Old Smokey coal fire, Floyd County, Kentucky: Estimates of gaseous emission rates

Abstract Vent emissions of the Old Smokey coal fire, Floyd County, Kentucky, were studied in May and July, 2010. Vent emissions were generally lower in July, perhaps due to a shift in the fire front, change in vent structure, or another unidentified factor. Volatile organics in the vent gasses contain dangerous levels of toxic, carcinogenic, and other hazardous compounds. Benzene ranges to nearly 400 parts per billion (volume) at one vent. Toluene exceeds 104 parts per billion (volume) at the same vent. Flux rates for CO 2 and CO range to 85,000 mg/s/m 2 and 89 mg/s/m 2 , respectively, for various vents for the two measuring times. Estimates of total CO 2 emissions, possibly less than 1000 t/year, are within the range of other eastern Kentucky coal fires.