COAL
- Created by: wardk
- Created on: 08-07-16 10:37
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- COAL
- Formation
- Formed as dead trees gradually become increasing pure carbon as other materials e.g. Methane were squeezed out
- Extraction
- Deep or open cast mining
- Open cast is more mechanised, allows larger machinery and requires overburden to be removed, so only economic when reserves near surface
- Deep or open cast mining
- Availability
- A lot is unavailable because it is too deep, found in small quantities or inaccessible places
- Technology
- Coal that is too deep can be burnt underground under controlled conditions to produce a mixture of fuel gases (hydrogen, carbon monoxide + methane)
- Gasification allows exploitation of coal seams that are too deep, thin or fractured
- Fuel/ flue-gas desulfurisa- tion have reduced the acid rain caused by burning coal
- Transport & Storage
- Via train, barge, truck or slurry pipeline
- Stored by 'stacking' in open areas or closed coal silos
- Uses
- Allows the smelting of metal ores, generate electricity or in the iron/steel industry
- Environment Impacts
- Mining causes habitat loss, noise + dust pollution, subsidence
- Open cast may be aesthetically displeasing, land slip risk and may produce turbid drainage water
- Combustion releases large amounts of ash, CO2, CO, NOx, sulfur dioxide and smoke particulates.
- Formation
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