Articles tagged with Coal
A fatal mine collapse in Utah's Crandall Canyon coal mine was actually a massive cave-in that covered an area of approximately 50 acres. New calculations reveal the disaster began near where miners were excavating and quickly grew to four times its initially estimated size.
A new study led by UK scientists aims to reduce China's CO2 emissions from coal use, which are set to double by 2030. The 'Near Zero Emissions Coal' project uses carbon capture and storage technology to achieve up to a 90% reduction in emissions.
Research by biologists at the University of Bonn found that older coal tit males produced significantly more 'cuckoo kids' than younger males. In contrast, younger males father only 0.3 extra-marital offspring on average.
A team of researchers led by Darrell Taulbee has created a new type of fertilizer that reduces the explosive potential of ammonium nitrate, a key ingredient in homemade bombs. By coating AN pellets with coal ash, they achieve a blast much less violent, without eliminating its initiating power.
The technology uses magnetic fields to enable one-way communication from the surface to miners, but a new bi-directional PED will allow two-way communication, improving rescue operations. CSIRO's research has the potential to set an industry benchmark for safe mine operations.
A Duke University-led team of physicists has pinpointed the critical density level where granular materials suddenly cease flowing and congeal, exhibiting a phase change analogous to freezing. The study provides unprecedented analysis detailing what happens as free-flowing grains begin to get jammed by each other.
A report by International Agency for Research on Cancer concludes that household coal combustion and biomass fuel emissions are carcinogenic to humans. The study emphasizes the need for adequate ventilation and alternative heating methods to reduce lung cancer burden globally.
The CSIRO has signed a three-way coal research and development Joint Statement with Japan Coal Energy Centre (JCOAL) and Australian Coal Research Ltd (ACARP). The agreement aims to improve coal production technology, mine safety and coal utilization. This collaboration will enhance the capabilities of both countries in these areas.
The American Geological Institute publishes Coal and the Environment, a framework for understanding coal's mining and use impacts. The report discusses new clean-coal technologies and regulations to reduce harmful emissions.
Researchers have developed a coal-based jet fuel, provisionally designated JP900, which produces almost the same Btu as conventional fuels. The fuel has improved flash point, lower viscosity, and higher smoke point, making it suitable for existing engines and interest both commercial and military users.
The National Academies report highlights the potential benefits of using coal combustion residues in mine reclamation, including reducing landfills and neutralizing acid mine drainage. However, careful characterization and monitoring are necessary to minimize potential health and environmental risks.
Duke researchers create a mathematically nimble way to follow the transfer of forces through a laboratory version of a granular mass, revealing the existence of long-range force chains. The new technique allows for quantitative analysis of force dynamics in granular materials.
The Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $12 million to the Center for Advanced Separation Technologies (CAST) at Virginia Tech to develop advanced separation technologies for efficient coal cleaning. The project aims to reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, and mercury content, while increasing domestic energy production.
Scientists have detected high levels of silver contamination in North Pacific waters, linked to atmospheric emissions from Asia. The findings suggest that silver could be used as a tracer element for tracking the fate of industrial emissions, with implications for understanding pollution patterns.
Scientists at UCSB study the relationship between recent severe storms and increased oil emissions from the Coal Oil Point seep field. Researchers estimate current oil emissions are many times pre-storm levels, with new areas of seepage appearing and gas driving the flow.
Penn State researchers are conducting a project to develop a technique for detecting mine voids using seismic signals. The initiative aims to locate and record voids near existing coal mine tunnels, which could help prevent flooding incidents like the Quecreek disaster.
Scientists at LUCA Technologies have confirmed the presence of living methanogenic organisms in coalfields, producing methane in real-time. This finding suggests a potential long-term source of renewable natural gas, replacing finite energy resources.
A new theory proposes that a coal fire in the Titanic's coal bunker may have led to its high-speed sailing through an iceberg field. The theory, presented by Dr. Essenhigh, suggests that the crew was trying to control and extinguish the fire before reaching port.
A study found genetic mutations in 16.3% of individuals with no lung cancer, associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from smoky coal emissions. Women in Xuan Wei have an abnormally high lung cancer death rate despite low tobacco smoking rates.
Geologist John Hooke estimates that humans move approximately 45 gigatons of soil and rock annually, surpassing the movement of rivers, glaciers, and oceans. This significant displacement has environmental implications, including acid mine drainage and river sedimentation, highlighting the need for sustainable practices.
Researchers at Penn State have created a thermally stable coal-based jet fuel, provisionally designated as JP900, which can absorb significant amounts of heat and remain stable up to 900 degrees Fahrenheit. This fuel has potential benefits in reducing engine deposits and improving cold weather performance.
Brookhaven chemist Mow Lin's team has developed bacteria that can use coal as a nutrient and adsorb or degrade contaminants, improving methane recovery. Laboratory tests have shown these microbes to absorb contaminant metals, degrade dissolved organics, and break down coal to release trapped methane.
Researchers found that juvenile and adult amphibians retain contaminants like selenium and strontium through metamorphosis, transferring them into terrestrial food webs. The study highlights the importance of understanding contaminant transfer in aquatic-terrestrial ecosystems.
A comprehensive volume addresses key hypotheses for amphibian declines, including non-native species, UV radiation, and climate change. The study highlights the urgent need for conservation research to address this biodiversity crisis.
The Centralia, PA underground coal fire has been burning since 1962 and is still active today. Temperature measurements indicate the fire advances at an average rate of 66 feet per year, with some months showing little movement.
Coal fires consume up to 200 million tons of coal annually, releasing greenhouse gases, soot particles, and toxic elements. Innovative solutions like heat-resistant grout may help fight these fires and mitigate their impact on climate change and human health.
Agricultural plastics, such as mulch films and nursery pots, are difficult to recycle due to their varied types and dirtiness. Penn State researcher James Garthe has developed a method to convert these plastics into plastic nuggets that can be burned with coal, producing energy 20 times greater than conventional recycling methods.
A new framework for predicting underground rock geometry has been developed, enabling coal and gas companies to better understand their drilling operations. The research uses electric logs from wells and field work to interpret the types of sandstone bodies present, which are critical for finding deposits.
Wind power has dropped in cost to 3-4 cents per kilowatt-hour, making it less expensive than coal energy. Shifting from coal to wind could address health, environmental, and energy problems, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A new technology, developed by Ohio University engineers, uses membranes to capture fine air pollutants and toxic heavy metals from industrial exhaust. The membrane electrostatic precipitator can help coal, steel, paper, and other industries meet EPA emissions regulations and make high-sulfur coal a more viable energy source.
Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have developed coal-derived jet fuels that can withstand higher temperatures without forming engine-clogging deposits. This breakthrough could enable faster, safer flight for commercial jet aircraft.
Researchers have developed a new method to create activated carbon products from unburned coal waste, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. The process separates the fly ash from the unburned carbon and activates it for high surface area production with yields over 70 percent.
According to Professor Bernard Cohen, nuclear power plants emit fewer carcinogens and pollutants compared to coal burning power stations. This results in a much lower fatality rate, with air pollution from coal causing 25 fatalities per minute versus only 0.018 for nuclear.
Case Western Reserve University researchers are developing a new method to study blood flow through artificial heart components by mimicking the behavior of coal water slurries. This approach has revealed the importance of particle distribution and velocity in preventing blood clots, which can lead to stroke and death.
The pulsed fast-thermal neutron analysis system can detect explosives, drugs, and other elements in coal and cement. It uses gamma-ray fingerprints to identify elemental concentrations, enabling on-line analysis during industrial operations.