Coal-slurry-pipeline savings doubted: seen competitive at best

Journal Article · Mon Oct 30 04:00:00 EST 1978 · Energy User News; (United States)

OSTI ID:6522425

Feder, B J

The prevailing theme recently at the Transportation Research Forum's session on coal transportation was that slurry pipelines, at best, would be competitive with but no cheaper than rail transport for western coals. Touted as a way to cut coal-use costs, slurry pipelines appear to have the economic advantage of low operating costs, less vulnerability to inflation and labor disputes, better safety, and less environmental impact. Critics say the high capital costs, water requirements, sludge-disposal problems, inadequate demand, as well as the associated regulatory, legal, and financial problems will eliminate any cost advantage. More information is needed to eliminate many of the economic and natural uncertainties, while political and legal complications appear to be even more critical.

• OSTI ID: 6522425
• Journal Information: Energy User News; (United States), Journal Name: Energy User News; (United States) Vol. 3:44; ISSN EUSND
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
013000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294001* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320205 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Transportation-- Pipeline
CAPITAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COST
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DEMAND FACTORS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FINANCING
FOSSIL FUELS
FREIGHT PIPELINES
FUELS
INFLATION
LABOR RELATIONS
LEGAL ASPECTS
PIPELINES
RAILWAYS
REGULATIONS
SAFETY
SLURRY PIPELINES
TRANSPORT
WATER REQUIREMENTS