FOSSIL FUELS III Coal

Formed from ancient plants. Coal beds were prehistoric swamps. Can be considered to be “stored” solar energy. Photosynthesis: CO 2 + H solar energy  carbohydrates + O 2 We run the process backward and burn carbs to get energy, water and carbon dioxide.

Normally, when a plant dies it decomposes. If there is not enough oxygen, it can’t completely decompose, thus we get a slow accumulation of energy. In a swamp, the bacteria that decompose the plants also use up the oxygen. Coal found today formed between 1 and 440 million years ago.

As geological processes apply pressure to peat over time, it is transformed successively into * Lignite, also referred to as brown coal, is the lowest rank of coal and used almost exclusively as fuel for steam-electric power generation. Jet is a compact form of lignite that is sometimes polished and has been used as an ornamental stone since the Iron Age. (60 – 75 % carbon) * Lignite, also referred to as brown coal, is the lowest rank of coal and used almost exclusively as fuel for steam-electric power generation. Jet is a compact form of lignite that is sometimes polished and has been used as an ornamental stone since the Iron Age. (60 – 75 % carbon) * Sub-bituminous coal, whose properties range from those of lignite to those of bituminous coal and are used primarily as fuel for steam-electric power generation. (75 – 85 % carbon) * Sub-bituminous coal, whose properties range from those of lignite to those of bituminous coal and are used primarily as fuel for steam-electric power generation. (75 – 85 % carbon) * Bituminous coal, a dense coal, usually black, sometimes dark brown, often with well-defined bands of bright and dull material, used primarily as fuel in steam-electric power generation, with substantial quantities also used for heat and power applications in manufacturing and to make coke. (85 – 90 % carbon) * Bituminous coal, a dense coal, usually black, sometimes dark brown, often with well-defined bands of bright and dull material, used primarily as fuel in steam-electric power generation, with substantial quantities also used for heat and power applications in manufacturing and to make coke. (85 – 90 % carbon) * Anthracite, the highest rank; a harder, glossy, black boto used primarily for residential and commercial space heating. (> 91% carbon) * Anthracite, the highest rank; a harder, glossy, black boto used primarily for residential and commercial space heating. (> 91% carbon)

Type% CarbonEnergy Content (Btu/lb) Lignite Subbituminous Bituminous Anthracite

The largest amount of US coal is Bituminous. The largest amount of US coal is Bituminous. Approximately 1% is Anthracite. (Found in Pennsylvania.) Approximately 1% is Anthracite. (Found in Pennsylvania.) Many coal veins have a high sulfur content. Many coal veins have a high sulfur content. –Significant contributor to acid rain. –S + O 2  SO 2 –SO 2 combines with water in atmosphere to form sulfuric acid. –Limits the use of those coals

US Coal Reserves by Type

World Coal Reserves

Coal Mining Coal veins can be 1 in to 400 ft thick. Coal veins can be 1 in to 400 ft thick. Must be at least 2 ft thick to make mining profitable. Must be at least 2 ft thick to make mining profitable. Two basic ways to get to it Two basic ways to get to it –Tunnels (deep reserves) (40%) –Strip mining (near surface) (60%)

Tunnel Mining

Strip Mining Eighteenth-century mining for pit- coal had left comparatively minor scars on the landscape. But strip- mining in the mid-twentieth century literally laid waste to thousands of acres of formerly productive land. The overburden - the soil and gravel built up over millions of years.was scraped off the coal veins, shoved aside, and left in long, steep, parallel ridges. The coal was removed, and the whole mess, pits and piles together, was eventually abandoned. Because the process was purely extractive, without regard for the structure of the overburden, there is little or no hope of restoring it simply by leveling it off and planting grass and trees. Only in due time, thousands of years- worth of time, will natural processes prove able to restore the land to anything like its original condition.

Mountain Top Removal

Coal Reserves & Production

Coal Reserves Sulfur Content

US Coal Production

Bad fit Hubbert Peak

Estimated that we have enough reserves for years at current production rates. Estimated that we have enough reserves for years at current production rates. Use may be expanded Use may be expanded –Replace aging oil/natural gas/nuclear electric plants –More demand for electrical energy –Alternative uses such as coal gasification.

Burning Coal

FutureGen - Tomorrow's Pollution-Free Power Plant "Today I am pleased to announce that the United States will sponsor a year demonstration project to create the world's first coal-based, zero-emissions electricity and hydrogen power plant..." President George W. Bush February 27, 2003 FutureGen is an initiative to build the world's first integrated sequestration and hydrogen production research power plant. The $1.5 billion project is intended to create the world's first zero-emissions fossil fuel plant. When operational, the prototype will be the cleanest fossil fuel fired power plant in the world.