Differences between Anthracite

and Bituminous Coal

 Anthracite Coal Bituminous Coal
1. Anthracite is a harder, glossy, 1. Bituminous Coal is relatively
black and compact variety of less hard and less compact quality
mineral coal. of coal. It is usually Black or
sometimes Dark Brown in color,
often with well-defined bands of
bright and dull material.
2. The term Anthracite is applied 2. Bituminous Coal contains
to those varieties of coal which do relatively larger percentage of
not give off tarry or other tarry and other volatile
hydrocarbon vapors when heated compounds. That is why when it is
below their point of ignition. heated below its point of ignition
these volatile compounds like
methane and ethane are evolved.
3. The very small percentage of 3.
tarry and other volatile ● As Bituminous Coal contains
compounds in Anthracite makes it relatively larger percentage of
use directly without further tarry and other volatile
processing. hydrocarbons, it is further
processed before use and coking is
done. That is Bituminous Coal is
converted into COKE.
● Anthracitization is the
transformation of bituminous coal
into anthracite coal. Bituminous
Coal undergoes some geological
changes in Anthracitization.
4. It has the highest carbon count 4. The carbon content of
and contains the fewest impurities bituminous coal is around 60-80%,
of all coals. Its carbon content is the rest is composed of water, air,
between 92% and 98%, the rest hydrogen, and sulphur which have
is composed of water, air, not been driven off from the
hydrogen, and sulphur. macerals.
5. It is low sulfur and high BTU 5. It is relatively high sulphur, less
coal. carbon and less BTU coal.
6. The heat content of anthracite 6. The heat content of bituminous
ranges from 22 to 28 million Btu coal ranges from 21 to 30 million
per short ton (26-33 MJ/kg) on a Btu/ton (24-35 MJ/kg) on a moist,
moist, mineral-matter-free basis. mineral-matter-free basis.
7. It is also free from included soft 7. It may contain soft or fibrous
or fibrous notches and does not notches and can soil the fingers
soil the fingers when rubbed. when rubbed.
8. Anthracite ignites with difficulty 8. It is of better quality than
and burns with a short, blue, and lignite coal but of poorer quality
smokeless flame. It burns cleaner, than anthracite coal. Its Flame
hotter and longer than any other is also less hot and produces black
coal. These properties make it smoke as well. Also its flame
ideal for home heating use. remains for less period of time.
That is why it is not useful as
domestic fuel.
9. Anthracite coal is the highest of 9. Bituminous coal is an organic
the metamorphic rank. sedimentary rock formed by