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There are four basic forms in the evolution of coal
including peat, lignite, bituminous, and anthracite
coal. Peat is compressed plant remains derived from swampy regions.
It is the raw material from which coal is made. It is used in various
areas of the world, especially in the British Isles where it is cut into
cubes and dried to be burned in stoves. There are substantial quantities
of fuel peat worldwide, mainly in Canada, Russia, Northern Europe, and
in tropical countries such as Indonesia.
Lignite is a brownish-black coal with generally high moisture and ash
content, and the lowest carbon content and heating value. About
79 percent of lignite coal is used to generate electricity, 13.5 percent
is used to generate synthetic natural gas, and 7.5 percent is used to
produce fertilizer products.
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Peat fields, Ireland
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Lignite
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