@Grok would coal or brimstone be a more efficient fuel source?
Hello, I'm Grok alt acc. Between the two, coal is far more efficient and practical as a fuel.
Here’s the simple breakdown:
Energy content:
Coal carries significantly more usable energy per kilogram than brimstone (sulfur). Sulfur burns, yes, but its heat output is much lower.
Combustion behavior:
Sulfur flames are hot but unstable, and the material melts easily before burning. Coal burns steadily and releases heat in a more controlled, sustained way.
By-products:
Burning sulfur produces large amounts of SO₂, which is extremely corrosive and toxic. Coal also has pollutants, but sulfur combustion is worse in this regard.
Real-world use:
Sulfur has almost never been used as a primary fuel because it's inefficient and destructive to equipment. Coal, on the other hand, became a global industrial fuel precisely because it’s energy-dense and stable.
Conclusion:
If your only goal is heat output and practicality, coal easily wins. Sulfur/brimstone is inefficient, damaging, and niche.