IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i2p444-d1571880.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Coal Gangue Utilization: Applications, Challenges, and Sustainable Development Strategies

Author

Listed:
  • Yinghui Sun

    (School of Chemical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Bohao Bai

    (School of Chemical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xu Yang

    (School of Chemical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China)

  • Shujun Zhu

    (Shanxi Key Laboratory of Coal Flexible Combustion and Thermal Conversion, Datong 037000, China)

  • Jilin Tian

    (Shanxi Key Laboratory of Coal Flexible Combustion and Thermal Conversion, Datong 037000, China)

  • Zhuozhi Wang

    (School of Chemical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China)

  • Li Xu

    (Anhui Special Equipment Inspection Institute, 45 Dalian Road, Hefei 230051, China)

  • Lianfei Xu

    (School of Chemical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China)

  • Boxiong Shen

    (School of Chemical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China)

Abstract

Coal gangue is a kind of typical by-product emitted during the coal mining and washing process. With the increase in coal resource utilization, a large amount of coal gangue was not reasonably utilized, causing environmental pollution and resource waste. The main purpose of this article is to introduce the surface structural features and compositional characteristics of coal gangue and to summarize the utilization of coal gangue in the fields of building materials, energy production, agricultural utilization, and high-value-added areas such as catalysts and adsorbents. Secondly, this review discussed the environmental challenges and technical difficulties derived from the process of coal gangue utilization and how to solve these problems through innovative methods and technological improvements. Finally, the article proposed the development direction and strategies for the future resource utilization of coal gangue, emphasizing the importance of coal gangue as a sustainable resource and its significant role in achieving a circular economy for reducing environmental pollution. By analyzing the potentiality of coal gangue for resource utilization systematically, this article aims to provide valuable references and insights for researchers and decision-makers in related fields.

Suggested Citation

  • Yinghui Sun & Bohao Bai & Xu Yang & Shujun Zhu & Jilin Tian & Zhuozhi Wang & Li Xu & Lianfei Xu & Boxiong Shen, 2025. "Coal Gangue Utilization: Applications, Challenges, and Sustainable Development Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-39, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:2:p:444-:d:1571880
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/444/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/444/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhang, Yuanyuan & Li, Wenrui & Cheng, Xiangying & Yan, Kezhou & Zhao, Wenxin & Yang, Fengling, 2023. "Air and oxy-fuel combustion characteristics of coal gangue and weathered coal blends," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    2. Zhang, Chonghui & Li, Xiangwen & Sun, Yunfei & Chen, Ji & Streimikiene, Dalia, 2023. "Policy modeling consistency analysis during energy crises: Evidence from China's coal power policy," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    3. Liu, Lang & Ren, Shan & Yang, Jian & Jiang, Donghai & Guo, Junjiang & Pu, Yubao & Meng, Xianpiao, 2022. "Experimental study on K migration, ash fouling/slagging behaviors and CO2 emission during co-combustion of rice straw and coal gangue," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    4. Bi, Haobo & Wang, Chengxin & Lin, Qizhao & Jiang, Xuedan & Jiang, Chunlong & Bao, Lin, 2020. "Combustion behavior, kinetics, gas emission characteristics and artificial neural network modeling of coal gangue and biomass via TG-FTIR," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Zhao, Shuchun & Guo, Junheng & Dang, Xiuhu & Ai, Bingyan & Zhang, Minqing & Li, Wei & Zhang, Jinli, 2022. "Energy consumption, flow characteristics and energy-efficient design of cup-shape blade stirred tank reactors: Computational fluid dynamics and artificial neural network investigation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    2. Miao, Hengyang & Wang, Zhiqing & Wang, Zhefan & Sun, Haochen & Li, Xiangyu & Liu, Zheyu & Dong, Libo & Zhao, Jiantao & Huang, Jiejie & Fang, Yitian, 2022. "Effects of Na2CO3/Na2SO4 on catalytic gasification reactivity and mineral structure of coal gangue," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    3. Ge, Lichao & Zhao, Can & Chen, Simo & Li, Qian & Zhou, Tianhong & Jiang, Han & Li, Xi & Wang, Yang & Xu, Chang, 2022. "An analysis of the carbonization process and volatile-release characteristics of coal-based activated carbon," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 257(C).
    4. Dai, Ying & Sun, Meng & Fang, Hua & Yao, Huicong & Chen, Jianbiao & Tan, Jinzhu & Mu, Lin & Zhu, Yuezhao, 2024. "Co-combustion of binary and ternary blends of industrial sludge, lignite and pine sawdust via thermogravimetric analysis: Thermal behaviors, interaction effects, kinetics evaluation, and artificial ne," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    5. Vershinina, Ksenia Yu & Dorokhov, Vadim V. & Romanov, Daniil S. & Strizhak, Pavel A., 2022. "Combustion stages of waste-derived blends burned as pellets, layers, and droplets of slurry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    6. Xiangbing Gao & Bo Jia & Gen Li & Xiaojing Ma, 2022. "Calorific Value Forecasting of Coal Gangue with Hybrid Kernel Function–Support Vector Regression and Genetic Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-15, September.
    7. Jiang, Chunlong & Zhou, Wenliang & Bi, Haobo & Ni, Zhanshi & Sun, Hao & Lin, Qizhao, 2022. "Co-pyrolysis of coal slime and cattle manure by TG–FTIR–MS and artificial neural network modeling: Pyrolysis behavior, kinetics, gas emission characteristics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C).
    8. Tariq, Rumaisa & Mohd Zaifullizan, Yasmin & Salema, Arshad Adam & Abdulatif, Atiqah & Ken, Loke Shun, 2022. "Co-pyrolysis and co-combustion of orange peel and biomass blends: Kinetics, thermodynamic, and ANN application," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 198(C), pages 399-414.
    9. Jiamin Tong & Yongbo Zhang & Na Zhao & Aijing Wu & Feifei Shi & Junxing Chen, 2023. "Study on the Temperature Field Change Characteristics of Coal Gangue Dumps under the Influence of Ambient Temperature in Heat Pipe Treatment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-19, October.
    10. Ma, Jiao & Feng, Shuo & Zhang, Zhikun & Wang, Zhuozhi & Kong, Wenwen & Yuan, Peng & Shen, Boxiong & Mu, Lan, 2022. "Effect of torrefaction pretreatment on the combustion characteristics of the biodried products derived from municipal organic wastes," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PD).
    11. Lei, Yang & Chen, Yuming & Chen, Jinghai & Liu, Xinyan & Wu, Xiaoqin & Chen, Yuqiu, 2023. "A novel modeling strategy for the prediction on the concentration of H2 and CH4 in raw coke oven gas," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    12. Ma, Xiufen & Ning, Haifeng & Zhang, Xuefei & Zang, Zhenjuan & Xing, Xianjun, 2024. "Co-combustion characteristics of coal slime and moso bamboo based on artificial neural network modeling and TG-FTIR," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    13. Xu, Li & Song, Xiaokai & Li, Shengcai & Yu, Jianbing & Qi, Yongfeng & Zhang, Yuan & Hong, Xiaochun, 2024. "Effect of different boundary conditions on the combustion properties and fire characteristics of typical woods," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    14. Tian, Lu & Lin, Kunsen & Zhao, Youcai & Zhao, Chunlong & Huang, Qifei & Zhou, Tao, 2022. "Combustion performance of fine screenings from municipal solid waste: Thermo-kinetic investigation and deep learning modeling via TG-FTIR," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    15. Zhang, Yuanbo & Zhang, Yutao & Li, Yaqing & Shi, Xueqiang & Che, Bo, 2022. "Determination of ignition temperature and kinetics and thermodynamics analysis of high-volatile coal based on differential derivative thermogravimetry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    16. Li, Yaqing & Ren, Xiaofang & Zhang, Yuanbo & Zhang, Yutao & Shi, Xueqiang & Ren, Shuaijing, 2024. "Study on the thermal reaction characteristics and kinetics of coal and coal gangue coexisting spontaneous combustion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    17. Guo, Qian & Tang, Yibo, 2022. "Laboratory investigation of the spontaneous combustion characteristics and mechanisms of typical vegetable oils," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    18. Chen, Zhiyun & Liu, Jingyong & Chen, Huashan & Ding, Ziyi & Tang, Xiaojie & Evrendilek, Fatih, 2022. "Oxy-fuel and air atmosphere combustions of Chinese medicine residues: Performances, mechanisms, flue gas emission, and ash properties," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 102-118.
    19. Zhao, Lin & Ma, Guowei & Wang, Chang'an & Chen, Yongxu & Nie, Yingchao & Chen, Yuanmao & Che, Defu, 2025. "Study on the deposition behaviors of sodium and calcium salts in high-alkali coal under oxy-fuel condition," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    20. Roman Volkov & Timur Valiullin & Olga Vysokomornaya, 2021. "Spraying of Composite Liquid Fuels Based on Types of Coal Preparation Waste: Current Problems and Achievements: Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-17, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:2:p:444-:d:1571880. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.