Coal dust

Coal dust is a fine powdered form of coal. Because of the brittle nature of coal, coal dust can be created during mining, transportation, or by mechanically handling coal.

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Risks

Coal dust suspended in air is explosive. Coal dust has far more surface area per unit weight than chunks of coal, and is more susceptible to spontaneous combustion. As a result, a nearly empty coal store is a greater explosion risk than a full one. The Luisenthal Mine Disaster and the explosion at Benxihu Colliery are two examples of this type of explosion caused by coal dust.

Coal workers' Pneumoconiosis, or black lung disease, is caused by inhaling coal dust, typically dust produced in coal mining.

Coal dust in energy generation

For use in thermal power plants, coal is ground into dust using a device called a powdered coal mill [1]. The resulting product, called powdered coal or pulverized coal, is then generally used in a fossil fuel power plant for electricity generation. Pulverised coal is a significant dust explosion hazard, as large quantities are suspended in air for transfer from the mill to the power plant. Explosions have occurred when the flow drops and flames in the burning chamber pass back along the ductwork delivering fuel.

See also

• Pulverized coal-fired boiler
• Safety lamp
• Australian Coal Alliance