error is so small, that one might detect the presence of a concealed tabular deposit approximately at the surface, 34 ft. (10.36 m.) thick, having a density double that of the surrounding rocks. However, not many deposits have a density twice that of ordinary rocks and a thickness as great as 34 ft.; if they lie a short distance below the surface the density or the thickness must be even greater. Consequently, there is not much hope of sufficiently developing the gravity method of detecting deposits of heavy ores to make it of practical value. If the limit of error could be reduced to about one-tenth the present factor, and if the rather tedious and painstaking methods of determining gravity that are now in use could be simplified, the method would promise some degree

Jan 3, 1917