Coal Utilization

Section I Introduction to Coal and its Utilisation.- 1 What Is Coal?.- General Introduction.- History of Coal Usage.- Geological Origin.- Analysis and Testing of Coals.- Classification Systems.- Petrology and Macerals.- The Chemical Structure of Coal.- The Fine Physical Structure of Coal.- Chemical Reactions.- 2 Why is Coal Important?.- The Vital Importance of Energy.- The Role of Fossil Fuels.- The Inflexibility of Non-fossil Energy Sources.- Conclusions.- 3 How Much Coal?.- Estimates of Coal Resources.- World Energy Conference 1977.- World Energy Conference 1980.- WAES and WOCOL.- International Energy Agency (IEA).- Ford Foundation.- Estimates for the USA.- Conclusions.- 4 How Is Coal Won?.- Underground Mining.- Surface Mining.- Coal Preparation.- Transport and Storage.- Future Prospects.- 5 How can Coal be Used?.- Combustion.- Carbonisation.- Gasification.- Liquefaction.- Chemicals.- Conclusion.- Section II Technology of Coal Utilisation.- 6 Combustion.- Some Basic Considerations.- Pulverised Fuel Systems.- Fixed Bed Combustion Devices.- Fluidised Combustion.- Flue Gas Treatment Technology.- Coal-Oil Mixtures (COM).- Combustion of Low Grade Coal.- Advanced Combustion Systems.- Conclusions.- Appendix 1: Fluid Bed Combustion R & D Projects.- 7 The Carbonisation of Coal.- Scientific Basis.- Some Features of Coke Oven Design.- Coke Quality.- Coke Improvement: Blend Formulation.- Other Carbonisation Processes.- Formed Coke.- Modern Developments in Slot Oven Practice.- By-products.- Activated Carbons.- Environmental Aspects.- General Conclusions on Carbonisation.- 8 Gasification.- Gasifiers.- The Treatment of Gases Prior to Use.- Status of Gasification Development Programmes.- Gasification Systems.- Some Common Development Areas.- Conclusions.- 9 Liquefaction of Coal.- General Considerations and Background.- Historical Background.- Some Major Projects and Programmes.- Research and Supporting Technology.- Environmental Aspects.- Conclusions.- 10 Chemicals from Coal.- Historical Review.- Gasification/Synthesis.- Hydrogenation.- Supercritical Gas Extraction.- Pyrolysis and Hydropyrolysis.- Acetylene.- Carbon Products.- Conclusions.- 11 In-Situ Processes: Underground Coal Gasification.- Historical Background.- General Principles.- National Programmes.- Environmental Impact.- Utilisation of Gas.- Instrumentation and Control.- Other Possible In-situ Methods.- Conclusions.- Section III Economics of Coal Utilisation.- 12 General Considerations of Coal Utilisation Economics.- Coal Conversion.- Availability and Cost of Coal.- Conclusion on Coal Supply.- 13 Economics of Combustion and Power Generation.- The Economics of Coal Based Electricity Generation.- Industrial Combustion.- Domestic Combustion.- Coal-Oil Mixtures.- General Conclusions.- 14 Economics of Carbonisation.- General Economic Factors.- Conclusions.- 15 Economics of Coal Gasification.- PADB Studies.- Recent US Department of Energy Economic Assessments.- Recent German Estimates.- Other SNG Cost Assessments.- Low and Medium Btu Gas and Synthesis Gas.- Conclusions.- 16 The Economics of Liquefaction.- Sasol.- UK Assessment.- West German Assessments.- US Estimates.- Conclusions.- 17 Economics of Chemicals from Coal.- Synthesis Gas Routes to Chemicals.- Other Routes to Chemicals.- Conclusions.- 18 Economics of Underground Coal Gasification.- A General Framework.- Other Forecasts and Estimates.- Conclusions.- 19 Environmental Impact.- General Environmental Effects of Coal Utilisation.- Utilisation: Combustion.- Synthetic Fuels Manufacture.- Conclusions.- 20 Multi-Component Plants: Coalplexes.- and General Concepts.- Components of Coalplexes and their Relationships.- Economics.- The Establishment of Coalplexes.- Conclusions.- Section IV Coal in Energy Policies.- 21 Distribution of Coal in Relation to Energy Networks.- Distribution of Reserves.- Transport.- Economic Factors.- Reflections and Conclusions.- 22 Relationship of Coal to Nuclear Power and Other Energy Sources.- Energy Demand/Supply Balance.- Conventional Oil and Gas.- Unconventional Oil and Gas.- Limitations of Nuclear Power.- Fusion Energy.- Solar Energy.- Geothermal Energy.- Hydraulic Energy.- Tidal Energy.- Summary of Contribution from “Renewables”.- Conservation.- Other Energy Supply and Conversion Proposals.- Conclusions.- 23 Coal Utilisation in Relation to World Energy Strategies.- Existing Predictions and Policies for Coal.- Research and Development.- International Collaboration.- Some Current Initiatives.- The Strategic Importance of Coal and its Economic Impact.- General Conclusions.