Search Documents

By Peter Grandone

"INTRODUCTION The Bureau of Mines, recognizing the importance of knowing the evapor¬ation losses of aviation gasoline as larger quantities of this material must be stored, has made studies at a large refinery in the Texas Panhandle area during the past 13 months to determine the magnitude of the losses, by evaporation, under different storage conditions. Proper storage of aviation gasoline is very important, not only because large supplies are being stored for military use but because the specifications to which his fuel must conform are very rigid. Aviation gasolines that conform present-day specifications are blended from base-gasoline stocks (in some instances relatively pure hydrocarbons), each of which has different physical and chemical characteristics. Consequently, partial loss of any one of the more volatile components from the blended fuel results not only in material loss of the blended fuel but also may affect the characteristics or performance of the gasoline. One characteristic that has considerable influence or the vaporization tendency of gasoline is vapor pressure; and although the vapor pressure of aviation gasoline usually is lower than that of average commercial motor fuel, the quantity of certain components having relatively higher vapor pressure is greater in aviation gasoline, so that under prolonged storage the evaporation loss of these components may be appreciable."

May 1, 1943

By J. B. Carman

This paper, describing the mining practices and methods at the mine of the Molyb¬denum Corporation of America, is one of a series of similar papers on mining methods in the various mines of the United States being prepared by the Bureau of Mines. The mine of the Molybdenum Corporation of America is in the Red River mining dis¬trict, Taos County, northern New Mexico (fig. 1), The mill and camp are in the valley of Red River, about 7 miles east of the town of Questa; the mine is 1 ¼ miles away, in Sulphur Gulch, a tributary of Red River. The mine is about 600 feet higher than the mill, at an altitude of about 8,700 feet. The climate is cold in winter, but does not interfere serious¬ly with continuous operation. The mine normally produces about 40 tons of sulphide molybde¬num ore per day, which is concentrated at the local mill and chipped to the plant of the Molybdenum Corporation at Washington, Pa.; there it is made into either ferromelybdenum or "molyte" (calcium molybdate), for use in alloys. The ore is mined from narrow, irregular veins by the cut-and-fill method. About 65 men are normally employed underground and on the surface at the mine.

Jan 1, 1931

By G. L. Neumann

Owing to the need for additional sources of supply of both zinc and lead following World War II, the Bureau of Mines investigated many abandoned lead-zinc mines in the eastern United States. A series of shallow veins in south-western St. Lawrence County has long been a subject of speculation. These veins, which average about 4 feet in width and cut across the bedding of the country rock at right angles, are filled with calcite-carrying galena and sphalerite. The deposits have been worked sporadically during the last 115 years. From 1837 to 1852 the Coal Hill, the North, and the Victoria mines near the village of Rossie were at their peak of activity. Other calcite veins were prospected and a small production was realized. The Bureau of Mines began diamond drilling May 1, 1950, under the general supervision of McHenry Mosier, chief, Mining Branch, Bureau of Mines, Region VIII, and under the immediate supervision of the author) who was project engineer, following the preliminary examination by Robert S. Sanford. A total of 3,870.2 feet was drilled in 18 holes on four of the numerous deposits scattered over Macomb and Rossie townships. Drilling was completed September 21, 1950.

Jan 1, 1952

By G. H. Keith

The Bureau of Mines determined the mechanism(s) involved in observed anomalous changes in mechanical properties of vanadium-base alloys. Tensile properties of electrorefined and commercial-purity vanadium-base alloys containing up to 5 atomic percent molybdenum or titanium were measured between 77° and 673° K. Snoek oxygen and nitrogen peak heights were measured to determine the changes in dissolved interstitial content caused by increasing quantities of solute. In addition, changes in lattice parameter were followed wit: precision X-ray techniques. Softening, observed in alloys containing titanium, is explained by the formation of a second-phase titanium compound with oxygen or nitrogen. However, because of partitioning of titanium between compound formation and solid solution formation, about five times the stoichiometric amount was required for complete reaction. Addition of 1 percent titanium drastically lowered the strengthening due to strain aging, at 673° K, and 2 percent titanium essentially eliminated it. All alloys were ductile at 77° K. Variations in the tensile properties of the molybdenum-containing alloys are explained by variations in the amounts of interstitial impurities present. The molybdenum did not react with these impurities and had no effect on strengthening due to strain aging. Commercial-purity vanadium alloys containing more than 2 percent molybdenum were brittle at 77° K.

Jan 1, 1969

By M. H. Kersten, G. A. Brady, Jerry W. Ramsey

Anthracite samples were oxidized with nitric acid to prepare products representing intermediate stages of oxidation . Similar oxidizing conditions affected different anthracites to varying degrees as characterized by peptization behavior with 0.1 N NaOH . Techniques used in attempts to separate and characterize the products included esterification , absorption spectrophotometry , sublimation , chromatography , electrophoresis , metal salt formation , and solvent extraction . Mellitic acid , either free or in the form of metallic salts , was identified in the acid- soluble products from 10 tests in which the anthracite was treated with nitric acid for periods varying from 24 to 1,000 hours . pentacarboxylic acid was also found in some products . Other benzene carboxylic acids were not present in amounts detectable by the methods used in this study . The acid- insoluble residue from nitric acid treatment varied significantly in solubility behavior toward different classes of solvents . The most effective ones tried included polar oxygenated solvents and pyridine . Infrared spectra of the extracted material indicated that similar compounds were extracted by the different solvents . Aliphatic amines and aniline peptized the residue and o- toluidine reacted with it . Organic material separated from the residue by peptization with dimethylformamide contained 1 percent ash , consisting of more than 50 percent zirconium .

Jan 1, 1964

By M. J. Beus

The Bureau of Mines, under a cooperative agreement with Hecla Mining Co., is conducting a rock mechanics study of the 6,200-ft-deep circu-lar, concrete-lined Silver Shaft in northern Idaho. The objective of the project was to instrument and evaluate lining behavior and rock de-formation when a deep shaft is constructed in a high in situ stress field and anisotropic rock mass. Rock mass displacements were moni-tored with multiple-position borehole extensometers. Liner stress and strain were measured with concrete pressure cells and embedment strain gauges. Field data from the 5,955-ft test level show that rock displacement is controlled by rock mass anisotropy. Liner stress and strain levels reflect the high in situ stress field as well as nearby station and raise construction. Maximum stresses measured in the lining, as a result of shaft excavation, are about one-third of its compressive strength. Subsequent loading pocket excavation resulted in signifi-cantly increased stress and strain levels in the liner. Continued monitoring and preliminary analysis of the data indicate that concrete-lined, circular shafts are stable for the high, unequal horizontal stress fields and rock anisotropy encountered in deep-level mining. Adjacent development work can be expected to significantly alter the initial stress and displacement conditions.

Jan 1, 1984

By S. H. Lorain

"INTRODUCTION The veins of the Clark Fork district have been mined on a small scale since 1913. In May 1943, the district was examined by an engineer 3/ of the Bureau of Mines with a view to possible exploration for larger ore deposits that might be of value to the war effort. The area adjacent to the Hope, Whitedelf, and Lawrence mines was re-examined 4/ December 27, 1943. As a result, the Bureau of Mines started exploratory operations in the district during the summer of 1944 which was continued until the late spring of 1946. This report presents the data obtained from the investigation.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSIn its program of exploration of mineral deposits, the Bureau of Mines has as its primary objective the 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 the preliminary examinations, performs the actual exploratory work, and prepares the final report. The Metallurgical Branch, R. G. Knickerbocker, chief, analyzes samples and performs beneficiation tests."

Aug 1, 1946

By N. S. Dalal, X. Shi

It has been known for more than a decade that vanadium (V) stimulates the oxidation of NADH by plasma membranes (1) but the underlying mechanism is still not fully understood. This effect has been attributed to a membrane-associated NADH-dependent vanadium (V) oxidoreductase (1). Subsequent studies suggest that vanadium ( V) can accept an electron from fiavoprotein dehydrogenase that oxidizes NADH (2). The phenomenon ofNAD(P)H oxidation coupled to vanadium(V) reduction has also been demonstrated in other biological systems (3-6). A recent electron spin resonance (ESR) study from our laboratory reported on the accumulation of vanadium (IV) duringthe reduction ofvanadate (vanadium(V)) by the ftavoenzymes glutathione reductase (GSSG-R),4 lipoyl dehydrogenase, and ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase in the presence of NAD(P)H (7). It was concluded therein (7) that these ftavoenzymes function as NAD(P)H-dependent vanadium(V) reductases. More recently, however, Liochev and Fridovich (8) have argued that the ESR data (7) do not demonstrate that the investigated fiavoenzymes act as vanadate reductases. They suggest an alternative mechanism in which the fiavoenzyme simply serves as a generator ofsuperoxide (02) radical, which acts as a propagator of the radical chain reaction leading to NAD(P)H oxidation (9, 10), as summarized below:

Nov 1, 1995

By E. C. Lane

[This is the eleventh in a series of reports on properties of commercial motor fuels made in accordance with a cooperative agreement between the Cooperative Fuel Research (C.F.R) Committee and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior. The first report contained data, on motor gasolines sold during the winter of 1935-36.3/ The present report presents analytical data for 2,020 samples, reprecenting the products of approximately 120 companies, which, as in previous surveys, include both large and small suppliers. In addition, the Pacific coast is represented by data averaged the Pacific Coast Technical Group before being submitted and' are published exactly as they were received. As in previous surveys, the data are divided into the three groups of samples of regular-price, premium-price, and third-grade gasoline each group has been averaged separately. The number of samples, items, and old brands comprising each group, exclusive of the of the Pacific coast, axe as follows: Regular price, 1,071 samples, 29 items, and 77 brands; premium price, 608 samples, 235 items, and 72 brands; third-grade gasoline, 341 samples, 196 items, 78 brands. The meanings of these terms as used in tae surveys are as follows:]

Jan 1, 1941

By J. A. Woolf, E. S. Leaver, A. P. Towne

"INTRODUCTION A report giving experiments dealing with factors affecting the floatation of the most commonly occurring silver minerals was published years ago. At that time we could not obtain suitable samples of many of the so-called sulfo-salts of the base metals, which are generally silver--bearing and which comprise an appreciable percentage of the natural silver ores. Since Leaver and Woolf's work was published, samples of impure tennantite and enargite have been obtained, and considerable experimental flotation work has been done with synthetic mixtures prepared from these samples. During the present national emergency, research dealing solely with the recovery of gold and silver must necessarily be curtailed. However, many deposits of strategic minerals and critical base metals contain an appreciable amount of gold and silver, the recovery of which would aid greatly in recovering the strategies by taking care of a considerable part of the cost of treatment. Because of this, the recovery of precious metals should not be overlooked entirely. As the Bureau of Mines is now utilizing all of its facilities for the development of increased domestic productions of strategic and critical minerals, this is the last report not concerned primarily with such minerals that will be published until the war ends."

Sep 1, 1942

By Alexander M. Gow

This paper summarizes a survey of fine-grinding practice in ore-concentrating plants throughout the United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and Cuba as reported in the Bureau of Mines Information Circulars on milling methods. The survey covers 49 concentrators, which have a combined capacity of over 160,000 tons per day. In these plants 470 ball, rod, and pebble mills prepare material for flotation, gravity concentration, amalgamation, cyanidation, and air separation. The ores are those of gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, molybdenum, feldspar, and pyrite. The metallurgy is that of the period 1928-32. Of these 49 concentrators, 36 are in the United States. They can treat 134,400 tons per day, and they have 326 fine-grinding mills. In the United States there are about 100 active or temporarily idle concentrators, exclusive of the many plants in the Tri-State zinc district, the washeries of the Lake Superior iron ranges and the Florida phosphate area, and small gold and silver concentrators. These 100 plants have an estimated capacity of 290,000 tons per day and employ about 650 ball, rod, and pebble mills. Consequently, since this paper covers about half of the production of this country it may be considered as particularly representative of fine grinding in ore mills in the United States.

Jan 1, 1933

By Charles Prasky

The objective of this investigation by the Bureau of Mines was to determine the response to sulfatization of diverse low-grade manganiferous materials in the iron formation of the Cuyuna district. In line with this objective a bench-scale sulfatizing procedure was developed that was less expensive and more rapid than pilot-plant methods. Samples from the central and south- western parts of the North range were tested. Results of evaluating a total of 46 pelletized samples, originating in areas with an estimated potential resource of 94 million long tons with a manganese content of 7 percent, indicates that approximately 87 percent of the manganese may be recovered as a synthetic manganese ore. This is equivalent to more than 12 million long tons of a metallurgical-grade ore, containing 46 percent manganese. It is anticipated that a premium product, containing over 50 percent manganese, may be obtained by sulfatizing procedures. This report is part of a continuing investigation5 6 of Cuyuna iron range manganese deposits in Crow Wing County, Minn. Lewis and coworkers describe the manganiferous iron formation in the bedrock of the Cuyuna district and include a description of a high-temperature differential sulfatizing process for recovering a ferrograde manganese product. The low-grade manganiferous

Jan 1, 1961

By K. C. Vincent

In the course of, investigation of domestic manganese-mineral occurrences, examining engineers of the Bureau of Mines collected 2-ton lots of ore from properties in the Cleveland-district, Idaho. As only one of the ores was high enough in grade for direct marketing to-producers of ferromanganese, ore-dressing concentration methods were investigated to determine their amenability to treatment. High-grade ore. (38.7 percent Mn) from the Idaho Manganese Mining Co. was taken from a replacement deposit in limestone consisting of several horizontal beds 1 to 5 feet thick, about 1 mile northeast of Cleveland. The manganese minerals occur as an intimate intergrowth of manganese oxides, containing minor amounts of limonite, ?quartz, and calcite as rather fine inclusions. However, the major contaminants are claylike products of rock decomposition, which can be eliminated by thorough washing of the ore at relatively coarse sizes. The Hot Spot property is 1 mile south of Cleveland. The ore occurs as a replacement deposit of medium-grade- ore in limestone, .The sample taken by the Bureau of Mines assayed 26.0 percent Mn. The manganese minerals consist of nodules, principally pyrolusite with some psilomelane and manganite embedded in wad.' The low-grade wad, containing manganese and siliceous minerals in intimate association, was easily rejected by washing.

Jan 1, 1952

By Peter N. Gabby

A mineral survey of 8,300 acres of the 24,980-acre Burnt Creek Wilderness Study Area (ID 45-12), was conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Mines in 1985 at the request of the Bureau of Land Management. The study area is located in Custer County, ID, 90 miles northwest of Idaho Falls. No mines, claims, or prospects are in the study area. The northern half of the study area and adjacent lands to the north, northeast, and east are or were recently under oil and gas lease, Basalt and latite-andesite of the Challis Volcanics predominate in the study area. Several hundred feet east of the study area is a quarry in talus of Mississippian-age limestone that was used for sized 100-pound rock fill in the Old Dry Creek Reservoir dam. Two samples, one taken at the quarry and the other at a limestone outcrop on East Fork Burnt Creek, have CaC03 content in the range of 90 to 95 percent, and is suitable as the limestone component of Portland cement, However, limestone outside the study area could supply foreseeable demand. Lead- silver mineralization has been observed in Paleozoic carbonate rocks elsewhere in the Lost River Range, but these rocks do not occur in the study area.

Jan 1, 1986

By W. P. Yant, G. W. Jones

During the testing of porcelain insulators with a " 60 - cycle flash - over apparatus " , gases are liberated having an odor greatly resembling that of ozone . Since the two main constituents of normal air are nitrogen and oxygen , and high voltages (approximately 90,000 volts ) are used during the tests , the conditions are favorable for the production of ozone or oxides of nitrogen , and perhaps both simultaneously . The presence of these gases is only noticeable during the testing period . They soon disappear after the test is over . No fatalities have ever resulted from these gases at the plant visited nor are there any records of any of the men who worked on the tests being confined to their homes from this cause . New employees sometimes complain of a depressed feeling and shortness of breath , which is most noticeable after leaving work and getting into fresh air , but they som become accustomed to it and no ill effects are noticed . In view of previous work*** which the Bureau of Mines has done on oxides of nitrogen in connection with mine gases and problems in gas analysis , tests were made at the plant of the Westinghouse High Voltage Insulator Company at Derry , Pa . to determine the kind and amount of gases liberated .

Jun 1, 1923

By R. H. Fewkes

New information on possible resource value of sea floor manganese nodule deposits in the eastern North Pacific has been obtained by study of records and collections of the 1972 Sea Scope Expedition. Nodule abundance (percent of sea floor covered) varies greatly, to judge from bottom photographs from 8 stations and data from other sources. All estimates considered reliable are plotted on a map of the region. Similar maps show the average content of Ni, Cu, Mn, and Co at 89 stations from which 3 or more nodules were analyzed. Variations in nodule metal content at each station are shown graphically in an appendix, where data on nodule sizes are also given. Results of new analyses of 420 nodules from 93 stations, for Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Co, and Zn, are listed in another appendix. Relatively high Ni+Cu content is restricted chiefly to four groups of stations in the equatorial region, where group averages are 1.86, 1.99, 2.47, and 2255 weight percent. These and a few other areas may warrant more exploration. It is hoped that this report will stimulate new interest in North Pacific nodule deposits and that the maps and quantitative data will aid future exploration.

Jan 1, 1981

By Albert L. Toenges

The production of coal from underground mines in Washington declined during the recent war owing to shortage of manpower, and coal was shipped to the Pacific Northwest from mines in the Rocky Mountain region. The movement of this coal into Washington required the use of railroad equipment that otherwise could have been used for transporting war materiel and personnel. Strip mining uses a minimum of manpower, and the development of coal areas in the Pacific Northwest that can be mined by the strip method should increase production in the area, thus releasing railroad equipment from the necessity of transporting coal long distances and also providing consumers with a lower-cost product. The development of a strip mine to supply the demand at low cost requires a large investment in heavy equipment. In order that the fixed charges due to large investment in plant and equipment may be kept at a minimum, large reserves of coal must be proved. A reconnaissance of an area near Toledo, Lewis County, Wash., indicated a large bed of lignite that could be mined by strip methods. The area is approximately midway between Portland, Oreg., and Tacoma, Wash. (refer to fig. 1), and the opening of a large mine in the area would supply fuel to these and other nearby centers.

Jan 1, 1947

By Clinton C. Knox

To demonstrate the feasibility of unwatering ore reserves previously indicated in the virgin Melrose zinc-lead field in Kansas and Oklahoma, the Bureau of Mines .carried through a pumping project on the Park Walton farm in 1943. Due to success of the undertaking, attention was turned to exploration of other indicated ore deposits and promising areas within that part of the field benefited by .the drainage project, By the middle of 1946, four private mining companies were active in the field; and a considerable output of lead and zinc concentrate had been obtained from the new Park Walton mine and mill. The Park Walton Ore deposit was unwatered by installing deep-well pumps in three holes previously drilled by the lessee. Pumping was continued by the Bureau of Mines at a rate of 2,500 to 1,000 g.p.m. for about 6 months; during this time the local static artesian water-level, originally averaging 108 feet below the surface in the old drill holes was lowered to the 316-foot level, which justified beginning the initial shaft sinking and mine developments. In all, about 750,000,000 gallons of water was pumped by the Bureau of Mines at an operating cost averaging $0.024 per 1,000 gallons.

Jan 1, 1948

By G. W. Jones

Gas analysis is of great practical value to the combustion engineer as a guide in the proper deli and operation of power and heating plants. The automotive industry, however, has made little use of gas analysis in the design and construction of engines. Tests4 made by the Bureau of Mines have shorn that for the average motor vehicle approximately 30 per cent of the heat value of the gasoline passes out in the exhaust as incomplete-combustion products. The tendency at present is to pay more attention to ease and flexibility of operation than to efficiency of combustion. However, neither condition can be fully realized except where each cylinder gets a mixture of the same composition - that is, when certain cylinders do not "load up" with gas at the expense of the others. When this occurs, due to some of the cylinders having too rich a mixture while in others it is too lean, it is impossible to get efficient combustion from the fuel used. Gas analysis enables the engineer to determine the quality of the mixture fed to the different cylinders with a high degree of precision. Briefly, the method consists in making an analysis of the exhaust gas from each cylinder while the engine is in operation.

Jan 1, 1924

By C. E. Henning

The total number of petroleum refineries in the United States on January 1, 1958, was 318 and their total crude-oil throughput capacity was 9,407,707 barrels per day, according to the Bureau of Mines annual survey. During 1957, 3 new refineries began operating while 4 refineries were retired. Although there was 1 less refinery, the total crude-oil throughput capacity at the beginning of 1958 was 284,033 barrels per day, or 3 percent, more than the January 1, 1957, level. During 1957 all refinery districts showed increases in capacity. The largest increase, 27 percent, occurred in the West Coast district followed by the Indiana-Illinois-Kentucky district with 14-percent increase and the Texas Gulf Coast district with 13-percent increase. The national increase in capacity had the effect of raising the capacity of the average refinery from 28,601 to 29,584 barrels per day. New crude-oil capacity under construction on January 1, 1958, totaled 185,265 barrels, and an additional 297,885 barrels capacity was reported building as replacement for existing facilities. Included in total new construction were 2 new refineries, 1 in Washington and another in Texas, with planned processing capacities of 45,000 barrels and 8,550 barrels per day, respectively.

Jan 1, 1958