Maica Ramirez

11 Chemistry

Australians produce the greatest quantities of pollution per head of

population of all people on Earth. It was said that global warming
has been one of the major problems to the world since mid-20 th
century, with Australia producing 1.43 per cent of carbon
dioxide emissions each year [Smith, 2007]. Most of this pollution
comes from burning coal in our power stations.

In an average year, a typical coal plant generates that can harm our
environment:
• 3,759,374 tonnes of carbon dioxide (main greenhouse gas);
• 10,160 tonnes of sulfur dioxide (main gas contributing to acid
rain);
• 10,364 tonnes of nitrogen oxide (main gas that leads to
formation of ozone);
• and large amounts of other toxic substances.
The quantity in total is equivalent of 161 million trees being cut
down [UCSUSA, 2009].

Because of the levels of pollution, especially carbon dioxide, per

head of population Australia has a very weak moral position when
trying to influence other governments to reduce greenhouse gases
and pollution. In order to improve this situation, and make a
contribution to global climate debate and policy, Australians are at
last starting to look for ways to reduce power requirements and find
cleaner alternative fuels to meet our energy demands.

Europe is currently using LPG as its alternative fuel. Liquid

Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a mixture of hydrocarbons, primary propane
and butane, derived during natural gas and oil extraction [Atlantic
Consulting, 2009]. Because LPG has a higher ratio of hydrogen to
carbon atoms than other fossil fuels, such as coal and diesel, it
releases fewer emissions into the atmosphere. This report will
compare and contrast the use of an alternative chemical fuel, LPG,
which may be able to replace or reduce the use of coal as a primary
source of energy.

Coal

Coal is a black or brown

combustible, sedimentary,
organic rock composed
mainly of carbon (50-98%),
hydrogen (3-13%) and
oxygen with lesser amounts
of nitrogen, sulphur and
other elements. It is an
important fuel source, with
23% of primary energy needs
met by coal and 39% of
Source: Coal, Power for Progress - World Coal Institute
[http://www.australiancoal.com.au/coal-and-its-
uses_coal-classification.aspx]
 Maica Ramirez
11 Chemistry

electricity generated from coal. Coal is classified into four main

types: lignite, sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite, in order
of increasing carbon and energy content [Australian Coal
Association, 2008]. This analysis will focus more on bituminous or
black coal.

On the other hand, burning coal is a leading cause of smog, acid

rain, global warming, and air toxics. Burning coal worldwide
produces about 9 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. About
70% of this being from power generation [World Nuclear
Association, 2010]. Australia has 0.32% of the world's population,
yet produces 1.43% of carbon dioxide emissions. It means that, per
person, pollution levels are 4.5 times the global average [Smith,
2007].

Australia had consumed approximately 135, 780 tonnes of coal in

2009 [US DOE, 2009].

Table 1: Examples of Proximate and Ultimate Analyses

Proximate Analysis Ultimate Analysis Net

(wt % ar) (wt % maf)
Heatin
g
Fixe
Volatil Value
d
e Moistur (maf)
Coal Rank carb Ash C H O N S
matter e (MJ/kg)
on

Anthracite 81.8 7.7 4.5 6.0 91.8 3.6 2.5 1.4 0.7 36.2

Bituminous 54.9 35.6 5.3 4.2 82.8 5.1 10.1 1.4 0.6 36.1

Subbitumin
43.6 34.7 110.5 11.2 76.4 5.6 14.9 1.7 1.4 31.8
ous

Lignite 27.8 24.9 36.9 10.4 71.0 4.3 23.2 1.1 0.4 26.7

Notes:
• wt % = percent by weight ar = as received maf = moisture and ash
free
• C = Carbon H = Hydrogen O = Oxygen N = Nitrogen S=
Sulfur
• Multiply Net Heating Values in MJ/kg by 430.11 to convert to Btu/lb.

[Reference: http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Coal]

From the figures in Table 1, 135, 780 tonnes of coal (bituminous) is

composed of approximately:
• 111 tonnes of carbon
• 1 tonne of hydrogen
• 1 tonne of nitrogen
• 1 tonne of sulfur
 Maica Ramirez
11 Chemistry

When coal is burned, water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen

oxides (NOx) and varying amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO2) are
produced, depending on the compositions of the coal. The water
comes from two sources: evaporation of water in the coal (moisture
content in the coal), and as a product of combustion.

When carbons from coal react with oxygen as it is burnt, it produces

energy:

C(s) + O2(g)  CO2(g) + 393kJ/mol

As such, (111 ×10 ×1000 ×1000 ) g of C is 9.24 ×10 12 moles of carbon.
6

With 9.24 ×10 moles of carbon, it can produce 3.63 ×10 kJ of

12 15

energy.

H2(g) + O (g)  H2O(l) + 285kJ/mol

Likewise, (1 ×10 6 ×1000 ×1000 ) g of H2 is 4.97 ×10 11 moles of hydrogen

with produce 1.41 ×10 kJ of energy.
14

As coal is continued to be consumed, pollutants such as nitrogen

oxide and sulfur dioxide are produced.

N(g) + O2(g)  NO2(g)

S(g) + O2(g)  SO2(g)
From the equation of the pollutants, one mole of N and S creates
one mole of NO2 and SO2.

(1 ×10 6 ×1000 ×1000 ) g of Nitrogen contains 7.14 ×10 10 moles, with the

being said, 7.14 ×10 moles of NO2 will be produced.

10

Given that the molar mass of NO2 is approximately 46g, then

7.14 ×10 10 moles would produce 3.2844 x 1012 tonnes of NO2.

Similarly, (1 ×10 6 ×1000 ×1000 ) g of Sulphur contains 3.11 ×10 10 moles.

From the equation, it can be said that 3.11 ×10 moles of SO2 will
10

be produced.

Given that the molar mass of SO2 is approximately 64g, then

3.11 ×10 10 moles would produce 1.9904 x 1012 tonnes of SO2.

Since 111 tonnes of carbon contain 9.24 ×10 moles, then similarly,
12

it can be said that moles 9.24 ×10 of CO2 are produced.

12
 Maica Ramirez
11 Chemistry

Given that the molar mass of CO2 is approximately 44g, then

9.24 ×10 12 moles would produce 4.06 x 1014 tonnes of CO2.
 Maica Ramirez
11 Chemistry

LPG

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a mixture of hydrocarbons,

mainly composed of propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10). It
is colourless, odourless and heavier than air. It burns
readily in air and has energy content similar to petrol,
which makes it an excellent fuel for heating, cooking, and
for automotive use. In 2008, Australia consumed 1.9
million tonnes of LPG [LPG Australia, 2010]. This analysis
will be focused on propane.

Energy is mostly produced from combustion of propane.

C3H8 + 5O2  3CO2 + 4H2O + 2219.9 kJ/mol

As such, (1.9 ×10 6 ×1000 ×1000 ) g of C3H8 is 3.39 ×10 10 moles of C3H8.
With that said, 3.39 ×10 moles of C3H8 could produce 7.5 ×10 kJ
10 13

of energy.
20
With that said, 1.9 million tonnes of LPG produced 1.425 x 10 kJ of
energy from burned.

Given that the molar mass of C3H8 is approximately 56g, then

3.39 ×10 10 moles would produce 1.8984 x 1012 tonnes of C3H8.

The major pollutant created from the combustion of propane is CO2.

From the equation of the compete combustion for C3H8, 1 mole of

C3H8 creates 3 moles of CO2.

This means that for 3.39 ×10 10 moles of C3H8, there would be
1.017 ×10 11 moles of CO2 produced. Given that the molar mass of
12
CO2 is approximately 44g, then 1.8984 x 10 tonnes of C3H8
12
would produce 4.4748 x 10 tonnes of CO2.
 Maica Ramirez
11 Chemistry

Compare and Contrast

For the sake of accurately comparing the two fuel sources, the
energy and pollution will be adjusted to find the figures at the
same weight (1 tonne).

Table 2: Figures of Coal (Fixed Weight)

Energy from C (111
3.63 ×10 15 kJ
tonnes)
Energy from H (1 tonne) 1.41 ×10 14 kJ
Total energy from Energy
combustion of produced by 2.777 ×10 10
3.771 ×10 15 kJ
135,780 tonnes of burning 1 kJ
coal tonne
14 CO2 produced 2,990,131,0
4.06 x 10
CO2 produced by burning 94
tonnes 1 tonne tonnes
12 NO2 produced
3.2844 x 10 24,189,129
NO2 produced by burning
tonnes 1 tonne tonnes
12 SO2 produced
1.9904 x 10 14,659,007
SO2 produced by burning
tonnes 1 tonne tonnes
Total pollutants 3,028,979,2
Total Pollutants 4.1127 x 1014
by burning 31
produced tonnes
1 tonne tonnes

Table 3: Figures of LPG (Fixed Weight)

Energy
produced
Energy produced from 20
1.425 x 10 from
combustion of 1.9 x 7.5 ×10 13 kJ
kJ combustion
106 tonnes of LPG
of 1 tonne
of LPG
CO2 produced
12 from
CO2 produced from 4.4748 x 10 23,355,157
combustion
combustion of LPG tonnes tonnes
of 1 tonne
of LPG

From the Tables 2 and 3, a comparison can be made:

Table 4: Comparison
between Coal Coal LPG
and LPG
Energy produced from
2.777 ×10 10 kJ 7.5 ×10 13 kJ
combustion
 Maica Ramirez
11 Chemistry

CO2 produced 2,990,131,094 tonnes 23,355,157 tonnes

NO2 produced 24,189,129 tonnes -
SO2 produced 14,659,007 tonnes -
Total Pollutants 3,028,979,231 tonnes -
produced

Conclusion

As seen on Table 4, LPG creates 7.49 ×10 13 kJ more energy than coal
does when it is burnt. A difference in CO2 produced could also be
seen. The combustion of LPG produces 2,966,775,937 tonnes of
CO2 less than the combustion of coal.

In conclusion, LPG is a better choice of efficient fuel than coal, with

more energy produced from combustion of one tonne of LPG yet
with less greenhouse emissions. Yet it was said that Australia’s
LPG reserves may only last till 2020 [Parliament of Australia,
2006]. In contrast with that, the American Coal Foundation
(2005) had said that “with a 250 to 300 year supply of coal
under our feet, the picture of coal's role in the future is
bright.”

Despite the fact that LPG produces less greenhouse emissions, there
may not be enough reserves to replace coal as a primary fuel in
the future. Coal is unhealthy with its strong greenhouse
emissions and its small amount of energy yet it has a greater
quantity than LPG.

It appears that from the analysis and research given, coal will
remain as a primary fuel source. LPG does not have enough to
reserves to be a possible option. However if coal remains to be
Australia’s primary fuel source, there will be more greenhouse
emissions and must be decreased in the future.
 Maica Ramirez
11 Chemistry

References
American Coal Association. 2005. What is Coal's Future?. Viewed 19 November
2010. <http://www.ket.org/Trips/Coal/AGSMM/agsmmfuture.html>

Atlantic Consulting. 2009. LPG and Local Air Quality: A Scientific Review. Viewed
27 October 2010. <http://www.aegpl.com/media/21017/atlantic
%20consulting%20scientific%20review%20laq,%20ed.%202009.pdf>

Australian Coal Association. 2008. Coal & Its Uses – Origins of Coal. Viewed 28
October 2010. <http://www.australiancoal.com.au/coal-and-its-
uses_origins-of-coal.aspx>

Australian Coal Association. 2008. Coal Facts Australia 2008. Viewed 1 November
2010,
<http://www.australiancoal.com.au/resources.ashx/Publications/7/Pu
blication/6C91AB6A13D9D31F5D15F5A816354C7A/COAL_FACTS_AUST
RALIA_2008_Feb08-4.pdf>.

Geoscience Australia. N.d. Coal: Fact Sheet. Viewed 29 October 2010.

<http://www.australianminesatlas.gov.au/education/fact_sheets/coal.
jsp>

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<http://lpgaustralia.com.au/index.php?
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LPG Australia. 2010. Pricing Facts. Viewed 15 November 2010.

<http://lpgaustralia.com.au/index.php?
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Parliament of Australia. 2006. Chapter Four - Supply side responses. Viewed 18

November
2010.<http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/rrat_ctte/complete
d_inquiries/2004-07/oil_supply/int_report/c04.htm>

Smith, D. 2007. Australia's carbon dioxide emissions twice world rate. Viewed 26
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greenhouse-emissions-twice-world-
rate/2007/05/22/1179601374518.html>

UCSUSA (Union of Concerned Scientists USA). 2009. Environmental impacts of

coal power: air pollution. Viewed 29 October 2010.
<http://www.ucsusa.org/clean_energy/coalvswind/c02c.html>

US DOE (US Department of Energy). 2009. International Energy Statistics. Viewed

11 November 2010.
<http://www.eia.doe.gov/cfapps/ipdbproject/iedindex3.cfm?
tid=1&pid=1&aid=2&cid=&syid=2005&eyid=2009&unit=TST>

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Sequestration. Viewed 27 October 2010. <http://www.world-
nuclear.org/info/inf83.html>