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By V. Ferrari

This report documents the three-phase program to design, fabricate, test, and demonstrate economical and practical methods of reducing noise levels on underground coal mining portal buses (mantrip vehicles). The noise-control treatments applied to a production-model portal bus were as follows: ? Wheel/rail vibrations were isolated from the vehicle frame by inserting elastomeric materials between suspension components. ? Vibration-induced noise was reduced by replacing all large sheet metal panels (except floor plates) with damped steel panels. ? Motor noise was reduced by tight-fitting covers made from damped steel and lined with sound-absorbing material, and by elastomeric motor mounts. ? The standard spur gears used in the traction drive system were replaced with helical gearsets. The program achieved the goal of reducing the average sound-level to below 85 dBA for typical operating conditions.

Jan 1, 1981

This report is in fulfillment of Contract H0230031 awarded to Bituminous Coal Research, Inc., on May 23, 1973. The scope of work to be performed under this contract was divided into four phases: Phase I - Design, Phase II - Construction, Phase III - Field Demonstration, and Phase IV - Analysis and Final Report. During Phase I, an agreement was finalized with the Rochester and Pittsburgh Coal Co. for conducting field tests of the proposed shearer spray systems on a longwall panel in the company's Jane Mine in Indiana County, Pa. A drum was then designed which could be used on the Eickhoff shearer, Model EW170-L, being used on this longwall and which would utilize the following spray systems: 1. One spray nozzle located in front of each cutter bit with the jet directed at the cutting surface. 2. One spray nozzle located in back of each cutter bit with the jet directed at the back of the bit. 3. Standard Eickhoff nozzles located in a header along the drum scrolls. 4. A fixed header mounted on the shearer directly behind the drum to simulate the spray system originally used on the Eickhoff shearer.

Jan 1, 1976

By S. M. Marshall

The investigations recorded in this bulletin were conducted by the Pacific Coke & Coal Co. in cooperation with the United States Bureau of Mines and the University of Washington. They cover one phase of a comprehensive investigation to determine whether coals from an extensive, undeveloped area of Pierce County, Wash., can be used in the manufacture of coke for the iron blast furnace. The completed investigation had three parts: (1) A geological survey of the coal property, (2) washing and crushing tests of the coals, and (3) coking and by-product tests. The geological survey, which was not conducted in cooperation with the Bureau of Mines and the University of Washington, included systematic tracing of the coal beds by test holes throughout the property, except some portions covered by an impenetrable layer of glacial drift. By this means all of the beds were correlated, their thickness and general character were determined, and tonnage estimates were made. Only such parts of the survey results as are necessary to a full explanation of the investigations described herein are included in this bulletin.

Jan 1, 1931

By Homer J. Ballinger

"SUMMARYDuring December 1945, the Bureau of Mines began churn drilling the Winchester zinc deposit, 11 miles south of Joplin in Newton County, Mo. The deposit lies in a virgin area northwest of the Seneca fault. It is one of several deposits partly proven by drilling but never developed.Logs of 28 privately drilled holes had indicated a substantial tonnage without delimiting the deposit. It appeared that additional drilling might increase this reserve sufficiently to justify mining. A, total of 6,33 feet of churn drilling was completed in 17 holes drilled by the Bureau of Mines. Twelve of the holes penetrated minable ore extending the length of the known deposit and materially increasing its estimated tonnage.INTRODUCTIONDuring May 1943, the Winchester property in Newton County, was visited by an engineer 3/ of the Bureau of Mines, accompanied by Dr. A. N. Winchester, owner, and Charles Keith, lessee of the property. At the request and with the assistance of these gentlemen, examination of the property was undertaken. Logs of 28 churn-drill holes were collected, hole locations were surveyed, and available historical data were obtained. It was concluded that although existing drill holes indicated considerable reserves, additional drilling might increase the tonnage substantially. In addition, it was believed that better knowledge of this ore deposit could be obtained by drilling further, and this knowledge could, in turn, be applied to other less proven deposits in the same field."

Jul 1, 1947

By J. R. Thoenen

This circular is the third of a series summarizing the technical problems involved in the production and preparation of sand and gravel. The first, Information Circular 6668, published in December 1932, discussed the problems involved in prospecting and exploration. The second, Information Circular 6689 (March 1933), dealt with the development of gravel deposits. This is part I of a paper designed to present a study of problems arising in the excavation of sand and revel and their delivery to the treatment plant. Other circulars are planned which will discuss preparation of the material for market, plant storage, and miscellaneous subject. Definitions For the purpose of this circular, excavation is defined as the recovery of sand and gravel from developed natural deposits and their delivery to a plant for market preparation.

Jan 1, 1934

By G. T. Lineberry, W. J. Wiehagen

A Paradigm Shift As market economists, mine managers are interested in "staying in business" and even "prospering." Bottom-line results are the "order of the day." Concern for bottom-line results invokes questions such as: How much was produced? At what cost? And, was anyone injured? While these questions will always carry everyday emphasis at the mine, they are fundamentally lacking in that they often appear, especially to lower levels of management and to the production worker, as preeminent concerns. Driven by market economics, many organizations have decentralized, outsourced, downsized, restructured, and formed new coalitions. Investments in new technology and concentration on productivity have been part and parcel with these changes, contributing to improvements in both safety and efficiency. A reason for (and, perhaps a result of) these improvements has been the development of a highly experienced and flexible work force. These changes in mining present an interesting opportunity to modify a few paradigms about work life in general, and perhaps a few paradigms about how we invest in the miner, in particular. Studying these issues now might offer some interesting opportunities for the future, as the foundations for the next generation of mine workers are laid. With the average "experienced" U.S. miner five to fifteen years from retirement, perhaps a key determinant of future success in the world market might be how well we make the transition from today's work force to the work force of tomorrow. We can ill afford to wait a few more years to tap into the special knowledge residing within a veteran mining work force. The WCPM work Crew Performance Model, see pp. ) is one approach to defining, capturing, and transferring this expertise.

By Oliver Bowles

From remote antiquity stone has been employed for structural, ornamental, and memorial purposes. It was, and still is, so used because of its availability in innumerable localities and its architectural adaptability, dignity, substantiality, and durability. The principal varieties of stone used are granite, marble, limestone, sandstone, and slate. This report deals with granite. OCCURRENCE AND CHARACTER OF GRANITE Granites usually have been classed as igneous rocks derived from molten masses or magmas, but there is wide evidence that the origin of some granites may be attributed to regional metamorphism of preexisting rocks, rearrangement and recrystallization taking place without a liquid or molten stage. In any event granitization is a slow, deep-seated process.

Jan 1, 1956

This publication summarizes, for potential contractors and all other interested parties, the research and development of in-house and contract projects programmed by the Bureau of Mines for fiscal year 1983 (October 1, 1982-September 30, 1983) under its Health and Safety Technology program. The objective of these projects is to provide an ordered and sequenced series of advance toward the Bureau's overall goal of providing the systems technology required to create a more healthful and safer working environment for the Nation's mining and minerals processing workers.

Jan 1, 1982

By R. E. Chaney

This report summarizes the research on the Strategic and Critical Materials Program tasks conducted at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) between Mdy 1983 and April 1984. The work is divided into two areas: 1. Production Technologies - Tasks directed at developing advanced extraction technologies ? Biologically-Assisted Minerals Processing ? Metal/Gas Reactions and Thermal Plasmas ? Dehydration of Aluminum Chloride Hexahydrate. 2. Conservation/Substitution Technologies - Tasks directed toward establishing the technical processing base which will permit the use of advanced materials ? Joining of Rapidly Solidified Alloys (RSA) ? Joining of Silicon Nitride-Based Ceramics ? Nondestructive Evaluation of Ceramic and RSA Joints and Materials.

Jan 1, 1984

By Sam S. Taylor

[The discovery of many oil fields in Illinois since 1936 and their rapid development have brought tine problem of brine disposal to the foreground in that State. The ultimate magnitude of the is not yet known, but already it is great enough to warrant technical investigation. The Bureau of Mines, therefore, has made a general survey of the methods of handling oil-field brines in Illinois and has studied in detail three subsurfaces disposal systems.]

Jan 1, 1940

By Steven J. Page

Since 1982 standard calibration materials recommended for respirable crystalline silica analysis by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) P7 Infrared Method and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) X-ray Diffraction (XRD) Analytical Method 7500 have undergone minor changes in size distribution. However, a critical assumption has been made that the crystalline silica in ambient mine atmosphere respirable dust samples has also remained essentially unchanged in particle size distribution. The objective of this work, therefore, is to compare recent particle size distributions of underground coal mine dust and the silica component of these dusts with estimated aerodynamic particle size distributions of calibration standard materials MIN-U-SIL 5, Berkeley 5, and SRM 1878 used by two crystalline silica analysis techniques. This work provides resolution to a previously reported discrepancy involving the proper sample dilution for the particle sizing method used. Dust impactor sampling data for various locations in 13 underground coal mines were collected between 1991 and 1998 and analyzed for the respirable mass median aerodynamic diameters. The data suggest that the MSHA P7 Method will underestimate the silica content of the sample by at most 8.5 % in the median size range of 0.9–3.6 µm and that it is unlikely one would obtain any significant error in the MSHA P7 Method analysis when the method uses Berkeley 5, MIN-U-SIL 5, or SRM 1878 as a calibration standard material. The results suggest that the NIOSH Analytical Method 7500 would be more appropriate for a dust sample that is representative of the total (no cyclone classifier) rather than the respirable airborne dust, particularly since the mass fraction in the size range below 4 µm is usually a small percentage of the total airborne dust mass. However, the NIOSH Analytical Method 7500 is likely to underestimate the silica content of an airborne respirable dust sample by only 5–10 %. The results of this study also suggest that any changes that may have occurred in the median respirable size of airborne coal mine dust are not significant enough to cause any appreciable error in the current methods used for respirable crystalline silica analysis.

Aug 3, 2005

By Launa G. Mallett, Jr. Brnich

Overview: The first step to emergency preparedness and maintaining a safe workplace is defining and analyzing hazards. Although all hazards should be addressed, resource limitations usually do not allow this to happen at one time. Risk assessment can be used to establish priorities so that the most dangerous situations are addressed first and those least likely to occur and least likely to cause major problems can be considered later. Purpose: This training package was developed to assist instructors as they (1) determine how to use risk assessment to improve safety preparedness and (2) present risk assessment concepts and tools to trainees. The concepts and tools presented here can be applied to any mine hazard.

Jul 1, 2003

By E. L. Singleton

This Bureau of Mines investigation was initiated to study and establish some of the chemical and physical characteristics of the condensed Mno-Si02 system. To prevent oxidation of the manganous ion, I atmosphere of purified helium was used in the furnaces. Solidus-liquidus curves and invariant points were established from melting-point determinations and were supplemented from data obtained by the static-quenching method. Experimental findings and data are for the intermediate compounds of tephroite and rhodonite with their respective eutectics represented at 25.5 and 37.2 weight-percent silica. Tephroite melts congruently at 1,347° C., and rhodonite melts incongruently at 1,286° 8.. A metastable transformation was determined to exist at the 1,347° C. isotherm, the congruent melting point of tephroite. A composite X-ray-diffraction pattern was formulated for synthetic rhodonite. This investigation contributes fundamental data leading toward a better understanding of the more complex slag systems.

Jan 1, 1962

By Thomas Curtin

The Bureau of Mines, in its researches aimed to prevent wastes and to increase efficiency in oil-well practice, has investigated the matter of casing troubles and fishing methods. The results of the investigation are set forth in this paper. After expensive development work, many wells being drilled for oil have been abandoned because of casing troubles. These troubles in many instances have been thought to be insurmountable, whereas they are sometimes susceptible of solution. In fields_ where casing difficulties are of daily occurrence, methods have been evolved for combating them. Were these methods more widely known and applied wherever the same conditions exist, the oil industry at large would be greatly benefited. This report attempts to classify these troubles and suggests solutions that will save the operator discouragement and expense. It is assumed throughout this paper that the reader is so familiar with the ordinary oil-well drilling and fishing methods that detailed explanation is unnecessary. The well-drilling terms that are used herein will be readily understood by those for whom this discussion is intended. However, in order to avoid confusion as to the sense in which some of these terms are applied, definitions &re included.

Jan 1, 1920

By W. R. Hardwick

This information circular describes mining methods and practices at New Cornelia Branch, Phelps Dodge Corp., Ajo, Ariz. It is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on mining methods, practices, and costs in various mining districts of the United States. The New Cornelia mine (fig. 1) is at Ajo, a town in southwestern Arizona (fig. 2) on Arizona State Highway 85 in the western part of Pima County. The [oncentrator] and smelter are near the mine (fig. 3). Copper ore is mined, crushed, ground, and concentrated, and the concentrates are smelted. Copper is cast in anode form and sent to the Phelps Dodge Corp. refinery in El Paso, Tex.

Jan 1, 1960

By Guthrie. R. K., H. B. Hill

"INTRODUCTION During the early 1920's world-wide attention was attracted to a group of oil fields (Mexia, Wortham, Currie, Richard, and Powell) later known as Mexia-Powell fault-line fields in Limestone, Freestonne, and Navarro Counties, Tex. Enormous yields of high-gravity oil from the wells in these fields resulted in drilling campaigns that quickly surpassed all previous records for rapid, intensive development of productive areas. The discovery of oil in the Mexia filed in September 1921 was followed quickly by the finding of oil in the Currie field in October. In January 1923 oil was discovered in the Powell field; in February 1924 the Richland field, midway between Currie and Powell fields, was brought in; and in November 1924 oil was discovered in the Wortham field, situated between Mexia and Currie fields. Each of the fileds was developed rapidly: wells were spaced closely and had high initial production; production peaks were reached early in the producing lives of the fields; subsequent decline was rapid, and there was early and rapid encroachment of edge water.In 1927 Bureau of Mines engineers, in their investigations a engineering conditions in oil,completed a preliminary study and published a mimeographed report 4/ on underground conditions in the Wortham field, and in 1928 they reported on production and development problems in the Powell Field. 5/ field."

Aug 1, 1943

By Gregory J. Chekan

This Bureau of Mines report presents three methods for designing bulkheads to impound water underground: (1) thin and thick plate design; (2) South African plug design; and (3) single and double bulkhead seal design. Related areas critical to the long-term effectiveness of underground water impoundments are also addressed. These include bulk-head anchorage, concrete specifications and placement, the grouting of permeable strata, and the sizing of barrier pillars. A case study involving hydrostatic tests conducted on a single bulkhead seal constructed in the Safety Research Coal Mine of the Bureau's Pittsburgh Research Center is presented in an appendix.

Jan 1, 1985

By Harold M. Smith

This report presents a complete qualitative picture of knowledge of the composition of petroleum as of April 1965. The material is presented in detail on two imaginative maps--one, the Hydrocarbon Hemisphere, depicts the hydrocarbons that have been identified in petroleum; the other, the Heterogeneous Hemisphere, shows the sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen compounds that have been found. All compounds are placed on the maps according to boiling point. The accompanying text illustrates by structural formulas the several types of hydrocarbon and nonhydrocarbon compounds identified, presents some quantitative data, and points out the possible geochemical significance of a number of the compounds. The possibilities of the Petroleum World of the future are discussed as a function of needed research,

Jan 1, 1966

By Harold M. Smith

This report presents a complete qualitative picture of knowledge of the composition of petroleum as of April 1965. The material is presented in detail on two imaginative maps--one, the Hydrocarbon Hemisphere, depicts the hydrocarbons that have been identified in petroleum; the other, the Heterogeneous Hemisphere, shows the sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen compounds that have been found. All compounds are placed on the maps according to boiling point. The accompanying text illustrates by structural formulas the several types of hydrocarbon and nonhydrocarbon compounds identified, presents some quantitative data, and points out the possible geochemical significance of a number of the compounds. The possibilities of the Petroleum World of the future are discussed as a function of needed research,

Jan 1, 1966

By F. du Breuil

BCR National Laboratory (formerly Bituminous Coal Research, Inc.), under a USBM con­tract (originally with the Department of Energy), monitored the installation and operation of a computer-based belt-monitoring and control system at the Barnes & Tucker Coal Co. Mine No. 20, Ebensburg, PA. The system installed was the National Coal Board's Mine Operating System (MINOS) coal transport monitoring and control system. The program objec­tive was to document (1) the installation requirements for a conveyor control system, (2) the operating experience with the system, and (3) the impact of monitoring and control on mine operation. Analysis of the system operation indicates that monitoring and control did improve belt availability significantly, and reduced downtime associated with belt delays. Economic analysis showed the increased belt availability would potentially result in significant production increase, and, therefore, excellent payback on the initial investment. The system performed satisfactorily, was well accepted by the work force, and did not increase the maintenance workload.

Jan 1, 1987