Geology, mining, and methane content of the Freeport and Kittanning coalbeds in Indiana and surrounding counties, Pa

Technical Report · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5821607

Puglio, D G; Iannacchione, A T

This Bureau of Mines study covers 25 underground mines that were active in the Upper and Lower Freeport and Lower Kittanning coalbeds in 1976. The coal ranges from low to medium volatile in rank; its primary use is for steam generation. The methane gas content of three core samples of the Lower Kittanning coalbed was estimated by the direct method. A sample from a depth of 320 feet contained 0.5 cu cm of gas per gram, at 620 feet there was 0.8 cu cm of gas per gram, and at 1060 feet there were 11 cu cm of gas per gram. In the study area, the seven mines with the highest methane emissions per day are generally the deepest and largest producers. The mines that have low methane emissions are small drift mines working under shallow cover and have relatively low production rates. Of the five coalbed horizons that occur in the Freeport and Kittanning Formations, only the Upper and Lower Freeport and the Lower Kittanning are of economic importance. Underground and surface mining of these coalbeds occurs in areas possessing minable thicknesses that are greater than 28 inches in thickness and that are generally greater than 200 acres in area. Local and regional variation in coal thickness is the norm for the Freeport and Kittanning coalbeds, and is the consequence of depositional controls exerted in the deltaic environment. Complex rock joint systems occur in each quadrangle in the study area and roughly correspond to three fundamental joint systems. Structural and depositional discontinuities have affected mining and development in the economically important coalbeds.To date, 10 separate thrust faults have been reported. When such faults are encountered underground, poor roof conditions can be associated with these features.

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (USA). Pittsburgh Coal Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5821607
• Report Number(s): BM-RI-8406
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
011000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Reserves
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& Exploration
ALKANES
BOREHOLES
CAVITIES
CENTRAL REGION
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINING
COAL RANK
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DRILL CORES
FLUID FLOW
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GEOLOGIC FAULTS
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METHANE
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ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PENNSYLVANIA
QUANTITY RATIO
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STRATIGRAPHY
USA