Coal mining and preparation have had a long history in the United States and the world, serving as the engine of growth for many industries. Today, new sources of energy, increased environmental awareness, and more stringent regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other organizations are changing the way coal is found, extracted, and used. As a result, fine coal cleaning, dewatering, and refuse disposal are now at a major crossroads. The increased level of fines, and near-density material in the inferior seams being mined today, necessitates the development of more efficient fine coal cleaning devices. This in turn requires improvements in traditional dewatering techniques to address the need for acceptable moisture levels in plant products. Moreover, the larger volume of fine refuse being generated, coupled with harsher disposal regulations, requires upgraded treatment options. This book is a compilation of information presented at the 2012 Fine Coal Symposium, sponsored by the Coal Preparation Society of America; the Pittsburgh Section of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc.; and the Pittsburgh Coal Mining Institute of America. Provided by international coal companies, major research organizations, technology developers, and industry leaders, the information includes both general knowledge and in-depth discussion on the current challenges facing the industry, techniques for designing more efficient plants, and new cleaning and dewatering technologies. The book is a practical yet cutting-edge resource for plant designers, engineers, and other practitioners, and for university students and faculty.

Your resource for advancements in equipment and technology for coal preparation. With recent reductions in U.S. coal production, it is important for coal preparation engineers and practitioners to be aware of advances in technology to improve plant efficiency and productivity in cost-effective ways. Challenges and Opportunities in Coal Preparation provides both a domestic and international perspective on these new technologies and includes papers from industry leaders in the United States, as well as Australia and South Africa. Opportunities for overall plant efficiency improvements and new technologies that address many aspects of the coal preparation value chain—from pre-sorting to coarse and fine coal cleaning to dewatering—are presented. Read the latest thinking from industry experts in this handy reference that will assist current and future plant engineers and designers in achieving higher efficiency and productivity.

This book is a direct outgrowth of classes that the authors gave over a period of three decades to a university audience taking a Mineral Beneficiation course as a major that included coal processing and utilization. It is designed to be used as a student's (or layman's) first introduction to coal processing and utilization, motivating the concepts

Environmental Considerations in Energy Production contains submissions by energy professionals from around the world who discuss a wide selection of topics on energy production, including coal mining, oil and gas production, and electrical power generation, as well as the impacts on society and the environment. The papers present existing and emerging issues, best practices and techniques, and appropriate and innovative solutions to meet the present and future challenges of energy production. These proceedings contain both complete papers as well as abstracts where a full paper was not warranted. The abstracts are included as a resource to readers who may be interested in contacting those individuals. The papers range from reviews of work previously completed and discussions of preliminary investigations to thorough reports of research and recommended changes in methodologies and procedures. The issues presented show how the environmental impacts of energy production affect community well-being and human health.

The long-term future for coal looks bleak. The recent UN climate change conference in Paris called for an end to the use of fossil fuels. However, coal remains one of the world’s most important sources of energy, fuelling more than 40% of electricity generation worldwide, with many developing nations relying almost wholly on coal-fuelled electricity. Coal has been the fastest growing energy source in recent years and is essential for many industrial activities, but the coal industry is hugely damaging for the environment. A major driver in climate change and causing around 40% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, coal fuel comes at a high environmental price. Furthermore, mining and air pollution kill thousands each year. A timely addition to the series, this book critically reviews the role of coal in the 21st century, examining energy needs, usage and health implications. With case studies and an examination of future developments and economics, this text provides an essential update on an environmental topic the world cannot ignore.

This widely respected and frequently consulted reference work provides a wealth of information and guidance on industrial chemistry and biotechnology. Industries covered span the spectrum from salt and soda ash to advanced dyes chemistry, the nuclear industry, the rapidly evolving biotechnology industry, and, most recently, electrochemical energy storage devices and fuel cell science and technology. Other topics of surpassing interest to the world at large are covered in chapters on fertilizers and food production, pesticide manufacture and use, and the principles of sustainable chemical practice, referred to as green chemistry. Finally, considerable space and attention in the Handbook are devoted to the subjects of safety and emergency preparedness. It is worth noting that virtually all of the chapters are written by individuals who are embedded in the industries whereof they write so knowledgeably.