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By H. L. Gilbert, C. T. Anderson, W. J. Kroll

In a previous paper,' the use of a split graphite tube resistor as a heater element for high-temperature furnaces has been described. The principal advantages of this type of construction are: I. The quadruple resistance or voltage compared with the top-bottom clamp resistor furnace. 2. Free expansion of the resistor. 3. The ease of protection from oxidation by air. 4. The firmness by which it may be held in the compact split clamp. This construction appeared to be well adapted for the fusion of high melting metals which require fusion in a vacuum. Zirconium metal had previously been melted at the Albany Laboratory of the Bureau of Mines in a vacuum arc furnace on a water-cooled plate, using a movable tungsten top electrode.% When larger furnace capacities were desired, this type of construction proved to have its limitations as the largest tungsten rods available were about 7/8 in. in diameter. The supply of direct current of high amperage for producing the desired arc characteristics was also not available. Considerable difficulty was also found in compensating the atmospheric pressure on the flcxible tubing of the movable electrodc, at the same time keeping its movement sufficiently free to enable the striking of an arc on any part of the metal briquet. Among the various materials used for the electrodes in conducting experiments in the vacuum arc furnace was graphite. It was found that zirconium fused in a graphite cup with a carbon arc was contaminated to only 0.2 pct carbon. It was therefore decsed to melt zirconium directly in graphite crucibles. A high-frequency furnace was first used in the attempt to melt the zirconium in graphite crucibles. The high-frequency heating coil was placed outside a silica tube which was evacuated by means of an oil diffusion pump backed up by a mechanical pump. The graphite crucible was thoroughly degassed at 19oo"C before use. Considerable difficulty was experienced in operating at such temperatures in vacuo because, as shown by Zintl,3 carbon vapor formed and reacted with silica accortling to the reaction: SiO² + C = SiO + CO. The silicon monoxide which is volatile at these high temperatures reacted with the zirconium, thereby contaminating it with silicon and oxygen. The presence of carbon monoxide was detected by means of a gas discharge tube placed in the vacuum system as indicated by the pale blue glow of the tube as soon as carbon vapor started to react with the hot silica. The reaction between the carbon vapor and hot silica was avoided by the use of split cylindrical molybdenum shields which were inserted between the graphite crucible

Jan 1, 1949

BUFFALO J R Atkinson, Chairman (Hamilton, Ont, Canada) H R Morlock, Secretary CHICAGO H Erler, Chairman (Gary, Ind ) M E Nickel, Vice-Chairman A M Kroner, Secretary-Treasurer CLEVELAND C W Cravens, Chairman (Cleveland) E J Sobey, Vice-Chairman E Kondas, Secretary Leo Svete, Treasurer DETROIT M Groat, Chairman (Ecorse, Mich ) H W Clark, Secretary

Jan 1, 1957

By G. R. M. Del Giudice, A. M. Sadler, Arthur F. Taggart, M. Hassialis

FLOTATION of sulphide minerals and native metals is no longer a practical difficulty. The underlying scientific principles of the method, although not explored in anything like complete detail, have been formulated with sufficient breadth so that the direction of attack on any specific case is clearly indicated. It has been known since the earliest days of flotation that certain of the nonsulphide nonmetal minerals-e.g., sulphur and graphite-would respond to flotation by oils as sulphides do; therefore they have been grouped with sulphides in many patents. But since the development of the chemical theory of collection, 1,2,3 this similarity in action has been one of the facts cited in disproof of the theory by opponents of the hypothesis. 4 5-1 Air levitationt of certain oxidized minerals, both metalliferoust and nonmetalliferous, and separation thereby from other oxidized minerals, is a recent development in practice, although the discovery of the method dates back 17 years .7 This paper presents evidence that the principles underlying the air levitation of the nonsulphide nonmetal minerals are the same as those utilized in the flotation of the sulphides and native metals. It will be apparent immediately to anyone with knowledge of mineral concentration that separation of air-levitated minerals in water from minerals not so levitated is a simple matter of water-gravity concentration, the separating device employed depending solely upon the size of the particles treated and the buoyancy differences effected by the levitation. The usual separating means employed are: (1) a flotation machine for fine, slimy and for well aerated granular material; (2) shaking tables for granular less aerated material. By using large quantities of oil, it is possible to form substantially air-free oil-bound masses or granules of nonsiliceous minerals and to

Jan 1, 1937

By A. V. UDELL

OF all the metals that have from time to time been called the "Wonder Metal," mercury, often called quicksilver, is probably the most deserving of this designation. A wonder metal it must have been to those workers of an earlier day who named it after that Latin god of commerce and gain, characterized as the fleet messenger of the gods and the conductor of souls to the lower world. The word mercury has been used to indicate a carrier of tidings, a bearer of news, a nimble or clever person, a hawker, and a skillful thief. All of these attributes, and more, are recognizable in this metal, the technical terminology of which is "Hydragyrum," meaning water-silver, and from which the chemical symbol "Hg" is derived. Fickle in its occurrence in nature, simple in its metallurgy, illusive in captivity, it serves man in life or death, in war or peace, in commerce, science and arts, in mining, agriculture, and forestry with a versatility found in no other element.

Jan 1, 1929

By F. L. Wolf, G. E. Alderson

The reclaiming of nietallics from slag and sweepings is of vital interest to every brass-foundry man, but the first cost and interest on the investment often make it prohibitive for the small foundry to enjoy the benefits of a complete concentrating unit. However, the cost of such an installation and the cost of operation are often exaggerated to such an extent that foundries dispose of their copper-bearing refuse at a great loss. This paper gives the actual costs and the returns obtained in the reclaiming plant used at the Ohio Brass Co. This plant is divided into two sections—the preliminary treatment and concentrating departments. In the former occur the screening, crushing, and hand-picking operations whereby rnost of the non-valuable and heavy metallic constituents are removed. The concentrating equipment consists of an elevator, bins, jigs, ball-mill, arid table. Preliminary Treatment The preliminary treatment varies, depending on whether the material is slag, foundry-floor sweepings, or brass casting-floor sweepings. Material of the first class is produced from the operation of six Steele-Harvey and six Schwartz furnaces; the second class represents sweepings from an average of thirty-five. molding floors per day: and the last is collected around the sprue cutters and knockout bench. Treatment of Slag The slag, analyzing 30 to 40 per cent. copper, is passed over a 3-mesh yard screen (Tyler standard mesh) stretched on an inclined rectangular frame supported by adjustable legs and equipped with a hopper which directs the undersize into a barrow. The fine product, running about 20 per cent. copper and representing 20 to 25 per cent. of the total slag, goes direct to a storage bin for concentrator frrd. The oversize is charged into a No. 2 Hill cinder crusher, which takes 175 to 200 11,. to a charge and crushes two charges per hour through 'a No. 4 riddle. It

Jan 1, 1921

By Harry K. Ihrig

Jan 1, 1947

By Harry K. Ihrig

Jan 1, 1947

By Paul M. Tyler

MUCH information concerning pegmatites which was thought to be true a few years ago has been proved false, and what is now actually known about some pegmatites is not true of many others. The erratic and seemingly unpredictable structure and variable composition of this class of mineral deposits has been widely emphasized. Even parts of the same pegmatite body exhibit marked differences in texture, mineral composition, width, and attitude. Constructive geological thinking in respect to pegmatites now aims to establish general laws rather than to stress the confusing diversity of features having no special economic significance.

Jan 9, 1953

By A. Beeby Thompson

FOR more than 2500 years, natural gas issues in the Surakhany district of the Apsheron peninsula were the object of pilgrimages by fire worshippers and Hindoos from Burma and India. Even as late as 1890, Hindoo priests conducted ceremonies in a temple at Surakhany, which probably replaced a more ancient one; but later, the visits of the pilgrims were prohibited in order to check the spread of Asiatic diseases in that region. For centuries, limited supplies of oil have been abstracted from shallow excavations in the Caspian oil belt and dispatched into the interior of Asia and elsewhere for medicinal and industrial purposes. Statistics show a yield of 37,400 bbl. in 1863, but only since 1869 has there been serious development; in that year the yield was 203,000 bbl. At that time, hand digging was supplanted by drilling, and the enormous wells that resulted from tapping sources hitherto beyond the reach of operators completely demoralized the industry for a time, owing to inadequate outlets for the products. The early activities in this area were greatly hindered by annoying taxation, monopolies, imperial land grants, etc., but when these were revoked or adjusted, in 1877, the industry sprang into prominence and, between 1898 and 1901, the Baku fields produced practically one-half of the world's supply of oil. Within a few miles of Baku lie the two richest oil fields in the world; viz., the Balakhany-Saboontchy-Romany and the Bibi-Eibat, the latter constituting almost a suburb of the city. For many years the gasoline obtained in the refineries of the Baku area was burned in pits, being considered an undesirable product, and until 1870 the residue also was destroyed, its value as a fuel not being recognized. Kerosene was the main product sought by the refiners. It was shipped across the Caspian Sea and up the Volga to the industrial centers of Russia. Only on the completion of the Baku-Batoum railway did the Baku oil fields secure

Jan 8, 1920

By E. P. Pfleider

DIAMOND drill research work was initiated at the School of Mines, University of Minnesota, in late 1949. The Drilling Symposium held in Duluth that spring highlighted the problem of high cost and core recovery and the need for controlled testing. An advisory committee made up of informed representatives of both mining companies and drilling companies was formed to suggest and advise on a program of drill research. A Hy-Mac hydraulic drill unit, see Fig. 1, especially designed for experimental testing, was obtained for this work by the School of Mines through the courtesy of the Carboloy Co. It is an extremely flexible unit, capable of exerting a forward thrust of about 1750 lb and turning at speeds from 650 to 2200 rpm. The feed arrangement is so designed that the advance can be set either at a constant rate or permitted to vary at a fixed pressure, see Fig. 2. The

Jan 1, 1952

By P. D. Bush, E. H. Gates, M. D. Vijayaraghavan, L. F. Engle

The process developed over the last few years by Republic Steel Corporation in conjunction with Colorado School of Mines Research Institute has been used as a basis for the conceptual engineering of full size plants. The paper will cover the equipment design criteria, equipment design itself, and the integration of the complex unit operations. There are unique features of agitation and use of gas media through- out. The paper will provide an illustrative example of the process requirements for a variety of raw material feeds. It will discuss the materials of construction approach required.

Jan 1, 1973

By Stanley F. French, Bruno F. Koch

Although the amount of dust that will be actually recovered in the six main dust-control systems cannot be accurately stated until the tests mentioned previously are carried out, it is estimated that the average air entering the wet collectors will contain around 5 grains of dust particles per cubic foot. This means that the six systems handling a total of about 133,000 cu.ft. of air per minute will return about 68 1/2 tons of dust to the concentrator per day and since the copper in this dust will average around 2 per cent, the total recovery is approximately 1.37 tons of copper every 24 hours. This important copper recovery is not due entirely to the dust-control system since in a plant without control only the duct that is dispersed to the atmosphere represents a loss. A conservative estimate of the recovery of copper solely due to the dust control system would be about half of the total or approximately 0.70 tons of copper per day.

Jan 1, 1942

Jan 1, 1897

By Brahm Prakash, R. Schuhmann

Chemical conditions for flotation and nonflotation of quartz with oleic acid as collector and barium, calcium, aluminum, iron, and tin as activators were studied using a simple vacuum-flotation technique in glass-stoppered graduates. The detailed study of barium activation led to an interpretation based on ideal Langmuirian chemisorption.

Jan 5, 1950

By R. Silverman, H. Blumenthal

It was found that despite the similarity of chemical analyses of different titanium carbides used as base materials for cermets, the physical properties, especially transverse-rupture strengths, of test bars were different. Hence this metallographic study attempts to link physical properties to micro-structures. It is shown that microstructure, grain shape, and grain growth are functions of three interrelated factors: 1—powder production procedure, 2—surface conditioning of the particles, and 3—impurities either contained in the original powder or acquired during ball milling. An explanation is offered for the "coring effect," long observed, but heretofore of unknown origin. The explanation is based on assumption of an oxide film and on chemical analyses which substantiate these findings. TITANIUM carbide has become in recent years a material of great interest in the high temperature field. Consequently, many manufacturers in the United States and Europe are producing titanium carbide for cermet applications as well as for additions to the well known tungsten carbide tools. All present commercial processes of titanium carbide production utilize the chemical reaction of titanium dioxide and carbon to form as nearly as possible stoichiometric Tic. This reaction is carried out in three ways: 1—in a menstruum of molten metal,' 2—in the solid state, either in a protective atmosphere2 or in vacuum;" or 3—in an are-melting operation. In spite of the fact that the pure carbides obtained in these operations are almost identical chemically, the physical properties vary considerably when they are combined with a binder (Ni, Co) to form cermets. This fact led the authors to examine metal-lographically nickel-bonded titanium carbide in order to find the possible reasons for this behavior. Materials and Methods Five different titanium carbides were used in this investigation. They are identified in Table I. The first four materials were used in the as-received condition. Material E, received in lumps, was crushed to —100 mesh and carried through a flotation process in order to bring its graphite content in line with the other products. A Galagher flotation cell was used with pine oil as frothing agent. The chemical analyses of the investigated materials are given in Table 11. The binder used was carbonyl nickel of 9 to 14 microns particle size, supplied by A. D. Mackay. The materials were ball milled at a ball to charge ratio of 6:1 using procedures described under "Experiments and Results." All particle sizes mentioned are averages determined with a Fisher Sub-sieve Sizer. Test bars (lx0.40x0.16 in.) were prepared by 1—hot pressing to 85 to 95 pct of theoretical density at pressures between 1 and 1½ tsi and temperatures from 1600" to 1800°C, 2-—-cold presssing after 3 pct camphor had been added, or 3—wet pressing, both 2 and 3 at pressures between 5 and 10 tsi. All pressed bars were sintered in a vacuum of 105 to 10-6 mm Hg for 2 hr at 1350 °C. Transverse-rupture strengths were determined by breaking on a Baldwin Universal Testing Machine over a 9/16 in. span. Densities were measured by water displacement. The preparation of the specimens for micrographs was done according to Silverman and Doshna Luscz." All magnifications are at X1000. A sodium picrate electrolytic etch was used. Experiments and Results The influence of ball-milling procedure, ball-milling medium, pressing procedure, and sintering procedure on the microstructure of 80/20 — TiC/Ni were investigated. Ball Milling of Materials A, B, and C in a Steel Mill: Figs. 1 and 2 show microstructures of hot-pressed and vacuum-sintered test bars of materials A and B after the respective materials had been ball milled to 2.1 microns particle size in a steel mill and mixed with 20 pct Ni binder. Material A (Fig. 1) shows considerable grain growth. Also evident is a tendency of the carbide grains to coalesce. The density is 98 pct and the low transverse-rupture strength of 111,000 psi is probably caused by many large grains and an unfavorable packing factor. Almost all grains show a slight indication of "coring." Material B (Fig. 2), although showing grain growth, still has many small particles and a better distribution of binder and carbide due to the relative absence of the coalescing tendency. "Coring" can be observed in almost all grains. The high transverse-rupture strength of 179,000 psi and the density of 100 pct are believed to be due to the many small grains completely surrounded by the binder phase. There is also a preference to form spherical grains with material A, while most grains of material B preserve their angular shapes. Material C, of which no picture is given, stays between A and B in every respect. Rounding of some grains can be observed as well as coring, but the latter to a lesser degree than with material B. Its densification is good and the transverse-rupture strength obtained is 142,000 psi. Ball Milling of Materials A, B, C, and E in a WC Mill: When the Tic powders were ball milled to 2 microns particle size in a we mill, then ball-mill mixed with 20 pct Ni binder, hot pressed, and vacuum

Jan 1, 1956

By M. J. Spendlove, H. W. St. Clair

An automatic surface-follower mechanism was used to measure the surface temperature and the rate of evaporation of molten zinc while undergoing distillation at low pressure. At pressures of 50 to 100 microns Hg, the rate of evaporation may be 60 to 80 pct of the theoretical maximum corresponding to the measured temperature. The rate decreases rapidly at pressures above 100 microns Hg, to only 7 pct of the theoretical maximum at 2000 microns Hg. Measured temperature gradients at the surface are in agreement with theoretical gradients calculated from the heat of vaporization, rate of evaporation, and thermal conductivity of molten zinc. THIS paper covers a series of careful measurements of the rate of evaporation of molten zinc at low pressures, undertaken as a part of a general investigation on the separation of metals by distillation.' Preliminary results on the rate of evaporation of zinc were described in a previous publication.' The results of the preliminary study are as follows: 1—The observed rates of evaporation of zinc were as high as 0.60 g per sq cm per min, corresponding to 75 pct of the maximum rate as determined by the temperature of the metal. 2—The evaporation rate was decreased from 0.30 g per sq cm per min at a pressure of 25 microns to only 0.09 g per sq cm per min when the pressure was increased to 5 mm. 3—The temperature of the surface during rapid evaporation may be 35" to 100°C less than the main mass of metal. Observed temperature gradients at the surface are consistent with those calculated from the heat of vaporization and the thermal conductivity of liquid zinc. In the preliminary experiments, the rate of evaporation was determined from the loss in weight of the metal in the crucible during the test. This was compared with the weight of the condensate. Obviously, this method was subject to error because of some uncertainty as to the period of evaporation that should correspond to the loss in weight. Furthermore, this method did not permit taking into account probable variations in the rate of evaporation during the test. A more serious shortcoming was that the temperature at the evaporating surface was not known, so the maximum theoretical rate of evaporation could not be calculated accurately. To improve the precision of rate measurements and to allow accurate measurements of the surface temperature, a refined experimental technique was developed whereby the temperature and position of the surface could be measured accurately. This was done by an automatic surface-follower mechanism that gave a continuous record of the surface temperature and the amount of zinc evaporated. These data permitted an instantaneous determination of the actual rate of evaporation and the surface temperature throughout the test. Pure zinc (99.99 pct Zn) was used in all experiments. Description of Distillation Furnace The details of construction of the distillation furnace are shown in Fig. l. The furnace is enclosed in a large quartz tube open at one end. The open end of the quartz tube is sealed by means of a water-cooled head. The entire enclosure is vacuum tight. The connection between the water-cooled head and the quartz tube is sealed by means of a rubber gasket which fits tightly against the smooth end of the tube. The metal is heated by induced current set up in the molten zinc and the walls of the graphite crucible by means of a water-cooled induction coil outside the quartz tube. High frequency current is passed through the induction coil from a 6 kw mer-

Jan 1, 1952

By Blamey Stevens

(Butte Meeting, August, 1913.) THE following paper aims to make a full explanation of the phenomena of rock jointing: It may be unnecessary to give any general description of what are termed joints in rocks, but Professor Geikie's clear and faithful generalizations are so illuminating that no excuse need be given. for introducing the following and other quotations into this paper "Almost all rocks are traversed by vertical or highly inclined divisional planes termed joints. These have been regarded as due in some way to contraction during consolidation (fissures of retreat) ; and this is no doubt their origin in innumerable cases. But, on the other hand, their frequent regularity and persistence across materials of very varying texture suggest rather the effects of internal pressure and movement within the crust." 1 General Explanation.-In this paper I show that the phenomenon of jointing may to a large extent be accounted for by the pressure of the water contained in the pores of the rock. To understand this, each constituent grain of the porous material may be considered to be separately compressed by the water which submerges it. As all the grains are held together by cohesion, the whole mass is contracted by this pressure. In an indefinitely extended mass, however, there must be a limit to the possible contraction without rupture, because the material is restrained from moving freely by other material around its boundaries. The mass of rock thus becomes broken up. This phenomenon is known as '" shrinkage " jointing. The term " shrinkage " is an apt one, if it be understood that the shrinkage of the rock is often brought about by change of stress. Stresses.-The compressive component of water stress on the individual grains is evidently the same as that of the water with which it is in contact. This is so, both before and after the jointing is formed. Before the jointing is formed there is, however, a tensile stress in one or more directions which keeps the material from contracting. .

Jan 7, 1913

By R. E. Cech, J. H. Hollomon

KURDJUMOV and Maksimova reported experiments with manganese steels and high carbon steels' and with an Fe-Ni-Mn alloy' in which mar-tensite was formed isothermally over a range of temperatures. They found in some cases that mar-tensite formation could be suppressed by rapid quenching to liquid nitrogen temperature. From their microstructural observations of martensite formed isothermally, they concluded that the rate controlling step is nucleation rather than growth. Kulin and Cohen,3 in an attempt to reproduce these experiments, found that with a steel having the same composition as that reported by Kurd-jumov and Maksimova, the transformation to martensite was essentially complete above the temperature range of Kurdjumov and Maksimova's isotherms. The possible reasons for this disagreement were not considered. Recent papers by Das Gupta and Lement4 and Kulin and Speich5 report the formation of isothermal martensite in a high chromium steel and in an Fe-Cr-Ni alloy, but neither paper can be considered a verification of the original Kurdjumov and Maksimova results. Further, in neither case were the authors able to suppress the formation of martensite entirely. Because of the important bearing the Kurdjumov and Maksimova results have to an understanding of the mechanism of martensite reactions it was felt that an experimental investigation directly concerned with checking the validity of their results was in order. This paper describes the results obtained on the isothermal transformation over the temperature range from —79" to —196°C of an alloy of iron, nickel, and manganese. Experimental Apparatus A 15 lb heat of an alloy containing 73.3 pct Fe, 23.0 pct Ni, and 3.7 pct Mn was melted by induction and cast under argon. The ingot was forged to 1-in. bar and a portion rolled to 1/16x1 1/2-in. strip. This strip was pack-homogenized 300 hr at 1100" in a helium-filled sealed iron tube. The composition after homogenization was 73.2 pct Fe, 22.94 pct Ni, 3.73 pct Mn, 0.05 pct C, and 0.015 pct N. The strips were cut to 1/2-in. width for dilatometer and metal-lographic specimens. Only the center portion of the 11/2-in. strip was used in the present investigation. The dilatometer employed was similar in design to one described by Flinn, Cook, and Fellows." A concentric fused auartz rod and tube assembly with hooks for holding the specimen was mounted so as to transmit the specimen dilation to a 1/10,000 in., 1/10 in. travel dial gage. The dilatometer proper was mounted by means of extension arms to a counterweighted sliding member on a vertical standard. This method of mounting permitted rapid transfer of the dilatometer from the austenitizing furnace to the quenching bath and low temperature chamber. A small electrical vibrator on the dilatometer kept frictional effects of the quartz members at a minimum. The austenitizing unit was a vertical, molybdenum-wound, hydrogen atmosphere furnace maintained at a constant temperature ±3°C by means of constant power input. A 12-in. stainless steel jacketed copper liner having 1/2-in wall thickness acted to equalize the temperature in the hot zone of the furnace. This liner, closed at the bottom end and open at the top to permit entrance of the dilatometer and specimen, was kept filled with dry nitrogen gas. A chromel-alumel thermocouple was placed inside the tube to determine the temperature. The 4-in. dilatometer specimens in the chamber varied less than 1/2° across the specimen length except for a 1 1/20 drop at the end nearest the open end of the furnace. The low temperature isothermal holding bath was a double Dewar arrangement similar to one described by Turnbull7. The outer bath was filled with a refrigerant at a temperature lower than the desired holding temperature. The inner bath was filled with Freon "11" or "12" or a mixture of both, depending upon the holding temperature. This inner bath which tended to be cooled by the outer bath was kept at a constant temperature by introducing a small amount of heat with a manually controlled electric heater. Stirring was accomplished by bubbling dry air through the bath. A Leeds and North-rup type K potentiometer was used to measure the inner bath temperature as indicated by a five element copper-constantan thermopile. The bath temperature was maintained within ±0.2°C of the desired temperature by occasionally adjusting the heater current so as to keep the Leeds and Northrup galvanometer at zero deflection with a constant setting of the potentiometer. Isothermal tests were usually continued for 300 to 400 min and another reading made at approximately 1000 min if the bath, unattended overnight, had not deviated in temperature more than 5°C. Transformation curves are drawn dashed (Fig. 1) through the time region where temperature was not controlled precisely. Experimental Procedure Dilatometer specimens of 1/2x1/16-in. strip were cut to 41/2-in. length and holes were drilled for the quartz hooks with proper spacing to give a 4-in. measured length. A thermocouple consisting of 0.012-in. diameter chrome1 and alumel wires was spot welded to the specimen and threaded between the dilatometer rods to binding posts near the dial

Jan 1, 1954

By Thomas Fraser, Alvaro Abreu

The work described in this paper was carried out under the sponsorship of the Foreign Economics Administration and in cooperation with the Departamento Nacional da Produggo Mineral, Rio de Janeiro. The project was undertaken to obtain complete data on the variations in washability of coal to be used for coke manufacture in the steel industry and to determine the economy of preliminary hand-sorting operations. The coal-producing industry of Brazil is in that pioneering stage in which operating practices and methods are just being developed. Increased wartime demand for fuel, coincident with a drastic curtailment of foreign supplies due to lack of shipping facilities, has put a tremendous pressure on the national industry to furnish more coal. Under this incentive, production facilities are being -expanded- and new methods of operation are being tested. Such changes are being developed both by improvement of existing methods that originated in the field and by adaptation and modification of methods introduced from the United States and Europe. These mining conditions and mining practices in Brazil are typical of what the American mining engineer will find in many instances when he goes pioneering into the developing coal fields of the Southern Hemisphere. The producing coal fields of Brazil are all in the southern states of that country. The coal measures are in a band roughly paralleling the coast and extending in a generally southwesterly direction from northern Sao Paulo through the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul to near the Uruguayan border in the vicinity of Bajé. The accompanying map1 (Fig. I) shows the general location of these fields and also the principal routes of movement of both national and imported coal in a late pre-war year (1940). Statistical data on production by states up to that year are given in Table I. Rio Grande do Sul is still the largest producer among the coal states; but wartime

Jan 1, 1947

By Alvaro Abreu, Thomas Fraser

The work described in this paper was carried out under the sponsorship of the Foreign Economics Administration and in cooperation with the Departamento Nacional da Produggo Mineral, Rio de Janeiro. The project was undertaken to obtain complete data on the variations in washability of coal to be used for coke manufacture in the steel industry and to determine the economy of preliminary hand-sorting operations. The coal-producing industry of Brazil is in that pioneering stage in which operating practices and methods are just being developed. Increased wartime demand for fuel, coincident with a drastic curtailment of foreign supplies due to lack of shipping facilities, has put a tremendous pressure on the national industry to furnish more coal. Under this incentive, production facilities are being -expanded- and new methods of operation are being tested. Such changes are being developed both by improvement of existing methods that originated in the field and by adaptation and modification of methods introduced from the United States and Europe. These mining conditions and mining practices in Brazil are typical of what the American mining engineer will find in many instances when he goes pioneering into the developing coal fields of the Southern Hemisphere. The producing coal fields of Brazil are all in the southern states of that country. The coal measures are in a band roughly paralleling the coast and extending in a generally southwesterly direction from northern Sao Paulo through the states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul to near the Uruguayan border in the vicinity of Bajé. The accompanying map1 (Fig. I) shows the general location of these fields and also the principal routes of movement of both national and imported coal in a late pre-war year (1940). Statistical data on production by states up to that year are given in Table I. Rio Grande do Sul is still the largest producer among the coal states; but wartime

Jan 1, 1947