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By F. W. Hoertel

The Bureau of Mines investigated the use of depleted uranium as a sacrificial anode for the cathodic protection of submerged and underground structures of iron , steel , and copper . Uranium-metal couples were tested in simulated marine environments of varying oxygen contents at pH values between 5.5 and 8.5 and under simulated boiler service condition in Rolla , Mo. , city water . Similar couples were tested in samples of Missouri soils to simulate underground service . Uranium remained anodic to iron , steel , and copper in the simulated marine environments and under simulated boiler service if the electrolyte was oxygen- free city water . Uranium appeared to offer limited protection to iron , low- carbon steel , stainless steel , copper , and zinc in the simulated underground tests . Uranium anodes offer a space advantage because 1 cubic inch of uranium gives approximately the same protection as 2 cubic inches of magnesium or 1-1 /2 cubic inches of zinc .

Jan 1, 1963

By A. E. Wells

A critical study of the wet Thiogen process for extracting sulphur from the smoke of smelters is one of several investigations related to the general smelter-smoke problem that are being conducted under the direction of the Bureau of Mines. Part of the work done in the pyrometallurgical section of the cooperative metallurgical exhibit of the Bureau of Mines at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition during 1915 related to this investigation, and at the expiration of the exposition, the work was continued in the labora- tories of the Bureau of Mines in the Hearst Memorial Mining Building of the University of California, Berkeley, Cal., where a mining experiment station of the bureau has been established under the cooperative agreement with the University of California. Early in the spring of 1915, when plans were being made to co- operate with several metallurgical interests, the Thiogen Co. proposed to the Bureau of Mines that, along with the studies of various pro- posed methods for eliminating sulphur dioxide from smelter smoke, there should be included a study of the wet Thiogen process. In the study as outlined it was proposed to determine whether it would be technically and commercially feasible to use the, process for the recovery of elemental sulphur from the sulphur dioxide in waste smelter gases. Although there had been no large-scale work with the process, either in the laboratory or at a smelter, representatives of the metallur- gical and mining industry had shown considerable interest in the proposed method, and the desire had been expressed that a better knowledge of the possibilities of the process should be obtained. Thus, cooperation with the Thiogen Co. seemed justified by the in- terests of the metallurgical industry, and by the conservation promised by the recovery of a product of market value from what is otherwise a waste, and in some instances a serious nuisance. In accepting the responsibility for directing this investigation, the officials of the Bureau of Mines were necessarily free to conduct the work in the manner they considered necessary to determine the facts. It was also understood that any information obtained was to be made available to all who might be interested and might be printed in a Bureau of Mines report. To cover the cost of laboratory equipment and supplies, and the payment of salaries of assistants, other than Bureau of Mines employees, the Thiogen Co. in May, 1915, deposited with the cooperative metallurgical exhibit fund a sum considered sufficient to warrant starting the laboratory investi- gation. The origin and organization of this fund has been described by Clevenger and the author." In outlining the program for this investigation it was hoped that ultimately a small complete plant would be erected and the investi- gation center around the operation of the plant. However, pre- liminary to the erection of the plant, a laboratory study of the proc- ess was considered necessary, as the technical features of the process could be determined, it was believed, as satisfactorily on a smaller scale as on the scale first proposed. However, it was realized at the time that it would not be possible to determine so satisfactorily or definitely the commercial possibilities of the process on the scale of work adopted as in the larger operating plant. With this fact in mind it was planned that, if the study of the technical features on a laboratory scale gave sufficient promise of the process being commer- cially feasible, an operating unit should, if possible, be constructed later, and that more definite information concerning the commercial prospects should be determined. The investigations were started in June, 1915. In June and July work was confined entirely to small-scale laboratory tests, in which a careful study of the chemical reactions involved was made. In August, tests on a larger scale were started, and these were con- tinued until December, small-scale tests being made at the same time. On December 1, 1915, all work on the Thiogen process was discon- tinued temporarily, as the close of the exposition necessitated moving the laboratories. Work on the Thiogen process was started again in January, 1916, in the laboratories of the new mining experiment sta- tion at Berkeley, Cal., and was continued during the spring of 1916 until a point was reached where it was felt that the essential parts of the process had been carefully covered, and that some definite state- ments concerning the technical features and possibilities of the process, as given in this report, were warranted.

Jan 1, 1917

Track and control the tram maneuvers of continuous mining machines by developing and evaluating a laser sensor system. Background Progressive technology has the potential to greatly improve mine-worker safety, helping to create a safer, better working environment for mine workers by keeping them away from the dangerous face area. To benefit from such technology, the Bureau is investigating remote, computer-assisted operation of mining systems for underground, highwall, and surface mining applications. A cornerstone for computer-assisted operation is an effective guidance system. Since there are no guidance systems on any commercial continuous miners (CM's), the Bureau it-self developed and tested a laser-based sensor system, based on a commercial sensor called Lasernet. The laser-based guidance system employs four laser scanning sensors at fixed locations in a mine entryway to report the angular coordinates of two cylindrical retro-reflective targets mounted on a CM. Using triangulation, a real-time microcomputer system processes the sensor data and updates the xy position and heading (h) of the CM five times per second. Using a simple control algorithm and communications interface to the CM control computer, the system also controls rotational and translational tram maneuvers.

Jan 1, 1992

By John Durkin

Owing to the daily exposures of uranium mining personnel to 222Rn daughters, a device is needed that will continually monitor individual exposure. Such a device has been built and tested by the Bureau of Mines and is known as a radon daughter dosimeter. This is an electronic instrument using a solid-state detector and circuitry. The concept of the instrument, which is a personal device worn throughout the working shift, is to evaluate an individual's cumulative exposure to airborne radon progeny, expressed in units of working level hours. Since the instrument is in close proximity to the miner and measures continual exposure, it avoids the errors caused by the present technique of spot checking of the environment and provides a more accurate account of total cumulative exposure.

Jan 1, 1977

By R. V. Ramani, K. V. K. Prasad, M. Swaminathan

"INTRODUCTIONMine ventilation planning is an engineering design process requiring a substantial amount of qualitative knowledge obtained through experience. A concept for a knowledge-based ventilation expert system was developed by Ramani and Prasad (1987).1 11 An expert system based on the above scheme was conceived with the motivation of providing a tool to facilitate decision making for ventilation engineers in the context of computer assisted ventilation planning. Options for the implementation of the system were then examined and several commercial, personal computer (PC) based shells assessed toward this end. The options considered, the evaluation criteria and procedure arc discussed in Prasad ·and Ramani, (1989).Cll Following the above study, a scheme was developed to represent the components of the expert system.<3> Evaluation of several commercial shells indicated that there was none available which permitted interfacing with a large external algorithmic program. It was therefore decided to develop the KBS in LISP and custom build the necessary interfacing routines to ""hook out• to the network analysis program (NAP). Due to this choice of development strategy, the computer implementation aspects of the KBS arc important as all the interfacing components had to be developed with the basic tools offered by LISP.In this paper, the implementation of the knowledge based system (KBS), in terms of its component, the interfaces among the various components of the KBS and between the KBS and the user arc described. The ventilation KBS consists of an AES (analysis expert system), an IES (interpretation expert system)' and an algorithmic NAP (network analy5is program). The AES analyzes the input to the NAP considering the legal 5tipulations governing the various mine ventilation network parameters and principles of good ventilation, helping the ventilation engineer develop and represent represent the problem for solution by the NAP. The IES diagnoses the output from the NAP in terms of the critical parameters in the context of the given problem. Thi5 loop is continued till a satisfactory salution is obtained. The implementational details of the AES, the IES and the approaches to the validation of the expert system arc also discussed."

Jan 1, 1990

Reduce the cost and incidence of low-back pain in underground coal mines through redesign of materials-handling tasks. Background Approximately 25 pct of all injuries in mining involve trauma to the hack. These injuries account for at least 30-40 pct of worker compensation payments made by the industry, are the leading cause of lost work days in mining, and have been estimated to cost the industry $50 million annually. It is clear that the traditional approach to reduce back injuries (i.e., training) has been largely ineffective. Thus, new approaches are necessary to control this problem. This document briefly describes methods that can be used to redesign hazardous materials-handling tasks to reduce the threat of worker injury. Approach A model for redesigning materials-handling tasks is shown in figure 1. The model outlines the sequence of steps that should be followed (and questions that should be asked) when developing new strategies for handling materials in underground coal mines. A critical examination of the current supply-handling system is the first step to developing safer materials-handling procedures. The purpose is to identify hazardous tasks that can be modified to reduce injury risk. Accident analysis (a review of past accident records) and task analy¬sis (usually a videotaped analysis of hazardous jobs or tasks) arc effective methods of distinguishing areas where job redesign is needed.

Jan 1, 1992

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

1.1 General The examination and evaluation of a mineral deposit to determine whether or not it can be profitably exploited entails many factors unrelated to the physical nature and intrinsic worth of that deposit. Nevertheless, geology and geologically related factors have great bearing on the economic potential of the deposit. This is only natural because the deposit owes its existence to these factors. This is even more so in underground mines where the whole system is a geologically enclosed one. Geology plays a major role in at least four phases of a mineral venture. Firstly, it acts as an indicator of the existence of parti¬cular minerals. For example, it is inconceivable that a sedimentary coal deposit would exist in a granitic batholith or stock, or that a sandstone would host primary copper or nickel sulphides. Further, the positional relationship of different rock types may be significant in locating deposits such as replacement zinc and copper sulphides in limestones which have been intruded by igneous rocks. Thus, geology is important in the exploration phase of a mineral deposit. Secondly, once potentially valuable minerals have been discovered, knowledge of geology plays a significant role in determining the dis¬tribution, grade and extent of the mineralization. Controls on mineralization include one or all of those related to structure, rock type, sedimentary features, post-depositional redistribution, etc. Con¬sequently, in order to effectively evaluate a deposit in terms of

Jan 1, 1974

By Raymond M. Kacmar

This report presents the Bureau of Mines research on the hardware reliability prediction for two Bureau monitoring projects. The basic concepts of reliability predictions are introduced along with the reliability models and assumptions used for this particular evaluation. The results of the reliability predictions are for ground-fixed and naval-sheltered environments.

Jan 1, 1986

By David P. Lindroth

The Bureau of Mines has developed and successfully tested a hangup clearance module for use in clearing hangups in underground mine chutes and ore passes. The Bureau&apos;s tests showed that the hangup clearance module can be effectively used to clear mine hangups. Furthermore, it is believed that clearance using this module is quicker, safer, and more efficient than the method currently used. The hangup clearance module uses a ballistic disk explosive charge that can clear hangups located as far as 50 feet (15.2 m) from the position where the charge is detonated. Mine personnel can therefore set up the module and the charge it contains without being exposed to dangerous areas. This report describes the principles of operation of the module, provides data and drawings for its construction, and gives instructions for its setup and use. The report also summarizes the development of the module, briefly discusses preliminary and underground tests, and lists the current and potential applications of the hangup clearance module to underground mining.

Jan 1, 1982

To develop a system which will effectively detect and extinguish fires in underground fueling areas while also providing a warning for nearby miners. Approach A system involving optical fire sensors. automatically-released dry chemical and aqueous film-forming fluid (AFFF) fire suppressants, and automatic alarms was designed from off-the-shelf, state-of-the-art components, and was in-mine tested at two mines in the two typical underground fueling area situations: fuel transfer areas and fuel storage areas. How It Works As mines become more mechanized, the number of fire hazards increases since fueling areas are more abundant. Fire hazards are especially serious in deep mines, since escape time is longer. To help solve this growing problem, the Bureau of Mines, in cooperation with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), has developed and in-mine tested a cost-effective fueling area fire protection system. The system was designed to be rugged enough for reliable, long-term use, yet to utilize state-of-the-art, off-the-shelf components to maintain cost-effectiveness. The system consists of cross-zoned, ultraviolet flame sensors used for quick response to fire, and a dual-agent fire suppression subsystem. A dry chemical is used for fast fire -knockdown," and AFFF (or "light water") is used for long-term, fire-securing capability. The basic components of the system are shown in the schematic illustration.

Jan 1, 1982

By F. E. Spencer

This Bureau of Mines report provides a complete mathematical description of the algorithm employed by a general multiphase chemical equilibrium program developed particularly for the purpose of studying problems in coal combustion, although the generality of the program will allow its application to any equilibrium system in which an appreciable gas phase is present. When applied to coal combustion problems, the program predicts composition and quantity of slag and unconsumed carbon phases as well as calculates accurately the composition of the gas phase including trace species such as free electrons and ions which are important for predicting electrical properties.

Jan 1, 1973

By C. W. Smith

Research was conducted by the Bureau of Mines to determine the effectiveness of various types of crushers for use with the Bureau-developed pneumatic concentration technique for mica. Three types of crushers were investigated in this study, a roll crusher, a jaw crusher, and a hammer mill. All the mica concentrates produced contained over 82 percent mica, but recoveries varied considerably. The roll crusher gave the lowest recovery of 46 percent of the mica followed by the jaw crusher with a recovery of 50 percent of the mica. The hammer mill proved the most effective, producing four concentrates with recoveries of at least 70 percent.

Jan 1, 1981

Develop a user-friendly computer program that permits those interested in mine health and safety to access and analyze on a personal computer (PC) employment, production, and accident data for U.S. coal and metal-nonmetal mines. This software is being designed with a major focus on flexibility and case of use. The Mine Accident Decision Support System (MADSS) will be available for distribution in mid-1994. Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) is seeking volunteers willing to pilot test a preliminary version of the software and to provide suggestions for its improvement. Background Since 1975, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has compiled large data bases of information about U.S. mines and the reportable accidents, injuries, and illnesses that have occurred in those mines. Employment and production data arc collected on a quarterly basis from each mine and accident information is collected on an incident -by-incident basis. The USBM has compiled estimated costs for each of these accidents using computer models. All of this information is potentially useful to mine health and safety researchers. However, it has been underutilized because it is stored in large mainframe data bases that arc inaccessible to many users and/or are cumbersome and difficult to use.

Jan 1, 1993

By R. H. Grau

Improving the air quality in metal/nonmetal mines is important in protecting the health of miners. Air quality can be improved in metal/nonmetal mines by developing proper ventilation techniques. Mine ventilation systems require stoppings to direct the airflow and establish pressure differentials throughout the mine. Due to their large size, stoppings in large-opening mines are cumbersome and costly to construct and maintain. As part of its mining health and safety program, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) designed and tested two novel stoppings (Super Stopping and the EZ-Up Curtain Stopping) at its Lake Lynn Laboratory (LLL). The Super Stopping is designed as a long-term permanent stopping for use in the main entries of the mine, while the EZ-Up Curtain Stopping, although very durable, is designed more for portability and ease of installation. This paper describes the design, materials, and construction methods used for these stoppings as well as their performance and durability when subjected to tests simulating actual production face blast pressures.

Jan 1, 2006

By E. J. Kloos

The Bureau of Mines evaluated all previously approved gas masks to determine their ability to provide respiratory protection against each of the following six selected amines: ethylenediamine, diethylamine, n-butylamine, ethylamine, methylamine, and hydrazine. Minimum requirements were a 24-minute service life at a flow rate of 64 liters per minute (32 liters per minute for hydrazine) and an amine concentration of 1.0 volume-percent (0.5 volume-percent for hydrazine). The three masks meeting these requirements were the LG4, Willson Products Division, The Electric Storage Battery Co.; the GMD-SS, Mine Safety Appliances Co.; and the 084-PHOV-R, Acme Protection Equipment Co.

Jan 1, 1966

By Gordon H. Dechman

This Bureau of Mines report presents an iterative approximation method for microseismic source location that was developed to adapt microseismic techniques for rock structure analysis to investigations of surface problems, such as slope failure in an open pit mine. The source location method and two derivative location algorithms are described in detail, and the speed and accuracy of the two algorithms are compared.

Jan 1, 1977

By Launa G. Mallett, Charles Vaught

This report is intended to help mine safety trainers better prepare to teach the influx of new underground coal miners who are entering the industry. This is done by identifying two different approaches to instruction and discussing the ways they may affect how well prepared new hires are to deal with a dynamic and hazardous workplace. One approach is based on the use of a syllabus. Those using a syllabus are more likely to rely on lecturing or direct instruction. This is a good way to get across factual information, but does not provide a context within which miners can fit the discrete facts so that they form an integrated whole set of concepts, principles, and skills. The other approach is based on the use of a curriculum. Those using a curriculum may be more likely to help miners integrate concepts and skills that give them an overall picture of the complex mining environment and how they fit into the workplace. This will better prepare them for the decision-making and problem-solving activities that will help them work safely and productively

Jan 1, 2008

By H. W. Frevert, A. C. Fieldner, S. H. Katz

"The Bureau of Mines, in its investigations of as masks for use in mines and allied industries tests masks that are voluntarily submitted by manufacturers for examination, and issues approval certificates for masks that meet the bureau's specifications. This paper describes the tests that were conducted on an ammonia gas mask by the Bureau of Mines, which successfully met all requirements and tests for ammonia, masks. The mask tested, known as the GMD ammonia gas mask, is manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliances Co., Pittsburgh, Pa. This ammonia gas mask, which forms a pocket over the face and allows breathing through the nose, consists of a face-piece with non-shatter eyeglasses; this is attached by means of a corrugated rubber tube to a canister supported on wearer's chest by a harness. The canister is green in color and is of tinplate construction. It was a disc valve at the bottom to prevent exhalation through the canister. The filling of the canister consists of a specially impregnated activated charcoal, about 750 c.c. in volume and weighing about 520 grunn. The material is supported above the check valve by a dome of wire screen covered with toweling. Above the granular material is a filter of absorbent cotton screens, and all materials are hold firmly in place by pressure from strong"

May 1, 1926

Provide a machine for economically drilling probe holes in coal mines (required where there&apos;s a possibility of unmapped, abandoned workings) to check for possible water flood or gas hazards ahead of the face. Approach A lightweight air-powered drill, that mounts on a light-weight frame anchored to the face with an expandable packer, is used to drill one or more probe holes. The anchor installs quickly and will lock the drill in any desired position. How It Works The drill is portable and can be broken down to small components for ease of transportation. One man can carry these sections through restricted access routes to the working place. Components that are separable are the anchor assembly, drill frame assembly, and drill motor assembly. The drilling sequence is as follows: A 2-inch-diameter anchor hole is drilled 2 feet deep. The fixed anchor tube is rubber packer is expanded. A second anchor hole is drilled through a bushing in the anchor frame. The removable anchor tube is inserted and its rubber packer expanded. (This anchoring system withstood pulls of up to 14,000 pounds.) Next, the frame is attached to the anchor with two screw knobs, and the motor is attached to inserted in the hole and the rubber packer is expanded. A second anchor hole is drilled through a bushing in the anchor frame. The removable anchor tube is inserted and its rubber packer expanded. (This anchoring system withstood pulls of up to 14,000 pounds.) Next, the frame is attached to the anchor with two screw knobs, and the motor is attached to the frame with a single locking pin. Installing the anchor and drill takes less than 12 minutes.

Jan 1, 1981

Eliminate the need for roof bolter operators and their helpers to work under unsupported roof while setting or removing temporary supports before or during the roof bolting cycle-a task that annually accounts for approximately 20 percent of all roof fall fatalities. Approach The Bureau of Mines designed, built, and field tested an auto-mated temporary roof support (ATRS) that can be carried from place to place on the drill head of a single, fixed-head roof bolting machine (squirmer) used in low coal seams (less than 42 inches thick). How It Works The ATRS is designed for installation on any streamlined squirmer. It consists of a ten? foot-long, steel, wide-flange beam supported by two double-acting, telescoping hydraulic cylinders. A steel sleeve, mounted on the bottom center of the beam, is designed to fit over top of the

Jan 1, 1983