Question

What is a destructive distillation of coal?

Answer 1

Definition

• The destructive distillation of coal is the process of heating coal in the absence of air.
• Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulphur are among the elements found in coal.
• When coal is burned in the absence of air, it produces a variety of products.

Products formed by destructive distillation of Coal

• Coke: It has a carbon content of 98 percent. It is the purest kind of coal, porous, rough, and black. It's a good fuel that burns cleanly, just like charcoal.
• Liquid coal tar: Coal tar is made up of a variety of carbon compounds. It's a viscous, black liquid with a foul odour. Many chemical molecules are produced by fractional distilling coal tar, including pigments, explosives, paints, synthetic fibres, medicines, and insecticides.
• Coal gas: It is a mixture of hydrogen, methane, and carbon monoxide that comes from coal. Because the gases in coal gas are flammable, it makes a great fuel.