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By J. R. White, S. W. Lambert, C. M. McCulloch

Examination of several coalbeds in Walker County, Ala., Cambria, Greene, and Fayette Counties, Pa., and Raleigh and Wyoming Counties, W. Va., indicates that cleat orientations are similar throughout a vertical sequence of strata. Studies of cleat orientation were carried out in underground mines that are operating in separate coalbeds vertically above one another. The data show that over a vertical separation of 100 to 400 feet, the average difference in coal cleat orientation between mines is 04° for the face and 08" for the butt cleat. Variations of coal cleat direction between coalbeds examined in strip-mined areas show similar values. Cleat orientations measured at outcrops agree well with the directions measured underground, suggesting that the amount of vertical separation between coalbeds has little effect on the resulting differences in cleat directions. The largest variation of cleat directions between adjacent coalbeds occurs where a large horizontal distance separates two sample locations. Cleat orientations for deeper coalbeds are most reliable where the data are taken from directly above.

Jan 1, 1976

By A. D. Bauer

For several years the Bureau of Mines has conducted surveys to determine the changes in motor gasoline being sold throughout the United States. The present survey shows that far the districts in which samples were collected, the average gasoline is becoming more volatile instead of less so, as is sometimes supposed. This year's gasoline is much more volatile than that sold two years ago, and it has a somewhat better distillation range than last summer's samples. A comparison of the average figures for several years, shows that motor gasoline is also becoming more uniform in character. The large seasonal change is disappearing, but ?winter gasoline', still has a lower initial boiling point than "scanner gasoline". This difference in volatility is made intentionally to facilitate starting the motor in cold weather. The end point shown in the present survey is slightly lower either than that of last winter or of the summer of 1921.

Jan 1, 1922

By G. Huang, S. Vytla

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a continually developing numerical technique by which complex fluid flow problems can be solved on computers. To be able to transfer CFD expertise to analyze and design a face-ventilation system, a comprehensive validation study of current CFD tools against mining-related benchmark experiments is required. In the last four years, such studies, funded by National In¬stitute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under Grant #R01 CCR415822, were conducted in the Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Kentucky. A wide array of ventilation schemes and mining configurations were considered. Recently, an additional study was performed in cooperation with the NIOSH Pittsburgh Research Laboratory. This study was dedicated to the methane behavior in the empty (containing no equipment) face area with a blowing curtain and a 10. 7-m (35-ft) setback. In this paper, the authors present and discuss the computer-simulation data and compare them with data collected during the laboratory studies at the NIOSH lab.

By M. M. Wong

Beryllium possesses attractive properties for use in the nuclear and space fields. Since fused-salt electrorefining can be employed to produce this metal in high-purity form from low-grade or scrap metals, the Bureau of Mines investigated electrorefining of beryllium in electrolytes composed of a LiC1-KC1 eutectic mixture plus varying amounts of BeC12. Results showed a 99- percent or better reduction of oxygen and magnesium and a substantial reduction of other minor metallic impurities. Extremely pure beryllium metal was produced. Operating variables, including BeCl2 concentration in the bath (3.5 to 16.5 mole-percent), temperature of operation (450° to 550° C.), and cathode current density (45 to 770 a,/sq, ft.), were studied; their effects on the deposition of metal, working condition of the bath, and purity of the refined metal are discussed. The safety precautions used in handling beryllium in the laboratory are also described.

Jan 1, 1962

By Charles L. Kimbell

This study summarizes and amalgamates much information collected, compiled, and utilized by the Bureau of Mines numerous country specialists and branch chiefs for inclusion in their country and regional reports that comprise the five other volumes of the international studies of the Minerals Yearbook. Because of the plethora of sources used in preparing these regional studies, it is impossible to cite all sources of information used in preparing this summary, but some recognition seems due. Generally speaking, the preparation of this study, and its related detailed studies on countries and areas, would be impossible without the efforts of the personnel of our counterpart agencies throughout the world. Information that they collect, compile, and then publish, either in their own volumes or in publications of central statistical agencies in their countries, are the foundations upon which this work rests. Thus, we must begin by expressing our appreciation to the multitude of persons employed by these agencies for their contributions.

Jan 1, 1992

By Walter K. Utt

The process of drilling and bolting the roof is currently one of the most dangerous jobs in underground mining, resulting in about 1,000 accidents with injuries each year in the United States. To increase the safety of underground miners, researchers froth the Spokane Research Laboratory of- the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health are applying neural network technology to rite classification of mine roof strata in terms of relative strength. In this project, the feasibility of using a monitoring system on a roof drill to assess the integrity of a mine roof and warn a roof drill operator when a weak layer is encountered is being studied. Using measurements taken while a layer is being drilled, one can convert the data to suitably scaled features and classify the strength of the layer with a neural network. The feasibility of using a drill monitoring system to estimate the strength of successive layers of rock was demonstrated in the laboratory.

By C. H. Riggs

This report describes the development, oil recovery, and potentialities of productive formations in the Hall-Gurney field, Russell County, Kans. It is presented as part of a general program to aid and promote increased recovery from petroleum reservoirs. The report is based on studies of well logs, drill cuttings, and oil-and water-production histories of individual wells and leases. The geological interpretations follow closely those in published literature with only slight local modifications. Oil and water analyses, made at a Bureau of Mines research center, were supplemented by many analyses obtained from oil-producing and service companies. The Hall-Gurney field, in south central Russell County, Kans., (fig. 1) was discovered in 1931 but was not developed extensively until 1941. By 1960 the rate of oil production from the field had declined to the extent that many wells were abandoned. In some areas natural productive forces have effected good recovery. However, in other areas inefficient waterflooding, both natural and accidental, has adversely affected recovery potentialities.

Jan 1, 1963

By Raja V. Ramani

The potential usefulness of reclaimed surface-mined land has received much attention recently. In an effort to develop a procedure for evaluating postmining land use potentials, specific mines in various regions of the U.S. were studied to determine the extent of current mined-land planning and to discover characteristics that are regional in nature. As part of this investigation, the Chinook Mine-West Field, located in western Indiana, has been studied. The Chinook Mine is presently operated by AMAX Coal Company and has been in continuous operation since 1928 under various ownership. The status of current reclamation and land use planning was reviewed. In addition, site planning principles were applied to the active mine area. This application included formation of a data base and development of postmining land use plan alternatives. Key factors affecting site potential realization for midwestern area mines have been identified along with suggestions for applying land use planning processes to mined-land planning.

Jan 1, 1983

By M. M. Fine

This report describes a Bureau of Mines technical feasibility study of simultaneous reduction and induration of pelletized iron ore to make a product with superior qualities as blast-furnace feed. Highly reduced, physically competent pellets can be made from magnetite and specularite concentrates that contain small additions of bentonite as binder. In batch tests, pellets were dried, surrounded with solid fuel in crucibles, and heated to the reducing temperature. Total iron content of the best products was higher than 80 percent and crushing strength of 1/2-inch metallized pellets ranged up to 600 pounds or more. Comparative tests of several commercial oxide pellets showed a wide range in crushing strengths, but most values were less than 350 pounds. Continuous tests in a rotary kiln resulted in the same degree of reduction, but the pellets had lower crushing strengths because of the limitations in the maximum operating temperature of the small kiln.

Jan 1, 1962

By Charles B. Kenahan

Application of ultrasonics in the electrolytic deposition of metallic manganese and manganese dioxide from sulfate electrolytes had several effects. Ultrasonics produced finer-grained deposits of electrolytic manganese at all current densities than obtained in normal cell operation, but at high current densities it resulted in less adherent deposits. Ultrasonic radiation did not affect cell voltage or cathode current efficiency. In the electrodeposition of manganese dioxide at 70° C., ultrasonic-; increased the current efficiency and decreased the cell voltage at a current density of 9 amperes per square foot, but it had little effect at current densities above this. The decrease in cell voltage was caused by the depolarizing action of ultrasonics at both anode and cathode. Ultrasonic radiation produced a smooth, glossy, adherent, and pit-free deposit at all current densities and at each temperature. Radiation had no effect on current efficiency or cell voltage at 90° C. Ultrasonics was more effective than conventional agitation in producing all of these effects.

Jan 1, 1962

By W. Beckering

IN CHARACTERIZING tars obtained by the low-temperature carbonization or North Dakota lignite, infrared spectra have been an invaluable aid in both qualitative and quantitative examination. Quite early it became evident in the tar-research program of the Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, that the small number of published spectra available for hydroxy aromatics would be inadequate for comparative purposes when dealing with the wide range of compounds present in coal tar; therefore, compiling a catalog of spectra was initiated as a continuing part of the tar program. As these spectra should be valuable to other investigators in this and related fields, they are being presented in this report. This group or spectra (figs. 1-98) represent 97 compounds, largely phenolic materials. The major problem of this project has been the availability of materials for examination. Samples have been obtained from commercial and private laboratories or synthesized at the Bureau of Mines Lignite Experiment Station, Grand Forks, N. Dak.

Jan 1, 1959

By R. C. Annear

This report describes open, sublevel, and shrinkage stoping at the Greenwood mine, operated by Inland Steel-Co. The iron ore mine is in Marquette County, Mich., about 6 miles southwest of Ishpeming (fig. 1). The Greenwood is one of three active underground hard-ore mines on the Marquette range, the others being the Cliffs-Shaft and the Champion mines. The operation reflects an achievement in exploiting small, difficult-to-mine hard-ore bodies lying beneath a 200-foot overburden of glacial drift, which is partly water bearing. This report can indicate only briefly the efforts of personnel in overcoming adverse conditions in mining more than 2 million tons of ore, 80 percent of which was in lump form, for open-hearth production of steel. Significant data presented include descriptions of the principal mining methods employed, sublevel and shrinkage stoping; percent aged mining costs for the entire year 1957, covering both direct mining costs and general expenses; and performance records in units of labor, power, and supplies.

Jan 1, 1960

By R. E. Brown

The objective of this Bureau of Mines study was a laboratory-scale evaluation of the sodium sulfate refining process for removing copper from molten ferrous scrap. Maximum copper removal is achieved in carbon-saturated melts at 1,300° C. Low carbon concentrations and higher temperatures result in a less efficient copper removal and an increased sulfur concentration in the iron. Sodium sulfate refining significantly lowers the concentration of aluminum, manganese, and silicon; however, the copper removal efficiency is adversely affected by the presence of manganese and silicon. Compared with other reagents tested, sodium sulfide-forming slags were found to be the most suitable for both copper removal and sulfur control. The sulfur content of the refined iron was higher in tests conducted in acid-type refractory crucibles. Earlier studies showed that tin, a significant metallurgical impurity, is not removed by the sulfate process. During the present investigation, results showed that chlorination, using organic solid sources of chlorine, reduced the tin concentration to acceptable levels in molten iron.

Jan 1, 1975

By R. D. Leitch

The pollution of streams by acid mine drainage has become of great importance in the past few years in certain regions of the United States. Large quantities of acids are used in a discharged from other industries than mining, notably in tube, sheet, tin-plate and era hell inn works. These are usually less important then coal mines as a source of acid drainage, because of their more limited distribution throughout the States most affected by acid waters and their relatively smaller numbers. Streams are naturally alkaline and are, therefore, able to take care of rather large quantities of acid wastes, but when such enormous quantities as are often found in mining districts enter the streams, the natural alkalinity is quickly overcome. When a neutral or almost neutral condition has been reached, the further addition of a relatively slight quantity of acids will cause a great difference in the quality of the water.

Jan 1, 1926

By Milton B. Hall

This report discusses in detail laboratory and pilot-plant tests conducted from January 1951 until January 1955 at the Northwest Electrodevelopment Experiment Station of the Bureau of Mines, Albany, Oreg., on defluorination and recovery of evolved fluorine from phosphate rock. Results of use tests of defluorinated phosphate rock by cooperating agricultural colleges and the United States Department of Agriculture are also included. In 1954 the consumption of fluorspar, the only domestic fluorine-bearing mineral of commercial importance, was approximately 478,000 short tons; 245,000 tons was from domestic mines. The production of marketable phosphate rock in the same period was about 13,800,000 long tons. Of this total amount, approximately 15 percent was produced in the West. From the viewpoint of conservation and utilization of fluorine as a natural resource, it is interesting to note that the total estimated quantity of fluorine in domestically produced phosphate rock is more than double that present in domestically mined fluorspar.

Jan 1, 1958

By L. C. IlsLey, M. W. Means

The United States Bureau of Mines under provisions of Schedule 20 issues approvals covering complete operating units such as loading machines, room hoists, and storage-battery locomotives. Certain manufacturers design and build entire machines. Other manufacturers purchase a part or all of the electrical accessories from manufacturers of electrical equip- ment and assemble them, thereby making up a permissible unit. Before the assembler purchases electrical accessories for use in such contempla.ed units he may require certain information from the accessory manufacturer as to whether these par- ticular accessories are suitable for assembly in his proposed permissible outfit. In order to aid accessory manufacturers in marketing their product, a provision was incorporated in Schedule 20 whereby tests might be made on individual accessories and reports rendered as to the suitability of a given accessory for use in permissible assemblies. The section of Schedule 20 which permits this special work reads as follows:

Jan 1, 1932

By J. V. Batty, K. C. Dean, H. D. Snedden, W. J. Long

As a part of the investigation of strategic-mineral deposits in the United States under the Strategic Minerals Act, engineers of the Bureau of Mines examined and sampled numerous deposits of fluorite ore from Utah. From those deposits that warranted further investigation, samples were submitted to the Ore Dressing Section of the Salt Lake City Station for metallurgical testing. This paper gives data summarizing the results obtained from laboratory ore-dressing studies of the fluorite ores submitted. Test work was done on samples from four properties in the Washington Mining District, Beaver County; two properties in the Star Mining District, Beaver County; one property in the Wah Wah Mountains, Beaver County; and three properties in Tooele County, Utah. In general, the Washington District ores were found amenable to concentration by flotation for the production of acid-grade fluorspar. None of the other ores were beneficiated to acid-grade, but several were amenable to concentration for the production of metallurgical-grade fluorspar concentrates.

Dec 1, 1947

By J. V. Batty, K. C. Dean, H. D. Snedden, W. J. Long

As a part of the investigation of strategic-mineral deposits in the United States under the Strategic Minerals Act, engineers of the Bureau of Mines examined and sampled numerous deposits of fluorite ore from Utah. From those deposits that warranted further investigation, samples were submitted to the Ore Dressing Section of the Salt Lake City Station for metallurgical testing. This paper gives data summarizing the results obtained from laboratory ore-dressing studies of the fluorite ores submitted. Test work was done on samples from four properties in the Washington Mining District, Beaver County; two properties in the Star Mining District, Beaver County; one property in the Wah Wah Mountains, Beaver County; and three properties in Tooele County, Utah. In general, the Washington District ores were found amenable to concentration by flotation for the production of acid-grade fluorspar. None of the other ores were beneficiated to acid-grade, but several were amenable to concentration for the production of metallurgical-grade fluorspar concentrates.

Dec 1, 1947

By Thomas O. Glover

Cameroon's mineral industry continued to be dominated by crude petroleum, The economic development of the country depended on the production and export of crude on. Output was estimated to be 49 million barrels in 1985 compared with 56 million barrels in 1984 and 47 million barrels in 1988. The country's only refinery consumed approximately 12% of the daily production of crude oil while operating at slightly over 50% capacity. The refinery output, however, supplied the domestic need for motor fuel and heating oils. Cameroon's economic prospects were heavily dependent on the oil sector, which bad been responsible for the recent strong growth in the economy. The country consistently sought to avoid the problems associated with an overdependence on oil and followed a relatively broad-based development strategy, using oil revenues to sustain and encourage growth in other sectors. Approximately 75% of the gross domestic product (GDP) was attributed to the mineral industry in some form. GDP growth was approximately 6.5% during 1985.

Jan 1, 1987

By W. P. Yant

Public interest in atmospheric pollution by automobile exhaust gas and in the ventilation of vehicular tunnels makes it desirable to ascertain whether the use of modern automobile fuels is tending to change the amount and composition of the products of combustion. The Bureau of Mines, in cooperation with the Ethyl Gasoline corporation4, has completed a series of testis to determine whether any significant difference exists in the carbon monoxide content of the exhaust gas produced by an internal-combustion engine when its fuel is changed from straight gasoline to the same gasoline containing Ethyl fluid whose active ingredient is tetraethyl lead. In the tests data was sought relative to the composition and mount of the gas produced by ordinary comparatively low-compression motors as well as by higher-compression motors in which distinct detonation occurred with straight gasoline, but which operated without detonation when using the same gasoline containing tetraethyl lead.

Jan 1, 1929