Question

Designation Type of Coal

A	Anthracite
B	Peat
C	Lignite
D	Bituminous

Based on the information given in the table above, decide the veracity of the statements given and select appropriately.

• A. Metallurgical coal is a sub-type of B.
• B. D has greater carbon content than C.
• C. B is primarily used for generation of electricity.
• D. A has the highest carbon content.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

A has the highest carbon content.

Coal formation is a very slow process, its composition changes with different stages in its evolution.

• The earliest material created in the formation of coal is Peat. Technically it is not coal but a related substance. It can be considered as something that comes somewhere between a fossil fuel and biomass.It has low carbon and high moisture content. Its heating capacity is also very low.
• Lignite is a low grade brown coal having about 60 to 70 percent carbon. It is soft and has high moisture content. Neyveli in Tamil Nadu is known for having reserves of lignite. They are primarily used for generation of electricity.
• The next type of coal is bituminous coal with carbon content ranging from 69 to 86%. This is a type of coal that has been buried deep under very high temperatures. Metallurgical coal, a type of bituminous coal is specially used for smelting iron in blast furnaces.
  
• The third type known for its highest quality is Anthracite having carbon content more than 86%.