Coal:
An overview of coal and
its uses
Coal is combustible black or brownish black
sedimentary rock made up of carbons and
hydrocarbons. It is found in deep coal mines
under the surface of the earth in the form of
coal beds. In India, Coal is mainly found in
Bihar , Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and
Mdhaya Pradesh. The big coal mines in our
country is at Jharia and Bokaro in Jharkhand
and Raniganj in West Bengal.
Preparation of Coal:
Coal is obtained from decay and buried of
remains of Plants. About 300 million years ago,
the earth was covered by dense forests. Due to
some climatic condition they died and were then
covered by mud and sand. Volcanoes and
earthquakes added to the debris collected over
these trees. Under the heat and pressure of the
earth, the trees got converted into coal. Coal
contains the carbon. The process of conversion
of wood to carbon is called carbonisation.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
Source: Queensland Resources Council
Source: Queensland Resources Council
USE OF COAL:
1. Coal is used to generate electric power.
2. Power plant and factories burn coal to
make steam, the steam turns turbines that
generate electricity.
3. Many industries use coal’s heat and by
products.
4. Ingredients of coal such as methane used
to make plastics, tar, fertiliser and medicine.
5. It is used to make coke, coal tar and coal
gas by destructive distillation method.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
DISTRUCIVE DISTILLATION METHOD
• In this method coal heated at high temperature in
the absence of air.
• It gives coke, coal tar, coal gas and ammonical
liquor.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
1. COKE
• Coke is a tough, porous and greyish black
residue. It contains 98% carbon. Due to its high
calorific value, it is considered to be an ideal fuel.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
USE OF COKE:
1. It is used in extraction of metals from
their ores.
2. It is used in production of industrial
useful substance like water, gas and
producer gas.
3. It is used in production of acetylene
acetic acid and polyvinyl chloride.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
2. COAL TAR:
• Coal Tar is black, viscous, liquid with an
unpleasant smell. It is not a single compound. It is
a mixture of about 200 different carbon
compound.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
USE OF COAL TAR:
1. It is used to surface road and water
proof roofs.
2. It is used to produce benzene,
toluene and naphthalene etc.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
3. COAL GAS:
• A mixture of gases (chiefly hydrogen, methane,
and carbon monoxide) obtained by the
destructive distillation of coal and formerly used
for lighting and heating.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
USE OF COAL GAS:
1. It burns to produce heat, that is why,
it is excellent fuel.
2. It is used as cooking gas and for
lighting purpose.
3. It is also used as reducing agent due
to presence of hydrogen and carbon
monoxide.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
4. AMMONICAL LIQUOR:
• A solution of ammonia in water called ammonical
liquor. On reaction with sulphuric acid, it gives
ammonical fertilizers and other nitrogenous
compounds.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
ADVANTAGES OF COAL
1. It is easily distributed around the world.
2. It is a fossil fuels power station can be built any
where.
3. It burns at a low temperature.
4. It is not very expensive because it is relatively
plentiful.
5. It can be found in more places than other fossil
fuels.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
WHY CONSERVE THE COAL?
Coal must be conserved because they are
exhalustivle resources which will one day get
exhausted. So, if we want our future generations
not to compromise then we should conserve coal.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
TYPES OF COAL:
There are four types of coal:
1. Anthracite Coal: It is the best variety of coal
containing up to 92-98% carbon.
2. Bituminous(House Hold Coal): 60-80% carbon.
3. Lignite( Soft Coal): 30-40% carbon.
4. Peat: it is the inferior quality of coal because it
contains the less amout of carbon.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
HOW CAN WE CONSERVE COAL?
1. Turn off the lights about 75% of the electricity we
use at home to power our house.
2. Use energy- saving bulbs such as LED.
3. Get energy start certified appliances.
4. Recycle old refrigerators.
5. By using alternative source of energy. Such as
water, wind energy etc.
Source: Queensland Resources Council
Coal in India
