Electric power generation consumes the greater part of the annual coal production in Illinois. Coal is also used for home and commercial heating, for production of coke, and for manufacturing various chemical compounds from coal tar. Products derived from coal tar include drugs and medicines, plastics, synthetic fibres, perfumes, flavorings, dyes, synthetic rubbers, explosives, specialized oils, solvents, wood preservatives, tarlike paving and roofing materials, and some gas. The gas is both produced and utilized in the coke industry.
WHAT IS COKE?
Coke is a material produced by burning coal in the absence of air so that most of the gases and water are driven off without consuming the solid portion. The resulting solid coke is a strong, porous, combustible substance.
HOW IMPORTANT IS COKE AND HOW IS IT USED?
The structure and nature of coke make it a valuable fuel for blast furnace use in the production of steel. In the past, most of the coal used in the manufacture of coke has come from areas of higher quality coal outside of our state. However, at present, over 1,000,000 tons of Illinois coal are mined annually for the production of metallurgical coke.
Figure 12—Estimated total coal production by counties from 1882 through 1963.
Area underlain by coal-bearing rocks Counties producing coal in January 1965 Total Production 3,749,423,534 tons 71 counties producing