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By J. P. Morris

"INTRODUCTION In the investigation being conducted by the Bureau of Mines concerning the production and utilization of sponge iron, it soon became evident that more information was needed regarding methods for determining the degree of reduction attained in the manufacturing process. Sponge irons made by different processes vary in physical characteristics and chemical composition, and a method of analysis that is suitable for one type is not necessarily applicable to all others. For example, the hydrogen-evolution method, which measures the volume of hydrogen evolved upon treating the sample with acid, accurately determines the oxygen content of some types of sponge iron. However, when the sponge iron contains combined carbon, hydrocarbon gases are also-evolved and large errors may result. Probably no single method will give accurate results in all instances, and for this reason it is desirable to have several reliable procedures available and to know the limitations of each.For measuring the degree of reduction, determination of either metallic iron or oxygen should suffice, although for practical application of sponge iron to the production of steel the oxygen content is more significant. After consideration of proposed methods of analysis in regard to their suitability for routine use and the probable influence of other substances, four procedures were chosen for investigation:(1) Mercuric chloride method.(2) Copper sulfate method.(3) Hydrogen-reduction method.(4) Hydrogen-evolution methods."

Sep 1, 1945

By Mark Davis

As a follow-on to previous investigations, reduced treatment levels for the optimum fire retardant/preservative system were evaluated. An impregnation of 3.5 lbs/ft3 of Fyreprufe followed by 3.5 mils of Albi 107A plus an Albi 144 top coat provides adequate flammability and flame spread protection. However, there is a significant loss in compressive strength at this retention level, particularly parallel to the grain. A pilot-size pressure impregnation cell was installed for use in treating larger quantities of wood. Based on the optimum fire retardant/preservative treatment system - Fyreprufe/ACC impregnation followed by Albi 107A/144 intumescent paint - a model treatment pro¬cess was developed, capable of handling 3 million board feet per year. Associated annualized costs per thousand board feet (K bd. ft.) for treating 12" x 12" timber were calculated to be: Impregnation: $-63.00/K bd. ft. Coating: $112.00/K bd. ft. A literature search was conducted to identify materials and techniques suitable for a localized stench warning system for heated mine timbers. Based on this review, a number of stench warning concepts were developed. Those based on surface coating were given a preliminary laboratory evaluation.

Jan 1, 1982

By C. C. Merrill

The Bureau of Mines beneficiated the wastes generated by commercial titanium chlorination operations to reclaim metal values and reduce the problem of disposing of solid wastes. A water leach solubilized about 40 percent of the dry weight and over 75 percent of the metallic impurities. The residue from the water leach was rich in titanium dioxide and carbon; it was combined with rutile and recycled to a laboratory chlorinator. The contained carbon was used in lieu of part of the coke requirement.

Jan 1, 1969

By Ellis S. Hertzog

The relatively large amount of phosphorous occurring in many iron ores limits their usefulness aid sometimes renders them valueless under present conditions of nip-iron manufacture. A practical method for removing the phosphorus would be valuable to the iron and steel industry. Gravity concentration has been of little value as far as the removal of phosphorous is concerned, because the compounds of this element are, as a rule, disseminated very finely. Removal of the phosphorous by leaching is not a new idea and has been the subject of some investigation,3,4/ out for data :lave been published. W.R. Crane published analyse of various ore bodies in the Birmingham ham district. The hard or unleached ores a .re much higher in phosphorous than the Soft, leached ores along the outcrops. This fact indicates that as mild a leaching agent as water removes phosphorus effectively if enough time is allowed for it to react. As the forms in which phosphorous occurs in the iron ores are important in the consideration of any leaching operation, much time was expended in devising a method for determining them. According to Professor McVey, University of Alabama, the phosphorous-bearing minerals in the red iron ores of Alabama have not been positively identified by any microscopic methods.

Jan 1, 1935

By S. E. Burton

The White Rock area of the Boiling Springs manganese-iron deposits comprises about 3,200 acres of land in Monroe Township, Cumberland County, Pa. (See fig. 1.) This property was brought to the: attention of the Bureau of Mines by Pennsylvania Geological Survey Bulletin 128, entitled "Manganese Ores of Pennsylvania" by R. M. Foose. It was examined by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines in August 1942 and was further investigated by the Bureau by churn drilling and underground development during the period December 1942 to February 1944. Beneficiation tests were made on samples of the ore. This report describes the work done during the investigation and presents the results obtained.

Jan 1, 1949

By W. J. Kroll

Despite the fact that barium minerals are plentiful and widely distributed in nature, this element is one that we do not yet know how to prepare cheaply in metallic form. This is due to its chemical activity, as evidenced by its great affinity for fluorine, chlorine, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and sulfur. Furthermore, it forms a very stable subchloride and subfluoride, which prevents isolation of the metal by fusion electrolysis from a halide bath. A good survey of the metallurgy of barium calcium, arid strontium has been made recently in Light Metals (54,55).3/ Metallic magnesium (46), calcium (83), barium, and strontium (27) reduce each other's oxides. Proof of this can be found in the activation of BaO after reduction with Mg, which leads to the formation of so-called "Maquenne" mixtures (58) used for absorbing gases. However, it is impossible to extract the reduced metal- from the residue, a fact that Guntz (25) attributed to the formation of barium suboxide. There is no necessity for presuming the formation of such a compound, as it has boon established that in the reduction there is always formed an alloy of the alkaline-earth metal with the magnesium, which is capable of producing hydrogen when brought into contact with water. The reduction of alkaline earth-metal oxides with aluminum was observed by Mallet (57) in 1877, but recent investigations have shown that the end product of the reaction is an alloy of aluminum with the alkaline earth metal (1,2). Silicon also has been suggested as a reducing agent, and the results obtained are the same (84,85).

Jan 1, 1945

By Alice Turcot

Knowledge of risks from exposure to hand-arm vibrations is usually presented by clinicians and researchers from a medical and engineering point of view. There is a strong need to develop innovative health promotion programs for exposed workers. Risk perceptions by vibration exposed workers and HAVS (hand-arm vibration syndrome) affected workers are less well known. In 1983, Brubaker demonstrated that 75% of studied fellers thought that whitening of the fingers was part of the job and/or an unrelated nuisance, while only 25% believed it was a disease. 1Grounds also showed that even though there were a very high number of forestry workers with white fingers, none considered quitting because of their condition. 2 It seems that many workers hesitate to declare the illness or believe they are less affected than they really are, perhaps from fear of losing their jobs and livelihood. 3 Risk awareness, on the part of exposed workers and their employers, as well as knowledge and acceptance of available preventive solutions are necessary steps before installing adequate preventive measures, whether organizational, behavioral or environmental. Workers need to understand fully the hazards and risks in order to be able to make informed decisions under uncertain conditions.4 Prerequisites include the following: workers knowledge about the risk, their attitude towards it, which in turn, can be influenced by values, needs and interests. Also, knowledge and attitudes towards safety behaviour, organizational or environmental barriers must be taken into account. Our research focuses on these key elements, which help bridge the gap between health promotion research and practice. Methods A descriptive exploratory study is in progress with workers exposed to hand-arm vibrations. It uses qualitative methods that include focus group discussions with workers exposed to hand-arm vibrations, as well as individual interviews with other key informants (employers, health care professionals). An open-ended questionnaire was developed to collect qualitative data on perceived risks and solutions to prevent or reduce HAVS. Based on an integrated theoretical framework related to known determinants of behavior change, the analysis will focus on the following5: 1) knowledge of health effects, safety, well-being and/or quality of life 2) related beliefs about individual susceptibility and severity of consequences 3) attitude and values related to hand-arm vibration exposure 4) knowledge and attitudes towards exposure reduction, as well as perceptions of barriers and facilitating factors for these measures, in the workplace environment or otherwise.

Jan 6, 2006

By T. J. Batchler, T. M. Barczak

The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) requires that the transverse load capacity of stoppings be equal to or greater than traditionally accepted in mine controls, which for block stoppings is generally accepted as 39 psf as referenced in the preamble to the CFR standard. This measure is based on physical testing of a freestanding wall in accordance with ASTM E 72 specifications, where our past research has shown that the dominant parameter is the tensile strength of the sealant. A new protocol based on rigid arch loading of the structure is proposed to determine the true transverse load capacity of block stoppings. Arching is achieved by the restraint of the stopping against the mine roof and floor, whereby compressive forces are developed within the wall. A laboratory procedure using the NIOSH Mine Roof Simulator (MRS) to simulate rigid arching of block stoppings was developed and results verified through full-scale in-mine tests. The rigid arch tests have demonstrated transverse load capacities more than an order of magnitude higher than the ASTM E 72 evaluation method from which the 39-psf requirement is derived. More importantly, the rigid arch tests have shown that the load capability is dependent on the physical properties of the block and geometric properties of the wall and not the sealant.

By R. M. Santmyers

The chief compounds of boron are borax and boric acid, both of which have important applications in industry. At present the United States furnishes more than half of the world's requirements of borate materials, practically all from California. Nearly the entire production of borax in this country is under the control of four companies: The American Potash and Chemical Corporation, the Pacific Coast Borax Co., the West End Chemical Co., and the Western Borax Co.

Jan 1, 1931

By Jr. Sayre

Results of studies of reservoir and wax-precipitation temperatures relating to wax deposition in the reservoir of the Bradford oil field are presented in this report. During 1949 and 1950 Bureau of Mines engineers made temperature measurements in 42 wells, which indicate that the Bradford Third-sand temperatures range from 59.7° F., at 1,150 feet, to 71.9° F., at 2,040 feet. Reservoir temperatures measured at the same depths in newly drilled wells and oil-producing wells differed as much as 4.5u F. Injection-well temperatures measured during water injection showed that the temperature of the water entering the sand was 11.5° F. lower than reservoir temperatures before injection. The cooling in the formation resulting froth the injection of low-temperature water was 11.5° F. in the vicinity of the injection-well bore, and a maximum of 2.1° F. 200 feet from the injection well. Sand temperature, after 5 months of water injection, was reduced 1.5° F. 90 feet from water-injection wells. The temperature at which wax begins to precipitate from solution in crude oil was determined at atmospheric pressure for 26 samples and ranged from 51° to 67° F. Oil samples from wells producing no water had wax-precipitation temperatures ranging from 51° to 58° F. and wax contents from 2.20 to 2.97 weight percent, whereas the samples from wells producing water and oil had wax precipitation temperatures ranging from 580 to 67° F. and wax contents from 2.57 to 3.42 weight percent .

Jan 1, 1952

By Oliver C. Ralston

[This paper is an expanded revision of a report entitled "Froth Flotation and Agglomerate Tabling of Nonmetallic Minerals, " published in Transactions of the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (vol. 40, November 1937, pp- 691-726) and prepared a year previously. Revisions embodied herein brine the data up to January 1, 1938. References have also been added to make the earlier paper more complete for the period it covered.]

Jan 1, 1938

By Brian M. Harney

The technique of remote sensing, used for many years by earth scientists, is being applied to the detection and monitoring of air pollution. Instrumentation being developed is of a very diverse nature and is effective, Fn varying degrees, at ranges from 1,000 meters to the altitude of a space satellite. This paper describes a number of the recent developments in this new field. Instruments based on spectroscopic, laser, and photographic systems are discussed. Sensors are being developed which utilize correlation spectrometry, interferometry, Raman scattering, Mie scattering, laser line absorption, and simple photographic detection.

Jan 1, 1973

This Bureau of Mines report comprises tables listing the name, location, and other pertinent data concerning certain future fuel-related projects. The tables include information on projects involving the proposed or planned development of fuel resources, as well as the development of storage, transportation, and conversion facilities; the report covers the 26 States east of the Mississippi River. Of the total 594 projects for which information is provided, 492 concern coal mines and electric generating plants.

Jan 1, 1976

By R. H. Grau, S. B. Robertson, J. Dolgos, T. P. Mucho

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has developed a computer program called the Air Quantity Estimator (AQE). The purpose of the program is to provide a starting point for estimating the air quantity needed to dilute diesel particulate matter (DPM) in an underground large opening mine, albeit taking into account various input assumptions. The AQE estimates the total air quantity needed to dilute DPM emissions that enter the main airstream of the mine to current statutory levels. It helps operators pinpoint vehicles that are high DPM contributors. In addition, it allows the user to make “what if” scenarios by varying the input parameters to achieve the most efficient and practical ventilation system. The AQE is a stand-alone software program that does not require any type of spreadsheet software. Engine data must be known or estimated with some accuracy and assumptions must be made in order to limit the variability of the program output. Program calculations and two case studies, for validation purposes, are included in this report. It should be noted that the program does not ensure adequate face ventilation and personal exposure compliance.

The accompanying supply/demand flow diagrams and 10-year tables for mineral and fuel commodities present essential data required by government, industry, and others to formulate policies and programs that can help assure an adequate and continuing supply of mineral raw materials. The 10-year data base terminates with 1973 figures because adequate world information was not available beyond that date. Moreover, 1974 was an anomalous year with respect to prices, supply, and demand for many commodities. The selected mineral supply/demand tables and flow diagrams comprise but one "output" from the massive body of "information and data collected and com-piled by the Bureau of Mines on a continuing basis covering mineral production consumption, prices, shipments, imports, exports, and stocks, as well as industry activities in all States and abroad.

Jan 1, 1975

By R. A. Franks, G. F. Friel, J. C. Edwards, L. Yuan

Five mine fire experiments were conducted in a 2.08m high and 2.90m wide, ventilated mine entry in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)'s Safety Research Coal Mine (SRCM) to determine the effect of the dispersion of carbon monoxide (CO) on mine fire detection. CO measurements were made at distances from 7.6 m to 45.2 m downwind from the fire with diffusion mode CO sensors positioned near the roof. For small intensity fires, less than 30 kW heat release rate, generated by 14 kg coal in a 0.61 m square tray, it was determined that air flow and sensor spacing were significant for fire detection at the 10 ppm CO alarm level. Within 15.0 m downwind distance from the fire, 10 ppm CO alarm values occurred for volumetric air flows less than 11.5 m3/s. However, the 10 ppm CO alarm value did not occur 30.0 m downwind from the fire for air quantities greater than 6.2 m3/s due to dilutive mixing of the CO in the air stream. The criterion that the mine fire alarms occur within 15 min of the onset of flaming combustion could not be consistently met with the 10 ppm CO alarm. This suggests the use of lower CO alarm values, or reduced CO sensor spacings for mine fire protection. It is demonstrated how computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can be used to model the CO dispersion downwind from the fire in support of a plan to optimize sensor spacings.

A symposium on pneumatic transportation of solids was held at Morgantown, W. Va., October 19-20, 196'), under the cosponsorship of the Institute ref Gas Technology. Chicago, Ill., and the Bureau of Mines. Objective of the symposium was to present information on developments and projected programs in the technology of feeding, transporting, recompressing, and utilizing gas-solids mixtures Dr. Henry R. Linden, Director, Institute of Gas Technology and Harry Perry, Director of Coal Research, Bureau of Mines, in the initial addresses at the symposium welcomed more than 140 representatives of industry, educational institutions, and government from 16 states, Canada, Great Britain, etc.

Jan 1, 1966

A symposium on pneumatic transportation of solids was held at Morgantown, W. Va., October 19-20, 1965, under the cosponsorship of the Institute ref Gas Technology. Chicago, Ill., and the Bureau of Mines. Objective of the symposium was to present information on developments and projected programs in the technology of feeding, transporting, recompressing, and utilizing gas-solids mixtures. Dr. Henry R. Linden, Director, Institute of Gas Technology, and Harry Perry, Director of Coal Research, Bureau of Mines, in the initial addresses at the symposium welcomed more than 140 representatives of industry, educational institutions, and government from 16 states, Canada, Great Britain, etc.

Jan 1, 1966

By David L. Veith

This Bureau of Mines bibliography of U.S. and Canadian literature pertaining to revegetating coal-mined lands contains 805 references published from 1977 to 1984. Each reference is evaluated by keywords, providing the reader with a means of rapidly sorting through the references to locate only those dealing with the coal mining region and subject of interest. All references are annotated. Other sources of information are given, including Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and State reclamation agencies and other published bibliographies.

Jan 1, 1985

By Thomas Jenning, C. M. Keithly

"INTRODUCTION This report is one of a series. 4. 5. 6/ concerned with presenting historical development, and operating data on secondary-recovery projects in various States to stimulate interest in sound secondary-recovery programs. Preceding reports in this series have dealt exclusively with descriptions of and results obtained by water flooding in three states, but no recent publication of comparable purpose describes gas-injection 7/ practices. The authors intend to present material relevant to the development and operation of gas-injection projects in Illinois, with particular emphasis on those producing from oil-bearing horizons that had been depleted to a point near the economic limit of operation by past oil-recovery methods.Most operators realize that the energy expended on the movement of fluids through gas-expansion- or gas-cap-type oil reservoirs to producing wells must be supplemented to attain maximum recovery of the oil present. Under favorable conditions, many operators choose to maintain oil-propulsive forces at or near their original magnitude by injecting extraneous fluids into a reservoir or recycling produced fluids early in the life of a field. More common, and less desirable, is the practice of replenishing these forces after primary producing methods become unprofitable. The lattes practice has been adopted in many stripper fields in Illinois and most of the oil-producing States during the last 40 years, but other old oil fields, and oil properties within those fields which were partly exploited by secondary--recovery methods, also may offer favorable opportunity for further development. To encourage and, aid operators in the development of gas-injection projects in the old oil fields of the United States, four projects have been described in detail in this report."

Nov 1, 1944