The Shape of Pulverized Bituminous Vitrinite Coal Particles

The shape of pulverized bituminous coal particles (vitrinites) was determined by optical and laser light scattering. Vitrain samples were collected from obvious tree remains located in the ceilings of two Appalachian coal mines. Wet sieving produced narrow size cuts. The particles were determined to be oblong or blocky in shape, with average length-to-width ratio of 1.7 and sphericity of 0.78. They were analogous in shape to a square ended, rectangular house brick . The two bituminous coals and different size cuts of each coal had essentially the same shape parameters. Characteristic heating times and terminal velocities were higher by 22 and 20%, respectively compared to spherical particles

MAINTENANCE OF THE COAL SAMPLE BANK AND DATABASE

This project provides coal samples and accompanying analytical data for research by DOE contractors and others. All 56 samples have been purged with argon before storage, and the 33 samples in the DECS series are heat-sealed in foil laminate bags and stored under refrigeration. Eleven DECS samples have been collected under the current contract. Basic characterization, standardized liquefaction analyses and organic geochemical analyses have been completed. Distribution of samples and data is continuing, with processing of samples being performed as needed. Requests during this quarter were heavily skewed toward database activity; 139 data printouts and individual data items from 2549 additional samples were distributed

MAINTENANCE OF THE COAL SAMPLE BANK AND DATABASE

This project generated and provided coal samples and accompanying analytical data for research by DOE contractors and others. The five-year contract and a six-month no-cost extension have been completed. The Final Technical Progress Report is being prepared. All activities specified under the five-year contract and its six-month no-cost extension have been completed. Eleven DECS samples were collected, processed to a variety of particle sizes, heat-sealed in foil laminate bags under argon, and placed in refrigerated storage. All were analyzed for basic chemical composition, inorganic major and trace element composition including hazardous air pollutant elements, petrographic composition and characteristics, thermoplastic behavior (if applicable), and other properties relevant to commercial utilization. Most were also analyzed by NMR, py/gc/ms, and a standardized liquefaction test; trends and relationships observed were evaluated and summarized. Twenty-two DECS samples collected under the previous contract received further processing, and most of these were subjected to organic geochemical and standardized liquefaction tests as well. Selected DECS samples were monitored annually to evaluate the effectiveness of foil laminate bags for long-term sample storage. Twenty-three PSOC samples collected under previous contracts and purged with argon before storage were also maintained and distributed, for a total of 56 samples covered by the contract. During the contract, 804 samples in 1586 containers, 2109 data printouts, and individual data items from 34208 samples were distributed. In the subject quarter, 25 samples, 18 data printouts, and individual data items from 1374 samples were distributed. All DECS samples are now available for immediate distribution at minus 6 mm (-1/4 inch), minus 0.85 mm (-20 mesh U.S.), and minus 0.25 mm (-60 mesh U.S.)

MAINTENANCE OF THE COAL SAMPLE BANK AND DATABASE

This project provides coal samples and accompanying analytical data for research by DOE contractors and others. All 56 samples have been purged with argon before storage, and the 33 samples in the DECS series are heat-sealed in foil laminate bags and stored under refrigeration. Eleven DECS samples have been collected under the current contract. Basic characterization, standardized liquefaction analyses and organic geochemical analyses have been completed. Distribution of samples and data is continuing, with processing of samples being performed as needed. Nineteen samples, 90 data printouts, and individual data items from 416 samples were distributed during the quarter. Trends and relationships observed in liquefaction and organic geochemical analyses performed under the contract are summarized in this report. Liquefaction results using tetralin were similar to those using 1-methylnaphthalene under the same run conditions. Properties of individual coals, such as maceral composition and corresponding organic chemical components, were important in explaining liquefaction behavior. NMR and py/gc/ms results illustrated trends based on coal rank, and revealed outliers which might be of special interest, for example low-phenolic coals which limit retrogressive reactions and permit greater liquefaction conversion

The development of coal-based technologies for Department of Defense facilities. Semi-annual report, March 28, 1996--September 27, 1996

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), through an Interagency Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has initiated a three-phase program with the Consortium for Coal-Water Fuel Technology, with the aim of decreasing DOD`s reliance on imported oil by increasing its use of coal. The program is being conducted as a cooperative agreement between the Consortium and DOE. Activities this reporting period are summarized by phase. Phase I was completed on November 1, 1995. Work on Phase II focused on emissions reductions, coal beneficiation/preparation studies, and economic analyses of coal use. Emissions reductions investigations included continuing bench-scale tests to identify an NO{sub x} reduction catalyst which is appropriate for industrial boiler applications. In addition, installation of a ceramic filtering device on the demonstration boiler started. Also, a sodium bicarbonate duct injection system was procured for installation on the demonstration boiler. Work related to coal preparation and utilization, and the economic analysis was primarily focused on preparing the final report. Work in Phase III focused on coal preparation studies and economic analyses of coal use. Coal preparation studies were focused on continuing activities on particle size control, physical separations,surface-based separation processes, and dry processing. The economic study focused on community sensitivity to coal usage, regional/national economic impacts of new coal utilization technologies, and constructing a national energy portfolio