Selection of a Suite of Commonly Used Research Coals

Abstract

The selection and initial characterization of the suite of 11 commonly used research coals is summarized in this chapter (Smith and Smoot, 1988, 1990). A group of standard coals has helped to coordinate experimental research efforts and has helped to relate data obtained among programs of coal combustion research. These standard coals have been selected from available U.S. coal data bases. Organizations that provide coal samples and/or coal characterization data include (1) Pennsylvania State University, which has characterized many of the nation’s coal resources, as documented in the Penn State Coal Data Base operated by the Energy and Fuels Research Center, (2) Argonne National Laboratory’s Premium Coal Sample Program, and (3) the coal sample suite used in Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center’s Direct Utilization-Advanced Research and Technology Development program. The suite of 11 selected coals is emphasized throughout this book.