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By A. Gene Collins

This report discusses some of the chemistry and geochemistry of cesium and rubidium. Knowledge of the cesium and rubidium content of oilfield waters aids in resolving the origin of waters and petroleum, exploring for petroleum and other valuable minerals, discovering water pollution sources, and augmenting the knowledge of geologic formations. The methods described in this report permit the detection of less than 0.01 mg/l of cesium and/or rubidium in a complex oilfield brine or water. Solvents possessing high-dielectric constants were evaluated for their ability to extract cesium and rubidium tetraphenylboron from oilfield waters and for their flame emission characteristics. Nitroethane was selected and used for the extraction and flame spectrophotometric determinations because it gave the highest sensitivity. Cesium 137 and rubidium 86 were used to determine the extraction efficiencies, which were about 87 percent and 58 percent respectively using a single 10 ml nitroethane extraction from a distilled water matrix. The standard deviation of the determination was 0.0008 mg for cesium and 0.0007 mg for rubidium in the 0.01 mg range.

Jan 1, 1965

By J. D. Noll

Elemental carbon (EC) is used as a surrogate for regulating the exposure to diesel particulate matter (DPM) of underground metal/non-metal miners. EC was chosen as a surrogate because EC is selective to DPM and is a major component of DPM. Using EC as a surrogate also gives one the advantages of no sampling artifacts and being able to sample at all locations in the mine. Currently, EC represents DPM well in underground mines. Some control technologies have been shown to possibly alter the relationship between DPM and EC and characteristics of DPM. Therefore, future work will investigate the relationship between DPM and EC as new control technologies are implemented.

Jan 1, 2002

By J. D. Hadden

The Bureau of Mines conducted drilling studies in the Pocahontas No. 3, the Pittsburgh, and a western coalbed to establish the gas migration characteristics for each. Gas pressures in the Pittsburgh coalbed were about 260 lb/in2 and in excess of 550 lb/in2 in the Pocahontas No. 3. Caving in drill holes prevented pressure measurements in the western coalbed. The Pittsburgh coalbed contained intersecting "clay veins" which formed gas pressure cells. Although these geological features hamper mining, they can be used to control the flow of methane into a mine working. Methane control techniques are proposed for the Pittsburgh and Pocahontas No. 3 coalbeds.

Jan 1, 1969

By Helen W. Lang

This report describes a monitoring system applied by the Bureau of Mines to provide rapid, continuous determination of the main constituents of exhaust gas during the Bureau's approval schedule testing of diesel engines for under-ground use. Commercially available continuous analyzers with strip chart readout are employed for nitric oxide (mass spectrometric), carbon dioxide (nondispersive infrared), methane (NDIR), carbon monoxide (NDIR), and oxygen (polarographic). Good correlation is obtained between the continuous instrumental results and those obtained by batch chemical and gas chromatographic methods.

Jan 1, 1969

By F. A. Rutledge, B. S. Webber, J. M. Moss

"INTRODUCTION The United States, with its vast resources of relatively low-grade zinc been the world's leading producer of zinc -metal for many years. The expanded zinc production during the period, 1939-44, inclusive, was induced by favorable premium prices and has depleted the known ore reserves in the United States. The 1943-44 rate of zinc production cannot long be maintained in the United States, especially if premium prices are removed. Domestic zinc reserves, have been depleted to such an extent that it is doubtful if our mines will again be able to completely and continually fulfill the needs of this country.The Bureau of Mines, anticipating a postwar consumer demand for 550,000 to 750,000 tons of slab zinc and an additional 100,000 tons for use in paints and chemicals, sent two engineers to Sedanka Island in July 1945 to investi¬gate the deposits near Biorka Harbor.ACKNOWLEDGMENTIn 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 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. Both these branches are under the supervision of Dr. R. S. Dean, assistant director."

Nov 1, 1946

By G. R. Hopkins

Although many small refineries were dismantled in 1934 the total number of plants, including a few under construction, increased from 604 at the beginning of the year to a new high of 638 on January 1, 1935. The capacity also reached a new record, the total of 4,072,400 barrels of crude oil daily being about 45,000 barrels higher than the previous high of January 1, 1932. The number of refineries increased materially in 1933, following construction in east Texas and the building of many small plants in the Rocky Mountain district and elsewhere. Most of the new plants of 1933 were built to provide an outlet for crude or because the ratio between crude oil and gasoline prices appeared conducive to profits However, low gasoline prices and increased costs in 1934 dispelled the hopes for profits; many plants were shut down, and some were dismantled. The number of operating plants declined from 454 on January 1, 1934, to 435 on January 1, 1935, but the number of inactive plants increased from 137 to a new high of 196 during the same period. As indicated above, new construction was at a minimum in 1934, and on January 1, 1935, only 7 plants were being built.

Jan 1, 1935

By N. A. Gokcen

This Bureau of Mines report reviews and summarizes recent studies of the rates of chlorination of aluminous resources with CO and C12 mixtures with and without COC12. No reaction mechanism could be obtained from the existing results; however, diffusional barriers in the gas and solid layers probably control the chlorination rate in thermogravimetric experiments. Fluidized beds of particles smaller than 0.1 mm appeared to show very little solid layer diffusional barrier. For optimum chlorination the particle size should probably be less than 8 mm, the calcination temperature approximately 700° C, and the chlorination temperature from 650° to 750° C. Relatively rapid chlorination with COC12 in thermogravimetric experiments was attributed partly to the simultaneous supply of reductant and chlorinator by one gas to the sample reaction site. Comparable results for chlorination of fluidized beds with COC12 are not available. Equimolar mixtures of CO and C12 produced the optimum rate of reaction. Addition to the calcine of 10 to 20 wt-pct NaCl accelerated the rate of chlorination, and addition of SiC14 to the gas mixture decreased the rate of chlorination of SiO2 drastically, but at the expense of chlorination of significant fractions of Al2O3. Further research in various areas is suggested.

Jan 1, 1983

By V. Rajaram, S. Bhattacharya, M. F. Dunn

During a mine fire or other emergency, it may be desirable to reverse the airflow in order to provide an escapeway or to isolate a fire. Also, (in colder areas, the airflow may be reversed to prevent ice buildup. When reversing main mine fans, the mine operator usually does not know what operating characteristics of flow and pressure to expect. Laboratory a field tests of vane axial main mine fans in the 7- to 9-ft diameter size range were conducted to establish forward and reverse performance characteristics under controlled conditions and at typical mine installations. The data obtained suggest that reverse performance characteristics are dependent upon the blade angle and the hub to tip ratio. There is also evidence that reverse performance can be predicted for a family of blade angles and a given hub to tip ratio. Generally, quantity of air is 30% to 65% less in reverse than when operating in the normal forward mode.

Jan 8, 1983

By A. C. Smith

The U.S. Bureau of Mines constructed a large-scaJe facility to study the self-heating of a large coal mass under conditions that simulate a gob area of a mine. The insulated coal chamber can hold up to 13 short tons (st) of coal and is provided with a forced ventilation system and computer-controlled temperature and gas measurement systems to monitor the heat and mass transfer phenomena that occur in the coalbed. Three experiments were completed with high-volatile C bituminous coals that exhibited high spontaneous combustion potentials in laboratory-scale tests. In the first two tests, a sustained heating was not achieved. In the third test, temperatures throughout the coalbed increased steadily from the start, with thermal runaway occurring near the center of the coalbed after 23 days. The thermal reaction wne then moved toward the front of the coalbed. The results of these tests showed that the self-heating of a large coal mass depends not just on the reactivity of the coal, but also on the particle size of the coal, the freshness of the coal surfaces, the heat-of-wetting effect, and the availability of O2 at optimum ventilation rates.

Jan 1, 1991

By E. L. Garton

Analyses of samples of crude oil from fields in West Texas have been published from time to time in Bureau of Mines reports.3/ Analyses of 100 samples of crude oil from West Texas) collected during 1946 to 1952) are presented in this report. The production of crude oil from the fields in this portion of Texas totaled 381,129,000 barrels4/ during 1951 - an amount greater than that of any previous year. Total cumulative production of this area through 1951 was 2,792,692,000 barrels.5/ Table 1 gives monthly production figures for 1951 and yearly totals for the preceding 10 years (1942-1951) [ ]

Jan 1, 1953

By M. Kanda

Two different techniques were used to make measurements of the absolute value of electromagnetic noise in and above an operating coal mine, McElroy Mine, located near Moundsville, West Virginia. The electromagnetic environment created by 300 volt dc and 480 volt ac machinery was measured. In one technique noise was measured over the entire electromagnetic spectrum of interest for brief time periods. The noise was recorded using broadband analog magnetic tape. The noise data was later transformed to give spectral plots. In the other technique, noise amplitudes were recorded at several discrete frequencies for a sufficient length of time to provide amplitude probability distributions. The specific, measured results are given in a number of spectral plots and amplitude probability distribution plots.

Jan 1, 1974

By J. H. Soulé

This information circular is one of a series published by the Federal Bureau of Mines describing methods and costs at various mining operations. The Schwartzwalder uranium mine, situated about 20 miles west of Denver, Colo., is an important source of uranium ore in the Front Range. Production was begun in 1953, and nearly 36,500 tons of ore had been shipped by September 1, 1958. The mine is operated by Denver-Golden Oil & Uranium Co., Denver, Colo. Much interest has been shown in the property since uranium mineralization tit was found by Fred Schwartzwalder in 1949. The Atomic Energy Commission, Federal Geological Survey, Office of Minerals Exploration (formerly Defense Minerals Exploration Administration), and Federal Bureau of Mines have done work in the area, and various private concerns have shown interest in the property.

Jan 1, 1960

By E. R. Maize

This report is the second of a series on roof movement in coal mines. The first (R. I. 3355)4/ dealt with convergence of roof and floor and movement of the surface accompanying and following extraction in a mechanized mine in which retreat of rib lines was rapid. The studies reported herein were made in a mine in which all the coal is loaded by hand, and movement of the rib lines was much slower in consequence. In choosing a site for this work, it was decided that the mine selected should have natural conditions akin to those of the first study and entirely different methods of working. To this end a cooperative agreement was made with the Crucible Fuel Co. through W. J. Whitaker, secretary, for conducting the work in the company's Crucible mine, operating in the Pittsburgh bed in Greene County, Pa. This paper gives an account of the methods used in the investigation, excerpts from the data obtained, and such generalizations as can be made.

Jan 1, 1939

By Walter W. Kaufman

This report summarizes a study conducted to determine the state of the art of various rock removal systems and their capabilities. The Objective of the study was to determine if currently manufactured equipment can adequately accomplish rock removal in surface mine reclamation applications. Evaluations of state reclamation regulations, with regard to topsoil rock content, were made to determine the rock removal requirements. The major categories of equipment studied are rock pickers and rock rakes. The impact of rock removal implementation on the reclamation operations is discussed in detail.

Jan 1, 1979

Relatively few longwall mines in the U.S. operate under multiple seam conditions where the two seams are less than 200 ft apart. This paper describes the experience of six that do. These operations are located in PA, WV and UT, and include examples of both undermining and overmining. Some operate above or beneath their own workings, others are in historic mining districts and must contend with abandoned mines that are decades old. The lessons that these mines have learned cover a broad range of topics, including: • Whether to stack gateroads or place them under old gob areas; • How to size pillars and select artificial support to cross longwall stop lines; • How to use yield pillars to minimize multiple seam stresses and coal bump potential, and; • When to anticipate the creation of pathways for gas, water, or oxygen between current and abandoned gobs.

By Joan T. May

The Federal Bureau of Mines investigated the potential for recovering aluminum from copper-dump leach liquors by use of single-contact ion-exchange technology. A strongly acidic ion-exchange resin was used to extract aluminum from a typical dump leach liquor and from synthetic leach liquors. Aluminum was stripped from resin with a HS04 or NaCl solution. Bench-scale experiments indicate that a single-contact ion exchange is technically feasible, but that the process is limited by the relatively low loading capacity of the resin and the excessive amount of stripping agent required. A further limitation is that significant amounts of magnesium and iron are loaded and stripped along with the aluminum.

Jan 1, 1976

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

A mineral - dressing investigation was conducted to demonstrate the ability of an anionic silica - flotation process to produce high- grade concentrates from submarginal iron ores of the western Mesabi and Menominee ranges . Commercially available equipment and reagents were used . Samples from the Menominee range were exclusively from the Groveland , Mich . , mine and contained hematite as the chief iron - bearing mineral . Bench- scale investigations established that the anionic silica flotation method can function effectively on a variety of undeslimed ores . Continuous tests completed on one Mesabi semitaconite ore and on Groveland mill feed , have verified the validity of the bench research . The Mesabi samples yielded a concentrate containing 60.3 percent Fe and 6.0 percent Sio with an accompanying iron unit recovery at 90.5 percent . Iron recoveries from the mill feed ranged from 79.0 to 87.4 percent .

Jan 1, 1964

By C. B. Daellenbach

A prototype particulate size analyzer system was developed that would rapidly determine size distributions of homogeneous and two-mineral materials in the 74-micrometer (200-mesh) to 7-micrometer size range. The system sizes particles in a series of hydrocyclone elutriation steps and senses the weight of the five sized fractions by nuclear attenuation techniques. Size distribution of materials was determined from experimentally developed mathematical relationships that existed between particulate weight and the measured transmittance of gamma rays from an Americium-241 source. In the developmental phases, size distributions of three minerals (quartz, magnetite, and hematite) and a laboratory prepared two-mineral mixture of quartz and magnetite were accurately determined by the prototype system. In later stages of the investigation, semiconcentrates, an intermediate magnetic product from a taconite plant, were evaluated. Using 25-gram feed samples of this industrial material, the analyzer system was found to predict weight percentages for individual size fractions with an accuracy of ±0.85 percent or better at a 95-percent confidence level.

Jan 1, 1974

By A. J. Kraemer

This paper on the physical and chemical properties of crude oils from California fields is one of a series of reports on the on the districts of the United States. The paper includes a short discussion of results, tabular data, and individual analyses of eight. California crudes. Analyses of other crude oils from California have been published it Reports of Investigations 2595, 2608, and 2846. The samples were obtained by members of the San Francisco office of the Bureau of Mines. The collecting 65 samples was facilitated by the courtesy of representatives of oil companies in California. The methods used in testing and analyzing the samples are described in detail in Bureau of Mines Bulletin 207. A discussion of the interpretation of crude-oil analyses, as made by the Bureau of Mines, is given in Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 2806.

Jan 1, 1931

This paper on. the physical and chemical properties of crude oils from California fields is one of a series of reports on the oil-producing districts of the United States., The paper includes a short discussion of results, tabular data, and individual analyses of eight California crudes. Analyses of other crude oils from California have been published in Reports, of Investigations 2595,3/ 2608,4/ and 28465/. The samples were obtained by members of the San Francisco office of the Bureau of Mines. The collecting samples was facilitated by the courtesy of representatives of oil companies in California.

Jan 1, 1931