Anthracite contains 86%–97% carbon and generally has the highest heating value of all ranks of coal. Anthracite accounted for less than 1% of the coal mined in the United States in 2019.

Anthracite, also known as hard coal, is a hard, compact variety of coal that has a submetallic luster. It has the highest carbon content, the fewest impurities, and the highest energy density of all types of coal and is the highest ranking of coals.

Anthracite

The ranks of coal (from most to least carbon content) are as follows: anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, and lignite. The coal with the highest carbon content is the best and cleanest type of coal to use.

Anthracite coal produces virtually no smoke or particulate emissions which is a major problem with cord wood and pellet burning stoves.

Due to it’s density, coal will burn hotter and longer than wood logs which is one main advantage, however the chemicals released from coal burning are certainly worse for the environment, and worse for your lungs should they be inhaled, than wood smoke.

natural gas

Natural Gas

Coal is the dirtiest of the fossil fuels and responsible for over 0.3C of the 1C increase in global average temperatures – making it the single largest source of global temperature rise. Natural gas is often promoted as a cleaner energy source than coal and oil.

China

Here Are the Advantages of Coal

• It is available in an abundant supply.
• It has a high load factor.
• Coal offers a rather low capital investment.
• Carbon capture and storage technologies can reduce potential emissions.
• It can be converted into different formats.
• Coal can be used with renewables to reduce emissions.

The Pros of Coal Energy

• The availability of coal makes it very affordable.
• The energy infrastructure supports coal.
• The cost of coal is quite cheap.
• There is no lag time with coal energy.
• Clean coal technologies help to limit the emissions that are released.
• It can be converted into different forms of fuel.

Power generation is the primary use for coal worldwide. Thermal coal is burnt to create steam that drives turbines and generators for the production of electricity. Metallurgical (coking) coal is a key ingredient in steelmaking. Coal converted to coke is used to produce around 70% of the world’s steel.

With its rapid decline in the United States and Europe, coal’s future will depend heavily on the small but significant group of countries – China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Vietnam – that account for 70% of global coal consumption and most of the world’s new coal power projects.

Based on U.S. coal production in 2019, of about 0.706 billion short tons, the recoverable coal reserves would last about 357 years, and recoverable reserves at producing mines would last about 20 years. The actual number of years that those reserves will last depends on changes in production and reserves estimates.

In 2019, the national average sales price of bituminous, subbituminous, and lignite coal at coal mines was $30.93 per short ton, and the average delivered coal price to the electric power sector was $38.53 per short ton.

The top five countries with the largest proven coal reserves

1. United States – 249 billion tonnes.
2. Russia – 162 billion tonnes.
3. Australia – 149 billion tonnes.
4. China – 142 billion tonnes.
5. India – 106 billion tonnes.

about 41 pounds

Charcoal briquettes are usually formulated to burn for about 1 hour at a steady temperature, generally hotter than smoking temperatures.

Coal, the dirtiest and usually the cheapest option for energy, is now the world’s most expensive fossil fuel.