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By Frank E. Cash

The Bureau of Mines in its safety work has for a number of years advocated and recommended the use of permissible portable electric cap lamps for use in all mines. In the course of time required for the evolution from an unsatisfactory to an efficient and safe light, but encouraging increase in their use has been experienced in Alabama. As early as 1916, small installations of these safer lamps were made or an experimental basis by several operating companies, and the first complete mine installation eras made at the Virginia mine of the Gulf States Steel Co., July 1, 1918. From the experiments in 1316 and the complete equipment of the first mine in 1918 gradual progress has been made until there are now 30 installations with 10 operating companies; as a result 20 mines have been put entirely and 5 partly on, closed lights, and 3 companies equip their engineering departments; two installations of closed lights are maintained by other companies for emergency use. One of the mines partly on the electric cap lamp is an ore mine - the only one in Alabama (and one of the very few in the United States) that uses closed lights. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The full cooperation of operating officials, lapmen, and lamp representatives was given in the collection of the data in this report, and is hereby acknowledged.

Jan 1, 1928

By R. H. Dickson

This paper, which describes the milling practice of the Verde Central Mines, Inc., is one of a series on milling methods and costs being prepared by the United States Bureau of Mines. GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Verde Central concentrator is located in Walnut Gulch, about 1 mile west of Jerome, Ariz., and on the Jerome-Prescott highway. It is about 1,000 feet distant from the main shaft of the Verde Central mine and treats ore from this mine only. The mill is connected with the main shaft of the mine by a 24-inch gave railway, over which the ore is hauled in 5-cubic yard capacity, rocker, side-dump cars, by a 3-ton Brookville gasoline locomotive.

Jan 1, 1931

By A. L. Engel

In recent investigations of chloride Volatilization of gold at the Reno Station, it was found that the addition of small amounts of copper and NaCl to the charge brought about improved volatilization of the gold. The investigations described in this report were concerned with the recovery, in an aqueous medium, of fumes from chloride volatilization of gold. It was attempted to discover a suitable aqueous medium that would permit absorption, solution, or precipitation of all the volatilized gold immediately upon contact with the medium. A simple laboratory apparatus was employed to produce fumes by volatilization. To this furnace was attached an absorption train consisting of a series of chambers containing the aqueous medium, through which the fumes were drawn by suction. A satisfactory synthetic ore that contained metallic, gold in a quartz-matrix was made and utilized, enough. gold being present in a' small amount of material to permit an accurate, metallurgical balance of the volatized values' to be obtained in all the experiments.

Jan 1, 1949

By B. R. Eichbaum

To develop technology to assure an ample supply of zinc and to reduce environmental pollution, the U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated alternatives to the roast-leach process for treating complex sulfide concentrates. Previous studies proved that low-grade zinc sulfide (ZnS) concentrates could be leached using chlorine-oxygen to produce zinc chloride (ZnCI2). The process involves high energy requirements for evaporating the pregnant solution to produce anhydrous ZnCl2 needed for electrolytic cell feed. An efficient hydrometallurgical process would facilitate treatment of lower grade ores than can be used in conventional processing and would render roasting unnecessary. An alternative method was devised for recovering ZnCl2 from solution. Zinc diammine chloride [Zn(NH3)2CI2] was precipitated from solution by adding ammonium chloride (NH4CI) and sparging with ammonia (NH3) to a pH of 6 to 7.5. The spent solution was treated with calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)21 at 60° to 80° C for 1 to 4 h to remove remaining zinc and NH3. The Zn(NH3)2CI2 was heated to 300° to 400° C to remove NH3 and produce anhydrous ZnCI2. A possible flowsheet was devised and is included.

Jan 1, 1991

By R. E. Peterson

A reduction roasting/magnetic separation/flotation process for beneficiating oxidized taconite from the western Mesabi iron range in Minnesota was evaluated in a Bureau of Mines research program to insure an adequate supply of raw materials for future ironmaking and steelmaking needs. The research was performed on a sample containing 35.4 pct iron and representing a deposit of approximately 2 billion tons of raw materials. An average of 1,419 lb of oxidized taconite and 37 lb of lignite reluctant per hour were fed to a 35 -foot rotary kiln in which the iron oxides were converted to artificial magnetite. The kiln was heated with pulverized lignite and natural gas. Most of the dust collected from the kiln exhaust gas was pelletized and recycled to the kiln. Magnetic separation and cationic flotation of the roasted material in a 900-lb/hr pilot plant produced a concentrate analyzing 67.9 pct iron and 4.9 pct silica and containing 69.2 pct of the iron in the kiln feed.

Jan 1, 1981

By J. E. Chilton

Underground miners may be exposed to hazardous quantities of toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide (CO), generated from mine fires or explosions. Every underground miner is required to carry a filter self-rescuer (FSR), which when operated will remove CO from the miner's breathing air. In addition, every underground miner must have a self-contained self-rescuer (SCSR) near the worksite that will supply breathing oxygen. In many situations, miners do not know when to don either rescuer since they do not know if there is a fire in the mine, nor do they carry instrumentation necessary for the detection of the toxic, colorless, and odorless fire product CO. If each miner carried a personal CO alarm, which would respond to high concentrations of CO, the miner would then be alerted when to don either the FSR or SCSR and exit the mine. A prototype personal miner's CO alarm called PEMCOAL was developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines. The PEMCOAL unit is small enough to be carried on a miner's belt, has a flash lamp visual alarm, requires no calibration for use, and uses a chemical sensor that changes color by reaction with trace quantities of CO. The chemical sensor was tested at concentrations of CO from 10 to 1,000 ppm, at temperatures from 5° to 40° C, and with several potential mine gas interferents. The PEMCOAL alarm times were sufficiently fast to warn miners before they are exposed to hazardous quantities of CO.

Jan 1, 1989

By John B. Gayle

The coking time has considerable influence on the throughput of a coke oven, and for this reason a large number of papers dealing with the relationship between coking time and the different operating variables have been published. Although all factors known to influence the coking time have been studied, agreement has not been reached on several questions.2/3 Therefore, it appears worthwhile to evaluate any data that become available during investigations of the carbonizing properties of various coals and coal blends. Because it is expected that reports covering several different phases of this problem will be forthcoming as additional data-become available, the following study of the relationship between coking time and bulk density represents a report of progress on the overall investigation of factors influencing the coking time in slot-type ovens. The practice of including coarse coal in the blend going to the ovens to obtain increased bulk densities is well known. Similar increases have been realized by adding small quantities of oil to the coal mix. Although it would appear that such procedures provide inexpensive methods for increasing the capacity of existing coke-oven installations, Ramsburg and McGurl4/ point out that this increase is possible only if the additional coal can be carbonized in the same coking time as regularly employed without using abnormally high flue temperatures. This statement is in substantial-agreement with the position of Auvil and others5/ and implies that any change in bulk density may be accompanied by a corresponding change in coking time. On the other hand, a recent review of proposed methods for calculating the time required for carbonization6/ includes a number of equations that completely ignore the effects of variations in bulk density.

Jan 1, 1954

By H. B. Hill

The discovery of the Oklahoma City field and its rapid development into one of the major oil-producing districts is an outstanding epoch in the history of the petroleum industry not only of Oklahoma but also of the United States. The relatively great depth to which the wells were drilled and the large initial production of high-gravity oil are of special significance. The field has boon under proration almost from the time that its development began, and many new production problems have developed out of the changed conditions of operation. The discovery well was first tested in December 1928 at a depth of 6,402 feet, with an initial production of 4,847 barrels of 38,5.° A.P.I. gravity oil, and several months later was, completed at a depth of 6,624 feet, The large initial production, the high pressure, and the large gas volume in the different horizons of the discovery well suggested the potential possibilities of gas and oil, production in formations of Pennsylvanian and pre-Pennsylvanian age.

Jan 1, 1933

By Albert L. Toenges

[sing tho ppsf; few Yomn t!le:.c. hcs beer. p. trqnd away frorn locomotive haulwe of cop2 frorn tile losdiw point to tho prop,nration plant of bitu~i- nnus-cod strip mlncc to a;~to~lzcd. h,71Jlr.:~. The qrostion has arisen rrhethcr this is alwqvs econ~nicd, rxcl the purpcrse or' tnf s investigation is to de- termine, if possible, the econonic limlt for ~~torieod had.we. sing tho ppsf; few Yomn t!le:.c. hcs beer. p. trqnd away frorn locomotive haulwe of cop2 frorn tile losdiw point to tho prop,nration plant of bitu~i- nnus-cod strip mlncc to a;~to~lzcd. h,71Jlr.:~. The qrostion has arisen rrhethcr this is alwqvs econ~nicd, rxcl the purpcrse or' tnf s investigation is to de- termine, if possible, the econonic limlt for ~~torieod had.we.]

Jan 1, 1938

By Albert L. Toenges

[During the past few years there has beer trend away from locomotive haulage of coal from the loading point to the preparation plant of bituminous-coal strip, miner to motorized. haulage. The question has arisen whether this is always economical, and the purposes of this investigation is to determine, if possible the economic limit for motorized haulage. The operators of strip coal mines and of open-pit ore mines have shown great interest in this problem, and it is thought that the findings of this investigation will. Provo helpful to them.]

Jan 1, 1938

By E. P. Ferrero

Analyses of 38 crude oil samples from 25 fields in Algeria, Libya, and Nigeria are presented in this report. The 38 crude oils are listed alphabetically by country and field. Also shown are the geographic and geologic sources of the samples analyzed, the companies that supplied the samples, the general characteristics and analytical and computed data, and the production for the fields from which the samples were obtained.

Jan 1, 1966

By E. P. Ferrero

Analyses of 38 crude oil samples from 25 fields in Algeria, Libya, and Nigeria are presented in this report. The 38 crude oils are listed alphabetically by country and field. Also shown are the geographic and geologic sources of the samples analyzed, the companies that supplied the samples, the general characteristics and analytical and computed data, and the production for the fields from which the samples were obtained.

Jan 1, 1966

By Donald Giroux

This report documents the design, fabrication, testing, and coal mine demonstration of a hopper-feeder-bolter during a four-phase program for the U.S. Bureau of Mines. The machine was designed to increase productivity and safety in under-ground room-and-pillar mining. It performed well as a hopper-feeder for continuous haulage during a coal mine demonstration. Testing in a simulated mine showed that the machine also has good roof bolting capability.

Jan 1, 1987

By David Burgess

Natural gas is a general term applied to the gas obtained from oil or gas wells. It is the most widely used of all gaseous fuels. The principal disadvantage in the use of this and other gaseous fuels is the difficulty encountered in the storage and transportation of large quantities in the gas state. Handling in the liquid state is possible, but reduced temperatures are required since methane (table 1) is the principal component of most natural gases that are used as fuels. Actually, liquid storage has been utilized both here and abroad;3 however, the Cleveland disaster4 has pointed out the need for a critical evaluation of the hazards involved in the storage of this cryogenic fuel. Accordingly, a program was undertaken to obtain basic data that could be used to assess these hazards. In this report, the factors to be considered in an evaluation of the fire and explosion hazards associated with any fuel are each discussed briefly. These factors are then used to assist in the design of experiments for the evaluation of the hazards associated with liquefied natural gas (LNG) relative to those associated with other common fuels. Experiments have been conducted on the vaporization of LNG, the mixing of LNG vapors with air, the effect of temperature and nitrogen dilution on the limits of flammability of methane in air, the burning rates of LNG and other fuels, flame radiation, and extinguishment of fires above liquid pools. Based on the results of these experiments, LNG can be stored safely in suitably designed above-ground tanks surrounded by earthen dikes in much the same manner as gasoline.

Jan 1, 1962

This is the fourth in a series of reports on properties of commercial motor fuels, made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the Cooperative Fuel Research (C.F.R.) Committee and the Bureau of Mines of the Department of the Interior. The first report gave data on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1935-363/. The second report gave the same data? for motor gasolines sold during the summer of 19364/. The third report of the series gave the same data for motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1936-375/. This report covers 63 brands of gasoline represented by 1,136 samples excluding the Pacific Coast. Those from the Pacific Coast were averaged by the Pacific Coast technical group before being submitted and are published exactly as they were submitted. In some areas reports were received from five or six companies on the same brands of gasoline, whereas in other areas only one company reported on a brand. Thus, it can be seen that some of the data are more representative than others.

Jan 1, 1937

This is the fourth in a series of reports on properties of commercial motor fuels, made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the Cooperative Fuel Research (C.F.R.) Committee and the Bureau of Mines of the Department of the Interior. The first report gave data on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1935-363/. The second report gave the same data for motor gasolines sold during the summer of 19363/. The third report of the seriis gave the same data for motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1936-375/. This report covers 63 brands of gasoline represented by 1,136 samples excluding the Pacific Coast. Those from the Pacific Coast were averaged by the Pacific Coast technical group before being submitted and are published exactly as they were submitted. In some areas reports were received from five or six companies on the same brands of gasoline, whereas in other areas only one company reported on a brand. Thus, it can be seen that some of the data are more representative that others.

Jan 1, 1937

By John W. Frey

This paper presents one of a series of digests of foreign mining legis- lation and court decisions, which is being prepared in advance of a general re- port relative to the rights of American citizens to explore for minerals and to own and operate mines in various foreign countries. This interpretation of the laws governing the Portuguese overseas possessions, prepared from the best avail- able information in Washington, has been slightly amplified in accordance with suggestions transmitted through the courtesy of the Department of State by Fred Morris Dearing, American Minister at Lisbon.

Nov 1, 1929

By James C. Barker

Gold placer deposits along the upper Yukon River, in the region between the river villages of Circle and Eagle, were investigated by the Bureau of Mines. The investigation was conducted intermittently between 1976 and 1985 as part of an evaluation of mineral resources on lands proposed for inclusion in the National Park System. At least 230,000 troy ounces (tr oz) of gold has been produced in the region, principally from Woodchopper, Goal, and Fourth of July Greeks. The placers are underlain by, or occur downstream of, early Tertiary sediments that have been deposited in the Eagle Trough. Strike-slip displacement along the Tintina Fault is responsible for creation of the trough and may have been a factor in the formation of the present placers. Placers were found to have a close spatial correlation to certain altered fault lineaments of the Tintina Fault trench. Placer concentrates contain several different textural forms of gold, suggesting multiple origins. Geological studies and a survey of 162 panned concentrates throughout the region indicated previously unreported sites of placer gold, and potential exists for the discovery of additional placer and lode gold. Because of nearly continuous soil and vegetation cover, further evaluation of the region will require subsurface sampling.

Jan 1, 1986

By A. E. Sands

The Bureau of Mines, S. Department of the Interior) at, its Morgantown., W. Va., station, operating under a cooperative agreement with West Virginia University, is conducting research and development work on the problem of producing synthesis gas from coal. An important part of this work is the study of the gas purification necessary to meet the rigorous standards required to render the gas suitable for use in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of liquid fuels. One of the most detrimental impurities is sulfur in all forms, the maximum amount that can be tolerated being one-tenth of a grain per hundred cubic feet. Concentrations as low as this require the use of precise analytical methods to evaluate the performance of processes used for removing sulfur. At the same time the analytical methods should be rapid in order to reveal the failure of purification before damage to the expensive synthesis catalyst results. Although sulfur in unpurified gas is generally present as hydrogen sulfide and as organic sulfur compounds, the latter may be converted to hydrogen sulfide for analytical purposes. Thus a suitable method for the determination of traces of hydrogen sulfide may also be used for the determination of organic sulfur.

Jan 1, 1949

By P. M. Sullivan

The principles and application of amalgam electrolysis to the recovery of zinc and tin from secondary products were studied; this Bureau of Mines project was one phase of investigating the development of more efficient methods for processing iron-bearing zinc and tin to produce both base metals of high purity. Zinc of 99-99-percent purity was recovered from galvanizer's dross with recovery efficiency of 98 percent. Tin of 99.9-to 99.99-percent purity was recovered from hardhead with recovery efficiency of 81 percent. Both materials were treated by the same method in separate systems. Mercury was used to leach zinc from dross and tin from hardhead to form amalgams of each metal, both of which were subsequently refined electrolytically to produce high-purity metal. Impurities that were contained in both secondary products behaved as theoretically predicted; impurities that were insoluble in mercury remained as sludge in the leaching column. Except for lead, the readily amalgamated impurities were prevented from fouling the electrolyte by the blocking action of the amalgam electrode. Lead impurity in the tin-refining system dissolved and immediately precipitated as the sulfate. The primary advantage of the amalgam refining method lies in direct recovery of the extremely pure base metal from highly contaminated secondary material.

Jan 1, 1961