Search Documents

By J. R. Nawrot

Reclamation of potentially acid producing coal processing waste requires a 4-foot cover, and/or treatment to allow vegetation establishment. If not planned properly, soil covering alone does not prevent refuse acidification or formation of acid seeps. Adequate neutralization enhancement prior to soil covering can maintain an alkaline environment in the soil refuse interface and prevent acidification. Direct vegetation establishment using only limestone amendment (without soil cover) can successfully reclaim aged and weathered fine (Blurry) and coarse (gob) refuse if adequate neutralization treatment is provided for the oxidized surface zone. Acid seeps, representing an "after-the-fact" verification of an imbalance of acid-base equilibrium may also be corrected using upslope alkaline recharge techniques. Concentrated alkaline recharge pools have been constructed above previously soil covered acid gob at the Peabody Will Scarlet Mine to abate acid seeps. Preliminary monitoring results (1989-1992) from a concentrated alkaline recharge pool demonstration project in the Pit 4 area of the Will Scarlet Mine have documented a 50 to 80 percent reduction in acidity in the principal recharge pool groundwater zone. A 22% reduction in acidity has occurred in the primary seeps located downslope from the alkaline recharge pools. The initial improvements in water quality are seen as a positive indication that groundwater acidity will decrease further and amelioration of the acid seep will continue.

Jan 1, 1993

By Luis Pommier

In the United States, about one-quarter of the fuel oil and natural gas consumption is associated with power production in utility and industrial boilers and process heat needs in industrial furnaces. Coal has been an attractive candidate for replacement of these premium fuels because of its low cost, but there are penalties associated with the solid fuel form. In many cases pulverized coal is unacceptable as a premium fuel replacement because of the extensive cost of retrofitting an existing boiler designed to burn oil or gas. In the cases of synthetic fuels from coal, research and development still has a long way to go and the costs of research and development are very high. Another option which appears very attractive is the use of solid coal in a liquid fuel form, coal slurry fuels. Occidental Research Corporation (ORC) has been developing coal slurry fuels in conjunction with Island Creek Coal (ICC,) Occidental Petroleum's wholly-owned subsidiary. Both Coal-Oil Mixtures and Coal -Water Mixtures are under development. ICC is a large eastern coal producer, engaged in the production and marketing of bituminous coal, both utility steam and high quality/low volatile metallurgical coals. A sister division, Sheridan Enterprises is engaged in the development of western coals.

Jan 1, 1983

The surface properties of eight coal samples were studied by measuring contact angles, coal oxidation, equilibrium moisture and film flotation. The penetration tests were carried out with do de cane, while dodecane and MIBC were utilized in batch flotation tests and in the simplified release analysis. Coal floatability results from the properties of coal organic matter and coal liberation. While the wetting of coal by water seems to be determined by the surface properties of coal organic matter, wetting by hydrocarbons correlates very well with the content of coal mineral matter.

Jan 1, 1992

By G. J. Joy

Although rates of pneumoconiosis in coal miners have declined substantially in the United States since the passage of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, new cases continue to occur, including cases of rapidly progressive disease. In contrast, Australia?s underground coal mining industry has reported few new cases of pneumoconiosis for over twenty years. Mortality from Coal Workers? Pneumoconiosis in official health statistics and the prevalence of pneumoconiosis among miners screened in x-ray surveillance programs are also lower in Australia. To understand this disparity, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health was requested by both industry and labor stakeholders to examine this issue, with the ultimate aim of reducing the rate of pneumoconiosis among United States coal miners. A number of factors, including coal dust exposure, silica exposure, and coal rank were examined as potential contributors to the above observed differences. Comparison of coal rank data from each country did not show any significant differences. Air sample data from the coal mining industries in both countries show that coal dust levels in Australian mines are somewhat higher than those reported in similar U.S. mines; however, quartz exposure for Australian miners is lower than for many U.S. miners. Assuming that quartz is contributing to the greater number of cases of advanced pneumoconiosis in the U.S., more effective dust control measures, as well an independent exposure standard for respirable quartz in coal mining, need to be implemented to prevent this potentially disabling condition.

Jan 1, 2011

By G. J. Joy

Although rates of pneumoconiosis in coal miners have declined substantially in the United States since the passage of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, new cases continue to occur, including cases of rapidly progressive disease. In contrast, Australia's underground coal mining industry has reported few new cases of pneumoconiosis for more than 20 years. Mortality from coal workers' pneumoconiosis in official health statistics and the prevalence of pneumoconiosis among miners screened in X-ray surveillance programs are also lower in Australia. The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) was requested by both industry and labor stakeholders to examine this issue, with the ultimate aim of reducing the rate of pneumoconiosis among U.S. coal miners. A number of factors, including coal dust exposure, silica exposure and coal rank were examined as potential contributors to the above noted differences. Comparison of coal rank data from each country did not illuminate the issue. Air sample data from the coal mining industries in both countries show that coal dust levels in Australian mines are somewhat higher than those reported in similar U.S. mines; however, quartz exposure for Australian miners is lower than for many U.S. miners. If quartz is contributing to the greater number of cases of pneumoconiosis in the United States, more effective dust control measures, as well as an independent exposure standard for respirable quartz in coal mining, should be implemented to reduce this potentially disabling condition.

Jan 1, 2012

In a future world of 8.5 billion people in 2035, the Energy Information Administration's (EIA) projected 50% increase in energy consumption will require true "all of the above" energy resource use from oil, gas, renewables, nuclear, and coal. In particular, coal will continue to be the world's energy cornerstone, providing more incremental energy over that same time period than any other single fuel. Coal has long been a centerpiece of a low-cost, high-reliability electricity grid. Today there are 1.3 billion people across the globe without access to electricity and 2.7 billion people who do not have clean cooking facilities. The problem is spread across the developing world, but it is particularly severe in sub-Saharan Africa and developing Asia, which together account for 95% of people in energy poverty. Without a commitment to achieve universal energy access it has been estimated that by 2030, there will be an additional 1.5 million premature deaths per year caused by household pollution from burning wood and dung and through a lack of access to clean water, basic sanitation and healthcare. Modern energy sources are essential to meeting these challenges.

Jan 1, 2012

By Joseph Padgett

Of all the fossil fuels produced in the U. S., coal is by far the most abundant. U. S. reserves amount to an estimated 1.5 trillion tons, 2,500 times the 600 million tons produced in 1970. Although it would not be possible to recover all of this coal economically with current mining technology, a significant portion would be available given the proper circumstances. With existing technology, approximately one-eighth of these reserves is accessible, an amount which would last for several hundred years at the 1970 level of production. On the face of it, this substantial reserve should go a long way in meeting the Nation's energy needs. But coal offers special problems. As additional coal is mined and then burned, there are increased costs to the Nation's land, water, skies, and health. Hence, coal poses a dilemma because of its dual status as one of our most abundant domestic fuels and as one of our major sources of environmental degradation. Against the benefits that would be chalked up in the areas of national security, balance of trade, and economic well-being from the increased use of coal, we must enter on the debit side of the ledger the increased environmental cost. This paper reviews the use of U.S. fossil fuel, the drawbacks of coal as an energy source, the means being developed to overcome these drawbacks, and the background behind the present sulfur emission regulations relative to coal combustion. It also discusses in detail the Federal Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) current policies to ensure the continued use of coal as a major source of energy for fossil-fuel fired power plants.

Jan 1, 1973

By John S. Anderson

The need for fuels and minerals in this country is estimated to double, triple, or even quadruple by the end of the present century. Even assuming more recycling of scrap metals and some priority allocation of energy, as has been done, for instance in war time, the projected increase in the nation's population and ever-increasing wants of that population will require vastly more minerals than are now being produced. Since mineral ores are being mined at lower grades, and since all minerals, including fuels, are having to be mined from deeper deposits, the amount of surface land to be disturbed will, inevitably, be increased. We cannot depend on foreign sources to supply all the extra requirements, since the non-U.S. population is increasing, in most cases, faster than our own. Furthermore, starting from a lower base, their mineral needs may accelerate more rapidly than ours. Restrictions on exports may be applied in foreign countries, if it appears that remaining reserves are not sufficient to fill the national needs. In vice; of the opposition which the mineral industry is receiving, as has been well described at these sessions and elsewhere, what can we, as mineral producers, anticipate as regards our ability to continue to operate, to sway nothing of expanding production? Although not minimizing the problems involved, it seems obvious that, except under emergency conditions, the country cannot tolerate a reduction in the available

Jan 1, 1971

By Jiachen Wang, Nan Wang, Yang Li

The energy structure and consumption ratio in China determine the practical demand for the collaborative mining of coal and co-associated resources. The multi-layer mining of coal, uranium, coalbed methane, and oil and gas co-associated resources, represented by the Ordos Basin, Junggar Basin, and Tarim Basin, faces numerous challenges. Additionally, coal has been found to coexist with various mineral resources in 33 coal-bearing basins worldwide. The scientific issues related to the multi-layer development of coal related co-associated resources urgently need to be addressed. This paper discusses the unique challenges and potential solutions in the multi-layer development of coal-related co-associated resources. The challenges include large extraction space, high mining intensity, intense overburden movement, rapid surface subsidence, and severe overburden damage due to repeated mining disturbances. Proposed solutions include the establishment of a correlation mechanism between multi-layer mining and the carrying capacity of the overburden environment, analysis of the impact characteristics of multiple field couplings, and exploration of their superposition evolution laws. The paper also proposes the development of a comprehensive evaluation and prediction system for overburden environmental capacity loss, a global sensitivity analysis model for overburden environmental capacity, and an intelligent identification and early warning system based on multi-source information fusion. These solutions aim to achieve scientific and precise mining with minimal overburden environmental capacity loss. And the multi-layer development of coal-related co-associated resources is a complex task that requires a multidisciplinary approach and innovative solutions, and further research is needed to validate these strategies and explore new methods and technologies for efficient and sustainable extraction.

Jun 25, 2024

By T. Sun, J. Kou, D. Tao

"The reduction behavior of low-grade lump hematite ore (100% 20-50 mm) has been evaluated by performing a series of coal-based direct reduction roasting tests followed by magnetic separation under different process conditions such as roasting time, temperature, reductant type and dosage, and grinding stage. To investigate mineralogical transformation and reduction characteristics of lump hematite ore, roasted ores and magnetic concentrates were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and polarizing microscope. The results have shown that a magnetic concentrate with a total iron (TFe) grade of 90.7% was produced at an iron recovery of 83.9% when lump hematite ore was reduced at 1,200° C for five hours using 35% lignite as a reductant followed by two stages of grinding, for 20 min and 30 min each, and low-intensity magnetic separation. The degree of reduction is closely related to the change in the internal structure of the roasted ore. Lignite with a higher fixed carbon content and lower ash generated roasted ore with a more highly porous structure, which provides better permeability of reducing gas. Magnetite, fayalite and wustite were the dominant intermediates of coal-based direct reduction of lump hematite ore. Parts of wustite reacted with SiO2 or Al2O3 in gangue and generated fayalite or hercynite. FeO in fayalite was replaced by CaO to produce wustite, which was finally reduced to metallic iron. However, Fe in fayalite and hercynite produced with low contents of CaO cannot be reduced into metallic iron. Introduction Low-grade hematite ore, characterized by low Fe content and high SiO2 content, cannot be treated by traditional mineral processing methods due to its nonmagnetic property and fine liberation size. The direct reduction (DR) roasting process has been studied and proven satisfactory in treating difficult-toprocess ores, such as low-grade nickel laterite oxide ore (O’Connor et al., 2006; Cao et al., 2010; Guo et al., 2011), high phosphorus oolitic hematite ore (Li et al., 2012; Yu et al., 2013), low-grade hematite ore (Wei et al., 2013;) and iron ore tailings (Li et al., 2010), which greatly expand the resources of usable iron ores (Srivastava and Kawatra, 2009). Therefore, the use of a DR process to treat low-grade hematite ore to produce direct reduced iron (DRI) is of great interest to many researchers of mineral processing and metallurgy (Weissberger et al., 1986)."

Jan 1, 2015

By Maurice Deul

For the first half of the 21st century, the United States will rely on the same mix of fuels it has for the past 50 years. Petroleum for the United States will cost more and availability will decline as developing nations modernize. Increased use of natural gas for electric power generation will result in stress on the gas supply. Coal will be the fuel of last resort. More than half the petroleum used is imported, about the same amount as used for transportation. Only coal can provide relief by fueling railroads through electrification while encouraging “piggy-back” trailer haulage, co-generation for manufacturing and expanded passenger service.

Jan 1, 2002

By Casters B. Foster

The U.S. Department of Energy has undertaken, in a cost sharing partnership with industry and utilities, an extensive coal-oil mixture (COM) combustion program in a number of promising applications. One of these is the injection of COM through tuyeres into a blast furnace in lieu of oil. From work done previously, it has been established that COM can be burned in existing oil, fired facilities. The issues being addressed by the current DOE program are: 1) determination of best available technology to achieve environmentally acceptable operation, and 2) determination of applications for which COM can be utilized economically.

Jan 1, 1978

By Kenneth J. Miller

A novel two-stage froth flotation process to remove pyritic sulfur from fine- size coal is described. The process consists of a first-stage, standard coal flotation step in which high-ash refuse and some of the pyrite are removed as tailings. The first-stage clean coal froth concentrate is then repulped in fresh water, and a coal depressant, a pyrite collector, and a frother are added to float the remaining pyritic material. Laboratory and pilot plant flotation results with coals from the Lower Freeport and Pittsburgh beds are given. The pilot plant test results show that up to 80 percent pyritic sulfur reduction was achieved with the Lower Freeport bed coal and up to 50 percent with the Pittsburgh bed coal. Laboratory and pilot plant results were in excellent agreement, indicating that the process is a viable means of removing much of the sulfur from some coals.

Jan 1, 1974

By W. C. Meyer

The concept of using powdered coal-in-oil-mixtures (COM) as a composite fuel to conserve oil resources and relieve import supply problems is being vigorously promoted by the Department of Energy via the sponsoring of various demonstration units (1). The idea of COM as a useful alternative fuel has been explored on and off for over 100 years (2). The approach must be capable of grinding, mixing, storing, and combusting COM with presumably only minor equipment changes on oil-fired boilers. DOE estimates that 56 000 m3 of oil (350 000 barrels) could be spared daily if a 50-50 COM was used to generate electricity. Of course, the ability of COM suppliers to prepare and deliver a stable suspension of COM at reasonable economic costs must be achieved if the concept is to be successful. This report reviews the various methods used to attain stable coal-oil mixtures. Various physical-chemical principles associated with each method of stabilization are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1981

By Ralph D. Daley, Kevin E. Redinger

The production of coal/water fuel (CWF), a highly loaded mixture of finely ground coal, water, and chemical additives, presents a unique opportunity for significant ash and sulfur reduction through physical coal cleaning. Froth flotation can be integrated with the staged, wet, fine grinding inherent in the CWF production process. A laboratory scale research program was conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of a flexible, integrated coal cleaning/CWF process flowsheet. Performance of the conceptual flowsheet was examined for two coals of CWF commercial interest, Upper Freeport and Pittsburgh seam coals, from central and southwestern Pennsylvania, respectively. Several multi-stage coal flotation and reverse flotation circuits were evaluated. CWF was produced from the cleaned coal in each case at similar solids loadings and viscosities as observed for the raw coal. However, the ash loading and SO2 emission potential for each CWF had been significantly reduced.

Jan 1, 1988

By M. Karmis

According to international projections and future energy scenarios, coal will continue to be a prominent fuel for the next 25 years. In fact, in many regions around the world, coal is expected to dominate the electricity sector until the year 2030. At the same time, with instability and volatility of oil prices, coal is also positioned as an alternative feed stock for conversion into liquid fuels. Energy economists maintain that coal liquefaction is viable at crude oil prices of $35 or more per barrel. Depending on technology and coal composition, 1 ton of coal can produce 1 to 4 barrels of oil. Increased coal production and the expanded utilization of coal also raise environmental concerns regarding greenhouse gases and the problem of handling CO2. Carbon sequestration research, currently conducted in many parts of the world, has demonstrated considerable potential for C-storage in unminable coal seams. Such geologic storage, when possible, can also be integrated into an enhanced coal bed methane recovery process Can coal fuel power plants and industrial facilities, provide diesel and other liquids and, at the same, also be used as a medium for permanently storing CO2? This presentation will provide a global perspective on these questions and stress on the need to reconsider, or even redefine, coal as the fuel for the future.

Jan 1, 2006

By Dennis Keay, Barbara Schickner, P. L. Longenecker, Glenn J. Philips, Lee Rice, Herman E. Knight, Wayne E. Veneman, B. W. Washington, Robert S. Hess

The outlook for coal continued to improve in 1980, fueling expectations that a long-awaited boom is at hand. The surprising surge in coal exports contributed to the latest wave of optimism. Overseas exports hit 66 Mt in 1980, buoyed by a significant increase in demand for steam coal, up from 1979's 2.3 Mt to 15 Mt in 1980. US coal production rose 6.9% to 750 Mt in 1980 and total coal consumption increased 8.1% to about 725 Mt, due primarily to higher world oil prices and setbacks in the US nuclear power industry. Yet the industry is beset with problems-both internal and external. Although demand for US coal is growing, the industry's excess productive capacity is estimated at over 90 Mt/a. Public utilities, where real increases in coal consumption must come, are still moving slowly, blaming delays on antipollution equipment costs. Coal supplies are uncertain, subject to the vagaries of the UMW. For the sixth time since 1964, the coal industry and UMW failed to renew their labor contract without a national strike, reinforcing the perception held overseas that the US is not a reliable supplier. The expected boom in coal exports will, in part, depend on our ability to assure foreign buyers that US sources are dependable. The US industry is also plagued by inadequate facilities linking mines and consumers: inadequate rail systems, coal ports, and barges, For US producers to be competitive, ports must be expanded, rail lines improved, and harbors dredged to allow 136-kt ships to load coal. The im¬provements will require an enormous commitment and investment. Despite these major problems and unresolved issues, two factors continue to favor an increased reliance on coal as an energy source: abundant US reserves and coal's comparative price advantage. Coal's performance in the 1980s may at last exceed its promise.

Jan 5, 1981

By Robert V. Price

It is a pleasure to be here today to discuss coal's prospects with the Society of Mining Engineers of AIMS--- a group destined to play a crucial role in shaping our national energy future. Much has been said lately about attaining domestic energy self-sufficiency, but to date, little has been done. Oil tankers from Venezuela and Kuwait continue to glide across the seas to meet our incremental energy needs. Meanwhile, our principal domestic energy resources -- oil and natural gas reserves in the Outer Continental Shelf and the oil shale deposits and the coal lands of the West -remain untapped. Help, however, appears to be on the way. In a forceful address last fall, President Ford called for the elimination of oil as a fuel for base-loaded power plants and its replacement with coal by 1980. He also urged the accelerated leasing of federal lands on the Outer Continental Shelf, the resumption of coal leasing on federal lands, and the development of a new energy conservation policy. There are, of course, many details left to be worked out. Language must be developed to put statutory flesh on the conceptual bones spelled out by the President. Congress must act. Regulations must be approved and tested, if need be, in court.

Jan 1, 1975

By Gerald L. Finfinger, Michael A. Trevits

Since 1964, the US Bureau of Mines has been conducting a comprehensive program of research on the origin and control of coal bed gas. Several extensive databases have been developed during the work representing information from every major coal producing region in the United States. Gas content measurements have been made on 885 coal samples from 15 states representing 221 coal beds. Records indicate that the range of gas content varies from zero to over 640 ft3 per ton (20 cm3 per gm). During the conduct of the research program, several drilling and completion techniques have been developed or refined to divert and collect coal bed gas before it enters the mine environment. Such techniques include horizontal, cross-measure and vertical boreholes. Samples of gas collected from boreholes drilled under the program indicate that the primary gas constituent is methane which comprises 97 pct, the remaining hydrocarbons make up approximately 0.2 pct. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide account for the majority of the remaining gases at average concentrations of 1 pct each. Surveys have been made on the total daily gas emissions from underground coal mines. In fact, the most recent survey indicates that 180 mines had emissions in excess of 100 Mft3 per day (2.8 Mm3 per day). Furthermore, total mine emissions were in excess of 300 MMft3 per day (8493 Mm3 per day). An analysis of the data showed that there appears to be no relationship between in-place gas content and coal bed gas composition. Furthermore, no correlation was observed between in- place gas content and daily mine emissions. In a general sense, the higher the gas content the higher the relative gas emissions. Perhaps a more direct relationship would be observed if more complete emissions information (including gob gas borehole production) was available.

Jan 1, 1989

By J. J. Schwoebel

Resource Enterprises Inc. (REI) is exploiting the coalbed gas resource by working in unison with active underground mining operations. At REZ7s pilot project at the Soldier Canyon mine, Carbon County, UT, RE1 has drilled nearly 15.25 km (50,000 ft) of horizontal in-seam and slant boreholes during the initial two years of drilling activity. Produced gas has been sold to a natural gas transmission company on a continuous basis since mid 1983.

Jan 1, 1988