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Characterization of Turkish Coals: An Example of International Cooperation to Develop a World Coal Quality Inventory
Poster

By Curtis A. Palmer1, Ertem Tuncali2, Kristen O. Dennen1, and Robert B. Finkelman1

1U.S. Geological Survey, 956 National Center, Reston, VA 20192
2General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration 06520, Ankara, Turkey

ABSTRACT

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration in Turkey (Maden Tetkek ve Arama Genel Müdürlügü, MTA) are working together to provide a more complete understanding of the chemical properties of coals from major Turkish coal-producing areas. This study is part of the World Coal Quality Inventory project initiated by the USGS to generate reliable, internally consistent coal quality analyses for all major coal-producing countries in the world.

This data set contains chemical analyses of 143 coal samples (mostly low-rank lignites and subbituminous coals) collected throughout Turkey. One coal sample was collected from most of the working mines to provide a broad regional overview of coals being currently mined in Turkey. In general, we excluded partings thicker than 50 cm. Turkish agencies performed basic coal analyses (moisture, ash, sulfur, calorific values) and provided data to the USGS. USGS laboratories determined major-, minor-, and trace-element data. Chemical data are presented on three analytical bases: as-received, residual or remnant moisture, and dry.

Four trace elements having concentrations significantly higher than those of U.S .lignites are ranked in five categories from low to high, according to the frequency distribution of the data values (that is, quintiles, each of which contains 20 percent of the values). These elements include chromium, arsenic, uranium, and nickel. Along with the chemical analyses, the data set includes geological information and images of the sampling interval.

INTRODUCTION

In the spirit of cooperation between international partners, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration in Turkey (Maden Tetkek ve Arama Genel Müdürlügü, MTA) are working together to provide a more complete understanding of the coal resources and the coal quality of the coals from Turkey. The USGS (United States) provided data for over 50 elements determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and hydride generation and cold vapor atomic absorption. The USGS also provides geochemical expertise and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) representation of data and puts the data into a global perspective.

The MTA (Turkey) provided the samples from 143 different mines in Turkey. They also provided bulk chemical properties including as-received and air-moisture, ash content (at 815°C), total sulfur, as well as combustible sulfur and sulfur in the ash, volatile matter, fixed carbon and net and gross calorific values. They were also able to provide information on the geological setting for each of the samples. This international cooperation provides the United States with additional information for the new international coal database that supplements the U.S. database of over 13,000 coals. Turkey obtains highly accurate trace element data for their coals and gets access to U.S. and international coal-quality information.

Policymakers around the world require accurate information on coal characteristics in order to make informed decisions on how to best utilize their coal resources, realize their foreign policy objectives, understand export, import ,and technology transfer opportunities, assess environmental and health impacts, and determine byproduct use and disposal issues. Agreements to obtain coal-quality information are being sought from all coal producing countries. Figure 1 show the current status of these efforts.

Current status of country participation in the World Coal Quality Inventory

Figure 1. Current status of country participation in the World Coal Quality Inventory.


DISCUSSION

Collection of data for Turkey is nearing completion. Geographically, Turkey can be divided into seven regions (fig. 2). Preliminary GIS covers are accessible through USGS GEODE (Geo Data Explorer), an interactive GIS Internet application that allows the user to access data on their own desktop PC's. The application includes maps, analytical tools for special analysis, and various data layers. The user can chosoe data layers to be shown, modify the look of the data, and do real-time graphic analysis. The data are downloadable with multiple resolution levels, 3D imaging capacity, and unlimited size (see http://geode.usgs.gov/).

Regions of Turkey

Figure 2. The regions of Turkey. In our study the Marmara region is divided into a northern and southern part at the Sea of Marmara. We have no samples from the Southeastern Anatolia region.


Figure 3 shows a map of Turkey with the location of the 143 channel samples collected from all working mines in Turkey. Most of these samples are low in rank, either lignites or subbituminous coals. Examination of the data suggests that most elements are similar to U.S. coals of similar rank in average concentration and range of concentrations. However, there are four notable exceptions. Arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and uranium (U) are significantly higher in both average concentration and maximum values for Turkish coals. For these elements, the sample locations are color coded to show the location of various concentrations of these elements. Figure 4 shows the quintile map for As. A bar graph showing the maximum values and the average values for As for each Turkish region as well as similar data for two U.S. coal regions with similar rank coals is shown in figure 6. Similar figures are shown for Cr (figs. 6, 7), Ni (figs. 8, 9), and U (figs. 10, 11).

Locations of all 143 sample locations in Turkey   Figure 3. Locations of all 143 sample locations in Turkey are shown as red boxes. MR= Marmara Region; AR= Aegean Region; BSR= Black Sea Region; MDR= Mediterranean Region; CAR= Central Anatolian Region; EAR=Eastern Anatolian Region; SEAR= Southeastern Anatolian Region.


Distribution of As in coals in Turkey   Figure 4. Distribution of As in coals in Turkey. MR= Marmara region; AR= Aegean region; BSR= Black Sea region; MDR= Mediterranean region; CAR= Central Anatolian region; EAR=Eastern Anatolian region; SEAR= Southeastern Anatolian region.


Bar graph showing the relative average and maximum concentrations of As in the various regions in Turkey compared to the U.S. Gulf Coast and Fort Union regions   Figure 5. Bar graph showing the relative average and maximum concentrations of As in the various regions in Turkey compared to the U.S. Gulf Coast and Fort Union regions.


Distribution of Cr in coals in Turkey   Figure 6. Distribution of Cr in coals in Turkey. MR= Marmara region; AR= Aegean region; BSR= Black Sea region; MDR= Mediterranean region; CAR= Central Anatolian region; EAR=Eastern Anatolian region; SEAR= Southeastern Anatolian region.


Bar graph showing the relative average and maximum concentrations of Cr in the various regions in Turkey compared to the U.S. Gulf Coast and Fort Union regions   Figure 7. Bar graph showing the relative average and maximum concentrations of Cr in the various regions in Turkey compared to the U.S. Gulf Coast and Fort Union regions.


Distribution of Ni in coals in Turkey   Figure 8. Distribution of Ni in coals in Turkey. MR= Marmara region; AR= Aegean region; BSR= Black Sea region; MDR= Mediterranean region; CAR= Central Anatolian region; EAR=Eastern Anatolian region; SEAR= Southeastern Anatolian region.
Bar graph showing the relative average and maximum concentrations of Ni in the various regions in Turkey compared to the U.S. Gulf Coast and Fort Union regions   Figure 9. Bar graph showing the relative average and maximum concentrations of Ni in the various regions in Turkey compared to the U.S. Gulf Coast and Fort Union regions.


Distribution of U in coals in Turkey   Figure 10. Distribution of U in coals in Turkey. MR= Marmara region; AR= Aegean region; BSR= Black Sea region; MDR= Mediterranean region; CAR= Central Anatolian region; EAR=Eastern Anatolian region; SEAR= Southeastern Anatolian region.


Bar graph showing the relative average and maximum concentrations of U in the various regions in Turkey compared to the U.S. Gulf Coast and Fort Union regions   Figure 11. Bar graph showing the relative average and maximum concentrations of U in the various regions in Turkey compared to the U.S. Gulf Coast and Fort Union regions.


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