技術技術幫助煤炭滿足現(xiàn)代需求4千多年來，煤炭為我們的生活質(zhì)量做出了貢獻?？脊艑W家認為，煤最早是在公元前2000年作為燃料為烹飪提供熱量*。從那時起，人們開發(fā)出了將煤炭用于各種其他用途的技術。今天的技術范圍從復雜的采礦方法到使煤炭燃燒更清潔和更有效的技術。專業(yè)技術改善了煤炭運輸系統(tǒng)、煤炭清洗和煤炭加工方法。由于技術的發(fā)展，煤炭可以轉化成幾十種有用的產(chǎn)品。例如，煤被用來制造焦炭，焦炭是鋼鐵制造的一個重要組成部分。煤還用于水泥、紙漿和造紙工業(yè)，以產(chǎn)生制造這些產(chǎn)品所需的過程熱。煤可以用來生產(chǎn)各種工業(yè)產(chǎn)品，這些產(chǎn)品目前是由石油和天然氣原料*制成的。研究繼續(xù)集中在新的用途，更有效的過程和更清潔的煤炭燃燒。從低調(diào)到高科技70年的創(chuàng)新現(xiàn)代技術，加上成本效益的需要，已經(jīng)完全改變了加拿大煤炭工業(yè)的運作方式。開始時是勞力密集的小規(guī)?；顒樱F(xiàn)在已發(fā)展成高效率的大規(guī)模采礦工業(yè)。過去人們用鎬和鐵鍬做的工作現(xiàn)在由熟練操作復雜機器的訓練有素的工人來做。長達數(shù)公里的電力輸送系統(tǒng)已經(jīng)取代了馬車和手推車。巨大的卡車和一些世界上最大的運土機器——牽引線、鏟子和裝載機——搬運堆積如山的材料。工作條件和環(huán)境責任也發(fā)生了變化。今天，工業(yè)計劃和嚴格的政府規(guī)定極大地改善了工人的安全和環(huán)境保護。現(xiàn)代煤炭經(jīng)營的規(guī)模是驚人的。例如，在不列顛哥倫比亞省東南部的一個露天礦場，每年處理的巖石和煤炭超過4000萬立方米。這相當于每天10萬立方米的水量，足以填滿艾伯塔省卡爾加里市的“彭格羅”體育館。

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.