Trystan Casey
Coal is a readily combustible sedimentary deposit composed predominantly of carbon. It is formed from compacted and chemically altered plant remains. Coal is burned to generate electricity, with about 38% of global electricity produced from coal. In coal-fired power plants, coal is burned to convert water into high-pressure steam, which drives a turbine that produces electricity. Coal is widely available, simple to transport and store, and cheap, assuming the significant health and environmental costs are not taken into account. However, burning coal releases harmful emissions, causing tens of thousands of premature deaths worldwide and contributing significantly to climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Why is coal burned for electricity? | Coal is a readily combustible sedimentary deposit composed predominantly of carbon. |
| Why is coal so widely used? | Coal is cheap, widely available, and relatively simple to transport and store. |
| How is coal used to generate electricity? | Coal is burned in coal-fired power plants to produce steam, which turns turbines to generate electricity. |
| What types of coal are used? | Bituminous coal, subbituminous coal, lignite, and anthracite are the most common types of coal used for electricity generation. |
| What are the environmental impacts of burning coal? | Burning coal releases greenhouse gases, contributes to air pollution, and causes respiratory illnesses and early deaths. |
| What are the alternatives to coal? | Wind, solar, natural gas, and renewable energy sources are possible alternatives to coal. |
| What are the challenges of transitioning away from coal? | The cost of renewable energy sources, job insecurity in the coal industry, and political issues are challenges in transitioning away from coal. |
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What You'll Learn
Coal is cheap and abundant
Coal is abundant and widely available around the world. It is a sedimentary deposit composed predominantly of carbon, which is readily combustible. Coal is also cheap, especially when its significant health and environmental costs are not taken into account. In addition, coal is relatively simple to transport and store.
Coal is used extensively in industries such as steel, cement, and paper production. It is also used to generate electricity, with about 38% of global electricity derived from coal. Coal-fired power plants burn coal to produce steam, which turns turbines to generate electricity. In 2022, coal accounted for about 19.5% of electricity generation in the United States, a decline from 23% in 2019.
The biggest coal deposit by volume is the Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana, estimated to contain 1.07 trillion short tons of coal resources. Coal is also converted into synthetic fuels or synfuels by heating it in large vessels. This process produces synthetic natural gas (syngas), which can be used to generate electricity and hydrogen.
Despite its abundance and affordability, coal burning contributes significantly to air pollution and illnesses, causing tens of thousands of premature deaths worldwide each year. Coal plants generate about 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and their emissions of particulates induce adverse medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease, low birth weight, and cancers.
Transitioning away from coal is challenging, especially for developing economies. The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like wind and solar poses a challenge for small and fast-growing grids. Additionally, renewable energy sources may not always be the cheapest option, and climate policies can be uncertain.
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It's simple to transport and store
Coal is relatively simple to transport and store, which is one of the reasons why it is widely used for electricity generation. Coal is transported in batches using a variety of methods, including rail, truck, water, air, and pipelines. Rail transportation is the most common mode for long-distance transport, with unit trains carrying 10,000 to 15,000 tons of coal in a single shipment. These unit trains operate in a dedicated shuttle service between a mine and its destination, with each railcar carrying upwards of 121 tons of coal. In the United States, about half of the coal carried by rail is transported by unit trains.
Trucks are more suitable for shorter distances and can negotiate severe grades and curves, while also requiring lower capital investments than railways. Waterways, such as rivers and lakes, have also played a significant role in coal transportation, especially in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Canada, and the United States. Barges are used to transport coal, with each barge having a capacity of up to 1,500 tons.
Pipelines are another method of coal transportation, where a mixture of crushed coal and water, known as coal slurry, is transported through slurry pipelines. Pneumatic systems are also used to convey coal particles efficiently and protect the environment from coal dust. This method utilizes fans, blowers, and compressors to move coal.
While coal is simple to transport, storing it requires careful handling. Coal is typically stored in piles or silos and can deteriorate and create safety hazards if not properly managed. Improperly stored coal can oxidize, resulting in a loss of heat content, and it may also self-ignite if heat is allowed to build up. To prevent oxidation, coal piles should be turned frequently and packed to minimize surface exposure.
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Coal-fired power plants emit harmful pollutants
Coal is widely used to generate electricity, accounting for about 38% of global electricity. However, burning coal releases harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, causing severe environmental and public health issues.
Coal-fired power plants emit various toxins and pollutants, including mercury, lead, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and heavy metals. These emissions contribute to air pollution and have detrimental effects on human health. Exposure to these pollutants can lead to respiratory illnesses, asthma, breathing difficulties, heart problems, and even premature death.
Sulfur dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants contribute to the formation of acid rain, which has further environmental consequences. Additionally, coal ash produced by power plants can contaminate waterways and drinking water supplies, posing risks to aquatic life and human health.
The environmental impact of coal mining also extends beyond air pollution. Mountaintop removal mining, for example, alters landscapes and can result in the obliteration of mountain streams and valleys. Water draining from these filled valleys may contain pollutants that harm aquatic ecosystems downstream.
Recognizing the harmful effects of coal-fired power plants, efforts have been made to reduce emissions and develop alternative energy sources. Pollution control technologies, such as scrubbers (flue gas desulfurization equipment), help remove sulfur and other impurities from coal plant emissions. Additionally, the transition to cleaner sources of electricity, such as wind and solar power, is gaining momentum as their costs become more competitive.
While the challenges associated with coal-fired power plants are significant, addressing them is crucial for mitigating the worst impacts of coal on the environment and public health. By reducing emissions, implementing pollution control measures, and transitioning to cleaner energy sources, we can work towards minimizing the harmful pollutants emitted by coal-fired power plants.
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Coal is used to produce steel
Coal is a vital source of electrical power, and it is also used in the production of steel. In fact, about 38% of global electricity comes from coal, and it is a mainstay for industrial uses. Coal is burned to make steam, and the steam turns turbines to generate electricity. However, burning coal has significant costs for humanity and the climate, as coal plants generate about 30% of all global greenhouse gas emissions.
Coal is used indirectly in the production of steel, as coal coke to smelt iron ore into iron. This is known as metallurgical or "met" coal. It is a vital ingredient in the steel-making process, providing the high temperatures needed for strength and flexibility in steel.
Metallurgical coal is heated in an oven at temperatures of up to 2060°F (1125°F) in the absence of oxygen, causing it to soften, liquefy, and then re-solidify into coke. This process takes between 12 and 36 hours. Coke is a porous, carbon-rich material that is mixed with iron ore and limestone to make molten iron, which is then further treated and heated to make steel.
The coking process is essential to ensure that the coke used in the blast furnace is of the highest quality, as this impacts the quality of the hot metal produced. The physical properties of coking coal are crucial, as they determine how the coal behaves when heated in the absence of air. The carbon content of the coke is particularly important, as it affects the blast furnace and the quality of the hot metal produced.
Overall, coal plays a significant role in the production of steel, providing the necessary heat and carbon for the process.
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Alternatives to coal are expensive
Coal is widely used for electricity generation and industrial uses. It is cheap, widely available, and easy to transport and store. However, burning coal has significant health and environmental costs. Coal plants generate about 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and the fumes released cause tens of thousands of premature deaths annually.
Despite the drawbacks, coal remains attractive because alternatives are expensive. For instance, natural gas burns cleaner and produces less carbon dioxide, but its transportation and storage are challenging due to its low density. Natural gas pipelines are economical but impractical across oceans. The use of natural gas on a large scale will also increase methane emissions.
Renewable energy sources like wind and solar power have become more affordable, but they are intermittent, which poses a challenge for small and fast-growing grids. Nuclear energy is another alternative, but it requires high initial investments and has issues with radioactive waste, water usage, and the risk of accidents and proliferation.
The transition to cleaner energy sources is further complicated by job concerns in the coal industry. Policymakers must address these challenges to facilitate a shift away from coal and towards more sustainable alternatives.
In summary, while coal is inexpensive and convenient, its environmental and health impacts are significant. Alternatives like natural gas, renewables, and nuclear power have their advantages but also face economic, technical, and social challenges. Addressing these challenges through policy interventions, green investments, and technological progress is crucial for a successful transition to cleaner energy sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Coal is readily combustible and is used as fuel to generate electric power. Coal-fired power plants burn coal to produce steam, which drives a turbine to generate electricity.
Coal-fired power plants are the largest single contributor to climate change, releasing approximately 12 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. They also generate about 30% of all global greenhouse gas emissions and cause tens of thousands of premature deaths worldwide each year due to noxious fumes and air pollution.
Alternatives to burning coal for electricity include wind, solar, natural gas, and biomass. However, wind and solar energy are intermittent and may not be reliable for small and fast-growing grids.
The biggest challenge in transitioning away from coal is finding a suitable replacement. In addition, job creation must be bundled with the transition to address both moral and political concerns. Finally, retrofitting existing coal-fired power stations with carbon capture and storage technology is very expensive and reduces energy output.
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