Coal renaissance, a South African point of view

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · World Coal; (United States)

OSTI ID:7266438

Rousseau, P E

This Robens Coal Science lecture declaims the world's trust in the continuity of petroleum supply, its fascination with nuclear energy and space research and neglect of coal research. World production of coal is given briefly (2 billion tons per year and expected to grow) and then discusses South Africa's coal situation in more detail. South Africa produces 70 million tons per year and this is expected to nearly double by 1985. Nearly all of South Africa's electric power is generated in large central coal-fired power stations operated by the Electricity Supply Commission. The power system is not fragmented, so great economies have been achieved in generation and in distribution. Further, there is a high load factor. By-products from the coking industry provide ammonium sulfate (20,000 tons/yr). Organic chemicals are produced on by-products of the Sasol process and as products based on calcium carbide and PVC. The Sasol process is reviewed very briefly and plans for Sasol II are discussed in more detail. Sasol II is expected to be marginally profitable at present oil prices and their own coal (valued at 4-5 dollars/ton), but would not appeal to private enterprise. (LTN)

• OSTI ID: 7266438
• Journal Information: World Coal; (United States), Journal Name: World Coal; (United States) Vol. 2:7; ISSN WOCOD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010000* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat
010405 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction
AFRICA
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM CARBIDES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBIDES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
COAL
COAL INDUSTRY
COAL LIQUEFACTION
COAL LIQUIDS
COAL RESERVES
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCES
FORECASTING
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
INDUSTRY
LIQUEFACTION
PRODUCTION
RESERVES
RESOURCES
SASOL PROCESS
SOUTH AFRICA