Peat resource estimation in Minnesota: Final report

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:5998027

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) completed and published reconnaissance-level investigations for four areas in Minnesota. Approximately 1,061,000 ha (2,622,000 ac) of peatland were surveyed in Aitkan, northern Beltrami Koochiching Lake of the Woods, and southwestern St. Louis counties. Within these areas, approximately 812,000 ha (2,007,000 ac) of peatland are administratively available. And, based on DOE's criteria, approximately 276,000 ha (681,900 ac) of peatland are fuel-grade resources. Calculated in terms of the higher heating value, the energy value of these deposits is 16.47 quads. Reconnaissance investigations were completed for Carlton and Itasca counties and portions of Cass, Lake, and St. Louis counties, but because of the minimal interest in fuel peat, reports were not published. These investigations examined approximately 346,600 ha (856,500 ac) of peatland, of which 191,940 ha (474,280 ac) are administratively available. The results of the investigations are recorded on file maps and stored in the state's computer system. The DNR completed four detailed investigations at peatland sites thought to have high fuel peat potential. As a pilot project, peat sods were produced from the Fens Peatland. Peatland surveys for Boise Cascade, International Falls and the Hibbing Public Utility have produced encouraging results in conjunction with modeling that projected fuel costs. The cost of milled peat production in Minnesota can be competitive with the cost of western coal in certain production scenarios. The principles in the study have plans to continue engineering studies on conversion to fuel peat. 32 refs., 5 figs. 17 tabs.

• Research Organization: Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources, St. Paul (USA). Div. of Minerals
• DOE Contract Number: FG21-79ET14692
• OSTI ID: 5998027
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/14692-2377; ON: DE87006502
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010600 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Properties & Composition
011000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294001 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
ASH CONTENT
BULK DENSITY
CALORIFIC VALUE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
DATA
DENSITY
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FEDERAL REGION V
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INFORMATION
MATTER
MINNESOTA
MOISTURE
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC MATTER
PEAT
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
USA
VOLATILE MATTER