Eleanor Finch
Coal gas, also known as town gas, is a gaseous mixture of flammable fuel, mainly composed of hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide. It is produced by the destructive distillation or carbonization and partial pyrolysis of bituminous coal in the absence of air. This process results in the liberation of gases, which are then collected, scrubbed, and used as fuel. Town gas is a more general term for manufactured gaseous fuels produced for municipalities and consumers. Before the large-scale extraction of natural gas, coal gas was widely used for heating and lighting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen, Methane, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen |
| Production | Heated strongly in the absence of air |
| Production Technology | Carbonization, Partial Pyrolysis, Fischer-Tropsch Process |
| Calorific Value | 10-20 megajoules per cubic metre |
| Use | Fuel for lighting, heating, cooking, and industrial use |
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What You'll Learn
Coal gas is a flammable gaseous fuel
Coal gas, a flammable gaseous fuel, is produced when coal is heated strongly in the absence of air. This process is known as coal gasification, which creates a mixture of gases that can be used for fuel. Town gas is a more general term for manufactured gaseous fuels produced for consumers and municipalities.
The original coal gasification reaction involved heating coal to produce a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in roughly equal quantities by volume. This makes coal gas highly toxic. Other compositions may also contain additional calorific gases such as methane, produced by the Fischer-Tropsch process, and volatile hydrocarbons, along with small amounts of non-calorific gases like carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
The first coal gasification process used was carbonization and partial pyrolysis of coal, with the off-gases from high-temperature carbonization (coking) collected and used as fuel. Coke plants are associated with metallurgical facilities, while gas works typically served urban areas. The illuminating power of gas was related to the amount of soot-forming hydrocarbons ("illuminants") dissolved in it.
The development of electric lighting reduced the demand for coal gas in lighting, leading gas plants to shift their focus to supplying gas for heating, cooking, refrigeration, and cooling. However, the discovery of large reserves of natural gas in the Southern North Sea off the coasts of Norfolk and Yorkshire in 1965 led to the eventual decline of coal gas as a primary fuel in Britain, as most gas cookers and heaters were converted or replaced.
Today, coal gasification installations are primarily used for electricity generation in conventional thermal power stations and molten carbonate fuel cell power stations, or for the production of chemical feedstocks. The hydrogen obtained from coal gasification can be used for various purposes, such as making ammonia, powering a hydrogen economy, or upgrading fossil fuels.
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It is produced by heating coal strongly in the absence of air
Coal gas, a flammable gaseous fuel, is produced by heating coal strongly in the absence of air, a process known as destructive distillation. This process involves heating bituminous coal to a high temperature, causing it to release gases that can be collected and used as fuel. The gas produced through this method is a mixture primarily consisting of carbon monoxide and hydrogen in roughly equal quantities.
The absence of air during the heating process is crucial to the formation of coal gas. By excluding air, specifically oxygen, the coal undergoes thermal decomposition, breaking down into simpler substances. This process is known as pyrolysis, and it involves the breaking of chemical bonds within the coal structure due to the input of heat energy. The resulting products are then collected and cooled, yielding a mixture of gases, including coal gas.
The specific composition of coal gas can vary depending on the quality of the coal and the conditions of the heating process. However, the primary constituents of coal gas are methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide. The presence of these gases gives coal gas its flammable nature and makes it a valuable source of fuel.
During the production of coal gas, it is common to add steam to react with the hot coke or red-hot coal. This additional step increases the yield of gas and ensures a more efficient production process. Furthermore, the by-products of coal gas production, such as coal tars and ammonia, were historically important raw materials for various industries, including the dye and chemical industries.
The process of heating coal to produce coal gas was widely used before the advent of large-scale natural gas extraction from oil wells. During the early 20th century, particularly in the 1940s and 1950s, coal gas was extensively used for lighting, heating, and cooking. The development of gas plants and the piping of gas to urban households revolutionized lighting, making night shift work possible in industries such as spinning and weaving.
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Town gas is a general term for manufactured gaseous fuels
Coal gas is produced when coal is heated strongly in the absence of air. This process is known as destructive distillation or carbonization and partial pyrolysis of coal. The off-gases liberated in this process are collected, scrubbed, and used as fuel. The goal of the plant will determine the desired product: either high-quality coke for metallurgical use with gas as a side product, or the production of high-quality gas with coke as the side product.
The illuminating power of gas was once related to the amount of soot-forming hydrocarbons ("illuminants") dissolved in it. The advent of electric lighting forced gas utilities to shift their efforts towards supplying gas for heating, cooking, and even refrigeration and cooling. Before the development of natural gas supply and transmission, almost all gas for fuel and lighting was manufactured from coal.
Coal gasification processes require controls and pollution prevention measures to mitigate pollutant emissions. Historically, coal gas was used for heating and lighting, and the gas industry's by-products were valuable ingredients for explosives. Today, large-scale coal gasification installations are primarily for electricity generation or for the production of chemical feedstocks.
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Coal gas is highly toxic
Coal gas is a flammable gaseous fuel made from coal and distributed via pipes. It is produced by heating coal strongly in the absence of air. The original coal gas was manufactured through the coal gasification reaction, with the combustible component consisting of roughly equal volumes of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. As carbon monoxide is the chief poisonous constituent of coal gas, this makes coal gas highly toxic.
Carbon monoxide is formed during the incomplete combustion of carbon. In coal mines, large amounts of carbon monoxide are produced during the oxidation of coal, as well as during mine fires or explosions. This gas is then present in what is known as afterdamp—the noxious gases released by fires, explosions, or blasting. Carbon monoxide is highly toxic and dangerous, as it is absorbed by haemoglobin in the blood, blocking its ability to absorb and carry oxygen around the body. This leads to the body beginning to shut down. Carbon monoxide is also cumulative, meaning that a person can be exposed multiple times without any noticeable effects, but they will become more susceptible to its impact with each exposure. If the level of carbon monoxide reaches 0.2%, death will occur within one to two hours.
In addition to carbon monoxide, coal gas also contains methane, volatile hydrocarbons, and small amounts of non-calorific gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen. While carbon dioxide is not inherently toxic, it becomes dangerous when mixed with air as it reduces the available oxygen for breathing. This mixture of gases is known as black damp in mining terminology and can cause poisoning, asphyxiation, and death if not addressed.
The toxicity of coal gas has historically been a significant issue, as evidenced by the increase in deaths due to coal gas poisoning in the UK from 170 to 1,142 over a 15-year period in the early 20th century. While a notable proportion of these cases were suicides, the toxic nature of coal gas has been a recognized concern.
Furthermore, coal plants and gas plants emit toxic pollutants that negatively impact human health and the environment. These pollutants contribute to lung conditions, heart problems, and issues with the brain and nervous system. The release of soot, formaldehyde, nitrous oxides, and mercury into the atmosphere poses risks to communities, particularly those who are disproportionately affected by pipeline construction and fossil gas usage, such as Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.
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Coal gas is used for heating and lighting
Coal gas, a flammable gaseous fuel, is primarily composed of hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide. It is produced by heating coal in the absence of air, a process known as destructive distillation or coal gasification. This process results in the liberation of highly volatile hydrocarbons, which give coal gas its characteristic bright yellow flame.
Before the widespread adoption of natural gas and electricity, coal gas played a crucial role in heating and lighting. The discovery and extraction of natural gas reserves in the Southern North Sea off the coasts of Norfolk and Yorkshire in 1965 marked a significant shift away from coal gas in Britain. However, even today, some street lighting in central London and the Royal Parks still relies on coal gas.
The use of coal gas for lighting revolutionized society, making night shift work possible in industries such as spinning, weaving, and garment-making. It also contributed to safer streets and facilitated social interactions, reading, and writing. The illuminating power of coal gas was closely linked to the amount of soot-forming hydrocarbons or "illuminants" present in the gas.
In addition to lighting, coal gas was extensively used for heating and cooking. With the advent of new technologies, coal gas found applications in refrigeration and cooling as well. The development of various appliances, such as gas fires, gas cookers, refrigerators, and gas-heated baths, significantly improved the quality of life for people in cities and towns worldwide.
While coal gas is no longer the primary source of fuel for lighting and heating due to the shift towards natural gas and electricity, it continues to have important industrial applications. For instance, hydrogen derived from coal gasification can be used for ammonia production, powering a hydrogen economy, or upgrading fossil fuels. Additionally, coal-derived syngas can be converted into transportation fuels like gasoline and diesel through additional treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
The main constituents of coal gas are methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide.
Coal gas is a flammable gaseous fuel made from coal and supplied via a piped distribution system.
Coal gas is formed by the destructive distillation of bituminous coal, which involves heating the coal strongly in the absence of air.
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