Mercedes Mullins
Coal is a sedimentary rock composed predominantly of carbon and is readily combustible. It is used as a fuel to generate electricity and is also used in the production of steel, cement, and paper. In 2022, coal accounted for about 19.5% of US electricity generation and about 9.8% of total US energy consumption. Coal consumption has been declining in the US since 2005, primarily due to a decrease in the electric power sector. Globally, coal supplies just over a third of electricity generation, although this is expected to end by 2040. Coal consumption is projected to decrease in advanced economies but will likely increase in emerging economies with rising electricity demand, such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How coal is used for electricity | Coal-fired power plants burn coal to make steam, which turns turbines to generate electricity |
| Global electricity generation from coal | Just over a third (30%+) |
| US electricity generation from coal | 19.5% in 2022; 23% in 2019 |
| US coal consumption in 2022 | 513 million short tons (MMst) |
| US coal consumption as % of total energy consumption in 2022 | 9.8% |
| US coal consumption peak | 2005 |
| US coal reserves | 252 billion short tons as of January 2020 |
| Biggest coal deposit | Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana, with 1.07 trillion short tons of in-place coal resources |
| Coal ranks | Anthracite, highest rank; Bituminous, Subbituminous, Lignite |
| Other uses of coal | Steel production, cement production, carbon fibres and foams, medicines, tars, synthetic petroleum-based fuels, home and commercial heating |
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What You'll Learn
Coal-fired power plants use steam to turn turbines and generate electricity
Coal-fired power plants follow the Rankine cycle, which requires large amounts of water to be circulated. As a result, these plants are typically located near bodies of water. The steam used to turn the turbines is cooled and condensed back into water, which is then returned to the boiler to restart the process.
The burning of coal releases various pollutants, such as oxides of nitrogen and sulfur, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane. These emissions contribute to global warming and climate change. Despite being the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, coal still supplies just over a third of global electricity generation. In 2022, coal accounted for about 19.5% of U.S. electricity generation, with about 513 million short tons of coal consumed.
The specific amount of coal used to generate electricity can vary depending on the efficiency of the power plant and the heat content of the coal. A 1000 MWe coal plant, for example, uses approximately 9000 tonnes of coal per day, requiring a year's supply to be transported by a train 1100 kilometers long.
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Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel
Coal is a carbon-intensive energy source that is used to generate electricity and fuel. In 2022, about 513 million short tons of coal were consumed in the United States, accounting for about 9.8% of the country's total energy consumption. Coal-fired power plants burn coal to produce steam, which turns turbines to generate electricity. This process is used by many industries and businesses, contributing to coal's significant role in global energy production.
Despite a global shift towards renewable energy sources, coal still supplies just over a third of global electricity generation. China, the world's largest consumer of coal, has taken steps towards renewable energy but continues to play a significant role in coal consumption. In June 2023, China began operating the Taizhou coal-fired power plant, the third-largest plant in the world to be equipped with carbon capture technology. This technology is crucial in reducing the carbon footprint of coal-fired power plants.
Coal is considered the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel due to its high carbon content. When burned, coal releases a higher proportion of carbon molecules, resulting in increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to other fossil fuels. The carbon-intensity of coal contributes to its significant impact on the environment and climate change. Gregory Stephanopoulos, an MIT professor of chemical engineering, affirms that coal contains "a lot more carbon" than oil or gas.
The high carbon content in coal is due to its formation process. Coal was created over millions of years as plants growing in and near swamps decayed and were covered by water. The lack of oxygen caused the plants to slowly decompose, and the resulting substance, known as peat, was buried under layers of earth and minerals. As organic matter is buried in sediments, it undergoes cooking at higher temperatures, eventually forming coal.
While coal is being gradually phased out in many countries, it continues to be crucial in industries such as iron and steel production. To achieve net-zero emissions targets, the development and deployment of less polluting and more efficient technologies are necessary. Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) are essential in reducing emissions from existing coal-fired power plants, and the retirement of less efficient coal plants is also a crucial step towards reducing coal-related emissions.
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Coal is used to make steel
Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel and is the primary source of electricity generation in many countries. In 2022, coal accounted for about 19.5% of U.S. electricity generation, and coal consumption in the country totalled about 513 million short tons. China, on the other hand, consumes 30% more coal than the rest of the world combined. While coal is gradually being replaced for power generation in most countries, it is still crucial for iron and steel production.
Steel companies produce nearly 2 billion tons of high-strength material annually for bridges, buildings, railways, and roads. The furnaces melting iron ore to make steel consume vast amounts of coal. Coal is made into coal coke, which is then burned to produce carbon monoxide, reacting with the iron ore and providing the heat to melt the iron. This process gives steel the strength and flexibility needed for bridges, buildings, and automobiles.
The steel industry is a major coal consumer, and its furnaces consume large quantities of coal to reach the high temperatures required for steelmaking. The BF-BOF route is used for 71% of steel production, while the EAF route accounts for 29%. However, the steel industry is under pressure to reduce its carbon emissions, which account for about 8% of annual carbon dioxide emissions.
Some companies are piloting systems that use hydrogen or biochar in furnaces instead of coal, while others are considering retrofitting carbon capture devices to reduce emissions. Boston Metal, for example, uses electric currents to heat iron ore into a liquid, which then cools and converts into grey steel blocks. This process is emissions-free when powered by renewable electricity.
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Coal is used in cement production
Coal is a fossil fuel formed from vegetation subjected to high temperatures and pressure over millions of years. Its use has been declining in most countries due to its environmental impact, but it still supplies over a third of global electricity generation. In 2022, coal accounted for about 19.5% of U.S. electricity generation and 9.8% of total U.S. energy consumption.
Coal is also used in cement production, which is an extremely energy-intensive process. Historically, coal has been the preferred fuel for cement production due to its low price compared to other fuels like oil and gas, making it the most affordable fossil fuel option for the cement sector. Coal comprises around 85-90% of the fuel consumed by the global cement industry.
In India, coal is the dominant fuel used for cement production. However, the country has faced issues with inconsistent coal supplies, impacting the operations of cement and power plants. Other regions, such as Egypt, have also started utilizing coal for cement production due to the cost volatility of other fossil fuels.
The use of alternative fuels in cement production is gaining attention due to environmental concerns. Co-processing waste materials as alternative fuels, such as biomass, industrial waste, and scrap tires, can potentially reduce CO2 emissions from the cement industry. However, the reduction potential is often marginal, ranging from 1% to 5% in most cases.
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Coal is converted into synthetic natural gas (syngas)
Coal is a fossil fuel that supplies just over a third of global electricity generation. While coal is being phased out in most countries, it is still in use in some emerging economies, such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, where electricity demand is rising sharply. In 2022, coal accounted for about 19.5% of U.S. electricity generation and 9.8% of total U.S. energy consumption.
The chemical composition of syngas varies depending on the raw materials and processes used. Syngas produced by coal gasification typically contains 30-60% carbon monoxide, 25-30% hydrogen, 5-15% carbon dioxide, and 0-5% methane, along with smaller amounts of other gases. Syngas has less than half the energy density of natural gas.
To create synthetic natural gas, the syngas undergoes water gas shift reactions and methanation. The water gas shift reaction combines carbon monoxide with steam to create carbon dioxide and hydrogen. This reaction requires a metal catalyst. The goal of this process is to obtain methane, the main component of natural gas, so some carbon monoxide is retained.
Syngas is used as a source of hydrogen and as a fuel. It has a variety of chemical uses, including the production of methanol, ammonia, liquid fuels, and lubricants. Syngas can also be converted into transportation fuels such as gasoline and diesel through additional treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2022, about 513 million short tons of coal were consumed in the US, making up about 9.8% of the country's total energy consumption. Coal accounted for about 19.5% of US electricity generation in 2022.
Coal-fired power plants burn coal to produce steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity.
Coal is used in the production of steel, cement, carbon fibres, foams, medicines, tars, synthetic petroleum-based fuels, and home and commercial heating.
China consumes 30% more coal than the rest of the world combined. However, due to the expansion of renewables, its consumption is expected to level off. In the US, coal consumption has been declining since 2005. In contrast, emerging economies like India, Indonesia, and Vietnam are witnessing a rise in coal demand due to increasing electricity and industrial needs.
