Search Documents

By Erle C. Donaldson

Subsurface injection of liquid and slurry-type industrial waste is being used as a means of waste disposal. This survey conducted by the Bureau of Mines shows that the method can be economically and environmentally attractive if the proper precautions are taken, especially when the alternative is cursory treatment and discharge at the surface. Attention is called to petroleum technology and experience that can be applied to subsurface waste injection. Part 1 of this report is a discussion of the general aspects of subsurface waste-injection systems. Part 2 is a general discussion and review of the literature concerning the geologic formations available for injection in the United States. Part 3 is a discussion if 15 case histories including information on the source and nature of the waste and the geology, surface equipment, well completion, and operation of the systems.

Jan 1, 1974

By Ronald M. Lewis

Quadratic functions, Q(hkl), are given to six places in increments of 0.01° for 2? from 00 to 90° for FeKa and from 25° to 180° for FeKa1. The wavelengths used for Fe in the computation are those agreed upon by the Editorial Commission of the International Tables for X-ray Crystallography (1950): FeKa1 1.93597 A.; Feka2 1.93991 A. INTRODUCTION At the Federal Bureau of Mines laboratory, Norris, Tenn. X-ray diffraction crystallography using tubes with iron targets revealed a need for a handy reference for the quadratic functions of iron radiation. The tables presented here were prepared to satisfy that need. The quadratic form Q(hkl) may be expressed in terms of the Bragg diffraction angle 2? and of the wavelength ? as

Jan 1, 1961

By M. M. Tilman

The Bureau of Mines conducted research to determine the feasibility of strengthening experimental magnesium-base sheet alloys by strain softening induced by controlled cold rolling followed by selective heat treatment. Relatively small alloying additions having potential for producing strain softening were selected from metals that are readily avail-able. Tensile properties comparable to minimum properties of the most commonly used magnesium-base sheet alloy AZ31B, in the H24 condition (strain-hardened and partially annealed), were obtained in an Mg-IMM (mischmetal)-O.5Mn alloy after strain-softening rolling followed by heat treatment. Tensile properties of the experimental alloys in certain conditions are also compared with minimum tensile properties of other standard magnesium sheet alloys. Incidental to the principal objectives, apparent superplastic behavior was observed in three experimental magnesium-base alloys containing MM, MM plus manganese, and MM plus zirconium.

Jan 1, 1985

By L. V. Clark, Arthur La Motte

"INTRODUCTION The U. S. Bureau of Mines in 1930 and 1931 made a study of the properties and characteristics of liquid-oxygen explosives (L.O.X.) at the request of one of the largest users, in order to determine and eliminate the hazards attending its use.This report deals with the examination of absorbents for L.O.X. to (1) determine their most desirable and most undesirable characteristics, (2) to find ways and means of desensitizing absorbents to mechanical shock, and (3) to determine the effect that such desensitization of absorbents has on the explosive Characteristics of L.O.X.ABSORBENT MATERIALS The absorbent used in driving the Simplon Tunnel, the earliest project in which L.O.X. was used, was composed of crude petroleum, soot, and kieselguhr. During the World War, powdered cork, soot, sawdust, powdered straw, or other similar powdered materials were mentioned in the German military instructions for use of ""liquid air"" explosives. At that time the common types of absorbent, materials were compounded ones containing the above ingredients as well as kieselguhr, paraffin, gas oils, charcoal, bituminous coal, etc.Kuryla and Clevenger4 investigated absorbents of the above type and made the following statement concerning them:"

Apr 1, 1932

By Piyush K. Dutta

This report describes the design, development and manufacture of a prototype quiet hard rock stoper drill and results of its field tests. It is shown that the stoper drill noise level can be reduced from 118 dBA to below 100 dBA by using this design. The design concept of this drill is based on a valveless independent rotation system, use of an integral muffler and pivot mount. The drill was manufactured in a standard commercial drill manufacturing setup and organization. The design and production technology proved that commercially viable quiet drills can be made available for mine use.

Jan 1, 1985

By Daryl R. Tweeton

This Bureau of Mines publication ill scribes present practices of making injection wells for in situ uranium leaching. Casings, screens, drilling fluids, coring, logging, cementing, and developing are discussed with the objective of aiding those who are starting an in situ leaching operation. Improper choices of materials or techniques can result in wells that are either useless or wells that have an undesirably high resistance to injection. Important factors include careful selection of screen slot size, use of logs for choosing the cementing basket depth, proper cementing techniques, and careful choice, use, and flushing of drilling fluids. The information was obtained through observation of well construction and through discussion with in situ leaching companies, drillers, and suppliers.

Jan 1, 1978

By Pramod C. Thakur

In This Chapter [Origins of coalbed methane Reservoir properties of coal seams Thresholds for coal seam degasification Methane emissions in mines Methane drainage techniques How to transport gas safely in mine pipelines and Economics of coal seam degasification Recommended publications on coal seam degasification are Gas Control in Underground Coal Mining [Creedy et al. 1997], Coalbed Methane Extraction [Davidson et al. 1995], and Methane Control for Underground Coal Mines [Diamond 1994].] ORIGINS OF COALBED METHANE AND RESERVOIR PROPERTIES OF COAL SEAMS Origins of coalbed methane. Coal seams form over millions of years by the biochemical decay and metamorphic transformation of plant materials. This coalification process produces large quantities of byproduct gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide. The amount of these byproducts increases with the rank of coal. It is the highest for anthracite, where for every ton of coal nearly 1,900 lb of water, 2,420 lb (20,000 ft3) of carbon dioxide, and 1,186 lb (27,000 ft3) of methane are produced [Hargraves 1973]. Most of these gases escape to the atmosphere during the coalification process, but a small fraction is retained in the coal. The amount of gas retained in the coal depends on a number of factors, such as the rank of coal, the depth of burial, the type of rock in the immediate roof and floor, local geologic anomalies, and the tectonic pressures and temperatures prevalent at that time. The gases are contained under pressure and mainly adsorbed on the surface of the coal matrix, but a small fraction of gases is also present in the fracture net-work of the coal. Methane is the major component of gases in coal, comprising 80%–90% or more of the total gas volume. The balance is made up of ethane, propane, butane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, oxygen, and argon.

Jan 6, 2006

By Ellis S. Hertzog

[The relatively large amount of phosphorous occurring in many iron ores limits their usefulness mid sometimes renders them valueless under present conditions of pig-iron manufacture. A practical method for removing the phosphorus would be valuable to the iron and steel industry. Gravity concentration has been of little value as far as the removal it of phosphorous is concerned, because the compounds of this element are, as a rule, disseminated very finely. Removal of the phosphorous by leaching is not a new idea and has been the subject of some investigation,3,4/ but few data have been published. W. R. Crane published analyses of various ore bodies in the Birmingham district. The hard or unleached ores are much higher or in phosphorus than the soft, leached ores along the outcrops. Tips fact indicates that as mild a leaching agent as water removes phosphorus effectively if enough time is allowed for it to react.]

Jan 1, 1935

By Gordon R. Sima

This contract is concerned with the construction of a Time Resolved Audio Dosimeter System consisting of one readout unit and several dosimeter units. The Time Resolved Audio Dosimeter System was designed and developed by the Bureau of Mines with the purpose of this contract aimed at obtaining additional units for further field testing and evaluation. All construction was in accordance with the Bureau of Mines design and/or Bureau approved drawings produced during the course of this contract. This report contains a summary of the construction efforts, problems encountered, recommendations and all drawings produced under this contract.

Jan 1, 1977

By W. L. Crentz

In Fayette County, the Pittsburgh bed has been the major source of production for almost two centuries. Although historical documentation is not available, there is evidence, that the Pittsburgh bed may have been discovered in Fayette County near Mt. Braddock, Pa., as early as 1753. The earliest known reference to coal in western Pennsylvania was recorded in 1758 by a Quaker trader, James .Kenny, who reported having seen coal in Fayette County. The production of coke from Pittsburgh coal was begun in 1841, when two 10-foot beehive ovens were erected in the Connellsville region to make coke .for shipment by river to the market. The Connellsville, region extends from Latrobe, Pa., in Westmoreland County to South of Uniontown, in Fayette County. Connellsville coke was used with great success in the Clinton furnace in 1859.

Jan 1, 1951

By John D. Bardill

Data from extensive tests was obtained on friction-head losses of various sand slurries, composed of materials of different specific gravities and under varying transport conditions, to provide useful information for designing hydraulic transport systems. The tests were run in a pilot plant through 2-, 3-, and 4-inch lines with slurries composed of relatively pure barite and limestone solids. Available grinding and classification equipment did not permit attaining a comparable size distribution in the two materials tested, thus preventing direct correlation of friction-head loss values to physical properties or mineral composition. A total of 495 measurements were made of limestone slurries in the 2-, 3-, and 4-inch pipe test sections at flow velocities from 6 to 14 feet per second and pulp densities from 40 to 70 percent solids. A total of 640 measurements of barite slurries were made in the 3-and 4-inch pipe test sections at flow velocities between 7 and 14 f.p.s. and pulp densities ranging from 40 to 80 percent solids.

Jan 1, 1962

By Albert L. Toenges

This paper is the fourth of a series5/ that describes some methods and practices of mining coal mechanically where operations are conducted on more than one shift. Many inquiries have been received regarding methods of extracting pillars with mechanized equipment, and this paper deals primarily with this phase of mechanical mining. Some of the questions that have been asked are:

Jan 1, 1942

By Jay C. Hanson

Various electrical and electromagnetic (EM) geophysical techniques are currently being evaluated by the U.S. Bureau of Mines for their effectiveness in the detection and monitoring of electrically conductive (1 to 5 S/m) lixiviant (leach solution) to depths of 600 m, either above or below the water table. These techniques include magnetotellurics (MT) , controlled source audiofrequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT), resistivity and focused resistivity, ground-penetrating radar (GPR), frequency-domain electromagnetics (FEM), and time-domain electromagnetics (TEM). Of these techniques, TEM may be the most effective, but CSAMT and focused resistivity also hold promise. Geophysical computer modeling of the borehole TEM technique was conducted based on an idealized geoelectric section (layered earth) with characteristics based on the Santa Cruz porphyry copper deposit near Cas a Grande, AZ. Layer resistivities and thicknesses were obtained from geophysical data and geologic logs available from the site. Modeling of borehole TEM in both preleach and during leach situations was conducted. Simulating the TEM method using computer modeling proved to be encouraging since there were substantial differences between leached and nonleached responses. The modeling does not prove the effectiveness of TEM in the field, but does indicate that detection of deep lixiviant zones is theoretically possible.

Jan 1, 1992

By Ellis S. Hertzog

The relatively large amount of phosphorous occurring in many iron ores limits their usefulness aid sometimes renders them valueless under present conditions of nip-iron manufacture. A practical method for removing the phosphorus would be valuable to the iron and steel industry. Gravity concentration has been of little value as far as the removal of phosphorous is concerned, because the compounds of this element are, as a rule, disseminated very finely. Removal of the phosphorous by leaching is not a new idea and has been the subject of some investigation,3,4/ out for data :lave been published. W.R. Crane published analyse of various ore bodies in the Birmingham ham district. The hard or unleached ores a .re much higher in phosphorous than the Soft, leached ores along the outcrops. This fact indicates that as mild a leaching agent as water removes phosphorus effectively if enough time is allowed for it to react. As the forms in which phosphorous occurs in the iron ores are important in the consideration of any leaching operation, much time was expended in devising a method for determining them. According to Professor McVey, University of Alabama, the phosphorous-bearing minerals in the red iron ores of Alabama have not been positively identified by any microscopic methods.

Jan 1, 1935

By James R. Cosby

This report describes work performed for the Bureau of Mines to evaluate available portable instruments for their effectiveness in detecting and locating damaged metallic shields in Types SHD and SHC cables. A second phase of the program is also covered wherein several instruments of a type which show promise are purchased for modification and testing to verify their performance.

Jan 1, 1980

By W. W. Scott

Measurements of the absolute value of electromagnetic noise and attenuation along a hoist rope were made in an operating hard-rock mine, Lucky Friday Mine, located near Wallace, Idaho. Spectra of electromagnetic noise generated by various pieces of equipment, spectra of specific noise signals at various depths, and noise and attenuation on the 4250 foot (1295 meter) hoist, were measured. Three techniques were used to make the measurements. First, noise was measured over the entire electromagnetic spectrum of interest for brief time periods. Data were recorded using broadband analog magnetic tape for later transformation to spectral plots. Second, noise amplitudes were recorded at several discrete frequencies for a sufficient amount of time to provide data for amplitude probability distributions. A third technique gave attenuation data through the direct measurement of field strength at various depths. The specific measured results are given in a number of spectral plots, amplitude probability distribution plots and amplitude curves as a function of depth.

Jan 1, 1974

By Ernest W. Hilton

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the environmental impact of the surface mining methods currently used in the steep-sloped areas of Central Appalachia: southern West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, southwestern Virginia and northeastern Tennessee. Comparisons are made between mountaintop/cross ridge mining, contour strip, augering and an innovative method surface shortwall mining which was attempted at Julian, West Virginia. Included in this final report are a discussion and analysis of current Appalachian production, reserves, and the extent of land affected on a county- by-county basis. Additionally, the seams within the steep sloped region have been assessed according to minimal standards of thickness, surrounding lithology, and areal extent to determine their amenability to surface shortwall mining. These seams have been tabulated with their ash, sulfur, and BTU content on a county-by county basis. Only minimal statements are made concerning quantity because of the narrow set of conditions required by the shortwall method. Other sections deal with the possible technical failings of an operational surface shortwall system based on field studies at shortwall operations, discussions with people experienced with shortwalls and research into ground control problems at sites where short- and longwall operations have been monitored. A final section details proposed additional research directions which the Bureau might take in the future.

Jan 1, 1979

By P. R. Tisot

Structural response and/or deformation was determined for each of four different grade Green River oil shales (27.0-, 34.5-, 45.5-, and 63.5-gal/ton) as they were heated in an inert atmosphere, under constant compressive stress, from ambient to subretorting temperatures; that is, below those required for rapid pyrolysis of the organic matter. Small cores and small columns of confined fragments comprised the test specimens, which were heated, in a specially designed microunit, at a uniform rate either to 725° or to 825° F under three different stress levels, 80, 200, and 325 psi. Structural response of some cores was observed as they were heated in a stress-free environment. The obtained stress-strain-time-temperature relationships provide information regarding the oil shale's yield temperature, yield stress, rate of compressive strain, loss of mechanical strength, and nature of structural deformation. Effects of structural deformation on induced permeability in small columns of fragments are presented. Results indicate that underground retorting of Green River oil shale may be seriously impaired through loss of induced permeability brought about by structural deformation of rich oil shale under the influence of heat and compressive stress.

Jan 1, 1971

This report is in fulfillment of Contract H0230031 awarded to Bituminous Coal Research, Inc., on May 23, 1973. The scope of work to be performed under this contract was divided into four phases: Phase I - Design, Phase II - Construction, Phase III - Field Demonstration, and Phase IV - Analysis and Final Report. During Phase I, an agreement was finalized with the Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal Co. for conducting field tests of the proposed shearer spray systems on a longwall panel in the company's Jane Mine in Indiana County, Pa. A drum was then designed which could be used on the Eickhoff shearer, Model EW170-L, being used on this longwall and which would utilize the following spray systems: 1. One spray nozzle located in front of each cutter bit with the jet directed at the cutting surface. 2. One spray nozzle located in back of each cutter bit with the jet directed at the back of the bit. 3. Standard Eickhoff nozzles located in a header along the drum scrolls. 4. A fixed header mounted on the shearer directly behind the drum to simulate the spray system originally used on the Eickhoff shearer.

Jan 1, 1976

By H. S. Price

This report discusses the development of a mathematical model that describes the flow of methane only and methane and water in a coal bed during mining operations. Because of the complex geometry, boundary conditions and fluid properties, the model is based on a numerical solution to the equations describing flow. The goals for the development of this model and requirements to which it complies are for the most part expressly stated in Request for Proposal No. 50110752. In addition to the capabilities specified under the scope of work the model can handle an anisotropic porous medium and a source term has been added which will simulate, somewhat, the effects of desorption. This term will be pressure dependent. The effect of time on such a term is only taken care of in the change of pressure with time. This source term will have the dimensions of Mcf/day/Mcf pore volume. It will be a part of the input data to be supplied by the user and will be entered as a table of rates versus pressure. These models consider the fracture system as the main porosity. All computed results pertain to the fractures. The source term mentioned above represents the flow from the matrix porosity into the fracture. Such flow should be small compared with the flow between fractures since these models handle only one porosity structure system.

Jan 1, 2012