Solid Fossil Fuels (Mostly Coal): Processes and Properties

Abstract

Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel known to exist in the United States. Present recoverable reserves are estimated to be nearly 300 billion tons (DTA, 1979), with potential total reserves far in excess of this amount. Deposits of coal are located in most regions in the United States as illustrated in Figure 2.1. Estimated production of coal by the year 2000 will be nearly two billion tons per year with the bulk being consumed through combustion processes as illustrated in Figure 2.2. Thus, present recoverable reserves are adequate to meet the nation’s coal needs for many decades and potentially much longer.

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out:

Proverbs 26:20