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Coal is the primary energy for electric power and iron and steel production. The resource currently accounts for 30% of the global primary energy demand, fuels 41% of power generation and 80% of iron and steel production. Coal is also a precursor to a wide range of premium chemicals, gaseous and liquid fuels, and high-technology materials. Research on coal has been intensive for over a hundred years and there are many excellent books on various aspects of this valuable resource. Most of these books assume a basic working knowledge of coal science and technology. In contrary, this book presents the current state of knowledge on the basic physico-chemical properties of coal and the complex interrelationships with potential utilization applications. Perhaps the most topical issue with coal (and other fossil fuels) presently is the extensive atmospheric pollution which emanates from most utilization processes, and the global anti-fossil fuel movement is very strong. However, the reality is that fossil fuels currently fill around 80% of global primary energy demand and all recent projections indicate that the situation will not change significantly over the next few decades. Clearly the only potentially effective option is to 'clean-up' fossil fuel utilization processes. Options include reduction of pollution from mining, transportation and combustion processes, improved efficiencies of all processes upstream, operational and downstream stages in the life cycle chain, and changes in the fuel mix for power generation, with natural gas utilization rising at the expense of coal. Projections indicate that up to 30% reduction in fossil-fuel anthropogenic pollution could be achieved by 2040.
The topics covered in this book have been selected carefully to provide a basic starting point for newcomers to coal research as well as useful update for experienced researchers on the current state of knowledge through the comprehensive reviews of existing publications covering around a hundred years. There are thirteen chapters in two parts. This first part treats in depth the origin and structure of coal, the main physico-chemical, thermoplastic and weathering properties, interrelationships between properties and utilization potential, the prime role which coal plays currently in the global primary energy scene, in particular, power generation and iron and steel production. The future of coal as a primary energy resource is also discussed in some depth. Part 2 comprises six chapters on the utilization potentials of coal, from combustion for heat and power production, through carbonization for iron and steel production, to conversion to valuable gaseous and liquid fuels, chemicals and premium polymers and carbon materials. Chapter 12 deals extensively with the effects of fossil fuel pollution on the environment, with emphasis on coal which accounts for about 41% of the total energy-related anthropogenic emissions. The last chapter discusses in depth the cleaner coal technology options which have become available in the last two decades or so and those under development. The potential impact of these new technologies on pollution emissions is also discussed in depth.