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Improve the safety, reliability and overall effectiveness of mine stench warning systems and to provide a means of remote control stench injector operation. Approach Industrial gas odorants were analyzed for their suitability for use in mine stench warning systems. A prototype stench injector capable of precise flowrate control was designed, fabricated, and tested using the odorant chosen as having the most favorable properties. Based on the results of the field tests, a second generation injector was developed. The second generation unit features optional remote control operation, and in addition, is simpler to refill and is less expensive than the original injector. A complete second generation system, consisting of two manually operated injectors and one remote controlled injector was in-mine tested through actual mine fire drills. How It Works Ethyl mercaptan mixed with Freon is the predominant stench agent used in the U.S. underground metal and nonmetal mines. However ethyl mercaptan's toxicity,

Jan 1, 1982

By Paul Sands

Single- and two-stage tests were made with 6-inch, coal-cleaning hydrocyclones to determine the effect of hydrocyclone geometry, operating conditions, and feed composition on performance. Most of the testing was conducted in an open-circuit pilot plant that had a maximum capacity of about 9 tons per hour. The coals used in the investigation had top sizes of 1/4 inch and 28 mesh. Considerable latitude was found in the range of geometry variables that could be used without affecting performance adversely, although a certain minimum ratio of overflow to underflow openings had to be maintained for best operation. Two-stage cleaning proved distinctly better than operation with a single hydrocyclone, because clean coal lost in the refuse product of the primary unit can be partly recovered in the secondary. There is an unusually great difference in the specific gravities at which the individual sizes of the feed are separated in the hydrocyclone. This militates against high efficiency because maximum yield occurs when all sizes are cleaned at the same specific gravity. The size composition of the feed and, more particularly, the size composition of the impurity have a greater influence on the efficiency attainable in the hydrocyclone than in most other types of fine-coal cleaners.

Jan 1, 1968

By L. Cheng, M. S. Seehra, P. S. Raghoottama

The four major IR bands of a-quartz at 1080, 797, 693 and 488 cm-1 are studied at room temperature by FTIR-Photoacoustic Spectroscopy. Using Rosencwaig-Gersho theory, equations for the PAS signal q for the thermally thin and thermally thick cases are derived and it is shown how thin to thick transition occurs and leads to saturation as the sample mass is increased. For sample mass < 2 mg, q is proportional to sample mass thus defining the region for quantitative analysis. The dependence of q on the chopping frequency f is found to vary as q f-n with n ? 0.9 for quartz, in good agreement with the RG theory.

Jan 1, 1989

By F. S. Crawford

A large number of operators of various industries in the United States do not appear to realize the great returns in dollars and cents which result from intelligently directed safety work . Managers of co 1 mines , metal mines , open-pit mines , quarries , steel mills , cement mills , oil rei meries , iron works , or other industrial operations , should by all means realize the great waste resulting from accidents , in order to appreciate the necessity for a continuous accident -prevention policy . While the prevention of accidents is worth while from the humanitarian standpoint alone , it has an equally important economic side , and before our mining industrial operations will be made as safe as they should be , it is apparent that this dollars and cents viewpoint must be given full recognition in order to bring before many of the men who run the industries the great importance of this phase of industrial management . : There is a tendency upon the part of the opera or who has not given thought to the cost of accidents ( and there are many mining operators of this type) to insure his company against compensation losses and against catastrophes for which he can secure insurance , and think he has done his duty ar an executive . Even though industrial operations were not compelled to pay compensation , and even if the management were not moved by humanitarian motives to try to stop accidents , it would pay many times over to carry on accident prevention work vigorously and continuously. : In some parts of the United States , the state compensation and insurance requirements are such that the operator does not receive a reduction in his insurance rate per men employed upon having made safety installations or upon having achieved a reduction of accidents in his plant . Under such conditions the management frequently does not feel encouraged to emert much effort in bettering the accident rate . However , when the responsible officials of a company realize the much greater harm to an operation which results from doing no accident - prevention work , and the great benefit in reduced costs which usually follows effective safety work , they should be inclined to do almost everything possible to reduce accidents , regardless of considerations as to accident compensations . There are enough indirect costs resulting from accidents to wreck many types of business ; excessive accidents result in disorganization and failure , while immunity from accidents usually means a smoothly running efficient organization .

Sep 1, 1930

By E. O. Binyon

The Blue Metal corundum-andalusite deposit, in the Buckskin Mining district, Douglas County, Nev., was explored by the Bureau of Mines in 1945. The results of that work were presented in Report of Investigations 3895, exploration of the Blue Metal Corundum Property, Douglas County, Nev. published in August 1946. That report also describes the property in detail, giving location, ownership, history, geology, and data on beneficiation tests. Further exploration was carried on in April and Way 1947, the results of which are presented in this report. The work consisted of 175 feet of drift and crosscut, bringing the total to 398 feet of underground working, as shown in figures 1 and 2. The 23-foot drift, which was the last work of the initial project, was extended 99 feet northward along the shear zone, and three crosscuts, spaced at approximately equal intervals along the drift, were driven to country rock on the hanging and foot walls of the zone.

Jan 1, 1948

By Walter J. Frank

Thls report summarizes work done under Bureau of Mines contract H0357100, "Development of a Crimp Connector for Trailing Cable Splices." The purpose of this effort was to establish optimum connector design conditions to meet flex cycle, pullout and electrical resistance criteria on phase power conductors. Field testing of "optimum design" connectors is briefly discussed. One of the primary objectives of contract H0357100 was to enable one to design better performing phase conductor connectors. Illustrating the practical significance of this 1s a discussion on the development of a new splice kit for trailing cables. The connectors in this kit were designed in accordance with the design methods described in the contract final report. Kit components, test data, and a connector installation tool are also discussed. The successful effort on the phase connector has resulted in contract H0377042, entitled "Design and Testing of Joining Sleeves for Trailing Cable Ground and Pilot Wires." The purpose of this contract (currently in effect) is to improve ground-conductor and pilot-wire performance. Significant findings to date are discussed.

Jan 1, 1979

By D. C. Fleck

The Bureau of Mines, in a cooperative research program with four lead companies, has investigated ferric chloride leaching of galena to prepare lead chloride for molten-salt electrowinning to produce lead metal. The hydrometallurgical-electrolytic process is an alternative to the sintering-smelting-refining process currently used to produce lead metal and avoids the environmental problems associated with a conventional smelter. During investigations on the electrowinning aspects of the work, it was noted that certain cations, moisture, and sulfate in the electrolyte affect lead metal purity, cell voltage, current efficiency, and viscosity of the electrolyte. Results of bench-scale tests are re-ported on the effects of CaCI2, CuCI2, FeCI2, MgCI2, NaCI, ZnCI2, PbS04, and moisture on electrolysis. As impurities increased in the electrolyte, current efficiency decreased. CaCI2, CuCI2, and FeC12 decreased current efficiency by 12 to 47 pct. ZnCl2 gave a small voltage increase, while CaCI2 addition equivalent to 4.9 pct Ca caused a 50-pet increase in voltage. The lead metal was contaminated in direct proportion to the CuCI2 buildup in the electrolyte, Anode corrosion was observed with MgCI2 and MgC12?6H20. Viscosity increased appreciably with the buildup of NaCI, CaCI2, and sulfate. Electrolyte foaming occurred with ZnC12, MgC12?6H20, MgC12, FeC12?2H20, and FeCI2. Moisture inhibited the coalescence of the lead metal.

Jan 1, 1983

The U.S. Bureau of Mines evaluated water-jet-assisted longwall shearers in full-scale laboratory tests and underground. Both test programs showed that use of high-pressure water did little to reduce the shearer motor energy required to maintain a given cutting rate. However, three other major benefits were achieved with the use of water-jet-assisted cutting. At a pressure of 1,800 psi, respirable dust levels were reduced about 80 pct compared with the dust levels of the conventional water spray system operating at 340 psi. Operating at higher pressures required for water-jet assist also resulted in an increase in the average size of coal cut, which translates into a decrease in product fines. Finally, although no controlled measurements of bit wear as a function of water pressure were made, mine personnel reported that the shearer bits lasted longer when water-jet-assisted cutting was used.

Jan 1, 1989

By G. W. Murrie, W. P. Diamond, S. W. Lambert

A geologic study of the Mary Lee Group of coalbeds in the Black Warrior coal basin was undertaken to examine coal stratigraphy and determine regional trends and extent of the coalbeds. The area investigated encompasses 835 square miles in Jefferson, Walker, and Tuscaloosa Counties, Ala. More than 700 core logs were used to construct a structure map, coal, interval, and overburden isopachs, and cross sections. There is evidence that structure affected sedimentation. Coalbed isopachs indicate the Mary Lee Group was deposited in fluvial-deltaic and low-lying coastal plain environments. The Mary Lee coalbed is the only coalbed which is continuous throughout the area, commonly with two benches which have a combined thickness of 2 to 12 feet. The Mary Lee coalbed changes rank in the basin from high- through medium- to low-volatile coal. The methane gas potential of the Mary Lee Group coals is estimated to be greater than 1 trillion cubic feet. There is an excellent correlation between the orientation of surface cleats with those measured underground in the Mary Lee coalbed. The face cleats roughly parallel the axes of the area&apos;s folds and trend northeast-southwest.

Jan 1, 1976

By I. A. Jacobson

In a closely controlled laboratory retorting system for oil shale, a relationship was developed by the Bureau of Mines between the temperature in the retort and the weight ratio of ethylene to ethane in the gases produced. Reciprocal temperature was shown to be directly proportional to the log ([ethylene]/[ethane]). From this relationship a number, called retorting index, was developed. The retorting index has the dimension of temperature, but its magnitude depends on both temperature and residence time for the reactants in the heated zone in the oil-shale retort. The slopes of the lines relating reciprocal temperature and the logarithm of the ethylene-ethane ratios are nearly constant for each of the retorting processes for which data have been presented. The retorting index should be a valuable tool to control the operation of oil-shale retorts, either aboveground or in situ. If an optimum operating condition can be established, the maintenance of the optimum or the departure from it should be easily monitored by use of the index.

Jan 1, 1974

By B. G. White

NIOSH researchers have identified a pattern of fracture zone development that suggests an explanation for fracture formation around rectangular openings in underground mines. This pattern is characterized by shearing and dilation that result in either faults or in the repeated formation and propagation of en echelon fractures from sites of tension. Two computer modeling codes, Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua (FLAC) and Particle Flow Code (PFC), were used to model different aspects of this pattern. Use of very small elements with FLAC enabled the identification of sites of initial tension near the skin of square-cornered rectangular openings, while PFC allowed the initiation and progressive development of fractures from these sites to be followed as the fractures evolved. Such studies can lead to a greater understanding of how roof support can be better selected and installed for specific conditions in underground mines prone to roof falls and rock bursts. These studies may also lead to modifications of corner and opening shapes that could be incorporated into mine designs to produce more stable mine openings and reduce the risks of rock falls and rock bursts.

By Foster Fraas

In the separation of a component from a mixture , two fractions are obtained , one containing a high - percentage composition of the component and the other a low - percentage composition . The high - percentage fraction is frequently called the concentrate and the low - percentage fraction the tailing . In many separation processes the recovery is not complete , and the composition of the concentrate decreases as the recovery of the component, which is concentrated , increases . It is this particular class of separations to which this paper is confined .

Oct 1, 1942

By Roy Greenfield

Estimates are given for the distance from a seismometer at which a miner can probably be detected. The procedure in making these estimates was to first establish the natural noise levels at the output of a surface seismometer for the 25 to 100 Hz frequency passband. The noise levels give the range of values which may be expected in areas with no man-made noise. For each noise level, we give the detection threshold which, when exceeded, indicates that a signal has been received. Based on the signals recorded by Westinghouse, curves are given which show the peak signal amplitude as a function of source- to-receiver distance (slant range). Curves are given for the Westinghouse seismic thumper, a 50-pound timber, and a sledge. For a given type of source, the receive signal strength depends more strongly on slant range than on any other factor. However, there is approximately a five-to-one scatter in the amplitudes. Thus, further study of factors affecting the signal amplitude might allow better estimates to be made for any particular geological setting. Combining the signal amplitude with the detection thresholds for the different noise conditions gives the distances at which a miner should be detected. These are given in Table l* below. [ ] The text also gives the increase in detection ranges which should occur if steps are taken to increase S/N by 10 dB. We feel that 10 dB is a conservative estimate of the improvement possible. During an actual rescue operation, the seismic crew and system should be capable of making on-site estimates of their detection capability, based on measurements of the site noise, and upon the best available estimates of the

Jan 1, 1974

By W. K. Sawyer

In this Bureau of Mines investigation, one-and two-dimensional gas reservoir simulators were combined in such a manner that pressure distributions both in an induced vertical fracture and in the surrounding formation, could be determined as a function of time for any specified well production rate. The technique used consisted basically of the alternate ust of one-and two-dimensional algorithms for obtaining new pressure distributions in the fracture and in the reservoir, respectively. The pressures at adjacent reservoir and fracture nodes were used to calculate flow rates from the formation into the fracture, which provided source terms for both algorithms. The combination model developed provides the only known means of simultaneously simulating transient gas flow in a vertical fracture and the surrounding formation. Thus, the technique developed would be useful in locating wells in a gas storage field in that the effects of both fracture length and conductivity could be considered prior to drilling and fracturing operations. In addition, it will be helpful in analyzing pressure drawdown tests in a vertically fractured gas well since the entire test can be readily simulated for a wide range of reservoir and fracture properties.

Jan 1, 1974

By Michael S. Wieland

Recognizing the dynamic nature and possible range of toxic concentrations in the impending fume cloud prior to undertaking explosive blasting can reduce potential hazards and mitigate related incidents. The scaled cloud model was formulated to predict the relevant (major) toxic components in fume clouds released by nonideal mining explosives used for surface blasting. Natural turbulence unceasingly disperses the toxic molecules, widening (inflating) the fume cloud while diluting the concentrations, ultimately rendering nonhazardous conditions. The threshold cloud size depends upon the type and quantity of total explosives used and the cloud&apos;s thermodynamic condition. Though the scaled theory works for fume clouds with irregular (odd) shape, an equivalent upright cylindrical form is useful for rendering simple riskhazard scenarios. The cylinder&apos;s projection downward on the underlying terrain yields a circular &apos;shadow&apos; marking the region threatened, thereby permitting a rough estimation of the potential hazards, were the cloud to settle down there. Wind causes the cloud to drift while it expands, so the shadow travels while it grows, until the risk hazard process is truncated at the nonhazardous threshold. The overall relative fume toxicity (RFT) is taken from the traditional Russian RFT rule, which utilizes only the two fume components that tend to dominate the resultant toxicity: carbon monoxide (CO) and total nitrogen oxides (NOx). Tabulated constants that characterize the fume spectrum in the cloud model were resolved for ammonium nitrate (94%) with fuel oil (6%), ANFO-94/6, using a refined thermodynamic work-principle. Comparable results were found with the reduction factor technique, when test results from the underground fume chamber were readjusted to reflect nominal field shooting conditions.

By E. L. Litchfield

This report of work by the Federal Bureau of Mines has two primary objectives: A survey of the present status and usefulness of the minimum ignition-energy concept, and the presentation of recent data that are believed to bear on the safety problem associated with the ignition of combustible gases by electric discharges. The minimum ignition-energy concept has widespread applicability, especially to safety. The primary obstacle in making theoretical calculations of the requisite ignition energy is the lack of data on chemical kinetics and flame hydrodynamics. The new data on electrical ignition are representative of the great increase in knowledge that can be achieved by proper utilization of geometrical and electrical characteristics associated with the ignition source. CONCEPT OF MINIMUM IGNITION ENERGY The basic concept of a minimum ignition energy (the minimum amount of energy required to cause ignition) follows quite naturally from general physical principles and from the stability (lack of chemical reaction) of the gaseous mixture under the initial conditions. It also follows that if, as a first condition, lossless, instantaneous, and spatially localized energy can be injected and, as a second condition, the relaxation time for conversion of this type of energy to the type required for the reaction is short compared to some characteristic time scale of the ignition phenomenon, the energy requirements will be essentially independent of the type of energy source. Even if condition one cannot be fulfilled, it is sometimes possible to estimate the energy content of the gas required for ignition, and under these circumstances, condition one is fulfilled in effect. There are several instances where results can be interpreted for circumstances that effectively satisfy conditions one and two; these will be discussed later.

Jan 1, 1960

By M. J. Ankeny, J. J. Forbes

The United States Bureau of Mines often receives inquiries from the mineral , petroleum , and allied industries concerning the essential steps to be taken in the formation of Holmes Safety chapters and councils . The purpose of this circular is to answer in a general way such inquiries and to relate briefly the history and work of the Holmes Safety Association to the present date .

Jul 1, 1931

By Michael J. Brnich

Since 1991, Pittsburgh Research Center (PRC- formerly part of the Bureau of Mines) researchers have recorded extensive interviews with 30 individuals who are experts in the area of mine emergency response. These individuals, who have an average of 35 years of mining experience and 29 years of mine emergency response experience, related stories and observations from events that they experienced during their combined 850 plus years in mine emergency response. The purpose of this effort was to gather information that could be passed onto both today?s and tomorrow?s mine emergency responders to train and guide them in handling future events.

Jan 1, 1997

By William R. Sharp

This Bureau of Mines report details a technique for aiding the engineer with the long-range design of an underground mine. The method is based upon the assumption that sufficient data are available to assign numeric values to some finite number of mineralized blocks; assignment of numerical values is problem dependent. By assigning appropriate weighting schemes, the algorithm developed in this report may be used to solve the optimal end-of-life underground mine layout, design least-cost electrical layout networks and efficient material handling networks, find least risk escape routes in the event of an accident, etc. The method is based upon the assumption that sufficient cost and geologic data is available to build a detailed mineral block inventory of the mineral deposit. It is further assumed that the cost assigned to any minable unit is independent of the neighboring blocks. The basic approach relies upon concepts and ideas from the theory of networks. To make the approach user oriented, a computer program is included and discussed. The computer code is written for an orthogonal, three-dimensional set of blocks. Computational costs and experience indicate that the program could be of great benefit in evaluating large complex mineral properties from the viewpoint of predesigning an underground mine layout.

Jan 1, 1974

By Kenneth E. Hjelmstad

The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) has developed an electromagnetic (EM) fire warning alarm sys-tem for underground mines. The system generates a magnetic field for through-the-earth signal trans-mission to microreceivers carried by individual miners. EM fields can induce electric currents in metallic conductors; if an EM transmitting antenna and an electric blasting cap array are too close, the field could induce a current in the blasting array and cause an unintentional initiation of the electric detonators. The USBM conducted tests that define the safe and unsafe regions for using electric detonators near the transmitting antenna of the warning alarm system. The minimum safe distance between a transmitting antenna and a blasting array is the distance where the induced electrical current in the blasting array is 50 mA, which is the safe current level specified in Federal mine safety regulations. Tests indicate that at transmitting power levels of 100-and 1,000-W, separation distances of 9 and 21 m, respectively, were required. These distances are small compared with the dimensions of a mine. Thus, the tests indicate that, with proper placement of the transmitting antenna, the warning system can be used safely in the proximity of blasting arrays.

Jan 1, 2010