Coal gas from blast furnaces has been an important energy source for hundreds of years, and its characteristics are still a matter of great importance to industry and energy research today.
Coal gas is obtained from coal by the process of destructive distillation. Coal is heated in an oxygen-free container and the resulting products are largely composed of methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. In comparison to natural gas, coal gas has a higher carbon dioxide content, and a lower content of methane and hydrogen.
When burned, coal gas produces more heat and carbon monoxide than natural gas. This makes it especially useful for industrial and residential applications in which an efficient and inexpensive heat source is required. Its convenience also means that it can be used in remote areas, where transportation of natural gas may not be practical.
The combustion properties of coal gas are particularly important when considering its use in heating systems. Because of its higher carbon dioxide content, coal gas is more likely than natural gas to produce a sooty flame when used for heating or in industrial applications. However, its higher heating value, relative ease of conversion, and abundance on the global market make it an attractive fuel source nonetheless.
In most cases, coal gas is used in the form of blended gas, which is a combination of natural gas, coal gas, and other components. This blended gas is then used for heating purposes, either in commercial or residential applications.
Another important use for coal gas is power generation. Coal gas is used to generate electricity in many areas, including the United States and China. This is done by combusting coal gas with air in a process called gasification. Gasification is a thermal process, which produces combustible gas that can be used to produce electricity.
Due to its lower cost, coal gas is increasingly being used as a fuel in industrial processes. For example, ammonia and ethylene production processes often require large amounts of fuel, and the use of coal gas helps to reduce the cost of these processes.
In addition to its use in fuel and energy, coal gas is also used in a variety of other industries. It is used as an industrial feedstock in the production of synthetic rubber, plastics, miscellaneous products and chemicals. Furthermore, it is also being used in the production of motor fuels, fertilizers, and specialty chemicals.
Despite its many advantages and applications, there are a few drawbacks associated with coal gas. One is that it produces more pollutants than natural gas. Another is that its chemistry cannot be accurately predicted and monitored, making it difficult to ensure optimum performance. Finally, because of its higher carbon dioxide content, carbon dioxide emissions from coal gas are higher than from natural gas.
In conclusion, coal gas is an important energy source and its characteristics make it suitable for a variety of applications. Despite its drawbacks, it is becoming increasingly popular in many industries, due to its relatively lower cost, ease of conversion and abundant availability.
