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By Albert L. Toenges, Henry E. Dekay, James N. Scudder

Support of the immediate roof in coal mines is essential for their safe operation, and timbers are the most common means of support. Their effectiveness depends upon their resistance to decay. The theory has been advanced by some mine operators that rock dust, which is applied to ccal-mine workings to prevent propagation of explosions, accelerates the decay of mine timbers. As the results of part 1 of this study were inconclusive, the study was continued. Its principal objectives are: 1. To determine the effect of rock dusting upon decay of mine timber. 2. To compare the extent of decay of timbers in two mines in which underground conditions are similar. 3. To determine the loss in strength of the timbers after exposure to mine atmosphere. The studies were carried on in the Crucible mine of the Crucible Fuel Co. where the first part of this study was made, and in the Isabella mine of the Weirton Coal Co. The mines are on the Monongehela River and are adjacent.

May 1, 1943

By H. Dale Nichols

[The growing importance of the Sundence (Jurassic) formation an a source of oil, in the Rocky Mountain area has prompted the making of a series of porosity determinations of core samples collected. from the reservoir sands of the Lance Creek oil field, Niobrara. County, Wyo. These analyses are preliminary to a stud of fluid and energy relations in the Basal Sundance reservoir of that field, and the determinations of porosity will be used in subsequent studies requiring, calculations of the volumetric capacity of the reservoir and estimation of the reserves of oil and gas. However, the porosity characteristics an of the Sundance sands in the Lance Creek field are factory that affect the solution of many current practical problems of development and operation. Primarily for that reason but also because it is recognized that porosity values of different oil-production sands are of widespread interest throughout the industry, the results of the initial work have been presented in tabular and graphic form with no attempt to evaluate their significance as they relate to the production history of the field.]

Jan 1, 1938

By Christopher Van Dyke, Edward L. Petsonk, Knox Van Dyke, Vincent Castranova, Ji-Hee Kang, William Pailes

"INTRODUCTIONPlatelet-activating factor (P AF) has been shown to mediate a broad range of biologic activities (1). Chemical analysis has shown that PAF is a glycerophospholipid with a choline polar head group, an ester-linked acyl chain at the second carbon of the glycerol backbone, and an ether linkage at the first carbon. The alkyl group attached to the first carbon can exist in a variety of chain lengths, with the C16 and C18 forms predominant in humans. The structure of P AF has been identified as 1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphorylcholine (2,3).PAF can be released from a variety of cell types, such as basophils, neutrophils, and alveolar macrophages ( 4-6). Stimuli for the release of P AF include calcium ionophore, phorbol esters, chemotactic agents, and zymosan. In addition, endotoxin has been shown to be a potent stimulant of P AF release from alveolar macrophages (7).P AF has been shown to have a number of pulmonary effects. It has been associated with asthma since it can cause contraction of pulmonary tissue (8) and leukotriene secretion from leukocytes (9) and induce airway constriction when inhaled by humans (10). In addition, PAF is a potent chemoattractant and can cause migration ofneutrophils into the airspaces of the lungs (11,12). Endotoxin is a lipopolysaccharide-protein complex derived from the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria. I.PS is the lipopolysaccharide portion of endotoxin. LPS contains four covalently joined subunits: lipid A, 3-deoxyoctonate, a core polysaccharide moiety, and an 0-specific antigenic polysaccharide side chain. Rough LPS contains no 0-antigen side chain. The liP.id A portion of LPS has been associated with most of the biolQgic effects of endotoxin (13). This lipid A subunit consists of a D-glucosamine disaccharide backbone substituted with four fatty acid side chains. Endotoxin is found in a wide variety of occupational settings associated with organic dusts derived from plants or animals, such as cotton, cereal grains, silage, rice, and poultry (14-18). In addition, airborne endotoxin has been found in sewage treatment plants, composting plants, offices with contaminated humidifiers, and showers or saunas (19-22)."

Jan 1, 1990

By R. V. Higgins

This report presents the results of a study of gas injection in the Upper and Lower Terminal zones in fault block VB and in the Upper Terminal zone in fault block VI, Wilmington field, California. This report is based on data obtained to January 1956. Earlier studies of gas injection in other California fields have been reported .3/ The Upper and Lower Terminal zones, fault block VB, have been producing oil since 1945 and the Upper Terminal zone, fault block VI, since 1948. Before starting the gas-injection project, the expansion of dissolved gas was the principal mechanism moving the oil to the wells. Gravity drainage and an edgewater drive also have contributed to the movement of the oil to the wells. When the gas injection was begun, the reservoir pressure and the oil production had declined appreciably. Gas injection was started in the Upper and Lower Terminal zones, fault block VB, in May 1953 and in the Upper Terminal zone, fault block VI, in October 1953.

Jan 1, 1957

By William W. Adams

The stone-quarrying industry of the United States, including such related operations as rock crushing, rock dressing, and the manufacture of cement and lime, reported a larger volume of employment in 1934 than in 1933. Reports from the operating companies to the United States Bureau of Mines showed an increase in the number of men employed, number of man-days of employment, and total number of man-hours of labor performed during the year. Moreover, the average worker had a longer period of employment during 1934, the gain amounting to 11 percent over 1933. The increase in employment was accompanied by no increase in accidents for the industry as a whole; in fact, the accident rate for 1934 was a fraction lower than the rate for 1933. In some branches of the industry the frequency of accidents increased, but these increases were more than offset by reductions in rates for other branches. Reports for 1934 were received from 1,403 active plants. The working force averaged 64,331 men for 204 days per man, and the total period of employment for all of the men was 95,258,880 man-hours. Each employee averaged 1,481 hours of work during the year. The total number of hours of labor represented a gain of more than 8 percent, and the average working time per employee showed a gain of 62 hours per man.

Jan 1, 1936

By Farrel W. Lytle

Instrumental analysis has become an indispensable tool in research and production of the rare-earth elements. This development can be attributed mainly to a combination of two factors--the marked chemical similarity of the rare-earth elements, which excludes classical methods of analysis, and the speed and accuracy of instrumental-analysis techniques. With continued improvements in methods of producing high-purity rare-earth elements, keeping pace instrumentally is becoming much more difficult. Accordingly, greater emphasis is being placed on improving instrumental limits of detection and accuracy. The methods employed most frequently for determining impurities in rare-earth elements involve use of the optical-emission spectrograph (3, 4)4/ and the spectrophotometer (9). Although numerous X-ray-emission spectrographic methods (6-8) have been developed for analyzing rare earths, these techniques have not included detection of low-level impurities. This investigation was conducted to find the precision and accuracy of X-ray fluorescence in deter-mining impurities in rare-earth oxides in the 0.01-to 1.0-percent-concentration range.

Jan 1, 1959

By James C. Barker

In 1981 and 1985-1986, the Bureau of Mines conducted orientation studies of marine placer platinum-group metals (PGM). PGM are derived from the Goodnews Bay ultramafic complex and magnetic surveys show that the complex extends offshore at least four mi. The present seafloor was an emergent foreland as recently as 8000 years ago. High-energy ocean processes are transporting and depositing sediment such that PGM-bearing materials are reworked and later masked by barren littoral drift. Exploration targets include 1) placers formed since present transgression began, and 2) ancient marine and drowned fluvial deposits. Additionally, there is evidence of PGM solution transport and accretion. At least minor values of PGM in Recent lag-type placers and possible submarine strands are concentrated along an offshore scarp incised through glacial deposits into the preglacial surface between Flat Cape and Red Mountain. Other Recent PGM-bearing features include Flat Cape shoal, Chagvan Bay, Salmon River delta, and modern beaches. Ancient placers include possible N-S fluvial systems 2 to 3 mi offshore, a nearshore scarp 50 ft below sea level, and strands adjacent to projected ultramafic bedrock slopes. The existance of ancient placers is dependent on depth of glacial erosion. SEM studies show PGM are principally isoferroplatinum and osmiridium, with minor sperrylite, moncheite, and platiniridium. Gold is a co-product, and concentrates comprise chromite, ilmenite, and magnetite. Beneficiation tests successfully concentrated precious metals from natural blacksand accumulations, but failed to concentrate low-grade lag gravels.

Jan 1, 2011

By O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of motor fuels sold through service stations in the United states was made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines of the United states Department of the Interior. This paper is a continuation of a series made in cooperation with the Coordinating Fuel Research (CFR) Committee of the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), Inc. The first of this series of reports presented data on motor gaso1ines sold during the winter of 1935-36, and succeeding reports described motor gasolines sold during the summers and winters to and including the summer of 1941.3/ No reports were made on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1941-42 and during the summer of 1942. However, starting with the winter of 1942-43, the semiannual reports were resumed

Jan 1, 1948

By O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of motor fuels sold through service stations in the United States was made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior. By agreement with the American Petroleum Institute, identification of the items is confidential. It presents analytical data for 4,857 samples, representing the products of 103 companies. The samples were collected during June, July, and August 1955. As in previous surveys, the gasolines covered by this survey include those from both large and small suppliers. The data were obtained by laboratories of various refiners, motor manufacturers, and chemical companies and submitted to the Bureau of Mines for compilation. A list of the National Motor Gasoline Survey reports published during the past 10 years is given on page 5.

Jan 1, 1956

By F. S. Crawford

Safety devices and guards are often looked upon as the last word in safety by the men around the shop or large industrial plant . However , thorough knowledge of the details of their jobs and of the dangers attending them are even more important . It should be unnecessary for all men to go through the experience of the first man to meet an unknown danger , but that appears to be about the only way by which many learn . Practically every danger connected with the job around a mine , blast furnace , steel mill , foundry , coke oven , cement mill , or other operation , was encountered for the first time by someone , and if he was fairly fortunate he either got hurt or just missed being injured and lived to tell his " budaies " how it happened; he spread the knowledge of that particular danger . Sometimes , but not often , a man can foresee a danger . If he could always be on guard and remember everything he had ever learned and also know everything that had happened to the other fellow , and then let that knowledge keep him aware of the dangers in his own immediate " job , " so that he would work the safe way for both himself and the other fellow , he would have what safety engineers call " safety consciousness . " Being safety conscious is a fine attribute , as it really means knowing all about one's job . A man who is really safety conscious is one of the best and most efficient workmen in the whole plant . The boss wants men of that kindmen who want to learn and who try to learn every little detail about their jobwhere there is danger of spoiling the heat or getting burned by hot metal in a steel plant or of loading rock instead of coal or ore in a mine . Such men know how to do whatever job they are on easily and with the least amount of hard work and at the same time get it done as quickly as possible with safety . A man who is safety conscious has to nearly all intents and purposes developed eyes in the back of his head , if he is in a big mill where there if something going on all around him . These eyes are not real eyes , but they are what might be termed a sixth sense which he has developed by his experience in the mill as well as in other dangerous work which he may have done before in other plants . There may be occasions when a man's safety consciousness will leave him for just a short time ; this is likely to happen when he is thinking about a quarrel he had with his wife which has not been cleared up happily , or perhaps when he has bought too many things on installment and with sickness at home

Apr 1, 1931

By Carl R. Peterson

This report describes the development and testing of a prototype tunneling machine. Principal efforts were aimed at testing of the fragmentation subsystem of a continuous drill and blast hard rock excavation machine suitable for use in underground mining and tunneling applications. The concept utilizes a unique self -shielding spiral blasting pattern that permits efficient performance with relatively small single shots, while at the same time directing major blast fragments at right angles to the tunnel axis. A major accomplishement was the development of a remote controlled, loading and initiation system in which explosive slurry and a detonator are Simultaneously placed (pumped) into the blasthole via a loading hose. The special electric long-delay detonator is inductively ignited upon emplacement, and the machine remains at the face during the blast.

Jan 1, 1976

By Martin H. Stanczyk, I. L. Feld

Continuous open - circuit attrition grinding of a coarse commercial kaolin to produce paper - coating clay , which must have a particle size analysis of 70 percent or more minus 2 - micron equivalent spherical diameter ( esd ) , was studied by the Bureau . The coarse clay , containing about 11 percent minus 2 -micron esd material , was ground in a 10 - inch- diameter attrition grinder using continuous single- and multiple - stage grinding circuits . The clay feed rates varied from 10 to 480 pounds per hour . In some tests , the influence of varying loads of sand grinding media on particle size reduction was studied . Batch grinding tests also were made for comparative purposes . Multiple- stage grinding gave better results than single - stage treatment when equivalent raw clay feed rates were used . In the best test made , a product containing about 80 percent minus 2 - micron esd material was obtained when grinding 60 pounds of raw clay per hour using a three - stage grinding circuit . Power consumption in the test was about 318 kilowatt -hours per ton of clay treated or 475 kilowatt - hours per ton of minus 2 - micron esd material produced .

Jan 1, 1963

By A. Wahab Khair, Richard D. Begley

"This paper presents results of destructive tests performed on rectangular coal specimen under the influence of two vertical and simultaneous wedge indentation forces. Several wedge designs and spacings were utilized in compression tests. The objective of these experiments was to qualitatively monitor the effect of different wedge designs and spacings on the stress distribution within the coal specimen.Coal samples from the Waynesburg coal seam were cut and trimmed to cubical dimensions of approximately 5 X 10 X 20 cm. These specimen were subjected to parallel compressive forces through two vertically applied wedge indentors. Loading was achieved with a hydraulic hand pump in order to facilitate interferogram construction. The load increments were limited due to the sensitivity of the holographic interferometric technique (holometry) in measuring small displacements; therefore, interferograms were taken only during similar increments in order to allow for a qualitative comparison between different wedge design and spacings. In some cases, interferograms were taken immediately before and after failure of the specimen.Introduction Failure Modes Three distinct modes of failure occur when geologic materials are subjected to wedge indentation forces. As shown in Figure 1, a crushed zone is located immediately adjacent to the indentor while chipping can occur if the fractures initiated in the crushed zone extend upwards to the free surface.. The third failure mode is a zone of intricate frac¬tures located between the crushed zone and the chipping zone. Several experiments have been conducted over the years to better understand crater formation and stress distribution within geologic materials under the influence of an indentor. Generally speaking, crack initiation and propogation observed in these experi¬ments correlate fairly well with wedge indentation theory; however, the nature of the .fractures is greatly influenced by different material properties such as grain size and cleavage planes. In other words, a wide range of behavior has been found in different rocks subjected to wedge penetration. For example, it has been observed that some rocks are merely crushed and indented while others are more prone to cracking and chip formation. Therefore, the development or nondevelopment of chips depends mostly on wedge geometry, rock type and depth of penetration. This work is part of the study associated with opti¬mization of cutting parameters, which is best modeled by using brittle materials and subjecting them to rigid wedge penetration tests."

Jun 1, 1988

By D. E. Hirsch, J. W. Davis, Norman G. Foster, F. G. Schwartz

This investigation was undertaken to identify nitrogen , oxygen , and sulfur compounds (polar components ) found in catalytically cracked distillate fuel . It is significant that these compounds concentrate in the sediments and gum that form when the fuel is stored . The polar components were divided in three portions by elution from a chromatographic column filled with alumina . After the hydrocarbons were washed through the column with pentane , a benzene eluted extract was removed followed by an ether eluted extract and then an alcohol desorbed fraction . These extracts were individually distilled in a molecular still and the fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography , mass spectrometry , infrared spectrometry , and elemental and functional analyses . Naphthalene and its homologs , phenanthrene and its homologs , and other compounds such as methyl indene , C₂ quinolines , phenyl indan , and the benzothiophenes , appear in the benzene extracts . Quinolines are the major components of the lower boiling fraction of the ether extract , although carbazoles , acridans , and indoles are present in some concentration . Elemental and functional group analyses of the alcohol fraction indicated 10 percent of the distillate portion was nonhydrocarbon , and in this portion the average molecule contained more than one nonhydrocarbon element . Compounds of such complexity are not well known , and standards for positive identification are limited .

Jan 1, 1963

By Franklin D. Cooper

The value of nonfuel mineral raw materials produced in the United States in 1978 was $20 billion. In 1979, total value increased to an estimated $24 billion, up 20% from 1978. Of the principal metallic ores produced in 1979, about half showed increased quantitative output and all showed increased value per ton compared with that of 1978. Most nonmetallic commodities showed increases in quantitative output and in average value per ton. Because of its decreasing share of the world market, the domestic mineral industry's concerns were the increasing costs of capital, labor, and energy; withdrawals of public lands from mining; and the increasing cost of environmental regulations that tended to deter or delay investment in the Nation's capacity for producing essential minerals.

Jan 1, 1980

By T. E. Sterner

The Bureau of Mines investigated the use of a chromatographic gas analyzer in determining the concentration of combustion products in gas produced during field and laboratory thermal oil-recovery tests. Several parameters (carrier-gas flow, cell current, sample size, and temperature) known to affect quantitative analyses were studied using a commercially available dual-column, dual-detector chromatographic gas analyzer which had been modified to provide close control of these variables. The apparatus made possible a much closer control of air-and gas-injection rates and provided adequate data for performing material-balance calculations and for determining oxygen utilization during the laboratory and field combustion tests. The chromatographic analysis also aided materially in evaluating and measuring bypassing and gas travel times and in detecting high-permeability zones that were present in the reservoir.

Jan 1, 1965

By William K. Tolley

The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) is investigating hydrometallurgical processing techniques to recycle metals from semiconductors and other advanced materials. Cadmium and tellurium were recovered from mixed CdTe/CdS scrap produced in the manufacture of thin-film photovoltaic devices. Selective cadmium dissolution was achieved using oxygen-pressure leaching in dilute sulfuric acid. Leaching the scrap for 90 min at 110° C in 2.2NH2S04 under 400 psig 02 yielded 97% Cd extraction; however, cadmium content of the residue ranged between 4% and 7%. Soluble iron was added to the lixiviant to catalyze oxidation of the CdS component. Tellurium and sulfur remained in the leach residue primarily in the elemental form. The iron and tellurium were removed from the cadmium-rich leach liquor by adjusting the pH to 5.3. The cadmium was recovered as cadmium sulfate crystals by evaporating the solution. Alternative leaching and purification schemes are discussed.

Jan 1, 2010

By Robert M. Doerr

The purpose of the investigation was to determine the oxidation behavior of selected tungsten-cobalt alloys. Specimens of Wand W-Co containing 0.7, 1.7, 3.4, and 9.7 weight-percent Co were subjected to pure 02 at 1,000° and 1,100° K, and specimens of W-Co containing 29.8 weight-percent Co, at 1,100° K. Reaction kinetics were determined volumetrically. For specimens other than those containing 29.8 percent Co, the reactions proceeded at about a constant rate at either temperature, indicating the formation of a scale of constant protectivity; the reaction rates were essentially independent of the Co concentration. The scales on these alloy specimens consisted principally of WO3 and CoWO4. Specimens of a 29.8 weight-percent Co alloy, consisting primarily of the W6CO7 phase, oxidized with only slight deviations from the parabolic rate law at 1,100° K. The protective scale on these specimens consisted chiefly of Co3O4, CoW04, and W1 8°49; Co3O4 was outermost, and the W18O49 was adjacent to the alloy. The results suggest that the Co-rich outer scale inhibited the inward transport of 0 to an extent sufficient to greatly limit the amount of the nonprotective WO3 formed, so that protective W18O49 formed instead.

Jan 1, 1967

By James L. Konchesky

Crushed coal, consisting of a wide range of sizes, was effectively blended by recycling it through a bin equipped with a particle distributor. Vertical blending was accomplished by simply recycling the coal; it was not significantly influenced by the horizontal blending that was achieved by the distributor. The method was effective, even though the coal was wet and possessed poor flowing characteristics. Recirculation appears capable of providing uniform blends of solids that can be more efficiently processed. Recirculation also appears useful, preceding packaging operations, to insure for blending of solids into specification products. Continuous measurement of the bulk density of the coal by a gamma ray meter proved to be an effective monitor of vertical blending effectiveness.

Jan 1, 1972

By H. C. Hamontre

The liquid-level gage described in this report is an instrument designed to locate liquid levels in wells rapidly and accurately and, with auxiliary equipment described, to follow moving liquid levels automatically. The depth at which the instrument makes contact with the liquid in a well is indicated at the surface by a depth meter on the cable to which the instrument is attached. When the gage is used to follow a surging moving level, the liquid depth is indicated continuously at the surface. This report contains a description and illustrations of the gage and outlines the operating procedures. The instrument is 1-3/4 inches in diameter and approximately 6 feet in length and may be operated through 2-inch tubing. The gage consists essentially of a float that moves upward with respect to the rest of the assembly, causing a change in the flow of electric current from the surface when the liquid level is reached. The instrument has been tested under a variety of conditions and has been found to be sensitive to changes in liquid level of 1/2 inch. Its accuracy is limited principally by the accuracy of the wire-line depth indicator used. It is not affected by pressure or temperature, and it can be run in open hole or under pressure through a lubricator. It employs only one electric circuit and can be run on an Amergraph single-conductor cable (type 1-H-0) ,

Jan 1, 1954