Environmental Effects related to the transportation of coal

 

An additional increase of energy use of 40% at the capture stage of CCS will lead to a parallel increase in the volume of coal to be transported. Environmental effects resulting from transport will grow proportionally.

Transportation of coal, which is the second step of the CCS chain leads to air emissions primarily from diesel and fuel oil. The environmental effects depend on the mode of transport.

Emissions include:

- carbon monoxide (CO)

- nitrogen compounds (NOx)

- sulphur compounds (SOx)

- VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)

- particles.

In addition, transport gives rise to accidents, noise and dust nuisances.

Coal is transported over long distances throughout the world. The major exporters and importers are:

Top Coal Exporters

Australia 244Mt
Indonesia 202Mt
Russia 100mt
Colombia 67Mt
South Africa 67Mt
PR China 54Mt
U.S. 53Mt

Top Coal Importers

Japan 182Mt
Korea 88Mt
Chinese Taipei 69Mt
India 54Mt
UK 50MT
PR China 48Mt
Germany 46Mt

Sources: BP, IEA, World Steel Association, SSY, WEC (November 2008) (Mt = Million tonnes)