Coal

Connor Edmonds, Mike Feula, and

Mike Kappaz
 Brief History of Coal
• 4000 BC First discovered uses of coal in Shenyang Area of
China
• 200 AD Romans were exploiting coals in all the major
coalfields in England and Wales
• 1000 AD Coal begins to become of great importance during
High Middle Ages
• 1257-1251 Westminster Abbey construction fueled by coal
• 13th Century Underground extraction methods developed
• 1760-1840 Industrial Revolution sparks widespread use of coal
• 1882 First coal-fired electric generating system developed by
Thomas Edison goes into operation in NYC
• 1961 Coal had become the major fuel used by electric utilities
in the US
 Coal Use
• Primarily used for electricity
o nearly half of American electricity!

• Global
o Over 6.6 Billion tons used

• Steel and Cement Production

• Key for:
o Soap
o Aspirins
o Dyes
o Plastics
 Types of Coal
• Anthracite – Has the highest Carbon content, at 86%-98% C,
therefore it is the most valuable type of coal. However it is not a very
large part of the Coal Market

• Bituminous – The most common type of coal in electricity generation.

Has a Carbon content of 45%-86%.

• Subbituminous – 35%-45% carbon content. Is different because it

contains Sulfur so it burns cleaner and is better for the environment.

• Lignite – “Brown Coal” is used to generate electricity. Has the lowest

Carbon content at 25%-35%.
Coal Mining
Above Ground
• Cast
• Mountaintop
Removal

Below Ground
• Room and Pillar
• Long Wall
 Process to Create Power
1. Coal is crushed into a fine powder then thrown into
a furnace and mixed with hot air.
2. This mixture burns to boil water and create steam.
3. The steam is released into a turbine spinning
turbine to power a generator that creates
electrical power from the mechanical power.
 The Issues
• Releases impurities (Sulfur, Nitrogen)
• Can lead to acid rain
o Pollutes waterways and soil

• Carbon Dioxide formation

o Leads to climate change
 Basic Improvements
• Coal Selection
• Crush and wash
• Sulfur Scrubbers- Limestone
• Staged Combustion
• Catalysts?
• Pressurized Bed Boiler
 The Future
• Power Numbers
o Can filter 99% ash particles
o Can capture 95% impurities
o Improved Carbon Dioxide reduction

• In Process
o Over $3 Billion invested since mid-1980s
o Clean Coal Technology Program