FOSSIL FUELS IIIFOSSIL FUELS IIICoalCoal

Formed from ancient plants.Formed from ancient plants.Coal beds were prehistoric swamps.Coal beds were prehistoric swamps.Can be considered to be “stored” solar Can be considered to be “stored” solar

energy.energy.Photosynthesis:Photosynthesis:COCO22 + H + H220 + solar energy 0 + solar energy carbohydrates + O carbohydrates + O22

We run the process backward and burn We run the process backward and burn carbs to get energy, water and carbon carbs to get energy, water and carbon dioxide.dioxide.

Normally, when a Normally, when a plant dies it plant dies it decomposes.decomposes.If there is not If there is not enough oxygen, it enough oxygen, it can’t completely can’t completely decompose, thus we decompose, thus we get a slow get a slow accumulation of accumulation of energy.energy.

In a swamp, the In a swamp, the bacteria that bacteria that decompose the decompose the plants also use up plants also use up the oxygen.the oxygen.

Coal found today Coal found today formed between 1 formed between 1 and 440 million and 440 million years ago.years ago.

As geological processes apply pressure to As geological processes apply pressure to peatpeat over time, it is over time, it is transformed successively intotransformed successively into

* * LigniteLignite, also referred to as brown coal, is the lowest rank of , also referred to as brown coal, is the lowest rank of coal and used almost exclusively as fuel for steam-coal and used almost exclusively as fuel for steam-electric power generation. Jet is a compact form of lignite electric power generation. Jet is a compact form of lignite that is sometimes polished and has been used as an that is sometimes polished and has been used as an ornamental stone since the Iron Age. (60 – 75 % carbon)ornamental stone since the Iron Age. (60 – 75 % carbon)

* * Sub-bituminous coalSub-bituminous coal, whose properties range from those of , whose properties range from those of lignite to those of bituminous coal and are used primarily lignite to those of bituminous coal and are used primarily as fuel for steam-electric power generation. (75 – 85 % as fuel for steam-electric power generation. (75 – 85 % carbon)carbon)

* * Bituminous coalBituminous coal, a dense coal, usually black, sometimes , a dense coal, usually black, sometimes dark brown, often with well-defined bands of bright and dark brown, often with well-defined bands of bright and dull material, used primarily as fuel in steam-electric dull material, used primarily as fuel in steam-electric power generation, with substantial quantities also used power generation, with substantial quantities also used for heat and power applications in manufacturing and to for heat and power applications in manufacturing and to make coke. (85 – 90 % carbon)make coke. (85 – 90 % carbon)

* * AnthraciteAnthracite, the highest rank; a harder, glossy, black boto , the highest rank; a harder, glossy, black boto used primarily for residential and commercial space used primarily for residential and commercial space heating. (> 91% carbon)heating. (> 91% carbon)

Type % Carbon Energy Content (Btu/lb)

LigniteLignite 3030 5000-70005000-7000SubbituminousSubbituminous 4040 8000-100008000-10000BituminousBituminous 50-7050-70 11000-1500011000-15000AnthraciteAnthracite 9090 1400014000

The largest amount of US coal is The largest amount of US coal is Bituminous.Bituminous.

Approximately 1% is Anthracite. Approximately 1% is Anthracite. (Found in Pennsylvania.)(Found in Pennsylvania.)

Many coal veins have a high sulfur Many coal veins have a high sulfur content.content.– Significant contributor to acid rain.Significant contributor to acid rain.– S + OS + O2 2 SO SO22

– SOSO22 combines with water in atmosphere combines with water in atmosphere to form sulfuric acid.to form sulfuric acid.

– Limits the use of those coalsLimits the use of those coals

US Coal Reserves by TypeUS Coal Reserves by Type

World Coal ReservesWorld Coal Reserves

Coal MiningCoal 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 Must be at least 2 ft thick to make

mining profitable.mining profitable. Two basic ways to get to itTwo basic ways to get to it

– Tunnels (deep reserves) (40%)Tunnels (deep reserves) (40%)– Strip mining (near surface) (60%)Strip mining (near surface) (60%)

Tunnel MiningTunnel Mining

Strip MiningStrip MiningEighteenth-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 RemovalMountain Top Removal

Coal Reserves & Production Coal Reserves & Production

Coal Reserves Sulfur Coal Reserves Sulfur ContentContent

US Coal ProductionUS Coal Production

Bad fit Hubbert PeakBad fit Hubbert Peak

Estimated that we have enough Estimated that we have enough reserves for 200-300 years at reserves for 200-300 years at current production rates.current production rates.

Use may be expandedUse may be expanded– Replace aging oil/natural gas/nuclear Replace aging oil/natural gas/nuclear

electric plantselectric plants– More demand for electrical energyMore demand for electrical energy– Alternative uses such as coal Alternative uses such as coal

gasification.gasification.

Burning CoalBurning Coal

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