Coal Classification Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What is the highest rank of coal?

A

Anthracite

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2
Q

Which type of coal is primarily used for electricity generation?

A

Bituminous coal

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3
Q

What is the main component of coal?

A

Carbon

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4
Q

Which class of coal has the lowest carbon content?

A

Lignite

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5
Q

What process converts peat into coal?

A

Coalification

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6
Q

What is the primary use of lignite?

A

Electric power generation

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7
Q

Which type of coal is known for its high heating value and low moisture content?

A

Anthracite

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8
Q

What is the term for the sulfur content in coal that contributes to acid rain?

A

Sulfur dioxide (SO2)

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9
Q

Which type of coal is often used in steel production?

A

Coking coal (or metallurgical coal)

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10
Q

What environmental issue is associated with coal mining?

A

Land degradation

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11
Q

What is the process called that involves burning coal to produce electricity?

A

Combustion

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12
Q

Which country has the largest reserves of coal?

A

United States

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13
Q

What type of coal is characterized by a high volatile matter content?

A

Bituminous coal

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14
Q

What does the term “ash content” refer to in coal analysis?

A

The inorganic residue remaining after combustion

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15
Q

Which method of mining involves removing overburden to access coal seams?

A

Surface mining

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16
Q

What is the main greenhouse gas emitted from burning coal?

A

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

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17
Q

What is “coal gasification”?

A

A process that converts coal into gas for energy production.

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18
Q

Name one advantage of using clean coal technology.

A

Reduced emissions of pollutant

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19
Q

What is “coalbed methane”?

A

Methane gas extracted from coal seams.

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20
Q

Which type of coal has a shiny appearance due to its high carbon content?

A

Anthracite

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21
Q

What is the significance of “volatile matter” in coal?

A

It affects combustion characteristics.

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22
Q

Which country is known for its lignite reserves?

A

Germany

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23
Q

In what year did the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implement regulations on coal emissions?

A

1970 (with subsequent amendments)

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24
Q

What are “coal tar” and its primary use?

A

A byproduct of carbonization used in paving and roofing.

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25
Q

Name one health risk associated with coal mining communities.

A

Respiratory diseases.

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26
Q

What does “carbon capture and storage” aim to achieve in relation to coal usage?

A

To reduce CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels.

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27
Q

Which type of mining is typically less environmentally damaging?

A

Underground mining (compared to surface mining).

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28
Q

What does “coking” involve in relation to metallurgical coal?

A

Heating coal in absence of air to produce coke.

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29
Q

Identify one major pollutant produced from burning high-sulfur coals.

A

Sulfur dioxide (SO2).

30
Q

What is the role of “coal washing”?

A

To remove impurities before combustion.

31
Q

What historical event significantly increased the demand for coal in the 19th century?

A

The Industrial Revolution

32
Q

Which technology is used to reduce sulfur emissions from coal-fired power plants?

A

Flue gas desulfurization (FGD)

33
Q

What is the primary purpose of the Clean Air Act in relation to coal?

A

To regulate air emissions from stationary and mobile sources.

34
Q

Identify one major international agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

A

The Paris Agreement

35
Q

What is “coal liquefaction”?

A

A process that converts solid coal into liquid hydrocarbons.

36
Q

Which country was the largest exporter of coal in 2020?

A

Australia

37
Q

What are “fossil fuel subsidies”?

A

Financial support from governments to fossil fuel industries.

38
Q

What is “mountaintop removal mining”?

A

A form of surface mining that involves removing the summit of a mountain.

39
Q

Which type of coal has historically been used for heating homes?

A

Bituminous coal

40
Q

What is the effect of acid rain produced from coal combustion?

A

Damage to aquatic ecosystems and forests.

41
Q

What is “carbon trading”?

A

A market-based approach to controlling pollution by providing economic incentives.

42
Q

Name one alternative energy source that competes with coal for electricity generation.

A

Solar energy

43
Q

What is the significance of the term “clean coal”?

A

Technologies aimed at reducing emissions from coal usage.

44
Q

Which U.S. state is known for its extensive lignite deposits?

A

Texas

45
Q

What is the role of “biomass co-firing” in coal power plants?

A

To reduce overall carbon emissions by mixing biomass with coal.

46
Q

Identify one health effect associated with long-term exposure to coal dust.

A

Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (black lung disease)

47
Q

Which organization monitors global climate change and its impacts?

A

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

48
Q

What is “coal seam gas”?

A

Natural gas extracted from coal beds.

49
Q

Which country has implemented a carbon tax specifically targeting fossil fuels?

A

Sweden

50
Q

What technology allows for the conversion of CO2 emissions into usable products?

A

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU)

51
Q

What does “sustainable mining” aim to achieve?

A

To minimize environmental impact while extracting resources.

52
Q

Name one major challenge facing the coal industry today.

A

Competition from renewable energy sources.

53
Q

What is a “coal phase-out”?

A

A policy decision to gradually reduce reliance on coal as an energy source.

54
Q

Identify a method used to assess the environmental impact of coal mining operations.

A

Environmental impact assessment (EIA)

55
Q

What type of pollution is primarily associated with particulate matter from coal combustion?

A

Air pollution

56
Q

Which country has seen significant protests against coal mining due to environmental concerns?

A

India

57
Q

What is “clean coal technology” primarily focused on improving?

A

Efficiency and reducing emissions from burning coal.

58
Q

In what year did the U.S. Supreme Court rule on regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act?

A

2007

59
Q

What is the main goal of international climate agreements like COP26?

A

To limit global warming and promote sustainable practices.

60
Q

Identify one financial instrument used to fund renewable energy projects as alternatives to coal.

A

Green bonds

61
Q

What does “stripping ratio” refer to in mining operations?

A

The ratio of overburden removed to the amount of ore extracted.

62
Q

Which type of pollution control technology captures particulate matter before it enters the atmosphere?

A

Electrostatic precipitators

63
Q

Name one significant technological advancement in underground mining methods in recent years.

A

Continuous miner technology

64
Q

What is a common environmental remediation technique used after mining operations cease?

A

Reclamation

65
Q

Which U.S.-based organization advocates for cleaner energy alternatives to fossil fuels?

A

Sierra Club

66
Q

Identify a key factor that influences global coal prices today.

A

Demand from emerging economies, particularly in Asia.

67
Q

What role do NGOs play in advocating against coal usage?

A

They raise awareness and lobby for policy changes towards renewable energy.

68
Q

What is “pyrolysis” in relation to coal processing?

A

A thermal decomposition process that converts organic materials into bio-oil, gas, and char.

69
Q

Name one major health risk associated with living near coal-fired power plants.

A

Increased risk of respiratory illnesses.

70
Q

What future trends are predicted for the global use of coal by 2030 according to energy reports?

A

A decline in usage due to increased adoption of renewable energy sources.