Outlook for coal as an industrial fuel. II. Developments in conversion techniques

Diminishing petroleum and natural gas reserves are forcing industry to consider using coal to supply at least part of its energy needs. Programs for developing methods for using coal in economical and environmentally acceptable ways have been stepped up to meet this eventuality. A discussion was presented earlier on research aimed at improved mining techniques, removing impurities before usage, and developing more efficient combustion processes for solid coal of various types. This article covers developments in converting coal to liquid and gaseous fuels that are more compatible with our transportation system and energy-usage patterns and in converting the heat of coal combustion to electricity. Tables are included that give conversion efficiencies for making coal-derived fuels; estimated characteristics and availability of coal-derived fuels; estimated costs for various coal-derived fuels; and systems for converting coal-derived fuels to electricity.