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By Fieldner. A. C.

"In preparing this paper, an attempt was made to obtain results of plant-scale carbonization tests on washed and unwashed coal tram to same mine. A letter. in which the following questions were asked, was sent to some 50 coke-oven superintendents and others who might be interested:“What is the influence of washing coal on:(1) The chemical and physical properties of coke, as for example, the size, the amount of breeze, the fracture, strength, cell-structure, etc.(2) The quantity and quality of gas and by-products.(3) The capacity of the ovens.(4) The composition of the coal..""Your general opinion, as well as any specific data or results of testa, on this important subject will be greatly appreciated.""Of the 45 replies received, 24 stated that they had never used washed coal; 11 had used washed coal but had no comparative data on similar coals washed and unwashed; 7 answered some of the questions based on their general experience; and 3 gave some test data on Pittsburgh bed coal from western Pennsylvania. In none of the three tests did the washed coal come from the same mine as the unwashed. The washed coals in the three tests were from the same washery - one of modern construction in which the operations are under careful technical control in order to give a uniform product containing a minimum of surface moisture. The unwashed coals which were previously used in these plants were from different nearby mines in the same coal bed, and were supplied by the same company. Obviously, no sweeping or finale conclusions can be drawn from these few tests on coal from a single washery. Therefore, the writer vas obliged to consult the literature, coal-carbonization and coal-washing engineers, and other authorities to supplement the fragmentary information gleaned from the questionnaires in order to present a picture of chat gas engineers may expect from the use of washed coal in a carbonizing plant."

May 1, 1930

By S. C. Rhoads

The Bureau of Mines is investigating low-chromium alloy substitutes for type 304 stainless steel (type 304 SS). The purpose of the research is to reduce the chromium content in austenitic stainless steels used for corrosion-resistant applications. Nine Fe-9Cr-12Ni alloys containing additions of 0 to 5 pct Mo, 0 to 2 pct V, and 0 to 2 pct Cu were selected for evaluation. All of the experimental alloys containing 5 pct Mo and an alloy containing 2Mo-2V-2Cu possessed structure and tensile strengths similar to those of type 304 SSe Alloys containing SMo-2V and SMo-2V-2Cu had ac-ceptable welding properties as measured by the Varestraint test. Alloys containing at least 2 pct Mo had cQrrosion resistance comparable to that of type 304 SS in solutions of nitric acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, and citric acid. In chlorides, all the experimental alloys were susceptible to localized corrosion and stress corrosion cracking similar to that of type 304 SSe The corrosion properties were established by weight-loss tests, electrochemical polarization tests, and stress-corrosion cracking tests. An Fe-9Cr-12Ni-SMo-2V alloy and an Fe-9Cr-12Ni-SMo-2V-2Cu alloy had a combination of welding properties, tensile properties, and corrosion resistances that were most comparable to those of 304 SS.

Jan 1, 1984

By Frank D. Lamb

Four samples of manganese-bearing material from the Aroostook County, Maine, deposits were tested at the Eastern Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines at College Park, Md., to determine their amenability to beneficiation by ore-dressing methods. The samples represented material from the Maple Mountain-Hovey Mountain deposit, the Dudley farm, and the Burnham farm and contained 11 to 14 percent manganese. None of the tests produced appreciably enriched concentrates suitable for further treatment for the production of ferromanganese. The intimate association of the manganese minerals with iron and siliceous minerals requires extremely fine grinding to liberate the manganese minerals in these ores and prevents efficient concentration by physical means.

Jan 1, 1953

By Lindsly. Ben E.

"The recovery or partial recovery of the oil remaining in oil sands after the usual methods of production have become unprofitable is perhaps the greatest problem in the petroleum industry today. The amount of this oil remaining in the sand is variously estimated by those familiar with the subject to be 25 to 90 per cent of the original content.2Lewis3 states, ""The estimate of 80 to 90 per cent of the oil left underground does not seem incredible.""It is estimated by the writer that approximately 91 per cent of the oil originally held in the Elliott pool, was still in the formation on January 1, 1924, and that it would take at least 12 years, at the 1923 rate of production, to further reduce this quantity by one per cent of the original content.The progress made in the oil industry during the past few years relative to the prevention of evaporation losses; to improvement in cracking processes, whereby the gasoline yield from many crudes has been doubled and trebled; to the increased recovery of gasoline from natural gas; and many other developments, remarkable as they are, can be applied only to that comparatively small portion of petroleum products which are raised to the surface. A device or process which would cut development costs to one-half would probably result in a much smaller profit to the oil industry, than the profit derived from an additional 10 per cent recovery of the total amount of oil in a pool. Various methods have been used and many others proposed, for the increase of oil recovery from normally depleted sands.In France, oil sands are being mined by means of shafts and galleries. In other places, notably the Bradford, Pennsylvania field, the yield has been increased by means of water flooding, wherein water is introduced into the sand to displace oil, and drive it to producing wells."

Oct 1, 1926

By H. N. Dunning

A comprehensive research program designed to aid development of new and improved methods for more complete production of petroleum from partly depleted reservoirs is being conducted at the Bureau of Mines Petroleum Experiment Station, Bartlesville, Okla. Water flooding has accounted for much of the petroleum produced by secondary-recovery methods; however, a considerable portion of the crude oil commonly remains in place after water flooding has been terminated. In recent years the possibility of increasing the efficiency of water flooding by using surface-active additives has received wide attention. In general, the results of laboratory research have shown that use of detergents as water-flooding additives will reduce the residual petroleum in porous media (1).3/ Some less extensive field tests have supported this conclusion but have not been entirely conclusive (2). Later studies (3, 4) have given conflicting evidence as to the relative worth of detergent additives for water floods in water-wet (hydrophilic) or oil-wet (hydrophobic or lipophilic) reservoir materials. The results of these studies emphasize the need for a more complete understanding of the fundamental principles involved in displacing petroleum from reservoir surfaces by injected fluids. Accordingly, a comprehensive research program was initiated to investigate the practical and fundamental aspects of detergency in petroleum production.

Jan 1, 1953

By H. B. Humphrey, F. E. Cash

The Southern Appalachian coal field extends southward across Tennessee in a belt about 50 miles wide between the eastern and middle sections of the State. The earliest record of the production of coal in Tennessee is for 1840, and the first inspection laws were passed in 1881. In 1887, a second act of the legislature created the office of Chief Inspector, but little was done until 1891 when a new act was passed giving to the Department of Mines added duties and powers. Since that time, except for the years 1915 to 1918, com¬ prehensive annual reports have been published. Data for the tables given in this paper are taken from these annual reports, from those of the Southern Appalachian Coal Operators' Association, and from the publications of the United States Bureau of Mines, which has main¬ tained a station at Jellico, Tenn., since 1911. Complete figures for 1930 are not available yet and they are not included in the averages. The State Department of Mines, the operating companies, and the United States Bureau of Mines cooperate in accident-prevention work. It is the purpose of this report to present in uniform tables the available statistics in regard to fatal accidents in Tennessee and in the coal mines of the United States, in order that the progress in mine safety in Tennessee may be compared with that of the country as a whole, and the present period may be compared with various periods of the past, to indicate the main points of attack in the reduction of accidents.

Sep 1, 1931

By C. W. Sill

[In the original Norris and Fay method for determining selenium, selenious acid is reduced by an excess of standard thicsulfate in accordance with the following reaction: H2Se03 + 4Na2S203 + 4HC1 = Na2SeS406 + Na2S406 + 4NaC1 + X20. (1) The excess thiosutfate is then back-titrated with standard iodine solution. The disadvantages of ouch a method are obvious. On an unknown sample, the quantity of thiosutfate required would be difficult to determine; a definite excess is required, but large back titrations would be undesirable. Inasmuch as thiosulfate is decomposed by acid, considerable error may be introduced in this method, the amount depending on the acidity, temperature, concentration of excess thiosulfate, duration of contact between thiosulfate and acid, and other factors, In a critical study of the Norris and Fay method, Coleman and McCrosky3/ show that the method is accurate to less than .1 part per thousand if the excess of this sulfate Is not greater than 5 ml. of 0.1 N solution (in 1.0 ml. of 0.x4 N sulfuric acid) whether the titration is made at 0° or 20°C. A greater excess produced unsatisfactory values at either temperature. Coleman and McCrosky regulated the excess thiosulfate by adding 5-ml. portions of thiosulfate solution followed by the addition of 1 to 3 drops of 2.5 percent potassium iodide in the presence of starch. If a starch-iodine blue color formed locally around the drops of potassium Iodide, the reduction of selenious acid was not complete. On stirring the solution, the local blue color fades and another 5-ml. portion of thiosulfate is added. When addition of potassium iodide fails to produce a local blue color, reduction of selenious acid is complete, and the excess thiosulfate is then back-titrated with standard Iodine solution. The number of equivalents involved in the reduction of selenious acid by either thiosulfate or iodide is the same, and therefore no correction need be made for the potassium iodide. This procedure is much better than the original Norris-Fay titration, but acidity and time would stilt be rather critical factors subject to variation with individual technique. Also, the method still requires the lose of two standard solutions, a rather undesirable factor from the standpoint of routine application.]

Jan 1, 1954

By John Dixon

This paper is one of a series on milling methods and costs being published by the Bureau of Mines. Acknowledgment is made to J. B. Tyrrell, managing director, and Wm. Sixt, manager of the Kirkland Lake Gold Mines, for permission to publish this article. The Kirkland Lake Geld Mining Co.'s mill is located on Government Road at the west end of the productive part of the Kirkland Lake mining area, 1 mile west of the village of Kirkland Lake. The crushing plant is connected to the shaft house of No. 2 shaft, which is now the only operating shaft.

Jan 1, 1931

By Frank J. Wiebelt

In its efforts to maintain production of tungsten during the recent war period, the Bureau of Mines explored certain parts of the properties of the Atolia Mining Co. in San Bernardino County, Calif., by diamond drilling. Owing to past production record and other available data, the area was considered attractive for possible development of new ore bodies. Scheelite occurs in narrow veins ranging in width from a fraction of an inch to several feet. The veins are in quartz monzonite in a zone 2 miles long and 500 feet wide. Production from the district was reported to have been over 1,000,000 units of W03. Twelve diamond-drill holes, totaling 5,056 feet, were drilled by the Bureau of Mines in the vicinity of the Papoose, Papoose No. 5, Amity, and Union mines, the tailings pond, and the "Old Spud Patch." The work began in August 1943 and was completed in June 1944. This publication briefly describes the history and deposits of the district and gives full details of the work performed by the Bureau.

Jan 1, 1950

Objective The Roof Monitoring Safety System (RMSS) introduced in late 1997 has been modified to improve durability and simplify the measurement of roof or rib movement. Greater knowledge about the stability of roof and rib rock is expected to result in safer conditions for the mine worker. Developing safety tools and methods is part of NIOSH’s mission to prevent work-related injuries and deaths. A mining operation with a proactive approach to control ground conditions is in a better position to make essential decisions related to mine development and take remedial actions in the event of roof or rib falls. Background Falls of roof and rib rock are responsible for a high number of mining injuries and fatalities. Visual inspections and the sound of breaking or cracking rock are often relied upon to indicate unstable roof conditions. In some mines, roof bolt holes are checked for separations or gaps with a scratch tool; this provides further information about the stability of the roof. Monitors such as the RMSS can confirm roof movement that was surmised only by eye or ear, or potentially detect movement that was missed by these means. An added safety feature of the RMSS is the capability of locating the measurement station at a distance from where the monitor is placed in the roof. Stone and other industrial minerals are the basic raw materials used in construction. Continuing economic growth and highway building in particular have resulted in record demand for stone. This high demand, coupled with increasing constraints on surface mining, have caused many new .stone mines to be developed underground. These new mines in many cases will be employing new and inexperienced miners who may not have the ability to recognize unstable ground conditions using just sight and sound. From the initial introduction of the RMSS, it was anticipated that improvements and modifications would occur. We correctly assumed that, once miners and operators were exposed to the monitor. suggestions would evolve. In one case, the RMSS was used to determine if an impact hammer used on a mechanical scaler was causing or increasing instability of roof rock. The test showed little or no movement resulted from this method of scaling under the particular conditions at this mine. In another instance, an operator needed to monitor the stability of a haulageway in a benched area that had very high ceilings. The RMSS requires a 2-in-diam hole for installation; however, only roof bolt holes of a smaller diameter were available, and it was impossible to drill new holes at that height. The operator attached a 2-in collar at the roof line and was able to install the RMSS. These examples illustrate the potential for further enhancements of this tool. NIOSH continues to seek additional candidate sites for use of the RMSS. As usage increases, we anticipate further refinements and additional applications. How It Works The new RMSS, cable, and read-out box are shown in figure l. The read-out box has a green light that stays lit until battery replacement is needed. The red light is set to conic on to indicate movement. The red light can he adjusted for increments of movement as low as .010 inches. The RMSS red light should not be considered as a primary or only means of determining the stability of roof or rib. It is intended to serve as a supplement to existing methods or procedures for determining stability. An overview of the RMSS components is shown in figure 2. Movement of rock layers within the mine roof is measured relative to a fixed-point calibration at the monitor housing. The housing contains a potentiometer, roller switch, plastic rack, and spur gear. Movements are detected by the transfer of electromotive forces

Jun 1, 2000

By B. H. Eccleston, R. F. Kendall, D. E. Hirsch, Norman G. Foster

The mass spectra of 23 alkylthiophenes are presented , including 21 that have not been previously reported . Correlations between mass spectra and the structure of the thiophene homologs are discussed . Comparisons with , and corroboration of , earlier workers ' correlations and predictions are made . Several additional correlations are reported to enable the spectroscopist to identify the substituents on alkyl - substituted thiophenes , and the relationship of the mono - substituted and 2,5 - disubstituted alkylthiophenes is discussed in detail .

Jan 1, 1964

By G. W. Weems

The specific objective of this investigation was to determine the compressibility factors for helium and carbon dioxide mixtures at -10° and -20° C and pressures to 1,000 psia. A Burnett apparatus was used. Data from the experiments were treated by the method of Barieau and Dalton. Tables of compressibility factors and approximations of the virial coefficients are presented for 10 binary mixtures as well as for helium and carbon dioxide. The results follow the same trend as data previously reported.

Jan 1, 1970

By Robert J. Evans

The monorail bridge conveyor (MBC) is a prototype continuous face haulage system that was surface tested and evaluated by the Bureau of Mines. The MBC consists of a series of cascading belt bridge conveyors suspended from roof-supported monorail track. Tests were conducted to determine MBC haulage capability, maneuverability, power consumption, and reliability using rigid and chain-suspended monorail track installations. Subsequent modifications to improve operation and reliability made during surface testing are described. Mining plans were devised to show potential MBC installations for room-and-pillar, longwall development, and shortwall mining sections. Compatibility tests were conducted with the Bureau's prototype hopper-feeder, to provide additional surge capacity and lump-breaking capability. Results from the surface test program, along with modifications to improve system operation and reliability, indicate that the MBC has the potential to perform success- fully in an in-mine trial.

Jan 1, 1987

By D. S. Colby

The productive capacity of natural-gasoline and cycle plants in the United States as of January 1, 1952 was 811,596 barrels per day, an increase of 163,691 barrels per day since the last survey on January 1, 1950. The rate of growth during these 2 years has been 12 percent per year s only slightly below the maximum rate, recorded from 1948-50. This survey, for the first time, presents capacity data on a barrel rather than a gallon basis. Also, for the first time, a break-down of capacity by products has been obtained. The combined LP-gas producing capacity of plants and fractionators equaled 382,790 barrels per day, 47 percent of the total industry capacity tor all products. During January 1952, LP-gas and natural gasoline and other products were each produced at the rate of 76 percent of the January 1 capacity.

Jan 1, 1952

By C. Q. Cupps

n view of increased interest in secondary recovery of oil in the Cut Bank field, Montana, a review has been made of unpublished data obtained during a 1943-44 study of reservoir oil characteristics in this field. Considerable uncertainty was attached to interpretations of subsurface oil sample analyses from six Cut Bank zone wells, one Lander sand well, and one Moulton sand well, because of adverse sampling conditions and wide range in the data. Much of this uncertainty has been removed by this review which has shown two of the Cut Bank zone samples and the Moulton sand sample to be representative of the reservoir oils. Estimates of original reservoir oil characteristics derived from differential-liberation analyses of these samples show that the oil in the Cut Bank zone was initially saturated at the gas-oil contact pres-sure, 750 psia, and the oil in the Moulton sand was undersaturated with a saturation pressure of only 380 psia. The rest of the samples were indicated to be nonrepresentative of the reservoir oils because of a disproportional vaporization of heavier components of the solution gas. The vaporization of these components is believed to be a cumulative effect of contact of the oil with bypassing, light-gravity gas which had been liberated at higher pressures from solution in oil farther back in the formation, or which had come from the gas cap, rather than from the singular effect of gas evolution caused by excessively low bottom-hole pressures. Change of oil composition caused by the latter was found to conform closely to that occurring during a differential liberation of gas in the laboratory.

Jan 1, 1967

By Howard J. Pincus

The purpose of the study is to investigate the effects of fracture fillings and associated alteration on the mechanical behavior of rocks. Experimental results are presented for 98 specimens from the Climax mine, which were tested since the annual report (May 1973). The conclusions reached are based on both these results and those reported in the annual report. The locations studied are the Climax and Henderson mines in Colorado and the San Manuel mine in Arizona. The rock types studied from each location are from: 1) Climax, medium-grained granite, fine-grained granite, granite porphyry, schist, and gneiss; 2) Henderson, rhyolite porphyry; 3) San Manuel, quartz monzonite and quartz monzonite porphyry. A description of the rocks was made including: color, texture, mineralogy, composition and fabric of fracture fillings, density, apparent porosity, and optical diffraction patterns. Unconfined and triaxial compression tests were run on the Climax and San Manuel specimens. Sonic velocities were measured during the compression tests; Shore sceleroscope hardness was measured before the compression tests. Conclusions are that some relation appears to exist between compressive strength and the following properties and features for all specimens: dynamic Young's modulus, sonic velocity, density, rock composition, slope of velocity curve, composition and fabric of fracture fillings-veinlets, and apparent porosity. There appears to be some relation between compressive strength and Shore scelerscope hardness for the quartz monzonite (San Manuel). A relation appears to exist between texture and compressive strength and the extent of failure on fracture fillings for schists, gneiss, and fine-grained granite (Climax). The amount of swelling clays (montmorillonite, hydromicas, etc.) present in the rock and the relative number of fractures in which they constitute of major portion of the fracture fillings are related to the strength of the rocks. Possible tests for checking the amount of these clays present is presented including saturation, dyes, and X-rays. A useful index relating to rock strength, as revealed in this study, is the presence of swelling clays in detectable abundances. These clays can be detected in the field with a simple wetting and striking test; in the laboratory they can be detected by X-ray and dye methods.

Jan 1, 1974

By W. M. Merritts

A joint investigation by the Bureau of Mines and the Christopher Coal Co. at the Humphrey No. 7 mine, operating in the Pittsburgh coalbed in northern West Virginia, was undertaken to gain more insight concerning the hazardous emission of methane gas in mining, This report describes the equipment, procedure, and results. Horizontal bleeder holes drilled in the faces drained large quantities of methane, eliminating downtime of mining equipment. Also, larger quantities of methane were removed by forcing 14 to 25 g.p.m. water at 25 to 200 p.s.i. 5 pressure into the bleeder holes, In one infusion test a fluorescein dye was added to the infusion water; in later mining operations, the infusion water was traced for a distance of 1,500 feet. With vacuum pump applied to the horizontal hole the gas-flow rate increased, and the methane content decreased.

Jan 1, 1962

By C. E. Armantrout, H. Kato, M. I. Copeland, M. Krug

The investigation of the nickel - gadolinium phase diagram was undertaken to determine the alloying behavior of these two metals . The data from meltingpoint determinations , thermal analyses , metallographic examinations , and X- ray diffraction analyses revealed a phase diagram with three eutectic points and seven intermetallic compounds . Very limited solubility of the phases in each other was observed . The five phases , Ni Gd , Ni , Gd , Ni Gd , Ni, Gd , and NiGd¸ , melted incongruently at about 1,300 ° , 1,270 ° , 1,180 ° , 1,070 ° , and 775 ° C , respectively . Ni Gd and NiGd melted congruently at approximately 1,550 ° and 980 ° C , respectively . Four of the compounds were determined to crystallize in the hexagonal system : Ni Gd , Ni Gd , Ni , Gd , and Ni Gd . Ni Gd was determined to be cubic and NiGd , orthorhombic . The crystal system of NiGd was not determined . The eutectic points occurred at 13 , 67 , and 85 wt pct gadolinium , and the isotherms at 1,290 ° , 890 ° , and 700 ° C , respectively .

Jan 1, 1964

By G. W. Elger

This report describes pilot-plant studies and an economic evaluation of a process developed by the Federal Bureau of Mines, Albany Metallurgy Research Center, to produce synthetic rutile from a rock-type ilmenite concentrate. In this process, ilmenite blended with coke and lime is smelted in an electric arc furnace to separate most of the iron as salable pig iron and to form a titania-enriched slag of low iron content, which is treated with oxygen and titanium pyrophosphate. The titanium oxides are converted to crystalline rutile; the phosphate glass contains most of the associated impurities. The treated slag is ground and leached with sulfuric acid to liberate rutile crystals, which are concentrated by physical methods. In pilot testing conducted to obtain data for a cost estimation, a synthesized product containing about 88 wt-pct TiO2 and less than 2 pct FeO was extracted from a rock-type ilmenite concentrate containing about 45 wt-pct TiO2. The estimated fixed capital cost (on a mid-1975 basis) of a plant producing 500 tpd of synthetic rutile is $28,290,100. Based on 330 operating days per year, the estimated operating cost for this process is $351 per ton of synthetic rutile. The estimated selling price of synthetic rutile made from rock-type ilmenite is $344 per ton, based on a credit of $160 per ton of pig iron and a 20 pct interest rate of return on investment after taxes.

Jan 1, 1976

By Will H. Coghill, C. O. Anderson

In July 1921 , we were assigned by the U. S. Bureau of Mines to an investigation of milling methods in the Tri - State zinc district ( Missouri -Kaneas- Oklahoma district ) . The work has progressed without interruption , and about onehalf of the funds allotted for it has been expended . This preliminary statement abcut the nature of the work and the results so far obtained , has been prepared for the information of the operators , and through their assistance to insure the greatest possible progress during the remainder of the work . A general survey of the district was made , and many of the mining companies cordially offered the facilities of their plants for the investigation . The work was finally centralized at the plant of the 0. M. Bilharz Mining Co. Its manager , F. H. Gartung, and his successor , O. W. Bilharz , have been especially helpful , also the millmen at this plant and elsewhere have rendered assistance without which the work could not have advanced . The Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy , Rolla, Mo. , and the Miami School of Mines , Miami , Okla . , have given hearty cooperation . The Webb City Iron Works and the Joplin Supply Co. donated some necessary apparatus .

Jan 1, 1922