Medicinal
Coal tar is included in the World Health Organization's list of essential medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in the healthcare system. Coal tar is commonly available as a generic drug and over the counter.
Coal tar is used in medicinal shampoos, soaps and ointments. It has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic and antiparasitic properties. It can be applied topically to treat dandruff and psoriasis, as well as to kill and repel lice. It can be used in combination with ultraviolet radiation therapy.
Coal tar can be used in two forms: raw coal tar (Latin: pix carbonis) or coal tar solution (Latin: liquor picis carbonis, LPC), also known as coal tar solution (LCD). Brand names: Denorex, Balnetar, Psoriasin, Tegrin, T/Gel and Neutar. When used for the preparation of topical medicines, it is supplied as a solution of coal tar for topical use USP, which consists of a 20% by weight solution of coal tar in alcohol with the addition of 5% by weight polysorbate 80 USP; then it must be diluted with an ointment base, such as petroleum jelly.
Construction
Main Article: Sealant
Coal tar was a component of the first paved roads. When originally developed by Edgar Purnell, Houliasfalt was a resin coated with granite chips. Later, industrial slag was used as a filler. Today, petroleum-based binders and sealants are more commonly used. These sealants are used to extend the service life and reduce maintenance costs of asphalt surfaces, primarily when laying asphalt on roads, parking lots, and footpaths.
Coal tar is a part of some parking sealants, which are used to protect the integrity of the road surface. Coal tar-based sealants typically contain 20 to 35 percent coal tar.Studies show that it is used throughout the United States of America, however, in some regions its use in sealants is prohibited., including the District of Columbia, Austin, Texas, Dane County, Wisconsin, Washington State, as well as in several municipalities of Minnesota and others.
Industry
Nowadays, coal tar is mainly used as fuel and for the production of bitumen, for example, for roofing. The total value of coal tar trade is about 20 billion US dollars per year.
As fuel.
In the production of paints, synthetic dyes (in particular, tartrazine/yellow No. 5) and photographic materials.
For heating or for boilers. Like most heavy oils, it needs to be heated before it starts to flow easily.
As a source of carbon black.
As a binder in the production of graphite, a significant part of the materials in the "green blocks" are volatile substances from coke ovens (COV). During the firing of "green blocks" as part of industrial graphite production, most of the coal tar-based binders evaporate and are usually incinerated in an incinerator to prevent them from entering the atmosphere, as COV and coal tar can be harmful to health.
As the main component of the electrode holder used in electric arc furnaces. Coal tar serves as a binder for a solid filler, which can be coke or calcined anthracite, forming an electrode paste, also commonly known as Cederberg electrode paste.
As a raw material for more valuable fractions such as naphtha, creosote and tar. In the era of coal gas, companies distilled coal tar to separate these fractions, leading to the discovery of many industrial chemicals.
The British companies included:
Bonnington Chemical Plant
British Tar Products
Distillers of Lancashire resin
Midland Resin Distillers
Newton, Chambers & Company (owners of Izal brand disinfectant)
Sadlers Chemicals
