Alberta Coals Research Articles

Flow regimes and combustion behaviour in coal-burning spouted and spout-fluid beds

A study of coal combustion was carried out in a 0.15-m diameter half-column spout-fluid bed combustor, in which a sub-bituminous Alberta coal was burned in inert beds of sand. High temperatures promoted spout instability leading to earlier appearance of pulsatory spouting, the jet-in-fluidized-bed regime, and slugging than for room temperature operation. While radial temperature profiles below the bed surface were quite uniform, axial profiles showed a significant temperature jump in the fountain region above the bed surface. Axial profiles of oxygen concentration fell abruptly at the bed surface due to rapid burning there. The size of inert particles and the amount of auxiliary air were found to influence the hydrodynamics and combustion behaviour.

Efficacy of coal-bitumen co-processing as determined by isotopic mass balance calculations

A method was developed to quantitatively determine by isotope mass balance the amount of coal incorporated into synthetic oil generated by co-processing of Alberta coals and bitumen. The parental material, Highvale coal and Suncor bitumen differ in 13C/ 12C by 3.68 ± .09% o, whereas the synthetic oil has an intermediate 13C/ 12C directly proportional to the % of coal incorporated. From 14 to 23% of the carbon in the oil is coal derived. The precision of the isotopic analysis is high so that even a low percentage of coal liquefaction can be detected (5%) and the amount of coal incorporated can be quantified with an accuracy of about ± 10%.

Fourier deconvolution of photoacoustic FTIR spectra

Fourier self-deconvolution is a fairly routine numerical method for increasing the apparent resolution of spectra in which the intrinsic bandwidths are much greater than the instrumental resolution. The present work demonstrates that a photoacoustic (PA) interferogram obtained with a Fourier transform spectrometer can be used directly in this calculation, without the usual intermediate computation of a spectrum. Phase errors in the interferogram must be eliminated as a first step in this procedure. The technique has been applied to PA IR interferograms acquired for an Alberta coal and for kaolinite, a common layer silicate. Several new bands were identified in the coal spectrum and assigned utilizing previously published results for coal. Results for kaolinite illustrate a behaviour characteristic of deconvolution of single bands; in addition, an OH-stretching band usually not detectable in IR spectra of kaolinite was observed and verified by comparison with Raman data.

Seismic Facies Analysis of Delta-Plain Coals from Camrose, Alberta, and Lacustrine Coals from Pictou Coalfield, Nova Scotia

Facies models of two coalfields in Canada have been developed through seismic facies analysis. Fluvial-deltaic Upper Cretaceous coals near Camrose, Alberta, are characterized by hummocky, subparallel, high-amplitude reflections that are laterally continuous over distances of several kilometers. Deposition in an extensive delta-plain swamp is inferred. Coals of Pennsylvanian age in the Pictou coalfield, Nova Scotia, occur in two distinct seismic facies. Parallel to subparallel, relatively continuous reflections are interpreted to define a basinal facies comprising thick coals and lacustrine sediments. Basinal margin facies contain a greater abundance of variable clastic sediments and are recognized by discontinuous, subparallel to chaotic reflections. Further improvements n stratigraphic analysis will require synthetic seismograms to analyze individual reflections in terms of the thickness and separation of seams, and to enable interseam multiples to be recognized.

Petrography of low rank coals with reference to liquefaction potential

Ten sub-bituminous coals were analyzed petrographically and chemically as part of a program by the Alberta Research Council to investigate the compositional properties of Alberta coals and relationship to liquefaction potential. In addition, four lignites, two from Saskatchewan and one each from Texas and North Dakota, were studied for comparative purposes. Liquefaction experiments were carried out on three of the Alberta coals and on density fractions of the two U.S. lignites. Petrographically the ten sub-bituminous coals could be divided into two populations; one with high huminite and liptinite contents (>90%) and one with substantially lower contents (70–75%). The two U.S. lignites showed huminite plus liptinite contents of less than 70% while the Saskatchewan coals were somewhat higher. Reflectance measurements on the sub-bituminous coals showed a range of 0.33 to 0.51 with a rough correlation to the ASTM rank designations of these coals. Reflectivities determined on the lignites were generally lower. Float-sink fractionation of the two U.S. lignites and two sub-bituminous coals showed enrichment of huminite and liptinite in the lighter fractions and inertinite and mineral matter in the heavier splits. Examination of the relationship between liquefaction yields and petrographic composition showed a rough positive correlation with huminite-liptinite content. Examination of liquefaction residues suggested total conversion of the liptinite, extensive conversion of huminite and possible partial conversion and reactivity of the semifusinite maceral of the inertinite group.

Potential For Water Slurry Transport of Alberta Coal to Pacific Tidewater

Abstract Worldwide demand for commodities produced in Western Canada is expected to increase significantly over the next ten years. Coal, grain, sulphur, potash and other commodities are expected to swell freight volumes by 1990. In the past, the railways have responded to increased traffic with system upgrading on a progressive basis, but they indicate that what is needed now is a major program of capacity expansion. This will be the largest railway undertaking since the original lines were constructed. Coal is a major contributor to this unprecedented growth in traffic volume to the West Coast. In 1980, 14.1 million tonnes were exported. By 1985, the demand is expected to be 39.9 million tonnes and is predicted to reach 53.3 million tonnes by 1990. Although the present unit train system of moving export coal to seaboard is considered to be one of the world's most efficient rail capacity problems pose a serious threat to Canada's potentialfor supplying a significant portion of world steam coal requirements. How then can the pressure on the transport system be alleviated? The Alberta Government decided to investigate a coal slurry pipeline as an alternative method of transport for coal. Introduction A study(l) was commissioned by the Alberta Government to determine the technical feasibility and the estimated cost of a slurry pipeline for the transport of thermal coal from central Western Alberta sources to a Canadian west coast trans-shipment facility for eventual export to foreign markets. The results of this study have verified the technical feasibility of this concept:a water source that meets system quality and quantity requirements has been identified;analysis of the coal to be shipped indicates that state-of-the-art design and equipment can be used to produce and transport the coal slurry from mine to port site;a pipeline route has been selected that will permit adherence to the design requirements of a slurry pipeline system;state-of-the-art technology can be utilized to dewater the slurry for either slurry or dry bulk loading. Preliminary economic evaluation indicates that a coal slurry pipeline of about 15 million tonnes of coal per year capacity can reduce shipping costs in the 1990s, with progressively increasing benefits. Railway Transportation Demand Forecast Projections for the next decade would indicate that the volume of commodities to be transported by Canadian railways from (Table on full paper) the Prairies to Canada's west coast will experience an increase unprecedented in the history of Canada. The over-all volume is estimated to be more than two and one half times that of 1980 (Table 1). Although this demand forecast was prepared prior to the drastic economic slowdown which has worldwide ramifications, it can be expected that the demand pattern will, in due course, return to its previous curve. The demand forecast requires a serious look at railway capacities. Rail Capacity and Capital Requirements When reviewing rail capacity from Alberta to the west coast, it must be borne in mind that the railways must traverse one of the world's most difficult railway terrains.

High-temperature chlorination of coal ash in a fluidized bed. 1. Recovery of aluminum

The high-temperature chlorination of the aluminium fraction in Alberta coal ash was investigated experimentally using a gas-fluidized bed reactor. With carbon (fluid coke) and carbon monoxide present as reducing agents, about 25% of aluminium in ash could be chlorinated in 2 h at temperatures above 900 C. By using standard statistical technique, it was discovered that the chlorination of aluminium above 900 C was unaffected by a variation in temperature. On the other hand, reducing the particle size and increasing the Cl/sub 2//CO ratio did have beneficial effects. Global reaction rate data indicate two very distinct reaction regions. In the first 10 min a high chlorination rate was observed (i.e., about 9 g of aluminium chlorinated/kg of initial Al-min). This was followed by a second region (10-120 min) where the global rate was reduced by a factor of about 7 and reached a constant value. Reasons for the changing reaction conditions are also discussed.

Study on the Liquefaction Behavior and the Chemical Structure of Alberta Coal, Canada

Liquefaction behavior and chemical structure of Alberta coal, Canada have been evaluated by semicritical gas extraction and conventional autoclave experiment. The effects of catalyst (ZnCl2, SnCl2·2H2O) and solvent (toluene, CH3OH, C2H5OH, C3H7OH) on the gas extraction have been observed using a small high pressure flow apparatus near critical conditions with or without hydrogen. Conversion to gas and liquid increased strikingly in the presence of hydrogen up to 43wt% and the weight ratio of liquid to gaseous product also increased with the addition of catalyst and solvent.Autoclave experiments were carried out in a 300ml conventional autoclave equipped with a stirring device at 420°C under 51Kg/cm2⋅G of hydrogen in the presence of 5 parts of tetralin. Conversion calculated on the basis of tetralin insoluble were observed up to 85wt%.The structural parameters of the extracts obtained from both types of reactions were evaluated by the modified Brown-Ladner's equation. From average fa of 0.6 and Hau/Ca of 0.9, an average unit cluster has been estimated to be the mixture of one or two aromatic rings which are joined together with some saturate groups.

The Legal Framework for Coal Development in Alberta

This paper examines the legal and regulatory regime that has been developed by the government of the Province of Alberta in order to implement the specific aspects of the Alberta coal policy.

Research Council of Alberta

THE twenty-eighth annual report of the Research Council of Alberta (King's Printer : Edmonton) summarizes the work of the Council for 1947. All investigations in progress in 1946 were continued and a new project involving a survey of road surface conditions existing at selected places on the main highways of the Province, both where there was evidence of deterioration of the pavement and where the road appeared to be standing up satisfactorily in service, was commenced. The Council has continued to take a close interest in the bituminous sand separation plant being erected at Bitumount on the Athabaska River, and further laboratory work has shown that the loss of oil in the hot separation process is not due to filming on to particle surfaces but to the flecks below a critical size being enmeshed among the particles and afterwards, on redispersion of the tailings, settling with the clay, increase of clay content in the bituminous sand decreasing the oil recovery. Work on the applicability of water-flooding to the bituminous sands has continued, as well as on the systematic examination of Alberta coals and on the carbonization of low-grade sub-bituminous coals in the pilot plant low-temperature retort designed on the principle of a vertical shaft carbonizer. Investigations on the preparation of Alberta coals for the market and on some aspects of the chemical constitution of coal have been commenced. The Gasoline and Oil Testing jLaboratory has widened its scope and now includes the examination of aviation, jet, Diesel and other fuel oils, petrol, lubricating oils, hydraulic fluids and solvents. Geological work included investigations of coal, clays, sand, water and miscellaneous mineral investigations, the major project being a survey along Evans-Thomas, Ribbon and Pigeon Creeks to determine coal measures in that area. Under the natural gas project for the conversion of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, from natural gas and oxygen, into a product resembling crude oil, the influence of operating conditions, catalyst structure and composition on the yields of liquid hydrocarbons was further studied, and a modified Emmett apparatus used to measure the surface areas of various catalysts. A market survey of poplar products was conducted, and the soil survey programme was continued in co-operation with the Dominion Department of Agriculture and the University Department of Soils. Tests were also made on the utilization of quartz sand and of straw.

MICROSCOPIC FEATURES OF CERTAIN ALBERTA COALS

Microscopic examination of Alberta coals shows that they are composed principally of materials derived from the woody parts of plants. Many woody structures are visible in thin sections and on polished and etched surfaces. Spores are present in the coals, but are relatively few in number. The resin content varies considerably, attaining a high proportion in the cannel coals of the Crowsnest Pass region in British Columbia, bordering the southwestern part of Alberta. The correlation of seams in the Alberta coal deposits on the basis of their microscopical characters has not yet proved to be feasible. A wide field is open here for palaeobotanical research on the nature and classification of the plant structures visible in these coals by means of the microscope. The investigation described here may be considered as being relatively only a beginning to further work that should be done in the study of the microscopical features of Alberta coals by the geologist, chemist and botanist.

THE HYDROGENATION OF ALBERTA COALS: II. COMPARATIVE DATA ON THIRTEEN COALS OF VARIOUS RANKS AND TWO SUSPENSION MEDIA, TETRALIN AND LIQUID PETROLATUM

Thirteen Alberta coals of graded rank have been hydrogenated in the presence of tetralin at 450 °C. and in the presence of liquid petrolatum at 425 °C. Tetralin is superior to liquid petrolatum owing, it is believed, to its efficiency as a hydrogen carrier and its solvent action on coal. The use of tetralin or materials of similar chemical constitution in a commercial process is considered possible, and the greater cost of the medium might be more than offset by its greater efficiency as compared with the ordinary heavy oils.A definite progression from old to young coals has been shown by increasing yields of volatile oil, gas and water, and decreasing yields of pitch and coke.Conversions of coal to oils, water and gas as high as 96.7% with tetralin and 81.6% with liquid petrolatum on the dry, ash-free basis have been reported.

THE HYDROGENATION OF ALBERTA COALS: I. PRELIMINARY EXPERIMENTS ON SUSPENSION MEDIA AND CATALYSTS WITH THREE COALS

The action of five suspension media and various catalysts in the hydrogenation of coal has been investigated. It has been shown that the Alberta coals used may be hydrogenated successfully. The properties of the medium have been found to be a controlling factor in the process. The effectiveness of the different media varied with the ease with which they could be hydrogenated and dehydrogenated. Tetrahydronaphthalene was found to be much superior to other media, and showed a greater effect than could be attributed to any of the catalysts used. Experiments showed that this compound was effective because of its action as a hydrogen carrier. Of the catalysts used, molybdic oxide and a mixture of iron and chromium oxides were most effective. The details of the reactions are discussed briefly.