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This is a most interesting paper and some data in it are corroborated by work I did at Watertown Arsenal some time ago with iron powder. I would like to ask Dr. Wulff to say just a little more about the compressive and tensile stresses on the surface of compacts. JOHN WULFF (author's reply).-Our work has not yet been completed; although enough data have been obtained with cylindrical compacts of iron to permit some conclusions. Briefly, in a compact 3/4 in. high and 1/2 in. in diameter pressed at 48 tons per sq. in., the residual stresses on the surface measured by X-ray diffraction techniques are as follows: The radial stresses on top center and bottom of compacts are practically zero; the longitudinal residual stresses on the side walls are near the top quarter of the compact about seven tenths that of the yield point of mild steel in tension; at the center surface of the compact they are in compression and in magnitude about 0.3 that of mild steel in tension; near the bottom, they are practically zero. F. V. LENEL.?- I was particularly interested in the work that Messrs. Wulff and Seelig reported on the influence of lubrication on the density of parts. In connection with the work of the American Society for Testing Materials on determining the green density of a compact, we ran into considerable difficulty in getting reproducible results of green density determinations. It was much easier to get a reproducible green density when the lubricant was mixed with the powder than when the lubricant was applied to the die walls; particularly when the die was not perfect-i.e., if it was somewhat rough or out of round. In this case, it was almost impossible to get reproducible green densities when the die walls were lubricated, while it was not too difficult to get reproducible

Jan 1, 1946

By M. D. Everell

A study has been made of the relationships between grinding selection functions and physical properties of rocks, particularly the failure loads of irregular particles and the compressive and tensile strengths of large regular specimens. The rocks used were limestones of various structures and impurity contents, a carbonatite, and a high-purity crystallized calcite. The selection functions were obtained from carefully performed grinding experiments on selected narrow size ranges in various grinding machines-a laboratory batch ball mill, a Hard grove grindability machine, and a mill of the type suggested by Yang, Mempel, and Fuerstenau. The specific rates of breakage during milling and the failure loads of irregular specimens correlated well for the rocks studied. The testing of irregular particles is suggested as a means of predicting the behavior of commercial mills.

Jan 1, 1973

By Rudolph G. Wuerker

MUCH descriptive matter[ ] has appeared on the subject of suspension roof supports, or roof bolting, as it is more commonly called. The wide- spread introduction of roof bolting into coal mines and metal mines is truly phenomenal. Mine operators were quick to recognize the advantages of supporting wide openings without hindrance to machine maneuverability and ventilation.

Jan 6, 1953

By Claudio Gutiérrez

The action of quebracho in the selective flotation of fluorite and calcite has been studied. It has been found that the unavoidable ions produced by dissolution of these minerals can precipitate calcium oleate which profoundly influences the adsorption of oleate. The depressing action of quebracho is due, at least partly, to a decrease of the oleate adsorption. The depression of flourite flotation by quebracho in the presence of calcium is due to the fact that precipitated calcium oleate can become only physisorbed, its adsorption being strongly prevented by quebracho. It is concluded that adsorption experiments with flourite must be conducted with a flotation-size mineral, which has a lower dissolution rate than when finely ground.

Jan 1, 1980

By P. R. Kalischer

IN the production of alloys by powder metallurgical processes it is often necessary or desirable to include one or more components that tend to form very stable oxides Included in this group of metals are aluminum, manganese, magnesium, silicon, and a few others In many cases it is not necessary for the sintered compact to have full density and the other physical characteristics of a cast alloy and in that event no undue precautions need be taken If, however, it s required that the sintered part be entirely homogeneous, and have maximum density and physical properties, some method must be found to reduce the surface films of oxide, which are always present on the metals, and for the metals mentioned above this is always extremely difficult, if not impossible Since the production of high-density alloys is of particular interest to powder metallurgists, some experiments were undertaken to devise methods of reducing the refractory oxides For this work, alloys of iron, nickel, and aluminum were chosen because aluminum oxide is one of the most stable oxides and because these alloys in the right compositions form excellent permanent magnets All of the pertinent properties of the magnets could be accurately and delicately measured by density measurements and magnetic tests of sufficient scope to give a complete demagnetization curve From such a curve the maximum coercive force, residual magnetism, and energy products could be obtained and compared with the same properties for a cast material Any lack of homogeneity, density, or solid diffusion would be immediately apparent as a decrease in the magnetic properties NATURE AND REMOVAL OF SURFACE BARRIERS The early work of the present investigation was based upon published processes In the published information it was claimed that by intimately mixing iron, nickel, and iron-aluminum alloy (50 per cent Fe, 50 per cent Al) powders, compressing such a mixture into the desired shape and size, and then sintering (heating to a temperature below the melting point of the component metals) in hydrogen at 1200ºC or higher, a sound, homogeneous article could be made having the desired physical size, shape, and strength, and good magnetic characteristics However, this early work showed clearly that something in the powder compress was inhibiting diffusion and the process was almost entirely unworkable In the initial phase of the investigation samples of iron powder, nickel powder, and iron-aluminum alloy powder were pressed into separate bars and sintered in hydrogen Both the iron and nickel powders sintered

Jan 1, 1941

By Alfred F. Beasley

The slags derived from the smelting of lead and copper ores are composed essentially of silicates. The problems arising from the smelting of these ores consequently involve the study of silicate fusions. In the absence of specific knowledge concerning the compounds occurring in slags, it has been the practice of metallurgists to treat them in terms of their total chemical composition. Slags have been classified as monosilicates, bisilicates, sesquisilicates, and subsilicates according to the relative amounts of oxygen in the acid and basic radicles of the hypothetical salt produced. While this has been a useful guide to metallurgists in computing the furnace charges, it falls far short of a basis for the scientific investigation of slags. In order to understand the nature of a slag as a whole it is necessary to learn the physical and chemical properties of the mineral compounds which go to make up that slag. The efficiency with which an ore is smelted in a furnace depends primarily on the physical properties of the compounds formed during the operation. When the melting points and fields of stability of each of the mineral compounds in slags have been established, it will be possible to determine the properties of any given slag by examining the nature and amounts of its mineral constituents. Earlier Investigations In 1884 and succeeding years an extensive survey of lead and copper furnace slags was made in Europe by Vogt, and a large part of the present knowledge of the subject is due to his publications.' Vogt's interest in artificial fusions was directed primarily towards the explanation of problems in igneous and economic geology and his subsequent works have been confined wholly to that subject.

Jan 1, 1930

Attention is called to the changes in officers of the Committee, whereby Albert Sauveur becomes Vice-Chairman, and Herbert M. Boylston, Secretary. Three new members of the Committee have been added, as follows : J. Esrey Johnson, Jr., William Kelly, William R. Walker. The death of Dr. F. WV. C. Schniewind is a severe personal blow to the members of the Committee, as well as a loss on the technical side that will be hard to fill. During the absence of Mr. Kirchhoff in Europe the activities of the Committee will be under the charge of Professor Sauveur.

Jan 4, 1913

By E. H. Tenney

A discussion of the probable future use of coal for power development involves the study of several basic factors, such as future demand for power, the quantity and availability of fuels in direct competition with coal, the price of coal, and a closely related factor—the efficiency and cost of fuel utilization. Predictions based on purely statistical analyses of past coal consumption have definite limitations. For example, statistics showing the relation between coal utilization and total energy consumption from all sources between the years 1890 to 1930 indicate that during that period the energy consumption per person in the United States increased five times, while the coal consumption per person increased only twice1, and there has been an actual decrease in per capita coal consumption since 1920. Figures such as these, compiled by authentic agencies, emphasize the need for caution in attempting estimates as to the future use of coal, and, incidentally, would seem to offer little basis for optimism in the coal industry. They also suggest the value of analyzing broadly the part played in the past by the related factors of power consumption, competitive fuels, coal prices and the efficiency of utilization. Proper weight must also be given in such a study to the present status and limitations of power-plant developments, arid to the question of what the coal industry itself can do to further its own interests arid influence the consumption of its product.

Jan 1, 1936

By E. H. Tenney

A discussion of the probable future use of coal for power development involves the study of several basic factors, such as future demand for power, the quantity and availability of fuels in direct competition with coal, the price of coal, and a closely related factor—the efficiency and cost of fuel utilization. Predictions based on purely statistical analyses of past coal consumption have definite limitations. For example, statistics showing the relation between coal utilization and total energy consumption from all sources between the years 1890 to 1930 indicate that during that period the energy consumption per person in the United States increased five times, while the coal consumption per person increased only twice1, and there has been an actual decrease in per capita coal consumption since 1920. Figures such as these, compiled by authentic agencies, emphasize the need for caution in attempting estimates as to the future use of coal, and, incidentally, would seem to offer little basis for optimism in the coal industry. They also suggest the value of analyzing broadly the part played in the past by the related factors of power consumption, competitive fuels, coal prices and the efficiency of utilization. Proper weight must also be given in such a study to the present status and limitations of power-plant developments, arid to the question of what the coal industry itself can do to further its own interests arid influence the consumption of its product.

Jan 1, 1936

By A. H. Tousley

The cement industry is on the horns of an economic dilemma. Within the last ten years, its over- capacity in the United States has varied from 139- 127% of demand (Fig. 1). The most direct effect of this is seen in cement prices, which reached a peak in 1960, retreated steadily through 1966 and only recently climbed back to the 1960 level again. With prices in a slump and production costs estimated to be up almost 30%, there has been a steady drain on cement profits. Since 1960, labor costs have increased 86% while fuel costs have risen 18%. Meanwhile, customer service costs have also soared owing to the competition for cement customers and the wider variety of available cement products. This search for sales advantage has in turn led to a higher Blaine number, which means more grinding and hence bigger mills, more power, and, once again, higher costs. New plants as well as expansions and revisions to existing plants are also costing more owing to higher

Jan 1, 1971

By G. F. LOUCHLIN

A FEATURE of the International Geological Congress to be held at Pretoria, South Africa, in the summer of 1929,. will be a symposium on the gold resources of the world. In this connection the U. S. Geological Survey and Bureau of Mines have been asked to prepare a report, showing production in the United States, describing the geology of its principal gold- producing districts, and estimating reserves (a) assuming a continuation of presen6economic conditions, and (b) assuming lower costs. This report will not be completed before April 1, but data thus far assembled are here presented with the hope of profiting by discussion and by information from those well informed on any of the important gold-producing districts. Gold production in the United States rose to a maximum exceeding $100,000,000 in 1915 and then rapidly declined to about $52,000,000 in 1920. Since then it has fluctuated, but on the whole slightly declined. Reviews of the eight leading states afford the following tentative conclusions :

Jan 1, 1929

By J. Grosso, D. J. Nagel

In many metallurgical studies, it is necessary to reveal the composition and structural properties of materials. Usually this is done by etching, but some substances do not etch well or easily. Anodizing is known to provide an alternate treatment in many cases. In general, this technique is simple, often more sensitive to composition differences than etching, has excellent resolution, and provides variable contrast in those elements and alloys which anodize. Here we report the use of anodizing in diffusion studies in the TiCb system. Fig. 1 shows a cross section of the diffusion zone in a TiCb couple. The anodizing has clearly revealed both composition and crystallographic features. The maximum bulk penetration of the titanium into the columbium is marked by a sharp line because of the steep concentration gradient. The titanium grain size and orientation differences are also evident. Variation in the grain size reflects the gradually decreasing columbium concentration.

Jan 1, 1967

By E. V. Daveler

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

Jan 1, 1920

By R. F. Hehemann, S. T. Zegler

The w phase in zirconium alloys containing more than G pct Nb can form in a difjUsionless manner during quenching or with composition change during aging at temperatures below 550°C. The latter treatment establishes a metastable equilibrium between an w phase containing 5 pct Nb and a ß phase containing 45 pct Nb. The superconducting transition temperat~ire of quenched Z?-10 pct Nb and Zr-15 pct Nb alloys is increased by aging at 375°C and both alloys exhibit the same Tc after prolonged aging. The superconducting transition both in the quenched and in the aged alloys is relatively sharp (occurring ovev a temperature range of <0.5°K), and is interpreted in terms of the microstructure that characterizes the ß-w) mixture and proximity effects postulated for thin-film superconductors. At elevated temperatures alloys of the transition elements from groups 4 to 6 in the periodic table exhibit wide ranges of mutual solubility in the bcc structure. Except for compositions that are high in a group 4 element? the bcc structure can be retained at room temperature by quenching and several systematic studies of the influence of composition on superconductivity in bcc alloys have been reported.&apos;&apos;2 The high-temperature bcc form (ß) of the group 4 elements—titanium, zirconium, hafnium—is not retained upon quenching but instead transforms marten-sitically to the hcp structure (a). The Ms temperature can be lowered by alloying the group 4 metals with a solute from a higher group and with a critical amount of solute the martensitic transformation can be suppressed. The 3 phase, however, is not retained without modification. Rather, a metastable phase, w (in particular in titanium- and zirconium-base alloys), occurs over a fairly wide range of compositions above that required for suppression of the martensitic transformation.3,4 As in the formation of a, the transformation of ß to w occurs in a diffusionless manner during quenching and the temperature for its initiation (ws) is lowered by increasing solute content. The ws temperature can be well below room temperature and reversibility of the transformation allows w that forms on cooling to low temperatures to disappear again when the sample is returned to room temperature.5 In Zr-Nb alloys the w phase can also be formed during aging at temperatures below 550°c.5 In this treatment, a metastable equilibrium is established between a niobium-rich ß phase and a zirconium-rich w phase. The present study of Zr-Nb alloys was undertaken to examine the influence of microstructure: as controlled by composition and heat treatment, on the superconducting transition temperature, Tc. MATERIALS AND PROCEDURE The alloys were prepared from zirconium crystal bar that was spectrochemically pure except for 30 ppm of Al, 40 ppm of Cu, 100 ppm of Fe, and 1 ppm of each B and Pb. The niobium used was 99.5+ pct pure containing according to the suppliers&apos; (Stauffer Chemical Co.) analysis a maximum of 50 ppmO, 60 ppm of N, 30 ppm of C, 5 ppm of H, 200 ppm of Ta, 50 ppm of Mo, and 15 ppm each of Fe, Co, and Ni. The alloys were prepared in the form of buttons weighing approximately 4 g by arc melting on a water-cooled copper hearth in an inert-gas atmosphere. All alloys were heat-treated in the ß-phase region for 3 days at 1000°C and water-quenched. For heat treatment, the specimens, 0.5 cm in diam by 1.0 cm long, were wrapped in zirconium foil and sealed in an inert-gas atmosphere inside quartz capsules. Quenching was done by breaking the capsules under water. Subsequent aging treatments of Zr-10 pct Nb and Zr-15 pct Nb alloys were done by placing the specimens in a lead bath at 375°C and quenching in chilled brine. The phases present in the quenched and aged alloys were identified by optical and X-ray metallography. X-ray powder patterns were taken at room temperature with a 114.6-mm-diam Debye-Scherrer camera and CuK-a radiation. Superconducting transition temperatures were determined from magnetic-permeability measurements6 in a 10 oe field. The superconducting transition temperature was determined from a plot of galvanometric deflection as a function of temperature by extrapolation of the linear portion of the curve to zero deflection. In Figs. 1 and 3 the arrows indicate the temperature range of the transitions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Superconductivity in Quenched Alloys. In Fig. 1 Tc for alloys quenched from 1000°C is plotted against nominal composition. Indicated also in Fig. 1 are results of metallographic studies. Alloys containing less than 5 pct Nb transform martensitically to a during quenching from 1000°C and Fig. 1 demonstrates that Tc increases significantly as the niobium concentration in a is increased. On the basis of the Bardeen-Cooper-Schreiffer theory of superconductivity7 it seems most likely that this increase in Tc results from an increase in the density of electronic states as zirconium is alloyed with niobium. This increased density of states has been revealed clearly in low-temperature specific-heat measurements.8 The martensitic transformation to a is suppressed when the alloy content exceeds 5 pct Nb. In the range from approximately 6 to 30 pct Nb, quenched alloys consist of a mixture of B and w phases and the amount

Jan 1, 1967

By R. E. Head

UNDER existing economic conditions, the treatment of gold ores occupies an outstanding position in metallurgical activity. The increased price of gold has automatically brought about a reclassification of old dumps and low-grade orebodies, and many that formerly were considered valueless are now being vigorously investigated and worked. This situation has developed problems that have taxed the ingenuity and ability of metallurgists to the utmost. Some gold ores give a high extraction of gold by standardized methods of treatment; other ores of apparently similar character yield but a relatively small percentage of their gold when treated by the same processes.

Jan 1, 1936

By Arcy A., J. G. Davis, D&apos Shock

Results of a pilot operation in the Carlsbad Basin are discussed. After hydrafracing between wells, a block of potash was removed by solution techniques. The distance between frac wells was about 200 ft, the thickness of potash mineralization, 5 ft. By proper manipulation, a feed of concentrate brine was obtained. The ex-periment showed that the thin-bedded potash could be removed by the solution techniques. The details of well construction, method of operation, and removal rates are discussed. Continental Oil Co.&apos;s laboratory research on the fundamentals of potash solution mining has been expanded by means of a series of field tests, and subjects such as well completion and hydraulic fracturing were added to the investigation. Both single-well and multi-well systems were studied in the field work. Discussion Background: The current paper discusses one field test in which potash was solution mined by a two-well system from a thin sylvinite zone. The potential economic value of solution mining evolves from (1) the use of drilled holes and solution techniques instead of excavated shafts and caverns and (2) the ability to mine both land and marine deposits through any type of overburden geology and below conventional mining depths. Recent interest has been focused on potash&apos; and other soluble minerals, such as trona. Solution extraction minerals, such as copper and uranium, are also worthy of important consideration. In addition, many of the techniques are directly applicable to the construction of horizontal underground storage carverns in salt. There are two general approaches to potash solution mining. The first is to mine on a single-well basis, in which the same well bore is used for both injection and production. This method is slow, and the areal extent may be quite limited in other than very thick ore zones. The second, and the preferred approach, is to mine on a multi-well basis in which the solvent is circulated between wells. This technique, if applied in a manner which allows the ore zone to be mined from the bottom upward, results in nearly all the solution taking place from the cavern roof. Salt removal rates, therefore, are very much higher than from a single-well system.l Wells can be interconnected into a multi-well pattern by several means. One is to join single-well caverns in the lower part of an ore zone. Another is to use the hydraulic fracturing techniques developed in the oil fields.&apos; We preferred the fracture approach because of its potential for creating the greatest area of salt exposure. Test Site Description: The field tests were conducted in New Mexico&apos;s Carlsbad Basin, where the potash deposits are flat and uniform over reasonable distances. Here, 12 potash zones are present in the massive Salado Salt section. The specific target was the Third Ore Zone which is about 4 ft thick at our location and about 1150 ft deep. The test pattern was designed in the shape of an equilateral triangle with a fourth well located in the center, 200 ft from each of the vertex wells. This configuration allowed the ore zone to be hydraulically fractured from the center well with good assurance that the fracture would intersect the bore of at least one outside well. Several multi-well test patterns would be available if the fracture connected all wells. Well Completion: Surface casing was set in the top of the Salado Salt at 600 ft to shut off water flows from the surface sands, and the salt section was drilled and diamond-cored to a point below the Third Ore Zone. A drilling fluid made of diesel oil with a small amount of emulsified water was used to drill and core the salt. This fluid was highly successful in preventing enlargement of the drilled hole and in promoting good core recovery. The three outside wells were completed by setting 51/2-in. casing at the base of a streak of anhydrite about 20 ft above the ore zone. Pipe was set high so that the intersection point of the fracture could be detected even if the fracture migrated above the ore zone as it progressed outward from the center well. The center well itself was completed by cementing 51/2-in. casing through the Third Ore Zone. Cement bond logs run on the center well have shown excellent bonding. Fracturing Practice: A mechanical tool was used to cut a notch through the casing and into the salt at a point about 1 ft below the ore zone in the center well. The purpose of this notch was to fix the point of fracture entry into the salt. The fracturing was done with water at injection rtaes as high as 30 bbl per min. The salt parted at 1450 psi; and it required only 5 min for the fracture to reach the well which was 200 ft to the south. It took about 5 min more to reach the other two wells. Caliper surveys were run to locate the point of fracture entry in the three outside wells. The fracture appears to have drifted downward slightly, entering the outside wells at the top of a streak of carnallite 8 or 9 ft below the ore zone. A cross section of the wells selected for the multi-well test is shown in Fig. 1. The figure includes KC1 values based on core analysis and the trace of the fracture plane between the wells.

Jan 1, 1971

Curious petroleum, mining and metallurgical engineers together with oceanographers, geologists, geophysicists and those in related disciplines, some 11,500 of them, poured into the Albert Thomas Convention Center in Houston, Tex. to see, and learn. This year&apos;s successful Conference, held April 22-24 featured a technical offering of 145 papers presented at 28 sessions. In addition, a total of 500 exhibits were provided by 260 companies.

Jan 1, 1970

By George Sachs

THE process of recrystallization has not as yet been explained satis-factorily. Some definite conclusions could be drawn from recent investi-gations, such as, for example, that recrystallization is a process of nucleus formation and crystal growth 1and that the orientations of the nuclei correspond to some fragments of the original crystals, which have been considerably distorted during deformation.2 There are, however, a number of metals and alloys crystallizing in the face-centered cubic system, which form a particularly simple orientation if recrystallized as a sheet.3 Such a sheet is almost a single crystal with the cubic axes parallel to the rolling, transverse, and normal directions of the sheet. This preferred cubic or (100) orientation of the recrystallized sheet has been considered to be very different from the rolling structure of the same metals,4 but there are two reasons why this last supposition remains open to controversial discussion. The first reason is academic: In practically all cases except the one mentioned above, close correlations and similarities between rolling and annealing orientations have been observed; for instance, in iron and steel sheet.6 Secondly, no deformed metal actually forms a-simple orientation. In any thoroughly investigated case a number of different orientations and considerable scattering or deviations from the ideal orientations have been found., It is generally true that investigations on single crystals have shown that a definite orientation is approached in stretching or in compression of an originally undisturbed crystal.7 In the special cases, however, where the initial orientation was close to an important crystallographic direction that differed from the final "ideal" orientation, the resulting orientation changed very little by deformation, staying somewhere in the vicinity of the initial orientation." Such deviations

Jan 1, 1940

By Bernard Moore

THE last few decades have witnessed the introduction of many new nonmetallic mineral products and changes in the use of many of those already well known. Among these is diatomite, formerly employed as a mild abrasive and, at one time, as the absorbent material in dynamite. Now nearly 100,000 tons a year are mined and milled into such things as filter aids, cement admixtures, insulants, fillers, absorbents, cosmetics, cleansers, etc. Pumice, commonly regarded as only an abrasive, is now also employed as an insulant, as light-weight aggregate and as a concrete admixture. With increasing use of insulants, light-weight aggregates, and acoustic stuccos and plasters in the building trades, both these mate-rials should find increased application. Very large deposits occur in eastern Oregon and have been studied by the U. S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Oregon State Mining Board.

Jan 1, 1934

By William B. Senseman

FoR reasons well known to mining engineers, wet grinding is quite universal in plants having to do with the extraction of metallic values from crude ores. In the processing of the nonmetallic and industrial minerals, dry grinding is the more common method. The crude materials usually contain less moisture than is required for wet grinding and the products usually are marketed in dry form; most of them as powders. To grind wet, therefore, would entail the addition of water and an expense for drying the product, which is not justified. Furthermore, the material would be a dried cake that would still have to be pulverized or disintegrated before use. For producing fine products, air separators have largely replaced the earlier practice of sizing with screens and bolting reels. Mills in which the air-separating feature is an integral part of the design are now commonplace. Mill designs are many and air systems have developed along various lines, but for the purpose of this discussion, only the fundamental idea need be emphasized— the idea of using air for sizing and removing pulverized material from a grinding mill. About 20 years ago, when the use of mills equipped with air separation had become common practice, heated air or gas was introduced to such a system for the removal of moisture. The purpose of this discussion is to outline the developments and trends that have followed this experiment. It is an important development, for mills equipped with air separation are now universally used for pulverizing not only nonmetallic and industrial minerals, but a great variety of other materials. All such mills are essentially the same. Dried material is pulverized, removed by an air stream, trapped in a cyclone collector, and relatively clean air from the cyclone is returned through a fan to the mill. There is no theoretical need for a vent from the system. The practical need is to vent the air that leaks into the system; and, since the cyclone is not 100 per cent efficient as a dust collector, this vented air carries some dust with it. The initial attempt at drying was made on a system like that described, by the addition of a furnace. The minus pressure within the mill draws hot gas from the furnace. Infiltration air, along with the drying gases and evaporated moisture, is vented as before. The first application was made to a mill used for pulverizing coal. The coal contained very little moisture, so very little drying effect was needed for the success of this experiment. Actually, some calculated efficiencies of over 100 per cent were obtained before due allowance was made for the conversion of mill power into useful heat. When moisture is low, the heat obtained from the conversion of milt power is an appreciable part of that required. That drying can be effected in the short time interval available in a grinding mill of this type is better understood by visual-

Jan 1, 1948