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By W. W. Adams

"Accidents at coal mines in the United States in September 1926 resulted in the loss of 170 lives, according to information furnished to the Bureau of Mines, Department of Commerce, by State mine inspectors. Of this number 125 occurred at bituminous mines and 45 in the anthracite field. As the bituminous output of coal for September was 48,976,000 tons, and the production of anthracite was 8,444,000 tons, the fatalities reported represented a death rate of 2.55 per million tons for bituminous mines and 5.33 for anthracite mines. The industry as a whole showed a fatality rate of 2.6 per million tons of coal produced in September 1925 the rate for bituminous coal mines was 3.29; the anthracite mines were idle in September last year due to a strike.During the first nine months of the present year 1,759 men have been killed by accidents at the coal mines throughout the United States, resulting in a death rate, per million tons of coal produced, of 3.76 as compared with 3.95 for the same period in 1925. Reports for bituminous mines alone showed a nine-month fatality rate of 3.53 which was about the same as the corresponding rate from January to September in 1925. The anthracite rate for the present year, however, shows a decrease of about 17 per cent; that is, the rate has declined from 6.36 to 5.28.Records covering the first nine months of 1926 show that 12 ""major"" disasters, that is, disasters in which five or more men were killed at one time, have resulted in the loss of 271 lives as against 10 disasters and 199 deaths in the corresponding months in 1925. The fatality rates for these disaster: alone were 0.579 and 0.465, respectively. One major explosion occurred at Tahona, Oklahoma, on September 3, 1926, in which 16 men lost their lives.An analysis of the principal causes of the 1,759 fatalities for the first nine months of the present year shows a reduction in the death rate as a whole and for falls of roof and coal and for explosives, but an increase in haulage, gas and dust explosions, and electricity. The comparative rates for these accidents were:"

Oct 1, 1926

By Edward F. Redente

Several research projects have been conducted in the western United States to determine the optimum soil replacement thickness for reconstruction of rangeland and cropland. However, the information gained from these studies tends to be site-specific and not broadly applicable. Moreover, the possible interaction between soil thickness and mechanical and fertilizer manipulation of the overburden has not been adequately studied. To meet these information needs, research was initiated at Trapper Mine in northwestern Colorado in 1980 to study vegetation response to soil thicknesses of 15,30,45, and 60 cm and five manipulations that included disking, ripping, and fertilizing. All crops were harvested at peak standing crop and then weighed in the laboratory. Wheat grain yields were highest when soil thickness was 45 cm and the soil and overburden were ripped. Alfalfa yields appeared to be highest when overburden was disked and fertilized and soil was replaced to a thickness of 60 cm. For range vegetation, standing crop biomass was highest when overburden was ripped and soil was replaced to 60 cm thick. However, optimum performance was obtained from the maximum number of species and life forms by disking overburden and replacing 15 cm of soil. The performance of most range plant species has improved over the three years of the study. When the results of this study are compared to the results of other soil thickness studies, we can conclude that selection of management practices should be influenced by local climate, local soil and overburden conditions, type of crop or vegetation to be grown, and specific management goals for that crop or vegetation.

Jan 1, 1984

By W. H. Carrington, A. C. Richardson

"INTRODUCTION The Powhatan mine of the Franklin Coal Mining Co. is located in the western part of Jefferson County, Ala., on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, 40 miles west of Birmingham. The Mary Lee bed at this point yields coal with fair coking qualities, but with an ash content as mined so high as to prohibit its use in the production of metallurgical coke. At present the entire output of the mine is washed in single-compartment jigs and marketed as locomotive and domestic fuel.Figure 1 gives a typical seam section of the Mary Lee bed at the Powhatan mine. This section shows that the bed is divided by rock partings into three benches. In many parts of the mine, particularly in the older workings the roof rock is so weak that it can not be held without excessive timbering. This condition has restricted the operation in many parts of the mins to the middle and bottom benches of coal. The 6 inches of draw rock between the top and middle benches is very strong and makes an excellent roof requiring only a normal amount of timbering to support it. In the newer workings of the mine the character of the rock above the top bench is strong and it is believed that in the future it will be possible to work all three benches. This study was undertaken for the purpose of determining the washing characteristics of the Mary Lee bed at Powhatan and the effect on these characteris-tics of including or omitting the coal from the top bench. It was also the purpose of the study to show whether it would be possible to produce a washed product sufficiently low in ash to be used for the manufacture of metallurgical coke. This paper is one of a series of reports on the washability of Alabama coals which is being prepared by the U. S. Bureau of Mines and tin University of Alabama. With the cooperation of the coal producers of Alabama. It contains the results of screen sizing and float-and-sink tests of representative samples of run-of-mine coal, and the results of table tests on the minus 3/16-inch sizes of the raw coal."

Apr 1, 1933

By J. H. Jacobs

In late 1946, research was begun at the Bureau of Mines Electrometallurgical Laboratory at Boulder City, Nev., to determine the possibility of electrowinning manganese from chloride electrolytes on a continuous basis. All phases of electrodeposition were investigated on a small scale it the laboratory, and the results were reported by Jacobs and Churchward. These results indicated that a chloride process had certain possible advantages over the sulfate process that made it worthwhile to continue the investigation on a semi-pilot-plant basis, and this paper reports the results of this work. Research and development work on a process for electrowinning manganese from low-grade ores has been carried on intermittently by the Bureau of Mines since 1936. A process was developed, using sulfate electrolyte, that has been extensively described in the literature.

Jan 1, 1951

By R. V. Ramani, P. M. T. White, D. Sutton

Appendix I. Part 1: Description Of Geology & Reserves System Introduction The Ore Evaluation and Reserve programs have been developed to aid in the evaluation of coal deposits, both qualitatively and quantitatively. The "Weighted Moving Average" technique used provides considerable flexibility in dealing with diverse parameters with differing distribution characteristics. Determination of Model Constants "a" and "k" - Unit 1 The flexibility of the method in dealing with diverse value parameter distributions lies in its ability to cater to the individual characteristics of each. These characteristics are embodied in the values determined for constants "a" and "k", namely, local and regional variations in value distributions, respectively. The empirical method used attempts to optimize the "a" - "k" combination. Realistic values for "a" and "k" are entered into the program together with sample values for the required parameters and their respective coordinate location values. All the values within a specified radius from the point being evaluated are used to interpolate a value at that point. (Note, the interpolated point is the location of one of the boreholes, values of which are not used in the calcula¬tion.) 3n a similar manner, interpolated values are calculated for each borehole location and for each parameter. This is done for each possible combination of "a" and "k".

Jan 1, 1974

By H. M. Smith

In studying the chemistry of lubricating-oil fractions from so-called ?paraffin-base? crudes, one of the first requisites is a method for the separation and removal of waxy material. A method utilizing solvents for this purpose is described in this report, together with preliminary experiments with solvents that led to its development. The solvents actually used are secondary butyl alcohol, acetone, and mixtures of these.. Isopropyl alcohol was also studied. Preliminary Experiments In previous work on "intermediate-base" crude oil, following the work of Wyant and Marsh acetone had been used for laboratory separations of oil and wax. Then acetone was tried for the separation of the waxes and oils of "paraffin-base" crude, the volume of acetone required (80 parts to 1 part of oil) was found to be too great for large-scale work. For this reason the effectiveness of other solvents was studied; the separation by acetone, however, was used as a standard.

Jan 1, 1927

By A. D. Marcy

The Midnite Mine is an inactive, hard-rock uranium mine in Stevens County, WA. Oxidation of sulfide-containing minerals, primarily pyrite, in the ore body produces large quantities of acidic water. An interception system installed by the mining company limits the discharge of contaminated water from the mine. The U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have been actively involved in planning remediation of the disturbed areas. To assist in remediation, the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) initiated research to determine water quality and to define ground water flow characteristics. USBM personnel designed a monitoring network, supervised installation of sampling wells, and collected and analyzed water samples. This Report of Investigations describes interpretation of data collected between December 1989 and April 1992. The computer program WATEQ4F was used to identify aqueous species distribution and to calculate potential solid phase controls of solubility. To assist in interpretation of changes in water quality between sampling locations and to develop models describing proposed flow paths, the computer program BALANCE was used. Using output from these programs and field observations, a description of the chemistry along proposed ground water flow paths at the mine is presented.

Jan 1, 2010

By T. W. Johnson

The Bureau of Mines, in cooperation with the Natural Gas Department of the American Gas Association, has in progress a study or the flow of natural gas through high-pressure transmission lines. A major problem of this study is to compare the deliveries calculated from the gas pipe-line flow formulas commonly used, with the metered deliveries from pipe lines in operation. In order to obtain such comparisons a series of tests has bean made on 25 operating pipe lines in Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and California ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Study of the flow of natural gas through high-pressure transmission lines was made under the general supervision of H. H. Hill, former chief petroleum engineer of the Bureau of. Mines, H. C. Fowler, acting chief petroleum engineer of the Bureau of Mines, N. A. C. Smith, superintendent of the Bureau of Mines Petroleum Experiment Station at Bartlesville, Okla., and T. Brandenthaler, chief of the oil and gas action of the Bartlesville station.

Jan 1, 1929

By Wils L. Cooley

Two major grounding topics are covered: mine ground systems and ground-check monitors. Performance characteristics of ground-check monitors for high-voltage surface mine distribution cables and low-voltage underground mine trailing cables are evaluated. Over 20 commercially available monitors are studied to determine their utility. Several monitoring concepts are incorporated into an unusual monitor design, the prototype of which is described in detail. A comparative study of the effectiveness of several alternate methods of grounding surface mine equipment supports the system currently proposed by MSHA. An instrument design to measure earth voltage gradients is described, as well as an instrument design for measuring the effectiveness of dc haulage current return systems. An extreme analysis is made of techniques for measuring earth resistivity and resistance of safety ground beds. Electrolytic corrosion studies of earth electrodes are reported extensively also.

Jan 1, 1979

By Felix duBreuil

The present sampling procedure for evaluating the rock dusting conditions in a coal mine is time consuming. This study considers means by which this procedure could be simplified. Surveys were conducted in six coal mines in Pennsylvania to determine the in¬combustible content of the deposited dust. Some 2,000 samples were analyzed and statistically evaluated. It is suggested that the mean incombustible content could be obtained with fewer samples and smaller samples without greatly increasing the sampling error.

Jan 1, 1972

By Milford L. Skow

Utilization of domestic ores in the winning of metallurgical alumina requires a convenj.ent method of treating siliceous bauxites and other aluminous materials. In the United states there are only small reserves of high-grade bauxite but considerably larger tonnages of low-grade material. In addition, there are large deposits of high-alumina clays. If these high-silica bauxites or high-alumina clays could be beneficiated, either by are dressing or by chemical dissolution to remove a large proportion of the silica, then the potential reserves of aluminum ores would be increased materially. Faced with a similar situation, the German industry, chiefly dependent on high-grade French bauxites prior to World War II, was compelled during the war to Use lower-grade ores. For desilicating the lower-grade bauxites before the Bayer treatment, a method was developed in which the bauxite was calcined and then given a dilute caustic leach preliminary to the pressure digestion. It was planned to regenerate the caustic by treatment of the desilication liquor with lime. As European bauxites are mineralogically different from those found in this country, preliminary work was undertaken to determine whether this process might be applied to domestic materials. The results of this work, along with a review of the German process, are presented in this report.

Jan 1, 1950

By Philip B. Grote

The deep ocean mining industry is in a pre-commercialization stage of development. In the context of a proper legal/regulatory regime, deep ocean mining system design, site survey, and operation technologies are capable of rapid evolution. The report recommends that the regulatory framework develop in parallel with the industry and presents a rationale for implementing this approach. The Government has several interests in deep ocean mining technology: (1) as a potential regulator, sound regulations should be based on an understanding of the technology; (2) as a potential monitor, survey technologies are relevant; and (3) as an estimator of strategic minerals supplies, it is important to understand the technology which allows economic access to deep ocean minerals. Thus, the major portion of the report presents an in-depth review of systems design, operations, and survey equipment and techniques.

Jan 1, 1979

By D. Eugene Rannels, Sarah E. Dunsmore

"Dunsmore, Sarah E., and D. Eugene Rannels. Extracellular matrix biology in the lung. Am. J. Physiol. 270 (Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol. 14): L3-L27, 1996.-The lung and other organs are comprised of both cellular and extracellular compartments. Interaction of these components modulates physiological function at the organ, cellular, and subcellular levels. Extracellular components in the gas-exchange region of the lung include both noncellular interstitium and basement membranes. Connective tissue elements of the interstitium in part determine ventilatory function by contributions to tissue compliance and to resistance of the diffusion barrier. The basement membrane underlies cells of both the alveolar epithelium and the capillary endothelium; basement membrane components exert biological effects on adjacent cells through receptormediated interactions. This review emphasizes current knowledge concerning the composition and biological activity of extracellular matrix in the alveolar region of the lung. Matrix synthesis and turnover are also considered. Directions for future research are suggested in the context of current knowledge of the lung and other model systems. EXTRACELLULAR MATRIXEXTRACELLULAR MATRIX is a general term that encompasses components of the basement membrane and interstitial connective tissue. The extracellular matrix has many functions. It provides structural support, compartmentalizes tissues by separating epithelium or endothelium from interstitium, and serves as a physical barrier. Both in vivo and in vitro studies show that extracellular matrices also affect cell shape and function. The matrix elicits a variety of cellular responses, including adhesion and spreading, changes in cytoskeletal organization and differentiation, formation of focal contacts and stress fibers, stimulation of proliferation and migration, induction of polarity and gene expression, alterations in metastatic activity, and outgrowth of cell processes (for review see Refs. 387, 462). Cellmatrix interactions play roles in embryonic development and organogenesis (for review see Refs. 1, 91), in wound healing (for review see Refs. 145, 327), iri metastasis (for review see Refs. 430, 431), and in angiogenesis (for review see Refs. 185, 186). The extracellular matrix is the subject of a large volume of literature. In 1994, over 1,000 articles contained extracellular matrix in the title or abstract. After a brief discussion of key aspects of extracellular matrix biology, this review will focus on the extracellular matrix of the lung."

Jan 1, 1998

By Engelmann. William H.

In pursuit of innovative methods to improve mining productivity, the Bureau of Mines is investigating the use of inorganic salts as drilling fluid additives for penetration enhancement. Laboratory diamond drilling tests were performed on Westerly Granite with aluminum chloride solutions and on Sioux Quartzite with aluminum nitrate and aluminum, calcium, sodium, and zirconium chloride solutions as drilling fluid additives. These drilling results were compared with the average drilling performance using distilled, deionized water on Sioux Quartzite (12 replicate tests) and Westerly Granite (3 replicate tests). Maximum in-creases in penetration per given time and bit life were obtained when drilling with zero point of charge (ZPC) concentration solutions of each additive. For Sioux Quartzite, maximum increases in penetration and bit life ranged from 96 to 115 pct and 64 to 99 pct, respectively. For Westerly Granite, maximum increases in penetration of 155 and 165 pct and bit life of 109 and 136 pct were obtained at or near ZPC aluminum chloride concentrations of quartz (7.3 x 10-7 mol/L AIC13) and alkali feldspars (1.1 to 1.5 x 10-6 mol/L AIC13), respectively. This simultaneous increase in penetration per time together with extended bit life should result in increased productivity and reduced bit costs.

Jan 1, 1987

By Thomas M. Barczak

This Bureau of Mines report investigates shield mechanics by describing the elastic response and interaction of shield components to applied vertical and horizontal displacements for various canopy and base contact configurations. This research provides information on generalized shield mechanics, which is applicable in describing the behavior of all two-leg shield supports. Utilizing mechanics of materials concepts and known kinematic relationships for two-leg shield supports, free-body diagrams are constructed for each shield component illustrating internal axial, shear, and bending moment responses required to maintain equilibrium for each load case evaluated. Predicted shield (component) responses are verified by controlled displacement of instrumented longwall shields in the Bureau's mine roof simulator (MRS). Conclusions drawn from these analyses include shield structural responses are significantly dependent upon canopy and base contact configurations. Applied displacements also significantly affect shield responses. Horizontal displacement produces different responses than those produced by vertical displacements. The direction of horizontal displacement is also significant in evaluating shield response. Applications of shield mechanics to in situ support monitoring are also discussed. An objective of this research program is to establish unique shield responses to identify in situ load conditions.

Jan 1, 1989

By Dipak C. Talapatra

This report describes the development of guidelines for design, inspection and maintenance of automatic couplers. In order to devise the guidelines, performance requirements for automatic couplers were carefully established. This was done through a comprehensive survey of coupler manufacturers and extensive observation of automatic couplers in service in a broad spectrum of mines. The capability of the couplers to withstand the demands of the mining environment in terms of strength characteristics, gathering range, curve negotiability, and other factors were all carefully evaluated. An analysis of coupler related accidents for the years 1972-1976 was carried out to provide information on the safety and reliability of existing automatic couplers. This formed an important input to the development of the guidelines. It is expected that these guidelines will be useful to coupler manufacturers for establishing designs for improved automatic couplers, and to mine operators for maintaining their couplers in a safe and good operating condition throughout their expected lifetime. This report is in two volumes: Volume 1 Technical Report Volume 2 Design, Inspection, and Maintenance Manual

Jan 1, 1977

By Oliver C. Fursman, Lloyd H. Banning

This research was undertaken to determine the feasibility of producing steel from hydrogen - reduced , pyrophoric iron powder . Before steelmaking tests were begun , investigations were made to develop procedures for handling the pyrophoric powder safely , and melting tests were made in a single - phase , electric - arc furnace to determine inert gas requirements for preventing powder oxidation . Steelmaking tests were conducted in a conventional electric - arc furnace , usually by a two - slag basic procedure . Results of the research indicated that ( 1 ) pyrophoric powder can be handled safely and can be prevented from oxidizing excessively during charging and melting in electric - arc steelmaking furnaces ; ( 2 ) little , if any , more electrical energy is required for melting Cerro Bolivar iron powder per unit of contained iron than is required for melting heavy melting scrap ; ( 3 ) high - quality steel can be produced readily from high- grade iron powder , having recoveries up to 95 percent of the total iron ; ( 4 ) steel can be produced from simulated titaniferous , chromiferous , and manganiferous iron powders ; and ( 5 ) the electrical energy required for melting increases with increase in the proportion of slag - forming constituents in the furnace charge .

Jan 1, 1964

By Michael E. Henderson

The U.S. Bureau of Mines (BOM) constructed the Hydraulic Transport Research Facility (HTRF) to investigate the hydraulic parameters relating to the transport of coarse coal. To achieve these goals in a timely and efficient manner, the Bureau contracted to Boeing Services International, Inc. (BSI) the responsibility of operating the HTRF and providing technical support. This data report is a summary of the testing and data results for the period from 6 September to 9 September 1983. The testing covered herein is for coarse 2-in by 0 (minus 50 mm) Pittsburgh Seam run-of-mine (ROM) coal in a 12-in (300 mm) pipeline, at velocities ranging from 8 to 16 ft/s (2.4 to 4.9 m/s) and at concentrations ranging from 15 to 50 pct.

Jan 1, 1985

By James W. Townsend

[The Harrington-Hickory mine in the Star raining district, Beaver County, Utah, has produced approximately 20,000 tons of lead-zinc-silver ores since 1910. Production previous to 1910 is not known. The mine is owned by the New Majestic Mining Co. The property was rehabilitated and operated by James D. Williams under a 10-year lease with option to purchase from April 1943 to May 1949, Loans from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in the aggregate of $41,000 wore used in construction of an access road, rehabilitation of the mine, and purchase of equipment for full-scale operation. The improved, all-weather access road extends from loading ramps on the Union Pacific Railroad at Milord to the urine storage bins 5 miles west o f town. The mine is serviced electrically by a. 5,000-volt line owned by Telluride Power Co. Mine transformers step the voltage down to 440/220/110 for surface and underground service.]

Jan 1, 1953

By R. Lusignea

This report describes the development of a device for the nondestructive testing of resin grouted roof bolts by means of mechanical frequency response. Various alternative methods were evaluated and the mechanical frequency response method was selected. An interactive program of design, testing, and development culminating in the current prototype instrument demonstrated the capabilities of the method and suggested potential applications of the instrument. The resin bolt testing device utilizes a swept frequency dynamic compliance measurement in the 1 to 2 kHz range which is interpreted by an electronic signal processor to give a "GO" or "NO GO? readout. Field tests have shown that the device can reliably determine the bond quality of the front half of the bolt (nearest the roof surface). Tests were carried out on both experimentally installed bolts and typical mine bolts installed by a conventional bolting machine. The development program has led to recommendations for improvement of the prototype and future development work.

Jan 1, 1979