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General
Coal is an easily burnable rock that is made of carbonaceous material. Coal is formed through compaction in the earth. With time, pressure and heat, the early stages of coal change from a peat-like material, into lignite, which is accepted to be coal in an immature form. Lignite is easily identifiable due to its light color and soft texture.
Lignite
Also termed brown or rosebud coal, lignite is considered the lowest rank of coal. As lignite ages, it becomes darker in color and harder in texture. This new product is termed sub-bituminous coal. After additional physical and chemical changes occur, the coal becomes even darker and harder and is called bituminous coal
Bituminous coal
Bituminous coal is high in carbonaceous matter and is divisible into high-volatile, medium- and low-volatile groups on the basis of increasing heat content and decreasing volatile matter. Bituminous coal ignites easily and burns for extended periods of time. The flame produced by this coal is relatively long lasting.
Anthracite
Anthracite represents the final maturation stage of coal and is readily identified by its shiny surface. Anthracite is a hard product that is defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials, as containing more than 86 percent fixed carbon and less than 14 percent volatile matter. Anthracite is traditionally divisible into semi-anthracite, anthracite, and meta-anthracite groupings on the basis of increasing fixed carbon and decreasing volatile matter. This hard variety of mineral coal, being the most advanced in metamorphosis, contains the fewest impurities of all coals types. Anthracite, which is also termed stone, black or hard coal, burns with a smokeless, blue flame that gives off intense heat. Anthracite can also be identified through its lack of soft notches and the fact that it does not blacken a person's hands when it is being handled. This final maturation stage coal feels colder when held in a person's hand than a piece of bituminous or lignite.