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By G. W. Jones

One of the major activities of the Bureau of Mines is the promotion of safety in mining and other industries, In this connection, the Bureau determines the explosion hazards' of combustible gases, vapors, and solids and investigates means of controlling and preventing explosions. Many dangers are likely to confront men who must enter a building immediately after it has been damaged. Rescue workers must watch constantly for common gases and vapors that may be present in dangerous concentrations in and about demolished, buildings. Fuel gas is the most common source of danger, although refrigerants, gases from furnaces, flues, fires, sewers, and industrial processes, and gas from bomb, explosions in confined places also constitute definite hazards. To rescuers and trapped casualties, these gases offer the hazards of (1) explosion, (2) toxic effects, including asphyxiation and death, and (3) displacement of air so that the oxygen content of the atmosphere is reduced to or below the danger level.

Jan 1, 1944

By Donald R. Alvic

For electric utilities serving the aluminum smelter industry in the United States, sulfur oxide (SOx) abatement legislation could bring about increases in the costs of generating electricity. This paper documents the method and assumptions used in estimating these increases, and the contains the results of the estimation. 1.2 SMELTER INFORMATION The smelters used in this study were identified by the Bureau of Mines (BOM) and are listed in Table 1.1. Also included in Table 1.1 are the electric utilities that serve these smelters. Compliance costs were estimated for these utilities. Some of the utilities are unique in the way that the information is handled or in the way the utility is operated; these are discussed below. 1.2.1 Big Rivers and Associated Co-ops, Data for Big Rivers and Associated Co-ops were gathered by George Mason University (GMU) students for BON and are included in this study.

Jan 1, 1988

By J. Crummy, I. K. Anderson, A. J. Hall, R. S. Haszeldine

Bedrock gold mineralisation has been located in association with an extensive float train 25 km west of known alluvial gold. It is in the form of open, matrix-supported breccias comprising pyritic quartz/sericite clasts in a vuggy, cherty chalcedonic and crystalline quartz matrix. Fluid inclusions in pyritic clasts indicate trapping temperatures for gold mineralising hydrothermal fluid of 170-240 degrees C. This mineralisation could represent the upper part of a feeder zone to an exhalative hydrothermal system. It is possible that other high-level feeder zones could be preserved elsewhere in the area. Deep weathering of such a system could provide a source for the alluvial gold localities near Helmsdale. It is suggested that east and central Sutherland presents good prospects for exhalative epithermal gold mineralisation and the associated feeder zones

Jun 19, 1905

By W. J. Boone

The Bureau of Mines has programmed for publication a series of Reports of Investigations of studies it has undertaken on low-temperature phase equilibria of several helium-bearing natural gases. This report is the second of a series of papers of the same general title; it is anticipated that additional reports of this series will be published. The advent of a helium conservation program and the prospect of production of helium by private industry, make it especially desirable to publish these data. This report describes phase equilibria related to a natural gas that is processed for helium at the Bureau's Exell Helium Plant (located about 35 miles north of Amarillo, Tex.). Carbon dioxide and water in the gas were removed before making the study; hence the data obtained are representative of the gas stream immediately after similar preliminary treatment in the plant process. Phase equilibrium data were obtained for conditions from -50° to -275° F. and from 100 to 500 p.s.i.a. Analyses of samples were made as follows: For a given run at a selected temperature and pressure, samples of the vapor and liquid phases were analyzed by mass spectrometer, and an additional sample of the liquid phase was analyzed for helium by means of special apparatus (7). 4

Jan 1, 1962

By H. K. Taylor

Ore reserves are inadequately defined. Geological reconnaissance and pre-feasibility mining work generate a broad range of valid tonnage estimates, many published for the benefit of various interests, who may view all figures as reserves. This work reviews the regular estimation of tonnages, grades and relevant factors for single deposits. A consistent framework of definition is suggested which, by conforming to the known structures of feasibility studies and long-range plans, avoids the pitfalls of over-categorisation and of unrealistic promises. Applications are based on North American experience but are intended for general use

Sep 1, 1991

By H. Conrad

The strain hardening associated with the creep of magnesium single crystals at room temperatu.Je was investigated by shear tests in which the direction of stressing was reversed a number of times after creep in a <100> direction. The strain hardening was strongly anisotropic; the largest amount occurring in the direction of flow and the least 180 deg to this. The time law for creep changed from a parabolic type to logarithmic for the first and subsequent reversals of stress. For a given stress the creep strain decreased significantly for the first and second reversals and then only slightly for subsequent reversals. The logarithmic creep constant a changed in a similar manner. A linear relationship was observed between the creep strain for a given reversal and the stress. The slope for the third reversal yielded a strain hardening coefficient 12 to 16 times greater than that observed for unidirectional flow. Al-though no recovery was observed upon resting at room temperature, the hardening resulting from stress reversals could be completely removed by heating to 450" C. PREVIOUS work1.&apos; indicated that the creep rate of magnesium single crystals tested in the temperature range of 78" to 364°K decreased with time. This was attributed to an increase in internal stress resulting from an accumulation of dislocations at internal obstacles. The object of the present investigation was to further evaluate the nature of this hardening by conducting tests in which the direction of stressing is changed after previous creep in shear in a given slip direction. Previous to 1950 three investigations indicated that a Bauschinger effect3 occurred for single crystals as well as polycrystals brass in tension compression,

Jan 1, 1960

By J. A. Taylor, R. J. Fowell

Abstract: The amount of published literature pertaining to the field of rock mechanics has increased markedly in recent years. Whilst computer applications aid our understanding of the mechanisms of pillar instability, the applications do not take into account the effect of time; thus the determined pillar factor of safety has limited meaning. A more realistic approach would be to consider pillar stability in terms of time to failure. However such an approach would require a reasonable estimate of the in-situ pillar mass strength and a validated methodology linking the time to failure with in-situ pillar mass strength and the geometric layout of the working. Résumé: Le volume de bibliographie au sujet de la mécanique des roches a augmenté considérablement ces derniêres années. Alors que des modeles informatiques aident a la compréhension des mécanismes d&apos;instabilité de pilliers, ces modèles ne prennent pas en compte les effets du temps; ainsi, la determination du coefficient de surete du pillier a un sens limité. Une approche plus réaliste devrait considérer la stabilité du pillier en fonction du temps de défaillance. Cependant une telle approche exigerait une estimation raisonnable de la resistance du massif rocheux du pillier ainsi qu&apos;une méthodologie qui lie le temps de défaillance avec la résistance in-situ du massif rocheux du pillier et la géometrie de l&apos;excavation souterraine. Zusammenfassung: Die Anzahl der Veröffentlichungen auf dem Gebiet der Felsmechanik ist in jüngster Zeit sehr gestiegen. Computerprogramme sind wertvoll um den Mechanismus der Pfeilerunbeständigkeit zu verstehen, aber sie vernachlässigen den Zeiteffekt. Daher haben die errechneten Sicherheitsfaktoren der Pfeiler nur begrenzte Bedeutung. Eine realistischere Bewertung wäre, die Stabilität der Pfeiler auf Grund der Zeit bis zum Verfall zu beurteilen. So ein Verfahren würde eine Schätzung der in-situ Gebirgsfestigkeit und eine validierte Methologie, die die Zeit zum Verfall in Abhängigkeit der in-situ Pfeilerfestigkeit und der geometrischen Auslage der Grube zusammenbringt, brauchen.

Jan 1, 2003

By William R. Barton

Anthracite has been mined from the Narragansett Basin of Rode Island and Massachusetts sporadically, and with limited success, for more than 170 years. Beginning in 1974, interest in the coal of the Basin was renewed because of increasing prices and supply uncertainties involving petroleum products. During 1974-77 the Bureau of Mines analyzed 28 samples of Basin coals and conducted washing tests on 20 of them. Results, reported herein, indicate that the coals are low-sulfur, moderate- to high-ash anthracites and semianthracites, suitable for physical preparation to a product generally containing less than 10 percent ash. Additional exploration, sampling and testing will be required to permit appraisal of the potential value of the Narragansett Basin coal resources.

Jan 1, 1977

By J. H. East

"INTRODUCTION Diesel locomotives have been used successfully in underground mines of Europe for 18 years, and much has been written on the technical details of the design of these machines and the safeguards provided by the manufacturers. The actual conditions under which' the Diesel locomotives are used have not been publicized as well and consequently are not well-known. In 1945 the writer observed numerous Diesel locomotives working underground in coal and metal mines of several European countries and was favorably impressed with the practical approach to the safe use of this- type of equipment.Recent statistics showing the number of Diesel locomotives in use are not available now because of the World War, but the extent to which this type of mine locomotive was used immediately before the war is indicated by table 1, which classifies the number of locomotives used in several countries according to the type of power, such as compressed air, Diesel, and electric.Mining conditions observed by the writer in the European countries are very different from those in most coal-mining districts of the United States. The surface plants are larger and are permanently constructed of brick or concrete; numerous coal beds are worked through one shaft; the crosscut rock tunnels or levels, driven to intersect the coal beds, are lined with brick or concrete blocks where needed instead of timber; the coal beds dip more steeply and are not as thick as in most fields of the United States."

Sep 1, 1946

By H. A. Wright

This report assesses the economic, legal, institutional and technical factors that affect the current and future status of implementation of mine monitoring systems in the United States. It begins with a description of a poll of the Mining Production Research Committee and the Mine Monitoring and Communications Committee of Bituminous Coal Research that was conducted to establish industry monitoring needs and constraints. Existing systems in the United States and foreign countries are then reviewed and compared with the requirements set forth by the industry committees. At the same time, state and federal mining laws are reviewed, and equipment currently available from suppliers of mine monitoring systems and components is discussed. A framework for cost/benefit analysis is established and a series of case examples for various monitoring functions are presented. The total values of the market for mine monitoring systems in 1980 and 1990 are estimated on the basis of industry statistics and system cost estimates.

Jan 1, 1982

By E. L. Garton

Michigan is becomining one off the important oil-producing States of the country, The amount of crude oil produced within its boundaries has increased from only 4,000 barrels in 19253/ to nearly 16 million barrels in 1935.4/ The Bureau of Mines method of crude-oil analysis and classification indicates that the oils from the several producing fields are predominantly paraffin-intermediate-base, wax-bearing crudes. In general, they will yield 25 to 35 percent of highly paraffinic gasoline and about the tame amount of kerosene and gas-oil combined, 12 to 15 percent of lubricating oil stock, and 20 percent of residuum with a carbon residue of about 6 to 7 percent. In addition, there appears to be some correlation between certain properties of the crude oils and both the geographical location and geological structure of the oil-producing areas within the State. These general conclusions are based on the analytical data presented in this report, which is one of a series of papers that record the general characteristics of crude oil from the many producing fields of the United States. This report discusses briefly the oil fields of Michigan and the characteristics of the crude oils produced from them. The analyses of 15 samples are given. These samples were obtained from 13 fields in S counties in the lower peninsula and represent crude oils produced from the Berea sandstone, Upper Traverse and Traverse limestones, and the

Jan 1, 1937

Reduce the danger to personnel and destruction of equipment caused by fires on surface coal augers. Approach: A reasonably priced reliable system which automatically senses a fire and activates dry chemical extinguishers, has been built and field tested. How It Works: Heat sensors mounted in the engine compartment and hydraulic hose areas detect the fire, usually before the operator does. This causes the system to automatically discharge A-B-C class dry chemical extinguisher through a fixed piping system.

Jan 1, 1976

By F. W. Jessen, C. C. Patton

Adsorbed films were formed on polished stainless steel specimens from dilute benzene solutions of two crude oil distillation residua. Although the two residua were extremely dissimilar in composition, contact angle measurements showed that the two films increased the wettability of the steel specimens to oil by equal amounts. Furthermore, the wettability of the films was essentially unaffected by the desorption techniques used. Paraffin deposits were formed from heptane-wax solutions on the same stainless steel specimens. These deposits definitely adhered to the surface. Presence of an adsorbed crude oil film on the metal surface increased its free surface energy and resulted in increased deposition of paraffin. The addition to the heptane - wax solution of small amounts of the same distillation residua that were used to form the adsorbed films resulted in decreased cohesive strength in the deposits formed, which resulted in decreased deposition. The presence of a crude oil fraction both in the solution and as a preadsorbed film eliminated the adherence of a deposit of any kind. A mechanism of deposition is proposed which explains the results obtained. INTRODUCTION The natural formation of any predominantly organic accumulation in oilwell tubing, surface flow lines or other production and storage facilities is called a paraffin deposit. These deposits restrict the production of crude oil, causing a substantial increase in production costs because of decreased flow capacity, expense for periodic deposit removal and unproductive downtime. The conditions under which such deposits form, their physical characteristics and the nature and severity of the problem created are extremely varied. Over the past several years, much progress has been made in developing and utilizing methods to remove accumulated paraffin deposition. However, like so many other problems, the basic stumbling block appears to be a lack of understanding of the fundamental mechanism involved in the formation of such deposits. Crude petroleum is known to contain considerable quantities of polar, surface active substances which Doddl has shown to be present at the oil-water interface. Denekas, Mattax and Davis2 observed that the wettability of reservoir rocks was drastically altered by exposure to crude oil fractions; and Zisman, et a1.3 showed that the nature of the compounds adsorbed on a surface would determine its wettability characteristics. Cole and Jessen4 and Ehrig5showed that surface wettability can have a profound effect on the magnitude of paraffin deposition, and Parks6 demonstrated chat the presence of certain adsorbed films on a metal surface would reduce the adherence of paraffin to that surface. Zisman7 has since advanced the theory that the conditions for adhesion are the same as for wetting. Therefore, it was felt that there was adequate evidence to support the supposition that adsorption of compounds from a crude oil might play an important part in paraffin deposition. ADSORPTION-WETTABILITY EXPERIMENTS Initial experiments were conducted to determine the effects of adsorption from solution of crude oil residua on the wettability of a polished stainless steel surface. Distillation residua with initial atmospheric boiling points of 700F were used in preference to the whole crudes in order to concentrate on the molecular weight range of interest, and to eliminate the possibility of composition change due to evaporation of the light ends. Also, these high boiling materials would be expected to be adsorbed from the whole oil in preference to similar compounds of lower molecular weight.

Jan 1, 1966

By Arthur M. Hartstein

The Federal Bureau of Mines, under a contract with Ultrasystems, Inc., investigated the thermal oxidative degradation characteristics of conveyor belts used in underground mines. This included the determination of smoke evolution, glow characteristics, char yields, and the identification and quantification of all volatile decomposition products in the form of gram of specific product formed per gram of belt sample tested. In addition to these investigations, degradation studies were conducted on some pure ingredients used in conveyor-belt formulations. Three basic classes of belts were investigated: neoprene, polyvinyl chloride, and styrene-butadiene rubber compositions. The studies indicate that styrene-butadiene-based belts exhibit good flame resistance and are the least hazardous in regard to overall formation of toxic decomposition products. Under this program, thermogravimetric analysis was definitely established as a method of material differentiation.

Jan 1, 1976

By E. R. Palowitch

Two samples of the Lower Hartshorne (Spadra) bed were collected: A sample of the raw coal with the machine cuttings excluded, and a sample of the machine cuttings exclusively. Analysis of the 5-inch by 200-mesh size fraction of the raw coal, excluding machine cuttings, showed that a product meeting minimum quality specifications could be produced by washing at 1.60 specific gravity, yielding a theoretical 93.7 percent of clean coal. A negligible amount of near-gravity material at the separation gravity indicated an easy washing problem. The sample of machine cuttings had a maximum size of 2 inches and contained about 50 percent ash. Washability tests of the 2-inch by 200-mesh size fraction indicated that a theoretical yield of 30.0 percent of specification-grade coal could be achieved by washing at 1.49 specific gravity. As the machine cuttings represent an estimated 10 percent of the total coal mined, their inclusion in the mine output would increase the theoretical net yield of salable coal by only 3.7 percent. Because the machine cuttings contained a high percentage of sink 1.80 specific-gravity material, they had neither an effect on the separating gravity required to clean the raw coal nor on the difficulty of separation. Gabbing underground versus transporting the cut-tings to the surface for disposal or washing either separately or combined with the raw coal involves a number of practical, economic; and intangible factors; hence, no specific recommendations could be made. A discussion of some of the factors involved in dealing with a similar problem is given by Gandrud and Riley.4

Jan 1, 1962

By A. Whillier

The decisive action taken by mine managements in recent years has been the main factor in bringing about the present downward trend in mine fires. A better understanding of the fundamental factors that govern the ignition and spread of fires. obtained as a result of investigations into mine fires, has provided useful guidance to production personnel. Similar investigations into fire-fighting techniques have assisted the Rescue Training Service and mines to institute more effective fire-fighting techniques. Some of the more important findings of recent investigations in these areas are outlined.

Jan 1, 1981

By Robert W. Van Dolah

On December 27, 1961, a fire and explosion destroyed the blasting agent mixing plant and an attached storage barn of the Whitaker-Atlas Supply Co., near Norton, Wise County, Va. Five residences, an office building, four trucks, and three automobiles were completely destroyed; a house trailer and several other trucks and automobiles were severely damaged; and other property damage, including much window breakage, occurred up to 3 miles or more airline distance away. Through the quick action of the fire marshal of the Norton Fire Department, Norton, Va., there were no fatalities and only five persons required hospitalization. This incident is of particular interest because of the widespread practice of mixing fuel oil (FO) with ammonium nitrate (AN) to prepare low-cost blasting agents, in many cases under conditions and circumstances not very different from those presented here. A representative of the Bureau of Mines Explosives Research Laboratory, Pittsburgh, Pa., and field representatives of the Bureau&apos;s Health and Safety Activities conducted the investigation. Information in this report was obtained from representatives of the Whitaker-Atlas Supply Co., the Norton fire marshal, and others who were on the scene either shortly before or after the incident occurred. Representatives of the Manufacturing Chemists&apos; Association, the Institute of Makers of Explosives, and individual ammonium nitrate producers participated in the inquiries and investigations.

Jan 1, 1962

By C. D. Messelt

The Bureau of Mines investigated the application of a diffusion model to sintering rate data developed for lithium titanium ferrite. The data were obtained by sintering pressed pellets under identical conditions for various times up to 11 hours. Stereological measurements were made on polished sections, and sintering rates were calculated. A model for intermediate stage sintering was fitted to the stereological data. This procedure produced a method by which these type data could be used to study the relative importance of volume and grain-boundary diffusion under a variety of sintering conditions.

Jan 1, 1979

By I. W. Farmer

High horizontal stresses and high horizontal to vertical in-situ principal stress ratios in the plane of underground drifts and entries can damage weakly laminated roof rocks quite severely. Such stresses are difficult to measure accurately, as illustrated by case histories of in-situ stress measurement at Wistow and Lea Hall mines, in the UK. Their direction and relative magnitude can, however, be estimated from the absolute velocity vectors of continental plates. With the preliminary results from the World Stress Map project now available it is possible to indicate mining areas where regional horizontal stresses are low, such as Europe, and high, such as Australia and Asia

Jun 19, 1905

By O. C. Blade

Studies on more efficient utilization of petroleum have been made for 50 years by the Bureau of Mines. As part of this work, the Bureau has analyzed thousands of samples of crude oil by its standardized routine method, and many of these analyses have been published, sometimes in special compilations, other times in connection with reports of research on petroleum. This report is a finding index for all analyses published from 1921 to 1959, and brings up to date the information in Information Circular 7470 3 and in the appendix of Bulletin 490.4 The routine method of analysis and the equipment originally were described in a report by Dean and associates. 5 This report has long been out of print, but Bulletin 490, bringing the procedure and its modifications to date, was published in 1951. 6 Briefly, the procedure consists of testing, by standard methods, small samples of a crude oil for gravity, sulfur, color, viscosity, pour point, and (more recently) nitrogen; and, by a standardized procedure, distilling a portion of the crude oil and determining certain properties on the separated fractions and residuum. Careful records are made during the procedure, and the distillation data obtained are used to compute the approximate amounts of products present in the sample--such as percentages of gasoline, kerosine, gas oil, and lubricants. The principal data and results are recorded on a standard analytical report form. An analysis of a sample of crude oil from a recently developed field is shown in table 1. Compilations of these analyses, sometimes in tabular form and usually for specific geographic areas, are published from time to time. Analyses often are included in connection with other studies, such as engineering field reports.

Jan 1, 1959