Coal Formation
Most coal began forming 300 million years ago when plants in swamps were buried under water and silt and began to decay. In the absence of oxygen the plant matter did not rot, but instead formed peat. Sediment covered and compressed peat nearly 80%. Peat has a very low carbon concentration and heat value.
Lignite is the second stage in the formation of coal and is referred to as "brown coal." Lignite is the first stage of actual coal and has a low carbon concentration and heat value.
Bituminous coal is the second and most common form of coal in West Virginia. Carbon content in bituminous coal is highly varied. Bituminous coal is coked for use in the steel industry.
Anthracite coal results from the metamorphosis of bituminous coal. Anthracite has the highest carbon concentration and heat value of all types of coal. Anthracite coal also emits little smoke making it popular for heating homes.
Coke is formed when bituminous coal is heated 2000 degrees C in the absence of oxygen. Coke is primarily used in the steel industry as a heat source.
Lignite is the second stage in the formation of coal and is referred to as "brown coal." Lignite is the first stage of actual coal and has a low carbon concentration and heat value.
Bituminous coal is the second and most common form of coal in West Virginia. Carbon content in bituminous coal is highly varied. Bituminous coal is coked for use in the steel industry.
Anthracite coal results from the metamorphosis of bituminous coal. Anthracite has the highest carbon concentration and heat value of all types of coal. Anthracite coal also emits little smoke making it popular for heating homes.
Coke is formed when bituminous coal is heated 2000 degrees C in the absence of oxygen. Coke is primarily used in the steel industry as a heat source.
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