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By Ned Baker

Details are given of a Hydride Fuel System to provide 5 kg of HZ to fuel a Caterpillar 3304 engine previously modified to operate on hydrogen fuel and intended to power an underground mining vehicle. The Fuel System was installed onto the engine and the Engine/Fuel System tested under cold start conditions and a full range of engine loads and speeds. Refueling tests were also performed. The fuel system tested will support full engine power and allow delivery of at least 3/4-power on a continuous basis, from cold start conditions.

Jan 1, 1983

By Lyman Moore

This Bureau of Mines report describes 2nd evaluates iron ore resources in California and Nevada and analyzes the California and Japanese iron ore markets in which these resources will be used. The competitive position of California-Nevada ores, in these markets, was estimated by comparing regional iron ore prices, production costs, and transportation costs with those of foreign suppliers. Resources were determined to be sufficient to produce the equivalent of 585 million tons of 64-percent iron pellets at a price of less than $15 per ton delivered at California ports. Much higher tonnage could be produced at higher prices. Iron ore requirement of the California iron and steel industry will increase to an estimated 15.9 million tons by the year 2000. A study of the iron ore production potential of California-Nevada deposits and of out-of- State sources indicated that this ore requirement can be supplied most economically by California-Nevada ores. Iron ore import requirements of the Japanese iron and steel industry will increase to an estimated 150.0 million tons by the year 2000. A study of price trends in this market indicated that very little California-Nevada iron ore will be sold in Japan after 1973 when existing sales contracts expire. Iron ore-exports might be economically possible if ore could be transported from California to Japan at ballast rates as backhaul on existing petroleum shipping.

Jan 1, 1971

By Gregory Molinda

Historically, coal miners have known that roof shales can deteriorate in contact with humid mine air, causing massive roof falls and injuries from falling rock. It is critical to recognize rocks prone to weathering and to adequately support these rocks in order to ensure the long-term stability of the openings. In a recent study, NIOSH has used a wet/dry cycling test to determine the moisture sensitivity of over 800 specimens of roof rock from 25 U.S. coal mines. Fireclays and some gray shales are the most moisture-sensitive. Rocks with disturbed bedding, in contrast to flat-bedded rocks, are also more sensitive to water. Black shales are relatively un-reactive to moisture and serve to protect more reactive gray shales above. Mines that have roof rocks with moisture-sensitivity indexes above 40% can experience slaking roof conditions, and many require high coverage surface controls. Three case studies are presented in which the moisture-sensitivity index is correlated to roof conditions underground, and can be used to indicate long term deterioration. Engineering measures are described to control moisture-sensitive roof. In one case, roof screen not only reduces injuries from rock fall but also is shown to reduce roof falls. Keywords: coal mining, roof control, slaking, roof support, rock falls

Jan 1, 2008

By Leonard Obert

This report presents evidence indicating that when rock is stress-relieved during the course of mining or in drilling a core, it may be altered or damaged to the extent that the physical properties of the relieved specimen are not the same as those of the in situ rock. Furthermore, this type of damage may result from stress change other than that accompanying stress relief, such as the application of a relatively large compressive stress. In some instances the damage is microscopic, manifesting itself as incipient cracks or the failure of individual crystal bonds. However, if the sample is taken from a high-stress area, macroscopic damage may occur.

Jan 1, 1962

By Donna L. Anderson

The first section of this U.S. Bureau of Mines report includes a discussion of the navigational tasks performed by operators of mobile mining equipment, with the focus on the navigational information and guidance techniques required by continuous mining machine operators. Some previous research and attempts in remote and autonomous navigation of continuous mining machines are mentioned. Issues of research in autonomous navigation of various other mobile robots are presented, with attention focused on their applicability to a continuous mining machine navigating in the mining environment. Conclusions are stated on methods of automating the navigational tasks of a continuous mining machine, and a decision to concentrate initial attempts on the tasks of autonomous face navigation is defended. The second section of this report includes a presentation of the Bureau's proposed solution for autonomous face navigation of a continuous mining machine, which includes the employment of a mobile roof support as a reference for guidance in the face area, and a navigational guidance system for the continuous mining machine.

Jan 1, 1989

By Robert E. Green

This Final Report summarizes the results of work accomplished under Contract No. J0215039. It is in an executive overview or executive summary format. The number and description of the various technical reports prepared and submitted is outlined. The essential changes and reasons for the revised program schedule/contract modifications actually enacted in May 1982 are discussed in detail. The evolving mines/deposits list and the accompanying criteria classifications are explained along with the verifications/justifications for adding or deleting specific mines/deposits to the list. Difficulties and problems experienced during the different phases of the project in conjunction with the ensuing remedies are highlighted. The final section of they report is devoted to presenting Davy McKee's suggestions for improvements to future MAS commodity studies. Appendix I is comprised of three of the evolving mines/deposits lists starting with the original RFP list and ending with the final completed list. Appendices II and Ill are tabulated summaries of property data including reserves/resources, assays, production, and operating costs. The figures for the specific mines/deposits are given in "range of values" so as to protect the confidentiality of the individual owners/ operators.

Jan 1, 1983

By C. B. DUTTON, W. F. RITTMAN, E. W. Dean, M. S. HOWARD

NOMENCLATURE USED IN THIS REPORT. In this report the ending ene has been used throughout, except in the bibliography and in quotations from the writings of previous investigators, for all aromatic hydrocarbons, as, for instance, benzene, toluene, xylene. The ending ol, though largely used in technical description, is not correctly applicable to these hydrocarbons, and should be used to designate the impure mixtures of commerce, as distinguished from pure chemical compounds. PRESENT STATUS OF PETROLEUM-REFINING INDUSTRY. Although petroleum is widely distributed, being found in many parts of the world, and although information as to its occurrence and general characteristics seems to have existed from vcry early times, our knowledge of the chemical nature of this substance has been acquired largely within the past 40 years. Within this period a voluminous literature has accumulated, which records work as painstaking as has ever been undertaken in the whole field of chemistry, such as that of C. M. Warren, F. H. Storer, S. P. Sadtler, S. F. Peckham, and C. F. Mabery. Despite this fact, the commercial method of treating crude petroleum for the purpose of procuring marketable products is, in the main, essentially empirical. Much knowledge has been acquired as to methods of separating from crude petroleum such products as are desirable commercially, but little has been done to attain the maximum recovery of such products.

Jan 1, 1916

By R. Q. Shotts

Factors of geological structure and occurrence of coalbeds, plus the resulting mining conditions, have required more care in preparing coals in Alabama than in most other districts almost since mining Alabama coals began. For this reason, literature on these coals may be interesting to those in areas where prime coals have been mined out, and thinner and less regular beds must now be exploited. This literature review has been arranged in order of subject matter. Some references have been listed more than once, but each separate review is limited to the material pertaining to the subject matter being discussed. For those seeking specific information, the authors have indicated which items repeat material and which items are most complete or specific. Geology, preparation, and carbonization of coal have been reviewed the most frequently.

Jan 1, 1963

By Arno C. Fieldner

From July 1, 1949, to July 1, 1950, the Bureau of Mines conducted the research and technologic work on coal and coal products that is summarized in this report. The research, described in this fifteenth of a series of resumes, is presented in more detail in publications (see footnote references) that appeared during the fiscal year, though in some cases research data are given that have not been published elsewhere. Results of research in the experimental coal mine, on explosives, and on gas and dust explosions will be found in Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 4228, Annual Report of Research and Technologic Work on Explosives, Explosions, and Flames, Fiscal Year 1950. An over-all view of our coal, oil, end natural-gas reserves was presented, and the future possibilities for the, production of synthetic liquid fuels from coal were delineated.3/

Jan 1, 1951

By Catherine C. Kilgore

The Bureau of Mines investigated the availability of lead and zinc from 104 domestic mines and deposits. Fourteen primary lead and fifty-three primary zinc operations with in situ demonstrated resources containing 27.3 million metric tons (t) of lead and 53 million t of zinc were subsequently evaluated. Potentially 17.5 million t of lead and 2.4 million t of byproduct zinc could be recovered from 14 primary lead operations. Economic evaluations performed in constant January 1982 dollars determined a long-run total cost per pound of recoverable commodity. Including a 15-pct discounted-cash-flow rate of return (DCFROR), 59 pct of primary lead was potentially available at or below $0.32 per pound of lead. Potentially 40 million t of zinc and 5.6 million t of byproduct lead could be recovered from 53 primary zinc operations. Ninety percent of the recoverable zinc is potentially available from currently nonproducing mines and deposits, and a weighted average of their long-run total costs was determined at $0.98 per pound of zinc. At a breakeven (0-pct) DCFROR, these non producing operations had a weighted average long-run total cost of $0.58 per pound of zinc. Sensitivity analyses illustrated that operations that recover byproducts were most sensitive to fluctuating metal prices, producing operations were more sensitive to increased smelter treatment charges, and nonproducing operations were impacted most by the DCFROR.

Jan 1, 1983

By Joel N. Van Sant

An investigation was conducted to study possible sources of Utah refractory and structural clays that could be used for the manufacture of refractories and light or buff burning heavy-clay products. A field study was made and the clay samples tested to determine their firing characteristics. Results of the Bureau's work indicate many small noncommercial deposits of hypogenic clay occur in igneous rocks. Commercial hypogenic deposits are mostly halloysite clay developed by hydrothermal replacement of limestone. The high firing shrinkage of halloysite precludes its use as a refractory, however, halloysite produced at the Dragon Mine south of Eureka, is used for making oil catalysts. Clays and shales suitable for low heat duty refractory products are found in the Manning Canyon shale, in shales associated with coal bearing rocks, and in the Dakota formation. Some of the clays from the Dakota formation are also suitable for high-duty refractory products.

Jan 1, 1964

By Frank B. Fulkerson

A study was made of scrap iron and steel in the South Central States in order to determine trends in processing, shipment, and consumption of this important commodity. These data were derived in part from statistical sources and in part by visits to scrap yards and steel mills. Trends in the industry were reviewed. Dealers in 1963 supplied 1.8 million tons of iron and steel scrap to steel mills and foundries in the south-central area, compared with 2.1 million tons in 1955. Most of the scrap was processed and shipped within 200 to 300 miles of consuming centers. Exports provide a principal outlet for dealers along the gulf coast. Most of the scrap that fills these orders is loaded onto freight cars at yards in Texas and Louisiana and -is shipped to ports for direct transfer from railroad car to ship. The tonnage exported varies greatly from year to year. The largest scrap operations are in or near large cities which are heavy scrap generating areas, steel mill sites, or port cities for export of scrap. A tentative analysis indicates that the short-run supply of prepared scrap is inelastic to price changes; therefore, buyers probably arc in a strong bargaining position at times of declining demand. One technological development in the iron and steel scrap industry is the use of large presses which can take complete automobiles with frames, wheels, springs, and other heavy parts still intact and reduce them to bundles. At Houston, Tex., and Kansas City, Mo., shredding plants are in operation that reduce car bodies and other light scrap into flat pieces 4 to 6 inches in size.

Jan 1, 1966

By Francis E. Federspiel

In 1984 and 1985, at the request of the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Bureau of Mines examined the 87,720-acre South Boise Yuba study area (formerly known as RARE II Wilderness Recommended area I-4553) to evaluate mineral resources. The study area and additions are in Blaine, Camas, and Elmore Counties, 10, about 60 mi east of Boise. Granitic rocks of the Cretaceous age Idaho Batholith occupy the western two-thirds of the study area. A Tertiary age granitic complex has intruded, and broken into small blocks, Paleozoic age sedimentary rocks in the eastern third of the study area. Tertiary Challis Volcanics overlie both of these rock types. Principal mineralized structures are gold-and silver-bearing quartz veins and shear zones trending northwest to easterly in the Cretaceous granitic rocks. Copper, lead, and zinc are accessory metals in many mineralized structures.

Jan 1, 1987

By Ronald M. Lewis

Quadratic functions, Q(hkl), are given to six places in increments of 0.01° for 2? from 00 to 90° for FeKa and from 25° to 180° for FeKa1. The wavelengths used for Fe in the computation are those agreed upon by the Editorial Commission of the International Tables for X-ray Crystallography (1950): FeKa1 1.93597 A.; Feka2 1.93991 A. INTRODUCTION At the Federal Bureau of Mines laboratory, Norris, Tenn. X-ray diffraction crystallography using tubes with iron targets revealed a need for a handy reference for the quadratic functions of iron radiation. The tables presented here were prepared to satisfy that need. The quadratic form Q(hkl) may be expressed in terms of the Bragg diffraction angle 2? and of the wavelength ? as

Jan 1, 1961

By F. L. Wideman

This report describes a computer program that is used for the calculation of the coordinates and elevations of subsidence survey pins located by intersection. This program was developed for the Federal Bureau of Mines by the Numerical Analysis Laboratory, University of Arizona. These calculations, although relatively simple, are both tedious and time-consuming when computed with a desk calculator and trigonometric tables. In this survey, a large number of pins were surveyed repeatedly, and it was evident that both time and money could be saved by using a digital computer.

Jan 1, 1962

By Warren E. Morrison

INCREASED production and utilization of minerals fuels and power accompanied the overall expansion in U.S. economic activity during 1963, which saw continued advances toward higher production, employment, and purchasing power. During 1963, record levels of wages, profits, and consumption were attained, while costs and prices maintained the stability exhibited throughout most of the recovery period. Expanding industrial production, the average index of which went from 118.3 in 1962 to 124.3 in 1963, narrowed the gap of unused manufacturing capacity to an estimated 5 percent. Gross national product (GNP), another major indicator of economic activity, reached a record level of $583.9 million (current dollars) during the year, this being $27.7 billion, or 4.9 percent above 1962. These achievements were somewhat marred by unemployment, which remained at 5.5 percent of the labor force in 1963, and the continued deficit in the U.S. balance of payments. Against this general background, total national consumption of energy resources for the year was equivalent to 49,816 trillion British thermal units (Btu), an increase of 4.2 percent over 1962. This represented a somewhat lower rate of growth than for GNP during the year.

Jan 1, 1964

By J. R. Ross

Recovery of uranium from slightly alkaline mine water, available in the Ambrosia Lake district of New Mexico, was studied using countercurrent ion exchange columns developed by the Bureau of Mines. Approximately 5 million gallons of mine water containing 9 to 12 ppm U308 was treated by ion exchange using a 14-inch-diameter absorption column composed of five or six compartments each 4 feet deep. Uranium recoveries averaged in excess of 98 percent at solution flows ranging from 15 to 25 gallons per square foot per minute and resin loadings up to 3.6 pounds of U.08 per cubic foot. In subsequent tests, loaded resin was continuously eluted in a countercurrent elution column with a diameter of 4 inches and containing a bed of resin 9 feet deep. The resin was eluted to a residual loading of less than 0.06 pound of U305 per cubic foot, at a resin-retention time of 224 minutes, using only 1.9 volumes of 1.1 M NaCl-0.05 M NaHCO3 solution per volume of resin. Compared with existing ion exchange practices for recovering uranium from mine waters in the Ambrosia Lake district of New Mexico, use of these improved ion exchange contactors would reduce ion exchange resin requirements at least 70 percent and allow further substantial reductions in capital and operating costs.

Jan 1, 1971

By John A. Johnson

For the purpose of comparing the amounts of dust produced by various mining operations, samples of atmospheric dust were collected during a complete cycle of drilling, blasting and mucking at or near the face of the Bureau's Mount Weather testing adit while the efficiency of several types of stemming in metal-mine blasting was being investigated. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS All gas samples were analyzed in the laboratory of the Bureau of Mines Gas Section at Pittsburgh, Pa.

Jan 1, 1939

By Richard A. Dick

This Bureau of Mines report describes the evolution of modern-day blasting agent and slurry products and the state of the art of the usage of these products as it exists today. The steadily increasing consumption of blasting agents and slurries at the expense of cartridged high-explosive usage is related. Although safety is not covered in depth, reference is made to pertinent safety literature available. Product formulations, detonation reactions, and detonation products are discussed. Product terminology is defined and the significant differences between the relatively insensitive modern-day dry blasting agents and slurries and cap-sensitive high explosives are described. Blasting agent and slurry properties are discussed, as well as methods of determining and describing these properties, and specific types of products are also discussed with reference to their ingredients,-properties, and field applications. Increasing consumption of slurries, particularly in small-diameter boreholes, and the development of more cap-sensitive varieties of slurries are forecast although dry blasting agents should continue to dominate the market. The consumption of cartridged high explosives will level off or gradually decrease.

Jan 1, 1972

By E. Don Dilling, W. F. Holbrook, Lloyd R. Michels, James W. Pennington, Dwight L. Harris, Wm. F. Hergert, Cyrus L. Blogett, H. A. Doerner, Ernest A. Reige

"IntroductionA process for production of magnesium by carbothermal reduction was developed at Padentheirm, Austria, by the Austro Americanische Magnesit Corporation& an independent investigation of this and other processes was started in 1937 by the Bureau of Mines at Pullman, Wash., with the cooperation of Washington State College. 10/ A preliminary study of the Radentheirm pro¬cess, as revealed by the meager information then available, demonstrated the following two major disadvantages,The use of hydrogen for shock cooling requires an enormous volume of gas - about 1,000 cubic feet for condensing each pound of metal as a pyrophoric dust which must be completely separated from this gas. Then if the gas is to be recycled for repeated use, the CO produced by the reduction reaction must be separated from the hydrogen. These separations are costly from the standpoint of equipment and operation. 11/The condensate is an impure, pyrophoric metal powder that must be purified and converted to coherent form. This is accomplished by distillation or sublimation of the metal. Distillation on a large scale involves difficulties inherent in the high boiling point (1,107° C.) and the chemical activity of the metal. To avoid these difficulties, the metal is sublimed at 600° C. and of very low pressure. This is quite easily carried out as a batch operation but is a costly procedure. A continuous sublimation process has not been accompli shed."

May 1, 1945