Saturday, I happened to be driving by the power plant near Kincaid, IL.
I got pictures of it.
Kincaid Generation plant, owned and operated by Dominion Resources
Kincaid Generation plant uses subbituminous coal. Here is a photo of some of the coal they use.
Subbituminous Coal--
also called Black Lignite, dark brown to black coal intermediate in rank between lignite and bituminous coal. Subbituminous coals often have a silky lustre and sometimes are macroscopically indistinguishable from the bituminous variety. The fibrous structure characteristic of
lignite is absent in subbituminous coals, many of which have evolved alternating dull and bright bands similar to those of bituminous coals. Subbituminous coals are much harder than lignites. Although subbituminous coals have relatively low heat value, their sulfur content is low—often less than 1 percent. For this reason, an increasing number of coal-fueled electric-power plants in the United States have turned from bituminous coals to subbituminous coals and lignites, which also have a low sulfur content. See also
bituminous coal;
lignite.
"subbituminous coal." Encyclopædia Britannica from Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. <
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9070091>
This is a photo of part of the conveyor system used to move the coal from the train to the plant.
I did a stint at the Co-Gen plant at ADM in Decatur. One job I had was to repair the cooling screws that cooled the fly ash. At the time they burned old tires along with the coal. When coal is done burning it leaves behind a substance called fly ash. It is a gray powder that is very high alkaline, the exact opposite of acid but can burn you just the same. There was a large hollow "cooling screw" that acted as an auger. It would be constantly filled with water to cool the red-hot fly ash, as it would come out of the boiler. This fly ash would be very abrasive and wear holes in the cooling screw. When this happened, bad things happen. The fly ash has a similar substance that is in concrete. So the water would cause the fly ash to harden like concrete. But remember that the fly ash also has burnt tires in with it. The rubber is gone but the steel that made up the steel belts remains. If you know what rebar does to concrete, you know what the tiny steel slivers did to the hardened fly ash. It would take a few minutes to harden, then the screw would just stop turning. We would have to open up the several bolts on the cover and then use air chisels to bust up the fly ash. Then when we had it all cleaned out, we would find the leak, grind it so it could be welded and then weld the hole shut. By the time we were done we would usually have another one to start. That was hard work, believe me.
The power plant also needs to have a water source to cool everything that needs cooled.
Here is a picture of the hot spring that comes out of the power plant. Notice the steam coming off of the water. The air was very cold when I took these pictures.
Notice how part of the ice has melted due to the heat of the water coming from the plant.
Since this plant burns Subbituminous Coal, experts say it is better for the environment.
If you want to read a new article on Illinois' plan to reduce mercury emissions you can go here. It is very interesting.
I hope you enjoyed my post on the Kincaid Power Plant.
unt. We went once and football was on. (You can tell we go here a lot, can't you.) They have drink specials everyday, one in particular is on Saturday you can get 32 oz pitchers of Margaritas for $6.99. Sunday, a pitcher of domestic beer is $4.00. 
Anyway, service is usually good although this time the wait for service was a bit long. They are always quick to fill your drink.
Saturday, I happened to be driving by the power plant near Kincaid, IL.
