An Introduction To The Types Of Coal

Coal is an important non-renewable source of energy and one of the most cost effective options as compared to oils and liquefied natural gas (LNG). In its natural form, it is a black colored sedimentary rock composed of carbons and hydrocarbons. The formation of coal take millions of years and it is the second most widely used sources of energy after oil. Coal is classified into four types which are lignite, subbituminous, bituminous and Anthracite based on the carbon content and the amount of energy they can produce. These categories are explained below in detail:

Types Of Coal

• Lignite- This soft, brownish black coal is the lowest rank coal in the coal family containing only 25 to 35 percent of carbon content. It consists of the largest portion of coal that is found in the earth having the lowest energy content. It is crumby having high moisture content as it was not exposed to extreme heat and pressure during its formation.
• Subbituminous- It is a dull black coal producing more heating value than the lignite. It contains about 35 to 45 percent of carbon which is comparatively little higher than the lignite. It is not buried deep in the ground and can be extracted from the surfaces using strip-mining.
• Bituminous- Containing about 45 to 83 percent of carbon content, this type of coal is produced under extreme pressure and heat. It is the most abundant coal found in the U.S. Due to its formation in swamps flooded with seawater, it contains a very high level of sulphur content. It is mostly used to generate electricity and is an important raw material and fuel for the iron, steel and allied industries.
• Anthracite- It has the highest heating value of all the coals containing about 86 to 97 percent of carbon content. It is the hardest of coals and produces a lot of heat when burned. This is also a type that is rare. It even produces very little amount of ash and pollutants while burning. It experiences extremes of pressure and temperature during formation and therefore found in the deepest of the earth surface.

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