Coal Basics

Most abundant of fossil fuels Worlds largest energy source Type of rock composed of organic matter having been trapped and compressed underground Classified into four varieties Constraints to future use more environmental concerns than availabilityCoal Varieties

Coal varities
Lignite (brown coal) Relative youngest, softest Least valuable, lowest energy density Sub-bituminous Higher energy density Over 40 percent of US production Bituminous Highest energy density Half of US production Anthracite Metamorphic, 86-97% carbon Less abundant

Coal energy in india

Coal is the most important & abundant fossil fuel in India and accounts for 55% of India's energy need Coal has been recognized as the most important source of energy for electricity generation in India 75% of the coal in India is consumed in the power sector

 In addition, other industries like steel, cement, fertilizers, chemicals, paper and thousands of medium and small-scale industries are also dependent on coal for their process and energy requirements

Country India US UK France Italy Canada China Japan 339,000,000

Coal consumption *

1,060,000,000 66,100,000 20,890,000 22,400,000 67,000,000 1,310,000,000 149,500,000

coal and energy scenario in india

Coal, oil, gas and hydroelectric potential constitute theconventi onal sources of electricity generation. Total installed capacityof electricity generation in India is approx. 98,668 MW. India ranked third in the world with 7 percent coal reserves of t hetotal world reserves. Coal production increased from 30 million tonnes to over 348mi llion tonnes in 1999. Expected to increase to 427 million tonne i n2010.Seventy percent of the total coal produced is consumed fo r powergeneration. Steel & cement are other major consumers.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN COALBASED POWER GENERATION Air Pollution:-High particulate matter emission levels due to burning of inferior grade coal which leads to generation of large quantity of fly ash Emissions of SO2,NOx & Green house gas(CO2) are also matter of concern Water Pollution:-Mainly caused by the effluent discharge from ash ponds, condenser cooling /cooling tower, DM plant and Boiler blow down. Noise Pollution:-High noise levels due to release of high pressure steam and running of fans and motors Land Degradation:-About 100 million tones of fly ash is generated by use of coal far energy production. The disposal of such large quantity of fly ash has occupied thousands hectares of land which includes agricultural and forest land too.

Government initiatives
Ministry of environment and forests has issued following directions under section3 &5 of Environment (Protection) Act,1986 vide a Gazett e notification no.GSR . 763 (E) dated 14/09/1999 Use of fly ash, bottom ash or pond ash in the manufacture of bricks and other construction activities Utilisation of fly ash by thermal power plants and Specifications for use of flyash based

conclusion
Existing coal based power plants being monitored by the regulatory agencies and directions are issued Use of Beneficiated Coal in Thermal Power Plants Emphasis on clean technology for new plants Emphasis on utilization of fly ash Emphasis on non-carbon/low carbon based technologies for power sector Emphasis on cogeneration