MAINTENANCE OF THE COAL SAMPLE BANK AND DATABASE

This project provides coal samples and accompanying analytical data for research by DOE contractors and others. All 56 samples have been purged with argon before storage, and the 33 samples in the DECS series are heat-sealed in foil laminate bags and stored under refrigeration. Eleven DECS samples have been collected under the current contract. Basic characterization, standardized liquefaction analyses and organic geochemical analyses have been completed. Distribution of samples and data is continuing, with processing of samples being performed as needed. Requests during this quarter were heavily skewed toward database activity; 139 data printouts and individual data items from 2549 additional samples were distributed