煤炭技术coal technology(2003)

技术技术帮助煤炭满足现代需求4千多年来，煤炭为我们的生活质量做出了贡献。考古学家认为，煤最早是在公元前2000年作为燃料为烹饪提供热量*。从那时起，人们开发出了将煤炭用于各种其他用途的技术。今天的技术范围从复杂的采矿方法到使煤炭燃烧更清洁和更有效的技术。专业技术改善了煤炭运输系统、煤炭清洗和煤炭加工方法。由于技术的发展，煤炭可以转化成几十种有用的产品。例如，煤被用来制造焦炭，焦炭是钢铁制造的一个重要组成部分。煤还用于水泥、纸浆和造纸工业，以产生制造这些产品所需的过程热。煤可以用来生产各种工业产品，这些产品目前是由石油和天然气原料*制成的。研究继续集中在新的用途，更有效的过程和更清洁的煤炭燃烧。从低调到高科技70年的创新现代技术，加上成本效益的需要，已经完全改变了加拿大煤炭工业的运作方式。开始时是劳力密集的小规模活动，现在已发展成高效率的大规模采矿工业。过去人们用镐和铁锹做的工作现在由熟练操作复杂机器的训练有素的工人来做。长达数公里的电力输送系统已经取代了马车和手推车。巨大的卡车和一些世界上最大的运土机器——牵引线、铲子和装载机——搬运堆积如山的材料。工作条件和环境责任也发生了变化。今天，工业计划和严格的政府规定极大地改善了工人的安全和环境保护。现代煤炭经营的规模是惊人的。例如，在不列颠哥伦比亚省东南部的一个露天矿场，每年处理的岩石和煤炭超过4000万立方米。这相当于每天10万立方米的水量，足以填满艾伯塔省卡尔加里市的“彭格罗”体育馆。

TECHNOLOGY

TECHNOLOGIES HELP COAL MEET MODERN NEEDS

Coal has contributed to our quality of life for over 4,000 years.  Archeologists believe coal was first used as a fuel to provide heat for cooking in 2,000 BCE*. Since then, technologies have been developed that use coal for a variety of other purposes.

Today’s technologies range from sophisticated mining methods to techniques that allow coal to be burned cleaner and more efficiently. Specialized technologies have improved coal transportation systems, coal cleaning and coal processing methods. Because of technology, coal can be transformed into dozens of useful products. For example, coal is used to make coke*, an important component in the manufacture of steel. Coal is also used in the cement and pulp and paper industries to create the process heat required in the making of these products.  And coal can be used to produce a variety of industrial products that are currently made from oil and natural gas feedstock*. Research continues to focus on new uses, more efficient processes and cleaner burning of coal.

FROM LOW KEY TO HIGH TECH 

70 YEARS OF INNOVATION

Modern technology, coupled with the need to be cost-effective, has completely reshaped how Canada’s coal industry operates. What began as a labour-intensive, small-scale activity has evolved into a highly efficient, large-scale mining industry.
The work that used to be done by men with picks and shovels is now performed by trained workers operating sophisticated machines. Kilometres of electricity-driven conveyor systems have replaced horse-drawn trolleys and handcarts. Huge trucks and some of the largest earth-moving machines in the world—draglines*, shovels and loaders—move mountains of material.
Working conditions and environmental responsibilities have changed too. Today, industry programs and strict government regulations have dramatically improved worker safety and environmental protection.

The scale of modern coal operations is awesome. For example, at just one open-pit mine site in southeastern British Columbia, over 40 million cubic metres of rock and coal are handled every year. That’s over 100,000 cubic metres a day, enough material to fill the Pengrowth Saddledome arena in Calgary,  Alberta, one and a quarter times every day.