CoalBy: Kathryn Bower, Maeve Crowley and Marissa Toren

Definition

A solid fossil fuel that was formed in several stages from the remains of land plants that were buried 300-400 million years ago then exposed to intense heat and pressure over millions of years.

Machines Used

-For electricity: Pulverised coal is burned to produce steam that spins a turbine to then produce electricity-Supercritical coal plants are an alternative that protects the environment when producing coal

4 Stages of Coal1. Peat

o When plant material accumulates underwater, oxygen isn’t present and only partial decomposition occurs. The incomplete destruction creates this soft, spongy substance that contains a large amount of water and must be dried before use. It is rarely used as a source of heat.

2. Ligniteo This is created when peat is subject to an increase in vertical pressure from accumulating sediments. It is

dark brown and still contains traces of plants. It is readily available but really only used when more efficient fuel isn’t available.

3. Bituminous Coalo Added pressure makes virtually all the traces of plant life disappear in this stage. It is also known as “soft

coal” and is our most abundant fuel greatly used in our industry as a source of heat.4. Anthracite

o Also known as “hard coal” because it is hard and has a high lustre. Formed with a combined pressure and high temperature, anthracite burns with a short flame and little smoke.

Advantages

-Ample supplies in many countries-High net energy yield-Low cost when environmental costs are not included

Disadvantages

-Severe land disturbance and water pollution-Fine particle and toxic mercury emissions threaten human health-Emits large amounts of CO2 and other air pollutants when produced and burned

Land disturbed by coal mining

Availability

-Very abundant-Very affordable

Estimated Depletion Time

According to forbes.com, coal use is expected to peak around 2020-2030. By the end of this century, coal and most of our other recoverable fossil fuels will be gone.The Colorado River Commission of Nevada predicted in 2002 that there is roughly 230 years of available coal left.

Leading Producing Nations

1. China2. United States3. India4. Australia5. Indonesia

China has lately been praised for its investments in renewable energy, however it is to hide the fact that 87% of China’s energy comes from fossil fuels. The use of coal is responsible for 70% of that energy.Economists predict that by 2040, China’s coal power fleet will increase by 50%. They will most likely surpass the global budget by 2040.

Coal Use in China

Clean Coal Myths● “America has 200 years of available coal reserves”.

o this statement was made in the 70s based on research from the 20s and 30s● “We can capture carbon emissions from coal and bury them underground”.

o CCS is not as easy as we think. It probably won’t play a huge role in the industry until 2050. Many claim its a scam and call it the “ultimate coal industry pipe dream”.

● “Since 1970, emissions from coal power plants are down 35%, the air is cleaner and yet coal use has tripled during that period”.o Coal emissions are down, but mostly because those pollutants were regulated in the Clean Air Act. Since

the coal use has tripled, total pollution from coal has in fact increased from things such as carbon dioxide emissions and mercury.

● “There is more mercury from ‘natural sources’ than the coal industry releases, so there is no reason to focus on reducing coal-related mercury emissions”.o The majority of the mercury in the natural sources stays put where it is at, it isn’t released into the air and

water. Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, the amount of mercury in the atmosphere has gone from 200% to 500%, mostly due to the coal industry.

● “Coal mining creates jobs”.o Coal mining employment has actually been declining for decades, due to the increase of machinery. West

Virginia, for example, had 126,000 miners in 1948 producing 168 million tons of coal and over time has dropped to only 15,000 miners in 2005 who create 128 million tons of coal with the help of machinery.

Reference ● http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d5/Coal_mine_in_Dhanb

ad,_India.jpg● http://www.coal-is-dirty.com/top-5-clean-coal-myths ● http://www.climatecentral.org/blogs/chinas-growing-coal-use-is-worlds-gro

wing-problem-16999

● http://www.minersmuseum.com/history-of-mining/coal-formation/ ● http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/24/peak-oil-production-business-energy-nel

der.html

● http://crc.nv.gov/docs/world%20fossil%20reserves.pdf