A Quantitative Assessment of Surface Water Resources for Coal Slurry Pipelines Originating in Southwest Virginia

Santos, German R.; Yucel, Oner; ,

A Quantitative Assessment of Surface Water Resources for Coal Slurry Pipelines Originating in Southwest Virginia

by German R. Santos, Virginia Polytechnic Inst &, State Univ, Dep of Engineering, Science & Mechanics, Blacksburg,
Oner Yucel, Virginia Polytechnic Inst &, State Univ, Dep of Engineering, Science & Mechanics, Blacksburg,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water for Resource Development

Abstract:

In view of the high streamflow variability, preliminary quantitative assessment was made of the capacity requirements and low-flow frequency characteristics of offstream reservoirs needed to supply coal slurry pipelines with throughputs up to 25 million tons of coal per year. Because of the uncertainties concerning the policies of pipeline operation and the relevant water use, the analysis was aimed to provide a spectrum of plausible solutions. For each of a number of annual pipeline capacities, a series of scenarios was applied to the allowable withdrawal from the stream, along with a series of capacity constraints assigned to the intake and conveyance structures. The solutions thus obtained are expected to provide at least a preliminary data basis for any conceivable scenario or policy that may apply in the future. The study also determined the reliability characteristics of reservoirs in terms of their recurrence intervals based on a low-flow partial-duration series analysis.

Return to search