Coal log pipeline: Latest developments

Conference · Tue Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1996

OSTI ID:549496

Marrero, T R ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States). Capsule Pipeline Research Center

Coal log pipeline (CLP) technology is progressing towards the first CLP commercial application. Progress was recently made in the following areas: coal log flow characteristics, coal log manufacture, prototype system design, field tests, and economic analysis. New experimental studies determined coal log wear effects due to velocity, diameter-ratio, binder concentration, pressure and other variables. Conceptual designs for two types of coal log manufacturing machines were completed, reviewed by outside consultants, and shop drawings were prepared. One prototype design can produce three logs per minute, 5.4 inches in diameter. The required amount of binder to make satisfactory logs has been further reduced to about 1%. Recently, a 6-inch-diameter coal log pipeline test loop has been constructed. Plans for the construction of two other new pipelines have been prepared; one is a 6-inch pipeline 3,000 ft long, and the other is an 8-inch diameter, 12 mile loop. The 12 mile loop will contain all major components of a commercial CLP and serve as a full-scale test facility. A coal log pipeline field test was conducted in a 6-inch, 5 mile long underground pipe. This test was successful even though water flow rates were significantly below the optimum based on lift-off velocity. The 1993 economic analysis of CLP was updated in 1995; revised costs ($/ton) indicate that a new CLP is cost competitive with existing modes of coal transportation in many instances. Favorable situations even include short hauls from 25 to 100 miles long. Other more recent developments in CLP technology will also be discussed in this report.

• OSTI ID: 549496
• Report Number(s): CONF-960954--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
BRIQUETS
COAL
DESIGN
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
FIELD TESTS
HYDRAULIC TRANSPORT
PIPELINES
PRESSES
PRODUCTION
WEAR RESISTANCE