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By Michael R. Yenchek

Contacts with energized conductors are a major cause of electrocutions in underground coal mines. Sensitive ground fault interrupters (GFI's) installed on in-mine three-phase ac utilization circuits would probably prevent the majority of these deaths. A sensitive GFI is a protective device that detects and interrupts small deadly ground currents in the milliampere range before those currents can cause ventricular fibrillation in humans. Commercially available three-phase sensitive GFI's have not been specifically designed for application in coal mines. The Bureau of Mines therefore tested three commercial GFI models to determine their worthiness for mine power systems. GFI design and construction, transient immunity, reliability, and time-current characteristics were evaluated in laboratory tests. No commercial device was found suitable for mine use without design modifications. The tests results will serve as a basis for the development of a mineworthy sensitive GFI in ongoing Bureau research.

Jan 1, 1985

By Maria I. De Rosa

The U.S. Bureau of Mines performed experiments to determine if primary gas toxicities that evolve during the early (~300° C) and later (~.400° C) combustion stages of polyvinyl chloride and chlorinated brattices could be predicted by a smoke particle characteristic, which could be used as a simple and inexpensive test parameter. The experiments were conducted in an approximately 20-L furnace at set furnace temperatures of 2500 and 1,0000 C, for 14 min duration, with an airflow through the furnace of 10 L/min. The variables studied, as a function of time, were the hydrogen chloride (HCl) and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations, sample and furnace temperatures, the sample mass weight loss, the average smoke particle diameter (dg and number concentration (no), and the product of the average smoke particle diameter and concentration (dgno)' Results show that the inverse of the smoke particle diameter-concentration (l/dgno) correlates directly with the primary gas toxicities evolved during both stages of combustion.

Jan 1, 1989

By F. R. Cattoir, T. A. Sullivan

Commercial uranium metal was electrore fined to a high- purity product using molten- salt electrolytes in an inert atmosphere cell . Electrorefined uranium that contained , after consolidation , less than 30 ppm of metallic impurities was prepared . A method of leaching the electrolyte crystals to remove the salts was developed . Cathode current efficiencies from 90 to 100 percent were obtained . Two molten- salt electrolytes were prepared and evaluated : (1 ) lithium chloride - potassium chloride - uranium trichloride and ( 2 ) sodium chloridepotassium chloride - uranium trichloride . Very little difference was found in the purity of the uranium metal produced in either system . The lithium chloride - potassium chloride - uranium tri - chloride electrolyte was preferable from an operational standpoint .

Jan 1, 1964

By Thomas H. Dubaniewicz

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, conducted a study of past mine explosions to identify the ignition locations and ignition sources responsible for the most severe explosion events resulting in death. Since the Scotia disaster of 1976, many fatalities from underground coal mine explosions have been linked to nonpermissible electrical equipment ignition sources located in intake air courses. With few exceptions, explosion protected equipment is generally not required in intake air courses of gassy underground coal mines in the US. Cigarette lighters were another prevalent ignition source for fatal explosions ignited in intake air courses. Several mine rescue/ recovery teams have encountered electrical ignition hazards. The study provides evidence that intake air courses of gassy underground coal mines fit the description of certain Hazardous (classified) locations described in the US National Electrical Code®. Class I Division 2 or Zone 2 explosion protection tech¬niques may be used to design intake air equipment so that it does not present an ignition source under normal operation, before mine power is shut down in emergency situations. Nonpermissible circuits in intake air courses that are likely to remain energized during emergencies, e.g. battery powered equipment, should be protected by more stringent Class I Division 1, Zone 1, or Zone 0 techniques, to protect rescue/recovery personnel.

Jan 1, 2009

By W. L. Falke

Procedures in which manganese compounds are reduced and the metal is volatilized and selectively condensed, a hitherto neglected area, were investigated. More than 95 percent of the manganese was recovered from high-melting-point ores whether vacuum volatilization or atmospheric pressure volatilization was used, but neither process is economically attractive under present price-cost conditions.

Jan 1, 1966

By D. Harrington

More or less unconsciously and from sheer force of habit human beings do many things they probably would not do if the possible consequences of their acts were fully recognized and appreciated. Such carelessness ordinarily could be condoned if human life were not at stake, but it is difficult to understand why intelligent men engaged in the hazardous occupation of mining indulge with the utmost indifference in some habit or continue some custom in violation of State leas and company regulations and under circumstances that may jeopardize not only their own lives but those of scores, even of hundreds, of their fellow workers as well. The old adage that stolen sweets are the best may or nay not have some foundation, but when applied to the practice of smoking surreptitiously in a coal mine, more especially a gassy mine, it is without even remote justification. Although a relatively harmless habit in the proper environment, smoking has been the cause or suspected cause of many gas explosions and black-powder ignitions and has resulted in numerous instances of bodily injury, loss of life, and destruction of property. Likewise, many fires in both coal and metal nines, causing loss of life, have been started by smoking.

Jan 1, 1941

By A. B. Hooker

[Permissible electric cap lamps represent a workable balance between the amount of light needed and the various limiting conditions, such as the weight the miner can carry conveniently, cost of the lamp, including upkeep, and adequacy or practicability of the lamp as regards safety, mechanical strength, and general performance. Other things being equal, the coot desirable lamp is one that gives the greatest amount of useful light. Conversely, with a given amount of light the most desirable lamp is one that its the most efficient respecting weight, cost, and performance.]

Jan 1, 1935

By R. V. Higgins

Many contributions to methods of forecasting the performance of waterfloods of a five-spot pattern have been made by investigators. In most of these forecasting methods, a previously selected sweep efficiency is used, and other simplifying assumptions are employed to obtain the objective. In this paper the calculated oil recoveries from several five-spot single- and multiple-layer stratified reservoirs were made with a minimum of assumptions, and because of the techniques used, no previously selected sweep efficiency was required. As a result, the accuracy of the forecast is increased. Permeability curves and continuously changing saturation gradients are used in every section of the pattern. By means of a potentiometric model, the flood pattern is divided into channels, the centers of which are the streamlines. The channels are divided into cells. As flood water enters, the permeability and saturation of each cell change with time. In this study the production from multiple-sand layers of different absolute permeability but with the same relative permeability-saturation relations are combined. The results are shown for a single- and 10-layer reservoir with a permeability variation of 0.60. The oil rate, water-oil ratio, and recovery are shown as functions of time for a 2- and 20-centipoise oil starting in primary phase and after fill-up.

Jan 1, 1962

By D. G. Kuehn

Mass spectrographic studies have been conducted on the positive ions and neutral species of glow discharges containing 1.0 pct S02 and 1.0 pct CO in helium. Measurements were conducted for gas pressures from 3.5 to 10.1 torr using both dc and 60-Hz ac excitation. The ion species that were observed included S+, SO+, SO+, 0+, O2+, C+, CO+, and CO2+ with lesser amounts of SO3+, (CO)2+, SCO+, and (SO?CO)+ or CS+2. Interpretation of the functional dependence of the various ionic and neutral species on pressure and applied power showed that CO reacted with the SO formed in the discharges to produce CO2 and sulfur. Deposition of elemental sulfur was observed in the plasma container.

Jan 1, 1973

By A. B. Hooker

[Permissible electric cap lamps represent a workable balance between the amount of light needed and the various limiting conditions, such as the weight the miner can carry conveniently, cost of the lamp, including upkeep, and adequacy or practicability of the lamp as regards safety, mechanical strength, and general performance. Other things being equal, the coot desirable lamp is one that gives the greatest amount of useful light. Conversely, with a given amount of light the most desirable lamp is one that its the most efficient respecting weight, cost, and performance.]

Jan 1, 1935

By N. A. Gokcen

This Bureau of Mines report reviews and summarizes recent studies of the rates of chlorination of aluminous resources with CO and C12 mixtures with and without COC12. No reaction mechanism could be obtained from the existing results; however, diffusional barriers in the gas and solid layers probably control the chlorination rate in thermogravimetric experiments. Fluidized beds of particles smaller than 0.1 mm appeared to show very little solid layer diffusional barrier. For optimum chlorination the particle size should probably be less than 8 mm, the calcination temperature approximately 700° C, and the chlorination temperature from 650° to 750° C. Relatively rapid chlorination with COC12 in thermogravimetric experiments was attributed partly to the simultaneous supply of reductant and chlorinator by one gas to the sample reaction site. Comparable results for chlorination of fluidized beds with COC12 are not available. Equimolar mixtures of CO and C12 produced the optimum rate of reaction. Addition to the calcine of 10 to 20 wt-pct NaCl accelerated the rate of chlorination, and addition of SiC14 to the gas mixture decreased the rate of chlorination of SiO2 drastically, but at the expense of chlorination of significant fractions of Al2O3. Further research in various areas is suggested.

Jan 1, 1983

By Raymond B. Ladoo

[Inquiries are frequently received by the Bureau of Minas relative to occurrence, mining, treatment and utilization of the natural hydrocarbons' such as gilsonite, elaterate, wurtzilite, grahamite, and ozokerite although have been known and used for many years, they are not yet well understood and the amount of recent literature dealing with them as comparatively small. This paper is intended merely to summarize the present knowledge The natural hydrocarbons included in this series are gilsonite, elaterite, wurtzilite, glance pitch, manjak, grahamite, albertite, arid ozokerite and many other minor varieties. With the exception of ozokerite and the other mineral waxes, then all more or less resemble asphalt in that they are dark brown or black bituminous substances of organic origin, generally with a resinous luster. Ozokerite usually light an color with a waxey luster, is closely allied to the others of the series, but is usually considered separately, Unfortunately authorities differ as to nomenclature so that determinations of physical and chemical properties from different sources may riot be readily compared. Abraham Herbert, Asphalts and Allied Substances, 1918, 606 pp. has made one of the most detailed studies of these subjects in recent years, and his classification is used in the main. The following definitions are given by him]

Jan 1, 1920

By D. A. Wilson

Several promising systems for selectively oxidizing the iron in an iron-tin alloy commonly called "hardhead" were investigated in a research project conducted to devise a method for recovering tin from this troublesome alloy. A satisfactory oxidation method was developed and tested successfully on melts of 2,000 grams. Molten hardhead (near 1,080° C.) was blown with air to oxidize iron and leave tin in the reduced state. Recovery of available tin was 96 to 98 percent. Tin products contained 2 to 0.1 percent iron which was reduced to 0.06 percent by filtration at 250° C. Iron oxide formed during oxidation was absorbed by a fluid flux cover composed of 43 percent silica, 17 percent burned limestone, and 40 percent fused borax. Less successful but nevertheless promising results were obtained with mixtures of steam and hydrogen which were sufficiently selective at temperatures between 600° and 950° C. but did not result in complete oxidation of iron. Carbon dioxide-carbon monoxide mixtures also oxidized iron selectively but incompletely. Both stern and carbon dioxide systems produced sufficiently encouraging results to additional research on these systems.

Jan 1, 1961

By Robert A. Jankowski

The Bureau of Mines has recently identified five major factors that contribute to high respirable dust levels on the six U.S. longwall faces having the most difficulty complying with Federal dust standards: (1) a poorly structured cutting sequence, (2) a poorly designed external water spray system, (3) marginal waterflow to the cutting drums, (4) minimal controls at the stage loader and crusher, and (5) the lack of effective controls for dust generated during support advance. The results of this survey illustrate the need to address all the major sources of longwall dust generation and the need for mine operators to implement a variety of control procedures to assure compliance. The Bureau of Mines will continue to assist mine operators in implementing improved dust controls and will work to identify and evaluate controls for dust generated during support advance.

Jan 1, 1983

By Geo. Adams Roalfe

THIS PAPER is one of a series being pre¬pared for and published by the United States Bureau of Mines describing, methods of mining and crushing and the costs of operation at commercial crushed-stone plants throughout the country. These papers are designed to disseminate technical information regarding the methods used. The cost tabulations represent operating expenditures only and not total costs. It is recognized that publication of total costs might in many instances cause embarrassment to individual operators, as well as to the industry as a whole. On the other hand, operating, costs are essential to the technical discussion and study of the methods employed. The attention of the reader is specifically called to this differentiation in order that no misunderstanding of the scope of the cost tabulations shall ensue. Acknowledgments The author wishes to acknowledge the [ ]

Jan 1, 1932

By John Nagy, Austin R. Cooper

Information is presented on the pressure and rate of pressure development during a dust explosion . The data were obtained in laboratory studies in a 75- cubic inch vessel with mineral , agricultural and chemical dusts . The factors investigated include dust concentration , oxygen concentration of the atmosphere , admixed inert powder , and admixed moisture . Information is given also on the effects of these factors on the composition of the atmosphere after the explosion .

Jan 1, 1964

By John J. Sammarco

This U.S. Bureau of Mines report describes the research effort and results for a computer-assisted appendage control system of a Joy 14CM continuous mining machine. The cutter head (shear), gathering head, conveyor, and stabilizer jack are the appendages. Positional control of each appendage is accomplished by specifying the desired position to the appendage control computer, which uses appendage position sensor data. Appendage movement is actuated until the desired position is attained as determined by control algorithms. A description of the sensors, mechanical and electrical interfaces, data acquisition and control (DAC) system, experimental method to determine appendage response characteristics (range of motion, start and stop delay times, and movement rates), and their application to the position control loop algorithms are presented. Also, the test results for the shear in an unloaded (free space) and loaded (cutting) condition of the shear are presented.

Jan 1, 1991

By D. Harrington

While apparently the hysteria with regard to silicosis and other occupational diseases has largely subsided and this subject is being more carefully considered and soberly judged, it would be poor policy for any employer to maintain that the storm has ended and that he can relax and revert to conditions as they were 5, 10, or more years ago. The fact is that the plan of paying occupational-disease compensation is now in its infancy and can be expected to grow rapidly. At present, while all of the States of the Union, including the District of Columbia and excepting only Arkansas and Mississippi, have compensation acts, only the following make provision for occupational diseases to some extent or in one way or another: California, Delaware, Connecticut, District of Columbia? Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Silicosis is compensable in one way or another in California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, and possibly in other States. During the past few months, occupational-disease legislation (largely silicosis) has been considered in some form in Arkansas, California, Delaware, Idaho, Maryland, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah and Washington. It will be surprising if comparatively comprehensive occupational-disease legislation is not on the statute books of nearly every State in the Union within the next 5 years. With this situation confronting him, the farsighted industrialist who has the interest of his organization at heart, if he has not already done so will immediately start to "put his house in order" by studying possible occupational disease hazards to his employees and promptly applying known remedial measures or attempting to devise such measures if none exist. Unquestionably, one of the most important of the surveys to be made relates to dust occurrence, as State laws on occupational disease are almost certain to contain provisions, on silicosis and, with almost equal certainty, the provisions of any State law are not likely to be particularly similar to those of other States.

Jan 1, 1938

By R. P. Maloney

The Bureau of Mines conducted a reconnaissance of the less accessible parts of the Beluga River coalfield in August 1957 to determine, if possible, which areas were most favorable for developing large reserves of coal suitable for open-pit mining. Several outcrops of subbituminous coal were observed within an area about 30 miles long and 3 miles wide; neither the length nor the width of the coal-bearing area was delineated by the examination. Coal beds 30 feet thick or more outcrop at two places, and beds 5 to 20 feet thick or more outcrop fairly abundantly along the Beluga River and its tributaries The coal measures appear to occur in a series of folds. The overburden comprises glacial gravels and poorly cemented sandstones and ranges from 20 to 400 feet in depth. Few partings were seen in any of the coal beds. Samples ranged in calorific value from 6,240 to 8,246 B. t. u. on an as-received basis. Adequate water is available for stripping by hydraulic methods.

Jan 1, 1958

By J. E. Gebhardt

External control of the electrochemical potential of a bed of mineral particles has been investigated by the Bureau of Mines as a method for controlling particle inter-action with organic collectors and thus, flotation response. A cylindrically shaped, 200-to 300-g bed of sulfide mineral particles was used as the working electrode to examine the potential distribution in the bed. The dissolved oxygen concentration of the electrolyte had a significant effect on the potential profile across the mineral bed. Low oxygen levels were necessary to achieve uniform electrochemical potential distributions. Flotation separation of a chalcocite-pyrite mineral mixture by controlled potential was achieved using ethylxanthate, but the flotation behavior of chalcocite and pyrite from the mixture does not follow the flotation behavior of the individual minerals. That is, the presence of another sulfide mineral alters the flotation behavior with ethylxan-thate. Galvanic interaction due to mineral-to-mineral contact between chalcocite and pyrite contributes to differences in the recovery. Chalcocite dissolution products had a deleterious effect on pyrite flotation by activating flotation below -0.1 V (saturated calomel electrode) and depressing flotation above -0.1 V. Pyrite dissolution products had no effect on chalcocite flotation.

Jan 1, 1985