Coal blending in Illinois. [Compliance with SO/sub 2/ emission regulations]

Most of the metropolitan areas in the United States are now governed by state-enacted air pollution control regulations that have either prohibited coal burning or have limited it to low sulfur coal. This research studies the economic and operational feasibility of mixing high sulfur Illinois coal with low sulfur Western coal to achieve a blend that can be utilized in maintaining compliance with the sulfur dioxide (SO/sub 2/) emission regulations. Acceptance of the blending option could result in lower coal expenditures, depending on transportation and mine-mouth costs, plus the operational costs involved in the blending procedure. Various blending facility locations were considered. The economic feasibility of supplying blended coal to the demand regions was assessed. Under conservative assumptions about Western coal price behavior and present SO/sub 2/ emission regulations, potential total annual cost savings to Illinois due to blending are estimated at 4.1 percent or $11.5 million. Under less conservative assumptions, coal blending offers even higher potential savings. Examination of the operational feasibility of coal blending, with its promising economic advantages, led to a recommendation for an operational demonstration project. (auth)