How many main types of mineral coal are three and which are they?

There are four main types of mineral coal. These are : -

a. Peat

Peat contain about 28% of Carbon. It is the primary state of transformation of coal from wood. It is known as rough coal. Wax, acetone, acetic acid, methanol, many cyclic organic compounds are obtained by fractional distillation of peat.

b. Lignite

It contains about 28 to 30% carbon along with volatile matter and moisture. The heat energy of lignite is 27kJg^-1. It is used mostly in railways, thermal power and small and big industries. It is used to obtain coal gas and coal tar.

c. Bituminous coal.

It contains about 78 to 86% of carbon content. It also contains volatile matter and moisture . Its heat energy is about 30kJg^-1. It is used as fuel in the production of steel and to generate electricity.

d. Anthracite

It is the highest quality of coal, containing 94 to 98% of carbon. It contains small quantity of moisture and volatile matter. Its heat energy is 33kJg^-1. When pure anthracite is burnt smoke and smell is not produced and the amount of residue is very less.