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By Nathan Feldstein

The wetting of coal dust by aqueous solutions of surface active agents (surfactants) has been studied. Selected for study were thirty coals and typical surfactants selected from the typical classes of anionic, non ionic and cationics. Of these three classes the practical use of cationics in aqueous solutions has been eliminated due to the inherent negative Zeta potential charge of the representative coals studied. The wetting of the coals has been examined by column flow, contact angle, and settling rate measurements. Results indicated that both anionic and nonionic surfactants are to be considered viable for use; low critical micelle concentration values are also preferred for the surfactants. Study of native waters showed substantial variation in properties, i.e., pH, calcium ion concentration, and conductance. pH variations were also noted to affect the effectiveness of selected surfactants. Combinations of nonionic and anionic surfactants have, in certain instances, produced synergistic enhancement in the coal wetting superior to the effectiveness of each surfactant alone.

Jan 1, 1981

By R. B. Crookston

Oil shales differ from coals in that they contain less carbonaceous material, convertible to volatile hydrocarbons, and more inorganic rock. In all pre-commercial oil shale development, involving extensive full scale mining operations, there have been no explosions. However, large scale mine tests with oil shale dusts by the Bureau of fines showed that propagating explosions could be induced under certain circumstances. Laboratory tests were conducted on a broad spectrum of oil shale dusts to define chemical properties and to seek correlations with subsequently determined fire and explosivity properties. These latter properties, indicative of safety hazards, increased as the Fischer assay oil yield of the dusts increased and as particle size decreased. Laboratory data were used to relate fire and explosivity properties of oil shales to those of coals and other carbonaceous materials and to assist in the identification and evaluation of potential hazardous situations which may be encountered in oil shale mining and processing.

Jan 1, 1978

By F. B. Petermann

The Bureau of Mines conducted electric furnace smelting tests on sintered flotation concentrate and siliceous log-washed are. The flotation concentrate was derived from the Maggie Canyon deposit of the Artillery Mountains area, Mohave County, Ariz., and contained, before sintering, 35.6 percent Mil and 19.4 percent Si02 + A1203. The log-washed ore was from the McGregor deposit of the Artillery Mountains area, Mohave County, Ariz., and contained 31.2 to 33.6 percent Mil, 19.5 to 27.6 percent Si02 + A1203, and 2.5 percent Pb. This work was undertaken to determine the most effective smelting technique for producing standard products from such nonspecification ore and concentrates. The objective was to collect data, using a small furnace, which would be reasonably accurate and permit extrapolation to large-scale practice for comparing with results on specification-grade are.

Jan 1, 1962

By J. Wade Watkins

One potential peaceful application of nuclear explosives is stimulating the production of liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons from essentially nonproductive deposits of petroleum, natural gas, oil shale, and tar sands. Within the United States the appreciable difference between producible proved reserves and ultimate reserves and resources of hydrocarbon deposits is of such magnitude that much petroleum, natural gas, shale oil, and bitumen will not be produced unless significant technological progress is made in production techniques. The shattering effect of contained nuclear explosives and, to a lesser extent, the heat produced, have been considered as stimulative forces when the thickness, depth, and nature of such deposits permit considering the use of nuclear devices. Mechanical production problems would be less in an oil or gas reservoir than in an oil-shale or tar-sands deposit. Also, tar-sands resources in the United States may not be adequate to warrant serious consideration of applying nuclear-explosives stimulation. Gas reservoirs should present the least-radioactive-contamination problem. The technical feasibility of using nuclear explosives cannot be evaluated fully at present. Additional information is needed on the effects of pressure, heat, and radioactivity on the solids and fluids of hydrocarbon deposits, the nature and extent of induced fractures in different rock media, and the possibility of isolating and confining or removing radioactive contaminants. Final technical feasibility can only be determined by a field test. If technical feasibility is established, economic feasibility will depend upon the comparative cost of producing hydrocarbons by nuclear explosives and by conventional means. It is probable that an economic comparison would favor nuclear stimulation only where devices of relatively high yield could be used practicably and safely.

Jan 1, 1964

By James W. Hendrix

A survey of endomycorrhizal fungi occurring on orphan coalmine lands in Western and Eastern Kentucky revealed a great diversity of species present. Thus a large number of fungi are available for isolation and evalution for enhancing revegetation of mined land. Endomycorrhizal fungi isolated from orphan mines stimulated growth of sweetgum seedlings on mine soil at low fertilisation but inhibited growth at high fertilization; this growth inhibition at high fertilization did not occur with plants growing on peat-perlite. Banding of endomycorrbizal inoculum was not advantageous, compared with incorporation of inoculum throughout the growth medium, for production of mycorrhizal sweetgum seedlings. Newly reclaimed mine spoils were nearly nonmycorrhizal, compared with land reclaimed four or eight years earlier. A procedure for isolation of single-spore cultures of endomycorrhizal fungi was developed; this procedure is necessary for studies of ecotypic variability. A practical procedure using container-grown Pisolithus tinctorius-infected shortleaf pine seedlings for production of large numbers of bareroot pine seedlings infected with P. tinctorius for mined land reclamation was demonstrated.

Jan 1, 1982

By Peter Grandone, Ludwig Schmict

The injection of oil-field brimJs into subsurface formations containing mineralized water ·now is .recognizud as the most satisfactory and effective means of disposal in Kansas.· Other disposal ·methods, such as impounding brines in evapOTation nonds and controlled diversion into surface streams, have not prov-ed entirely successful, principally. because the volumes of brine to be disposed of were large, the soil f;?xtr~~mely porous, the net evaporation is low, and the rairiiall insufficient fc)r adequati.:~ dilution of the brine. The disposal of brine by subsurfaCE) inj'ection is often: more. expensive than by either of the above surface methods; nevertheless, surface dis:pos?,l ow.ing to the damaging effe-c.ts of· salt water to plant, animal and aquatic life and to potable water supplies has been:a long-continuing problem with many technical, economic, and 'legal·complexiti,2s

Aug 1, 1943

By Albert L. Toenges

The production of coal from underground mines in Washington declined during the recent war owing to shortage of manpower, and coal was shipped to the Pacific Northwest from mines in the Rocky Mountain region. The movement of this coal into Washington required the use of railroad equipment that otherwise could have been used for transporting war materiel and personnel. Strip mining uses a minimum of manpower, and the development of coal areas in the Pacific Northwest that can be mined by the strip method should increase production in the area, thus releasing railroad equipment from the necessity of transporting coal long distances and also providing consumers with a lower-cost product. The development of a strip mine to supply the demand at low cost requires a large investment in heavy equipment. In order that the fixed charges due to large investment in plant and equipment may be kept at a minimum, large reserves of coal must be proved. A reconnaissance of an area near Toledo, Lewis County, Wash., indicated a large bed of lignite that could be mined by strip methods. The area is approximately midway between Portland, Oreg., and Tacoma, Wash. (refer to fig. 1), and the opening of a large mine in the area would supply fuel to these and other nearby centers.

Jan 1, 1947

By Stephen R. Iverson

The U.S. Bureau of Mines made an economic appraisal of the Buttermilk study area, Inyo County, California in October 1980. Results of surveys indicate no potential for metallic, non-metallic, or energy resources in the area. However, glacial till covering most of the area prevented bedrock examinations by the appraisal teams or earlier prospectors. No mining claims are known to be in the area. INTRODUCTION Present Studies The U.S. Bureau of Mines, Western Field Operations Center, searched county mining claim records and other data available concerning mineral deposits, claims, leases, production, and mining activity in the area. The Bureau conducted field work in October 1980 searching for prospects and claim locations. Fourteen reconnaissance lode and placer samples taken from the area were analyzed for gold, silver, and tungsten; a spectrographic analysis also was run on selected samples.

Jan 1, 1981

By ROLLIN THOMAS CHAMBERLIN

The studies herein reported were begun as a part of researches undertaken by the United States Geologü;al Survey looking to the more effcient utilization of the coal in the United States through the reduction of waste in its extnidion, and were continued as part of further researches having regard to the conservation of the fuel resources of this country and to the lessening of injuries and fatalities in coal mining. Among other phases of the general problem to be studied were the origin of the gas whidi escapes into coal mines, its modes of occurrence in the coal and rock strata, and the conditions governing its outflow into the mines. The subject of relative danger from destructive explosions due to gas and coal dust in different mines belonging to different coal fields was to be one of the principal lines of investigation. But this work was barely under way when the series of unusually disastrous explosions in the Naomi, .Monongah, and Darr mines of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, in December, 1907, afforded an exceptional occasion to observe the behavior of explosions on a large scale. Because of the opportunities for study afforded by these terrific explosions, the inquiry originally planned was d ¡verted to the more specific investigation of the conditions in tl10SC mines, and the examinations have been directed toward finding those qualities of gas and dust which were concerned in these explosions. The following discussion, therefore, consists essentially of a report on that subject; but it is far from being exhaustive, and is to be regarded as a preliminary outline of investigations which are still in progress. The first of the three mine explosions mentioned occurred in the Naomi mine of the United Coal Company, near Bellevernon, Pa., on Sunday, December 1, at 7.40 p. m. All the men who were within the mine at the time, fortunately only 34, were killed. Less than a week later there occurred in mines Nos. fì and 8 of the Fairmont Coal Company at Monongah, W. Va., the most disastrous mine explosion yet recorded in the annals of American mining. The mines were comparatively new and well laid out. Mine No.8 had been in operation only about two years and was the pride of the Fairmont Coal Company. Mine No.6 was first opened ahout four years earlier. In order to make it possible, in case of emergency, for either mine to be ventilated by the ventilating system of the other, the two sets of workings were connected underground. The F face heading of mine K o. 6 led direetly into No.2 north heading of No.8 mine. On Friday, Dcccmber 6, at about 10.30 in the morning, an explosion of unusual violcnce swept completely through both mines, pursuing its course throughout the numerous ramifications and bursting out of the two pit mouths, located It miles apart, nearly simultaneously. The slope of mine No.6 was only slightly damaged, but at the mouth of No.8 the destruction was very great. The fan was wrecked, the engine house was demolished, and mine timbers were blown across Monongahela River: As nearly as can be determined, 361 men were killed in the two mines by the explosion. .While the inspection of the Monongah mines was still in progress, on Thursday morning, December 19, at about 11.20, a similar explosion wrecked the Darr mine of the Pittsburgh Coal Company ut Jacobs Creek, Pu.; 238 men lost their lives in this explosion, which in number of casualties is second only to the :Monongah disustcr in the history of American mining. Of ull thc men in the mine at the , time of the explosion, only one mun, who happened to be within 100 feet of the ~iUrface on an old manway in a wet, unexploded portion of the mine, succeeded in escaping alive. The underground investigation of these mines was made in cooperation with Clarence Hall and ""Valter O. Snelling, of the United States Geological Survey, and James ""V. Paul, now of the Survey but at that time chief of the department of mines for vVest Virginia, to all of whom the author is greatly indebted for valuable assistance, suggestions, and advice. Mr. Paul will rcport on the nature of these explosions, the precipitating causes, their destructiveness, and the general cüliditions in these mines following the disasters. The present report is confined essentially to the laboratory examination of some of the explosive materials collected from these mines directly ufter the explosions.

Jan 1, 1911

By Edmund Newton

This paper is one of a series comprising the Mineral Industries Survey of the United States, which was begun in 1935. It describes the simple methods of mining and beneficiating manganese ore, in eastern Tennessee and compares these methods with those used elsewhere in the Appalachian region. The report contains general information on manganese to give a clearer understanding of the methods and costs of mining and. beneficiating manganese ore foam a widespread deposit, an in addition presents zone difficulties normally fond in these operations. The marketing, uses, and value of manganese ore are discussed as well as the amount of capital necessary for effective operation on given scale of production, and requirements are outlines for successful operation of manganese, property in this region.

Jan 1, 1941

By J. C. Edwards, C. C. Hwang

In ventilated tunnel fires, smoke and hot combustion products may form a layer near the ceiling and flow in the direction opposite to the ventilation stream. The existence of this reverse stratified flow has an important bearing on fire fighting and evacuation of underground mine roadways, tunnels and building corridors. In the present study, conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, a CFD program (fire dynamics simulator) based on large eddy simulations (LES) is used to model floor-level fires in a ventilated tunnel. Specifically, the critical ventilation velocity that is just sufficient to prevent the formation of a reverse stratified layer is simulated for two tunnels of different size. The computer code is verified by checking the computed velocity profile against experimental measurements. The CFD results show the leveling-off of the critical ventilation velocity as the heat release rate surpasses a certain value. At this critical ventilation, the ceiling temperature above the fire reaches a maximum for both tunnels. The velocity leveling-off can be explained from this observation. An extended correlation of Newman (Combust. Flame 57 (1984) 33) is applied to the temperature profiles obtained by CFD. At the critical ventilation, temperature stratification exists downstream from the fire. The computed critical ventilation velocity shows fair agreement with available experimental data taken from both horizontal and inclined fire tunnels. The CFD simulations indicate that the Froude modeling is an approximation for tunnel fires. The Froude-scaling law does not apply to two geometrically similar fire tunnels. The CFD results are compared with two simple theories of critical ventilation by Kennedy et al. (ASHRAE Trans. Res. 102(2) (1996) 40) and Kunsch

By Hillary W. St. Clair

The reduction zone of the iron blast furnace is represented by a mathematical model of the chemical reactions and heat transfer that occurs between gas and solids during the deoxidation of iron oxide. The model consists of a set of equations and an algorithm whereby the equations may be solved to give the temperature and composition of gas and solids at any position in the reaction zone and at any time after a specified initial state. The model is applied to the special case in which ferric oxide is reduced by graphitic carbon and carbon monoxide produced by burning carbon in dry air. The rate of reduction, carbon consumption and maximum temperature are shown as functions of the temperature and rate of flow of the incoming reducing gas and external heat loss. The model of the reduction zone is the essential part of a general mathematical model for simulation of the iron blast furnace. The simulation model will serve as a research tool to be used in conjunction with an experimental or operating furnace. After the simulation model has been correlated with the real furnace, it is proposed that further experimentation be done mostly with the model. The real furnace will then be operated primarily to test and confirm the model.

Jan 1, 1967

By F. D. DeVaney

Manganese-bearing deposits f the Leadville, Colo., district are of two distinct types. Manganosiderite, a combined or intimately mixed ferrous and manganous carbonate, occurs in unaltered zones as the predominant mineral. From 50 feet below the surface to as deep as 900 feet, psilomelane and wad, both black manganese oxide minerals, are found in intimate contact with hematite and limonite. A typical analysis of the black oxide ore shows 20.08 percent Fe, 18.64 percent Mn, 15.91 percent insoluble, 14.91 percent moisture, 0.94 percent Zn, and 2.13 percent Pb. A considerable tonnage of the oxide ore has been mined for production of spiegeleisen and for other purposes.

Jan 1, 1940

By F. D. DeVaney

Manganese-bearing deposits of the Leadville, Colo. district are of two distinct types. Mangano siderite, a combined or intimately mixed ferrous and manganous carbonate, occurs in unaltered zones as the predominant mineral. From 50 feet below the surface to as deep as 800 feet, psilomelane and wad, both black manganese oxide minerals, are found in intimate contact with hematite and limonite. A typical analysis of the black oxide ore shows 20.08 percent Fe, 19.64 percent Mn, 15.91 percent insoluble, 14.91 percent moisture, 0.94 percent Zn, and 2.13 percent Pb. A considerable tonnage of the oxide ore has been mined for production of spiegeleisen and for other purposes.

Jan 1, 1940

The purpose of this study is to formulate practical guidelines for active underground mining in close proximity to water bodies. This was accomplished through systematic completion of three phases of study: I) Collection and Documentation of Data; II) Application of Existing Guidelines to Case Histories of Previous Inundations; and III) Development of Recommended Guidelines for Underground Coal Mining Near Bodies of Water. Phase I of the study involved a worldwide data collection effort designed to obtain foreign and domestic guidelines for mining near water bodies, and accident records and case histories of accidental mine inundations. Within Phase II, existing guidelines were categorized and classified and then evaluated as to their effectiveness in precluding past inundations had they been in effect at the time of inrush. Advantages and disadvantages of existing guidelines were defined. Drawing on the broad data base established in previous study efforts, Phase III was directed at development of viable guidelines to promote the greatest possible coal extraction while precluding accidental mine inundation. Two levels of guidelines are presented; Level I Guidelines require little or no subsurface exploration on the part of the mine operator, while Level II Guidelines recommend various testing and investigative procedures to permit greatest possible mineral extraction. This report presents findings and conclusions of the study.

Jan 1, 1976

By Gene F. ] [Faufaul

This contract was concerned with the design, development, fabrication and testing of an improved tamper-proof filter cassette assembly for use in the, collection and evaluation of dust particulates, primarily in mining areas. This report presents the design effort, fabrication and tenting of five- prototypre unit$ as well as the design and production of 1000 filter cassettes with sampling heads. This new improved filter cassette has been tested and approved by NIOSH as meeting the requirements specified in the contract.

Jan 1, 1978

By James A. Wasson, Harry R. Johnson, Dean W. Boley

The Cow Run sand was cored and electrical and radioactivity surveys were made in C. E. Vandevender well 35 in the Burning Springs pool of the Burning Springs oilfield , Wirt County , W. Va . Laboratory tests , reservoir - fluid analysis , well - log interpretation , and available field data indicate that a substantial quantity of oil may be recovered from this pressure - depleted reservoir by waterflooding . Two formations erroneously believed to be the First and Second Cow Run sands were similarly evaluated in A. E. Mackintosh well 8 , Anns Run Pool , Wirt County , W. Va . , but were found unsuitable for secondary - recovery operations .

Jan 1, 1964

By B. W. Gandrud

This report, consisting mostly of float-and-sink data and washability curves, has been prepared in connection with an exhaustive study of coal preparation in Alabama conducted, by the U, S. Bureau of Mines and the University of Alabama with the cooperation of the different coal operators On the basis of the float-and-sink data, an attempt has been made to determine approximately the extent of ash and sulphur reduction obtainable under given conditions on coal from the mines which were sampled, In the coal-producing districts of Alabama a great deaf of attention has been given in recent years to the problem of improving preparation methods so as to obtain from various coal beds the best possible grade of washed coal. This is especially so where the washed coal is used for the making of metallurgical coke in by-product plants or where there are possibilities of using the coal for this purpose. In the manufacture of metallurgical coke, the sulphur content of the coal is a very important consideration. It is quite often the determining factor as to whether or not a certain coal can be used for coke making. In the studies which form the basis for this report, all samples have been analyzed for sulphur in order to obtain information regarding the possibilities of sulphur elimination as well as ash reduction, and the samples on which reports are made were obtained from beds that are characterized by rather high percentages of sulphur. In connection with the present investigations of coal preparation in Alabama a standardized method of interpreting float-and-sink data has been used extensively for predicting the ash and sulphur reduction and yields obtainable in a commercial washing plant from various sizes of raw coal and from the raw coal as a whole after a certain degree of crushing. This method, which will be explained in subsequent chapters, was used in interpreting the data contained in this report. The samples used for these washability studies were obtained from the following mines in the Warrior field of Alabama: Beltona mine on the Jefferson bed; Dolomite and Mulga mines on the Pratt bed; Coal Valley No. 163 and Coal Valley No. 11 mines on the Corona bed; Cedar Cove mine on the Carter bed.

Jan 1, 1932

By B. W. Candrud

This report, consisting mostly of float-and-sink data and washability curves, has been prepared in connection with an exhaustive study of coal preparation in Alabama conducted by the U. S. Bureau of Mines and the University of Alabama with the cooperation of the different coal operators on the basis of the float-and-sink data, an attempt has been made to deter-mine approximately the extent of ash and sulphur reduction obtainable under given conditions on coal from the mines which were sampled. In the coal-producing districts of Alabama a great deal of attention has been given in recent years to the problem of improving preparation methods so as to obtain from various coal beds the best possible grade of washed coal. This is especially so where the washed coal is used for the making of metallurgical coke in by-product plants or where there are possibilities of using the coal for this purpose. In the manufacture of metallurgical coke, the sulphur content of the coal is a very important consideration. It is quite often the determining factor as to whether or not a certain coal can be used for coke making. In the studies which form the basis for this report, all samples have been analyzed for sulphur in order to obtain information regarding the possibilities of sulphur elimination as well as ash reduction, and the samples on which reports are made were obtained from beds that are characterized by rather high percentages of sulphur. In connection with the present investigations of coal preparation in Alabama a standardized method of interpreting float-and-sink data has been used extensively for predicting the ash and sulphur reduction and yields obtainable in a commercial washing plant from various sizes of raw coal and from the raw coal as a whole after a certain degree of crushing. This method, which will be explained in subsequent chapters, was used in interpreting the data contained in this report. The samples used for these washability studies were obtained from the following mines in the Warrior field of Alabama: Beltona mine on the Jefferson bed; Dolomite and Mulga mines on the Pratt bed; Coal Valley No. 16B and Coal Valley No. 11 mines on the Corona bed; Cedar Cove mine on the Carter bed.

Jan 1, 1932

By S. H. Lorain

This paper briefly describes the principal commercial and near-commercial deposits of gold-bearing gravel and the important placer-mining operations in Lemhi County, Idaho. It is on of a series on western mining districts being published by the Bureau of Mines. This paper is based on a field survey of the placer-mining districts of Lemhi County in the summer of 1938. Available information concerning gold-bearing gravels was obtained from prospectors and claim owners; operators supplied the data on mining operations. No attempt was made actually to test the gravels. The principal object of the examination was to indicate placer areas worthy of further investigation by prospective operators.

Jan 1, 1939