Differences between Anthracite

and Bituminous Coal

Anthracite Coal Bituminous Coal
1. Anthracite is a harder, glossy,
black and compact variety of
mineral coal.
1. Bituminous Coal is relatively
less hard and less compact quality
of coal. It is usually Black or
sometimes Dark Brown in color,
often with well-defined bands of
bright and dull material.
2. The term Anthracite is applied
to those varieties of coal which do
not give off tarry or other
hydrocarbon vapors when heated
below their point of ignition.
2. Bituminous Coal contains
relatively larger percentage of
tarry and other volatile
compounds. That is why when it is
heated below its point of ignition
these volatile compounds like
methane and ethane are evolved.
3. The very small percentage of
tarry and other volatile
compounds in nthracite makes it
use directly without further
processing.
3.
! s Bituminous "oal contains
relatively larger percentage of
tarry and other volatile
hydrocarbons, it is further
processed before use and coking is
done. That is Bituminous "oal is
converted into "#$%.
! nthraciti&ation is the
transformation of bituminous coal
into anthracite coal. Bituminous
"oal undergoes some geological
changes in nthraciti&ation.
4. It has the highest carbon count
and contains the fewest impurities
of all coals. Its carbon content is
between '() and '*), the rest
is composed of water, air,
hydrogen, and sulphur.
4. The carbon content of
bituminous coal is around +,-*,),
the rest is composed of water, air,
hydrogen, and sulphur which have
not been driven off from the
macerals.
5. It is low sulfur and high BT-
coal.
5. It is relatively high sulphur, less
carbon and less BT- coal.
6. The heat content of anthracite
ranges from (( to (* million Btu
per short ton .(+-// 012kg3 on a
moist, mineral-matter-free basis.
6. The heat content of bituminous
coal ranges from (4 to /, million
Btu2ton .(5-/6 012kg3 on a moist,
mineral-matter-free basis.
7. It is also free from included soft
or fibrous notches and does not
soil the fingers when rubbed.
7. It may contain soft or fibrous
notches and can soil the fingers
when rubbed.
8. nthracite ignites with difficulty
and burns with a short, blue, and
smokeless flame. It burns cleaner,
hotter and longer than any other
coal. These properties make it
ideal for home heating use.
8. It is of better quality than
linite coal but of !oorer "ualit#
than anthracite coal. $ts %lame
is also less hot and produces black
smoke as well. lso its flame
remains for less period of time.
That is why it is not useful as
domestic fuel.
&. nthracite coal is the highest of
the metamor!hic rank.
&. Bituminous coal is an oranic
sedimentar# roc' formed by
digenetic and sub metamorphic