Technical and economic evaluation of underground disposal of coal mining wastes. Open file report (final) nov 77-dec 79

Technical Report · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:7181841

Bucek, M F; Clauser, J K; Schad, J A; Chakravorti, N K

This report presents the activities performed and the results achieved during a two-phase investigation of the technical and economic feasibility of disposing of coal mine refuse underground in active mines. Three coal regions that are most severely affected by coal refuse problems are southwestern Pennsylvania, southern West Virginia, and eastern Kentucky. A conceptual model mine is presented that describes the geologic conditions, mining methods, and environmental circumstances typical of each region. The model mine in the Kanawha region in southwestern West Virginia and eastern Kentucky was selected as the basis for developing alternative conceptual designs of underground disposal systems. Procedures used in selecting the regions and in modeling typical mines are described. The report presents existing methods for stowing refuse underground, three alternative conceptual designs of stowing systems that would be appropriate for the model mine, discusses technical characteristics and environmental effects relative to the various systems, and evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of the three alternative disposal system designs. Comparisons of costs among systems and with costs of surface disposal are presented.

• Research Organization: HRB-Singer, Inc., State College, PA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7181841
• Report Number(s): PB-80-154768
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010800* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Waste Management
BACKFILLING
COAL MINING
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS HANDLING
MINING
SAFETY
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
UNDERGROUND MINING
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT