Founded on the work of the renowned Advanced Combustion Engineering Research Center, the authors document and integrate current knowledge of the organic and inorganic structure of coal and its reaction processes. With the urgent need for cleaner, more efficient use of this worldwide fuel, their work will set a clear course for future research.

Low-Rank Coals for Power Generation, Fuel and Chemical Production provides a thorough introduction to lignite (brown coal) and subbituminous coals and explores how they can be used efficiently and economically in place of hard coal. The book examines the undesirable characteristics of low-quality coals, such as high moisture content, low calorific value, and aggressive ash characteristics, and the resulting refinements to standard technologies and practices required for successful combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis.The first part of this book provides a comprehensive and systematic review of the properties of low-rank coals and corresponding preparation methods, such as drying, cleaning, and upgrading. Power generation from low-rank coals is the focus of Part 2, with chapter topics ranging from high efficiency pulverized coal combustion and circulatingfluidized bed combustion to emerging areas such as chemical looping and oxyfuel combustion. The final contributions address the important subjects of coal-to-liquids,polygeneration and coke production using low-rank coals, as well as the critical issue of carbon capture and storage.This book is a valuable resource for power generation engineers and researchers seeking to maximize the opportunities provided by these cheaper coal feedstocks for efficient and environmentally compatible power generation. - Presents the most in-depth treatment of low-rank coals available - Addresses both power generation and fuel production - Includes coverage that spans pulverized coal combustion and emerging technologies, such as CFBC, UCG, CLC, and oxyfuel combustion

The first strand involves a critical overview of the design of experimental methods used for examining the thermal behaviour of solid fuels [pyrolysis, liquefaction and gasification], while the second will emphasise chemical structures and molecular mass distributions of coal derived tars, extracts and pitches, petroleum-derived asphaltenes, and biomass derived heavy hydrocarbon liquids.Two major, interdependent strands in the study of fossil and renewable fuel utilisation are focused on within this text:(i) Thermal characterisation of solid fuels including various ranks of coals, biomass and waste, and, (ii) The analytical characterisation of heavy hydrocarbon liquids, covering coal, petroleum and biomass derived heavy fractions.Two major, interdependent strands in the study of fossil and renewable fuel utilisation are focused on within this text: (i) Thermal characterisation of solid fuels including various ranks of coals, biomass and waste, and, (ii) The analytical characterisation of heavy hydrocarbon liquids, covering coal, petroleum and biomass derived heavy fractions.

Encyclopedia of Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment, Four Volume Set comprehensively covers all renewable energy resources, including wind, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal energy, and nuclear power, to name a few. In addition to covering the breadth of renewable energy resources at a fundamental level, this encyclopedia delves into the utilization and ideal applications of each resource and assesses them from environmental, economic, and policy standpoints. This book will serve as an ideal introduction to any renewable energy source for students, while also allowing them to learn about a topic in more depth and explore related topics, all in a single resource.Instructors, researchers, and industry professionals will also benefit from this comprehensive reference. - Covers all renewable energy technologies in one comprehensive resource - Details renewable energies' processes, from production to utilization in a single encyclopedia - Organizes topics into concise, consistently formatted chapters, perfect for readers who are new to the field - Assesses economic challenges faced to implement each type of renewable energy - Addresses the challenges of replacing fossil fuels with renewables and covers the environmental impacts of each renewable energy