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By Michael G. Zabetakis

Vaporization of a solvent into an airstream at temperatures above the flash point of the solvent is hazardous if vapor is liberated at a rate that is sufficient to produce a flammable mixture. In may operations, the formation of such a mixture is prevented by rapid diluton of the vapors with air. The minimum air requirements for the dilution process are determined by the composition of the lower limit mixture at the temperature and pressure of interest. Because limits of flammability cannot always be calculated with sufficient accuracy for a proposed operation, they .rust often be determined experimentally. The present Bureau of Mines investigation was prompted by an application in which the lower limits of flammability of a number of solvent mixtures were required over a range of temperatures at atmospheric pressure. These limits were to be used along with available solvent-vaporization-rate data to establish minimum airflow rates needed to prevent the formation of flammable mixtures in an industrial process. Lower limits of flammability were determined for a number of mixtures containing methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, ethyl alcohol, and ethyl acetate in dry air-at atmospheric pressure and temperatures between 16° and 200° C. The experimental values were found to be in good agreement at with those predicted by Le Chatelier's law; variations with temperature were in fair agreement with those predicted by a modified Burgess-Wheeler law.

Jan 1, 1962

By H. Meseck

Dynamic pile test methods to establish the bearing capacity of driven piles were developed in the USA more than 20 years ago. In the Federal Republic of Germany, the first dynamic pile tests were carried out at the end of the 70's. Today dynamic pile tests are successfully used to establish the integrity and bearing capacity of driven and bored piles. The Institute of Foundation Engineering and Soil Mechanics at the Technical University of Braunschweig has developed its own method of measuring and evaluation for the execution of dynamic pile tests. The principles of the dynamic pile tests, the measuring and evaluation plant as well as the experience gained with it in the examination of cast-in-place piles are presented in this contribution.

Jan 1, 2010

By H. T. Ozkahraman

It is important to know the breakage mechanism in materials since this knowledge influences the results of subsequent grinding operations. There are two distinct failure mechanisms in breakage: one is tensile micro crack generation at low stresses, which leads to macroscopic failure by disintegration, and the other is formation of shear zones under heavier dynamic impact forces, which generates more fines as seen in crush zones in blasting. Tensile fracturing simply breaks the material into fragments. It is seen as the disintegration of the specimen into two or more separate fragments. This happens under the absence of lateral stresses and the material is free to expand. On the other hand, compressive-shear breakage produces finer fragments due to shear stresses. The first mechanism is observed in laboratory tensile and bending strength tests and the second mechanism is observed both in laboratory brittleness tests and in situ blasting operations under dynamic impact forces. The friability of rocks and ores can be determined by a brittleness test. A test apparatus to determine the friability value has been designed to suit limestone strength characteristics used in cement production. The friability and stored strain energy values of barite, marble, limestone and bauxite have been determined and compared with the corresponding Bond work index (Wi) and grindability index (G) of these materials. The physico-mechanical properties of the tested materials have also been determined to investigate their effect on friability and grinding. The relationships obtained between the indices were in surprisingly good agreement, with high correlations (0.99 and 0.97). The Bond work index and grindability index can therefore be estimated from the friability value, which can be determined more rapidly than the Bond test. But for certain rock types such as andesites the relationships does not hold. Key words: comminution, tensile stress, shear forces, brittleness test, strain energy.

Jan 1, 2010

Willyamite from the type locality, Consols mine, Broken Hill, N.S.W., has been re-examined, and found to consist of zones with widely different Co:Ni ratios. The name willyamite is redefined to include the portion of the (Co, Ni)SbS series with cobalt in excess of nickel. Willyamite is pseudo-cubic, with the three axes equal to within 0·001 A.

Jan 1, 1970

By Wilfrid Comeau

While researching for a theme lecture (Comeau, 1993l) on: 'The Mechanics and Physics Explosives', the author of Energy Transfer in Rock Fragmentaion by was confronted with many conflicting concepts regarding: the current explosive rock fragmentation theories, the physical principles governing energy transfers, the mechanical properties of rocks, and observations and data from full scale rock blasting.

Jan 1, 1995

The objective in control blasting is to reduce overbreak to control the final pit wall slope, shaft, drift, ditch, bench, etc. to the final planned excavation limit.

Jan 1, 1990

By R. J. Gunderman

A conventional trailing cable connection box on a continuous mining machine was modified by the addition of two innovative devices. These are a pressure vent to preclude buildup of high pressure due to an explosion in-side the enclosure, and a grommet-type cable entry to simplify and speedup cable entering procedures. The innovative devices were evaluated for eight and one-half months in a working section of an underground coal mine. Laboratory tests before and after the in-mine exposure show no measurable change in the devices. Following the favorable in-mine evaluation, technical performance criteria were defined to serve as the basis of approval for the use of the innovative devices. Additional tests to measure comparable gripping of the cable by asbestos rope, substitution rope materials and by the urethane grommet-type entry were included in this effort. Also, literature for the last 80 years was searched. Comments are provided as to how the innovative devices comply with 30 CFR Part 18.

Jan 1, 1982

By A. Adu-Acheampong

Stope instability at Ashanti Goldfields Company Ltd. (AGC) is a major concern. Using information from field mapping, major discontinuity sets were defined, Rock Quality Designation (RQD) was determined. The stability of wedges in the stope walls was assessed using the commercially available computer program UNWEDGE(Rock Science, 1992). Analytical results indicate that the presence of graphite infilling in joints contributes to instability, while steeply dipping joints control wedge slabbing and wedge toppling in the hanging wall. Stable stope widths and dimensions were determined to range from8.1 to 30 meters (m).

Jan 1, 2003

This publication summarizes the in-house and contract research and development projects programed for fiscal pear 1980 by the Bureau of Mines under its Minerals Environmental Research activity. The document provides a mechanism for interested parties, including potential contractors, to gain insight into ongoing and projected work of the Bureau's environmental research efforts. Research to identify and correct environmental problems associated with mining and metallurgical operations has long been an integral part of the Bureau's mission. Through the years, efforts of various Bureau programs have yielded valuable information on the origin and control of many of these problems. With the reorganization of the Bureau of Mines in 1979, the Minerals Environmental Technology program was structured to consolidate these efforts into a single program that will systematically investigate al aspects of mining- and processing-related environmental pollution and damage-from initial discovery of the mineral resource to ultimate return of the land to productive use. In fiscal year 1980, the Bureau received an appropriation of about $21 million to conduct research and development work on these problems.

Jan 1, 1980

By Hal W. Hunt

Steel and concrete piles and power-actuated hammers have developed almost entirely within the past 100 years. Prior to that time, piles were mostly timber, driven with a drop hammer or a maul. The Engineering News Formula ? for timber piles driven with a drop hammer at a factor of safety of six ? was promulgated by Wellington in 1888. Steel com­panies supplied fabricated and rolled shapes for piles in the early 1900's. The thin shell and then uncased concrete piles originated about that time. Now leads have become sophisticated to accurately spot a pile at any required batter. Hammers have grown to phenomenal size and vibratories are being accepted at full value.

Jan 1, 1984

By L. Moyd, P. Moyd

The first commercially available portable gamma ray-neutron beryllium detector, the Rerylometer, was developed by the same group that developed the first practical portable scintillation counter, the Scintillo-meter. This group includes Professor George Brownell, of the Geology Department of the University of Manitoba in winnipeg, and his associates, K. I. Roulston, R. w. Pringle, and R. L. Funt, of the Physics and Engineering Departments of the University of Manitoba. A prototype model was tested in the field by Dr. Brownell during the summer of 1958. Commercial production was undertaken shortly thereafter by Nuclear Enterprises Ltd., of Winnipeg, and a license for manufacture and distribution in the U.S. was granted to Isotopes Specialties Co., of Burbank, California, a division of Nuclear Corporation of America. Early in 1959, we were retained by the 'Mining Division of Minerva Oil Co. to Legin a search throughout North America for minable deposits of beryllium, and to train members of their permanent staff to continue the program. The project included literature sur-veys, interviews with members of various federal, state, and provincial agencies, scanning of our own collection of suites of specimens from various mineral occurrences, and the examination of deposits in the field. The value of a beryllium detector to this program was obvious and arrangements were made to procure one as soon as possible, which resulted in our obtaining and using the first instrument that was produced commercially in the U. S. In addition to the commercially available Berylometer, Mr. William Vaughan and his associates, of the U. S. Geological Survey Geophysics Division, in Denver, have developed and tested several experimental instruments based on the same principles. DETECTOR Principles The detection of beryllium is based on the fact that "hard" gamma rays (1.6 MEV and geater), such as those produced by Antimony convert ordinary beryllium (Be9) to Be8 , with the release of a neutron. The neutrons are counted by a scintillator designed to favor neutron responses while suppressing those of gamma rays. 'The instrument is completely selective for beryllium. No other element can interfere. Instrunlentation The Rerylometer itself, which is cylindrical, is about 8 inches in diameter, 13 inches high, and weighs about 11 pounds. (Figs. 1, 2). The principal components include: 1. A disc of wax to moderate (or "thermalize") neutrons. 2. A boron-enriched polyester-zinc-sulphide fluorescent screen. This material produces strong flashes when struck by thermalized neutrons but only weak flashes from gamma rays. 3. A photomultiplier tube. 4. An electronic circuit, complete with one srnall 71/2-volt dry battery. The photomultiplier tube and electronic circuit convert neutron flashes to electrical impulses, but gamma ray effects are almost

Jan 1, 1961

By José A. Rios, José A. Vidalôn

The case study of a highland area in the Central Andes of Peru, where many abandoned polymetallic mines are found, is presented. Some of these mines generate metal leaching and acid rock drainage (ML/ARD) or have potentially ARD generating (PAG) tailings/waste rock storage. Effluents are discharged into the first of two lakes in line, which act as reservoirs for irrigating an important valley in the desert coastal region. Drainage fees, their relationship with the deposit and the solid-wastes mineralogy are discussed, as well as variations in water and sediments composition, the benthos, and the aquatic/riparian flora/fauna in these lakes.

Jan 1, 2000

By S B. Stewart, C J. Restarick

Over a four-hour period of steady plant operation samples were taken at regular intervals frum points within the grinding and flotation circuits. Size fractions of each composite sample were analysed for lead and zinc values and a comparison made of the behaviour of the lead, zinc and gangue minerals, size by size throughout the whole circuit. Analysis of the breakage behaviour using dynamic mathematical models gave the rates of breakage of each size fraction of each main component. Simulated grinding experiments shaved that the main grinding circuit had some reserve capacity. In the lead flotation circuit all lead values between 150 mesh (Tyler) and 5 ¦m had excellent flotation characteristics, and a major proportion had a high rate of flotation which was practically the same for all sizes. Increase in overall lead recovery would require improvement of the flotation behaviour of ultra-fine lead minerals. These were slav floating and were responsible for approximately half the lead losses in the final zinc concentrate and one thiro of the lead losses in the final tails. All sizes of zinc values between 150 mesh and 7 ¦m floated well and the performance of the zinc flotation circuit was mainly limited by the relatively poor flotation of the very fine zinc values. Approximately 60 per cent of the zinc lost to the final tails lay within the -7 ¦m fraction. The overall flotation conditions were conducive to very good selective flotation of the major proportion of the values and limitations in metallurgical performance were mainly due to the properties of the ultra-fines.

Jan 1, 1971

The strippable reserves of bituminous coal and lignite in the United States were calculated in accordance with the prevailing conditions of seam thickness and depth of overburden in each of the several coal-producing areas of the Nation. Within defined limits of seam thickness and depth of overburden, it is estimated that there was a remaining strippable resource of 118 billion tons of raw bituminous coal and lignite as of January 1, 1968. Because of topography, natural and manmade features, and other limitations, only 45 billion tons of the resource are strippable reserves. Of this, 32 billion tons is considered low-sulfur (less than 1 percent), 4 billion tons is medium-sulfur (1 to 2 percent), and 9 billion tons is high-sulfur (over 2 percent) coal. Owing to a cleaning loss affecting that portion of strip coal that is mechanically cleaned, the 45 billion tons of strippable reserves are reduced to 39.6 billion tons of marketable coal. A brief discussion is given for each coal-producing State, summarizing past and present production, historical background, and outlook. Appendix A contains reserve data by State, county, seam, and sulfur content. Appendix B contains the general information and requirements necessary to comply with the current strip mining laws covering 20 States.

Jan 1, 1971

By Albert W. Deurbrouck

The performance characteristics of five hydrocyclone coal washers were evaluated to determine the sharpness and efficiency of separation that might be anticipated in commercial operation. The hydrocyclone overflows contained generally good clean coal products that would require little re-treating to remove misplaced high-gravity material. The underflows, however, contained from 63.6 to 36.7 percent of misplaced low-gravity material, which would require secondary cleaning to provide acceptable clean coal yields.

Jan 1, 1974

By Lucien P. Weber

Over the last few years, increased customer demands as well as strong competition from substitute materials have accelerated the development of advanced technologies to improve both the performance and the cost-effectiveness of steel H-piles. On the material side, the development of an in-line heat treatment, combined with the most advanced steelmaking and rolling techniques, allowed to create a new generation of high-strength low-alloy steel grades, called HISTAR, achieving yield points up to 500 MPa (~72 ksi) and yet maintaining excellent weldability properties thanks to a low carbon equivalent. The topic of this paper is to illustrate the performance of H-bearing piles in HISTAR steel grades. In 1989, a major test program was started at different locations in Hong Kong, which is renowned for its difficult soil and severe driving conditions. After the successful completion of these tests, the HISTAR bearing piles were accepted by the local building authorities. Thanks to their cost-effectiveness, the HISTAR bearing piles have subsequently been used with great success in areas with appropriate soil conditions, especially in Asia and more recently in Europe.

Jan 1, 1997

By L. B. Berger

The Haldane gas-analysis apparatus used by the Bureau of Mines is patterned after the device developed by Haldane 4/ and differs from it only in structural modifications that have been added to facilitate operation and simplify construction. The apparatus was developed to permit determination of carbon dioxide, combustible gases, and oxygen with a degree of accuracy not attainable with apparatus of the types ordinarily used for the analysis of fuel gases, flue gases, and similar mixtures. The Haldane apparatus is used by the Bureau of Mines chiefly in the analysis of air samples collected in coal and metal mines and other underground workings and is applied also in the analysis of many other types of gas mixtures when accurate determination of certain constituents is desired.

Jan 1, 1938

By B A. Mowat, T M. Leach

The Morobe Goldfield inPapua New Guinea has produced in excess of 120 tonnes of gold from predominantly alluvial sources. Hardrock gold has been mined historically at Wau (23 t) and Edie Creek (4 t) and geological resources have been established at Hidden Valley (78 t), Kerimenge (36 t) and Hamata (30 t).Numerous prospects have also been identified within the goldfield. Primary gold mineralisation is related to intrusion of dacitic to andesitic Edie Porphyry (2.4 to 3.8 Ma), often with associated diatremes, which have intruded along major regional structures. A full spectrum of deposit styles from proximal (mesothermal) to distal (epithermal) to the porphyry source is recognised. The transition between the proximal and distal styles is recognised both between deposits and within an individual deposit. The deposit styles should be termed porphyry related gold mineralisation rather than given the generic epithermal and mesothermal labels.   It is proposed that magmatic fluids which evolved from parent melts to the high level Edie porphyry stocks mixed with convecting meteoric fluids and were channelled along major structure and diatreme contacts. Proximal to the intrusives, gold mineralisation is associated with deposition of pyrite-hematite-quartz+/-magnetite-gold (Hamata) and pyritebasemetals-quartz-gold (Wau). The mineralising fluids were hot, and periodically saline due to pulses of magmatic fluid. Gold is non-refractory and occurs as 20 to 30 micron blebs within the pyrite.   More distal from the intrusives or under late cooler conditions, mixing of cool dilute meteoric and magmatic fluids resulted in gold deposition associated with arsenic rich pyrite-and arsenopyrite-mineralisation (Kerimenge, Hamata and Edie Creek). Gold is refractory and occurs within the sulfides either as sub-micron inclusion or within the lattice.   CO2 and H2S gases which evolved off the upwelling hydrothermal fluids as a result of boiling and pressure reductions, condensed within superficial groundwater and formed cool oxygenated bicarbonate fluids. These fluids percolated back down the structures depositing manganocarbonate in the upper parts of the hydrothermal system. At deeper levels in the system mixing of the descending bicarbonate fluid with upwelling mineralised fluids deposited manganocarbonate-quartz-sulfides nonrefractory gold (Hidden Valley, Wau and Edie Creek).   At Kerimenge the cool bicarbonate fluids have also quenched a late stage magmatic fluid rising along high permeability structures. The quenching has resulted in deposition of non-refractory gold mineralisation associated with hessite (Ag2Te)-tennantite-chalcopyrite deposition.   Within the Morobe Goldfield, a transition from deeper level pyrite-quartz+/-hematite-magnetite to intermediate level quartz sulfide and quartz-carbonate-sulfide deposition to upper level, massive manganocarbonate deposition is recognized. Gold mineralisation can occur within all levels up the system.

Jan 1, 1995

By Helen D. Robinson

The seawalls that surround Ellis Island were constructed in the early 1900s and now show varying degrees of deterioration. An innovative approach to the structural repair of the seawalls was developed, which consisted of the use of micropiles for stabilization of vertical and horizontal seawall movements. The micropiles were installed through the existing seawalls and penetrated through a thick overburden, consisting of soft alluvial deposits and relatively hard glacial till, and were bonded into Manhattan Schist. Drilling of the micropiles often encountered timber and other obstructions. The selection of micropiles for stabilization of the seawalls offered significant advantages over other foundation systems and over alternative soil improvement techniques. They allowed drilling through a variety of materials without the need for significant retooling or changes to the drilling procedure. This reduced the impact of foundation construction on the sensitive historical landscape and structures, and prevented the need for significant foundation work from the water side of the seawalls. In addition, micropiles offered relatively high installation rates and flexibility to adapt to the varying conditions along the seawalls.

Jan 1, 2008

By F. A. Jones

Increased mechanization .of coal mines has emphasized the need for study of actual power requirements of the various machines employed in the production of coal and losses in the distribution of power to these machines. These studies are being made in order that hazards, excessive use of power, and high maintenance cost of equipment resulting from these losses may be analyzed and eliminated where possible. Research on the use of electric power in-coal mines was suggested by the Advisory Committee of the Bureau of Mines in 1937, and it was decided to begin with a study of individual machines of various types under operating conditions in modern coal mines. The transmission of power, particularly line losses and inadequate return circuits, should be a part of the investigation. This report presents some of the data of an initial study in commercial mines. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The superintendents, engineers, and other officials of the two mines studied cooperated fully and aided in setting up and transporting the test equipment, giving such information as was requested.

Jan 1, 1942