中国古代煤炭科学技术的主要成就(下)

Main Achievements of Coal Science and Technology in China's Acient Times

古代中国人对煤炭性能的认识不断深入,从煤的可燃性、风化、自燃,到煤的含硫性乃至煤气中毒、井下瓦斯,均有深刻的认识。在此基础上,对煤炭的利用日益广泛。古代中国几乎所有需要燃料的行业都用上了煤炭,决不仅限于取暖烧饭,其中突出地表现在冶金和陶瓷业。在煤炭利用中,发明了型煤技术、制焦技术。除了作为燃料,煤炭还被用于工艺品制作、医药、建筑、制墨,等等。中国古代煤炭科学技术成就不仅是中国古代科学技术宝库中一颗瑰丽的明珠,在世界古代史中也是光彩夺目的一页。

In the ancient times, the Chinese people gained deep understanding of the coal properties such as the combustibility, efflorescence, self-burning, sulphur of coal, gas poisoning and gas in underground mines. On the basis of understanding of the coal, the utilization of coal is becoming more widespread. Coal was used by all the businesses needing it in ancient China and coal was used mostly in metallurgy and ceramics instead of being just restricted for cooking and warming. In coal utilization, shape coal technology and coke making technology was invented. Apart from as a fuel, coal was used for making handicraft articles, for medicine, architecture, and ink making, etc. The achievements were remarkable not only in ancient Chinese coal science and technology but also in the ancient history of the world.