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Notes from the united states Bureau of mines
NOTES
FROM
THE UNITED OF MINES.”
STATES
BUREAU
I’anudilzitc.-Experiments on the metallurgical treatment of vanadinite, with the object of recovering vanadium and lead, have been completed by the Golden Station of the Bureau. The arc furnace method was used to pr.epare ferrovanadium from calcium vanadate, containing only 16 per cent. of V,O,. Reductions made with aluminum gave better results than with silicon. in Pvoduccrs.-_A report on the quantity of ammoA~wzonia nia in producers of the Smith type has been completed by the Seattle station. The use of Illinois coal in water-gas plants for producers of coal gas benches \vas studied at Rockford, Illinois. It was found that the use of this coal was an economy, although more coal was consumed per ton carbonized, smaller and more frequent changes are required and more attention is necessary than with coke as a fuel. Oil .S/znlc.---A bibliography of oil shale has been completed by the San Francisco Field Office. The lvork of collecting the data relative to the production and decline of the oil fields of California has I)een completed. Gropl1o~zr.--A study of the geophone, as developed for war purposes, to determine its applicability to surveying and mine rescue work in metal mines, was made at Franklin, K. J., in the mine of the r\i’ew Jersey Zinc Company. Further work is being conductetl at the Experimental &line at Pittsburg on the instrument, which gives promise of value in mining not only in locating men entombed underground, llut also as a Learning to breaking through in a heading; in determining the direction underground of connections at drifts, tunnels, and raises \\-ithout the use of survey instruments ; for use in surveyiuh v tliamond drill holes ; for the location of underground n-ater courses : and for use in counting shots fired underground. It has lIeen found that sound is transmitted better through rock than through coal. Mim Fivrs.---Valuable assistance has lIeen rendered by the Bureau of &lines cars at recent mine fires. On Yarch 4, in response to a call from the Hebron Fire anti Pressed Brick Co., * Communicated
by the Director.
754
U. S. BUREAU OF MINES NOTES.
[J. F. I.
Hebron, N. D., that they were unable to control a fire which threatened their lignite coal mine, Car 5 proceeded immediately to the place. The Bureau men wearing mine rescue apparatus were able to seal the fire, and possibly saved the mine. In a preliminary report the engineer in charge, Mr. Dyer, stated that there was a large German population at this place who were greatly impressed with the kindness of the government in thus aiding them. On March 18 the Chamber of Commerce of Richey, Montana, wired that a fire in a local mine was beyond control and threatened their local coal supply and appealed for aid. Mr. B. W. Dyer was ordered to Richey. A letter of appreciation of the assistance given has been received from the Richey Chamber of Commerce. On February 25 a serious coal mine fire broke out at Somerset, Colo., and in response to call the engineer and Car 2 were sent there. On March 28 a serious fire broke out in the Argonaut Mine, near Jackson, Cal. Car 5, with District Engineer Wolflin, proceeded at once to the scene. No lives were lost, and serious property damage was prevented by quick action. On March 31, thirteen men were entombed and killed at an explosion at the Empire mines, Aguilar, Colo. Car 2 responded to the call. IMine Rescue Curs.-The three new Bureau of Mines rescue cars, construction of which has been delayed on account of war conditions, will soon be completed. One of the cars will be ready by May I 5 and the remaining two by July I. These cars are to be stationed at Terre Haute; Ind. ; Ironwood, Mich. ; and Rock The cars are to be of the new model and well Springs, Wyo. equipped in every way.
FROM
THE UNITED OF MINES.”
STATES
BUREAU
I’anudilzitc.-Experiments on the metallurgical treatment of vanadinite, with the object of recovering vanadium and lead, have been completed by the Golden Station of the Bureau. The arc furnace method was used to pr.epare ferrovanadium from calcium vanadate, containing only 16 per cent. of V,O,. Reductions made with aluminum gave better results than with silicon. in Pvoduccrs.-_A report on the quantity of ammoA~wzonia nia in producers of the Smith type has been completed by the Seattle station. The use of Illinois coal in water-gas plants for producers of coal gas benches \vas studied at Rockford, Illinois. It was found that the use of this coal was an economy, although more coal was consumed per ton carbonized, smaller and more frequent changes are required and more attention is necessary than with coke as a fuel. Oil .S/znlc.---A bibliography of oil shale has been completed by the San Francisco Field Office. The lvork of collecting the data relative to the production and decline of the oil fields of California has I)een completed. Gropl1o~zr.--A study of the geophone, as developed for war purposes, to determine its applicability to surveying and mine rescue work in metal mines, was made at Franklin, K. J., in the mine of the r\i’ew Jersey Zinc Company. Further work is being conductetl at the Experimental &line at Pittsburg on the instrument, which gives promise of value in mining not only in locating men entombed underground, llut also as a Learning to breaking through in a heading; in determining the direction underground of connections at drifts, tunnels, and raises \\-ithout the use of survey instruments ; for use in surveyiuh v tliamond drill holes ; for the location of underground n-ater courses : and for use in counting shots fired underground. It has lIeen found that sound is transmitted better through rock than through coal. Mim Fivrs.---Valuable assistance has lIeen rendered by the Bureau of &lines cars at recent mine fires. On Yarch 4, in response to a call from the Hebron Fire anti Pressed Brick Co., * Communicated
by the Director.
754
U. S. BUREAU OF MINES NOTES.
[J. F. I.
Hebron, N. D., that they were unable to control a fire which threatened their lignite coal mine, Car 5 proceeded immediately to the place. The Bureau men wearing mine rescue apparatus were able to seal the fire, and possibly saved the mine. In a preliminary report the engineer in charge, Mr. Dyer, stated that there was a large German population at this place who were greatly impressed with the kindness of the government in thus aiding them. On March 18 the Chamber of Commerce of Richey, Montana, wired that a fire in a local mine was beyond control and threatened their local coal supply and appealed for aid. Mr. B. W. Dyer was ordered to Richey. A letter of appreciation of the assistance given has been received from the Richey Chamber of Commerce. On February 25 a serious coal mine fire broke out at Somerset, Colo., and in response to call the engineer and Car 2 were sent there. On March 28 a serious fire broke out in the Argonaut Mine, near Jackson, Cal. Car 5, with District Engineer Wolflin, proceeded at once to the scene. No lives were lost, and serious property damage was prevented by quick action. On March 31, thirteen men were entombed and killed at an explosion at the Empire mines, Aguilar, Colo. Car 2 responded to the call. IMine Rescue Curs.-The three new Bureau of Mines rescue cars, construction of which has been delayed on account of war conditions, will soon be completed. One of the cars will be ready by May I 5 and the remaining two by July I. These cars are to be stationed at Terre Haute; Ind. ; Ironwood, Mich. ; and Rock The cars are to be of the new model and well Springs, Wyo. equipped in every way.