Rapid increase in emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) has become a major concern to the global community. This is associated with the rapid growth in population and corresponding increase in energy demand. Combustion of fossil fuels accounts for the majority of CO2 emissions. Coal is used mostly for electricity generation, for instance, about 85.5 of coal (produced and imported) in the United 459Kingdom was used for electricity generation in 2011 1. Coal-fired power plants are therefore the largest stationary source of CO2. © 2018 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.