Description
Steam coal, also known as thermal coal, is a type of coal used primarily as a fuel for generating steam for electricity generation or industrial processes. It is the most common type of coal used for this purpose due to its relatively high energy content and low impurities.
Steam coal is typically classified into different grades based on its calorific value, moisture content, sulfur content, and ash content. These grades can vary depending on the coal’s origin and characteristics.
Some key characteristics of steam coal include:
- Calorific Value: Steam coal has a high calorific value, which means it can produce a large amount of heat energy when burned. This makes it ideal for use in power plants and other industrial processes that require a high heat output.
- Moisture Content: Steam coal typically has a low moisture content, which helps to improve its combustion efficiency and reduce emissions when burned.
- Sulfur Content: Steam coal usually has a moderate sulfur content. While lower sulfur content is preferred to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), higher sulfur content coal may be used with sulfur dioxide mitigation technologies in place.
- Ash Content: Steam coal can have varying ash content, which is the non-combustible residue left after coal is burned. Higher ash content can reduce the efficiency of combustion and increase emissions of particulate matter.