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By Robert H. Hafner, Irvin R. Kramer

IN recent years considerable interest has been shown in surface-alloyed metals, particularly those of chromium (chromized steels), which have excellent corrosion [ ] resistance under a variety of severe conditions, and may undergo bending and flanging operations without spalling. An early method1 employed to produce a high-chromium case on steel was developed by Kelley in 1921. It consisted of heating a low-carbon steel in intimate contact with powdered chromium in the presence of hydrogen at temperatures sufficiently high to permit diffusion of chromium into the steel. The usefulness of this process was limited because the extremely high temperatures of 1200° to 1400°C. (2200° to 2550°°F,) caused excessive grain growth and warpage, Louenstein and Ulmer2 packed iron castings in ferrochromium and com- [ ] mon salt, and heated for approximately three hours at 930° to 1040°C. (1700° to 1900°F,). A recent and more practical method of depositing chromium on steel surfaces has been developed in Germany by Daeves, Becker and Steinberg3-8 and in Russia by Izgaryshev and Sarkisov.9 This process consists of passing gaseous chromium chloride over the steel to be chromized at temperatures of 900° to 1000°C., or packing them in a porous, ceramic material that previously had been saturated with chromium chloride. They reported obtaining a chromized layer, 0.004 in, thick, on low-carbon steels. Later, Daeves4 established a relationship between the carbon content

Jan 1, 1942

By E. H. Denny

In the past few years many men, including technically trained engineers, have been asphyxiated in metal mines, coal mines, tunnels and surface wells where a few relatively simple precautions with regard to ventilation and air testing would have saved them. Death from mine gases is analogous in some respects to death from poison and from drowning. The respiratory passages of a victim who has breathed oxides of nitrogen from burning explosives are badly irritated and a few hours or even a day after exposure he may develop a quick and fatal pneumonia; if, however, he enters without respiratory protective apparatus an atmosphere deficient in oxygen (a condition that may occur in unventilated or poorly ventilated parts of all underground mines) he collapses and if not rescued dies more quickly and surely than a lone nonswimmer who falls suddenly into deep water. An example of an atmosphere virtually without oxygen was demonstrated by an air sample taken by a Bureau of Mines engineer wearing oxygen breathing apparatus in a Cripple Creek shaft some years ago, during the recovery of the bodies of two victims of asphyxiation; analysis of the sample by the Pittsburgh laboratory of the Bureau showed the presence of 18.40 per cent of carbon dioxide, 0.27 per cent of oxygen, and 81.33 per cent of nitrogen, although the atmosphere apparently was clear and normal. In a mine one can pass from good, breathable air to an atmosphere that will kill as quickly as one can dive from a board to deep water below. Some Instances of Asphyxiation by Gases in Metal Mines The following typical examples of comparatively recent instances of asphyxiation in metal mines were taken chiefly from reports of various kinds of the U. S. Bureau of Mines.

Jan 1, 1940

By Frederick Tickell

PETROLEUM engineers are displaying considerable interest in those fundamental properties of matter and energy that control the phenomena of oil and gas production. The subject is a difficult one to investigate by laboratory experiments for two reasons: (1) it is impossible to reproduce in the laboratory the scale of forces and dimensions that exist in the underground reservoir; (2) if we attempt to scale down the dimensions we are unable to reduce all proportionally. It is as if we tried to construct a model blast furnace for the reduction of iron ore, and reduced all lineal dimensions. We should find that the interstices between the miniature chunks of ore would not .permit rapid transfer of gases, that combustion and heat transfer would not take place as in the full size furnace and that, in short, the contraption would not work. Just so, when we attempt to make a reduced scale oil field we find we must have, not only miniature reservoir and miniature wells, but "miniature" sand, oil, gas, etc. Much valuable work, however, has been done along these experimental lines and more will no doubt follow, but investigators should bear this point in mind and strive to attain dimensional homogeneity and dynamical similarity in order that their conclusions may be translated into terms applying to the oil reservoir. As Gibson says,1 "These conditions are attained when all terms of the physical equation have the same dimensions, . . . when all corresponding particles of the two systems trace out similar paths and when the velocities are such as to make all corresponding forces acting on two such particles in the same ratio. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the mechanics of fluid movement as it pertains to the oil pool and to point out the complexity of the laws of fluid delivery under the conditions often found.

Jan 1, 1928

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 James Norman

SEPARATION of minerals by froth flotation is rightly called an art. It can truthfully be said that no two ores separate in the same way. The difference in results obtained when natural and synthetic mixtures of minerals are separated is so great that such tests frequently have been worthless in attempting to select conditions in which a natural mixture will separate. With a few rare exceptions, the natural mixture is much more difficult to treat than a synthetic mixture, and a much poorer separation is obtained. Perhaps several experimenters have wondered why 10 or 20 per cent of a mineral being floated from an ore does not float and is different from the 90 or 80 per cent that is recovered. In experimental tests on pure sphalerite, observers1 have noted that varying amounts of sphalerite may be froth-floated with pine oil alone, the amount recovered in the froth depending apparently upon the source of the sulphide. The only explanation of results such as these, barring insufficiency of frother or time of flotation, is that the surface of the mineral floated is different from that of the mineral depressed. This difference often has been found to be caused by natural contamination of mineral surfaces, apparently brought about by weathering and exposure to natural solu-tions. There is virtually no rock that is absolutely unweathered. One of the writers had an exceedingly instructive experience in 1931 while working with United Verde copper-zinc iron sulphide ore in Arizona. Nonselective flotation of chalcopyrite and sphalerite away from some of the pyrite was all that could be accomplished. All known depressants produced only slight effect. Sodium cyanide showed some effect, but so much had to be used that only a small amount of chalcopyrite could be

Jan 1, 1939

By L. R. Budrow, R. T. Mishler

The Lucky-Tiger mine is a silver-gold property, situated at El Tigre, in the northeastern part of Sonora, Mexico, at an elevation of 6000 ft. in the Sierra Madre Mountains. It is 30 miles by wagon road from the Esqueda station on the Nacozari railroad. Since its discovery in 1903, the mine has produced forty million ounces of silver. The ore has averaged 40 oz. silver and 0.25 oz. gold per ton. Copper, lead and zinc have been of minor importance, having averaged 0.4 per cent., 1.1 per cent., and 1.5 per cent., respectively. The richness of the ore, combined with its occurrence in narrow veins, required the use of the more expensive methods. of mining. Geology Wall Rock The wall rock is rhyolite and rhyolite tuff, both of Tertiary age. In rare instances, post-mineral andesite dikes have been intruded along the veins. In the upper part of the mine, the walls were fairly solid. On the lower levels, the walls are usually cither kaolinized and soft or silicified and fractured, both conditions requiring closely filled stopes or much timber. Veins The veins have been deposited along fracture planes in the volcanics. There are three principal veins, about 600 ft. apart, all striking nearly north-south and dipping steeply to the west. Table 1 records the approximate dimensions and assay of the veins. Although the average

Jan 1, 1925

By W. E. Wrather

The overproduction of crude oil in 1927 has received such widespread publicity, both within and without the industry, and the several factors which have brought about this situation are so thoroughly agreed upon by everyone, that it is unlikely the writer will in this brief review be able to contribute anything new. The entire story of low prices and demoralization revolves around two flush districts, Seminole and West Texas— the actual. performance of Seminole and the potential threat of West, Texas. The sustained production of California has been a contributing factor to this situation also. It seems reasonably certain that Seminole and West Texas will together dominate the industry during 1928, with Seminole probably destined to drop into second place, as additional pipe lines are completed into West Texas to care for its rapidly expanding production. It now appears inevitable that the production of 1928 will equal or exceed that of the past year, depending solely upon the rapidity wit,h which it is possible to market West Texas crude, and the degree of restraint which operators are willing to impose upon themselves in holding proved reserves of oil underground. Adversity has cultivated the growth of a promising spirit of cooperation which has accomplished practical results both at Seminole and in West Texas. Cooperation among oil producers has long been ardently hoped for, but prior to the past year it has never been effective on an important scale. The interests both of the industry and the public at large can best be conserved by cooperation in controlling production, and the widespread acceptance of this idea has paved the way for a more rational policy in the immediate future Production BY Major Districts The domestic production of the United States during 1927 amounted to 894,43.5,000 bbl. (Bureau of Mines), an increase over 1926 of approximately 128,000,000 bbl. California succeeded in maintaining its position of the past four years at 230,000,000 hbl. In 1923 with the Los Angeles

Jan 1, 1928

Alfred C. Young† (communication to the Secretary): Before the appearance of Mr. Scott's paper in these Transactions we were not specially interested in the investigation which he has started; but at his request we have endeavored to collect from musty records and the recollection of our old friends a brief chronicle of the progress made by this house. As 3000 instruments were manufactured by us before any descriptive record was kept, and 2000 more before the record contained more than a statement whether the instrument was a transit or a level, and sometimes its size, we approach the task with timidity, trusting that the reader will bear the difficulties in mind, particularly as the writer's predecessors, from whom, no doubt, the information desired could have been obtained, have passed away. Instruments for surveying were manufactured by David Rittenhouse, of Philadelphia, as early as 1760; but it was not until late in the first quarter of this century that there was any American market for an instrument outside of the ordinary surveyor's compass. With the advent of canals and railroads, and the more extensive development of the Pennsylvania coalfields, arose a demand for surveying-instruments to meet problems in engineering beyond the limited field of the compass. On May 1, 1820, in which year the practical mining of anthracite coal in Pennsylvania began, William J. Young, who had served his apprenticeship with one Thomas Whitney,

Jan 1, 1901

By D. Pearson

INTRODUCTION In 1975 278x10 3 tonnes of zinc was consumed in the United Kingdom, of which 69.3x10 3 tonnes was obtained from secondary sources. Of this secondary zinc 37.7x10 3 tonnes was used in brass making, the remainder was used in non metallic applications - eg oxides and salts. Many forms of zinc-bearing wastes arise, for example as galvaniser's drosses and residues, fumes from ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgical processes, and filter cakes from rayon manufacture and metal finishing. In the case of zinc-bearing dusts and fumes, the quantities available for recycle are at present restricted by the failure to collect them efficiently, hut environmental factors are leading to improvements in gas cleaning, with the result that quantities collected will increase and then exceed those required for the production of chemicals, so that some dusts may either have to be dumped or processed to metal. The recovery of zinc from steelmaking dusts is practised in W. Germany (1) and Japan (2) employing processes based on reduction in rotary kilns in order to produce sponge iron and a zinc- rich oxide suitable for feeding to the zinc-lead blast furnace. Although the zinc-lead blast furnace is the only zinc-making process used in the UK, no similar treatment of steelmaking dusts is carried out, a pilot scheme was tested by the British Steel Corporation, but development was abandoned for economic reasons. It appears to be cheaper to pelletise suitable dusts and export them for treatment elsewhere.

Jan 1, 1981

By Miguel Bustamente

In 1890 I mas manager of a mining enterprise in the State of Michoacan. The ores were composed principally of iron pyrites (much decomposed), in a quartz matrix, with native gold in very irregular grains. Some portions, however, carried their metallic value in a matrix of calcite arid siderite. The mill in which the ores were treated consisted of two 800-lb. stamps, two amalgamating-plates, four pans, two automatic washers, two Frue vanners, and the necessary accessories for assaying, retorting and refining gold. The plant, originally erected with American capital, and directed by competent Americans, passed in 1890 into the hands of Mexican owners. On taking charge of the business I found on hand a large amount of ore assaying 35 grammes of gold per metric ton (about 1 oz. Troy per ton of 2000 lbs.); but the company was losing money, and was about to abandon the business. Obviously, the difficulty lay in the treatment of the ore. The extraction of gold scarcely reached one-tenth of the assayvalue ; the loss of mercury was considerable; and high freight; charges excluded the alternative of exporting the ores. This situation naturally suggested that amalgamation was not applicable to these ores, and that a more appropriate method must be adopted. The cyanide- and chlorination-methods had been tried already, without practically satisfactory results. For the first few months I employed a combined system, extracting a part of the gold by direct amalgamation, and cyaniding the concentrates. This saved 32 per cent. of the assay-value, but the cost of milling still exceeded the proceeds. Meanwhile I observed

Jan 1, 1902

By H. Foster Bain

[Secretary's NoTE.—This paper, presented in oral abstract at the San Francisco meeting, was not at first supposed by Mr. Rain to be required for publication in the Transactions; and the excursion to Japan, in which he took part, immediately after the San Francisco meeting, delayed his presentation of the manuscript. After his return to San Francisco, Mr. Bain, in view of the importance of his paper and its discussion, kindly furnished it in full. The delay in its publication (since it was received in April last) has been due, partly to the circumstance that other contributions had meanwhile acquired the " right of way," and partly to the consideration that, the situation contemplated in Mr. Bain's paper having remained practically unchanged, the paper and its discussion would not lose force or timeliness by this lapse of time.—J. S. ] No acute observer of public affairs can have failed to observe a growing disposition on the part of the public to change emphasis in government from political equality to social justice. When our own government was founded it was felt to be sufficient to secure to each individual the fullest possible freedom of opportunity, and such a scheme was excellently adapted to the rapid development of a large territory having a small population. As the number of people in a given area increases, there are more points of contact and conflict; each must move in a smaller orbit, and there must be more regula-

Jan 1, 1913

By Alan Morris

Impingement attack, as one of the types of corrosion suffered by condenser tubes, has been given a prominent place in corrosion literature of recent years. It has been reproduced and studied in carefully controlled laboratory tests. Much has been learned of its mechanism, and of the effects of variables such as temperature, amount of air, size of bubble and water velocity. Incidentally the technical public has been given comparisons between the behavior of some few metals under various conditions of impingement attack. The tests recorded here were undertaken in an effort to find at least some sort of qualitative answer to questions which arose occasionally as to the relative resistance of various alloys to impingement attack, and which could not be answered by reference to the literature. The final decision to start work on the problem was influenced in large measure by the nature of the water available in this particular place. The mill of the Bridgeport Brass Co. is located on the Pequonnock River at Bridgeport, Conn., within two miles of its mouth. The water is much like many other estuarine sources which are used in condensers, and which cause particularly severe corrosion. It seemed a most suitable water to use in such tests. As the work progressed an important seasonal variation was noted. The purpose of this note is to record this seasonal effect. The results of individual tests are given only incidentally. Impingement Tests Early in 1929 the apparatus was built. The samples were disks of 1-in. dia., cut from sheet metal. They were eleaned with fine emery cloth and set in holders, as shown in Fig. 1. A stream of water pumped directly from the river impinged on the surface of the sample. Compressed air was injected into the water stream through an air duct. Water pressure was maintained at about 35 Ib. per sq. in. and air was controlled by a needle valve. Velocity of

Jan 1, 1932

THE record of the development of physical metallurgy since the founding of this Institute embraces by far the greater part of physical metallurgy as this subject is recognized today. Yet it is not to be supposed that the metallurgist interested in the properties and behavior of solid metals at the beginning of this period was without important and even fundamental information. He had an empirical knowledge of the behavior of solid metals which extended backward into prehistoric times and he had the early beginnings of many of the chapters in the science of metals. Industry was burgeoning in many directions, for methods had been developed, especially in the manufacture of steel that provided materials in extremely large tonnages, permitting applications of metallic materials on a very widespread scale. These multitudinous new uses of metals created an increased interest in the behavior of metals, and provided the basis for the rapid development of a science of metals. Indeed, the development of science generally that accompanied the industrial revolution reached a flood tide toward the end of the century, furnishing the metallurgist basic principles in chemistry, physics, mechanics, and crystallography that would shortly be extensively applied to metallic behavior. In this account, the early developments in the wide metallurgical field will be traced, in order that the status of physical metallurgy in 1871, when this Institute was founded, may be clearly seen. The subject of metallurgy in antiquity has been written upon frequently and at length. We shall here no more than indicate the main features that we need to define the position in 1871 and to provide a proper background for discussing subsequent developments. The writings of Pliny,1 23-79 A.D., to which Robex-ts-Austen3 fre-

Jan 1, 1948

By George Burgess

I. INTRODUCTION THE suggestion has often been made that it would be highly desirable, at least for certain grades of steel, to be able to control more certainly, by pyrometric measurement or otherwise, the temperatures of the operation of the open-hearth and other furnaces used in the manufacture of steel and iron. That the properties of the ingot and finally of the finished steel product are intimately related to the final temperatures attained by-the metal inn the furnace and to the temperature of casting, has been recognized by metallurgists for a long time, and this question has been very thoroughly treated, especially by Prof. Henry M. Howe, and by A. W. and H. Brearley.1 It is the object of this paper to demonstrate that in so war as casting temperatures of furnaces, steel ingots, and similar operations involving the temperatures of streams of iron and steel are concerned, well-known pyrometric methods s may be easily applied-if certain recently determined corrections are made and precautions taken-with a relatively high degree of accuracy. Greater but not insurmountable difficulties will be encountered in. the case of open-hearth furnace temperatures, while for" those of the converter type a ready solution does not seem practicable. It appears that certain essential data have always been lacking in reporting observations such as those of Le Chatelier in 1892. Thus the correction to be applied for the characteristic radiation-or emissivity¬has hitherto not been adequately taken into account nor the limitations of the several possible pyrometric methods clearly recognized.

Jan 2, 1917

By J. M. Callow

HISTORICAL SKETCH THE selective action of oils for lustrous minerals was first disclosed by Haynes in 1860. In 1885, Miss Carrie Everson elaborated this idea and also disclosed the fact that acid increased the. so-called selective action. Her patent called for oils, either animal, vegetable or mineral, also for an acid or salt. The process was tried out on a practical scale in Baker City and Leadville, in 1889, and failed: first, because,, as has since been shown, of the unsuitability of the ore to flotation; and second, because the invention was too far in advance of the times. Then followed the Elmore brothers, first with their bulk oil processes and later with their vacuum method. The basic principles of oil flotation were undoubtedly covered by the above inventors, the work done since their time being merely a building up on ground work laid by them. Different kinds of oil, different quantities of oil, and all the varying degrees of agitation, were all exemplified and practiced by them in one phase or another, and the developments that have since been made are but elaborations of the fundamental principles laid down by Haynes, Everson, and the Elmore brothers. In 1902, the Potter-Delprat process was developed in Australia. In this process no oil was used, the mineral being raised by the generation of gas, brought about by the introduction of acid into the pulp. The mineral particles appeared on the surface of the separatory vessel, in the form of a scum or froth, buoyed up-by minute gas bubbles attached to them. This no doubt first gave the suggestion of gaseous flotation. In 1902, also, Fromont, an Italian, was granted a patent in which. he combined violent agitation with oil and gaseous flotation, the gas being generated within the pulp, in much the same way as in the Potter-Delprat process.

Jan 12, 1915

Mining examinations are of several kinds and the scope of the investigation depends in each case upon the purpose for which the examination is made. A formal examination of a developed mine is an expensive undertaking; from one to several months are allowed for the work according to the size of the property; many samples are taken; investigation is made of the geological features, including, perhaps, a topographical and geological survey of the surface; the metallurgical treatment of the ore is studied; finally, a determination of costs is demanded. Formal examinations are made for prospective purchasers or as a basis for the consolidation of several properties, and occasionally, in the owner's behalf, to verify the work of resident engineers, or to determine the readiness of a mine for equipment and the kind and capacity of equipment it shall receive. A formal examination of a mine should not be undertaken until a preliminary examination has shown that it is justified. It is regrettable that some engineers are in the habit of prosecuting long and exhaustive examinations of properties whose lack of merit should be, and perhaps is, apparent from the start, or of continuing their investigation long after an unfavorable result is seen to be inevitable. This wasting of a client's money is a species of trickery difficult to prove, and therefore the more contemptible. Preliminary examinations are precisely what the term implies, and are undertaken to determine the advisability of making

Jan 1, 1932

By Robert L. Zook, Bernard J. Olup, James J. Pierre

Coal refuse slurry impoundments are dams constructed of coarse coal refuse to impound fine refuse (slurry) and water (25 to 30% solids). Both products are waste from coal preparation plants. A number of these structures in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky were investigated to determine embankment stability. During the investigation a variety of embankment designs were encountered. The investigation determined the soil and geological characteristics of the embankments and the sites. This was accomplished by a test drilling and monitor installation (observation wells and piezometers) program, geologic study, and large-scale mapping which allowed subsurface profiles of the embankments to be constructed. The laboratory testing program concentrated on textural classification of the coal refuse, permeability, and determining strength parameters to be utilized in the stability analyses. For the stability analyses, the modified Fellenius slip circle, simplified Bishop slip circle, and analysis for translational failure were utilized. In all stability analyses hydrostatic pressure and seismic acceleration probability were considered. This investigation indicated that 62% of the embankments analyzed were in a stable condition. The coal seam, the type of roof rock, and the gradation of the refuse influence the degree of compaction obtainable and the permeability of refuse. The shear strength of coal refuse appears to be controlled by its composition, moisture content, degree of compaction, amount and grain size of fines present. This investigation demonstrated these embankments should not be treated as pure state-of-the-art dams consideration must be given to the particular properties of coal refuse and the total refuse disposal system. Refuse dam slurry impoundments generally lack the site selection phase that is standard practice with siting most other types of dams.

Jan 1, 1976

By Richard Downs, Stephen P. Burke

The oxidation of pyritic sulphur associated with coal is important for the following reasons: 1. It is the predominant cause for the formation of acid mine drainage issuing from bituminous coal seams. This drainage pollutes the streams in coal regions, making the water unfit for industrial purposes and causing the disappearance of fish and wild life. As a consequence the movement of industry and especially recreational industry, so important to the population of these areas as an alternative means of livelihood, is impeded. 2. It is instrumental in effecting a series of reactions, which bring about the degradation and ultimately result in the spontaneous combustion of bituminous coal in storage. 3. It contributes to the breaking and shattering of the coal structure and is one of the causes of roof falls and floor lifts in mines. 4. It is the primary cause of the many nuisances associated with gob piles and the refuse of cleaning plants. 5. Its proper control and application might possibly be employed in the preparation of coal to reduce the inorganic sulphur content. The research that has been conducted on the oxidation of the various forms of iron sulphides is extensive and the literature voluminous. Nevertheless, few efforts have been made to determine experimentally and with some precision the mechanism of the reaction under the conditions of its occurrence in bituminous coal mines. It has generally been accepted that the oxidation of pyritic sulphur proceeds according to the reaction 2FeS2 + 2H2O + 7O2 ? 2FeSO4 + 2H2SO4 [1] The ferrous sulphate in the drainage streams is further oxidized by air to produce ferric hydroxide and more acid. Yet the literature fails to disclose any pertinent investigation on the mechanism of this reaction. The present contribution is concerned primarily with this aspect of the problem and while the work to be reported is not yet complete, it has yielded results from which interesting and significant conclusions may be drawn.

Jan 1, 1938

By J. M. Morris

The point to be made most clear in this paper is the economic value of flotation in the Benguet mill flow sheet. It is rather a statement of effect with no attempt at a technical explanation of the cause. Certain well-known, easily understood reagents, mechanisms and principles have been adapted to the conditions at Benguet, and have proved to be more successful than was demonstrated in the laboratory. The mechanical and metallurgical development of this particular operation was arrived at by trial and error, with fortunately very little error. Changes were slow, of necessity, which in the end proved a blessing in that time was afforded for observation and analysis of the disturbing factors; and as a result each change was a definite step towards higher efficiency. Many of these steps were unpredictable from laboratory work because of the varied and differing characteristics of ores met with in daily operation of the mill, which were practically impossible to reproduce on a laboratory scale. The Benguet mill receives daily ores that differ as much as if they were delivered from three different properties. There is first the surface and upper-level zone, which produces an oxidized secondary ore containing considerable iron oxide, manganese oxide and some organic matter. Formerly, most of this ore consisted of very soft fill with some hard rock mixed in. It also contained an unusual amount of iron and aluminum sulfate, which formed hydrates upon entering the alkaline cyanide solution and caused excessive frothing. When flotation was introduced in the Benguet mill the general characteristics of this upper-level ore had changed considerably, in that it was practically all newly mined, fairly hard ore. It still contained many of the same disturbing elements, but was somewhat simpler to treat than formerly. The small proportion of fines is still troublesome in flotation, and plant practice probably does not show more than 80 per cent extraction on this small portion of the ore. No definite figure on this is available, as this particular ore is delivered at irregular intervals

Jan 1, 1939

By G. B. Gould

THE softening temperature of coal ash, as determined in the labora-tory, has been used for years as an indication of the tendency of coal to form clinker and slag. It has not, however, provided an index of unfail-ing and complete reliability for forecasting the relative performance of different coals, even in the same plant and under the same conditions of operation. A large amount of investigation has been done in attempts to account for this, but practically all of this has been in the direction of studying the chemical constitution of coal ash. Much has been learned, but without much progress toward a better practical application of knowledge to the selection of coal. There has always seemed to be an important factor that eluded discovery. It has long been recognized that the ash-softening temperature as determined in the laboratory had one weakness, in that it represented the temperature at which a thorough mixture of the whole ash of the coal would melt, the mixing having taken place before the heat was applied. This does not, of course, simulate what takes place in practice. With certain exceptions, which will be noted later, almost all of the investiga-tions that have been made, especially the chemical studies of coal ash, have likewise dealt with a mixture of the whole ash in the coal. The present investigation differs from these fundamentally in its approach to the problem. It started from the observation that some clinkering and slagging obviously takes place in a boiler furnace at tem-peratures below the laboratory-determined ash-softening temperature of the coal. Knowing that coal as it is shipped to market is a hetero-geneous mixture of diverse mineral substances, each of which may act independently of the others in the initial stages of clinker and slag formation, it seemed logical to investigate separately the softening tem-perature of the ash in physically separable portions of the coal, and to determine the relative quantities of ash contributed by each portion.

Jan 1, 1940