Newer uses for coal in the USA
Some fly ash and bottom ash from coal fired power plants are being dug up to be used in products we used every day now, such as wallboard, gypsum, manufacturing cement, manufacturing autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC). Abrasives and roofing materials.
AAC is used extensively in other parts of the world and is slated for major manufacturing development in the USA and its possessions. AAC buildings are not subject to most molds, fire, (hello forest fire areas) hurricanes, corrosion etc. If its gets dirty or flooded, wash it down with a hose and refurnish your home. Its temperature, sound, and other insulation are phenomenal. The homes and business in Paradise, California would still be there if AAC us used. Puerto Rico homes would still be there if AAC was used there. AAC made from coal byproducts is a fine way of recycling those products. Build an inexpensive AAC hunting lodge and maintaining heating it in the winter is super easy. Check it our for yourself.
Coal is a key fuel in the production of aluminum for use in cars, trains, airplanes and energy producing equipment. It is also used in electrical transmission lines that carry power around the county.
30% of South Africa's transport fuel requirements are derived from coal-to-liquid processes. The South African plants produce more than 160,000 barrels of liquid fuel per day from coal.
Coal gasification offers a versatile and clean method of converting coal into hydrogen and other valuable products. Gasification breaks down the coal into its basic chemical components. In modern gasifiers, coal is typically exposed to steam and carefully controlled amounts of air or oxygen under high temperatures and pressures. Under these conditions, molecules in coal break apart, initiating chemical reactions that typically produce synthesis gas (syngas), hydrogen, carbon monoxide and other gaseous compounds. The hydrogen can then be captured and stored. 20% of hydrogen production comes from coal-to-gas processes
Activated carbon, produced from coal, is used to manufacture air filters....yah, air filters nearly all of use use at home, work, car, etc.
Ammonia gas recovered from coke ovens is used to manufacture ammonia salts, nitric acid and agricultural fertilizers. Thousands of different products have coal or coal by-products as components: soap, aspirins, solvents, dyes, plastics and fibers, such as rayon and nylon.
Some of this information courtesy of the World Coal Association.
All the above products are made using steel machines, transported in steel trucks, across steel reinforced bridges, and used in our lives every day. There is no known process to make steel in useable quantities without the use of large amounts of coal.
Don't forget, wind turbine towers are made from that steel, and the wind turbine blades are made from resins and fibers which are made with coal. Solar energy devices are made with steel machinery, transported by steel, and held in it final location of steel frames and fasteners.
Coal has its origin in plants. Plants under pressure and time became coal, so all the coal miners are doing are recycling old green carbon energy in to current noble uses. Those ancient green plants turned to rich black coal and companies like Peobody recycles it.. Very cool!
Some plow carbon into their gardens to help in plant growth.
