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Chemical analysis of 617 coal samples from the Eastern United States

January 1, 1979

This report includes all the analytical data on 617 coal samples from 8 states east of the Mississippi River. The samples from each state are, Pennsylvania 71, Ohio 40, West Virginia 252, Virginia 72, Kentucky 27, Tennessee 27, Alabama 20, and Indiana 108.

The U.S. Geological Survey has quantitatively determined the amounts of 35 major, minor and trace elements in each sample. It has also searched for 35 other trace elements using semi-quantitative spectrographic methods. In addition, the Coal Analysis Section of the Department of Energy has provided proximate and ultimate analyses, Btu, forms of sulfur, free swelling index, and ash fusion temperatures on 491 samples.

Comparison of the geometric means of these samples with 331 bituminous coal samples of the Appalachian region reported by Swanson and others (1976) are as follows. As shown by the means for ultimate and proximate analyses small differences exist between the two sets of data, only the moisture content and oxygen are significantly different. The forms of sulfur and heat of combustion are also similar. The means for the major and minor oxides in ash are similar for SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, MgO, K2O3 and TiO2. Na2O is significantly lower and Fe2O3 and MnO higher in the analyses of the 617 samples of this report. Most means for the trace elements in the coals studied for this report are lower. Only Be is significantly higher in these coals.

Publication Year 1979
Title Chemical analysis of 617 coal samples from the Eastern United States
DOI 10.3133/ofr79665
Authors Peter Zubovic, Charles L. Oman, S.L. Coleman, Linda Bragg, P.T. Kerr, K.M. Kozey, F.O. Simon, J.J. Rowe, J.H. Medlin, F.E. Walker
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 79-665
Index ID ofr79665
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse