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By Leslie C. Richards

The competitive position of producers of industrial minerals depends upon the delivered price of their product. Freight charges are a major factor in the sales to consumers. A comparison of freight rates on movements of limestone and silica rock in the Pacific Northwest shows a wide variance in mills per ton mile for like hauls, thereby favoring some localities over others.

Jan 1, 1950

By KENNETH W. GREENAWALT, William Greenawalt

THE patent system, through which an inventor is given exclusive right to his invention for a limited period as a reward for his industry and in reimbursement of his expenditures, originated in England in the famous "Statute of Monopolies," enacted in 1623. The first patent granted in America was to Samuel Winslow, in Massachusetts, in 1641. The basis of the patent system of the United States is a provision in the Constitution giving Congress the power to secure to inventors for a limited time the exclusive use of their discoveries. The first legislative enactment was the law of 1790, which was placed on the statute book after Washington had addressed Congress in its favor. Under this law, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of War, and the Attorney General constituted the board for the examination of patent applications and the granting of patents. The first Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson, became the first administrator of the patent sys- tem in this country. He personally examined every application filed during his term of office.

Jan 1, 1930

By Howard I. Young

WHEN so many statements are being made relative to the requirements of zinc metal, it is difficult for some of us who are acquainted with the industry to visualize how it is possible to step up production so as to supply some of the fantastic requirement figures that are published from time to time. I shall attempt to approach this subject from the standpoint of existing conditions which affect production, also keeping in mind the price ceiling under which the industry operates. Total production of primary and secondary zinc in the United States for 1941 will be about 878,000 tons, to which should be added about 36,000 tons of Mexican slab zinc available for consumption or export from the United States, giving a total available of 914,000 tons. Production of slab zinc of all grades in 1942 should be 953,000 tons. Adding the available Mexican supply should bring the total to 989,000 tons.

Jan 1, 1942

TO THE. BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF MINING AND METALLURGICAL ENGINEERS GENTLEMEN Submitted herewith are the report of the Treasurer for the year 1945 and reports for the same year of the following committees: Membership, Admissions, Papers and Publications, Mining and Metallury (Magazine), and Library. In this review of the year by the Secretary reference frequently will be made to the "Paul" Committee and to the "hotter" Committee. The first is the special committee on Divisional Relationships and the second the special Committee on Ways and Means. These two important committees, appointed by President Harvey S. Mudd under authorization of the Board of Directors on March 21, 1945, were composed as follows:

Jan 1, 1946

By K. P. Gupta, A. K. Pal, L. Chandrasekaran, U. P. Singh

The Mn-Sn binary system, investigated at the high-manganese end and between 500° and 1000° C, shows four phases at temperatures below 727"C, namely the u Mn, the p Mn, the Mn3 Sn, and the Mn, Sn phases, while at higher temperatures only the last three phases remain stable. The solubility of tin in a Mn is very small and the maximum solubility of tin in P Mn phase appears to be abollt 10 at. pct Sn. The solubility range of the Mn,Sn and the Mn, Sn phases is 23.0 to 26.0 and 37.0 to 40.0 at. pct Sn, respectively. The lattice parameter of the 13 Mn phase increases with increasing tin content. The Mn, Sn thase is hexagonal with and appears to be basically of the Ni3 Sn type structure except that for quite a few X-ray diffraction lines the calculated and observed relative intensities do not agree well. The Mn-Sn binary system has been studied by several investigators.''~ Their results indicate that three intermediate phases, namely, the Mn3Sn, Mn,Sn, and MnSn, phases, exist at high concentrations of tin. However, so far the proper phase equilibrium has not been established at the manganese-rich end and very little data is available for the composition range between pure manganese and Mn3Sn. Moreover, earlier investigators differ in their opinion about the exact composition range at which the Mn3Sn and Mn,Sn phases appear and some doubt has been cast by some investigators3 regarding the structure of Mn3Sn phase which has been reported to be isotypic with Ni3Sn (Mgscd type) structure. In this investigation an attempt has been made to establish the proper phase equilibrium between pure manganese and Mn + 50 at. pct Sn composition in the temperature range of 500" to 1000°C. PROCEDURE The raw materials used were from three different sources. For exploratory work five alloys containing 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 at. pct Sn were prepared using 99.9 pct pure manganese and tin supplied by E. Merck & Co., Germany. The rest of the alloys and one more 25 at. pct Sn alloy were prepared using 99.9 pct Mn supplied by Gallard Schlesinger Chemical Mfg. Corp., U.S.A., and 99.999 pct Sn supplied by Semi Elements Inc., U.S.A. Weighed amounts of manganese and tin were melted in recrystallized alumina crucibles in an inert gas (argon) high-frequency induction melting furnace. By careful control of temperature and time of melting the losses were reduced to below 0.2 pct in all cases. Since the losses were very small, no attempt was made here to analyze the samples chemically. Alloys were wrapped in molybdenum foil and sealed in small evacuated fused silica capsules. The alloys were annealed at different temperatures, controlled within + l°C, for sufficiently long periods to attain proper phase equilibrium, and subsequently quenched in cold tap water. The annealing periods used at different temperatures were 15 days at 500°C, 7 days at 600°C, 5 days at 700" and 750°C, 3 days at 800°, 850°, and 900°C, 2 days at 968"C, and two alloys annealed at 968°C were reannealed for 10 hr at 1000° C. From each annealed specimen, a part was utilized for metallographic study while another piece was used for X-ray diffraction study. 1.0 pct HNO, solution and oxalic acid solutions of concentrations 0.05 to 1.0 pct were used for etching Mn-Sn alloys above and below the MnsSn composition, respectively. Since all alloys were brittle, X-ray specimens were prepared using the as-crushed -325 mesh alloy powders. Only one 25 at. pct Sn alloy powder was reannealed in an evacuated silica capsule at 800°C for 5 min and water-quenched. X-ray diffraction patterns . for the Mn3Sn phase with the as-crushed and the reannealed powders did not show appreciable change. Un-filtered iron radiation at 25 kv, 15 ma was used with either Norelco 114.6-mm-diam Debye Scherrer Camera (for phase identification) or Norelco 12-cm-diam symmetrical focusing camera (for lattice parameter determination of the 6 Mn phase). The estimated accuracy of lattice parameter determination for the focusing camera was * 0.001A. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS The results of metallographic and X-ray diffraction study made with different alloys are shown in Fig. 1. The variations in lattice parameter with composition for the p Mn and the Mn3Sn phases are given in Tables I and 11, respectively, and the lattice parameter as a function of composition for the p Mn phase is shown in Fig. 2. The lattice parameter of the p Mn phase increases with increasing tin content while for the Mn,Sn phase the data obtained from two two-phase alloys and one single-phase alloy indicate increase in a,, and decrease in c, parameters with increasing tin content. The results, Fig. 1, indicate that the solubility of

Jan 1, 1969

By Arthur L. Walker

DURING my trip around the world last year, covering a total of 45,000 miles, I saw many things of especial interest from an engineering viewpoint. Sailing from New York, I went through the Panama Canal, down along the west coast of South America, then over the Peruvian and Bolivian Uplands; thence to the celebrated copper mines of Chile; across the Andes, to Buenos Aires, then to Rio Janeiro; across the Atlantic to Lisbon, Portugal; through Spain to the Rio Tinto mines; across southern Europe to Italy; thence to Alexandria and Cairo; up the Nile to Assouan, to Palestine through the Suez Canal, Red Sea and across to Bombay; up to the country of the Moghul Emperors; then to Calcutta, from which point I shipped to Singapore, as having crossed the Equator twice, I wished to shake hands with it again; thence to Shanghai and Pekin; up to the Great Wall of China, back to Nanking and up the Yangtse to Hankow; then back and eastward across the Pacific Ocean. The climatic changes were sudden and severe; there was winter where, for me, it should have been summer and vice versa. The weather man was very kind, however, and until I was near the Aleutian Islands there were only three rainy days in a total of 220.

Jan 1, 1924

The Candelaria deposit was first discovered by Spanish prospectors in 1863; but its silver ore was not exploited on a large scale until 1873, when the Northern Belle mine was opened. The first Northern Belle mill was built at Belleville, 13 km (8 miles) to the northwest. From 1876 to 1886 the Northern Belle paid over $1 million in dividends each year. In 1882 a 43 km (27 miles) pipeline was built to Candelaria from the White Mountains to the west to furnish water for the mills and town at Candelaria; it was 100 mm (4 in.) in diameter, hand- riveted, and made in England. Sections of this pipe are used. as claim posts today. At its terminus at Metallic City, above Candelaria, a large concrete reservoir was built and called Metallic Lake. It is being used today by Candelaria Partners. Production at Candelaria declined after the mid-1980s, revived for a short period in the early 1890s, and during the 1920s a 300 ton mill operated for three years. Candelaria Partners is owned jointly by Occidental Minerals and Congdon and Carey, with Occidental being the operator. An engineering study done in mid-1979 resulted in engineering for the plant commencing in late that year and heap leaching being started in September 1980. Two million tons of ore per year containing 108 g Ag and 0.28 g Au per mt (3.15 oz Ag and 0.008 oz Au per st) will be mined from the Lucky Hill and Mount Diablo .areas about 1.6 km (1 mile) up Pickhandle gulch from the heap leaching operation. Waste -to -ore ratio is about 2:l. Ore is mined by front-end loaders and hauled by 85 ton trucks to the primary crusher, a 1,070 by 1,780 mm (42 by 70 in. ) gyratory. Primary crushed ore is conveyed to a stockpile of 10,000 tons live capacity from which it is reclaimed by hydraulic reciprocating feeders and conveyed to the crushing and agglomeration facility. This unit is composed of a 1.8 m by 2.6. m (6 ft by 12 ft) double deck screen, a 2.1 m (7 ft) standard cone crusher, and three conveyors. At the conveyor transfer points NaOH and NaCN solution is sprayed on the ore as it falls through a row of 75 mm (3 in.) hanging steel bars. During this process of turning and dividing the ore, the fines agglomerate with the coarse ore to give better percolation for the leach solution on the heaps. Provision was made for the later addition of 2 kg per mt (4 lb per st) of cement to aid in the agglomeration. Agglomerated ore at minus 50 mm (2 in.) size is then conveyed to a 390 mt (430 st) loadout bin where it is transferred to 85 ton rear dump trucks for haulage to the leach pads.

Jan 1, 1981

By C. W. Allen, L. C. Moore

THE Mather mine, of the Negaunee Mine Co., is within the limits of the City of Ishpeming, on the Marquette iron- range in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It is named for William G. Mather, who has served as President, and Chairman of the Board, of The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. for well over 50 years. The property comprises nearly the square mile of section 2, T.47 N. R.27 W., which, except for 20 acres in the northeast corner, was leased by The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. to the Negaunee company. The latter is a partnership of Cleveland-Cliffs and the Bethlehem Steel Co., organized to equip the property, retaining Cliffs in charge as operator. Shipments of ore from this area are mainly through Marquette, which is 16 miles to the northeast on Lake Superior, or through Escanaba, a Lake Michigan port, 65 miles to the south. Cleveland-Cliffs, in 1943, operated 12 mines in the Lake Superior district, with shipments of 6,635,576 tons for the year. GEOLOGY The north footwall of the Marquette Range synclinorium outcrops near the north line of sec. 2, the iron formation dipping to the south at an angle of about 40º. The south side of the trough reappears at a distance of 4 ½ miles on sec. 26 and the surface geology between shows iron formation or intrusive diorites. The latter are harder than most phases of the iron formation and, as a result of glacial action, appear as buttes or low-lying hills. The general elevation of sec. 2 is about 1450 ft. above sea level, or 850ft. above Lake Superior, and the higher diorite outcroppings about 1600 ft. above sea level. The geological structure has been complicated by a series of major and minor faults, one of which may be illustrated by the diorite sheet, which tilts south with the iron formation in the north half of the section and then reappears near the center to repeat this sequence. Sectionally the geological series includes a nearly eroded capping of Goodrich quartzite followed by the considerable thickness of Negaunee iron formation, which is cut by intrusive dikes or diorite sheets, and underlain by the Siamo slates grading into quartzites. The ore deposits occur mainly in troughs formed by the intersection of impervious dikes and the footwall slate, but include locally enriched lenses or bands in the iron formation and also interbedded with the Siamo slate. The ore is a soft red hematite with an indicated dried analysis from the surface drilling to date of 61.50 per cent Fe, 0.134 per cent P, 5.40 per cent Si, 2.87 per cent Al and 0.015 per cent S. EXPLORATION A diamond-drilling campaign started in 1937 actually had its inception in 1917, when a number of shallow test holes were put down for the purpose of locating ore that might be quickly developed and mined

Jan 1, 1945

By C. W. Allen, L. C. Moore

The Mather mine, of the Negaunee Mine Co., is within the limits of the City of Ishpeming. on the Marquette iron range in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It is named for William G. Mather, who has served as President, and Chairman of the Board, of The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co. for well over 50 years. The property comprises nearly the square mile of section 2, T.47 N. R.27 W., which, except for 20 acres in the northeast corner, was leased by The Cleve-land-cliffs Iron Co. to the Negaunee company. The latter is a partnership of Cleveland-Cliffs and the Bethlehem Steel Co., organized to equip the property, retaining Cliffs in charge as operator. Shipments of ore from this area are mainly through Marquette, which is 16 miles to the northeast on Lake Superior, or through Escanaba, a Lake Michigan port, 65 miles to the south. Cleveland-Cliffs, in 1943, operated 12 mines in the Lake Superior district, with shipments of 6,635,576 tons for the year. Geology The north footwall of the Marquette Range synclinorium outcrops near the north line of set. 2, the iron formation dipping to the south at an angle of about 40. The south side of the trough reappears at a distance of 4J5 miles on sec. 26 and the surface geology between shows iron forma- tion or intrusive diorites. The latter are harder than most phases of the iron formation and, as a result of glacial action, appear as buttes or low-lying hills. The general elevation of sec. 2 is about 1450 ft. above sea level, or 850 ft. above Lake Superior, and the higher diorite outcroppings about 1600 ft. above sea level. The geological structure has been complicated by a series of major and minor faults, one of which may be illustrated by the diorite sheet, which tilts south with the iron formation in the north half of the section and then reappears near the center to repeat this sequence. Sectionally the geological series includes a nearly eroded capping of Goodrich quartzite followed by the considerable thickness of Negaunee iron formation, which is cut by intrusive dikes or diorite sheets, and underlain by the Siamo slates grading into quartzites. The ore deposits occur mainly in troughs formed by the intersection of impervious dikes and the footwall slate, but include locally enriched lenses or bands in the iron formation and also interbedded with the Siamo slate. The ore is a soft red hematite with an indicated dried analysis from the surface drilling to date of 61.50 per cent Fe, 0.134 Per cent P, 5.40 per cent Si, 2-87 Per cent A1 and 0.015 per cent S. Exploration A diamond-drilling campaign started in 1937 actually had its inception in 1917, when a number of shallow test holes were put down for the purpose of locating ore that might be quickly developed and mined

Jan 1, 1946

By J. C. Reed

CINNABAR was discovered in southwestern Arkansas on Little Missouri River in sec. 1, T.7S., R.26W., in April, 1930, and near Antoine Creek in sec. 28, T.6S., R.23W., some 15 miles farther east in May of the same year. It was not, however, until June, 1931, that cinnabar was identified as such in a specimen from the original discovery area sent to W. M. Weigel1 by Walter F. Hintze of Murfreesboro. Almost simultaneously2, in July, 1931, Moritz Norden of Hot Springs identified specimens from the Antoine Creek area as cinnabar. Immediate interest in the district followed the identification of cinnabar and by January, 1932, the district was known to extend as a mineralized belt about one mile wide trending east-northeast from sec. 13, T.7S., R.27W., in Howard County-across central Pike County and into Clark County to sec. 19, T.6S., R.23W., thence extending southeast into sections 33 and 34 of the same township. Since then, cinnabar has been found in sec. 6, T.7S., R.22W., thus giving a total east-west length to the district of approximately 30 miles. Interest focused mainly on the two discovery areas, with the result that mining development has progressed most rapidly in those localities. In the Antoine Creek area the Arkansas Quicksilver Co. has done con-siderable exploration work and has retorted the high-grade ore so .obtained. In the Little Missouri area the Southwestern Quicksilver Co. has had a 12-ton rotary furnace in more or less continuous operation since April, 1932, and has been the largest producer in the district.

Jan 1, 1935

By W. E. Howlett, R. L. Slobod

Jan 1, 1965

ZAY JEFFRIES, who has been awarded the Douglas medal, established in 1922 by a group of the friends of the late James Douglas for distin-guished achievement in non-ferrous metallurgy, is one of the most notable graduates of the South Dakota School of Mines where he took his B. S. degree in 1910. The following year he was manager of the Ideal Mining Co., at Custer, and in 1911 he became instructor in metallurgy at the Case School of Applied Science, Cleve-land, where he remained until 1917, and in 1918 he took his D. Sc. degree at Harvard. During all this period he was engaged in experi-mental and consulting work for the Electric Railway Improvement Co., t h e Cleveland Steel Tool Co., the W. S. Tyler Co., the Lincoln Electric Co., the Aluminum Castings Co., and the Cleveland wire di-vision of the General Elec-tric Co. He is now en-gaged in general consulting work, especially for the Aluminum Co. of America, the General Electric Co., and the National Tube Co. He has contributed to the Transactions papers on the determination of grain size in metals (with A. H. Kline and E. B. Zimmer) LIV, 594; grain growth phenomena in metals, LVI, 571; the tungsten-molyb-denum equilibrium diagram and system of crystalliza-tion, LVI, 600; grain size inheritance in iron and carbon steel, LVIII, - 669; effect of temperature, de-formation and grain size on the mechanical properties of metals, LX, 474; metallography of tungsten, LX, 588; physical changes in iron and steel below the thermal critical range, LXIII, and LXVII, 56; and the trend in the science of metals, LXX, 303. In addition to participating freely in the discussion of other papers before the Institute he has found time to contribute notable papers to the Institute of Metals (Great Brit-ain), the principal technical journals, and to write a book on "The Science of Metals" in collaboration with R. S. Archer.

Jan 2, 1927

By Antoni Kidybinski

Mechanical properties of the nether roof rocks play a substantial role in maintenance of mine openings. On longwall faces too low strength is a cause of rock- falls which bring about delays in face advance, and hazard to the miners, while too high strength may result in over hanging of roof rocks in gobs, sometimes over a large area, initiating dynamic periodical pressures. Hence, efforts have been undertaken to develop methods of caveability evaluation for proper selection of roof control system and of longwall-face supports. DESCRIPTIVE CLASSIFICATIONS One of the basic qualitative criteria for classification of roof types with different caveability is the criterion of geological structure. The 26-stages scale worked out for conditions of Donetz Coalfield. USSR, by E.T. Proyavkin et al.(l) may be an example of that type of classification. This scale is presented graphically in Fig. 1. The first types of roofs according to this scale are easily caving immediately after exposure of a small surface, while the last be- long to the strongest roofs which over-hang in waste and require artificial fracturing. Observations and measurements carried out also in Donetz mines lead W.T. Davidyanc (2) to following classification: Class I - weak and densely bedded rocks very easily caving after each advance of supports. The roof subsidence over a waste edge is: [ ] where: h is roof subsidence, m M is thickness of the seam being mined, m S is width of an opening, m Class II - medium caveability and small main roof movements [ ] Class III - hardly breakable rocks, thicker beds with higher strength: caving by large blocks. After exposure of larger roof surfaces the movements of the main roof strata may affect an opening. [ ] Class IV - very hardly breakable rocks - thick, monolithic sandstones: they cause considerable difficulties in working with caving. [ ] Class V - thin-bedded rocks featured by the capacity of a smooth subsidence without disintegration into loose blocks with keeping contact between the particular blocks in a bed. In this classification mining with full roof caving is recommended for class I-III and only exceptionally for class IV. In many coal fields, qualitative and quantitative observations of roof rocks behavior have been carried out: as a result relations and characteristics found in certain mines are given. As an example, Kizielov Coalfield data in the USSR given by B.S. Vinokur (3) may be mentioned. In working thin pitching seams man- less system of undercutting the seam by means of rope saw is used there. The author separated four classes of roofs and gave, for every class, the empirical relation between the extracted area and the time of roof stability. The size of the stable area of exposed roof for particular classes is as follows: 120 to 150 m2 (1291 to 1614 ft2 ), 170 to 200 m2 (1829 to 2152 ft2), 250 to 280 m2 (2690 to 3013 ft2 ) and 350 to 400 m2 (3766 to 4300 ft ). For Kuznetz coalfield in the USSR the following classification of roofs was developed at the WIMI Institute in Leningrad: Class I - completely unstable: impact strength in- dex of rock f = up to 1.5 - the strip of roof 1.4 to 2.0 m (4.59 to 6.56 it) wide, exposed after shearer's cut holds stable during the time not longer than 5 min. Class II - low stability: f = 1.5 to 2.5 - the strip of roof 1.4 to 2.0 m (4.59 to 6.56 ft) wide and up to 4.0 m (13 it) long, exposed after shearer's cut holds stable during 5 to 20 min. Class III - medium stability: f = 2.51 to 3.5 - the strip of roof 1.4 to 2.0 m (4.59 to 6.56 it) wide and 4.0 to 25 m (13 to 82 ft) long, exposed after shearer's cut holds stable from 20 min. to 2 hours. Class IV - stable: f = 3.51 to 4.5 - the strip of roof 1.4 to 2.0 m (4.59 to 6.56 ft) wide and 25 m (82 it) long exposed after shearer's cut is stable during the time longer than 2 hours. Class V - entirely stable: f = over 4.5

Jan 1, 1982

By W. G. Bearden, G. C. Howard, J. W. Spurlock

An investigation of the factors af-fec.ting the inter-zonal flow of fluids in the casing-wellbore annrc1rt.s of an oil or gas ivell is presented Laborntory tests revealed that failure of the caring-cement bond allows communi-cation of fluid at pressure differentials near 1.000 psi. Perforating with a 11011011: carrier gun does not shatter or crack the cement sufficiently to allow communication through these cracks and does not seriously affect the casing-cement bond failure pressure. The pressure to cause communication at the casing-cement bond can he increared to 3,000 psi by. limiting pipe deformation during cementing and subsequent operations. Communication can be prevented, however. up to pressures sufficient to cause the cement to fail or the casing to col-lapse, by attaching to the casing a seal ring of deformable ruhber molded between two steel flanges. When installed, one flange is attached rigidlv to the casing to serve as back-up for the gasket While tile other flange is movable. To date, these gasket seal rings have been field-tested in 27 Wells. Althotrgh communication has been noted in two wells, inter-zonal flow has been prevented in other wells in the same area by installing more seal rings between the communicaring zones. INTRODUCTION The inter-zonal flow of fluids behind casing cemented in oil wells during normal production or stimulation operations is a major operating problem. If it cccurs during production operations. it can seriously limit the pressure to which a reservoir may be depleted without harmful invasion of unwanted fluids. If it occurs during stimulation operations, it may preclude the possibility of stimulating the desired zone. This communication can be caused by failure of the bond between the casing and cement, failure of the bond between the cement and formation, or failure of the cement itself. This paper presents the results of an investigation of factors affecting com-munication at the casing-cement bond and methods which aid in preventing it. LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS The laboratory tests performed in this study were divided into three phases. The first phase consisted of tests to determine if perforating would shatter and crack the cement sheath so severely that communication would occur through the cement itself. The second phase consisted of tests to determine more precisely the cause for the casing-cement bond failure. The third phase consisted of tests to evaluate the effectiveness of various de-formable seals attached to the casing in preventing communication. EFFECT OF PERFORATING, The effect of perforating was invest~gated in tests performed with apparatus shown on Fig. 1. Cement was poured into the annulur space hetween 5%-in. casing and 8%-in. casing and allowed to cure for 72 hours. The apparatus was then perforated with a hollow carrier gun containing eight duPont 26-A shaped charges. Bull plugs were placed over the perforations in the 8 5/8-in. casing and hydraulic pressure was applied inside the 5 1/2i-in. casing. The pressure to cause fluid communication past the cement sheath was observed and termed the "bond failure pressure". Several different cement compositions were included in these tests, the results of which are shown in Table 1. In Tests 1 through 4 of Table 1, bond failure occurred at- the inter- .

Jan 1, 1966

THE purpose of this chapter is to present a general outline of the basic open-hearth process for the benefit of students, practicing open-hearth operators, and metallurgists who wish to review the subject. The discussion is limited to a description of the sequence and purpose of the operations, illustrated by data and examples. Subsequent chapters deal with more detailed and fundamental studies of the subject. The function of the basic open-hearth furnace is to convert various types of ferrous material into finished steel of given com- position and quality. In comparison with other steelmaking methods, the basic open-hearth process is one of the most versa- tile, both from the standpoint of the raw materials that can be used and the types of steel that can be produced. The process can be considered as a sequence involving melting, refining, and deoxidation. With some types of liquid-metal charges, the melting stage is not present, but refining and deoxidation in varying degrees are fundamental features of the process. GENERAL DISCUSSION OF BASIC OPEN-HEARTH PROCESS The first consideration in open-hearth practice is the type of charge on which the operation is based. This consists of three components-fluxing, oxidizing, and metallic materials. Fluxes. In the basic process the fluxing material is primarily lime, added in the form of either limestone (CaC03) or burnt lime (CaO) . This is supplemented by magnesia (MgO) and lime from the furnace bottom and banks. The function of these fluxes is to form a slag with the silica (SiO2) , manganese oxide (MnO), iron oxides (FeO and Fe203), and phosphorus oxide (P205) that are produced by the oxidation of varying amounts of the silicon, manganese, iron, and phosphorus in the charge during melting and refining. The slag, composed of the basic fluxes and the neutral and acid oxides, floats on top of the steel bath when the charge is melted. The composition of this slag depends on the amount of each slag-forming element present in the charge and on the extent of oxidation of these elements during the course

Jan 1, 1964

By Robert F. Mehl, Dana W. Smith

It has been shown that quenched iron of high purity exhibits a Wid-manstiitten figure much resembling martensite in appearance.1 This figure exhibits a maximum of four directions of the surface traces that characterize it, suggesting that a Fc forms from y Fe in plates parallel to the (III), octahedral, planes in the y lattice. Because of this, and also beqause of the general similarity to the structural appearance of martensite and to the Widmanstatten figure obtaining in slowly cooled hypoeutectoid steels it has been suggested2 that the orientation relationships obtaining between the y and a phases in pure iron are identical with those demonstrated in martensite3 and in slowly cooled hypoeutectoid steels,4 and indeed that the crystallographic mechanism of formation of a Fe from y Fe is the basic mechanism determining the orientation relationships found in both martensite and in slowly cooled hypoeutectoid steels. This paper will present experimental evidence in support of this view. Experimental Technique The analysis of the crystallographic mechanism of transformation in pure metals is beset with special difficulties, though some information

Jan 1, 1934

By Gary B. Williamson, Barton K. Cross

Digital simulation is a modern analysis tool which allows the mine operator to evaluate the result of making a decision without actually changing the organization or buying the equipment. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the use of digital simulation in evaluating a decision of whether or not to introduce dispatching in an open pit mine. The analysis shows that appreciable savings can be realized by dispatching. In certain cases, an operator can reduce the number of trucks required to move a specified tonnage. A second analysis evaluates the alternatives of using one large shovel or two smaller units. In this case, the operating cost of the haulage equipment necessary to support the shovels turns out to be the critical factor in this decision.

Jan 1, 1969

By J. R. Stone, J. T. Roy

ASARC09s continuous tapper for lead blast furnace is described. Its use throughout the company's plants has resulted in higher production rates, lower labor costs, and better working conditions. It has also permitted wide latitude in blast pressures, as well as in charge and slag compositions. The practice of tapping a lead blast furnace has remained essentially unchanged for many years. In principle, it is a batch operation discharging the products from the continuous smelting of lead-bearing materials. As such, it imposes certain restrictions on the proper functioning of the smelting operation. First, it calls for a highly developed sense of timing, and a considerable amount of physical effort on the part of the operator. Dirty and hot working conditions, as well as the hazards of flying metal and slag, usually prevail. These conditions have resulted in higher labor costs, both in rate and in amount. Labor turnover has also been high. Secondly, rigid control of mechanical and metallurgical factors must be maintained. Frequent oxygen lancing of the tap hole is needed to permit tapping, thereby increasing operating costs. Rapid increases in smelting rate, plugged tap holes, or forgetfulness on the part of the operator may permit the molten material to rise above the tuyeies and freeze the furnace. Also, the operator will often blow out the tap hole after draining, filling the area with fume. Composition of charge also vitally affects the tapping. The type of lead-bearing material being smelted will naturally affect the smelting rate, and thus the frequency of tapping. The amounts and types of fluxing materials, which determine the ultimate fluidity of the slag, must be regidly controlled. Finally, the batch tapping of a continuous smelting operation of this type appears to be wrong in principle. The molten material drains into the crucible at the bottom of the furnace where it starts cooling immediately and continues to cool until tapped out. While keeping the lead molten is no particular problem, maintaining a fluid slag at all times is often difficult, and sometimes impossible. These factors all point to the desirability of a method for the continuous tapping of a lead blast furnace. The expected advantages would be more desirable working conditions, lower labor costs, increased production, and a much wider latitude in both blast pressure and charge composition. CONTINUOUS TAPPING Historical. A number of devices, e.g., mechanical tappers, siphons, and lead wells, have been tried in the past in attempting to effect continuous tapping. None proved to be entirely satisfactory for tapping lead and slag simultaneously. It was not until 1955, however, that ASARCO designed and put into operation a successful tapping unit at its East Helena, Mont. lead smelter. This unit is described in detail in U.S. Patent NO. 2,890,951. Continuous Tapping Unit—See Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of the unit in place, showing front and side views. The component parts are identified in the caption. Fig. 2 is an actual photograph, front view, of the tapping unit attached to the base of the blast furnace. Operation. The operation of the tapping unit is quite simple. Essentially it consists of a narrow tapping bay surrounding the furnace tap hole, with a deep notch in the front wall. When the blast furnace is started this notch is open down to the level of the tap hole. Starting the furnace may be accomplished in several ways but the most satisfactory method is to plug the tap hole with clay, permitting metal and slag to build up inside the furnace. Before the liquid reaches the tuyeres, the plug is removed and the furnace is drained to the settler. The blast is then stopped momentarily while the notch in the front wall of the tapping bay is dammed with chrome brick and plastic chrome ore. The blast is again started, and the height of the dam is adjusted so that the liquid in the bay will counterbalance the internal pressure of the furnace. When the desired level is reached the slag and metal will overflow to the settler. It should be noted that the molten material ,is not siphoned from the furnace and that the metal 'acts as a liquid valve controlling the flow of slag through the tap hole. During normal operations the tapping bay is filled primarily with lead, covered with a thin layer of slag. Thus, the heavier lead plays the major role in compensating for variations in furnace pressures. Due to the high specific gravity of lead, changes in the liquid level in the tapping bay will never exceed a few inches. For this reason it is seldom necessary to change the height of the dam due to minor variations in operating conditions. Some turbulence of the liquid in the bay is essential at all times. This indicates that the level of the

Jan 1, 1963

By J. F Haseman, J. E. Davenport

In the brown rock phosphate fields of Tennessee there are large deposits of phosphate matrix in which quartz is a major constituent of the gangue, and which cannot be beneficiated by the conventional washing process to yield a concentrate of suitable grade for use in the electric furnace. A huge tonnage of high-grade phosphate concentrate is produced in the Florida pebble district from low-grade siliceous feed. However, the characteristics of the low-grade siliceous Tennessee ore are such that flotation under the conditions employed in treating the Florida ore1,2 results in inadequate beneficiation. Investigation of Flotation Methods Flotation has been used in 'Tennessee primarily to produce a concentrate of premium grade by moderate enrichment of a marketable grade of phosphate. 3,4 A secondary use was to increase the recovery of phosphate from the fines (down to approximately 200 mesh) from medium-grade ores with a concomitant moderate increase in over all grade.3,5 It was considered desirable to investigate methods of improving the grade of washed products from low-grade siliceous Tennessee ore when these products were substantially below the requirements for use in the electric furnace. The present paper describes the results of a laboratory-scale study of factors that affect the beneficiation of such siliceous phosphate ore by flotation. The primary objective of the investigation was to ascertain the conditions under which the ore could be made to yield a concentrate suitable for reduction in the electric furnace. It was assumed that a phosphate concentrate for electrothermal reduction should contain at least 26 pct P2O5 and should have a weight ratio of silica to lime of not more than 0.80. Since a concentrate of moderate grade can be used in the electric furnace, and since, as Grissom4 has shown in detail, the ore will not bear the cost of expensive treatment, the study of collectors was limited to the relatively inexpensive fatty acids. A secondary objective was to determine whether a portion of the phosphate could be recovered in a grade suitable for treatment with phosphoric acid to produce 45 pct superphosphate. The ore consisted of variably cemented sand interlayered with clay. The sand layers were composed of grains of quartz, phosphate, and clay embedded in a matrix of clay and phosphate. Some clay was finely disseminated in the phosphate grains. Little massive high-grade phosphate was present. The material used in the flotation tests was a washed sand that had been separated from the ore in a bowl classifier at the TVA phosphate-washing plant. The percentage composition of the sand was as follows: P2O5, 20; SiO2, 40; CaO, 29; Fe2O3, 2; Al2O3, 3; F, 2.3. The particle-

Jan 1, 1948

By J. F. Haseman, J. E. Davenport

In the brown rock phosphate fields of Tennessee there are large deposits of phosphate matrix in which quartz is a major constituent of the gangue, and which cannot be beneficiated by the conventional washing process to yield a concentrate of suitable grade for use in the electric furnace. A huge tonnage of high-grade phosphate concentrate is produced in the Florida pebble district from low-grade siliceous feed. However, the characteristics of the low-grade siliceous Tennessee ore are such that flotation under the conditions employed in treating the Florida ore1,2 results in inadequate beneficiation. Investigation of Flotation Methods Flotation has been used in 'Tennessee primarily to produce a concentrate of premium grade by moderate enrichment of a marketable grade of phosphate. 3,4 A secondary use was to increase the recovery of phosphate from the fines (down to approximately 200 mesh) from medium-grade ores with a concomitant moderate increase in over all grade.3,5 It was considered desirable to investigate methods of improving the grade of washed products from low-grade siliceous Tennessee ore when these products were substantially below the requirements for use in the electric furnace. The present paper describes the results of a laboratory-scale study of factors that affect the beneficiation of such siliceous phosphate ore by flotation. The primary objective of the investigation was to ascertain the conditions under which the ore could be made to yield a concentrate suitable for reduction in the electric furnace. It was assumed that a phosphate concentrate for electrothermal reduction should contain at least 26 pct P2O5 and should have a weight ratio of silica to lime of not more than 0.80. Since a concentrate of moderate grade can be used in the electric furnace, and since, as Grissom4 has shown in detail, the ore will not bear the cost of expensive treatment, the study of collectors was limited to the relatively inexpensive fatty acids. A secondary objective was to determine whether a portion of the phosphate could be recovered in a grade suitable for treatment with phosphoric acid to produce 45 pct superphosphate. The ore consisted of variably cemented sand interlayered with clay. The sand layers were composed of grains of quartz, phosphate, and clay embedded in a matrix of clay and phosphate. Some clay was finely disseminated in the phosphate grains. Little massive high-grade phosphate was present. The material used in the flotation tests was a washed sand that had been separated from the ore in a bowl classifier at the TVA phosphate-washing plant. The percentage composition of the sand was as follows: P2O5, 20; SiO2, 40; CaO, 29; Fe2O3, 2; Al2O3, 3; F, 2.3. The particle-

Jan 1, 1948