During the last decade there has been a renewed interest in under standing from a fundamental point of view the gasification of carbon. Basi cally there are two major issues in controlling the reactivity of carbon: i) reduction of the gasification rate of carbon materials in hostile environment ii) increase of the gasification rate in order to utilize carbonaceous compounds more effectively. Although these two objectives look somewhat contradictory, they are part of the general topics of understanding gasification reactivity of carbon. Refractory applications of carbon in furnace linings, seals and vanes, as well as the use of carbon-carbon or carbon-ceramic composites in struc tures able to withstand corrosion at high temperature require a better understanding of the fundamentals involved in carbon-oxidizing gas (02' CO , H 0) reactions. Furthermore a great interest of aluminium producers 2 2 is 10 extending the lifetime of carbon electrodes in alumina electrolysis which primarily depends on reducing their consumption rates by air or carbon dioxide. Proper control of gasification reactions is also of prime importance in manufacturing carbonaceous adsorbents like granular activated carbon clothes of high adsorption characteristics. The balance between increase of porosity and decrease in mechanical strength during activation is critical for developing new porous types of carbon materials in particular for carbon clothes and this can only be achieved by a careful control of the gasification reaction.

The authors who have collaborated in writing this book have also worked together for more than a decade in promoting Coal Utilisation R&D. They bear a substantial responsibility for the way the policy of the National Coal Board in this field has developed since 1966 and, more directly, for the programme of work at the Coal Research Establishment, Stoke Orchard, near Cheltenham. After a period of relative neglect, R&D on Coal Utilisation has flourished in recent years, both in extent and the importance ascribed to it. A large amount of technical data has been obtained from the pioneering experimental work and this will form the foundation on which vast new industries can be based. The timing and organisation of the application of technical information into these new coal conversion industries represents, in the authors' view, the most important question in the whole field of energy, which is now widely recognised as a vital aspect of social and economic development. The scale of the new coal utilisation enterprises will be greater, and their success more critical, than that of any other development in the field of energy, including that of nuclear power or the renewable resources. This book is, therefore, not directed specifically at technical experts in the field of coal utilisation, and in particular it is not intended to enlighten those who specialise in particular sections of this technology.

The authors who have collaborated in writing this book have also worked together for more than a decade in promoting Coal Utilisation R&D. They bear a substantial responsibility for the way the policy of the National Coal Board in this field has developed since 1966 and, more directly, for the programme of work at the Coal Research Establishment, Stoke Orchard, near Cheltenham. After a period of relative neglect, R&D on Coal Utilisation has flourished in recent years, both in extent and the importance ascribed to it. A large amount of technical data has been obtained from the pioneering experimental work and this will form the foundation on which vast new industries can be based. The timing and organisation of the application of technical information into these new coal conversion industries represents, in the authors' view, the most important question in the whole field of energy, which is now widely recognised as a vital aspect of social and economic development. The scale of the new coal utilisation enterprises will be greater, and their success more critical, than that of any other development in the field of energy, including that of nuclear power or the renewable resources. This book is, therefore, not directed specifically at technical experts in the field of coal utilisation, and in particular it is not intended to enlighten those who specialise in particular sections of this technology.

This book, the result of studies undertaken on behalf of the European Commission, examines the current 'state of the art' techniques for the restoration of despoiled lands arising from the coal and steel industries. It provides technical guidance to aid the process of the regeneration of the coal and steel communities of Europe. The chapters are fully cross referenced in the text, and where more technical or specific detail is provided, this has been placed into boxes rather than in the main text.The book will be of great interest to environmental scientists and engineers, and to all those who are involved in mining, mineral waste, soil pollution and waste management and disposal.

Carbon is unique in the range of structures and properties that are displayed by its material forms. The bonds in diamond, within the plane ofgraphite and in the fullerene molecules, C , are the strongest covalent bonds possible. This strong covalent bonding 60 leads to some exceptional intrinsic properties, examples ofwhich are: the greatest Young's modulus (in diamond, within the graphite plane and in single walled nanotubes) the highest room temperature thermal conductivity (in diamond and within the graphite plane) high hole mobility in doped diamond exceptional thermal stability ofthe structure in graphite It is because of the extreme thermal stability that such a wide range of materials is available. Atomic mobilities are low at all but the highest temperatures. Sintering, melting and casting ofcarbon are not feasible processing operations and carbon/graphite components are exclusively produced from the pyrolytic decomposition of organic precursors. The vast majority of engineering carbons have Sp2 type bonding and are related in some way to the structure of graphite. In the c-direction the bonding in graphite is of van der Waals character with the result that graphite is highly anisotropic in its properties and is probably unique in showing both the highest and lowest bond strengths in different directions in the same crystal.

Coal: Its Role in Tomorrow's Technology: A Sourcebook on Global Coal Resources focuses on the increasing consideration of coal as an alternative energy source, taking into consideration the mining, production, and research and development programs of various countries on this mineral. The book first offers information on energy demand, particularly noting the increasing consumption of energy around the world. The experience of the United States in meeting its energy demand through importation of oil and natural gas is discussed. The manuscript then examines the sources of coal and other resources, including types and properties of coal and disturbances in coal seams. The publication takes a look at the state of industries and coal production capabilities of various countries, such as the USSR, China, India, Poland, Australia, South Africa, and Canada. The text also considers the national research and development programs of the USSR, United States, China, India, Poland, France, and other countries on coal preparation, monitoring, and production. The manuscript discusses modern exploration programs on coal, mining plants and equipment, gasification of coal, and conversion of chemicals from coal. The text is a primary reference for readers interested in studying coal as an alternative energy source.