Classification of Coal
Classification of coal based on volatile matter and cooking power of clean
material
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Coal is a readily combustible rock containing more than 50 percent by weight of carbonaceous material formed
from compaction and indurations of variously altered plant remains similar to those in peat.
After a considerable amount of time, heat, and burial pressure, it is metamorphosed from peat to lignite. Lignite
is considered to be "immature" coal at this stage of development because it is still somewhat light in color and it
remains soft.
Lignite increases in maturity by becoming darker and harder and is
then classified as sub-bituminous coal. After a continuous process of
burial and alteration, chemical and physical changes occur until the
coal is classified as bituminous - dark and hard coal.
Bituminous coal ignites easily and burns long with a relatively long
flame. If improperly fired bituminous coal is characterized with excess
smoke and soot.
Anthracite coal is the last classification, the ultimate maturation.
Anthracite coal is very hard and shiny.
Volatile matter1)
Class General description
(weight %)
101 < 6.1
Anthracites
102 3.1 - 9.0
201 9.1 - 13.5 Dry steam coals
202 13.6 - 15.0
203 15.1 - 17.0 Cooking steams coals Low volatile steam
coals
204 17.1 - 19.5
Heat altered low
206 19.1 - 19.5
volatile steam coals
301 19.6 - 32.0 Prime cooking coals
Medium volatile
305 19.6 - 32.0
Mainly heat altered coals
coals
306 19.6 - 32.0
401 32.1 - 36.0
Very strongly coking
coals
402 > 36.0
501 32.1 - 36.0
Strongly coking coals
502 > 36.0
601 32.1 - 36.0
Medium coking coals
602 > 36.0
High volatile coals
701 32.1
Weakly coking coals
702 > 36.0
801 32.1 - 36.0
Very weakly coking
coals
802 > 36.0
901 32.1 - 36.0
Non-coking coals
902 > 36.0
1)
Volatile matter - dry mineral matter free basis. In coal, those products, exclusive of moisture, given off as gas
and vapor determined analytically.
Anthracite coal creates a steady and clean flame and is preferred for domestic heating. Furthermore it burn
longer with more heat than the other types.
Typical Sulfur Content in Coal
Anthracite Coal : 0.6 - 0.77 weight %
Bituminous Coal : 0.7 - 4.0 weight %
Lignite Coal : 0.4 weight %
Typical Moisture Content in Coal
Anthracite Coal : 2.8 - 16.3 weight %
Bituminous Coal : 2.2 - 15.9 weight %
Lignite Coal : 39 weight %
Typical Fixed Carbon Content in Coal
Anthracite Coal : 80.5 - 85.7 weight %
Bituminous Coal : 44.9-78.2 weight %
Lignite Coal : 31.4 weight %
Typical Bulk Density of Coal
Anthracite Coal : 50 - 58 (lb/ft3), 800 - 929 (kg/m3)
Bituminous Coal : 42 - 57 (lb/ft3), 673 - 913 (kg/m3)
Lignite Coal : 40 - 54 (lb/ft3), 641 - 865 (kg/m3)
Typical Ash Content in Coal
Anthracite Coal : 9.7 - 20.2 weight %
Bituminous Coal : 3.3-11.7 weight %
Lignite Coal : 4.2 weight %
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Coal Classification
Coals are classified upon the ratios which the volatile materials or hydro-carbons bear to fixed carbon.
Anthracite coal is low in volatile material and high in fixed carbon. Soft coals are high in volatile matter
and low in carbon. The percentage of coal in volatile hydrocarbons runs as follows:
Anthracite 3.6
Semi-anthracite 6.12
Semi-bituminous 12.18
Bituminous 18.50
The remaining components of the coals are absorbed moisture, fixed carbon and ash. The ash in a first
class coal should not be above 8 per cent.
There are two main ways for classifying coal - by rank and by type.
Coal Rank
The degree of 'metamorphisrn' or coalification undergone by a coal, as it matures from peat to anthracite, has an
important bearing on its physical and chemical properties, and is referred to as the 'rank' of the coal.
Source: Coal, Power for Progress -
World Coal Institute
Low rank coals, such as lignite and sub-bituminous coals, are typically softer, friable materials with a dull, earthy
appearance; they are characterised by high moisture levels and a low carbon content, and hence a low energy
content.
Higher rank coals are typically harder and stronger and often have a black vitreous lustre. Increasing rank is
accompanied by a rise in the carbon and energy contents and a decrease in the moisture content of the coal.
Anthracite is at the top of the rank scale and has a correspondingly higher carbon and energy content and a lower
level of moisture.
Between anthracites and peat there are three broad coal rankings.
Bituminous coals are dense black solids, frequently containing bands with a brilliant lustre. The carbon content of
these coals ranges from 78 to 91 percent and the water content from 1.5 to 7 percent.
The major NSW and Queensland deposits are bituminous and many are suited to the
production of metallurgical coke. Non-coking bituminous coals are used for power generation, cement making and to
provide heat and steam in industry.
Sub-bituminous coals usually appear dull black and waxy. They have a carbon content between 71 and 77 percent
and a moisture content of up to 10 percent and are used for electricity generation or can be converted to liquid and
gaseous fuels.
Queensland, NSW, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia have deposits of sub-bituminous coals.
The lower ranked coals are browner and softer. Brown coals or lignites have a high oxygen content (up to 30
percent), a relatively low carbon content (60-75 percent on a dry basis), and a high moisture content (30-70 percent).
Brown coals, found in Australia in Victoria's Latrobe Valley, are used for power generation but
generally are uneconomic to transport because of their high moisture content. These coals are also susceptible to
spontaneous combustion.
Coal Types
Geologists also classify coal types according to the organic debris, called macerals, from which the coal is formed.
Macerals are identified (microscopically) by reflected light - the reflective or translucent properties of the coal
indicating the individual component macerals and the way they have combined to form the coal.
The purpose of classifying coal in this way is to determine its best uses. There is a finite supply of the resource and,
therefore, type and chemical composition must be matched to the most suitable end use.
The mineral or inorganic content of coal is another significant factor affecting end use. Mineral content is assessed by
burning coal and measuring the amount of incombustible material remaining, referred to as the ash content of coal.
Classification and Rank of Coal
The kinds of coal, in increasing order of alteration, are lignite (brown coal--immature),
sub-bituminous, bituminous, and anthracite (mature). Coal starts off as peat. After a
considerable amount of time, heat, and burial pressure, it is metamorphosed from peat
to lignite. Lignite is considered to be "immature" coal at this stage of development
because it is still somewhat light in color and it remains soft. As time passes, lignite
increases in maturity by becoming darker and harder and is then classified as sub-
bituminous coal. As this process of burial and alteration continues, more chemical and
physical changes occur and a the coal is classified as bituminous. At this point the coal
is dark and hard. Anthracite is the last of the classifications, and this terminology is
used when the coal has reached ultimate maturation. Anthracite coal is very hard and
shiny.
The degree of alteration (or metamorphism) that occurs as a coal matures from peat to
anthracite is referred to as the "rank" of the coal. Low-rank coals include lignite and sub-
bituminous coals. These coals have a lower energy content because they have a low
carbon content. They are lighter (earthier) and have higher moisture levels. As time,
heat, and burial pressure all increase, the rank does as well. High-rank coals, including
bituminous and anthracite coals, contain more carbon than lower-rank coals which
results in a much higher energy content. They have a more vitreous (shiny) appearance
and lower moisture content then lower-rank coals.
