What Is Coal Used For?

Coal is one of the oldest and most abundant sources of energy used by humans. It is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock and one of the main sources of energy used worldwide. Aside from its energy production, coal is also widely used in a variety of industrial applications. In this article, we will have a look at the various applications of coal and its impact on both the environment and society.

The Uses of Coal

Coal is a major energy source in many countries, with the majority of its usage producing electricity. Electricity from coal is generally produced in large power plants, where it undergoes various combustion processes for energy production. Additionally, coal is an essential ingredient in the production of steel and many other products.

Furthermore, coal is used to produce synthetic gas which is most often employed in the chemical industry. The gas produced through coal can be used in synthesis of ammonia, methanol, acetylene and ethanol. Similarly, coal can be used in the production of industrial materials that involves plastic and synthetic marble.

Another interesting use of coal is in the production of activated carbon. Activated carbon is used in a variety of industries, including medical and food. It is also used for water treatment, air filtration, water purification and gold recovery. Coal is also sometimes used to manufacture graphite electrodes for arc furnace steel production, as well as for catalysts for some chemical reactions.

The Environmental and Social Impact

Listed above, the various usages of coal clearly illustrate why there is so much demand for this energy source. Unfortunately, the use of coal has led to various environmental and social issues.

First of all, the burning of coal produces large amounts of greenhouse gases, which have been linked to climate change and global warming. This can have a huge impact on the environment, causing temperatures to rise and leading to extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and forest fires.

Additionally, coal is a finite resource and consuming it in a heavy capacity can lead to depletion of the resource itself. In order to meet its energy requirements, new coal reserves need to be mined, leading to problems such as deforestation and pollution. Due to the nature of its extraction process, the environment and community near the mining region often suffer due to the negative impacts of open-cast mining.

Conclusion

Despite its negative environmental and social impacts, coal is an important resource that is needed in order to provide energy to countries around the world. To battle the environmental and social effects of coal, advancements in clean energy technology, renewable energies, and energy efficiency should be combined with continued research towards renewable coal use.