coal combustion
Igniting black rock
Coal combustion is the burning of coal to release energy, typically for generating electricity or industrial heat.
The process produces carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, making it a major source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions: Power plants are phasing out coal combustion in favor of cleaner energy sources.
- fly ashCaptured coal combustion powder
- air pollutionToxic atmospheric contamination
- sulfur dioxideSO₂ gas compound
- steam turbinesEngines driven by pressurized vapor
- slagIndustrial metalworking byproduct
oxidation · thermal power plants · greenhouse gases · stoichiometry · carbon · carbon capture · bottom ash · boilers · waste incineration · nitrogen oxides · smoke stack · ignition · exothermic reaction · pyrolysis · particulate matter · carbon footprint · grate · electricity generation
coal combustionsolar power
Energy derived from sunlight
nuclear power · wind energy · hydroelectric power · geothermal energy · renewable energy