Coal – Energy, History, and Future Trends

Study Guide: Coal – Energy, History, and Future Trends

1. Brief History of Coal

• Ancient Use: Coal has been used for thousands of years (e.g., early heating and metalworking).

• 1600s: England’s "first energy crisis" led to increased coal use.

• 1700s–1800s: Steam engines and the Industrial Revolution made coal the dominant energy source.

• Regulations:

  • Clean Air Acts (UK & US) addressed coal pollution.

  • EPA (1970): Established to regulate environmental impacts.

2. Coal Extraction, Use, and Transportation

• Mining Methods:

  • Surface Mining: Removing topsoil to access coal (cheaper but environmentally destructive).

  • Underground Mining: Tunneling into deposits (higher safety risks).

• Types of Coal (Ranked by Energy Density & Carbon Content):

  • Anthracite (highest quality, rare)

  • Bituminous (most commonly used)

  • Sub-bituminous & Lignite (lower energy, higher moisture).

• Transportation: Rail, ships, and trucks (costly due to bulk).

3. Technologies to Reduce Negative Impacts

• Current Mitigation:

  • Washing/Grinding Coal: Reduces impurities but creates toxic sludge.

  • Fluidized Bed Boilers: Capture sulfur/nitrogen (10% efficiency loss).

  • Fly Ash Filtration: Bag filters or electrostatic precipitation (removes particulate matter).

• Future Tech:

  • Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS): Traps CO₂ emissions (still expensive/unproven at scale).

4. Advantages & Disadvantages

5. Future Trends

• Declining Use:

  • Coal is the least efficient fossil fuel (NG > Oil >> Coal).

  • Energy transitions prioritize phasing out coal (e.g., replaced by renewables/natural gas).

• Challenges:

  • CCUS adoption could prolong coal use but faces cost/tech barriers.

  • Developing nations still rely on coal for affordability.