Penn State is maintaining a suite of 38 well preserved DECS samples, collected in an ongoing effort begun in 1989, in addition to about 500 Penn State Coal Sample Bank (PSOC) samples dating back to April 1967. 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 coal by researchers and to their economic importance. The DECS coals in the Penn State Coal Sample Bank listed on the right are the samples recommended for research owing to more efficient preservation techniques. PSOC samples have historical value, but their preservation is suspect. 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), run-of-mine (ROM), cleaning plant (Cleaning-Plt.) and Grab 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 hvAb Chan-Seam OH Meigs 1995 12.0 3.74 14630 81.8 6.0 47.8 77 0.51 DECS-34 Pittsburgh hvAb Clean Plt. PA Washington 2004 7.4 1.58 14662 85.7 5.7 40.4 83 0.83 DECS-36 Powellton/Eagle hvAb Clean Plt. WV Raleigh 2006 7.2 1.04 14637 88.1 5.6 36.5 74 1.03 DECS-37 Indiana #5 hvBb Clean Plt. IN Gibson 2008 7.8 3.92 14166 82.1 5.4 45.0 89 0.47 DECS-38 Dietz subB ROM MT Bighorn 2008 4.8 0.44 13000 77.0 5.4 46.3 86 0.38 DECS-39 Anderson/Canyon subC Grab WY Campbell 2008 8.0 0.53 12269 74.7 5.4 64.6 84 0.30 DECS-40 Illinois #6 hvCb Chan-Seam IL ----- 2015 13.0 4.52 14439 80.9 5.8 44.9 88 0.50 * Samples for which no 6.3 mm(-1/4 inch) coal remains
Argonne Premium Coal Samples
APCS-1 Upper Freeport mvb Chan-Seam PA Indiana 1985 13.0 2.32 15980 88.1 4.8 30.1 71 1.16 APCS-2 Wyodak-Anderson subB Drll-Seam WY Campbell 1985 9.0 0.63 13020 76.0 5.4 48.5 89 0.32 APCS-3 Illinois #6 hvCb Chan-Seam IL St. Clair 1985 15.0 4.83 14696 80.7 5.2 45.7 85 0.46 APCS-4 Pittsburgh #8 hvAb Chan-Seam PA Greene 1986 9.0 2.19 15336 85.0 5.4 40.8 85 0.81 APCS-5 Pocahontas #3 Lvb Chan-Seam VA Buchanan 1986 5.0 0.66 15908 91.8 4.5 19.0 89 1.68 APCS-6 Blind Canyon hvAb Chan-Seam UT Emery 1986 5.0 0.62 14728 81.3 5.8 47.8 87 0.57 APCS-7 Lewiston-Stockton hvAb Chan-Seam WV Kanawha 1986 20.0 0.71 15247 85.5 5.4 36.2 73 0.89 APCS-8 Beulah-Zap lig Drll-Seam ND Mercer 1986 10.0 0.80 12370 74.0 4.9 49.2 - 0.25 * Samples for which no 6.3 mm(-1/4 inch) coal remains
Sample Collection and Processing
DECS series samples are the newest and best-preserved samples in the collection, and should be chosen when possible for research requiring moderate quantities of sample. They 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. As soon as feasible after collection, processing was performed in order to obtain representative subsamples. These were sealed under argon in foil multilaminate bags, which have been shown by annual monitoring to preserve samples very well, and are kept in refrigerated storage (3oC).
DECS samples are available in packages of three nominal sizes:
- 50 g (3 oz.) at -60 mesh (minus 0.25 mm)
- 250 g (1/2 lb.) at -20 mesh (minus 0.85 mm)
- 2.0 kg (5 lb.) at -1/4 inch (minus 6.3 mm)
The 250 g containers are the ones most often requested by research agencies. Some non-representative blocks of coal, sealed in argon and refrigerated, are also available for certain coals in the Sample Bank.
Older PSOC samples were collected similarly, but 300 g samples were placed under argon in polyethylene bags which were then sealed in steel cans. Larger quantities were stored in polyethylene buckets or drums.
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 Penn State 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.
A nominal fee is charged for samples:
- 50 g of -60 mesh (–0.25 mm) $25.29 internal to PSU/ $40.00 external to PSU ea
- 250 g of -20 mesh (–0.85 mm) $37.93 internal to PSU/ $60.00 external to PSU ea
- 2.0 kg of -1/4 inch (–6.0 mm) $113.79 internal to PSU/ $180.00 external to PSU ea
Beyond this limit and for larger quantities or special preparation of samples, provision will be at cost to the requestor for preparation, mailing and handling. All requests for more than 5 kg (11 lbs.) of a single DECS or PSOC sample will be charged man hour costs associated with preparing larger samples. Large quantities and special preparations have additional costs. Contact EMS Energy Institute for PSOC sample costs.
Coal Database, Printouts and Searches
The data that have been assembled for each of the Sample Bank coals have been computerized and are available on request for an additional fee of $12.64 internal to PSU/ $20.00 external to PSU each. Data sheets are free with purchase of coal. In addition to the analytical data described above, the Coal Database includes details on sample history, location, geology, and seam strata information.
Full (four to five page) printouts of data in 8 1/2¨ by 11¨ format can be provided for any sample. A one-page printout is available for some samples that 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. Liquefaction, NMR, and Py/gc/ms results are also available separately for most DECS samples.
A staff of professionals at Penn State can undertake Database searched to identify samples meeting specified criteria. Simple searches resulting in tables of data or a set of printouts are done at a nominal cost to researchers. More extensive searches, statistics or electronic transmission of data sets can be performed; a charge may be made for this service.
Investigators can perform their own simple searches on our web site (see below). It includes limited data for all DECS samples and a selected subset of other Penn State samples. However, coal may not be available for all of the samples in this subset. Furthermore, samples for which the 2.0 kg -6.0 mm coal is no longer available are highlighted in red.
Click here to download the above information as a pdf.
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:
EMS Energy Institute
The Pennsylvania State University
C-211 Coal Utilization Laboratory
University Park, PA 16802
(814) 863-1333
Jonathan P. Mathews
Email: jpm10@psu.edu
(814) 863-6213
Bradley Maben
Email: bam17@psu.edu
(814) 865-3899