MAINTENANCE OF THE COAL SAMPLE BANK AND DATABASE

This project generated and distributed coal samples and accompanying analytical data for use in research by DOE contractors and others. All activities specified under the five-year contract (as revised) and a six-month no-cost extension have been completed. Eleven DECS samples were collected, processed to a variety of particle sizes, heat-sealed in foil laminate bags under argon, and placed in refrigerated storage. All were analyzed for basic chemical composition, inorganic major and trace element composition including hazardous air pollutant elements, petrographic composition and characteristics, thermoplastic behavior (if applicable), and other properties relevant to research and commercial utilization. Most were also analyzed by NMR, py/gc/ms, and a standardized liquefaction test; trends and relationships observed were evaluated and summarized. Twenty-two DECS samples collected under the previous contract received further processing, and most of these were subjected to organic geochemical and standardized liquefaction tests as well. Selected DECS samples were monitored annually to evaluate the effectiveness of foil laminate bags for preserving samples in long-term storage. In addition to the 33 DECS samples, 23 PSOC samples collected under previous contracts and purged with argon before storage were also maintained and distributed, for a total of 56 samples covered by the contract. During the 5.5 years, 570 samples in 1,586 containers, 2,109 data printouts, and individual data items from 34,208 samples were distributed. All DECS samples are now available for distribution at minus 6 mm (-1/4 inch), minus 0.85 mm (-20 mesh U.S.), and minus 0.25 mm (-60 mesh U.S.)