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By L. Y. Sadler

This report summarizes the findings of a 9-yr research program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and conducted by the Bureau of Mines, to evaluate refractory liner materials for coal gasifier reactors. Commercially available refractories were exposed to coal gasifier reactor environments, reproduced in the laboratory with a high-temperature, high-pressure test facility, followed by extensive postexposure evaluation. Thirty-six castable or gunnable refractories and cements and 24 refractory brick were evaluated. The behavior of castable refractories reinforced with stainless steel fibers was also examined. Gas environments that were evaluated included steam, H2, CO2, CO, and typical high-and low-Btu gas mixtures. Exposure pressures ranged from 100 to 1,000 psig, temperatures from 5000 to 1,1000 C, for periods from 50 h to 2,000 h. In some exposures, sodium and/or potassium hydroxide were introduced in order to simulate a high-alkali environment. It was found that intermediate-and low-alumina refractories produced from domestically available raw materials, rather than high-alumina refractories produced from imported raw materials, gave the best service as liner materials and that alkali attack was probably not a serious problem with most refractories. Based on the results of this program, good choices of refractory liner materials for gasifier reactors can be made.

Jan 1, 1984

The Technology Transfer Seminar on Mine Communications held on March 21-77, 1973, at the Pittsburgh Mining and Safety Research Center, Bruceton, Pa., presented information about recently developed equipment, instruments, and techniques for use in mine communications systems. All of the basic ideas presented in the fine seminar are operational in the Bureau of Mines Safety Research Mine in Bruceton.

Jan 1, 1974

By E. P. Youngman

The rapidly growing demand for titanium pigments has aroused new interest in actual and potential sources of supply of titanium- bearing ores , which only a comparatively few years ago were almost unmarketable . This paper , which supplements a general circular entitled " Titanium" ( Information Circular 6365 ) , represents a summary of current trade literature and Government reports , together with some hitherto unpublished material that has accumulated in the files of the Bureau of Mines . The purpose of this pamphlet is simply to indicate the commercial possibilities of the deposits , and the discussion is confined almost entirely to the three commercial ores , ilmenite , rutile , and magnetite ( titaniferous iron ore ) .

Oct 1, 1930

By Joseph A. DeCarlo

The rapid growth of the organic chemical industry in the United States and abroad has focused attention on the future raw-material sources for this important industry. Chemical products are essential to modern civilization; and millions of tons of organic chemicals are used annually, ranging from basic raw materials to finished chemical products such as drugs, cosmetics, and soaps. Hundreds of chemical products are made directly or indirectly from coal, but in this report "coal chemicals" will be limited to crude tar, crud light oil, and ammonia recovered in the high-temperature carbonization of bituminous coal and the important principal products obtained by processing these materials. Specifically these include benzene} toluene, xylene, naphthalene, creosote oil, tar acid oil, pitch, and ammonium sulfate. Therefore the term "coal chemicals", wherever used in this report, includes only these products and does not include the secondary or intermediate products such as styrene, synthetic phenol, aniline, phthalic anhydride, or finished products made from these, such as synthetic rubber, plastics, and dyes. The United States leads the world in production and consumption of coal chemicals. In the past five years nearly one-fourth of the total output of coal-tar crudes in the world was produced in the United States. Consumption of some of the more important products derived from these crudes such as benzene, toluene, xylene, and naphthalene, however, ranged from about one-third to one-half of the world total because of imports and production of benzene, toluene, and xylene from petroleum. The synthetic organic chemical industry of the United States was established during World War I on chemical raw materials obtained by the high-temperature carbonization of bituminous coal but this source of supply currently furnishes less than 40 percent. More than 60 percent of the chemical raw materials used to produce organic and inorganic chemical is supplied by the petroleum industry and production of petrochemicals is rising rapidly.

Jan 1, 1960

By R. V. Lundquist, A. E. Morris, E. L. Singleton

This experimental research was performed to determine rate - of - reaction constants on the MnO - C and Mn , C₂ - 3MnO systems at 1,100 ° , 1,150 ° , and 1,185 ° C. Reactions were conducted at atmospheric pressure under controlled flow of purified helium through the furnace chamber . The weight - loss method defined reduction percentages , and reaction products were identified by X- ray methods . The system Mn0 - C followed a linear reaction rate , and experimental results produced an apparent activation energy of 55.8 kcal per mole of Mn0 . The system Mn, C - 3Mn0 followed a parabolic rate of reaction law and yielded an apparent activation energy of 114.4 kcal per mole for the reaction .

Jan 1, 1964

By W. W. Adams

The extent to which coal mines have installed various types of haulage systems and mining machines is a subject about which there is little definite information available in convenient form for the country as a whole . A few State mine inspectors include in their annual reports such information for their respective States , but uniform data for the United States have not until recently been compiled . Several years ago the Bureau of Mines compiled from one of the standard mining directories * a statement showing the kinds of machines and haulage used in coal mines . The first statement was prepared from the 1918 edition of the directory in which detailed descriptions of coal mines were given . The information presumably related to the calendar year 1917. Similar statements have been compiled from the directories for 1919 , 1920 , and 1922 , the statement for 1921 having been omitted because the directory for that year did not become available . The latest statement is given below and is based upon the directory for 1922. It relates to conditions prevailing in 1921 , and covers a total of 7,088 coal mines . Of these , 5,064 mines . or more than 71 per cent , were using animal haulage . As compared with the total number of all classes of mines , those in the animal - haul age group constituted 71.4 per cent , the percentage having remained practically stationary during the past four years , although the actual number of mines in the group has increased . Rope haulage was reported by 1,066 mines , or 15 per cent of the total , representing a larger number of mines than in 1918 , but a decrease of 2 in the percentage for the group as compared with all classes of mines . Electric haulage was reported by 3,274 mines (46.2 per cent ) , and the number of motors in use was 11,265 . The percentage of mines in this class has not changed materially, but the actual number of mines has shown a gain of about 900 during the past four years . Compressed-air locomotives have not increased either in actual or relative number , the percentage for the past year being but 1.2 . The number of mines using storage- battery locomotives has increased from 3.6 per cent of the total shown four years ago , to 9.8 per cent for last year, the latest figures showing 693 mines with 1,428

May 1, 1922

By C. H. Riggs

This report of a petroleum-engineering study of the Flat Rock oil field, Osage County, Okla., describes the geology, reviews the production history, and estimates remaining oil reserves. The Flat Rock field in the southeastern corner of Osage County approximately 6 miles northwest of Tulsa. Okla., was discovered in November 1904. The field was one of the first of many Bartlesville-sand fields developed in eastern Osage County during the early part of the 20th century. Although substantial oil reserves remain in the pressure depleted sands in some parts of the field, their economic recovery by water flooding will require careful consideration of the many factors involved.

Jan 1, 1954

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 F. R. McDonald

The proton NMR spectra of 32 pyridines in two solvents, carbon tetrachloride and benzene-d6, are presented. The chemical-shift and differential-shift values are correlated with the substitutent position and with the solvent media. The ring protons and the protons on alkyl substituents are tabulated. The paramagnetic shift of the protons adjacent to the nitrogen is discussed, and a proposed structure for the pyridine-benzene complex that is consistent with the observed anomalous paramagnetic shift is presented. The utility of the data in the identification of pyridine compounds found in shale-oil naphtha is demonstrated.

Jan 1, 1971

By P. L. Woolf

Seven evaluation tests with blast furnace iron bearing burden materials are described. The effects of pellet strength, fines in the burden, decreasing slag volume, pellet size, eliminating stone with superfluxed sinter, and eliminating stone by prefluxing the pellets were determined. Fluxed pellets and fluxed sinter made with the same ore fines were compared. The tests were conducted under cooperative agreements between the Bureau of Mines and North American steel companies. The objectives were to improve blast furnace practice, expand and develop understanding of the operation and theory, quantify the effects of changes, and explore the limitations of operability. This work was part of an extensive program of blast furnace research in experimental blast furnaces at Bruceton, PA conducted in the years 1958 to 1967.

Jan 1, 1984

Develop a lightweight, portable device for use in mines for non-destructive testing of resin grouted roof bolt bond integrity. Approach A unique, intrinsically safe, electronic instrument has been developed that determines the holding quality of a fully grouted roof bolt by testing the integrity of the resin bond to both the bolt and to the surrounding rock. How It Works A measured pulse of energy Is sent Into the bolt by a piezoelectric transducer, and the instrument listens for reflected energy. Where the bolt is properly bonded, the energy passes from the bolt, through the resin, and out into the rock mass. Where proper bending does not exist, a portion of the energy Is reflected back along the bolt. The Instrument measures the reflected energy and compares it to the original pulse. The amount

Jan 1, 1982

By Eugene T. Sheridan

The 22d annual survey of the packaged-fuel industry by the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, revealed that 26 plants in 8 States were in operation and reported production in 1956. The demand for packaged fuel in the United States has declined gradually since the end of World War II, and the number of operating plants has decreased from 70 in 1946 to 26 in 1956. Annual productive capacity of the industry has decreased also during this period, and the decrease in capacity was about proportional to the decrease in operating plants. Packaged-fuel plants are relatively small, and 85 percent of the active plants in 1956 had an annual capacity of less than 10,000 tons. The same situation prevailed in 1946, when 84 percent of the plants had a capacity of less than 10,000 tons. Total capacity for the 26 active plants in 1956 was 174,600 tons, an average of 6,715 tons per plant. Operating rates in 1956 were the highest since 1951, and the rate of production for the industry averaged 37 percent of capacity.

Jan 1, 1958

By F. P. Haver

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of common impurities, that is, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and iron, on the Brinell hardness of electrolytic titanium. On a weight basis, nitrogen had the greatest hardening effect, followed by oxygen, carbon, and iron in order. The hardening effects of oxygen and carbon were almost identical up to a concentration of approximately 0.1 percent by weight. Above this concentration, the relative hardening effect of carbon decreased rapidly, possibly because of its limited solid solubility in a-titanium. Hardness vs. composition curves for both oxygen and nitrogen were essentially straight lines over the range of Brinell hardness numbers (B.h.n.) covered in the investigation. The hardness of titanium was also determined as a function of the percentage of impurity atoms. On this basis, iron in concentrations up to 0.17 atomic percent had a greater hardening effect than either oxygen or carbon. INTRODUCTION Determination of the as-cast hardness of arc-melted titanium is a method of quality control widely used in industry. Numerous studies4/ have been made of the effect of impurities on the hardness obtained by this method. However, most of them have been based on the use of either iodide titanium or commercially pure Kroll sponge (B.h.n. >90), as a starting material.

Jan 1, 1959

By W. J. Wiehagen

The Work Crew Performance Model (WCPM) seeks to define performance variability within similar tasks of an underground work crew and relate observed variability to a cost consequence. Performance variability is described using work site observations to determine the adherence to job elements con¬tained within a standard operating procedure. Key components of the WCPM include (1) job definition through task analyses and the ranking of job elements by perceived cost consequence, (2) observational techniques for establishing performance baselines by measuring adherence to safe and proficient job procedures, and (3) cost linkages between adherence to task procedures and measures of consequence for noncompliance. Data presented within this report were obtained through the study of shuttle car operation in an underground mine in Appalachia. Observed adherence to safe and proficient job procedures by opera¬tors matched well with the consensus profiles (measured through a nominal group technique) with min¬ing personnel. It was also found that experienced operators consistently outperformed less experienced, incidental operators. These findings imply potential use of the WCPM as a practical procedure for thinking systematically about the choices available to reduce performance variability. Field application of the model can offer useful data to evaluate training and financially support performance improvement strategies that can be tested for their ability to reduce human error.

Jan 1, 1994

By Robert F. Randolph, Dana C. Reinke, Richard L. Unger

Purpose The NIOSH Hearing Loss Simulator is a software training and communication tool for promoting hearing loss prevention. It allows a user or trainer to demonstrate the effects of noise exposure on hearing without experiencing an actual noise-induced hearing loss. Estimates of the effects of different levels of noise exposure are based on the American National Standard Determination of Occupational Noise Exposure and Estimation of Noise-Induced Hearing Impairment, otherwise known as ANSI S3.44. This standard specifies the predicted hearing loss for noise-exposed populations of individuals based on risk factors that include gender, age, sound levels (in A-weighted decibels or dBA), and years of exposure. Algorithms specified in the standard were derived from empirical studies of populations that had no exposure to loud noise and other populations that had experienced various levels and durations of noise exposure. This manual explains the major objectives that can be addressed with the simulator and training scenarios that can be applied to real-life, real-worker scenarios. The majority of this guide explains the simulator's functions in detail. Simulator users are encouraged to read this manual while learning how to run the software. [ ] Training Objectives The main objective of the Hearing Loss Simulator is to increase motivation for taking effective hearing prevention action by demonstrating simulated noise-induced hearing losses. [The Simulator can also help teach the following facts about hearing loss. Hearing loss is affected by noise levels. Hearing loss worsens as the noise exposure duration increases. Hearing loss can become permanent. Hearing loss makes it harder to hear what others say. Most hearing loss is not caused by age. Speech is made up of both low and high pitch sounds. Hearing loss due to noise makes it harder to hear high pitch sounds. Hearing loss due to noise has less of an effect on hearing low pitch sounds.]

Jan 3, 2008

By D. Harrington

"While distribution of air currents to working faces is a necessity in coal mines, especially those having explosive gas, advancing faces in metal mines rarely have circulating air other than the ordinarily inadequate amount supplied through the compressed air system. Even where comparatively large quantities of air pass through main mine shafts and levels. whether the circulation is actuated by fans or by natural ventilation, only occasionally can a metal mine be found where any considerable percentage of the ""blind ends"" has circulating air of sufficient velocity to be measured by an anemometer or even be discerned by deflection of flame of candle, or of acetylene lamp; and unfortunately these ""blind ends"" include nearly all of the places from which rock is taken.During several years study of metal-mine ventilation in various mining districts of the United States, it has been found that in some mines many of the workers in ""blind ends"" practically continually breathe air with 0.02 to 0.04 per cent of CO gas from unremoved fumes from explosives; in other mines CO2 chiefly from timber decay and breathing of men, is so high that a candle will not burn though usually the acetylene lamp will, hence oxygen is below 17 per cent but above 12 per cent; in some regions CO2 from strata fills the entire mine forcing cessation of work; in other mines in dead ends, gases such as nitrogen, H2S, SO2, etc., are found under some conditions. In many regions with hot rock or water (especially in deep workings) men in blind ends must work with little or no circulation, in air above SO degrees F. and even above 90 degrees, relative humidity only too frequently being around 100 per cent; in other regions workers in blind ends in practically ""dead"" air must continually breathe enormous quantities of finely divided rock dusts. All of the above conditions are decidedly harmful to health and prevent the worker from delivering anything approaching an adequate quantity of work, and in addition, some of these conditions have direct or indirect effect in bringing about definite increase of accidents; all of the above mentioned bad conditions in ""blind ends"" in metal mines as well as their ill effects, are remediable by providing at those places adequate quantities of fresh circulating air."

Nov 1, 1923

By Nirander M. Safaya

Revegetation success on surface mined lands is dependent upon the nature of the plant growth media. Soil physical and chemical properties dictate the needs for specific reclamation and subsequent management practices. Field experiments were conducted at six coal mine sites in Oliver and Mercer Counties, North Dakota to determine the subsequent effects of a single application of selected amendments on spoil and topsoils over the five year period, 1974-1978. Considerable variations in the physical and chemical properties were found in mine spoils from site to site. The texture of spoils ranged from sandy clay loamy at North Beulah I to loamy at Glenharold, and from sandy loamy at North Beulah 3 and South Beulah sites to loamy sands at the Center site. The pH of the sites ranged from 6.5 at South Beulah to 8.2 at North Beulah 3. In many cases, the pH values of mine spoils were not significantly different from the topsoils. The electrical conductivity (ECe) did not exceed 6 mmhos cm-1 at the test sites even though in other studies much higher values were recorded in the same vicinity. The spoils from Glenharold and North Beulah test sites can be classed as moderately saline, and those from Center and South Beulah as non-saline. The sodium adsorption ratios (SAR) varied from less than 1 to 32, with highest values in the spoils of North Beulah 3 followed by Glenharold; all other sites were nonsodic. Lowest SAR values (less than 1) were found in the topsoiled sites at South Beulah and Center. Spoils of North Beulah 3 test site were highly calcareous, followed by North Beulah 2 and Glenharold. Center mine spoils which were the least calcareous of the test sites, showed the calcium carbonate equivalent three times higher than that of the topsoil. The average calcium concentrations in the spoils of North Beulah 3 and South Beulah test sites were -13 and 14 me 100g -l while at North Beulah 2 and Glenharold test sites 25 and 22 me 100-1-1 were recorded, respectively. The overall magnesium concentrations ranged from an average of 4 to 16 me 100g 1. Sodium concentrations in all sites never exceeded 10 me 100g-1. Phosphorus concentrations on the average at North Beulah 1, North Beulah 2, and Center were 10.2, 4.6, and 22.2 µg g -1 spoil, respectively. Concentrations of potassium ranged from 200 ppm at South Beulah site to more than 375 pp in at the Glenharold site. High concentrations of sulfates (239-2778 µg g-1) seem to contribute to the salinity in these spoils. Chloride concentrations of spoils were low and never exceeded 40 µg g-1 spoil. Based on established critical levels of deficiency for micronutrients in agricultural soils, it seems that none of these were deficient. However, controlled environment experiments did reveal increased plant growth responses when some micronutrients were added to the mine spoils. Treatment effects were highly site specific depending on the nature of the soil/spoil characteristics and, of course, the properties of the various treatments. While slack coal amendment to the spoils at North Beulah 2 site affected significant increases in a large number of variables (both major and trace elements), amendment of the topsoils at the South Beulah test site with leonardite resulted in significant decreases in a number of variables, particularly trace elements. Spoils at Glenharold and North Beulah 3 demonstrated the fewest significant changes due to amendments. Calcium, magnesium, strontium, organic matter and nitrogen were consistently increased from site to site with the addition of lignitic materials. Other spoil/topsoil physical and chemical properties (30 variables) as affected by amendments and time are discussed.

Jan 1, 1982

By W. T. Millar

Graphite in the Suffern deposits near Hillburn, N. Y., consists of flakes ranging in size from fines to one-half inch in diameter. The Bureau of Mines investigated the Suffern deposits in the spring of 1943. Gneiss outcrops were examined, and five trenches excavated and sampled. The graphite is not confined to any definite zone but occurs in small, local pockets. Eleven samples were collected and combined for laboratory tests. Tests by the Bureau of Mines indicate that the graphite ore can be beneficiated by stage crushing, "skin flotation" of coarse flakes, and wet flotation of minus 10-mesh flakes. Over 90, percent of the graphite was recovered.

Jan 1, 1949

By M. O. Renwick, Paul Zinner

"INTRODUCTION In September 1943, the Bureau of Mines conducted a limited program of churn drilling on the Winskell property in the Shullsburg area of Lafayette County, Wis. The work was undertaken as part of a general investigation by the Bureau of the zinc-producing area of southwestern Wisconsin at a time when special effort war being made to increase the production of metals necessary for the war program.Drilling described supplemented a previous drilling program conducted by the Vinegar Hill Zinc Co. The results of both programs encouraged subsequent investigation by the Cuba Mining Co. and eventual development of the Andrews mine.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSIn its program of investigation of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the more effective utilization of our mineral resources to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. It is the policy of the Bureau to publish the facts developed by such project as soon as praticable after its conclusion. The Mining Branch, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary examinations, performs the investigative work, and prepares the final report."

Aug 1, 1947

By L. Garner McDonald

The U.S. Bureau of Mines tangentially impacted potential coal-cutter bit shank materials against sandstone to investigate the potential of the materials to ignite natural gas by a friction-generated hot streak. The shank material samples were mounted in a 24-in, 550-lb flywheel, which was rotated at surface speeds of 400 to 900 sfpm. The sandstone was advanced toward the rotating flywheel at feed rates of 1 mil per impact. The atmosphere mixture was 7 vol pct natural gas in air. Three grades of polycarbonate resin, an ultra-high-molecular weight polyethylene, and a zinc alloy (ZA27) were among the potential materials. None of these materials caused ignition of the methane at any of the three test speeds (400, 600, and 900 sfpm), but the above materials do not have sufficient strength to hold a carbide tip during coal cutting. Of the materials having sufficient strength to hold a carbide tip, three nickel-based alloys proved less likely to cause a natural gas ignition than did iron-based alloys such as 4340 (a commonly used shank material for coal cutters).

Jan 1, 2010