What is coal and types of …

Coal is a tough, porous and black substance. It is almost pure form of carbon. It is formed by the dead remains of the living organisms.

(i) Lignite: Lignite is a low grade brown coal, which is soft with high moisture content. 

(ii) Bituminous: Coal that has been buried deep and subjected to increased temperatures is bituminous coal. It is the most popular coal in commercial use. Metallurgical coal is high grade bituminous coal which has a special value for smelting iron in blast furnaces. 

(iii) Anthracite: Anthracite is the highest quality of hard coal.

(iv) Peat: It is produced by decay of plant material in swamps. It has low carbon and high moisture content and low heating capacity. It emits too much of smoke when burnt. 

Anthracite is the best quality of coal as it has high percentage of carbon and has the highest heating value.