Bituminous Coal

Description

Bituminous coal is actually the most copious rank of coal found in the United States, and it accounted for approximately 48% of U.S total coal production in 2019. In the United States, it is aged between 100 million and 300 million years old. Bituminous coal is used for producing electricity and is a significant fuel and raw material for generating coking coal. It is also used as a raw agent in the iron and steel industry.

Prosperities of Bituminous Coal

• Bituminous coal has moisture content up to 17%.

• Approximately 0.5 to 2% of the weight of bituminous coal is nitrogen.

• Its fixed carbon content ranges up to 85%, with ash content up to 12% in weight.

• The calorific value of bituminous coal A is 8 – 10% about 6,300 – 7,000 kcal/kg while that of medium volatile bituminous has 7,000 – 8,000 kcal/kg.

• Bituminous coal can be further divided by the level of volatile matter it consists of, like high-volatile A, B, and C, medium-volatile, and low-volatile.

• Volatile matter takes into account any material that is free from the coal at high temperatures.

• In the context of coal, the volatile matter may include sulfur and hydrocarbons.