Types of coal and their qualities

Coal is of four types : 1) Lignite :- It is low grade brown coal, which is soft with high moisture content. 2) Bituminous :-It is most popular coal in commercial use. 3) Anthracite :- It is the highest quality hard coal. 4) Peat:- It is formed decaying plants in swamps.

The four ranks are: Anthracite: The highest rank of coal. It is a hard, brittle, and black lustrous coal, often referred to as hard coal, containing a high percentage of fixed carbon and a low percentage of volatile matter. Bituminous: Bituminous coal is a middle rank coal between subbituminous and anthracite. Bituminous usually has a high heating (Btu) value and is the most common type of coal used in electricity generation in the United States. Bituminous coal appears shiny and smooth when you first see it, but look closer and you may see it has layers. Subbituminous: Subbituminous coal is black in color and dull (not shiny), and has a higher heating value than lignite. Lignite: Lignite coal, aka brown coal, is the lowest grade coal with the least concentration of carbon.