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By C. R. Breck

THERE has been a running discussion over the-past several years with respect to the life and adequacy of our natural gas reserves.. Some of the experts agree on one phase of the subject at least--that eventually it will be necessary to augment deliveries of natural gas in the northern markets by the development of a more or less comparable synthetic gas made from coal. The purpose of this paper is to point out: 1. It may be later than a good many people think-the demand for additional domestic and commercial pipeline gas in at least one section of the North will probably be felt rather keenly before an adequate synthetic pipeline-gas project, developed on economic lines, could be completed, even if ' initiated in the near future. 2. The evidence is considerable that such a project would be technically sound and economically self-supporting, although the margin of profit at first might be so small and the magnitude of an economic enterprise so great that financing would be impossible without Government aid in some form or other. The part of the country referred to is the heavily populated section in the northeast of the United States. To simplify an examination of the situation, let us take the potential marketing areas within range to the north and east of the three pipelines: 1. Tennessee Gas Transmission Co. as it enters Erie County, New York state. 2. Texas Eastern Transmission Corporation just before the tap that supplies the general Philadelphia area. 3. Transcontinental G& Pipe Line Corporation as it enters the state of New Jersey The sources of gas for these three pipelines are in Texas and Louisiana. The ultimate maximum combined capacity of the three lines at the points stated is approximately 1,200,000,000 cu ft per 24 hr at the maximum load factor probable of attainment in normal operation. The areas supplied by the three lines north and east of the points stated, or assumed as eventual markets, are: 1. Central New York state, from Buffalo to Albany (both inclusive).

Jan 1, 1953

By Jerome Alexander

IT is an outstanding fact of Nature that many of the practical properties of substances are dependent, not on their ultimate chemical composition, but on the kind and degree of aggregation of their constituent particles. Thus, a granite boulder is unmoved by wind or water, but if reduced to a fine dust it will be blown about by the wind and washed away by the rain. Carbon in one crystalline state of aggregation (diamond) is the hardest known substance, whereas in another crystalline state (graphite) it is so soft that it is used as a lubricant. Laying too much stress on the mere chemical analysis of substances is apt to obscure the fact that the nature of the aggregation of their particles is always a factor of importance, and sometimes the most important factor. Colloid chemistry deals with matter in. a very fine state of subdivision; its sphere begins with particles just a little smaller than a wave length of light-and extends clown until they blend into molecular dimensions. With particles of this size; such phenomena as surface tension and adsorption, which depend on the development of free surface, become enormously magnified. Thus a cube of 1 cm. edge has a surface of only 6 sq. cm.; but if it is reduced to colloidal dimensions by being cut up into cubes each having an edge of 0.01 , (0.00001 mm.), it will yield one million, million, million (1,000,000,000,000,000,000) such cubes, having a combined area of 600 sq. in., or 21,274 sq. ft. The tiny force with which a drop of rain clings to the window pane becomes a. factor to be reckoned with, if the surface involved is increased millions of times. From the colloid-chemical viewpoint, metals and alloys may be regarded as jellies or sponge-like structures, the viscosity or stiffness of which at ordinary temperatures is exceedingly great; and like all jellies their properties are dependent on the composition and degree of dispersion of their constituent phases. These, in turn, depend on chemical composition, mutual solubility, speed of chilling, subsequent mechanical and heat treatment, etc In fact, in preparing metals and

Jan 2, 1919

By Walter Miller

Advancement in engineering in the refining industry during 1933 might be likened to the jagged flame of a poor wick-test kerosene—a few outstanding high spots, but not broadly spectacular. Economic conditions were unsatisfactory for the first six or eight months, but the improvement in the latter part of the year had some immediate effect in stimulating new designing and building. The national legislative program involving the industry drew the attention of executives away from petroleum technology to some extent. The National Recovery Act, and its offspring, the Petroleum Code, demanded deep and continued study to put the machinery into smooth motion. From a purely technical engineering stand, therefore, the emergency measures might be considered a temporary brake on progress. The ultimate effect, if the whole industry can get back "out of the red," may well be a more than expected advance. Of course, petroleum technologists and engineers, including both those engaged within and those busy in designing and building for the industry, continued their efforts, and much of the results of their work will undoubtedly see the light of day under the improved economic conditions, which bid fair to stay with us. There was little improvement during 1933 in atmospheric distillation, sweetening processes, or furnace design, but experimentation during the year on these subjects may materialize into distinct advances. The trend toward compact distilling and fractionating equipment, especially in the Appalachian district, deserves noting. A number of refineries in that district replaced obsolete shell still units with up-to-date tube stills and efficient fractionating towers, both for the better separation of lubricating fractions from the crude and for improving the boiling range of the gasoline. A number of small skimming and topping plants in flush fields, such as East Texas, which felt the pinch of production control, were forced to shut down, but the stronger among them are consolidating their positions by installing cracking equipment and in some cases more modern crude-distillation units. Motor Fuel For the first time in many years a reviewer is able to point to at least a temporary cessation in the competitive race in the manufacturing

Jan 1, 1934

By Gary P. Thomason

INTRODUCTION One may have heard about how various projects were financed or certain companies were successful in obtaining a bank loan, but there are many more projects and companies who fail to get the money they need. At least a portion of these failures, and a large percentage of the frustrations connected with even the successful financings, are a result of not understanding the process of obtaining money. Recent years have seen a proliferation of debt financing sources available to finance minerals operations (see the next Chapter 11), but these represent only a minor portion of the minerals financing market. The fundamental source of borrowed money to many minerals related companies remains the banks. Therefore, understanding the "Loan Approval Process" can easily mean the difference between getting the money or not. LOAN APPROVAL PROCESS The initial stages of the loan approval process should begin long before the bankers, and the organizations they represent, enter upon the scene. The loan approval can be broken down into six stages: 1) Generation 2) Preparation 3) Presentation 4) Evaluation 5) Approval 6) Documentation As you can see in Figure 1, the bank is only directly involved in the second half of the process. The perils in obtaining financing for the smaller minerals venture are primarily in the first three stages, not the last three. The minerals venture making application for a loan can, in almost every case, improve its chances of success by carefully planning and preparing itself and the information that will be required of it in the loan approval process. Generation This first step in the process is deciding on the need for a loan. (Earlier papers in this Book and in Chapter 11 provide some guidance.) It is surprising how many ventures confuse the need for money with the need for a loan. Suffice to say that the equity investor risks both the timing of the yield on his capital and, ultimately, his capital. The lender, on the other hand, advances temporary funds which he expects to be repaid on a specific schedule with a fixed

Jan 1, 1985

By Dell H. Adams

COAL EXPLORATION Coal exploration may be defined as the acquisition of data necessary to define and acquire a block of coal which can be mined at a profit. Unlike ore minerals, coal resources are widespread and relatively abundant with supply exceeding demand in almost every case. Thus simple discovery of coal is generally not enough. The chemical and physical variability of individual coal seams, the capital intensive nature of coal mine development, and the changing patterns of utilization require that a multiphase, three-dimensional evaluation be made of each potential reserve. Factors which must be investigated include not only the quantity and quality of the coal but also the geologic, hydrologic, and engineering characteristics of the seam and its surrounding strata. Acquisition of property to provide a secure base for exploration and mine development is equal in importance to the geologic and engineering programs. The successful development of a coal reserve requires that control of coal and, in the case of a strip mine, the surface be in the form of contiguous blocks of sufficient size to support mining. PHASES OF EXPLORATION The high capital risks of coal exploration and land acquisition dictate that a multiphase program be utilized to minimize initial risk. In such a program, phased development of the data insures that each increase in capital expenditures will be justified by a corresponding increase in the level of confidence in the ultimate success of the project. Each phase is designed to provide sufficient data and property control to facilitate the decision whether to proceed to the next phase of development or to discontinue the program (Table 1). The first phase of a typical exploration program consists of a pre-

Jan 1, 1981

By Damon H. McFadden

5.1-1. Geographic and Geologic Factors. Surface mines are located where the coal seam can be economically uncovered and where the product can be utilized competitively with other fuels. The planning and designing of a pit may follow various procedures. The sequence for consideration of the influential factors as considered here may not be complete for every pit, nor will it be necessary to be completely used in each design. It is suggested as a check and outline for the engineering approach. Controlling conditions for the layout should be listed and considered with the facilities and equipment for the exploitation. After these items, as listed below, have been discussed and the feasibility agreed upon, then the actual planning and design of the pit can be done. GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES. The location of the coal area sets the climatic stage. The rainfall, the temperature extremes, and the general weather conditions all affect the design of the pit. Overburden soil when wet may not be stackable and may be impossible to move by standard procedures. The coal seam itself may be so soft that it must not be traveled on when wet, as the losses may be the difference between a profitable venture and an unsuccessful one. Some equipment will work well on dry soil only, just as a dredge works only in the wet. The conditions must be checked and analyzed. Some equipment cannot handle frozen soil (wheel excavators), so temperature extremes must be noted. The extreme weather conditions may also govern the expected working days and therefore the ultimate production. The altitude (atmospheric pressure) may affect the equipment, and this should be checked. All of these conditions should be noted on the preliminary map of the area. GEOLOGIC FACTORS. The geologic and surface conditions of the coal field dictate the type of pit generally feasible. Rough terrain, rolling terrain,

Jan 1, 1968

By E. Buehler, R. H. Willens

A Hew melting technique has hem adapted to the rapid quenching of- alloys from the liquid state. The inelting method has no limitations on the alloys investigated for there is no reaction with crucible materials and the most refractory materials are easily melted. The vate of heating is so rapid that alloys which have a high vapor pressure constituent can be melted with a minimal loss in material. Several new superconductovs have been discoveved by vapid quenching of lolten alloys. THE rapid quenching of alloys from the liquid state has led to the discovery of many new metastable phases. The methods initially used were limited to alloys which did not react with crucible materials.1,2 There was also the unmentioned limitation in tem- perature. Alloys with melting points much greater than 2000°C could not be melted in the rapid-quench apparatus. Recently, there have been successful attempts to rapidly quench reactive alloys by Moss et at. and Matthias Moss et al. injected powdered material (325 mesh) into a high-temperature plasma and the high-velocity molten droplets impinged on a cooled copper plate. The technique innovated by Matthias was to melt the alloy in an arc furnace and splatter it against a copper plate by means of a high-velocity gas jet aimed at the melt. I) FAST COOLING APPARATUS The creation of a metastable phase in a given alloy system by rapid cooling from the melt is contingent on the quenching rate. Some alloys require very slow rates while other alloys require the ultimate in quenching rate. At the present time, the vertical-gun technique of Duwez and willens' has demonstrated, in practice, the highest quenching rates and thus the best

Jan 1, 1967

By E. V. Daveler

THE milling plant of the Alaska-Gastineau Mining Co. is located at the town of Thane, Alaska, on Gastineau Channel, 4 mi. south of Juneau and directly across the channel from the Ready Bullion mine of the Treadwell mines on Douglas Island. Previous to the organization of the Alaska-Gastineau Mining Co., in 1912, the milling was done at the stamp mill of the Alaska Perseverance Co. located at the mine in Silver Bow Basin. But the contemplated increase in production made it necessary to locate the mill on Gastineau Channel, as not enough water was available at the mine during the winter months, nor was there room for taking care of the large tonnage of tailings that would ultimately be discarded from the mill. CHARACTER OF ORE The gold and silver values occur in quartz lenses associated with pyrrhotite, galena, arsenical pyrites, and zinc blende. These lenses occur in large bodies of slate, schist, and metagabbro, which also carry some valuable metallic contents. With the essential low cost of mining, it was necessary to mine large bodies of low-grade material containing the high-grade streaks. Of the minerals, pyrrhotite, the magnetic sulfide of iron, is predominant, and galena is the next sulfide present in quantity. The gold occurs free and coarse and associated with the iron sulfide in its finer state. The silver occurs with the lead or is alloyed with the gold. A chemical analysis of the ore shows Silver 0.10 oz. Magnesia 0.4 per cent. Silica 59.7 per cent. Sulfur 1.2 per cent. Iron 5.2 per cent. Lead 0.1 per cent. Alumina 21.4 per cent. Zinc 0.2 per cent. Lime 5.0 per cent.

Jan 1, 1920

By Peter E. Hart

The search for mineral deposits is a difficult high-risk enterprise whose likelihood of success is influenced by a great many factors. Among the most important of these factors are the knowledge and judgment brought to bear on an exploration problem. If, for example, a panel of expert highly experienced geologists could be convened to examine every prospect, it is at least plausible that fewer deposits would be overlooked in the exploration process. Unfortunately, whether a project is undertaken by a private company or a government agency, it is not usually feasible to convene such a panel. Our purpose in this chapter is to describe an experimental system of computer programs called PROSPECTOR that is intended ultimately to provide expert consultation on problems of mineral exploration and resource evaluation. Ideally, PROSPECTOR would serve as a surrogate for a panel of expert economic geologists. However, because the cost of computation is very low and is projected to drop by a factor of about 100 over the next two decades, systems like PROSPECTOR could be made available to the exploration enterprise at large. When consulting about a prospect, the PROSPECTOR system first gives the field geologist an opportunity to tell the program about the most significant features of the site: the major rock types, minerals, and alteration products. The system then compares these observations with a number of stored models of various types of ore deposits and forms alternative hypotheses about the types of deposits that might be present. The system next engages the geologist in a dialogue in order to obtain additional data that would be useful in resolving the multiple hypotheses. The geologist can interrupt the system at any time to obtain clarifications of questions, volunteer additional data, request the reason a particular question has been asked, or obtain a general summary of the state of the consultation process.

Jan 1, 1979

By William L. Fink, Kent R. Van Horn

Aluminum forms not only binary compounds with most of the metallic elements but also forms many ternary or more complex constituents. Several of those occurring in the more important alloy systems have been identified under the microscope and the action of various etching reagents has been carefully studied.' The determination of the structure and composition of these complex constituents is a matter of some difficulty and little information is available. X-ray crystal analysis offers a promising method for the study of such constituents. First, and of considerable importance, is the possibility of recognizing the presence of a given constituent by means more positive than microscopic observation. Evidence can also be obtained concerning the nature and composition of the constituent in question and ultimately it should be possible, at least in some cases, to describe the structure including the relative locations of the various atoms. In this paper some results of an uncompleted study of the constituents of the aluminum-iron-silicon system are given and the methods employed are described. Inasmuch as iron and silicon are the chief impurities in aluminum, the constitutional relations of this system are of fundamental importance in the metallurgy of pure aluminum and its alloys; the system has been studied by several investigators and the more important contributions have been reviewed recently.² Fig. 1 shows the structure of the aluminum-rich alloys after prolonged annealing at 560" C., in accord with one of the most recent investigations.3 The ternary alloys examined in the course of the present investigation were all annealed at 550" or 560' C.; in fact, some of the specimens were the identical ones used by nix and Heath, who kindly supplied them for this work. Since the results

Jan 1, 1931

By Kenneth L. Clifford

We have heard a lot during the recession about the mining industry now competing in a world market for sales of such commodities as copper, lead, zinc, molybdenum, iron ore, and phosphate. If the US mining industry is to survive, do we not have to reduce direct operating costs to a minimum? How significant is labor cost compared to consumables, electricity, fuel, maintenance, materials, and transportation? Ore grade is ultimately the dominant factor; but can we offset its dominance by improving productivity? Is the US mining industry perhaps only 25-30% as productive as it might be? What prevents the industry from being more productive? Can we retrofit older plants to be more productive or does it take a new plant with the largest equipment available for each unit operation? Present Productivity A copper industry study a few years ago covering 13 US copper concentrators ranging from about 10-45 kt/d (11,000-50,000 stpd) showed that productivity did not vary with capacity above 18 kt/d (20,000 stpd). Operating productivity varied significantly, however, from about 180-635 t/d (200-700 stpd) per operating hourly worker in most units, but one operation had 900 kt/d (1,000 stpd). Concentrators with more than 545 t/d (600 stpd) per hourly worker were in the 23 kt/d (25,000 stpd) or more category. Maintenance productivity covered about the same range, but most concentrators were in the 270¬635 t/d (300-700 stpd) per hourly maintenance worker. Again, one company stood well above others by exceeding 1 kt/d (1,100 stpd). Total hourly productivity ranged from 125-280 t/d (140-310 stpd) per hourly worker for most concentrators. The company with the most productive operation, however, was above 455 t/d (500 stpd). Salaried worker productivity for most operations was in the 725 t/d to 1.2 kt/d (800-1,300 stpd) per salaried worker range. The best operation was 2.2 kt/d (2,400 stpd). The end result is, of course, tons per day per total personnel. Most operations fell in the 110-220 t/d (120-240 stpd) range with the best operation at 400 t/d (440 stpd). This is the productivity definition that is most directly related to unit costs. Many of these operations have made some productivity progress

Jan 11, 1983

By Francis M. Rice

Before the world-wide depression, the primary purpose of most blast-furnace operators was to produce a maximum tonnage of pig iron per day for each furnace in blast. Some attention was paid to the conservation of labor and raw materials, but the idea was well established that low-cost pig iron was attainable only when each furnace was producing a high tonnage. After the depression had set in, the picture changed considerably. Each blast-furnace operator was forced to run his plant in a manner that best fitted the economical set-up of his company. A great deal of thought was expended on the different methods of operation, always with the idea of making each product in a way that would best serve his company financially. Because of this abnormal condition, the blast-furnace man was compelled to indulge in various practices of which many had been believed to be next to impossible up to that time. The ultimate purpose of these innovations was either one or a combination of the following: 1. To produce only enough pig iron for immediate consumption at a minimum cost. 2. To produce gas for boiler or mill use to supplant some higher priced fuel. 3. To consume the coke produced at the coke plant, which was often viewed as a byproduct. 4. To protect the cash position of the company. These conditions were met by diverse methods, some of which were: 1. Slow or decreased wind. In some instances the blast blown was held as low as 25 per cent of the normal volume. 2. Intermittent operation, in which the furnaces were shut down or "fanned" at frequent intervals.

Jan 1, 1935

By Francis M. Rice

Before the world-wide depression, the primary purpose of most blast-furnace operators was to produce a maximum tonnage of pig iron per day for each furnace in blast. Some attention was paid to the conservation of labor and raw materials, but the idea was well established that low-cost pig iron was attainable only when each furnace was producing a high tonnage. After the depression had set in, the picture changed considerably. Each blast-furnace operator was forced to run his plant in a manner that best fitted the economical set-up of his company. A great deal of thought was expended on the different methods of operation, always with the idea of making each product in a way that would best serve his company financially. Because of this abnormal condition, the blast-furnace man was compelled to indulge in various practices of which many had been believed to be next to impossible up to that time. The ultimate purpose of these innovations was either one or a combination of the following: 1. To produce only enough pig iron for immediate consumption at a minimum cost. 2. To produce gas for boiler or mill use to supplant some higher priced fuel. 3. To consume the coke produced at the coke plant, which was often viewed as a byproduct. 4. To protect the cash position of the company. These conditions were met by diverse methods, some of which were: 1. Slow or decreased wind. In some instances the blast blown was held as low as 25 per cent of the normal volume. 2. Intermittent operation, in which the furnaces were shut down or "fanned" at frequent intervals.

Jan 1, 1935

By Francis Rich

BEFORE the world-wide depression, the primary purpose of most blast-furnace operators was to produce a maximum tonnage of pig iron per day for each furnace in blast. Some attention was paid to the conservation of labor and raw materials, but the idea was well established that low-cost pig iron was attainable only when each furnace was pro-ducing a high tonnage. After the depression had set in, the picture changed considerably. Each blast-furnace operator was forced to run his plant in a manner that best fitted the economical set-up of his company. A great deal of thought was expended on the different methods of operation, always with the idea of making each product in a way that would best serve his company financially. Because of this abnormal condition, the blast-furnace man was compelled to indulge in various practices of which many had been believed to be next to impossible up to that time. The ultimate purpose of these innovations was either one or a combination of the following: 1. To produce only enough pig iron for immediate consumption at a minimum cost. 2. To produce gas for boiler or mill use to supplant some higher priced fuel. 3. To consume the coke produced at the coke plant, which was often viewed as a byproduct. 4. To protect the cash position of the company. These conditions were met by diverse methods, some of which were: 1. Slow or decreased wind. In some instances the blast blown was held as low as 25 per cent of the normal volume. 2. Intermittent operation, in which the furnaces were shut down or "fanned" at frequent intervals.

Jan 1, 1935

By Francis M. Rich

BEFORE the world-wide depression, the primary purpose of most blast-furnace operators was to produce a maximum tonnage of pig iron per day for each furnace in blast. Some attention was paid to the conservation of labor and raw materials, but the idea was well established that low-cost pig iron was attainable only when each furnace was producing a high tonnage. After the depression had set in, the picture changed considerably. Each blast-furnace operator was forced to run his plant in a manner that best fitted the economical set-up of his company. A great deal of thought was expended on the different methods of operation, always with the idea of making each product in a way that would best serve his company financially. Because of this abnormal condition, the blast-furnace man was compelled to indulge in various practices of which many had been believed to be next to impossible up to that time. The ultimate purpose of these innovations was either one or a combination of the following: 1. To produce only enough pig iron for immediate consumption at a minimum cost. 2. To produce gas for boiler or mill use to supplant some higher priced fuel. 3: To consume the coke produced at the coke plant, which was often viewed as a byproduct. 4. To protect the cash position of the company. These conditions were met by diverse methods, some of which were: 1. Slow or decreased wind. In some instances the blast blown was held as low as 25 per cent of the normal volume. 2. Intermittent operation, in which the furnaces were shut down or "fanned" at frequent intervals.

Jan 1, 1935

By Michael L. Clar

The U.S. Bureau of Mines contracted a study to determine the feasibility of water diversion and overburden dewatering for underground coal mines in the Appalachian Region. All relevant published literature pertaining to the occurrence and control of surface and groundwater in underground coal mines was reviewed and organized into a bibliography. The impacts of mine water with respect to health and safety, production, environment, and costs were assessed. Sources of water inflow into underground mines were described. A summary description and evaluation of techniques that can be used to reduce the amount of water entering underground coal mines was prepared. A review of engineering practices currently used by operating coal mines in the Appalachian region to prevent the movement of ground and surface water into active coal workings was conducted. Major emphasis was placed on the identification of the geologic and hydrologic con¬dition of the site, onsite inspection of the methods used and an evaluation of their technical and cost effectiveness.

Jan 1, 1981

The value of processed materials of mineral origin was estimated to have exceeded $297 billion in 1991. U.S. raw non fuel minerals production in 1991 was estimated at $30.8 billion, a 5.8% decline from that in 1990. This estimate was based on data for the first quarter of 1991 (in some cases two quarters) for most of the 21 minerals that for many years have accounted for more than 95% of the industry's production value. The value of minerals production has increased in all but 4 of the last 30 years. The metals component of production value has fluctuated much more than the industrial minerals component, reflecting the greater volatility of metal prices. Employment in metal mining rose slightly in 1991, but this gain was more than offset by a decline in employment in industrial mineral mining, resulting in an overall decline of 3.0% to 164,600 workers in 1991. Prices of several major metals declined during 1991, reflecting weakness in the economy, causing some metal mines to shut down or reduce operations.

Jan 1, 1992

By Wils L. Cooley

Two major grounding topics are covered: mine ground systems and ground-check monitors. Performance characteristics of ground-check monitors for high-voltage surface mine distribution cables and low-voltage underground mine trailing cables are evaluated. Over 20 commercially available monitors are studied to determine their utility. Several monitoring concepts are incorporated into an unusual monitor design, the prototype of which is described in detail. A comparative study of the effectiveness of several alternate methods of grounding surface mine equipment supports the system currently proposed by MSHA. An instrument design to measure earth voltage gradients is described, as well as an instrument design for measuring the effectiveness of dc haulage current return systems. An extreme analysis is made of techniques for measuring earth resistivity and resistance of safety ground beds. Electrolytic corrosion studies of earth electrodes are reported extensively also.

Jan 1, 1979

The United States is rapidly depleting many of its most important minerals and fuels. The first two Annual Reports by the Secretary of the Interior, under the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970, made us acutely aware that the natural resources that enabled this Nation to attain an unprecedented growth in terms of economic well-being, and to set an example of independent strength through the democratic process, are finite. Once they are depleted, large imports will be required. Simultaneously, competition for available supplies, especially of petroleum, is increasing in the expanding European and Japanese industrial communities and in the underdeveloped nations of the world. Even before the crisis of late 1973, the oil-producing nations of the world, principally in the Middle East, but including Canada and Latin America, were recognizing that the worldwide need for crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas could be translated into an unprecedented economic bargaining position. Thus, the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) raised the price of their crude twice during the first 6 months of 1973. By yearend the energy situation had be-come acute, and it seemed probable that regardless of current political developments, the era of cheap energy was over.

Jan 1, 1973

By Jeffrey S. Newman

This report establishes a methodology for the evaluation of gas detection devices and is the result of a critical investigation into the basic principles defining gas detector performance. A scheme is presented to evaluate the performance of a test sample of gas detectors based on the detector type and intended application. Test procedures, worksheets, test apparatus, glossary and statistical methods for handling test data arc given. In addition, evaluation standards and test parameters are identified. It is intended that this report serve as a comprehensive framework for the eventual certification of all gas detectors for mine applications. A plan is proposed and recommended for the quantification and implementation of evaluation standards for gas detection device certification.

Jan 1, 1980