Precombustion removal of hazardous air pollutant precursors. Second quarterly technical progress report, January 1, 1996--March 31, 1996

This project involves the development of an optimized, bench-scale processing circuit capable of efficiently removing trace elements from run-of-mine coals. The optimized circuit will be developed using characterization data obtained from detailed washability studies and release analyses tests conducted with several eastern US coals. The optimized circuit will incorporate a variety of conventional and advanced coal cleaning processes which are believed to be the most cost-effective and commercially viable. The coal products from the optimized circuit will be further treated with complexing agents specifically designed to extract organometallic trace elements that are difficult to remove by physical cleaning operations. Finally, innovative bioremediation schemes will be investigated as a means of controlling the release of trace elements from the process waste streams. Emphasis has been placed on the development of a processing circuit which (i) maximizes the rejection of trace elements, (ii) minimizes the production of coal fines which are costly to process and less marketable, and (iii) minimizes the downstream impacts of the process waste streams on the environment. During the past quarter, the project work plan and all associated technical/management reports were successfully approved by the COR (Subtask 1.1--Work Plan Development). Test work is now actively moving forward on several different fronts. In Subtask 2.2--Coal Procurement, arrangements have now been completed to procure/ship the three run-of-mine coals required to complete the project. All steps necessary to properly prepare and store these coals have been made under Subtask 2.3-- Preparation and Storage. For the Pittsburgh No. 8 coal, initial characterization studies have been initiated under Subtask 3.1-- Preliminary Analyses and Subtask 3.2--Washability Analysis