Coal

About Coal

• Our resource is coal.
• Coal is a non-renewable resource.

Turning Coal into Energy

• Coal is mined and then milled into a fine powder.    
• Then the coal is burned inside of a combustion chamber.

Still Turning Coal into Energy

• In the chamber tubes of water get heated to 212F.
• The regular steam goes into a turbine shaft.
• Then the condensed steam goes into the shaft too.

Still Turning Coal into Energy

• The turbines energy goes into a generator.
• Then energy is transfred into a transformer.
• Then energy converts into electrical energy.

The End of Turning Coal into Energy

• To finish the process:
• Electrical energy transfers to power lines.
• And then energy from the coal goes to where it is used.

Uses of Coal

• In the U.S. 92% of coal is used for electricity.
• Steel and Iron Industries also use coal for smelting.
• Other industries use coal for:
• Brick, paper, limestone, and cement.

Percentage of Use

• 92.6% of coal is used for electricity.
• 7.2% is used for industry.
• 0.2% is used for heating.

Advantages of Coal

• Large amounts of electricity produced.
• It is very efficient for making energy.

Disadvantages

• Produces large amounts of pollution.
• When coal is burned chemicals add to:
• Acid rain and the greenhouse effect.

Fun Facts!

• We only have 170-240 years left of coal!
• Native Americans used coal to make pottery!
• In the 1800's coal was a major resource!   
• Coal takes millions of years to form!

Coal is Cool