Nonrenewable Reading

What Is Coal?

• Definition: Coal is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of plants from 100 to 400 million years ago.

• Formation: It originated from vast swampy forests. Fossilization occurred when decaying plant material was covered by dirt and water, subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years.

• Energy Source: The energy in coal today derives from the solar energy that the original plants captured through photosynthesis.

• Nonrenewable Resource: Coal is classified as nonrenewable due to the millions of years required for its formation.

• Seams of Coal: Vary in thickness, representing historical plant growth. E.g., the Pittsburgh seam is 7 feet thick, indicating 2,000 years of plant growth.

• Coal Reserves: The U.S. has vast reserves, classified into various types based on carbon content and energy yield.

History of Coal in America

• Indigenous Use: Indigenous Americans, such as the Hopi Tribe, utilized coal for various purposes before European settlers arrived.

• European Discovery: Coal was discovered by European settlers in the early 1600s but was initially underutilized.

• Industrial Expansion: By the 1800s, coal became crucial for manufacturing and powering steam engines, expanding further post-Civil War and into the electrical age.

• Energy Transition: Though dominant in the early 1900s, the demand for petroleum and natural gas led to a decline in coal's prominence.

Coal Classification and Usage

• Types of Coal: Classified based on carbon content:

  • Lignite: Contains 25-35% carbon; mainly used for electricity.

  • Subbituminous: Contains 35-45% carbon; used for energy generation.

  • Bituminous: Contains 45-86% carbon; prevalent for electricity and industrial processes.

  • Anthracite: Contains 86-97% carbon; high energy producer but less common.

• Major Uses: Primarily for electricity production (approx. 89% in 2022) and for industrial applications such as steel manufacturing.

Coal Production and Mining

• Mining Methods: Two main types:

  • Surface Mining: Dominant method; involves removal of overburden. Costs less and allows land reclamation. Represents 63% of coal extraction.

  • Underground Mining: Used for deeper seams. Includes methods like room-and-pillar and longwall mining.

• Transportation: Coal is mainly transported by train (more than 2/3 of U.S. coal) or river barges, with plants ideally located near extraction sites.

Coal Reserves and Production in the U.S.

• Reserves: Estimated over 145 billion tons of recoverable coal. Enough to last over 400 years at current usage rates.

• Geography: Coal found in 26 states; Montana has the largest reserves.

• Coal Production State Distribution: In 2022, Wyoming, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Kentucky produced significant portions of U.S. coal.

Environmental Impact of Coal

• Pollution Concerns: Historically, coal contributed to air and soil pollution; regulations like the Clean Air Act aim to mitigate this.

• Sulfur Dioxide Emissions: Scrubbing technology effective in reducing sulfur emissions from coal burning.

• Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Burning coal contributes to greenhouse gas levels, prompting a shift toward clean coal technologies.

• Clean Coal Technologies: Innovations like fluidized bed combustors, coal gasification, and carbon capture aim to reduce emissions while maintaining energy generation.

Future of Coal

• Decline in Use: Due to competition from natural gas and renewables.

• Reclamation Efforts: Ensuring mined lands are restored for future use remains a regulatory requirement.

• Carbon Capture Initiatives: Focused on capturing emissions to minimize environmental impact from coal combustion.

What Is Natural Gas?

• Definition: Nonrenewable fossil fuel primarily composed of methane, formed from sea plants and animals' remains, undergoing thousands of years of pressure and heat transformation.

• Uses: Widely used for heating, industry, and electricity generation, accounting for 35% of U.S. energy consumption.

Natural Gas Production

• Exploration: Geologists utilize surface analysis, seismic reflection, and gravity measurement to locate natural gas deposits.

• Extraction Methods: Deep drilling can reach beyond 8,600 feet. Natural gas is separated from other gases after extraction.

• Sources: Natural gas can also come from coalbed methane and landfill gases, each offering unique advantages.

Environmental Aspects of Natural Gas

• Burning: Produces fewer pollutants than coal; emits CO2 but less than alternatives, mitigating some air quality issues.

• Market Pricing: Prices fluctuated significantly, driven by local demands and global market trends.

Future Prospects for Natural Gas

• Shale Gas: Predicted to dominate future natural gas production through advancements in extraction technology.

• Environmental Responsibility: Transitioning to cleaner burning fuels and sustainable practices to minimize ecological footprints.

What Is Petroleum?

• Definition: Also termed as oil, is formed from marine organisms subjected to heat and pressure over millions of years. The transformation yields hydrocarbons, primarily used for energy and raw materials for various products.

• Extraction: Geologically promising sites are explored, and drilling is regulated for safety and sustainability.

• Refining: Crude oil undergoes refining to yield gasoline, diesel, and other essential petrochemicals.

Petroleum in the Economy

• Significance: Petrol's complex supply chain and frequent consumption make it a critical pillar of the economy.

• Environmental Concerns: Drilling and transportation risks contribute to pollution, necessitating strict regulatory oversight to mitigate environmental harm.

What Is Propane?

• Definition: A hydrocarbon gas found in natural gas and petroleum; easily liquefied for transportation and storage.

• Uses: Commonly employed in residential heating, cooking, and as an industrial fuel.

• Environmental Impact: Propane is considered clean-burning, contributing less to air pollution compared to other fossil fuels.