DRAFT RANDON NOTES Peat Peat is the first stage in the formation of coal.

It is regarded as the borderline between vegetation (biomass) and a fossil fuel. It is a brown, fibrous mass of partially decayed plant material accumulated in situ under water-logged conditions. Composition depends on type, depth of deposit and age. The oldest peats are about 1 million years old. Peat is believed to have formed from wood. When wood is subjected to bacterial processes under nearly stagnant water, the cellulose, lignin and protein are decomposed. Residuals combine to form dopplerite.

Peat combustion characteristics 1. Its low calorific value and high moisture content reduces furnace temperature and efficiency of combustion. 2. Its low bulk density (320 kg/m3) reduces capacity of furnace and increases storage and handling capacity due to its high volume. 3. Its friable nature (can be easily crumbled) causes appreciable loss in handling. 4. It may be used as a powder or may be briquetted without any binder. Lignite Forms the first phase of fossilization of vegetable matter. It is an immature form of coal. Believed to be between 10 and 40 million years old. It is intermediate in composition between peat and bituminous coal. Most immature lignites are chemically similar to most mature peats.

Coal Classifications One way is to Rank the coal. It indicates the degree or extent of maturation. It is a qualitative measure of carbon content. Thus lignites and sub-bituminous are low rank coals.While bituminous and anthracite are high rank coals.