Analyze the significance of coal as a major fossil fuel in India. Describe the different types of coal and their geographical distribution in the country.
Answer:
Answer by Student
- Coal is a conventional source of energy that holds significant importance as a major fossil fuel in India , serving as a vital energy resource for various sectors. India heavily relies on coal to meet its commercial energy requirements.
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The different types of coal found in India include peat, lignite, bituminous coal, metallurgical coal, and anthracite.
- Peat is the initial stage of coal formation and has low carbon content, high moisture content, and low heating capacity.
- Lignite is a low-grade brown coal with high moisture content, found in Neyveli in Tamil Nadu, primarily used for electricity generation.
- Bituminous coal, the most commonly used coal in commercial applications, is formed when coal is buried deep and subjected to increased temperatures.
- Metallurgical coal, a high-grade bituminous coal, is valuable for smelting iron in blast furnaces. Anthracite, the highest quality hard coal, is also found in India.
- Coal deposits in India are found in rock series of two main geological ages: Gondwana and Tertiary.
- The major reserves of Gondwana coal , including metallurgical coal, are located in the Damodar Valley in West Bengal and Jharkhand.
- Tertiary coals occur in the northeastern states of Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland
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Coal is a
bulky material
, and its weight reduces as it is consumed and turns into ash. Therefore,
heavy industries and thermal power stations
are often situated near coalfields to minimize transportation costs.
- The presence of coalfields has facilitated the establishment of industries such as iron and steel, cement, fertilizers, chemicals, and thermal power generation. The availability of coal has played a crucial role in the country's industrialization and energy generation.
