Problems with Coal

Problems with Coal…  Contains sulfur causing air pollution when burned.  Makes acid rain!  High amounts of air pollution (CO2 and SO2) are given off by coal power plants.  Causes more air pollution when burned than any other fossil fuel

In your books (pg 436) describe each of the following… PeatLigniteSubbituminousBituminousAnthracite Coke (on back of notes sheet)

Coal Mining  Underground mining:  dangerous, collapsed mines, fires, gas explosions, and black lung (lungs are coated in coal dust)  Strip Mining - the overlying layer of rock is stripped to get to the coal from the surface.  this is cheaper, safer, and yields 3x’s more coal than underground mining

Centrailia and an Explosion Centralia Video Centralia Video Mine Explosion Video Mine Explosion Video

Problems with Strip Mining  Less than one-half of the mines have been reclaimed…  restored to their natural state  Acid Mine Drainage is when water reacts with mineral in the open mine forming highly acidic water pollution the environment killing aquatic organisms and waterfowl

Solutions to Coal Use  Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 requires that mined land be restored to its primary use (forest, field, etc.)  Clean Air Act of 1990 forces companies to reduce the emissions (release) of SO2 and NO2 when burning coal  More coal in this country is coming from the mid-west instead of the east because it contains less sulfur  New technologies are being invented to reduce air pollutants from coal (scrubber - sprays the gas with lime or calcium water binding the SO2, causing it to settle out – expensive process to install)  ***Using natural gas is cleaner because it releases one-half the CO2 and SO2 of coal

Synthetic Fuels  Fuels produced by chemically changing fossil fuels like coal. They are cleaner burning  In your books, pg 446, find the notes for…  Liquid Coal  Coal Gas  Oil Shale

Fracking  pCvdOg0Cec&feature=fvst