Search Documents

By The Staff, Explosives Research Center

The principal activities of the Bureau of Mines Explosives Research Center from July 1, 1962, to June 30, 1963, are described briefly in part 1. Part 2 gives short abstracts of publications that appeared during fiscal year 1963; in general, the research reported in these publications antedates the report period.

Jun 24, 1964

By F. S. Boericke

"INTRODUCTION The mineral found in natural-chromite deposits is never pure Fe0.Cr203, but rather one in which the Fe0 and Cr203 are in part replaced by Mg0 and A1203, respectively. The purest gravity concentrates from many domestic de¬posits consist of a mineral referred to as ""picotite,"" in which this isomorphous replacement is such that the ratio of chromium to iron is low. The Bureau of Nines has investigated methods of chemically beneficiating ores that contain too much iron to be classed as ""high-grade"" chromite 3/ Early investigations 4/ demonstrated that high-iron chromite or picotite ores can be roasted with carbon to obtain selective reduction of the contained iron, and that most of this reduced iron can be removed by acid-leaching the roast products to produce residues of higher chromium-to-iron ratios. tests 5/ indicated that commercially acceptable reaction rates cannot be obtained at roasting temperatures below 1,3000 C., using solid carbon as reducing agent. By this high-temperature reduction and subse¬quent acid-leaching, however, all ores investigated, regardless of the original composition, readily yielded residues considerably better than the minimum specifications for high-grade chromite.In an effort to obtain satisfactory reduction of chromite at lower temperatures, liquid and gaseous seducing agents were tested with varying success. Of the several reducing agents used, methane appeared to be the most promising and was shown to be highly effective at temperatures between 1,000º and 1,100º C., roughly 300º below the roasting temperatures necessary in solid carbon reduction. Further experiments indicated that mixtures of methate with some diluent (hydrogen or other nonoxidizing gas) gave better reduction than did methane alone."

Feb 1, 1946

By R. C. Adams

This report describes the feasibility of mining the oil-shale deposits of the Piceance Creek basin in Colorado by an integrated open pit system. The study is based upon a comprehensive analysis of pertinent environmental, economic, and engineering factors. Ten mining cases are investigated, and the mine design and cost estimates for each case are presented in this report. Nine of the cases represent three cutoff grades, defining oil shale ore as equal to and above 15 gallons per ton (gpt), 20 gpt, and 25 gpt, at three ore production levels of 500,000 tons per day (TPD), 1,250,000 TPD, and 2,500,000 TPD. The tenth case is an alternate design of the 500,000 TPD production rate at the above 15 gpt cutoff grade. The report consists of Volume I, a technical and cost comparison of the ten cases; Volume II-Part I, a detailed explanation of the estimating methods used; and Volume II-Part 2, a more detailed discussion of the technical and cost features of the ten cases than is presented in Volume I.

Jan 1, 1976

By Benjamin W. Haynes

This Bureau of Mines publication comprises a compilation of the state of the science in Pacific Ocean manganese nodule mineralogy and elermental composition. The report is divided into three sections: morphology, mineralogy and elemental composition. The nodule morphology section defines what is considered a nodule for the study, and details the external characteristics and internal structure. Nodule mineralogy is discussed in three sections: manganese minerals, iron oxide minerals, and accessory minerals. The major manganese minerals discussed are todorokite, birnessite, and vernadite. The iron oxide minerals are less well known and include feroxyhyte, goethite, and lepidocrocite. Accessory minerals present include quartz, clays, and other silicates and nonsilicates. A discussion on moisture content is also included. The elemental composition section presents data on 74 elements occurring as cations or anions. Summary data, histograms, and interelement correlation coefficients are presented. The elements are grouped as follows: major and minor elements of potential economic interest (8), other major and minor elements (9), elements of environmental interest (8), rare-earth elements (15), precious-metal-group elements (6), radioactive elements (3), other trace elements (17), and anion-forming elements (8). Cross sectional determinations of Ni, Cu, Zn, Co, Pb, Fe, Ce, and Ba are given for a single nodule to show the general tendency of different growth patterns within a nodule because of different element associations and composition.

Jan 1, 1982

By J. W. Miller

Depletion of coals most suitable for metallurgical fuel has made necessary a general survey of coking coal reserves in the United States. These investigations were begunn 1948 at the joint request of the Munitions Board, Department of Defense, and a number of coal companies. This report, which is one in a series, by counties, describes the preparation characteristics of the coals of Harlan County, Ky. From these data it is possible to determine: (a) Which coals, either as mined or after beneficiation by conventional preparation, are chemically suitable under present standards for producing metallurgical coke, (b) Which coals require special and more intensive treatment in preparation than is now practiced; and (c) Which coals cannot be considered to be potential sources of metallurgical fuel regardless of preparation.

Jan 1, 1955

By John T. Dieckmann

This report documents the work performed and the results obtained in a 2-year development of a Mobile Inert Gas Generator for use in the Bureau of Mines Remote Sealing System for fighting underground coal mine fires. The performance requirements of an inert gas generating system for the Remote Sealing System were clearly established. A thorough review of seven possible system designs meeting these requirements was conducted. An air cooled, distillate oil fired combustion type inert gas generator was selected for further detailed design, hardware fabrication, and performance testing. The Inert Gas Generator constructed under this program has been thoroughly performance tested and has been operated in the field for approximately 200 hours. The system has met or exceeded all important performance requirements. The system was used in the fire fighting efforts at the Bethlehem Mines Corporation Cambria Division Mine 33 fire and contributed to the successful containment of the fire. The system was also employed in the demonstration of entire Remote Mine Sealing System at the Jenney Mine in the fall of 1978. The system is currently avail-able for fighting any future underground coal mine fires.

Jan 1, 1979

This Technical Memorandum Report is a collection of three working memoranda, prepared during the course of our work for the bureau of Mines and hound together for convenient reference. These working memoranda present preliminary performance estimates, for baseband voice and narrowband through-the-earth electromagnetic communications systems of principal interest to the Bureau, for operational/emergency mine communications. The calculations were prepared to obtain early indications of the feasibility and governing parameters of such communications systems. They are based on limited, but pertinent, coal mine electromagnetic noise data acquired to-date by Bureau of Mines contractors; and of theoretical signal-attenuation characteristics for two transmitter antenna types of present interest to the Bureau. The memoranda examine the cases of baseband voice and narrowband communications for uplink and downlink transmissions, for frequencies up to 3kHz. Downlink transmissions are via a horizontal wire antenna, up-link transmissions via a vertical-axis loop antenna, for typical mine depths of 300, b00, and 1000 feet. Representative coal-mine overburden conductivities of 10-2 mhos/meter (moderate and common) and 10-1 mhos/meter (high) were used; 10-2 for voice and narrowband, 10-1 for narrowband only. Examples of high, moderate, and low; surface and subsurface; harmonic and broadband-impulsive noise conditions were taken from NBS and Westinghouse (WGL) mine noise data, together with examples of high- and low-levels of ELF atmospheric noise taken from M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory data.

Jan 1, 1972

By Ludwig Schmidt

This report, the second of a series, presents the results of laboratory corrosion studies which were made in connection with a one-year test on aluminum lease tanks conducted by the United States Bureau of Mines. Part 1 of the report contains the results of the field tests. The studies were made on an oil lease in a so-called "sour district," near Borger, Tex., where free hydrogen sulphide accompanied the production of oil, gas, and salt water. Steel tanks previously used on the lease had suffered severe corrosion, because steel is inherently susceptible to attack by hydrogen sulphide. Because of the high resistivity of aluminum to the action of hydrogen sulphide, it was believed that this metal had promising possibilities as a material for the construction of lease tanks in "sour districts." The results of the one-year field test proved that aluminum lease tanks will withstand corrosion by hydrosulphide, but it as found that aluminum was susceptible to attack by salt water, which was invariably present in certain portions of the tanks, and that hydrogen sulphide accelerated this salt-water corrosion in an indirect manner, as will be explained hereinafter. In order to study corrosion conditions encountered in the tanks during the test period, a laboratory was maintained at the site of the aluminum lease tanks.

Jan 1, 1931

By Michael T. Nigbor

The Bureau of Mines assisted the Rocky Mountain Energy Co. in a pilot-scale in situ leaching experiment at Casper, Wyo., to determine if sulfuric acid can be used as a cost-effective alternative lixiviant (leachant) for uranium in situ leaching. This experiment, which lasted more than 2 years, is the first fully documented pilot-scale operation in which the leaching-restoration cycle was completed using sulfuric acid instead of the more common carbonate-bicarbonate leachant This report describes activities at the experimental site, presents extensive geochemical data from startup to site restoration, compares laboratory and field experiments, and discusses the environmental aspects of acid leaching. The data showed that sulfuric acid is apparently an effective leaching solution. Three to five grams of acid per liter of ground water resulted in a production solution grade of 80 to 100 ppm uranium. Restoration was successful, but required extended flushing. The pH was the last chemical parameterto return to baseline, requiring about 350 days. This was longer than was predicted in laboratory simulations. The data also showed that mobilization of toxic elements such as selenium, arsenic, radium, thorium, and molybdenum stayed within reasonable limits and quickly fell back to preleach concentrations during restoration.

Jan 1, 1982

By R. G. Burdick

The problems presented by old mine workings affect both present day mining and land development. An automated method of locating these old mines from the surface using electrical resistivity techniques was de-veloped earlier under a Bureau of Mines contract. Subsequent Bureau research has refined the techniques and expanded the area of study to a variety of geologic provinces. During this research, six mining areas in the United States were in-vestigated with the Bureau's automated resistivity method. This report describes the mining areas involved and the results of the resistivity investigations, which showed a high rate of success in detecting old mines. It also describes the field measurement techniques and data analysis procedures.

Jan 1, 1986

By G. W. Jones

From evidence made available during the investigation, it was concluded that the first of a series of explosions occurred at 1:15 to 1:20 p.m. September 21, 1951, in an underground vault that housed pressure regulators on the gas-distribution lines that served Brighten. This explosion damaged the pressure regulators and permitted high-pressure gas to enter the distributing mains and individual-service lines. As a part of the gas-distribution system was not provided with means for protection against such excessive pressures, gas gained access to the interiors of many residences in this area and caused a series of disastrous explosions and fires, which took place during a period of approximately 2 hours after the initial explosion in the pressure-regulator vault. Two persons were killed in the first explosion in a residence, and a third person died of a heart attack attributed to the excitement that prevailed during the explosions and fires, Twenty-three persons were listed as injured. Forty-one residences were either destroyed or damaged - 11 by explosion and the remainder by fires, which developed as a result of gas leakage into residences. Fifteen residences were listed as "completely down" or "gutted." Unofficial estimates of property damage ranged from $1,000,000 to $1,500,000. In view of observations made and information obtained during the investigation, recommendations are presented in this report relative to the natural-gas distribution system in Brighton, which may be helpful in the prevention of similar accidents in this and other communities.

Jan 1, 1952

By Thomas A. Phillips

An economic evaluation of the Bureau of Mines process for the separation of raw urban refuse into its metal, mineral, and energy components is presented. The process recovers ferrous metal, mixed nonferrous metals, aluminum, mixed-color glass cullet, and refuse-derived fuel products from raw refuse. Data for this evaluation were obtained from selected runs at the Bureau's pilot plant in Edmonston, Md. A cost estimate was prepared for a plant capable of processing 1,000 tons per day of raw urban refuse operating two shifts, 6 days per week. The fixed capital cost, based on second quarter 1976 equipment costs, is approximately $14.5 million excluding land and shipping containers. The estimated operating cost is approximately $8 per ton of refuse processed. This does not include credit for the products, transportation of the products, a tipping fee, or a dumping fee for wastes produced. No finance charges or taxes are included in the operating costs.

Jan 1, 1977

By Byron M. Bird, Earl R. McMillan

"The method and apparatus described herein was developed at the Northwest experiment station of the Bureau of Mines, Interior Department, in cooperative research work with the University of Washington. A fuller description will appear in a bulletin entitled ""study of coal washing problems in the Pacific Northwest, to be published by the University. During the past four years this Bureau and the University have been co-operating with various coal companies in the Pacific Northwest in an extensive study of coal washing problems. Much of the valuable data resulting from this study has been obtained with the well-known float-and-sink test. This test has known for a number of years****, but its possibilities have not been thoroughly understood. A few investigations have developed apparatus and technique suitable to their needs, but these were not adopted to the conditions faced in the Northwest. Thus, the necessity arose for designing suitably equipment and working out a method of procedure or technique in carrying on the fundamental studies of coal washing by means of the float-and-sink test method."

Feb 1, 1924

By Howard P. Hamlin, John W. Sweeney

Shales , clays , and loess in Iowa were tested and evaluated to determine feasibility of producing lightweight aggregate by commercial rotary - kiln or sintering methods . Preliminary testing was conducted in a muffle furnace . Rotary - kiln tests were conducted in a 16 - inch by 14 - foot rotary kiln . Concrete cylinders and cubes were tested to determine qualities of the aggregate . Three samples made suitable lightweight aggregate by rotary - kiln methods and two by sintering .

Jan 1, 1964

By M. Vanpée, H. G. Wolfhard

Jets of hot gases issuing into explosive gaseous mixtures are efficient agents of ignition . The ignition temperature is defined as the temperature of the jet as it enters the cold explosive mixture which is just high enough to produce ignition . Such data have been published recently.5/ The investigators note especially that no correlation seems to exist between hot - gas ignition temperatures and spontaneous ignition temperatures , although there is a rather loose relation with limit flame temperatures . Before a more quantitative theory of the hot - gas ignition process can be attempted effectively , several questions must be answered : ( 1 ) Can the reactions leading to ignition be described by an Arrhenius type activation energy? ( 2 ) Is ignition preceded by an induction period ? ( 3 ) What is the rate - determining process of the ignition ? (4) And how does turbulence affect this type of ignition ?

Jul 1, 1960

By W. W. Adams

With greater production of coal per man-hour of work than ever before achieved, the coal-mining industry of the United States established a better safety record in 1941 than in any year since 1930, the earliest for which complete reports of nonfatal as well as fatal injuries were collected by the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior. In only one year (1933) of the 12-year period 1930-41 was the fatal-accident rate better than in 1941, whereas the rate for nonfatal accidents was better in 1941 than in any previous year. Accident and employment reports received from mine operators, together with fatal-accident reports received monthly from State mining departments and inspectors, showed that 546,692 men were employed in and about the coal mines of the United States during the calendar year 1941. This number does not include office employees or coke-oven workers. The increase of 1.3,426 over the number of employees in 1940 was accompanied by a gain in man-hours of work performed at the mines and an increase in average number of hours worked per man during the year.

Jan 1, 1944

By Chas. F. Jackson

This bulletin is one of a series of Bureau of Mines reports dealing with mining methods, practices, and costs. A study of this subject was undertaken by the Bureau in cooperation with a large number of mining companies in 1928. This study continued for 5 years, during which engineers of the Mining Division of the Bureau visited most of the larger mines and many smaller ones in the United States, as well as several mines in Canada and Mexico. As a result of this study, 75 reports dealing with underground mining methods and costs at different mines were published as information circulars. Circulars also were issued on 6 open-pit mines and 2 gold-dredging operations. These circulars were written by the managers, superintendents, and engineers in charge of the operations, in some instances in collaboration with Bureau engineers. They were prepared according to a standard outline drawn up by the Bureau to obtain uniformity in textual treatment and in the arrangement and basis of setting up cost and operating data.

Jan 1, 1936

By W. P. Diamond, J. R. Levine

The explosion hazard of methane-air mixtures has become an increasingly serious mine planning problem, and an advance assessment of methane gas potential can therefore be essential for a safe and economic mine development pro- gram. As part of its coal mine health and safety program, the Bureau of Mines has developed a simple, inexpensive test to measure the methane content of coal samples obtained from exploration cores. The gas content of coal per unit weight as determined by the direct method test can be used as a basis for a preliminary estimate of mine ventilation requirements, and to determine if degasification of the coalbed in advance of mining should be considered. Since the Bureau began measuring the gas content of coal samples in 1972, experience has led to equipment and procedural changes, the most significant of which has been the development of a ball mill for crushing the coal sample to release the residual gas at the end of the desorption test period. This revised procedure replaces the crushing box and graphical methods described in earlier Bureau publications. The results of 583 direct method tests are summarized in tabular form. These results include data on the gas content of 125 coalbeds in 15 States.

Jan 1, 1980

By W. L. Cooley

The report provides a detailed analysis of 23 electrical accident countermeasures contemplated for use in the metal/non-metal mining industry. The costs and potential benefits of implementing groups of these countermeasures are estimated, and methods arc outlined by which the operator ran choose countermeasures in an effective manner. The analysis is based largely on an extensive electrical accident event tree which is developed in detail. For those countermeasures which are not currently technically feasible, several prototype devices were developed to help speed development. These included a trolley arc eliminator and a safer mine electricians multimeter.

Jan 1, 1982

By E. P. Carman

1. DAVENPORT, S. J. Bibliography of Bureau of Mines Publications Dealing With Health and Safety in the Mineral and Allied Industries, 1910--46. Tech. Paper 705, 1948, 154 pp. 30 cents. 2. FJELDNER, A. C., FISHER, P. L., AND POLLOCK, M. B. Bibliography of Bureau of Mines Investigations of Coal and Its Products, 1940 to 1945. Tech. Paper 698, 1947, 53 pp. 15 cents. 3. GOOD, J. E., ABREU, ALVARO, AND FRASER, THOMAS. The Coal Industry of Brazil. Part 1. General Economy, Production, and Marketing. Tech. Paper 713, 1949, 38 pp. 20 cents.

Jan 1, 1954