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By G. B. Shea

In 192b, there wore 47 fatal accidents in the California petroleum industry, 14.6 per cent more than occurred in 1927 when 41 men lost their lives in the drilling, producing, manufacturing, and marketing divisions of the industry. This increase in the number of fatal accidents for 1928 has caused the first upward trend in the fatality curve of the California petroleum industry since 1923. In no other year during the 6-year period have the fatalities in any one year been greater than those for the preceding year. This fact should be given serious consideration and study by the petroleum industry, and an endeavor should be made to cause the number of fatalities again to decrease and conform to the previous gradual declining trend of the fatality curve. The following chart shows the trend of fatal accidents during the past six years:

Jan 1, 1929

By Marvin L. Whisman

This report describes the preparation of tritium-labeled organic compounds to be used by the Federal Bureau of Mines in studying the role of certain gasoline constituents in gum-forming mechanisms. The gasoline constituents that have been investigated boil within a range of approximately 90 to 230° C. and can be classified as paraffins. naphthenes, olefins, diolefins, monocyclic aromatics, polycyclic aromatics, and organic sulfur, nitrogen,: and oxygen compounds. The technique of Wilzbach has been applied to more than 50 samples. Purification techniques have been developed that accomplish rapid and effective purification as well as removal of labile tritium in a one-step operation. Data are presented to show the rate of exchange between tritium and hydrogen that can be expected for a variety of compounds common to a full-boiling-range gasoline. These values should be useful to other investigators using tracer programs involving tritium labeled compounds.

Jan 1, 1961

By J. F. Barkley

The work covered in this report was done to meet the requests from many Government agencies for information on alleviating sludge difficulties in No. 6 (Bunker C) fuel-oil storage tanks. Accumulated sludge at times caused serious loss in tank capacities; pumps became overloaded or lost suction; strainers often required very frequent cleaning; fuel-oil heaters in some instances became fouled and inefficient; and gobs of sludge that passed the strainers interfered with good combustion. The requests also included questions regarding the usefulness in general of oil "additives" for preventing sludge and the relative merits of the many trade-named additives being marketed. Realizing that preventing such difficulties would result in substantial savings to the Government, an investigation was begun with the limited funds avail-able. Although various claims are made for No. 6 fuel-oil additives other than preventing sludge, only an investigation as regards the storage tank-sludge problem has been possible.

Jan 1, 1955

By X. Chi, J. W. Griffith, C. L. Schengrund, J. Sabol

"Experiments were carried out to determine the long-term effect of instillation of 500 mg of generic bituminous, anthracite, quartz, or titanium dioxide (Ti02) dust on the composition of pulmonary surfactant. Dust was instilled in the caudal lobe of the right lungs of female pigtailed macaque monkeys (Macaca nemestrina). The composition of surfactant isolated from cell-free bronchoalveolar lavage (CF-BAL) samples obtained from right lungs (dust exposed) at various times over the following year was compared with that of surfactant isolated from CF-BAL from left lungs (dust free) . Little change was seen in the amount of surfactant-associated lipid phosphorus as a result of exposure to dust. Exposure to quartz, anthracite, or Ti02 dust induced a significant increase in the total amount of protein in the surfactant-enriched fraction. The relative amount of specific proteins was also altered: surfactant-associated protein A decreased, and the amount of the heavy and light chains of immunoglobulin molecules (identified by NHiterminal amino acid sequence analysis) increased. These changes were visible more than a year after instillation of quartz and at least 3 months after instillation of anthracite dust. Despite variation in the responses of the individual animals, the changes observed might serve as an indicator of the severity of the effect of exposure of the lung to mineral dust and/or to pathogens. IntroductionSurfactant is essential for normal pulmonary function and gas exchange. It functions to reduce surface tension and may help to prevent pulmonary edema [19] and to protect against infection [13]. The importance of surfactant to normal Jung function is illustrated by the fact that neonates lacking appropriate surfactant undergo respiratory distress and do not survive without clinical support."

Dec 1, 1996

By Robert J. Anderson

"Introductory Statement:In melting the nonferrous metals and alloys for foundry and rolling-mill work, even with the best practice, there is always a loss, due principally to oxidation. Melting losses are a serious source of financial loss in brass and bronze practice, but they are especially serious in the case of aluminum and its light alloys because of the relatively high price of aluminum. The indications are that the melting losses in many aluminum foundries of the United States are at times high, and in some plants (especially where certain furnaces are used) they are entirely too high when compared with the average practice. The fact that the oxidation losses in melting aluminum and its light alloys are high is well known, but it is doubtful whether the factors governing the most suitable methods of melting for a minimum of dross are equally well known. The metal losses involved in melting are worthy of especial attention now because of the rapidly growing importance of the aluminum industry.Factors in the operation of furnaces which affect metal and fuel losses:The essential requirements in the commercial melting of any metal or alloy are that the melting losses should be low, the melting should be rapid, and the melting cost should be low. Certainly it may not be possible to obtain these requirements in any furnace selected at random, and it follows that the design and the operation of furnaces for melting different metals are subjects that warrant the most extensive study and tests. As a general rule, in the industrial operation of furnaces, run on aluminum and aluminum alloys, an effort is made to keep the dross and oxidation losses as low as possible. In attempting to hold dross losses low, numerous factors involved in metal melting may be overlooked, or at least disregarded, and the net practical result may be that the furnace is exceedingly wasteful of fuel. In the case of aluminum and its light alloys, the effect of increasing the temperature of melting, at least in an atmosphere containing free oxygen and nitrogen, is to increase the net melting loss."

Apr 1, 1921

By J. A. Kost

Contract H0242013 was originally to evaluate through underground tests, water spray systems for controlling respirable dust at the face of a longwall plow. A number of difficulties were encountered which made such an evaluation impractical. The contract was modified to evaluate, in the BCR dust tunnel facility, the live factors believed to affect respirable dust levels. A 60-foot long; plow face mock-up was constructed in the dust tunnel, a facility with controlled airflow and dust concentration. Six types of nozzles were tested with the following parameters: two nozzle orientations, two levels of water pressure, two levels of airflow, and with and without simulated airflow through the gob. Of these factors, the most significant in reducing respirable dust levels was nozzle orientation, where the nozzle directed 45 degrees downstream resulted in 27 percent lower dust levels than those directed 45 degrees upstream (against the airflow). Following in order of effectiveness were the higher water pressure and the lower airflow. All nozzles tested resulted in similar dust reduction, i.e., the type of nozzle was the least significant factor.

Jan 1, 1979

By L. A. Stinnett

An investigation of hazardous surface openings of abandoned and inactive underground mines in the Black Hills area of South Dakota has revealed: (1) tracing legal ownership of mineral claims via county courthouses is confusing, complex, and oftentimes misleading, (2) in general, the selected mine openings in this investigation are to be considered relatively high in risks and hazard potential which poses a threat to the general public, (3) mine closure procedures and designs can generally be categorically implemented depending on the overall situation of the particular mine opening with subsequent unit costs estimates, (4) few preventive state or federal legal measures exist to date concerning mine closures, and (5) liability damages relating to mine opening accidents usually involve expensive and complex common law cases.

Jan 1, 1979

By P. A. Cox

Guidelines are provided for the design of explosion-proof electrical enclosures that will meet MSHA certification requirements according to Part 18, Title 30, of the Code of Federal Regulations, and fulfill their intended service underground. The guide covers only those aspects of design which affect enclosure strength, ruggedness, endurance and flame path, i. e., the enclosure ability to properly contain an internal explosion. Internal static and explosion pressures, external impact and thermal heating load are treated as well as the proper selection of materials and welding procedures.

Jan 1, 1985

By By Staff

"These proceedings consist of papers presented at a Bureau of Mines Technology Transfer Seminar on postdisaster survival and rescue research. Several seminars are held each year to bring the latest results of Bureau research to the attention of the mining industry as quickly as possible.INTRODUCTIONThe postdisaster research program is directed toward research and development of technology and equipment that increases the chances of a miner surviving or being rescued after an underground mine disaster. A disaster is an accident of major proportions, and it may result in the entrapment of miners whose normal egress from the mine is cut off. This often necessitates a rescue operation and a means of keeping the trapped miners alive while they await rescue. The Bureau is currently pursuing research to develop the technology that will enhance the ability of miners to survive such an occurrence. The research is divided into two basic problem areas, survival and rescue. Both areas are concerned with the inability of miners and rescue teams to cope with the postaisaster environment, such as toxic gases, unstable roof conditions, water flooding, and lack of oxygen. In addition, research is also conducted to find ways of locating and quickly reaching trapped miners. Most of the research conducted by the Bureau has been directed toward the postdisaster problems associated with coal mines. However, most of the research results are also applicable to noncoal mines as well.The papers presented in these proceedings address some of the recent research conducted by the Bureau of Mines that has been directed toward the postdisaster problems outlined above. The topics covered range from an overview of the technology developed for oxygen selfrescuers to training programs for mine rescue. Any questions or comments pertaining to this research are encouraged and appreciated. Open file report (OFR) references in the proceedings listed as available from NTIS may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, Va. 22161, and are also available for reference at Bureau of Mines facilities in Denver, Colo., Twin Cities, Minn., l3ruceton and Pittsburgh, Pa., and Spokane, Wash.; the Department of Energy facility in Morgantown, W. Va.; the National Mine Health and Safety Academy, Beckley, W. Va., and the National Library of Natural Resources, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C."

Jan 1, 1982

By David E. Nicholson

In a Bureau of Mines investigation of the dynamic compaction of mine hydraulic backfills, two basic forms of mechanical vibration inducers were used and compared for effectiveness of compaction. Internal compaction, using concrete probe vibrators of various sizes, and external compaction, using plate vibrators} were studied and evaluated for use in underground stopes. An aluminum plate, which was light and displaced sufficient volume to remain afloat in fluid fill, and a steel plate were both used in the external compaction tests. Efficiency of compaction was better in studies conducted with internal probe vibrators. Tests were conducted in an underground backfilled stope with three different-sized probe vibrators (2-, 4-, and 6-inch-diameter) to determine an approximate area of influence. Results showed the areas of influence to be approximately 3, 4, and 5 feet in diameter, respectively, for the three different probes. Physical properties of hydraulic slurries were determined; preferred grain-size distributions, water exudation properties, and water contents of hydraulic slurries are reported. The best compaction results were obtained with moderately well-graded, fully saturated backfills, with slow rates of water exudation, which were capable of remaining in a semifluid state during the compaction process.

Jan 1, 1967

By Robert E. Wood

The compressibility factors, Z, of helium, nitrogen, and helium-nitrogen mixtures in the three-dimensional space of temperature, pressure, and gas composition have been related to the Leiden form of the virial equation of state. The dependency of virial coefficients through the fifth on temperature and gas composition has been established for the temperature range 133.15° to 748.15° K. Compressibility factors, Z, have been computed from the equation of state and tabulated as functions of gas composition, pressure, and temperature. Tabular values of Z are presented for 30.00 through 100.00 percent helium for temperatures from 240° through 700° R for pressures from 14.696 through 3,050 psia and for temperatures from 720° through 1,300° R for pressures from 14.696 through 1,500 psia. Tabular values of Z are presented at increments of 5.00 percent helium and 20° R, and, for pressures greater than 50 psia, at increments of 50 psi.

Jan 1, 1967

By W. L. Staker

The Bureau of Mines investigated the use of shredded automobile scrap for copper cementation. Air agitation was used to improve the cementation rate and prevent excessive buildup of copper on the iron. The pieces of scrap were too large to be properly evaluated in the laboratory; therefore, a pilot scale test unit was constructed and the process tested at field locations. Pregnant solution was obtained from industrial leaching operations, processed in the test unit and the barren solution and cement copper were returned to the plant process stream. The test results showed that the air-agitated launder containing auto-mobile scrap was an effective means for recovering copper from leach solutions. A continuous l4-day test run was made without a noticeable decrease in cementation efficiency. The most suitable scrap product was obtained from incinerated automobile hulks shredded in a hammer type of shredder. However, it was necessary to remove small pieces such as nuts and bolts because they interfered with the discharge of the copper product.

Jan 1, 1976

By R. A. Cattell

The Bureau of Mines actively conducted a well-coordinated research pro- gram during the past fiscal year on problems dealing with the production of oil and gas, transportation of natural gas, chemistry and refining of petrole- um, thermodynamic properties of hydrocarbons, and the processing and utiliza- tion of incombustible helium gas. These particular reserach phases, compris- ing the presently scheduled activities, are integral parts of a broad program selected soon after the war as suitable for Bureau of Mines study, to meet immediate needs for specific information on petroleum and natural-gas problems of national scope. Important progress was made and many technical reports were finished during the year. Several reports were published on gas-condensate production problems, one giving the results of laboratory tests of relative merits of various steels and alloys for rosisting the corrosion that occurs in high-pressure gas- condensate wells. Research was continued, using the Bureau's windowed cell, to determine the characteristics of gas-condensate fluids, and an important paper on the phase relations of these fluids at low temperatures was published. An important part of the Bureau of Mines petroleum production research program for many yoars has been the engineering study of type oil fields. This year reports waro completed on the Lake Creek, Sheridan, and West Rod River fields, Tex.; the Atlanta field, Ark.; and the Bogge field, W.V. Othor fields under study and for which reports will be issued are the Carthage and Now Hope fields, Tex., and the Weber pool, Okla. Spocial studios to determine the characteristics of the oil-gas solutions as they exist within the native reservoir rocks have been in progress in the North Lindsay field, Okla.; the Elk Basin field, Wyo. and Mont.; and the Rangely field, Colo. The North Lindsay study brought to light several un- usual physical proporties of the oil as it is found in this deep-seated reservoir. For instance, its viscosity is less than that of water, and more than 2 barrels of the initial reservoir oil must be produced to yield 1 barrel of "stock-tank oil." In the Elk Basin and Rangoly fields the oil-gas solution varies in composition within the reservoir, depending upon structural location. Engineering studies were continued on woll spacing and on drilling fluids with special emphasis on obtaining uncontaminated cores, or coros for which the flushing action of the drilling fluid can be dotormined accurately. In connection with research on production of oil by secondary recovery methods, progress was made in studies of conditioning water for subsurface injoction, of input ratos and pressures for water-flooding oil sands, and of the selective plugging the more permeable mediurs to prevent or retard channel- ing of the injected fluid. The availability of fuels for all types of internal-combustion engines still is tho primary resoarch project in potroleum chomistry and refining. This rosearch program is subdivided into a sorios of problems under four main topics: (1) Raw-material studios; (2) relationships of fuel consumption, proporties, and performanco; (3) utilization of potroleum products; and (4) analytical mothods, which include chomical and physical property detorminations.

Dec 1, 1949

By W. H. Oppelt

A small, annular-retort gasifier having a nominal capacity of 40 pounds of lignite per hour was designed and constructed at the Lignite Experiment Station, Grand Forks, N. Dak. The purpose of the investigation was to increase the capacity of an annular-retort gasifier by better temperature distribution in the heating chamber (adjacent to the annulus) and by supplemental internal heating with controlled amounts of air. Correct control of air admission should yield crude ammonia-synthesis gas having a (H2+CO)-N2 ratio of 3. Dakota Star stoker-size lignite was used during the exploratory experimental program. The effects of temperature level and distribution in the heating chamber and of addition of air to the reactor were investigated. Hydrogen - carbon monoxide ratios ranged from 1.9 to 2.5, and (H2+C0)-N2 ratios were as low as 2.9. Hourly gas production ranged from 970 to 2,580 cu. ft., or 62.0 to 164 cu. ft. per sq. ft. of heated surface, or 350 to 940 cu. ft. per cu. ft. of reactor volume. Data from the small gasifier could be readily correlated with those previously obtained in the commercial-scale unit under comparable experimental conditions.

Jan 1, 1957

By Seth T. Reese

THE INJURY DATA and experience at coal mines in the United States for 1949 are presented in this bulletin under the following general sections: (A) General injury experience: 1. Tables 1 to 18: Contain current data on number of injuries, frequency and severity rates, average severity, major and detailed classification of injuries, and distribution of injuries by part of body and days of disability. (B) Selected injury data: 1. Tables 19 to 45: Contain current data on various selected factors of operating and physical conditions that have contributed to the occurrence of injuries at bituminous-coal mines and at Pennsylvania anthracite mines. These factors include extent of hand and machine loading, size of mine by employment and production groups, thickness of bed or vein, duration and number of work shifts, rating of mine as gassy, or nongassy, types of cap lamps, ventilation, explosives, and combinations of factors that influence mine safety. (C) Injury experience by States: 1. Tables 46 to 52: Contain current data on number of injuries, frequency and severity rates, average severity, major classification of injuries, injury records of all coal-producing States, and the relative standing by States according to injury-frequency rates. (D) Appendix: 1. Tables 53 to 84: Contain certain injury data for the years 1943-47 that have not heretofore been published.

Jan 1, 1953

By Michael J. Beus

This Bureau of Mines report describes field investigations conducted in the Coeur d'Alene mining district of Idaho to obtain data on rock stress and physical properties. The resulting information has been utilized as input to detailed finite-element analyses to establish structural design criteria for deep-vein mine shafts. Measurement techniques include the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research biaxial and triaxial strain cells, the U.S. Geological Survey solid-inclusion probe, and the Colorado School of Mines dilatometer. Physical property testing was conducted in the laboratory on core obtained from each test site. Limited in situ physical property tests were also conducted. Reason-able success was obtained with the CSIR equipment, which was considered the most suitable for stress measurement in the study area. Test sites ranged in depth from 1,200 to 7,700 feet and are described in detail. The stress data were reduced by least-squares linear regression techniques to enable prediction of vertical and horizontal stresses to 7,500 feet. Ratios between the horizontal stresses as utilized for shaft design varied considerably, and a hydrostatic condition is the exception, based on Bureau measurements. Physical properties also varied widely, due to the complex geologic structure. Analyses of the data in terms of the tectonic history of the area show reasonable correlation. Data from previous rock mechanics investigations from the Coeur d'Alene district were also compiled and presented as part of this report to justify any generalizations regarding stress conditions and physical properties of the district as a whole.

Jan 1, 1980

By F. E. Brantley, D. M. Yergensen, D. A. Martin

Fluidized - bed roasting was investigated as a means of decomposing gypsum and gypsum mixtures to produce a gas rich in sulfur dioxide and a lime or portland cement residue . Ninety- eight percent desulfurization of gypsum in a 10 - inch fluidized- bed reactor took 1.5 hours at an operating temperature between 1,200 ° and 1,225 ° C. A cement- type residue was obtained but had to be refired at 1,450 ° C before mortar prepared from it met the physical specifications for cement .

Jan 1, 1963

By P. R. Perry

This publication is a compilation of tested methods for the analyses of titanium tetrachloride, titanium sponge, and various intermediate materials and products. They are presented in concise form without the detail usually found in publication of new methods because many of them are modifications of well known procedures. The Electrometallurgical Experiment Station, Boulder City, Nev., has been developing titanium production methods since 1945. Most of this development was on a modified Kroll Process but also included work on sodium reduction and electrolytic methods. During these years a large variety of samples were analyzed. Most of the analytical problems were solved using published methods or modifications of the same. At the start, there were no published procedures for analyzing titanium sponge using spectrochemical methods. A great deal of study was given to testing several of the well known techniques, and some of them, such as direct sparking of the metal, proved to be completely unsatisfactory. Solution-spark techniques were finally tried, and satisfactory procedures were developed for some of the more common impurities. These spectrochemical methods were then put into routine use for several months before their publication.2/ Some new modifications have been made, and techniques have been developed to determine other impurities found in titanium sponge and tetrachloride. All spectrochemical methods used in 1954 are included in this publication.

Jan 1, 1955

By R. W. Huber

The successful development of a titanium prototype of the 81-mm. mortar base plate for the Army Ordnance Corps is outlined in this report. Information is presented dealing with forming, forging, and machining, welding and assembly techniques, and design changes relative to this prototype. INTRODUCTION The work of the Federal Bureau of Mines in making ductile titanium available2/ has resulted in the establishment of a new industry. Owing to its strategic importance and the combination of low density and high strength, titanium has received considerable attention as a structural metal. Titanium's favorable strength-to-weight ratio is of particular importance to the Army Ordnance for equipment that is transported by airplane or by foot soldiers.

Jan 1, 1956

By Lewis A. Smith

This circular presents a summary of the domestic chromium industry, and discusses the salient features of the world situation , reflecting the literature of the subject . The United States Bureau of Mines has in its files additional detailed information on many subjects briefly discussed in this paper and desires to assist the industries and the public by giving further data in response to individual inquiries . It will welcome comment and criticism and any contributions that would assist in making future editions of this circular more accurate . Unlike most common metals , chromium is rarely marketed as a pure metal . The chromium industry deals mainly with chromite , the principal ore of chromium , and with ferrochromium , the basic alloy in which chromium enters the metallurgical industry.

Apr 1, 1932