Bituminous coal
Bituminous coal is a black fossil fuel and a mid-rank type of coal. It is also the most abundant type of coal. This type of coal is relatively soft, and its carbon content is about 80%.[2] Also, bituminous coal represents a moderately old rank of coal, with approximate ages of around 300 000 000 years. The energy density of bituminous coal is relatively high - 6500 kcal/kg, meaning that it releases a significant amount of energy when burned.[3]
There are two subtypes of bituminous coal: thermal and metallurgical. Thermal coal can also be called steam coal. These two types of coal differ as steam coal is slightly higher quality with a slightly higher carbon content. This results in the two subtypes being used differently.[4]
Uses
The high carbon and low moisture content of this fuel makes it ideal in the production of steel and cement, as well as in electricity generation and coke production.[5] Specifically, thermal coal is used in power plants that produce steam for electricity generation. Additionally, steam powered trains tend to be powered by thermal coal. Metallurgical coal is referred to as coking coal and is used in the production of coke.[4]
Hazards
The burning of bituminous coal can pose serious health risks. First, this type of coal produces excessive amounts of smoke and soot, and its high sulfur content contributes to acid rain through the release of sulfur oxides (SOx). As well, bituminous coal can contain the mineral pyrite which can contain harmful impurities such as arsenic and mercury, and these impurities are released into the air as pollution when the coal is burned. Burning bituminous coal also releases nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide.[4]
References
- ↑ Wikimedia Commons. (May 13, 2015). Bituminous Coal [Online]. Available:http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bituminous_Coal.JPG
- ↑ J. Kraushaar, R. Ristinen. (May 11, 2015).Energy and the Environment, 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ, U.S.A.: John Wiley & Sons, 2006
- ↑ Stephen Marshak. (May 12, 2015). Earth: Portrait of a Planet, 3rd ed. New York, NY, U.S.A:W.W. Norton & Company, 2008
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Wendy Lyons Sunshine. (May 13, 2015). Bituminous Coal Characteristics [Online]. Available: http://energy.about.com/od/Coal/a/Bituminous-Coal.htm
- ↑ Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences. (May 11, 2015). Four Billion Years and Counting: Canada's Geological Heritage, 1st ed. Toronto, ON, Canada.: Nimbus Publishing, 2014
