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Product of coal is a natural combustible rock. It is the crystalline form of carbon with combustible elements like hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Coal is a sedimentary rock made from decayed plant matter under pressure and heat over millions of years. There are several types of coal, including:
Anthracite Coal
It is the highest-ranked coal, containing over 85% carbon. Anthracite coal has the highest heating value, more than 15,000 BTUs per pound. It burns the cleanest and produces the least pollution. Manufacturers of coal products use it for residential and commercial space heating. It is also used in industrial processes that require high heat. Anthracite coal is mined in northeastern Pennsylvania and parts of West Virginia.
Bituminous Coal
Bituminous coal is the second highest rank, with 45% to 86% carbon content. It has a heating value of 10,000 to 15,000 BTUs per pound. It is widely used for electricity generation and steel production. It is coked to make metallurgical coal for steelmaking. It is mined in Appalachia, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky.
Sub-Bituminous Coal
With a carbon content of 35% to 45%, sub-bituminous coal has a heating value of 8,000 to 10,000 BTUs per pound. It contains less sulfur than bituminous coal, making it cleaner burning. It is primarily used for electricity generation in power plants. The largest sub-bituminous coal fields are in Wyoming and Montana.
Lignite Coal
Lignite is the lowest rank of coal, with a carbon content of 25% or less. It has a heating value of about 5,500 BTUs per pound. Lignite coal is often referred to as brown coal due to its color and moisture content. It is mostly used in power generation. Lignite is mined in Texas, North Dakota, and Germany.
Peat
Although not technically coal, peat is the precursor to coal. It forms from partially decayed plant matter in wetlands. Peat has a low carbon content and heating value. It is harvested and used as a transitional fuel source. Peat is mainly found in Ireland and Canada.
Activated Charcoal
Made through a special process that activates the charcoal, creating a larger surface area. This is done by heating regular charcoal with steam or certain chemicals, which creates tiny holes inside it. These holes increase the area available for trapping substances. The result is a very porous material with many small openings. Activated charcoal is designed to have this high porosity and surface area to effectively capture and hold various molecules for uses like filtering and adsorption.
Coal Tar
Coal tar is a thick black liquid made from heating coal in the absence of air. It contains many chemicals found in coal but in liquid form. The design of coal tar involves cooling the gases produced when coal is heated. This cooling causes liquids like benzene, toluene, and naphthalene to form. These are different from the solid chunks of coal. Coal tar has useful liquids that are separated and cleaned up. Scientists can change some of the chemicals in coal tar to make new products. By altering the substances inside coal tar, new medicines or other valuable things are created. Coal tar provides a raw material source for making various designed compounds through chemical transformations.
Coke
Coke is made from coal through a heating process called carbonization. Coal is heated very hot in an oven without air. This removes gases and water from the coal. What is left behind are carbon-rich pieces. These pieces are hard and porous compared to the original soft coal. The carbonization strengthens the coal and gets rid of substances that would make it dirty or damp. The result is coke, which is mostly pure carbon. By carbonizing coal, coke is produced for fuel and making metals. The high carbon content and tough design of coke suit it for burning in high-temperature industrial processes.
Power Generation:
Bituminous coal in large chunks is burned in coal power plants to generate electricity for cities and industries. The heat produced boils water to turn the turbines of the electricity generator. This is the most common use of bituminous coal.
Steel Production:
Bituminous coal is converted to coke by heating it in an oven without air. The coke is then used as a fuel and reducing agent in a blast furnace to make iron from iron ore. This iron is further processed to make steel along with coal. Here, the carbon in the coke replaces the carbon in the coal to form steel.
Industrial Heating:
Bituminous coal is also used in industrial boilers to produce steam for heating processes, such as in paper mills, food processing plants, and chemical manufacturing facilities. The coal provides a cost-effective source of heat for large-scale operations.
Manufacturing Activated Carbon:
Activated carbon from bituminous coal is used in the air and water purification industries. This coal has a high volatile matter content, which is useful in producing activated carbon for filtering gases and liquids.
Railroad Ties and Paving:
Lignitic coal, also known as brown coal, is used to produce creosote, a preservative for railroad ties. Also, some types of bituminous coal are used in asphalt for paving roads and roofing shingles.
Carbon Fiber Production:
Bituminous coal is used as a precursor in making carbon fiber. This lightweight, high-strength material is used in aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment industries. The carbon in coal provides the basic structure to make carbon fibers.
Wholesale buyers of coal need to consider these things before ordering.
Purpose and End Use
Know the type of coal needed for the buyers' purpose. Anthracite is best for heating because it burns the hottest and cleanest. Bituminous is good for electricity and steel making. Lignite is low in carbon and used for electricity generation in power plants.
Quality and Grade
Look at the coal grades based on the carbon content, sulfur level, and calorific value. Ensure the coal meets the required quality standards for the intended use.
Sulfur Content
Be mindful of the coal's sulfur content. Low-sulfur coal is now demanded because of strict environmental rules. It helps reduce air pollution.
Ash and Moisture Content
Ash and moisture affect coal's burning efficiency and value. Coal with low ash and moisture content is better for most applications.
Supply and Delivery
Choose suppliers who can reliably deliver the coal in the needed amounts. Check their production capacity and delivery logistics. Ask about their ability to supply coal over the long term.
Storage and Handling
Consider the coal's characteristics and the requirements for its storage and handling. Make sure the coal can be stored and handled well in the available facilities.
Cost and Budget
Of course, consider the coal price and the total cost. But don't sacrifice quality just to save money. Find a good balance between cost and quality.
Regulations and Compliance
Be sure to follow all laws about coal mining, selling, and using it. Check regulations on environmental protection, health and safety, and transportation. Get the necessary permits and documents for coal trade.
Environmental Impact
Be aware of the environmental effects of coal use. Consider the impact on air and water quality, land use, and climate change. Encourage suppliers to adopt cleaner coal technologies and practices.
Q1: Is coal a renewable resource?
A1: No, coal is not renewable. It is formed over millions of years from decayed plants and animals, making it a non-renewable fossil fuel.
Q2: Does coal have an odor?
A2: Different types of coal have different smells. Bituminous coal and anthracite coal have little smell, but lignite can smell like rotten eggs due to sulfur.
Q3: Is coal safe to handle?
A3: Coal is generally safe, but its dust can be harmful to lungs. Wearing masks and protective gear when handling it is essential.
Q4: What are the by-products of coal usage?
A4: By-products include ash, slag, and toxic substances like arsenic and mercury. Coal ash can be recycled, but slag and toxins must be disposed of safely.
Q5: How is coal transported?
A5: Coal is moved by trains, barges, trucks, and conveyor belts. Trains and barges carry the most, and conveyor belts move it within plants.
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