Experiences in transporation of dried low-rank western coals

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1975

OSTI ID:7186725

Paulson, L E; Cooley, S A; Wegert, C; Ellman, R C

The Grand Forks Energy Research Center and Commonwealth Edison of Chicago jointly conducted tests in which 400 tons each of subbituminous coal and lignite were dried in a commercial scale dryer, oil sprayed and cooled, then shipped in open-top rail cars from Pekin, IL to Grand Forks, ND and stockpiled. Cars containing raw coal and dried coal that had not been oil sprayed were also transported for comparative purposes. The subbituminous coal was dried from 26 to 16 pct moisture and the heating value was upgraded from 8,420 to 9,650 Btu/lb. The lignite was dried from 39 to 22 pct moisture and its heating value was increased from 6,420 to 8,300 Btu/lb. Before loading, subbituminous coal was cooled at 115/sup 0/F and sprayed with oil at a rate of from 2 to 6 gal/ton. Similarly, lignite was cooled to 85/sup 0/F and oil sprayed at rates of from 1 to 2 gal/ton. The subbituminous coal was subjected to 2 inches of rain during transit with no change in average moisture content. The cars containing dried and oil treated coal had less material lost to wind than either cars containing raw or untreated dried coal. With both dried lignite and subbituminous shipments, a moderate increase in temperature was measured during transit. With the subbituminous shipments, ignition occurred near poorly fitted bottom dump doors, but was limited to a very small area. The dried lignite was shipped when ambient temperatures were below freezing, and frozen coal was noted around the edge of the car. At Grand Forks, the coal was stockpiled using proven techniques and has remained stable to this date.

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Grand Forks, N.Dak. (USA); Commonwealth Edison Co., Maywood, Ill. (USA); Energy Research and Development Administration, Grand Forks, N.Dak. (USA). Grand Forks Energy Research Center
• OSTI ID: 7186725
• Report Number(s): CONF-750946-9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
013000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
BROWN COAL
CALORIFIC VALUE
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COAL PREPARATION
COMBUSTION
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
COMMINUTION
DRYING
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
LIGNITE
OXIDATION
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION
SUBBITUMINOUS COAL
TRANSPORT