TYPES OF COAL

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Context

• Goa Power Minister during a World Environment Day function expresses concern about the pollution caused by bitumen.

Details

Bitumen as a Major Cause of Pollution:

• He highlights bitumen used in road construction as a significant source of pollution.
• Emphasizes that 10 million tonnes of bitumen are required annually in India.
• Points out the emissions of pollutants into the atmosphere from bitumen.

Government Efforts to Combat Pollution:

• Union government's attempt to produce bitumen from rice to reduce pollution.
• Mention of the government's efforts to control air pollution caused by bitumen in all sectors.

Citizen Responsibility and Environmental Protection:

• He urges responsible citizens to address pollution daily.
• Highlighting the pollution levels in the Sal river, calls for collective efforts to keep it clean.

Shifting to Cleaner Energy Sources:

• Government's initiatives to explore alternatives to diesel for powering machines.
• Focus on using electricity or gas instead of diesel in the electricity department and infrastructure projects.

Importance of Sustainable Practices:

• He emphasizes the need to start with the basics for a sustainable future.
• Calls for adopting environmentally-friendly practices.

Coal and its Types

• Coal is a fossil fuel formed from the remains of plants that lived and died millions of years ago.
• It is one of the primary sources of energy globally and is used for electricity generation, industrial processes, and heating.

Anthracite Coal:

• Highest rank of coal with the highest carbon content and energy value.
• Hard and lustrous, with a high density and low moisture content.
• Produces intense heat and burns with a clean blue flame.
• Used primarily for heating and in industrial processes where high temperatures are required.

Bituminous Coal:

• Second-highest rank of coal with a relatively high carbon content.
• Softer than anthracite and has a black or dark brown appearance.
• Moderate energy value and commonly used for electricity generation and industrial applications.
• Most abundant type of coal worldwide.

Sub-bituminous Coal:

• Lower in carbon content compared to bituminous coal.
• Brown to black in color and has a lower energy value.
• Higher moisture content than bituminous coal.
• Primarily used for electricity generation due to its availability and lower cost.

Lignite Coal:

• Lowest rank of coal with the lowest carbon content.
• Soft and brown in color, often referred to as "brown coal."
• High moisture content and lower energy value compared to other coal types.
• Used mainly for electricity generation and as a fuel in some industries.

Peat:

• Not technically coal but an early stage in the formation of coal.
• Composed of partially decayed plant matter and has the lowest carbon content.
• High moisture content and low energy value.
• Used as a fuel in some regions for heating and cooking.

Location of Coal in India

Anthracite Coal:

• Location: Anthracite coal reserves are limited in India, with small deposits found in Jammu and Kashmir.

Bituminous Coal:

• Location: Bituminous coal deposits are widespread and found in several states, including Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Telangana.
• Notable regions with significant bituminous coal reserves include the Jharia coalfield in Jharkhand and the Raniganj coalfield in West Bengal.

Sub-bituminous Coal:

• Location: Sub-bituminous coal reserves are primarily found in eastern and central parts of India.
• Key regions with substantial sub-bituminous coal deposits include Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Assam.

Lignite Coal:

• Location: Lignite coal reserves are mainly concentrated in southern India.
• Prominent regions with significant lignite coal deposits include Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir.