History of Coal Mining in West Virginia

KY has high sulphur coal, but high according to what standards, certainly not when measure against most "Western coal".

I "think" about 1 percent is the highest I've seen in SE KY, and very few attempted to mine it because of EPA regs.

The "BLUE GEM" seam is only 1/4 of one percent sulphur and 15500 BTU, you can light it with a match, and it will melt a stove, if the "Draft" is left opened.

Needless to say, it sells for top dollar. </font>[/QUOTE]To the Contrary

SULFUR AND NITROGEN EMISSION TRENDS FOR THE U.S.
by Rudolph Husar, rhusar@mecf.wustl.edu

Center for Air Pollution Impact and Trend and Trend Analysis (CAPITA)

February, 1992


"Each coal producing district has a geologically defined range for the sulfur content of its coal (Figure 3a). Western coal, for instance, is low in sulfur since it contains less than 1 percent of S. On the other hand, the districts in the Midwest produce coal ranging from 2 to 4 percent sulfur, with little production outside this range."




And from the DOE
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/page/prim2/chapter6.html

"Sulfur is an element that is present in almost all coal, although some kinds of coal contain more sulfur than others depending on the geographic location of the coal mine and the type of coal being mined. Western coal has less sulfur than eastern coal. More than one-half of the coal mined in the West is subbituminous coal that is low in sulfur content (about 0.5 percent) and contains approximately 9,000 Btu per pound. Bituminous eastern coal can exceed both a 5-percent sulfur content and a heat content of 12,000 Btu per pound. The average percent of sulfur contained in coal ranges from 0.3 percent in the West to approximately 2.5 percent in the East."

 

"Typically", coal found near the surface is of less quality than "deep mined coal", higher sulphur/ash/lower BTU.

I'm wondering what he is refering to as "Midwest", PA, WVA, KY??

I would think "OH, IL", outside the appalachian range would be the beginning of "Midwest".

Both mountain ranges, Rocky, Appalachian, produce the best quality coal, the "Flat land" between is mostly Strip mined, this is where the majority of high sulphur coal is found.

Coal in SE KY is "booming", if it contain high sulphur, as you pointed out, that wouldn't be true.

I know one company who is purchasing the "LARGEST EQUIPMENT" manufactured, Dozer, Haulback, Endloaders to strip coal, The same Equip used in copper mines.

It was formerly called "Mountain top removal", now it's simply "mountain removal", we'll all be "Flatlanders" when they're finished.

 

When all the non-renewable energy sources are exhausted, our hybrid cars are stalled in corn fields which will not produce because of acid rain--what then? Some one call the EPA--allow at least two hours to get through to a recording.

Anyone working on burning acid rain? Too late.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Selah,

Bro. James