Description
Lignite coal, often referred to as brown coal, is a type of coal with low energy content, high moisture content, and low carbon content. It is considered the lowest rank of coal due to its relatively low heat value and poor quality compared to other types of coal. Lignite is typically brownish-black in color and has a soft, crumbly texture.
Some key characteristics of lignite coal include:
- Low Energy Content: Lignite has a lower energy content per ton compared to other types of coal, such as bituminous coal and anthracite. This is due to its high moisture content and low carbon content, which reduce its heating value.
- High Moisture Content: Lignite has a high moisture content, typically ranging from 25% to 40% or more. This high moisture content makes lignite less efficient as a fuel for combustion, as a significant portion of the energy is used to evaporate the water during combustion.
- Low Carbon Content: Lignite has a lower carbon content compared to other types of coal, which means it produces more carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per unit of energy produced. This makes lignite a less environmentally friendly fuel compared to other types of coal.
- Soft and Crumbly: Lignite is soft and crumbly in texture, which makes it easy to break apart. However, this also means that lignite is more prone to breaking apart and disintegrating during handling and transportation.