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Home > Power generation > Global perspective on the use of low quality coals, CCC/180 

Global perspective on the use of low quality coals, CCC/180

Author(s): Stephen J Mills

Price: £255.00

Ref: CCC/180 ISBN: 978-92-9029-500-6 Published Date: 01/01/2011

No. of Tables: 19 No. of Figures: 22 No. of Pages: 80

This report examines the global situation with regard to the scale, location and major uses of low quality coals and addresses the individual countries where they currently play, or in the future, are likely to play, an important role in energy production.

Around half of the world’s estimated recoverable coal reserves comprise low value coals, predominantly lignites, subbituminous coals, and high-ash bituminous coals. By rank (on a tonnage basis) anthracite and bituminous coals account for 51% of the world’s reserves, subbituminous coal 32%, and lignite 18%. For decades, many coal-producing countries have witnessed a steady decline in the quality of the coal produced. Often, this reflects the increasing exhaustion of reserves of higher grade coals and a growing reliance on reserves of lower quality. For instance, this overall downward
trend in coal quality has been occurring in the USA since the 1950s although similar trends can be observed in many other parts of the world. Despite the drawbacks associated with their use, many countries are turning increasingly to the use of indigenous reserves of lower quality coals. In some cases, these comprise the only significant energy resource available. Often, such coals are mined relatively inexpensively via opencast techniques. Their use provides a secure source of energy and helps reduce dependence on imported supplies. Industry observers are convinced that the long-term future of coal-derived energy supplies will include the greater use of low rank and low quality coals, a trend that is already discernible in many parts of the world.

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