Resources, coal

Synthetic oil is feasible and can be produced from coal or natural gas via synthesis gas (a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen obtained from incomplete combustion of coal or natural gas). However, these are themselves nonrenewable resources. Coal conversion was used in Germany during World War II by hydrogenation or. 

A nuclear power plant generates electricity in a manner similar to a fossil fuel plant. The fundamental difference is the source of heat to create the steam that turns the turbine-generator. A fossil plant relies on the combustion of natural resources (coal, oil) to create steam. A nuclear reactor creates steam with the heat produced from a controlled chain reaction of nuclear fission (the splitting of atoms). 

Hydrogen sulfide is commonly found in coal and petroleum deposits and may be mobilized by human manipulation of these resources. Coal gasification, a process whereby coal is subjected to heat and steam... 

We observe that we have drawn from nonrenewable resources and emitted waste at four times the rate corresponding to that for the reaction. Of course, this is all a consequence of choosing a material, nonrenewable resource, coal, as the reactant and supplier of required chemical work The use of fossil fuel and the inefficiency of processes are responsible for most of the waste in industry. Figures 13.15 and 13.16 give an impression of the size of waste [30], where we should note that in the chemical industry, things quickly get worse if we move, for example, from base chemicals to fine chemicals to pharmaceuticals. 

In 2002, the top four coal-producing states were Wyoming (373 million short tons [st]), West Virginia (150 million st), Kentucky (124 million st) and Pennsylvania (68 million st) (National Mining Association, 2003). Many other states also have significant resources. Coal can be shipped long distances by train at low cost. Thus, coal can be considered as an option for primary feedstock in all regions of the United States. 

The large-scale petroleum consumers are exploring ways to supplement the convenient liquid fuel and chemical feedstock aspects of a conventional petroleum resource. Coal could be used in this way since the known reserves of hard coal have an estimated life of more than 200 years. However, extraction of coal is generally more difficult, equipment to consume it directly is more complex, and efficient emission control is more complicated than for petroleum combustion. 

From their vast abundance, renewabihty and eco-friendly nature, it seems logical that in today s world, suffering from both the impending danger of depletion of non-renewable resources (coal/petroleum/natural gas), as well as an ever increasing waste disposal problem (due to the non-biodegradability of synthetic polymeric materials), modified polysaccharides designed for specific applications would be of immense importance. 

Since China is well-endowed with coal resources, coal likely would be the hydrogen source. This poses an interesting challenge. Greater coal usage would lead to increased emissions of carbon dioxide. At the same time, coal use would reduce competition for foreign sources of oil and probably lead to less regional air pollution because FCVs (cars or scooters) operate more cleanly than gas-powered alternatives. 

Until 1850, all organic consumer products and industrial raw materials were plant based. Within a relatively short period of 150 years, however, society changed from a mainly plant-based economy to an economy based on fossil resources coal until the end of the 19th century, mineral oil until approximately 1970, and nowadays more and more natural gas. In 1870, wood supplied 70% of the fuel demand, in 1920 70% came from coal, and in 1970 70% from mineral oil. 

Unlike gaseous, liquid, or renewable resources, coal can be stockpiled at the power station and stocks drawn on to meet demand without depending on primary supply. Because of the geographical diversity of coal reserves, some power stations can be located at mine-mouth and still be close to the market, thereby minimizing transmission and distribution losses. 

Indicated coal resources Coal for which estimates of the rank, quality, and quantity have been computed partly from sample analyses and measurements and partly from reasonable geologic projections the points of observation are 1/2-1 1/2 miles apart. Indicated coal is projected to extend as an 1/2 mile wide belt that lies more than 1/4 mile from the outcrop or points of observation or measurement. 

Inferred coal resources Coal in unexplored extensions of the d onstrated resources for which estimates of the quality and size are based on geologic evidence and projection quantitative estimates are based largely on broad knowledge of the geologic character of the deposit and for which there are few, if any, samples or measurements—the estimates are based on an assumed continuity or repletion of which there is geologic evidence this evidence may include comparison with deposits of similar type bodies that are completely concealed may be included if there is specific geologic evidence of their presence the points of observation are 1 1/2-6 miles apart. 

Chemical exploitation of renewable raw materials has a long tradition. Before the utilization of the fossil carbon resources coal and petroleum, they were the exclusive source of organic raw materials. Even today, a wide range of chemicals is produced on this basis, e.g. natural rubber, cellulose, fatty acids, ethanol and essential oils, citric acid, enzymes and antibiotics. In terms of quantity, around 8% of organic chemicals are recovered from renewable raw materials. Of the 20 Mt of renewable raw materials used annually, oils and fats have the largest share, amounting to some 40% (Figure 3.55). 

Coals are buried in the ground to extents of about lO tonnes (recoverable resources). Coals have been studied extensively both from an investigative point of view and also from an application point of view. About 5X10 tonnes of coal are utilized annually, worldwide. 

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