Which coal class has energy content around 8,300 BTU per pound?

Which coal class has energy content around 8,300 BTU per pound?

• A. Lignite
• B. Subbituminous
• C. Bituminous
• D. Anthracite

Answer: (B)

Energy content, measured as BTU per pound, increases as coal becomes more mature in its rank. Lignite has a lot of moisture and relatively low carbon, so its heating value is the lowest, roughly a few thousand BTU per pound. Subbituminous coal has less moisture and more carbon, giving about 8,000–9,500 BTU per pound, with 8,300 landing squarely in that range. Bituminous and anthracite have even higher energy contents, typically around 12,000–15,000 BTU per pound. So a value around 8,300 BTU per pound points to subbituminous coal.

Energy content, measured as BTU per pound, increases as coal becomes more mature in its rank. Lignite has a lot of moisture and relatively low carbon, so its heating value is the lowest, roughly a few thousand BTU per pound. Subbituminous coal has less moisture and more carbon, giving about 8,000–9,500 BTU per pound, with 8,300 landing squarely in that range. Bituminous and anthracite have even higher energy contents, typically around 12,000–15,000 BTU per pound. So a value around 8,300 BTU per pound points to subbituminous coal.