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By D. W. Frommer, M. M. Fine

Laboratory investigations have produced flotation concentrates contain- ing 91 to more than 92 percent titania, with fair recoveries, from the Christy property, Hot Spring County, Ark. The titanium-bearing ore on the Christy property occurs in a quartz-clay- iron oxide mineralization, which contains, on the average, about 6.0 percent TiO2, chiefly as the mineral brockite; brookite and rutile are different crys- talline forms of titanium dioxide. Recent work by the Bureau of Mines has shown that titanium chloride can be produced readily from the rutile-type mineral by reduction with coke fol- lowed by low-temperature chlorination. Metallic titanium is in turn derived etallic from the chloride by the Kroll process .

Mar 1, 1952

By Raymond W. Hiteshue, Henry H. Ginsberg, Paul S. Lewis

Coal was gasified in the presence of up to 3.57 million roentgens of gamma rays by the Bureau of Mines to determine whether the irradiation increased the gasification rate or yields of methane and hydrogen . High volatile A bituminous coal was gasified with steam at 500 and 1,500 psig and temperatures of 1,400 ° and 1,800 ° F ; five other coals ranging in rank from lignite to anthracite were gasified at 500 psig and 1,800 ° F. The average results of replicate experiments with and without radiation were compared for possible effects of radiation from 40,000 curies of radioactive cobalt . The irradiation had no gross effect on the gasification rate or on the yield and distribution of methane and hydrogen . It was concluded that gammaray irradiation produced no improvement in the technology or economics of coal gasification .

Jan 1, 1964

By W. Wallace, T. Ong, M. Gautam, M. Keane, S. Xing, J. Harrison

"Diesel exhaust soots were assayed in the Ames Salmonella typhimurium histidine reversion assay system using TA 98, the soots being applied as the following preparations: dispersion in dipaimitoyl glycerophosphoryl choline (DPL), dispersion in dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DPP!), and dispersion in dipalmitoyl phosphatidic acid (DPPA) in physiological saline, and in physiological saline without added surfactant. The extracts of soots by dichloromethane / dimethylsulfoxide (DCM/BHSO) were also assayed. Studies were performed both with and without :IQ microsomal activation of the soot preparations. The DPP! and DPPA surfactants were chosen as phospholiridz with two palmitic acid moieties esterified to a glycerol as is the case with DPL, but with hydrophilic groups having different electrophilic characters. The soots, without S9 activation, showed mutegenic activity when extracted in the conventional procedure with DCM/DMSO. The mutagenic activity of soots dispersed in DPL was quantitatively comparable to, and in some cases greater than, the activity expressed by an equal mass of soot extracted by DCM/DMSO. Soots in other surfactantpreparations, DPP! and DPPA, also expressed positive mutagenic activity. Praincubation with S9 microsomal enzyme fraction reduced the activity of solvent extracted soots, and greatly diminished the activity of DPL dispersed soots. Initial sister chromatid exchange (SCE) assays using the Chinese hamster V79 cell line indicated DPL dispersed soot also can cause SCR in mammalian cells. Results thus far suggest that surfactant suspended or ""solubilized"" respirable soot particles could provide a mechanism for transport and expression of mutagens in the lung."

Jan 1, 1989

By X. Shi, N. S. Dala, V. Vallaythan

"Cellular damage induced by silica dust is known to be associated with increased fragility and destabilization or destruction of the cell membranes. The mechanism by which silica dust effects biological membranes is still unknown. Using the ESR spin-trap methodology, we find that hydroxyl radicals are generated in aqueous suspensions of freshly ground silica. The amount of the radicals generated depends on the extent of grinding and ""freshness"" of the dust. Using linoleic acid as a model lipid, we show that the silica dust causes lipid peroxidation via ·OH, 02-, or linoleic acid related radicals as intermediates. Catalase and superoxide dismutase inhibit the formation of these radicals. The results suggest that free radicals associated with freshly ground silica and the related lipid peroxidation of the memberanes may be the starting point of the silicotic processes.INTRODUCTIONDespite considerable-effort over the years, the mechanism by which the quartz particles exert their toxic action on cells and the process(es) by which these actions progress to fibrosis are still not fully understood (1,2). It is generally thought, nevertheless, that the interaction of the quartz particles with the cell membranes is the starting point of the silicotic process (3). We felt that the mechanism of the membrane damage by quartz might involve oxygenated free radicals because (a) a suspension of quartz particles in contact with alveolar macrophages has been reported.(4,5) to initiate an enhancement of lipid peroxidation, defined broadly as the ;oxidative deterioration of polyunsaturated components of lipids, and (b) hydroxyl (·OH) radicals are known to be capable of peroxidation by abstracting hydrogen atoms from cell-membrane lipids (6) and initiating lipid peroxidation in lysosomal membranes (7). Moreover it is known that exposure of cell membranes, fatty acids and unsaturated food oils to ionizing radiation, which generates ·OH. radicals, causes rapid peroxidation (6). Earlier studies o~ the aqueous chemistry of quartz suspensions have reported detection of HzOz (8), implicating the formation of ·OH radicals as transient species, but, we are not aware of any report of the detection of ·OH radicals in quartz suspensions and this provided the motivation for the present undertaking. Since it is known that, because of their high reactivity (hence short life time) in aqueous media, the ·OH radicals cannot be detected via electron spin resonance (ESR) directly (9,10), we have used ESR combined with the spin-trap methodology (9) for studying the •OH formation."

Jan 1, 1988

By L. M. Adams

Experiments in reclaiming acidic surface-mined coal lands with raw fly ash from bituminous-coal-fired powerplants were conducted by the Bureau of Mines at two sites in northern West Virginia. Plots at both sites were treated with varying tonnages of fly ash from three area powerplants and were planted with a variety of grasses, legumes, trees, and shrubs. Eight grasses and seven legumes were investigated. Greatest promise for growth under harsh soil conditions was shown by Kentucky 31 fescue, rye and red top grasses, and birdsfoot trefoil, a legume. Survival of trees and shrubs was negligible. Addition of fly ash to the spoil increased the pH to a range tolerable to some types of plant growth, improved the texture of the soil, and increased the available water of the resulting mixture.

Jan 1, 1971

By F. S. LOTT

The number of petroleum refineries in the United States decreased from 399 on January 1, 1947, to 390 on January 1, 1948. On the latter date two additional refineries were under construction , a large one in New Jersey and a small one in Texas . This Crude oil charging capacity, based on complete facilities only , increased in 1947 from 5,569,482 barrels to 6,034,252 barrels per day , owing to material gains reported in all of the larger refining districts . great increase in effective capacity is only in part the result of the completion of major new units for crude-oil processing . Much of it is due to rearrangement and minor additions to existing facilities to permit more efficient and complete utilization . Recent experience has apparently demonstrated that many processing units are capable , with greater emphasis upon maintenance and precise controls , of sustained operations at higher volumes than were indicated in their old rated capacities . This situation doubtless has caused some upward revision in capacity data .

Aug 1, 1948

By John Redington

This paper describing the milling practice at the Coniaurum Mine is one of a series of papers on milling methods, practice, and costs prepared in cooperation with an published by the United States Bureau of Mines. The 500-ton will of the Coniaurum Mines (Ltd.) is located at approximately the center of the company's property and a little more than a mile from the town of Schumacher, Ontario. The main shaft through which all the ore is heisted is adjacent to the mill so that the ore hoisted in a 3-ton skip is dumped directly into a 15-ton bin at the crusher.

Jan 1, 1931

By Albert W. Deurbrouck

This report describes the preparation characteristics of the significant, presently producing coalbeds in Mercer County, W. Va. Approximately 650,000 tons of coal was produced in Mercer County, W. Va., in 1960, of which over 630,000 tons was cleaned in four preparation plants. In 1960 the Pocahontas Nos. 3, 6, and 11 coalbeds supplied 99.5 percent of the total coal mined in the county. Because the number of working mines In this county was small, only six samples were collected; four of which were of metallurgical quality as mined. The remaining two samples could be upgraded by washing at suitable specific gravities. Many of the samples taken were of metallurgical quality as mined; however, the float-and-sink analysis on these coals has been included to point out their amenability to the production of premium quality, special purpose coals. In general the coals were low-volatile bituminous in rank with low ash and sulfur contents.

Jan 1, 1963

By O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of motor fuels sold through service stations in the United States was made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior. By agreement with the American Petroleum Institute, identification of the items is confidential. It presents analytical data for 4,680 samples, representing the products of 130 companies. The samples were collected during December 1953 and January and February 1954. As in previous surveys, the gasolines covered by this survey include those from both large and small suppliers. The data were obtained by laboratories of various refiners, motor manufacturers, and chemical companies and submitted to the Bureau of Mines for compilation. A list of the National Motor-Gasoline Survey reports published during the past ten years is given on page 5.

Jan 1, 1954

By L. A. Neumeier

Sound experimental ingots of zinc alloys for use as rolling slabs were cast with a specially constructed, semicontinuous casting machine. Nominal alloy compositions of Zn-1.0 percent Cu, Zn-0.12 and 0.36 percent Ti, and Zn-1.0 percent Cu-0.03 to 0.36 percent Ti were cast. This Bureau of Mines study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of the casting procedure for providing stock for rolling into sheet. Microscopic examination of ingot sections revealed structures in which grain size varied from the outer to center ingot zones. Columnar grains present in the center zone of the Zn-1.0 percent Cu ingot were absent in the titanium-containing ingots. The ingots with titanium displayed a finer grain size and eutectic structure in the center ingot zone than in the outer zone; the transition in grain size between the two zones was quite abrupt in some ingots. The overall grain size of the titanium-containing ingots was finer than that of alloys cast by more conventional methods. Chemical analysis revealed that compositional segregation is not a significant factor in the formation of the ingot structure. Microstructural studies of small ingots of similar alloys solidified at slow, fast, and intermediate rates confirmed that the ingot structure in the semicontinuous-cast ingots is related to cooling rate, which is, in turn, related to the particular casting machine design and the influx of cooling water on the withdrawing ingots. Microstructures of thin sheet hot-rolled from slabs of the semicontinuous-cast ingots demonstrated that the ingot structure does not preclude the rolling of sheet having a uniform microstructure. Results of hardness surveys of the semicontinuous-cast ingots demonstrated that copper and titanium exert essentially additive hardening effects in these cast alloys.

Jan 1, 1968

By T. E. Swigart

In connection with experimental work by the Bureau of Mines to determine effects of back pressure . on oil wells * , data were compiled on the engineering conditions in the oil field selected , in order to afford a more complete understanding of the wells tested , and to illustrate the extent to which underground conditions should be studied when making oil -field experiments of this nature . This report , containing the data mentioned, may be of interest to the oil industry , as it describes briefly the methods of operation employed in developing and exploiting shallow well territory .

Feb 1, 1923

By H. F. Yancey

Although a general relationship exists between the two criteria used to measure sharpness of separation -error area and probable error -they sometimes give quite different appraisals of a particular washing operation. Error area takes into account how the entire raw coal was treated, whereas probable error reflects only how the material of intermediate density was separated, ignoring completely the recovery of clean coal and the rejection of heavy impurity. Error area is thus more reliable for general use. In heavy-medium cleaning, sharpness of separation decreases with increase in separating density, but ordinarily the change is not great enough to affect the yield and ash content of washed coal measurably. Therefore, distribution curves for heavy-medium units can be transposed from one separating density to another, at least in the range of separating densities ordinarily used in the United States.

Jan 1, 1955

By Carl E. Norman

An investigation of geologic structure on macroscopic, mesoscopic, and microscopic scales was conducted on near-surface igneous and metamorphic rocks in which the existing stress field was determined by in situ methods. A consistent NE-SW orientation of the maximum compressive stress in the horizontal plane at four of five test localities appears due to the intrusion of NW-trending diabase dikes. Structural features at the mesoscopic scale show no consistent directional relationship to determined stress directions. Petrofabric diagrams of open microfractures show preferred orientations, but these are not consistently related to the orientations of larger structural features, such as joints, foliation, or mineralized shear zones. However, at five of six test sites the preferred direction of microfractures occurs nearly perpendicular to the maximum principal stress directions; an anomalous parallel relationship exists at a test site in an intrusive rock body. The results suggest that the open microfracture subfabric may provide a means for gaining information on the directional properties of stress fields. Such information can be obtained from oriented cores taken from holes which exceed the approximate 100-foot depth to which other in situ methods are presently limited.

Jan 1, 1970

By H. B. Brunot

The United States Bureau of Mines under provisions of Schedule 2C4 issues approvals covering complete operating units such as loading machines, room hoists, and storage-battery locomotives. Certain manufacturers design and build entire machines. Other manufacturers purchase a part or all of the electrical accessories from manufacturers of electrical equipment and make up permissible units by assembling them. Before the assembler purchases electrical accessories for use in such contemplated units he may require certain information from the accessory manufacturer as to whether the particular accessories are suitable for assembly in his proposed permissible outfit. To aid accessory manufacturers in marketing their product, a provision was incorporated in Schedule 20 whereby tests might be made on individual accessories and reports rendered as to the suitability of a given accessory for use in permissible assemblies.

Jan 1, 1935

By Donald H. Mullen, Walter R. Storms

"INTRODUCTION The Copper Flat area of the Central mining district, Grant County, N. Mex., has been visited by numerous engineers 4/ of the Bureau of Mines and geologists 5/ of the Federal Geological Survey. In December 1944 the Bureau. 6/ proposed that geophysical work be done in that area in order to locate favorable sites for future company exploratory and development work. This geo-physical work was begun early in 1945 but never fully completed because of insufficient funds. The engineers who made the survey recommended that more work be done, especially to locate the bottom of the Copper Flat laccolith by resistivity-depth surveys. All known minable zinc-lead ore bodies had been found above this laccolith in the Copper Flat mine, but it was thought that other minable ore deposits should occur in favorable limestones beneath it. The geophysicists also recommended core drilling beneath the laccolith.In the summer of 1946, following some mapping by S. G. Lasky of the Federal Geological Survey, funds were appropriated for a Bureau of Mines project in the Copper Flat area. The project was completed in June 1947. 8/"

Apr 1, 1948

By J. Roger Loebenstein

Small amounts of arsenic trioxide were shipped in 1988 from remaining stocks at ASARCO Incorporated's closed plant at Tacoma, WA. Imports of arsenic trioxide were at about the same level in 1988 as in the previous year. Legislation and Government Programs The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) levied a $1.6 million fine against Asarco for exposing its workers at its East Helena lead smelter in Helena, MT, to unacceptably high levels of lead and arsenic. The bulk of the fine was for violations of a respiratory protection program. The same smelter and its environs has been listed as a Superfund toxic-waste site by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Tests had shown high levels of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in the soil near the smelter. EPA planned to extend the cleanup to areas within the town of East Helena because high levels of arsenic had been found in shallow test wells outside the smelter site. Federal and State health officials have warned residents living in the vicinity of East Helena to avoid eating certain home-grown vegetables because of high concentrations of heavy metals.2

Jan 1, 1990

By Charles A. R. Lambly

This paper, which describes the mining practices of the Pend Oreille Mines & Metals Co. at Metaline Falls, Wash., is one of a series being prepared by the Bureau of Mines on mining practices, methods, and costs in various mining districts of the United States. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Acknowledgment is made to L. P. Larson, president, and Jens Jensen, secretary, of the Pend Oreille Mines & Metals Co. for permission to publish this paper. information was supplied by E. Berglund, mine superintendent; Earl Miller, chief engineer; Lynn Kinney, John Currie, and Wally Frick, engineers; Arthur Newman, chief clerk; and Jack Crampton, assayer.

Jan 1, 1941

By C. M. Dice

This paper is one of a series being published by the Bureau of Mines on milling methods and costs. It describes briefly the procedure followed in concentrating hübnerite or? at the Ima tungsten mine, Lemhi County, Idaho. In October 1911 the Ima mill was utilizing combined gravity-concentration, flotation, and magnetic-separation units for the recovery of a tungsten concentrate and a pyritic silver concentrate approximately 120 tons of ore averaging 0.5 percent W03 is treated daily. The concentrates produced average 66 to 67 percent WO3.

Jan 1, 1943

By Paul T. Allsman

The vanadiferous deposits of the Sublette Ridge and Salt River Range, 2 miles east of Raymond, Idaho, in western Lincoln County, Wyo., were examined August 24 to August 30, 1942, by an engineer of the Bureau of Mines, who was shown these properties by W. W. Rubey of the Geological Survey, Washington, D. C. The Sublette Ridge deposits are owned by the former U. S. Phosphate Co. H. F. Chaney, Portland, Oreg., is the representative for the company. The following report covers the history of the district, outlines the physical features and communications, mentions the property, and notes the ownership. The deposits and ore are described, and work performed by the Bureau of Mines is explained in detail. Ore-dressing tests and methods are explained.

Jan 1, 1949

By R. R. Sayers

Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the most widely distributed and most frequent causes of industrial accidents . Carbon monoxide gas is a product of incomplete combustion , and since it is without color , odor , or taste , its presence is frequently unsuspected in many places where it exists . It is an ever present danger about blast and coke furnaces , smelters , and foundries . It may be found in buildings having a leaky furnace or chimney , and in buildings where a gas stove is used without a proper flue connection , such as is often found in tenements , tailor shops , and boarding houses . Hospitals receive annually a great number of victims of poisoning , either by accident or in an attempt at suicide , from artificial illuminating gas . People may be affected by leaks wherever water gas is formed or used . The exhaust gases from gasoline motors under average running conditions usually contain 5 to 7 per cent carbon monoxide , and sometimes as much as 13 per cent ; deaths from running an automobile engine in a closed garage are not infrequent . A similar danger may arise in operating gasoline engines in launches without sufficient ventilation . The gas is formed also in stoker rooms , in gun turrets on battleships , in petroleum refineries , and by the Lablanc soda process in cement and brick plants . In underground mines carbon monoxide may appear as the result of shot firing , mine explosions , or mine fires , and in tunnels where automobiles , coal or oil - burning locomotives are operated . In spite of the common occurrence of carbon monoxide poisoning there appears to be no uniformly recognized treatment for a person overcome by carbon monoxide . In the rescue work of the United States Bureau of Mines , however , a method has been developed which has been supported by laboratory investigation , and has proved successful in practical experience , over a period of years . As outlined in this article , the method is useful in the hands of first -aid men as well as physicians .

Dec 1, 1921