The quality of coal has been analyzed basing on the data from geological exploration and chemical – geological analyses of coal carried out on the samples obtained from the boreholes and mining pits. The operated coal seams indexed as 382 and 385/2 reveals the changeable morphology due to the thickness of carbon shoals and stent intergrowths. The other parameters, such as the ash content or the calorific value are strongly linked with the non-coal rock interlayers, which presence causes the decrease in the calorific value and increase in the amount of after-burning ash. These parameters are less dependable on the sedimentation environment of the coal formation material. The content of total sulfur in the analyzed seams does not show any link with the values of the parameters analyzed before. The total sulfur is made up from sulphide gathered in coal and sulphates deriving from the decomposition of plants and supplied by deposit waters in different phases of coal seam formation. The obtained results could be useful in the reconnaissance of the prospective seams lying below the currently exploited ones (e.g. 389) and the seams in the neighboring areas.

The structure of electricity production in Poland has not changed dramatically recently. Approximately 93% of electricity is currently produced from coal and lignite. Environmental charges have a significantly impact on costs of production. This paper analyses the impact of environmental charges influenced by coal quality on the production cost of power generation. A simulation of the impact of coal quality (Q, A, S) on the environmental charges was carried out. The study was extended by the analysis based on improved relationship between coal quality and emission charges. The calculations included also charges related to the NOx, CO and CO2. The results are presented per 1 ton of coal burned and per 1 MWh of electricity produced.

Dependences Between Certain Petrographic, Geochemical and Technological Indicators of Coal Quality in the Limnic Series of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (Uscb), Poland

This article aims to assess the values of the most often measured petrographic, geochemical and technological indicators of coal quality and to identify probable dependences between them in the USCB coal. The following can also be observed: high content of Cd and Co in carbonate minerals separated from coal, in clay minerals – Cr and Zn, and in sulfide minerals – Cu, Ni and Pb. Nevertheless, it is organic matter which has the greatest influence on the average content of trace elements in coal. Correlations between the values of some of the indicators of coal quality were also observed. It has been observed that the increase in vitrinite content in coal is accompanied by a decrease in, while an increase in the content of liptinite and inertinite in coal is accompanied by an increase in the content of CaO, MgO, and SO3 in coal ash. An increase in the carbonization of organic matter is accompanied by an increase in the content of Cu and Ni in coal, and a decrease in the content of Pb and S in coal and the content of Fe2O3 in coal ash.