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By B. H. Eccleston

The effect upon automobile emissions in changing from leaded to lead-free gasolines was studied in experiments by the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the American Petroleum Institute. Typical U.S. leaded gasolines and prototype lead-free gasolines of comparable octane quality were used in eight vehicles operated to simulate city driving. The experiments were run at 70° and 95° F. Exhaust and evaporative emissions were measured and the photochemical effect of the emissions was experimentally observed in an artificial smog chamber. Results of the study reveal the manner and degree in which the changes in fuel composition alter the amount and characteristics of both exhaust and evaporative emissions. Briefly, it is shown that the compositional differences between leaded and prototype lead-free fuels resulted in higher photo-chemical pollution potential of the emissions from the lead-free fuels. The effect is attributed to the photochemical characteristics of high-octane fuel components that are used in greater quantity in the lead-free fuels.

Jan 1, 1970

By Steven R. Munts

In 1985, at the request of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Bureau of Mines studied 8,445 acres of the 20,650-acre Tunnison Mountain Wilderness Study Area in order to evaluate its identified mi nerd 1 resources. The study area is located in Lassen County, CA, about 8 miles northeast from Susanville. No mineral resources were identified in the study area based on literature, field observations, and sample results. No mines were operating in or near the study area in 1985, and no mines, prospects, or claims have been located in or within 1 mi le of the study area. The study area is underlain by Pliocene and Pleistocene volcanic units composed of basalt, andesite, rhyolite, and some pyroclastics. No metallic and only nonmetallic commodities are present in the study area. These included stone and sand and gravel. Although substantial volumes of basalt and andesite (stone) occur within the study area, no identified resources of these commodities were delineated. Sand and gravel is not economic because of small occurrence size and lack of local markets.

Jan 1, 1987

By H. -F. Krausse

Roof failures in underground coal mines are related to the lithology and geologic structure of the roof. There are two distinct suites of roof rock above the Herrin (No. 6) Coal in Illinois, and each has distinctive patterns of structure and roof failure. In black shale-limestone roof areas, roof instability is correlated with thinning of limestone beds and presence of faults and clay dikes. In gray shale roof regions, the prime roof hazards are posed by rolls, shear bodies, and presence of coal or carbonaceous partings in the roof. Most structural features examined are believed to have formed during early stages of sediment diagenesis and compaction. Structural trends and lithologic patterns are strongly interdependent for this reason. In many cases geologic patterns are so complex and locally variable that prediction of roof stability far in advance of mining is difficult. The need for greater flexibility in roof control planning is apparent.

Jan 1, 1979

By H. E. Dresch

This report summarizes the work accomplished under Bureau of Mines contract H0188068. The contract required design and construction of a high voltage (7.5 KV) explosion proof cable connector for use on underground coal mine drag cables. A connector was constructed with elastomeric phase insulators that provide insulation shielding throughout the connector length. Connector housing was made of flame resist-ant cast poly urethane with no exposed metal components. Electrical and mechanical testing of the completed coupler resulted in satisfactorily meeting most of the design testing requirements.

Jan 1, 1981

By William P. Diamond

This report presents results of a cooperative research project between the U.S. Bureau of Mines and BethEnergy Mines, Inc. Four coreholes (two before mining and two after mining) were drilled at a longwall mine operating in the Lower Kittanning Coalbed to obtain coal and rock samples from over-lying strata to determine their gas content at various times in the mining cycle. The results of those tests indicate that 91 pct of the gas removed from the overlying strata came from coalbeds. Material balance calculations were made to compare the volume of gas produced both from gob gas vent holes drilled on the panel and gas removed by the mine's ventilation system with the volume of gas removed from strata directly overlying the panel to a height of 275 ft. This analysis indicates that only 40 pct of the total gas produced from the panel actually came from the strata directly overlying the panel. The remaining volume of gas production probably migrated to the longwall gob from overlying, and perhaps underlying, strata immediately adjacent to the panel and perhaps from greater distances downdip because of the establishment of a long-term pressure gradient in the study area.

Jan 1, 2010

By Mayo D. Hersey

This problem was taken up by the Bureau of Mines as a result of the oxygen explosion at the Jefferson Physical Laboratory of Harvard University , and other similar explosions , in order to supply technical information which would serve as a basis for safety precautions in the future . At the Harvard inquiry the fact was emphasized by the Massachusetts State Chemist , Mr. Walter M. Wedger , that we do not know the limiting pressures and temperatures above which compressed oxygen and lubricating oil are capable of spontaneous explosion . The problem is also of importance to the Army and Navy and to the Bureau of Mines in connection with the hazards incurred in the use of compressed and liquified gases in the repurification of helium. In fact , the risk of fires and explosions due to traces of lubricating oil coming into contact with high pressure oxygen is of serious interest to all concerned with the manufacture and use of oxygen , a commodity which is now being produced and distributed on a rapidly increasing scale . Part of the money expended on this investigation was from Army and Navy funds . The problem was undertaken by the Bureau of Mines at the suggestion of Dr. Charles E. Munroe , Chairman of the Committee on Explosives Investigations of the National Research Council , and referred to the Pittsburgh experiment station of the bureau.

Jul 1, 1923

By D. Harrington

Ventilation of underground workings consists of establishment of such control of air currents that the underground workers may work in safety, with maximum comfort and efficiency, mad without impairment of health; and that the mine openings may be made subject to such control of air flow as to remove from the workings at ordinary times harmful gases and dusts, and at time of emergency, such as fire or explosion, there may be maintained as much or as little air flow as may be desired covering portions of the mine or the mine in its entirety. Control of air flow is the keystone of any ventilating structure, and this very essential feature is obtainable only by the installation of mechanically operated fans, to ether with other ventilating devices such as doors, overcasts, regulators, etc. Every mine, large or shall, coal or metal, should from the outset be equipped with a fan. While much has been written about natural ventilation and many claims have been made that in specific mines there is sufficient natural al" flow, there are few if any mines, coal or metal, where natural ventilation supplies anything like adequately safe or healthful conditions for underground workers even at ordinary times; and at a time of mine fire or explosion the mines depending upon natural ventilation are practically helpless, and certainly are decidedly dangerous to those unfortunates forced to be in them.

Jan 1, 1933

By T. L. Joseph

The Bureau of Mines gas been studying the blast furnace for a number of years and has published detailed reports on various phases of its investigations. Inquiries frequently received for information of a more general character than that given in the detailed reports have promoted the preparation of an information circular to cover in a general way the important features of the Bureau of Mines blast-furnace investigations. SHAPE AND DIMENSIONS OF FURNACE The modern blast furnace approximate a refractory-lined steel cylinder about 90 feet in height and 25 feet in diameter. It actually consists of a number of cylinders and truncated cones superimposed upon each other. The shape and dimensions of a modern furnace are shown in figure 1. The bottom section, commonly referred to as the hearth or crucible, is a cylindrical section about 12 feet high. Liquid metal and slag collect in this part of the furnace and are withdrawn at regular intervals; iron is removed at a level about 2 feet above the bottom of the furnace and slag at a level about 5 feet higher. Depending upon on the size of tie furnace, 40,000 to 75,000 cubic feet of preheated air per minute is introduced through from 10 to 16 tuyeres equally spaced around the periphery of the hearth.

Jan 1, 1934

By Henry P. Wheeler

Natural gas was first stored underground in Welland, County, Ontario Province, Canada, in 1915.3/ The following year natural gas in the United States was first stored underground successfully in the Zoar field near Buffalo, N, Y. Only three additional storage fields were in use in the United States in 1930, but by 1940 the number had increased to over 30, and since that time growth has been more rapid. At least 80 fields, with a combined storage capacity of 440,828 MM c. f ., were being utilized by 1949.4 / In May 1952, 142 storage projects having a capacity of 915,000 MM c.f. were in operation .5/ These fields are distributed from New York to California--from Michigan to Texas. In the Appalachian region alone, there are 101 storage fields with a combined capacity exceeding 526,000 MM cu. ft. Why Natural Gas is Stored Natural gas is stored in order to be readily available to meet the needs of consumers.

Jan 1, 1952

By B. D. Nash

The object of this research was to investigate the technical feasibility of preparing chromium metal by the thermal decomposition of bisbenzene chromium. Bisbenzene chromium, a pi-bonded sandwich type organometallic compound, was thermally decomposed under reduced pressure to form a metal plate on a heated substrate. Metal recovery was close to 100 percent of theoretical, with deposition rates up to 20.8 mg/hr/cm2. Metal purity was dependent not only upon the purity of the starting material, but also upon the sublimation rate of bisbenzene chromium. Total detectable metallic impurities ranged from a low of 18 ppm to several hundred ppm. In general, metallic impurities were less than 100 ppm. Carbon, the major nonmetallic impurity, ranged from less than 0.3 percent to more than 10 percent. The carbon contamination is most likely a result of the decomposition of the organic portion of bisbenzene chromium. An unusual property of some of the deposits was their outstanding corrosion resistance. Unlike pure electrolytic chromium, which dissolves readily, these deposits were insoluble in hot mineral acids.

Jan 1, 1968

By B. J. Moore

This publication contains analyses and related source data for 234 natural gas samples from wells and pipelines in 21 States and 1 foreign country. All of the samples were obtained and analyzed during calendar year 1975 as a part of Bureau of Mines investigations of the occurrences of helium in natural gases of countries with free market economies. This survey has been conducted in the United States by the Bureau of Mines since 1917. In late 1965, the survey was expanded to include foreign gasfields. The analyses published herein were made by mass spectrometer and n special helium analysis apparatus, which are described in Bureau of Mines Bulletins 4862 and 576.3 The results of the investigation of the occurrences of helium are published annually to make the information available as soon as possible to the gas industry and the public in general. Seventeen previous publications have presented the results of 10,831 gas analyses prior to 1975. The first 3, Bulletins 486,4 576,5 and 617,6 contain analyses and related source data on 5,218 gas samples collected from 1917 through 1960. The other 14

Jan 1, 1976

By S. H. Ash

THE MAGNITUDE of the anthracite industry's drainage problem in the Northern field of Pennsylvania is realized when it is known that, for the 8-year period 1944-51, all pumping plants in this region pumped an average volume of 112.5 billion gallons of water from the mines to the surface each year. This is over 214,000 gallons per minute pumped against an average hydrostatic head of 400 feet each year for that period (12).4 By comparison, Lake Wallenpaupack, the largest artificial body of water lying wholly in Pennsylvania, contains 71 billion gallons of water in its 24-square-mile area; the average volume of water pumped from the mines in the Northern field each year during the 8-year period was 58 percent more than the volume impounded in Lake Wallenpaupack. The natural configuration of the drainage area overlying the Northern field subdivides the total area into two major drainage areas-the Lackawanna River drainage area and the Susquehanna River drainage area overlying the Wyoming Basin. Although the 169-square-mile drainage area overlying the Wyoming Basin is slightly less than half that of the Lackawanna River drainage area (10), the total volume of water pumped to the surface from mines in the Wyoming Basin is 21 percent more than the total volume pumped to the surface from mines in the Lackawanna Basin. From this, it is apparent that the Susquehanna River and the pervious deposits in the buried valley over which it flows in its course across the coal measures of Wyoming Valley is the greatest single source of mine water affecting mines in this area. Because of its relatively flat terrain, the wide flood plain of Wyoming Valley does not facilitate rapid runoff; consequently, much of the surface water seeps directly into the buried-valley deposits and eventually into the mine workings.

Jan 1, 1953

By C. H. Fisher

Sulphuric acid of various concentrations has long been used as a reagent in the determination of olefins and aromatics in hydrocarbon oils4 such as gasoline, kerosene, and neutral oils from coal-tar distillates. Despite its long use, however, there is no general agreement as to optimum conditions and concentration of acid, and numerous methods and modifications have been recommended. In most cases, treatment of the neutral oil with 80 to 90 percent sulphuric acid, followed by distillation to the original endpoint to remove olefin polymers, is recommended for the estimation of unsaturated hydrocarbons. The distillate thus obtained is taken as olefin-free oil and used in later stages of the anlysis. Aromatic hydrocarbons generally are determined in the olefin-free oil by suphonation with more concentrated acid (96 to 100 percent and fuming sulphuric acid are recommended), the hydrocarbons not attacked and removed as water-soluble sulphoric acids being considered as saturated hydrocarbons. In some cases the saturates are examined further by differentiating between cyclic (naphthenes) and acyclic hydrocarbons (paraffins), Generally this is achieved by physical methods, although strong sulphuric acid is known to react preferentially with some types of saturated hydrocarbons. It was the purpose of the present work to make a general study of this type of analysis and to investigate the reactions of hydrocarbons under conditions often used in analyses that employ sulphuric acid reagents. Since previous work is not in good agreement, the optimum concentrations of acid for the different stages of the analysis were determined. Several sulphuric acid methods previously recommended and new modifications were compared, two synthetic solutions being used as the reference oil. The results obtained are presented below under separate headings.

Jan 1, 1937

By C. H. Fisher

Sulphuric acid of various concentrations has long been used as a reagent in the determination of olefins and aromatics in hydrocarbon oils4 such as gasoline, kerosene, and neutral oils from coal-tar distillates. Despite its long use, however, there is no general agreement as to optimum conditions and concentration of acid, and numerous methods and modifications have been recommended. In most cases, treatment of the neutral oil with 80 to 90 percent sulphuric acid, followed by distillation to the original endpoint to remove olefin polymers, is recommended for the estimation of unsaturated hydrocarbons. The distillate thus obtained is taken as olefin-free oil and used in later stages of the anlysis. Aromatic hydrocarbons generally are determined in the olefin-free oil by suphonation with more concentrated acid (96 to 100 percent and fuming sulphuric acid are recommended), the hydrocarbons not attacked and removed as water-soluble sulphonic acids being considered as saturated hydrocarbons. In some cases the saturates are examined further by differentiating between cyclic (naphthenes) and acyclic hydrocarbons (paraffins), Generally this is achieved by physical methods, although strong sulphuric acid is known to react preferentially with some types of saturated hydrocarbons. It was the purpose of the present work to make a general study of this type of analysis and to investigate the reactions of hydrocarbons under conditions often used in analyses that employ sulphuric acid reagents. Since previous work is not in good agreement, the optimum concentrations of acid for the different stages of the analysis were determined. Several sulphuric acid methods previously recommended and new modifications were compared, two synthetic solutions being used as the reference oil. The results obtained are presented below under separate headings.

Jan 1, 1937

By James C. Barker

In 1981 and 1985-1986, the Bureau of Mines conducted orientation studies of marine placer platinum-group metals (PGM). PGM are derived from the Goodnews Bay ultramafic complex and magnetic surveys show that the complex extends offshore at least four mi. The present seafloor was an emergent foreland as recently as 8000 years ago. High-energy ocean processes are transporting and depositing sediment such that PGM-bearing materials are reworked and later masked by barren littoral drift. Exploration targets include 1) placers formed since present transgression began, and 2) ancient marine and drowned fluvial deposits. Additionally, there is evidence of PGM solution transport and accretion. At least minor values of PGM in Recent lag-type placers and possible submarine strands are concentrated along an offshore scarp incised through glacial deposits into the preglacial surface between Flat Cape and Red Mountain. Other Recent PGM-bearing features include Flat Cape shoal, Chagvan Bay, Salmon River delta, and modern beaches. Ancient placers include possible N-S fluvial systems 2 to 3 mi offshore, a nearshore scarp 50 ft below sea level, and strands adjacent to projected ultramafic bedrock slopes. The existance of ancient placers is dependent on depth of glacial erosion. SEM studies show PGM are principally isoferroplatinum and osmiridium, with minor sperrylite, moncheite, and platiniridium. Gold is a co-product, and concentrates comprise chromite, ilmenite, and magnetite. Beneficiation tests successfully concentrated precious metals from natural blacksand accumulations, but failed to concentrate low-grade lag gravels.

Jan 1, 2011

By A. W. Ambrose

A few years ago, (March 3, 1915) Congress passed a law providing for the establishments of ten mining experiment stations under the supervision of the Bureau of Mines. In 1917 the Secretary of the Interior decided that one of these stations should be devoted to Petroleum, and in the early part of 1918, approved the establishment of the Petroleum Experiment Station at Bartlesville, Oklahoma, upon the condition that the city furnish the site for the buildings and guarantee $50,000. for the erection of the buildings. A building site of 5 acres and the necessary building fund was furnished by the Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce.The buildings consist of an administration and laboratory building, both of brick construction. The former is a two-story structure of eight rooms. A large room occupying over half of the main floor is devoted to the library, reception room, and clerical force. The remaining rooms comprise a drafting room and six offices occupied by the staff assigned to this station. The laboratory is a one-story brick building and contains a well-equipped chemical and physical laboratory, also a machine shop and mechanical laboratory. In addition to the main buildings there now are on the property an experimental refinery, a blue-print house, and a store house. These latter buildings are all of sheet-iron construction.

Oct 1, 1920

By K. B. Rojiani

Surface mining activities disturb large tracts of land resulting in the potential for greatly increased downstream sediment loads. The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 places increased emphasis on the protection of the environment from the adverse effects of surface mining operations. Surface mining activities must be planned to minimize disturbance to the hydrologic balance, erosion and sediment contributions to receiving streams. Sediment ponds must provide a sediment storage volume equal to the accumulated sediment volume from the drainage area as determined by the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) or other empirical methods established by the regulatory authority. It has thus become extremely important for the mining industry to secure more accurate estimates of potential erosion losses and sediment yield. Accurate estimates of sediment yield are required for the planning, design and successful operation of sediment control systems such as detention ponds and other alternative control structures and for evaluating the effectiveness of land management practices. The principal soil loss prediction procedure available for use is the LISLE. The USLE procedure is inadequate for use in predicting soil loss from surface mine regions for a number of reasons. These include: 1. The USLE was developed to estimate average average annual loss from agricultural soils. It cannot predict accurately soil loss for specific storm events. In surface mine regions a major portion of the soil loss occurs during the initial six months to one year of active mining. Accurate estimates of soil loss over short periods are thus required for the design of control structures. 2. The slope length and gradient factors used in the USLE were obtained from data or cropland having slopes ranging

Jan 1, 1983

By H. H. Schrenk

There is a need for a method of determining benzene vapor in air which is simple and accurate and suitable for making industrial hygiene surveys. The most widely used method in this country is the Smyth modification of the Elliott and Dalton procedure. This depends on the nitration of the benzene to m-dinitrobenzene, reduction to phenylenediamine with an excess of standard titanous chloride solution, and back titration with a standard ferric ammonium sulphate solution. This method has the disadvantages of being somewhat time-consuming and cumbersome; it requires considerable apparatus, and a special modification is necessary in the presence of toluene. Recently Cook and Ficklen have published a method based on the oxidation of benzene with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of iron salts. This method requires the use of solid carbon dioxide to freeze out the benzene. The reaction Which produces the color is complex; and only approximate quantitative estimations can be made, except in a very narrow range.

Jan 1, 1935

By Ani Chitaley

A new method has been developed for handling supplies in underground bituminous coal mines. A survey indicates industry wide implementation potential for the proposed method. Reduction of supply handling accidents' by as much as 73% and improvements in the productivity of face operations by at least 3% are anticipated benefits. The new method is based on the palletization of daily supplies and the use of a forklift for carrying out the handling tasks at the underground section. A prototype of the forklift has been delivered to the U.S. Bureau of Mines. The forklift has demonstrated several important features necessary for underground supply handling such as compactness, maneuverability, visibility, ease of control and auxiliary attachments for hoisting, carrying timber and pulling. Design improvements are recommended for future generation underground forklifts. These relate to higher speed, increased battery duty cycle, higher payload and modified traction/steering to eliminate plowing of soft mine floors.

Jan 1, 1983

By Jack R. Woodyard

Scientists at the U.S. Bureau of Mines are studying iron aluminides as possible substitutes for stainless steels to reduce the Nation's dependence on imported strategic and critical materials. In a Bureau investigation on the mechanical properties of Fe-28Al, it was found that the material's machining properties were significantly improved at slow tool and feed speeds. Machining techniques normally used for brittle materials failed or were costly. Further experiments using a 5-in (12.7-cm) mill cutter with carbide inserts, operating dry at minimum machining speeds, produced visually smooth sample surfaces with no tool damage. As a result of these experiments and a review of published data on hydrogen embrittlement of iron aluminide under tension, non-water-based (e.g., sulfur-based) lubricants were chosen for production machining. Four-flute, 3/4-in (19-mm) carbide end mills were used at slow speed under lubrication. This latter procedure reduced tool wear and breakage by a factor of 2. Machined surfaces and specimen cross sections were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy to detect microcracking. Tensile tests gave the expected yield and ultimate strengths, indicating that no degradation by low-speed machining occurred. This study extends this work to show that the alloy can be machined at higher speeds using high-speed steel end mills, and that water-soluble cutting oil is a suitable lubricant and coolant.

Jan 1, 2010