coal slurry
Quick Summary
Coal slurry is a mixture of crushed coal and a liquid, typically water, forming a watery suspension. This slurry can be transported economically over long distances via pipelines, especially between large coal-producing areas and markets that use substantial, consistent amounts of coal.12
A specific application is coal-water slurry fuel (CWSF), which contains 50-70% pulverized coal and 29-49% water, along with chemicals to stabilize the mixture. CWSF can be sprayed into boilers and burned similarly to liquid fuel. While the water content slightly reduces thermal efficiency, it can be more cost-effective than dewatering wet coal or converting oil-fired systems to dry coal. The viability of CWSF depends on the price of liquid fuels. Slurry pipelines offer advantages like fixed costs independent of inflation and reduced labor and material needs compared to rail or truck transport. However, they require significant water resources and pose potential environmental risks like water pollution.32
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