What is Coal?
Coal is a combustible sedimentary rock, which is composed of organic carbon, sulfur, hydrogen and oxygen, and is found in the Earth’s geological strata. It is extracted from deposits located in layers of sedimentary bedrock and crushed to various sized particles. Coal’s energy-producing capabilities have made it a highly valued fuel source around the world.
Types of Coal
Coal is classified into various categories based on its composition and properties. The main types of coal are differentiated by the amount and type of carbon they contain.
• Anthracite coal is the highest quality type of coal, but it has a lower energy content than the other types and is not as common. It is often associated with the term “hard coal” and is mainly used for power production and domestic heating.
• Bituminous coal is the most abundant type of coal. It is also the softest and has a higher energy content than anthracite coal. Bituminous coal is mainly used for power generation, steel production and domestic heating.
• Lignite coal is the youngest and softest type of coal. It has the lowest energy content and is often referred to as “brown coal.” Lignite coal is mainly used for power generation and domestic heating.
• Sub-bituminous coal has a higher energy content than lignite coal and is sometimes referred to as “black lignite.” Sub-bituminous coal is mainly used for power generation.
• Peat is a type of coal with the lowest energy content. It is not used for power generation, but is often used for domestic heating and industrial processing.
Coal Production
Production of coal is an important part of the world’s energy supply. In 2018, coal accounted for 25% of the world’s total energy supply and was the primary fuel for 34% of the world’s electricity generation.
The three largest coal-producing countries in the world are China, the United States and India. In 2018, China was the world’s largest coal producer, accounting for 49% of global production. The United States was the second largest coal producer, accounting for 17% of global production. India was the third largest producer, accounting for 8% of production.
Coal Usage
Coal is used around the world for a variety of purposes, including as a fuel source for power generation, as a source of heat for domestic and industrial boiling, and a source of chemical feedstocks.
In 2018, the world’s leading coal-producing countries accounted for 73% of global coal consumption. China was the largest consumer, accounting for 52%, followed by India, with 10%, and the United States, with 7%.
In China, coal is mostly used for electricity generation, while in India and the United States, it is used for both electricity and heat generation. In the United States, coal consumption for power generation in 2018 decreased by 9.7%, while consumption for domestic and industrial heating declined by 3.1%.
Conclusion
Coal is a sedimentary rock composed of organic matter and contains trace amounts of sulfur, hydrogen and oxygen. It is classified into various categories based on its composition and properties. Coal is highly valued as an energy source around the world and is the primary fuel for 34% of the world’s electricity generation. Coal is used for a variety of purposes, including power generation, domestic and industrial heat and chemical feedstocks. In 2018, China was the world’s largest coal producer, accounting for 49% of global production. China was also the largest consumer of coal, accounting for 52% of global coal consumption. India was the second largest consumer and the United States was the third largest consumer.
