We've introduced the topic of maximizing the value of Coal through the co-production, in a single, integrated facility, of both synthetic hydrocarbons and electrical power in a number of previous reports, such as:
Document Display | NSCEP | US EPA
The United States Environmental Protection Agency, as we've noted in a couple of previous reports, such as, for one example:
West Virginia Coal Association | US EPA Confirms Environmental Benefits of Coal Ash Utilization | Research & Development; concerning: "Study on Increasing the Usage of Recovered Mineral Components in Federally Funded Projects Involving Procurement of Cement or Concrete; United States Environmental Protection Agency in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Energy; Report to Congress; June 3, 2008; EPA530-R-08-007; The most common beneficial use of coal fly ash is as a Supplementary Cementitious Material (SCM) in concrete. Coal fly ash is also used as a raw material in the production of cement clinker and as an additive to blended cements. The consistency and abundance of coal fly ash in many areas present unique opportunities for use in many construction applications, including pavements and highway and transportation structures, and can generate environmental benefits when used as a replacement for virgin materials (e.g., portland cement). Certain performance benefits can be attained through the use of coal fly ash in concrete, including greater workability, higher strength, and increased longevity in the finished concrete product";
Analysis of Marcellus flowback finds high levels of ancient brines
Following up on our recent note concerning the article:
and, our documentation of the fact that frack fluids will likely be contaminated with Radium, herein, from Penn State University, with comment appended, is more recent confirmation of the fact:
"Public release date: 18-Dec-2012
CN2011073371 METHOD FOR PREPARING METALLURGICAL-GRADE ALUMINA BY USING FLUIDIZED BED FLY ASH
As we've documented for you a number of times, as, for instance, in our report of:
West Virginia Coal Association | Iowa Improves Recovery of Aluminum from Coal Ash | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 4,362,703 - Process for Preparing Cryolite from Fly Ash; 1982; Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation; Abstract: Cryolite (Na3AlF6) as a source of aluminum is prepared from coal fly ash by reacting the aluminum oxide (Al2O3) in fly ash with phosphoric acid to form aluminum phosphate, which is then converted to sodium aluminate by reaction with sodium hydroxide, and the sodium aluminate is converted to cryolite by reaction with hydrofluoric acid (HF), or equivalent reagent providing H+ and F- ions. Aluminum is thereby obtained from fly ash in a preferred form (as cryolite) for use in producing metallic aluminum";
As we've noted once or twice, the pace of development in Carbon Dioxide utilization technologies around the world is accelerating; and, we, here, one step at a time, have not been and will not be able to keep you adequately apprised of the developments in a truly timely way.
However, if you care about the Coal industry, and, you care about sparing your grandchildren from a lifetime of financial obligation to OPEC, reading by candlelight and wearing parkas in the house in winter, maybe it's time - - from our perspective it's way, way past time - - you started letting your Coal Country political leadership know what it is you really want them to be busying themselves with; and, letting your Coal Country press corps - - and the buyers of Sunday supplement display advertisements in the Coal Country newspapers which that press corps publishes - - know that it's time they pulled their noses out of the gas pipe, and started doing some real work, instead of just reprinting gas industry press releases that roll in on the ticker. Those are likely to start drying up anyway, just like wells in the Marcellus Shale.