Search Documents

By E. C. Lane

"INTRODUCTION The first important discovery of petroleum in New Mexico was near Dayton, Eddy County, where the Brown well was drilled in 1909, and small quantities of oil were produced. In 1911 and 1912 wells were drilled in McKinley County, but commercial production did not begin until the discovery of the Hogback field, San Juan County, in 1922. The discovery well in the Artesia field, Eddy County, drilled in 1923, gave impetus to active drilling in many areas. Since 1924 New Mexico has produced petroleum in commercial quantities and since 1930 the State has joined the ranks of the big produc¬ing States, being sixth or seventh in total production in recent years.Production by years. 1924 to 1940, inclusive, taken from annual figures in Bureau of Mines Minerals Yearbook, are given in table 1. The total production shown is 274,331,000 barrels. Andreas 3/ has published production figures for the year 1940 and a resume of all production to the end of 1940. Data from his report are presented in table 2 for each field sampled. The cumulative production, as given by Andreas, is 270,618,575 barrels."

Aug 1, 1942

By O. C. Blade

A summary of the characteristics of motor gasoline for the winter 1951-52 is presented in table I, and for comparison, a similar summary for the winter 1950-51 is shown in table 2. Trends of some of the more important characteristics over a period of years are shown in figures 1 and 2. The results of this survey show that octane numbers have risen slightly since the summer of 1951 but are below the record levels of the winter of 1950-51. The fractions of a unit change since the summer preceding have resulted in the research and motor-method octane values being virtually the same as the figures for the survey of summer 1950. In volatility characteristics the winter gasolines have changed very little. Average Reid vapor pressures are 10.5 pounds for both grades of fuel compared to 10.4 and 10.5 pounds for premium and regular-price gasolines, respectively, of the winter of 1950-51.

Jan 1, 1952

By Ned H. Snyder

In recent years the Government and other large consumers of coal have appreciated more and more the desirability of definitely determining by chemical analysis and test the character and quality of the coal they purchase. Higher prices for coal point forcibly to the need of giving more study to engine room and boiler room efficiencies and economies; this implies an intimate knowledge of the character and quality of the fuel used. Analyses and tests of delivered coal furnish data whereby power plant results can be comprehensively studied and a continuous check maintained on the coal and on the conditions of plant operation. Under authority of acts of Congress making appropriations for technologic investigation of fuels and the analyzing and testing of fuels belonging to or for the use of the United States Government, a laboratory is maintained at the Pittsburgh station of the Bureau of Mines, where samples representing deliveries of coal purchased for Government use are analyzed and tested. The Bureau of Mines has been active in promoting the purchase of coal by the Government under specifications/ that is, by contracts that make definite requirements regarding the heating value of the coal, expressed in British thermal units, and the composition as shown by proximate analysis. Under many of these specification contracts the bidders guarantee the quality of the coal offered, and that guaranteed by the successful bidder becomes the standard of his contract. The deliveries are sampled and analyzed to determine whether the coal is of the quality guaranteed by the contractor, and if it is not, the price to be paid is decreased in proportion; but if the coal is of higher quality, the price is proportionately increased. The known analyses of coals or the guaranteed analyses offered by the bidders may sometimes be used for determining the award of a contract, but if the coals offered differ widely in characteristics, it may be difficult to determine which would prove the cheapest fuel without data on their relative evaporative efficiencies. Hence, the making of evaporative tests under service conditions may be necessary in order to determine which coal is particularly adapted for successful and economical use in a certain plant. Once a particular coal is selected, however, regardless of the procedure of determining the award of a contract, then the greatest advantage of the specification method is realized, for it guarantees the purchaser receiving coal of uniform character and quality, thereby insuring the best results in the plant. The success of the specification method for the purchase of coal and the reliability of analysis now rests largely on sampling.3 Improper sampling leads to controversies, with resulting condemnation of the specification method in general and of the value of laboratory analyses and tests in particular.

Jan 1, 1922

By G. T. Fisher

The U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted research on calcium ferrite slags to determine the distribution of Pb and minor elements (Ag, Cd, Zn, and Co) between Pb bullion and slag. These fundamental data are required to evaluate nonferrous smelting with calcium ferrite slags as a substitute for conventional iron silicate slags. Determinations were made in 25-cm3-capacity MgO crucibles at 1,250° C for 2 h in a CO-CO2 atmosphere with an O2 potential that would retard the formation of magnetite. Calcium ferrite slag composition variables studied were from 16 to 32 wt pct CaO in 2-pct increments and Si02 ranging from 1 to 5 wt pct in 1-pct increments with equal additions of MgO. For all compositions studied, the retention of Pb in the calcium ferrite slag was less than 1 wt pct, which compares favorably to about 6 wt pct Pb in conventional iron silicate slags used in smelting of Pb concentrates. Minor element distribution was insensitive to changes in slag composition in the range studied. However, slag composition had significant impact on the melting and fluidity of the slag.

Jan 1, 2010

By O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of motor fuels sold through service stations in the United States was made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior. By agreement with the American Petroleum Institute, identification of the Items is confidential. It present's analytical data for 4,608 samples, representing the products of 101 companies. The samples were collected during December 1956, January and February 1957. As in previous surveys, the gasolines covered by this survey include those from both large and small suppliers. The data were obtained by laboratories of various refiners, motor manufacturers, and chemical companies and submitted to the Bureau of Mines for compilation. A list of the Notional Motor Gasoline Survey reports published during the post 10 years is given on page 5.

Jan 1, 1957

By E. W. Dean

A previous report of the Bureau of Mines* has supplied data for the physical and chemical properties of samples of crude petroleum produced in the eastern fields of the United States. It was issued as a preliminary chapter of a bulletin which is to cover the results of a survey of the entire country. The present report is a second preliminary chapter including figures that are available for the producing fields of the Rocky Mountain district. Work is being continued. with a series of samples from the States of Kansas and Oklahoma which will be described in a third preliminary chapter, to appear at a subsequent date. Acknowledgments. The obtaining of samples was rendered possible through the courtesy of representatives of a number of producing and refining companies operating in the Rocky Mountain district. The Bureau hereby acknowledges its appreciation of the hearty spirit of cooperation that was universally encountered.

Jan 1, 1921

By D. E. Anders

Saturated hydrocarbons from 60 selected samples of a 2,300-foot Green River Formation oil-shale core (Piceance Creek Basin, Colo.) were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography techniques. Emphasis was placed upon the distribution of normal alkanes and 15 key-branched and cyclic alkanes. The latter compounds consisted of the C15, C16, C18, C19, and C20 chain isoprenoids, the 5-a and 5-ß C27, C28, and C29 steranes, three C30 pentacyclic triterpanes, and perhydro-ß-carotene. The results showed definite evidence of maturation of both the n-alkanes and the branched and cyclic alkanes; however, most if not all of the changes were limited to the indigenous soluble extract and were not the result of additional soluble extract generation from the insoluble kerogen. Source material and environmental variations were important factors in some of the observed differences in the branched plus cyclic alkane compositions.

Jan 1, 1973

By O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of motor fuels sold through service stations in the United States was made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the American Petroleum Institute, and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior. This paper is a continuation of a series made in cooperation with the Coordinating Fuel Research (CFR) Committee of the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), Inc. The first of this series of reports presented data on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1935-36, and succeeding reports described motor gasolines sold during the summers and winters to and including the summer of 1941. No reports were made on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1941-42 and during the summer of 1942. However, starting with the winter of 1942-43, the semiannual reports were resumed

Jan 1, 1948

By J. E. Wilson

The Pittsburgh carbonization laboratory of the Bureau of Mines has determined the expansion or contraction of more than 300 coking coals in a modified Bethlehem-type sole-heated expansion tester. Information on the actions of coals or blends of coals when coked is extremely valuable to operators of commercial-scale coke ovens. Coals that expand abnormally or beyond expectations can cause extensive damage to coke ovens and result in costly shutdowns and repairs. Although test results for many of the coals have been given in various Bureau of Mines publications, considerable information was not published. Thus, it is the purpose of this report to furnish coal operators and the coking industry with a current appraisal of the expanding properties of all coals tested by the Bureau before September 1, 1958. These data should be useful in the normal long range planning of coal and coke production and will be essential if the demand for coking coals increases abnormally or when reserves of higher grade coals are depleted.

Jan 1, 1959

By R. F. Kendall

Only a limited number of mass and infrared reference spectra of high purity unsaturated hydrocarbons and oxygenates are presently available in the literature. To aid Bureau of Mines research programs requiring such references, 64 mass spectra and 70 infrared spectra were obtained and are reported. The individual compounds, acquired from commercial sources, were purified by preparatory gas chromatography. Purity determinations were made using a combination of analytical gas chromatography, microhydrogenation, and catalytic deoxygenation. These spectra will aid spectroscopists in the identification of compounds of the types reported.

Jan 1, 1966

By O. C. Blade

The oil fields of Arkansas, all situated in the southern part of the State, have played an important part in the development of petroleum production in the northern coastal plain region of the Mid-Continent area. From the first discovery of oil in southwest Ouachita County in 1920 to December 31, 1930, a total of 480,167,5604/ barrels of crude petroleum has been produced from' this region. Development of the Arkansas fields proceeded rapidly after 1920. The El Dorado field was discovered in Union County in 1921. Drilling in Ouachita County resulted in the discovery of the Smackover field in 1922 and subsequently in the development of the whole southern area. To November 31, 1939,459 / producing wells had been drilled in 25 fields, aggregating 53,7356 acres of proved territory in 6 counties. Peak annual production for the State was reached in 1925, when 80,823,7007/ barrels was produced, resulting largely from flush production from the Smakover field, which rose td an average of 444,9507 barrel daily during that year. During 1924, 1925, and 1926 Arkansas ranked fourth among the oil-producing

Jan 1, 1940

By O. C. Blade

The oil fields of Arkansas, all situated in the southern part of the State, have played an important part in the development of petroleum production in the northern coastal plain region of the Mid-Continent area. From the first discovery of oil in southwest Ouachita County in 1920 to December 31, 1930, a total of 480,167,5604/ barrels of crude petroleum has been produced from' this region. Development of the Arkansas fields proceeded rapidly after 1920. The El Dorado field was discovered in Union County in 1921. Drilling in Ouachita County resulted in the discovery of the Smackover field in 1922 and subsequently in the development of the whole southern area. To November 31, 1938, 6,4595/ producing wells had been drilled in 25 fields, aggregating 53,7356/ acres of proved territory in 6 counties. Peak annual production for the State was reached in 1925, when 80,823,7007/ barrels was produced, resulting largely from flush production from the Smackover field, which rose td an average of 444,9508/ barrel daily during that year. During 1924, 1925, and 1926 Arkansas ranked fourth9/ among the oil-producing

Jan 1, 1940

By O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of motor fuels sold through service stations in the United states was made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines of the United states Department of the Interiors This paper is a continuation of a series made in cooperation with the Coordinating Fuel Research (CFR) Committee of the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), Inc. The first of this series of reports presented data on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1935-36, and succeeding reports described motor gasolines sold during the summers and winters to and including the summer of 1941.£1 No reports were made on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1941-42 and during the summer of 1942. However, starting with the winter of 1942-43, the semiannual reports were resumed

Jan 1, 1949

By O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of motor fuels sold through service stations in the United States was made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior. By agreement with the American Petroleum Institute, identification of the items is confidential. .It presents analytical data for 4, 457 samples, representing the products of 92 companies. The samples were collected by companies during June, July, and August 1956, As in previous surveys, the gasolines covered by this survey include those from both large and small suppliers. The data were obtained by laboratories of various refiners, motor manufacturers, and chemical companies and submitted to the Bureau of Mines for compilation. A list of the National Motor Gasoline Survey reports published during the past 10 years is on page 5.

Jan 1, 1957

By O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of motor fuels sold through service stations in the United States was made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior. This paper is a continuation of a series made in cooperation with the Coordinating Fuel Research (CPR) Committee of the Coordinating Research Council (CRC), Inc. The first of this series of reports presented data on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1935-36, and succeeding reports described motor gasolines sold during the summers and winters to and including the summer of 1941. No reports were made on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1941-42 and during the summer of 1942. However, starting with the winter of 1942-43, the semiannual reports were resumed.

Jan 1, 1949

By B. W. Gandrud

In July 1948, the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, in cooperation with the University of Alabama and mine operators, published Report of Investigations 4306, "A Combination Cleaning and Dewatering Process for Treating Fine 'Sizes of Coal, Preliminary Report In this report a new process, referred to as kerosene flotation; was described, and results of experimental work with the process Previous to the fall of 1947 were given, The contents of the report. were summarized on pages 19 and 20' as follows: In coal-preparation plants using wet methods of cleaning, the most difficult problem is the cleaning and dewatering of the "fines" from about 10-Mesh to 0. A combination proceed is now under investigation that shows promise of practically and feasibly solving this problem. The process is similar to froth flotation, but a generous quantity of kerosene is used as one of the reagents, and the feed is from approximately 10-mesh to 0 considerably coarser than the usual froth flotation feed. The kerosene and the coarseness of the reed result in a floated product that, under certain circumstances, can be dewatered satisfactorily by a simple process of mechanical squeezing, Squeezing is accomplished by means of an ordinary conveying' Auger-and trough assembly with a section of pipe easing at the outer end of the trough. The bottom of the trough and. casing is fitted with wedge-wire sections to permit escape of the water freed by the squeezing action of the auger. On account of the important role of the kerosene, the process has been referred to in this report as kerosene flotation. Up to now, the investigative work has been divided about evenly between the laboratory and commercial plants. Nearly all of the work has been done on sludges containing the solids from the underflow of dewatering screens. A few runs have been made on 10-mesh to 0: fines from raw coal, but in some of those runs the dewatering mechanism, failed to function.

Jan 1, 1950

By L. T. MCELVENNY, Robert B. McElwaine, M. Clair Smith

Production of mercury from the cinnabar deposits of the southwestern Arkansas mercury district began in 1931 , reached its peak in 1942 , and ended in 1944. The mines are now idle . Virtually all the cinnabar was obtained from deposits in a belt , about a mile wide , of steeply dipping sandstone beds in the overriding blocks of three thrust faults . The belt was productive for a length of about 27 miles eastward from eastern Howard County, through Pike County, into Clark County . During the early life of the district, Federal agencies watched and recorded its progress as a contributor of a strategic metal, and later, during the war, conducted investigations designed to advance its development . In 1941 , the Bureau of Mines and the U. S. Geological Survey cooperated in investigations on eight mineralized areas in the western part of the district , to wit : Hales mine , U. S. mine , Lulu Bell property, Hopkins Hill , East Gap Ridge , Gap Ridge , Parnell Hill , and Section 17 mine area . U. S. Geological Survey prepared both surface and mine maps and designated the areas to be investigated ; the Bureau did the drilling , trenching, and sampling involved in the investigations . Twelve holes , aggregating 3,539 feet of bore , were diamond drilled on six properties ; 5,309 linear feet of surface trenches were bulldozed in six areas and 19 samples taken from them ; and 86 underground channel samples were cut in two adits on one property . In 1944 , the Bureau of Mines measured mine dumps and calcine dumps in the district in an investigation of their mercury content . Two mine dumps and one calcine dump were sampled . The data pertinent to the work done by the Bureau are included in this report .

Oct 1, 1950

By Joseph A. DeCarlo, Eugene T. Sheri dan

The process of converting coal into coke is known as carbonization. Essentially, carbonization is destructive distillation in which the volatile matter of coal is released when coal is heated above its decomposition temperature and passes through a plastic stage before solidifying and forming coke. The mechanics of coke formation are complex, and the specific properties of certain coals that allow them to "cake" or form coke are still unknown. Coke is a hard, cellular, carbonaceous mass, formed by heating coal in the absence of air. It is porous, irregular in size and shape, and is similar in appearance to wood charcoal. Coke, however, is denser, more porous, and more abrasive than charcoal. Coke has been in use for several thousand years. History has recorded its use in Greece before the birth of Christ, and it is thought to have been used in China even before that time. It was not until the l6th century, however, that a method for coking was developed in Europe that subsequent ly evolved into the coking process that is known today. The coke industry in the United States began in the latter half of the 19th century when beehive-coke ovens were built to supply fuel for iron blast furnaces. Before this time, an iron industry fueled principally by charcoal had been in existence for several hundred years. With the depletion of timber resources, coke gradually replaced charcoal as blast-furnace fuel, and by 1875 more iron was made with coke than with any other fuel. Before 1893 a 11 coking was done in beehive ovens. These ovens are refractory kilns with arched roofs, sometimes joined together to form batteries.

Jul 1, 1964

By D. E. Sullivan

The Minerals Availability Program of the Bureau of Mines conducts cost evaluations of current and potential mineral operations in the United States and foreign countries. The International Mining Cost Indexation System (IMCI) allows data of different time periods within a country to be updated to a common base year for analytical purposes. The IMCI comprises 12 factor cost indexes and an exchange rate series for 96 market economy countries, denominated in both local and U.S. currency. The IMCI for each country contains 12 time series indexes that measure the average annual rate of change in the cost of factor inputs to the mining industry within that country. Mining industry factor cost indexes include wages, plant and equipment, construction and mining materials, power and transportation, and other measures considered to comprise the majority of capital and operating costs. Cost data or proxies are collected in local currency. Index series within each country are constructed separately and indexed on a 1975 base year. The local currency index is converted to a U.S.-dollar-based currency index using an exchange ratio.

Jan 1, 1987

The current procedure for measuring the concentration of respirable coal mine dust is as follows. Each filter is preweighed by the filter manufacturer to ±0.1 mg. Following sampling with the Coal Mine Dust Personal Sample Unit (CPSU) at 2.0 L/min, the filter with coal mine dust is sent to MSHA for weighing. The current MSHA procedure for weighing respirable dust samples uses a Mettler Model AE163 analytical balance in conjunction with an automatic weighing system with a precision of ±0.02 mg [Tomb 19901. Each balance is calibrated twice per day. Quality control for the automatic weighing system includes the systematic weighing of one in eight filters on a second Mettler AE163 balance. Tolerance is set at ±0.1 mg between the two weighings of the same sample. Weights are truncated at the 0.1 mg level (e.g., 3.457 mg is truncated to 3.4 mg) [Bowman et al. 19851. The difference of the two truncated weights is then recorded as the weight of coal dust deposited. The respirable concentration (mg/m3) is computed by multiplying by a correction equal to 1.38 and dividing by the volume of air sampled (2.0 L/min x sampling time [min]).

Jan 1, 1997