Coal
Short DescriptionCoal is the world?s most abundant and widely distributed fossil fuel. Coal is classified by the amount of alteration the coal has undergone (i.e. heat and pressure during formation). Coal is also classified according to its sulphur, phosphorous, volatile and ash contents. Consecutive stages in evolution are from an initial peat stage, brown coal (or lignite), sub-bituminous coal, bituminous coal, and anthracite.
Sixty million years ago, the area where BNI now mines coal was a vast swamp. Plants died, fell into the water and decayed slowly. Eons later, the climate changed and rivers deposited material over the decaying vegetation. The weight of the overlying material pressed the vegetation into lignite seams. Geologists believe it took about 10 feet of decaying vegetation to form one foot of lignite.
List of UsesA beautiful drawing showing some of the many uses of coal. Over 56 percent of the electricity in U.S. is generated from coal. In fact, more than 84 percent of the coal consumed each year in the U.S. is used to generate electricity. It takes about one pound of coal to generate one kilowatt hour (kwh) of electricity.
Mining InformationWatch this nice flash piece that goes through the whole process of Coal Mining.
Refining InformationA step by step illustated guide to the steps in processing and refining coal, from the breaker to the wash plant, to where it is seperated, dried, and finally loaded out.
Explainatins of the processing of coal covering crushing, screening, cleaning (or benefication), briquetting, and loading.
Before it is exported most coal is cleaned and some of the mineral matter (ash) removed to make it more valuable. Though this 'coal preparation' is only part of the coal chain, it offers significant financial benefits by improving handling and transport, reducing pollution from coal-fired power stations and improving the quality of our coals.
Major Countries of ProductionChina, the United States, Australia and South Africa are the world?s major coal producers. Further statistics about output andf useage are available.
Including major countries of production, major uses, and major users.
This chart is for commercial solid fuels only, i.e. bituminous coal and anthracite (hard coal), and lignite and brown (sub-bituminous) coal.
Sector ForecastWorldwide coal consumption will increase 7.45% through 2002, primarily due to economic growth in China, and its share of the global energy market will move slightly upwards to 26.4% in 2002.
Highlighting information about market size and shares, trends in th market and technologies, trends affecting the coal industry, as well as consumption data.
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