GROUP 3- ME 4206

Mark Kevin Abu

JoannaMarie G. Almanzor
Jason Bognot
Claire Marie M. Catapang
Franklin Rosal
SUB-BITUMINOUS B COAL

Sub-bituminous coal is considered black coal, even though its appearance varies
from bright black to dull dark brown. Its consistency ranges from hard and strong to soft
and brittle due to its intermediate stage—between bituminous and brown coal
(lignite). The coal is widely used for generating steam power and industrial purposes.
Sometimes called "black lignite," sub-bituminous coal is not stable when exposed to air;
it tends to disintegrate. This type of coal contains more moisture and volatile matter than
other bituminous coal types, but it has lower sulfur levels.

Sub-bituminous coal has a heat value of approximately 8,500 to 13,000 British

thermal units per pound, as mined.

Characteristics

Sub-bituminous coal is noncoking and contains less sulfur but more moisture
(approximately 10 to 45 percent) and volatile matter (up to 45 percent) than other
bituminous coal types. It has 35 to 45 percent carbon content, and its ash content
ranges up to 10 percent. The coal's sulfur content is generally less than 2 percent by
weight. Nitrogen makes up approximately 0.5 to 2 percent of the coal's weight. Sub-
bituminous coal typically is found near the surface, which results in lower mining costs,
making it a relatively inexpensive coal.
Environmental Impact

Sub-bituminous coal combustion can lead to hazardous emissions that include

particulate matter (PM), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and mercury (Hg). It
also produces ash that has higher alkaline content than other coal ash. This
characteristic can help reduce acid rain typically caused by coal-fired power plant
emissions. Adding sub-bituminous coal to bituminous coal introduces alkaline
byproducts that bind to sulfur compounds released by bituminous coal, and therefore
reduce acid mist formation.

When sub-bituminous coal is burned at higher temperatures, its carbon

monoxide emissions are reduced. As a result, small combustion units and poorly
maintained ones are likely to increase pollution output. People who use sub-bituminous
coal in home furnaces or fireboxes say that bigger lumps produce less smoke and no
clinkers. High ash content can be a drawback, however.

Environmental concerns have prompted electricity power plants to use sub-

bituminous coal and lignite in place of bituminous coal. Typically, coal mined from
freshwater basins in the western United States contains lower sulfur levels, which
makes it preferable for industrial uses, according to the Environmental Protection
Agency. The EPA further notes that approximately 95 percent of sulfur in bituminous
coal is emitted into the atmosphere as a gas, whereas sub-bituminous coal emits less
when burned.

Fuel Composition

ULTIMATE ANALYSIS

TOTAL MOISTURE (%wt) 27.0

ASH (%wt) 5.0

CARBON (%wt) 48.0

HYDROGEN (%wt) 4.05

SULPHUR (%wt) 1.5

NITROGEN (%wt) 0.91

OXYGEN (%wt) 13.54

TOTAL 100.00
 HIGHER HEATING VALUE (Kcal/kg) 4745

Coal Location: Semirara Island, Caluya Province of Antique

The Company’s surface open cut mining operations is based in Semirara Island
in the province of Antique. Covering an area of 55 square km, Semirara Island is located
350 km south of Manila.

On 20 November 1940, President Manuel L. Quezon issued Proclamation No.

649 declaring the islands of Semirara, Sibay and Caluya in Antique as coal mining
reservation.

While coal resources have been discovered at four separate sites on Semirara
Island, namely Panian, Bobog, Himalian and Unong, the Company operates one mine
at Panian. Operations at Unong mine ceased in 2000 after 17 years of extraction.

SMPC’s (Semirara Mining and Power Corporation) coal is classified as sub-

bituminous-B, and appropriate for use in a wide range of combustion facilities.

Coal Price: Semirara composite average price of coal reached P1,885 per ton.

Ranking: Sub-bituminous ranks 3rd in heat and carbon content compared with other
types of coal, according to ASTM D388–05 Standard Classification of Coals by Rank.
The complete rankings:

1. Anthracite

2. Bituminous

3. Sub-Bituminous

4. Lignite, or brown coal