Abstract
Coal seams and culm banks associated with mine fires in the anthracite region of eastern Pennsylvania have been burning for decades. Many of the fires may have ignited by spontaneous combustion or by the burning of trash. Minerals associated with the combustion of anthracite form by the condensation of gas exhaled through surficial gas vents or “anthracite smokers.” A Pressure-Temperature (P-T) stability diagram is constructed for the condensation of orthorhombic sulfur from anthracite gas using “Thermodynamic Loop Analysis” (TL analysis). This method of analyzing chemical systems incorporates Kirchhoff's Law into a four step procedure structured around a closed thermodynamic cycle or “thermodynamic loop.” The four steps, referred to us “The Four S ′S of Thermodynamic Loop Analysis,” include: (1) “Set Up”—graphical characterization of the problem. (2) “Sum”—the application of thermodynamic principles. (3) “Substitute”—the use of materials data available from the literature, and (4) “Solve”—computation of one or more variables. The example presented demonstrates that thermodynamic loops can incorporate any number of polymorphic phase transformations. In addition, thermodynamic loop analysis is applicable to any geologic process involving the condensation of minerals from a gas. The stability diagram derived by TL analysis may have applicability in monitoring the release of sulfur gas into the atmosphere.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Anthony, J. W., Williams, S. A., and Bideaux, R. A., 1977, Mineralogy of Arizona: Univ. Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona, 255 p.
DeKok, D., 1986. Unseen danger: Univ. Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, 299 p.
Dunn, P. J., Peacor, D. R., Criddle, A. J., and Finkelman, R. B., 1986, Laphamite. an arsenic selenide analogue of orpiment, from burning anthracite deposits in Pennsylvania: Mineral. Magazine, v. 50, pt. 2, p. 279–282.
Finkelman, R. B., and Mrose, M. E., 1977, Downeyite. the first verified natural occurrence of SeO2: Am. Mineralogist, v. 62, no. 3–4, p. 316–320.
Geissinger, J., 1990, Managing underground mine fires: the case of Centralia. Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania Geographer, v. 28, no. 2, p. 22–26.
Johnson, D. L., and Stracher, G. B., 1994, Thermodynamic loop applications in materials systems (1st ed.). v. 1: The Minerals. Metals, and Materials Society of The American Institute of Mining. Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineering Inc., Warrendale, Pennsylvania, 216 p.
Jones, G. W., and Scott, G. S., 1939, Chemical considerations relating to fires in anthracite refuse: U.S. Bur. Mines Rept. of Invest. 3468, 13 p.
Lapham, D. M., Barnes, J. H., Downey, W. F., Jr., and Finkelman, R. B., 1980, Mineralogy associated with burning anthracite deposits of eastern Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Geol. Survey Mineral Res. Rept. 78, 82 p.
Limacher, D., 1963. A propos de la formation de minéraux secondaires lors de la combustion des charbons: Societe Geologique du Nord, Annales. 83, p. 287–288.
Stoiber, R. E., and Rose, W. I., Jr., 1974. Fumarole incrustations at active Central American volcanoes: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 38, no. 4, p. 495–516.
Stracher, G. B., 1993, Thermodynamically calculated P-T curve for the condensation of crystalline sulfur from anthracite coal gas: eastern Pennsylvania: Geol. Soc. America, Abstracts with Programs, v. 25, p. A-193.
Stracher, G. B., and Johnson, D. L., 1989, Thermodynamic Loops: theoretical applications to solid-solid mineral transformations and phase equilibria: The Compass, v. 66, no. 4. p. 185–188.
Weast, R. C., Lide, D. R., Astle, M. J., and Beyer, W. H., eds., 1989, Handbook of chemistry and physics (70th ed.): CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida, 2 volumes.
Wood, G. H., Jr., and Bergin, M. J., 1970, Structural controls of the Anthracite region, Pennsylvania,in Fisher, G. W., Pettijohn, F. J., Reed, Jr., J. C., and Weaver, K. N., eds., Studies of Appalachian geology: central and southern: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, p. 147–160.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Stracher, G.B. The anthracite smokers of eastern pennsylvania:\(P_{S_2 (g)} \)-T stability diagram by TL analysis. Math Geol 27, 499–511 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02084424
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02084424