COAL #3 Connor Edmonds, Mike Feula, Mike Kappaz
Dec 29, 2015
PeatFirst step of coal formation
Not considered a “type” since use is so limited
60% Organic materialFerns, vegetation from bogs, etc
High water contentDue to environmentLimited heat content
Less energy contained
Max Burial Depth 1000ft, 75
LigniteMakes up half of coal reserves
Formed as peat undergoes pressure and temperature increases
Higher heat content than Peat, but not highMoisture content as high as 66%
Average energy content 10-20 MJ/kg
Carbon Content 25-35%
Max Burial depth-1000-5000 ft, 75-10 ° F0ͦ000000000000 0
BituminousFormed as more temperature and pressure applied to Lignite
Higher carbon percentage 60-80% Higher heat content 24-35 MJ/kg
Requires high safety regulations for mining Releases largest amount of firedamp Dangerous gas mixture-explosive
Smithing Coal- Coal forge
Cannel Coal- Sculpture/jewelry
Coking Coal-heated without oxygen Used in the manufacture of steel
Max Burial Depth-5,000-19,000 ft, 100-350 ° F
AnthraciteMetamorphic rock-highest grade- 1% of reserves
Formed by bituminous subjected to great pressure
Highest carbon content- 92.1-98%
Heat Content- 26-33 MJ/kg
Does not ignite easily- less soot
Costs 2-3x as much as normal coal
Max Burial Depth 20,000-25,000 ft, 350+° F
Coal Mining Globally
• Although China is largest producer and consumer of Coal, USA holds the largest recoverable coal reserves
Coal Mining in the USA
• The states with the largest recoverable coal reserves are Wyoming, West Virginia, Illinois, Montana
• The largest single mine in the United States is the North Antolope Rachelle of Wyoming
Underground vs. Surface Mining
• In 2010…• Western states are producing
561.6 short tons of coal (up 1.1% from 2009)
• Interior states produced 156.7 short tons (up 7.4%)
• Appalachian states produced 334.3 short tons (down 2.1%)
Coal Transportation CostsRailroad - $20.30 per ton
Waterway - $5.61 per ton
Truck - $5.99 per ton
However when you look at overall delivered cost of Coal. Railroad - $47.37 per ton Waterway - $58.57 per ton Truck - $50.80 per ton
This is because the many added costs and fees of trucks and boats. As well as needing secondary and tertiary transport methods when using them.
Coal SlurryCoal Transport by slurry with in a pipeline makes
up a very small portion of the transport market, however it is an intriguing idea. In pipeline movement of coal it is mixed with water
and made into a slushy type mixture which is then pushed through a pressurized pipeline to its destination.
Upon reaching the destination the water is filtered out and the coal has to be refined to a more dense and useful state.