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Metals From Oil Shale. -A Geological Survey News Release in mid-January indicated that a surface sample analysis of oil shale in central Montana found a ton of shale to contain up to 13 pounds of zinc, 2 pounds of nickel, 1.8 pounds of molybdenum, 16 pounds of vanadium oxide, and nearly a quarter pound of selenium. It might be possible to recover some of these metals economically on a byproduct basis. The shale in central Montana was also estimated to contain 180 billion barrels of synthetic crude oil, which compares to estimated oil reserves in the Middle East of 360 billion barrels. Merchant Fleet Dwindles. -The National Maritime Council reports that although the U.S. is the world's largest trading power and that well over 90% of its foreign trade is conducted by shipping, the U.S. fleet is tenth in absolute numbers and less than 5% of its foreign trade is carried on U.S. ships. In 30 years, the U.S. fleet has dwindled from over 4,000 oceangoing vessels to about 600. U.S. ships carry less than 2% of imported iron ore, bauxite, and tungsten, and only 3% of oil imports.

Jan 1, 1981

By Howard F. Puariea

This paper is one of a series describing methods and costs of recovering sand and gravel from alluvial deposits in the United States and deals directly with the methods employed by the Portland Gravel Co. in operating a clamshell dredge on the Willamette River near Portland, Oreg., and a pump dredge on the Columbia River near Vancouver, Wash. These papers are designed to disseminate technical information regarding the methods used. The cost tabulations represent local expenditures only and not total production costs. It is recognized that publication of total costs may in some instances cause embarrassment to individual producers as well as to the industry as a whole. On the other hand operating costs are essential to the technical discussion and study of methods employed. The attention of the reader is specifically called to this differentiation in order that no misunderstanding of the scope of the cost tabulations shall ensue.

Jan 1, 1932

By N. H. Coates

As part of a joint program of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission and the Federal Bureau of Mines for using nuclear energy to supply process heat, the Bureau designed and constructed a pilot-scale simulated nuclear reactor system. Although workable components were developed,5 the simulated nuclear reactor could not be operated continuously at its design conditions of 2,500°F. and 250 p.s.i.g. because the refractory materials used for insulation deteriorated. Replacement of these materials with porous carbon permitted sustained operation at design conditions, and a 1,000-hour demonstration run was completed successfully. No serious operating difficulties developed during the test. Leakage of helium after 1,000 hours was only 3 to 4 std. c.f.h. Inspection after the run revealed no damage to any of the components. Including earlier runs during previous research5 the system has been operated about 4,000 hours, of which 1,120 hours have been at 2,500° F. or higher. The helium-recycle compressor performed satisfactorily with no main¬tenance whatever for 2,445 hours, with about 2,000 hours at 900° to 1,000° F.

Jan 1, 1961

By Richard Havens

Samples of low-grade oxide manganese ores were procured from two southern Utah properties by examining engineers of the Bureau of Mines during an investigation of manganese mineral deposits of continental United States. A 2-ton lot of ore was obtained from the Blackbird group of mining claims in Paiute County, 11 miles southeast of Marysvale, Utah. The deposit was described as an intrusive sheet or sill of altered brecciated rhyolite cemented together by manganese oxide minerals. A 2-ton sample from the Black John property, situated 32 miles northeast of Kanab, Kane County, Utah, was taken from open cuts on the vein. The blanket-type vein deposit consisted of nodules and streaks of manganese imbedded in compact gray clay.

Jan 1, 1949

Treat contaminated coal mine drainage to meet EPA and State water quality requirements. Approach A model (fig. 1) is presented for selecting, designing, and sizing one or several passive mine drainage treatment systems that can be used in remediation of abandoned mine lands (AML). The three principal types of passive mine drainage technologies for the treatment of coal mine drainage are an aerobic system, a compost wetland, and an anoxic limestone drain. The multistep approach presented here provides a simplified method to characterize the type and magnitude of the water quality problem and then to select either a single treatment system or a combination of treatment systems to address the specific site situation. How It Works Step 1. Discharge Characterization. Characterization of the discharge consists of measuring the discharge flow rate and collecting water samples at the point of discharge for chemical analysis. Both the flow rate and chemistry of a discharge can vary seasonally and in response to storm events. It is important to account for this variability by determining flow rates and water chemistry under various conditions.

Jan 1, 1992

By J. S. Miller

The Bureau of Mines developed methods for fragmenting oil shale formations with chemical explosives to prepare oil shale for in situ retorting and to evaluate the extent of fragmentation by various methods. A combination of three methods of explosive fracturing was used: (1) The displacement and detonation of a liquid chemical explosive in a natural fracture system; (2) the use of 60-pct dynamite to relieve stress conditions of the rock around the wellbore; and (3) the use of pelletized TNT in a series of wellbore shots to fragment the oil shale. An attempt was made to seal or grout around the fragmented oil shale by drilling 67 holes and displacing approximately 200 bbl of neat cement in the fracture system to aid in evaluating the fragmented zone, Seven methods were used to evaluate the fragmented zone. The primary evaluation method was the recording of seismic waves to delineate the fragmented zone with results based on arrival time, amplitude, and record quality. The data from the seismic measurements indicated the extensively fragmented zone was approximately 95 ft in diameter and 70 ft thick. Results of the remaining methods of evaluating fractures--including air-flow tests, coring of the expected fragmented zone, elevation measurements to indicate overburden crowning, and surveys with high-speed camera, impression packer, and down-hole camera--agreed with and supported the data from seismic measurements. Further field application of explosive fracturing and evaluation methods is needed to determine when a zone of oil shale is effectively fragmented for efficient in situ retorting.

Jan 1, 1973

By Oliver Bowles

Calcareous rocks, of which the principal varieties are marble and lime¬stone, are used extensively for building and ornamental purposes. Onyx and travertine, subdivisions of these groups, are sufficiently distinctive in origin and use to merit separate classification. The purpose of this paper is to define the terms "onyx" and "travertine" and to describe the occurrences and uses of the materials bearing these names. ORIGIN AND CHARACTER Confusion exists in the use of the word "onyx." True onyx is a banded chalcedony, a form of silicon dioxide related to jasper, agate, and flint. Calcium carbonate is commonly deposited from solution in successive layers of varying color closely resembling onyx, and for this reason such calcareous rock is also called "onyx." To distinguish the calcareous from the siliceous

Jan 1, 1940

By Charles H. Atkinson, Robert T. Johansen

Tremendous volumes of petroleum ( crude oil and natural gas ) at present cannot be recovered economically . The feasibility of using nuclear explosions for production stimulation therefore has been investigated . Data from underground nuclear tests conducted by the Atomic Energy Commission were reviewed , and the physical effects were evaluated for stimulating petroleum production . Calculations of the effect on ultimate recovery of increasing reservoir temperature with nuclear explosives showed disappointingly small increases . Production increases caused by fracturing of massive low- permeability reservoirs appear technically and economically promising . Petroleum reservoirs that might be converted from submarginal to commercial production are being located and evaluated as to potential reserves and as a location for a field test .

Jan 1, 1964

By Bruce I. Thomas

The Fairbanks mining district forms an arc 40 miles long and 8 miles wide on the north side of the Tanana Valley in central Alaska. This is a region of broad valleys and rounded hills that range in elevation from 600 to 2,600 feet Lode-gold production started in 1910 and has continued sporadically to the present, but the largest single mine produced only 40 tons per 24-hour day. Total recorded lode-gold production of the district is 241,000 fine troy ounces of gold from ore that averaged 1.32 fine ounces per ton. The ore was mined chiefly from narrow veins and veinlets alined along anticlinal folds at Ester Dome and the Pedro Dome-Cleary area. The only proven reserves are reported to be at the Ryan Lode at Ester Dome and at the Keystone Mines, Inc., holdings in the Pedro Dome-Cleary area. An inferred lode-gold resource for the district of approximately 4,000,000 ounces is considered to indicate only the order of magnitude of the lode-gold potential because of the absence of detailed data needed to evaluate the numerous deposits.

Jan 1, 1973

By Joe H. Skidmore

This paper, describing mining and milling methods and costs at the Gold Hill mine, is one of a series being published by the Bureau of Mines. Boise Basin, in which the geld Hill mine is located, is in the central part of Boise County, Idaho, about 30 miles by air line northeast of Boise. The mine, owned and operated by Talache Mines, Inc., is at the southern end of the town of Quartzburg. About 115 to 125 tons daily is mind by square-setting and is treated in an amalgamation plant.

Jan 1, 1938

By Robert L. Thorne

Cassiterite deposits on Sullivan Creek in central Alaska were investigated by the Bureau of Mines in the spring of 1943. Gold miners in the area have been recovering cassitorite each season as a byproduct of gold placer operations. Approximately 300 tons of tin concentrates have been shipped from the district. The deposits were sampled though trenches and small shafts. An average tin content of 0.28 pound per cubic yard was indicated. A detailed description of sampling methods and sample analyses is presented in this report.

Jan 1, 1948

By L. R. Willmott

An ethanolamine purification unit for removing carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from Firscher-Tropsch synthesis gas was installed at the Bureau of Mines synthetic liquid fuels demonstration plant at Louisiana, Mo. The unit was a surplus Radford Girbotol unit from the Missouri Ordnance Works modified for a capacity of 90,000 std. cu. ft per hour of synthesis gas at 450 p.s.i.g., operating pressure. The hydrogen sulfide loading of the feed gas was specified at 500 grains per 100 cu. Ft. The unit was designed by the Girdler Corp. and installed by the Koppers Co. Initial operations were conducted far 11 days in May 1951. Thereafter 7 additional runs were made, varying lo duration from 8 to 54 days. The last run was terminated on May 29, 1953, the total time the Plant wars in operation being 219 days.

Jan 1, 1956

By K. E. Stanfield

Asphalts from. Wyoming "black oils" are being studied at the Petroleum Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines at Laramie, Wyo., in cooperation with the University of Wyoming. These black oils are characterized by their high-asphalt, high-sulphur, and low-gasoline content and are difficult to refine by present methods into high-octane motor fuels, burning oils, and lubricants. Accordingly, their principal use, at present, is for the manufacture of road oil and asphalt. The present production of black oil could be increased to meet a greater demand. During 1937 the daily production of these crude oils in Wyoming was slightly over 13,000 barrels, while, the estimated potential production from existing wells was 56,000 barrels.

Jan 1, 1939

By G. L. Hopps

Various chemicals, including compounds of copper and lead, were added to a mixture of No. 2 and No. 6 fuel oils that was fired in an experimental furnace. Tests were made to determine (1) the effectiveness of these chemicals in removing soot deposits on probes devised to simulate heat-transfer surfaces in boilers and (2) the effectiveness of the chemicals in preventing the deposition of soot on the probe surface. Test conditions were regulated so that the temperature of the products of combustion adjacent to the probes was in the range of 625° to 700° F. The clean-metal temperatures of the air-cooled probes were comparable with the water-tube temperatures in boilers operated at 40 to 100 p.s,i.g. The dosages of the fuel oil additives used in these tests were generally larger than those usually recommended for most proprietary compounds.

Jan 1, 1962

By Arthur Metcalfe, Edward Thomas, A. J. Barry

"Early in 1947 the Bureau of Mines became interested in adapting suspension roof support to coal mining 5/ as a possible means of reducing the high rate of accidents from falls of roof. For a time the program made little progress be¬cause of the shortage of steel products after the end of World War II, but during the past 8 months this restriction has eased, and as of May 1, 1949, 114 mines had either started experimental work or had ordered materials and equip¬ment in anticipation of trial installations. It is estimated that 30 linear miles of roof in underground passageways have been secured by this method in recent months, and no lost-time roof-fall accident has been reported in these areas up to that date.Many coal-mining companies in widely separated localities have cooperated in making experimental installations. In very few instances are these companies entirely satisfied that they have arrived at the best solution in determining the most efficient adaptation to suit their particular conditions. Moreover, new ideas and modifications of the basic principle are constantly being brought to light and are being tested. Available test data is far from complete, and it is conceivable that some new idea will be developed to alter the present concept of proper technique; therefore, this progress report does not attempt to answer all questions that might arise in connection with this method of roof support; it simply recounts the experience acquired to date. Consequently, few references to costs are made. Up-to-date quotations on material and equipment used in suspension roof-support installations may be obtained from numerous mine-supply companies.The authors gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of mining companies whose personnel made possible collection of the information contained in this circular: Bethlehem Collieries Corp., Barrackville, W. Va.; Berwind-White Coal Mining Co., Windber, Pa.; Consolidation Coal Co., (Ky.); Jenkins, Ky.; Consolidation Coal Co. (W. Va.), Fairmont, W.Va.; Clinchfield Coal Corp., Dante, Va.; Consolidated Coal Co., St. Louis, Mo.; Hanna Coal Co., St. Clairsville, Ohio; Missouri Portland Cement Co., Sugar Creek, Mo.; Pocahontas Fuel Corp., Pocahontas, Va.; Reppert Coal Co., Dola, W. Va.; St. Joseph Lead Co., Bonne Terre, Mo.; and Tennessee Coal, Iron, & Railroad Co., Birmingham, Ala.The fundamental theory of suspension roof supports is not new; in fact, its application in the construction of beams predates mining itself. The basic principle involved is the reinforcement of roof rock with steel rods inserted in the roof and anchored therein at points where the rock is least likely to be affected by stresses resulting from mining. Such roof supports have been used in mines for many years in widely separated localities. The St. Joseph Lead Co., operating in southeastern Missouri, apparently was the first large mining company to prove the practicability of the principle by applying it in a systematic manner for securing roof for more than 20 years (fig. 1)."

Sep 1, 1949

By F. S. Crawford

Mining companies are usually held responsible for accidents occurring to the public around their operations . Safeguards are provided by progressive mining companies to prevent the public from getting into danger from wandering unattended about the properties . At abandoned operations , where little or no supervision can be maintained , persons are often injured through the negligence of the operator in leaving the property in unsafe condition . After a mine is abandoned or a lease is given up by a mining company , the responsibility for the safety of the property rests sometimes with the State to which the property ownership reverts or with the owner of the land ; either is usually quite unwilling to spend any money to remedy unsafe conditions due to the carelessness of the mining company . The land owner or the State , or both , should see that the work of leaving safe conditions behind is done by the operator before he abandons the mine or gives up the lease . Some of the worst hazards to the public at abandoned mines are from old test pits , abandoned shafts or tunnels , open pits , caved ground , and bodies of water in abandoned open pits . Hazards exist from some of these sources during the active operation of a mining property as well . In the early stages of mining operations test shafts are often sunk from 50 to 100 feet deep through the more or less loose material overlying bed rock . When these shafts are left unprotected , they are a serious danger for many years to come . In the course of time they become largely concealed by brush and grass , and thus are a deadfall to anyone who might happen to step into them . This condition will hold true for any part of the country, but to a much less degree where it is not necessary to sink through a great amount of cover . Many progressive operating companies have adopted the practice of filling in test pits after securing the information desired . Some nonresident landowners and exploration companies , however , have left such pits open , and it is extremely difficult for the mine inspector to get into communication with the owner . Frequently operating companies voluntarily fill test pits on adjacent property not

Jul 1, 1930

By D. Bienstock

The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is practicable in a reactor where the exothermic heat of reaction is removed by circulating large quantities of recycle gas through a catalyst bed of high-voids content. At an hourly space velocity of 1100, the feed gas, a mixture of 1.5 parts hydrogen to 1 of carbon monoxide, was converted 90 percent, producing hydrocarbons predominantly in the gasoline range. At these conditions a recycle-to-fresh gas ratio of 40:1 was enough to give excellent temperature control with a pressure drop of 1.5 p.s.i. per foot of bed using a steel catalyst in the form of lathe turnings. Steel parallel plates, although offering lower resistance to gasflow, were less reactive and less durable. INTRODUCTION The Federal Bureau of Mines has been engaged in a research and development program since 1944 on the synthesis of gasoline from coal. Gasification of coal with steam and oxygen to yield a synthesis gas--a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen--is being investigated at Morgantown, W. Va.; and the synthesis of gasoline by catalytically reacting the carbon monoxide and hydrogen over iron by the Fischer-Tropsch reaction is being investigated at Bruceton, Pa.

Jan 1, 1960

By Ludwig Schmidt

[The use of vapor-tight tanks has proved so effective in reducing the evaporation losses of petroleum that today practically all operators are using this typo of equipment. It has boon shown, however, that vapor-tight tanks should be supplemented with additional measures which will further reduce evaporation. Probably the most effective use of the supplemental measures are found on the small producing leases where the breathing losses from vapor-tight stock tanks materially affect the volume and gravity of the stored oil. The breathing loss from a vapor-tight stock tank that is filled and emptied daily is a negligible quantity. Also, the filling loss, which on the average varies between 0.1 and 0.2 per cent, usually is not of a sufficient quantity to affect materially the value of the crude. However, the combined breathing and filling losses from a vapor-tight tank requiring several days to fill are of sufficient importance to warrant the use of measures in addition to the vapor-tight tanks. The breathing losses are caused by atmospheric variations. Probably the greatest are the changes in atmospheric temperature which cause changes in temperature of the vapors in the tank. During the day, as the temperature increases, the gasoline-saturated vapors in the tank expand and are forced out into the atmosphere. At night the vapors are cooled and contract, drawing into the tank fresh air, which becomes saturated with gasoline vapor and is forced out of the tank during the following day. In Addition to the maximum and minimums temperature variations there are many smaller variations throughout a twenty-four period caused by showers, clouds, winds, and other atmospheric conditions which likewise cause the tank to breathe. The two mist common measures used by lease operators for reducing breathing losses in vapor-tight tanks are, first, operating; lease tanks under pressure, and second, the use of light colored paints anti tank houses. In this report these two methods are discussed together with their adaptability to lease operation. Results of experimental observations are given which show the reduction of evaporation looses where these supplemental measures have been used.]

Jan 1, 1927

By H. Tomlinson

The development of the Sevier Valley Coal Co.'s mine marks the opening of the Salina Canon coal district in Utah. The mine is favorably located with respect, to the existing markets of the West, and if the present estimates of the amount of workable coal in it are accurate it has many Important advantages in favor of its development. This mine is situated 18 miles east of the town of Salina, Sevier County, Utah, which at present is the nearest shipping point oh the Marysvale branch of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad, and is about 152 miles south of Salt Lake City, which is the distributing center for much of the coal from the Carbon - Emery coal field and is the place from which nearly all Utah coal shipped to San Francisco and points on the northern Pacific coast has a common haul.

Jan 1, 1930

By T. N. McVay

The Bureau of Mines has developed a field test for detecting the presence of columbium in a variety of minerals containing the clement. The test consists of fusing the mineral or rock powder with potassium pyrosulfate in a porcelain crucible, digesting the melt with hot dilute hydrochloric acid to release the columbium oxide (Cb205), and subsequently reducing the columbium oxide to a lower oxide by adding tin, which gives a blue color to the contents of the crucible. The method will detect 1 percent of contained columbium oxide (Cb205) in a mineral sample provided no tungsten is present. If a mineral containing appreciable titanium is test,-!d in the same manner, the solution in the crucible becomes violet. In the presence of columbium, titanium at first causes a violet coloration of the solution, which after a few minutes is masked by the stronger blue of the reduced columbium oxide. Although tantalum oxide (Ta205) does not interfere with the columbium test, tungsten gives a blue color that is indistinguishable from the color obtained with columbium. A simple method is available to detect the presence of columbium in the absence of tungsten, but when the presence of tungsten is suspected, the sample must be subjected to somewhat more elaborate chemical tests to determine the presence or absence of columbium. Although these latter tests can be made in the field, several steps are involved that arc best performed in the laboratory with simple equipment.

Jan 1, 1962