Bituminous coal

Bituminous coal, or black coal, is a type of <a href="/facts/Coal/83kV3qxg">coal</a> containing a <a href="/facts/Tar/E4tVbqyq">tar</a>-like substance called <a href="/facts/Bitumen/tW6EqphW">bitumen</a> or asphalt. Its coloration can be black or sometimes dark brown; often there are well-defined bands of bright and dull material within the <a href="/facts/Coal_seam/hJPK7wBl">seams</a>. It is typically hard but <a href="/facts/Friable/bkPTPxqQ">friable</a>. Its quality is <a href="/facts/Coal_analysis/T2DzBmfq">ranked</a> higher than <a href="/facts/Lignite/pGFaDtFa">lignite</a> and <a href="/facts/Sub-bituminous_coal/sdDUytC1">sub-bituminous coal</a>, but lesser than <a href="/facts/Anthracite/xYt8pIGe">anthracite</a>. It is the most abundant rank of coal, with deposits found around the world, often in rocks of <a href="/facts/Carboniferous/BRKlkYyd">Carboniferous</a> age. Bituminous coal is formed from sub-bituminous coal that is buried deeply enough to be heated to 85 °C (185 °F) or higher.
Bituminous coal is used primarily for <a href="/facts/Electrical_power_generation/Uo6mQQ1T">electrical power generation</a> and in the <a href="/facts/Steel_industry/aN6qWo4H">steel industry</a>. Bituminous coal suitable for smelting iron (coking coal or <a href="/facts/Metallurgical_coal/0yBAbbfU">metallurgical coal</a>) must be low in <a href="/facts/Sulfur/IK0amTfM">sulfur</a> and <a href="/facts/Phosphorus/27xCeIqs">phosphorus</a>. It commands a higher price than other grades of bituminous coal (thermal coal) used for heating and power generation.
Within the <a href="/facts/Coal_mining/hJPK7wBl">coal mining</a> industry, this type of coal is known for releasing the largest amounts of <a href="/facts/Firedamp/KFpsSpMd">firedamp</a>, a dangerous mixture of gases that can cause underground explosions. Extraction of bituminous coal demands the highest safety procedures involving attentive gas monitoring, good ventilation and vigilant site management.

Bituminous coal open-in-new

Bituminous coal