Coal - Classification

Coal classification tool based on volatile matter content. This tool provides comprehensive classification of coal types from Anthracite to Non-coking coals, including their characteristics, volatile matter ranges, and typical properties such as sulfur content, moisture content, fixed carbon content, density, bulk density, and ash content.

ClassVolatile Matter (weight %)General DescriptionCategory
101< 6.1Anthracite
1023.1 - 9.0
2019.1 - 13.5Dry steam coalsLow volatile steam coals
20213.6 - 15.0
20315.1 - 17.0Cooking steams coals
20417.1 - 19.5
20619.1 - 19.5Heat altered low volatile steam coals
30119.6 - 32.0Prime cooking coalsMedium volatile coals
30519.6 - 32.0Mainly heat altered coals
30619.6 - 32.0
40132.1 - 36.0Very strongly coking coalsHigh volatile coals
402> 36.0
50132.1 - 36.0Strongly coking coals
502> 36.0
60132.1 - 36.0Medium coking coals
602> 36.0
70132.1 - 36.0Weakly coking coals
702> 36.0
80132.1 - 36.0Very weakly coking coals
802> 36.0
90132.1 - 36.0Non-coking coals
902> 36.0

Typical Coal Properties

Sulfur Content

  • Anthracite Coal: 0.6 - 0.77 weight %
  • Bituminous Coal: 0.7 - 4.0 weight %
  • Lignite Coal: 0.4 weight %

Moisture Content

  • Anthracite Coal: 2.8 - 16.3 weight %
  • Bituminous Coal: 2.2 - 15.9 weight %
  • Lignite Coal: 39 weight %

Fixed Carbon Content

  • Anthracite Coal: 80.5 - 85.7 weight %
  • Bituminous Coal: 44.9 - 78.2 weight %
  • Lignite Coal: 31.4 weight %

Density

  • Typical Range: 1100 - 1800 (kg/m³)

Bulk Density

  • Anthracite Coal: 50 - 58 (lb/ft³), 800 - 929 (kg/m³)
  • Bituminous Coal: 42 - 57 (lb/ft³), 673 - 913 (kg/m³)
  • Lignite Coal: 40 - 54 (lb/ft³), 641 - 865 (kg/m³)

Ash Content

  • Anthracite Coal: 9.7 - 20.2 weight %
  • Bituminous Coal: 3.3 - 11.7 weight %
  • Lignite Coal: 4.2 weight %