Health Benefits and Costs of Using Washed Coal
Coal washing reduces the ash content of coal and improves its heating value: it also removes small amounts of other substances, such as sulfur and hazardous air pollutants. The use of washed coal improves the combustion efficiency of a plant (less coal needs to be burned to produce electricity). Per unit of heat input, particulate and sulfur emissions are reduced, as are flyash disposal costs and the cost of transporting coal. Use of washed coal may also reduce plant maintenance costs and increase plant availability (Zamuda and Sharpe 2007).