Low-rank coal study : national needs for resource development. Volume 2. Resource characterization
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 by 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.
- Research Organization:
- Energy Resources Co., Inc., Walnut Creek, CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC18-79FC10066
- OSTI ID:
- 6528074
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/FC/10066-T1(Vol.2)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ASHES
BROWN COAL
CALORIFIC VALUE
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
COAL
COAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINES
COAL RANK
COAL RESERVES
COAL SEAMS
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
DATA
DEPTH
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
INFORMATION
LIGNITE
MAPS
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINES
MOISTURE
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
OVERBURDEN
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
QUANTITY RATIO
RESERVES
RESIDUES
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RESOURCES
SUBBITUMINOUS COAL
THICKNESS
USA
WATER RESOURCES