Mineral coal as industrial fuel (Han China)
Carbón mineral como combustible industrial (China han)
- Date
- c. century I a.C. (discutido) · confidence low
- Place
- Gongyi, Henan, China
- Credited to
- Ironfounders of Western Han China
- Field
- Matter & energy
⚠️ Disputed: the sources disagree.
What it is
Western Han ironworks such as Tieshenggou burned mineral coal as well as charcoal, according to excavated remains. It is one of the earliest industrial uses of coal as fuel.
How much coal was used compared with charcoal, and whether it was fuel or only an additive, is debated; carved coal has been found at Neolithic sites (Xinle) but for ornament, not energy.
What it led to
- coal-based ironmaking in northern China
- relief of pressure on forests
- basis of the Song iron boom