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By L. C. Marchont

This Bureau of Mines report tabulates data on nitrogen-gas reservoirs and isolated occurrences of inert gases in several Williston basin oilfields. Recoverable reserves of nitrogen gas in the Minnelusa nitrogen interval within the areas of five oilfields on the Nesson anticline in North Dakota are estimated at about 1.27 trillion standard cubic feet, based on computer analyses of logs from over 300 wells. This volume of nitrogen represents a large source of high-pressure inert gas and warrants consideration of possible application in oil-production operations. Drill-stem tests made in two of the fields indicated that nitrogen can be produced at rates up to 28 million cubic feet per day.

Jan 1, 1966

By N. S. Dalal, A. H. Hoffman, X. Shi, D. E. Banks, J. K. H. Ma, Y. Rojanasakul

Excessive production of reactive oxygen radicals by alveolar macrophages is proposed to play an important role in oxidative lung injury. A major product of oxygen radical formation is the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (•OH) generated via a biologic Fenton reaction. In addition to its known ability to induce lipid peroxidation, recent studies have suggested that the •OH may exert its cytotoxic effect through the alteration of [Ca2+], homeostasis. To test this potential mechanism as well as to investigate the relationship between •OH and Ca" overloading in cytotoxic injury, isolated rat alveolar macrophages were exposed to externally generated radical system, H2O2 (0.01 to 1 mM) and Fe (1 mM) and their [Ca2+] levels and cell injury were monitored using quantitative fluorescence microscopy with the aid of the specific Ca" indicator, Fura-2, and membrane integrity indicator, propidium iodide. Electron spin resonance measurements using the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) confirmed the production of the .OH radical by this system. Upon the addition of the radicals, the macrophages displayed a rapid initial rise in [Ca2+] which was followed by a slower but more pronounced [Ca2+], elevation that reached a level 3 to 5 times higher than the basal level. This process preceded cell death as evident by nuclear propidium iodide fluorescence. Depletion of extracellular Ca" inhibited both the [Ca2+], response and cell injury. Preincubation of the cells with the Ca" channel blocker verapamil or .0H radical scavenger mannitol similarly inhibited the [Ca2+], rise and loss of viability. Firefly luciferase assay of cellular ATP content demonstrated that the alterations in [Ca2+], following .0H treatment preceded the depletion of ATP. Changes in membrane potential caused by Na* substitution with K* had no significant effect on either the unstimulated or stimulated [Ca"], levels. Taken together, these measurements indicate that .OH-induced injury in alveolar macrophages is associated with the alteration in [Ca2+], homeostasis. The mechanism of •OH-induced [Ca2+] loading is not due to nonspecific membrane damage or energy depletion, but mainly due to an increase in Ca2+ influx through Ca2+ selective channels. This Ca2+ over-load state as well as energy depletion caused by the oxidant may activate certain cellular degradative processes leading to cell injury and death.

Nov 1, 1995

By E. J. Schneider

In view of the current interest in the constituents of low-temperature tar, the Synthesis of three known xylenols and their hydroxyacetic acid derivatives has been undertaken by the U. S. Bureau of Mines. One of these xylenols, the 1,3,2 derivative first reported by Steinkopf and Höpner,4 has been described by Brown and Branting.5 The other two derivatives, the 1,3,5 first reported by Schütz6 and the 1,2,3 reported by Steinkopf and Höpner, have now been studied in greater detail. In the present work the synthesis of 1,2,3-xylenol and 1,3,5-xylenol was repeated, with some improvements in the former. The hydroxyacetic acid derivatives were also prepared, and it was found that while the melting point of the 1,2,3 derivative agreed with that of Steinkopf and Höpner. that of the 1,3,5 derivative was found to be 111° instead of 85 to 86° as reported by Schütz, by Steinkopf, and later by Bruckner. The discrepancy between the melting-point figures is doubtless due to differences in the purity of the xylenols used in the synthesis of the acids. Schütz obtained his 1,3,5 acid by recrystallizing an impure sample obtained from a mixture of xylenols. The difficulty of obtaining a pure acid by starting with a mixture is demonstrated by Bruckner, who despite painstaking efforts was unable to obtain the pure 162.5° melting 1,2,4 isomer from a mixture that persistently melted at 138° C. Steinkopf did not repeat Schütz's work but merely used the latter's figures in compiling a table. Bruckner, on the other hand. apparently also made the acid (by an improved method), and it is difficult to explain his checking Schütz's figure, unless it is that he, too used a symmetrical xylenol obtained from a tar and not prepared synthetically, as was the one reported in this paper.

Jan 1, 1929

By C. E. Hennig

On January 1, 1959, the United States had 313 petroleum refineries with a total installed crude-oil throughput capacity of 9,819,846 barrels per day, according to the Bureau of Mines annual survey. Compared with a year ago, this represents a net decreased of five in the number of slants mild a net increase in capacity of 412,139 barrels per day. The continued increase in total capacity and decrease in number of plants raised the average capacity of a refinery to a new high of 31,373 barrels per day. During 1958 total capacity increased in every refining district except the Louisiana Gulf district, which showed a 2-percent decrease due mainly to the retirement of the American Oil Company's plant at Destrehan, La. The largest increase, 14 percent, occurred in the Texas Inland district followed by a 12-percent increase in the Arkansas-Louisiana Inland district. At the beginning of 1959 the industry was building facilities that would add 108,400 barrels per day to crude-oil capacity. It also had under construction a capacity of 226,100 barrels per day as replacement. On January 1, 1959, no new refineries were under construction.

Jan 1, 1959

By Robert Roby

The Mouat copper-nickel deposit in Stillwater County, south-central Montana, was examined by Paul T. Allsman, an engineer of the Bureau of Mines, in 1939. Because of the strategic importance of nickel, a project was executed by John East, Jr., J. J. Naughton, and E. W. Newman, engineers of the Bureau, to further delimit some of the copper-nickel sulfide-bearing bodies that had been discovered by the Anaconda Copper Mining. Co. in 1937 and to investigate the central part of the deposit, which had not been drilled previously. This report is based largely upon the results of the. Bureau of Mines investigation and the results of exploration by the Anaconda Copper Mining Co. In addition, a brief description is given of some other copper-nickel sulfide-bearing deposits along tho Stillwater Complex.

Jan 1, 1949

By R. V. Ramani

This volume is the third of a four-volume final report on research carried out under a contract from the U.S. Bureau of Mines on the development of a computer simulation model for surface mine reclamation planning. The other volumes are titled as follows: Volume I: Ore Reserve Estimation, Volume II: Dragline Model, and Volume IV: User's Manual for OPMHS/2. The Mine Coordinate Generator System serves as an interface between the Geology and Reserves System (Volume I, final report) and OPMHS/2 (Volume IV, final report) to provide local mine grid information which is used as input to the decision making process and dynamic simulation routines of OPMHS/2. After the Geology and Reserves System has been successfully run for a property, a data base containing values for each grid cell covering the property is created at the end of execution, if chosen as an option by the user. The Mine Coordinate Generator reads this information and creates a special direct access data set from the sequential data input. When information defining the mine grid is read, the values present in the property grid are for the interpolation of values for each mine block.

Jan 1, 1985

By R. Van A. Mills

Crude oils are capable of dissolving quantities of gas under pressure. This fact has been known for some time, but questions have arisen as to the effects of gas in solution upon the characteristics of the oil. Previous investigations4 show that gas in solution in an oil affects the viscosity and surface tension of the oil, but the effect's on the volume and A. P. I. gravity of the oil have not been known. The results given in this report show that there is a decided change both in volume and in the A. P. I. gravity of the oil due to the solution of the gas in the oil under pressure. As gas is dissolved, the volume of the oil and the A. P. I. gravity increase. The converse of this phenomenon is also true: if the gas is released from a saturated oil, there is a shrinkage in volume and a decrease in A.P.I. gravity due to the release of gas from solution. However, various oils show marked tendencies to retain a portion of the dissolved gas upon releasing the pressure to that of the atmosphere. This retained gas has an appreciable effect on the volume and A. P. I. gravity of the oil because the oil does not resume its initial volume or gravity while it retains dissolved gas. In a sense the oil has been "Freshened" and will not return to its original or weathered volume until it loses some of the lighter fractions. Wiggins5 has shown that a fresh oil decreases both in volume and in gravity because of the weathering of the lighter fractions while the oil is standing in storage tanks.

Jan 1, 1928

By Sidney Katell

An economic analysis of underground gasification of coal, based on experimental results obtained by the Bureau of Mines, indicates that a gas suitable for use in a power plant might be produced for approximately $.62 to $.77 per million British thermal units. This estimate does not include cost of land purchase. The gasification experiments were conducted in a 3-ft. seam of high volatile A bituminous coal. The major factors which can influence a change in operating costs are height of overburden, power costs, thermal efficiency, and the gasification air inlet pressure. The following equations show the relationship of these factors to operating costs:

Jan 1, 1961

By Michael S. Miller

In 1984, at the request of the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Bureau of Mines studied the 34,050-acre Cow Creek Wilderness Study Area (WSA) in order to evaluate its mineral resources. The WSA, located about 60 miles southeast of Havre, MT, contains sandstones, shales, clays, and coal of Cretaceous age. The Cretaceous rocks have been intruded by ultramafic diatremes. Quaternary glacial, stream, and landslide deposits overlie the older rocks. Claims are staked at five of seven sites favorable for diamonds within the WSA and at additional sites nearby. Although the ultramafic diatremes within and near the WSA contain minerals that are indicators for diamonds, no positive evidence of diamonds was found during this study. An abandoned coal mine, the Shellenberger, is inside the southwest boundary of the WSA. Possible petroleum and natural gas at depth are currently of interest; land within the WSA is leased or under lease application for oil and gas. The WSA contains subeconomic clays, zeolites, gold, silver, platinum group metals, and coal.

Jan 1, 1986

By Robert C. Johnson

Single crystal whiskers of ZrO2 and TiO2 were grown by solution and crystallization of these oxides in molten baths. Mixtures of Na2B407 and LiC1 were the most suitable growth media for zirconia. Sodium borate alone and Na2CO3 plus SiO2 were best suited for titania. The solubilities of zirconia and titania in molten sodium borate were determined, Whether zirconia whiskers were dendritic or nondendritic depended on the temperature used. The best single crystal whiskers were grown below 1,100° C. Titania whiskers always grew as single crystals. The tensile strengths of zirconia and titania whiskers were about 15,000 psi and 50,000 psi, respectively. Modulus of rupture was about 49,000 psi for zirconia whiskers and 75,000 psi for titania whiskers. Chemical analyses showed the zirconia and titania whiskers to be pure. The zirconia and titania whiskers were shown by X-ray analysis to be, respectively, baddeleyite and rutile.

Jan 1, 1965

By A. J. Farstad

The current emphasis on energy needs in the United State sand abroad has placed an increased demand on the coal mining industry. The United States is fortunate to have abundant coal reserves. However, coal mining techniques and technology have not kept pace with the increased demand for coal. Consequently, coal mining in the United States continues to be one of the most hazardous industries. One of the daily hazards faced by coal miners is the sudden and unexpected occurrences of roof falls. The research program described in this final report focuses attention on the problems of unstable roof conditions in coal mines and describes prototype equipment which, with further development, has potential of being able to warn miners of impending roof falls in mines. Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Geophysical Instrumentation Systems Group was awarded a contract to develop and test a microseismic roof fall warning system based on general specifications derived from earlier Bureau of Mines research [1], [2]. During the first year of this two year effort (Contract H0242045) the electronic monitoring systems were de signed and built while the second year of the contract was devoted to equipment field testing in working coal mines.

Jan 1, 1976

By E. C. Pattee

A mobile spectroscopic laboratory was completed by the Bureau of Mines in 195 to provide a rapid, inexpensive means of field testing samples for beryl¬lium and other associated metals of possible commercial importance. Spectro-copes have been used in laboratories for many years in various types of research and routine analyses, but this spectroscope is probably the first mobile unit. The laboratory provides for spectroscopic, radioactivity, fluorescent, and limited chemical tests of samples. The unit has been a valuable reconnaissance tool. It has been used to search for beryllium, cesium, columbium, tantalum, rubidium, and lithium in Idaho, Washington, and Montana. Several very low grade deposits of these elements were found, and occurrences of other important elements were identified; however, none are of economic importance. The spectroscope permits the detection of elements by analysis of visible light produced when elements in a small powdered sample are volatilized in an electric arc., A total of 70 elements can be detected; 29 can be detected at or below 0.01 percent, Electric power for the arc is supplied by a gasoline motor-driven generator, Equipment is housed in an aluminum van, mounted on a 4-wheel-drive vehicle for easy maneuverability on mountain roads, A trailer with crushing, pulverizing, and splitting equipment permits the reduction of samples to a small representative pulp.

Jan 1, 1963

By K. Robert Dorman

Spray-applied polyurethane foam was used to insulate the walls of heated rooms excavated in permafrost. The experiment was designed to determine whether polyurethane foam can be sprayed successfully on frozen ground under freezing conditions and to measure the effectiveness of the insulation in maintaining--at elevated temperatures for an extended period--a room excavated in frozen ground. Two manufacturers' foams were investigated in the laboratory. Subsequently, one of the foams was employed to insulate two small rooms, one in frozen gravel and one in frozen silt, in an experimental tunnel belonging to the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (USACRREL) near Fairbanks, Alaska. Following insulation, heat was introduced into the two rooms. Heat migration across the insulating barrier into the walls, in addition to wall closures, was monitored over an 8-month period. The results show that polyurethane foam can be successfully sprayed on frozen ground in below-freezing temperatures. Given this type of insulation, together with winter cold to supercool the surrounding ground, it should be possible to maintain a shaft or heated room in permafrost for several years.

Jan 1, 1970

By R. W. Geehan

The Yellow Pine zinc-lead mine, situated about 3-1/2 miles northwest of Goodsprings, Clark County, Nev., was explored by core drilling during the fall of 1942 and the summer and fall of 1944 by the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the Federal Geological Survey. The Yellow Pine district was located in 1855. The original claims covering the Yellow Pine mine were located in the following years: Rover, 1892; Hilo, 1897; Bybee, 1900; Radio and Como, 1906. The mine was operated by the Yellow Pine Mining Co. from 1906 to 1929. This company was dissolved in 1935. At a later date, S. E. Yount and the Security First National Bank of Los Angeles, Calif., acquired ownership of the mine. Since 1939, the mine has been operated in a small way by leasers. Production has been at least 175,000 tons averaging about 10 percent lead and 25 percent zinc, with a gross yield of $5,785,174. Virtually all ore produced by this mine consisted chiefly of oxidized zinc and lead minerals and came from long, pipelike shoots in the 100-foot thick Yellow Pine limestone. Ore shoots are sharply defined; elsewhere, the limestone is nearly barren. Numerous faults cut the mine into blocks. Ore is now mined in an open stope, but in the past, large tonnages wore mined in stopes by square-set methods. Ore produced recently was shipped direct to smelters unprocessed; in the past, it was milled by gravity and produced separate lead and zinc concentrates.

Jan 1, 1949

Construction workers may be exposed to hazardous dust containing silica when working in enclosed cabs during construction activities. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that equipment operator exposure could be reduced by retrofitting air pressurization and filtration systems on existing cabs, using sweeping compounds on soiled floors, and implementing a dust control program.

Jan 1, 2009

By John Taber, Robert D. O'Brien

"INTRODUCTION The Bozeman corundum deposit was first examined in May 1944 by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines. In August 1944, the property was re-examined because of a sharply increased war demand for corundum. A small program of trench exploring was undertaken after the second examination. The work was started in October 1944 and was completed in December 1944. This report presents the essential data obtained by the exploratory work.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSIn its program of exploration 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. It is the policy of the Bureau to publish the facts developed by each exploratory project as soon as practicable after its conclusion. The Mining Branch, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary examinations, performs the actual exploration work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Branch, R. G. Knickerbocker, chief, analyzes samples and performs beneficiation tests.The field work on the Bear Trap project was supervised by E. W. Newman, district engineer Montana District office. The microscopic examinations and. the grid grain-count analyses of the samples and the beneficiation tests were made at the Bureau's laboratory at Salt Lake City, Utah, under the direction of S. R. Zimmerley, chief, Salt Lake City Division, Metallurgical Branch."

May 1, 1947

By Franklin D. Cooper

Three model dwelling units were redesigned to achieve specific levels of noise reduction above that provided by conventional construction. Using 1968 prices, the added costs of materials and installation were found to range from $500 to $5,000 depending upon the size of the dwelling unit and the degree of insulation. The potential aggregate expenditures for sound insulation materials are projected to reach $617 million in 1975, including about $408 mil- lion for the mineral-based materials, in 1968 constant dollars. The report includes a brief review of the mechanics and effects of sound.

Jan 1, 1970

By R. R. Wells, W. W. Agey

"INTRODUCTION Oxide manganese ore from the Sheep Mountain property was of intermediate grade (23.0 percent manganese) and contained silica as the major impurity. The deposit from which the ore was taken is known as the Sheep Mountain manganese property and is 8 miles west of Durkee, Oreg. Test work was done in the metallurgical laboratories of the Bureau of Mines at Salt Lake City, Utah, on representative samples cut from a 290-pound shipment of crushed ore submitted by the Oregon State Department of Geology and Mineral Industries and reported to be typical of the Sheep Mountain deposit.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThe authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of R. S. Doan, former assistant director of the Bureau of Mines, under whose supervision the manganese program was initiated in 1940, and, the valuable suggestions made to them by S. R. Zimmerley, now chief, Salt Lake City Division, Metallurgical Branch. Acknowledgment also is made to H. G. Poole and C. H. Schack for their suggestions and contributions to the organization and prosecution of the work of the Ore Dressing Section. Microscopic work on the ores and many ore-dressing products was done by L. G. Evans -and the late. B. E. Head. Our appreciation is extended also to H. E. Peterson, chief chemist, and members of the analytical staff for the many analyses made of the ores and ore-dressing products."

Nov 1, 1947

By Robert M. Doerr

The oxidation kinetics of Ni-Y alloys in the range 0.04 to 8 weight-percent Y, and of high-purity Ni, were compared by the use of a sensitive volumetric apparatus. The reactions followed approximately the parabolic rate law; for oxidations in 02 at 0.5 atm and 1,200° C, the parabolic rate constant was about 0.37 + (0.064) (Y-2.11) mg cm-2 min-1/2, where Y represents the weight-percent Y in the alloy. Internal oxidation of Y occurred in the alloy specimens and the resultant Y203 particles, which were in patterns related to the eutectic structure of the alloys, served as markers showing that the subsequent oxidation of the surrounding Ni was by inward diffusion of O. The scale consisted in each case of NiO, but the inner parts of the scale on the alloy specimens included the patterned Y203 particles. The thicknesses of the inner parts of the scale depended directly on the Y concentration, and the thicknesses of the Y2O3-free outer parts of the scale were inversely related to the Y content of the alloys. There is thus a relationship between the thickness of the outer part of the scale and the protectivity of the scale. Outward diffusion of Ni and inward movement of 0, from the inner boundary of the Y2O3-free part of the scale, is proposed as a mechanism for these results.

Jan 1, 1966

By W. E. Lamont, R. E. Perry, I. L. Feld

The Bureau of Mines conducted research to determine the conditions required to sinter a pyrrhotite calcine into a product suitable for iron blast furnace feed . The calcine , a fine - grained iron oxide produced by roasting sulfide flotation concentrate , analyzed about 60 percent iron and 1 percent sulfur . Sintering of the calcine without prior pelletization was not successful whereas firing of preformed calcine charges yielded acceptable sinter products . Batch tests were made to study the effect of the following variables on the sinter quality : Size of green pellets in the charge , quantity and type of internal carbonaceous fuel used , depth of sinter bed , moisture content of the charge , flux additions , and binder additions . The batch and continuous sinter tests showed that minus 1 / 4 - inch pellets prepared from a mixture of the calcine , coke , dolomite , and water gave sinter cakes analyzing 57 to 61 percent iron and 0.05 to 0.02 percent sulfur .

Dec 1, 1963