ECSC Technical Coal Research - Call for proposals
The European Commission, DG XVII, has published a call for proposals in the fields of mining engineering and coal utilization, within the ECSC Technical Coal Research programme. The Commission is seeking proposals for targeted projects in the fields outlined below. Proposals must involve partners from at least two Member States. Proposals must also give details of how the research results will be applied and disseminated. The priority fields are: - A. Mining engineering, including: - I. Mining infrastructure and management: . Utilisation of advanced geophysical methods for mining and post-mining application; . Improved free steered vehicle control and safety; . Optimization of material transport systems; . Reduction of environmental impacts of mine operation; . Use of virtual reality for mine operations and safety; - II: Mining operations: . Application of advanced geotechnical methods for the optimization of roadways and mine design; . Techniques for the improvement of coal face performance and safety; . Improved auxiliary ventilation and air cooling systems within rapid development drivages; . Optimization of heading performance and support systems for highly stressed roadways; In the mining engineering field, efforts should focus on new or improved methods and techniques which aim at reducing production costs in order to progress towards economic viability in the light of international coal prices. Many of the items listed thereafter have been investigated in past ECSC coal mining research. It is therefore important to propose novel approaches and methods. Research proposals involving collaboration between hard coal and brown coal mining in subjects of common interest can be considered. Attention should be given to health and safety aspects of all research proposals. - B. Coal preparation and utilization, including: - I: Coal preparation: . Use of in-situ diagnostic techniques to improve efficiency and reduce costs of coal preparation (In relation to corrosion control, spontaneous combustion problems, on-line measurement and control of coal flow and composition); . Advanced demineralization of coal; . Improved transport and handling systems; . Improved coal screening techniques and fines treatment; . Dewatering, dry-cleaning and briquetting of coal; - II: Coal coking and up-grading: . Reduction of environmental emissions in coke making; . Improved coke properties by optimization of coke making parameters; . Improved energy efficiency and coking process operation and control; . Improved inspection, testing and in-situ repair of coke ovens; . Coal derived products with high added value; Efforts should be concentrated in two main directions: cost decrease to improve coal competitiveness in a more open market, and improved advanced technologies to reduce pollution generated by all utilizations of coal. - III. Coal combustion and gasification: . Development and improvement of advanced coal power generation technologies; . Improved methods to characterize the performance of coals for combustion and gasification; . Improved lifetime and performance of equipment in conventional pulverized coal fired power plants; . Improved utilisation of coal ashes (in relation to coal blends, co-utilisation and new preparation techniques). Although modelling techniques do not appear as a specific topic, modelling must be considered as a tool that can be used in any research proposal related to the above items. Biomass and waste are accepted as co-conversion fuels to the extent that they can improve the competitiveness of coal utilization. A full information package relating to this call may be obtained from: European Commission DG XVII - Energy Mrs. Christel Swartenbroekx Unit D/2 200 rue de la Loi (TERV 5/12) B-1049 Brussels Fax +32-2-2966016 The Information Package may also be obtained on the CORDIS World Wide Web service, at: http://cordis.europa.eu/ecsc-coal/home.html(opens in new window) Completed proposals should be sent to: European Commission DG XVII - Energy Mr. James Keith Wilkinson Unit D/2 200 rue de la Loi (TERV 5/12) B-1049 Brussels