Project Title: Coal Cleaning Opportunities for SO2 Emission Reduction in the Border

SCERP Project Number: A97-6

Principal Investigator: Jan D. Miller

Task Manager's affiliation: University of Utah

Goal: This research program initiated the development of a database on the characteristics and cleaning of coals used in the Mexican power plants, particularly with regard to the potential for reduction of emission of sulfur oxides from these coals. It is further intended to promote and transfer advanced coal cleaning technology from the U.S. coal industry to Mexico.

In 1993, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) complained to the Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (PROFEPA) in Mexico about the emission of toxic gases from coal fired power plants located in the border region with the United States. Specifically, the concern was with regard to the emission of SO2 and pollution of the Big Bend National Park.

Annual coal production in Mexico reached a level of 10.5 million tons in 1992. The mines are located in Sabinas and Piedras Negras, less than 100 miles from the U.S. border. Almost half of the high sulfur Mexican coal (4.8 million tons in 1992) is combusted in Mexican power plants, also situated in the vicinity of the border with the United States.

The activities for Phase 1 of this project included: identification of coal-fired power plants in the U.S.-Mexican border region; collection of coal samples; proximate and ultimate analyses of coal samples; identification of the principle forms of sulfur in coal; coal washability analyses; preliminary separations for pyrite rejection using gravity and flotation techniques. Phase 2 includes: an exchange of coal cleaning methodology and promotion of research on coal cleaning in Mexico; initiation of efforts to minimize SO2 emissions from Mexican power plants; initiation of personal contacts with representatives from the Mexican coal industry; establishing a database for coals mined in the border region; and promoting environmental education opportunities for Mexican and U.S. students.

The FY96 SCERP-supported phase of this project: AQ96-6

Return to SCERP's home page • Contact the SCERP webmaster • Site map

Last updated 10/30/00