Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

1-31-1986

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering - (M.S.)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Lawrence Jay Schmerzler

Second Advisor

P. Hrycak

Third Advisor

Richard A. Gaal

Abstract

This thesis is a survey and evaluation of the developments in the use of coal. It deals with the social, economic, physical, and biological impacts of such a shift. It examines the complete coal system, from extraction to combustion, including the key steps and policy initiatives. The United States, with 6% of the world's population, consumes about 33% of its commerical energy supply - while the available reserve coal is about 80% of total energy in the United States, with coal use representing only 17%, oil and gas about 78% at present.

Technologies under development that might reduce costs, increase convenience of use, (power plants - 2000 MW) or mitigate negative impacts are reviewed. It shows the various forms and processes of coal usage from reducing pollution with the advanced method (limestone and scrubbing system), flue gas desulfurization, underground gasification, and Nitrogen oxide control. The energy demand in the year 2000 falls between 100 and 150 Quads BTU compared with 73.1 Quads BTU used in 1975. It goes over all methods and techniques of gasification in order to reduce pollution and the cost of coal system. Finally it deals with all the aspects of production and the future of coal, the most abundant energy.

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