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By P. L. Woolf, J. P. Morris, E. Foerster, G. R. Zellars

Measurements of vapor pressure can be used to determine the thermodynamic activities of the components of metallic solutions . The determination of activity by this method requires accurate values for the vapor pressure of the pure component and for its partial pressure above the alloy solution . This investigation was conducted to measure the vapor pressure of liquid manganese for use in future studies of the activity of manganese in various liquid alloys . In related investigations in the Bureau's Pyrometallurgy Laboratory , vapor pressures of copper , iron and nickel have been measured and activit 4 5 6 have been determined in the iron- copper and iron- nickel systems . Difficulties were experienced with manganese which were not encountered in the previous investigations . Manganese oxidizes readily and greater care was needed to maintain an oxygen- and moisture - free atmosphere in the furnace . In addition , liquid manganese wet the refractories and there was a tendency to foam and splash on introduction of the carrier gas . Because of these difficulties several variations in the experimental procedure were studied . These were first tested with silver which has a vapor pressure of the same order of magnitude as manganese but is relatively inert at high temperatures . Although no significant changes in the original procedure resulted from this work, considerable data were obtained for silver and have been included in this report . Bauer and BBrruunnnneerr7/ have reported the only extensive investigation of the vapor pressure of liquid manganese . However , their results are not consistent with the data obtained by McCabe and Hudson for solid manganese . Measurements of the vapor pressure of silver have been reported by McCabe and Birchenal1,2/ Schadel and Birchenall , 10/ Harteck , 11 / Fischer , 12/ and von Wartenberg.13 / Generally , these investigators conducted their measurements at lower temperatures than were used in this study .

Jul 1, 1960

By G. L. Gates

Five possible sources of water for waterflooding of petroleum reservoirs in the arid San Joaquin Valley of California were considered. Three of them (water produced with petroleum, water from a shallow saline aquifer, and waste irrigation water) were analyzed chemically; laboratory information for one (sea water) had been developed during a previous study. A series of laboratory tests made on the fifth source (fresh water) determined the solubility of calcium sulfate dihydrate in water. Laboratory analyses included the following: Chemical analyses of water produced with petroleum and waste irrigation water; solubility of calcium sulfate dihydrate in water and brines; the effect of excess sulfate on the solubility of calcium sulfate in brines; the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria; and the permeability of cores from a petroleum reservoir to air, to water from other petroleum reservoirs, and to waste irrigation water. The results showed that most of the waters and mixtures of waters are compatible with petroleum reservoir waters and are generally suitable for injection. The calcium content of some of the formation waters is quite high, and care must be taken to prevent precipitation of calcium sulfate dihydrate. The permeability of the few cores tested was about the same to water and brines as to air, indicating that formation damage due to clay swelling will not be serious. The waters most likely to be available for injection are water produced with petroleum, water from shallow saline aquifers, and waste irrigation water.

Jan 1, 1970

By A. L. Peyton

The Brewer mine, near Jefferson, Chesterfield County, S. C., was originally operated as a gold mine. As late as 1890 this mine was reported to have been one of the large gold producers in the southeast. Occurrence of topaz on the Brewer property was not reported until 1935, when it was discovered, by Parks3/ and Parks of the Federal Geological Survey while they were investigating gold deposits in the Piedmont province.

Jan 1, 1953

By F. D. DeVaney

[In the course of the investigation by the U. S. Bureau of Mines and the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy at the Mississippi Valley experiment Station at Rolla, Mo., on the beneficiation of the low-grade manganese ores of the country, some samples from the Cuyuna District, Minn., have been examined. The work was done under the direction of W. H. Coghill, supervising engineer of the Mississippi Valley Experiment Station. Josoph and Kinney5 in venting about the relative importance of Minnesota deposits of low-grade ore compared to the total reserves say:]

Jan 1, 1930

By T. F. Mitchell

As a part of the program of investigation of domestic sources of manganese ore, mining engineers of the Bureau of Mines examined and obtained samples of ore from two properties in the vicinity of Bettie Mountain, Lander County, Nev. In addition, samples from three claims in the Carico Lake region, Lander County, Nev., were submitted by private interests. RS the ores were too low in grade to be acceptable for the direct production of ferromanganese, their amenability to concentration by ore dressing was investigated. The Black Bock property is 16 miles south of Valmy, Nev., and is owned by Western Alloys, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah. The deposit is a replacement of sedimentary rock by manganese oxides. Ore occurs in two main ore bodies designated as the "upper bench" and "lower bench", which could be mined separately. Examining engineers obtained samples from each ore body, and laboratory experiments were made on each sample. The Black Eagle group of claims is in Lander County, Nov., about 43 miles southwest of Battle Mountain. Ore occurs as a replacement of manganese oxides in shale and chert. The 2-ton sample of ore used for laboratory testing was taken by a Bureau of Mines examining engineer from an adit that partly transversed a 28-foot bed of ore. The property is controlled by Western Alloys, Inc.

Jan 1, 1951

By O. C. Blade

A comparison of certain properties of the commercial aviation gasolines produced in the United States during October 1949, 1950, and 1951 is presented in table 1, the 1951 data being average values from tables 3 through 6 of the present report. Trends in the average values of certain characteristics of these fuels may be seen in figures 1 through 4 which also indicate the minimum and maximum values. As may be observed, with the exception of changes in kinematic viscosities, the properties of commercial aviation gasolines have not varied greatly during recent years. A list of aviation-gasoline survey reports published by the Bureau of Mines is given on page 6. A summary of the average values of the properties on jet fuels is shown in table 2.

Jan 1, 1952

By Frank E. Cash

Accident prevention is an integral part of the operating procedure of the petroleum industry, and refinery officials and employees throughout the United States are exerting concerted effort to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents and are realizing definite results. In other words, the petroleum industry is safety conscious to a much creator decree than most of the other mineral industries. On January l, 1936, there were 11 operating, refineries in Louisiana with a crude-oil capacity of 199,750 barrels per day.4/ This report deals with safety in four of these refineries representing. 72 percent of the refinery capacity of Louisiana.

Jan 1, 1940

By Herbert R. Babitzke

As part of a project to develop refractory metal alloys suitable for high-temperature structural applications, the Bureau of Mines applied solid solution and precipitation-hardening techniques to columbium and tantalum alloys. Thirty-three alloys were evaluated to determine their formability, strength, and oxidation resistance. Three alloys had tensile strengths near 40,000 psi at 1,200° C: Cb-1N-5W-5V-10Hf (No.4), Cb-15Hf-5W-0.5B (No. 31), and Cb-15Hf-SW-IB (No. 32). Oxidation resistance of the high-strength alloys was good. Alloy4 gained only 34 mg/cm2 at 1,200° C, and 21 mg/cm2 at 1,000° C in 2 hours. Hot forming was done without any protection from oxidation.

Jan 1, 1968

By S. R. B. Cooke, F. D. DeVaney

"INTRODUCTION The potash mineral receiving the most attention in the newly discovered. New Mexico-Texas potash district near Carlsbad, N. M. is sylvite (potassium chloride). Sylvite contains more potassium than any other mineral. Merchantable high-grade deposits have been found, and those of lower grade may be enriched to a high degree of purity by refining methods. Deposits containing sylvite were the first to be developed and axe the only ones being mined.However, many other minerals that contain potash occur in the salt beds of the Carlsbad District. Of these the more important are polyhalite, carnallite, langbeinite, leonite, and kainite. The nature of the deposits and their mineralogy have been described in detail by members of the United States Geological Survey. 4/Langbeinite, although not so abundant in these deposits as carnallite and has particular interest because the potash is in the form of the sulphate and as such commands a premium in terms of K20 unit. This is explained by Fox and Turrentine 5/, who state:"

Feb 1, 1936

In laboratory tests using reconstructed soil columns, rubber latex showed good sealing efficiency when applied at a rate equivalent to 4000-5000 pounds per acre. Results of field testing, however, were inconclusive. The ideal situation in which latex would coagulate in a narrow zone two to three feet below the surface by reacting with acidic or metallic constituents of the soil was not attained. Rather, the latex was deposited progressively as it passed through the soil (most of it remained in the top foot), the rate of deposition being dependent on soil structure and composition as well as on properties of the latex such as particle size and emulsion stability. Latex stability appears to be a more critical property than latex particle size in controlling penetration. Addition of excess anionic or nonionic surfactants to latex improved its penetration into the soil. A styrene-butadiene (SBR) rubber latex of 2400 Å average particle size with high mechanical stability gave the best balance of penetrating ability and sealing capacity in laboratory tests and this was confirmed in tests on a 5 x 5 foot test plot at Lanse, Pennsylvania. This latex was subsequently applied to three one-quarter-acre plots at Lanse by sprinkler irrigation, and compared to adjacent areas that were sprinkled with water only. Soil moisture measurements did not enable us to judge the effectiveness of the seal because differences between sampling positions were greater than differences between treated and untreated sections, but permeability tests showed that water flow was much slower (90-99% reduction) within the top ten inches of soil in the latex- treated sections. This sealing effectiveness was reduced after wintering. There was no deleterious effect on the vegetation as a result of sprinkling the areas with latex. A laboratory study conducted in a 5 x 5 x 5 foot box containing uniform reconstructed soil from a New Jersey source suggests that latex penetration into the soil in the field occurs mainly through natural macro openings and not through the capillaries of the soil structure. Dilute solutions of ammonium hydroxide or sodium carbonate (with no latex present) were found to seal effectively in laboratory soil columns as well as in field applications. However, since these chemicals are water soluble, the seal is temporary. Raw material costs of latex at the application rates used in the field testing are in the order of $1000 per acre. Equipment and operating

Jan 1, 1972

By C. R. Nisewanger, F. W. Brown

"The velocity of detonation of an explosive is one of its most important properties, because its performance depends markedly on the rate at which it releases its energy. Fortunately, the velocity of detonation is one of the few properties of an explosive that can be measured precisely. However, the velocity of detonation of an explosive may depend on several factors other than its chemical composition, such as density, physical state, degree of confinement, nature of confinement, and magnitude of initiating impulse. Presumably for an explosive of fixed chemical and physical properties there are certain limiting conditions of confinement and initiation under which the explosive will detonate at a maximum constant and uniform velocity. This velocity is its ""ideal"" velocity of detonation. It is obvious, however, that in order to evaluate performance properties of an explosive in all of its applications it may be necessary to measure its velocity of detonation under a number of conditions in which the velocity of detonation is far from the maximum ""ideal"" velocity.. Under certain-conditions the velocity of detonation may even,be,different at different points in the explosive.It is .relatively simple to determine the velocity of detonation of an explosive under a. standard set of conditions if one is free to use large quantities of the explosive and to form it into a convenient shape. Under these circumstances; one can use a thin column of explosive a meter or more in length. The time required for an explosion to travel the length of the column will not be less,of the order a few ten-thousandths of a second and can be readily and accurately measured .by means of the standard spark chronograph or by photographing the explosion with a rotating-drum camera. However in many applications the explosive charge may be of relatively small dimensions arid may not be in a form convenient for making velocity measurements and often may be enclosed in a case or other confining medium. It may be necessary to determine the velocity of detonation over distances of the order of a few centimeters, in which case the time intervals to be measured will be extremely small. For example, the time required for an explosion to traverse 1 centimeter of tetryl is of the order of 1.5 microseconds.Since no satisfactory method of determining time intervals of the order of magnitude of a few microseconds within an explosive charge was available,, at least not for all conditions that might be encountered in practice, it was necessary to develop a special electronic chronoscope which is capable of measuring time intervals as small as a microsecond with a fair degree of accuracy. This report describes the chronoscope and its application to measurements of velocities of detonation in explosives."

Mar 1, 1946

By Almon F. Robertson

The floor of Shady Valley, Johnson County, Tenn., is underlain by the Shady dolomite formation. In places the residual clay derived from this formation contains considerable manganese oxides. Nine properties in Shady Valley and two in Doe Valley were prospected by the Bureau of Mines from January 1943 to April 1943. The results obtained indicate that the ore bodies are small and spotty and, that the ore is not well-adapted to gravity concentration. The work of the Bureau was confined to the open end of the valley. One mile northeast of the Ham Greer property, Beaverdam Creek enters a rocky gorge, and it was believed that the few prospects in this area were of secondary impor-tance and, owing to the steep slope and general roughness of the terrain, that exploration with the rite', bucket-drill would be impracticable. A total of 4,398.5 feet was drilled in 131 holes. In addition, 235 lineal feet of bulldozer trenches were cut and 4.5 feet of test pits were sunk. The following nine properties were explored in Shady Valley: Bentley, Walker, Blevins, Scott, North Ham Greer, South Ham Greer, Lipford, Blackburn, and Steagall In Doe Valley, the Gerd Shoun and Brookshire properties were explored.

Jan 1, 1949

By J. S. Gomer

The U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted Cu exchange tests for six common clays under simulated in situ leaching conditions. Regression equations were obtained from the data expressing the Cu exchange capacity as a function of Cu concentration, pH, and temperature. Using these equations, an analysis was made of the impact each clay could have on overall Cu recovery. The results suggest that Ca and Na montmorillonite clays could have a major impact on Cu recovery and that attapulgite and illite clays could have a smaller, but still significant, impact. Kaolinite and ripidolite clays pose little threat to loss of Cu from in situ leaching solutions.

Jan 1, 2010

By J. W. Griffith, J. L. Stauffer, L. M. Demers, D. C. Kuhn, S. Riliog

"The relative activation of eicosanoid production which results from the exposure of the alveolar macrophage (AM) to mineral dusts is thought to be a key factor in the pathophysiology of occupational lung disease. We compared in vitro basal and silicastimulated production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) by AM from normal humans and non-human primates (Macaca nemistrina). In addition, we instilled mineral dusts directly into one lung of the non-human primate and evaluated AM eicosanoid production at two week intervals following dust instillation. Unstimulated AM from humans produce more PGE2 and TXA2 than do AM from M. nemistrina. However, in vitro exposure of AM from both species to silica dust produced a qualitatively similar increase in TXA2 production accompanied by no change in PGE2 production. Sequential analysis of AM eicosanoid production following a single bolus exposure to bituminous or anthracite coal dusts, titanium dioxide (Ti()i) dust or crystalline silica showed marked variability among individual non-human primates in qualitative and quantitative aspects of dust-induced eicosanoid production. However, the rank order of potency of the different dusts (silica> anthracite> bituminous) correlated with epidemiological evidence relating the type of dust mined to the incidence of pneumoconiosis. These studies suggest that the non-human primate may serve as a model for the study of both the role of eicosanoids in the etiology of dust-induced occupational lung disease and the biochemical basis for individual variability in the response of lung cells to mineral dust exposure. IntroductionOccupational inhalation of mineral dust can lead to chronic debilitating lung disease ( 1,2). One of the key components of the disease process is thought to be the interaction of mineral dust with the alveolar macrophage (AM) and the subsequent release by the AM of inflammatory and fibrotic substances (3,4). Chronic inhalation of mineral dust, depending on the type and amount of dust, may then produce a situation in which ongoing inflammation, accompanied by the destruction of functional lung tissue by products of activated AM and polymorphonuclear neutrophils, stimulates the production of nonfunctional matrix by lung fibroblasts.The AM produces several oxygenated derivatives of arachidonic acid (AA) which may play important roles in dust-induced lung pathophysiology (5,6). In previous studies in the rat, we found that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and leukotriene 84 (L TB4) were the major AA metabolites produced by AM (7). PGE2 is associated with pro-inflammatory activity (8) as well as anti-fibrotic activity since it downregulates interleukin -1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release by AM (9-11). TXA2 is known to stimulate platelet activity, cause bronchial and vascular smooth muscle contraction (12) and to possess chemotactic activity (13). LTB4 is chemotactic for neutrophils and monocytes (14) and has been suggested as an additional regulatory factor in the release of TNF by AM exposed to silica dust ( 15)."

Nov 1, 1995

By Van E. Shaw

Bastnaesite is a natural rare-earth fluorcarbonate of the cerium group that affords an abundant and high-grade source of the lighter rare-earth elements. A simple and efficient method has been developed by the Bureau of Mines for extracting rare-earth compounds from this mineral. Digesting of a flotation concentrate with sulfuric acid converts the rare-earth compounds from fluorcarbonates to sulfates. Action of the acid releases gaseous com-pounds of fluorine and silicon, leaving the sulfated material free of these elements; carbon dioxide from carbonate decomposition is eliminated at the same time. Calcining the sulfated material at 1,200° F. renders the gangue constituents insoluble, whereas the rare-earth sulfates are left in water-soluble form. Leaching with water yields a solution of pure rare-earth sulfates. Bastnaesite could become prominent as a source of cerium-group rare-earth elements. It is rich in the light rare-earth elements and comparatively easy to process; reserves of the mineral are extensive enough to supply a greatly expanded market for many years.

Jan 1, 1959

By R. E. Heithecker

The principle of determining volumes of liquid by alternately drawing in and discharging given quantities of the fluid from a confined space or compartment of known volume and mechanically counting the number of displacements is well established. This is true particularly in water measurement. For several years, oil meters employing the same basic principle have beer used for gaging oil production from individual wells, groups of wells, and in some areas for metering the entire production from a property. Especially in areas where there is town-lot drilling and space for tankage is at a premium, oil meters have been used successfully to gale the oil. This facility has obviated the necessity of installing gage tanks. Oil meters also have been used in pipe-line and refinery operations and in loading tankers. Present knowledge e of the subject shows that positive-displacement oil meters can be used for measuring crude oil in the field and elsewhere, provided the meter-counter mechanism is in proper adjustment and the oil has been studied sufficiently to determine the pro-per factor to be applied to the volume as registered by tae meter, possible the adjustment for the shrinkage of the oil caused by liberation of gas from solution.

Jan 1, 1938

By T. J. Ballard

The Union Copper mine is in the Gold Hill district; Rowan and Cabarrus Counties, N. C. The mine was discovered in 1799 and first worked as a gold mine; but copper was encountered at depth, and the property became an important producer of copper. It is estimated that the mine produced 5,000,000 pounds of copper before operations were discontinued in 1907. As part of the strategic minerals program, the Bureau of Mines conducted a development project on the property from July 1943 to November 1943. Eight diamond-drill holes totaling 2,500 linear feet were drilled to delineate the ore body. Analyses 205 core samples were made. Tabulations of sample analyses and drill-hole logs are presented in this report.

Jan 1, 1948

By J. M. Gomes

The Bureau of Mines, as part of an effort to maximize minerals and metals recovery from domestic resources, has investigated the feasibility of recovering heavy minerals as byproducts from sand and gravel, placer gold, and industrial mineral operations in northern California. Sand samples from about 50 locations were treated by gravity separation to yield heavy-mineral concentrates (black sands). Mineral compositions of the concentrates were determined by chemical analysis and mineralogical examination. Individual zircon, ilmenite, magnetite, platinum-group metals, thoria, and silica products were prepared from heavy-mineral concentrates by selective separation using low-and high-intensity magnetic, high-tension, and flotation equipment.

Jan 1, 1979

By Thomas C. Denton

The fluorite, deposit discussed herein occurs on a property known as the Snowball and comprises five contiguous mining claims in Maricopa County, Ariz. Attention of the Bureau was first directed to this property early in 1944 through .a request by D. B. Powell, original locator; to investigate his property as a possible source of fluorite and one that might 'Warrant exploration by the Bureau. The property was examined by two Bureau engineers, Thomas C. Denton and Geo. W. Huseman. It was decided to investigate the occurrence further by trenching, sampling, and diamond drilling. Work began on May 15, 194. Preparatory work, trenching and surface sampling, was supervised by Geo. W. Huseman. Drilling was in charge of R. M. Grantham. The project was completed August 8, 1944.

Jan 1, 1949

By A. C. Johnson, es Hol, E. O. Binyon

"INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARYThe tungsten properties of Lincoln Mines, Inc., and North Tem Flute Mining and Development Co. were first explored by the Bureau of Mines in 1942. Work on the project comprised trenching, sampling, a small amount of road and trail construction, and a small amount of core drilling. From April 13 to December 10, 1944, additional diamond drilling was done by the Bureau of Mines to test the lateral and downward extensions of the various tactite zones along the contact south of the Lincoln mine, including the property of the North Tem Piute Mining & Development Co.Claims leased by the Lincoln Mines, Inc., are in secs. 25 and 36, T. 3 S., R. 56 E.; secs. 30 and 31, T. 3 S., R. 57 E.: and sec. 1, T. 4 S., R 56 E., M. D. B. & M., in the Tem Piute Mining District, near the north end of the Timpahute Range in west central Lincoln County, Nev. D. B. Fegles is president of Lincoln Mines, Inc. and general offices are in the Wesley Temple Building, Minneapolis, Minn.In June 1945, the Atolia Mining Co. leased the property and purchased the mill and mining equipment from Lincoln Mines, Inc. P. R. Bradley is president of the Atolia Mining Co., whose offices are in the Crocker Building, San Francisco, Calif. This company surrendered the lease on the property on September 30, 1948. The property owners are continuing operations and are now engaged in building a 20-ton mill.The claims of the North Tern Flute Mining & Development Cc. are in sec. 1, T. 4 S., R. 56 E., M. D. B. & M. Merle F. Schofield is president of the company and maintains an office at Hike, Nev. These claims were leased by H. P. Laslett, of the Utah Nevada Mining Co., in 1945 and by the Atolia Mining Co. in 1946. The owners are now doing some exploratory work."

Jan 1, 1950