[en] Short communication

[en] The brown coal deposits near Belchatow (Central Poland) are described. One of them Belchatow is exploited for the needs of Belchatow 1 Power Plant (12 x 360 MW). The second Szczercow is the unfinished investment. The quarry Szczercow was designed as a source of fuel for Belchatow 1 as well as Belchatow 2 Power Plant (6 x 370 MW). The present state of the investment is described and serious arguments for its continuation are given. 1 ill., 1 plan

[en] In Konin province (Central Poland) 2 brown coal quarries ''Konin'' and ''Adamow'' as well as 3 thermal power plants ''Patnow'', ''Adamow'' and ''Konin'' are located. The brown coal reserves used for fuelling the local power plants should not be scooped before 2040. The power plants require modernization. ''Konin'' quarry has bought about 10000 hectares. Revegetation was already made on about 4000 hectares. The old dumps are covered with clays and therefore these areas have better soils as in the past. Due to fuel-power sector development the number of Konin town residents changed from about 12000 in 1950 to about 83000 in 1997

[en] In Poland 130 km² are occupied by brown coal quarries (taking into account exploitation and revegetation areas). There are lower levels of ground waters around the quarries on the total area of about 120000 hectares. In the consequence inhabitants have no water in shallow wells and crops on 6000 hectares (including meadows) are 10-20% lower. The brown coal quarries built 65 water intakes, 2000 km of water network supplying with water 300 localities

[en] The basic information about brown coal reserves, production, quarries and power plants is given. The prognosis of development of this energy sector in Poland up to 2045 is presented

[en] A present state of Polish power plants fueled by brown coal is presented. Their economic results are compared with the achievements of power stations fueled by black coal. The basic data concerning brown coal reserves, production and consumption are given. The problems of environmental protection are discussed. The different applications of brown coal are mentioned. Its importance for energy balance is stressed. 6 tabs

[en] The Brown Coal Quarry ''Turow'' planted forests on 1256 hectares and each year begins revegetation of plants on about 70 new hectares. This action is very important as the external dump located on 1850 hectares is emitting dusts and ashes. During revegetation the fertilizer Mont based on brown coal is used. Waters from surface dewatering were purified in about 88% with Microsorban 2000. At the end of 1999 all the waters discharge from the quarry should be clean or purified. A noise emitted in the quarry not accedes standards. In 1994 the Power Plant ''Turow'' exchanged electrofilters (new ones have efficiency 99.8%). The blocks 8-10 were equipped with desulfurization installation in which 50% reduction of SO₂ is achieved. The combustion systems were modernized and due it the emission of NO was diminished by 30%. The dust boilers on blocks 1-6 will be replaced with fluidized bed boilers (90% reduction of SO₂)

[en] Statistical data on brown coal exploitation in Poland in 1995 are given and discussed. In that year 63.4 mln ton of brown coal was excavated and 62.2 mln ton was sent to power plants. 40.1% of electric power generated in public utilities were produced using brown coal as the fuel. The results of all 5 brown coal mines are shortly described

[en] Brown coal colliery ''Turow'' pays great attention to diminished harmful effects on the environment caused by external dumping, noise, dewatering, water pollution etc. The areas of external dumping as well as around the reservoir of drinking water are recultivated and forests are planted. Daily noise is within permitted levels due to concrete screen, special walls etc. Noise at night exceeds the standards and should be lowered. As a consequence of dewatering some damages in houses appeared. In the period 1991-1995 142 families were moved to new houses

[en] The old prognoses of Belchatow depressive funnel are compared with its present state. The methods and results of hydrological and meteorological measurements are described. The environmental effects are assessed. The prognosis of funnel's limit up to 2000 is given. 1 ill., 2 figs, 1 tab