Advantages And Disadvantages Of Coal

nce Assessment – FAITH WARD Yr. 8

Coal is an organic rock used in everyday life without us even knowing!

Coal, it is an important resource in everyday life. That is why I have chosen to explain the resources of coal, how it is formed and explored (how it is found) and extracted. And provide the advantages and disadvantages arising from mining and the use of coal.

Coal is a combustible sedimentary rock of organic origin made mainly of Carbon 50 – 98 per cent, Hydrogen 3 -13 per cent and oxygen. There is also small amounts of nitrogen, sulphur, and other elements. Some water is always present. Coal is also a fossil fuel and is a non-renewable resource. The major coal (BLACK COAL) has may uses for example generating electricity in power stations,

In India, it’s possible to get cheap coal at just $20/ton while international price of coal range in the region of $100/ton.

• Coal is located almost universally, it can be found on every continent in over 70 countries, with the biggest reserves in the USA, Russia, China, and India.

• Thermal Power Plants have very high load factors more than 80%. They can generate power almost 24/7 and only require shut down for maintenance. Coal Based Plants which have become too old or have been shut down due to environmental concerns can still be used for backup power.

Disadvantages of coal use:

• Coal Mining has resulted in thousands of deaths each year ever since man discovered coal. Note Coal Deaths happen not only in countries which don’t have good safety regulations like China but also in developed countries like USA and New Zealand.

• One of the biggest cons of Coal Energy is that it releases Carbon Dioxide which has been sequestered for millions of years in the dead bodies of plant and animals. This transfer the Carbon from the Earth to the Environment leading to the Global Warming