ARCHIVESHISTORIQUES
DELACOMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEEDES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM(77)704
Vol.1977/0221

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COMMISSION OFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM(77)704final
Brussels,23December1977
MEMORANDUM
CONCERNING ACOMMUNITY COALRESEARCH PROGRAMME UT
THEFIELDOPMININGENGINEERING WITHAVIEWTO
OBTAINING FINANCIAL AIDUNDERTHETERMSOFARTICLE
55§2c)OFTHEE.C.S.C.TREATY
(Budgetaryyear1978)
MEMORANDUM
CONCERNING ACOMMUNITY COALRESEARCH PROGRAMME IN
THEFIELD.OPPRODUCTBENEFICIATION WITHAVIEWTO
OBTAINING FINANCIAL AIDUNDERTHETERMSOFARTICLE
55§2c)OFTHEE.C.S.C.TREATY
(Budgetaryyear1978)
V\
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11•"v'"\•
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COH(77)704final

TWû IOTOR /UTOA
Th9Commission oftheEuropean Communities places thehighest value on
coal research ,since thelatter contributes ,through theresults that
ityields ,towards themaintenance oftheeconomy ofthecoal industry ,
andtheimprovement oftheworking environment andsafety inmines .The
Commission hasmade itclear that this isincluded initsenergy policy
initsMedium-term Guidelines forCoal (1975~19S5 )a71(ih-3*8insisted on
theimportance ofCommunity coal research .Ithasdone itsutmost ,
furthermore ,despite considerable difficulties ,toprovide 'the necessary -■
funds from theE.C.S.C. budget .
Themaintenance ofCommunity coal production atthe1975 level ,i.e. ,
25Omillion tee ,increased productivity ,thestabilisation ofprices .,,
improved product upgrading ,andtheimprovement oftheworking environment
continue tocomprise theobjectives ofthe coal industry andhence of
coal research .
Onemeans ,among others ,ofachieving these 'objectives istointensify
coal research attheCommunity level .TheCommission ,aware ofthese
problems ,putitsactions inconcrete form byproviding ,for1975 »1976
and1977 »about 50million EUAforaidtocoal research projects .
For1973 ,theCommission hasreceived aseries ofrequests forfinancial
aidunder theterms ofitsMedium-term Coal Research AidProgramme
(1975-1980 )andArticle 55§2c)oftheE.C.S.C. Treaty .These proposals
have been studied andexamined bytheServices oftheCommission in
collaboration with theExperts *Committees andtheCoal Research Committee (CHC)
with aview toconcentrating theE.C.S.C. 'sfinancial efforts onprojects
that correspond most closely tothecriteria oftheMedium-term Cosl
Research AidProgramme .
Thedraft selection ,containing 26research projects andrepresenting a
total expenditure ofabout 26million EUA ,received approval after exam- '""
\
mation bytheCoal Research Committee .Thetotal aidnecessary tocarry
outthis research amounts to15«73 million EUA including the cost of
dissemination ofinformation .
•/ ■

I
1
l
Twomemorandahavebeendraftedcorresponding totheprojectsunder
consideration ,onerelatingtoprogrammesonminingengineering andcoal
crcpc-raticnicrwhichaidof9«9?-5millionEUAisenvisaged,andtheother
relatingtocoalupgradingforwhich5*705millionEUAofaidis
foreseen.
Asumof100000EUAisenvisagedto
information andrelatedexpenses.coverthecostsofdissemination of

KETORAEDUM
CONCERKEtTG ACOI'MJITITY COALRESEARCH PROGRAMMEIIITHEFIELDOPOTTOS
MGIHSERINg WITHAVIEtfTOOBTAINING FINANCIAL AIDUNDERTHETERMSOF
ARTICLE55§2c)OFTHEE*C.S.C-."TREATY •....■.........
Introduction
TheenergypolicyoftheCommunityis,likethatoftheotherindustrialised
countriesoftheWest,"basedinthelongtermonreducingdependence on
importedenergyandguardingagainstthethreatofagapinenergysupplies.
Apartfromsomeother,newenergysourceswhichwillrequirealongtime
forfulldevelopment andwhichwill,inanycase,coveronlyasmall
fractionofenergyrequirements ,coslinparticularwillbecalledonto
playalargerrolethanbeforeinthefutureenergystructureofthe
Community.
Inthisconnection,inadditiontothetwomajortraditionaloutletsfor
hardcoalandlignito,namelytheproductionofmetallurgical cokefor
theironandsteelindustryandthegenerationofelectricity ,thetrans­
formationcfcoalintohighvalueproducts,i.e.,bygasification and
liquefaction ,willacquireincreasingsignificance .
Althoughreliancewillundoubtedly beplacedonincreasedquantitiesof
importedcoalforthesepurposes,aproperplacemustalsobegrantedto
indigenoushardcoalandligniteassecuresourcesofenergy#The
Commissionis,therefore,stilloftheopinionthat,inthelongterm,the
Coomunity'shardcoalproductionmustbemaintainedatthelevelof
250milliont/year»(Budgetaryyear1973)

-2-
TheCommunitycoalminingindustrycan,however,onlyreachthis
objectiveifitsucceedsinachievingthefollowingaims:
~Provigionoftherav;productatcompetitive oratleastreasonableprices
Thisisoneofthemostimportantrequirements forthesurvivalofthe
Europeancoalminingindustry,regardlessofthegenerallevelofenergy
consumption.Alowercoalpriceisofespeciallydecisivesignificance
withregardtocoalgasification andliquefaction becausethecoalcost
canamounttoupto6Qfooftheproductioncostsoftheseprocesses.
Fortheminingindustrythereductionofoperatingcostsrequiresa
-furtherincreaseinunderground outputandathoroughgoing rationalisation
ofoperatingtechniques .
-Increasedsafetyihminesandimprovements intheworkingenvironment
Everymeansofincreasingsafetyinminesandimprovingtheworking ■
'environment mustbeadoptedinordertoretaintheworkingforce
necessaryforaproductionof'250milliont/yearandtobeabletoattract
newpersonnel.Insomeareasofoperationsthiswillcertainlyinvolve
rationalisation ,mechanisation orautomationatanycost,eventhough,
incertainindividualcases,hofavourableeffectonoperatingresults
canbeexpected.
-Efficientutilization andextensionofreserves
Themaintenancecfoutputundersafeconditionswillinvolvethereplace­
mentofexistingproductioncapacitybytheconstruction ofnewpits
orthedevelopmentofnewareasfromexistingmines.Thiswillrequire
increasedeffortinthefutureinthefieldofdevelopment work,i.e.,
thenecessaryroadwaysmustbedrivenmorequicklyandmorecheaplythan
inthepast,andmusthavealargercross-section .
Inordertodelaythetransitiontogreaterdepths,withitsassociated
unfavourable geologicalandclimaticconditions,thatislinkedwiththe
creationofnewcapacitiesitisnecessarytoachievemoreefficient
utilization ofreservesthathavealreadybeenopened.Thismeansthat
resultsobtainedunderfavourableconditionsmustbegeneralized,and
newtechniquesmustbesoughtsothatpoorerseamscanbeworked
successfully .

–7–
–Considerationofenvironmentalprotection
Theincreasinglystrictrequirements forenvironmental pr..t:„ctixi
betakenintoaccountintiieveryfirststagesofprocessingtheraw
product.Thisinvolvesincreasingeffortinthefieldofcoalpreparation
which,howevei}simplifiesthefurtheruseofthecoal,beitinpower
stations,cokingplantsorcoaltransformation plants.
Theaimsthathavebeenmentionedwillmakeconsiderable demandson
researchanddevelopment workinthecorningyearsbecausethebasisfor
tomorrow'ssuccessmustbeestablishedtoday.
OnthesegroundstheCommissionproposestheapprovalofaCommunity
researchprogrammeinthefieldofminingengineeringforwhichfinancial
aidunderthetermsofArticle55§2c)oftheE.C.S.C.Treatyhas
beenrequested,andwhichwillbecarriedoutinclosecooperation by
•thefollowinginstitutions andundertakings :-
-TheNationalCoalBoard,London(NCB)
-TheSteinkohlenbergbauverein ,Essen(StBV;
-TheWestfälischeBerggewerkschaftskasse ,Bochum(WBE)
-TheCentreD'EtudesetRecherchesdesCharbonnages de
France,Paris(CERCHAR)
-TheInstitutITationaldesIndustriesExtractives ,Liège(INTEX)■
-TheN.V.KempenseSteenkoolenmi jnen,Houthalen(KSM)'
-TheInstitutd'HygienedesMines,Hasselt(iEfrl),and
-TheUniversitéCatholiquedeLouvain(UCL)-
II.Aimsandobjectivesoftheprogramme
Someoftheabove-mentioned tasksalsorepresenttheobjectivesofthe
newresearchprogrammeandshouldthereforebeexplainedinmore
detail.
Safetyinmines,workingenvironment -andenvironmentalprotection
3ecauseanincreasedoccurrence offiredampmustbereckonedwithat
greaterdepths,moreimportancemustbegivento.techniquesforits
removal,e.g.bydrainage.Inthisconnection,predicition oftherate

ofemissionto"beexpectedifofgreatimportancebecauseit
facilitatestheplanningofoperationswithanextensiveelimination
Inthesamecontext,ventjLlationcontrolshouldbementioned,forwhich
themostmodernmethodsforcontrolandadaptationtosuddenchanges
inconditions areneeded.:
Theknowledgeandpredictionoftherockpressurephenomenatobeexpected
atgreaterdepthsisofoverridingimportancenotonlyforminesafety..
Apressure-free winningprocedureandacorrectchoiceofsupportscan''
leadalsotogoodeconomicresults.Abetterworkingenvironmentinvolves
notonlytheimprovement ofenvironmental conditionsintheworkplace
itselfby,e.g.,climaticmeasuresorreductionofdustformation.In
addition,ergonomicconsiderations mustbetakenintoaccountfromthe
startinthedesignofnewmachines.
Technology
Indevelopment work,emphasisisonthefurtherdevelopment andoptimisation
offull-faceandboomheadermachinesandthewideningoftheirfieldsof
applicationinordertoeliminateasfaraspossibletheconventional
techniqueofshotfiring.
coalwinning,themaininterestis,a3inthepast,theincreaseof
faceproductivity .Thismust,however,asalreadymentioned,bemade
possiblenotonlyundergoodconditions,butalsoinbadseams.
inthefieldofoutbyeservicesundergroundfutureemphasisshouldbe
placedonthemainpossibilities ofincreasingthroughputbyextensive
rationalisation andautomationofthevariousoperationalprocedures.
Thisappliesparticularly toallconveyingandtransportproceduresin
main-andgateroads.
Incoalpreparationthetreatmentoffineandveryfineparticles,vjhich
occurinincreasingquantities,isespeciallyimportant.

-5-
;Organizationofoperations
Inadditiontotiiepurelytechnicalaspectofunderground op_rs^ions ,;1.
mostmoderntechniquesofinformation andcontroltechnologymust"be
hroughtintoconsideration inordertodetectandeliminatesourcesof
disturbance .Thesameappliestothecollectionandprocessingofdata
toprovidethebasisforlong-termoperationalplanning.
Theproposednewresearchprogrammetakesintoaccounttiierequirements
mentioned.Itconcentrates onsixfieldswhichwill "bestudiedinthe
followingprogrammes:
-Development work
-Methaneandclimaticproblems
-Hockpressure
-Coalwinning
-Outbyeservicesunderground
-Coalpreparation
"armeofworkenvisagea
Thenewresearchprogrammeconsistsofsixsub-programme swithatotalof
15projectswhicharedescribedindividually below.Theoverallprogramme
willbecarriedoutwithclosecollaboration betweentheresearch
institutions andtheCommunity'scoalmines*
Programme"Development work"
Theworkhereisconcentrated onaveryextensiveproject.
1.Optimisation ofheading;machines(StBV)
Thisprojectisaimedatextensiveinstrumental observationofdrivages
usingfull-faceandboomheadermachinesasabasisfortheoptimisation
ofheadingsystems.
Totalcost:A012500Kl
Programme"Methaneandclimaticproblems"
Theprogrammecontainsfourprojectsdealingwiththecontroloffiredamp
andtheimprovedcontrolofclimate.Theyhaveconsiderable importancein
relationtominesafety.

» ■ «
■*
-6- '.·•■•·τ
/
■•2.Control offireda mp(StBV)
Further development ofearlier work onmethane control andadaptation
\oi.icr zJi^o 'requirements re.suitinsfrom greater depth ,increasing .,
concentration ofworkings and -more stringent safety regulations (methane
kinetics ,methane drainage ,emission properties ). ^
Total costï 2800000 DM '
3•Prediction andmethod ofcontrol offiredamp emission (IITIEK )
Theproject isaimed atextending existing knowledge oftheprediction
ofmethane emission andofdrainage ,andalso atimproving techniques
forcontrolling firedamp ,particularly indeep workings .
Total cost : .25000 000 B3
4.Computer control ofventilation (KSH/ugL/IHM)
Theresearch isaimed atoptimising thedistribution ofairflow to
individual working areas inrelation tosafety andhygiene factors ,
making themost rapid possible useofinformation about conditions in
theventilation network ,thegasanalysis andthemine climate .The
optimum distribution will beachieved bycentralized computer control
ofunderground fans andventilation doors .
Total cost :17700000 EB
5.Application ofcomputer-based environmental monitoring schemes (?TCB)
Solution oftechnical andorganizational problems inthefurther
development andintroduction ofcomputer-based monitoring systems for
theunderground environment (ventilation ,firedamp ,etc.). Itis
planned toinstal four complete systems underground .
Total cost :fe979000

-7-
Programme"Rockpressure"ceresasgss&ssssssrrr rear:TnrrtcsscssasiaBgsssis
ThisprogrammeisformedfromthreepartsofaCommunityprojectaimed
attheinterpretation andpredictionofrockpressurephenomena,
particularly atincreaseddepths.
6.Theoretical andpracticalstudiestowardsimprovedcontrolofstrata
aroundmineroadways(ITCB)
Comprehensive studiesofrockpressurephenomenainroadwaysasa
"basisforthechoiceofimproveddrivageandsupporttechniques(stu-dy
offracturezones,newpackingtechniques,development ofmathematical
models).
Totalcost:t452000
7•Predictionofrockpropertiesofimportanceinmining(StBV)
Studyofpossibilities formoreexactpredictionofimportantrock
propertiesintheregionaheadofthecoalfaceonthebasisof
availabledata(Rockproperties,rocktemperature,tectonics,mathe­
maticalmodels).
Totalcostï2500000DU
8.Effectofdepthandnaturalfactorsonthebehaviourofmineworkings
(CERCHAR) '
Theaimofthisprojectistodeterminewhetherrulesalreadyestab­
lishedforthebehaviourofmineworkings(roadwaysandfaces)canbe
appliedtoworkingsatgreaterdepths.Measuresagainstnewphenomena -
suchasquasi-static deformations anddynamicphenomena *
Tote.1cost:5150000FF
Programme"Coalwinning"
Theprogrammeconsistsofasingleprojectaimedatincreasingface
output•

-8-
9.■Theapplication ofwide-webminingsystemstomedium-to-thinseamsfNCB)
Improvementofmachineutilization byincreasing'thedepthofcutto
1.2minmedium-to-thinscams.Itisplannedtoinstalafloor-based
shearerinconjunctionwithheavy-dutylemniscateshieldsupports.
Totalcostïh1005000
Programme"Out"byeservicesunderground*'acrntiff^rTsa&sggMgaacrcsartgtgar^tngrengT.jg ,–j.j:'j■gesei-ajBftjas-sas
Thisprograriimecomprisesfiveprojects,ofwhichtwoareconcernedwith
theimprovement oftransportandconveyingtechnologywhileathree-
partCommunityprojectdealswithimprovementinorganization and
controltechniques.
10.Improvementofconveyingandtransporttechnicues(StBV)...
Adaptationofthepapacityofconveying,transportandtransfer
installations toincreasingrequirementsresultingfromgreaterconcen­
trationofworkingsandincreasingundergrounddistances(Automatic
operationofbeltconveyorsincoalwinningareas,drivageandbraking
systemsforequipmenttransportsystems,transferinstallations for
headsofdrivages).
Totalcost:3500000DM
11.Increasingthecarryingcapacityofmonorailandpositively-driven
■railwayvehicles(WBK)
Increasedcarryingcapacitycfrailwaysandsuspendedmonorailsby
improvementoftheratioofusefulweighttodeadweightwithout
changingtheprimemoverandwithoutadverselyaffectingsafety.A
reductionof10-15$inthedeadweightisanticipated.
Totalcost:2994000DM

-9-
12.Development ofcomputer-based collieryinformation andcontrol
systems(NCB)
Amonitoringandcontrolsystemforthecoalfacewill"bedevelopedon
thebasisofanexistingcomputer-control systemforcoalflow.Both
systems,whichoperatewithminicomputers ,willbelinkedtoalarger
computertofacilitatesatisfactory collectionandanalysisofdata
onalargescale.
Totalcostî h2313000
13.Applicationofmicrologictothecontrolofproductionoperations (CSROKAR)
Perfectionofsystemsforautomation,telemechanization ,telemetry
andremotecontrol."Development ofacontrolcentrefortheoperation
ofwheeledvehicles,andofanautonomousrecorderforgasconcentration ,
airvelocityandotherdata.
Totalcost:2041000FF
14.Riskanalysisintheplanningofcoalwinningoperations(StgV)
Applicationofmodernoperationalresearchtechniques(simulation
models,stochasticnetworkplanning)totheestablishment oflong-term
planswhich,inadditiontothenormaldata(targetdates,tasks,
control,costs,output,etc.)willalsoincludethepossiblerisks
(geological,technicalandorganizational problems)andwillevaluate
theireffectonoperatingresults.
Totalcost:1150000DM
Progríteior>rM-0oelpreparation"
Thisprogrammecontainsoneprojectontheoptimisation ofthetreatment
offines,leadingtoimprovementofoutput.
155.Studyoftheinteractions betweenflotation-andsedimentation agents
inrelationshiptothequalityofuasherywaterincoalpreparation
plantsTstBvl
Studyoftheinfluenceofsedimentation agents(flocculatingagents)
whichentertheflotationprocessandimpairtheoperationofthe
flotationagents.
•-Totalcost:1200000DM

-ιο-
ί·ν,
•r
IV.Estimated cost and duration ofthe research work
Thetotal cost foreseen fortheprogramme is
-16542000EUA*
The cost andduration oftheindividual projects isgiven inthe
following table . '
No. Project\
Proposer •
ι -Durât ion
yearsTotal cost
E.U.A.
BEVELOPMENT WORK , Jr- 1––
I '* . Ί
1.Optimisation ofheading
machinesIStBV
i
I '
ι :31530500
METHANE AMD CLIMATIC PROBLEMSI
ί
2.Control offiredamp StBV 3 1068000 !
3.Prediction and methods of
control offiredamp emissionINIEX 3 612,000
4.' Computer control of
ventilationKSM/UCL/
IHM2433500
5.Application ofcomputer-based |
environmental monitoring schemes
■ ...INCB
>
I3;1503000
_Γ3616500
!
ROCK PRESSURE - I Γ
6.Theoretical andpractical .
studies towards improved control
ofstrata arouxid mine roadwaysHCB 3-.!
I694000
7..Prediction ofrock properties
ofimportance inminingStBV 3953500j
8.Effect ofdepth andnatural j
factors onthebehaviour ofmind
workings jCERCHAR 3 916500
2564000
*Rates ofconversion from national currencies arethose of26.10.1977

Νο. Project
COALWESHING
Theapplication ofwide-web
miningsystemstomedium–to–
thinseajns
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.OUTBYESERVICES UKDSHGROUH D
Improvement ofconveyingand
transporttechniques
Increasingthecarryingcap­
acityofmonorailandpositively-
drivenrailwayvehicles
Development ofcomputer-based
collieryinformation andcontrol
systems
Application ofmicrologictothe
controlofproductionoperations
Riskanalysisintheplanningof
coalwinningoperations
15-Proposer IDuration
MCB
StBV
WBK
ITCB
CERCHAR
StBV
COALPREPARATION
Studyoftheinteractions jStBV
betweenflotation-andsedimentation
agentsinrelationship tothe
qualityofwasherywaterincoal
preparationplants
Total.obalc'
E.U.À.
1543000
1335000
1142000
355000
363500
439000
68'30000
458000
16542C

-12-
Erperted repercussions ofthenew -programme
t-er.;ost import air);results tobeexpected from theresearch projects
forming thenewprogramme maybesummarized asfollows : ••
Themajor outcome ofthework onfiredamp isexpected tobethedevelop­
ment ofacomprehensive ,generally valid model fortheprediction of \
gasemission (Projects 2and3)*;Theadvantages ofthis with respect
tomine safety andthewhole sequence ofoperations areobvious ^
Inthefield ofclimatic problems itisexpected that theproposed
research (Projects 4and5)will lead toreliable monitoring ofcomplex
ventilation systems ,with rapid ,automatic .adaptation tochanges in
conditions which could ,otherwise ,have dangerous consequences .,
Theresearch onrock pressure (Projects 6to8)should have ,ononehand ,
adirect influence ,onmine safety through better control oftheroof
and ,onthe other hand ,indirect ,effects through improved coal winning
procedures andthe Jchoice ofoptimal supports invarying circumstances .
Conditions inwork tplaces should befavourably affected through .the
ergonomically correct design ofmachines (e.g. ,Project l),through the
* : . .
useofthemost up-to-date methods formonitoring environmental ■■
conditions andfor ,controlling operations (Projects 5»12,13)and,.
finally ,through theimprovement ofconveying andtransport equipment
(Projects 10and >10.). •*• .......
ι :
Technolog :/ ,
Inthefield ofdevelopment work itisanticipated that -thetechnical and
economic requirements forawider useoffull-face andboom header
machines will beestablished .Thecorresponding abandonment' ofshotfiring
will lead toimproved stability ofroadways because thefracture of
surrounding rocks byexplosives will beeliminated (Project l).
Forcoal winning ,theintroduction ofincreased cutting depth will give
higher face output andhence better operating results ,particularly in
medium -to-thin seams (Project 9)•
/•

-13-
Inconnection with conveying and transport systems ,the elimination
offaults inthe field ofoperations downstream oftheface and
improved provision ofworking areas areexpected .This has special
significance inthelight ofincreasing output andincreasing
quantities andweights ofmaterials (Projects 10andll).
Animprovement incoal -preparation isexpected ,leading particularly
toincreased output from theflotation process ,which isimportant
inrelation totheincreaasing fines content ofrawcoal (Project 15)♦
Organization ofoperations
Theuse ofup-to-date methods forthemonitoring andcontrol of
operations will lead ,particularly inthefield ofoutbye services ,
tosimpler operation with fewer disturbances .Results inthis field
areurgently required inorder toincrease underground output
(Projects 12and13).
Inthe same connection ,anintensive analysis ofdata could form the ,
.basis forthelong-term planning ofcoal extraction inorder tooptimise
underground operations .
VI. Research results
TheE.C.S.C. Experts' Committees which arealready concerned with
research work inthesixfields ofthenewprogramme will also supervise
andkeep under review theexecution oftheresearch work that forms •
thesubject oftherequests .
Theagreements tobeconcluded with thebeneficiaries oftheaidwill
define therights andobligations ofthecontracting parties .They will
bedesigned primarily toensure that theresearch results will bemade
available toallconcerned intheCommunity ,inaccordance with
Art .55°ftheE.C.S.C. Treaty .
VII .Conclusions
Inview oftheimportance andinterest oftheproposed research
programme forthetechnology ,thesafety ,theworking environment and

-14-
theeconomyofsurface-andunderground ,operationsintheCommunity's
coalminingindustry,..theprovisionoffinancialaidbythe'E.C.S.C.
fr-theere'rationoftheindividualprojectsisJudgedtobe
appropriate and-justified.'
Fortheexecutionoftheresearchprogrammewhosetotalcostis
16542.£00EUAtheCommissionproposestograntaidtotalling
9925200EUAtocoveritsshareoftheresearchcosts.
768000EUA
367200EUA
260100EUA
4374300EUA
3470400EUA
685200EUA'Distribution ofaid
CERCHAR(France)
INIEX-(Belgium)
KSM/UCL/IHM(Belgium)
NCB(GreatBritain)
StBV(Germany)
WBK(Germany)

KE^RAEDUM
CONCERIOTG ACOMMUMTY COALRESEARCH PROGRAMMEINTHEFIELDOFPEOPUCT
BEMEFIGIATIPITWITHAVIEWTOOBTAHSIITG FIITAHCIAL AIDUNBSRTHETERMS
OFARTICLE55§2c)OFTHEE.C.S.C.TREATY
(Budgetaryyear197S)
I.Generalremerks
Itiswidelyrecognizedthatcoalmustplayasignificantpartin
helpingtosecurefutureenergysuppliesintheworldatlargeas>
wellasintheEuropeanCommunity.Reservesofotherfossilfuels
arelimited,thedevelopmentofnuclearenergyhasbeenlessrapid
thanwas^originallyenvisaged,andthealternativesourcesofenergy
thatarenowbeingstudiedarenotexpectedtomakeamajorcontri­
butionforsomeyearstocome.Consequently coal,whosereservesare
faxgreaterthanthoseofotherfuels,providestheonlymeansof
fillingtheenergygapthatisexpectedtooccurbeforetheendof
thepresent6entury»
Suchconsiderations haveled,inrecentyears,toincreasedinvestment
inthecoalminingindustry,aimedatexploiting newreservesand
maintaining orevenincreasingproductioncapacity,andanincreasing
coalresearcheffortbothwithinandoutsidetheCommunity# The
developmentofjtewprocessesandnewtechnology,aimedatimproving
theefficiency'andsafetyofcoalminingoperationsoratimproving
i
theutilizationofcoal,requiresconsiderable periodsoftimeand
itis,therefore,essentialthatthiseffortshouldcontinueatan
undiminished level,'eveniiiperiodsofreducedandstagnatingeconomic
activityandtemporaryenergysurplusifthetechnologyinquestionis
..tobeavailablewhenitisrequired.

Themanufactureofblastfurnacecokeprovidesoneofthemainoutlets
forCommunitycoal,andresearchonthistopichasbeenencouragedby
theCornmuiiityoveralongperiodoftine.Suchresearchisofimportance
inrelationtoextendingtheutilizationofcoalreserves,theimproved
operationofcokeovensandthepreventionofpollution,andisof
technicalandeconomicinteresttoboththecoalandsteelindustries.
Theotherprincipaloutletforcoalliesinthefieldofelectricity
generation,whereresearchcanhelptomaintainandenlargethemarketby
thedevelopmentoftechniquesthatwillenablecheaper,lowergradecoal
tobeusedasaboilerfuel.
Althoughcoalwillcontinuetobeusedinthesetraditionalapplications
itwillalsoberequired,inthefuture,toactasasourceofchemical
rawmaterialsandofcleaner,moreconvenientgaseousandliquidfuels,
andthustoprovideasubstituteforotherfossilhydrocarbons .Itisin
thisfield,inparticular,thatuninterrupted researchanddevelopmentis
neededtoensurethattherelevantconversionprocessesvri.llbeavailable
withintherequiredtimeandwillbetechnically andeconomically viable.
Somegasification andliquefaction processesareatthestagewheretesting ,
onthepilot-ordemonstration scaleisrequiredbut,inallcases,itis
necessarytoobtainmoredetailedknowledgeofthefundamentalchemistry
andphysicsofcoaltransformation inordertoprovideafirmbasisfor
furtherdevelopment.Inthis'connection,itisimportantthattheprogrammes
ofbasicstudiesandsmallpilotscaleinvestigations initiatedbythe
Communityshouldbecontinued.Theseprogrammesincludeworkrelatednot
onlytocoalconversionbutalsoequallyimportantstudiesofthefurther
processingoftheproductsandthepracticalapplicationofmaterialsmade
fromcoal.
TheCommunityhasalreadygivenfinancialassistancetoprogrammesof
researchinthefieldofproductbeneficiation ,andthefollowingCommunity
institutions :

ArignaCollieries,Ltd..andtheElectricity SupplyBoard.
Dutlin(Arigna/ESBj
TheBritishCarbonization ResearchAssociation,Chesterfield (BCRA)
TheCentred'EtudesetRecherchesdesCharbonnages deFrancs,
Paris(CERCHÂR)
TheDeutscherBraimkohlen-Industrie-Verein,Cologne(DEBRIV)
HoogovensIJmuidenBV,IJrauiden
TheNationalCoalBoard,London(1TGS)'
NuovaFornicoke,3.P.A.,Savona
TheSteinkohlenbergbauverein ,Essen(StBV)
TheUniversitéLibredeBruxelles(ULB)
havesubmittedrequestsforfinancialaidunderthetermsofArticle55§2
oftheE.C.S.C.Treatyforfurtherresearchprojectsinthisfield.
TheprojectsthatformthesubjectsoftheserequestsformtwoCommunity
programmesofresearchinthefieldsofcokingandbriquetting ofcoal,
andnewchemicalandphysicalprocessesandnewproductsfromcoalwhich
arealogicalextensionofearlierCommunityprogrammesbutwhichalso
includenewelements.Theallocationoftaskswithintheprogrammetakes
accountofthefacilitiesandexpertiseexistinginthevariousCommunity
countries,andaclosecollaboration betweenresearchworkersandcoal
producersisassured.
II.Aimsandobjectivesoftheprogramme
Theresearchprojectsinthefieldofproductbeneficiation forwhichaid
isrequestedarerelatedtotwomaintopics,andthusformtwoprogrammes:
-thecokingandbricruettingofcoal,and
-newchemicalandphysicalprocessesandproductsfromcoal.

-4-
Ithas"beenfeltforsometimethatthestandard ,methodsforcharacterising
"blastfurnacecokeareinadequate,sincetheyarenot.relatedtothe.
conditionsthatthecokeencountersinuse.TheCommunityhasshownan
interestinthisproblembysupportingstudies,inthesteelsector,of
thechangesinthepropertiesofcokeasitpassesthroughtheblast
furnace.Theprogrammeintheafieldofcokingandbricruetting ofcoal
includesacomplementary projectinwhichthedirecteffectoncoke
propertiesofheatingandreactionwillbeinvestigated.Developments
incokingtechnologyandchangesincokingblendsgiverisetoanumber
oftechnicalproblems,includingthatoftheswellingandshrinkageof
thecoalcharge,phenomenathatcanhaveastronginfluenceonthesafety
andefficiencyofcokeovenoperation.TheCommunityhasalreadysupported
interestingstudiesonthistopic,anditisproposedtocontinuethe
workinthepresentprogramme.Theprogrammealsoincludesaproject
aimedatrationalising therepairofdamagedovenwallswhichwillcontribute
towardsimprovedoperationbyhelpingtoavoidunnecessaryfurtherdamage.
Themanufacture offormedcokefortheblastfurnacerepresentsapotentially
importantmeansofwideningtherangeofcoalsthatcanbecarbonized,and
itisintendedtocontinueanexistingstudyinthisarea.Theremainder
oftheprogrammeisdevotedtoproblemsofpollutioninthecokingindustry.
Itincludesthecontinueddevelopmentofasmokelesschargingmachinethat
canbeusedonexistingcokeovenbatteriesandwhosepurposeisnotonly
toreduceatmosphericpollution,butalsotoimprovethedistribution of
thechargeintheoven.Afurtherprojectdealswiththedevelopmentof
techniquesfortheanalysisofafamilyofparticularly harmfulorganic
compoundsandwillthuscontributetowardsthestudyandeliminationof
pollutionbythesesubstancesbothinthecokingindustryandinother
coalprocessingtechniques.Thefinalprojectconcernsapilotscale
studyofthetreatmentofliquideffluentsbyacombinationofmethods,
aimedatachievingimprovedstandardsofwastewaterpurity.
•/••

-5-
Theresearchprogrammeinthefieldofnewchemicalandphysical
processesandproduces..from__ooalconsistschieflyofalargegroupof
interrelated studiescarriedout"byanumberofCommunityinstitutions .
Thestudiesare,inpart,continuations oflong-ternprogrammesinthis
field,andinclude:fundamental workrelatedtothegasification and
liquefaction ofhardcoalandligniteandtheproductionoforganic
chemicalsandotherIiigh-valuematerialsfromcoalanditsderivatives ;
thestudyofcoalliquefaction processesonthesmallpilotscale;
theuseofcoal-derived activecartonforgaspurification ^anda
numberofsmallinvestigations relatedtotopicssuchascarbonization
andspoilupgrading.Theresearchprogrammealsoincludesaninvestigation
oftheapplication oftheimportanttechniqueoffluidisedbedcombustion
tothecombustionofhighasliccale.
Ill»Programmeofworkenvisaged
Theproposedresearchprogrammeinthefieldofproductbeneficiation
canbesummarised asfollows:
Programme"CokingandBriquetting ^ofCoal"
Properties ofcokingcoalsandcarbonization products
1.Thermalstabilityofmetallurgical coke(iTCB)
Investigation oftheeffectsofheatingandcontactwithreactive
gasesonthesize,strengthandotherpropertiesofcolceinorder
toobtaininformation aboutitsdegradation undertheconditionsin
whichitisusedintheblastfurnace.Studyoftheinfluenceof
coalblendproperties oncokecharacteristics .
Totalcost:b21A000

-6-
Development ofconventional coking -techniques
?•I^^ralshrin!'ageof ajnd£ressure_onthewalls
incokeovens(CERCHAR) -...;
Investigation ofthemechanismsgoverninglateralchargeshrinkage
andtherelatinship betweenshrinkageandpressure.Determination
oftheinfluenceofcarbonization parametersonshrinkage,with
theaimofavoidingoperationaldifficulties anddamagetoovens.,
Totalcost:3000000FF
3.Therej>air_ofcoke_chsunber__wa.il sofacokebatteryinoperation(Hoovove'ns)
Investigation oftheproblemofregulatingtlietemperatureofthe
refractories toavoidtheformationofnewcracksduringtherepair
ofdamagedcokeovenwalls.
Totalcostî512000Hfl
Hewmethodsofcokingforcoal
4.Fomedcoke(CERCHAR)
Continuation andextensionofcurrentresearchintothemanufacture
offormedcokefromanextendedrangeofcoalsandthetesting
oftheproductintheblastfurnace.
Totalcost:2200000FF
Technicalandeconomicproblemsinenvironmental protection
5-Exgerimental_smokeless chargingmachinewith_differential
charging_sjrstem (NuovaFornicoke)
Continuation andextensionofdevelopmentofachargingmachinethat
canbeusedonexistingcokeovenbatteriestoreduceatmospheric
pollutionandtoimprovethechargedistribution.Improvementsin
operationalefficiencyandextensionofrangeofapplication.
Totalcost:287000000Lit

-7~
6.Analysisofgolycyclicaromatichydrocarbons (BCEA;•
Development ofafast,reliabletechniquefortheroutineanalysis
ofpolycyclicaromatichydrocarbons occurringinthecarbonization
ofcoalandtheprocessinganduseofcarbonization by-products.
Application ofthetechniquetopracticalproblems.
Totalcostîh84750
7.Purification ofcokeoveneffluents(iTuovaFornicoke)
Testing,onthepilotscale,ofacombinationofprocesses(active
carbonandbiologicaltreatments)forpurifyingliquideffluentsfrom
cokeovensinordertoimprovethequalityofwastewater.
Totalcosts4^9COO000Lit.
PropTamrr;?"NewChemicalandPhysicalProcessesandProductsfromGoal".
Fundamentalresearchfornowc-heir.icc.landphysicalprocesses
8.Chemicalandjphysicalupgradingofcoai«(StBV)
Continuation ofawidevarietyofbasicstudiesaimedatdeveloping
andimprovingcoalupgradingtechniquesandatincreasingtherange
ofproductsthatcanbeobtainedfromcoal.
Totalcostî4650000DM
9«Physical_and_chemical -ijpgradingof_coalanditsby-products(CERCEAE)
Extensionofacurrentprogrammeoffundamentalresearchaimedat
improvedupgradingofby-products suchaspitch,tarandspoil,and
atinvestigating problemsrelatedtogasification (particularly under­
groundgasification )andrapidpyrolysisofcoal.••
Totalcost:2500000FF

-8-
10.of_tbe_improveracnt_of thegerformanceofactivecarbonsfor
thetreatmentoffoul-smelling gaseouseffluents(CERCKAR)
jftirtherdevelopmentofinvestigations intotheutilization of
activecarbonforthetreatmentoffoul-smelling gaseouseffluents.
Studyofimprovementsineffectiveness oftreatmentobtainedby
thecombineduseofactivecarbonandozone,andbyimpregnation
ofactivecarbon.
Totalcosts1800000FF
s
11.Chemicaljrefiningofcoal(ITCB;
Conversionofextractsfromsupercritical extractionofcoalinto
chemicalfeedstocks,hydrocarbonoilsandfuelgases.Development "
ofanintegratedcoalliquefaction processemployinghydrogenand
liquidsolventstoobtainlight,distillableoilsandhigh-value
carbons.Synthesisofresins,adhesivesandpolymersfromcoal-
derivedmaterials.
Totalcost:-il943000
Ψ
12.Newprocessesforobtainingindustrialchemicalsfromtheby-products
formedduringthegasification andcokingofcoal(ULB)
Investigation ofthepost-cracking oftarsduringcarbonization
andtheinfluenceofthisphenomenononthepropertiesofcoke.
Continuation ofstudiesoftarupgrading.Studyoftheformationof
liquidproductsduringthepreliminarystagesofcompletegasification
ofcoalunderpressureaimedatoptimisingtheyieldofhigh-value
by-products.
Totalcost»34746000îB
13*Relationship betweenrawmaterial_quality iprocessconditions__and _
producttjualit£in_the_manuf&ci,ure_ofhigh-value_pr°d uc-fcsfrom_
lignite(DEBRTV)
Investigation ofthepetrographic ,physicalandchemicalproperties
ofligniteinordertodeterminetheparametersrelevanttovarious
upgradingprocesses(e.g.gasification,carbonization,liquefaction)

-9-
and.tooptimiseprocessconditionswithrespecttotheraw
materialpropertiesandtheproductsrequired.
Totalcost:1330000DU
Improvedmethodsofcornbiistionandutilization ofheat
14.Productionofsteamforelectricitygenerationorotherusesfrom
high-ashcoalsusing_fluidised bed^ccrabustion technicjues_(Arigna./ES3)
Testsonexistingexperimental installations aimedatsolving
problemsassociatedwiththehandlingandcombustionofhigh-ash
coals(ashcontent45toCjfo)inafluidissdbed,andatobtaining
dataforthedesignofapoverstationboiler.
Totalcostîtf134969
xV.Estimatedcostanddurationoftheresearchwork
Thetotalcostforeseenfortheprogrammeis9508000EUA*♦
Thecostanddurationoftheindividualprojectsisgiveninthe
followingtable.
*Ratesofconversionfromnationalcurrenciesarethoseof26.10.1977

-10-
: J
No.I Project
ι. 'Proposer Duration
(years)Totalcost
E.U.A.*
ΓΊCokingandBricruetting ofcoalη
Properties 01cokingcoalsand
carbonizationproducts|
ί
ι■
1Thermalstabilityofmetal­
lurgicalcoke
Development ofconventionalÎTCB 2421000
2Lateralshrinkageofthecharge
andpressureonthevrallsin
cokeovensCERCHAR 3534000
3Therepairofcokechamberwalls
ofacokebatteryinoperation
HewmethodsofcokingforcoalHoogovens .2182000
4Formedcoke
Technicalandeconomicproblems
inenvironmental protectionCERCHAR 1392000
5Experimental smokelesscharging
machinewithdifferential charging
systemι
ITuova
Fornicoke1281500
6Analysisofpolycyclicaromatic
hydrocarbonsBCRA
ι3130500
7
IPurification ofcokeoven
effluentsi
Nuova !
Fornicoke ;
!
i2480000
I
!
ITotal1
>.,1■»■2421000

-11-
ïïo.Project Proposer
I
Iαν
I
|Duration
I(Tears)Totalcost
E.U.A.ηïïewChemicalandPhysical j 1
Processes _ar.dProductsfrom.OoalI
t
t
i
^mdamentalresearchfernewI
I
ι
II
]
<
chemicaland-physicalprocessesI
!
3Chemicalandphysicalupgrading
ofcoalStBv 31773500
9Physicalandchenicalupgrading
ofcoalanditsby-productsCERCHAR
I3445000
10.Studyoftheimprovement ofthe
performance ofactivecarbons
forthetreatmentoffoul–smelling
gaseouseffluentsCERCIIAR 3320500
ι
I11Chemicalrefiningofcoal ITCB,I
-12982500j
12ITewprocessesforobtaining
industrialchemicalsfromtheby­
productsformedduringthegasif­
icationandcokingofcoalULB•s3850500
13Relationship betweenrawmaterial
quality,processconditionsand
productqualityinthemanufacture
ofhigh-valueproductsfrom
lignite
Improvedmethodsofcombustion
andutilization ofheatDEBRIV 2507500
14Production ofsteamforelect­
ricitygenerationorotheruses
fromhigh-ashcoalsusing
fluidisedbedcombustion
techniquesrigna/
SBΑ
Ε2
1207500
Totali\7087000J
GrandTotal\9508000L
*Therratesofconversion fromnationalcurrenciesarethose
of26.10.1977

Researchresults
TheE.C.S.C.Experts'Committeeswhicharealreadyconcernedwithall
research .workinthesefields --willal30superviseandkeepunderreview
theexecutionoftheresearchworkthatformsthesubjectofthe
requests, ;
Theagreementstobeconcludedwiththe"beneficiaries oftheaidwill
definetherightsandobligationsofthecontractingparties.They
will"bedesignedprimarilytoensurethattheresearchresultswill
"bemadeavailabletoallinterestedpartiesintheCommunity,in
accordancewithArt.55theE.G.S.C.Treaty.
Expectedconsequences' oftheresearchprolamine ";
Promthetechnicalandeconomicpointsofview,theproposedinvest-,
igationsrelatedtothecokingandbriquettingofcoalwilllead,■.''
throughabetterunderstanding ofthebehaviourofcokeathightemper­
ature,tothepossibility ofproducingcokethatisbettersuitedto
itsuseint-heblastfurnaceandthis,inturn,willmakeacontribution
totheefficiencyandeconomyoftheCommunity'ssteelindustry.
Studiesofthebehaviourofthecoalcharge,therepairofcokeovens
andimprovedovenchargingwillgiverisetoimprovements inthesafety
andefficiencyofcokeovenoperation,withconsequentbeneficial
effectsonproductivity saidprofitability .Thecontinueddevelopment
offormedcokeofatypethathasalreadygivenencouragingresultsin'
blastfurnacetrialswillprovideanewfuelfortheironandsteel
industryandwillwidentherangeofcoalsthatcanbecarbonized,
thushelpingtoreducedependenceonexpensivecokingcoals.The
largeprogrammeofstudiesofthechemistryandphysicsofcoalupgrading
vailmakemajorcontributions towardstheimprovedprocessingofcoal
togiveawiderangeofproductsthatcanhelptoreducetheComnmnity's
dependenceonimportedrawmaterials.Similarly,theinvestigation
ofthecombustionoflowgradecoalswillenableCommunityreserves
tobeexploitedtobettereffect.

-13-
Inrelation tosocial and_envi ronmentalproblems ,themain effects
oftheresearch will befelt inthecoring indurr;r;' «
programme will make contributions tothereduction ofairandwatcr
pollution andvail have beneficial effects onworking conditions as
well asonthegeneral environment .Research inthis field isof
great importance toCommunity coking plants whose future isthreatened
byincreasingly severe legislation .The worlc proposed will also
have useful consequences with regard totheassessment ofhealth
hazards notonly inthecoking industry ,butalso inconnection with
other coal processing techniques ,,thus helping toensure that the
newtechnologies forccal conversion canbeimplemented with the
minimum risk tohealth and the environment .
VII .Conclusions
Forthereasons outlined above ,theprevision offinancial aidbythe
Community fortheproposed research work inthefields ofcoking and
briquettiiig ofcoal andnewchemical andphysical processes and
products from coal isjudged tobeappropriate andjustified .
Theresearch programme will cost 9503000EDAandtheCommission
proposes togrant aidtotalling 5704800EUA .
Distribution ofaid
Arigna /ESB (Ireland ) 124500 EUA
BCRA (Great Eritain ) 73300 EUA
C3RCHAR (France ) 1014900 EUA
DEERIV (Germans' -) 304500 EUA
Eoogovens (Netherlands ) 109 200 EUA
1TCB (Great Britain ) 20A2 100 EUA
Nuova Fornicoke (Italy ) 456900 EUA
StBV (Germany ) 1064 100 EUA
ULB (Belgium ) 510 300 EUA
H.E. Rates ofconversion ffom national currencies arethose of26.10.1977