Search Documents

By John B. Gayle

The probable inadequacy of physical tests of coke for the purposes for which they are made has been a subject for discussion for many years. However, little has been published in this connection, even though most workers in the field believe that the physical properties of coke are of major importance in its utilization in the steel and allied industries. In fact, the reproducibility of the recognized tests is largely unknown or can only be approximated. This situation occasions many difficulties when attempts are made to judge the coke-production qualities of various coals or coal blends. During World War II the Coke Production Committee, composed of representatives from industry and the Solid Fuels Administration, concluded that study of existing testing methods and possible improvements would be of material assistance in answering questions relating to coke quality. Since that time the Bureau of Mines has taken samples of coke produced in industrial slot-type coke ovens in connection with studies aimed at extending coking-coal reserves by adding to the list of sources known to be suitable for this purpose. Testing procedures on these cokes were arranged so that the data obtained would yield information on (1) the degree of precision of tests commonly used in the industry, (2) the causes of the known poor reproducibility in several of the physical tests, and (3) possible improvements or modifications of existing physical testing procedures.

Jan 1, 1953

By R. L. Grant

An investigation was undertaken by the Bureau of Mines to determine the relationship between freespace and ignition probability for borehole shots. A series of experiments was concluded which covered six freespace conditions for a pemissible explosive in a 3/4-inch borehole and encompassed some 700 shots. The results were analyzed statistically. From the analysis of variance, it was concluded that the freespace means were different and that this conclusion is not impaired by possible differences in the explosives used. Within the limitation of this experiment, a definite relationship was found between the freespace and the ignition probability. Specifically, the incendivity increases with increased freespace up to a maximum; beyond this maximum there is some indication of decreasing incendivity. Further investigations are in progress to establish whether the effects of freespace on ignition probability reported here are applicable to the large test gallery, INTRODUCTION A borehole loaded with an explosive charge is a common feature of the routine gallery tests for determining the permissibility of coal-mine explosives, of Experimental Coal-Mine shots, and of the small steel cannon shots used in connection with certain research programs on the ignition of firedamp (6, 10).6/ The question of the interrelationship of freespace, weight of charge, and ignition probability of the methane-air atmosphere has been raised

Jan 1, 1959

By ALICE V. Petar

Thallium is one of the rare metals that has come into commercial use within recent years . Its comparative scarcity , combined with a resemblance to the common metal lead , have retarded the development of uses for thallium . Although production is still measured in pounds rather than in tons , it is now finding application in a number of fields . Perhaps the earliest commercial use of thallium was as a constituent of optical glass of higher refractive power than similar glasses containing lead . One of the later applications to attract attention was the use of the oxysulphide in a sensitive electrical device similar to the selenium cell . The " Thalofide " cell , which was patented in 1919 , constituted for a time the most important outlet for thallium. During the next few years the limited use of thallium and its salts in other fields was insufficient to absorb an annual production of a few hundred pounds , and the price dropped from $ 16 or $18 per pound in 1922 to $ 5 per pound in 1924 . Beginning in 1925 several new uses were developed , especially as a poison for rodents and ants , and as a result the demand for thallium increased sufficiently to cause a recovery in price to the present level of from $12 to $15 per pound .

Jun 1, 1931

By R. A. Beall

As part of an ongoing program to develop high-quality materials with improved performance and service lives, and to conserve critical minerals, Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, researchers studied the process of hot-rolling metals, alloys, and composites in vacuum. First, a comprehensive review of the literature is presented, including the advantages and disadvantages of using vacuum. Next, details of hot-rolling titanium, chromium, and molybdenum-iron bimetal are given. Finally, the design of new equipment is described. At this time, it is uncertain whether hot-rolling metals in vacuum will gain commercial acceptance in the future.

Jan 1, 1979

By James J. Snodgrass

The Bureau of Mines designed and constructed a series of calibration models for geophysical borehole logging. A nominal hole diameter of 3 inches was selected as representative of typical core holes drilled for mining and engineering purposes, although additional hole diameters of 2, 5, and 8 inches are provided in one of the models for determination of empirical correction factors for variations in hole diameter. The physical properties of the models were determined by laboratory analyses of drill core samples and evaluated statistically for reliability. This report outlines the location of the models, elements of design and construction, and results of the laboratory tests. The models are available at the Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colo., for use by Government agencies and private industry to calibrate logging equipment for measurements of density, sonic velocity, magnetic susceptibility, and electrical resistivity.

Jan 1, 1976

By C. Q. Cupps, R. F. Zaffarano, J. Fry

Reservoir oil analyses from seven wells in the Greater Clareton area have been included in a study of the original characteristics of oil in the Newcastle sandstone reservoir . These data correlated with areal location of the wells show an increase of saturation pressure in a general north - south or downdip direction . The increase amounts to about 500 psi in more than 17 miles , which corresponds to a depth increase of about 1,600 feet . To facilitate application of the data to engineering analyses , average characteristics are given for arbitrary north and south divisions of the 22 - mile - long producing area . The downdip increase of saturation pressure is taken as evidence of updip diffusion of solution gas from a somewhat higher concentration at the bottom of the reservoir . This effect is opposite to that previously observed in two prominent high- relief reservoirs in the Rocky Mountain area . The increasingly greater saturation pressures southward or downdip in the Greater Clareton area suggest a continuing migration of fluids into the structure .

Jan 1, 1964

By John P. Powell

A comprehensive study of the effects of hydraulically fracturing water-flood wells in Oklahoma has been made by the Federal Bureau of Mines. This report presents results of that study and an analysis of some of the factors governing the results of fracture treatment on waterflood properties. Originally, hydraulic fracturing was used to stimulate oil production from old wells producing by primary methods, and its application to water-flooding was regarded with skepticism by most producers. However, since 1953 the number of fracture treatments of both oil and input wells in waterfloods has increased steadily. Hydraulic-fracture treatments in waterfloods have generally been successful in stimulating production from oil wells and increasing the rate of injection into input wells. Hydraulic fracturing has enabled several producers to turn probable failures into economically successful projects.

Jan 1, 1961

By E. Morrice, R. D. Smith

Thermal expansion and electrical resistance measurements were made on cerium metal from 4° to 300° K. The apparatus developed , including a specimen holder and a cryostat system , are described along with the experimental techniques used in obtaining the measurements . The total linear thermal expansion Data at of 99.83 weight - percent cerium metal between 4 ° K and room temperature was 4.24 percent . The resistivity at 4° K was 7.0 x 10-6 ohm- centimeter . 4° K indicate a fundamental relationship between residual resistivity and purity of cerium metal . The effects of annealing and repeated thermal cycling on resistivity were determined .

Jan 1, 1964

By D. B. Dow

This report on methods employed for dehydrating oil-field emulsions, is the second of a series prepared as a result of a study of oil-field emulsions recently completed by the writer. The first paper2 dealt with the factors responsible for the formation of emulsions. A third paper will discuss the physical chemistry involved in the formation and resolution of such emulsions. In the early development of the oil fields of Pennsylvania, no emulsion troubles of any consequence were encountered, nor to any serious extent in the oil fields of other Eastern States: However, with the development of fields west of the Mississippi in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas and California, where heavier oils of different characteristics were found, the problem of dealing with cut oil soon became of great importance.

Jan 1, 1925

By M. R. Geer

Three coals from the Wilkes on - Carbonado district of Pierce County , Washington , were subjected to washability analyses to estimate the amount and quality of washed coal obtainable . Because the coals were unusually difficult to clean , the washability examinations were supplemented by table tests , tests in dense - medium cleaning units , and flotation tests . None of the coals could be reduced to the desired 10 percent ash by tabling and the response to flotation by two of them was poor . Dense -medium treatment provided coal of the desired quality , but with the most difficult coal the recovery efficiency was lower than usual .

Jan 1, 1964

By James A. Wasson

This report analyzes the petroleum-production potential of the basal Greenbrier dolomite zone, Sycamore-Millstone field, Sherman District, Calhoun County, W. Va., through the application of certain secondary-recovery methods. The well logs obtained and the core recovered from a well in this formation permitted an evaluation of the productive capability of the reservoir, Approximately 120,000 stb of oil may be produced from a 20-acre five-spot unit at breakthrough if the property is waterflooded. At an assumed limiting producing gas-oil ratio of 20)000 sef/stb, approximately 69,000 stb of oil should be recovered by low-pressure gas drive.

Jan 1, 1967

By M. Clair Smith

This report is one of a series describing exploration, development, mining methods, and costs at United States open-pit mines; the Bureau of Mines prepares and publishes them in cooperation with the mining companies. Their purpose is to promote development and conservation of our mineral resources by disseminating technologic information on mining methods and practices at various United States mines. The exploration, development, equipment, and mining of a large, oxidized-copper ore deposit by open-pit methods, the leaching of the ore with sulfuric acid solution, and the recovery of the copper as cement copper are described herein.

Jan 1, 1958

By Terry L. Muldoon

The Bureau of Mines conducted an investigation to quantify microphone response variations that could result when the microphone is worn by a worker, as with a personal noise dosimeter, and to suggest an optimum placement and orientation of the microphone for noise exposure measurements. Previous studies have shown no significant variations in a diffuse field. This investigation, therefore, was conducted in the free-field conditions of an anechoic chamber using an anthropometric dummy as a subject, and broad band noise as the acoustic stimulus. This investigation established that, in a free field, the wearer's body does significantly affect microphone response; the response variations are a function of azimuth, and location and orientation of the microphone. Results suggest that locating the microphone on top of the subject's shoulder, oriented parallel to the body axis, should yield data comparable to that obtained using a sound-level meter.

Jan 1, 1973

By J. B. Zadra

During the investigations of the occurrence of manganese in the western United States, the Bureau of Mines received a 100-pound sample of manganese ore from the Doyle-Smith property, Yuma County, Ariz. Laboratory tests were made to determine the amenability of this ore to standard ore-dressing methods of concentration to produce a marketable-grade product. The Doyle-Smith claims are in northern Yuma County, within 15 miles of the Artillery Peak deposit. The lot of ore used in the test work was taken from the outcrop of a large, massive, irregular bed of oxide manganese ore found on the claims.

Jan 1, 1952

By William C. Smith

Roof support, an important aspect of ground control, involves maintaining roof competency to ensure a safe and efficient mining environment. Wide variability in rock quality and stress distributions requires a systematic approach to roof support design that satisfies specific goals. The success of past roof sup-port in reducing the incidence of roof falls has been primarily attributed to safer roof bolting practices. However, roof falls continue to be the number one occupational hazard in underground coal mines. This U.S. Bureau of Mines report presents a general overview of roof bolting and other roof support methods used in the United States. Characteristics of bad roof and associated roof failure theories are briefly presented as background to roof support. Methods of detecting and monitoring roof behavior and/or bolt performance provide essential feedback on roof support requirements. A discussion follows on roof bolt design that assimilates roof and support parameters into useful equations or nomographs to help decide what bolt types to use and how they should be installed under different roof conditions.

Jan 1, 1993

By CDC CDC

In 2004, a total of 251 metal mining operations reported employment to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Metal mines were the smallest mining commodity sector, comprising 1.7% of all mining operations. • Gold mines

Sep 1, 2007

By S. H. Lorain

This paper is one of a series on mining methods and costs being published by the U. S. Bureau of Mines. The operations of the Quartz Hill Mining Co., near Dewey, Mont., afford an interesting example of the cost of mining small bodies of direct shipping ore; they also illustrate the effect of the unavoidable periods of unusually high exploration and development costs in this type of mining upon the cost per ton of producing ore. The importance of skilled geological guidance and the necessity of avoiding unnecessary overhead and capital expense at small mines are shown. Operating conditions at Quartz Hill are typical of those in many other mining districts of southwestern Montana. It is believed that the costs presented here may be of value in the preliminary estimation of costs to be expected by conservative operators under similar conditions elsewhere. The information contained in this paper was obtained during a visit to the Quartz Hill mine in August 1936.

Jan 1, 1937

By R. L. Montgomery

Heats of solution of yttrium chloride and oxide in hydrochloric acid were measured by Bureau of Mines researchers. Using the heat of combustion of yttrium mentioned in the literature, the Bureau calculated the heat of formation of yttrium chloride to be -239.16 + 0.50 kcal./mole. The Bureau experiments gave evidence that the heats of solution of yttrium chloride from the literature are mostly too low because of water and/or oxychloride impurities. Heat of combustion of yttrium (8)3/ and its heat of solution in hydrochloric acid (2, 14) have been measured. The earlier heat of solution measurement (2) is unreliable because of possible potassium contamination (4). Heat of solution of yttrium chloride has been measured by three researchers (3, 9, 15), who obtained widely different results. Spedding and Flynn (14) report the heat of formation of yttrium chloride as -232.69 kcal./mole from their solution studies. The present work was designed to check the reported heats of solution of yttrium chloride and to determine the heat of solution of yttrium oxide. The latter measurement would allow the results of solution and combustion data for yttrium to be intercompared.

Jan 1, 1960

By James Westfield

Uranium activity has introduced a comparatively new hazard to United States mining. In addition to the hazards common to all mines, uranium mines have a complex health problem of radiation damage. Like many new processes, radiation and nuclear energy can be made to serve man in many useful ways when properly understood and handled; but, like fire, gases, and electricity, their potential dangers must be known and respected, and appropriate precautions must be taken or death may result. Since 1950 the Public Health Service has been conducting basic investigations on exposure to radon and its daughter products and the effect of exposure upon the health of miners in uranium mines of the Western States. The Bureau of Mines assisted in several of these investigations, especially in mines on Indian lands. The studies have shown that a serious health hazard exists from radioactive exposure that might cause lung cancer if continued over a number of years. The Public Health Service report, Control of Radon and Daughters in Uranium Mines and Calculations on Biologic Effects,6/ shows that 55 percent of the uranium mines employing 64 percent of the miners had atmospheric concentrations more than five times the working level now accepted as reasonably safe for industrial exposures. Extensive control measures are necessary to reduce these concentrations to the suggested working level of less than 300 micromicrocuries of total radon daughter products per liter of air.

Jan 1, 1958

By Robert J. Evans

The Hopper-Feeder-Bolter (HFB) is a prototype multifunctional machine designed to improve productivity by minimizing continuous miner place changes. It is designed primarily to work beside a two-pass continuous miner, bolting on one side and then place changing to bolt the other side while simultaneously providing a surge car and lump breaker located directly behind the continuous miner. Surface testing was conducted at the Bureau of Mines Mine Equipment Test Facility (METF) to evaluate overall system performance and reliability. Tests were conducted to evaluate place changing, tramming, lump breaking, roof bolting, drawbar pull, conveying, temporary roof-support (TRS) capacity, lighting, and noise. Surface test results indicate the HFB is ready to be tested and evaluated underground in a production mode.

Jan 1, 1988