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By Wm. O. Vanderburg

This paper describing the milling methods at the Hughesville concentrator of the St. Joseph Lead Co., Hughesville, Mont., is one of a series of similar papers being prepared by the U. S. Bureau of Mines on practices at the various mills in the United States. The writer expresses his thanks for the courtesies extended by the officials of the company while visiting the property and acknowledges the assistance and helpful suggestions given by R. H. Willcomb, general manager, and Carl Martin, mill superintendent, of the Hughesville Division f the St. Joseph Lead Co.; and E. D. Gardner, supervising engineer, U. S. Bureau f Mines, Southwest Experiment Station, Tucson, Ariz., in gathering and compiling the data herein presented.

Jan 1, 1931

By F. E. Block

The metallic reduction of vanadium chlorides was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Mines as a possible new route for preparing vanadium metal in an effort to develop a production process that would be adaptable to large-scale plant production and would yield metal of uniformly high quality. Vanadium tetrachloride was usually prepared by chlorinating vanadium pentoxide in the presence of carbon. Although oxygen-?free tetrachloride was difficult to prepare this way, it could be prepared by the direct chlorination of vanadium carbide. Lower valent vanadium trichloride was prepared by the thermal decomposition of vanadium tetrachloride. Vanadium dichloride was also prepared by the thermal disproportionation of vanadium trichloride.

Jan 1, 1961

By Joseph Grumer

The range of composition of gases synthesized from solid fuels which are exchangeable with natural gas on current gas appliances was evaluated by theoretical principles. These principles consider primarily the flashback, blowoff, and yellow-tipping characteristics of air-entraining burner flames. It was found that complete identity between the synthetic and natural product is not necessary. Gases such as may be obtained by hydrogasification of coal and other solid fuels without the removal of unreacted hydrogen offer advantages in flame characteristics. Between 25 to 37 percent hydrogen can be tolerated in the sendout gas.

Jan 1, 1965

By Guy E. Dent, Hugo E. Kuehn

"SUMMARYFor making a comparison of magnetic surveys measured from the ground and from the air, Worcester County, Maryland, was chosen as a proving ground. Vertical magnetic intensities were observed on the ground, and total magnetic intensities were observed from the air. A comparison of the two magnetic maps reveals similar large magnetic features, but these are displaced in some instances by distances greater than a mile. Magnetic terrane in the two charts is of the same type but often differs greatly in respective characteristic features.The sacrifices in accuracy that may be expected from the use of different systems of diurnal magnetic corrections on ground observations constitute a part of this report.INTRODUCTIONThe value of magnetic surveys for gaining information concerning the crystalline basement is recognized increasingly. That this topography is often reflected to a major degree in the overlying sediments with certain offsetting is well understood. Even where such sediments are deep, the surface topography of upper formations often reflects this bedrock topography to a certain degree."

May 1, 1947

By James F. Devine

This Bureau of Mines report describes tests conducted at three sites to determine if, and to what extent, a vertical presplit fracture plane placed between a blast point and detection point will reduce vibration levels. Statistical analyses indicate that the presplit fracture plane did not reduce the vibration level.

Jan 1, 1965

By J. R. Koehler

The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) ground control research program includes several projects focused on developing design criteria for yielding-pillar-based longwall gate road systems. As part of this program, mining practices at the Sunnyside Mines, Sunnyside Reclamation and Salvage Co., Sunnyside, UT, are being documented to preserve the long history of yield pillar system evolution on the property. Published information describing the specific in-mine performance of the numerous gate road configurations utilized at the Sunnyside Mines is very limited. To overcome this deficit, USBM personnel interviewed 30 longtime mine employees representing nearly 700 years of mining experience at the Sunnyside operations. Mining conditions in 12 specific areas in the Nos. 1, 2, and 3 Mines were discussed in the interviews. Also, broad topics such as general mining practices, safety, and geology were often addressed during the discussions. Comprising the body of this report is an extensive record of the events and conditions experienced while mining the identified areas. In addition, eight significant conclusions were developed that accurately summarize the general opinions of the interviewed personnel regarding mining conditions and practices at Sunnyside.

Jan 1, 1994

By D. R. Tesarik

To ensure the stability ofa tailings pond embankment, the height of the phreatic surface must be kept at or below a safe level. In this investigation, the Bureau of Mines analyzed various horizontal drain designs for tailings embankments to determine their effects on location of the phreatic surface. This report describes the investigation, and it includes 21 dimensionless graphs that can be used to estimate the drain spacing and length dimensions necessary to ensure the stability of embankments of various configurations. Analyses were based on the use of two computer codes, a three-dimensional finite-element code and a two-dimensional finite-difference code. The computer-generated results were compared with results obtained from a laboratory embankment model, other laboratory test results, and piezomet-ric data from two actual tailings embankments. Nearly the same phreatic surface locations were predicted using either of the computer codes. For one of the actual embankments studied, the predicted phreatic surface location was slightly higher than the measured location; for the other, the predicted location closely followed the actual surface trend. Phreatic surfaces of the laboratory model were slightly higher than the code-gener-ated locations, and the differences grew larger as drain length increased or drain spacing decreased.

Jan 1, 1984

By Carl Belser

In 1925 the Park Utah Consolidated Mines Co., after several years of experimental work, installed a system for signalling from cages which has been operating efficiently and with low upkeep costs for the post 19 years. The system was adopted for a large western metal mine but was later abandoned be arse of the constantly shifting shaft alinement. Recently the system has been studied and probably will be put into service at two other large mines. One of the principal reasons wry the system has not boon adopted more widely has been the lack of adequate details both as to the desirability of having such a system and as to its construction and operation. Previous signaling, systems contained undesirable features, such as charged bare wires extending the full length of the shaft. Under the direction of O. N. Friendly, then general superintendent of the Judge Mining & Smelting Co., the present system, entailing the use of a samll current at low voltage, was gradually developed. Many of the refinements in the system wore contributed by Leonard Wilson, consulting electrical engineer, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Jan 1, 1945

By C. E. Armantrout, H. Kato, M. I. Copeland, M. Krug

The investigation of the nickel - gadolinium phase diagram was undertaken to determine the alloying behavior of these two metals . The data from meltingpoint determinations , thermal analyses , metallographic examinations , and X- ray diffraction analyses revealed a phase diagram with three eutectic points and seven intermetallic compounds . Very limited solubility of the phases in each other was observed . The five phases , Ni Gd , Ni , Gd , Ni Gd , Ni, Gd , and NiGd¸ , melted incongruently at about 1,300 ° , 1,270 ° , 1,180 ° , 1,070 ° , and 775 ° C , respectively . Ni Gd and NiGd melted congruently at approximately 1,550 ° and 980 ° C , respectively . Four of the compounds were determined to crystallize in the hexagonal system : Ni Gd , Ni Gd , Ni , Gd , and Ni Gd . Ni Gd was determined to be cubic and NiGd , orthorhombic . The crystal system of NiGd was not determined . The eutectic points occurred at 13 , 67 , and 85 wt pct gadolinium , and the isotherms at 1,290 ° , 890 ° , and 700 ° C , respectively .

Jan 1, 1964

By F. J. Palumbo

An electronic color-sorting machine was tested for recovering colorless glass concentrates from mixed glass products. The tests were made using glass recovered from unincinerated (raw) urban refuse and residues resulting from the incineration of refuse. The results of the study revealed that concentrates analyzing about 86 percent colorless glass could be recovered from mixed unincinerated glass containing 54 percent colorless glass material. Recovery of the colorless glass was about 62 percent. Color sorting the incinerated glass was somewhat more difficult. Multiple-stage processing was required to recover 59 percent of the colorless glass material in a product analyzing 89 percent colorless glass. The feed material analyzed 41 percent colorless glass.

Jan 1, 1971

By Cheryl Hill, Michael Keane, Pamela Mike, Raghoottma Pandurangi, William Wallace, Mohindar Seebra, Val Vallyathan

"Dipalmitoyl glycerophosphorylcholine (lecithin) dispersed in physiologic saline, a model of the primary component of pulmonary surfactant, is adsorbed by respirable quartz and aluminosilicate dusts. Dust cytotoxicity as measured by erythrocyte bemolysis and pulmonary macrophage enzyme release is suppressed by this adsorption. The degree of suppression of hemolytic potential versus specific adsorption of lecithin from dispersion in saline by respirable quartz and kaolin dusts are compared with dusts' BET specific surface areas to interpret the prophylactic effect of lecithin adsorption. Dust hemolytic potential versus medium pH is presented. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and photo-acoustic spectroscopy of lecithin on quartz and of lecithin on kaolin are presented and reviewed with results of studies of the time course of removal of lecithin adsorbed on mineral surfaces by digestion by phospholipase enzyme. Results are discussed in terms of a model of prompt neutralization of respired mineral dusts by pulmonary surfactant, and a gradual re-toxification by digestive processes acting on the adsorbed prophylactic surfactant coating following phagocytosis. INTRODUCTIONQuartz dust of respirable size is well known to cause fibrotic lung disease, but numerous questions persist in the understanding of the initiation and progression of this disease. Our approach concentrates on physical and chemical aspects of mineral dusts early-on in their interactions with living organisms, and we have chosen simplified models to investigate that interaction.In the alveolar ·spaces of the lung, tissue is coated with a surface-active material (pulmonary surfactant), which, among other functions, mechanically stabilizes the lung from collapse by reducing the surface tension of water in the alveolar sacs.1 This surfactant is also the material that is first contacted by a mineral particle that is transported to an alveolus and is impacted there. This surfactant material has been studied extensively. The primary components are known to be proteins (about 11 % in dog lavage fluid), and phospholipids (about 88%).2 Pbosphatidyl cholines constitute roughly 80% of the phospholipid fraction; about 70% of the phosphatidyl choline fraction is dipalmitoyl lecithin (DPL).2 Respirable aluminosilicate particles are capable of adsorbing dipalmitoyl lecithin from dispersion in physiologic saline, a model for a possible initial event occurring upon deposition of a particle in a pulmonary alveolus. As may be seen from Figure 1, the DPL molecule has several fixed charges at neutral pH; a positive charge on the trimethylamine (choline) moiety, and a negative charge on the phosphate group. Also evident are the two fatty acid residues of palmitic acid, which are bonded through ester likages to the glycerol segment of the molecule. The fatty acid moieties of phosphatidyl choline make the molecule inso1uble in aqueous solutions under normal conditions, but a colloidal unit of aggregated molecules called a micelle is usually formed spontaneously above a certain minimum concentration. Small micellar vesicles are generally formed in the laboratory by using ultrasonic agitation or by solvent evaporation methods."

Jan 1, 1990

By M. R. Geer

The Bureau of Mines examined the washability data for 25 Appalachian coals requiring low-density washing to reduce sulfur content to 1 percent, using the distribution-curve method. The purpose was to estimate how closely theoretical sulfur values could be approached, what yields of washed coal could be expected, and the recovery efficiencies that might be achieved. Assuming that the run-of-mine coal would be crushed to 3/8 inch and cleaned in dense-medium cyclones, the calculations indicate that theoretical sulfur contents could be approached closely when cleaning at a specific gravity of separation as low as 1.30. With coals that have favorable specific gravity compositions the recovery efficiency anticipated for cleaning at 1.30 specific gravity is surprisingly high. Similar calculations for cleaning with concentrating tables at intermediate specific gravities indicated that theoretical sulfur contents at 1.50 specific gravity could be approached closely with some coals but not with others. The calculations suggest that operating a table at a specific gravity of separation much lower than about 1.50 probably would be unsatisfactory with most coals.

Jan 1, 1968

By James J. Snodgrass

The Bureau of Mines designed and constructed a series of calibration models for geophysical borehole logging. A nominal hole diameter of 3 inches was selected as representative of typical core holes drilled for mining and engineering purposes, although additional hole diameters of 2, 5, and 8 inches are provided in one of the models for determination of empirical correction factors for variations in hole diameter. The physical properties of the models were determined by laboratory analyses of drill core samples and evaluated statistically for reliability. This report outlines the location of the models, elements of design and construction, and results of the laboratory tests. The models are available at the Denver Federal Center, Denver, Colo., for use by Government agencies and private industry to calibrate logging equipment for measurements of density, sonic velocity, magnetic susceptibility, and electrical resistivity.

Jan 1, 1976

By G. R. Smith

This report describes research carried out by the Bureau of Mines to develop new technology for electrorefining metals at much higher current densities than those normally used in commercial practice, preliminary studies using rotating-ring and cylinder electrodes to increase the mass transport of copper are discussed. Following this work, single- and multichannel cells were developed that utilized a high electrolyte flow in the channels formed by the anode-cathode pairs. Using these cells, copper was successfully refined at current densities in the range of 70 to 300 amp/ft2. The effects of flow rate, electrolyte composition, and grain-refining and leveling agents on the morphology and purity of electrodeposited copper were determined.

Jan 1, 1979

By C. E. Julihn, Lowell B. Moon

"INTRODUCTION To increase the supply of ore needed to produce steel the Bureau of Mines has explored 187 mineral deposits containing chromium, iron, manganese, cobalt, nickel, fluorspar, tungsten, vanadium, or coal during the fiscal years. 1940-44, the deposits thus explored were selected from several thousand that were first examined to appraise their possibilities. The objective of the exploration was to determine the tonnage and grade of ores upon which mining, operations might be based, and the metallurgical processing that was most suitable for their utilization.Most of these deposits were sub-marginal by pre-war standards; hence there had been no incentive for their exploration, yet many such deposits were known to exist that probably contained ore sufficient in grade and amount to be utilized as war reserves.Some of the Bureau's exploration projects have disclosed substantial or even very large amounts of ore, much of which is fairly high in grade. In a few of them bodies of high-grade ore have been found, though in others the tonnage has proved to be too small or too low-grade for utilization."

Mar 1, 1945

By Harry Perry, Mary S. Esfandiary

This is a revision of a directory of coal research organizations throughout the world that was first published in 1961 as Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8008. Because of the wide acceptance of the first edition , a revision which would supply up- to - date information on coal research and which would facilitate communication among organizations of similar interest seemed important . This compilation includes the names and activities of organizations of various types -government , university , private , and industry . The areas of investigation that each organization is engaged in are indicated in broad terms : Analysis and constitution , mining and geology , preparation , briquetting , combustion , high- and low-temperature carbonization , gasification , conversion to solid and liquid fuels , and health and safety . Publications issued by and describing the work of each organization are cited ; almost all of the organizations also publish results of their investigations in the technical press . Selected technical and trade publications that publish information on the science and technology of coal and are not published directly by any of the organizations listed are cited in the pages following the list of organizations in each country . Information that would improve coverage and accuracy of the next revision of the publication will be welcomed by the Bureau of Mines .

Jan 1, 1966

By Joseph J. Wallace

1. The investigation shows that there are 2 coal beds of major importance in Letcher County from the standpoint of present production - Upper Elkhorn No, 3 and Fire Clay - and 5 beds of minor importance - Whitesburg, Flag, Haddix, Elkhorn Leader, and Amburgy, The Upper Elkhorn No. 3 and Fire Clay beds contain the largest remaining known reserves. 2. Known measured and indicated reserves in all beds, based on a minimum thickness of 14 inches and on 1,600 tons per acre-foot of coal in place, are estimated at 1,353 million short tons as of January 1, 1952. Of this total, 1,056 million short tons ere in beds 28 inches and more thick. Areas in each bed were omitted from the estimate because available data relative to the bad characteristics are too meager to make an estimate that conforms with the definitions of measured and indicated coal adopted for this study. Should future drilling or development prove reserves in these areas, such reserves should be added to the total estimated reserves.

Jan 1, 1953

By R. A. Franks, G. F. Friel, J. C. Edwards, L. Yuan

Two mine-fire experiments were conducted in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Safety Research Coal Mine (SRCM) at the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL) which demonstrated that smoke from diesel-fuel fires of 500 kW and 660 kW heat-release rates in a return airway can develop, without causing a complete air flow reversal, into a roof layer that can migrate upwind forming a counter flow to the primary airflow in a crosscut. Subsequently, smoke can penetrate into an intake airway and create a hazardous atmosphere in the intake airway upwind from the fire. Visibility conditions less than 13 m were created by the smoke in the intake airway downwind from the crosscut. Modeling of the event with a three-dimensional, time-dependent, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program correctly represented the smoke movement.

By W. J. Kroll

This report is concerned with the many sidelines that were investigated incidental to developing a process to produce ductile Zirconium by members of the staff of the Bureau of Mines laboratory, Albany, Oreg. The results of the main investigation, concerning the production of malleable zirconium by reduction of chloride with fused magnesium under helium, have been described in previous publications. These should be taken as a background to facilitate understanding of this work. Literature on the metallurgy of zirconium has been summarized in a separate publication (2), and references are given in this report only when new publications have to be considered or old ones stressed. Most of the observations described in this report can be applied to the problems involved in making titanium with virtually no change. In general, titanium is easier to reduce than zirconium, since its affinities are lower. Also, its chloride is easier to handle and keep clean because it is a liquid at room temperature.

Jan 1, 1952

By L. B. Pankratz

Thermodynamic data on carbides, nitrides, and other selected substances were reviewed, evaluated, and compiled at the U.S. Bureau of Mines Albany Research Center. Values for Cp°, S°, H° - H°298, -(G° - H298)/T, ?Hf, ?Gf, and log Kf are given in tabular form. Cp°, H° - H°248, ?Hf°, and ?Gf° are also expressed algebraically.

Jan 1, 1994