Search Documents

By Richard L. Fischer

Constant-volume charges of precipitated PETN (pentaeythrite tetranitrate) at three specific gravities (0.50, 1.00, and 1.50) were used in laboratory tests to examine the effects of changes in explosive properties on free-surface displacement pulses and on crater dimensions. The tests were performed in large blocks of cement-mortar. The values for the detonation velocity, detonation pressure, specific energy, energy density, and energy release rate were calculated from the explosive loading density. Calculated explosive properties were correlated with free-surface displacement pulse measurements, strain energy, and measured crater dimensions. Increases in explosive properties resulted in increased free-surface displacement pulse parameters and crater dimensions. The loading density, detonation velocity, energy density, detonation pressure, and energy release rate were found to be best indicators of explosive performance. Simple acoustic relationships involving impedance ratios were examined and could not be used to predict peak displacement amplitude or strain energy. Data are presented in the customary English units as well as the International System of Units (SI).

Jan 1, 1970

By W. H. Ode, W. A. Selvig

Briefly, this swelling test consists in heating 1 gram of pulverized coal in a silica crucible over a gas flame under prescribed conditions to form a coke button which is compared in size and shape with a series of standard profiles numbered 1 to 9. These profiles are intended to cover the size and shape of buttons obtained from coals covering a wide range in plastic properties. The number of the standard profile with which the maximum cross-sectional area of the button most nearly corresponds is recorded as the swelling index. Although the swelling test showed poor relationships with the various tests that were used for measuring expansion or contraction of coal during carbonization, it gave indications of having value in measuring free-swelling and coking properties of coals when burned on fuel tests. An opportunity to investigate this occurred when an engineering company reported pronounced differences in burning characteristics on grates of various shipments of Pocahontas coal. Some of these coals gave trouble by swelling excessively and clogging the grate. Samples were obtained, and it was found that the troublesome coals gave radically higher free-swelling numbers than did the coals that performed satisfactorily. Also, it was found that the free-swelling index test gave better differentiation between coals than could be obtained from the coke buttons from the standard volatile-matter test or iron agglutination-value results. The results of the free-swelling test were confirmed by the Subcommittee on Plasticity and Swelling, Coal, a special group of the Subcommittee, under the chairmanship of R.A. Shuman, worked along with the test method. Estberg, Limacher, and Shuman of the Battelle Memorial Institute investigated the various factors affecting the test and found that the swelling index was a good indication of the suitability of coal for performance on residential-type stokers from the swelling characteristics of the coal. Data were presented that also showed that the index was helpful in the selection of coal for industrial underfeed stokers.

Feb 1, 1948

By N. S. Dalal, B. Jafari, V. Vallyathan

Electron spin resonance measurements have now been completed on the decay kinetics of the organic free radicals formed on crushing or grinding of a well characterized anthracite coal. The free radicals exhibit a complex decay pattern for the first few hours after the grinding, and a smooth decay thereafter. Parallel hemolysis studies indicate. a half-life of the decrease in the cytotoxicity of the fresh· dust to be about half-a-day. The cytotoxicity of the freshly-made dust decreases on addition of superoxide dismutase, catalase and sodium benzoate. The hemolysis rate is lower for the dust stored in buffers as compared to air. A chemical model will be presented to accomodate the cytotoxicity and spectroscopic data, and ~heir implicati6ns to pneumoconiosis.

Jan 1, 1988

By Roy F. Abernethy

This publication by the Federal Bureau of Mines contains the free-swelling indexes for 2,812 samples of coal received from January 26, 1948, to July 15, 1957, and the Hardgrove grindability indexes for 2,339 samples of coal received from June 23, 1947, to July 15, 1957. These data consist of the origin of the sample, bed name, and analysis. Summaries show the high, low, and average values for each bed. The free-swelling index is a relative measure of the caking properties of a coal when burned on a grate, and the Hardgrove grindability index is used to estimate the relative ease of grinding coals. Development and standardization of these test procedures were at a much later date than those for the more familiar tests, such as proximate and ultimate analyses and calorific value determinations. The newer tests are valuable in supplying supplemental information, particularly for assisting in evaluating coals used in certain types of combustion processes.4/ Data from such tests are important to designers of burning equipment, operating engineers, and purchasing agents. Data from these newer tests are scarce and scattered through a number of publications. Special projects were started to determine the free-swelling and grindability indexes, in addition to the regular analyses on the tipple samples collected by Bureau engineers. Since the start of these special projects, all the coal fields of commercial importance have been adequately covered in the sampling program.

Jan 1, 1961

By Alla D. Mah

Combustion energies of barium and strontium were measured by means of the combustion bomb calorimeter. The heats of formation obtained for the oxides were ?H298.15 = -139,060 ± 700 cal/mole of barium oxide (BaO) and ?H298.15 = -144,440 ± 400 cal/mole of strontium oxide (SrO). Tables containing heats and free energies of formation from 298.15° to 2,000° K were prepared.

Jan 1, 1963

By K. K. Kelley

The heats of formation of two lead vanadates (Pb2V207 and Pb3V208) and manganese vanadate (MnV206) were determined by hydrochloric acid solution calorimetry, supplementing previous Bureau of Mines measurements of the vanadates of calcium, magnesium} and sodium. Heat and free energy data for 11 vanadates were assembled on a common basis. The stability of comparable vanadates (with respect to the oxides) increases in the following order: Magnesium, manganese, lead, calcium, sodium.

Jan 1, 1963

By Alla D. Mah

Energies of combustion of vanadium nitride (VN) and vanadium carbide (VC) were measured. Correcting to vanadium tetroxide (V204) as the final state, the heats of combustion were ?H298.15=-118,700±100 cal/mole of vanadium nitride and ?H298.15=-240,270±360 cal/mole of vanadium carbide. With vanadium pentoxide (V205) as the final state, the heats of combustion were ?H298.15= -133.440±100 cal/mole of vanadium nitride and ?H298.15=-255,020±360 cal/mole of vanadium carbide. Combining these results with vanadium oxide data, the heats of formation obtained were ?298.15=-51,880±200 cal/mole of vanadium nitride and ?H298.15=-24,350±400 cal/mole of vanadium carbide. Heats and free energies of formation of vanadium nitride and carbide were calculated to 2,000° K.

Jan 1, 1963

By J. S. Dunning

The Bureau of Mines investigated a series of Fe-Al-Mo alloys strengthened by ZrC (zirconium carbide) precipitates as chromium-free substitutes for stainless steels. Melting and fabrication methods were devised, and the effects of minor additions of columbium (niobium) and cerium on the mechanical properties and oxidation resistance were determined. Zirconium carbides could not be con-trolled reliably to produce fine precipitate dispersions. A more reliable carbide strengthening mechanism is required if the high-temperature strengths of types 304 and 316 stainless steels are to be duplicated. Workability and oxidation resistance of the alloy series were excellent.

Jan 1, 1982

By Alla D. Mah

The need for more and better basic thermodynamic data for the oxides of many of the rare metals is evident to anyone who attempts thermodynamic calculations involving these substances. In continuation of a Bureau of Mines program to meet this need, this paper reports new experimental values of the heats of formation at 298.15° K. of the hexagonal crystalline variety of germanium dioxide and germanium dioxide glass. The values were obtained by means of combustion calorimetry and sodium hydroxide-solution calorimetry. The calorimetric results also made possible the derivation of values for the heat and entropy of fusion of hexagonal germanium dioxide at its melting point. The newly measured data were combined with previously known entropy and high-temperature heat content values to obtain heats and free energies of formation of germanium dioxide (in the hexagonal crystalline, glassy, and liquid states) over the temperature range from 298.15° to 2,000° K.

Jan 1, 1962

By K. K. Kelley

Thermodynamics data for silicates have applications in the fields of extractive metallurgy, ceramics, and geochemistry. To facilitate these applications, up-to-date tables of heats and free energies of formation are needed. It is the purpose of this report to supply such tables for anhydrous silicates. During the last 15 years the heats of formation of a substantial number of anhydrous silicates have been reliably determined at or near room temperature. This resulted from the development (first by the Bureau of Mines and later by the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, by the Institute of Geology of the University of Helsinki, Finland, and by the Department of Geology of the University of Chicago) of accurate solution calorimeters, employing hydrofluoric acid as the reaction medium. Specific references to work of these laboratories will be made in the next section of this report. Also, entropy data at 298.150 K. and high-temperature heat-content values are available for many of these silicates, mainly owing to work of the Bureau of Mines. Most of these entropy and heat-content data have been compiled in Bureau of Mines Bulletins (13, 15).3

Jan 1, 1962

By N. S. Dalal, A. H. Hoffman, X. Shi, D. E. Banks, J. K. H. Ma, Y. Rojanasakul

Excessive production of reactive oxygen radicals by alveolar macrophages is proposed to play an important role in oxidative lung injury. A major product of oxygen radical formation is the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (•OH) generated via a biologic Fenton reaction. In addition to its known ability to induce lipid peroxidation, recent studies have suggested that the •OH may exert its cytotoxic effect through the alteration of [Ca2+], homeostasis. To test this potential mechanism as well as to investigate the relationship between •OH and Ca" overloading in cytotoxic injury, isolated rat alveolar macrophages were exposed to externally generated radical system, H2O2 (0.01 to 1 mM) and Fe (1 mM) and their [Ca2+] levels and cell injury were monitored using quantitative fluorescence microscopy with the aid of the specific Ca" indicator, Fura-2, and membrane integrity indicator, propidium iodide. Electron spin resonance measurements using the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) confirmed the production of the .OH radical by this system. Upon the addition of the radicals, the macrophages displayed a rapid initial rise in [Ca2+] which was followed by a slower but more pronounced [Ca2+], elevation that reached a level 3 to 5 times higher than the basal level. This process preceded cell death as evident by nuclear propidium iodide fluorescence. Depletion of extracellular Ca" inhibited both the [Ca2+], response and cell injury. Preincubation of the cells with the Ca" channel blocker verapamil or .0H radical scavenger mannitol similarly inhibited the [Ca2+], rise and loss of viability. Firefly luciferase assay of cellular ATP content demonstrated that the alterations in [Ca2+], following .0H treatment preceded the depletion of ATP. Changes in membrane potential caused by Na* substitution with K* had no significant effect on either the unstimulated or stimulated [Ca"], levels. Taken together, these measurements indicate that .OH-induced injury in alveolar macrophages is associated with the alteration in [Ca2+], homeostasis. The mechanism of •OH-induced [Ca2+] loading is not due to nonspecific membrane damage or energy depletion, but mainly due to an increase in Ca2+ influx through Ca2+ selective channels. This Ca2+ over-load state as well as energy depletion caused by the oxidant may activate certain cellular degradative processes leading to cell injury and death.

Nov 1, 1995

By D. A. Wilson

A laboratory method for processing lead battery scrap has been developed that eliminates virtually all of the S02 emission that normally is produced when a reverberatory or blast furnace is used. The method employs a hydrometallurgical step to convert the PbS04 to PbO and CaS04 by mixing the battery scrap with a slurry of Ca(OH)2. The reaction is exothermic and goes to completion in 2 to 5 minutes at room temperature. The dried product is mixed with a KC1-NaC1 flux and carbon and reduced at 6500 C. A minimum charge ratio of 3 parts of carbon to 100 parts of battery scrap is required for reduction. The process produces lead reductions and recoveries as high as 97.0 and 94.9 percent, respectively. The KCI-NaCl flux is recovered using a standard counter-current water leach followed by evaporation.

Jan 1, 1976

By Seth C. Schaefer

The Bureau of Mines studied the standard free energies2 of formation of ferrous fluoride (FeF2) and ferric fluoride (FeF3) with high-temperature galvanic cells employing calcium fluoride doped with 1 mole-pet yttrium fluoride as the electrolyte. A free-energy change for the cell reaction Fe (s) + NiF2 (S) = FeF2 (S) + Ni (s) together with the standard free energy of formation of nickel fluoride yields a standard free energy of formation of ferrous fluoride from the elements of ?GF° = -168.74 + 30.63 x 10-3T ± 0.41 kcal/mole (897-1,098 K). (2) Combining the standard free energies of formation of magnesium fluoride, ferric oxide, and magnesium oxide with the free-energy change for the overall cell reaction 3MgO(s) + 2FeF3 (s) = 3MgF2 (S) + Fe2 03 (S) (3) gives a standard free energy of formation of ferric fluoride from the elements as ?Gf° = -281.45 + 90.46 X 10-3T ± 0,67 kcal/mole (880-935 K). (4) Free energies and equilibrium fluorine pressures for the two univariant equilibria of the Fe-F system are tabulated and illustrated.

Jan 1, 1975

By Mah Alla D.

Previously existing heat-of-formation values for the oxides of vanadium were rudimentary. They were subject to uncertainties of 1 to 5 kilocalories per gram-atom of contained oxygen. This fact has been the only adverse influence on the accuracy of thermodynamic calculations involving these substances, as the requisite entropy and high-temperature heat-content data are known with reasonable accuracy. This report presents new heat-of-formation data for four oxides of vanadium (VO, V203, V02, and V205), obtained by combustion calorimetry. It is believed that the uncertainties have been reduced to 0.1 to 0.3 kilocalorie per gram-atom of contained oxygen. The new heat-of-formation data were combined with existing entropy and high-temperature heat-content values to obtain free energies of formation of the four oxides at temperatures up to 2,000° K.

Jan 1, 1961

By A. C. Fieldner

The Sectional Committee on Classification of Coals, functioning under the sponsorship of the American Society for Testing Materials and the rules of the American Standards Association, in its 1934 report recommended to the American Society for Testing-Materials5 that Specifications for Classification of Coals by Rank be adopted as tentative. These specifications, slightly modified as recommended by the Sectional Committee, in its 1935 report,6 wore approved as tentative standards by the society in 1935. The specifications rover the classification of coals according to their degree of metamorphism, or progressive alteration, in the natural eerie s from lignite to anthracite. The basic scheme of classification is according to fired carbon and calorific value (expressed in B.t.u.) calculated to the mineral-matter-free basis. The higher-rank coals are classified according to fixed carbon on the dry basis, and the lower-ran]: coals according; to B.t.u. on the moist basis, that is, containing its natural bed moisture but free of visible surface moisture. Agglutinating and weathering indices arc used to differentiate between certain adjacent groups.

Jan 1, 1935

By N. S. Dalal, B. Jafari, F. H. Y. Green, M. M. Suryan, V. Vallyathan

"Freshly ground and aged anthracite and bituminous coal samples were investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy to detect the presence, concentration and reactivity of free radicals. Freshly ground anthracite coal produced greater concentration of free radicals than the bituminous coal, and the radical reactivity was also greater for the anthracite. The reactivity of the newly produced free radicals in the anthracite dust correlated with the dust's toxicity. Furthermore similar coal-based free radicals were detected in the lung tissue of autopsied coal miners, suggestive of persistent reactivity by the embedded coal dust leading to the progressive disease process. Results of the studies on the severity of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) and free radical concentration m lung tissue support this hypothesis.INTRODUCTIONCOAL WORKERS' PNEUMOCONIOSIS (CWP) has been an important topic of concern to miners, mining engineers, epidemiologists and medical researchers for decades. It is well known that the prevalence and severity of CWP differ markedly between different regions and mines despite comparable exposures to respirable dust (REISNER and RoBOCK, 1977; HURLEY et al., 1979). These variations in pathogenicity of coal mine dusts can only partially be explained by differences in the mineral composition and by rank of coal (CHRISTIAN and NELSON, 1978; CHRISTIAN et al., 1979; HATCH et al., 1980). Cytotoxity studies on mammalian cells do not correspond well with the human disease pattern (CHRISTIAN and NELSON, 1978; CHRISTIAN et al., 1979; HATCH et al.,1980; VALL YA THAN et al., 1988). For example, while epidemiological studies of coal miners (REISNER and ROBECK, 1977; HURLEY et al., 1979) indicate that the prevalence of CWP correlates roughly with the rank of coal, such correlation has not yet been established in biological studies, despite considerable effort (CHRISTIAN and NELSON, 1978; CHRISTIAN et al., 1979; HATCH et al., 1980). In order to help resolve this apparent paradox we have undertaken a systematic study to evaluate whether any correlation exists between the concentration of free radicals present in fresh or aged coal dusts from two well-characterized U.S. coals. This study was also prompted in part by observations reported in the literature that organic free radicals can be formed on the surface of freshly fractured coals (LEBEDEV et al., 1978; DULIBA and CLARKSON, 1984). In particular, ARTEMOV and REZNIK (1980) noted that the decay lifetimes and, hence, the reactivity of the organic free radicals formed on crushing Russian coals, .depended"

Jan 1, 1989

By Alla D. Mah

Thermodynamic calculations for antimony and its compounds have been hampered by the lack of adequate basic thermal data; much work rains even to fill the more important gaps. This paper supplies heat and free energy of formation values at 298.15° K, for the sesquioxide and tetroxide, based upon new measurements conducted by the Bureau of Mines. The heats of formation were obtained by combustion (bomb) calorimetry, and the free energies of formation were obtained by combination of heat and entropy data. The new values are believed to substantially improve the accuracy of thermodynsunic considerations involving these oxides.

Jan 1, 1962

By L. H. Adami, E. G. King

The heats of formation of four sulfides --MnS ( alabandite ) , FeS ( hexagonal pyrrhotite ) , ZnS ( wurtzite ) , and CdS ( greenockite ) -- were determined by hydrochloric acid solution calorimetry . The heats of formation from the metals and rhombic sulfur at 298.15 ° K are , respectively , -51.01 ± 0.19 , -23.81 ± 0.24 , -45.86 ± 0.20 , and -35.70 ± 0.30 kcal /mole . The corresponding free energies of formation were calculated from the heats of formation and the pertinent entropy values .

Jan 1, 1964

By B. C. Parks

This is the first of a series of reports on the relation between microscopic composition and chemical and physical properties of banded bituminous coals. It describes the relation between microscopic composition and behavior during thermal decomposition of a heterogeneous, high-volatile A bituminous coal from the Chilton bed in West Virginia. The standard free-swelling test was used as a simple means of studying the effect of heat on the coal. Although swelling indexes are not precise indicators of coal behavior in the coke oven and have limited value in caking investigations, they are reliable for predicting expansion of coal in a fuel bed and have practical value in the study of fuels. The swelling test also supplements other useful laboratory tests for determining the plastic and expansion properties of coal.

Jan 1, 1957

By L. B. Pankratz

Low-temperature heat capacities, high-temperature enthalpy increments, and the enthalpy of formation at 298° K were determined calorimetrically for vanadium subnitride (VN0.465). The low-temperature investigation gave S°298.15 = 6.379 ±0.005 cal/deg mole, and a combustion calorimeter investiga¬tion provided ?Hf°298.15 = -31.80 ±0.60 kcal/mole. The two quantities were combined with the high-temperature data to give standard values of enthalpies of formation and free energies of formation above 298° K. These and related thermodynamic functions were tabulated to 1,800° K. Similar data are included in the range of 298° to 1,600° K for the mononitride, VN.

Jan 1, 1971