When you talk about coal-powered combustion engines, you probably think of diesel locomotives and turbine engines. Even GM considered making a car powered by a coal-burning turbine. But is this possible? Read on to learn more about the Rank of coal, its characteristics of coal and its potential for powering an engine. Then you can decide if you want to make a coal-powered car.
Coal-powered combustion engine
A coal-powered combustion engine is an alternative fuel that can produce energy by burning coal. Coal dust is a byproduct of coal mining and has been used in turbine engines and diesel locomotives. Some automobile companies, including GM, have considered producing a car with a coal-burning turbine.
A coal-powered combustion engine can produce about two-thirds as much energy as a conventional gasoline engine. It is also more efficient. A gasoline vehicle requires more fuel to have the same amount of usable energy, and it causes more pollution. Upstream emissions exacerbate this carbon footprint from producing petroleum.
Metallurgical coal
A metallurgical coal-powered combustion engine is a possible future energy source for large marine vessels. Researchers are currently developing new processing technologies to produce ultra-clean coal (UCC), which can reduce sulfur levels to a superficial level. This fuel is ideal for the use of large marine engines. Currently, at least two UCC technologies are under development, although both will likely have environmental issues. One technique uses steam and oxygen to gasify coal, producing carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The other process uses liquid carbon dioxide and is known as sequestration.
The US DOE views zero-emission coal technology as essential for future energy supplies for carbon-constrained societies. It has an effective program to develop, demonstrate and commercialize this technology by 2012. Australia is working towards establishing carbon dioxide storage sites near primary carbon dioxide sources. But before any commercial designs for such plants are developed, the technology will need a demonstration plant to gain public acceptance and demonstrate its permanence.
The commercialization of these technologies is a big challenge. Although low emissions are attractive, they are expensive and require a lot of energy. Therefore, only a few large-scale systems have been successfully commercialized.
Sub-bituminous coal
Sub-bituminous coal is lower-grade coal that contains between 35 and 45 percent carbon. Its properties are in the middle of bituminous coal and lignite, used in combustion engines to produce steam for power generation. The most common type of sub-bituminous coal in the United States is Wyoming.
Bituminous coal has a higher carbon content than black lignite and is used primarily for electric power generation. Jet is a compact form of lignite and has been used as an ornamental stone since the Upper Paleolithic. Sub-bituminous coal combines the properties of lignite and bituminous coal and is used in both steam-electric power generation and chemical synthesis industries.
The highest-ranking coal is called anthracite and is more brutal and glossy black. It is also used for residential space heating. It is further subdivided into two main types: metamorphically altered bituminous coal and petrified coal. This type of coal contains the most energy and carbon of all the different types. It is also the densest type of coal, and it burns cleanly. However, it is much more expensive than other types of coal, and its use in power plants is limited.
Sub-bituminous coal is also used for industrial processes and direct heating. It is also used to fuel combustion engines in power plants. It is widely used in various industries, including alumina refineries, paper manufacturers, and chemical companies.
Rank of coal
Coal is a combustible organic rock that contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. It forms from vegetation consolidated between rock strata and altered by heat and pressure. There are several different types of coal, including lignite, bituminous coal, and bio-coal. There are also more than 260 billion tons of coal reserves in the United States.
Toxic emissions
The combustion of fossil fuels, such as coal, produces the bulk of global air pollution. These fuels comprise 82% of the world’s primary energy supply and are currently used in 81% of the US’s energy needs. In high-income countries, energy-related fossil fuel combustion emissions are responsible for more than 80% of airborne particulate matter, nearly all sulfur dioxide, and virtually all nitrogen oxide.
Coal combustion releases large amounts of fly ash, or ash, into the atmosphere. While most power plants have sophisticated environmental controls to remove nearly all ash particles from the combustion gas stream, some solids escape and threaten the environment. These particles are among the criteria for air pollutants.
One of the most common pollutants coal-powered combustion engines produces is sulfur dioxide, an acid containing sulfur. It is toxic to human health and the environment. Nitrogen oxides are highly reactive gases with varying amounts of oxygen and nitrogen. These air pollutants are mainly odorless and colorless.
The lifecycle of fossil fuels can be broken down into three phases: extraction, transport, and combustion. Each stage releases pollutants. The explosion of coal-powered combustion engines is the most damaging stage, while other fossil fuels’ extraction and transport processes are less harmful.
Suitable fuel
Acetylene production has several advantages as a fuel for combustion engines, including high energy density, low emissions, and low knock resistance. Besides, acetylene is stable in atmospheric conditions and can be stored in tanks. It was used in aircraft engines during World War II in Japan. However, acetylene is flammable and prone to oxidation. It also produces dangerous organic peroxides. Therefore, if you plan to use it in your engine, you must pay special attention to proper combustion.
The consumption of fossil fuels is a significant concern regarding the environment. Coal has about 95 percent energy content, compared to just over 50% for diesel and gasoline. In addition, coal has a high level of carbon dioxide (CO) emissions, which threaten the ecology. Also, oil supplies are not evenly distributed, with about 50 percent of the world’s reserves being in the Middle East. For this reason, environmentalists are encouraging the exploration of alternative fuel sources.
Adding turpentine to diesel fuel helps reduce emissions by reducing particulate matter. However, the low cetane number of turpentine tends to reduce engine efficiency. However, some authors report a 1-2% efficiency gain with a mixture of turpentine and diesel. Another benefit of using turpentine is that it helps reduce emissions and smoke.
