• Hodgkinson, Jane H.

Abstract

We explore alternative black coal and coal by-product uses and discuss options available for Australia to explore the long-term viability of Australian coal industry in a carbon constrained world.Coal itself can be used for producing materials, chemicals and electronics materials. Through gasification technologies, coal can be converted into liquid fuels, chemicals and hydrogen, with significant potential for new, large-scale utilisation of coal. Coal contains elements that could provide resources for industries producing low-carbon technologies. Waste from coal use and coal processing potentially has multiple uses. While alternative coal and by-product use currently constitute less than 5% of coal use, they are being investigated seriously as an important non-fuel resource for new and expanding markets, potentially supporting jobs in coal mining are-as and further afield.We review options for expanding alternative coal use, discussing how Australia may be positioned to gain competitive advantage from this trend. A proof-of-concept study is described, that explores the elemental content of Bowen Basin coals. We suggest steps that may provide the coal industry with direction to take advantage of these opportunities and conclude that better understanding of the chemical content of material moved during the mining of coal, may lead to additional opportunities to reduce waste and get value from every

Topics

• impedance spectroscopy
• Carbon
• laser emission spectroscopy
• Hydrogen
• gasification