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By Cliff McCartney, Michael A. Trevits

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is conducting a program of research to evaluate and improve remote mine seal construction technology for mine fire control and suppression. The main focus of this work is to develop reliable technology that will remotely seal a mine opening from floor-to-roof and rib-to-rib. NIOSH, in partnership with Strata Mine Services Inc.1, is evaluating the capability of a two-component phenolic foam-based product, called Rocsil®1, that is intended for cavity filling, air and gas sealing, and consolidation of highly fractured strata. Rocsil® can be rapidly applied, has a quick cure time, a high expansion rate, good compressive resistance and excellent anti-static properties. When the resin and catalyst are mixed, an immediate foaming reaction occurs followed by rapid expansion up to 30 times the original volume. By virtue of its fire-resistance properties, Rocsil® foam has application for sealing underground mine areas undergoing heating from spontaneous combustion and it could be useful for remote mine seal construction to aid in mine fire control and suppression. This paper presents an overview of remote mine sealing technology, introduces the use of Rocsil® foam for remote mine seal installations, offers a case study of the use of this rigid foam material to remotely construct a temporary in-mine seal and discusses technology improvements. Disclaimer: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of NIOSH.

By H. M. Smith

MORE than a year before the United States entered World War II, the requirements of the National Defense Program indicated the need for additional sources of aviation gasoline. On September 10, 1940, Dr. R. E. Wilson, Group Executive, Advisory Commission of the Council for National Defense, requested the Bureau of Mines to undertake a survey of crude oils of the United States to designate those suitable for the production of 91-octane aviation gasoline. As quickly as a program could be defined, agreed upon, and funds provided to conduct the work, the Bureau began the project. Over a period of many years the Bureau had collected samples and made analyses of thousands of crude oils produced in the United States. Although these analyses did not include octane numbers of the gasoline fraction, they provided data necessary for calculating the correlation index. This index, developed within the Bureau, is a measure of the types of hydrocarbons present in gasoline and therefore is roughly indicative of the octane value. This fund of information from Bureau of Mines Hempel analyses, supplemented by information obtained from oil companies, reduced considerably the necessary laboratory work by providing data that permitted a large number of crude oils to be eliminated from consideration. However, in the survey carried out during the last part of 1940 and the first half of 1941, 225 samples of crude oil were collected and distilled. Octane values of the distillates were determined by the Army AFD-1C method. (See page 57.) A report containing these results, together with the calculated amounts of 91-octane aviation gasoline available from these sources, was prepared and distributed to the several offices of the Office of the Petroleum Coordinator for National Defense in August 1941. In December 1942 the Office of the Petroleum Coordinator for National Defense became the Petroleum Administration for War (P. A. W.).

Jan 1, 1951

By Arthur Matzick

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Jan 1, 1966

By Jr. Watts, B. K. Cantrell, D. H. Carlson, K. L. Rubow

"Abstract — The use of diesel equipment in underground coal mines is controversial because the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH ) regards ""wholediesel exhaust"" as ""a potential occupational carcinogen."" Threshold limit values (TLVs ) are recommended for the gaseous pollutants CO, CO2, NO, NO2, SO2 and some hydrocarbons emitted in diesel exhaust. There is, however, no TLV recommended for diesel exhaust aerosols (DEA) nor is there a standard method for sample these aerosols.The University of Minnesota and the USBM have collaborated to develop a personal diesel exhaust aerosol sampler (PDEAS) that utilizes size selective, partial impaction and gravimetric analysis. During the field tests of this sampler, numerous air quality measurements were conducted in underground coal mines that used diesel equipment. The objective of this report is to present these data and to assess the impact of diesel face haulage equipment on mine a quality.Air quality data were collected in four underground coal mines. The mines used continuous miners and diesel haulage equipment. Daily samples were collected at the section intake, haulage way and on haulage vehicles. Both full- and partial-shift samples were collected using a variety of aerosol instruments. These included the PDEAS and the micro-orifice uniform deposit impactor (MOUDI) that sample the mine aerosol diesel exhaust fraction. Two of the mines were also monitored for the major gaseous constituents found in diesel exhaust CO,CO2, NO, NC, and SO2. These measurements were made by either collecting bag samples for subsequent gas analysis or by Palmes dosimeters.Concentrations of CO, CO2, NO, NO2 and SO2 were well below regulated levels. The mine average DEA concentration determined by the PDEAS in the haulageway for the three mines surveyed was 0.79 mg/m4, with a standard deviation of 0.19 mg/m3 DEA contributed 65% of the respirable aerosol, at this location. These results were the same as the mean DEA concentrations calculated from size distribution measurements obtained using the MOUDI. This was 0.78 mg/m3, with a standard deviation of 022 mg/m3."

Mar 1, 1992

The accompanying supply/demand flow diagrams and 10-year tables for mineral and fuel commodities present essential data required by government, industry, and others to formulate policies and programs that can help assure an adequate and continuing supply of mineral raw materials. The 10-year data base terminates with 1975 figures because adequate world information was not available beyond that date. The selected mineral supply/demand tables and flow diagrams comprise but one "output" from the massive body of information and data collected and compiled by the Bureau of Mines on a continuing basis covering mineral production, consumption, prices, shipments, imports, exports, and stocks, as well as industry activities in all States and abroad.

Jan 1, 2012

By Henry M. Harris

Low-carbon shales from 65 deposits and 11 sources of coal-mine waste in western Oregon and Washington were tested in a rotary kiln for their suitability as raw material for expanded aggregate. Shales from 41 sources bloated enough to produce crushed, expanded aggregates, weighing less than 65 pounds per cubic foot in the preliminary tests. The samples were judged on the basis of processing qualities, physical properties, and size and uniformity of the source. Nine low-carbon shale deposits and three coal-mine waste sources were selected for more extensive bloating tests and for examination of the expanded aggregates in concrete shapes. Composite samples from these 12 sources and from 2 commercial operations, when processed for testing in concrete shapes, had bulk densities ranging from 37.S to 72.9 pounds per cubic foot. Damp-cured concrete shapes made with these aggregates had bulk densities ranging from S6 to 119 pounds per cubic foot, and all but three of the lightweight concretes had crushing strengths ranging from 3,270 to 6,810 p.s.i. Properties of the lightweight concretes were compared with those of concrete shapes made with commercial aggregates, and with sand and gravel.

Jan 1, 1962

By Ralph Husack, J. W. Eckerd, G. A. Brady

The effect of gamma radiation on Pennsylvania anthracite and on reactions between anthracite and other materials was studied using a shielded , selfcontained 23,000 - curie cobalt 60 source . When anthracite was exposed to air at 65° C the reaction with oxygen was greater in the presence of radiation. than in its absence . Although drop- shatter tests indicated that exposure to radiation decreased the resistance to breakage of anthracite , this evidence of structural weakening was not supported by the results of grindability or particle- size studies . Irradiation caused definite changes in the gases evolved from evacuated samples of anthracite ; the percentages of hydrogen and carbon dioxide were increased, and the methane concentration remained unchanged . Carbon monoxide was evolved only from the unirradiated samples . Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR ) measurements indicated large differences between evacuated samples and those exposed to air . There was little or no difference between irradiated and unirradiated samples , except that the free- radical content of unirradiated samples of anthracite increased progressively with higher temperatures of evacuation , but in the case of irradiated samples , no such behavior was found . Attempts to produce carbon disulfide and calcium carbide by reacting anthracite with sulfur up to 120 ° C , and with calcium oxide up to 400 ° C , were unsuccessful .

Jan 1, 1964

By G. G. Huggins

A demonstration project has been completed to reduce the operator sound level of an underground service vehicle, a personnel dispatch wagon, to go dB(A) or less. The program objective was to implement quieting recommendations made on an earlier study for the USBM n diesel-powered mine equipment. The manufacturer and mine to which the vehicle was going actively participated in the program to ensure a product that was not only quiet, but useful. The key element of the quieting package is an engine part a1 enclosure, which, with several complementary noise control components, reduced the operator sound level 14 dB, from 101 dB(A) to 87 dB(A). The vehicle underwent a 4-month trial period, with no degradation in the quieting package. Mine personnel reported no maintenance difficulties, and were enthusiastic about the dispatch.

Jan 1, 1975

The principal activities of the Bureau of Mines Explosives Research Center from July 1, 1963 to June 30, 1964 are described briefly in part 1. Part 2 gives short abstracts of publications that appeared during fiscal year 1964; in general, the research reported in these publications antedates the report period. Part 3 describes a short-term investigation into safety problems associated with shipping of molten sulfur; this investigation is not at present destined for publication elsewhere.

Jan 1, 1965

By W. S. Sanner

This report describes the commercial application of the launder screen in anthracite-industry fine-coal cleaning operations. No new device, the launder screen has been used since the early part of the present century to size, screen, classify, and deslime the fine-anthracite sizes (Buckwheat Nos. 1 through 5) recovered by "river-coal" men dredging along streams draining the anthracite fields. The launder screen is stationary, has no moving parts, requires ample water for operation, and can be constructed economically on the job. Essentially, it consists of a wooden trough with baffles placed through its width to form a well system. The wells are covered by fine-mesh woven-wire screening. Each well is tapped with a number of orifices, and the hydraulic suction head developed in this manner removes high-gravity fines and slimes through the screening as underflow to waste. Material retained on the screen surface discharges as overflow product.

Jan 1, 1954

By J. R. Thoenen

Up to 1914 almost all of the world's supply of potash came from Germany and Alsace. With the cessation of shipments from Germany during the World War the importance of a domestic suppler was evident. During the past 15 years the United States has been working toward the establishment of a domestic potash industry which would end foreign dominance in this commodity. The Federal government has taken an active part in this program. As its share in the work, the Bureau of Lines has ascertained the potash resources in certain district's through core drilling and has engaged in a comprehensive program of research on the extraction of potash from its various minerals. Until the passage of the Winter bill (H. R. 496) by Congress in 1928 the Bureau of Mines had not been able to give any consideration to the western ores, wyomingite (leucite) and alunite. With the massage of this bill, however, the ray was opened for the extension of the potash studies to cover these materials.

Jan 1, 1932

By J. R. Thoenen

Up to 1914 almost all of the world's supply of potash came from Germany and Alsace. With the cessation of shipments from Germany during the World War the importance of a domestic supply was evident, During the past 15 years the United States has been working toward the establishment of a domestic potash industry which would end foreign dominance in this commodity. The Federal government has taken an active part in this program. As its share in the work, the Bureau of Mines has ascertained the potash resources in certain districts through core drilling and has engaged in a comprehensive program of research on the extraction of potash from its various minerals. Until the passage of the Winter bill (H. R. 496) by Congress in 1928 the Bureau of Mines had not been able to give any consideration to the western ores, wyomingite (leucite) and alunite. With the Passage of this bill, however, the ray was opened for the extension of the potash studies to cover these materials.

Jan 1, 1932

By H. Reginald Hardy

This report describes the results of a research project carried out to investigate the feasibility of using transducer arrays, located on surface or in shallow boreholes, above an active coal mine to detect and locate the source of underground microseismic activity which normally occurs during mining. The initial stage of the project involves the design and development of a self-contained mobile microseismic monitoring facility capable of use in remote field locations. Following this a variety of transducers, and transducer field installation techniques were investigated to obtain optimum sensitivity and high signal-to-noise characteristics. Preliminary efforts were also undertaken to develop semi-automated techniques for analysis of microseismic field data. Using the facilities and techniques developed field studies were carried out at a number of surface locations over a central Pennsylvania coal mine operating at depths of the order of 500 feet. In particular studies were con-ducted over a previously mined development area, troubled by extensive problems of roof instability, and over two longwall panels during mining. Although many of the field studies were carried out during the development stage of the project, results in general have been most encouraging. Limited results were obtained over the development area, however excellent microseismic signals, correlating with underground strata instability, were detected over both long-wall areas, proving the general feasibility of surface monitoring techniques. More recent studies, carried out as part of a subsequent project, and utilizing modified geophone installation techniques at a third longwall site, have verified explicitly the feasibility of measuring underground microseismic activity from surface locations. Sections of typical field data are included in this report along with a brief review of the studies carried out at each of the field sites. Detailed analysis of data obtained at the second and third longwall test sites will be presented in a later report.

Jan 1, 1974

By Harry R. Nicholls

As part of the pre- and post - shot mine examination at Project GNOME , acceleration data were recorded underground from a series of chemical explosive shots . The cube root of the charge weight was used to scale acceleration and distance because charge weight was not constant . Regression analysis of particle acceleration - distance data gave the following propagation equation : A W1 /3 = 5.10 x 105 ( R / W¹ / 3 ) −2 .43 The quantity A W1 /3 is scaled particle acceleration expressed in g's - lbs¹ / 3 , and R/W1 /3 is scaled distance expressed in ft / lbs¹ /3 Data obtained from the nuclear explosion were scaled and fall within one standard deviation of the calculated propagation law for the smaller shots . Cube root scaling laws were adequate to group acceleration data from explosive charges varying by a factor of more than 1 x 10 in charge weight and over shot - to - gage distances varying from 100 to 46,000 feet . Data obtained from a series of small tests provided sufficient data from which reliable predictions of acceleration could be made for the large nuclear explosion .

Jan 1, 1964

By R. R. Sayers

There is probably no industry , trade , or art in which mercury is used but what has produced some cases of mercury poisoning . This is true of the mining and smelting of mercury , where the hazard has long been recognized . When the ore contains free mercury or the more soluble salts , and when the workings are underground and are poorly ventilated , cases occur , but there are a far greater number of cases among the employees about the reduction works . 3 In 1863 William V. Wells visited the mines at Almaden , * Spain , which were worked by convicts . He reported that the men at the furnaces suffered severely , being able to work only about one week out of four , when it was necessary to transfer them to places where the exposure was less . He states that "pale cadaverous faces and leaden eyes are consequences of even these short periods . " Mercury , like lead , when absorbed in small amounts at intervals , as daily, over an extended period of time will result in symptoms of poisoning . This is due to the fact that the mercury is eliminated from the body more slowly than it is absorbed . The frequency and severity of cases of mercury poisoning are far less with modern methods of mining and recovery of the metal than formerly . However , further reduction is possible and much can be done by both the workmen and the operators by following the proper precautionary measures , some of which are described in this chapter .

May 1, 1922

By Kenneth G. Skinner

Diatomite, also known as diatomaceous earth, diatomaceous silica, kieselguhr, and moler, has been used extensively for many years, but only during the past two decades has it become an important industrial mineral. United States sales for 1.936-38 totaled almost 280,010 tons,7 but relatively little (with the exception of that sold by an Oregon company affiliated with a larger California company) was sold by Pacific Northwest producers. In attempting to develop some of the many Pacific Northwest diatomite deposits, these producers have been handicapped by lack of published technical information regarding processing methods and the suitability of different deposits for specific uses. To determine some of the physical and chemical properties of known Pacific Northwest diatomites, the present investigation was started in 1938 by the Bureau of Mines in cooperation with the College of Mines, University of Washington. Figure 1 shows the location of deposits sampled. Because most relatively pure diatomites can be used as concrete admixtures or as inert fillers in rubber, paints, and plastics, this investigation concentrated upon determining some filter-aid characteristics and their relationship to other physical properties. A filter-aid is a powdered material that, when added to solutions to be filtered, improves flow rate, filtrate clarity, or both. Some chemical analyses also were made.

Jan 1, 1944

By Oliver C. Ralston

[The NOJ'l..metals Division deals wi tt mi:leral n t inte .ded to be used a ra\o,f materials for extraction of metals. ~ _ ereas, a. materinl containing a chromite, if used' for production of c~1r()rrti1..1r.'l ::tetE' .. l or fcrrochromiu"1, 1,oJould be a chromi te ore, if used as 8. rcfrn.cto~J or for prod .1.ction of chromium chemicals, it is a chromi te-beari [. ~?oCl... Li;{eHise, a r:1a&neti te used for production of iron is a metallifero"'..ls ~in8re..i; if used 8.S a water-filtration granule in .:l magne.tically cleaned filter bed, it 'ould be a nonmetallic in-dustrial mineral.]

Jan 1, 1940

By C. E. Brechtel

This project describes the design and testing of large face ventilation systems for oil shale mining. A design data base was generated by reviewing general industry practice, oil shale industry planning, and technical literature. Conceptual designs for seven different systems were developed and evaluated for suitability. A large, free-standing, jet fan and reversible fan with rigid duct were selected for fabrication and testing. The two systems were field tested in a dead-end heading 55 ft wide by 30 ft high and 320 ft long. System performance was optimized using measurements of air flow direction and air velocity. Total system performance was then measured using SF6 tracer gas released to simulate blast fumes, hot diesel exhaust, methane layering and methane from a blasted muckpile. Field testing indicated that both systems delivered similar performance. The jet fan offered some clear advantages because of its mobility, ease of oper-ation and lower power requirement. It also offered some functional advantages in ventilating for methane because of it high average velocity.

Jan 1, 1985

By William N. Hale

This Bureau of Mines report gives a detailed study of water usage in the Montana mineral industries, along with projections for the future. The mineral industry of Montana in 1963 used 36.5 billion gallons of new water, and reused or recirculated an additional 53.5 billion gallons for a total water requirement or usage of 90 billion gallons. The petroleum industry was the major water user, followed by the copper and zinc industries. Many mineral industry operators provide their own water, and new water is withdrawn largely from surface sources. At present, sufficient water is available in rivers, streams, and reservoirs in Montana; however, shortages do exist locally near mineral industry operations using large quantities of water. Some is supplied from sources up to 44 miles distant. New water withdrawn by the State of Montana mineral industry is expected to increase from 36.5 billion gallons in 1963 to 51.1 billion gallons by the year 2000. The total-water requirement is expected to more than double, or reach 182 billion gallons by the year 2000.

Jan 1, 1966

By William N. Hale

This Bureau of Mines report gives a detailed study of water usage in the Montana mineral industries, along with projections for the future. The mineral industry of Montana in 1963 used 36.5 billion gallons of new water, and reused or recirculated an additional 53.5 billion gallons for a total water requirement or usage of 90 billion gallons. The petroleum industry was the major water user, followed by the copper and zinc industries. Many mineral industry operators provide their own water, and new water is withdrawn largely from surface sources. At present, sufficient water is available in rivers, streams, and reservoirs in Montana; however, shortages do exist locally near mineral industry operations using large quantities of water. Some is supplied from sources up to 44 miles distant. New water withdrawn by the State of Montana mineral industry is expected to increase from 36.5 billion gallons in 1963 to 51.1 billion gallons by the year 2000. The total-water requirement is expected to more than double, or reach 182 billion gallons by the year 2000.

Jan 1, 1966