Anthracite (coal): characteristics and production locations

Anthracite is a type of high-quality fossil coal. It is characterized by a high level of metamorphism (the degree of solid-phase and structural mineral change).

Like other types of fossils, anthracite - coal is formed over many millennia from plants that were without access to oxygen under the soil layers. For a considerable period of time, they were exposed to processes of coalification and humification. This served as the formation of this substance. Carbon got its international name from the word carbon - coal. This is a reliable fact. Anthracite is the most qualitative type of coal. It is also called carbuncle.

Characteristic features of anthracite

In this case, several parameters are distinguished. Namely, the presence of:

• Saturated black or black-gray color;
• Strong shine;
• Calorific high ability;
• Considerable electrical conductivity;
• Great hardness and density.

Features of the formation of a given fossil

Several processes are considered here. Anthracite is formed in a certain order. First, peat is formed, and then coal is brown . Further, under certain influences, this fossil passes into another substance. Namely, in coal and anthracite. In the latter case, this is the transition link to graphite.

Anthracite (coal) covers at a depth of about 6 km. Places where these fossils often form themselves are characterized by peculiar shifts in the earth's crust. Basically it is the spurs of mountains.

The most numerous deposits of anthracite are located in the Carboniferous basin in the territory of the Donetsk region.

Anthracite coal: product characteristics

In this case, there are many specific nuances. Anthracite (from the Greek anthrakitis) is a humic fossil coal. He has the highest degree of metamorphism. When you observe it under a microscope, you can see that the plant remains are difficult to distinguish. Anthracite is coal, which has a black color, often with a grayish tinge. Occasionally in its color and variegated povorelost. He gives a black velvety line on a porcelain plate. Also anthracite (coal) is characterized by a strong metallic luster. It has a high viscosity, does not cake, has good electrical conductivity. Its highest hardness on the mineralogical scale is 2.0-2.5, the density of the organic mass is 1500-1700 kg / m3. The heat of its combustion is 33,9-34,8 MJ / kg (8100-8350 kcal / kg). It has an analytical low humidity of 1-3% and contains in a combustible mass up to 9% of volatile substances, 93.5-97.0% of carbon, 1-3% of hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, 1.5-2.0%. This is a definite fact. This fossil, which contains carbon in a combustible mass of over 97%, is called superanthracite. According to volumetric output of volatile substances, this product is divided into two industrial brands. Namely: with the presence of 220-330 l / kg - it is semi-anthracite, and with the presence of volumetric yield less than 220 l / kg - anthracites.

The advantages of this fossil

This product is the highest quality coal produced. It differs significantly from other types, since it has the following parameters:

• High content of bound carbon. In this case, it is 94-99%.
• Low sulfur content.
• High specific heat of combustion.
• Low moisture content.
• Lit without smoke and flame.
• Quickly burns out.
• High density of organic matter. In this case, 1500-1700 kg per square meter.
• The specific gravity of anthracite coal is 1.5-1.7.
• High electrical conductivity.

In addition, coal anthracite, the photo of which is given in this text, does not cake when burning. Its hardness on the level of the mineralogical scale is 2.0-2.5. Another significant advantage is that only up to 5% of volatile substances are released into the air during combustion of anthracite.

In this type of fossil, the calorific value exceeds any other hard coal, namely: 8,200 kilocalories per kilogram. By comparison, the gas calorific value is 7000 kcal / kg.

On what types of this fossil are subdivided

Coal stone anthracite is a high-carbon product. This was described above. This and a number of other characteristics play a role in determining its scope of use. According to the classes of size, a fossil is classified as coal anthracite (GOST 19242-73). The separation is carried out according to the size of the fractions of this product. Namely:

• "ACO" is an anthracite fist, a nut. In this case, fractions having a size of 26-100 mm are taken into account.
• "AK" - anthracite coarse coal, fist. This includes fractions, the size of which is 50-100 mm.
• "AO" - coal brand anthracite nut. The size of the fractions is 26-50 mm.
• "AM" is a small anthracite. In this case, fractions of 13-25 mm are taken into account.
• "AU" - coal brand anthracite seed. This includes fractions having a size of 6-13 mm.
• Ashlam is anthracite sludge. It is a kind of coal enrichment product.
• "AH" - a slab of anthracite. In this case, the fractions are less than 6 mm.

The extraction of anthracite is carried out in the respective mines. They have a depth of up to 1500 m. Then coal from the mines goes to the enterprises for processing it. There it is enriched and sorted by fractions. After that, coal in bags (anthracite) comes to different consumers.

The implementation of this product is carried out both in an ordinary form (AR), and in enriched concentrated. The fossil named "AM" and "ACO" are identical in properties. Although the resistivity of fine coal is higher.

Application of anthracites

This product is quite popular. Anthracite is the most dense type of coal. This allows him to occupy the first positions in the class of heat transfer and combustion time. If you purchase anthracite (coal) for heating, you will need it much less to heat the same area than if you use a similar product of a different kind or firewood. Despite all the merits of this fossil, he has minuses. Possessing a significant density, it is capable of flaring up not in all types of boilers and furnaces. This is important to know. For good combustion of anthracite, a good air supply will be required. Basically, in modern types of boilers for solid fuels, it is mandatory. To smaller types of hard coal are: low-baking and long-flame coal.

Anthracite, due to its calorific value, surpasses other analogues. This parameter is 8200 kcal / kg. For example, natural gas is 7000 kcal / kg. Anthracite is coal, which is the hardest of all its counterparts. At burning of volatile substances it is allocated only to 5%. Anthracite is used in various spheres of human activity. Namely: in the production of industrial type (chemistry, metallurgy, sugar industry, etc.), in the communal area (heating water, heating and so on). It is also used for heating private households. Still from this fossil, they produce filterants, which are used for cleaning sewage, water and so on.

Anthracites in electric power industry

In this area, the use of this product is also significant. Cages from anthracites, in which a high ash content of class 0-13, are widely used as fuel in the power industry. In this industry this fossil is used because of the low content of volatile substances. In the electric power industry for the combustion of anthracite, special equipment is used.

For the pulverized combustion of this product, special furnaces are also required. Their configuration is rather peculiar. It must ensure complete combustion of the specified fossil during the time when it is in a special combustion zone.

Coal with small fractions, as well as a low content of sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorus is used in special boilers that are designed for this. Still, this small-sized product is used in cement-burning furnaces.

Anthracites in metallurgy

In this sphere, this fossil has also found its application. Anthracites in metallurgy are used for sintering iron and limestone. Domain and electric steelmaking processes do not properly control the amount of harmful substances emitted into the atmosphere. Therefore, the use of this high-quality fuel by default makes it possible to make the metallurgical processes more environmentally friendly.

In addition, this small fossil is used in the production of high-carbon steels for secondary carburizing. In blast furnaces that have PCI systems (injection of pulverized fuel), anthracite can also be used. Here the main indicator is the humidity of the coal that is supplied.

In this case, said fuel can be blown into the blast furnace by a puff. This technology is very well used by countries of Western Europe, and also in Asia - by China, Japan, and Korea. In Russia and Ukraine, this method only grows its popularity.

In the metallurgical industry, coal is also used as a reducing agent for metals.

Anthracite - sorbents

This is another of the most promising directions in the application of this fossil. You can use anthracite for drinking and sewage treatment. In this case, it plays the role of a filter and can easily replace activated charcoal. This is an essential factor.

Alternative high-carbon raw materials

The coal market is traditionally divided into two segments. They mean energy and coke production. Price trends for products depend on the segment and other factors. And often they are different.

Anthracite is a unique product successfully present in two segments. In addition, it still occupies a significant place in the specialized market of technological use. Price dynamics for a similar product in different segments may differ, that is, redistribution occurs in this plan. For example, if the cost of one segment on anthracite falls, then the other one, as a rule, grows.

Anthracites safely compete with graphite, charcoal, petroleum coke. Amplitude of prices for them, therefore, will depend on the cost of electricity, metal products and so on. This is important to remember. In addition, the price of anthracite will be affected by the state of the world economy. However, over the past decade, there has been a constant dynamics of its growth.

Conclusion

As a result of all of the above, we can say that coal anthracite stone is the most common type of mineral in the world. It has a high level of pure yield of quality energy in the production of electricity and heat with a high temperature for production processes. It is used in the chemical industry and relatively inexpensive. With modern science and technology, it is impossible to replace anthracite 100% in industry. This is a reliable fact. Consequently, in the near future there will be an intensive continuation of the extraction of anthracite and coal.