A statistical study of coal sulfur variability and related factors. Final report

Technical Report · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:6494909

Warholic, G R; Morton, J E; Ngan, Y; Spearman, J E; Harris, Y

Coal analysis data and power plant continuous monitoring data were gathered, reviewed and analyzed to assess the impact of fuel coal characteristics on compliance strategies and emission regulations. Coal analysis data, on a raw and washed basis, were analyzed by individual mine, composite coal seams and USBM Producing Districts. The results indicated that composite coal seam or Producing District data cannot be used to accurately predict sulfur variabilities for individual mines. Analyses indicated that the heat content (Btu/lb) was best approximated by the normal distribution, which the sulfur content and pounds sulfur/MMBtu were best represented by the inverted gamma distribution which was slightly superior to the lognormal distribution. Analysis of available continuous monitoring data supported the inverse relationship between coal sulfur variability and lot size, i.e., significant reductions in relative variability of emissions occur as the averaging time increases. The continuous monitoring data indicate that while FGD systems reduce mean emission levels, the relative variabilities of outlet SO2 concentrations are substantially greater than those of inlet SO2 concentrations. The various analyses of coal sulfur variability identified no reliable method for coal suppliers or consumers to predict variability which may be critical for compliance by some coal-fired boilers to existing sulfur emission-limiting regulations.

• Research Organization: Foster Associates, Inc., Washington, DC (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6494909
• Report Number(s): PB-81-111585
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010600* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Properties & Composition
AIR POLLUTION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COAL
COAL MINES
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
CONTROL
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
MATERIALS
MINES
MONITORING
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
REGULATIONS
SULFUR
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR CONTENT
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
WASTES