Engineering Commons^™

Effects Of A Beaver Pond In Southwestern Montana On Metals Concentration And Loads, William J. Drury, Martin Lorenzo

Environmental Engineering

A 400-m² beaver pond on Cabbage Gulch (Deer Lodge County, MT) was investigated for its retention of total recoverable (TR) and dissolved arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and total suspended solids (TSS) during three storm water runoff events in the summer of 2013. Water samples were collected and flow rates were measured at monitoring stations above and below the pond. Decreases in TR metals concentrations were -17 percent for As (that is, As concentrations increased), 10 percent for Cu, 7 percent for Pb, and 27 percent for Zn. Total recoverable metals retained in the …

Ban ‘Naked’ Braces!, A. Frank Ackerman, Ph.D.

Computer Science & Software Engineering

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Feasibility Of Nitrogen Injection In Turner Valley, Igor Koracin

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The Turner Valley gas and oil field was discovered in 1913 and it was one of the main plays that sparked the growth of the petroleum industry in Canada. The Turner Valley formation is a Mississippian reservoir located at a mean depth of 7,546 feet. It is a heavily faulted field, 25 miles in length with an average width of 2 miles and is located 30 miles south-west of Calgary. It is an asymmetric anticlinal structure cut by the y axis with parallel thrust and normal faults.

Due to its early inception and the lack of resource development regulations, Turner …

All-In Sustaining Cost Analysis, Asseu Gilbert Yapo

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Cost reporting has focused on the direct cost of mining and processing ore which was summarized in the non-GAAP cash cost developed by the Gold Institute in 1996. In 2013, a group of mining companies, working with the World Gold Council, developed a more inclusive approach to reporting costs designed to solve the dilemma of showing a more comprehensive reflection of recurring costs involved in producing gold, without discouraging investors.

Modifying Fracture Conductivity Testing Procedures, Kent Blair

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Fracture conductivity testing is a measure of how proppant will perform downhole when injected. The current American Petroleum Institute (API) procedure for conductivity testing produces results that are difficult to replicate. In one case three commercial labs tested the same sample of proppant, the results varied between labs and the highest spread in data had an 80% variation (Anderson, 2013). The goal of this thesis is to investigate cell loading procedures that reduce the variation in laboratory results.

A variety of cell loading techniques were tested including Hoke cylinder injection, guar injection, and cell vibration. Hoke cylinder loading was determined …

Review Of Sampling And Evaluation Techniques For Diesel Exhaust Particulate Matter In The Mining Industry And The Application Of A Vapor Phase Organic Carbon Correction Factor, Ryley Bosch

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The health effects associated with diesel exhaust exposure have been documented for decades. However, methods used to assess diesel exhaust have experienced considerable revision over the past twenty years. The latest sampling methodology considers particulate matter elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) analysis along with the vapor phase OC analysis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of vapor phase OC on the current National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method 5040 sampling and evaluation techniques for diesel exhaust particulate matter.

A pilot study was conducted as part of a larger study evaluation biodiesel …

Optimization Of The Quantity Of Heated/Refrigerated Air Required For Ventilating Underground Mines With Ventilation-On-Request Systems, Samuel C. Wiley

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Development of deeper and more complex orebodies has increased the demand for efficient use of the air ventilating underground mining operations. Deeper and heavily mechanized operations present increasing difficulty for maintaining the air temperatures encountered by personnel, which must be removed to ensure their safety and health. The efficient use of air is made possible by the implementation of Ventilation-on-Request (VOR) systems. However, reductions in the quantity of air supplied by VOR may reduce the quantity below that which is necessary for effective heat exchange.

The objective of this thesis is to develop a heat simulation program that will determine …

Blacktail Creek Preliminary Nutrient Study, Seth Reedy

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The Blacktail Creek Preliminary Nutrient Study report includes the data from various local engineering firms, governmental agencies, and Montana Tech graduate students. This data was used to identify the gaps in water quality data pertaining to nutrients in Blacktail Creek. Based on the data gaps, a preliminary stream length nutrient sampling campaign was conducted at three different flow stages. Another goal of this project was to outline a nutrient sampling and analysis plan for future use. Therefore, this report attempts to establish a current baseline data for total nitrogen and total phosphorous in Blacktail Creek.

Thermodynamic Considerations In Molten Salt Electrolysis For Rare Earth Metals, Arwin Gunawan

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Many applications utilize rare earths as a part of their essential composition, such as: Ni-MH batteries, glass screen, magnets, fluorescent lightning, etc. These reactive elements are normally found as an oxide compound due to their affinity with oxygen. Their oxide formation exhibits a high standard free energy, which make them really stable. Consequently, extracting rare earths cannot be easily done with a simple acid-base reaction.

It has been known that there are two reduction ways to extract rare earth, metallothermic reduction and molten salt electrolysis process. Metallothermic method is determined by standard free energy formation, melting point, boiling point, vapor …

Voltammetric Investigation Of Xanthate Chemisorption On A Chalcopyrite Surface, Jesse Lynn Bowden

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Cyclic Voltammetry experiments have been conducted on copper, iron, and chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) and compared to mass-balanced EH-pH Diagrams. Potassium ethyl xanthate (KEX) was added to solution and additional voltammetry experiments were performed to determine the surface chemistry reactions of flotation collector in solution with these minerals. The ultimate goal of this research was to investigate the possibility of xanthate chemisorption onto the chalcopyrite mineral surface. Results of the copper mineral testing confirm previous literature studies and corroborate published isotherm data. Results of the iron mineral testing showed changes in surface reactions with the addition of potassium ethyl xanthate to solution, …

Environmental Considerations For Treatment Of Effluent Waste Solutions And Solid Waste Products, Larry G. Twidwell

Metallurgy

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation Of Carbon Concentrations Associated With Biodiesel Particulate Matter In An Underground Metal Mine, David Evans

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Exposure to diesel particulate matter from diesel exhaust has been shown to have adverse health effects in humans. In 2012 The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel exhaust as a group 1 know human carcinogen. Because of the associated health effects, there has been a strong push to reduce the amount of diesel exhaust present in the mining industry. Biodiesel is one to the more common and promising control options used to reduce the amount of diesel particulate matter that is generated during fuel combustion. The use of biodiesel over petroleum diesel has been shown to reduce not …

Aqueous Zinc Removal Using Nanoparticle Treated Natural Fibers, Daniel Zieske

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The objective of this thesis research is to evaluate and enhance a recently developed water treatment technology. The technology was previously successful in removing airborne mercury from coal fired power plant flue gas, and has since been demonstrated to remove aqueous copper and cadmium. The technology uses natural coconut fibers impregnated with metal nanoparticles using a proprietary technique. A series of batch tests determined that both the treated and untreated natural fibers were capable of removing over 90% of aqueous zinc from a synthetic solution made by dissolving ZnCl2 salts in deionized water. Further testing with a bench scale continuous …

Thermal Processing And Mechanical Properties Of Beta Phase Titanium Alloys For Biomedical Applications, Ethan Wood

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The past few decades have seen an increase in the use of beta titanium alloys as structural biomaterials. Their combination of excellent mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, along with a lower Young’s modulus than stainless steel, cobalt-chromium and commercially pure titanium make the beta titanium alloys ideal biomaterials. This work evaluates the use of three beta titanium alloys for biomedical applications. Three beta titanium alloys, Ti 15-3-3-3, Ti SP-700 and Ti Beta-C, underwent thermal processing to optimize mechanical properties. The alloys were subjected to tensile testing, hardness testing, fatigue testing, optical microscopy and SEM fracture analysis in order to …

Optimization Of Rare Earth Leaching From Ores And Concentrates, Grant Wallace

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The use of applied chemistry in the production and optimization of leach solutions from Rare Earth Element (REE) ores and concentrates was investigated. Ore and concentrate samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy/mineral liberation analysis (SEM/MLA), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Inductively-coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Multiple leach tests were performed to analyze the effects of temperature, residence time, and reagent concentration on the leaching of REEs. Analysis of leach solutions was carried out using ICP-AES. Modeling and statistical analysis of extraction behavior was carried out using DesignExpert 9. Modeling data for multiple REEs indicate that extraction is strongly influenced …

Investigating A Pilot Area In The Williston Basin Three Forks Formation To Determine The Optimal Inter-Well Spacing And Hydraulic Fracture Length To Maximize Economic Recovery, Adhikeshavan Ravee

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The objective of this work is to determine optimal inter-well spacing and hydraulic fracture length of the Three Forks assets in the Williston Basin operated by SM Energy. SM Energy is an independent exploration and production company with operations across North America, mainly in Texas and North Dakota. SM Energy recently switched to infill drilling development in their North Dakota assets and is interested in knowing the economically optimal number of wells that can be drilled per two-section drilling unit.

A simulation approach was taken in this research to address SM Energy’s issue. For research purposes a small pilot area …

Nitrogen Removal In Biological Wastewater Treatment Plant, Courtney Greyn

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Wastewater treatment and disposal is an integral part of mining operations. Water must be carefully managed to prevent waterborne contaminants from entering the surrounding environment. Mining companies rely on regulatory compliance and social acceptance to continue operations. The Stillwater Mining Company operates two underground mines in southern Montana, the Stillwater Mine and the East Boulder Mine, to extract platinum group metals from the J-M Reef geological formation. The East Boulder Mine operates an on-site wastewater treatment plant to remove waterborne contaminants from the water pumped to the surface from the underground mining operations. The main contaminant of concern at the …

An Environmental And Hydrogeological Investigation In The South Hebgen Basin, Montana, Joe Schmechel

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

This study was conducted to develop a hydrogeologic framework, and address water quality concerns in the South Hebgen Basin, near the town of West Yellowstone, Montana. The main goals of this research were to: (1) Develop a conceptual model of groundwater flow within the confined aquifer. (2) Use naturally occurring chemical tracers to investigate the confined aquifer’s extent and the connectivity. (3) Identify the influence of geothermal features on water chemistry. (4) Identify water quality issues related to arsenic (As) and fluoride (F^-). Long-term static water elevation plots and surface water flow, combined with water ion chemistry were …

Correlating Petrophysical Calculations From Density Logs To Production Trends In The Elm Coulee Field, Montana, Colton Mall

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

This thesis investigates correlations between estimated upper Bakken total organic carbon (TOC) and production data in the Elm Coulee field, and tests two hypotheses for defining simulation model properties with the results. The purpose of this research is to investigate potential correlations between upper Bakken TOC and production and exploit any correlations to develop better methods for defining simulation model properties. This may reduce time necessary to history match production from an Elm Coulee model and help to explain the production variability. The study area is in Montana townships 24N-57E, 23N-57E, and 24N-55E. Public domain completion and production data for …

Estimation And Thermodynamic Modeling Of Solid Iron Species In The Berkeley Pit Water, Rajesh Srivastava

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Since the cessation of open-pit mining activities from the Berkeley Pit located in Butte, MT in 1982, the pit had gradually filled with metal-laden acidic mine water. The purpose of this investigation was to estimate and apply thermodynamic theory to a group of iron-sulfate solids that might equilibrate with the Berkeley Pit water. Thermodynamic data was incomplete for acid mine affected water, and the effects of Cu cementation on the formation of iron oxide and sulfate solids had not been analyzed. Ferric iron compounds such as Ferrihydrite, Goethite, Schwertmannite, Potassium Jarosite and Potassium Hydronium Jarosite were modelled in Stabcal using …

A Hydrogeologic Evaluation Of The Waterloo Area In The Upper Jefferson River Valley, Montana, Nicole Brancheau

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The Upper Jefferson River is one of the most dewatered rivers in Montana. The river exists in an intermontane basin filled with sediment transported from the Highland Mountains to the west, the Tobacco Root Mountains to the east, and the Jefferson River from the south. The Upper Jefferson River Valley is highly dependent on the Jefferson River as the main industry in the valley is agriculture. A majority of the valley is irrigated and used to grow crops, and a good portion is also used for cattle grazing. The residents of the Upper Jefferson River Valley use the aquifer as …

Identification Of Non-Point Sources Of Nutrient Loading And Proposed Best Management Practices For Browns Gulch, Silver Bow County, Mt, Sarah Hamblock

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

Nutrients are essential to support stream ecosystems, however, if present in excess may lead to growth of algal blooms, excessive aquatic weeds, and alteration of natural aquatic ecosystems. Silver Bow Creek (SBC), the headwater stream of the Clark Fork River, is listed as impaired for nutrients (total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP)), by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. Browns Gulch is a major tributary to SBC, and drains agricultural and forested lands. To meet target nutrient TMDL concentrations in SBC, the tributary load inputs of TN and TP must be reduced by 93% in Browns Gulch. To identify …

Thermodynamic Analysis Of Rare Earth Chlorination And Bromination Processes, Katie Lyons, Jerome Downey, Dan Gaede, Bryce Ruffier

2015 Undergraduate Research

Research funded by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL), the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department at Montana Tech investigated various methods of extracting and refining rare earth elements (REEs) from mineral ores and concentrates. Extensive thermodynamic, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses were performed to evaluate the relative stabilities of various REE compounds in order to assess potential methods for selective separation and recovery of specific REEs. Conversion of rare earth oxides (REO) to rare earth chlorides or bromides is a possible initial step in pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processing of REEs. REO can be converted to chlorides or bromides by roasting in …

Management Challenges In Nurturing A Safe Work Environment, Thomas W. Camm

Mining Engineering

As engineers, we are trained to use logical, rational problem solving to insure our mines operate at maximum efficiency. We tend to use the same technical approach to design safety into all mining systems. This works well for machines, but not so much for the human component. Recent insights in the field of behavioral economics provide useful ideas for addressing the fact that we are driven by emotions more often than by rational thought. Understanding the nonrational aspect of human behavior is an important piece of any safety system design.

What A Ride: Mining Industry To University, Scott Rosenthal

Mining Engineering

This paper will share my ‘shift in career direction’ journey from corporate mine engineer, with 31 years of mining various commodities with a wide range of responsibilities in a variety of countries, to the world of academia. There are times in one’s career that a change is required, albeit perhaps not as drastic of a change as moving to teaching. This paper will share how the transition arose, the decision to make the change, the challenges of the first year in academia, and the journey within academia going into the second year.