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By L. M. Burman

The phase-boundary pressure required to maintain a natural hydrocarbon fluid in a single phase must be considered in planning the recovery of reservoir liquids by miscible-phase processes. The change in the phase-boundary pressure at reservoir temperature that results when a light component or a mixture of light components is added to a reservoir fluid is an especially important consideration. The cricondenbar pressure (maximum phase-boundary pressure) and the critical pressure are unique correlated pressures that have been utilized to calculate the change in phase-boundary pressure that may result when the composition of a reservoir liquid is altered by an additive. In this study one reservoir oil and three gas-condensate fluids are used as examples. Correlations pertaining to the critical and cricondenbar states in chapters 4 and 5 of Bureau of Mines Monograph 10 (3)5 were used to demonstrate how butane and lighter components added to these reservoir fluids affect their phase-boundary pressures.

Jan 1, 1962

By R. M. Creamer

Attempts have been made to electroplate titanium and zirconium from aqueous, nonaqueous, and fused-salt electrolytes. Metals were produced only in fused-salt electrolytes, the major product being sponge metal. All other electrolytes gave only partial reduction of the metal ions. Fused alkali borate electrolytes containing titanium salts gave titanium boride powders and coatings of poor adherence. Some of the problems encountered in the deposition of these metals and some of the aspects of titanium and zirconium chemistry involved are discussed. INTRODUCTION Titanium and zirconium are both relatively light, noncorrosive metals with both military and civilian uses. This has led to intensive investigations into the metallurgy of these metals. Both metals are high in the Electrochemical Displacement Series and are difficult to prepare in a pure state. At present they are prepared by reducing their chlorides, using magnesium. Electrolytic reductions have resulted in the preparation of fine powders or sponge of variable quality. It is believed that a good process of electroplating these metals on a baser metal would result in a very desirable product. The objective of the research summarized in this report was to investigate methods of electrodepositing these metals, with the idea of producing uniform, coherent plates. Most of the work was concentrated on titanium, the more abundant of the two metals. A system developed for titanium should be applicable to zirconium owing to their chemical similarity. Information gained from these experiments may also be applicable to the electro-winning of the metal.

Jan 1, 1954

By E. Divers

This Bureau of Mines report presents results of an underground evaluation to determine the respirable dust and gas control effectiveness of a combined (push-pull) face ventilation system for coal mines. The system utilizes both blowing and exhaust curtain, continuous miners equipped with radio remote control, and flight conveyors. Bureau of Mines tests showed a 97% reduction in respirable dust concentrations from the usual cab position on the continuous miner to the remote control operator's position. This allowed the remote control operator to be well within, and the usual cab position to exceed, Federal respirable dust standards. Tests utilizing a safe tracer gas, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), to determine the face ventilation effectiveness of the combined blowing and exhaust system showed that the system also has excellent methane dispersion capability. Where wide entries permit, this combined face ventilation system and use of remote control can be a very effective method for dust and gas control.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. H. Oppelt

The Federal Bureau of Mines investigated combustion of lignite in domes-tic heating equipment to obtain information on equipment performance and to evaluate testing procedures. Three types of domestic heating equipment were tested, ranging from a hand-tilled, magazine-type space heater to a ram-type overfeed stoker. Lignite was readily burned in each of the three units under various test conditions. Burnoff rates determined by adding weighed charges to the magazine were found to be in error because of shrinkage of the lignite when only a portion of the magazine capacity was consumed during a test. More reliable burnoff rates could be determined by carbon-nitrogen balances. A hand-fired magazine-type space heater (Booker heater) was operated without the furnace attachment at efficiencies to 75 pct. One test series was run with minimum supervision under conditions encountered in actual household operation. No mechanical trouble was encountered.

Jan 1, 1960

By J. M. Riley

The Bureau of Mines investigated a promising new technology for recovering A1203 from alunite to support the Bureau's alumina miniplant project. Results are presented for a study of the technical feasibility of treating alunite crushing and grinding reject fines for recovery of A1203. Alunite pellets having sufficient strength and resistance to degradation were produced by combining fines and coarse alunite with a KOH binder. The best pellets were prepared, in a laboratory pelletizer, by adding 1 pct KOH as a 5-pct solution to a mixture of 40 pct alunite dust (98 pct minus 65 mesh) and 60 pct coarse alunite (minus 20 plus 65 mesh). Calcines suitable for K2SO4 and A1203 recovery were produced by reducing dehydrated alunite pellets with sulfur in a laboratory shaft furnace for 4 h at 600° C, followed by air oxidation of the reduced calcine for 1 h at 600° C. This report presents design calculations, schematic diagrams, and discussions of the essential features of a proposed process research unit (PRU)--a continuous, 6-lb/h alunite shaft furnace--for studying the process.

Jan 1, 1983

By M. Zaki El-Sabban

Tables of chemical thermodynamic properties for the ideal gas state from 0° to 1,000° K are reported for eight alkanethiols, three cycloalkanethiols and arylthiols, six thiaalkanes, two dithiaalkanes, three thiacycloalkanes, and three thiophenes. They are based on current physical and thermochemical constants and definitions, reliable vibrational assignments, and the latest insights into molecular structure and energetics.

Jan 1, 1970

By J. Roger Loebenstein

Small amounts of arsenic trioxide were shipped in 1988 from remaining stocks at ASARCO Incorporated's closed plant at Tacoma, WA. Imports of arsenic trioxide were at about the same level in 1988 as in the previous year. Legislation and Government Programs The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) levied a $1.6 million fine against Asarco for exposing its workers at its East Helena lead smelter in Helena, MT, to unacceptably high levels of lead and arsenic. The bulk of the fine was for violations of a respiratory protection program. The same smelter and its environs has been listed as a Superfund toxic-waste site by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Tests had shown high levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in the soil near the smelter. EPA planned to extend the cleanup to areas within the town of East Helena because high levels of arsenic had been found in shallow test wells outside the smelter site. Federal and State health officials have warned residents living in the vicinity of East Helena to avoid eating certain home-grown vegetables because of high concentrations of heavy metals.2

Jan 1, 1990

By Michael Rieber

Among the principal gathering/distribution systems for coal is over-the-road trucking. Where alternative trunk line modes such as barge or rail links are weak or nonexistent, trucks may, particularly for relatively short line hauls, act as substitutes. Their major application, however, appears to be in connection with smaller mines or coal users particularly where terrain problems are significant. Truck use has increased as rail lines have been abandoned or suffered neglect. For example, in 1956 about 38 percent of the coal transported in eastern Kentucky and about 8 percent of the coal moved in western Kentucky went by truck. By 1975, the percentages were almost 77 percent and 26 percent, respectively [4,U-11]. While rail route .limitations and deterioration played a part in the change, increased emphasis on road building, particularly during the 1950's and 1960's, and improved truck load capacity and efficiency were also important.

Jan 1, 1977

By R. Havens

During investigations of the occurrence of manganese in the western United States in the early 1940?s, examining engineers of the Bureau of Mines collected samples from seven claims and mines in southern Arizona. For convenience in reporting the results, the work on the properties is grouped in three districts. As the ores were too low grade to be acceptable to producers of ferromanganese, beneficiation studies were made to determine the amenability of the ores to concentration. The San Fernando group is about 10.5 miles south of Patagonia in the Harshaw mining district. G. T. Humphries and D. Alonso held an option on the property, which was owned by H. Bender. Two samples were taken; 1 was a picked sample and the other a representative sample of ore as exposed in the mine.

Jan 1, 1954

By Wilbert J. Huff

The organization of the'Explosives Division is indicated by the accompanying chart (fig. 1). As this has been discussed in a previous report3/, it will not be considered further in this report. The activities of the various units are outlined below. I. INFLAMMABILITY OF GASES AND VAPORS4/ Determination of the Explosion Hazards of Combustible Gases and Vapors Found in Mines and Industries The Explosives Division maintains, at the Pittsburgh Experiment Station, a laboratory specially equipped for the determination of the explosion hazards of combustible gases and vapors. Of particular importance, is the determination of the chemical composition within which explosions may occur and beyond which there is no danger of explosion, combustion or inflammation. These limits, known as the limits of inflammability, as determined by this and other laboratories, have been compiled in Bulletin 279 of this Bureau. The last revised edition (1931) of this bulletin has been exhausted. Since it was published, the Pittsburgh laboratory has determined the limits of about 40 combustibles and has ascertained more precisely and accurately many previously published limits.

Jan 1, 1938

By Thomas M. Barczak

This U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) report evaluates the load supporting characteristics of grout columns used as point supports for mine subsidence abatement. The cone-shaped columns were constructed with sodium silicate and cementitious grout in both wet and dry environments. The scope of work included the testing of seven full-scale grout columns in the USBM's Mine Roof Simulator from which the load-deformation and failure characteristics were determined. The performances of grout columns are analyzed with respect to (1) the amount of roof contact established during column construction, (2) shape effects produced by the truncated cone geometry, (3) size effects in reference to grout strength and full-scale column capacity, (4) the effect of wet environments on grout strength, (5) the effect of the sodium silicate on the grout strength and full-scale column behavior, and (6) the stiffness of the grout column. Limited tests were also conducted on cylindrical columns constructed in fabric bags. Recommendations for point support construction using sodium silicate technology and the need for additional research to develop improved containment devices for column construction are addressed in the report.

Jan 1, 2010

By H. S. Kalman

A table of factors for rapid, accurate calculation of the volume of pure helium in cylindrical steel containers, at base conditions of 14.7 psia and 70° F, is presented. The table covers a pressure range from 10 to 10,000 psin in 10-psi increments and a temperature range of 0° to 120° F in 2° increments. The volume of helium is calculated from the observed pressure and temperature of the helium, expressed as a factor from the table, and the known internal volume of the container. The calculation requires a single multiplication. A discussion and evaluation of the accuracy obtainable and a derivation of the formula used (which takes into account compressibility of helium, thermal expansion of steel containers, and the stretch of steel due to internal pressure) are presented. An example showing how the table can be used is given also.

Jan 1, 1968

By B. H. Eccleston

The effect upon automobile emissions in changing from leaded to lead-free gasolines was studied in experiments by the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the American Petroleum Institute. Typical U.S. leaded gasolines and prototype lead-free gasolines of comparable octane quality were used in eight vehicles operated to simulate city driving. The experiments were run at 70° and 95° F. Exhaust and evaporative emissions were measured and the photochemical effect of the emissions was experimentally observed in an artificial smog chamber. Results of the study reveal the manner and degree in which the changes in fuel composition alter the amount and characteristics of both exhaust and evaporative emissions. Briefly, it is shown that the compositional differences between leaded and prototype lead-free fuels resulted in higher photo-chemical pollution potential of the emissions from the lead-free fuels. The effect is attributed to the photochemical characteristics of high-octane fuel components that are used in greater quantity in the lead-free fuels.

Jan 1, 1970

By Chas. E. van Baraeveld

"The information presented in this report is a by-product of studies concerning zinc, and is published in response to various inquiries for information as to the suitability of zinc for roofing. It parallels a previous report of the Bureau of Mines on slate roofing.Available Forms of Zinc RoofingZinc is available for roofing in three forms: 1. As sheet zinc which may be used advantageously on roofs with as flat a pitch as 1 in 4; laid with standing seam construction for small roofs and with batten construction for large roofs. 2. As corrugate sheets, in widths up to 40 inches and in lengths up to 8 and feet, available for siding and roofing in industrial buildings (with certain re¬strict ions) and or farm buildings (without restrictions). 3. In the form of shingles.Advantages of Zinc Roofing1. Zinc is a permeant roofing material; that is, when suited to the conditions, and properly applied to a roof designed with the right purlin spacing it will outlast the building and still have a salvage value equal to a least half the original material cost. It is applicable to a wide range of conditions, from the most expensive to the cheapest type of construction, and is not greatly above the cheaper materials in first cost. A permanent roof of simple outline need not cost over $15 to $25 per square (100 square feet), depending upon the method of construction required a corrugated sheet roof for industrial purposes or for farm use need not cost over $15 per square for ordinary conditions. 3. Corrugated zinc sheets have the distinct advantage of being available for re-use and re-construction if handled with ordinary care. 4. Zinc oxidizes to a certain point, building up a strong protective coating which in time effectually checks further oxidation; thus it does not oxidize to the point of destruction as steel does, 5. It is light and easily handled."

Nov 1, 1924

By R. Dell Davidson

This report contains the results of the work performed by Dayton T. Brown. Inc., Testing Laboratories, Bohemia, New York, under the Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines, Contract J0166089 entitled "Performance Testing of Air-Line Linking Components." The objectives of the program consisted of the following: 1. To conduct engineering tests that will provide data to recommend the performance criteria for air hose and piping connections. 2. To determine the requirements for restraining devices which are used to comply with MESA Health and Safety Standards 55, 56, 57,13-21.

Jan 1, 1978

By R. T. MacMillan

A number of chemical techniques have been applied to manganese ores from three areas of Aroostook County, Maine. Although large tonnages of these ores have been proved, they are low grade, and their exploitation has awaited a suitable beneficiation scheme. As conventional ore-dressing methods had failed to yield satisfactory results, attention was turned to chemical procedures. Leaching with dilute (7-percent) H2S04 extracted over 90 percent of the manganese from ore of the Dudley farm area, consuming 3.8 pounds of acid per pound of manganese extracted. Ores from the Littleton Ridge and Maple Mountain-Hovey Mountain areas were less amenable to this treatment, yielding approximately 80 and 60 percent of their Mn content, respectively. To increase the percentage extraction of manganese in the latter two ores, a number of factors were varied, including (1) acid concentration in the extracting solution, (2) ratio of acid to Mn in the slurry, and (3) preliminary heat treatment of the ore with a reducing agent. Other acids, including HNO3, HC1, and H2SO3, were tried also; however, no significant improvements in the Mn leached from Maple Mountain-Hovey Mountain ore were made. The manganese extraction of Littleton Ridge ore was raised to 90 percent by providing 9 to 11 pounds of HNO3 per pound of Mn in the ore.

Jan 1, 1954

By W. M. McKewan

This U.S. Bureau of Mines report discusses wire ropes used for hoisting in U.S. mines. The in-formation presented was extracted from a large body of data compiled by the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) using a data base management system (DMS). Further, these extracted data were then manipulated to provide tables of data that show the types and amount of wire rope used for hoisting. This report describes the different types of wire ropes and how a DMS can be used to manipulate MSHA's wire rope inventory data. The data indicate that more 1-1/4-in-diam ropes, 6x27 construction ropes, and right lang lay ropes are used in U.S. mines than ropes of any other diameter, construction, or lay type.

Jan 1, 1991

By Kenneth L. Cashdollar

This report describes three types of optical dust probes that have been designed, built, and tested by the Bureau of Mines. Each of the probes measures dust cloud concentrations by the attentuation of light. The first is a single-path-length probe, the second is a double-path-length probe, and the third is a single-path-length probe that employs jets of air to keep the windows of the light source and detector free from dust coating. The theory of operation and the calibration procedures for each of the probes are described. The results of the Bureaus laboratory, mine, and field tests of the probes are also reported.

Jan 1, 1981

By Herman W. Sheffer

This report describes and discusses present-day leaching technology employed to recover copper from low-grade mine and dump materials derived from the exploitation of copper ore deposits in the Western United States. Illustrations of the integral parts of the leaching, precipitation, and recovery operations at several copper-producing companies are presented. Schematic drawings are included to present typical flowsheets of leaching and precipitation operations. Operational problems common to most copper leaching and precipitation plants are discussed. Areas of present and future research to improve leaching techniques are cited.

Jan 1, 1968

By A. J. Kraemer

This paper is the second and concluding report of the results of the twenty-fourth semiannual survey made by the Bureau of Mines of motor gasoline marketed in the United states. The first report on this 1931 survey gave the results of the examination of the gasoline samples in accordance with the new Federal specification for United States Government Motor Gasoline. The present paper reports results of the examination of the gasolines for color, doctor test gravity, end point, per cent recovered copper-dish gum, and steam-oven gum. The retail price and the tax at the time each sample was taken are also reported.

Jan 1, 1932