Technology assessment for blending western and eastern coals for SO{sub 2} compliance. Final report

The use of coal blends to meet utility coal quality needs is increasing. The passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments may, in the short term, require many utilities to blend or switch coals to meet SO2 emission regulations. Control standards, potential changes in fuel prices, and future advantages to be derived from enhanced fuel flexibility have combined to create an increasing interest in the use of western U.S. subbituminous coals in boilers originally designed for Midwestern and eastern bituminous coals. Experience to date has helped identify key areas in which western coal properties impact power plant operations. These include coal handling, mill performance, combustion properties, furnace wall stagging, convective pass ash fouling, and electrostatic precipitator (ESP) performance. This report documents the experience of nine utilities using western coals and/or coal blends. The intent was to determine the effectiveness of blending coal for emissions control.