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By F. N. Kissell, R. J. Bielicki

The Bureau of Mines found sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), released from a lecture bottle, to be an ideal gaseous tracer for studying mine ventilation systems. Air samples were collected in glass syringes and analyzed by electron-capture gas chromatography. In these studies, the lower limit of detection was about 1 part per billion by volume (ppb) of SF6 per part of air. Experiments conducted in a Pennsylvania limestone mine showed this technique useful in evaluating the effectiveness of auxiliary fans, measuring low flow velocities, probing the air circulating near a working face region where ventilation appeared to be poor, and estimating volumetric flow rates in airways of large cross-sectional area and having low flow velocities. This technique was also used in a western vein-type metal mine to measure the amount of return air being recirculated into the intake air due to leakage through old stoped areas.

Jan 1, 1974

By T. M. Barczak

Many of the support concepts currently used in the United States originated in South Africa. These products include the Hercules Crib1, Propsetter, MX Prop, Rocprop, and Spider Prop. Another recent development has been the introduction of hydraulic prestressing units, such as the Jackpot system, to various U.S. standing support systems. Several other prop-type supports with similarities to systems used in South Africa are in use in U.S. coal mines. Some exciting new developments that improve the installation and yield performance of props are also underway. In addition to prop-type supports, crib-type supports and single-unit systems such as the Can support are also frequently utilized in longwall tailgates in the U.S. The goal in U.S. support development is to enhance roof support capability while alleviating material handling barriers to reduce injuries associated with support handling and installation. Support products are generally full-scale tested at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in the unique Mine Roof Simulator load frame. The performance testing protocol is designed to simulate the full range of load conditions that occur in underground mining to identify the performance deficiencies and limitations of the support products. Once the products complete the performance evaluation, they are implemented into the NIOSH Support Technology Optimization Program (STOP). STOP is a window’s based software program that was developed by NIOSH for facilitating the design of standing roof support systems. STOP has become an industry standard to compare the performance capabilities and facilitate the application of these support products into various mining conditions. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the support design and application philosophy in the United States.

By E. R. Bauer

The U.S. Bureau of Mines is investigating strata interactions associated with mining of multiple coal beds to provide the mining industry with improved methods of planning and developing multiple coalbeds, conserving resources, and increasing the safety of underground coal mining. This study involves analytical predictions and underground observations of longwall development ground control problems at a south-central Pennsylvania coal mine affected by subsidence induced by multiple-seam mining. As predicted, strata interactions were found in upper mine areas mined over lower mine gob. Observations revealed roof deterioration accompanied by excessive water inflows in the first 170 ft after crossing the gob line as mining entered and exited the subsided area (over the lower mine gob). In contrast, superimposed mine areas and areas mined a substantial distance out over the gob showed no signs of interaction with previous lower seam mining, again as predicted.

Jan 1, 2010

By George S. Rice

There have appeared, from time to time, comparisons of various features of coal mining practice in the United States and Great Britain. A recent, article, appearing in a British journal, points out that the American miner produces 3 1/2 times as much coal per shift as the miner, at one-half the cost, and proceeds to explain the natural industrial, and engineering causes which lead to this result. Amon« he reasons advanced. is that the American coal miner enjoys the advantage of more easily worked seams of coal, due to the fact that the coal mining industry in the United States is of more recent date than in Great Britain. The latter qualification is not correct, because where these advantages exist, they will persist. The coal beds of the United States are not buried deeply, except in the remote parts of the country, as in the Uinta Basin of Utah. The article referred to states that many of our miners are still employed on out seams reached by "adits", (which we term entries), or by vertical shafts of moderate depth. It is probable in fact that the great bulk of the coal of the United States is taken out from a depth of less than 400 feet.

Mar 1, 1920

By David Hoadley, Kenneth R. Maser, Ashok B. Boghani, James E. Billar, D. Randolph Berry, Mackenzie Burnett, Robert H. Trent

B 2 Program Use Instructions necessary to execute the program, after the card deck has been prepared, are summarized in the following. B 2. 1 Input Data Format Input data is supplied to the program in two ways a. By data cards that are read in after program compilation. b. By data specifications that are included within the program.

Jan 1, 1976

By M. R. Geer

The washability examination of a coal establishes the quality of the product that could be prepared by mechanical cleaning, shows how much impurity would have to be eliminated to attain a particular quality of product, indicates what type of cleaning process would be suitable, and tells whether the coal could be cleaned efficiently, The coal-preparation laboratories of the Bureau of Mines make washability examinations of coal for a variety of purposes. Sometimes these examinations are made as an integral part of research conducted on coal-washing problems. Occasionally they are made on coals mined on Government-owned land or on coals destined for use in Government installations. Often they are made on coals from new fields or new beds in existing fields to help establish the characteristics of the Nation's coal reserves. Whatever the original reason for doing the work, the results often are useful later in evaluating deposits or in the design of cleaning plants. Publication of the results of such studies provides for the widest possible usefulness. This report brings together the results of washability examinations made on 1 coal each from Oregon and Idaho, 2 from Wyoming, 5 from Utah, and 11 from Washington. Material of this nature is inherently difficult to summarize. Some of the coals are so clean} despite full-scam mechanical mining, that they could not be improved materially by washing; others present some of the most difficult preparation problems found in the country.

Jan 1, 1961

By A. F. Colombo

Infrared spectroscopy employing attenuated total reflectance (ATR) techniques on thin films of dried gelatinized starch solution was used during Bureau of Mines research to determine the structural and impurity differences in starch products and to correlate these characteristics with the flotation response of a nonmagnetic taconite. All of the starch products evaluated gave spectrograms which were characteristic of the anhydroglucose monomer and its polymerization product. Distinct infrared absorption peaks caused by the protein molecule were observed and were used to classify the starches. Correlation of laboratory flotation of calcium-activated gangue from a Mesabi Range nonmagnetic taconite and infrared spectra produced from gelatinized starches showed that protein impurities and linear chain structure limited the effectiveness of starches as iron mineral depressants. Starch products having spectrograms similar to pure amylopectin were generally good depressants for iron oxides, were effective at about one-half the addition that was required for starches that gave infrared responses similar to pure amylose, and yielded acceptable iron concentrates containing 61.5 percent iron and 6.5 percent silica.

Jan 1, 1969

By M. J. Kovalik

The effects of the process variables on the production of chemical coke on a chain grate stoker, a type of traveling grate, were studied. Six bituminous coals, ranging in volatile matter from 16.7 to 43.8 percent, were successfully carbonized, yielding chemical coke with acceptable physical properties. The coke yields were dependent on the volatile-matter content of the coal. The air fuel ratio had the most marked effect on the yield and characteristics of the resultant coke, and the general furnace performance. Results can only be predicted; the actual yield and quality of coke obtained from any given coal can only be determined by actual tests using the optimum processing variables to obtain a coke with minimum volatile-matter content and to retain as much of the fixed carbon in the original coal as possible.

Jan 1, 1967

Improve the safety of mine workers by developing a means of forecasting impending roof falls in underground mines. Approach The Bureau of Mines, through in-house and contract research, has developed the Roof Fall Warning Device. This battery-operated, portable electronic system forecasts roof falls by detecting and interpreting high-frequency rock noise, The technology has shown potential for detecting stress-related failures in a variety of underground environments. How It Works All geologic materials produce high-frequency acoustic emissions when they encounter an increase in stress. These ultrasonic frequency range events ( >20kHz) are well above the audible range of human hearing, very small in amplitude and duration, and can only be detected with sophisticated electronic equipment.

Jan 1, 1990

By Edward Cogan

Equilibrium phase diagram studies of zirconium- rare earth metal alloys by the Bureau of Mines at its Albany Metallurgy Research Center prompted the development of a rapid gravimetric method for determining rare earths in zirconium in which the rare earths are absorbed from sulfuric acid solution of the alloy on a cation exchange resin . The sample in 10 percent H2SO4 is introduced into the column , the zirconium is eluted with 10 percent H2SO4 , and the rare earths are eluted with (NH4 )2SO4 solution and precipitated with NH4OH . A tracer technique was employed to determine the efficiency of the procedure . Y203 and europium 154 - 152 (Oak Ridge ) were added to 10 g of zirconium and taken through the entire procedure . Recovery averaged 97.6 percent on 0.002 μg europium in the rare earth fraction . Rare earths were determined in the range 0.10 to 90 percent .

Jan 1, 1964

By F. W. Hoertel

The effects of certain process variables on the grain size, grain type, and microhardness of vapor-deposited tungsten were established, and the near-optimum parameters and the efficacy for the vapor deposition process were determined. No significant change in the grain size or microstructure resulted from ultrasonic vibration of the substrate during deposition, from variations in the hydrogen (H2) to tungsten hexafluoride (WF6) ratio, or from small increases in reaction-chamber pressure. Near-optimum conditions were continuous deposition at atmospheric pressure, a deposition rate of 2-mils thickness/square inch of substrate area/hour, a temperature of 5500 C, and a hydrogen to WF6 ratio of 4:1. The addition, individually, of about 2 volume-percent of butane, 24 volume-percent of carbon dioxide, or 4 volume-percent of propane to the hydrogen and WF6 mixture produced deposits with the finest grain size for each gas. A corresponding increase in microhardness accompanied the decrease in grain size. The addition of gases did not alter the columnar microstructure found in vapor-deposited tungsten.

Jan 1, 1966

By Robert A. Jankowski

Through laboratory and underground studies, the Bureau of Mines has evaluated the use of passive barriers (dust shields) to help confine dust generated by longwall shearers to the face area. Laboratory studies focused first on selection of the optimum barrier design, which proved to be a simple, gobside barrier (made of conveyor belting), coupled with a headgate splitter arm, which was found necessary to prevent the dust cloud from entering the walkway at the headgate end of the shearer when cutting tail to head. Further laboratory testing was done to determine whether using passive barriers in combination with different water-spray dust-reduction methods, including the shearer-clearer system developed by the Bureau, would improve dust reduction over that from using the water sprays alone. It was found that the combination of gobs ide passive barriers plus the full shearer-clearer system was most effective, and surmised that this would be especially useful in thicker seams. However, underground testing revealed that the shearer-clearer system alone was 35 pct more effective in reducing dust contamination than when used with the gobside passive barriers, and far more effective than using passive barriers with a conventional water spray system. For such an effective system as the shearer-clearer; the reduction in avail-able space over the top of the machine actually impeded system performance; this was shom1 in both eastern and western mines. But when used with comparatively inefficient water spray systems, the passive barriers, used in combination with a headgate splitter arm, provide consider-able help in reducing dust levels in the walkway.

Jan 1, 1986

By L. E. Schultze

The Bureau of Mines operated a mineral recovery unit to recover metal values from post-flash geothermal brines from the Salton Sea known geothermal resource area as part of its research into the use of plentiful resources. The brine was available for metals recovery after its heat content had been used to generate electricity. The brine source was treated with lime to precipitate the contained iron, manganese, lead, and zinc before injection of the heat-depleted brine into the underground reservoir. Data are presented on the effects of process variables, such as rate and method of lime addition and air oxidation versus air exclusion. Variations in precipitation of metal values, composition of precipitates, effectiveness of slurry thickeners, and methods of treating the precipitates to recover metal values are discussed.

Jan 1, 1982

By C. D. Litton

Submicrometer particle concentrations and average particle sizes were monitored for four full-scale sealed coal fires in the multiple-entry section of the Bruceton Experimental Mine. The data from these tests indicate that there exists a very good correlation between the submicrometer particle concentrations and the maximum temperatures measured within the coalbed. As the maximum coalbed temperature decreases with time after sealing, the submicrometer particle concentrations show a corresponding reduction. This particle-temperature correlation is in sharp contrast to the gas concentration data obtained, for which essentially no correlation exists with the measured coal-bed temperatures. The results of these full-scale tests indicate that the measurement of submicrometer particle concentrations may be a more realistic approach to determining the status of underground sealed fire areas.

Jan 1, 1981

By R. Hogg

"Agglomeration processes and agglomerate characteristics are largely controlled by the forces of interaction between particles. The nature and typical magnitude of these interaction forces are evaluated relative to the external forces commonly present in agglomeration systems. The specific roles of the interaction forces in the various stages of agglomerate formation and growth and their effects on the integrity and mechanical strength of agglomerates are briefly reviewed. Because the interaction forces affect different aspects of agglomerate development in different ways, conflicting requirements can arise. Examples of such conflicts are given and used to demonstrate the importance of evaluating the effects of interaction forces etc., in the context of the overall agglomeration process and its ultimate objectives.INTRODUCTIONThe term agglomeration is generally used to refer to processes whereby discrete particles are caused, or allowed, to associate into clumps in which the individual particles retain their identity but are held together by relatively weak, usually physical forces. Various other designations are given to these processes, depending on the specific circumstances under which agglomeration occurs. The terms balling and pelletizing are often used to describe agglomeration in dry or semi-dry powders; coagulation and flocculation are used to refer to agglomeration of particles dispersed in fluids. Common to all of these cases is the fact that the formation, growth and integrity of the agglomerates depend primarily on the forces acting on and between particles. The same forces are, of course, responsible for manyaspects of the behavior of colloidal systems and their study and evaluation constitute the,basis for colloid and interface science.FORCES ACTING ON FINE PARTICLES AND AGGLOMERATES It is convenient to classify the forces acting on and between particles into two general types: external forces and interaction forces. It should he recognized, however, that a sharp distinction is not always possible.External Forces Gravity and inertial forces act on all particles and their magnitude is proportional to particle mass, i.e. they vary with the cube of particle size. Such forces are oftensignificant for large agglomerates but may be negligible for individual, fine particles.Hydrodynamic (""drag"") forces are important, for particles suspended in fluids. For very small particles, the drag force is directly proportional to size (Stokes' Law) while for very large particles or agglomerates it varies with approximately the square of size (Newton's Law). A useful procedure for estimating drag forces over a broad range of particle sizes and physical conditions has been given by Concha (1)."

Jan 1, 1989

By Lloyd A. Morley, Alan M. Christman

General Six open-pit metal mines, five copper and one molybdenum, were visited during the course of the research. Four were investigated twice, in summer and in winter, in order to determine the effects of seasonal variations In temperature and moisture upon the measured parameters, Permission to enter the fifth mine was received too late to make an examination during the summer months. The sixth mine was visited to confirm the results obtained from the other five and specifically, to observe how the project recommendations (as will be presented in this chapter) would apply to open-pit metal mines in general. Information gathered during the ten plant visits is sufficient to form an adequate data base for the report. A complete presentation of all field trip data is given in Appendix 1. Further, a detailed description of the electrical distribution and grounding practices at each mine is also contained there. Typical System. At a typical mine as shown schematically in Figure 62, one or more substations with resistance-grounded secondaries are employed to transform the incoming utility-voltage to the lower potential used by the mining machines, generally three-phase 4160 V. At this level, pit distribution is carried on overhead lines, supported by wooden poles, to supply switchhouses located in benches near the particular piece of equipment. A switchhouse is a small portable (often skid-mounted) structure at the termination of an overhead line which contains disconnect

Jan 1, 1976

By W. D. Bensema, J. W. Adams

A portable, multichannel battery-operated mine-permissible measurement system was developed to measure the rms magnetic-field noise spectrum in the frequency range from 100 Hz to 375 kHz. During each measurement, the entire spectrum is measured simultaneously through the use of time-domain recordings which are later analyzed by Fast Fourier Transform processing. Dynamic ranges of 60 dB in a 125 Hz bandwidth are obtained for spectra covering the range from 100 Hz to 100 kHz. The method also allows a three-dimensional display of the way spectrum occupancy changes with time. Calibration and correction procedures allow absolute field strength measurement with an uncertainty of not more than 3 dB. We feel that further analysis of the system errors will allow this uncertainty to be reduced to less than 1 dB. Ambient magnetic field noise spectra covering frequencies from 100 Hz to 100 kHz are given for several underground coal mine locations. Examples are also given of magnetic field noise on the surface above the mine, noise in the mine face area, noise radiated by specific equipment, the voltage spectrum found on a 600 V dc trolley wire, and noise picked up simultaneously on loops and on roof support bolts.

Jan 1, 1973

Provide an accurate, reliable means for determining when a sealed mine or mine section can be safely reopened after a fire. Approach The Bureau of Mines performed a research investigation that resulted in the development of a mathematical formula for deriving a quantity, called RATIO, which can be used to define when a sealed mine or mine section has returned to safe recovery conditions after a fire. Research Results There were two major results from this Bureau research. Over a period of several years, the Bureau of Mines conducted six experiments at its Bruceton Experimental Mine in Pennsylvania. The experiments involved sealing the mine after several tons of piled coal had been allowed to burn continuously for 2 to 3 days. Although gas data obtained during the experiments revealed nothing significant, measured smoke particle levels were found to correlate with the stages of combustion and temperatures of the smoldering coal pile. Moreover, it was found that no smoke particles are produced when high-temperature smoldering exists deep within the mass of the coal pile since the smoke particles are filtered by the coal surrounding the hot region. Smoke is emitted into the mine atmosphere only if combustion is occurring near exposed surfaces. As suggested by these findings, any decision to recover a sealed mine area based primarily upon the absence of smoke particles is not a wise derision.

Jan 1, 1988

Assure fail-safe stopping of a mining vehicle immediately following a loss of electric power. Approach A separate emergency brake system which actuates when electrical power is interrupted, was installed on several mining vehicles and tested in a long-term underground mining demonstration. How It Works Separate, spring-actuated brakes, which press against brake discs, are used to stop the vehicle following power failure. To allow norm al movement of the vehicle, hydraulic oil under pres? sure from the vehicle's hydraulic system is directed to a spring? loaded piston in each emergency brake housing. That pressure causes the piston to compress the spring and relieves the spring pressure against the puck, thereby allowing the brake disc to turn freely. See Figure 1 A. If the electrical power fails or if the machine is turned off, a valve in the hydraulic line to the emergency brakes opens. That valve, shown as ?Solenoid Valve (automatic)" in Figure 1, which is normally held closed by its electrical solenoid while the vehicle is electrically powered, is opened by the spring in the valve assembly. The pressure in the hydraulic line which is connected to the emergency brakes then drops to

Jan 1, 1978

By Robert J. Willard

This chapter includes tables for 1982 that were not available in time for publication of the 1982 Minerals Yearbook, but does not include corresponding tables for 1983. The value of raw nonfuel minerals produced in the United States during 1988 was estimated at $21.1 billion, an increase of $1.5 billion over the value for 1982. This is a reversal of last year's downturn in value from that of 1981, which was the only decrease noted since 1971; hence, an overall trend of increasing values has been maintained for 12 years, except for 1982. Although the reversal is a basis for cautious economic optimism, it is tempered by continued problems in the domestic mining industry: inadequate funds for capital investment and competition with other countries that have lower production costs. Output of metal commodities in 1983 increased for 8 out of 21 metals, and metal values, in general, increased for 9 of the metals. Output of nonmetal commodities was mixed, with 24 nonmetals showing increases, 20 showing decreases, and 2 unchanged. Nonmetal values were also mixed in 1982: 25 showed increases, 20 declined, and 1 was unchanged. Improvements in the international metals market have not been forthcoming because of the continued depressed prices for major metals. Governments in foreign producing countries have been concerned with maintaining employment and continuing foreign exchange flows through mineral exports. Consequently, the excess of supply in the face of shrinking demand brought downward pressure on metal prices in general, except for the precious metals. On the domestic front, this situation means U.S. mining companies must become even more cost efficient. The major trend in the mining industry in 1983 was to cut costs further, reduce or stabilize total production, reduce outlays for major capital equipment, modify existing systems and equipment, and streamline operations. Most of the accomplishments reported herein reflect this trend.

Jan 1, 1984