Old Smokey coal fire, Floyd County, Kentucky: Estimates of gaseous emission rates

Vent emissions of the Old Smokey coal fire, Floyd County, Kentucky, were studied in May and July, 2010. Vent emissions were generally lower in July, perhaps due to a shift in the fire front, change in vent structure, or another unidentified factor. Volatile organics in the vent gasses contain dangerous levels of toxic, carcinogenic, and other hazardous compounds. Benzene ranges to nearly 400 parts per billion (volume) at one vent. Toluene exceeds 104 parts per billion (volume) at the same vent.Flux rates for CO2 and CO range to 85,000 mg/s/m2 and 89 mg/s/m2, respectively, for various vents for the two measuring times. Estimates of total CO2 emissions, possibly less than 1000 t/year, are within the range of other eastern Kentucky coal fires.

Research highlights
► The Old Smokey fire is developed in the Pennsylvanian Broas coal, eastern Kentucky.
► Emission gasses were measured in May and July 2011.
► The general decrease in gas flow from May to July may be a function of shifts in fire or vent structure.
► Overall, the projected annual gas emissions are similar to other fires studied in region.