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By Stephen P. Holt

During the spring and summer of 1946, the Bureau of Mines put down 8 churn-drill holes and 9 diamond-drill holes, totaling 3,535 feet of bore, at the Blewett zinc-lead deposit in Jo Daviess County, Ill. Attention of the Bureau of Mines was first directed to this deposit by the Illinois State Geological Survey, which had investigated the Blewett mine. In the opinion of the Survey and the Bureau of Mines, the record of production and results of drilling previously done on the property were considered sufficient justification for continuing investigation to the north and south along a projection of the trend. This report describes the work done by the Bureau on this, property and presents the data obtained.

Jan 1, 1948

By Cleo G. Rall

The method for determining the effective porosity of oil- and gas-bearing sands described in this report is a development of earlier methods (28)3/ devised by the Bureau of Mines. The apparatus bas been improved and made more convenient to use, but the procedure is essentially the same as that which has been in use for maw years. A tabulation at the end of the report gives the results of more than 4,800 porosity determinations for oil sands4/ in the fields of 13 States, A selected bibliography of references to articles containing descriptions and evaluations of various methods of' determining porosity is included in this report. The method was devised and developed at the Petroleum Experiment Station at Bartlesville, Okla., as part of the Bureau's research on fluid-energy relationships and on methods of improving the recovery of crude oil from underground reservoirs.

Jan 1, 1954

By K. D. Plants, J. H. Holden, L. F. Willmott

Pulverized high- volatile A bituminous coal was gasified with oxygen and superheated steam in a pressure - gasification pilot plant equipped for steampickup feeding . The pilot plant operated satisfactorily at relatively high steam- to - coal ratios , but steam- to - coal ratios could not be reduced much below 0.5 lb / lb without condensation of steam or softening of the coal . Carbon gasified , gas composition , and coal and oxygen requirements were essentially the same as for a pilot plant equipped with a fluidized coal feeder . Average results from the pilot plant equipped for steam- pickup feeding were coal requirement , 37.3 lb/M ( 1,000 ) scf of CO + H₂ produced ; oxygen requirement , 358 scf /M scf CO + H₂ produced ; and carbon gasified , 87.7 percent .

Jan 1, 1964

By M. R. Geer

American and European practices in cleaning fine coal are strikingly different. The tables, launders, classifiers, and pneumatic devices used in America are seldom employed in Continental Europe, where much of the fine coal is cleaned in feldspar jigs, often supplemented by froth flotation of the extreme fines. This difference in choice of cleaning equipment may be fortuitous, but in large measure can be attributed to a difference in economic factors. Coal being more costly in Europe, there is greater emphasis on efficient cleaning of all sizes, including the extreme fines, and it is common to produce a high-ash middling for "on-site" consumption to avoid any waste of fuel value. The feldspar jig has been found advantageous under these conditions. In the United States fuel coal must be prepared as cheaply as possible, and metallurgical coal must be prepared as efficiently as possible; thus in both branches of preparation practice, any cleaning device that promises greater economy or higher efficiency warrants consideration. The feldspar jig, as employed in Europe, has a much higher unit capacity than the wet table used so extensively here and therefore offers economy in the capital costs of a washery through saving in space. As pointed out by Vissac,4/ the jig operates under automatic control, and therefore can cope with fluctuations in quality of feed. Maintenance costs for a single, large-capacity unit, such as the feldspar jig, would be expected to be lower than those for a battery of low-capacity cleaners. These considerations led the Bureau of Mines to undertake an investigation of the feldspar jig to determine its possible usefulness in this country.

Jan 1, 1958

By Tony Keller, Setsuo Maeda

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) was identified as early as 1918 in Bedford, Indiana in the U.S. Since then much research work has been done around the world in the areas of medical, epidemiological, engineering and legal aspects of HAVS. In Japan, much of the pioneering work in this field has been performed by Dr. Setsuo Maeda and his staff at the National Institute of Industrial Health (NIIH) in Kawasaki. Most recently, reports of work done by this group and by Dr. Ren Dong1 of NIOSH in the U.S., as well as many other suppliers and Japanese practitioners were presented at the 13th Japan Group Meeting on Human Response to Vibration held in Osaka2 during August 3-5, 2005. [ ]

Jan 6, 2006

By Perry N. Halstead

This report describes two goniometers that, by simple manipulation, can be used to ascertain the attitude of a joint, vein, or fracture plane observed on the planar projection of a borehole photograph taken with an NX borehole camera of the type developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. One goniometer was designed to interpret photographs taken in vertical drill holes and the other for photographs taken in inclined drill holes. In practice, several measurements are made on each photograph with the goniometer. These data are then substituted into mathematical equations, which are derived in this report and the attitudes of fracture planes are determined.

Jan 1, 1968

By Mary S. Esfandiary

This is a revision of a directory of coal research organizations throughout the world that was first published in 1961 as Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8008. Because of the wide acceptance of the first edition, a revision which would supply up-to-date information on coal research and which would facilitate communication among organizations of similar interest seemed important. This compilation includes the names and activities of organizations of various types-government, university, private, and industry. The areas of investigation that each organization is engaged in are indicated in broad terms: Analysis and constitution, mining and geology, preparation, briquetting, combustion, high- and low-temperature carbonization, gasification, conversion to solid and liquid fuels, and health and safety. Publications issued by and describing the work of each organization are cited; almost all of the organizations also publish results of their investigations in the technical press. Selected technical and trade publications that publish information on the science and technology of coal and are not published directly by any of the organizations listed are cited in the pages following the list of organizations in each country.

Jan 1, 1966

By Sara J. Davenport

With the increased demand for mercury incident to preparations for national defense and the reduction in imports from some of the usual sources owing to war conditions, many small mines in the United States Pure now being worked that ordinarily would be unprofitable. This is indicated by the following table on mercury produced in the Unite States in 1939-40 (1)4/

Jan 1, 1941

By A. W. Deurbrouck

Five preparation plants employing concentrating tables for washing 3/8- inch to 0 raw coal were tested. Two of the plants were washing Pittsburgh-bed coal, two were washing Pocahontas-bed coal, and one was washing Elkhorn-bed coal. Samples of the feed to and products from the tables were collected over the normal operating shift. These samples were analyzed, and complete performance criteria were determined. The results of this study show that the concentrating table is an effective fine-coal cleaner even when operating at 40 percent over the recommended 10 tons per hour feed rate. Recovery efficiencies for the 3/8-inch to 200- mesh size fraction ranged from 97.3 to 99.3 percent; maximum yield errors and ash errors were 2.4 and 1.0 percent, respectively; probable errors ranged from 0.074 to 0.115 specific gravity units and error areas from 52 to 73 square centimeters. The amount of minus 200-mesh material in the water used for feed water and dressing water to the table had no significant effect on the sharpness of the separation achieved but did have an effect on the ash content of the clean- coal product. In the one plant studied, the substitution of fresh water for plant circulating water reduced the ash content of the clean coal by about 6 percentage points.

Jan 1, 1963

By O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of aviation gasolines and aviation jet fuels produced in the United States during 1953 was made under a co-operative agreement between the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior. Analytical data are presented for 101 samples of aviation gasoline which include, for the second time in this series of reports, data on some samples of grade 108/135 aviation fuel. Data also are given for 32 samples of aviation jet fuel. The analyses were made on samples typical of the manufacturers' production in their laboratories and the results sub-mitted to the Bureau of Mines for compilation. The products of 19 manufacturers of aviation gasolines and of 19 producers of aviation jet fuels are represented.

Jan 1, 1954

By T. C. Campbell

This Bureau of Mines publication presents an analysis of information related to the transportation of bituminous coal by unit trains and slurry pipelines. Even for short hauls from mines to markets, transport costs frequently account for between one-third and one-half of the delivered price of coal. Minimizing these costs has become an even more critical objective for hauls from the western mines than for hauls from farther east. Factors related to minimizing costs and transporting the western coal receive special attention. Although no general rule of preference is likely to be developed that can be applied to all shipments, both rail and pipeline service will be needed on an increasing scale. The study should provide useful background information and analysis for government and industry in approaching investment decisions in the mining and transportation industries.

Jan 1, 1975

By Max J. Spendlove

This Bureau of Mines publication reviews current recycling trends in the United States. Although near-term prospects are poor for recycling most present wastes, urban refuse is an important exception. Such wastes comprise a mine above ground, and much less processing energy is normally required to recycle the constituents of urban ore than to obtain them in equal amounts from natural raw materials.

Jan 1, 1976

Commodities statistics and other information are available through the following three systems: Internet Access: To acccess the USBM Gopher server on Internet, connect to: gopher.usbm.gov port 70, using gopher client software. Or contact the Systems Administrator for technical questions: Matt Klevemann, 412-892-6499 (klevemmc@miner.usbm.gov) These USBM materials are available on Internet, with more to come in the future: Publications and other research findings, including this bimonthly publications list, newsletters, tech transfer updates, enviromental technology research, health and safety information. USBM software products Media materials and speeches. Mines Data: Computer bulletin board. Log on via modem through 202/501-0373, or call 202/501-0406 for technical assistance. Mines FaxBack: Return fax service. 1. Use the touch-tone handset attached to your fax machine's telephone jack. (ISDN [digital] telephones cannot be used with fax machines.) 2. Dial 202/219-3644. 3. Listen to the menu options and punch in the number of your selection, using the touch-tone telephone. 4. After completing your selection, press the start button on your fax machine.

Jan 1, 1995

By E. D. Calvert

The Bureau of Mines, in its effort to promote greater utilization of domestically abundant materials, conducted reasearch on an alternate mold material that has commercial potential for titanium investment casting. Using variations of the conventional lost wax molding process, investment shell molds were formed entirely of fused, calcia-stabilized Zr02 and a Zr02-forming binder. Optimization of binder/slurry properties', stucco grain size and dis¬tribution, and curing practices resulted in a structurally sound investment shell that was distortion free and thermally stable. Small titanium castings, weighing up to 10 pounds, were prepared in unheated molds by both static and centrifugal casting techniques. Microstruc¬tural examination of the castings revealed that mold fill and surface quality were enhanced by centrifugal casting, although good results also were obtained from the statically poured molds. Microstructural and electron microprobe examinations showed that excessive, brittle case formation could be avoided by curing the dried shell molds in air for at least 2 hours at 1,400° C. Increasing curing temperature and time above these levels yielded added bene¬fits. Molds fired in vacuum at 1,500° C for 4 hours yielded castings essen¬tially free of case formation. The tensile properties of as-cast test specimens (no surface conditioning performed) id the chemical composition of representative metal samples showed that castings produced were comparable to Grades C-1 and C-2 unalloyed titanium This indicated that no sifnificant degradation of metal properties resulted from mold/metal interaction.

Jan 1, 1981

By Louis A. Panek

An improved centrifugal-testing apparatus has been designed and built in the Bureau of Mines laboratory at College Park, Md., which is unique in that it incorporates the use of resistance gages to measure directly the strains in a rotating model without testing it to failure. Owing to this feature, a more rapid testing method can be used; furthermore, model materials need not be restricted to those of the prototype. The behavior of any structure in which strains of significant magnitude are produced by its own weight may be studied in a small model subjected to simulated gravity loading. The model is rotated in a centrifuge to induce in it centrifugal forces, which, like the gravitational forces in the full-size structure, act on the volume elements and are proportional to the masses thereof. Centrifugal testing is, therefore, applicable to the design of mine openings and to the study of similar ground-control problems. It constitutes an experimental method for determining the state of strain in a structure for which analytical methods are excessively laborious or even impossible. In previous applications of centrifugal testing by other investigators, the models usually were tested to failure, and the analysis was made from-the type of break produced. The models were made of the same materials as the proto-type, and the test results were applied only to the particular prototype represented by the model. Beam deflections were measured from photographs of the rotating model, but no means was employed either to determine the actual distribution of stress in the model or to determine quantitatively the degree of restraint imposed on the ends of the loaded model beam, that is, to determine whether the loaded model behaved as a beam with rigidly fixed ends or as some other type of beam. With the apparatus described, it is possible to determine the state of strain, and thus the boundary conditions, in a rotating test model weighing up to 90 lb., which can be subjected to centrifugal forces up to about 2,600 times the force of gravity. The load-strain relationship, applicable directly to the prototype, can be determined from a Single model test. The test results can be presented as quantitative relations between the loads, strains, and dimensions and mechanical proper-ties of the structural members and can be applied to any prototype, whatever its component materials, that satisfies the similarity requirements.

Jan 1, 1952

By Lowell B. Moon

The Stange and Byrnes Heirs manganese mines, adjoining properties in Bland and Giles Counties, Va., have produced at least 20,000 long tons of concentrates containing 8,000 long tons of manganese. They were selected as the site for a strategic-mineral development project because of the existence of geologic possibilities for extensions of the known ore body. In plan, the long dimension of the ore body parallels the axis of a major anticline. Localization apparently is due to longitudinal and transverse fracturing incident to two-way folding. That the manganese oxides were deposited by downward-moving solutions is suggested by the fact that mineable concentrations are confined to a coarse, porous sandstone under-lain by impervious silt and clay. Bureau of Mines project work began on January 15, 1941, and was completed on April 23. The work sampling the faces of the pit, bulldozer trenching, and churn drilling. Pit sampling consisted of 132 channel samples usually 5 feet long and taken at 20-foot intervals. Seventeen trenches aggregating some 4,500 feet in length were dug by the bulldozer. Trenches averaged 12.6 feet in width and 5 feet in depth. A total of 1,978 feet of churn drilling was done in 33 holes. In preparation for churn drilling it was necessary to construct roads to 21 of the 33 sites. A total of 2,867 linear feet of road averaging 13 feet in width was built.

Jan 1, 1950

By H. M. Thorne

Oil shale, a potential source of products presently obtained from petroleum, is found in many countries. The most extensive known deposits from the standpoint of potential shale oil in place are those in Brazil and the United States of America. Mining methods used for oil shale range from open-pit operations for shallow deposits to room-and-pillar and longwall techniques for deposits with thick overburdens. Oil shales from different sources vary greatly in the amounts and types of organic and inorganic constituents. By retorting, the organic material is converted to oil, gas, and coke. The largest percentages of oil are obtained from materials having the highest hydrogen content. Over 2,000 retorting systems have been patented, but only a few have been used industrially, and no single process seems best for all types of shales or economic conditions. Shale oils have different characteristics, depending on the source rock and method of retorting. They contain large quantities of olefinic hydrocarbons and more oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur derivatives of hydrocarbons than most petroleums. Consequently, petroleum refining methods usually must be modified for shale oil. This is particularly true in catalytic processing. Hydrogenation, even under mild conditions, improves shale-oil refinability. Several byproducts may be obtained from both the retorting and refining steps,

Jan 1, 1964

By R. L. Grayson, W. E. Wallace, M. D. Attfield, A. Q. Wearden, P. Bolsaitis, R. D. Kennedy, M. J. Keane, J. C. Harrison

"Respirable high-silica particles from four coal mines. a clay mine and a tunnelling site were analysed for silicon vs aluminum composition by performing scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDS) at electron accelerating voltages of 20 kiloelectron volts (keV). The same particles were analysed at 5 keV to determine possible differences in surface vs bulk composition. In some cases high-silica particles exhibited a decrease in the ratio of silicon to aluminium K-alpha line intensities with decreasing electron beam accelerating voltage. This behaviour is consistent with aluminosilicate surface contamination or occlusion of a silica particle. Some 20 high-silica particles were analysed from each of 10 samples. Powdered aluminosilicate glass was used as a control for the behaviour of silica with a homogeneous distribution of aluminium in the particle. Significant differences were found between the control and sample means for an Illinois bituminous coal mine dust, two western and one central Pennsylvania bituminous coal mine dust low-temperature ashes. and a clay mine and mill dust sample, but not for an anthracite coal mine dust and two central Pennsylvania bituminous coal mine dust low-temperature ashes. INTRODUCTIONRESPIRABLE dust quartz content commonly is measured on bulk samples by using i.r. spectroscopy or X-ray diffraction. For research purposes, individual particle-by particle SEM-EDS analysis at 20-30 keV electron beam accelerating potential may be used also. Such measurements have not provided an unambiguous association of quartz content with occupational pulmonary disease prevalence in exposed workers (WALTON et al., 1977). Rather, there is evidence that coal rank modifies the relationship between dust exposure and pneumoconiosis development (WAL TON et al., 1977; ROBOCK and BAUER, 1990; ATTFIELD and MORRING, in press). SEM-EDS analysis was performed to measure the silicon fraction, Si/(Si +Ai), at 20 and at 5 keV on high-silica particles to determine if some respirable quartz particles generated by mining exhibit heterogenous composition with depth (WALLACE et al., 1990), which might affect the bioavailability of the quartz surface."

Dec 1, 1995

By Mary S. Esfandiary

U.S. scientists attempting to maintain continuous surveillance of scientific information are confronted with two acute problems: The steady, even spectacular; increase in the volume of such information and the fact that much of it is published in unfamiliar foreign languages, According to the National Science Foundation, almost one-third of the world's scientific literature is published in languages that are read by less than 5 percent of U.S. scientists. Most scientists in the United States must rely on abstract journals and translations to obtain information on developments in research and investigations conducted in the non-English-speaking countries. However, there are problems involved in procuring suitable abstracts and translations and in obtaining such information as cheaply and rapidly as possible.

Jan 1, 1961

By R. V. Ramani, C. B. Manula, A. Owili-Eger

• MINE VENTILATION NETWORK PROBLEM (NATURAL SPLITTING; FIXED • QUANTITY BRANCHES; METHANE SIMULATION; NETWORK TOPOLOGY REVISION; • ABSOLUTE PRESSURE) • NFIXB = NO. OF FIXED QUANTITY BRANCHES • DD(I) = AIR QUANTITY ASSIGNED TO FIXED QUANTITY BRANCH I, IN KCFP • NFBPF = NO. OF FIXED QUANTITY BRANCHES PLUS FAN • NFBPFG = NO. OF FIXED QUANTITY BRANCHES PLUS FAN PLUS METHANE • EMISSION BRANCHES • NBWNVP = NO. OF BRANCHES WITH NATURAL.VENTILATION PRESSURE • NVP(I) = NATURAL VENTILATION PRESSURE ASSOCIATED WITH • THE I-TH BRANCH • NF = NUMBER OF FANS • NB = NUMBER OF BRANCHES • MAXIT = MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ITERATIONS • MAXJ = MAXIMUM NUMBER OF JUNCTIONS • NJ = NUMBER OF JUNCTIONS INVOLVED IN THE SOLUTION * NM = NUMBER OF MESHES • NP = NO. OF POINTS TO DESIGNATE FAN CHARACTERISTIC * Q = QUANTITY OF AIR FLOW IN KCFM • R = RESISTANCE OF AN AIRWAY • WIDTH = AIRWAY DIMENSION • LENGTH = AIRWAY DIMENSION • HEIGHT = AIRWAY DIMENSION • SUMNVP = SUMMATION OF NATURAL VENTILATION PRESSURE FOR ANY MESH • X (I) = QUANTITY OF AIR, IN KCFM, ASSOCIATED WITH THE I-TB POINT • ON A FAN CHARACTERISTIC • E = ERROR FOR CONVERGENCE • FF = FRICTION FACTOR • FX(I) = FAN PRESSURE, INS INCHES OF WATER GAGE, CORRESPONDING • • TO A QUANTITY X(I) • H = HEAD LOSS IN INCHES OF WATER GAGE • I = BRANCH NUMBER • J, J1, J2 = JUNCTION, J1 AND J2 ARE TWO NODES WHICH DEFINE A • BRANCH • KEY = NO. WHICH SIGNALS THE TYPE OF FAN CHARACTERISTIC TO BE • EXPECTED

Jan 1, 1975