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By R. L. Marek

[An important problem in the efficient conduct of industry is that of helping the individual employee to formulate in attitude toward his work which will result in the reduction of accidents and the promotion of safety. Perhaps nowhere is the need greater for this type of psychological training of carefully selected men than at oil refineries whore both the raw materials and the finished products are highly inflammable and explosive in nature. However, the refinery organization usually is well adapted to educational safety activities -- much more so than in the producing, pipe line, and marketing departments where the personnel are more or less scattered; but the sore general principles of conduct hold true in any industrial organization. This problem of directing the attention of tie employees to their specific tasks or helping them to control and frequently eliminate hazards engendered by adverse mental attitude or emotion is met most satisfactorily by carefully selecting applicants and placing theta at jobs for which their ability best fits them. The subsequent training of these carefully selected employees to assure their Most effective work in accident prevention may be accomplished in a variety of gays, ouch as by personal supervision and instruction, inspections, drills, and by the studied use of well thought out safety pamphlets and posters.]

Jan 1, 1932

By George L. Gates

The Bureau of Mines developed a rapid instrumental method of analyzing oil well scales containing primarily barium sulfate. After removal of oil and water by carbon disulfide) the scale was dissolved in strong hydrochloric acid. The cations, barium, calcium, strontium, magnesium, and iron, were determined with the flame photometer using the method of additions. Sulfate was deter-mined colorimetrically after separation by selective adsorption on an alumina column. Phosphate was determined colorimetrically and carbonate titrimetrically. The method was reasonably accurate, although iron and magnesium were found to have mutual interference.

Jan 1, 1965

By H. D. Jacobs

The Bureau of Mines undertook a research program to insure an adequate supply of iron raw materials for future iron and steel making needs. A sample was obtained of oxidized taconite from the western Mesabi Range in Minnesota, and the metallurgical response of the taconite to beneficiation by a process that included selective flocculation-desliming-cationic flotation was evaluated. The sample contained 35.3 pct iron and represented approximately 2 billion tons of crude material. Selective flocculation and flotation were evaluated in a pilot plant with a feed rate of 900 Ib/hr. Concentrates averaging 61.7 pet iron and 5.1 pet silica were obtained, with an accompanying iron recovery of 67.2 pet. About 83 pct of the process water requirements were reclaimed from the slime and froth tailing and then recycled.

Jan 1, 1980

By Fremont T. Johnson

Credited with production of more than 164,000 flasks Of quicksilver from 1876 to 1944, the Oat Hill mine has ranked third in output in the United States. During World War II, when the demand for mercury was high, this property was selected for diamond drill with the purpose of increasing ore reserves so that production could be maintained or, if necessary, increased. Although the existence of marginal-grade ore (fill material) left in the stapes and possibly of virgin ore of good grade had suspected in certain parts of the Oat Hill mine, no factual information to tonnage, grade, or location was available. In close cooperation with the Federal Geological Survey, the Bureau of Mines studied old records and the few available incomplete maps. Diamond drilling began in November 1943 and was completed in December 1944. Twenty-eight holes aggregating 8,121 feet were drilled, in only parts of the promising areas disclosed by the study of the data available. Detailed data on the work done by the Bureau as well as a brief history of the property and some operating details are described in this report.

Jan 1, 1949

By G. W. Grove, O. V. SIMPSON

During the years 1945, 1946 , 1947 , and up to July 1, 1948, only one death was caused by mine fires in bituminous - coal mines of the United States . The one fatality occurred in an Illinois mine in December 1945, and , therefore, there had been a period of 2-1/2 years in which no deaths occurred as the result of mine fires . Moreover, 1946 was the first year since 1930 in which no deaths occurred from mine fires . This record is markedly better than that of 1944 , when 89 fatalities and great property damage were caused by mine fires in bituminous - coal mines and 16 additional men were killed by an explosion that occurred while they were attempting to seal a mine fire .

Apr 1, 1949

By R. Carson Dalzell

The use of nuclear fission for chemical process heat offers the special advantage of high temperature, limited only by materials of construction. The process heat may be supplied economically at elevated pressures, since no compression of combustion air is required. For the initial effort in developing a high-temperature reactor, the indirect cycle, using helium as the heat-transfer medium, was chosen. The major problems are the design of high-temperature fuel elements, construction of an exchanger to transfer heat to process streams in the range of 2,500° F., and development of compressors capable of recycling helium at 1,000° F. and above. A conceptual design of a nuclear reactor to furnish process heat for coal gasification has been made. Spherical fuel elements utilizing a graphite structure, impregnated with uranium carbide fuel, were chosen, as spheres offer the possibility of easier loading and unloading of the reactor. Calculations of pressure drop and gas-pumping power for the system are included.

Jan 1, 1959

By M. M. Kirk

Forced-air cooling of cold-mold arc furnaces for melting zirconium and similar metals has been investigated and found to be practical from the stand-point of heat transfer. It is believed that this technique offers a significant reduction in explosion hazard from that inherent in water cooling, the current industrial practice. A copper crucible, with longitudinal, integral-type fins and with an outer jacket to confine the airstream, appears to be the best general design for air-cooled operation. Cutting the fins into short segments and bending the segments to produce a herringbone effect increased the airstream's turbulence and was found, on test, to increase the heat transfer up to 35 percent.

Jan 1, 1959

By Donald A. Voigt

This publication is intended as a guide for persons responsible for obtaining classifications and approvals Tor explosive compounds, mixtures, or devices from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). It deals with the procedures for obtaining a recommendation for classification of an explosive compound, mixture, or device through the Bureau of Mines. Completion of the procedures detailed in this guide is necessary to obtain a final classification of an explosive compound, mixture, or device and assignment of an "EX" number by DOT, which will allow the producer to offer the explosive for shipment within the United States. This guide also gives procedures for obtaining United Nations (U.N.) classification for shipping outside the United States.

Jan 1, 1990

By S. J. Gasior

A method for destroying the caking properties of bituminous coal was developed by the Bureau of Mines. Coal is treated in a fixed bed by heating through its plastic range under controlled temperatures in mildly oxidative atmospheres composed of inert gas and/or steam containing about 1 volume-percent oxygen. High-volatile A (hvab) and high-volatile B (hvbb) and low-volatile bituminous (lvb) coals in the size range 1/8 to 1-1/2 inches were successfully treated at 0 (atmospheric pressure) to 300 psig in static beds 6 to 18 inches deep. Conditions of treatment depended on the coal and ranged from 80 to 200 minutes at 350° to 510° C. Char produced in this manner from hvab coal was gasified with steam at 800° C and 100 psig in a fixed bed in one series of tests and in other tests was exposed to hydrogen in a dilute co current free-falling-bed system at 750° C and 3,000 psig without agglomerating.

Jan 1, 1965

This publication summarizes the research (in-house and contract projects) programmed by the Bureau of Mines for fiscal year 1984 (October 1, 1983-September 30, 1984) under its Health and Safety Technology Program. The objective of these projects is to provide an ordered and sequenced advance toward the Bureau's overall goal of providing the systems technology required to create a more healthful and safer working environment for the Nation's mining and minerals processing workers.

Jan 1, 1983

By E. J. Gleim

For many years mining men have sought for a portable device that would be direct reading and permit more positive detection of methane than was possible with flame safety lamps, which depended so largely on the training, skill, and personal ability of the user. Through the years, after the discovery that methane contributed to many mine explosions, considerable effort and large sums of money have been expended in searching for and developing instruments that would be practical, and, at the same time, reliable and safe to use. Very early in the history of the Bureau of Mines, some of its engineers were unsuccessful, after many trials, in attempts to develop such an instrument. Commercial firms, however, persisted in research until today a number of instruments are on the market that have proved to be practical in coal-mine service. It is hoped, however, that further research will bring about improvements in accuracy and other desirable features. BUREAU OF MINES STANDARD FOR METHANE DETECTORS The Bureau of Mines recognized the need for establishing minimum requirements on which to base official approval of suitable Instruments. This standard was prepared as Schedule 8. It was revised before being issued in printed form. The revision was published as Schedule 8A in 1920 and was revised on two other occasions. The present edition, known as Schedule BC, was issued October 31, 1935.

Jan 1, 1954

By C. W. Schultz

The vapor pressure of manganese in equilibrium with a series of liquid iron-manganese alloys was determined by the carrier gas method over a broad range of alloy composition. From these data the activities of manganese in the iron-manganese system were calculated. The system appears to be ideal.

Jan 1, 1966

By A. L. Engel

In the period of 1942-1945, medium-grade, oxidized, lead-silver ore was mined and shipped from the Diamond district near Eureka, Nev. An encouraging tonnage of low-grade ore was developed during these operations and partly blocked-out for future mining. If the low-grade ore could be treated profitably, further development of the district would result, and production of an important strategic metal might be increased. A representative sample of Diamond district ore was obtained through the Reno office of the Mining Division for the studies described in this report. The sample consisted of lumps and fines of a highly altered siliceous rock containing much earthy red hematite and some granular black hematite. Examination with the binocular microscope showed the lead carbonate mineral, cerussite, in seams and disseminated in the hematite. No zinc or silver minerals were identified, and no sulfide minerals were present. Analyses of the ore showed:

Jan 1, 1951

The Bureau of Mines has successfully used sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) as a tracer gas to measure mine air flows under conditions where conventional methods have failed. SF6 was employed experimentally to measure accurately recirculation of return into intake air caused by leakage through an old stoped area, to check for potential leakage from an adjacent mine, to trace 10,000 cfm of "lost" air from an intake airway, and to measure transit air time through uranium mines. It proved useful as a means of accurately measuring airflow volumes in airways of large cross section and very low flow velocity, and in determining the recirculation resulting from underground cooling plants.

Jan 1, 1974

By L. C. IlsLey

A list of permissible mine equipment, tested and approved prior to Jan 1, 1937, was published in Bureau of Mines Information Circular 6942 • .ll The present list inc ludes additional equipment approved during the calendar yea r 1937. The ma terial has been listed und er the same. headings as th ose used. in Information Circular 6942. The number that appears at the beginning of each it em represents the number o f this type of ma.chine appr.oved including the machine in questi on; for instance, the miing ma.chine numbered 70 was the seventiet h co al cutting ma chine design for which approval has been isnued. All of the equipment listed represents new designs except that covered by the first item, that is, 57 under the • heading nLoading Machines and Conveyors. 11 This item covers the approval of the 500-volt design of a machine the 250-v olt design of which was approved on January 17, 1935. The system under wich these devices were tested permits the manu-. facturer., after his equipment has passed certain tests prescribed by the 'Ui"eau of Mines, to mark his equipment with a seal showing that it has been approved by the Bureau. These tests are designed to insure t hat equipments hav,e the minimum requirements for safety in use. The only object of the :Bureau in making such tests and publishing lists of permissible equipment is to help decrease the hazards of mining.

Apr 1, 1938

By R. G. Warncke, Stanley M. Walker

The United States Bureau of Mines was created by an act of Congress in 1910 as a governmental agency to work , on a national scale , toward reducing the huge annual loss of life in the production and processing of the Nation's minerals . From 1906 to 1910 , inclusive , nearly 2,500 miners lost their lives in 84 major explosion disasters , and more than 13,000 suffered fatal injuries from all causes in the coal mines of the United States . Also , conditions in the metal and nonmetal mines were proportionately hazardous during this period , and the total loss of life in all mines and quarries exceeded 3,000 annually and approximately 250,000 workers suffered serious injuries . Under these conditions it is readily understandable why Congress took notice of this " high cost of mining" , and from the investigations and hearings of the day emerged the Bureau of Mines charged with the prevention of accidents and the preservation of the health of all those engaged in the mineral industry; this has continued to be a most important part of the work of the Bureau . Throughout its existence the Bureau of Mines has had no legal authority of enforcement , except during war years , when enforcement necessary to the national security was given to it . The Bureau believes that persuasion , with factual evidence , is the proper and best way to obtain compliance with the safety suggestions made by its engineers and scientists . There is no panacea for accidents , nor will any single " approach " , instill safety consciousness in all workers , and without it accidents will occur --and occur again . To persuade men to work safely, numerous forms of appeal are required to reach the various temperaments of workers in many types of mines operating under diverse conditions .

Nov 1, 1949

By L. E. Schultze

Experiments were conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines to verify enhancements due to chloride and surfactant additions in the leaching system of chalcopyrite with ferric sulfate and sulfuric acid. A statistical experimental design was used and equipment was designed to eliminate contributions from changes in solution electrochemical potential during the course of the measurements. Results confirmed that chloride additions increased chalcopyrite leaching by as much as 94 pct over the electrochemical potential versus hydrogen electrode range of 630 to 750 mV at pH 1.7 and 50°C. Total iron concentration had no effect over the range of 1 to 5 g/L. The effect of surfactant addition was less well defined. While additions of LA 790 (a polyoxyethylene lauryl ether) resulted in increased copper leaching in several of the tests, the differences were too small to be statistically significant. No interaction effect could be verified.

Jan 1, 2010

By Michael J. Friedel

The permeability and flow capacity in unsaturated media are investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Mines for application to in situ copper leach mining. Moisture retention properties are derived and combined with scanning electron microprobe data to characterize the mineralogy, texture, pore size, distribution, and permeability of the host rock. Finite-element modeling is used to derive a saturated permeability, ambient degree of saturation, and assess various injection-recovery schemes. Recommended design modifications for optimization of solution distribution and maximum recovery from the rock matrix requires either (1) the injection pressures on the order of 1,500 psi and recovery wells operating in a suction mode, or (2) performing permeability enhancement, through in situ rubbling. Injection pressures can be reduced to 500 psi with improved recovery and containment of solutions.

Jan 1, 2010

By J. G. Donaldson

A bench-scale method for recovering lead and zinc from slimes and mill tailings from the Tri-State District of Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas was developed by the Bureau of Mines. Dilute hydrochloric acid, containing sodium chloride, and chlorine gas were used to decompose the mineral constituents. Lead was electrolyzed from the pregnant acid solution, and zinc was precipitated from the depleted electrolyte by neutralization with lime. Up to 98 percent of the lead was recovered in an impure lead electro- deposit assaying approximately 85 percent lead. Zinc recoveries up to 90 percent of the total were attained in a precipitate assaying approximately 40 percent zinc.

Jan 1, 1963

By J. E. Zeilinger

This Bureau of Mines report describes the preparation characteristics of the significant coalbeds of Clay, Gilmer, and Lewis Counties, W. Va. In 1966, almost 1.3 million tons of coal was mined in these counties, of which more than one-half was from the Pittsburgh coalbed. Washability analyses were made of 16 coalbed samples. Of these, only 11 samples could be upgraded to metallurgical quality. For steam or power generation five of the coals were of low sulfur content as received. The remaining samples were generally of medium sulfur content even after upgrading.

Jan 1, 1969