Coal - Revision history

CarsonBoardman at 20:06, 10 May 2025

2025-05-10T20:06:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:06, 10 May 2025
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	Bituminous and subbituminous coals are softer and don't tend to have the gloss of anthracite. They are the most common variants of coal, but have a lower carbon content with more impurities.		Bituminous and subbituminous coals are softer and don't tend to have the gloss of anthracite. They are the most common variants of coal, but have a lower carbon content with more impurities.
	[[File:Anthracite coal.jpg\|thumb\|250x250px\|A picture of anthracite. Note the glossiness and almost crystal-like appearance of the lump.]]Lignite is the lowest quality of coal, and often contains has some brown colouring. It is also soft and has the most impurities making it unwise to use for household heating due to the large amounts of pollutants being produced.		[[File:Anthracite coal.jpg\|thumb\|250x250px\|A picture of anthracite. Note the glossiness and almost crystal-like appearance of the lump.]]Lignite is the lowest quality of coal, and often contains has some brown colouring. It is also soft and has the most impurities making it unwise to use for household heating due to the large amounts of pollutants being produced.

			== Uses ==
			Because of its hot, consistent burning temperature and relative abundance, coal has had widespread use across history in heating, metalworking and powering coal [[Engine\|engines]]. coal burns at a higher temperature than wood, and so allowed for easier production of [[iron]] and other metals. This high temperature also allowed for particularly high pressures to be achieved in steam engines with a lower volume of fuel. This ease of energy extraction was the basis of the industrial revolution.

			Raw coal is often not desirable for making steel due to impurities such as Sulfur and other volatiles. This can be fixed by "coking" the coal to turn it into [[Coke(Fuel)\|Coke]] which is the process of heating coal in the absence of oxygen at 600 degrees celsius for around 24 hours. This removes the impurities, which yields a fuel that can burn hotter than raw coal and can be added to Steel without contamination with compounds that lower its strength.

	== Extraction ==		== Extraction ==

			==== Tools needed ====

			* Earth-moving tools; [[shovel]], [[pick]], etc.

	Coal is extracted from mines. Several methods can be used to extract it, each with differing levels of complexity and danger.		Coal is extracted from mines. Several methods can be used to extract it, each with differing levels of complexity and danger.

	Room and pillar mining is common, in which pillars of the coal seam are left to support earth above. This can help prevent collapse, but reduces yield due to the coal left in the pillar.		Room and pillar mining is common, in which pillars of the coal seam are left to support earth above. This can help prevent collapse, but reduces yield due to the coal left in the pillar.

	~~== Uses ==~~
	Because of its hot, consistent burning temperature and relative abundance, coal has had widespread use across history in heating, metalworking and powering coal [[Engine\|engines]]. coal burns at a higher temperature than wood, and so allowed for easier production of [[iron]] and other metals. This high temperature also allowed for particularly high pressures to be achieved in steam engines with a lower volume of fuel. This ease of energy extraction was the basis of the industrial revolution.

	Raw coal is often not desirable for making steel due to impurities such as Sulfur and other volatiles. This can be fixed by "coking" the coal to turn it into [[Coke(Fuel)\|Coke]] which is the process of heating coal in the absence of oxygen at 600 degrees celsius for around 24 hours. This removes the impurities, which yields a fuel that can burn hotter than raw coal and can be added to Steel without contamination with compounds that lower its strength.

	== Dangers ==		== Dangers ==

80.3.90.200 at 15:32, 10 May 2025

2025-05-10T15:32:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:32, 10 May 2025
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	=== Pollution ===		=== Pollution ===
	Coal has Sulfur impurities, which create smelly and toxic fumes that can mess with your local environment. Coal tar is full of various organic compounds such as benzene and aldehydes which are toxic and carcinogenic.		Coal has Sulfur impurities, which create smelly and toxic fumes that can mess with your local environment. Coal tar is full of various organic compounds such as benzene and aldehydes which are toxic and carcinogenic. These can accumulate in a chamber where coal is being burnt.

	It also often has some heavy metals such as Arsenic, Lead, and Nickel. These are released into the air or concentrated in the Ash of coal during combustion. Therefore, it is extremely important to dispose of Coal Ash properly and not use it in your garden or let it contaminate water sources.		It also often has some heavy metals such as Arsenic, Lead, and Nickel. These are released into the air or concentrated in the Ash of coal during combustion. Therefore, it is extremely important to dispose of Coal Ash properly and not use it in your garden or let it contaminate water sources.

CarsonBoardman: Deleted superfluous section. Expanded on extraction and dangers. more methods of mining should be explained.

2025-05-10T00:41:06Z

Deleted superfluous section. Expanded on extraction and dangers. more methods of mining should be explained.

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:41, 10 May 2025
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	Bituminous and subbituminous coals are softer and don't tend to have the gloss of anthracite. They are the most common variants of coal, but have a lower carbon content with more impurities.		Bituminous and subbituminous coals are softer and don't tend to have the gloss of anthracite. They are the most common variants of coal, but have a lower carbon content with more impurities.
	[[File:Anthracite coal.jpg\|thumb\|250x250px\|A picture of anthracite. Note the glossiness and almost crystal-like appearance of the lump.]]		[[File:Anthracite coal.jpg\|thumb\|250x250px\|A picture of anthracite. Note the glossiness and almost crystal-like appearance of the lump.]]Lignite is the lowest quality of coal, and often contains has some brown colouring. It is also soft and has the most impurities making it unwise to use for household heating due to the large amounts of pollutants being produced.
	Lignite is the lowest quality of coal, and often contains has some brown colouring. It is also soft and has the most impurities making it unwise to use for household heating due to the large amounts of pollutants being produced.

	== ~~Materials needed~~ ==		== Extraction ==
	Coal is ~~a naturally occurring material~~		Coal is extracted from mines. Several methods can be used to extract it, each with differing levels of complexity and danger.

	~~== Crafting instruction ==~~		Room and pillar mining is common, in which pillars of the coal seam are left to support earth above. This can help prevent collapse, but reduces yield due to the coal left in the pillar.
	~~Coal~~ is ~~extracted from mines~~

	== Uses ==		== Uses ==
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	== Dangers ==		== Dangers ==

			=== Mining ===
			During coal mining, fine dust can be inhaled and cause chronic inflammation. [[Protective Gear\|Respiratory protection]] should be worn.

	=== Pollution ===		=== Pollution ===

Mattyhussa: Added a bit about the dangers of using coal.

2025-05-09T20:47:15Z

Added a bit about the dangers of using coal.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:47, 9 May 2025
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	Raw coal is often not desirable for making steel due to impurities such as Sulfur and other volatiles. This can be fixed by "coking" the coal to turn it into [[Coke(Fuel)\|Coke]] which is the process of heating coal in the absence of oxygen at 600 degrees celsius for around 24 hours. This removes the impurities, which yields a fuel that can burn hotter than raw coal and can be added to Steel without contamination with compounds that lower its strength.		Raw coal is often not desirable for making steel due to impurities such as Sulfur and other volatiles. This can be fixed by "coking" the coal to turn it into [[Coke(Fuel)\|Coke]] which is the process of heating coal in the absence of oxygen at 600 degrees celsius for around 24 hours. This removes the impurities, which yields a fuel that can burn hotter than raw coal and can be added to Steel without contamination with compounds that lower its strength.

			== Dangers ==

			=== Pollution ===
			Coal has Sulfur impurities, which create smelly and toxic fumes that can mess with your local environment. Coal tar is full of various organic compounds such as benzene and aldehydes which are toxic and carcinogenic.

			It also often has some heavy metals such as Arsenic, Lead, and Nickel. These are released into the air or concentrated in the Ash of coal during combustion. Therefore, it is extremely important to dispose of Coal Ash properly and not use it in your garden or let it contaminate water sources.

			=== Self-combustion ===
			While on small scales this isn't a risk, coal is able to self-ignite. When coal is stored or transported in bulk it is watered to reduce this danger.

	== Dependencies ==		== Dependencies ==

Mattyhussa: Added descriptions of the variants of coal and some images for their identification.

2025-05-09T20:36:04Z

Added descriptions of the variants of coal and some images for their identification.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:36, 9 May 2025
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	'''Coal''' is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly [[carbon]] with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly [[hydrogen]], [[sulfur]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen]]. Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into [[peat]] and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a [[fuel]]. Coal is very soft ranking from 2 to 4 on the Mohs hardness scale, while sandstone ranks from 5 to 7.		'''Coal''' is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly [[carbon]] with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly [[hydrogen]], [[sulfur]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen]]. Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into [[peat]] and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a [[fuel]]. Coal is very soft ranking from 2 to 4 on the Mohs hardness scale, while sandstone ranks from 5 to 7.
			[[File:Subbituminous.jpg\|thumb\|208x208px\|A lump of subbituminous coal. ]]
			Coal can be found in a few different forms, these being Anthracite, Bituminous, Subbituminous and Lignite. The images on this article give some examples of their differing appearances.

			Anthracite is the highest quality of coal, and is black, hard and quite glossy/shiny. It has a high carbon content, meaning it has a good heating value so it is the most desirable.

			Bituminous and subbituminous coals are softer and don't tend to have the gloss of anthracite. They are the most common variants of coal, but have a lower carbon content with more impurities.
			[[File:Anthracite coal.jpg\|thumb\|250x250px\|A picture of anthracite. Note the glossiness and almost crystal-like appearance of the lump.]]
			Lignite is the lowest quality of coal, and often contains has some brown colouring. It is also soft and has the most impurities making it unwise to use for household heating due to the large amounts of pollutants being produced.

	== Materials needed ==		== Materials needed ==
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	* [[Peat]]		* [[Peat]]
	** '''Coal'''		** '''Coal'''
	** [[Fuel]]		** [[File:Lignite.jpg\|thumb\|A pile of lignite coal. It has a noticeable brown tinge.]][[Fuel]]

	== See also ==		== See also ==

80.3.90.200: process of turning coal into coke.

2025-05-09T20:13:32Z

process of turning coal into coke.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:13, 9 May 2025
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	== Uses ==		== Uses ==
	Because of its hot, consistent burning temperature and relative abundance, coal has had widespread use across history in heating, metalworking and powering coal [[Engine\|engines]]. coal burns at a higher temperature than wood, and so allowed for easier production of [[iron]] and other metals. This high temperature also allowed for particularly high pressures to be achieved in steam engines with a lower volume of fuel. This ease of energy extraction was the basis of the industrial revolution.		Because of its hot, consistent burning temperature and relative abundance, coal has had widespread use across history in heating, metalworking and powering coal [[Engine\|engines]]. coal burns at a higher temperature than wood, and so allowed for easier production of [[iron]] and other metals. This high temperature also allowed for particularly high pressures to be achieved in steam engines with a lower volume of fuel. This ease of energy extraction was the basis of the industrial revolution.

			Raw coal is often not desirable for making steel due to impurities such as Sulfur and other volatiles. This can be fixed by "coking" the coal to turn it into [[Coke(Fuel)\|Coke]] which is the process of heating coal in the absence of oxygen at 600 degrees celsius for around 24 hours. This removes the impurities, which yields a fuel that can burn hotter than raw coal and can be added to Steel without contamination with compounds that lower its strength.

	== Dependencies ==		== Dependencies ==

Mathematician: /* See also */ added Coke(Fuel)

2025-05-07T16:09:19Z

Gelsoup: Added sections: "Materials needed" and "Crafting instructions" and "Uses"

2025-05-06T18:09:46Z

Added sections: "Materials needed" and "Crafting instructions" and "Uses"

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:09, 6 May 2025
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	'''Coal''' is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly [[carbon]] with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly [[hydrogen]], [[sulfur]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen]]. Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into [[peat]] and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a [[fuel]]. Coal is very soft ranking from 2 to 4 on the Mohs hardness scale, while sandstone ranks from 5 to 7.		'''Coal''' is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly [[carbon]] with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly [[hydrogen]], [[sulfur]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen]]. Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into [[peat]] and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a [[fuel]]. Coal is very soft ranking from 2 to 4 on the Mohs hardness scale, while sandstone ranks from 5 to 7.

			== Materials needed ==
			Coal is a naturally occurring material

			== Crafting instruction ==
			Coal is extracted from mines

			== Uses ==
			Because of its hot, consistent burning temperature and relative abundance, coal has had widespread use across history in heating, metalworking and powering coal [[Engine\|engines]]. coal burns at a higher temperature than wood, and so allowed for easier production of [[iron]] and other metals. This high temperature also allowed for particularly high pressures to be achieved in steam engines with a lower volume of fuel. This ease of energy extraction was the basis of the industrial revolution.

	== Dependencies ==		== Dependencies ==

Chickler: Capitalization of Mohs.

2025-05-06T04:50:35Z

Capitalization of Mohs.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:50, 6 May 2025
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	[[File:Coal Transported to the nearby Meremere Power Station, 1966.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|Maramarua Open Cast Coal Mine in New Zealand, 1966]]		[[File:Coal Transported to the nearby Meremere Power Station, 1966.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|Maramarua Open Cast Coal Mine in New Zealand, 1966]]

	'''Coal''' is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly [[carbon]] with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly [[hydrogen]], [[sulfur]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen]]. Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into [[peat]] and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a [[fuel]]. Coal is very soft ranking from 2 to 4 on the ~~mohs~~ hardness scale, while sandstone ranks from 5 to 7.		'''Coal''' is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly [[carbon]] with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly [[hydrogen]], [[sulfur]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen]]. Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into [[peat]] and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a [[fuel]]. Coal is very soft ranking from 2 to 4 on the Mohs hardness scale, while sandstone ranks from 5 to 7.

	== Dependencies ==		== Dependencies ==

Ryannayr: added the information about the hardness of coal and sandstone for comparison

2025-05-05T19:17:02Z

added the information about the hardness of coal and sandstone for comparison

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:17, 5 May 2025
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	[[File:Coal Transported to the nearby Meremere Power Station, 1966.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|Maramarua Open Cast Coal Mine in New Zealand, 1966]]		[[File:Coal Transported to the nearby Meremere Power Station, 1966.jpg\|thumb\|250px\|Maramarua Open Cast Coal Mine in New Zealand, 1966]]

	'''Coal''' is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly [[carbon]] with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly [[hydrogen]], [[sulfur]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen]]. Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into [[peat]] and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a [[fuel]].		'''Coal''' is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly [[carbon]] with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly [[hydrogen]], [[sulfur]], [[oxygen]], and [[nitrogen]]. Coal is formed when dead plant matter decays into [[peat]] and is converted into coal by the heat and pressure of deep burial over millions of years. Coal is primarily used as a [[fuel]]. Coal is very soft ranking from 2 to 4 on the mohs hardness scale, while sandstone ranks from 5 to 7.

	== Dependencies ==		== Dependencies ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:09, 7 May 2025
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	== See also ==		== See also ==
	* [[Raw material]]		* [[Raw material]]
			* [[Coke(Fuel)]]
	* [[Activated charcoal]]		* [[Activated charcoal]]
	* [[Carbon dioxide]]		* [[Carbon dioxide]]