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By Alvin Schallis

Of all the uses for dolomite that depend on its magnesia content, perhaps the most important is its use in basic refractories. The quantities of dolomite (including both that used as crude and that calcined before use) sold or used for refractory purposes by producers in the United States for 1920-41, inclusive, are shown in figure 1. As can be seen from the chart, the utilization of dolomite as a basic refractory is far from new; it was, in fact, the first basic refractory used extensively in open-hearth steel furnaces. After large deposits of magnesite were opened in Austria-Hungary, the use of dolomite in the open hearth declined somewhat, only to be actively revived during the World War of 1914 to 1918, when supplies from Austria were shut off. The use of dolomite as a refractory in the steel industry again declined slightly for a brief period after the Armistice, but subsequently its use has tended steadily to increase, latest statistics indicating that more dead-burned dolomite is used per ton of open-hearth steel now than during the World War of 1914 to 1918. Despite fluctuations in consumption, dolomite has continued to be by far the most widely used basic refractory material. The following table, showing the quantities of basic refractories consumed in the manufacture of steel, the principal outlet, indicates the relative importance of dolomite. The chief reason for the widespread use of dolomite as a basic refractory is its relatively low cost. Its abundance and the proximity of the deposits to the steel industry (see fig. 2) afford every incentive to enhance the desirable physical properties of dolomite refractories and to ameliorate certain of their less desirable characteristics. The present emergency, with its huge demands upon the steel industry, has lent further impetus to the work of improving dolomite refractories.

Jan 1, 1942

By Joseph Sabatini

This report, covering the period January through December 1975, contains abstracts of articles concerning all phases of cost engineering and economics for chemicals processing, raining, and other mineral industries. The abstracts are collected from the following sources: 1. Chemical Engineering 2. Chemical Engineering Progress 3. Chemtech 4. Coal Arse 5. Coal Mining and Processing 6. Combustion 7. Drilling 8. Electrical World 9. Engineering and Mining Journal

Jan 1, 1976

Robert C. Horton was sworn in as the new Director of the Bureau of Mines on October 13 in Washington. Horton, 54, was director of the Geology Division of the Bendix Field Engineering Corporation's operations in Grand Junction, Colorado, before being nominated by - it Reagan for this position. A geological engineer, he has been associated with the mining industry in the West for over 35 years. Legislation to expand the Defense Production Act for 1 year until September 30, 1982, was signed by the President on September 30. The Administration had requested, steel a 5-year extension, but the Congress chose to spend another year considering proposed revisions. The Act, among other things, authorizes the allocation of strategic materials for defense purposes and allows incentives including floor prices and Government financing to encourage domestic mineral projects.

Jan 1, 1981

By John P. Hager

This study investigated the formation of vapor complexes between aluminum chloride and the chlorides of iron, titanium, and silicon. For the A1-Fe-C1 system the proposed gaseous complex species is Al2Fe2C112(g), which is formed according to the reaction 2A1C13(s) + 2FeCl3(s) = Al2Fe2C112(g) The corresponding free energy expression was determined to be ?G° = 38091.49 - 71.45 ? T 400 < T < 600°K The vapor composition above AlC13 melts contaminated with FeC13 was calculated. In the Al-Ti-CI and Al-Si-Cl systems the proposed vapor complex species are Al2Ti2Cl14(g) and Al2Si2Cl14(g) respectively. Free energy expressions were estimated for the formation of the two complex species. Again, the vapor composition above AlCl3 melts contaiminated with TiCl4 or SiCl4 was determined. The results of this study were compared with previous studies on the three systems.

Jan 1, 1980

By Seth T. Reese

REPORTS received from operating companies by the Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, indicated marked progress in the reduction of injuries to employees in the coking industry in 1951 as compared with 1950. The fatality rate (0.14) per million man-hours of exposure declined 33 percent and was the second best performance since statistics on the industry were first collected in 1916. The nonfatal-injury rate (10.94), the best since 1940, declined 8 percent and was bettered only in 8 of the past 36 years. The nonfatal rate is based on all injuries resulting in loss of time for more than the remainder of the day on which the injury occurred. The exposure to hazard, as represented by the number of man-hours of work time during the year, was 7 percent higher than in 1950 and, except for the year 1943, was the highest since 1920. The fatality rate for men employed at beehive-coke ovens decreased 16 percent and the nonfatal-injury rate 23 percent, while the man-hours of work time or exposure increased slightly over 16 percent. The fatality and nonfatal-injury rates at byproduct ovens declined 33 and 2 ½ percent, respectively, while the number of man-hours worked increased 6 percent.

Jan 1, 1954

By James A. Wasson

This Bureau of Mines report summarizes the application of pilot flooding in the evaluation of a potential waterflood project. Aspects of pilot flooding discussed include choice of pilot location, confined and unconfined waterfloods, operational precautions, and comparison of predicted with observed performance. Summaries of published methods of pilot flood data analysis for determination of full-scale waterflood feasibility are presented and their use illustrated for example pilot flood data.

Jan 1, 1974

By F. W. Wood

ORIGINAL experimentation in specially designed arc-melting furnaces and a comprehensive review of technical literature have helped with an understanding of electric arcs as used in metallurgical applications. Results relevant to the distribution of electric potentials and currents, temperatures, pressures, the consumption of electrodes, the identities of particles participating in electrical conduction, and the modes and mechanisms of discharge are presented and discussed. Present knowledge of high-current arcs is insufficient to test pertinent theoretical suggestions. However, the chief doubts concern the identities and the liberation or formation of current-carrying particles. It seems that either (1) novel formulations of existing concepts are needed, or (2) essentially new concepts must be recognized to explain observations. An analysis of the situation has led the authors to favor the latter possibility and to suggest the existence of supplementary conducting particles. The conduction of current by the streaming of charged agglomerates is postulated. Another outgrowth of analysis is an equation for the arc potential as a function of current densities in the arc. In lieu of conclusions, the potentialities of practical applications and specific needs for fundamental clarification are summarized.

Jan 1, 1965

By Graham W. Marks, Clyde A. Bridger

"INTRODUCTION An electrolytic process for the preparation of metallic cobalt has been developed recently in the Bureau of Mines Experimental Station at Boulder City, Nev. Chemical analysis shows this cobalt to contain impurities in small percentages, chief of which is nickel. It is desirable to be able to determine these impurities spectrographically. This report is concerned with a procedure for the spectrochemical determination of nickel in cobalt.Previous spectrographic work on cobalt was done by Breckpot and Mevis,/ who used the method of homologous pairs of lines. However, it was felt that a more detailed investigation was needed, employing the method of internal standards.ACKNOWLEDGMENTWe are indebted to B. G. Knickerbockor and his staff at the Boulder City, Nev., station of the Federal Bureau of Mines for their cooperation, and particularly to Richard W. Lewis and Robert G. Sanderson, who prepared nickel-free electrolytic cobalt for us."

Feb 1, 1948

By H. Kenworthy

Small batches of fluorspar flotation concentrates were made into nodules and pellets on a laboratory scale. Several of these were rated acceptable by laboratory evaluation methods. The most satisfactory pellets were produced by mixing fluorspar with about 12.5 percent of water, by weight, and 4 percent of organic binders. These binders) for the most part) originated from petroleum and wood-pulp industries. They were generally difficult to handle and were not easily incorporated with the fluorspars tested. Most of them seemed to have an aversion for damp fluorspar and had to be forcibly mixed with the fluorspar; which was then formed into pellets by pressure. Substitution of fuel oil in varying amounts in the binders enhanced the mixing and penetrating qualities of these binders but at the same tire tended to make the pellets more porous. Tall oils performed the same function to a lesser degree and usually decreased the water absorbency of the finished pellets. Heat-treating temperatures to set up these binders were moderate -about 5000 F. for 30 to 50 minutes was usually enough for both drying and heat treating. Nodules made with 1-1/2 to 2 percent of bentonite as a binder were easily mixed and formed. They required a high degree of heat (about 1,500° F.) to develop their strength and were quite water-absorbent when finished. Two fluorspars were examined for weight and fluorite loss after heat treatment at similar temperatures. Both showed a definite wej.ght and analytical loss of fluorite. Bentonite was used also as a binder to successfully nodulize finely ground oxides of iron, manganese, and nickel.

Jan 1, 1951

By James A. West

The Quapaw pool is one of the smaller pools in an extensive area of Bartlesville-sand production in the eastern part of Osage County, Okla. (fig. 1). Most of the fields in this area were discovered from 1906 to 1916 and were developed and operated similarly. The Quapaw pool is representative of the area, and much of the developed in studying this pool is applicable to the other reservoirs. This petroleum-engineering study of the Quapaw pool was conducted to provide reservoir data that may aid in more widespread application of the intensive secondary-recovery production methods that have been employed with excellent results in the Bartlesville-sand fields of nearby Washington, Nowata, and Rogers Counties. This study is particularly appropriate because of the intense interest in Osage County fields as areas suitable for water flooding. Water flooding was introduced first into Oklahoma during 1931 in Rogers County, and activity was concentrated in the shallow Bartlesville-sand fields of and Nowata Counties for many years. Although water-flooding projects are now operating throughout the State, the intense activity of the Nowata-Rogers Counties area spread to adjoining counties only during the past few years. Since 1948 the rate of oil production in Washington County (between Nowata and Osage Counties) has increased by 260 percent as a result of water flooding. Currently, leases in eastern Osage County are sought eagerly by water-flood operators, and during the past 2 years the Osage Indian Agency has issued nine permits for water-flooding projects in eastern Osage County. Water-flooding operations are in progress on several projects. Although large oil reserves in eastern Osage County should, be recoverable by water flooding, development and operation of projects will be more expensive than projects in the shallower producing areas to the east. In addition, the Osage County reservoirs appear to be more complex and somewhat more difficult to water-flood successfully. It is hoped that this study will contribute to better understanding of the Quapaw reservoir and, in a general way, to the many similar reservoirs in eastern Osage County.

Jan 1, 1952

By Thomas S. Jones

This report discusses processing and use of the principal forms of manganese. The focus is on trends in the United States in the 20th century and specifics of domestic manganese material flows as of about 1990. To protect proprietary data, quantitative assessments are limited to the iron and steel industry, which accounts for about 90% of consumption. Nonmetallurgical uses are considered qualitatively. Approximate disposition of a U.S. cumulative consumption during 1901-90 of an estimated 69 million st of manganese is estimated to be iron and steel slag, 69%; nonmetallurgical uses of a dissipative na¬ture, 10%; iron and steel scrap, 9%; National Defense Stockpile, 3%; unidentified and/or including items in service, 10%. In slag from iron blast furnaces and steelmaking, manganese is present as a minor, relatively im¬mobile component, which so far has been uneconomical to recover. Construction and road building are main applications for these slags. Steel slag contains the greater amount of manganese. Studies by others of global manganese fluxes and the effect of human activities on them also are discussed. One source concludes that the main effect of human activities, via deforestation and agricultural activities, has been to increase the rate of transport of manganese to the oceans.

Jan 1, 1994

By Hon-Yim Ko

The properties of coal from the Pittsburgh seam, procured from the Bruceton and Federal No. 2 Mines were found to be similar. Strength and stiffness properties of Beehive Mine coal were determined and the material found to be isotropic. Mechanical, index and geologic properties of roof and floor coal measure rocks from Beehive mines were measured and correlated. Analytic formulations are given for coal creep under uniaxial loading, while triaxial creep is being investigated. Results of testing of coal model structures are compared with predictions from using several material models.

Jan 1, 1976

By Alfred Bellows

The objective was to develop and design a remotely operated temporary roof support system that provides a safe working environment between a freshly cut coal face and the last line of permanently supported roof in which to perform roof bolting activities. This system was to take the form of a retrofit package which could be adapted to a majority of the bolters currently in service. The result is an integrated piece of hardware which will retrofit onto virtually all single boom bolters by removing the drill boom and relocating and modifying the hydraulic controls. The system is composed of three basic components: a pair of cantilevered roof supports which reach forward to the desired line of support, a mast type drill unit for drilling holes and torquing bolts, and a transverse slide assembly to carry the drill from hole to hole across the entry without relocating either the bolter or the roof support. A converted bolter not only provides a much safer operation but is projected to increase the production speed as well as reduce the manpower required to operate a section.. This improvement in productivity is shown to make the job of retrofitting a bolter cost effective in less than two months and provide a potential profit thereafter. Based on the findings presented in this report it is recommended that a proto-type be built and tested in an underground coal mine to demonstrate its effectiveness.

Jan 1, 1976

By Ernest F. Burchard, J. R. Thoenen

"INTRODUCTION Technically speaking, bauxite is not a definite mineral but a mixture of several minerals belonging to a group of partly consolidated material known as laterite, which have been formed by surface weathering of rocks.The term bauxite is applied to the ore of aluminum, although a substantial amount is used for other purposes, such as a base in certain chemical industries and in the manufacture of artificial abrasives, refractories, and certain cements. Although bauxite has not been classed as strategic it now appears that the domestic supply may be insufficient for expanded defense requirements.Until recently, domestic production of metallic aluminum has been ample to meet requirements, but estimates of pyramiding future needs of the defense program have caused serious attention to be directed to the self-sufficiency of this country, both as to the supply of the raw material, bauxite, and the metallurgical capacity available to convert the ore to metallic aluminum.At the request of the Secretary of the interior, representatives of the Bureau of Mines and the Geological Survey recently investigated domestic resources of bauxite.A preliminary study of published literature and a field investigation disclosed that"

Nov 1, 1941

By Roy L. Soderberg

Ground support for metal, nonmetal, and coal mines was examined through fill placement with a pneumatic stower to increase extraction, reduce ground pressures, and improve general mine safety. Several pneumatically stowed stope-fill products were tested to determine the effects of specific gravity, gradation, moisture, and impact velocity on the in-place density of the stowed fill. Hydraulic sand filling has now served the mining industry for several decades but because of the low density does not always provide ample support to the hanging wall; therefore, the sill and crown pillars sometimes build up excessive stresses that are detrimental to mining. Cementation of a dense fill adjacent to a pillar to allow 100-pct extraction of the pillar, or a fill that can be placed without the use of water and where water is a detriment to rubber-tired mining equipment, was found to be a possible use of pneumatic fill. Placing of coal mine washery products into abandoned underground workings is another possibility in order to completely eliminate surface impoundments.

Jan 1, 1976

By C. O. Anderson, W. M. Meyers

Since 1922, when a brief report3 on the production and utilization of garnet was issued by the Bureau of Mines, there have been a number of interest—in developments in the technology of that mineral. Greater activity has been displayed in mining, new mills have been erected, and more attention has been paid to improvements in milling so that a more efficient and economical recovery of garnet has been possible. These activities have resulted in larger production; therefore, attempts are being made to broaden the market for garnet abrasives, and to find new uses for the unusual combination of physical properties than this mineral possesses. The writers have recently completed a field study of the occurrence, methods of mining and milling of garnet, and the manufacture and utilization of abrasive garnet products. This preliminary report indicates the most important sources of garnet, the methods by which it is recovered, and the manner in which it is recovered, and the manner in which it is utilized.Chemical and Physical Properties.The term ""garnet"" is applied to a closely related group of minerals which crystallize in the caste forms and possess similar physical properties, although their chemical composition may exhibit greater variation. The chemical composition of the garnet group may be represented by the general formula 3R"" O.R""' 203.3S102, in which R represents the bivalent elements calcium, magnesium, in the manganese state and ferrous iron, R"" represents the trivalent elements, ferric iron, aluminum and chromium in the chromie state. An account of the amorphous substitution of the different bivalent and trivalent elements, specimens whose composition may be represented by a definite formula are rare, the composition of any given specimen generally exhibits treat complexity.

Jun 1, 1925

By A. D. McMahon

Changes in world mine and smelter supply sources of zinc have led to changes in zinc supply patterns in the United States during the past 3 years, 1970-72. The result has been a growing reliance on foreign sources of zinc metal to furnish an ever-increasing portion of expending domestic requirements. This review of fundamentals and historical developments is intended to provide background in order to place the future of the U.S. zinc industry fn perspective. The properties and uses of zinc are described. A new study on U.S. reserves is presented with description by geographical region and comparisons with older reserve data. The technology of the zinc industry from prospecting through refining is described with emphasis on the metallurgy involved in the various methods of smelting. Production, consumption, and imports are discussed and illustrated with graphs and tables to review the past and present patterns. Government actions affecting the industry are shown.

Jan 1, 1974

By K. R. Dorman

To develop the potential of precast concrete sets as a support medium in underground mines, a three-piece precast concrete drift set was designed for a small opening and tested to destruction in an underground straining frame. Thirty-six tests were made with three sizes of members using three different loading conditions. In addition, 14 members were tested individually in the laboratory. Test results are compared with theoretical calculations. A cost comparison shows the use of concrete sets would be advantageous where conventional wooden timber requires excessive replacement.

Jan 1, 1968

By G. R. Hopkins, E. W. COCHRANE

According to reports received by the United States Bureau of Mines , Department of Commerce , as of January 1 , 1930 , there were 412 completed refineries in the United States with a daily crude oil capacity of 3,755,585 barrels . This compares with 413 refineries of 3,509,540 barrels capacity on January 1 , 1929 , which indicates that whereas the number of refineries was practically unchanged , the total capacity increased 8 per cent during the past year . Of the completed plants as of January 1 , 1930 , 358 plants , of 3,634,825 barrels total capacity , were operating and 54 , with a capacity of 130,760 barrels , were shut down . Compared with a year ago , this indicates a decline in the percentage of the total refinery capacity that is inoperative . There has been a decided decrease in the number of shut-down plants since 1924 and 1925 , when one plant in every three was inoperative . Many of the inoperative plants of 1924 and 1925 were constructed soon after the boom times of 1920. Some of these were operated for a time but were unable to show a profit during 1923 and 1924 , when an overproduction of crude petroleum was accompanied by demoralized markets for refined products . Prices for refined products improved in 1925 and 1926 , but only a comparatively few of the shut -down plants , then partly obsolete , were able to obtain or renew their crude connections and compete successfully with the larger , more firmly established refineries . After five years or more of continuous idleness , a refinery would be rendered practically useless through corrosion and obsolescence . Consequently , most plants now being carried as " shut -down " have operated intermittently since 1923 . struction . A material change occurred in 1929 in the matter of plants under con- On January 1 , 1929 , there were 14 plants under construction , with a potential capacity of 99,000 barrels per day , whereas on January 1 , 1930 , there were only eight plants of 37,200 barrels capacity being built . This decline was due to the fact that the construction program in west Texas , which was at or near its height on January 1 , 1929 , was completed prior to January 1 , 1930 .

Apr 1, 1930

By John R. McWilliams

The technological and economic pattern of the U. S. mining industry has undergone a rapid and continuing change since World War II. To provide realistic up-to-date cost data and to disseminate knowledge of technical developments, the Federal Bureau of Mines, with the cooperation of individual mining companies, is presenting a series of mining methods and costs reports similar to those it issued before 1939. Shaft sinking has always played an important part in mine development and [ration] and is an appropriate subject for this series of reports. Shafts [are] especially important in areas such as the Coeur d&apos;Alene district of Idaho, where every major mine is served by one or more shafts and shaft sinking is in progress at one mine or and her almost continuously.

Jan 1, 1960