Book excerpt: Low-Rank Coals for Power Generation, Fuel and Chemical Production provides a thorough introduction to lignite (brown coal) and subbituminous coals and explores how they can be used efficiently and economically in place of hard coal. The book examines the undesirable characteristics of low-quality coals, such as high moisture content, low calorific value, and aggressive ash characteristics, and the resulting refinements to standard technologies and practices required for successful combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis.The first part of this book provides a comprehensive and systematic review of the properties of low-rank coals and corresponding preparation methods, such as drying, cleaning, and upgrading. Power generation from low-rank coals is the focus of Part 2, with chapter topics ranging from high efficiency pulverized coal combustion and circulatingfluidized bed combustion to emerging areas such as chemical looping and oxyfuel combustion. The final contributions address the important subjects of coal-to-liquids,polygeneration and coke production using low-rank coals, as well as the critical issue of carbon capture and storage.This book is a valuable resource for power generation engineers and researchers seeking to maximize the opportunities provided by these cheaper coal feedstocks for efficient and environmentally compatible power generation. - Presents the most in-depth treatment of low-rank coals available - Addresses both power generation and fuel production - Includes coverage that spans pulverized coal combustion and emerging technologies, such as CFBC, UCG, CLC, and oxyfuel combustion