Sustainable energy future: transforming coal waste into a blooming cityscape.

From Waste to Watts: Turning Coal Byproducts into a Sustainable Energy Source

Jordan Keane in Climate & Environment September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how innovative research is transforming coal processing waste into valuable fuel, offering a cleaner alternative for power generation."

The world's energy landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by the urgent need for sustainable and cleaner alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. While renewable energy sources like solar and wind continue to gain traction, innovative approaches to existing resources are also emerging as crucial components of a diversified energy strategy. One such approach involves reimagining coal, not as a primary fuel source, but as a potential source of secondary fuels derived from its waste products.

For decades, coal-fired power plants have been a mainstay of electricity generation, but they also produce significant amounts of waste, including filter cakes, which are byproducts of coal processing. These filter cakes, laden with combustible materials, have often been discarded, posing environmental challenges. However, recent research is demonstrating the potential to transform this waste into a valuable resource: organic coal-water fuels (OCWF).

This article delves into the cutting-edge research exploring the ignition and combustion characteristics of OCWFs made from coal processing wastes and various oils. By understanding how these materials can be efficiently and cleanly burned, we can unlock a new pathway toward sustainable energy production, reduce reliance on traditional coal, and minimize the environmental impact of coal processing.

Unlocking the Energy Potential of Coal Waste

Sustainable energy future: transforming coal waste into a blooming cityscape.

Organic coal-water fuels (OCWF) are created by mixing coal processing wastes (primarily filter cakes) with liquids like waste engine oil or turbine oil. This mixture creates a fuel that can be burned more efficiently and cleanly than raw coal. The key to this process lies in understanding the ignition and combustion properties of the resulting OCWF droplets.

Researchers have been meticulously studying how different types of coal waste and liquid combinations affect the ignition process. They analyze factors such as:

Droplet size
Oxidizer temperature (the temperature of the air used for combustion)
Oxidizer flow rate
Fuel composition

The goal is to determine the optimal conditions for reliable and efficient combustion, minimizing emissions and maximizing energy output. Experimental results show that OCWFs can achieve minimal ignition temperatures at less than 1000 K. The type of oil used in the mixture significantly influences how fast the mixture lights. The study presents the dependence of OCWF ignition on properties of liquid fuel components, such as the flash point and ignition temperature. Choosing an optimal combustion method can help with slag removal depending on the OCWF components used.

A Cleaner Future Powered by Waste

The research into organic coal-water fuels offers a promising pathway for a more sustainable energy future. By transforming coal processing waste into a valuable fuel source, we can reduce our reliance on traditional coal, minimize environmental impact, and create new opportunities for cleaner power generation. This innovative approach not only addresses the challenges of coal waste disposal but also contributes to a more circular economy, where waste becomes a resource. As research continues and OCWF technologies mature, we can expect to see even greater advancements in the quest for a cleaner, more sustainable energy landscape.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.09.029, Alternate LINK

Title: Ignition Of Coal-Water Fuels Made Of Coal Processing Wastes And Different Oils

Subject: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Journal: Applied Thermal Engineering

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: K.Yu. Vershinina, D.A. Lapin, S.Yu. Lyrschikov, S.A. Shevyrev

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What are organic coal-water fuels (OCWFs) and how are they produced?

Organic coal-water fuels (OCWFs) are created by mixing coal processing wastes, primarily filter cakes, with liquids like waste engine oil or turbine oil. This mixture allows for a fuel that can be burned more efficiently and cleanly compared to raw coal. The study of ignition and combustion properties of the resulting OCWF droplets is crucial to this process.

What factors do researchers analyze when studying the ignition and combustion of organic coal-water fuels (OCWFs)?

Researchers meticulously study factors such as droplet size, oxidizer temperature, oxidizer flow rate, and fuel composition to determine the best conditions for reliable and efficient combustion. Minimizing emissions and maximizing energy output are key goals. Experimental results show that OCWFs can achieve minimal ignition temperatures at less than 1000 K.

How does the type of oil used in organic coal-water fuels (OCWFs) affect the combustion process?

The type of oil used in the organic coal-water fuels (OCWF) mixture significantly impacts how quickly the mixture ignites. Properties of the liquid fuel components, such as the flash point and ignition temperature, play a crucial role. An optimal combustion method can also aid in slag removal, depending on the specific components of the OCWF used.

In what ways do organic coal-water fuels (OCWFs) contribute to a more sustainable energy future?

Organic coal-water fuels (OCWFs) contribute to sustainability by transforming coal processing waste into a valuable fuel source, reducing reliance on traditional coal and minimizing environmental impact. This approach promotes a circular economy, where waste is converted into a resource for cleaner power generation. Further development and maturation of OCWF technologies promise even greater advancements in achieving a cleaner and more sustainable energy landscape.

What are filter cakes in the context of coal processing, and why are they significant?

Filter cakes are byproducts of coal processing. They contain combustible materials and have often been discarded, creating environmental problems. They have potential to be transformed into organic coal-water fuels (OCWF). Combining filter cakes with different oils can allow them to be burned efficiently and cleanly.