Question

Name the products obtained and their uses when coal is processed in industry.

Answer 1

When coal is strongly heated in the absence of air in closed retorts, various useful products are obtained. These are coke, coal tar and coal gas. Uses of coke It is used in the manufacture of steel and in the extraction of many metals. It acts as a fuel and it is a better fuel than coal. Uses of coal tar The various compounds obtained from coal tar are used as starting materials for manufacturing a large number of substances used in everyday life and in industry like synthetic dyes, drugs, explosives, perfumes, plastics, paints, photographic materials, roofing materials, etc. Naphthalene balls used to repel moths and other insects are also obtained from coal tar. Uses of coal gas It is used as a fuel in many industries situated near the coal processing plants.