Coal Energy: Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage

Coal is a carbonaceous material, an important energy source primarily composed of carbon and hydrocarbons. There are many different varieties of coal found around the world; each type of coal is unique in nature and is a result of complex reactions. It releases high energy on combustion in the presence of oxygen. Coal is so important to the world that it is the primary energy source as well as the second most highly utilized energy source globally. When the coal is burned for energy demand, various chemicals are released, which affect the environment and living beings. Coal burning is a major contributor to the greenhouse effect and global warming. There is an urgent need to control emissions and their adverse effects. Decarbonization of the atmosphere offers ways to reduce or eliminate CO2 from the atmosphere to contribute positively to controlling the harmful impacts of climate change. This chapter presents a detailed discussion of coal emission, carbon capture, and utilization.