Lignite - a versatile resource

Gordon McKay*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to specialist publicationArticle

Abstract

Lignites contain a little paraffinic material - and generally some waxes and resins - but mainly they are composed of aromatic structures based on benzene and naphthalene rings. The properties and characteristics of lignite are of paramount importance in affecting the uses to which it can be applied. The low sulphur content is very beneficial to maintain low sulphur gas emissions after combustion. The percentage carbon is high for a lignite and the moisture content is similar to that in many of the West German deposits. The world's present mineable reserves are estimated at 549,000 million tonnes for hard coal and 431,000 million tonnes for lignite. The technically possible uses of lignite are presented in tabular form. The various uses of lignite are discussed: electricity generation; domestic heating; energy to industry; gasification, liquefaction and chemicals; and liquid fuels.

Original languageEnglish
Pages34-36
Number of pages3
No.445
Specialist publicationChemical Engineer (London)
Publication statusPublished - Feb 1988
Externally publishedYes

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