King Coal

The most widely used resource for generating electricity in Indiana

and in the U.S.!

How is coal used?

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• http://www.scientificamerican.com/media/inline/building-coal-power-plants_1.jpg

Coal is generally ground into a powder and burned in large furnaces.

The Process• http://holbert.faculty.asu.ed

u/eee463/coalart.gif

This heat is used to boil water to steam. The steam pressure turns the turbine. (This is converting heat to mechanical energy.)The turbine turns giant, powerful magnets inside a huge copper coil.This moves the electrons through the wire.In other words, it generates electricity. (This changes mechanical energy to electrical energy.)

Here is the whole process

Benefits• http://www.carb

orobot.hu/images/Fuel/Coal%20train.jpgCoal can burn much longer and stronger

(hotter) than wood.Anthracite coal (the one that burns the best) is common in the eastern part of The U.S. Bituminous coal is the second best and most used in power plants. Bituminous coal is common in Indiana.Currently coal is the cheapest way of generating large amounts of electricity in The U.S.Coal is portable, being shipped by train to places all over the country.

Cleaner Coal• http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_

BYX14125JUQ/ScMpF0_zsmI/AAAAAAAAJSU/Xn7EP4dGQKE/s400/Fiore_Clean_Coal.jpg

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• http://c0573862.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1/0/16233/183416/CleanCoal.jpg

Coal power plants have gotten much more efficient and let off much less pollution than they did in the past.This is often referred to as “clean coal technology.”

Disadvantages (Drawbacks)

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• http://www.treehugger.com/coal-plant-pollution-epa.jpg

•Coal is used much faster than it is replenished inside the earth. •This means it is nonrenewable.•Coal mining causes pollution.•Burning coal does pollute, even when it is called “clean.”

More Disadvantages of Coal

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• http://blahblahtopia.com/images/350px-Coal_mine_Wyoming.jpg

• http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/12/24/us/25sludge2_600.JPG

Some mining methods (strip mining) can destroy wildlife habitats. (There are laws in place requiring companies to do their best to restore habitats/relocate wildlife.)Coal ash spills can cause major damage to property and nature.

Coal Mining Dangers

• Remember the Chilean Coal Mining Accident of 2010? Not all have a happy ending.

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• http://www.cargolaw.com/images/disaster2004.coal-face5.GIF

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In the early part of the 20th century, about 1000 coal miners died each year in the U.S.Now the average is about 30 deaths per year from coal mining accidents. (48 in 2010.)About 500 more U.S. miners die each year from