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By C. P. Haller, S. J. Aresco, R. F. Abernethy

The Bureau of Mines has been active in promoting the purchase of coal for Government use under specifications that define the requirements in terms of heating value of the coal, expressed in British thermal units, and the composition as shown by proximate analyses. To these, when required, are added the ash- softening temperature of ash, the free-swelling index, and the hardgrove grind- ability index. Under most of these specification contracts the bidders guarantee the quality of the coal, and that guaranteed by the successful bidder becomes the standard of his contract. The deliveries are sampled in accordance with instruc- tions issued by the Bureau of Mines; the samples are analyzed in the Bureau laboratory to determine whether the coal is of the quality guaranteed by the con- tractor and, if it is not, a price adjustment is made. Analyses of the delivered coal and tipple samples (samples collected at mine tipples as coal is being loaded into railroad cars or trucks) provide valuable data for use in evaluating future bids. In addition, the continuous sampling of coal as delivered is a check on the practical results obtained in burning the coal. The Government purchased approximately 5-1/4 million tons of coal in fiscal year 1953. In connection with these purchases, the Bureau analyzed 11,435 samples. These are published for the use of Government officials and the public. A series of publications has been completed on coal analyses by States, or, where production is small in any one State, by groups of adjacent States. In addition to analytical data showing composition and quality of coals of the States, the publications con- tain brief descriptions of the geological structure of the coal basins, typical mining conditions in the various districts, the principal economic data of the industry, and the relationship of mine or channel samples to delivered and tipple samples. The present publication covers many States but deals only with the analytical data of the coals. Previous publications in this series are: Bulletin 516, Analyses of Tipple and Delivered Samples of Coal (Collected During the Fiscal Years 1948 to 1950 Inclusive); Report of Investigations 4934, Analyses of Tipple and Delivered Samples of Coal (Collected During the Fiscal Year 1951); Report of In- vestigations 4972, Analyses of Tipple and Delivered Samples of Coal (Collected During the Fiscal Year 1952). Following are the Bureau of Mines technical papers published by States, with their numbers: Alabama, 347; Alaska, 682; Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon, 696; Arkansas, 416; Colorado, 574; Illinois, 641; Indiana, 417; Iowa, 269 and 706; Kansas, 455; Kentucky, 308 and 652; Maryland, 465; Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas, 700; Missouri, 366; Montana, 529; New Mexico, 569; Ohio 344 (and Bulletin 499); Oklahoma, 411; Pennsylvania Bituminous, 590 (Supplement 645); Pennsylvania Anthracite, 659; Tennessee, 356 and 671; Utah, 345; Virginia, 365 and 656; Washington, 491 (Supplement 618); West Virginia, 405 and 626; and Wyoming, 484.

Jan 1, 1955

By Leon W. Dupuy

Marquette's first reported the existence of iron In Missouri in 1673. Recorded production wan begun in 1815, increasing in size and importance until 1888, when the low price of iron resulting from Minnesota's production of high-grade ore caused most of the operators to close down. Missouri's iron production came from three types of ore: (l) Brown ores, including the deposits of primary and secondary limonites in southeast and southwest Missouri, (2) hematites of the filled sinks, including the ores of Central Ozark district, and (3) specular ores in porphyry, including the deposits of the St. Francois Mountains.

Jan 1, 1949

By Radford Schantz

In 1990, the Bureau of Mines (BOM) conducted a mineral investigation of the mines and prospects in the East Mojave National Scenic Area (EMNSA). San Bernardino County. California During field work. BOM identified 701 mines and prospects in EMNSA for which the geology, mineral resources, and mining history were compiled and summarized. Analytical results for 1.188 rock samples collected are tabulated. Total value of identified resources in EMNSA is $5.0 billion. Twenty-four mines and prospects were deemed profitable under current economic conditions. Development could generate considerable economic benefits to San Bernardino County. Potential economic benefits from mining the deposits were evaluated under the following access restrictions for EMNSA: 1) fun access, 2) HR 3460, and 3) S 11/HR 780. Under the full access scenario, cumulative mine revenues are $3.0 billion, cumulative personal earnings at mines and supporting industries are $0.94 billion, and annual jobs at mines and supporting industries are 2,379. Under HR 3460, mine revenues, personal earnings, and annual jobs are $2.9 billion. $0.88 billion, and 2,165, respectively. Under S 11/HR 780, mine revenues, personal earnings, and annual jobs are $1.0 billion, $0.32 billion, and 936, respectively.

Jan 1, 1990

By Gordon T. Austin

The combined value of production of natural abrasives, which include tripoli, special silica stone, garnet, staurolite, and emery, increased about 4% in 1990. The decrease in the value of tripoli production was the result of a decrease in total production. Emery decreased owing to a decrease in the volume of the material produced. Special silica stone experienced a decrease in unit value and in the quantity produced. Garnet showed an 8 % increase in quantity and an 8 % increase in unit value. Staurolite increased about 38 % in the quantity produced, and the value of production increased about 36 %. The fused aluminum oxide industry showed a 12 % decline in the quantity produced and a 13 % decline in the value of production. The silicon carbide industry saw a 47 % decrease in the quantity produced and a 23 % decrease in the value of production. Combined, the industries decreased 17 % in quantity and value compared with those of 1990.

Jan 1, 1993

By D. J. Bauer

This report covers a phase of an extraction project carried out as part of a research program on rare-earth technology. The current project--the production of pure cerium compounds--is an intermediate step between ore processing and metal reduction. In this connection, a study on a separatory-funne1 scale was made on nonreducing extractants for recovering cerium (IV) from tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) and of methods for recovering the cerium nitrate from the strip solution. Dilute sulfuric acid was found to be 100 percent effective in stripping cerium (IV). Several precipitants were effective in recovering the cerium from the strip solution, and ethanol was especially promising. A scaled-up investigation was made into the use of spray-tower type equipment to perform the function of extracting, washing, and stripping. This equipment, referred to as the pressure-bubbler, utilized the system developed on the separatory-funnel scale. Feed solutions were prepared from a bastnasite concentrate by two techniques. Of these, the sulfated bastnasite solution was most successful, resulting in 86-percent recovery of the cerium at 99.7+-percent purity.

Jan 1, 1959

By G. W. Grove

The wearing of self-contained oxygen breathing apparatus, although relatively safe if proper precautions are taken, is dangerous if defective apparatus -is worn, if men with inadequate training, experience, and physical requirements are used, or if improper procedure is followed. This is proved by the fact that at least 26 men are known to have lost their lives while wearing-oxygen breathing apparatus since its introduction in this country about 35 years ago. Self-contained oxygen breathing apparatus, commonly called "mine rescue apparatus" and sometimes improperly referred to as "oxygen helmets," is the only equipment that can be used for respiratory protection against poisonous mine gases, regardless of concentration or against an atmosphere containing little or no oxygen.3/ Apparatus of this type was introduced in this country in 1907, and since that time it has been widely used in conducting rescue and recovery work after mine fires and explosions and in some other work. All oxygen breathing apparatus used in this country before 1918 was imported from Europe, and although this equipment provided safer, more rapid means of conducting recovery work after mine disasters, there were many mechanical deficiencies in the apparatus which resulted in the death of some of the wearers. This led to the research and experimental work by the Bureau of Mines that resulted in the development and manufacture of more reliable and efficient types of apparatus in this country.

Jan 1, 1944

By H. S. Chiang, Zhao. Y. F., G. C. Sun, S. S. Peng

"Chiang; H. S. West Virginia UniversityPeng, S. S. West Virginia UniversitySun, G. C. West Virginia UniversityZhao, Y. F.West Virginia UniversityDust sampling was performed in two longwall faces working in two separate seams. Instantaneous dust samples were measured by RAH's. for various locations In the longwall faces. Preliminary analysis of the data shows that in addition to the shearer's haulage speed, there are four major factors that influence the airborne dust distribution in longwall face areas: locations with respect to the position of the shearer's cutting, hardness of the materials, characteristics of water spray, and roof conditions. This paper presents the effects of those four parameters in detail.INTRODUCTIONA research project was initiated in September 1983 to measure and construct .a dust distribution map for the longwall face. During the first year, airborne dust samplings were performed in two longwall panels located in northern and southern West Virginia and working in the Pittsburgh and Eagle Seams, respectively. The physical parameters and equipment employed for both panels are 1 isled in Table 1. Figure 1 shows the detailed characteristics of the coal seams. Notice in both panels floor cutting was involved either to gain sufficient mining height or to reduce the adverse effects associated with a soft floor.The purpose of the research is to define the dust distribution at any instance in the longwall face area so that proper working positions can be determined and/or effective dust control techniques can be developed.This paper presents the partial results obtained during the first year."

Jan 1, 1988

No noticeable international economic recovery occurred during the first half of 1982. Industrial production continued to fall in the United States, Canada and Italy and to hold steady in France. Modest increases in production occurred in Japan, England and Germany, although some decline took place from March to April. The U.S. mining industry has been more severely affected by the world recession than the U.S. economy. This is not immediately obvious when comparing the U.S. mining industrial production index from 1981 to 1982, which decreased 8.5 percent, as compared to a 7.1 percent decline for total domestic industries. However, "mining" industry statistics in the U.S. national economic accounting system include petroleum and natural gas as well as minerals. When metal mining is isolated, the decrease in production from 1981 to 1982 is 19.3 percent. If metal mining production continues to perform at the same rate during the third and fourth quarters of 1982 as during the first half of the year, declines from 1981 levels will be quite severe. Aluminum will have declined 22 percent, copper 18 percent, iron ore 24 percent, lead 3 percent, steel 29 percent, titanium 2 percent and zinc 25 percent.

Jan 1, 1982

By Otto Ruhl

The Oronogo-Webb City-Duenweg district is in the northeastern part of the Tri-State zinc and, lead field. Its metal-mining history dates from the early 1850's. For some years prior to 1918 it ranked as the leading producing area of the entire Tri-State field, but by 1920 most of its mines had been abandoned and allowed to fill with water. Its mine operators had-been attracted, to the newly discovered and richer deposits around Picher, Okla. In 1943, the Orenogo Mutual Mining Co. was exploiting the Oronogo Circle deposit in the northern end of the district, and the Federal Mining & Smelting Co. was preparing to mine on its holdings in the southern part near Duenweg. The area between these two operating units ranked as the largest single block of ore reserves under water in the Tri-State field. In 1942, engineers of the Bureau of Mines, in collaboration with the William Stewart Engineering Co. of Joplin, collected all available mine maps, mine reports, and logs of old drill holes in the inundated area. From a careful study an appraisal of these data, the reserves in the block were calculated at 20,647,800 tons of ore containing 606,440 tons of 60-percent zinc concentrates and 46,970 tons of 80-percent lead concentrates. The ore was estimated to contain 1.76 percent recoverable zinc and 0.18 percent recoverable lead.

Jan 1, 1949

By J. Vance Batty

Two methods were devised and evaluated for quantitatively measuring the amount of oleic acid on flotation products and in flotation waters. One method involved use of an organic solvent to remove carbon-l4-tagged oleic acid from mineral surfaces and flotation water phases with subsequent radio-metric analysis of the extracts. Studies showed this method to be slow and subject to large variations in accuracy and reproducibility. In the second procedure, tagged oleic acid was measured directly on the surfaces of dried mineral products. Oleic acid in the water phase was determined by adsorbing it on fine mineral, drying, and radiometric counting. Quantitative analysis of oleic acid on flotation products from bench-scale flotation tests with synthetic mixtures of ore minerals and quartz and with natural ores showed this method to be fast, accurate, and reproducible.

Jan 1, 1968

By F. S. LOTT

The number of petroleum refineries in the United States decreased from 399 on January 1, 1947, to 390 on January 1, 1948. On the latter date two additional refineries were under construction , a large one in New Jersey and a small one in Texas . This Crude oil charging capacity, based on complete facilities only , increased in 1947 from 5,569,482 barrels to 6,034,252 barrels per day , owing to material gains reported in all of the larger refining districts . great increase in effective capacity is only in part the result of the completion of major new units for crude-oil processing . Much of it is due to rearrangement and minor additions to existing facilities to permit more efficient and complete utilization . Recent experience has apparently demonstrated that many processing units are capable , with greater emphasis upon maintenance and precise controls , of sustained operations at higher volumes than were indicated in their old rated capacities . This situation doubtless has caused some upward revision in capacity data .

Aug 1, 1948

A list of permissible mine equipment approved by the Bureau of Mines before January 1, 1937, was published in Bureau of Mines Information Circular 6942.3/ Information Circular 7007,4/ published as a supplement thereto, listed equipment approved. Burin', the calendar year 1937. The present list includes most of the material liven in these two publications, as well as approvals that have been issued up to January l, 1940. Some equipment formerly listed has been omitted because it has become obsolete or is no longer actively marketed. The list now includes electrically-operated air compressors, coal drills, loading machines and conveyors, mining machine, mine ones, rock-dusting machines, room hoists, storage-battery gathering and haulage locomotives and storage-battery power trucks, mine telephones, junction boxes, electric cap lamps, flame safety lamps, electric hand and trip lamps, electric flood lens, flashlights, methane detectors, and single and multiple-shot blasting units. The appendix at the end of this circular lists trailing, cables that have passed tests prescribed by Schedule 2D. When equipment passes the inspections and tests prescribed by the United Status Department of the interior, Bureau of Mines, in published "schedules" or standards, it is formally approved as "permissible" for use in gassy mines, and the manufacturer is then permitted to mark it with an approval plate that identifies it as having been approved by the Bureau. The inspections and tests are designed to insure that each equipment satisfies the minimum requirements for safety in use. The Bureau's purpose in investigating equipment of this type and listing that

Jan 1, 1940

By Donald I. Bleiwas

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has evaluated the potential availability of nickel from 36 deposits or districts in 16 market-economy countries (MECs), analyzing more than 95 percent of production in those countries. This study indicates the quantity of nickel available on the basis of net production costs and total costs with a 0-pct and a 10-pct discounted cash flow rate of return (DCFROR). Costs of production are expressed in dollars per pound of recovered nickel. The study also indicates sensitivities of the cost of production to energy, labor, and other factors. The studied deposits and properties contain approximately 33 Mmt of recoverable nickel. About 26 Mmt of nickel is potentially recoverable from laterite deposits, of which 4.5 Mmt can be produced at $2.50/lb or less with a 0-pct DCFROR. Approximately 7 Mmt of nickel is potentially recoverable from sulfide deposits, of which about 6.3 Mint could be produced at $2.50/lb or less at a 0-pct DCFROR. The price of nickel averaged above $6.00/lb in 1988. Sensitivity studies performed for both laterite and sulfide deposits indicate that the total cost of producing nickel from laterites is most sensitive to increases in energy costs and that the total cost of producing nickel from sulfide deposits is most sensitive to increases in labor costs; sulfides are also affected by changes in revenues from byproducts.

Jan 1, 1991

This Information Circular from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) documents and supplements the information presented in a series of workshops held during 2002 and 2003. The primary intended audience consists of all who are involved in developing and conducting miners' training. According to the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), mine operators reported 240,000 full-time equivalent workers and independent contractors reported 42,000 full-time equivalent workers working on mine property during the year 2000. Unfortunately, these workers have a relatively high risk of suffering serious work-related injuries and illnesses. The mining industry has the highest rate of occupational fatalities among all U.S. industries. The fatality rate is 30 deaths per 100,000 workers compared to 4.6 for all private industry (Morbidity and Mortality Week Report, 2001; NIOSH, 2002). Compared to workers in other industries, miners also have a relatively high rate of nonfatal lost-time injuries, and their injuries tend to be more severe (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1999). Many miners are also exposed to significant health hazards, including coal and silica dust, diesel exhaust, and noise. More than 1000 U.S. miners die of lung disease each year (NIOSH, 1999). Mine safety and health professionals have long recognized training as a critical element of an effective safety and health program. Federal regulations (30 CFR, Parts 46 and 48) require mine operators to provide initial safety and health training to all new miners, as well as a minimum of 8 hours of refresher training each year. The time and money being spent to train U.S. miners is substantial, and so there is a strong and steady demand for new and better mine training materials and methods. A growing concern among mine safety professionals regards the training of new workers. A major change in the mining workforce is anticipated within the next decade. In major segments of mining, especially coal, relatively few workers have been hired since the 1970's. Thus, as an entire cohort of miners in the current workforce nears retirement, the replacement of these employees will require an influx of new workers. New miners may be young people who lack the ability to recognize and respond to mining hazards in an appropriate manner. They may also have had different educational experiences than their older counterparts. Many safety professionals believe that these two cohorts require different approaches to training. The papers in this report should help prepare mine trainers for the changes about to occur in the workforce and acquaint them with strategies they can use to enhance the effectiveness of their training. The first three papers present basic principles for teaching adults. The five remaining papers are intended to illustrate how these principles can be applied to the development and imple¬mentation of effective training for miners. Below is an overview of these papers. 1. Kowalski and Vaught review the process and principles of adult learning. The learning model they present includes a discussion of goals, content, delivery, assessment, and remediation. Adults are viewed as active learners, experienced-based, expert in their own right in specific areas, independent, real-life centered, task-centered, problem-centered, solution-driven, skill-seeking, self-directing, and internally and externally motivated. Basic aspects of curriculum development are briefly reviewed. For further information about adult learning, see Camm and Cullen's paper. 2. Mallett and Reinke's first paper discusses issues related to training new miners who have recently or will soon be entering the mining workforce. These new generations of miners have different learning style preferences and training needs than Baby Boomers and other older miners. Even trainers who have been highly effective in the past should reassess their training styles and their classroom materials to determine if they are prepared to meet the needs of these young new workers. This paper provides information that will help mine trainers communicate across the generation gap. 3. Mallett and Reinke's second paper provide an overview of training evaluation. Trainers and decision-makers are given a framework for planning and assessing training evaluation strategies. The authors present Kirkpatrick's (2001) model of evaluation categories and discuss how to start an evaluation plan and various ways to collect data. They do not provide detailed instruction in evaluation methodologies, but give trainers a review of the things they need to consider when developing an evaluation plan. A good evaluation plan can inform revisions to a training course, assess trainee learning, and/or answer managers' questions about program effectiveness. 4. Brnich, Derick, Mallett, and Vaught discuss a technique for incorporating worker participation into fire prevention and safe equipment operation training. This technique involves development of short (5 to 7 minutes) videotapes coupled with toolbox talks that ground the content of the videos within the context of a miner's workplace. An example of one of these training modules is presented, along with the results of an evaluation performed on its effectiveness at improving miners' understanding of what types of information they should be sure to communicate during a mine emergency. 5. Wiehagen, Conrad, Friend, and Rethi discuss on-the-job training (OJT) as a method for teaching miners safety and production skills. Much of the training is done by experienced workers. This paper describes how small investments can help improve the effectiveness of on-the-job training. Effective on-the-job training involves some structure and planning in the transfer of responsibility for task performance from the trainer to the novice. Assisting the trainer could involve helping develop up-to-date job analyses and offering strategies for teaching and evaluating job skills. This paper addresses organizational considerations supporting structured on-the-job

Jan 1, 2002

By P. V. Fillo

This paper describes Mohave Mining and Milling Co. methods of mining and milling manganese ore in Arizona. It is one of a series of publications prepared by the Bureau of Mines on methods and costs in various mining districts in the United States. Production of manganese ore, as such, in Arizona began in 1915. Before this time manganiferous ores had been mined primarily for silver content and used as a smelter flux. From 1916 to 1918 approximately 69,000 long tons of manganese and mangsniferous ores were mined. After World War I production dropped to almost nothing until World War II, during which period more than 24,000 long tons were produced. A lull in mangonese mining occurred after World War II, having production rates of only a few hundred tons annually through 1952.

Jan 1, 1963

By Jerry T. McLendon

The proper disposition of phosphatic clays has been the subject of research and debated for years by phosphate producers, State and Federal research agencies, regulatory authorities, and environmentalists. To date, no "universal" solution exists for the ultimate disposl of phosphatic clays. This Bureau of Mines report examines the state of conventional clay disposal technology and reviews the technical progress of innovative alternatives. Twenty impoundment sites were investigated by the Bureau of Mines using geotechnical methods and laboratory analysis of cored samples. In addition, quasi-static cone penetrometer soundings were conducted to define clay and/or sand-clay interfaces en masse. Samples of the top, middle, and bottom hole segments were obtained at each station for laboratory studies of clay densities, pore fluids, plasticity, and mineralogical properties. The results of this study support the continued use of initial clay settling impoundments but emphasize the need for "in-line" systems to reduce the initial volumes of plant-generated phosphatic clays. The effective use of sand tailings is also encouraged to promote further consolidation of clays via self-weight stressing, sand-clay admixtures, and/or surcharging sand caps.

Jan 1, 1984

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

The data collected during this investigation indicate that the chromiumgadolinium system has extensive liquid immiscibility and one eutectic point . Liquid immiscibility occurred at temperatures above the monotectic isotherm , 1,830 ° C , which extended from less than 0.25 to about 85 weight - percent gadolinium . The eutectic was at 96 percent gadolinium and 1,170 ° C. Gadolinium and chromium were the only phases in this system . There was a solid solubility of less than 0.25 percent gadolinium in chromium at 1,730 ° C and less than 0.10 percent chromium in gadolinium at 1,160 ° C. The alloys were prepared by nonconsumable - electrode arc - melting , and the alloy system was investigated by heat treatment , metallography , thermal analysis , and X- ray diffraction . All the melting , heat treatments , and thermal analyses were conducted in a vacuum or in helium because of the reactivity of chromium and gadolinium with the components present in the atmosphere at elevated temperatures .

Jan 1, 1964

By George H. Holmes

This paper , which describes mining methods and milling and manufacturing operations at the gypsum property of the Blue Diamond Corp. , is one of a series on mining methods and practices being prepared by the Mining Division of the Bureau of Mines . The property comprises about 4,000 acres and is in secs . 30 , 31 , 32 , and 33 , T. 21 S. , R. 59 E. , and secs . 5 , 6, 7 , 8 , and 9 , T. 22 S. , R. 59 E. , M. D. B. and M. , Clark County , Nev . , approximately 23 miles by paved highway southwest of Las Vegas , Nev . ( fig . 1 ) . This circular summarizes the history of company operations , describes physical features , labor and living conditions , and the geology . The method of exploration is outlined , and the section on mining methods contains descriptions of open - pit and underground systems , including loading and transportation methods . The crushing plant and tramway are described , as well as plaster-mill and board -plant practices . The boiler plant and organization are described , and wage scales are contained in the concluding section of the circular .

Mar 1, 1950

By J. M. Mutmansky, R. A. Jankowski, M. A. K. Mohamed

"SYNOPSISKnown health hazards associated with the breathing of respirable dusts, particularly silica dust, during mining are becoming a great concern in many parts of the world. The search for effective and low cost dust control methods for underdeveloped countries will help in improving the productivity and keeping the mine environment safe. This article addresses the problem by providing suggestions concerning the easiest and most cost effective methods to control respirable dust in mining and mineral processing operations. INTRODUCTIONMedical BackgroundLung diseases caused by dust in mining operations have been recognized by mankind since the time of the Roman Empire. The writings of Pliny the Younger on natural history reported on maladies associated with dust in mining in the first century AD. However, no significant advances in controlling the lung diseases of miners came about for many centuries. The effects of mineral dusts were further described by Georgius Agricola in his sixteenth century book on mining (Agricola, 1556). After the appearance of Agricola""s book, lung diseases were more readily recognized, but the nature and severity of the ailments associated with mineral dusts could not be readily interpreted.In 1896, the discovery of x-rays by Roentgen advanced the diagnosis of lung diseases and the knowledge of what causes these diseases. In addition, the discovery allowed medical personnel some method of judging the extent and severity of the lung diseases in human beings. During the ensuing years, the term 'pneumoconiosis' became the common term to describe any of the diseases of the lung in which dust particles deposited in the lungs caused fibrous tissue and loss of some of the respiratory function. However, little in the way of social remedies for the diseases resulted until much later. Society was still not ready to act decisively to reduce the causes of lung disease due to the dusty conditions in the work place.Social action against lung diseases did not occur in the United States (US) until the 1930s. At that time, a tunnel driven through a sandstone mountain near Gauley Bridge. West Virginia, caused the death of several hundred workers due to acute silicosis, a severe form of pneumoconiosis caused by silica (Seaton, 1975). Dust conditions in this tunnel were quite bad, causing many of the workers to be subjected to extremely high silica dust concentrations. The severity of the disease in many of the workers became known to the public and prompted the US Congress and many of the states to enact laws to reduce the dust levels."

Jan 1, 1998

By M. M. Wong

Electrolysis of titanium carbide and a material consisting of titanium, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen as soluble anodes in Used electrolytes was investigated by the Bureau of Mines for the preparation of crude titanium metal. Tests made in all-chloride electrolytes showed only a low recovery of titanium as well as a substantial volatilization of titanium trichloride (TiC13) when present in the electrolyte. Electrolysis at 750° to 850° C in a mixture containing 85 percent NaC1-15 percent potassium floutitanate (K2TiF6) yielded as high as 91 percent recovery of titanium from titanium carbide and 62 percent recovery of titanium from the titanium-carbon-nitrogen-oxygen material. Problems associated with the preparation of crude metal by fused-salt electrolysis are discussed. The crude metals produced from both anode materials were electrorefined in a sodium chloride-titanium chloride (NaCl-TiC12) electrolyte, and ductile titanium metal was obtained.

Jan 1, 1963