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Iron ore reserves: 168.6 billion tonnes Coal reserves: 1055 billion tonnes. Coal energy density: 6.7 kWh/kg [2] Iron Ore energy density: 1.4 kWh/kg [1] Total
by teruakohatu 5y ago
Iron ore reserves: 168.6 billion tonnes
Coal reserves: 1055 billion tonnes.
Coal energy density: 6.7 kWh/kg [2]
Iron Ore energy density: 1.4 kWh/kg [1]
Total iron ore energy reserves: ~236.04 billion kWh [3]
Total coal energy reserves: ~ 7,068 billion kWh [4]
So as far as energy goes we have 30x as much coal energy.
Now the rust can be renewed with energy ... but you need the energy to renew it in the first place.
[1] https://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/energy/renewables/iron-powder-passes-first-industrial-test-as-renewable-co2free-fuel https://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/energy/renewables/iron-...
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal
[3] https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/minerals-mining/minerals-metals-facts/iron-ore-facts/20517 https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/minerals-minin...
[4] https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Coal_reserve https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Coal_reserve
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- jazzyjackson 5y agoThat's current proven reserves, not theoretical reserves, no? Because as we've seen with oil, the higher the price goes, the more we seem to find. > but you need the energy to renew it in the first place. So am I hearing you could create the iron-fuel someplace with excess energy and then ship this stored energy someplace that wants to burn it? And while Iron loses out to energy density per kilogram, it wins on kilogram per cubic centimeter :D (your math is much appreciated btw)
- CorrectHorseBat 5y agoIron ore is mostly oxides so it was never going to be an energy source like coal, but an energy storage medium.