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By R. M. Becker

As part of the Bureau of Mines program for examining the Nation's iron and titanium resources, magnetic, gravity, and geologic surveys were made to permit an estimate of the extent and magnitude of the Iron Mountain, Colorado, titaniferous magnetite deposit. Gabbro is the dominant rock type of the area. Within the gabbro are lenses of titaniferous magnetite, 5 to 25 feet wide and as much as several hundred feet long. These lenses comprise a zone which has scattered occurrences of magnetite for 2,200 feet. To the west, the gabbro grades into a strip of pyroxenite that in turn borders a large monzonite mass. A wedgelike broadening of the pyroxenite with depth accompanied by little or no increase in the titaniferous magnetite is considered a reasonable interpretation of the field data. The iron deposits appear to be limited and discontinuous.

Jan 1, 1961

By C. W. Davis

This is the first of a series of papers being; prepared as the work progresses in a study of the hydrometallurgy of manganese. The investigation is being made in an endeavor to make possible the utilization of lour-grade domestic manganese ores. The value of a hydrometallurgical process for manganese depends on the present and future uses for manganese products.

Jan 1, 1930

By Raymond M. Kacmar

This report presents the Bureau of Mines research on the hardware reliability prediction for two Bureau monitoring projects. The basic concepts of reliability predictions are introduced along with the reliability models and assumptions used for this particular evaluation. The results of the reliability predictions are for ground-fixed and naval-sheltered environments.

Jan 1, 1986

By Loren R. Anderson

This Volume documents the use of the Cone Penetrometer data analysis computer programs VERT and HORZ. The programs are interactive in that they prompt the user for input data and allow correction and modification to be made. The programs read data from the results of cone penetrometer soundings and convert the data to values of tan ø. Mean, standard deviation, skew, kurtosis, linear trends and autocorralation are computed by the programs.

Jan 1, 1982

By R. R. Brown

The solubility and the activity of aluminum chloride hexahydrate, A1C13?6H2O, in aqueous solutions were determined as a part of the Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, research to improve mineral processing technology for recovering alumina from low-grade domestic resources. The solubility of A1C13 in pure water was found to be 31.09 and 31.77 wt-pct at 25° and 85° C, respectively, and decreased drastically to 10 and 0.1 wt-pct when the respective amounts of 20.3 and 37 wt-pct hydrochloric acid (HCI) were added in solution. The equilibrium constant for the solubility of hexahydrate, activities, and activity coefficients of A1C13 and H2O were calculated and compared with the results from the available methods of estimation. The results were shown to be useful in leaching nonbauxitic ores for extraction of alumina by changing the solubilities of component salts upon addition of HC1. Simultaneous solubilities of A1C13, FeC13, KC1, and NaC1 in solutions of HC1-H2O were also determined and their effects on the purity of A1C13?6H20 crystallized from mixed salt solutions are briefly discussed.

Jan 1, 1979

By Beatrice Lukens, David Schlain, John D. Prater

"The electrolytic manganese process4/ developed by the Bureau of Mines involves the electrolysis of a solution of manganese sulfate and ammonium sulfate in a diaphragm-type cell. Metallic manganese is deposited on the cathodes, and sulfuric acid is produced at the anodes. The spent electrolyte contains, in addition to the sulfuric acid, approximately 40 percent of the manganese sulfate and most of the ammonium sulfate originally present in the feed solution. This spent solution is used to leach fresh ore that has previously been subjected to a reducing roast. The resulting leach liquor is purified and returned to the cell.Manganese of very high purity is produced by the electrolytic process. The properties of this metal are so different from those of the best grade of manganese that can be made by any other commercially feasible process that it is virtually a new material. Electrolytic manganese has been used in the preparation of new high-manganese alloys with valuable properties.3/ and further developments are to be expected. The electrolytic manganese process not only results in a product of superior qualities, but is applicable to large tonnages of domestic ores that are unsuitable for direct use in producing ferromanganese.The future industrial use of electrolytic manganese is of course, related to its cost. Decreases in the cost of production will lead to wider use of the metal; conversely, increases in the volume of production made possible by greater demand will bring further .decreases in cost."

May 1, 1946

By Launa Mallett, Charles Vaught, Kathleen M. Kowalski, Michael J. Brnich

This paper reviews research from the U.S. mining community to define issues relevant to an evolving national and international workforce and to relate them to the emergency response population. The authors further explore and relate the key problem of an aging workforce to the resultant changes and emerging physical and psychological needs of emergency workers. Finally, the authors cite examples from the mine emergency response community and mine rescue experiences to suggest practical recommendations that include both organizational and individual formats, with an emphasis on new approaches to training this changing workforce.

By F. X. Tartaron

This report describes work done by the Bureau of Mines to simplify the design and operation of the vortex cone, a new device for prerefining blast furnace iron. Three new apparatus arrangements were tested. Results with one of these arrangements average 74.2 pct silicon removal and 61 pet oxygen efficiency (disregarding removal of carbon and manganese).

Jan 1, 1965

By R. V. Mrazek

The heat of formation of vanadium trichloride was determined at 298.15° K. Measurements were made in a solution calorimeter in which an aqueous hydrochloric acid-potassium dichromate solvent was employed. Data are presented for the heats of solution of vanadium trichloride and the vanadium trioxide "backup" compound, and for appropriate dilution reactions needed to preserve stoichiometry. The resulting heat of formation of vanadium trichioride (VCI3) at 298.15° K was found to be ?H°298.15° K = -138.89 ±0.37 kcal/g mole.

Jan 1, 1968

By Jeffrey Shawn Peterson

The testing procedures of the u.s. Mine Safety and Health Administration specify that intrinsic safety acceptance tests be conducted using a standard tungsten-cadmium electrode configuration in the break-flash apparatus. However, in realistic mining environments, other materials may be more likely sources of sparking. Information defining the probability of spark ignition between common materials such as aluminum, brass, copper, lead, tin, cold-rolled steel, and stainless steel is of more practical value in determining ignition hazards. The U.S. Bureau of Mines has completed an investigation of the influence of material on the ignition probability using the breakflash apparatus. By comparing ignition currents or ignition voltages corresponding to a probability of one ignition per thousand sparks to those found previously for cadmium, a margin of safety may be estimated for each material. This report presents the results of an investigation into the influence of disk electrode material on the probability of ignition.

Jan 1, 2010

By Kenneth L. Cashdollar

This report describes three types of optical dust probes that have been designed, built, and tested by the Bureau of Mines. Each of the probes measures dust cloud concentrations by the attentuation of light. The first is a single-path-length probe, the second is a double-path-length probe, and the third is a single-path-length probe that employs jets of air to keep the windows of the light source and detector free from dust coating. The theory of operation and the calibration procedures for each of the probes are described. The results of the Bureaus laboratory, mine, and field tests of the probes are also reported.

Jan 1, 1981

By Graham W. Marks

In broadening the utility of spectrochemical methods 9f analysis of ore samples 3,4/ a procedure employ in the total energy method, has been adapted to determination of silver in ores. Silver is the first element in group I of the periodic table to be studied in the Bureau of Mines program. Two silver lines in the spectrum, Ag X\ 3280.683 and 3382.89lR were used in the study, and the problems that had to be overcome were: (1) Influence of extraneous elements on line intensities, (2) preparation of standard curves, and (3) improvement in equipment and technique to increase accuracy. Sodium, potassium, sulfur, selenium, iron, cobalt, and nickel yielded low intensities and hence low results, particularly on the samples high in silver, but addition of 60 percent or more of lime counteracted these effects. One calibration curve must be used for samples low in silver and other for those high in silver. The chocks with fire assaying were close enough for preliminary or exploratory investigations, and the method is much more rapid.

Jan 1, 1948

By Nabil A. Bibawy

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has established a method for the calibration of class 2 and class 4 standards of mass using a procedure from designs developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This method produces a weight calibration that is within 1.0 pct of the balance sensitivity. A set of four 1-kg weights yielded a standard deviation of 3.25 mg compared to ±2.91 mg balance sensitivity. The method employs the use of a high-accuracy balance to measure the difference between a set of weights calibrated by NIST and the set to be calibrated. The error of the balance is included in the error for each weight calibrated.

Jan 1, 1989

By F. B. Tough

"INTRODUCTION Organizations formed for the purpose of conducting conservation work in oil fields, in order to conserve and prolong the supply of crude petroleum are rare and novel. Such an organization is the Rocky Mountain Petroleum Association, Denver, Colo, As our production of petroleum can no longer keep with the consumption, the plan of organization, character of work, and results obtained by this association are well worth considering. It is hoped that the results achieved in the Wyoming fields will serve to stimulate similar organizations among operators in the state or other oil fields of the United States, The Rocky Mountain Petroleum Association, Danvers Colo., was formed in May, 1919. It comprises the Midwest Refining Co,. The Ohio Oil Co., and the Continental Oil Co. These three companies entered into a cooperative agree¬ment with the Federal Bureau of Mines whereby $30,000 would be spent under the direction of the bureau, which agreed to furnish competent men, and to furnish the work and expenditure of funds. Although the financial burden for the first year's work, now drawing o a close, was carried by only three companies, they stipulated their desire that the benefit of the work should accrue to the industry, and that the personnel employed should be as zealous to assist one operator as another, without regard to whether ha was contributing to the support of the work or not."

Apr 1, 1920

By C. J. Wilhelm, John M. Devine

"Hydrogen aulphide associated with natural as was noted as early as at Point Albino, Canada. 4 The presence of this impurity was recognized also in other of the earlier oil and gas fields, although the occurrence ma by no means common. However, in recent years, with the development of the producing zones of west Texas and the Texas Panhandle the production of ""sour"" crude has increased greatly and hydrogen sulphide has proved a generally troublesome factor-frequently a major problem—in the drilling and operation of any wells in those areas.The problems arising from the drilling and producing of oil or gas wells in hydrogen-sulphide areas, fall under two general divisions: safety problems and corrosion problems. Mention is made of a third division which is closely related to the other two, that of treating--or the development of processes for the removal of hydrogen sulphide. From the standpoint of safety and health hazards, hydrogen sulphide in the petroleum industry has been discussed in a number of publications. 5 Likewise, the problem of hydrogen-sulphide corrosion of production equipment has been given considerable attention in the literature.6"

Sep 1, 1931

By S. J. Aresco

The Bureau of Mines has been active in promoting the purchase of coal for Government use under specifications that define the requirements in terms of heating value of the coal, expressed in British thermal units, and the composition as shown by proximate analyses. To these, when required, are added the ash-softening temperature, the free-swelling index, and the Hardgrove grindablity index. Under most of these specification contracts the bidders guarantee the quality of the coal, and that guaranteed by the successful bidder becomes the standard of his contract. The deliveries are sampled in accordance with instructions3 issued by the Bureau of Mines; the samples are analyzed in the Bureau laboratory to determine whether the coal is of the quality guaranteed by the contractor; if it is not, a price adjustment is made. Analyses of the delivered coal and tipple samples (samples collected at mine tipples as coal is being loaded into railroad cars or trucks) provide valuable data for use in evaluating future bids. In addition, the continuous of coal as delivered is a check on the practical results obtained in the coal.

Jan 1, 1967

By R. D. Leitch

Tests have recently been conducted by the Bureau of wines on the ignition hazard of exposing heated filaments of electric mine lam bulbs in an explosive mixture of methane and air. This investigation was undertaken in order to settle a question that had arisen in connection with the safety of miners? electric lamps. For several years, in view of former studies made by the Bureau and reported in Bulletin 524, the fact that the heated filaments of even low voltage, lour candlepower bulbs constitute a danger was generally accepted by the Bureau's engineers. These early tests, as well as subsequent tests, were conducted with Pittsburgh natural was as the testing medium.

Jan 1, 1925

By O. C. Blade

This report on the properties of aviation gasolines and aviation jet fuels produced in the United States during 1954 was made under a co-operative agreement between the American Petroleum Institute and the Bureau of Mines of the United States Department of the Interior. Analytical data are presented for 101 samples of aviation gasoline. Data also are given for 30 samples of aviation jet fuel. The analyses were made on samples typical of the manufacturers I 1954 production in their laboratories and the results submitted to the Bureau of Mines for compilation. The products of 19 manufacturers of aviation gasolines and of 15 producers of aviation jet fuels are represented.

Jan 1, 1955

By D. E. Wolfson

Twenty-two samples of West Virginia coals were carbonized at 9000 C by the Bureau of Mines-American Gas Association (BM-AGA) method, and yields of products and physical properties of cokes were determined. Eighteen samples represented the Coa1burg, No. 2 Gas, No. 2 Gas and Peerless, Powellton, Eagle, Big Eagle, Lower Eagle, Sewell, Fire Creek, and Pocahontas No.6 beds in Fayette County, and four samples represented the Sewell and Fire Creek beds in Greenbrier County. Expansion characteristics of the majority of samples were determined in the Bureau of Mines sole-heated oven. Chemical analyses were determined for all coals. The coals in Fayette County are high-volatile A, medium-volatile, and low-volatile in rank, and the Greenbrier coals are medium-volatile in rank. Most of the coals are chemically suitable for metallurgical coking. All coke strength indices are within acceptable limits for metallurgical coking coals. All the high-volatile A coals contracted and the medium-and low-volatile coals expanded in the sole-heated oven expansion test.

Jan 1, 1966

By E. Morrice

High-purity neodymium, praseodymium, and didymium (a cerium-free mixture of light rare-earth elements) were prepared by electrolysis of the oxides in a medium consisting of the respective rare-earth fluorides and lithium fluoride. The metals were electrodeposited in the liquid state and collected as nodules on a skull of frozen electrolyte. Cells were operated from 1,000° to 1,100° C. The requisite temperature was maintained by passing alternating and direct currents through the bath. Graphite was used for the anodes and tungsten for the cathode. The metal products contained <0.02 percent each carbon and oxygen and <0.025 percent tungsten as major impurities. Analysis of typical didymium metal nodules showed an approximately twofold enrichment in neodymium and praseodymium over their respective concentrations in the cell feed. The lanthanum content of the metal was about one-half its content in the oxide.

Jan 1, 1967