1870.J Metallurgy. 133 



Mr. Bidder's machine was capable of giving any degree of 

 expansion, and, in many instances, is similar to Mr. Jones's, as is 

 also that of Mr. Chubb. The discussion on the paper was a very 

 interesting one, and was taken part in by most of the members 

 present. The great object in introducing such machines for getting 

 coal in mines was stated to be, according to the views of those 

 present, the getting of a maximum quantity of large coal at a 

 minimum cost, and, by doing away with gunpowder, to ensure the 

 greater safety of the workmen. Such being the case, it was con- 

 sidered that every encouragement should be given to the inventors 

 of mechanical power having for its object the getting of coal. The 

 impression with regard to the machines noticed in the paper read 

 was that they were as yet incomplete, but were capable of improve- 

 ment to an extent at least making their use desirable in many 

 collieries instead of gunpowder, and for producing a larger coal 

 generally. 



Metallurgy. 



The only metallurgical process which has claimed any special 

 attention during the quarter is the following : — 



The Eemoval of Silicon from Pig-iron was the subject of an 

 interesting paper read before the Iron and Steel Institute at a 

 recent meeting by Mr. J. Palmer Budd, of Ystalyfera. This pro- 

 cess was witnessed in operation by many of the members at the 

 works of Messrs. Bolckow and Yaughan, during the meeting of the 

 Institute at Middleborough. It is claimed for the process that it de- 

 siliconises the iron, as tapped from the blast-furnaces, without wasting 

 the iron, and without any extra expense, whatever, beyond the usual 

 cost of the pig ; that, in fact, it was more economical to make than 

 pig-iron. Mr. Budd's mode of proceeding is to place a series of iron 

 moulds, similar to those used, before a refinery, as near as convenient 

 to the top hole of the blast-furnace. A paste is made by moistening 

 with water, soft haematite ore, which, if gritty, is previously ground, 

 and a bucketful, containing about 601bs., is thrown into the mould in 

 a semi-liquid state, and spread evenly on the bottom and sides. The 

 mould being quite hot from the previous casting, dries the paste 

 which adheres to the bottom. As much iron as is required from 

 the blast-furnace is then allowed to run over and fill the moulds to 

 the depth of from three-and-a-half to four inches. A great ebullition 

 takes place, jets of flame, of a particularly white colour, burn on 

 the surface, which is assumed to be the combustion of silicon in the 

 oxygen liberated from the haematite. It has been proved by repeated 

 analysis that whilst the silicon was 1*00 per cent, in the white cast- 

 iron, it is reduced by this simple process to 0-200 or 0300 per cent., 

 or from one per cent, to 3-^th. A cinder is thrown up containing 



