Introduction

By Kristin Dennen1 and Brenda Pierce2

1U. S. Geological Survey, 956 National Center, Reston VA. 20192, kdennen@usgs.gov
2U. S. Geological Survey, 915A National Center, Reston VA. 20192, bpierce@usgs.gov

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hosted an international conference entitled “Coal Quality: Global Priorities” from September 24–26, 2001, at the USGS headquarters in Reston, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. The aim of this three-day meeting was to bring together the world's coal researchers, producers, and consumers and to facilitate a discussion about international coal quality issues pertinent to world coal trade, production, and utilization. The latest methodologies in determining coal quality and standards for testing procedures were presented. Current scientific, technological, and environmental issues were addressed from a global perspective.

Coal is the source of 23 percent of the world's primary energy supply and 75 percent of the world's industrial production (Key World Energy Statistics, 2003). The United States and China are the two top coal-producing and consuming countries, but developing countries such as India, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Indonesia are also large coal producers and consumers (Key World Energy Statistics, 2003). Coal is the primary energy source worldwide for electric power generation (39 percent in the year 2001) (Key World Energy Statistics, 2003), and world coal consumption is expected to increase from 5.3 billion tons in 2001 to 7.5 billion tons in 2025 (International Energy Outlook, 2002).

The impact of coal utilization makes it essential that coal-related issues (including technological improvements in production, transportation, and consumption) are addressed from a global perspective. Coal combustion, highly dependent on coal quality, affects the economic well-being of many countries. Creating global consensus for coal-quality definitions and creating a benchmark database are also extremely important for improving the efficiency of coal utilization. Environmental issues associated with coal, such as global climate change, greenhouse gases and coalbed methane, are gaining momentum as international energy consumption increases with the growth of the world's population.

Experts involved in coal research, production, trade, and consumption from over more than a dozen countries participated in the conference, which had more than 100 attendees. The conference included workshops and short courses on contemporary techniques for coal characterization and analysis that provided training for individuals from countries currently developing and improving their coal production and use. Discussion sessions were held to help identify appropriate protocols for characterizing coals. The presentations, discussions, and interactions at the conference benefited all attendees and the countries they represented.

The purpose of U.S.Geological Survey Circular 1272 is to capture the information presented at the conference and make it accessible digitally. The circular consists of oral presentations, posters, short courses, and breakout session results. It is hoped that the presentations included here will be a source of information, a foundation for future international conferences on coal quality and a source of pride for those countries represented.

References

International Energy Outlook 2002: Washington, D.C., Energy Information Administration, Report No. DOE/EIA-0484 (2002), 273 p. (http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/archive/ieo02/index.html)

Key World Energy Statistics, 2003: Paris, International Energy Agency, 78 p. (http://library.iea.org/bookshop/add.aspx?id=144)

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