What is coal?
Fossil fuels can be powered by various natural substances from within the earth. Although fossil fuels can be powered by the remains of dead organisms, they can also be fueled by coal. Coal is a brownish-black sedimentary rock. It is composed almost entirely of carbon. Coal was formed from the fossils of dead plants millions of years ago during the Paleozoic era.
Coal is a limited resource, which we are quickly running out of. We cannot produce our own coal because it takes millions of years to make. Coal regenerates so slowly that it actually exists in limited amounts. Therefore it is a non-renewable resource. If we continue to consume as much coal as we do, it is estimated that we will no longer have access to this resource after 250 years. However, the demand for coal is increasing as humans are continuing to consume more and more. After our coal supply is depleted, we will lose one of our most important methods of creating energy.
Coal is a limited resource, which we are quickly running out of. We cannot produce our own coal because it takes millions of years to make. Coal regenerates so slowly that it actually exists in limited amounts. Therefore it is a non-renewable resource. If we continue to consume as much coal as we do, it is estimated that we will no longer have access to this resource after 250 years. However, the demand for coal is increasing as humans are continuing to consume more and more. After our coal supply is depleted, we will lose one of our most important methods of creating energy.
obtaining coal
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Coal is found within the earth’s crust. To use coal for energy you must first extract it from underneath the ground. Coal can be mined on the surface or underground, in order to obtain it from the ground. There are many factors that separate a good coal mine from a bad one, such as climate, topography, and soil type. Mining coal in remote locations can cost extra. There are two different methods of mining coal. One being surface mining while the other is underground mining. Surface mining is primarily used for obtaining coal closer to the surface of the earth, while underground mining is used for extracting coal from deep within the earth’s surface.
Surface Mining is cheaper, safer and simpler than underground mining, therefore it is more common. In this process, huge mechanical machines are utilized to remove the excess layer of rocks (known as the overburden), in order to reach the coal hidden within. These machines are aided by conveyer belts and explosives. The soil is returned to the area, after all the coal has been obtained.
Even though surface mining is more common, most coal seems are too deep (up to 1000 ft below surface) and must be harvested through underground mining. In this process, brave miners ride elevators down the surface, to reach the caverns filled with coal. Special equipment is needed to create mine shafts in the ground. Hydraulic roof-supports and large pillars are used within the caverns to help prevent them from caving-in. Coal is then transported to the surface using the elevators.
Coal energy is one of the most commonly used energy sources. In order to produce electricity, coal is first grinded into smaller pieces. Power plants then burn this coal in a furnace while it is in mid air to produce steam. The reason why steam is produced is because there are several tubes that run through the furnace, which are filled with water. The water is heated by the coal to the point where it is boiling hot and has evaporated into steam. This causes a buildup in pressure. The steam is released from the tubes and passes through a turbine so quickly; it is able to spin the turbine thus producing electricity. Scrubbers made from limestone are used to filter out the toxic gases, which coal release when heated.
Surface Mining is cheaper, safer and simpler than underground mining, therefore it is more common. In this process, huge mechanical machines are utilized to remove the excess layer of rocks (known as the overburden), in order to reach the coal hidden within. These machines are aided by conveyer belts and explosives. The soil is returned to the area, after all the coal has been obtained.
Even though surface mining is more common, most coal seems are too deep (up to 1000 ft below surface) and must be harvested through underground mining. In this process, brave miners ride elevators down the surface, to reach the caverns filled with coal. Special equipment is needed to create mine shafts in the ground. Hydraulic roof-supports and large pillars are used within the caverns to help prevent them from caving-in. Coal is then transported to the surface using the elevators.
Coal energy is one of the most commonly used energy sources. In order to produce electricity, coal is first grinded into smaller pieces. Power plants then burn this coal in a furnace while it is in mid air to produce steam. The reason why steam is produced is because there are several tubes that run through the furnace, which are filled with water. The water is heated by the coal to the point where it is boiling hot and has evaporated into steam. This causes a buildup in pressure. The steam is released from the tubes and passes through a turbine so quickly; it is able to spin the turbine thus producing electricity. Scrubbers made from limestone are used to filter out the toxic gases, which coal release when heated.