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By J. R. Nettle

The electrodeposition characteristics of seven binary alloys of titanium have been investigated. The object of the electrorefining experiments with an alloy was to determine the efficiency of titanium separation from individual alloying elements under established conditions. Reported results are only indicative. It is conceivable that numerous duplications of tests might give average maximums that would vary from those noted in this report; however, in the few tests that were repeated, the magnitude of transfer of the alloying elements was of the same order. The results detailed herein are for a given set of conditions. Many combinations of operating variables are possible, and the results achieved under different conditions probably would differ from those reported.

Jan 1, 1958

By C. P. Bowie

During the period of 10 years from January 1, 1908, to January 1, 1918, approximately 12,850,000 barrels of oil and 5,024,506,000 cubic feet of gas were destroyed by fire in the United States, entailing a total estimated property loss of $25,254,200. During this period 503 fires were reported. As is shown in Plates I and II, 310 of these fires were caused by lightning and 193 by all other causes. The losses from the fires caused by lightning were estimated to be $11, 148,000, and from those due to all other causes $14,106,200. Directly and indirectly, the fires resulted in the deaths of nearly 150 persons and were responsible for almost as many more being permanently disabled. For the past three years the Bureau of Mines has been conducting investigations to determine the nature and the specific causes of these fires, with a view to suggesting means whereby they may be suc- cessfully combatted and, in some places, perhaps eliminated entirely. As the subject of oil and gas fires is necessarily broad, no attempt is made in this bulletin to treat it exhaustively; rather the bulletin aims to point out what has been done by operators in the past, and to describe various fire-prevention methods and fire-fighting appa- ratus which are being used or adopted by many of the larger oil companies. These methods and apparatus, it is believed, if uni- versally employed by operators, will largely decrease the present enormous annual losses. In the discussion of oil-well fires, the methods used in extinguishing several of the larger and more perplexing ones are described. As the right procedure for extinguishing any oil-well fire must be de- termined largely by local conditions, it is not probable that all of the methods used at some one fire, as described, will be applicable to a future fire. However, the operator, from these descriptions, may at least gain suggestions that will greatly assist him in fighting similar fires.

Jan 1, 1919

By Richard L. Sayrs

The Idol zinc prospect, formerly known as the Comstock, was examined by Harold B. Ewoldt, a Bureau of Mines' engineer, accompanied by Deane F. Kent of the United States Geological Survey on July 22, 1943. Previous to that time, the Geological Survey had contoured and studied the area. As a part of the war minerals program, further investigation of the area was recommended. The Dalton property, a mile and a half northeast of the Idol property, was examined during the progress of the work at the Idol, and it was decided to include this property also in the project. From February 7, 1944, to May 16, 1944, six holes totaling 2,739 feet were diamond-drilled on the Idol property and eight holes totaling 1,850 feet were diamond-drilled, and three pits channel sampled on the Dalton property. The drilling showed sphalerite to be sparsely distributed through a 100 foot thickness of the Kingsport member of the Knox dolomite.

Jan 1, 1949

By Maria I. De Rosa

Table 55 and figure 19 show the number of fires and fire injuries for stone mills by state during 1990-2001. Table 55 also shows the injury risk rates, employees' working hours, and lost workdays. In all, 118 fires occurred in 33 states. Seventy-six of the fires caused 82 injuries (including 8 fires and 6 injuries involving contractors). The yearly average was 9.8 fires and 6.8 injuries. The Ewhr value was 873 x 106 hr (In = 0.019), and the LWD value was 1,911. Missouri had the most fires (16 fires and 9 injuries), followed by Pennsylvania (15 fires and 14 injuries), Michigan (9 fires and 5 injuries), and Virginia (7 fires and 5 injuries). Of these states, Virginia had the highest injury risk rate value (In = 0.09 1). Table 56, partly illustrated in figure 20, shows the number of fires, fire injuries, risk rates, employees' working hours, and lost workdays by time period. The number of fires and fire injuries decreased during most of the periods, with a sharp increase during the last period. The number of employees' working hours increased throughout the periods. The In values follow patterns similar to those shown by the injury values. Tables 57-63 show the number of fires by ignition source, method of detection and suppression, equipment involved, location, and burning material by time period. Figure 21 shows the major variables related to fires for 1990-2001. Table 63 shows the fire injuries per number of fires causing injuries and total fires by year, ignition source, equipment involved, and location.

Jan 1, 2004

By John T. Aydelotte, Martin J. Gavin

" Oil shale contains little or no oil as such , but it contains an organic material from which oil may be produced by destructive distillation" . This statement , or others conveying the same meaning, appears in many popular and techni cal articles on oil shale . It is based on the belief that the ordinary solvents of petroleum have but little action on the organic substances contained in oil- yielding shales , although on distillation these same shales may yield upwards of 50 gallons of crude shale oil per ton . A 50 - gallon shale thus yields by distillation 18.73 per cent of its weight as oil ( assuming the specific gravity of the oil to be 0.900 ) , although only a relatively small part of this can be recovered by extraction with such solvents as chloroform , carbon tetrachloride , and the like . In the course of certain experiments designed to determine the solubilities of different shales after they had begun to yield oil by distillation , it was found desirable to determine the quantity dissolved from certain unheated shales by various solvents , at or near the boiling points of these solvents . The method used and results obtained are presented below. These experiments were made in connection with the oil - shale investigations being conducted by the U. S. Bureau of Mines , in cooperation with the States of Colorado and Utah .

Jan 1, 1922

By David F. Smith

[The U. S. Bureau of Mines at its Pittsburgh Experiment Station is frequently called upon to determine by laboratory tests the explosibility of suspensions in air of various dusts encountered in mines and elsewhere. Not all dusts which are combustible or contain combustible material will form explosive mixtures with air under ordinary conditions of temperature and pressure. They may not be highly combustible enough. They may contain a considerable amount of inert or non-combustible material or, the dust particles may not, be fine enough to form explosive mixtures. A knowledge off the chemical composition of a dust together with a determination of the size of the particles often gives valuable indications. But in many cases actual explosibility tests are necessary. Such a case is evidently that of powdered soap, whose explosibility hazard the Bureau was recently called upon to determine, Although an explosion which occurred in a soap plant as early as 1890 was attributed4 to powdered soap, it is apparent, due to the great number of inquiries received by the Bureau, that the hazard presented by powdered soap has not been at all generally appreciated. To the writers' knowledge, no extensive investigation of the explosibility of powdered soaps has been made. It is only recently that pure powdered soap has been manufactured on a large scale. The familiar "soap powder" in the past was usually a mixture of soap with a relatively large quantity of sodium carbonate. Often it contained large amounts of moisture and abrasive material. Even a highly combustible dust when mixed with large quantities of inert dust will not form explosive mixtures with air. Pure powdered soap, however, presents a different aspect. Pure soap is formed by combination of alkali (incombustible material) with fatty acid (combustible material). Toilet soap fray also contain a certain amount of glycerin and essential oil winch, being combustible influence the explosibility]

Jan 1, 1928

By Paul Hughes

This paper describes a focus of work presently being conducted at the Rock Mechanics Research Group at the University of British Columbia. The underhand method under consolidated fill ensures a high recovery under an engineered back that is comprised of cemented rock fill and/or cemented paste fill. This method of mining has been employed successfully in mines throughout North America as a method of mitigating exposure to the operator having to work under a seismically active ?back?. This paper reviews design methodology in the placement and analysis of sill mats with reference to site observation coupled with on going numerical and analytically derived solutions.

Jan 1, 2006

To quickly and more reliably measure the alignment and deflection of mine guides used to run skips and cages into a mine shaft. The Problem Conventional mine guide alignment measuring systems require the use of a plumb bob and tape measure. This method is not only laborious, but it is time consuming as well. Approach Aware of the drawbacks of the current measuring method, the Bureau of Mines designed a self-contained instrument system that can accurately perform vertical guide alignment and deflection measurements by remote control. How It Works The Bureau-developed instrumentation system, called the Guide Alignment Measuring System (GAMS), is based on conventional mechanical electronics using inclinometers and displacement transducers. The instrumentation system is attached to an operating skip or cage where it functions as a completely self-contained measurement system, operating in conjunction with nor-mal travel of the skip or cage. An on-board tape recorder or a mini-computer with memory can be used to record all telemetry.

Jan 1, 1987

By J. W. Montoya

The chemical, mineralogical, and physical properties of berylliferous tuff from Spor Mountain, Utah, were determined in laboratory research conducted by the Bureau of Mines. Two beryllium-bearing minerals--a hydrated form of bertrandite and a berylliferous saponite--were found to be present in the tuff. Each of the beryllium mineral forms predominated in samples from certain areas of the district. The possibility of practicably separating the beryllium minerals from the tuff by physical methods appears remote because of the complexity and nature of the mineral associations. Beryllium mineralization in the region occurs in a rhyolitic tuff usually overlaid by unaltered rhyolite. The beryllium is distributed erratically throughout the tuff in individual mineralized bodies. Many samples of mineralized tuff were examined and found to contain from 0.2 to 1.8 percent BeO. All samples contained a hydrated form of bertrandite that was nearly cryptocrystalline, whereas samples from one area also contained a berylliferous saponite of variable beryllium content. Neither mineral has been previously reported, although related bertrandite-like minerals have been found in the U.S.S.R. and berylliferous minerals of the montmorillonite group have been synthesized. Most of the minerals of the tuff are finely crystalline, intergrown, and have similar densities. The complexity and intimacy of the mineral associations, the difficulty of achieving effective mineral liberation, and the highly friable nature are characteristics that lead to the conviction that tuff of the type examined cannot be effectively concentrated by gravity, magnetic, electrostatic, attrition, washing, sizing, or flotation methods.

Jan 1, 1962

By J. D. McLenegan

The purpose of this investigation was to prepare a market survey of the refractories industry in California and Nevada (referred to in subsequent paragraphs as the region), and to determine the degree of self-sufficiency and the potential capacity for anticipated growth. The report includes estimates of the total annual refractories consumption, the quantity of refractories imported into the region, the tonnage of raw materials required for their manufacture, and the resources of fire clay and high-alumina minerals in the region.

Jan 1, 1956

By Edward L. McHugh

Twelve properties in the Riverside Mountains have moderate to high potential, for silver, gold, copper, and molybdenum. Six properties in the Big Maria Mountains have moderate potential for zinc, lead, copper, silver, iron ore, and limestone. The Big Maria Mountains also have occurrences of building stone. Four properties in or near the study area have low-grade gold-silver-copper resources totalling more than 300 thousand tons (270,000 t). An estimated 29 million tons (26 million t) of limestone and dolomite, and 620,000 long tons (630,000 t) of iron ore are in the Big Maria Mountains section of the study area. INTRODUCTION The Big Maria Mountains Wilderness Study Area covers about 50,538 acres (20,453 ha) near the Colorado River in eastern Riverside County, California (fig. 1). The study includes portions of both the Big Maria and Riverside Mountains. It lies north of Blythe, California and south of California Highway 62 in the Mojave Desert province of the California Desert Conservation Area. The study area consists of two mountain ranges surrounded mostly by broad alluvial slopes or bajadas. It extends for 25 mi (40 km) from the Riverside Mountains on the north, to the south end of the elongate Big Maria Mountains.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. W. Adams

"Fatal accidents at coal mines throughout the United States killed 234 employees during January 1924, according to reports from State mine inspectors to the Bureau of Mines of the Department of the Interior, Included in the number of fatalities are 68 deaths caused by two explosions during the month, one explosion occurring in a mine at Johnson City, Ill., and causing 32 deaths, and the other in a mine at Shanktown, Pa., and causing 36 deaths. The fatality rate for the month was 3.94 per million tons, based on a production of 59,435,000 tons of coals In January 1923 the fatality rate was 3.52, based on 206 deaths and an output of 58,458,000 tons.Bituminous mines in all States reported 202 fatal accidents, the production being 51,170,000 tons., and the fatality rate being 3.92, as compared with 3.28 for January last year, For the anthracite mines in Pennsylvania, the reports covered 32 fatalities, which, on the month's output of 7,955,000 tons, indicated a fatality rate of 4.02 per million tons, as against 4.89 for January 1923.As compared with January 1923, the reports for January of the present year indicated lower fatality rates per million tons for all of the main causes of accidents except explosions. For falls of roof and coal, the fatality rate per million tons declined from 1.85 in January 1923 to 1,68 in January 1924; for haulage accidents the rate declined from 0.62 to 0.42; for explosives, from 0.19 to 0.12; for electricity, from 0.12 to 0.07. The rate for explosions increased from 0.21 to 1,31 per million tons. -- Reports of Investigations, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines."

Feb 1, 1924

By R. D. Saltsman

Under contract with the Federal Bureau of Mines, Bituminous Coal Research, Inc., performed a statistical study to find less expensive and time-consuming methods of monitoring the noncombustible content of coal mine dust. Calculations based on thermodynamic considerations verified the reasonableness of Federal rock-dusting requirements. The results of extensive sampling in southwestern Pennsylvania mines indicated that, at the 95-percent confidence level, the present system of sampling at 200-foot intervals may be replaced by sampling at 500-foot intervals, and that a 1-inch scoop floor sampler may replace the standard 6-inch scoop for floor sampling. Further field testing is recommended.

Jan 1, 1975

By Earl R. Maize

This is the first of a series of reports dealing with development of a method of strengthening bituminous-coal-mine roof. Later reports will describe the progress made with injecting high cohesive and adhesive bonding agents into bedding planes and mine tests of roof strata strengthened by the bonds formed. The concept of strengthening roof strata in coal mines by inserting steel rods in the form of bolts has been widely accepted by the coal industry. The benefits of increased production and safety derived from this type of roof support has more than justified the increased cost of roof bolting. However, not all coal-mine roof structure is amenable to this type of support, and failures occur owing to the heterogeneity and variable character of mine-roof strata.3/

Jan 1, 1957

By George S. Koch

In preparing diamond-drill core samples for assay at the Homestake mine, Lead, S. Dak., 5-foot intervals of core are processed through three stages, crushing, grinding, and pulverizing, and portions of the core material are discarded after splitting at each stage of preparation. Then two 1-assay-ton fractions are taken from the pulverized material and assayed. This report investigates alternative methods of sample preparation. The consequences of crushing, grinding, and pulverizing all rather than part of the core are appraised through the statistical analysis of assay results from 118 5-foot intervals of core. Evidently, a substantial improvement in precision at small additional expense is obtained by grinding most or all of the core before splitting. Pulverizing all of the core would be desirable only if doing-so would cost less than assaying five random splits from each interval. Graphs and tables detail appropriate procedures to obtain specified precisions. The experimental design and methods can be applied to similar problems in preparing core and other geological samples.

Jan 1, 1972

By T. C. Atchison

This report describes a mobile laboratory designed and constructed by the Bureau of Mines in 1950 to meet the needs of an experimental blasting research program. The laboratory has facilities for making; film recordings of 16 simultaneous transient electrical signals over a broad range of amplitude, frequency, and duration. The signals are recorded with specially designed oscilloscopes and high-speed drum cameras. Each of the 16 channels records on a separate strip of 35-millimeter film by using interchangeable input units, transducers having different sensitivities and output impedances can be accommodated. The laboratory can be used to record both steady-state and transient phenomena originating as electrical voltages or capable of being converted to electrical voltages by appropriate transducers. Thus, the laboratory can, be used in studying various types of vibration problems or high-speed phenomena, such as ground and building vibrations, machinery vibrations, airborne vibrations, electrical-circuit switching phenomena, millisecond timing, and seismic phenomena occurring when rock is broken by explosives.

Jan 1, 1956

"MASSACHUSE'M'S INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYBOLSAITIS, PETERMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Mineral Engineering77 Massachusetts AvenueCambr1dge,MA 02130(614) 253-5069ELLIOIT, JOHN F.Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Mineral Engineering77 Massachusetts AvenueCambridge, MA 02130(617) 253-3305RING, TERRYDepartment of Materials Science and EngineeringMassachu5etts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA 02130(6117) 253-4299"

Jan 1, 1988

By J. E. Pahlman

The Bureau of Mines conducted re-search to determine the resistance of basic refractories to corrosion by ash slags that would result from the burning of coal and lignite in metallurgical operations. Basic refractories are of economic interest because they are from one-third to one-half as expensive as 90-to 99-pct-alumina refractories. Static tests were performed at 1,300° C and dynamic tests at 1,400° to 1,650° C to investigate the stability of refractory specimens in a slag environment. In alkali-containing lignite ash slags, in order of decreasing resistance, magnesite, magnesite-chrome, and chrome-magnesite refractories all had corrosion resistances equal to or better than 90-to 99-pct-alumina refractories. These basic refractories formed slag penetration layers in dynamic tests, which helped protect them from further attack. Chemically bonded basic refractories in general did not have as good a resistance to slag attack as did burned refractories of the same composition. In very acidic coal ash slag, a chrome-magnesite refractory containing 30 pct MgO plus a slag inhibitor and direct-bonded magnesite-chrome refractories with 60 pct MgO had good resistance to attack. Chrome-magnesite refractories (30 to 40 pct MgO) were moderately to severely attacked, and refractories with greater than 70 pct MgO were severely attacked by this same slag.

Jan 1, 1982

By Daryl E. Radcliffe

The Bureau of Mines studied the displacement of the roof in a portion of the Bear coal mine near Somerset, Colo, Horizontal-and vertical-displacement gages were installed in a five-entry section during normal room-and-pillar mining procedures. Monitoring of the roof continued until this section was mined out. Displacement measurements in combination with known time lapses between mining and bolting operations indicate that once support is achieved, the length of unsupported time does not appear to affect long-term roof stability in the mine under investigation.

Jan 1, 1978

By N. E. Hanna

An important goal in the development of coal mining explosives has been to improve their safety characteristics through suitable formulation. In the United States no systematic effort to establish factors influencing the incendivity to firedamp and to coal dust of explosives through research was made until the last decade. In consequence, American permissible explosives underwent only very slight modifications and many remained substantially the same as in the early years. As part of a long range program for increasing the safety of permissible explosives, the Bureau of Mines undertook to determine how the amounts and particle sizes of the principal constituents of these explosives affect their incendivity. It was found that an increase in the relative amount of sodium chloride and a decrease in its particle size significantly decreased the incendivity of our permissible explosives to firedamp (7-9).6 This is in agreement with findings reported by Dolan (4) for compositions of nitroglycerin and salt. One important result of the work at the Bruceton station has been the recent introduction of salt-formulated permissibles by several explosives manufacturers. This paper describes a statistically designed experiment for studying the effects of the particle size of ammonium nitrate and the type of carbonaceous materials used on the incendivity of permissible explosives. Interest in these particular effects goes back as far as the first formulations of coal mine explosives, around 1910 in the United States and even earlier in Great Britain and other countries. Although it is well established that fine

Jan 1, 1961