ENERGY DREAM MAP

Coal

​

Coal is a fossil fuel and is the altered remains of prehistoric vegetation that originally accumulated in swamps and peat bogs. The energy we get from coal today comes from the energy that plants absorbed from the sun millions of years ago. Coals can be divided into 2 categories, which are: brown coal and hard coal. It contains more than 50% Carbon by weight and includes Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Ash, and Sulfur.

 

There are different types of coal which can be classified as following:

• Anthracite

• Bituminous

• Lignite

 

The function of a coal-fired thermal power plant is to convert the energy available in coal to electricity.

• According to World Coal Association, coal plays a vital role in electricity generation worldwide. Coal-fired power plants currently fuel 37% of global electricity and, in some countries, coal fuels contribute a higher percentage to electricity production.

• According to World Bank data, since the beginning of the 21st century, coal has been the fastest-growing global energy source; it currently provides about 40% of the world's electricity needs. Coal is the second source of primary energy in the world after oil, and the first source of electricity generation.

​

Advantages:

• Reliability: Coal’s ability to supply power during peak power demand either as base power or as off-peak power is greatly valued as a power plant fuel and makes it reliable.

• Abundance: There are approximately over 300 years of economic coal deposits still accessible.

• Known Technologies: The production and use of coal as a fuel are well understood, and the technology required in producing it is constantly advancing.

• Safety: Coal fired plants are considered safer than nuclear power plants. Accidents are not as catastrophic as nuclear plants.

​

Disadvantages:

• Greenhouse gas emission: Coal leaves behind harmful by-products upon combustion. These byproducts cause a lot of pollution and contribute to global warming.

• Emission of harmful substances: Thermal plants like coal fired plants emit harmful substances to the environment. These include Mercury, Sulfur dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Selenium, and Arsenic.

• Generation of millions of tons of waste: Millions of tons of waste products which can no longer be reused are generated from coal fired plants.

• Mining destruction: Mining of coal not only results in the destruction of habitat and scenery, but also displaces human populations.

​

Applications

1. Electricity generation by utilizing the heat energy extracted from coal combustion.

2. Hot water supply from Combine Heat and Power (CHP) plant to residential areas.

3. Power generation from gasification and pyrolysis of coal.

​