The report describes the selection of coal claning plants at which field testing and sampling will be conducted to support the environmental assessment of the pollution potential of various coal cleaning processes. The approach was to select a few plants (representing extremes in variables considered important in evaluating the pollution potential of these types of plants) from which data may be obtained. Site selection involved: (1) classifying plants into a number of site categories; and (2) gathering additional detailed information on specific plants and applying secondary constraints to a single suitable site for sampling in each site category identified in step (1). Step (1) assumes that all sites are equal within each category; in step (2), however, the best or most representative site within a category is to be selected. Classifying plants into various site categories is based on four criteria (variables): the acid neutralization potential of the soil surrounding the plant, the pyritic sulfur content of run-of-mine coal, the average annual precipitation, and the process technology. An initial sorting of the more than 400 known coal cleaning plants produced lists of plants which correspond to each of the 10 site categories. Imposing constraints reduced the number of potential test sites to 45. Site visits, to acquire additional information, are necessary before the final sampling sites can be selected.

"Battelle-Columbus." "July 1979." Includes bibliographical references. "Contract no. 68-02-2163, task no. 421, program element no. EHE623A."