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By C. E. Reistle

[In producing crude oils of paraffin base and of mixed base the producer is often confronted with the problem of preventing and removing paraffin that settles out of oil and accumulates in the well. This paraffin consists of heavy waxes with some sand and asphalt, and varies in. consistency from a soft semifluid wax to hard gummy wax. This problem is by no means a new one as troubles have been encountered with it since the earliest days of the industry. However, with the discovery of the panhandle, Texas, field and other large fields in which extensive troubles have been encountered, the problem has assumed added importance. In new fields the most serious trouble with paraffin is in the flowing wells the paraffin accumulates in the casing and tubing of such wells and unless removed will completely plug the well. This condition also develops in wells which are produced by gas lift, and often presents a serious problem when, this method of producing the oil is used. In older fields paraffin is also deposited on the face of the producing sand that on the walls of the hale or within the interstices of the sand near the hole, and this materially affects the amount of oil that can enter the well.]

Jan 1, 1927

By J. W. Miller

An investigation was begun by the Bureau of Mines in 1948 to determine the preparation characteristics of American coals. Results of the investigation were planned to be reported on a county basis and from the data developed to determine: 1. Which coals either as mined or after beneficiation by conventional preparation are chemically suitable under present standards for producing metallurgical coke. 2. Which coals require special and more intensive treatment in preparation than is now practiced. 3. Which coals cannot be considered potential sources of metallurgical coke, regardless of preparation by present-day methods. This report is one in this county series that describes the preparation characteristics of the coals of Lee County, Va.

Jan 1, 1957

By Robert S. Sanford

The Broughton and Ring magnetite deposits in Essex County, N. Y., are thought to be in a mineralized belt that extends from the Lake Sanford mining district to Lake Champlain and passes through the Mineville district. The country rook is syenite-gneiss, similar to that in the Mineville area. The Bureau of Mines conducted a vertical magnetometer survey of the area. On the Broughton properties there are no indications, magnetically, of magnetite in any degree of concentration. 'On the ding properties a number of sharp, localized magnetic anomalies were observed. One core-drill hole was bored to a, depth of 48.3 feet, also, to test one of the strongest anomalies. The field work was in progress from December 1943 to July 1944. Although no iron ore was intersected by' the drill hole, it showed that the amphibolite rook, at a depth of 6 to 100 feet below the surface, contained enough magnetite and iron sulfides to account for the anomalies recorded by the magnetometer survey.

Jan 1, 1949

By Lewis C. Karrick

In studying the destructive distillation or pyrolysis of oil shales, the primary consideration is to determine the effects of heat on the organic components of the shale. The impracticability of separating these organic components, collectively known as "kerogen", from the mineral matter with which they are associated renders the problem extremely complex. The behavior of the kerogan in the shale while undergoing the heating process is probably different from that of the same kerogen if it could be isolated and treated under similar temperature conditions, and in fact the results of actual distillations have shown that the physical properties of the mineral matter in the shale may be the cause of much variation in the products of retorting. It must be remembered that the inorganic .material of the shale is a heterogeneous mixture of minerals solidified into a very close-grained compact mass. This mineral mass has a thermal conductivity different from that of the kerogen, thus complicating the problem of even distribution of heat. Furthermore, the temperatures of dehydration of gypsum end some; hydrous silicates are included within the temperature range of the shale distillation, These minerals are frequently present in the shales; and the evolution of water vapors from them will affect the partial pressures of the hydrocarbon vapors evolved from the kerogen, probably tending toward, the improvement of the quality of the oil distillates. Carbonates and sulphides which are also frequently present begin to decompose within this range of temperature, and the gases produced from them may alter the chemical constitution of the oils produced from the kerogen.

Jan 1, 1922

By T. L. Joseph

"In the January 3 issue of Iron Trade Review, Sweetser2, in referring to the problem of coke combustibility, points out that, ""Someone should formulate a rule for the rate of flow of coke through the zone of coke combustion that now appears to be confined to a comparatively restricted volume in front of the tuyeres,"" In formulating such a rule it is necessary to distinguish clearly between combustibility, a property of the fuel, and rate of combustion, which is determined by the rate at which air is supplied to the fuel bed. The rate of carbon gasified at the tuyeres of a blast furnace is independent of coke combusti-bility. A fast-burning coke will burn in a more restricted volume than a slow-burning coke, but both types of fuel will be consumed at rates determined by the supply of oxygen,A number of the definitions of combustibility that have appeared in technical literature relate more closely to rate of combustion than to combustibility. Perrott and Kinney) have correctly defined it as follows: ""Combustibility of coke from the standpoint of its use in, the blast furnace is inversely proportional to the mean rate of gasification per unit volume of the combustion zone, assuming other factors remain constant,"" Combustibility of coke refers therefore to those properties that determine the size or extent of the combustion zone. Relative differences in these properties can be measured by the depth of the fuel bed required to convert oxygen from the air into carbon monoxide."

May 1, 1924

By Alan R. Buehler

The Bureau of Mines conducted a mineral investigation of the 32,270-hectare Cache Peak study area in 1992; the area had been proposed as wilderness. Bureau personnel examined and sampled prospect workings; 50 rock and placer samples were taken during the investigation. The study area is centered about 25 km southeast of Challis, Idaho, in the Challis National Forest. According to May, 1993, Bureau of Land Management mining claim records there were no current mining claims located inside the study area. Up to 100 claims may have been located in the study area in the past. Gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc: Significant analyses, poor exposure precludes resource estimate. Limestone: More than I billion tonnes may be chemically suitable for a variety of uses, markets too distant to favor mining. Dolomite: More than 1 billion tonnes may be chemically suitable for producing magnesium metal, markets too distant to favor mining. Sand and Gravel: Several million m3, but markets and transportation costs do not favor mining. Chalcedonic nodules: Two localities in the study area may be of interest to hobbyists who cut and polish stone. There is no reported past production from the study area.

Jan 1, 1993

By W. S. Anderson

The use of flexible liners for support of underground openings has been investigated by the Bureau of Mines. This report presents installation procedures and instrumentation results of a full-scale flexible liner field installation in the Burgin mine. The flexible liner is a part of the mine support system and has provided maintenance-free support for 22 months

Jan 1, 1975

By Kenneth J. Miller

The Bureau of Mines conducted an investigation to improve the flotation response of coals that are difficult to wash by froth flotation. A literature survey and experimentation showed that, for the most part, refractory coals can be floated with oily collectors and frothers. Collector reagent consumption can be minimized and the selectivity of the flotation enhanced by assuring adequate, but not prolonged, reagent conditioning. Where flotation selectivity is especially poor, two-stage rougher-cleaner flotation is recommended. It was concluded that a major problem with refractory coals is predicting when they will appear in a flotation circuit so that supplementary flotation collectors can be added. Coal losses due to variation in the floatability of the feed might be reduced if a nonpolar collector such as kerosine or fuel oil is used along with a frother as general coal flotation practice.

Jan 1, 1977

By Kenneth O. Bennington

This investigation is part of the Bureau of Mines research effort directed at advancing mineral technology and minimizing energy requirements for extractive metallurgy. The emplacement of the primary minerals petalite (LiAlSi4010) and spodumene (LiAlSi206) in the lithium pegmatites is examined on the basis of their Gibbs energies of formation determined from lithium metastltcate and oxides, using a series of proposed reactions. The reaction between spodumene, quartz, and petalite (LiAlSi206 + 25i02 [=] LiAlSi4010) apparently does not take place in nature but may be proved experimentally.

Jan 1, 1982

By R. L. Montgomery

Electronegativities of the rare-earth elements were calculated from heats of formation. The values obtained from different compounds varied widely. The postulates of Pauling's electronegativity theory were interpreted for bonds that are primarily ionic; the study showed that many compounds obey rules of the form expected. Revised electronegativity values are given for the more electropositive elements, including the rare-earth metals (which are near magnesium in electronegativity). Estimates of un-known heats of formation are made from electronegativities and are compared with other estimates. INTRODUCTION Calculation of the electronegativities of the rare-earth elements is interesting to show how these metals stand relative to the other metals and to each other, and also possibly to systematize the thermochemical data on them.

Jan 1, 1960

By A. W. Fahrenwald, W. W. Staley

"In flotation concentration, various machines are employed for agitation and aeration of the ore pulp in the operation of frothing. The power required in the operation of these machines varies considerably with the type and make of machine used. The object of this investigation was to determine the effect of certain physical properties of the pulp particularly viscosity, density, and temperature - upon the power required by certain forms of pulp agitators.The viscosity factor is most involved because it is affected by temperature and by density. Viscosity of liquids and suspensions has been extensively studied and the physics and mathematics of the subject are much enlarged upon in books and in the literature. It is not, however, the intention of this study to become involved in the intricacies of these phases of the subject.The agitation of the various mediums in the experimental work did not last long enough to cause a measurable rise in temperature from the ""beating"" of the medium, hence no cognizance is taken of this factor.No attempt has been made to correlate the data obtained with the impeller with any information regarding centrifugal pumps. The object sought here is quite foreign to the problems of pumping. The impellers used are ""open"" and air is involved.The experiments performed and the data obtained are presented. Only that amount of discussion necessary to make the results understandable is given.Tap water was used in all experiments. A comparison of distilled water and tap water showed no measurable difference. In the experiment in which sodium chloride was needed, the commercial salt as used in fire assaying was taken. The quartz was of the ""bull quartz"" variety, thoroughly washed free of iron oxide."

Jun 1, 1930

Aluminum alloys are used in two broad classifications: wrought and cast. Wrought alloy products, which are formed into final shape by rolling, forging, extruding. etc., contain low percentages of alloying elements; whereas cast aluminum products, which generally are not worked before use, may contain higher percentages and a somewhat different selection of alloying elements. For example, wrought aluminum alloys usually contain less than one percent silicon and cast alloys contain as much as 18 per-cent silicon. While there are good techniques available for separating aluminum alloys from mixed scrap, there are no efficient ways to separate wrought aluminum from cast aluminum. The high levels of silicon, iron) copper, and zinc from the cast alloys make wrought-cast mixtures unacceptable for wrought alloy production. Consequently, separated wrought aluminum scrap commands a premium price on the market. Since increasing amounts of mixed aluminum alloys are being recovered from automobile scrap, this separation is important for efficient recycling of these alloys. Approach The difference in thermo-mechanical properties between the two classes of aluminum alloys is used as the basis for the separation process. Casting alloys lose their ductility within a certain temperature range while wrought alloys remain ductile. As temperature increases, aluminum alloys gradually become weaker, and at a certain temperature, each alloy loses strength and ductility due to incipient melting in localized areas. For casting alloys that temperature generally lies between 520° to 560° C, but it is above 600° C for most wrought alloys. Mild crushing, therefore, in the proper temperature range will result in complete fragmentation of the casting alloys but only plastic deformation of the wrought alloys. A simple screening step then is used to separate the oversize wrought pieces from the fragmented cast alloys.

Jan 1, 1984

By C. M. McKinney

Sulfur content data from Bureau of Mines routine analyses of 1,060 United States crude oils were used with crude oil production data for the years 1956-66 to prepare tables and charts that illustrate the volume and percentage distribution according to sulfur content of crude oil produced in 10 geographical areas of the United States. Similar relationships for foreign crude oils based on analyses of 201 crude oils and production during 1966 are illustrated for Africa, Canada, Middle East, and South America. Tables are included giving field name, sulfur content, geologic name and age of producing formation, depth of producing formation, and production during 1966 for 882 United States crude oils and 201 .foreign crude oils. Between 1955 and 1966 the average sulfur content of crude oils produced in the United States decreased from 0.73 to 0.67 percent.

Jan 1, 1967

By P. C. Good

The work reported here was undertaken by the Federal Bureau of Mines to investigate new methods of preparing high-purity metal. Tungsten hexachloride was prepared by direct chlorination of scrap tungsten metal and by treating tungstic oxide with carbon and chlorine. The resulting tungsten hexachloride was purified by distillation and reduced win: sodium, magnesium, or hydrogen. The metal prepared by these techniques was at very high purity after arc melting but of variable quality prior to arc meIting. Metal recovery ranged from about 40 to 90 percent of theoretical values, It was found possible to deposit a smooth, dense coating of high-purity tungsten on the inside of a heated tube by vapor-phase reduction of tungsten hexachloride at reduced pressure.

Jan 1, 1961

By W. W. Adams

luring the past two years the Bureau of ?,lines has been receiving from 100 to 150 coal mines in various States a report of each accident causing death, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, or temporary disability lasting beyond the remainder of the day or shift on which the accident occurred. For each 100 accidents in these groups, there are perhaps from 35 to 45 accidents that do not disable the employee beyond the remainder of the day, and of these fraction-of-a-day accidents the Bureau has compiled no statistics. Information revealed by the reports is to the effect that falls of roof and coal in bituminous coal mines are responsible for 28 per cent of the temporary injuries to underground workers and 33 per cent of the days lost from all temporary injuries underground; they also indicate that falls caused 59 per cent of the deaths from all causes underground. Figures compiled by R. N. Hosler, of the Pennsylvania. Mine Rating Bureau, and covering accidents in bituminous; minis in that State, chow that 61 per cent of the deaths underground during the years 1917-1921 wore due to falls. Neither of these percentage figures includes deaths in major explosions; figures for all bituminous mines in the United States during the five years 1920-1024, inclusive of deaths in major explosions, show that 52 per cent of the deaths underground and in shafts were due to falls of roof and coal.

Jan 1, 1925

By John Nagy

Limited experiments in the laboratory with specimens of mine rock from a Virginia bituminous coal mine indicate that natural gas-air mixtures can be ignited by sparks generated by rubbing friction of sandstone against sand-stone, shale against sandstone, sandstone against (roof-bolt) steel, and shale against steel. Such sparks, generated during a roof fall, may have initiated a recent gas explosion in this Virginia mine, although this cannot be stated with certainty. No ignitions of gas were produced by sparks or heat generated by impact friction between mine rocks or steel, during tension breaks of roof bolts, or by pull tests of roof bolts through their washers and roof plate. However, this negative result of limited experiments does not preclude the possibility of gas being ignited by these conditions.

Jan 1, 1960

By Richard F. Hewlett

The mining industry utilizes a vast store of knowledge, wisdom, and engineering talent in designing mining systems. However, the complexity of the required systems and the presence of numerous variables frequently necessitates raking important decisions without having adequate accurately detailed information. That many of the decisions made in the past were nearly correct, in the long run, is substantiated by the number of successful mining enterprises that exist in the world today. Subsequent to 1940, the disciplines of operations research and systems engineering were developed. The disciplines have produced methods of providing better information to persons responsible for making decisions.

Jan 1, 1963

By Steven J. Page

The increasing concern for dust control in metal and nonmetal mining prompted the Bureau of Mines to investigate the dust suppression technique of applying foam to face drilling and crushing operations in a gypsum mine. Previous attempts to achieve effective dust control on face drills using other techniques, such as dry collection and boom-mounted external water sprays, have not been successful. The largest problem encountered when using these techniques has been the lack of sustained effective dust capture at the face. Results for two faces studied show that injection of the foam through the drill steel provided an average dust reduction of 95 pct. However, the use of foam on the crusher provided no dust reduction at the operator's position (because of good local ventilation) and a 27-pct average dust reduction for two feeders at a location midway between the operator's position and the crusher. The conclusions obtained from this study are that (1) foam can be an extremely effective dust control technique when used on localized dust sources such as dust generated within a blasthole during drilling, and (2) foam is only marginally effective as a dust control technique when used on nonlocalized dust sources such as dust generated during the feeder-and-crusher operation.

Jan 1, 1981

By R. C. Wang

Solid-liquid flow in different pipe geometries was investigated. This investigation was conducted by measuring delivered solids concentration and head loss. The delivered solids concentration was measured to study the effect of pipe geometry on the minimum carrying velocity above which solids do not lag behind the fluid. Head loss was measured to study the effect of pipe geometry on the friction loss. A mathematical formula was developed for determination of the minimum carrying velocity. Darcy-Weisbach's equation and Durand's equation were used for comparison of head losses of pipe shapes. Of the different pipe shapes studied, each having the same interior cross-sectional area, the rectangular pipe with the wide side oriented as the base yielded the lowest minimum carrying velocity at high solids concentrations. The minimum head loss at low velocity and high solids concentration also was attained with this pipe. Although the circular section is known to be the best for transporting liquid only, the present study suggested that pipe geometry is a factor in lowering the operating velocity and reducing head loss in solid-liquid flow.

Jan 1, 1973

By Edward D. Thimons

Several types of inflatable stoppings, developed under Bureau of Mines contract for use as mine air barriers during underground production, have been tested by the Bureau. All of the stoppings tested showed significant internal leakage initially but, in all but one stopping, the leaks were sealed with limited effort The stoppings were tested underground in two western noncoal mines under production conditions. The results from the Colorado molybdenum mine showed the stoppings to be generally unsatisfactory for daily mine usage if they are deployed near blasting areas or in locations where near-perfect air seals are required. They were very susceptible to blast damage and seldom were better than 90 percent efficient as air barriers. However, stoppings tested in the New Mexico uranium mine were located substantially distant from any blasting. Because slight leakage past the stoppings was acceptable, they proved very satisfactory in that application.

Jan 1, 1976