Coal and charcoal are carbon-containing compounds. Coal is a sedimentary rock. It is primarily composed of carbon, along with trace amounts of some other elements such as hydrogen, sulfur, and nitrogen. Charcoal, on the other hand, is an impure form of carbon that is obtained by the partial burning of carbonaceous materials in the presence of limited oxygen. The main difference between coal and charcoal is that coal is a naturally occurring fossil fuel, whereas charcoal is formed as a result of burning carbonaceous materials.
Do you know the difference between coal and charcoal? Let’s find answear in this article!
What is Coal
Coal, a black or dark brown combustible rock, is primarily composed of carbonized plant matter and is mainly found in underground seams known as coal beds. It is a carbon-rich substance that occurs as a sedimentary rock. Coal holds great significance as one of the most crucial fossil fuels utilized worldwide.
Comprising mostly carbon, with trace amounts of elements like hydrogen, sulfur, and nitrogen, coal forms through biological and geological processes spanning millions of years, involving the decomposition of animal and plant remains. Coal extraction is achieved through coal mining methods.
Coal serves as a valuable energy source, as it can be burned to generate electricity and heat. However, its combustion also contributes significantly to the release of carbon dioxide into the environment, thus playing a significant role in global warming. Various types of coal exist, categorized based on different factors, including the type of plant material involved, the degree of coalification (coal rank), and the range of impurities present (coal grade).
Coal as a Fuel
Coal is primarily utilized as a fuel source for the production of electricity and heat through the process of combustion. The demand for coal for this purpose is steadily increasing year after year. To generate electricity, coal is first pulverized into fine particles and then burned in a furnace. A boiler is connected to this furnace, which converts water into steam. The heat generated by the combustion of coal is used to boil water and produce steam, which is subsequently used to drive turbines for the generation of electricity.
An alternative approach to electricity generation is through IGCC power plants (Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle power plants). In this method, coal is subjected to gasification to produce syngas, a mixture of fuel gases such as hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The syngas is then burned in a gas turbine to generate electricity. Unlike the previous method, coal pulverization is not required in this process.
Coalification
Coalification is the process by which plant matter is converted into coal of increasingly higher rank, with anthracite as the final product. The general sequence of coalification is as follows.
Lignite → Subbituminous → Bituminous → Anthracite
Lignite is referred to as brown coal. It is considered the lowest rank of coal. The properties of Subbituminous coal range from lignite to bituminous coal. Bituminous coal is also called black coal and is a good grade of coal. Anthracite is a hard, compact variety of coal that has a submetallic luster. It has the highest carbon content and the lowest impurities. It is considered the best grade of coal.
Microbial activity plays a role in the initial stages of coalification, which occur a few meters below the Earth’s surface. However, for coalification to be fully completed, geological processes at greater depths are necessary. Several factors influence the coalification process, including duration, temperature, and pressure.
Duration refers to the time required for coal formation, and since natural coalification is a lengthy process spanning millions of years, the exact duration is difficult to determine precisely.
Temperature increases as depth from the Earth’s surface increases, typically rising by approximately 30 degrees Celsius per kilometer. This increase in temperature contributes to the coalification process, as higher temperatures aid in the transformation of organic matter into coal.
Pressure also rises with increasing depth. The growing pressure is another critical factor affecting coalification. The combination of elevated temperature and pressure facilitates the chemical and physical changes necessary for the formation of coal.
In summary, coalification is influenced by three key factors: duration, temperature, and pressure. The process requires an extended period of time, and as depth increases, higher temperatures and pressures contribute to the completion of coalification.
What is Charcoal
Charcoal is a porous black solid, consisting of an amorphous form of carbon, obtained as a residue when wood, bone, or other organic matter is heated in the absence of air. Some common types of charcoal are as follows.
- Coke
- Carbon black
- Soot
Charcoal Production Process
The process of producing charcoal is known as slow pyrolysis. The production of charcoal is found mainly in two methods, as follows.
The older method of using a clamp. Here, a pile of wood logs leaning against a chimney is used. The wood logs are placed in a circle, and the logs are covered by soil to avoid air entering the pile. Then it is lit using a chimney. Logs burn slowly and turn into charcoal within a few days.
The modern method of charcoal production is retorting. Here, heat is recovered from and solely provided by the combustion of gas released during carbonization.
Types of Charcoal
There are several types of charcoal available, each with its own specific characteristics and uses:
1. Common Charcoal: This type of charcoal is typically made from materials such as wood, peat, or petroleum. It is widely used for various purposes, including cooking, heating, and grilling.
2. Sugar Charcoal: Sugar charcoal is obtained through the carbonization of sugar. It is often used in specific applications, such as in certain food preparations or for medicinal purposes.
3. Activated Charcoal: Activated charcoal is produced by heating common charcoal in the presence of gases that create “pores” on its surface, increasing its adsorption capacity. This type of charcoal is primarily used in medical and research fields for purification and filtration purposes, as it effectively absorbs and removes organic impurities.
4. Lump Charcoal: Lump charcoal is a traditional form of charcoal made by burning hardwood materials. It is favored by many for grilling and barbecuing due to its high heat output and natural flavor-enhancing properties.
Charcoal finds various applications due to its properties. It is commonly used as a fuel source, including by blacksmiths who require high temperatures for their work (charcoal burns at temperatures up to 2700 degrees Celsius). In industrial settings, charcoal is utilized for iron smelting.
One of the most widespread uses of charcoal, particularly activated charcoal, is for purification purposes. Activated charcoal has a strong adsorption capability, allowing it to effectively capture and remove chemical compounds and organic impurities. Additionally, charcoal can serve as a source of carbon in chemical reactions, contributing to diverse industrial processes.
So, Difference Between Coal And Charcoal is?
Difference Between Coal and Charcoal
The main differences between coal and charcoal can be summarized as follows:
- Definition:
Coal: Coal is a combustible black or dark brown rock consisting chiefly of carbonized plant matter, found mainly in underground seams (coal beds).
Charcoal: Charcoal is a porous black solid, consisting of an amorphous form of carbon, obtained as a residue when wood, bone, or other organic matter is heated in the absence of air.
- Formation:
Coal: Coal is formed through biological and geological processes that occur over millions of years, involving the decomposition and carbonization of animal and plant materials.
Charcoal: Charcoal is formed by the slow heating of carbonaceous materials, such as wood or organic matter, in the absence of air.
- Raw Material:
Coal: Coal is derived from dead animal and plant matter.
Charcoal: Charcoal is derived from carbonaceous materials, such as wood or bone.
- Appearance:
Coal: The appearance of coal varies depending on the type, with anthracite coal having a black, metallic luster, while lignite coal has a brown, dull appearance.
Charcoal: Charcoal appears as a porous black solid material.
- Features:
Coal: Coal is classified as a type of sedimentary rock.
Charcoal: Charcoal is a porous compound and is considered a residue obtained from the burning of wood, peat, or other organic matter.
- Uses:
Coal: Coal is primarily used as a fuel source.
Charcoal: Charcoal has various uses, including as a fuel source, a carbon source in chemical reactions, and for purification and filtration purposes.
In summary, while both coal and charcoal are carbon-based substances, but they have Difference Between Coal And Charcoal. They differ in their formation processes, raw materials, appearance, features, and uses. Coal is a rock-like material formed over millions of years, mainly used as a fuel, while charcoal is a porous solid derived from heating carbonaceous materials and has diverse applications beyond fuel, including purification and filtration.
Conclusion
Coal and charcoal are carbon-rich compounds. Coal is made as a result of biological and geological processes that animal and plant matter have undergone for millions of years. Charcoal is a product obtained by the slow pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials. The main difference between coal and charcoal is that coal is a naturally occurring fossil fuel, whereas charcoal is formed as a result of the burning of carbonaceous materials.
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