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The article focuses on the evolving depiction of domestic ecology in Victorian literature, exploring themes such as the symbolic use of coal in Charles Dickens's works, the growing awareness of coal's environmental impacts. Topics include the transformation of Scrooge's character through increased coal consumption in "A Christmas Carol," Dickens's critique of industrial pollution in "Bleak House," and the portrayal of domestic pollution as a sensational risk in Victorian sensation fiction.

• The coal dust explosion residues are still capable of exploding. • Coal dust and its explosion residues were compared on HRR and flame speed. • Chemical functional groups of multiple explosion residues were investigated. • Residues explosion is a solid-state reaction dominated by fixed carbon. The complex post-explosion environment in a coal mine can induce multiple methane explosions, in which coal dust explosion residues might be involved. To investigate the explosion possibility and characteristics of coal dust explosion solid residues, tests were carried out in a 20 L explosion device. The results show that the collected coal dust solid residues remain capable of exploding. Unexpectedly, the explosion intensity of residues is still strong, despite being weaker than that of coal dust: the residues are characterised by a slower flame propagation speed and a lower heat release rate than that of coal dust. The re-explosion product analysis shows that more holes appeared and the elemental contents of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen decreased. Proximate analysis and FTIR analysis reveal that fixed carbon, instead of volatile matter and chemical bonds, in these residues is further combusted in the re-explosion process. The research results are of significance when assessing explosion hazards arising from coal dust explosion residues in a coal mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hangzhou is one of the most serious acid rain polluted cities in China due to rapid economic development and increasing coal consumption. In order to study concrete erosion caused by acid rain and corresponding economic loss in Hangzhou, acid rain status in Hangzhou was analyzed from 1983 to 2015, and concrete damage was field surveyed, then laboratory sulfate attack experiments were conducted under dry-wet cycling based on the similar erosion intensity, after that, economic loss by acid rain on residential concrete structures in Hangzhou was estimated. The research shows that Hangzhou is moderate or strong erosion during the last thirty years. Sulfate attack results in concrete loose and powdery, and concrete mass growth while cube strength of concrete decreases. The economic loss of acid rain pollution is over 2 million US$ per annum in Hangzhou. It is believed that acid rain control has a long way to go in Hangzhou. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor air pollution from bituminous coal combustion has been linked to the extremely high lung cancer rates of nonsmoking women in Xuan Wei County, Yunnan Province, China. Venting the smoke outdoors by installing chimneys was found to be effective at reducing the lung cancer risk in a cohort study of 21,232 farmers in central Xuan Wei. However, the lung cancer mortality rates in all 1.2 million residents of Xuan Wei have been increasing dramatically over the last four decades. It was higher than that in Yunnan Province and China overall, with significant heterogeneities in the geographic patterns of Xuan Wei. Intervention measures targeting certain types of coal or certain carcinogenic components in coal smoke need to be explored. To inform targeted intervention policies, it is essential to pinpoint the specific substance (particulate matter, organic extract, PAHs, free radicals, crystalline silica, and inorganic matter) that might account for the carcinogenicity of bituminous coal smoke. Exploring the underlying carcinogenesis mechanisms would also contribute to the intervention and control of the lung cancer epidemic in Xuan Wei, China. Here we review the suspected carcinogens and carcinogenesis mechanisms and discuss future research directions towards a better understanding of the etiology of lung cancer in Xuan Wei, China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since beginning operations in Central Appalachia, coal producers have economically exploited residents and exposed them to severe health risks associated with pollution. Despite causing these problems, the industry enjoys vigorous popular support. Drawing on nine months of immersive ethnography in "Shale County," this article examines why many Appalachians endorse the coal industry despite its negative externalities. I find that Appalachia's subordinate relationship to the rest of the nation plays a profound role in conditioning the region's pro-industry, anti-environmental views. Many Appalachians feel like the federal government neglects them, and like urban America, devalues them. Drawing upon Antonio Gramsci's theory of hegemony, I show how the coal industry capitalizes upon these feelings by promoting coal heritage —a carefully curated cultural construction that emphasizes selective aspects of Appalachian history while erasing those that challenge its domination. Coal heritage, I show, conveys environmentalism as an attack on Appalachians' right to economic opportunity, their role in the national division of labor, and their moral worth. It frames industry representatives, on the other hand, as guardians of regional interests and values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay juxtaposes works about East Kentucky coal communities by Elmore Leonard and bell hooks to consider what "coal identity politics" might be in the Anthropocene. The election of Donald Trump enabled new performances of white supremacy, in part through his appeal to coal nostalgia. At the same time, his environmental policies pose a threat to that little progress achieved by the Paris Accord. This entanglement demands a more nuanced approach to the affective dimensions of nostalgia from scholars of the Anthropocene. This essay explores the consequences of the nostalgia evoked in representations of coal mining communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Recently it has been shown that there are two types of magnetite particles in the human brain, some, which occur naturally and are jagged in appearance, and others that arise from industrial sources, such as coal fired power plants, and are spherical. In order to confirm the latter, the magnetic component of coal ash is first purified and characterized by XRD, showing that it is magnetite with an average particle size of 211 nm. Studies confirm the coal ash magnetic behavior, and that the magnetite is not bound to the other components of coal ash but exist as an isolatable component. SEM studies confirm that in the process of burning coal at very high temperatures for industrial uses, the magnetite formed is spherically shaped, as recent studies of brain tissues of highly exposed urban residents have found. As such, the use of coal for industrial applications such as coking in the production of steel and in power plants is indicated to be a major source of the spherical magnetic combustion-associated magnetite fine particle and nanoparticle environmental pollution. The capacity of these magnetic particles to penetrate and damage the blood-brain-barrier and the early development of Alzheimer's disease hallmarks in exposed populations calls for detail analysis of magnetic fine and nanoparticle distribution across the world. Summation: Industrial coal usage produces spherical magnetic particles and nanoparticles, identical to those associated with neurological disorders. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Burning coal results in the formation of magnetite fine particles and nanoparticles. • These magnetic particles are completely unbound from the coal fly ash. • These magnetite particles are spherical in nature, just as those associated to extensive cellular damage in human brains. • Their size (<200 nm) allows them to easily penetrate through the nasal, lung and gastrointestinal ports of entry and reach the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sources of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) in Xi'an, China, are investigated based on 1-year radiocarbon and stable carbon isotope measurements. The radiocarbon results demonstrate that EC is dominated by fossil sources throughout the year, with a mean contribution of 83±5% (7±2 μgm-3). The remaining 17±5% (1:5±1 μgm-3) is attributed to biomass burning, with a higher contribution in the winter (~ 24 %) compared to the summer (~ 14 %). Stable carbon isotopes of EC (δ13CEC) are enriched in winter (-23:2±0.4 %) and depleted in summer (-25:9±0:5 %), indicating the influence of coal combustion in winter and liquid fossil fuel combustion in summer. By combining radiocarbon and stable carbon signatures, relative contributions from coal combustion and liquid fossil fuel combustion are estimated to be 45% (median; 29 %-58 %, interquartile range) and 31% (18 %-46 %) in winter, respectively, whereas in other seasons more than one half of EC is from liquid fossil combustion. In contrast with EC, the contribution of non-fossil sources to OC is much larger, with an annual average of 54±8% (12±10 μgm-3). Clear seasonal variations are seen in OC concentrations both from fossil and non-fossil sources, with maxima in winter and minima in summer because of unfavorable meteorological conditions coupled with enhanced fossil and non-fossil activities in winter, mainly biomass burning and domestic coal burning. (δ13cOC exhibited similar values to δ13CEC, and showed strong correlations (r2 D 0:90) in summer and autumn, indicating similar source mixtures with EC. In spring, δ13cOC is depleted (1.1 %-2.4 %) compared to δ13CEC, indicating the importance of secondary formation of OC (e.g., from volatile organic compound precursors) in addition to primary sources. Modeled mass concentrations and source contributions of primary OC are compared to the measured mass and source contributions. There is strong evidence that both secondary formation and photochemical loss processes influence the final OC concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world’s largest consumer of coal, China is now facing serious pollution of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) produced by coal utilization processes, i.e., coal-related PAHs, which should be of concern for relevant policy-makers. Based on the interrelationships among coal-related PAHs emission, coal consumption and socio-economic development, this study applied a coupled method of system dynamics (SD) and geographic information system (GIS) to successfully model the spatiotemporal changing processes of coal-related PAHs emission reduction in China’s 31 provinces. In these models, four different policies including industry structure adjustment, energy consumption structure adjustment, industrial emission control and household emission control were quantitatively designed to evaluate the emission reduction differences from national and provincial perspectives. And then, cluster analysis was used to identify the provinces with similar policy effects. The results indicated that, without any policy stimulation, atmospheric coal-related PAHs emission in China would maintain a gradual growth trend. The implementation of energy consumption structure adjustment had better national emission reduction effect than the other three policies, while not all provinces could succeed in emission reduction when the four policies were implemented, respectively. Besides, the different policy effects among provinces resulted from their development discrepancies in industry structure, energy structure and emission source characteristics. Therefore, to simultaneously realize the maximum national emission reduction effect and the integrated emission reduction for different provinces, all provinces should take energy consumption structure adjustment as the guiding policy and consider their targeted policies as supplementary. In short, the coupled SD-GIS method can be used to comprehensively analyze the spatiotemporal variations of unconventional atmospheric pollutants and the specific impacts of pollution control policies, which will provide a theoretical basis for local governments to reasonably direct the coordinated development of regional economy, energy structure and environmental quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal-to-olefin (CTO) projects, an energy strategy, are increasing in number in China but suffer from high consumption and pollution. In this study, a life cycle assessment is studied to determine whether oil field gas-assisted CTO systems have the potential to solve these problems. Oil-to-olefin is presented for comparison. Results showed that the current CTO scenario generally exerts a higher environmental impact than oil-to-olefin. The effects on carcinogens, climate change, and fossil depletion, which were provided mainly by chromium to water, carbon dioxide to air, and hard coal consumption, respectively, are the main contributors to the environmental burden. Oil field gas-assisted coal-to-methanol production decreases the potential impact on climate change, carcinogens, and fossil depletion by 40%, 9%, and 50%, respectively, because it consumes less coal (>73%) than conventional coal-to-methanol production. Oil field gas-assisted CTO is an attainable and effective means of carbon reduction in the CTO industry in China. It is highly recommended for further improving the environmental performance of the CTO industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a well-known fact that coal when exposed to air, undergoes oxidation, even at ambient temperature conditions.The process is exothermic in nature. If the amount of heat liberated during the process is not dissipated, it leads to an increase in temperature, which in turn enhances the rate of reaction, ultimately culminating in open fire. These fires are the major causes of accidents resulting in loss of lives and property across the globe. Apart from loss of valuable coal reserves, blockage of resources and capital, reduction of heating values and coking properties; it also causes serious environmental pollution. However, all coals are not susceptible to auto-oxidation to the same extent. Therefore, accurate assessment of the oxidative tendency is essential to plan the production and storage capabilities in mines.There are different innovations and technologies available in various parts of world to assess and control spontaneous heating tendency, till date there is no unanimity to adopt single method for its assessment. In this study, an attempt has been made to study the auto-oxidative tendency of Indian coal seams by using different thermal technique (DTA). For this purpose 48 coal samples were collected from all major coalfields of the country.The intrinsic properties of these samples were determined using proximate analysis and bomb calorimeter. Correlation study between the intrinsic parameters and susceptibility indices indicate that DTA can be a better method for assessment of the auto-oxidation potential of coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eliška Mine waste coal heap burned intensely in the 1960s and 1980s, and even now, on the surface of the heap, active vents still occur from which warm air (temperature 25–35 °C) and water vapor escape. In the neighborhood of active vents, the surficial part of the heap is enriched in hydrocarbon condensates (HCC). Based on differences in optical reflectance and fluorescence color, two types of HCC were identified: The A-type HCC with yellow fluorescence and very low reflectance (~ 0.30%), which occurs as a binding material or filler of cracks in inorganic and organic particles, and the B-type HCC without fluorescence and with higher reflectance (1.04 to 1.08%). These HCC are probably formed through condensation of organic pyrolysates on the heap surface in various stages of burning, and the two types of HCC most probably reflect a gradual decrease in burning temperature and progressive cooling of the heap surface. This assumption is supported by the chemical composition of HCC extracts, revealing volatile compounds that have formed at various temperatures. Changes in the distribution of n -alkanes, O-, N-, and S-containing compounds also occurred in the chemical fingerprint. The zone enriched in condensates of semivolatile hydrocarbons was also enriched in Hg and S relative to the burnt heap substrate. The underlying argilite zone consisted of a mixture of clay minerals (illite, kaolinite and smectite), jarosite, alunite, and amorphous SiO 2 , together with mullite, cristobalite, trydimite, and sanidine. This mineral association indicates that argillitization affected the burnt heap substrate (the clinker), which forms a footwall of HCC-enriched and argilite zones. The origin of argilites is thought to be due to the exposure of clinker to water vapor containing high concentrations of H 2 SO 4 and H 2 S at a late stage of burning. The leaching yields of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) present in the waste samples was determined using batch and percolation tests. The concentrations of Hg, Pb, and Cd in some leachates exceeded the limit values for inert wastes according to EU legislation. However, the concentration of other PHEs was low, probably due to prolonged washout of burnt materials by rainwater at a very low pH (1.5 to 4.6). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental goods and bads are accumulated and unequally distributed along the coal supply chain, producing environmental injustices where actors deployed values and representations of coal to either resist or legitimize its extraction and consumption. This paper analyzes those valuation languages along the coal chain and their relationships with the territory where coal is extracted and burned. The paper examines and compares the coal chains between Colombia-Netherlands and Colombia-Turkey, assessing the various dimensions of the ecological distribution conflicts. The coal chain is analyzed through different layers and scales. To identify the valuation languages along both coal chains, semi-structured interviews and secondary data analysis were conducted. Discourse analysis methodologies were used to determine the frequency and relevance of the valuation languages. Results show that multiple valuation languages appear, which are peculiar to each country and to the economic and political contexts in which the different stages of coal chain are embedded. Environmental justice actions taken along the coal chain with the focus on acknowledging these multiple valuation languages are also discussed. In conclusion, the analysis reveals that these actions depend on the willingness of social actors to give up or negotiate their valuation languages or on the power to impose them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an energy source, coal has had an important place throughout the history of the development of societies. On the other hand, the environmental problems that arise from the fact that the coal is a fossil fuel have made coal-based energy politics controversial. This study examines the relationship between coal consumption, income level and CO2 emissions in Turkey for the period of 1965-2016. The findings of the time series analysis support the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis and conservation hypothesis in the long term in Turkey for the mentioned period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A geochemical investigation of both ballfield sediment and street sediment in a park adjacent to a major steel manufacturing site in Middletown, Ohio revealed Pb, Cu, Cr and Zn exceeded background levels, but in heterogeneous ways and in varying levels of health concern. Pb, Sn, and Zn had geoaccumulation values > 2 (moderate to heavy pollutants) in street sediment samples. Cr had a geoaccumulation value > 1, while Ni, W, Fe and Mn had geoaccumulation values between 1 and 0 in street sediment. Street sediment contamination factors for respective elements are Zn (10.41), Sn (5.45), Pb (4.70), Sb (3.45), Cr (3.19), W (2.59), and Mn (2.43). The notable elements with the highest factors for ball fields are Zn (1.72), Pb (1.36), Cr (0.99), V (0.95), and Mn (1.00). High correlation coefficients of known constituents of steel, such as Fe and Mo, Ni and Cr, W and Co, W and V, as well as particulate steel and coal spherule fragments found by SEM suggest probable sourcing of some of the metals from the AK Steel facility directly adjacent to the park. However, overall extensive heterogeneity of metal pollutants in the area points to the difficulties in sourcing pollutant metals, with many outside sources likely contributing as well. This study demonstrates that different sediment media can be impacted by significantly different metal pollutants even when in very close proximity to a single source and points to unrecognized complexity in urban pollution processes in the region. This study pertains to large-scale regional importance, as Middletown, Ohio is indicative of a typical post-industrial Midwestern U.S. city where limited investigation has been conducted regarding urban pollution and sourcing of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the largest coal consumer in China, the coal-fired power plants have come under increasing public concern in regard to atmospheric mercury pollution. This study developed an up-to-date and high-resolution mercury emission inventory of Chinese coal-fired power plants using a unit-based method that combined data from individual power plants, provincial coal characteristics, and industry removal efficiencies. National mercury emissions in 2015 were estimated at 73 tons, including 54 tons of elemental mercury, 18 tons of gaseous oxidized mercury and 1 ton of particle-bound mercury. Pulverized coal boilers emitted 65 tons, mainly in the coastal provinces and coal-electricity bases. Circulating fluidized bed boilers emitted 8 tons, mainly in Inner Mongolia and Shanxi Province. The average mercury emission intensity over the Chinese mainland was 18.3 g/GWh, which was similar to the limit for low-rank coal-fired units in the United States. The overall uncertainty of national mercury emission was estimated to be -19% to 20%, with the mercury content in coal being the major contributor. In most provinces, monthly mercury emissions generally peaked in December and August However, monthly partition coefficients of southwest China were obviously lower than other regions from June to October due to the high proportion of hydropower generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 6600 coal-fired power plants serve an estimated five billion people globally and contribute 46% of annual CO2 emissions. Gases and particulate matter from coal combustion are harmful to humans and often contain toxic trace metals. The decades-old Kosovo power stations, Europe's largest point source of air pollution, generate 98% of Kosovo's electricity and are due for replacement. Kosovo will rely on investment from external donors to replace these plants. Here, we examine non-CO2 emissions and health impacts by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to analyze trace metal content in lignite coal from Obilic, Kosovo. We find significant trace metal content normalized per kWh of final electricity delivered (As (22.3 ± 1.7), Cr (44.1 ± 3.5), Hg (0.08 ± 0.010), and Ni (19.7 ± 1.7) mg/kWhe). These metals pose health hazards that persist even with improved grid efficiency. We explore the air-pollution-related risk associated with several alternative energy development pathways. Our analysis estimates that Kosovo could avoid 2300 premature deaths by 2030 with investments in energy efficiency and solar PV backed up by natural gas. Energy policy decisions should account for all associated health risks, as should multilateral development banks before guaranteeing loans on new electricity projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of acid treatments on the chemical structure and pyrolysis behavior of coal, we examined the low-rank Zhundong coal pretreated by four single acids (HCl, HF, H2SO4, HNO3) and a combined acid (HCl-HF-HCl). Our results indicated that the carboxylic and phenolic hydroxyl contents of the coal increased, while the aliphatic and aromatic hydrogen contents decreased after leaching. Nitric acid destroyed long aliphatic chains in coal, which caused the key pyrolysis stage to occur at lower temperature, the number of volatiles increased, and the pyrolysis rate improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water mobility in coal plays an important role in achieving the high performance of coalbed methane (CBM) recovery from coal. To better understand this phenomenon, a systematical investigation of water imbibition and drainage was conducted experimentally using high rank coals collected from Qinshui Basin of China. The results show the shapes of the T 2 spectrum for water imbibition and drainage experiments generally distribute with the bimodal pattern with a higher left peak around 1 ms and a lower right peak around 50–100 ms. The cumulative imbibition water content ranges from 3.09 to 6.54 vol% under the 0 MPa saturated hydraulic pressure at vacuumed state, which is accounting for 58.30–91.07% of total imbibition water content, and grows exponentially with the increasing of saturated hydraulic pressure. The cumulative drainage water content ranges from 0.53 to 1.71 vol%, and residual water content varies from 3.47 to 6.73 vol%, which latter is accounting for 72.1–88.46% of the total imbibition water content. The imbibition and drainage water contents increase with the total pore volume increasing. The well-developed macropores and mesopores increase the drainage water content and rate, while the micropores mainly contribute to the residual water content. The cumulative imbibition water content is positively related to inertinite content but negatively related to ratio of vitrinite to inertinite and ash yield, whereas it is just the opposite for drainage water content and rate. As it is expected, the increasing wetting angle generally increases the drainage water content and rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coal self-heating phenomena in mines are the main events, which uncontrolled and un-fought against, cause loss of useful substances, materials and even human lives. In order to counteract the effects of these phenomena, their statistical study helps to identify the risks of spontaneous combustion in case of applying different exploitation methods in certain mining conditions, and by applying specific control measures these risks can be diminished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Worldwide there is a growing range of mathematical models that try to meet the requirements of studying the causes of spontaneous combustion, and how to prevent and combat them. Correlation of these models with realities in the field is the next major challenge, taking into account the many variables that appear in the description of these phenomena. Thus, by conducting a case study of a self-heating phenomenon, it is aimed to answer the question whether the current mathematical models can be used on a general scale or are still at the particular model level for certain strict conditions of coal beds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the economic feasibility and environmental benefits of an alternative technology that converts coal and biomass to liquid fuels (CBTL), using West Virginia as a real case scenario. A mixed integer linear programming model was developed to analyze the economic feasibility. A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) model was also developed to analyze the environmental benefits. Sensitivity analyses on required selling price (RSP) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of CBTL fuels were conducted according to feedstock availability and price, biomass to coal mix ratio, conversion rate, internal rate of return (IRR), capital cost, operational and maintenance cost. The results showed the price of coal had a more dominant effect on RSP than that of biomass. Different mix ratios and conversion rates led to RSP ranging from $104.3 – $157.9/bbl. LCA results indicated that GHG emissions ranged from 80.62 kg CO 2 eq to 101.46 kg CO 2 eq/1000 MJ of liquid fuel at various biomass to coal mix ratios and conversion rates if carbon capture and storage (CCS) was applied. Most of the water and fossil energy were consumed in the conversion process. Compared to petroleum-derived-liquid fuels, the reduction in GHG emissions could be between −2.7% and 16.2% with CBTL substitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of organic matter and heavy metals (Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, As and Cd) were analyzed in soils around the coal-fired power plant in Jinsha (Guizhou Province, China), and the ecological risks of these heavy metals were evaluated by using the ecological risk warning assessment. The results showed that the concentration of organic matter in soils was high with the average value up to 41.54 g/kg, which met the threshold limit for the concentration of organic matter at level 1. The concentration of organic matter in the study area was above the level of lack or the level of urgency. The results from the correlation analysis showed that there were correlations between organic matter and speciation of the heavy metals (except Pb). The results from the ecological risk warning assessment showed that the order for the risk probability of individual ecological risk index above the level of no alarm was: Hg > Cu = Pb >Zn >As = Cd. The Comprehensive indices revealed that the probability was 15.62% for the sample locations at no alarm level, while the probabilities were 3.13% , 40.63% , 21.87% and 18.75% for sample locations at the levels of early warning, light warning, medium warning and serious warning, respectively. The results indicated that the ecological environment in this area has been adversely affected to some extent, and thus the treatment of heavy metals pollution should be strengthened in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal is currently a major electric power generation source in South Korea when considering that forty-three percent of electricity that was generated during the first quarter of 2017 came from coal. The amount of CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plant is two times larger than that from natural gas (NG)-fired power plant in the country. In this regard, the Korean government is trying to replace some amount of coal that is used for generation with NG to reduce CO2 emissions. However, the cost of NG-fired generation is about 1.25 times higher than that of coal-fired generation. Thus, the policy-makers demand information about the household willingness to pay (WTP) for the replacement to mitigate CO2 emissions. This paper applies the contingent valuation (CV) approach, and assesses the household's WTP for replacing one kWh of coal-fired power with that of NG-fired power. For this purpose, a total of 1000 South Korean households were involved in the CV survey employing a dichotomous choice question. In addition to the current electricity price, KRW 121.52 (USD 0.11) per kWh, the respondents were willing to pay KRW 25.35 (USD 0.02) per kWh. The costs of NG-fired and coal-fired generation are KRW 100.13 and 78.05, respectively, per kWh. The difference between the two is KRW22.08 per kWh, which is smaller than the mean additional WTP (KRW25.35 per kWh). The household's additional WTP is bigger than the actual additional cost. It is concluded that the switch of power generation source from coal to NG to reduce CO2 emissions can be supported by South Korean households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bulk of Earth's coal deposits used as fossil fuel today was formed from plant debris during the late Carboniferous and early Permian periods. The high burial rate of organic carbon correlates with a significant drawdown of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) at that time. A recent analysis of a high-resolution record reveals large orbitally driven variations in atmospheric CO2 concentration between ~150 and 700 ppm for the latest Carboniferous and very low values of 100 ± 80 ppm for the earliest Permian. Here, I explore the sensitivity of the climate around the Carboniferous/Permian boundary to changes in Earth's orbital parameters and in atmospheric CO2 using a coupled climate model. The coldest orbital configurations are characterized by large axial tilt and small eccentricities of Earth's elliptical orbit, whereas the warmest configuration occurs at minimum tilt, maximum eccentricity, and a perihelion passage during Northern hemisphere spring. Global glaciation occurs at CO2 concentrations <40 ppm, suggesting a rather narrow escape from a fully glaciated Snowball Earth state given the low levels and large fluctuations of atmospheric CO2. These findings highlight the importance of orbital cycles for the climate and carbon cycle during the late Paleozoic ice age and the climatic significance of the fossil carbon stored in Earth's coal deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollutant emissions, fuel consumption, and household air pollution were investigated in rural Hubei, central China, as a revisited evaluation of an intervention program to replace coal use by wood in gasifier stoves. Measured emission factors were comparable to the results measured two years ago when the program was initiated. Coal combustion produced significantly higher emissions of CO 2 , CH 4 , and SO 2 compared with wood combustion; however, wood combustion in gasifier stoves had higher emissions of primary PM 2.5 (particles with diameter less than 2.5 μm), Elemental Carbon (EC) and Organic Carbon (OC). In terms of potential impacts on climate, although the use of wood in gasifier stoves produced more black carbon (6.37 vs 910 gCO 2 e per day per capita from coal and wood use) and less SO 2 (-684 vs -312), obvious benefits could be obtained owing to greater OC emissions (-15.4 vs -431), fewer CH 4 emissions (865 vs 409) and, moreover, a reduction of CO 2 emissions. The total GWC 100 (Global Warming Potential over a time horizon of 100 years) would decrease by approximately 90% if coal use were replaced with renewable wood burned in gasifier stoves. However, similar levels of ambient particles and higher indoor OC and EC were found at homes using wood gasifier stoves compared to the coal-use homes. This suggests critical investigations on potential health impacts from the carbon-reduction intervention program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An aerosol chemical speciation monitor (ACSM) was deployed to study the primary nonrefractory submicron particulate matter emissions from the burning of commercially available solid fuels (peat, coal, and wood) typically used in European domestic fuel stoves. Organic mass spectra (MS) from burning wood, peat, and coal were characterized and intercompared for factor analysis against ambient data. The reference profiles characterized in this study were used to estimate the contribution of solid fuel sources, along with oil combustion, to ambient pollution in Galway, Ireland using the multilinear engine (ME-2). During periods influenced by marine air masses, local source contribution had dominant impact and nonsea-spray primary organic emissions comprised 88% of total organic aerosol mass, with peat burning found to be the greatest contributor (39%), followed by oil (21%), coal (17%), and wood (11%). In contrast, the resolved oxygenated organic aerosol (OOA) dominated the aerosol composition in continental air masses, with contributions of 50%, compared to 12% in marine air masses. The source apportionment results suggest that the use of domestic solid fuels (peat, wood, and coal) for home heating is the major source of evening and night-time particulate pollution events despite their small use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative environmental impact of coal combustion has been known to humankind for a fairly long time. Sulfur and nitrogen oxides are considered the most dangerous anthropogenic emissions. A possible solution to this problem is replacing coal dust combustion with that of coal water slurry containing petrochemicals (CWSP). Coal processing wastes and used combustible liquids (oils, sludge, resins) are promising in terms of their economic and energy yield characteristics. However, no research has yet been conducted on the environmental indicators of fuels based on CWSP. The present work contains the findings of the research of CO, CO2, NOx, SOx emissions from the combustion of coals and CWSPs produced from coal processing waste (filter cakes). It is demonstrated for the first time that the concentrations of dangerous emissions from the combustion of CWSPs (carbon oxide and dioxide), even when combustible heavy liquid fractions are added, are not worse than those of coal. As for the concentration of sulfur and nitrogen oxides, it is significantly lower for CWSPs combustion as compared to coals. The presented research findings illustrate the prospects of the wide use of CWSPs as a fuel that is cheap and beneficial, in terms of both energy output and ecology, as compared to coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to discuss the changes that have been observed on the market of qualified coal fuels (the so-called eco-pea coal) over the last few years. These changes are related to the markets of both the producers and the products they offer. Qualified coal fuels are produced from selected lots of high-calorific coal. They are characterized by strictly defined repeatable physico-chemical parameters (low sulphur content, ash content, and agglomerating capacity) and they are dedicated for use in modern, low-emission retort boilers. On the basis of multiannual observations, five groups of producers of qualified coal fuels have been identified, broken down by the origin of utilized coal. Initially, the production of eco-pea coal in Poland was limited to domestic coal mining companies only. However, in response to the growing demand for these fuels, smaller businesses (mostly dedicated to trading coal from major coal mining companies) have also engaged in production of these fuels. A part of them started producing eco-pea coal under licenses from large coal mining companies, and some of them created their own blends as well. In the years 2007-2015, the whole hard coal mining industry's eco-coal production was in the range of 0.4-1.1 million t/year. In terms of calorific value, almost all of the producer groups mainly offer eco-pea coal with values in the range of 24-26 MJ/kg. The ash content of the offered eco-pea coal is usually 5-10% Air, and sulphur content-in the range of 0.4-1.0%. The prices of eco-pea coal at fuel depots vary by region and are close to the price offers of coarse grain sizes. Compared to sales prices (ex-mine) of coarse grain sizes intended for the market of other domestic customers, they are usually higher by a dozen or so PLN/GJ. The growing number of eco-pea coal producers contributes to the increase in these fuels' price range. The difference between maximum and minimum price offer is a dozen or so PLN/GJ. In the years 2009-2016, the prices of eco-pea coal produced on the basis of domestic coal were changing within a range of 12-33 PLN/GJ, and for the product based on imported raw material-between 12 and 31 PLN/GJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic is one of the toxic trace elements in coals, which is harmful to both the ecological environment and human health. Based on published literature and the data obtained by our research group, a total of 5314 As concentrations of Chinese coals were analyzed. The arithmetic mean of arsenic content in Chinese coals is 6.97 mg/kg. Choosing the percentage of provincial coal resources in national coal resources as the weighting factor, the weighted average of arsenic content in Chinese coals is 5.33 mg/kg. The content of arsenic in Chinese coals increases from the north to the south. High arsenic content in coal primarily occurs in southwestern Yunnan and certain coalfields in the Guizhou Province. Additionally, arsenic is enriched in the coals from some regions, i.e., the western Yunnan, Guangxi, Tibet, southwestern Liaoning, Jilin, and Henan. The arsenic content in coals of different coal-forming periods shows an overall regularity: Paleogene and Neogene > Late Triassic > Late Permian > Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous > Early and Middle Jurassic > Late Carboniferous and Early Permian. The modes of occurrence of arsenic in coals include sulfide-association, organic-association, arsenate-association, silicate-association, and soluble- and exchangeable-association. Generally, arsenic in Chinese coals exists predominantly in arsenic-bearing pyrite. Meanwhile, the organic arsenic content is relatively high in coal samples with a lower (<5.5 mg/kg) arsenic content and a low or medium ash yield (<30%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation is the most important regime of heat transfer of a flame which is directly affected by temperature and emissivity coefficient of the flame. Natural gas has a nonluminous flame, although, the flame temperature is high, but, the emissivity coefficient of the flame is small. In this paper the impacts of synchronous combustion of small amounts of anthracite coal particles with natural gas on the detailed emissivity coefficient of the flame, radiative species and pollutant emissions were investigated experimentally and numerically. A sprint CFD code was used in numerical solution and the pollutants were measured by a Testo 350XL gas analyzer. The results showed that a small amount of coal particles injected into the hot flame of natural gas increases the volume distribution and radiation view factor of high-emissive intermediate solid soot particles in the flame which enhances the total flame emissivity coefficient. Also, coal particle injection leads to a decrease in the upstream flame temperature and an increase in the downstream region creating a more uniform temperature distribution and decreases the concentration of thermal NO pollutant of the natural gas flame. Furthermore, the role of solid soot particles on the total emissivity coefficient is remarkable, while an increase in CO2 and H2O concentrations has an insignificant effect on the flame emissivity coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's 12th Five-Year Plan (2011–2015) envisages that shale gas and coal will be central to its energy future. However, for China to meet the energy security and climate change objectives set out in its 12th Five-Year Plan it will be reliant on the widespread commercial deployment of two key technologies; hydraulic fracturing combined with horizontal drilling for shale gas, and carbon capture and storage (CCS) for coal. China is moving to acquire these technologies through technology transfer and diffusion from the US, but progress has been slow, and neither is currently available in China on a commercial scale. Drawing on interviews in the US and China, this article argues that China's expectation of technology from the US may well be disappointed because of factors unique to the US institutional environment that have made the development of fracking technology possible and hinder the development of CCS technology at a commercial scale. Policy relevance If China is to meet the energy security and climate change objectives set out in its 12th Five-Year Plan it will be reliant on the widespread commercial deployment of fracking and clean coal technologies. While China expects to acquire these technologies via technology transfer and diffusion from the US, progress has been slow. Because of factors unique to the US institutional environment the availability of both technologies on a commercial scale in China is unlikely in the coming years. As a result, Chinese policy makers would be well-advised not to count on these technologies to meet their energy and climate goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Mercury emission from coal-fired power plants has caused widespread concern. Halogen is considered to be a good mercury oxidant and many researchers have added it into the coal for mercury removal. However, the mechanism of mercury transformation is still not clear. Effects of NH4Br additive on mercury transformation and removal were studied on a 6 kWth circulating fluidized bed (CFB) coal combustor. The main goal of this work is to explore in detail the mercury transformation mechanism in the presence of bromine. RESULTS Results showed that the concentration of Hg0 and Hg2+ in the flue gas was 2.003 and 2.434 µg m−3, respectively, while Hgp was 14.866 µg m−3 during the raw coal combustion. By adding more NH4Br, the content of Hg0 and Hg2+ decreased while the content of Hgp increased. At an NH4Br addition amount of 0.3%, Hg0 transformation rate and Hgg removal rate reached maximum values of 78.85% and 76.83%, respectively. Some mercury compounds (such as HgS(red), HgO, HgSO3) were further oxidized by active bromine with NH4Br addition. CONCLUSION The added NH4Br generates active bromine in the furnace, which promotes both homogeneous and heterogeneous oxidation of mercury. Adding NH4Br into coal benefits mercury removal during coal combustion. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to increase the usage of semi-soft coking coal and the productivity in cokemaking, a novel process of charging only briquettes into a conventional slot-type coke oven was studied from the viewpoint of productivity, coke quality and coke pushing. Coal briquette charging process can increase the productivity and coke quality compared to powder charging. Larger size briquettes made from coal blends having lower caking property are favorable from the viewpoint of enhancing productivity. Pushing performance of coke cake generated from coal briquette charging process depends on the experimental conditions and in some cases still leaves rooms for improvement. Larger size briquettes are favorable from the viewpoint of making coke cake structure rigid enough for normal pushing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in population and industrial development leads to more consumption of coal. However, serious health effects and environmental problems are caused by coal. It releases toxic chemicals which are dangerous if released into the environment. Coal has indicated the capacity to meet such difficulties in the past and the view is that it will successfully meet future environmental difficulties. This study aims to relate the use of coal to the environmental concern that affects the society. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The consumption of coal results in negative environmental impacts. Despite these adverse effects, coal is a significant energy source in the improvement of countries. However, modern technology can be used for cleaner coal. The quality of the coal can be increased with advanced technologies. These advanced technologies build an integral part of sustainable energy and clean coal technology (CCT) programs developed to meet the needs of globalization. This study summarizes developing techniques and technologies in decreasing pollutions from utilizing coal more efficiently. This paper presents information for scientists and engineers to select more cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies of coal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Coal as an energy source is vital for developing industries. Chemical analysis of coal becomes necessary to identify its properties and to minimize its negative environmental effects because these countries are obligated to use an environmentally friendly coal. This paper aims to supply information for a more universal coal evaluation and this information will surely support research on new coal technologies and help to solve the environmental problems yielded by coal consumption. Information in the current study is useful for an engineer to know and understand before attempting selection and design of an industrial process that use coal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]