Byproducts of Energy Fuels Active
This task provides detailed information on the use and resource potential of energy by-products, as well as controls on the potential mobility of contaminants resulting from transport, storage, and disposal of these byproducts. Specific topics investigated include 1) transport and fate of organic and inorganic contaminants during storage and disposal of waste coal and coal combustion byproducts (CCBs) in landfills and impoundments; 2) resource and beneficial use aspects of coal and CCBs; 3) behavior of CCBs stored in coal mines for neutralization of acid mine drainage; and 4) impact of coal transfer, transport, shipping and distribution. Research on CCBs is a long-standing USGS priority that has been a part of nearly every past USGS project on coal quality.
Below are other science projects associated with this project task.
Geochemistry of Energy Fuels Project
Geochemistry of Energy Fuels Task
Molecular Fingerprinting of Energy Materials
NORM Byproducts of Energy Resources
Microbial Methanogenesis and Strategies for Enhancements
Maps of Energy Occurrence
Trace Elements in Energy Fuels
Controls on Unconventional Oil and Gas Production
Below are data or web applications associated with this project task.
Bulk Chemistry Data from Alaskan Stoker-Boiler Fly Ash
X-ray Diffraction Results from Alaskan Stoker-Boiler Fly Ash
Bulk Chemistry and X-ray Diffraction Results from Alaskan Stoker-Boiler Fly Ash
Geochemical Data for Illinois Basin Coal Samples, 2015-2018 (ver. 1.1, March 2021)
Below are publications associated with this project task.
Geochemical data for Illinois Basin coal samples, 2015–2018
Trace elements in coal ash
Size distribution of rare earth elements in coal ash
- Overview
This task provides detailed information on the use and resource potential of energy by-products, as well as controls on the potential mobility of contaminants resulting from transport, storage, and disposal of these byproducts. Specific topics investigated include 1) transport and fate of organic and inorganic contaminants during storage and disposal of waste coal and coal combustion byproducts (CCBs) in landfills and impoundments; 2) resource and beneficial use aspects of coal and CCBs; 3) behavior of CCBs stored in coal mines for neutralization of acid mine drainage; and 4) impact of coal transfer, transport, shipping and distribution. Research on CCBs is a long-standing USGS priority that has been a part of nearly every past USGS project on coal quality.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project task.
Geochemistry of Energy Fuels Project
Since its establishment in 1879, USGS geoscientists have investigated the geochemistry of energy resources. Research conducted in the Geochemistry of Energy Fuels project continues this tradition. Goals include 1) understanding the geologic, geochemical, microbiological, and other factors that control production, quality, and composition of coal, petroleum, and nuclear fuels, and 2) predicting the...Geochemistry of Energy Fuels Task
Geologic and geochemical processes that impact fuel quality, quantity, and availability can be best understood by utilizing a range of approaches, including, but not limited to isotopic signatures, inorganic and organic analyses, and neutron scattering techniques. Current work focuses on using neutron scattering to understand how fluids are stored and flow through tight continuous reservoirs and...Molecular Fingerprinting of Energy Materials
The chemical composition of complex solid organic matter (OM) from sedimentary reservoirs is a key parameter in the generation of hydrocarbon fuels. Vibrational spectroscopies such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman have been widely applied to understand the molecular make-up of these hydrocarbon precursors, as well as provide links to their thermal histories via correlation to proven...NORM Byproducts of Energy Resources
Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) is found in waste produced during the extraction of uranium, phosphate, rare earth elements (REE), coal, oil and gas resources. The focus of this effort is to understand the potential for byproduct recovery of U-235 and Th-232, the fissionable isotopes used to generate nuclear energy from wastes produced during energy resource development. The NORM...Microbial Methanogenesis and Strategies for Enhancements
Microbial (biogenic) natural gas is present in shale, coal and petroleum reservoirs and is estimated to account for 20% of the world’s natural gas resources. We provide hydrological, geochemical and microbial information related to the production of biogenic natural gas and new methods to monitor and enhance the production of this energy resource. Generating microbial methane at a faster rate from...Maps of Energy Occurrence
The primary objective of this task is to produce digital maps coal-bearing areas and related energy sources and materials of the U.S., and internationally. The approach for creating GIS representations of energy sources of the U.S. and the world is to use existing geologic GIS data where possible, supplemented by data on location, rank and age from published maps and reports. Each GIS database...Trace Elements in Energy Fuels
In this task we conduct new interpretive studies of the concentration and distribution of trace metals and mercury in coal and other energy materials. Complementary studies of coal combustion products are conducted under Task 8. Together with use of existing USGS databases, we examine the potential for reducing emissions of potentially toxic substances by coal preparation, and by optimizing coal...Controls on Unconventional Oil and Gas Production
This scoping task incorporates insights from new approaches to production of unconventional resources and currently focuses on conducting a pilot assessment of biogenic natural gas resources in the Permian Basin. For the pilot assessment to occur, we are developing a database that will host geochemical parameters known to be suggestive of microbial methanogenesis mined to the reservoir level for... - Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project task.
Bulk Chemistry Data from Alaskan Stoker-Boiler Fly Ash
This dataset contains bulk chemical data for fly ash samples from the Atkinson Heat and Power Plant in Fairbanks, AK and National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Materials (SRM) used for quality assurance and quality control.X-ray Diffraction Results from Alaskan Stoker-Boiler Fly Ash
This dataset contains X-ray diffraction (XRD) results for coal samples from the Usibelli Coal Mine and fly ash samples from the Atkinson Heat and Power Plant in Fairbanks, AK. Additionally, X-ray diffraction results from the solid phase residuals of leaching experiments with the same fly ash are reported. The leaching experiments were performed with either 18 mgea-ohm or simulated rainwater forBulk Chemistry and X-ray Diffraction Results from Alaskan Stoker-Boiler Fly Ash
This data release contains the bulk chemistry and x-ray diffraction results of unreacted Alaskan stoker-boiler fly ash. X-ray diffraction results from the solid phase residuals of leaching experiments with the same fly ash are reported. The leaching experiments were performed with either 18 mega-ohm or simulated rainwater for up to 90 days and XRD was performed on solid phase residuals from sacrGeochemical Data for Illinois Basin Coal Samples, 2015-2018 (ver. 1.1, March 2021)
Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and their collaborators conducted a study of the geochemical properties of coals currently produced for electric power generation in the Illinois Basin in Illinois and Indiana. The study follows from recommendations by an expert panel for the USGS to investigate the distribution and controls of trace constituents such as mercury (Hg) in Illinois Bas - Publications
Below are publications associated with this project task.
Geochemical data for Illinois Basin coal samples, 2015–2018
Researchers at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and their collaborators conducted a study of the geochemical properties of coals currently produced for electric power generation in the Illinois Basin in Illinois and Indiana. The study follows from recommendations by an expert panel for the USGS to investigate the distribution and controls of trace constituents such as mercury (Hg) in Illinois BasAuthorsAllan Kolker, Clint Scott, Liliana Lefticariu, Maria Mastalerz, Agnieszka Drobniak, Annie ScottTrace elements in coal ash
Coal ash is a residual waste product primarily produced by coal combustion for electric power generation. Coal ash includes fly ash, bottom ash, and flue-gas desulfurization products (at powerplants equipped with flue-gas desulfurization systems). Fly ash, the most common form of coal ash, is used in a range of products, especially construction materials. A new Environmental Protection Agency ruliAuthorsAmrika Deonarine, Allan Kolker, Michael W. DoughtenSize distribution of rare earth elements in coal ash
Rare earth elements (REEs) are utilized in various applications that are vital to the automotive, petrochemical, medical, and information technology industries. As world demand for REEs increases, critical shortages are expected. Due to the retention of REEs during coal combustion, coal fly ash is increasingly considered a potential resource. Previous studies have demonstrated that coal fly ash isAuthorsClint Scott, Amrika Deonarine, Allan Kolker, Monique Adams, James F. Holland