Search Documents

By H. P. Greenwald

THOSE interested in the early developments and experiments, both in the United States and abroad, that led to modern rock dusting, will find an excellent summary in a paper by George S. Rice,13 published in 1914. The period from 1914 to 1924 was one of intensive experiment on coal-dust explosions in the United States; abroad, war activities and rehabilitation stopped this work over a large part of that decade. Amer-ican findings were published by the Bureau of Mines, particularly in Bulletins 167 and 268. It is convenient to consider that in the United States rock dusting to prevent coal-dust explosions in mines was initiated in 1924 with the publication of tentative specifications.17 This was followed in 1925 by an investigation of methods and costs12 and approval by the American Engineering Standards Committee of a Recommended American Prac-tice.18 Approximately 13 years have elapsed since this approval, and inasmuch as changes in rock-dusting practice in the United States have been evolutionary, it is necessary to consider this entire period as "recent" in some phases of the work. There have been no official changes in the Recommended American Practice since its approval. This paper reviews as briefly as possible knowledge acquired since the issue of the earlier papers mentioned, through experience in mines and experiments conducted by different organizations engaged in the pro-motion of mine safety.

Jan 1, 1938

By Richard Moldenke

A. E. OUTERBRIDGE, JR., Philadelphia, Pa. (written discussion).¬ The fact that iron castings improve with age has long been known. Many years ago the late Sir Frederick Bramwell, a distinguished engineer, formerly in charge of the metallurgical and gun-making department of the Woolwich Arsenal, England, determined to break up a large number of cast-iron mortars of an obsolete type that had been in stock for years. It was then reported to biro that it was found to be much more difficult to break these old gun castings under the "drop" than it was to break similar gun-castings recently made, under his own supervision; he changed the.. composition of the iron and still found that whenever castings made recently were broken up (on account perhaps of superficial defects) great disparity was observed in apparent strength between the old and new castings. Sir Frederick then made many other comparative tests, such

Jan 4, 1917

NEW MEMBERS The following list comprises the names of those persons who became. members during the period Sept. 10, 1918, to Oct. 10, 1918. ADDISON, HERBERT, Vice-pres. and Mgr., Big Horn Collieries Co., 412 Colorado Bldg., Denver, Colo. ALLAN, .ANDREW, JR A. Allan & Son, Harrison, N. J. AMI, HENRY M., Charge of War Metals and Minerals, British Embassy, Washington, D. C. ALTHAR, HOMER C., Mill. Engr., The Lorain Coal & Dock Co., Bridgeport, Belmont Co., Ohio. BASER, JOHN T Pres., J. T. Baker Chemical Co., Phillipsburg, N. J. BARBA, W. P., Lieut. Colonel, Ordnance, U. S. A., 2301 Connecticut Ave., Washington, D. C. BENSON, JOHN PATS Min. Engr., Aurora Cons. Mines Co., Aurora, Nev., BOSWELL, H. F Resident Inspector, Southern Railway System, St. Louis, Mo. BRAUCHER, PETERS., Foundry Mgr., Philadelphia & Reading Ry. Co., Sixth & Perry St., Reading, Pa.

Jan 11, 1918

By M. J. Pool, P. J. Spencer, R. V. Miner

The partial molar heat of solution of rhodiunz in liquid lin and Rh-Sn alloys has been measured as a function of rhodium concentration at 700" , 725" , 750" , and 775°K. The values at infinite dilution are very exo thermic, ranging from -29,950 to -28,260 cal per g-atom Rh at 700" and 775"K, respectively. At the solubility limit the heat of solution becomes sharply nzore exothermic and has permitted the liquidus boundary to be accurately established at each temperature. From the measurements in the two-phase region of liquid Plus RhSn, the heat of formation of RhSn,has been determined. A large increase in the heat of formation between 725" and 750°K suggests the possibility of a phase transformation in this compound. V ERY few measurements have been made of the heats of solution of transition metals in liquid tin; yet those values that are available are of great interest because of their very large exothermic nature. For example, the heat of solution at infinite dilution of palladium in tin has been measured as about -26,000 cal per g-atom (625" to 800°~),' while the heat of solution at infinite dilution of platinum is even more exothermic at -28,591 cal per g-atom (914°K).' These values are of the same order of magnitude as the heat of formation of many intermetallic compounds and as such clearly indicate that very strong bonding must exist between the solute and tin atoms in the liquid solutions. Rhodium might be expected to display similar solution characteristics in tin in view of its close electronic resemblance to palladium and platinum. Since no thermodynamic data are available for Rh-Sn alloys, rhodium was chosen as an appropriate solute for further investigation of transition-metal systems with highly exothermic heats of solution at infinite dilution. EXPERIMENTAL The heat of solution of rhodium in dilute Rh-Sn liquid solutions was measured as a functlon of rhodium concentration at 700°, 725", 750°, and 775°K. The liquid-metal solution calorimeter used in this work has been fully described elsewhere. At the start of each series of measurements, the solvent bath consisted of about 0.5 g-atoms of 99.9+ pct pure tin. To this was made a number of small rhodium additions, about 0.0005 g-atoms each, and the heat of solution was measured for each. Rhodium of 99.9+ pct purity in powder form was used in order to promote rapid dissolution in the liquid tin. The powder specimens were contained in tin foil stated to be purified (lead-free). This foil was found to have no measurable heat of solution in pure tin so the effect of any impurities could be neglected. The energy equivalent of the calorimeter was experi- mentally determined by dropping tungsten and/or tin specimens at intervals during each series of rhodium drops. The tungsten and tin used were 99.95 and 99.999+ pct pure, respectively. The only heat effect due to a tungsten drop, or a tin drop at low rhodium concentrations in the bath, is the sensible heat of the specimen. The heat content of these materials is well-established and is presented in the compilation of Hultgren et al. 4 As the rhodium concentration in the tin bath increases a small heat effect arises from the reaction: Sn (liquid, T) — & (soln, T) where T is the temperature of the tin bath. Where necessary, this heat of solution of tin was determined by Gibbs-Duhem integration, and corrections were made to the heat effect of the tin calibration specimens and the tin foil containing the rhodium specimens. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The calculated values of the heat of solution of rhodium in dilute Rh-Sn alloys as a function of composition are shown graphically in Fig. 1. The values have been corrected for the sensible heat of the specimens, initially at 273"K, and apply to the reaction:

Jan 1, 1969

By Tell Ertl

THE term oil shale is defined. Foreign oil-shale developments are outlined briefly, The richest and most extensive oil-shale deposits in the United States lie in Western Colorado. The Bureau of Mines is opening two adjacent areas for underground mining in Western Colorado. From the first area the oil shale is mined selectively as required by the retorting plant. The second area is being developed as a unit of a full scale oil-shale mine to ascertain the most practical methods of mining oil shale and to determine costs. In both of these mining areas, research will be carried on to develop new and improved practices for mining oil shale.

Jan 1, 1947

By Hadyn W. J. Wren

The practical experience obtained from designing and commissioning of fully controlled coal preparation plants, using centralised mini computers is discussed. The importance of defining a workable operating philosophy is highlighted with particular reference to the problems associated with trying to achieve a total 'hands off' concept. These experiences with a centralised computer controlled system have led to a deeper understanding of the interaction between the operation and the control system and the role of local control and management information within the overall control philosophy of a highly automated process plant. The utilisation of an extensive fully distributed microprocessor control system with over 6500 digital and analogue signals split into six autonomous areas with a supervisory system to provide operator interface is described. The important aspects of project definition and design needs are outlined with particular regard for achieving maximum efficiency with minimum complexity. Views of future trends are offered, based on the experience of both centralised computer and distributed processor systems.

Jan 1, 1984

By R. J. Walter, W. T. Chandler

The Ch-H phase diagram was determined for by-drogen concentrations up to ChHo.9 at temperatures below 400°P'. The phase diagram includes a mis-cibility gap and a eutectoid transformation. A peri-tectoid transformation is postulated at the hydrogen-rich end of the diagram, Phase diagrams were determined for two levels oj purity, of the columbium. A single solid solution exists in the Cb-H system above 400°F. There has been considcrable disagreement among investigators concerning the system at temperatures below 400°F. Albrecht, Goode, and ~allett' proposed a miscibility gap containing two bcc phases with the two lattice parameters converging at about 140°C (285-F), and Brauer and ~erman' found a two-phase room-temperature region between 10 and 41 at. pct H. At sufficiently high hydrogen concentrations in the one-phase region, the hydrogen-rich phase was found to be face-centered orthorhombic. Wainwright, Cook, and Hopkills3 recently reported that the face centered orthorhombic hydride phase is derived from a unit cell which is slightly tetragonal with a small departure from 90 deg of the angle (y) opposite the r axis. The orthorhombic hydride phase was observed for hydrogen concentrations between 0.2 and 0.8 H/Cb atom ratio. Paxton and coworkers4 found that needlelike hydride plates formed in a hydrogen-charged columbium single crystal and suggested that this transformation possessed the characteristics of a diffusionless phase transformation. On the basis of room-temperature, X-ray diffraction data, komjathy' suggested that an order-disorder or martensitic transformation occurs. In the present study, the Cb-H system was investigated to resolve the discrepancies found in the literature for this system. PROCEDURE The columbium specimens were prepared from two heats of wrought 1/2-in.-diameter electron-beam melted columbium rod and from two columbium powders of -80 mesh size of different impurity contents. The columbium bar stock was pur chased from Urah Chmg Corp.; the 99 and 99.5 pct purity colulnbium powders were obtained from Fansteel Metallurgical Corp. and Kern Chemical Co.. respectively. The chemical analyses of the columbium bar and powders are listed in Table I. Hydrogen charging was performed by exposing the columbium specimens to hydrogen at 1 atm pressure at various temperatures. After exposure the specimens were quenched to prevent the hydrogen pickup which would take place if cooled in hydrogen, or the hydrogen loss that would occur if cooled in an inert gas. Adequate hydrogen purity was achieved by passing high-purity tank hydrogen (maximum 5 ppm total impurities) through an Engelhard catalytic Deoxo unit, magnesium per chlorate desiccant, and finally through activated charcoal at the temperature of boiling nitrogen. Activated charcoal at -321°F has been reported6 to remove impurities from hydrogen to a nondetectable level. A schematic representation of the heat-treating apparatus is shown in Fig. 1. A metal-sheathed thermocouple embedded in the colun~bium specimen was used to control the temperature during heat treatment and to pull the specimen boat into

Jan 1, 1965

By C. F. Knutson, Martin Felsenthal, J. D. Lung, J. D. Sudbury

This paper has been written to summarize the laboratory and field studies leading to injection of Pacific Ocean water into the Third Grubb formation. Laboratory tests for studying the permeabilities of cores to Pacific Ocean water are described. Resu1ts of these tests showed that the water could be successfully injected if it is chertzically stable, sterile, and properly filtered. Clay swelling was shown to be a comparatively minor factor in permeability reduction. Studies leading to development of an economical system for properly conditioning the ocean water are discussed. It was necessary to control pH, calcium carbonate deposition, bacterial growth, iron solubility. oxygen, and suspended .solids. A relatively simple system combining the use of sulifur dioxide, a quaternary rlmmonium chloride, and filtration was shown to adeqrrately control all these factors. This combination has not previozrsly been used as a water treating technique. Evaluation tests of the water conditioning system prior to injection are described, and results of such tests are presented. Control measures needed to insure a continusously adequate water treatment are reviewed. INTRODUCTION The utilization of sea water for waterflooding has only recently been attempted. Knowledge of treating requirements has been limited, and in most cases no water treating has been done. Prior to the initiation of the Third Grubb zone pilot water flood at Ventura, Calif.,1,2 extensive laboratory research was done in an effort to define the treatment necessary to provide a suitable injection fluid. Close coordination and cooperation between field and research personnel were found to be the foremost requisites in developing the most economical and practical method for treating ocean water. LABORATORY STUDIES Plugging Tendencies of Untreated Ocean Water A program of laboratory studies was initiated for the purpose of evaluating whether ocean water could be injected into the formation for prolonged periods of time without causing plugging of the pore spaces of the formation. Because of the fairly low permeability of the formation (averaging about 40 md), it was realized from the outset that a water of exceptionally high quality was needed. Ocean water used in the laboratory studies was carefully filtered through ultrafine fritted glass filters, having nominal maximum pore sizes of 1.4 microns. Permeability tests were then performed on representative core material from the formation. It soon became apparent in these tests that filtration alone was not a sufficient treatment for the ocean water. Prolonged injection of the filtered water caused rapid plugging of the core samples. The permeability decline of a typical sample is illustrated by Curve A in Fig. 1. The several factors which can contribute to this plugging tendency are briefly reviewed below: Interaction with Formation Clays An evaluation of clay swelling effects on liquid permeability was made using core samples from the Grubb formation. An oil was chosen for determining the reference liquid permeability because it would not tend to react with any clays that might be present in the formation. The samples were then extracted, dried, and resat-urated with either treated ocean water, formation water, or fresh water. Permeabilities to the various waters were then determined. Results of this test series are summarized in Fig. 7. The difference between the oil permeability and water

Jan 1, 1957

By M. Amsterdam, F. Rothwarf, L. Muldawer

SILVER-cadmium near the composition AgCd shows three equilibrium phases. As with 13 brass, the high temperature phase is disordered body-centered cubic (8) and the low temperature phase has the ordered CsCl structure . However, there is an intermediate temperature phase which is hexagonal close-packed ((). In a recent paper, Speich and Mack' report on a study of the Ag-Cd eutectoid near the AgCd composition. Unfortunately, the phase diagram upon which they base some of their conclusions is incorrect. That diagram is taken from the Metals Handbook' and the error is that the 0 and ( phases have been interchanged. The Handbook gives the low temperature phase as hexagonal (designated 5) and the intermediate temperature phase as cubic ordered (designated . The error may be typographical or it may be one of confusion resulting from the use of 5, ,, and 0 for the intermediate phase in various papers. A careful search of the literature reveals that a number of authors have indicated the correct relative positions of the 13, 5, and 0 phases. The comprehensive work of Fraenkel and Wolf clearly stated that the high and the low temperature phases are either identical or are very similar. olander,' on the basis of electrochemical measurements, showed that the 13 phase is disordered and the 1 phase (designated 8" in his paper and in refs. 3 and 5) is ordered. Further work by Durrant5 using thermal and metallographic analyses provided a more precise phase diagram. A summary of these works was given by Hansen6 and shows the correct relative positions of the phases. Owen, Rogers, and Guthrie7 located correctly the upper two phases by X-ray diffraction. Their failure to find the low tem-

Jan 1, 1954

By Hans Lundberg, Theodor Zuschlag

Based upon an instrumental improvement, a new development has taken place in the art of electrical prospecting, and some remarkable results have already been obtained with regard to potential exploration. In order to visualize the importance of this development, it is deemed advisable to review briefly the fundamental facts about potential surveys. Potential exploration may be carried out qualitatively or quantitatively. Qualitative investigations are made by determining and plotting on a map points of equal potential, whereby any anomalies are revealed, without, however, much clue to their magnitude. Quantitative investigations determine the variations of potential or potential drop, and thus show not only the location of the anomalies, but also their magnitude. Figs. 1 to 6 illustrate the influence of simple types of ground inhomo-geneities, assuming one effective exciter potential only. Such a condition can be closely realized by connecting an electric current source to two electrodes, one of which is located at a great distance. Assuming uniform ground resistivity, the resultant potential distribution mar be represented by concentric spheres. Any change from the normal condition causes a characteristic distortion of the spheres, which becomes different for different types of resistivity variation. The series of Figs. la to 6a illustrates schematically results of qualitative investigations and series lb to 6b results of quantitative investigations. Figs. 1 and 2 picture the well-known case of local resistivity variations normally encountered in ore prospecting. Figs. 3 and 4 show the reactions caused by more or less vertical resistivity contacts and Figs. 5 and 6 refer to the problem of ground-water and bedrock investigations where the resistivity contact is horizontal or nearly SO. It is evident from Figs. 5a and 6a that qualitative measurements do not permit an identification of such general geological features as widespread horizontal strata, because the resultant contraction or expansion of the equipotential circles at the surface cannot be recognized without quantitative determinations. On the other hand, qualitative measurements are well suited for the exploration of local or lateral resistivity

Jan 1, 1932

By Shosei Serata

Conventional roof bolting may be giving ground to a new technique that utilizes only the ground itself to stabilize mine openings. This newly developed stress control technique (SCT) has initially been used in sedimentary ore bodies that are both overlain and underlain by weak strata. The technique is also suited to the design of production panels and main entry systems, and is readily adaptable to room and pillar as well as total- extraction mining, including both shortwall and longwall coal mining. In applications where the technique has been used, the requirements for roof bolting and floor renewal were virtually eliminated. The SCT comprises three basic methods and covers a wide range of problems associated with failing roofs and heaving floors in underground mines (see Table 1).

Jan 5, 1976

By J. E. Forciea, O. E. Palasvirta, L. G. Hendrickson

All pilot and commercial plants working with Mesabi Range taconite employ wet magnetic separation. Progress is being made with a dry magnetic process,9-11 but this has not yet been applied to taconite except in the laboratory and pilot plants. Flowsheets in all five plants are similar, including multiple stages of grinding, each followed by magnetic separation, which rejects a finished tailing. The flowsheet in Fig. 1 is used in the preliminary and commercial plants of the Erie and Reserve mining companies and in Unit C of Oliver's Pilotac plant. At Erie the desliming operation is omitted. In the Reserve plants two ball mills are used with each rod mill. Pilotac uses flowsheet 2 in Unit A-B and has also tested flowsheet 3. Principal differences in the three flowsheets are the number of grinding stages and the type of roughing. The terms open- circuit roughing and closed-circuit roughing are best defined by the diagrams.

Jan 12, 1958

By C. D. Henry, M. L. W. Jackson

Environmental geologic maps of the Wilcox and Jackson-Yegua lignite belts of the Texas Coastal Plain delineate land areas on the basis of their natural characteristics. Criteria used to define map units include substrate, soil, topography, geologic process, vegetation, and land use. The maps are useful in planning and reclamation of lignite mines and in meeting the requirements of state and federal surface mining laws. Specific applications include identification of land capability, recharge areas and geometry of aquifers, flood-prone areas, areas that may qualify for prime farmland status, and other areas sensitive to lignite mining.

Jan 1, 1984

By W. N. Lacey, R. H. Olds, B. H. Sage

Samules of liquid and gas were obtained from the primary separator of a well in the Paloma field. The volumetric properties of the samples and of six systematically chosen mixtures of the samples were experimentally determined at 100°, 190°, and 250°F. at pressures up to 5000 lb. per sq. inch. From these data the influence ,of pressure and temperature upon the composition and specific volume of the bubble-point liquid and of the retrograde dew-point gas was established, The formation volumes and gas-oil ratios of the rnixtures investigated were calculated on the basis of the plant-product oil, which is defined as the isobutane and less volatile portion of each mixture. The results are presented in graphical and tabular form. The volumetric behavior of the mixture corresponding to that produced by the well at the time of sampling was determined for 235ºF., the reported reservoir temperature, by graphical interpolation of the experimental data with respect to composition and temperature. The results indicate that the well-production mixture probably existed as a gas at its retrograde dew point under the conditions of temperature and pressure believed to prevail in the producing zone at the time of sampling. The effect upon the phase behavim occasioned by the omission from the well-production mixture of certain components of intermediate molecular weight was investigated. In the first case, all of the isobutane and 11-butane, and substantially all of the iso-pentane, were removed from the mixture of trap samples corresponding to the well production. In the second case, all the propane, isobutane and n-butane, and substantially all of the isopentane, were removed. Both modifications led to considerable increases in the retrograde dew-point Pressure at 235ºF.; an increase of 558 lb. Per sq. in. above that of the unmodified well-production mixture in the first case, and an increase of 1208 lb. Per sq. in. in the second. It was concluded that the material? remaining after the removal of certain components of intermediate molecular weight could not be injected back into the reservoir in the saqe proportion in which they were produced without entailing appreciable loss of liquid material through condensation within the formation. Introduction Under the usual conditions of production practice, petroleum arrives at the surface of the earth in a physical state considerably different from that in which it existed in the underground reservoir. The relative rates of production and the properties of oil and gas measured at surface conditions do not constitute, in general, even a qualitative description of the fluids existing in the reservoir. The estimation of reserves and the attainment of optimum efficiency with regard to rate, quantity, and cost of production require accurate data concerning the physical properties of petroleum throughout large changes in pressure and temperature. Many schemes have been devised for predicting the behavior of propane, as it is encountered in nature? but the experimental work upon which these predictions are based has not, for the most part, been extended to the higher pressures that occur in practice, nor do these methods permit, as yet, the estima-

Jan 1, 1945

By Arthur F. Taggart

MR. CHAIRMAN: Congratulations! Your four-ring milling show this year was a dandy. It cleared our minds, for a few hours at least, of what Hitler, Hirohito, the New Deal, and the tribe in the Treasury are trying to do to strangle American enterprise. We mustn't forget this, but it's a relief to get our thoughts away from it occasionally. GRINDING-There was a further contribution to the excellent work that the Allis-Chalmers laboratory staff has been doing for the grinding fraternity in compiling-and publishing-a carefully quantitative list of comparative resistances of ores and other materials to comminution (T.P. 1579, Bond-Maxson). A diagnostic accuracy of ± 10 per cent was claimed for estimates based on these figures. Are they really that good? How about some of you men in the field writing M&M about it?

Jan 1, 1943

[Officers JOHN CHIPMAN, President W. R. HIBBARD, JR., Past President C. C. LONG, Vice President T. D. JONES, Treasurer R. W. SHEARMAN, Secretary D. C. JOHNSTON, Assistant Secretary]

Jan 1, 1961

By Blamey Stevens

The object of this paper is to show how igneous intrusion is governed by definite mechanical laws. A distinction is made between dikes and fissures, and the various characteristics of intrusions are explained on an exact scientific basis. The modification of rock-stresses by intrusion is then considered and extensive isostress regions are recognized. Finally, a complete classification of intrusions is constructed covering all possible cases. The generalizations of observed data, taken from Geikie's Text-Book of Geology, confornl to the laws of intrusion herein stated, and the deductions based upon these lams. No authority, however, is quoted for the type which I hare named a corrugated intrusion. Its existence is a necessary deduction from the laws of intrusion, and even the entire absence of examples in technical publications cannot disprove its reality. In all probability, corrugated fissures would have remained undiscovered, but for the nrorking of mineral veins. As intrusions of tabular form are seldom worked for commercial purposes, it has been left for theory to anticipate the discovery of corrugated dikes. In the light of these laws of intrusion and the corresponding laws of fissures,' there seems to be a remarkable uniformity of stress-distribution in rocks at moderate depths. This renders possible the mathematical calculation which should help us to approximate exact science in this and kindred branches of applied geology.

Jan 1, 1911

By R. S. McBride

The fertilizer industry is a meeting place of mining, manufacturing and agriculture. It is an industry of dynamic change, huge tonnages, and great aggregate value. In the United States from 5,000,000 to 8,000,000 tons of fertilizer are made and used per year, with a value at the works of from $200,000,000 to $300,000,000. The world uses about 50,000,000 tons yearly with an aggregate value between two-thirds and one billion dollars. This world output contains of the essential plant-food constituents, nitrogen, phosphate, and potash, approximately 8,000,000 tons. The corresponding United States quantity, as nearly as can be estimated, is 1,400,000 tons of plant food per year in the aggregate tonnage of fertilizer. With the steady increase in the practice of scientific agriculture throughout the world there has been a corresponding growth in the consumption of fertilizers. In the United States there has, indeed, been but a small upward trend in the tonnage sold, measured in millions of tons of all classes of goods which are made and marketed. The real growth has come through the increasing concentration of the essential plant foods in the mixture. Thus it is estimated that between 1920 and 1930, although there was little increase in tonnage of fertilizer, there was an increase of fully 30 per cent in the content of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash. Hence, the American farmer has actually been using more plant-food to

Jan 1, 1932

By L. P. Teas

ALTHOUGH 1927 in the Arkansas-Louisiana territory will probably pass into history as a year of small profits and little new production, nevertheless during this period two large gas fields were developed; two new oil fields were discovered, and two new oil horizons, hitherto of minor Annual Production in Millions of Barrels FIG. 1.-PRODUCTION OF NORTH LOUISIANA AND ARKANSAS BY FIELDS FOR 1926 AND 1927. importance, were developed; In spite of the "hard times" some of the leading, supply houses did more business this year in this. district than in any year since 1920.

Jan 1, 1928

Discussion of the paper of E. J. Hall and C. W. Drury, presented at the Butte meeting, August, 1913, and printed in Bulletin No. 78, June, 1913, pp. 1059 to 1066. A. M. SMOOT,* New York, N. Y. (communication to the Secretary +) :-The nails method is given in many text books on assaying as a standard method for gold or for gold and silver in ores. It appears to be taught in the laboratories of technical and scientific schools as a standard method, and to some extent it is used by assayers in actual practice, although the class of ores to which it may be applied is limited to those free from reducible metallic compounds, the metals of which would enter the lead button. The experiments of Messrs. Hall and Drury show the inaccuracy of this rnethod for silver, in heavy sulphides, but not so clearly the short-comings with regard to gold. It seems certain that low silver is caused by the solubility of silver in iron-alkali sulphide as compared with its solubility in molten lead; that is, silver is distributed between iron-alkali sulphide and metal in the charge in proportion to solubility at the particular temperature of the fusion. Lead is a fixed quantity in these assay charges, but iron-alkali sulphide increases with increased sulphur, so the more sulphur in the charge, the lower the silver results.

Jan 11, 1913