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By J. R. Coulter, F. O. Case, H. G. Satterthwaite, B. Harden

During the two years that the Henderson plant has been in operation, a number of technical improvements have been made by the staff of Basic Magnesium, Inc., the effects of which were realized subsequent to the writing of the paper by Major C. J. P. Ball (p. 28j, this volume). Pellet Mix The process as originally installed required the use of peat moss in the mixture going to the chlorinators. This had to be imported from Canada at a considerable cost, and, besides being expensive, constituted a serious fire hazard in the dry climate of Nevada. Experimentation looking toward its elimination had been going on for some time and was actively pushed as soon as operations commenced. It was found that a pellet mix containing no peat, which would chlorinate at a satisfactory rate, could be cast as a fluid slurry, which would set up into a hard mass having the desired porosity. For carrying out this operation, equipment similar to that used in the manufacture of phosphate fertilizer at Anaconda, Mont., was installed and proved eminently successful. The dry materials, with peat moss and raw concentrates entirely eliminated, are mixed with magnesium chloride solution in two Pratt phosphate mixers and the resultant slurry is poured onto two 48-in. slowly moving rubber conveyor belts. By the time the slurry has reached the head pulley, the material has set su4iciently to be broken and sized as desired. The discharge from the casting belts is fed to the four rotary kilns in the preparation plant, where it is dried and coked to the proper degree for subsequent chlorination. With the peatless feed the capacity of the kilns was found to be about double what it had been before, so that the four rotaries suffice for a 10-unit operation, thus making it unnecessary to operate the extruders and tunnel kilns. In addition to saving the cost of the peat, the new system can be operated with about 85 per cent less labor than was formerly required in the preparation plant. The new pellet production system has also made it feasible to install centralized crushing equipment with suitable conveyors and a loading station. Containers of 8000 lb. capacity were substituted for small cubicles of 1000 lb. capacity which formerly were used for charging the chlorinators, and trailer trucks were substituted for the small trains originally provided for transportation from the preparation plant to the chlorinators. These changes resulted in a considerable saving in handling and transportation charges. Handling Molten Metal The molten magnesium originally was ladled from the electrolytic cells into small gas-fired brick-lined cars standing between the cell rows. From these cars the metal nes ium. into ''cheeses'' weighing from 150 to 300 lb. After solidification the

Jan 1, 1944

By F. M. Walters

IN order to isolate the effect of an element on some property of an alloy, the effect of the other alloying elements must be elimi- [ ] nated, either by reducing their quantity to the extent that they may be neglected or by determining the specific effect of each. The success of Grossmann1 in calculating [ ] hardenability from chemical composition by means of factors suggested such a

Jan 1, 1942

By Alex G. McKenna, Thomas M. Drown

The unsatisfactory character of most, if not all, of the processes for the direct determination of alumina in the presence of iron and phosphoric acid, and the sharpness with which both the iron and phosphoric acid can be determined, have led chemists to rely mainly

Jan 1, 1892

Jan 1, 1925

By R. J. Wysor

MORE than two years ago, in making efficiency tests on our hot-blast stoves, I was surprised to discover a marked difference in temperature as indicated by a pyrometer inserted near a stove on blast, and the regular recording instrument situated near the bustle pipe. A special hole was then provided at the junction of the hot-blast main and the bustle pipe, and portable pyrometers with bare fire ends were used, both at this point and in the stove necks. I had occasion to make a number of such tests on various stoves on the same furnace, the difference in temperature as shown by the two pyrometers varying chiefly with the temperature of the blast, and the distance of the stove from the furnace. However, this difference was always great, often averaging above 100° F., for the entire period of a stove on blast. Later, experiments were made with similar results on another group of stoves. The pyrometers used were properly standardized and checked against each other before and after each test. However, there was still a slight doubt as to the accuracy of the results obtained, as subsequently explained. But I have obtained corroboration of the magnitude of heat losses from blast-furnace hot-blast mains from two independent sources. I have learned from H. A. Brassert, Superintendent of Blast Furnaces, South Works, Illinois Steel Co., that he has recently clone some experimental work similar to my own, and found temperature drops of the same order of magnitude. Also, C. R.. Lyle, of the Armstrong Cork Co., has made some interesting theoretical calculations, based oil the thermal conductivity of fire brick, for the particular conditions of several of our tests; and his theoretical interpolations, all facts being considered, check our actual observations fairly well. I understand that Mr. Lyle expects to publish the results of his investigations.

Jan 10, 1915

By P. T. Stroup

Jan 1, 1964

The following figures (Nos. 1-4) and tables (Nos. 1 and 2) were inadvertently omitted from the chapter entitled "Optimum Open-Pit Mine Production Scheduling" by Thys B. Johnson, Section 4, pages 539-562. [ ]

Jan 1, 1969

By F. R. Van Horn

WALLACE MCKEEHAN, Douglas, Ariz. (communication to the Secretary*).-In going over this report, which I have done very carefully, I find that the summary as composed deals with the various problems almost entirely from the employer's standpoint and that practically no consideration is given to the employee's point of view. An experience of 3 ½ years as safety inspector, and almost 30 years as workman-and official, has convinced me that any plan for the betterment of working conditions which will achieve any degree of success must give the workmen their share of responsibility and allow them full participation. The company may finance and direct the movement, but its ultimate success depends upon the support given by the workmen. The cooperation of the men doing the actual work is so essential that all writers insist that this must be secured, but they do not agree as to how this can best be done.

Jan 4, 1917

By Francis Pyne

THE following notes are presented in an endeavour to point out the disadvantages attending the use of chrome brick in reverberatory furnaces used in the treatment of materials that are too valuable to allow any great amount of metal absorption by the brick. Several years ago one of the large Eastern copper refineries decided to utilize basic material in place of siliceous material in the walls of their reverberatory furnaces for the treatment of very foul blister copper, as the latter rapidly corroded the siliceous linings. It was also expected that there would be less slag formation, with a consequent decrease in the cost of treatment and a reduction in the metal losses. Magnesite brick were first used, but while the corrosive action of the foul material was greatly reduced, and the amount of. slag formed was very much less, the magnesite proved to be unsatisfactory in certain parts of the furnace, because of its tendency to crack and span badly when subjected to the alternate heating and cooling that takes place in a reverberatory refining furnace. This made many repairs necessary, and consequent frequent interruption in the operation of the furnace, which, together with the high price of the magnesite brick, ran up the cost of maintenance to an unreasonable amount. It was, therefore, decided to substitute chronic brick for magnesite brick in the parts of the furnace affected. The results, as far as the reverberatory furnace was concerned, were very satisfactory. The corrosion due to the action of the foul blister was small and the amount of slag formed was no greater than when using magnesite, and the tendency to crack and spill shown by the magnesite was eliminated. Gradually the use of chrome brick was extended to all furnaces; those treating blister copper as well as those melting cathodes, and the results were so satin-, factory that the siliceous roofs were replaced by roofs of chrome brick except in certain places where experience showed a more satisfactory performance on the part of the silica brick.

Jan 12, 1917

By W. J. McGee

Most nations and states have conducted geological surveys, generally with the view of discovering and developing natural resources, sometimes with the aim of promoting science. In some cases, as in the first survey of Pennsylvania, the official geologist so far preceded the prospector and miner as to guide the discovery and exploitation of the commoner ores, mineral fuels and structural materials; but in most instances statesmen have only been awakened to the need of such a survey by the successful extraction of minerals;

Jan 1, 1893

By COREY C. BRAYTON

PACIFIC COAST steel and iron industries can now take care of all the western and export demands except for heavy structural shapes, thick plates, rails, alloy tool steels, and a few other items. In. 1902 all of our steel came from St. Louis and Milwaukee and points still farther east. A small quantity at that time came from foreign countries. Early mining in the West was, broadly speaking, prior to the steel age. 'Wood for structures and iron for castings were almost exclusively used. Forgings were made of rolled iron that came from the East and foreign countries. San Francisco was, from the early days of mining, the manufacturing center for mining and milling machinery of all types and held that position until the .nineties, when eastern competition began to be felt. Even today in the old mining camps of the West, and many abroad, you will find machines and equipment with familiar San Francisco manufacturers' names. ..Iron, either rolled or cast, entered into their manufacture, for steel castings did not come into general use :until the nineties.

Jan 1, 1929

By A. B. Bowman

Banner Mining Co. became interested in this Tucson area early in 1950, and after several months of reconnaissance work, a lease-option purchase agreement was concluded on the Mineral Hill property which allowed time for considerable exploration and development work. Unwatering of the mine began in August 1951 after electric power lines were extended from nearby Tucson. The unwatering and rehabilitation work was done under a Defense Minerals Exploration Administration project and was completed in December 1952 after about 15 months of tedious work. The mine had been under water for more than 30 years with resulting cave-ins and timber deterioration. In some badly caved areas spiling was necessary to reopen the old drifts and crosscuts.

Nov 1, 1955

By W. F. Netzeband

Jan 1, 1927

By T. Sterry Hunt

In a paper presented to the Institute in 1881* I have discussed at some length the question of the " Hydrometallurgy of Copper," and among others, have noticed two methods, devised and patented by Mr. James Douglas and myself, for the extraction of copper

Jan 1, 1888

Jan 1, 1887

By Mark E. Smith

To allow recovery of gold values from ore which cannot be economically processed by the mill, Pinson Mining Company has developed a run-of-mine heap leaching facility. In order to estimate production scale recovery rates, reagent consumption and percolation problems, a series of pilot scale tests were performed. These tests typically consisted of 3,630 metric tons (mt) (4,000 tons) leach ore at a grade of .94 to 1.56 grams Au per metric ton (g/mt) (.03 to .05 oz. Au/ton). Test heaps were loader stacked to approximately 4.3 meters (14 feet) high. Information from these pilot scale tests was employed in the design and construction of the production scale facility. Parameters such as spray rate, leach cycle, sprinkler placement, and barren solution chemistry were determined by the pilot tests.

Jan 1, 1984

By T. Egleston

In the year 1881 I presented to the Institute two papers containing the resnlts of researches on gold, in which I endeavored to make plain some of the causes of the losses in the working of gold-ores. Since that time I have continued this investigation at intervals with the following results. In the papers previously presented to the Institute I made no attempt to make compounds containing more than two substances. Since then I have endeavored to make more complex compounds. The experiments consist in fusing mispickel free from gold with a certain amount of metallic gold, and experimenting with that; also fusing the same mineral with sulphide of antimony, and fusing iron pyrites with gold and compounds of antimony. The mixture was made with mispickel taken from a vein not far from Stamford, Conn., absolutely free from gold. It was fused

Jan 1, 1884

By Roger G. Rowe

In late 1980, Exxon Minerals Company performed rock mechanics testing on oriented 150 mm drill core from their 75Fi tonne massive sulfide deposit near Crandon, Wisconsin. Instrumented samples from depths of 300 meters indicate premining horizontal stresses in a north-south direction (parallel to pillar faces) to average 12,300 kPa, with the perpendicular plane yielding an average stress of 14,630 kPa. Rock strength versus sample size was compared using uniaxial compressive strengths from 47 mm, 95 mm and 150 mm core. Massive sulfide averaged 153,300 kPa, 139,845 kPa and 75,330 kPa respectively, while the hanging wall and foot- wall averaged 92,000 kPa, 76,560 kPa and 57,960 kPa respectively. Point load compressive strengths were calculated using formula suggested by both Hassani et al., 1980 and Broch et al., 1972. Values calculated using the Hassani formula closely resembled pre- existing point load and uniaxial compressive strengths, while values calculated using the Broch formula were 50 percent low.

Jan 1, 1982

By K. E. Niermeyer, J. A. Bratt, B. A. Fahm, B. A. Kennedy

The instrumentation, monitoring, and prediction of a major slope failure at the Chuquicamata mine are described. In December 1967, preexisting tension cracks on the south end of the east wall of the mine began to open. Various forms of instru¬mentation were installed for continuous monitoring. These systems included tension crack stakes, crack extensometers, linear extensometers, tape and transit lines, sliding wire contacts, and a seismograph. From the information obtained, the failure date was accurately predicted some five weeks before failure, enabling the mine to reroute truck and rail access; hence, causing a minimal mine shutdown of 21/2 days and preventing any injuries to person or damage to equipment. The shape and form of the sliding mass are analyzed, as are possible modes of failure.

Jan 1, 1972

By S. K. Tarby, V. S. Robinson III

A number of experimental determinations of the vapor pressure of liquid silver have been reported in the literature. 1-8 This communication presents additional data for the vapor pressure of liquid silver measured in the temperature range of 1450° to 1600°C and summarizes the results of previous investigations. The results reported here were obtained as part of a

Jan 1, 1969