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By Frank E. Cash

Accident prevention is an integral part of the operating procedure of the petroleum industry, and refinery officials and employees throughout the United States are exerting concerted effort to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents and are realizing definite results. In other words, the petroleum industry is safety conscious to a much creator decree than most of the other mineral industries. On January l, 1936, there were 11 operating, refineries in Louisiana with a crude-oil capacity of 199,750 barrels per day.4/ This report deals with safety in four of these refineries representing. 72 percent of the refinery capacity of Louisiana.

Jan 1, 1940

By S. P. Holt

The Rush & Brown mine has been one of the most consistent small producers of copper ore in the history of Alaskan mining. Approximately 50,000 tons of ore have been shipped to smelters from the property. Production has been made from two distinct and separate ore bodies of dissimilar types. The Shear Vein deposit has been mined to a depth of 500 feet below the surface without a reduction in the size of the ore shoot or the grade of ore. The Magnetite ore body has been partly mined to a depth of 200 feet below the surface. Because of the favorable production record of the Rush & Brown mine, the present need for copper and the fact that the owners were attempting to place the mine in production, it was deemed advisable to investigate this property under the Strategic Minerals Act of 1939 as a possible source of copper.

Jan 1, 1948

By T. Kessler

As part of a respirable mine-dust research program at the U.S. Bureau of Mines, spark-source mass spectrometry has been used for the semiquantitative determination of trace elements (200 ppm weight or less) in raw coals. In addition, several minor and major elements have been determined using this technique. Sixty-four elements ranging in concentration from 0.01 to 41,000 ppm weight were determined in one anthracite, two mvb, four lvb, and six hvab raw coal samples. The samples represented 10 coal seams located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Utah, and Colorado.

Jan 1, 1973

By E. G. King

Difficulty has been encountered in making thermodynamic calculations of metallurgical reactions involving interoxidic compounds of the ferroalloy elements because of the serious lack of most thermodynamic data for these substances. This Bureau of Mines report (the first of a planned series dealing with entropies of vanadates, tungstates, and molybdates) presents low-temperature heat-capacity data and entropy values at 298.15° K. for three crystalline sodium vanadates--metavanadate (NaV03), orthovanadate (Na3VO4), and pyro-vanadate (Na4V2O7). The results are combined with data for the constituent oxides and elements to obtain entropies of formation of the vanadates. Previous to this report only one vanadate had been studied Similarly, ammonium metavanadate.4/

Jan 1, 1961

By Thomas W. Thompson

The Zebulon manganese deposit has been known for a number of years. It is situated about 3 miles east of Zebulon, Wake County, N. C., on the Avon, Privett property (fig. 1). The deposit outcrops as a vein, or dike averaging-16 to 20 feet in width. Drilling by the Bureau of Mines has shown that this outcrop results from consolidation of a number of small stringers near the surface. The surface width and the Percentage of manganese oxides (resulting from. weathering) diminish with depth. Below 50 to 80 feet, the vein material is mainly quartz and spessartite garnet. The deposit was first examined by W. T. Benson, a Bureau of Mines engineer, in 1941. The Bureau conducted a diamond-drilling exploratory program an the property from November 7, 1944, to January 25, 1945. A. total of 2,508.5 feet was drilled in 14 holes along the strike of the deposit.

Jan 1, 1950

By Herbert R. Babitzke

As part of a project to develop refractory metal alloys suitable for high-temperature structural applications, the Bureau of Mines applied solid solution and precipitation-hardening techniques to columbium and tantalum alloys. Thirty-three alloys were evaluated to determine their formability, strength, and oxidation resistance. Three alloys had tensile strengths near 40,000 psi at 1,200° C: Cb-1N-5W-5V-10Hf (No.4), Cb-15Hf-5W-0.5B (No. 31), and Cb-15Hf-SW-IB (No. 32). Oxidation resistance of the high-strength alloys was good. Alloy4 gained only 34 mg/cm2 at 1,200° C, and 21 mg/cm2 at 1,000° C in 2 hours. Hot forming was done without any protection from oxidation.

Jan 1, 1968

By Farrel W. Lytle

An X-ray emission spectrographic method of analysis is presented for determining rare-earth elements in fractions obtained from bastnaesite ore. The method includes determination of yttrium, thorium, lanthanum, and the rare-earth elements in various complex mixtures. The analysis technique is based upon comparing the samples with synthetic standards approximating the composition of the samples. Working curves are plotted on an absolute-intensity basis, with no correction for back-ground. Examples of working curves and the analyses of typical rare-earth concentrates are included. The selection of spectral lines for the various sample matrices is discussed. A special technique is used for samples in which rapid hydration and carbonation occurred. By analyzing synthetic samples of known composition, the accuracy of the method was determined. The average error of analysis was about 3 percent of the amount present in the range from 5 to 100 percent and about 7 percent in the 0.2-to 5-percent range. A maximum of about 40 samples per day may be analyzed for 7 elements each.

Jan 1, 1957

By S. M. Shelton, F. D. DeVaney, M. M. Fine

Ferrograde manganese ore or its equivalent is essential to the manufacture of every ton of steel produced ; although it is well -known that there are large deposits of low - grade ore in the United States , the production of substantial amounts of ferrograde material from domestic sources presents a problem that becomes more and more critical as the stockpiled ore is depleted through inability to obtain adequate supplies from foreign sources . Consequently, a program of laboratory and pilot - plant investigations designed to solve the problem of obtaining a domestic supply of manganese has been undertaken by the Metallurgical Division, Bureau of Mines . This paper is one of a new series that will include reports of results obtained in the various investigations conducted under the manganese program . The scope of the program and the organization that was set up to direct and supervise the work were discussed in the foreword of the first paper of this series , Report of Investigations 3606 , Manganese Investigations 1. Concentration of Manganese Ores from the Drum Mountain District, Utah, by S. R. Zimmerley, J. D. Vincent , and C. H. Schack . Other reports will be published as the work progresses .

Feb 1, 1942

By J. E. Hamak

This publication contains analyses and related source data for 162 natural gas samples from 15 states and 4 foreign countries. Of the total samples, 154 were collected during calendar year 1992. The remainder were collected earlier, but releases granting permission to publish were not received until 1992. None of the analyses have been previously published in annual reports. All samples were obtained and analyzed as part of U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Bureau of Mines investigations of the occurrences of helium in natural gases of countries with free-market economies. This survey has been conducted since 1917. The analyses published herein were made by mass spectrometer and chromatograph.

Jan 1, 1993

By G. W. Elger

The Bureau of Mines conducted laboratory and larger scale studies on samples of domestic perovskite and ilmenite ore concentrates to devise a procedure for recovering TiC from these ores. From the concentrates, mixtures of titanium and calcium carbides were produced. The carbides were then ground and reacted with water. This reaction decomposed the CaC2 to acetylene and hydrated lime and simultaneously liberated the TiC. Using a combination of elutriation and gravity-separation techniques to separate the hydrated lime, approximately 93 pct of the titanium was subsequently recovered as purified carbide containing 54 to 70 pct titanium with CaO content as low as 0,6 pct. This combination of techniques can be used to separate more than 90 pct of the CaO from the TiC. Therefore, this carbiding procedure is a viable method for treating titaniferous materials, including perovskite, that contain more than 20 pct CaO. Tests made in a static-bed reactor showed that for the reaction of TiC with elemental chlorine to produce titanium tetrachloride (TiCI4), a temperature of at least 940° F is desirable to achieve a suitable extraction of titanium in a laboratory chlorination reactor. In fluidized-bed tests at 840° F, 98 pct of the titanium contained in TiC was extracted.

Jan 1, 1980

By X. C. Shi

Bacterial mutagenicity and mammalian cell chromosomal and DNA damage in vitro assays were performed on a diesel exhaust particulate material (DPM) standard in two preparations: as an organic solvent extract, and as an aqueous dispersion in a simulated pulmonary surfactant. U.S. National Institute for Standards and Technology DPM SRM 2975 expressed mutagenic activity in the Salmonella reversion assay, and for in vitro genotoxicity to mammalian cells as micronucleus induction and as DNA damage in both preparations: as an acetone extract of the DPM mixed into dimethylsulfoxide, and as a mixture of whole DPM in a dispersion of dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline. Dispersion in surfactant was used to model the conditioning of DPM depositing on the deep respiratory airways of the lung. DPM solid residue after acetone extraction was inactive when assayed as a surfactant dispersion in the micronucleus induction assay, as was surfactant dispersion of a respirable particulate carbon black. In general, a given mass of the DPM in surfactant dispersion expressed greater activity than the solvent extract of an equal mass of DPM.

Jan 1, 2009

By J. M. Gomes

The Bureau of Mines, as part of an effort to maximize minerals and metals recovery from domestic resources, has investigated the feasibility of recovering heavy minerals as byproducts from sand and gravel, placer gold, and industrial mineral operations in northern California. Sand samples from about 50 locations were treated by gravity separation to yield heavy-mineral concentrates (black sands). Mineral compositions of the concentrates were determined by chemical analysis and mineralogical examination. Individual zircon, ilmenite, magnetite, platinum-group metals, thoria, and silica products were prepared from heavy-mineral concentrates by selective separation using low-and high-intensity magnetic, high-tension, and flotation equipment.

Jan 1, 1979

By Carl Rampacek

The conversion of dilute sulfur dioxide gas into sulfuric acid by autoxidation in mechanical cells of the flotation or gas absorber types was investigated. Bench-scale tests were made with sulfur dioxide-air mixtures to determine the influence of several factors on autoxidation of sulfur dioxide, using iron and manganese salts as catalysts. The laboratory investigation subsequently was extended to pilot plant acid-making tests, using a modified turbomixer gas absorber having a 12-inch-diameter impeller. Sulfur dioxide gas was produced for the tests by roasting pyrite in a fluidized-bed reactor. In the better tests, made with manganese sulfate as the catalyst, the equivalent of 1,000 pounds of anhydrous H2SO4 was produced per 24 hours as a 10-percent solution; power consumption was 0.2 kwhr per pound of equivalent anhydrous acid synthesized. The batch and continuous tests demonstrated the technical feasibility of producing dilute sulfuric acid by autoxidation of sulfur dioxide gas in mechanical cells when converting pyrite roaster or waste smelter gases.

Jan 1, 1963

By M. C. Irani

This Bureau of Mines survey of methane emissions indicates that total daily emissions have declined from 227 MM ft3 in 1971 to 214.7 MM ft3 in 1973. The highest average daily emissions in million cubic feet per day observed in U.S. bituminous coal mines were, in decreasing order, Monongalia County, W. Va., 40.7; Marion County, W. Va., 23.1; Buchanan County, Va., 22.1; Washington County, Pa. , 12.4; Greene County, Pa. , 11.7; McDowell County, W. Va. , 11.4; Cambria County, Pa., 9.8; Jefferson County, Ala., 9.5; Wyoming County, W. Va., 6.0; Marshall County, W. Va., 4.8; and Indiana County, Pa., 4.8.

Jan 1, 1974

By Robert E. Johnson

THE MILDEST recession of the postwar period ended in the first months of 1961, and the economy climbed steadily during the remainder of the year. The Federal Reserve Board (FRB) Index of Industrial Production climbed from a low point of 102 (1957=100) in February to 115 in December, a rise of 12.5 percent. But economic activity for the year as a whole was only 1.5 percent higher than the 1960 level, as measured by real gross national product (GNP). Although activity increased throughout 1961, much of it was merely regaining ground lost in the decline during the second half of 1960 and the first months of 1961. The FRB index did not re ain the July 1960 high of 110 until June of 1961. Mineral fuels did not fully share in the economic recovery. The (FRB) crude oil and natural gas index rose only 5 percent between February and December. Although the index of monthly coal production increased 11.5 percent during the year, the February level was so low that total production for the year was the lowest since 1954. Total production of energy measured in Btu's was up slightly (1 percent) during the ear. Coal production was down; production of crude oil and natural gas was up. Calculated consumption paralleled production-total up slightly, coal lower, and crude oil and natural gas higher. The most interesting product developments were in coke and residual fuel oil. Sales of coke showed a sharper drop than steel

Jan 1, 1962

By J. E. Chilton

The Bureau of Mines has examined the operation of an oxygen sensor manufactured by the City University, London, England. The sensor produces a current proportional to the oxygen concentration by reacting oxygen at a nonconsumable cathode. The sensor design is unique in that the primary mode of oxygen transport to the cathode is by diffusion through a capillary, The sensor using this design has a stability of 0- to 0.02-pct reading change per day over a 4.7-month test, small temperature coefficient of 0.29-pct reading change per °C, and small pressure coefficient of 0.34-pct reading change per 1,000-ft altitude change, If this sensor were incorporated into an oxygen detector or monitor, this would be a distinct improvement in electrochemical-type oxygen analyzers and would be useful to the mining industry.

Jan 1, 1983

By Kenneth M. Earl

In its program of investigation of deposits of strategic minerals, the Bureau of Mines did some development drilling at the Douglas Deposit in an attempt to find an additional source of supply of copper. The deposit, which was opened in 1878, was worked until 1883 and is reported to have produced between 2 and 3 million pounds of copper. Heap-roasting and smelting and later gravity concentration were employed in ore reduction. Old slag dumps and tailing piles from these operations still remain. In 1917, the American Smelting & Refining Co., purchased the mine, and in June 1918 production was started in a 125-ton mill, using both tables and flotation. The mill was closed December 31, 1918, and soon after the milling plant Was dismantled and removed. The mine has remained idle ever since. The deposit occurs in a mineralized zone that follows the schistosity. The principal metallic minerals are pyrite) chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite) arsenopyrite, sphalerite, magnetite) slight chalcocitel and cuprite. To search for additional ore shoots and to prove the known ore shoot at depth, the Bureau of Mines drilled seven holes, which totaled 2,117.4 feet. No additional ore was developed by this work.

Jan 1, 1950

By H. R. Batchelder

The Bureau of Mines Gas Synthesis Demonstration Plant at Louisiana, Mo., includes apparatus for the gasification of pulverized coal with oxygen and superheated steam. A pebble heater constructed by the Babcock & Wilcox Co. is used to superheat nominal 5-pound steam for the gasification process, usually to temperatures of 1,600° to 2,300° F. with flow rates of 1,400 to 2,300 pounds per hour. Heaters of this sort have been described. So far as is known, the Babcock & Wilcox Co. is the sole commercial manufacturer of equipment of this type. Units have been built with capacities above 18,000 pounds of steam per hour.

Jan 1, 1951

By H. D. Kline

Manganese ores have been mined in the Batesville district since 1849. Although not continuous over the intervening years, production had totaled approximately 432,000 tons of manganese ore and ferruginous manganese ore to the end of 1953. The ores occur in deposits, essentially low in manganese content, distributed over an east-west belt 24 miles long and 4 to 8 miles wide, the core of which is about 6 miles north of Batesville, Independence County. Although the reserves of high-grade ores in the district are comparatively small, the large deposits of subgrade ores and low-grade manganiferous material comprise potential sources of supply of manganese that may have increasing future importance. The manganese occurs as primary oxide and carbonate minerals in relatively flat-lying limestone and shale formations in which they were originally deposited and as oxides in residual clays resulting from decomposition of the shale and lime-stone. Most of the deposits underlie from a few to over a hundred feet of sedimentary chert, but many occur in the residual clays on exposed slopes of chert-covered hills.

Jan 1, 1956

By Joseph E. Matta

The Bureau of Mines conducted a field study to investigate thin suppression of respirable dust by water sprays on a continuous-mining machine. Determining the importance of the top and bottom sprays for two types of spray nozzles was emphasized. Results showed, at a 90-pct confidence level, that (1) at least 70 pct of the dust was generated during the sump cut, even though nearly half of the coal was mined during the downshear operation, (2) the water sprays on the top of the boom had little effect in suppressing respirable dust, and (3) B.D. 5 spray nozzles mounted beneath the boom reduced dust at least 33 pet more than B.D. 5 sprays mounted on top of the boom. A single-cut technique was developed that gave good reproducibility for replicate cuts (coefficient of variation of 20 pct).

Jan 1, 1976