Coal is the most concentrated form of combustible fuel heat energy that is available by chemical means alone. Yet coal is not simply a conversion of carbon + oxygen to carbon dioxide, but burns WAY more efficiently when used in conjunction with - water. Coal, heated to near incandescence (about 1,000 degrees F.), when injected with water, forms carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, both highly combustible fuels, and also important feedstock chemicals for a number of other industrial processes. The end result, when additional oxygen is introduced, is then carbon dioxide and water vapor (and a LOT of heat energy), both of which recycle in the ecology of green growing plants.
Blacksmiths using their forges knew the practical applications of this simple chemistry, as the hottest fire is from the combustion of hydrogen plus forced oxygen induction, via a bellows, used to forge iron by raising it to cherry or straw heat, for the purposes of forming by hammer and anvil. When iron approaches straw heat, is is almost as malleable as clay, though one would never attempt to handle it other than with tongs and while wearing protective gear.
The rise of industrialization and civilization itself depended on using this very concentrated form of carbon.
Cool!
Excellent post.
I found the USA coal resource map interesting. I had no idea there are coal deposits over large areas of Iowa and Missouri.
Also, since coal is derived from plant material, I was surprised to see significant coal deposits on the Arctic coastline of Alaska. That's definitely a good reason to believe in continental drift and global warming in Earth's pre-history.
As to coal smoke, that's been gone for at least 30 years. I lived in two medium sized upper mid-west cities in the late 80s and early 90s. Both cities had coal generators literally in the middle of downtown - no smoke, and no odors at all.
Compare that with the 1950s. I recall being on the observation deck of the Chicago Board of Trade building in the late 50s with my Dad. The air was full of fly-ash, much of it larger than potato chips!.