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By W. S. Sanner

Pyrolysis (destructive distillation) techniques developed at the Bureau of Mines to determine the yield and quality of the products from coal were used to convert municipal (household) and industrial refuse into potentially useful solids, liquids, and gases without adding to environmental pollution. The tests demonstrated that a ton of municipal refuse can be converted into 154 to 424 pounds of solid residue, 0.5 to 6 gallons of tar, 1 to 4 gallons of light oil, 97 to 133 gallons of liquor, 16 to 32 pounds of ammonium sulfate, and 7,380 to 18,058 cubic feet of gas. A ton of industrial refuse, consisting of paper, rags, and cardboard, can be converted to 618 to 838 pounds of residue, 1.5 to 3 gallons of light oil, 68 to 75 gallons of liquor, 12 to 23 pounds of ammonium sulfate, and 9,270 to 14,065 cubic feet of gas. The energy from the gas is more than sufficient to provide the heat for the pyrolysis.

Jan 1, 1970

By Charles C. Boley

High-volatile A bituminous coal from the Allen mine, Las Animas County, Colo., blended with char produced from the same coal yielded accept-able metallurgical coke in a 500-lb movable-wall test oven. Nineteen experimental runs were carried out using several concentration levels of two different chars, 5.6 and 19.6 percent volatile matter, produced by entrainment carbonization of the base coal. With the higher-volatile char, an acceptable coke was produced at a 22.5-percent concentration; the lower-volatile char did not produce an acceptable coke at the concentrations investigated.

Jan 1, 1972

The principle activities of the Explosives Research Laboratory from July 1, 1961 to June 30, 1962, are described briefly in part 1. Part 2 gives short abstracts of publications that appeared during fiscal year 1962; in general, the research reported in these publications antedates the report period. Part 3 gives the results of an investigation which, although too limited to warrant separate publication, merits presentation in some detail because of current interest in ammonium nitrate-fuel oil compositions.

Jan 1, 1964

By G. J. Colaizzi

The Bureau of Mines, at the request of local authorities in Rock Springs, Wyo., investigated and conducted through contracts a multistage program of exploratory drilling and pumped-slurry backfilling of 15 areas of potential subsidence in abandoned mine workings underneath that community. Initially, the Bureau in 1969 had recommended a program of gravity blind flushing of some of the inaccessible mine voids, and in 1970 a new technique, the pumped-slurry injection process, was tested for the first time in a site adjacent to the city's area of severe surface subsidence. Success of this initial testing program, and of a large-scale project in Scranton, Pa., led to further large- scale projects, funded by Congress, that resulted in the successful back- filling not only of all 15 target areas of potential subsidence in Rock Springs, but also of several areas in other States. Total cost of the projects in Rock Springs, including the original pumped-slurry test, was $3,243,993. A total of about 923,000 tons of sand was injected hydraulically into mine voids, rendering 178 acres of residential and central-downtown areas of Rock Springs less susceptible to subsidence damage. The pumped-slurry method was proved to be much superior to the gravity blind flushing method in term of the amount of solids that could be injected underground through a single borehole. However, there are special conditions that make this technique more or less applicable in different areas or underground configurations, as noted in the report's conclusions.

Jan 1, 1980

By Oliver Bowles

This paper is the third of a series of reports on asbestos prepared by the Bureau of Mines. The reports already issued contain general information, including descriptions of deposits throughout the world.3/ The present paper deals chiefly with milling and marketing. Many grades of asbestos are marketed, and an important phase of milling is the grading of fiber; these subjects therefore are related so intimately that contiguity in their treatment is fully justified. Although the Bureau of Mines is interested primarily in the mining and preparation of raw materials, the fabrication of asbestos products has attained such importance in the United States that brief reference to processes of manufacture is included. CLASSIFICATION OF FIBER Canadian asbestos fibers are divided into three main groups - crudes, mill fibers, and shorts. The term "crude" is applied to fiber of spinning grade measuring three eighths inch or longer, that is. hand-cobbed and not passed through a mill. Mill fibers are obtained by crushing and beating the fiber-bearing" rock, until the, asbestos is freed and, then removing the fiber from the rock by screening or air separation. Shorts are the lowest grades of mill products.

Jan 1, 1935

By J. G. Haymes

This report by the Bureau of Mines is the first of two proposed papers on evaluation of spectrophotometric, spectrographic, polarographic, and other analytical methods for quantitatively determining impurities in high-purity tungsten. Some of the methods described are standard methods that have been successfully applied to determine low-level impurities, several are modifications of known methods, and some procedures are entirely original. The Bureau of Mines is actively engaged in tungsten research because tungsten has an extremely high melting point, in fact the highest of any known metal. The metallurgist must know the content of impurities in tungsten because of the marked effects even micro amounts of impurity elements have on its physical properties. The Bureau procured a number of analyzed samples of above-average purity from research laboratories of companies engaged in production and fabrication of tungsten. These samples were investigated by the analytical procedures of those companies for several metallic impurities. Subsequent analytical laboratory determination of impurities in these samples agreed with the analyses as reported. With this assurance that analytical methods were basically accurate for metallic impurities, procedures for the determination of several of these elements were modified to lower the limits of detection and increase the sensitivity of methods. Carbon and the gases hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen were determined by standard instrumental methods, modified to provide greater sensitivity for reliable determinations when content of these elements was low. After the reliability of the modified procedures was affirmed, they were used as a product evaluation guide in the development of a vapor-plating technique for the production of high-purity tungsten. The following list of elements can be determined by one or more of these methods: AI, B, Be, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, S1, Sn, Ti, V, and Zn. In addition, a vacuum-fusion method for the determination of H, N, and 0, and a conductometric method for carbon are described. Lower limits of determination and detection for each element listed are given.

Jan 1, 1962

This report includes a short history of uranium and its uses, mineralogy of common uranium minerals, and information on the use of electronic prospecting equipment and tests for detecting the presence of uranium. Details are given on geologically favorable areas and formations and practical methods of prospecting. Some information is given on the staking of claims, what lands are open to prospecting, and methods of securing mining rights. A forecast of the economic outlook for uranium is included. Appendixes give sources of additional information and a list of libraries where unclassified Atomic Energy Commission reports may be consulted. Because the increasing use of uranium by industry has revived interest in prospecting and exploration for this element, the Bureau of Mines has issued this report, which brings up to date and expands the subject matter of a hand- book on uranium exploration and production published in 1956.l

Jan 1, 1968

By H. Stanley Benson

This report is an account of research conducted to improve the performance of and then further field test Draft Power Sensor (DPS) equipment, the use of which enables a bulldozer operator to optimize his machine's work rate. Significant improvements were made in DPS hardware, and extended field testing was conducted at two working strip mines: the Glenharold Mine of Consolidation Coal Company, near Stanton, North Dakota, and the Beulah Mine of Knife River Coal Company, near Beulah, North Dakota. This report documents the increase of bulldozer work production by greater than twenty percent while using the Draft Power Sensor when compared to baseline work production without benefit of the Draft Power Sensor. Research was done by Southwest Research Institute under contract with the Bureau of Mines.

Jan 1, 1980

This publication summarizes the in-house and contract research and development projects programed for fiscal year 1981 by the Bureau of Mines under its Minerals Environmental Technology activity. The document provides a mechanism for interested parties, including potential contractors, to gain insight into ongoing and projected work of the Bureau?s environmental research efforts. Research to identify and correct environmental problems associated with mining and metallurgical operations has long been an integral part of the Bureau's mission. The environmental research and demonstration activities of the Bureau were consolidate in 1979 with the formation of the Minerals Environmental Technology program, which is directed toward the elimination or reduction of environmental problems associated with the extraction and processing of minerals. Among the efforts underway are development of data and technology for assessing the potential environmental impact of minerals development, for monitoring minerals extraction operations, and for establishing viable reclamation requirements on abandoned mine lands; development and demonstration of technology 'or control of environmental disturbances during minerals extraction operations; development and demonstration of land reclamation and mine closure techniques to restore or enhance the productive use of mined lands; development of engineering techniques that incorporate state-of-the-art mining environmental technology in the design and planning of minerals extraction operations; development and demonstration of new mining systems that greatly reduce or eliminate the adverse environmental impacts of minerals extraction; and providing the technologic base for Federal, State, and local establishment of environmental standards for mining operations. Included in the minerals-processing-related work are projects to clean mineral-processing waters: demonstrate a Bureau process for scrubbing SO from powerplant stack :;as; recover dissolved minerals from process streams; stabilize discarded dusts, slags, and tailings: remove hazardous contaminates from byproduct wastes; reduce generation of waste solids; and improve metallurgical process engineering to eliminate pollution. Approximately $21 million was appropriated for this work in fiscal year 1981.

Jan 1, 1981

By J. J. Demeter

Experiments were conducted in 2- and 4-inch-diameter standpipes to evaluate the effectiveness of standpipes as pressure seals. During the experiments, these standpipes conveyed Alan-Wood magnetite (60 to 230 U.S. standard sieve mesh) by gravity flow from one vessel to another of relatively higher pressure. The information obtained has been helpful in a Federal Bureau of Mines investigation of how to make either synthesis gas or hydrogen by a modified steam-iron process employing a continuous recycling stream of granular iron-iron oxide at temperatures of 600° to 900° C. In this process the mixture of granular material flows by gravity from a reduction vessel at low pressures to an oxidation vessel at higher pressures. Data from the 2- and 4-inch-diameter standpipes indicate that it would be practical to use a standpipe as a pressure seal between the reductor and oxidizer. Investigators found that, by gravity flow, the standpipe could convey the Alan-Wood magnetite against pressure gradients up to 1.07 pounds per square inch per foot of column height.

Jan 1, 1961

By Walter K. Utt

The process of drilling and bolting the roof is currently one of the most dangerous jobs in underground mining, resulting in about 1,000 accidents with injuries each year in the United States. To increase the safety of underground miners, researchers froth the Spokane Research Laboratory of- the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are applying neural network technology to rite classification of mine roof strata in terms of relative strength. In this project, the feasibility of using a monitoring system on a roof drill to assess the integrity of a mine roof and warn a roof drill operator when a weak layer is encountered is being studied. Using measurements taken while a layer is being drilled, one can convert the data to suitably scaled features and classify the strength of the layer with a neural network. The feasibility of using a drill monitoring system to estimate the strength of successive layers of rock was demonstrated in the laboratory.

By R. L. Marek

The number of persons fatally injured in the California petroleum industry, in 1932 was 24, a decrease of 6, or 20 percent from the number killed in 1931. The decrease in the number of fatalities occurring in 1932 caused the fatality curve of the California petroleum industry to reach its lowest point in 10 years. Changing conditions in the oil industry--reduced personnel, decreased active field development, and curtailed production--have undoubtedly caused a part of this decrease, but continued accident-prevention efforts by the industry have also contributed to the reduction in the number of fatalities for 1932. The Bureau of Mines has analyzed and reported annually the fatalities in the California petroleum industry for a period of 10 years. Figure 1 shows the trend of fatal accidents during that period.

Jan 1, 1933

The principle activities of the Explosives Research Laboratory from July 1, 1961 to June 30, 1962, are described briefly in part 1. Part 2 gives short abstracts of publications that appeared during fiscal year 1962; in general, the research reported in these publications antedates the report period. Part 3 gives the results of an investigation which, although too limited to warrant separate publication, merits presentation in some detail because of current interest in ammonium nitrate-fuel oil compositions.

Jan 1, 1964

By James Westfield

This report covers the calendar year 1954 and has been prepared and submitted to the Congress of the United States in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 106(a) and Sec. 2l2(c) of the Federal Coal-Mine Safety Act (66 Stat. 692; 30 U.S.C. Sec. 451-483). Background The Federal Coal-Mine Inspection program was established to carry out the provisions of Public Law 49, 77th Congress, H. R. 2082, approved May 7, 1941. This act has since been amended to be known as Title I -Advisory Powers Relating to Health and Safety Conditions in Mines, under Public Law 552, 82d Congress, approved July 16, 1952, which also includes Title II -Prevention of Major Disasters in Mines. Public Law 552 is known as the Federal Coal-Mine Safety Act.

Jan 1, 1956

By G. W. Jones

As a part of its general safety program the Bureau of Mines has investigated various means useful for the elimination or mitigation of the explosion hazards in connection with combustible gases incident to the mining industry. Information has been obtained relative to the explosibility of numerous simple and complex gaseous combustible atmospheres. Although experiments along this line have pertained largely to combustible gases in the mining and allied industry, considerable information has been obtained relative to the explosive hazards of combustible gases and vapors used as anesthetics.

Jan 1, 1939

By William J. Campbell

The purpose of this investigation was to extend the analytical services which are required for Bureau of Mines programs in developing and evaluating high-purity materials. Determination of trace elements in minerals and ores as an aid in geochemical evaluation and prospecting was considered. Serious consideration should be given to the merits of using the avail- able fluorescent X-ray spectrographic instrumentation and techniques for determining trace elements. Limits of detectability for trace elements in metal, oxide, solution or mineral samples range from 0.1 to 100 p.p.m, depending on the element being determined, overall sample composition, and the complexity of the X-ray spectra; limits of detectability range from 0.01 to 1 microgram for elements that have been preconcentrated by a chemical or physical process, for example, by ion-exchange membrane.

Jan 1, 1962

On July 1, 1969, the Explosives Research Center merged with the Health and Safety Research and Testing Center to form the Safety Research Center, with facilities at Pittsburgh and Bruceton, Pa. Subsequently, passage in December of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 (Public Law 91-173) had a major influence on the activities of the new center. These activities were conducted under two main programs, Coal Mine Safety Research and Explosives Research. The Coal Mine Safety Research program was concerned primarily with two categories of hazards: health-related hazards associated with the mine environment, due to such factors as respirable dust, toxic gases and vapors, and excessive noise; and accidents due to mine fires, explosions, and roof falls.

Jan 1, 1972

By D. R. Dollnar

At a mine in central PA, high horizontal stresses have caused long running roof falls resulting in hazardous conditions for the miners and the premature abandonment of panels. Because of these conditions, the mine requested assistance of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in utilizing the 'advance and relieve method to mitigate the affects of horizontal stress on the mine roof. "Advance and relieve" mining involves the removal of a pillar or a portion of a pillar during development, thereby creating a cave along one side of the panel. Following cave development, the horizontal stress is relieved over the workings adjacent to the cave in the active panel. The mine has used this system in three panels with a significant reduction in stress damage and no large roof falls.

Jan 1, 2002

By Gordon R. Sima, John L. Bennett, Roger L. King

Electric shocks are a serious problem in the mining environment. Because of extremely wide ranging use of electrically powered equipment in the mining industry, the hazard to personnel due to electrical shock and related injuries are not restricted to any single area but cover the entire spectrum of mining activity. Electrical accidents, resulting in personal injury, due to im- proper or complete lack of grounding of electrically operated mining machines, form a significant percentage of the overall electrical accident picture. The object of this paper is to describe methods of detection of unsafe electrical conditions with respect to the grounding of electrically operated mining equipment. It also includes a discussion of prototype instruments which effectively monitor the condition of the grounding safety devices currently in use on mining equipment and warn of dangerous conditions as soon as they appear. The paper is based on work accomplished under USBM Contract Number 50357115. The contract was initiated under the Pittsburgh Mining and Safety Research Center Program. It was administered under the technical direction of PM and SRC with Mr. Roger L. King as the Technical Project Officer. Mr. Daniel B. Dawkins was the Contract Administrator for the Bureau of Mines.

By Ronald Branstetter

Gaseous and particulate exhaust emissions from 20 diesel engines in service at five underground mines were measured with high accuracy instrumentation. The engines that were tested were checked for faults or maladjustments. The vehicle and engine maintenance organization was studied at each mine and an idealized maintenance program was devised. Faults were induced in a new diesel engine to determine their effect on the characteristics of the exhaust emissions. The results, conclusions and recommendations from this investigation are presented in this final report.

Jan 1, 1983