Mining Engineering Commons^™

Recovering Oil From An Unconsolidated Sand By Means Of Combustion, David K. Anderson

Masters Theses

"For many years, there has been talk expressing great concern about the oil reserves in the United States. Every four or five years, articles are published stating that we are running out of oil and our proved reserves, to date, are only adequate, at our present rate of consumption, for about 20 years. While this is true, it does not leave us with the complete picture. The industry in the past 20 years has never had more than a 20 year reserve. It must be said, however, that it is becoming more difficult with each passing year to find oil …

Uses And Advantages Of Short Period Delay Blasting Systems In Mining And Quarrying, Irving C. Falk

Masters Theses

"One of the most recent developments in blasting practice is that of applying the principle of short period delay electric blasting. In this type of electric blasting, instead or having all holes fire at one time, each hole or group of holes is a shot in itself. To provide a short period delay, of a few thousandths of a second, between each hole or group of holes, either millisecond (split-second) delay electric blasting caps or a suitable delayed action blasting switch may be used.

Short period delay electric blasting systems were originally developed for use by quarries in or near …

Effects Of Higher Speed Explosives In Drift Rounds, Harve Preston Nelson

Masters Theses

"There is much still to be learned of what takes place in the actual explosive zone of a rock blast. Many factors, both known and unknown, have individual and collective effects. A program is now in progress by the Mining Department of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy for developing and preserving information about some of the factors affecting the use of explosives. Some work has been done. More is now being completed by Messrs. R. J. Jones and J. B. H. Fitz-William. Present plans call for continuing the research and gathering data on this subject which is so important …

Effects Of A Reverse Order Of Firing Using Millisecond Delay Electric Blasting Caps In A Quarry Operation, Reginald John Jones

Masters Theses

"Evidence of the steady increase in the production of quarries is a reflection of the improved blasting practices that are being used. New explosives, the new millisecond electrical blasting caps and the endless experimentation carried on by both manufacturer and operator continue to aid or better the old methods of quarry blasting. In many instances the better results were obtained from practices hitherto unknown or at least unused. This report describes the results obtained from comparing quarry rounds shot in the accepted firing order and those shot in the reverse order of firing. The purpose of the report is to …

Grouting And Freezing Unconsolidated And Water-Bearing Strata, Robert Walter Heins

Masters Theses

"The process of grouting has undergone many changes in recent years. A definition must, therefore, be inclusive. "Grouting" is the process of injecting, under pressure, into soil and rock through boreholes or other openings, any solution or suspension containing materials that harden, stiffen, or swell in void spaces to produce a solid or semi-solid impermeable mass. Various cements, chemicals, asphalts and clays are the materials used in the grouting process. The use of tailings is also considered a type of grouting, since some hardening or stiffening takes place. Cement grout relies on chemical reaction to bring about setting or hardening …

Principles And Practices Controlling The Use Of Earthmoving Equipment, Woodrow John Latvala

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this study is to show how the efficiency in earthmoving projects can be increased by the application of engineering principles. Efficiency can be increased by choosing equipment to fit the given set of conditions; and, having chosen the equipment, operate it at its maximum efficiency. In order to choose the right equipment it is necessary to study the conditions under which the equipment must operate. It is then necessary to study the machine in order to ascertain its adaptability to the existing conditions"--Introduction, page 1.

A Study Of Mine Scraper Efficiency On Materials Of Different Specific Gravities, Kermit Guy Rowley

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this study is to determine the effect that the specific gravity of the material scraped has on the power consumption and the efficiency of the common types of mine scrapers. As scraper weight, rope speed, and moisture content of the muck are important factors affecting the power consumption and efficiency, these variables are the ones considered for each type scraper. Two materials of different specific gravities are used in the study with an equal number of tests run on each material"--Introduction, Purpose of Problem, page 2.

A Comparative Study Of Some Rock Drill Bits, Charles Roger Knopp

Masters Theses

"The detachable single-use rick-drill bit has attracted considerable attention in the mining industry of the United States during the past few years. While this type of bit has been used for some time in other countries, it has been only recently that these bits have been manufactured in the United States. It was decided to test this type of bit and make a comparative study of a single-use bit and a widely used detachable rock-drill bit"--Introduction, page 1.

Rockbursts, Christian Maurice Colson

Masters Theses

"This paper does not pretend to originality; it is an attempt to bring to light the causes and the mechanism of rockbursts, as exposed in the literature. Furthermore, an endeavor has been made to give a comprehensive picture of the prediction, prevention, and control methods of rockbursts. Briefly, what has been done in the field of rockbursts, and what remains open to investigation is submitted to the reader. The choice of rockbursts as a thesis subject appears to be justified by the geologic interest of the question. Detailed geologic observations, and particularly the recording of all the structural features which …

A Study Of The Efficiency Of Split-Second Delay Electric Blasting Caps In Underground Limestone Mining, John B. H. Fitzwilliam

Masters Theses

"The introduction of electric blasting caps have delay intervals of the order of one-half to one second proved of advantage in many aspects of underground mining, particularly development work. Their use spread, until they now supersede fuse-and-cap firing wherever possible. Split-second delay electric blasting caps are a comparatively recent development from conventional delay caps. They have been found of practicable use in quarrying operations, and have been applied in many phases of underground mining. While evidence, to show that short-delay firing in quarrying is more efficient than instantaneous firing, is becoming increasingly conclusive, it remains to be proved that split-second …

Safety And Health In Mining, John Philip Lacke

Masters Theses

"The mining industry has long been criticised severely because of its high rate of accident occurrence. Statistics, which, however, are not strictly comparable show that the accident-frequency rate in all mining is currently about three times and the accident severity rate is about seven times as great as the average for general industrial work in the United States. Figures such as these are by no means comforting to mining men. They constitute a challenge to the industry that cannot be ignored.

It must be remembered that any type of mining is more hazardous than most or the other major occupations. …

Efficiency Studies Of The Effect Of Moisture On The Power Consumption Of Mine Scrapers, Georges J. Vigier

Masters Theses

"Many years of practice have resulted in the standardization of several types of scrapers which are now commonly manufactured for use in mining. Although experience has brought out much information on scraping operations, no systematic studies of the efficiency of mine scrapers have been carried out before the experimental works done in the last few years at Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy. "Purpose of Problem": The purpose of this present study is to consider the effect which moisture in the muck has on the efficiency as regards power consumption and amount of material scraped, of different types of mine …

Experimental Studies Of The Effect Of Moisture On Strength Of Mine Roof-Shales, Rolf W. Roley

Professional Degree Theses

"The mining and production of coal by underground mining operations has long been recognized as one of this nation's most hazardous industries. Tabulated data from the State of Illinois, for example, reveal that in that State between 1882 and 1945 there have been 7,789 men killed in coal mining accidents of one form or another. Further inspection of the data indicates that 3,711 of these men were killed underground by falls of roof or rock….

As previously stated, this experiment was designed to determine whether or not any appreciable change in strength as measured by Transverse Breakage would result from …

Effect Of Unionism On Cost Of Coal, Subrahmanya Padmanabhan

Masters Theses

"Coal is not only the base of our civilization and a key to our continued high standard of living but it is also playing a leading part in the recovery of Europe and other backward nations of the world. Our dependency upon coal as a basic source of energy is growing greater and greater every day. Some day atomic power may be our principal source of energy but the list of technical obstacles that block the way for widespread and commercial use of atomic energy is a long one. Unlike its competitors, such as petroleum and natural gas, the reserves …

A Graphic Method For Determining Pressure Losses Due To Air Friction In Mine Airways, Robert F. Bruzewski

Masters Theses

"One of the most important factors that influence the selection of a fan or blower for circulating a desired quantity of air through mine workings is the total pressure that is required to overcome the resistance of the airways. Ordinarily, the major portion of this resistance is that caused by friction of the moving air on the surface of the airways. The pressure that is required to overcome this frictional resistance is calculated by means of the friction formula"--Introduction, page 1.

The Barite Industry In The United States, James Byron Chaney

Masters Theses

"Within the past few years, barite has become one of the most important non-metallic substance mined in the United States, as expressed by the large increase in production since 1943. The purpose of this treatise is to combine in a single volume important information concerning the geographical distribution, geology, mining methods, milling or beneficiation methods, production and utilization of barite in the United States. A large number of references has been used in preparing this treatment. The information has, as far as possible, been brought up-to-date. It is thought by the writer that the paper will present to the reader …

Caving Procedure At The Crestmore Limestone Mine Of The Riverside Cement Company, Riverside County, Calif., Randall Helt Wightman

Professional Degree Theses

"The following paper describes current mining practices of the Riverside Cement Company at its Crestmore Mine, Riverside, California. For a number of years the Riverside Cement Company obtained its raw materials by surface quarry operations, but after these deposits were exhausted for equipment available at that time, the Company started underground mining. Mine workings were begun in 1927 to 1930 for the recovery of limestone by block-caving methods"--Introduction, page 1.

Study Of Oil Well Squeeze Cementing Operations, Arthur Wellesley Walker

Professional Degree Theses

"A study of the literature and field operations indicates conclusively that squeeze cementing operations are performed almost exclusively as corrective measures in completing or working-over wells. The most common use is to correct for faulty cement operations during original well completions. Careful study of field operations indicate that in most cases formations are broken-down at pressures far less than that required to lift the overburden, and that large quantities of drilling mud and cement may be pumped into the well (and formations) at pressures less than that of the overburden. Analyses of the forces indicate that the formations will be …

A Study Of The Power Consumption Of Mine Scrapers, Stanley Francis Johnsen

Masters Theses

"Since scrapers were first employed in underground mining work, numerous changes in scraper design have transpired until now there are several common types of scrapers in use in mines over the world. The proved models of scrapers have been developed over a period of more than fifty years. Although specific scrapers have been tested to determine the amount of power consumed, no literature could be found concerning the relative power consumption of the different types of scrapers when operated under identical conditions. Purpose of Problem - The purpose of this study is to determine the relative efficiency of different types …

The Influence Of Grade Strength On The Efficiency Of Gelatin Dynamite, Kenneth George Ackermann

Masters Theses

"This study of the relative effectiveness of different grade-strengths of Special Gelatin dynamite in dolomitic limestone was conducted at the Experimental Mine of the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, Rolla, Missouri"--Introduction, page 1.

A Comparative Study Of Some Rock Drill Bits, Paul Louis Terrasson

Masters Theses

"This paper describes a comparative study which was made of the wear and efficiency of different types of rock-drill bits when used under various drilling conditions...The four types of experiments which were carried out had the following purposes: 1. Determine the influence of the size of the bit. 2. Determine the influence of the design of the bit. 3. Determine the influence of the type of hammer. 4. Compare the performances of steel and tungsten carbide bits in limestone and in granite"--Introduction, page 1.

Dust Control In Mining Industry And Some Aspects Of Silicosis, Mathuramuthoo Subramanyam

Masters Theses

"The deleterious effect on human beings of dust in mine air is well-known. It is the duty of engineers, therefore, to take measures to eliminate it. It is now definitely established that of all the various types of dust encountered in mine air, silica dust is the most harmful. This dust, if inhaled over a period of time, causes the disease, silicosis, which in most countries is compensated for as a physical disability. The prevention of alleviation of this scourge is analyzed in three broad aspects: 1. If the mine air is as clean as outside atmospheric air, silicosis will …

Graphical Cost Analysis, Pranlal Girdharlal Sheth

Masters Theses

"This study made in the present work is an attempt to use the graphical methods to analyse the various cost functions of mineral production, viz., cost of labor, and materials (explosives, supplies, etc.) and to investigate their behavior with regard to the production of ore. Graphs and charts show, in a pictorial way, the relative magnitudes of changes in the factors of production that take place with the process of time. Besides being a visual comparison of the various series plotted, the graph develops and build analytical thinking and permits one to obtain the proper perspective. Today, engineers, in constantly …

A Study Of The Ventilation Of The Hiawatha Mine, Menominee Iron Range, Michigan, Thomas Alan O'Hara

Masters Theses

"Mine operators in the Menominee iron range have become aware of the need for adequate ventilation to reduce the amount of dangerous dust in the air. Dust-excluding respirators and water sprays are used but it is apparent that the prevalence of diseases caused by dust will be appreciably reduced only if an adequate amount of fresh air reaches the working places. During the past five years the necessity for direct control of the underground working environment has become particularly urgent. The increase in production rate, with two-shift and three-shift operation replacing the single shift, has complicated the problem of dealing …

The Influence Of Cartridge Diameter On The Effectiveness Of Dynamite, Charles Harding Noren

Masters Theses

"For many years the manufacturers of explosives have attempted to show the advantages of using dynamite of a cartridge diameter of at least 1-1/8 inches. Tests by the manufacturers and by the United States Bureau of Mines hare definitely shown that the dynamites prepared in larger diameter cartridges have several advantages: They are more sensitive to detonation; they detonate at a higher velocity; they are resistant to water; they are safer to use; and they are more stable than dynamites made in smaller diameter cartridges. In spite of these advantages listed, several large consumers still insist on smaller diameter cartridges. …

The Park City Consolidated Mine Madison County, Missouri, Charles Donald Geiger

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this study is the application of the principles of mining geology to a search for additional ore in one of Missouri's lead mines and to provide in the literature a general analysis of the type of lead deposit found in Southeast Missouri whereby future prospecting and development work on similar deposits may be more efficiently carried on. The study consists of a thorough consideration of the geology and operation of the mine being worked by the Park City Consolidated Mines Company, Missouri Division, at Fredericktown, Madison County, Missouri. The field work was conducted during the months of …

The Effect Of Temperature On Mine Rocks, James Wilson Snider

Masters Theses

"The problem of this investigation involves the determination of the coefficients of thermal expansion of mine rocks, and the relationship of porosity, permeability, and consecutive temperature changes to the permanent elongation of those rocks. One of the major problems in mining today is that of the analysis of the action of exposed mine rock under changes of temperature. The immediate cause of a fall of ground in a mining excavation is due to the fact that some part of the mass that falls has been subjected to a stress beyond the strength of the rock. The question arises as to …

The Effect Of Rope Speed And Moisture On Mine Scrapers, Ronald L. Carmichael

Masters Theses

"During recent years the use of power drawn scrapers, sometimes called "slushing", for the transfer of ore and waste rock has become standard practice in many mining operations. Scraper types have been developed to meet various operating conditions by trial and error methods and by practical research. The study of scraper efficiency has been confined in the past mainly to power consumption. A detailed study of the effect of rope speed and moisture content of the material being moved on scraping efficiency, under controlled conditions, has not been noted in a review of the literature. The author feels that such …

Performance Study Of Mechanical Loading Machines In Coal Mining Practice, Kor Uyetake

Masters Theses

"In the transition from hand-loading methods in coal mining to mechanical loading methods various types of equipment have been developed to do the same job. Among the coal mining operators and among miners in the coal fields, various equipment preferences have developed. This produces a sharp difference of opinion. emotional statements of such ideas based upon personal likings do not contribute materially to coal mining progress - it merely serves to confuse the issue. The author feels that the opinions on the loading equipment should be based upon some factual data rather than the preconceived idea. Often it is difficult …

A Study Of The Transportation Of Mine Rock By Pumping, Howard Morris Fowler

Masters Theses

"The conclusions arrived at in regard to the practicability of utilizing pumps instead of skip haulage for the removal of ore and waste from mines are entirely theoretical, as it was impossible to make actual conparative runs. These results were arrived at by comparing known or estimated costs for both types of operations. The abrasion studies were conducted in the laboratory of the Mining Department at the School of Mines and Metallurgy. The pressure tank was designed in an effort to counteract the present necessity for using single stage pumps in sand pumping, and to find a means for eliminating …