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By Heinz W. Sternberg

The literature on electrochemical treatment of coal is reviewed, and possible avenues of further research in this field are discussed in this report. Electrolytic reduction of finely distributed coal resulted in the addition of as many as 9 atoms of hydrogen to 100 atoms of carbon. Reduction of coal extracts at controlled potentials indicated the presence of condensed aromatic hydrocarbons and reducible quinones in coal. As much as 65 percent of low-rank coal can be made alkali soluble by electrochemical treatment. Higher rank coals gave smaller yields of alkali-soluble products. However, the nature of this reaction is not clear. The difficulty of reducing coal electrolytically is probably due to the insolubility of coal and not to any structural peculiarity. Reduction of coal by electrolytically generated radical anions appears to be a promising approach for further research.

Jan 1, 1962

By Edward L. Wilson

A general computer program is given for the linear elastic static analysis of complex structural systems. These elements have special advantages for the analysis of massive underground structures such as mine structures and above ground structures such as arch dams. New finite elements are developed which are useful in the analysis of two and three dimensional solids. Examples are given which illustrate the accuracy of the elements. A description on the use of the program and a FORTRAN IV listing are given in the Appendices.

Jan 1, 1971

By J. P. Powell

The importance of recovering more oil from known petroleum reserves has placed increasing emphasis on the application of secondary producing methods. One of the most successful of these has been the injection of water into depleted oil reservoirs. Water flooding is now recognized as a valuable conservation measure that not only prevents the premature abandonment of stripper leases but also is credited with reviving operations in many oil-producing areas previously abandoned. The injection of water into an oil-producing zone as a method of stimulating oil production was legalized in Kansas in 1935. Although water flooding had been attempted previously in other parts of the State, 1935 marked its introduction into the shallow stripper area of eastern Kansas. Two years later flooding was begun in the five-county area that is described in this report. Figure 1 is a map showing the water-flood areas in Allen, Bourbon, Crawford, Labette, and Neosho Counties, Kans. To July 1, 1955, the 77 projects in the oil fields of these 5 counties are credited with recovering an estimated 12.3 million barrels of oil that would not have been produced by methods used previously. These projects are expected ultimately to cover 10,700 acres, of which only 5,400 has been flooded to date.

Jan 1, 1957

By B. J. Moore

This publication contains analyses arid related source data for 274 natural gas samples from 20 States. Of the total samples, 269 were collected during calendar year 1985; the reminder were collected earlier, but releases granting permission to publish were not received before 1986, All samples were obtained and analyzed as part of Bureau of Mines investigations of the occurrences of helium in natural gases of countries with free market economies. This survey has been conducted since 1917. The analyses published herein were made by mass spectrometer and chromatograph.

Jan 1, 1987

By J. G. Kirby

According to the annual Bureau of Mines survey of refinery capacity, there were 343 petroleum refineries in the United States as of January 1, 1953, with a total daily crude-oil throughput capacity of 7,638,661 barrels. Compared with the previous year, this represents a decline of 7 in the total number of refineries, but a gain of 305,776 barrels in daily crude-oil throughput capacity. The capacity of the average refinery to process crude oil increased to 22,270 barrels, a gain of 1,319 barrels during 1952. All refining districts reported increases in installed capacity for the year, with Texas Gulf Coast accounting for 28 percent of the increase; California, 21 percent; and the Indiana-Illinois-Kentucky district, 18 percent. Additional crude-oil capacity under construction January 1, 1953, was 60 percent greater than at the beginning of 1952. The total reported, 509,721 barrels daily, is a record high for refinery expansion. In addition to the new facilities under way, facilities for 127,755 barrels daily are being installed to replace those that are obsolete. Four new refineries were under construction at the beginning of the year, and three of these are now in operation. Plans for five' new refineries have been announced, but actual construction has not been started.

Jan 1, 1953

By W. W. Adams

Three hundred and twenty-eight mines and quarries, representing 36 States, took part in the twelfth yearly accident-prevention contest conducted by the United States Bureau of Mines and known as the National Safety Competition. Four underground mines and one open-cut mine (which represents the quarry and open-cut mine group), each the leader in its group, were awarded the ?Sentinels of Safety? trophy. Relative standing in the contest" was determined by the number of days lost from accidents in proportion to the total number of man-hours worked. Since 1925, when the National Safety Competition was inaugurated, an increasing interest has been taken in it by mining and quarrying companies as a means of stimulating mine and quarry safety by competition among similar plants. Each participating plant can, on a basis of its standing and record in the contest, determine to what extent its safety program is succeeding or to what extent it needs strengthening. With this information, each company that has a low standing in the contest can intensify its safety-promotion efforts the following year to obtain a lower rate and possibly win the trophy or achieve honorable mention in the competition. Except for 1929, the National Safety Competition of 1936 represented more man-hours of employment than any other year since the yearly contests began.

Jan 1, 1937

By Horace T. Reno

This information circular surveys the iron are industry of the world. It presents a comprehensive statistical record through 1970 of the U.S. iron ore industry and world trade patterns. The supply position of the United States and the other principal industrial countries of the world are summarized; detailed information is given on iron are production, consumption, imports, exports, mine capacities, substitutes, properties, and uses. There is a generalized discussion of the technology of mining and smelting iron ore, with a selected bibliography on the current state of these arts. The circular contains a summary economic account of world iron are resources, and discussions of the structure of the domestic and principal foreign mining industries, iron are mine employment and labor productivity, research and development, legislation, government programs, and strategic factors.

Jan 1, 1973

The Leuna Factory of the I. G. Farbenindustrie A. G., situated near Merseburg, is the biggest heavy-chemical plant in Germany and produces a very wide range of products, mainly based on hydrogen or hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Its principal products are ammonia, synthetic petrol derived from the hydrogenation of brown coal, and synthetic alcohols made from hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The plant was first, visited on April 21, 1945, by a team including E. Cotton, V. Haensel, E. B. Peck, P. K. Kuhne, H. M. Weir, L. L. Hirst, W. W. Odell, G. U. Hopton, H. Hollings, J. F. Ellis, and H. G. Simpson. It was again visited on May 8-24, 1945, by a combined British and American team consisting of R, Holroyd, M. A. G, Banks, D. A. Howes, A. J. V. Underwood, R. A. Taylor, W. F. Faragher, H. Schindler, and J. G. Allen. This team was later joined by J. F. Ellis and R. J. Morley. A third visit with particular reference to catalyst manufacture was made by W. F. Faragher and W. A. Horne, and the notes of these latest investigators have been taken into account in preparing the report. This report was edited by Dr. R. Holroyd.

Jan 1, 1946

By Frederick K. Allgaier

This report presents the final data from a 5-yr Bureau of Mines study designed to determine the surface subsidence characteristics resulting from longwall coal mining in a geologic environment common to the Western United States, It includes a description of the geologic setting of the study site, the mine plan, measurement techniques, and results of the monitoring program. Measured subsidence values were obtained over four adjacent longwall panels- Major subsidence characteristics such as longitudinal and transverse profiles, angles of draw, time-related subsidence development, and critical width are discussed. The maxima subsidence value of 5.8 ft was 68 pct of the mining thickness. The average angle of draw was 30°, Subsidence at the center of the first panel continued for 46 months following undermining. The lengths of the longwall panels precluded a definitive determination of the critical width and maximum possible subsidence.

Jan 1, 1988

By Lloyd H. Banning

Crucible-smelting tests at the Northwest. Electrodevelopment Laboratory and a pilot-plant test on electric smelting of western phosphate rock for the Westvaco Chlorine Products by the Tennessee Valley Authority indicated that the small vanadium content of the rock is concentrated in the ferrophosphorus by-product of Phosphorus smelting. This research is concerned' mainly with recovering vanadium and phosphorus froth the ferrophosphorus produced from western phosphate rock. Exploratory tests were made of several methods of treating vanadiferous ferrophosphorus. Attempts to separate vanadium as a carbide dross by saturating molten ferrophosphorus with carbon were unsuccessful. Volatilization of phosphorus from ferrophosphorus was accomplished to some extent, both with and without addition of sulfur in several forms, but elimination of phosphorus was not complete. Brief testing in a small experimental converter on oxidation of vanadium and phosphorus; into a slag by blowing with air showed promise. A method that comprised fusing vanadiferous ferrophosphorus mixed with soda ash under oxidizing conditions gave encouraging results and was tested beyond the preliminary stage. A slag product of the fusion contained most of the phosphorus and vanadium as water-soluble sodium phosphate and. virtually water-insoluble sodium vanadate. After leaching the sodium phosphate froth the slag, the leach residue was reroasted with soda ash and salt. This roasted product was leached again with water to extract the vanadium.

Jan 1, 1951

Robert C. Horton was sworn in as the new Director of the Bureau of Mines on October 13 in Washington. Horton, 54, was director of the Geology Division of the Bendix Field Engineering Corporation's operations in Grand Junction, Colorado, before being nominated by - it Reagan for this position. A geological engineer, he has been associated with the mining industry in the West for over 35 years. Legislation to expand the Defense Production Act for 1 year until September 30, 1982, was signed by the President on September 30. The Administration had requested, steel a 5-year extension, but the Congress chose to spend another year considering proposed revisions. The Act, among other things, authorizes the allocation of strategic materials for defense purposes and allows incentives including floor prices and Government financing to encourage domestic mineral projects.

Jan 1, 1981

By Kenneth Eilerts

[Efficient and econonic production of ?etroleum requiros knowledge of the propertios of rescrvoir fluids a:$. their characterintics of flow throayh porous forclntions. The cllanga in propertie s and flow characteri s- tics of fluids when their corosition is altercd cs a rnsult of reservoir- pressure decliae is of 'mecial i~ortenct? ir, planning wall-spaAng pro.yama and production schedules. Rct~ntion of the ~eatent poscible quantity of dissolved gac in the rescrvoir liquid gnneml'y is recognized cs ess~ntisl to mxim ultimzte recoverj of oil fro3 the underground reecrvoir. Ilo:rever, pro6uction mothodn tending to mintain gis in solution in the oil and re- sulting in the optimm ocolo~ic recgvery of oil not only vary from field to fiold but also my have to be changed from time to time in a given field as it is being depleted of its recoveraklo oil. Const vestly there is need tc investigztc tY.e propertiec of resa:-voir f kids corresponding to successivc stages of reservoir depleJ&ion with the view of obtnining infomation oacential to efficient prcriuctian practices.]

Jan 1, 1939

By Lawrence G. Houk

In modern warfare mica is truly indispensable. The coordination of combatant units necessitates maintenance of intricate communications equipment, in the construction of which high-grade sheet mica is essential. Scrap, ground, and the poorer qualities of block mica, which are less essential to the military program, are not considered in this paper. Furthermore, as the paper is designed primarily to assist mica miners, mica derivatives such as splittings and films are also excluded from discussion. The paper therefore relates solely to block mica of strategic quality.

Jan 1, 1942

By Fred Hodges

This paper describing the concentrator practice of the Hurley Plant of the Nevada Consolidated Copper Co. at Hurley, N. Mex., is one of a series of papers on milling methods and costs being prepared by the United States Bureau of Mines. The Hurley concentrator has a normal daily capacity of 13,500 tons of ore, and for the first four months of 1930 the heads of the concentrator averaged 1.32 per cent of copper and 3.14 per cent of iron. The recovery for this period was 83.98 per cent and the concentrates produced averaged 27.54 per cent of copper.

Jan 1, 1931

By Ralph B. Youtz

This paper describing mining methods at, the Eighty-Five mine of the Calumet and Arizona Mining Co., Valedon, N. Mex., is one of a series being prepared by the United States Bureau of Mines on mining methods, practices, and costs in the various mining districts in the United States. The Eighty-Five mine is in southwestern New Mexico, 3 miles southwest of Lordsburg, Hidalgo County (see fig. 1). The mine produces normally 7,000 to 8,000 tons per. month of silicious copper-gold-silver ore, and employs approximately 200 men underground and 40 on-the surface. Mining is done by shrinkage and cut-and-fill methods.

Jan 1, 1931

By Gustav Wafe

"INTRODUCTION The discovery in 1901 of ""gusher"" oil production at Spindletop, Tex., Tex., a salt-dome structure, led to exploratory drilling on other known domes and known domes and in areas contiguous to salt domes in the Gulf Coast region of Texas and Louisiana. Early drilling on the flanks of the domal structures disclosed incompetent 3/ shales, which flowed into the hole when attempts were made to drill through them. Often these shales seized the drill pipes and presented with equipment then in use, an insuperable barrier to deeper drilling. The obstructing incompetent shales came to be called ""heaving"" shales by drillers who attempted to drill through them. Formations of this type have hampered the penetration of the drill bit in many area in the Gulf Coast region to such an extent that the drilling of wells through heaving shale has become a major problem."

Mar 1, 1942

By B. J. Moore

This publication contains analyses and related source data for 256 natural gas samples from wells and pipelines in 17 States. All of the samples were obtained and analyzed during calendar year 1977 as a part of Bureau of Mines investigations of the occurrences of helium in natural gases of countries with free market economies. This survey has been conducted in the United States by the Bureau of Mines since 1917. In late 1965, the survey was expanded to include foreign gasfields. The analyses published herein were made by mass spectrometer and a special helium analysis apparatus, which are described in Bureau of Mines Bulletins 4862 and 576.3 The results of the investigation of the occurrences of helium are published annually to make the information available as soon as possible to the gas industry and the public in general. Nineteen previous publications have presented the results of 11,317 gas analyses prior to 1977. The first three, Bulletins 486,4 576,5 and 617,6 contain analyses and related source data on 5,218 gas samples collected from 1917 through 1960. The other 16

Jan 1, 1978

By Will H. Coghill, Fred D. DeVaney

"INTRODUCTION The Mesabi iron district of Minnesota has a potential production of over 50 million tons of iron ore annually. The large shipments of ore each year are gradually depleting the reserves, and if the present rate of production is to be maintained there must be a growth in the present available ore supply.Growth is a natural course. The growth of a city may be affected by the addition of city blocks or by the improvement of utilities necessary for its betterment, these may go on in the order named or concurrently. The city-block type of growth of the Mesabi has been tremendous, and the ""betterment"" type has followed in due course. Probably the former has reached its limit, and if so, more time will be allotted to the latter. It is not the intent of this paper to present either a eulogy of the wonderful mining methods or a history of the milling, but it is pertinent to say that if the lean-ore area continues to produce, the continuance will be more the result of further improvement of milling methods now well under way than of extension of boundaries by the city block plan of growth.In an examination of the western end of the Mesabi district one finds sludge basins containing millions of tons of millable ore rejected by washing plants which were built for economy in operating cost and with little thought of conservation, and rich tailings piles of jigging plant rejects. In addition, there is an appreciable tonnage of bawl rake pro-ducts so low-grade that it requires mixing with the best ore of the district to make it merchantable.Any of these three products is a source of additional reserves, but gangue must be removed before the products will comply with blast-furnace stipulations. All investigators are agreed that to effect this separation comminution must be fine enough for liberation, but beyond this point opinions diverge; some would seek new processes, while others adhere to methods and machines developed in other mining districts.In the investigation by the Mississippi Valley Experiment Station of the United States Bureau of Mines working in conjunction with the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy,Rolla, Mo., the latter course has been followed. Attention was first given to the sludge basins mentioned. From their contents good grades of concentrates were made and the results published 4 later commercial-scale tests were made in a pilot plant of 10 tables, and the laboratory results were confirmed, The tailings from jigging plants are high in iron, and a study of their possible retreatment showed that if they are recrushed, high recoveries of acceptable grade may be expected. The results will be published later."

Apr 1, 1932

By David R. Wilburn

The U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated the resources, costs, capacities, market relationships, and short-and long-term supply of bauxite, alumina, and aluminum. The 45 evaluated mines and deposits in 14 market economy countries (MEC's) have a demonstrated resource of 8.4 billion mt of bauxite and an aluminum content of approximately 2.1 billion mt. Developed world bauxite resources and existing primary aluminum smelting and refining capacity are sufficient to satisfy demand through at least 1995, when additional properties (with higher cost levels) would need to be developed to satisfy future demand levels. It is anticipated that new alumina or aluminum production most likely would occur in developing regions with large bauxite potential, low-cost energy sources, and a close proximity to refining and/or smelting capacity. An increase in aluminum recycling capacity would help meet future demand increases. A series of network model supply analyses was performed for the period 1988 through 2000. Based on announced future production levels and assuming demand grows at the level outlined in the analyses, model results indicate there is sufficient material available to meet demand until 1998, where-upon an aluminum shortfall is projected. Additional analyses investigated the effect of a reduced growth rate of demand and regional production variations in Venezuela on the international aluminum industry.

Jan 1, 1993

By Clarence Karr

RESINS from a bituminous pitch, a bituminous coal, a lignite tar, a subbituminous pitch, and an electrode binder pitch wore investigated by the Bureau of Mines. The compositions of these resins were determined by four independent methods of structural detemination: (1) Molecular formula and ring analysis, including ring (2) infrared and ultraviolet spectra; (3) combined pyrolysis/gas chromatography, and (4) catalytic dehyrogenation followed by spectra and pyrolysis. The resin structure was correlated with coal structure, and it was concluded that pitch resins probably consist of essentially unaltered coal molecules carried over with the tar vapors in low-temperature carbonization.

Jan 1, 1966