COAL

COAL

WHAT IS COAL?

• Coal is a naturally occurring Conventional Energy Resource.
• Coal is called Black Gold.
•  It formed due to compaction and sedimentation during the Carboniferous period.
• It is the abundant fossil fuel in India.
• It provides more than 50% of the country's energy requirements.

WHAT ARE ITS TYPES?

It can be divided into various types based on the amount of carbon:

ANTHRACITE

• It is the highest quality coal.
• It has carbon content of 80 – 95%.
• It has negligible moisture content.
• It has the highest heating value.
• It is only in Jammu and Kashmir.

BITUMINOUS

• It is the most common coal.
• It has carbon content of 60-80 %.
• It is dense and black.
• It has a high calorific value.
• It has low moisture content.
• It is used for steam generation and production of coke and gas.
• It is found in Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh etc.

LIGNITE

• Also known as brown coal.
• It is lower-grade coal with a carbon content of 40 -55%.
• It is the first stage of coal formation.
•  It ranges in color from dark to black-brown.
• It produces a lot of smoke but little heat.
• It can be found in Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and J & K.

PEAT

• This is also the first stage of coal formation.
•  It contains less than 40 -55 % carbon.
• It has a lot of moisture.
• It makes a good fuel.

WHERE ARE RESERVES OF COAL LOCATED IN INDIA?

• In India coals exists in Gondwana which over 200 million years old.
• Coal also found in in Tertiary deposits which are only 55 million years old.
• The major sources of metallurgical coal, are in Damodar valley of West Bengal -Jharkhand.
• Also in the Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and Wardha valley.
• Tertiary coal occurs in the north eastern states.

WHERE ARE RESERVES OF COAL LOCATED IN THE WORLD?

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE COAL INDUSTRY?

• India's coal still accounts for half of the country's commercial primary energy needs.
• It is the primary source of electricity generation.
• Miners rarely have to go deep due to the technological advancement in machinery.
• It is safe to transport and does not require specialized storage.
• It can be stored for an indefinite period in cool and dry place.
• Coal based electricity is less expensive.
• It employs a large number of people.