Introduction Department of Energy Coal Sample Bank & Database

Penn State is maintaining a suite of 56 coals and a corresponding computerized database of analyses for use by DOE contractors and grantees. Collection of DECS samples is a continuing effort begun in 1989. These samples supersede some of the PSOC samples collected previously. The coals represent a wide spectrum of the major coalfields of the United States and were selected in order to achieve a useful distribution of important coals by rank, geologic province, maceral composition, sulfur content and forms, and ash yield and composition. Due consideration was also given to the prior use of these coals by researchers and to their economic importance. The coals in the DOE Coal Sample Bank are listed below. Most were collected as full-seam channel samples (Chan-Seam); however, drill cutting (Drll-Seam), working section of seam (Chan-Work), bench (Chan-Bnch), lithotype (Chan-Lith) and run-of-mine (ROM) samples were also acquired.

DOE Coal Sample Bank

                             ASTM  Sample                            Ash,    S,   Btu/lb,   C,    H,    V.M., Vit.  VRo
Sample     Seam              Rank  Type      State  County     Year   dry    dry   dmmf    dmmf  dmmf   dmmf   %     %   

DECS-1     Bottom            subC  Chan-Seam  TX  Freestone    1989  15.8   0.99  13239   75.9   5.8   55.5   78   0.36
DECS-2     Illinois #6       hvCb  Chan-Seam  IL  Randolph     1989  16.2   4.52  14556   81.8   5.7   43.8   87   0.52
DECS-3     Coal Basin M      mvb   Chan-Seam  CO  Gunnison     1990   5.4   0.65  15831   88.1   5.9   28.2   94   1.28
DECS-4     Blue              hvCb  Chan-Seam  NM  McKinley     1990   6.2   0.46  13951   78.9   5.8   48.1   88   0.51
DECS-5     Hiawatha          hvCb  Chan-Work  UT  Sevier       1990   8.5   0.56  14073   80.4   5.5   43.6   66   0.59
DECS-6     Blind Canyon      hvAb  Chan-Work  UT  Emery        1990   5.8   0.40  14874   81.9   6.3   46.9   69   0.66
DECS-7     Adaville #1       hvCb  Chan-Seam  WY  Lincoln      1990   4.2   0.98  13710   77.8   5.6   47.8   95   0.45
DECS-8     Smith-Roland      subC  ROM        WY  Campbell     1990  13.8   0.73  13148   75.8   5.3   51.8   79   0.37
DECS-9     Dietz             subB  Drll-Seam  MT  Bighorn      1990   6.4   0.41  13251   76.1   5.2   47.1   88   0.38
DECS-10    Rosebud           subB  Chan-Work  MT  Rosebud      1990  12.6   1.16  13378   79.7   4.3   46.9   74   0.42
DECS-11    Beulah            ligA  Chan-Seam  ND  Mercer       1990   9.6   0.74  12350   74.1   4.5   61.6   74   0.35
DECS-12    Pittsburgh        hvAb  Chan-Seam  PA  Greene       1990  10.3   1.12  15259   84.7   5.8   39.4   83   0.87
DECS-13    Sewell            mvb   Chan-Seam  WV  Greenbrier   1990   4.2   0.62  15604   88.8   5.0   25.7   77   1.35
DECS-14    Upper Kittanning  hvAb  Chan-Work  WV  Barbour      1990  10.5   1.80  15503   87.0   5.6   35.4   89   1.07
DECS-15    Lower Sunnyside   hvAb  Chan-Seam  UT  Carbon       1991  10.1   1.67  14967   84.3   5.7   41.3   77   0.80
DECS-16    Blind Canyon      hvAb  Chan-Work  UT  Emery        1991  13.9   0.47  14749   82.4   6.0   47.3   77   0.64
DECS-17*   Blind Canyon      hvAb  Chan-Sect  UT  Emery        1991   6.6   0.44  14897   82.3   6.3   49.7   80   0.59
DECS-18    Kentucky #9       hvBb  Chan-Seam  KY  Union        1991  12.3   4.21  14773   82.2   6.0   45.6   86   0.56
DECS-19    Pocahontas #3     lvb   Chan-Seam  VA  Buchanan     1991   4.6   0.74  15819   90.6   4.9   18.7   89   1.71
DECS-20    Elkhorn #3        hvAb  Chan-Seam  KY  Floyd        1991   5.5   0.97  15173   85.0   5.9   39.2   78   0.87
DECS-21    Lykens Valley #2  an    Chan-Seam  PA  Columbia     1992  11.2   0.50  15122   91.5   4.1    3.9   87   5.19
DECS-22    Upper Kittanning  hvAb  Chan-Lith  PA  Armstrong    1993  23.3   1.71  15827   87.8   6.1   37.8   30   0.77
DECS-23    Pittsburgh        hvAb  Chan-Seam  PA  Washington   1994   9.4   3.87  15307   84.6   5.8   42.3   79   0.73
DECS-24    Illinois #6       hvCb  Chan-Seam  IL  Macoupin     1994  13.4   5.53  14407   80.1   5.6   45.5   90   0.49
DECS-25    Pust              ligA  Chan-Seam  MT  Richland     1994  11.9   0.72  12569   75.8   5.3   46.9   74   0.23
DECS-26    Wyodak            subB  ROM        WY  Campbell     1994   7.6   0.43  13237   76.2   6.2   48.1   86   0.29
DECS-27    Deadman           subA  Drll-Seam  WY  Sweetwater   1994  13.9   0.72  13757   79.2   5.4   40.6   74   0.46
DECS-28    Green             hvCb  Chan-Seam  AZ  Navajo       1994   6.1   0.40  13648   77.8   5.5   47.9   76   0.43
DECS-29    Upper Banner #3   hvAb  Chan-Seam  VA  Dickenson    1995   6.4   0.59  15638   87.4   5.6   36.2   71   1.00
DECS-30    Splash Dam        mvb   Chan-Seam  VA  Buchanan     1995   3.9   0.79  15751   88.5   5.4   30.9   77   1.16
DECS-31    Pond Creek        hvAb  Chan-Seam  KY  Pike         1995  10.9   0.60  15538   86.8   5.5   36.6   73   0.99
DECS-32    Stockton-Lewiston hvAb  Chan-Seam  WV  Kanawha      1995  20.3   0.73  15213   85.4   5.8   38.2   68   0.90
DECS-33    Ohio #4A          hvBb  Chan-Seam  OH  Meigs        1995  12.0   3.74  14630   81.8   6.0   47.8   77   0.51
* limited distribution, see 'Sample Availability'

                             ASTM  Sample                            Ash,    S,   Btu/lb,   C,    H,    V.M., Vit.  VRo
Sample     Seam              Rank  Type      State  County     Year   dry    dry   dmmf    dmmf  dmmf   dmmf   %     %   

PSOC-1442  Darco             ligA  Chan-Seam  TX  Harrison     1985  11.3   0.78  12970   74.9   4.6   75.7   83   0.47
PSOC-1443  unnamed           ligA  Chan-Seam  TX  Titus        1985  21.4   0.74  12878   74.4   5.4   78.2   90   0.44
PSOC-1446  New Mexico #8     hvCb  Chan-Seam  NM  San Juan     1985  20.8   0.85  14142   79.4   5.1   46.4   85   0.59
PSOC-1448  York Canyon       hvAb  Chan-Seam  NM  Colfax       1985  11.4   0.46  15380   85.2   6.1   40.8   85   0.71
PSOC-1468  Buck Mountain     an    ROM        PA  Luzerne      1985   6.8   0.49  14860   96.2   1.4    3.2   86   5.45
PSOC-1470  Pratt             hvBb  Chan-Seam  AL  Walker       1985  20.6   2.50  15031   83.9   5.8   39.6   84   0.89
PSOC-1471  Pee Wee           hvAb  Chan-Seam  TN  Morgan       1985   8.0   1.04  15046   84.0   5.6   39.4   76   0.94
PSOC-1482  Hagel             ligA  Chan-Seam  ND  Oliver       1985   8.5   0.72  12254   72.2   4.6   46.5   88   0.39
PSOC-1486  Big Dirty         subB  Chan-Seam  WA  Lewis        1985  19.4   0.94  13234   75.2   6.1   52.5   90   0.38
PSOC-1490  Brazil Block      hvCb  Chan-Seam  IN  Greene       1985   5.3   0.73  14830   83.4   4.5   39.8   70   0.45
PSOC-1491  Indiana #6        hvCb  Chan-Seam  IN  Sullivan     1985  15.2   2.85  14817   82.4   5.1   43.3   89   0.43
PSOC-1492  Illinois #5       hvCb  Chan-Seam  IL  Perry        1985  10.5   4.35  14490   81.4   5.4   43.6   88   0.62
PSOC-1498  Wadge             hvCb  Chan-Seam  CO  Routt        1985   7.1   0.52  13837   78.2   5.5   44.8   89   0.60
PSOC-1501  Juanita C         hvBb  Chan-Work  CO  Gunnison     1985   5.6   0.64  14465   81.2   5.3   42.7   92   0.73
PSOC-1515  Penna. Semian. C  sa    Chan-Seam  PA  Sullivan     1986  29.2   0.58  15567   91.5   4.1    8.6   91   2.80
PSOC-1516  Lower Kittanning  lvb   Chan-Seam  PA  Somerset     1986  10.3   1.40  15841   90.4   4.8   18.6   90   1.73
PSOC-1517  Ohio #5           hvBb  Chan-Seam  OH  Mahoning     1986   4.8   1.92  15105   84.0   5.5   39.3   87   0.86
PSOC-1521  Lower Hartshorne  lvb   Chan-Seam  AR  Sebastian    1986  11.2   0.80  15510   90.5   4.7   21.1   89   1.61
PSOC-1523  W. Va. #5 Block   hvBb  Chan-Seam  WV  Kanawha      1986  16.1   0.71  15061   85.4   5.5   37.0   62   0.92
PSOC-1532  #4                subC  Chan-Seam  AK  Koy.-Mid. Y. 1987   9.5   0.22  12108   70.6   5.3   58.9   79   0.33
PSOC-1533  #3                ligA  Chan-Work  AK  Koy.-Mid. Y. 1987   8.3   0.16  11665   69.6   5.0   58.4   84   0.35
PSOC-1534  Waterfall         subC  Chan-Work  AK  Kenai-Ck. I. 1987  11.1   0.15  12592   71.7   5.8   49.7   87   0.28
PSOC-1535  Deadfall Syn. #4  subA  Chan-Work  AK  Bar.-Pt. Hp. 1987   3.3   1.46  12586   75.6   4.3   37.5   86   0.73

Sample Collection and Processing

DECS series samples were collected in 180 kg (400 lb.) quantities from recently exposed areas of active mines, where they were placed in 113 L (30 gal.) steel drums with high-density gaskets and purged with argon. These are the newest and best preserved samples in the collection, and should be chosen when possible for research requiring moderate quantities of sample. Older PSOC samples were collected similarly, but placed in polyethylene 113 L or 19 L (5 gal.) containers.

As soon as feasible after collection, the samples were processed to obtain representative lots of approximately 300g (2/3 lb.) of minus 0.85 mm (20 mesh) coal. DECS samples were sealed under argon in foil multilaminate bags, which have been shown to preserve samples well, and are kept in refrigerated storage (3¯C). PSOC samples were sealed under argon in polyethylene bags which were then sealed in no. 2 size steel cans. The 300g containers are the ones most often requested by research agencies. Other stock sizes include 2.3 kg (5 lb.) lots of minus 6.4 mm (-1/4 inch) coal and 75g (3 oz.) of minus 0.25 mm ( -60 mesh) coal. Some non-representative blocks of coal, sealed in argon and refrigerated, are also available for certain coals in the Sample Bank.

Analysis

Each of the DOE Sample Bank coals has been subjected to the following analytical procedures: proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, sulfur forms, calorific value, maceral analysis, vitrinite reflectance (VRo), ash fusion determination, free swelling index, Hardgrove grindability, major inorganic and trace elements, equilibrium moisture, Gieseler plasticity (where appropriate), and CO₂.

Sample Availability

Coal samples from the DOE Sample Bank are available to members of the coal research community. Assistance can be given in identifying samples that match specifications or that best suit the research needs of the requestor. Up to 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) of individual minus 0.85 mm (-20 mesh) coal samples or 300 g of minus 0.25 mm (-60 mesh) samples will be provided at no cost to any one DOE contractor or grantee for up to 15 samples per calendar year. Beyond this limit and for larger quantities of samples, or samples requiring special preparation, provision will be at cost to the requestor for preparation, mailing and handling. All requests for more than 2.3 kg (5 lbs.) of a single DECS sample or 4.5 kg (10 lbs.) of a single PSOC sample must be approved by the DOE Project Manager. DECS-17 is limited to 16 30g bags (1 lb.) per year, for DOE dispersed catalyst liquefaction research only.

Penn State currently maintains a Sample Bank that contains over 1000 samples in addition to the DOE Sample Bank of 56 coals. If a DOE contractor's or grantee's needs cannot be met from the 56 coals, then suitable samples can be provided from the larger bank; there is a charge for this service. A booklet describing the entire Penn State Coal Sample Bank and Database is available from the Coal and Organic Petrology Laboratories.

Coal Database, Printouts and Searches

The data that have been assembled by Penn State on the DOE Sample Bank coals have been computerized and are available on request to DOE contractors and grantees. In addition to the analytical data described above, the DOE Coal Database includes details on sample history, location, geology, and seam strata information.

Full (four to five page) or condensed (one-page) printouts of data in 8 1/2 by 11" format can be provided for any sample. The one-page printout is useful for most purposes and contains sample location, geologic information, proximate analysis, equilibrium moisture, calorific value, sulfur forms, ultimate analysis, maceral composition, reflectance data, rank parameters, technologic properties, and physical properties. The full printout includes these data in more detail and calculated to various bases of expression, as well as major inorganic and trace element analyses, ash fusion temperatures, and CO₂. Results of a standardized liquefaction test are also available separately for most DECS samples. Data printouts for DOE Sample Bank samples will be provided at no cost to DOE contractors and grantees.

A staff of professionals at Penn State can undertake Database searches to identify samples meeting specified criteria. Simple searches resulting in tables of data or a set of printouts are done at no cost for DOE contractors and grantees. More extensive searches, statistics or electronic transmission of data sets can be performed; a charge may be made for this service.

Ordering and Assistance

Request forms, a booklet describing the entire Penn State Coal Sample Bank and Database, and assistance in acquiring samples and data can be obtained from:

Coal and Organic Petrology Laboratories
The Pennsylvania State University
105 Academic Projects Building
University Park, PA 16802-2300
(814) 865-6543
Fax: (814) 865-3573
Email: n8h@psu.edu