The international scenario of coal science

A general picture of the present state of coal science from the international point of view is presented. This is based on an analysis of papers delivered at the International Conferences on Coal Science (ICCS) organized between 1981 and 1997, with special emphasis on the last two meetings (8th: 1995 and 9th: 1997). The progression of papers during the 1981–1997 period has been analyzed and is presented according to scientific topics. The analysis shows that there is a progressive decrease in the number of papers concerning coal liquefaction and an increase in the area of environmental coal science. The geographical origin of the papers is also examined and some relations between scientific topics and countries are inferred. It can be seen that coal science is a subject of universal interest (involving no fewer than 40 different countries) and that in recent years, as many as 16% of the papers presented at the ICCSs have been produced as a result of international cooperation, which is particularly effective in the area of coal characterization. In addition, the most frequent cases of transnational cooperation are indicated; the principal bodies financing coal science research are identified and the leading roles of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in the European Union, the New Energy Development Organization (NEDO) in Japan and the Department of Energy (DOE) of the USA are emphasized.