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By Robert M. Busche

[Recent developments in the gasification of coal, both by the Bureau of Mines and American industry, have intensified interest in the thermodynamic and kinetic principles necessary for understanding the reaction mechanism and rates and the physical changes that take place. In the course of a Bureau of Mines study of the kinetics of coal gasification at the Synthetic Liquid Fuels Demonstration Plant, Louisiana, Mo., a bibliography of approximately two references was compiled. They are listed n this publication and refer both to American and foreign sources.]

Jan 1, 1952

By Terry S. Cory

This report describes a complete system design methodology for medium frequency (MF) wireless radio systems for use in coal mines. The emphasis Is on AC mines where no trolley wire exists and, for which, conventional trolley phone communications can not be used. The report constitutes an MF system design handbook and includes a compendium of all previous MF technology elements as well as a reference Index with abstracts of all pertinent literature. A particular strawman system design analysis is Included for the Helvetia Coal Co. Lucerne #8 mine In the Upper Freeport seam.

Jan 1, 1979

By H. C. George

This bulletin deals with prime movers, power-transmitting machinery, and the surface equipment and methods used to pump oil wells. It does not discuss geological problems nor the methods and equipment used in drilling or at flowing oil wells. Much of the presentation is by photographs and drawings which are described in the text. Underground equipment and methods for pumping oil wells will be discussed in a later publication of the Bureau of Mines.

Jan 1, 1925

By D. E. Shanks

The Bureau of Mines surveyed a variety of inorganic ion-exchange materials to determine their suitability for removing valuable accessory elements and troublesome contaminants from metallurgical process and waste streams. Most of the materials, which included molecular sieves, heteropolyacid salts, and hydrous metal oxides, did not give adequate separations, did not have the necessary stability in strong acids or bases, or were not in a physical form suitable for ion-exchange use. Many of the suitable inorganic materials, especially the hydrous oxides, were capable of cation exchange with high capacity only in basic conditions, which caused hydrolysis of most of the cations tested. Multivalent anions, such as arsenate and phosphate, were easily removed from acidic solutions by hydrous oxides. Hydrous zirconia was the best material for this purpose. Multivalent anions were not easily des orbed because of compound formation; therefore, conventional ion-exchange techniques could not be employed. As an alternative approach, hydrous ferric hydroxide was used as a filter material to remove arsenate and phosphate from acid solutions. One gram of arsenic was removed from solution for each 20 g of ferric hydroxide. Ferric hydroxide is preferable to hydrous zirconia for use as a filter material because of low cost.

Jan 1, 1983

By J. R. Nettle

A method has been developed in the laboratory for successfully electro-refining titanium metal. Refining is accomplished in e fused-salt electrolyte using offgrade metal as the anode and collecting the purified metal at the cathode. The characteristics and requirements of the various alkali chlorides tested as electrolytes are discussed in relation to relative ease of purification and serviceability. The various types of cells designed and tested for electrorefining are illustrated and their method of operation discussed. The individual advantage of each cell and the purpose for which it was designed are reviewed. The magnitude of the cathode current density was found to depend largely upon the quantity of soluble titanium chloride in the electrolyte. The physical condition of the anode also greatly affected the cathode current density.

Jan 1, 1957

By L. C. IlsLey, E. J. Gleim

Electrical apparatus because of its flexibility and its adaptability to all classes of service has become essential to the mining industry. Hence the problem of providing electrical equipment that is safe for use in explosive mixtures of methane and air is of prime importance in coal mining. Ilwestigatorsand experiment stations early recognized this fact and much work has been done in the investigation and the development of electrical apparatus for use in atmospheres containing fire damp. The term "fire damp" as applied throughout this bulletin means an explosive mixture of methane and air. Direct-current motors and alternating-current motors of the slipring type when running usually give off electric arcs or flashes that will ignite fire damp. Other 'motors that ha,'e no moving electric contacts may become dangerous through accident, deterioration, or neglect. Auxiliary apparatus such as fuses, switches, rheostats, and controllers may arc, flash, or become heated to snch a degree that fire damp can be ignited. Such equipment is still more dangerous when worn or out of repair. In the United States the development of apparatus for use in gaseous mines has been associated largely with coal-cutting equipment run by electricity. This is undoubtedly due to the use of such equipment at the face of the mine workings, where the chance of igniting fire damp is necessarily greatest. One American manufacturer built a coal-cutting equipment of the totally inclosed type for use in firo damp atmospheres in 1903. Another built similar equipment with special protective devices in 1906, for export. During the years 1910 and 1911, the Bureau of Mines at its Pittsburgh experiment station conducted a preliminary investigation of the safety of such protection as was then in use or under consideration. Five motors were submitted for this investigation, each having somewhat different methods of protection. The results of this investigation were published in Bulletin No. 4G.a

Jan 1, 1920

By W. P. Diamond

The explosion hazard of methane-air mixtures has become an increasingly serious mine planning problem, and an advance assessment of methane gas potential can therefore be essential for a safe and economic mine development program. As part of its coal mine health and safety program, the Bureau of Mines has developed a simple, inexpensive test to measure the methane content of coal samples obtained from exploration cores. The gas content of coal per unit weight as determined by the direct method test can be used as a basis for a preliminary estimate of mine ventilation requirements, and to determine if degasification of the coalbed in advance of mining should be considered. Since the Bureau began measuring the gas content of coal samples in 1972, experience has led to equipment and procedural changes, the most significant of which has been the development of a ball mill for crushing the coal sample to release the residual gas at the end of the desorption test period. This revised procedure replaces the crushing box and graphical methods described in earlier Bureau publications. The results of 583 direct method tests are summarized in tabular form. These results include data on the gas content of 125 coalbeds in 15 States.

Jan 1, 1980

By John W. Sweeney

Shales and clays from Illinois were sampled, tested, and evaluated to determine feasibility of producing lightweight aggregate by rotary-kiln methods. Sampling procedures and the 1 ,,,y of the Pennsylvanian shale units are discussed. Chemical, X-ray spectrographic and X-ray petrographic analyses were run on the samples to determine if a correlation existed between chemical mineralogic composition and expansion. Preliminary expansion testing was conducted in a muffle furnace. Rotary-kiln tests were conducted in a 16- inch by 14-foot rotary kiln. The weight of the aggregate ranged from 27 to 59 pounds per cubic foot. Concrete cubes employing the aggregate were tested to determine the qualities of the concrete. Compressive strength of the concrete using the 7-bag of cement cement per cubic yard mix, after autoclave curing for 6 hours, ranged from 2,950 to 6,750 psi. No correlation was found between the chemical, X-ray spectrographic, and X-ray and petrographic analyses and expansion, Sixteen samples made suitable lightweight aggregates in the laboratory rotary kiln. The expansion temperature range of eight of the samples was extremely narrow, and difficulties would probably be encountered in processing these materials commercially.

Jan 1, 1965

By Cleo G. Rall

The value of brine analyses in the study of petroleum-engineering problems was recognized early in the history of petroleum. The Bureau of Mines before 1928 had indicated in several reports.3/ ways in which analyses might be used. Because of the confusion resulting from attempts to correlate the work of different chemists using greatly varying methods of analysis and systems of computation and expression of results, a paper presenting the methods used by the Bureau of Mines was prepared and published in 1928. This system of determining the characteristic constituents of oil-field waters and of calculating and reporting results has been widely adopted by the petroleum industry. The earliest and most obvious use of water analyses is determination of the source of water infiltrating into petroleum and natural-gas wells. For this purpose it is necessary that an analysis of the connate water of the formation from which the oil is produced be available and that an analysis of the contaminated water be made. By comparing these analyses with those of connate waters from formations higher in the structure, the formation from which the infiltrating water comes may be identified.

Jan 1, 1953

By Ernest W. Johnson, F. E. Cash

"INTRODUCTION Mine operators have long realized the importance of providing a satisfactory and dependable means of giving prompt warning to underground mine workers at the occurrence of a mine fire or other threatened disaster.Most underground mines of the Lake Superior district are prepared to inject a stench liquid into the compressed-air system quickly to give such warning. The liquid evaporates quickly and gives off an intense and easily recognizable odor even when present in minute quantities in the mine air. Workers in the mines studied have been fairly generally familiarized with the odor and instructed as to evacuation procedure when the warning odor is detected.In some mines provided throughout with electric lighting, including working faces, a prearranged light-flashing signal is given as a warning supplementary to that received from the stench.In a few mines, workers have been instructed to evacuate the mine immediately in the event the compressed-air supply is cut off, regardless of whether mechanical failure may be involved.Information obtained in observing a number of stench-injection tests is compiled and presented in the hope-that it will serve as an incentive to provide means of making stench injections at mines not now so equipped and for making similar tests at other underground mines, so that in case unsatisfactory results are obtained rectifying adjustments or changes may be made in time. It is further hoped that this paper will bring out the real importance of repeating these tests from time to time, at least once a year on each operating shift, so that in the event of an actual emergency, underground employees will receive a prompt warning."

Nov 1, 1945

By Oliver Bowles

Manufacture of lime is one of the oldest industries. Plants are distributed widely and furnish an essential raw material for numerous commodities. Use of lime in hundreds of manufacturing and chemical processes, by the building trades, and in agriculture has created a demand for large production and has necessitated exhaustive research on methods of manufacture and uses. The bibliography of publications on lime is extensive; but, for the most part, each publication has dealt with individual operations. The purpose of this paper is to present a general picture of the industry as a whole. The abundant literature has been abstracted and quoted freely, and the National Lime Association has furnished valuable data for certain sections. Publications containing more-detailed information on the various branches of the industry are referred to in the footnotes and bibliography.

Jan 1, 1952

By W. I. Nissen

As part of its program to provide technology for reducing undesirable environmental impacts of mineral processing operations, the Bureau of Mines developed the citrate process for desulfurizing industrial stack gases that contain from 0.1 to 2 vol pet S02. In this regenerable flue gas desulfurization (FGD) process, S02 is absorbed from cleaned and cooled industrial flue gas with a citric acid-sodium citrate solution. The absorbed S02 is subsequently reacted with H2S to precipitate marketable elemental sulfur and regenerate the solution for recycle. Laboratory investigations of process parameters provided information for designing larger scale continuous operations. Information gathered from operation of two pilot plants, one at a copper smelter and one at a lead smelter, confirmed the laboratory results. Data were obtained for design and construction of a commercial-sized demonstration plant at the George F. Weaton Power Station, Monaca, PA. A preliminary operation of the plant was demonstrated, under a cost-sharing Bureau-industry contract. This bulletin describes the citrate process and gives results of the laboratory, pilot plant, and demonstration plant studies, as well as corrosion investigations.

Jan 1, 1985

By Scott W. Hazen

This report describes exploration for lead-zinc ores at the Madonna mine between 1945 and 1953 by the Utze Lode Co., the Bureau of Mines, and the company with Government financial aid under the Defense Production Act of 1950. The Madonna mine yielded silver, lead, and zinc with a net smelter value of over $5,000.000. from 1882 to 1924. The mine was inactive from 1924 to 1942 when the Utze Lode Co. acquired the property. Possibilities for finding ore in the mine, especially at depth, were considered favorable. The Utze Lode Co. began rehabilitating the Madonna mine in 1945. An exploration program, which consisted of winze sinking and drifting, failed to produce commercial are.

Jan 1, 1956

By C. M. Harrer

Reconnaissance investigations were made of 129 iron occurrences in Arizona to determine their extent, attitude, and potential; character samples were analyzed to determine their quality and impurities; and pioneer metallurgical investigations were made on character samples to present their metallurgical problems. Some factors influencing past and potential western iron markets are discussed. The location, features, qualities, extent, and potential of iron occurrences and some associative resources--limestone and dolomite, coal, petroleum and natural gas, power, and water are discussed. The most abundant iron minerals are magnetite and hematite. The higher grade deposits are extensive contact-metamorphic or pyrometasomatic replacements of calcareous Paleozoic to Proterozoic rocks associated with intrusives. Large low-grade deposits of great potential are present as Precambrian taconite, semitaconite-, and jaspilite-like iron formations of magnetite-hematite. Iron occurs also as low-grade concentrations of magnetite in extensive alluvial deposits. Nonferrous metallurgical slags, nearly 100 million tons, are considered a potential source of iron. Various accessory elements are associated with the iron minerals and these pose metallurgical and economic problems.

Jan 1, 1964

By C. M. Harrer

Reconnaissance investigations were made of 129 iron occurrences in Arizona to determine their extent, attitude, and potential; character samples were analyzed to determine their quality and impurities; and pioneer metallurgical investigations were made on character samples to present their metallurgical problems. Some factors influencing past and potential western iron markets are discussed. The location, features, qualities, extent, and potential of iron occurrences and some associative resources--limestone and dolomite, coal, petroleum and natural gas, power, and water are discussed. The most abundant iron minerals are magnetite and hematite. The higher grade deposits are extensive contact-metamorphic or pyrometasomatic replacements of calcareous Paleozoic to Proterozoic rocks associated with intrusives. Large low-grade deposits of great potential are present as Precambrian taconite, semitaconite-, and jaspilite-like iron formations of magnetite-hematite. Iron occurs also as low-grade concentrations of magnetite in extensive alluvial deposits. Nonferrous metallurgical slags, nearly 100 million tons, are considered a potential source of iron. Various accessory elements are associated with the iron minerals and these pose metallurgical and economic problems.

Jan 1, 1964

By Seth T. Reese

REPORTS received from operating companies by the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, indicated marked progress in the reduction of injuries to employees in the coking industry in 1951 as compared with 1950. The fatality rate (0.14) per million man-hours of exposure declined 33 percent and was the second best performance since statistics on the industry were first collected in 1916. The nonfatal-injury rate (10.94), the best since 1940, declined 8 percent and was bettered only in 8 of the past 36 years. The nonfatal rate is based on all injuries resulting in loss of time for more than the remainder of the day on which the injury occurred. The exposure to hazard, as represented by the number of man-hours of work time during the year, was 7 percent higher than in 1950 and, except for the year 1943, was the highest since 1920. The fatality rate for men employed at beehive-coke ovens decreased 16 percent and the nonfatal-injury rate 23 percent, while the man-hours of work time or exposure increased slightly over 16 percent. The fatality and nonfatal-injury rates at byproduct ovens declined 33 and 2 ½ percent, respectively, while the number of man-hours worked increased 6 percent.

Jan 1, 1954

By D. Randolph Berry

Foster-Miller Associates has developed a set of guidelines to permit hoist manufacturers, mine owners, and MESA mine inspectors to design, purchase, install or inspect a safe and effective Emergency Escape Hoist, as required by the Coal Mine Health and Safety act of 1969. A series of surveys were carried out to determine: 1. The attitudes and local needs of the MESA District Managers. 2. Current escape hoist installations. 3. Equipment available for future designs. 4. Foreign methods and equipment for mine rescue. From these survey studies, preliminary guideline objectives were developed.

Jan 1, 2012

By J. P. BONARDI, J. C. Williams

Until the end of 1918 Boulder County ranked as one of the foremost tungsten-producing districts of the world, but in August, 1919, there was practically no production in the district. The operators there could not compete with tungsten ores from foreign sources, particularly China, Burma, and South America. As a. result there · has been a strong movement for placing a protective tariff on all imported tungsten ores and products; and it seems to be the general belief of tungsten producers that some form of protection is necessary to the maintenance of the industry in this country. The stimulus, due to the great demand for · tungsten alloys in the manufacture of munitions during the war, was felt in all the productive localities of the world. The ores of Boulder County were especially in demand on account of their comparative. freedom from • harmful impurities, and this demand greatly extended mining operations in the district and increased the efficiency of the gen~ral milling practice there.

Jan 1, 1921

By A. T. Coumbe

The first survey 3/ covering sales of liquefied petroleum gases was made in 1930 by the Bureau of Mines, which at the time was under the United States Department of Commerce. This original canvass covered national totals for 1922 through 1929, and most of the supply came from natural gasoline plants. The 1930 report showed approximate totals for butane and propane and for butane-propane mixtures and pentane grouped together. No attempt was made to breakdown the national sales by various uses until 1931, when the quantities for domestic or household consumption, gas manufacturing, and industrial requirements, including miscellaneous uses were indicated. As the market for these liquid petroleum gases expanded and as new uses came into importance, their respective quantities were shown separately in the annual survey. Sales for internal-combustion engine fuel and for raw material for chemical plants were first taken out of the industrial total in 1936. During World War II liquefied petroleum gases became important as feed stock diverted to synthetic rubber plants, and consequently the survey was broadened to cover this particular demand, beginning in 1944. Pentane was dropped from the survey after 1943, as, being liquid at atmospheric pressure, it is not considered as one of the liquefied petroleum gases and furthermore, the quantity reported made up less than 1 percent of the total sales. Thirteen producing companies reported to the Bureau in the first survey made in 1930, and in the 1952 canvass about 130 producers--petroleum refiners and natural gasoline companies--and about 1,300 dealers cooperated by filing schedules showing a breakdown of their sales. Their 1952 deliveries of approximately 4.5 billion gallons of liquefied petroleum gases were equivalent to about 3.4 billion gallons of gasoline or 3.1 billion gallons of distillate fuel oil.

Jan 1, 1954

By R. D. Eash

The purpose of this research contract was to develop and test a Saran latex modified portland cement concrete lagging to be used as a replacement for wood lagging. The scope of work performed was divided into four phases: Phase I - Engineering Criteria; Phase-! I1 - Design Study; Phase III - Fabrication of Lagging; and Phase IV - Prototype Demonstration Project. Each phase of work was completed and is described in detail in this report. The prototype latex modified concrete lagging developed in this program weighed 52 pounds. When tested in flexure, it supported center point loading of 4500 pounds and under 1/4 point loading it supported loadings of 7000 pounds. Deflections at maximum loading ranged from 1/2 to 1 inch. Maximum deflections exceed 2 inches. The lagging does not exhibit catastrophic failure. Two hundred and twenty of the LMC lagging were produced and shipped to the Bunker Hill Company in Kellogg, Idaho for installation in their mine at the 17 level. The lagging are performing satisfactory after 22 months exposure in the mine.

Jan 1, 1980