Variations in CO2 emissions from Pennsylvanian coals of the eastern part of the Illinois Basin

Variations of CO2 emissions upon combustion of the Springfield Coal Member of the Petersburg Formation and Danville Coal Member of the Dugger Formation from Indiana were calculated and discussed. For the Springfield, CO2 emissions range from 71.4 to 98.9 kg/GJ (166.0 to 230.0 lb/106 Btu), having an average value of 86.9 kg/GJ (202.1 lb/106 Btu); for the Danville, they range from 74.6 to 93.2 kg/GJ (173.4 to 216.8 lb/106 Btu), with the average value of 87.5 kg/GJ (203.5 lb/106 Btu). The comparison of these values to the emission factor of 87.75 kg/GJ (203.6 lb/106 Btu) currently used for Indiana coals suggests that the currently used emission factor slightly overestimates the emissions from the coal of this region. Our results show that lithotype composition of the coal cannot serve as a good predictor of CO2 emission level, with the exception of fusain which results in higher emissions than all other lithotypes. There is no relationship between vitrinite content of coal and CO2 emissions, but relative proportions of inertinite and liptinite can shift emissions toward higher (increasing inertinite content) or lower (increasing liptinite content) values.

► CO2 emissions from Springfield and Danville Coals in Indiana show wide variations.
► Lithotype composition cannot serve as a good predictor of the emission level.
► Inertinite macerals contribute to elevated CO2 emissions.
► An increase in sulfur content may result in lower CO2 emissions.