Chapter 1: Introduction

This chapter highlights the importance of Victorian brown coal as an energy source. Its full potential can only be realized through a good scientific understanding of the composition and behavior of the brown coal. The brown coal in the Latrobe Valley is of low rank and Tertiary age. The greater part of the brown coal is classified as soft brown coal with the reminder as hard brown coal. It may be liquefied indirectly through the gasification: the syngas (CO+H₂) produced from gasification can be used to synthesize liquid fuels and chemicals, like dimethyl ether, that can be transported conveniently and economically. The chapter presents various applications of Victorian brown coal. The pulverized fuel (pf) combustion of Victorian brown coal in thermal power stations for the generation of electricity has so far been its main use. Briquette production has also been a major use of Victorian brown coal. Also, it has been considered as a feedstock for the production of chemicals. Finally, Victorian brown coal has been used for a variety of agricultural and horticultural purposes.