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By S. J. Broderick

[The discovery in 1934 that carbonaceous materials, such as coal, peat, and lignite, when treated with concentrated sulfuric acid, were given cation or bate-exchange properties opened up a field of new materials with many interesting possibilities. These hydrogen exchangers, as they were called, were so superior to the impractical hydrogen exchangers made from natural and synthetic zeolites tat they were accepted immediately by the water-conditioning industry. A noteworthy advantage of the carbonaceous exchangers is that they are nonsiliceous, hence they do not give up silica to the water as do the natural and synthetic zeolites, especially if the hard water is corrosive. For this reason the new exchangers found immediate favor in boiler-feed-water conditioning.]

Jan 1, 1941

By R. L. Benner

The Bureau of Mines investigated the ZnO-Fe2O3-Fe3O4 system at 1,000°, 1,300°, and 1,400° C, with oxygen pressures between 1.0 and lx10-4 atmospheres. The results, divided into the thermodynamic properties as related to the spinel structure, and the thermodynamic properties as related to zinc concentrate roasting, were used to calculate the activities of ZnO, Fe2O4, and Fe3O4 within the spinel solid solution region of the ternary system, and the pseudo-binary activities of ZnFe2O4 and Fe304. The activities of both systems show large positive deviations from Raoult's Law, especially at high Fe3O4 concentrations. The free energies, the enthalpies, and the entropies of mixing for the binary system were calculated from the binary activities, and the entropies of mixing were compared with two statistical models, one representing an ideal solution, and one representing the mixing of a normal with an inverse spinel. The binary entropy of mixing seemed to be better represented by the latter statistical model, indicating that the tetrahedral and octahedral cations of the reactants tend to remain in the product, even at the high temperatures of the study. This comparison also indicated that the cations of the components are the major contributing factors to the thermodynamic properties.

Jan 1, 1966

By Sean Gallagher

Background. There is currently little information regarding factors associated with specific modes of motion segment failure using a fatigue failure model. Methods. Thirty-six human lumbar motion segments were fatigue tested using spinal compressive and shear loads that simulated lifting a 9 kg weight in three torso flexion angles (0°, 22.5°, and 45°). Twenty-five segments failed via fatigue prior to the 10,000 cycle maximum. These specimens were visually inspected and dissected so that the mode(s) of failure could be determined. Failure modes included endplate fractures (classified into nine varieties), vertebral body fractures, and/or zygapophysial joint disruption. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine whether certain morphometric variables, amount of motion segment flexion, disk degeneration scores, and/or loading characteristics were associated with the occurrence of specific failure modes. Findings. Results indicated that stellate endplate fractures were associated with increased posterior shear forces (P < 0.05) and less degenerated discs (P < 0.01). Fractures running laterally across the endplate were associated with motion segments having larger volumes (P < 0.01). Endplate depression was more common in smaller specimens (P < 0.01), as well as those experiencing increased posterior shear force (P < 0.05). Zygapophysial joint damage was more likely to occur in a neutral posture (P < 0.01). Interpretation. These results suggest that prediction of failure modes (e.g., specific endplate fracture patterns) may be possible (at least for older specimens) given knowledge of the spinal loads along with certain characteristics of the lumbar spine. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Keywords: Lumbar spine; Endplate fractures; Zygapophysial joints; Morphometry; Disk degeneration; Motion segments; Aging

Jan 1, 2006

By C. Melvin Lepper

Microseismic energy is generated when stresses accumulated in rock formations are released in the form of fracturing. The acoustic emissions resulting from these rock fractures and movements are detectable as velocity signals in the earth near the energy source. A Bureau of Mines microseismic system that is capable of detecting the acoustic emissions from pit slope movements is described. The digital circuitry incorporated in the system allows a microprocessor program to immediately calculate and present the location coordinates for the seismic energy source in the mine pit wall. This monitoring system is compact, portable, reliable, and relatively inexpensive and rapidly provides accurate information to the mine operators about the stability of a pit slope.

Jan 1, 1982

By Virgil Miller, Glenn L. Allen

The purpose of this report is to present a comprehensive review of the technology of alumina and aluminum production in the former Japanese Empire , which consisted of the Japanese Home Islands and her dependencies , Formosa , Manchuria , and Korea . Pertinent background material and statistics are given when deemed necessary to make the report self - contained and to make clear the factors underlying Japan's tremendous accomplishments in the production of aluminum .

Apr 1, 1949

By M. W. Von Bernewitz

Because the cutting and polishing of stones are parts of the work of the Bureau of Mines in its study of rocks and minerals and in the determination of specimens sent in for identification, it was decided that a circular covering the subject in a general way would be of practical interest. As several books and periodicals give details of the problems in cutting and polishing, this report will not duplicate their information more than necessary. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The manuscript for this circular was read by Oliver Bowles and Forrest Moyer, Building Materials unit, Bureau of Mines, who supplied some of the illustrations; several photographs were taken by Howard Carl, Optical Section, Bureau of Mines. Equipment firms that y contributed information and publishing houses whose books have been abstracted are mentioned in the text.

Jan 1, 1940

By T. W. Johnson

One of the common methods of increasing recovery of oil from partly depleted oil sands is to inject natural gas, air, or air-gas mixtures into the sand, thereby supplying energy to move oil into the well bore. Where natural gas is not available, air or an air-gas mixture is used as the repressuring medium. Air-gas mixtures are obtained from the casing-heads of oil-producing wells in the areas repressured with air or air-gas mixtures and consist usually of varying amounts of the hydrocarbon gases, nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Laboratory experiments have been conducted by the Bureau of Mines to determine the effect of air on crude oils.4/ In these experiments the crude oils were oxidized by the air, and the degree of oxidation depended not only upon the chemical composition of the crude oil but also upon the duration and method of contact between the oil and air, the temperature of the fluids and the concentration of the oxygen. When the crude oils were oxidized the following results and changes in the oils were obtained:

Jan 1, 1937

By T. W. Johnson

One of the common methods of increasing recovery of oil from partly depleted oil sands is to inject natural gas, air, or air-gas mixtures into the sand, thereby supplying energy to move oil. into the well bore. Where natural gas is not available, air or an air-gas mixture is used as the repressuring medium. Air-gas mixtures are obtained from the casingheads of oil-producing wells in the areas repressured with air or air-gas mixtures and consist usually of varying amounts of the hydrocarbon gases, nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide. Laboratory experiments have been conducted by the Bureau of Mines to determine the effect of air on crude oils.4/ In these experiments the crude oils were oxidized by the air, and the degree of oxidation depended not only upon the chemical composition of the crude oil but also upon the duration and method of contact between the oil and air, the temperature of the fluids and the concentration of the oxygen. When the crude oils were oxidized the following results and changes in the oils were obtained:

Jan 1, 1937

By W. F. M. GOSS

For the purpose of procuring data that could be used in estimating the value of the briquetting process as applied to American fuels, the United States Geological Survey, in cooperation with other interests, began in 1904, at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, certain experiments involving the production and use of bituminous-coal briquets. It installed at St. Louis, and later at Norfolk, machines for the manufacture of such briquets, and the output of these machines has been tested in locomotive service on several different railroads in comparison with natural fuels. An elaborate and carefully executed series of tests involving the use of natural coals and of briquets made from the same coal, previously crushed, was carried out on a locomotive mounted at the testing plant of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Altoona, Pa.; and some preliminary experiments involving the use of briquets in marine service were made in connection with one of the Government's torpedo boats. A description of these tests is presented herewith. The results sustain the following general conelusions: 1. The briquets made on the Government's machines have well withstood exposure to the weather. and have suffered but little deterioration from handling. 2. In all classes of service involved by the experiments, the use of briquets in the place of natural coal appears to have increased the evaporative efficiency of the boilers tested. 3. The smoke produced has in no test been more dense with the briquets than with coal; on the contrary, in most tests the smoke density is said to have been less when briquets were used. 4. The use of briquets increases the facility with which an even fire over the whole area of the grate may be maintained.

Jan 1, 1911

By Lloyd A. Morley

This final report concludes the documentation under Grant G0155003 and details research not covered under foregoing report volumes. The first chapter lists all other reports. The following chapters are divided into three major research tasks: Continuous Safety Monitoring Systems, Battery and Battery-charging Safety, and Mine Power System Transients. The monitoring chapter discusses the prediction of power-system failures. The battery chapter details work on battery-box stresses, battery chargers, and the elimination of electrocutions. The final chapter covers transient instrumentation, distribution transients sources and suppression, and utilization transients on mine power systems.

Jan 1, 1981

By Ernest A. Curth

A 3-month study in 1971 of the Essen Roof Support and Rock Mechanics Research Center&apos;s program of roof and support evaluation included 25 mine trips. German miners must adopt mining methods and environmental control measures involving methane drainage and water infusion to improve productivity under severe natural conditions. Pressing problems in ground control must be solved such as cavities in front and above the supports at longwall faces and excessive convergence in gate roads. The Center developed automatic data processing methods to quantify the results of roof and support surveys and to establish criteria. Another approach to ground control is the study of mine models. The Center&apos;s laboratory has the facilities to test elements of powered roof support and whole assembled units. Face automation and roof control by powered shields are novel developments that are under close scrutiny in the field as well as in the laboratory. Though the Essen Center&apos;s roof and support evaluation techniques are tailored to the needs of the coal mining industry of the Federal Republic of Germany under conditions vastly different from those in the United States, some application may be found here, for instance, monitoring faces and roadways and preventive maintenance of hydraulic systems.

Jan 1, 1974

By Charles L. Kimbell

On the basis of world production data alone, 1985 appears to have been a year in which the world&apos;s mineral industry took another step upward in its recovery from the very poor years of 1981, 1982, and early 1983. Despite a drop in the output of crude oil, which was the single most significant crude mineral product from the viewpoint of value, the estimated value of world crude mineral production advanced by 3.4% to about $1,054 billion constant 1983 dollars, with output increases logged for nearly two-thirds of the commodities and forms of commodities for which the U.S. Bureau of Mines calculates a total world output. However, the economic well-being of any industry or group of industries cannot be measured solely in terms of the volume and/or value of its production, and examination of statistics reflecting other aspects of mineral industry performance shows that 1985 was a less than ideal year in many respects. In the case of consumption of mineral commodities, although there were gains registered in diverse sectors such as iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizer materials, solid fuels, and gaseous fuels, there were also proportionally small but notable declines in use among the older major nonferrous metals (copper, lead, tin, and zinc) and in the all-important liquid fuels. In the case of international trade in mineral commodities, although comprehensive data for 1985 were not yet available, there were indications that the value may well have fallen below the estimated 1984 level of $632 billion, although the volume may have increased slightly. This, if true, would be chiefly the result of declining prices of mineral commodities, and indeed, price declines were noted for a number of significant materials in terms of current dollars, and even more would register declines if calculated on the basis of constant dollars, adjusting for inflation.

Jan 1, 1987

By Henry Kreisinger, WALTER T. RAY

General statement.-The briquetting tests conducted by the technologic branch of the United States Geological Survey had their beginning in the testing of coals and lignites at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, St. Louis, Mo., in 1904. Briquetting tests were made at the fuel-testing plants at St. Louis, Mo., and at Norfolk, Va. Similar tests to be made at the experiment station of the Bureau of Mines at Pittsburg, Pa., form an essential part of investigations looking to the determination of the fuel value of the coals and lignites belonging to or for the use of the United States. The tests have comprised (1) the manufacture of briquets to determine the adaptability of different coals and lignites to the process and the merits of different binding materials; (2) physical tests to establish the fitness of the briquets to withstand weathering, transportation, and handling; and (3) steaming tests to prove the calorific value of the briquets in boilers of different types used by the Government, and, by comparison with the raw coals, the benefits to be derived from briquetting. Details of the tests have been issued in other publications. list of Government publications on fuel testing and briquetting is given at the close of this volume. Tests at Norfolk.-The fuel tests conducted at Norfolk included a detailed investigation of a number of Virginia and West Virginia coals that are bought by the United States Government for the Navy and for use in constructing the Panama Canal, and are extensively used by the merchant marine, manufacturing plants, and railroads. Through a cooperative arrangement with the Navy Department steaming tests of the coals were undertaken to determine the relative merits of the same coal when burned raw or as briquets in marine boilers. Preliminary arrangements were made between Joseph A. Holmes, then expert in charge of the technologic branch of the United States Geological Survey and now director of the Bureau of Mines, and Rear-Admiral Charles W. Rae, Chief Engineer of the United States Navy. The tests were made on board the U. S. torpedo boat Biddle, designated for the purpose, beginning December 6, 1907, and ending January 27, 1908. The coal used in these tests came from the Sewell and Beckley beds in the New River district of West Virginia. With the particular equipment used in the tests both coal and briquets were far. from smokeless; consequently the data of this bulletin are applicable only by analogy to parallel operation with a coal more nearly smokeless, but nevertheless applicable with much reliability. The possibilities of coals of different composition are indicated by the data to be published in a bulletin of the Bureau of Mines, wherein the present authors describe a number of tests in which only a very slight amount of smoke was emitted while burning raw coal from the Pocahontas No.3 bed, West Virginia, and briquets made therefrom at rates of combustion very much higher than any rates used in the torpedo-boat boiler. At a combustion rate of 120 pounds of the Pocahontas briquets per square foot of grate surface there was scarcely any smoke. It was the original intention to make a set of preliminary steaming tests alongside a dock (which tests furnish material for this bulletin) and to finish with a set of running tests at sea; but the running tests were never made, for lack of time and men.

Jan 1, 1911

By M. M. Tilman

As part of ongoing research to improve mine safety, the Bureau of Mines conducted research on the corrosion of friction rock stabilizer steels in five Missouri lead and iron mine waters. Electrochemical corrosion tests, including evaluation of pitting tendency, were performed on two types of high-strength, low-alloy (HSLA) steels and galvanized steel in four Missouri lead mine waters and one Missouri iron mine water. The tests were conducted at in-mine water temperatures in both air-saturated and deaerated waters. Static, weight-loss corrosion tests were also conducted on HSLA steel specimens in the five Missouri mine waters for 2,900-h duration at average in-mine water temperatures and air-dissolved oxygen contents of 6 to 7 ppm. Corrosion rates determined by the weight-loss tests were roughly comparable with rates determined electrochemically in deaerated waters containing 0.3 to 0.5 ppm dissolved oxygen content. Passivation of specimen (nongalvanized) surfaces in air-saturated waters resulted in very low electrochemically deter- mined corrosion rates. Pitting-tendency was generally higher for both HSLA steels in air-saturated waters than in deaerated waters. Galvanized steel generally exhibited higher tendency to pitting in the deaerated waters than in the aerated mine waters.

Jan 1, 1985

By Michael L. Boninger, Erik J. Wolf, Rory A. Cooper

Although wheelchair users are regularly subjected to whole-body vibrations little research has been conducted to assess these vibrations or attempt to reduce them [2,3,5]. Most of the wheelchair and whole-body vibration research done to this point has been conducted on manual wheelchairs. Van Sickle et al showed that manual wheelchair propulsion over a simulated road course produces vibration loads that exceed the ISO 2631-1 standards for the fatigue-decreased proficiency boundary at the seat of the wheelchair as well as the head of the user [6]. In a study by Boninger et al [1], 66% of wheelchair users reported neck pain since acquiring their wheelchair. One of the key reasons believed to be the cause of pain, was the exposure to whole-body vibration. Kwarciak et al [4] and Wolf et al [7] performed similar studies using two methods of analysis to evaluate vibrations on suspension and non-suspension wheelchairs while descending curbs of varying heights. Both studies revealed no significant difference in the abilities of the wheelchairs to reduce the amounts of vibrations transferred to the wheelchair user. Although the efforts of wheelchair companies to reduce the amounts of whole-body vibration transmitted to wheelchair users through the addition of suspension systems is encouraging, the technology is not yet ideal. Additionally, the research to date has focused on manual wheelchairs exclusively, while little attention has been shown to powered wheelchairs. Methods This study includes the use of two suspension electric powered wheelchairs: The Quickie S-626 and the Invacare 3G Torque SP Storm Series. Each subject tested all of the configurations of the suspension wheelchairs. These included the Invacare with suspension, the Quickie with suspension set to three settings (most stiff, least stiff, and 50% stiffness), and both wheelchairs with solid inserts to act as non-suspension wheelchairs. Sixteen able bodied subjects have been recruited for this study so far. In each of the configurations of the wheelchairs, the subjects traversed an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) course. Vibrations were collected from a tri-axial accelerometer attached to a seat plate beneath the cushion during driving over the activities course. A mixed model ANOVA was used to determine if there were differences between suspensions based on Vibration Dose Value (VDV). Results Statistical analyses of the VDV data revealed significant differences between the six different suspensions over each of the obstacles in the activities of daily living course. Post-hoc analyses revealed that for each of the obstacles, significant differences existed between the Invacare suspension and the Invacare solid insert. For the Quickie power wheelchair the solid insert setting was not significantly different from the most-stiff setting for each of the obstacles

Jan 6, 2006

By James P. Rider

Significant advances in longwall mining technology and equipment have occurred over the last decade. By the late 1990s, longwall mine output accounted for 40 percent of all underground output in the U.S., and today longwall mines account for approximately 50 percent of coal produced underground in the United States. A 53 percent increase in average shift production rates has occurred over the last fifteen years. This increased longwall productivity has meant that far more dust is being produced and controlling respirable coal dust provides an ongoing challenge for coal mine operators. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has completed a series of benchmark surveys at longwall operations across the country to identify current operating practices and the types of controls being used. Gravimetric and instantaneous dust sampling was completed to quantify dust generation from major sources on the longwall section and to determine the relative effectiveness of the different control technologies in use today. Substantial reductions in dust levels were realized at sampling locations on the face when compared longwall surveys conduct in the 1990?s. This paper summarizes the results from the underground dust surveys and discusses current longwall dust control technology and operating practices.

Jan 1, 2010

By Frank B. Fulkerson

Three of the five primary aluminum producers in the Pacific Northwest have facilities in the region to make aluminum mill products. Only one of the three, however, produces a variety of shapes and forms. The principal reason for the lag in development of an aluminum mill products industry was found to be transportation cost. The long range outlook is for expansion, based mainly on growth of the western market for aluminum used in construction, containers and packaging, electrical applications, diesel trucks, mobile homes, and irregation pipe. Consumption of western aluminum mill products in 1985 is projected at 1.1 million tons, compared with estimated consumption of 250,000 tons in 1961.

Jan 1, 1965

By Henry Kreisinger, WALTER T. RAY

This bulletin contains a statement of certain results that will be embodied in a report describing investigations of the combustion of fuel made by the United States Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines in a specially constructed long furnace. The furnace forms part of the fuel-testing plant at Pittsburg, Pa., which was established and equipped by t.he Geological Survey, but passed under the control of the Bureau of Mines on July 1, 1910, when a t.ransfer of fuel-test.ing investjgations, authorized by act of Congress, became effective. The work discussed in this bulletin was done under the direction of the Geological Survey. The furnace was designed and built for an experimental study of the processes of combustiop, this study being part of a comprehensive plan for testing fuels to determine their heat value and the manner in which they can be used to best advantage. Although the main object of the researches made with the furnace by the Geological Survey was to examine critically the production of sensible heat by combustion along the path of the gases rising from the fuel, an interesting as well as important side problem developed in the study of the simultaneous dissipation of the heat through the walls and roof . of the furnace. Thus incidental data were collected on the temperature gradient through the walls at several places. These temperature data. (together with the heat conductivity of the material of the walls) formed the basis for calculating the heat dissipated through the walls. The object of this report is to present and discuss these temperature data. The discussion particularly concerns the air-space type of wall construction as compared with the solid brick wall or walls type, in which the air space is filled with some solid material of low heat conductivity. The conclusion of the authors, which perhaps will surprise some readers, is that, so far as loss of heat is concerned, a solid wall of brick or any ordinary material is preferable to a hollow wall of the same total thickness, especially if the air space in the hollow wall is near the furnace side. There is a general belief that l?ince air is a poor conductor of heat, air spaces built into the walls of a furnace will prevent or reduce heat dissipation through the wa.lls. Although there may be instances of furnace walls in which such construction reduces the rate of heat flow through them, yet as a rule the effect of the air space is just the opposite. While the heat does travel very slowly through the air by conduction, it leaps over the air space readily by radiation. Although this latter mode of heat propagation is common in nature, the laws governing it are not generall;y known and are seldom taken into consideration when furnace walls are being designed. It may be stated here that the quantity of heat passing through a. portion of a solid wall by conduction depends on the difference between the temperatures of the two planes limiting the portion of the wall. The quantity of heat that passes across the air space in the waH depends on the difference of the fourth powers of the absolute temperatUI: es of the surfaces inclosing Hie air space. It follows that, in case the heat. passes by conduction through the solid'portion of the wall, the loss remains approximately the same so long as the temperature of the two limiting planes remains constant, no matter what may be the temperature of the two planes. On the other hand, the heat passing across the air space by radiation increases rapidly with the temperatures of the inclosing surfaces, although the difference between these temperatures may remain constant. This feature will be shown by curves in the latter part of this paper and thoroughly discussed. The important point is that the air space, which is advantageous in the walls of a refrigerator because the temperatures are low, is objectionable in a furnace wall because the temperatures are high. It is customary to put air spaces in furnace walls between the firebrick linings and the common brick. Usually the fire-brick lining is only half a brick thick, which construction brings the air space too close to the furnace. The result is that the temperatures of the surfaces inclosing the air spaces are too high, and in consequence too much heat is radiated across the spaces. The heat passing through such walls would be much reduced if the air spaces were filled with brick, or, better, with some cheap nonconducting materials, such as ash, sand, mineral wool, etc. Even where the fire-brick lining is one brick thick (9 inches), the temperature in the furnace may be high enough to raise the temperatures of the air-space surfaces so much that the heat radiated across the space will amount to more than would the heat conducted through a filling, were the filling only common brick. This last statement is amply justified by the data here presented.

Jan 1, 1911

An active list of permissible explosives was published in December 1936 as part of Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 3324, under the title "Active List of Permissible Explosives and Blasting Devices Approved Prior to July 31, 1936." This list included 170 brand names. Changes in the list that have been authorized to June 30, 1937 placed 35 additional brands of permissible explosives on the active permissible list as a result of tests, changes in brand names, or transfer from the inactive list. Ten permissible explosives were transferred from the active to the inactive list. The present list contains 196 brand names, one explosive having been placed on the list subsequent to June 30, 1937. The brand names of the permissible explosives placed on the active list are as follows:

Jan 1, 1937

By d&apos, Dennis V. Andrea

The Bureau of Mines and El Paso Mining and Milling Co. conducted a cooperative in situ leaching research program at the Emerald Isle mine near Kingman, Ariz. The objective of this research was to develop in situ leaching methods for 200,000 tons of ore exposed in the pit bottom and also 3,000,000 tons of ore under 200 feet of overburden adjacent to the pit. The research included core drilling for fragmentation analysis, inplace permeability testing, seismic surveys, blasting tests, blast vibration measurements, inplace leaching, and ground water monitoring. A l5,000-ton test area in the pit bottom was blasted and leached inplace for 117 days. This successful test was followed by leaching 100,000 additional tons of unblasted pit bottom ore. Two test blasts, under 205 feet of overburden and extending to 290 feet, were detonated in an area near the open pit. The second blast was detonated because the first blast did not create adequate permeability for leaching. Pit bottom leaching was discontinued and the test area under 200 feet of overburden was not leached because the company terminated operations at the Emerald Isle mine. Based on the research completed, an expanded in situ leaching system was designed, but not implemented, to recover copper from a 1,500,000-ton area at the Emerald Isle mine.

Jan 1, 1977