Coal

Question 1

What are disadvantages of coal

Answer 1

1. Pollutant of the first order (proportion compared to others is much larger)
2. Landscape degradation
3. Miner deaths (over 4000 in China) from coal fires and collapses

Question 2

What are the advantages of coal

Answer 2

1. Abundant (reliable domestic source of energy)
2. Secure source of supply - stable prics
3. Non flammable
4. Does not spill like oil (long lasting devastation of eco system)
5. Can be made clean at a cost
6. Cost effective (lowest price of all fuels)

Question 3

What are some improvements in coal which made it cost effective and required less miners?

Answer 3

1. Continuous mining machines
2. Saws
3. Long wall mining

Question 4

Name four types of coal

Answer 4

1. Lignite
2. Sub-bituminous
3. Bituminous
4. Anthracite

Question 5

What type of electricity generation is coal most suited to?

Answer 5

Base load

Question 6

What is a disadvantage of soft coals?

Answer 6

They are much more pollutant

Question 7

What has caused coals share of the energy pie to increase?

Answer 7

China and other rapidly developing economies