Economic parameters and quality assessment of lignite from the Szczerców deposit (central Poland)

Abstract

Bełchatow Lignite Mine is the largest producer of lignite in Poland with estimated coal reserves of 700 million tons. The mine excavates two lignite deposits Bełchatow and Szczercow. The Szczercow lignite deposit occupies the western part of the Kleszczow trough, located in the Polish Lowlands. The main part of the lithostratigraphic profile of the Szczercow lignite deposit is a multilayer coal complex, whose thickness varies from 1 to 180 m, with the overburden ratio of 2.84:1. The average thickness of the balance lignite amounts to 40 m. The carbonaceous coefficient of the coal complex in the predominant part of the deposit is over 70%, but locally reaches even up to 100%. Lignite from the Szczercow deposit is of an average technological quality. It typically contains 51.7% of total moisture, 23.6% of ash on dry basis, 3.36% total sulphur recalculated to dry basis, and a net calorific value of 7.33 MJ/kg. Random reflectance (R$_{0}$) is 0.27% with huminite group macerals averaging at 85%. According to the International Classification of In-Seam Coals and Low Rank Coal Utlization, the technological code of the lignite from the Szczercow deposit is: humic low-rank C (orto-lignite) 19 51 23 33. Similarities between the quality parameters of lignite from the Szczercow and Bełchatow deposits will allow it to be burned in the Bełchatow lignite-fired power plant and may give a chance to extend its activity after the completion of lignite mining from the Bełchatow deposit.