Preparation for upgrading western subbituminous coal

Technical Report · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5688169· OSTI ID:5688169

Grimes, R W; Cha, C Y; Sheesley, D C

The objective of this project was to establish the physical and chemical characteristics of western coal and determine the best preparation technologies for upgrading this resource. Western coal was characterized as an abundant, easily mineable, clean, low-sulfur coal with low heating value, high moisture, susceptibility to spontaneous ignition, and considerable transit distances from major markets. Project support was provided by the Morgantown Energy Technology Center (METC) of the US Department of Energy (DOE). The research was conducted by the Western Research Institute, (WRI) in Laramie, Wyoming. The project scope of work required the completion of four tasks: (1) project planning, (2) literature searches and verbal contacts with consumers and producers of western coal, (3) selection of the best technologies to upgrade western coal, and (4) identification of research needed to develop the best technologies for upgrading western coals. The results of this research suggest that thermal drying is the best technology for upgrading western coals. There is a significant need for further research in areas involving physical and chemical stabilization of the dried coal product. Excessive particle-size degradation and resulting dustiness, moisture reabsorption, and high susceptibility to spontaneous combustion are key areas requiring further research. Improved testing methods for the determination of equilibrium moisture and susceptibility to spontaneous ignition under various ambient conditions are recommended.

• Research Organization: Western Research Inst., Laramie, WY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: FC21-86MC11076
• OSTI ID: 5688169
• Report Number(s): DOE/MC/11076-3049; ON: DE92001130
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
SUBBITUMINOUS COAL
COAL PREPARATION
BRIQUETTING
CALORIFIC VALUE
COMMINUTION
DRYING
HEAT TREATMENTS
MOISTURE
PARTICLE SIZE
PELLETIZING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SULFUR CONTENT
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
ENERGY SOURCES
FABRICATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
MATERIALS
MOLDING
SIZE
010300* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Preparation- (1987-)