Coal has been the main source of energy supply in the world for many years. It is one of the most important raw materials used in a variety of industries, including power generation, steel production, cement manufacture, and petrochemical production. With such a wide range of applications, its no wonder that the terminology associated with coal and its products can be confusing.
1. Bituminous Coal: This type of coal is also known as soft coal and it is the most abundant type of coal in the world. It has a higher heat content than lignite and is used primarily for generating electricity. It also produces more ash compared to lignite, but is still considered to be a productive and economical fuel.
2. Anthracite Coal: This higher grade of coal is also known as hard coal and has a higher fixed carbon content and higher heat content than bituminous coal. Anthracite is not as abundant as bituminous coal and is used primarily as a residential heating fuel, but is also used in industrial settings.
3. Lignite Coal: This type of coal is also known as brown coal or soft brown coal. It is the lowest grade of coal and has a lower heat content than both bituminous and anthracite coals. It has a high moisture content and is often referred to as dirty coal due to the high ash content in comparison to the other grades. It is mainly used in electricity generation, but it is also used in other applications.
4. Peat: This combustible biomass material is formed from partially decomposed plant matter. It is mostly found in wetlands and is often used as an energy source, due to its high carbon content and high moisture content.
5. Coal Tar: This dark-colored tar is a by-product of the production of coal gas. It can be used in a variety of ways, such as in the protection of wood, in dyeing and as araw material in the production of pavements.
6. Coal Dust: This fine material is produced when coal is crushed or pulverized. It can be used as a fuel or as a material in the production of concrete, bricks and paving.
7. Coke: This carbonaceous material is produced when coal is heated in the absence of air for hours. It is the hottest-burning fuel and is used in metallurgy and in the industrial sector.
8. Coal Gas: This combustible gas is produced when coal is heated in the absence of air. It is used as a fuel in both industrial and residential settings.
9. Coal Slurry: This mixture of coal, water and chemical additives is used in coal gasification and liquefaction processes. It is also used in power plants as a fuel.
10. Refined Coal: This type of coal is produced by a specialized refining process in which impurities are removed or transformed. It has a higher energy content and a lower sulfur content than regular coal.
11. Synthetic Natural Gas: This combustible gas is produced by a process in which coal, biomass and other materials are converted into a gas that has the same properties as natural gas. It is used by power plants as fuel.
12. Fluidized Bed Combustion: This technology uses crushed coal and other materials as fuel, which is then heated to temperatures higher than 1,100°C. This allows for the combustion process to be more efficient and cleaner than traditional coal-fired power plants.
13. Coal Bed Methane: This combustible gas is produced when coal is mined and released from the coal seams. It is similar to natural gas and can be used as a fuel in residential and industrial settings.
14. Coal Mining: This activity involves extracting coal from the earth. It involves many different processes, such as blasting, drilling, and transportation.
15. Coal-Derived Products: These materials are produced by the processing and burning of coal. They include coke, coal tar, coal dust, and coal slurry.
This glossary of coal and coal-derived products and technologies provides a brief overview of the most common terms used to describe coal and related products. Understanding these terms is important, as coal is one of the most important sources of energy in the world and a major source of revenue for many countries.
