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By Victor Spironello

The Bureau of Mines is studying cupola ironmel technology with the objectives of conserving high-quality raw materials through substitution and productivity. In the research re-ported here, a ize was modified by a gas-fired melting and/or ing chamber into the stack above the level of the coke bed, for study as a prototype for a coal-fired melting chamber. The modified cupola, in which natural gas was used to partially replace foundry coke, was evaluated in several trial runs. Data were obtained on furnace performance, metal and slag chemistry, and scrubber waters as particulates. Results of the modified ion were compared to those of conventional cupola operation. Although this research was preliminary--since the ultimate goal is to use pulverized coal instead of yielded ample evidence that the melting rate of a cupola can be icantly increased with less than a increase in energy input. Other evidence suggests that melting of low-density scrap can be enhanced and that scrap containing undesirable and/or oxidizable elements can be appreciably upgraded. This work is continuing and will include the use of pulverized coal of low rank to assist in melting.

Jan 1, 1984

By D. W. Frommer, L. Bonicatto, M. M. Fine

A mineral - dressing investigation was conducted to demonstrate the ability of an anionic silica - flotation process to produce high- grade concentrates from submarginal iron ores of the western Mesabi and Menominee ranges . Commercially available equipment and reagents were used . Samples from the Menominee range were exclusively from the Groveland , Mich . , mine and contained hematite as the chief iron - bearing mineral . Bench- scale investigations established that the anionic silica flotation method can function effectively on a variety of undeslimed ores . Continuous tests completed on one Mesabi semitaconite ore and on Groveland mill feed , have verified the validity of the bench research . The Mesabi samples yielded a concentrate containing 60.3 percent Fe and 6.0 percent Sio with an accompanying iron unit recovery at 90.5 percent . Iron recoveries from the mill feed ranged from 79.0 to 87.4 percent .

Jan 1, 1964

By Albert W. Deurbrouck

This report describes preparation characteristics of significant coalbeds in Tazewell County , Va . In 1961 Tazewell County produced 933,110 tons of clean coal from six coalbeds ; the Lower Banner , Raven , Jawbone , Upper Seaboard , and Pocahontas No. 3 and No. 5. Samples from all of these beds , except the Lower Banner , were included in this study plus a sample from the Pocahontas No. 4 bed . Of the samples collected , only one would require upgrading to be of metallurgical quality . The coals ranged in rank from high- volatile -A to low- volatile bituminous .

Jan 1, 1963

By C. Ortuglio

The Bureau of Mines developed equations to determine the relationship of yields and products obtained from BM-AGA carbonization in 13-and l8-inch-diameter retorts. The developed equations indicate that results of carbonization in l8-inch-diameter retorts can be predicted from results obtained with l3-inch-diameter retorts.

Jan 1, 1966

By David Hoadley, Kenneth R. Maser, Ashok B. Boghani, James E. Billar, D. Randolph Berry, Mackenzie Burnett, Robert H. Trent

Appendix B - Mine Evacuation Simulation Program - User's Manual B 1 Introduction Appendix B documents information necessary to use the emergency escape simulation program and to make modifications if necessary. For a user interested in using the program as it exists, Sections B 2, B 5 and B 6 are particularly useful. The program listing (B.6) can be used to prepare a card deck and the data cards can be punched from the directions given in Section B. 2. Typical input data and output printout summarized in B 5 provides guidelines for the program use. Sections B 3 (Program Nomenclature) and B 4 (Subroutine Description) describe, in detail, the inner workings of the program and are particularly useful for a user interested in modifying the program.

Jan 1, 1976

By Rimas Pakalnis, Catherine A. Dreesbach, Lewis A. Martin

Instrumented cable bolts developed at the Spokane Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health were used in conjunction with existing ground control systems to monitor rock mass loads at Tg Soda Ash's trona mine, Granger, WY. Axial and shear loads were determined to levels of strain gauge accuracy of ±5 N or ±5 micro strain. These gauges were embedded in a remanufactured king wire that replaced the conventional king wire. Cable bolt performance, quality of grout, and installation techniques were also assessed. By using instrumented cables, a mine operator can determine axial load along the cable at predefined gauge locations. These data provide necessary input for an operator to design a safer working environment for miners.

Jan 10, 2000

By E. W. GOODWIN, V. F. Parry, J. B. Goodman, L. D. Schmidt, J. D. Davis, A. C. Fieldner, W. S. Landers, J. L. ELDER

The Heliopore process is essentially an arrangement that uses the waste heat in the exhaust gas of an internal - combustion engine to carbonize coal (noncaking ) or lignite . The gases distilled from the coal furnish fuel for the internal - combustion engine , which drives an electric generator . Thus the main products of the plant are electricity and char . A flow diagram illustrating the principles of operation of the Heliopore process is given in figure 1. The primary equipment consists of a carbonizing retort , gas cooling and scrubbing equipment, a gas storage holder, and an engine to burn the gaseous carbonization products . Coal is charged into the top of the retort while the hot gases from the engine travel upward through special ducts in the retort countercurrent to the coal flow . The hot gases never come into direct contact with the coal . Char is discharged at the bottom of the retort and hot gases at the top . The gaseous products resulting from carbonization of the coal are drawn off by an exhauster through the condensing and scrubbing equipment to take out tar and liquor , then to a gas holder , and finally are burned in a gas engine . The gas engine drives an electric generator and the engine exhaust gases are returned to the retort to carbonize coal . The entire process was intended to be continuous and self - sustaining, and to use coal as the only fuel . The plant may be said to be a large - scale pilot plant in that , although it is of full commercial size , its main purpose is to provide data for the design of others of its type . The installation tested had a daily throughput of about 4 tons of coal . Figures 2 , 3 , and 4 picture some details of the plant and equipment used in the experimental testing . Further details of the equipment and engineering drawings of the castings are shown in figures 8 to 22 in the Appendix .

Dec 1, 1943

By R. R. Wells

As a part of the strategic minerals program of the Bureau of Mines, nine chromite-ore samples were obtained during the period 1949-56 from mines in the vicinity of Red Mountain, near Seldovia, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. This report summarizes the results of beneficiation studies of the samples at the Bureau's Juneau, Alaska, and Albany, Oreg., laboratories. In general, the ores were found amenable to concentration by gravity methods for producing concentrates that assayed over 48 percent chromic oxide. Intimate association of chromite and gangue minerals, however, necessitated fine grinding and limited the amount of chromite recoverable. Recovery of chromium in concentrate that assayed 48 percent chromic oxide or higher ranged from approximately 20 percent for low-grade ores (10 to 12 percent Cr203) to more than 95 percent for 1 high-grade sample (42 percent Cr203). The iron content of the chrome-bearing mineral -hence, the chrome/iron ratio of finished concentrate -appears to vary with the grade of the ore. Concentrates made from high-grade ores had chrome/iron ratios as high as 3.1:1; the concentrates from low-grade ores, however, had chrome/iron ratios as low as 1.8:1.

Jan 1, 1957

By R. W. Dougherty

From time to time interest has been evidenced in transporting coal with water in pipe lines. About the year 1895, United States patents broadly covering a method of pumping coal with water through pipelines were granted to W. C. Andrews. His process was used to some extent in pumping anthracite culm and waste back into the worked-out portions of the mines. About 1905, W. T. Donnely was granted patents relating to pumping anthracite silt away from the breakers. From about 1913 until 1924, a British engineer, Gilbert G. Bell, used a short pipeline to convey coal with water from barges on the Thames River to the Hammersmith Electricity Generating Station, London. Minus 5-inch coal was transferred 660 yards through an 8-inch pipe. Some trouble was experienced with fine coal, which tended to plug the line. Bell made several proposals to transport coal by pipeline overland from the Midlands to London, a distance of about 100 miles, but these were never adopted. This survey is concerned mainly with the problems presented by actual pipeline transportation of coal with water. It is assumed that the coal will have been processed to remove most of the abrasive impurities by conventional methods prior to introduction into the line, and that it has been crushed to the required top size. Dewatering at the discharge end of the line is considered part of the conventional cleaning process. There still remain many pump-performance and behavior of water-coal mixture problems that can be solved only by actual performance tests. It is recognized that the distribution of coal to other than very large users is not changed. Large storage areas would be required to supply seasonal markets. Large users, such as power plants and heavy industries, could be supplied by branch lines directly to the point of use, It is also recognized that pipe lines might not be able to carry a full range of sized coal to meet market demands in many areas.

Jan 1, 1951

By D. Harrington, W. J. Fene, H. B. Humphrey

In the fiscal years 1946 and 1947 the number of mine explosions decreased compared with the preceding years. However, the loss of life was so serious during the fiscal year 1947 the period when the Government administered bi- tuminous-coal and lignite mines that from April to June 1947 extraordinary measures were taken in mines then under Government possession to obtain com- pliance with provisions concerning rock dusting, ventilation, and blasting that had not been followed. The great loss of life in explosions during the fiscal year 1947 as compared with 1944, 1945, and 1946 is not easy to explain, but the necessity for maintaining adequate protection has been definitely demonstrated. Management, workers, and inspection agencies alike must keep the mines reasonably safe against explosions or allow them to lapse into a condition where chance is the principal protection against disaster. The at- tention given to protecting coal mines and the men employed in them against mine fires, following the disastrous fires in 1944 and 1945, has at least tem- porarily controlled this hazard loss of life from coal-mine fires was re- duced to 1 fatality in 1947. The number of fires was also less, and progress has been made in reducing the heavy losses in both life and property from un- derground coal-mine fires that occurred in the two years mentioned. Fatalities from mine explosions during the past 6 fiscal years, July 1942 to June 1947, totaled 674, and there were 149 explosions; during the preceding 6 years there were 655 fatalities in 132 explosions. The 6 fiscal years 1942- 47 cover the active period of Federal coal-mine inspection. During the fiscal year 1947, there were 154 fatalities from explosions compared with 58 during the fiscal year 1946, 64 in 1945, 94 in 1944, 152 in 1943, and 152 in 1942.

May 1, 1948

By Francis X. Cannaday

The purpose of this investigation was to find whether the moduli of elasticity obtained were the same for the following methods : ( 1 ) Deformation of a borehole in a prism subjected to uniaxial stress ; ( 2 ) deflection of a thin beam of uniform cross section uniformly loaded ; ( 3 ) sonic - pulse velocity measurements , and ( 4 ) strain measurements on a prism under uniaxial stress . The rock tested was chosen for its good elastic behavior and relatively good homogeneity and elastic isotropism . The same rock was used for all methods . Results indicate that for given environmental and stress conditions the moduli obtained by each of the four methods check one another within the limits of experimental error and that the differences introduced which are characteristic for each method are smaller than physical variations within the rock tested .

Jan 1, 1964

By K. O. Bennington

The thermodynamic properties of hedenbergite, of composition [(Ca0,9516) (Mg0,0583Fe2+0.7134 Fe3+0.0934 Mn0,1366) (Si206)], were experimentally determined at the Bureau of Mines. The standard enthalpy of formation determined by hydrofluoric acid solution calorimetry is AHf298 = -680.96±0.855 kcal/mol. The standard enthalpy of formation from the oxides is AR-96 = -24.55±0.485 kcal/mol. Low-temperature heat capacities were determined by adiabatic calorimetry from 12.3 to 300.1 K. The derived standard entropy is S-98 - 41.218±0.148 cal/mol-K. High-temperature heat capacities were measured with a differential scanning calorim¬eter from 397 to 1,147 K. These experimentally determined data were combined with data from the literature to calculate the Gibbs energies of formation and equilibrium constants of formation over the temperature range of measurements. Standard enthalpies of formation are given as a function of temperature. The standard Gibbs energy of formation at 298.15 K is AGf298 = -641.90±0.86 kcal/mol.

Jan 1, 1984

By Eric R. Bauer

The ground control aspects of extended depth-of-cut mining are presented in this U.S. Bureau of Mines report. A trend analysis of extended cut approvals was performed. A comparative review of roof fall fatalities for extended and nonextended cut mining is included. Current ground control guidelines for extended cut approval are summarized. The problems and concerns of this extraction system are addressed, and typical extended cutting face operations are described.

Jan 1, 1993

By W. F. Marshall

This report describes exhaust-emission data from 10 diesel engines: six 4-cycle, direct-injection, naturally aspirated engines; two 4-cycle, direct-injection, turbocharged engines; one 4-cycle, precombustion-chamber, turbo-charged engine; and one 2-cycle, direct-injection engine. These engines were tested over a 3-year period (1968-70). Lowest emissions were obtained with a precombustion-chamber engine. Emissions from the 2-cycle, direct-injection engine fell within the range of emission rates for the 4-cycle, naturally aspirated, direct-injection engines. Excluding the precombustion-chamber engine and excepting one of the 4-cycle, naturally aspirated engines, carbon monoxide emission rates were about the same for all engines tested. Test data on smoke, odor, and emissions of hydrocarbons, oxides of nitro-gen, carbon monoxide, and aldehydes are given.

Jan 1, 1971

By H. B. Brunot, L. C. IlsLey

The design , construction, inspection , and test for permissibility of a storage- battery locomotive outfit in accordance with the requirements of Schedule 15* represents a large amount of work, first on the part of the locomotive manufacturer and secondly on the part of the Bureau of Mines . Detailed information of the first investigation under the schedule is presented here . This investigation covers the inspection and test of a storage- battery locomotive manufactured by the Geo . D. Whitcomb Co. , Rochelle , Ill . , to which Approval No. 1500 was assigned ,

Feb 1, 1923

By D. A. Reynolds, J. D. Davis

During early development of the blast furnace, Connellsville coke made entirely from Pittsburgh-bed coal proved to be an excellent fuel. The need for blending coking coals arose as the industry grew and it became necessary to carbonize coals having voking properties inferior to those of Pittsburgh coal Most coals carbonized today in continental Europe and this country are blonded: This practise has improved the quality of coke and permitted the utilization of coals that would yield inferior coke, if carbonized sepa- rately, The depletion of the world's better coking coals, which has been noted by leading coal technologists,2/4/wes accelerated during the recent war and. It is important, therefore, that reserves be evaluated and conserved. In the principal, steel-producing sections of this country, Pocahontas coals have been blended so extensively that the terms "low-volatile coking coal": and. "Pocahontas" have become virtually synonymous. Other low-volatile coals. have been used to manufacture metallurgical coke and will be used more extensively as, the supply of the better known and more accessible Pocahontas coals decreases. Recognizing the need for augmenting the supply of high-rank coking coals, the Bureau of Mines has included both low- and medium-volatile coals in its Survey of the Carbonizing Properties of American Coals, which was started with the cooperation of the American Gas Association in 1929. Twenty coals, 12 of low-volatile and 8 of medium-volatile rank, have been blended with high-volatile A Pittsburgh-bed coal, and five standard low- volatile coals have been blended with various high-volatile coals. Most of the results of carbonization tests of these coals and their blends have been

May 1, 1946

By W. L. Crentz

Before Korea was partitioned along the 38th parallel following World War II, the coal fields of South Korea, with the possible exception of the Samchok area, were not considered important to the industrial needs or Japan or Korea. Much of the demand for electric power in South Korea was met by hydroelectric installations north of the 38th parallel. Following cessation of hostilities between Japan and the' Allied nations in 1945, hydroelectric power continued to flow into South Korea from the north until 1949, when the North Koreans severed the power lines into South Korea, thereby forcing that section of the country to depend almost entirely upon coal to generate electric power.

Jan 1, 1953

By A. J. Kraemer, O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of commercial motor fuels sold in the United States is a continuation of a series of reports made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the Cooperative Fuel Research (C.F.R.) Committee of the Cooperative Research Council (C.R.C. ) and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior . The first report contained data on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1935-364 . Further reports on motor gasolines sold during the succeeding summers and winters to the summer of 1941 have been issued . No reports were made on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1941-42 and during the summer of 1942 . The present report presents analytical data for 1,120 samples , representing the products of approximately 88 companies . As in previous surveys , these companies include both large and small suppliers . In addition, the Pacific coast is represented by data averaged by the Pacific Coast Technical Group before being submitted and are published exactly as they were received . Conforming to previous surveys , the data cover three groups of samplesregular - price , premium - price , and third - grade gasolines and each group has been averaged separately. The number of samples , items and brands comprising each group, exclusive of those of the Pacific coast, are as follows : Regular price , 641 samples , 250 items , and 64 brands ; premium price , 439 samples , 222 items , and 68 brands ; third - grade gasoline , 50 samples , 50 items and 19 brands .

Jun 1, 1943

By Thomas L. Chapman

The San Manuel is a deposit of low-grade disseminated copper ore. It was brought to the attention of the government in October 1942 through an application to the Reconstruction Finance Corporation for a development loan, supported by a report by Henry W. Nichols. Nichols' sampling of two outcrops containing copper silicate and his geologic map indicated that a minable body of copper ore might be developed. The Federal Geological Survey was requested to examine the property. The Survey mapped the geology in March 1943 and cut a few check samples, which substantially confirmed Nichols' sampling of the outcrops and a few shallow workings. The geologists of the Survey recommended some test drilling by the Bureau of Mines. The property was examined by the author and Wm. D. Hughes, associate engineer of the Bureau of Mines on March 22 and 26, 1943, and a preliminary drilling campaign was recommended. Five shallow churn-drill holes totaling 1,480 feet were put down under the supervision of Chas. A. Kumke, one of the Bureau's engineers, from November 23, 1943, to January 13, 1944. This work indicated that the deposit extended deeper than the 350-foot depth attained in the deepest hole and might have very considerable areal extent. Additional funds were allotted, and the drilling contract was extended twice to a final maximum of 17,000 feet with 2,000 feet maximum depth of hole. Drilling was continued by the Bureau of Mines until February 2, 1945, when 15,844 feet of hole had been drilled. The Magna Copper Co. took options on this and adjoining property in September 1944 and commenced drilling with two machines. It also engaged the two contract drills used by the Bureau after it stopped drilling. It exercised its options in August 1945 and organized the San Manuel Copper Corp. to operate the property. That company is continuing to explore the ore body with six churn drills. Thomas Lyon took options early in 1945 on holdings adjoining the San Manuel property on the east and is operating two churn drills. Exploration up to the completion of the last holes started by the Bureau of Mines indicated a block of ore 3,100 feet long, 400 to 800 feet wide, and 500 to 900 feet thick, and averaging about 0.8 percent copper. Subsequent drilling showed that the ore body extends considerably beyond this block. The axis of the ore body strikes about N. 61° E. Copper minerals are disseminated in hydrothermally altered quartz monzonite and monzonite porphyry. Ore outcrops in two small areas over the northeast part of the block. Elsewhere the copper-bearing rocks are capped by Gila conglomerate, which thickens toward the west and south. Drilling showed that the ore is in a thick, tabular body with a steep dip to the south. The ore body lies near the surface in the northeastern part of the block. The south side of the block is much farther below the surface than the north side. There the upper part of the copper-bearing rocks is lightly mineralized, so that the hanging wall of minable ore lies deeper than the base of the conglomerate cap, which thickens southward.

Aug 1, 1947

By Richard S. Olsen

Prior work by the Bureau of Mines demonstrated a feed preparation method that eliminates the formation of slime during leaching of calcined kaolinitic clay and makes leached residues fast settling and easy to filter. Nitric acid leaching rates determined for calcined kaolinitic clay prepared by this method were found to correspond to a zero-order reaction model for both batch and continuous, stirred-tank leach-ing. A rate constant of 0.136 min-1 was determined. Separation of solid residues from the reacted slurry was examined, and filtration rates were determined. Permeabilities of the flocculated, leached residues were around 51 darcys, or 5.0 x 10-7 cm2 for laminar flow through 4-ft-deep beds.

Jan 1, 1983