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By H. A. Watson

Laboratory tests on three commercial methane detectors, two combustion- type detectors and one interferometer-type detector, were made by the Bureau of Mines to determine their response to certain single and multiple flammable gases mixed with normal and abnormal air atmospheres. Although both types of detectors responded accurately to methane-normal air mixtures, they did not show correct concentrations for other single flammable gases in air. Uniquely, the response of the interferometer-type detector to hydrogen was in a negative direction. The effects of individual gases in multiple flammable gas mixtures were approximately additive. In oxygen-deficient atmospheres the methane response of the interferometer-type detector erred on the high side, but only in very low oxygen concentrations were the combustion-type detectors affected-- showing low, erratic methane readings.

Jan 1, 1966

By Joseph M. Singer

This research project had two main objectives: (1) To identify the smoke limits of gaseous fuel-air mixtures and (2) to obtain and evaluate basic chemical information on the formation of smoke in very rich flames near the smoke limit. Such information would do much to establish the circumstances for car-bon deposition in gas appliances and in other types of combustors. Based on tests with ethylene and propane, these studies showed the following: 1. Smoke limits are related to the yellow-tip limits of the fuel. Previous research established sufficient data to permit prediction of yellow-tip limits on gas burners using a wide variety of fuels. The present study of smoke limits deals only with ethylene-air flames, but the concept that was developed is probably applicable to other fuels.

Jan 1, 1962

By d&apos, Kathleen J. Amico

This summary appears in Minerals Year-book volumes I and III, which cover mineral production in the United States, its island possessions, the Canal Zone, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as the principal minerals imported into and exported from the United States. The several commodity and area chapters contain further details on production. A summary table comparing world and U.S. mineral production also is included. Mineral production may be measured at any of several stages of extraction and processing. The stage of measurement used in the chapter is normally what is termed "mine output." It usually refers to minerals in the form in which they are first extracted from the ground, but customarily includes for some minerals the product of auxiliary processing operations at or near mines.

Jan 1, 1966

By David J. Kusler

This Bureau of Mines study is an appraisal of the demand for platinum, should this strategic metal be used as a. catalyst in the National abatement of automobile exhaust pollution. The Clean Air Act 0f 1970, as amended, requires that automobiles produced in 1975 and thereafter be provided with antipollutive measures to control automotive exhaust emissions. The study considers the need for automobile pollution control, the methodology for such control, the annual primary (new) platinum demand for automobiles produced from 1975 to 1990, primary platinum availability, and supply-demand forecasts and outlook. The correlative demand for platinum for the production of the required unleaded gasoline is also considered. Methodology for the study included a forecast of new automobile production from 1975 to 1990, development of automobile survival and retirement data, estimates of new platinum demand under various conditions of salvage, and data on recycling the precious metal from the catalytic converters of scrapped vehicles and existing vehicles when their spent converters are exchanged for replacement units. The new platinum demand for automobile exhaust converters, based on a converter service life of 50,000 miles, is estimated to be 1.41 million troy ounces initially in 1975, rising to 1.68 million in 1980, and declining curvi-linearly to 0.94 million in 1990. The platinum demand for converter longevities other than 50,000 miles can be derived from the tabular data presented. An appendix to the report presents a comparison between longevities of 50,000 miles and 25,000 miles. The petroleum industry's demand for new platinum for the production of lead-free gasolines could total as high as 1 million troy ounces between 1972 and 1981, just for expansion of isomerization and reforming capacity, and is in addition to normal operating demand for this metal.

Jan 1, 1972

By Richard L. Sanford

This report summarizes the results of the development of a Directory of Computer Programs Applicable to U.S. Mining Practices and Problems. The Directory includes a sampling of computer usage in operating and manufacturing companies, consulting firms, computer companies, research organizations, universities, and various U.S. government agencies. References to computer applications throughout the mining industry are presented as well as comments on the availability of programs to interested organizations or individuals.

Jan 1, 1977

By R. R. Lowery

This project was proposed to provide information on the hazards associated with arc melting of thorium. A general air-sampling analysis was made to determine the separation, concentration, and distribution of thorium daughter (decay) products throughout arc melting, machining, and forging processes of a thorium handling facility. The value of well coordinated health physics program is stressed in connection with potential health hazards and personnel protection. Building, equipment, and exhaust ventilation requirements for such a facility are discussed. Special handling methods are described for thorium. INTRODUCTION The Bureau of Mines at the Albany Metallurgy Research Center has been involved in handling the naturally radioactive metals, uranium and thorium, for several years. Cooperative work for the Atomic Energy Commission has been carried out with thorium metal, and as a result the concerned laboratories of the Center have accumulated experience on the hazards associated with this metal. This report details the radioactive hazards arising from the arc melting, machining, and forging of thorium.

Jan 1, 1962

By N. A. Eilertsen

This paper presents the results of intermittent study begun in 1956 by the Federal Bureau of Mines of yieldable steel arches and yieldable steel ring sets installed for support of development openings in metal mines. Observations were made of this type of support in several iron mines in the northeast and north-central states. The sets, both arches and rings fabricated in the United States, are made from a hot-rolled, cold bent, structural U-shaped steel section in two weights, 15 pounds and 21 pounds per foot. The lighter section is generally used, It is 4.41 square inches in cross section area, and the calculation is that a 6-foot length of this structural shape installed as a supporting column, will safely carry the same load as a Douglas fir post of the same length but of 22 times the cross-sectional area of the steel.

Jan 1, 1962

By David L. Shuck

This report was prepared for the Bureau of Mines to describe the current methods of design, construction, and development of wells for in situ leaching of uranium. The discussion includes the alternatives for well design drilling equipment and fluids, grout formulation and emplacement, well integrity testing and repair, and well development and stimulation. Current practice in these areas was determined through interviews with eight operators of commercial scale in situ facilities and is also discussed. Based on this information plus the authors' experience, recommendations are made regarding well design, construction, and development tor in situ leaching.

Jan 1, 1982

By Kay E. Goldberg

The Bureau of Mines conducted a study to develop and evaluate a training workshop for mine safety training personnel. The workshop was based on the Instructional Development Institute (IDI) which has been used for nearly ten years to train educators and administrators in the application of a nine-step model for defining, developing, and evaluating instruction. The Mining Instructional Development Institute (MIDI) was developed by investigators at the University of Southern California as a two-phase project. Phase I involved the modification of the six-day IDI program (including audiovisual presentations, workbooks, games, and exercises) for use by mine safety trainers as a workshop lasting three and one-half days. Phase II involved the evaluation and validation of the prototype MIDI workshop by means of a two-stage jury of experts and a prototype field trial. On the basis of data collected in the validation process it was determined that the institute provided an effective and useful method of instruction in mine safety training and that the institute would be especially valuable for mine safety training administrators and supervisors.

Jan 1, 1980

By C. Ogasawara

This document describes the direction and progress of the Bureau of Mines Oil Shale Mining Environmental Research Program as of January 31, 1979. It is aimed at focusing the Bureau's role in environmental research supporting oil shale development with respect to the activities of other involved government agencies and private industry. Environmental considerations in oil shale extraction, such as ecological disturbances, health and safety hazards, waste management, and socioeconomic impacts, are discussed along with the type of research known to be planned by organizations to ameliorate these problems.

Jan 1, 1979

By P. C. McWilliams

The Bureau of Mines investigated ground support problems in four major block-cave mines to assess the current "state-of-the-art" and to delineate areas for future research. The most significant problem is the inability of present support systems to hold moving ground. Further, as mining progresses to greater depth, this problem becomes more serious. Providing adequate temporary support capable of withstanding primary and secondary blasting is the next most significant problem. A detailed analysis of the effect of mining methods on support problems is also recommended for future research.

Jan 1, 1975

By N. R. Dixon

This report summarizes all work performed under U.S. Bureau of Mines Contract No. J0395028, "Noise Control of Rubber-Tired Front-End Loaders Used in Surface Mining. " Two loaders, a Caterpillar 988 and an International H-400B, were chosen for this program, and the noise sources and acoustic paths that contribute to the operator's noise exposure were identified. Retrofit noise control treatments were designed and installed on these loaders, and noise reductions of more than 10 dBA at the operator position were achieved on both machines. The retrofit packages are low cost and have been field tested in two mines for more than two years. The results of the program were communicated to the mining industry through a series of noise control workshops and a field manual. The workshops were given in nine states across the U.S. and more than 440 manuals were distributed An audio/visual slide presentation was also developed which the program.

Jan 1, 1983

By Jeff Kravitz, John Kovac, Wayne Duerr

Since 198 1, Federal mining law has required every miner working in underground coal mines to have a self-contained, self-rescuer (SCSR) available for use in emergencies. Some miners that have escaped from fires using SCSR's have reported that they had to remove their mouthpiece to talk during escape, thus compromising the protection afforded by the SCSR. If miners are in thick smoke during an escape, they may have trouble if they become separated from their group. The visibility can be so poor that separation can occur at very short distances. To address this problem, two-way, FM radios were built into the SCSR to improve the ability to communicate should the miners be separated over relatively short distances. The SCSR prototypes built and used in testing included both two-way radios and improved mouthpieces. Comparison studies were conducted using combinations of the new and old mouthpieces, and trials using the radio or not using the radio. Subjective judgments indicate that communication ability was significantly improved using the prototype devices. Communication problems have been encountered with teams using standard voice- powered communications systems. Mine rescue teams perform rescue and recovery work under extremely hazardous conditions, life lines are a standard part of mine rescue team equipment. Leaky feeder and quasi-leaky feeder life line communications systems provide significant improvements over standard systems. These improved systems allow all members of the team to communicate with each other and their base of operations. These innovations will significantly enhance the safety of mine rescue operations.

By Richard Quirk

This report describes methods and techniques employed by The Glidden Co. of Cleveland, Ohio, in explorating an ilmenite-bearing sand deposit in Ocean County, New Jersey, during 1960 to determine ore reserve potential and the feasibility of mining and establishing a milling plant on the property for the production of ilmenite concentrate. The property covered approximately 1,250 acres. Comprehensive sampling by water-jet drilling indicated the deposit averaged 20 feet in thickness and contained 4.5 percent heavy minerals, of which 80 to 85 percent was ilmenite and leucoxene. Average depth of the water table as determined by auger boring was 16.8 feet. Pilot plant tests indicated that circular concentrators in combination with spiral concentrators would recover at least 80 percent of the heavy mineral content of the sands. It was estimated that sufficient ore reserve tonnage had been developed to supply the company's Baltimore chemicals division, pigments department, with a suitable grade ilmenite concentrate for a period of 20 years at the present rate of pigments production. The property was designated as Lakehurst mine and plans are in progress for mining development and plant construction.

Jan 1, 1963

By J. Koster

[In lQ jG thc E'lcct,ro:~(: L7.l :~u..-ic:ll S;%cti ?n of t?c :I. tcIl~tr,-;lcal 3:vi cioa, ?U~CE~U of lv!irtos, bc,~m an 9.ct iv.t In-:?*t ik7;5i GI of r.:ct.l-;c?;is for rccovcrin,; niclrel, cop?ir, an2 ?? cciou:; ~ot-1 c 1;-on or; :; of tile 3unl~crvi~.l~~ tiistrict in C1ni.k Coult:r, !Icl.r. ]

Jan 1, 1939

By E. Concha

The concept of an Automated Continuous Explosive Excavation system (ACEE) for the underground mining applications of development drifting and room and pillar mining has been evaluated in comparison with conventional drill, blast and muck operations. The role and possible extent of application as this method was identified. The evaluation examined each element of existing and of proposed ACEE design concepts in a defined mine environment. Step by step procedures were developed to quantify the evaluation process where this appeared feasible. One conclusion drawn was that a system approach to ACEE design is not only feasible but attainable within the state of the art. Several preliminary design concepts were formulated and examined in order to determine what further research or development might be needed to realize them.

Jan 1, 1982

By Robert M. Baker

This document details the method whereby Allen Corporation of America gathered and analyzed data and developed an annotated bibliography of metal and nonmetal mine fire reports (1950-1979). The primary objective of this program was to develop the annotated bibliography which included MSHA accident reports and periodicals. Two additional objectives were to gather data on non-reportable fires and to conduct statistical analyses on the data to delineate trends. Data was acquired from three major areas: periodicals, MSHA fire reports, and mine safety directors. Data was separated into reportable fires (at least ½ - hour duration or injury), non-reportable fires, and opinion data. The data was then analyzed by time trends, state, ore, ignition source, burning substance, location, equipment, detection, duration, injuries, fatalities, and successful extinguishing agent. The authors make a number of recommendations: (1) improved stationary electrical equipment design and fire protection, (2) improved design of mobile equipment to separate combustibles from ignition sources, (3) improved maintenance, (4) improved housekeeping, and (5) improved training. The document is divided into two volumes and an appendix. Volume I contains data acquisition procedures, data analysis procedures, and conclusions and recommendations. Volume II contains a chronological list of mine fires and fifteen indexes to assist the reader in locating fire incident report of interest. The Appendix contains the annotated bibliography of over 300 metal and nonmetal mine fire reports and journal articles and a list of non-reportable fires.

Jan 1, 1980

By W. P. Yant

A previous report of the Bureau of Mines dealt with the toxicity of dichlorodifluoromethane5, a new refrigerant that has a remarkably low toxicity. Continued research by the Prigidaire Corporation6 and toxicological experiments performed in the Laboratory of Applied Physiology of the University of Cincinnati7 revealed another organic fluoride, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, whose toxicity also appeared to be of a very low order and whose physical-and chemical properties make it suitable for refrigeration purposes. In addition to low toxicity, safety in its use is further enhanced by its physical properties, which permit the design of equipment that operates at comparatively low pressures and hence mitigates the dangers and problems of leakage. The investigation described in this report was performed by the Bureau of Mines at the request and with the cooperation of the Frigidaire Corporation.

Jan 1, 1932

By S. R. Zimmerley

As a result of the drilling program of the :Mining Division, Bureau of Mines, large amounts of manganese ores have been blocked out in the Drum Mountain District of Utah. The ores, as mined, would not be acceptable for the production of ferromanganese, and this investigation was made to determine their amenability to concentration by ore-dressing methods and the amount of

Jan 1, 1942

By S. R. Zimmerley

As a result of the drilling program of the Mining Division, Bureau of Mines, large amounts of manganese ores have been blocked out in the Drum Mountain District of Utah. The ores, as mined, would not be acceptable for the production of ferromanganese, and this investigation was made to determine their amenability to concentration by ore-dressing methods and the amount of

Jan 1, 1942