COAL IS BIG! 42% of electricity comes from coal in the USA 70%
of electricity in China comes from coal 580 coal fueled power
plants in the US 550,000 jobs Mined in 25 states $49 natural gas
per mega watt hour, coal $33 per megawatt hour
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=4390
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=4390
Slide 3
WE HAVE A LOT USA has of the worlds supply 272 billion tons in
reserves only use about 1.1 billion tons per year Oil and Coal
reserves have equal energy potential
Slide 4
HISTORY Evidence of Coal in extinct civilizations Romans (2
nd,3 rd centuary) Hopi Indians (1300) 1736 A few coal mines appear
on the border of WV and MD 1748 First commercial coal mine in
Richmond, Virginia Used to manufacture shot, shell, and other war
material during the Revolutionary War.
Slide 5
HISTORY CONT. Pre 1830 uses- Heat homes Heat salt brines To
light streets such as in Baltimore To make glass 1830 Tom Thumb is
created First locomotive increases demand for coal
Slide 6
HISTORY CONT. 1875 Coke replaces wood and charcoal in fueling
furnaces Early 1900s Coke is supplying 100,000 coke ovens Mostly WV
and PA
Slide 7
HISTORY CONT. 1882 Edison builds the first coal-fired electric
generating station 1901 General Electric Company builds the first
alternating current power plant 1961 Coal is the major source of
electricity for utilities 1970 Coal production is 520 million tons
1990 Coal production is One billion tons
Slide 8
MINING TECHNIQUES If the coal is close to the surface Surface
Mining If the coal is too far underground Underground Mining
BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Contains the most CO2 per BTU
Environment suffers around a coal mine Coal ash is hazardous 2 nd
highest emitter of methane Burning coal releases NOx and SOx
Burning releases Mercury
Slide 14
IMPRACTICAL Non-renewable High cost of transporting coal to
centralized power plants Dangerous to mine
Slide 15
CLEAN COAL 1980s-Now USA has invested 3 billion dollars Washing
Washes chunks of coal to remove impurities Organic sulfur stays
Scrubbing flue gas desulfurization units Limestone absorbs
sulfur
Slide 16
CLEAN COAL CONT. Process of burning Clean Coal
http://www.americaspower.org/our-commitment-clean-energy-future
http://www.americaspower.org/our-commitment-clean-energy-future
1970 to 2011 major pollutants have been reduced about 90% per unit
of electricity created
Slide 17
SAFETY IN THE MINES Benxihu Colliery April 26, 1942 1,549 dead
Coal-dust explosion
Slide 18
DANGERS Coal dust explosion Burns victims Traps victims
Blasting Related Accidents Too close to a blast site Diseases Black
lung
Slide 19
PREVENTING Training Need a license to blast Simulations Learn
about health and safety Technology Standard Radio communication
devices, safety lamps Exploitation Infrastructure Fire alarm, gas
management, miners rescue, ventilation, etc.
Slide 20
Slide 21
CONCLUSION Not considered enough Domestic Abundant Cheap
