Effect of Coal Production and Utilization on

Human Health and Environment

(vis-à-vis Clean Coal Technology Applications)

Dr. Rizwan Haider

Why do we need Clean Coal Technologies…???

§ Increased public awareness regarding local, national and

international environmental issues
§ The Coal Industry posed potential environmental impacts
leading to;
§ Greenhouse Effect/Global Warming
§ Acid Deposition
§ Ground Level Ozone Formation and Urban Smog Production
§ Trace Toxic Emissions
§ Leaching of Heavy Metals to Surface and Ground Water

Therefore, the increased understanding and enhanced awareness of conducive

environment for better living of humans have necessitated the application of clean
coal technologies.
Impacts of Coal Industry

§ In a broader perspective, ecological and environmental

aspects start appearing right from mining to use of coal by
‘end-user’ and its after-effects. The related aspects may be
categorized as;
§ Mining Activities
§ Coal Utilization Applications

§ Every aspect of coal utilization/exploitation is responsible for

imparting short-term and long-term impacts on ecological and
environmental grounds, thus, affecting the quality of life.
COAL MINING
Coal Mining

§ Pronounced effect on environment

§ Need of environmental planning
§ Environmental Impact and Social Assessment
 Effects on
Water Supply;
Surface Water
Underground Water

Spontaneous Contamination
Combustion of Mine Waters

Coal
Mining
Other
Spoil Water
Dumping Pollution

Run-off,
Erosion and
Sedimentatio
n
Effects on Water

§ All surface water originating upstream of a mining site should

be diverted around the excavation and spoil areas to avoid
contamination of the water and to reduce other problems
within the pit.
§ Groundwater is used globally for public water supply, and the
protection of aquifers that supply water to both urban and rural
communities is essential.
§ In some cases, potable groundwater has to be removed in
order to operate open pit mines, this water has to be captured
in reservoirs or recharged back into the aquifer some distance
away from the mine. Again contamination is to be avoided.
Contamination of Mine Waters
§ Acid mine drainage is the principal cause of contaminated
water arising from coal mining.
§ It results from the exposure of sulfide minerals, particularly
pyrite, to water and oxygen during and after mining or in piles
of mine waste.
Other Water Pollution
§ Pollution of surface waters can occur from the use of drilling
muds and additives. In both greenfield and developed areas,
drilling programmes must avoid the pollution of streams and
rivers by drilling fluids being allowed to flow into them.
§ Discolouration of the water, although not necessarily toxic, is
not desired by urban and rural peoples alike.
Run-off, Erosion and Sedimentation
§ Run-off results from precipitation and is the major cause of
erosion in mining areas, particularly in regions of concentrated
heavy rainfall as is the case in tropical countries.
§ Attempts to combat soil erosion are aimed at controlling run-
off, reducing the erodibility of the soil itself and removing any
sediment from the run-off that does occur.
§ The loss of soil and land due to erosion can result in the
degradation of streams and lakes as a result of increased
sediment loads.
Spoil Dumping
§ Environmentally the dumping of spoil material is considered
one of the least desirable surface manifestations of coal
mining.
§ Modern underground mines still have the problem of where to
place rock-waste, but this has been reduced by the widespread
introduction of longwall mining and by repacking waste
material in abandoned districts in room and pillar mines.
Spontaneous Combustion
§ The propensity to spontaneous combustion is related to the
rank, moisture content and size of the coal.
§ In addition, mining and ventilation practices and geological
conditions can also be contributory factors.
§ Solid coal presents less risk of spontaneous combustion, but
when it is shattered by mining or broken by structural
dislocation, the surface area of the coal is greatly increased.
Impacts of Coal Mining on Human Health
§ Most of the problems associated with mining are common to all
countries, which are;
§ Strata collapse
§ Fires and explosions
§ Dust
§ Fumes and heat
§ Noise

§ Improvements in mining practices and in the development of

equipment with high safety standards have helped to
drastically reduce accidents in both underground and open pit
mines.
Impacts of Coal Mining on Human Health
§ Working in hot and humid conditions this control is not
maintained, the body temperature starts to rise and produces
various physiological effects such as;
§ Heat rash,
§ Fainting,
§ Heat exhaustion,
§ Cramps culminating in heat stroke
Impacts of Coal Mining on Human Health
§ One hazard that is now receiving greater attention is the
presence of radon in mine waters and mine atmospheres.
Although harmless externally, radon gas, if breathed in on dust
and moisture particles remains in the respiratory system. The
major health hazard from radon is thought to be an increased
risk of lung cancer.
§ Also associated with coal mining is the release of naturally
occurring toxic organic compounds into the environment.
COAL UTILIZATION
Coal Utilization
§ Environmental considerations have been central to the
effective utilisation of coal in industry for many years.
§ Potential impacts on human and ecosystem health of coal
combustion in power stations, and its use in other industrial
processes such as steel making, have required;
§ Development of detailed environmental assessment
§ Regulation
§ Management
§ Monitoring and modeling to reduce the risk of deleterious effects
Coal Utilization
§ Environmental concerns associated with the use of coal
include;
1. Gaseous and particulate emissions produced in the combustion
process, notably oxides of nitrogen (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and toxic
trace elements which can result in atmospheric concentrations which
exceed human health guidelines;
2. Conversion of NOx and SO2 to acidic gases and particles which can
contribute to atmospheric fine particle concentrations, and can be
deposited to sensitive ecosystems through wet or dry deposition
processes;
3. Impacts of NOx emissions on regional air quality through
photochemical smog formation
4. Emission of PM and release of trace elements
5. Waste Disposals
 Emission of
Sulphur Oxides

Waste
Disposals Release of
i.e., Ash, Trace
Elements
Sludge etc.
Coal
Utilization

Emission of Emission
NOx of PM
Emission of Acid Gases
§ There have been long-standing concerns about emissions of
acid gases from the combustion of coal. Emissions of sulfur
oxides (largely sulfur dioxide (SO2)) and oxides of nitrogen
(largely NO but also some NO2 , which collectively are known
as NOx ), arise not only from S and N present in the coal but
also from the combustion process itself.
§ Both sulfur and nitrogen oxides contribute to acid deposition
(known as ‘acid rain’) in which these gases, or the acids they
are converted to, impinge on land, water or vegetation as a
result of wet and dry deposition processes.
Sulphur Oxides
§ Emissions of SO2 are primarily a function of the sulfur content
of the coal, and usually can be reduced only by:
1. Fuel substitution (i.e., choosing a coal of lower S content);
2. Fuel treatment to reduce the S content;
3. Flue gas desulfurisation (FGD) in which scrubbing agents (usually
based on Ca) react with SO2 to produce a disposable waste product; in
some cases the product can be recovered for use as a building
material.
Nitrogen Oxides
§ The formation of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from the combustion
of coal has been extensively studied. This is due to the
importance of emissions of NOx and the role they play in a
range of environmental problems:
1. Winter-Time Urban Pollution Episodes
2. Acidic Deposition and Acidification of Remote Soil and Freshwater
Ecosystems
3. Photochemical Ozone Formation
4. Fertilization of Sensitive Soil and Plant Ecosystems leading to Changes
and Reductions in Biodiversity
5. Stimulation of Plankton Blooms in Marine Waters
Fine Particles
§ Atmospheric particles (also known as particulate matter, PM) are
receiving increased attention as a consequence of their effects on
human health, visibility, acid deposition and global climate.
§ Much of the recent attention has been directed at the inhalable fine
particle fraction (less than about 1–2μm in diameter) due to the
potential impacts on human health.
§ Fine particles arise from both natural and anthropogenic, and
primary and secondary, sources. Here, primary refers to particles
directly emitted by sources such as diesel vehicles, industrial
processes and bushfires, and secondary refers to atmospheric gas-
to-particle conversion processes.
§ Coal combustion is a significant source and contributes to both
primary and secondary fine particles.
Fine Particles
§ There remains intense activity in the area of PM and health
effects, and particularly in investigating causal relations
between fine particle composition and health effects.
§ The key issues particularly for combustion generated fine
particles happen to be:
1. The magnitude of the impact of PM on human health
2. Particle size distribution
3. Relative roles for soluble and insoluble components of PM
Health Hazards
Coal Utilization
§ The major threat in terms of health impacts, posed by coal
utilization, is largely based on air pollution.
§ According to a report by US Environmental Protection Agency
in 2007, coal-based power plants emit 84 out of 187 Hazardous
Air Pollutants (HAPs).
§ HAPs emitted from coal-fired power plants include neurotoxins
such as mercury and lead, corrosive substances such as
hydrochloric acid, carcinogens such as arsenic and benzene,
radioactive elements such as radium, and potent organic
carbon-based toxins such as dioxins and formaldehyde.
Air Pollution Health Effect Pyramid

USEPA 2007
 Toxicological and Environmental Properties of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) emitted from
Electric Generating Stations Fueled by Coal
Class of HAP Notable HAPs Human Health Hazards Environmental Hazards
Hydrochloric Acid Irritation to Skin, Eye, Nose Throat, Acid Precipitation, Damage to
Acid Gases
Hydrofluoric Acid Breathing Passages Crops, and Forests

Probable Carcinogen: soft tissue

sarcomas, lymphomas, and stomach Deposits into rivers, lakes and
2,3,7,8-
carcinomas. May cause reproductive oceans and is taken up by fish
Dioxins and Furans tetrachlorodioxin
and developmental problems, damage and wildlife. Accumulates in the
(TCDD)
to the immune system, and food chain
interference with hormones

Damage to brain, nervous system,

Taken up by fish and wildlife.
Mercury Methyl-mercury kidneys and liver. Causes neurological
Accumulates in the food chain
and developmental birth defects

Arsenic, Beryllium, Carcinogens: lung, bladder, kidney

Accumulates in soil and
Cadmium, Chromium, skin. May adversely affect nervous,
sediments. Soluble forms may
Nickel, Selenium, cardiovascular, dermal, respiratory
contaminate water systems
Manganese and immune systems
Non-Mercury Metals
and Metalloids Damages the developing nervous
(excluding system, may adversely affect learning Harms plants and wildlife;
radioisotopes) , memory, and behaviour. May cause accumulates in soils and
Lead
cardiovascular and kidney effects, sediments. May adversely affect
anemia, and weakness of ankles, land and water ecosystems.
wrists and fingers.

(ASTDR 2011; WHO 2011)

 Toxicological and Environmental Properties of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs) emitted from
Electric Generating Stations Fueled by Coal
Class of HAP Notable HAPs Human Health Hazards Environmental Hazards
Naphthalene, Probable carcinogens; May attach to
Benzo-a-anthracene, small particulate matter and deposit in
Exists in the vapor or particulate
Polynucler Aromatic Benzo-a-pyrene, the lungs. May have adverse effects to
phase. Accumulates in soil and
Hydrocarbons Benzo-b-fluoranthene, the liver, kidney. May damage sperms
sediments.
Chrysene, cells and cause impairment of
Dibenzo-a-anthracene reproduction.
Carcinogen: Lung and bone Deposits into rivers, lakes and
Radium Bronchopneumonia, anemia, brain oceans and is taken up by fish
Radioisotopes abscess and wildlife. Accumulates in
Carcinogen: lung and lymphatic soils, sediments and in the food
Uranium chain.
system. Kidney disease
May cause the irritation of the skin,
eyes, nose and throat; difficulty in
Aromatic
breathing; impaired functioning of the
hydrocarbons
lungs; delayed response to a visual Degrade through chemical
including benzene,
stimulus; impaired memory, stomach interactions in the atmosphere
toluene, ethylbenzene,
Volatile Organic discomfort; and effects to the liver and contribute to carbon-based
xylene
Compounds (VOC) and kidneys. May also cause adverse radicals that contribute to
effects to the nervous system. formation of ground-level ozone
Probable carcinogen: lung and and its human health effects.
Aldehydes including nasopharyngeal cancer. Eye, nose,
formaldehyde and throat irritation, respiratory
symptoms.

(ASTDR 2011; WHO 2011)

 Environmental Impacts of
Coal Conversion Technologies
Process Options
§ Four Categories;
1. Pyrolysis
2. Solvent Extraction
3. Catalytic Liquefaction
4. Indirect Liquefaction
 Environmental Risks

§ Gaseous Emissions
§ H2S

§ Aqueous Effluents
§ Ammonium sulphide
§ Phenols
§ Cresols
§ Xylenols
§ Thiocyanates
 Environmental Risks
§ Solid Wastes
§ A coal liquefaction plant generates three main types of solid waste
materials;
§ Ash and Slag from the Reactors
§ Sludge from Various Wastewater Treatment Units
§ Spent Catalysts from Catalytic Units
§ The possibility of trace materials leaching from the ash into ground or
surface waters must also be given attention
 Prospective Emissions from Coal Liquefaction Processes

Source Emissions
Coal Storage and Pretreatment Dust, Particulates, Trace Elements
Preheater, Liquefaction Preheater, Particulates, Sulphur and Nitrogen Oxides
Hydrogen Generation, Hydro-treating,
and Solid Liquids Separation
Product Fractionation Sulphur and Nitrogen Oxides, Hydrocarbon Vapours
Catalyst Regeneration Nickel and Metal Carbonyls, Carbon Monoxide,
Sulphur Compounds, Organics
Process Effluents Gas Purification Hydrogen Sulphide, Carbonyl Sulphide, Carbon
Disulphide, Hydrogen Cyanide, Carbon Monoxide,
Carbon Dioxide, Light Hydrocarbons, Mercaptans,
Thiophenes
Product Storage Hydrocarbon Vapours, Ammonia
Valves, Fitting Leaks Acid Gases
Liquid Waste Streams from Coal Liquefaction Processes

Source Waste Stream

Coal Pile Runoff Particulates, Trace Metals
Hydrogen Generation Sour or Foul Wastewater
Acid Gas Removal Hydrogen Sulphide, Cyanides, Phenols
Ammonia Recovery Dissolved Ammonia
Phenol Recovery Dissolved Phenols, Cresylics
Spent Reagents and Sorbents Sulphides, Sulfates, Trace Metals, Dissolved and
Suspended Solids, Ammonia, Phenols, Tars, Oil,
Hydrogen Sulphide, Carbon Oxides
Leachates from Gasifier Ash, Trace Elements and Organics
Desulphurization Sludge, Bio-sludge,
and Spent Catalysts
 Solid Waste Streams from Coal liquefaction Processes

Source Waste Stream

Coal Pretreatment Slag, Trace Minerals
Gasification Ash, Sulphides, Thiocyanate, Ammonia, Organics,
Minerals
Steam and Power Generation Ash, Minerals, Trace Elements
Filter Cake, Excess Residues from Solid- Ash, Minerals, Trace Elements, Absorbed Heavy
Liquid Separation Hydrocarbons
Spent Catalyst from Hydro-treating Metals, Absorbed Organics, Sulphur Compounds
Spent Catalysts from Shift Conversion, Metals, Absorbed Organics Sulphur Compounds
Synthesis, and Sulphur Recovery
Sludges from Waste Treatment and Trace Elements, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons,
Product Purification
Slag from Hydrogen Generation Trace Metals, Sulphides, Ammonia, Organics,
Phenols, Minerals
 Health Effects of the Products/By-Products of
Liquefaction
Constituent Source Effect
INORGANIC
Ammonia Gas Liquor Respiratory Edema,
Asphyxia, Death
Carbon Disulphide Concentrated Acid Gas Nausea, Vomiting,
Convulsions
Carbon Monoxide Coal Lockhopper Vent Gas Headache, Dizziness,
Weakness, Vomiting, Death
Hydrogen Sulphide Coal Lockhopper Vent Gas, Coma and death may occur
Concentrated Acid Gas, within a few seconds
Catalyst Regeneration Off-Gas
Nickel Carbonyl Catalyst Regeneration Off-Gas Highly Toxic, Irritation, Lung
Edema,
Trace Elements Bottom and Fly Ash, Solid Element Specific
Waste Disposal
 Health Effects of the Products/By-Products of
Liquefaction

Constituent Source Effect

ORGANIC
Aliphatic Hydrocarbons Evaporative Emission from Product Most are not toxic
Storage
Aromatic Amines Coal Lockhopper Vent Gas Cyanosis,
Methemoglobinemia,
Vertigo, Headache,
Single Ring Aromatics Gas Liquor, Coal Lockhopper Vent Irritation, Vomiting,
Gas Convulsions
Aromatic Nitrogen Gas Liquor, Coal Lockhopper Vent Skin and Lung Irritants
Heterocyclics Gas
Coal Gasification
§ Versatile methods to convert coal into electricity, hydrogen,
and other valuable energy-related products.
§ Production of synthesis gas (syngas)
§ This flexibility increases the economic value of these
resources and lowers costs by providing industry with a
broader range of feedstock options.
Coal Gasification
§ The gas produced by gasification can contain one or more of
contaminants such as;
§ Ash
§ Char
§ Alkali metals
§ Nitrogen compounds
§ Polynuclear aromatic compounds
§ Tar
§ Sulfur-containing compounds (including hydrogen sulfide)
§ Chlorine-containing compounds
§ The identity and amount of these contaminants depend on the
gasification process and the type of coal.
Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)
§ An in-situ coal conversion pathway
§ Accessing coal resources that are either uneconomic to work
by conventional open cut or underground coal mining methods,
or are inaccessible due to depth, geology or mining/safety
considerations
§ Environmental Risks:
§ Ground water contamination
§ Subsidence
 Environmental Risks
§ Ground Water Contamination
§ Subsidence