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Title: Low-rank coal study: national needs for resource development. Volume 3. Technology evaluation

Abstract

Technologies applicable to the development and use of low-rank coals are analyzed in order to identify specific needs for research, development, and demonstration (RD and D). Major sections of the report address the following technologies: extraction; transportation; preparation, handling and storage; conventional combustion and environmental control technology; gasification; liquefaction; and pyrolysis. Each of these sections contains an introduction and summary of the key issues with regard to subbituminous coal and lignite; description of all relevant technology, both existing and under development; a description of related environmental control technology; an evaluation of the effects of low-rank coal properties on the technology; and summaries of current commercial status of the technology and/or current RD and D projects relevant to low-rank coals.

Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Energy Resources Co., Inc., Walnut Creek, CA (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
6435002
Report Number(s):
DOE/FC/10066-T1-(Vol.3)
DOE Contract Number:
AC18-79FC10066
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; 29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY; COAL; COMBUSTION; RESEARCH PROGRAMS; COAL GASIFICATION; TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT; COAL LIQUEFACTION; COAL MINING; COAL PREPARATION; MINERALS; CATALYTIC EFFECTS; BOILERS; CATALYSTS; COAL RANK; COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS; DESIGN; DESULFURIZATION; DRYING; FLY ASH; FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS; FUEL GAS; LIGNITE; MATERIALS HANDLING; POLLUTION CONTROL; STORAGE; SUBBITUMINOUS COAL; TRANSPORT; WATER REMOVAL; AEROSOL WASTES; ASHES; BROWN COAL; CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; COMMINUTION; CONTROL; ENERGY SOURCES; FLUIDS; FOSSIL FUELS; FUELS; GAS FUELS; GASES; GASIFICATION; LIQUEFACTION; MATERIALS; MINING; OXIDATION; POWER PLANTS; REMOVAL; RESIDUES; THERMAL POWER PLANTS; THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES; WASTES; 010000* - Coal, Lignite, & Peat; 294001 - Energy Planning & Policy- Coal

Citation Formats

Not Available. Low-rank coal study: national needs for resource development. Volume 3. Technology evaluation. United States: N. p., 1980. Web. doi:10.2172/6435002.
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Not Available. Low-rank coal study: national needs for resource development. Volume 3. Technology evaluation. United States. doi:10.2172/6435002.
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Not Available. Sat . "Low-rank coal study: national needs for resource development. Volume 3. Technology evaluation". United States. doi:10.2172/6435002. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6435002.
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@article{osti_6435002,
title = {Low-rank coal study: national needs for resource development. Volume 3. Technology evaluation},
author = {Not Available},
abstractNote = {Technologies applicable to the development and use of low-rank coals are analyzed in order to identify specific needs for research, development, and demonstration (RD and D). Major sections of the report address the following technologies: extraction; transportation; preparation, handling and storage; conventional combustion and environmental control technology; gasification; liquefaction; and pyrolysis. Each of these sections contains an introduction and summary of the key issues with regard to subbituminous coal and lignite; description of all relevant technology, both existing and under development; a description of related environmental control technology; an evaluation of the effects of low-rank coal properties on the technology; and summaries of current commercial status of the technology and/or current RD and D projects relevant to low-rank coals.},
doi = {10.2172/6435002},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1980},
month = {Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1980}
}
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Technical Report:
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DOI:  10.2172/6435002
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  • Comprehensive data are presented on the quantity, quality, and distribution of low-rank coal (subbituminous and lignite) deposits in the United States. The major lignite-bearing areas are the Fort Union Region and the Gulf Lignite Region, with the predominant strippable reserves being in the states of North Dakota, Montana, and Texas. The largest subbituminous coal deposits are in the Powder River Region of Montana and Wyoming, The San Juan Basin of New Mexico, and in Northern Alaska. For each of the low-rank coal-bearing regions, descriptions are provided of the geology; strippable reserves; active and planned mines; classification of identified resources bymore » depth, seam thickness, sulfur content, and ash content; overburden characteristics; aquifers; and coal properties and characteristics. Low-rank coals are distinguished from bituminous coals by unique chemical and physical properties that affect their behavior in extraction, utilization, or conversion processes. The most characteristic properties of the organic fraction of low-rank coals are the high inherent moisture and oxygen contents, and the correspondingly low heating value. Mineral matter (ash) contents and compositions of all coals are highly variable; however, low-rank coals tend to have a higher proportion of the alkali components CaO, MgO, and Na/sub 2/O. About 90% of the reserve base of US low-rank coal has less than one percent sulfur. Water resources in the major low-rank coal-bearing regions tend to have highly seasonal availabilities. Some areas appear to have ample water resources to support major new coal projects; in other areas such as Texas, water supplies may be constraining factor on development.« less

  • ; ; ; ...
    Low-rank coals - lignite and subbituminous - are those which have been subjected to the least amount of metamorphic change during the coal-forming process. As such, they retain greater fractions of moisture and volatile matter from the original peat material, and contain less fixed carbon, than the high-rank coals - bituminous and anthracite. The primary measure used to classify the lower ranks of coal is heating value. Other important characteristics which distinguish the low-rank coals from high-rank coals are discussed in this report. Low-rank coals represent a major, and largely untapped, energy resource for this country. Very extensive deposits ofmore » lignite and subbituminous coal exist in the western states, the Gulf coast, and Alaska. Major deposits of low-rank coal are also found in many other countries, most notably the USSR, Australia, Canada, and the central and eastern European nations. Worldwide coal statistics indicate that low-rank coals account for roughly one-third of the total resource and current production tonnages. This report recommends a comprehensive national research, development, and demonstration (RD and D) program to enhance the development of low-rank coals. The major conclusion of this study is that the unique properties of these coals affect the technologies for their extraction, preparation, direct use, and conversion and justify a separate focus on low-rank coals in the national RD and D efforts.« less

  • The requirements and potential for development of US peat resources for energy use are reviewed. Factors analyzed include the occurrence and properties of major peat deposits; technologies for extraction, dewatering, preparation, combustion, and conversion of peat to solid, liquid, or gaseous fuels; environmental, regulatory, and market constraints; and research, development, and demonstration (RD and D) needs. Based on a review of existing research efforts, recommendations are made for a comprehensive national RD and D program to enhance the use of peat as an energy source.

  • ; ; ; ...
    Volume II contains articles on advanced combustion phenomena, combustion inorganic transformation; coal/char reactivity; liquefaction reactivity of low-rank coals, gasification ash and slag characterization, and fine particulate emissions. These articles have been entered individually into EDB and ERA. (LTN)