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By Jack I. Paige

The Bureau of Mines conducted studies to provide data on the room temperature mechanical properties of Ti-6Al-4V alloy cast in waterglass-bonded zircon sand and to determine the effect of hot iso-static pressing (HIP) on these properties. Data on the cast and annealed Ti-6Al-4V alloy were compared with published data for forged and investment-cast Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The average Charpy V-notch impact strength compared favorably with the typical values of 17 ft?lbf for wrought material and 19.2 ft?lbf for investment-cast material. The room temperature mechanical proper-ties of cast and annealed material compared favorably with published values for investment-cast Ti-6Al-4V alloy and exceeded the specifications for (1) titanium and titanium alloy castings, grade C-5 according to ASTM B367-69, and (2) titanium alloy bars and forgings as specified in AMS4928H, except for the AMS4928H minimum requirement for reduction in area (25 pct). The minimum requirements are: tensile strength, 130 ksi; yield strength, 120 ksi (0.2 pct); and elongation, 6 pct. None of the specimens tested met the AMS4928H minimum requirement for reduction in area. The HIP process healed the internal casting porosity in the test specimens, but the fatigue strength was not significantly improved. The fatigue properties of both the cast and cast plus hot isostatically pressed castings were significantly lower than those of wrought products.

Jan 1, 1984

By Frank B. Fulkerson

Aluminum production in the Pacific Northwest has a new potential for expansion and increased stability of operation. This new potential results from greater availability of power; lower freight rates on alumina and aluminum; good market prospects for the metal, including western aluminum market expansion following a decline in defense requirements in the 1950's; and possibility of developing bauxite deposits in the Pacific Basin as well as other mineral resources. INTRODUCTION This is a report of a special study by the Bureau of Mines of the primary aluminum industry of the Pacific Northwest. It outlines developments relative to the United States as a whole.

Jan 1, 1962

Geophysical Abstracts 1 - 86 were issued in mimeographed form by the Bureau of Mines; Abstracts 87 - 111 were published in bulletins of the Geological Survey; Abstracts 112 - 116 were issued in mimeographed form by the Bureau of Mines as Information Circulars 7256, 7257, 7267, 7273 and 7285. 1. GRAVITATIONAL METHODS 7380. Dryden, H. L. A reexamination of the Potsdam Absolute Determination of Gravity. Jour. Research Nat. Bureau of Standards, vol. 29, No. 5, 1942, pp. 303-314.

Jan 1, 1944

By William R. Wayment

The objective of this investigation was to obtain data on friction-head losses of sand slurries during their transport in pipelines. The data ultimately will be used in designing hydraulic transport systems. Information that was incidental to the primary objective was gathered on degradation, changed percolation characteristics, and critical velocities of the slurries~ Tests were made in a closed-circuit pilot plant, with one type of tailing, through horizontal 2-, 3-, and 4-inch-pipe test sections at various pulp densities and flow velocities. Tests were made in a closed-circuit pilot plant, with one type of tailing, through horizontal 2-, 3-, and 4-inch-pipe test sections at various pulp densities and flow velocities. Approximately 2,000 tests were run in the pilot plant. The ranges of flow velocities used in the experiment were 2.8 to 19 f.p.s. in the 2-inch line, 4 to 14.5 f.p.s. in the 3-inch line, and 4 to 11 f.p.s. in the 4-inch line. Velocities were varied in increments of 0.5 f.p.s. through the entire velocity range in each pipe size. Densities were varied in 3-percent increments from 40 to 70 percent solids by weight except for one series of tests in the 2-inch line; in this series, densities were varied in 5-percent increments from 5 to 65 percent solids by weight.

Jan 1, 1962

By W. W. Adams

"The seventh National Safety Competition, that for 1931, conducted by the United States Bureau of Mines, was participated in by 350 mines and quarries operating in 34 States. Tables 1 to 5 show the relative standing of the various plants, Bronze trophies, known as the ""Sentinels of Safety,"" which were provided by The Explosives Engineer magazine to be awarded annually by the Bureau of Mines were awarded to five companies, each company having established the best accident—prevention record within one of the five classes into which all companies were divided — namely, anthracite mining companies, bituminous—coal mining companies, metal—mining companies, operators of nonmetallic mineral mines other than coal mines, and quarries or open—cut mines. The trophies are awarded for one year and are then transferred to the winners of the succeeding year's contest.The outstanding feature of the contest of 1931 was the operation of a bituminous coal mine without a lost—time injury to any employee. While accident—tree records had previously been made by certain quarries, metal mines, and nonmetallic mineral mines, never before has such a feat been accomplished by a bituminous coal mine in the National Safety Competition. Whether or not such a record has been made by a bituminous—coal mining company not enrolled is the competition the writer does not know, but it is believed that the case referred to is unique among large coal—mining companies. The mine to which reference is made is No. 1 mine of the Phelps Dodge Corporation, at Dawson, N. Mex. To that company belongs the distinction not only of being the first coal—mining company among those enrolled in these yearly safety contents to operate its mine without an accident but also of occasioning the 'Sentinels of Safety' trophy for a bituminous mine to take its first journey west of the Mississippi River. For the past six years the trophy has been in West Virginia, Alabama, or Pennsylvania."

Jun 1, 1932

By Raymond L. Lowrie

For many years it has been considered that an average of 50 percent of the coal in the deposits exploited has been recovered. Owing to many changes in mining methods during the past two decades, this study was initiated to obtain an up-to-date measurement of recovery percentage and thus establish part of the basis from which presently recoverable reserves may be estimated. Recovery percentages were determined within mined areas of 200 underground coal mines. These comprised a statistical sample selected to be representative of operating mines in relation to their significance to depletion of reserves. The results ranged from 29 to 91 percent and averaged 57.0 ± 1.7 percent (95-percent confidence limit). Six factors were identified mathematically as significantly affecting recovery percentages: (1) Pillaring system, (2) top rock and conditions, (3) bottom rock and conditions, (4) marketability, (5) coalbed thickness, and (6) productivity. Skill and attitude of mine operators toward recovery, although not measured, were probable factors. Five other variables that were tested did not show any significant relationship with recovery percentages. Also, five mining equipment features were identified, through discussions with mine officials, as affecting adversely recovery percentage at some mines.

Jan 1, 1968

By Robert L. de Beauchamp

The Bureau of Mines reviewed aluminum chloride technology to determine the problems associated with its preparation from minerals, and to ascertain the best areas for research to solve these problems. Commercial AlC13 production processes are described and the ?state of the art? for the preparation of AlC13 from aluminous materials is evaluated. Areas for further research are indicated.

Jan 1, 1969

By J. E. Zeilinger, John Nagy, Irving Hartman

"INTRODUCTION Experience and research have shown that an effective way to reduce structural damage from explosions is to provide adequate pressure-relief vents in the walls of equipment and buildings within which explosions might occur. In general, free or unrestricted openings represent the most efficient type of vent. However, in many manufacturing operations it is impractical to use free vents, and it becomes necessary to cover the openings with diaphragms or blow-out disks, hinged panels, or other devices, in order to give protection against weather changes, to prevent the efflux of dusts or vapors from equipment during normal operations, or for other reasons.A few data on the pressure-relieving capacities of hinged panels and a paper diaphragm were published in Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 3924,4/ which covered the first phase of the dust-explosion venting study made by the Bureau. The present report describes recent experiments that were made to determine the relative effectiveness of an unrestricted vent and 22 types of closures, including various paper, cloth, and metal-foil diaphragms, hinged doors or panels, and several kinds of scored and unscored glass panes.The tests showed that many of the vent closures were effective in releasing the explosions rapidly during their incipient stage, so that the development of destructive pressures was prevented. Vents of this type should prove useful in safeguarding industrial equipment from severe explosion damage. The experiments disclosed that the venting capacities of the diaphragms are approximately inversely proportional to their static bursting strengths."

Jan 1, 1950

By John Nagy

Experience and research have shown that an effective way to reduce structural damage from explosions is to provide adequate pressure-relief vents in the walls of equipment and buildings within which explosions might occur. In general, free or unrestricted openings represent the most efficient type of vent. However, in many manufacturing operations it is impractical to use free vents, and it becomes necessary to cover the openings with diaphragms or blow-out disks, hinged panels, or other devices, in order to give protection against weather changes, to prevent the efflux of dusts or vapors from equipment during normal operations, or for other reasons. A few data on the pressure-relieving capacities of hinged panels and a paper diaphragm were published in Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 3924, which covered the first phase of the dust-explosion venting study made by the Bureau. The present report describes recent experiments that were made to determine the relative effectiveness of an unrestricted vent and 22 types of closures, including various paper, cloth, and metal-foil diaphragms, hinged doors or panels, and several kinds of scored and unscored glass panes. The tests showed that many of the vent closures were effective in releasing the explosions rapidly during their incipient stage, so that the development of destructive pressures was prevented. Vents of this type should prove useful in safeguarding industrial equipment from severe explosion damage. The experiments disclosed that the venting capacities of the diaphragms are approximately inversely proportional to their static bursting strengths.

Jan 1, 1950

By Fred D. Wright

Some new equipment for drilling vertical holes, cleaning blast holes, hauling explosives, and conditioning Diesel exhaust gas has been developed. at the Bureau's Experimental Oil-Shale mine near Rifle, Colo, The equipment has application, not only in oil-shale mining, but in many of the country's underground mines in which room-and-pillar methods of mining are employed. This report presents the Bureau's experience in testing the following equipment in the Experimental Oil-Shale mine: 1. A four-drill benching jumbo for drilling 23-foot vertical blast holes 2. A jet borehole blower for efficient cleaning of deep, vertical blast holes. 3. An explosives truck equipped with two compartments to provide safe conveyance for dynamite and detonators. 4. A mobile, electric substation to provide switching equipment, low-voltage and overload protection, and transformer facilities to remote locations in the mine. 5. A chemical conditioner for scrubbing the exhaust gases from Diesel-powered equipment used in underground operations. 6. Other units of equipment which have been tested at the Experimental mine.

Jan 1, 1951

By PAUL L. FISHER

This bibliography has been compiled by the Bureau in answer to many requests now being received for information on the briquetting coal and other carbons . In addition to publications issued by the Government in printed or mimeographed form, references are included to articles appearing in the technical press and in cooperative reports of work done jointly with states , colleges , and industries . References and patents are arranged in chronological order . Bureau of Mines bulletins , technical papers and Minerals Yearbooks are printed , and are obtainable from the Superintendent of Documents ,. Government Printing Office , Washington 25 , D. C. Reports of investigations , information circulars , and the directories and reports of the mineral industry surveys are published in mimeographed form and may be obtained without charge from the Publications Distribution Section , Bureau of Mines , 4800 Forbes Street , Pittsburgh 13 , Pa . Many Bureau of Mines publications , as well as bound copies of the foreign and American scientific and trade periodicals , may be consulted in technical , college , and large public libraries throughout the country. Dealers in new and second-hand books sometimes have copies of these reports for sale .

Jul 1, 1948

By J. S. Berber

Bastnasite is a natural fluocarbonate of the cerium group and affords an abundant and high-grade source of the lighter rare-earth elements. As part of a broad research program in rare-earth element technology, the Federal Bureau of Mines directed extensive experimental work to separating and purifying the rare-earth elements in bastnasite. By the use of a combination of techniques--classical chemical, ion exchange, and solvent extraction--the processing of a bastnasite concentrate to obtain the individual rare-earth elements, or groups of elements, was accomplished. A bastnasite concentrate, containing about 60 percent rare-earth oxides, was sulfated with concentrated sulfuric acid to eliminate the carbon dioxide, fluorine, and silica. Calcination at 1,200° F. made the gangue matter insoluble, thus permitting the separation of the soluble rare-earth sulfates. Essentially 100 percent of the rare-earth elements were recovered by this procedure. Since the rare-earth sulfate solution contained only trace amounts of nonrare-earth elements, subsequent separation procedures were simplified.

Jan 1, 1960

By L. S. Breckon

This paper describes the methods and equipment used by the Utah Copper Co. in constructing a vehicular tunnel at Bingham Canyon, Utah, Completion and use of this tunnel for vehicular and pedestrian traffic permitted abandonment of the long-used county highway connecting Bingham and Copperfield. Expanding- operations of the Utah Copper open-cut mine, necessitated construction of a vehicular route away from the ore body. The site Of the tunnel is well beyond ultimate nit slopes and future mining operations. The tunnel not only diverts vehicular and pedestrian traffic is but also carrier, creek water, copper water, sewage, pipe lines, and. power and telephone cables between the two communities. The dimensions of the tunnel permit one-way traffic only. Traffic-control lights have been installed. Owing to the possibility of accumulation of carbon monoxide gas from automobile exhausts, automatic gas detectors has been installed at various stations. These detectors control the operation of a large exhaust fan situated at the upper portal of the tunnel.

Jan 1, 1940

By R. E. Heithecker, Van A. Mills

"Crude oils are capable of dissolving quantities of gas under pressure. This fact has been known for some time, but questions have arisen as to the effects of gas in solution upon the characteristics of the oil. Previous investigations4 show that gas in solution in an oil affects the viscosity and surface tension of the oil, but the effects on the volume and A. P. I. gravity of the oil have not been known. The results given in this report show that there is a decided change both in volume and in the A. P. I. gravity of the oil due to the solution of the gas in the oil under pressure. As gas is dissolved, the volume of the oil and the A. P. I. gravity increase. The converse of this phenomenon is also true: if the gas is released from a saturated oil, there is a shrinkage in volume and a decrease in A.P.I. gravity due to the release of gas from solution. However, various oils show marked tendencies to retain a portion of the dissolved gas upon releasing the pressure to that of the atmosphere. This retained gas has an appreciable effect on the volume and A. P. I. gravity of the oil because the oil does not resume its initial volume or gravity while it retains dissolved gas. In a sense the oil has been ""freshened"" and will not return to its original or weathered volume until it loses some of the lighter fractions. Wiggins5 has shown that a fresh oil decreases both in volume and in gravity because of the weathering of the lighter fractions while the oil is standing in storage tanks.This paper includes data attained during the determination of volume and gravity correction factors to be applied in the oil recovery investigations of the Bureau of Mines. Three oils having a wide range in gravity were used in determining the correction factors. These oils were from the Bartlesville-Dewey field, Oklahoma, the Seminole field, Oklahoma, and the Inglewood field, California. The same gas that was used in the oil recovery experiments was used throughout this investigation. Determinations were made of the volume and A.P.I. gravity increases resulting from the gas going into solution at 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1,000 pounds pressure; also the increases in the volume and gravity of the oil due to retained gas were determined after the dissolved gas was liberated from solution by releasing the pressure to that of the atmosphere.Samples of residual and liberated gas were taken throughout the investigation in order to study the selective absorption and selective retention by the oil of the various constituents of the gas. The analyses of these gas samples showed that there was selective absorption and selective retention of the constituents of the gas. The tests on Inglewood crude gave the most pronounced example of selective absorption and selective retention of the gas.All of the tests were conducted at a constant temperature of 709F."

Oct 1, 1928

By Eugene Frey

"INTRODUCTION The Blue Bell fluorite deposits were examined in August and November 1944 by an engineer 3/ of the Bureau of Mines, and an underground project was set up. The Bureau of Mines began development of fluorite here February 10, 1945, and completed its survey on June 21, 1946.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSIn its program of exploration of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective more effective utilization of our mineral resources to the end that they make the greatest possible contribution to national security and economy. It is the policy of the Bureau to publish the facts developed by each exploratory project as soon as practicable after its conclusion. The Mining Branch, Lowell B. Moon, chief, conducts preliminary examinations, performs the actual exploratory work, and prepared the final report. The Metallurgical Branch, C. C. Ralston, chief, analyzes samples and perform beneficiaticn tests. The exploratory project was under the direction of Paul T. Allsman, chief, Salt Lake City Division, Mining Branch. Acknow¬ledgment is due R. Thurston of the Federal Geological Survey for mapping the topography of the area, and to F. H. Gunnell and W. A. Young of the divisional office for detailed mapping of the surface and underground development and interpretation of the results.The chemical analyses included in this report was performed under the direction of H. E. Peterson, analytical chemist; the petrographic studies on the ore were written by LaMar Evans, petrographer; and the beneficiaticn section was written by C. H. Schack, metallurgist, under the direction of S. R. Zimmerley, chief, Salt Lake City Division, Metallurgical Branch."

Jul 1, 1947

By R. Van A. Mills

Crude oils are capable of dissolving quantities of gas under pressure. This fact has been known for some time, but questions have arisen as to the effects of gas in solution upon the characteristics of the oil. Previous investigations4 show that gas in solution in an oil affects the viscosity and surface tension of the oil, but the effect's on the volume and A. P. I. gravity of the oil have not been known. The results given in this report show that there is a decided change both in volume and in the A. P. I. gravity of the oil due to the solution of the gas in the oil under pressure. As gas is dissolved, the volume of the oil and the A. P. I. gravity increase. The converse of this phenomenon is also true: if the gas is released from a saturated oil, there is a shrinkage in volume and a decrease in A.P.I. gravity due to the release of gas from solution. However, various oils show marked tendencies to retain a portion of the dissolved gas upon releasing the pressure to that of the atmosphere. This retained gas has an appreciable effect on the volume and A. P. I. gravity of the oil because the oil does not resume its initial volume or gravity while it retains dissolved gas. In a sense the oil has been "Freshened" and will not return to its original or weathered volume until it loses some of the lighter fractions. Wiggins5 has shown that a fresh oil decreases both in volume and in gravity because of the weathering of the lighter fractions while the oil is standing in storage tanks.

Jan 1, 1928

By F. Fraas, J. E. Conley

"The problem of recovering potash from the mineral polyhalite (K2SO4.MgSO4.2CaSO4.2H2O), occurring in large quantities in the salt beds of Texas and New Mexico, has been under investigation at the Nonmetallic Minerals Experiment Station of the U. S. Bureau of Mines continuously since 1928. Most of the results previously obtained have been published in technical journals and in a series of Bureau of Mines Reports of Investigations.The experiments described in the present report were performed to ascertain whether a continuous countercurrent extraction of calcined polyhalite by hot water would yield satisfactory recoveries and concentrations of sium sulphate in the top liquor. Previous investigation by Storch 4 had shown that the rate of solution of uncalcined polyhalite was too slow to be of value in an industrial process, and Storch and Clarke 5 had demonstrated that calcination of the polyhalite greatly, accelerated the rate of solution in hot water, allowing most of the potassium sulphate to be readily extracted."

Sep 1, 1933

By M. E. Poad, J. K. Whyatt, T. J. Williams

Researchers at the U.S. Bureau of Mimes monitored rock mass response to mining of an experimental underhand longwall stope in Hecla Mining Co.'s Lucky Friday Mine, Mullan, ID. This stope design, the Lucky Friday underhand longwall (LFUL), was proposed as a means of controlling rock bursting while also allowing increased mechanization of mining operations. Instruments were specifically manufactured to monitor three geomechanical factors (backfill performance, ramp stability, and rock mass response) that directly affect the success of stope design. Despite considerable difficulties with instrument installation and survival in the harsh mine environment, especially within the stope fill, sufficient information was collected to suggest that the LFUL method was successful in achieving project goals. This conclusion, in addition to favorable economic and operational evidence, led the mine to adopt the method throughout the mine. Indeed, this study and mining experience suggest that underhand longwall mining could be considered a feasible mining method for rock-burst-prone ground throughout the Coeur d'Alene District. Further Reports of Investigations (RI) in this series present in-depth analyses of the effects of backfill on rock bursting and calibration of a stope numerical model.

Jan 1, 1992

By William R. Roy

Seven coal-related waste samples (mining, cleaning, and gasification) were characterized chemically and mineralogically. Laboratory extracts of each sample, using a variety of different extraction methods, were used in both acute and chronic bioassays. A coal slurry sample (coarse fraction) and two coal cleaning refuse samples were chemically and mineralogically similar, and generated acidic water-waste systems, both in the laboratory and in the field. Acidic laboratory extracts and field samples of acid mine drainage in the area where the solid samples were collected, tended to be in equilibrium with some type of CaSO4 phase and with maghemite. The chemical composition of the extracts was sensitive to the method used to generate the extracts, but generally had the same prevalent chemical character as the field samples. The acidic wastes contain appreciable quantities of soluble Al, Mn, Ni, SO4, and Zn as indicated by both laboratory extraction and field data. Long-term extractions suggest that some constituents (Al, Fe, SO4) continued to be released by the acidic wastes after 22 weeks with no apparent associated change in pH. Two mine spoil samples, essentially shale, tended to generate water-waste systems that were neutral in pH and consequently released lower quantities tit potential pollutants than the acid wastes. The gasification residue was compositionally similar to coal-fired power plant slag and fly ash and generated moderately alkaline extracts with low concentration of soluble potentially toxic constituents. All of the solid wastes contained a variety of organic compounds, many of which are on the EPA Priority Pollutant List. However, these compounds were essentially insoluble in aqueous media. Each extract was tested for acute toxicity with tour species of freshwater aquatic organisms; green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), a crustacean (Daphnia magna), and a snail (Physa anatina). The extracts of the two mine spoil samples and of the gasification residue were not toxic to any of the organisms while the extracts from the acidic refuse and slurry samples were acutely toxic to all of the organisms. For all cases, pH was significantly correlated to mortality while Al, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Zn were significantly correlated to mortality in specific instances. Data from 96-hour LC-50 determinations showed that dilutions up to 1:1000 were necessary to eliminate mortality. The most toxic extracts were those with the lowest pH which necessitated the largest amounts of dilution to eliminate mortality. Chronic bioassays with the same test organisms were investigated with leachate samples from a relatively unweathered refuse sample and an older, more weathered refuse sample. The unweathered refuse sample generated a leachate that was acutely toxic while the leachate from the weathered refuse sample was not acutely toxic. No detrimental chronic effects were noted in organisms exposed to dilutions of the non-toxic leachate while low concentrations of the acutely toxic leachate produced lower hatchability for the Lepomis cyanellus and Pimephales promelas eggs, increased mortality with chronic exposure for Lepomis cyanellus, Daphnia, Physa, and reduced weight gain for Physa. Dilutions of a toxic, high-Fe leachate resulted in the precipitation of ferric hydroxide that was implicated as the major causative factor accounting for the physical and physiological toxic effects exhibited by all of the test organisms in these acutely sublethal concentrations. The toxicity of this leachate demonstrates the potential effects that these types of wastes can have on the aquatic ecosystem if they enter a receiving water in a natural setting.

Jan 1, 1984

Table A-1. Number of underground coal mines and samples collected for underground occupations, 1988-92 [ ]

Jan 1, 1997