Carbonica LLC

We do our best to reach the strategic goals of our company by ensuring its organic growth, providing excellent service and due environmental care. carbonicallc.com

If coal is subjected to still more heat and pressure, it becomes a metamorphic rock as the macerals finally crystallize into a true mineral, graphite. This slippery mineral still burns, but it is much more useful as a lubricant, an ingredient in pencils and other roles. Still more valuable is the fate of deeply buried carbon, which at conditions found in the mantle is transformed into a new crystalline form: diamond. However, coal probably oxidizes long before it can get into the mantle, so only Superman could perform that trick.

A 2018 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) indicates that global coal consumption is on the rise and was up 1% compared to 2017. Despite awareness of global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions, some major economies lack the resources to substitute their coal-based electricity with less carbon-intensive energies.

ANTHRACITE Bituminous coal is black, hard and usually dull to glossy in appearance. Still greater heat and pressure yields anthracite, the highest grade of coal. In the process, the coal releases methane or natural gas. Anthracite, a shiny, hard black stone, is nearly pure carbon and burns with great heat and little smoke.

BITUMINOUS COAL With more heat and pressure lignite releases more hydrocarbons and becomes the higher-grade bituminous coal.