Benefits from simultaneous exploitation of lignite for industrial and environmental uses as well as feedstock for power generation: The case of Elassona coal basin, Thessaly Greece.

摘要

Lignite deposits have been primarily used for power generation while there is very little information concerning their non-electric uses. However, the benefits from coexploitation can be shown to be significant. In this work we set to examine such coexploitation. It is known that lignite deposits in Elassona coal basin, Thessaly, Greece can sustain a 450 MW power plant for approximately 45 years. Lignite simples from two sectors of the basin have been studied thoroughly with very good results for potential industrial uses such as, additives for drilling muds for use in high temperature wells after caustisation, as absorbants of toxic metals, industrial and city waste, and after activation, as adsorbants of noxious gases. Possible synergies and issues related to co-exploitation for the different industrial uses as well for power generation demonstrate the potential benefits from such an integrated approach.