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By R. R. Falier, W. E. Rice

"PURPOSE OF REPORTThis paper presents the results of a series of tests made by the U. S. Bureau of Mines in cooperation with The Ohio State University Engineering Experiment Station as part of an investigation on the use of fuel in kilns.This report is preliminary and gives only enough of the test data to illustrate results and show the reasons for the successes and failures of the method of firing investigated; fuller details will be included in the final report.PERSONNEL FOR TESTSThe investigation is conducted under supervision of P. Nicholls, supervising fuel engineer, of the United States Bureau of Mines, and G. A. Bole, research professor, of The Ohio State University. These tests were made under direction of W. E. Rice, associate fuel engineer, assisted by R. R. Faller, assistant fuel engineer, of the United States Bureau of Mines; H. C. Harrison, senior research engineer (until October 1, 1930), C. R. Austin, senior research engineer (since October 1, 1930), and H. K. Van Sohoick, junior research engineer, of The Ohio State University. M. J. Rice, field engineer, represented the manufacturer of the stoker.PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATIONThe general aim of the investigation is to develop more economical methods of using fuel in kilns and to improve the over—all efficiency of the process of firing by methods that will produce ware of better quality. One phase of this investigation is the burning of coal on an automatic stoker to gain the advantages of control, constant rate of application of heat, and ability to burn cheaper coal than can be used in the hand—fired furnaces of kilns. It a stoker in to be used it is desirable that the coot of the installation should be low, the control of operation simple, and the distribution of heat in the kiln as good or better than with hand firing. These desiderata were sought in the stoker and furnaces that were used for the tests described herein. The tests were made to determine whether it is feasible to fire a large kiln with a single stoker, whether the use of a single furnace simplifies control, and whether the admission of all the hot gam at the center of the kiln will give symmetrical distribution of heat."

Aug 1, 1931

By Robert A. Cortese, Henry E. Perlee

Coal dust and float coal dust, produced during normal mining operations, in underground coal mines, are carried from the point of origin downstream by the ventilating air, where it deposits on the surfaces of the mine entry. In an explosion, this dust is lifted from the surfaces by the aerodynamic disturbances and, if of sufficient quantity, can continue to propagate the explosion. To prevent the surface coal dust from contributing, it must be inerted, typically by spreading pulverized limestone, i.e., rock dust, over the coal dust surface. To facilitate the dusting operation, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Pittsburgh Research Laboratory(PRL), developed an automated system that continuously monitors the accumulation of coal dust. This system could activate a rock-dusting machine that disperses rock dust into the ventilation air when dangerous deposits accumulate and deactivate the machine when sufficient inert has been deposited on top of the coal dust. The system consists of a microprocessor-controlled optical float dust deposition meter. This device measures the light intensity reflected from a deposited layer of dust. A standard cap lamp is used as a fixed-position light source. From the reflected light signal, the microprocessor determines the hazard level of the deposited layer and performs the appropriate action. Full-scale studies conducted in the Experimental Mine at PRL's Lake Lynn Laboratory, using alternating thin layers of rock dust and coal dust, successfully demonstrated the operation of the device. Based on the statistical data from these studies, a mathematical model was developed to predict long-term error in total rock dust content using this inerting procedure. Downwind dust dispersion was also examined to provide optimum placement of the dust sensors and to determine the need for better rock dust dispersion techniques.

Jan 5, 1998

By Th. G. Sahama

This paper contains some new thermodynamic data for silicates in the series Mg2SiO4-Fe2SiO4 and MgSiO3-FeSiO3 and Lives the result: of a thermodynamic attack on the problems of stability end paragenoses. Although some data are lacking, satisfactory agreement with mineralogical and petrological observations is indicated.

Jan 1, 1949

By D. K. Deardorff

The hafnium-vanadium phase diagram was constructed within an estimated accuracy of ± 10° C and ± 2 wt pct composition. Alloys for investigation were melted under an atmosphere of purified helium by nonconsumable tungsten-electrode arc melting on a water-cooled copper hearth. Melting points were determined by optical pyrometer, and the remaining phase relationships were investigated by metallography, thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction. The existence of a face-centered cubic intermetallic compound HfV2 (a = 7.38 A) was confirmed. A eutectic reaction occurred at 20 wt pct vanadium and 1,395° C to yield HfV2 and 8 solid solution. HfV2 melted incongruently by a peritectic reaction at 1,480° C, and the 3 solid solution decomposed eutectoidally at 1,165° C and 6 wt pct vanadium to yield HfV2 and a solid solution. The eutectoid, the eutectic, and the peritectic isotherms extended from 1 to 36.3 wt pct vanadium, from 8 to 36.3 wt pct vanadium, and from 26 to 89.5 wt pct vanadium, respectively. Terminal solid solubilities of hafnium in vanadium at 1,300° C and of vanadium in hafnium at 1,100° C determined to be about 3 and 1 wt pct, respectively.

Jan 1, 1965

By P. L. Loyselle, B. D. Comilsen, D. H. Carlson, J. H. Johnson

"In-mine airborne particulate samples have been successfully collected and the relative amounts of diesel and coal determined using the Laser Raman Quantitative Analysis (LRQA) method. This method allows analysis of filters which have been collected by a method similar to that used to determine the airborne respirable dust concentration in us underground coal mines. Samples were taken near the feeder-breaker, on haulage vehicles, and in the returns. Sampling methodologies were developed for coal-only and diesel-only particulate reference samples with sufficient filter loading for the LRQA method. A statistical analysis of reproducibility has been carried out. Samples have been collected simultaneously at two locations using the LRQA and the size-selective sampling methods. Good agreement between the two methods has been found.INTRODUCTIONThe goal of this research has been to develop the Laser Raman Quantitative Analysis (LRQA) method to measure the composition of respirable particulate, i.e. the fractions of coal and of diesel particulate, in the mine ambient air. In earlier Bureau of Mines sponsored research, we successfully demonstrated that the LRQA method could be used to measure the fraction of Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) in coal/diesel particulate mixtures which were prepared in the laboratory.(I) 'The immediate objective was to test and refine this LRQA method on samples collected in a diesel underground coal mine.Specific objectives required to meet this goal include:I) Develop in-mine sample collection methods which will insure sufficient particulate loading on filters for LRQA. ,2) Develop methodology for in-mine collection of reference samples (""coal-only"" and ""diesel-only"" filters) which arc required for quantitative LRQA. 3) Analyze precision and accuracy of the LRQA method. 4) Compare composition measurements with another analytical method, i.e. the University of Minnesota/Bureau of Mines size selective sampling Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI) method.An advantage of the LRQA method is that it allows analysis of filters which have been collected by a method similar to that used to determine the respirable dust concentration in US underground coal mines. No new sampling instruments and techniques are required. Transfer of sample from collection substrate to analysis substrate is not necessary. Furthermore, other analyses can be made on the same sample since the technique is nondestructive."

Jan 1, 1988

By Bertrand L. Johnson

Langbeinite, a comparatively rare mineral that has been reported from only five countries in the entire world, has recently attained considerable economic importance in the United States and Poland. Since September 1940, several hundred thousand tons have been produced in one of the Carlsbad (N. Mex.), potash mines for chemical and fertilizer use. As it is a newcomer in this field, and as it is the source of fertilizers possessing special advantages, notably for soils deficient in magnesium or requiring sulfate fertilizers, a discussion of its properties, occurrences, uses, mining, and treatment is appropriate at this

Jan 1, 1944

By Donald J. Ninteman

This Bureau of Mines publication is a literature study of the problem of spontaneous oxidation and combustion of sulfides in underground mines. It summarizes the present-day hazards, process mechanisms, and prevention and control techniques of this growing problem in underground mines. The iron sulfides generally have the greatest tendency to oxidize, particularly pyrrhotite. The presence of moisture and oxygen is essential for the oxidation reaction. Highly fractured sulfides, when found with timber or combustible refuse in slowly circulating air, pose the most serious fire hazard. Quenching with water is effective in quickly dealing with local hot spots, but ventilation at high flaw rates is the most effective and economical means for long-term prevention and control.

Jan 1, 1978

By J. B. Gayle

Both immediate and long-range economic factors are associated with blending anthrafines to produce metallurgical cokes, and they warrant careful consideration of the technology of carbonization of blends containing significant proportions of inert substances in general and anthrafines in particular. This situation has resulted in numerous publications dealing with various phases of the overall problem, particular emphasis being placed on the effects of inert substances on the yields and quality of cokes produced. Because relatively little attention has been given to the expansion behavior of coal blends containing inert substances, an investigation of this problem was undertaken using the Bureau of Mines sole-heated oven. Since experiments in the sole-heated oven do not measure wall pressures directly, a new method of interpretation of sole-heated oven data, which permits estimates of wall pressures, has been proposed.

Jan 1, 1955

By W. M. Merritts

The control of coal dust created and released during the operation of continuous mining machines in bituminous-coal mines of the United States is a problem. The interest manifested in this problem indicates the seriousness of the hazards involved, particularly when the dust has not been abated at its source and has become air-borne. Officials of the Sunnyside No. 1 mine, Kaiser Steel Corp., were confronted with the problem of abating the coal dust created by operation of a recently installed continuous-mining machine, and they requested the aid of representatives of the Coal-Mine Inspection Branch, Bureau of Mines, United States Department of the Interior, in developing an effective method of allaying the coal dust at its source.

Jan 1, 1951

By Ross W. Smith

Microflotation and surface chemical studies were conducted on a chromite from the Stillwater Complex in Montana and on some of the minerals usually found to be associated with such chromites. Considering the chromite it was found that aging the ground mineral in air or heating it markedly affected its flotation behavior. Much of the observed effects could be attributed to oxidation reactions involving surface chromium and iron species. Strongly acid pretreating the mineral appeared to reverse such effects. Thus, it can be concluded that the manner in which the mineral (or the ore) is pretreated is of utmost importance in its flotation. Work carried out on associated gangue minerals determined how they are likely to behave in a flotation environment and how certain foreign ions derived from a chromite ore itself can affect their surface characteristics and, thus, presumably also their behavior in a flotation circuit.

Jan 1, 1981

By Robert L. Rough, William E. Eckard

Laboratory data obtained from a Bureau of Mines rotary air core of a well near Sugar Grove , Warren County , Pa . , were instrumental in initiating hydraulic fracturing in the area to stimulate oil recovery from Glade sand oil reservoirs . This report outlines the general geology , lease development , reservoir- rock characteristics , and oil - production history of Glade and Clarendon sand reservoirs in Warren County . The methods of well completion for single- stage and multiple- stage hydraulic fracturing of old and new wells are discussed , and a range of hydraulic fracture treatment data from 29 Glade sand and 10 Clarendon sand wells is presented . A composite decline curve representing oil - production data from six wells shows probable results of hydraulic fracturing . Average cumulative oil production during the first 100 days after hydraulic fracturing with a sand - carrying liquid is compared with production after conventional shooting with liquid nitroglycerin .

Jan 1, 1964

By Fredrick L. Johnson

In 1986, at the request of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Bureau of Mines studied 25,640 acres of the 29,680-acre Devil?s Garden Lava Bed, 21,040 acres of the 28,660-acre Squaw Ridge Lava Bed, and 9,100 acres of the 12,600-acre Four Craters Lava Bed Wilderness Study Areas (OR-D01-D02, OR-001-003, and OR-001-022, respectively) in order to evaluate their identified mineral resources. The study areas are located in Lake County, OR, about 50 air miles southeast of Bend. No mineral resources were identified in the three study areas. The areas are almost entirely underlain by recent lava flows. Cinder cones occur in each of the areas; however, the best cinder occurrences are in the Four Craters Lava Bed study area. Slab lava, of facing stone quality, is scattered throughout the Devil?s Garden Lava Bed study area, and to a lesser extent, in the Squaw Ridge Lava Bed study area.

Jan 1, 1987

By A. W. Deurbrouck

The Bureau of Mines reviewed available data on the effect of crushing high-sulfur coals for the liberation of impurities in the light of increasingly stringent air pollution regulations. The survey, which provided information on Appalachian region coals only, indicated that such important coal- beds as the Upper and Lower Freeport and the Upper Kittanning show significant sulfur reductions when crushed to 14-mesh top size. For many other coalbeds amenability to sulfur liberation by crushing was indicated, although too few samples were available to draw firm conclusions,

Jan 1, 1966

By T. M. Ruff

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has developed a portable, inexpensive teleoperation system for mobile hard-rock mining equipment. The system was tested on a compact loader-trammer in a simulated stope. The teleoperation system includes radio remote control and computer-assisted navigation. A recent enhancement includes video cameras mounted on the machine to provide visual information to the operator. This system allows the operator to remain in a safe location while operating the machine from a distance, thus increasing both operator safety and mining productivity.

Jan 1, 2010

By Robert L. Lappi

Volume I of this report described the demonstration of cross-ridge mountaintop coal mining. This document, Volume II, is intended for use as a supporting document to Volume I. This report describes the MATHMINE Mine Simulation System, a modularized software system used to support the demonstration of cross-ridge Mountaintop coal mining. The MATHMINE Mine Simulation System was used to generate mine plans for coal extraction at lowest cost. The functional details, data requirements and output of the software system are detailed here. The computer program was written in FORTRAN. One module which generates resource location data required the use of SAS?.

Jan 1, 1984

By P. J. McDonough

The Bureau of Mines designed and tested a hardware-software system for measuring on-line corrosion rates of materials in a rod mill in operation. Currents ranging from 10-6 to 10-3 A and potentials in I-mV increments were converted to a digital signal. The digitized data were frequency-modulated and transmitted from a rotating ball mill to an FM receiver, where they were decoded by computer and then processed in real time using assembly language software. This design approach would allow accurate measurement and control of systems where signals of small amplitude and large ranges are present.

Jan 1, 1988

By M. C. Malamphy

A general description of the activities and results of bauxite investigation by the Bureau of Mines at its bauxite project in Saline and Pulaski Counties, Ark., has been given in Report of Investigations No. 4251. The factual data obtained during the project are reported in a series of Reports of Investigation beginning with No. 4251, of which this is the sixth. The data are accompanied by maps showing the loca.ion of holes, drilled and the deposits developed. Each area upon which work was done is reported by half townships. Each bauxite deposit investigated was assigned a name and a number for ready reference and identification, and its location and name are shown on the appropriate half-township map. The description of each half township is followed by a description of each deposit developed in that half township. The 14 half-township maps and 77 detail maps of the bauxite deposits in this series of reports give the locations and numbers of all the holes drilled on the project except the deep holes drilled to test geophysical anomalies. The locations of those holes are shown on figure 13 in Volume I. The descriptions of the deposits developed are followed by complete detailed logs of the drill holes. Many of the widely spaced exploratory holes did not discover bauxite of minable thickness and grade. The pertinent information obtained from the widely spaced exploratory drill holes has been summarized and tabulated, and a table for each half township is given with the discussion covering that area.

Jan 1, 1948

By Michael J. Beus

This Bureau of Mines report describes a tunnel stress relaxation gage (TSR) developed to measure initial radial displacement around full-sized underground openings. The TSR technique was shown to be a valid concept in previous field verification tests. Sensitivity has been improved by employing a titanium alloy cantilever in the transducer head, which also permits a deeper sensor location. Use of improved fabrication methods such as stainless steel bellows and sputtering techniques and use of an environmental chamber for testing greatly increased overall reliability. A miniature data acquisition system (DAS) was interfaced directly to the transducer for increased versatility and containment entirely within a borehole. The present TSR system is suitable for use around full-size underground excavations, particularly machine-bored openings. Field evaluation of the improved instrumentation verified the design goals.

Jan 1, 1978

By R. A. Franks, G. F. Friel, J. C. Edwards, L. Yuan

Two mine-fire experiments were conducted in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Safety Research Coal Mine (SRCM) at the Pittsburgh Research Laboratory (PRL) which demonstrated that smoke from diesel-fuel fires of 500 kW and 660 kW heat-release rates in a return airway can develop, without causing a complete air flow reversal, into a roof layer that can migrate upwind forming a counter flow to the primary airflow in a crosscut. Subsequently, smoke can penetrate into an intake airway and create a hazardous atmosphere in the intake airway upwind from the fire. Visibility conditions less than 13 m were created by the smoke in the intake airway downwind from the crosscut. Modeling of the event with a three-dimensional, time-dependent, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program correctly represented the smoke movement.

By T. A. Henrie, D. C. Fleck, D. G. Kesterke

Uranium metal was electrowon from uranium dioxide dissolved in fluoride melts . The UO₂ was fed directly to the cell in a continuous manner . Electrolysis was performed at 1 , 200 ° to 1,300 ° C in electrolytes composed of UF4 , LiF , and BaFa . A single regulus of metal was collected in a confined area of the crucible . Product purity of 99.8 percent was attained . Carbon was the major contaminant . Compartmented cells were studied as a means of confining the oxide feed to the vicinity of the anodes .

Jan 1, 1964