Coal tar pitch is a dark, sticky liquid made from coal that contains phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It is used in medicinal treatments for skin conditions and in the production of wood preservatives, disinfectants, plastics, and industrial sealants. Most coal tar pitch is burned as a cheap fuel or further processed to remove beneficial chemicals.
Coal tar pitch is a byproduct of converting coal into coke or coal gas. It is a sticky, dark brown or black liquid that resists sliding and has a very strong odor. The actual components that make up coal tar pitch vary because the chemicals in the coal it comes from are different. Even so, coal tar pitch consists primarily of a wide variety of different phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. While coal tar has medicinal uses in treating some skin conditions, it is mostly burned as a cheap fuel or further processed into other materials.
While there may be hundreds of different chemicals in coal tar pitch, phenols and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons make up two broad classes of chemicals. Phenols are a complex classification of molecules typically very caustic and often harmful even in small quantities. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are dichotomous substances that are extremely harmful to life and believed to be necessary for the existence of life. They are present in almost all air and food to some extent, although the concentration in coal tar pitch is much higher.
The main beneficial property of coal tar pitch is in the treatment of skin conditions such as psoriasis and dandruff. The amount of coal tar in these treatments is very low, as anything above 5% by volume is considered a health risk and potential carcinogen. Additionally, coal tar pitch is used in the preparation and processing of other drugs, such as acetaminophen.
In most cases, the volume of coal tar pitch used in medicinal preparations is very small compared to the quantities produced. As a result, most pitch is either further processed to remove beneficial chemicals or simply burned. Using coal tar pitch as an energy source is debatable, as it burns with very little heat and produces a lot of smoke, but it’s better than not using it at all.
You can create a handful of useful materials from coal tar pitch. One of the main chemicals extracted is creosote, a widely used wood preservative. Additionally, some types of phenols are useful as disinfectants and in the manufacture of plastics. Finally, the purified tar can be used as an industrial sealant.
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