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By Arthur L. Crawford, R. E. Head, Fred E. Thackwell, A. Lee Christensen

"The data in this report are the result of a detailed, microscopic study of composite samples of mill products collected over a 14 day period. The samples were collected and assembled under the direction of W. R. Lindsay, superintendent of the Anyox plant, and are fairly representative of the heads, middlings, tailings, and products peculiar to the scheme of concentration practiced at Anyox in 1930.The work was done in the Cooperative Microscopic Laboratory at Salt Lake City, Utah. This laboratory was equipped by the mine and mill operators of the Salt Lake Valley and functioned under a cooperative agreement between the United States Bureau of Mines the University of Utah. This is the fourth of a series of papers 6/ dealing with a microscopic study of mill products."

Oct 1, 1935

By W. B. Berwald

[Accurate ~cusirc::ie t of euusu.rface r,resw rus £Uld tee:: ?er:~t:,res in producin+ oil and as wells is one of tine ast iy,ulortant steps ever t,.s:en to place the rprwctice of retroleum ,-iroduction on an exact scientific basis. i'reerures and teial.or-tures in a -petrolcuia r4:, rvoir. have a rn..r..ed influence over the o:wvement of oil and ~c s both within the. reservoir and t~:rou,=Ii the various-size "flow otrin;;u" of proLucin,; wells to tine surface. Knovrled: ?c of theso fc,.ctgrs form a Laois for cny attei:ant to [.,-~ly eciantific j:cthods to the solution or analysio of mc.nj proble;ae encountered in the production of oil and 1c_c, Without a.ccur:tc mcaaurx,ients of reosures r:.nd tcn::paratuxes within the rocervoit and -well 'flo-,r strinL:s" tae aI,licution of w.ny proved enbinecrin and scientific princiy-,loo is on %,]

Jan 1, 1935

By R. S. Dean

The function of the Metallurgical Division is to conduct investigations relating to the treatment of mineral products from the state in which they are mined to the refined metal or other unfabricated product. These investigations include scientific and practical studies of ore dressing, covering the crushing and grinding of ores, separation by gravity, flotation. and magnetic methods; the hydrometallurgical treatment of ores, including cyanidation and amalgamation of the precious metals; the smelting and refining of copper, lead, and zinc, as well as the rare metals; and steel-melting practices from the raw ore to the finished steel. The object of this work is to conserve natural resources and eliminate waste by furnishing information on current methods of metallurgical practice. making fundamental studies of metallurgical processes, and developing new processes to the point of demonstrating their practicability. The Division is made up of sections devoted to the several phases of this work, each section being headed by an investigator capable of supervising his particular work. The work is carried on at the experiment stations and field offices or in the field, whichever seems best suited for the work in hand. The following, projects should be mentioned as particularly outstanding among those consummated successfully during the year: 1. Application of the type of chemicals known in the textile industry as wetting-out agents to flotation and agglomeration of ores, particulary soluble salts such as sodium and potassium chloride which must be treated in saturated brine. 2. Demonstration or a linear relation between surface and coercive force in magnetic minerals and Its application to magnetic separation and to the determination of grinding efficiencies and other metallurgical data which require surface determination at very fine sizes. 3. Pilot-plant demonstration of the practicability of the reduction of iron ore by natural gas and conversion of this direct iron into steel by direct melting and by forging and rolling before melting. The structure and properties of the iron so produced were studied in detail. This report covers the fiscal year July 1. 1934, to June 30, 1935.

Jan 1, 1936

By R. S. Dean

The function of the Metallurgical Division is to conduct investigations relating to the treatment of mineral products from the state in which they are mined to the refined metal or other unfabricated product. These investigations include scientific and practical studies of ore dressing, covering the crushing and grinding of ores, separation by gravity, flotation, and magnetic methods; the hydrometallurgical treatment of ores, including cyanidation and amalgamation of the precious metals; the smelting and refining of copper, lead, and zinc, as well as the rare metals; and steel-melting practices from the raw ore to the finished steel. The object of this work is to conserve natural resources and eliminate waste by furnishing information on current methods of metallurgical practice, making fundamental studies of metallurgical processes, and developing new processes to the point of demonstrating their practicability. The Division is made up of sections devoted to the several phases of this work, each section being beaded by an investigator capable of supervising his particular work. The work is carried on at the experiment stations and field offices or in the field, whichever seems test suited for the work in hand. The following projects should be mentioned as particularly outstanding among those consummated successfully during the year: 1. Application of the type of chemicals known in the textile industry as wetting-out agents to flotation and agglomeration of ores, particulary soluble salts such as sodium and potassium chloride which must be treated in saturated brine. 2. Demonstration of a linear relation between surface and coercive force in magnetic minerals and its application to magnetic separation and to the determination of grinding efficiencies and other metallurgical data which require surface determination at very fine sizes. 3. Pilot-plant demonstration of the practicability of the reduction of iron ore by natural gas and conversion of this direct iron into steel by direct melting and by forging and rolling before melting. The structure and properties of the iron so produced were studied in detail. This report covers the fiscal year July 1, 1934, to June 30, 193b.

Jan 1, 1936

By W. W. Adams, T. D. Lawrence, D. R. White

"This paper presents the results of the eleventh yearly accident-prevention contest, the National Safety Competition of 1935, conducted by the United States Bureau of Mines. Participating in the competition were 336 mines and Quarries in 37 States. Five mining or quarrying companies, each the leader in its group for having established the best safety record during the year, were awarded the national safety trophies 'Sentinels of Safety.Since these annual contests were begun 11 years ago the scope of the competition has been broadened materially, both as to the number of plants participating and as to the number of man-hours of exposure to accident hazards. Moreover, marked progress in the pre¬vention of accidents has been achieved, as is indicated by an almost constant downward course in the accident-frequency rates for the contest group as a whole during the past 11 years. On the other hand, the accident-severity rates for the group showed an upward trend during the first part of the period and a downward trend during the latter part, except in 1930 and 1934, when two disastrous explosions occurred with heavy loss of life, and in 1935, when there was an increase in the number of fatalities although no major disasters occurred. The accident rate for 1935, both as to frequency and severity, was higher than for 1934.The National Safety Competition is conducted by the Bureau of Mines in the interest of safety in the mining and quarrying industries. This object is accomplished directly through the efforts of the competing companies and their employees to win first place in the competition and thereupon receive well-merited and national recognition for their achievement. Indirectly the purpose of the contest is accomplished through studies by the Bureau of Mines of the fasts contained in the accident reports which the competing companies furnish to enable the Bureau to compute the accident rates that are the basis for determining the winners of the contest.The statistics that constitute the basis for determining the winning companies and the relative standing of all companies are prepared uniformly without regard to the States in which the companies operate, or to differences in classes of accidents covered by State laws relating to compensation for injuries resulting from industrial accidents."

Jul 1, 1936

By C. J. Wilhelm

The Bureau of Mines, under its cooperative agreement with the Kansas State Board of Health, has been conducting a study of the various methods of oil-field brine disposal in the oil fields of Kansas. A previous report5/dealt with this problem in the Ritz-Canton field, McPherson County, Kans. A preliminary survey of the Arkansas River drainage area in western Kansas was made during November and December 1934 and January 1935, and a second survey was made approximately one year later during the months of December 1935 and January and March 1936. In addition to the data on the production of oil and 'brine in the various fields and the methods used for handling the brine, the surface drainage and character of the surface soil in the various oil-producing areas were studied.

Jan 1, 1936

By George S. Rice

In response to numerous requests for information as to the status of internal-combustion mine locomotives of the Diesel type that use heavy or nonvolatile oil for fuel, with special reference to their safe use in coal mines, the United States Bureau of Mines is issuing this t port. Data were obtained on application of such locomotives to coal mining only in Belgium, France, Germany, and Great Britain. The locomotives are used in coal mining in other countries, as well as in potash, iron, and other kinds of mining, but their chief development has been in coal mining in Germany, France, and Belgium. Recently popular interest in the Diesel type of engine for motive purposes was aroused in this country by the successful application of Diesel engines to railroad locomotives hauling fast transcontinental trains, and, according to published statements, at a low cost of fuel per mile of run.

Jan 1, 1936

By George S. Rice

In response to numerous requests for information as to the status of internal-combustion mine locomotives of the Diesel type that use heavy or non- volatile oil for fuel, with special reference to their safe use in coal mines, the United States Bureau of Mines is issuing this report. Data mere obtained, on application of such locomotives to cod mining only in Belgium, France, Germany, and Great Britain. The locomotives are used in coal mining in other countries, as well as in potash, iron, and other kinds of mining, but their chief development has been in coal mining in Germany, France, and Belgium. Recently popular interest in the Diesel type of engine for motive purposes was aroused in this country by the successful application of Diesel engines to railroad locomotives hauling fast transcontinental trains, and, according to published statements, at a low cost of fuel per mile of run.

Jan 1, 1936

By J. Koster

In the western United States occurs deposits of low-grade chromite which, when concentrated, may be reduced to ferrochromiun in electric furnaces that derive energy from dams and hydro plants now in course of construction. Montana ore was chosen for the experiments. A 1-ton sample contained 26 percent Cr203, 17 percent Fed, and 17 percent SiO2, plus other constituents, and the concentrates therefrom assayed 44 -percent Cr203, 23 percent FeO, and 0,79 per cent SiO2, Gravity concentration was found to be the best method. Ferrochromiums are of two grades - high-carbon with 66 to 70 percent chromium and 4-112 to 6 percent carbon and low-carbor with 67 to 72 percent chromium and 0.6 to 2 percent carbon. Both are made in electric furnaces that use anthracite as a reducer and suit-able fluxes. The concentrates mentioned mere smelted under different conditions, and it was concluded that domestic ore could be reduced with anthracite to produce a ferrochromium of S to 10 percent carbon content at yields of 90 percent without re-treating the slag. This carbon may be lowered to required proportion with calcium and silicon, but the former requires a great excess and the latter leaves an alloy high in silicon. INTRODUCTION Chromite occurs in several regions of the United States, but the known deposits of this mineral have not been large enough or high grade enough to permit them to compete under normal conditions with imported ores. There are numerous deposits of chrome ore along the West coast. These are generally conceded to be relatively small, although some were worked during the World War. There are some indications of a revival of interest in California chromites. Montana contains large chromite deposits in Stillwater and Sweetgrass Counties. The utilization of chromite for ferrochromium and. the manufacture of stainless steels is distinctly an electrometallurgical problem; consequently, a study of methods for treatment of chromite might pave the way for the establishment of new electrometallurgical industries in the Western States. This thought is supported by the cheap power that is soon to become available from the western dams, Farther, submarginal domestic chrome deposits might thus be turned into profitable producers.

Jan 1, 1936

By J. Koster

In the western United States occurs deposits of low-grade chromite which, when concentrated, may be reduced to ferrochromiun in electric furnaces that derive energy from dams and hydro plants now in course of construction. Montana ore was chosen for the experiments. A 1-ton sample contained 26 percent Cr203, 17 percent Fed, and 17 percent SiO2, plus other constituents, and the concentrates therefrom assayed 44 -percent Cr203, 23 percent FeO, and 0.79 per cent SiO2, Gravity concentration was found to be the best method. Ferrochromiums are of two grades - high-carbon with 66 to 70 percent chromium and 4-112 to 6 percent carbon and low-carbor with 67 to 72 percent chromium and 0.6 to 2 percent carbon. Both are made in electric furnaces that use anthracite as a reducer and suit-able fluxes. The concentrates mentioned mere smelted under different conditions, and it was concluded that domestic ore could be reduced with anthracite to produce a ferrochromium of S to 10 percent carbon content at yields of 90 percent without retreating the slag. This carbon may be lowered to required proportion with calcium and silicon, but the former requires a great excess and the latter leaves an alloy high in silicon. INTRODUCTION Chromite occurs in several regions of the United States, but the known deposits of this mineral have not been large enough or high grade enough to permit them to compete under normal conditions with imported ores. There are numerous deposits of chrome ore along the West coast. These are generally conceded to be relatively small, although some -were worked during the World War. There are some indications of a revival of interest in California chromites. Montana contains large chromite deposits in Stillwater and Sweetgrass Counties. The utilization of chromite for ferrochromium and. the manufacture of stainless steels is distinctly an electrometallurgical problem; consequently, a study of methods for treatment of chromite might pave the way for the establishment of new electrometallurgical industries in the Western States. This thought is supported by the cheap power that is soon to become available from the western dams. Farther, submarginal domestic chrome deposits might thus be turned into profitable producers.

Jan 1, 1936

By C. W. Davis

During the fiscal year 1935-36, the Ore-Testing Section has been active in carrying out a program designed to attain the objectives that have been set up for it. For the purpose of standardizing important testing methods, an attempt has been made to develop a rationalized scheme for ore testing, starting with preliminary investigations to determine the physical and chemical properties of the ore, following this with a logical selection and trial of processing tests to find out how the ore may be most effectively treated, and concluding with a discussion of what interpretation may be placed on the results in terms of plant design and operation. A selection of procedures that appear well-suited to the ore-dressing problems under investigation is included in the following paper of this report so that other experimenters may be enabled to verify our findings and to offer criticisms and suggestions for improving our practice. A tentative scheme for the evaluation of flotation reagents is being investigated, and some progress has been made in a study to determine the significance of small-scale testing. These projects have required 899 analyses. Papers on these and others on ore testing, such as testing for amalgamation and for cyanidation, will be included in future annual reports.

Jan 1, 1937

By C. W. Davis

During the fiscal year 1935-36, the Ore-Testing Section has been active in carrying out a program designed to attain the objectives that have been set up for it. For the Purpose of standardizing important testing methods, an attempt has been made to develop a rationalized scheme for ore testing, starting with preliminary investigations to determine the physical and chemical properties of the ore, following this with a logical selection and trial of processing tests to find out how the ore may be most effectively treated, and concluding with a discussion of what interpretation may be placed on the results in terms of plant design and operation. A selection of Procedures that appear well-suited to the ore-dressing problems under investigation is included in the following paper of this report so that other experimenters may be enabled to verify our findings and to offer criticisms and suggestions for improving our practice. A tentative scheme for the evaluation of flotation reagents is being investigated, and some progress has been made in a study to determine the significance of small-scale testing. These projects have required 899 analyses. Papers on these and others on ore testing, such as testing for amalgamation and for cyanidation, will be included in future annual reports.

Jan 1, 1937

By H. W. Davis, Richard J. Lund

"In presenting the results of this survey on consumption of ferrous scrap and pig iron for the year 1935 the Bureau of Mines, responding to requests from industry, seeks to fill a major gap that has long existed in the field of metalliferous raw-material statistics. This type of information is designed to meet the needs of: (1) Consumers of ferrous scrap. including operators of blast furnaces, steel mills, ferrous foundries, and rolling mills; (2) marketers of scrap iron and steel, including large brokers who sell, and dealers who collect, prepare, and sell the material; (3) large scrap producers; (4) producers of iron ore, with which scrap competes indirectly; and (5) other individuals and agencies interested in more general economic analysis, since the scrap market has repeatedly been cited as one of the most sensitive of all industrial barometers, If the survey prover as useful as now seems probable, it will be continued annually with possibly an enlarged scope of treatment.The Bureau appreciates that its first efforts in this field may not meet all expectations: but it hopes to develop gradually, through suggestions, advice, and criticism from the industrial groups most interested, a type of analysis that will accord closely with technical processes and best meet the needs of all groups vitally interested in supplies and use of ferrous scrap. Constructive criticism and suggestions from industry regarding improvements to be desired in the conduct of future surveys on this subject will therefore be warmly received by the Bureau."

Nov 1, 1936

By H. B. Hill

Virtually from the date of its discovery in December 1928 the Oklahoma City oil and gas field, Oklahoma County, Okla., has attracted national and international attention. The history of the field has been associated closely with rules and regulations pertaining to production control and proration practices. Early development was rapid, and Oklahoma City soon attained the distinction of being the first major field in which the producing wells were over a mile in depth. Before the structural features of the reservoir had been disclosed every outpost well was considered a "wildcat", so complex appeared the underground geology, The wells not only were deep and the reservoir pressures high, but the production from the early wells was a high A.P.I. gravity oil, accompanied by large volumes of gas. Several "blow-outs" and fired occurred during the early development, and the close proximity of these now unusual events to a large city gave the field much publicity, both local and national. Later, when its production threatened to demoralize the market for oil and its products, the Oklahoma City field again attracted wide publicity. The then little understood geology of the underground reservoir and the diversity of ownership of the land overlying the producing structure made orderly development and production difficult to enforce. Proration was enforced with difficulty., and the, rate of production from the field continued to increase until, on August 4, 1931, martial law was declared in all prorated fields of the State, and most of the wells in the Oklahoma City field wore shut n. On October 9, 1931, permission was granted t o reopen and prod e the wells in the Oklahoma City field. The order permitting production of the wells provided that during the period beginning October 10 and extending to October 20, 1931, all wells in the field that hid not produced more oil than specified under the earlier proration orders and that had been shut in for the required 55-day period were permitted to produce 5 percent of their last potential during that 10-day period. On November 7, 1931, the Corporation Commission of Oklahoma issued an order which divided the Oklahoma City field into the Wilcox, Arbuckle, and Lower Simpson zones for proration purposes. Wells producing from the Wilcox zone were allowed to produce 4 1/2 percent of their potential5/ from November 1, 1931, to January 1, 1932; Arbuckle limestone wells were allowed to produce 250 barrels of oil daily; and Simpson sandstone wells which had a potential of over 2,000 barrels per day or which made 3 percent or more water were allowed to produce 200 barrels of oil per day.

Jan 1, 1937

By H. B. Hill

Virtually from the date of its discovery in December 1928 the Oklahoma City oil and gas field, Oklahoma County, Okla., has attracted national and international attention. The history of the field has been associated closely with rules and regulations pertaining to production control and proration practices. Early development was rapid, and Oklahoma City soon attained the distinction of being the first major field in which the producing wells were over a mile in depth. Before the structural features of the reservoir had been disclosed every outpost well was considered a "wildcat", so complex appeared the underground geology. The wells not only were deep and the reservoir pressures high, but the production from the early wells was a high A.P.I. gravity oil, accompanied by large volumes of gas. Several "blow-outs" and fired occurred during the early development, and the close proximity of these now unusual events to a large city gave the field much publicity, both local and national. Later, when its production threatened to demoralize the market for oil and its products, the Oklahoma. City field again attracted wide publicity. The then little understood geology of the underground reservoir and the diversity of ownership of the land overlying the producing structure made orderly development and production difficult to enforce. Proration was enforced with difficulty, and the rate of production from the field continued to increase until, on August 4, 1931, martial law was declared in all prorated fields of the State, and most of the wells in the Oklahoma City field wore shut in. On October 9, 1931, permission was granted to reopen and produce the wells in the Oklahoma City field. The order permitting production of the wells provided that during the period beginning October 10 and extending to October 20, 1931, all wells in the field that had not produced more oil than specified under the earlier proration orders and that had been shut in for the required 65-day period were permitted to produce 5 percent of their last potential during that 10-day period.

Jan 1, 1936

By Dean. R. S.

The work of the copper metallurgy section during the year was devoted to laboratory studies of sulphur recovery from smelter smoke and combination smelting of copper and manganese. Both of these subjects were new this year. Combination Smelting of Copper and Manganese According to published work, the affinity of manganese for sulphur is greater than that of iron for sulphur, so that if a suitable mixture of com-pounds of iron, copper, and manganese be smelted to form a matte and slag, manganese should concentrate in the matte, together with copper.

Jan 1, 1937

By R. S. Dean

This report, the second of a series of annual reports of the Metallurgical Division to be released in this form covers the fiscal year July 1, 1935, to June 30, 1936. The technological work of the division is performed by sections. Thus, an efficient organization is provided to prosecute the various problems under investigation, and a logical system is set up for presenting the material contained in this report.

Jan 1, 1937

By R. S. Dean

In an earlier paper Dean and Hersberger5/ gave preliminary results a d discussed briefly the use in flotation of organic reagents of the type known in the textile industry as "wetting agents.? These reagents are those with a molecular structure comprising a long hydrocarbon chain attached to a. highly molar or hydrophile group in such manner that ionization is nearly complete in dilute solution and the resultant ionic grouping has a very considerable hydrophile-lipophile unbalance in the structure. As a result of this characteristic structure these reagents are more or less powerful frothers and emulsifiers. Ten the degree of bydrophile-lipaphile unbalance is sufficiently great and specific chemical factors are absent these compounds behave in flotation as noncollecting frothers insensitive to reasonable changes of pH.

Jan 1, 1937

By R. S. Dean

In an earlier paper Dean and Hersberger5/ gave preliminary results a d discussed briefly the use in flotation of organic reagents of the type known in the textile industry as "wetting agents.? These reagents are those with a molecular structure comprising a long hydrocarbon chain attached to a. highly molar or hydrorhile group in such manner that ionization is nearly complete in dilute solution and the resultant ionic grouping has a very considerable hydrophile-lipophile unbalance in the structure. As a result of this characteristic structure these reagents are more or less powerful frothers and emulsifiers. Ten the degree of hydrophile-lipaphile unbalance is sufficiently great and specific chemical factors are absent these compounds behave in flotation as noncollecting frothers insensitive to reason¬able changes of pH.

Jan 1, 1937

By G. L. Oldright, Virgil Miller, F. K. Shelton, Keck. W. E., Horst Sieg

Potash is one of the principal foods and is necessary for the growth of most vegetables, grains, and fruits. For many years, this country depended entirely upon foreign sources for its supply of potassium compounds. However, during the last 15 years the domestic production of potash has gradually increased, as shown in table 1. 7/ Imports now supply only half of the American market. In 1936, the equivalent of 207,000 tons of K20 was imported, and 210,000 tons was produced domestically. In 1935, domestic consumption was approximately 420,000 tons of potash, a 57 percent increase over that for 1934 and surpassing previous peaks of 1928 and 1930.

Jun 1, 1937