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Ronald H. Affolter

Publications and source records attributed to Ronald H. Affolter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS2013

Partitioning of selected trace elements in coal combustion products from two coal-burning power plants in the United States

Samples of feed coal (FC), bottom ash (BA), economizer fly ash (EFA), and fly ash (FA) were collected from power plants in the Central Appalachian basin and Colorado Plateau to determine the partitioning of As, Cr, Hg, Pb, and Se in coal combustion products (CCPs). The Appalachian plant burns a high-sulfur (about 3.9 wt.%) bituminous coal from the Upper Pennsylvanian Pittsburgh coal bed and operates with electrostatic precipitators (ESPs), with flue gas temperatures of about 163 °C in the ESPs. At this plant, As, Pb, Hg, and Se have the greatest median concentrations in FA samples, compared to BA and EFA. A mass balance (not including the FGD process) suggests that the following percentages of trace elements are captured in FA: As (48%), Cr (58%), Pb (54%), Se (20%), and Hg (2%). The relatively high temperatures of the flue gas in the ESPs and low amounts of unburned C in FA (0.5% loss-on-ignition for FA) may have led to the low amount of Hg captured in FA. The Colorado Plateau plant burns a blend of three low-S (about 0.74 wt.%) bituminous coals from the Upper Cretaceous Fruitland Formation and operates with fabric filters (FFs). Flue gas temperatures in the baghouses are about 104 °C. The elements As, Cr, Pb, Hg, and Se have the greatest median concentrations in the fine-grained fly ash product (FAP) produced by cyclone separators, compared to the other CCPs at this plant. The median concentration of Hg in FA (0.0983 ppm) at the Colorado Plateau plant is significantly higher than that for the Appalachian plant (0.0315 ppm); this higher concentration is related to the efficiency of FFs in Hg capture, the relatively low temperatures of flue gas in the baghouses (particularly in downstream compartments), and the amount of unburned C in FA (0.29% loss-on-ignition for FA).

International Journal of Coal Geology↗
USGS2011

Geochemical database of feed coal and coal combustion products (CCPs) from five power plants in the United States

The principal mission of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Energy Resources Program (ERP) is to (1) understand the processes critical to the formation, accumulation, occurrence, and alteration of geologically based energy resources; (2) conduct scientifically robust assessments of those resources; and (3) study the impacts of energy resource occurrence and (or) their production and use on both the environment and human health. The ERP promotes and supports research resulting in original, geology-based, non-biased energy information products for policy and decision makers, land and resource managers, other Federal and State agencies, the domestic energy industry, foreign governments, non-governmental groups, and academia. Investigations include research on the geology of oil, gas, and coal, and the impacts associated with energy resource occurrence, production, quality, and utilization. The ERP's focus on coal is to support investigations into current issues pertaining to coal production, beneficiation and (or) conversion, and the environmental impact of the coal combustion process and coal combustion products (CCPs). To accomplish these studies, the USGS combines its activities with other organizations to address domestic and international issues that relate to the development and use of energy resources.

Data Series↗
USGS2007

Performance audit of the U.S. Geological Survey, energy resource program inorganic geochemistry laboratory

A performance audit of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Energy Resource Program (ERP) Inorganic Geochemistry Laboratory (IGL) was conducted between August, 2003 and October, 2005. The goals were to ensure that a high level of analytical performance was maintained and identify any areas that could be enhanced. The audit was subdivided into three phases. Phase 1 was a preliminary assessment of current performance based on recent performance on CANSPEX samples. IGL performance was also compared to laboratories world-wide with similar scope. Phase 2 consisted of the implementation of the recommended changes made in Phase 1. Phase 3 of the audit consisted of a reassessment effort to evaluate the effectiveness of the recommendations made in the Phase 1 and an on-site audit of the laboratory facilities. Phases 1 and 3 required summary reports that are included in Appendices A and B of this report. The audit found that the IGL was one of the top two laboratories compared for trace element analyses. Several recommendations to enhance performance on major and minor elemental parameters were made and implemented. Demonstrated performance improvements as a result of the recommended changes were documented. Several initiatives to sustain the performance improvements gained from the audit have been implemented.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2007

Fly Ash: From Cradle to Grave

The Energy Resources Program of the U.S. Geological Survey promotes and supports coal research to improve the understanding of the coal endowment of the United States. This results in geologically based, non-biased energy information products for policy and decision makers, land and resource managers, other federal and state agencies, the domestic energy industry, foreign governments, nongovernmental groups, academia, and other scientists. A more integrated approach to our coal quality work involves what we call a 'cradle to grave' approach. These types of studies focus not on just one aspect of the coal but rather on how or where different quality parameters form and (or) occur and what happens to them through the mining, production, transport, utilization and waste disposal process. An extensive suite of coal quality analyses, mineralogical, petrology, and leaching investigations are determined on samples taken from the different phases of the coal utilization process. This report consists of a tutorial that was given on June 10, 2007 at the 32nd International Technical Conference on Coal Utilization & Fuel Systems, The Power of Coal, Clearwater Coal Conference in Clearwater, Florida, USA. This tutorial covers how these studies are conducted and the importance of providing improved, comprehensive, science-based data sets for policy and decision makers.

Open-File Report↗
USGS2005

Characterization and modes of occurrence of elements in feed coal and coal combustion products from a power plant utilizing low-sulfur coal from the Powder River Basin, Wyoming

The U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research are collaborating with an Indiana utility company to determine the physical and chemical properties of feed coal and coal combustion products from a coal-fired power plant. The Indiana power plant utilizes a low-sulfur (0.23 to 0.47 weight percent S) and lowash (4.9 to 6.3 weight percent ash) subbituminous coal from the Wyodak-Anderson coal zone in the Tongue River Member of the Paleocene Fort Union Formation, Powder River Basin, Wyoming. Based on scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analyses of feed coal samples, two mineral suites were identified: (1) a primary or detrital suite consisting of quartz (including beta-form grains), biotite, feldspar, and minor zircon; and (2) a secondary authigenic mineral suite containing alumino-phosphates (crandallite and gorceixite), kaolinite, carbonates (calcite and dolomite), quartz, anatase, barite, and pyrite. The primary mineral suite is interpreted, in part, to be of volcanic origin, whereas the authigenic mineral suite is interpreted, in part, to be the result of the alteration of the volcanic minerals. The mineral suites have contributed to the higher amounts of barium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, strontium, and titanium in the Powder River Basin feed coals in comparison to eastern coals. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that (1) fly ash is mostly aluminate glass, perovskite, lime, gehlenite, quartz, and phosphates with minor amounts of periclase, anhydrite, hematite, and spinel group minerals; and (2) bottom ash is predominantly quartz, plagioclase (albite and anorthite), pyroxene (augite and fassaite), rhodonite, and akermanite, and spinel group minerals. Microprobe and scanning electron microscope analyses of fly ash samples revealed quartz, zircon, and monazite, euhedral laths of corundum with merrillite, hematite, dendritic spinels/ferrites, wollastonite, and periclase. The abundant calcium and magnesium mineral phases in the fly ash are attributed to the presence of carbonate, clay, and phosphate minerals in the feed coal and their alteration to new phases during combustion. The amorphous diffraction-scattering maxima or glass 'hump' appears to reflect differences in chemical composition of fly ash and bottom ash glasses. In Wyodak-Anderson fly and bottom ashes, the center point of scattering maxima is due to calcium and magnesium content, whereas the glass 'hump' of eastern fly ash reflects variation in aluminum content. The calcium- and magnesium-rich and alumino-phosphate mineral phases in the coal combustion products can be attributed to volcanic minerals deposited in peat-forming mires. Dissolution and alteration of these detrital volcanic minerals occurred either in the peat-forming stage or during coalification and diagenesis, resulting in the authigenic mineral suite. The presence of free lime (CaO) in fly ash produced from Wyodak-Anderson coal acts as a self-contained 'scrubber' for SO3, where CaO + SO3 form anhydrite either during combustion or in the upper parts of the boiler. Considering the high lime content in the fly ash and the resulting hydration reactions after its contact with water, there is little evidence that major amounts of leachable metals are mobilized in the disposal or utilization of this fly ash.

Scientific Investigations Report↗
USGS1995

Geochemical evaluation of coal from the Tertiary Usibelli Group, Usibelli mine, Alaska, one of the lowest sulfur coals mined in the United States

The Nenana coal basin extends 240 km in length and 1.5-50 krn in width along the northern foothills of the Alaska Range in central Alaska. Located at the western end of the Nenana basin is the Usibelli Coal Mine, approximately 120 km southwest of Fairbanks. The Tertiary Usibelli Group consists of coal-bearing fluvial and lacustrine sedimentary deposits that were derived from the Yukon-Tanana Upland area located northeast of the present mine site. To evaluate changes in major-, minor-, and trace-element distributions, we collected 65 samples from the No. 3 bed from 5 different locations and 128 samples from the No. 4 bed from 6 different locations

Conference Paper↗
USGS1980

Chemical analyses of coal and coal-associated shale samples from the lower part of the Fort Union Formation, Little Snake River coal field, Sweetwater and Carbon counties, Wyoming

As part of a continuing program by the U.S. Geological Survey to collect and analyze representative samples of U.S. coals, 26 coal and 5 coal-associated shale samples were collected from 13 core and rotary-drill holes in the lower part of the Paleocene Fort Union Formation in the Little Snake River coal field, Sweetwater and Carbon Counties, Wyoming (fig. 1). The samples are briefly described in table 1. Twenty-six of the samples were collected from eight core holes that were drilled in connection with the Red Rim EMRIA (Energy Mineral Rehabilitation Inventory and Analyses) study (U.S. Department of the Interior, 1976). The locations of these eight holes and five other drill holes are shown in figure 2. Detailed geologic mapping of part of the sample collection area was done by Sanders (1974) in his work on the Riner quadrangle. Seven of the core holes (index map locations 1-7) are located in this quadrangle. In his discussion, Sanders (1974) describes the coal beds in the lower part of the Fort Union Formation as being thin, discontinuous, and generally lenticular. Few beds attain a thickness of more than five feet. In the Riner quadrangle coal beds in the lower part of the Fort Union Formation dip 12° to 24° northwestward.

Wyoming↗
USGS1979

Chemical analyses of coal from the Emery and Ferron Sandstone members of the Mancos Shale, Henry Mountains Field, Wayne and Garfield counties, Utah

As part of a continuing program by the U.S. Geological Survey to collect and chemically analyze representative samples of U.S. coals, 18 samples were collected from the Upper Cretaceous Emery and Ferron Sandstone Members of the Mancos Shale in the Henry Mountains coal field, Wayne and Garfield Counties, Utah (fig. 1). The 18 samples are briefly described in table 1. Thirteen of these samples were collected from seven holes that were drilled in connection with the Henry Mountains EMRIA (Energy Mineral Rehabilitation Inventory and Analyses) study (U.S. Department of the Interior, 1978). The locations of the seven core holes and the four other sampling sites are shown on figure 2. The Henry Mountains coal field is adjacent to the Henry Mountains of southeastern Utah. The basin is a long, narrow syncline about 110 km long and 24 km wide bounded on the west by the Waterpocket Fold and on the east by the Henry Mountains. The most comprehensive geologic report available on the area is by Hunt and others (1953). Their work included a considerable amount of information on the coal resources. Other work in the area concerning coal or stratigraphy of coal bearing units includes: Doelling (1972), Peterson and Ryder (1975), Doelling (1975), Law (1977; 1978; 1979 a,b), and U.S. Department of the Interior (1978). In the Henry Mountains field, there are three coal bearing units in rocks of Late Cretaceous age. In ascending order they are the Dakota Sandstone, the Ferron Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale, and the Emery Sandstone Member of the Mancos Shale. The coal beds of the Henry Mountains coal field originated as layers of peat that were deposited, for the most part, in coastal swamp environments. Individual coal beds are discontinuous and exhibit large variations in thickness and quality. The thickest and most continuous coal beds occur in the Emery Sandstone Member along or near the axis of the Henry Mountains syncline (Law, 1978).

Utah↗
USGS1979

Chemical analyses of coal and coal-associated rock samples from the Rosebud and McKay coal beds, Tongue River Member of the Fort Union Formation, Colstrip coal deposit, Rosebud County, Montana

As part of a continuing program by the U.S. Geological Survey to collect and chemically analyze representative samples of U.S. coals, 61 coal and coal-associated rock samples were collected from the Rosebud and McKay beds in the Paleocene Tongue River Member of the Fort Union Formation in Rosebud County, Montana. This area is located in the Montana part of the Powder River region, specifically within the Coistrip coal deposit as defined by Matson and Blumer, 1974. Forty of the samples (36 coal and 4 coal-associated rock) are from the Rosebud bed and 21 samples (all coal) are from the McKay bed. The McKay bed is between 5.5 and 18.6 m. below the Rosebud bed. The samples were collected from the Big Sky Mine and from 13 core holes in sec. 1, 2, and 27, T. 1 N., R. 41 E.; sec. 23 and 35, T. 2 N., R. 41 E.; and in sec. 1, 3, 5, 9, 15, and 16, T. 1 N., R. 40 E. The location of the sample collection area is shown in figure 1. Brief descriptions of all 61 samples are listed in table 1 and locations of sampling sites are shown in figure 2. Estimated strippable coal resources for the Rosebud bed in this area exceed 1,305 metric tons (1,439 million short tons) (Matson and Blumer, 1974). There are currently no estimates of coal resources for the McKay bed from this area. Analyses of samples D172034 through D172051 have previously been published in Swanson and others (1976) and are included here in order to provide a more complete data listing. For additional information on sulfur and trace element contents in the Rosebud and McKay coal beds, see Chadwick, Woodriff and others (1975) and Chadwick, Rice and others (1975).

Montana↗
USGS1979

Chemical analyses of coal and coal-associated rock samples from the Coalmont Formation, McCallum and Coalmont areas, North Park, Jackson County, Colorado

As part of a continuing program by the U.S. Geological Survey to collect and chemically analyze representative samples of U.S. coals, 44 coal and coal-associated rock samples were collected from the Paleocene and Eocene, Coalmont Formation in the McCallum and Coalmont areas, North Park, Jackson County, Colorado. Twenty-eight samples (24 coal and 4 coal-associated rock) are from the McCallum area and 16 samples (12 coal and 4 coal-associated rock) are from the Coalmont area. Locations of ten core holes and three mines where the samples were collected, and an outline of North Park are shown on figure 1. The 44 samples are briefly described in table 1.

Colorado↗
USGS1979

Chemical analyses of coal from the Tongue River Member of the Fort Union Formation, Moorhead and southeastern part of the northward extension of the Sheridan coal fields, Powder River and Big Horn counties, Montana

As part of a continuing program by the U.S. Geological Survey to collect and chemically analyze representative samples of U.S. coals, 83 samples were collected from 23 core holes in the Paleocene Tongue River Member of the Fort Union Formation in Big Horn and Powder River counties, Montana. These holes are located in the Montana part of the Powder River coal region, specifically in the western part of the Moorhead coal field and on the eastern margin of the Northward Extension of the Sheridan coal field (fig. 1)

Montana↗
USGS1979

Coal resource and coal quality of Pumpkin Creek EMRIA site, Powder River County, Montana: With a section on chemical analysis

The Pumpkin Creek EMRIA site, an area of about 94 square miles, is located mainly in the southwestern part of the Coalwood coal field on the slightly westward dipping beds of the Tongue River Member of the Paleocene Fort Union Formation in Powder River County, Montana. Three coal beds, A, Sawyer, and Mackin-Walker, were evaluated by 32 drill holes. Coal resources--measured, indicated, and inferred--within the site and in beds more than 5 feet thick are 191,660,000 short tons, 1,356,950,000 short tons, and 34,400,000 short tons, respectively. The coal has an apparent rank of lignite A as shown by the analyses of 17 core samples. The average Btu value of 15 core samples of the Sawyer from the site on the as-received basis is 6,970, average ash content is 6.8 percent, and average sulfur content is 0.4 percent. A comparison of the analyses of samples from the Sawyer coal bed with other analyses of Powder River region coal samples shows that moisture, hydrogen, and oxygen contents are significantly higher, and volatile matter, fixed carbon, carbon, nitrogen, and total sulfur contents and heat of combustion are significantly lower in the Sawyer bed samples. A statistical comparison of the elemental compositions of the two sample groups shows that the Sawyer bed has significantly higher contents of B, Ba, Mn, Nb, U, Y, and Yb and significantly lower contents of Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sc, Se, and Th. The sample of the lower split of the Sawyer bed (bed A) in drill hole PWW8 has a relatively high sulfur content of 1.7 percent, and presumably would not be mined with the rest of the Sawyer. The Mackin-Walker has a Btu value of 7,220, an ash content of 6.9 percent, and a sulfur content of 1.0 percent.

Montana↗
USGS1979

Chemical analyses of coal from the Tongue River Member, Fort Union Formation, Decker coal deposit, Big Horn County, Montana

As part of a continuing cooperative program between the U. S. Geological Survey and the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology to collect and chemically analyze representative samples of Montana coals, 50 coal and 2 carbonaceous shale samples were collected from the Anderson, Dietz 1 and Dietz 2 coal beds in the Paleocene Tongue River Member of the Fort Union Formation. These samples were collected at six locations in sections 9 and 15, T. 9 S., R. 40 E., section 26, T. 8 S., R. 39 E., and section 29, T. 9 S., R. 39 E., Big Horn County, Montana.

Montana↗