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By D. E. Wolfson

As a part of its overall program of coal carbonization, the Bureau of Mines is studying the coking properties of coals that may be used for metallurgical purposes. The objectives of this study were given in detail in a previous report The inherent suitability of coal for metallurgical purposes depends primarily on (1) chemical composition, (2) preparation characteristics, and (3) carbonization behavior. The first two factors, Be well as the amount of available reserves, are considered in selecting coals for carbonization tests. The selection of coal beds in Harlan County, Ky., for coking tests was based, in part, on recent studies of coal reserves by Wallace,3/ who estimated the recoverable reserves in beds 28 inches or more thick, in tons, as follows:

Jan 1, 1956

By G. W. Birge

Carbonizing properties of the principal coal beds of Perry County, Ky., are described in this Bureau of Mines report. Seven samples, representing the Hindman, Flag, Haddix, and Fire Clay beds, were carbonized by the Bureau of Mines-American Gas Association (BM-AGA) method, and yields of products and physical properties of cokes were determined. Carbonizing properties of blends of Flag and Fire Clay coals, with 20 and 30 percent Pocahontas No. 3 low-volatile coal from McDowell County, W. Va., also were determined. Expanding properties of the Flag and Fire Clay coals and their blends were determined in the Bureau of Mines sole-heated oven. The Perry County coals tested are high-volatile A bituminous in rank and, with the exception of the Hindman-bed sample, which contained excessive sulfur, were chemically suitable for metallurgical use. The three coals tested in the sole-heated oven contracted less than normal for Appalachian coals of similar rank, Blending the Fire Clay and Flag coals with 20 or 30 percent low-volatile coal increased coke strength appreciably but increased the expansion beyond normal limits for industrial blends.

Jan 1, 1962

By Oliver Bowles

In 1943 the Bureau of Mines began a review of trends in consumption and prices of the more important nonmetallic minerals. The first report covering building materials4/ appeared in December of that year. The present paper, which deals with chemical raw materials and fertilizers, is the second of the series. The 34 years from 1910 to 1943, for which statistics are presented herein, comprise periods of uneventful peace, unparalleled prosperity, industrial depression almost to the point of stagnation, and two wars of world proportions.

Jan 1, 1945

By Wilbert J. Huff

[This is the fifth of a series of annual reports of the explosives Division, Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior.3/ It deals particularly with work done during the period July 1, 1939, to June 30, 1939. The writer and the respective unit leader to whom credit is indicated have directed the various studies outlined.]

Jan 1, 1940

By C. J. Wilhelm

The disposal of brines produced with crude petroleum and natural gas has been a long-continuing problem to oil and gas operators as well as to farmers and stock-raisers in the vicinity of producing fields. An impartial appraisal of conditions pertaining to the problem of brine disposal leads to the conclusion that study of the technical consideration, with proper weight given to the economic and social factors, is the most desirable approach to this problem. Brine disposal is a problem of such magnitude in certain areas in the State of Kansas that in August 1934 a cooperative agreement was made between the Kansas State Board of Health and the U. S. Bureau of Mines for a cooperative technical study of methods of brine disposal.

Jan 1, 1935

By C. J. Wilhelm

The disposal of brines produced with crude petroleum and natural gas has been a long-continuing problem to oil and gas operators as well as to farmers and stock-raisers in the vicinity of producing fields. .An impartial appraisal of conditions pertaining to the problem of brine disposal lead to the conclusion that study of the technical considerations, with proper weight given to the economic and social factors, is the most desirable approach to this problem . Brine disposal is a problem of such magnitude 1n certain areas in the State of Kansas that in August 1934 a cooperative agreement w s made between the Kansas State Board of Health and the U. S. Bureau of Mines for a cooperative technical study of methods of brine disposal.

Jan 1, 1935

By P. R. Jones

A computer program was written for the design of a shell and tube type heat exchanger on a price optimum basis. The program was designed to meet the following requirements: (1) Triangular pitch; (2) single or multiple pass; (3) heating or cooling; and (4) no change in phase. Price optimum design was obtained for four standard tube sizes and standard pitch. Pressure drop both inside and outside were computed and the nearest standard shells having at least the required area were listed. With this information, the estimator can select the heat exchanger best suited for the need. The program was made adaptable to various fluids and to various tube sizes and spacing by reading in much of the required data such as physical properties of the fluids, tube data, and standard shell data in tabular form.

Jan 1, 1967

By Robert J. Hundhausen

The Young America lead-silver-zinc mine in Stevens County, Wash., was investigated by the Bureau of Mines during parts of 1946, 1947, and 1948. Results of the investigation are described herein. The mine is 1/4 mile northeast of Bossburg, Wash., the nearest railway station. An excellent paved highway (No. 22) connects Bossburg with Colville, Wash., 23 miles to the south. The property was located in October 1885. It is credited with a production of 2,178 tons of shipping ore since 1901. The shipping ore averaged 7 percent lead, 7.7 percent zinc, and 16.1 ounces silver per ton. The property is under lease and option to Walter E. Morris and Perry Leighton of Colville, Wash. The deposit crops out on a steep limestone bluff overlooking the Columbia River. The country rock is a highly metamorphosed, brecciated, marbleized limestone (Northport formation).

Jan 1, 1949

For 11 years, under authorization of the Synthetic Liquid Fuels Act of April 5, 1944 (30 U.S.C. 321-325), and amendments, the Bureau of Mines has carried on an extensive research and development program to establish methods for producing oil from coal and from oil shale. This act was passed by the 78th Congress primarily because of the stress of wartime demands for liquid fuels to supply our armed forces during World War II. The act was progressively extended by the 80th and 81st Congresses, as later peace-time demand for oil and oil products continued to increase.

Jan 1, 1956

By J. D. Davis

THIS report gives results of an investigation of the carbonizing properties of the following eastern Kentucky coals: Elkhorn No. I bed, No. 28 mine, Wayland, Floyd County; Elkhorn No. 2 bed, Turner No. 5 mine, Drift, Flood County; Leatherwood (Haddix No. 5) bed, Leatherwood mine, Leatherwood. Perry County; and Harlan bed, Path Fork mine, Path Fork, Harlan County. The carbonizing properties were determined by Bureau of Mines-American Gas Association (BM-AGA) tests at 800° and 900° C. and by expansion tests in the sole-heated oven. Plastic properties were determined by tests in the Gieseler and Davis plastometers. The coals were tested singly and as blends with 20- and 30-percent low-volatile Pocahontas No. 3 coal. The dry, mineral-matter-free, fixed-carbon content of the carbonizing samples ranged from 56.7 percent for Elkhorn No. 2 to 59.7 percent for Leatherwood, and the heating values on the moist, mineral-matter-free basis ranged from 14,420 B. t. u. per pound for Elkhorn No. 2 to 14,720 for Harlan. The percentage of ash ranged from 2.9 to 6.1. The fluidity of three coals, measurer. In the Gieseler plastometer, ranged from 230 to 670 dial divisions; the fluidity of Elkhorn No. 2 could not be determined by this method. Blending lowered the fluidity of each coal; the fluidity of the blends containing 20 and 30 percent Pocahontas No. 3 ranged from 16 to 53 and from 8 to 17 dial divisions, respectively. Agglutinating values determined on silicon carbide-coal mixtures in the ratio 15:1 ranged from 3.8 to 6.3.

Jan 1, 1952

By F. E. Armstrong

This Bureau of Mines publication reviews 237 papery on radiometric prospecting, which is the measurement of naturally occurring radioactivity in the earth's surface and its application to petroleum and natural gas exploration. Many theories and documented surveys are listed in both support and refutation of this reported phenomenon, and the Bureau of Mines is conducting research to obtain direct field information in order to determine the statistical credibility of a radiometric method of predicting petroleum accumulation.

Jan 1, 1973

By Walter E. Lewis

The Cuyuna iron range in Crow Wing County, Minn., is the principal producer of manganiferous iron ore in the United States. The ore is mined from a manganiferous iron formation in the bedrock of the Cuyuna district. This iron formation is divided into two general lithologic types-thin-bedded and thick-bedded. The unoxidized, thin-bedded iron formation is composed of iron silicate with associated fine-grained carbonates of iron and manganese. The thick-bedded iron formation carries iron and manganese oxides with intimately associated silica. Oxidation and leaching of the original iron formation have been the most influential factors in producing manganiferous iron-ore concentrations in quantities large enough to exploit on a commercial basis. The unoxidized and the partly oxidized and enriched iron-formation materials are suitable as a source of ferrograde manganese ore. These materials have been classified according to their amenability to mineral dressing and degree of oxidation and leaching.

Jan 1, 1958

By W. B. Berwald

The United States Bureau of lanes, in cooperation with the Natural Gas Department of the American Gas Association, has been studying actively for the past several years the problem of the flow of natural gas through high-pressure transmission lines. Numerous data on gas flow through pipe lines under many conditions of operation have been obtained by carefully conducted tests, and these data, together with all other available information, have been analyzed Carefully to secure practical facts for the use of operators in designing pipe lines and determining the effects of different operating conditions on pipe-line capacities. The first procedure in initiating this problem was to review, compile, and analyze all of the existing data on the flow of natural gas through pipe lines. Actual data applicable to pipe and operating conditions normally used in the transmission of natural gas were meager, and the several pipe line flow formulas developed by different investigators gave widely varying results when applied to problems of pipe-line design. Therefore, further experimental work under conditions comparable to those found in transmitting natural gas was essential before any definite recommendations could be made. The problem, as originally planned, included flow tests on pipe lines in operation, and in each test the measured delivery vas to be compared with the delivery calculated from several common pipe line flow formulas.

Jan 1, 1931

By R. R. Lowery

The Bureau of Mines developed hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloys which 11.7.d better mechanical properties than the unmodified hypereutectic alloy. A commercial aluminum-20 weight-percent silicon LIr alloy was selected as a ary base for improvement. The primary silicon. grains were reduced from ASTM 4-5 to ASTM 8.5 by the use of phosphorus and phosphorus compounds. The remaining eutectic matrix was refined by sodium metal additions of 0.2 weight-percent. Solid solution strengthening of the alpha aluminum was obtained by adding 2 percent copper and 0.5 percent magnesium. Also, 1 percent nickel was added to harden the alloy. Optimum thermal treatment consisted of a solution treatment for 10 hour:, at 480° C with hot water quench, followed by aging for 6 hours at 175° C. The final alloy exhibited a Rockwell B hardness of 75 ±2 in the heat-treated condition. The ultimate tensile strength was 39,5O0 psi with no recordable elongation. The coefficient of linear thermal expansion was 20.4 x 10-6 per °C in the temperature range 20° to 300° C. No wear resistance data were collected.

Jan 1, 1966

By Larry A. Haas

The chemistry of current or potential SO2 removal processes can be placed into four categories: (1) reduction, (2) Liquefaction, (3) direct dissolution, and (4) oxidation. Methods that involve reducing SO2 to elemental sulfur appear promising since this product can be easily handled, shipped, and stock- piled. Unfortunately, SO2 cannot always be reduced directly when other oxidizing agents are present. Thermodynamic data indicate that some oxidizing reagents will also consume reductant at the reduction temperature. A two- stage process can be applied to waste gases that contain excessive quantities of oxygen, nitrogen oxides, and water vapor. The best sorbent for the first stage appears to be a nonalkali or nonalkaline earth medium since this medium more readily releases the SO2 for reduction in the second stage.

Jan 1, 1973

By Charles L. Kimbell

In 1988, the aggregate value of total world international export trade in mineral commodities was estimated at nearly $542 billion in current (1988) dollars, which was about 8.6% above the 1987 level, but still 23.7% below the record high set in 1980. Comparable comprehensive data for 1989 were not available in time for inclusion in this chapter, but 1989 returns for developed market economy countries only were 1 1.8% above those for 1988. These countries accounted for about 50% of the total mineral commodity export trade in 1988. It would be unsound to utilize the overall 11.8% growth rate for mineral commodity export trade for these countries to extrapolate the growth in total world mineral commodity trade because these developed market economy countries account for substantially different shares of the five major mineral commodity groups listed in table 2. Specifically, developed market economy countries in 1988 accounted for 56% of world export of ore, concentrate, and scrap, 74.7% of world exports of iron and steel, 71.7% of world exports of nonferrous metals, and 57.8% of all exports of crude nonmetals, but only 26.6% of world exports of mineral fuels. Moreover, even within each of these groups, the actual product mix included in developed market economy country aggregates differ from that in developing market economy country aggregates and in centrally planned economy country aggregates. Nonetheless, an increase of 9% to 12% in the value of world mineral commodity export trade seems indicated by available returns.

Jan 1, 1992

By A. J. Kauffman Jr.

The Petrographic Section of the Bureau of Mines, Northwest Electrodevelopment Laboratory, Albany, Oreg., annually examines thousands of minerals and rocks. Samples are received from mining, engineers, prospectors, and government agencies, both State and Federal. During the past 2 years certain uncommon minerals have been identified in the samples submitted. Eleven occurrences have been selected for reporting in detail. These selections were made because in most cases a new locality is involved. The data reported are the result of application of the latest techniques, and widely disseminated references concerning each mineral have been added for completeness. Several occurrences have been described by other investigators; in those cases new data have been supplied to supplement the already published information on these occurrences. No uranium-bearing minerals have been included; they will be treated in another paper. The Bureau of Mines does not make chemical analyses or assays for individuals or firms In direct competition with private laboratories. Mineral¬ogical examinations, however, are made for prospectors and the general public. Such examinations a call surface to determine whether the sample in question has possible commercial value. If it has apparent value, the sender is so informed, and suggestions as to its .Arc, development and marketing are offered. The latest scientific apparatus is available to aid in identification. The apparatus includes microscopes, both wide-field and polarizing, a Bunsen-type spectroscope for visual observation of the Zinc and band spectra of many elements, differential thermal apparatus for the examination of hydrous material, apparatus for cutting and mounting either thin sections for study in transmitted or polished surfaces for reflected-light studies, and a high-intensity magnetic separator for concentrating minerals according to their magnetic susceptibility. Also, available, but not an integral part of the Section, are several laboratory-type Geiger counters, a grating spectrograph, and X-ray diffraction apparatus. If need be, all of these tools may be employed to identify a mineral or rock.

Jan 1, 1950

By Lloyd A. Morley

Proposed advantages and disadvantages of low-voltage shielded trailing cables are formulated utilizing the literature and industry sources. A partial analysis of these proposed advantages and disadvantages is completed through a review of the literature. Cable costs are assembled from mine operators, cable and splice manufacturers, and actual cable purchases. To confirm each advantage and disadvantage, an underground test site is established, and testing is performed here and in the laboratory. All testing procedures are completely described. The results of this investigation are reported and used to formulate recommendations attendant to low-voltage shielded cables. Suggestions for installation, handling, and maintenance are presented.

Jan 1, 1977

By Francis C. Lincoln

"INTRODUCTION In the course of a general investigation of mines and mineral deposits in the Upper Mississippi lead and zinc field, attention of the Bureau of Mines was first directed to the Coker mines area by the presence of large tonnages of old mill tailings containing economically recoverable percentages of lead and zinc. Later, the results of extensive geologic studies of the area were presented to the Bureau of Mines by the Federal Geological Survey, directing attention to the possibility of extending the known ore limits of the area to the north and northeast of the old Coker No. 1 mine workings.With this end in view, the Bureau of Mines undertook a program of churn drilling and sampling. This report describes the work done and presents the data obtained during the period of the Bureau of Mines investigation.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSIn its program of investigation of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral resources to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. The Mining. Division, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary examinations, does the actual investigative work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Division, O. C. Ralston, chief, analyzes the samples and makes beneficiation tests."

Apr 1, 1948

By Henry Kreisinger, John Blizard, B. J. CROSS, C. E. Augustine

This report gives the results of 26 tests of a four-pass Edgemoor boiler fired with powdered coal at the Lakeside station of the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co. The tests were made by the fuel section of the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the research department of the Combustion Engineering Corporation and the operating department of the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co. The object of the tests was to determine the thermal efficiencies and capacities obtainable by burning powdered coal under large central-station boilers, and the possibility of operating such boilers continuously at high efficiency and capacity without destructive effect on the furnaces and without difficulties in refuse removal. In any system for burning pulverized coal the furnace is the most important part because, to justify the cost of pulverizing, the powdered coal must be burned with higher efficiency than coal fired with mechanical stokers. In other words, it is the furnace that by giving higher thermal efficiency must pay for the installation, maintenance, and operation of the pulverizing equipment. No matter how simple the apparatus for the preparation of pulverized coal may be, or how simple the pulverizing process, unless the furnace is so designed that it can be operated continuously with high thermal efficiency, the whole system is a failure. For high thermal efficiency the coal must be burned almost completely with low excess air. But low excess air and complete combustion give high furnace temperature, which in turn causes erosion of the furnace lining and fusion of the ash; and removal of the fused ash is difficult. The necessity of complete combustion with low excess air thus brings with it these two important problems in the design of a furnace for burning powdered coal: 1, Prevention of erosion of the furnace lining; 2, easy removal of refuse from the furnace. For the purpose of solving these problems, the boiler tested was equipped with a furnace having hollow walls, through which about 60 per cent of the air needed for combustion passed before it entered the furnace. By passing through the hollow walls, the air cooled the furnace lining and prevented excessive erosion. A water screen was placed in the furnace about 3 feet above the bottom to keep the refuse deposited at the bottom from fusing and to make its removal easy. The design of the furnace, water screen, and burners was based on the experience gained in the previous cooperative tests1 with a smaller furnace, experimental water screen, and burners at the Oneida Street station of the Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co. The boiler tested had 13,057 square feet of heating surface. It was one of eight boilers fired with powdered coal, and was designated as boiler No. 8. The Lakeside station is the largest central station in the world that burns powdered coal exclusively. The coal used in the first five tests came from Illinois. The fuel in the other tests -:vas a mixture of Illinois and Pittsburgh coals.

Jan 1, 1925