Pennsylvania anthracite refuse, a literature survey on chemical elements in coal and coal refuse

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1971 · Special Research Report SR-83, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources; (United States)

OSTI ID:7054741

Sun, S C; Vasquez-Rosas, H; Augenstein, D

Two hundred and forty-five articles concerning common and rare chemical elements found in, or associated with, coal and coal refuse are discussed using a text type format in which the 46 elements known to occur in the ashes of coal are presented on an element by element basis. As each element is discussed, the techniques and conclusions of various authors who have investigated that particular element are summarized and discussed, thus affording a brief yet comprehensive overview of research centered on that element. Although the primary objective of this report was a study of research on elements in anthracite coal and refuse, literature concerning all ranks of coal from throughout the world is presented because, it was felt, elements associated with one rank might also be associated with another. The first section of this report covers the elemental composition of coal in general, discussing such topics as the difference between common and rare elements, the inorganic constituents of coal, typical composition of anthracite, a comparison of rare elements in ashes of coal and ashes of the earth's crust, typical ranges of concentration of minor and trace elements, and enrichment of elements during the decay of plant humus. Although no definite patterns have been established in regard to how elements in one rank coal are associated with those in another rank, factors that effect the elements found in or associated with a particular coal, such as geological origins and geographical location, are discussed. The review of the 245 articles, covered in this report, indicates that probably alumina or Al compounds and possibly silica or Si compounds may be extracted as marketable products. There also exists the possibility of recovering Ge and/or Ga as by-products, if they are present in appreciable amounts.

• OSTI ID: 7054741
• Journal Information: Special Research Report SR-83, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources; (United States), Journal Name: Special Research Report SR-83, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources; (United States) Vol. SR-83
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010600* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Properties & Composition
010800 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Waste Management
ALUMINIUM
ANTHRACITE
ASHES
BLACK COAL
BY-PRODUCTS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COAL
COAL RANK
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GALLIUM
GERMANIUM
MATERIALS
METALS
MINERAL WASTES
RESIDUES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SOLID WASTES
WASTES