Black coal equivalent
Encyclopedia
Black coal equivalent is a term applied to describe the properties of an export coal product derived from the Coldry Process
, a patented coal upgrading technology operated by Environmental Clean Technologies Limited, in Victoria
, Australia
. The Coldry Process is applied to Victorian brown coal (lignite
) with a typical moisture content of 60 per cent by weight and transforms the coal into a new densified coal
product of equal or better calorific value (5,800 kcal/kg) to typical export quality Australian black coal, with less ash and sulfur content. Black coal equivalent derived from Victorian brown coal is ostensibly a 'cleaner' burning coal fuel than most black coals.
near Bacchus Marsh, Victoria
. Dr Johns and colleagues identified that a process of low-mechanical shear applied to brown coal mixed with a small amount of moisture would trigger a natural exothermic reaction process within the coal, leading to the expulsion of its moisture content. The process fundamentally alters micro chemical bonds within the coal, naturally reducing moisture content to around 11 per cent; boosting calorific value to around 5800 kcal/kg; and creating a new ‘densified coal’ product that is hydrophobic, no longer prone to spontaneous combustion, and readily transportable. For the operators of black coal generators, densified coal is described as a black coal equivalent that offers the advantages of less ash and sulfur content often associated with many black coals.
adb = as dry basis. ar = as received. db = dry basis. wb = wet basis.
Coldry Process
Coldry Process is a coal upgrading technology developed in Victoria, Australia by Environmental Clean Technologies Limited to specifically beneficiate low-rank brown coal and sub-bituminous coal by removing natural high moisture content and certain pollutants; harden and densify the coal; raise...
, a patented coal upgrading technology operated by Environmental Clean Technologies Limited, in Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The Coldry Process is applied to Victorian brown coal (lignite
Lignite
Lignite, often referred to as brown coal, or Rosebud coal by Northern Pacific Railroad,is a soft brown fuel with characteristics that put it somewhere between coal and peat...
) with a typical moisture content of 60 per cent by weight and transforms the coal into a new densified coal
Densified coal
Densified coal is the product of the Coldry Process coal upgrading technology that removes moisture from low-rank coals such as sub-bituminous and lignite/brown coal. The densification process raises the calorific value of low rank coal to equal or exceed that of many export grade black coals...
product of equal or better calorific value (5,800 kcal/kg) to typical export quality Australian black coal, with less ash and sulfur content. Black coal equivalent derived from Victorian brown coal is ostensibly a 'cleaner' burning coal fuel than most black coals.
Overview
Densified coal as an ostensibly ‘new’ black coal equivalent product emanating from Victorian brown coal was first identified by Dr R.B. Johns and colleagues at the Organic Chemistry laboratory at Melbourne University following observations made at the Maddingley MineMaddingley Mine
Maddingley Mine near Bacchus Marsh Railway Station, Victoria, Australia contains a concentration of a particular brown coal formation called Leonardite. A relatively high altitude formation, Maddingley brown coal is distinguished as having 60 per cent moisture content and a rich fulvic acid and...
near Bacchus Marsh, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. Dr Johns and colleagues identified that a process of low-mechanical shear applied to brown coal mixed with a small amount of moisture would trigger a natural exothermic reaction process within the coal, leading to the expulsion of its moisture content. The process fundamentally alters micro chemical bonds within the coal, naturally reducing moisture content to around 11 per cent; boosting calorific value to around 5800 kcal/kg; and creating a new ‘densified coal’ product that is hydrophobic, no longer prone to spontaneous combustion, and readily transportable. For the operators of black coal generators, densified coal is described as a black coal equivalent that offers the advantages of less ash and sulfur content often associated with many black coals.
Characteristics
The performance characteristics of black coal equivalent densified coal derived from Victorian brown coal is benchmarked against the comparative burning properties of black coal mined and exported from mining regions in Tarong, Queensland and Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Black coal sourced from Tarong and Newcastle constitute the bulk of black coal currently exported by Australia. Black coal equivalent has become an attractive option to coal importers from countries such as Vietnam as the product burns like black coal in black coal boilers, yet is a 'cleaner' burning product that reduces plant maintenance and upkeep cost.Chemical composition
| Name | C Carbon % | H Hydrogen % | N Nitrogen % | O Oxygen % | S Sulfur % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QLD Black Coal (Export) Tarong |
52 | 2.59 | 0.74 | 11 | 0.25 |
| NSW Black Coal (Export) Newcastle |
48.9 | 3.29 | 1.19 | 10.1 | 0.81 |
| Black coal equivalent Densified Brown Coal (Coldry ) |
59 | 4.24 | 0.46 | 21 | 0.85 |
Comparison of calorific values
| Name | Moisture % | Volatiles % | Fixed Carbon % | Ash % | Sulfur % | Net Weight Specific Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland Black Coal (Export) Tarong |
15.5% adb | 22.5% wb | 44.1% wb | 17.9% wb | 0.42% wb | 4800 kcal/kg adb 20.1 MJ/kg adb |
| NSW Black Coal (Export) Newcastle |
3.3% adb | 26.5% wb | 46.0% wb | 24.2% wb | 0.42% wb | 5681 kcal/kg adb 23.79 MJ/kg adb |
| Black coal equivalent Densified Brown Coal (Coldry) |
12.0% adb | 48.9% wb | 49.1% wb | 2.4% wb | 0.3% wb | 5874 kcal/kg adb 24.6 Mj/kg adb |
| Percent by weight | ||||||
adb = as dry basis. ar = as received. db = dry basis. wb = wet basis.
See also
- Bituminous coalBituminous coalBituminous coal or black coal is a relatively soft coal containing a tarlike substance called bitumen. It is of higher quality than lignite coal but of poorer quality than Anthracite...
- Bergius processBergius processThe Bergius Process is a method of production of liquid hydrocarbons for use as synthetic fuel by hydrogenation of high-volatile bituminous coal at high temperature and pressure...
- Coal assayCoal assayCoal Analysis techniques are specific analytical methods designed to measure the particular physical and chemical properties of coals. These methods are used primarily to determine the suitability of coal for coking, power generation or for iron ore smelting in the manufacture of steel.-Chemical...
- Coldry ProcessColdry ProcessColdry Process is a coal upgrading technology developed in Victoria, Australia by Environmental Clean Technologies Limited to specifically beneficiate low-rank brown coal and sub-bituminous coal by removing natural high moisture content and certain pollutants; harden and densify the coal; raise...
- Energy value of coalEnergy value of coalThe energy value of coal, or the fuel content, raj is the amount of potential energy in coal that can be converted into actual heating ability. The value can be calculated and compared with different grades of coal or even other materials...
- Orders of magnitude (specific energy density)Orders of magnitude (specific energy density)This is a table of specific energy densities by magnitude. Unless otherwise noted, these values assume standard ambient temperature and pressure....
- Fischer-Tropsch processFischer-Tropsch processThe Fischer–Tropsch process is a set of chemical reactions that convert a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons. The process, a key component of gas to liquids technology, produces a petroleum substitute, typically from coal, natural gas, or biomass for use as synthetic...
- Karrick processKarrick processThe Karrick process is a low-temperature carbonization and pyrolysis process of carbonaceous materials. Although primarily meant for coal carbonization, it also could be used for processing of oil shale, lignite or any carbonaceous materials. These are heated at to in the absence of air to...
- LeonarditeLeonarditeLeonardite is a soft waxy, black or brown, shiny, vitreous mineraloid that is easily soluble in alkaline solutions. It is an oxidation product of lignite, associated with near-surface mining...
- Maddingley MineMaddingley MineMaddingley Mine near Bacchus Marsh Railway Station, Victoria, Australia contains a concentration of a particular brown coal formation called Leonardite. A relatively high altitude formation, Maddingley brown coal is distinguished as having 60 per cent moisture content and a rich fulvic acid and...
- List of CO2 emitted per million Joule of energy from various fuels