Classification code
The largest amount of anthracite was formed as a result of regional metamorphism during the subsidence of coal-bearing strata into the area of elevated temperatures and pressures. The temperature during the formation of anthracite under conditions of regional metamorphism was in the range of 350–550 °C, which, along with changes in pressure, characteristics of the source material, and other factors, led to the formation of anthracite with different properties.
Depending on the carbon content and according to its technological application, anthracite is also usually divided into the following gradations:
- standard quality (SG);
- high quality (HG)
- ultra high quality (UHG).
Classification properties of anthracite | the code
| SG anthracite | HG anthracite | UHG anthracite | Coke | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture (maximum,%) | 15 | 15 | 13 | 5 |
| Ash (maximum,%) | 20 | 15 | 12 | 14 |
| Volatile substances (maximum,%) | 10 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Fixed carbon (minimum %) | 73 | 75 | 80 | 84 |
| Sulfur (maximum,%) | 1,0 | 1,0 | 0,6 | 0,8 |
| Phosphorus (%) | 0,02 | 0,02 | 0,02 | 0,04 |
In a number of previous classifications, anthracites were divided into grades PA (semi-anthracites) and A (anthracites). In the newly introduced state standards for the classification of coal and anthracite of the main basins and deposits, the PA brand is not provided.
Grades (grades) of anthracite
- AKO - (Anthracite Large Walnut, size 25-100 mm);
- AK - (Anthracite Fist, coarse coal, size 50-100 mm);
- AO - (Anthracite Walnut, size 25-50 mm);
- AM - (Anthracite Small, size 13-25 mm);
- AC - (Anthracite Seed, size 6-13 mm);
- Ashlam - (Anthracite sludge) - a product of coal preparation;
- ASh - (Anthracite Shtyb, size less than 6 mm).
Stocks of anthracite code
According to 2009 data, the world reserves of anthracite (the so-called recoverable resources) (including Canada, which is not currently developing reserves) are about 24 billion tons.
In 1980, world reserves amounted to 28.2 billion tons, in Russia there were 14 billion tons of anthracite.
The total reserves of anthracite make up 1% of the world's coal reserves (according to 2006 data).
Anthracite occurs in layers of different thickness, usually at medium and shallow depths, in the deposits of many geological systems. In terms of reserves (as of 2009), Russia is in 1st place, followed by China, Ukraine and Vietnam. The largest anthracite producer is China, other significant producers are North Korea (mainly for domestic consumption), Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam, Poland, England, Australia, and the USA.
Main anthracite producing countries, 2009.
| The country | Remaining rated
recoverable reserves (million tons) |
Nominal level
production (million tons/year) |
Remaining term
development (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 6080 | 275 | 22 |
| Russia | 6870 | 9 | 763 |
| Ukraine | 5790 | 20 | 290 |
| Vietnam | 2260 | 40 | 57 |
| North Korea | 1530 | 22,5 | 68 |
| South Africa | 710 | 2,5 | 284 |
| South Korea | 240 | 2,8 | 86 |
| Spain | 200 | 3,5 | 57 |
| USA | 60 | 1,6 | 38 |
| Poland | 10 | 0.0 | 253 |
The main coal-bearing basins: Pennsylvania (USA), Alberta (Canada), Witbank (South Africa).
In Russia and the CIS, anthracites have been identified in the Grushevsky (the cities of Shakhty, Novoshakhtinsk, Zverevo, Gukovo, Rostov region), Kuznetsk, Taimyr, Tunguska basins, as well as in coal basins and in the deposits of the Urals and Magadan region. The presence of highly metamorphosed coals, including anthracite, is known in the Kuznetsk, Pechora, Uzgen basins, at the Kugitang deposit (Turkmenistan). In Ukraine - in the Donbass (Donetsk and Lugansk regions).
Application of anthracite
Until the 1980s, anthracite was relatively rarely used for technological purposes, while standard grade anthracite was mainly used as a fuel in the energy sector, in transport and in everyday life. Currently, anthracite, in addition to being used in the energy sector, is used for ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, as well as for the production of adsorbents, electrodes, electrocorundum, microphone powder.
UHG anthracites are used as a substitute for coke and coke breeze (as part of a mixture with coke) in blast furnaces with pulverized coal injection (PCI), in the production of iron ore agglomerates, iron ore pellets, and electrodes.
The requirements for the quality of anthracite are the highest in comparison with the fuel and energy use. Even a relatively small deterioration in some properties of anthracite often negatively affects the quality of industrial products.
According to the interstate standards for coals and anthracites adopted in Russia and the CIS (classification according to genetic and technological parameters), anthracites are used in the production of water gas, thermal anthracite, calcium carbide, electrocorundum, in pulverized combustion, layer combustion in stationary boiler plants and fluidized bed, furnaces of ships, steam locomotives, for communal and domestic needs, production of lime, cement, in the agglomeration of ores, production of electrodes.
