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By Alan A. Campoli

OD March 20, 1989, a meeting was held at the U.S. Bureau of Mines Pittsburgh Research Center at the request of Senator Pete V. Domenici of New Mexico. The purpose of the meeting was to engender a technical relationship between the National Laboratories and the minerals industry. During the meeting, the Director of the Bureau of Mines, T S Ary, suggested that since the Bureau is the focal point for mining research in the United States, it would be appropriate for the agency to act as the liaison between the National Laboratories and the minerals industry. As the first step in this process, the author was selected to perform a 6-month investigation to better define the proper role of the Bureau in this area. As part of the investigation, the mining and mineral-related technology available at 21 major U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Research Laboratories was reviewed. It was assumed that the broad range of scientific and technical areas covered DOE research would provide fertile ground for mining-related technologies. It was hoped that the applicability of DOE research to this liaison effort would be indicative of Federal laboratories in general.

Jan 1, 2011

By M. N. Rubin

This report summarizes the work performed under USBM contract J0100018. The purpose of this work was to document the currently available noise control techniques that can be incorporated into new coal preparation plants during the design stage. This was accomplished by reviewing the related experience of the contractor and subcontractor (Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc.), conducting an extensive literature search, visiting operating coal preparation plants, and contacting various equipment manufacturers. The treatments addressed include equipment substitution, changes in plant layout, and retrofit treatments for existing equipment.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. W. Adams

"The main purpose in the compilation of accident statistics is to reveal conditions that may result in injury to persons or property so that remedial measures may be applied. For practical reasons it is usually found necessary to restrict inquiry to conditions which actually have caused personal injury, and to omit those which nay, but have not yet, resulted in damage, Fortunately or unfortunately, there is a sufficient number of the former to indicate the existence of hazards so numerous as to require all of the attention which the industry can devote to the subject.Two years ago, the Bureau of 'mines, in cooperation with the National Safety Council, undertook an intensive campaign to obtain more complete and satisfactory information regarding mine accidents than had theretofore been available. Since 1911 the bureau had been receiving annual summaries from all companies operating metal mines, showing, in a general way, the number and causes of accidents that occurred during the preceding year and the number of men employed at the mines. Monthly summaries of fatal accidents at coal mines were received from the state inspectors, showing the number of deaths attributed to each of 22 main causes of accidents, Information for individual coal mines was not furnished.While this information, nation-wide in scope, is indispensable because it epitomizes the progress or retrogression in the industry as a whole, and serves as a background of specialized studies, yet certain classes of acci¬dents, for example, those that are more or less peculiar to specific districts or mines, require an analysis in greater detail than is possible on the sole basis afforded by the annual summaries.The need for more specific information was realized some years ago in the State of Pennsylvania in connection with the administration of the workmen's compensation law, The mining industry is well acquainted with the val¬uable studies of accidents, particularly nonfatal accidents, in the mines of that State being conducted by Mr. Rush N. Hosier."

Sep 1, 1924

By John J. Sammarco

The mining industry has the highest average annual fatality rate among major U.S. industries. To address this, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL), is conducting major research programs to reduce the hazard exposure of miners. One of the recently concluded programs at PRL developed the enabling technology for remote-controlled mining. An application involves the manual process of extracting and hauling coal where operators, in the tight confines of a mine, can be struck or caught by mobile machinery. The approach to remedy this problem uses a guidance system on the continuous haulage equipment so that it follows the continuous mining machine that extracts coal. This, in essence, involves sensor-based docking of the machines. Sensors functioning in the hostile mine environment of dust, methane gas, and water play the key role. Computer analysis of the mining machine's movements and empirical machine characterizations established operating requirements and spatial limitations to ensure proper loading of coal into the haulage equipment. These data served in the selection of a guidance sensor. Technologies such as scanning laser systems and ultrasonic sensors have frequently been used in other applications, but were found unacceptable. However, a near-infrared sensor employing active targets met the requirements. The sensor has a nominal 75b conical field of view and a range from 0.1 to 18.0 m. For the single-target mode, nominal range accuracy was 4.3% at a distance of 3.65 m. Correction algorithms were generated, which reduced the error to 0.6%. Airborne dust testing showed less than an additional0.8% accuracy (worst case) degradation at dust levels up to 15 mg/m3. Using four targets, the nominal range accuracy was 0.4% without correction algorithms. Analysis of dynamic testing of a continuous miner and haulage showed that accuracy was maintained and total target loss did not occur. A guidance system for the haulage system to follow the mining machine does not exist commercially. Such a system can reduce fatalities, injuries, and exposure to dust and noise.

Jan 11, 1998

By P. R. Jones

The Bureau of Mines has written a computer program for the design and cost of a shell and tube type heat exchanger, in which a change in phase occurs on the shell side. The total cost, which was minimized, includes the annual fixed charges and annual operating costs. The program was written to meet the following requirements: (1) Triangular pitch, (2) single or multiple pass, and (3) heating or cooling. Price optimum design was obtained for four standard tube diameters and pitch. Standard heat exchangers whose area equaled or exceeded the required area are also listed. The program was made adaptable to various fluids and to various tube dimensions by including many of the required data such as physical properties of the fluids, tube data, and standard shell data as input data.

Jan 1, 1969

By H. Tomlinson

"PURPOSE OF REPORTThe purpose of this report, which is the third of a. series on the coal mines of the Western States, is to give the findings of a study of the causes and methods of prevention of accidents from falls of root and coal in the mines of Lincoln County, Wyo. The three mines covered in this report, referred to as A. B. and C, account- for 9 per cent of the coal production in the county and nearly 9 per cent of the State's total production. For comparative purposes some statistical data are presented bearing upon the relation of injuries to their causes, to tonnage produced, to men employed, to days worked, and to days lost as the result of injuries.FATALITIES IN WYOMINGTo show the necessity for this study, Table 1 given the fatalities that occurred during 1928 in the bituminous—coal mines of the United States, of the State of Wyoming of Lincoln County, and in Mines A, B, and C, followed by a brief description of the Kemmerer coal dis-trict, its coal beds and immediate roof, thickness of cover, dip of coal beds, methods of mining timbering for roof support, roof testing, and supervision. All of these factors must be considered in any plan outlined to prevent accidents resulting from falls of roof and coal.ACKNOWLEDGMENTAcknowledgment is made to the officials of the operating companies for their cooperation and assistance during the study and collection of data to complete this report.GENERAL INFORMATIONLocation and Ownership The mines included in this report are within 18 miles north and south of Kemmerer, Lincoln County, Wyo. (fig. 1), and are owned and operated by various coal companies to supply the domestic, smelter and railroad markets. They are severed by branch lines of the Oregon Shorty Line Railroad Coal production and men employed underground in the three mines are indicated in essential detail in Table 2."

Sep 1, 1932

By G. L. Oldright, Virgil Miller

"This paper is the tenth 4 of a series on smelting in the lead blast furnace, and the fifth 5 on modifications brought about by the introduction of richer charges.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSAll of the data on handling rich charges in lead smelting given in this recent set of five articles describing the results of a cooperative study by the United States Bureau of Mines and the University of Utah were obtained through the courtesy and with the cooperation of the staff of the Bunker Hill & Sullivan Mining & Concentrating Co. at Kellogg, Idaho. The authors acknowledge with appreciation the assistance given by Stanly A. Easton, vice.-president and general manager, F. M. Smith, smelter director, and A. F. Beasley, smelter superintendent, whose generosity, sympathy, and assistance made it possible to obtain this information for the mining industry.GENERAL DISCUSSIONWhen the charge has been dropped into the lead blast furnace, it is out of control of the operator to the extent that, whatever the material is, it must practically all be melted and run out of the blast furnace. The necessary uniformity of mixture to produce slags of regular composition and the choice of the slag—forming ingredients and products to be formed can be made only before the charge to dropped.It was found (R.I. 3096) at Kellogg, where the charge is mostly sinter, that the ratio of the slag—forming ingredients taken from each tuyere was nearly constant, in contrast to the irregular composition of slags taken similarly from a furnace whose charge consisted of ingredients differing greatly in chemical and physical nature, including size. If the charge consists almost entirely of sinter, the blast furnace should then operate more uniformly."

Aug 1, 1932

By L. A. Conley

This report, covering the period January through December 1976, contains abstracts of articles related to cost engineering and economics for chemical and petroleum plants, mining, and other mineral industries from the following periodicals: 1. Air Pollution Control Association Journal 2. Chemical Engineering 3. Chemical Engineering Journal 4. Chemtech 5. Coal Age 6. Coal Mining and Processing 7. Combustion 8. Drilling-DCW 9. Electrical World 10. Engineering and Mining Journal

Jan 1, 1977

By P. Cole Gregory, Michael R. Yenchek, John C. Edwards

The U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated the performance of portable power cables under transient conditions. This research had a twofold purpose: (1) to define the thermal characteristics of electrically overloaded trailing cables, and (2) to conceptualize electrical protection for cables that allows maximum cable efficiency without diminishing electrical safety in underground mines. Several tasks were under- taken in support of these goals during the 3-year research effort. Overload tests ranging from 2 to 12 times rated ampacity were conducted in the Bureau's Mine Electrical Laboratory. Two thermal models of energized type G-GC trailing cables were constructed, one based on thermodynamic theory and the other using empirical data from previous Bureau load tests. The empirical model was then incorporated into an interactive computer program that can assist designers and approvers of mining machines in selecting the appropriate size trailing cable. This program can be the basis for a cable protection system that ensures that cables are not the source of fires, ignitions, burns, or explosions underground.

Jan 1, 1993

By G. R. Hopkins

"Refiners are generally considered solely as fuel producers, but actually they also comprise a group one of the largest consumers of fuel. For example, during the year 1929 the refineries-burned 51,544,000 barrels of oil as fuel, or the equivalent of over 5 per cent of the crude oil processed in that year. In addition enough other fuels - coal, natural gas, refinery or still gas, and petroleum coke - were utilized to raise the total fuel consumption based on B. t. u. equivalent to more than 10 per cent of the heat value in the total crude oil run to stills. Refineries utilize fuel chiefly as the heat-forming element distillation, but also under-boilers in the formation of steam used in refining, for the heating of buildings, and in the generation of electricity.In the early days of refining, the problem of fuel utilization and fuel economy was of scant importance to the refiners. Margins of profit were comparatively high and the major portion of the operatros1 attention was directed toward increasing their throughput. However, the keen competition that has prevailed in the refining industry over the past five years or more has taught the refiners that their expenses, one of the largest items of which is the cost of fuel, must be curtailed. Thus in 1925 the refiners used an average of 829,000 B. t. u. to refine a barrel of crude oil, wheras by 1929 this average had been reduced to 639,000 B. t. u., a decline of 23 per cent (see fig. 1)Since 1925 oil has ranked first as a refinery fuel (see fig. 2). The use of natural gas increased during 1926 and 1927 but declined in 1928 and 1929. On the other hand, the use of refinery gas has grown rapidly in importance. Coal has shown a steady decline in use at refineries since 1925. Petroleum coke has never supplied more than a very small fraction of the total fuel requirements, although there has been a steady increase in its use."

Sep 1, 1930

By John C. Edwards

A computer program, developed for the Bureau of Mines under contract, predicts in a quasi-steady-state approximation the ventilation and contaminant concentrations and temperatures when a fire occurs in a multi-level mine. For periods of time in which there is no significant change in the ventilation, yet a fire is producing fumes, a real-time fume concentration throughout the mine is calculated. Multiple and time-variable contaminant sources can be simulated. Recirculation paths that can develop provide a mechanism for increasing the fume concentration in the mine network and are identified by the computer program. This report contains a listing of the Fortran computer program as well as the required format of the input data. Two examples are provided of the real-time spread of smoke from a fuel-rich fire throughout a multilevel mine. The first example considers an operational exhaust fan as well as a booster fan. The second example evaluates the real-time smoke spread following a failure in the exhaust fan; recirculation occurs in this latter case.

Jan 1, 1982

By Michael K. Phang

The use of explosives to fragment rock generates ground vibrations which may have a detrimental effect on contiguous underground coal mine openings. Increased surface blasting by a burgeoning number of surface coal mines and quarries has caused considerable concern among underground mine operators. Ground vibration effects generated from surface mine blasting are also causing public concern. In response to this concern, the U.S. Bureau of Mines (Stagg and Engler, 1980) has measured and analyzed ground vibrations and their effects on underground and surface structures. Some of the complaints registered against the mining industry are claims of substantial material damage from vibrations generated by the blasting; others are nuisance complaints of minor damage or annoyance. In general, allegations of damage from surface blasting have been sufficiently numerous to constitute a major problem for mine operators engaged in blasting operations. They have recognized the need for more technological data to evaluate the vibration problems associated with blasting. Both the operators and the general public need adequate safeguards based upon factual data to protect their specific interests. The coal mine industry needs reliable information from which to change blasting operations to reduce the number and severity of major damage claims and eliminate the growing number of nuisance complaints. The problem is of major concern not only to coal mine operators and nearby property owners, but also to federal, state and local governments. At the same time, environmental control agencies responsible for blasting and explosives use require reasonable and appropriate guidelines to protect the miners' lives.

Jan 1, 1984

By D. R. Torgoson, Th. G. Sahama

"This paper contains some new thermodynamic data for silicates in the series Mg2SiO4-Fe2siO4 and MgSiO3-FeSiO3 and gives the results of a thermodynamic attack on the problems of stability end parageneses.. Although some data are lacking satisfactory agreement with mineralogical and petrological observations is indicated.The use of thermodynamic methods in mineralogy and petrology has been rather limited, because accurate thermal data, especially for the more complicated and more important rock-forming minerals, have been too scanty to permit any systematic application to problems in those fields. It is, nevertheless, a fascinating task to investigate to what extent the mode of occurrence and the stability relations of the minerals and mineral parageneses, as revealed by petrological and mineralogical observations, agree with predictions of thermodynamics. At the present stage of development calorimetric data are needed for most of the abundant silicate minerals.Measurement of the heats of solution in hydrofluoric acid of minerals in the series Mg2SiO4-Fe2SiO4 and MgSiO3-FeSiO3 affords a ready means of obtaining their heats of formation from the oxides. Combination of such data with entropy and heat-capacity values gives a means of obtaining free energies of formation from the oxides, which, in turn, are connected di¬rectly with stability and paragenoses.The two silicates of magnesium, Mg2SiO4 and MgSi03, occur as rock-forming constituents as forsterite and clinoenstatite or enstatite. The orthosilicate (forsterite) forms a series of isomorphic mixtures with ferrous-orthosilicate (fayalite). The continuity of this series, suggested by petrological observations, has boon proved experimentally by Bowon and Shairer.4/ The present work shows that those minerals constitute a series of perfect solid solutions - that is, a series of solid solutions for which heats of formation from the individual pure silicates, Mg2Si04 and Fe2SiO4, aro negligibly small.The metasilicates of magnesium and iron also form an isomorphic series. However, this series differs from the forstorito-fayalite series in the fact that the most iron-rich mixtures, between about En10Fs90 and pure Fs, appear to be unstable with respect to the paragenesis iron-rich olivine plus quartz. The supposed instability of pure FeSiO3 as a crystalline compound, at least at high and at moderate temperatures, is remarkable, as no crystal struc¬tural reason for such instability is apparent. The present work indicates, also, that these minerals form a perfect series of solid solutions and throws additional light on the instability question.In the following, the samples used in this investigation will be described. For each of the natural olivines and orthopyroxenes, with the exception of sample L, a chemical analysis was made of the purified and actually used fraction. All the analytical work was carried cut by Oleg v. Knorring, and the specific gravity determinations, by moans of a pycnomctcr, by Oiva Joensuu, both of the University of Helsinki, Finland. The determinations of the optical properties were made by Mrs. Toini Mikkola, of the Geological Survey of Finland."

Feb 1, 1949

By Jr. Gabler

The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) has developed a computerized commodity flow model for strategic and critical materials This flow model is generic and applicable to most commodities and amenable to updating supply, demand, and/or production data change. The original model, with slight modifications, was used to track the flow of chromium. This report follows the flow of chromium through its metallurgical, chemical, and refractory applications, and highlights areas where significant losses occur because of downgrading, export, or disposal. The study indicates that materials containing 451,769 mt of chromium were consumed, including 99,221 mt of chromium from recycling, Chromium losses from all causes in 1989 were estimated to be 345,347 mt from a variety of areas. These areas and their chromium losses are as follows: processing losses, 38,825 mt; processing-downgraded scrap, 18,227 mt; manufacturing losses, 18,128 mt; manufacturing-downgraded scrap, 56,595 mt; prompt scrap exported, 1,531 mt; obsolete scrap exported, 43,443 mt; recovery losses, 155,529 mt; and recycling losses, 13,069 mt. Recycled chromium-containing material accounted for 22 pct of the apparent consumption of chromium in 1989.

Jan 1, 1994

By James R. Wait

The present final report constitutes the total productivity of a series of contracts from the U.S. Bureau of Mines and the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences over the period 1971-1979. The emphasis on the research has been analytical. In this "executive summary" we give a succinct description of each phase of the investigation. In the first phase of the investigation that was stimulated by the National Academy of Engineering, we concentrated on the analytical studies of techniques relevant to mine rescue. Several specific procedures for locating a buried source were analyzed. In the next, but overlapping phase of the investigation, we dealt with the fundemental character of how electromagnetic waves propagate in mine tunnels. At the outset we allowed for the finite conductivity of the tunnel walls and the presence of axial conductors such as cables, pipes, and tracks. The third phase of the investigation was devoted to the analyses of various specific geophysical engineering problems. The related fourth phase dealt with the general subject of non-destructive testing of wire ropes such as used for mine hoists.

Jan 1, 1980

By J. H. East, D. Harrington

"INTRODUCTION Mining at its best is not a clean occupation for either surface or underground employees; and this applies alike to coal, metal, and non-metallic mines. The employees are handling minerals that have been blasted, or broken by some means and are subjected to mineral dust, whether it is coal, quartz, or talc. The employees usually wear clothes specifically adapted to the work in which they are engaged, and frequently these clothes are not suitable for use away from the mine. Many mines are wet, and employees must wear rubber boots to remain at least partly dry, and even on relatively dry mines, some parts of the mines usually have water falling from overhead, there are accumulations of water, or the floor or other surfaces are wet or muddy, Some mines are dusty, and the air-borne dust quickly settles on the clothes and body of the miner, especially, when he is working in confined areas, or in places that are hot, humid, or poorly ventilated. Most occupations around a coal tipple, anthracite breaker, or a mill at a metal or nonmetallic mine have their own problems of cleanliness as to skin or clothes or both. Mining in any of its phases is inherently dirty work, and the employees dress accordingly while at work.In the early stages of mining it was the custom or workers to wear their dirty clothes home and change there. This necessitated their going home after work in dirty clothes which were usually damp from perspiration or from contact with wet or muddy matelials or surfaces, and, in addition to being inconvenient this was a frequent cause of colds, pneumonia, other pulmonary diseases or, possible skin ailments. Men working in very wet mines found that it was more satisfactory to change into dry clothes in the boiler room at the mine after work and allow their wet clothes to dry overnight. The mining companies later provided the first of the so-called ""dry-houses"" which were heated but had, few, if any, conveniences, such as showers, lockers, or latrines. The miners changed into dry clothes after work, but would not bathe or ""clean up"" until they reached their homes. Later, progressive mining companies provided bathing facilities for the employees, and eventually the present modern wash and change houses were evolved. Unfortunately, many mines, still have no bathing accommodations, and many have only makeshift accommodations."

Dec 1, 1947

By William S. Miska

The study is an economic evaluation of historical, current, and projected refractory uses in the iron and steel industry of the United States. The first part of the report presents a refractories classification and identifies principal trends in the refractories industry; such as, value and volume of shipments, prices of finished refractory products, the number of manufacturers and plants for refractories production and marketing. The main part of the report treats refractory use patterns and technologic developments affecting refractories usage in the iron and steel industry. Changes in use patterns in each furnace type, refractory, and installation costs and the future outlook for refractories in ironrnaking and steelmaking are covered. The last part of the report identifies the principal raw materials used in refractories production and treats trends in refractory raw material consumption. An appendix to the report contains historical time series graphs of shipments of refractory types used primarily by the iron and steel industry and principal refractory raw materials sold or used by producers. An equation of the line of best fit was calculated from the earliest to the latest year in each time series, usually 1950 to 1965; these were extrapolated in order to derive volume estimates for the year 1975.

Jan 1, 1968

Coal research and related activities in 1964 by the Bureau of Mines resulted in many advances in the production, preparation, and utilization of this valuable natural resource. Mining research during the year was marked by work on hydraulic mining, coalbed degasification, mine drainage control, mine sealing, strip-mine rehabilitation, and quenching of mine-refuse fires. Bureau research continued to produce information leading to increased safety in underground mining. Such research included roof and rib control via bolting and bonding, pressure monitoring of coal and mine rock during mining operations, and development of safety devices for detecting conditions leading to roof falls. Other safety work was continued on methane detectors, coal-dust suppression, and mine ventilation equipment and techniques. Mine explosion and explosives research, mine equipment and materials, safety rule modernization, and safety education and training of mine workmen were continued. Coal storage and preparation work in 1964 ranged from freezeproofing of lignite for rail shipment, through washability studies of coals and washing equipment, to research on new ways to remove ash and sulfur from coal. Electric power production, which accounts for a major portion of the market for coal, received further study. Unique power generation systems, including coal-burning gas turbine and megnetohydrodynamic generators, were intensively investigated. Conventional power systems were improved through continuation of work on furnace performance, powerplant stack gas purification, and engineering and boiler water service.

Jan 1, 1965

By Doris M. Hyde

There were no significant changes in the mineral industries of the smaller Caribbean Islands during 1980. Imported petroleum requirements continued to erode economic gains that may have occurred in other sectors. Some relief may be forthcoming as more qualified Caribbean countries take advantage of Trinidad and Tobago's petroleum product financing program (see Trinidad and Tobago). There were no crude oil discoveries in these areas during 1980, although some geophysical testing around the British Virgin Islands and Antigua war underway. In March 1980, the Government of Antigua sold a 75% interest in the 16,000-barrel- per-day West Indies Oil Co. refinery to the Swiss Intermaritime Bank and Intermaritime Management Services for $6 million. The new refinery company is called the National Petroleum Co. Shutdown since 1976, it was originally planned for the refinery to reopen in 1980, but refurbishing has proved to be more extensive than anticipated. The reopening is now expected in 1981.

Jan 1, 1982

By Robert L. Lagace

A prototype adaptive volume control for the loudspeaker output of mine trolley carrier phones was designed, built, and tested in the laboratory and in a mine. This volume control senses, and adapts to, the ambient acoustic noise environment in such a way as to produce a loud sound output under noisy conditions, and a quieter output under quiet conditions, thereby producing an understandable and unstartling volume level under all noise conditions. The design approach, prototype hardware, and test results are described, and the device is shown to be feasible for in-mine operations. The circuit design principles are easily applicable to currently available mina trolley carrier phones. Recommendations for practical improvements are included. An in-mine experiment to assess the practical feasibility and utility of the dedicated wire technique for overcoming poor trolley carrier phone system performance was designed, performed, and evaluated. The technique involves the use of a single, low-loss, properly terminated auxiliary wire, placed in the rail haulageway, which allows signals to naturally couple to and from the trolley wire/rail transmission line, and thereby significantly decrease the overall signal attenuation rate on the trolley wire/rail line. The in-mine dedicated wire experiment, results, and conclusions are described, and the technique is shown to be a valid and practical one for significantly Improving carrier phone system performance in mines. Guidelines for the installation and use of the dedicated wire are provided. Recommendations are made for obtaining further practical information on its performance and utility. A second in-mine experiment to assess the feasibility and utility of the low-impedance (low-Z) line technique for overcoming poor carrier phone signal transmission in mines was designed, performed and evaluated. The low-Z line technique involves the periodic connection of shunt capacitors between the trolley wire and the rail to artificially lower the line characteristic impedance. This causes the low impedance shunt loads encountered across the trolley wire/rail line to be less mismatched to the line, thereby reducing the overall attenuation of carrier phone signals. The results of in-mine experiments performed along unenergized and fully operational sections of trolley wire/rail line are described. The experiments were designed to measure line parameter such as inductance and capacitance per unit length, characteristic impedance, and propagation phase velocity, in addition to signal strength versus distance behavior under normal and low-Z line conditions. The low-Z line technique is shown to be valid, but not as practical as the dedicated wire technique which is recommended as the most favorable for most coal mine applications.

Jan 1, 1979