Coal Classification and Properties Quiz

A broad category of coal with a high calorific value (minimum 5700 kcal/kg) and a high vitrinite reflectance (at least 0.6).

A broad category of coal with a lower calorific value (<5700 kcal/kg) and more volatile matter than hard coal. It is often referred to as 'brown coal'.

The highest grade of coal, with a high carbon content (86-98%), a very low volatile matter content (2-14%), and a high calorific value (7791 kcal/kg). It has a distinctive black color and metallic luster.

A medium rank coal with a carbon content ranging from 69% to 86%. It is used for gasification, industrial coking and heat raising.

A type of bituminous coal used for the production of coke, which is suitable for blast furnace charging.

The lowest grade of coal, with a high water content (up to 17%) and a low calorific value.

A type of coal used for industrial coking and residential heat raising but not for producing coke for blast furnaces. It is also known as thermal coal.

A type of brown coal with lower quality than lignite but with a high calorific value compared to other brown coals.

A type of surface mining where a trench is dug to extract coal, and the overburden is dumped into the old trench, forming a spoil bank.

The soil and rock that lies above a coal seam.

A hill of loose rock created by dumping overburden from a new trench into an old trench during strip mining.

A type of surface mining where the top of a mountain is removed to reach the coal seam beneath.

Water contaminated with acidic and toxic chemicals from mines, often caused by rainwater seeping through exposed iron sulfide minerals.

A respiratory illness caused by inhaling coal dust, which can lead to lung damage and disability.

The process of restoring land damaged by surface mining to a productive state.

A method of coal extraction that involves digging shafts and tunnels to reach the coal seam underground.

A combustion technology where coal is burned in a bed of fluidized particles, reducing sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions. It operates at elevated temperatures, ensuring complete coal combustion.

A type of fluidized-bed combustion that operates under high pressure. This leads to complete combustion at relatively low temperatures, further reducing emissions.

Natural gas trapped within coal seams, formed during the coalification process. This gas is held on the surfaces of the organic matter in the coal.

The process of extracting coal-bed methane by drilling either vertically into a coal seam or directionally along it.

The practice of intentionally fracturing coal seams to improve the flow rate of extracted methane.

The release of methane into the atmosphere during coal mining, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

A potential environmental concern related to coal-bed methane extraction, involving the disposal of large volumes of water produced during the process.

A potential environmental concern related to coal-bed methane extraction, where extracted methane can migrate and contaminate groundwater or residential areas.

Natural gas found trapped within impermeable shale rock formations, historically considered too difficult to extract economically.

The transformation of organic matter in source rocks into oil and gas due to elevated temperature and pressure over time.

Fine-grained sedimentary rock rich in organic matter, where oil and gas originate.

Rock layers with higher permeability allowing for easier migration and accumulation of oil and gas.

The upward movement of oil and gas from the source rock to the reservoir rock driven by pressure differences.

The main component of petroleum, a complex mixture of hydrocarbons.

The process of extracting oil and gas from underground formations.

Areas where tectonic plate boundaries create geological conditions favorable for the formation of oil and gas deposits.

A process that separates different components of crude oil based on their boiling points.

The lightest components of crude oil, used as fuel for cars.

A heavier component of crude oil, used for heating homes and industries.

A heavy component of crude oil, used to power trucks and some cars.

A process that breaks down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones, increasing the yield of lighter components like gasoline.

A gas produced from crude oil, used for heating and cooking where natural gas is not available.

The energy content of fuels derived from crude oil, approximately 10755.3 Kcal/kg

The process of refining crude oil requires significant energy, around 7% of US energy consumption.

Diesel fuel predominantly consists of saturated hydrocarbons (75%) such as paraffins, and aromatic hydrocarbons (25%) like naphthalenes.

Cetane rating measures how readily diesel ignites. A higher cetane rating indicates faster and smoother combustion.

Pure cetane has excellent ignition qualities and is rated at 100. A high cetane diesel fuel burns quickly, reducing engine lag time.

Diesel fuel, despite being less energy-dense by weight than petrol, has a higher energy density by volume due to its higher density.

Engine size, design, load and atmospheric conditions influence the required cetane rating. High altitudes or cold temperatures require higher cetane fuel.

Diesel production generates byproducts that are valuable raw materials for various industries, including plastics, medicines, and fertilizers, making it a key resource.

The lower the cetane rating, the longer the delay between fuel injection and ignition, leading to rougher engine operation.

The 'Other' category in the pie chart includes byproducts like road-building materials, lubricants, and chemical feedstocks.