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By J. L. Shultz

Mass spectrometric analyses were obtained for naphthalene and anthracene oils, heavy creosote, and three fractions of a pitch. The average molecular weight, aromaticity, and mean structural unit were determined for each fraction. The investigation of these fractions of coal tar has resulted in semiquantitative data for 38 structural types and carbon number distribution data for their alkyl derivatives. The molecular weights of 10 of these structural types indicate ring systems not previously reported in products from high-temperature carbonization of coal. Two of these structures are poly-nuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, two are oxygen-containing compounds, one contains sulfur, and five are nitrogen-containing compounds.

Jan 1, 1967

By Frank A. Peters

With the current renewed interest in advancing the technology for producing alumina from domestic raw materials, revisions of previous cost estimates to provide planning data are urgently needed. Completely new cost estimates on a 1973 basis are included for four alumina-from-clay processes and one alumina-from-anorthosite process. These estimates are based on new or previously calculated material balances, recalculated heat requirements, and new equipment designs. The use of larger and more modern equipment has permitted a significant reduction in labor requirements as well as equipment costs. Chemical prices, labor rates, and utility rates typical of late 1973 are used in these cost estimates. In addition to the revised cost estimates, all 21 previously published alumina evaluations compiled by the Bureau of Mines were updated to show the effect of inflation using an inflation index and late 1973 chemical prices, labor rates, and utility rates.

Jan 1, 1974

By R. V. Lundquist, H. Leitch

The solubility characteristics of mono calcium aluminate (CaO A₁₂ 0 ) in water and in NaOH , Na₂ CO₂ , and NaOH - Na₂ CO₂ solutions were measured by determining the changes in Al2O3 concentrations in solution over a period of time at a specified temperature . The monocalcium aluminate was synthesized by sintering its starting components for 72 hours at 1,375 ° C. Distilled water and aqueous solutions of technical grades of NaOH and Na₂ CO₂ were used as solvents . The extraction of alumina from the monocalcium aluminate was dependent on the composition of the solvent and partially dependent on temperature for leaching . About 98 percent extraction of alumina from the aluminate occurred in Na₂ CO3 solutions containing 10 to 12 percent NaOH . Other solution compositions produce lesser extractions .

Jan 1, 1963

By Jerry W. Ramsey

The Bureau of Mines examined a low-, a medium-, and a high-volatile Pennsylvania anthracite by densimetric methods using four mesh si.s of each anthracite. Using high-pressure mercury the macropore volumes and distributions of these pore volumes determined, densities in mercury were calculated, and specific pore vo1.r. ware obtained from these mercury densities in conjunction with helium densities. The helium densities were also used with the ultimate analyses of these anthracites in calculating structural parameters by statistical densimetric methods. The effect of 106 or 108 rads of gamma irradiation in the presence of air and in vacuum upon the properties studied with two mesh sizes of each anthracite. Results of the statistical densimetric method seem to show some breakdown of condensed ring structural units at the lower irradiation level, with subsequent polymerization at the longer period of gamma irradiation. The structural parameters obtained also indicated that in going from high- to low-volatile anthracite, either the number of condensed rings per structural unit increased, or the degree of polymerization increased.

Jan 1, 1965

By Tell Ertl, Ernest E. Burgh, John R. Wagner

The principal goal of the Oil-Shale Mining Division is to develop the most economical methods and practices for mining oil shale. Experimental work in the mine has not progressed far enough to conduct full-scale breaking tests; therefore, mining season - to October 31, 1945, has been confined largely to problems connected with drilling cost oil shale. Calculations have indicated that commercial production will result in breaking the oil shale; the largest individual turn will be for drilling. This paper is a report on the progress of phase two of drilling research to date; it outlines the development of a successful hard-surfaced rock bit for drilling oil shale.

Dec 1, 1948

By Arnold B. Hubbard

Automatic control instruments were utilized by the Bureau of Mines for routine assays of large numbers of oil shale samples and other bituminous materials. The standard Fischer assay method was automated by automatically controlling the heating cycles of a battery of 12 electric heaters with electronic controllers and programmers. The condensers were cooled with a modified automatically controlled refrigeration bath. The complete assembly consisted of 12 retort units, necessary control instruments, and the refrigeration bath. This equipment was capable of producing more consistent results than those previously obtained with the gas-heated retorts and of increasing the output of assays substantially with no increase in operating personnel.

Jan 1, 1965

By Andrew B. Cecala

As deeper seams are continually mined, methane liberation will continue to increase and must be monitored effectively. To effectively monitor and develop appropriate control technology, methane-liberation patterns must be known. The Bureau of Mines recently completed a study to identify specific patterns of face methane liberation during long- wall mining. Both of the longwall faces surveyed had high methane liberation rates. At one longwall face, most of the methane was liberated during cutting of coal by the shearer mining machine. At the second face, a significant portion of methane was emitted from the face and floor. An effective methane-monitoring system would be different for each longwall panel because of the differences in how the gas is released along the face.

Jan 1, 1985

By M. J. Ferrante

Relative enthalpies of CuBr from 298.15 to 1,301 K were measured at the Bureau of Mines to provide thermodynamic data needed for the advancement of mineral technology. The temperatures of transition were measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the standard enthalpies of transition[ (IlH~r) by drop calorimetry. The combined results gave reversible transitions at 657 K with llH~r= 1.10 kcal/mol, at 741 K with lm~r == 0.51 kcal/mol, and at 759 K with an enthalpy of fusion (AH~) of 1.22 kcal/moL ] An anomalous increase in heat capacity preceded the first crystal transition at 657 K. Tabulated values are listed for the standard relative enthalpy, heat capacity, entropy, and Gibbs energy function from 298.15 to 1,500 K. Standard relative enthalpies are also given in equation form and combined with thermodynamic data from the literature to derive values of standard enthalpies of formation and Gibbs energies of formation.

Jan 1, 1984

By Jonnie M. Estes

A two-constant equation is presented for helium from 30° = T = 1,473° K. This equation is developed by modifying a generalized equation of state originally presented by Redlich and Kwong (20).3 The modification consists of setting B = 0.06372 Tc/PeT. This modified equation represents the compressibility factors of each of 80 isotherms tested in this temperature range to less than 1 percent average deviation.

Jan 1, 1967

By Richard D. Miller

This Bureau of Mines publication contains analyses and related source data for 224 natural as samples from 18 States. Of the total, 191 sam¬ples were collected during calendar year 1981. The remaining 33 samples were collected during previous years, but releases, granting permission to publish were not received until 1981. All samples were obtained and analyzed as 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 since 1917. The analyses published herein were made by the mass spectrometer and special helium apparatus described previously (1-2).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 general public. Twenty-five publications have presented the results of 12,827 gas analyses made prior to 1981. The first three bulletins (1-3) contain analyses and related data on 5,218 gas samples collected from 1917 through 1960; these bulletins have been supplemented annually by information circulars (4-17, 19-24) containing 7,609 analyses of samples collected since 1960.

Jan 1, 1982

By Charles B. Kenahan

The chemical and galvanic corrosion properties of commercially pure titanium, a titanium-manganese alloy, a titanium-aluminum-tin alloy, 2 titanium-copper alloys, and 2 titanium-aluminum alloys were studied. Tests were conducted in synthetic ocean water, tapwater, 1-percent sodium hydroxide, 5-percent ferric chloride, and 5-percent ammonium sulfate solutions, various concentrations of sulfuric and hydro-chloric acids, and 1-percent oxalic acid. All tests were carried out at 35° or 60° C., with a flow of air or helium. Dissimilar metals involved in galvanic-couples experiments were aluminum, magnesium, and stainless steel. Electrode-potential measurements on single (uncoupled) specimens were also measured. Commercially pure titanium and the titanium-base alloys were generally quite similar in their resistance to corrosion, whether alone or in. contact with a dissimilar metal. Contact with the titanium metals caused aluminum and magnesium to corrode by galvanic action. Coupling with stainless steel in sulfuric acid solutions decreased the normal corrosion rate of the titanium metals. Contact with aluminum in air-aerated oxalic acid and 0.1N sulfuric acid solutions resulted in cathodic corrosion of titanium and the titanium-base alloys; however, there were a few exceptions. The copper alloys showed better corrosion characteristics than titanium in certain sulfuric acid solutions but were more susceptible to chemical attack in some hydrochloric acid solutions.

Jan 1, 1958

By William E. Bruce

The Bureau of Mines performed drill calibration tests on two industrial percussive drills of 2-5/8- and 3-1/2-inch piston diameters to determine operating characteristics for their use in conjunction with penetration rate data in developing drillability equations and furthering the knowledge of percussive drills. The use of a linear velocity transducer for measuring piston velocities and application of its instrumentation are described. Data presented include relationships between maximum piston velocity and feed air pressure other results confirm the theory or data of previous investigators, and some comparisons are made with the performance prediction formulas of other investigators.

Jan 1, 1969

By M. H. Chetrick

Since 1945, a commercial-scale pilot plant for the gasification of lignite has been operated by the Bureau of Mines at Grand Forks, N. Dak. The description, operation, and objectives of this pilot plant have already been described in previous reports (6, 7, 8). Although the experimental data obtained from the operation of the externally heated retort have been tabulated and summarized (1, 7), few studies have been made in the correlation of these data. The purpose of the present investigation was to review the data taken in tests of the lignite-gasification pilot plant and to correlate the gas-composition data in terms of their basic factors.

Jan 1, 1950

By P. E. Churchward

The Bureau of Mines developed a process using amines for recovering tungsten as ammonium paratungstate from alkaline leach liquors without producing synthetic scheelite as an intermediate product. Over 90 pct of the tungsten in low-grade scheelite or ferberite concen-trate was recovered as ammonium paratungstate by (l) autoclave leaching the concentrate with Na2CO3, (2) solvent extraction of the acidified leach liquor with kerosine solutions of either a quaternary amine (Aliquat 336) or a primary amine (Primene JM-T), (3) stripping the tungsten values from the quaternary amine with ammoniacal NH4C1 or from the primary amine with NH4OH, and (4) crystallization of ammonium paratungstate from the strip liquor. Reagent consumption in pounds per pound of W03 recovered was, for the quater¬nary amine, 3 Na2CO3, 3.5 H2SO4 , 2.2 NH4Cl, 1 NH3, and 0.4 glacial acetic acid; for the primary amine, it was 3 Na2CO3, 3.5 H2SO4, .06 NH4Cl, and 0.9 NH3. Both reagents extract molybdenum along with tungsten. Silicate and phosphate are partly extracted and contaminate the product; leach liquors containing these impurities require preliminary purification.

Jan 1, 1966

By F. R. Lee

This publication lists permissible equipment approved by the Bureau of Mines during 1965 and 1966 (calendar years), except for breathing apparatus and explosives. The purpose of this publication is to inform the public about approved equipment for safe use in underground mines.

Jan 1, 1968

By C. A. Komar

The Bureau of Mines has undertaken an investigation to determine possible applications of acoustic energy at sonic and ultrasonic frequencies to improve ultimate recovery from oil reservoirs. A literature search was conducted to provide background information for initiating laboratory research. The purpose of the literature search was to review the uses that have been made of acoustic energy in the petroleum industry and to select procedures and techniques that could be applied to the solution of petroleum production problems. The characteristics (68)3 of ultrasonic energy make it potentially useful to a variety of industrial and experimental applications. Pulse techniques (99) are common in the testing of materials where inspection is accomplished by propagating an ultrasonic pulse through the material. Viscosity measurements (45) are made by interpreting changes in the absorption of sound as it is propagated through a flowing liquid. Cavitation phenomena (93) produced by high-intensity ultrasound in liquids have been used extensively in industrial cleaning, machining, impact grinding, and aluminum soldering operations.

Jan 1, 1963

By Walter Kawa

The hydrogenation of phenyl ether, benzyl ether, and phenyl sulfide in the presence of iron catalysts was studied by the Bureau of Mines to gain a better understanding of the role of iron catalysts in the hydrogenation of coal. The carbon-oxygen and carbon-sulfur bonds in these compounds may be similar to some of the carbon-oxygen and carbon-sulfur bonds in coal which react during the early stages of liquefaction by hydrogenation. Experiments were made in batch autoclaves for 4 hours; hydrogen was at a pressure of about 540 atmospheres. In the hydrogenation of phenyl ether at 400° C, metallic iron catalyzed both hydrogenolysis (splitting-hydrogenation) and nuclear hydrogenation (addition of hydrogen to aromatic rings) reactions, Products were principally benzene and cyclohexane. The activity of metallic iron was decreased by adding carbon monoxide or a reactive sulfur-containing organic compound. Ferrous sulfide catalyzed the conversion of phenyl ether to benzene, phenol, and small amounts of cyclohexane. Hydrogenolysis of benzyl ether was catalyzed by metallic iron and to a lesser extent, by ferrous sulfide at 250° C. No nuclear hydrogenation was observed with either catalyst. Conversion of phenyl sulfide to benzene was nearly quantitative in experiments made at 250° C with equimolar quantities of phenyl sulfide and metallic iron or iron as ferric oxide. Conversions of metallic iron and ferric oxide to ferrous sulfide were nearly stoichiometric. No reaction of phenyl sulfide occurred in the presence of ferric oxide and water, and very little occurred in the presence of metallic iron and water. Ferrous sulfide also catalyzed the hydrogenolysis of phenyl sulfide to benzene, but conversion was lower than in experiments with metallic iron or ferric oxide. The activity of ferrous sulfide was increased by adding water and decreased by adding hydrogen sulfide. The results of this study suggest that ferrous sulfide is an active form of iron when iron is used as a catalyst for the hydrogenation of coal.

Jan 1, 1963

By E. O. Wagner, Manuel Gomez, W. S. Landers

The Bureau of Mines studied coking rates of a special Columbia - Geneva six - coal blend to establish the effect of the coking rate on coke properties . The tests were conducted in a 500 - lb , 14 - in experimental slot oven at essentially constant conditions of blend composition , size distribution , surface moisture content , and bulk density . The coking rate was varied as a function of oven flue temperature . Coking rates within the range of 0.56 to 1.35 in/hr were achieved . Increase in the coking rate decreased the size of the coke . The stability factor of the coke showed no significant change with coking rate until coking rates greater than 1.0 in/hr were reached , after which a decrease in the stability factor was observed . The apparent specific gravity increased to a maximum value at coking rates approaching 1.1 in/hr and decreased sharply with further increase in the coking rate . Coke parameters correlated well with the coking rate .

Jan 1, 1963

By Philip A. Holland

The Bureau of Mines has developed a method for determining helium in water for use in sampling and analyzing surface and subsurface waters for geochemical survey work. The accuracy of the analytical method is within ±10 percent for samples containing above 20 x 10-8 cm3 He (STP)/cm3 H20. The minimum detectable helium-in-water concentration is calculated to be 2 x 10-8 cm3 He (STP)/cm3 water. Water samples are collected in 500-cm3 stainless steel cylinders. The dissolved gases are extracted into a cylinder of equal volume containing a known quantity of neon. The resulting gas mixture is subsequently analyzed for helium and neon-21 by mass spectrometry. The volume of helium in the sample is calculated from the mass spectrometric determination of the helium-to-neon-21 ratio, the known quantity of neon used, and the extraction efficiency of helium.

Jan 1, 1981

By Joseph V. Mather, E. H. McCleary

"INTRODUCTION Workmen are transported in shafts in various types of cages or skips, most of which were designed primarily for hoisting cars and materials. Therefore, in general the cages or skips are not completely enclosed, adequate and gates are not always provided, and at many mines signaling devices and telephones are re¬stricted to those at the various landings in the shafts.Shaft accidents are usually severe - frequently fatal - and as a rule such an accident is caused by failure to comply with company rules or by ignoring them.Sixty men were killed and 555 men were injured in shafts of the anthracite and bituminous coal mines of the United States during the 5-year period 1938-42. 4/ Many of these accidents could have been prevented by having properly enclosed cages and adequate locking devices on doors to prevent workmen from falling into the shafts.The officials of the Heidelberg Coal Co. contemplated utilizing an old coal-hoisting shaft as a man-hoisting shaft; however, it was their desire to avoid the use of the conventional cage and to try to provide a safer means of transporting men in the shaft. Investigations and studies made by the officials revealed that an elevator similar to those used in large buildings would be more economical in first cost, maintenance, and operating costs would be less, and it would be safer and more convenient for the workmen. Effective safety devices for such elevators have been developed to such a high degree that those properly installed seldom fail. The elevator or man cage finally chosen cannot be pulled above the top landing through mechanical or man failure; it stops automatically at each landing and cannot be moved while a door is open; when the cage leaves the landing the doors opening to the shaft are automatically locked by mechanical and electrically operated locks; electric lights, telephone communication, and push-bottom controls are available on the cage, and adequate safety switches and overspeed controls are provided."

Jun 1, 1947