Production markets, potential coal

Modification Opportunities. Research Needs. By-product Market Potential, and Reoulatorv Requirements. Final Report on Technical Support for the Ohio Clean Coal Technology Program. Vol. II. Battelle, Columbus, Oh. 

Figure 2. Potential coal liquefaction production markets...

Many of the potential new markets for coal may necessitate that it be processed in ways other than traditional combustion. For example, if coal is to be used as a source of liquid fuels, there will be the need to refine such products, as many of the product constituents are not (in the produced state) compatible with petroleum-based fuels—the liquids from coal would need to be refined further. Such a refinery could well be a system consisting of one or more individual processes integrated in such a way as to allow coal to be processed into two or more products supplying two or more markets. 

Walker, S. 2000. Major Coalfields of the World, 2nd ed. London lEA Coal Research. (Out of print hard to find.) Provides a clear and comprehensive analysis of the world s coalfields considering the geology, structure, stratigraphy, quality, industry structure and performance, transport infrastructure, production costs, and market potential of each major coalfield. 

The importance of sulfur as an industrial chemical is discussed and forecasts of projected sulfur demand in the U.S. are given. Three processes for conversion of coal and oil shale to synthetic fuels are examined in some detail to show how the sulfur in the original feedstock material is recovered as elemental by-product sulfur. Three synthetic fuel scenarios are examined and their potential impact on sulfur availability with current and projected markets to the year 2000 are examined. 

In case of power-generating installations, the allocation of allowances at a level lower than their market development potential creates in practice a strong barrier to development. The purchase of additional allowances to enable higher production in coal-fired power plants means the growth of marginal production costs by more than 50% and cannot be compensated by the higher efficiency of that producer. 

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