Low-rank coal study : national needs for resource development. Volume 2. Resource characterization

Technical Report · Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6528074· OSTI ID:6528074

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

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
COAL DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
LIGNITE
ASHES
CALORIFIC VALUE
SUBBITUMINOUS COAL
USA
COAL RESERVES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
COAL MINES
COAL RANK
COAL SEAMS
DEPTH
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
MAPS
MOISTURE
OVERBURDEN
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
QUANTITY RATIO
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
THICKNESS
WATER RESOURCES
BROWN COAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COMBUSTION PROPERTIES
DATA
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
INFORMATION
MATERIALS
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINES
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
RESERVES
RESIDUES
RESOURCES
011000* - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
010600 - Coal
Lignite
& Peat- Properties & Composition
294001 - Energy Planning & Policy- Coal